| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09614035B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a fin protruding from a substrate and extending in a first direction, first and second gate structures intersecting the fin, a recess formed in the fin between the first and second gate structures, a device isolation layer which fills the recess, and which has an upper surface protruded outwardly from the fin and disposed to be coplanar with upper surfaces of the first and second gate structures, a liner formed along a side walls of the device isolation layer protruded outwardly from the fin and a source/drain region disposed at both sides of the recess and spaced apart from the device isolation layer. |
| US09614031B2 |
Methods for forming a high-voltage super junction by trench and epitaxial doping
A high-voltage super junction device is disclosed. The device includes a semiconductor substrate region having a first conductivity type and having neighboring trenches disposed therein. The neighboring trenches each have trench sidewalls and a trench bottom surface. A region having a second conductivity type is disposed in or adjacent to a trench and meets the semiconductor substrate region at a p-n junction. A gate electrode is formed on the semiconductor substrate region and is electrically isolated from the semiconductor substrate region by a gate dielectric. A body region having the second conductivity type is disposed on opposite sides of the gate electrode near a surface of the semiconductor substrate. A source region having the first conductivity type is disposed within in the body region on opposite sides of the gate electrode near the surface of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09614026B2 |
High mobility transport layer structures for rhombohedral Si/Ge/SiGe devices
An electronic device includes a trigonal crystal substrate defining a (0001) C-plane. The substrate may comprise Sapphire or other suitable material. A plurality of rhombohedrally aligned SiGe (111)-oriented crystals are disposed on the (0001) C-plane of the crystal substrate. A first region of material is disposed on the rhombohedrally aligned SiGe layer. The first region comprises an intrinsic or doped Si, Ge, or SiGe layer. The first region can be layered between two secondary regions comprising n+doped SiGe or n+doped Ge, whereby the first region collects electrons from the two secondary regions. |
| US09614019B2 |
Input device
To provide a novel input device that can be manufactured at low cost or has high reliability. The input device includes a first flexible base material, a second flexible base material, and a sensor circuit that can sense an object such as a finger that is close to or in contact with a surface of the second flexible base material. The sensor circuit includes a transistor portion including a first transistor and a light-emitting element including a second transistor. The first transistor and the second transistor are provided on the first flexible base material side. Connection defects can be less likely to occur, which leads to an increase in the reliability of the input device. |
| US09614017B2 |
AMOLED backplane structure and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides an AMOLED backplane structure and a manufacturing method thereof. In each sub-pixel, a TFT substrate (TS) includes a corrugation structure (4) formed in an area corresponding to an opening (71) of a pixel definition layer (7). The corrugation structure (4) includes a plurality of raised sections (41) and a recessed section (42) formed between every two adjacent ones of the raised sections (41). An upper surface of a portion of the planarization layer (5) and a portion of a pixel electrode (6) that correspond to and are located above the corrugation structure (4) include curved surfaces corresponding to the corrugation structure (4). The AMOLED backplane structure helps ensure the planarization layer (5) is smooth and free of abrupt change sites and also makes the pixel electrode (6) in a form of a curved surface to increase an effective displaying surface, extend the lifespan of the OLED, reduce difficulty of manufacturing, and improve resolution. |
| US09614013B2 |
Transparent organic light emitting display devices including solar cell and methods of manufacturing the same
A transparent organic light-emitting display device may include a lower transparent substrate having a pixel region and a boundary region disposed between adjacent pixel regions, a solar cell disposed on the lower transparent substrate, a display structure disposed on the solar cell, and an overcoat layer disposed between the solar cell and the display structure, in which the overcoat layer electrically insulates the display structure from the solar cell. |
| US09614011B2 |
Electroluminescence display device
There is provided an EL display device of a color filter system which obtains sufficient brightness and contrast while making it difficult to generate a color mixture even if pixels become fine. An EL display device 100 according to the present invention includes a first substrate 1, a circuit layer 2 formed on the first substrate 1, a color selection reflection layer 11 formed in an upper layer of the circuit layer 2, lower electrodes 5 formed in an upper layer of the color selection reflection layer 11, a white light emission EL layer 7 formed in an upper layer of the lower electrodes 5, an upper electrode 8 formed in an upper layer of the EL layer 7, and a sealing layer 9 formed in an upper layer of the upper electrode 8. |
| US09614004B2 |
Diode/superionic conductor/polymer memory structure
A conjugated polymer layer with a built-in diode is formed by providing a first metal-chalcogenide layer over a bottom electrode. Subsequently, a second metal-chalcogenide layer is provided over and in contact with the first metal-chalcogenide layer. The first metal-chalcogenide layer has a first conductivity type and the second metal-chalcogenide layer has a second conductivity type. The plane of contact between the first and second metal-chalcogenide layers creates the p-n junction of the built-in diode. Then a polymer layer is selectively deposited on the second metal-chalcogenide layer. The second metal-chalcogenide layer provides ions to the polymer layer to change its resistivity. A top electrode is then provided over the polymer layer. An exemplary memory cell may have the following stacked structure: first electrode/n-type semiconductor/p-type semiconductor/conjugated polymer/second electrode. |
| US09614003B1 |
Method of forming a memory device structure and memory device structure
The present disclosure provides a memory device structure including a wafer substrate, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) formed by a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a thin non-magnetic layer stacked along a first direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the wafer substrate above which the MTJ is formed, the non-magnetic layer being interposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, a first contact electrically coupled to the first magnetic layer, and a second contact electrically coupled to the second magnetic layer. |
| US09614001B2 |
Active matrix substrate including signal terminals additional signal terminals and switching elements for testing the active matrix substrate
An active matrix substrate includes a plurality of bus lines (1, 2) provided in a pixel region, a plurality of signal terminals (5) provided in a connection terminal region (K), connection lines (3), additional signal terminals (11), test lines (8), and switching elements (4). The switching elements (4) are divided into a plurality of groups, and can control connections between the bus lines and the test lines (8) on a group basis, and connection elements (12) that each include a diode or a switching element and connect the signal terminals (5) to each other are provided in the connection terminal region (K). |
| US09614000B2 |
Biased backside illuminated sensor shield structure
Presented herein is a device comprising an image sensor having a plurality of pixels disposed in a substrate and configured to sense light through a back side of the substrate and an RDL disposed on a front side of the substrate and having a plurality of conductive elements disposed in one or more dielectric layers. A sensor shield is disposed over the back side of the substrate and extending over the image sensor. At least one via contacts the sensor shield and extends from the sensor shield through at least a portion of the RDL and contacts at least one of the plurality of conductive elements. |
| US09613996B2 |
Backside structure and methods for BSI image sensors
A back side image sensor and method of manufacture are provided. In an embodiment a bottom anti-reflective coating is formed over a substrate, and a metal shield layer is formed over the bottom anti-reflective coating. The metal shield layer is patterned to form a grid pattern over a sensor array region of the substrate, and a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer are formed to at least partially fill in openings within the grid pattern. |
| US09613994B2 |
Capacitance device in a stacked scheme and methods of forming the same
Embodiments of the present disclosure include devices and sensor packages and methods of forming the same. An embodiment is a device including a first semiconductor chip. The first semiconductor chip includes a first substrate, a first conductive pad over the first substrate. The device further includes a second semiconductor chip having a second surface bonded to a first surface of the first semiconductor chip. The second semiconductor chip includes a second substrate and a second conductive pad over the second substrate. The second conductive pad and the first conductive pad form a first capacitor. |
| US09613987B2 |
Display device
A display device including a data line disposed on a substrate; a first pigment layer formed to cover the data line; a second pigment layer disposed by a side of the first pigment layer and formed to have a first region which corresponds to an overlap region of the first and second pigment layers; and common electrodes arranged on second regions in which the first and second pigment layers do not overlap with each other. |
| US09613977B2 |
Differential etch of metal oxide blocking dielectric layer for three-dimensional memory devices
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a stack of alternating layers comprising insulating layers and spacer material layers over a semiconductor substrate, forming a memory opening through the stack, forming an aluminum oxide layer having a horizontal portion at a bottom of the memory opening and a vertical portion at least over a sidewall of the memory opening, where the horizontal portion differs from the vertical portion by at least one of structure or composition, and selectively etching the horizontal portion selective to the vertical portion. |
| US09613976B2 |
Three-dimensional semiconductor memory device
In general, according to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a stacked body, a semiconductor pillar, a memory film, a partitioning member, a first interlayer insulating film, and a first plug. The stacked body is provided on the substrate, and including a plurality of electrode films and a plurality of insulating films. The semiconductor pillar is provided in the stacked body. The partitioning member is provided in the stacked body. The first plug is connected to the semiconductor pillar. A central axis of the first plug is shifted from a central axis of the semiconductor pillar so as to approach the nearest partitioning member. |
| US09613975B2 |
Bridge line structure for bit line connection in a three-dimensional semiconductor device
A structure is formed on a substrate, which includes a stack of alternating layers comprising insulating layers and electrically conductive layers and a plurality of memory stack structures extending through the stack. At least one bridge line structure is formed on top surfaces of a respective subset of the plurality of memory stack structures to provide local lateral electrical connection. At least one dielectric material layer is formed over the at least one bridge line structure and the plurality of memory stack structures. A plurality contact via structures is formed through the dielectric material layer. The plurality of contact via structures includes at least one first contact via structure contacting a top surface of a respective bridge line structure, and second contact via structures contacting a top surface of a respective memory stack structure. |
| US09613969B2 |
Semiconductor structure and method of forming the same
The present invention provides a semiconductor structure, including a substrate, a plurality of fin structures, a plurality of gate structures, a dielectric layer and a plurality of contact plugs. The substrate has a memory region. The fin structures are disposed on the substrate in the memory region, each of which stretches along a first direction. The gate structures are disposed on the fin structures, each of which stretches along a second direction. The dielectric layer is disposed on the gate structures and the fin structures. The contact plugs are disposed in the dielectric layer and electrically connected to a source/drain region in the fin structure. From a top view, the contact plug has a trapezoid shape or a pentagon shape. The present invention further provides a method for forming the same. |
| US09613967B1 |
Memory device and method of fabricating the same
A method of fabricating a memory device includes providing a substrate having a first region and a second region. A first dielectric layer is formed on the substrate in the first region. A conductive layer is formed on the substrate in the second region. A top surface of the conductive layer is lower than a top surface of the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is formed on the substrate. A portion of the second dielectric layer and a portion of the conductive layer are removed to form a first opening in the conductive layer and the second dielectric layer in the second region. The first opening exposes a surface of the substrate. A portion of the substrate in the second region is removed to form a trench in the substrate in the second region. A third dielectric layer is formed in the trench and the first opening. |
| US09613959B2 |
Method of forming metal gate to mitigate antenna defect
The present disclosure relates to methods of forming a field effect transistor (FET) over a substrate, and associated integrated circuit device that improve etching back profile and prevent metal gate defect. In some embodiments, a recess is formed through an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer along a sidewall spacer and filled with a high-κ dielectric layer and a metal gate. An etch back is performed to lower the high-κ dielectric layer and the metal gate, where an “antenna” shaped residue of the high-κ dielectric material and the metal gate material is left at the boundary region of the high-κ layer and the metal gate, along the sidewall spacer. Then a second etch is performed to the sidewall spacer, removing a top edge portion of the sidewall spacer. Then one more step of etch can be performed to the high-κ layer and the metal gate to planarize and remove the residue. |
| US09613957B1 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a first active region including at least one first recess; a second active region including at least one second recess; an isolation region including a diffusion barrier that laterally surrounds at least any one active region of the first active region and the second active region; a first recess gate filled in the first recess; and a second recess gate filled in the second recess, wherein the diffusion barrier contacts ends of at least any one of the first recess gate and the second recess gate. |
| US09613955B1 |
Hybrid circuit including a tunnel field-effect transistor
The present invention relates generally to integrated circuits and more particularly, to a structure and method of forming a hybrid circuit including a tunnel field-effect transistor (TFET) and a conventional field effect transistor (FET). Embodiments of the present invention include a hybrid amplifier which features a TFET common-source feeding a common-gate conventional FET (e.g. a MOSFET). A TFET gate may be electrically isolated from an output from a conventional FET. Thus, a high impedance input may be received by a TFET with a high-isolation output (i.e. low capacitance) at a conventional FET. A hybrid circuit amplifier including a TFET and a conventional FET may have a very high input impedance and a low miller capacitance. |
| US09613946B2 |
Low voltage triggered silicon controlled rectifier with high holding voltage and small silicon area
A semiconductor device includes a P-type semiconductor substrate, a first N-well, a second N-well, and a P-well adjoining the first and second N-wells, a first doped region having a first conductivity type within the first N-well, a second doped region having a second conductivity type bridging the first N-well and the P-well, a third N+ doped region bridging the second N-well and the P-well, a fourth P+ doped region within the second N-well and spaced apart from the third N+ doped region, and a gate structure formed on the surface of the P-well and between the second doped region and the third N+ doped region. The gate structure, the second doped region, and the third N+ doped region form an NMOS structure. The semiconductor device is a low voltage triggered SCR having a relatively small silicon area and high holding voltage. |
| US09613943B2 |
Semiconductor device having output buffers and voltage path coupled to output buffers
An apparatus includes first and second data pads arranged adjacently to each other in a first direction without an intervention of a pad therebetween, first and second output transistors coupled correspondingly to the first and second data pads and arranged adjacently to each other in the first direction and at least one contact plug through which a voltage is supplied to each of the first and second output transistors. The at least one contact plug is arranged between the first and second output transistors. |
| US09613935B2 |
LED module
An LED module includes a substrate, one or more LED chips supported by a main surface of the substrate, and wirings. The substrate has one or more through holes penetrating from the main surface to a rear surface. The wirings are formed on the substrate and make electrical conduction with the LED chips. The wirings include pads which are formed on the main surface and make electrical conduction with the LED chips, rear surface electrodes which are formed on the rear surface, and through wirings which make electrical conduction between the pads and the rear surface electrodes and are formed on the inner sides of the through holes. |
| US09613933B2 |
Package structure to enhance yield of TMI interconnections
An apparatus is described that includes a substrate and a mold compound disposed on the substrate. The semiconductor die is embedded within the mold compound and is electrically coupled to lands on the substrate. Solder balls are disposed around the semiconductor die on the substrate. Each of the solder balls have a solid coating thereon. The solid coating contains a cleaning agent to promote its solder ball's coalescence with another solder ball. Respective vias are formed in the mold compound that expose the solder balls and their respective solid coatings. In combined or alternate embodiments outer edges of the mold compound have smaller thickness than regions of the mold compound between the vias and the semiconductor die. In combined or alternate embodiments micro-channels exist between the solder balls and the mold compound. |
| US09613931B2 |
Fan-out stacked system in package (SIP) having dummy dies and methods of making the same
An embodiment package includes a first fan-out tier, fan-out redistribution layers (RDLs) over the first fan-out tier, and a second fan-out tier over the fan-out RDLs. The first fan-out tier includes one or more first device dies and a first molding compound extending along sidewalls of the one or more first device dies. The second fan-out tier includes one or more second device dies bonded to fan-out RDLs, a dummy die bonded to the fan-out RDLs, and a second molding compound extending along sidewalls of the one or more second device dies and the dummy die. The fan-out RDLs electrically connects the one or more first device dies to the one or more second device dies, and the dummy die is substantially free of any active devices. |
| US09613930B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device
A device includes a first semiconductor chip including a first face, wherein a first contact pad is arranged over the first face. The device further includes a second semiconductor chip including a first face, wherein a first contact pad is arranged over the first face, wherein the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip are arranged such that the first face of the first semiconductor chip faces in a first direction and the first face of the second semiconductor chip faces in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first semiconductor chip is located laterally outside of an outline of the second semiconductor chip. |
| US09613929B2 |
Power semiconductor chip with a metallic moulded body for contacting thick wires or strips and method for the production thereof
The invention relates to a power semiconductor chip (10) having at least one upper-sided potential surface and contacting thick wires (50) or strips, comprising a connecting layer (I) on the potential surfaces, and at least one metal molded body (24, 25) on the connecting layer(s), the lower flat side thereof facing the potential surface being provided with a coating to be applied to the connecting layer (I) according to a connection method, and the material composition thereof and the thickness of the related thick wires (50) or strips arranged on the upper side of the molded body used according to the method for contacting are selected corresponding to the magnitude. |
| US09613922B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
Of three chips (2A), (2B), and (2C) mounted on a main surface of a package substrate (1) in a multi-chip module (MCM), a chip (2A) with a DRAM formed thereon and a chip (2B) with a flash memory formed thereon are electrically connected to wiring lines (5) of the package substrate (1) through Au bumps (4), and a gap formed between main surfaces (lower surfaces) of the chips (2A), (2B) and a main surface of the package substrate (1) is filled with an under-fill resin (6). A chip (2C) with a high-speed microprocessor formed thereon is mounted over the two chips (2A) and (2B) and is electrically connected to bonding pads (9) of the package substrate (1) through Au wires (8). |
| US09613920B2 |
Microelectronic package utilizing multiple bumpless build-up structures and through-silicon vias
A microelectronic package having a first bumpless build-up layer structure adjacent an active surface and sides of a microelectronic device and a second bumpless build-up layer structure adjacent a back surface of the microelectronic device, wherein conductive routes are formed through the first bumpless build-up layer from the microelectronic device active surface to conductive routes in the second bumpless build-up layer structure and wherein through-silicon vias adjacent the microelectronic device back surface and extending into the microelectronic device are electrically connected to the second bumpless build-up layer structure conductive routes. |
| US09613914B2 |
Post-passivation interconnect structure
A semiconductor device includes a passivation layer overlying a semiconductor substrate, and an interconnect structure overlying the passivation layer. The interconnect structure includes a landing pad region and a dummy region electrically separated from each other. A protective layer overlies the interconnect structure and includes a first opening exposing a portion of the landing pad region and a second opening exposing a portion of the dummy region. A metal layer is formed on the exposed portion of landing pad region and the exposed portion of the dummy region. A bump is formed on the metal layer overlying the landing pad region. |
| US09613912B2 |
Method of marking a semiconductor package
A method of making a semiconductor device can include providing a wafer comprising a plurality of semiconductor die, wherein each semiconductor die comprises an active surface and a backside opposite the active surface. A photosensitive layer can be formed over the wafer and on a backside of each of the plurality of semiconductor die within the wafer with a coating machine. An identifying mark can be formed within the photosensitive layer for each of the plurality of semiconductor die with a digital exposure machine and a developer, wherein a thickness of the identifying mark is less than or equal to 50 percent of a thickness of the photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer can be cured. The wafer can be singulated into a plurality of semiconductor devices. |
| US09613911B2 |
Self-similar and fractal design for stretchable electronics
The present invention provides electronic circuits, devices and device components including one or more stretchable components, such as stretchable electrical interconnects, electrodes and/or semiconductor components. Stretchability of some of the present systems is achieved via a materials level integration of stretchable metallic or semiconducting structures with soft, elastomeric materials in a configuration allowing for elastic deformations to occur in a repeatable and well-defined way. The stretchable device geometries and hard-soft materials integration approaches of the invention provide a combination of advance electronic function and compliant mechanics supporting a broad range of device applications including sensing, actuation, power storage and communications. |
| US09613909B2 |
Methods and devices for metal filling processes
Metal filling processes for semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating semiconductor devices. One method includes, for instance: obtaining a wafer with at least one contact opening; depositing a metal alloy into at least a portion of the at least one contact opening; separating the metal alloy into a first metal layer and a second metal layer; depositing a barrier stack over the wafer; forming at least one trench opening; forming at least one via opening; and depositing at least one metal material into the trench openings and via openings. An intermediate semiconductor device is also disclosed. |
| US09613908B2 |
Ultra-thin dielectric diffusion barrier and etch stop layer for advanced interconnect applications
Implementations described herein generally relate to the formation of a silicon and aluminum containing layer. Methods described herein can include positioning a substrate in a process region of a process chamber; delivering a process gas to the process region, the process gas comprising an aluminum-containing gas and a silicon-containing gas; activating a reactant gas comprising a nitrogen-containing gas, a hydrogen containing gas, or combinations thereof; delivering the reactant gas to the process gas to create a deposition gas that deposits a silicon and aluminum containing layer on the substrate; and purging the process region. The above elements can be performed one or more times to deposit an etch stop stack. |
| US09613903B2 |
Fine line space resolution lithography structure for integrated circuit features using double patterning technology
A hard mask is disposed over a base material, and an I-shaped first opening is disposed in the hard mask. The first opening includes two parallel portions and a connecting portion interconnecting the two parallel portions. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the first opening. The spacers fill an entirety of the connecting portion, wherein a center portion of each of the two parallel portions is unfilled by the spacers. The hard mask is etched to remove a portion of the hard mask and to form a second opening, wherein the second opening is between the two parallel portions of the first opening. The second opening is spaced apart from the two parallel portions of the first opening by the spacers. The first opening and the second opening are then extended down into the base material. |
| US09613900B2 |
Nanoscale interconnect structure
An interconnect structure includes a first dielectric material having an undercut region located at an upper surface thereof. A first conductive structure is located above a first area of the undercut region. The first conductive structure comprises a first conductive metal portion having a diffusion barrier portion located on one sidewall surface of the first conductive metal portion and having a metal liner located on another sidewall surface and a bottom surface of the first conductive metal portion. A second conductive structure is located above a second area of the undercut region. The second conductive structure comprises a second conductive material portion having a diffusion barrier portion located on one sidewall surface of the second conductive material portion and having a metal liner located on another sidewall surface and a bottom surface of the second conductive metal portion. A gap is located between the first and second conductive structures. |
| US09613899B1 |
Epitaxial semiconductor fuse for FinFET structure
On-chip, doped semiconductor fuses are formed in FinFET structures using epitaxial growth processes. Recesses are formed in selected portions of the fins following dummy gate removal. Semiconductor regions are grown within the recesses on exposed, opposing surfaces of the fins, merging to form an integral structure. Further epitaxial growth on the merged structure completes the semiconductor fuse. The semiconductor fuses are encapsulated by non-functional gate structures or by a dielectric fill. |
| US09613898B2 |
Raised e-fuse
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with a fuse is provided including the steps of providing a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structure including an insulating layer and a semiconductor layer formed on the insulating layer, forming a first raised semiconductor region on the semiconductor layer and a second raised semiconductor region on the semiconductor layer adjacent to the first semiconductor region, and performing a silicidation process of the first and second raised semiconductor regions to form a first at least partially silicided raised semiconductor region with a first silicided portion and a second at least partially silicided raised semiconductor region with a second silicided portion. |
| US09613892B2 |
Solid state contactor with improved interconnect structure
A printed circuit board for selectively communicating power from a power source to a use has an input bus for receiving a power supply. A transistor is connected to the input bus and is positioned on one side of the input bus in a first direction. An output bus is connected to the transistor on an opposed side of the transistor relative to the input bus. The transistor is intermediate at the first input and output buses in the first dimension. A power supply system is also disclosed. |
| US09613887B2 |
Semiconductor system, device and structure
An Integrated Circuit device, including: a base wafer including single crystal, the base wafer including a plurality of first transistors; at least one metal layer providing interconnection between at least a portion of the plurality of first transistors; a second layer of less than 2 micron thickness, the second layer including a plurality of second transistors, the second layer overlying the at least one metal layer; and at least one conductive structure constructed to provide power to a portion of the second transistors, where the provide power is controlled by at least one of the transistors. |
| US09613882B2 |
Nanoparticle thermal interface agents for reducing thermal conductance resistance
A thermal interface material (TIM) using high thermal conductivity nano-particles, particularly ones with large aspect ratios, for enhancing thermal transport across boundary or interfacial layers that exist at bulk material interfaces is disclosed. At least one of the interfacial layers is a vertically aligned metal nanowire array. The nanoparticles do not need to be used in a fluid carrier or as filler material within a bonding adhesive to enhance thermal transport, but simply in a dry solid state. The nanoparticles may be equiaxed or acicular in shape with large aspect ratios like nanorods and nanowires. |
| US09613877B2 |
Semiconductor packages and methods for forming semiconductor package
Semiconductor packages and methods for forming a semiconductor package are presented. The semiconductor package includes a package substrate having a die region on a first surface thereof. The package includes a die having a sensing element. The die is disposed in the die region and is electrically coupled to contact pads disposed on the first surface of the package substrate by insulated wire bonds. A cap is disposed over the first surface of the package substrate. The cap and the first surface of the package substrate define an inner cavity which accommodates the die and the insulated wire bonds. The insulated wire bonds are directly exposed to an environment through at least one access port of the package. |
| US09613876B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate including a channel length measuring pattern and display panel having the same
A thin film transistor (TFT) substrate includes a base substrate, a TFT disposed on the base substrate. The TFT includes a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer comprising a channel region, and a source electrode and a drain electrode spaced apart from one another by a length of the channel region. The TFT substrate further includes a gate insulating layer disposed between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer and a measuring pattern configured to measure a length of the channel region. |
| US09613872B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first metal containing a first conductivity-type impurity above a substrate provided with a first conductivity-type impurity region containing the first conductivity-type impurity and a second conductivity-type impurity region containing a second conductivity-type impurity; and forming a metal silicide containing the first metal by selectively causing, by thermal treatment, a reaction between the first metal and silicon contained in the substrate in the first conductivity-type impurity region. |
| US09613864B2 |
Low capacitance interconnect structures and associated systems and methods
Semiconductor device interconnect structures having low capacitance and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an interconnect structure includes forming an opening in a surface of a semiconductor device and forming an interconnect structure at least within the opening. Forming the interconnect structure includes depositing a first insulator material on both the surface and a sidewall of the opening, selectively removing a first portion of the first insulator material on the surface over a second portion of the first insulator material on the sidewall, depositing a second insulator material on the second portion, and depositing a conductive material on the second insulator material. The method further includes selecting the thickness of the first and second insulators materials based on a threshold level of capacitance between the sidewall and the conductive material. |
| US09613863B2 |
Method for forming electroless metal through via
A method of making a substrate-through metal via having a high aspect ratio, in a semiconductor substrate, and a metal pattern on the substrate surface, includes providing a semiconductor substrate (wafer) and depositing poly-silicon on the substrate. The poly-silicon on the substrate surface is patterned by etching away unwanted portions. Then, Ni is selectively deposited on the poly-silicon by an electroless process. A via hole is made through the substrate, wherein the walls in the hole is subjected to the same processing as above. Cu is deposited on the Ni by a plating process. Line widths and spacings <10 μm are provided on both sides of the wafer. |
| US09613846B2 |
Pad design for electrostatic chuck surface
Embodiments are directed to an electrostatic chuck surface having minimum contact area features. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide an electrostatic chuck assembly having a pattern of raised, elongated surface features for providing reduced particle generation and reduced wear of substrates and chucking devices. |
| US09613842B2 |
Wafer handler and methods of manufacture
A wafer handler with a removable bow compensating layer and methods of manufacture is disclosed. The method includes forming at least one layer of stressed material on a front side of a wafer handler. The method further includes forming another stressed material on a backside of the wafer handler which counter balances the at least one layer of stressed material on the front side of the wafer handler, thereby decreasing an overall bow of the wafer handler. |
| US09613840B2 |
Apparatus and method for bonding substrates
This invention relates to a method and a device for temporary bonding of a first substrate with a second substrate. The device is comprised of a mounting apparatus for mounting of the first substrate on a mounting contour with an active mounting surface. The mounting apparatus has an outer ring section for controllable fixing of the first substrate. Deformation means are provided for controllable deformation of the first substrate. The deformation means act within the outer ring section. Bonding means are provided for bonding of the first substrate with the second substrate. |
| US09613839B2 |
Control of workpiece temperature via backside gas flow
A system and method for modulating and controlling the localized temperature of a workpiece during processing is disclosed. The system uses a platen having one or more walls, defining a plurality of discrete regions on the top surface of the platen. When a workpiece is disposed on the platen, a plurality of compartments is created, where each compartment is defined by the back side of the workpiece and a respective region of the platen. The pressure of back side gas in each of the compartments can be individually controlled. The pressure of back side gas determines the amount of heat that is transferred from the workpiece to the platen. By locally regulating the pressure of back side gas, different regions of the workpiece can be maintained at different temperatures. In some embodiments, a plurality of valves is used to control the flow rate to the compartments. |
| US09613838B2 |
Batch-type vertical substrate processing apparatus and substrate holder
A batch-type vertical substrate processing apparatus includes a processing chamber into which a substrate holder configured to stack and hold a plurality of target substrates in a height direction is inserted; and a plurality of flanges formed to protrude from an inner wall of the processing chamber toward an internal space of the processing chamber along a planar direction and configured to divide the interior of the processing chamber into a plurality of processing subspaces along the height direction, wherein the flanges include insertion holes through which the substrate holder is inserted, and diameters of the insertion holes are small at an upper side of the processing chamber and become gradually larger toward a lower side of the processing chamber. |
| US09613837B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and maintenance method thereof
A substrate processing apparatus includes: a first processing chamber; a second processing chamber; a transfer chamber; a frame structure; and an elevating part. Each of the first and the second processing chamber has a main body part and a lid part. The transfer chamber is connected to the first and the second processing chamber and accommodates a transfer unit for transferring the substrate. The frame structure has a pair of column parts and a beam part supported at top portions of the column parts. The elevating part is coupled to the beam part to be moved in a horizontal direction and moves the lid part in the vertical direction. The beam part extends above the first and the second processing chamber and the transfer chamber. |
| US09613834B2 |
Replaceable upper chamber section of plasma processing apparatus
A replaceable upper chamber section of a plasma reaction chamber in which semiconductor substrates can be processed comprises a monolithic metal cylinder having a conical inner surface which is widest at a lower end thereof, an upper flange extending horizontally outward away from the conical inner surface and a lower flange extending horizontally away from the conical inner surface. The cylinder includes an upper annular vacuum sealing surface adapted to seal against a dielectric window of the plasma chamber and a lower annular vacuum sealing surface adapted to seal against a bottom section of the plasma chamber. A thermal mass at an upper portion of the cylinder is effective to provide azimuthal temperature uniformity of the conical inner surface. A thermal choke is located at a lower portion of the cylinder and is effective to minimize transfer of heat across the lower vacuum sealing surface. |
| US09613832B2 |
Mold release film and process for producing semiconductor package
A mold release film to be disposed on a cavity surface of a mold in a method for producing a semiconductor package wherein a semiconductor element is disposed in the mold and encapsulated with a curable resin to form a resin-encapsulation portion, characterized in that it has a first surface to be in contact with the curable resin at the time of forming the resin-encapsulation portion, and a second surface to be in contact with the cavity surface, at least one of the first surface and the second surface has irregularities formed thereon, and the surface having irregularities formed thereon, has an arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of from 1.3 to 2.5 μm and a peak count (RPc) of from 80 to 200; and a process for producing a semiconductor package by using the mold release film. |
| US09613828B2 |
Method of laser annealing a semiconductor wafer with localized control of ambient oxygen
Laser annealing of a semiconductor wafers using a forming gas for localized control of ambient oxygen gas to reduce the amount of oxidization during laser annealing is disclosed. The forming gas includes hydrogen gas and an inert buffer gas such as nitrogen gas. The localized heating of the oxygen gas and the forming gas in the vicinity of the annealing location on the surface of the semiconductor wafer creates a localized region within which combustion of oxygen gas and hydrogen gas occurs to generate water vapor. This combustion reaction reduces the oxygen gas concentration within the localized region, thereby locally reducing the amount of ambient oxygen gas, which in turn reduces oxidation rate at the surface of the semiconductor wafer during the annealing process. |
| US09613826B2 |
Semiconductor process for treating metal gate
A semiconductor process for treating a metal gate includes the following steps. A metal gate including a main conductive material on a substrate is provided. A H2/N2 plasma treatment process is performed to reduce the main conductive material. |
| US09613821B2 |
Method of forming patterns and method of manufacturing integrated circuit device
Provided are a method of forming patterns and a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit device. In the method of forming patterns, a photoresist pattern having a first opening exposing a first region of a target layer is formed. A capping layer is formed at sidewalls of the photoresist pattern defining the first opening. An insoluble region is formed around the first opening by diffusing acid from the capping layer to the inside of the photoresist pattern. A second opening exposing a second region of the target layer is formed by removing a soluble region spaced apart from the first opening, with the insoluble region being interposed therebetween. The target layer is etched using the insoluble region as an etch mask. |
| US09613814B2 |
Metal adhesion
A solar cell has a metal contact formed to electrically contact a surface of semiconductor material forming a photovoltaic junction. The solar cell includes a surface region or regions of heavily doped material and the contact comprises a contact metallisation formed over the heavily doped regions to make contact thereto. Surface keying features are located in the semiconductor material into which the metallisation extends to assist in attachment of the metallisation to the semiconductor material. |
| US09613810B2 |
Silicon carbide semiconductor devices having nitrogen-doped interface
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing high power circuits and semiconductor devices. In one aspect, a method for fabricating a silicon carbide semiconductor device includes forming a thin epitaxial layer of a nitrogen doped SiC material on a SiC epitaxial layer formed on a SiC substrate, and thermally growing an oxide layer to form an insulator material on the nitrogen doped SiC epitaxial layer, in which the thermally grown oxide layer results in at least partially consuming the nitrogen doped SiC epitaxial layer in the oxide layer to produce an interface including nitrogen between the SiC epitaxial layer and the oxide layer. |
| US09613808B1 |
Method of forming multilayer hard mask with treatment for removing impurities and forming dangling bonds
A method of forming a multilayer hard mask includes the following steps. An unpatterned multilayer hard mask is formed on a semiconductor substrate. The unpatterned multilayer hard mask includes a first hard mask layer formed on the semiconductor substrate and a second hard mask layer directly formed on the first hard mask layer. A treatment is performed on a top surface of the first hard mask layer before the step of forming the second hard mask layer, and the treatment is configured to remove impurities on the first hard mask layer and form dangling bonds on the top surface of the first hard mask layer. Defects related to the first hard mask layer and the second hard mask layer may be reduced, and the manufacturing yield may be enhanced accordingly. |
| US09613807B2 |
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits using directed self-assembly chemoepitaxy
Methods for directed self-assembly (DSA) using chemoepitaxy in the design and fabrication of integrated circuits are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming an A or B-block attracting layer over a base semiconductor layer, forming a trench in the A or B-block attracting layer to expose a portion of the base semiconductor layer, and forming a neutral brush or mat or SAMs layer coating within the trench and over the base semiconductor layer. The method further includes forming a block copolymer layer over the neutral layer coating and over the A or B-block attracting layer and annealing the block copolymer layer to form a plurality of vertically-oriented, cylindrical structures within the block copolymer layer. |
| US09613801B2 |
Integration of absorption based heating bake methods into a photolithography track system
A method of patterning a layered substrate is provided that includes forming a layer of a block copolymer on a substrate, annealing the layer of the block copolymer to affect microphase segregation such that self-assembled domains are formed, and annealing the layer of the block copolymer a second time to refine or modify the microphase segregation, where one of the annealing steps uses an absorption based heating method. |
| US09613800B2 |
Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices including an oxide layer
In a method of forming an oxide layer of a semiconductor process, a preliminary precursor flow is provided on a substrate in a deposition chamber to form a preliminary precursor layer, a precursor flow and a first oxidizing agent flow are provided on the preliminary precursor layer alternately and repeatedly to form precursor layers and first oxidizing agent layers alternately stacked on the preliminary precursor layer, and a second oxidizing agent flow is provided on the precursor layer or the first oxidizing agent layer alternately stacked to form a second oxidizing agent layer. |
