| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09705253B2 |
Connector
A connector is provided with a housing (10) including a lock arm (25) configured to hold a mating housing (90) in a connected state and a detector (60) to be assembled movably to a standby position and a detection position with respect to the housing (10). The lock arm (25) includes pressure receiving portions (33). The detector (60) includes pressing portions (69) configured to displace the lock arm (25) in a direction to increase a locking margin with a lock portion by pressing the pressure receiving portions (33) at least either when the detector (60) reaches the detection position or when an external force acts on the detector (60) in a direction opposite to a direction toward the standby position. |
| US09705249B2 |
Connector
A connector includes a first housing (10) with a lock arm (32), a second housing (40) with a lock (42) is connectable to the first housing (10), and a detector (60) is mounted movably on the first housing (10). The lock (42) includes a standing wall (43) extending along a direction intersecting a connecting direction of the first and second housings (10, 40). A locking area (48) to be locked by the lock arm (32) when the first and second housings (10, 40) are connected properly is provided on one wall surface of the standing wall (43) and a pressing area (44) for pressing the detector (60) in the process of connecting the first and second housings (10, 40) is provided on another wall surface of the standing wall (43). |
| US09705247B2 |
Connector
This connector is provided with: a first connector which is fixed to connector mounting parts, and which is provided with a first housing for holding a first terminal; and a second connector part which is provided with an inner housing for holding a second terminal, and a sheath housing having the inner housing accommodated therein. When the second connector part is moved towards the first connector part in a connector fitting direction, a first lock part and a second lock part engage with each other at a fitted position between the first housing and the inner housing and the sheath housing have, provided thereto, pressing unit which, when in the sheath fitted position, impel the inner housing in a direction in which the inner housing is fitted to the first housing. |
| US09705246B2 |
Replaceable connector
A connector includes a connector body, two or more connector pads within the connector body, and a releasable attachment mechanism for attaching the connector to a mobile computer. The connector may include a seal positioned around the outer edge of the connector body. The connector typically includes two or more connector pins each in contact with a respective connector pad. |
| US09705243B1 |
Electronic connector with C-shaped tapered extension
An electronic connector comprises a base, a tapered extension protruding from the base, and one or more magnets. The tapered extension includes a first connection face parallel with a first symmetry plane of the tapered extension, a first set of electrical contacts on the first connection face arranged symmetrically about a second, orthogonal symmetry plane of the tapered extension, a second connection face parallel with the first symmetry plane and facing the first connection face, and a second set of electrical contacts on the second connection face arranged symmetrically about the second symmetry plane. The tapered extension further includes first and second outer surfaces, first and second noses, and set of flank surfaces defining first and second sides of the tapered extension, where the first and second outer surfaces taper away from one another and the first and second sides taper away from one another toward the base. |
| US09705239B2 |
Flexible electrode assembly and apparatus for measuring electrophysiological signals
A flexible electrode assembly comprises a central portion having electrical contacts disposed thereon and a plurality of elongated portions extending radially outwards from the central portion. One or more of the elongated portions has an electrode disposed in the vicinity of a distal end thereof. The electrodes are electrically coupled to respective ones of the electrical contacts disposed on the central portion. An apparatus for measuring electrophysiological signals in a human or animal body that incorporates the flexible electrode assembly is also disclosed. |
| US09705238B2 |
Waterproof connector and fabricating method therefor
A waterproof connector includes a resin housing; a conductor extended from the resin housing, and provided with a recess portion at a portion of a part embedded in the resin housing; and a sealing agent interposed in a gap between the conductor which includes the recess portion and the resin housing. |
| US09705236B2 |
Connector with seal ring having ear-like protruding portions
A connector includes a substantially rectangular seal ring (30) with four corners formed by arcuate portions (34). Ear-like protruding portions (36) are formed on the seal ring (30) to extend along the arcuate portions (34) on the four corners and project toward an outer periphery. The ear-like protruding portions (36) are configured to regulate rattling in a connecting direction of first and second housings (10, 20) by being resiliently compressed between a back end surface (16S) of a connection space (16) of the first housing (10) and a tip surface (22S) of a receptacle (22) of the second housing (20) with the first and second housings (10, 20) connected. Pressure receiving portions (38A, 38B) project from surfaces of the ear-like protruding portions (36) facing the receptacle (22) and are divided in a circumferential direction by grooves (39). |
| US09705235B2 |
Apparatus having a connector with isolated conductive paths
An apparatus includes a pair of connectors and two or more conductive paths formed in each connector in the pair of connectors. The pair of connectors includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is substantially more flexible than the second connector, and each connector in the pair of connectors includes a bulkhead. Each of the two or more conductive paths in each connector in the pair of connectors is electrically isolated from all other conductive elements in the respective connector. A shroud may be located between the bulkheads and disposed about the pair of connectors when the pair of connectors are coupled together electrically. |
| US09705230B2 |
Plug cover storage and removal device
A plug cover removal and storage device includes a body. The body includes a first end portion and a second end portion. At least one of the first or second end portions comprise a curvilinear edge. One of first and second side portions is concave relative to a longitudinal axis of the body. The other of the first and second side portions is convex relative to the longitudinal axis. The body further includes a bottom surface extending between the first and second end portions and the first and second side portions and opposing a top surface. The body further includes a tapered portion extending between the curvilinear edge and at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. The body further includes at least one aperture in the body, wherein the at least one aperture is sized and configured to receive a prong of a plug cover. |
| US09705229B2 |
Connector assembly
A plug contact includes a plate-shaped contact portion. The plate-shaped contact portion includes an upper contact surface where a receptacle contact is contactable. A plug housing includes: a base; a pair of side end cover portions that projects in a mating direction from the base and covers both side ends of the plate-shaped contact portion; a leading end cover portion which couples leading ends of the pair of side end cover portions in the mating direction and covers a leading end of the plate-shaped contact portion; a pair of beams that couples the base with a middle portion of the leading end cover portion in a longitudinal direction; and an outside cover. The receptacle contact includes a pair of upper elastic spring pieces disposed so as to sandwich one of the beams. The receptacle contact is formed by bending a single metallic plate. |
| US09705227B2 |
Plug contact element having a fold-over layer
A contact element is disclosed and includes a body of contact material, a mating plug end, a conductor end, and a fold-over layer of the contact material. The mating plug end is positioned at one end of the body, while the conductor end is positioned an opposite end of the body with respect to the mating plug end. The mating plug end includes a conductor-side cross-width less than a plug-side cross-width of the mating plug end. The fold-over layer of the contact material is disposed along at the mating plug end. |
| US09705224B2 |
Card connector having pre-assembled ejector shaft
A card connector includes an insulative housing defining a front-and-rear direction, a number of contacts accommodated in the insulative housing, a metallic shell enclosing the insulative housing to form a receiving space and an ejector having a shaft received in the right of the receiving space and an actuator driven by the ejector. The metallic shell has a receiving slot receiving the shaft, and an upper wall and a lower wall around the receiving slot. The upper wall and the lower wall restrict the shaft in an up-and-down direction perpendicular to the front-and-rear direction. |
| US09705220B2 |
Connector and connector assembly
A connector mateable with a mating connector along a predetermined direction. The mating connector comprises a ground member and a mating signal terminal. The ground member has a ground contacted portion and a locked portion. The connector comprises a first portion, a second portion and a signal terminal. The first portion has a lock portion and a lock spring portion. The lock portion is brought into contact with the ground contacted portion in a process where the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other. The lock portion locks the locked portion under a state where the connector is mated with the mating connector. The signal terminal has a signal contact portion. The signal contact portion is to be brought into contact with the mating signal terminal. |
| US09705218B2 |
Receptacle connector, plug connector and electrical connector provided with receptacle connector and plug connector
A receptacle connector includes: a housing provided with an accommodating space having an opening into which a object to be connected is to be inserted; a plurality of contacts to be housed in the accommodating space while being arranged adjacent to one another, the contacts including a plurality of signal line contacts and a plurality of ground contacts; and a conductive member including first connection parts which are each made of a metal material and are electrically connected to the plurality of ground contacts, respectively, and a conductive resin member which is electrically connected to the first connection parts. |
| US09705209B2 |
Insulation displacement connector and contacts thereof
An insulation displacement contact comprises an electrically conductive contact body including a mounting portion that is configured to receive a complementary electrical component so as to contact an electrical terminal of the complementary electrical component, and a mating portion configured to attach to an electrical cable, the mating portion including a slot that extends into the contact body, and at least one piercing member that at least partially defines the slot such that, when the slot receives an electrical cable, the piercing member pierces an outer electrically insulative layer of the electrical cable and contacts an electrical conductor of the electrical cable that is disposed inside the electrically insulative layer. |
| US09705206B2 |
Antenna device and electronic apparatus
A square bracket-shaped radiation element is in a non-ground region of a board. A first reactance element that equivalently enters a short-circuited state in a second frequency band is connected between a second end of the radiation element and a ground conductor. A second reactance element that equivalently enters a short-circuited state in a first frequency band s connected between a first end of the radiation element and the ground conductor. In the UHF band, the radiation element and the ground conductor function as an inverted F antenna that contributes to field emission. In the HF band, a loop including the radiation element and the ground conductor functions as a loop antenna that contributes to magnetic field emission. |
| US09705200B2 |
Traveling-wave loop antenna based on metal ring cavity for generating radio frequency orbital angular momentum
A traveling-wave loop antenna based on a metal ring cavity for generating a radio frequency OAM beam includes a main structure which is the metal ring cavity whose top surface has an annular slot circumferentially opened. Two openings, ¼ of a perimeter of the metal ring cavity apart, are two excitation source ports of the antenna, for connecting a metal waveguide. When the two ports are inputted with microwave sources having the same frequency and a phase difference of ±90°, an electromagnetic field in the metal ring cavity exhibits a traveling-wave distribution propagating circumferentially clockwise or counterclockwise. The annular slot constitutes the antenna. A reasonable design of a size of the metal ring cavity and a position of the annular slot realizes a conversion from a microwave guided-wave mode to an OAM mode and a generation of the radio frequency OAM beams with different orders l in free space. |
| US09705198B2 |
Combined antenna, antenna array and method for using the antenna array
An antenna including a dipole antenna element having central feeding points, a common mode rejection filter, a first length of a two-conductor transmission line, and a common mode rejection filter arranged and connected between a far end of the first length of the two-conductor transmission line and the feeding points of the dipole antenna element. The first length of the two-conductor transmission line is arranged to extend from a ground plane to a first height where the first length of the two-conductor transmission line is connected to the common mode rejection filter. |
| US09705196B2 |
Antenna
In an antenna, an antenna element interval is reduced without depending on an interval between converters, to widen the range of a phase folding angle to widen a detection angle range. The antenna includes a first antenna element including a feeder line extending from a first converter and a plurality of radiating elements. A second antenna element includes a feeder line extending from a second converter aligned together with the first converter and a plurality of radiating elements. The first and second antenna elements respectively include, at partial line portions of the feeder lines which extend from the converters to closest radiating elements, bend portions which are bent in directions which the bend portions come close to each other. The partial line portions of the first and second antenna elements are disposed so as to be linearly symmetrical about a virtual line. |
| US09705194B2 |
Antenna module
In an antenna module, a main portion includes a plurality of insulating sheets made of a flexible material and laminated on each other. An antenna configured to transmit/receive a high-frequency signal is disposed in the main portion. A connection portion is disposed in the main portion and is connected to an electronic device that inputs/outputs the high-frequency signal. A signal transmission line is disposed in the main portion and has a strip line structure or a microstrip line structure to transmit the high-frequency signal. An impedance matching circuit is disposed in the main portion and between the antenna and end of a signal transmission line facing in a negative x direction. An impedance matching circuit is disposed in the main portion and between the connection portion and an end of the signal transmission line facing in a positive x direction. |
| US09705193B2 |
Antenna device and wireless communication apparatus
A plurality of first linear sections in a coil conductor are disposed on a lower surface of a first resin sheet. A plurality of second linear sections in the coil conductor are disposed on an upper surface of a second resin sheet. A plurality of via conductors in the coil conductor are disposed in the resin sheets. The coil conductor including the linear sections and the via conductors constitutes an antenna section. A first ground conductor is disposed on the lower surface of a third resin sheet. A second ground conductor is disposed on the upper surface of a fourth resin sheet. The first ground conductor and the second ground conductor are connected to each other by a interlayer connection conductor including a plurality of via conductors. The interlayer connection conductor does not define a closed loop surrounding the coil conductor. |
| US09705191B2 |
Method for producing radiofrequency communication devices with or without operation switch and devices thus obtained
A device according to claim 6, characterised in that the interrupting zone is positioned outside the switch zone in which two wires (54, 56) of a circuit are so arranged as to cooperate with the switch are positioned. |
| US09705190B2 |
Over-the-air test
An apparatus forms a weight for each signal path associated with an antenna of a plurality of antennas around a test zone in an over-the-air chamber by a comparison of a desired target electric field based on a radio channel model and an electric field obtainable by the plane waves associated with the test zone, the plane waves being transmittable by the antennas and being based on at least one basis waveform in each signal path. |
| US09705188B2 |
Antenna pattern frame and method and mold for manufacturing the same
An antenna pattern frame according to an aspect of the invention may include: a radiator having an antenna pattern portion transmitting and receiving a signal and a connection terminal portion allowing the signal to be transmitted to and received from a circuit board of an electronic device; a connection portion partially forming the radiator and connecting the antenna pattern portion and the connection terminal portion to be arranged in different planes; and a radiator frame manufactured by injection molding on the radiator so that the antenna pattern portion is provided on one side of the radiator frame and the connection terminal portion is provided on the other side thereof while the antenna pattern portion is embedded in the electronic device case. |
| US09705187B2 |
Magnetic field pass through surfaces in carbon fiber reinforced polymers
This document discloses one or more systems, apparatuses, methods, etc. for integrating coil antennas in a carbon fiber chassis portable device. More particularly, the carbon fiber chassis portable device containing unidirectional weave carbon fibers in its chassis—to support near field communications (NFC) related functions—is described. |
| US09705186B1 |
Scalable vertical buoyant cable antenna
The invention is a modular buoyant cable antenna that is towed on the surface of a body of water by a submerged underwater vehicle to allow communication coverage in an omnidirectional pattern that is also compatible with existing buoyant cable antenna deployment and retrieval systems. The antenna of the present invention comprises a floating cable having four identical antenna elements that are arranged in a cross configuration. The antenna uses the sea surface as a ground plane providing good antenna gain levels. The antenna is designed with an integrated impedance matching network to maximize radiation efficiency. |
| US09705183B2 |
Wirelessly reconfigurable antenna
A reconfigurable antenna element is controlled using a wirelessly powered and wirelessly activated switch, where the antenna element is part of an antenna or antenna array. A control signal for reconfiguring the antenna element is embedded into a wirelessly transmitted data signal for transmission by the antenna. |
| US09705182B2 |
Patch-based proximity sensors, antennas, and control systems to control antennas based on corresponding proximity measures
A patch-based proximity sensor having a capacitance and/or inductance that varies based on a proximity of an animate body, a sense circuit to sense the capacitance and/or inductance, and a control system to compare one or more sensed values to one or more thresholds, and to selectively enable/disable one or more antennas based on the comparison(s). The threshold may correspond to a desired/permitted minimum distance between an antenna and an animate body, and/or a desired/permitted maximum electromagnetic energy exposure to the animate body. A multi-layer module may include one or more patch-based proximity sensors and one or more patch-antennas. Multiple antennas may be individually controllable based on corresponding proximity measures. |
| US09705177B1 |
Antenna mount system and methods for small cell deployment
Antenna mount systems and methods for deploying small cells are disclosed. The antenna mount system may include an outer housing and an inner antenna enclosure at least partly positioned inside the outer housing, with the inner antenna enclosure movably coupled to the outer housing. The antenna mount system can include an orientation member that can aid in maintaining a particular orientation of an antenna so as to maintain a radiation pattern substantially on a defined area, independent of the position of the antenna mount system. |
| US09705171B2 |
Dielectric resonator filter and multiplexer having a common wall with a centrally located coupling iris and a larger peripheral aperture adjustable by a tuning screw
A radio frequency (RF) dielectric resonator filter includes at least a first cavity and a second cavity, each cavity being loaded with a dielectric resonator. The first cavity is separated from the second cavity by a common wall, the common wall including a first and second aperture that couple an electromagnetic field between the first cavity and the second cavity. A first externally adjustable tuning screw extends from the second aperture, a portion of the tuning screw being external to the filter. The first aperture is an iris disposed in a central portion of the wall and the second aperture is disposed proximate to a perimeter of the wall. The second aperture has an effective area that is adjustable by the first externally adjustable tuning screw. |
| US09705170B2 |
Switchable band-pass filter
The invention relates to a switchable band-pass filter. In particular, the invention relates to a narrowband switchable band-pass filter over a broad frequency band with two filter elements (including microstripline technology, suitable for use as a cosite filter with a compact structure, which is particularly suitable for efficient mass production and robust in operation. The two filter elements in this context are coupled to one another, on the one hand via a switchable coupling device and, on the other hand, via a direct electromagnetic interaction. |
| US09705167B2 |
Lithium ion conducting protective film and method of use
A lithium ion conducting protective film is produced using a layer-by-layer assembly process. The lithium ion conducting protective film is assembled on a substrate by a sequential exposure of the substrate to a first poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) layer including a cross-linking silane component on the first side of the substrate, a graphene oxide (GO) layer on the first PEO layer, a second poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) layer including a cross-linking silane component on the GO layer and a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) layer on the second PEO layer, The film functions as a lithium ion conducting protective film that isolates the lithium anode from the positive electrochemistry of the cathode in a lithium-air battery, thereby preventing undesirable lithium dendrite growth. |
| US09705166B2 |
High-power aluminum-air battery system
A high-power aluminum-air battery system, which is battery pack electrically connected by at least two single aluminum-air batteries in series or parallel, bottom of the battery pack is provided with two liquid flow handling chambers, and upward side of the battery pack is provided with liquid distributing apparatus, the single aluminum-air batteries are interlinked with the liquid flow handling chambers via the respective liquid outlet pipes, the liquid flow handling chambers are interlinked with the pump liquid chamber via their respective liquid transmission pipes, the pump liquid chamber is interlinked with the liquid flow pump via the liquid sucking pipe, and the liquid delivery pipe of the liquid flow pump is interlinked with the liquid distributing apparatus, the liquid distributing apparatus is interlinked with the single aluminum-air batteries under it via liquid inlet pipes. |
| US09705164B2 |
Metal-air battery and energy system
The present invention has been achieved to provide a metal-air battery that allows removal of a metallic compound without suspending power supply. The metal-air battery of the present invention includes: first and second electrolytic tanks for storing an electrolytic solution; a metallic electrode to serve as an anode provided in the first electrolytic tank; and an air electrode to serve as a cathode, wherein the metallic electrode is formed of a metal which becomes a metallic ion or composes a metallic compound in the electrolytic solution with progress of a battery reaction, the first and second electrolytic tanks are communicated with each other for allowing the electrolytic solution in the first electrolytic tank to move into the second electrolytic tank, and the metallic ion or the metallic compound in the electrolytic solution is precipitated as a metallic compound precipitate in the second electrolytic tank. |
| US09705156B2 |
Method for manufacturing lithium-ion battery modules and a corresponding lithium-ion battery module
A method for manufacturing lithium-ion battery modules, including the following: positioning an elastic plastic device between at least two cells of a battery module; path-controlled compression of the at least two cells of the battery module and of the elastic plastic device situated between the at least two cells. Also described is a corresponding lithium-ion battery module. |
| US09705151B2 |
Battery, a battery element and a method for forming a battery
A battery includes at least two externally accessible battery electrodes to provide a supply voltage and at least more than half of a wafer including at least two wafer electrodes. The wafer includes a plurality of trenches reaching into the wafer. At least a part of a trench of the plurality of trenches is filled with a solid state battery structure. The solid state battery structure within the trench includes electrodes electrically connected to the wafer electrodes. |
| US09705148B2 |
Stacked structure for fuel cell
Provided is a stacked structure for a fuel cell in which the plurality of fuel cells are stacked. Each of the fuel cells includes an electrolyte layer, and a cathode layer and an anode layer disposed on both surfaces of the electrolyte layer. The stacked structure includes at least one interconnector, at least one frame, and at least one complex functional part. The interconnector includes a central area electrically connected to the fuel cell, and edge area outwardly extending with respect to end portions of the fuel cell. The frame supports a side portion of the fuel cell to reinforce strength of the fuel cell supported by the interconnector. The complex functional part is disposed between the interconnector and the frame to constantly maintain an interval therebetween. |
| US09705145B2 |
Hydrogen generator
A hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system including the hydrogen generator are disclosed. The hydrogen generator includes a fuel composition including a hydrogen containing material that releases hydrogen gas to produce hydrogen when heated. A biasing member working in cooperation with a heating element and retainer, all of which are disposed within a unitary container, facilitate and control the release of hydrogen gas. The fuel composition can be segregated into individual quantities. |
| US09705144B2 |
Hydrogen generator and fuel cell system
A hydrogen generator includes a hydro-desulfurizer, a reformer, a reactor and an electric heater. The hydro-desulfurizer is operative to remove a sulfur compound in a raw material and including a tubular first wall. The reformer is operative to generate a hydrogen-containing gas by using the raw material supplied from the hydro-desulfurizer. The reactor includes a tubular second wall provided coaxially with the first wall so as to be opposed to the first wall. The electric heater is annularly provided in a gap between the first wall and the second wall so as to extend in an axial direction of the first wall and turn back in the axial direction of the first wall. The electric heater includes a first portion contacting the first wall and a second portion contacting the second wall. A connecting portion, which connects the first portion and the second portion, has elasticity. |
| US09705142B2 |
Fuel cell system
A fuel cell system capable of adjusting the amount of humidification of reaction gas includes a fuel cell stack in which fuel cells are stacked, an air supplier supplying air to the fuel cell stack, a humidifier humidifying air supplied through the air supplier with air discharged from the fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supplier supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell stack. A condensate water processor is configured to store and discharge condensate water discharged from the fuel cell stack through a hydrogen exhaust line. A drain line connects an air exhaust line and the hydrogen exhaust line of the fuel cell stack. A water trap is installed in the drain line and stores the condensate water. A water reservoir is installed at a connection point connecting the drain line and the air exhaust line and stores condensate water discharged from the water trap. |
| US09705141B2 |
Fuel cell system
A fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cells, each end of the fuel cell stack having a heater plate disposed between a current collector plate and an end plate, each heater plate being thermally insulated from a respective end plate, wherein each heater plate comprises a heating element in the form of an electrically conductive track; and, wherein the heater plate comprises a pair of terminals extending from an edge of the heater plate, the terminals being separated by an air gap. |
| US09705139B2 |
Printed multi-function seals for fuel cells
A method for forming seals in a fuel cell stack includes a step of screen printing a first sealing layer on a first flow field plate. The first sealing layer defines a first pattern and has a first predetermined sealing layer thickness. A multilayer seal is formed by screen printing a second sealing layer over the first sealing layer. The second sealing layer defines a second pattern and has a second predetermined sealing layer thickness. A third sealing layer is screen printed over a first side of a second flow field plate and has a third predetermined sealing layer thickness. A fourth sealing layer is screen printed over a second side of the second flow field plate having a fourth predetermined sealing layer thickness. The first flow field plate and the second flow field plate are combined to form flow channels for guiding reactants a fuel cell catalyst layers. |
| US09705137B2 |
Porous electrode substrate, method for manufacturing same, precursor sheet, membrane electrode assembly, and polymer electrolyte fuel cell
According to the present invention, a porous electrode substrate with greater sheet strength, lower production cost, and excellent gas permeability and conductivity as well as its manufacturing method are provided. Also provided are a precursor sheet for forming such a substrate, and a membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing such a substrate. The method for manufacturing such a porous electrode substrate includes the following steps [1]˜[3]: [1] a step for manufacturing a sheet material in which short carbon fibers (A) are dispersed; [2] a step for manufacturing a precursor sheet by adding a water-soluble phenolic resin and/or water-dispersible phenolic resin to the sheet material; and [3] a step for carbonizing the precursor sheet at a temperature of 1000° C. or higher. The present invention also relates to a porous electrode substrate obtained by such a manufacturing method as well as a precursor sheet to be used for manufacturing the substrate, a membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. |
| US09705133B2 |
Use of subfluorinated carbon nano-objects as an electrode material of primary lithium batteries with strong capabilities
The invention relates to the use of subfluorinated carbon nano-objects as an electrode material of primary lithium batteries, the electrode obtained by that use and a lithium battery comprising such an electrode. The subfluorinated carbon nano-objects used in the invention have a central part made of nonfluorinated carbon and a peripheral part made of fluorinated carbon of formula CFX where x represents the F/C atomic ratio, which is such that 0.25 |
| US09705131B2 |
Positive electrode active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and method for producing the same
An object is to provide a positive electrode active material which can exhibit sufficient cycle characteristics in a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery.The positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention is represented by Composition Formula (2): Lix[Ni(1/3-a)[M]aMn2/3]O2 (in the formula, M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Mg, Fe, Al, Co, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Ga, Ge, Bi, Sn, Ca, B, and Zr, 0≦a≦⅙, and x represents the number of Li satisfying the atomic valence). In addition, the positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is characterized in that it is obtained by reduction-ion exchange of a precursor of the positive electrode active material that is represented by Composition Formula (1): Na2/3[Ni(1/3-a)[M]aMn2/3]O2 (in the formula, M and a are as defined in Composition Formula (2)). |
| US09705128B2 |
Negative electrode material for a rechargeable battery and method for producing the same
The invention relates to An active material for a rechargeable lithium ion battery, comprising metal (M) based particles and a silicon oxide SiOx with 0 |
| US09705127B2 |
Conductive polymer and Si nanoparticles composite secondary particles and structured current collectors for high loading lithium ion negative electrode application
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a composition of matter comprising a silicon (Si) nanoparticle coated with a conductive polymer. Another embodiment discloses a method for preparing a composition of matter comprising a plurality of silicon (Si) nanoparticles coated with a conductive polymer comprising providing Si nanoparticles, providing a conductive polymer, preparing a Si nanoparticle, conductive polymer, and solvent slurry, spraying the slurry into a liquid medium that is a non-solvent of the conductive polymer, and precipitating the silicon (Si) nanoparticles coated with the conductive polymer. Another embodiment discloses an anode comprising a current collector, and a composition of matter comprising a silicon (Si) nanoparticle coated with a conductive polymer. |
| US09705124B2 |
High energy density Li-ion battery electrode materials and cells
A method of preparing a high capacity nanocomposite cathode of FeF3 in carbon pores may include preparing a nanoporous carbon precursor, employing electrochemistry or solution chemistry deposition to deposit Fe particles in the carbon pores, reacting nano Fe with liquid hydrofluoric acid to form nano FeF3 in carbon, and milling to achieve a desired particle size. |
| US09705115B2 |
Battery structure and integration
A portable electronic device is described. This portable electronic device includes an external housing with a cavity defined by an edge. A keyboard, having a front surface and a back surface, is disposed in the cavity with the front surface facing the external housing. Moreover, a tray is disposed over the back surface of the keyboard, and is mechanically coupled to the external housing adjacent to the edge. Furthermore, battery cells are mechanically coupled to an opposite side of the tray from the back surface of the keyboard. The tray may allow the battery cells to be removed from the portable electronic device without damaging the keyboard. In addition, the tray may increase the compression strength and/or the bending strength of the portable electronic device. |
| US09705114B2 |
Secondary battery
A secondary battery includes a battery cell and a cell holder having an opening with a width varying along a first direction which extends along a lengthwise axis of the battery cell in the cell holder. |
| US09705113B2 |
Plug-in system for combining lithium-polymer batteries and for connecting same to form a battery system
A battery system includes a container with a plurality of Li—Po batteries arranged with current and balancer terminal with plug-type connections that cannot be transposed for easy assembly and disassembly and for individual transportation of batteries onboard airplanes according to regulations. A balancer plug is connected with a balancer rail with compatible jacks and with a central balancer cable. A current lead-out plug is connected with a central leading-out power cable via bus bars and with coupling elements and compatible jacks. The battery system is connected via the central balancer cable by plug-type connection to a charging station or to a consumer by a respective plug-type connection. A circuit is used as a balancer of each cell in the Li—Po batteries and is arranged in the battery housing. The power storage capacities can be adapted to the field of application by selecting the type and number of the Li—Po batteries. |
| US09705112B2 |
Secondary battery with advanced safety
Disclosed herein is a secondary battery constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly having a cathode/separator/anode arrangement is mounted in a battery case made of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, electrode tabs of the electrode assembly are coupled to corresponding electrode leads, and the electrode assembly is sealed in the battery case while electrode leads are exposed to the outside of the battery case, wherein a protective film is attached to coupling regions between the electrode tabs and the electrode leads for sealing the coupling regions between the electrode tabs and the electrode leads. The secondary battery according to the present invention is constructed in a structure in which the coupling regions are sealed by the protective film, unlike a conventional secondary battery constructed in a structure in which the coupling regions between the electrode tabs and the electrode leads are exposed in the battery case. As a result, the electrode leads are protected from external impacts, such as falling of the battery. Consequently, no internal short circuit occurs, and therefore, the safety of the battery is increased. |
| US09705110B2 |
Cell
A cell is provided. The cell includes a cell element including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrolyte and a laminate film including an exterior layer, a metal layer, an interior layer, and a welded layer formed of the interior layer; wherein a thickness of the welded layer is larger than 5 μm in a flat portion of the interior layer, wherein the welded layer increases in thickness from the flat portion to an end portion of the welded layer, and wherein when a thickness of the laminate film is t, a thickness of the interior layer is p and a thickness of the laminate film in the welded layer is t1, a following equation is satisfied: t×2−p×2+5 |
| US09705107B2 |
Organic light emitting diode device and manufacturing method thereof
An organic light emitting diode device can have an enhanced thin film encapsulation layer for preventing moisture from permeating from the outside. The thin film encapsulation layer can have a multilayered structure in which one or more inorganic layers and one or more organic layers are alternately laminated. A barrier can be formed outside of a portion of the substrate on which the organic light emitting diode is formed. The organic layers of the thin film encapsulation layer can be formed inside an area defined by the barrier. |
| US09705105B2 |
Connection structure for electrical component
An electrical component (40) and a substrate (100) constitute at least a portion of an electrical device. At least one surface of the substrate (100) is formed of an insulator. A conductor (20) is formed on the one surface. The conductor (20) is covered with a sealing film (210). The sealing film (210) is a film having insulation properties. An opening (212) is formed in the sealing film (210). The opening (212) is located on a portion of the conductor (20) when seen in a plan view. The conductor (20) is connected to the electrical component (40) with an anisotropic conductive film (30) interposed therebetween. The anisotropic conductive film (30) overlaps the opening (212), and contains a plurality of metal particles. |
| US09705104B2 |
OLED display substrate and manufacture method thereof
