最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US09615302B2 Switching method for visible-light communication device and terminal device at access point
A switching method and device for a visible-light communication device and a terminal device at an access point, comprising: configuring different identification codes for visible-light communication devices; when a terminal device satisfies a switching condition, its original access point selecting a visible-light communication device whose signal quality is higher than that of the original access point as a target access point according to a peripheral access list, sending its capability to the target access point, and initiating a switching request; the original access point selecting an operating mode according to an indication of the target access point to notify the terminal device, and forwarding response fed back by the terminal device to the target access point; and when receiving response for the switching request fed back by the target access point and downlink resource allocation information, the original access point sending a switching command to the terminal device to switch.
US09615300B1 Wireless access node and hand-off method for handing-off a WCD to a relay node
A wireless access node and method for handing-off of a wireless communication device (WCD) to a relay node are provided. The wireless access node in one example includes a communication interface configured to exchange communications between the wireless access node and the WCD and a processing system coupled to the communication interface. The processing system is configured to determine that a hand-off of the WCD is imminent, if the hand-off is imminent, determine whether the WCD is receiving streaming media, if the hand-off is imminent, determine whether the WCD is located to hand-off to a decode-and-forward relay device of the wireless network, and if the WCD is about to hand-off to a decode-and-forward relay device and if the WCD is receiving streaming media, then extend a hand-off criteria in order to delay hand-off of the WCD to the decode-and-forward relay device.
US09615298B2 Off-load apparatus, network system, and handover method of multicast traffic
An off-load apparatus is disposed between a core network accommodating base stations and the base stations capable of connection with a mobile station. The off-load apparatus includes a storage unit that stores line information and multicast viewing information of the mobile station when the mobile station performs multicast communication of an off-load object via the off-load apparatus; a transferring unit that transfers the line information and the multicast viewing information of the mobile station to another off-load apparatus that is an handover destination when the mobile station moves during the multicast communication; and a control unit that executes a process of participating in multicast viewing on behalf of the mobile station when the off-load apparatus acts as a handover-destination apparatus, based on the multicast viewing information transferred from a handover-source off-load apparatus.
US09615297B2 Method for identifying user equipment to a femtocell
The described method provides for an efficient method for user equipment (104) to identify when it is in proximity to an assigned femtocell (108) in order to be handed over to a femtocell from a macro cell. As the user the equipment moves within a macro cell (106) that is defined by a serving base station (102), it is determined (202) that it is in the range of or in proximity to the femtocell to which it is registered or subscribed. Upon notification that it is near the femtocell, the user equipment sends (204) a message to the serving base station of the macro cell indicating the user equipment has identified its femtocell. The serving base station then sends (208) a message to femtocell to turn on the femtocell so that a handover of the user equipment from the macro cell and serving base station and the femtocell can be initiated. The serving base station sends (212) a response to the user equipment indicating that the femtocell is ready to receive the user equipment as a part of handover procedure.
US09615293B1 System to form and manage bonded channel comprising satellite and WiFi bandwidth
A process for managing satellite bandwidth available to a moving vessel includes configuring a satellite to associate the vessel with a group of multiple vessels; configuring the satellite to guarantee a committed information rate (CIR) bandwidth to the vessel and to associate a maximum information rate (MIR) with the vessel, and to combine the CIR of the vessel into a CIR bandwidth pool for the group of vessels, and to combine the MIR of the vessel into a MIR bandwidth pool for the group of vessels, and to provide the vessel with a priority burst rate up to the combined CIR bandwidth of the group of vessels, and to provide the vessel with a burst rate up to the combined MIR bandwidth of the group of vessels, conditional on availability of bandwidth beyond the combined CIR bandwidth of the group of vessels; and re-configuring the satellite to release the guarantee of CIR bandwidth for the vessel upon the vessel gaining access to a terrestrial network connection of higher speed than the satellite connection.
US09615290B1 Method and apparatus for detecting a type of interference in a communication system
a method and apparatus for detecting interference within a communication system is provided herein. During operation, a base station will determine whether the interference is caused by in-system excessive collisions (e.g. multiple simultaneous registration and/or call requests). An appropriate mitigation technique will be applied by the base station based on a type of interference detected.
US09615289B2 Method for controlling uplink transmission in mobile communication network and apparatus therefor
The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling uplink transmission and an apparatus therefor. The method for enabling a transmission point to control the uplink transmission in a mobile communication network, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, includes the steps of: generating first configuration information for indicating a frequency hopping to be applied to the uplink transmission of a terminal; and transmitting, to the terminal, a first signal having the first configuration information, wherein a reception point is different from the transmission point, and the reception point receives a second signal to which the first configuration information is applied from the terminal.
US09615288B2 System and method for quality of service in a wireless network environment
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for providing on-demand quality of service guarantees in a wireless network environment. The system determines an on-demand quality of service for a segment of a communication path between a user equipment communicating with a radio access network connected to a core network and an external network connected to the core network. The system then determines if the on-demand quality of service for the segment meets a quality of service requirement. If the on-demand quality of service for the segment does not meet the quality of service requirement, the system identifies an alternate communication path between the user equipment and the external network, wherein the alternate communication path differs from the communication path. The system can then setup the alternate communication path for traffic between the user equipment and the external network.
US09615286B2 Method and apparatus for accessing channel in WLAN system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more specifically, disclosed are a method and an apparatus for accessing a channel in a WLAN system. A method for accessing the channel from a station (STA) in the wireless communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a step of transmitting a power save-poll (PS-poll) for channel accessing from a listening interval to an access point, wherein the station operates in a non-traffic indication map (TIM) mode which is not limited by a TIM element that is transmitted from the access point, and wherein the time of transmission of the PS-poll is not limited by the TIM element.
US09615284B2 Topology aware MANET for mobile networks
Systems and methods provide adaptability in a mobile ad hoc network (MANET), based on an existing protocol, such as adaptive hybrid domain routing (AHDR). The systems and methods are especially suited for fast changing topologies that may change after a reactive route discovery has been completed.
US09615281B2 Method of transmitting and receiving signal to and from network at UE in wireless communication system and apparatus for the same
A method of transmitting and receiving a signal to and from a network at a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system. The method includes steps of logging information about failure of a first connection establishment procedure if the first connection establishment procedure with the network has failed, and transmitting the logged information to the network when a second connection establishment procedure with the network is successful.
US09615278B2 Method and apparatus for mitigating interference in a wireless communication system
A process, device and computer-readable storage medium that incorporate teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, providing a first instruction to mobile user equipment to cause the mobile user equipment to perform a first channel quality assessment of a non-reduced power subframe of a wireless signal comprising the non-reduced power subframe, an almost blank subframe and a reduced power subframe. A second instruction is provided to the mobile user equipment to cause the mobile user equipment to perform a second channel quality assessment of the almost blank subframe. A determination is made as to whether the mobile user equipment is performing instantaneous channel quality measurements based on a result of the first channel quality assessment and a result of the second channel quality assessment. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09615273B2 Method and system for obtaining radio access network (RAN) information of cellular telecommunications networks
A system for obtaining information relating to an idle mobile station in a cellular network is provided. The system includes a computing platform which is in communication with a radio network controller of the cellular network. The computing platform is configured for (i) generating and sending an input signal through the radio network controller to the radio access network; and (ii) identifying in data outputted by the radio network controller an output signal resulting from the input signal, the output signal including information relating to at least one idle mobile station.
US09615271B2 Method and system for obtaining radio access network (RAN) information of cellular telecommunications networks
A system for obtaining information relating to an idle mobile station in a cellular network is provided. The system includes a computing platform which is in communication with a radio network controller of the cellular network. The computing platform is configured for (i) generating and sending an input signal through the radio network controller to the radio access network; and (ii) identifying in data outputted by the radio network controller an output signal resulting from the input signal, the output signal including information relating to at least one idle mobile station.
US09615270B2 Intelligent power utilization communication product detecting system
The present invention provides an intelligent power utilization communication product detecting system suitable for an intelligent power grid. The system includes: a simulation master station, including a master station computer and master station software and configured to perform communication data interaction with a detected acquisition terminal and determine the communication performance of the intelligent power utilization communication system according to the communication data interaction result; a remote wireless communication test and channel simulation subsystem, configured to test detected products; a local communication test and channel simulation subsystem, configured to perform channel environment simulation on a local communication channel between the detected products and complete communication performance test on the detected products; and a purification power supply subsystem, configured to provide electric energy and matched impedance and isolate external interference noise. The present invention may be used for accurately and comprehensively simulating main characteristics of multistage communication channels in the intelligent power grid and testing main performance indexes of multiple communication products in the intelligent power grid so as to provide a technical support for communication product detection in the intelligent power grid.
US09615269B2 Method and apparatus that provides fault tolerance in a communication network
A system for detecting a fault in a first wire of a power grid that affects a transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves that transport data and that propagate along a surface of the first wire, selecting a backup communication medium from one or more backup communication mediums according to one or more selection criteria, and redirecting the data to the backup communication medium to circumvent the fault. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09615266B1 Networking device with an electronically steerable directional antenna array
In one embodiment, a networking device comprises a first plurality of antenna means, a second plurality of antenna means, and means for controlling the first and second pluralities of antenna means to direct a communication towards a neighbor node of the device.
US09615261B2 Method and apparatus for incident task based allocation of service instances
A method and apparatus for task-based allocation of services at an incident scene include determining assignments for a plurality of users at the incident scene, each of the plurality of users comprising a mobile device; identifying a group of the plurality of users performing a similar function near one another or at a same area; determining if the group is likely to be separated from a wireless local area network at the incident scene; and, in response to determining that the group is likely to be separated from the local area network, allocating service instances on at least one mobile device associated with the group.
US09615257B2 Data integrity for proximity-based communication
Methods, systems, and computer programs for trusted communication among mobile devices are described. In some aspects, an authentication value is generated at a first mobile device based on a message and a shared secret value stored on the first mobile device. In response to detecting proximity of a second mobile device, the message and the authentication value are wirelessly transmitted from the first mobile device to the second mobile device. In some implementations, the message and the authentication value can be wirelessly transmitted by a proximity-activated wireless interface, such as, for example, a Near Field Communication (NFC) interface.
US09615256B2 Method and apparatus for providing an access to a tethering service via an endpoint device
A method and non-transitory computer readable medium for providing an access to a tethering service via an endpoint device are disclosed. For example, the method detects an attempt to access a non-network monitored service at an endpoint device, determines whether the endpoint device is authorized to access the non-network monitored service by sending a query to a service provider network, and provides an access to the non-network monitored service if the endpoint is authorized.
US09615250B2 Subscriber identification module pooling
Pools of cellular devices share same provisioning profiles for cellular (over-the-air) provisioning connectivity. Conceptually, a limited pool of one or more provisioning profiles is setup in an MNO's backend equipment. Multiple cellular devices are each configured with a same provisioning profile from the pool. In practice, the number of provisioning profiles in a pool may be orders of magnitude less than the number of cellular devices configured to use the provisioning profiles in the pool.
US09615249B2 Method and arrangement in a telecommunication system
A method in a User Equipment (UE) of an Evolved Packet System (EPS) establishes a security key (K_eNB) for protecting Radio Resource Control/User Plane (RRC/UP) traffic exchanged with a serving eNodeB. The method comprises sending a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) Service Request to a Mobility Management Entity (MME), the request indicating a NAS uplink sequence number (NAS_U_SEQ). The method further comprises receiving an indication of the NAS_U_SEQ of the NAS Service Request sent to the MME, back from the MME via the eNodeB. The method further comprises deriving the K_eNB from at least the received indication of the NAS_U_SEQ and from a stored Access Security Management Entity-key (K_ASME) shared with said MME.
US09615247B2 Redundancy version selection based on receiving quality and transport format
The embodiments herein relate to a method in a base station (101) for transmitting a transport block to a user equipment (105) in a communications network (100). The transport block comprises a plurality of bits. The base station (101) selects (203a, 203b, 401) a transport format. The base station (101) dynamically selects (204a, 203b, 402) a first redundancy version parameter based on a decoding performance for the transport block. The base station (101) transmits (205a, 204b, 404) the transport block comprising the plurality of bits distributed according to the dynamically selected first redundancy version parameter and according to the selected transport format in a first transmission to the user equipment (105).
US09615244B2 Method for accessing a service and a corresponding device
A first device stores a subscription manager and at least two subscriptions. A first subscription is active and a second subscription is non-active. A second device sends a request for switching to the second subscription. The subscription manager sets a first variable relating to a next active subscription to the second subscription. The subscription manager sends to the first device a message requesting the first device to re-launch an execution of the subscription manager and to read data. The first device sends to the subscription manager a message including a command for re-launching an execution of the subscription manager. The subscription manager de-activates, based upon the first variable value, the first subscription. The subscription manager activates, based upon the first variable value, the second subscription, and sends to the first device operating system data relating to the second subscription, as a current active subscription.
US09615243B2 System, method and computer program product for configuring a communication application for a mobile device
The invention is directed to configuring a mobile device. An exemplary method comprises: connecting, using the mobile device, to a first network; requesting, using the mobile device, a list of subscription options from the first network, wherein the list of subscription options comprises a subscription option associated with a second network different from the first network; selecting, using the mobile device, the subscription option associated with the second network; downloading, using the mobile device, a communication application associated with the selected subscription option; terminating, using the mobile device, the connection to the first network; and connecting, using the mobile device, to the second network using the communication application.
US09615242B2 Determining a service leakage rate within a wireless communication network
A method of determining a network leakage rate within a wireless communication network that uses counters within an application server. The number of users at a second point in time, determined by the counters, is subtracted from a number of users at a first point in time, determined by the counters, to provide a first result. The number of user attempts to access the network, determined by the counters, is multiplied by a success rate and then the number of users leaving the network (de-registering from the network or handing off to a different network) is subtracted to provide a second result. The second result is subtracted from the first result and then divided by the number of users at the first point in time. The absolute value is the network leakage rate.
US09615241B2 Report of servicing network, time zone and UCI
The embodiments herein relate to a method in a mobility management node for handling information in a network. The node is associated with a wireless device being served by a serving network. The node obtains information about that at least one of the serving network and a time zone and a UCI, has been changed for the device, and information about that the change has not been transmitted to a SGW. When at least one of the serving network and the time zone and the UCI, has been changed, and information about the change has not been transmitted to the SGW, the node transmits the information about at least one of the changed serving network and time zone and UCI, to the SGW, enabling the SGW to forward this information to a PGW.
US09615240B2 Accessibility management method and device for M2M terminal/terminal peripheral
A reachability management method and device for a machine-to-machine/man (M2M) terminal/terminal peripheral are provided in the embodiments of the present document, which relates to machine-to-machine/man communications. The reachability management method for the M2M terminal/terminal peripheral provided in the present document includes the following steps: when selecting to switch to an M2M stub network, the M2M terminal/terminal peripheral sending a detach request message to a corresponding network side device, wherein the detach request message comprises a terminal signalling connection retention indication; and meanwhile, the M2M terminal/terminal peripheral sending a registration request message to an M2M gateway, wherein the registration request message contains an identifier of the network side device. A terminal, a network side device and an M2M gateway device are also provided in the embodiments of the present document.
US09615239B2 Method and apparatus for efficient and deterministic group alerting
Systems and methods are provided for reliable, wireless group messaging or alerting in a system having a database, switch, wireless network, and a plurality of intelligent mobile receivers. A message is broadcast to and received by a selected group of the mobile receivers. The network replies to the sender with detailed information about the individual members in the group. Each of the mobile receivers in the group can acknowledge the group message back to the system such as when the message is received, when the message is read, and a response when sent. The system employs centralized management to provide the sender with response information of the mobile receivers.
US09615237B2 Communication system, distribution information determination device, communication method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An object of the invention is to provide a communication system capable of broadcasting and distributing various types of messages. The communication system according to the present invention includes a network operator device (21) disposed in a network (20) managed by a carrier; and a distribution information determination device (30) disposed between the network operator device (21) and a plurality of application servers that provide an application service. The distribution information determination device (30) transmits, to the network operator device (21), a distribution message transmitted from any one of application servers according to an event notification transmitted from a communication device (10_1), and a distribution policy used to distribute the distribution message, and distributes the distribution message to a plurality of communication devices (10_1) to (10_3) based on the distribution policy.
US09615236B2 Freeing up mobile network for important phone calls in case of disaster
According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for reducing load on a mobile network after the occurrence of a disaster event is provided. The method may include receiving a disaster location time. The method may include determining a target area based on the disaster location. The method may include determining target persons located within the target area. The method may include predicting the location of each target person based on historical movement data associated with each target person. The method may include determining a plurality of filtered persons based on the predicted location of each target person and the disaster time. The method may include determining a plurality of safe persons based on the filtered persons and a safety indicator. The method may include sending a safety notification to a plurality of concerned contacts associated with each safe person and blocking network traffic associated with each safe person.
US09615233B2 Method and system of managing distribution of alerts
System and method of managing distribution of alert messages to a plurality of presentation devices. The system enables receiving an alert distribution request from an alerting source, including emergency situation data and indication of an area associated with the emergency situation, creating an alert message corresponding to the alert distribution request and identifying broadcasting operators, which enable distributing the alert message in the emergency area. Once the alert message is created and the broadcasting operators are identified, the system forwards the alert message to the identified broadcasting operators. The broadcasting operators broadcast the alert message to the plurality of presentation devices such as mobile devices, TV sets, radio devices, and the like.
US09615232B2 Subscriber identity module data routing devices, methods for routing subscriber identity module data, control circuits, and methods for controlling a change of a routing
A subscriber identity module data routing device is described comprising: a routing circuit configured to provide a routing of input data to a plurality of subscriber identity modules; a routing change feasibility determination circuit configured to determine based on the input data whether a change of the routing is feasible, in response to receiving a request for the change of the routing; and wherein the routing circuit is further configured to change the routing if the routing change feasibility determination circuit determines that the change of the routing is feasible.
US09615231B2 Configuring user interface (UI) based on context
A mobile apparatus determines whether it is disposed in a vehicle and, based on a determining that it is in the vehicle, automatically presents a first user interface (UI) that is simplified and/or easier to manipulate while driving relative to a second UI that would otherwise be presented.
US09615230B2 Method to manage multiple caller identities in a telecommunication system
In a telecommunication system, providing to a recipient end point a caller identification (CID) from a calling end point, the calling end point including a default CID and at least one additional CID. the method includes receiving a call setup message from the calling end point, the call setup message including the additional CID, allocating a temporary end point for the call, from a pool of available end points, sending contact data for the allocated temporary end point to the calling end point, processing a first call received from the calling end point to the temporary end point, processing a second call to the recipient end point using the additional CID as the calling CID, and joining the first and second calls to generate a call from the calling end point to the recipient end point.
US09615224B2 Zero touch deployment over a wireless wide area network
Presented herein are techniques for enabling the zero touch deployment of devices having an integrated wireless wide area network (WWAN) interface. In one example, a device with a wireless wide area network interface is initialized and attaches to the wireless wide area network. The device receives, via the integrated wireless wide area network interface, a data message that includes a configuration file for the device. The device extracts the configuration file from the data message and uses the configuration file to perform configuration operations.
US09615222B2 System and method for simplifying mobile device account creation and verification
A method is provided for establishing a verified user account record for a user using a device. A text message is received on the user's device addressed by phone number. The text message includes a custom URL. When the user actuates the custom URL from the device, a session is established of a dedicated web page on the user's browser, and the Device ID of the device is passed together with the phone number for storage in a non-transitory record associated with the user.
US09615219B2 Method and apparatus for operating a portable radio communication device in a dual-watch mode
A method and apparatus for operating a portable radio communication device is provided. The portable radio communication device receives communications on a primary channel and a secondary channel during a dual-watch mode of operation. The portable radio communication device determines whether the portable radio communication device is proximate to a subject. The portable radio communication device suppresses audio from communications of one of the two channels and plays audio from communications of the other channel when the portable communication device is proximate to the subject. Additionally, the portable radio communication device allows transmission to occur only over the channel in which communication is not suppressed when the portable communication device is proximate to the subject.
US09615217B2 Cellular broadcast message forwarding
Distributing messages received by a cellular device via cellular broadcast to additional electronic devices. The cellular device may receive a first message via a cellular broadcast technique. The cellular device may discover another electronic device. The cellular device may provide an indication of the first message to other electronic device. The indication of the first message may cause the other electronic device to provide a user alert at the other electronic device.
US09615215B2 Methods and systems for classification of geographic locations for tracked activity
A method includes receiving activity of a monitoring device that is configured to be worn by a user having a user account. The activity includes an amount of movement of the monitoring device and occurs for a period of time. The method further includes receiving geo-location data for the monitoring device and processing the activity data and geo-location data received for the period of time. The operation of processing is performed to segment the period of time into at least two events. The method includes assigning an identifier to each event. The identifier has a default description for the geo-location data. The default description is selected from a plurality of descriptions based on the activity data obtained by the movement of the monitoring device for the geo-location data.
US09615214B2 Handling positioning messages
Apparatus (30) is configured: to transmit angle-of-departure positioning messages from which a mobile device (11) can calculate a direction to the mobile device from the apparatus (30); and to transmit a point of interest packet data unit for providing a point of interest service to a mobile device (11), the first point of interest packet data unit comprising first data indicating a first range from a first point of interest.
US09615209B2 Systems and methods for facilitating integrated services for providing road-side assistance
A system for facilitating multiple integrated services for providing road-side assistance via multiple assistance service providers to a user includes, a central computing device capable of communicating with the assistance service providers and the user over a wireless network, a user device associated with the user configured to transmit one or more assistance requests to the central computing device, and, a first assistance device associated with the one or more assistance service providers.
US09615207B1 Method and apparatus for changing geofence based radio operating parameters
A method and apparatus for changing geofence-based operating parameters is provided herein. During operation, all members within a first geofence will have their radio parameters change to those used within a second geofence when a member of the first geofence crosses into the second geofence. Therefore, even though a particular member of the first geofence may not have crossed over the second geofence, the particular member will still have their radio parameters changed to those in use within the second geofence if a member of the first geofence has crossed the second geofence.
US09615206B1 System, method, and computer program for determining geo-location of user equipment for a subscriber that is in simultaneous communication with a cellular network and a Wi-Fi network
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for determining geo-location of one or multiple User Equipment, that belong to the same subscriber subscription, that collectively are in simultaneous communication with a Cellular network and a Wi-Fi network. In use, it is determined that a subscriber utilizing at least one User Equipment is in simultaneous communication with at least one Cellular network and at least one Wi-Fi network. Cellular network measurement data associated with the at least one User Equipment is received. Additionally, Wi-Fi network measurement data associated with the at least one User Equipment is received. Further, the Cellular network measurement data and the Wi-Fi network measurement data are correlated to generate correlated measurement data associated with the at least one User Equipment. Moreover, the correlated measurement data is utilized to determine the geo-location of the at least one User Equipment, utilizing at least one geo-location determination algorithm and/or method, including and not limited to triangulation and correlation to Radio Frequency fingerprint.
US09615205B2 Network service of a cellular communication network covering a geographical area
A method for providing a network service of a cellular communication network covering a geographical area for a plurality of mobile terminals, the method comprising: defining a grid covering at least a part of the geographical area with grid fields, framed by grid lines and spaced by a grid spacing; providing grid information comprising reference point information and information on said grid spacing, generating crossing information in response to one of the plurality of mobile terminals crossing one grid line, based on said grid information and on position information of the at least one mobile terminal, and keeping grid field information for at least one grid field comprising identification information of the one mobile terminal when inside the one grid field based on said crossing information.
US09615201B2 Closed communication system
A system is described herein that includes mobile communication devices and a cellular base station to communicate with a telecommunication network. The mobile communication devices access telephony service through the cellular base station when inside a geofence. The mobile communication devices determine whether they are inside the geofence based on distances from proximity beacons. When outside of the geofence, the mobile communication devices are prevented from accessing telephony service through the cellular base station. When inside the geofence, the mobile communication devices may access telephony service through the cellular base station. The mobile communication devices may only make and receive calls from mobile communication devices of a specific other system. When a call is received at the system, the mobile communication devices of the system are rung. To enable this, a serving call session control function of the telecommunication network forks a call directed to the system.
US09615200B2 Distributed cellular client tracking
A first cellular client determines its geographic location from a second cellular client. As part of this determination, the first cellular client disables its cellular functionality. The first cellular client receives a first identifier from the second cellular client by way of a non-cellular connection. The first identifier is related to a first antenna of a cellular service-provider. The first cellular client tracks its location based on the first identifier.
US09615196B2 NFC device configuration after device power up
A NFC tag includes an NFC controller, with a secure element coupled to the NFC controller. The secure element is to send first configuration data to the NFC controller and not second configuration data. The first configuration data comprises data to be used by the NFC controller to generate responses to initial polling and anti-collision commands from an external NFC device and not data to be used by the NFC controller in processing a command from the external NFC device involving the use of an upper layer protocol. The second configuration data comprises data to be used by the NFC controller in processing a command involving the use of an upper layer protocol from the external NFC device.
US09615187B2 Audio signal verification for video/audio production equipment
Audio signal verification methods and apparatus for video/audio production equipment are disclosed. An audio signal and a video signal are input into production equipment. The audio signal has one or more known frequencies, and the video signal has a known video frame to which the audio signal is to be synchronized by the equipment. Based on the known frequency or frequencies and a frequency or frequencies of an output audio signal that is output by the equipment with the video frame, a determination can be made as to whether the output audio signal corresponds to the input audio signal. Respective values could be assigned to a number of frequencies, to enable values to be encoded in the input audio signal. The correspondence determination could then be made based on whether the values encoded by frequencies in the output audio signal match the values encoded in the input audio signal.
US09615185B2 Dynamic sound adjustment
Among other things, one or more non-transitory machine-readable media storing instructions are described. The stored instructions are executable by one or more processing devices to perform operations comprising analyzing an effect of noise in a spatial unit on sound in the spatial unit, at least part of the sound being produced by audio signals; selecting an adjustment curve among a group of adjustment curves based on one or more characteristics of the noise; and determining an amount of adjustment to be made to the audio signals based on the analyzed effect and the selected adjustment curve.
US09615184B2 Hearing system for estimating a feedback path of a hearing device
The application relates to a hearing system comprising a hearing device (HD), and a programming device (PD), and a feedback path analyzer (FPA) for providing an estimate of a feedback path from an output transducer to an input transducer of the hearing device. The hearing device (HD) and the programming device (PD) each comprises a programming interface (PI, PD-PI) allowing the exchange of data between the devices. The feedback path analyzer (FPA) is located in the programming device (PD), and the hearing device (HD) comprises respective input (IBUF) and output (OBUF) buffers for storing corresponding input and output time segments of the electric input signal or a signal derived therefrom and of the processed output signal or a signal derived therefrom, respectively. The hearing device (HD)—in a specific feedback measurement mode—is configured to transmit said stored input and output time segments of the respective signals to the feedback path analyzer (FPA) of the programming device (PD) via said programming interface (PI, PD-PI), and the feedback path analyzer (FPA) is configured to determine said estimate of the feedback path based on said (stored) input and output time segments. Thereby a more accurate estimation and/or a shorter measurement time can be achieved. The invention may e.g. be used for the fitting of hearing devices, e.g. hearing aids, to a particular use or user.
US09615183B2 Method and apparatus for tagging patient sessions for fitting hearing aids
The present subject matter relates generally to the method and apparatus for storing tags during a fitting session. The tags may be used to store information useful for an audiologist, a manufacturer of hearing aids, and a manufacturer of fitting software. The software adapted to provide searching based on tags. The software able to provide pre-programmed tags for use by the user. In various applications the software programmable to automatically generate tags upon occurrence of one or more conditions.
US09615179B2 Hearing assistance
A system and a method of indicating the reception of voice in a hearing assistance system that is constructed and arranged to assist a user to better hear the voice of another person. The hearing assistance system includes a detector that is capable of determining whether or not speech has been received by the hearing assistance system. In response to detecting the reception of the voice of another person by the hearing assistance system, the reception of the voice of another person by the hearing assistance system is visually indicated.
US09615178B2 Sound generator
A sound generator includes a housing (20), a piezoelectric vibrator (60) including a piezoelectric element (61), at least a portion of the piezoelectric vibrator (60) protruding from the housing (20), and an anchor (10) applying a load to the piezoelectric vibrator (60). A portion or all of the piezoelectric vibrator (60) withdraws into the housing (20) under a force of a predetermined load or greater. While the load from the anchor (10) is being applied to the piezoelectric vibrator (60), the piezoelectric vibrator (60) deforms in response to a sound signal, and deformation of the piezoelectric vibrator (60) vibrates a contact surface contacted by the piezoelectric vibrator (60), causing sound to be emitted from the contact surface.
US09615174B2 Arrangement and method for identifying and compensating nonlinear vibration in an electro-mechanical transducer
The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for converting an input signal v into an output signal p(ra) by using an electro-mechanical transducer and for reducing nonlinear total distortion pd in said output signal p(ra), whereas the nonlinear total distortion pd contains multi-modal distortion ud which are generated by nonlinear partial vibration of mechanical transducer components. An identification system generates distributed parameters Pd of a nonlinear wave model (Nd) and lumped parameters Pl of a network model (Nl) based on electrical, mechanical or acoustical state variables of transducer measured by a sensor. The nonlinear wave model distinguishes between activation modes and transfer modes, whereas the activation modes affect the transfer modes, which transfer the input signal u into the output signal p. A control system synthesizes based on the physical modeling and identified parameters Pd and Pl nonlinear distortion signals vd and vl which are supplied with the input signal v to the transducer and compensate for the distortion signals ul and ud generated by the transducer nonlinearities.
US09615170B2 Approach for partially preserving music in the presence of intelligible speech
An audio processing system for a listening device includes an input device, a voice activity detector and a ratio-based attenuator. The input device is configured to receive a first audio signal emanating from an environment and including a signal of interest. The voice activity detector is configured to generate a control signal in response to the first audio signal. The ratio-based attenuator is configured to receive the control signal and determine whether the signal level of the first audio signal exceeds the signal level of an audio signal received from an audio playback device by at least a target difference. If so, then the audio level of the playback audio signal is maintained. Otherwise, the audio level of the playback audio signal is adjusted, where, at the adjusted value, the first signal level exceeds the playback signal level by at least the target difference.
US09615163B1 Smart bass reflex loudspeaker
A loudspeaker port may include tunable physical components to tune the port to different frequencies to improve speaker efficiency at those frequencies. The ports may be activated by at least partly opening associated shutters, or disabled by closing the associated shutters. Activated ports may enhance speaker efficiency in a frequency range. However, activated ports may also introduce sound artifacts, thereby reducing sound quality. Therefore, the ports may be disabled when appropriate to reduce their negative impact to sound quality. A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) may determine the frequency components of a played sound to determine when to open the ports and how to tune the ports. Accordingly, a loudspeaker may benefit from the improved efficiency facilitated by the ports while also avoiding typical drawbacks created by the ports.
US09615162B2 Earphone with inverse sound waves
The earphone with inverse sound waves includes an earphone housing, a high frequency driver, and a low frequency driver. The earphone housing includes an inner space, a sound output portion, and a reflecting portion. The reflecting portion receives a passive diaphragm. The high frequency driver produces high frequency sound waves and has a sound output direction toward the sound output opening. The low frequency driver is mounted in the inner space of the earphone housing by a mounting brace. The low frequency driver is located between the high frequency driver and the passive diaphragm. A sound transmitting portion is formed between the mounting brace and the earphone housing. The low frequency driver produces low frequency sound waves and has a sound output direction toward the passive diaphragm. The passive diaphragm reflects the low frequency sound waves to the sound output opening via the sound transmitting portion.
US09615160B1 Earphone system with retractable cables
The earphone system with retractable cables includes a Y-shaped housing including a first earphone, a first cable winding take-up reel, a first cable connected to the first earphone and the first take-up reel, a second earphone, a second cable winding take-up reel, a second cable connected to the second earphone and the second cable winding take-up reel, a plug-in connector, a third cable winding take-up reel, and a third cable connected to the plug-in connector and the third cable winding take-up reel. The three take-up reels are disposed non-coaxially in the housing, for independently spooling the respective first cable, second cable, and third cable. The housing can include a Bluetooth module and a microphone. The third cable can be electrically connected to the earbuds and the microphone to carry audio signals to and from the earphone system when the plug-in connector is plugged into a mobile device.
US09615155B2 Speaker apparatus and speaker box
A speaker apparatus comprises a speaker box SB in which a speaker 51(or 52) is placed, as well as a bass reflex port 22 (or 23), an electric circuit device 40 and a drip-proof wall 16 placed in the speaker box SB. One end of the bass reflex port 22 is open outside the speaker box SB while other end of the bass reflex port 22 is open in the speaker box SB. The drip-proof wall 16 isolates the electric circuit device 40 from the other end of the bass reflex port 22 so that the speaker apparatus can prevent water droplets intruding into the speaker box SB through the bass reflex ports 22 from reaching the electric circuit device 40.
US09615154B2 Terminal having speaker and method of manufacturing the same
A terminal includes a first upper carrier including a speaker grill housed as a separate piece in a penetrating hole formed at one surface, and a second upper carrier having an antenna pattern in at least one surface and being coupled to one end of the first upper carrier. A method of manufacturing a terminal having a speaker device, comprises forming a penetrating hole to house the speaker device at one surface of a first upper carrier, coupling a speaker grill to the penetrating hole, forming an antenna pattern at one surface of a second upper carrier separated from the first upper carrier and coupling the first upper carrier and the second upper carrier.
US09615152B2 Optical element and light receiving device
An optical element includes: a polarization splitter that splits light input from an input port into a first signal and a second signal according to a plane of polarization; a polarization rotator that rotates a plane of polarization of the second signal output from the polarization splitter by 90 degrees; a first optical coupler that combines the first signal output from the polarization splitter and the second signal output from the polarization rotator and splits the resultant signal into a third signal and a fourth signal with an equal amplitude; a phase controller that controls a phase of the third signal; and a second optical coupler that combines the third signal output from the phase controller and the fourth signal output from the first optical coupler and splits the resultant signal into a fifth signal and a sixth signal with an equal amplitude.
US09615150B2 Communication device and smart meter
One embodiment is a communication device in which different wireless systems whose frequency bands are close to each other are installed. For a first wireless system, a first antenna using a first frequency band is provided. For a second wireless system, a second antenna using a second frequency band is provided. The first frequency band is set in a range wider than the second frequency band. The second frequency band is included in a part of the range of the first frequency band. An imaginary surface extending along the first antenna and an imaginary surface extending along the second antenna cross each other on their extension lines.