| US09613798B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, substrate processing apparatus, and recording medium
A technique includes forming a film containing a first element, a second element and carbon on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times. The cycle includes non-simultaneously performing: forming a first layer containing the first element and carbon by supplying a precursor gas having a chemical bond of the first element and carbon from a first supply part to the substrate in a process chamber, and forming a second layer by supplying a reaction gas containing the second element from a second supply part to the substrate in the process chamber and supplying a plasma-excited inert gas from a third supply part to the substrate in the process chamber to modify the first layer, the third supply part being different from the second supply part. |
| US09613797B2 |
Cleaning device, peeling system, cleaning method and computer-readable storage medium
A cleaning method that peels off an overlapped substrate and cleans a bonding surface of a peeled substrate to be processed, the overlapped substrate including the substrate to be processed and a support substrate bonded together with a protectant, a peeling agent and an adhesive stacked in order therebetween from the substrate to be processed, the cleaning method comprising: removing the protectant by supplying a solvent of the protectant from a solvent supply part to the bonding surface of the substrate to be processed; and removing the peeling agent by absorbing the peeling agent, which has been peeled from the bonding surface of the substrate to be processed, using a peeling agent absorption part. |
| US09613795B2 |
Wafer processing method to remove crystal strains
A wafer is formed by slicing a single crystal ingot and removing crystal strains remaining in a peripheral portion of the wafer. In the crystal strain removing step, a laser beam having such a wavelength as to be transmitted through the wafer is applied to the wafer from one side of the wafer in positions located along the margin of the wafer and spaced a predetermined distance inward from the margin, to cause growth of fine holes and amorphous regions shielding the fine holes, over the range from one side to the other side of the wafer, whereby shield tunnels are formed in an annular pattern. Then, an external force is applied to the wafer along the shield tunnels so as to break the wafer in the region of the shield tunnels, thereby removing the peripheral wafer portion where the crystal strains are remaining. |
| US09613791B2 |
Calcium fluoride optical member, manufacturing method therefor, gas-holding container, and light source device
There is provided a calcium fluoride optical member formed from monocrystalline calcium fluoride and having a tubular shape. A {110} crystal plane or a {111} crystal plane of the monocrystalline calcium fluoride is orthogonal to a center axis of the tube. |
| US09613789B1 |
Compact dual ion composition instrument
A relatively compact dual ion composition instrument and associated methodology for measuring plasma and ion populations in a variety of interplanetary and planetary environments. The unitary device can measure mass and ionic charge state compositions and 3D velocity distributions of 10 eV/q to 40 keV/q plasma and pick-up ions; and (2) mass composition, energy spectra and angular distributions of 30 keV to 10 MeV energetic ions. |
| US09613788B2 |
RF ion guide with axial fields
RF ion guides are configured as an array of elongate electrodes arranged symmetrically about a central axis, to which RF voltages are applied. The RF electrodes include at least a portion of their length that is semi-transparent to electric fields. Auxiliary electrodes are then provided proximal to the RF electrodes distal to the ion guide axis, such that application of DC voltages to the auxiliary electrodes causes an auxiliary electric field to form between the auxiliary electrodes and the ion guide RF electrodes. A portion of this auxiliary electric field penetrates through the semi-transparent portions of the RF electrodes, such that the potentials within the ion guide are modified. The auxiliary electrode structures and voltages can be configured so that a potential gradient develops along the ion guide axis due to this field penetration, which provides an axial motive force for collision damped ions. |
| US09613787B2 |
Time-of-flight mass spectrometer for conducting high resolution mass analysis
A first mass analysis is executed in a condition that gas is not introduced into a loop-flight chamber (4), and a time-of-flight spectrum obtained in a data processor (12) is stored in a storage unit (13). Next, a second mass analysis is executed on the same sample as the one used in the first mass analysis in a condition that a valve (8) is opened and helium gas (He) is introduced into the loop-flight chamber (4), and the time-of-flight spectrum is obtained in the data processor (12). If different kinds of ions having the same m/z value exit, these ions form a single peak in the first time-of-flight spectrum, while these ions appear as separate peaks in the second time-of-flight spectrum even though they have the same m/z value. This is because, in the second mass analysis, the ions collide with the gas and have different times of flight depending on their difference in size. A spectrum comparator (14) judges a change in the position or shape of the peak by comparing the two spectra, and outputs information relating to the difference in the size of the ions (the molecular structure, charge state, or molecular class of the ions), and the like. Accordingly, a wider variety of information than ever before can be provided. |
| US09613776B2 |
Fuse holder and associated method
A holder for receiving fuses is provided. The holder includes a housing and a fuse shuttle. The fuse shuttle is slidably cooperable with the housing in a first portion of the housing and pivotally cooperable with the housing in a second portion of the housing. The fuse shuttle and the housing define a fuse loading position and a fuse operational position. |
| US09613774B2 |
Circuit breakers with common trip cams and related trip cams
Circuit breakers with handles have common trip cams with an integrated spring and trip cam base. The integrated spring directly contacts the armature in lieu of having the trip cam base formed to do so thereby allowing the use of alternative trip cam base configurations and materials from conventional relatively expensive materials. |
| US09613773B2 |
Electrical component and method for establishing contact with an electrical component
An electrical component includes at least one external contact having a first metallization and a second metallization. The metallizations are fired and the second metallization only partly covers the first metallization. Furthermore, an electrical component includes at least one frame-shaped metallization. Furthermore, an electrical component includes a first and second metallization that have a different wettability with solder material. |
| US09613771B2 |
Relay
Disclosed is a relay. The relay includes a first fixed contact connected to a power source, a second fixed contact separated from the first fixed contact, and connected to a load, and a moving contact configured to be brought into contact with or separated from the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact. The moving contact includes a first moving contact configured to be brought into contact with or separated from the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact and a second moving contact separated from the first moving contact, and configured to be brought into contact with or separated from the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact. Accordingly, the moving contact can be prevented from being separated from the fixed contact by an inter-electron repulsion. |
| US09613769B2 |
Vacuum interrupter for a circuit breaker arrangement
An exemplary vacuum interrupter for a circuit breaker arrangement including a cylindrically shaped insulating part, within which a pair of electrical contact parts are coaxially arranged and surrounded concentrically by the insulating part. The electrical contact parts can be configured to initiate a disconnection arc only between corresponding inner contact elements after starting a disconnection process, and corresponding outer contact elements can be configured to commutate the arc from the inner contact elements to the outer contact elements until the disconnection process is completed, wherein each inner electrical contact element is designed as a TMF-like contact element for generating mainly a transverse magnetic field, and each outer electrical contact element is designed as an AMF-like contact element for generating mainly an axial magnetic field. |
| US09613768B2 |
Single pushbutton control device for a plurality of switches
A switch control device includes at least one silicone dome (7) and at least one actuator (5) acting upon the at least one silicone dome (7), which is adapted to close and selectively open electric contacts of at least one switch (6). The actuator (5) is moved by a force exerted via a thrusting element (3). Between the thrusting element (3) and the at least one actuator (5) is at least one elastic element (4) adapted to be compressed by the thrusting element (3) as the at least one silicone dome (7) is compressed, and to extend as the at least one dome (7) collapses towards the switch (6). |
| US09613760B2 |
Energy storage device and methods for making and use
An electrode in an energy storage device, including: an activated carbon, including: a surface area of from 1000 to 1700 m2/g; a pore volume from 0.3 to 0.6 cc/g; a chemically bonded oxygen content of 0.01 to 1.5 wt %; and a pH of from 7.5 to 10. Also disclosed is a method of making the activated carbon, the electrode, and the energy storage device. |
| US09613758B2 |
Fabrication and application of polymer-graphitic material nanocomposites and hybride materials
The present invention describes a nanocomposite and hybride material of functionalized carbon nanotubes and cellulose and associated methods for the fabrication of that nanocomposite or hybride material containing electromagnetically active nanoparticles. The fabrication is fast, environmentally friendly, and economical. These nanocomposites are strong and electrically conducting, and have many materials and electronic applications. |
| US09613755B2 |
Multi layer ceramic capacitor, embedded board using multi layer ceramic capacitor and manufacturing method thereof
A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a multilayer ceramic sintering body and one or two or more internal electrode units formed to be placed inside the multilayer ceramic sintering body. Each internal electrode unit includes first internal electrodes formed in the multilayer ceramic sintering body in such a way to be spaced apart from each other, one or more of both ends of one side of each of the first internal electrodes being formed to be exposed to the top or bottom surface of the multilayer ceramic sintering body, and second internal electrodes placed between the first internal electrodes, respectively, and formed in the multilayer ceramic sintering body in such a way to be spaced apart from each other, one or more of both ends of the other side of each of the second internal electrodes being formed to be exposed to the top or bottom surface of the sintering body. |
| US09613747B2 |
System and method for efficient data communication and wireless power transfer coexistence
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for receiving power wirelessly. In one aspect, a receiver comprises an antenna that receives power wirelessly. The receiver further comprises a power circuit that operates according to a first frequency. The receiver further comprises a communication circuit that operates according to a second frequency. The receiver further comprises a circuit coupled between the antenna and the power circuit and the antenna and the communication circuit. The circuit comprises a first resonant network and a second resonant network. The circuit comprises a first path between the antenna and the power circuit via the first resonant network and a second path between the antenna and the communication circuit via the second resonant network. The first path has a higher impedance than the second path at the second frequency and has a lower impedance than the second path at the first frequency. |
| US09613745B2 |
Adjustable integrated combined common mode and differential mode three phase inductors and methods of manufacture and use thereof
In some embodiments, the instant invention can provide an electrical system that at least includes the following: a three-phase inductor, having: a core, having: at least one first core segment, having a first shape; at least one second core segment, having a second shape; at least one third core segment, having a third shape; where the at least one first core segment, the at least one second core segment, and the at least one third core segment are configured to be: separate from each other and adjustable relative to each other; and where the core is configured so that differential mode inductance flux paths during the operation of the three-phase inductor depend on the first shape of the at least one first core segment, the second shape of the at least one second core segment, and the third shape of the at least one third core segment. |
| US09613740B2 |
Electric apparatus with moving magnetic field generating apparatus
A moving magnetic field generating apparatus includes a magnet array including magnets disposed at a first pitch such that N and S poles of adjacent magnets in the magnet array are alternated, and first and second magnetic pole piece arrays extending along the magnet array to interpose the magnet array therebetween with a gap from the magnet array. The first and second magnetic pole piece arrays are disposed with a predetermined phase difference therebetween. The first magnetic pole piece array includes first magnetic pole pieces disposed at a second pitch in an array and each having a length enough to face at least two adjacent magnets in the magnet array. The second magnetic pole piece array is configured similarly to the first magnetic pole piece array. One of the first and second magnetic pole piece arrays and the magnet array is relatively moved to the other at a predetermined speed. |
| US09613738B2 |
Magnet
The present invention relates to a magnet, which comprises a body and a slide arranged to be movable relative to the body between a first and a second position. The slide comprises a permanent magnet, and a cylindrical first pole piece and a second pole piece, which are attached to opposite magnetic pole surfaces of the permanent magnet. The body comprises a first and a second section made of magnetic material and being separated from each other by a third section that is made of non-magnetic material. The first section comprises a cylindrical recess into which the slide is movably arranged so that, at the first position of the slide, the cylindrical first pole piece, the permanent magnet and at least part of the second pole piece are located inside the cylindrical recess, and at the second position of the slide, at least part of the cylindrical first pole piece is located inside the cylindrical recess and the second pole piece is located outside the cylindrical recess. |
| US09613736B1 |
Positive temperature coefficient circuit protection chip device
A method of making a PTC protection chip device includes: preparing an assembly of a PTC polymer material, a spacer unit, and first and second electrode sheets of a metal-plated copper foil, the PTC polymer material and the spacer unit of the assembly being sandwiched between and cooperating with the first and second electrode sheets to form a stack; subjecting the stack to a hot pressing process, so that the first and second electrode sheets contact and are pressed against the PTC polymer material and the spacer unit and so that the PTC polymer material is bonded to and cooperates with the first and second electrode sheets to form a PTC laminate; and cutting the PTC laminate so as to form the PTC circuit protection chip device. |
| US09613731B2 |
Cable having electrical shielding and seal
The invention relates to a cable (1) having at least one electrical line (2), the electrical line (2) being surrounded by an electrically conductive sheath (5), the sheath (5) being formed from an electrically conductive and resilient sealing material. |
| US09613730B2 |
Cable branch structure
A cable branch structure (1) branches, from a main line (30A) to branch lines (30B, 30C), a shielded cable (30) with electric wires (10) covered with a braided wire (20). The braided wire (20) includes: a main line side braided wire (20A) constituting a part corresponding to the main line (30A); and branch line side braided wires (20B, 20C), respectively, constituting parts corresponding to the respective branch lines (30B, 30C). The braided wire (20) includes at least one of a first mounting portion (100; 110) provided at an end portion of the main line side braided wire (20A) for mounting end portions of the branch line side braided wires (20B, 20C) and second mounting portions (100; 120, 130) provided at each of the end portions of the branch line side braided wires (20B, 20C) for mounting the end portion of the main line side braided wire (20A). |
| US09613729B2 |
Mechanical design of multiple zone plates precision alignment apparatus for hard X-ray focusing in twenty-nanometer scale
An enhanced mechanical design of multiple zone plates precision alignment apparatus for hard x-ray focusing in a twenty-nanometer scale is provided. The precision alignment apparatus includes a zone plate alignment base frame; a plurality of zone plates; and a plurality of zone plate holders, each said zone plate holder for mounting and aligning a respective zone plate for hard x-ray focusing. At least one respective positioning stage drives and positions each respective zone plate holder. Each respective positioning stage is mounted on the zone plate alignment base frame. A respective linkage component connects each respective positioning stage and the respective zone plate holder. The zone plate alignment base frame, each zone plate holder and each linkage component is formed of a selected material for providing thermal expansion stability and positioning stability for the precision alignment apparatus. |
| US09613725B2 |
Neutron detection apparatus
A neutron detector detects a neutron flux distribution of the inside of a reactor. The neutron detector includes a thimble guide tube that is inserted inside of the reactor, for inserting the neutron detector. A drive apparatus is connected to the thimble guide tube for inserting or extracting the neutron detector into or out of the thimble guide tube. A vacuum unit controls the vacuum state in the thimble guide tube. A supply unit supplies carbon dioxide gas. A gas purge unit is connected to the supply unit and conducts gas purge in the thimble guide tube. A gate valve is provided between the thimble guide tube and the drive apparatus, and performs an open/close operation. A control apparatus controls the gate valve, the drive apparatus, the vacuum unit, the supply unit, and the gas purge unit. |
| US09613714B1 |
One time programming memory cell and memory array for physically unclonable function technology and associated random code generating method
A one time programming memory cell includes a selecting circuit, a first antifuse storing circuit and a second antifuse storing circuit. The selecting circuit is connected with a bit line and a word line. The first antifuse storing circuit is connected between a first antifuse control line and the selecting circuit. The second antifuse storing circuit is connected between a second antifuse control line and the selecting circuit. |
| US09613713B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes: first and second memory cells; first and second word lines coupled to the first and second memory cells, respectively. When data is read from the first memory cell, first and second voltages are applied to the first word line. A voltage of the second word line varies continuously by a first potential difference with time while the first voltage is applied to the first word line, and the voltage of the first word line varies continuously by a second potential difference with time while the second voltage is applied to the first word line. |
| US09613712B1 |
Negative voltage management module for an address decoder circuit of a non-volatile memory device
An address decoder circuit is designed to address and bias memory cells of a memory array of a non-volatile memory device. The address decoder circuit includes a charge-pump stage configured to generate a boosted negative voltage. A control stage is operatively coupled to the charge-pump stage for controlling switching on/off thereof as a function of a configuration signal that determines the value of the boosted negative voltage. A decoding stage is configured so as to decode address signals received at its input and generate biasing signals for addressing and biasing the memory cells. A negative voltage management module has a regulator stage, designed to receive the boosted negative voltage from the charge-pump stage and generate a regulated negative voltage for the decoding stage, having a lower ripple as compared to the boosted negative voltage generated by the charge-pump stage. |
| US09613711B2 |
Storage device and method of reading a storage device in which reliability verification operation is selectively omitted
A method controlling the execution of a reliability verification operation in a storage device including a nonvolatile memory device includes; determining whether a read count for a designated unit within the nonvolatile memory device exceeds a count value limit, and upon determining that the read count exceeds the count value limit, executing the reliability verification operation directed to the designated unit, wherein the count value limit is based on at least one of read count information, page bitmap information and environment information stored in the storage device. |
| US09613710B2 |
Multiple-time programmable memory
A multiple-time programmable (MTP) structure is provided that can operate using a power supply with a supply voltage of 1.5 V to 5.5 V. When the supply voltage is above a first voltage, a first circuit is configured to induce a second constant voltage at a drain of a second transistor, and to induce the second constant voltage on a terminal in a third circuit. In some embodiments, the third circuit provides a third constant voltage on a gate of a third transistor. When the supply voltage is below the first voltage, a fifth circuit is configured to induce a fourth constant voltage on a terminal in the third circuit. The fourth constant voltage is substantially equal to the second constant voltage. |
| US09613706B2 |
Programming and/or erasing a memory device in response to its program and/or erase history
A method includes sending a number of program/erase cycles from a memory of control logic of a memory device to a counter of the control logic, where the number of program/erase cycles has been previously applied to one or more memory cells of an array of memory cells of the memory device, using the counter to increment the number of program/erase cycles each time an additional program/erase cycle is applied to the one or more memory cells, using compare logic of the control logic to compare the incremented number of program/erase cycles to a numerical value, and using starting-voltage level control logic of the control logic to adjust a program starting voltage level and/or an erase starting voltage level based on the comparison of the incremented number of program/erase cycles to the numerical value. |
| US09613705B1 |
Method for managing programming mode of rewritable non-volatile memory module, and memory storage device and memory control circuit unit using the same
In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: determining whether a used capacity of first physical units initially configured to be programmed based on a first programming mode reaches a preset capacity and whether specific data stored in the first physical units matches a preset condition; and if the used capacity of the first physical units reaches the preset capacity and the specific data stored in the first physical units matches the preset condition, selecting at least one physical unit from second physical units initially configured to be programmed based on a second programming mode, and programming the selected physical unit based on the first programming mode. Accordingly, the writing speed decreased by the fully written buffer area may be improved. |
| US09613701B2 |
Ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) with programmable resistive elements
A content addressable memory device includes a first memory cell having three programmable resistive elements coupled in parallel. The first terminals of the first, second, and third programmable resistive elements are coupled to a first node, the second terminal of the first programmable resistive element coupled to a first source line voltage, the second terminal of the second programmable resistive element coupled to a second source line voltage, and the second terminal of the third programmable resistive element coupled to a first supply voltage. A first access transistor includes a first current electrode coupled to a bit line; a second current electrode coupled to the first node, and a control electrode coupled to a word line. A match line transistor includes a first current electrode coupled to a match line; a second current electrode coupled to a second supply voltage and a control electrode coupled to the first node. |
| US09613695B2 |
Methods, devices and systems using over-reset state in a memory cell
Memory cells, devices and methods are disclosed, including those that involve applying a waveform to a resistive memory cell to program the memory cell to an over-reset state representing a logic value. |
| US09613687B2 |
Memory, memory controller, memory system, method of memory, memory controller and memory system
In one embodiment, the method includes performing a read operation on a memory, and determining, by a memory controller, whether to perform a reliability verification read operation based on a count value and a reference value. The count value is based on a number of read commands issued by the memory controller to the memory, and the reliability verification read operation is for reading data from at least one memory cell associated with at least one unselected word line in the memory. An unselected word line is a word line not selected during the read operation. The method further includes performing the reliability verification read operation for the at least one unselected word line based on the determining. |
| US09613684B2 |
Systems and methods involving propagating read and write address and data through multi-bank memory circuitry
Multi-bank SRAM devices, systems, methods of operating multi-bank SRAMs, and/or methods of fabricating multi-bank SRAM systems are disclosed. For example, illustrative multi-bank SRAMs and methods may include or involve features for capturing read and write addresses at a particular frequency, splitting and/or combining them via one or more splitting/combining processes, and bussing them to each SRAM bank, where they may be split and/or combined via one or more splitting/combining processes to read and write to a particular bank. Some implementations herein may also involve features for capturing two beats of write data at a particular frequency, splitting and/or combining them via one or more splitting/combining processes, and bussing them to each SRAM bank, where they may be split and/or combined via one or more splitting/combining processes for writing to a particular bank. Reading and writing to banks may occur at less than or equal to half the frequency of capture. |
| US09613682B2 |
FinFET 6T SRAM cell structure
A static memory circuit includes a pull-up transistor, a pull-down transistor, a pass-gate transistor associated with the pull-up and pull-down transistors, and first and second word lines electrically insulated from each other. The pass-gate transistor includes a number of Fins and a gate electrode having a number of first and second gates, each one of the gates is disposed on one of the Fins, the first gates are connected to the first word line, and the second gates are connected to the second word line. During a read operation, one of the first and second word lines is asserted low, so that the beta ratio is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value. During a write operation, one of the first and second word lines is asserted high; so that a gamma ratio is greater than or equal to a second predetermined value. |
| US09613677B1 |
Semiconductor devices and semiconductor systems including the same
A semiconductor system includes a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device outputs an external command and external addresses. The second semiconductor device generates an internal active command in response to the external command, generates active addresses in response to the external addresses, generates a refresh signal and refresh addresses in response to the internal active command, performs an internal operation in response to the internal active command and the active addresses, and performs a refresh operation in response to the refresh signal and the refresh addresses. |
| US09613675B2 |
System and method to perform low power memory operations
A method includes performing a memory operation at a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) storage element by, during a single memory clock cycle, reading a first value stored at the MTJ storage element, comparing the first value to a second value to be stored at the MTJ storage element, and selectively writing the second value to the MTJ storage element based on the comparison. |
| US09613672B2 |
Differential current sensing scheme for magnetic random access memory
A circuit includes first and second reference cells and a current sense amplifier. The first and second reference cells are configured to store opposite logic values, respectively. The current sense amplifier is configured with a first node and a second node for currents therethrough to be compared with each other. The current sense amplifier includes a multiplexer configured to couple the first reference cell or the second reference cell to the first node of the current sense amplifier, and couple the second reference cell or the first reference cell to the second node of the current sense amplifier for reading bits stored in the first reference cell and the second reference cell. |
| US09613671B2 |
Nonvolatile random access memory including control circuit configured to receive commands at high and low edges of one clock cycle
According to one embodiment, a memory includes a memory cell array with banks, each bank including rows, a first word lines provided in corresponding to the rows, an address latch circuit which latches a first row address signal, a row decoder which activates one of the first word lines, and a control circuit which is configured to execute a first operation which activates one of the banks based on a bank address signal when a first command is loaded, and a second operation which latches the first row address signal in the address latch circuit, and execute a third operation which activates one of the first word lines by the row decoder based on a second row address signal and the first row address signal latched in the address latch circuit when a second command is loaded after the first command. |
| US09613670B2 |
Memory systems and methods involving high speed local address circuitry
Systems and methods of memory and memory operation are disclosed, such as providing a circuit including a local address driver voltage source for memory decoding. In one exemplary implementation, an illustrative circuit may comprise a first buffer and a capacitor. The first buffer may comprise a power input and a ground input. The capacitor may comprise a first terminal connected to the power input of the first buffer and a second terminal connected to the ground input of the first buffer. When the first buffer draws a current from the power input, at least a portion of the current may be supplied by the capacitor. |
| US09613669B2 |
Matrix transposing circuit
The disclosure provides a matrix transposing circuit for outputting a transposed N×N matrix. The matrix transposing circuit includes: an input resister array with m×N array; a memory having b storage blocks; an output register array with N×m array. N, m, n, b are integer in power of 2, N can be completely divided by m and n, and N=n×m×b. The matrix is divided into multiple sub-matrixes with m×n array to form Y matrix. Each of sub-matrixes is correspondingly stored to the b storage blocks. The input resister array has a first shifting direction to receive entry data and a second shifting direction to output data to the b storage blocks. The output resister array has a first shifting direction to read data from the b storage blocks and a second shifting direction to output the transposed matrix. |
| US09613667B2 |
Data storage device and operating method thereof
A data storage device includes a memory device suitable to perform an internal operation; a processor suitable to generate command generation information to command performance of the internal operation; and a command set processing block suitable to generate a command set, which is provided to the memory device, based on the command generation information, wherein the command set processing block generates a final sequence which configures a pattern included in the command set. |
| US09613666B1 |
Semiconductor devices and semiconductor systems including the same
A semiconductor system includes a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device outputs command/address signals and a plurality of data. The second semiconductor device generates a first mode signal and a second mode signal according to a combination of the command/address signals. The second semiconductor device is suitable for inverting the plurality of data inputted through a pad in response to the first or the second mode signal to store the inverted data suitable for blocking input of the inverted data in response to the second mode signal if a number of bits having a predetermined level in the plurality of data is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. |
| US09613659B2 |
Generating custom audio content for an exercise session
System, apparatuses, and methods can provide customized exercise sessions and customized videos corresponding to the exercise session. Audio clips can be dynamically selected to make custom audio content for an exercise session. The audio clips and metadata can be obtained, where the audio clips correspond to categories. The exercise session can include one or more components. A destination timeline for a component can include one or more first segments that require audio, and one or more second segments that can optionally have audio. Audio clips can be selected for the various segments, where a segment can be designated for a particular category of audio clips. Identification information for the selected audio clips can be saved and used to generate the custom audio content. |
| US09613658B2 |
Contamination reduction head for media
A cleaning head and methods for removing contaminants from a data storage media, the cleaning head having a cleaning surface comprising a self-assembled monolayer, with the cleaning surface leading a read/write transducer. The self-assembled monolayer is selected to have a terminal functional group that has a high affinity to the contaminant(s) desired to be attracted and/or removed. |
| US09613656B2 |
Scalable storage protection
The disclosure is directed to protecting data of a scalable storage system. A scalable storage system includes a plurality of nodes, each of the nodes having directly-attached storage (DAS), such as one or more hard-disk drives and/or solid-state disk drives. The nodes are coupled via an inter-node communication network, and a substantial entirety of the DAS is globally accessible by each of the nodes. The DAS is protected utilizing intra-node protection to keep data stored in the DAS reliable and globally accessible in presence of a failure within one of the nodes. The DAS is further protected utilizing inter-node protection to keep data stored in the DAS reliable and globally accessible if at least one of the nodes fails. |
| US09613654B2 |
Soundtrack for electronic text
A soundtrack creation method and user playback system for soundtracks synchronized to electronic text. Synchronization is achieved by maintaining a reading speed variable indicative of the user's reading speed. The system provides for multiple channels of audio to enable concurrent playback of two or more partially or entirely overlapping audio regions so as to create an audio output having, for example, sound effects, ambience, music or other audio features that are triggered to playback at specific portions in the electronic text to enhance the reading experience. |
| US09613652B2 |
Phase error recovery circuitry and method for a magnetic recording device
A recording head is configured to write and read data sectors to and from a recording medium, such as a heat-assisted recording medium. A read channel is coupled to the recording head. Phase-locked loop (PLL) circuitry of the read channel is configured to detect a change in a phase error at a location of the data sector. The phase error change may be indicative of a mode-hop that occurred while writing the data sector to the medium. The PLL circuitry is configured to determine a phase offset using the phase error. A controller is configured to effect re-reading of the data sector location using the phase offset to recover the data sector location. |
| US09613651B1 |
Bearing apparatus, spindle motor, and disk drive apparatus
This bearing apparatus includes a shaft portion, a sleeve portion, and a fluid arranged between the shaft portion and the sleeve portion. A thrust dynamic pressure portion is filled with the fluid, and a surface of the fluid is defined in a seal portion. The thrust dynamic pressure portion includes a dynamic pressure generation portion including thrust dynamic pressure grooves, an intermediate portion arranged outside of the dynamic pressure generation portion and including an annular groove in the shape of a circular ring, and a discharge portion arranged outside of the annular groove and including discharge grooves. The annular groove is arranged to have a depth smaller than a minimum radial width of the seal portion. This makes it easier for any air bubble in the thrust dynamic pressure portion to travel into the seal portion in accordance with a flow of the fluid caused in the discharge portion to be discharged outward. This reduces the likelihood that any air bubble will stay in the vicinity of the dynamic pressure generation portion. |
| US09613650B2 |
Spindle motor, disk drive apparatus, and method of manufacturing base unit of spindle motor
A method of manufacturing a base unit of a spindle motor includes the steps of: defining a base plate including a support fitting portion; fitting a support to a hole portion passing through the support fitting portion; measuring an inclination of the support fitting portion; calculating a laser irradiation area and a laser irradiation output based on the inclination; irradiating the support fitting portion with a laser beam; and measuring the inclination of the support fitting portion again. The base plate is made of a metal, and is defined by press working, casting, or forging. The support is fitted to the hole portion by crimping, press fitting, or welding. This method reduces the inclination of the support fitting portion, thereby reducing a distortion of the support, which serves as a rotation center of an access portion. |
| US09613648B2 |
Aluminum alloy plate for magnetic disc substrate, method for manufacturing same, and method for manufacturing magnetic disc
An aluminum alloy plate for a magnetic disk substrate with a flat and smooth ground surface, a production method by which the aluminum alloy plate can be produced at low cost and a magnetic disk are shown. An aluminum alloy plate for a magnetic disk substrate which comprises an aluminum alloy containing Mg: 3.0 to 8.0 mass % (hereinafter %), Cu: 0.005 to 0.150%, Zn: 0.05 to 0.60%, Cr: 0.010 to 0.300%, Fe: 0.001 to 0.030%, Si: 0.001 to 0.030%, (Ti+V+Zr): 0.0010 to 0.0100%, B: 0.0001 to 0.0010% with a balance being Al and inevitable impurities, wherein the density of a Ti—V—B—Zr-based inclusion having a maximum diameter exceeding 5 μm is 0 piece/6000 mm2 and the density of a Ti—V—B—Zr-based inclusion having a maximum diameter of 3 to 5 μm is 1 piece/6000 mm2 or less; a production method thereof; and a method for producing a magnetic disk. |
| US09613640B1 |
Speech/music discrimination
A speech/music discrimination method evaluates the standard deviation between envelope peaks, loudness ratio, and smoothed energy difference. The envelope is searched for peaks above a threshold. The standard deviations of the separations between peaks are calculated. Decreased standard deviation is indicative of speech, higher standard deviation is indicative of non-speech. The ratio between minimum and maximum loudness in recent input signal data frames is calculated. If this ratio corresponds to the dynamic range characteristic of speech, it is another indication that the input signal is speech content. Smoothed energies of the frames from the left and right input channels are computed and compared. Similar (e.g., highly correlated) left and right channel smoothed energies is indicative of speech. Dissimilar (e.g., un-correlated content) left and right channel smoothed energies is indicative of non-speech material. The results of the three tests are compared to make a speech/music decision. |
| US09613639B2 |
Communication system and terminal device
A communication system according to the present invention includes a plurality of terminal devices that are able to communicate mutually. Each of the terminal devices includes a voice input conversion device, a voice transmitting device, a voice receiving device, and a voice reproducing device. When there is a plurality of voice signals which has not been completed reproduction, the voice reproducing device reproduces after arranging the voice signals so that respective voices corresponding to the respective voice signals do not overlap. |
| US09613637B2 |
Driving support device
A driving support device for a vehicle uses a right speaker and a left speaker for providing audio information useful for driving to the right ear and left ear of a driver. Among the audio information useful for driving, speech guidance with the use of a voice is provided exclusively from the right speaker to the right ear of the driver. |
| US09613636B2 |
Speaker association with a visual representation of spoken content
Speaker content generated in an audio conference is selectively visually represented. A profile for each audience member who listen to an audio conference is obtained. Speaker content from audio conference participants who speak in the audio conference is monitored. The speaker content from each of the audio conference participants is analyzed. Based on the analyzing and on the profiles for each of the plurality of audience members, visual representations of the speaker content to present to the audience members are identified. Visual representations of the speaker content are generated based on the analyzing. Different visual representations of the speaker content are presented to different audience members based on the analyzing and identifying. |
| US09613632B2 |
Signal processing device, signal processing method and signal processing program
To achieve sufficient noise cancellation when a reference signal cannot be captured in the proximity of a noise source.The present invention is characterized by comprising: a first input means for obtaining a first mixed signal in which a first signal and a second signal are mixed; a second input means for obtaining a second mixed signal in which the first signal and the second signal are mixed in a different ratio from the first mixed signal; a delay means for generating a delayed first mixed signal by delaying the first mixed signal with a delay amount based on transmission distance from a generation source of the second signal to the second input means; a subtracting means for outputting an estimated first signal in which a pseudo second signal is subtracted from the delayed first mixed signal; and an adaptive filtering means for generating the pseudo second signal applying coefficients which are updated based on the estimated first signal to the second mixed signal. |
| US09613631B2 |
Noise suppression system, method and program
Disclosed is a noise suppression system including a unit for calculating a noise mean spectrum from an input signal, a unit for deriving the provisional estimate speech from the input signal and the noise mean spectrum, a reference speech pattern, and a unit for correcting the provisional estimate speech using the reference pattern. |
| US09613630B2 |
Apparatus for processing a signal and method thereof for determining an LPC coding degree based on reduction of a value of LPC residual
An apparatus for processing a signal and method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes receiving coding mode information indicating a speech coding scheme or an audio coding scheme, linear prediction coding degree information indicating a linear prediction coding degree, and the signal including at least one of a speech signal and an audio signal; decoding the signal according to the speech coding scheme or the audio coding scheme based on the coding mode information; decoding linear prediction coding coefficients of the signal based on the linear prediction coding degree information; and generating an output signal by applying the decoded linear prediction coding coefficients to the decoded signal. In this case, the linear prediction coding degree information is determined based on a variation of a value of an LPC residual generated from performing the linear prediction coding on the signal. It further determines whether or not the said residual decreases by an increase in the linear prediction coding degree, and it determines an appropriate LPC coding degree in each case. |
| US09613626B2 |
Audio device for recognizing key phrases and method thereof
An audio device and a method thereof are provided. The method is adopted by an audio device to detect a voice, wherein the audio device is coupled to a host device. The method includes an acoustic conversion circuit converting an acoustic wave into an analog audio signal; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) converting the analog audio signal into digital audio data; a first-level voice detection circuit detecting voice activity in the analog audio signal; a second-level voice detection circuit detecting a beginning syllable of a key phrase in the digital audio data when the voice activity is detected in the digital audio data; and a third-level voice detection circuit detecting the key phrase from the digital audio data only when the beginning syllable of the key phrase is detected in the digital audio data. |
| US09613625B2 |
Data input device, data input method, storage medium, and in-vehicle apparatus
A dynamic speech recognition dictionary generating unit extracts, from phrases stored in a speech recognition dictionary, phrases of which heads match a head of a character string inputted through a character string input unit and generates a dynamic speech recognition dictionary that stores difference phrases that are each part of an extracted phrase excluding a common phrase that is common among the extracted phrases. A speech recognition unit carries out recognition of a user utterance by using the dynamic speech recognition dictionary. An input character string confirming unit confirms an input character string candidate that includes a recognized difference phrase as an input character string. |
| US09613621B2 |
Speech recognition method and electronic apparatus