The present invention provides an OLED display substrate and a manufacture method thereof. The OLED display substrate comprises a substrate (10), a TFT (90) located on the substrate (10), a passivation layer (50) located on the TFT (90), a flat layer (60) located on the passivation layer (50), a connecting electrode (80) being located on the flat layer (60) and contacting the TFT (90), an anode (70) being located on the flat layer (60) and covering the connecting electrode (80), an organic emitting layer (71) located on the anode (70) and a cathode (72) located on the organic emitting layer (71); the connecting electrode (80) contacts the TFT (90) via the contact hole (81) penetrating the flat layer (60) and the passivation layer (50); the anode (70) is electrically connected to the TFT (90) via the connecting electrode (80); the short circuit between the cathode and anode of the OLED display substrate can be prevented for avoiding the current concentration and ensuring the normal illumination of the OLED. |
| US09705099B2 |
Phosphorescent organic light emitting devices having a hole transporting cohost material in the emissive region
An improved OLED includes an emissive layer disposed between a cathode and an anode where the emissive layer includes a multi-component host material and a phosphorescent emitter material. The host material includes at least a first host compound and a second host compound, where the first host compound is hole-transporting host compound having the general formula wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 may be the same or different fluorine atom, chlorine atom, a deuterium atom, a cyano group, a trifluoromethyl group, a nitro group, linear or branched alkyl group (C1-C6), cyclo-alkyl group (C5-C10), linear or branched alkoxy group (C1-C6), cyclo-alkoxy group (C5˜C10), substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group, substituted or unsubstituted condensed polycyclic aromatic group, r1, r4, r5=0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 r2, r3 r6; =0, 1, 2 or 3 n=0 or 1, and Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 may be the same or different, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group, substituted or unsubstituted condensed polycyclic aromatic group, deuterium substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, deuterium substituted aromatic heterocyclic group, or deuterium substituted condensed polycyclic aromatic group. |
| US09705095B2 |
Organic transistor, compound, organic semiconductor material for non-light-emitting organic semiconductor device, material for organic transistor, coating solution for non-light-emitting organic semiconductor device, and organic semiconductor film for non-light-emitting organic semiconductor device
Provided are an organic transistor having high carrier mobility that contains a compound represented by the following formula in a semiconductor active layer; a compound; an organic semiconductor material for a non-light-emitting organic semiconductor device; a material for an organic transistor; a coating solution for a non-light-emitting organic semiconductor device; and an organic semiconductor film for a non-light-emitting organic semiconductor device (each of X1 and X2 represents NR13, an O atom, or a S atom; A1 represents CR7 or a N atom; A2 represents CR8 or a N atom; R13 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, or an acyl group; each of R1 to R8 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; at least one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, or R8 is a substituent represented by -L-R; L represents a divalent linking group having a specific structure; and R represents an alkyl group, a cyano group, a vinyl group, an ethynyl group, an oxyethylene group, an oligo-oxyethylene group in which a repetition number v of an oxyethylene unit is equal to or greater than 2, a siloxane group, an oligosiloxane group having two or more silicon atoms, or a trialkylsilyl group). |
| US09705093B2 |
Heterocyclic compound and organic light-emitting device including the same
A heterocyclic compound represented by Formula 1 below and an organic light-emitting device including the heterocyclic compound are provided: |
| US09705083B2 |
Method for stretching vapor deposition mask, method for producing frame-equipped vapor deposition mask, method for producing organic semiconductor element, and stretching apparatus
In a method for stretching a vapor deposition mask including a metal mask in which a slit is formed and a resin mask in which an opening corresponding to a pattern to be produced by vapor deposition is formed at a position overlapping with the slit, a stretching assistance member is overlapped on one surface of the vapor deposition mask, the stretching assistance member is fixed to the vapor deposition mask in at least part of a portion in which the one surface of the vapor deposition mask and the stretching assistance member overlap with each other, and the vapor deposition mask fixed to the stretching assistance member is stretched by pulling the stretching assistance member fixed to the vapor deposition mask. |
| US09705078B2 |
Integrated circuitry comprising nonvolatile memory cells and methods of forming a nonvolatile memory cell
An integrated circuit has a nonvolatile memory cell that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an ion conductive material there-between. At least one of the first and second electrodes has an electrochemically active surface received directly against the ion conductive material. The second electrode is elevationally outward of the first electrode. The first electrode extends laterally in a first direction and the ion conductive material extends in a second direction different from and intersecting the first direction. The first electrode is received directly against the ion conductive material only where the first and second directions intersect. Other embodiments, including method embodiments, are disclosed. |
| US09705075B2 |
Cobalt (Co) and platinum (Pt)-based multilayer thin film having inverted structure and method for manufacturing same
The present invention relates to a cobalt (Co) and platinum (Pt)-based multilayer thin film having a novel structure and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, and to a fabrication method thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to a cobalt and platinum-based multilayer thin film having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), which includes thin cobalt layers and thin platinum layers alternately deposited over a substrate, and has an inverted structure in which a thickness of the thin cobalt layers is greater than that of the thin platinum layers, and to a fabrication method thereof. The cobalt and platinum-based multilayer thin film has a new structure in which the thickness of a magnetic thin layer is greater than that of a non-magnetic thin layer. The multilayer thin film may be easily applied as a free layer and a pinned layer in a magnetic tunnel junction by controlling the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy depending on the thickness ratio of the layers. Also, the multilayer thin film has excellent thermal stability, and thus maintains its PMA energy density even after being subjected to a heat treatment process. In addition, it enables a fine amount of in-plane magnetic anisotropy to be formed by heat treatment so as to reduce the critical current density required for magnetization switching. Therefore, it may be advantageously used for high-performance and high-density MRAM. |
| US09705071B2 |
Structure and method to reduce shorting and process degradation in STT-MRAM devices
A method of making a magnetic random access memory device includes forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) on an electrode, the MTJ including a reference layer, a tunnel barrier layer, and a free layer; disposing a hard mask on the MTJ; etching sidewalls of the hard mask and MTJ to form a stack with a first width and redeposit metal along the MTJ sidewall; depositing a sacrificial dielectric layer on the hard mask, surface of the electrode, exposed sidewall of the hard mask and the MTJ, and on redeposited metal along the sidewall of the MTJ; removing a portion of the sacrificial dielectric layer from sidewalls of the hard mask and MTJ and redeposited metal from the MTJ sidewalls; and removing a portion of a sidewall of the MTJ and hard mask to provide a second width to the stack; wherein the second width is less than the first width. |
| US09705065B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator
There is provided a piezoelectric actuator including: a piezoelectric member having a multilayer structure; an external electrode formed on an outer surface of the piezoelectric member; and an intermediate electrode formed between layers of the piezoelectric members and having an area smaller than that of the external electrode. |
| US09705061B2 |
Thermoelectric conversion module and method for manufacturing thermoelectric conversion module
A thermoelectric conversion module includes a pair of substrates, electrodes formed on the facing surfaces of a pair of the electrodes, a thermoelectric element disposed between the electrodes, and a joining layer that joins the electrodes and the thermoelectric element, in which the thickness of the joining layer is 30 μm or more, and is formed by sintering paste including metal particles smaller than 100 nm. |
| US09705059B2 |
Light emitting package having a guiding member guiding an optical member
A light emitting device package including a base including a top flat surface; an insulating layer on the base; a light emitting diode on the base; an optical member comprising a light transmissive material such that light emitted from the light emitting diode passes therethrough; a guiding member to guide the optical member, the guiding member having a ring shape; an electrical circuit layer electrically connected to the light emitting diode, the electrical circuit layer including an electrode portion and an extended portion, the electrode portion disposed inside the guiding member and electrically connected to the light emitting diode, the extended portion extended from the electrode portion to outside the guiding member; and an electrode layer on the electrode portion of the electrical circuit layer and electrically connected to the light emitting diode. |
| US09705048B2 |
Light-emitting device and method for manufacturing same
A light-emitting device includes a light emitting element, a resin package defining a recessed portion serving as a mounting region of the light emitting element, gate marks each formed on an outer side surface of the resin package, and leads disposed on the bottom surface of the recessed portion and electrically connected to the light emitting element. The light emitting element is mounted on the lead. The gate marks include a first gate mark formed on a first outer side surface of the resin package and a second gate mark formed on an outer side surface which is different than the first outer side surface. |
| US09705047B2 |
Method of attaching a light emitting device to a support substrate
A method according to embodiments of the invention includes providing a wafer of semiconductor light emitting devices, each semiconductor light emitting device including a light emitting layer sandwiched between an n-type region and a p-type region. A wafer of support substrates is provided, each support substrate including a body. The wafer of semiconductor light emitting devices is bonded to the wafer of support substrates. Vias are formed extending through the entire thickness of the body of each support substrate. |
| US09705046B2 |
Light emitting apparatus
Disclosed is a light emitting apparatus which includes at least one light emitting device; a substrate under the light emitting device; a bonding member between the light emitting device and the substrate; and an adhesion member under the substrate, wherein the adhesion member includes at least one of benzotriazole and hydroxy group. |
| US09705045B2 |
Light emitting diode having distributed bragg reflectors (DBR) and manufacturing method thereof
A light emitting diode (LED) having distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The distributed Bragg reflector is used as a reflective element for reflecting the light generated by the light emitting layer to an ideal direction of light output. The distributed Bragg reflector has a plurality of through holes, such that the metal layer and the transparent conductive layer disposed on two sides of the distributed Bragg reflector may contact each other to conduct the current. Due to the distribution properties of the through holes, the current may be more uniformly diffused, and the light may be more uniformly emitted from the light emitting layer. |
| US09705035B1 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device, includes a substrate; a plurality of light emitting stacked layers, comprising a first surface and a second surface; a mesa structure; a current blocking (CB) layer; a transparent conductive layer; a first pad electrode and a second pad electrode; and a passivation layer, wherein the second surface is electrically opposite to the first surface, the transparent conductive layer is disposed on or above the first surface, the first pad electrode is disposed on the transparent conductive layer and on the first surface, and the second pad electrode is disposed on the second surface and on the mesa structure, the CB layer is disposed on the first surface, surrounded by the transparent conductive layer, and at a lower region of the first pad electrode, a portion of the first pad electrode is filling a first opening of the transparent conductive layer and the CB layer. |
| US09705033B2 |
LED with current spreading layer and fabrication method
A lighting emitting diode including: an n side layer and a p side layer formed by nitride semiconductors respectively; an active layer comprising a nitride semiconductor is between the n side layer and the p side layer; wherein, the n-side layer is successively laminated by an extrinsically-doped buffer layer and a compound multi-current spreading layer; the compound multi-current spreading layer is successively-laminated by a first current spreading layer, a second current spreading layer and a third current spreading layer; the first current spreading layer and the third current spreading layer are alternatively-laminated layers comprising a u-type nitride semiconductor layer and an n-type nitride semiconductor layer; the second current spreading layer is a distributed insulation layer formed on the n-type nitride semiconductor layer; and the first current spreading layer is adjacent to the extrinsically-doped buffer layer; and the third current spreading layer is adjacent to the active layer. |
| US09705032B2 |
Deep ultraviolet light emitting diode
A carbon doped short period superlattice is provided. A heterostructure includes a short period superlattice comprising a plurality of quantum wells alternating with a plurality of barriers. One or more of the quantum wells and/or the barriers includes a carbon doped layer (e.g., a non-percolated or percolated carbon atomic plane). |
| US09705029B2 |
Light-emitting device and manufacturing method thereof
The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a light-emitting device, comprising: providing a first substrate; providing a semiconductor stack on the first substrate, the semiconductor stack comprising a first conductive type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer on the first conductive type semiconductor layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer on the light-emitting layer, wherein the semiconductor stack is patterned and comprises a plurality of blocks of semiconductor stack separated from each other, and wherein the plurality of blocks of semiconductor stack comprise a first block of semiconductor stack and a second block of semiconductor stack; performing a separating step to separate the first block of semiconductor stack from the first substrate, and the second block of semiconductor stack remained on the first substrate; providing a permanent substrate comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a third block of semiconductor stack on the first surface; and bonding one of the first block of semiconductor stack and the second block of semiconductor stack to the second surface. |
| US09705027B2 |
Solar cell manufacturing method using etching paste
A solar cell manufacturing method includes: forming a first amorphous semiconductor layer of one conductivity type on a main surface of a semiconductor substrate; forming an insulation layer on the first amorphous semiconductor layer; etching to remove the insulation layer and the first amorphous semiconductor layer in a predetermined first region; forming a second amorphous semiconductor layer of an other conductivity type on the insulation layer after the etching, the other conductivity type being different from the one conductivity type; and etching to remove the second amorphous semiconductor layer in a predetermined second region, wherein the etching to remove the insulation layer and the first amorphous semiconductor layer in a predetermined first region includes: applying an etching paste to the insulation layer in the predetermined first region; and etching to remove the insulation layer and the first amorphous semiconductor layer in the predetermined first region using the etching paste. |
| US09705022B2 |
Photovoltaic device
This photovoltaic device is provided with a crystalline semiconductor substrate, and a first amorphous layer formed on the main surface of the substrate. At the interface between the substrate and the first amorphous layer, electrical conductivity can be improved while suppressing an increase in recombination centers, and power generation efficiency can be improved by having a p-type dopant density profile that decreases stepwise in the film thickness direction from the vicinity of the interface with the substrate. |
| US09705017B2 |
Nanostructured silicon based solar cells and methods to produce nanostructured silicon based solar cells
The present invention relates to a plasma texturing method for silicon based solar cells and the nanostructured silicon solar cells produced thereof. The silicon based solar cell comprises a silicon substrate having in at least part of its surface conical shaped nanostructures having an average height between 200 and 450 nm and a pitch between 100 and 200 nm, thereby achieving low reflectance and minimizing surface charge recombination. |
| US09705010B2 |
Schottky diode having floating guard rings
The present examples relate to a Schottky diode having floating guard rings and an additional element isolation layer configured to further improve a breakdown voltage of the Schottky diode, while maintaining the turn-on voltage and current in the forward characteristic, compared to a related Schottky diode. The floating guard rings in the examples are located in a position between the anode and the cathode regions or under the anode. |
| US09705007B2 |
Thin film transistor and fabrication method thereof, and display device
A thin film transistor and a fabrication method thereof, and a display device are provided. The thin film transistor comprises an active layer, wherein, a target oxide is formed at a portion of the active layer where an oxygen content is higher than oxygen contents of other portions of the active layer, and a carrier mobility of the target oxide is greater than that of other portions of the active layer. |
| US09704998B2 |
Thin film transistor and method of manufacturing the same, display substrate, and display apparatus
The present invention discloses a thin film transistor, a method of manufacturing the thin film transistor, a display substrate and a display apparatus. The method comprising steps of: forming an active material layer on a substrate; forming an etch barrier material layer on the active material layer, wherein the etch barrier material layer being made of a conductive material capable of blocking a source and drain etching liquid; forming an active layer pattern and an initial etch barrier layer pattern by performing a single patterning process on the active material layer and the etch barrier material layer, wherein the initial etch barrier layer pattern comprising a first region, a second region and a third region, the first region and the third region being regions for forming a source and a drain, respectively, the second region being a region of the initial etch barrier layer pattern except the first and third regions; forming the source and the drain in the first region and the third region, respectively, by a patterning process; converting the conductive material in the second region of the initial etch barrier layer pattern into an insulation material by an annealing process, so as to form an etch barrier layer. |
| US09704985B2 |
Semiconductor device including a channel region and method for manufacturing the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device of the present invention includes a semiconductor layer, a source region and a drain region formed in a surface of the semiconductor layer, both having a first conductivity type, a plurality of gate trenches each formed so as to extend across the source region and the drain region, in a plan view observed in a direction of a normal to the surface of the semiconductor layer, a channel region of a first conductivity type made of the semiconductor layer sandwiched by the gate trenches adjacent to each other, having a channel length along a direction extending from the drain region to the source region, and a gate electrode buried in the gate trench via a gate insulating film, and the channel region has a thickness in the plan view not more than two times a width of a depletion layer to be generated due to a built-in potential between the channel region and the gate electrode. |
| US09704984B2 |
Super-junction semiconductor device comprising junction termination extension structure and method of manufacturing
A super-junction semiconductor device includes a junction termination area at a first surface of a semiconductor body and at least partly surrounding an active cell area. An inner part of the junction termination area is arranged between an outer part of the junction termination area and the active cell area. A charge compensation device structure includes first regions of a first conductivity type and second regions of a second conductivity type disposed alternately along a first lateral direction. First surface areas correspond to a projection of the first regions onto the first surface, and second surface areas correspond to a projection of the second regions onto the first surface. The super-junction semiconductor device further includes at least one of a first junction termination extension structure and a second junction termination extension structure. |
| US09704982B2 |
Semiconductor device with high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) having source field plate
A semiconductor device comprises a Group III nitride semiconductor lamination structure including a hetero-junction; an insulating layer formed on the Group III nitride semiconductor lamination structure, the insulating layer including a gate opening portion extending to the Group III nitride semiconductor lamination structure; a gate insulating film configured to cover a bottom portion and a side portion of the gate opening portion; a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film in the gate opening portion; a source electrode and a drain electrode disposed in a spaced-apart relationship with the gate electrode to sandwich the gate electrode and electrically connected to the Group III nitride semiconductor lamination structure; and a conductive layer embedded in the insulating layer between the gate electrode and the drain electrode and insulated from the gate electrode by the gate insulating film, the conductive layer electrically connected to the source electrode. |
| US09704976B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
An object is to provide a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor layer, in which contact resistance between the oxide semiconductor layer and source and drain electrode layers is reduced and electric characteristics are stabilized. The thin film transistor is formed in such a manner that a buffer layer including a high-resistance region and low-resistance regions is formed over an oxide semiconductor layer, and the oxide semiconductor layer and source and drain electrode layers are in contact with each other with the low-resistance region of the buffer layer interposed therebetween. |
| US09704973B2 |
Methods of forming fins for FinFET semiconductor devices and the selective removal of such fins
One method includes forming a plurality of first trenches in a semiconductor substrate to thereby define a plurality of initial fins in the substrate, removing at least one, but less than all, of the plurality of initial fins, forming a fin protection layer on at least the sidewalls of the remaining initial fins, with the fin protection layer in position, performing an etching process to extend a depth of the first trenches to thereby define a plurality of final trenches with a final trench depth, wherein the final trenches define a plurality of final fin structures that each comprise an initial fin, removing the fin protection layer, and forming a recessed layer of insulating material in the final trenches, wherein the recessed layer of insulating material has a recessed surface that exposes a portion of the final fin structures. |
| US09704965B1 |
Semiconductor device with self-aligned carbon nanotube gate
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a channel layer on a substrate. A gate dielectric is deposited on the channel layer, and a mask is patterned on the gate dielectric. An exposed portion of the gate dielectric is removed to expose a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region of the channel layer. A first source/drain contact is formed on the first source/drain region and a second source/drain contact is formed on the second source/drain region. A cap layer is formed over the first source/drain contact and the second source/drain contact, and the mask is removed. Spacers are formed adjacent to sidewalls of the first source/drain contact and the second source/drain contact. An oxide region is formed in the cap layer and a carbon material is deposited on an exposed portion of the gate dielectric. |
| US09704964B1 |
Graphene-based device with liquid metal contacts
A device includes a substrate, a layer of graphene disposed over at least a portion of the substrate, at least one conductive trace proximate to the layer of graphene, one or more liquid metal contacts electrically connecting the layer of graphene and the at least one conductive trace, and an encasing material disposed over and enclosing the liquid metal contacts. The liquid metal contacts are in contact with a portion of the layer of graphene and an adjoining portion of the respective conductive trace. The liquid metal contacts may comprise a eutectic alloy in stable liquid form at between about −19° C. and about 1300° C., such as a gallium-based alloy. The conductive traces allow for external device connections and may be partially enclosed within the encasing material. |
| US09704962B1 |
Horizontal gate all around nanowire transistor bottom isolation
A method of forming a GAA MOSFET includes providing a substrate having source, drain and channel regions, the substrate doped with one of a p-type and an n-type dopant. Disposing an etch stop-electric well (ESEW) layer over the substrate, the ESEW layer doped with the other of the p-type and the n-type dopant. Disposing a sacrificial layer over the ESEW layer, the sacrificial layer doped with the same type dopant as the substrate. Disposing a channel layer over the sacrificial layer. Patterning a fin out of the ESEW layer, sacrificial layer and channel layer in the channel region. Selectively etching away only the sacrificial layer of the fin to form a nanowire from the channel layer of the fin while the ESEW layer of the fin functions as an etch stop barrier to prevent etching of trenches in the substrate. |
| US09704961B2 |
Semiconductor structure having buried gate structure, method for manufacturing the same, and memory cell having the same
A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate dielectric layer over a bottom surface and sidewalls of the trench; forming a work function layer over the gate dielectric layer; recessing the work function layer, and forming a gate electrode which is positioned in the trench; and exposing the gate electrode to a thermal process, and forming a dipole induction layer between the gate electrode and the gate dielectric layer. |
| US09704959B2 |
Enhancement-mode transistors with increased threshold voltage
A field effect transistor that has a source, a drain, a gate, a semiconductor region, and a dielectric region. The dielectric region is located between the semiconductor region and the gate. Negatively charged ions are located within the dielectric layer underneath the gate. |
| US09704947B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
A semiconductor device including a terminal region that can suppress a resist collapse in manufacturing and effectively relieve a concentration of electric fields and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element formed in a semiconductor substrate made of a silicon carbide semiconductor of a first conductivity type and a plurality of ring-shaped regions of a second conductivity type formed in the semiconductor substrate while surrounding the semiconductor element in plan view. At least one of the plurality of ring-shaped regions includes one or more separation regions of the first conductivity type that cause areas of the first conductivity type on an inner side and an outer side of one of the ring-shaped regions to communicate with each other in plan view. |
| US09704941B2 |
Organic light-emitting display panel and organic light-emitting display device
An organic light-emitting display device/panel includes, in part, at least a red organic light-emitting element, a green organic light-emitting element and a blue organic light-emitting element. The organic light-emitting display device/panel optionally includes a white organic light-emitting element. The organic light-emitting display device/panel further includes, in part, a first power line coupled to the red organic light-emitting element, a second power line coupled to the green organic light-emitting element, and a third power line coupled to the blue organic light-emitting element. The power supplies a high voltage level to the organic light-emitting elements. |
| US09704939B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display panel and display device with same
An OLED display panel includes a substrate, a light emitting structure and a driving structure. The substrate defines an electrical conductive hole. The light emitting structure is located at a side of the substrate. The light emitting structure includes a first electrode, a second electrode and an organic light emitting layer located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The driving structure includes a row drive circuit line and a column drive circuit line. The substrate includes a face opposite to the light emitting structure. The row drive circuit line is coupled to the face of the substrate. The first electrode is electrically coupled to the row drive circuit line via the electrical conductive hole. The column drive circuit line is coupled to the light emitting structure to be electrically coupled to the second electrode. A display device with the OLED display panel is also provided. |
| US09704938B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
Disclosed herein is an organic light emitting diode display, including: a first thin film transistor including a first active pattern positioned on the substrate and a first gate electrode positioned on the first active pattern; a third thin film transistor including a third active pattern connected to the other end of the first active pattern and a third gate electrode positioned on the third active pattern; and a gate bridge directly connecting between the third active pattern and the first gate electrode and positioned between the substrate and the third active pattern. |
| US09704935B2 |
Light-emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same
A light-emitting display device, including a substrate including a plurality of pixels; a first electrode on the substrate in each of the pixels; a pixel defining layer on the substrate, the pixel defining layer having an opening exposing the first electrode and including a side surface having a first part, a second part located on the first part, and a boundary part located between the first part and the second part; a lyophobic pattern in the boundary part of the side surface of the pixel defining layer in the opening of the pixel defining layer; an organic layer on the first electrode, the organic layer including a light-emitting layer under the lyophobic pattern in the opening of the pixel defining layer; and a second electrode on the organic layer. |
| US09704934B2 |
Thin film transistor, organic light emitting diode display, and method for manufacturing organic light emitting diode display
A thin film transistor includesa gate electrode including a gate pattern positioned on a substrate and a gate clad pattern covering the gate pattern. An oxide semiconductor layer is positioned on the gate electrode. A source electrode and a drain electrode are positioned on the oxide semiconductor layer. The source electrode and the drain electrode are ach in contact with end portions of the oxide semiconductor layer. |
| US09704933B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device
In an organic electroluminescent device, deterioration of an organic material layer of an OLED due to moisture and the like from a surrounding material is effectively prevented. An OLED is provided with an organic material layer including a light emitting layer and is provided on a lower substrate. A first diamond-like carbon layer is provided between the lower substrate and the organic material layer and is at least arranged in a light emitting area in a surface along the lower substrate. A second diamond-like carbon layer is provided above the organic material layer and is at least arranged in the light emitting area. |
| US09704932B2 |
Foldable display
A foldable display is disclosed. In one aspect, the foldable display includes a flexible display panel having first and second ends opposing each other, a first plate connected to the first end of the flexible display panel, and a second plate facing the first plate. The foldable display further includes a third plate configured to slide in and out of the second plate, wherein the third plate is connected to the second end of the flexible display panel. The foldable display also includes a first rotary plate hinged to at least one of the first and second plates. |
| US09704927B2 |
Organic electroluminescent display panel
Disclosed is an organic electroluminescent display panel, which includes a plurality of RGBW subpixel units, wherein each R subpixel unit includes 4 R subpixel elements, each G subpixel unit includes 4 G subpixel elements, each B subpixel unit includes 4 B subpixel elements, each W subpixel unit includes 4 W subpixel elements, and two adjacent subpixel units emit light in different colors, respectively. The R subpixel element, the G subpixel element, the B subpixel element and the W subpixel element form a pixel region of the display panel. |
| US09704925B2 |
EL display device
An EL display device including a light emitter configured to emit at least red, green, and blue light; and a thin film transistor array that controls light emission. The light emitter includes light-emitting layers within areas defined by a bank that emit at least red, green, and blue light. The light emitter further includes electrodes that extend under the bank and hole transport layers that are above the electrodes within the areas defined by the bank, the light-emitting layers being formed on the hole transport layers. The hole transport layers each have a main portion and a peripheral protrusion in contact with a side surface of the bank that protrudes upwards from the main portion. The light-emitting layers each have a peripheral protrusion in contact with a side surface of the bank, formed above a corresponding one of the peripheral protrusions. |
| US09704924B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a substrate layer, first and second metal layers sequentially formed on the substrate layer, and an organic material layer formed between the first and second metal layers. The first metal layer has a uniform thickness or has metal portions or further has an open portion exposing a portion of the surface of the substrate layer. The organic material layer includes a hole transport material and an electron transport material in contact with one another. An interaction between the hole transport material and the electron transport material generates exciplexes capable of emitting light having a peak wavelength in a first range, and a coupling is generated between the first and second metal layers. By adjusting the distance between the first and second metal layers or the thickness of the first metal layer, the peak wavelength of the light is shifted to a second range and/or a third range. |
| US09704923B1 |
Dual-layer dielectric in memory device
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations for a memory device comprising a memory array having a plurality of wordlines disposed in a memory region of a die. Fill regions may be disposed between respective pairs of adjacent wordlines of the plurality of wordlines. The fill regions may include a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer disposed on the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer may comprise organic (e.g., carbon-based) spin-on dielectric material (CSOD). The second dielectric layer may comprise a different dielectric material than the first dielectric layer, such as, for example, inorganic dielectric material. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09704921B2 |
Electronic device and method for fabricating the same
Provided is an electronic device including a switching element, wherein the switching element may include a first electrode, a second electrode, a switching layer interposed between the first and second electrodes, and a first amorphous semiconductor layer interposed between the first electrode and the switching layer. |
| US09704915B2 |
Member for solid-state image pickup device and method for manufacturing solid-state image pickup device
A member for a solid-state image pickup device having a bonding plane with no gaps and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The manufacturing method includes the steps of providing a first substrate provided with a photoelectric converter on its primary face and a first wiring structure, providing a second substrate provided with a part of a peripheral circuit on its primary face and a second wiring structure, and performing bonding so that the first substrate, the first wiring structure, the second wiring structure, and the second substrate are disposed in this order. In addition, at least one of an upper face of the first wiring structure and an upper face of the second wiring structure has a concave portion, and a conductive material forms a bottom face of the concave portion. |
| US09704914B2 |
Array substrate and method for manufacturing the same, x-ray flat panel detector, image pickup system
An array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, an X-ray flat panel detector and an image pickup system are provided. The array substrate is divided into a plurality of detection units, and each of the detection units has a first electrode and a photoelectric conversion structure provided therein. The first electrode is disposed on a side of the photoelectric conversion structure opposite to a light incident side, and is electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion structure. A reflective layer that is electrically conductive is further included between the first electrode and the photoelectric conversion structure, and a surface of the reflective layer facing the photoelectric conversion structure is a reflection surface. The utilization rate of light can be enhanced by the array substrate as stated in embodiments of the invention, so that the detection accuracy of the X-ray flat panel detector is enhanced. |
| US09704912B2 |
Semiconductor device and semiconductor device manufacturing method
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device including: a first semiconductor layer including a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region; a first insulator layer provided above the first semiconductor layer; an intermediate semiconductor layer, having an n-type conduction, provided above the first region of the first semiconductor layer and above the first insulator layer; a second insulator layer provided above the intermediate semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer provided above the first region of the first semiconductor layer and above the second insulator layer; a sensor formed in the second region of the first semiconductor layer; a contact electrode connected to the intermediate semiconductor layer; and a circuit element formed in the second semiconductor layer. |
| US09704911B2 |
Image sensor having vertical transfer gate for reducing noise and electronic device having the same