US09615149B1 Process interface including wireless multi-loop single hop device
A process interface device for a process facility running a physical process includes a multi-loop current junction box including an analog front end (AFE) having a signal path including an input node, an output node, and an internal current sensor for each current loop. Respective input nodes receive analog current sensing signals (sensing signals) originating from each field devices within the process facility. An analog to digital converter (ADC) has inputs coupled across an output of the internal current sensor device. A wireless single hop device (WSH device) includes a processor and a wireless transmitter, wherein an input of the WSH device is coupled by a communications bus to receive respective outputs generated by the ADC being digitized versions of sensed ones of the sensing signals (sensed sensing signals). The WSH device is for wirelessly multiplex transmitting the sensed sensing signals for remote monitoring of the current loops.
US09615146B2 Method and apparatus for managing conference calls
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to retrieve from an address book a communication identifier for each of a plurality of participants, determine from the address book a conferencing type for each of the plurality of participants, and initiate according to the conference type and the communication identifier of each participant a Voice over Internet Protocol conference call directed to communication devices of the plurality of participants. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09615144B2 Methods and systems for handling advertisements during a trick play mode
Various arrangements for handling broadcast of advertiser content are presented. A plurality of frames of an advertisement may be analyzed for an advertiser-specific graphical identifier. A frame of the plurality of frames may be selected based on the advertiser-specific graphical identifier being present. The broadcast content may be encoded into a format for transmission to a plurality of television receivers. Encoding may include defining the frame selected from the plurality of frames such that the frame can be decoded independently of other frames of the plurality of frames. A subset of the plurality of frames may require decoding of the selected frame to be performed prior to decoding of any individual frame of the subset of frames.
US09615139B2 Determining device that performs processing of output pictures
A system and method for determining the characteristics of a device coupled to a client device are disclosed. A method, according to one embodiment, includes driving a display device with a first video output signal formatted according to a first video interface specification; responsive to driving the display device, soliciting user input based on information included in the first video output signal; determining a characteristic of the display device based on the user input; and driving the display device according to the determined characteristic.
US09615137B2 Associating information with electronic program guide entries
An information processor determines what media content is currently and/or could be displayed on a primary viewing screen. The information processor then mines other sources of information to obtain associated information. This information can then be accessed by a user as raw data and/or further processed by the information processor and then accessed by the user. Typically, the associated information is displayed on a secondary screen. This allows, for example, an electronic programming guide to be enhanced with additional information.
US09615136B1 Video classification
The present technology may identify item category affinities by identifying a plurality of classifications of an item. An accuracy of the plurality of classifications relative to one another for the item may be identified. A category affinity of the item may be determined based on the accuracy of the plurality of classifications relative to one another.
US09615135B2 Devices and method for recommending content to users using a character
An information processing device includes: a recommendation information obtaining section obtaining information on a recommended content to be recommended to a user for viewing, the information being information transmitted from an external device or information stored in a predetermined storage area in advance; and a character display section displaying a predetermined character on a screen, and displaying information indicating that the character has interest in the recommended content on the screen.
US09615133B2 Control module of multimedia device and method for controlling multimedia device to generate image data required by display module
A control module of a multimedia device for generating display data required by a display module is provided. The control module includes: a signal receiving and analyzing unit, configured to receive a first signal to accordingly generate a pre-boot command, and to receive a second signal to accordingly generate a boot command; and a processor, configured to perform a pre-boot process according to the pre-boot signal to generate the image data, to enter a waiting mode when the pre-boot process is complete, and to exit the waiting mode according to the boot command. The image data is not used to display an image by the display module when the processor remains in the waiting mode.
US09615126B2 Intelligent buffering of media streams delivered over internet
A method and computing device for intelligently pre-buffering at access points in an adaptive or scalable stream to optimize trick-play support. The method receives a multimedia content stream from a multimedia content server as a series of segments, each segment including a key frame and corresponding to a predicted seek position in the multimedia content stream, where the multimedia content server delivers at least two versions of each segment, each version reconstructed from at least one encoded component of the multimedia content stream, the versions varying a characteristic of the multimedia content stream. The method determines a likelihood of receiving a seek request from a user to move from a current playout position to one of the predicted seek positions, and determines a size of a buffer for each version of each segment in the multimedia content stream based on the likelihood of receiving the seek request.
US09615125B2 Method of data management for efficiently storing and retrieving data to respond to user access requests
A method of data management for efficiently storing and retrieving data in response to user access requests. The method includes receiving a request from at least one client for a title not resident in a storage server, where the title includes a play track having a plurality of chapters. The retrieval from a secondary storage device of play track portions proximate chapter delineation points is initiated, and bandwidth capacity and quality-of-service (QoS) parameters associated with the secondary storage device is determined. In the case of a client request to begin presentation of the title at one of the chapters, streaming of retrieved portions of the play track chapter to the client is initiated, masking latency associated with the secondary storage device is provided, and retrieval of at least unretrieved portions of the play track chapter and subsequent play track portions from the secondary storage device is initiated.
US09615123B2 Video playing device, method of controlling the video playing device, and video playing system
A video playing device, a method of controlling the video playing device, and a video playing system are provided. The video playing device includes a display configured to display a video and a caption, and a controller configured to set a synchronization period in which the video is repeatedly played, and to synchronize a time point of displaying the caption with the video during the synchronization period.
US09615110B2 Method of decoding moving pictures in intra prediction
A method of decoding an image is disclosed. The method comprises deriving an intra prediction mode; generating reference pixels if there exist unavailable reference pixels of a current block; determining whether reference pixels of the current block are filtered or not based on the intra prediction mode and a size of the current block; selecting a filter using the size of the current block and difference between reference pixels and filtering the reference pixels of the current block using the selected filter if it is determined that the reference pixels of the current block are filtered; and generating the prediction block according to the intra prediction mode.
US09615100B2 Second-order orthogonal spatial intra prediction
Second-order orthogonal spatial intra-prediction may include generating a reconstructed frame by generating a plurality of reconstructed blocks by decoding a portion of the current encoded frame, generating a decoded residual block by decoding a current block from the current encoded frame, identifying a current pixel location in the current block, identifying reconstructed pixels in respective reconstructed blocks, wherein first and second reconstructed pixels are at respective oblique angle to the current pixel location, and a third reconstructed pixel at the second oblique angle to the first reconstructed pixel or at the first oblique angle to the second reconstructed pixel, determining a predictor pixel for the current pixel location using a difference between the third reconstructed pixel and a sum of the first reconstructed pixel and the second reconstructed pixel, and identifying a reconstructed pixel as a sum of the predictor pixel and a corresponding residual pixel.
US09615098B1 Adaptive resolution transcoding for optimal visual quality
An adaptive resolution transcoding system and method adaptively transcodes a source video with an optimized resolution and visual quality based on the video coding complexity (VCC) of the source video. The transcoding system is configured to receive a source video in its native format, and to obtain the video coding complexity score of the source video from a video coding complexity engine. The transcoding system is further configured to set a resolution adjustment level based on the complexity score. Based on the resolution adjustment level, the transcoding system determines an optimal output resolution for the source video for each video output format supported by the transcoding system. Responsive to a user selection of video output format, the transcoding system determines an optimal output resolution for the source video and encodes the source video with the determined optimal output resolution.
US09615097B2 Method of deriving motion information
A method is provided for reconstructing video data using a merge mode. A merge list is constructed using available spatial and temporal merge candidates. A merge candidate on the merge list corresponding to a merge index is determined as motion information of a current prediction unit;. A predicted block of the current prediction unit is generated using the motion information. A transformed block is generated by inverse-quantizing a block of quantized coefficients using a quantization parameter. A residual block is generated by inverse-transforming the transformed block. A reconstructed block is generated using the predicted block and the residual block.
US09615094B2 Apparatus for decoding an image
Provided is an apparatus for decoding an image that adaptively filters reference pixels according to an intra prediction mode and a size of a prediction block, and generates the prediction block according to the intra prediction mode. When the reference pixels for a second directional intra prediction mode are filtered, the reference pixels for a first directional intra prediction mode, that is closer to an intra prediction mode having a direction of 45° with reference to a horizontal mode than the second directional intra prediction mode is, are also filtered. The first and the second intra prediction modes exist between the horizontal mode and the intra prediction mode having the direction of 45° with reference to the horizontal mode. The number of intra prediction modes in which the filter is applied increases as the size of the prediction block increases.
US09615091B2 Motion picture encoding/decoding apparatus, and method and apparatus for hybrid block motion compensation/overlapped block motion compensation for same
A hybrid block motion compensation/adaptive overlapped block motion compensation apparatus for an encoding apparatus includes: a selector for selecting between a block motion compensation BMC and an overlapped block motion compensation OBMC with respect to a current block in units of pixels according to a set criterion; an adaptive motion compensator; a scan mode setter for scanning the current block in a plurality of set scan modes and establishing a scan mode causing a smallest number of transitions between the BMC and OBMC; and an information recorder for recording transition information at locations of the pixels corresponding to the transitions between the BMC and OBMC. A decoding apparatus is disclosed including: an interpreter for scan mode information of a current block and information about transitions between the BMC and OBMC for each of pixels of the current block; and an adaptive motion compensator for operating in units of the pixels.
US09615090B2 Parsing syntax elements in three-dimensional video coding
When a current view is a dependent texture view, a current coding unit (CU) is not intra coded, and a partitioning mode of the current CU is equal to PART_2N×2N, a video coder obtains, from a bitstream that comprises an encoded representation of the video data, a weighting factor index for the current CU, wherein the current CU is in a picture belonging to a current view. When the current view is not a dependent texture view, or the current CU is intra coded, or the partitioning mode of the current CU is not equal to PART_2N×2N, the video decoder assumes that the weighting factor index is equal to a particular value that indicates that residual prediction is not applied with regard to the current CU.
US09615087B2 Method for processing a compressed video stream
For a compressed video stream formed of a sequence of compressed data packets, each compressed packet is assigned to a frame by processing the undecoded data packet. A frame includes packets. A first plurality of frames is assigned to a first sliding window and a second plurality of frames is assigned to a second sliding window. The first and second sliding windows have different frames. A first window indicator is calculated by determining a first indicator representing an average number of packets per frame within the first window, and/or a second indicator representing size information of the data within the first window. A second window indicator is calculated by determining a third indicator representing an average number of packets per frame within the second window, and/or a fourth indicator representing size information of the data within the second window. The first and the second window indicators are compared.
US09615077B2 Display apparatus and a method of driving the same
A display device includes a display panel including pixels, a frame rate convertor to separate an input image signal into left and right-eye image signals and output the left-eye image signal as first and second left-eye image signals and the right-eye image signal as first and second right-eye image signals, a timing controller to convert the first and second left-eye image signals into first and second left-eye output image signals according to locations of the display panel where the first and second left-eye image signals are displayed and the first and second right-eye image signals into first and second right-eye output image signals according to locations of the display panel where the first and second right-eye image signals are displayed, and a data driver to drive the pixels in response to the first and second left-eye output image signals and the first and second right-eye output image signals.
US09615074B2 Method for generating translation image and portable electronic apparatus thereof
A method for generating a translation image includes first and second lenses capturing first and second images toward an object respectively, an image processing device calculating a depth of field of a pixel in the first image relative to the first lens according to a first vertical viewing angle between the pixel in the first image and the first lens, a second vertical viewing angle between a corresponding pixel in the second image and the second lens, and a distance between the first and second lenses, the image processing device calculating a horizontal viewing angle between the pixel in the first image and the first lens according to the depth of field, coordinates of the pixel in the first image, and the distance, and the image processing device generating a translation image according to the coordinates of the pixel, the depth of field, the distance, and the horizontal viewing angle.
US09615073B2 Method and apparatus for context-aware automatic zooming of a video sequence
A computer implemented method and apparatus for context-aware automatic zooming of a video sequence. The method comprises receiving a command to alter a selected video clip of a video sequence visualized on a timeline display; automatically adjusting a timeline display representative of the video sequence to a calculated zoom level, wherein the zoom level allows visualization of editable content in the timeline display; receiving an indication that the altering operation is completed; and automatically resetting the timeline display representative of the video sequence to an original zoom level.
US09615071B2 Method and apparatus for tuning camera correction setting for camera module
A camera tuning circuit has a first storage space, a second storage space and a controller. The first storage space stores a first reference camera correction setting for a reference camera module under a first color temperature. The second storage space stores a second reference camera correction setting for the reference camera module under a second color temperature, wherein the second color temperature is different from the first color temperature. The controller receives a default camera correction setting of a target camera module, the first reference camera correction setting, and the second reference camera correction setting, and generates a tuned camera correction setting for the target camera module according to the default camera correction setting, the first reference camera correction setting, and the second reference camera correction setting.
US09615064B2 Tracking moving objects using a camera network
Techniques are described for tracking moving objects using a plurality of security cameras. Multiple cameras may capture frames that contain images of a moving object. These images may be processed by the cameras to create metadata associated with the images of the objects. Frames of each camera's video feed and metadata may be transmitted to a host computer system. The host computer system may use the metadata received from each camera to determine whether the moving objects imaged by the cameras represent the same moving object. Based upon properties of the images of the objects described in the metadata received from each camera, the host computer system may select a preferable video feed containing images of the moving object for display to a user.
US09615061B2 System and method for creating and presenting composite video-on-demand content
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for the dynamic creation and presentation of user-specified VOD content consisting of multiple VOD clips as a passive viewing experience. For one embodiment, a user selects a set of VOD clips from a list or other selection presentation and the selected VOD clips are presented back-to-back. For one embodiment of the invention, the user may reorder the presentation sequence of the selected VOD clips. Embodiments of the invention thereby allow a user to dynamically create and present a user-specific, passive viewing presentation.
US09615060B1 Secure nonscheduled video visitation system
Described are methods and systems in which the censorship and supervision tasks normally performed by secured facility personnel are augmented or automated entirely by a Secure Nonscheduled Video Visitation System. In embodiments, the Secure Nonscheduled Video Visitation System performs voice biometrics, speech recognition, non-verbal audio classification, fingerprint and other biometric authentication, image object classification, facial recognition, body joint location determination analysis, and/or optical character recognition on the video visitation data. The Secure Nonscheduled Video Visitation utilizes these various analysis techniques in concert to determine if all rules and regulations enforced by the jurisdiction operation the secured facility are being followed by the parties to the video visitation session.
US09615050B2 Topology preserving intensity binning on reduced resolution grid of adaptive weighted cells
An image sensor and a pre-processing circuit adapted to associate weights respectively with cells of a grid. The cells respectively may include multiple contiguous picture elements of the image sensor. The pre-processing circuit may be configured to adaptively change the weights responsive to changes in the scene being imaged by the image sensor. The number of the cells per distance on the surface of the image sensor may be substantially less than the resolution of the image sensor. The cells which share the same weights may specify a region of interest on the image sensor.
US09615049B2 Video multiviewer system providing direct video data transfer to graphics processing unit (GPU) memory and related methods
A video multiviewer system may include a video input/output (I/O) controller, a system memory, and a graphics processing unit (GPU) comprising a GPU memory. The system may further include a central processing unit (CPU) for operating the video I/O controller to transfer video data to the GPU memory via direct memory access (DMA) without being stored in the system memory, and a display for displaying multiple video windows based upon video data in the GPU memory.
US09615035B2 Competitive photo rig
A specialized multi-smartphone rig is configured to simultaneously hold and operate multiple camera-equipped smartphones to enable capture of the same image by each camera under identical conditions using a single shutter release button on the rig. Because smartphones typically vary in how much time they use to process user input, custom native applications (“apps”) are installed on each smartphone to enable the cameras to operate in a synchronized manner. When the button is actuated, a signal is received at a microcontroller which hosts a server. The shutter release signal is passed to the server which, in turn, sends individual control signals to the custom native apps according to a timing model. When the custom native apps receive their respective control signals, they trigger their respective smartphone cameras to operate so that all the photos are captured in parallel across the rig at the same time.
US09615032B2 Imaging apparatus with scene adaptive auto exposure compensation
A method adjusts an auto exposure target in an auto-exposure operation on a sequence of images, such as a sequence of infrared images. The method comprises: obtaining a histogram of at least one of the images; applying a weighted histogram table to the histogram to obtain weighted histogram bins wherein at least some bins in the histogram containing saturated pixels are assigned a higher weighting value and at least some bins in the histogram containing unsaturated pixels are assigned a lower weighting value, and summing the weighted histogram bins to obtain a saturation score and decreasing an auto exposure target for an auto exposure operation when the saturation score exceeds a first threshold value, and increasing the auto-exposure target when the saturation score is below the first threshold value and the image is underexposed.
US09615028B2 Method of displaying a pathological microscopic image, an information processing apparatus, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and an information processing system
A method of displaying a pathological microscopic image is provided. The method includes causing a display device to display a first area and a second area of a microscopic image, wherein the first area of the microscopic image is configured to be displayed in a first resolution and the second area of the microscopic image is configured to be displayed in a second resolution, and wherein the first resolution is lower than the second resolution; and causing the display device to display a first part of the first area in a first color different from an intrinsic color of the microscopic image, wherein the first part of the first area corresponds to the second area of the microscopic image, and wherein the first color includes one or more colors. An information processing apparatus, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and an information processing system are also provided.
US09615024B1 Multi-resolution compressive sensing image processing
Systems and methods are provided for constructing a multi-resolution image from a set of compressive measurements representing a compressed version of a single native resolution image. In one aspect, compressive sense measurements are retrieved that were generated using a compressive sensing matrix and represent a compressed version of a single native resolution image of a scene. Dimensions of a desired two-dimensional, multi-resolution image are determined, and a plurality of regions is allocated, each allocated region having a respective resolution. An expansion matrix is defined to map the resolution of each allocated region to the native resolution, and a multi-resolution image of the scene is constructed using the compressive sense measurements, the compressive sensing matrix, and the defined expansion matrices. In various aspects, a full resolution or other multi-resolution images may be constructed from the same compressive measurements without regenerating new compressive measurements.
US09615014B2 Portable device controlling unmanned aerial vehicle and method of controlling therefor
The present specification relates to a portable device controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle and a method of controlling therefor. According to one embodiment, a method of controlling a portable device controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle capturing an image includes the steps of obtaining first image information of a target object using a camera unit, transmitting a capture control signal controlling image capture for the target object to the unmanned aerial vehicle, receiving second image information of the target object captured based on the capture control signal from the unmanned aerial vehicle and generating a 3D image corresponding to the target object using the first image information and the second image information.
US09615012B2 Using a second camera to adjust settings of first camera
A device may operate a first image-capture system to capture first image data of a scene. While the first image-capture system is capturing the first image data, the device may operate a second image-capture system to determine an updated value for the first image setting, and send an instruction to the first image-capture system that indicates to use the updated value for the first image setting to continue to capture the first image data.
US09615009B1 Dynamically adjusting a light source within a real world scene via a light map visualization manipulation
A light source within a real world scene can be identified. The light source can be associated with a one or more attributes. The light source can emit light to illuminate the real world scene. The attributes can include intensity, wavelength, and/or orientation. A live view of the real world scene can be presented within an interface of a computing device. The attributes associated with the light source can be determined. A light map for the light source within the real world scene can be computed. The light map can be a graphical visualization of an approximation of a propagation of light emanating from the light source within the scene.
US09615006B2 Infrared camera systems and methods for facilitating target position acquisition
Infrared camera systems and related methods for facilitating target position acquisition are provided for various applications. For example, a system may include a portable imaging/viewing subsystem having a target position finder and may also include a fixed mount camera subsystem having a camera and a camera positioner. A communications link may be configured to communicate a signal from the target position finder to the camera positioner. The signal may be representative of a position of a target being imaged/viewed with the portable imaging/viewing subsystem. The camera positioner may aim the camera toward the target in response to the signal. The target may, for example, be a man overboard. Thus, the system and related method may be useful in search and rescue operations.
US09615005B1 IC (InCognito) camera
This invention relates to a movable reflective device that allows a user to use a mobile phone camera in an inconspicuous manner. Further, the movable reflective device is adapted to hide a camera of a mobile device while capturing an image or video. Further, the movable reflective device includes a mobile device case and an optical sliding assembly which is removably attached to the case of the mobile device.
US09615002B2 Synchronization of haptic effect data in a media transport stream
A method for synchronizing haptic effects with at least one media component in a media transport stream includes identifying a series of video frames containing imaging information and/or a series of audio frames containing sound information in the media transport stream; identifying a series of haptic frames containing force feedback information in the media transport stream; and synchronizing the force feedback information in response to the imaging information and/or sound information.
US09614994B2 Image reading apparatus and image reading system
Provided is an image reading apparatus including a first image reading unit which reads a surface of a medium which is transported along a transport path; a second image reading unit which reads a surface of the medium once the medium is mounted on a medium reading surface; and an opening/closing member switch between a closed position and an opened position with respect to the medium reading surface, in which at least a part of the medium reading surface overlaps at least a part of the first image reading unit in an apparatus height direction. In addition, at least a part of the opening/closing member overlaps at least a part of the first image reading unit in the apparatus height direction.
US09614991B2 Image printing apparatus and method for controlling an image printing apparatus
An image printing apparatus including a communication interface, a printer, a user interface including an operation panel, a controller configured to control the printer and the user interface is provided. The controller is configured to receive preliminary data sent from an information processing apparatus through the communication interface; control the printer to perform a warm-up action; receive job data including image data through the communication interface; control the user interface to perform a receipt-notification and control the printer to start printing based on the image data; during a period from the receipt of the preliminary data until start of receiving the job data, withhold from accepting a cancellation command sent in response to user entering a cancellation operation; and after the start of receiving the job data, accept the cancellation command and cancel printing of the image based on the job data associated with to the entered cancellation command.
US09614980B1 Handling insufficient account balance of subscribers
A system, method, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for handling insufficient account balance of subscribers in a mobile communications network is disclosed. A request for communication is received from a mobile station. A determination is made as to whether a subscriber of the mobile station has an insufficient account balance. If the subscriber has an insufficient account balance, the request is withheld and the mobile station is notified by a short message.
US09614978B2 Roaming support for software defined networking architecture in mobile network
A software defined networking controller can be provided to manage sharing of information relating to roaming requests for mobile devices that are roaming on visited networks. The software defined networking controller can be a sub-instance of a main software defined networking controller that manages traffic within the home network, and the software defined networking controller can sit at the edge of the home network and control edge routing elements. The edge software defined networking controller may communicate with roaming partner's edge software defined networking controller and/or with the roaming interconnect operator's software defined networking controller to exchange roaming related information.
US09614971B2 Intelligent end user devices for clearinghouse services in an internet telephony system
Clearinghouse services architectures that support the use of end user devices, such as personal computers, Internet Protocol (IP) phones, cable multimedia terminal adapters, and residential gateways, in an Internet telephony system. The innovative architectures include a proxy-based system model, a direct communication model, and a hybrid proxy/direct communication model. A user can operate an “intelligent” end user device. i.e., a device running a client program with knowledge of the architecture particulars, to access a clearinghouse service on an IP network. This enables the user to communicate a telephony call over the IP network and via the combination of a terminating gateway identified by the clearinghouse service and the Public Switched Telephone Network.
US09614965B2 Electronic device and method for transmitting voice messages
A method of transmitting voice messages using a first electronic device includes receiving a phone number of a second electronic device using an input device of the first electronic device. A voice messages of a user is recorded, and based on the voice messages, an audio file is obtained by encoding the voice messages using voice encoding methods. A communication is established between the first electronic device and the second electronic device by dialing the phone number of the second electronic device. when the communication between the first electronic device and the second electronic device is established, audio communication signals of the audio file are acquired by encoding the audio file, and the audio communication signals are inserted into an input port of a voice communication channel of the first electronic device. The audio communication signals are transmitted to the second electronic device through the voice communication channel.
US09614961B2 Contact center system with efficiency analysis tools
An agent efficiency analysis system for a contact center performs analysis and comparisons on where the agents' time is being spent. The system integrates data from multiple systems Automatic Call Distribution, Integrated Voice Response and Work Force Management contact center applications and organizes the data against a standard set of metrics. Statistical trend analysis (long-term and short-term) may be performed.
US09614960B1 Automatic calling list scheduler
An automatic list scheduling (“ALS”) system monitors usage of calling lists by an administrator where the administrator terminates usage of a calling list based on various measured parameters. The ALS system is configure to learn the conditions associated with the measured parameters and, in one embodiment, recommends to the administrator when to terminate use of a current calling list in favor of another list. A learning mode gathers various samples of the measured parameters associated with calling lists, and analyzes the sample to determine a threshold value. Upon monitoring the measured values for subsequent usage of calling lists, the current measured parameters are compared to the threshold value to determine whether to generate a recommendation to the administrator. In one embodiment, the time zone of the called party and the applicable calling window is used to determine whether the current list can continued to be used.
US09614956B2 Providing a phone call which indicates context to a call receiving device
A technique provides a phone call from a caller device operated by a human caller to an answerer device operated by a human answerer. The technique involves receiving a call request from the caller device. The call request includes a call button identifier which uniquely identifies a browser call button which is rendered on the caller device to the caller. The technique further involves identifying a source phone number based on the call button identifier. The technique further involves placing a call communication to the answerer device operated by the human answerer. The call communication indicates the source phone number as a source of the call communication. Accordingly, if the answerer device already has the context of associated with the source phone number already saved (e.g., in a contact list), the answerer device is able to automatically display that context in response to the call.
US09614954B2 Multifunction wireless device
A communication device and system are disclosed for providing communication and data services to residents of a controlled facility. The device can be restricted to communicating only using an internet protocol so as to restrict the device communication to an internal intranet. Wireless access points may be disposed throughout the environment to route calls and data between the device and a central processing center. By converting a protocol of the communications received from the device to a protocol used by the central processing center, minimal modifications to the central processing center are needed to support a wireless communication infrastructure. Many restrictions and safeguards may be implemented within the phone and system in order to prevent improper use.
US09614951B2 Method, apparatus and computer program product for analyzing data associated with proximate devices
An apparatus for analyzing data associated with proximate devices may include a processor. The processor may be configured to detect that a first device is proximate to a second device and receive indications of active data directly from the first device. The processor may also be configured to perform an analysis of the indications of active data and cause a user interface to present results of the analysis. Associated methods and computer program products may also be provided.
US09614946B2 Method of matching operations between vehicular apparatus and portable terminal, vehicle system including vehicular apparatus and portable terminal, portable terminal, and information center
A portable terminal accesses an information center by using an address acquired from vehicular apparatus, requests for transmission of dedicated application operable in OS of the portable terminal, and receives the application from the information center. The dedicated application executed by the portable terminal permits the portable terminal to (i) transmit specific information specifying model of the portable terminal to the information center, (ii) receive, in response, data for matching operations between the vehicular apparatus and the portable terminal, (iii) transmit the received data to the vehicular apparatus, and (iv) receive, in response, an instruction transmitted by the vehicular apparatus, the instruction implementing a function of the portable terminal.
US09614945B1 Anti-noise canceling headset and related methods
Disclosed is a telephone headset that features an antiphase/anti-noise speaker within an anechoic chamber so that noises provided therein can be combated with antiphase noises. In some embodiment, the antiphase/anti-noise speaker can be an exciter. In some embodiments, the headset is designed to include passive and active noise cancellation of a use's voice. Suitably, the headset can be adjusted to fit an inclusive range of head dimensions comfortably, the headsets may connect wirelessly to the user's phone to ensure cable free operation and communication.
US09614943B1 System to interface internet protocol (IP) based wireless devices with subtasks and channels
A method and apparatus in which multiple Internet Protocol (IP) based wireless data transmissions are simultaneously provided between a wireless device and a server, including providing multiple antennas, multiple T/R units, multiple processors and multiple I/O ports on the wireless device. The method includes receiving multiple IP data packets on the I/O ports at substantially the same time, and sending multiple data packets from the wireless device to the server, whereby the transmission rate between the wireless device and the server is increased.
US09614939B2 Network timeouts using intentionally delayed transmissions
A system and method is provided for generating network timeouts by utilizing intentionally delayed message transmissions sent internal to a network controller. For example, according to this system and method a network controller transmits a data message externally over a network and the data message invokes a response network message. The network controller also transmits a timeout message corresponding to the data message; however, the timeout message is intentionally delayed for a predetermined duration of time prior to being internally transmitted. controller host device receives at least one of the response message and the timeout message and determines which is received first. If the timeout message is received, a request associated with the transmitted data message is treated as having timed out.
US09614935B2 Protected control frames
Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications and, more particularly, to protecting control frames with power-related subfields. One example apparatus for wireless communications generally includes a processing system configured to generate a control frame comprising one or more power-related subfields and an integrity check value calculated based, at least in part, on the one or more power-related subfields and a transmitter configured to transmit the control frame. In aspects, a power management (PM) subfield, an end-of-service-period (EOSP) subfield, a more data (MD) subfield, or a traffic identifier (TID) subfield can be added to a group of additional authentication data (AAD) and the integrity check value is calculated based on the group of AAD.
US09614933B2 Method and system of cloud-computing based content management and collaboration platform with content blocks
In one exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method of cloud-computing based content management includes receiving a dynamic content block generated by a first user of a first client application in a first user's computing device. The dynamic content block is stored in a cloud-storage environment. A search query for the dynamic content block by a second client application in a second client's computing device is received. The dynamic content block is provided to the second client application. An update to the dynamic content block by the first user is received. The update to the dynamic content block is automatically synchronizing to the second client application. Optionally, the dynamic content block can be a wit. The dynamic content block can include a reusable portion of user-generated information such as a portion of a sales document or repeatedly used email content. A drag and drop operation from the second client application to another application can be detected.
US09614930B2 Virtual machine mobility using OpenFlow
A method for migrating virtual machines (VMs) that includes creating a temporary storage area. The temporary storage area is created by a controller in a network that is in a first state. The configuration data for a VM is stored in the temporary storage area. The network is provisioned from the first state to a second state. The provisioning is by the controller and based on network locations of a source server and a target server. A message is transmitted to the target server. The message includes a request to migrate the VM from the source server to the target server, and an address of the temporary storage area. It is determined that the migration has completed and the temporary storage area is removed based on the determining that the migrant has completed.
US09614928B1 System and method for communication between networked applications
During communication of a large data message from a client application to a server application, requirements to communicate smaller control messages can arise. To facilitate timely communication of control messages, a client application may include a chunking module that divides a data message into chunks that can be sent as a sequence of individual data message packets. When a control message needs to be sent, the sequence of data message packets can be interrupted to send a control message packet. At the server application, the sequence of message packets is processed so that data message packets are appended to a data message and control messages are extracted for immediate processing.
US09614920B1 Context based group suggestion and creation
A system and method for providing a suggestion to a first user about adding a second user to a social group of the first user based at least in part on the context of an interaction between the first user and the second user. A connection application receives first user and second user activity on the third-party website responsive to authenticating the first user and the second user on the third-party website. The connection application identifies an interaction between the first user and the second user on the third-party website and determines the context for the interaction between the first user and the second user on the third-party website. The connection application identifies a group that the first user created on the social network based on the identified context and provides a suggestion to the first user that the first user add the second user to the group.
US09614918B2 Migration of network connection under mobility
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of migration (e.g., seamless migration) of a network connection under mobility (e.g., host mobility). In various examples, migration (e.g., seamless migration) of a network connection under mobility (e.g., host mobility) may be implemented in the form of systems and/or algorithms.
US09614916B2 Permanent connection oriented communication using parallel single connection circuits
Methods, systems, and techniques for providing a pseudo permanent communications connection using temporary connection protocols are described. Example embodiments provide a Enhanced Communications Layer that provides such connections by means of a layer incorporated in the client side and server side communications stacks. The ECL maintains a pool of connections that are opened and used in a staggered fashion to reduce the amount of connection setup and teardown.
US09614914B2 System comprising a publish/subscribe broker for a remote management of end-user devices, and respective end-user device
The present invention provides a method for sending a message to a network device with a specific MAC address, in an IP network implementing a internet group management protocol IGMP, comprising: sending, by a network terminal, to the network device, a multicast group management status message including a destination address set as the specific MAC address A system comprises a multitude of end-user devices coupled via a broadband connection with a service provider network, a publish/subscribe broker adapted to communicate with the multitude of end-user devices and at least a first back-end entity coupled with the service provider network. The first back-end entity includes a first client software application for connecting to the publish/subscribe broker and publishes control data via a control data channel for a device management of the end-user devices. The end-user devices include a second client software application for connecting to the publish/subscribe broker for subscribing to the control data channel and for receiving the control data, and for publishing device data and action data as instructed by the control data. The backend entity authorization is validated in particular by using a control data signature.
US09614913B2 Providing TTY services in a vehicle
A method and a system for providing TTY services in a vehicle. The method may be carried out by the following steps: (a) providing a vehicle telematics unit configured to receive calls according to a first telecommunication standard and a second telecommunication standard, wherein the second telecommunication standard is newer than the first; (b) receiving an indication that a vehicle user desires to use a TTY device at the vehicle; (c) in response to step (b), switching to the first telecommunication standard until another indication is received indicating the user no longer desires to use the TTY device; and (d) sending or receiving a TTY message from the vehicle using the TTY device via the first telecommunications standard.
US09614911B2 Methods and systems for storage access management
Systems and methods for identifying and correcting storage system inefficiencies are provided. One method includes discovering Logical Unit Number (LUN) information from a network storage system node, the LUN information associated with a first LUN and including an initiator group (IGroup) associated with the first LUN; discovering node information. The node information includes logical interface (LIF) status information. The method includes determining whether LUN access information also comprises a port set associated with the IGroup; combining the LIF status information and the initiator access list of the IGroup to test accessibility of the first LUN, when a port set is not associated with the at least one IGroup; and combining the LIF status information, the initiator access list of the IGroup, and the LIF access list of the port set to test the accessibility of the first LUN, when there is a port set associated with the IGroup.
US09614908B2 Selecting a leader to perform a floor arbitration function for a P2P session
In an embodiment, a P2P device discovers other P2P devices that belong to a P2P group. The P2P device calculates a reachability vector that indicates each discovered P2P device within a threshold number of P2P hops. The P2P device receives reachability vector(s) for each proximate P2P device in a set of proximate P2P devices discovered via the P2P discovery procedure. The P2P device ranks the P2P device and each proximate P2P device in the set of proximate P2P devices based on the calculated and received reachability vectors. The P2P device identifies a leader (e.g., the P2P device itself and/or one or more of the other P2P devices) that is responsible for performing a floor arbitration function for a P2P session from the ranked P2P devices based on the rankings, and participates in the P2P session by exchanging media in accordance with the floor arbitration function performed by the leader.
US09614903B2 Information providing system, apparatus and method for information processing, and computer program product
An information providing system includes the following elements. An IC card stores card ID. An information providing terminal reads out the card ID of the IC card, provides information to the IC card, and transmits the card ID and the information provided to the IC card or the ID of the provided information to a management server. The management server receives the card ID and the information provided to the IC card or the provided information ID from the information providing terminal, has a database to manage the card ID and the provided information such that the card ID is associated with the provided information, acquires the information provided to the IC card from the database in response to an information request from a client terminal, and supplies the provided information to the client terminal. The client terminal displays the provided information supplied from the management server.