A speech recognition method and an electronic apparatus are provided. The speech recognition method includes the following steps. A plurality of phonetic transcriptions of a speech signal is obtained according to an acoustic model. A phonetic spelling and intonation information matched to the phonetic transcriptions are obtained according to a phonetic transcription sequence and a syllable acoustic lexicon of the invention. According to the phonetic spellings and the intonation information, a plurality of phonetic spelling sequences and a plurality of phonetic spelling sequence probabilities are obtained from a language model. The phonetic spelling sequence corresponding to a largest one among the phonetic spelling sequence probabilities is selected as a recognition result of the speech signal. |
| US09613619B2 |
Predicting recognition quality of a phrase in automatic speech recognition systems
A method for predicting a speech recognition quality of a phrase comprising at least one word includes: receiving, on a computer system including a processor and memory storing instructions, the phrase; computing, on the computer system, a set of features comprising one or more features corresponding to the phrase; providing the phrase to a prediction model on the computer system and receiving a predicted recognition quality value based on the set of features; and returning the predicted recognition quality value. |
| US09613617B1 |
Auditory eigenfunction systems and methods
An “auditory eigenfunction” approach is provided for auditory language design, implementation, and rendering optimized for human auditory perception. The auditory eigenfunctions employed approximate solutions to an eigenfunction equation representing a model of human hearing, wherein the model comprises a frequency domain bandpass operation with a approximating the frequency range of human hearing and a time-limiting operation in the time domain approximating the time duration correlation window of human hearing. The method can be used to implement entirely new auditory languages, or modification to existing auditory languages, which are in various ways performance optimized for human auditory perception, either with or without the constraints of human vocal-tract rendering. The method can also be used, for example, to implement traditional speech synthesis, and can be useful in speech synthesis involving rapid phoneme production. The method could also be used to implement various other types of user machine interfaces. |
| US09613615B2 |
Noise cancellation system, headset and electronic device
The present invention relates to a noise cancellation system, a headset and an electronic device. The noise cancellation system may include a loudspeaker, a first microphone, a second microphone, a housing and a processing unit. The housing may be mounted at an ear of a user, wherein the loudspeaker, the first microphone and the second microphone are installed in the housing. The processing unit may be coupled to the loudspeaker, the first microphone and the second microphone, and may be configured to generate a noise cancelling signal based on at least one of a first audio signal from the first microphone or a second audio signal from the second microphone, wherein the noise cancelling signal, when being output via the loudspeaker, at least partially compensates for environmental noise in the ear of the user. |
| US09613611B2 |
Method and apparatus for noise cancellation in a wireless mobile device using an external headset
A method, system, and apparatus for noise cancelation is disclosed herein, which may be used in a wireless unit (WU) and a headset removably connected to the WU. The WU may include a processor, a memory, a user interface, internal microphones and internal speakers. The headset may include microphones and speakers, and be powered by the WU. The WU may receive an ambient noise at microphone(s), including a headset microphone, which may generate a signal based on the ambient noise. The WU processor may then calculate an estimate of the ambient noise based on the signal, calculate an inverse of the estimated ambient noise based on the estimate of the ambient noise, cancel the estimated ambient noise from an audio output signal based on the application of the inverse of the estimated ambient noise, and send the audio output signal to the speakers of the headset or the WU. |
| US09613608B2 |
Keyboard unit
A keyboard unit includes: a key; a plurality of members which include the key, and each of which has an engaged section for forming an engaged state, the engaged state changed by turning of the key, at least a portion of the engaged section formed of a conductor; a detector which is configured to detect information on the engaged state of the plurality of members by detecting a conduction state between the at least portions of the engaged sections which are in contact with each other; and a determiner which is configured to determine a musical sound parameter based on a detection result of the detector. |
| US09613607B2 |
Keyboard unit
A keyboard unit includes: a key; a displacement member driven directly or indirectly with the key by a pressing operation to be moved; object detection sections including: detection sections, states of which become state change detection state when detecting changes instates of the key and the displacement member; and a generator, in a case that states of all the object detection sections become the state change detection state in the forward stroke of a key pressing operation, obtaining detection results of at least two sets of the detection sections, each set including two object detection sections, selecting at least one of the obtained detection results of the at least two sets of the detection sections, and generating sound generation indication information based on the selected at least one of the detection results. |
| US09613600B2 |
Constant tension device
A support is configured to support and apply a constant or near-constant tension onto a wire or string, such as a musical string of a stringed musical instrument. The wire is attached to a carrier that moves axially. One or more springs operate between the carrier and a point that is fixed relative to the carrier and apply a transverse spring force to the carrier. A spring angle is defined between a line normal to the axis and a line of action of each spring. The transverse spring force can have an axial force component and an axial spring rate that is a function of the spring angle. The carrier can be positioned so that the axial spring rate is zero, negative or positive. A primary spring can apply a primary force directed coaxial with the wire. If the wire changes in length the primary force will correspondingly change, as will the axial force component. The transverse spring can be selected so that the axial force component of the transverse spring approximates the change in the force applied by the primary spring so that the axial force applied to the carrier and wire remains generally constant. |
| US09613599B2 |
Electrophoretic display drive techniques
Techniques for updating an electrophoretic display or other integrating display are provided. A first image data representing the current optical state of the display is combined with a second image data representing the desired next optical state of the display along with a third data representing the charge history of the display to form a compact intermediate representation of the electrical drive signals required to transition the display. Such compact intermediate representations can be provided for each pixel of the display and stored in flash memory. Once determined, these representations of the drive signals can be rapidly replayed from flash memory and further processed to drive the display and affect the desired optical transition from current image to next image while correcting for DC imbalances. |
| US09613598B2 |
Memory management for systems for generating 3-dimensional computer images
A memory management system for generating 3-dimensional computer images is provided. The memory management system includes a device for subdividing an image into a plurality of rectangular areas, a memory for storing object data pertaining to objects in the image which fall in each rectangular area, a device for storing the object data in the memory, a device for deriving image data and shading data for each rectangular area from the object data, a device for supplying object data for each rectangular area from the respective portion of the memory and, if the rectangular area contains objects also falling in at least one other rectangular area, also from the global list, to the deriving device, and a device for storing the image data and shading data derived by the deriving device for display. The memory includes at least one portion allocated to each rectangular area and at least one portion allocated as a global list. |
| US09613584B2 |
Display device, CMOS operational amplifier, and driving method of display device
A display device includes a display unit which has a plurality of pixels and a plurality of driving lines for driving the plurality of pixels; a driving circuit which drives the plurality of pixels through the plurality of driving lines; and a control unit which adjusts a driving capability of the driving circuit according to the number of simultaneous driving lines of the driving circuit. |
| US09613583B2 |
Shift register unit and driving method therefor, shift register, display device
There is provided a shift register unit and driving method for the shift register unit, a shift register and a display device. The shift register unit comprises a first capacitor (C1), an input buffering module (31), a pulling-up module (32), a reset control module (33), a pulling-down module (34) and a pulling-down enhancement module (35); the pulling-down module (34) is configured to reduce the level at the signal output terminal (OUTPUT) and discharge the first capacitor (C1) during a first noise-removal phase; the pulling-down enhancement module (35) is configured to control, in cooperation with the pulling-down module (34), to continuously reduce the level at the signal output terminal (OUTPUT) and continuously discharge the first capacitor (C1) during a second noise-removal phase. Noise in the output signals of the shift register can be reduced and reliability of the shift register can be improved. |
| US09613582B2 |
Gate driver integrated on display panel
Provided is a gate driver including a plurality of stages respectively transferring gate-on voltages to a plurality of gate lines. The stage includes a pull-up driver including a first transistor, the first transistor having a control terminal connected to a first node, an output terminal connected to a output terminal of a present stage and an input terminal connected to a first clock terminal, a first node pull-down portion including a second transistor, the second transistor having an input terminal connected to a buffer node, an output terminal connected to the first node and a control terminal connected to a second node, and a buffer node stabilizer including a third transistor, the third transistor having an input terminal and a control terminal connected to the first node, and an output terminal connected to the buffer node. |
| US09613579B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display including a first substrate, a first sub-pixel electrode on the first substrate and configured to receive a first voltage, a second sub-pixel electrode on the first substrate and configured to receive a second voltage, an insulating layer between the first sub-pixel electrode and the second sub-pixel electrode, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a common electrode on the second substrate, wherein the first sub-pixel electrode includes a first sub-region below the insulating layer and a second sub-region above the insulating layer, wherein the second sub-region of the first sub-pixel electrode includes a plurality of first branch electrodes, wherein the second sub-pixel electrode is above the insulating layer, and wherein a difference between the first voltage and a common voltage is greater than a difference between the second voltage and the common voltage. |
| US09613577B2 |
Display device and method of driving the same
Provided is a display device. The display device includes: a plurality of gate lines extending in a first direction; a plurality of data lines extending in a second direction that intersects the first direction; and a plurality of pixels connected to the gate lines and the data lines, wherein the pixels include pixels h-th row pixels (h is a natural number) and (h+1)-th row pixels, which are adjacent to each other in the second direction, with a (k+1)-th gate line (k is a natural number) therebetween among the gate lines; and a first pixel displaying a first color and connected to the (k+1)-th gate line among the h-th row pixels and a second pixel displaying the first color and connected to the (k+1)-th gate line among the (h+1)-th row pixels are spaced apart from each other in the first direction and receive different polarities of data voltages. |
| US09613575B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for driving the liquid crystal display device
A method for driving a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes: A1: one image frame is extracted from a video; A2: the one image frame is divided into one left-eye image and one right-eye image according to different image arrangements, comparing a color data of the left-eye image with a color data of the right-eye image, and calculating a similarity degree between the left-eye image and the right-eye image of the different image arrangements according to the comparison; and A3: the image arrangement having a maximum similarity degree between the left-eye image and the right-eye image is chosen as a film resource format of a three-dimensional (3D) image of the video to drive the LCD device, and the image arrangement having the maximum similarity degree between the left-eye image and the right-eye image is the image arrangement of the one image frame. |
| US09613569B2 |
Pixel unit driving circuit, display substrate, display panel and display device
The invention provides a pixel unit driving circuit, a display substrate, a display panel and a display device. The pixel unit driving circuit is used for driving a plurality of pixel units, wherein each of the pixel units comprises sub-pixels of different colors. The pixel unit driving circuit comprises a plurality of driving powers corresponding to the sub-pixel of different colors, wherein the sub-pixels of a same color are connected with a same driving power, and each of the driving powers is used for supplying a corresponding driving voltage to the sub-pixels of a color corresponding to the driving power. |
| US09613567B2 |
Display device with initialization control and method of driving pixel circuit thereof
A display device includes a pixel circuit having a driving transistor for driving a light-emitting element based on a gradation voltage held by a holding capacitor. The display device performs a first writing of gradation data using a first initialization voltage and a second writing of the gradation data using a second initialization voltage. |
| US09613565B2 |
Light emitting device
An object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting device that is able to suppress power consumption while a balance of white light is kept, without making a configuration of a power source circuit complicated. A power source potential corresponding to each color of a light emitting element is used as a higher electric potential of a video signal and an electric potential of a power source line in the case that a transistor for controlling a supply of electric current to the light emitting element is a p-channel TFT. Conversely, a power source potential corresponding to each color of a light emitting element is used as a lower electric potential of a video signal and an electric potential of a power source line in the case that a transistor for controlling a supply of electric current to the light emitting element is an n-channel TFT. |
| US09613564B2 |
Image displaying method and image display apparatus
The present disclosure relates to an image displaying method and a display apparatus wherein each of raw pixels is divided into a plurality of virtual pixels based on desired image resolution for displaying a frame to be displayed; virtual image information for each of the virtual pixels is determined based on weights of the respective sub-pixels in each of the virtual pixels, weights of the respective sub-pixels in the virtual pixels which are adjacent in rows and the received original image information; thus, each of the virtual pixels displays a color(s) which it lacks itself with the aid of the respective sub-pixels in the virtual pixels which are adjacent in rows, so that the same display function as that of each of the raw pixels may be implemented, and thus the image resolution of the frame to be displayed is increased. |
| US09613563B2 |
Display device and method thereof
A display apparatus includes: a display panel configured to display an image frame; an arithmetic operator configured to divide the image frame into blocks, calculate a pixel gradation value of the pixel blocks, and accumulate the calculated pixel gradation values; and a compensator configured to locally reduce a luminance of a corresponding pixel block, of which a respective accumulated pixel gradation value exceeds a threshold value of among the plurality of pixel blocks, and to compensate for a luminance difference between the corresponding pixel block, for which the luminance has been reduced, and surrounding pixel blocks. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively remove an afterimage. |
| US09613558B2 |
Pixel driving method and associated display device
A pixel driving method comprises the following steps: receiving a display image comprising a plurality of image points, wherein each image point corresponds a display color; producing a first sub-image and a second sub-image according to the display image, wherein the first sub-image displays a part of the image points, while the second sub-image displays the other part of the image points; and displaying at least one of the first sub-image and the second sub-image on the color display panel. |
| US09613555B2 |
Pixel driving circuit including signal splitting circuits, driving method, display panel, and display device
The present disclosure provides a pixel driving circuit, a driving method, a display panel and a display device. The pixel driving circuit comprises a plurality of signal splitting systems which include a scanning signal input interface configured to receive an original scanning signal with a width of MT, an auxiliary control signal input interface configured to receive an auxiliary control signal, and signal output interfaces connected to M rows of gate lines in an one-to-one correspondence manner. The signal splitting system is configured to split the original scanning signal with a width of MT into M gate driving signals with a width of a gate line turn-on time T, and output the gate driving signals to the M rows of gate lines sequentially via the output interfaces. M is not less than 2. |
| US09613553B2 |
Method and device for detecting uniformity of a dark state image of display
A method and device for detecting uniformity of a dark state image of a display is disclosed. After an acquired dark state image of a display panel is divided into a plurality of areas according to a preset rule, RGB values of each area are determined and converted into XYZ values. The L* and C* values in the CIE-LCH standard are calculated and statistical analysis is performed to the L* and C* values of the areas in the dark state image to determine statistical parameters of the display image. A dark state uniformity coefficient of the dark state image is determined based on the determined statistical parameters, and the uniformity of the dark state image of the display panel is determined through the dark state uniformity coefficient. |
| US09613552B2 |
Inspection instrument of liquid crystal display panel
The present invention provides an inspection instrument of a liquid crystal display panel, comprising an inspection equipment and an image generator electrically connected to the inspection equipment, and the inspection equipment comprises a main body, a first test arm and a second test arm which are installed on the main body and electrically connected to the image generator, a plurality of first contact probes and a plurality of second contact probes which are respectively installed on the first test arm and the second test arm, and a first bonding part and a second bonding part which are respectively and slidably installed on the first test arm and the second test arm, and the first contact probes and the second contact probes are electrically connected to the image generator, and first conductors and second conductors are respectively located on the first bonding part and the second bonding part, and the first conductors and the second conductors are electrically connected to the image generator, and the first conductors and the second conductors are positionally adjustable in the direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal display panel. According to the present invention, the switch between the two types of light-on Inspection, Shorting Bar and 1D1G can be done only by adjustment of the position of the conductors of the bonding parts relative to the liquid crystal display panel. The replacement of the test means used in the inspection instrument is not required. |
| US09613550B2 |
Three-dimensional image display device and driving method thereof
A 3-dimensional image display device according to an exemplary embodiment includes: a display panel including a plurality of pixels; a light source unit including a first color light source for supplying a first color light and a second color light source for supplying a second color light to the display panel; and a data driver sequentially applying a first left-eye data voltage, a second left-eye data voltage, a first gray data voltage, a first right-eye data voltage, and a second right-eye data voltage to a pixel, wherein the light source unit supplies the first color light when the first left-eye data voltage and the second right-eye data voltage are applied, the second color light when the second left-eye data voltage and the first right-eye data voltage are applied, and the light source supplies the second color light at a first intensity when the first gray data voltage is applied. |
| US09613546B2 |
Systems and methods for managing and presenting geolocation data
A system for managing and presenting geolocation data. The system includes a plurality of electronic devices and a server in data communication with a plurality of electronic devices. The server has a processor that is configured to receive requests from an electronic device for a map including a feature of interest and the feature having associated location information therewith. The location information is indicative of a geographic location of the feature and comprises information indicative of a precision of the geographic location. The processor provides a precise icon and an imprecise icon for representing a feature on a map, each having a constant size. The processor is also configured to determine whether to use the precise icon or the imprecise icon to represent the feature on the map based upon information indicative of a scale of the map and the precision of the location information associated with the feature. The processor generates the map including the feature being represented by the precise icon or the imprecise icon. |
| US09613544B2 |
Electroactive, actuated dot structures and associated methods
Systems and methods for an electroactive polymer actuated dot structure is disclosed herein. According to an aspect, an actuated dot structure includes a housing. The actuated dot structure also includes a pin configured to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the housing. Further, the actuated dot structure includes a multimorph engaged with the pin and configured to displace the pin between the first and second positions and to latch the pin in the second position. |
| US09613543B2 |
Alert generation and related aircraft operating methods
A method of operating an aircraft during a flight is provided. An onboard monitoring subsystem of the aircraft detects that a flight crew member is fatigued, and an automated flight crew training exercise is activated in response to detecting that the flight crew member is fatigued. The flight crew member is then engaged with the automated flight crew training exercise, including instructions intended to alleviate flight crew fatigue. |
| US09613541B1 |
Method and apparatus for learning to play a stringed instrument
A method and apparatus for learning to play a musical instrument, such as a guitar, by incorporating a markable, erasable surface onto the neck of the instrument such that the student may apply, as needed, removable markings to the instrument that indicate the correct finger positions for playing the instrument. The incorporation of this markable, erasable surface onto the instrument is an improved method of learning because a student is better able to place his or her fingers in the correct positions on the instrument when learning how to play the instrument. |
| US09613540B2 |
Examination support apparatus, and examination support method
The examination support apparatus includes a question database, an answer status database, a question output unit, an answer acquisition unit, a correct/incorrect determination unit, a calculation unit, and a determination unit. The question output unit extracts and outputs examination questions from the question database. The answer acquisition unit acquires an answer to each of the above-described examination questions transmitted from an examinee terminal, and the correct/incorrect determination unit determines whether the answer is correct or incorrect. The calculation unit calculates for the examinee a correct-answer percentage to the examination questions in the same administering section based on a result of the correct/incorrect determination. The determination unit calculates a change in a correct-answer percentage for the examinee from the correct-answer percentage of the examination questions in the particular administering section stored in the answer status database and the correct-answer percentage calculated, and determines the change. |
| US09613537B2 |
Multiple landing threshold aircraft arrival system
A system and method for safe and effective implementation of approach procedures for guiding multiple aircraft of different weights approaching a single runway for landing, whereby lighter incoming aircraft will fly higher than heavier aircraft to avoid the wakes from the heavier aircraft, for the purpose of increasing the landing rate and, in turn, the number of aircraft that can land. |
| US09613534B2 |
Systems and methods for creating a network cloud based system for supporting regional, national and international unmanned aircraft systems
Systems and methods for creating a network cloud based hierarchical architecture for supporting unmanned aircraft are disclosed. A system may include a higher level server, one or more lower level server in direct communication with the higher level server, and one or more control station in direct communication with the lower level server. Each control station may be configured to: control flight operations of an unmanned aircraft; acquire flight information and position information of the unmanned aircraft; and provide updates to the lower level server regarding the flight information and position information of the unmanned aircraft. Each lower level server may be configured to: process the flight information and position information received from the control station; and provide updates to the higher level server regarding the flight information and position information received from the control station. |
| US09613530B1 |
Building smart traffic control
A computer-implemented method and system for vehicular traffic control and vehicle routing includes receiving a request for a best route, at a central system. The request including a current location and a destination from a requesting vehicle. Travel factors from the current location to the destination are determined. The travel factors include road availability, traffic conditions, and real time feedback, using the central system in response to receiving the request. The best route is determined for the requesting vehicle from the current location to the destination based on the travel factors, and real time feedback of the traffic conditions. The method and system includes initiating a plurality of traffic control actions along the route for the requesting vehicle. The traffic control actions are initiated along the route simultaneously and in concert with the requesting vehicle to clear the best route for the requesting vehicle to travel unobstructed to the destination. |
| US09613528B2 |
Vehicle position indexing
A method and apparatus for vehicle position indexing. The method includes: obtaining position information of a vehicle in real time, and monitoring a current road segment where the vehicle is located based on the position information and road segment information divided by road network information; in response to having monitored that the vehicle enters into the current road segment, building a road segment index record that includes identification information of the vehicle, identification information of the current road segment, and a time when the vehicle enters into the current road segment; and in response to having monitored that the vehicle leaves the current road segment, adding the time when the vehicle leaves the current road segment, into the road segment index record. |
| US09613527B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing smaller incremental updates to a navigational database
An approach is provided for determining at least one first cluster set associated with at least one database of one or more navigable links at a first time period and at least one second cluster set associated with the at least one database at a second time period, wherein the at least one first cluster set and the at least one second cluster set include one or more clusters of the one or more navigable links. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a computation of a minimal matching between at least one first cluster set and the at least one second cluster set. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, a renaming of the one or more clusters in the at least one first cluster set, the at least one second cluster set, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on the minimal matching, wherein the one or more clusters organize the one or more navigable links based, at least in part, on traffic pattern information. |
| US09613525B2 |
Hazard detection unit providing intuitive illumination-based status signaling
Various methods and systems for hazard detectors are presented. Such hazard detectors may include one or more hazard sensors that are configured to detect the presence of one or more types of hazards. Such hazard detectors may include a circular or a ring-shaped light comprising a plurality of lighting elements. Such a ring-shaped light may be configured to illuminate using a plurality of colors and, possibly, a plurality of animation patterns. Such hazard detectors may include a processing system configured to cause the ring-shaped light to illuminate using the plurality of colors and the plurality of animation patterns in response to a plurality of states corresponding to the battery module and the plurality of hazard sensors. |
| US09613522B2 |
Security system
A security system includes a central control and a number of security controllers, each of which includes a removable and replaceable security control module. Each module is interchangeable with other modules. Each controller includes a housing within which the module is contained. Cables from security-controlled components extend into the interior of the housing and are removably connected to the module. Each module includes a first connector for connection in a communication system and a second connector for receiving inputs from and providing outputs to a security component controlled by the controller. Each module further includes a third connector for receiving inputs from or providing outputs to an auxiliary device other than the security component. The auxiliary device provides an input to the controller or receives an output from a controller independent of the security component. Each controller also includes an accelerometer for providing a tamper evident feature. |
| US09613519B2 |
Tracking system for hand hygiene
In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for tracking hand hygiene may comprise a plurality of dispensers, each dispenser configured to detect a hand-hygiene event and wirelessly transmit hand-hygiene event information associated with the hand-hygiene event. The system may also include a room hub configured to wirelessly transmit location information. Further, the system may include a user circuit module configured to wirelessly receive the hand-hygiene event information, wirelessly receive the location information, and store the hand-hygiene event information, a first time stamp associated with the hand-hygiene event information, the location information, and a second time stamp associated with the location information, in a memory. The user circuit module may also be configured to transmit the hand-hygiene event information, the first time stamp, the location information, the second time stamp, and a user identifier to a central server. |
| US09613516B2 |
System and methods for soiled garment detection and notification
Aspects of the present disclosure involve an apparatus, systems, and methods for soiled garment detection and notification. The method may include receiving a measure of odor being released from a garment from a soiled garment detection apparatus. The method may further include determining that the measure of odor exceeds an acceptable odor threshold. A message may then be sent to a user device associated with the garment (e.g. a device of the owner of the garment) in response to determining that the measure of odor exceeds the threshold. The message may include a notification that the garment is soiled, and a suggested course of action to improve the measure of odor released by the garment. |
| US09613514B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a smart notifications system
A system includes one or more sensors to gather information about an environment, a memory device that stores one or more computer executable components, and a processor to execute the computer executable components in the memory, including an event detection component to obtain information from the one or more sensors and identify whether a first level event has occurred based on the obtained information, a coalescence component to consolidate a plurality of events into a hierarchically higher-level, pre-defined coalesced event, and a communication component to send to one or more users a notification of a hierarchically highest level event determined to have occurred during a pre-determined time range. |
| US09613512B2 |
Event trigger on wireless device detection
Messages from wireless devices are intercepted by a controller, such as an access point for a wireless network, a security system controller, a home automation controller, an industrial or business automation controller, or a combination thereof. The controller logs device-identifying information about the devices that sent the messages that that were intercepted. Examples of the device-identifying information include a MAC address, a device name, a brand of the device, an SSID of an AP connected to the device, or a class of device. The intercepted message is used to trigger one or more events, either based solely on intercepting the message or in combination with other parameters. |
| US09613506B2 |
Synchronization of independent output streams
A system determines to use at least two independent renderers to render at least two output streams that are to be synchronized. The independent renderers are provided with a shared synchronization object when instructed to render the respective output stream. A time when all of the independent renderers can render a respective first buffer of the respective output stream is determined from the shared synchronization object. Rendering of the output streams utilizing the independent renderers is begun at the determined time. In this way, rendering of the output streams may be synchronized. |
| US09613502B2 |
Wireless interface for ATM cassette and money transport
In an example embodiment, there is described herein an apparatus comprising a cassette operable to store documents, the cassette having an external surface, an electrophoretic display coupled with the external surface, and a wireless interface coupled with the cassette and operably coupled with the electrophoretic display. In particular embodiments, the electrophoretic display is operable to receive data representative of configuration from a wireless device in data communication with the wireless interface. |
| US09613499B2 |
Gaming machine with history display
A gaming system comprises a history display and a controller. The history display tracks a plurality of past outcomes of a wagering game. The controller awards a bonus if a current outcome of the wagering game has a predetermined association with at least one of the displayed plurality of past outcomes. |
| US09613498B2 |
Systems and methods for peer-to-peer gaming
A system and method for peer-to-peer gaming is described. One embodiment includes a system for peer-to-peer gaming, the system comprising an at least one gaming client, wherein the at least one gaming client is configured to accept a selection of an at least one gaming option from a player, and allow the player to play a game based on the selection of the at least one gaming option; an administration server, wherein the administration server is configured to receive the selection of the at least one gaming option from the at least one gaming client, and initiate the game for the player based on the selection of the at least one gaming option; and an at least one gaming server, wherein the at least one gaming sever is configured to run the game and transmit data about the game to the administration server. |
| US09613495B2 |
Wagering game with episodic feature determined by player
A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a game display and a controller. The game display is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player. The wagering game has a game-play progression that includes a plurality of game episodes, at least one of the plurality of game episodes having a plurality of episode features. The controller is in communication with the game display and is programmable to cause, in response to a manual selection received from the player, the start of the wagering game from any previously played feature of the plurality of episode features. |
| US09613493B2 |
Gaming machine with visual and audio indicia changed over time
A gaming machine having features for increasing player appeal is set forth. The machine generally includes a processor, a display, and a memory device. The processor randomly selects one of a plurality of outcomes of the gaming machine in response to a wager. The display displays visual elements to be viewed by the player. The memory device is coupled to the processor and stores at least two data sets for producing at least two different types of visual and/or audio elements in the basic game or bonus game, or at least two different types of bonus game formats. The processor selects one of the two data sets in response to the occurrence of a predetermined time, a number of wager inputs by players of the gaming machine, or after determining a favorite play content based on the number of wager inputs by players. |
| US09613488B2 |
Wager recognition system
A gaming table apparatus has a gaming table with a gaming table support surface. At least two token sensors are provided, which are electrically connected in series to a token sensor controller. The at least two token sensor units are physically restrained by the table support surface. The game controller is in communication with the token sensor controller, wherein the game controller is configured to associate player position data with transmitted wager data received from the token sensor controller. |
| US09613486B2 |
Slots-fueled adventure
Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for executing games, processed by one or mover servers. The one or more servers are provided with access to a network for communication with one or more client computers. One method includes operations for sending an interface for a casino-type game to a client computer, and for starting an online game that is displayed with the interface for the casino-type game. The method further includes operations for detecting a bet placed in the casino-type game, and for determining an outcome of the bet in the casino-type game. A character is moved along a path of the online game, where the amount of movement of the character is based on the outcome of the bet or wager. |
| US09613480B2 |
Method and device for authenticating a tag
A method for authenticating a tag, includes: a step (205) of capturing an image, with a communicating mobile terminal, of at least a portion of a tag having at least a portion of an identifier; a step (210) of transmitting the identifier to a server; a step (215) of reading, from a memory of tag images, the image of a tag having the identifier; a step (220) of transmitting, to the communicating mobile terminal, at least a portion of the image read from the memory; and a step (230) of displaying at least a portion of the transmitted image superimposed on an image captured by the terminal. |
| US09613477B2 |
Collection of information using contactless devices in combination with mobile computing devices
An approach for collecting information in a facility including a plurality of users, wherein each of the plurality of users includes at least one contact-less device for accessing the facility, wherein the contact-less device stores an identifier, and at least one of the plurality of users includes a wireless computing device, is provided. The approach broadcasts an interrogation signal by a selected wireless computing device from at least one of the plurality of users. The approach receives a response signal to the interrogation signal by the selected wireless computing device from each of one or more proximal contact-less devices of one or more contact-less devices within the operating range of the selected wireless computing device. The approach generates a collection message from the selected wireless computing device. The approach transmits the collection message from the selected wireless computing device to a central computing system. |
| US09613473B2 |
Method and apparatus for energy usage display
A computer-implemented method includes displaying a plurality of power consuming and producing vehicle components. The method also includes determining what components are currently consuming power and what components are currently delivering power, and to what magnitude the power is flowing between components. The method additionally includes displaying one or more arrows showing a powerflow from at least one power producing component to at least one power consuming or producing component. The method further includes displaying an indicia indicating the magnitude of the powerflow associated with the one or more arrows. Also, the method includes, for at least one power consuming component, displaying a gauge relating to a level of power being consumed by the at least one power consuming component. |
| US09613471B2 |
Apparatus and method for diagnosing actuators in vehicle
An apparatus and a method for diagnosing actuators in a vehicle can improve accuracy and reliability of a failure diagnosis by allowing a diagnostic control apparatus in a vehicle to measure power data and implementing a fast diagnosis by reducing a separation time and a diagnosis time of a measurement apparatus. |
| US09613469B2 |
Graphical user interface with vehicle scanned function
A graphical user interface is provided that can be used on a diagnostic tool. The graphical user interface allows a technician to operate various functions of the diagnostic tool including searching for additional information on the Internet, receiving weather information that is relevant to certain diagnostic tests, and displaying in certain formats the retrieved vehicle data and when certain vehicles were last scanned or diagnosed. |
| US09613468B2 |
Systems and methods for updating maps based on telematics data
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a mapping management computer system. According to various embodiments, the mapping management computer system may be configured for updating geographical maps by assessing map data and operational data including vehicle telematics data to identify portions of a vehicle path that do not correspond to known travel paths. In various embodiments, the system is configured to define these identified portions as new known travel paths corresponding to a public road, private road, parking lot lane, or the like, and update the map data to reflect the new known travel paths. |
| US09613461B2 |
Display control apparatus, display control method, and program
Provided is a display control apparatus including a state detection unit configured to detect a state of a user who observes an image, and a display control unit configured to cause a display to display the image in which a plurality of display content items are superimposed on a photographed image, and to control a behavior of each of the display content items according to the state of the user. |
| US09613460B2 |
Augmenting a digital image
For augmenting a digital image, code identifies a structure image in a digital image. The code further augments the digital image with structure information for the structure image and/or the digital image with structure image removed. |
| US09613459B2 |
System and method for in-vehicle interaction
A system and method for interaction in a vehicle includes establishing a bi-directional interaction session between a first display and a second display via a communication link, wherein each of the first display and the second display are communicatively coupled to the vehicle and the first display is operated by a first user and the second display is operated by a second user. Upon receiving a first interaction input associated generating a first augmented reality object based on the first interaction input and transmitting via the communication link the first augmented reality object to the second display. Upon receiving a second interaction input, generating a second augmented reality object based upon the second interaction input and transmitting via the communication link the second augmented reality object to the first display. |
| US09613457B2 |
Multi-primitive fitting device and operation method thereof
Provided are a multi-primitive fitting method including an acquiring point cloud data by collecting data of each of input points, a obtaining a segment for the points using the point cloud data, and a performing primitive fitting using data of points included in the segment and the point cloud data, and a multi-primitive fitting device that performs the method. |
| US09613453B2 |
Systems and method for performing a three pass rendering of images
System and method for producing an intermediate image in three passes is provided. An initial image and a final image are identified, each image comprising an associated depthmap and corresponding to a respective camera pose from a respective angular heading. An intermediate image corresponding to an intermediate camera pose with an intermediate angular heading is rendered. A first intermediate image is rendered at a first opacity based on the final image and the associated final depthmap, a second intermediate image is rendered at a second opacity based on the initial image and the associated initial depthmap, and a third intermediate image is rendered at a third opacity based on the final image and the associated final depthmap. The rendered first, second, and third intermediate images, each of which correspond to the intermediate camera pose with the intermediate angular heading, are overlaid to produce a combined image for display. |