An image sensor may include: a photoelectric conversion element; a transfer gate formed over the photoelectric conversion element; a plurality of active pillars electrically coupled to the photoelectric conversion element by penetrating the transfer gate; a reset transistor coupled to the plurality of active pillars; and a source follower transistor having a gate electrically coupled to one or more active pillars among the plurality of active pillars. |
| US09704910B2 |
Semiconductor switching device separated by device isolation
A device including a gate structure formed over a semiconductor substrate, the gate structure having extensions, a device isolation structure formed into the semiconductor substrate adjacent the gate structure, wherein the extensions are over a portion of the device isolation structure, and source/drain regions on both sides of the gate structure, the source/drain regions being formed in a gap in the device isolation structure and being partially enclosed by the extensions of the gate structure. |
| US09704903B2 |
Front-side imager having a reduced dark current on SOI substrate
A front-side image sensor may include a substrate in a semiconductor material and an active layer in the semiconductor material. The front side image sensor may also include an array of photodiodes formed in the active layer and an insulating layer between the substrate and the active layer. |
| US09704901B2 |
Solid-state imaging devices
A solid-state imaging device is provided. The solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate containing a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements. A color filter layer includes a first color filter component and a second color filter component separated from each other and disposed above the semiconductor substrate. A microlens structure includes a first microlens element and a second microlens element separated from each other and disposed on the first and second color filter components respectively. The solid-state imaging device also includes a gap filled with air. The gap is disposed between the first and second color filter components and also between the first and second microlens elements. |
| US09704897B1 |
Display panel and method of preparing the same, display device
A display panel, a preparing method thereof and a display device are provided. The method of preparing a display panel includes steps of: coating an alignment material on both a display region of an array substrate and an electrode region of the array substrate located around a periphery of the display region; aligning the alignment material; assembling the aligned array substrate and an aligned color filter substrate into an assembly; cutting the assembly of the array substrate and the color filter substrate into a plurality of display panel units, such that the electrode region of the array substrate is not covered by the color filter substrate in each of the display panel units; and removing the alignment material covering the electrode region of the array substrate so as to expose the electrode region. |
| US09704896B2 |
Display device and manufacturing method thereof
A manufacturing method includes forming a gate member and a common electrode line on a substrate. A gate insulating layer is formed on the gate member and the common electrode line. A semiconductor member and a data member are formed on the gate insulating layer. A first passivation layer is formed on the semiconductor member and the data member. A plurality of color filters is formed on the first passivation layer. A conductor layer and a second passivation layer are formed on the plurality of color filters. A first contact hole exposes a common electrode. A second contact hole exposes the drain electrode. The first and second contact holes are formed by a photolithography process. A pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode is formed through the first contact hole. A connecting member connected to the common electrode line and the common electrode is formed through the second contact hole. |
| US09704894B2 |
Display device including pixel electrode including oxide
To provide a display device including a transistor that includes an oxide semiconductor and has favorable characteristics, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the transistor, and a capacitor electrically connected to the pixel electrode. To provide a display device that can be manufactured at low cost. The display device includes a display element including a pixel electrode, a transistor that performs switching of the display element and includes a first oxide semiconductor layer serving as a channel formation region, a capacitor that is electrically connected to the display element and includes a dielectric layer between a pair of electrodes. The pixel electrode is a second oxide semiconductor layer formed on the same surface as that on which the first oxide semiconductor layer is formed, and also serves as one electrode of the capacitor. |
| US09704890B2 |
Display substrate including direct contact part and method of fabricating the same
A display substrate including a lower common electrode disposed on a substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the lower common electrode, a gate pattern including a gate electrode disposed on the insulating layer and a common electrode contact part and a direct contact part spaced apart from the gate electrode, a gate insulating layer disposed on the gate pattern, a semiconductor layer disposed on the gate insulating layer, an etch stopping layer disposed on the gate insulating layer, source and drain electrodes disposed on the etch stopping layer, pixel part extending from the source and drain electrodes, a first conductive layer connected to the common electrode contact part, a second conductive layer connected to the direct contact part, and a passivation layer disposed on the source and drain electrodes, the first conductive layer, and the second conductive layer. |
| US09704889B2 |
Display panel and display device comprising the same
A display panel includes: a pixel electrode comprising first, second, and third sub-pixel electrodes that are separated from each other; a first thin film transistor connected to the first sub-pixel electrode; second and fourth thin film transistors connected to the second sub-pixel electrode; third and fifth thin film transistors connected to the third sub-pixel electrode; a first gate line connected to the first to fourth thin film transistors; a second gate line connected to the fifth thin film transistor; a data line insulated from and intersecting the first and second gate lines and connected to the first to third thin film transistors; a first storage electrode line disposed adjacent to the first gate line; and a second storage electrode line disposed adjacent to the second gate line. |
| US09704876B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus with multiple tiers, and methods
Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including an apparatus that includes a number of tiers of a first semiconductor material, each tier including at least one access line of at least one memory cell and at least one source, channel and/or drain of at least one peripheral transistor, such as one used in an access line decoder circuit or a data line multiplexing circuit. The apparatus can also include a number of pillars of a second semiconductor material extending through the tiers of the first semiconductor material, each pillar including either a source, channel and/or drain of at least one of the memory cells, or a gate of at least one of the peripheral transistors. Methods of forming such apparatus are also described, along with other embodiments. |
| US09704875B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device
When upper surfaces of a control gate electrode and a memory gate electrode are exposed from an interlayer insulating film by polishing the interlayer insulating film in a gate last process, a silicide layer covering the upper surfaces of the gate electrodes is formed. Thereafter, by reacting a metal film deposited on the silicide layer with the control gate electrode and the memory gate electrode, a silicide layer thicker than the former silicide layer is formed on each of the gate electrodes. |
| US09704872B1 |
Memory device and fabricating method thereof
A memory device and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The memory device includes a substrate and an isolation structure. The substrate has at least two memory cells, and each of the memory cells includes a first active region, a second active region, and a gate structure. The first active region and the second active region are alternately disposed in the substrate. The gate structure is disposed in the substrate and between the first active region and the second active region. The isolation structure is disposed between and protruding from the second active regions of two adjacent memory cells. |
| US09704871B2 |
Semiconductor device having a memory cell and method of forming the same
There is provided an apparatus includes a substrate having a main surface, a wordline buried in the substrate and a bitline buried in a shallower area than the wordline in the substrate. |
| US09704869B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having an electrically floating body transistor
An IC may include an array of memory cells formed in a semiconductor, including memory cells arranged in rows and columns, each memory cell may include a floating body region defining at least a portion of a surface of the memory cell, the floating body region having a first conductivity type; a buried region located within the memory cell and located adjacent to the floating body region, wherein the buried region has a second conductivity type, wherein the floating body region is bounded on a first side by a first insulating region having a first thickness and on a second side by a second insulating region having a second thickness, and a gate region above the floating body region and the second insulating region and is insulated from the floating body region by an insulating layer; and control circuitry configured to provide electrical signals to said buried region. |
| US09704867B2 |
Dual fin integration for electron and hole mobility enhancement
A technique for forming a semiconductor device is provided. Sacrificial mandrels are formed over a hardmask layer on a semiconductor layer. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the sacrificial mandrels. The sacrificial mandrels are removed to leave the spacers. A masking process leaves exposed a first set of spacers with a second set protected. In response to the masking process, a first fin etch process forms a first set of fins in the semiconductor layer via first set of spacers. The first set of fins has a vertical sidewall profile. Another masking process leaves exposed the second set of spacers with the first set of spacers and the first set of fins protected. In response to the other masking process, a second fin etch process forms a second set of fins in semiconductor layer using the second set of spacers. The second set of fins has a trapezoidal sidewall profile. |
| US09704866B2 |
Integrated circuit having dual material CMOS integration and method to fabricate same
In one aspect thereof the invention provides a structure that includes a substrate having a surface and a plurality of fins supported by the surface of the substrate. The plurality of fins are formed of Group IVA-based crystalline semiconductor material and are spaced apart and generally parallel to one another. In the structure at least some of the plurality of fins comprise an amorphous region forming a nanowire precursor structure that is located along a length of the fin where a Group III-V transistor is to be located. A method to fabricate the structure and other structures is also disclosed. |
| US09704863B1 |
Forming a hybrid channel nanosheet semiconductor structure
A method for fabricating a nanosheet semiconductor structure includes forming a first nanosheet field effect transistor (FET) structure having a first inner spacer of a first material and a second nanosheet FET structure having second inner spacer of a second material. The first material is different than the second material. |
| US09704861B2 |
Semiconductor device and fabricating the same
An integrated circuit (IC) device comprises a substrate having a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) region; a gate region disposed over the substrate and in the MOS region; and source/drain features in the MOS region and separated by the gate region. The gate region includes a fin structure and a nanowire over the fin structure. The nanowire extends from the source feature to the drain feature. |
| US09704856B1 |
On-chip MIM capacitor
A method for forming an on-chip capacitor with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices includes forming a first capacitor electrode between gate structures in a capacitor region while forming contacts to source and drain (S/D) regions in a CMOS region. Gate structures are cut in the CMOS region and the capacitor region by etching a trench across the gate structures and filling the trench with a dielectric material. The gate structures and the dielectric material in the trench in the capacitor region are removed to form a position for an insulator and a second electrode. The insulator is deposited in the position. Gate metal is deposited to form gate conductors in the CMOS region and the second electrode in the capacitor region. |
| US09704854B2 |
DC-to-DC converter and method for fabricating the same
A DC-to-DC converter includes: a substrate having a switching element region defined by an isolation layer; a transistor formed over the switching element region; a landing plate formed over the isolation layer; a capacitor formed over the landing plate and includes a bottom plate, a dielectric layer and a top plate; multi-layer metal lines disposed in an upper portion of the transistor and coupled with the transistor; and an interconnection portion coupled with the multi-layer metal lines to electrically connect the transistor with the capacitor. |
| US09704851B2 |
Silicon controlled rectifier
A silicon controlled rectifier, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit including the silicon controlled rectifier and an integrated circuit including the silicon controlled rectifier or ESD protection circuit. The silicon controlled rectifier includes a first region having a first conductivity type and a second region having a second conductivity type located adjacent the first region in a semiconductor substrate. A junction is formed at a boundary between the first region and the second region. Contact regions of the first conductivity type and the second conductivity type located in each of the first region and the second region. A further contact region of the second conductivity type is located in the second region, in between the contact region of the first conductivity type and the junction. The further contact region and the contact region of the second conductivity type in the second region are connected together for biasing the second region. |
| US09704850B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection device comprising a silicon controlled rectifier
An electrostatic discharge protection device including a silicon controlled rectifier. In one example, the silicon controlled rectifier includes a first n-type region located in a semiconductor substrate. The silicon controlled rectifier also includes a first p-type region located adjacent the first n-type region in the semiconductor substrate. The silicon controlled rectifier further includes an n-type contact region and a p-type contact region located in the first n-type region. The silicon controlled rectifier also includes an n-type contact region and a p-type contact region located in the first p-type region. The silicon controlled rectifier further includes a blocking region having a higher resistivity than the first p-type region. The blocking region is located between the n-type contact region and the p-type contact region in the first p-type region for reducing a trigger voltage of the silicon controlled rectifier. |
| US09704847B2 |
Variable capacitance device
A variable capacitance device that includes a semiconductor substrate, a redistribution layer disposed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of terminal electrodes including first and second input/output terminals, a ground terminal and a control voltage application terminal. Moreover, a variable capacitance element section is formed in the redistribution layer from a pair of capacitor electrodes connected to the first and second input/output terminals, respectively, and a ferroelectric thin film disposed between the capacitor electrodes. Further, an ESD protection element is connected between the one of the input/output terminals and the ground terminal is formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09704840B2 |
Optical semiconductor device
The present invention provides an optical semiconductor device for improving minimization and increase of detection precision. An optical semiconductor device A1 of the present invention includes: a substrate 1, including a semiconductor material, and including a main surface 111 and a back surface 112; a semiconductor light-emitting element 7A at the substrate; a semiconductor light-receiving element 7B at the substrate; a conductive layer 3, conducting the semiconductor light-emitting element 7A and the semiconductor light-receiving element 7B; and an insulating layer 2 between at least a portion of the conductive layer 3 and the substrate; wherein the substrate 1 includes a recess 14 recessed from the main surface 111 and including a bottom surface 142A of a light-emitting side recess where the semiconductor light-emitting element 7A is disposed, and a bottom surface 142B of a light-receiving side recess where the semiconductor light-receiving element 7B is disposed; a light-emitting side transparent portion 18A for light from the semiconductor light-emitting element 7A to pass through the bottom surface 142A of the light-emitting side recess to the back surface 112; and a light-receiving side transparent portion 18B for light from the back surface 112 to pass through the bottom surface 142B of the light-receiving side recess to the semiconductor light-receiving element 7B. |
| US09704839B2 |
Semiconductor devices for integration with light emitting chips and modules thereof
A semiconductor device includes an active region disposed in a semiconductor substrate and an uppermost metal level including metal lines, where the uppermost metal level is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. Contact pads are disposed at a major surface of the semiconductor device, where the contact pads are coupled to the metal lines in the uppermost metal level. An isolation region separates the contact pads disposed at the major surface. Adjacent contact pads are electrically isolated from one another by a portion of the isolation region. Reflective structures are disposed between the upper metal level and the contact pads, where each of the reflective structures that is directly over the active region completely overlaps an associated portion of the isolation region separating the contact pad. |
| US09704835B2 |
Three dimensional integrated circuit
A method comprises providing a first substrate having dielectric structures and conductive structures. Ions are implanted into the first substrate, the ions traveling through the dielectric structures and the conductive structures to define a cleave plane in the first substrate. The first substrate is cleaved at the cleave plane to obtain a cleaved layer having the dielectric structure and the conductive structures. The cleaved layer is used to form a three-dimensional integrated circuit device having a plurality of stacked integrated circuit (IC) layers, the cleaved layer being one of the stacked IC layers. |
| US09704834B2 |
Method for manufacturing light-emitting device
A method for manufacturing a light-emitting device of the present invention includes a step in which solid-state sealing resin (17) containing a phosphor (18) and the solid-state sealing resin (17) containing a phosphor (19) are arranged in recesses in package resin (14) having LED chips placed thereon, are thereafter melted by heating, and, in addition, are cured by heating. |
| US09704833B2 |
Full-color light emitting diode (LED) display panel, method of manufacturing full-color LED display panel, display device
A full-color display panel includes a plurality of sub-pixel units. The sub-pixel unit includes an LED unit and a filter layer transmitting light of a specific color. The LED unit includes an LED semiconductor chip emitting light of a specific color. The LED semiconductor chips of the plurality of sub-pixel units are homochromatic LED semiconductor chips emitting light of a same color. In each sub-pixel unit, a position of the filter layer corresponds to a position of the LED semiconductor chip, and the filter layer is located on a side of the LED semiconductor chip that emits light. |
| US09704832B1 |
Die stack assembly using an edge separation structure for connectivity through a die of the stack
A die stack assembly includes first and second power semiconductor device dice. The first die has a P type peripheral edge separation structure that extends from the top planar semiconductor surface of the first die all the way to the bottom planar semiconductor surface of the die, and that is doped at least in part with aluminum. The backside of the first die is mounted to the backside of the second die. A metal feature that is not covered with passivation, and that can serve as a bonding pad, is disposed on part of the peripheral edge separation structure. A metal member (for example, a bond wire or metal clip) contacts the metal feature such that an electrical connection is established from the metal member, through the metal feature, through the peripheral edge separation structure of the first die, and to an electrode of the second die. |
| US09704831B2 |
Power semiconductor module
A transistor chip formed from a wide band gap semiconductor, on which transistor elements for an upper arm are formed is mounted on a front surface of an insulating substrate. A transistor chip formed from a wide band gap semiconductor, on which transistor elements for a lower arm are formed is mounted on a rear surface of the insulating substrate. |
| US09704827B2 |
Hybrid bond pad structure
The present disclosure relates to a multi-dimensional integrated chip having a redistribution layer vertically extending between integrated chip die, which is laterally offset from a back-side bond pad. The multi-dimensional integrated chip has a first integrated chip die with a first plurality of metal interconnect layers disposed within a first inter-level dielectric layer arranged onto a front-side of a first semiconductor substrate. The multi-dimensional integrated chip also has a second integrated chip die with a second plurality of metal interconnect layers disposed within a second inter-level dielectric layer abutting the first ILD layer. A bond pad is disposed within a recess extending through the second semiconductor substrate. A redistribution layer vertically extends between the first plurality of metal interconnect layers and the second plurality of metal interconnect layers at a position that is laterally offset from the bond pad. |
| US09704821B2 |
Stamp with structured posts
A stamp for micro-transfer printing includes a body and one or more posts extending from the body. At least one of the posts has a non-planar surface contour on the distal end of the post having a size, shape, or size and shape that accommodates a non-planar contact surface of a micro-transfer printable device. |
| US09704820B1 |
Semiconductor manufacturing method and associated semiconductor manufacturing system
A semiconductor manufacturing method is disclosed. The method includes: providing a first wafer and a second wafer, wherein the first wafer and the second wafer are bonded together; submerging the bonded first and second wafers in an ultrasonic transmitting medium; producing ultrasonic waves; and directing the ultrasonic waves to the bonded first and second wafers through the ultrasonic transmitting medium for a predetermined time period. An associated semiconductor manufacturing system for at least weakening a bonding strength of bonded wafers is also disclosed. |
| US09704816B1 |
Active region structure and forming method thereof
An active region structure includes a device region, an active layer and a shallow trench isolation (STI) layer. The device region is defined on a substrate. The active layer is formed by a top portion of the substrate and has a plurality of device cells within the device region and a border structure surrounding the device region. The border structure has at least one branch extending into the device region and is between a portion of the device cells. The STI layer has a first part formed within the border structure to insulate the device cells from one another and a second part surrounding an outer periphery of the border structure. The second part of the STI layer isolates the device cells from a peripheral active region. |
| US09704814B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a cooling plate made of metal, one or more laminated substrates each formed by laminating a circuit board, an insulating board, and a metal board, and one or more first semiconductor elements each made of a wide-band-gap semiconductor and disposed over outer peripheral edge portions of the circuit board. The metal board and the cooling plate are joined by the use of a joining material. As a result, even if temperature rises due to the operation of the one or more first semiconductor elements and heat radiation is not performed properly, the one or more first semiconductor elements operate stably. |
| US09704813B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A device region (17) is formed at a central part of a semiconductor wafer (2) and a ring-shaped reinforced portion (18) which is thicker than the device region (17) is formed on an outer circumference of the device region (17). After forming the device region (17) and the ring-shaped reinforced portion (18), the semiconductor wafer (2) is subjected to wet treatment. After the wet treatment, the semiconductor wafer (2) is rotated and dried. A center position of the semiconductor wafer (2) is different from a center position of the ring-shaped reinforced portion (18). |
| US09704812B1 |
Double-sided electronic package
Embodiments of a double-sided electronic package and methods for fabricating the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, an electronic package comprises: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a leadframe having package pad features attached to the first surface of the substrate; a first integrated circuit die attached to the leadframe and electrically coupled to at least one of the package pad features; and molding disposed on the first surface of the substrate between the package pad features, such that the package pad features extend vertically from the first surface of the substrate to a surface of the electronic package, the package pad features forming electrically conductive paths that are exposed on the surface of the electronic package. |
| US09704802B2 |
Integrated circuit structures comprising conductive vias and methods of forming conductive vias
A method of forming conductive vias comprises forming a first via opening and a second via opening within a substrate. First conductive material of a first conductivity is formed into the first and second via openings. The first conductive material lines sidewalls and a base of the second via opening to less-than-fill the second via opening. Second conductive material is formed into the second via opening over the first conductive material in the second via opening. The second conductive material is of a second conductivity that is greater than the first conductivity. All conductive material within the first via opening forms a first conductive via defining a first maximum conductance elevationally through the first conductive via and all conductive material within the second via opening forms a second conductive via defining a second maximum conductance elevationally through the second conductive via that is greater than said first maximum conductance. Integrated circuit structure comprising conductive vias independent of method of manufacture are disclosed. |
| US09704799B2 |
Semiconductor device
An ESD protection device includes a Si substrate and a rewiring layer. The rewiring layer includes Ti/Cu/Ti electrodes are electrically connected through contact holes to an ESD protection circuit with Al electrodes films, which is formed at the surface of the Si substrate. The Al electrode film is electrically connected to the Ti/Cu/Ti electrode, whereas the Al electrode film is electrically connected to the Ti/Cu/Ti electrode. A diode forming region is formed between Al electrode films, whereas a diode forming region is formed between Al electrode films. The Ti/Cu/Ti electrode has no overlap with the diode forming region, whereas the Ti/Cu/Ti electrode has no overlap with the diode forming region. Thus, a semiconductor device is provided which is able to reduce the generation of parasitic capacitance, and able to be applied up to a higher frequency band. |
| US09704798B2 |
Using materials with different etch rates to fill trenches in semiconductor devices
An embodiment includes a metal interconnect structure, comprising: a dielectric layer on a substrate; an opening in the dielectric layer, wherein the opening has opening sidewalls and exposes a conductive region of at least one of the substrate and an additional interconnect structure; a first atomic layer deposition (ALD) layer on the conductive region and the opening sidewalls; a second ALD layer on a portion of the first ALD layer, and a third ALD layer within the opening and on the first ALD layer. Other embodiments are described herein. |
| US09704792B2 |
Semiconductor package assembly
The invention provides a semiconductor package assembly. The semiconductor package assembly includes a redistribution layer (RDL) structure die-attach surface and a bump-attach surface opposite the die-attach surface. A semiconductor die is mounted on the die-attach surface of the redistribution layer (RDL) structure. A first solder mask layer is disposed on the die-attach surface. The first solder mask layer surrounds the semiconductor die. An additional circuit structure is disposed on a portion of the first solder mask, surrounding the semiconductor die. The additional circuit structure includes a pad portion having a first width and a via portion has a second width that is less than the first width. The via portion passes through the first solder mask layer to be coupled the redistribution layer (RDL) structure. |
| US09704791B2 |
Wiring board and electronic device
This wiring board is provided with: an insulating base that has a lateral surface having an incision part; an electrode that is provided on the inner surface of the incision part; and a wiring conductor that is provided within the insulating base or on the surface of the insulating base and is electrically connected to the electrode via a connection conductor. The width of the incision part is larger than the depth thereof, and the connection conductor is connected to the electrode at an end of the incision part in the width direction. An electronic device according to the present invention is provided with this wiring board and an electronic component that is mounted to the upper surface of this wiring board. |
| US09704786B2 |
Direct selective adhesion promotor plating
A lead frame strip having a plurality of unit lead frames is provided. Each of the unit lead frames includes a die paddle, a plurality of leads extending away from the die paddle, and a peripheral ring delineating interior portions of the leads from exterior portions of the leads. An adhesion promoter plating material is selectively plated within a package outline area of a first unit lead frame. The die paddle and the interior portions of the leads are disposed within the package outline area and the exterior portions of the leads are disposed outside of the package outline area. Wire bond sides are processed such that, after selectively plating the adhesion promoter plating material, the wire bond sites are substantially devoid of the adhesion promoter plating material. The wire bond sites are disposed within the package outline area and are spaced apart from the peripheral ring. |
| US09704783B2 |
Through substrate vias with improved connections
A device includes a substrate, and a plurality of dielectric layers over the substrate. A plurality of metallization layers is formed in the plurality of dielectric layers, wherein at least one of the plurality of metallization layers comprises a metal pad. A through-substrate via (TSV) extends from the top level of the plurality of the dielectric layers to a bottom surface of the substrate. A deep conductive via extends from the top level of the plurality of dielectric layers to land on the metal pad. A metal line is formed over the top level of the plurality of dielectric layers and interconnecting the TSV and the deep conductive via. |
| US09704781B2 |
Under-bump metal structures for interconnecting semiconductor dies or packages and associated systems and methods
The present technology is directed to manufacturing semiconductor dies with under-bump metal (UBM) structures for die-to-die and/or package-to-package interconnects or other types of interconnects. In one embodiment, a method for forming under-bump metal (UBM) structures on a semiconductor die comprises constructing a UBM pillar by plating a first material onto first areas of a seed structure and depositing a second material over the first material. The first material has first electrical potential and the second material has a second electrical potential greater than the first electrical potential. The method further comprises reducing the difference in the electrical potential between the first material and the second material, and then removing second areas of the seed structure between the UBM pillars thereby forming UBM structures on the semiconductor die. |
| US09704779B2 |
Semiconductor module cooler and method for manufacturing same
A semiconductor module cooler for reducing a pressure loss of a coolant includes a first plate mounted with a first semiconductor module; a jacket disposed under the first plate and having a distribution portion, and first and second through-holes separated from each other to be disposed at end portions of the depression respectively; an inlet-side header disposed to cover the first through-hole from under the jacket; an outlet-side header disposed to cover the second through-hole from under the jacket and extending in parallel to the inlet-side header; and a plurality of cooling fins disposed in the depression and extending from above a distribution portion of the inlet-side header to above a water collection portion of the outlet-side header. |
| US09704778B2 |
Phase changing on-chip thermal heat sink
A method of forming an on-chip heat sink includes forming a device on a substrate. The method also includes forming a plurality of insulator layers over the device. The method further includes forming a heat sink in at least one of the plurality of insulator layers and proximate to the device. The heat sink includes a reservoir of phase change material having a melting point temperature that is less than an upper limit of a design operating temperature of the chip. |
| US09704773B2 |
System and method for a switchable heat sink
A method and system for selectively dissipating thermal energy are provided. The system includes a heat-generating structure, a first heat sink, a second heat sink, and a heat transfer element. The heat-generating structure generates thermal energy. The first heat sink is in thermal communication with the heat-generating structure. The heat transfer element is configured to be selectively positioned between the first heat sink and the second heat sink to establish a path for the transfer of thermal energy between the first heat sink and the second heat sink. Upon positioning the heat transfer element between the first heat sink and the second heat sink, at least a portion of the thermal energy from the heat-generating structure is allowed to travel through the first heat sink and through the heat transfer element to the second heat sink. |
| US09704771B2 |
Flip-chip mounted semiconductor device
Provided is a flip-chip mounted semiconductor device in which a crack is less likely to develop. Flip chip mounting is carried out under the condition that no oxide film exists on the scribe region so as to eliminate the interface between the oxide film that remains on the scribe region and the silicon substrate from which a crack may develop. As a result, the circuit board, the encapsulant, and the silicon substrate are stacked at an end portion of the semiconductor chip. |
| US09704770B2 |
Electronic component module
An electronic component module includes a substrate, an electronic component mounted on the substrate, and a resin sealing portion that seals the electronic component and covers a principal surface of the substrate. The resin sealing portion includes a film-shaped resin layer that covers upper and side surfaces of the electronic component and the principal surface of the substrate, and an embedding resin layer that covers the film-shaped resin layer. The embedding resin layer has a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than that of the film-shaped resin layer. A portion of the film-shaped resin layer covering the side surfaces has a smaller thickness than either of a thickness of a portion of the film-shaped resin layer covering the upper surface and a thickness of a portion of the film-shaped resin layer covering the principal surface. |
| US09704767B1 |
Mold compound with reinforced fibers
Techniques and mechanisms for mitigating warpage of structures in a package. In an embodiment, a packaged integrated circuit device includes a mold compound disposed at least partially around an integrated circuit chip. The mold compound comprises fibers suspended in a media that is to aid in mechanical reinforcement of such fibers. The reinforced fibers contribute to mold compound properties that resist warping of the IC chip that might otherwise take place as a result of solder reflow or other processing. A modulus of elasticity of the mold compound is equal to or more than three GigePascals (3 GPa), where the modulus of elasticity corresponds to a temperature equal to two hundred and sixty degrees Celsius (260° C.). In another embodiment, a spiral flow value of the mold compound is equal to or more than sixty five centimeters (65 cm). |
| US09704765B2 |
Method of controlling etch-pattern density and device made using such method
A method of controlling an etch-pattern density of a polysilicon layer includes depositing polysilicon on a wafer. The method includes determining polysilicon-etch regions that include DMOS source regions within circuit-device areas of the wafer. The method includes calculating an etch area of the polysilicon-etch regions and then comparing the calculated etch area of the polysilicon-etch regions to a predetermined minimum etch area. If the calculated etch area is less than a predetermined threshold, the method adds polysilicon-etch regions within non-circuit-device areas to the determined polysilicon-etch regions within the circuit-device areas until the comparing step results in the calculated etch area of the polysilicon-etch regions being greater than the predetermined minimum etch area. The method includes etching the polysilicon from the polysilicon-etch regions in both the circuit-device areas and the non-circuit-device areas. Adding polysilicon-etch regions in non-circuit device areas can advantageously facilitate automatic process control of an etch step. |
| US09704763B2 |
Methods of predicting unity gain frequency with direct current and/or low frequency parameters
Various embodiments include approaches for predicting unity gain frequency in a MOSFET. In some cases, a method includes predicting a unity gain frequency (fT) in a MOSFET device in a manufacturing line, the method including: measuring a first set of in-line direct current (DC) parameters of the MOSFET on the manufacturing line at a first drain voltage (Vd1); extracting a transconductance (Gm) from the first set of in-line DC parameters as a function of a gate-voltage (Vg) and the first drain-voltage (Vd1); measuring a second set of in-line DC parameters of the MOSFET on the manufacturing line at a second drain voltage (Vd2); extracting a total gate capacitance (Cgg) from the second set of in-line DC parameters as a function of the gate-voltage (Vg); and predicting the unity gain frequency (fT) of the MOSFET based upon the extracted transconductance (Gm) and the extracted total gate capacitance (Cgg). |
| US09704759B2 |
Methods of forming CMOS based integrated circuit products using disposable spacers
Disclosed herein is a method of forming a CMOS integrated circuit product (comprised of first and second opposite type transistors) that includes forming a first spacer proximate both the first and second gate structures, forming an initial second spacer proximate the first spacer of the first transistor and a layer of second spacer material above the second transistor, and forming first raised epi semiconductor material source/drain regions for the first transistor. Thereafter, performing a first surface oxidation process so as to selectively form a hydrophilic material on exposed surfaces of the first raised epi semiconductor material and performing an etching process on both the transistors so as to remove the initial second spacer and the layer of second spacer material. |
