| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09686263B2 |
Search result relevance based on user account information
Techniques include receiving a search query from a user device, determining native applications that are installed on the user device and associated with user accounts, and identifying app state records based on the search query and the applications. Each app state record includes an application access mechanism (AAM) and application state information (ASI). The AAM references a native application and indicates operations for the application to perform. The ASI describes a state of the native application after the application has performed the operations. Identifying the app state records based on the native applications includes determining that each record includes an AAM that references one of the applications. The techniques also include selecting AAMs from the identified app state records and transmitting the AAMs to the user device. Other techniques include generating result scores for app state records identified based on the search query using the native applications. |
| US09686256B2 |
Method and system for accessing network through public device
A method and system for accessing a network over a public device are provided in the present invention. The method includes: a user inputting an Access Identifier (AID) and authentication information over the public device, and initiating a network access request; after receiving the network access request, an Access Service Node (ASN) transmitting the received network access request to an Authentication Center (AC) to authenticate validity of the User's AID information, and forwarding a network access response returned by the AC to the public device; and after the public device receives the network access response, if the User's AID information is authenticated by the AC to be valid, the public device using the User's AID as a virtual AID, and using the virtual AID to transmit/receive messages of the user. |
| US09686253B2 |
Secure socket layer keystore and truststore generation
A method for managing keystore information on a computing device may include requesting a keystore from a distribution system, receiving the keystore from the distribution system, and populating a runtime environment with keystore information contained within the keystore. A method for generating a keystore may include receiving, by a distribution system, a request for a keystore from a computing device, generating a key pair including a public key and a private key, generating a certificate signing request, digitally signing the public key with the private key, generating the keystore, combining the signed public key with the private key in the keystore, and providing the keystore to the computing device. A method for generating a truststore may include receiving, by a distribution system, a request for a truststore from a computing device, generating the truststore, adding a certificate to the truststore, and providing the truststore to the computing device. |
| US09686252B2 |
Security command for remote execution at target device
A system and method implemented at a server system, for securely wiping a remote mobile device after the device registration has been removed from the server system. Prior to removal of the device registration from the server system, a “pre-packaged” command is created and stored at the server system. In the event that it is determined, after removal of the registration, that the device should be wiped or disabled, means are provided for an administrator to issue the previously stored command to the target mobile device. |
| US09686250B2 |
Systems and methods for decryption as a service via a hardware security module
Systems and methods for decryption of payloads are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, systems and methods herein are configured for decrypting thousands of transactions per second. Further, in particular embodiments, the systems and methods herein are scalable, such that many thousands of transactions can be processed per second upon replicating particular architectural components. |
| US09686249B2 |
Multi-node encryption
For multi-node encryption, a method communicates communication data from a first upstream node to a first downstream node in response to the first upstream node initiating secure communication with the first downstream node. The method further generates a downstream node nonce from communication data exchanged with the first downstream node. The method generates a first downstream message transformation as a function of the downstream node nonce. The method receives a request encrypted with the first downstream message transformation through the first downstream node. The method communicates the upstream message transformation encrypted with the first downstream message transformation through the first downstream node to the destination node in response to the request. In addition, the method generates a tunnel transformation at the destination node as a function of one or more upstream message transformations and the first downstream message transformation. |
| US09686247B2 |
Distributed computing utilizing homomorphic encryption
A method for determining a compute amount contributed by a device is provided. The method comprises receiving encrypted data from a processor of a customer system and parsing the encrypted data into a plurality of encrypted subsets. Then, the method associates a token specific to the device with an encrypted subset of the plurality of encrypted subsets to produce a packaged subset. The packaged subset is sent to the device. In response, a processed packaged subset that includes the token is received. The compute time contributed by the device is determined from the token of the processed packaged subset. |
| US09686245B2 |
System and method for secure authentication
A system and method for secure authentication performed on a mobile communication device. The method includes an authentication application carrying out the steps of: receiving a unique identifier for a transaction from a first application provided on the same mobile communication device as the authentication application; receiving an encrypted transaction from a remote secure server; decrypting or obtaining decryption of the transaction with a private key of the authentication application; signing or obtaining signing of the transaction with the private key; signing the transaction with the unique identifier; and transmitting the signed transaction back to the remote secure server. |
| US09686244B2 |
Rule-based validity of cryptographic key material
In representative embodiments, a rule-based certificate cryptographic key material comprising containing a rule set defining validity conditions is associated with cryptographic key material assigned to an entity for use in authenticated communications. The validity of the cryptographic material changes state based on whether the entity is compliant or non-compliant with the rule set. This is accomplished in a representative embodiment by suspending the validity of the cryptographic key material when the entity is non-compliant with the rules and reinstating the validity of the cryptographic key material when the entity becomes compliant. A rules compliance service determines the validity of the cryptographic material in part using updates sent by the entity. Entities can delegate the update to a delegate device. Encryption can be used to preserve privacy. |
| US09686243B1 |
Encrypted universal resource identifier (URI) based messaging
A method and apparatus for encrypted universal resource identifier (URI) based messaging is described. In one embodiment of the method, a server computing system receives an encrypted message from a first client computing system over a network, decrypts the encrypted message, stores the decrypted message in a message data store, and generates a shortened uniform resource locator (URL) for subsequent retrieval of the stored message. The server computing system sends the shortened URL to the first client computing system. Subsequently, the server computing system receives from a requesting computing system, a request, including the shortened URL, to retrieve the stored message, encrypts the stored message in a uniform resource identifier (URI) with an encryption type URI, and sends the encrypted URI to the requesting computing system. |
| US09686240B1 |
IPv6 to IPv4 data packet migration in a trusted security zone
Systems and methods discussed herein relate to enabling communications between IPv4 and IPv6 hosts using a communication channel in a trusted security zone associated with a first host to determine the IP-versions and/or other security features that may be present or enabled on the first host or the second host. |
| US09686233B2 |
Tracking network packets across translational boundaries
A method is described for calculating a first hash of a packet application layer payload at an inside sensor before a boundary, and storing a first hash data record at a device that has direct access to the inside sensor. A second hash of the packet application layer payload can be calculated at an outside sensor after the boundary, and a second hash data record can be stored at a device that has direct access to the outside sensor. The packet can be transmitted from a client to a server, or from a server to a client, and the boundary is between the client and the server. The first hash data record and second hash data record can include a hash value, an IP address, and a timestamp. Finally, a determination can be made whether the first hash data record and the second hash data record match. |
| US09686232B2 |
Network address translating router for mobile networking
A Network Address Translating (“NAT”) Router, particularly designed for mobile use, and for managing one or more local area networks, having private internet protocol (“IP”) address ranges, along with multiple “upstream” networks, and for efficiently routing communications traffic to and from the upstream networks, is disclosed. The inventive router allocates multiple network connections of varying quality, to automatically optimize the effective connection speed in a mobile client network with optional personal “hotspot” sub-networks. The inventive NAT router is also capable of managing IP address allocation on local networks to substantially avoid conflicts with other networks encountered in normal use. |
| US09686229B2 |
Identifying an efficient destination server
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for identifying a list of destination servers ordered by round-trip time (RTT) for a requesting machine. When a client interacts with an address, such as an IP address, when accessing a remote service, an RTT is collected for the address, or the RTT may be derived for a range of addresses, and saved in a database. When the client subsequently requests access to a remote service, a list of destination servers are returned, respectively identified by corresponding addresses. The destination servers can be sorted in order of efficiency by determining an expected RTT associated with a matching address, or range, in the database, and sorting the destination servers by their respective expected RTTs. |
| US09686228B2 |
Integrated just-in-time synchronization
The invention is directed to just-in-time (JIT) retrieval of directory information to reduce network traffic and load on directory servers and/or data sources by requesting only the information that is currently needed from the directory server. In the invention, a request handler operating with the directory server provides this capability. Specifically, the request handler and directory server are configured to receive a request for directory information from a client and to determine a location corresponding to a set of current attribute values for responding to the request. The request handler retrieves the set of current attribute values from at least one of the following: the directory server and an external source. A set of current attributes is returned to the client from the directory server. The request handler propagates information in a JIT manner so that only the information that will be currently used by the client is propagated across the network. |
| US09686227B1 |
Domain Name Service based remote programming objects
The embodiments describe an apparatus for accessing a remote object. The apparatus includes a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to transmit a Domain Name Service request of the remote object to a Domain Name Service server and receive a Domain Name Service response comprising an Internet Protocol of the remote object. The transceiver is further configured to connect to the Internet Protocol of the remote object based on the Domain Name Service response. |
| US09686226B1 |
Domain name system (DNS) query response providing loop-back internet protocol (IP) address to non-activated mobile communication device
A domain name system (DNS) server. The domain name system server comprises a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application receives an invalid domain name system address query and, in response to the invalid domain name system address query, returns a query response comprising a loop-back internet protocol address and a time to live value of less than about ten seconds. |
| US09686222B2 |
Initiating social interaction based on E-mail content
Arrangements described herein relate to initiating social interaction based on e-mail content. Information associated with an e-mail being composed by a user can be analyzed to determine whether content of the e-mail is appropriate for incorporation into at least one social system. Responsive to determining that the content of the e-mail is appropriate for incorporation into at least one social system, a first option to enter the content of the e-mail in a first social system and a second option to enter the content of the e-mail in a second social system can be presented to the user. Responsive to the user selecting to enter the content of the e-mail in the first social system, a first entry in the first social system can be automatically created. The first entry can include the content of the e-mail composed by the user. |
| US09686221B2 |
Error correction for interactive message exchanges using summaries
In a conversation between a first computing device and a second computing device over a communication channel, each computing device keeps a transcript of the messages that have been sent and received by that computing device. After a threshold number of messages have been sent and received by the devices, each device transmits a summary of the messages sent and received by that device to the other device. If the summaries match, then the messages were sent and received successfully by each device, and the devices can continue to exchange messages until the threshold number of messages is reached again. If the summaries do not match, the devices can roll-back a part of the conversation and the transcript and continue covered by the summaries and continue from there. |
| US09686215B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatically aggregating metadata and E-mail attachments from various E-mail providers in a cloud repository
A computer implemented method and apparatus for automatically aggregating metadata and e-mail attachments from various e-mail providers in a cloud repository. The method comprises accessing account information for one or more related e-mail accounts; accessing one or more e-mails from the one or more e-mail accounts using the received account information, wherein the one or more e-mails comprise one or more documents as one or more attachments; extracting metadata from each e-mail in the one or more e-mails that comprises at least one attachment, wherein the metadata comprises information that identifies the attachment and an associated e-mail; and storing the metadata in a cloud repository. |
| US09686207B2 |
Application service level objective aware demand estimation
A management server and method for performing resource management operations in a distributed computer system uses at least one sampling parameter to estimate demand of a client for a resource. The sampling parameter has a correlation with at least one target performance goal of an application that the client is running. The demand estimation can then be used to make at least one decision in a resource management operation. |
| US09686206B2 |
Temporal based collaborative mutual exclusion control of a shared resource
The present invention relates to a temporal base method of mutual exclusion control of a shared resource. The invention will usually be implemented by a plurality of host computers sharing a shared resource where each host computer will read a reservation memory that is associated with the shared resource. Typically a first host computer will perform and initial read of the reservation memory and when the reservation memory indicates that the shared resource is available, the first host computer will write to the reservation memory. After a time delay, the host computer will read the reservation memory again to determine whether it has won access to the resource. The first host computer may determine that it has won access to the shared resource by checking that data in the reservation memory includes an identifier corresponding to the first host computer. |
| US09686199B2 |
Method and system for implementing ethernet OAM in a software-defined networking (SDN) system
A method for implementing Ethernet operation, administration, and management (OAM) function in a network element coupled to a software-defined networking (SDN) system is disclosed. The method comprises adding a flow table entry for an OAM traffic flow to a flow table of the network element. The method continues with adding a group table entry for the OAM traffic flow to a group table of the network element, where the group table entry includes an instruction to send the packet to a set of ports, including a loopback port. The method continues with receiving the packet directing to the group table entry from the SDN controller, and sending the packet to the set of ports of the network element according to the group table entry, where the packet is to be looped back through the loopback port to the flow table periodically at a predetermined interval. |
| US09686196B2 |
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide a multicast virtual private network (MVPN)
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide a multicast virtual private network (MVPN) are disclosed. An example method to transmit multicast data over a communication network includes: determining an upstream hop of a multicast transmission based on a received hierarchical ingress replication route; storing a downstream hop and the upstream hop of the multicast transmission in a multicast routing table; monitoring the multicast transmission occurring via an area border router; in response to detecting at least one of a) a threshold fan-out of the multicast transmission or b) a threshold data rate from a source of the multicast transmission, converting a logical topology of the multicast transmission; and in response to receiving a multicast data packet of the multicast transmission, replicating the multicast data packet with the processor based on the downstream hop. |
| US09686194B2 |
Adaptive multi-interface use for content networking
One embodiment provides a system that forwards a packet with a hierarchically structured variable-length identifier (HSVLI) in a network. An HSVLI indicates a piece of content and indicates a hierarchical structure of contiguous components ordered from a most general level to a most specific level. The length of the HSVLI is not fixed. During operation, the system receives a packet which contains an interest for a piece of content with an HSVLI. Subsequently, the system determines forwarding information for the HSVLI based on one or more of: knowledge of content which matches the HSVLI, a forwarding policy, and contextual information about the network. Next, the system configures a forwarding engine with the forwarding information. The system then forwards the packet based on the forwarding information. |
| US09686189B2 |
Routing data in a bi-directional communication session over an overlay network using relay nodes
Routing data in a bi-directional communication session over an overlay network is described. One-way performance measurements are determined for routing data in the communication session in a first direction from a first node to a second node via a respective plurality of relay nodes of the overlay network. Based on the performance measurements, relay node(s) are selected for use in routing data in the first direction from first node to second node. Data is routed in the communication session from the first node to the second node over the overlay network via the selected relay node(s). The selection of the relay node(s) for use in routing data in the first direction is performed separately to selection of one or more relay node for use in routing data in a second direction from the second node to the first node in the communication session. |
| US09686188B2 |
Method and apparatus for node realignment in a telecommunications network
A method of realigning a node in a label switched network comprising a plurality of nodes and a node with a processor, a memory, and a network interface, for carrying out the method. The method includes periodically maintaining backup path status information for the node, restarting the node, and re-establishing label switched paths with the plurality of nodes using the backup status information. Communication with adjacent nodes is carried out in order to reconcile the path status information with respective path status information in the adjacent nodes in order to establish node realignment preferably judged against a threshold value for path reliability. |
| US09686174B2 |
Scalable extendable probe for monitoring host devices
According to one embodiment, a system includes a probe controller associated with a host device and configured to abstract a plurality of device-specific monitoring operations associated with a plurality of heterogeneous host devices to a normalized set of monitoring operations. The probe controller facilitates monitoring of the host device using the normalized set of monitoring operations. The system also includes a first specialized probe module associated with the host device and configured to provide device-specific information in response to the normalized set of monitoring operations. The first specialized probe module accesses, in response to receiving a notification from the probe controller to determine a metric associated with the host device, the metric associated with the host device. The first specialized probe module communicates the metric to the probe controller. |
| US09686171B1 |
Systems and methods for attributing input/output statistics networks to region-mapped entities
A computer-implemented method for attributing input/output statistics in storage area networks to region-mapped entities may include (1) identifying a plurality of regions of at least one volume within a storage area network, (2) monitoring an input/output statistic of at least one component within the storage area network that is attributable to input/output to a region within the plurality of regions of the volume, (3) determining that a region-mapped entity is responsible for the input/output to the region of the volume, and (4) attributing the input/output statistic of the component to the region-mapped entity responsible for the input/output to the region of the volume. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09686169B2 |
Real-time highly accurate network latency measurement with low generated traffic or data requirements
Systems and methods for accurately calculating the latency of a data-network, by providing an electronic device that receives data packets moving across a network data point and compares their time of arrival with a timestamp stored within a data packet. The electronic device may calculate the average latency by comparing N number of data packets. Further systems and methods for comparing the latencies at N number of electronic devices placed at unique network data points and calculating latencies between each device. |
| US09686168B1 |
Managing component capacity
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for managing data transmission capacity between endpoints in a computing environment. The systems and methods are operable to receive, store and track information regarding data transmission components installed in the environment, and operable to receive, store and track information regarding how much of the total data transmission capacity between a given pair of endpoints in the system is being used, is reserved for future use, or is available for use. This information can be compared to predetermined threshold values to determine whether additional data transmission hardware should be added to the environment to increase the data transmission capacity. |
| US09686167B2 |
Ingress node controlled path impairment protocol
An apparatus comprising a node configured to transmit operation, administration, and maintenance (OAM) connectivity frames, wherein the node adds an impairment notification indication to some, but not all of OAM connectivity frames transmitted by the node, wherein the impairment notification indication indicates the node's desire to receive notification of an impairment condition along the path. A network component comprising a receiver unit configured to receive multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) Ping frames, a circuit logic configured to add a downstream link impairment indication to responses to the MPLS-Ping frames, wherein the downstream link impairment indication comprises a type and a severity level for a path impairment condition, and a transmitter unit configured to transmit the responses to the transmitted MPLS-Ping frames. |
| US09686164B1 |
Packet allocation schema for 3G and 4G routers
Methods and systems that facilitate allocating a transmission of data over multiple wireless links using an allocation server is provided. An indication of a first and second endpoint is received. An indication of a plurality of wireless links between the first and second endpoints is also received. The plurality of wireless links transmit data via an information network that includes an allocation server that monitors the packets of data transmitted via the plurality of wireless links. Such monitoring reveals whether one or more of the wireless links satisfies a threshold based on one or more of an amount of latency, jitter, and dropped packets between the first and second endpoints. Based on satisfying a threshold, one or more packets of data are allocated by the allocation server. |
| US09686158B1 |
Point to node in a multi-tiered middleware environment
Systems and methods directing requests to a particular node in a multi-tiered middleware environment are provided. In one embodiment, traffic requests can be dynamically routed to a desired server, and not be load balanced, based on an identification of the client generating the traffic requests. |
| US09686155B2 |
Enterprise application integration on client computing devices
Systems and methods of facilitating data integration between customer relationship management (CRM) applications on client computing devices are provided. A contact toolbar application of a client computing device can publish a connection point within a user workstation of the client computing device. First and second CRM applications can establish connections with the connection point. The user workstation can create an integration channel via the connection point between the contact toolbar application, the first CRM application, and the second CRM application, for real time exchange of computer telephony integration data between the contact toolbar application and at least one of the first CRM application and the second CRM application. |
| US09686147B2 |
Remote management system and service providing apparatus
A remote management system includes a service providing apparatus enabling access to a providing source that provides a service and a management apparatus managing an apparatus via a network. Further the service providing apparatus includes a generation unit generating an acquisition request command and a response unit transmitting a response in combination with the acquisition request command. The management apparatus includes a registration unit registering the apparatus information of the apparatus in association with the identification information and a management unit managing the apparatus using the apparatus information registered by the registration unit. |
| US09686145B2 |
Adaptive user interface for multi-source systems
A mufti-source client-host system that maintains a uniform look & feel user interface, including a host device including a central processing unit, a storage memory for storing look & feel parameters for a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface employing a plurality of graphic images for user interaction, and a display for displaying the graphic images employed by the graphical user interface, a client device that can be attached to and detached from the host device, including a central processing unit, and a configuration program for generating at least one of the graphic images employed by the graphical user interface, the at least one of the graphic images conforming to the look & feel parameters, and a communication channel between the host transceiver and the client transceiver, for data transmission. |
| US09686143B2 |
Mechanism for management controllers to learn the control plane hierarchy in a data center environment
Mechanisms to enable management controllers to learn the control plane hierarchy in data center environments. The data center is configured in a physical hierarchy including multiple pods, racks, trays, and sleds and associated switches. Management controllers at various levels in a control plane hierarchy and associated with switches in the physical hierarchy are configured to add their IP addresses to DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) responses that are generated by a DCHP server in response to DCHP requests for IP address requests initiated by DHCP clients including manageability controllers, compute nodes and storage nodes in the data center. As the DCHP response traverses each of multiple switches along a forwarding path from the DCHP server to the DHCP client, an IP address of the manageability controller associated with the switch is inserted. Upon receipt at the DHCP client, the inserted IP addresses are extracted and used to automate learning of the control plane hierarchy. |
| US09686137B2 |
Method and system for identifying an outgoing interface using openflow protocol
A method for using OpenFlow protocol to configure an OpenFlow-enabled switch is disclosed. In the embodiment, the method involves decoding an OpenFlow flow entry from a flow mod message, the flow entry including two or more actions, searching a Service Access Point (SAP) match table for an outgoing interface having attributes that match the two or more actions, and updating a flow table on the OpenFlow-enabled switch to include the decoded flow entry when an outgoing interface having attributes that match the two or more actions is found. |
| US09686136B1 |
Assembly and method for calibrating a sensor on a wearable device
A method calibrates a sensor for a defined parameter using a calibration station adapted to receive the sensor while it is secured to a wearable device. The calibration station includes a device to close the space surrounding the sensor to control the space. A quantity of an element being measured/calibrated is injected into the space. The quantity of the element is then measured by the sensor. A measured signal is transmitted to the calibration station. The measured signal is compared to a predetermined level. The method identifies when the measured signal differs from the predetermined level by a threshold amount and indicates or adjusts the sensor, depending on the application. |
| US09686133B2 |
Establishment of connection channels between complementary agents
Embodiments relate to dynamically establishing and reconfiguring connection channels. More specifically, performance metrics for each agent may be quantitatively assessed, complementary agents may be identified based on the performance metrics, and connection channels may be established between the complementary agents. Performance metrics may continue to be monitored, and connection channels may be reconfigured so as to improve individual agents' metrics or a cluster of agents' metrics. |
| US09686132B2 |
Terminal, monitoring system having said terminal and method for initializing the terminal
The monitoring of complex or spacious buildings or spaces requires a multiplicity of monitoring devices, for example monitoring cameras, in order to be able to extensively cover such monitoring areas. For this purpose, the invention proposes a terminal 7 having at least one functional device, wherein the functional device is in the form of a sensor and/or actuator device, having a control device 10, wherein the control device 10 is in the form of a digital data processing device, and having at least one network interface 9, wherein the network interface 9 is designed to couple the control device 10 to a network 2, with the result that data can be transmitted from the functional device to the network 2 and/or data can be transmitted from the network 2 to the functional device. The terminal 7 has a client address from a first network 2 as the network, and the terminal 7 has a storage device 11 which stores a server address from a different network 4. The control device 10 is designed to send a message to the server address via the network interface 9 upon initialization of the terminal 7. |
| US09686125B2 |
Network reliability assessment
The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for assessing reliability of communication links in a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a system may include an SDN architecture subsystem configured to generate SDN architecture information and a bandwidth subsystem configured to generate bandwidth information. A latency subsystem may receive the bandwidth information from the bandwidth subsystem and may be configured to generate latency information using the bandwidth information. A failover subsystem may receive the SDN architecture information, the bandwidth information, and the latency information and generate a failover assessment and a failover route for the communication link. A reliability assessment subsystem may receive the SDN architecture information, the bandwidth information, and the latency information, and the failover assessment and generate a reliability assessment. A traffic routing subsystem may receive the reliability assessment and route data traffic to the failover route based on the reliability assessment. |
| US09686121B2 |
Client-premise resource control via provider-defined interfaces
Methods and apparatus for client-premise resource control using provider-defined interfaces are described. A set of programmatic interfaces enabling clients to submit registration requests is implemented. A registration request indicates resources located at a data center external to a provider network as candidate targets for control operation requests issued via a different set of programmatic interfaces associated with a service of the provider network. A network connection is established between a particular resource indicated in a registration request, and an administrative resource located within a data center of the provider network. In response to a particular control operation request received via a programmatic interface of the different set, a control command is transmitted from the administrative resource to the particular resource via the network connection. |
| US09686120B2 |
Dynamic processing unit relocation in a multi-nodal environment based on incoming physical data
A relocation mechanism in a multi-nodal computer environment dynamically routes processing units in a distributed computer system based on incoming physical data into the processing unit. The relocation mechanism makes an initial location decision to place a processing unit onto a node in the distributed computer system. The relocation mechanism monitors physical data flowing into a processing unit or node and dynamically relocates the processing unit to another type of node within the ‘cloud’ of nodes based on the type of physical data or pattern of data flowing into the processing unit. The relocation mechanism may use one or more rules with criteria for different data types observed in the data flow to optimize when to relocate the processing units. |
| US09686118B1 |
Abstraction layer for streaming data sources
Methods and systems for implementing an abstraction layer for streaming data sources are disclosed. A request to perform an operation based on one or more keys is received using a key-value interface. A streaming data source is selected based on the request. The operation is performed using the streaming data source, wherein the operation comprises storing or retrieving one or more values based on the one or more keys. |
| US09686117B2 |
Chimney onload implementation of network protocol stack
A software networking arrangement for operation in a data processing system comprising an OS being operable in: a first mode in which it performs protocol processing of a flow of traffic data and then passes the protocol processed data to a NIC for transmission; and a second mode in which it does not perform protocol processing, the OS being arranged to, on entering the second mode, transmit a message to the NIC indicating that the NIC is to perform protocol processing of the flow of traffic data; the software networking arrangement comprising: a protocol processing entity; and a driver for a NIC configured to receive said message from the OS and in response thereto, configure the protocol processing entity to perform transport-level protocol processing of the flow of traffic data received from an application within the context of that application and then pass the protocol processed data to the NIC. |
| US09686114B2 |
Apparatus, method, and computer program for communicating one or more symbols with multiple pilot signals and nulls
An apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided for communicating one or more symbols with multiple pilot signals and nulls. In use, one or more symbols are communicated including a plurality of pilot signals and a plurality of nulls, for use in generating a plurality of coefficients. |
| US09686113B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting and receiving a signal and method of transmitting and receiving a signal
A method of transmitting a broadcasting signal is provided. The method includes encoding data; encoding signaling data by an LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) scheme; building a signal frame based on at least one preamble data symbol having the encoded signaling data and a data slice having the encoded data; inserting at least one pilot into the signal frame with a specific pattern and modulating the signal frame by an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) method; and transmitting the modulated signal frame. A signaling block having the signaling data is repeated in the at least one preamble data symbol in a frequency domain by a bandwidth. The band width of the signaling block corresponds to a number of active subcarriers assigned to a single channel. |
| US09686108B2 |
Hybrid waveform design combining OFDM and cyclic prefix based single carrier for millimeter-wave wireless communication
Methods, systems, and devices are described for generating a hybrid waveform for data transmission between a transmitting device and a receiving device. The transmitting device may employ an OFDM processing technique to periodically transmit known first pilot symbols mapped from a signal constellation where each signal has equal energy during a first time period and a cyclic prefix based single-carrier (CP-SC) processing technique to transmit data packets and second known pilot symbols during a second time period. Channel estimation is based on first pilot symbols, which are inserted into all subcarriers of OFDM symbol blocks within a specific period. Channel estimation tracking is based on the second pilot symbols interleaved within data packets. The receiving device may be configured to estimate CSI based in part on first pilot symbols and to track the channel estimation based in part on the second pilot symbols in order to provide reliable data detection. |
| US09686106B2 |
Clock-embedded vector signaling codes
Vector signaling codes providing guaranteed numbers of transitions per unit transmission interval are described, along with methods and systems for their generation and use. The described architecture may include multiple communications sub-systems, each having its own communications wire group or sub-channel, clock-embedded signaling code, pre- and post-processing stages to guarantee the desired code transition density, and global encoding and decoding stages to first distribute data elements among the sub-systems, and then to reconstitute the received data from its received sub-system elements. |
| US09686086B1 |
Distributed data framework for data analytics
A data analysis system stores in-memory representation of a distributed data structure across a plurality of processors of a parallel or distributed system. Client applications interact with the in-memory distributed data structure to process queries using the in-memory distributed data structure and to modify the in-memory distributed data structure. The data analysis system creates uniform resource identifier (URI) to identify each in-memory distributed data structure. The URI can be communicated from one client application to another application using communication mechanisms outside the data analysis system, for example, by email, thereby allowing other client devices to interact with a particular in-memory distributed data structure. The in-memory distributed data structure can be a machine learning model that is trained by one client device and executed by another client device. A client application can interact with the in-memory distributed data structure using different programming languages. |
| US09686085B2 |
Social network system and method
A social network system includes one or more participant terminals operable to act as a client on a social network and a computer operable to act as a server on the social network and to communicate with each of the participant terminals over the social network. The computer includes: a memory configured to store a set of instructions; and a processor configured to execute the set of instructions. The set of instructions cause the processor to generate a drop down banner as part of a page of a user. The banner is expandable and retractable by reader commands by invoking a control icon. |
| US09686079B2 |
Electronic document notarization
A server receives a package of data including: a document designated for notarization, identification information including a photograph, photograph of a user, and a signature of the user. The server compares the photograph of the user to the photograph included with the identification information. Next, the server verifies an identity of the user based on the identification information and the photograph by comparing the photograph of the signer to the photograph included with the identification information. The server then applies the signature and an indication of notarization to the document designated for notarization to create a notarized version of the document. The server stores the notarized version of the document, the photograph, and the identification document in a secure data package, and provides the notarized version of the document to the user. |
| US09686071B2 |
Opportunistic full-duplex communications
Techniques for presenting communication between two or more stations in a WLAN environment are provided. Specifically, methods are presented, that when taken alone or together, provide a device or group of devices with an efficient way to adaptively switch between full duplex and half duplex communications. The present disclosure includes a method that provides increased system throughput through opportunistic full duplex transmission. |
| US09686069B2 |
Adaptive MIMO signal demodulation using determinant of covariance matrix
Techniques to adaptively apply interference rejection combining (IRC) for signal demodulation, include estimating an impairment covariance matrix, computing an interference correlation metric based on the determinant of the estimated impairment covariance matrix, selecting an interference correlation threshold, comparing the interference correlation metric with the threshold to determine if IRC should be used for demodulation, estimating a desired signal covariance matrix, computing a desired signal correlation metric based on the determinant of the desired signal covariance matrix, selecting desired signal correlation threshold, comparing the desired signal correlation metric with the desired signal correlation threshold to select one of the supported detection algorithms, filtering the received signal and associated channel matrix, and passing the whitened signal and channel matrix to the selected detection algorithm to generate estimates of code bits, if IRC is enabled. If IRC is disabled, no whitening is applied to the received signal and channel matrix. |
| US09686067B2 |
Deterministic UE behaviour for CSI/SRS reporting during DRX
The invention relates to a method for transmitting a periodic channel quality report (CSI) and/or a sounding reference symbol (SRS) from a UE to an e Node B. To avoid double decoding at the e Node B in transient phases, a deterministic behavior of the UE is defined by the invention, according to which the e Node B can unambiguously determine whether the UE will transmit the CSI/SRS or not. According to one embodiment, the UL grants and/or DL assignments received until and including subframe N−4 only are considered; UL grants and/or DL assignments received by the UE after subframe N−4 are discarded for the determination. Additionally, DRX-related timers at subframe N−4 are considered for the determination. In a second embodiment, DRX MAC control elements from the e Node B, instructing the UE to enter DRX, i.e. become Non-Active, are only considered for the determination if they are received before subframe N−4, i.e. until and including subframe N−(4+k). |
| US09686066B2 |
Method and terminal for determining channel state information
A method and terminal for determining channel state information are disclosed. The method includes: a terminal receiving an aperiodic channel state information CSI request, determining a parameter X according to a capability of the terminal processing a CSI process and/or the number of CSI processes y configured currently, and updating up to X aperiodic CSI according to the parameter X; wherein the parameter X is: a total number of CSI processes or reports required to be updated by the terminal at the same moment in one or more aperiodic CSI requests. |
| US09686065B2 |
Communication system, base station apparatus, mobile station apparatus, measurement method, and integrated circuit
A base station apparatus configures, for each of configurations for channel state information reference signals included in a measurement configuration, a measurement offset to offset a result of measurement using the channel state information reference signal, based on the purpose of measurement. A mobile station apparatus adds the corresponding measurement offset included in the measurement configuration to a result of measuring each of the channel state information reference signals and judges whether a condition of a report configuration is satisfied. |
| US09686063B2 |
TPR management for EPDCCH in LTE
For an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH), unlimited traffic-to-pilot ratio (TPR) variations across resource elements of a physical resource block (PRB) pair is problematic because of the detrimental affect the variations will have on the ability of a user equipment (UE) to perform inter-cell/intra-cell interference suppression (IS) and/or interference cancellation (IC) on EPDCCH of an interfering cell. A TPR limitation is placed on EPDCCH to facilitate IS/IC without causing practical limitations on EPDCCH management by an eNB. Accordingly, a method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus identifies a plurality of resource elements of at least one PRB pair for transmitting one or more control channels, divides the plurality of identified resource elements into one or more groups, and restricts a plurality of resource elements in a respective group to a TPR. |
| US09686060B2 |
Method and system for MIMO transmission in a distributed transceiver network
A transmitting device comprises a plurality of distributed transceivers, a baseband processor and a network management engine. Data streams are generated at baseband by the baseband processor. Diversity coding such as space-time coding may be performed over the generated data streams in the baseband. The transmitting device concurrently transmits each of the coded streams in a same radio frequency (RF) band to a receiving device over the entire distributed transceivers through associated antennas. When needed, the network management engine may identify one or more auxiliary devices providing available transceivers and antenna beamformers to the transmitting device for sharing. Beam patterns and antenna orientations may be determined for associated antennas of the available transceivers for the transmitting device. Each of the coded data streams in the same radio frequency band may be transmitted to the receiving device over the entire available transceivers for the transmitting device through the associated antennas. |