| US09613452B2 |
Method and system for volume rendering based 3D image filtering and real-time cinematic rendering
A method and apparatus for volume rendering based 3D image filtering and real-time cinematic volume rendering is disclosed. A set of 2D projection images of the 3D volume is generated using cinematic volume rendering. A reconstructed 3D volume is generated from the set of 2D projection images using an inverse linear volumetric ray tracing operator. The reconstructed 3D volume inherits noise suppression and structure enhancement from the projection images generated using cinematic rendering, and is thus non-linearly filtered. Real-time volume rendering can be performed on the reconstructed 3D volume using volumetric ray tracing, and each projected image of the reconstructed 3D volume is an approximation of a cinematic rendered image of the original volume. |
| US09613451B2 |
Jittered coverage accumulation path rendering
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for rendering anti-aliased paths by first generating an alpha buffer representing coverage data. To generate the alpha buffer, jittered versions of the rendered path are rendered and corresponding stencil buffers indicating sub-pixel samples of the path that should be covered are generated. After each stencil buffer is generated, the jittered path is rasterized to convert the sub-pixel coverage into coverage weights that are stored in the alpha component of a frame buffer. As each jittered path is rasterized, the coverage weights are accumulated. Finally, geometry representing the union of the jittered versions of the path is rendered to shade pixels based on the accumulated coverage weights. The anti-aliased rendered paths may be filled or stroked without tessellating the paths. |
| US09613450B2 |
Photo-realistic synthesis of three dimensional animation with facial features synchronized with speech
Dynamic texture mapping is used to create a photorealistic three dimensional animation of an individual with facial features synchronized with desired speech. Audiovisual data of an individual reading a known script is obtained and stored in an audio library and an image library. The audiovisual data is processed to extract feature vectors used to train a statistical model. An input audio feature vector corresponding to desired speech with which the animation will be synchronized is provided. The statistical model is used to generate a trajectory of visual feature vectors that corresponds to the input audio feature vector. These visual feature vectors are used to identify a matching image sequence from the image library. The resulting sequence of images, concatenated from the image library, provides a photorealistic image sequence with facial features, such as lip movements, synchronized with the desired speech. This image sequence is applied to the three-dimensional model. |
| US09613448B1 |
Augmented display of information in a device view of a display screen
Implementations relate to augmented display of information in a device view of a display screen. In some implementations, a method includes detecting a physical display screen appearing in a field of view of an augmenting device, and detecting an information pattern in output associated with the physical display screen. The method extracts displayable information and screen position information from the information pattern, where the screen position information is associated with the displayable information and indicates a screen position on the physical display screen. The method causes a display of the displayable information overlaid in the field of view of the augmenting device, where the display of the displayable information is based on the screen position information. |
| US09613446B2 |
Obscured relationship data within a graph
Techniques for generating a visual representation of a graph are described herein. The techniques may include determining a metamodel indicating relationships between objects, and determining rules for obscuring data about the objects of the metamodel. A visual representation of a graph is generated, which visual representation illustrates at least some of the data about the objects and their relationships without illustrating the obscured data. |
| US09613440B2 |
Digital breast Tomosynthesis reconstruction using adaptive voxel grid
Some embodiments are associated with generation of a volumetric image representing an imaged object associated with a patient. According to some embodiments, tomosynthesis projection data may be acquired. A computer processor may then automatically generate the volumetric image based on the acquired tomosynthesis projection data. Moreover, distances between voxels in the volumetric image may be spatially varied. |
| US09613438B2 |
X-ray diagnostic apparatus and medical image processing method
An X ray diagnostic apparatus includes an X ray tube generating X rays, a first detector detecting the X rays, at least one second detector arranged in front of a first detection surface of the first detector and including a second detection surface narrower than the first detection surface and indicator points provided on a rear surface of the second detection surface, a projection data generation unit generating first projection data based on an output from the first detector, and a positional shift detection unit detecting a positional shift of the second detector relative to the first detector in accordance with an imaging direction by using the first projection data and a predetermined positional relationship between the points and detection elements in the second detector. |
| US09613435B1 |
Color maps
A computer-implemented method for generating a color map using a color space, the generating including selecting lightness points representing lightness values, generating a lightness plot based on the lightness points, the lightness plot non-linearly increasing from a minimum lightness value to a maximum lightness value, and selecting chromaticity points, where the chromaticity points are represented using a plurality of dimensions, and the chromaticity points representing chromaticity values. The method includes generating a chromaticity plot based on the chromaticity points, and associating chromaticity values along the chromaticity plot with respective lightness values along the lightness plot, the associating specifying a plurality of colors. The method also includes identifying an in-gamut range for an RGB representation of the plurality of colors, the RGB representation provided in an RGB color space, and converting the color map from the color space to the RGB color space. |
| US09613428B2 |
Fingerprint authentication using stitch and cut
The present invention concerns a method, a system, a device of authenticating a user using a body part including biometric information. The method comprises stitching partial enrolment images comprising different views of the user's body part into at least one mosaic and thereby creating an enrolled image, acquiring an authentication image of the body part, wherein the size of the authentication image is a fraction of the enrolled image, determining at least one area of interest in the enrolled image, and matching the authentication image with image data of the determined area of interest in the enrolled image. |
| US09613427B2 |
Information processing method and electronic device
The disclosure provides an information processing method applied to an electronic device. The method comprises: performing edge detection on a first image to obtain edge strength values for respective pixels of the first image; determining, according to the edge strength values of the pixels, a main information region of the first image; cropping, according to the main information region, the first image to obtain a second image which includes the main information region; and setting the second image as a background image for a graphical interactive interface of the electronic device, wherein the graphical interactive interface includes N controls, N being a positive integer. |
| US09613426B2 |
Segmentation and matching of structures in medical imaging data
A medical image processing apparatus for receiving a target phase data set and a reference phase data set at different times, obtaining a segmentation of an elongated structure in the target phase data and the reference phase data set, determining a target phase line along the segmentation of the elongated structure in the target phase data set and a reference phase line along the segmentation of the elongated structure in the reference phase data set, and determining a synthesized target phase line by combining the target phase line and reference phase line. |
| US09613424B2 |
Method of constructing 3D clothing model based on a single image
A method of constructing 3D clothing model based on single image, estimating a 3D model of human body of an inputted image and constructing 3D clothing plane according to the clothing silhouette of the inputted image. The method includes utilizing the 3D clothing plane and the 3D model of human body to generate a smooth 3D clothing model through a deformation algorithm. A decomposition algorithm of intrinsic image is utilized along with a shape-from-shading algorithm to acquire a set of detail information of clothing from the inputted image. A weighted Laplace editing algorithm is utilized to shift the acquired detail information of clothing to the smooth 3D clothing model to yield a final 3D clothing model. A 3D clothing model is used to generate the surface geometry details including folds, wrinkles. |
| US09613422B2 |
Using multispectral satellite data to determine littoral water depths despite varying water turbidity
Satellite data is used to determine water depth by accounting for the changing turbidity of the water over time and without requiring calibration using SONAR measurements. Radiance values at multiple wavelengths sensed at both a first time and a second time are stored in a database. Modeled reflectance values are calculated for a defined surface area on the water based on an assumed depth, assumed water constituents and assumed bottom cover. A plurality of differences between the modeled reflectance values and the reflectances sensed at the two times are calculated. A bathymetry application module minimizes the sum of the differences between the modeled and sensed subsurface reflectances by varying the assumed depth, bottom cover and water constituents. The differences are weighted based on wavelength before being summed. The depth that results in the minimized sum of the differences is the estimated depth, which is displayed on a graphical user interface. |
| US09613417B2 |
Calibration of plenoptic imaging systems using fourier transform
Calibration for a plenoptic imaging system. The plenoptic imaging system includes a detector array that is subdivided into superpixels. A plenoptic image captured by the detector array of the plenoptic imaging system is accessed. For a row of superpixels, a slice is selected through the row, the selected slice having a Fourier transform with a stronger fundamental component compared to other slices through the row. A pitch of the row of superpixels is determined based on a frequency of the fundamental component of the selected slice. A rotation of the row of superpixels is determined based on a rotation of the selected slice. |
| US09613416B1 |
Methods, systems, and devices for automated analysis and management of medical scans
The disclosure herein provides methods, systems, and devices for automated reorientation and/or analysis of medical scans and/or images. The methods, systems, and devices for automated analysis of medical scans can be configured to mark, score, grade, and/other otherwise classify medical scans that are more time-sensitive, severe, and/or the like to allow a medical professional reviewing and/or analyzing medical scans to view and/or analyze such scans more efficiently by using a common image orientation and/or taking into account knowledge of the risk of severity, time-sensitiveness, and/or other priority. |
| US09613412B1 |
Stone slab manufacturing methods and systems
This document describes systems and processes manufacturing and distributing stone slabs, such as including distributing a stone slab and a slab image file associated with the stone slab. The slab image file may include an image and associated information to facilitate one or more operations related to the stone slab. |
| US09613411B2 |
Creating defect classifiers and nuisance filters
Methods and systems for setting up a classifier for defects detected on a wafer are provided. One method includes generating a template for a defect classifier for defects detected on a wafer and applying the template to a training data set. The training data set includes information for defects detected on the wafer or another wafer. The method also includes determining one or more parameters for the defect classifier based on results of the applying step. |
| US09613407B2 |
Display management for high dynamic range video
A display management processor receives an input image with enhanced dynamic range to be displayed on a target display which has a different dynamic range than a reference display. The input image is first transformed into a perceptually-quantized (PQ) color space. A non-linear mapping function generates a tone-mapped intensity image in response to the characteristics of the source and target display and a measure of the intensity of the PQ image. After a detail-preservation step which may generate a filtered tone-mapped intensity image, an image-adaptive intensity and saturation adjustment step generates an intensity adjustment factor and a saturation adjustment factor as functions of the measure of intensity and saturation of the PQ image, which together with the filtered tone-mapped intensity image are used to generate the output image. Examples of the functions to compute the intensity and saturation adjustment factors are provided. |
| US09613405B2 |
Scalable massive parallelization of overlapping patch aggregation
Techniques for enhancing an image using pixel-specific processing are disclosed. An image can be enhanced by updating certain pixels through patch aggregation. Neighboring pixels of a selected pixel are identified. Respective patch values for patches containing the selected pixel are determined. Patch values provide update information for updating the respective pixels in the patch. Relevant patch values for the selected pixel are identified by identifying associated patches of the pixel. Information from the relevant patch values of the selected pixel may be obtained. Using this information, pixel-specific processing may be performed to determine an updated pixel value for the selected pixel or for neighboring pixels of the selected pixel. Pixel-specific processes may be executed for each of the selected or neighboring pixels. These pixel-specific processes can be executed in parallel. Therefore, through the execution of pixel-specific processes, which may be performed concurrently, an enhanced image may be determined. |
| US09613403B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method
An apparatus and method for out-focusing a color image based on a depth image, the method including receiving an input of a depth region of interest (ROI) desired to be in focus for performing out-focusing in the depth image, and applying different blur models to pixels corresponding to the depth ROI, and pixels corresponding to a region, other than the depth ROI, in the color image, thereby performing out-focusing on the depth ROI. |
| US09613402B2 |
Image processing device, endoscope system, image processing method, and computer-readable storage device
An image processing device includes an evaluation value calculation section that calculates an evaluation value that is used to determine whether or not an inter-frame state of an object within a captured image is a stationary state, an estimated noise amount acquisition section that acquires an estimated noise amount of the captured image, a determination section that determines whether or not the inter-frame state of the object is the stationary state based on the evaluation value and the estimated noise amount, and a noise reduction processing section that performs a first noise reduction process (time-direction noise reduction process) when it has been determined that the inter-frame state of the object is the stationary state, and performs a second noise reduction process that includes at least a spatial-direction noise reduction process when it has been determined that the inter-frame state of the object is not the stationary state. |
| US09613401B2 |
Method to obtain 3D images of a flowing region beneath an object using speckle reflections
A method for imaging a flowing media within static regions includes obtaining a plurality of signals using the speckle properties of the flowing media. The plurality of signals are compared to one another such as by subtraction. The static regions are removed from the plurality of signals by the comparison. The remaining signals are combined (such as by summing) to produce an image of the flowing media. |
| US09613397B2 |
Display method and electronic apparatus
A display method and an electronic apparatus include a display unit with various kinds of different display modes, so that when the current display mode of the display unit is the first display mode, the first application in the electronic apparatus is initiated, and then the electronic apparatus detects the first parameter information of the first application, and then determines the correspondence relationship between the first parameter information and the display modes, determines the second display mode corresponding to the first parameter information, and adjusts the display unit from the first display mode displayed currently to the second display mode at last. Determining the display modes according to different applications running in the electronic apparatus increases the display effect of the electronic apparatus and reduces the power consumption of the display of the electronic apparatus. |
| US09613394B2 |
Lossy color compression using adaptive quantization
Techniques related to graphics rendering including techniques for color compression and/or decompression using adaptive quantization are described. |
| US09613391B2 |
Image processing architecture
An inspection system that receives image data corresponding to an image and processes the image data to produce a report corresponding to characteristics of the image. Interface cards receive the image data in a flow, where each interface card receives image data corresponding to a different portion of the image. Process nodes connect to the interface cards, and receive the image data from the interface cards. A host computer is connected to the process nodes, and job managers implemented in the host computer manage the flow of image data to and from the process nodes. The job managers remain operable during a crash of one of the process nodes. Process node programs are implemented in the process nodes, and analyze a portion of the image data and produce the report corresponding to the characteristics of the analyzed portion of the image data. At least one process node program is implemented in each process node. The process node programs rapidly analyze the image. The process node programs are isolated from the job managers so that a crash of a process node program does not crash the job manager. |
| US09613387B2 |
Universal serial bus device applied to webcams and method thereof
A universal serial bus device includes at least two input interfaces, an input interface control unit, and an image input interface. Each input interface of the at least two input interfaces is coupled to an image sensor for receiving images generated by the image sensor and an identification bit corresponding to the image sensor. The input interface control unit is coupled to the at least two input interfaces for controlling the at least two input interfaces to receive images generated by the at least two image sensors and identification bits corresponding to the at least two image sensors in turn when the images generated by the at least two image sensors are used for synthesizing three-dimensional images. The image input interface is used for receiving and transmitting the images generated by the at least two image sensors and the identification bits corresponding to the at least two image sensors. |
| US09613385B2 |
System for analyzing device performance data
A system for analyzing performance data associated with a mail processing device includes a reporting module operable to receive, over a network, first data related to the operation of a mail processing device at one of a plurality of mail processing sites, wherein each of the plurality of mail processing sites is associated with a database accessible over the network, store the first data in a database associated with the mail processing site of the mail processing device, receive, over the network, second data identifying filter criteria for the first data, filter, using a processor, the first data with the second data, generate, using a processor, a report based on the filtered first data, and communicate the report over the network. |
| US09613384B2 |
Personal learning apparatus and method based on wireless communication network
A personal learning apparatus and method using a terminal which supports an electronic book function in a wireless communication network are provided. The personal learning method includes: distributing, by a master device, learning data to the terminal within a wireless communication service area; collecting, by the master device, learning results based on the learning data from the terminal provided with the learning data; and storing, by the master device, the collected learning results. |
| US09613383B2 |
Power plant field monitoring system and method using QR code
Power plant field monitoring system and method using a QR code in which, when a user photographs a QR code attached to a monitoring field and transmits the photographed QR code to a route server, the route server transmits matching information that matches the transmitted QR code, from among process values at the monitoring field which are collected by a main control server, to a user terminal. |
| US09613382B1 |
Systems and methods for automatically synchronizing online communities
A computer-implemented method for automatically synchronizing online communities may comprise identifying login information for a first user account associated with the first online community, accessing the first user account using the login information for the first user account, obtaining information from the first user account, and modifying, based on the information obtained from the first user account, a second user account associated with a second online community. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09613379B2 |
Trader portal system and method
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a computer-implemented trader portal system and method for use within a trading organization supporting multiple traders. The trader portal system integrates available trader related resources from multiple sources for trader viewing and utilization. The trader portal system may include administrative controls for allowing administrative configuration of the trader related resources visible to the multiple traders within the trading organization. The trader portal system may further include a source collection engine for collecting the trader-related resources from the multiple sources and a source integration engine for integrating the collected trader related resources with the trader portal system in accordance with the administrative configuration. The trader portal system may further include multiple modules accessible to the traders through a user interface, each of the multiple modules displaying at least one of the collected trader related resources as determined by the source integration engine. |
| US09613378B2 |
Distributed ranking and matching of messages
Apparatus and methods for managing messages in a computer system are described. A plurality of order/quote messages is received via an input mechanism, and the order/quote messages are ranked based on the at least one ranking value parameter at a first ranking unit. At least one top ranked order/quote message is sent from the first ranking unit to a matching unit, and the top ranked order/quote messages are matched at the matching unit. |
| US09613376B2 |
Apparatus and method for recipient distribution and tracking
An apparatus and method of maintaining beneficiary information are disclosed. The apparatus can be configured to perform the method, which may include obtaining information for one or more recipients of one or more conveyances of property, obtaining one or more digital IDs from the one or more recipients, maintaining the one or more digital IDs from the one or more recipients by periodically sending notifications to the one or more recipients, and distributing assets with the one or more digital IDs to the one or more recipients. |
| US09613374B2 |
Presentation of candidate domain name bundles in a user interface
A system and method for the generation and presentation of candidate domain names are presented. The method includes receiving, by at least one server communicatively coupled to a network, a request to access or purchase access to a software application, the request being received from a user. Keywords associated with at least one of the user, a website of the user, and a business of the user are generated and a candidate domain name relevant to the keywords is generated. A user interface is displayed including the candidate domain name. The user interface enables the user to register the candidate domain name. A plurality of candidate domain names may be generated and organized into carousels or stacks according to a common theme. The candidate domain names may be displayed on a user interface and arranged thereon according to a relevance score of the domain name bundles. |
| US09613372B2 |
System, method, and non-trasitory computer-readable storage media for displaying product information on websites
A system for displaying product information to a customer is described herein. The system includes a processor that is programmed to receive search data in response to a product search request received from the customer and retrieve product records associated with the search data from a database. Each product record is associated with a corresponding product and includes a product description and a plurality of item attributes having corresponding attribute values. The processor selects a set of the item attributes and generates a product summary for each of the products as a function of the selected set of item attributes. Each product summary includes corresponding attribute values associated with the selected set of item attributes. The processor generates and displays product information associated with each of the products being included in the search data. The associated product information includes a corresponding product summary and a corresponding product description. |
| US09613371B2 |
Dynamic taxonomy generation with demand-based product groups
A method of extending an existing product taxonomy for an inventory of products. The existing product taxonomy can include pages having a hierarchical tree structure. The method can include determining a first set of keywords. The first set of keywords can be a prediction of keywords searched above a predetermined threshold during a predetermined time period of one or more external search engines. The method also can include generating dynamic product groups based on the first set of keywords. The method further can include generating a relation graph of the dynamic product groups. The relation graph can include relation links between the dynamic product groups. The method also can include linking the dynamic product groups to pages in the existing product taxonomy to generate an extended product taxonomy. The extended product taxonomy can include the existing product taxonomy, the dynamic product groups, and the relation links of the relation graph between the dynamic product groups. The method further can include presenting to a user information about the dynamic product groups. Other embodiments are provided. |
| US09613370B2 |
Securely and efficiently processing telephone orders
An apparatus for processing telephone orders includes a communications module that establishes a telephonic connection between a customer service representative of a merchant and a customer, and an identification module that receives an identifier linking the customer to a billing profile a billing profile access module that receives electronic access to the billing profile. The billing profile includes billing information of the customer. The apparatus includes a transaction module that processes a sales order using the billing profile of the customer in response to a customer approval of the sales order. The sales order is for a product and/or a service offered by the merchant. The billing information of the billing profile is unavailable for viewing by the customer service representative. |
| US09613368B2 |
Systems and methods for providing and dynamically updating customer-specific shipping information on an on-site server
A commerce system for serving a customer of delivery services using dynamically updated data including platform services, an operations-management server maintained by a vendor, and a local commerce server and a remote computer system maintained by a delivery services company. The operations-management server is positioned at a customer location and operatively connected to the platform services. The commerce server is operatively connected to the operations-management server and operatively connected to the platform services and includes local programs configured for providing services of the delivery services company to the customer. The remote computer system is connected to the local commerce server by a network. The remote computer system includes a message-management system, wherein at least one of the message-management compartments holds update data connected to the local commerce server for updating the commerce data, and includes remote programs. The operations-management and local commerce servers run interactively on the platform services. |
| US09613367B2 |
Assessment of users feedback data to evaluate a software object
In one embodiment, feedback data of a software object is received through a sequence of cascaded GUIs. The cascaded GUIs include an interaction portion to receive the feedback data from users at a plurality of feedback levels. Further, user role weightings of the users, account weightings of enterprises associated with the users and a time weighting corresponding to a life-cycle phase of the software object are retrieved. Furthermore, average rating of the software object corresponding to each feedback level is determined as a function of the user role weightings, the account weightings, the time weighting, the feedback data corresponding to a feedback level and a number of users submitted the feedback data. The determined average ratings and rating distribution corresponding to each feedback level are graphically displayed on the interaction portion associated with a next feedback level. |
| US09613365B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for secure near field communication of a non-secure memory element payload
According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for secure near field communication (NFC) of a non-secure memory element payload. The method includes receiving, at an NFC enabled mobile device and from a content provider, a payload. The method also includes storing the received payload in a non-secure memory element of the NFC enabled mobile device. The method further includes transferring the stored payload from the non-secure memory element of the NFC enabled mobile device to a secure memory element of the NFC enabled mobile device, wherein transferring the stored payload includes loading the stored payload into a secure reloadable payload instance. The method further includes establishing a NFC link between the NFC enabled mobile device and an NFC reader. The method further includes communicating, via the NFC link, the transferred payload from the secure reloadable payload instance to the NFC reader. |
| US09613364B2 |
Method and system of identifying a concept of a good or service for an unmet market potential
A computing device is configured to identify a concept of a good or service for an unmet market potential. A Global User Search Data file (GUSD) comprising information related to a search object is read. A morpheme combination in the search object from the GUSD is identified. The morpheme combination is compared to a first set of pre-existing terms. A first score is assigned to the search object based on the comparison, wherein a higher first score is assigned if the morpheme combination is not found in the first set of pre-existing terms. An un-successfulness of the search object is determined and a second score is assigned, wherein a higher second score is assigned the more un-successful the search object is. An aggregate of all the scores for a search term is compared to a predetermined threshold. If the aggregate score is above the predetermined threshold, the search term is identified as a concept of a good or service for an unmet market potential. |
| US09613358B1 |
System, method, and computer program for capturing a unique identifier for a merchant used in purchase transaction approval requests
A system, method, and computer program are provided for capturing a unique identifier for a merchant used in purchase transaction approval requests. A merchant is able to register with a payment card system via a merchant interface. A payment card number is associated with and provided to the merchant via the interface with instructions to perform a purchase transaction with the payment card number. The system receives requests for approval of payment card transactions, where each request includes a payment card number and a unique identifier for a merchant. For each request, the system determines whether the payment card number includes an indicator that the payment card number is for the purpose of capturing a unique identifier for a merchant. In response to receiving a request with a payment card number that includes the indicator, a unique identifier accompanying the request is automatically associated with the registering merchant. |
| US09613357B2 |
Authorizing the use of a biometric card
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for authorizing the use of a biometric transaction card. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a biometric card having a biometric sensor to determine whether the biometric information (fingerprint) is from human skin. In a typical embodiment, the cardholder approaches a magnetic reader with the card. The user places his/her finger on the SpO2 sensor of the card. The sensor estimates the SpO2 level. Card authorization is based, in part, on the estimated SpO2 level. |
| US09613354B2 |
Device, system and method for reducing an interaction time for a contactless transaction
Methods, devices, and systems are described for sending and receiving messages between a terminal reader and a payment device, such as a credit card. A dynamic signature is calculated on the payment device from an application transaction counter, a terminal unpredictable number, and a transaction amount, and it is sent with an application file locator (AFL) to the reader. The reader then sends a read record command to the payment device to get records associated with the AFL, among other normal processing. While the normal processing is occurring for the transaction, the dynamic signature can be recalculated and compared with that from the payment device in order to assure that nothing has surreptitiously changed the values in the messages. |
| US09613353B1 |
Passcode entry through motion sensing
A method of entering a passcode is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes: calculating locations of tactile inputs on the input component to interact with the passcode entry interface based at least partially on the recorded motion readings; and determining the passcode based at least in part on the tactile inputs by mapping the tactile inputs to a geometric layout of interactive elements of the passcode entry interface. |
| US09613351B2 |
Apparatus and method for commercial transactions using a communication device
An apparatus for effecting commercial transactions with a server using a transaction card via a communication device is provided. The apparatus includes a transaction device coupled with the communication device for capturing information from the transaction card and a controller for converting the captured card information into an encrypted audio signal and for transmitting the audio signal to the communication device. The communication device delivers the audio signal to the server for processing the commercial transaction. |
| US09613345B2 |
Wireless service provider system and method for activating and selling a wireless service on a wireless device
A wireless service provider system and associated methods of using the system for the sale and/or activation of wireless services is disclosed. The system includes a communication interface for a wireless device having a unique identifier. A backend system computer of the wireless service provider system can receive a unique identifier corresponding to the wireless device; authorize the activation of the wireless service corresponding to the unique identifier of the wireless device; and record, in a database, the authorized unique identifier to improve a user's experience and ease of activation/provisioning of services for the wireless device. |
| US09613343B2 |
System and method for compositing items and authorizing transactions
A method of executing an electronic financial transaction involving two parties providing information for generating a transaction document and authorizing the document to execute the transaction. The method contemplates the maker electronically transmitting a data record representative of the financial transaction directly to a payee, such as by email. The payee can then convert the data record into a transaction acceptable to a bank of first deposit, such as by printing or imaging the data record into a form acceptable to the bank, such as a standard paper check. |
| US09613342B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method
An information processing apparatus includes an acquiring unit configured to acquire first failure information on failures that have occurred in a first device of a predetermined model of a predetermined customer, and acquire second failure information on failures that have occurred in a second device of the predetermined model; a calculating unit configured to calculate first operation information on the first device by using the first failure information, and calculate second operation information on the second device by using the second failure information; and an output unit configured to output proposal information indicating a proposal based on the first operation information and the second operation information. |
| US09613341B2 |
Calculating trust score on web based platform
A method for calculating trust level of a user on social networking sites, comprising: consolidating information related to users operatively associated with at least a web based social platform; assigning weight to each of the consolidated information; computing aggregated score for at least an information; computing weighted average of the aggregated scores of the information; and calculating trust score based on the weighted average score. It further comprises assigning a trust level to the users based upon the trust. The method enables a user to create web of trust for social contacts or friends on the web based social platform wherein the web of trust comprises of most trusted friends, average trusted friends and least trusted friends. |
| US09613339B2 |
Information exchange in the social network environment
A system and computer program product for improving information exchange in a social network environment. Actions (e.g., copying) being performed on an electronic object (e.g., e-mail) are detected. Furthermore, the entry of the electronic object in a social networking website is detected thereby identifying an association between this electronic object and this social networking website. Rule patterns are identified based on these detected actions and these associations. Indications of these associations are stored in terms of concept nodes in a hierarchical tree using the identified rule patterns. Social networking feeds of interest are then searched using the hierarchical tree as well as a current electronic object of a user (e.g., status message on a social networking feed, e-mail). The user would then be provided an opportunity to repost an information nugget from the current electronic object in one or more of these social networking feeds of interest. |
| US09613338B1 |
Reading station structures
In some examples, a reader system is provided for managing inventory items in an inventory system. The reader system may be configured to read tags associated with items stowed in an inventory holder. The inventory holder may be detachably coupled to a mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit may move the inventory holder to a first position near an antenna of the reader system and the tags may begin to be read. While reading or at other times in the reading process, the mobile drive unit may move the inventory holder relative to the antenna. The identified tags may be compared to a manifest list of items expected to be stowed in the inventory holder. |
| US09613336B2 |
RFID logic tag
In embodiments of RFID logic tag, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) logic tag can interrogate multiple RFID tags, such as a first RFID tag that monitors the status of a first item, as well as a second RFID tag that monitors the status of a second item. The RFID logic tag receives status data as responses from the respective first and second RFID tags (and optionally, additional RFID tags). The RFID logic tag is implemented to then generate a logic signal based on a logic operation applied to the status data received from the RFID tags. |
| US09613330B2 |
Identity and access management
A computer-implemented process for an endpoint for automated fulfillment, includes: in an Automatic Fulfillment (AF) server: creating an endpoint on the AF server; selecting supported commands; and for each command, defining required and optional parameters and endpoint type specific implementation details; and in a Compliance Manager (CM): running discovery to find new endpoint and create metadata for it in the CM; for each command to be automated, filling in mappings for at least all required parameters; and enabling the command; enabling the endpoint; binding the endpoint to a business source; and ensuring that the business source uses a fulfillment process that uses the AF server. |
| US09613328B2 |
Workflow monitoring and analysis system and method thereof
A method of workflow monitoring and analysis includes: according to an image to generate at least one three-dimensional joint coordinate, and according to the three dimensional joint coordinate to generate at least one task posture information; according to a movement information to generate at least one three-dimensional track information, and according to the three dimensional track to generate at least one task track information; and according to a workpiece posture information, the task posture information, a workpiece movement information and the task track information to generate a task semanticist. |
| US09613323B2 |
Organizational agility determination across multiple computing domains
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for determining and/or enhancing an organization's agility across one or more computing domains. Among other things, embodiments of the present invention parse and mine organizational documents for relevant data, calculate and weight business agility scores, optimize domain elements to ensure optimal outcomes for customers, and/or provide organization agility information for transfer to consultants or the like. It is understood that these functions may be used independently or in conjunction with each other depending on the scope of improvement desired for a particular organization. |
| US09613321B2 |
System and method for establishing a dynamic meta-knowledge network
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for establishing a dynamic meta-knowledge network. More particularly, it relates to a computer implemented system and method for charting, mapping, linking, annotating, evaluating, following, broadcasting and publishing scientific, technical, medical and scholarly information, both current and historical. In an embodiment, the present system and method may be embodied in an internet application composed of a database containing scientific publication records, scientific meta-knowledge data, and user profiles. Scientific meta-knowledge stored in the database includes knowledge contexts as well as descriptive and quantitative annotations. Author names and entities within each knowledge context category and annotation category are linked to the appropriate publications. A publication webpage is generated for each publication record, and this is configured to aggregate and present stored data and links that are relevant (and specific) to each publication. |
| US09613320B2 |
Role-based product management system using proxy objects
A method and apparatus for identifying information for a product. User input selecting a proxy object in a product design on a computer system is received. The proxy object refers to a number of product standards used in the product design and is associated with a component in the product design. A role of a user is identified. A request for standards information for the component is sent to an interpreter module. The role of the user is included in the request. The standards information is received in a format based on the role of the operator such that the standards information is displayed in the computer system. |
| US09613318B2 |
Intelligent user interaction experience for mobile computing devices
A system for assessing a user interaction experience of content displayed on a mobile device, implemented by a computing processor, receives an indication of content to be displayed on the mobile device. The indication is received in response to a user attempting to access the content. The system analyzes the content to assess the user interaction experience of the content to be displayed on the mobile device. The analysis is based at least on the mobile device on which the content is to be displayed. The user interaction experience is comprised of the viewing quality of the content to be displayed on the mobile device, and/or a feasibility of user interaction with the content. Based on the user interaction experience, the system presents, on the mobile device on which the content is to be displayed, an indication of the user interaction experience and the indication of the content to be displayed on the mobile device. |
| US09613314B2 |
Fact checking method and system utilizing a bendable screen
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. |
| US09613313B2 |
System and method for providing a recommendation of a game based on a game-centric relationship graph
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for providing a recommendation for a game based on a game-centric relationship graph. The relationship graph is a graph depicting relationships between game and game users. One or more recommended games may be determined by leveraging the relationship graph. For example, recommended games may be identified based on graph proximities from candidate game nodes to a target user node or a mathematical score calculated from weight metrics of relationship branches. |
| US09613309B1 |
System and method for predicting significant events using a progress curve model