US09614901B2 Data infrastructure for providing interconnectivity between platforms, devices, and operating systems
The present invention teaches methods for using a point-and-click interface to allow developers to create visual relationships between APIs and GUI components. Further, the present invention uses interactive machine learning to learn from developer actions. The present invention will assist developers by providing recommendations on how their application should compile to a target platform. Developers may then configure their app and its connection to APIs (device and remote) directly from the present invention's point-and-click interface. The invention also teaches methods for visual recognition of data structures to allow sections of data to be targeted by a system that matches targeted data to a GUI component. The visual recognition system allows any type of data to move between systems and have required protocols applied at run time instead of during development in the way traditional software works.
US09614899B1 System and method for user contributed website scripts
A system and method for managing website scripts includes operations which provide for user contributed website scripts for use by consumer users and computing systems providing services on their behalf. User contributed website scripts are used to periodically gather user data. Following receipt of a user contributed website script, validation operations are performed in order to ensure that the user contributed website script operates properly. Once an initial determination is made that the website script operates properly, award points are awarded to the contributing user, and contribution points are assigned. If performance of the user contributed website script fails after initial acceptance, the number of contribution points associated with the user contributed website script is reduced. If the number of contribution points associated with a user contributed website script falls below a predetermined threshold, the user contributed website script is rendered unavailable for use.
US09614886B2 Method for processing information and server
A method for processing information applied in a server and the corresponding server is described. The method is applied in a server that stores a file set including a plurality of stream media files. The method includes obtaining a transition parameter when a first terminal apparatus accesses a file set when the first terminal apparatus accesses stream media file in the file set; making statistics of transition probability of each stream media file in the file set transiting to the respective stream media files in the file set according to the transition parameter of at least one first terminal apparatus; determining a target stream media file that the first terminal apparatus accesses most frequently in the stream media files in the file set according to the transition probability; and transmitting the target stream media file to a second terminal apparatus.
US09614883B2 Method and device for transmitting uncompressed video streams
The present invention concerns a method and a device of transmitting uncompressed video streams. In particular, the method concerns the adaptation of a wireless transmission to bandwidth reduction and packet loss.There is provided a computer implemented method for sending uncompressed video data, wherein the video data comprises binary video components, the method comprising generating a plurality of SB packets from a group of video components, each SB packet being constituted by bits of the video components grouped according to their significance; determining available bandwidth for transmission and sending the most SB packets to fit the available bandwidth, beginning by the most significant ones, meaning containing the most significant bits of the video components. Accordingly, the best possible quality is obtained according to the available bandwidth.
US09614881B2 Methods and apparatus to monitor a media presentation
Methods and apparatus to monitor a media presentation are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing defining a sleeve dimensioned to receive a monitoring device, the monitoring device to monitor the media presentation. The example apparatus includes a receiver carried by the housing to receive a first modulated audio signal from a media device via a wireless data connection using a wireless communication protocol, the first modulated audio signal associated with the media presentation, the receiver to output a baseband audio signal corresponding to the first modulated audio signal. The example apparatus includes a speaker carried by the housing to emit the baseband audio signal for receipt by the monitoring device within the sleeve. The example apparatus further includes a transmitter carried by the housing to modulate the baseband audio signal to form a second modulated audio signal, the transmitter to transmit the second modulated audio signal to wireless headphones using the wireless communication protocol.
US09614879B2 Method and software for enabling N-way collaborative work over a network of computers
Method, software, and system for efficiently enabling n-way collaborative work using common software over a network of computers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each participant in a collaborative session starts up a common software application, which includes a collaboration component. This collaboration component is used to establish a common session that includes all interested parties. The collaboration component replicates operations performed on any one instance of said application to all other instances participating in the same session, so the effect is as if all members of the session were sharing a single instance of the application on a single computer. In one aspect, the collaboration component also supports broadcast of audio and video over a computer network, to enable session participants to see and/or hear each other, and further includes other features that support collaborative work.
US09614877B2 Method, apparatus and system for web service management
A method and an apparatus for realizing web service. An apparatus having a binary web service interface to communicate with nodes operationally connected to the apparatus using a binary web service, the nodes having one or more resources, the binary web service interface being configured to receive information from a node whenever a resource of a node changes or whenever a pre-configured event regarding a resource occurs. The apparatus also has an interface for communicating with web applications making use of the resources and ap component for receiving subscriptions regarding the information received from the nodes and providing the subscribed information.
US09614873B1 Enforceable launch configurations
Users intending to launch instances or otherwise access virtual resources in a multi-tenant environment can specify a launch configuration. For each type of instance or each type of user, at least one launch configuration is created that includes parameters and values to be used in instantiating an instance of that type, the values being optimized for the current environment and type of instance. Launch configurations can be optimized for different types of users, such as to account for security credentials and access levels. Such an approach enables users to launch instances by contacting the resource provider directly without need for a proxy, which can function as a choke point under heavy load. The use of an appropriate launch configuration can be enforced for any type of user at any level, such as at the sub-net level, by modifying a request that does not specify an appropriate launch configuration.
US09614872B2 Systems and/or methods for managing critical digital assets in power generating plants
Systems and methods are disclosed that implement a coordinated cyber security program for a power generation plant to establish and/or maintain cyber security controls for the power generation plant through a comprehensive life cycle approach.
US09614868B2 System and method for mitigation of denial of service attacks in networked computing systems
In a method of network communication that mitigates denial of service attacks, a server broadcasts cryptographic puzzles with certain time intervals, where each puzzle is only valid for the given time interval. A client receives the puzzle, generates a solution for the puzzle, and sends a network request to the server along with the solution of the puzzle. The server verifies the puzzle solution. If the puzzle solution is valid and received within a designated validity time period, then the server processes the request of the client. The server generates the puzzle and transmits the puzzle to the client before the client generates a request for services from the server.
US09614866B2 System, method and computer program product for sending information extracted from a potentially unwanted data sample to generate a signature
A system, method and computer program product are provided for sending information extracted from a potentially unwanted data sample to generate a signature. In use, information is extracted from a portion of a sample of potentially unwanted data. Further, the information is sent to generate a signature.
US09614860B2 Equipment and network health monitoring using security systems
A monitoring system is continuously coupled to and in communication with a selected network. The system monitors characteristics of the network and characteristics of assets of the network. Removal of assets can be detected and alarm indicating messages can be generated locally at the monitoring system or at a wireless communication device.
US09614858B2 Method and system for remote data access using a mobile device
A system and method for securely storing, retrieving and sharing data using PCs and mobile devices and for controlling and tracking the movement of data to and from a variety of computing and storage devices.
US09614853B2 Session security splitting and application profiler
Intelligent methods of providing online security against hackers, which prevents the hackers from obtaining unauthorized access to secure resources. A first application session established between a first client and a first application of a first host device is detected. The first application is associated with a first plurality of security time limits that divide security for the first application into security tiers. A duration of the first application session established between the first client and the first application is monitored. One or more first security actions are executed against the first application session responsive to the duration of the first application session reaching a security time limit of the first plurality of security time limits. One or more second security actions are executed against the first application session responsive to the duration of the first application session reaching another security time limit of the first plurality of security time limits.
US09614849B2 Handling encoded information
A method comprises a portable device obtaining a graphical encoded information item which is displayed on a display of a computing apparatus, decoding the encoded information from the encoded information item, and transmitting a first message to first server apparatus, the first message including the decoded information and a first identifier identifying the device or a user of the device, wherein the decoded information includes an apparatus identification information item for allowing identification of the computing apparatus, and the first server apparatus receiving the first message from the device, establishing the identity of the user of the device, wherein establishing the identity of the user comprises using the first identifier to determine if the user is registered with the first server apparatus in response to establishing the identity of the user, authorizing the user to access a service, and providing the service to the user via the computing apparatus using the apparatus identification information item or sending a second message to a second server apparatus, the second message including the apparatus identification information item and indicating that the user is authorized to access the service provided by the second server apparatus, the second server apparatus responding to receipt of the second message by providing the service to the user via the computing apparatus using the apparatus identification information item.
US09614843B2 Context-aware adaptive authentication method and apparatus
A context-aware adaptive authentication method may comprise: determining a context for a user; adjusting automatically an authentication configuration for the user based at least in part on the context, wherein different matching accuracies of an authentication algorithm for the same authentication input data are associated with respective authentication configurations; and performing an authentication of the user with the authentication configuration, wherein for the user under a safe context, the authentication is performed by decreasing a matching accuracy of the authentication algorithm.
US09614840B2 Network authentication method and system based on eye tracking procedure
A network authentication method and a system based on an eye tracking procedure are provided. An image capturing unit of a user terminal captures a face image sequence of a user, and transmits the face image sequence to a server terminal such that the server terminal executes an authentication procedure to return an authentication result. The user terminal executes an eye tracking procedure based an eye movement of the user. The user terminal transmits an emergency signal to the server terminal if the user terminal determines that an emergency mode is triggered during the eye tracking procedure.
US09614836B2 Systems, methods and apparatuses for the application-specific identification of devices
The systems, methods and apparatuses described herein provide a computing environment that manages application specific identification of devices. An apparatus according to the present disclosure may comprise a non-volatile storage storing identifier (ID) base data and a processor. The processor may be configured to validate a certificate of an application being executed on the apparatus. The certificate may contain a code signer ID for a code signer of the application. The processor may further be configured to receive a request for a unique ID of the application, generate the unique ID from the code signer ID and the ID base data and return the generated unique ID.
US09614833B1 Automated certificate management for a website associated with multiple certificates
Techniques are disclosed to automate the discovery, installation, and renewal of multiple digital certificates deployed on a server application, such as a web server. For example, a management tool may discover and manage multiple digital certificates associated with a server application hosted at an internet protocol (IP) address and port on a server computing system. A certificate management tool examines server configuration data to identify a set of certificates associated with the server application. Based on the information from the configuration data, the tool retrieves and examines each certificate to identify certificate metadata needed to manage the lifecycle of each identified certificate.
US09614830B2 Relay apparatus, system, relay method, and computer readable medium
A relay apparatus includes a storage unit, a first reception unit, a first request unit, a second reception unit, a second request unit, a third reception unit, and an access unit. The storage unit stores, for each user, authorization information for accessing a service providing apparatus. The first reception unit receives from a client apparatus an access request including a request for access to the service providing apparatus and identification information for identifying the user. The first request unit issues an acquisition request for the authorization information to a different relay apparatus. The second reception unit receives authorization information transmitted from the different relay apparatus. The second request unit requests the different relay apparatus to update the received authorization information. The third reception unit receives updated authorization information transmitted from the different relay apparatus. The access unit accesses the service providing apparatus by using the received updated authorization information.
US09614827B2 Secure user presence detection and authentication
This disclosure relates generally to a system and method for authenticating an electronic device may comprise a server configured to transmit an encrypted object, the encrypted object having an image file format, to the electronic device, the encrypted object being encrypted based on a certificate, the electronic device operatively coupled to the server and comprising a processor registered with the server to create a secured communication link between the processor and the server, wherein the certificate corresponds to the processor, the processor having a cryptographic engine configured to decrypt the encrypted object to result in a decrypted graphic, and a user interface operatively coupled to the processor. The user interface may be configured to display the decrypted graphic and receive a user input responsive to the decrypted graphic. The server may authenticate the electronic device based, at least in part, on the user input.
US09614820B2 Method and system for the manipulation-protected generation of a cryptographic key
The embodiments relate to a near field communication system including a plurality of near field communication devices which communicate with each other via a radio interface. During generation of a common cryptographic key between the near field communication devices of the near field communication system, at least one of the two near field communication devices monitors during generation of the cryptographic key via the radio interface in a generation period whether an additional near field communication device which could be a potential active attacker communicates with one of the near field communication devices via the radio interface. If such a suspicious type of communication is detected, generation of the common cryptographic key is optionally terminated.
US09614817B2 Apparatus, system, method, and medium
An apparatus includes a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to generate a first common key whose key value varies based on a first elapsed time when a notification of the first elapsed time after a start-up of another apparatus to which a data frame to be encrypted is to be transmitted has been made, generate a second common key whose key value varies based on a second elapsed time after a start-up of the apparatus when a notification of the first elapsed time has not been made, and encrypt the data frame by any one of the first common key and the second common key as a common key and transmit the encrypted data frame to the another apparatus.
US09614810B2 Address allocation processing method, apparatus and system
The present invention provides an address allocation processing method, apparatus and system. The method includes: receiving, by a first BRAS, a DHCP relay packet sent by a second BRAS, wherein the DHCP relay packet includes a gateway IP address and source IP address-based response information; parsing, by the first BRAS, the DHCP relay packet, acquiring the gateway IP address, and allocating an idle IP address from an acquired address pool matching the gateway IP address; encapsulating, by the first BRAS, a source IP address in the DHCP relay packet into a destination IP address in a response packet according to the source IP address-based response information, and sending the idle IP address carried in the encapsulated response packet to the second BRAS. The present invention effectively solve a problem that an address waste phenomenon exists by using a built-in DHCP server in a dual-device hot backup scene.
US09614797B2 Automatic determination of additional languages used in social networks
A computer processor determines a first language in which a message posted on a social network is composed, the message corresponds to a user of a social network. The computer processor compares the first language of the message to a set of one or more languages understood by the user of the social network. In response to the first language of the message failing to match one language of the set of one or more languages understood by the user, the computer processor prompts the user to confirm continued use of the first language, within the social network.
US09614793B1 Systems and methods for distributing content with a portable electronic device
Systems and methods are provided for sharing and distributing content using a mobile client on a cellular telephone. The mobile client may transmit the shared content to a service portal and the service portal may distribute the shared content to client devices. The content may include images, audio, video, documents, and any other content a user desires to share using the cellular telephone. The mobile client may be configured to operate in a variety of sharing modes. In some of the sharing modes, the mobile client may perform certain functions automatically in response to the creation of new content. Each item of content may be shared and distributed to one or more social groups. Each social group may include one or more users. Each of the users in a social group may be associated with a client device and may be associated with another cellular telephone.
US09614791B2 Adding a contact to a contact list on a mobile device
A computer program product for instant message communication in a wireless and non-wireless environment. A message is sent from a mobile unit device over a wireless communication network. The message includes a destination address, information associated with the mobile unit device's user, message content and message address. If, according to information previously stored for the mobile unit device's user at the instant message system, the destination address is associated with an instant message function, the associated instant message function is executed at the instant message system using the information contained in the message content, if required as determined by the associated instant message function. If, according to information previously stored for the mobile unit device's user, the destination address is associated with an instant message name, an instant message is created according to the message content and is sent to the user with the associated instant message name.
US09614790B2 Apparatus for controlling execution of software, method for controlling thereof, and computer-readable recording medium having computer program for controlling thereof
A software execution control apparatus includes a reference information management unit for collecting and renewing reference information to be referred to for execution of a plurality of applications, a user message preprocessing unit for receiving a user message, extracting one or more components from the user message, and analyzing the user message based on the extracted components, a message processing unit for specifying one or more actions required by the user based on the analysis result of the user message, and an APP execution unit for selecting and executing one or more applications based on reference information managed by the reference information management unit.
US09614789B2 Supporting multiple virtual switches on a single host
System and method for supporting multiple vSwitches on a single host server. In one aspect, embodiments according to the present disclosure include a system and method for supporting multiple vSwitches on a single host server. In one aspect, a set of packet processor threads are instantiated to process data packets on behalf of all vSwitches deployed on the host server. For a data packet received at a port of the host server, a packet processor determines the datapath based on a mapping table and processes the packet according to the rules defined for that datapath. In one aspect, ports (physical and/or virtual) are able to be configured to specified vSwitches dynamically.
US09614786B2 Dragonfly processor interconnect network
A multiprocessor computer system comprises a dragonfly processor interconnect network that comprises a plurality of processor nodes, a plurality of routers, each router directly coupled to a plurality of terminal nodes, the routers coupled to one another and arranged into a group, and a plurality of groups of routers, such that each group is connected to each other group via at least one direct connection.
US09614779B2 Cloud compute scheduling using a heuristic contention model
Technologies for contention-aware cloud compute scheduling include a number of compute nodes in a cloud computing cluster and a cloud controller. Each compute node collects performance data indicative of cache contention on the compute node, for example, cache misses per thousand instructions. Each compute node determines a contention score as a function of the performance data and stores the contention score in a cloud state database. In response to a request for a new virtual machine, the cloud controller receives contention scores for the compute nodes and selects a compute node based on the contention score. The cloud controller schedules the new virtual machine on the selected compute node. The contention score may include a contention metric and a contention score level indicative of the contention metric. The contention score level may be determined by comparing the contention metric to a number of thresholds. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09614776B1 Systems and methods for transmitting data according to an auto-negotiated data rate
A transceiver of a first network device including an autonegotiation circuit and a first serializer interface. The auto-negotiation circuit is to negotiate a first data rate for transmission of data between the first network device and a second network device. The first serializer interface to receive the negotiated first data rate from the auto-negotiation circuit, receive first data from the second network device at the negotiated first data rate, replicate portions of the first data received from the second network device in accordance with the negotiated first data rate, and transmit, at a second data rate different from the first data rate, the first data including the replicated portions from the first serializer interface to a second serializer interface of the first network device.
US09614775B2 Data transmission using modified weighted fair queue algorithm
To transmit data packets over a shared data path, data packets of a first message and a second message are received and stored, respectively, in first and second queues. First and second data packets are then extracted from, respectively, the first and second messages. First and second priority values are calculated, respectively, for the first and second data packets and are associated thereto. If the first priority value is determined to be lower than the second priority value, then the first packet is transmitted over the shared data path. If the second priority value is determined to be lower than the first priority value, then the second packet is transmitted over the shared data path.
US09614773B1 Systems and methods for automatically correcting classification signatures
A computer-implemented method for automatically correcting classification signatures may include (1) identifying at least one classification signature used to classify network traffic, (2) detecting at least one unknown flow of network traffic, (3) determining that the unknown flow of network traffic and the classification signature exceed a threshold level of similarity by comparing the unknown flow with the classification signature, and then in response to determining that the unknown flow and the classification signature exceed the threshold level of similarity, (4) identifying at least one attribute of the unknown flow that differs from the classification signature, and (5) modifying the classification signature based at least in part on the attribute of the unknown flow. Various other systems, methods, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09614769B2 Method and device for controlling DSP channels
Described is a method for channel management on one or more digital signal processors. The method distinguishes itself by the fact that channel management occurs at any time based on a current load utilization of each digital signal processor, taking into account an actual load requirement of each channel and a maximum total performance capacity of each digital signal processor. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.
US09614765B2 Quantized congestion notification (QCN) proxy function in data center bridging capabilities exchange (DCBX) protocol
In one embodiment, an apparatus for providing quantized congestion notification (QCN) proxy functionality to a network device control plane includes a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor, the logic being configured to enable QCN proxy functionality for a particular congestion notification priority value (CNPV) on each edge port of a QCN edge switch, wherein the QCN edge switch includes one or more edge ports connected to devices outside of a congestion notification domain (CND) that operates on the particular CNPV, and forward congestion notification packets received at the QCN edge switch using the QCN proxy functionality when the packets are destined for one of the devices connected outside of the CND that is not QCN-enabled. Other systems, methods, and computer program products for providing QCN proxy functionality to a network device control plane are described in more embodiments.
US09614762B2 Work migration in a processor
A packet processor provides for rule matching of packets in a network architecture. The packet processor includes a lookup cluster complex having a number of lookup engines and respective on-chip memory units. The on-chip memory stores rules for matching against packet data. Each of the lookup engines receives a key request associated with a packet and determines a subset of the rules to match against the packet data. A work product may be migrated between lookup engines to complete the rule matching process. As a result of the rule matching, the lookup engine returns a response message indicating whether a match is found.
US09614761B1 Deterministic network address and port translation
A source network address and port translation (NAPT) mechanism is described that reduces or eliminates the need to log any NAT translations. As described herein, a mapping between a subscriber's private address to a public address and port range is determined algorithmically. Given a particular mapping rule, as specified by the service provider, a subscriber is repeatedly and deterministically mapped to the same public network address and a specific port range for that network address. Once the public address and port range for a subscriber are computed, the particular ports for each session for that subscriber are allocated dynamically within the computed NAT port range on per session basis.
US09614758B2 Communication system, integrated controller, packet forwarding method and program
A communication system includes a first switch that exchanges information with a neighboring switch by a preset routing protocol to form a forwarding table and that references the forwarding table to forward a packet. The communication system also includes a second switch that forwards the packet in accordance with an instruction from a preset controller, the controller that gives the instruction to the second switch, and an integrated controller. The integrated controller instructs the controller to forward the packet along a path specified for the second switch and to generate a virtual network formed by a virtualized switch as the first switch. The information is exchanged between the second switch mapped to the virtual network and the first switch by the preset routing protocol to cause the packet to be forwarded along a pre-calculated path.
US09614748B1 Multitenant data center providing virtual computing services
A service provider network supports multiple tenants by having a virtual local area network for each enterprise, and a router connected to enterprise networks of the multiple tenants including a virtual router for each enterprise. The virtual router has a distinct routing table for each enterprise, for routing traffic between the desktops hosted on the plurality of host machines and the computer resources on the enterprise networks.
US09614745B2 Systems and methods for cloud-based probing and diagnostics
Systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed to providing centralized diagnostic services to a plurality of heterogeneous computing environments deployed at different data centers on different networks. In some embodiments, a centralized diagnostic tool establishes a connection to a server of a data center that deploys a computing environment with components. The centralized diagnostic tool validates automatically a component of the computing environment based on a corresponding configuration file received from the server for the component. The centralized diagnostic tool establishes a virtual device simulating a client application executing on a client device. The client application can be configured to communicate with the component. The centralized diagnostic tool automatically initiates a request using a predetermined protocol flow, and the virtual device transmits the request to the component. The virtual device receives a response to the request indicative of a status of the computing environment.
US09614740B2 Multifusion of a stream operator in a streaming application
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, a system, and a computer program product for fusing a stream operator into more than one processing element within a streaming application. The method includes receiving an instruction to concurrently fuse, into a second processing element, a stream operator of interest that is fused into a first processing element. The method includes determining whether the stream operator of interest is stateful. The method includes compiling, in response to determining the stream operator of interest is stateful, a clone of the stream operator of interest into the second processing element so that the clone is synchronized with the stream operator of interest.
US09614737B1 Appliance backnets in dedicated resource environment
A backnet can be created within a dedicated private network of a customer that enables a distinct party to access and/or control a portion of the resources within the private network. In one example, a backnet includes a separate virtual interface for an appliance or other such resource that is not visible or accessible to the customer owning the customer cloud, but can be accessed by another appliance or component in the customer cloud, or an appliance vendor external to the customer cloud. While the customer can control the permission for the backnet, the vendor can control or implement the resources within the backnet in a way that is isolated from the customer. Usage of the backnet can be separately monitored and billed to the vendor, even though the resources are part of the dedicated customer cloud.
US09614736B2 Defining a graphical visualization along a time-based graph lane using key performance indicators derived from machine data
A service monitoring system receives a selection of key performance indicators (KPIs) that each indicate a different aspect of how a service provided by one or more entities is performing. Each entity of the one or more entities produces machine data or wherein each entity has its operation reflected in machine data not produced by the entity. Each KPI is defined by a different search query that derives one or more values from the machine data pertaining to the one or more entities providing the service, where each of the one or more values is associated with a point in time and representing the aspect of how the service is performing at the associated point in time. For each of the selected KPIs, the service monitoring system derives the one or more values and causes display of a graphical visualization of the derived one or more values for the KPI along a time-based graph lane. The graph lanes for the selected KPIs are parallel to each other and the graphical visualizations in the graph lanes are all calibrated to a same time scale.
US09614734B1 Mobile device session analyzer
Techniques described herein relate to determining performance conditions for mobile device execution sessions based on analyses of session context data and performance data associated with content resource execution sessions. Mobile devices may receive and execute content resources via input/output subsystems, during which feedback data by the mobile devices. Mobile devices also may be configured to detect and/or determine context data associated with specific content resource execution sessions, using device sensors and other techniques. Session analyzers may receive and analyze content resource execution session data received from one or more mobile devices, and determine user performance conditions for content resource execution sessions.
US09614732B2 Profile generation for bandwidth management
Profile generation for bandwidth management is provided. A content provider receive a notification regarding a new application or media file. Profile information for the application or media file is determined. Such profile information includes information regarding consumption of bandwidth throughout a time period of usage of the application or media file. The profile may be stored in memory in association with the application or media file. A request is received from a user device regarding access to the application or media file. Access to the requested application or media is provided to the user device; the profile is also provided to the user device for use in evaluating whether bandwidth requirements of the application or media file exceeds an available network bandwidth of a network of the user device.
US09614730B2 Performing customized deployment scenarios in shared environments
Various embodiments of systems and methods to process customized deployment scenarios in a shared computing environment are described. In one aspect, a deployment request is received at the shared computing environment by a client associated with a customized deployment scenario. In a response, a deploy service of the shared computing environment is instantiated. In another aspect, one or more custom deploy processors are identified by the deploy service, where the one or more custom deploy processors correspond to one or more customized deployment scenarios. In yet another aspect, a part of a deployable content passed to the one or more custom deploy processors by the deploy service, is deployed to the shared computing environment by at least one corresponding custom deploy processor.
US09614729B2 Policy-based resource management with target-driven remediation on server
A resource management solution for use in a data-processing infrastructure comprising a server data-processing entity and a set of target data-processing entities that is operable for downloading a set of management policies, executing a verification action indicated in each one of the corresponding management policies for verifying a compliance of the target data-processing entity with the management policy, executing a target-side remediation action indicated in each violated one of the corresponding target-side management policies which the target data-processing entity is not compliant with, for remedying the non-compliance of the target data-processing entity with the violated target-side management policy, sending an indication of a remediation request for each violated server-side management policies, which each target data-processing entity is not compliant with, and executing a corresponding server-side remediation action in response to each remediation request for remedying the non-compliance of the corresponding target data-processing entity with the corresponding violated server-side management policy.
US09614718B2 Communication system for fault tolerance in cascade topology and ring topology
A communication device is connected to an end of a first network of a cascade topology, and also to a second network. This communication device transmits a first list including information of communication devices, in the first network, that are destinations of transmission of frames through the first network, to an opposing communication device, in the second network, located at another end of the first network, and receives, from the opposing communication device, a second list including information of communication devices, in the first network, that are destinations of transmission of frames from the opposing communication device through the first network. The communication device determines in which of the first list and the second list a destination of a frame is included, and when the destination of the frame is included in the second list, transmits the frame to the second network.
US09614715B2 System and a process for searching massive amounts of time-series performance data using regular expressions
A system to collect and analyze performance metric data recorded in time-series measurements, converted into unicode, and arranged into a special data structure. The performance metric data is collected by one or more probes running on machines about which data is being collected. The performance metric data is also organized into a special data structure. The data structure at the server where analysis is done has a directory for every day of performance metric data collected with a subdirectory for every resource type. Each subdirectory contain text files of performance metric data values measured for attributes in a group of attributes to which said text file is dedicated. Each attribute has its own section and the performance metric data values are recorded in time series as unicode hex numbers as a comma delimited list. Analysis of the performance metric data is done using regular expressions.
US09614714B2 Signaling referring to setup of H.324 video telephone between media gateway and controller
A video telecommunication connection is established via a landline telecommunications network and an IP multimedia subsystem telecommunications network using a media gateway control function of at least one Internet multimedia-media gateway device in the IP multimedia subsystem telecommunications network. An H.223 multiplex level usable for a telecommunication connection is exposed to an H.223 protocol negotiation, in carrying out an H.245 protocol negotiations for setting up the H.223 protocol negotiations connection for a telecommunication connection. A media gateway control function device is informed when the H.223 logic channels are open by H.245 signaling, thereby enabling the Internet multimedia-media gateway device of the IP multimedia subsystem telecommunications network to carry out at least part of the setup.
US09614712B2 Method for reducing PAPR in a transmission of a multi-carrier signal, and corresponding transmission device and computer program
A method for multi-carrier transmission of a signal including OFDM blocks formed from N carriers modulated by a constellation symbol. The method includes, for at least one OFDM block: a phase of prebuilding M prebuilt complex time samples representative of the N carriers of the OFDM block, and a phase of correcting the constellation symbols modulating the N carriers, including the following acts, repeated for each carrier: detection of P samples having a power higher than a predefined threshold, delivering the P samples and M−P zero samples, forming M complex time samples to be corrected, correcting the constellation symbol on the basis of the M complex time samples to be corrected, delivering an item of complex correction data, building M complex time samples associated with the item of complex correction data, and updating the M prebuilt complex time samples.
US09614709B2 Selection of acknowledgment timing in wireless communications
Disclosed is a method including communicating, by a mobile device, with a base station via first and second component carriers having different frequency bands and time division duplexing (TDD) configurations. The method may include receiving one or more downlink transmissions via the second component carrier. The method may include selecting a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) timing sequence based on the TDD configurations of the first and second component carriers. The method may include transmitting one or more positive acknowledgment and/or negative acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) signals, associated with the one or more downlink transmissions, according to the selected HARQ timing sequence. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09614707B1 PHY frame formats in a system with more than four space-time streams
In generating a data unit for transmission via a communication channel, a preamble of the data unit is generated, including i) generating a set of training fields, and ii) mapping each training field in the set of training fields to a plurality of space-time streams. When the set of training fields consist of four training fields, each training field in the set of training fields is mapped to four space-time streams according to a first space-time stream mapping matrix. When the set of training fields consists of six training fields, each training field in the set of training fields is mapped to six space-time streams according to a second space-time stream mapping matrix, wherein the first space-time stream mapping matrix is not a submatrix of the second space-time stream mapping matrix. A data portion of the data unit is generated so that a receiver device can receive the data portion via a corresponding number of space-time streams using channel information derived from the set of training fields.
US09614701B2 Communication device and method for reproducing data
A communication device includes a processor that executes a process including: detecting a plurality of zero-cross samples each having a different plus-minus sign from a sign of an adjacent sample from among a plurality of samples obtained by oversampling a received signal; changing positions of the detected zero-cross samples to positions inside a window referring to a position of a reference zero-cross sample selected from the detected zero-cross samples; calculating an average value of relative distances between the reference zero-cross sample and the zero-cross samples, after the positions of the zero-cross samples are changed at the changing; and determining a zero-cross point serving as a reference point for estimating a peak position of the received signal, based on the calculated average value of the relative distances and the reference zero-cross sample.
US09614699B2 Apparatuses and methodologies for decision feedback equalization using particle swarm optimization
Methods and apparatuses are provided for channel equalization in a communication system. The method includes initializing, using processing circuitry, filter coefficients of an adaptive decision feedback equalizer randomly in a predetermined search space. Further, the method includes updating, using the processing circuitry, the filter coefficients. The filter coefficients are updated using a least mean square recursion when the filter coefficients are stagnant. The filter coefficients are updated using a particle swarm optimization procedure when the filter coefficients are not stagnant. Further, the updating step is repeated until a predetermined stopping criteria is met. Further, the method includes, filtering, using the processing circuitry, a received signal using the filter coefficients.
US09614698B2 Transmitter switching equalization for high speed links
A serial data transmitter utilizing switching equalization. The transmitter includes a first per-bit switcher configured to invert of every other bit of the stream of bits to form a switched signal; a filter configured to filter the switched signal to form a filtered signal; and a second per-bit switcher configured to invert every other bit of the filtered signal.
US09614696B2 Alternating phase filter for increasing communication speeds, spectral efficiency and enabling other benefits
Common wave and sideband mitigation communication systems and methods are provided that can be used with both wireless and wired communication links. The systems and methods provided can enable faster data rates, greater immunity to noise, increased bandwidth/spectrum efficiency and/or other benefits. Applications include but are not limited to: cell phones, smartphones (e.g., iPhone, BlackBerry, etc.), wireless Internet, local area networks (e.g., WiFi type applications), wide area networks (e.g., WiMAX type applications), personal digital assistants, computers, Internet service providers and communications satellites.
US09614694B2 Wideband RF device
An RF device includes an impedance transformation circuit having a plurality of first RF couplers. Each first RF coupler includes a first portion of a first transmission line winding disposed on at least one first printed circuit board (PCB) and is configured to be electromagnetically coupled to a first portion of a second transmission line winding disposed on at least one second printed circuit board (PCB). The RF device also includes a balun circuit includes a plurality of second RF couplers coupled to balanced port connections, each second RF coupler including a second portion of the first transmission line winding wound around the first portion of a first transmission line winding and configured to be electromagnetically coupled to a second portion of the second transmission line winding wound around the first portion of a second transmission line winding.
US09614685B2 Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for facilitating synchronization of setting configurations
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for facilitating synchronization of setting configurations. An apparatus may include a processor and a memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the apparatus to configure a setting on the apparatus. The instructions when executed by the processor may further cause the apparatus to generate a settings data package comprising the setting configuration. The instructions when executed by the processor may additionally cause the apparatus to send the settings data package to a settings management service for synchronization of the setting configuration to at least one of a service or a user device. The settings management service may be configured to synchronize the setting configuration by distributing the settings data package to the at least one of the service or the user device. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.
US09614683B1 Signed application cards
A device that displays signed application cards. The device receives a card object that includes: an application function identifier that identifies an application function of a native application, a digital signature, and a certificate that comprises a public key. The device verifies the authenticity of the digital signature with the public key in the certificate. The device determines that the certificate is signed by a developer of the native application referenced by the card object. The device renders an application card on the display based on the information included in the card object. The application card includes a text string, an image, an audio, and/or an image. The device overlays an indicator onto the application card. The indicator indicates that the authenticity of the digital signature has been verified. The indicator also indicates that the developer of the native application authorized the rendering of the application card.
US09614682B2 System and method for sequential data signatures
A digital message is signed and, if a request is approved, receives a time stamp. The request is computed as a first function of the message and a current one of a sequence of passwords computed such that each password corresponds to an index unit. Each of the passwords may be computed as a function, such as a hash function, pseudo-random function, or encryption function, of the subsequent password, whereby the sequence terminates with an initial password that forms a public key parameter for the password sequence. At least one hash tree uses at least a subset of the passwords as inputs to a hash tree used to verify the passwords.
US09614681B2 Private electronic signature service for electronic documents
Techniques are disclosed for providing an electronic signature service where the content of an electronic document to be signed remains unknown to the service. A sender of the electronic document negotiates a specification for encoding the electronic document. In particular, the specification does not include any content of the electronic document. In this manner, the content of the electronic document can be encrypted and securely transmitted between the sender and the signer via the electronic signature service using one or more data packets conforming to the specification without permitting the electronic signature service to read or otherwise decipher the content. The specification enables the electronic signature service to certify that the signer has received the electronic document and assented to its terms. Further, the specification enables the electronic signature service to perform authentication and transaction logging operations associated with obtaining an electronically signed version of the electronic document.