| US09686057B2 |
Method for content synchronization when broadcasting data in a wireless network
The present disclosure relates to base station and method for content synchronization when broadcasting data in a communications network. The base station comprises a receiver receiving data sequences and a transmitter for transmitting data sequences. Each data sequence has a data size and comprises a sequence number (SN). The base station further comprises a processing arrangement configured to add byte numbered sequence numbers to said data sequences passed between layers in a protocol stack for transmission to a transceiver station. |
| US09686055B2 |
Synchronizing peer-to-peer operation for outside network coverage and partial network coverage using LTE air interface
A user equipment (UE) enables synchronous peer-to-peer communication between devices for out of network coverage and partial network coverage scenarios. The UE performs a synchronization procedure and selects a spectrum resource within an uplink (UL) spectrum for device-to-device (D2D) communication. The UE, representing a synchronization source, generates timing information and synchronization signals for synchronizing a group of wireless communication devices (peer UEs) with the UE in a local synchronization area. The UE transmits, in selected or pre-allocated time or frequency resources, a synchronization signal including the timing information in order to synchronize devices in the local synchronization area. |
| US09686054B2 |
Joint waveform design and interference pre-cancellation for time-reversal systems
A base station having an input module for receiving a probe signal sent from a terminal device, and a data processor for generating a signature waveform that is based on channel information derived from the probe signal, identifying data symbols intended to be transmitted to the terminal device, and modifying the data symbols based on the channel information. The modification of the data symbols is designed to reduce inter-symbol interference when the data symbols are received by the terminal device. The data processor generates a downlink signal based on the modified data symbols and the signature waveform. The base station generates a wide-band a radio frequency signal based on the downlink signal and transmits the radio frequency signal to the terminal device through a multipath channel such that a portion of the radio frequency signal intended for the terminal device focuses at the terminal device. |
| US09686050B2 |
Mitigating cross-link interference when using reconfigurable TDD
Methods and apparatus are provided for mitigating cross-link interference. The method is implemented by a base station of a wireless communication system, the base station serving user terminals in a first cell. The method comprises selecting (610) a primary time division duplex, TDD, configuration designating uplink and downlink subframes for communication with the user terminals in the first cell, and determining (620) uplink subframes of the primary TDD configuration that are overlapping in time with downlink subframes of a TDD configuration used in a second cell. The method also comprises transmitting (630), to a user terminal in the first cell, a request to use a supplemental TDD configuration for transmitting uplink control information, wherein uplink subframes of the supplemental TDD configuration are not overlapping in time with downlink subframes of the TDD configuration used in the second cell. |
| US09686047B2 |
Wireless communication method, mobile station apparatus, wireless communication system and integrated circuit
To perform control of PUSCH retransmission efficiently in a wireless communication system where a mobile station apparatus and a base station apparatus communicate with each other using a plurality of downlink component carriers. In a mobile station apparatus which communicates with a base station apparatus using a plurality of downlink component carriers and a plurality of uplink component carriers, in case that the downlink component carrier corresponding to the uplink component carrier is set not to be used for downlink communication, the mobile station apparatus flushes HARQ buffers of the uplink component carrier associated with the downlink component carrier set not to be used for downlink communication. |
| US09686046B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatus for wireless condition based multiple radio access bearer communications
Systems, devices, and methods for wireless condition based multi radio access based wireless communication are provided. In one aspect, a device configured to communicate via a wireless communication link is provided. The device includes a controller configured to provide an acknowledgement indicator, when the channel is configured for such operation. The controller may be configured to adjust or alter the mechanism of the acknowledgement indicator in the packets transmitted based in part on a condition of the wireless communication link and a type of wireless communication that is being transmitted by the device. |
| US09686045B2 |
Data transmission and retransmission
A method transmits data. The method includes transmitting a series of data unit, receiving a retransmission request indicating a plurality of corrupt data units in the transmitted data units which were not received correctly, and retransmitting the corrupted data units. |
| US09686044B2 |
Rate matching with multiple code block sizes
Bits included in each code block of a transport block can be stored to an associated circular buffer and transmitted over a channel. Each circular buffer can vary in size in proportion to a size of the associated code block. Therefore, since in certain operating environments code blocks for a transport block can vary in size, circular buffers can vary in size as well. Accordingly, when not all data from a transport block and/or an array of circular buffers can be transmitted over the channel, each circular buffer from the array can transmit a portion of bits that is proportional to a size of the respective circular buffer (or the associated code block or encoded code block). Furthermore, the number of bits transmitted from each circular buffer can be constrained by an aggregate budget for all circular buffers and can be further constrained to be an integer multiple of a modulation order for the transport block. |
| US09686043B2 |
Transmission and reception methods and associated communication devices for use in OFDM-based communication network
The present disclosure provides a terminal device and a method performed in the terminal device for communicating with a radio base station (RBS) or a Device-to-Device (D2D) terminal device. The method comprises forming a radio subframe by including coded bits in the radio subframe. The coded bits contain a sequence of systematic bits and a sequence of redundancy bits, and only redundancy bits are included in a head and a tail of the first and/or the last Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of the radio subframe. The method further comprises transmitting the radio subframe to the radio base station RBS or the Device-to-Device (D2D) terminal device. The present disclosure also provides a communication device communicating with the proposed terminal device and a method performed in the communication device. |
| US09686036B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for transmitting upstream burst data in PON system
A method, an apparatus and a system for transmitting upstream burst data in a passive optical network system. Delimitation of end of upstream burst data is realized in the method. The method includes: transmitting a sync pattern sequence and a burst delimiter after turning on a laser; transmitting data to be sent; and transmitting an end-of-burst delimiter after the transmitting of data to be sent is finished. A method for receiving upstream burst data and a related apparatus and system are also provided in the embodiments of the invention. |
| US09686030B2 |
Method and apparatus for configuration and control of mixer for audio system using wireless docking system
Efficiency for mixing audio signals from one or more portable user devices in an audio system employing a number of docking station is achieved by a docking station that includes a controller for detecting the presence of an activated mixer associated with another docking station in the system. The controller activates its associated mixer when no activated mixer associated with another docking host in the system is detected. When its associated mixer is activated, the controller in the one docking station causes its associated mixer to be connected both to the audio sound system for supplying an input signal thereto and indirectly to the output(s) of the one or more portable devices. Transfer of mixing from one docking station to another in the same system upon the occurrence of a particularly defined event is also described. |
| US09686029B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals, apparatus for receiving broadcast signals, method for transmitting broadcast signals and method for receiving broadcast signals
A method and an apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals thereof are disclosed. The apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals comprises an encoder for encoding DP (Data Pipe) data corresponding to each of a plurality of DPs, wherein the each of a plurality of DPs carries at least one service component, a mapper for mapping the encoded DP data onto constellations, a time interleaver for time interleaving the mapped DP data at DP level by skipping cells having zero values of the DP data, a frame builder for building at least one signal frame including the time interleaved DP data, a modulator for modulating data in the built at least one signal frame by an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) scheme and a transmitter for transmitting the broadcast signals having the modulated data. |
| US09686022B2 |
RF telemetry transmission between an active implantable medical device and a remote external receiver
Optimized RF telemetry transmission between an active implantable medical device and a remote external receiver in which the information to be transmitted are grouped by class (TYPE 0, TYPE 1, . . . , TYPE n) according to a criticality index (IC) defining a priority rank as between the different information classes to be transmitted. A plurality of modulation schemes and of data rates characterize different transmission configurations, each with a reliability index inversely related to the probability of failure of transmission in a noisy environment. The criticality indexes of the highest priorities are assigned to the transmission configurations with the higher reliability indexes. On an information transmission request, an RF telemetry transmission configuration is selected (52-62) depending on the criticality index characterizing the information to be transmitted. The transmission is operated (64, 66) with the transmission configuration thus selected. |
| US09686021B2 |
Wireless network discovery and path optimization algorithm and system
A wireless modem for communication in a network of wireless modems via a communication channel includes a transceiver assembly, transceiver electronics and a power supply. The transceiver electronics include transmitter electronics, receiver electronics and at least one processing unit. The transmitter electronics cause the transceiver assembly to send wireless signals into the communication channel. The receiver electronics decode signals received by the transceiver assembly. The at least one processing unit executes instructions to (1) enable the transmitter electronics to transmit the wireless signals into the communication channel to at least two wireless modems in a first direction away from the transceiver assembly, (2) receive a signal from at least one of the wireless modems, (3) assign a quality parameter to the signals received from the other wireless modems, and (4) select one of the wireless modems to communicate with based on an examination of the quality parameters with at least one predetermined criterion. The power supply supplies power to the transceiver assembly and the transceiver electronics. |
| US09686018B2 |
Optical transmitter emitting light with narrowed linewidth
An optical transmitter that narrows the linewidth of its output light is disclosed. The optical transmitter includes a wavelength tunable laser diode (LD) known as a CSG-DR LD integrated with a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) driven in a constant magnitude mode. The wavelength of the light output from the LD is determined by transmission through an etalon filter. The optical transmitter feeds the output of the etalon filter back to an injection current supplied to the LD to reduce phase noise inherently contained in the output light. |
| US09686013B2 |
Communication system for a nonlinear fiber channel
A system for communication over a fiber link is disclosed. The system comprises a transmitter to transmit an information signal that comprises an information spectrum, and to transmit two spectrally inverted copies of the information spectrum over the predefined length of the fiber link, the two spectrally inverted copies corresponding to a first spectrum with a first center wavelength and to a second spectrum with a second center wavelength, the second spectrum being inverted relative to the first spectrum and the second center wavelength being different from the first center wavelength, and a receiver to receive the first spectrum and the second spectrum, and to estimate a phase rotation of the second spectrum relative to the first spectrum by comparing a first phase measured from the first spectrum with a second phase measured from the second spectrum. |
| US09686008B2 |
Protection of commercial communications
Methods and systems are provided for a protected communications architecture in which a pool of limited availability channels are shared through the transmission of encoded symbols with time-varying path diversity by a pool of users. The communications architecture can be managed by a network controller that stores availability data describing the availability of multiple-access satellite communications channels. The network controller allocates a first user to a first time-varying subset of the plurality of multiple-access satellite or terrestrial communications channels based on the availability data. The network controller updates the availability data based on the allocation of the first user. The network controller allocates a second user to a second time-varying subset of the plurality of multiple-access satellite or terrestrial communications channels based on the updated availability data. This process is repeated until all users are allocated bandwidth based on their priority, demand, and the overall bandwidth available within the pool. |
| US09686005B2 |
Method and apparatus for feeding back channel estimation in multi-input multi-output system
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for feeding back channel estimation in a MIMO system. A terminal receives a reference signal for estimating a channel from a base station; estimates the channel based on the reference signal; generates channel estimation information according to the channel estimation result and generates error information indicating an error of the channel estimation; and transmits feedback information including the channel estimation information and the error information to the base station. |
| US09686000B2 |
System and method for two-way relaying with beamforming
A system and method for two-way relaying with beamforming are provided. A method for relay operations includes estimating communications channels between a relay and communications devices coupled to the relay, storing data contained in the transmissions, storing data contained in the transmissions, precoding a transmission including a subset of the stored data with a precoding matrix, and transmitting the precoded transmission. The estimating is based on transmissions made by the communications devices in the subset of communications devices, and the precoding matrix is based on estimates of the communications channels. |
| US09685996B1 |
Antenna coil tuning mechanism
Disclosed is an integrated circuit for a near-field radio, including an oscillator configured to output a carrier frequency, an inductor capacitor (LC) tank antenna circuit configured to resonate at a resonance frequency, a frequency measuring circuit configured to measure the resonance frequency of the LC tank antenna circuit and compare the resonance frequency to the carrier frequency, and a controller to adjust the frequency of the LC tank antenna circuit to the carrier frequency. |
| US09685995B2 |
Thin chassis near field communication (NFC) antenna integration
Described herein are techniques related one or more systems, apparatuses, methods, etc. for integrating a near field communications (NFC) coil antenna in a portable device. For example, the NFC antenna is integrated under a metal chassis of the portable device. The metal chassis and a conductive coating—that is integrated underneath the full metal chassis—are designed to include one or more slots to provide high impedance to Eddy current induced in the conductive coating. |
| US09685993B2 |
Power line communication control system
A power line communication control system for coupling between an power line and a load is disclosed. The exemplary system is capable of simultaneously distributing electrical power and transmitting communication signals with minimized interference there-between. The exemplary system includes an inductive coupling input terminal and an inductive coupling output terminal. Each of the input and the output terminals includes a pair of series-connected inductors having substantially identical inductance value. Accordingly, the system is capable of may deliver the household power signal under common mode transmission while transmitting the communication signal using differential mode transmission, thereby minimizing the interference between the power line AC current and the communication signal. |
| US09685991B2 |
Reducing transmission rate to support fast convergence
Methods and systems for fast recovery from serious differential interferences. An exemplary method includes the following steps: transmitting, by a transmitter to a transceiver, at a fixed data rate above 100 Mbps; receiving, by a receiver from the transceiver, an indication indicating that the transceiver is experiencing a serious interference; responsive to the indication, reducing the data rate at which the transmitter transmits; storing excess data that could not be sent during the period of the reduced data rate; and increasing, within less than 1 millisecond, the data rate at which the transmitter transmits to a level that enables it to transmit both the stored excess data and the ongoing data at the fixed data rate. |
| US09685990B2 |
Methods and devices for overcoming insertion loss in RF systems
Methods and devices are described for overcoming insertion loss notches in RF systems. In one case programmable impedances are used to move an insertion loss notch outside a frequency band of interest. |
| US09685989B1 |
Radio frequency power output control and detection for electronically scanned array system
Electronically scanned array antenna radiating elements include a phase comparator. The phase comparator connects the transmission circuitry to the receiving circuitry via a shunt switch to compare the intended phase with the actual phase. The phase of a signal received via the shunt switch is sensitive to the performance of power amplifiers in the transmission circuitry, transmitter/receiver switch, and load impedance. Distributed attenuators between the shunt switch and a phase comparator reduce crosstalk. Phase comparison circuitry is useful for detecting faults in the ESA radiating element. |
| US09685988B2 |
Enhancement device for a wireless antenna
An enhancement device for a wireless antenna. The wireless antenna serves for transmitting and receiving wireless signals for wireless data transmission. The wireless signals comprise a first transmission protocol and a first transmission frequency. A connecting element is provided, which connects the enhancement device to the wireless antenna. A first transmitting-/receiving unit is provided, which serves to receive transmission wireless signals from the wireless antenna. A converter is provided which is embodied to convert the transmission wireless signals from the wireless antenna into a second transmission protocol and/or into a second transmission frequency. A second transmitting-/receiving unit is provided, which serves to transmit the converted transmission wireless signals, wherein a circuit is provided, which is embodied to harvest energy from the received transmission wireless signals. |
| US09685979B2 |
Circuitry and method for generating cyclic redundancy check signatures
Parallel CRC signature circuitry provides a plurality of modules in which a byte of parallel input data is receivable by each module. Each module includes a parallel data input for receiving a byte of parallel input data. Three levels of multiplexors are coupled to the parallel data input. A decoder decodes a polynomial to selection data. The selection data selects the inputs passed by the three levels of multiplexors, and each of the modules generates one byte of the parallel CRC signature free of a clock signal. |
| US09685978B2 |
Serializer and data transmitter comprising the same
Disclosed is a serializer, which includes a data signal alignment unit aligning a plurality of data signals with a predetermined phase interval, a transition detection unit detecting a transition of a logic level among the aligned data signals to generate a toggle signal at a transition of the logic level, and a toggle signal conversion unit converting the toggle signal into a serial data signal obtained by serializing the data signals. |
| US09685976B2 |
Methods and devices for modifying active paths in a K-delta-1-sigma modulator
The invention relates to an improved K-Delta-1-Sigma Modulators (KG1Ss) that achieve multi GHz sampling rates with 90 nm and 45 nm CMOS processes, and that provide the capability to balance performance with power in many applications. The improved KD1Ss activate all paths when high performance is needed (e.g. high bandwidth), and reduce the effective bandwidth by shutting down multiple paths when low performance is required. The improved KD1Ss can adjust the baseband filtering for lower bandwidth, and can provide large savings in power consumption while maintaining the communication link, which is a great advantage in space communications. The improved KD1Ss herein provides a receiver that adjusts to accommodate a higher rate when a packet is received at a low bandwidth, and at a initial lower rate, power is saved by turning off paths in the KD1S Analog to Digital Converter, and where when a higher rate is required, multiple paths are enabled in the KD1S to accommodate the higher band widths. |
| US09685972B1 |
Asynchronous successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter circuit and method for configuring the same
The present disclosure provides an asynchronous successive approximation register analog-to-digital conversion (ASAR ADC) circuit, including: a comparator circuit, an XOR gate circuit, an ASAR logic circuit, a metastable state detection (MD) circuit, a capacitor, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit. The comparator circuit has a first input terminal connected to an analog signal, a first output terminal of the comparator circuit respectively connected to a first input terminal of the ASAR circuit and a first input terminal of the XOR gate circuit, a second output terminal of the comparator circuit respectively connected to a second input terminal of the ASAR gate circuit and a second input terminal of the XOR gate circuit, and an enable signal input terminal connected to a control signal output terminal of the ASAR logic circuit. The XOR gate circuit has an output terminal connected to a third input terminal of the ASAR logic circuit. |
| US09685970B1 |
Analog-to-digital converting system and converting method
An analog-to-digital converting system includes at least one first main analog-to-digital converting unit, at least one second main analog-to-digital converting unit, at least one auxiliary analog-to-digital converting unit, and a calibration unit. Each first main analog-to-digital converting unit is located on a first channel. The first channel includes sample period. Each first main analog-to-digital converting unit receives a first sampling value. Each first sampling value includes a first sample clock. An analog-to-digital converting method calibrates timing-skew of the analog-to-digital converters by delaying a time difference on the sampling value. |
| US09685969B1 |
Time-interleaved high-speed digital-to-analog converter (DAC) architecture with spur calibration
A time-interleaved digital-to-analog converter (DAC) architecture is provided. The DAC architecture includes a multiplexer/encoder configured to receive a data signal and to generate a plurality of data streams based on the data signal. First and second DAC circuits receive respective first and second data streams of the plurality of data streams and selectively process the respective first and second data streams to generate a respective DAC output signal. The respective DAC output signals of the first and second DAC circuits are coupled together to provide an output signal of the DAC architecture. |
| US09685963B2 |
Variable frequency charge pump
A charge pump circuit that utilizes a sensing circuit for determining the current loading or status of the output supply generated by the charge pump circuit to determine a corresponding frequency for a variable rate clock for the charge pump circuit. When a current load is present, the clock frequency automatically ramps up to a relatively high level to increase the output current of the charge pump circuit. When the current load is removed and the supply is settled out, the clock frequency is automatically reduced to a relatively quieter level and the charge pump circuitry operates at a lower power level. Accordingly, the charge pump circuit is only noisy when it has to be, thus providing optimal power when required and being electrically quiet and operating at lower power at all other times. |
| US09685962B2 |
Clock data recovery apparatus and method and phase detector
A clock data recovery apparatus includes an oscillator, a phase detector and an oscillator control circuit. The oscillator generates an original clock signal. The phase detector includes a first sampling circuit, a frequency dividing circuit, a second sampling circuit and a selecting circuit. The first sampling circuit samples a data signal using the original clock signal to generate a first set of sample results. The frequency dividing circuit divides the original clock signal to generate a frequency divided clock signal. The second sampling circuit performs sampling using the frequency divided clock signal to generate a second set of sample results. The selecting circuit selectively outputs one of the first and second sets of sample results as a final set of sample results. The oscillator control circuit controls the oscillator according to the final set of sample results. |
| US09685956B1 |
Enabling a field programmable device on-demand
Examples of techniques for enabling a field programmable device on demand are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a method may include: determining, by a processing device, whether to enable a disabled field programmable device; responsive to determining to enable the disabled field programmable device, identifying, by the processing device, the field programmable device from a plurality of disabled FPDs; sending an authorization request to an authorization authority to request an authorization to enable the disabled field programmable device; responsive to receiving the authorization from the authorization authority, enabling the disabled field programmable device as an enabled field programmable device; loading computer readable instructions to the enabled field programmable device; and bringing the enabled field programmable device online. |
| US09685953B1 |
Low latency asynchronous interface circuits
In one form, a logic circuit includes an asynchronous logic circuit, a synchronous logic circuit, and an interface circuit coupled between the asynchronous logic circuit and the synchronous logic circuit. The asynchronous logic circuit has a plurality of asynchronous outputs for providing a corresponding plurality of asynchronous signals. The synchronous logic circuit has a plurality of synchronous inputs corresponding to the plurality of asynchronous outputs, a stretch input for receiving a stretch signal, and a clock output for providing a clock signal. The synchronous logic circuit provides the clock signal as a periodic signal but prolongs a predetermined state of the clock signal while the stretch signal is active. The asynchronous interface detects whether metastability could occur when latching any of the plurality of the asynchronous outputs of the asynchronous logic circuit using said clock signal, and activates the stretch signal while the metastability could occur. |
| US09685952B2 |
Transmitter
A transmitter operates by receiving a first power supply voltage and a second power supply voltage lower than the first power supply voltage, and includes a driving circuit that generates an output signal according to a driving control signal, a swing adjustment block that adjusts a swing width of the output signal to be lower than a difference between the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage in response to a swing control signal, and a swing control signal generation circuit that generates the swing control signal based on the output signal. |
| US09685951B2 |
Integrated circuit with configurable on-die termination
Described are integrated-circuit die with differential receivers, the inputs of which are coupled to external signal pads. Termination legs coupled to the signal pads support multiple termination topologies. These termination legs can support adjustable impedances, capacitances, or both, which may be controlled using an integrated memory. |
| US09685947B2 |
Simplified gate driver for power transistors
A pulse-transformer-based isolated gate driver circuit uses a small count of high-temperature-qualified components to drive a power semiconductor switch with asymmetrical voltage biases. A differential driver generates a pulse signal from a pulse-width-modulated signal, which is passed to a charge and lock circuit through a transformer. The charge and lock circuit includes an activation path and a deactivation path, which are selectively open to current flow based on positive or negative voltage pulses in the pulse signal, to selectively turn the main semiconductor switch on or off. The charge and lock circuit can lock voltage across the main semiconductor switch to keep the main semiconductor switch in an “on” or and “off” state. |
| US09685946B2 |
Radio frequency switching circuit with distributed switches
An RF switching device having distributed shunt switches distributed along transmission lines to improve RF bandwidth as well as the signal isolation of the device. The shunt switches may be physically positioned on both sides of the transmission lines to keep an integrated circuit (IC) design essentially symmetrical so as to provide predictable and reliable operational characteristics. Some embodiments include stacked FET shunt switches and series switches to tolerate high voltages. In some embodiments, the gate resistor for each FET shunt switch is divided into two or more portions. |
| US09685941B2 |
Device for protecting at least one active component of an electronic module
The invention relates to a device for protecting at least one active component of an electronic module, able to receive a microwave electromagnetic signal as input and to provide a microwave electromagnetic signal to said at least one active component. This device includes a delay module able to apply a predetermined delay time to the microwave electromagnetic input signal, connected in parallel with a switch-triggering device able to compare a power level of the microwave electromagnetic input signal to a power threshold and to command switching by a switch connected at the output of the delay module, an output of said switch providing the microwave electromagnetic signal to said at least one active component, the predetermined delay time being such that the switching is done before the arrival of the microwave electromagnetic output signal from the delay module. |
| US09685938B2 |
High voltage selector circuit with no quiescent current
A maximum voltage selection circuit may include multiple inputs, each for receiving a different input voltage, an output for delivering the highest of the input voltages, and a voltage selection circuit. The voltage selection circuit may automatically select the input having the largest voltage magnitude, automatically deliver the voltage at the selected input to the output, and not draw quiescent operating current from any of the inputs. For each and every unique combination of two of the multiple inputs, the voltage selection circuit may include an enhancement mode FET with a channel connected in series between a first input of the unique combination of the two inputs and the output; a connection between the gate of the enhancement mode FET and the second input of the unique combination of the two inputs through the channel of a depletion mode FET; an additional enhancement mode FET with a channel connected in series between the second of the unique combination of the two inputs and the output; and a connection between the gate of the additional enhancement mode FET and the first of the unique combination of the two inputs through the channel of an additional depletion mode FET. |
| US09685937B2 |
CMOS pulse shrinking, stretching or shrink-and-stretch mixing method and device thereof
A CMOS pulse shrinking or stretching device includes a basic element sequence, including odd combination positions and even combination positions, and homogeneous logic elements connected to form the basic element sequence. The device further includes an inhomogeneous logic element serially connected between two of the basic elements at the odd or even combination position for shrinking or stretching a pulse signal. A CMOS pulse shrink-and-stretch mixing device further includes an inhomogeneous logic element set, including an odd-positioned inhomogeneous logic element and an even-positioned inhomogeneous logic element to combine stretching and shrinking functions of the pulse signal by adding a stretched pulse and a shrunk pulse signal together. |
| US09685936B2 |
Self-feedback control circuit
A self-feedback control circuit is connected to a controller area network bus for controlling a high-level output and a low-level output, comprising a controller area network driving circuit and a replica circuit. The replica circuit is connected in parallel with the controller area network driving circuit and comprises an upper feedback path and a lower feedback path. The upper feedback path and the lower feedback path are connected jointly to a common mode, and the replica circuit provides a feedback signal from the common mode such that the feedback signal is able to be respectively transmitted to two individual transistors of the controller area network driving circuit through the upper feedback path and through the lower feedback path so as to control DC level stability of the high-level output and the low-level output. |
| US09685926B2 |
Intelligent audio output devices
An audio output device may include one or more audio sensors configured to detect ambient sound and noises around the audio output device. The audio output device may include a controller configured to analyze the detected sound and noises and may adjust audio settings of the audio output device accordingly. In an embodiment, the controller may analyze and recognize that the detected noise is another person's attempt to get the user's attention or to talk to the user, such as audio sound of the user's name. In response, the controller may stop the audio output or lower the volume of the audio output. |
| US09685922B2 |
Automatic volume control for combined game and chat audio
A system comprising audio processing circuitry is provided. The audio processing circuitry is operable to receive combined-game-and-chat audio signals generated from a mixing together of a chat audio signal and game audio signals. The audio processing circuitry is operable to process the combined-game-and-chat audio signals to detect strength of a chat component of the combined-game-and-chat audio signals and strength of a game component of the combined-game-and-chat audio signals. The audio processing circuitry is operable to automatically control a volume setting based on one or both of: the detected strength of the chat component, and the detected strength of the game component. The combined-game-and-chat audio signals may comprise a left channel signal and a right channel signal. The processing of the combined-game-and-chat audio signals may comprise measuring strength of a vocal-band signal component that is common to the left channel signal and the right channel signal. |
| US09685921B2 |
Loudness control with noise detection and loudness drop detection
Loudness control systems or methods may normalize audio signals to a predetermined loudness level. If the audio signal includes moderate background noise, then the background noise may also be normalized to the target loudness level. Noise signals may be detected using content-versus-noise classification, and a loudness control system or method may be adjusted based on the detection of noise. Noise signals may be detected by signal analysis in the frequency domain or in the time domain. Loudness control systems may also produce undesirable audio effects when content shifts from a high overall loudness level to a lower overall loudness level. Such loudness drops may be detected, and the loudness control system may be adjusted to minimize the undesirable effects during the transition between loudness levels. |
| US09685919B2 |
Amplification systems and methods with output regulation
Systems and methods are provided for amplifying multiple input signals to generate multiple output signals. An example system includes: a first channel configured to receive a first input signal and a second input signal and generate a first output signal and a second output signal based at least in part on the first input signal and the second input signal; and a second channel configured to receive a third input signal and a fourth input signal and generate a third output signal and a fourth output signal based at least in part on the third input signal and the fourth input signal. A first differential signal is equal to the first input signal minus the second input signal. A second differential signal is equal to the third input signal minus the fourth input signal. The first output signal corresponds to a first phase. |
| US09685915B2 |
Amplification stage and wideband power amplifier
An amplification stage and a wideband power amplifier are provided. The amplification stage includes a stage input terminal, a stage output terminal, an amplifier, an input compensation network, and in output compensation network. At the stage input terminal is received a signal which is provided via the input compensation network to the amplifier. The input compensation network filters the signal to allow a wideband operation of the amplification stage around an operational frequency. The amplified signal provided by the amplifier is provided via the output compensation network to the stage output terminal. The output compensation network configured to allow a wideband operation of the amplification stage around the operational frequency with a minimal phase shift and distortion of amplitude and phase frequency response. The wideband power amplifier includes a plurality of amplification stage combined with transmission lines or their lumped element equivalents in a specific circuit topology. |
| US09685909B2 |
Device, system, and method of frequency generation using an atomic resonator
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of generating a frequency reference using a solid-state atomic resonator formed by a solid-state material including an optical cavity having color centers. A device may include a solid-state atomic clock to generate a clock frequency signal, the solid-state atomic clock including a solid state atomic resonator formed by a solid-state material including an optical cavity having color centers, which are capable of exhibiting hyperfine transition, wherein the solid-state atomic clock may generate the clock frequency signal based on a hyperfine resonance frequency of the color centers. |
| US09685903B2 |
Method and system for controlling a power output of an inverter
According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of controlling a power output of an inverter. The method comprises measuring an output current of the inverter, determining a difference between the output current and a reference current, and controlling a reference input voltage of the inverter as a function of the determined difference. In a second aspect of the disclosure, there is described a system for controlling a power output of an inverter. The system comprises an inverter arranged to output a current as a function of a reference input voltage. The system further comprises a controller arranged to determine a difference between the output current and a reference current. The controller is further arranged to control the reference input voltage as a function of the determined difference. The method may allow for control of a photovoltaic inverter at a power less than its maximum capability for a given solar irradiation, which may avoid the problem of the photovoltaic array voltage rising above a level where the inverter can run. |
| US09685898B2 |
Quasi vector motor controller
An apparatus includes a switch module that selectively turns on a switch to connect an input power conductor connected to a voltage source to a motor in a sequence. The switch for each phase is turned on for a portion of a cycle of a fundamental frequency of the voltage source. A source phase module determines a phase of the AC voltage source, a back-EMF phase module determines a phase of a back-EMF of the motor, and a torque module determines when a phase difference between the phase of the AC voltage source and the phase of the back-EMF is within a phase range indicative of a positive motor torque. A pulse module enables the switches in response to the phase difference having a phase within the phase range and disables the switches in response to the phase difference having a phase not in the phase range. |
| US09685897B2 |
Electrical gear and method for operating a subsea machinery rotating at high speed
An electrical gear configured to supply electrical drive power to a machinery to be rotated at high speed, such as a subsea motor/pump or a subsea motor/compressor assembly, the electrical gear including a high input voltage AC-motor having a low pole number, the AC-motor drivingly connected to a medium output voltage AC-generator having inverted design, wherein in the AC-generator the field windings are supported on a rotor which is journalled for rotation inside an outer stator carrying a high number of magnet poles, the AC-motor is configured to run on high voltage alternating current at a first frequency, and the AC-generator is configured to deliver medium voltage alternating current at a second frequency, higher than said first frequency, to an AC-motor to be energized having a low pole number. |
| US09685895B2 |
Motor current controller and method for controlling motor current
A motor current controller operates to: set a reference current value and a decay mode switching time for each PWM cycle based on a positional relationship between a rotor and a stator; switch an H-bridge circuit to the charge mode at the time of start of each PWM cycle; switch the H-bridge circuit to the fast decay mode and store a charge mode time when determined that the motor current is greater than the reference current value; switch the H-bridge circuit to the slow decay mode when the decay mode switching time elapses; compare the charge mode time of the corresponding PWM cycle in a present falling side with the charge mode time of the PWM cycle in a previous falling side; update the decay mode switching time of the PWM cycle previous to the corresponding PWM cycle in a subsequent falling side. |
| US09685893B2 |
Alternating current generation system accompanying power conversion
An alternating current generation system is provided. In the system, in a rotor, a plurality of detection subject portions are arrayed along a circumferential direction in correspondence to reversal states of the magnetic poles in a plurality of magnetized portions. A detecting unit is disposed opposing the rotor so as to generate an output signal corresponding to passage state of the detection subject portions. A phase control unit outputs, to a power converter, a control signal to perform phase control of switching elements depending on the rotation phase of the rotor, based on the output signal from the detecting unit. |
| US09685892B2 |
Brushless motor control device and diagnostic processing method for same
The brushless motor control device according to the present invention includes a drive controller, current detection circuits, AD converter circuits, a clock generation circuit, a pulse output circuit, and an RC filter. The drive controller generates a driving signal for driving a brushless motor. The current detection circuits each detect a current of the brushless motor. The AD converter circuits are each connected to a different one of the current detection circuits. The clock generation circuit outputs a clock pulse. The pulse output circuit outputs a pulse signal according to the clock pulse. The RC filter receives the pulse signal. The RC filter is formed of a resistor and a capacitor connected in series. A pull-up resistor connecting to a predetermined power supply is connected to an intermediate connection point between the resistor and the capacitor. The intermediate connection point is connected to the AD converter circuits. Based on output values form the AD converter circuits, it is determined whether the clock generation circuit, the AD converter circuits, and the current detection circuit are in an abnormal condition. |
| US09685886B2 |
Photovoltaic DC/AC inverter with cascaded H-bridge converters
The present invention relates to a DC-AC inverter comprising a plurality of H-bridge converters, each being arranged to be integrated with a respective photovoltaic element and to be supplied with a DC voltage from the photovoltaic element, the H-bridge converters further being cascaded to produce a multilevel voltage output (Vout). The DC-AC inverter further comprises switch control circuitry connected to each one of the plurality of H-bridge converters to control switching thereof for producing the multilevel voltage output, and a central adaptation unit connected to the cascaded H-bridge converter for adapting the multilevel voltage output such that an AC grid voltage is output from the DC-AC inverter. |
| US09685884B2 |
Seven-level inverter apparatus
It is composed of a three-phase three-level inverter 1, three single-phase five-level inverters 2, each of which is connected in series with an output of each phase of the three-phase three-level inverter 1, and pulse width modulation control means 8 provided for each phase which supplies gate pulses to the three-level inverter 1 and the single-phase five-level inverter 2 of the relevant phase. State transition means 84 which determines an output of a switching leg of the three-level inverter 1, and outputs of outside and inside switching legs of the single-phase five-level inverter based on transition of a voltage level created by the pulse width modulation control means 8, makes all of the three outputs of the three-level inverter 1, and the outside and inside switching legs of the single-phase five-level inverter 2 0 or positive, when the voltage level is positive, makes all of the outputs of these three legs 0 or negative, when the voltage level is negative, and makes all of the outputs of these three legs 0, when the voltage level is 0. |
| US09685878B2 |
AC line connector with intermediate DC link
An electric power transmission system and method that provides a power electronic interface system for connecting a plurality of alternating current transmission lines by one or more direct current transmission lines. The system includes dc-link converters, frequency transformers connected to the converters, and multilevel converters are connected to a direct current transmission line. |
| US09685877B2 |
Power conversion apparatus
A power conversion apparatus includes a transformer comprising a primary coil and a secondary coil; a primary full-bridge circuit comprising the primary coil disposed at a first bridge part; a secondary full-bridge circuit comprising the secondary coil disposed at a second bridge part; and a control unit configured to control a phase difference between switching at the primary full-bridge circuit, and switching at the secondary full-bridge circuit, to adjust transmission power transmitted between the primary full-bridge circuit and the secondary full-bridge circuit. When an absolute value of the phase difference is less than or equal to a first predetermined value, the control unit inverts a positive and a negative of the phase difference, to switch a power transmission direction between the primary full-bridge circuit and the secondary full-bridge circuit. |