Described is system for predicting significant events using a progress curve model. The system first determines Z-score values for a predetermined period of a time series to generate a Z-score time series. The Z-score time series are partitioned into a plurality of E-periods to define time frames for progress curve model (PCM) fitting. An E-period is defined as a period of escalation and de-escalation. Finally, a future event is predicted based on an absolute Z-score value that is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. |
| US09613292B1 |
Secure multi-dimensional pattern matching for secure search and recognition
Described is a protocol for multi-dimensional secure pattern matching. The protocol is to be evaluated between two parties, P1 (or Client) and P2 (or Server). P1 holds a multi-dimensional pattern, p, and P2 holds a multi-dimensional text T (where both p and T have the same number of dimensions, but where p may be of smaller length in each dimension compared to T). P1 and P2 would then engage in a protocol that allows P1 to find out whether p is present in T or not. The security and privacy requirements are that P2 does not learn any information about the pattern p nor the result of the matching. P1 should also not learn any information about T other than whether p is present in it or not. Upon implementation of the protocol, p matches T if there exists an m× . . . ×m sub-hypermatrix (or sub-array) of T that equals p. |
| US09613289B2 |
X-ray diagnosis apparatus and image processing apparatus
According to an embodiment, in an X-ray diagnosis apparatus, a detector detects a position of a feature point in the sequentially generated X-ray images. A corrector performs a correction process such that an angle of a line segment including the feature point and a single point based on the feature point detected in any one of the sequentially generated X-ray images substantially agree with an angle based on the feature point and a single point based on the feature point detected in a new X-ray image generated after the X-ray image, thereby sequentially generating corrected images in which a position different from the feature point in the images is substantially the same. Every time each of the corrected images is newly generated by the corrector, a controller sequentially generates the corrected images, thereby displaying a moving image on a display unit. |
| US09613287B2 |
Local feature descriptor extracting apparatus, method for extracting local feature descriptor, and program
The size of a feature descriptor is reduced with the accuracy of object identification maintained. A local feature descriptor extracting apparatus includes a feature point detecting unit configured to detect feature points in an image, a local region acquiring unit configured to acquire a local region for each of the feature points, a subregion dividing unit configured to divide each local region into a plurality of subregions, a subregion feature vector generating unit configured to generate a feature vector with a plurality of dimensions for each of the subregions in each local region, and a dimension selecting unit configured to select dimensions from the feature vector in each subregion so as to reduce a correlation between the feature vectors in proximate subregions based on positional relations among the subregions in each local region and output elements of the selected dimensions as a feature descriptor of the local region. |
| US09613286B2 |
Method for correcting user's gaze direction in image, machine-readable storage medium and communication terminal
A method and mobile terminal for correcting a gaze of a user in an image are provided. The method includes detecting first eye outer points that define a first eye region of the user in an original image; setting second eye outer points different from the first eye outer points; and transforming the first eye region inside of the first eye outer points to a second eye region inside of the second eye outer points. |
| US09613283B2 |
System and method for using an image to provide search results
A system and method uses an image manipulating application to define in an object image a plurality of discrete cells. Predefined image information is substituted for image information in selected ones of the plurality of discrete cells to form a translated version of the object image. The translated version of the object image may then be provided to an image recognition capable search engine to obtain search results. |
| US09613281B2 |
Methods for performing biometric recognition of a human eye and corroboration of same
A method of biometric recognition is provided. Multiple images of the face or other non-iris image and iris of an individual are acquired. If the multiple images are determined to form an expected sequence of images, the face and iris images are associated together. A single camera preferably acquires both the iris and face images by changing at least one of the zoom, position, or dynamic range of the camera. The dynamic range can be adjusted by at least one of adjusting the gain settings of the camera, adjusting the exposure time, and/or adjusting the illuminator brightness. The expected sequence determination can be made by determining if the accumulated motion vectors of the multiple images is consistent with an expected set of motion vectors and/or ensuring that the iris remains in the field of view of all of the multiple images. |
| US09613276B2 |
Detection of human actions from video data
A video action detection system uses feature a data extractor to extract feature data from video data at detected spatiotemporal interest points. A feature data quantizer assigns the extracted feature values to bins of a feature vector. Bin values are computed from a sum of contributions of spatiotemporal points of interest that have been assigned to the bin, with a bin dependent adjustment of a size of the sum and/or the contributions. The video action detection system computes a sum of match scores between the feature vector and reference vectors for the predetermined type of action. The bin dependent adjustment of the size of the sum and/or the contributions is adapted in a training step, based on partial match scores for individual bins obtained using an initial action detector. |
| US09613275B2 |
Method and system for a mobile terminal to achieve user interaction by simulating a real scene
A method and a system for a mobile terminal to achieve user interaction by simulating a real scene are disclosed. The method comprises: formulating a scene task for a 3D virtual scene; uploading the information of the 3D virtual scene and the scene task to a server to obtain a shared link; searching for and transmitting the shared link to nearby mobile terminals, sending an invitation and waiting for participation of the nearby mobile terminals; if the invitation is received by the nearby mobile terminals, then reading the information of the 3D virtual scene and the scene task and uploading corresponding personal information by the nearby mobile terminals; and changing locations of user roles in the 3D virtual scene according to positioning information of the mobile terminal, receiving a user operation instruction to make interactions via the user roles, and recording the user behaviors corresponding to the personal information. |
| US09613269B2 |
Identifying and tracking convective weather cells
A method for tracking weather cells from a moving platform includes receiving, from a detection and ranging system, reflectivity data sampled for a volume of space and generating a feature map based on the reflectivity data, wherein the feature map is a representation of the volume of space that indicates locations with significant weather and generating a first segmented feature map based on the feature map that identifies the location and spatial extent of individual weather cells. The method further includes translating the first segmented feature map and a second segmented feature map, generated from data collected at a different point in time and/or space, to a common frame of reference and comparing the first segmented feature map to the second segmented feature map. The method further includes creating one or more track hypotheses based on the comparison of the first segmented feature map and the second segmented feature map. |
| US09613267B2 |
Method and system of extracting label:value data from a document
This disclosure provides an exemplary method and system for extracting structured label and value pairwise textual data from a textual document. According to an exemplary method, initially a layout analysis is performed resulting in one or more alternatives for grouping and ordering the textual elements of interest. Next, textual elements are tagged as including a label term, a value term or a label and value term. Finally, a sequence-based method is applied to the tagged elements to generate one or more sequence listings representative of the label and value pairwise data structure(s) and label:value pairwise data is extracted. |
| US09613266B2 |
Complex background-oriented optical character recognition method and device
A complex background-oriented optical character recognition method and device are provided. The method of the present invention includes: collecting image information to obtain a collected image; according to character characteristics, acquiring a target character region from the collected image, and taking same as a target object; extracting character edge information in the target object using a differential method to obtain an extracted image; superposing the target object and the extracted image to obtain a recovery image; conducting inversion and Gaussian filtration processing on the recovery image to obtain a processed image; searching for a target character location in the processed image; and recognizing the target character location. On this basis, accurate and quick locating and recognition of characters can be realized on the basis of effectively suppressing background noise and highlighting character information. |
| US09613264B2 |
Shape recognition using partial shapes
Shape recognition is performed based on determining whether one or more ink strokes is not part of a shape or a partial shape. Ink strokes are divided into segments and the segments analyzed employing a relative angular distance histogram. The histogram analysis yields stable, incremental, and discriminating featurization results. Neural networks may also be employed along with the histogram analysis to determine complete shapes from partial shape entries and autocomplete suggestions provided to users for conversion of the shape into a known object. |
| US09613263B2 |
Ink stroke grouping based on stroke attributes
One embodiment provides a method including: receiving a plurality of handwriting ink strokes; determining, using a processor, at least one grouping of the plurality of handwriting ink strokes, wherein the grouping is determined using spacing associated with the plurality of handwriting ink strokes and at least one attribute associated with at least one portion of the plurality of handwriting ink strokes; sending the at least one grouping to a recognition engine; receiving machine input from the recognition engine; and displaying, on a display device, the machine input. Other aspects are described and claimed. |
| US09613261B2 |
Inferring spatial object descriptions from spatial gestures
Three-dimensional (3-D) spatial image data may be received that is associated with at least one arm motion of an actor based on free-form movements of at least one hand of the actor, based on natural gesture motions of the at least one hand. A plurality of sequential 3-D spatial representations that each include 3-D spatial map data corresponding to a 3-D posture and position of the hand at sequential instances of time during the free-form movements may be determined, based on the received 3-D spatial image data. An integrated 3-D model may be generated, via a spatial object processor, based on incrementally integrating the 3-D spatial map data included in the determined sequential 3-D spatial representations and comparing a threshold time value with model time values indicating numbers of instances of time spent by the hand occupying a plurality of 3-D spatial regions during the free-form movements. |
| US09613259B2 |
System and method for matching faces
Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media for matching faces. The method includes receiving an image of a face of a first person from a device of a second person, comparing the image of the face of the first person to a database of known faces in a contacts list of the second person, identifying a group of potential matching faces from the database of known faces, and displaying to the second person the group of potential matching faces. In one variation, the method receives input selecting one face from the group of potential matching faces and displays additional information about the selected one face. In a related variation, the method displays additional information about one or more face in the displayed group of potential matching faces without receiving input. |
| US09613258B2 |
Image quality assessment
This disclosure concerns image quality assessment. In particular, there is described a computer implemented method, software, and computer for assessing the quality of an image. For example but not limited to, quality of the image of a face indicates the suitability of the image for use in face recognition. The invention comprises determining (112) a similarity of features of two or more sub-images of the image (608) to a model (412) of the object which is based on multiple training images (612) of multiple different objects of that type. The model (412) is comprised of sub-models (406) and each sub-model (406) corresponds to a sub-image of the image (608). Determining similarity is based on the similarity of features of each sub-image to features modelled by the corresponding sub-model. It is an advantage that no input parameters are required for quality assessment since the quality of the image can be determined from only the similarity between the image and the same, therefore single generic, model. |
| US09613257B2 |
Global identification (ID) and age verification system and method
A multi-process identity and/or age verification process and system for user's connected to a network such as the Internet. The process and system verify the identity of the user by: verifying personal information of the user; verifying identification documentation associated with the user; and conducting an online face-to-face verification of the user over the network. |
| US09613252B1 |
Fingerprint matching method and device
A fingerprint matching method and device are provided. The fingerprint matching method includes the step of capturing a plurality of registered templates, capturing a to-be-recognized data, comparing the to-be-recognized data and the plurality of registered templates, generating a plurality of comparison scores corresponding to the registered templates which overlap the to-be-recognized data, generating a comparison result according to the plurality of comparison scores, and determining whether the to-be-recognized data is verified according to the comparison result. |
| US09613251B2 |
Fingerprint matching algorithm
A method of matching a reference fingerprint image and an input fingerprint image, represented by a first set of minutiae and a second set of minutiae, including: determining a first local neighborhood for each minutia including at least one minutia neighboring the minutia, comparing the first local neighborhoods in the first set with the first local neighborhoods in the second set to determine matched minutiae, filtering the matched minutiae based on a difference between their positions, determining a second local neighborhood for each unmatched minutia including at least one matched minutia neighboring the unmatched minutia, comparing the second local neighborhoods in the first set with the second local neighborhoods in the second set to determine further matched minutiae, filtering the matched minutiae and the further matched minutiae based on a difference between their positions, and determining whether the first and second fingerprint images are the same. |
| US09613249B2 |
Finger sensor including encapsulating layer over sensing area and related methods
A fingerprint sensor may include a substrate, and a finger sensing IC on the substrate and including a finger sensing area on an upper surface thereof for sensing an adjacent finger. The fingerprint sensor may include an encapsulating material on the finger sensing IC and covering the finger sensing area, and a bezel adjacent the finger sensing area and on an uppermost surface of the encapsulating layer. |
| US09613247B2 |
Sensing method and circuit of fingerprint sensor
A sensing method and circuit of fingerprint sensor is disclosed. In a first phase, the sensing method supplies a first to third voltages to an electrode plate to be measured, a read-out circuit of the electrode plate to be measured and a conductor adjacent to the electrode plate to be measured, respectively. In a second phase, the sensing method stops supplying the first to third voltages and supplies voltage to the conductor and connects the electrode plate to be measured to the read-out circuit so the read-out circuit reads out a measurement result of the electrode plate to be measured. According to the sensing method and circuit, the measurement result of the electrode plate to be measured is not affect by capacitors between the electrode plate to be measured and the conductor. |
| US09613246B1 |
Multiple scan element array ultrasonic biometric scanner
An ultrasonic biometric scanner includes an ultrasonic multiple scan element array with multiple scan elements. The array includes piezoelectric material such as lead zirconate titanate or polyvinylidene difluoride with a first electrode on a first surface and a second electrode on a second, opposite surface. At least one of the first electrode or the second electrode include multiple electrodes wherein the number of the multiple electrodes corresponds to a number of the multiple scan elements. A substrate is electrically coupled to the second electrode and/or the first electrode. A cover may be positioned over the first electrode. The cover has an acoustic impedance matching ultrasonic signals emitted by the piezoelectric material. |
| US09613244B2 |
2D indicia pose estimation and consequent grid localization and/or synchronization
Systems and methods of operation for a machine-readable symbol reader for estimating the relative position, orientation and/or distance of a scanned target object or item labeled with two dimensional (2D) indicia, such as a digital watermark. Such estimation information may be provided to a localization process or a decoding process to assist such processes in decoding the 2D indicia from an image of the object labeled with the 2D indicia. The machine-readable symbol reader may include an aiming system which projects a light pattern onto a target object. The reader may capture one or more images of the target object while the light pattern is projected thereon and analyze at least one characteristic of the pattern to estimate position, orientation or distance of the target object relative to the machine-readable symbol reader. Such information may be used to improve decoding of the 2D indicia. |
| US09613242B2 |
Apparatus and method for communicating with an RFID transponder
A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electro-magnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder. |
| US09613236B2 |
Methods for recovering RFID data based upon probability using an RFID receiver
RFID data signals from RFID tags may be recovered by determining the probabilities of transitions between data states between a series of a pairs of signal samples using a set of predetermined probabilities related to data, timing, baud rate and/or phase variables affecting the received signal and processing those determined probabilities to determine the sequence of such transitions that has the highest probability of occurrence. A second set of predetermined probabilities related to transitions in the opposite direction may be used to sequence in a reverse direction. The determination of the sequence representing the RFID tag data may be iterated in both directions until further iterations do not change the determined probabilities. |
| US09613231B2 |
Movement monitoring security devices and systems
Motion sensing devices for computer security are provided herein. In one embodiment, a security device includes a sensor for detecting movement of a computing device to which the security device is coupled, a transmitter, a processor, a memory, and instructions that are executed to receive from the sensor messages indicative of the movement of the computing device, determine if the computing device has been moved using the sensor messages, and output a warning message using the transmitter, if the computing device has been moved. |
| US09613230B2 |
Plug part for forming a plug-in connection
The plug part (10) is connectable to a mating part (1), which is used as a connector of a device (50), to form a plug-in connection. The plug part (10) includes at least one non-volatile memory (13), a communication unit (15) and a microprocessor (14). A network having such plug parts (10) can be tested by means of a testing device, which is designed to generate test signals from information stored in the memory (13), which test signals can be laid on the cable wired leading out of the plug part (10) in order to generate measurement signals. The memory (13) preferably contains a list of permissible combinations of hardware and software versions, which can be compared with the current hardware and software combination of the device (50) in order to configure the device (50) and/or authorize the device (50) for normal operation. |
| US09613227B1 |
System and method to anonymize data transmitted to a destination computing device
A method and system for anonymizing data to be transmitted to a destination computing device is disclosed. Anonymization strategy for data anonymization is provided. Data to be transmitted is received from a user computer. Selective anonymization of the data is performed, based on the anonymization strategy, using an anonymization module. The received data includes a plurality of characters encoded in a first encoding scheme, with a first subset of characters assigned to a first language. The first subset of characters are encoded in a second encoding scheme to derive a modified data. The second encoding scheme has number of bits sufficient to encode total number of characters in the first language. The modified data is anonymized to derive an anonymized data. The anonymized data is transmitted to a destination computing device. |
| US09613226B2 |
Secure access to individual information
A facility for accessing information relating to a person is described. In a reader device, the facility accesses first credentials stored in a first storage device, second credentials stored in a second storage device, and third credentials stored in the reader device. In the reader device, the facility uses a combination of the first credentials, second credentials, and third credentials to decrypt information relating to the person stored in the first storage device. |
| US09613224B2 |
Integrating a user's security context in a database for access control
Techniques are provided for integrating application-level user security context with a database. A session manager, in a middle tier that includes an application, obtains the security context of a user and establishes, in the database, a light-weight session (LWS) that reflects the security context. The security context is synchronized between the middle tier and database before application code execution. The database maintains an isolated copy of the LWS for the unit of application code executed as the security context. The database sends to the session manager the identifier of the copy of LWS. Before allowing a request from an application to be sent to the database, the session manager, transparent to the application, inserts an identifier that identifies the LWS. In this way, the database processes an application request in the context of the corresponding user's security context that is the same as the security context in the middle tier. |
| US09613223B2 |
Method for application management, corresponding system, and user device
A method for application management is provided. First, an original application is received. A license code is injected into the original application through a repackaging process to generate a repackaged application. Next, the repackaged application is published for a user device to download and install, wherein the user device executes a client program. When the user device executes the repackaged application, the license code sends a license check request to activate the client program to send a license check response according to license information of the repackaged application. The license check response indicates whether the repackaged application is allowed to be further executed. When the license check response indicates that the repackage application is not allowed to be further executed, the license code terminates the repackaged application. |
| US09613220B2 |
Secure data parser method and system
The present invention provides a method and system for securing sensitive data from unauthorized access or use. The method and system of the present invention is useful in a wide variety of settings, including commercial settings generally available to the public which may be extremely large or small with respect to the number of users. The method and system of the present invention is also useful in a more private setting, such as with a corporation or governmental agency, as well as between corporation, governmental agencies or any other entity. |
| US09613216B2 |
Encryption recommendation method and encryption recommendation device
An encryption recommendation method and an encryption recommendation device are provided. The method includes: scanning user operations on an application in a terminal, and obtaining a frequency of usage of each application; obtaining a set of frequently-used applications from the applications based on the frequency of usage of the each application; and determining, based on privacy weights of the set of frequently-used applications, at least one recommended application to be encrypted from the set of frequently-used applications. |
| US09613213B2 |
Using telemetry to reduce malware definition package size
Clients send telemetry data to a cloud server, where the telemetry data includes security-related information such as file creations, timestamps and malware detected at the clients. The cloud server analyzes the telemetry data to identify malware that is currently spreading among the clients. Based on the analysis of the telemetry data, the cloud server segments malware definitions in a cloud definition database into a set of local malware definitions and a set of cloud malware definitions. The cloud server provides the set of local malware definitions to the clients as a local malware definition update, and replies to cloud definition lookup requests from clients with an indication of whether a file identified in a request contains malware. If the file is malicious, the client remediates the malware using local malware definition update. |
| US09613211B1 |
Systems and methods for identifying suspicious text-messaging applications on mobile devices
A computer-implemented method for identifying suspicious text-messaging applications on mobile devices may include (1) identifying at least one outgoing text message on a mobile device, (2) analyzing at least one attribute of the outgoing text message identified on the mobile device, (3) determining that the outgoing text message is illegitimate based at least in part on analyzing the attribute of the outgoing text message, (4) identifying, in response to the determination, a suspicious text-messaging application that created the illegitimate outgoing text message on the mobile device, and then (5) performing, in response to the determination, at least one security action on the suspicious text-messaging application to prevent the suspicious text-messaging application from creating additional illegitimate text messages on the mobile device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09613210B1 |
Evaluating malware in a virtual machine using dynamic patching
Analysis of potentially malicious software samples in a virtualized environment is disclosed. One or more modifications are applied to a first virtual machine instance. The first virtual machine instance is initialized as a copy-on-write overlay associated with an original virtual machine image. Further, at least one modification includes the installation of startup instructions. The modified virtual machine instance is stared. A first set of modifications resulting from executing the first virtual machine instance is captured. |
| US09613206B2 |
Authentication mechanism
A computer-implemented method for preventing password leakage into a non-password field includes detecting that a user of an electronic device has entered a character in a non-password field appearing on a display associated with the electronic device. The character is echoed to at least the display, and stored to provide a stored character string. The stored character string is compared to a set of valid entries for the non-password field, when length of the stored character string reaches a predetermined threshold value. An alert is transmitted when the stored character string fails to match at least a substring of an element of the set of valid entries for the non-password field. |
| US09613205B2 |
Alternate authentication
A user may utilize an existing digital identity to authorize the user's access to security-enabled device operations, where the security-enabled device comprises a cryptographic chip. The device can receive a user authentication token from the digital user identification service, which authenticates a user's identity. Further, the security-enabled device can validate the user authentication token, and provide the user access to device security operations on the security-enabled device if the user authentication token is successfully validated, allowing the user to reset their security access information for the device. |
| US09613202B2 |
System and method for motion gesture access to an application and limited resources of an information handling system
An information handling system includes a processor that determines a first orientation from orientation sensors and a sensor hub for detecting a motion gesture. The processor is further activated from a sleep state by the motion gesture and the information handling system includes a limited, ad-hoc access system that permits ad-hoc access to limited user pre-set or context-based system resources in response to the sudden motion gesture. |
| US09613198B2 |
Apparatus and method for intelligent video surveillance of industrial console operations
A method implemented in an operator console includes receiving a captured image of an operator at the operator console. The method also includes identifying whether the operator captured in the image is authorized to use the operator console. The method further includes performing a function based on whether the operator is authorized to use the operator console. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising one or more executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to receive a captured image from a camera including an image of an operator at the operator console. The non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises one or more executable instruction that, when executed by processing circuitry, also cause the processing circuitry to identify whether the operator captured in the image is authorized to use the operator console and perform a function based on whether the operator is authorized to use the operator console. |
| US09613194B2 |
Function control methods and systems for wearable electronic devices
Function control methods and systems for wearable electronic devices are provided. First, a flag having a specific initial value is provided in a wearable electronic device. Then, an operational state of the wearable electronic device is obtained. When the operational state is changed, the specific initial value of the flag is deleted or the flag is set to a specific value. Once the value of the flag does not match the specific initial value, at least one function of the wearable electronic device is disabled. |
| US09613191B1 |
Access to an electronic asset using content augmentation
Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented and can include for instance: crowdsourcing data from a plurality of users via a computer network, the data including feedback data regarding digital rights click through documents, wherein each of the users is a party to at least one of the digital rights click through documents; storing the data obtained by the crowdsourcing into a digital rights history repository; examining a digital rights click through document of a certain user, wherein the digital rights click through document controls access to a digital asset, wherein the examining includes using at least a portion of the feedback data of the digital rights history repository; and augmenting content of the digital rights click through document based on a result of the examining. |
| US09613188B2 |
Neuroimaging database systems and methods
Systems for and methods of utilizing a neuroimaging database are presented. The systems and methods include techniques for analyzing the pathophysiological basis of a chronic brain disease and/or the effectiveness of a treatment for a chronic brain disease, obtaining data for research of a chronic brain disease, searching for chronic brain disease symptoms identified in a clinical patient, searching a database by comparing the brain scan images of patients with suspected indications of chronic brain disease with other patients in the database to identify sets of patients with similar indications in their brain scan images, displaying brain scan information regarding a person, and using image pattern matching to analyze the pathophysiological basis of a chronic brain disease and/or the effectiveness of a proposed or previously administered treatment for a chronic brain disease. |
| US09613182B2 |
Electronic custody and control system for human assay test samples
A system, method, and computer program that may used to more quickly, accurately, and efficiently identify, catalog, and track human assay samples and create documentation with respect to the human assay samples. The computer program and method include the steps of: storing donor information in a donor information database accessible by a computer; storing client information in a client information database accessible by the computer; retrieving client information necessary to determine a type of test to be performed on a specimen; storing collection facility information in a collection facility database accessible by the computer; administering a human analyte test using the computer program to guide a collector of the specimen and identify problematic exceptions; receiving the test result electronically and storing the result in a test result database accessible by the computer; and permitting the client, Medical Review Officer, and other authorized persons to electronically access the test result via a communications network. |
| US09613181B2 |
Semiconductor device structure including active region having an extension portion
A semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate with an active region provided therein, a gate structure, a dummy gate structure and two contact regions provided in the active region for forming source and drain regions. The gate structure and the dummy gate structure are formed on the semiconductor substrate so as to partially overlie the active region, and one of the contact regions is located at one side of the dummy gate structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a contact structure contacting one of the contact regions and the dummy gate for connecting this contact region and the dummy gate to one of a Vdd rail and a Vss rail. The active region has an extension portion protruding laterally away from the active region relative to the other contact region, where the contact structure is located over the extension portion. |
| US09613178B2 |
Integrated circuit topologies for discrete circuits
Various embodiments that pertain to electronic element matching are described. Having electronic elements, such as transistors, matching can be relatively easy in an integrated circuit environment. Transitioning to a discrete circuit environment, finding electronics elements that match one another can be more challenging. If the electronic elements themselves do not match, then their outputs will not match. To compensate for these mismatches, when one wants the outputs to be matched, an output of one of the electronic elements can be modified so that the outputs are matched. Therefore, a discrete circuit can be produced that functions similarly to that of an integrated circuit. |
| US09613175B2 |
Method, computer system and computer-readable storage medium for creating a layout of an integrated circuit
A method includes obtaining a plurality of design rules for an integrated circuit, including a first set of design rules and a second set of design rules. An automated layout construction process performed on the basis of the first set of design rules but not on the basis of the second set of design rules creates a layout of the integrated circuit. The layout of the integrated circuit is checked for design rule violations wherein at least one member of the second set of design rules is not satisfied. The layout of the integrated circuit is modified for bringing the layout into conformity with each of the plurality of design rules if one or more design rule violations are found in the checking of the integrated circuit. |
| US09613172B2 |
Efficient deployment of table lookup (TLU) in an enterprise-level scalable circuit simulation architecture
A system for conducting numerical analysis includes a processor that is configured to define a plurality of components in a circuit and a condition to be analyzed, a module that is configured to perform a table look-up for components of the plurality of components, a module that is configured to acquire a result for the condition to be analyzed based on table information when a component of the plurality of components is defined in a table and when the table includes the condition to be analyzed, and a module that is configured to conduct the analysis of the circuit using the result based on the table information for the component. |
| US09613168B2 |
Computer aided modeling
A solution is introduced in which, instead of providing an object with all information, some of the information is provided by means of one or more group definitions. This is achieved by performing a grouping operation during which an object having object data defining at least one property of the object is assigned to a group having at least one group definition defining at least one feature shared by objects assigned to the group; and storing as mapping information a grouping time indicating the time the grouping operation was performed to the object and a link between the object and the group. |
| US09613165B2 |
Autocomplete searching with security filtering and ranking
A system that provides secure autocomplete searching receives an autocomplete query from a user, the autocomplete query including a prefix of a search phrase, and retrieves security information of the user. The system searches one or more prefix indexes to find a set of matching objects, where the matching objects each include associated object security information. The system excludes matching objects that the user is not authorized to access from the set of matching objects based on the object security information and the user security information. The system then returns the set of matching objects to the user. |
| US09613162B1 |
Semantic database driven form validation
Embodiments of the present invention provide a means for validating electronic forms using one or more semantic databases. The invention includes processing an electronic form into individual elements and generating entities for the individual elements. The closest matching ontology is found for each entity and the pairings are grouped into a general formal ontology tree. The entities in the general formal ontology tree are traversed using generated rules. This analysis yields validation results that are combined with the original form to create an annotated form. |
| US09613152B2 |
Methods and apparatus for discontinuing the following of records in an on-demand database service environment
Disclosed are systems, apparatus, methods, and computer readable media for discontinuing the following of records in an on-demand database service environment. In one embodiment, one or more records are identified according to one or more designated criteria. The records are stored in a database. The records are being followed by one or more users in an on-demand database service environment such that updates to the records are capable of being stored as feed items in one or more feed tables in the database. The feed items are capable of being published in an information feed displayed on one or more devices associated with the one or more users. The following of the identified one or more records by the one or more users is discontinued. |
| US09613150B2 |
Remote viewing of documents via the web in real-time
The present invention offers a component that enables the presenter to begin presenting the first pages of the document as they become available, without having to wait on the entire document to be processed. The present invention provides an approach that is used to monitor document processing as it taking place on a server. As each page is in the document is processed (e.g., converted), a monitoring component signals a controlling component to alert it of the specific progress events (e.g., a new page available). The controlling component can immediately interface with clients using a real-time communication component, for example letting users know when each single page is available for consumption. Once alerted, an informed client can signal all other clients which page to view. |
| US09613145B2 |
Generating contextual search presentations
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating contextual search presentations. One of the methods includes obtaining selection data identifying a term selected by a user from a document displayed to the user; determining whether or not the context data and the selection data satisfy one or more criteria for presenting any of one or more types of special case contextual search presentations; in response to determining that the context data and the selection satisfy criteria for presenting a first type of special case contextual search presentation, generating a first special case contextual search presentation of the first type; in response to determining that the context data and the selection data do not satisfy the criteria, generating a default contextual search presentation; and providing the first special case contextual search presentation or the default contextual search presentation for presentation to the user. |
| US09613142B2 |
Method and system for providing the download of transcoded files
A technique and system that generates transcoded media files from requested original compressed media files, and then transmits the transcoded media files to a requester rather than the original compressed media files. Advantageously, the disclosed solutions provide a more bandwidth efficient downloading of media files to a requesting device. In addition, the disclosed solutions also fully support the seek function that is typically employed in media player devices. By correlating the requested original compressed media files time-wise with the generated transcoded media files, seek requests generated by a requesting device can be mapped to the appropriate or a close proximity to the transcoded media file. |
| US09613139B2 |
System and methods thereof for real-time monitoring of a sentiment trend with respect of a desired phrase
A method for real-time monitoring of changes in a sentiment respective of an input non-sentiment phrase. The method comprises receiving the input non-sentiment phrase and at least one tendency parameter respective of the input non-sentiment phrase; identifying in a data storage at least one of a term taxonomy that includes the input non-sentiment phrase, wherein the data storage contains a plurality of phrases including sentiment phrases, non-sentiment phrases, and a plurality of term taxonomies; computing a sentiment trend for the at least one term taxonomy; monitoring the sentiment trend to detect real-time changes in a direction of the sentiment trend with respect to the at least one tendency parameter; and generating at least a notification when a change in the direction of the sentiment trend with respect to the input tendency parameter has occurred. |
| US09613137B2 |
Remote identification of vehicle status
Methods and systems for identification of vehicle statuses are provided. This technology requires installation of identification tags, such as, for example, RFID tags or Wi-Fi tags, on vehicles, which actively or passively emit identification signals conveying vehicle identifiers. Interested parties, such as members of the public or police officers, are equipped with electronic devices (e.g., a tablet computer) suitable for receiving and processing the identification signals and processing the signals to obtain a vehicle status. The vehicle status allows determining whether the vehicle was stolen, is wanted, should be classified as suspicious, or is associated with any offences. The vehicle status is obtained by querying a database of vehicle statuses. Once vehicle status is obtained by the electronic device, it is displayed to the interested party. The technology further enables locating vehicles that do not emit an identification signal and reporting their location to authorities. |
| US09613134B2 |
Identifying mathematical operators in natural language text for knowledge-based matching
Disclosed herein is a system and method for taking a snapshot or input from a source and identifying appropriate documents in a knowledge base that are applicable to the input. The system identifies documents that are applicable to the query by identifying comparative features/statements found in the natural language text documents and evaluating those comparative features with the conditions of the input. When the conditions of the comparative features evaluate with the input conditions the document is considered a match. The system processes the documents through a value type filter to understand the mathematical equivalent of the comparative feature and uses this mathematical equivalent in the evaluation of the document and input. |
| US09613132B2 |
Method of and system for displaying a plurality of user-selectable refinements to a search query
Method of displaying by a client application in communication with a search engine a plurality of user-selectable refinements to a search query including a search term, comprising: sending the search query; receiving search results and suggested search query refinements determined based at least in part on an analysis of groups of related search queries, each suggested search query refinement corresponding to a refined search query including the search term and an additional search term; displaying search results and, apart from a search bar, refinements, refinements being selectable by a user via a graphical object; receiving a selection of one of the refinements, the selection corresponding to a refined search query including the search term and an additional search term; receiving refined search results; and displaying refined search results and a visual representation of a refinement relationship between the search query and the refined search query. Related systems are also disclosed. |
| US09613131B2 |
Adjusting search results based on user skill and category information
An approach for adjusting ranked search results based on user data is provided. An approach includes: receiving a search query from a search user; generating a ranked result set based on the search query; generating an adjusted ranked result set by adjusting the ranked result set based on a skill rating of the search user; and providing the adjusted ranked result set to the search user. |