| US09704758B2 |
Forming a semiconductor structure for reduced negative bias temperature instability
An approach to forming a semiconductor structure with improved negative bias temperature instability includes diffusing fluorine atoms into a semiconductor structure by an anneal in a fluorine containing gas. The approach includes removing a pFET work function metal layer from an area above an nFET wherein the area above the nFET includes at least the area over the nFET. Additionally, the approach includes depositing a layer of nFET work function metal on a remaining portion of the pFET work function metal and depositing a gate metal over the nFET work function metal layer. Furthermore, the method includes performing an anneal in a reducing environment followed by a high temperature anneal. |
| US09704751B1 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A substrate having a first area and a second area is provided. The substrate is patterned to form trenches in the substrate and semiconductor fins between the trenches, wherein the semiconductor fins comprises first semiconductor fins distributed in the first area and second semiconductor fins distributed in the second area. A first fin cut process is performed in the first area to remove portions of the first semiconductor fins. Insulators are formed in the trenches after the first fin cut process is performed. A second fin cut process is performed in the second area to remove portions of the second semiconductor fins until concaves are formed between the insulators in the second area. A gate stack is formed to partially cover the first semiconductor fins, the second semiconductor fins and the insulators. |
| US09704750B2 |
Method for forming a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device
A method of forming a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes providing a wafer stack including a carrier wafer comprising graphite and a device wafer comprising a wide band-gap semiconductor material and having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the second side being attached to the carrier wafer, defining device regions of the wafer stack, partly removing the carrier wafer so that openings are formed in the carrier wafer arranged within respective device regions and that the device wafer is supported by a residual of the carrier wafer; and further processing the device wafer while the device wafer remains supported by the residual of the carrier wafer. |
| US09704748B2 |
Method of dicing a wafer
A method of dicing a wafer includes providing a wafer and etching the wafer to singulate die between kerf line segments defined within an interior region of the wafer and to singulate a plurality of wafer edge areas between the kerf line segments and a circumferential edge of the wafer. Each one of the plurality of wafer edge areas is singulated by kerf lines that each extend between one of two endpoints of one of the kerf line segments and the circumferential edge of the wafer. |
| US09704747B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
Provided are a semiconductor device having a stably formed structure capable of being electrically connected to a second electronic device without causing damage to the semiconductor device, and a manufacturing method thereof. In one embodiment, the semiconductor device may comprise a semiconductor die, an encapsulation part formed on lateral surfaces of the semiconductor die, a dielectric layer formed on the semiconductor die and the encapsulation part, a redistribution layer passing through a part of the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the semiconductor die, a plurality of conductive balls extending through other parts of the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the redistribution layer where the conductive balls are exposed to an environment outside of the semiconductor device, and conductive vias extending through the encapsulation part and electrically connected to the redistribution layer. |
| US09704745B2 |
Methods of forming semiconductor device
A sacrificial layer is formed to cover the gate structures. The sacrificial layer is patterned to form a first opening in the sacrificial layer. A preliminary contact is formed in the first opening and the sacrificial layer is selectively removed. An insulating layer is formed to cover the gate structures and to expose the preliminary contact. The preliminary contact is removed to form a second opening in the insulating layer, and then a contact is formed in the second opening. |
| US09704743B2 |
Method for manufacturing silicon carbide semiconductor device
An insulating layer is formed on a substrate made of silicon carbide. By performing etching using a mask layer formed on the insulating layer, a contact hole is formed in the insulating layer to expose a contact region, which is a portion of a main surface of the substrate. The step of forming the contact hole includes a step of providing the contact region with a surface roughness Ra of not less than 0.5 nm. An electrode layer is formed in contact with the contact region. By heating the electrode layer and the substrate, siliciding reaction is caused between the electrode layer and the contact region. |
| US09704741B2 |
Methods, algorithms and signal processing means utilizing the harbinger wave to forecast and signal an imminent shock wave and determination of its velocities, pressures, density and epicenter
Methods, algorithm and signal processing means utilizing an explosively formed Harbinger (H) wave to forecast an imminent shock wave and in conjunction with the this trailing Main (M) shock wave determination of H wave velocity and M shock wave velocities, overpressure, dynamic pressure, and density and further the M shock wave epicenter location co-ordinates. These parameter determinations are based on the discovery of a Harbinger wave launched upon formation of the M shock wave which annunciates the incoming M shock wave before its arrival. These variables are further used to devise methods and systems to simultaneously detonate an array of munitions, deploy just in time personnel and/or equipment protection, determine the wave epicenter for identifying enemy combatants and terrorist positions, alert response teams to a deleterious event and its magnitude, signal the location of these deleterious events and determine if a munition has functioned. |
| US09704740B2 |
Semiconductor device having insulating layers containing oxygen and a barrier layer containing manganese
A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer formed over a semiconductor substrate, the insulating layer including oxygen, a first wire formed in the insulating layer, and a second wire formed in the insulating layer over the first wire and containing manganese, oxygen, and copper, the second wire having a projection portion formed in the insulating layer and extending downwardly but spaced apart from the first wire. |
| US09704739B2 |
Semiconductor device packages, packaging methods, and packaged semiconductor devices
Semiconductor device packages, packaging methods, and packaged semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a package for a semiconductor device includes a back side interconnect structure, and a winding of an inductor disposed in a material layer of the back side interconnect structure. A molding material is coupled to the back side interconnect structure. The package includes an integrated circuit die mounting region disposed within the molding material. |
| US09704737B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a first region, a second region, and a third region; forming a plurality of spacers on the first region, the second region, and the third region; forming a first patterned mask to cover the spacers on the first region and the second region; and removing the spacers on the third region. |
| US09704733B2 |
Storing container, storing container manufacturing method, semiconductor manufacturing method, and semiconductor manufacturing apparatus
The present invention is to provide a storing container wherein Si does not drop onto a single crystal SiC substrate, and Si pressure distribution in an internal space can be made uniform. This storing container stores therein a single crystal SiC substrate to be etched by means of a heat treatment under Si vapor pressure. The storing container is formed of a tantalum metal, and has a tantalum carbide layer provided on an internal space side, and a tantalum silicide layer provided on the side further toward the internal space side than the tantalum carbide layer. The tantalum silicide layer supplies Si to the internal space. Furthermore, the tantalum silicide layer is different from adhered Si, and does not melt and drop. |
| US09704732B2 |
Apparatuses for bonding semiconductor chips
An apparatus for bonding semiconductor chips may comprise transfer rails configured to transfer substrates, loading members configured to load the substrates onto the transfer rails, unloading members configured to unload the substrates from the transfer rails, a first wafer supply unit configured to supply a first wafer including semiconductor chips, and/or a bonding unit configured to bond the semiconductor chips to the substrates. An apparatus for bonding semiconductor chips may comprise a transfer rail configured to transfer substrates, loading members configured to load the substrates onto the transfer rail, unloading members configured to unload the substrates from the transfer rail, a buffer member at a side of the transfer rail configured to temporarily receive the substrates loaded by the loading members, a first wafer supply unit configured to supply a first wafer including semiconductor chips, and/or a bonding unit configured to bond the semiconductor chips to the substrates. |
| US09704726B2 |
Packaging structural member
A structural member for use in semiconductor packaging is disclosed. The structural member includes a plurality of packaging regions to facilitate packaging dies in, for example, a wafer format. A packaging region has a die attach region surrounded by a peripheral region. A die is attached to the die attach region. In one aspect, the die attach region has opening through the surfaces of the structural member for accommodating a die. Through-vias disposed are in the peripheral regions. The structural member reduces warpage that can occur during curing of the mold compound used in encapsulating the dies. In another aspect, the die attach region does not have an opening. In such cases, the structural member serves as an interposer between the die and a substrate. |
| US09704725B1 |
Semiconductor device with leadframe configured to facilitate reduced burr formation
A semiconductor package or device including a uniquely configured leadframe defining a plurality of leads which are arranged and partially etched in a manner facilitating a substantial reduction in burr formation resulting from a saw singulation process used to complete the fabrication of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a die pad defining multiple peripheral edge segments. In addition, the semiconductor device includes a plurality of leads which are provided in a prescribed arrangement. Connected to the top surface of the die pad is at least one semiconductor die which is electrically connected to at least some of the leads. At least portions of the die pad, the leads, the lands, and the semiconductor die are encapsulated by the package body, with at least portions of the bottom surfaces of the die pad and the leads being exposed in a common exterior surface of the package body. |
| US09704703B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, substrate processing apparatus, and recording medium
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming a film containing a predetermined element and carbon on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times. The cycle includes supplying a first process gas containing the predetermined element and a halogen element to the substrate; supplying a second process gas containing carbon and nitrogen to the substrate; supplying a third process gas containing carbon to the substrate; and supplying a fourth process gas to the substrate, the fourth process gas being different from each of the first to the third process gases. |
| US09704702B2 |
Flash light source device
A flash light source device includes a flash lamp, a wring board, and a power feeding unit. The flash lamp includes a sealed container provided with a light transmission window on one end face and having a discharge gas enclosed therein, a cathode and an anode to induce arc discharge in the sealed container, and lead pins projecting from the other end face of the sealed container. The wiring board has a principal surface and a back surface. The lead pins of the flash lamp arranged opposite to the principal surface are bonded so as to be fixed in an electrically conductive manner to the wiring board. The power feeding unit implements charge and discharge of an electric current to be supplied to the flash lamp. The power feeding unit has chip capacitors surface-mounted on the wiring board. |
| US09704698B2 |
Lateral introduction of ions into RF ion guides
An ion guide system includes an ion guide with pole rods, a device for laterally introducing an ion species, and a mass spectrometer for analyzing product ions of reactions between different ion species. The device is configured and positioned such that an RF field with at least two-fold rotational symmetry with respect to the axis is generated. The device includes shortened pole rods and/or further electrodes. The pole rods and the further electrodes have at least two-fold rotational symmetry. The symmetry of the RF field allows ions to travel straight ahead through the ion guide with no hindrance. Such arrangements are particularly suitable for bringing together largely loss-free positive and negative ion species for reacting them. The reactions may be used to fragment multiply charged biopolymer ions by electron transfer or to remove excess charges of multiply charged biopolymer ions. |
| US09704697B2 |
Radio-frequency-free hybrid electrostatic/magnetostatic cell for transporting, trapping, and dissociating ions in mass spectrometers
Mass spectrometry cells include one or more interleaved magnetostatic and electrostatic lenses. In some examples, the electrostatic lenses are based on electrical potentials applied to magnetostatic lens pole pieces. In other alternatives, the electrostatic lenses can include conductive apertures. Applied voltages can be selected to trap or transport charged particles, and photon sources, gas sources, ion sources, and electron sources can be provided for various dissociation processes. |
| US09704693B2 |
Power combiner and microwave introduction mechanism
A power combiner includes a main body composed of outer and inner conductors, a plurality of power introduction ports configured to introduce electromagnetic wave powers supplied through power supply lines into the main body, a power combining antenna configured to radiate electromagnetic waves to a space between the outer and inner conductors such that the powers are combined, and an output port through which the combined electromagnetic wave is outputted from the main body. The power combining antenna includes a plurality of antenna members, each of which has a first pole and a second pole that is in contact with the inner conductor, and a reflection part configured to reflect the electromagnetic waves. |
| US09704692B2 |
System for instantaneous radiofrequency power measurement and associated methods
Each of multiple plasma processing chambers has an RF power input line connected to receive RF power from a common RF power source. An RF control module is connected to distribute RF power from the common RF power source to the RF power input lines of the multiple chambers. A voltage sensor and a current sensor are connected to a corresponding RF power input line. Each voltage sensor measures an instantaneous electrical voltage present on its RF power input line. Each current sensor measures an instantaneous electrical current present on its RF power input line. An analog multiplier module is connected to receive as inputs the instantaneous electrical voltage from its corresponding voltage sensor and the instantaneous electrical current from its corresponding current sensor. Each analog multiplier module generates an output signal that indicates an instantaneous RF power present on the corresponding RF power input line of the corresponding chamber. |
| US09704690B2 |
Plasma apparatus and method of operating the same
A plasma apparatus includes a chuck disposed in a process chamber, a gas supply unit supplying a process gas into the process chamber, a plasma generating unit configured to generate plasma over the chuck, a direct current (DC) power generator applying a DC pulse signal to the chuck, and a sensor monitoring a state of the plasma and providing a sensing signal to the DC power generator. Each period of the DC pulse signal includes a negative pulse duration, a positive pulse duration, and a pulse-off duration. If a signal disturbance of the sensing signal occurs in an nth period of the DC pulse signal, the DC power generator changes a magnitude of a positive pulse and/or a length of the positive pulse duration of an n+1th period of the DC pulse signal, where “n” denotes a natural number. |
| US09704688B2 |
X-ray analysis in air
An x-ray analysis apparatus comprises an electron beam assembly for generating a focused electron beam within a first gas pressure environment. A sample assembly is used for retaining a sample within a second gas pressure environment such that the sample receives the electron beam from the electron beam assembly and such that the gas pressure in the second gas pressure environment is greater than the gas pressure within the first gas pressure environment. An x-ray detector is positioned so as to have at least one x-ray sensor element within the first gas pressure environment. The sensor element is mounted to a part of the electron beam assembly which is proximal to the sample assembly and further arranged in use to receive x-rays generated by the interaction between the electron beam and the sample. |
| US09704687B2 |
Charged particle beam application device
The charged particle beam application device is provided with a charged particle source and an objective lens that converges charged particle beam generated by the charged particle source onto a sample. In this case, the charged particle beam application device is further provided with an aberration generating element installed between the charged particle beam source and the objective lens, a tilt-use deflector installed between the aberration generating element and the objective lens, a deflection aberration control unit for controlling the aberration generating element, a first electromagnetic field superposing multipole installed between the aberration generating element and the objective lens, and an electromagnetic field superposing multipole control unit for controlling the first electromagnetic field superposing multipole. The aberration generating element has such a function that when the charged particle beam is tilted relative to the sample by the tilt-use deflector, a plurality of resulting aberrations are cancelled with one another. Moreover, the first electromagnetic field superposing multipole has a function to change the orbit of a charged particle beam having energy different from that of the main charged particle beam in the charged particle beam. |
| US09704686B2 |
Electric alignment device and alignment method for a birefringence grating
An electric alignment device and an alignment method for a birefringence grating are disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention. The electric alignment device comprises: an alignment platform provided with at least two stripe electrodes, the at least two stripe electrodes are parallel to each other so as to generate an electric field for aligning liquid crystal polymer in the birefringence grating. |
| US09704685B2 |
Pyrolyzed porous carbon materials and ion emitters
Embodiments related to the use and production of porous carbon materials in ion emitters and other applications are described. |
| US09704683B2 |
Double-break relay
A relay for closing or interrupting the electric circuit between two relay connection contacts includes two contact springs which are each fixed in an electrically conductive manner to the relay connection contacts with the spring ends thereof facing away from each other and which face each other with the other free, deflectable spring ends thereof. A stationary, electrically conductive contact bridge, against which the free spring ends abut in the closed relay position and from which the free spring ends are lifted in the open relay position, is included. A single solenoid-operated mechanism is for the synchronous, parallel deflection of the two contact springs into the closed or open relay position. |
| US09704681B2 |
Conduction breaking device
The conduction breaking device includes a conductive body, a fixed blade, an arc-extinguishing chamber, a gas generator, a cutting member, and a cutting delaying portion. The fixed blade and the arc-extinguishing chamber are located on one side of the cuttable portion with respect to a thickness direction of the cuttable portion in the conductive body. The gas generator is located on the opposite side of the cuttable portion with respect to the thickness direction. The cutting member is arranged between the cuttable portion and the gas generator and includes a movable blade. The cutting delaying portion is provided at the movable blade and configured to allow a part of an area of the cuttable portion that is, in the width direction, closer to the center than the edges are to the center to be cut after the other parts are cut. |
| US09704680B1 |
Magnetic switch
An improved magnetic switch assembly (16) has a housing (24), a first electrode (40) positioned within the housing (24), a second electrode (42), and a magnetically movable component (48) located within the housing (24) and shiftable between a first position in simultaneous contact with electrodes (40, 42), and a second position out of such simultaneous contact. The electrode (40) has a radially enlarged contact section (44, 58) adjacent the free end thereof which prevents hangup or sticking of component (48) in the first position. |
| US09704675B2 |
Contact module for circuit breaker
A contact module for a circuit breaker is disclosed, comprising: a base, a cover, an operation mechanism, at least three kinds of asymmetrical single-pole switches and a release mechanism. The cover is mounted on the base to form a space, where the mechanisms and the switches are disposed. The operation mechanism is connected to one switch; the release mechanism to the at least three switches. Each switch comprises a strong side and a weak side. For each switch, there is a thick contact housing on the strong side connected to a thick shaft, and a thin one on the weak side connected to a thin shaft. A rotor component has a single contact spring mounted on the weak side. Rotation shafts are connected by a linkage shaft to connect the single-pole switches; a strong side of one switch is connected to a weak side of another switch. |
| US09704668B2 |
Input device
An input device includes: a switch unit that has a fixed contact and a movable contact placed so as to be movable away from and toward the fixed contact; a rubber member provided so as to be elastically deformable, the rubber member pressing the movable contact; and a slide member placed so as to be movable so that the slide member can press the rubber member. The rubber member has a first load generating part, which presses the movable contact, and a plurality of load adjusting parts disposed so as to enclose the first load generating part. The slide member has a first pressing part, which presses the first load generating part, and a plurality of second pressing parts, which press the plurality of load adjusting parts. |
| US09704666B2 |
Pushbutton switch
A pushbutton switch for a switch assembly includes a pushbutton unit and a resilient member. The pushbutton unit includes a mounting seat and a pushbutton that covers the mounting seat. The resilient member is disposed between the mounting seat and the pushbutton, and has an insert connected to the mounting seat and having opposite ends that are spaced apart in an extending direction, and two resilient arms extending respectively from the opposite ends of the insert. Each resilient arm has two contact end sections abutting against the pushbutton and spaced apart in a transverse direction, and is deformed when the pushbutton moves to a contact position so as to generate a restoring force which urges the pushbutton to a non-contact position. |
| US09704660B2 |
Electrical switching device, which switches stroke-dependently, with extended switching hysteresis
The disclosure relates to an electrical switching device, which switches stroke-dependently, with extended switching hysteresis, including a switching element with a contact lever, the switching element cooperating with an actuating element movably guided in a holding device. The actuating element has a step-shaped portion for actuating the contact lever of the switching element and the actuating element has an opening in which an engagement element designed as a bolt or a pin engages when a switching action is initiated. The opening provided in the actuating element is formed as an elongated hole, in which the engagement element engages in order to achieve a switching stroke and a defined hysteresis is thus set depending on the design of the elongated hole. |
| US09704658B2 |
Vacuum switching apparatus, and contact assembly and method of securing an electrical contact to an electrode therefor
A contact assembly is for a vacuum switching apparatus. The vacuum switching apparatus includes a vacuum envelope. The vacuum envelope has an interior. The contact assembly includes: a number of electrical contacts located in the interior of the vacuum envelope, at least one electrical contact having a hole; and a number of electrodes each engaging a corresponding one of the number of electrical contacts, at least one electrode including a base and a protrusion. The protrusion extends from the base into the hole of the electrical contact in order to secure the electrical contact to the electrode. |
| US09704657B2 |
Mechanical wear, wipe and stroke measurement system for circuit breakers
A contact wear indicator assembly for a circuit breaker assembly is provided. The contact wear indicator assembly includes an interface assembly, an indicator drive assembly, and a user display assembly. The user display assembly includes an output device. The output device is structured to produce a visual indication representative of a measurable contact characteristic. The indicator drive assembly is operatively coupled to the interface assembly, whereby the indicator drive assembly moves between a first position and a second position corresponding to an interface assembly first and second position. The indicator drive assembly is measurably coupled to the user display assembly. The user display assembly is structured to convert the position data of the indicator drive assembly into a quantified output such as, but not limited to, contact characteristics. The user display assembly is further structured to display the indicator drive assembly position data on the output device. |
| US09704654B2 |
Multi-layer based new conceptual battery type supercapacitor with high power density and high energy density and method for preparing the same
Supercapacitor is an energy storage device with high power density and low energy density, and is normally used with a battery to satisfy one's needs for high power density and high energy density. The present invention provides a method to fabricate a novel battery type supercapacitor, with a multi-layered structure composed of a plurality of thin layers which is formed by alternately stacking high specific energy battery material and/or supercapacitor material such as metal oxides, metal hydroxides, metal sulfides, conductive polymers, carbon materials with reduced graphene oxide (rGO), to obtain a supercapacitor with both high specific energy density and high specific power density. Such a novel multi-layered structure composed of a plurality of thin layers formed by alternately stacking battery or capacitor material and rGO can not only ensure the obtained electrode to greatly improve the diffusion control of reaction particles, but also enhance its kinetic characteristic, so as to achieve both high power density and high energy density when used as a capacitor. |
| US09704651B2 |
Electronic component
An interposer includes a plurality of first connection electrodes each of which is arranged on either of first- and second-side-surface sides of a first principal surface of a substrate; a plurality of second connection electrodes each of which is arranged on either of first- and second-side-surface sides of a second principal surface of the substrate; and a plurality of third connection electrodes each of which is arranged on either of first and second side surfaces. Each of the first connection electrodes has a first portion located away from an edge of the first principal surface, and a second portion extending from the first portion to the edge and connected to the third connection electrode. Each of the second portion of each first connection electrode and the plurality of third connection electrodes has a width smaller than a width of the first portion of each first connection electrode. |
| US09704645B2 |
Coil manufacturing apparatus
A coil manufacturing apparatus 10 includes: a nozzle configured to feed a wire; a take-up jig configured to take up, through rotation, the wire fed from the nozzle; a cylindrical inner cutter tube that is provided coaxially with the take-up jig and is configured to rotate together with the take-up jig, the cylindrical inner cutter tube comprising a first slit that is formed so as to extend in an axial direction, the first slit being configured that the wire is inserted through; and an immovable outer cutter tube that is provided so as to be superimposed on an outside of the cylindrical inner cutter tube, the immovable outer cutter tube comprising a second slit that is formed so as to extend in the axial direction, the second slit being configured that the wire is inserted through. |
| US09704643B2 |
Contactless power transmission device, and power feeder and power receiver for use in the same
A power feeder of a contactless power transmission device includes a housing base member, a primary coil provided on the housing base member and configured to generate magnetic flux, a cover attached to the housing base member and configured to cover the primary coil, a capacitance sensor including a detection electrode between the primary coil and the cover, and configured to detect foreign matter around the cover based on a change in capacitance detected using the detection electrode, and a high-dielectric member embedded in the cover and having a permittivity higher than that of a material for the cover. |
| US09704641B2 |
Magnetic energy-transmitting element and power supply for cancelling out electrical noise
The present invention relates to a transmitter and power supply which suffers little EMI deviation and provides adequate margin even in volume production, and which can cut the unit price of transformers and economize on the costs of EMI filters, by cancelling out and eliminating the conducted noise or the conducted noise and radiated noise caused by capacitive coupling between the windings of a transformer, the transformer being of an uncomplicated construction which is good in terms of production. |
| US09704640B2 |
Chip electronic component and manufacturing method thereof
There is provided a chip electronic component including; a magnetic body containing magnetic metal powder; an internal coil part embedded in the magnetic body; and a plating spreading prevention part coated on a surface of the magnetic body. The plating spreading prevention part contains phosphate-based glass. Whereby, plating spread generated in the surface of the chip electronic component at the time of forming the external electrodes may be prevented. |
| US09704637B2 |
Method and apparatus for demagnetizing transformer cores in closed loop magnetic current sensors
Automated degaussing methods and apparatus are presented for degaussing a magnetic core in close loop fashion, in which a plurality of pulses are applied to a compensation coil magnetically coupled with the core with duration or energy being decreased in succeeding pulse cycles according to a discrete feedback algorithm, and with individual pulse polarities being set according to core magnetization polarity measured subsequent to an immediately preceding pulse. |
| US09704635B2 |
Electromagnetic actuator and method for producing such an actuator
An electromagnetic actuator, including: a ferromagnetic housing extending in a longitudinal direction with a height in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; two coils arranged inside the housing, each including at least one winding around the longitudinal direction; a ferromagnetic member arranged between the coils; and a ferromagnetic plunger subjected to a magnetic field generated by the coils, the plunger movable in the longitudinal direction and to be immobilized in three different longitudinal positions depending on the field generated by the coils. The ferromagnetic member is rigidly connected to the housing and has, in the vertical direction, a size greater than one sixth of the height of the housing, and located at a distance smaller than one fourth of a gap in the longitudinal direction between the two coils, relative to a median plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at the midpoint between the two coils. |
| US09704633B2 |
Motor vehicle solenoid for a starter motor
A motor vehicle solenoid including a solenoid housing, at least one coil arranged in the housing, and at least one diode holder arranged in the housing adjacent the at least one coil. The at least one diode holder includes a body having an outer circumferential edge and at least one diode pocket. The at least one diode pocket houses a diode electrically connected to the at least one coil. |
| US09704630B2 |
Superconducting magnet, MRI apparatus and NMR apparatus
Provided superconducting magnet allowing the temperature of the permanent current switch to be quickly lowered and the excitation time of the superconducting magnet to be shortened, an MRI apparatus and an NMR apparatus having the superconducting magnet. A superconducting magnet structure is disclosed in which a superconducting coil 1 is connected to a second stage 22 of a refrigerating unit 2 through a low-temperature-side highly thermal conductor 3 and a permanent current switch 4 covered by a highly thermal conductor 5 is connected to a second stage 22 of the refrigerating unit 2 through a heat insulator 6 and a low-temperature-side highly thermal conductor 3. Gas is supplied from a gas bottle 8 disposed outside a vacuum vessel 16 to a condenser 11 in a thermal shield 12. In addition, a first pipe 14 that supplies condensate liquid to a liquid storage chamber 7 is provided. The liquid storage chamber 7 is disposed at an upper portion of the permanent current switch 4. A check valve 13 is connected to the first pipe 14. |
| US09704624B2 |
Integrated circuit (IC) including semiconductor resistor and resistance compensation circuit and related methods
An integrated circuit (IC) may include a semiconductor substrate, and a semiconductor resistor. The semiconductor resistor may include a well in the semiconductor substrate and having a first conductivity type, a first resistive region in the well having an L-shape and a second conductivity type, and a tuning element associated with the first resistive region. The IC may also include a resistance compensation circuit on the semiconductor substrate. The resistance compensation circuit may be configured to measure an initial resistance of the first resistive region, and generate a voltage at the tuning element to tune an operating resistance of the first resistive region based upon the measured initial resistance. |
| US09704621B2 |
Chip resistor
A chip resistor includes a base member, a resistive element formed on the base member, a first inner electrode held in contact with a first end portion or the resistive element, a second inner electrode held in contact with a second end portion of the resistive element, a first reverse surface electrode reaching a first end portion of the base member, and a second reverse surface electrode reaching a second end portion of the base member. The length of the first and the second reverse surface electrodes is in a range of 2/10 to 3/10 of the length of the base member. Also, the length of the first and the second reverse surface electrodes is greater than the length of the first and the second inner electrodes. |
| US09704620B2 |
Cable gland with pressure indicator
The cable gland with pressure indicator of the present invention comprehends a scale (12) disposed on the sleeve (5) that fits in a body (4), the referred body (4) comprising an optical element box (14) with an optical element (13) inserted in section of its outer surface (16), the positioning of the referred section being determined in a way that the optical element box (14) is positioned above the scale (12) disposed on the sleeve (5), the outer body surface section (4) comprising a reference ring (16). |
| US09704617B2 |
High strength conductive cable
A production method for a headline sonar cable (20, 120) that exhibits a high breaking-strength and lighter weight than a conventional steel headline sonar cable. Producing the headline sonar cable (20, 120) is characterized by the steps of: a. providing an elongatable internally-located conductive structure (34, 134) that is adapted for data signal transmission; and b. braiding a strength-member jacket layer (52) of polymeric material around the structure (34, 134) while ensuring that the structure (34, 134) is slack when surrounded by the jacket layer (52). The structure (34, 134) of the cable (20, 120) retains conductivity upon stretching of the jacket layer (52) surrounding the structure (34, 134) that lengthens the cable (20, 120). For one embodiment of the method a conductor (20) wrapped around a rod (24) and enclosed within a sheath layer (32) forms the structure (34, 134). For another embodiment of the method a braided conductor (122) enclosed within a braided sheath (124) and a polymeric layer (132) forms the structure (34, 134). |
| US09704614B2 |
Room temperature-curable electrically conductive fluorosilicone rubber composition
A room temperature-curable electrically conductive fluorosilicone rubber composition comprises: (A) a fluoropolysiloxane capped at the molecular terminals with hydroxyl groups having a viscosity at 25° C. of from 1,000 to 1,000,000 mPa·s; (B) fine silica powder having a BET specific surface area of not less than 50 m2/g; (C) a carbon black; (D) a fibrous carbon allotrope having a graphene structure; and (E) a crosslinking agent. Component (D) is comprised in an amount of not less than 1.5 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of component (A). The room temperature-curable electrically conductive fluorosilicone rubber composition is cured to form a cured product having both superior post-cure physical strength and electrical conductivity. Also, the room temperature-curable electrically conductive fluorosilicone rubber composition has viscosity that enables superior handling, and provides superior post-cure surface smoothness, solvent resistance, and adhesion. |
| US09704613B2 |
Polymer composites with electromagnetic interference mitigation properties
Polymer composites that are suitable for use as electromagnetic interference mitigaters include a lossy polymeric matrix, ceramic particles dispersed within the polymeric matrix, and conductive particles dispersed within the polymeric matrix. The lossy polymeric matrix may be a fluorocarbon-based polymer matrix, or an epoxy-based polymer matrix. The ceramic particles may be metal oxide particles, especially copper oxide (CuO) particles. The conductive particles may be carbon black. Other electromagnetic interference mitigating polymer matrices include a lossy polymeric matrix and copper oxide (CuO) particles dispersed within the polymeric matrix. |
| US09704611B2 |
Composite structure of graphene and carbon nanotube and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention discloses a composite structure of graphene and carbon nanotube and a method of manufacturing the same. The composite structure includes graphene platelets and carbon nanotubes, each carbon nanotube growing perpendicular to the planar surface of the graphene platelet. The method includes steps of graphene platelets preparation, chemical precipitation, chemical reduction and carbon nanotube growth. Metal particles are first formed on the graphene platelets through the steps of chemical precipitation and electrochemical reduction, and carbon nanotubes grow in the step of carbon nanotube growth through thermal treatment. Thus, the graphene platelets and the carbon nanotubes of the present invention form a three dimensional structure, and the carbon nanotubes are used as three dimensional spacers and configured between the graphene platelets, which are effectively separated and hard to aggregate or congregate together. |
| US09704609B2 |
Apparatus for reducing volume of resin containing radioactive material, and method for operating the apparatus