| US09685876B2 |
Resonant converter with capacitive mode detection and associated detection method
A method of capacitive mode detection is used in a resonant converter. The resonant converter has a square wave generator having a first switch and a second switch, a resonant network, an isolated transformer having a primary winding and a second winding, and a rectifier network providing an output DC voltage for a load. The method of capacitive mode detection includes: detecting a voltage of the secondary winding and generating a voltage detection signal; detecting an output DC voltage of the rectifier network and generating a voltage detecting threshold; comparing the voltage detection signal with the voltage detection threshold when either of the first and the second switches is turned OFF; generating a flag signal indicating whether the resonant converter enters into a capacitive mode based on the comparison result. |
| US09685872B2 |
Single-pole switch power source
A single-stage switched-mode power supply comprises: a dual-source ac rectifying unit (501), for converting an alternating current input by an alternating current power source into at least two direct current sources, namely, a first direct current source (606) and a second direct current source (607); a combination switch unit, at least comprising a first switch circuit (603) and a second switch circuit (605), used for respectively performing power conversion on the first direct current source (606) and the second direct current source (607), to output a direct current, wherein the first direct current source (606) is connected to the first switch circuit (603) through an energy-storage capacitor (604), the first switch circuit (603) is any circuit capable of functioning as a switch circuit, and the second switch circuit (605) is a circuit capable of functioning as a flyback switch circuit. The single-stage switch power supply has complete power factor correction and output hold-up time, and further improves power source conversion efficiency. |
| US09685870B2 |
Phase-cut pre-regulator and power supply comprising the same
A power supply includes a phase-cut pre-regulator. The phase-cut pre-regulator comprises a switching device connected between a line voltage and an input voltage of a bulk capacitor and a comparator receiving the line voltage and a reference voltage, comparing the line voltage with hysteresis reference voltages based on the reference voltage, and switching the switching device according to the compared result. |
| US09685864B2 |
Switching regulator circuits and methods with reconfigurable inductance
The present disclosure includes circuits that have a switching regulator and methods of operating the circuits. The switching regulator may receive a switching signal that has a switching frequency. The circuit also includes a monitor circuit to monitor the switching frequency, and includes a reconfigurable inductance coupled to an output of the switching regulator. The monitor circuit may change the reconfigurable inductance. The circuit includes an amplifier to receive an envelope tracking signal. An output of the amplifier is coupled to the output of the switching regulator to provide a power supply voltage. The circuit may further include a switching generator circuit to produce the switching signal for the switching regulator based on an output current of the amplifier. The monitor circuit may compare a frequency of the envelope tracking signal to the switching frequency of the switching signal and accordingly change the reconfigurable inductance. |
| US09685862B2 |
Semiconductor device and semiconductor module
A semiconductor device includes: a voltage-dividing resistor circuit including first and second resistors connected in series between a power supply potential and a reference potential and outputting a potential at a point of connection between the first and second resistors; a transient response detection circuit including a third resistor having a first end connected to the power supply potential and a capacitor connected between a second end of the third resistor and the reference potential, and outputting a potential at a point of connection between the third resistor and the capacitor; an AND circuit ANDing an output signal of the voltage-dividing resistor circuit and an output signal of the transient response detection circuit; and an output circuit, wherein switching of the output circuit is controlled by an output signal of the AND circuit. |
| US09685859B2 |
Signal transmission circuit
A signal transmission circuit with a first circuit in a signal transmission side having first and second semiconductor switch elements transmitting a reference potential or power supply voltage of the first circuit to a second circuit by being alternatively driven on and off according to a multiple of signals. The second circuit in a signal reception side having a voltage conversion circuit, including an in-phase noise filter that eliminates in-phase noise superimposed on the voltage transmitted via the first and second semiconductor switch elements, generating first and second pulse signals in accordance with the transmitted voltage, a latch circuit latching each of the first and second pulse signals with the first and second pulse signals as a clock, and a signal analysis circuit analyzing the first and second pulse signals latched by the latch circuit, and generating an output signal according to the category of the multiple of signals. |
| US09685857B2 |
Control device to control a DC/DC converter in a switched electrical power supply system while limiting a capacitance thereof
The invention relates to a control device (1) employed in a switched electrical power supply system to control a DC/DC converter of said switched electrical power supply system, said control device comprising a first input terminal (A) and a second input terminal (B), a first transistor (T1) connected via its source to the second input terminal (B) and a second transistor (T2) furnished with a gate (G) and connected via its drain (D) to the first input terminal (A), and via its source (S) to the first transistor (T1), the control device comprising a control assembly connected to the gate (G) of the second transistor (T2) and to the second input terminal (B) and comprising a capacitor (Ca) and a first Zener diode (Dz1) connected in series to said capacitor (Ca) and a second Zener diode (Dz2) connected between the gate (G) and the source (S) of the second transistor (T2). |
| US09685854B2 |
Charge pump apparatus and charge pumping method
A charge pumping method includes: generating a first boosted voltage by boosting an input voltage by a boosting mode of a first multiplier; changing the level of a voltage charged in at least one capacitor provided in the inside of a charge pump circuit, in preparation for a change in the boosting mode; and generating a second boosted voltage by boosting the input voltage by a boosting mode of a second multiplier. |
| US09685849B2 |
Displacement devices and methods for fabrication, use and control of same
Displacement devices comprise a stator and a moveable stage. The stator comprises a plurality of coils shaped to provide pluralities of generally linearly elongated coil traces in one or more layers. Layers of coils may overlap in the Z-direction. The moveable stage comprises a plurality of magnet arrays. Each magnet array may comprise a plurality of magnetization segments generally linearly elongated in a corresponding direction. Each magnetization segment has a magnetization direction generally orthogonal to the direction in which it is elongated and at least two of the magnetization directions are different from one another. One or more amplifiers may be connected to selectively drive current in the coil traces and to thereby effect relative movement between the stator and the moveable stage. |
| US09685848B2 |
Vibrating units
A vibrating device includes a motor housing, an electromagnetic coil coupled to the motor housing and a motor elastically coupled to the motor housing. The motor includes a pole plate, a magnet and a yoke, the pole plate bonded to the magnet and the magnet set within the yoke. The electromagnetic coil is disposed within an annular space defined between the magnet and the yoke. |
| US09685845B2 |
Method of making a squirrel cage rotor having reduced radius to accommodate permanent magnets
A rotor (11) with a squirrel cage and permanent magnets (19) mounted on and distributed around the circumference of the rotor, including a core stack extending over the entire rotor region with longitudinally continuous rotor slots extending over the length of the core stack. The squirrel cage is constructed with cage bars disposed, and preferably cast, in the rotor slots; short circuit rings connect the cage bars at both end faces of the core; and the radius of the rotor region is reduced by at least the radial thickness of the magnets. The radius of rotor (11) is reduced over the entire length between short circuit rings (17) such that the radial height of cage bars (15, 29) or cage webs (27) connected thereto is reduced. Also an electric motor or a radial pump having such a rotor, and methods of producing or operating such devices. |
| US09685842B2 |
Direct drive motor, conveyance device, inspection device, and machine tool
A direct drive motor includes: a motor unit including a stator and a rotor rotatable with respect to the stator; a housing including a first housing to which the stator is fixed and a second housing to which the rotor is fixed; a bearing that rotatably supports the second housing with respect to the first housing; and a rotation detector that detects a rotating state of the motor unit. The rotation detector is a single incremental-type resolver that detects a relative displacement of the rotor with respect to the stator. |
| US09685838B2 |
Electromechanical actuator
An electromechanical actuator is provided whose structure is simplified and made small, and with which an output portion can be driven even if a jammed state occurs in a screw mechanism. An electromechanical actuator is configured that includes an electric motor having a first rotor portion and a second rotor portion capable of relative rotation with respect to each other, and a jam relief mechanism having a first conversion portion having a first screw mechanism capable of converting rotational force of the first rotor portion into thrust force and moving an output portion back and forth, a sliding support mechanism which can transmit the rotational force of the first rotor portion to the first conversion portion, and a second conversion portion having a second screw mechanism which moves the output portion back and forth together with the first conversion portion. |
| US09685837B2 |
Driving device of steering for a vehicle
A driving device for steering a vehicle includes a housing cover formed with a power supply connector; an insert mold installed in the housing cover and formed with a connecting connector; a printed circuit board disposed on one side of the insert mold; a motor driving module disposed on one side of the printed circuit board, formed with a first power connecting portion which is connected to the connecting connector by being installed in the housing cover, having a relay circuit portion which is connected to the first power connecting portion to switch power and three inverter circuit portions which are connected to the relay circuit portion, and formed with a second power connecting portion which is connected to the respective inverter circuit portions; and a motor portion disposed on one side of the motor driving module, and having a motor connector connected to the second power connecting portion. |
| US09685836B2 |
Motor able to prevent entry of foreign matter inside housing
A motor which prevents the generation of noise from a bearing and prevents shortening of the life of the bearing while preventing the entry of foreign matter inside of a housing. The motor 10 includes a rotor 12, a stator 16, a bearing 20, a housing 18, a bearing support surface 60 arranged to be immovable relative to the housing 18 and surrounding an outer circumferential surface 58 of the bearing 20, a first groove 62 formed at the outer circumferential surface 58 of the bearing 20 or at the bearing support surface 60, and a second groove formed at the outer circumferential surface 58 of the bearing 20 or at the bearing support surface 60 to extend in a circumferential direction so as to intersect the first groove 62. |
| US09685835B2 |
Motor housing having conical shaped ends with various dimensional ratios and slopes for a stator in an avionics cabin air compressor
A motor housing for a cabin air compressor includes a central body portion having a center wall thickness and an internal cavity that is configured to receive an electric motor, a first end portion having a second internal cavity that is configured to receive a first end winding of the stator, and a second end portion having a third internal cavity configured to receive a second end winding of the stator. A ratio of a wall thickness of either of the first or the second end portions to the motor wall thickness is at least greater than 1.68 to 1. |
| US09685833B2 |
Rotor for a rotating electric machine and electric motor
A rotor for a rotating electrical machine may include a number of pole teeth which carry a field winding, slots formed between the pole teeth, slot wedges provided in the slots, and separators arranged in the slots, the separators extending, starting from the slot wedges, between the windings in a direction toward a slot base. |
| US09685831B2 |
Rotating electric machine
A rotating electric machine includes a rotor and a stator. The stator includes a stator core and a three-phase stator coil comprised of a plurality of star-connected phase windings. The phase windings are partially received in slots of the stator core to form a pair of coil ends which respectively protrude from opposite axial end faces of the stator core. Each of the phase windings is comprised of a plurality of winding segments. The stator coil also has a plurality of intraphase bridging wires electrically connecting the winding segments of the same phase and a plurality of interphase bridging wires electrically connecting neutral point-side ends of the phase windings. All of the intraphase and interphase bridging wires are arranged on one of the coil ends so that at least one of the intraphase bridging wires is in direct contact with at least one of the interphase bridging wires. |
| US09685830B2 |
Electric motor having an iron-free winding
An electric motor (1), comprising a primary part (2a, 2b) having an iron-free winding device (3) that comprises at least two phases (6), wherein one phase (6) comprises at least two phase windings (4) and at least one electrical connecting element (5), a secondary part (7a, 7b) having an even number of magnetic poles (8), which are arranged alternatively on the secondary part (7a, 7b), wherein the winding device (3) is arranged in an air gap (9) between the primary part (2a, 2b) and the secondary part (7a, 7b) relative to an axis (10a, 10b), in such a manner that each phase winding (4) of a phase (6) is arranged opposite a respective magnetic pole (8) and all magnetic poles (8) are usable simultaneously for force formation. |
| US09685829B2 |
Permanent magnet-type rotary electric machine and vehicle drive system
A rotor core includes magnet insertion holes embedding permanent magnets and arranged in a substantially U-shape, facing an outer circumferential surface of a rotor, and includes hollow portions formed at both side surface portions in a direction orthogonal to a magnetization direction of the permanent magnets embedded in the magnet insertion holes. A permanent magnet group for each pole having the plurality of permanent magnets includes vent holes passing through the rotor core in a direction of a rotating shaft, between one of the magnet insertion holes in which the permanent magnets are embedded and adjacent one of the magnet insertion holes or between the one of the magnet insertion holes and outer circumferential portions of the rotor core. The vent holes are arranged at positions to form the substantially U-shape together with the magnet insertion holes. |
| US09685826B1 |
Wireless power system with position detection
A wireless power transfer system with integrated positioning system. The wireless power transfer system includes a power receiver and a power transmitter comprising a magnetron, a dielectric material associated with the magnetron, in an amount positioned such that an output frequency of the magnetron is less than a threshold value, and a directive element configured to focus the radiation into an electron beam. The positioning system includes a locator receiver coupled to the radiating power transmitter and a locator transmitter coupled to the power receiver, wherein the locator receiver is configured to wirelessly determine a location of the locator transmitter relative to a location of the locator receiver without using triangulation, in at least two orientations of the locator receiver relative to the locator transmitter in which the locator transmitter has moved relative to the locator receiver in three axes. |
| US09685825B2 |
Wireless power supply system
A wireless power supply system has a power sending resonance coil, a power receiving resonance coil, and a relay resonance coil. The power sending resonance coil has a predetermined resonance frequency characteristic, and transmits power wirelessly. The power receiving resonance coil has the same resonance frequency characteristic as the power sending resonance coil, and receives power wirelessly with a magnetic field resonance mode generated by synchronization of the resonance frequency. The relay resonance coil has the same resonance frequency characteristic as the power sending resonance coil and the power receiving resonance coil, and relay power from the power sending resonance coil to the power receiving resonance coil wirelessly with the magnetic field resonance mode generated by synchronization of the resonance frequency with them. |
| US09685824B2 |
Contactless method of supplying power
Power supply stand output to the portable device is adjusted according to the power adjustment signals. Maximum power supply stand output is limited to a power output threshold value. The portable device compares the power received from the power supply stand to the required power. When the received power is lower than the required power, the portable device sends a power adjustment signal to the power supply stand, which is an increase-power-request signal. When the received power is greater than the required power, the portable device sends a decrease-power-request signal to the power supply stand. The power supply stand adjusts output and limits it to the power output threshold value. When continuous output of increase-power-request signals from the portable device is detected over a preset time period, a foreign object is determined to be on the power supply stand. |
| US09685819B2 |
Redundant generator control
A generator system may include redundant control. The generator system may include any combination of redundant controllers, redundant communication paths, or other redundant control. A generator system may include an electrical bus, a first generator controller, and the second generator controller. The first generator controller may control a first generator breaker for connecting a first generator to the electrical bus and configured to control an external breaker for selectively connecting the electrical bus to an external source. The second generator controller may control a second generator breaker for connecting a second generator to the common bus and configured to control the external breaker for selectively connecting the electrical bus to the external source. |
| US09685816B2 |
Power receiver for wireless charging system
A power receiver for a wireless power transmission system that includes a power transmitter has input circuitry that converts power received from the power transmitter into an input signal. A regulator regulates the input signal to generate a regulated output signal based on a current reference signal and a voltage reference signal, and a load receives the regulated output signal. The regulator controls at least one of the current reference signal and the voltage reference signal to control power loss within the regulator. In one embodiment, the regulator globally controls the voltage of the rectified input signal and locally controls the current reference signal to limit power loss in the regulator as well as meet system load requirements. |
| US09685813B2 |
Radio communication apparatus, radio communication system, and radio communication control method
Disclosed is a radio communication apparatus that avoids useless communication to another radio communication apparatus in non-line of sight when the apparatus performs radio communication with the other apparatus while receiving electric supply from the other apparatus. In this apparatus, a radio electric reception section determines whether the electric reception level from the other apparatus is equal to or greater than a first threshold. When the electric reception level is equal to or greater than the first threshold, a radio communication control section controls a radio communication section so that radio communication with the other apparatus starts. After the start of radio communication, the radio electric reception section determines whether the electric reception level is less than a second threshold. When the electric reception level is less than the second threshold, the radio communication control section controls the radio communication section so that the radio communication being performed stops. |
| US09685806B2 |
Power connector with load current sensing
A power connector for use in charging a battery of a device is provided. The power connector has an electromagnetic switch having terminals used to supply power from an external power source to a power adapter which is connected to the battery of the device. A power sensing circuit is coupled between the terminals of the electromagnetic switch and the power adapter, wherein the electromagnetic switch is configured to shut off power supplied to the power adapter when the power sensing circuit detects that the battery is fully charged. A reset mechanism is configured to mechanically activate the electromagnetic switch to start supplying power to the power adapter. |
| US09685804B2 |
Diagnostic charging cradle and methods of using the same
A device and method for charging and testing an animal stimulus receiver is provided herein. |
| US09685802B1 |
Detection of accessory presence and orientation
Wearable devices configured to detect a magnetic field related to the presence, proximity, relative location, relative orientation, configuration, identity, or other information about an eternal charger or other external device are provided. The wearable devices are configured to detect, using one or more magnetometers, magnetic fields produced by (e.g., by permanent magnets or electromagnets) and/or modified by (e.g., by a shim or other element of magnetic material configured to have a specified high permeability) the external charger. The wearable device can change an operational state, display some information, receive power from the external charger to charge a battery of the wearable device, or perform some other function in response to determining some information about the external charger based on the detected magnetic field. |
| US09685799B2 |
Storage battery control device, storage battery control method, and storage battery control system
A storage battery controller includes a charging/discharging rate setter which sets a rate at which the battery is charged/discharged to approximate the power system frequency to rated frequency; and a charge and discharge controller which controls charge and discharge of the battery, in which the gain adjuster: when the measured charge level is lower than a lower limit of a normal range and the obtained power system frequency is within a first non-sensitive zone ranging from a first frequency lower than the rated frequency to the rated frequency, decreases the charging rate to a predetermined percentage of the charging rate; and when the measured frequency is higher than an upper limit of the normal range and the obtained power system frequency is within a second non-sensitive zone ranging from a second frequency higher than the rated frequency to the rated frequency, adjusts the discharging rate to decrease the discharging rate. |
| US09685798B2 |
Smart energy distribution methods and systems for electric vehicle charging
A power management system can smartly allocate the available power at a location to support more electric vehicles than would otherwise be possible. Power managers can intelligently allocate that power based on the real-time needs of vehicles. A smart energy distribution system can estimate each vehicle's current charge level and use such information to efficiently provide electric vehicle charging. The system can respond dynamically to vehicle charge levels, current readings, and/or electrical mains readings, allocating more current where it is needed. The charger profiles can include historic charge cycle information, which can be analyzed under a set of heuristics to predict future charging needs. A local electric vehicle charging mesh network can be provided, which transmits data packets among short-range transceivers of multiple power managers. The local electric vehicle charging mesh network can be connected to a remote server via a cellular connection. The power managers and the local electric vehicle charging mesh network can intelligently allocate power to multiple electric vehicles. |
| US09685794B2 |
Power transmission system
When power transmitting electrodes of a power transmitting apparatus are respectively facing power receiving electrodes of a power receiving apparatus, a composite resonant circuit including a series resonant circuit and a parallel resonant circuit is formed through a compound capacitance formed between the power transmitting electrodes and the power receiving electrodes. In a predetermined mutually facing state in which the compound capacitance becomes maximum, the impedances of the configuration components of the composite resonant circuit are set such that a resonant frequency at which the impedance of the composite resonant circuit from a signal generator side when inputs of a load circuit is short-circuited becomes locally minimum, becomes higher than a resonant frequency at which the impedance of the composite resonant circuit as seen from the signal generator side when the inputs of the load circuit are open becomes locally maximum. |
| US09685792B2 |
Magnetic field distrubtion in wireless power
Techniques of magnetic field distribution are described herein. The techniques may include forming a wireless charging component including a driving coil to receive a driven current generating a magnetic field. An outer turn of a parasitic coil may be formed, wherein the outer turn is adjacent to the driving coil. An inner turn of the parasitic coil may be formed, wherein an inductive coupling between the driving coil and the parasitic coil generates a redistribution of a portion of the magnetic field at the inner turn. |
| US09685786B1 |
Automatic transfer switch spacing monitoring within an electrical device
An automatic transfer switch (ATS) is described that includes a multi-structure of relays that together provide proper spacing, within the ATS, between a first power feed and a second power feed. A monitor circuit is also described that monitors output ports of relays in the first stage of the multi-stage structure and detects that there is or is not proper spacing between the first power feed and the second power feed, within the ATS. |
| US09685785B2 |
Power delivery over digital interaction interface for video and audio (DiiVA)
A system for delivering power over a network of devices connected through a serial link includes a first and second differential pairs of wires. Each differential pair of wires is double AC coupled by a HPF on one side and by another HPF on an opposite side. An LPF connects a portion of each differential pair of wires between the HPFs to a voltage source, and another LPF connects that portion of each differential pair to a load. The system further includes a third and fourth differential pairs of wires. All four differential pairs of wires are located within a single cable, such as a CAT6 cable. The first, second and third differential pair of wires are used for video links, and the fourth differential pair of wires are used for the bi-directional hybrid link. A power delivery circuit in each device includes a voltage source, a power relay switch, a signature resistor for detection, and a load detector. |
| US09685784B2 |
Network system for a component
Provided is a network system for a component capable of effectively managing an energy source. |
| US09685783B2 |
Controllable electrical outlet with a controlled wired output
A load control system having a controllable electrical outlet provides a low cost solution for controlling a plurality of standard electrical outlets. The controllable electrical outlet may be coupled in series between a power source and at least one standard electrical outlet for controlling the power delivered to the standard electrical outlet. The controllable electrical outlet may comprise an actuator for allowing the controllable electrical outlet to be associated with an input device for receiving digital messages from the input device. The controllable electrical outlet may be installed in a standard electrical wallbox, e.g., replacing a previously-installed standard electrical outlet. The actuator may be easily accessed to associate the controllable electrical outlet with the input device and a radio-frequency receiver and antenna may be located in the controllable electrical outlet to provide optimum reception of radio-frequency signals. |
| US09685782B2 |
Power distribution module(s) capable of hot connection and/or disconnection for distributed antenna systems, and related power units, components, and methods
Power distribution modules capable of “hot” connection and/or disconnection in distributed antenna systems (DAS), and related components, power units, and methods are disclosed. The power distribution modules are configured to distribute power to a power-consuming DAS component(s), such as a remote antenna unit(s) (RAU(s)). By “hot” connection and/or disconnection, it is meant that the power distribution modules can be connected and/or disconnected from a power unit and/or a power-consuming DAS component(s) while power is being provided to the power distribution modules. Power is not required to be disabled in the power unit before connection and/or disconnection of power distribution modules. As a non-limiting example, the power distribution modules may be configured to protect against or reduce electrical arcing or electrical contact erosion that may otherwise result from “hot” connection and/or connection of the power distribution modules. |
| US09685779B2 |
Magnetothermal current limiting device
A current limiting device including a transformer including an element made from a magnetothermal material, a primary conductor, and a secondary winding. Heat is generated by the current flowing through the primary conductor and when the current exceeds a certain threshold it modifies the coupling coefficient of the transformer, which makes it possible to limit the current in the primary conductor. |
| US09685778B2 |
Overvoltage protection component
An integrated circuit includes a vertical Shockley diode and a first vertical transistor. The diode is formed by, from top to bottom of a semiconductor substrate, a first region of a first conductivity type, a substrate of a second conductivity type, and a second region of the first conductivity type having a third region of the second conductivity type formed therein. The vertical transistor is formed by, also from top to bottom, a portion of the second region and a fourth region of the second conductivity type. The third and fourth regions are electrically connected to each other. |
| US09685777B2 |
Leakage detection breaker
A leakage detection breaker includes a current transformer configured to detect a leakage current, and a leakage determination unit configured to determine DC and AC leakages based on an output signal from the current transformer. The leakage detection breaker further includes a power supply cut-off unit configured to cut off a supply of DC or AC power when the current leakage determination unit determines the occurrence of the DC or AC leakage. |
| US09685776B2 |
Cable sealing unit with multiple sealing modules
A sealing unit (28) fits within the sealing unit opening (26) of a housing 22. The sealing unit (28) including a sealant arrangement (32) that define a plurality of cable ports (30). The sealing arrangement is also configured for providing a peripheral seal between the housing (22) and the sealing unit (28). The sealing unit (28) includes an actuation arrangement (31) for pressurizing the sealant arrangement (32) within the sealing unit opening (26). The sealant arrangement (32) includes a plurality of sealing modules (33a-33e) each sized to form only a portion of the pressure actuated sealant arrangement (32). |
| US09685764B2 |
Semiconductor optical element and surface-emitting semiconductor optical element
A semiconductor optical element has a semiconductor substrate, a diffraction grating, a diffraction grating embedding layer, an active layer and a cladding layer. The diffraction grating includes a plurality of grating elements arranged on the semiconductor substrate along a direction (Z direction) in which laser light is emitted. Each grating element has a lower portion and an upper portion provided on the lower portion. The lower portions of the grating elements are connected to each other to form one layer in a lower section of the diffraction grating. The upper portion has a first refractive index and the lower portion has a second refractive index. A refractive index of the diffraction grating embedding layer is an intermediate value between the first and the second refractive index. |
| US09685763B1 |
Optical amplifier including multi-section gain waveguide
Described herein are methods, systems, and apparatuses to utilize a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) comprising a silicon layer including a silicon waveguide, a non-silicon layer disposed on the silicon layer and including a non-silicon waveguide, first and second mode transition region comprising tapers in the silicon waveguide and/or the non-silicon waveguide for exchanging light between the waveguide, and a plurality of regions disposed between the first and second mode transition regions comprising different cross-sectional areas of the silicon waveguide and the non-silicon waveguide such that confinement factors for the non-silicon waveguide in each of the plurality of regions differ. |
| US09685762B1 |
Semiconductor optical amplifier with gain flattening filter
Described herein are photonic integrated circuits (PICs) comprising a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) to output a signal comprising a plurality of wavelengths, a sensor to detect data associated with a power value of each wavelength of the output signal of the SOA, a filter to filter power values of one or more of the wavelengths of the output signal of the SOA, and control circuitry to control the filter to reduce a difference between a pre-determined power value of each filtered wavelength of the output signal of the SOA and the detected power value of each filtered wavelength of the output signal of the SOA. |
| US09685761B2 |
Densely arrayed waveguides with low cross-coupling
Described herein are lasers comprising an output port to output an optical signal, a plurality of waveguide segments forming an optical cavity length, and a resonant optical cavity comprising the optical cavity length, a gain medium included in the resonant optical cavity to amplify the optical signal, and a heating element disposed near at least two of the plurality of waveguide segments, the heating element controllable to adjust the phase of the optical signal by heating the waveguide segments. Described herein are optical devices comprising a first plurality of ports to output a plurality of optical signals, a second plurality of ports to receive the plurality of optical signals, and a plurality of coupling waveguides. The plurality of waveguide may comprise a pair of adjacent waveguides separated by a first distance, each of the pair of adjacent waveguides comprising a different width. |
| US09685756B2 |
Laser amplifier, laser apparatus, and extreme ultraviolet light generating system
There may be provided a laser amplifier including: a chamber containing a laser medium; a first window provided on the chamber, and configured to allow a laser light beam inputted from outside of the chamber to enter the chamber; an excitation unit configured to amplify, by exciting the laser medium, the laser light beam that has entered the chamber; a second window provided on the chamber, and configured to allow the laser light beam that has been amplified by the excitation unit to exit from the chamber to the outside; a mirror provided on a laser light path between the first window and the second window; and a wavelength selection film provided on one or more of the first window, the second window, and the mirror, and configured to suppress propagation of light beams of one or more suppression target wavelengths different from a desired wavelength. |
| US09685750B2 |
Method for assisting alignment of a pin header
The present invention relates to a method and tool for assisting alignment of one or more pin headers. In particular, the invention relates to a tool-assisted method of aiding alignment of one or more pin headers placed on a printed circuit board (PCB) prior to soldering, as well as to the tool itself. |
| US09685749B1 |
Cable limiting device and server thereof
A cable limiting device is for connecting to a connection device of a server. The connection device includes a motherboard, a bridgeboard, and a port disposed on the bridgeboard and coupled to the motherboard. The cable limiting device includes a side plate having a longitudinal opening and a transverse slot communicated with each other, a casing, and a cable fixed in the casing. A pillar of the casing passes through the longitudinal opening to be slidably disposed through the transverse slot and be movable relative to the transverse slot for making the casing away from or close to the side plate. When the cable is connected to the port, the casing is away from or close to the side plate with movement of the pillar in the transverse slot for guiding a gold-plated terminal of the cable to be inserted into the port and establishing signal transmission via the bridgeboard. |
| US09685748B2 |
Adapter and electrical terminal thereof
An adapter includes an insulating body, a plurality of electrical terminals which are assembled into the insulting body and a shielding shell. The insulating body has a tongue board at a front thereof, the tongue board defines terminal grooves in a bottom surface thereof, a rear surface of the insulating body defines a rear insertion chamber. Each of the electrical terminals has a holding portion assembled in the insulating body, a first contact portion connected with a front end of the holding portion, a second contact portion connected with a rear end of the holding portion. The first contact portions of the electrical terminals are assembled in the terminal grooves and protrude beyond the bottom surface of the tongue board, the second contact portions of the electrical terminals are located in the rear insertion chamber. |
| US09685744B2 |
Machine case with improved electrical connector
An electrical connector for use within a machine case includes an insulator and a plurality of contacts. The insulator defines opposite top and bottom surfaces thereon in a vertical direction. The contacts are retained to the insulator via an insert molding process. Each of said contacts is stamped and bent from sheet metal and unitarily formed with an upper contacting section exposed upon the top surface, and a lower contacting sections exposed upon the bottom surface. Each of said upper contacting section and said lower contacting section extends along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to both said vertical direction and said transverse direction. Each of the upper contacting section and the lower contacting section is planar and stationary. One of said upper contacting section and said lower contacting section has an outer end exposed to an exterior for originally linking to a contact carrier. |
| US09685743B2 |
Electrical connector having a light guide and a light source carrying internal printed circuit board
A cable-end electrical connector includes a frontal mating member; a vertical internal printed circuit board defining a front surface; a number of light sources positioned on the front surface of the printed circuit board; a light transmissive member permitting a light emitted from the light source to pass through; and a cover enclosing the light transmissive member and the printed circuit board. The light transmissive member includes a penetrable portion permitting the light to pass through and a holding section holding the printed circuit board and constraining the printed circuit board from moving in an up-and-down direction. |
| US09685742B2 |
Surface contact plug and socket
The present invention relates to the technical field of plugs and sockets for electrical appliances. Disclosed are a surface contact plug and socket, comprising a matching plug and socket; a plug contact piece connected with a plug electric wire is arranged on the lower surface of the plug; and a socket contact piece connected with a socket electric wire is arranged on the upper surface of the socket; when the plug is inserted into the socket, the plug contact piece vertically or obliquely meets the socket contact piece to cause surface contact electrification. The surface contact plug and socket of the present invention employ surface contact between contact pieces, enlarge the contact area and improve current transmission capacity since the plug and socket are of the same size, and therefore the contact is always reliable, and the more the plug and the socket are used, the more reliable the contact is. |
| US09685741B2 |
Cable connector assembly with improved metal shell
A cable connector assembly comprises a cable, a connector connected with the cable. The connector comprises a plurality of contacts electrically connecting the cable, an insulative housing retaining the contacts, a metal shell having a top shell and a bottom shell assembled with each other around the insulative housing, and a fixing member fixing the cable. The bottom shell includes a rear wall having a opening for the cable to be inserted into. The top shell includes a top wall and a tongue piece extending from the top wall to the cable. The fixing member includes a main body fastening the cable and a soldering portion extending from the main body and soldering with the rear wall of the bottom shell. |
| US09685740B1 |
Waterproof connector
A waterproof connector includes an upper terminal module, a shielding plate, a lower terminal module, a dielectric element, a shielding shell and an insulating housing. The shielding plate is mounted under the upper terminal module. The lower terminal module is mounted under the shielding plate. The dielectric element is integrally molded outside the upper terminal module, the shielding plate and the lower terminal module. The shielding shell surrounds the dielectric element together with the upper terminal module, the shielding plate and the lower terminal module. The insulating housing is integrally molded outside the shielding shell together with the upper terminal module, the shielding plate, the lower terminal module and the dielectric element. |
| US09685738B2 |
Connector and connector system with grounding system
A connector system is disclosed that can include a first and second connector. The first connector supports a channel terminal that is U-shaped and includes a mating edge. The second connector includes one or more wafers that support terminals arranged in an edge-coupled manner. Ground terminals in the one or more wafers are configured to engage the mating edge of the channel terminal. Each wafer can include a shield mounted on a side of the wafer. If desired, the ground terminal, the channel terminal and the shield can be electrically connected in the mating interface. |
| US09685737B2 |
Standing-type electrical receptacle connector
A standing-type electrical receptacle connector includes a metallic shell, an insulated housing, and an outer shell. The metallic shell defines a receiving cavity therein. The insulated housing is received in the receiving cavity and includes a base portion and a tongue portion extending from one side of the base portion. The outer shell includes a sleeve enclosing the metallic shell, two or more extending sheets respectively extending from two sides of the sleeve, and two or more positioning portions at the extending sheets. The extending sheets are abutted against a circuit board. The circuit board defines positioning holes positioned with the positioning portions. |
| US09685736B2 |
Very high speed, high density electrical interconnection system with impedance control in mating region
A modular electrical connector with separately shielded signal conductor pairs. In some embodiments, the connector is assembled from modules, each containing a pair of signal conductors with surrounding partially or fully conductive material. In some embodiments, the modules have projecting portions, of conductive and/or dielectric material, that are shaped and positioned to reduce changes in impedance along the signal paths as a function of separation of conductive elements, when the connectors are separated by less than the functional mating range. |
| US09685735B1 |
Electrical connector and assembly mating with a mating connector and loading a card
An electrical connector includes a module and a shell enclosing the module. The module includes an insulative housing and a number of terminals affixed to the insulative housing, the insulative housing having a base portion and a tongue portion extending forwardly from the base portion, each terminal having a contact portion exposed on the tongue portion. The shell defines a mating port at a front portion thereof for mating with a mating connector, and a card receiving cavity at a rear portion thereof for loading a card. |
| US09685729B2 |
Connector drip-proof member and cable structure
A connector drip-proof member includes a cylinder part configured to be attached to a cable whose end is connected to a connector so as to cover a part of the cable, and a barb portion linked to the cylinder part and configured to prevent droplets on the cable from reaching the connector. The barb portion includes an upper surface configured to face to a back end side of the cable, and an under surface configured to face to an end side of the cable. The cylinder part penetrates the barb portion from the upper surface to the under surface. The upper surface is concave. A connector drip-proof member and cable structure is provided which can be applied to a narrow space, reduce workload for attaching, and be manufactured at low costs. |
| US09685728B2 |
Electrical connector having waterproof film
An electrical connector includes: an insulative housing having a rear base portion and a front tongue portion, said tongue portion being formed with a platform connected with the base portion; a number of terminals arranged at the tongue portion, each terminal comprising a conductive portion formed with a contacting portion for contacting with a mating connector, and a soldering portion extending outwardly of the insulative housing; at least one waterproof film extending rearwardly up to the platform; and a shielding shell enclosing the insulative housing; wherein the conductive portions of the terminals are exposed on the tongue portion to form at least one conductive region on the tongue portion covered by the at least one waterproof film. |
| US09685726B2 |
Terminal and connector assembly
The present disclosure provides a conductive terminal and an electrical connector assembly. The conductive terminal comprises: a base unit, a contacting unit, a connecting piece and a tail unit. The connecting piece connects the base unit and the contacting unit. The base unit comprises a plate portion extending along a front-rear direction. The contacting unit faces the plate portion, is spaced apart from the plate portion and comprises a plate-shaped contacting portion and an elastic contacting portion positioned behind the plate-shaped contacting portion. The tail unit is connected to a rear end of the plate portion. In the electrical connector assembly, in every two mated conductive terminals between the first connector and the second connector, the elastic contacting portion of one conductive terminal contacts the plate-shaped contacting portion of the other conductive terminal and the elastic contacting portion of the other conductive terminal contacts the plate-shaped contacting portion of the one conductive terminal, so that two contacting regions are formed between the every two mated conductive terminal. |
| US09685725B2 |
Connector