US09614678B2 System and method for extracting device uniqueness to assign a license to the device
An information handling system includes a device, a controller, and a license manager subsystem. The controller is configured to determine whether the device has a license assigned and to extract a unique identification for the device in response to a request for information about the device. The license manager subsystem is configured to send the request for information about the device to the controller, to send the unique identification for the device to a license server as a request for the license for the device, to receive the license from the license server, and to assign the license to the device when the license is received.
US09614676B1 Cryptographically-secure packed proactive secret sharing (PPSS) protocol
Described is a system for implementing proactive secret sharing. The system uses a Secret-Share protocol to distribute, by a computing device, a block of secret data comprising shares of secret data among a set of computing devices, wherein each computing device in the set of computing devices holds an initial share of secret data. The system uses at least one Secret-Redistribute protocol to periodically redistribute the plurality of shares of secret data among the set of computing devices, wherein each computing device in the set of computing devices holds a subsequent share of secret data from the block of secret data that is independent of the initial share of secret data. Finally, a Secret-Open protocol is initialized to reveal the block of secret data.
US09614665B2 Encryption processing method, encryption processing device, and computer-readable recording medium storing program for encryption processing
An encryption processing method executed by a computer, the method includes converting a first vector using a first polynomial representation to acquire a first polynomial; converting an expression using a second polynomial representation to acquire a second polynomial, the expression being obtained based on a second vector and a random number corresponding to the first vector; converting the random number using at least one of the first polynomial representation and the second polynomial representation to acquire a random number polynomial; encrypting the first polynomial, the second polynomial, and the random polynomial using a homomorphic encryption scheme to acquire the encrypted first polynomial, the encrypted second polynomial, and the encrypted random polynomial; and collating the first vector and the second vector using the encrypted first polynomial, the encrypted second polynomial, and the encrypted random polynomial.
US09614663B2 Method and device for serial data transmission over a bidirectional data channel
A method for serial data transmission between a position-measuring device and subsequent electronics over a bidirectional data channel includes transmitting data in data frames and in encoded form in accordance with a data transmission code. The data transmission in each case is initiated by an interface unit at a transmitter end with a start sequence having an encoding scheme that at least partially differs from an encoding scheme of a remainder of the data frames. After a reversal of data direction, an interface unit at a receiver end detects a beginning of the data transmission in each case by detection of the start sequence.
US09614661B2 Differential interface for inter-device communication in a battery management and protection system
A multi-cell battery stack includes a microcontroller and a string of battery management and protection IC devices connected to one another in a daisy chain configuration. Each battery management and protection IC device can include a communication interface circuit includes pairs of differential input signal lines, receivers including respective current comparator circuits to receive differential signals on the differential input signal lines, and transmitters to provide outgoing differential signals on the differential input signal lines. A digital circuit block allows signals to pass between the receivers and transmitters.
US09614660B2 Self-synchronizing probe sequence
A method comprising modulating a plurality of synchronized signals by an orthogonal probe sequence (OPS) to generate a plurality of modulated synchronized signals, wherein the OPS comprises a zero element (0-element) column that indicates a start or an end of the OPS, and concurrently transmitting, using one or more transmitters, the plurality of modulated synchronized signals over a duration of a number of discrete multi-tone (DMT) symbols, wherein each of the plurality of modulated synchronized signals is intended for one of a plurality of receivers that are remotely coupled to the one or more transmitters via a vectored group of subscriber lines, and wherein the 0-element column causes all of the plurality of modulated synchronized signals to have a zero-amplitude during a first or a last of the DMT symbols.
US09614659B2 CTLE gear shifting to enable CDR frequency lock in wired communication
A Continuous Time Linear Equalizer (CTLE) and a method of operating a CTLE in a receiver for a Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM) signal are disclosed. The method includes initiating equalization using an initial equalization setting that is optimized to meet a first objective and responsive to a determination, shifting to a final equalization setting that is optimized to meet a second objective.
US09614647B2 Method and apparatus of uplink scheduling and HARQ timing
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for controlling an uplink (UL) scheduling and Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) timing supported in a TDD-FDD CA environment. The method includes receiving, on a first serving cell, at least one of a first UL grant and a first Physical HARQ Indicator Channel (PHICH) about a second serving cell through a cross-carrier scheduling, and receiving, on the second serving cell, at least one of a second UL grant and a second PHICH about the second serving cell through a self scheduling. According to aspects of the present invention, in a TDD-FDD carrier aggregation deployment environment, an efficient UL scheduling/HARQ operation may be performed for a UE in which a cross-carrier scheduling is configured. Further, in order to satisfy high data rate required by a UE, data transmission efficiency may be enhanced in accordance with the purpose of carrier aggregation (or dual connectivity).
US09614644B2 Transmitting apparatus and interleaving method thereof
A transmitting apparatus is provided. The transmitting apparatus includes: an encoder configured to perform a low-density parity check (LDPC) encoding on input bits using a parity check matrix to generate an LDPC codeword comprising information word bits and parity bits; an interleaver configured to interleave the LDPC codeword; and a modulator configured to map the interleaved LDPC codeword onto a modulation symbol, wherein the modulator is further configured to map a bit included in a predetermined bit group from among a plurality of bit groups constituting the LDPC codeword onto a predetermined bit of the modulation symbol.
US09614633B2 Estimating frequency-offsets and multi-antenna channels in MIMO OFDM systems
Techniques are described for carrier frequency offset (CFO) and channel estimation of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmissions over multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) frequency-selective fading channels. A wireless transmitter forms blocks of symbols by inserting training symbols within two or more blocks of information-bearing symbols. The transmitter applies a hopping code to each of the blocks of symbols to insert a null subcarrier at a different position within each of the blocks of symbols, and a modulator outputs a wireless signal in accordance with the blocks of symbols. A receiver receives the wireless signal and estimates the CFO, and outputs a stream of estimated symbols based on the estimated CFO.
US09614628B2 Adapting location based broadcasting
Provided are apparatuses and methods for providing a program or service transmission with associated ESG fragment(s) to a receiver within a designated location. Parameters, elements or sub-elements may be included in a service guide or other data fragment indicating the location within which the program, service and corresponding ESG fragment(s) may be broadcast. Also, the parameters, elements or sub-elements may be associated with a first network type and may be mapped to corresponding parameters, elements or sub-elements of a second network type. In one example, location parameters, elements or sub-elements corresponding to an OMA BCAST network may be mapped with corresponding location parameters, elements or sub-elements corresponding to a CDMA network. The location information may be transmitted in an ESG fragment or other data fragment. A Network Management module may also be provided for transmitting data to a desired location based on the location information and corresponding mapped location information.
US09614622B2 Wavelength-reuse fiber-optic transmitters
A fiber-optic transmitter comprises a transmitter optical port, an optical circulator, a semiconductor optical amplifier, and a two-port modulation-averaging structure. The optical circulator has at least three ports, a first one of the three circulator ports being optically coupled to the transmitter optical port. The semiconductor optical amplifier has an input optical port, an output optical port, and an electrical input port. The two-port modulation-averaging structure is optically coupled between the input optical port and a third one of the three circulator ports.
US09614620B2 Coaxial transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) with cuboid type to laser package and optical transceiver including same
A coaxial transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) including a cuboid type TO laser package may be used in an optical transceiver for transmitting an optical signal at a channel wavelength. The cuboid type TO laser package is made of a thermally conductive material and has substantially flat outer surfaces that may be thermally coupled to substantially flat outer surfaces on a transceiver housing and/or on other cuboid type TO laser packages. An optical transceiver may include multiple coaxial TOSAs with the cuboid type TO laser packages stacked in the transceiver housing. The cuboid type TO laser package may thus provide improved thermal characteristics and a reduced size within the optical transceiver.
US09614619B1 Optical transceiver having separate transmitter and receiver lenses
The present disclosure discusses an improved optical transceiver. The optical transceiver of the present disclosure includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver that are spatially separated. In some implementations, the optical receiver and optical transmitter are staggered from one another. Each of the optical receiver and the optical transmitter and housed within a separate optical lens. In some implementations, the separation of the components reduces mechanical, thermal, and electrical cross talk between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver. The separation of the components can also ease the constraints of the optical alignment between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver and each of their respective lenses.
US09614617B2 Multichannel nonlinearity compensation in an optical communications link
An apparatus (104) mitigates cross-channel nonlinear distortion of an optical signal (138) carried on one of a plurality of wavelength channels (118) in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) transmission system (100). The apparatus includes a first optical receiver (126) which is arranged to detect a measure (134) of aggregate optical power of the plurality of wavelength channels. A nonlinear dispersion compensator includes means (144) for applying a phase modulation to the optical signal in proportion to the measure of aggregate optical power.
US09614611B2 Method and apparatus for increasing capacity of air interface
The disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for increasing the capacity of an air interface. The method comprises the following steps that: after a traffic channel is established on a base station side, a base station transmitting a ⅛ rate frame to the air interface in a continuous transmission mode if not capturing a traffic channel frame prefix from a terminal, so as to ensure that the terminal can receive a forward frame of the base station; the base station only reducing the transmission of the ⅛ rate frame after capturing the prefix from the terminal; and the terminal keeping calling and does not release the call if continuous good frames are received during the demodulation of forward traffic frame from the base station. Through the disclosure, the interference between forward channels is reduced, and the capacity of the air interface is increased.
US09614609B2 Satellite-based emission and reception device with high multi-path attenuation rate, repeater and satellite which are equipped with such a device
A satellite-based emission and reception device, intended to receive and to process radiofrequency signals originating from an uplink and then to emit the processed signals on a downlink towards terrestrial users, comprises a power divider, two independent frequency converters and two input demultiplexers connected respectively at the output of the two corresponding frequency converters, each frequency converter being controlled by a dedicated local oscillator, the two local oscillators operating at one and the same frequency, the two input demultiplexers comprising channel filters operating in different, disjoint frequency sub-bands spaced apart in frequency, two adjacent frequency sub-bands being filtered by two channel filters belonging to different input demultiplexers.
US09614606B2 Method and apparatus for power aware receive diversity control
While a user equipment (UE) is in a connected mode, the UE may receive only a limited quantity of data. During this phase, a receive diversity configuration may not be enabled, in an effort to conserve power on the UE side. However, in marginal signal conditions and a poor radio environment, downlink performance at the UE side may be enhanced by enabling receive diversity, irrespective of the limited data received by the UE. However, while receive diversity may improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the UE end in marginal signal conditions, the UE may also incur a penalty on power consumption. Therefore, certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for dynamically controlling the receive diversity of a wireless device to improve the downlink procedure performance, while minimizing power consumption due to the usage of a second receive chain when in connected mode.
US09614605B1 Multicarrier transmit diversity
Method, apparatus, and data packet format to implement transmit diversity in a multicarrier environment is disclosed. For diversity transmission operations, space frequency encoding techniques are employed creating distinguishable first and second time domain signals from a multicarrier frequency domain symbol bearing data of interest, which are then broadcast in parallel over first and second transmission units respectively. For diversity reception operations, complementary space frequency decoding is used to recover a corrected multicarrier frequency domain symbol from a time domain signal containing either this symbol, a space frequency modified symbol based on the multicarrier symbol, or a possible partial/complete combination of both. The data packet format includes portions defining a transmission diversity semaphore, a preamble enabling training of a receiver receiving the data packet, and a payload.
US09614599B2 Method for determining precoding matrixes for communication and a system therefrom
In various embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for determining precoding matrixes for a communication of a first base station and a second base station with a first mobile station and a second mobile station. Precoding matrixes for a plurality of signal channels between the base stations and the mobile stations are determined based on a signal to noise ratio (SNR) consideration. Accordingly, the method can include determining a first set of precoding matrixes based on a predetermined consideration of SNR between the first base station and the second base station and the first mobile station and the second mobile station and generating a second set of precoding matrixes based on the first set of precoding matrixes. A corresponding system for carrying out a determination of precoding matrixes is provided.
US09614594B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals in multi-antenna communication system
A method for transmitting a signal in a multi-antenna system is provided. The method includes designating an analog beam to a plurality of generated modulation symbol sequences corresponding to a plurality of antenna ports, for each antenna port of the plurality, multiplexing signals, to which a beam is designated by the beam assignment, to a plurality of beam groups each having the same antenna beam combination, mapping beam group signals generated by the beam multiplexing, to at least one Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol and time and frequency resources, generating OFDM symbol signals corresponding to one or more antenna beams by OFDM-converting the beam group signals according to the resource mapping, converting the OFDM symbol signals into analog Radio Frequency (RF) signals, and transmitting the analog RF signals via a plurality of antenna elements by carrying the analog RF signals on associated antenna beams by analog beamforming.
US09614593B2 Compensation for propagation delay in a wireless communication system
In a first aspect the present invention relates to a method of compensating for propagation delay in a wireless communication system. A first base station is in communication with a first plurality of antenna units which are adapted to be in wireless communication with a first terminal. The first terminal having a terminal antenna. The first plurality of antenna units is spatially separated. The method according to the first aspect comprises the steps of determining relative propagation delay from each of the first plurality of antenna units to the terminal antenna and using the determined propagation delay to establish a delay profile to compensate for propagation delay from each of the antenna units to the first terminal and applying the delay profile to a transmission between the base station and the terminal. In a second aspect the present invention further relates to a system implementing the method according to the first aspect.
US09614590B2 Scalable high-bandwidth connectivity
A scalable, high-bandwidth connectivity architecture for portable storage devices and memory modules may utilize EHF communication link chip packages mounted in various two-dimensional and three-dimensional configurations on planar surfaces such as printed circuit boards. Multiple electromagnetic communication links between devices distributed on major faces of card-like devices may be provided with respectively aligned pairs of communication units on each device. Adjacent communication units on a printed circuit board may transmit or receive electromagnetic radiation having different polarization, such as linear or elliptical polarization. Power and communication between communication devices may both be provided wirelessly.
US09614589B1 Communication via a magnio
A system includes a transmitting device and a receiving device. The transmitting device includes a first processor configured to transmit data to a transmitter and the transmitter. The transmitter is configured to transmit the data via a magnetic field. The receiving device includes a magnetometer configured to detect the magnetic field and a second processor configured to decipher the data from the detected magnetic field.
US09614587B2 Power line communication system and method
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a power line communication (PLC) system. For example, the PLC system may include a PLC server configured to provide electrical power and electronic communications through a PLC bus to a number of electronic devices, such as an instrument cluster, infotainment interface, rear-seat entertainment console, aftermarket accessories, and the like. The PLC system may also include a power system that may be coupled to an electrical grid for charging a battery associated with one or more of the electronic devices. The power system may be communicatively coupled to the PLC bus, enabling the devices coupled to the PLC bus to communicate with a service provider through the electrical grid. The communications between the devices coupled to the PLC bus and remote devices coupled through the electrical grid may be conducted using a common communication protocol.
US09614586B2 System and method for inferring schematic and topological properties of an electrical distribution grid
A system and method for inferring schematic and topological properties of an electrical distribution grid is provided. The system may include Remote Hubs, Subordinate Remotes, a Substation Receiver, and an associated Computing Platform and Concentrator. At least one intelligent edge transmitter, called a Remote Hub Edge Transmitter, may transmit messages on the electrical distribution grid by injecting a modulated current into a power main that supplies an electric meter. The Subordinate Remotes, Remote Hubs, the Substation Receiver, and the associated Computing Platform and Concentrator may contain processing units which execute stored instructions allowing each node in the network to implement methods for organizing the on-grid network and transmitting and receiving messages on the network. The Substation Receiver, Computing Platform and Concentrator may detect and infer schematic grid location attributes of the network and publish the detected and inferred attributes to other application systems including geospatial information systems maintaining the logical and physical network model.
US09614585B2 Switching communication devices between different communication media
A service provider device of a local communication network communicates a first frame with an electric vehicle via a first communication medium to associate with the electric vehicle, establish a communication link with the electric vehicle, and to add the electric vehicle to the local communication network. After an association process between the electric vehicle and the service provider device is successfully completed, the electric vehicle and/or the service provider device can execute operations that extend the utility of their respective communication devices by switching to a new communication medium. By switching to the new communication medium, the electric vehicle and/or the service provider device can connect to a remote communication network. The service provider device communicates a second frame with at least a network device of the remote communication network via the new communication medium.
US09614583B2 Managing crosstalk in DSL systems
Methods, systems, and apparatus for crosstalk avoidance in a telecommunications network are disclosed. In one aspect a method includes determining, by a network element and for each vectoring group from multiple vectoring groups, a transmission load of the vectoring group based on transmission loads of links within the vectoring group; allocating, by the network element, a different transmission interval to each vectoring group from the multiple vectoring groups based on the transmission load of the vectoring group and transmission loads of other vectoring groups in the multiple vectoring groups; and transmitting, during each different transmission interval, at least a portion of the transmission load of the vectoring group that was allocated the different transmission interval.
US09614582B2 Dynamic rate adaptation methods in a vectored G.fast system
Various examples of mechanisms, systems, methods, techniques and devices for dynamic rate adaptation in a vectored G.fast (G.9701) system are described. A first communication device may perform estimation of a residual noise to derive signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss for each carrier of one or more carriers with respect to a transmitting port of the first communication device. The residual noise may be an increased noise expected to be experienced by a second communication device when one or more other ports in a vectored group of a plurality of ports of the first communication device are switched off. The first communication device may adapt to the residual noise during time slots of one or more downstream symbol positions where the one or more other ports in the vectored group are switched off by dynamically changing bit-loading.
US09614574B2 Integrated transmit/receive switch
An apparatus comprises a transmit network to transmit an input from a first amplifier to an antenna, a receive network to provide an input from an antenna to a second amplifier, a first switch to selectively decouple the transmit network from the antenna, and a second switch to selectively decouple the receive network from the antenna. Other embodiments may be described.
US09614573B2 Coupling of radio hardware with a mobile device acting as a software defined radio
The systems and methods of the present invention allow a radio device to connect to a mobile device via a protective case, the protective case housing the radio device and mobile device. When interconnected with the radio device, the mobile device may communicate via radio connection as well as cellular network connections and other wireless connections inherent to the mobile device. Described herein is a system and method to create a coupled mobile device and radio, with a Software Defined Radio capability operating on the mobile communication device to control the radio functionalities embedded within the radio device.
US09614568B2 Electronic device for activating and deactivating wireless communication by a power supply switch configuration
An electronic device includes a wireless module, a power supply, and a switch module. The wireless module is adapted to receive or send a wireless signal. The power supply is adapted to supply power for the wireless module. The switch module is connected between the wireless module and the power supply, and the switch module includes a first switch and a transistor. A collector terminal of the transistor is coupled to the power supply, the first switch is coupled to the collector terminal and the base terminal of the transistor, and an emitter terminal of the transistor is coupled to the wireless module. The transistor is switched on when the first switch is switched on, and the power supply supplies power for the wireless module. The transistor is switched off when the first switch is switched off, and the power supply is disconnected from the wireless module.
US09614565B2 Universal wireless trainable transceiver unit with integrated bidirectional wireless interface for vehicles
The invention relates to a universal wireless trainable transceiver unit with integrated bidirectional wireless interface functionality, and a method for same. Using a scan, push button or untrained channel mode, a user may enter into a wireless bidirectional interface mode of a trainable transceiver. The interface mode allows a user to select a sub-set of modes that include diagnostics, flash and vehicle interface. Each mode provides the trainable transceiver to communicate wirelessly in a bidirectional manner with another remote device.
US09614562B2 Coexistence signaling for adaptive gain table selection
A device implementing adaptive gain table selection based at least on coexistence signaling may include at least one processor circuit. The at least one processor circuit may be configured to identify that a packet is scheduled to be received by a receiver and retrieve at least one transmission indicator that indicates whether at least one transmitter is transmitting, where the at least one transmitter is collocated with the receiver within a device. The at least one processor circuit may be further configured to select a first gain table for reception of the packet by the receiver when the at least one transmission indicator indicates that the at least one transmitter is transmitting, otherwise selecting a second gain table for reception of the packet by the receiver. The at least one processor circuit may be further configured to apply gain to the receiver based at least on the selected gain table.
US09614560B2 Receiver with improved noise variance estimation
A system according to one embodiment includes an automatic gain control circuit configured to provide an amplifier gain value; a temperature sensing circuit configured to provide a temperature; an antenna switching circuit configured to decouple an antenna from the receiver during a noise figure calibration interval; a signal power measurement circuit configured to measure input power to the receiver; a noise figure estimation circuit configured to estimate a receiver noise figure during the noise figure calibration interval based on an initial receiver noise variance, the temperature and the amplifier gain value, wherein the initial receiver noise variance is estimated based on the measured input power during the noise figure calibration interval; and a noise variance tracking circuit configured to calculate updated estimates of the receiver noise variance, wherein the updated estimates are based on updates of the measured temperature and updates of the measured amplifier gain.
US09614559B2 Evaluation of interference affecting a cable
A method for evaluating interference affecting a cable between a network node and at least one remote radio head. The method is performed in the network node and comprises the steps of determining a set of wireless devices to be associated with the cable; obtaining a plurality of signal quality estimates associated with each one of the wireless devices of the set of wireless devices; averaging the signal quality estimates for the set of wireless devices, yielding an average signal quality; and determining interference affecting the cable based on a spectral analysis of the average signal quality.
US09614556B2 Method and circuitry for transmitting data
Data transfer devices and methods for transferring data between first and second circuits are disclosed. A data transfer device includes a first circuit having a plurality of data channels, wherein at least one of the data channels is an active data channel. A serializer has a plurality of inputs and an output, wherein the inputs are coupled to the plurality of data channels. The serializer is for coupling only one active channel at a time to the output. An isolation barrier is coupled to the output of the serializer, the isolation attenuates transients and passes the fundamental frequency. A second circuit includes a deserializer having an input and at least one output, the input is coupled to the isolation barrier, the at least one output is at least one active data channel.
US09614550B2 Parallel BCH coding circuit, encoder and method
The present invention is applicable to the field of error correction coding, and provides a circuit, an encoder and a method for parallel BCH coding. The method comprises: performing an XOR operation on input sequences {m(p−1), m(p−2), . . . , m(0)} in a current period in sequence corresponding to output upper bits of the previous period of a register separately, outputting operation results as selection signals to a selector, selecting P constant-multinomials {xr<<0) mod g(x), (xr<<1) mod g(x), . . . , (xr<<(p−1)) mod g(x)} with 0 separately in sequence, shifting the selection results and the output of the previous period of the register in P bits towards the upper bits and outputting the selection results, summing the selection results and outputting the sum to the register to serve as an output of the current period of the register; the above steps are repeated specific times to obtain final code output.
US09614547B2 Multi-stage decoder
A data storage device includes a memory and a decoder. In one embodiment, the decoder includes a bit-flipping stage and a second decoding stage. The decoder is configured to receive data from the memory and to process the received data at the bit-flipping stage to generate first stage result data. The data corresponds to an error correction coding (ECC) codeword of an ECC code. The data is processed at the bit-flipping stage based on parity checks of the error correction code (ECC) code that are not satisfied by the data. The data is processed at the bit-flipping stage without first attempting to decode the received data at the second decoding stage. The decoder is further configured to provide the first stage result data to an input of the second decoding stage and to initiate decoding at the second decoding stage at least partially based on the first stage result data.
US09614546B2 Data compression and decompression method
A data compression and decompression algorithm performing the function of data compression and decompression by using the steps of: dividing a main data stream into sub data streams, calculating frequency of occurrence of sub data streams in the main data stream, repeating the process of calculating frequency of occurrence by changing the number of digits in sub data stream and by changing the starting digit position in main data stream, assigning codes to sub data streams based on their frequency occurrence values, calculating group dimension index for each group, selecting the group with the lowest group dimension index and placing codes of the group with the lowest group dimension index in a multi dimensional space wherein vector placement is utilized to eliminate the need to use digits that are common to neighboring codes therefore providing an additional compression.
US09614542B2 DAC with sub-DACs and related methods
A DAC may include a decoder configured to receive a digital input signal, and first and second sub-DACs coupled in parallel to the decoder, each of the first and second sub-DACs having first and second LSB banks, and an MSB bank coupled between the first and second LSB banks. The decoder may be configured to selectively control the first and second LSB banks, and the MSB bank based upon the digital input signal. The DAC may include an output network coupled to the first and second sub-DACs and configured to generate an analog output signal related to the digital input signal.
US09614537B1 Digital fractional-N multiplying injection locked oscillator
An example clock generator circuit includes a fractional reference generator configured to generate a reference clock in response to a base reference clock and a phase error signal, the reference clock having a frequency that is a rational multiple of a frequency of the base reference clock. The clock generator circuit includes a digitally controlled delay line (DCDL) that delays the reference clock based on a first control code, and a pulse generator configured to generate pulses based on the delayed reference clock. The clock generator circuit includes a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) configured to generate an output clock based on a second control code, the DCO including an injection input coupled to the pulse generator to receive the pulses. The clock generator circuit includes a phase detector configured to compare the output clock and the reference clock and generate the phase error signal, and a control circuit configured to generate the first and second control codes based on the phase error signal.
US09614531B1 Termination resistance adjustment circuit and device including termination resistance adjustment circuit
A termination resistance adjustment circuit includes a replica circuit having the same characteristics as drive circuits; a current source being able to adjust the amount of a load current of the replica circuit; a voltage generation circuit to generate a plurality of reference voltages respectively corresponding to a plurality of values of the input data with the plurality of bits; a comparison circuit to compare an output voltage of the replica circuit with the reference voltages; and a control circuit to change the amount of the load current by controlling the current source, to calculate values of the output resistances of the replica circuit for each of the plurality of levels, and to adjust the number of use of the drive circuits for each bit of the input data, based on the calculated values of the output resistances for each of the plurality of levels.
US09614529B1 Input/output (I/O) driver implementing dynamic gate biasing of buffer transistors
An input/output (I/O) driver that includes circuitry for over-voltage protection of first and second FETs coupled in series between a first rail and an output, and third and fourth FETs coupled between the output and a second rail. The circuitry is configured to generate a gate bias voltage for the second FET that transitions from high to low bias voltages state when the output voltage (VPAD) begins transitioning from low to high logic voltages, and transitions back to the high bias voltage while VPAD continues to transition towards the high logic voltage. Further, the circuitry is configured to generate a gate bias voltage for the third FET that transitions from low to high bias voltages when VPAD begins transitioning from high to low logic voltages, and transitions back to the low bias voltage while VPAD continues to transition towards the low logic voltage.
US09614527B2 Differential to single-ended signal conversion
A circuit may include a signal converter configured to convert a differential signal to a single-ended signal. The circuit may also include a biasing circuit configured to set a bias of the signal converter based on a feedback of the single-ended signal such that a voltage level of the single-ended signal is at a target voltage level.
US09614525B2 Parallel interface and integrated circuit
A parallel interface is disclosed. The parallel interface of the present disclosure includes an input unit configured to input, in parallel, a plurality of predetermined data signals and a clock signal; an output unit configured to output, in parallel, the predetermined data signals in synchronization with the clock signal; and a plurality of transmission lines disposed between the input unit and the output unit and configured to transmit, in parallel, the predetermined data signals and the clock signal, wherein the transmission lines are configured with a wiring pattern in which the transmission lines have different electrical lengths and an equal electrical capacitance.
US09614524B1 Automatic impedance tuning with RF dual level pulsing
Methods and systems for RF pulse reflection reduction are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method includes (a) providing a plurality of pulsed RF power waveforms from a plurality of RF generators to a process chamber during a first duty cycle, (b) measuring a first power level impedance Z1 and a different second power level impedance Z2 at different time periods during the first duty cycle, (c) adjusting the second power level impedance Z2 towards 50 ohm such that a standing wave ratio (SWR) of the second power level impedance Z2 decreases towards 50 ohm and a SWR of the first power level impedance Z1 increases from 50 ohm, and (e) repeating (d) until the SWR of the first power level impedance Z1 is substantially equal to the SWR of the second power level impedance Z2.
US09614523B2 Keypad with optical sensors
A keypad with optical sensors is provided. The keypad comprises keycaps, each keycap having a top surface. One or more optical sensors are located beneath top surfaces of adjacent keycaps. One or more light guides extend from a respective optical sensor towards the top surfaces.
US09614522B2 Operating device for a vehicle component with a front wall associated with a capacitative proximity sensor
The operating device, such as a human-machine interface, in particular for a vehicle component, is provided with a front wall having a front side that has several fixed symbol fields and having a rear side, a capacitive sensor system that has individual electrodes associated with the symbol fields, which electrodes are arranged on the rear side of the front wall, and a carrier plate that faces the rear side of the front wall and is arranged at a distance from the front wall.
US09614521B2 Push-button switch having capacitive and mechanical functionality
A pushbutton switch has a pressure switching function to recognize a key actuation and a capacitive sensor function to recognize a key touch. It has an at least partly electrically conductive key (12) and a printed circuit board (16) which includes at least one electrical contact (18) that is activated by depressing the key (12) via a switching mat (22) arranged between the key (12) and the printed circuit board (16). The printed circuit board (16) also has at least one capacitive sensor surface (20) located opposite to and at a distance from the key (12), with a capacitive coupling existing between the key (12) and the sensor surface (20).
US09614517B2 Adaptive slew rate control for switching power devices
An adaptive driver includes a gate driver having at least one driving transistor for driving a control node of switching transistor(s) that includes an output node (OUT) which provides Vout. An adjustable current source is in series with the driving transistor, a high pass filter (HPF) is between OUT and ground for detecting a slew rate of the switching transistor and outputting a voltage pulse (Vslp) output having a peak voltage amplitude at least monotonically reflecting a slope of Vout during switching. Detection signal processing circuitry is coupled to the output of the HPF for processing Vslp and slew rate control circuitry has an input coupled to the output of the detection signal processing circuitry. The output of the slew rate control circuitry is coupled to the current source for controlling its current level for changing the slew rate of the switching transistor to provide a desired slew rate range.
US09614514B2 PWM modulation device and sound signal output apparatus
A PWM modulation device includes: a PWM modulator which receives upper N bits of an (N+1)-bit output from a noise shaper; a rising/falling edge detector which receives a PWM output signal of the PWM modulator and detects a rising/falling edge; a delay circuit which receives the PWM output signal, delays the PWM output signal by a predetermined delay time and outputs a PWM output delay signal; an AND gate which receives the lower one bit output from the noise shaper and an output control signal of the rising/falling edge detector; and a selector which receives a signal obtained as a result of an AND operation by the AND gate for the output control signal and the lower one bit and selects one of the PWM output signal and the PWM output delay signal.
US09614512B2 Gate driver and method of driving the same
A gate driver and a method of driving the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the gate driver includes a switching device, a pulse generator configured to generate a pulse signal. The gate driver also includes a pulse transformer configured to generate a gate voltage based on the pulse signal and apply the gate voltage to the switching device. The pulse generator is further configured to control the switching device by modifying a frequency of the pulse signal.
US09614508B1 System and method for deskewing output clock signals
A clock generator having deskewed outputs signals wherein a transit time of each of a plurality of traces coupled to the clock generator outputs are determined and the longest trace is identified as the trace having the longest transit time. A time delay is then added to an output clock signal at each of the clock generator outputs that are not coupled to the longest trace. The addition of the time delay for each of the clock generator outputs is effective in automatically deskewing the clock generator outputs.
US09614503B2 MOS pass transistors and level shifters including the same
A MOS pass transistor includes a semiconductor layer having first conductivity, a trench isolation layer disposed in the semiconductor layer to define a first active region and a second active region, a first junction region having second conductivity, disposed in the first active region, and being in contact with a first sidewall of the trench isolation layer, a second junction region having the second conductivity, disposed in the second active region, being in contact with a second sidewall of the trench isolation layer, and being spaced apart from the first junction region, and a gate electrode disposed over the trench isolation layer. A lower portion of the gate electrode extends from a top surface of the trench isolation layer into the trench isolation layer to a predetermined depth.
US09614499B2 System and method for filter design and usage thereof
A method of designing a truncated filter includes designing a prototype filter with a target frequency response, and selecting a soft truncation function with a roll-off parameter specifying a rate in which the soft truncation function transitions to zero. The method also includes applying the soft truncation function to the prototype filter to produce a truncated filter, and storing the truncated filter to a memory.
US09614495B2 Elastic wave element with a reinforcement electrode and ladder filter using same
Methods and apparatus for reducing electric loss in an elastic wave element. In one example, the elastic wave element includes a piezoelectric body having a upper surface, an interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode disposed on the piezoelectric body, a connection wiring disposed on the piezoelectric body and electrically connected to the IDT electrode, the connection wiring having a lower connection wiring and an upper connection wiring provided above the lower connection wiring, and a reinforcement electrode provided above the connection wiring, the reinforcement electrode being in contact with and electrically connected to the lower connection wiring.
US09614494B2 Reactance filter comprising acoustic waves resonators
A reactance filter includes a series branch that includes a number of series impedance elements that are coupled in series and a number of parallel branches each having a parallel impedance element coupled to a respective node of the series branch. Each impedance element includes a resonator that works with acoustic waves. The resonators in the series branch include a first piezoelectric material and the resonators in the parallel branches include a second piezoelectric material that is different than the first piezoelectric material.
US09614493B2 Quartz crystal device and method for fabricating the same
A surface mount type quartz crystal device includes a quartz crystal vibrating piece and a base plate. The quartz crystal vibrating piece is configured to vibrate at a predetermined frequency. The base plate is made of a crystal or a glass. The base plate includes an external electrode disposed on a bottom surface of the base plate to mount the quartz crystal device. The quartz crystal vibrating piece is placed on an opposite surface of the bottom face. The external electrode includes a metal film formed on a surface of the base plate by sputtering, and an electroless plating film formed on a surface of the metal film by electroless plating. The electroless plating film includes a nickel layer including lead and bismuth.
US09614492B2 Ultra broadband network of fixed or switched frequency selective filters
An extensible filter structure is disclosed allowing realizable effective filtering over many decades in frequency. Multiple devices operating with mismatched frequency ranges can be multiplexed together with or without switching.
US09614490B2 Multi-band interference optimization
RF communications circuitry, which includes a first RF filter structure and control circuitry, is disclosed. The first RF filter structure includes a pair of weakly coupled resonators and a first tunable RF filter. The control circuitry provides a first filter control signal. The first tunable RF filter receives and filters an upstream RF signal to provide a first filtered RF signal, such that a center frequency of the first tunable RF filter is based on the first filter control signal.