Provided is an ion exchange resin volume reduction apparatus in which the ignition of plasma is facilitated and the plasma is prevented from extinguishing. A volume reduction apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes a stage carrying thereon a resin to be treated, a CCP power source, and an ICP power source. The volume reduction apparatus according to a certain aspect of the present invention is provided with a supply mechanism, and the CCP power source continues operating when the resin to be treated is supplied in a depressurized state to a vacuum vessel. In the volume reduction apparatus according to a certain aspect of the present invention, the CCP power source continues operating when a gas condition under which gas is supplied into the vacuum vessel is changed. |
| US09704607B2 |
Highly safe control mechanism for a device for the sealed transfer between two closed spaces
A control mechanism for a device for the sealed transfer between a chamber and a container, affording a very high level of safety, comprising bolts able to open the doors in complete safety, and a protective bolt (92) able to prevent an opening movement if an attempt is made to remove the container. |
| US09704605B2 |
Storage, transportation and disposal system for used nuclear fuel assemblies
An integrated storage, transportation and disposal system for used fuel assemblies is provided. The system includes a plurality of sealed canisters and a cask sized to receive the sealed canisters in side by side relationship. The plurality of sealed canisters include an internal basket structure to receive a plurality of used fuel assemblies. The internal basket structure includes a plurality of radiation-absorbing panels and a plurality of hemispherical ribs generally perpendicular to the canister sidewall. The sealed canisters are received within the cask for storage and transportation and are removed from the cask for disposal at a designated repository. The system of the present invention allows the handling of sealed canisters separately or collectively, while allowing storage and transportation of high burnup fuel and damaged fuel to the designated repository. |
| US09704602B2 |
Random number generation circuit and semiconductor system including the same
A random number generation circuit may include a memory block. The random number generation circuit may include a fuse block configured to store an address of a failed memory cell from a memory cell array of the memory block, as a repair address, and generate a match signal by comparing the repair address with a normal address inputted from an exterior. The random number generation circuit may include a register configured to output a true random number by latching an address corresponding to activation timing of the match signal among normal addresses. |
| US09704601B2 |
Method for repairing defective memory cells in semiconductor memory device
Provided is a method for repairing one or more defective memory cells of a semiconductor memory device by a system management interrupt and a basic input/output system service routine. In the method, when an error has occurred in data read from the semiconductor memory device, the system management interrupt is generated to invoke the basic input/output system service routine. During execution of the basic input/output system service routine, a repair task is performed to one or more defective memory cells causing a read error in the semiconductor memory device using spare memory cells. |
| US09704599B1 |
Memory circuit with assist circuit trimming
A memory device includes: a memory array comprising a plurality of bits, wherein a first bit of the plurality of bits is coupled to a first assist circuit; a test engine, coupled to the memory array, and configured to examine whether each bit is functional; and an assist circuit trimming (ACT) circuit, coupled to the memory array and the test engine, and in response to the examination, configured to selectively activate the first assist circuit. |
| US09704597B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for outputting addresses of defective memory cells of a semiconductor device including a roll call circuit
A semiconductor device that includes a plurality of memory cells assigned with addresses that are different from each other, a redundant memory cell replacing a defective memory cell among the memory cells, a fuse circuit storing an address of the defective memory cell, an access control circuit accessing the redundant memory cell when the address of the defective memory cell stored in the fuse circuit is supplied, and a roll call circuit outputting the address of the defective memory cell to outside the semiconductor device in a serial manner. |
| US09704596B1 |
Method of detecting erase fail word-line in non-volatile memory device
A method for operating a non-volatile memory device initially includes supplying an erase voltage to the memory cells. The memory cells are in cell strings in a three-dimensional structure. The method further includes performing a first read operation of the memory cells, performing a second read operation of the memory cells, and then performing a first erase verify operation based on results of the first and second read operations. The first erase verify operation may include performing a first exclusive-or (XOR) operation on the first and second read operation results. |
| US09704595B1 |
Self-detecting a heating event to non-volatile storage
Techniques are provided for non-volatile storage self-detecting that a heating event has occurred to the non-volatile storage. One example of the heating event is an Infrared (IR) reflow process. In one aspect, a block of memory cells in a memory device are put through a number of program/erase cycles. A group of the memory cells in the cycled block are programmed to a reference threshold voltage distribution. Some time may pass after programming the cycled block. The memory device self-detects that there has been a heating event in response to a shift in the reference VT distribution being more than an allowed amount. The memory device may switch from a first programming mode to a second programming mode in response to detecting that the heating event has occurred. |
| US09704594B1 |
Inter-cell interference reduction in flash memory devices
The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, and methods that address the migration of least significant in memory cells due to inter-cell interference (ICI). The disclosed embodiments include a control unit that is configured to characterize the vulnerability of memory cells to ICI, and appropriately encode data stored in the vulnerable memory cells to address ICI. This encoding scheme, referred to as “stuck-at” encoding scheme, can be separate from the generic error correcting code encoding. The stuck-at encoding scheme can decrease the bit error rate of flash memory devices. |
| US09704588B1 |
Apparatus and method for preconditioning currents to reduce errors in sensing for non-volatile memory
Reduced errors when sensing non-volatile memory are provided by applying a current spike or preconditioning current for a group of memory cells included a selected cell. During a sense operation, a preconditioning current can be passed through a group of non-volatile memory cells. The preconditioning current is provided prior to applying at least one reference voltage to a selected word line. The preconditioning current may simulate a cell current passing through the channel during a verification phase of programming. The preconditioning current can modify a channel resistance to approximate a state during verification to provide a more stable threshold voltage for the memory cells. Preconditioning currents may be applied selectively for select reference levels, select pages, and/or select operations. Selective application of preconditioning currents based on temperature is also provided. |
| US09704587B1 |
Semiconductor memory device and operating method thereof
Provided herein are a semiconductor memory device and an operating method thereof. The semiconductor memory device may include: drain select transistor coupled to a bit line; a source select transistor coupled to a source line; a plurality of memory cells coupled in series between the drain select transistor and the source select transistor; and a peripheral circuit configured to successively apply a discharge control voltage to memory cells in sequence from a memory cell adjacent to the source select transistor to a memory cell adjacent to the drain select transistor. |
| US09704586B1 |
Flash memory device having physical destroy means
A flash memory device. The flash memory device comprises a controller, a plurality of flash memories, and a voltage control circuit. The voltage control circuit comprises a boost converter, a buck converter, and a voltage controller. The boost converter receives a system voltage to generate a first high voltage. The buck converter receives the first high voltage and provides an output voltage to the controller and the flash memories. The voltage controller detects the output voltage generated by the buck converter, and therefore generates a feedback signal. When the voltage controller receives a physical destruction control signal from a host computer, the buck converter will generate an output signal with high level according to the control of the feedback signal. Afterwards, semiconductor physical elements of the controller and the flash memories will be burned by the output signal with high level. |
| US09704581B2 |
Voltage ramping detection
Method, system and apparatus for detecting voltage ramping to a target voltage level in steady state, comprising, ramping a regulated voltage to a steady state target voltage for an operation of a load circuit, the steady state target voltage being a voltage level that enables the load circuit to perform the operation, generating an output signal indicating that the regulated voltage has reached the target voltage and generating a ready signal responsive to detecting the output signal. |
| US09704580B2 |
Integrated erase voltage path for multiple cell substrates in nonvolatile memory devices
A non-volatile memory device using existing row decoding circuitry to selectively provide a global erase voltage to at least one selected memory block in order to facilitate erasing of all the non-volatile memory cells of the at least one selected memory block. More specifically, the erase voltage is coupled to the cell body or substrate of memory cells of the at least one selected memory block, where the cell body is electrically isolated from the cell body of non-volatile memory cells in at least one other memory block. By integrating the erase voltage path with the existing row decoding circuitry used to drive row signals for a selected memory block, no additional decoding logic or circuitry is required for providing the erase voltage to the at least one selected memory block. |
| US09704575B1 |
Content-addressable memory having multiple reference matchlines to reduce latency
Words of data are maintained in content-addressable memory cells arranged in rows. Two of the rows are timing reference rows, and the remainder of the rows are data rows that maintain the words of data. The data rows form individual matchlines. A first of the reference rows forms a precharge reference matchline, and a second of the reference rows forms an evaluation reference matchline. The timing for the individual matchlines to precharge is based on the time to precharge the precharge reference matchline, and timing for the individual matchlines to evaluate a search word is based on the time for the evaluation reference matchline to evaluate the search word. |
| US09704573B1 |
Three-transistor resistive random access memory cells
A pair of adjacent ReRAM cells in an array includes a first bit line for a row of the array, a second bit line for the row of the array, a p-channel word line associated with two adjacent columns in the array, and an n-channel word line associated with the two adjacent columns. A pair of ReRAM cells in the adjacent columns in the row each includes a switch node, a first ReRAM device connected between the first bit line and the source of a p-channel transistor. The drain of the p-channel transistor is connected to the switch node, and its gate is connected to the p-channel word line. A second ReRAM device is connected between the second bit line and the source of an n-channel transistor. The drain of the n-channel transistor is connected to the switch node, and its gate is connected to the n-channel word line. |
| US09704571B2 |
Memory device and a method of operating the same
A method of operating a memory device includes writing cell data having one of at least three states to a memory cell; amplifying a voltage level of a bit line connected to the memory cell; determining that the cell data is in a first state when the voltage level of the bit line sensed at a sensing point is equal to or greater than a first reference voltage; determining that the cell data is in a second state when the voltage level of the bit line sensed at the sensing point is equal to or less than a second reference voltage which has a lower voltage level than the first reference voltage; and determining that the cell data is in a third state when the cell data is not in the first or second states. |
| US09704567B1 |
Stressing and testing semiconductor memory cells
A memory cell that is readable through a bit line and addressable through a word line can be stressed using a method that includes addressing the memory cell, through the word line, for an addressing time. The memory cell can be stressed by applying a stress voltage to the bit line for a stress voltage time that overlaps with the addressing time for a stress time Δt. A method for testing a memory cell can include writing a data value into the memory cell, stressing the memory cell, reading a stored value from the memory cell and determining whether the stored value corresponds to the data value. A testable memory array can include at least one memory cell that is addressable through a word line and readable through a bit line and a stress circuit for applying a stress voltage to the bit line. |
| US09704563B2 |
Apparatus, method and system for performing successive writes to a bank of a dynamic random access memory
Techniques and mechanisms to provide write access to a memory device. In an embodiment, a memory controller sends commands to a memory device which comprises multiple memory banks. The memory controller further sends a signal specifying that the commands include back-to-back write commands each to access the same memory bank. In response to the signal, the memory device buffers first data of a first write command, wherein the first data is buffered at least until the memory device receives second data of a second write command. Error correction information is calculated for a combination of the first data and second data, and the combination is written to the memory bank. In another embodiment, buffering of the first data and combining of the first data with the second data is performed, based on the signal from the memory controller, in lieu of read-modify-write processing of the first data. |
| US09704561B2 |
Device having multiple switching buffers for data paths controlled based on IO configuration modes
A device includes a first data terminal, a second data terminal, a first switching buffer coupled between a data node and the first data terminal and a second switching buffer coupled between the data node and the second data terminal. The first switching buffer and the second switching buffer are arranged such that a distance between the first switching buffer and the second data terminal is shorter than a distance between the second switching buffer and the second data terminal and that a distance between the first switching buffer and the first data terminal is shorter than a distance between the second switching buffer and the first data terminal. |
| US09704558B2 |
Refresh method of controlling self-refresh cycle with temperature
Provided is a method of refreshing a memory device by controlling a self-refresh cycle according to temperature. In the method, first self-refresh and second self-refresh are performed according to inner temperature of the memory device and a self-refresh cycle is controlled such that an all-bank-refresh (ABR) operation is not performed simultaneously with the start of the second self-refresh. The ABR operation is performed at the start of third self-refresh when the sum of a section of the first self-refresh in which the ABR operation is not performed and a section of the second self-refresh in which the ABR operation is not performed corresponds to a self-refresh cycle. |
| US09704555B2 |
Two transistor ternary random access memory
A two transistor ternary random access memory (TTTRAM) circuit includes an voltage/current input, an input/output switch, a first transistor, a first pull up resistor, a second transistor, and a second pull up resistor. The first transistor has a first emitter, a first collector connected to the input/output switch, and a first base. The first pull up resistor is connected to the first emitter and the voltage/current input. The second transistor has a second emitter connected to ground, a second collector, and a second base connected to the input/output switch. The second pull up resistor is connected to the first base, the second collector, and the voltage/current input. |
| US09704552B2 |
Multi-level magnetic recording apparatus utilizing cooperative magnetization dynamics induced by spin-torque oscillator
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording apparatus includes a spin-torque oscillator, a recording unit, and a controller. The spin-torque oscillator includes an oscillation layer. The recording unit includes at least one recording layer. Magnetization reversal in each recording layer is performed by excitation of cooperative dynamics between magnetization of the oscillation layer and magnetization of the recording layer. The controller controls precession of the magnetization of the oscillation layer, which is induced by application of an electric current to the spin-torque oscillator. |
| US09704551B2 |
Magnetic tunnel junction switching assisted by temperature-gradient induced spin torque
Thermal-spin-torque (TST) in a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) is demonstrated by generating large temperature gradients across ultrathin MgO tunnel barriers, with this TST being significant enough to considerably affect the magnitude of the switching field of the MTJ. The origin of the TST is attributed to an asymmetry of the tunneling conductance across the zero-bias voltage of the MTJ. Through magneto-Seebeck voltage measurements, it is estimated that the charge-current that would be generated due to the temperature gradient would give rise to spin-transfer-torque (STT) that is a thousand times too small to account for the observed changes in switching fields, indicating the presence of large TST. |
| US09704550B2 |
Magnetic element, skyrmion memory and arithmetic processing unit
To provide a magnetic element that controls generation and annihilation of a skyrmion. A magnetic element is provided, and the magnetic element comprises: a magnetic body that has a spiral magnetic structure in a stable state; a skyrmion control unit that generates skyrmion in the magnetic body by supplying energy to the magnetic body that has the spiral magnetic structure. Also, the magnetic element in which the skyrmion control unit brings the magnetic body into an unstable state by supplying thermal energy pulses to the magnetic body is provided. Furthermore, a skyrmion memory comprising the magnetic element is provided. |
| US09704548B1 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a first mat, a second mat, a column driver, and a connection circuit. The first mat may include a first mat column line. The second mat may include a second mat column line. The column driver may drive the first mat column line in response to a mat selection signal and a column decoding signal. The connection circuit may electrically couple or separate the second mat column line to or from the first mat column line in response to the mat select signal. |
| US09704544B2 |
Method, apparatus and system to manage implicit pre-charge command signaling
Techniques and mechanisms for exchanging information between a memory controller and a memory device. In an embodiment, a memory controller receives information indicating for a memory device a threshold number of pending consolidated activation commands to access that memory device. The threshold number indicated by the information is less than a theoretical maximum number of pending consolidated activation commands, the theoretical maximum number defined based on timing parameters of the memory device. In another embodiment, the memory controller limits communication of consolidated activation commands to the memory device based on the information indicating the threshold number. |
| US09704541B2 |
Simulating access lines
Examples of the present disclosure provide apparatuses and methods for simulating access lines in a memory. An example method can include receiving a first bit-vector and a second bit-vector in a format associated with storing the first bit-vector in memory cells coupled to a first access line and a first number of sense lines and storing the second bit-vector in memory cells coupled to a second access line and the first number of sense lines. The method can include storing the first bit-vector in a number of memory cells coupled to the first access line and a second number of sense lines and storing the second bit-vector in a number of memory cells coupled to the first access line and a third number of sense lines, wherein a quantity of the first number of sense lines is less than a quantity of the second and third number of sense lines. |
| US09704539B2 |
Hermetic sealing of hard disk drive using laminated film seal
A hermetically-sealed hard disk drive (HDD) utilizes a laminated film seal to seal an interface of an electrical flexible cable assembly and an HDD enclosure base. The laminated film seal may be constructed of a heat sealant layer that bonds with a surface of the base and a surface of the flex cable, a barrier layer which inhibits gas from escaping from inside the HDD, and a film surface protective layer which protects the heat sealant and barrier layers. Embodiments may include a heat sealant layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene, a barrier layer comprising a metal such as aluminum, and a film surface protective layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate. |
| US09704534B2 |
Generating consolidated video for a defined route on an electronic map
A method for generating a consolidated video includes receiving a user indicated path of interest on an electronic map, determining geographical coordinates situated along the received path of interest, identifying video content that display a plurality of regions corresponding to the geographical coordinates situated along the received path of interest, filtering the identified video content into a set of video segments based on a set of user preferences, and stitching the set of video segments into one contiguous video. |
| US09704533B2 |
Audio capture on mobile client devices
Audio capture techniques on mobile client devices are described. In one or more implementations, techniques are described for leveraging availability of audio data captured by other devices involving a video scene that have an increased proximity to the video scene. Video data is obtained by one or more computing devices from a first client device associated with a first user, the video data captured by the first client device of a video scene. Audio data is obtained by the one or more computing devices from a second client device associated with a second user, the second user included in the video data of the video scene. The one or more computing devices ascertain that the audio data is associated with the video data. The association is exposed by the one or more computing device of the audio data to the video data as indicating availability of at least a portion of the audio data as a replacement to audio data captured by the first client device as part of the video data. |
| US09704530B2 |
Magnetic tape cartridge
A magnetic tape cartridge includes a reel that is capable of winding a magnetic tape thereonto, a cartridge main body that is capable of accommodating the reel, a leader pin that is attached to the magnetic tape wound onto the reel and is capable of moving between a first position where the leader pin is accommodated in the cartridge main body and a second position where the leader pin is taken out of the cartridge main body, and a retention clip that is disposed in the cartridge main body and includes an elastic member which is capable of deforming elastically following the movement of the leader pin along with a tip end portion protruding on the path of the movement of the leader pin. The retention clip includes an abutting portion that is capable of abutting on the cartridge main body in response to the movement of the leader pin. |
| US09704527B2 |
Magnetic tape and method of manufacturing the same
The magnetic tape has on one surface of a nonmagnetic support a magnetic layer containing ferromagnetic powder and binder, and on the other surface of the nonmagnetic support, a backcoat layer containing nonmagnetic powder and binder, wherein the total thickness of the magnetic tape is less than or equal to 4.80 μm, the backcoat layer contains one or more components selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid and a fatty acid amide, and a C—H derived carbon, C, concentration calculated from a C—H peak area ratio in a C1s spectrum obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy conducted at a photoelectron take-off angle of 10 degrees on a surface on the backcoat layer side of the magnetic tape ranges from 35 to 60 atom %. |
| US09704526B2 |
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. |
| US09704525B2 |
Magnetic tape
The magnetic tape includes a magnetic layer containing ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder, abrasive, and binder on a nonmagnetic support, wherein the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder exhibits an activation volume of less than or equal to 1,800 nm3, and inclination, cos θ, of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder relative to a surface of the magnetic layer as determined by sectional observation by a scanning electron transmission microscope is greater than or equal to 0.85 but less than or equal to 1.00. |
| US09704521B1 |
Actuator limiters for multiple disk-stack, shared actuator hard disk drive
An actuator rotational limiter mechanism for a multiple disk-stack, shared actuator hard disk drive includes an actuator comb with a protruding pin, whereby rotation of the actuator comb is limited by an attraction between the pin and a magnet. An enclosure base may include a curved slot in which the pin is disposed, where one end of the slot may correspond to the head slider being near the inner diameter of a first disk stack and the other end of the slot may correspond to the head slider being near the inner diameter of a second disk stack adjacent to the first disk stack. The magnet may be disposed within or adjacent to the curved slot, at a midway location, whereby the pin is held in place by the magnet at a position that corresponds to the head slider being parked on a ramp positioned between the disk stacks. |
| US09704520B1 |
Flex-HGA connector assembly for hard disk drive
Described herein is a connector assembly that comprises a head-gimbal assembly (HGA) tail connector, a flex connector, and an adhesive. The HGA tail connector comprises a pad support, an HGA pad coupled to the pad support, and an HGA trace coupled to the pad support and electrically coupled to the HGA pad. The flex connector comprises a substrate, comprising a first side and a second side, where the first side is opposite the second side. The flex connector also comprises a flex pad coupled to the first side of the substrate, a flex trace coupled to the second side of the substrate, and a via extending through the substrate from the first side to the second side. The via electrically couples the flex pad and the flex trace. Also, the adhesive adheres the HGA pad of the HGA connector in electrical contact with the flex pad of the flex connector. |
| US09704518B2 |
Tape head with thin tape bearing surface coating
A tape head is provided for use with a tape drive that is configured to receive a length of tape. The tape head includes a head body including at least one head element for performing read and/or write operations on the tape, and a protective layer extending over at least a portion of the head body for inhibiting wear of the head body when the tape is moved with respect to the head body. Furthermore, the protective layer is made of titanium oxide, chromium oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, or zinc oxide. |
| US09704516B2 |
Shorting-resistant current perpendicular to plane sensors
In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a current perpendicular to plane magnetic read transducer having a sensor and only a single magnetic shield. In another general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic read transducer having a sensor, a first magnetic shield, and a second magnetic shield. A portion of the second magnetic shield aligned with the sensor in an intended direction of tape travel thereacross has a thickness along the intended direction that is about 50% or less than a thickness of a portion of the first magnetic shield aligned in the intended direction with the portion of the second magnetic shield. |
| US09704515B2 |
Lateral spin valve reader with in-plane detector
A lateral spin valve reader includes a detector located proximate to a bearing surface of the reader, a spin injector located away from the bearing surface, and a channel layer that substantially extends from the detector to the spin injector. The channel layer and the detector are substantially in a same plane. |
| US09704506B2 |
Harmonic feature processing for reducing noise
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for reducing noise in input data by performing a hysteresis operation followed by a lateral excitation smoothing operation. For example, an audio signal may be represented as a sequence of feature vectors. A row of the sequence of feature vectors may, for example, be associated with the same harmonic of the audio signal at different points in time. To determine portions of the row that correspond to the harmonic being present, the system may compare an amplitude to a low threshold and a high threshold and select a series of data points that are above the low threshold and include at least one data point above the high threshold. The system may iteratively perform a spreading technique, spreading a center value of a center data point in a kernel to neighboring data points in the kernel, to further reduce noise. |
| US09704501B2 |
Signal codec device and method in communication system
The present invention relates to a codec device and method for encoding/decoding voice and audio signals in a communication system, wherein: a fixed codebook excited signal is generated by using a pulse index for a voice signal; a first adaptive codebook excited signal is generated by using a pitch index for the voice signal; a fixed codebook signal is generated by multiplying the fixed codebook excited signal by a fixed codebook gain; a first adaptive codebook signal is generated by multiplying the first adaptive codebook excited signal by a first adaptive codebook gain; and a synthesized filter excited signal is generated by adding the fixed codebook signal and the first adaptive codebook signal. |
| US09704500B2 |
Method for predicting high frequency band signal, encoding device, and decoding device
A method includes obtaining a signal type of an audio signal and a low frequency band signal of the audio signal, where the audio signal includes the low frequency band signal and a high frequency band signal; obtaining a frequency envelope of the high frequency band signal according to the signal type; predicting an excitation signal of the high frequency band signal according to the low frequency band signal; and restoring the high frequency band signal according to the frequency envelope of the high frequency band signal and the excitation signal of the high frequency band signal. By using the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, an error existing between a high frequency band signal obtained by prediction and an actual high frequency band signal can be effectively reduced, and an accuracy rate of the predicted high frequency band signal can be increased. |
| US09704493B2 |
Audio encoder and decoder
The present disclosure provides methods, devices and computer program products for encoding and decoding of a vector of parameters in an audio coding system. The disclosure further relates to a method and apparatus for reconstructing an audio object in an audio decoding system. According to the disclosure, a modulo differential approach for coding and encoding a vector of a non-periodic quantity may improve the coding efficiency and provide encoders and decoders with less memory requirements. Moreover, an efficient method for encoding and decoding a sparse matrix is provided. |
| US09704492B2 |
Error concealment method and apparatus for audio signal and decoding method and apparatus for audio signal using the same
An error concealment method and apparatus for an audio signal and a decoding method and apparatus for an audio signal using the error concealment method and apparatus. The error concealment method includes selecting one of an error concealment in a frequency domain and an error concealment in a time domain as an error concealment scheme for a current frame based on a predetermined criteria when an error occurs in the current frame, selecting one of a repetition scheme and an interpolation scheme in the frequency domain as the error concealment scheme for the current frame based on a predetermined criteria when the error concealment in the frequency domain is selected, and concealing the error of the current frame using the selected scheme. |
| US09704491B2 |
Storytelling environment: distributed immersive audio soundscape
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for outputting an audio effect on a remote device are disclosed. Embodiments select a device from a plurality of devices within a physical environment for use in outputting an audio effect. Upon determining that transmitting the audio effect as uncompressed data to the selected device would violate a predefined performance criteria, the audio effect is modified by determining, for each of a plurality of portions of the audio effect, a respective priority. Additionally, upon determining that a first portion of the plurality of portions of the audio effect is a lower priority, relative to a second portion of the audio effect, embodiments compress the first portion of the audio effect, while the second portion of the audio effect remains uncompressed. The modified audio effect is then transmitted to the selected device for playback. |
| US09704490B2 |
Method for distributing voice channels and a voice system
Provided is a method for distributing voice channels, including: randomly selecting a preset quantity of voice servers at a preset time interval, and distributing at least one token to each of the voice servers selected herein; and said voice servers receiving said tokens, and when receiving uplink voice by any of the voice servers carrying at least one token, the voice server carrying the token processing said uplink voice as a priority. In this way, the channel is preempted by the uplink voice through the token, so that users corresponding to every voice servers have equal probability of acquiring channels; and voice servers will not suffer from channels taken up for a long time due to data being forwarded by other voice servers, thereby saving resources of voice channels. Also provided is a voice system. |
| US09704486B2 |
Speech recognition power management
Power consumption for a computing device may be managed by one or more keywords. For example, if an audio input obtained by the computing device includes a keyword, a network interface module and/or an application processing module of the computing device may be activated. The audio input may then be transmitted via the network interface module to a remote computing device, such as a speech recognition server. Alternately, the computing device may be provided with a speech recognition engine configured to process the audio input for on-device speech recognition. |
| US09704485B2 |
Multimedia information retrieval method and electronic device
The present invention relates to a multimedia information retrieval method and electronic device, the multimedia information retrieval method comprising the steps of: extracting from a to-be-retrieved multimedia the voice of the to-be-retrieved multimedia; recognizing the voice of the to-be-retrieved multimedia to obtain a recognized text; and retrieving a multimedia database according to the recognized text to obtain the multimedia information of the to-be-retrieved multimedia. The present invention also relates to an electronic device. The multimedia information retrieval method and electronic device of the present invention can automatically, quickly, and comprehensively present to a user the multimedia information the user wants to know, thus greatly improving user retrieval efficiency and retrieval success rate. |
| US09704483B2 |
Collaborative language model biasing
Methods, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for collaborative language model biasing. In one aspect, a method includes receiving (i) data including a set of terms associated with a target user, and, (ii) from each of multiple other users, data including a set of terms associated with the other user, selecting a particular other user based at least on comparing the set of terms associated with the target user to the sets of terms associated with the other users, selecting one or more terms from the set of terms that is associated with the particular other user, obtaining, based on the selected terms that are associated with the particular other user, a biased language model, and providing the biased language model to an automated speech recognizer. |
| US09704481B1 |
Identifying underserved command inputs
A language processing system identifies first command input sentences that do not successfully parse by any parsing rule in a set of parsing rules. Each of the parsing rules is associated with an action, and a user device performs the action associated with a parsing rule in response to an input sentence being successfully parsed by the parsing rule. For each of these identified first sentences, the system determines whether the first input sentence has an underserving signal that is indicative of one or more actions being underserved. If the first sentence has the underserving signal, then the first sentence is selected as a candidate input sentence. Each candidate input sentence is provided to an action analysis processes that determines whether a candidate input sentence is to be associated with one action, and upon a positive determination generates a parsing rule for the candidate input sentence. |
| US09704477B2 |
Text-to-speech processing based on network quality
A method is disclosed that provides text-to-speech (TTS) functionality to a telematics unit of a telematics-equipped vehicle. The method includes: receiving text content to be played back by an audio system of the telematics-equipped vehicle; determining, by a processor, a TTS rendering process to be used for the text content from a plurality of TTS rendering processes, wherein the plurality of TTS rendering processes include local TTS rendering using a local TTS engine at the telematics-equipped vehicle and remote TTS rendering using a remote TTS engine at a communications center; and causing, by the processor, the text content to be rendered as an audio signal for playback by the telematics-equipped vehicle using the determined TTS rendering process. |
| US09704476B1 |
Adjustable TTS devices
In a distributed text-to-speech (TTS) system, a remote TTS device, such as a TTS server, may experience increased loads of TTS requests, which may result in delayed processing of TTS requests. To avoid such delays, upon indication or prediction of an increased load, a TTS server may adjust unit selection TTS processing by altering unit selection techniques to speed processing, at the expense of potential result quality. Such techniques may include use of a reduced size unit database, a narrow Viterbi beam search, and/or a reduced size candidate unit graph. |
| US09704473B2 |
Variable acoustic grating based on changing acoustic impedances
An embodiment is a variable acoustic grating. Each of the local grating structures in an array of local grating structures has a variable impedance such that the impedance is modified, steering an ultrasonic signal impinging on the array in a reflection or transmission mode through a medium. |
| US09704472B2 |
Systems and methods for sharing secondary path information between audio channels in an adaptive noise cancellation system
Systems and methods of the present disclosure include analyzing and comparing transfer functions associated with a plurality of electro-acoustic paths for transducers of a personal audio device to determine proximity of the transducers to respective ears of a listener of the personal audio device, quality of acoustic seals associated with the transducers, and for one or more other purposes. |
| US09704471B1 |