| US09613129B2 |
Localized data affinity system and hybrid method
A method, system, and computer program for processing records is disclosed. The records are associated with record sets, based on a record number contained in the record. Record sets are associated with physically separate processor sets, which include one or more processors. Records are electronically routed to associated processor sets for processing, based on the record set associated with the record. Records are processed on processors in the processor sets. Furthermore, various localized affinities can be established. Process affinity can link server processes with processor sets. Cache affinity can link database caches with processor sets. Data affinity can link incoming data to processor sets. |
| US09613126B2 |
Clustered index with differentiated subfields
A database system uses indexes to improve performance. The system can use one or more of the following: differentiated subfields for index clustering; set function calculations to reduce the amount of I/O; and/or using an inferred index in a circular table. |
| US09613115B2 |
Generating programs based on input-output examples using converter modules
A program generation system is described that generates a program based on a plurality of input-output examples. The input-output examples include input items and corresponding output items. The program generation system can include three component modules. A parsing module processes the input items and output items to provide a plurality of input parts and output parts, respectively. A transformation module determines, for each output part, whether the output part can be produced from a corresponding input part using one or more converter modules selected from a collection of candidate converter modules. A formatting module generates formatting instructions that transform selected output parts into a form specified by the output items. These three modules provide a generated program that embodies logic learned from the input-output examples; the generated program can be subsequently used to transform new input items into new respective output items. |
| US09613113B2 |
Parallel bootstrap aggregating in a data warehouse appliance
A method of bootstrap sampling a dataset is described. With a process node, a series of random integers is generated. An assignment map is created. The assignment map includes a row identifier for each row of data of the dataset. A plurality of bootstrap sample identifiers defined by the series are assigned to at least one row identifier. An output table created from the assignment map. Rows of the output table include each instance of the bootstrap sample identifiers, the row identifier assigned with the bootstrap sample identifier, and data of the row. |
| US09613098B2 |
Recommendation engine using inferred deep similarities for works of literature
A recommendation engine for works of literature uses patterns of flow and element similarities for scoring a first user-rated work of literature against one or more recommendation candidate works of literature. Cluster models are created using meta-data modeling the works of literature, the meta-data having literary element categories and instances within each category. Each instance is described by an index value (position in the literature) and significance value (e.g. weight or significance). Cluster finding process(es) invoked for each instance in each category find Similarity Concept clusters and Consistency Trend clusters, which are recorded into the cluster models representing each work of literature. The cluster model can be printed or displayed so that a user can visually understand the ebb and flow of each literary element in the literature, and may be digitally compared to other cluster models of other works of literature for potential recommendation to a user. |
| US09613096B2 |
Dynamic result set caching with a database accelerator
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for processing a database query stores one or more result sets for one or more first database queries in a data store. The system receives a second database query and compares the second database query to the one or more first database queries to determine presence of a corresponding result set in the data store for the second database query. The system provides the corresponding result set from the data store for the second database query based on the comparison. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for processing a database query in substantially the same manners described above. |
| US09613095B2 |
Entity-based external functionality for software developers
A system stores information identifying functions and corresponding unique identifiers. Each of the functions corresponds to external functionality available from third party applications. An application developer selects one of the functions to supplement functionality of their application. The system provides a software object to the application developer. The software object includes instructions for, in response to user selection of a user interface element, preparing a query wrapper including the corresponding unique identifier of the function and an identifier of a corresponding entity. The instructions transmit the query wrapper to a search system and receive a result set from the search system. An item in the result set includes an access mechanism for a specified state of a target application. The instructions display the result set and, in response to user selection of the item, actuate the access mechanism to open the target application to the specified state. |
| US09613094B2 |
Constant mapping optimization in a database
A database server receives a query associated with a calculation scenario that defines a data flow model that includes one or more calculation nodes. Each calculation node defines one or more operations to execute on the database server, the database server comprising a column-oriented database. Thereafter, the database server instantiates the calculation scenario and executes the operations defined by the calculation nodes of the instantiated calculation scenario to result in a responsive data set having a result table with a row for each column in the column-oriented database implicated by the query having a constant value. The database server then provides the data set to the application server. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described. |
| US09613090B2 |
Simplified query generation from prior query results
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for query generation from a previous result set. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for query generation from a previous result set is provided. The method includes identifying commonalities in a selection of records of a result set produced by a previously issued query against a database in a database management system executing in memory by at least one processor of a host server. The method further includes deriving a query from the identified commonalities that when executed against the database management system would produce the selection of records as the result set. Finally, the method includes storing the derived query for subsequent use in querying the database. |
| US09613086B1 |
Graphical user interface for generating and displaying data visualizations that use relationships
A method generates a graphical user interface, which includes a schema information region and a data visualization region. The schema information region includes field names, each associated with a data field from a data source, and relationship names, each associated with a relation between rows of the data source. The data visualization region includes a row shelf, a column shelf, and a connector shelf. The method detects user selection of field names and a request to associate those field names with respective shelves in the data visualization region. The method also detects user selection of relationship names and a request to associate those relationship names with respective shelves in the data visualization region. The method generates a visual graphic in the data visualization region according to the associations between the user-selected field names and corresponding shelves and the associations between the user-selected relationship names and corresponding shelves. |
| US09613082B2 |
Database auditing for bulk operations
A method facilitates auditing of database transactions by maintaining logical consistency between a source database table and a shadow database table. A bulk command is received that specifies edits to a plurality of rows in the source database table. The bulk command is executed on the source database table. The shadow database table is queried to obtain an indication of the plurality of rows edited by the bulk command. The indication is stored as part of an audit trail for the source database table. |
| US09613077B2 |
Natural language management of online social network connections
Natural language management of online social network connections may comprise receiving natural language data associated with a user's social network interactions. The natural language data associated with a user's social network interactions is analyzed and features used in the user's social network interactions are determined based on the analysis. The contexts in which the features are used in the user's social network interactions may be also determined. Point values to the features used in the user's social network interactions are assigned. A fingerprint of the user is created at least based on the features and the point values. The created fingerprint may be compared with information associated with online communities, and based on the comparison, one or more of the online communities may be recommended as user's potential social network connections. |
| US09613076B2 |
Storing state in a dynamic content routing network
A client module of an object state storage is configured to identify a live object at a client. The client module is further configured to receive an update message for the live object from storage, the update message is stored by an object ID associated with the live object, and the update message allowing the property to be updated for the live object at the client in real-time. The client module is further configured to transmit the update message for the live object to the client. |
| US09613075B2 |
Index masking based on insert contention ratio
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, computer program product, and computer system for masking indexes. The method may include masking the index if the index contention exceeds a defined threshold. The method may also include configuring the mask type for the index to insert the index without masking. In response to determining that the mask type for the index is configured to insert the index without masking, the index is masked according to a set of rules. |
| US09613074B2 |
Data generation for performance evaluation
The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and computer program products for generating data for performance evaluation. One computer-implemented method includes identifying a source dataset from a source database, extracting a schema defining the source database, analyzing data within the source dataset to generate a value model, the value model describing features of data in each column of each table of the source dataset, analyzing data within the source database to determine data dependency, and generating a data specification file combining the extracted schema, the value model, and the data dependencies. |
| US09613071B1 |
Deferred data storage
A method, system, and computer readable storage medium for deferred data storage are disclosed. Data sent via a local-area network is intercepted at a first hardware appliance of a plurality of hardware appliances in response to a first request for the data. A determination is performed of whether the data is locally accessible to the first hardware appliance. Instructions are transmitted to the first hardware appliance to retrieve the data locally accessible to the hardware appliance. The data is stored on at least one temporary page at a hardware appliance. The first hardware appliance and the second hardware appliance are in communication via the local-area network. |
| US09613070B2 |
Multi-entity normalization
In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, systems and methods are provided for normalizing data representing entities and relationships linking the entities including defining one or more graph rules describing searchable characteristics for the data representing the entities and relationships linking the entities, applying the one or more graph rules to the data representing the entities and the relationships linking the entities, identifying one or more matching instances between the one or more graph rules and the data representing the entities and the relationships linking the entities, and performing one or more actions to update the one or more matching instances between the one or more graph rules and the data representing the entities and the relationships linking the entities. |
| US09613068B2 |
Scalable analysis platform for semi-structured data
A data transformation system includes a schema inference module and an export module. The schema inference module is configured to dynamically create a cumulative schema for objects retrieved from a first data source. Each of the retrieved objects includes (i) data and (ii) metadata describing the data. Dynamically creating the cumulative schema includes, for each object of the retrieved objects, (i) inferring a schema from the object and (ii) selectively updating the cumulative schema to describe the object according to the inferred schema. The export module is configured to output the data of the retrieved objects to a data destination system according to the cumulative schema. |
| US09613066B2 |
Efficient pushdown of joins in a heterogeneous database system involving a large-scale low-power cluster
A database management server manages a distributed data set at least partially stored in volatile memory of a plurality of nodes. The database management server stores transaction logs in persistent storage corresponding to one or more database transactions performed on the distributed data set. In response to a query, a join operation is performed with assistance from the cluster. A snapshot identifier identifies a particular database state that is transactionally consistent. Based on the transactional logs, updated data blocks updated after the snapshot identifier of the query are identified. The cluster is instructed to perform one or more distributed join operations on the distributed data set without processing data in the updated data blocks. The database management server performs a partial join evaluation on the updated data blocks. |
| US09613056B2 |
Pedestrian navigation system and method thereof
A pedestrian navigation system for navigating a foot apparatus comprises a system communication unit, a map database, a step data generation unit, a navigation path analysis unit and a feedback unit. The system communication unit communicates with an apparatus communication unit of the foot apparatus. The step data generation unit generates step data according to the sensing data of the foot apparatus. The navigation path analysis unit determines a navigation path and determines a heading direction of the foot apparatus. A turning direction and a turning angle are generated according to the navigation path and the heading direction. The feedback unit receives the turning direction and the turning angle to generate a feedback signal. The indication unit generates an indication signal according to the feedback signal to indicate the turning direction and the turning angle. |
| US09613054B2 |
Identifying descriptive terms associated with a physical location from a location store
A social networking system generates a location store based on information received from its users. The location store includes entries having a physical location description and one or more terms associated with the physical location description. One or more entries associated with physical location descriptions within an area are identified. A local frequency of occurrence of each term in the identified entry is determined, and a global frequency of occurrence of each term in the identified entries within the location store is determined. Trending terms in the identified entries are determined based on the local frequencies and the global frequencies. Identified entries are compared to each other, with a score based on differing terms in compared entries and whether the differing terms are trending terms is generated. If a score is less than a threshold value, a combined entry is generated from the compared entries. |
| US09613050B2 |
Shared data storage leveraging dispersed storage devices
A storage system provides shared storage by utilizing dispersed storage devices while optimizing both the placement of data across the dispersed storage devices and the method for accessing the stored data. The storage system enables high level of scalability and performance while minimizing resource consumption. |
| US09613049B2 |
Document integration and distribution system, method and device
A system is configured to receive a data file from an electronic device. The system, in one embodiment, is operable to receive a user's selection of a party together with information input by the user. The system is operable to send the data file to the selected party. The system stores, in association with the selected party, the input information and data related to the sending of the data file. |
| US09613047B2 |
Automatic content item upload
A client device can be configured to perform a local index search and a server index search to automatically identify and upload content items on the client device that have not been uploaded to an online content management system. A local index search can include creating a unique local identifier of a content item and searching a local upload index that includes the unique local identifier of each content item that has been uploaded. A server index search can include creating a unique server identifier of the content item and searching a server upload index that includes the unique server identifier of each content item stored on the online content management system. Content items that are determined to have not been uploaded to the online content management system based on the results of the two searches, can be uploaded to the content management system by the client device. |
| US09613045B2 |
Synchronization of desktop images with smart image merging
Methods and systems for n-way cloning and synchronization of a user desktop image are provided. Example embodiments provide a Cloning and Synchronization System (“CSS”) which binds a server stored CVD object representing the user's desktop image to one or more endpoint devices. Each endpoint device receives a clone of the CVD object that comprises one or more layers of the server CVD depending upon the suitability of the endpoint device hardware and operating system to the server stored desktop. The cloned CVDs in the endpoint devices are then kept synchronized by synchronization operations. In one embodiment, the CSS allows only one endpoint device to push up changes to the server CVD. User files are synchronized with the all endpoints using a live sync process. System and managed applications may be intelligently merged into an inactive device rather than overwriting data modified on the inactive device. |
| US09613040B2 |
File system snapshot data management in a multi-tier storage environment
In one embodiment, a method for managing data includes receiving a request to write data to a file block on a multi-tier file system. A first logical block is associated with the file block. The method also includes determining whether the request is a first write request for the file block after creation of a snapshot of the file block. Moreover, the method includes determining an access request count for the first logical block prior to creation of the snapshot by retrieving the access request count for the first logical block from a snapshot data table accessible to an automatic tiering module. Other methods for managing data are presented in accordance with other embodiments. |
| US09613037B2 |
Resource allocation for migration within a multi-tiered system
A method and system for intelligent tiering is provided. The method includes receiving a request for enabling a tiering process with respect to data. The computer processor retrieves a migration list indicating migration engines associated with the data. Additionally, an entity list of migration entities is retrieved and each migration entity is compared to associated policy conditions. In response, it is determined if matches exist between the migration entities and the associated policy conditions and a consolidated entity list is generated. |
| US09613031B2 |
Profile for media/audio user preferences database
Systems and methods for providing a media profile that is based on receiving data from various content distributors and creating a media profile. The media profile is web-based and accessible via an API. Data can be provided to the media profile host server via the API, and an end-user's media preferences can be stored in the media profile. The media profile is accessed by content distributors such that a customized media experience may be offered to the end-user without the need for the content distributor to gather his own separate data. The media profile can also store billing information for the end-user and act as a single reputable platform to conduct financial transactions. |
| US09613027B2 |
Filled translation for bootstrapping language understanding of low-resourced languages
Annotated training data (e.g., sentences) in a first language are used to generate annotated training data for a second language. For example, annotated sentences in English are manually collected first, and then is used to generate annotated sentences in Chinese. The annotated training data includes slot labels, slot values and carrier phrases. The carrier phrases are the portions of the training data that is outside of a slot. The carrier phrases are translated from the first language to one or more translations in the second language. The translations may include machine translations as well as human translations. Entities for the slot values are determined for the translated sentences using content sources that include locale-dependent entities. The determined entities are used to fill the slots in the translations of the second language. All or a portion of the resulting sentences may be used for training models in the second language. |
| US09613024B1 |
System and methods for creating datasets representing words and objects
Systems and methods are presented for producing datasets as symbolic or associative representations of terms or objects or entities. A term can be a word or a phrase, which can also be the name of an object or a topic or concept. A dataset is produced for a specific term or object. The dataset contains a plurality of other terms or values associated with the specific term, and can serve as a representation of the specific term by other terms or values obtained using machine-based algorithms from text contents. Terms or values in the datasets also represent information about an object, or information about properties associated with the object. Methods for obtaining the datasets include discovering the relationships between terms in a plurality of text contents, based on occurrence, location, and attributes associated with the terms in the text contents. |
| US09613020B1 |
Natural language user interface for computer-aided design systems
A natural language user interface for computer-aided design systems (CAD) comprises a natural language command module including a parser, language database and a CAD model analyzer, and a natural language server module including a second, increased capability parser, a second, preferably larger language database and a CAD context database. The CAD model analyzer analyzes and retrieves associated CAD model information related to a parsed voice command and the CAD context database provides specific CAD related contextual information to facilitate parsing and interpreting CAD specific commands. The natural language server program module may also include an artificial intelligence based query generator and communicate through a network or cloud with resource providers such as third party market places or suppliers to generate queries for retrieval of third party supplied information necessary to respond to or execute CAD specific voice commands. |
| US09613018B2 |
Applying a GUI display effect formula in a hidden column to a section of data
Described are methods, systems and computer readable media for GUI display effect formatting. |
| US09613016B2 |
Dynamic preview of electronic signature appearance
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for signing an electronic document, including establishing an electronic signature appearance for an electronic signature, determining a bounding region on the electronic document for the display of the electronic signature appearance, at the time of signing an electronic document, previewing the electronic signature appearance in the bounding region and signing the electronic document with an electronic signature, the electronic signature associated with the electronic signature appearance. The electronic signature appearance can be configured at the time of signing the electronic document. |
| US09613012B2 |
System and method for automatically generating keywords
An information handling system is disclosed for generating tags of a file including a document or a webpage posting. The generating tags of a file include converting a webpage posting to a PDF document. The method further includes extracting tags provided by users. The method includes scanning the extracted data from a glossary PDF document to identify keywords of the glossary PDF document in accordance with a sentence length. The method further includes extracting data from the PDF document and scanning the extracted data to identify keywords of the PDF document in accordance with a sentence length. The method further includes reapplying selected keywords to the tags of the file. |
| US09612995B2 |
Video viewer targeting based on preference similarity
Presentation of a video clip is made to persons having a high probability of viewing the clip. A database containing viewers of previously offered video clips is analyzed to determine similarities of preferences among viewers. When a new video clip has been watched by one or more viewers in the database, those viewers who have watched the new clip with positive results are compared with others in the database who have not yet seen it. Prospective viewers with similar preferences are identified as high likelihood candidates to watch the new clip when presented. Bids to offer the clip are based on the degree of likelihood. For one embodiment, a data collection agent (DCA) is loaded to a player and/or to a web page to collect viewing and behavior information to determine viewer preferences. Viewer behavior may be monitored passively by different disclosed methods. |
| US09612992B2 |
Networking apparatus and a method for networking
This specification discloses a protocol agnostic networking apparatus and method of networking. The networking apparatus receives physical layer signal through a plurality of communications ports that interface with external computing systems. A dynamic routing module interconnects the communications ports with discrete reconfigurable data conduits. Each of the data conduits defines a transmission pathway between predetermined communications ports. A management module maintains the data conduits based on routing commands received from an external computing system. The management module interfaces with the dynamic routing module to make and/or break data conduits responsive to received routing commands. |
| US09612991B2 |
Connector interface pin mapping
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for connector interface mapping. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include detecting, at a first device, an orientation of a data connector connectable to a data interface, the data interface having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion coupled to a single port of a first type at the first device; sending, by the first device, the detected orientation information to a second device; and receiving, at the first device including the single port, data sent by the second device to the single port. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described. |
| US09612989B2 |
Computer system and routing control method
The present invention eliminates the shortage of bus numbers in routing control using PCIe switches. A system port address (SPA) is associated with a destination bus number and is assigned to a port (external port) connected to a server and a device. When packets sent from the server or the device are received at the external port, the system port address (SPA) corresponding to the destination bus number having the packets is determined, and the SPA is added to the packets as a label. This SPA is used to route the packets sent between ports (internal ports) that connect switches. When the packets arrive at the external port to which the target server or device is connected, the destination bus number having packets is used to send the packets to the server or device connected to the external port. |
| US09612988B2 |
Donor cores to improve integrated circuit yield
A device uses donor circuit blocks in a donor integrated circuit to replace defective circuit blocks in a recipient integrated circuit and create a functional integrated circuit. The recipient integrated circuit has a first number of cores, the first number including a recipient core, and the recipient core having a recipient circuit block, a switching element, and a recipient communication point, the first number of cores connected by a data bus. The recipient core has an intended function. The donor integrated circuit has a second number of cores, the second number smaller than the first number. The second number includes a donor core having a donor communication point electrically connected to a donor circuit block, the donor circuit block having the intended function. The recipient connection point is electrically connected to the donor connection point and the switching element switched to disable the recipient circuit block in the recipient core. |
| US09612984B2 |
Multiprocessor system with improved secondary interconnection network
Embodiments of a multiprocessor system are disclosed that may include a plurality of processors interspersed with a plurality of data memory routers, a plurality of bus interface units, a bus control circuit, and a processor interface circuit. The data memory routers may be coupled together to form a primary interconnection network. The bus interface units and the bus control circuit may be coupled together in a daisy-chain fashion to form a secondary interconnection network. Each of the bus interface units may be configured to read or write data or instructions to a respective one of the plurality of data memory routers and a respective processor. The bus control circuit coupled with the processor interface circuit may be configured to function as a bidirectional bridge between the primary and secondary networks. The bus control circuit may also couple to other interface circuits and arbitrate their access to the secondary network. |
| US09612983B2 |
Peripheral registers with flexible data width
A flexible-width peripheral register mapping is disclosed for accessing peripheral registers on a peripheral bus. |
| US09612979B2 |
Scalable memory protection mechanism
An apparatus to protect contents of a memory region is presented. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a non-volatile memory, memory check logic to generate check values for protected memory regions, and comparison logic to compare stored check values from the non-volatile memory with generated check values from the memory check logic. The apparatus also includes security logic to prevent executing code in the protected memory regions if the comparison logic detects a mismatch between the stored check values and the generated check values. |
| US09612977B2 |
Method and system for controlling access to embedded nonvolatile memories
A system to control access to a nonvolatile memory. The system includes an embedded controller, and a nonvolatile memory including a password. The embedded controller and the nonvolatile memory may be in communication with one another. The system further includes a lock register receiving and storing the password from the nonvolatile memory, and a key register receiving a key from the embedded controller and holding the key for one machine cycle. Further, the system includes a comparator connected between the lock register and the key register. The comparator compares the password received from the lock register and the key received from the key register. Output from the comparator is provided to an access filter connected between the embedded controller and the nonvolatile memory. Based on the comparator output, the access filter may grant or block access to the nonvolatile memory. |
| US09612976B2 |
Management of memory pages
In a method for managing memory pages, responsive to determining that a server is experiencing memory pressure, one or more processors identifying a first memory page in a listing of memory pages in the server. The method further includes determining whether the first memory page corresponds to a logical partition (LPAR) of the server that is scheduled to undergo an operation to migrate data stored on memory pages of the LPAR to another server. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the first memory page does correspond to a LPAR of the server that is scheduled to undergo an operation to migrate data, determining whether to evict the first memory page based on a memory page state associated with the first memory page. The method further includes, responsive to determining to evict the first memory page, evicting data stored in the first memory page to a paging space. |
| US09612974B2 |
Storing service level agreement compliance data
A method for storing service level agreement (“SLA”) compliance data includes reserving a memory location to store SLA compliance data of a software thread. The method includes directing the software thread to run on a selected hardware device. The method includes enabling SLA compliance data to be stored in the memory location. The SLA compliance data is from a hardware counting device in communication with the selected hardware device. The SLA compliance data corresponds to operation of the software thread on the selected hardware device. |
| US09612973B2 |
Using shared virtual memory resources for performing memory-mapping
Functionality is described herein for memory-mapping an information unit (such as a file) into virtual memory by associating shared virtual memory resources with the information unit. The functionality then allows processes (or other entities) to interact with the information unit via the shared virtual memory resources, as opposed to duplicating separate private instances of the virtual memory resources for each process that requests access to the information unit. The functionality also uses a single level of address translation to convert virtual addresses to corresponding physical addresses. In one implementation, the information unit is stored on a bulk-erase type block storage device, such as a flash storage device; here, the single level of address translation incorporates any address mappings identified by wear-leveling and/or garbage collection processing, eliminating the need for the storage device to perform separate and independent address mappings. |
| US09612972B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for pre-fetching and write-back for a segmented cache memory
Apparatuses and methods for a cache memory are described. In an example method, a transaction history associated with a cache block is referenced, and requested information is read from memory. Additional information is read from memory based on the transaction history, wherein the requested information and the additional information are read together from memory. The requested information is cached in a segment of a cache line of the cache block and the additional information in cached another segment of the cache line. In another example, the transaction history is also updated to reflect the caching of the requested information and the additional information. In another example, read masks associated with the cache tag are referenced for the transaction history, the read masks identifying segments of a cache line previously accessed. |
| US09612967B1 |
Cache load balancing by reclaimable block migration
Systems and methods for cache load balancing by reclaimable block migration are described. In some embodiments, a computer system may include a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the computer system to: maintain a first list of reclaimable blocks that reside in a first caching device and a first advertised age for the oldest reclaimable block of the first list; maintain a second list of reclaimable blocks that reside in a second caching device and a second advertised age for the oldest reclaimable block of the second list; determine that the second advertised age is older than the first advertised age; and cause the oldest reclaimable block on the first list to be migrated from the first caching device to the second caching device. |
| US09612964B2 |
Multi-tier file storage management using file access and cache profile information
In one embodiment, a method for managing data includes determining that a cache access count for a given data block is greater than an average cache access count, receiving a list of active applications accessing the given data block with an anticipated access count for each active application, receiving a list of applications that are anticipated to access the given data block within a time window with an anticipated future access count for each anticipated application, determining that a block application access weight is greater than a block application access threshold, determining that a cache profile weight for the given data block is greater than zero, and sending the cache profile weight to a file system. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described according to more embodiments. |
| US09612962B2 |
Performing cache bank operations in offset sequences from first bank
In certain embodiments, methods and systems for multimedia data processing are provided. In an embodiment, a method for processing multimedia data includes defining one or more pixel block regions in a first cache so as to cache a plurality of reference pixel blocks corresponding to reference data. A reference pixel block from among the plurality of reference pixel blocks is assigned to a pixel block region from among the one or more pixel block regions based on a predetermined criterion. The reference pixel block is associated with a tag based on the pixel block region so as to facilitate a search of the reference data in order to process a plurality of pixel blocks associated with a multimedia frame of the multimedia data. |
| US09612956B2 |
Multi-tiered caching for data storage management in a device
A data storage device includes one or more storage media that include multiple physical storage locations. The device also includes at least one cache memory having a logical space that includes a plurality of separately managed logical block address (LBA) ranges. Additionally, a controller is included in the device. The controller is configured to receive data extents addressed by a first LBA and a logical block count. The controller is also configured to identify at least one separately managed LBA range of the plurality of separately managed LBA ranges in the at least one cache memory based on LBAs associated with at least some of the received data extents. The controller stores the at least some of the received data extents in substantially monotonically increasing LBA order in at least one physical storage location, of the at least one cache memory, assigned to the identified at least one LBA range. |
| US09612954B2 |
Recovery for non-volatile memory after power loss
Non-volatile memory array can be recovered after a power loss. In one example, pages of a memory array are scanned to find a first free page after the power loss. The first free page is marked as available, and the page marked as available is written to with the next write cycle. |
| US09612952B2 |
Automatically reconfiguring a storage memory topology
A storage cluster is provided. The storage cluster includes a plurality of storage nodes within a single chassis. Each of the plurality of storage nodes has nonvolatile solid-state memory for storage of user data. The plurality of storage nodes are configured to distribute the user data and metadata throughout the plurality of storage nodes with erasure coding of the user data such that the plurality of storage nodes can access the user data, via the erasure coding, with a failure of two of the plurality of storage nodes. The plurality of storage nodes are configured to employ the erasure coding to reconfigure redundancy of the user data responsive to one of adding or removing a storage node. |
| US09612948B2 |
Reads and writes between a contiguous data block and noncontiguous sets of logical address blocks in a persistent storage device
In the present disclosure, a persistent storage device includes both persistent storage, which includes a set of persistent storage blocks, and a storage controller. The persistent storage device stores and retrieves data in response to commands received from an external host device. The persistent storage device stores data, from a contiguous data block, to two or more sets of logical address blocks in persistent storage. The persistent storage device also retrieves data, corresponding to a contiguous data block, from two or more sets of logical address blocks in persistent. In both instances, the two or more sets of logical address blocks in persistent storage, in aggregate, are not contiguous. |
| US09612947B2 |
Code-free testing framework
A method, system and computer program product for testing testable code of an application comprises sending a request, from a computer-implemented client to a remote test orchestrator, for a list identifying any test agents registered with the remote test orchestrator; and receiving, by the computer-implemented client from the remote test orchestrator, a list identifying the test agent registered with the remote test orchestrator. |
| US09612941B1 |
Live data fabrication
Methods, computing systems and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include defining multiple data fabrication rules, each of the data fabrication rules including a fabrication time and a data operation. a simulation of a software application is initiated, the simulation including a sequence of simulation times, and upon detecting, during the simulation, one or more first given fabrication rules having respective fabrication times matching one or more first simulation times, fabricated data is generated in response to performing the respective data operation of each of the detected one or more first given fabrication rules. Upon detecting, during the simulation, a second given fabrication rule whose fabrication time matches a second simulation time subsequent to the one or more first simulation times, the data operation of the second given fabrication rule is performed on a subset of the fabricated data. |
| US09612939B2 |
Diagnostic workflow for production debugging
A diagnostic workflow file can be used to control the future diagnostic actions taken by a debugger without user interaction with the debugger when it executes. The diagnostic workflow file is used by a debugger during a debug session. The debugger performs the actions directed by the diagnostic workflow file to simulate an interactive live debug session. The diagnostic workflow file can include conditional diagnostic operations whose execution depends on the state of program variables, diagnostic variables and diagnostic primitives in the debug session. |
| US09612930B2 |
Providing autonomous self-testing of a processor
In an embodiment, a processor includes at least one core, a power management unit having a first test register including a first field to store a test patch identifier associated with a test patch and a second field to store a test mode indicator to request a core functionality test, and a microcode storage to store microcode to be executed by the at least one core. Responsive to the test patch identifier, the microcode may access a firmware interface table and obtain the test patch from a non-volatile storage according to an address obtained from the firmware interface table. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09612929B1 |
Efficient validation/verification of coherency and snoop filtering mechanisms in computing systems
Embodiments disclose techniques for scheduling test cases without regeneration to verify and validate a computing system. In one embodiment, a testing engine generates a test case for a plurality of processors. Each test case includes streams of instructions. The testing engine also allocates at least one cache line associated with the streams of instructions of the generated test case such that each of the plurality of processors accesses different memory locations within the at least one cache line. The testing engine further schedules the generated test case for execution by the plurality of processors to achieve at least a first test coverage among the plurality of processors. The testing engine further re-schedules the generated test case for re-execution by the plurality of processors to achieve at least a second test coverage among the plurality of processors. |
| US09612920B2 |
Hierarchical system manager rollback
Data state rollover is performed based on data state snapshots and deltas. A series of snapshots is taken of the current data state, an original data state, and data states in between. Deltas are then generated between two sequential snapshots. This results in numerous deltas which represent the difference between consecutive snapshots. Once the deltas are acquired, the deltas may be stored along with the snapshot of the present data state. As such, previous data states may be rolled back to by determining the number of deltas to apply to the current data state to achieve the desired previous data state. In cases where the rollback or rollover fails, deltas may be played against the current data state to a point where the last known trusted and working data point existed. |
| US09612919B2 |
Methods and apparatus for storing and transmitting historical configuration data associated with information technology assets
Methods and apparatus for storing and transmitting historical configuration data associated with information technology assets are disclosed. The system reads and stores a first version of data with a timestamp. The system then performs a local update by reading a second version of data with a timestamp, replacing the first set of data and timestamp, and storing the changes between the first and second versions of data. The system also may receive update requests from a remote location for the latest version of data. The changes between versions of data are sent to the remote location, where the changes between versions of data are stored and are usable to create the requested latest version of data and/or prior versions of data. |
| US09612917B2 |
Systems and methods for backing up storage volumes in a storage system
Systems and methods for backing up storage volumes are provided. One system includes a primary side, a secondary side, and a network coupling the primary and secondary sides. The secondary side includes first and second VTS including a cache and storage tape. The first VTS is configured to store a first portion of a group of storage volumes in its cache and migrate the remaining portion to its storage tape. The second VTS is configured to store the remaining portion of the storage volumes in its cache and migrate the first portion to its storage tape. One method includes receiving multiple storage volumes from a primary side, storing the storage volumes in the cache of the first and second VTS, and migrating a portion of the storage volumes from the cache to storage tape in the first VTS. |