US09614479B2 Class-B/C Doherty power amplifier
It is provided an amplifier arrangement for optimizing efficiency at a peak power level and a back-off power level γ. The amplifier arrangement comprises an input power splitter dividing an input signal into a first signal having a power Pm and a second signal having a power Pa, a main transistor operating in a class-B like mode receiving the first signal, an auxiliary transistor operating in a class-C mode receiving the second signal. The received first and second signals have a phase offset value θ, wherein −π<θ<π. The amplifier arrangement further comprises a combining network. Circuit element values of the combining network, the power Pm and the power Pa, the phase offset value θ, a bias condition of the auxiliary transistor; and a relative size Saux of the auxiliary transistor, are based on a predetermined back-off power level γ, a current scaling factor rc of the auxiliary transistor, a main transistor oversizing factor ro,m, and an auxiliary transistor oversizing factor ro,a, where rc<1, ro,m≧1 and ro,a≧1. It is also provided a method for determining properties for an amplifier arrangement.
US09614475B2 External antenna for communicating with a motor and method of using same
An antenna assembly for communicating with a motor comprises an antenna for mounting exterior of a motor housing and a link for coupling the antenna to a motor controller.
US09614473B1 Flux weakening AC motor control by voltage vector angle deflection
A method for controlling a three phase AC motor includes generating an operating point error signal based upon a difference between a reference operating point and an actual operating point. A first control method is used to determine a first motor control vector, whereby magnitude and angle values of the first control vector are determined. A second control method is used to determine a second control vector from the operating point error signal, whereby the second control vector is a voltage vector with a constant magnitude. A pulse width modulated voltage is applied to the AC motor. The pulse width modulated voltage is dependent upon the first motor control vector when the AC motor is operating below voltage output saturation. The pulse width modulated voltage is dependent upon the second motor control vector when the AC motor is operating at voltage output saturation.
US09614471B2 Motor controller and method for controlling motor
A controller of a motor controller operates to perform a process including: controlling the H bridge circuit to switch to the charge mode; controlling the H bridge circuit to switch to the high-dissipation mode when the zero-cross detector detects that the back electromotive force voltage of the motor coil connected to a phase of the H bridge circuit shortly before the H bridge circuit is zero-crossed; controlling the H bridge circuit to switch to the low-dissipation mode after a predetermined time has elapsed; and controlling the H bridge circuit to switch to the free mode when the voltage detector detects that the differential voltage between the motor coils connected to the H bridge circuit is lower than a predetermined voltage.
US09614467B2 Motor control device
The voltage amplification factor during rapid deceleration control of a motor is set to a value obtained by adding a first voltage amplification factor calculated with reference to the voltage of the DC circuit section of the inverter using a predetermined function and a low-pass filter and a second voltage amplification factor calculated with reference to the inverter current using a PI control. And both calculations are performed in parallel.
US09614466B2 Electronic braking for a universal motor in a power tool
A power system is provided comprising an electric universal motor including an armature rotatable coupled to an armature shaft and a commutator disposed on an armature shaft, a pair of brushes engaging the commutator, and a field having at least two field windings electrically coupled in series with the pair of brushes. The power system includes a power line having two terminals arranged to provide alternating-current (AC) power from a power supply, and a power switch provided in series with the field windings on a power line to provide AC power from the terminals to the motor when the power switch is closed. An electronic brake module is provided in the power system and configured to generate a braking force to stop the motor when the switch is opened, the electronic brake module comprising: a solid-state semiconductor switch arranged across the motor armature and the pair of brushes, a first diode arranged between a first node of the power line and the semiconductor switch, and a second diode arranged between a second node of the power line and the semiconductor switch, wherein the first node is arranged between one of the terminals and the power switch, and the second node is arranged between the power switch and the armature. A controller is provided in the power system and configured to initiate a braking mode of operation to close the semiconductor switch when the power switch is opened.
US09614464B2 Control of heavy machines
The present invention relates to a system for controlling rotational speed on a rotating process machine, which for example is a turbine or a propeller, where the rotating process machine is connected to at least one motor and arranged to rotate with a given rotational speed given by the motor, the motor is connected to a control system and the rotational speed of the motor is arranged to be controlled by a control system. The rotating process machine comprises a load control arranged to be adaptable, the control system is connected to the rotating process machine. With the invention, one achieves soft transitions between several selectable rotational speeds and lower energy consumption by step by step adjusting the size and the rotational speed of the motor to varying energy requirement.
US09614462B2 Rippled disc electrostatic generator/motor configurations utilizing magnetic insulation
Electrostatic generators/motors designs are provided that generally may include a first rippled stator centered about a longitudinal axis; a second rippled stator centered about the axis, a first rippled rotor centered about the axis and located between the first rippled stator and the second rippled stator. A magnetic field having field lines about parallel with the average plane of at least one of the first rippled stator or the second rippled stator is provided with either a Halbach array configuration or a conductor array configuration.
US09614460B2 Voltage compensating method for converter
A voltage compensating method is applied to a converter for converting a DC voltage into an AC voltage. The converter includes a first switch module, a second switch module, and an inductor. In a first dead time period, detect a first current value related to the inductor. According to the first current value, calculate a second current value and a third current value related to the inductor. According to polarities of the first, second and third current values, determine an output mode of the converter indicating a voltage compensation model after the first dead time period. According to the voltage compensation model, the first current value, and the second current value or the third current value, calculate a voltage compensation value. In a second dead time period, adjust a switching time for the first switch module and the second switch module according to the voltage compensation value.
US09614454B2 Power conversion device with reduced wiring distance
Provided is a power converter 3 that directly converts polyphase AC power to AC power. A converter circuit has a plurality of switching elements 311, 313, 315, 312, 314 and 316 which are connected to each phase R, S or T of the polyphase AC power to enable switching for turning on current-carrying bidirectionally. At least three condensers 821 to 826 are provided between phases of the converter circuit. The three condensers are respectively placed at apexes of a triangle on a plane that is in parallel with a part-mounting surface on which the switching elements are actually mounted. The wiring distance between the condensers and the switching elements can be shortened.
US09614453B2 Parallel hybrid converter apparatus and method
An apparatus comprises an isolated power converter coupled between an input dc power source, wherein the isolated power converter comprises a first switch network coupled to a first transformer winding through a first resonant tank and a second switch network coupled to a second transformer winding through a second resonant tank and a dc/dc converter coupled to the second switch network.
US09614450B2 Control voltage adjusting circuit, feedback signal generating circuit, and control circuit including the same
A feedback signal generating circuit may include a control voltage adjusting circuit outputting a feedback voltage by comparing a control voltage input from an external voltage source with a reference voltage and adjusting a ratio of control voltage drop, and an amplifying circuit generating a feedback signal by differentially amplifying the feedback voltage and a detection voltage associated with a current flowing in a load.
US09614448B2 Switching power-supply device
A switching power-supply device, in which an input power is applied to a primary winding of a transformer, a pulse voltage is induced in a secondary winding of the transformer by turning on and off a switching element connected to the primary winding of the transformer and an output voltage rectified and smoothed by a secondary-side rectifying-and-smoothing circuit having a rectifier diode and a smoothing capacitor is outputted. The switching power-supply device includes: a transient state detection circuit, which detects a transient state and outputs a soft-drive instruction signal; and a drive circuit which turns on-and-off the switching element in a soft-drive operation, in which a charging speed of a gate voltage at a time of passing a gate threshold voltage is delayed as compared to a normal operation, in a case where the soft-drive instruction signal is inputted.
US09614447B2 Control circuits and methods for active-clamp flyback power converters
A method for controlling an active-clamp flyback power converter is provided. The control method comprises: generating a first switch signal according to an output voltage and a current sensing signal, and selectively generating a second switch signal in a complementary or non-complementary control mode according to the current sensing signal and the first switch signal. The first switch signal is coupled to drive a low-side power switch for switching a transformer and the output voltage regulation of the active-clamp flyback power converter. The second switch signal is coupled to drive a high-side power switch for recycling leakage energy of the transformer and achieving a soft-switching of the low-side power switch. With the control method, the high-side power switch can adaptively switch in a complementary or non-complementary control mode depending on the output load and input voltage conditions.
US09614444B2 Dynamic voltage transition control in switched mode power converters
A switched mode power converter includes a power stage, a main compensator, and a voltage ramp circuit. The power stage is operable to output a voltage to a load. The main compensator is operable to control switching of the power stage so that the voltage output by the power stage corresponds to a target voltage indicated to the switched mode power converter. The voltage ramp circuit includes a voltage ramp generator and a dynamic voltage transition compensation circuit. The voltage ramp generator is operable to generate a voltage ramp that starts at a first voltage corresponding to the target voltage and ends at a second voltage corresponding to a new target voltage. The dynamic voltage transition compensation circuit is responsive to the voltage ramp generator and operable to modify the output voltage response of the switched mode power converter based on one or more compensation parameters.
US09614443B2 Smooth transitioning buck-boost DC-DC converter
A buck-boost DC-DC converter, which includes converter control circuitry, converter switching circuitry, and a first inductive element, is disclosed. The converter control circuitry provides a buck mode timing signal and a boost mode timing signal. The converter switching circuitry provides a switching output signal. During a buck mode of the buck-boost DC-DC converter, when a buck pulse-width of the switching output signal is less than a buck pulse-width threshold, the buck pulse-width is limited based on both the buck mode timing signal and the boost mode timing signal. During a boost mode of the buck-boost DC-DC converter, when a boost pulse-width of the switching output signal is less than a boost pulse-width threshold, the boost pulse-width is limited based on both the buck mode timing signal and the boost mode timing signal. The first inductive element receives and filters the switching output signal to provide a converter output signal.
US09614442B2 Modular DC-DC Converter including a DC transformer module
A modular dc-dc boost converter system is provided that can substantially improve efficiency over a wide range of input and output voltages. The system includes three modules: a buck module, a boost module, and a dc transformer module. These modules are interconnected such that the system output voltage is equal to the sum of the output voltages of adc-dc converter module and a dc transformer module. Depending on the operating point, one or more modules may operate in passthrough mode, leading to substantially reduced ac losses. The required capacitor size and the transistor voltage ratings are also substantially reduced, relative to a conventional single dc-dc boost converter operating at the same input and output voltages.
US09614439B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a voltage hold circuit that raises a second boosted voltage with rise of an output voltage of a booster circuit that generates a first boosted voltage and then maintains the second boosted voltage at a point when the output voltage reaches a hold voltage level after that, and a first switch that short-circuits a first output terminal through which the first boosted voltage is output and a second output terminal through which the second boosted voltage is output until the output voltage reaches the hold voltage level.
US09614438B2 Adjusting feedback voltage ripple amplitude to control power supply switching frequency
A method, in some embodiments, comprises: receiving a feedback voltage signal generated by a switch-mode power supply; generating an error signal based on a difference between a switching frequency of the switch-mode power supply and a target frequency; and using the error signal to adjust a ripple amplitude of the feedback voltage signal to control said switching frequency in the switch-mode power supply.
US09614434B2 Charge pump circuit with enhanced output impedance
A programmable charge pump, such as for use in CMOS phase-locked loop circuits, is provided. In an example, the charge pump includes a reference stage that provides DC signals to an output stage of the charge pump. The output stage includes output switches for generating output pulses in accordance with external control signals. In an example, loop performance can be improved when an output stage of the charge pump provides a relatively large output impedance. The output switches can be isolated when the charge pump is in an OFF state. For example, respective isolation switches can be used to substantially concurrently switch source and drain terminals for each of the output switches in the charge pump. In an example, a reference stage of the charge pump can provide a buffer for reducing charge-sharing between the output switches and an output node of the output stage.
US09614433B2 Switching-capacitor regulator with charge injection mode for high loading current
A switching-capacitor regulator with a charge injection mode for a high loading current is used to generate an output voltage at an output node, where the switching-capacitor regulator includes a storage capacitor, a switch module, a current source and a control unit. The switch module is coupled between the storage capacitor, a first supply voltage, a second supply voltage and the output node. The current source is coupled to the output node, and is used for selectively providing a current to the output node. The control unit is coupled to the switch module and the output node, and is used for controlling the switch module to selectively charge or discharge the storage capacitor, and for controlling the current source to selectively provide the current to the output node, to adjust a voltage level of the output voltage.
US09614428B2 Switching regulator circuit allowing a lower input voltage
A buck-boost switching regulator has an output voltage boost circuit to provide a boosted output voltage. The boosted voltage is used to generate higher voltage control signals to gates of NMOS switches, resulting in an ability to operate at lower input voltages.
US09614426B2 Display module for an instrument panel with fluid movement
A display module has a two-phase motor which includes a rotor including N pairs of poles magnetized radially, in alternate directions, N being equal to 3 or 5, and a stator part including at least two W-shaped circuits made from radial pole teeth extending inwards from a peripheral closed belt and including a coil on a central leg of the W, the W-shaped circuits being arranged in such a way that when the central tooth of one of the W-shaped circuits is positioned facing a rotor magnetic transition, at least one central tooth of another W-shaped circuit is positioned facing a rotor magnetic pole. The display module additionally includes at least one specific mechanical interaction between the rotor and the stator, such as angular friction at a force that is substantially constant depending on the speed of the rotor relative to the stator.
US09614420B2 Redundant brushless drive system
A redundant brushless drive system, including a coil (12) having first and second phase windings operable independently of one another and first and second independently operable sensor groups for the rotational position of a rotor (11) and for commutation of the phase windings. The first and second sensor groups are positioned along the motor axle one-behind-the-other parallel to each other and symmetrical to the motor axle (10). An encoder circuit board (7) is configured such that an association of the sensor groups (G1, G2) to a phase winding (W1, W2) is configurable such that either the first sensor group (G1) is used for controlling the first phase winding (W1) and the second sensor group (G2) for controlling the second phase winding (W2), or the first sensor group (G1) is used for controlling the second phase winding (W2) and the second sensor group (G2) for controlling the first phase winding (W1).
US09614417B2 Axial flux permanent magnet motor
According to an aspect of the present invention, an axial flux permanent magnet motor includes: a stator assembly configured to produce magnetic flux in a rotating axis direction; and a housing assembly including a motor housing in which the stator assembly is accommodated, in which a first cooling groove is formed in an inner circumferential surface of the motor housing to be predeterminedly and circumferentially extended, a second cooling groove, which corresponds to the first cooling groove, is formed in an outer circumferential surface of the stator assembly so as to be predeterminedly and circumferentially extended, and the first and second cooling grooves meet together to form a cooling flow path for a flow of a coolant.
US09614415B2 Rotary electric machine with a heat sink that has a plurality of fins arranged in groups
In order to prevent poor operability caused by entanglement of the fins in the heat sink during assembly without a drop in the cooling efficiency of the cooling flow along a rotation shaft, a plurality of fins 23c of the heat sink in a vehicle AC generator 1 is constituted by fin groups 123 in which fins are aligned in parallel in one direction, and an entanglement preventing portion 23d is disposed only on the respective outer side surfaces of a pair of outermost fins.
US09614414B2 Driving device and an electric motorcycle driving system using the driving device
The present invention provides a driving device and an electric motorcycle driving system using the driving device. Said driving device comprises a shaft, a pulley disk assembly configured on the shaft, and a motor. The motor is an outer rotor or inner rotor motor. One pulley disk of the pulley disk assembly is connected to one end of the outer rotor sleeve or the inner rotor of the motor, so it can be driven by the outer rotor sleeve or the inner rotor and rotate or move around the shaft; furthermore, an electric motorcycle driving system can use the driving device to connect with a battery and a stepless speed change mechanism, so as to use the electric power of the battery to operate the stepless speed change mechanism, and to consequently enhance the performance of speed and torque output of the electric motorcycles.
US09614412B2 Shaft assembling structure
A shaft assembling structure includes a shaft hole formed on a motor rotor and a shaft with a shaft end sheathed on a shaft hole of the motor rotor. The shaft assembling structure further includes a direction setting member secured to the top of the motor rotor and embedded with the shaft, and at least one direction setting member disposed at the bottom of the shaft assembling structure and extended into the first direction setting portion of shaft hole. The shaft end of the shaft includes at least one second direction setting portion embedded into the corresponding first direction setting portion. When the second direction setting portion is aligned precisely with the first direction setting portion, the shaft hole of the motor rotor is sheathed on the shaft end of the shaft to facilitate the process of recognizing and confirming the rotating direction of the shaft.
US09614411B2 Canned motor and vacuum pump
Provided is a canned motor to be coupled to a vacuum pump and used as a rotary driving source for the vacuum pump. The canned motor includes: a stator core; a rotor provided on an inner side of the stator core; and a non-conductive can provided between the stator core and the rotor. The non-conductive can is configured to separate the stator core and the rotor from each other. The non-conductive can is made of resin, ceramic, or composite material thereof. The non-conductive can is bonded to the stator core with an adhesive.
US09614399B2 Charging control device using in-vehicle solar cell
A solar ECU included in a charging controller is configured to temporarily store electric power generated by an in-vehicle solar cell of an electric power supply unit in a low-voltage battery when a vehicle is traveling. Further, when the vehicle is traveling, a battery ECU included in the charging controller is configured to maintain a charging relay in an open state (disconnected state) so that the electric power temporarily stored in the low-voltage battery is not supplied to a main battery. On the other hand, when the vehicle is traveling, the solar ECU supplies the electric power temporarily stored in the low-voltage battery to a sub-battery.
US09614389B2 Method and system for controlling current flow through a power distribution circuit
A method for controlling a current flow through a power distribution circuit includes determining a current flow through a load electrically connected with the power distribution circuit, and a wire gauge of the power distribution circuit based on a measured output current and output voltage of the power distribution circuit. The method also includes controlling the output current based on the current flow through the load and the wire gauge.
US09614387B2 Battery pack for cordless devices
A battery pack including a housing, a terminal block, a printed circuit board electrically connected to the terminal block, at least one battery cell, and a spark gap device on the printed circuit board to provide electrostatic discharge protection and disposed between the printed circuit board and the terminal block.
US09614379B2 Adapter, and vehicle and method for performing power feeding using adapter
An adapter includes a signal generation unit. By connection between the adapter and a plug of a charging cable used when performing external charging with electric power from an external power supply, the signal generation unit supplies a signal instructing power feeding to a vehicle. In response to the signal instructing power feeding, the vehicle drives a power conversion device, thereby supplying electric power from the vehicle to an external electrical device through the charging cable.
US09614375B2 Power conversion apparatus and photovoltaic module including the same
Discussed are a power conversion apparatus and a photovoltaic module including the power conversion apparatus. The power conversion apparatus includes a converter unit to convert DC voltage from a solar cell module, the converter unit including a plurality of interleaving converters, and a controller to control the converter unit, wherein the controller changes switching periods of the interleaving converters and changes phase differences between the interleaving converters during operation sections of the interleaving converters, in response to a change of the switching periods of the interleaving converters. Consequently, it is possible to prevent instantaneous reduction of output power due to change of switching frequencies of the interleaving converters.
US09614374B2 Method for controlling energy storage system
A system includes an energy storage system capable of receiving electrical energy from an energy source and can supply electrical energy to a first load during a first period and to the first load during a second period. The first load differs in usage rate from the first period relative to the second period. A system controller maintains the energy storage system such that the energy storage system maintains a first amount of stored electrical energy during a first mode, and a second amount of electrical energy during a second mode. The system controller maintains the energy storage system in the first mode during a first portion of the first period, and in the second mode during a second portion of the first period.
US09614372B2 Adaptive power switch circuit
An adaptive power-switch circuit suitable for an electronic device includes a multi-gate power switch module, a monitoring module and a driving controller circuit. The multi-gate power switch module includes to plurality of power switch units connected in parallel. The power switch units include a gate control terminal respectively. The monitoring module is used to monitor an operating load of the electronic device. The driving control circuit is coupled to the monitoring module to selectively disable the gate controlling terminals to form a plurality of configurations. The driving control circuit selects one of the configurations to operate the multi-gate power switch module according to the operating load.
US09614371B1 Interface systems and methods for portable structures
An interface system for a portable structure, at least one power supply, at least one wired functional device, and at least one wireless functional device. A power interface is operatively connected to the at least one power supply. A wired interface is operatively connected to the at least one wired functional device. A wireless interface is wirelessly connected to the at least one wireless functional device. A controller is operatively connected to the power interface, the wired interface, and the wireless interface. The controller controls the power interface to distribute power from the at least one power supply to the at least one wired functional device. The controller controls the wired interface to distribute at least one of commands and data to the wired functional device. The controller controls the wireless interface to distribute at least one of commands and data to the wireless functional device.
US09614364B2 Detection system and detection method of distributed generation islanding based on power frequency carrier
A detection system of distributed generation islanding based on power frequency carrier, the detection system comprising: a power frequency carrier signal generating device; a power frequency carrier signal detection device; a signal coupling transformer; a substation bus; a distribution power generator (DG); and a safety isolation breaker, wherein the power frequency carrier signal generating device comprises a voltage and current monitor circuit, the power frequency carrier signal generating device is connected with the signal coupling transformer through four three phase four line power cables, and the signal coupling transformer is connected with substation bus through 3 power cables.
US09614363B2 Under voltage protection device
An under voltage protection device includes a voltage detector and a starting unit. The voltage detector includes a diode, a variable resistor, a transistor and a fixed-resistance resistor. The starting unit includes a second transistor. When a voltage of the external voltage source is smaller than a voltage of the diode, a voltage between an emitter node and an collector node of the first transistor is smaller than a threshold voltage present between a gate node of and a source node of the second transistor such that the starting unit is turned off. When the voltage of the external voltage source is larger than the voltage of the diode, the voltage between the emitter node and the collector node is larger than the threshold voltage present between the gate node and the source node such that the starting unit is turned on.
US09614357B2 Three-phase electrical energy distribution system furnished with a means of guidance of electric arcs
A three-phase electrical energy distribution system includes a set of current distribution bars extending side by side and clad with an insulator. The bars include opposing insulator-free zones. The electrical energy distribution system finds application to the three-phase electrical energy distribution systems embedded aboard an aircraft.
US09614356B2 Modular accessory system for panel board
A modular accessory system is structured to be mounted in a panel board including a housing assembly and a number of conductors with each conductor having a number of stabs extending therefrom. The modular accessory system includes an interface assembly structured to be selectively coupled to the panel board and a number of modules disposed on the interface assembly. Each module is structured to at least monitor or regulate one or more attributes of the panel board.
US09614355B2 Portable electrical substation racking mechanism
A racking mechanism for moving elements of a mobile electrical substation between a transport mode and an operational mode is provided. The racking mechanism includes a fixed structural member; a moveable structural member; and a bearing disposed between a side surface of the fixed structural member and a side surface of the moveable structural member.
US09614354B2 Spark plug
A resistor element of a spark plug containing ZrO2, wherein a target region is defined by a rectangular region where the size in the direction perpendicular to an axial line is 1800 μm and the size in the direction of the axial line is 2400 μm. In the case where the target region is divided into a plurality of square regions having lengths of 200 μm on a side, a transverse line-shaped region is defined by a region in a line shape that is constituted of nine square regions arranged in the direction perpendicular to the axial line. A first type region is defined by the square region where a proportion of an area of ZrO2 is 25% or more, and a second type region is defined by the square region where a proportion of an area of ZrO2 is less than 25%.
US09614348B2 Light source arrangement including semiconductor light source
A light source arrangement is provided. The light source arrangement may include a plurality of semiconductor laser light sources, each having an optical axis. The semiconductor laser light sources are arranged in such a way that their optical axes are oriented parallel to one another so that respective laser light emission sides of the semiconductor laser light sources point in the same spatial direction. The light source arrangement may further include a deflection unit configured to collect and influence beam paths of the laser light emitted by the semiconductor laser light sources in order to form a beam bundle. The semiconductor laser light sources are arranged on a surface of a carrier, distributed at least two-dimensionally over the surface.
US09614347B2 Optical communication device, reception apparatus, transmission apparatus, and transmission and reception system
An optical communication device, reception apparatus, transmission apparatus and transmission and reception system are disclosed. The optical communication device includes a drive circuit substrate. A first through via extends through the drive circuit substrate and is configured to electrically connect an optical element disposed on a first surface side of the drive circuit substrate to a drive circuit disposed on a second surface side of the drive circuit substrate. A positioning element is attached to an interposer substrate and is configured to align optical axes of a first lens that is attached to a lens substrate and that faces a second lens that is disposed on the first surface side of the drive circuit substrate. A second through via extends through the interposer substrate and electrically connects the drive circuit to a signal processing circuit disposed on a signal processing substrate positioned above the interposer substrate.
US09614346B2 Organic laser for measurement
This invention provides a system and a method for measuring displacements and movements, particularly for measuring very fine displacements and very minute movements. Position, vibration and rotational/angular movements can be measured. One or more directions can be measured simultaneously. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more measuring means at least configured to tune multiple color emissions from a laser comprising an organic laser and/or a cascaded organic laser, such that the tuned multiple color emissions of the laser are used in measurements. The system is scalable in order to support measurement across a very large space. Optionally, the system further comprises a thin film laser generating device for generating said laser, blue and green emission organic semiconductors for generating said organic laser, and laser sensors for sensing said laser where said laser sensors comprise organic laser sensors and/or cascaded organic laser sensors.
US09614341B2 Device for attaching a connector to a prepared coaxial cable
A device is provided to attach a connector having an internally threaded base and external threads to a cable having a casing. The device includes a body having a bore therethrough. At least a portion of the bore is threaded and the external threads on the connector are threaded into the threads of the bore until a stop surface in the bore is engaged by a portion of the connector. The device may then be turned to thread the base onto the casing of the cable.
US09614335B2 High outlet density power distribution unit
Systems and apparatuses are provided in which outlets are coupled to a power distribution unit (PDU) or PDU module in various configurations. The outlets may be coupled to a recessed surface within a PDU housing. The outlets and recessed surface may be formed as part of a single mold. The outlets may be coupled to a printed circuit board that is at least partially disposed within the PDU housing. The outlets may extend away from the recessed surface or printed circuit board towards or beyond a front face of the PDU housing.
US09614334B2 Hermaphroditic electrical connector
The subject matter described herein relates to a hermaphroditic electrical connector. Embodiments of the hermaphroditic electrical connector and a method of manufacturing the connector are provided. In one embodiment, The hermaphroditic electrical connector comprises an insulating body comprising at least one installation wall and a plurality of openings on the installation wall, and a plurality of conductive contactors, each being coupled to the body at the each of the plurality of openings and comprising at least a pair of a spring portion and a receiving portion, such that at least one of the spring portion and the receiving portion within the pair is configured to detachably connect to a separate electrical connector moving towards an inner surface of the installation wall, while the other of the spring portion and the receiving portion within the pair is configured to detachably connect to a separate electrical connector moving towards an outer surface of the installation wall opposite to the inner surface. The hermaphroditic electrical connector according to the present subject matter described herein may allow at least two of connectors with same structures being electrically connected in a self-aligned manner.
US09614330B2 Relay connector
A relay connector (1) includes: a first input/output unit (11) to which a cable connector (92) connected to one end of a cable (91) is detachably connected; a second input/output unit (12) that is detachably connected to a board connector (93) provided in a board (94) to which the cable connector (92) can be detachably connected, and that is electrically connected to the first input/output unit (11); and a core (13) that suppress noise radiated by a signal flowing between the first input/output unit (11) and the second input/output unit (12).
US09614329B2 Power plug, power receptacle and power connector assembly
A power plug including an insulation main body is provided. A first pillar and a second pillar arranged at the insulation main body. Only a first channel for inserting a first plug terminal is defined on the first pillar and multiple second channels for inserting second plug terminals are defined on the second pillar. A power receptacle including an insulation base is provided. A first slot and a second slot respectively corresponding to the first pillar and the second pillar are defined at the insulation base. Only a first receptacle terminal is inserted in the first slot. Multiple second receptacle terminals arranged at interval and parallel with each other are inserted in the second slot. The first receptacle terminal and the second receptacle terminals are arranged in a row. The power plug and the power receptacle are thereby limited to correctly couple.
US09614328B2 Locking device for a plug-in connection
The invention relates to a locking device for a plug-in connection between a plug and a socket. In accordance with the invention an actuator (4) and a blocking slide (6) are provided, wherein the actuator (4) is rotatable about an axis of rotation, the blocking slide (6) is displaceable in the longitudinal direction thereof between an unlocking position and a locking position, and the actuator (4) and the blocking slide (6) are formed in such a way and interact with each other such that a rotation of the actuator (4) is always combined with a longitudinal displacement of the blocking slide (6) and vice versa, wherein a longitudinal displacement of the blocking slide (6) by means of a rotation of the actuator (4) is always possible, whereas a rotation of the actuator (4) by means of a longitudinal displacement of the blocking slide (6) is possible only outside the locking position. A locking device of this type for a plug-in connection between a plug and a socket is thus provided, which enables simple and economical axial locking, which cannot be manipulated.
US09614327B2 Electrical connector and assembly therewith having a spring-apart function
A connector assembly is provided and includes a connector, a lock, and a spring arrangement. The connector has a housing, a spring arrangement holder, and a plug section. The housing has an upper shell and a lower shell that provide a lock receiving passageway into an interior thereof. The spring arrangement holder is disposed along the lower shell. The plug section is disposed along the lower shell and opposite the spring arrangement holder. The lock is inserted into the lock receiving passageway. The spring arrangement is inserted into the spring arrangement holder.
US09614326B2 Connecting structure of terminal
In a connecting structure of a terminal configured to connect a female terminal inserted into a terminal accommodating chamber to the male terminal, the female terminal comprises a tubular part made of a metal plate and formed into which the male terminal is inserted, a plate shaped engaging piece continued from a side wall of the tubular part and folded back so that the engaging piece is located in a path into which the male terminal is inserted, a notch formed on an outer side surface of a folded back part of the engaging piece. The male terminal is provided with a cut-out part which can accommodate the engaging piece, and the engaging piece is accommodated in the cut-out part when the female terminal is inserted to a set position to lock a movement of the female terminal in a pulling out direction.
US09614323B2 Electrical connector
An electrical connector having a squib connector housing a plurality of socket contacts and a squib assembly housing a plurality of pin contacts for insertion in the socket contacts when the squib connector and squib assembly are moved in a mating direction and mated. A retaining means provided for retaining the squib connector and squib assembly in a fully mated condition. A spring, acting in a direction opposite the mating direction, provides a resisting force to oppose mating. During the application of a mating force to overcome the resisting force of the spring and move the squib connector and squib assembly in the mating direction, and prior to the squib connector and squib assembly reaching the fully mated condition, removal of the resisting force of the spring is triggered and the mating force is applied to moving the squib connector and squib assembly to the fully mated condition.
US09614320B2 Dongle for quick release
Systems and techniques are provided for a dongle for quick release. The plug portion may include electrical contacts to contact electrical contacts housed within the port of the electronic device. An external face may be attached to the plug portion. The external face may include electrical contact pads. The electrical contact pads may be electrically connected to the electrical contacts. A flange may include a ferromagnetic material attached to the external face, such that the flange is disposed outside of the electronic device when the plug portion is plugged into the port of the electronic device.
US09614318B2 Connector and wiring harness
A connector (C) is formed such that a plurality of terminal insertion holes (12), into which terminals crimped to end parts of wires (40) are inserted, are arranged side by side in a width direction of a terminal insertion surface part (11) on the terminal insertion surface part (11) of a connector housing (10), and includes a plurality of guiding portions (25), (26) and (27) provided side by side in the width direction of the terminal insertion surface part (11) in correspondence with the terminal insertion holes (12). The guiding portions (25), (26) and (27) are configured to guide the wires (40) having the terminals inserted into the terminal insertion holes (12) in a perpendicular direction until the wires (40) are separated from the terminal insertion surface part (11) by specified distances.
US09614317B2 Connector support structure and adaptor
A connector support structure includes: a connector fitted to a counterpart connector formed in an electric component; a connector support portion formed in a wiring board in which an electric wire to be connected to the connector is arranged; and a resin adaptor which holds the connector internally and which is inserted into and supported by the connector support portion. The adaptor includes a plurality of elastic pieces in an outer circumferential surface of the adapter such that the connector is supported on an inner surface of the connector support portion through the elastic pieces.
US09614315B2 Electrical connector and connector terminal
The electrical connector includes: a housing having a terminal space therein; and a connector terminal to be housed in the terminal space. The connector terminal includes: a terminal body operable to be inserted into the terminal space; and a lance formed at the terminal body for preventing the terminal body from being pulled out of the terminal space. The terminal space includes a pair of walls. The lance includes: a first elastically deformable portion outwardly extending from the terminal body; and a second elastically deformable portion being continuous with a distal end of the first portion, and being disposed outwardly of the first portion relative to the terminal body. A gap is formed between the terminal body and each of the walls, and the first and second portions can pass the gap in an elastically deformed condition.
US09614304B2 Electrical connectors and methods of manufacturing and using same
An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. Various housing portions may be provided for connection to different portions of the spiral, to facilitate the tightening of the spiral and to cooperate with a latch/lock system to retain the spiral in tightened condition. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends/side of the connector and/or in spiral ports extending transversely from a main spiral(s). Terminal ends or additional spiral units/ports may be connected to a given spiral, either permanently, semi-permanently, or detachably, for producing a wide variety of configurations and modular connection devices.
US09614301B2 Spring force connection terminal and plug connector
The invention describes a spring-three terminal connection (1) for the terminal connection of electrical conductors, having an insulating-material housing (2) which has at least one conductor insertion opening (12) for the insertion of an electrical conductor, at least one clamping spring (5) which has a contact limb (7), a clamping limb (10) and a spring bow (8) which connects the contact limb (7) and the clamping limb (10) to one another, and having at least one operating button (15) which is accommodated in the insulating-material housing such that it can be displaced and which has an operating area (14) for making contact with the clamping limb (10) and moving the clamping limb (10) in the direction of the contact limb (7) for opening the clamping point when the operating button (15) is displaced in the direction of the interior of the insulating-material housing (2). The insulating-material housing (2) contains at least one button opening (16) for accommodating an associated operating button (15), said button opening being open in the direction of an associated conductor insertion opening (12). The operating button (15), which is mounted in this button opening (16) such that it can be displaced, forms part of the wall arrangement of the conductor insertion opening (12). Starting from a mouth section (50) which adjoins the conductor insertion opening (12), the button opening (16) is widened in the direction of the hack (51) of the button opening (16), said back being situated opposite the conductor insertion opening (12). The cross section of the operating button (15) is matched to the widening contour of the button opening (16).
US09614300B2 Electrical connector and manufacturing method thereof
An electrical connector connecting a male connector and a female connector in a freely engageable and detachable manner, in which: a male tab is provided at the male connector; a housing part where the male tab is inserted is provided at the female connector; a spring state contact piece and a beat piece to sandwich the male tab are provided at the housing part; and a protrusion protruding toward the male tab inserted into the housing part is provided at least one of the contact piece and the beat piece, wherein the protrusion includes a contact part which is in contact with the male tab inserted into the housing part and a sidewall part which is provided at a periphery of the contact part, and the contact part has so-called a star-shape in a plan view.