Adaptive modeling of secondary path in an active noise control system
The technology described herein can be embodied in a computer implemented method that includes detecting, by one or more processing devices, onset of an unstable condition in an active noise control system. The method also includes obtaining, responsive to detecting the onset of the unstable condition, updated filter coefficients for a system-identification filter configured to represent a transfer function of a secondary path of the active noise control system. The updated filter coefficients are generated using a set of multiple subband adaptive filters, wherein filter coefficients of each subband adaptive filter in the set are configured to adapt to changes in a corresponding portion of a frequency range associated with potential unstable conditions in the active noise control system. The method also includes programming the system identification filter with the updated coefficients to affect operation of the active noise control system. |
| US09704467B1 |
Acoustic panel with corrugated baffles and septums
A panel for attenuating noise includes a core, which forms a plurality of cavities vertically between a perforated first skin and a second skin. The core includes an array of corrugations that include a first baffle, a second baffle and a first septum. The cavities include a first cavity that is formed longitudinally between the first baffle and the second baffle and is fluidly coupled with perforations in the first skin. The first septum extends from the first skin and the first baffle to the second skin and the second baffle, and divides the first cavity into fluidly coupled sub-cavities. The first baffle includes a lateral array of baffle ribs. The first septum includes a lateral array of septum ribs that are laterally offset from the baffle ribs. |
| US09704465B2 |
System and method for sound augmentation of acoustic musical instruments
A sound capture device is affixed to an acoustic instrument to capture the natural sound output of the instrument. The captured sound signal is routed to an electronic sound augmentation system that is configured to augment the captured sound with spatial sound effects such as reverb, echo, delay, etc. The processed and augmented sound is then reproduced via a vibrating driver that has been affixed to the body of the acoustic instrument. This creates a situation where the body of the musical instrument, responding to a series of vibrations produced by the vibrating driver, acts as a speaker component, reproducing a rich augmented sound output that comprises the sum of the sound produced by the original sound production capabilities of the acoustical instrument plus the added augmented or enhanced sound effects. |
| US09704464B1 |
Apparatus for enhancing output of a stringed musical instrument
An apparatus for enhancing the output of a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of offset substantially parallel strings, the apparatus comprising a pickup assembly having tapered poles so as to incrementally vary the relative volume of adjacent strings. |
| US09704461B2 |
Stand for stringed instrument
A stand for a stringed instrument includes a base, a post, a lower support, and an upper support. The post extends between a lower end portion and an upper end portion, the lower end portion is proximally located relative to the base, and the upper end portion is distally located relative to the base. The lower support is disposed relative to the lower end portion of the post. The upper support is disposed relative to the upper end portion of the post. The lower support is selectively moveable relative to the upper support, between a receiving position and a locking position. The lower support is biased toward the locking position. |
| US09704459B1 |
Pick holder
A musical instrument accessory for optimizing the comfort and ease with which musicians can play instruments. The accessory can be manufactured as a high end accessory made with gems and/or can be customized to provide a unique aesthetic appearance. In a preferred embodiment, the accessory allows for multiple picks to be detachably stored which may have different sizes and shapes. |
| US09704453B2 |
Picture display method and apparatus
The present disclosure provides a picture display method and apparatus that relate to the field of image processing and are increase flexibility of picture display and reducing a memory occupation rate of a terminal on the premise of not modifying an attribute of an original picture. The method and apparatus include receiving an instruction for displaying a picture; obtaining, according to an identifier of a to-be-displayed picture included in the instruction, an original bitmap of the to-be-displayed picture and searching, a database of a current device for a pre-stored first rotation angle corresponding to the to-be-displayed picture; adjusting, according to a resolution of a current screen and/or a current window size, a display size of the original bitmap of the to-be-displayed picture, so as to obtain a compressed bitmap of the original bitmap; and displaying, according to the first rotation angle, a compressed bitmap of the original bitmap. |
| US09704444B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
An object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized active matrix type liquid crystal display device that may achieve large-sized display, high precision, high resolution and multi-gray scales. According to the present invention, gray scale display is performed by combining time ratio gray scale and voltage gray scale in a liquid crystal display device which performs display in OCB mode. In doing so, one frame is divided into subframes corresponding to the number of bit for the time ratio gray scale. Initialize voltage is applied onto the liquid crystal upon display of a subframe. |
| US09704441B2 |
System and method to adjust displayed primary colors based on illumination
Systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for displaying images with consistent color performance on display devices including display elements that have multiple primary colors under different illumination conditions are described. The systems, methods and apparatus described herein can be configured to select between different sets of primary colors for different illumination conditions. |
| US09704440B2 |
Field-sequential color liquid crystal display and driving method thereof
The present invention provides a field sequential color LCD, which includes a LCD panel and a backlight module. The LCD panel includes a color filter of a first color subpixel and a color filter of a second color subpixel, a field sequential cycle of the LCD panel includes a first sub-frame period and a second sub-frame period. The backlight module provides backlight, including red, cyan, blue and green backlights, to the LCD panel. The backlight module provides two of the four backlights in the first sub-fame period, and provides another two of the four backlights in the second sub-frame period. The above LCD can cover the pointer's gamut entirely in the natural world, only color filters of subpixels of two colors are required to achieve tetra-color (RGBC) display, no additional subpixel is required, the manufacturing process of color filter of LCD panel is simplified, and the cost is reduced. |
| US09704438B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode display including a pixel circuit having a compensation unit
A pixel circuit and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display including the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a pixel circuit comprises an OLED electrically connected between a first node and a low power supply voltage, a driver electrically connected to the OLED at the first node and configured to drive the OLED with a voltage corresponding to a data signal based at least in part on a scan signal, a read-out unit configured to measure an anode current of the OLED based at least in part on a read control signal, and a compensation unit electrically connected to the OLED at the first node and configured to provide the OLED with a compensation current corresponding to a compensation data signal based at least in part on the measured anode current and a compensation control signal. |
| US09704437B2 |
Gate driving circuit, array substrate, and display device
A gate driving circuit, an array substrate, and a display device are disclosed. The present disclosure relates to the technical field of display, and the technical problem of poor quality of the waveform of the gate driving signal that is output by the traditional circuit manufactured through GOA technology can be solved. The gate driving circuit is used for outputting the gate driving signal to Gn and comprises a pull-up circuit, a download transistor, and a pull-down circuit. The pull-up circuit is used for outputting a high-level signal to a reference point of said gate driving circuit, a first input end of said pull-up circuit is connected with Gn−1, a second input end thereof is connected with Gn−2, and an output end thereof is connected with said reference point. |
| US09704435B2 |
Organic light emitting diode pixel compensation circuit, and display panel and display device containing the same
An Organic Light Emitting Diode pixel compensation circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes first through fifth transistors, and a storage capacitor. The first transistor is coupled to a first scan signal, a power supply voltage, and a first electrode of the storage capacitor. In addition, the second transistor is coupled to the first scan signal, a data signal, and the third transistor. The third transistor is coupled to the power supply voltage, and the fifth transistor. Furthermore, the fourth transistor is coupled to a second scan signal, the third transistor, and the storage capacitor, and fifth transistor is coupled to a light emitting signal, and the OLED. In addition, the storage capacitor is coupled to the fifth transistor, and a low-level signal and emits light based on a drive current generated by the third transistor. |
| US09704431B2 |
Display device
Disclosed is a display device and a method of driving the display device. The display device includes a display panel, a scan driving unit, and a timing control unit. The display panel displays an image. The scan driving unit supplies a scan signal to the display panel. The timing control unit controls the scan driving unit. The scan driving unit includes a correction circuit unit that detects whether a clock signal output by the timing control unit is normal or abnormal, and corrects the detected abnormality. |
| US09704430B2 |
LED display device and method for operating the same
This disclosure describes an LED display device. The LED display device includes a transmitter, a plurality of first receivers coupled to the transmitter, a plurality of second receiver modules, wherein each of the second receiver modules is coupled to at least one of the first receivers and comprises a plurality of second receivers, a plurality of LED driver groups, each of the LED driver groups coupled to at least one of the second receivers and having a plurality of LED drivers, and a transformerless wire link connecting the plurality of first receivers to the plurality of second receiver modules, or the transformerless wire link connecting adjacent receivers of the plurality of second receivers therebetween. |
| US09704423B2 |
Driving circuit
A driving circuit is disclosed. The driving circuit includes at least four drivers. Each of the drivers includes a scan direction control unit, a driving signal output unit, a first, second, and third control units, and a signal output interface. The scan direction control unit is utilized for controlling the driving signal output unit to output the driving signal. The first control unit, the second control unit, and the third control unit are commonly utilized for controlling the driving signal output unit. The present invention can scan in two directions including a forward direction and a reverse direction. |
| US09704420B2 |
Numerical display apparatus
A numerical display apparatus comprises a frame structure means and a numeric display means. The frame structure means may be comprised mainly of a base frame member and a display securing member. The display securing member is coupled to the base frame member so that it may be moved towards and away from the base frame member in a controlled manner. The numeric display means has multiple component members which are pivotally mounted to the frame structure means, and secured in place by the display securing member. Each component has at least two sides, with one side having a different feature, such as color, to distinguish between the two sides. Preferably, the non-distinguishing side should be have the same feature, such as color, of the display securing member. Some of the component members are mounted in a generally horizontal position upon the frame structure means, while others are mounted in a generally vertical position. |
| US09704415B1 |
Dynamic auto-advance feature for refreshable braille displays
A method of dynamically establishing an auto-advance interval of a refreshable braille display. The method involves the step of establishing a default auto-advance value, during which a full line of braille characters remains displayed on the braille display prior to being replaced by the next line. The method further involves determining whether a current line of braille characters ends with a blank cell or a used cell and calculating the current auto-advance interval based on the number of used cells in the current line. The next line of braille characters is output after the current auto-advance interval has lapsed. |
| US09704414B2 |
Blind aid device
A blind aid device designed for non-verbal communication between a blind person and a companion includes a body-worn sensor system to be worn by the companion, a body-worn actuation system to be worn by the blind person and a wireless communication link between the body-worn sensor system and the wearable body-worn actuation system. The body-worn sensor system includes a gyroscope configured to detect and record a velocity of tilting and turning head movements of the companion, an accelerometer configured to detect and record an extent of the tilting head movements of the companion, and a magnetic compass sensor configured to detect and record an extent of the turning head movement of the companion. The wearable body-worn actuation system includes an array of control electronics and actuators configured to translate electronic signals transmitted from the body-worn sensor system into physical movements, in real time. |
| US09704412B2 |
Biometric data gathering
A universal 6-DOF mems sensor combined with six degree of motion algorithms and human motion parameters permits individualized real time motion analysis of a user to enable accurate measurements. Data derived thereby is wirelessly sent for viewing to a Bluetooth® enabled smartphone or combination smartphone and eyeglass device, marketed as the Google Glass® headset. The sensor is worn on a wrist or ankle band or in combination with a chest mounted cardio heart rate monitor dependent on the biometric parameters measured. Typical physical exercise data gathered includes reps, sets, 10-100 yard dash times, vertical, horizontal and broad jump distances, a range of shuttle times, RAST, steps taken, distance traveled, velocity, acceleration, and calories burned. The heart rate monitor provides cardio assessment and the 6-DOF sensor measures a runner's pace and cadence data. |
| US09704405B2 |
Aircraft display systems and methods for providing an aircraft display for use with airport departure and arrival procedures
A method for generating a flight display in an aircraft includes the steps of receiving an indication of an arrival or a departure procedure for the aircraft to follow, receiving an indication of a current position and altitude of the aircraft, and receiving a voice communication or information by digital data link regarding the arrival or departure procedure. The method further includes the steps of recognizing speech in the voice communication and transforming the speech to a restriction regarding the arrival or departure procedure and providing a flight display comprising a visual depiction of the arrival or departure procedure, the current position and altitude of the aircraft, and the restriction regarding the arrival or departure procedure. The method also provides improved situational awareness to pilots by providing appropriate alerts and indications in the context of these restrictions and the implications that these may have on the ownship with reference to the surrounding traffic and the emergent conditions. |
| US09704404B2 |
Lane detection apparatus and operating method for the same
Disclosed are a lane detection apparatus and an operating method for the same, and the operating method for the lane detection apparatus includes: detecting a plurality of edges in a driving image of a vehicle expressed by Cartesian coordinates; detecting a pattern of the plurality of edges; estimating a horizontal location of the vehicle in a driving lane based on the detected pattern; setting two regions of interest in the driving image based on the horizontal location; generating two Hough spaces corresponding two regions of interest, respectively, including a plurality of counting regions, and expressed by polar coordinates; calculating a polar coordinate value of each pixel included in the edge shown in each of two regions of interest among the plurality of edges by using Hough transform that transforms the Cartesian coordinates into the polar coordinates; accumulating the count of the counting region to which the polar coordinate value belongs, with respect to two respective Hough spaces; selecting a counting region having the highest count number among the plurality of counting regions with respect to two respective Hough spaces; transforming the counting region having the highest count number into two straight lines expressed by the Cartesian coordinates, with respect to two respective Hough spaces; and detecting two transformed straight lines as a left lane and a right lane of the driving lane. |
| US09704403B2 |
System and method for collision avoidance for vehicle
The disclosure is related to a system and a method for collision avoidance for vehicle. In the method, the system predicts multiple routes of an abnormal vehicle in a period of time according to historical data when a nearby vehicle receives an alert from the abnormal vehicle. A route potential pattern can be created when the system gets the historical data. The system also computes one or more available routes for the nearby vehicle based on its vehicle information. Every available route has its collision risk value. The system finally provides a recommended route with lower collision risk value when it considers a time of the abnormal vehicle reaches its great change, a time of predicting the nearby vehicle meets the range of route potential pattern, and a safe distance there-between. |
| US09704400B1 |
Vehicle presence detection system
A vehicle presence detection system for effectively detecting the presence of a vehicle in a location based upon a measured radio wave signal strength by a receiver. The vehicle presence detection system generally includes a main receiver adapted for receiving a radio wave signal from a transmitter and a control unit in communication with the main receiver that determines a signal strength of the radio wave signal received by the main receiver. The control unit determines that a vehicle is near the transmitter or the main receiver when the signal strength of the radio wave signal is reduced by a threshold loss. |
| US09704397B1 |
Apparatus for use in a warning system to notify a land vehicle or a motorist of the vehicle of an approaching or nearby emergency vehicle or train
Apparatus for use in a warning system to notify a land vehicle or a motorist of the vehicle of an approaching or nearby emergency vehicle or train is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a docking station and a communication device which has a first receiver which receives RF warning signals transmitted from outside the land vehicle and a second receiver which receives perceptible warning signals transmitted by the emergency vehicle or train. The docking station supports the device within the passenger compartment so that the first and second receivers are capable of receiving the RF and perceptible warning signals, respectively. Control logic is coupled to the device to generate a notification signal based on the warning signals. The notification signal provides an advance warning to the motorist or land vehicle. |
| US09704396B1 |
Roadside reporter system
Systems and methods are provided for processing notifications regarding issues with nearby vehicles. A roadside reporter receives notifications from individuals or computing devices reporting problems or violations associated with nearby vehicles, and the notification for uniqueness and authenticity. Upon determining that the notification is unique and authentic, the roadside reporter system notifies the driver of the nearby vehicle and other relevant parties about the problem or violation. The roadside reporter may issue rewards to the reporting user. The roadside reporter system further allows the driver of the nearby vehicle to respond to the notification, and subsequently provides the driver with incentives to address the problem or violation. |
| US09704393B2 |
Integrated intelligent server based system and method/systems adapted to facilitate fail-safe integration and/or optimized utilization of various sensory inputs
Integrated intelligent system adapted for any operating system and/or multi-OS computing environment seamlessly having sensory input/data acquisition cum recording server group and/or analytics server group enabling fail-safe integration and/or optimized utilization of various sensory inputs for various utility applications. Also disclosed as added advancements include intelligent method/system for cost-effective and efficient band adaptive transferring/recording sensory data from single or multiple data sources to network accessible storage devices, fail safe and self sufficient server group based method for sensory input recording and live streaming in a multi-server environment, intelligent and unified method of color coherent object analysis, face detection in video images and the like, resource allocation for analytical processing involving multi channel environment, multi channel join-split mechanism adapted for low and/or variable bandwidth network link, enhanced multi-color and/or mono-color object tracking and also an intelligent automated traffic enforcement system. |
| US09704390B2 |
Remote control system for pointing robot
There is provided a remote control system including a controlled device and a remote device. The controlled device has a light source and moves according to a control signal from the remote device. The remote device is adapted to be operated by a user and includes an image sensor. The remote device determines a moving direction of the controlled device according to an imaging position of the light source in the image captured by the image sensor and a pointing position of the user, and outputs the control signal. |
| US09704388B2 |
Remote control device, server, method, and computer program
A mobile terminal 1A is configured to communicate with a remote control server 4A that transmits a remote control signal to operate an operation object apparatus via a particular local area network NW2 or a wide area communication network NW1. A permission/rejection information storage part 102 stores whether execution of remote control operation based on the operation instruction information is permitted or rejected when each operation instruction information has gone through any communication network. When receiving the input of operation instruction information, a communication network discrimination part 106 discriminates with which communication network communication has established. An operation permission/rejection decision part 107 decides permission/rejection of execution of the operation instruction information according to the results. When remote control operation based on operation instruction information is permitted as a result of decision, operation instruction information is transmitted to the remote control server 4A. |
| US09704384B2 |
Battery management systems with thermally integrated fire suppression
A thermal management system is integral to a battery pack and/or individual cells. It relies on passive liquid-vapor phase change heat removal to provide enhanced thermal protection via rapid expulsion of inert high pressure refrigerant during abnormal abuse events and can be integrated with a cooling system that operates during normal operation. When a thermal runaway event occurs and sensed by either active or passive sensors, the high pressure refrigerant is preferentially ejected through strategically placed passages within the pack to rapidly quench the battery. |
| US09704380B2 |
Methods for using state machines
Systems and methods for using multi-criteria state machines to manage alarming states and pre-alarming states of a hazard detection system are described herein. The multi-criteria state machines can include one or more sensor state machines that can control the alarming states and one or more system state machines that can control the pre-alarming states. Each state machine can transition among any one of its states based on sensor data values, hush events, and transition conditions. The transition conditions can define how a state machine transitions from one state to another. The hazard detection system can use a dual processor arrangement to execute the multi-criteria state machines according to various embodiments. The dual processor arrangement can enable the hazard detection system to manage the alarming and pre-alarming states in a manner that promotes minimal power usage while simultaneously promoting reliability in hazard detection and alarming functionality. |
| US09704378B2 |
Rescuer locator using bidirectional signal transmitter
A rescuer locator using a bidirectional signal transmitter wherein each rescuer who is dispatched to a disaster spot so as instantly recognize a dangerous state of other rescuers who had been dispatched for rescue or fire suppression, carries a signal transmitter which may be taken by another rescuer when in emergency and may be configured to ask help in such a way to transmit an emergency signal to a base unit installed at a control vehicle, and the signal transmitter equips with a motion detection sensor so as to automatically transmit signals to the base unit depending on the movements of a rescuer who is dispatched to a disaster spot, thus checking in real time a dangerous state of each rescuer. |
| US09704377B2 |
Systems and methods for managing an emergency situation
Systems and methods for managing an emergency situation are provided herein. According to some embodiments, the present technology may related to a security system and method for monitoring, detecting, and providing notification and/or response measures in response to an emergency situation regarding a user. |
| US09704376B2 |
Smart stay day
In some embodiments, security and/or automation systems, collectively referred to as automation systems, may offer a user the peace of mind of having an automation system active while the user is present in a residence. False alarms may become costly to both the user of the automation system and to emergency responders using resources to respond to the false alarms. The automation system may provide the benefit of an armed automation system without the risk of frequent false alarms. An automation system may provide additional or alternative security to a residence when a person is detected in the home with a reduction in the false alarms that may be present in a strict alarm state. This may provide security to a person in the home during the day and provide unique daytime features. |
| US09704375B2 |
Multi-channel public announcement and voice alarm system architecture to support addressable devices, wireless expansion and intercom
An apparatus is provided that includes a security system that protects a secured geographic area, an audio annunciator of the security system, a pair of conductors that connects the audio annunciator to a control panel of the security system, wherein the pair of conductors supplies power to the audio annunciator, and a transceiver of the audio annunciator that exchanges messages with the control panel under a time division multiple access (TDMA) format through the pair of conductors, wherein the audio annunciator receives streaming audio messages from the control panel through the pair of conductors. |
| US09704374B1 |
Cellular phone case having location identification
A cellular phone case configured to be communicably coupled to a key fob wherein the key fob provides the ability to transmit signals to the cellular phone case in order to activate an audio and visual signal to locate the cellular phone case. The cellular phone case includes a body having a rear wall and four sidewalls formed to receive a cellular phone. The body includes a first light and second light mounted to the rear wall and one of the four sidewalls respectively. A speaker is mounted to the body. Secured to opposing sides of the body are emergency activation buttons. The key fob includes a controller disposed within a housing that is communicably coupled to a central processing unit disposed within the body of the cellular phone case. A visual activation button and audio activation button are located on the housing of the key fob. |
| US09704366B2 |
Method to detect an alarm situation and to send silent alerts to external systems using voice input to mobile devices
Disclosed is an apparatus that embodies a method including a panic alert mobile application of a security system that protects a secured geographic area executing on a portable electronic device of an authorized user, the panic alert mobile application retrieving a predetermined word sequence associated with the authorized user, the panic alert mobile application continuously monitoring spoken words of the authorized user, the panic alert mobile application detecting the predetermined word sequence in the spoken words of the authorized user and the panic alert mobile application reporting a panic alert to a central monitoring station of the security system. |
| US09704365B2 |
Heat detector
A heat alarm apparatus includes a housing defining a body, a sensor mounting panel located on the body and a heat sensor extending from the sensor mounting panel. A control circuit is configured to detect a temperature rise at the heat sensor and output an alarm signal in response thereto. At least the surface of the sensor mounting panel from which the heat sensor extends is a dark color. |
| US09704360B2 |
Occupancy-sensor wireless-security and lighting-control
Integrating a direct current (DC) voltage motion sensing alarm with an alternating current (AC) voltage light source is presented herein. An apparatus can include a voltage conversion component that generates, within a wall switch box, a DC voltage from an AC voltage that is higher in magnitude than the DC voltage, and a motion sensing component that detects, from the wall switch box using the DC voltage, a motion of an object. The motion sensing component can detect the motion using an infrared and/or ultrasonic based DC sensor. The apparatus can further include a security component that generates, from the wall switch box using the DC voltage, an alarm signal and/or wireless alarm signal based on the motion, and a power component that switches, from the wall switch box using the DC voltage based on the motion, the AC voltage from a first contact to a second contact. |
| US09704358B2 |
Three dimensional haptics hybrid modeling
A method and apparatus for producing a haptic sensation is disclosed. An acoustic transducer at a first cellular communication device is used to determine a gesture of a user object with respect to a first cellular communication device. The gesture is generally performed in a three-dimensional space of the first cellular communication device. A haptic signal is created that corresponds to the determined gesture and is sent from the first cellular communication device to a second cellular communication device. An actuator at the second cellular communication device is actuated according to the haptic signal to produce a haptic sensation at the second cellular communication device. |
| US09704355B2 |
Secure point of sale terminal and associated methods
Methods and systems for processing secure information are disclosed. One method includes receiving secure data from a user via an input device. The method also includes routing the secure data to a secure processor using a hardware multiplexer. The method also includes processing the secure data using the secure processor. The method also includes receiving non-secure data from the user via the input device. The method also includes routing the non-secure data to a second processor using the hardware multiplexer. The method also includes processing the non-secure data using the second processor. The method also includes altering a routing state of the hardware multiplexer using the secure processor. The routing state of the hardware multiplexer is only controlled by the secure processor. |
| US09704354B2 |
Medium handling apparatus and method, financial device
Provided are medium handling apparatus and method. The medium handling apparatus comprises an identification number recognition module recognizing an identification number of a medium, a memory in which a condition with respect to a management target medium is stored, and a controller determining whether the identification number of the medium recognized by the identification number recognition module satisfies the condition with respect to the management target medium stored in the memory to determine whether the medium is the management target medium. |
| US09704351B2 |
Method of gaming, a game controller and a gaming system
A gaming system comprises a display, a symbol determiner for determining, for each of a plurality of game instances corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of display areas on a display, a set of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions arranged in an array in the respective display area, wherein determining the set of symbols comprises a symbol selector selecting one or more of the symbols and wherein selecting one or more of the symbols by the symbol selector can result in the selection of a replicating symbol, a symbol replicator for, upon a replicating symbol being selected at a display position of at least one game instance that satisfies one or more adjacency criteria with respect to a corresponding display position of another game instance, replicating the replicating symbol at the corresponding display position of the other game instance, and a symbol evaluator for evaluating symbols, including the replicated replicating symbol, displayed at the display positions of the other game instance to determine whether to make an award. |
| US09704349B1 |
Networked randomized exchanges with adjustment for non-optimal transactions
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a networked entertainment system. A game such as blackjack can be offered to multiple (e.g. 10 or more) simultaneous players. The game has decision points in which each player makes a strategic decision. For those situations where players make the mathematically incorrect decision, the significance of the error can be computed as a decrease in expected value of the award that the player would have won. This error can then be returned back to the player immediately or accumulated and returned at a later time. |
| US09704340B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer-readable media for enabling real-time competition having an entertaining experience based on commodities or currencies
The disclosed embodiment relates to methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media for enabling real-time competition. An exemplary computer-implemented method executed by one or more computing devices for enabling real-time competition between users according to the disclosed embodiment includes, for example, receiving information from a first user computing device associated with a first user corresponding to the first user's competitive position regarding a real-time event, transmitting information to a second user computing device associated with a second user identifying the real-time event, receiving information from the second user computing device corresponding to the second user's competitive position regarding the real-time event, and transmitting information to the first user computing device and the second user computing device regarding an outcome of the real-time event relative to the first user's competitive position and the second user's competitive position. |
| US09704337B2 |
Wagering game method, gaming machine, gaming system, and program product providing progressive prize control
A progressive gaming method may be conducted in a distributed fashion without a progressive controller. In such a method game play inputs are received through a respective player input system of each of two or more gaming machines. Each game play input defines a wager for a respective play of a wagering game. A progressive contribution value for each respective wager is calculated and a local progressive register value is incremented by that calculated amount. Calculating the progressive contribution value and incrementing the local progressive register value may each be performed at the gaming machine at which the respective wager is defined, and these calculated progressive contribution values are then communicated to each other gaming machine of the two or more gaming machines. Each gaming machine maintains a total progressive value based on the locally calculated progressive contribution values and the values communicated from other gaming machines. |
| US09704336B2 |
Managing a theme of a virtual space based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected
Objectives, an environment, and/or a theme associated with a virtual space may be managed based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected. Tokens, including a first token associated with a first character or a second token associated with a second character, may be detected based on signals received from one or more token readers. The first character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the first token being detected and the second character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the second token being detected. Responsive to one or both of the first token being detected or the second token being detected, a given objective associated with the virtual space may be effectuated in the virtual space, an environment of the virtual space may be modified, and/or a theme of the virtual space being modified. |
| US09704335B2 |
Interactive gaming among a plurality of players systems and methods
A system for interactive gaming among a plurality of players includes a host computer system and a plurality of player terminals communicably coupled to the host computer system or gaming platform via a network. The plurality of player terminals may be located at a plurality of licensed gaming locations. The plurality of player terminals may be configured to engage the plurality of players in a common interactive game operated by the host computer system. The plurality of player terminals can include means for dispensing player winnings from the player terminal. |
| US09704327B2 |
Multi-function transaction device
A mobile communication device may include one or more devices configured to: receive, from a server, identity information corresponding to transaction information stored on the server, the transaction information being associated with at least one transaction completed between the mobile communication device and a user device; send, to a transaction device, the identity information to establish a communication session to conduct a transaction between the transaction device and the mobile communication device; and receive, from the transaction device, a payment request associated with the transaction between the transaction device and the mobile communication device, and generated using the transaction information provided by the server. |
| US09704324B2 |
Document handling device
A money handling device for accepting, storing and dispensing valuable documents in exchange for goods or services includes a validation module (100), a recycler module (200) and a note storage module (300). The validation module determines acceptable and non-acceptable valuable documents, and the storage module stores acceptable valuable documents. The recycler is arranged to dispense a temporarily stored valuable document to the validation module for dispensing as change or to dispense a temporarily stored valuable document to the note storage module. |
| US09704318B2 |
System and method for accurately sensing user location in an IoT system