| US09612915B2 |
Flash memory-hosted local and remote out-of-service platform manageability
A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method determines whether one or more manageability conditions are present in a computer system, and then invokes an out-of-service manageability remediation environment stored within a portion of a flash device in the computer system when one or more manageability conditions are present. |
| US09612912B2 |
Centralized tape management for databases
A method, apparatus, and system for centralized tape management are provided for databases. A centralized availability machine or disk and tape backup server maintains working backup data for a plurality of database management systems (DBMSs) based on receiving, from each of the plurality of DBMSs, differential incremental updates. The updates may be at the database block level, with an index maintained to identify different versions of the blocks for snapshot recovery. The availability machine then determines a utilization schedule for distributing the working backup data to a plurality of tapes using a plurality of tape drives, and stores the working backup data as archived backup data on the plurality of tapes according to the utilization schedule. By placing each DBMS within a protection policy that indicates criteria to meet business goals with respect to tape backups, the utilization schedule can automatically schedule tape backup jobs with optimized hardware resource assignments. |
| US09612906B1 |
Managing distributed system performance using accelerated data retrieval operations
A distributed system is adapted to manage the performance of distributed processes. In one aspect, multiple stripes associated with a data item are stored in a distributed storage. The stored stripes include one or more stripes of redundancy information for the data item. A distributed process including at least one task is performed. During performance of the distributed process, a determination is made as to whether to perform an accelerated data retrieval operation. Responsive to a determination to perform an accelerated data retrieval operation, at least one of the one or more stripes of redundancy information for the data item is requested from the distributed storage. Other stripes associated with the data item may also be requested from the distributed storage. After a sufficient subset of stripes associated with the data item is received, the data item is reconstructed using the subset. |
| US09612905B2 |
Encoding and writing of data on multitrack tape
A block of data is partitioned into a plurality of sub-blocks each including a logical array having rows and columns of data symbols, encoded using a row linear block code and a column linear block code. Each product codeword includes a logical array of code symbols having rows which include respective row codewords and columns which include respective column codewords. The product codewords are encoded by encoding groups of L symbols, using a rate-L/(L+M) linear block code to produce a plurality of (L+M)-symbol codewords which are logically arranged in nQ encoded blocks (where n is an integer greater than zero). Each of the nQ encoded blocks includes an array having rows and columns of code symbols in which each column includes a codeword of the column code. |
| US09612904B2 |
Memory system and method for securing volatile memory during sleep mode using the same ECC module used to secure non-volatile memory during active mode
In one embodiment, a memory system is provided comprising a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and an error correction code (ECC) module. The ECC module is configured to encode, decode, and correct data stored in the volatile memory when the memory system enters and exits a sleep mode and is further configured to encode, decode, and correct data stored in the non-volatile memory when the memory system is in an active mode. |
| US09612900B2 |
Centralized configuration control of reconfigurable computing devices
Methods, systems, and devices for configuration and upset recovery of reconfigurable devices are provided. A central program/recovery manager (CPRM) is coupled with each of a number of reconfigurable devices. The reconfigurable devices are programmed/configured by the CPRM, which then periodically monitors each of the reconfigurable devices to detect if one or more of the devices has experienced an upset. In the event of an upset, the CPRM may attempt to reset the reconfigurable device, scrub a memory of the reconfigurable device, or reprogram the reconfigurable device. A memory module is coupled with the CPRM and each of the reconfigurable devices that stores bit or programming files that may be used to program and/or reprogram the reconfigurable devices. |
| US09612897B1 |
Method and system for detecting system outages using application event logs
Methods, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media are described for detecting system outages using application event logs. Various aspects may include obtaining several application event logs where the status of the system is known at the time the application event logs were recorded. Additionally, various aspects may include determining characteristics of application event logs which were recorded during a system outage, and/or determining characteristics of application event logs which were recorded while the system was available. Based upon the characteristics, various aspects include training using various machine learning techniques. When current application event logs are obtained where the status of the system is unknown at the time the current application event logs are recorded, various aspects include using the training data to determine a likelihood that a system outage has occurred based upon the obtained current application event logs. |
| US09612896B1 |
Prediction of disk failure
Systems and methods are disclosed for predicting failure of a hard disk in a storage system. Embodiments are disclosed that predict failure of at least one hard disk in a storage system having a plurality hard disks. A data center reports to a data collection center than a hard disk has reported an initial non-zero medium error count (NMEC). The data collection center stores historic data of initial NMEC for many hard disks, and subsequent failure of those hard disks. From the historic data, the data collection center can report to the data center a prediction of when a hard disk reporting an initial NMEC may fail. Different models of hard disks fail at different times relative to a reported initial NMEC. The data collection center can track historic hard disk data by manufacturer, model of hard disk, and by model of storage system and thus can predict, by hard disk model, a probability of failure of a hard disk. |
| US09612891B2 |
Memory controller, information processing apparatus, and method of controlling information processing apparatus
A memory controller is provided between a CPU and a main memory, controls access from the CPU to the main memory, and includes a data storage area and a controller. In a case where error information indicating that an error occurs is included in write data from the CPU to the main memory, the controller stores the write data in a data storage area in association with a writing destination address. Therefore, even in a case where the error information is not written in the main memory, the error information can be recorded. |
| US09612888B2 |
System and method of providing inter-application communications
A method of operating an operating system for providing inter-application communications between a publisher application and a subscriber application. The method includes receiving a publication request from the publisher application at an operating system, receiving a subscriber application from the subscriber application at the operating system, performing an operating system based event brokering procedure based on the publication request and the subscription request, and publishing an event based on the procedure. |
| US09612885B1 |
System and method for providing a transient and removable inflection point
Methods include identifying when a first event associated with a program occurs. The methods also include determining whether to control a behavior of the program when the first event occurs. Moreover, the methods include identifying a location in a memory to add an inflection point in response to determining to control the behavior of the program. The memory comprises a loaded version of the program. The inflection point comprises an instruction corresponding to the behavior. The methods further include adding the inflection point to the memory at the identified location. |
| US09612882B2 |
Retrieving multi-generational stored data in a dispersed storage network
Methods for use by processing modules in a dispersed storage network (DSN) to retrieve a data object stored in one of a plurality of storage generations of the DSN, each of the storage generations including a plurality of storage units. In various examples, a first retrieval request is generated to retrieve metadata addressing information. Based on the metadata addressing information, a second retrieval request is generated to retrieve the metadata. Using the metadata, a third retrieval request is then generated to retrieve at least a portion of the data object. The metadata addressing information, the metadata, and the data object may be retrieved from differing storage generations. Each of the first, second, and third retrieval requests are formatted in accordance with a read request format of the DSN, the read request format including a storage generation identifier field. |
| US09612881B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for unambiguous parameter sampling in a heterogeneous multi-core or multi-threaded processor environment
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are configured to perform unambiguous parameter sampling in a heterogeneous multi-core or multi-threaded environment by masking one or more thread requests; and, in response to bus activity ceasing for the one or more masked thread requests and completing any routine being processed for the one or more masked threads, processing a command by executing at least one of a command routine or a command thread, wherein the command routine or the command thread reads the parameter using thread atomicity with deterministic synchronization. One or more thread requests may be selected for masking by monitoring thread activity for each of a plurality of threads. |
| US09612874B1 |
Systems and methods for managing the execution of processing jobs
The illustrative embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for managing the execution of processing jobs. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a processing job associated with a set of processing job parameters. The processing job is sent from a user interfacing device associated with a user. The method also includes determining a processing job priority for the processing job using the set of processing job parameters, identifying a destination processing device capable of executing the processing job using the set of processing job parameters, and initiating execution of the processing job at the destination processing device to form processed data in response to determining to execute the processing job based on the processing job priority. |
| US09612872B2 |
Data plane resource allocation
A method for allocating data plane resources. The method allocates segments of hardware data plane resources to individual domains. In particular, in one or more embodiments, a new domain data plane request may request multiple segments of hardware data plane resources. In response to the request, a segment is reserved for a domain by assigning a domain identifier of the domain to the segment. Thus, the domain may use the allocated segment. |
| US09612867B2 |
Apparatus and method for data partition and allocation in heterogeneous multi-processor environment
An apparatus for data processing in a heterogeneous multi-processor environment are provided. The apparatus including an analysis unit configured to analyze 1) operations to be run in connection with data processing and 2) types and a number of processors available for the data processing, a partition unit configured to dynamically partition data into a plurality of data regions having different sizes based on the analyzed operations and operation-specific processor priority information, which is stored in advance of running the operations, and a scheduling unit configured to perform scheduling by allocating operations to be run in the data regions between the available processors. |
| US09612864B2 |
Method for singleton process control
A method for singleton process control in a computer environment is provided. A process identification (PID) for a background process is stored in a first temporary file. A determination operation is performed for determining if the parent process is alive for a predetermined number of tries. The PID of the background process is written from the first temporary file into a first PID variable when the parent process ends. A determination operation is performed for determining whether a second, global temporary file is empty. The background process is exited if an active PID is determined to exist in a second, global temporary file. The PID from the first temporary file is stored into the second, global temporary file. A singleton code block is then executed. |
| US09612858B2 |
Administering virtual machines in a distributed computing environment
Administering VMs in a distributed computing environment that includes hosts that execute a VMM, with each VMM supporting execution of one or more VMs, includes: assigning the VMMs to a logical tree topology with one as a root; and executing, by the VMMs of the tree topology, a reduce operation, including: sending, by the root VMM to each of other VMMs of the tree topology, a request for an instance of a particular VM; pausing, by each of the other VMMs, the requested instance of the particular VM; providing, by each of the other VMMs to the root VMM in response to the root VMM's request, the requested instance of the particular VM; and identifying, by the root VMM, differences among the requested instances of the particular VM including, performing a bitwise XOR operation amongst the instances of the particular VM. |
| US09612857B2 |
Administering virtual machines in a distributed computing environment
Administering VMs in a distributed computing environment that includes hosts that execute a VMM, with each VMM supporting execution of one or more VMs, includes: assigning the VMMs to a logical tree topology with one as a root; and executing, by the VMMs of the tree topology, a reduce operation, including: sending, by the root VMM to each of other VMMs of the tree topology, a request for an instance of a particular VM; pausing, by each of the other VMMs, the requested instance of the particular VM; providing, by each of the other VMMs to the root VMM in response to the root VMM's request, the requested instance of the particular VM; and identifying, by the root VMM, differences among the requested instances of the particular VM including, performing a bitwise XOR operation amongst the instances of the particular VM. |
| US09612856B2 |
Administering virtual machines in a distributed computing environment
In a distributed computing environment that includes which each execute a VMM, where each VMM supports execution of one or more VMs, administering the VMs may include: assigning, by a VMM manager, the VMMs of the distributed computing environment to a logical tree topology, including assigning one of the VMMs as a root VMM of the tree topology; and executing, amongst the VMMs of the tree topology, a gather operation, including: sending, by the root VMM, to other VMMs in the tree topology, a request to retrieve one or more VMs supported by the other VMMs; pausing, by the other VMMs, each VM requested to be retrieved; and providing, by the other VMMs to the root VMM, the VMs requested to be retrieved. |
| US09612854B2 |
System and method for virtualizing a remote device
A scheme for virtualizing a remote physical device, e.g., customer premises equipment (CPE), at a cloud-based data center connected to a network. In one embodiment, a virtual switch operating at the CPE is operative to monitor device events at the CPE. When a device is connected to a CPE port, a virtual device port is created that is operative with a Software Defined Network (SDN) architecture. Responsive to an indication that a new SDN-compliant virtual device port is created, an SDN controller is operative to facilitate creation of a data tunnel between the CPE's virtual switch and a virtual switch of the data center. |
| US09612853B2 |
Virtual machine monitoring in cloud infrastructures
A computer system, and computer program product monitor resource usage of a virtual machine. When a virtual machine is instantiated, resource usage of the virtual machine is monitored to form monitoring data. The monitoring is performed externally from the virtual machine. When the virtual machine is later suspended, the monitoring data is stored as metadata associated with the virtual machine. |
| US09612846B2 |
Out-of-band (OOB) real-time inventory and configuration of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices using advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) and unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) services
Systems and methods for providing Out-of-Band (OOB) real-time inventory and configuration of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) devices using Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) and Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) services. In an embodiment, a method may include, during the booting of an Operating System (OS) and under control of an UEFI firmware, creating an OEM runtime-defined table configured to store a list of Globally Unique Identifiers (GUIDs) associated with OEM devices, where each OEM device corresponds to an OEM vendor-owned UEFI real-time service, and where each OEM vendor-owned UEFI real-time service is configured to enable operations after the booting of the OS; and load an ACPI OEM driver configured to interpret the OEM runtime-defined table and to invoke one or more corresponding OEM vendor-owned UEFI runtime services, and inform a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) coupled to the processor that the ACPI OEM driver is available. |
| US09612845B2 |
Wireless initialization of electronic devices for first time use
Apparatuses, devices, and methods of initializing an electronic device such as a wrist-worn device are provided. An optical input device may read the display of the wrist-worn device to obtain input corresponding to a pairing token presented at the display. An optical input processor may process the input to identify the pairing token. The pairing token may be provided to the wrist-worn device during a handshake process in order to establish a wireless communications session with the wrist-worn device. An initialization process may be performed via the wireless communication session. The initialization process may initialize the wrist-worn device such that a user may operate the wrist-worn device following the initialization process. |
| US09612844B2 |
Scheduling execution of instructions on a processor having multiple hardware threads with different execution resources
A method and apparatus are provided for executing instructions of a multi-threaded processor having multiple hardware threads (32, 34) with differing hardware resources comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of streams of instructions (38, 44) and determining which hardware threads are able to receive instructions for execution (40, 46), determining whether a thread determined to be available for executing an instructions has the hardware resources available required by that instructions (36) and executing the instruction in dependence on the result of the determination (50). |
| US09612840B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing a dynamic out-of-order processor pipeline
A hardware/software co-design for an optimized dynamic out-of-order Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) pipeline. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: an instruction fetch unit to fetch Very Long Instruction Words (VLIWs) in their program order from memory, each of the VLIWs comprising a plurality of reduced instruction set computing (RISC) instruction syllables grouped into the VLIWs in an order which removes data-flow dependencies and false output dependencies between the syllables; a decode unit to decode the VLIWs in their program order and output the syllables of each decoded VLIW in parallel; and an out-of-order execution engine to execute the syllables preferably in parallel with other syllables, wherein at least some of the syllables are to be executed in a different order than the order in which they are received from the decode unit, the out-of-order execution engine having one or more processing stages which do not check for data-flow dependencies and false output dependencies between the syllables when performing operations. |
| US09612839B2 |
Higher accuracy Z-culling in a tile-based architecture
A graphics processing pipeline configured for z-cull operations. The graphics processing pipeline comprising a screen-space pipeline and a tiling unit. The screen-space pipeline includes a z-cull unit configured to perform z-culling operations. The tiling unit is configured to determine that a first set of primitives overlaps a first cache tile. The tiling unit is also configured to transmit the first set of primitives to the screen-space pipeline for processing. The tiling unit is further configured to select between processing the first set of primitives in a full-surface z-cull mode or processing the first set of primitives in a partial-surface z-cull mode. The tiling unit is also configured to cause the z-cull unit to process the first set of primitives in the full-surface z-cull mode or to process the first set of primitives in the partial-surface z-cull mode. |
| US09612834B2 |
Processor with variable instruction atomicity
A processor includes a plurality of execution units. At least one of the execution units is configured to execute a complex instruction that requires multiple instruction cycles to execute, and to enforce atomic execution of the complex instruction during a first-portion of the multiple instruction cycles required to execute the complex instruction. The at least one of the execution units is further configured to enable execution of the complex instruction to be interrupted for execution of a different instruction by the at least one execution unit during execution of a second portion of the multiple instruction cycles. The first portion and the second portion are non-overlapping. |
| US09612829B2 |
System and method for pattern based services extraction
The present invention relates to a method and system comprising service pattern definitions and automated extraction of Services from the legacy code based on the pattern matching. |
| US09612828B2 |
Logging and profiling content space data and coverage metric self-reporting
A computer-implemented method for generating user stories for a software product, includes collecting, by a processor, a plurality of requirements, creating, by the processor, a plurality of content space specification files that includes the plurality of requirements, processing, by the processor, the plurality of content space specification files to generate the user stories that are related to real time data of the software product, defining, by the processor, a content space, mapping, by the processor, the user stories to the content space and embedding, by the processor, the content space with the software product, wherein user stories include at least one of real time log data, profile statistics data, and coverage metric self-reporting data. |
| US09612826B2 |
Attributing authorship to segments of source code
An electronic device accesses a comparison of at least a portion of a second version of a software program to a corresponding portion of a first version of the software program. The device determines an attribution value for a first author based in part on one or more differences between a respective segment of source code in the second version of the software and a corresponding segment of source code in the first version of the software, and determines an attribution value for a second author based in part on one or more differences between the respective segment of source code in the second version of the software and the corresponding segment of source code in the first version of the software. The device displays or sends instructions for displaying indicia of at least one attribution value with the respective segment of source code in the second version. |
| US09612822B2 |
Telecommunications node configuration management
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for managing device firmware. In one aspect, a system includes a file server; a subtending device coupled to the file server, and a telecommunications node coupled to the subtending device. The subtending device can include one or more line cards that connect one or more telecommunications nodes to a network. The telecommunications node receives, from the subtending device, a group name and replaces a wildcard in a firmware filename to derive a first network path of firmware files. The telecommunications node installs the firmware files and subsequently receives an updated group name. The telecommunications node replaces the wildcard with the updated group name to derive an updated path, and obtains different firmware files from the updated path. The firmware installed on the telecommunications node is managed based on the first firmware and the different firmware. |
| US09612821B2 |
Predicting the success of a continuous software deployment pipeline
A method for predicting deployment success of a continuous deployment pipeline is provided. Initially, a user request may be received for node data from nodes that correspond to steps in the pipeline. The requests for node data may then be distributed to the appropriate nodes in the pipeline based on the received user request. Thereafter, the requested node data may be received as a response from the appropriate nodes in the pipeline and stored in a data repository. Then, a success prediction score may be calculated based on the stored node data and historical data. Finally, the calculated success prediction score may be displayed to the user through a dashboard. |
| US09612820B2 |
Updating software products on virtual machines with software images of new levels
A solution for updating at least one software product installed on a virtual machine, including providing a software image of at least one new virtual disk storing a new level of the software product together with new metadata including an indication of at least one new activation procedure of the new level of the software product, and replacing a current level of the software product with the new level of the software product, the current level of the software product being stored in at least one current virtual disk of the virtual machine together with current metadata including current activation information of the current level of the software product, where the replacing includes removing at least one current virtual disk from the virtual machine; adding at least one new virtual disk to the virtual machine; and running at least one new activation procedure according to the current activation information. |
| US09612818B2 |
Information processing apparatus, program management method for information processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
An information processing apparatus provided with an extension unit, the extension unit comprises a unit that performs control to download an introduction program that provides information about an extension program for extending functionality which can be downloaded and to install the introduction program; a unit that obtains, from the installed introduction program, information about an extension program which can be downloaded; a unit that performs control to download the extension program that can be downloaded and install the extension program that can be downloaded, based on the information obtained from the introduction program, in response to receiving an instruction to install the extension program which can be downloaded; and a unit that performs control to uninstall the installed extension program, based on limitation information for the extension program, which is included in the information obtained from the introduction program. |
| US09612816B2 |
Method for operating software defined radio application
Disclosed is a structure for operating a unified radio application for a software defined radio terminal. The structure for operating a unified radio application according to the present invention can be classified into two types depending on whether a configuration code (configcode) of the radio application is constituted by an executable code or implemented in an intermediate representation (IR) code. With the structure for operating a unified radio application according to the present invention, it is possible to develop and distribute a radio application capable of operating on all radio platforms. |
| US09612815B1 |
Method and tool for automating deployment of reference implementation architectures for pre-integrated multi-product solutions
A system, apparatus, method, and computer program product that automate the deployment of reference implementation architectures for pre-integrated multi-product or sub-product capability cloud IT service delivery solutions. The apparatus comprises a sizing tool and a deployment automation tool. The sizing tool determines the attributes of the resources that are required to provide the service delivery solution, and determines the quantity those resources that are required to provide a particular service level based on those attributes. And the deployment automation tool generates software bundles or virtual appliances that operate together to provide the service delivery solution when they are installed on the resources. The service delivery solution comprises a base console that is configured to invoke processes on a plurality of interchangeable containers, wherein each of the plurality containers provides different functionality for delivering different services or service offerings. |
| US09612812B2 |
Method and system for distributed application stack test certification
Method, system, and programs for automatically certifying a configuration of a distributed application stack to be deployed on a cluster. A request is first received to certify the configuration of the distributed application stack to be deployed on the cluster based on a baseline configuration of the distributed application stack. The configuration of the distributed application stack includes a version of each of the plurality of software artifacts. Based on the configuration in the request, the distributed application stack is then deployed on the cluster. A record is received from each node of the cluster indicating a status during the deployment and/or a result after the deployment for the respective node. Based on the received records, a certification record is then created for the configuration in the request. |
| US09612808B1 |
Memory use for string object creation
Conventionally compiled byte code, such as that produced by compiling Java source code, contains calls to string buffer creation methods. The compiled byte code is processed by a machined that performs an optimizer tool. The optimizer tool refactors the compiled byte code to produce a modified byte code that is functionally equivalent to the compiled byte code with respect to string creation, but which creates fewer string buffer and character array objects to accomplish that string creation. The optimizer tool replaces a call to build a new string buffer object with a call to an existing string buffer object and code setting length of the existing string buffer object to zero and appending new string characters this existing string buffer object. |
| US09612806B2 |
Verification of computer-executable code generated from a model
In an embodiment, a model is sliced into a plurality of slices. A slice in the plurality of slices is selected. A portion of code, that corresponds to the selected slice, is identified from code generated from the model. The identified code is verified to be equivalent to the selected slice. Equivalence may include equivalent functionality, equivalent data types, equivalent performance, and or other forms of equivalence between the selected slice and the identified generated code. |
| US09612803B2 |
System and method for use of a virtual assembly builder
A virtual assembly builder for use in virtualization environments, which can be used as a tool for virtualizing installed components in a reference environment, modifying those components if necessary, and then deploying them into another/target environment. Using the virtual assembly builder, a user (e.g., an administrator) can capture the configuration and product/component binaries of existing software components into software appliance artifacts. Appliances can be grouped, and their relationships defined, into software assembly artifacts. Logical connections between appliances within an assembly can be reconfigured by a process of assembly editing. When a desired assembly configuration has been achieved, the assembly can be prepared for, and deployed into, the target environment. |
| US09612802B1 |
Contextual interactive program feedback
The subject disclosure is directed towards collecting feedback from users of a program in the current context in which the user is interacting with a part of the program. The collected feedback is thus likely relevant to that part of the program. By associating the collected feedback with metadata that corresponds to the context of the program at the current program location of collection, more meaningful, useful data is obtainable for improving an existing program, developing new programs, debugging and so forth. |
| US09612801B2 |
Power supply for ring-oscillator based true random number generator and method of generating true random numbers
A true random number generator, a method of generating a true random number and a system incorporating the generator or the method. In one embodiment, the generator includes: (1) a ring oscillator including inverting gates having power inputs and (2) a time-varying power supply coupled to the power inputs to provide power thereto and including power perturbation circuitry operable to perturb the power provided to at least one of the power inputs. |
| US09612799B2 |
Method, device, and computer program for merge-sorting record groups having tree structure efficiently
A first record group and a second record group having a tree structure are merge-sorted. The first record group and the second record group are acquired, and depth information indicative of the hierarchical depth of the tree structure is attached as metadata to key information on each node of each record included in the acquired first record group and second record group. The depth information is compared in preference to the key information to perform merge sort sequentially. |
| US09612798B2 |
Address information showing method and electronic device using the same
An address information showing method and an electronic device using the same are provided. The address information showing method includes the following steps. An address information is transformed to a binary code. A light of an unit identification LED is flashed to show the binary code. |
| US09612787B2 |
Information processing apparatus and control method thereof
To preferably present setting values serving as choices of a setting item on a print setting screen, an information processing apparatus comprises: a first setting unit configured to accept setting of a setting value to a predetermined print setting item via a first user interface screen configured to select one setting value from a first set including a plurality of setting values; a second setting unit configured to accept setting of a setting value to the predetermined print setting item via a second user interface screen configured to select one setting value from a second set serving as a subset of the first set; and an addition unit configured to, if the setting value set by the first setting unit is not included in the second set, add the setting value set by the first setting unit to the second set. |
| US09612786B2 |
Document output processing
The invention relates to printing and other output of documents using data processors, and particularly to methods, apparatus, and computer programming useful for controlling output processes. In various aspects the invention provides systems, methods, and computer programming useful for minimizing the number of command inputs required from a user to complete printing or other output of multiple documents. In other aspects, the invention provides systems, methods, and computer programming useful for printing documents using content data received from users or other sources, together with previously-provided form data, according to predetermined formats. |
| US09612783B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method of searching for peripheral device
Information on a peripheral device in short distance wireless communication is obtained, it is determined whether the information contains an address of the peripheral device, and peripheral devices on a network is searched for if it is determined that the information does not contain the address of the peripheral device. |
| US09612780B2 |
System for utilizing a cache effectively
An information processing system of the present invention includes a data generation device that generates variable data, and a rendering device that performs rendering of the variable data. A first data storing unit of the data generation device stores, as a first correspondence relationship, the generated variable data and identification information for identifying the variable data in association with each other, and a first data management unit manages the first correspondence relationship based on a predetermined management scheme. A cache search unit searches for predetermined variable data from the first correspondence relationship, and a cache hit determination unit determines that rendering data obtained by performing rendering on the variable data is cached when there is predetermined variable data in the first correspondence relationship. |
| US09612774B2 |
Metadata structures for low latency and high throughput inline data compression
Improved techniques of managing storage in a data storage system involve compressing a subset of block and macroblock metadata. Advantageously, a data storage system operating according to the improved techniques is able to store more metadata in volatile memory even for huge data objects. |
| US09612771B2 |
Method and system for processing hot topic message
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for processing hot topic message. The method includes: receiving, by an interface machine, a read request for a message, and determining whether the interface machine has buffered the message and whether buffering duration of the message does not exceed preset valid duration; feeding back, if the message has been buffered and the buffering duration of the message does not exceed the preset valid duration, the message that the interface machine has buffered; and determining, if the message has been buffered but the buffering duration of the message exceeds the preset valid duration or the message is not buffered, whether the message is a hot topic message, and retrieving, if the message is a hot topic message, the hot topic message from a storage machine, buffering the hot topic message, recording a buffering moment, and feeding back the hot topic message. |
| US09612768B2 |
Methods and systems for storing data at different storage tiers of a storage system
Methods and systems for a storage server are provided. One method includes storing data at a first storage tier by a processor executable storage operating system; tracking the data stored at the first storage tier for moving the data to a second storage tier; transferring the data from the first storage tier to the second storage tier; and updating a data structure that tracks a transfer block number of a block that stores the data, where the transfer block number is based on a virtual identifier, a generation count and an offset value of a storage chunk that is a portion of a physical volume block number address space. |
| US09612767B2 |
Context aware dynamic composition of migration plans to cloud
Context aware dynamic composition of migration plans may be provided. A request for application or image migration may be received. Target machines and associated configuration may be identified. Resources and a schedule may be allocated. An appropriate tooling for each migration action may be selected. An artificial intelligence aspect of the migration planning process may continuously replan migration based on monitored changes in the context of source or target environment. |
| US09612761B2 |
Semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a nonvolatile memory, a volatile memory, and a controller. The controller is configured to transition a part of the volatile memory to a self-refresh mode when a request for stopping supplying of power to the nonvolatile memory is received. |
| US09612760B2 |
Modular block-allocator for data storage systems
A modular block allocator receives a cleaner message requesting dirty buffers associated with an inode be cleaned. The modular block allocator provides at least one bucket cache comprising a plurality of buckets, wherein each bucket represents a plurality of free data blocks. The dirty buffers are cleaned by allocating the data blocks of one of the buckets to the dirty buffers. The allocated data blocks are mapped to a stripe set and when the stripe set is full, the stripe set is sent to a storage system. In one embodiment of the invention, a modular block allocator includes a front end module and a back end module communicating with each other via an application programming interface (API). The front end module contains write allocation policies that define how blocks are laid out on disk. The back end module creates data structures for execution of the policies. |
| US09612759B2 |
Systems and methods for RAID storage configuration using hetereogenous physical disk (PD) set up
Systems and methods are provided that may be used to automatically create RAID configuration with heterogeneous Physical Disk (PD) set up using Virtual Disk (VD) RAID Level and size, for example, to allow replication of a given RAID configuration across multiple different RAID platform systems regardless of the underlying storage disk sizes and/or storage disk types. |
| US09612758B1 |
Performing a pre-warm-up procedure via intelligently forecasting as to when a host computer will access certain host data
A technique operates data storage equipment. The technique involves, during a first time period and while processing circuitry performs host I/O operations on behalf of a set of hosts, performing a data identification operation which provides a data identification result identifying particular data which is routinely accessed by the processing circuitry. The technique further involves, during a second time period after the first time period and in response to the data identification result, copying the particular data from secondary storage to an extension cache which forms part of primary storage to pre-fetch the particular data from the secondary storage for subsequent use by the processing circuitry. The technique further involves, during a third time period after the second time period and while the processing circuitry performs further host I/O operations on behalf of the set of hosts, accessing the particular data from the extension cache. |
| US09612754B1 |
Data storage system with window allocation using window cache
A method of operating a data storage system includes writing the file system data as sequential data and non-sequential data to a storage volume, the sequential data being stored in windows each having a predetermined number of consecutive data blocks and being allocated dynamically as the sequential data is written. The method includes maintaining and using a window cache to identify existing windows for storing respective newly written sequential file system data in sequence with respective earlier-written file system data for which the existing windows were previously allocated, the window cache including a set of entries indexed by an identifier of (1) a file of the file system and (2) a window-size region of the file to which sequential data is being written, the entries including respective physical window addresses identifying respective ones of the existing windows and being obtained by lookup operations using respective values of the identifier. |
| US09612753B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus and data processing method
A semiconductor memory apparatus is provided. The semiconductor memory apparatus does not require additional identification information to perform data scrambling and improves the reliability, where the identification information is used to identify whether it is an erased data or a programmed data. A flash memory of the present disclosure includes a scrambling unit 120 scrambling data between an input/output buffer 110 and a page buffer 160. The scrambling unit 120 includes a writing encoder 200 and a reading decoder 220. When an input data is equal to a predetermined bit string, the writing encoder 200 skips the scrambling of the input data. When a read data of the page buffer 160 is equal to the predetermined bit string, the reading decoder 220 skips the descrambling of the read data. |
| US09612751B2 |
Provisioning advisor
A method and system for a provisioning advisor are described which estimates the input/output operation performance of a workload on a storage system. A regression module in a provisioning advisor estimates a maximum IOPS on the storage system for buckets, or combinations of values, for various characteristics of the workloads running on the system by modeling a relationship between the workload characteristics and performance metrics gathered from the storage system. A performance module can use the estimated maximum IOPS for each bucket to update a set of working tables for the provisioning advisor, which can then be used to predict the input/output performance of a new workload to be provisioned on the storage system. |
| US09612743B2 |
Multi-touch integrated desktop environment
A technique for integrating a multi-touch surface into a desktop environment is disclosed. One or more multi-touch display devices are placed on the horizontal surface surrounding or beneath a keyboard or mouse. At least one region on the multi-touch surface is defined to display one or more user interface tools on the multi-touch surface. The one or more user interface tools displayed via the multi-touch surface may control or display information associated with desktop applications displayed via a primary display device. |
| US09612741B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for displaying additional information in response to a user contact
An electronic device, with a touch-sensitive surface and a display, includes one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface. The device detects a contact on the touch-sensitive surface while a focus selector corresponding to the contact is at a respective location on the display associated with additional information not initially displayed on the display. While the focus selector is at the respective location, upon determining that the contact has an intensity above a respective intensity threshold before a predefined delay time has elapsed with the focus selector at the respective location, the device displays the additional information associated with the respective location without waiting until the predefined delay time has elapsed; and upon determining that the contact has an intensity below the respective intensity threshold, the device waits until the predefined delay time has elapsed to display the additional information associated with the respective location. |