US09614297B2 Electrical connectors
An electrical connector for electrically connecting wires includes first and second members pivotally coupled together. The first member has an opening and the second member has a receptacle, where the opening of the first member and the receptacle of the second member are configured to generally align when the first and second members are in a first position such that wires can be inserted through the opening of the first member and into the receptacle of the second member for electrically connecting the wires. A metallic coil is positioned within the receptacle of the second member and configured to electrically connect the wires. And, a sleeve is positioned adjacent the receptacle of the second member, generally above the metallic coil, for holding insulating material in the electrical connector to help coat the wires when the wires are received into the electrical connector.
US09614295B2 Joining method, joint structure, electronic device, method for manufacturing electronic device and electronic part
A joint structure that includes a first metal member, a second metal member, and a joint portion sandwiched between the first metal member and the second metal member. At least a Cu-M-Sn intermetallic compound is dispersed in the joint portion, M is at least one of Ni and Mn, and neither a Cu3Sn layer nor a Cu6Sn5 layer is present on at least one of interfaces between the joint portion and the first metal member and the second metal member.
US09614294B2 Antenna device
An antenna device includes a ground; a monopole antenna including a first section running from a feeding point along the ground, a second section running in a direction away from the ground, and a third section running along the ground, the monopole antenna having a length corresponding to ¼ of a wavelength at a first resonance frequency; a parasitic element including a first section whose end is connected to the ground in the vicinity of the end of the first section of the monopole antenna and that runs in a direction away from the ground, and a second section, the parasitic element having a length corresponding to ¼ of a wavelength at a second resonance frequency; and a dipole antenna provided along the third section of the monopole antenna and the parasitic element, the dipole antenna having a length corresponding to ½ of a wavelength at a third resonance frequency.
US09614292B2 Circularly polarized antenna
A broad-band circularly-polarized antenna is presented. The circularly-polarized antenna includes at least four monopole antenna elements having respective at least four radiating surfaces with respective at least four normals. The monopole antenna elements are arranged around a vertical axis. The normals of the respective radiating surfaces are perpendicular to and point away from the vertical axis. The broad-band circularly-polarized antenna includes at least one feed network communicatively coupled to edge portions of the at least four monopole antenna elements. A first antenna element is driven with a first driving phase offset by 90 degrees from a second driving phase used to drive a second antenna element. The second driving phase is offset by 90 degrees from a third driving phase used to drive a third monopole antenna element. The third driving phase is offset by 90 degrees from a fourth driving phase used to drive a fourth antenna element.
US09614290B1 Expanding lattice notch array antenna
The present disclosure is directed toward a notch array antenna comprised of a plurality of notch antenna elements projecting from a surface of a base plate at varying angles to provide an array having an expanding element structure. The plurality of notch antenna elements are organized in a regular spacing in one or two directions along the surface of the base plate and each of the plurality of notch antenna elements is formed by a gap between conductive parts projecting from the first surface of the base plate. The notch array antenna includes a plurality of notch antenna element axes, whereby each notch antenna element axis is defined along a centerline of one of the notch antenna elements. Each notch antenna element axis may extend from the first surface of the base plate at systematically varying angles with respect to an axis perpendicular to the base plate.
US09614288B2 Device for receiving and/or emitting a wave, a system comprising the device, and use of such device
A device (10) for receiving and/or emitting an electromagnetic wave, comprising a medium (11) of dielectric material, a plurality of passive resonant elements (12) incorporated inside said medium, the plurality of passive resonant elements (12) comprising a frequency band-gap, two neighbor passive resonant elements belonging to the plurality being spaced apart from each other of a first distance lower than λ/4, and at least one active resonant element (13) incorporated inside said plurality, said active resonant element (13) having a second structure different from a first structure of the passive resonant elements (12), so that said active resonant element (13) has at least a second resonance frequency comprised inside the frequency band-gap of said plurality of passive elements (12).
US09614287B2 Multi-band antenna
A multi-band antenna can be associated with at least one electronic device. The antenna includes a single power supply point; at least one first resonant circuit for resonating at a first frequency; and at least one second resonant circuit for resonating at a second frequency. The resonant circuits are electrically connected to each other. The connection point between the resonant circuits corresponds to the single power supply point. The antenna can be used simultaneously over multiple bands.
US09614285B2 RFID system with an eddy current trap
An RFID antenna assembly configured to be energized with a carrier signal is disclosed. The RFID antenna assembly includes an inductive component including a loop antenna assembly, at least one capacitive component coupled to the inductive component, and an eddy current trap positioned a predetermined distance from the loop antenna assembly.
US09614284B2 Frequency characteristic adjusting jig, antenna testing apparatus and antenna testing method, and loop antenna
A frequency characteristic adjusting jig attached to a loop antenna includes: a conductive first member which is located along an outer periphery of a loop for a portion of a conductor forming the loop antenna, and which is electromagnetically coupled or electrically connected to the portion of the conductor; a conductive second member which is located along the outer periphery of the loop for another portion of the conductor, and which is electromagnetically coupled or electrically connected to the other portion of the conductor; and a conductive third member which connects the first and second members together via a different path than a path formed along the loop. The first and second members are chosen to have a length along the loop such that a frequency characteristic of the loop antenna is shifted according to the length.
US09614279B2 Portable apparatus and associated method for phased array field calibration
A system for calibrating an array antenna comprises a calibration antenna at a first location relative to an array antenna, a first set of calibration files, and a processor. Based on received far field data from a far field data test that was run on the array antenna, using the calibration antenna, the processor is configured to generate a model predicting the actual location of the calibration antenna relative to the array antenna and to generate predicted far field data based on the model. The model is adjusted, if needed, by comparing the predicted far field data with the received far field data. Based on the model, new calibration files are generated that substantially correlate to the actual location of the calibration antenna.
US09614278B2 Ladder filter and duplexer
A ladder filter includes a plurality of series-arm resonators and parallel-arm resonators including surface acoustic wave resonators. A metallization ratio of the series-arm resonator having the smallest electrostatic capacity among the plurality of series-arm resonators is the smallest among the plurality of series-arm resonators and an electrode finger pitch of the series-arm resonator having the smallest electrostatic capacity is the largest among electrode finger pitches of the plurality of series-arm resonators.
US09614277B2 Radiofrequency module
A radio frequency module comprises an antenna assembly on a semiconductor integrated circuit that can transmit an electromagnetic signal in a frequency band of interest, or receive an electromagnetic signal in a frequency band of interest, or both. In the radio frequency module, a conductive layer that forms a signal ground plane. At least one semiconductor layer of the semiconductor integrated circuit forms part of this dielectric spacing. The dielectric spacing is arranged so that an electromagnetic signal in the frequency band of interest that traverses through the dielectric spacing from the antenna assembly to the conductive layer that forms the signal ground plane experiences a phase shift comprised in the range between 60 and 120 degrees.
US09614276B2 Antenna apparatus and methods
An apparatus including: a first ground member; a second ground member extending from the first ground member and including a feed point, the feed point being configured to receive a signal in a first frequency band and to receive an antenna configured to operate in the first frequency band, the first ground member and the second ground member having an electrical length configured to provide a resonant mode in the first ground member and the second ground member in the first frequency band.
US09614272B2 Aircraft antenna mounting system
A method of manufacturing is provided comprising forming a mounting plate adaptable to a plurality of models of aircraft, forming an adapter plate configured for use with the mounting plate, forming a radome configured to attach to the mounting plate, configuring a shape of the adapter plate to encompass at least one footprint of at least one antenna, and providing a plurality of hole patterns through the adapter plate corresponding to known hole patterns of the at least one antenna.
US09614270B2 Superconducting airbridge crossover using superconducting sacrificial material
A technique relates to a superconducting airbridge on a structure. A first ground plane, resonator, and second ground plane are formed on a substrate. A first lift-off pattern is formed of a first lift-off resist and a first photoresist. The first photoresist is deposited on the first lift-off resist. A superconducting sacrificial layer is deposited while using the first lift-off pattern. The first lift-off pattern is removed. A cross-over lift-off pattern is formed of a second lift-off resist and a second photoresist. The second photoresist is deposited on the second lift-off resist. A cross-over superconducting material is deposited to be formed as the superconducting airbridge while using the cross-over lift-off pattern. The cross-over lift-off pattern is removed. The superconducting airbridge is formed to connect the first and second ground planes by removing the superconducting sacrificial layer underneath the cross-over superconducting material. The superconducting airbridge crosses over the resonator.
US09614269B2 RF coupler with adjustable termination impedance
Aspects of this disclosure relate to a radio frequency coupler and an adjustable termination impedance circuit. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a radio frequency coupler and a termination impedance circuit configured to provide an adjustable termination impedance, in which the termination impedance circuit includes two switches and a passive impedance element in series between a reference potential and a selected port of the RF coupler, the selected port being one of an isolated port of the RF coupler or a coupled port of the RF coupler.
US09614266B2 Miniature RF and microwave components and methods for fabricating such components
RF and microwave radiation directing or controlling components are provided that may be monolithic, that may be formed from a plurality of electrodeposition operations and/or from a plurality of deposited layers of material, that may include switches, inductors, antennae, transmission lines, filters, hybrid couplers, antenna arrays and/or other active or passive components. Components may include non-radiation-entry and non-radiation-exit channels that are useful in separating sacrificial materials from structural materials. Preferred formation processes use electrochemical fabrication techniques (e.g. including selective depositions, bulk depositions, etching operations and planarization operations) and post-deposition processes (e.g. selective etching operations and/or back filling operations).
US09614264B2 Filter
The present invention provides multi-resonator cavity filters in which one or more patch elements are introduced into the coupling apertures between resonators, reducing the strength of the electric field in the aperture gap while maintaining the coupling strength from resonator to resonator. This reduced field strength reduces the sensitivity of the resonators to gap-thickness variations, and allows use of the filter in high-power applications.
US09614261B2 Process for recycling electrode materials from lithium-ion batteries
Herein is disclosed a process for recycling electrode material from lithium-ion batteries, comprising harvesting a mixture of anode and cathode electrode materials from waste lithium-ion batteries, and separating the anode electrode material from the cathode electrode material by means of dense liquid separation. The mixed anode and cathode material is suspended in a liquid that has a density between those of the anode material and cathode material, such that the anode material rises to the top of the dense liquid and the cathode material sinks to the bottom of the dense liquid. The thus separated materials can easily be collected and further purified and regenerated for reuse in new lithium-ion batteries, providing an efficient and low-cost method for recycling electrode active materials from waste lithium-ion batteries.
US09614260B2 Battery pack of excellent cooling efficiency
Discussed herein is a battery pack configured to have a structure in which a battery pack case is provided at the upper part and the lower part thereof with a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port, respectively, the battery pack case is provided with a coolant introduction part and a coolant discharge part, the coolant introduction part includes (a) a parallel introduction part adjacent to the coolant inlet port, the parallel introduction part extending in parallel to a top of the unit cell stack and (b) an inclined introduction part connected to the parallel introduction part, the inclined introduction part extending from the coolant inlet port to an end of the battery pack case opposite to the coolant inlet port such that a distance between the inclined introduction part and the top of the unit cell stack is gradually decreased.
US09614259B2 Battery with a thermal tripping element
A battery includes a battery housing and also two connections configured to electrically conductively connect the battery to a load. The battery further includes a battery string which is positioned in the battery housing, and connects the two connections to one another. At least one battery cell is connected in series and/or in parallel with the battery string. The battery has at least one thermal tripping element which is positioned within the battery housing, and which is configured to trip when a predetermined first temperature is present in a region of the thermal tripping element, and therefore is configured to indicate a presence of this predetermined first temperature in the region of the thermal tripping element.
US09614253B2 Electrolyte solution additive for lithium secondary battery, and non-aqueous electrolyte solution and lithium secondary battery including the additive
Provided is a non-aqueous electrolyte solution including a non-aqueous organic solvent, an imide-based lithium salt, and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of lithium difluoro bis(oxalato)phosphate (LiDFOP), (trimethylsilyl)propyl phosphate (TMSPa), 1,3-propene sultone (PRS), and ethylene sulfate (ESa), as an electrolyte solution additive.According to the electrolyte solution additive for a lithium secondary battery of the present invention, the electrolyte solution additive may improve output characteristics at high and low temperatures and may prevent a swelling phenomenon by suppressing the decomposition of PF6− on the surface of a cathode, which may occur during a high-temperature cycle of a lithium secondary battery including the electrolyte solution additive, and preventing an oxidation reaction of an electrolyte solution.
US09614245B2 Inexpensive metal-free organic redox flow battery (ORBAT) for grid-scale storage
A flow battery includes a positive electrode, a positive electrode electrolyte, a negative electrode, a negative electrode electrolyte, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode electrolyte includes water and a first redox couple. The first redox couple includes a first organic compound which includes a first moiety in conjugation with a second moiety. The first organic compound is reduced during discharge while during charging the reduction product of the first organic compound is oxidized to the first organic compound. The negative electrode electrolyte includes water and a second redox couple. The second couple includes a second organic compound including a first moiety in conjugation with a second moiety. The reduction product of the second organic compound is oxidized to the second organic compound during discharge.
US09614241B2 Hydrogen-purification apparatus and fuel-cell system using same
A hydrogen purifier (100) includes: a shift conversion catalyst (5a) which reduces, through a shift reaction, carbon monoxide contained in a hydrogen-containing gas; and a methanation catalyst (6a) which reduces, through a methanation reaction, carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-containing gas that has passed through the shift conversion catalyst (5a). The shift conversion catalyst (5a) and the methanation catalyst (6a) are heat exchangeable with each other via a first partition wall (8), and a flow direction of the hydrogen-containing gas that passes through the shift conversion catalyst (5a) is opposite to a flow direction of the hydrogen-containing gas that passes through the methanation catalyst (6a).
US09614238B2 Fuel cell system
A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell and a humidifying device for humidifying a supply air flow flowing to a cathode chamber of the fuel cell by an exhaust air flow discharged from the cathode chamber of the fuel cell. The supply air flow and the exhaust air flow are separated from one another by water vapor-permeable membranes. An anode water separator, through which exhaust gas from an anode chamber of the fuel cell flows, is integrated into the humidifying device.
US09614234B2 Ion-exchange equipment
An ion-exchange equipment includes a tank unit formed with a cooling liquid flow-in port and a cooling liquid flow-out port and provided therein with an ion-exchange chamber, and an ion-exchange resin in form of particles filling the ion-exchange chamber of the tank unit. The ion-exchange chamber is provided so as to extend along an axial direction of the tank unit and the ion-exchange chamber has a circular cross section taken perpendicularly to the axial direction of the tank unit, and the cooling liquid flow-in port is formed so as to extend in a tangential direction of the ion-exchange chamber.
US09614225B2 Positive active material for rechargeable lithium battery, method for preparing same and rechargeable lithium battery including same
A positive active material including a compound represented by Li1+xM1−kMekO2. A surface part of a particle of the positive active material has a mole ratio [Me/M] (A) of element represented by Me to element represented by M in Li1+xM1−kMekO2 of 0.05≦A≦0.60; the entire particle has a mole ratio [Me/M] (B) of element represented by Me to element represented by M in Li1+xM1−kMekO2 of 0.003≦B≦0.012; and element represented by Me has a concentration difference of between two positions of less than or equal to about 0.02 wt % in an inner part of the particle.In Li1+xM1−kMekO2, −0.2≦x≦0.2, 0
US09614224B2 Cathode active material for lithium battery, lithium battery, and method for producing cathode active material for lithium battery
The main object of the present invention is to provide a cathode active material for a lithium battery capable of inhibiting resistance from increasing with time. The present invention attains the object by providing a cathode active material for a lithium battery comprising: a cathode active material containing an Mn element and being an oxide; and a coating portion formed on a surface of the cathode active material, characterized in that the coating portion contains a Li element, a P element, an O element and the Mn element derived from the cathode active material, and a ratio of the Mn element to the P element, (Mn/P) is 1 or more at an interface between the cathode active material and the coating portion.
US09614221B2 Lithium-ion secondary battery
A lithium-ion secondary battery of the present invention contains: a laminated electrode group formed of a rectangular positive electrode; a rectangular negative electrode; and a separator. In such a laminated electrode group, the positive electrode includes a positive electrode current collector foil, and a positive electrode mixture layer containing a positive electrode active material, the negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector foil, and a negative electrode mixture layer containing a negative electrode active material. The negative electrode active material includes a silicon-based material, and a carbonaceous material. A mass ratio of the silicon-based material and the carbonaceous material is 20:80 to 80:20. The silicon-based material is a Si alloy or SiOx (0.5≦x≦1.5). The positive electrode and the negative electrode have a collection terminal protruding from a same side of the laminated electrode group. The negative electrode current collector foil is formed of any one of a stainless steel; a copper alloy containing a copper with a purity of 99.9% or more, and one or more kinds of elements selected from the group consisting of zirconium, silver and tin; and a copper with a purity of 99.99% or more. When a comparison are drawn between lengths of the positive electrode mixture layer and the negative electrode mixture layer in a direction where the collection terminal protrudes from the same side, the length of the positive electrode mixture layer is the length of the negative electrode mixture layer or longer. Thus, a short circuit in charging and discharging of the lithium-ion secondary battery can be suppressed.
US09614216B2 Negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary battery, method for manufacturing same, negative electrode for lithium ion secondary battery, and lithium ion secondary battery
The invention provides a negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary battery, including a composite particle of a first particle containing a carbonic substance A and a second particle containing silicon, which are combined with a carbonic substance B, wherein, when a cross-section of the composite particle is observed with respect to: the content of silicon atom in a core region in a circle having a center thereof on the midpoint of the major axis, which constitutes the maximum length, and having a radius of ⅛ of the length of the minor axis orthogonally intersecting the major axis at the midpoint thereof, and the content thereof in a rim region extending from the circumference to a depth of ⅛ of the length of the minor axis, the ratio of the content in the rim region to that in the core region is 2 or higher.
US09614214B2 Method for improvement of performance of si thin film anode for lithium rechargeable battery
The present invention relates to a method for improving charge/discharge cycle characteristics of a lithium secondary battery using a Si based anode active material, the method comprising surface-treating a surface of an anode current collector to have specific morphology, and preferably vapor-depositing a silicon film, as the anode active material by sputtering under application of bias voltage to the surface-treated anode current collector, and/or disposing an adhesive layer between the surface-treated anode current collector and silicon film, so as to reinforce bondability between the anode current collector and active material, ultimately leading to improvement of charge/discharge characteristics of the battery.
US09614213B2 Battery pack
A window portion allowing the terminal of the cell to be inserted through is opened in the board holder, and projecting portions are provided projecting inward in the window portion in plural locations of the edge sides facing the window portion in the board holder. And the plural projecting portions in the board holder each decrease in cross-sectional size toward the tips of the plural projecting portions, the board holder is engaged in position by the tips of the plural projecting portions at least partially contacting the under surface of the terminal of the cell which is exposed to the sealing plate side without being covered by a gasket.
US09614212B2 Method of producing composite porous membrane
A method produces a composite porous membrane including a porous membrane A formed of a polyolefin-based resin; and a porous membrane B containing a heat-resistant resin and laminated on the porous membrane A, including: (i) applying a heat-resistant resin solution onto a base film, followed by passing the coated film through a low-humidity zone, and then through a high-humidity zone to form a heat-resistant resin membrane on the base film; and (ii) bonding together the heat-resistant resin membrane formed in step (i) and a porous membrane A formed of a polyolefin-based resin, followed by converting the heat-resistant resin membrane into a porous membrane B by immersion in a solidification bath, and washing and drying the same to obtain the composite porous membrane.
US09614210B2 Battery module vent system and method
A battery module includes a housing having an interior defined by multiple sides, one side of which is a lid. The battery module also includes lithium ion electrochemical cells disposed in the housing, each cell having a vent through which gases may be vented. Moreover, the battery module includes a first chamber defined by interior aspects of the housing. Furthermore, the first chamber receives vented gases directed in a first direction from the electrochemical cells. In addition, the battery module includes a surface of the first chamber. The surface is configured to direct the vented gases in a second direction. The battery module also includes a second chamber defined partially by the lid. The second chamber receives the vented gases from the first chamber and directs the vented gases from the housing.
US09614209B2 Aircraft including mitigation system for rechargeable batteries
An aircraft comprises a rechargeable battery including an array of battery cells, and means for mitigating consequences of failure of the rechargeable battery due to aircraft operating cycles.
US09614208B2 Battery pack with degassing cover and plate thereon
A battery pack including at least one battery module including: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a direction, each of the battery cells including a vent; and a cover covering the plurality of battery cells and including a degassing cover covering the vents; and a cover plate on the degassing cover, at least a portion of the degassing cover having a rigidity less than a rigidity of the cover plate.
US09614205B2 Battery retention assembly and method
An illustrative battery retaining assembly comprises a retaining plate, and a casing including mounting devices. One of the mounting devices may include a hinge device, and another of the mounting devices may include a latch device. The retaining plate includes engagement portions engageable with the mounting devices, such that the retaining plate may be mounted to the casing. One of the engagement portions may include a channel engageable with the hinge device, and another of the engagement portions may include a catch engageable with the latch device. The mounting devices and engagement portions may be configured to enable the retaining plate to slide at an oblique angle with respect to the casing, to provide a variable separation distance between the casing and the retaining plate.
US09614200B2 Hermetically sealed battery
A hermetically sealed battery is provided with a sealing member for air-tightly sealing the through-hole of a battery case from the outside. The sealing member has: a covering member secured to the battery case from the outside; an insertion portion inserted into the through-hole; an annular pressure contact portion in air-tight pressure contact with the hole surrounding portion of the battery case; and a connecting portion disposed between the insertion portion and the annular pressure contact portion so as to be integral with the insertion portion and the annular pressure contact portion. The connecting portion is provided with an annular groove surrounding the insertion portion.
US09614199B2 Feedthrough
A feedthrough, for example through a part of a housing, such as a battery housing, is, for example, made of a metal, such as a light alloy, for example aluminum, an aluminum alloy, AlSiC, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, steel, stainless steel or high-grade steel. The housing part has at least one opening through which at least one conductor having a cross-section is guided in a glass or glass ceramic material. The conductor has at least two sections, a first section having a first, substantially round, for example a circular, cross section having a diameter in the region of the feedthrough through the glass or glass ceramic material, and a second section having a second, substantially non-round, for example a substantially rectangular cross-section, and the conductor is formed in one piece.
US09614189B2 Organic electroluminiscent display and method for preparing the same, and display device
Disclosed are an organic electroluminescent display and a method for preparing the same, and a display device. The organic electroluminescent display comprises: a base substrate; an organic electroluminescent pixel array, which is set on the base substrate; a packaging coverplate or a packaging film, which is covered outside the organic electroluminescent pixel array; and a phase difference film and a polarization functional film located inside the packaging coverplate or the packaging film and attached to the organic electroluminescent pixel array in turn. In the organic electroluminescent display according to the invention, the unnecessary films, such as a TAC films that need to be attached to the two sides of a polarization functional film in an existing circular sheet polarizer and a binding agent layer, etc., can be omitted, thereby the transmittance of a display can be improved, and the contrast of a display can be increased; moreover, the overall thickness of a display may be reduced, and the problem of being difficult to roll up may be avoided; and there exists no interference of oxygen and aqueous vapor, thus the durability of the circular sheet polarizer can be increased.
US09614188B2 Organic electroluminescent element and lighting device
An organic electroluminescent element includes an optically transparent electrode, a counter electrode, an emission layer, an auxiliary reflective layer and a diffusion-preventing layer. The counter electrode is paired with the optically transparent electrode and formed of Ag or an alloy containing Ag and has light reflectivity. The emission layer is disposed between the optically transparent electrode and the counter electrode. The auxiliary reflective layer is disposed on an opposite side of the counter electrode from the emission layer. The diffusion-preventing layer is disposed between the counter electrode and the auxiliary reflective layer whose components are prevented from diffusing and moving therebetween.
US09614186B2 Electronic device
The present technique provides an electronic device, such as a flexible EL display device, including: first barrier film including a laminate of inorganic film including an inorganic material and polymer film including a polymer material; second barrier film including a laminate of inorganic film including an inorganic material and polymer film including a polymer material; and thin film transistor array device and light emitter both sealed with first and second barrier films. Polymer films each contain at least one type of nano fine particles selected from silica particles, Fe-based particles, montmorillonite particles, silica-coated particles, and zeolite particles, dispersed in the polymer material.
US09614182B2 Method of manufacturing display apparatus that includes using an energy beam to form an encapsulation layer
A method of manufacturing a display apparatus, the method including forming a display device on a substrate; and forming a thin-film encapsulation layer on the display device, the thin-film encapsulation layer including at least one inorganic layer that includes low-temperature viscosity transition (LVT) inorganic materials, wherein forming the thin-film encapsulation layer includes irradiating energy beams toward the thin-film encapsulation layer during formation of the thin-film encapsulation layer.
US09614181B2 Organic light emitting display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is an organic light emitting display apparatus. The apparatus may include a substrate including a display region where an image is realized and a non-display region surrounding the display region. The apparatus includes an organic light emitting unit including a first electrode, an intermediate layer, and a second electrode, which are disposed in the display region and are sequentially stacked on the substrate. The apparatus also includes a first inorganic film including a first low temperature viscosity transition (LVT) inorganic material having a first viscosity transition temperature, and covering the organic light emitting unit; and a second inorganic film including a second LVT inorganic material having a second viscosity transition temperature lower than the first viscosity transition temperature, and formed in the non-display region.
US09614180B2 Organic light-emitting display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light-emitting display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes a pixel-defining layer disposed on a substrate, wherein the pixel-defining layer defines an emission region and a non-emission region, an organic light-emitting device disposed in the emission region, and a protruding portion disposed on a portion of the pixel-defining layer in the non-emission region. The display apparatus also includes a thin film encapsulating layer disposed on the substrate for sealing the organic light-emitting device and the protruding portion, the thin film encapsulating layer comprising at least one organic film and at least one inorganic film, wherein at least one organic film corresponds to a functional organic film, and a height of a first upper surface of the functional organic film disposed away from the protruding portion is lower than a height of a second upper surface of the functional organic film disposed near a top of the protruding portion.
US09614174B2 Organic electroluminescent devices
[It is an object] to provide an organic electroluminescent element having a transparent electrode, with which there is no need to produce a separate light extraction layer, [which can be produced by] a simple film formation process, and which is advantageous in terms of cost. [This is] an organic electroluminescent element in which a substrate, a first transparent electrode that is adjacent to this substrate, an organic layer including at least one organic light-emitting layer, a second transparent electrode, a low refractive-index layer with a refractive index of 1.3 or less, and a reflector layer are formed in this order, with this organic electroluminescent element being such that the aforementioned first transparent electrode contains at least one type of transparent particle with a primary particle size of 0.5 μm or more.
US09614173B2 Packaging method for electronic device and packaging system
The present invention provides a packaging method for an electronic device, which includes a step of forming a packaging substrate, the step of the forming a packaging substrate includes: forming, on a base substrate, a defining pattern which comprises a groove for defining position of frit; providing colloidal frit in the groove; presintering the colloidal frit to obtain preliminarily cured frit; polishing upper surfaces of the defining pattern and the preliminarily cured frit; and removing the defining pattern, and completely curing the preliminarily cured frit, so as to form solid frit on the base substrate. The present invention also provides a packaging system. By using the packaging method provided by the present invention, a better packaging effect can be achieved.
US09614172B2 Curable composition, cured product, and organic electroluminescence element using same
Provided are: a curable composition containing a compound having a polymerizable group, which allows the production of an organic electroluminescent element in which a plurality of organic layers are formed between both electrodes to be performed through a wet process; and an organic electroluminescent element improved in light emission performance, including a layer containing a cured product of the curable composition. Specifically, provided are: a curable composition containing an indolocarbazole compound having one polymerizable group such as a vinyl group or an epoxy group and having an indolocarbazole skeleton, and a compound having two polymerizable groups; and an organic electroluminescent element including a layer obtained by applying and curing the curable composition as a hole transport layer of the organic electroluminescent element.
US09614171B2 Electroluminescent element and light-emitting device
An electroluminescent element which can easily control the balance of color in white emission (white balance) is provided according to the present invention. The electroluminescent element comprises a first light-emitting layer containing one kind or two or more kinds of light-emitting materials, and a second light-emitting layer containing two kinds of light-emitting materials (a host material and a phosphorescent material) in which the phosphorescent material is doped at a concentration of from 10 to 40 wt %, preferably, from 12.5 to 20 wt %. Consequently, blue emission can be obtained from the first light-emitting layer and green and red (or orange) emission can be obtained from the second light-emitting layer. An electroluminescent element having such device configuration can easily control white balance since emission peak intensity changes at the same rate in case of increasing a current density.
US09614169B2 Back contact perovskite solar cell
A method is provided for forming a back contact perovskite solar cell. A substrate is coated with a positive electrode layer. The positive electrode layer is then conformally coated with a first insulator. A plurality of negative electrode segments are selectively deposited overlying the first insulator layer, and a second insulator layer is conformally deposited overlying the negative electrode segments and first insulator layer. The second insulator layer is selectively etched to expose the negative electrode segments, and an n-type semiconductor is selectively deposited overlying each exposed negative electrode segment to form n-type contacts. The first and second insulator layers are then selectively etched to expose positive electrode segments. A p-type semiconductor is selectively deposited over each exposed positive electrode segment to form p-type contacts. Finally, a hybrid organic/inorganic perovskite (e.g., CH3NH3Pbl3-XClX) layer is conformally deposited overlying the p-type and n-type contacts. A back contact solar cell is also provided.
US09614158B2 Blended polymer FETs
A method for forming a semiconductor body, the method comprising: forming a mixture of an organic semiconducting material and a binder material; causing the semiconducting material to at least partially solidify; and causing the binder material to crystallize in such a way as to cause the semiconducting material to at least partially segregate from the binder material.
US09614156B2 Method for producing flexible display panel
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for producing a flexible display panel. The method includes the following steps of: providing a bearing substrate and a transparent substrate arranged with the flexible display panel; setting a laser irradiation path and irradiating the bearing substrate by using a laser along the set laser irradiation path to form a mark region on the bearing substrate; placing the flexible display panel on the mark region correspondingly; irradiating from a side of the transparent substrate by re-using the laser along the set laser irradiation path, to peel off the flexible display panel from the transparent substrate; and separating the flexible display panel from the mark region on the bearing substrate to obtain the flexible display panel.
US09614151B2 Method and apparatus providing multi-planed array memory device
A three dimensional variable resistance memory array and method of forming the same. The memory array has memory cells in multiple planes in three dimensions. The planes of the memory cells include shared interconnect lines, dually connected to driving and sensing circuits, that are used for addressing the cells for programming and reading. The memory array is formed using only a single patterned mask per central array plane to form the memory cells of such planes.
US09614149B2 Coherent spin field effect transistor
A coherent spin field effect transistor is provided by depositing a ferromagnetic base like cobalt on a substrate. A magnetic oxide layer is formed on the cobalt by annealing at temperatures on the order of 1000° K to provide a few monolayer thick layer. Where the gate is cobalt, the resulting magnetic oxide is Co3O4 (111). Other magnetic materials and oxides may be employed. A few ML field of graphene is deposited on the cobalt (III) oxide by molecular beam epitaxy, and a source and drain are deposited of base material. The resulting device is scalable, provides high on/off rates, is stable and operable at room temperature and easily fabricated with existing technology.
US09614145B2 Reversed stack MTJ
An integrated circuit device includes a substrate and a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ). The MTJ includes at least a pinned layer, a barrier layer, and a free layer. The MTJ is formed over a surface of the substrate. Of the pinned layer, the barrier layer, and the free layer, the free layer is formed first and is closest to the surface. This enables a spacer to be formed over a perimeter region of the free layer prior to etching the free layer. Any damage to the free layer that results from etching or other free layer edge-defining process is kept at a distance from the tunneling junction by the spacer.
US09614143B2 De-integrated trench formation for advanced MRAM integration
A semiconductor device may include a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) trench having a first conductive barrier liner and a second conductive barrier liner. The MRAM trench may land on a hard mask of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) within an MTJ region of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device may also include a logic trench having the first conductive barrier liner. The semiconductor device may further include a logic via having the first conductive barrier liner. The logic via may land on a first portion of a conductive interconnect (Mx) within a logic region of the semiconductor device.
US09614141B2 Piezoelectric ceramic, piezoelectric element, piezoelectric device and piezoelectric ceramic manufacturing method
A piezoelectric ceramic compatibly represents both an excellent piezoelectric constant and an excellent mechanical quality factor. The piezoelectric ceramic contains a metal oxide expressed by general formula (1) shown below and Mn by not less than 0.04 weight parts and not more than 0.36 weight parts relative to 100 weight parts of the metal oxide in terms of metal. The piezoelectric ceramic includes a plurality of first crystal grains having a perovskite structure and a plurality of second crystal grains existing at grain boundaries between the first crystal grains. The second crystal grains contain at least a metal oxide expressed by general formula (2) shown below: (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3  (1) where 0.09≦x≦0.30, 0.025≦y≦0.085 and 0.986≦a≦1.020; (Ba1-vCav)b(Ti1-wZrw)cOd  (2) where 0≦v≦1, 0≦w≦1, 1≦b≦6, 2≦c≦19, b+2c−1≦d≦b+2c and b
US09614137B2 Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes: a heat dissipative board; a wiring board which adheres and is fixed to the heat dissipative board and in which a through-hole is formed; a light-emitting element which is mounted on a front surface of the heat dissipative board which is exposed through the through-hole of the wiring board; a bonding wire which connects the light-emitting element and the wiring board; and a light-reflecting member which covers a surface of an inner peripheral wall of the through-hole excluding disposition places of the light-emitting element and the bonding wire.
US09614132B2 Light emitting device and method of fabricating the same
A light emitting device package includes substrate; first and second conduction members on the substrate; a light emitting diode on the substrate, the light emitting diode being electrically connected with the first and second conduction members; and a phosphor layer on the light emitting diode.
US09614131B2 Optoelectronic semiconductor component and method for producing an optoelectronic semiconductor component
An optoelectronic semiconductor component has a carrier and at least one semiconductor chip for emitting electromagnetic radiation. The semiconductor chip has two or more individually controllable elements. The semiconductor component additionally has a wavelength conversion element for at least partial conversion of the primary radiation emitted by the semiconductor chip into a secondary electromagnetic radiation. Each of the elements is suitable for generating primary radiation. The wavelength conversion element is structured into subregions. At least one individually controllable element of the semiconductor chip is associated with each subregion of the wavelength conversion element.