A system and method are described for implementing a wireless IoT lock. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an IoT lock configured to unlock a door in response to a wireless signal; a system calibration module to collect signal strength data indicating signal strength between a wireless device and the IoT lock and signal strength between the wireless device and one or more Internet of Things (IoT) devices and/or IoT hubs when the user is known to be outside of the door, the system calibration module to associate the signal strength data with the user location outside of the door in a location database; and a signal strength analysis module to determine whether the user is outside of the door by comparing the signal strength data in the location database with current signal strength data indicating signal strength between the wireless device and the IoT lock and the one or more of the plurality of IoT devices and/or IoT hubs; wherein the IoT lock is to be unlocked responsive to determining that the user is located outside of the door. |
| US09704316B2 |
Contactless electronic access control system
An embodiment of an electronic access control system includes an electronic access apparatus, an electronic lock, and an access control administration program. The electronic access apparatus provides a wireless power signal and a wireless digital data signal to the electronic lock. The wireless power signal can be the only source of power used by the electronic lock to actuate an electronic lock mechanism. In some embodiments, the lock mechanism includes a piezoelectric latch. |
| US09704313B2 |
Systems and methods for interacting with access control devices
Described herein are systems and methods for interacting with access control devices. In overview, a human user physically identifies an access control device with which he/she wishes to interact, for example in the context of providing commissioning and/or configuration data. The user then makes a physical local interaction with the device, for example by way of a smartcard having predefined characteristics. This causes the access control device to enable a wireless communications protocol, thereby to allow the user to discover the device using a portable device which implements a complementary wireless communications protocol. Commissioning information is then provided by way of the portable device to the access control device in a wireless manner. Once this is complete, the access control device disables the wireless communications protocol. |
| US09704308B2 |
Instant detection system of vehicle
An instant detection system of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has wheel assemblies and a brake system, and the wheel assemblies are coupled with the brake system. The instant detection system includes temperature detectors, rotational speed detectors, acoustic detectors, an analysis host and an alarm device. The temperature detectors are disposed on the brake system, and the acoustic detectors and the rotational detectors are disposed adjacent to the wheel assemblies for respectively detecting temperature information and sound information of the wheel assemblies and the brake system, and speed information of the vehicle. The analysis host is coupled with the above-mentioned detectors to receive and analyze the temperature, the sound and the speed information, so as to generate alarm information. The alarm device generates breakdown information according to the alarm information. |
| US09704303B2 |
Systems and methods for utilizing telematics data to improve fleet management operations
According to various embodiments, a fleet management system is provided for capturing, storing, and analyzing telematics data to improve fleet management operations. The fleet management system may be used, for example, by a shipping entity (e.g., a common carrier) to capture telematics data from a plurality of vehicle sensors located on various delivery vehicles and to analyze the captured telematics data. In particular, various embodiments of the fleet management system are configured to analyze engine idle data in relation to other telematics data in order to identify inefficiencies, safety hazards, and theft hazards in a driver's delivery process. The fleet management system may also be configured to assess various aspects of vehicle performance, such as vehicle travel delays and vehicle speeds. These analytical capabilities allow the fleet management system to assist fleet managing entities, or other entities, in analyzing driver performance, reducing fuel and maintenance costs, and improving route planning. |
| US09704300B2 |
Detection of anatomy orientation using learning-based regression
A framework for anatomy orientation detection is described herein. In accordance with one aspect, a pre-trained regressor is applied to appearance features of the image volume to predict a colatitude of the structure of interest. An optimal longitude corresponding to the predicted colatitude is then determined. In response to the colatitude being more than a pre-determined threshold, the image volume is re-oriented based on the predicted colatitude and the optimal longitude, and the predicted colatitude and optimal longitude determination is repeated for the re-oriented image volume. |
| US09704295B2 |
Construction of synthetic augmented reality environment
Embodiments are disclosed that relate to producing a synthetic environmental model derived from a three dimensional representation of an environment, and rendering images from the model. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method including detecting a trigger to build the synthetic environmental model utilizing the three dimensional representation of the environment, and, in response to the trigger, obtaining a set of synthetic image elements for use in constructing the synthetic environmental model. The method further includes fitting one or more elements from the set of synthetic image elements to the three dimensional representation of the environment according to a set of rules to produce the synthetic environmental model, and rendering an image from the synthetic environmental model for display, the image showing the one or more elements from the set of synthetic image elements replacing real-world topography in the environment. |
| US09704294B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
A curved slice is obtained from a three-dimensional tomographic image of an object based on a reference position in the three-dimensional tomographic image. A two-dimensional tomographic image corresponding to the curved slice is generated from the three-dimensional tomographic image. |
| US09704291B2 |
Structure model creation from a three dimensional surface
Constructing a three dimensional (3D) model of a structure may involve receiving a 3D surface representing a geographic area, the surface having elevation values associated with points of the surface and the geographic area comprises a structure having a geographic footprint smaller than the geographic area. Constructing a 3D model may also involve projecting the elevation values into a two dimensional (2D) plane. Further, a 3D model may be constructed of the structure by assigning model heights based on the elevation values projected into points of the 2D plane. |
| US09704290B2 |
Deep image identifiers
A method may include receiving a plurality of objects from a 3-D virtual scene. The plurality of objects may be arranged in a hierarchy. The method may also include generating a plurality of identifiers for the plurality of objects. The plurality of identifiers may include a first identifier for a first object in the plurality of objects, and the identifier may be generated based on a position of the first object in the hierarchy. The method may additionally include performing a rendering operation on the plurality of objects to generate a deep image. The deep image may include a plurality of samples that correspond to the first object. The method may further include propagating the plurality of identifiers through the rendering operation such that each of the plurality of samples in the deep image that correspond to the first object are associated with the identifier. |
| US09704288B2 |
Stable spaces for rendering character garments in real-time
Techniques are disclosed for providing a learning-based clothing model that enables the simultaneous animation of multiple detailed garments in real-time. A simple conditional model learns and preserves key dynamic properties of cloth motions and folding details. Such a conditional model may be generated for each garment worn by a given character. Once generated, the conditional model may be used to determine complex body/cloth interactions in order to render the character and garment from frame-to-frame. The clothing model may be used for a variety of garments worn by male and female human characters (as well as non-human characters) while performing a varied set of motions typically used in video games (e.g., walking, running, jumping, turning, etc.). |
| US09704287B2 |
Method and apparatus for achieving transformation of a virtual view into a three-dimensional view
A method and an apparatus for achieving transformation of a virtual view into a 3D view are provided. The method comprises: S1. capturing position coordinates of a human eye by a human-eye tracking module; S2. determining a rotation angle of a virtual scene and rotating the virtual scene according to the rotation angle to obtain a virtual holographic 3D view matrix by a first image processing module; S3. determining a shearing angle for each of viewpoints to generate a shearing matrix for the viewpoint in one-to-one correspondence, and post-multiplying the shearing matrix with a corresponding viewpoint model matrix to generate a left view and a right view by a second image processing module; and S4. projecting the left view and the right view of each of the viewpoints by the projection displaying module. |
| US09704283B2 |
Rendering with point sampling and pre-computed light transport information
Rendering system combines point sampling and volume sampling operations to produce rendering outputs. For example, to determine color information for a surface location in a 3-D scene, one or more point sampling operations are conducted in a volume around the surface location, and one or more sampling operations of volumetric light transport data are performed farther from the surface location. A transition zone between point sampling and volume sampling can be provided, in which both point and volume sampling operations are conducted. Data obtained from point and volume sampling operations can be blended in determining color information for the surface location. For example, point samples are obtained by tracing a ray for each point sample, to identify an intersection between another surface and the ray, to be shaded, and volume samples are obtained from a nested 3-D grids of volume elements expressing light transport data at different levels of granularity. |
| US09704280B2 |
Portable globe creation for geographical information system
Portable globes may be provided for viewing regions of interest in a Geographical Information System (GIS). A method for providing a portable globe for a GIS may include determining one or more selected regions corresponding to a geographical region of a master globe. The method may further include organizing geospatial data from the master globe based on the selected region and creating the portable globe based on the geospatial data. The portable globe may be smaller in data size than the master globe. The method may include transmitting the portable globe to a local device that may render the selected region at a higher resolution than the remainder of the portable globe in the GIS. A system for providing a portable globe may include a selection module, a fusion module and a transmitter. A system for updating a portable globe may include a packet bundler and a globe cutter. |
| US09704278B2 |
Visualization device for displaying a rendered virtual object
A visualization device is provided that includes an actual light box that includes an illumination array for illuminating an actual object (OR) placed in the actual light box; and a rear limiting wall which functions as a screen. The device also includes a computer programmed to spatially display a virtual light box on the screen, such that the virtual light box displayed on the screen appears to form a continuous rearward extension of the actual light box. In addition, a virtual object (OV) may be displayed on the screen, such that the virtual object (OV) is situated in the virtual light box. The combination of an actual light box and a virtual light box allows an observer to realistically assess appearance data rendered onto a virtual object, in a direct comparison with an actual object. |
| US09704270B1 |
Method and apparatus for rasterizing and encoding vector graphics
The present invention describes exemplary embodiments of a method and apparatus for rasterizing and encoding vector graphics. The method comprises determining, by an image encoder, a difference between a transmission frame rate of an image encoder and a raster sequence frame rate of a raster sequence of images rasterized by a graphics processing unit (GPU); and adjusting, by the GPU, image detail of the raster sequence according to the difference. |
| US09704266B2 |
Non-contacting monitor for bridges and civil structures
A method for monitoring the condition of a bridge includes: stably positioning a video camera at a selected location with an unobstructed view of a selected portion of the bridge structure; collecting a video file of the structure over a selected total time interval; using a data processing system to analyze the video and calculate a physical parameter related to movement of the selected portion as a function of time, wherein the data processing system is controlled through a graphical user interface (GUI) having the following features: a display of a single video frame corresponding to a selected time; a movable area selector in the video frame to indicate the selection of an area of the structure for analysis; and, a display of displacement versus time for the selected area over the total time interval. The processor may perform some tasks, e.g., area selection, autonomously or via predetermined rules. |
| US09704255B2 |
Three-dimensional shape measurement device, three-dimensional shape measurement method, and three-dimensional shape measurement program
A device for measuring a three-dimensional shape includes an imaging unit which sequentially outputs a first two-dimensional image being captured and outputs a second two-dimensional image according to an output instruction, the second two-dimensional image having a setting different from a setting of the first two-dimensional image, an output instruction generation unit which generates the output instruction based on a shape defect ratio obtained by generating a three-dimensional model based on the second two-dimensional image outputted by the imaging unit and viewing a three-dimensional model from a viewpoint at which the first two-dimensional image is captured, and a storage unit which stores the second two-dimensional image outputted by the imaging unit. |
| US09704254B2 |
Stereo image matching by shape preserving filtering of a cost volume in a phase domain
Techniques related to stereo image correspondence are discussed. Such techniques may include determining a filtered cost volume for stereo images using phase domain based costs and selecting disparity values for pixel locations based on the filtered cost volume. The filtered cost volume may be generated based on phase matching costs in single or multi-resolution. |
| US09704241B2 |
Radiation image processing device, radiation image processing method and program
It is possible to allow image processing on a radiation image such that the same effect of scattered radiation elimination as when imaging is actually performed using a grid is obtained. When performing processing for eliminating scattered radiation included in radiation transmitted through a subject M on a radiation image imaged by irradiating the subject M with radiation, a characteristic acquisition unit 32 acquires a virtual grid characteristic as a characteristic of a virtual grid assumed to be used to eliminate scattered radiation at the time of imaging of the radiation image. A scattered radiation elimination unit 36 performs scattered radiation elimination processing of the radiation image based on the virtual grid characteristic. |
| US09704240B2 |
Signal processing for intravascular imaging
An intravascular imaging system includes a transducer capable of generating raw data representative of the structure of a patient's vasculature. The system includes an imaging engine for receiving the raw data and generating enhanced data for presentation to a user. The imaging engine includes a coherence filter, an envelope detection module having one or more envelope detectors, and a spatial filter for processing data in various stages. Such stages of processing in the imaging engine act to reduce high frequency noise, generate low frequency data, reduce low frequency noise, and display low frequency data with an improved signal-to-noise ratio. The system can include an image generator for generating an image based on enhanced data and a display for displaying the generated image. |
| US09704230B2 |
Feedback to user for indicating augmentability of an image
Methods and systems for determining augmentability information associated with an image frame captured by a digital imaging part of a user device. The determined augmentability score may then be used in the generation of feedback to the user. For example, a graphical user interface may be generated and rendered having a substantially continuous visual output corresponding to the augmentability information. |
| US09704227B2 |
Method and apparatus for image enhancement
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and apparatus for image enhancement. In particular, there is provided a method for image enhancement, the method comprising: estimating unsharpness of the image (S201-S204); determining a protection level of at least one pixel in the image based on the unsharpness (S205); and modifying a value of the at least one pixel to enhance the image, an amount of the modifying being determined at least in part based on the protection level (S206-S210). A corresponding apparatus and user device are disclosed. The invention may be applied to fog or haze removal from images or video without producing over-removal artifacts. In some embodiments, the invention may also be used to remove noise from low-light images. |
| US09704222B2 |
Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a structure index calculation unit that calculates a structure index that is an index of magnitude of variation of a pixel value in a predetermined range around a target pixel of an input image, with respect to each target pixel; a high frequency component extraction unit that extracts a high frequency structure index that is a high frequency component of the structure index; a smoothing unit that calculates a smoothed structure index obtained by smoothing the structure index, with respect to the each target pixel; a flatness index calculation unit that calculates a synthesis index obtained by synthesizing the smoothed structure index and the high frequency structure index, as a flatness index of the target pixel; and a noise reduction unit that performs a noise reduction process of the target pixel in accordance with the flatness index. |
| US09704214B2 |
Rendering video data in an information handling system by converting the video data to bulk video data
A method, video processing system, and information handling system (IHS) provides rendering of video data. The method includes triggering a management controller to generate a virtual monitor that is accessible by a host. The method further includes, in response to the processor writing video data to the video driver, the video data is converted to bulk video data. The bulk video data is transmitted to the management controller, and the management controller causes a virtual monitor driver corresponding to the virtual monitor to convert the bulk video data to a re-converted video data. |
| US09704213B2 |
Texture element streaming
In one example, a method for transmitting video data includes outputting, by a source device to a sink device, graphical commands and one or more texture elements that are renderable into video data. In this example, outputting a particular texture element of the one or more texture elements includes streaming, by the source device and to the sink device, a plurality of stages that each respectively correspond to a respective subset of pixels of the particular texture element. |
| US09704212B2 |
System and method for image processing
A system and method for image processing are provided. The system comprises a main computing device and a secondary computing device. The main computing device comprises a main graphics card and a main central processing unit, and the secondary computing device comprises a secondary graphics card and a secondary central processing unit. The main computing device is configured to detect the secondary computing device. The main central processing unit is configured to send a request to process raw image data together to the secondary central processing unit and allocate the raw image data to the main graphics card and the secondary graphics card after receiving a response from the secondary central processing unit. The main graphics card and the secondary graphics card are configured to process images based on the allocation of the main central processing unit. The system and method for image processing provided by the present invention can take full advantage of graphics cards located in different computing devices and enable these graphics cards to work together to accelerate image processing. |
| US09704211B2 |
Signal continuity assessment using embedded watermarks
Methods, apparatus, and systems use embedded watermarks to determine whether the segments of a multimedia content has been rearranged. The embedded watermarks are recovered from the content and one or more attributes associated with the recovered watermarks are identified. A continuity of the content can then be assessed in accordance with the one or more attributes. The continuity assessment may be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to a determined heartbeat of the recovered watermarks, a density, separation, location, or extent, of the recovered watermarks, as well as information associated with the watermarks, such as a stego key, channel bits, packet numbers, a fingerprint, or the like. |
| US09704210B2 |
Normalized mark data
In one example, a system including an isolation engine, a normalization engine, and a channel engine is described. In the example, the isolation engine generates mark data using a mark technique based on a first input color channel and a second input color channel, the normalization engine scales intensity values of a set of pixels of the mark data to a greater range, and the channel engine generates output channel data for a plurality of output color channels from normalized mark data based on the scaled intensity values. |
| US09704205B2 |
Device for implementing body fluid analysis and social networking event planning
Event planning using social networking enables an efficient implementation of planning an event, as well as minimizing network traffic and optimizing other technological aspects of life. Additional information acquired by sensors and other technology is able to improve the quality of the event planning. Social network information as well as the additional information is able to be used to select aspects of the event such as time, location, and/or many other aspects of the event. |
| US09704198B2 |
Method and system for facilitating a context-based electronic communication regarding a financial transaction
A computer communication system includes a database, a display application and a communication application. The database is configured to store data pertaining to a financial transaction. The display application is configured to execute on a processor to create a display for displaying a user-selectable communication item corresponding to the financial transaction. The communication application is configured to execute on a processor to create a communication interface. The communication interface enables a first user to initiate, by selecting the user-selectable communication item, a communication with a second user regarding the financial transaction, where the communication is an e-mail communication or an instant messaging communication. The communication interface also automatically embeds one or more transaction parameters corresponding to the financial transaction in the communication to be displayed to the second user. The one or more transaction parameters are based on the data pertaining to the financial transaction stored in the database. |
| US09704196B2 |
System and method for regulating order entry in an electronic trading environment
A system and method are provided for defining slop parameters to an individual spread order or a customized group of orders. The system and method may be used to, for example, define inside slop, outside slop, and/or adjustable range parameters to one or more orders. The inside slop, outside slop, and/or adjustable range parameters may be input by a trader, and, among other things, allow a trader to prioritize orders, set parameters so that some orders are re-priced more aggressively than other spread orders. Alternatively, slop parameters associated with a spread order may also apply more restrictive slop parameters to orders within the same adjustable range. Slop parameters associated with a spread order can also be configured and modified by a trader based on the trader's preferences. Other features and advantages are described herein. |
| US09704187B2 |
Collaborative activities in on-line commerce
Computer based systems and methods allow collaborative shopping for and/or designing of (e.g., customization) consumer products, such as articles of footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, etc., by plural users using different computing devices. The users' computing devices may be in communication with one another in various manners, such as over networked connections (e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an internet connection, etc.); via peer-to-peer communications; through a common server or combination of servers that establish a communications link; etc.). The various parties may participate in an on-line or other computer communicative session to create and buy customized products. Additionally, user interfaces for providing these collaborative sessions are described. |
| US09704184B2 |
Email payment gateway for donations
An email payment gateway may be configured to send emails to potential donors. The emails may include mailto hyperlinks. Each mailto hyperlink may be associated with one or more fundraising campaigns, and each mailto hyperlink describes an email message that may be generated when that hyperlink is selected. When a mailto hyperlink is selected, the generated email message may include one or more parameters related to the fundraising campaign associated with the hyperlink, such as an identifier of the fundraising campaign, donor identity or donation amount. The generated email message may then be transmitted to the email payment gateway. The email payment gateway may receive the message and, based on the parameters in the received message, process the donation on behalf of the donor. |
| US09704182B2 |
Systems and methods to provide connections via callback acceptance
Systems and methods to selectively block calls from reaching destinations based on an input received from a callback connection. One embodiment includes a web server to receive a selection of an advertisement from an customer and to obtain a communication reference from the customer in response to the selection; a session border controller to interface with a packet switched network; and one or more telecommunication servers coupled to the session border controller and the web server, the one or more telecommunication servers to establish a connection for real time communications using the communication reference, to initiate a connection for real time communications with an advertiser of the advertisement after receiving an indication of acceptance of the connection established using the communication reference; where the advertiser is charged an advertisement fee in response to establishing a connection for real time communications between the advertiser and the customer. |
| US09704181B2 |
Real-time social group based bidding system
There are provided a system, a method and a computer program product for creating the social group whose participants are involved in an online conversation. The system aggregates data associated with the online conversation and a group profile, of the social group. The system determines, based on the online conversation data and the group profile, a context of the online conversation and a goal of the social group. The system receives, based on the determined context and the goal, a first bidding from each provider, the first bidding associated with the determined context and the goal, the each provider providing one or more of: goods, services or discounts associated with the context and the goal. |
| US09704170B2 |
Method for tracking items using a fund processing device
Tools for forecasting financial instrument transfers are provided. The tools may include a funds processing system. The funds processing system may be established at a client location. The funds processing system may receive a plurality of items. The items may include one or more financial instruments. The items may include one or more attachments. The items may be processed using the funds processing system. Data corresponding to the items may be transmitted to a financial institution. The data may be used to compute a forecast. The forecast may be based at least on part on data received via the funds processing system. Data analytical models may forecast future requirements. The requirements may be pickup requirements. The pickup requirements may be financial instrument pickup requirements. The forecast may be a time forecast. The time may be an estimated arrival time. The estimated arrival time may be at the financial institution. |
| US09704167B2 |
Electronic devices and service management methods for providing services corresponding to different situations
Service management methods for use in an electronic device are provided, including the steps of: providing a record including at least one first event and possible probability parameters corresponding thereto, each having a weight; collecting device status information regarding information of current status of the electronic device, user operation behavior information and event triggering information using a data collector; evaluating a first evaluation value according to the device status information regarding information of current status of the electronic device, user operation behavior information and event triggering information, the possible probability parameters and respective weights of the record; and inferring that the first event reoccurs and performing a service corresponding to the first event when the first evaluation value has exceeded a threshold value. |
| US09704161B1 |
Providing information without authentication
Techniques for providing information to a user without requiring the user to authenticate are described herein. In some instances, a user enters a payment identifier for the purpose of determining a fully-landed cost of one or more items. In response, a transaction processing service compares item details with information associated with the payment identifier and/or information about the owner of the identifier. The service may then provide this identifier-specific fully-landed cost to the user without requiring the user to authenticate or prove that she is the owner of the payment identifier. |
| US09704155B2 |
Passing payment tokens through an hop/sop
Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods, a computer-readable medium, servers and systems for enabling merchants to pass payment tokens, instead of actual payment information, to third party HOPs and SOPs. This, for example, enables a merchant to charge a consumer, such as on a recurring basis or for a one-off purchase, without having the consumer enter payment information each time and without the merchant actually having to handle payment information. As such, merchants can avoid costs and responsibilities associated with handling and storing consumer payment data, while at the same time it also gives merchants the benefit of engaging in purchase transactions with consumers without requiring that the consumers reenter payment data each time they want to make a purchase. |
| US09704154B2 |
Wearable personal digital device for facilitating mobile device payments and personal use
Provided are a wearable personal digital device and related methods. The wearable personal digital device may comprise a processor, a display, biometric sensors, activity tracking sensors, a memory unit, a communication circuit, a housing, an input unit, a projector, a timepiece unit, a haptic touch control actuator, and a band. The processor may be operable to receive data from an external device, provide a notification to a user based on the data, receive a user input, and perform a command selected based on the user input. The communication circuit may be communicatively coupled to the processor and operable to connect to a wireless network and communicate with the external device. The housing may be adapted to enclose the components of the wearable personal digital device. The band may be adapted to attach to the housing and secure the wearable personal digital device on a user body. |
| US09704153B2 |
System and method for enabling transactions on an associated network
A method and system are disclosed for wireless payment and information collection. A central system generates a personalized application including unique application and transaction identifiers, security keys, and signatures for a user device. The user device implements the personalized application in order to access the services of the associated network. Tags, capable of short-range communication with the user devices, are deployed to service access points of the associated network. The tags and user device mutually authenticate and share identifiers. Validation of the user device results in the tag updating an irreversible counter, generating transaction certificate, and logging this transaction information. The transaction certificate and a portion of the log are communicated to the user device, and service is granted. The user device transmits the transaction information and log to the central system for billing when a network connection is available. |
| US09704152B1 |
Mobile payment systems and methods
A method includes providing a first payment account that is issued by a first financial institution and enables an accountholder thereof to make payments at merchants via a closed-loop payments network corresponding to the first financial institution and mobile person-to-person payments using the payment account. The method includes enabling a second payment account that is issued by a second financial institution to be electronically linked to the first payment account and used as a source of funds. The method includes providing a mobile operating system and enabling a plurality of merchant-specific payment accounts to be associated with a mobile communications device having the operating system. The method includes determining whether a merchant-specific payment account that is accepted only by a particular merchant is available to the accountholder via the mobile communications device and receiving a fee when the first payment account is used for a purchase. |
| US09704142B2 |
System and kiosk apparatus for collecting end-of-life mobile phones
A system for collecting end-of-life mobile phones includes a kiosk apparatus for performing an authentication procedure in which an authentication request is made using registration information including registrant information and end-of-life mobile phone information and a barcode label is issued when an authentication number is input according to the authentication request, and an identifying procedure for storing or discharging the end-of-life mobile phone by checking the presence of the barcode label attached thereto and identifying whether the mobile terminal is a normal mobile phone when the end-of-life mobile phone is put therein; and an integrated operation system having an operating system program to communicate with a plurality of kiosk apparatuses through a network, issue the authentication number corresponding to the authentication request of the kiosk apparatus, and check and statistically analyze an individual or integrated collection amount of kiosk apparatuses. |
| US09704141B2 |
Post-repair data comparison
Methods and apparatus are provided for repairing vehicles. A computing device can receive post-repair data regarding a first vehicle. The computing device can compare the post-repair data to a post-repair dataset regarding at least one vehicle other than the first vehicle. The post-repair dataset can include at least one of an instance of successful post-repair data and an instance of unsuccessful post-repair data. The computing device can determine that a repair to the first vehicle is successful if the post-repair dataset matches an instance of successful post-repair data of the post-repair dataset. The computing device can determine that the repair to the first vehicle is unsuccessful if the post-repair dataset matches an instance of unsuccessful post-repair data within the post-repair dataset. The computing device can indicate whether the repair is successful or unsuccessful. |
| US09704140B2 |
Welding system parameter comparison system and method
A metal fabrication resource performance monitoring method, includes accessing data representative of a parameter sampled during a metal fabrication operation of a metal fabrication resource, the resource being selectable by a user from a listing of individual and groups of resources. Via at least one computer processor, the accessed parameter is processed to determine an analyzed system parameter, and a user viewable dashboard page is populated with graphical indicia representative of the analyzed system parameter, and transmitted the user viewable dashboard page to a user. |
| US09704139B2 |
Techniques for requesting web conference recordings automatically via a conference invitation response
Techniques are presented for recording and delivering content associated with a teleconference meeting. At a server device, a message is sent to a first endpoint device. The message comprises an invitation to join a teleconference meeting. The message also comprises an option for a user at the first endpoint device to respond to the message with a request to record the teleconference meeting. A response message is received from the first endpoint device. The response message contains an indication of whether or not the user will join the teleconference meeting and a request to record the teleconference meeting. A host at a second endpoint device is presented with the request from the user to record the teleconference meeting. |
| US09704132B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for adapting the functionalities of a connected object associated with a user ID
In accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention a method is provided for adapting and customizing the attributes and the functionalities of a connected object according to preferences, settings and permissions associated with a user paired with said connected object. In some implementations, at least part of the inputs and adjustments imparted by said user to said connected object via an input/output user interface could seamlessly translate into other connected objects that belong to the same class and are paired with said user. In other implementations, the pairing of connected target objects with user IDs provides novel functionalities. |
| US09704129B2 |
Method and system for integrated professional continuing education related services
The present invention provides a computer-implemented integrated professional services research, resource, and education delivery and management system. The invention integrates the professional services delivery aspect with the professional education, training and requirements aspect associated with professional services firms and concerns. The invention provides electronic filing and reporting of requirements related documents to maintain state certifications. By providing a more efficient learning environment that is more fully integrated in the practice of a given profession, the present invention promotes an environment that more quickly advances and cultivates the skills of professionals, especially those with little experience, and more closely relates such development with the particular areas in which the individual is engaged in the practice and delivery of professional services, thereby enhancing value delivered to the client. |
| US09704127B2 |
System and method for reproducing works of authorship
In a method for reproducing an original copy of a work of authorship, processing information received from a data input device relating to authentication of the original copy of the work of authorship, identifying information in a database corresponding to the information received from the data input device, determining whether an authorization for reproduction of the work of authorship should be granted, and if authorization is granted, reproducing the work of authorship. |
| US09704124B2 |
Method and apparatus pertaining to monitoring item source locations