A connector has contacts and a housing having holding grooves which accommodate the contacts. Each of the holding grooves has an inner wall extending in a first direction. Each of the contacts has a fixed portion, a contact arm portion and a support arm portion. The fixed portion is fixed to a corresponding one of the holding grooves. The contact arm portion and the support arm portion extend from the fixed portion in the first direction and are disposed apart from each other in a second direction. The contact arm portion has a contact point and is resiliently deformable to move the contact point in the second direction. The support arm portion comes into contact with the inner wall of the corresponding one of the holding grooves at least when the contact arm portion is resiliently deformed so that the contact point comes close to the support arm portion. |
| US09685724B2 |
Connector and connector assembly including the same
A connector includes a first terminal accommodated in a first housing portion of a housing and a holding terminal accommodated in a second housing portion of the housing. The holding terminal is identical in shape to the first terminal and is configured to hold a cable. The first terminal has a contact point configured to come into contact with the cable. The holding terminal has a holding part corresponding in position to the contact point of the first terminal. When the housing is oriented so that the direction of inserting and removing the cable is horizontal, the holding part of the holding terminal accommodated in the second housing portion differs in position in height from the contact point of the first terminal accommodated in the first housing portion. |
| US09685721B2 |
Electrical connector assembly
An electrical connector assembly, comprises a first connector, and a second connector mounted onto the first connector, a frame surrounding the connectors, a locking member, an actuator, a first lever assemble the locking member to the frame, and a second lever assemble the actuator to the frame. The locking member locks the second lever, a user must firstly press the first lever to make the locking member release the second lever, and next press the second lever to bring the actuator rotate, and then the actuator upwardly push the second connector to apart the second connector from the first connector. |
| US09685716B2 |
Attachment structure of electronic device
The present invention provides an attachment structure of an electronic device which reduces the working man-hour and the electronic device is easily detached. Therefore, the attachment structure of the electronic device is to detachably latch latching claw portions provided on a lower surface of a base of a connector terminal platform onto latching ribs of a DIN rail. Particularly, in leading ends of elastic arm portions extending from the base, the latching claw portions capable of being latched onto the latching ribs of the DIN rail are provided, and operation receiving portions for elastically deforming the elastic arm portions by a push-down operation are provided. By pushing down the operation receiving portions and elastically deforming the elastic arm portions, a latching state of the latching claw portions latched onto the latching ribs of the DIN rail can be cancelled. |
| US09685715B2 |
Terminal table and terminal table unit
Provided are a terminal table and a terminal table unit allowing a plurality of busbars to be connected certainly and easily with reactor busbars of reactor securing members that are connected with reactors included in reactor units having an error. A sensor terminal table 30 includes a plurality of sensor busbars 40 and a sensor-attached holding body holding the plurality of sensor busbars 40. The sensor busbars 40 each include a reactor-side connection portion 40a on the bottom side in a height direction H and a top connection portion 40b on the top side in the height direction H. The reactor-side connection portion 40a is connectable with a reactor re, and the top connection portion 40b is connectable with an IPM or a fuel cell FC. At least one of the plurality of sensor busbars 40 is a movable busbar 41 or 43 attached to the sensor-attached holding body 31 so as to be movable in the height direction H with respect to the sensor-attached holding body 31. The movable busbar 41 or 43 has the reactor-side connection portion 40a connectable with the reactor re. |
| US09685710B1 |
Reflective and permeable metalized laminate
An antenna reflector includes a laminated structure including a first layer and a second layer, where the first layer has an electrically conductive and electrically reflective front surface and includes a nonwoven metallized fiber matte and the second layer includes an open weave fabric. The laminated structure is acoustically permeable. In some implementations, a laminated structure is formed by co-curing the first layer and the second layer. |
| US09685704B2 |
Surface antenna with a single radiation element
A surface antenna with a single radiation element, which comprises (a) a power source with first and second poles; (b) a phase shifting element, inserted to the path of one of the poles of the power source in such a manner that the phase shifting device shifts the phase of a first signal propagating through said pole such that the shifted phase of the first signal will be essentially identical to the phase of a second signal propagating through the other pole. The shifted first signal is added to the second signal with essentially the same phase of second signal, whenever both poles are connected together to form a single-wire, through which the resulting added signal propagates. Alternatively, the antenna may include two phase shifting elements, coupled to each of the poles of said power source in such a manner that one of the two phase shifting elements shifts the phase of a first signal propagating through the first pole while the other phase shifting element shifts the phase of a second signal propagating through the second pole such that the shifted phases of both signals will be essentially identical, and such that the shifted signals are added with essentially the same phase, whenever both poles are connected together to form a single-wire, through which the resulting added signal propagates; (c) a radiation element, in the form of a flat radiation layer that may be adapted to match a variety of surfaces, for receiving the added signal, wherein the added signal may be spilt into two or more wire lines with identical or different lengths. |
| US09685702B2 |
Beamforming method, apparatus for polarized antenna array and radio communication device and system thereof
The invention discloses a beamforming method for polarized antenna array consisting of a plurality of antenna elements, applied to single layer beamforming or dual layer beamforming, which includes the steps: determining (201) first beamforming weights for phase compensation among the antenna elements within each polarization direction; determining (202) second beamforming weights for phase compensation between equivalent channels of two polarization directions; and calculating (203) hybrid beamforming weights as product of the first beamforming weights and the second beamforming weights. A beamforming apparatus for polarized antenna array is also provided in the invention as well as a radio communication device and a system thereof. With the invention, the single-layer and dual-layer beamforming weights are determined for the cross-polarized antenna array without requiring full channel knowledge or the aid of PMI. Computation complexity is lowered and full power amplifier utilization can be achieved. |
| US09685700B2 |
Waveguide structure
Described herein are architectures, platforms and methods for implementing an orientation-agnostic mm-wave antenna(s) that includes an integrated second mechanism on a waveguide structure of the mm-wave antenna. The second mechanism, for example, operates on a second signal and is co-running with an operation of the waveguide structure. The second mechanism may include an audio sub-system such as an audio speaker and/or an audio microphone, or other mechanisms such as a sound or a signal detector, signal transmitter/receiver, or the like. |
| US09685699B2 |
Integrated antenna for wireless communications and wireless charging
Antennas, antenna systems, and components used in antenna systems are provided herein. In various examples, an integrated antenna for receiving signals for a plurality of functional modules in a computing device may include a first plurality of antenna elements for receiving signals at wireless communication frequencies and a second plurality of antenna elements for receiving signals at wireless charging frequencies. The first and the second pluralities of antenna elements may have at least one common antenna element, which may be coupled to one or more of the second plurality of antenna elements using at least one low-pass filter. The at least one common antenna element is de-coupled from one or more of the plurality of functional modules operating at the wireless communication frequencies using at least one high-pass filter. |
| US09685696B2 |
Antenna and electronic device
A split section (6a) has an auxiliary conductor pattern (11a) formed on one end of a substantially C-shaped section of a first split-ring section, and a split (12a) formed between the auxiliary conductor pattern (11a) and the other end of the substantially C-shaped section. A split section (6b) has an auxiliary conductor pattern (11b) formed on one end of a substantially C-shaped section of a second split-ring section, and a split (12b) formed between the auxiliary conductor pattern (11b) and the other end of the substantially C-shaped section. The auxiliary conductor pattern (11b) is formed so as to face the auxiliary conductor pattern (11a). The split (12b) is formed so as to be opposite from the position facing the split (12a) and consequently sandwich the auxiliary conductor pattern (11b) therebetween. A split (14) is formed between the auxiliary conductor pattern (11a) and the auxiliary conductor pattern (11b), stores electrical charges having different polarity, and functions as a large-capacity capacitor. As a result, it is possible to inexpensively produce a compact antenna and electric device. |
| US09685692B2 |
Antenna structure
An antenna structure is configured to transmit and receive signal for a wireless communication device. The antenna structure includes a base board, a radiating unit, and a feed unit. The radiating unit and the feed unit are formed on the base board. The feed unit partially overlaps on the radiating unit to form a number of signal feed paths. |
| US09685690B2 |
Electronic device with near-field antenna operating through display
An electronic device may have a display. A display cover layer and a transparent inner display member may overlap a display pixel layer. The display pixel layer may have an array of display pixels for displaying images for a user. A touch sensor layer may be interposed between the display pixel layer and the transparent display member. A ferromagnetic shielding layer may be mounted below the display pixel layer. A flexible printed circuit containing coils of metal signal lines that form a near-field communications loop antenna may be interposed between the ferromagnetic shielding layer and the display pixel layer. A non-near-field antenna such as an inverted-F antenna may have a resonating element mounted on an inner surface of the display cover layer. The resonating element may be interposed between the transparent display member and the display cover layer. |
| US09685689B1 |
Fabrication methods for bio-compatible devices
A method may involve: forming a first bio-compatible layer; forming a conductive pattern on the first bio-compatible layer, wherein the conductive pattern defines an antenna, sensor electrodes, electrical contacts, and one or more electrical interconnects; forming a protective layer over the sensor electrodes, such that the sensor electrodes are covered by the protective layer; mounting an electronic component to the electrical contacts; forming a second bio-compatible layer over the first bio-compatible layer, the electronic component, the antenna, the protective layer, the electrical contacts, and the one or more electrical interconnects; removing a portion of the second bio-compatible layer to form an opening in the second bio-compatible layer; and removing the protective layer through the opening in the second bio-compatible layer to thereby expose the sensor electrodes. |
| US09685686B2 |
Power divider and method of fabricating the same
The invention provides a power divider, comprising: a plurality of transmission stages and a plurality of ground layers alternately arranged on respective ones of a plurality of dielectric layers, a first transmission stage being arranged on a first dielectric layer, and a last transmission stage being arranged below a last dielectric layer; wherein the plurality of transmission stages are arrayed vertically, each consisting of a loop formed by a transmission line; the first transmission stage has a first opening connected by a resistor, and each of the remaining transmission stages has the first opening connected by the resistor and a second opening without a resistor; two ends of the first opening of one of the adjacent transmission stages are connected to two ends of the second opening of the other one of the adjacent transmission stages by via transitions, in a top-to-bottom direction; and each ground layer has clearances through which the via transitions pass. The invention also provides a method of fabricating the power divider. |
| US09685685B2 |
Variable bandwidth RF filter
Disclosed is a variable bandwidth RF filter. The disclosed filter comprises: a first filter unit having a first bandwidth and a variable-frequency structure; and a second filter unit having a second bandwidth and a variable-frequency structure. The first filter unit and the second filter unit are coupled to a cascade structure, and the bandwidth is adjusted by varying the frequency of the first filter unit and of the second filter unit. The disclosed filter is advantageous in that the variation of the bandwidth can be easily performed using a simple structure. |
| US09685682B2 |
Secondary battery module
A secondary battery module 1 of the present invention stores cell blocks 40 in a module case 2, and cools battery cells 101 in the cell blocks 40 by circulating coolant to the inside of the cell blocks by introduction of the coolant into the module case 2. The secondary battery module has a structure of communicating coolant circulation ports 22 that open to a case wall section 21 of the module case 2 and coolant circulation ports 62a that open to the cell blocks 40 with each other by a communication member 71, and passing wiring through a space region 80 formed outside the communication member 71 and between the case wall section 21 and the cell blocks 40. Thus, wiring can be executed without interfering flow of the coolant, and the total secondary battery module 1 can be miniaturized. |
| US09685680B2 |
Method of using all-solid-state battery
Disclosed is use of an all-solid-state battery as a backup power source in at least one device selected from the group consisting of a computer, a laptop computer, a portable computer, a pocket computer, a workstation, a supercomputer, computer-peripheral hardware, and a server. This all-solid-state battery comprises a positive electrode layer comprising a positive-electrode active material that is an oriented polycrystalline body composed of lithium transition metal oxide grains oriented in a given direction; a solid electrolyte layer composed of a lithium-ion conductive material; and a negative electrode layer comprising a negative-electrode active material. |
| US09685679B2 |
Stepwise electrode assembly having variously-shaped corner and secondary battery, battery pack and device comprising the same
There is provided an electrode assembly having steps including: a first electrode stair including at least one first electrode unit; and a second electrode stair including at least one second electrode unit having an area different from that of the first electrode unit, wherein the first electrode stair and the second electrode stair are stacked to be adjacent, separated by at least one separator as a boundary therebetween and including one or more electrode laminates having steps formed by a difference between areas of the first electrode stair and the second electrode stair, and shapes of the corners of the first electrode stair and the second electrode stair having steps are different. There is also provided a secondary battery including the electrode assembly. Secondary batteries having various designs without restriction in shapes of corners of electrode units can be provided. |
| US09685678B2 |
Electrode materials with a synthetic solid electrolyte interface
A material suitable for use in an electrode, preferably an anode, and processes of its formation are provided. The material includes an electrode base material and an organic artificial solid electrolyte interface material including a water soluble organic polymer coating the electrode base material. The polymer is polymerized with a crosslinker to form the organic artificial solid electrolyte interface material. The resulting artificial SEI coated electrode material demonstrates superior discharge rate capacity and cycle stability. |
| US09685675B2 |
Sulfur management and utilization in molten metal anode solid oxide fuel cells
Embodiments of a molten metal anode solid oxide fuel cell (MMA-SOFC) system comprise a first MMA-SOFC and a second MMA-SOFC, a fuel contactor integral with the first MMA-SOFC or in fluid communication with the first MMA-SOFC, a molten metal conduit configured to deliver molten metal from a first molten metal anode to a second molten metal anode, and one or more external electric circuits, wherein a first molten metal anode is configured to oxidize molten metal to produce metal oxides and electrons, the fuel contactor is configured to reduce the metal oxides and produce metals and metal sulfides in the molten metal upon reaction with sulfur-containing fuel. The second molten metal anode is configured to oxidize the metal sulfides in the metal sulfides-containing molten metal to produce metals and electrons, and the external electric circuits are configured to generate power from the electrons produced in the first and second MMA-SOFCs. |
| US09685673B2 |
Fuel cell system with quick connect components
Embodiments relate to a fuel cell system. In an embodiment, the fuel cell system includes advanced leak test capabilities. In another embodiment, the fuel cell system includes a system to bypass one or more separation units while permitting the fuel cell system to continue to produce electricity. In another embodiment, the fuel cell system includes an alignment system that permits ease of alignment when a fuel cell module is installed proximate a fuel processing module. In another embodiment, the fuel cell system includes a system of supplying auxiliary fuel from a mobile auxiliary fuel supply. In an embodiment, one or more or all of these embodiments may be practiced together in combination. |
| US09685669B2 |
Power generation characteristic estimation device for fuel cell
A power generation characteristic estimation device for fuel cell includes a reference characteristic setting unit for setting a reference power generation characteristic of a fuel cell, a current detection unit for detecting an actual current of the fuel cell, a voltage detection unit for detecting an actual voltage of the fuel cell, and a characteristic estimation unit for estimating an actual power generation characteristic of the fuel cell based on a voltage difference between a voltage on the reference power generation characteristic and an actual voltage at the actual current. The characteristic estimation unit estimates the power generation characteristic during a warm-up operation of the fuel cell when a pressure of a gas supplied to the fuel cell is not lower than a predetermined value. |
| US09685666B2 |
Molded coolant plate assembly with integral reactant flow fields and thermal dam
An end-cooler assembly for a fuel cell includes a cooler having a coolant tube array. A composite material includes flake graphite and hydrophobic polymer. The composite material surrounds the coolant tube array and provides a first side. A flow field is formed in the first side. A thermal dam is embedded in and is entirely surrounded by the composite material. The thermal dam is arranged between the coolant tube array and the flow field. The coolant tube array, composite material, flow field and thermal dam comprise a unitary, monolithic structure bound together by the composite material. |
| US09685656B2 |
Nickel composite hydroxide and production method thereof, cathode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and production method thereof, and a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
Provided is a cathode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery that has a uniform particle size and high packing density, and that is capable of increased battery capacity and improved coulomb efficiency.When producing a nickel composite hydroxide that is a precursor to the cathode active material by supplying an aqueous solution that includes at least a nickel salt, a neutralizing agent and a complexing agent into a reaction vessel while stirring and performing a crystallization reaction, a nickel composite hydroxide slurry is obtained while controlling the ratio of the average particle size per volume of secondary particles of nickel composite hydroxide that is generated inside the reaction vessel with respect to the average particle size per volume of secondary particles of nickel composite hydroxide that is finally obtained so as to be 0.2 to 0.6, after which, while keeping the amount of slurry constant and continuously removing only the liquid component, the crystallization reaction is continued until the average particle size per volume of secondary particles of the nickel composite hydroxide becomes 8.0 μm to 50.0 μm. |
| US09685655B2 |
Complex showerhead coating apparatus with electrospray for lithium ion battery
A method and apparatus for forming battery active material on a substrate are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for depositing a battery active material on a surface of a substrate includes a substrate conveyor system for transporting the substrate within the apparatus, a material spray assembly disposed above the substrate conveyor system, and a first heating element disposed adjacent to the material spray assembly above the substrate conveyor system configured to heat the substrate. The material spray assembly has a 2-D array of nozzles configured to electrospray an electrode forming solution on the surface of the substrate. |
| US09685654B2 |
Method for producing electrode
An electrode is produced by forming an electrode layer on a surface of a current collector using an electrode composition containing a binder including a polyamide acid that is obtained from a specific aromatic tetracarboxylic acid compound and a diamine component containing a diamine having a carboxyl group, and subsequently performing heat treatment to remove a solvent and perform an imidization reaction of the polyamide acid. It is preferable that the electrode composition further contains a crosslinking agent having an epoxy group or an oxazoline group. It is also preferable that the electrode composition further contains a pyridine. |
| US09685647B2 |
Separator including coating layer and battery including the same
A separator includes a polyolefin base film and a coating layer, the coating layer containing inorganic particles having an average particle size of about 1 nm to about 700 nm and an organic binder of a polyvinylidene fluoride homopolymer, the coating layer having a density of about 1.2 g/cm3 to about 2 g/cm3, the coating layer being disposed on one or both sides of the base film. |
| US09685646B2 |
Pasting paper made of glass fiber nonwoven comprising carbon graphite
Embodiments of the invention provide a lead-acid battery having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator positioned between the electrodes to electrically insulate the electrodes. Battery includes a nonwoven fiber mat positioned adjacent an electrode. Mat includes a mixture of first glass fibers having diameters between 8 μm to 13 μm and second glass fibers having diameters of at least 6 μm and a silane sizing. An acid resistant binder bonds the glass fibers to form mat. A wetting component is applied to increase the wettability such that mat exhibits an average water wick height of at least 1.0 cm after exposure to water for 10 minutes. A conductive material is disposed on a surface of mat such that when mat is adjacent an electrode, the conductive material contacts the electrode. An electrical resistance of less than 100,000 ohms per square enables electron flow about mat. |
| US09685642B2 |
Sealed storage battery
A sealed storage battery that is easy to produce, has a low short circuit risk, and has an improved total energy density is provided. A battery includes a first metal sheet having a recessed portion, the recessed portion having a flange portion at its periphery, a multilayer electrode assembly housed in the recessed portion, and a second metal sheet covering the flange portion and the recessed portion. The first metal sheet and the second metal sheet also serve as electrodes. The flange portion is joined to the second metal sheet with a hot-melt resin. A joint between the flange portion and the second metal sheet is folded back toward the recessed portion. An outer edge of the flange portion folded back toward the recessed portion protrudes relative to an outer edge of the second metal sheet folded back toward the recessed portion. |
| US09685636B2 |
Composite sheet and display device comprising the same
A display device including: a display panel; a bottom cover configured to accommodate the display panel; and a composite sheet disposed between the display panel and the bottom cover. The composite sheet includes a buffer sheet having at least one through hole and at least one heat-dissipating sheet accommodated in the through hole. |
| US09685633B2 |
Organic light-emitting element and method of producing an organic light-emitting element
An organic light-emitting component includes a substrate on which a functional layer stack is applied, the stack including a first electrode, an organic functional layer stack thereover including an organic light-emitting layer and a translucent second electrode thereover, and a translucent halogen-containing thin-film encapsulation arrangement over the translucent second electrode, wherein a translucent protective layer having a refractive index of more than 1.6 is arranged directly on a translucent second electrode between the translucent second electrode and the thin-film encapsulation arrangement, and the thin-film encapsulation arrangement is arranged directly on the translucent protective layer. |
| US09685629B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes two or more spacers on a substrate, the two or more spacers being arranged at least at either one of a center point of a virtual quadrangle or a vicinity of the center point of the virtual quadrangle, an electrode portion at each apex of the virtual quadrangle, the electrode portion surrounding the two or more spacers, and a pixel definition layer on the electrode portion, the pixel definition layer including exposing the electrode portion. |
| US09685628B2 |
Methods for making optical components, optical components, and products including same
Methods for making multiple hermetically sealed optical components are disclosed. Methods for making an individual hermetically sealed optical component are disclosed. An individual hermetically sealed optical component and products including same are also disclosed. |
| US09685627B2 |
Function panel and manufacturing method thereof
A novel functional panel is provided. The functional panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first layer, a second layer, a sealing portion, and a first adhesive layer. The sealing portion is between the first layer and the second layer. The first adhesive layer is between the first layer and the first substrate. The second substrate is in contact with the second layer. When a surface of the first layer which faces the first substrate is referred to as a first surface and a surface of the second layer which is in contact with the second substrate is referred to as a second surface, the functional panel has a plurality of regions having different distances between the first surface and the second surface. |
| US09685625B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display element includes a substrate, a lower electrode positioned on the substrate, at least one organic light emitting layer positioned on the lower electrode, a metal doped layer positioned on the organic light emitting layer, and an upper electrode positioned on the metal doped layer that includes a conductive material, and is configured to transmit light. Such organic light emitting display element is capable of minimizing degeneration and damage to the organic light emitting layer caused by sputtering. |
| US09685624B2 |
Optoelectronic component with organic and inorganic charge generating layers and method for producing an optoelectronic component
Various embodiments may relate to an optoelectronic component, including a first organic functional layer structure, a second organic functional layer structure and a charge generating layer structure between the first organic functional layer structure and the second organic functional layer structure. The charge generating layer structure includes a hole-conducting charge generating layer and a first electron-conducting charge generating layer. The hole-conducting charge generating layer includes or is formed from an inorganic substance or an inorganic substance mixture. The first electron-conducting charge generating layer includes or is formed from an organic substance or an organic substance mixture. The first electron-conducting charge generating layer includes or is formed from an organic, intrinsically electron-conducting substance. |
| US09685623B2 |
Light-emitting element, lighting device, light-emitting device, and electronic device
A light-emitting element whose degree of deterioration with driving time is improved and of which emission colors are easily controlled. A light-emitting emitting element having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a layer containing an organic compound located between the first electrode and the second electrode, in which the layer containing the organic compound at least has, from the second electrode side, a light-emitting layer in which a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer are stacked, and a hole-transporting layer provided in contact with the third layer; the first layer contains a first organic compound and a second organic compound; the second layer contains a third organic compound and a fourth organic compound; and the third layer contains the first organic compound and a fifth organic compound. |
| US09685612B2 |
Compound having substituted triphenylene ring structure, and organic electroluminescent device
An organic compound having an excellent electron injection and transport performance is provided as a material for a low-power-consumption organic electroluminescent device. A low-power-consumption organic electroluminescent device is also provided by using the compound. The compound is a compound of general formula (1) or (2) having a substituted bipyridyl and triphenylene ring structure. The organic electroluminescent device includes a pair of electrodes, and one or more organic layers sandwiched between the pair of electrodes, and uses the compound as constituent material of at least one of the organic layers. |
| US09685611B2 |
Multi-faced component-based electromechanical device
An electromechanical device comprises a substrate structure, a set of electrodes, one or more anchor trenches, and one or more multi-faced components. For example, each of the one or more multi-faced components comprises an isolation region formed on a first portion of the surface of the component, a high resistance region formed on a second portion of the surface of the component, and a low resistance region formed on a third portion of the surface of the component. For example, the synapse device is configured to provide an analog resistive output, ranging between the high resistance region and the low resistance region, from at least one of the set of electrodes in response to a pulsed voltage input to at least another one of the set of electrodes. |
| US09685609B2 |
Variable resistance memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A variable resistance memory device includes a plurality of first conductive lines, each of the first conductive lines extends in a first direction, a plurality of second conductive lines are above the first conductive lines, and each of the second conductive lines extend in a second direction transverse to the first direction. A plurality of first memory cells are at intersections where the first and second conductive lines overlap each other, each of the first memory cells including a first variable resistance structure having a first variable resistance pattern, a first sacrificial pattern and a second variable resistance pattern sequentially stacked in the first direction on a first plane. A plurality of third conductive lines are above the second conductive lines, each of the third conductive lines extend in the first direction, and a plurality of second memory cells are at intersections where the second and the third conductive lines overlap each other. Each of the second memory cells includes a second variable resistance structure having a third variable resistance pattern, a second sacrificial pattern and a fourth variable resistance pattern sequentially stacked in the first direction on second plane. |
| US09685602B2 |
Piezoelectric thin film element, piezoelectric actuator, piezoelectric sensor, hard-disk drive and ink jet printer device
The present invention provides a piezoelectric thin film element having a pair of electrode layers and a piezoelectric thin film sandwiched between the pair of electrode layers, wherein the pair of electrode layers are composed of platinum (Pt), oxide particles are contained in at least one of the electrode layers, and the oxide particles are oxide particles of at least one element constituting the piezoelectric thin film or oxide particles of Pt. |
| US09685599B2 |
Method and system for controlling an operation of a thermoelectric device
According to some embodiments, a thermoelectric system includes a thermoelectric device having a first surface and a second surface and a power source configured to deliver a voltage across the thermoelectric device to selectively activate or deactivate the thermoelectric device, wherein the first surface is configured to heat and the second surface is configured to cool when the thermoelectric device is activated. The system further includes a processor configured to determine a potential between the first surface and the second surface when the thermoelectric device is deactivated, correlate the potential to a temperature of the first surface and adjust the correlated temperature of the first surface based on an ambient temperature. |
| US09685597B2 |
Curable composition for sealing optical semiconductor
A curable composition according to the present invention for sealing optical semiconductor includes components (A), (B), and (C). Another curable composition according to the present invention for sealing optical semiconductor further includes a component (D) in addition to the components (A), (B) and (C). The component (A) is a compound containing at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of epoxy groups, oxetanyl groups, vinyl ether groups, and (meth)acryloyl groups. The component (B) is a cycloaliphatic epoxy compound. The component (C) is a curing catalyst including a cationic component and an anionic component and generating an acid upon application of light or heat, where the cationic component contains an aromatic ring, and the anionic component contains a central element selected from boron and phosphorus. The component (D) is conductive fiber-bearing particles each including a particulate substance and a fibrous conductive substance lying on or over the particulate substance. |
| US09685591B2 |
Method for producing an optoelectronic semiconductor component and optoelectronic semiconductor component
A method for producing an optoelectronic semiconductor component having a plurality of image points and an optoelectronic component are disclosed. In an embodiment the method includes providing a semiconductor layer sequence including an n-conducting semiconductor layer, an active zone, and a p-conducting semiconductor layer; applying a first layer sequence, wherein the first layer sequence is divided into a plurality of regions which are arranged laterally spaced with respect to each other on a top surface of the p-conducting semiconductor layer; c) applying a second insulating layer; partially removing the p-conducting semiconductor layer and the active zone, in such a way that the n-conducting semiconductor layer is exposed at points and the p-conducting semiconductor layer is divided into individual regions which are laterally spaced with respect to each other, wherein each of the regions comprises a part of the p-conducting semiconductor layer and a part of the active zone. |
| US09685590B2 |
Light emitting diode
The present invention relates to a light-emitting diode (LED), which comprises electrodes having a single metal reflective layer. The single metal reflective layer is thicker than the active layer of the LED. Thereby, at least a portion of light emitted from the active layer is reflected by the single metal reflective layer, and thus enhancing the light-emitting efficiency of the LED. |
| US09685587B2 |
Electronic devices comprising n-type and p-type superlattices
A superlattice and method for forming that superlattice are disclosed. In particular, an engineered layered single crystal structure forming a superlattice is disclosed. The superlattice provides p-type or n-type conductivity, and comprises alternating host layers and impurity layers, wherein: the host layers consist essentially of a semiconductor material; and the impurity layers consist essentially of a corresponding donor or acceptor material. |
| US09685585B2 |
Quantum dot narrow-band downconverters for high efficiency LEDs
The present disclosure is directed to LED components, methods and systems using such components, having light emitter devices with emissions tuned to meet CRI and LER goal values at a defined CCT. These emitter devices and methods may use a combination of light emitting diodes and quantum dots to tune the emission to meet these criteria. The quantum dots may incorporate additional features to protect the quantum dots from environmental conditions and improve heat dissipation, such as coatings and thermally conductive features. |
| US09685580B2 |
Method of making photovoltaic cell
A photovoltaic solar cell comprises a nano-patterned substrate layer. A plurality of nano-windows are etched into an intermediate substrate layer to form the nano-patterned substrate layer. The nano-patterned substrate layer is positioned between an n-type semiconductor layer composed of an n-type semiconductor material and a p-type semiconductor layer composed of a p-type semiconductor material. Semiconductor material accumulates in the plurality of nano-windows, causing a plurality of heterojunctions to form between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer. |
| US09685575B2 |
Multiband double junction photodiode and related manufacturing process
A photodiode structure is based on the use of a double junction sensitive to different wavelength bands based on a magnitude of a reverse bias applied to the photodiode. The monolithic integration of a sensor with double functionality in a single chip allows realization of a low cost ultra-compact sensing element in a single packaging useful in many applications which require simultaneous or spatially synchronized detection of optical photons in different spectral regions. |
| US09685565B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
The performance of a semiconductor device having a memory element is improved. An insulating film, which is a gate insulating film for a memory element, is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a gate electrode for the memory element is formed on the insulating film. The insulating film has a first insulating film, a second insulating film thereon, and a third insulating film thereon. The second insulating film is a high-dielectric constant insulator film having a charge accumulating function and contains hafnium, silicon, and oxygen. Each of the first insulating film and the third insulating film has a band gap larger than the band gap of the second insulating film. |
| US09685564B2 |
Gate-all-around field effect transistors with horizontal nanosheet conductive channel structures for MOL/inter-channel spacing and related cell architectures
A Gate-All-Around (GAA) Field Effect Transistor (FET) can include a horizontal nanosheet conductive channel structure having a width in a horizontal direction in the GAA FET, a height that is perpendicular to the horizontal direction, and a length that extends in the horizontal direction, where the width of the horizontal nanosheet conductive channel structure defines a physical channel width of the GAA FET. First and second source/drain regions can be located at opposing ends of the horizontal nanosheet conductive channel structure and a unitary gate material completely surrounding the horizontal nanosheet conductive channel structure. |
| US09685563B2 |
Semiconductor device and electronic device including the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first oxide semiconductor film, a second oxide semiconductor film over the first oxide semiconductor film, a source electrode in contact with the second oxide semiconductor film, a drain electrode in contact with the second oxide semiconductor film, a metal oxide film over the second oxide semiconductor film, the source electrode, and the drain electrode, a gate insulating film over the metal oxide film, and a gate electrode over the gate insulating film. The metal oxide film contains M (M represents Ti, Ga, Y, Zr, La, Ce, Nd, or Hf) and Zn. The metal oxide film includes a portion where x/(x+y) is greater than 0.67 and less than or equal to 0.99 when a target has an atomic ratio of M:Zn=x:y. |
| US09685561B2 |
Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device having good electrical characteristics. A gate insulating layer having a hydrogen concentration less than 6×1020 atoms/cm3 and a fluorine concentration greater than or equal to 1×1020 atoms/cm3 is used as a gate insulating layer in contact with an oxide semiconductor layer forming a channel region, so that the amount of hydrogen released from the gate insulating layer can be reduced and diffusion of hydrogen into the oxide semiconductor layer can be prevented. Further, hydrogen present in the oxide semiconductor layer can be eliminated with the use of fluorine; thus, the hydrogen content in the oxide semiconductor layer can be reduced. Consequently, the semiconductor device having good electrical characteristics can be provided. |
| US09685553B2 |
Generating tensile strain in bulk finFET channel
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of forming fin-type transistors. The method includes forming a finFET structure having a fin channel region underneath a gate structure, and a source region and a drain region directly adjacent to the fin channel region at two opposing sides of the gate structure; and subjecting the source region and the drain region to a compressive strain; thereby causing the source region and the drain region to exert a tensile strain to the fin channel region. A finFET transistor formed thereby is also provided, which includes a channel region of fin shape covered by a gate on top thereof; a source next to a first end of the channel region on a first side of the gate; and a drain next to a second end of the channel region on a second side of the gate, wherein the source and drain are made of epitaxially grown silicon-germanium (SiGe) having a Ge concentration level of at least 50% atomic percentage covered with silicon cap. |
| US09685550B2 |
Silicon carbide (SiC) device with improved gate dielectric shielding
In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a silicon carbide (SiC) device can include a gate dielectric, a first doped region having a first conductivity type, a body region of the first conductivity type, and a second doped region having a second conductivity type. The second doped region has a first portion disposed between the first doped region and the body region, and the second doped region has a second portion disposed between the first doped region and the gate dielectric. |
| US09685546B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device of an embodiment includes a first layer, a second layer provided on the first layer, the second layer forming a two-dimensional electron gas in the first layer; a source electrode provided on the second layer, a drain electrode provided on the second layer, a gate electrode provided between the source electrode and the drain electrode on the second layer and a first insulating layer provided between the gate electrode and the drain electrode on the second layer. The first insulating layer includes a first film, a second film having a higher oxygen density than the first film and a first region provided between the first film and the second film. The first region contains at least one first element selected from the group consisting of F, H, and D, the first region having a first peak of concentration of the first element. |
| US09685543B2 |
Thin film activation method using electrical energy and thin film transistor fabrication method
The inventive concept relates to a thin film activation method, a thin film transistor fabrication method, and a substrate processing device, and more particularly, to a method of activating a thin film by using electrical energy, a method of fabricating a thin film transistor, and a device of processing a substrate. The thin film activation method according to an embodiment of the inventive concept may include supplying electrical energy to a thin film. |
| US09685537B1 |
Gate length control for vertical transistors and integration with replacement gate flow
A method of fabricating a vertical transistor is provided, the method including providing a starting semiconductor structure, the starting semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate, an impurity layer of n-type or p-type over the semiconductor substrate, a first hard mask layer over the semiconductor layer, a first dielectric layer over the first hard mask layer, a second hard mask layer over the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer over the second hard mask layer and a protective layer over the second dielectric layer. The method further includes patterning the second dielectric layer and protective layer, the patterning forming an opening therein, forming a wrap-around spacer on an inner sidewall of the opening, the forming leaving a smaller opening, forming a vertical channel, and setting a gate length of a wrap-around gate by removing an outer portion of the structure. |
| US09685536B2 |
Vertical transistor having a vertical gate structure having a top or upper surface defining a facet formed between a vertical source and a vertical drain
Raised structures comprising overlying silicon layers formed by controlled selective epitaxial growth, and methods for forming such raised-structure on a semiconductor substrate are provided. The structures are formed by selectively growing an initial epitaxial layer of mono crystalline silicon on the surface of a semi conductive substrate, and forming a thin film of insulative material over the epitaxial layer. A second epitaxial layer is selectively, grown on the exposed surface of the initial epitaxially grown crystal layer, and a thin insulative film is deposited over the second epitaxial layer. Additional epitaxial layers are added as desired to provide a vertical structure of a desired height comprising multiple layers of single silicon crystals, each epitaxial layer have insulated sidewalls, with the uppermost epitaxial layer also with an insulated top surface. |
| US09685535B1 |
Conductive contacts in semiconductor on insulator substrate
A semiconductor device includes a gate stack arranged on a channel region of a semiconductor layer and a semiconductor layer arranged on an insulator layer. A crystalline source/drain region is arranged in a cavity in the insulator layer, and a spacer is arranged adjacent to the gate stack, the spacer arranged over the source/drain region. A second insulator layer is arranged on the spacer and the gate stack, and a conductive contact is arranged in the source/drain region. |
| US09685533B1 |
Transistor with SiCN/SiOCN mulitlayer spacer
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided in the present invention. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, agate structure on the substrate and two spacers on both sidewalls of the gate structure. Each spacer comprises an inner first spacer portion made of SiCN and an outer second spacer portion made of SiOCN. |
| US09685532B2 |
Replacement metal gate structures
Replacement metal gate structures with improved chamfered workfunction metal and self-aligned contact and methods of manufacture are provided. The method includes forming a replacement metal gate structure in a dielectric material. The replacement metal gate structure is formed with a lower spacer and an upper spacer above the lower spacer. The upper spacer having material is different than material of the lower spacer. The method further includes forming a self-aligned contact adjacent to the replacement metal gate structure by patterning an opening within the dielectric material and filling the opening with contact material. The upper spacer prevents shorting with the contact material. |