| US09612734B1 |
Random access browser scrolling for large pages
A method includes (a) loading into system memory of a computing device a set of records of a plurality of equally-spaced records which are to be visible in a GUI window, (b) placing the loaded set of records within a dynamic markup page for display within the GUI window, (c) placing a container within the dynamic markup page, the container representing non-visible records of the plurality of equally-spaced records, the container having a height representative of a combined height of the represented non-visible records, and (d) displaying, on the display device, a scroll bar adjunctive to the GUI window, the scroll bar allowing a user of the computing device to scroll to any arbitrary position in the document for display within the GUI window. Other embodiments are directed to a computerized apparatus and computer program products for performing methods similar to that described above. |
| US09612727B2 |
Task changing apparatus, task changing method, and task changing program
A task changing apparatus changes a task program executed by a robot. The task changing apparatus includes: a storage unit that stores a task program including a plurality of hierarchical levels arranged in a tree-like structure representing a plurality of pieces of task information executed by the robot and lower-order task information associated with the task information; a display control unit that causes the task information to be displayed on a display screen of a display unit so as to allow setting of the task information, the task information being associated with each other for each hierarchical level of the task program stored in the storage unit; and a change unit that changes the task program for the robot based on a series of pieces of task information set on the display screen of the display unit. |
| US09612726B1 |
Time-marked hyperlinking to video content
In one example, a method includes: receiving from a first user interface a first input from a first user specifying a first particular instant in a video other than a beginning of the video; in response to the first input, generating by one or more computer systems first data for inclusion in a link to the video, the first data representing the first particular instant in the video and being operable automatically to direct playback of the video at a second user interface to start at the first particular instant in the video in response to a second user selecting the link at the second user interface; and communicating the first data to a link generator for inclusion in the link to the video. |
| US09612713B2 |
Intelligent window management
A computer-implemented method for managing the placement one or more windows, the method comprising, defining a grid for a desktop display area, wherein the grid comprises a plurality of grid contours that are regularly spaced within the desktop display area, receiving user input for placing a selected window into a new position within the desktop display area and associating one or more edges of the selected window with one or more of the plurality of grid contours. In certain aspects, the method further comprises steps for snapping the window to the grid based on the association between the one or more edges and the one or more of the plurality of grid contours. Systems and computer-readable media are also provided. |
| US09612712B2 |
Screen cleaning system for a motor vehicle
A screen cleaning system for a motor vehicle includes a screen cleaning device and a dedicated receiver for holding the screen cleaning device. That receiver is integrated into the interior trim of the motor vehicle. |
| US09612710B2 |
Storage medium having stored thereon image processing program and image processing apparatus
Image generation means generates an input image corresponding to an output from a pointing device. Image display control means displays the input image generated by the image generation means on a display means. Image change control means disassembles the input image generated by the image generation means into a plurality of partial images, and changes at least one of a display position and a display form of each of the partial images. |
| US09612707B1 |
Lenses and filters for complete network page content
Content lenses are used to manage the display of content in network documents. Lens content objects associated with a content lens are displayed upon activation of the content lens, allowing a user to control the amount of information provided in the network document. Content lenses are activated based on selection of a corresponding lens activation object. An activated content lens remains active as a user views additional network documents. |
| US09612706B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying items related to contents
Provided are a method and apparatus for displaying contents-related items. The method includes using a correlation between a first attribute and a second attribute to determine values of the second attribute, wherein the first attribute is one of a plurality of attributes of the contents-related items, the second attribute is one of a plurality of attributes of a plurality of blocks which is a part or a region of a screen, and each one of the plurality of blocks corresponds to each one contents-related item; and displaying the one or more contents-related items by displaying each corresponding block having the determined value of the second attribute on the screen, wherein the first attribute and the second attribute can be quantitatively represented. |
| US09612697B2 |
Touch control method of capacitive and electromagnetic dual-mode touch screen and handheld electronic device
A touch control method of a capacitive and electromagnetic dual-mode touch screen and handheld electronic device are disclosed. The method includes receiving a touch instruction generated on the touch screen; judging whether the touch instruction is a capacitive induction instruction or an electromagnetic induction instruction; processing the touch instruction according to a handwriting input mode if the touch instruction is a capacitive induction instruction, or processing the touch instruction according to a touch control mode if the touch instruction is an electromagnetic induction instruction. By the above method, the invention can fulfill the demand for presenting original handwriting by a user, as well as the requirement for a simple and convenient operation. |
| US09612693B2 |
Capacitive touch sensor having correlation with a receiver
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for digital signal processing (DSP) techniques for generally improving a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of capacitive touch sensors. |
| US09612691B2 |
Inducing capacitance detector and capacitive position detector of using same
One aspect of the present invention relates to an inducing capacitance detector. In one embodiment, the inducing capacitance detector has an input terminal for receiving a supply voltage; a capacitive sensor array with a first output terminal and a second output terminal; an operational amplifier having an inventing input terminal electrically connected to the first output terminal of the capacitive sensor array, a non-inventing input terminal electrically connected to the second output terminal of the capacitive sensor array and the input terminal, and an output terminal for outputting an output signal, a feedback capacitor electrically connected between the inventing input terminal and the output terminal of the operational amplifier. |
| US09612690B2 |
Printed piezoelectric pressure sensing foil
There is provided an sensing device, comprising: a substrate; a sensor ink printed onto the substrate; a conductive polymer ink printed onto the sensor ink; a conductive carbon paste formed on the polymer ink; and a conductive silver ink printed on the conductive carbon paste. There is also provided a sensing device for processing a signal generated by the input device, the sensing device comprising: an operational amplifier to amplify the signal; a filter to filter signal noise from the signal; an adder to apply an offset and attenuation to the signal; a microcontroller comprising an analog to digital converter to convert the signal into a digital output signal. |
| US09612689B2 |
Method and apparatus for classifying a touch event on a touchscreen as related to one of multiple function generating interaction layers and activating a function in the selected interaction layer
A system for classifying touch events of different interaction layers includes a touch screen configured to display an interactive element, one or more vibro-acoustic sensors coupled to the touch screen, a touch event detector configured to monitor the one or more vibro-acoustic sensors and to save vibro-acoustic signals sensed by the one or more vibro acoustic sensors, wherein the touch event detector is further configured to detect touch events in which the interactive element is touched by a first or a second finger part of a user, and wherein the touch events result in generating the vibro-acoustic signals, and a vibro-acoustic classifier is configured to classify the vibro-acoustic signals and activate corresponding functions in the different layers dependent upon which finger part is used. |
| US09612685B2 |
Force-sensitive touch sensor compensation
An electronic device includes a memory in which input instructions, force level assessment instructions, and output instructions are stored, and further includes a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured through execution of the input instructions to obtain measurement data for a user interaction with a force-sensitive touch sensor, the measurement data being indicative of position information for the user interaction, amplitude information for the user interaction, and size information for the user interaction. The processor is further configured through execution of the force level assessment instructions to apply force level calibration data to the amplitude information and the size information in a force level assessment of the user interaction, the force level calibration data varying with user interaction size. The processor is further configured through execution of the output instructions to provide an output in accordance with the force level assessment. |
| US09612681B2 |
3D display apparatus and control method for same
The present disclosure discloses a three dimensional (3D) display apparatus and a control method for the 3D display apparatus, the 3D display apparatus comprising: a liquid crystal optical grating located on a liquid crystal display module, wherein the liquid crystal optical grating is provided with a respective probe terminal on each of the four corners of an electrode layer thereof, for detection of an electric current value; and a controller signally connected with the four probe terminals, wherein the controller is used for calculation of a touch point position of a touch object on the 3D display apparatus based on the electric current values detected at the four probe terminals. The 3D display apparatus has both a 3D display function and a touch screen function. |
| US09612680B2 |
Optimizing the use of sensors to improve pressure sensing
Sensor data from a sensor system of a mobile device may be used for determining a level of pressure exerted by a user on the mobile device. The sensor system may include one or more types of sensors, such as a microphone and one or more inertial sensors. The inertial sensors may include one or more gyroscopes and/or accelerometers. Based on the inertial sensor data, it may be determined whether and/or how the mobile device is being held. A process for determining a level of pressure exerted by a user on the mobile device may be adapted based, at least in part, on whether and/or how the mobile device is being held. The pressure-determining process may be adapted according to various other criteria, such as a position of a touch target in a display, ambient noise levels, etc. |
| US09612678B2 |
Touch display screen and driving method thereof
Embodiments disclose a touch display screen and a driving method thereof, which relates to a field of display, capable of decreasing a thickness of a panel and a width of the bezel and reducing a cost. The touch display screen according to the embodiments of the present disclosure comprises a color film substrate and an array substrate, wherein common electrodes, which has a shape of strip, are disposed on the color film substrate or the array substrate, one or more of the common electrodes act as a touch driving electrodes; the touch display screen further includes: a driving circuit, connected with the common electrodes acting as the touch driving electrodes, for applying touch driving pulses to the common electrodes acting as the touch driving electrodes and applying a common voltage in a period during which no touch driving pulse is applied. |
| US09612676B2 |
Method for improving touch response and an electronic device thereof
A method and an apparatus for processing touch information in an electronic device are provided. The method for processing touch information includes determining one or more regions for performing a touch event corresponding to touch information in the electronic device displayed on a touch screen, and when detecting a first touch, determining whether to process an event of the first touch in an electronic document by considering a first touch point and the one or more regions. |
| US09612673B2 |
Simultaneous display of multiple maximized applications on touch screen electronic devices
The present disclosure provides for a touch screen electronic device to display two or more running applications simultaneously in a side-by-side layout in a split screen mode of the device. Two or more applications that are running on an operating system of the device can be easily displayed simultaneously in the split screen mode while maintaining one of the displayed applications as active so that the user can provide user inputs to the active application. |
| US09612668B2 |
Human interface apparatus having input unit for pointer location information and pointer command execution unit
A human interface apparatus comprising the steps of: receiving text input from a user; switching to input mode for pointing location information; receiving input for pointing location information from the user; and switching the human interface apparatus to a text input mode, wherein the text input area and the pointing location information input area have at least a part of the area in common. |
| US09612665B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method of controlling the same
A distance measuring unit measures a distance from a picked-up image by an image pickup unit to a tip portion of a finger. When the measured distance is less than a reference distance, a CPU displays an identification mark at a position corresponding to the finger on a display image, and takes in a locus of the finger as a handwritten character/figure. When the measured distance is the reference distance or more, the CPU hides the identification mark, and does not take in the locus of the finger as the handwritten character/figure. |
| US09612663B2 |
Multimodal system and method facilitating gesture creation through scalar and vector data
A device and a method facilitating generation of one or more intuitive gesture sets for the interpretation of a specific purpose are disclosed. Data is captured in a scalar and a vector form which is further fused and stored. The intuitive gesture sets generated after the fusion are further used by one or more components/devices/modules for one or more specific purpose. Also incorporated is a system for playing a game. The system receives one or more actions in a scalar and a vector from one or more user in order to map the action with at least one pre stored gesture to identify a user in control amongst a plurality of users and interpret the action of user for playing the game. In accordance with the interpretation, an act is generated by the one or more component of the system for playing the game. |
| US09612660B2 |
Innovative knob with variable haptic feedback
A touch screen with haptic feedback knob arrangement. The arrangement includes an interactive surface having a controllable electrostatic pressure region across a portion of the interactive surface. The arrangement further includes a controller having an algorithm programmed thereon for controlling the amount of electrostatic pressure applied to the portion of the interactive surface where the electrostatic pressure region is located. A knob is rotatably mounted to the interactive surface and receives rotational resistance from the electrostatic pressure region of the interactive surface. |
| US09612659B2 |
User interface system
A user interface system of one embodiment includes a layer defining a surface; a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity; a displacement coupled to the cavity that expands the cavity, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface; and a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and adapted to sense a user touch proximate the particular region of the surface. The layer and the substrate are connected at an attachment point, and the location of the attachment point relative to the layer, substrate, and cavity at least partially defines the shape of the deformed particular region of the surface. |
| US09612658B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing tactile sensations
The present disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. More particularly, but not exclusively, this disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field providing tactile sensations for use with an interactive device.The disclosure provides a method of generating a tactile sensation. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of acoustic transducers arranged to generate a predetermined distribution of pressure patterns, wherein the pressure patterns comprise a first region providing a first tactile sensation and a second region providing a second, different, tactile sensation. |
| US09612648B2 |
System and method for memory channel interleaving with selective power or performance optimization
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing memory channel interleaving with selective power or performance optimization. One such method involves configuring a memory address map for two or more memory devices accessed via two or more respective memory channels with an interleaved region and a linear region. The interleaved region comprises an interleaved address space for relatively higher performance use cases. The linear region comprises a linear address space for relatively lower power use cases. Memory requests are received from one or more clients. The memory requests comprise a preference for power savings or performance. Received memory requests are assigned to the linear region or the interleaved region according to the preference for power savings or performance. |
| US09612645B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method for information processing apparatus, and storage medium for reducing power consumption in response to a transition
When a printing apparatus operates in a normal power mode, a control unit specifies a time of receipt of a packet and a reception interval between packets by using an RTC. On the other hand, when the printing apparatus operates in a power-saving mode, a communication unit specifies a time of receipt of a packet and a reception interval between packets on the basis of time-of-day information acquired from an SNTP server. |
| US09612639B2 |
Electronic device having chargeable battery, method of charging, and storage medium
An electronic device includes a chargeable battery, a system section, and a charging control section. The charging control system allocates electrical current supplied from the external device to the system section for use thereby and the battery for charging. The charging control section stops charging of the battery temporarily when a prescribed condition is met in the system section and the electrical current supplied via the cable is not a maximum current for the cable, and regulates the electrical current supplied via the cable to be at a constant level below the maximum current. The charging control section supplies electrical current from the battery to the system section as needed to meet a power demand by the system section that is not met by the electric current via the cable, while the electrical current supplied via the cable is being regulated to be at the constant level. |
| US09612638B1 |
Systems and methods for automatic detection and configuration of voltage regulator phases in a multi-rail voltage regulator
A method may include, in an information handling system comprising a power system having a plurality of voltage regulator phases, during a configuration mode of the power system, determining connectivity between the plurality of voltage regulator phases and a primary power rail and connectivity between the plurality of voltage regulator phases and a secondary power rail based on population of output inductors in one or more of a plurality of first phase output inductor footprint locations or one or more of a plurality of second phase output inductor footprint locations, wherein each of the plurality of phase output inductor footprint locations is respectively coupled to an first output of a respective voltage regulator phase of the plurality of voltage regulator phases and is coupled to a respective power rail of the information handling system. |
| US09612632B2 |
Wireless electronic device with component cooling structures
An electronic device may have a hard disk drive mounted diagonally within a housing. Electromagnetic interference shielding structures may enclose the hard disk drive. The shielding structures may include conductive elastomeric structures. A printed circuit board may be mounted diagonally in parallel with the hard disk drive. Connectors on the printed circuit board may be angled away from the printed circuit board at a non-zero angle and may be retained against the housing with a slide and lock connector retention member. An accelerometer may detect when the device is tipped over so that control circuitry may protect the hard disk drive. A fan may cause air to flow upwards on one side of the device and downwards on the other side of the device. The housing may rest on housing support structures with angled air vents and integral elastomeric feet. |
| US09612631B2 |
Electronic device having security structure
A electronic device includes a chassis, a panel, a cover and a security structure. The panel covers a side of the chassis. The cover covers another side of the chassis. The security structure includes a locking component, a positioning component and a linking shaft. The locking component is disposed on the panel and interfered with the chassis to lock the panel. The positioning component is disposed on the cover and interfered with the chassis to position the cover. The linking shaft is disposed between the locking component and the positioning component and stops the positioning component from being separated from the chassis. When a position of the locking component is adjusted to release the interference between the locking component and the chassis, the linking shaft is driven by the locking component to release the positioning component and move along a direction away the panel. |
| US09612629B2 |
Sealed storage canister
A sealed storage canister is provided. The sealed storage canister in one example includes a sealed enclosure configured to be substantially hermetically sealed for retaining a predetermined gas or gas mixture, multiple unsealed Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) located within the sealed enclosure, with the multiple unsealed HDDs configured to allow the predetermined gas or gas mixture to move through the multiple unsealed HDDs, at least one mounting element configured to receive the multiple HDDs, and an external connector configured to be externally accessible, with the external connector being directly or indirectly electrically coupled to the multiple unsealed HDDs. |
| US09612625B2 |
System and method of rendering data based on an angle of a carrying case flap
A system and method of rendering data based on an angle of a carrying case flap is provided. The system comprises: a mobile device comprising: a processor and a display device; a carrying case configured to mate with the mobile device, the carrying case comprising a flap having an open position and a closed position, the flap at least partially obscuring the display device in the closed position when the mobile device is mated with the carrying case; and, a sensor located at one or more of the mobile device and the carrying case, the sensor configured to measure an angle between the flap and the display device as the flap moves between the closed position and the open position, the processor of the mobile device configured to: render data at the display device based on the angle. |
| US09612622B2 |
Electronic device housing
An anti-shock device is disclosed to protect a portable electronic device from impact on a hard surface. The device includes shock absorbers which may be deployed upon sensing a triggering event by an accelerometer. The shock absorbers may include bumpers of buoyant material to allow the portable electronic device to float if the device contacts a water surface. |
| US09612620B2 |
Display device and a driving method thereof
Provided are a display device and a driving method thereof, the display device including: a display panel having a curvature radius; a driver driving the display panel; a timing controller controlling the driver; an image processor supplying an image signal to the timing controller; and an image corrector compressing or expanding the image signal in response to the curvature radius of the display panel. |
| US09612616B2 |
Computer docking station
A computer docking station for supporting a portable computer includes a body with a cradle portion configured to support a portion of the portable computer, and an arm portion spaced from the cradle portion. A latching member is coupled with the arm portion and movable between a first position relative to the arm portion, in which the portable computer can be removed from the docking station, and a second position relative to the arm portion, in which the portable computer cannot be removed from the docking station. The latching member engages the handle portion of the portable computer in the second position. |
| US09612611B1 |
Glitch-free clock multiplexer
In a system having a first clock domain with a first clock and a second clock domain with a second clock, the first and second clocks are monitored to determine whether one or both clocks are active. The first clock is selected to be an output clock if the first clock is active and the second clock is disabled irrespective of the clock selection signal. The second clock is selected to be the output clock if the second clock is active and the first clock is disabled irrespective of the clock selection signal. If both the first clock and the second clock are active, either the first clock or the second clock is selected according to a received clock selection signal. |
| US09612610B2 |
Data storage device and mode-detection method thereof
A data storage device including a flash memory and a controller. The controller enables the flash memory to transmit a predetermined parameter stored in the flash memory according to a first predetermined trigger edge of a clock signal and reads the predetermined parameter transmitted by the flash memory according to the first predetermined trigger edge of the clock signal to obtain a first reference parameter in an asynchronous mode. The controller enables the flash memory to switch to a synchronous mode and transmit the predetermined parameter and reads the predetermined parameter transmitted by the flash memory according to the first predetermined trigger edge of the clock signal to obtain a second reference parameter in a detection mode. |
| US09612606B2 |
Bandgap reference circuit
A bandgap reference circuit including two sets of bipolar junction transistors (BJTs). A first set of two or more BJTs configured to electrically connect in a parallel arrangement. The first set of BJTs is configured to produce a first proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) signal. A second set of two or more BJTs configured to electrically connect in a parallel arrangement. The second set of BJTs is configured to produce a second PTAT signal. A circuitry configured to electrically connect to the first set of BJTs and the second set of BJTs. The circuitry is configured to combine the first PTAT signal and the second PTAT signal to produce a reference voltage. |
| US09612597B2 |
Apparatus for controlling autonomously navigating utility vehicle
In an autonomously navigating utility vehicle adapted to run a working area defined by a laid boundary wire autonomously having a pair of magnetic sensors installed on either sides of the vehicle at positions laterally symmetrical with respect to a vehicle straight forward center line to produce outputs indicating intensity of magnetic field of the wire, an angular velocity sensor adapted to produce an output indicating angular velocity around a vertical axis of the vehicle, the vehicle is controlled to move to a prescribed position at which an angle of the center line relative to the laid wire becomes a reference angle based on the outputs of the magnetic sensors, and to turn by 180 degrees, and calibrates the output of the angular velocity sensor by outputs of the angular velocity sensor obtained at the turning. |
| US09612596B2 |
Hands-off steering wheel governed by pedestrian detection
A vehicle may be steered without a driver's hands being on a vehicle steering control mechanism. A presence of an object within a predetermined distance of the vehicle may be detected using data from at least one object detection sensor that provides data to at least one of a passive safety system, a lane control system, a speed control system, and a brake control system. A steering control mechanism hands-on mode can then be enabled based at least in part on the presence of the object. |
| US09612593B2 |
Methods and apparatus to configure a process control device
Example methods and apparatus are provided for configuring a process control device. An example method includes implementing a first configuration at the process control device based on a first configuration request. The example method includes setting a configuration flag. The configuration flag indicates the first configuration is being implemented. The example method includes denying a second configuration request while the configuration flag is set. |
| US09612587B2 |
Mobile extension for industrial operator consoles
A system includes an operator console having at least one graphical display configured to present information associated with an industrial process and with a control system associated with the industrial process. The system also includes a mobile extension associated with the operator console. The mobile extension is configured to present first process-related information to an operator and receive second process-related information from the operator for the control system. The operator console is configured to provide state information to the mobile extension, where the state information is associated with operations of the operator console. The mobile extension could be configured to base at least part of the first process-related information or at least part of the second process-related information on a location of the apparatus. The operator console could be configured to provide an indication that the mobile extension is currently in use by the operator. |
| US09612585B2 |
Distributed building control system
An example of a building automation system utilizes intelligent system elements, some of which are lighting devices having light sources, and some of which are utility building control and automation elements. Some utility building control and automation elements include a controllable mechanism for use in control of some aspect of the building other than lighting. Another intelligent system element may include either a user interface component and be configured as a building controller, or include a detector and be configured as a sensor. Each intelligent system element includes a network communication interface, processor, memory and programming to configure the intelligent system element as a lighting device, utility building control and automation element, controller or sensor. At least one of the intelligent lighting devices is configured as a building control and automation system server. Several examples, however, implement the overall control using distributed processing. |
| US09612577B2 |
Device displaying a series of sequential timekeeping periods
A timekeeping device including a first dial including a plurality of first dial display regions, each of the plurality of first dial display regions disposed at an angle of 90-degrees with respect to each adjacent first dial display region and a center of the first dial, a second dial disposed adjacent the first dial and configured to rotate in two directions about a central axis of rotation of the second dial, and a set of two adjacent third dials disposed adjacent the second dial, each dial of the set of two adjacent third dials configured to rotate about a respective central axis of rotation, the set of two adjacent third dials each comprising indicia representing at least one value configured to represent a date of a month. |
| US09612572B2 |
Process unit
A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint. |
| US09612571B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus including the same
A process cartridge includes a first cartridge and a second cartridge. The first cartridge includes a first wall having a first opening, a first shutter configured to open and close the first opening, and a first operating portion configured to operate together with the first shutter. The second cartridge is mountable onto and demountable from the first cartridge and contains a developer. The second cartridge includes a second wall facing the first wall and having a second opening corresponding to the first opening, a second shutter configured to open and close the second opening, and a second operating portion configured to operate together with the second shutter. The first cartridge further includes a third operating portion. When the second cartridge is mounted onto the first cartridge, the first operating portion and the third operating portion operate together through the second operating portion. |
| US09612562B2 |
Unit pulling-out mechanism and image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus includes a first pullout unit, a second pullout unit, and a first lock mechanism. The first unit is movable along a first axis between a first retracted position where the first unit is fully retracted in the apparatus, and a first exposed position where at least one side surface thereof is fully exposed to the front of the apparatus. The second unit is movable along a second axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis, between a second retracted position where the second unit is fully retracted in the first unit, and a second exposed position where the second unit is exposed to a side of the side surface of the first unit. The first lock mechanism prevents movement of the second unit from the second retracted position to the second exposed position when the first unit is not in the first exposed position. |
| US09612558B1 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device, an area coverage calculation section, and an image data rotating section. The image forming device forms a toner image in accordance with image data without setting margins at edges of a first recording medium. The area coverage calculation section calculates an area coverage of the image data for a certain region at each of the edges of the first recording medium. The image data rotating section rotates the image data by a certain angle, when the calculated area coverage at one of the edges is a certain value or more, so that the one of the edges is not on a leading edge side of the first recording medium in a transport direction. |
| US09612557B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an all contact full color mode and an all contact monochrome mode. During an image forming job in which image forming is successively performed on a plurality of recording materials, in case that an image is formed using only the first image forming unit with the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit being in contact with the intermediate transfer member after an image has been formed using both of the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit, the controller determines whether the all contact full color mode or the all contact monochrome mode is performed based on an image forming speed to be performed or other criteria. |
| US09612546B2 |
External additive for toner, method of producing the same, and toner comprising the same
An external additive for toner includes a particulate obtained from a silicone compound selected from a silane compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, Si(OR1)4, wherein each R1 is independently a C1 to C6 monovalent hydrocarbon group, a hydrolysis-condensation product of the silane compound, and a combination thereof, wherein the particulate has an average particle diameter ranging from about 50 nm to about 250 nm and a true density ranging from about 1.80 g/cm3 to about 2.00 g/cm3. |
| US09612541B2 |
Qualifying patterns for microlithography
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for qualifying a photolithographic reticle. A reticle inspection tool is used to acquire at least two images at different imaging configurations from each pattern area of the reticle. A reticle pattern is reconstructed based on each at least two images from each pattern area of the reticle. For each reconstructed reticle pattern, a lithographic process with two or more different process conditions is modeled on such reconstructed reticle pattern to generate two or more corresponding modeled test wafer patterns. Each two or more modelled test wafer patterns is analyzed to identify hot spot patterns of the reticle patterns that are susceptible to the different process conditions altering wafer patterns formed with such hot spot patterns. |
| US09612537B2 |
Illumination optical unit for EUV projection lithography
An EUV projection lithography illumination optical unit guides illumination light toward an object field, the illumination optical unit comprising. The unit includes: a first facet mirror comprising a plurality of first monolithic facets; and a second facet mirror downstream of the first facet mirror in a beam path of the illumination light, the second facet mirror comprising a plurality of second facets, each second facet being configured to contribute to imaging a corresponding first monolithic facet of the first facet mirror into the object field via an illumination channel. Individual parts of the first monolithic facets are configured so that illumination light is guided from the individual parts of the first monolithic facets toward different target locations on the corresponding second facet of the second facet mirror. |
| US09612536B2 |
Developer for lithography
A method for lithography patterning includes forming a material layer over a substrate; exposing a portion of the material layer to a radiation; and removing the exposed portion of the material layer in a developer, resulting in a patterned material layer. The developer comprises an organic solvent and a basic solute, wherein the organic solvent is more than 50% of the developer by weight. In an embodiment, the developer further comprises water that is less than 50% of the developer by weight. |
| US09612535B2 |
Pattern forming method, electron beam- or extreme ultraviolet-sensitive resin composition, resist film using the same, method of manufacturing electronic device, and electronic device
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pattern forming method comprising, in this order: (1) forming a film by using an electron beam- or extreme ultraviolet-sensitive resin composition containing, in a specific amount, a resin (Aa) having a specific atom or substituent; (2) exposing the film by using an electron beam or extreme ultraviolet ray; and (3) forming a negative pattern by performing development using a developer including an organic solvent after the exposure. |
| US09612529B2 |
Pellicle frame and a pellicle
A pellicle is proposed in which the frame is formed with an external horizontal slit for the purpose of receiving a pressing means, which can urge the pellicle to be adhered to a photomask, in which the slit forms a vertically protruding part of a thickness of 5-30% of the width of a pellicle frame main body and a horizontally protruding part of a thickness of 0.3-1 mm; also the method of adhering the pellicle to the photomask is proposed. |
| US09612528B2 |
Methods of manufacturing pellicles having graphite layers
Provided is a method of manufacturing a pellicle. The method includes preparing a substrate, forming a membrane on the substrate by performing a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, separating the membrane from the substrate in a first solvent, rinsing the separated membrane in a second solvent, and transferring the separated membrane to a frame in a third solvent. |
| US09612525B2 |
Titania-doped quartz glass and making method
Titania-doped quartz glass is manufactured by mixing a silicon-providing reactant gas and a titanium-providing reactant gas, preheating the reactant gas mixture at 200-400° C., and subjecting the mixture to oxidation or flame hydrolysis. A substrate of the glass is free of concave defects having a volume of at least 30,000 nm3 in an effective region of the EUV light-reflecting surface and is suited for use in the EUV lithography. |
| US09612524B2 |
Reflective mask and method of fabricating the same
A reflective mask includes a first reflection layer disposed on a mask substrate, a first capping layer disposed on the first reflection layer, a second reflection pattern disposed on a portion of the first capping layer, and a phase shifter disposed between the second reflection pattern and the first capping layer to cause a phase difference between a first light reflecting from the first reflection layer and a second light reflecting from the second reflection pattern. Related methods are also provided. |
| US09612523B2 |
Structure and method for reflective-type mask
A reflective mask includes a substrate; a reflective multilayer formed on the substrate; an absorber layer formed on the reflective multilayer, wherein the absorber layer is patterned to have openings according to an integrated circuit layout; and a protection layer formed over the reflective multilayer within the openings. |
| US09612522B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet mask blank production system with thin absorber and manufacturing system therefor
An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask blank production system includes: a substrate handling vacuum chamber for creating a vacuum; a substrate handling platform, in the vacuum, for transporting an ultra-low expansion substrate loaded in the substrate handling vacuum chamber; and multiple sub-chambers, accessed by the substrate handling platform, for forming an EUV mask blank includes: a multi-layer stack, formed above the ultra-low expansion substrate, for reflecting an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light, and an absorber layer, formed above the multi-layer stack, for absorbing the EUV light at a wavelength of 13.5 nm includes the absorber layer has a thickness of less than 80 nm and less than 2% reflectivity. |
| US09612520B2 |
Polarized projection device and polarized projection system using the same
A polarized projection device includes a light source, a light modulator, and a lens module. The light source is configured for providing a light beam. The light modulator is configured for modulating the light beam into an image. The lens module is configured for converting the image into a polarized image, and includes a polarized prism group, a first polarized module, a second polarized module, a lens, and a half wave plate. The polarized prism group has an incident surface, a light-emitting surface, a first relay surface, and a second relay surface. The image enters the polarized prism group from the incident surface. The first (second) polarized module is disposed off axis at the first (second) relay surface and includes a first (second) reflector and a first (second) quarter wave plate. The lens is disposed at the light-emitting surface. The half wave plate is partially disposed on the lens. |
| US09612519B2 |
Method and system for organising image recordings and sound recordings
Method and system for organising image recordings of takes recorded by an image recorder and sound recordings of the takes recorded by a sound recorder are provided. Each of the image recordings comprises a visual information code (VIC). Each of the sound recordings comprises an audible information code (AIC). The method comprises the steps of: searching through the digital image recordings for the visual information codes (VIC) and decoding it to acquire identification code (IC), searching through the digital sound recordings for the audible information codes (AIC) and decoding it to acquire identification code (IC), and organising sets of image recordings and sound recordings based on their identification codes (IC). |
| US09612511B2 |
Projection system using excitable wavelength conversion material in the light source
A solid state light source device for generating a constant broad band light useful in multiple SLM projectors. The light source device includes a blue or UV/near UV excitation light and a moving plate carrying wavelength conversion materials to convert the excitation light into a broad band light. The wavelength conversion materials include red, green, yellow and/or blue phosphors, and may pass some of the blue excitation light. The broad band light outputted by the phosphor plate includes at least two primary color components and has a constant intensity and spectrum as a function of time. The solid state light source device further includes a second light source such as a blue light source, and a light combination device which combines the output light of the moving phosphor plate and the light from the second light source into one beam of constant, broad band light. |
| US09612509B2 |
Vibrating body mounting structure and projection-type image display device including same
Provided is a vibrating body mounting structure capable of reducing vibrations generated from a plurality of vibrating bodies. Vibrating body mounting structure (48) includes base member (40), a plurality of retaining members (39, 45), and connecting damper (49). The retaining members include first portions (39a, 45a) secured to the base member, and second portions (39b, 45b) adjacent to the first portions and retaining vibrating bodies (24, 25). The connecting damper connects second portion (39b) of one retaining member (39) of the plurality of retaining members to second portion (45b) of the other retaining member (45) of the plurality of retaining members. |
| US09612502B2 |
Electro-optic display with edge seal
Various types of edge seals for protecting electro-optic displays against environmental contaminants are described. In one type of seal, the electro-optic layer is sandwiched between a backplane and a protective sheet and a sealing material extends between the backplane and the protective sheet. In other seals, the protective sheet is secured to the backplane or to a second protective sheet adjacent the backplane. The electro-optic layer can also be sealed between two layers of adhesive or between one layer of adhesive and the backplane. Other seals make use of flexible tapes extending around the periphery of the display. |