US09614130B2 Light emitting device and illumination device
A light emitting device which emits a secondary light with high color purity and has a fast response speed is obtained. A KSF phosphor (15) which absorbs a part of blue light and emits red light and a CASN phosphor (16) are distributed in a resin (14) which seals an LED chip (13) which emits the blue light. The KSF phosphor (15) absorbs the blue light and emits the red light by forbidden transition, and the CASN phosphor (16) absorbs the blue light and emits the red light by allowed transition.
US09614128B2 Surface mountable semiconductor device
The present invention relates to a surface mountable semiconductor device comprising at least one semiconductor element mounted on or integrated in a device substrate (1) having a top surface and a bottom surface. One or several electrical pads (2) of a first height and at least one thermal pad (3) of a second height are arranged at the bottom surface of the device substrate (1). In the proposed surface mountable semiconductor device the height of the thermal pad (3) is larger than the height of the electrical pads (2). This allows the mounting of such a device to an IMS with a locally removed dielectric layer in an easy and reliable manner in order to directly connect the thermal pad with the metallic substrate of the IMS.
US09614124B2 Substrate having annealed aluminum nitride layer formed thereon and method for manufacturing the same
A substrate having an annealed AlN layer includes a substrate made of a material selected from among a group including sapphire, silicon carbide (SiC), and aluminum nitride (AlN), and an aluminum nitride (AlN) layer formed on the substrate and having a thickness of 100 nm or greater. The aluminum nitride layer is annealed at a prescribed annealing temperature and in a nitrogen/carbon monoxide (N2/CO) mixed gas atmosphere, and the nitrogen/carbon monoxide (N2/CO) mixed gas has a mixture ratio of N2 gas/CO gas in a range of 0.95/0.05 to 0.4/0.6.
US09614118B2 Method and apparatus for depositing copper-indium-gallium selenide (CuInGaSe2-cigs) thin films and other materials on a substrate
An apparatus for deposition of a plurality of elements onto a solar cell substrate that comprises: a housing; a transporting apparatus to transport the substrate in and out of the housing; a first tubing apparatus to deliver powders of a first elements to the housing; a first source material tube located outside of the housing and joined to a feeder tube of the tubing apparatus; a valve located inside of the first source material tube sufficient to block access between the first source material tube and the first feeder tube; a first heating tube located inside of the housing and connected to the first feeder tube; a similar second tubing apparatus to deliver powders of a second elements to the housing; a loading station for loading the substrate onto the transporting apparatus; one or more thermal sources to heat the housing and the first and second heating tube.
US09614116B2 Impedance adaptation in a THz detector
At least one electronic device, system and method of manufacturing an electromagnetic wave detector are provided herein. The electronic device for receiving at least one electromagnetic wave of a given frequency may comprise at least one first field effect transistor, and at least one antenna configured to receive the at least one electromagnetic wave and connected to a gate of the at least one first field effect transistor, wherein a length of the gate is in a same order of magnitude as an oscillation length of an oscillation regime of the at least one first field effect transistor at the given frequency, and a width of the gate is such that an impedance presented by the at least one first field effect transistor in the oscillation regime is adapted to an impedance of the at least one antenna.
US09614111B2 CIGS film, and CIGS solar cell employing the same
The present invention provides a CIGS film substantially free from oxidation of a front surface thereof and a CIGS solar cell employing the CIGS film and substantially free from reduction and variation in conversion efficiency. The CIGS film, which is used as a light absorbing layer for the CIGS solar cell, includes: a first region having a Ga/(In+Ga) ratio progressively reduced along its thickness toward a predetermined first thickness position from a back surface of the CIGS film; a second region having a Ga/(In+Ga) ratio progressively increased along its thickness toward a predetermined second thickness position from the first region; and a third region provided on the second region and having a Ga/(In+Ga) ratio progressively reduced along its thickness toward the front surface of the CIGS film.
US09614107B2 Quantum capacitance graphene varactors and fabrication methods
A plate varactor includes a dielectric substrate and a first electrode embedded in a surface of the substrate. A capacitor dielectric layer is disposed over the first electrode, and a layer of graphene is formed over the dielectric layer to contribute a quantum capacitance component to the dielectric layer. An upper electrode is formed on the layer of graphene. Other embodiments and methods for fabrication are also included.
US09614104B2 Co-planar oxide semiconductor TFT substrate structure and manufacture method thereof
The present invention provides a co-planar oxide semiconductor TFT substrate structure and a manufacture method thereof. In the co-planar oxide semiconductor TFT substrate structure, the active layer comprises a main body and a plurality of short channels connected to the main body, and the plurality of short channels are separated with the plurality of strip metal electrodes to make the active layer possess higher mobility and lower leak current. Thus, the performance of the TFT element can be improved. The present invention provides a manufacture method of a co-planar oxide semiconductor TFT substrate structure. With forming the plurality of strip metal electrodes between the source and the drain, which are separately positioned, as deposing the oxide semiconductor layer, the plurality of short channels can be formed between the source and the drain. The method is simple and does not require additional mask or process to obtain the active layer structure different from prior art. The manufactured actively layer possesses higher mobility and lower leak current. Thus, the performance of the TFT element can be improved.
US09614098B2 Thin film transistor and manufacturing method thereof, array substrate and display device
A thin film transistor and a manufacturing method thereof, an array substrate and a display device are provided. The method includes forming a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) active layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode on a substrate. The MOS active layer includes forming a pattern layer of indium oxide series binary metal oxide including a first, second, and third pattern directly contacting with the source electrode and the drain electrode. An insulating layer formed over the source electrode and the drain electrode acts as a protection layer, the pattern layer of indium oxide series binary metal oxide is implanted with metal doping ions by using an ion implanting process, and is annealed, so that the indium oxide series binary metal oxide of the third pattern is converted into the indium oxide series multiple metal oxide to form the MOS active layer.
US09614095B2 Semiconductor device
An oxide semiconductor transistor comprising an oxide semiconductor layer with high conductivity is provided. A semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor layer comprising an oxide containing indium, gallium, and zinc (IGZO) and a particle of indium oxide; a gate electrode overlapping with a channel formation region in the oxide semiconductor layer with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween; and a source electrode and a drain electrode overlapping with a source region and a drain region in the oxide semiconductor layer. The semiconductor device may be a top-gate oxide semiconductor transistor or a bottom-gate oxide semiconductor transistor. The oxide semiconductor layer may be formed over or below the source electrode and the drain electrode.
US09614093B2 Strain compensation in transistors
Transistor structures having channel regions comprising alternating layers of compressively and tensilely strained epitaxial materials are provided. The alternating epitaxial layers can form channel regions in single and multigate transistor structures. In alternate embodiments, one of the two alternating layers is selectively etched away to form nanoribbons or nanowires of the remaining material. The resulting strained nanoribbons or nanowires form the channel regions of transistor structures. Also provided are computing devices comprising transistors comprising channel regions comprised of alternating compressively and tensilely strained epitaxial layers and computing devices comprising transistors comprising channel regions comprised of strained nanoribbons or nanowires.
US09614092B2 Thin film transistor array panel and method of manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor array panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an insulating substrate; a polycrystal semiconductor layer formed on the insulating substrate; a buffer layer formed below the polycrystal semiconductor layer and containing fluorine; a gate electrode overlapping the polycrystal semiconductor layer; a source electrode and a drain electrode overlapping the polycrystal semiconductor layer and separated from each other; and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode.
US09614091B2 Gate structure and method for fabricating the same
An apparatus comprises a nanowire having a channel region, a gate structure surrounding a lower portion of the channel region, wherein the gate structure comprises a first dielectric layer comprising a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, a first workfunction metal layer over the first dielectric layer comprising a vertical portion and a horizontal portion and a low-resistivity metal layer over the first workfunction metal layer, wherein an edge of the low-resistivity metal layer and an edge of the vertical portion of the first workfunction metal layer are separated by a dielectric region and the low-resistivity metal layer is electrically coupled to the vertical portion of the first workfunction metal layer through the horizontal portion of the first workfunction metal layer.
US09614084B1 Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate comprising a channel region and a recess, wherein the recess is located at both side of the channel region; a gate structure formed over the channel region; a first SiP layer covering bottom corners of the gate structure and the recess; and a second SiP layer formed over the first SiP layer and in the recess, wherein the second SiP layer has a phosphorus concentration higher than that of the first SiP layer.
US09614077B1 Vertical finfet with strained channel
A vertical transistor including a strained vertical semiconductor material channel pillar and a method of forming the same are provided. A strained vertical semiconductor materials pillar is first formed and is used to provide the strained vertical semiconductor material channel pillar of the vertical transistor of the present application. The strained vertical semiconductor material pillar is always mechanically anchored during various vertical transistor processing steps so that in the final structure strain is preserved.
US09614073B2 Semiconductor device, and manufacturing method for same
A semiconductor device that has a source region, a channel region, and a drain region disposed in order from a surface of the semiconductor device in a thickness direction of a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device includes a gate insulating film having an extended portion that covers the surface of the semiconductor substrate outside of a gate trench and a top surface of a polysilicon gate. A connection gate trench branches from the gate trench, and joins a contact gate trench which is wider than the gate trench and the connection gate trench. The polysilicon gate is embedded in the connection gate trench and the contact gate, and extends from the gate trench to the contact gate trench through the connection gate trench. The gate contact groove is formed in the polysilicon gate within the contact gate trench.
US09614072B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, a first insulation region, a second insulation region, a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, a third semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, a fourth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type, and a fourth electrode. The second electrode includes first portions and a second portion. The second portion extends in a first direction. The first portions extend in a direction away from the second portion. The second portion is between the first portions and the first electrode in a second direction. The fourth semiconductor region is positioned between adjacent first electrode portions in the first direction.
US09614071B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device formed on a silicon carbide substrate that has a front surface on which an electrode is provided and a back surface on which an electrode is provided includes a drain layer, a drift layer, a base layer, a gate electrode that is located in a trench that extends from the front surface into the drift layer and is insulated by an insulating film, a source layer, a buried layer that is provided between the drift layer and the base layer and is formed such that the depth from the front surface to an end thereof on the side of the drift layer is greater than the depth from the front surface to a distal end of the trench, and a first epitaxial layer that is provided between the buried layer and the base layer and has a higher impurity concentration than the buried layer.
US09614070B2 Field effect transistor with conduction band electron channel and uni-terminal response
A uni-terminal transistor device is described. In one embodiment, an n-channel transistor comprises a first semiconductor layer having a discrete hole level H0; a second semiconductor layer having a conduction band minimum EC2; a wide bandgap semiconductor barrier layer disposed between the first and the second semiconductor layers; a gate dielectric layer disposed above the first semiconductor layer; and a gate metal layer disposed above the gate dielectric layer and having an effective workfunction selected to position the discrete hole level H0 below the conduction band minimum Ec2 for zero bias applied to the gate metal layer and to obtain n-terminal characteristics.
US09614069B1 III-Nitride semiconductors with recess regions and methods of manufacture
A multi-layer semiconductor structure is disclosed for use in III-Nitride semiconductor devices, including a channel layer comprising a first III-Nitride material, a barrier layer comprising a second III-Nitride material, a pair of ohmic electrodes disposed in ohmic recesses etched into the barrier layer, a gate electrode disposed in a gate recess etched into the barrier layer, and a filler element. The gate electrode is stepped to form a bottom stem and at least one bottom step within the gate recess. The filler element, comprising an insulating material, is disposed at least below the bottom step of the gate electrode within the gate recess. Also described are methods for fabricating such semiconductor structures. The performance of resulting devices is improved, while providing design flexibility to reduce production cost and circuit footprint.
US09614068B2 Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a first active region, a field insulating layer disposed in the first active region, a first nanowire pattern disposed on the first active region and extended in a first direction, and a first gate disposed on the first active region and extended in a second direction crossing the first direction. The first gate covers the first nanowire pattern. The semiconductor device further includes a source or drain epitaxial layer disposed on at least one side of the first nanowire pattern. The first gate includes a first region disposed on the first nanowire pattern and having a first width, and a second region disposed beneath the first nanowire pattern and having a second width wider than the first width.
US09614067B2 Semiconductor device and method of fabricating same
A semiconductor device comprising: an insulation substrate; an intrinsic semiconductor nanowire formed on the insulation substrate and having both ends doped in a p-type and an n-type, respectively and a region, which is not doped, between the doped region; doped region electrodes formed on each of the p-type doped region and the n-type doped region of the semiconductor nanowire; a lower insulation layer formed on an intrinsic region of the semiconductor nanowire; an intrinsic region electrode formed on a part of the lower insulation layer; and a metal or semiconductor nanoparticle region formed on the lower insulation layer and between the intrinsic region electrode and the doped region electrode and spaced apart from the electrodes.
US09614056B2 Methods of forming a tri-gate FinFET device
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a fin that is positioned above and vertically spaced apart from an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate, the fin having an upper surface, a lower surface and first and second side surfaces, wherein an axis of the fin in a height direction of the fin is oriented substantially parallel to the upper surface of the substrate, and wherein a first side surface of the fin contacts a first insulating material, forming a gate structure around the upper surface, the second side surface and the lower surface of the fin, and forming a gate contact structure that is conductively coupled to the gate structure.
US09614050B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor devices
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising: forming a contact sacrificial pattern on a substrate to cover source and drain regions and expose a gate region; forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the substrate to cover the contact sacrificial pattern and expose the gate region; forming a gate stack structure in the exposed gate region; removing the contact sacrificial pattern to form the source/drain contact trench; and forming a source/drain contact in the source/drain contact trench. By means of a contact sacrificial layer process, the method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention effectively reduces the distance between the gate spacer and the contact region and increases the area of the contact region, thus effectively reducing the parasitic resistance of the device.
US09614048B2 Split gate flash memory structure and method of making the split gate flash memory structure
A semiconductor structure of a split gate flash memory cell is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate including a source region and a drain region. Further, the semiconductor structure includes a floating gate, a word line, and an erase gate located over the semiconductor substrate between the source and drain regions. The floating gate is arranged between the word line and the erase gate. Even more, the semiconductor structure includes a dielectric disposed between the erase and floating gates. A thickness of the dielectric between the erase and floating gates is variable and increases towards the semiconductor substrate. A method of manufacturing the semiconductor structure is also provided.
US09614046B2 Semiconductor devices with a thermally conductive layer
An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate that includes a host substrate and an upper surface, an active area, a substrate opening in the semiconductor substrate that is partially defined by a recessed surface, and a thermally conductive layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate that extends between the recessed surface and a portion of the semiconductor substrate within the active area. A method for fabricating the semiconductor device includes defining an active area, forming a gate electrode over a channel in the active area, forming a source electrode and a drain electrode in the active area on opposite sides of the gate electrode, etching a substrate opening in the semiconductor substrate that is partially defined by the recessed surface, and depositing a thermally conductive layer over the semiconductor substrate that extends between the recessed surface and a portion of the semiconductor substrate over the channel.
US09614044B2 Semiconductor device with current sensor
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body. The semiconductor body includes a load transistor part and a sensor transistor part. A first source region of the load transistor part and a second source region of the sensor transistor part are electrically separated from each other. A common gate electrode in a common gate trench extends into the semiconductor body from a first surface. A first part of the common gate trench is in the load transistor part, and a second part of the common gate trench is in the sensor transistor part. A field electrode in a field electrode trench extends into the semiconductor body from the first surface. A maximum dimension of the field electrode trench parallel to the first surface is smaller than a depth of the field electrode trench.
US09614041B1 Multi-gate semiconductor devices with improved hot-carrier injection immunity
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first dopant type, a first gate electrode and second gate electrode formed over the substrate and spatially separated from each other, a first region of a second dopant type, having a pocket of the first dopant type, formed in the substrate between the first and second gate electrodes, the pocket being spaced apart from the first and second gate electrodes, a silicide block over the first region, a source region formed in the substrate on an opposing side of the first gate electrode from the first region and having the second dopant type, a drain region formed in the substrate on an opposing side of the second gate electrode from the first region, the drain region having the second dopant type, and a second pocket of the first dopant type formed in the drain region adjacent to the second gate electrode.
US09614040B1 Strained silicon germanium fin with block source/drain epitaxy and improved overlay capacitance
A semiconductor structure is provided including a strained silicon germanium alloy fin that can be employed as a channel material for a FinFET device and having a gate spacer including a lower portion that fills in a undercut region that lies adjacent to the strained silicon germanium alloy fin and beneath raised source/drain (S/D) structures and silicon pedestal structures that can provide improved overlay capacitance.
US09614038B2 Nanowire device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a nanowire device is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a pair of support pads, a recess disposed between the support pads, a second insulating layer disposed on the support pads, a third insulating layer disposed on a bottom of the recess, and at least one nanowire suspended between the support pads at a top portion of the recess; forming a first insulating layer on the nanowire; depositing a dummy gate material over the substrate on the first insulating layer, and patterning the dummy gate material to form a dummy gate structure surrounding a channel region; forming a first oxide layer on laterally opposite sidewalls of the dummy gate; and extending the nanowire on laterally opposite ends of the channel region to the respective support pads, so as to form a source region and a drain region.
US09614037B2 Nano-ribbon channel transistor with back-bias control
Embodiments of the invention include a method for fabricating a nano-ribbon transistor device and the resulting structure. A nano-ribbon transistor device including a substrate, a nano-ribbon channel, a core region in the center of the nano-ribbon channel, a gate formed around the nano-ribbon channel, a spacer formed on each sidewall of the gate, and a source and drain region epitaxially formed adjacent to each spacer is provided. The core region in the center of the nano-ribbon channel is selectively etched. A dielectric material is deposited on the exposed portions of the nano-ribbon channel. A back-bias control region is formed on the dielectric material within the core of the nano-ribbon channel and on the substrate adjacent to the nano-ribbon transistor device. A metal contact is formed in the back-bias control region.
US09614032B2 Semiconductor device, integrated circuit and method for manufacturing the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device comprises a transistor in a semiconductor body having a first main surface and a second main surface, the first main surface being opposite to the second main surface. The transistor comprises a source region at the first main surface, a drain region, a body region, a drift zone, and a gate electrode at the body region. The body region and the drift zone are disposed along a first direction between the source region and the drain region, the first direction being parallel to the first main surface. The gate electrode is disposed in trenches extending in the first direction. The transistor further comprises an insulating layer adjacent to the second main surface of the body region. The source region vertically extends to the second main surface.
US09614029B2 Trench-gate type semiconductor device and manufacturing method therefor
There is provided a trench-gate type semiconductor device that can prevent breakdown of a gate insulating film caused by a displacement current flowing into a protective diffusion layer at a portion of a trench underlying a gate electrode at a turn-off time and simultaneously improves a current density by narrowing a cell pitch. The semiconductor device has a gate electrode 7 embedded into a trench 5 penetrating a base region 3. The gate electrode 7 is disposed into a lattice shape in a planar view, and a protective diffusion layer 13 is formed in a drift layer 2a at the portion underlying thereof. At least one of blocks divided by the gate electrode 7 is a protective contact region 20 on which the trench 5 is entirely formed. A protective contact 21 for connecting the protective diffusion layer 13 at a bottom portion of the trench 5 and a source electrode 9 is disposed on the protective contact region 20.
US09614025B2 Method of fabricating semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a first etch stop layer over a first dielectric layer. The method also comprises forming a first opening in the first etch stop layer and the first dielectric layer. The method further comprises filling the first opening with a conductive material. The method additionally comprises forming a second etch stop layer and a second dielectric layer over the first etch stop layer. The method further comprises forming a second opening to expose the conductive material. The method additionally comprises forming a capacitor in the second opening and in contact with the conductive material.
US09614024B2 Fractal structures for MEMS variable capacitors
In accordance with the present disclosure, one embodiment of a fractal variable capacitor comprises a capacitor body in a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) structure, wherein the capacitor body has an upper first metal plate with a fractal shape separated by a vertical distance from a lower first metal plate with a complementary fractal shape; and a substrate above which the capacitor body is suspended.
US09614022B2 Display device and electronic device comprised of multiple display panels
To provide a display device that is suitable for increasing in size, a display device in which display unevenness is suppressed, or a display device that can display an image along a curved surface. The display device includes a first display panel and a second display panel each including a pair of substrates. The first display panel and the second display panel each include a first region which can transmit visible light, a second region which can block visible light, and a third region which can perform display. The third region of the first display panel and the first region of the second display panel overlap each other. The third region of the first display panel and the second region of the second display panel do not overlap each other.
US09614014B2 Display device
A display device includes a plurality of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) pixels on a substrate, and a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) pixels between the plurality of OLED pixels on the substrate, the plurality of LED pixels on a same plane as the plurality of OLED pixels.
US09614012B2 Light-emitting element and display device
There has been a problem that difference in refractive index between an opposite substrate or a moisture barrier layer provided thereover, and air is maintained large, and light extraction efficiency is low. Further, there has been a problem that peeling or cracking due to the moisture barrier layer is easily generated, which leads to deteriorate the reliability and lifetime of a light-emitting element. A light-emitting element comprises a pixel electrode, an electroluminescent layer, a transparent electrode, a passivation film, a stress relieving layer, and a low refractive index layer, all of which are stacked sequentially. The stress relieving layer serves to prevent peeling of the passivation film. The low refractive index layer serves to reduce reflectivity of light generated in the electroluminescent layer in emitting to air. Therefore, a light-emitting element with high reliability and long lifetime and a display device using the light-emitting element can be provided.
US09614010B2 Solid-state image sensing device having an organic photoelectric conversion section fills a depression section and solid-state image pickup unit including same
Image sensors, image pickup devices, and electronic apparatuses are provided. These can include an image sensor or image pickup device that includes a first insulating layer over a semiconductor substrate. A depression section is formed in the first insulating layer. An organic photoelectric conversion section fills the depression section. One or more inorganic photoelectric conversion sections can also be provided, with the organic photoelectric conversion section overlapping the inorganic photoelectric conversion sections. Alternatively or in addition, the depression section can taper from a side adjacent a light receiving side of the image sensor to a side adjacent the at least a first inorganic photoelectric conversion section.
US09614009B2 Organic p-n junction based ultraviolet detection device and ultraviolet image detector using same
The present invention provides an organic p-n junction based ultraviolet detection device and an ultraviolet image detector using the device. The organic p-n junction based ultraviolet detection device (40) includes: an active glass substrate (42) and a packaging glass substrate (44) that are arranged and opposite to each other, a plurality of organic p-n junctions (43) arranged between the active glass substrate (42) and the packaging glass substrate (44), and a packaging material (48) arranged along a circumferential edge area of the active glass substrate (42) and the packaging glass substrate (44). The plurality of organic p-n junctions (43) is arranged in the form of an array on the active glass substrate (42). The organic p-n junction based ultraviolet detection device and the ultraviolet image detector using the device according to the present invention features simple manufacturing process, low manufacturing cost, and cheap, diversified categories, and wide supply of raw material that can be formed through chemical synthesis. Further, the ultraviolet detection device has a simple structure, a small size, and a light weight and can be formed on a flexible substrate and can expand wide angle of photographing.
US09614008B2 Electronic device and method for fabricating the same
An electronic device includes a semiconductor memory that includes: an inter-layer dielectric layer which is formed over a substrate; a contact plug which is coupled with the substrate by passing through the inter-layer dielectric layer and has a protruding portion over the inter-layer dielectric layer; a first variable resistance pattern which is formed over the contact plug; and a protective layer which covers the first variable resistance pattern and a portion of sidewalls of the contact plug in such a manner that the sidewalls of the contact plug are exposed.
US09614007B2 Memory arrays
Some embodiments include a memory array having a first memory cell adjacent to a second memory cell along a lateral direction. The second memory cell is vertically offset relative to the first memory cell. Some embodiments include a memory array having a series of data/sense lines extending along a first direction, a series of access lines extending along a second direction, and memory cells vertically between the access lines and data/sense lines. The memory cells are arranged in a grid having columns along the first direction and rows along the second direction. Memory cells in a common column and/or row as one another are arranged in two alternating sets, with a first set having memory cells at a first height and a second set having memory cells at a second height vertically offset relative to the first height. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory arrays.
US09614005B2 Methods, apparatuses, and circuits for programming a memory device
Subject matter described pertains to methods, apparatuses, and circuits for programming a memory device.
US09613999B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is disclosed, which includes: at least one a device layer being a crystallized layer for example including: a superlattice layer and/or a layer of group III-V semiconductor materials; and a passivation structure comprising one or more layers wherein at least one layer of the passivation structure is a passivation layer grown in-situ in a crystallized form on top of the device layer, and at least one of the one or more layers of the passivation structure includes material having a high density of surface states which forces surface pinning of an equilibrium Fermi level within a certain band gap of the device layer, away from its conduction and valence bands.
US09613998B2 Backside illumination image sensor and method for reducing dark current of backside illumination image sensor
A backside illumination image sensor and a method for reducing a dark current of the backside illumination image sensor. The backside illumination image sensor comprises: a photodiode, a first conductive type isolated layer (120); a gate structure of a pass transistor, corresponding to the first conductive type isolated layer (120) and formed on an upper surface of a first conductive type semiconductor substrate (100), the gate structure (130) comprising: gate oxide (131), a gate layer (132), and a gate sidewall (133), and the gate structure (130) correspondingly covering the photodiode; and a floating diffusion zone (140), formed in the first conductive type semiconductor substrate (100) and having second conductive type heavy doping. In the backside illumination image sensor, a defect does not easily appear on a surface, right above the photodiode, of the first conductive type semiconductor substrate (100), so that a dark current is effectively prevented from being produced.
US09613992B2 Detector module for an imaging system
A detector module for detecting photons includes a detector formed from a semiconductive material, the detector having a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the first and second surfaces, and a guard band coupled to the sidewalls, the guard band having a length that extends about a circumference of the detector, the guard band having a width that is greater than a thickness of the detector such that an upper rim segment of the guard band projects beyond the first surface of the detector, the upper rim segment being folded over a peripheral region of the first surface along the circumference of the detector, the guard band configured to reduce recombinations proximate to the edges of the detector.
US09613991B2 Display device and method of manufacturing the same
The display device includes a substrate, a thin film transistor (TFT), which includes a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer, and source and drain electrodes, on the substrate member, a passivation layer on the TFT and having an opening to expose a portion of the drain electrode, and a pixel electrode directly on the drain electrode and only within the opening.
US09613990B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
A semiconductor device (101) includes a plurality of pixel regions Pix arranged in a matrix having a row direction and a column direction, wherein each of the plurality of pixel regions Pix includes a thin film transistor (10) which includes a gate electrode (2), a gate insulating layer (5) covering the gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor layer (7A) provided on the gate insulating layer, and a source electrode (9s) and a drain electrode (9d) which are electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor layer, a metal oxide layer (7B) formed out of a same oxide film as the oxide semiconductor layer, an interlayer insulating layer (13) covering the thin film transistor and the metal oxide layer, and a pixel electrode (15) provided on the interlayer insulating layer and electrically connected to the drain electrode, the metal oxide layer (7B) includes a conductor region (70c), and the pixel electrode (15) overlaps with at least a part of the conductor region (70c) with the interlayer insulating layer (13) interposed therebetween.
US09613989B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A display device comprising TFT elements having satisfactory characteristics and being easy to assemble. In the display device, a pixel emitting red light comprises a red color filter. The red color filter forms a light shielding film for the TFT elements in a driver circuit portion or in a pixel portion.
US09613988B2 Display device having narrower wiring regions
In view of the problem that a reduced thickness of an EL film causes a short circuit between an anode and a cathode and malfunction of a transistor, the invention provides a display device that has a light emitting element including an electrode and an electroluminescent layer, a wire electrically connected to the electrode of the light emitting element, a transistor provided with an active layer including a source, a drain and a channel forming region, and a power supply line electrically connected to one of the source and the drain of the transistor, wherein the wire is electrically connected to the other of the source and the drain of the transistor, and the width of a part of the electrode in the vicinity of a portion where the electrode is electrically connected to the wire is smaller than that of the electrode in the other portion.
US09613985B1 Pixel structure and forming method thereof
The instant invention provides a pixel structure. The pixel structure includes a substrate, a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a plurality of metallic optical structures, a pixel electrode, and a common electrode. The gate electrode is disposed on the substrate. The gate insulating layer is on the gate electrode. The source electrode and the drain electrode are disposed on the gate insulating layer. The plurality of metallic optical structures are embedded in the gate insulating layer. The pixel electrode electrically connects the drain electrode and is disposed on the plurality of metallic optical structures. The common electrode is disposed under the plurality of metallic optical structures.
US09613981B2 Vertical channel-type 3D semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing the same
A vertical channel-type 3D semiconductor memory device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes depositing alternating insulating and electrode layers on a substrate to form a multi-layer film. The method further includes etching the film to the substrate to form through-holes, each of which defines a channel region. The method further includes depositing barrier, storage, and tunnel layers in sequence on inner walls of through-holes to form gate stacks. The method further includes depositing and incompletely filling a channel material on a surface of the tunnel layer of gate stacks to form a hollow channels. The method further includes forming drains in contact hole regions for bit-line connection in top portions of the hollow channels. The method further includes forming sources in contact regions between the through-holes and the substrate in bottom portions of the hollow channels.
US09613980B2 Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a plurality of first control gate electrodes, a plurality of second control gate electrodes, first to second select gate electrodes, first to second gate electrodes, a bit line, first to second semiconductor pillars, and a controller. The controller applies a first potential to the first select gate electrode, a third potential lower than the first potential to the second select gate electrode, a second potential to the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, a selecting potential not less than the third potential to one of the plurality of the first control gate electrodes, and an unselecting potential higher than the selecting potential to other than the one of the plurality of first control gate electrodes in a reading operation.
US09613979B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
Manufactured in a method of manufacturing according to an embodiment is a semiconductor memory device including: control gate electrodes; a semiconductor layer; and a charge accumulation layer. In this method of manufacturing, inter-layer insulating layers and sacrifice layers are stacked alternately, an opening that penetrates the inter-layer insulating layers and sacrifice layers is formed, a first insulating layer, the charge accumulation layer, and the semiconductor layer are formed in the opening, the sacrifice layer and part of the first insulating layer are removed, and the control gate electrodes are formed. An internal diameter of the opening is smaller the more downwardly a portion of the opening is positioned. A film thickness of the first insulating layer is smaller the more downwardly a portion of the first insulating layer is positioned.
US09613978B2 Methods of forming semiconductor constructions
Some embodiments include a transistor having a first electrically conductive gate portion along a first segment of a channel region and a second electrically conductive gate portion along a second segment of the channel region. The second electrically conductive gate portion is a different composition than the first electrically conductive gate portion. Some embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor construction. First semiconductor material and metal-containing material are formed over a NAND string. An opening is formed through the metal-containing material and the first semiconductor material, and is lined with gate dielectric. Second semiconductor material is provided within the opening to form a channel region of a transistor. The transistor is a select device electrically coupled to the NAND string.
US09613974B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, the contact electrode extends in the inter-layer insulating layer toward the second semiconductor region. The metal silicide film is in contact with the second semiconductor region and the contact electrode. The metal silicide film includes a first part and a second part. The first part is provided between a bottom of the contact electrode and the second semiconductor region. The second part is provided on a surface of the second semiconductor region between the first part and the gate electrode. A bottom of the second part is located at a position shallower than a bottom the first part.
US09613973B2 Memory having a continuous channel
The present disclosure includes memory having a continuous channel, and methods of processing the same. A number of embodiments include forming a vertical stack having memory cells connected in series between a source select gate and a drain select gate, wherein forming the vertical stack includes forming a continuous channel for the source select gate, the memory cells, and the drain select gate, and removing a portion of the continuous channel for the drain select gate such that the continuous channel is thinner for the drain select gate than for the memory cells and the source select gate.
US09613972B1 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include forming a pattern group on a substrate, the substrate being divided into first and second regions, each pattern including a silicon layer, forming an insulating pattern on the substrate, the insulating pattern partially exposing the silicon layer on the first region and blocking the silicon layer on the second region, converting the exposed silicon layer on the first region to a silicide layer while the blocked silicon layer on the second region is protected from the conversion, and performing a subsequent process using, as an overlay vernier, at least a portion of the pattern group formed on the second region.
US09613970B2 Semiconductor nonvolatile memory element
A semiconductor nonvolatile memory element is used to form a constant current source in a semiconductor integrated circuit device. The semiconductor nonvolatile memory element includes a control gate electrode, a floating gate electrode, source/drain terminals, a thin first gate insulating film, and a second gate insulating film that is thick enough not to be broken down even when a voltage higher than an operating voltage of the semiconductor integrated circuit device is applied thereto, the first and second gate insulating films being formed below the control gate electrode. Thus, provided is a normally on type semiconductor nonvolatile memory element in which a threshold voltage can be regulated through injection of a large amount of charge with respect to the operating voltage from a drain terminal into the floating gate electrode via the second gate insulating film, and injected carriers do not leak in an operating voltage range.
US09613965B2 Embedded transistor
An embedded transistor for an electrical device, such as a DRAM memory cell, and a method of manufacture thereof is provided. A trench is formed in a substrate and a gate dielectric and a gate electrode formed in the trench of the substrate. Source/drain regions are formed in the substrate on opposing sides of the trench. In an embodiment, one of the source/drain regions is coupled to a storage node and the other source/drain region is coupled to a bit line. In this embodiment, the gate electrode may be coupled to a word line to form a DRAM memory cell.
US09613964B2 Semiconductor device including a memory cell
A semiconductor device including a non-volatile memory cell including a writing transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor, a reading transistor which includes a semiconductor material different from that of the writing transistor, and a capacitor is provided. Data is written or rewritten to the memory cell by turning on the writing transistor and supplying a potential to a node where a source electrode (or a drain electrode) of the writing transistor, one electrode of the capacitor, and a gate electrode of the reading transistor are electrically connected to each other, and then turning off the writing transistor so that the predetermined amount of charge is held in the node. Further, when a transistor whose threshold voltage is controlled and set to a positive voltage is used as the reading transistor, a reading potential is a positive potential.
US09613963B2 Dual material finFET on single substrate
A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the device are provided. The semiconductor device has a substrate having a first device region and a second device region. A p-type fin field effect transistor is formed in the first device region. The p-type fin field effect transistor has a first fin structure constituted of a first semiconductor material. An n-type fin field effect transistor is formed in the second device region. The n-type fin field effect transistor has a second fin structure constituted of a second semiconductor material that is different than the first semiconductor material. To fabricate the semiconductor device, a substrate having an active layer present on a dielectric layer is provided. The active layer is etched to provide a first region having the first fin structure and a second region having a mandrel structure. The second fin structure is formed on a sidewall of the mandrel structure.
US09613961B2 Field-effect transistor and semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a field-effect transistor includes a source region of a first conductivity type, a drain region of the first conductivity type and a channel region of the first conductivity type between the source region and the drain region, the source region, the drain region and the channel region being disposed in a polycrystalline semiconductor layer; a first layer including an amorphous semiconductor layer disposed on the channel region; a gate insulating layer disposed on the first layer; and a gate electrode disposed on the gate insulating layer.