| US09685528B2 |
Fin semiconductor device and method of manufacture with source/drain regions having opposite conductivities
A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using a semiconductor fin is provided. In an embodiment the fin is formed from a substrate, a middle section of the fin is covered, and then portions of the fin on either side of the middle section are removed. A series of implants is then performed and a gate dielectric and a gate electrode are formed to form a tunneling field effect transistor from the fin. |
| US09685527B2 |
Methods of forming metal silicide layers including dopant segregation
A method of forming a metal silicide layer can include implanting dopants to a first depth below a surface of a semiconductor substrate including an active area. A metal-silicon composite layer can be formed on the semiconductor substrate and the metal-silicon composite layer can be silicided to form the metal silicide layer on the active area. |
| US09685523B2 |
Diode structures with controlled injection efficiency for fast switching
This invention discloses a semiconductor device disposed in a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type on a first major surface. The semiconductor device further includes a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type on a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The semiconductor device further includes an injection efficiency controlling buffer layer of a first conductivity type disposed immediately below the second semiconductor layer to control the injection efficiency of the second semiconductor layer. |
| US09685517B2 |
Semiconductor device, and method for producing the same
A silicon substrate is restrained from being warped. A substrate is formed by use of a silicon substrate. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. A metal film is formed over the first surface. An interconnection layer is formed over the second surface. The metal film has a face centered cubic lattice structure. When the metal film is measured by XRD (X-ray diffraction), the [111] orientation intensity A(111), the [220] orientation intensity A(220) and the [311] orientation intensity A(311) of the metal film satisfy the following: A(111)/{A(220)+A(311)}≧10. |
| US09685515B2 |
Substrate for epitaxial growth, and crystal laminate structure
A crystal laminate structure includes an epitaxial growth substrate including a β-Ga2O3-based single crystal and a (010) plane or a plane inclined at an angle not more than 37.5° with respect to the (010) plane as a main surface thereof and a high electrical resistance, and an epitaxial crystal formed on the main surface of the epitaxial growth substrate. The epitaxial crystal includes a Ga-containing oxide. |
| US09685511B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first region of a first conductivity type and a body region of a second conductivity type, the first conductivity type being different from the second conductivity type. The body region is disposed on a side of a first surface of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a plurality of trenches arranged in the first surface of the substrate, the trenches extending in a first direction having a component perpendicular to the first surface. Doped portions of the second conductivity type are adjacent to a lower portion of a sidewall of the trenches. The doped portions are electrically coupled to the body region via contact regions. The semiconductor device further includes a gate electrode disposed in an upper portion of the trenches. |
| US09685510B2 |
SiGe CMOS with tensely strained NFET and compressively strained PFET
A method includes providing a Si substrate having an overlying layer of Si1-xGex; growing, over the layer of Si1-xGex, a layer of Si in an NFET region and a second layer of Si1-xGex in a PFET region; partitioning the layer of Si1-xGex into a structure including a first Si1-xGex sub-layer disposed in the NFET region and a second Si1-xGex sub-layer disposed in the PFET region; annealing the structure to convert the first Si1-xGex sub-layer and the overlying Si layer into a tensily strained Si1-xGex intermixed layer and to convert the second Si1-xGex sub-layer and the overlying second layer of Si1-xGex into a compressively strained Si1-xGex intermixed layer, where a value of x in the tensily strained Si1-xGex intermixed layer is less than a value of x in the compressively strained Si1-xGex intermixed layer and forming a first transistor in the NFET region and a second transistor in the PFET region. |
| US09685509B2 |
Finfet devices including high mobility channel materials with materials of graded composition in recessed source/drain regions
A finFET device can include a high mobility semiconductor material in a fin structure that can provide a channel region for the finFET device. A source/drain recess can be adjacent to the fin structure and a graded composition epi-grown semiconductor alloy material, that includes a component of the high mobility semiconductor material, can be located in the source/drain recess. |
| US09685508B2 |
High voltage field effect transistors
Transistors suitable for high voltage and high frequency operation are disclosed. A nanowire is disposed vertically or horizontally on a substrate. A longitudinal length of the nanowire is defined into a channel region of a first semiconductor material, a source region electrically coupled with a first end of the channel region, a drain region electrically coupled with a second end of the channel region, and an extrinsic drain region disposed between the channel region and drain region. The extrinsic drain region has a wider bandgap than that of the first semiconductor. A gate stack including a gate conductor and a gate insulator coaxially wraps completely around the channel region, drain and source contacts similarly coaxially wrap completely around the drain and source regions. |
| US09685504B2 |
Semiconductor to metal transition for semiconductor devices
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region having first charge carriers of a first conductivity type and a second semiconductor region having second charge carriers. The first semiconductor region includes a transition region in contact with the second semiconductor region, the transition region having a first concentration of the first charge carriers, a contact region having a second concentration of the first charge carriers, wherein the second concentration is higher than the first concentration, and a damage region between the contact region and the transition region. The damage region is configured for reducing lifetime and/or mobility of the first charge carriers of the damage region as compared to the lifetime and/or the mobility of the first charge carriers of the contact region and the transition region. |
| US09685502B2 |
Bipolar junction transistor structure
We disclose a bi-directional bipolar junction transistor (BJT) structure, comprising: a base region of a first conductivity type, wherein said base region constitutes a drift region of said structure; first and second collector/emitter (CE) regions, each of a second conductivity type adjacent opposite ends of said base region; wherein said base region is lightly doped relative to said collector/emitter regions; the structure further comprising: a base connection to said base region, wherein said base connection is within or adjacent to said first collector/emitter region. |
| US09685498B2 |
Methods of forming dielectric layers and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices using the same
To form a dielectric layer, an organometallic precursor is adsorbed on a substrate loaded into a process chamber. The organometallic precursor includes a central metal and ligands bound to the central metal. An inactive oxidant is provided onto the substrate. The inactive oxidant is reactive with the organometallic precursor. An active oxidant is also provided onto the substrate. The active oxidant has a higher reactivity than that of the inactive oxidant. |
| US09685495B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming IPD on molded substrate
A semiconductor device is made by depositing an encapsulant material between first and second plates of a chase mold to form a molded substrate. A first conductive layer is formed over the molded substrate. A resistive layer is formed over the first conductive layer. A first insulating layer is formed over the resistive layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer, resistive layer, first conductive layer, and molded substrate. A second conductive layer is formed over the first insulating layer, resistive layer, and first conductive layer. A third insulating layer is formed over the second insulating layer and second conductive layer. A bump is formed over the second conductive layer. The first conductive layer, resistive layer, first insulating layer, and second conductive layer constitute a MIM capacitor. The second conductive layer is wound to exhibit inductive properties. |
| US09685493B2 |
Top emission device and organic light-emitting diode display device
An organic light-emitting diode display device includes a first substrate that includes a display region with a plurality of pixels and a non-display region in a periphery of the display region, a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, a second electrode opposed to the first electrode, an organic light-emitting layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and at least one light sensing member disposed on a rear surface of the first substrate that overlaps the display region. |
| US09685488B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display (OLED) device that includes a first substrate and a second substrate. An organic light emitting element and a sealing member are formed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A touch panel, a block pattern, and a protective layer are formed on the second substrate. The block pattern is arranged above the sealing member to prevent a center of the sealing member from being excessively illuminated by a laser beam during a curing process. |
| US09685487B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting diode display includes a substrate, a display pixel unit that displays an image, the display pixel unit being on the substrate, and a dummy pixel unit near the display pixel unit on the substrate. The display pixel unit includes a first electrode on the substrate, an organic emission layer on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the organic emission layer. The dummy pixel unit includes a second electrode formed on the substrate and does not include an organic emission layer. |
| US09685486B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode display with color filter layer
A display may have an array of pixels formed from organic light-emitting diodes of different colors. Each organic light-emitting diode may have an anode, a cathode, and an emissive layer between the anode and cathode. To prevent undesired color shifts with off-axis viewing angles, evaporated color filters may be formed on the cathode in alignment with the light-emitting diodes. The color filters may include red color filters that overlap the red diodes but not the green and blue diodes, may include red, blue, and green filters that overlap respective red, green, and blue diodes, or may include an orange filter that overlaps red and green diodes and a blue filter that overlaps blue diodes. The color filters may serve as a capping layer for the diodes or a capping layer that is separate from the color filters can be incorporated into the display. |
| US09685480B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, method of manufacturing solid-state imaging device, and electronic apparatus
The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device that can reduce the number of steps and enhance mechanical strength, a method of manufacturing the solid-state imaging device, and an electronic apparatus. The solid-state imaging device includes a laminate including a first semiconductor substrate having a pixel region and at least one second semiconductor substrate having a logic circuit, the at least one second semiconductor substrate being bonded to the first semiconductor substrate such that the first semiconductor substrate becomes an uppermost layer, and a penetration connecting portion that penetrates from the first semiconductor substrate into the second semiconductor substrate and connects a first wiring layer formed in the first semiconductor substrate to a second wiring layer formed in the second semiconductor substrate. The first wiring layer is formed with Al or Cu. The present technology is applicable, for example, to a back-surface irradiation type CMOS image sensor. |
| US09685478B2 |
Flip-chip bonding method and solid-state image pickup device manufacturing method characterized in including flip-chip bonding method
An electrode of an electronic component element (1) is bonded to an electrode (5) of a substrate (4) via a bump (2) by: after applying, to the bump (2), only a first pressure which is not less than a yield stress of a bulk material of which the bump (2) is made, reducing or stopping the application of the first pressure; and while applying a given ultrasonic vibration to the bump (2), gradually applying a pressure to the bump (2) until the pressure reaches a second pressure which is not less than the yield stress of the bulk material of which the bump (2) is made. |
| US09685476B2 |
Imaging device and electronic device
To provide an imaging device capable of high-speed reading. The imaging device includes a photodiode, a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a fourth transistor. The back gate electrode of the first transistor is electrically connected to a wiring that can supply a potential higher than a source potential of the first transistor and a potential lower than the source potential of the first transistor. The back gate electrode of the second transistor is electrically connected to a wiring that can supply a potential higher than a source potential of the second transistor. The back gate electrode of the third transistor is electrically connected to a wiring that can supply a potential higher than a source potential of the third transistor and a potential lower than the source potential of the third transistor. |
| US09685473B2 |
4-color pixel image sensor having visible color noise reduction function in near infrared ray pixel
A 4-color pixel image sensor having a visible color noise reduction function in a near infrared ray (NIR) pixel may include an active pixel region having a plurality of photodiodes, a plurality of first metal layers, a plurality of color filters, a first NIR pixel and a micro-lens, which are stacked, wherein the plurality of photodiodes are arranged in series and the plurality of color filters are formed to be adjacent to each other in series; an NIR optical black pixel region having a plurality of photodiodes and a second NIR pixel, which are stacked, wherein the plurality of photodiodes are arranged in series; and a visible optical black pixel region having a plurality of photodiodes, a second metal layer, a plurality of color filters and a micro-lens, which are stacked, wherein the plurality of photodiodes are arranged in series, and the plurality of color filters are formed to be adjacent to each other in series, wherein the active pixel region, the NIR optical black pixel region and the visible optical black pixel region are arranged on a same substrate in series. |
| US09685463B2 |
Array substrate, its manufacturing method, display panel and display device
The present disclosure provides an array substrate, its manufacturing method, a display panel and a display device. A conductive metal pattern of the array substrate is covered with an oxygen barrier film. |
| US09685461B2 |
Display device, array substrate and method for manufacturing the same
A manufacturing method of an array substrate, an array substrate and a display device are provided. The array substrate includes a first thin film transistor and a pixel electrode (327), wherein, an active layer (324) and source and drain electrodes in the first thin film transistor as well as the pixel electrode (327) are formed by one patterning process. According to the invention, an array substrate with good performance can be manufactured only by three photolithography processes. Thus, the production cycle of a thin film transistor is shorted greatly, characteristics of the thin film transistor is improved, and meanwhile, yield of products is enhanced greatly. |
| US09685460B2 |
Array substrate, method for manufacturing the same, and display device
The present disclosure provides an array substrate, its manufacturing method and a display device. The method includes forming a source electrode and a drain electrode of a thin film transistor, an active layer and a first transparent electrode in the array substrate by a masking step. The active layer and the first transparent electrode are formed by an identical metal oxide layer, and the source electrode and the drain electrode are arranged above the active layer. The first transparent electrode corresponds to a first semi-transparent region of a mask, a channel region of the thin film transistor corresponds to a second semi-transparent region of the mask, the source electrode and drain electrode of the thin film transistor correspond to a non-transparent region of the mask, and the first semi-transparent region of the mask is of transmittance greater than that of the second semi-transparent region of the mask. |
| US09685456B2 |
Method for manufacturing a transistor having a sharp junction by forming raised source-drain regions before forming gate regions and corresponding transistor produced by said method
A transistor device is fabricated by growing an epitaxial layer of semiconductor material on a semiconductor layer and forming an opening extending through the epitaxial layer at a position where a gate is to be located. This opening provides, from the epitaxial layer, a source epitaxial region on one side of the opening and a drain epitaxial region on an opposite side of the opening. The source epitaxial region and a first portion of the semiconductor layer underlying the source epitaxial region are then converted into a transistor source region. Additionally, the drain epitaxial region and a second portion of the semiconductor layer underlying the drain epitaxial region are converted into a transistor drain region. A third portion of the semiconductor layer between the transistor source and drain regions forms a transistor channel region. A transistor gate electrode is then formed in the opening above the transistor channel region. |
| US09685455B1 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device having 3D structure
The technique described herein can form a semiconductor device having a favorable characteristic over a flash memory with a 3D structure. Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, including: (a) forming a stacked structure having an insulating film and a sacrificial film stacked therein by performing a combination a plurality of times, the combination including: (a-1) forming the insulating film on a substrate; (a-2) forming the sacrificial film on the insulating film; and (a-3) modifying at least one of the insulating film and the sacrificial film to reduce a difference between stresses of the insulating film and the sacrificial film. |
| US09685448B2 |
Semiconductor device
Disclosed herein is a method includes: forming first and second cavities, the first cavity having a first width, each of the second cavities having a second width narrower than the first width; forming a first conductive layer buried in the second cavities and formed on bottom and side surface of the semiconductor substrate defined by the first cavity so that a third cavity is defined by the first conductive layer formed on the bottom and side surface of the semiconductor substrate; subjecting an etch back process to the first conductive layer so that a first conductive portion is formed at a bottom corner of the first cavity, further a fourth cavity is formed on the semiconductor substrate uncovered with the first conductive portion in the first cavity; and forming a first insulating layer in the fourth cavity and in the second cavity. |
| US09685444B2 |
Semiconductor device with metal gate
A semiconductor device including a first gate structure is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The first gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer, an etch stop layer, a first work function metal, a second work function metal, and a fill metal. A second gate structure is also disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The second gate structure includes the gate dielectric layer, a second work function metal, and the fill metal. In an embodiment, the second gate structure also includes an etch stop layer. |
| US09685437B2 |
High-voltage transistor device and production method
The high-voltage transistor device has a p-type semiconductor substrate that is furnished with a p-type epitaxial layer. A well and a body region are located in the epitaxial layer. A source region is arranged in the body region, and a drain region is arranged in the well. A channel region is located in the body region between the well and the source region. A gate electrode is arranged above the channel region. In the part of the semiconductor substrate and the epitaxial layer underneath the source region and the channel region, a deep body region is present, which has a higher dopant concentration in comparison to the remainder of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09685435B2 |
Integrated snubber in a single poly MOSFET
Aspects of the present disclosure describe MOSFET devices that have snubber circuits. The snubber circuits comprise one or more resistors with a dynamically controllable resistance that is controlled by changes to a gate and/or drain potentials of the one or more MOSFET structures during switching events. |
| US09685431B2 |
Semiconductor device for electrostatic discharge protection
Disclosed is an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit. The ESD protection circuit may include a silicon controller rectifier (SCR) which may be triggered via at least one of its first trigger gate or second trigger gate. The ESD protection circuit may further include a highly doped region coupled to either the anode or cathode of the SCR, wherein the highly doped region may provide additional carriers to facilitate triggering of the SCR during an ESD event, whereby the SCR may be triggered more quickly. |
| US09685428B2 |
Display device and light-emitting array module thereof
A light-emitting array module includes a circuit substrate, a light-emitting unit, and an encapsulation body. The light-emitting unit includes a plurality of light-emitting groups arranged in matrix on the circuit substrate. The encapsulation body disposed on the circuit substrate for encapsulating the light-emitting groups. The encapsulation body includes a plurality of encapsulation portions and a plurality of thin connection portions. Therefore, light beams generated by the light-emitting group is transformed into an obvious single point light source without halation due to the design of “each thin connection portion connected between the two adjacent encapsulation portions to separate the two adjacent encapsulation portions from each other by a predetermined distance”, so that the color resolution of the light-emitting array module is increased. In addition, the present disclosure further provides a display device including the light-emitting array module. |
| US09685424B2 |
Memory device, laminated semiconductor substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A memory device has a laminated chip package and a controller chip. In the laminated chip package, a plurality of memory chips are laminated. An interposed chip is laminated between the laminated chip package and the controller chip. The memory chips have a plurality of first wiring electrodes. The interposed chip has a plurality of second wiring electrodes. The second wiring electrodes are formed with a common arrangement pattern common with an arrangement pattern of a plurality of wiring electrodes for controller which are formed in the controller chip. The controller chip is laid on the interposed chip. |
| US09685423B2 |
Semiconductor chip assembly and method for manufacturing the same
The invention relates to a chip arrangement (18) comprising a terminal substrate (12) and a plurality of semiconductor substrates (1) which are arranged on the terminal substrate, in particular chips, wherein terminal faces (5) arranged on a contact surface of the chips (1) are connected to terminal faces on a contact surface (14) of the terminal substrate (12), wherein the chips (1) extend parallel with a lateral edge and transversally with their contact surface to the contact surface of the terminal substrate (12), wherein vias (13) are arranged in the terminal substrate, which connect external contacts (15) arranged on an external contact side to terminal faces formed as internal contacts (14) on the contact surface of the terminal substrate, wherein terminal faces of the chips, which are arranged adjacent to the lateral edge, are connected to the internal contacts of the terminal substrate by way of a re-melted solder material deposit (16). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a chip arrangement (18). |
| US09685421B2 |
Methods for high precision microelectronic die integration
The subject matter of the present description relates to methods for the precise integration of microelectronic dice within a multichip package which substantially reduce or eliminate any misalign caused by the movement of the microelectronic dice during the integration process. These methods may include the use of a temporary adhesive in conjunction with a carrier having at least one recess for microelectronic die alignment, the use of a precision molded carrier for microelectronic die alignment, the use of magnetic alignment of microelectronic dice on a reusable carrier, and/or the use of a temporary adhesive with molding processes on a reusable carrier. |
| US09685417B2 |
Self-destructive circuits under radiation
Circuits which self-destruct under radiation are provided. In one aspect, a method for creating a radiation-sensitive circuit is provided. The method includes the step of: connecting an integrated circuit to a power supply and to a ground in parallel with at least one dosimeter device, wherein the dosimeter device is configured to change from being an insulator to being a conductor under radiation. Radiation-sensitive circuits are also provided. |
| US09685415B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming micro-vias partially through insulating material around bump interconnect
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die and first insulating layer formed over the semiconductor die. A plurality of first micro-vias can be formed in the first insulating layer. A conductive layer is formed in the first micro-openings and over the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer and conductive layer. A portion of the second insulating layer is removed to expose the conductive layer and form a plurality of second micro-openings in the second insulating layer over the conductive layer. The second micro-openings can be micro-vias, micro-via ring, or micro-via slots. Removing the portion of the second insulating layer leaves an island of the second insulating layer over the conductive layer. A bump is formed over the conductive layer. A third insulating layer is formed in the second micro-openings over the bump. The second micro-openings provide stress relief. |
| US09685411B2 |
Integrated circuit dies having alignment marks and methods of forming same
Dies having alignment marks and methods of forming the same are provided. A method includes forming a device on a substrate. A plurality of contact pads is formed over the substrate and the device. Simultaneously with forming the plurality of contact pads, one or more alignment marks are formed over the substrate and the device. |
| US09685410B2 |
Semiconductor device security
Semiconductor device security is provided as follows. A unique identification is generated by randomly forming a plurality of defects in one or more circuit elements of the semiconductor device. This method may yield a semiconductor device which is not susceptible to being replicated or cloned. |
| US09685402B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming recesses in conductive layer to detect continuity for interconnect between semiconductor die and substrate
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with composite bump structures over a surface of the semiconductor die. A conductive layer is formed over the substrate. The conductive layer has a channel in an interconnect site of the conductive layer. The channel extends beyond a footprint of the composite bump structures. The semiconductor die is disposed over the substrate. The bump material of the composite bump structures is melted. The composite bump structures are pressed over the interconnect site of the conductive layer so that the melted bump material flows into the channel. Electrical continuity between the composite bump structures and conductive layer is detected by a presence of the bump material in the channel. No electrical continuity between the composite bump structures and conductive layer is detected by an absence of the bump material in the channel. The electrical continuity can be detected by visual inspection or X-ray. |
| US09685400B2 |
Semiconductor package and method of forming the same
A semiconductor package includes a first package substrate, a first semiconductor chip disposed on the first package substrate, the semiconductor chip including first through hole vias, and a chip package disposed on the first semiconductor chip, the chip package including a second package substrate and a second semiconductor chip disposed on the second package substrate, wherein a first conductive terminal is disposed on a first surface of the semiconductor chip and a second conductive terminal is disposed on a first surface of the second package substrate, the first conductive terminal disposed on the second conductive terminal. |
| US09685399B2 |
Power semiconductor device
A power semiconductor device is provided with a base plate thermally connected to the power semiconductor element for heat generated from the power semiconductor element to be conducted to heat radiation fins. An electrically conductive member fixed to the base plate is electrically conducted to the base plate and is connected to ground, and has projections fitted into notches provided in the electrically conductive member. By deforming the projections, the electrically conductive member is fixed to the base plate and electrical conduction can be secured. With this arrangement, noise radiated from the power semiconductor element is reduced and malfunction of the power semiconductor element is suppressed. |
| US09685397B2 |
Semiconductor package with clip structure
A semiconductor package comprise a downset has a first end coupled to a connection portion and a second opposite end electrically coupled to a lead of a lead frame; and an adhesion layer disposed between the lead and the second end of the downset to allow adhesion therebeween; wherein the downset is bent in a non-right angle at the first end thereof such that a bottom face of the second end of the downset is tilted toward a top face of the lead and thus a first side of both sides of the bottom face is closer to the top face of the lead than a second side opposite the first side, wherein a first trap region is defined between a side face of the second end at the first side and the top face of the lead to trap therein an adhesion material of the adhesion layer, wherein a second trap region is defined between the bottom face of the second end and the top face of the lead to trap therein an adhesion material of the adhesion layer. |
| US09685393B2 |
Phase-change chamber with patterned regions of high and low affinity to a phase-change medium for electronic device cooling
A phase-change chamber, a method for fabricating a phase-change chamber and a heat dissipation apparatus for electronic device cooling are disclosed. The phase-change chamber includes: a phase-change medium capable of transitioning between a plurality of phases; a first surface for transitioning a portion of the phase-change medium from a first phase into a second phase; a second surface for transitioning a portion of the phase-change medium from the second phase into the first phase; and at least one supporting member along the circumference of the first surface and the second surface for separating and enclosing the first surface and the second surface. The first surface is patterned on a first plate and includes regions of high and low affinity to the phase-change medium. The second surface is received on a second plate and comprises low affinity to the phase-change medium. |
| US09685392B2 |
Radiofrequency high-output device
A radiofrequency high-output device includes: a base plate having a mount portion and a flange portion; a frame joined to an upper surface of the mount portion; and a semiconductor chip mounted on the upper surface of the mount portion in the frame, wherein a cut or an aperture in which a screw is inserted to fix the base plate is provided in the flange portion, and a groove is provided between the mount portion and the flange portion of the base plate. |
| US09685383B2 |
Method of forming semiconductor device
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes following steps. First of all, a first work function layer is formed on a substrate. Next, a first patterned photoresist layer is formed on the first work function layer. Then, the first work function layer is partially removed by using the first patterned photoresist layer as a mask to form a patterned first work function layer. Subsequently, the first patterned photoresist layer is removed by providing radical oxygen. |
| US09685381B2 |
Integrating VLSI-compatible fin structures with selective epitaxial growth and fabricating devices thereon
Different n- and p-types of device fins are formed by epitaxially growing first epitaxial regions of a first type material from a substrate surface at a bottom of first trenches formed between shallow trench isolation (STI) regions. The STI regions and first trench heights are at least 1.5 times their width. The STI regions are etched away to expose the top surface of the substrate to form second trenches between the first epitaxial regions. A layer of a spacer material is formed in the second trenches on sidewalls of the first epitaxial regions. Second epitaxial regions of a second type material are grown from the substrate surface at a bottom of the second trenches between the first epitaxial regions. Pairs of n- and p-type fins can be formed from the first and second epitaxial regions. The fins are co-integrated and have reduced defects from material interface lattice mismatch. |
| US09685376B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including: a support plate 1; a semiconductor chip 2 mounted on one principal surface of the support plate 1 via an adhesive layer, with the element circuit surface of the chip being directed upward; an insulation material layer 4 that seals the semiconductor chip 2 and the periphery of the semiconductor chip; openings formed on an electrode arranged on the element circuit surface of the semiconductor chip 2 in the insulation material layer 4; conductive portions 6 formed in the openings so as to be connected to the electrode of the semiconductor chip; a wiring layer 5 formed on the insulation material layer 4 so as to be connected to the conductive portions 6 and partially extending to the peripheral region of the semiconductor chip 2; and external electrodes 7 formed on the wiring layer 5. |
| US09685374B1 |
Contact process flow
Embodiments described herein generally relate to forming a semiconductor structure. In one embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor structure is formed herein. The method includes exposing an oxide layer of the semiconductor structure, depositing a polysilicon layer on the semiconductor structure, filling a first gap formed by exposing the oxide layer, depositing a hard mask on the polysilicon layer, selectively removing the hard mask and the polysilicon layer, depositing an oxide layer on the semiconductor structure, filling a second gap formed by selectively removing the hard mask and polysilicon layer, exposing the polysilicon layer deposited on the semiconductor structure, selectively removing the polysilicon layer from the first gap, and selectively removing an etch stop layer from a surface of a contact in the semiconductor structure. |
| US09685370B2 |
Titanium tungsten liner used with copper interconnects
Approaches for providing a liner at a via-to-wire interface are provided. A method includes: forming a via opening that exposes an upper surface of a copper wire; forming a titanium liner on the upper surface of the wire; forming a tungsten liner on the titanium liner; and forming a via on the second liner in the via opening. |
| US09685369B2 |
Contact etch stop layers of a field effect transistor
A representative method for fabricating a field effect transistor comprises forming a source region and a drain region disposed in a substrate; forming a gate structure over the substrate, the gate structure comprising sidewalls and a top surface, the gate structure interposing the source region and the drain region; forming a contact etch stop layer (CESL) over at least a portion of the top surface of the gate structure; forming an interlayer dielectric layer over the CESL; forming a gate contact extending through the interlayer dielectric layer; and forming a source contact and a drain contact extending through the interlayer dielectric layer, wherein a first distance between an edge of the source contact and a first corresponding edge of the CESL is about 1 nm to about 10 nm. |
| US09685368B2 |
Interconnect structure having an etch stop layer over conductive lines
A multilayer interconnect structure for integrated circuits includes a first dielectric layer over a substrate and a conductive line partially exposed over the first dielectric layer. The structure further includes an etch stop layer over both the first dielectric layer and the exposed conductive line, and a second dielectric layer over the etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer and the etch stop layer provide a via hole that partially exposes the conductive line. The structure further includes a via disposed in the via hole, and another conductive line disposed over the via and coupled to the conductive line through the via. Methods of forming the multilayer interconnect structure are also disclosed. The etch stop layer reduces the lateral and vertical etching of the first and second dielectric layers when the via hole is misaligned due to overlay errors. |
| US09685366B1 |
Forming chamferless vias using thermally decomposable porefiller
A method for forming chamferless vias comprises receiving a substrate stack comprising a hard mask layer, a porous dielectric layer underlying the hard mask layer, a cap layer underlying the dielectric layer, and a conductive layer underlying the cap layer. The hard mask layer is opened to reveal a portion of the dielectric layer. A plurality of vias are opened to extend through the dielectric layer and the cap layer. A pore filling material comprising a thermally decomposable polymer is deposited into the vias. The pore filling material in the vias is hardened and driven into the pores of the dielectric layer adjacent to the vias by an annealing process. The hard mask layer is removed. A trench is patterned and etched coincident with the vias. A dissipation process is conducted to remove the pore filling material. |
| US09685364B2 |
Silicon-on-insulator integrated circuit devices with body contact structures and methods for fabricating the same
Silicon-on-insulator integrated circuits including body contact structures and methods for fabricating the same are disclosed. A method for fabricating a silicon-on-insulator integrated circuit includes filling a plurality of first and second shallow isolation trenches with an insulating material to form plurality of first and second shallow trench isolation (STI) structures, the plurality of second shallow isolation trenches having doped regions therebeneath, and forming a gate structure over the semiconductor layer that includes a first portion disposed over and parallel to at least two of the plurality of second STI structures and a second portion disposed in between the at least two of the plurality of second STI structures. The method further includes forming contact plugs to a body contact or gate region of the semiconductor layer. The body contact region includes a portion of the semiconductor layer between at least one of the plurality of first STI structures and at least one of the plurality of second STI structures. |
| US09685362B2 |
Apparatus and method for centering substrates on a chuck
An apparatus and method for centering substrates determining on a chuck. The apparatus includes a chuck in a process chamber, the chuck configured to removeably hold a substrate for processing; an array of two or more ultrasonic sensors arranged in the process chamber, each ultrasonic sensor arranged relative to the chuck so as to send a respective ultrasonic sound wave to a respective preselected region of the substrate and receive a respective return ultrasonic sound wave from the preselected region of the substrate; and a controller connected to each ultrasonic sensor and configured to compare a measured position of the substrate on the chuck to a specified placement of the substrate on the chuck based on a measured elapsed time between sending the ultrasonic sound wave and receiving the return ultrasonic sound wave from each ultrasonic sensor. |
| US09685359B2 |
Load port device
A load port device comprises a link mechanism that has a main moving link whose one end is connected with a door holding member in a rotatable manner, a guide that bends and extends from a horizontal direction to a vertical direction and that guides one end of the main moving link, a main moving block with which the other end of the main moving link is connected in a rotatable manner and a door hoisting shaft that extends in the vertical direction and that moves the main moving block in the extending direction. The link mechanism allows the end of the main moving link to move from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction or from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction along the guide in a state that the other end of the main moving link moves to the vertical direction. |
| US09685357B2 |
Apparatus for treating substrate
A substrate treating apparatus according to the present invention includes: an index unit having an index robot and a port on which a container containing a substrate is placed; a process treating unit having a development treating unit in which a first development treating chamber and a second development treating chamber for performing a substrate development process are arranged in divided layers; and a first path unit arranged between the development treating unit and the index unit, wherein the first development treating chamber includes a development module, a first heating module, and a first main transport robot arranged in a movement passage accessible to the development module and the first heating module, wherein the first path unit includes a second heating module, a first buffer module, a cooling module, a second buffer module, and a first buffer transport robot arranged in a movement passage accessible to the second heating module, the first buffer module, the cooling module and the second buffer module. |
| US09685355B2 |
Laser dicing device and dicing method
A laser dicing device includes a laser light source, an AF light source, a light path of the processing laser light and a light path of the AF laser light being partially shared with each other, a condenser lens arranged on the shared light path between the first laser light and the second laser light, an AF signal processing unit that generates a focus error signal based on reflected light of the AF laser light reflected by the surface of the wafer, a controller that moves the condenser lens such that a distance between the condenser lens and the surface of the wafer is made constant based on the focus error signal, and a focus lens group that adjusts the position of the condensing point of the AF laser light in a state where the position of the condensing point of the processing laser light is fixed. |
| US09685338B2 |
Compound semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A compound semiconductor device includes: a compound semiconductor layered structure; a gate electrode formed above the compound semiconductor layered structure; a first protective insulating film that covers a surface of the compound semiconductor layered structure and is made of silicon nitride as a material; a second protective insulating film that covers the gate electrode on the first protective insulating film and is made of silicon oxide as a material; and a third protective insulating film that contains silicon oxynitride and is formed between the first protective insulating film and the second protective insulating film. |
| US09685332B2 |
Iterative self-aligned patterning
A method for self-aligned patterning includes providing a substrate, forming a patterned mandrel layer that includes a plurality of mandrel features, the patterned mandrel layer being formed on the substrate, depositing a first spacer layer over the mandrel layer, the first spacer layer comprising a first type of material, anisotropically etching the first spacer layer to leave a first set of spacers on sidewalls of the mandrel features, removing the mandrel layer, depositing a second spacer layer over remaining portions of the first set of spacers, and anisotropically etching the second spacer layer to form a second set of spacers on sidewalls of the first set of spacers. |
| US09685329B2 |
Embedded gallium-nitride in silicon
A method and structure for integrating gallium nitride into a semiconductor substrate. The method may also include means for isolating the gallium nitride from the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09685328B2 |
Low defect relaxed SiGe/strained Si structures on implant anneal buffer/strain relaxed buffer layers with epitaxial rare earth oxide interlayers and methods to fabricate same
A method provides a substrate having a top surface; forming a first semiconductor layer on the top surface, the first semiconductor layer having a first unit cell geometry; epitaxially depositing a layer of a metal-containing oxide on the first semiconductor layer, the layer of metal-containing oxide having a second unit cell geometry that differs from the first unit cell geometry; ion implanting the first semiconductor layer through the layer of metal-containing oxide; annealing the ion implanted first semiconductor layer; and forming a second semiconductor layer on the layer of metal-containing oxide, the second semiconductor layer having the first unit cell geometry. The layer of metal-containing oxide functions to inhibit propagation of misfit dislocations from the first semiconductor layer into the second semiconductor layer. A structure formed by the method is also disclosed. |
| US09685325B2 |
Carbon and/or nitrogen incorporation in silicon based films using silicon precursors with organic co-reactants by PE-ALD
Methods for the deposition of a silicon-containing film using an organic reactant, a silicon precursor and a plasma. |
| US09685324B2 |
Selective nanoscale growth of lattice mismatched materials
Exemplary embodiments provide materials and methods of forming high-quality semiconductor devices using lattice-mismatched materials. In one embodiment, a composite film including one or more substantially-single-particle-thick nanoparticle layers can be deposited over a substrate as a nanoscale selective growth mask for epitaxially growing lattice-mismatched materials over the substrate. |
| US09685323B2 |
Buffer layer structures suited for III-nitride devices with foreign substrates
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a buffer structure suited for III-N device having a foreign substrate. The buffer structure can include a first buffer layer having a first aluminum composition and a second buffer layer formed on the first buffer layer, the second buffer layer having a second aluminum composition. The buffer structure further includes a third buffer layer formed on the second buffer layer at a second interface, the third buffer layer having a third aluminum composition. The first aluminum composition decreases in the first buffer layer towards the interface and the second aluminum composition throughout the second buffer layer is greater than the first aluminum composition at the interface. |
| US09685320B2 |
Methods for depositing silicon oxide
The embodiments herein focus on plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) processes. Conventional PEALD techniques result in films having high quality at the bottom and top of a feature, but low quality on the sidewalls. The disclosed embodiments achieve more uniform film quality as evidenced by more uniform wet etch rates and electrical properties throughout the film. The disclosed embodiments may use one or more of a relatively high deposition temperature, a relatively high RF power for generating the plasma, and/or relatively long RF plasma exposure duration during each cycle of the PEALD reaction. |
| US09685316B2 |
Semiconductor process
A semiconductor process includes the following steps. A wafer on a pedestal is provided. The pedestal is lifted to approach a heating source and an etching process is performed on the wafer. An annealing process is performed on the wafer by the heating source. In another way, a wafer on a pedestal, and a heating source on a same side of the wafer as the pedestal are provided. An etching process is performed on the wafer by setting the temperature difference between the heating source and the pedestal larger than 180° C. |
| US09685314B2 |
Positioning device for horizontal external ignition apparatus
The invention discloses a positioning device for a horizontal external ignition apparatus. The positioning device comprises a rotating module, an expansion module, a lifting module, and a mounting member fixed at the bottom of a water cooling device of the ignition apparatus. The rotating module drives the mounting member and the external ignition chamber of the ignition apparatus to rotate around the spindle member of the rotating module and adjust the rotation angle. The expansion module adjust the lateral movement of the mounting member and the external ignition chamber along the expansion member of the expansion module. The lifting module adjust the longitudinal movement of the mounting member and the external ignition chamber. |
| US09685313B2 |
Combined mass-to-charge ratio and charge state selection in tandem mass spectrometry
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion mobility spectrometer and an ion gate. A collision cell is arranged downstream of the ion gate. The operation of the ion mobility spectrometer and the ion gate are synchronised so that only ions having a particular mass to charge ratio and a desired charge state are onwardly transmitted to the collision cell. |
| US09685307B2 |
Sputtering target, sputtering target-backing plate assembly and deposition system
Provided is a tabular sputtering target on which an erosion portion and a non-erosion portion are formed, and the surface area thereof exceeds 100% but is less than 125% of the surface area when the target is assumed to be planar. Also provided is a tabular sputtering target on which an erosion portion and a non-erosion portion are formed comprising one or more concave portions on the target surface region, and the surface area thereof exceeds 100% but is less than 125% of the surface area when the target is assumed to be planar. An inexpensive, small-capacity power supply unit can be used by minimizing the electrical variations in the sputtering circuit as much as possible throughout the lifespan of the target through self sputtering or high power sputtering. |
| US09685306B2 |
Ventilation systems for use with a plasma treatment system
A gas containment apparatus for use with an end effector including at least one plasma head includes at least one enclosing structure coupled to the end effector. The enclosing structure is configured to capture a gas produced by the at least one plasma head. The gas containment apparatus also includes a duct coupled to the at least one enclosing structure and configured to channel the gas from within the enclosing structure. |
| US09685303B2 |
Apparatus for heating and processing a substrate
A system and method for heating a substrate while that substrate is being processed by an ion beam is disclosed. The system comprises two arrays of light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed above and below the ion beam. The LEDs may be GaN or GaP LEDs, which emit light at a wavelength which is readily absorbed by silicon, thus efficiently and quickly heating the substrate. The LED arrays may be arranged so that the ion beam passes between the two LED arrays and strikes the substrate. As the substrate is translated relative to the ion beam, the LEDs from the LED arrays provide heating to the substrate. |
| US09685290B1 |
Compact magnetic switch for circuit boards
Small, low-profile magnetic switch assemblies (26, 76, 126, 168) include a base (38, 78, 156) equipped with first and second laterally spaced apart switch electrodes, indentations (62, 102, 158) between the electrodes, and electrically conductive movable components (72, 110, 166), which are magnetically shiftable between a first switch position in simultaneous contact with the base electrodes, and a second switch position out of such simultaneous contact. The switch position of the component (72, 110, 166) is determined by the magnetic field conditions experienced by the component (72, 110, 166). The indentations (62, 102, 158) and associated shiftable components (72, 110, 166) permit the assemblies (26, 76, 126, 168) to be constructed as comparatively tiny units, which may be mounted on circuit boards. |
| US09685289B1 |
Wireless alarm switch assembly
Switch apparatus (10) includes a switching assembly (16) and an operating component assembly (18) respectively designed for mounting upon relative shiftable members, such as a door (12) and frame (14). The assembly (16) includes a magnetic switch unit (30) having an elongated housing (40), first and second spaced apart switch elements (36, 38), and a shiftable, electrically conductive body (50) within the housing and movable between a first switch state where the body is in simultaneous contact with the switch elements (36, 38), and a second switch state where the body is not in such simultaneous contact. In order to prevent unauthorized opening of the relatively shiftable members through use of an external defeat magnet (62), the switch unit (30) is mounted substantially horizontally rather than in an upright or oblique orientation. |
| US09685288B2 |
Connection piece for a switch pole of a switching apparatus
A connection piece is disclosed for a switch pole of a switching apparatus which improves the properties of the switch pole as concerns centering and current-carrying capacity. According to an embodiment of the invention, a connection piece for a switch pole of a switching apparatus is provided for connecting in electrically conductive manner to a movement contact connection pin of a vacuum switching tube disposed in the switch pole. The connection piece includes a centering ring for centering the vacuum switching tube, the centering ring being formed from an electrically conductive material and being connected in electrically conductive manner via at least one connector to a connection region of the connection piece. |
| US09685283B2 |
Interlock for circuit interrupting device
A circuit-interrupting device includes a load-breaker operable between an open state and a closed state and a first interlock member operatively associated with the load-breaker. The first interlock member moves between a first position and a second position when the load-breaker moves between the closed state and the open state. The circuit-interrupting device further includes a disconnect switch that moves between an open state and a closed state. When the load-breaker is in the closed state, the first interlock member is in the first position and contacts the disconnect switch to prevent the disconnect switch from moving from the closed state to the open state. |
| US09685280B2 |
Switchgear operating mechanism
An operating mechanism for a switchgear unit is disclosed. The operating unit includes an input drive shaft operable to rotate and counter-rotate. A trip linkage has a cam disk rotatably coupled to the input drive shaft and is coupled to a spring-drive mechanism for opening and closing the vacuum interrupter. An over-center linkage has a drive link rotatably coupled to the input drive shaft, and a follower link for opening and closing the isolating disconnect. Rotation of the input drive shaft through a first range drives the trip linkage for opening the vacuum interrupter and moves the drive link though an over-center position without opening the isolating disconnect. Rotation of the input drive shaft though a second range drives the over-center linkage for opening the isolating disconnect after the vacuum interrupter is opened. |
| US09685278B2 |
Energy storage devices having enhanced specific energy and associated methods
Ultracapacitor electrodes having an enhanced electrolyte-accessible surface area are provided. Such electrodes can include a porous substrate having a solution side and a collector side, the collector side operable to couple to a current collector and the solution side positioned to interact with an electrolytic solution when in use. The electrode can also include a conductive coating formed on the solution side of the porous substrate. The coating can have a first side positioned to interact with an electrolytic solution when in use and a second side opposite the first side. The coating can have discontinuous regions that allow access of an electrolyte solution to the second side during use to enhance electrolyte-accessible surface area of the conductive coating. |
| US09685276B2 |
Capacitive energy-storage for a mobile working machine
A capacitor module includes a capacitor element, a first voltage terminal connected to a first pole of the capacitor element, and a second voltage terminal connected to a second pole of the capacitor element. The capacitor module further includes a cooling duct system for cooling the capacitor element, and a housing encapsulating the capacitor element and the cooling duct system. The housing comprises wiring lead-throughs for the first and second voltage terminals and piping lead-throughs for the cooling duct system. As the capacitive module is encapsulated and includes the cooling ducts and the wiring and piping lead-throughs, modular capacitive energy-storages of different sizes can be built by interconnecting capacitor modules of the kind described above, and there is no need to build separately an encapsulation provided with cooling ducts. |
| US09685275B2 |
Power storage device and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is a method for manufacturing a power storage device in which a crystalline silicon layer including a whisker-like crystalline silicon region is formed as an active material layer over a current collector by a low-pressure CVD method in which heating is performed using a deposition gas containing silicon. The power storage device includes the current collector, a mixed layer formed over the current collector, and the crystalline silicon layer functioning as the active material layer formed over the mixed layer. The crystalline silicon layer includes a crystalline silicon region and a whisker-like crystalline silicon region including a plurality of protrusions which project over the crystalline silicon region. With the protrusions, the surface area of the crystalline silicon layer functioning as the active material layer can be increased. |
| US09685267B2 |
Coil component
A coil component is of the type where a helical coil is directly contacting a magnetic body where such coil component still meets the demand for electrical current amplification. The coil component is structured in such a way that a helical coil is covered with a magnetic body. The magnetic body is mainly constituted by magnetic alloy grains and contains substantially no glass component, and each of the magnetic alloy grains has an oxide film of the grain on its surface. |
| US09685261B2 |
Formation of a transparent conductive film by interfacial graphene assembly
Advantageous films and coatings (e.g., transparent conductive films), and improved methods for fabricating such films and/or coatings, are provided. The improved methods for fabricating transparent conductive films/coatings may involve trapping at least a portion of a layered material (e.g., graphene sheet(s) or layer(s) of graphite) at an interface of a phase separated system (e.g., at an interface of two non-mixing solvents). Transparent, one to four layer, conductive films/coatings of pristine natural flake graphene are produced by kinetically trapping graphene sheets at an interface of a phase separated system (e.g., at an oil/water interface). |
| US09685260B2 |
Method of cooling a superconductive cable
A method of cooling at least one superconductive cable is disclosed which is arranged in a cryostat having at least one thermally insulated pipe with a free space surrounded by the pipe, wherein the cable and at least one tubular structure are arranged in the free space, and wherein a cooling agent is conducted through the free space from a feeding point located at one end to a distal end. The cooling agent is conducted through the cryostat and the tubular structure exclusively in one direction of the cable until it reaches its temperature of operation and is discharged to the outside at the distal end. After reaching the temperature of operation, the cooling agent is returned from the distal end of the arrangement through the tubular structure to the feeding point. |
| US09685259B2 |
Shielded electrical cable
A shielded electrical cable includes a conductor set and a shielding film. The conductor set includes one or more substantially parallel longitudinal insulated conductors. The shielding film includes a cover portion partially covering the conductor set, and parallel portions extending from both sides of the conductor set. |
| US09685257B2 |
Electrical transmission cables with composite cores
The present invention discloses electrical cables containing a cable core and a plurality of conductive elements surrounding the cable core. The cable core contains at least one composite core, and each composite core contains a rod which contains a plurality of unidirectionally aligned fiber rovings embedded within a thermoplastic polymer matrix, and surrounded by a capping layer. |
| US09685254B2 |
Dielectric film, method for manufacturing the same, and transducer including the same
A dielectric film includes an elastomer and nanoparticles dispersed in the elastomer while chemically bound to the elastomer. The nanoparticles have cyano groups and are manufactured by a sol-gel process using an organometallic compound. A method for manufacturing a dielectric film includes: producing a chelate compound of an organometallic compound; producing a sol of metallic oxide particles having cyano groups by adding a silane coupling agent having a cyano group, an organic solvent, and water to the chelate compound; preparing a mixed solution by mixing the sol of the metallic oxide particles having cyano groups and a polymer solution containing a rubber polymer having a functional group capable of reacting with a hydroxy group; and forming a dielectric film by applying the mixed solution to a substrate and by curing a coating film. |
| US09685252B2 |
Aluminum electrode, method of forming an aluminum electrode and electronic device therewith
The present disclosure relates to an aluminum electrode, a method of forming an aluminum electrode and an electronic device therewith. An aluminum electrode according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a bottom layer consisting of molybdenum; a top layer consisting of molybdenum; and an aluminum layer located between the bottom layer and the top layer, wherein the bottom layer, the top layer and the aluminum layer are formed at a temperature below 120° C. An aluminum electrode according to one embodiment of the present disclosure eliminates the mouse bite phenomenon. An aluminum electrode according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a bottom layer consisting of a metal or metal-alloy nitride; a top layer consisting of molybdenum; and an aluminum layer located between the bottom layer and the top layer, wherein the bottom layer, the top layer and the aluminum layer are formed at a temperature below 120° C. An aluminum electrode according to another embodiment of the present disclosure eliminates both of the mouse bite phenomenon and the undercut phenomenon, and can further arrive at a desired profile angle by controlling the content of nitrogen. |
| US09685244B2 |
Active zone of lead-cooled fast reactor
An active zone includes a homogeneous uranium-plutonium nitride fuel, the mass fraction of which is a minimum 0.305, and consists of central, intermediate and peripheral parts which form fuel assemblies comprising fuel elements with geometrically identical shells but differing heights. The radial distribution of the fuel across the volume of the active zone has a stepped shape. The radius of the central part is from 0.4 to 0.5 of the effective active zone radius, while the height of the fuel column in the fuel elements in the central part is from 0.5 to 0.8 of the height of the fuel column in the peripheral part. The heights of the fuel columns forming a stepped intermediate part for diameters ranging from 0.5 to 0.85 of the effective active zone diameter are within the range from 0.55 to 0.9 of the height of the fuel column in the peripheral part. |
| US09685237B2 |
Driver circuit charging charge node
Disclosed is a driver circuit. The driver circuit includes a clamp transistor, a comparison voltage transistor, an amplification transistor, a bias transistor, and a charge circuit. The comparison voltage is configured to provide a comparison voltage. The amplification transistor includes an amplification gate connected to a first node of the clamp transistor, a first amplification node configured to receive the comparison voltage, and a second amplification node connected to a gate of the clamp transistor. The bias transistor is configured to supply a bias voltage. The charge circuit is at least one of configured to drain a current from the first node through the clamp transistor and configured to supply a current to the first node through the clamp transistor. |
| US09685235B2 |
Method of initializing 3D non-volatile memory device
A 3D non-volatile memory device may include a dummy string selection line, string selection lines, wordlines, bitlines, a ground selection line, and memory layers. Each of the memory layers comprising channel lines respectively coupled to the bitlines via first ends and coupled to a common source line of the memory layer via second ends. The dummy string selection line, the string selection lines, the wordlines, and the ground selection line intersect with the channel lines, and each of the channel lines defines a memory string. Initializing the 3D non-volatile memory device may include programming string selection transistors coupled with the string selection lines to have one or more threshold values, and programming a dummy string selection transistor coupled with the dummy string selection line to have a predetermined threshold value, such that the dummy string selection transistor together with the string selection transistors function as string selection transistors. |
| US09685233B2 |
Programming multibit memory cells
A multiple bits per cell memory is operated by applying a one-pass, multiple-level programming, using a single pulse sequence one time (or in one-pass), such as an incremental pulse program sequence, with program verify steps for multiple target program levels, to program multiple bits per cell in a plurality of memory cells. Using these techniques, the number of program pulses required, and the time required for programming the data can be reduced. As a result, an improvement in programming throughput and a reduction in disturbance conditions are achieved. Variants of the one-pass, multiple-level programming operation can be adopted for a variety of memory cell types, memory architectures, programming speeds, and data storage densities. |
| US09685232B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having a memory string that includes a transistor having a charge stored therein to indicate the memory string is defective
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory string having first and second selective transistors, each of which includes a charge storage layer and a control gate, a back gate transistor which includes a charge storage layer and a control gate, and memory cell transistors connected to each other and to the back gate transistor in series between the first and second selective transistors. In case any of the memory cell transistors is defective, the defect is indicated by storing a charge in the charge storage layer of at least one of the first and second selective transistors and the back gate transistor. |
| US09685229B2 |
Method for operating a conductive bridging memory device
A method is disclosed for operating a Conductive Bridge Random Access Memory (CBRAM) device that includes an electrolyte element sandwiched between a cation supply top electrode and a bottom electrode. The method comprises conditioning the CBRAM device by applying a forming current pulse having a pulse width (tf) of 100 ns or less and a pulse amplitude (If) of 10 uA or less, and when programming, setting the conditioned CBRAM device to a Low Resistance State (LRS) by applying a set current pulse having a pulse width (ts) of 100 ns or less and a pulse amplitude (Is) equal to or larger than the forming current pulse amplitude (If). |
| US09685227B2 |
Control of memory device reading based on cell resistance
A method of reading a memory device that includes a memory cell that stores data of at least two bits includes determining whether a cell resistance level is no greater than a threshold resistance level. If the cell resistance level is smaller than or equal to the threshold resistance level, then the data is read based on a first factor that is inversely proportional to the cell resistance level. If the cell resistance level is greater than the threshold resistance level, then the data is read based on a second factor that is proportional to the cell resistance level. |
| US09685226B2 |
Tracking signals in memory write or read operation
A signal generating circuit includes a first circuit, a tracking circuit, and a delay circuit. The delay circuit is coupled with the first circuit and the tracking circuit. The first circuit is configured to receive a first clock signal and an output signal from an output of the delay circuit, and to generate a second clock signal and at least one first tracking signal. The tracking circuit is configured to receive the at least one first tracking signal and to generate a second tracking signal. The delay circuit is configured to receive the second clock signal and the second tracking signal and to generate the output signal. |
| US09685225B2 |
Semiconductor storage device for controlling word lines independently of power-on sequence
The disclosed invention provides a semiconductor storage device that creates no trouble, independently of power-on sequence. A semiconductor storage device includes a first power supply for the memory cells, a second power supply which is turned on independently of the first power supply and provided for a peripheral circuit which is electrically coupled to the memory cells, and a word line level fixing circuit for fixing the level of the word lines, which operates in accordance with turn-on of the first power supply. The word line level fixing circuit includes multiple level fixing transistors which are provided to correspond respectively to the word lines and provided between one of the word lines and a fixed potential and a level fixing control circuit which controls the level fixing transistors in accordance with input of a signal responding to turn-on of the second power supply. |
| US09685224B2 |
Memory with bit line control
A memory comprises a first set of memory cells coupled between a first data line and a second data line. The memory also includes a first input/output (I/O) circuit coupled to the first data line and the second data line. The first I/O circuit is also coupled to a first control line to receive a first control signal and coupled to a first select line to receive a first select signal. The first I/O circuit is configured to selectively decouple the first data line and the second data line from the first I/O circuit during a sleep mode based on the first control signal and the first select signal. |
| US09685223B2 |
Voltage controller
A voltage controller is provided that is connected to a voltage inducing circuit which is connected to a static random-access memory (SRAM) cell. The voltage controller comprises a voltage clamping circuit and a pull up circuit. The voltage clamping circuit comprises one or more transistors. The voltage clamping circuit is configured to inhibit a second voltage of a second signal at a second node of the voltage inducing circuit from exceeding a first specified voltage threshold so that a fifth voltage of a fifth signal at a fifth node of the voltage inducing circuit is inhibited from exceeding a second specified voltage threshold. The pull up circuit is configured to maintain the second voltage substantially equal to a specified pull up voltage. The fifth node is connected to the SRAM cell, and a voltage to which the SRAM cell is exposed is thereby controlled. |
| US09685220B2 |
DDR controller, method for implementing the same, and chip
There are provided a DDR controller, a method for implementing the same and a chip, which are applicable to the field of DDR controller technology. The method includes the steps of: parsing a plurality of buffered commands concurrently (S501); prejudging relationships between a bank and a row of an address to be accessed by each parsed command and a bank and a row of an address for a currently executed command; and transmitting a PRECHARGE command and an ACTIVE command in advance. With the above technical solution, the PRECHARGE command and ACTIVE command which should have been transmitted serially can be transmitted in advance by being hidden in parallel in a Read or WRITE period to thereby make full use of a bandwidth of a DDR device. |
| US09685218B2 |
Memory device and memory system having the same
A memory device includes a memory cell array, an intensively accessed row detection circuit, and a refresh control circuit. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cell rows. The intensively accessed row detection circuit generates an intensively accessed row address indicating an intensively accessed memory cell row among the plurality of memory cell rows based on an accumulated access time for each of the plurality of memory cell rows. The refresh control unit preferentially refreshes neighboring memory cell rows adjacent to the intensively accessed memory cell row indicated by the intensively accessed row address when receiving the intensively accessed row address from the intensively accessed row detection unit. The memory device effectively reduces a rate of data loss. |
| US09685217B2 |
Memory device with over-refresh and method thereof
In a method, error detection and correction is performed on output data from a memory cell of a memory device to generate a result of error detection and correction. The memory cell is determined as a weak cell by determining a number of times of data retention failures of the memory cell based on the result of the error detection and correction. In a refreshing cycle, normal cells and the weak cell are refreshed and the weak cell is additionally refreshed at least once. |
| US09685215B1 |
Semiconductor memory device including a ferroelectric layer
A semiconductor memory device may include a pillar, a gate and at least one ferroelectric layer. The pillar may include a source, a drain and a channel region. The drain may be arranged over the source. The channel region may be arranged between the source and the drain. The gate may be formed on an outer surface of the pillar. The ferroelectric layer may be interposed between the pillar and the gate. |
| US09685204B2 |
Cross-point memory single-selection write technique
A system and technique is disclosed for writing data in a cross-point memory. The state of one or more memory cells of the cross-point memory are sensed and then are continued to be selected and left on. It is then determined which of the one or more memory cells are to change state based on incoming user data that is to be written into the one or more memory cells. The one or more memory cells determined to change state and are still selected to be on are then written by applying a write-current pulse to the memory cells. In one exemplary embodiment, the one or more memory cells comprise one or more phase-change-type memory cell devices. |
| US09685203B2 |
Power supply voltage switching circuit capable of preventing current leakage
A power supply voltage switching circuit includes a power selecting module, a level shifting module, and a supply switching module. The power selecting module receives a first supply signal and a second supply signal, and outputs an intermediate supply signal according to the first supply signal and the second supply signal. The level shifting module receives the intermediate supply signal as a power supply, and generates a first shifted signal and a second shifted signal by shifting voltage levels of a first control signal and a second control signal respectively. The supply switching module receives the first supply signal and a third supply signal, and generates an output signal according to the first shifted signal, the second shifted signal, the first control signal, and the second control signal. |
| US09685197B2 |
Method for generating thumbnail and electronic device thereof
A method and apparatus for generating a thumbnail of a video content in an electronic device is provided. The method for generating the thumbnail of the video content in the electronic device includes dividing a video content into a plurality of pieces, extracting a characteristic point of each of the plurality of pieces, comparing the characteristic point of each of the plurality of pieces and a characteristic point of each of a plurality of pieces of at least one other video content, and determining a thumbnail of the video content from a piece of the video content that is not the same as a piece of the at least one other video content, based on a result of the comparing. |
| US09685195B2 |
Geographical location information/signal quality-context based recording and playback of multimedia data from a conference session
Playback of multimedia data associated with a recorded conference session is simplified, particularly for a person who participated in the conference session from a mobile device. At a recording server that is in communication with a plurality of endpoints in a conference session, multimedia received from the plurality of endpoints participating in the conference session is recorded. The recording server obtains geographical location information for at least one mobile endpoint participating in the conference session as the at least one mobile endpoint moves. The recording server temporally correlates the geographical location information for the at least one endpoint with recorded multimedia data for the conference session. The recording server stores data tags for the geographical location information for the at least one mobile endpoint in association with the recorded multimedia data for subsequent use in indexing to map data to retrieve a portion of the recorded multimedia data for playback. |
| US09685190B1 |
Content sharing
A first device captures content and streams the captured content to a second device as the first device continues to capture the content. |
| US09685185B2 |
Glass substrate for magnetic disk and magnetic recording medium
With regard to a glass substrate 1 according to the present invention, a value of an amendment concentricity AC that has taken into consideration Sk and/or Ku calculated from a shape profile over the whole circumference of an inside hole, or the skewness is within a predetermined range. The glass substrate for a magnetic recording medium can stably read servo information including track information stored on a magnetic disk when the glass substrate is used for an HDD. |
| US09685183B2 |
Magnetic layer
An apparatus includes a substrate and a magnetic layer coupled to the substrate. The magnetic layer includes an alloy that has magnetic hardness that is a function of the degree of chemical ordering of the alloy. The degree of chemical ordering of the alloy in a first portion of the magnetic layer is greater than the degree of chemical ordering of the alloy in a second portion of the magnetic layer, and the first portion of the magnetic layer is closer to the substrate than the second portion of the magnetic layer. |
| US09685180B2 |
Coarse actuator positioning algorithm
A computer program product for positioning an actuator, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se. The program instructions are executable by a processing circuit to cause the processing circuit to perform a method that includes generating or receiving, by the processing circuit, a first value representative of a lateral position of a tape, and using, by the processing circuit, the first value to adjust a position of a coarse actuator for moving a magnetic head in response to determining that the first value is in a first range relative to a first threshold. An integrator value is used by the processing circuit to adjust the position of the coarse actuator in response to determining that the first value is in a second range relative to the first threshold. |
| US09685175B1 |
Text synchronization with audio
A technology for synchronizing text with audio includes analyzing the audio to identify voice segments in the audio where a human voice is present and to identify non-voice segments in proximity to the voice segments. Segmented text associated with the audio, having text segments, may be identified and synchronized to the voice segments. |
| US09685172B2 |
Method and device for suppressing residual echoes based on inverse transmitter receiver distance and delay for speech signals directly incident on a transmitter array
The present invention discloses a method and a device for suppressing residual echoes. The method comprises: performing adaptive filtering on M transmitter signals respectively to obtain M adaptive filtered signals; performing array-filtering 5 on the M−1 adaptive filtered signals other than the first adaptive filtered signal to obtain M−1 array-filter output signals by considering relative positions of the receiver and each of the transmitters and the time delay attributed to distances between the transmitters and the receiver; subtracting each of the M−1 array-filter output signals from the first adaptive filtered signal respectively to obtain M−1 difference signals, performing time-domain/frequency-domain conversion on the M−1 difference signals respectively and selecting one of the frequency-domain signals that has the least energy; performing time-domain/frequency-domain conversion on the first adaptive filtered signal and the Mth adaptive filtered signal and then performing speech probability filtering on the converted first adaptive filtered signal and the converted Mth adaptive filtered signal to obtain one frequency-domain speech probability signal; and multiplying the frequency-domain speech probability signal with the selected signal that has the least energy, and performing frequency-domain/time-domain conversion on the multiplication result to obtain a signal as a transmitter output signal. The technical solutions of the present invention can suppress the residual echoes effectively without impairing near end speech. |
| US09685171B1 |
Multiple-stage adaptive filtering of audio signals
The systems, devices, and processes described herein may include a first microphone that detects a target voice of a user within an environment and a second microphone that detects other noise within the environment. A target voice estimate and/or a noise estimate may be generated based at least in part on one or more adaptive filters. Based at least in part on the voice estimate and/or the noise estimate, an enhanced target voice and an enhanced interference, respectively, may be determined. One or more words that correspond to the target voice may be determined based at least in part on the enhanced target voice and/or the enhanced interference. In some instances, the one or more words may be determined by suppressing or canceling the detected noise. |
| US09685169B2 |
Coherent pitch and intensity modification of speech signals
A method comprising: receiving an utterance, an original pitch contour of the utterance, and a target pitch contour for the utterance, wherein the utterance comprises a plurality of consecutive frames, and wherein at least one of said frames is a voiced frame; calculating an original intensity contour of said utterance; generating a pitch modified utterance based on the target pitch contour; calculating an intensity modification factor for each of said frames, based on said original pitch contour and on said target pitch contour, to produce a sequence of intensity modification factors corresponding to said plurality of consecutive frames; calculating a final intensity contour for said utterance by applying said intensity modification factors to said original intensity contour; and generating a coherently modified speech signal by time dependent scaling of the intensity of said pitch modified utterance according to said final intensity contour. |
| US09685164B2 |
Systems and methods of switching coding technologies at a device
A particular method includes encoding a first frame of an audio signal using a first encoder. The method also includes generating, during encoding of the first frame, a baseband signal that includes content corresponding to a high band portion of the audio signal. The method further includes encoding a second frame of the audio signal using a second encoder, where encoding the second frame includes processing the baseband signal to generate high band parameters associated with the second frame. |
| US09685152B2 |
Technology for responding to remarks using speech synthesis
The present invention is provided with: a voice input section that receives a remark (a question) via a voice signal; a reply creation section that creates a voice sequence of a reply (response) to the remark; a pitch analysis section that analyzes the pitch of a first segment (e.g., word ending) of the remark; and a voice generation section (a voice synthesis section, etc.) that generates a reply, in the form of voice, represented by the voice sequence. The voice generation section controls the pitch of the entire reply in such a manner that the pitch of a second segment (e.g., word ending) of the reply assumes a predetermined pitch (e.g., five degrees down) with respect to the pitch of the first segment of the remark. Such arrangements can realize synthesis of replying voice capable of giving a natural feel to the user. |
| US09685151B2 |
Transitioning between arrayed and in-phase speaker configurations for active noise reduction
A noise cancellation method and system comprises a system controller that produces a command signal in response to a signal from at least one microphone detecting sound in an area. The system controller includes an arrayed speaker controller for producing a driver signal for each speaker in response to the command signal such that combined sound emitted by the speakers in response to the driver signals produces a substantially uniform sound pressure field adapted to attenuate a noise field corresponding to the sound detected by the at least one microphone. The system controller includes an in-phase speaker controller for producing a common in-phase driver signal for all speakers in response to the command signal and a signal director module for proportioning the command signal between the arrayed and in-phase speaker controllers in response to a magnitude of voltage associated with driving the speakers in accordance with the command signal. |
| US09685150B2 |
Noise removal system
A system for noise removal is coupled to a signal unit that provides a digital signal. The noise removal system includes a transformation module to transform the digital signal into an f-digital signal, a threshold filter to generate a noiseless signal from the f-digital signal based on a threshold profile, and a signal synthesizer to provide a gain to the noiseless signal and to transform the noiseless signal into an output signal. |
| US09685145B2 |
Carbon fiber guitar
A stringed musical instrument has a molded sound box and neck where the sound box is formed of between 20% to 60% carbon fibers, or other suitable fibers, and a polymeric resin or binder. The composition of materials utilized in the sound box is selected to increase stiffness and to control the tone of the instrument. The sound box includes an adjustable attachment mechanism having a pivot which is used to secure the neck to the sound box. The sound box includes a molded bracing structure having a plurality of braces and a molded bridge having a plurality of pockets which are used to enhance the structure for the sound box and provide a desired tone quality for the stringed instrument. The neck may include a molded neck insert and a molded fingerboard which are used to enhance the stiffness and stability of the neck. |
| US09685142B2 |
Obtaining and displaying relationships between elements
A method, computer program product, and system to optimize the display of related elements. The method includes a processor obtaining data elements and groups of data elements, and relationships between data elements in different groups and identifying parent-child dependencies between the groups. The processor identifies a root group among the groups: the root group has no parent dependency. The processor orders data elements in the root group, based on a predetermined policy and determines a display order of data elements in groups that are not root groups by optimizing a length of relationship lines representing the relationships between the data elements in different groups. The processor also determines a scroll position for each group and displays, in a graphical user interface on the display, the groups with a scroll bars at the scroll position in each group, and the relationships between data elements in different groups. |
| US09685133B2 |
Strobe driving circuit, strobe driving method, array substrate and display apparatus
There are provided with a strobe driving circuit, a strobe driving method, an array substrate and a display apparatus. The strobe driving circuit includes: a first driving unit for receiving a timing control signal, generating a first strobe driving signal based on the power signal under the control of the timing control signal; a first energy storing unit, storing energy based on the first strobe driving signal; a second driving unit connected to the first energy storing unit, for generating a second strobe driving signal based on the energy stored by the first energy storing unit under the control of the timing control signal. In the technical solution according to the embodiments of the application, the number of required bonding pads is reduced, so that the complexity of semiconductor manufacturing process and the difficulty of the manufacturing procedure are reduced. |
| US09685132B2 |
Gate driving circuit unit, array substrate, and display device
A gate driving circuit unit, an array substrate, and a display device are disclosed, whereby the problem of high cost resulted from the large amount use of G-COF in the prior art can be solved. The driving circuit unit comprises a first selection unit and a second selection unit, wherein an input end of said first selection unit and an input end of said second selection unit are both connected with a same gate signal line of a G-COF, and an output end of said first selection unit and an output end of said second selection unit are connected with two gate lines respectively. During a first scanning cycle, the first selection unit outputs a high-level signal, and the second selection unit outputs a low-level signal; and during a second scanning cycle, the second selection unit outputs a high-level signal, and the first selection unit outputs a low-level signal. |
| US09685123B2 |
Method of testing a display apparatus and a display apparatus tested by the same
In a method of testing a display apparatus, a plurality of minimum compensation data for a plurality of grayscales, respectively and a plurality of maximum compensation data for the plurality of grayscales, respectively are determined. The display apparatus includes a display panel displaying an image having the plurality of grayscales. A plurality of grayscale compensation data corresponding to the plurality of grayscales, respectively are set based on the plurality of minimum compensation data and the plurality of maximum compensation data. A flicker characteristic with respect to the plurality of grayscales is measured based on the plurality of grayscale compensation data and test images displayed on the display panel. The flicker characteristic is optimized by selectively changing the plurality of grayscale compensation data based on the measured flicker characteristic. |
| US09685122B2 |
Pixel circuit and display device having the same
A pixel circuit and a display device having the pixel circuit are disclosed. One inventive aspect includes a switching thin-film TFT and a light sensing TFT. The switching thin-film TFT includes a first source electrode electrically connected to a data line. A first gate electrode of the switching thin-film TFT and a second source electrode of the light sensing TFT are electrically connected to a first gate line. A first drain electrode of the switching thin-film TFT and a second drain electrode of the light sensing TFT are electrically connected to a pixel electrode. |
| US09685120B2 |
Image formats and related methods and apparatuses
Image data may be color graded, distributed and viewed on target displays. Mappings that preserve mid-range points and mid-range contrast may be applied to view the image data for color grading and to prepare the image data for display on a target display. The image data may be expanded to exploit the dynamic range of the target display without affecting mid-tone values. |
| US09685117B2 |
Display device, control device for driving the display device, and drive control method thereof
A display device, a driving control device of the display device, and a driving control method are disclosed. In one aspect, the display device comprises a display unit consisting of a plurality of pixels including a light emitting element emitting light according to a driving current corresponding to a data signal; a scan driver transmitting a scan signal through a plurality of scan lines; a data driver transmitting a data signal through a plurality of data lines; a power supply unit supplying a driving voltage to drive a plurality of pixels through a power source wire; and a driving controller connected to the power source wire, obtaining an actual output voltage value of the driving voltage output from the power source voltage supply unit, and compensating a deviation of the driving voltage in a process step by using the actual output voltage value. |
| US09685112B2 |
Display unit, display panel, and method of driving the same, and electronic apparatus
A display unit (1) includes a light-emitting device (13) and a pixel circuit (12) in each pixel (11), and a drive section (20) configured to drive the pixel circuit (12). The pixel circuit (12) includes a drive transistor (Tr1) configured to drive the light-emitting device (13), and a write transistor (Tr2) configured to control application of a signal voltage corresponding to an image signal to a gate of the drive transistor (Tr1). The drive section (20) performs Vth correction that allows a gate-source voltage of the drive transistor (Tr1) to be brought close to a threshold voltage of the drive transistor (Tr1) on all pixel rows, and then performs writing of the signal voltage corresponding to the image signal to gates of the drive transistors (Tr1) in all pixel rows. |
| US09685111B2 |
Display device, control device for driving the display device, and control method thereof
Provided is a display device, including: a display unit including a plurality of pixels that emit light according to a plurality of data signals supplied through a plurality of data lines; a power voltage supplier configured to supply a power voltage to the plurality of pixels; a current detector configured to detect a total current flowing in the plurality of pixels; and a controller configured to receive image information of one frame unit and generate a reference voltage signal corresponding to the image information of one frame unit. The current detector compares the total current and the reference voltage signal and controls driving of the power voltage supplier according to the comparison. |
| US09685106B2 |
Method for compensating image distortion caused by the curvature of a display device
Disclosed are a curved display device and a driving method therefor. The curved display device includes: a display panel including a curved portion and a flat portion; a luminance compensator configured to determine a first luminance compensating value for the flat portion and to determine a second luminance compensating value for one or more positions of the curved portion; and a signal controller for adjusting an input image signal corresponding to the first and second luminance compensating values set by the luminance compensator so as to compensate luminance of those portions of the input image signal corresponding to both the curved portion and the flat portion of the display panel, and for transmitting the compensated image signal to the display panel. |
| US09685103B2 |
Door with built-in exit signal
A door with an “EXIT” signal which operates automatically includes a door panel and a light source. The door panel includes a first plate. The first plate includes a front surface. The front surface defines a plurality of pits. The pits form a predetermined pattern, in the shape of a word. The light source is fixed above the first plate. The light source emits light to toward the pits to illuminate the predetermined pattern in the shape of a word when the door is in a closed state. |
| US09685101B2 |
Solid state light-emitting devices with improved contrast