US09613960B2 Fin field effect transistors and fabrication method thereof
A method for forming FinFETs includes providing a semiconductor substrate having at least a first fin in a first region and at least a second fin in a second region, and a first gate structure over the first fin and a second gate structure over the second fin; forming a first stress layer on the first fin and a first cover layer on the first stress layer; forming a second stress layer on the second fin and a second cover layer on the second stress layer; performing a first potential barrier reducing ion implantation process on the first cover layer; performing a second potential barrier reducing ion implantation process on the second cover layer; forming a first metal layer and a second metal layer; and forming a first contact layer on the first cover layer and a second contact layer on the second cover layer.
US09613958B2 Spacer chamfering gate stack scheme
A method of forming a gate structure for a semiconductor device that includes forming first spacers on the sidewalls of replacement gate structures that are present on a fin structure, wherein an upper surface of the first spacers is offset from an upper surface of the replacement gate structure, and forming at least second spacers on the first spacers and the exposed surfaces of the replacement gate structure. The method may further include substituting the replacement gate structure with a functional gate structure having a first width portion in a first space between adjacent first spacers, and a second width portion having a second width in a second space between adjacent second spacers, wherein the second width is greater than the first width.
US09613954B2 Selective removal of semiconductor fins
An array of semiconductor fins is formed on a top surface of a substrate. A dielectric material liner is formed on the surfaces of the array of semiconductor fins. A photoresist layer is applied and patterned such that sidewalls of an opening in the photoresist layer are parallel to the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins, and are asymmetrically laterally offset from a lengthwise direction passing through the center of mass of a semiconductor fin to be subsequently removed. An angled ion implantation is performed to convert a top portion of dielectric material liner into a compound material portion. The compound material portion is removed selective to the remaining dielectric material liner, and the physically exposed semiconductor fin can be removed by an etch or converted into a dielectric material portion by a conversion process. The dielectric material liner can be removed after removal of the semiconductor fin.
US09613953B2 Semiconductor device, semiconductor device layout, and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A layout of a semiconductor device is stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The layout includes an active area region extending in a first direction, a gate electrode extending in a second direction and crossing the active area region, and a dummy gate extending in the second direction. The dummy gate is adjacent the gate electrode. The dummy gate is a dielectric dummy gate.
US09613950B1 Semiconductor device
In a semiconductor device including an IGBT and a diode, an upper-side lifetime control region, which is provided in the drift region within a range located above an intermediate depth of the drift region, is provided in a diode area and is not provided in an IGBT area. A first inter-trench semiconductor region, which is adjacent to a second inter-trench semiconductor region in a diode area, includes a barrier region of an n-type located between the body region and the drift region and a pillar region of the n-type extending from a position being in contact with the upper electrode to a position being in contact with the barrier region. Each of the second inter-trench semiconductor regions in the diode area does not include the pillar region.
US09613949B1 Bipolar junction transistor and diode
A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) and a diode including fin structures are provided in the present invention. In the BJT and the diode of the present invention, first doped layers are formed in a first fin and below first epitaxial structures in the first fin, and the first doped layers are connected with one another for improving related electrical performance of the BJT and the diode including fin structures.
US09613948B1 Electrostatic discharge protection semiconductor device
An ESD protection semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first isolation structure formed in the substrate, a gate disposed on the substrate, a source region formed in the substrate a first side of the gate, a first doped region formed in the substrate at a second side of the gate opposite to the first side, and a drain region formed in the first doped region. The gate overlaps a portion of the first isolation structure. The drain region is spaced apart from the first isolation by a portion of the first doped region. The substrate includes a first conductivity type, the source region, and the first doped region and the drain region include a second conductivity type. And the second conductivity type is complementary to the first conductivity type.
US09613947B2 Monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) cascode connected transistor circuit
A cascode transistor circuit having an active region, the active region having a source, a drain, a floating source/drain, a first gate disposed between the source and the floating source/drain and a second gate disposed between the floating source/drain and the drain. A first gate pad is displaced from the active region and is electrically connected to the first gate and a second gate pad is displaced from the active region and is electrically connected to the second gate. The first and the second gate pads are disposed on opposite sides of the active region.
US09613944B2 Semiconductor device and switching circuit
A semiconductor device includes: a main switching element, a current-sensing switching element and a surge protection element, which are formed on a single semiconductor substrate, wherein the surge protection element is a bidirectional diode connected between a first main electrode of the main switching element and a first main electrode of the current-sensing switching element. Also, a switching circuit includes the semiconductor device and a detection resistor connected to the first main electrode of the current-sensing switching element; and a driving device that drives the semiconductor device based on a voltage drop occurring in the detection resistor when the semiconductor device is turned on.
US09613942B2 Interposer for a package-on-package structure
A package-on-package (PoP) structure includes a first die, a second die, and a memory device electrically coupled to the first die and the second die by an interposer between the first die and the second die. The interposer includes copper-filled vias formed within a mold.
US09613941B2 Exposed die power semiconductor device
A semiconductor package has a lead frame and a power die. The lead frame has a first die paddle with a cavity formed entirely therethrough. The power die, which has a lower surface, is mounted on the first die paddle such that a first portion of the lower surface is attached to the first die paddle using a solderless die-attach adhesive, and a second portion of the lower surface, is not attached to the first die paddle and abuts the cavity formed in the first die paddle such that the second portion is exposed.
US09613940B2 Carrier array and light emitting diode package
A carrier array adapted for carrying a plurality of chips is provided. The carrier array includes a lead frame, controllers and first packages. The lead frame includes a frame body and a plurality of lead frame units. The lead frame units are connected with each other through the frame body and arranged in an array. Each of the lead frame units includes at least one first pin connected with the frame body and a plurality of second pins not connected with the frame body. The controllers are disposed on the lead frame units, and electrically connected with the corresponding lead frame units, respectively. Each of the first packages is disposed on the lead frame, and respectively has an opening to expose a portion region of the corresponding lead frame unit, and the openings are adapted for accommodating the chips. A light emitting diode package is also provided.
US09613939B2 Opto-electronic modules including features to help reduce stray light and/or optical cross-talk
Opto-electronic modules, which can be fabricated in a wafer-scale process, include light emitting and/or light sensing devices mounted on or in a substrate. The modules, which can include various features to help reduce the occurrence of optical cross-talk and help prevent interference from stray light, can be used in a wide range of applications, including medical and health-related applications. For example, performing a measurement on a human body can include bringing a portion of the human body into direct contact with an exterior surface of the opto-electronic module and using a differential optical absorption spectroscopy technique to obtain an indication of a physical condition of the human body.
US09613938B2 Module and method for manufacturing the module
A module includes a first substrate including first electrodes; a first element bonded to the first substrate, and including second electrodes disposed at a first end of the first element and third electrodes disposed at a second end of the first element opposite from the first end; a second substrate stacked on the first substrate and including a recess; and a second element bonded to a bottom surface of the recess of the second substrate and including fourth electrodes. The first electrodes of the first substrate are electrically connected to the second electrodes at the first end of the first element, and the third electrodes at the second end of the first element are electrically connected to the fourth electrodes of the second element via a through hole formed in the bottom surface of the recess.
US09613937B2 LED module
An LED module 100 includes LED chips 21, 22 spaced apart from each other, and an LED chip 23 offset from a straight line connecting the LED chips 21 and 22 and located between the LED chips 21, 22 in the direction in which the LED chips 21, 22 are spaced. The module further includes a lead 31 with a bonding portion 31a and a mounting terminal surface 31d, a lead 32 with a bonding portion 32a and a mounting terminal surface 32d, and a lead 33 with a bonding portion 33a and a mounting terminal surface 33d. The mounting terminal surfaces 31d, 32d, 33d are flush with each other. Light from the LED chips 21, 22, 23 is emitted in the direction in which the mounting terminal surfaces 31d, 32d and 33d extend. Thus, light of different colors properly mixed can be emitted from a compact LED module.
US09613934B2 Interconnect structures with polymer core
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards techniques and configurations of interconnect structures having a polymer core in integrated circuit (IC) package assemblies. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first die having a plurality of transistor devices disposed on an active side of the first die and a plurality of interconnect structures electrically coupled with the first die, wherein individual interconnect structures of the plurality of interconnect structures have a polymer core, and an electrically conductive material disposed on the polymer core, the electrically conductive material being configured to route electrical signals between the transistor devices of the first die and a second die. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09613928B2 Method and apparatus for chip-to-wafer integration
An apparatus and a method for chip-to-wafer integration is provided. The apparatus includes a coating module, a bonding module and a cleaning module. The method includes the steps of placing at least one chip on a wafer to form an integrated product, forming a film on the integrated product, such that the integrated product is substantially fluid-tight, and exerting a predetermined positive pressure on the film during permanent bonding of the at least one chip to the wafer. The method further includes the step of removing the film from the integrated product after permanent bonding of the at least one chip to the wafer.
US09613926B2 Wafer to wafer bonding process and structures
Bonded structures and method of forming the same are provided. A conductive layer is formed on a first surface of a bonded structure, the bonded structure including a first substrate bonded to a second substrate, the first surface of the bonded structure being an exposed surface of the first substrate. A patterned mask having first openings and second openings is formed on the conductive layer, the first openings and the second openings exposing portions of the conductive layer. First portions of first bonding connectors are formed in the first openings and first portions of second bonding connectors are formed in the second openings. The conductive layer is patterned to form second portions of the first bonding connectors and second portions of the second bonding connectors. The bonded structure is bonded to a third substrate using the first bonding connectors and the second bonding connectors.
US09613924B2 Method of flip-chip assembly of two electronic components by UV annealing, and assembly obtained
The invention concerns a method of flip-chip assembly between first (1) and second (2) components each comprising connection pads (11, 21) on one of the faces of same, referred to as assembly faces, which involves transferring the components onto each other via the assembly faces of same in such a way as to create electrical interconnections between the pads of the first and second components. The invention involves transforming the copper oxide into copper by UV annealing, very locally, in the gap between the components, at least around the areas adjacent to the connection pads. The method according to the invention can be used for any component that is transparent to UV rays, including for substrates made from a plastic material such as substrates made from PEN or PET. The invention also concerns the assembly of two components obtained by the method.
US09613921B2 Structure to prevent solder extrusion
A spacer structure formed adjacent a solder connection which prevents solder extrusion and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a solder preform connection on a bond pad of a chip. The method further includes forming a spacer structure on sidewalls of the solder preform connection. The method further includes subjecting the solder preform connection to a predetermined temperature to form a solder connection with the spacer structure remaining thereabout.
US09613917B2 Package-on-package (PoP) device with integrated passive device in a via
A package for a use in a package-on-package (PoP) device. The package includes a substrate, a polymer layer formed on the substrate, a first via formed in the polymer layer, and a material disposed in the first via to form a first passive device. The material may be a high dielectric constant dielectric material in order to form a capacitor or a resistive material to form a resistor.
US09613916B2 Protection ring for image sensors
Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide an image sensor. The image sensor includes a pixel sensor array including a plurality of photosensors arranged in a semiconductor substrate. Peripheral circuitry is arranged in or on the semiconductor substrate and is spaced apart from the pixel sensor array. A protection ring circumscribes an outer perimeter of the pixel sensor array and separates the pixel sensor array from the peripheral circuitry. The protection ring has an annular width of greater than 20 microns. The protection ring includes a first ring in the substrate neighboring the pixel sensor array, a second ring circumscribing the first ring and meeting the first ring at a first p-n junction, and a third ring circumscribing the second ring and meeting the second ring at a second p-n junction.
US09613907B2 Low resistivity damascene interconnect
A damascene interconnect structure may be formed by forming a trench in an ILD. A diffusion barrier may be deposited on trench surfaces, followed by a first liner material. The first liner material may be removed from a bottom surface of the trench. A second liner material may be directionally deposited on the bottom. A conductive seed layer may be deposited on the first and second liner materials, and a conductive material may fill in the trench. A CMP process can remove excess material from the top of the structure. A damascene interconnect may include a dielectric having a trench, a first liner layer arranged on trench sidewalls, and a second liner layer arranged on a trench bottom. A conductive material may fill the trench. The first liner material may have low wettability and the second liner material may have high wettability with respect to the conductive material.
US09613906B2 Integrated circuits including modified liners and methods for fabricating the same
Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes contacting a liner that is disposed adjacent to a porous interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer of dielectric material with a selectively reactive gas at reaction conditions. A portion of the liner is reacted with the selectively reactive gas to form a converted expanded portion that is disposed between a remaining portion of the liner and the porous ILD layer.
US09613905B2 Electronic interconnects and devices with topological surface states and methods for fabricating same
An interconnect is disclosed with enhanced immunity of electrical conductivity to defects. The interconnect includes a material with charge carriers having topological surface states. Also disclosed is a method for fabricating such interconnects. Also disclosed is an integrated circuit including such interconnects. Also disclosed is a gated electronic device including a material with charge carriers having topological surface states.
US09613904B2 Semiconductor structure and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor structure includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a dam layer, a photoresist layer, and a conductive layer. The first substrate has a conductive pad. The second substrate has a through via, a sidewall surface surrounding the through via, a first surface, and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The through via penetrates through the first and second surfaces. The conductive pad is aligned with the through via. The dam layer is located between the first substrate and the second surface. The dam layer protrudes toward the through via. The photoresist layer is located on the first surface, the sidewall surface, the dam layer protruding toward the through via, and between the conductive pad and the dam layer protruding toward the through via. The conductive layer is located on the photoresist layer and the conductive pad.
US09613901B2 Electronic device including a semiconductor memory unit that includes cell mats of a plurality of planes vertically stacked
An electronic device includes a semiconductor memory. The semiconductor memory includes a plurality of planes vertically stacked over a substrate. Each plane includes one or more cell mats. Each cell mat includes lower lines, upper lines crossing the lower lines, and variable resistance elements positioned in intersection regions of the lower lines and the upper lines, respectively. Lower contacts are coupled to the lower lines, respectively, and, in a plan view, overlap with a boundary region between half of the upper lines and the other half number of the upper lines. Upper contacts are coupled to the upper lines, respectively, and overlap with a boundary region between a half number of the lower lines and the other half number of the lower lines. One cell mat of an upper plane is vertically stacked over a lower plane to overlap with two adjacent cell mats of the lower plane.
US09613897B2 Integrated circuits including magnetic core inductors and methods for fabricating the same
Magnetic core inductors implemented on integrated circuits and methods for fabricating such magnetic core inductors are disclosed. An exemplary magnetic core inductor includes a bottom magnetic plate that includes a center portion and first, second, third, and fourth extension portions extending from the center portion. The exemplary magnetic core inductor includes an interlayer dielectric layer disposed over the bottom magnetic plate, and within the interlayer dielectric layer, first, second, third, and fourth via trenches extending above a respective one of the first, second, third, and fourth extension portions, and a fifth via trench extending above the center portion. The magnetic core inductor further includes a stacked-ring inductor coil including a plurality of inductor rings surrounding the fifth via trench and a top magnetic plate including a center portion and first, second, third, and fourth extension portions extending from the center portion.
US09613891B2 Electronic packages for flip chip devices
Electronic packages are formed from a generally planar leadframe having a plurality of leads coupled to a GaN-based semiconductor device, and are encased in an encapsulant. The plurality of leads are interdigitated and are at different voltage potentials.
US09613888B2 Semiconductor device and semiconductor module
A semiconductor device in the preferred embodiment includes: a lead frame comprising a die pad and an electrode terminal; and at least one semiconductor chip bonded to a surface of the die pad, wherein the lead frame excluding a bottom surface thereof and the semiconductor chip are sealed by a sealing resin, and an unevenness is introduced on a bonding interface between the surface of the die pad and the semiconductor chip.
US09613886B2 Optical coupling module
An optical coupling module includes a silicon photonic substrate, and an optical waveguide module. The silicon photonic substrate has a first surface and a first grating on the first surface for diffracting the light which passes through the grating. The optical waveguide module is disposed on the silicon photonic substrate, wherein the optical waveguide module includes an optical waveguide having an end disposed in corresponding to the first grating of the silicon photonic substrate. Otherwise, the optical waveguide module has a reflective surface coupled to the end of the optical waveguide and adapted to reflect the light emerging from or incident into the grating to form an optical path between the silicon photonic substrate and the optical waveguide for transmitting the light.
US09613884B2 Semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate including a cantilever configured to generate a flow of cooling media through dynamic movement, an active area on the substrate which an electronic device is provided on, an insulation layer disposed to be spaced apart from the active area on the substrate, a lower electrode on the insulation layer, a piezoelectric film on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode on the piezoelectric film.
US09613880B2 Semiconductor structure and fabrication method thereof
A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure includes: providing a substrate with a dielectric layer and a passivation layer formed on the substrate; forming a via through the dielectric layer and exposing the substrate; forming a first conductive layer to fill the via with a top surface of the first conductive layer leveled with a top surface of the passivation layer; forming a patterned layer with an opening on the passivation layer. The opening is located above the first conductive layer with a dimension larger than the dimension of the via. The method also includes forming a trench in the dielectric layer; forming a second conductive layer to fill the trench and to electrically connect to the first conductive layer; then removing a portion of the second conductive layer, the patterned layer, and the passivation layer to make a top surface of the second conductive layer level with a top surface of the dielectric layer.
US09613879B2 Ultralow power carbon nanotube logic circuits and method of making same
In one embodiment, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic device formed with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) includes: at least one p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) thin-film transistor (TFT) formed with the SWCNTs, and at least one n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) TFT formed with the SWCNTs, where each of the at least one PMOS TFT and the at least one NMOS TFT has a gate, a source and a drain. The gate of each of the at least one PMOS TFT and the gate of each of the at least one NMOS TFT is configured to alternatively receive at least one input voltage, and respectively includes a local metallic gate structure formed of a metal. At least one of the drain of the at least one PMOS TFT and the drain of the at least one NMOS TFT is configured to output an output voltage VOUT.
US09613878B2 Carrier and a method for processing a carrier
According to various embodiments, a carrier may be provided, the carrier including: a hollow chamber spaced apart from a surface of the carrier; a trench structure extending from the surface of the carrier to the hollow chamber and laterally surrounding a first region of the carrier, the trench structure including one or more trenches extending from the surface of the carrier to the hollow chamber, and one or more support structures intersecting the one or more trenches and connecting the first region of the carrier with a second region of the carrier outside the trench structure, wherein the one or more support structures including an electrically insulating material.
US09613874B1 Methods for evaluating semiconductor device structures
Methods for evaluating semiconductor device structures are provided. In one example, a method includes forming a support layer on a first side of a lamellar sample portion of the semiconductor device structure. The lamellar sample portion has a second side opposite the first side, a target analysis area on or proximate the first side, and a first thickness defined from the first side to the second side. The second side is milled to form a reduced thickness lamellar-supported sample portion that has a milled second side opposite the first side. The support layer is removed from the reduced thickness lamellar-supported sample portion to form a reduced thickness lamellar sample portion having a second thickness that is defined from the first side to the milled second side and that is less than the first thickness. The target analysis area of the reduced thickness lamellar sample portion is evaluated.
US09613871B2 Semiconductor device and fabricating method thereof
A semiconductor device is provided. A substrate includes a first region and a second region. A first wire pattern, extending in a first direction, is formed at a first height from the substrate of the first region. A second wire pattern, extending in a second direction, is formed at a second height from the substrate of the second region. The first height is different from the second height. A first gate electrode, surrounding the first wire pattern, extends in a third direction crossing the first direction. A second gate electrode, surrounding the second wire pattern, extends in a fourth direction crossing the second direction. A first gate insulation layer is formed along a circumference of the first wire pattern and a sidewall of the first gate electrode. A second gate insulation layer is formed along a circumference of the second wire pattern and a sidewall of the second gate electrode.
US09613868B2 Fin field-effect transistors and fabrication methods thereof
A method for forming FinFETs includes, sequentially, providing a substrate; forming a plurality of fins on a surface of the substrate; forming a gate structure overlying on at least one of the plurality of fins; forming a barrier layer covering top and side surfaces of the gate structures, and top and side surfaces of the plurality of fins; performing a radical oxidation process to convert a top portion of the barrier layer to a passive layer to form a remaining barrier layer and to cause the top surfaces of the fins to be flat after subsequent etching processes; performing an etch-back process on the passive layer to form passive sidewalls on side surfaces of the portions of the remaining barrier on the side surfaces of the fins; and removing portions of the remaining barrier layer on the top surfaces of the fins by a wet etching process using the passive sidewalls as an etching mask.
US09613867B2 Symmetric tunnel field effect transistor
The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a symmetric tunnel field effect transistor and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a gate structure including a source region and a drain region both of which comprise a doped VO2 region.
US09613866B2 Gate stack formed with interrupted deposition processes and laser annealing
Semiconductor structures and methods of fabricating the same using interrupted deposition processes and multiple laser anneals are provided. The structure includes a high-k gate stack with a high-k bilayer or nanolaminate where a bottom portion of the bilayer is crystallized while a top portion of the bilayer is amorphous.
US09613865B2 Semiconductor die and die cutting method
The present disclosure provides die cutting methods and semiconductor dies. A semiconductor substrate has a test region, isolation regions, and core regions. A device layer, an interconnection layer, and a soldering pad layer are formed on the semiconductor substrate. The soldering layer includes a plurality of soldering pads. A passivation layer covers the soldering pads and the interconnect layer, and is etched to form trenches on the soldering pads above the core regions and the test region. The passivation layer, the interconnect layer, and the device layer are etched to form isolation trenches at junctions of the isolation region and the test region, disconnecting the passivation layer, the interconnect layer and the device layer. A cutting process is performed along the test region, each of the semiconductor substrate, the device layer, the interconnect layer and the soldering pad layer is cut in two.
US09613862B2 Chamferless via structures
Chamferless via structures and methods of manufacture are provided. The method includes: forming at least one self-aligned via within at least dielectric material; plugging the at least one self-aligned via with material; forming a protective sacrificial mask over the material which plugs the at least one self-aligned via, after a recessing process; forming at least one trench within the dielectric material, with the protective sacrificial mask protecting the material during the trench formation; removing the protective sacrificial mask and the material within the at least one self-aligned via to form a wiring via; and filling the wiring via and the at least one trench with conductive material.
US09613855B1 Methods of forming MIS contact structures on transistor devices in CMOS applications
A method that includes, among other things, forming first and second contact openings in a layer of insulating material that respectively expose a portion of first and second source/drain (S/D) regions of first and second transistors that are of the opposite type, forming first, second and third layers of material within each of the first and second contact openings, and forming an implant masking layer that masks the first contact opening while leaving the second contact opening exposed for further processing. The method also includes forming a contact ion implant region that is positioned at least partially in at least one of the first, second or third layers of material, removing the implant masking layer and forming a conductive material in both the first and second contact openings so as to define first and second MIS contact structures positioned in the first and second contact openings.
US09613853B2 Copper wire and dielectric with air gaps
Approaches for fabricating copper wires in integrated circuits are provided. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a wire opening in a mask. The method also includes electroplating a conductive material in the wire opening. The method additionally includes forming a cap layer on the conductive material. The method further includes removing the mask. The method still further includes forming spacers on sides of the conductive material. The method additionally includes forming a dielectric film on surfaces of the cap layer and the sidewall spacers.
US09613852B2 Semiconductor structure and method making the same
The present disclosure provides a method for forming a semiconductor structure. In accordance with some embodiments, the method includes providing a substrate and a conductive feature formed over the substrate; forming a first etch stop layer over the conductive feature; forming a low-k dielectric layer over the first etch stop layer; etching the low-k dielectric layer to form a contact trench aligned with the conductive feature; performing a sputtering process to the first etch stop layer exposed in the contact trench; and forming a sealing oxide layer on the low-k dielectric layer. In some embodiments, the sealing oxide layer is self-aligned and conformed to surfaces of the low-k dielectric layer exposed in the contact trench.
US09613850B2 Lithographic technique for feature cut by line-end shrink
A technique for patterning a workpiece such as an integrated circuit workpiece is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes receiving a dataset specifying a plurality features to be formed on the workpiece. A first patterning of a hard mask of the workpiece is performed based on a first set of features of the plurality of features, and a first spacer material is deposited on a sidewall of the patterned hard mask. A second patterning is performed based on a second set of features, and a second spacer material is deposited on a sidewall of the first spacer material. A third patterning is performed based on a third set of features. A portion of the workpiece is selectively processed using a pattern defined by a remainder of at least one of the patterned hard mask layer, the first spacer material, or the second spacer material.
US09613848B2 Dielectric structures with negative taper and methods of formation thereof
A method for forming a dielectric structure includes forming an auxiliary layer over a substrate, and forming a hole within the auxiliary layer. A fill material is deposited into the hole. The auxiliary layer is removed to form the dielectric structure having a negative taper. The dielectric structure has a top critical dimension greater than a bottom critical dimension.
US09613847B2 Integration of shallow trench isolation and through-substrate vias into integrated circuit designs
A method of manufacturing an IC, comprising providing a substrate having a first side and a second opposite side, forming a STI opening in the first side of the substrate and forming a partial TSV opening in the first side of the substrate and extending the partial TSV opening. The extended partial TSV opening is deeper into the substrate than the STI opening. The method also comprises filling the STI opening with a first solid material and filling the extended partial TSV opening with a second solid material. Neither the STI opening, the partial TSV opening, nor the extended partial TSV opening penetrate an outer surface of the second side of the substrate. At least either: the STI opening and the partial TSV opening are formed simultaneously, or, the STI opening and the extended partial TSV opening are filled simultaneously.
US09613845B2 Immersion de-taping
Embodiments using immersion de-taping are described. A substrate having a substrate tape attached thereto is provided. The substrate includes electrically conductive connectors attached to the substrate tape. A fluid is provided between the substrate and the substrate tape. While the fluid is between the substrate and the substrate tape, the substrate tape is removed from the substrate. Another embodiment is an apparatus comprising an immersion tank, a substrate chuck, first and second fixed rollers, and a moveable roller. The substrate chuck is configured to secure a substrate and to place the substrate into the immersion tank. The first fixed roller is operable to dispense a clamp tape. The second fixed roller is operable to roll the clamp tape. The moveable roller is operable to extend into the immersion tank and to adhere the clamp tape to a substrate tape on the substrate.
US09613843B2 Power overlay structure having wirebonds and method of manufacturing same
A power overlay (POL) structure includes a power device having at least one upper contact pad disposed on an upper surface of the power device, and a POL interconnect layer having a dielectric layer coupled to the upper surface of the power device and a metallization layer having metal interconnects extending through vias formed through the dielectric layer and electrically coupled to the at least one upper contact pad of the power device. The POL structure also includes at least one copper wirebond directly coupled to the metallization layer.
US09613835B2 Heating lamp assembly
Embodiments of heating lamps and heating lamp assemblies are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a heating lamp may include a bulb; a reflector circumscribing the bulb proximate a first end of the bulb; a base coupled to the reflector on a side opposite the bulb; a handle coupled to the base on a side opposite the reflector, wherein the handle comprises a body having a first end coupled to the base and an opposing second end; a first conductor extending from the bulb and through the base and the handle in a direction opposite the bulb; and a second conductor extending from the bulb and through the base and the handle in a direction opposite the bulb.
US09613833B2 Methods and apparatus for wetting pretreatment for through resist metal plating
Disclosed are pre-wetting apparatus designs and methods for cleaning solid contaminants from substrates prior to through resist deposition of metal. In some embodiments, a pre-wetting apparatus includes a process chamber having a substrate holder, and at least one nozzle located directly above the wafer substrate and configured to deliver pre-wetting liquid (e.g., degassed deionized water) onto the substrate at a grazing angle of between about 5 and 45 degrees. In some embodiments the nozzle is a fan nozzle configured to deliver the liquid to the center of the substrate, such that the liquid first impacts the substrate in the vicinity of the center and then flows over the center of the substrate. In some embodiments the substrate is rotated unidirectionally or bidirectionally during pre-wetting with multiple accelerations and decelerations, which facilitate removal of contaminants.
US09613830B2 Fully molded peripheral package on package device
A method of making a semiconductor device can include providing a temporary carrier with a semiconductor die mounting site, and forming conductive interconnects over the temporary carrier in a periphery of the semiconductor die mounting site. A semiconductor die can be mounted at the semiconductor die mounting site. The conductive interconnects and semiconductor die can be encapsulated with mold compound. First ends of the conductive interconnects can be exposed. The temporary carrier can be removed to expose second ends of the conductive interconnects opposite the first ends of the conductive interconnects. The conductive interconnects can be etched to recess the second ends of the conductive interconnects with respect to the mold compound. The conductive interconnects can comprise a first portion, a second portion, and an etch stop layer disposed between the first portion and the second portion.
US09613829B1 Method for fabricating semiconductor package and semiconductor package using the same
Provided are a method for fabricating a semiconductor package and a semiconductor package using the same, which can simplify a fabricating process of the semiconductor package by forming a lead frame on which a semiconductor die can be mounted without a separate grinding process, and can improve product reliability by preventing warpage from occurring during a grinding process. In one embodiment, the method for fabricating a semiconductor package includes forming a frame on a carrier, forming a first pattern layer on the frame, first encapsulating the frame and the first pattern layer using a first encapsulant, forming conductive vias electrically connected to the first pattern layer while passing through the first encapsulant, forming a second pattern layer electrically connected to the conductive vias on the first encapsulant, forming a first solder mask formed on the first encapsulant and exposing a portion of the second pattern layer to the outside, removing the frame by an etching process and etching a portion of the first pattern layer, and attaching a semiconductor die to the first pattern layer.
US09613825B2 Photoresist strip processes for improved device integrity
Provided herein are methods and apparatus of hydrogen-based photoresist strip operations that reduce dislocations in a silicon wafer or other substrate. According to various embodiments, the hydrogen-based photoresist strip methods can employ one or more of the following techniques: 1) minimization of hydrogen budget by using short processes with minimal overstrip duration, 2) providing dilute hydrogen, e.g., 2%-16% hydrogen concentration, 3) minimization of material loss by controlling process conditions and chemistry, 4) using a low temperature resist strip, 5) controlling implant conditions and concentrations, and 6) performing one or more post-strip venting processes. Apparatus suitable to perform the photoresist strip methods are also provided.
US09613824B2 Etching method
The etching method of one embodiment includes a first step of generating a plasma of a first processing gas containing a fluorocarbon gas and a hydrofluorocarbon gas in a processing container of a plasma processing apparatus, and a second step of generating a plasma of a second processing gas containing a hydrofluorocarbon gas and a nitrogen gas in the processing container. In the method, sequences each including the first step and the second step are performed. The plasma is continuously generated over the execution period for the first step and the execution period for the second step. In the second step, a ratio of the flow rate of a hydrogen gas to the flow rate of the second processing gas is set to be small in a period immediately before the execution period for the first step and a period immediately after the execution period for the first step.
US09613822B2 Oxide etch selectivity enhancement
A method of etching exposed silicon oxide on patterned heterogeneous structures is described and includes a gas phase etch using plasma effluents formed in a remote plasma. The remote plasma excites a fluorine-containing precursor in combination with an oxygen-containing precursor. Plasma effluents within the remote plasma are flowed into a substrate processing region where the plasma effluents combine with water vapor or an alcohol. The combination react with the patterned heterogeneous structures to remove an exposed silicon oxide portion faster than an exposed silicon nitride portion. The inclusion of the oxygen-containing precursor may suppress the silicon nitride etch rate and result in unprecedented silicon oxide etch selectivity.
US09613820B1 Method of forming patterns
A method of forming patterns includes the steps of providing a substrate having a target layer thereon; forming a plurality of first resist patterns on the target layer; depositing a directed self-assembly (DSA) material layer in a blanket manner on the first resist patterns, wherein the DSA material layer fills up a gap between the first resist patterns; subjecting the DSA material layer to a self-assembling process so as to form repeatedly arranged block copolymer patterns in the DSA material layer; and removing undesired portions from the DSA material layer to form second resist patterns on the target layer.
US09613809B2 Method of manufacturing silicon carbide semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a silicon carbide semiconductor device includes the following steps. A silicon carbide substrate is prepared. A first mask layer is formed in contact with a first main surface of the silicon carbide substrate. The first mask layer includes a first layer disposed in contact with the first main surface, an etching stop layer disposed in contact with the first layer and made of a material different from that for the first layer, and a second layer disposed in contact with a surface of the etching stop layer opposite to the surface in contact with the first layer. A recess is formed in the first mask layer by etching the second layer and the etching stop layer. A first impurity region is formed in the silicon carbide substrate using the first mask layer with the recess. The first mask layer does not include a metallic element.
US09613805B1 Method for forming a semiconductor device
A method for forming a semiconductor device comprises forming an amorphous or polycrystalline semiconductor layer adjacently to at least one semiconductor doping region having a first conductivity type located in a semiconductor substrate. The method further comprises incorporating dopants into the amorphous or polycrystalline semiconductor layer during or after forming the amorphous or polycrystalline semiconductor layer. The method further comprises annealing the amorphous or polycrystalline semiconductor layer to transform at least a part of the amorphous or polycrystalline semiconductor layer into a substantially monocrystalline semiconductor layer and to form at least one doping region having the second conductivity type in the monocrystalline semiconductor layer, such that a p-n junction is formed between the at least one semiconductor doping region having the first conductivity type and the at least one doping region having the second conductivity type.
US09613804B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor devices which allows reproducible thinning of a semiconductor body of the semiconductor devices
One embodiment describes a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. Here, impurities are implanted into a semiconductor body via a first side of the semiconductor body. Thereafter, a drift zone layer on the first side of the semiconductor body is formed. The following is an ablation of the semiconductor body from a second side of the semiconductor body and up to pn junction defined by impurities.
US09613796B2 Method of flattening a wafer
The wafer bevel etching apparatus of the present invention includes a wafer-protecting mask to cover parts of a wafer. A central region and a wafer bevel region surrounding the central region are defined on the wafer. The wafer-protecting mask includes a center sheltering region and at least one wafer bevel sheltering region. The center sheltering region can completely shelter the central region of the wafer, and the wafer bevel sheltering region extends from the outside edge of the center sheltering region, shelters parts of the wafer bevel region, and exposes the other parts of the wafer bevel region.
US09613794B2 Extending light bulb replacing tool
An apparatus for changing a light bulb that is out of reach for a person even with the use of a six foot ladder includes a substantially hollow elongated member and an extendable member which is disposed within the substantially hollow elongated member. A locking member is engageable with the hollow member and the extendable member for adjusting the length of the apparatus. A replaceable vacuum cup having a predetermined shape is disposed on a first end of the extendable member for attachment to such light bulb. A vacuum pump is disposed adjacent a bottom portion of the hollow elongated member, such pump is engageable with the cup for creating a vacuum in the cup for securing such light bulb therein. A vacuum release assembly is disposed on the pump for releasing such vacuum.
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