Solid state light emitting devices and display devices include at least one filtering material arranged to provide at least one spectral notch comprising a wavelength of greatest attenuation in at least one spectrum between dominant wavelengths of solid state light emitters of the light emitting and/or display devices. The at least one spectral notch may be non-overlapping with a majority or an entirety of spectral output of each solid state light emitter. Filtering material may be arranged in a light path between at least some emitters and) at least one light output surface of a light emitting or display device, with the filtering material(s) arranged to receive incident ambient light, such that at least a portion of reflected ambient light exiting the device exhibits at least one spectral notch. |
| US09685092B2 |
Stationary obstacle identification system
A stationary object identification system includes memory and a transmitter. The memory has obstacle data stored therein that includes a plurality of parameters associated with each of a plurality of stationary obstacles located at a location, such as an aerodrome. The transmitter is in operable communication with the memory and is configured to generate a plurality of signals. Each of the signals is associated with a different one of the stationary obstacles and has a power level representative of the plurality of parameters associated with the stationary obstacle. |
| US09685091B2 |
Aerial vehicle awareness display
A method of displaying information pertaining to an air vehicle is disclosed. Information is displayed indicative of first portions of a map where distance between a current altitude of the air vehicle and terrain in the map are within a first threshold. Information is displayed indicative of second portions of a map where a distance between the current altitude of the air vehicle and terrain in the map are within a second threshold. The first and second portions are updated based on a change in the current altitude of the air vehicle. In another example, a map including a projected flight path of an aircraft is displayed. Location-based information pertaining to radio frequency (RF) status between the aircraft and at least one ground radio is displayed on the map. The location-based information pertaining to RF status is updated based on a change in the current position of the air vehicle. |
| US09685088B2 |
Communication travel plan generation system
A communication travel plan generation system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a communication hub, a system input and at least one controller. The communication hub is housed in the vehicle and is configured to communicate with a plurality of spaced subscriber communication nodes. The system input is configured to receive mission-specific information. The at least one controller is in communication with the system input. Moreover, the at least one controller is configured to apply the mission-specific information to a mission planning system to generate a mission plan of the vehicle. The at least one controller is further configured to implement the communication travel plan generation system to automatically generate travel waypoints for the mission planning system based at least in part on the mission-specific information applied to the mission planning system. |
| US09685087B2 |
Remote air traffic surveillance data compositing based on datalinked radio surveillance
In one example, a method for combining radio surveillance data includes receiving air traffic surveillance data from one or more aircraft via one or more remotely operable data link systems. The method further includes combining the air traffic surveillance data from the one or more aircraft into a composite air traffic surveillance data set. The air traffic surveillance data is based at least in part on radio surveillance messages received by the one or more aircraft from additional aircraft. |
| US09685085B2 |
Computer-implemented system and method for providing available parking spaces en route
A computer-implemented system and method for providing available parking spaces en route is provided. Each of a plurality of parking spaces are associated with a hold time during which other vehicles are prevented from parking within that parking space while available and prior to commencement of a reservation. A request for an available parking space is received from a user. One or more of the parking spaces are identified as available. A duration of time for arrival by the user to each of the available parking spaces is determined. The hold time for each available parking space is applied to the arrival time duration for that available parking space. At least one of the available parking spaces for which the user's arrival time duration is less than the hold time is selected and provided to the user. |
| US09685084B2 |
Traffic event monitoring
Information on a traffic event, such as a traffic accident, may be provided to a vehicle equipped with a system for performing a wireless data communication with a traffic event center. The system can determine automatically if the vehicle approaches the traffic event by receiving corresponding information in a wireless data transmission, or by a determination based on the vehicle's current position and a location of the traffic event received in a wireless data transmission. If it is determined by the system that the vehicle has approached a traffic event, the system can automatically acquire image data of the vehicle environment, and transmit the acquired image data to the traffic event center. |
| US09685083B2 |
Computer program product and driver assistance system for a vehicle
A non-transitory computer readable medium stores a computer program causing a computer to execute a process. The process includes determining traffic regulations which are applicable in a region of current surroundings of a vehicle. The process further includes determining if a driver of the vehicle violates at least one of the determined traffic regulations and determining a degree of severity of a violation. The process further includes determining a parameter illustrating a driving behavior of the driver of the vehicle based on the classified degree of severity of the violation. A message is then output including the determined parameter with at least one output device. |
| US09685081B2 |
Traffic light preemption management system
A method and system for managing a set of traffic lights at an intersection, measuring the Doppler Effect of a signal emitted by a vehicle, where such Doppler Effect being a function of the vehicle movement with respect to said intersection, and deciding as a function of such measure a new state for each traffic light at the intersection so as to facilitate passage of the approaching vehicle. |
| US09685077B2 |
Traffic control system
A traffic control system (TCS) is provided comprising at least one traffic control unit, TCU, (9) equipped with a proximity enabled traffic user equipment, PETUE, (1) and adapted to control traffic of mobile entities wherein the proximity enabled traffic user equipment, PETUE, (1) of said traffic control unit, TCU, (9) is configured to transmit traffic information by sending at least one discovery message, DM, directly via a user equipment to user equipment link to at least one other proximity enabled traffic user equipment, PETUE, of a mobile entity, wherein said discovery message, DM, includes a proximity service, ProSe, application identifier comprising a string of traffic labels, TLs, representing hierarchical traffic information levels. |
| US09685074B2 |
Method and system for remote interaction with electronic device
Various aspects of a method and system for remote interaction with an electronic device via a user interface are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method comprises establishment of a first communication channel between a first electronic device and a second electronic device by use of a first communication protocol. A second communication channel is dynamically established with the second electronic device based on the established first communication channel. The second communication channel uses a second communication protocol. Data associated with the second electronic device is received by the first electronic device. The data is received via the established second communication channel. |
| US09685068B2 |
Emergency notification within an alarm community
The present invention relates to a process of detecting if a handheld device (10) has been exposed to acceleration above a predetermined threshold by receiving a signal from an accelerometer (13) comprised in the handheld device and comparing the signal from the accelerometer with the predetermined threshold, and if the handheld device have been exposed to acceleration above the predetermined threshold sending, an alarm signal, via a wireless communication unit (16) comprised in the handheld device, to an alarm server, indicating that the handheld device has been subjected for an accident, the process being implemented as a program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, the program being executed on the handheld device having processing capabilities. |
| US09685064B2 |
Automated detection of an emergency by a user device
A user device may determine that an environmental parameter, sensed by the user device, satisfies a condition, and may detect an emergency based on detecting that the environmental parameter satisfies the condition. The user device may output, via the user device, an alarm notification, and may determine whether an input is received by the user device to cancel the alarm notification. The user device may notify an emergency device when the user device determines that input is not received by the user device to cancel the alarm notification. |
| US09685063B2 |
Car seat occupant detection and alert apparatus, system, and method
A car seat occupant detection system for a car seat installed in a vehicle is provided. The system includes at least one harness sensor for detecting whether connectors of a car seat harness are connected and a weight sensor for detecting the weight of an occupant in the car seat. The system includes a controller in communication with the at least one harness sensor and the weight sensor. The system includes a transceiver configured to selectively communicate with a driver device via a local wireless link and with a third party device via a wide area wireless link. The controller determines whether or not an occupant in the car seat has been abandoned by a driver based on detections of the at least one harness sensor, the weight sensor, and communication range status between the transceiver and the driver communication device via the local wireless link. |
| US09685062B2 |
Electronic device, security warning system and method
A security warning system applied in an electronic device includes a motion identifying unit, a walking speed calculation unit, an image processing unit, and an executing unit. The motion identifying unit identifies whether a number of continuous walking steps of a user of the electronic device is greater than a first predetermined value. The walking speed calculation unit calculates a walking speed of the user and compares the calculated walking speed to a second predetermined value. The image processing unit determines whether the user is in a special sidewalk. The executing unit determines whether the user is in a walking state and whether the electronic device needs to execute a security mode. An electronic device and a security warning method are also provided. |
| US09685060B2 |
Method of warning in hunting and road traffic and based on it apparatus for personal safety and protection
The method of warning in the sport of shooting and hunting and road traffic, and based on it apparatus for personal safety and protection are provided. The method is based on analyzing the coordinates of the devices, which are exchanging this information by direct radio communication in real time using a suitable for the chosen application radio frequency. The apparatus is based on RF communication technology and, as an additional feature, digital photo and video technology, and the methods of this technology utilization for efficiency and convenience for users. |
| US09685051B2 |
Evacuation assistance apparatus
An evacuation assistance apparatus for indicating a route within a building or other structure is disclosed. Multiple housings contain laser light line sources for producing a beam of laser light as a linear line. Adjusters are used to alter the laser light line so that the line starts substantially vertically below said housing. The adjusters also allow the line to be directed on to a portion of the wall to highlight an exit doorway. The apparatus is provided as a modular system including multiple sensors making it suitable for installation in many buildings and providing feedback information to prevent or determine the cause of a fire. |
| US09685047B2 |
Self-service lottery machine
The present invention provides a self-service lottery machine, comprising a casing forming an accommodation space; a display device for providing a lottery self-service sales operation interface, which including a touch display screen; a coin-feed and card reading integrated module for completing payment, which including a coin-feed and card reading operation interface; a data input module for implementing keyboard input, the data input module including an input keyboard; and a main board for completing lottery self-service sales according to user's operation received by the data input module, the coin-feed and card reading integrated module and the display device, wherein the display device, the coin-feed and card reading integrated module, the data input module and the main board are arranged inside the accommodation space, and the touch display screen, the coin-feed and card reading operation interface and the input keyboard are all exposed from a first face casing of the casing. |
| US09685036B2 |
Verifying a gaming device is in communications with a gaming server by passing an indicator between the gaming device and a verification device
A system includes a verification server and a gaming server, which provides gaming activities and possibly other services to a player through a gaming device. The system further includes a verification device in communications with the verification server. The verification server passes an indicator between the verification device and gaming device via the gaming server and in this fashion, verification can be made that the gaming device is in communications with the gaming server. |
| US09685035B2 |
Apparatus and method for a game with blockading game symbols
An apparatus and method for a game of play for use in a casino establishment, or on a general purpose computing device for offering games with multiple outcomes and including blockading game elements or symbols. A base game, or an outcome on a base game that triggers a sub-game or a bonus game involves forming winning combinations from combinations of symbols in a matrix using only accessible symbol positions. Achieving winning combinations of symbols among accessible symbols results in awards to players. The apparatus and method are offered on electronic gaming machines such as slot machines and video poker machines, but may also be deployed on other devices such as on a general purpose computing device or mobile phone in stand-alone form or connected to a network, such as the internet. |
| US09685029B2 |
Actuating gaming machine chair
Wagering game systems including gaming chairs are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, in a wagering game machine, access information identifying a wagering game player, and determining the wagering game players motion profile associated with a gaming chair connected to the wagering game machine, wherein the motion profile indicates movements of the gaming chair that are acceptable to the wagering game player. The method also includes determining prescribed motions for the gaming chair, wherein the prescribed motions are associated with wagering game events, and determining that one of the wagering game events occurred on the wagering game machine. The method also includes moving the gaming chair in accordance with the prescribed motions for the gaming chair and the wagering game players motion profile. |
| US09685025B2 |
Optical sensing system
An optical sensing system for detecting objects passing through a volume of interest, wherein the sensing system has an emitter and a detector. The detector detects motion of object shadows generated as the object passes through the volume of interest between the emitter and detector. Motion detection algorithms, using computed motion vectors of the detected object, logically determine whether an object has traveled completely through the detection space, and can be used to discriminate a specific outcomes and/or impediments. |
| US09685017B2 |
Intelligent door lock system retrofitted to exisiting door lock mechanism
A wireless access control system is provided to lock or unlock a first door at a dwelling of a user. A user remote access device transmits a first signal and a second signal. The user remote access device is configured to be in communication with an intelligent door lock system at a dwelling with a door and associated lock. The intelligent door lock system includes a position sensing device coupled to a drive shaft, with the position sensing device sensing position of the drive shaft and configured to assist in locking and unlocking the lock, an engine with a memory coupled to the positioning sensing device and the drive shaft, and an energy source configured to provide electrical energy. When the user remote access device is at an exterior of the dwelling and in a close proximity to the dwelling, the drive shaft is caused to rotate by the engine and the energy source to provide an unlocking of the door when the door is in a locked state. The user remote access device is configured to be coupled to a second lock at a vehicle of the user or at an office of the user. The second lock has one or more wireless communication devices configured to receive the second signal causing the second lock to lock or be unlocked. The remote access device has a controller for generating the first and second signals. The controller generates the first and second signals in response to an action taken by user relative to the remote access device. |
| US09685012B2 |
Access management and resource sharing platform based on biometric identity
Disclosed are an apparatus and method that enables an owner/administrator to manage access to a shared resource based on identity that is established by use of biometric data. For example, access to a shared physical resource can be restricted via use of a biometric locking device. An access management platform can be used to authorize a new user to access the shared resource. Once authorized, the new user can unlock the biometric locking device based on, for example, fingerprint data of his finger. The access management platform can similarly be used to manage access to a virtual shared resource, such as an online account. A virtual locking device, such as a computer that acts as an intermediary between the user and the online account, can be used to restrict access to the online account. The access management platform can enable the user to access the online account based on biometric data. |
| US09685011B2 |
Vehicle safety control apparatus and method using cameras
A vehicle safety control apparatus using cameras includes a first camera configured to photograph a current object at at least one of a narrow angle and a straight angle during running, a second camera configured to photograph the current object at a wide angle during the running, an image processing unit configured to perform image processing on first current object image data captured by the first camera and second current object image data captured by the second camera, a recognition unit configured to recognize the first and second current object image data on which the image processing unit has performed the image processing, a storage unit configured to cause the recognized data to match preset reference object-specific data and separately store the data matching the preset reference object-specific data; and a control unit configured to receive the recognized data and deliver a storage command to the storage unit. |
| US09685010B1 |
Systems and methods for associating vehicle operators with driving misses indicated in vehicle operation data
Systems and methods for assessing vehicle operation are provided. According to certain aspects, an electronic device may receive and analyze image data depicting an individual located within a vehicle. The electronic device may also access and compile vehicle operation data and operator data corresponding to a state or condition of the vehicle operator. The electronic device may identify, from the vehicle operator data, a set of close misses experienced by the vehicle, correlate the set of close misses with a state or condition of the vehicle operator, and attribute at least some of the close misses to the vehicle operator. A remote server may aggregate and compile corresponding data from a plurality of vehicles. |
| US09685007B2 |
Managing a vehicle incident
A system and computer implemented method for managing a vehicle incident is disclosed. The method may include monitoring, in response to a triggering event, a first vehicle having a first vehicle state including a set of physical condition characteristics. The method may also include detecting, for the first vehicle, a vehicle incident including a change of one or more physical condition characteristics of the set of physical condition characteristics. The method may also include collecting, in response to detecting the vehicle incident for the first vehicle, incident circumstance information including a set of potential causes of the vehicle incident. In certain embodiments, the method may include providing incident data based on at least a portion of the incident circumstance information and at least a portion of the change of one or more physical condition characteristics. |
| US09685005B2 |
Virtual lasers for interacting with augmented reality environments
Systems and methods enabling users to interact with an augmented reality environment are disclosed. Real-world objects may have unique markers which are recognized by mobile devices. A mobile device recognizes the markers and generates a set of virtual objects associated with the markers in the augmented reality environment. Mobile devices employ virtual pointers and virtual control buttons to enable users to interact with the virtual objects. Users may aim the virtual pointer to a virtual object, select the virtual object, and then drag-and-drop the virtual object to a new location. Embodiments enable users to select, move, transform, create and delete virtual objects with the virtual pointer. The mobile device provides users with a means of drawing lines and geometrically-shaped virtual objects. |
| US09685001B2 |
System and method for indicating a presence of supplemental information in augmented reality
A method and system are provided for indicating a presence of supplemental information in augmented reality to a user. The method includes capturing a field of view of a camera, obtaining supplemental information for at least one object in the captured field of view, displaying the captured field of view on a display and tracking a point of regard of the user. The point of regard is indicative of an area on the display at which the gaze of the user is focused. The method also includes, for each object associated with supplemental information, displaying, overlaid the captured field of view, a respective indicator that the supplemental information is associated with the object if one or more criteria are satisfied. The one or more criteria are based on at least a proximity between an image of the object in the captured field of view and the point of regard. |
| US09685000B1 |
Using augmented reality in data storage management
A method is used in using augmented reality in data storage management. An original image of data center equipment is received. Based on the original image, the data center equipment is automatically identified. Based on the identification, management/status information about the data center equipment is automatically retrieved. An augmented reality image is derived from the original image and the management/status information. |
| US09684998B2 |
Pixel serialization to improve conservative depth estimation
One embodiment includes determining a first z-range for a first portion of a coarse raster tile, where the first portion includes a plurality of pixels having a first set of pixel locations, retrieving from a memory a corresponding z-range related to a second set of pixel locations associated with the coarse raster tile, where the first set of pixel locations comprises a subset of the second set of pixel locations, and comparing the first z-range to the corresponding z-range to determine whether the plurality of pixels is occluded. If the plurality of pixels determined to be occluded, then the plurality of pixels is culled. If the plurality of pixels is determined to not be occluded, then the plurality of pixels is transmitted to a fine raster unit for further processing. The coarse raster tile comprises a plurality of portions, including the first portion, and those portions are processed serially. |
| US09684988B2 |
Imaging device, image processing method, and recording medium
An imaging device includes an imaging unit that images a subject so as to obtain first image data, an image processing unit that performs image processing on the first image data so as to obtain second image data, a first storage unit in which image data including one or both of the first image data and the second image data is stored, an image analysis unit that analyzes a feature of the image data stored in the first storage unit, a scenario generation unit that generates scenario data on the basis of an analysis result of the image analysis unit, a scenario changing unit that performs setting so as to change the scenario data, and an image collage processing unit that combines the plural pieces of image data stored in the first storage unit on the basis of the scenario data so as to generate the image collage data. |
| US09684984B2 |
Nearsighted camera object detection
A system and process of nearsighted (myopia) camera object detection involves detecting the objects through edge detection and outlining or thickening them with a heavy border. Thickening may include making the object bold in the case of text characters. The bold characters are then much more apparent and heavier weighted than the background. Thresholding operations are then applied (usually multiple times) to the grayscale image to remove all but the darkest foreground objects in the background resulting in a nearsighted (myopic) image. Additional processes may be applied to the nearsighted image, such as morphological closing, contour tracing and bounding of the objects or characters. The bound objects or characters can then be averaged to provide repositioning feedback for the camera user. Processed images can then be captured and subjected to OCR to extract relevant information from the image. |
| US09684983B2 |
Three dimensional visualization of big data
A method for visualization of big data using three dimensional pie charts. The method includes receiving at least a first set of data, comprising information detailing one or more subsets of values, each value having an associated time element. The method includes determining a three dimensional pie chart based on the at least first set of data, which includes at least as first layer comprising a first set of wedges and a second layer comprising a second set of wedges. The method includes displaying the three dimensional pie chart comprising at least the first layer and the second layer. |
| US09684982B2 |
Isotropic volume reconstruction from multiple 2D scans using super-resolution techniques
A computer-implemented method for performing isotropic reconstruction of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data includes receiving a stack of slices acquired by an MRI device in two or more directions and reslicing the stack of slices into (i) an acquired view stack comprising high-resolution slices acquired in-plane, and (ii) a reslice stack comprising degraded slices acquired out of plane. An estimated slice profile is generated based on the stack of slices and the acquired view stack is convolved with the estimated slice profile to yield a simulated distorted slice stack. The simulated distorted slice stack is subtracted from the acquired view stack to yield a high-frequency band estimate and the high-frequency band estimate is combined with the reslice stack to yield isotropic reconstruction results. |
| US09684981B2 |
Method, apparatus, and storage medium for reconstructing cardiac image
A method includes: collecting projection data and recording electrocardiogram data when computed tomographic scanning is performed on a patient, selecting, from the projection data and based on the electrocardiogram data, first projection data related to each cardiac pixel in a same phase, and reconstructing, based on the first projection data, an image of the related cardiac pixel, to obtain a cardiac image; determining, based on the electrocardiogram data, a reconstruction phase of each reconstruction pixel in a first reconstruction region, where the first reconstruction region is an image region selected along the patient's head-to-foot direction from the cardiac image; and selecting, based on the reconstruction phase of each reconstruction pixel and from the projection data, second projection data related to the reconstruction pixel in the reconstruction phase, and reconstructing, based on the second projection data, an image of the reconstruction pixel. |
| US09684980B2 |
Prior image based three dimensional imaging
Described herein are technologies for facilitating three-dimensional imaging based on prior image data. In accordance with one aspect, deformable registration is performed to align three-dimensional (3D) image data to a sparse set of two-dimensional (2D) projection image data of at least one structure of interest. An iterative reconstruction scheme may then be performed to minimize a difference between the aligned 3D image data and the 2D image data. |
| US09684977B2 |
Method and apparatus for road map rendering
A road map rendering method and associated computing apparatus are provided. The method includes: receiving data representing a road broken line, the data including multiple line segments and a road traffic condition; expanding the road broken line into a polygon based on the multiple line segments and creating a geometric-topological structure for the polygon using the received data, the geometric-topological structure including a vertex list and an index list; selecting texture coordinates that correspond to the road traffic condition; and filling the polygon using the selected texture coordinates that correspond to the road traffic condition. In the road map rendering method and associated computing apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present application, a road traffic condition is rendered by invoking a texture, so that performance of a graphics processing unit of a mobile terminal can be exploited and a good rendering effect can be achieved, thereby clearly indicating the road traffic condition. |
| US09684973B2 |
Systems and methods for selecting imaging data for principle components analysis
A method is provided that includes acquiring, with a detector defining a field of view (FOV), emission imaging data of an object over the FOV. The method also includes determining, with one or more processing units, a volume of interest (VOI) of the emission imaging data, wherein the VOI defines a volume smaller than an imaged volume of the object. Further, the method includes performing, with the one or more processing units, a multivariate data analysis on the VOI to generate a waveform for the VOI. Also, the method includes determining, with the one or more processing units, an amount of motion for at least the VOI based on the waveform. The method further includes displaying, on a display unit, at least one of the amount of motion or an image reconstructed based on the emission imaging data. |
| US09684968B2 |
Method, system and computer program for detecting and characterizing motion
A method for motion detection/characterization is provided including the steps of (a) capturing a series of time lapsed images of the ROI, wherein the ROI moves between at least two of such images; (b) generating a motion distribution in relation to the ROI across the series of images; and (c) identifying motion of the ROI based on analysis of the motion distribution. In a further aspect of motion detection/characterization in accordance with the invention, motion is detected/characterized based on calculation of a color distribution for a series of images. A system and computer program for presenting an augmented environment based on the motion detection/characterization is also provided. An interface means based on the motion detection/characterization is also provided. |
| US09684967B2 |
Imaging segmentation using multi-scale machine learning approach
A robust segmentation technique based on multi-layer classification technique to identify the lesion boundary is described. The inventors have discovered a technique based on training several classifiers such that to classify each pixel as lesion versus normal Each classifier is trained on a specific range of image resolutions. Then, for a new test image, the trained classifiers are applied on the image. Then by fusing the prediction results in pixel level a probability map is generated. In the next step, a thresholding method is applied to convert the probability map to a binary mask, which determines a mole border. |
| US09684966B2 |
Foreground / background separation in digital images
A method for providing improved foreground/background separation in a digital image of a scene is disclosed. The method comprises providing a first map comprising one or more regions provisionally defined as one of foreground or background within the digital image; and providing a subject profile corresponding to a region of interest of the digital image. The provisionally defined regions are compared with the subject profile to determine if any of the regions intersect with the profile region. The definition of one or more of the regions in the map is changed based on the comparison. |
| US09684965B1 |
Obstacle removal using point cloud and depth map data
A system having a non-transitory storage medium, wherein the non-transitory storage medium contains a first image captured at a first position relative to background subject matter, wherein undesirable structure is interposed between the first position and the background subject matter, and a second image captured at a second position, different from the first position, relative to the background subject matter wherein the undesirable structure is interposed between the second position and the background subject matter; a point cloud generation module coupled to the non-transitory storage medium, wherein the point cloud generation module generates a point cloud in response to the first image and the second image, and wherein the point cloud generation module stores the point cloud in the non-transitory storage medium; an identification module coupled to the non-transitory storage medium for retrieving the point cloud and identifying within the point cloud the undesirable structure and the background subject matter; and an image generation module coupled to the identification module for generating a third image in response to the background subject matter within the point cloud, wherein the image generation module stores the third image in the non-transitory storage medium. |
| US09684960B2 |
Automated histological diagnosis of bacterial infection using image analysis
The invention relates to an automated decision support system, method, and apparatus for analysis and detection of bacteria in histological sections from tissue biopsies in general, and more specifically, of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in histological sections from gastric biopsies. The method includes image acquisition apparatus, data processing and support system conclusions, methods of transferring and storing the slide data, and pathologist diagnosis by reviewing and approving the images classified as containing bacteria, and more specifically HP findings. |
| US09684958B2 |
Image processing device, program, image processing method, computer-readable medium, and image processing system
An image processing device 20 acquires captured images obtained by imaging a sample including a target cell, performs machine learning based on a first image feature quantity, sets a plurality of object regions for detecting the target cell in the captured images, and displays the plurality of object regions in an order determined based on the first image feature quantity of each of the plurality of object regions. The image processing device 20 calculates a second image feature quantity in each of the plurality of object regions, sorts the plurality of displayed object regions in an order of the second image feature quantity similar to the second image feature quantity of a reference object region selected from among the plurality of object regions, and displays the plurality of object regions. |
| US09684957B2 |
Systems methods, and media for detecting an anatomical object in a medical device image using a multi-stage classifier
Systems, methods, and media for detecting an anatomical object in a medical device image are provided. In some embodiments, system for detecting an anatomical object in a medical device image are provided, the systems comprising: at least one hardware processor that: applies the medical device image to a classifier having a plurality of stages, wherein a first stage of the plurality of stages and a second stage of the plurality of stages each includes a strong learner formed from a plurality of weak learners, and the weak learners in the second stage include a plurality of the weak learners included in the first stage; and identifies the medical device image as being positive or negative of showing the anatomical object based on the application the medical device image to be classifier. |
| US09684954B2 |
Image processing method, image processing apparatus, image capturing apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
The image processing method includes acquiring multiple parallax images produced by image capturing of an object, the parallax images having a parallax to one another. The method further includes acquiring, by using the respective parallax images as base images, relative difference information on a relative difference between each of the base images and at least one other parallax image in the multiple parallax images, and detecting an unwanted component contained in each of the parallax images by using the relative difference information. |
| US09684951B2 |
Efficient convolutional sparse coding
Computationally efficient algorithms may be applied for fast dictionary learning solving the convolutional sparse coding problem in the Fourier domain. More specifically, efficient convolutional sparse coding may be derived within an alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) framework that utilizes fast Fourier transforms (FFT) to solve the main linear system in the frequency domain. Such algorithms may enable a significant reduction in computational cost over conventional approaches by implementing a linear solver for the most critical and computationally expensive component of the conventional iterative algorithm. The theoretical computational cost of the algorithm may be reduced from O(M3N) to O(MN log N), where N is the dimensionality of the data and M is the number of elements in the dictionary. This significant improvement in efficiency may greatly increase the range of problems that can practically be addressed via convolutional sparse representations. |
| US09684950B2 |
Vision correction through graphics processing
An apparatus configured for graphics processing includes a memory configured to store graphics data, and one or more processors in communication with the memory, the one or more processors configured to output, for display, a plurality of test graphics images, receive input indicative of a perception of a user of the computing device of at least one test graphics image from the plurality of test graphics images, determine at least one parameter modification value and generate a corrected graphics image based at least in part on the at least one parameter modification value. |
| US09684948B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating enhanced display characteristics based on viewer state
Systems and methods for facilitating enhanced display characteristics based on viewer state are provided. A media device may process an indication of a first state of a first viewer of a display device that is coupled to the media device. The indication of the first state of the first viewer may be captured at a time corresponding to the display device displaying first content with a first set of one or more size characteristics. The media device may determine a display adjustment based at least in part on the indication of the first state of the first viewer. The media device may cause the display device to display second content in accordance with the display adjustment so that the display device displays at least a portion of the second content with a second set of one or more size characteristics that is different from the first set of one or more size characteristics. |
| US09684947B2 |
Indicating availability of indoor content on a digital map
An interactive digital map of a geographic area is provided via a viewport that defines a visible portion of the digital map. The digital map includes a representation of a structure. The viewport is panned relative to the digital map in response to receiving a user request. An indication that indoor map data is available for the structure is displayed in response to determining that the viewport is panning, and the indication is removed in response to determining that the viewport has stopped panning. |
| US09684946B2 |
Image making
A method of making an image of a scene (including a scene made by the method) generally corresponding to that perceived by the human brain via the human eyes, the method including the steps, in any suitable order, of: capturing, recording, generating, or otherwise representing a scene consisting of the entire field of view, or part thereof, visible to a human observer from a given ‘Viewing Point’ (VP) when fixating on a given region within the scene, progressively enlarging the image towards the area of the scene, and progressively compressing the area of the scene corresponding to the peripheral field of vision to thereby produce a modified image of the scene generally corresponding to how the scene would appear to the human perceiver. |
| US09684944B2 |
Graph-based application programming interface architectures with node-based destination-source mapping for enhanced image processing parallelism
A flexible representation of destination-source data block dependency is included in an image graph implementation optimization API to provide a mechanism for a graph node developer to communicate limits of scheduling constraints imposed by a graph's node connections. An image graph compiler and/or image graph executor may employ the destination-source data block dependency defined through the image graph implementation API to schedule work tasks to hardware resources in a more efficient manner. |
| US09684940B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method and computer-readable medium
In one example embodiment, an information processing apparatus causes a display device to display a first image from images associated with an observation target object. The images include the first image and a second image which corresponds to an annotation mark. In this embodiment, the information processing apparatus also causes the display device to display the annotation mark corresponding to the second image. In this embodiment, the displayed annotation mark overlaps the first image. |
| US09684930B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating media playback in online auctions
Systems and methods are provided for facilitating media playback in online auctions. A method may include detecting an indication of an auction event associated with an online vehicle auction for a first vehicle. The method may also include determining current auction information associated with the online vehicle auction. The method may further include determining auction event information associated with the auction event. Additionally, the method may include identifying, based at least in part on the current auction information and the auction event information, one or more media files for playback on a bidder device. The method may also include transmitting, to the bidder device in response to the indication of the auction event, the one or more media files for playback on the bidder device according to a determined sequence, which may result in acoustic output of one or more auctioneer phrases. |
| US09684928B2 |
Foot tracking
A system and method are described for tracking the location and orientation of a user's feet for an augmented reality display. A depth sensor generates a depth map of a scene within the field of view of the depth sensor, the field of view containing at least a portion of the user. A processor is configured to identify a portion of the depth map as a candidate object for foot tracking, determine a central skeleton representation of the identified portion, determine a location of a toe of the user's foot and a location of an ankle of the user's foot, based on the central skeleton representation, and calculate an orientation of the user's foot based on the determine locations of the toe and the ankle. |
| US09684925B2 |
Precision enabled retail display
A system includes a highlighter that is installed in a store to highlight a physical position of an item on display in the store. The system also includes a processor installed in the store to determine a location and identification (ID) of a mobile device, and retrieve a profile of a user of the mobile device based on the ID. The processor controls the highlighter to highlight the item when the location of the mobile device is determined to be within a predetermined distance of the item, and when the item is determined to be of interest to the user of the mobile device based on information obtained in the profile. |
| US09684920B2 |
Dual encoding of machine readable code for automatic scan-initiated purchase or uniform resource locator checkout
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for allowing a single representation of a trigger for payment across different environments using machine readable codes. A machine readable code may be encoded with a URL and information about a product to which the machine readable code is attached. A first electronic device may be able to scan and decode the machine readable code into first recognizable product information using a complaint application. The compliant application may populate a first form on the first electronic device for a first transaction with the recognizable product information without having to access a server. A non-compliant application on a second electronic device will launch a browser using the URL and provide the unrecognizable product information to the server for decoding. The server will decode the unrecognizable product information into a second recognizable product information that may be used to populate a second form for a second transaction. |
| US09684918B2 |
System and method for candidate domain name generation
A system and method for the generation of candidate domain names are presented. The method includes receiving, by at least one server communicatively coupled to a network, a request to access or purchase access to a software application, the request being received from a user. Keywords associated with at least one of the user, a website of the user, and a business of the user are generated and a candidate domain name relevant to the keywords is generated. A user interface is displayed including the candidate domain name. The user interface enables the user to register the candidate domain name. |
| US09684917B2 |
Product interoperability determination
A user input pertaining to a question is received. Based on the question a new message is generated and posted in at least one web based forum. Responses to the new message are monitored and analyzed to determine whether, for each response, the response pertains to a subject of the question. Responsive to determining that at least one response pertains to the subject of the question, information contained in the response is presented to the user. |
| US09684916B2 |
Retail system for selling products based on a flexible product description
According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant. |
| US09684913B2 |
Retail photo system configuration module and system
The present invention is a configuration module for a Retail Photo System. The configuration module is a memory module that provides system configuration information for use with a network connected Retail Photo System. Physical and digital controlled access to the configuration module is provided by a locking enclosure, password protected access, and an automatic scenario based activation means. Access to the configuration module is limited to authorized personnel and remote access, or via scenario based activation. |
| US09684909B2 |
Systems and methods for providing location based coupon-less offers to registered card members
The system provides location based coupon-less offers based upon a location of a card member (CM). A location of a CM may be determined based upon one or more of a travel itinerary, a GPS signal, a proximity of a mobile communication device to a cellular base station, and/or a zip code. An offer from a merchant registered to provide coupon-less offers may be transmitted to a mobile communication device based upon the location. An offer, once accepted by a CM, may be matched to a record of charge associated with a transaction account held by the CM. A credit may be applied to the CM's transaction account and a debit may be applied to a transaction account of the registered merchant. One or more offer categories and/or one or more offer category classes may be transmitted to the mobile communication device based upon the CM's location. |
| US09684908B2 |
Automatically generated comparison polls
A content item presented to a user may involve two or more topics, such as news articles mentioning athletes or actors. Users may enjoy expressing opinions about a comparison of the topics, such as personal preferences or an evaluation of talent. Presented herein are techniques for automatically generating, for the content item, a poll among the topics of the content item. The respective comparisons of a comparison set are evaluated for the topics of the content item, and a comparison relevance score is computed identifying the relevance of the comparison of the topics. The comparison having the highest relevance for the topics is selected, and a comparison question is formulated and presented to the user with the content item. Results may be tabulated and presented for the topics of the content item. These techniques facilitate user expression about the content item without depending upon user-authored polls for each content item. |
| US09684907B2 |
Networking with media fingerprints
An information element, uniquely related to a media fingerprint that is uniquely derived from a media content portion during play out thereof, is provided to a first web page. The first web page stores the information element with an associated first information set, which relates to one or more media fingerprints. One or more second web pages store at least a second information set, which relates to one or more media fingerprints. The first and at least second web pages are accessed and crawled in relation to the first and the at least second information sets. One or more information elements, which are common to the first and the at least second information sets, are indexed. The first web page and the at least one of the second web pages are related based on the indexed common information elements. |
| US09684905B1 |
Systems and methods for data verification
Systems and methods for verifying data including income and employment, assets, healthcare claims, clinical data, and other types of data subject to various regulatory and/or privacy restrictions. |
| US09684901B2 |
Selective presentation of real-time contact options based on user and system parameters
Embodiments of configuring elements of a publication server of a product or server sales architecture in mechanisms are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US09684897B2 |
Intelligent credit card system
A new credit card system which enables improved reading and other operations. Reading can be done in the short edge of the credit card thereby shortening the aspect ratio and size of the card reader. The reader can be electrical, reading information via contacts, or can be optical readers. |
| US09684896B2 |
Systems and methods for secure wireless payment transactions when a wireless network is unavailable
Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed which allow a mobile device user to complete financial transactions even when the mobile device is not connected to a wireless network. The systems, methods, and devices of the present disclosure may utilize a combination of an encrypted lockbox containing out of network payment codes on the mobile device and a matching set of out of network payment codes stored on a server of a payment authority. |
| US09684894B2 |
Method and apparatus for invoking a degraded mode architecture
An apparatus for invoking a degraded mode architecture is provided. The apparatus may include a desktop application, a branch processor, and/or a data center. The branch processor may be in communication with the data center and the desktop application. The branch processor may transmit activities that occurred in the branch processor and the desktop application to the data center. During a termination of communication between the data center and the branch processor, the branch processor may save branch processor activities and desktop application activities. After the termination of communication, the branch processor may transmit the saved activities to the data center. In addition, many components which may be found on the desktop application may also be found on the branch processor. This may enable the branch processor to perform the desktop application capabilities when there is a termination of communication between the desktop application and the branch processor. |
| US09684892B2 |
Proximity payment with coupon redemption using a server and an identification code
The invention describes how a consumer can hold their NFC enabled device in proximity to an NFC enabled point-of-sale terminal and with a single “wave” or “tap” to automatically redeem coupons, pay for a purchase using a default payment card or a selected card, view receipts view reward point balances, and receive relevant coupons and other digital artifacts both before and after the purchase. The NFC enabled device includes a secure element with a payment application, payment credentials, and other digital artifacts such as coupons. The secure element can be internal to the mobile device, externally affixed to the mobile device, or inserted into a slot within the body of the mobile device. |
| US09684890B2 |
System and method for collecting and disbursing electronic gratuities
The present invention relates to systems and methods for collecting and disbursing electronic gratuities. According to one embodiment, a device for submitting gratuities by credit card is provided at a place of business or other appropriate location. A method of using this device is disclosed, whereby consumers pay a predetermined or adjustable gratuity amount by inserting a credit card into the device. According to another embodiment, technological infrastructure is provided to transmit encrypted payment information such that the acquiring bank of the device provider obtains authorization for gratuity transactions conducted using the device. The acquiring bank is thus enabled to credit the device provider's merchant account or disbursal accounts with electronic gratuity payments less acquisition fees. According to another embodiment, a method of disbursing gratuity shares to employees of the business is provided, wherein processing fees are collected by the device provider. |
| US09684889B2 |
System and method for providing certification-related and other services
A system for warranting the identity of a party over an electronic network. The system comprises a root entity and a plurality of additional entities. Each additional entity is admitted to the system after agreeing to abide by a plurality of operating rules promulgated by the root entity. The additional entities may comprise level-one participants and level-two participants. Certificate authorities maintained by level-one participants issue digital certificates to their customers. The digital certificates bind the customers to their public keys. System customers are also provided with a warranty request formatter which is adapted to formulate a request for a warranty as to the veracity of information contained in a digital certificate. The warranty request formatter is also adapted to transmit the request for the warranty to the customer's level-one participant. The level-one participants maintain an intelligent messaging gateway which is adapted to receive messages from their customers and to transmit messages to appropriate system entities. Warranty offers are issued by the participant that issued the digital certificate identified in the warranty request. The participants are required to maintain collateral with a collateral custodian. |
| US09684887B2 |
Priority of outbound messages communicated among end user communication devices
An exemplary method implemented by a first end-user communication device originates an electronic communication. User input is received to create information to be conveyed by the transmission of a digital packet having a header segment and a user data segment. The user data segment contains a user message and a priority value where the priority value conveys a corresponding message priority to a recipient device. The priority value and the user message are determined by the user of the first end-user communication device. Under the control of a first module of an enhanced services application program, a composition screen is displayed by which the user input including the user message is entered. Visual indicia indicative of a current message priority to be assigned to the user message is displayed on the composition. The first module causes insertion of the priority value corresponding to the current message priority in a priority field in the user data segment prior to transmission of the digital packet. The digital packet is transmitted with the user data segment that contains the user message and the priority value. |
| US09684883B2 |
Inventory management system with late transaction processing
An inventory management system processes late transactions. The system takes snapshots of stock counts recorded in an accounting system and receives a transaction record after taking the snapshots. The system then determine whether there is an open stock count corresponding to the transaction record and whether the snapshots include a snapshot of the open stock count. When the open stock count and the snapshot exist, the system writes the transaction record to a staging table. Then, upon proceeding from a first phase to a second phase of a plurality of stock count phases, the system updates the snapshot based on the staging table. The stock count phases include a count phase, a recount phase, and an authorize phase. |
| US09684882B2 |
Permitted assignment user interface
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for displaying a visual task board comprising a permitted assignment user interface are disclosed. Displaying a permitted assignment user interface may comprise generating a first card representing a first record, wherein the first record comprises an information element that has a first value of a visualization metric, generating an output for display, the output comprising a first lane representing the first value of the visualization metric and comprising the first card, and, in response to operator input indicating a primary context and on a condition that an association between the primary context and the first record is prohibited, updating the output by generating an updated first card representing the first record and indicating that the association between the first record and the primary context is prohibited, and generating an updated output for display omitting the first card and comprising the updated first card. |
| US09684881B2 |
System and method of workforce optimization
A method of workforce optimization includes acquiring video data. The video data is obtained from a plurality of video cameras in a facility comprising a plurality of departments. A customer load for each of the plurality of departments is identified. A location of each of a plurality of employees in the facility is identified. A customer-to-employee ratio is determined for each department. The determined customer-to-employee ratio for each department is provided to a computing device. At least one employee deployment notification is provided from the computing device to another computing device. |
| US09684879B2 |
Method and system for tracking and reporting environmental impact and agricultural-producer information
Various embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and systems for tracking and reporting environmental impact and agricultural-producer information. In an example embodiment, a method comprises receiving first data associated with an impact on groundwater pollution or surface water pollution, the impact on the groundwater pollution or the surface water pollution resulting from a production of an agricultural product, the first data being received from a single representative sampling location; receiving second data associated with the impact on the groundwater pollution or surface water pollution, the second data being received from at least one of a plurality of representative sampling locations; generating an aggregate result based on the second data; calculating comparative data using the aggregate result and at least some of the first data; and reporting the aggregate result and the comparative data to a user. |
| US09684875B1 |
Data mining technique with experience-layered gene pool
Roughly described, a computer-implemented evolutionary data mining system includes a memory storing a candidate gene database in which each candidate individual has a respective fitness estimate; a gene pool processor which tests individuals from the candidate gene pool on training data and updates the fitness estimate associated with the individuals in dependence upon the tests; and a gene harvesting module providing for deployment selected ones of the individuals from the gene pool, wherein the gene pool processor includes a competition module which selects individuals for discarding from the gene pool in dependence upon both their updated fitness estimate and their testing experience level. Preferably the gene database has an elitist pool containing multiple experience layers, and the competition module causes individuals to compete only with other individuals in their same experience layer. |
| US09684871B2 |
Efficient fact checking method and system
An efficient fact checking system analyzes and determines the factual accuracy of information and/or characterizes the information by comparing the information with source information. The efficient fact checking system automatically monitors information, processes the information, fact checks the information efficiently and/or provides a status of the information. |
| US09684869B2 |
Infrastructure and architecture for development and execution of predictive models
A system that enables development and execution of predictive models comprises a centralized data management system, a data extraction tool a model validation tool and a model execution tool. In embodiments, a data management system includes a data management server that can be accessed via a web browser that stores data in the form of a flat file. An extraction tool extracts data. A model validation tool validates a model by scoring an analytical environment data set and a production environment data set. A model execution tool allows a user to select when and how often a model is scored. |
| US09684862B2 |
Microelectronic smart tags
A smart tag comprises a processor, a non-volatile memory, at least one of an internal power source and an external power source, and a transceiver configured for two-way communication with a reader external to the smart tag. The smart tag is formed as an integrated circuit chip less than 10 cubic millimeters in size to less than 0.000125 cubic millimeters in size. An apparatus comprising the smart tag may further include an antenna connect to the smart tag. |
| US09684853B2 |
Image forming apparatus that writes data from volatile memory to non-volatile memory
An electronic device includes volatile memory, flash memory, and a CPU. The volatile memory includes a first actual data region that records actual data and a first log region that records update information including update data used for updating the actual data. The flash memory includes blocks and undergoes block unit initialization when writing is to be performed thereto. The blocks each include a second actual data region that records actual data and a second log region that records update information written from the first log region. The CPU writes update information corresponding to update data to the first log region when updating actual data using the update data. At a preset specific timing, the CPU collects update information recorded in the first log region, writes the collected update information to the second log regions in accordance with a specific order, and subsequently initializes the first log region. |
| US09684848B2 |
System and method for retrieving an image containing image statistical data
A system and method of retrieving an area of interest of an image stored in a storage device. The method includes selecting the area of interest having user desired features, the stored image being divided into a plurality of polygonal image sections, each polygonal image section having substantially homogenous features, the image being further divided into a plurality of quads such that each quad has boundaries that contains at least a portion of a first polygonal image section and at least a portion of a second polygonal image section. The method further includes determining in which quad in the plurality of quads each pixel of the area of interest is located and determining for each quad, in which portion of the first polygonal image section or the second polygonal image section each pixel is located. |
| US09684845B2 |
Viewpoints of a point of interest
A method, computer program product, and a computer system is provided. A processor determines a first viewpoint of the point of interest, the first viewpoint includes a first image group captured from a first location. A processor retrieves an image from an online repository. In response to content of the image matching content of the first image group, a processor assigns a location of the image to the first viewpoint. A processor determines a second viewpoint of the point of interest, the second viewpoint includes a second image group captured from a second location. A processor determines a first ranking score for the first viewpoint based, in part, on the first image group. A processor determines a second ranking score for the second viewpoint based, at least in part, on the second image group. A processor generates a ranked list of the first viewpoint and the second viewpoint based. |
| US09684842B2 |
Methods and apparatus to extract text from imaged documents
Methods and apparatus to extract text from imaged documents are disclosed. Example methods include segmenting an image of a document into localized sub-images corresponding to individual characters in the document. The example methods further include grouping respective ones of the sub-images into a cluster based on a visual correlation of the respective ones of the sub-images to a reference sub-image. The visual correlation between the reference sub-image and the respective ones of the sub-images grouped into the cluster exceeding a correlation threshold. The example methods also include identifying a designated character for the cluster based on the sub-images grouped into the cluster. The example methods further include associating the designated character with locations in the image of the document associated with the respective ones of the sub-images grouped into the cluster. |
| US09684841B2 |
Method of transmitting moving image and surveillance system using the method
A method of transmitting a moving image and surveillance system using the method are provided. The method includes: receiving a frame image having a first resolution from a camera; generating a first frame image having the first resolution and a second frame image having a second resolution with respect to the frame image of a moving image; extracting an image of a setting region from the first frame image having the first resolution that is higher than the second resolution; generating a combined frame image by combining the extracted image of the setting region and the second frame image having the second resolution; and transmitting the combined frame image to a client apparatus. |
| US09684840B2 |
Detection system
A detection system comprises a light source configured to illuminate an object, an image sensor configured to receive light reflected from the object, and a processor. The image sensor generates a first picture when the light source is turned on. The image sensor generates a second picture when the light source is turned off. The processor is configured to subtract the second picture from the first picture for determining an object image produced by the object. |
| US09684839B2 |
Blank paper check with dual-sided variable printing
An article for use as a negotiable instrument includes a substrate having a front side and reverse side; first machine-printed information on the substrate's front side including an account number associated with the negotiable instrument, and a unique identifier associated with the negotiable instrument, the first machine-printed information uniquely identifying the negotiable instrument; and second machine-printed information on the substrate's reverse side that corresponds to the first machine-printed information such that comparison of respective images of the substrate's front and reverse sides indicates that the images correspond to the same negotiable instrument. |
| US09684835B2 |
Image processing system, image processing method, and program
An image processing system, an image processing method, and a program capable of suppressing errors related to association of a person appearing in a video are provided. An image processing system includes: an image acquiring unit which accepts input of videos captured by a plurality of video cameras; a next camera predicting unit which predicts a video camera on which an object detected in a video is to appear next; and a display control unit which announces a confusability of an object according to a similarity between the detected object and another object that is likely to appear in a video of the video camera predicted by the next camera predicting unit and which causes a display device to display a video from the video camera predicted by the next camera predicting unit. |
| US09684830B2 |
Automatic target selection for multi-target object tracking
Techniques related to automatic target object selection from multiple tracked objects for imaging devices are discussed. Such techniques may include generating one or more object selection metrics such as accumulated distances from frame center, accumulated velocities, and trajectory comparisons of predicted to actual trajectories for tracked objects and selecting the target object based on the object selection metric or metrics. |
| US09684820B2 |
Method and apparatus for subject identification
Comprehensive 2D learning images are collected for learning subjects. Standardized 2D gallery images of many gallery subjects are collected, one per gallery subject. A 2D query image of a query subject is collected, of arbitrary viewing aspect, illumination, etc. 3D learning models, 3D gallery models, and a 3D query model are determined from the learning, gallery, and query images. A transform is determined for the selected learning model and each gallery model that yields or approximates the query image. The transform is at least partly 3D, such as 3D illumination transfer or 3D orientation alignment. The transform is applied to each gallery model so that the transformed gallery models more closely resemble the query model. 2D transformed gallery images are produced from the transformed gallery models, and are compared against the 2D query image to identify whether the query subject is also any of the gallery subjects. |
| US09684808B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and mobile device
A wireless communication apparatus includes an amplifier circuit configured to amplify a signal output by a wireless communication unit that executes wireless communication, to output the signal having amplified to a transceiver unit; and a decision unit configured to decide, based on an operational mode of the wireless communication unit, whether to transmit the signal from the transceiver unit via the amplifier circuit, or transmit the signal from the transceiver unit without going via the amplifier circuit. |
| US09684806B2 |
Modular application of peripheral panels as security protection screens with individual locking mechanisms within a rack-based information handling system
A rack-based information handling system (RIHS) includes a rack chassis having at least two opposing side panels which are structurally held in place by one or more segments spanning between the two opposing side panels to generate an internal volume between the at least two opposing side panels. The internal volume has structures that enable insertion and retention of information technology (IT) gear and other components of the IHS at one of a front access space and a rear access space of the rack chassis that extend between the two opposing side panels. The RIHS also includes at least one security screen that is removably affixed to opposing edges of the two opposing side panels and span across a first segment of an access space to prevent direct physical access to the IT gear or other components that are inserted within the rack chassis behind the security screen. |
| US09684805B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing computer interfaces
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for securing otherwise unsecured internal and external computer communications. According to one aspect, the invention relates to methods and apparatuses for implementing device gatekeeping. According to another aspect the invention relates to methods and apparatuses for encrypting and decrypting data sent over an external or internal interface. According to another aspect, the invention relates to methods and apparatuses for implementing device snooping, in which some or all traffic passing between a host and a connected device is captured into memory and analyzed in real time by system software. In embodiments, the software can also act upon analyzed information. According to certain additional aspects, the security functions performed by methods and apparatuses according to the invention can be logically transparent to the upstream host and/or to the downstream device. |
| US09684802B2 |
Verification and access control for industry-specific solution package
A solution package, that has configured computing system assets from a base computing system, is received and analyzed to verify that it meets a set of predetermined verification criteria. A request is received to view the solution package. A user interface component is controlled to restrict access to the solution found in the solution package. |
| US09684799B2 |
Audience-based sensitive information handling for shared collaborative documents
A method for providing audience-based redaction of sensitive information in an electronic document may include receiving a request from a computing device to access an electronic document, retrieving the electronic document, identifying the user(s) associated with the computing device, determining an access level for each user associated with the computing device, determining the lowest access level for the user(s) associated with the computing device, generating a rendering of the electronic document for display on the computing device based on the lowest access level for the user(s) associated with the computing device, and providing the rendering of the electronic document to the computing device for display. When generating the rendering of the electronic document for display, sensitive information in the electronic document is typically redacted based on the lowest access level for the user(s) associated with the computing device. |
| US09684796B2 |
Information processing system, service providing apparatus and method, information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program
The present invention is related to an information processing system, a service providing apparatus and method, an information processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program that are intended to simultaneously share content data in private virtual spaces. A home server 11 is arranged at user A's home. A portable user terminal 1 and so on can access the home server 11. A virtual home DB server 21 supplies the layout information about virtual home and so on to the portable user terminal 1. An authentication server 22 executes authentication processing on the portable user terminal 1. An inter-user-terminal communication relay server 23 executes the processing associated with the communication between a plurality of users. A user information holding server 24 stores the personal data of each user and the content data, which are shared with other users. The present invention is applicable to programs realizing realtime communication by use of the Internet. |
| US09684793B2 |
Entitlement security and control
A system, apparatus, and method are provided for entitlement security and control. An example method includes granting an entitlement permission after an entitlement request for the computer user has been determined to satisfy one or more predetermined entitlement rules for one or more computer resources of a computing device. Also, an audit trail is generated, comprising information relating to the computer user receiving the entitlement permission. In addition, a change to one or more user characteristics of the computer user in one or more data sources is tracked. The audit trail is automatically updated to reflect the change to the one or more data sources. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09684788B2 |
Self-repair and distributed-repair of applications
A method is provided to instrument applications with an instrumentation policy that is visually configurable and allows for run-time modifications of the policy. Instrumentation is achieved without modifying the source code of the applications. Modification of the instrumentation policy of an application is applied without re-compiling, re-deploying, and re-provisioning the application. The instrumentation tracks the flow of values at run time throughout the execution of an application and fixes any security violation automatically by dynamically modifying any value that violates integrity or confidentiality. |
| US09684785B2 |
Providing multiple isolated execution environments for securely accessing untrusted content
A sandbox tool can create and maintain multiple isolated execution environments, simultaneously. The sandbox tool can assign a unique security label to each isolated execution environment. In order to ensure the security labels are unique, the sandbox tool, for each security label, can bind a communication socket in an abstract name space of the operating system with a name that is the same as the security label. If the operating system returns an error that the name for the communication socket is already in use, the sandbox tool can determine that the security label is already in use by another isolated execution environment or other process. |
| US09684778B2 |
Extending user authentication across a trust group of smart devices
Particular embodiments described herein provide for a wearable electronic device with a biometric sensor and logic. At least a portion of the logic is implemented in hardware. The logic is configured to receive input data indicative of biometric input and attempt to authenticate the input data based, at least in part, on at least one biometric credential of an authorized user. The logic is configured to establish a wireless connection to a smart device, determine whether the smart device is included in a trust group of one or more smart devices, and send a communication to unlock the smart device when the input data is successfully authenticated and when the trust group includes the smart device. |
| US09684776B2 |
Allowing access to applications based on user authentication
Authenticating users comprises a computing device that receives a manual authentication input of a user and initiates a first user session between the user and the user computing device. The device communicates a request for a first user authorization data from an authentication technology associated with the one or more computing devices and receives the first user authentication data. The user or the device terminates the first user session and subsequently receives an input of the user to initiate a second user session. The device communicates a request for second user authentication data from the authentication technology and compares the first user authentication data and the second user authentication data. The device identifies a match of one or more features of the first user authentication data and one or more features of the second user authentication data and authorizes the user to conduct the second user session. |
| US09684772B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program
An information processing apparatus includes a data processing section for reproducing contents stored in a medium having a general purpose area in which encrypted contents and corresponding utilization controlling information are stored and a protected area including a plurality of blocks having access limitation set thereto and including a block having an encryption key for decrypting the encrypted contents stored therein. The data processing section acquires utilization controlling information corresponding to a content from the general purpose area, decides, based on the utilization controlling information, whether validity period information indicative of a content utilization permission period is to be acquired from the utilization controlling information or the encryption key storage block, acquires the validity period information based on a result of the decision and then compares the acquired validity period information and current date information to decide permission or inhibition of content reproduction. |
| US09684771B2 |
Methods, systems, and software for identifying bio-molecules using models of multiplicative form
The present invention provides methods for identifying bio-molecules with desired properties, or which are most suitable for acquiring such properties, from complex bio-molecule libraries or sets of such libraries. More specifically, some embodiments of the present invention provide methods for building sequence-activity models comprising multiplicative terms and using the models to guide directed evolution. In some embodiments, the sequence-activity models include one or more interaction terms, each of which including an interaction coefficient representing the contribution to activity of two or more defined residues. In some embodiments, the models describe relation between protein or nucleic acid sequences and protein activities. In some embodiments, the present invention also provides methods for preparing sequence-activity models, including but not limited to stepwise addition or subtraction techniques, Bayesian regression, ensemble regression and other methods. The present invention further provides digital systems and software for performing the methods provided herein. |
| US09684767B2 |
System and method for adapting alarms in a wearable medical device
According to another example, a wearable medical device controller is provided. The device controller includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to determine a correlation between a phenomenon identifiable by the wearable medical device controller and at least one response pattern associated with a patient and store, responsive to detecting the correlation, an adaptation path to address the at least one response pattern, the adaptation path specifying an adaptation of at least one characteristic of an alarm. The at least one response pattern may include a plurality of response patterns and the adaptation path may reflect adaptations made to address at least some of the plurality of response patterns. |
| US09684766B2 |
Bulk encoding of medical items using RFID tags
A system and method for bulk encoding medical items in a tracking system in a healthcare facility comprises attaching to each of a plurality of identical medical items a blank RFID tag. When activated simultaneously, the serial numbers of all RFID tags on all the identical medical items are read and their serial numbers are associated with the pre-stored characteristics of the medical item in a data base. The RFID tags are blank in that they include no human-readable data concerning the medical article to which the RFID tag is attached. A data mining system and method are provided for mining the database. |
| US09684765B2 |
Systems and methods for remote identification
Improved systems and methods are described for improving patient care, safety, and workflow. In particular, a rewritable identification device is provided. In some examples, identification data is exchanged between an identification device and a bidirectional device. At the outset, the identification device may receive a request for identification data from the bidirectional device. In response to the request, the identification device may retrieve the requested identification data as well as supplemental data associated with the identification data. After retrieval, the identification device may transmit, within an ultra-high frequency range, a radio frequency identification tag containing the requested identification data and the supplemental data to the bidirectional device. |
| US09684764B2 |
Data communication system, data analysis apparatus, data communication method, and program product
In a plurality of data analysis apparatuses communicatively coupled to one another, a database is accessed at a given access level. Based on the data acquired from the database, an application program is executed to perform data analysis. Communication control is performed to allow transmission and reception of a data analysis result with respect to another data analysis apparatus at a different access level. |
| US09684763B2 |
Medical measuring device and medical measuring system
In a housing configured to mount thereon a biosensor in an attachable and detachable manner in which the biosensor is configured to have a liquid sample of a biological object deposited thereon, the medial measuring device includes a measuring component operable to measure biological information from the liquid sample of the biological object, a recording component operable to store a result measured by the measuring component, and an information protection component operable to determine an access limitation to personal information data stored in the recording component. With this configuration of the device, it is possible to properly protect personal information stored in the device. |
| US09684754B2 |
Standard cell architecture layout
Various implementations described herein are directed to providing standard cell architecture layout design. A request to activate a grid is received. A request to place at least one edge of a shape at a particular location on the grid is received from an input device. The at least one edge of the shape is automatically placed in an allowed location based on pre-defined rules. |
| US09684753B2 |
Techniques for generating nanowire pad data from pre-existing design data
In one aspect, a CAD-based method for designing a lithographic mask for nanowire-based devices is provided which includes the steps of: create a design for the mask from existing (e.g., FINFET or planar CMOS) design data which includes, for each of the devices, one or more nanowire mask shapes (FINFET design data) or continuous shapes (planar CMOS design data); for FINFET design data, merging the nanowire mask shapes into continuous shapes; expanding the continuous shapes to join all of the continuous shapes in the design together forming a single polygon shape; removing the continuous shapes from the single polygon shape resulting in landing pad shapes for anchoring the nanowire mask shapes; for CMOS design data, dividing the continuous active shapes into one or more nanowire mask shapes; and merging the landing pad shapes with the nanowire mask shapes to form the lithographic mask. |
| US09684752B2 |
Automating system on a chip customized design integration, specification, and verification through a single, integrated service
A user specified high level design selects a plurality of IP cores for placement in a customized system on a chip. A single integrated service automatically performs each of a design integration phase, specification phase, and verification phase for the user specified high level design to generate an integration file specifying stitching between a plurality of pins of each of the plurality of IP cores, a specification file specifying one or more characteristics of the customized system on a chip based on the user specified high level design, and a verification testbench for verification of the user specified high level design. |
| US09684750B1 |
Concurrent design process
The present disclosure relates to a method for multi-user, at least partially concurrent, electronic circuit design. Embodiments may include receiving, at a client computing device, a user input corresponding to a change to an electronic circuit design, wherein the electronic circuit design is accessible by multiple users in an at least partially concurrent manner. Embodiments may also include implementing the change to the electronic circuit design at the client computing device without receiving authorization from a server computing device and transmitting the implemented change to the electronic circuit design to the server computing device. |
| US09684748B1 |
System and method for identifying an electrical short in an electronic design
The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for electronic design automation. The method may include providing, using one or more computing devices, an electronic design including a first net and a second net. The method may include identifying a shortest path between the first net and the second net and determining at least one common shape associated with the shortest path. The method may also include identifying one or more adjacent shapes to the at least one common shape and identifying at least one fork associated with each of the one or more connectivity reference points. The method may further include analyzing an intermediate fork of the at least one fork to identify an electrical short associated with the electronic design. |
| US09684747B2 |
Parameter modeling for semiconductor arrangements
One or more systems and techniques for modeling are provided. An original device model, such as a SPICE model, is used as a basis for fabricating a semiconductor arrangement, such as an integrated circuit arrangement, upon a semiconductor wafer. Fabrication process variations cause measured e-parameters and measured size e-parameters of the semiconductor arrangement to vary from original design parameters of the original device model. Accordingly, a partial set of e-parameters and a partial set of size e-parameters are measured from the semiconductor arrangement, and are expanded into a full set of e-parameters and a full set of size e-parameters using e-parameter derivation and size-centric derivation. The original device model is retargeted using the full set of e-parameters and the full set of size e-parameters to create a new device model that more accurately represents the real-world or fabricated semiconductor arrangement. |
| US09684743B2 |
Isolated debugging in an FPGA based emulation environment
For a design under test (DUT) that is to be emulated, a host system partitions the DUT into multiple partitions and maps each partition to an FPGA of an emulator which will emulate the partition. The host system stores information describing to which FPGAs each component of the DUT has been mapped. Additionally, mapped to each FPGA is trace and injection logic that traces signals exchanged by the FPGA with other FPGAs during emulation of the DUT. After the emulation of the DUT is complete, if a user wishes to debug a component of the DUT, the FPGAs that are configured to emulate the component are identified. For each identified FPGA, the trace and injection logic injects previously traced signals into the logic of the FPGA in order to reemulate the component. The host system generates waveforms for the user that include signals traced during the reemulation of the component. |
| US09684741B2 |
Presenting search results according to query domains
A query may be applied against search engines that respectively return a set of search results relating to various items discovered in the searched data sets. However, presenting numerous and varied search results may be difficult on mobile devices with small displays and limited computational resources. Instead, search results may be associated with search domains representing various information types (e.g., contacts, public figures, places, projects, movies, music, and books) and presented by grouping search results with associated query domains, e.g., in a tabbed user interface. The query may be received through an input device associated with a particular input domain, and may be transitioned to the query domain of a particular search engine (e.g., by recognizing phonemes of a voice query using an acoustic model; matching phonemes with query terms according to a pronunciation model; and generating a recognition result according to a vocabulary of an n-gram language model.) |
| US09684732B2 |
Creating a service mashup instance
A method for creating a service mashup instance comprises recording at least two services being selected by a user during an exploration procedure, obtaining a relationship between the at least two services, and generating the service mashup instance based on the relationship. Additionally, a method of using content retrieved from external data sources to create a service based on that content comprises, with a browser application, recording at least two services being selected by a user during an exploration procedure, analyzing the relationship between the at least two services selected, generating the service mashup instance based on the relationship, and storing the relationship between the at least two services in a repository. |
| US09684731B2 |
Systems and methods for progressively launching websites
A method for progressively launching a website is disclosed. A production phase website may be launched or made available to a limited number of consumers. In addition, the performance of the production phase website may be evaluated based upon a comparison of the performance of the production phase website to a performance of the predecessor website. Further, the predecessor website may be replaced with the production phase website. |
| US09684728B2 |
Sharing video
A system and method that provides a hosted network video guide application. The guide application is provided as a service to web portals and other websites that wish to expose access to the video content available on a public network such as the Internet. The operation of the guide includes mechanisms for search application hosting and processes for content gathering. Video index information can be derived from random content owners, guide affiliates, proactively gathered public domain content, and proactively harvested video content from the network via a video spidering mechanism. The video index information can be collected and maintained in a hosted, centralized repository and made available via an application interface, which can be customized, to users of the network. The video spidering mechanism generates an index of each accessed video, and the index is committed to the guide repository along with the URL information of the video being indexed. |
| US09684724B2 |
Organizing search history into collections
Computer-storage media, methods, and systems for improving the ability of a user to accomplish a task that is pending during a search session are provided. When a user invokes the pending task, a collection of elements that are associated with the pending task are dynamically organized into a sharable content page that may be shared with a user's contacts via a social network. The user's contacts may comment on or provide feedback related to the pending task. The feedback may be published to the sharable content page and presented to the user on a user interface. |
| US09684723B2 |
Adaptable real-time feed for site population
Aspects of the subject disclosure are directed towards increasing a community of interest group users of an interest group, e.g., a network site having a feed of posts generally related to a particular topic. Many newly created interest groups do not have enough content to keep users interested and attract new users. The technology described herein automatically obtains content that backfills such an interest group with additional related content. The backfilled content may be found by keywords search and/or by crawling general public data, data from specific sites, historical conversation data, and/or more widely scoped data. Also described is creating a new interest group and seeding the group with content based upon backfilling technology. |
| US09684720B2 |
Lateral search
A search query is received. Personal information for a user is then determined. A search is performed in a general subdomain of general content using the search query. For example, the general subdomain of general content may be a WWW search. Then, a vertical subdomain is determined based on the personal information. A search is then performed in the vertical subdomain of specialized content using the search query. The search performed in the general subdomain and the search performed in the vertical subdomain generate general search results and vertical search results. The results may be combined and outputted to a client. |