One maintains a first historical record that correlates each of a plurality of items that each have a unique identifier with one of a plurality of locations with a facility. Upon then determining that a given one of those items is leaving the facility (for example, by detecting that the item is literally exiting a building that comprises the facility and/or that the item is being purchased), that item's unique identifier and that first historical record are used to update a second historical record with respect to which locations within the facility are moving which items. By one approach the aforementioned unique identifier can comprise an electronic product code as comprises a part of a corresponding RFID tag. |
| US09704123B2 |
Automated listing management
A system and method that manages listings is provided. In example embodiments, a first listing for offering an item is created. A second listing that is an adjustment to the first listing that includes a different attribute is then created. A result of the first listing and a result of the second listing are evaluated. An optimal listing based on the result of the first listing and the result of the second listing is determined. |
| US09704119B2 |
System and method of a requirement, compliance and resource management
A system and/or a method based on a scalable requirement, compliance and resource management methodology for designing a product/service, optimizing relevant processes and enhancing real time and/or near real time collaboration between many users is disclosed. The requirement, compliance and resource management methodology is further integrated with a fuzzy/neuro-fuzzy logic algorithm module and/or statistical algorithm module and/or weighting logic algorithm module and enhanced with a graphical user interface. |
| US09704118B2 |
Predictive analytics in determining key performance indicators
Disclosed are a system, computer readable medium and method for predicting key performance indicators. The method includes receiving one or more data pairs, the one or more data pairs indicating a performance parameter and reason indicator associated with the performance parameter, deriving a formulaic relationship, utilizing a regression formula, between the reason indicator and the performance parameter, predicting at least one key performance indicator (KPI), utilizing a regression formula, for each of the one or more data pairs, associating a cost with each of the one or more data pairs, and varying a parameter based on the KPI and the associated cost. |
| US09704116B2 |
Manufacturing optimizer based on production and consumption targets
An optimizer is used to help manage a process that has multiple consumption inputs with differing costs, multiple production outputs with differing sale prices and intermediates. The process may have storage capabilities for some consumption inputs, production outputs and intermediates. Further, there may be multiple production and consumption targets for the total amount of consumption inputs/production outputs, consumed/produced over a fixed period of time. The optimizer finds the most economical solution while staying in a region from which the contract target is reachable for any combination of uncertain fixed trajectories from pre-selected intervals. |
| US09704108B2 |
System and method for network visualization and plan review
A computer-implemented system, a method thereof, and a computer-readable medium comprising a supply chain visualizer providing a plurality of graphical elements in a multi-dimensional supply chain network view and a plan display providing a plurality of graphical elements in a multi-dimensional tabular view, a multi-directional capability for traversing between the supply chain visualizer and the plan display operable to receive input from a planner during a planning session specifying a plan problem, reflecting changes to data associated with the plan display back to data associated with the supply chain visualizer, reflecting changes to data associated with the supply chain visualizer back to data associated with the plan display, traversing the multi-dimensional supply chain network via a real-time interaction between the multi-dimensional tabular view of the plan display and the visual representation of the graphical view of the supply chain visualizer, and providing the planner the ability to generate a plan. |
| US09704107B1 |
Premise generation based on both analytical processes and statistical processes
Among other things, data is received representing a case for which an output premise is to be generated. The received data is processed to generate the output premise for the case. The processing includes both analytical processing and statistical processing. The analytical processing in the statistical processing are managed so that the output premise depends on results of the analytical processing that have been affected by the statistical processing, or on results of the statistical processing that have been affected by the analytical processing, or on both. |
| US09704104B2 |
Confidence weighting of complex relationships in unstructured data
For confidence weighting relationships between complex entities in unstructured data an expressed relationship between a subset of a set of tokens is extracted from a knowledge graph corresponding to the unstructured data. The knowledge graph includes the set of tokens. The tokens in the subset of tokens are related in the expressed relationship by a set of predicates. A number of occurrences of the set of predicates in the unstructured data is determined. A number of occurrences of the expressed relationship in the unstructured data is determined. Using the number of occurrences of the set of predicates and the number of occurrences of the expressed relationship, a confidence value is computed and assigned to the expressed relationship. |
| US09704103B2 |
Digital companions for human users
A succession of conversations are facilitated between a user of a device and a non-human companion portrayed on the device, to develop a relationship between the user and the non-human companion over a time period that spans the successive conversations. The relationship is developed between the user and the non-human companion to cause a change in a state of the user over the time period. A conversation is facilitated by presenting a segment of speech of the non-human companion to the user and detecting a segment of speech of the user, the segments including a portion of the conversation. At the device, information is received from an intelligent agent about a next segment of speech to be presented to the user, as determined by the intelligent agent based on intelligent processes applied to the segment of speech of the user and to the change in state to be caused. |
| US09704102B2 |
Sparse factor analysis for analysis of user content preferences
A mechanism for discerning user preferences for categories of provided content. A computer receives response data including a set of preference values that have been assigned to content items by content users. Output data is computed based on the response data using a latent factor model. The output data includes at least: an association matrix that defines K concepts associated with the content items, wherein K is smaller than the number of the content items, wherein, for each of the K concepts, the association matrix defines the concept by specifying strengths of association between the concept and the content items; and a concept-preference matrix including, for each content user and each of the K concepts, an extent to which the content user prefers the concept. The computer may display a visual representation of the association strengths in the association matrix and/or the extents in the concept-preference matrix. |
| US09704100B2 |
Authentication method, authentication device, and recording medium
An information conversion method includes: first moving positions of a plurality of particles on a unit sphere according to a value of a probability density function, defining a positional vector of a particle on the unit sphere in a multidimensional space, as a normal vector of a hyperplane configured to divide a feature vector space, defining a predetermined evaluation function configured to evaluate the hyperplane, as the probability density function configured to indicate a probability of existence of a particle on the unit sphere, by a processor; and converting the feature vector to a binary string, considering a positional vector of the moved particle as a normal vector of the hyperplane, by the processor. |
| US09704095B2 |
Method for transcribing an odor or an aroma into color information, and method for transcribing color information into a list of molecules
A method for transcribing an odor or an aroma into a colorimetric description comprises: physico-chemical analysis of said odor or of said aroma in order to associate with it a physico-chemical description comprising a physico-chemical vector, comprising proportions associated with a predetermined set of respective volatile molecules; physico-chemical analysis of a set of so-called test odors and/or aromas in order to assign to each test odor or aroma of said set a so-called test physico-chemical description comprising a so-called test physico-chemical vector comprising test proportions associated with said predetermined set of respective volatile molecules; assigning to the test odors and/or aromas respective test colorimetric descriptions comprising so-called test proportions associated with a set of respective colors; assigning to the odor or to the aroma a colorimetric description comprising proportions associated with said respective colors. |
| US09704093B2 |
Asymmetrical memristor
Embodiments of the present invention provide a memristor having a first electrode, a second electrode and a memristive layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. Thereby, the memristor is adapted to obtain an asymmetrical current density distribution in the memristive layer. |
| US09704092B2 |
Security sealing device comprising a RFID tag
The invention concerns a security sealing device including a sealing element, an integrated circuit and an antenna connected to the integrated circuit, the integrated circuit and the antenna forming a RFID circuit. The security sealing device is characterized by the fact that said sealing element is conductive and is forming a part of said antenna. |
| US09704086B2 |
Asset tracking system for rack-based enclosures
A system includes a beacon device including a communication strip having a plurality of directed light emitters distributed along the communication strip. The beacon device can transmit a directed light signal via the directed light emitters. The system further includes a tag including a processor, a radio frequency transmitter coupled to the processor, a directed light receiver coupled to the processor, and a lens having first and second major surfaces and a side surface, the tag to receive the directed light signal via the side surface and to transmit a radio frequency tag message via the radio frequency transmitter. The system also includes a radio frequency reader to receive the radio frequency tag message. |
| US09704082B2 |
Marker generation apparatus, marker recognition apparatus, marker generation method, marker recognition method, and program
A marker generation apparatus includes code acquisition means for acquiring N-bit code information (N is a natural number no less than two) for superimposing the code information on a marker defined in a plurality of areas, multiplication means for multiplying each bit value of the code information acquired by the code acquisition means by an M-sequence matrix respectively, color information calculation means for calculating color information by adding up multiplication results obtained by the multiplication means, the color information being used for performing a color arrangement for each area of the marker, and color arrangement means for performing a color arrangement for each area of the marker based on the color information calculated by the color information calculation means. |
| US09704078B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing program for displaying an image formed on roll paper
An information processing apparatus including an acquisition portion that acquires a diameter of roll paper on which images are formed by an image forming apparatus and which is rolled by a roll apparatus; and a first display controller that causes, when image formation of an image group is instructed to the image forming apparatus, a roll paper image indicating a position where the image group is formed in the rolled roll paper to be displayed on a display portion, on a basis of a first diameter acquired when image formation of the image group is started and a second diameter acquired when image formation of the image group is completed. |
| US09704077B2 |
Image processing device having voltage generating unit outputting control voltage
In the image processing device, a power supply unit outputs a drive voltage. The control unit is driven by the drive voltage and control the image processing unit. The monitoring unit performs a monitoring operation to determine whether the receiving unit receives the operation instruction. A monitoring unit outputs an activation instruction to the voltage conversion unit when the monitoring unit determines that the receiving unit receives the operation instruction. In response to the activation instruction from the monitoring unit, a voltage conversion unit performs a voltage conversion operation for converting a voltage applied by an external power source to the drive voltage. The voltage generating unit generates a control voltage based on a voltage applied by the external power source and applies the control voltage to both the monitoring unit and the voltage conversion unit. |
| US09704074B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method for quantizing first and second multi-valued data
An image processing apparatus has an acquisition unit configured to acquire first multi-valued data corresponding to a first colored ink to be precedently applied to a same area of the print medium, and second multi-valued data corresponding to a second colored ink to be applied to the print medium succeedingly to the first colored ink; and a quantization unit configured to convert the first multi-valued data to first quantized data designating printing or non-printing of dot using the first colored ink, and converts the second multi-valued data to second quantized data designating printing or non-printing of dot using the second colored data. The quantization unit quantizes the first multi-valued data and the second multi-valued data so as to, on the print medium, make dispersibility of dots to be printed based on the first quantized data higher than dispersibility of dots to be printed based on the second quantized data. |
| US09704073B2 |
Color conversion apparatus, look-up table generating method, and look-up table generating apparatus
A color conversion apparatus includes a storage section configured to store a look-up table specifying a correspondence relationship between an used amount of a first color material used for a formation of a printing material in a printing device and an used amount of a second color material used for a formation of a color reproduction image in an image-forming apparatus, with the look-up table further specifying the correspondence relationship indicating a first output characteristic for a first region included in an input color space represented by a color of the first color material, and further specifying the correspondence relationship indicating a second output characteristic, which is different from the first output characteristic, for a second region, which is different from the first region, included in the input color space, and a color conversion section configured to perform a color conversion in reference to the look-up table. |
| US09704072B2 |
Printer, method, and program for printing Arabic characters
A printer according to an embodiment includes an interface that receives Arabic character data. A control portion includes an image buffer that stores the Arabic character data and a character generator that stores font data corresponding to the Arabic character data. The control portion retrieves font data from the character generator corresponding to the Arabic character data. The control portion generates at least one Arabic character string corresponding to a line or a word unit by rearranging the Arabic character data. The control portion generates image data of the Arabic character string based on the font data. A printer engine prints the generated image data. |
| US09704071B2 |
Printing device, control method of a printing device, and storage medium for managing font printouts
Based on characteristics of the font type, the results of printing by a previous printer and the results of printing by a replacement printer are made the same or nearly the same. The control unit 15 of the printer 10 receives control data including font type information specifying a font type, and character identification information specifying a character or string. When the font type specified by the font type information is a specific type of font, the control unit 15 adjusts the size of the font data of the character specified by the character identification information based on an adjustment value read from adjustment information data KY stored by a storage unit 16, and controls a print unit 17 to print the character based on the adjusted font data. |
| US09704067B2 |
Non-volatile computer-readable storage media, system and method for automatically generating image description
A method for automatically generating an image description includes following steps of: obtaining a first image data; analyzing a text file corresponding to the first image data; calculating occurrences and distribution ratios of terms, each of which contains a target word, from the text file, so as to obtain a plurality of the terms having the distribution ratios greater than a threshold; comparing the distribution ratios of the terms so as to find out at least one key term; finding out one of a plurality of lexical chains containing the key term with a greatest distribution ratio so as to generate a narrative language chain; and setting the narrative language chain as a description of the first image data. A system for automatically generating an image description and a non-volatile computer-readable storage media are also disclosed. |
| US09704063B2 |
Method of sampling feature points, image matching method using the same, and image matching apparatus
A method of sampling feature points, an image matching method using the same, and an image matching processor are disclosed. The method of sampling feature points for image matching includes: dividing a first image into a plurality of regions corresponding to a number of feature points to be sampled; extracting a sampled feature point from each of the regions such that a distance between a sampled feature point of one region and a sampled feature point of another region satisfies a predetermined condition; and estimating a homography on the basis of the extracted sampled feature points and corresponding sampled feature points of a second image to be matched with the first image. |
| US09704056B2 |
Computing hierarchical computations for computer vision calculations
Methods, systems, computer-readable storage media, and apparatuses for efficiently computing a computer vision operation are presented. In certain aspects, techniques are disclosed for receiving values from one or more pixels from a pixel array and representing those values for facilitating computer vision operations, such as Haar-like feature computations. In one implementation, the pixel values are represented as a hierarchy of computations; each level above the lower level of the hierarchy of computations comprises one or more values representing a computation of the values from a lower level of the hierarchy. The computation can include a simple sum of the values for the lower level of the hierarchy, a weighted sum of the values for the lower level of the hierarchy, an average of the values for the lower level of the hierarchy, a local binary pattern based on the values for the lower level of the hierarchy, a histogram of oriented gradients based on the values for the lower level of the hierarchy, or other computer vision feature computation based on the values for the lower level of the hierarchy. In such an implementation, the computer vision operations, such as Haar-like feature computations, may be performed using the hierarchy of averages. |
| US09704055B2 |
Occlusion render mechanism for point clouds
A method, apparatus, system, article of manufacture, and computer readable storage medium provide the ability to render point cloud data. After obtaining point cloud data, polygons are fit to the point cloud data. A texture atlas is created for each of the polygons. A lookup table is generated from the texture atlases and maps each pixel to a corresponding texture location. When a scene is loaded for rendering/processing, the polygons and texture atlas are loaded and projected into an off-screen buffer that defines a depth map of the scene with approximations of a depth per pixel in screen space. The off-screen buffer is used as a lookup table to determine texture data to be rendered for the scene. |
| US09704054B1 |
Cluster-trained machine learning for image processing
Image classification and related imaging tasks performed using machine learning tools may be accelerated by using one or more of such tools to associate an image with a cluster of such labels or categories, and then to select one of the labels or categories of the cluster as associated with the image. The clusters of labels or categories may comprise labels that are mutually confused for one another, e.g., two or more labels or categories that have been identified as associated with a single image. By defining clusters of labels or categories, and configuring a machine learning tool to associate an image with one of the clusters, processes for identifying labels or categories associated with images may be accelerated because computations associated with labels or categories not included in the cluster may be omitted. |
| US09704050B2 |
Speckle-based authentication apparatus, authentication system comprising the same, and speckle-based authentication method
Provided are a speckle-based authentication apparatus, an authentication system that includes the speckle-based authentication apparatus, and an authentication method using the speckle-based authentication apparatus. The speckle-based authentication apparatus includes an optical source configured to radiate light onto an object that is placed apart from the optical source; and a detector configured to detect a speckle pattern generated from the object in response to the light being radiated onto the object and detect location information of the object. Thus, the object is authenticated by comparing the speckle pattern detected by the detector with a speckle pattern stored in advance. |
| US09704049B2 |
Driver assist system utilizing an inertial sensor
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus configured to adjust a processing function for image data for a vehicle control system. The apparatus comprises an image sensor configured to capture the image data corresponding to a field of view. The image sensor is in communication with a controller which is further in communication with an accelerometer. The controller is operable to receive the image data from the image sensor and receive an acceleration signal from the accelerometer. The accelerometer signal may be utilized to identify a direction of gravity relative to the image sensor. |
| US09704041B2 |
Method and system for classifying a terrain type in an area
A method for classifying a terrain type in an area is provided, which comprises the steps of obtaining a plurality of overlapping aerial images of the area, calculating at least one terrain type index for each part of each of the aerial images which lies in the area, where the at least one terrain type index represents the terrain type, determining at least one terrain type index for each part of the area based on the calculated at least one terrain type index for each part of each of the aerial images, and classifying the parts of the area for which at least one pre-determined conditions is met as containing the terrain type, wherein at least one of the at least one predetermined condition relates to a value of the determined at least one terrain type index. Also provided is a system and a computer program product. |
| US09704039B2 |
Biometric authentication using the eye
This invention concerns apparatus and a method for authenticating a subject using their eye as an identifying biometric, in particular the shape of their cornea. The apparatus comprises an image projection device to generate and project an image of a pattern, made up of plural discrete points, onto at least a part of the cornea of an eye of the person. An image capture device to capture an image of the pattern of plural discrete points, after reflection in at least a part of the cornea of an eye of the person. And, a computer processor to extract a data set defining the locations of the discrete points in the captured image. The method comprises capturing an image of an illuminated pattern, made up of plural discrete points, after reflection in at least a part of the cornea of an eye of the subject. Comparing the locations of the discrete points in the pattern of the captured image against the locations of the discrete points in the pattern of a reference image. And, authenticating the identity of the subject depending on the similarity of comparison. In a further aspect the invention is software for performing the method. |
| US09704038B2 |
Eye tracking
Examples are disclosed herein that relate to eye tracking based on two-dimensional image data. One example provides, on a computing device, a method of tracking an eye. The method includes receiving image data from an image sensor, detecting a face of the user in the image data, locating the eye in a region of the face in the image data to obtain an eye image, normalizing one or more of a scale and an illumination of the eye image, fitting an ellipse to an iris of the eye in the eye image, and outputting a determination of an eye gaze direction based upon the ellipse fitted. |
| US09704036B2 |
Eyetracker mounts for use with handheld devices
A device for performing eyetracking on a handheld device includes and eyetracking camera and an eyetracking camera boom mount. The eyetracking camera boom mount physically and electrically connects a handheld device and the eyetracking camera. The eyetracking camera boom mount includes an extension boom that positions the eyetracking camera behind the user's hands. The extension boom provides the eyetracking camera with a view of the user's eyes that is unobstructed by the user's hands. The device can further include an operating scene camera for monitoring a person's hand operations on the handheld device. The operating scene camera can be mounted on the same extension boom as the eyetracking camera or on a separate extension boom. |
| US09704029B2 |
Systems and methods for identifying users in media content based on poselets and neural networks
Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can receive a first image including a representation of a first user. A second image including a representation of a second user can be received. A first set of poselets associated with the first user can be detected in the first image. A second set of poselets associated with the second user can be detected in the second image. The first image including the first set of poselets can be inputted into a first instance of a neural network to generate a first multi-dimensional vector. The second image including the second set of poselets can be inputted into a second instance of the neural network to generate a second multi-dimensional vector. A first distance metric between the first multi-dimensional vector and the second multi-dimensional vector can be determined. |
| US09704028B2 |
Image processing apparatus and program
An information processing system that acquires image data corresponding to a target object that is a target for gesture recognition captured by an imaging device; determines whether a distance between the target object and the imaging device is inadequate for recognition of a gesture made by the target object; and outputs a notification when the determining determines that the distance between the target object and the imaging device is inadequate for recognition of a gesture made by the target object. |
| US09704026B1 |
Systems and methods for building and using social networks in image analysis
Computer-implemented systems and methods for identifying an object in an image are provided. In one example, the method includes identifying a first object related to an electronic image. The image includes at least a second object. Based at least in part on the identity of the first object, social networking information related to the first object is used to programmatically identify the second object. The first object and/or the second object may be a person. In some embodiments, metadata associated with the image may be used to identify the second object. Based at least in part on the identifications, social networking information may be associated between the first object and the second object. |
| US09704020B2 |
Automatic recognition of entities in media-captured events
Architecture that enables the identification of entities such as people and content in live broadcasts (e.g., streaming content (e.g., video) of live events) and non-live presentations (e.g., movies), in realtime, using recognition processes. This can be accomplished by extracting live data related to a live event. With respect to people entities, filtering can be performed to identify the named (people) entities from the extracted live data, and trending topics discovered as relate to the named entities, as associated with the live event. Multiple images of the named entities that capture the named entities under different conditions are captured for the named entities. The images are then processed to extract and learn facial features (train one or more models), and facial recognition is then performed on faces in the video using the trained model(s). |
| US09704019B2 |
Apparatus, method and program for 3D data analysis, and microparticle analysis system
In an example embodiment, may be embodied in a a data analysis apparatus comprises a control unit configured to provide data representative of a three dimensional image, the three dimensional image including at least a three dimensional coordinate space which includes at least one plane that divides the three dimensional coordinate space into at least two regions, a display unit configured to produce the three dimensional image based on the data representative of the three dimensional image, and an input unit configured to provide data representative of at least one of a movement and a position of the at least one plane. In other example embodiments, the present disclosure may be embodied in a data analysis server, a data analysis system, and/or a computer readable medium. |
| US09704008B2 |
Remote management of a barcode reader
A computer includes an application that expects to receive data via a unidirectional communication interface. The computer also includes a background service having a first thread and a second thread. The computer additionally includes device management client software. A barcode reader scans one or more barcodes to generate scanned data. The scanned data is sent to the computer via the unidirectional interface. The first thread of the background service reads the scanned data from the unidirectional interface and sends the scanned data to the application. The second thread of the background service enables the device management client software to perform management operations on the barcode reader via a bidirectional communication interface. |
| US09704006B2 |
Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes a 2D code detecting unit, a 2D code decoding unit, and an invalidation processing unit. The 2D code detecting unit is configured to detect a 2D code in a document image. The 2D code decoding unit is configured to try to decode the detected 2D code. The invalidation processing unit is configured to perform invalidation of the 2D code so as to make this 2D code undetectable by the 2D code detecting unit if the 2D code decoding unit failed to decode the 2D code. |
| US09703994B2 |
Check of a security element furnished with magnetic materials
Checking of security elements for value documents, which have a plurality of magnetic regions, includes at least a high-coercivity magnetic region having a high-coercivity magnetic material, a low-coercivity magnetic region having a low-coercivity magnetic material, and, where applicable, a combined magnetic region containing both the high-coercivity and the low-coercivity magnetic material. After magnetization of all magnetic materials or the magnetic regions formed therefrom in one direction with a first magnetic field region, only the low-coercivity magnetic material is remagnetized in another direction in a subsequent second magnetic field region. Magnetic signals of the magnetic regions are captured while the security element is still subjected to the second magnetic field region. On the basis of the signals all three types of magnetic region can be reliably distinguished. |
| US09703987B2 |
Identity based connected services
Embodiments of the disclosure are directed towards a system and method for enabling an identity based connected service employing a “bound to identity” application usage model. The identity based connected service supports network access for the computing devices based on network connectivity associated with a device application. The system and method use the network access associated with the device application to communicate application state changes in a manner such that any instance of the device application executing on any of the computing devices associated with the same end-user identity remain coherent and consistent. The system and method authenticates an instance of the device application with a single authentication of the device application to an associated resource server. |
| US09703986B1 |
Decentralized reputation service for synthetic identities
A machine has a processor and a memory connected to the processor. The memory stores instructions executed by the processor to collect synthetic identity activity information characterizing computer network activity associated with a synthetic identity. A synthetic identity reputation score is computed based upon a current synthetic identity reputation score, a synthetic identity activity value and an activity provider weighting. |
| US09703984B2 |
One way and two way data flow systems and methods
A system may include a database, a processor coupled to the database, and a user module executed by the processor. The user module may be configured to receive a value for an attribute of a user and determine whether the value is derived from an assessment sponsored by an organization associated with the user. When the value is derived from the assessment sponsored by the organization associated with the user, the user module may store the received value in the database in a record associated with the user only and in a record associated with the organization and the user. When the value is derived from the assessment not sponsored by an organization associated with the user, the user module may store the received value in the database in the record associated with the user only. |
| US09703982B2 |
Document distribution and interaction
An electronic signature comprises an authenticated audio and/or visual recording of a spoken assent that conforms to a pre-established phrase. Alternatively, an electronic signature comprises an authenticated visual recording of a series of physical gestures that conforms to a pre-established sequence. Rules are established with respect to how the assent is to be recorded and authenticated. These rules, as well as the document itself, are provided to a document recipient. If the document recipient assents to the document, an audio and/or visual recording of the assent is generated. Location information that defines or approximates the geographical location where the document recipient recorded the assent is also optionally recorded as well. Once recorded, the assent can be authenticated using any of a variety of suitable authentication processes. An authenticated assent can be considered a legally binding electronic signature that forms a part of, or is otherwise associated with, the document. |
| US09703981B1 |
Mobile device data encryption
Mobile device data encryption is disclosed. A file is divided into a plurality of data blocks. The data blocks are encrypted. An authentication value is generated for each encrypted data block. The encrypted data blocks are stored in a tree data structure including the encrypted data blocks and a header block. The header block includes a set of authentication values and an aggregate authentication value. Each authentication value in the set of authentication values is derived from one or more of the encrypted data blocks. The aggregate authentication value is generated based at least in part on the set of authentication values. In various embodiments, the tree data structure may include one or more levels of internal nodes including authentication blocks. |
| US09703979B1 |
Methods and computer program products for encryption key generation and management
The described embodiments relate to encryption methods and computer program products. An encryption application is used to determine a keystore seed with a seed bit set having seed bits in an ordered sequence. A plurality of key derivation sets are determined and a selected key derivation set is selected randomly. A key bit sequence is generated from the seed bit set using the selected key derivation set. An encryption key is generated using the key bit sequence, and corresponding keying information is determined from the selected key derivation set such that the latter is also derivable from the former. The keying information discloses zero information about the encryption key absent knowledge of the keystore seed. Plaintext data is encrypted using the encryption key to generate ciphertext data, and the keying information is stored with the ciphertext data. The encryption key may then be deleted. |
| US09703975B2 |
Industrial equipment management system, industrial equipment management server, industrial equipment management method, and information storage medium
An individual area controller of an industrial equipment management system controls access to an individual area which is a storage area that is associated with an individual ID on a server, based on the individual ID. A group area controller controls access to a group area which is a storage area that is associated with a group ID on a server, based on the individual ID that belongs to the group ID. A copy restrictor restricts copying of equipment information about an industrial equipment that is stored in the group area to the individual area. |
| US09703973B2 |
Customer load of field programmable gate arrays
Customer content is securely loaded on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) located on a secure cryptography card. The customer content is loaded such that it may not be extracted. A customer obtains a secure cryptography card that includes a field programmable gate array and a master key generated by the secure cryptography card. The customer loads customer specific content on the field programmable gate array, wherein, based on the loading, the customer specific content is secure from extraction via the master key by at least entities other than the customer. |
| US09703972B2 |
Implementing and processing extent granularity authorization mechanism in CAPI adapters
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing and processing a block extent granularity authorization mechanism for a Coherent Accelerator Processor Interface (CAPI) adapter. The CAPI adapter generates an authorization table with multiple authorization entries, each authorization entry including an Authorization Handle with CAPI server registers identification (ID) including a start Logical Block Address of the extent and range of Logical Block Addresses for each extent. When a command is received an authentication process uses the Authorization Handle contained in the received command and an Authorization Entry in the Authorization Table indexed by the Authorization Handle to authenticate the received command to prevent unauthorized data access. |
| US09703971B2 |
Sensitive operation verification method, terminal device, server, and verification system
The present disclosure discloses a sensitive operation verification method, a terminal device, a server, and a verification system. The method includes: scanning, by a first terminal device, a two-dimensional code for initiating a sensitive operation, and obtaining information in the two-dimensional code, the information in the two-dimensional code being at least used to uniquely determine the sensitive operation; and sending, by the first terminal device, a first verification request to a verification server, the first verification request carrying verification information of the first terminal device and the information in the two-dimensional code. |
| US09703970B2 |
System and methods thereof for detection of content servers, caching popular content therein, and providing support for proper authentication
An apparatus and methods thereof provide for efficient usage of network bandwidth and ability to identify whether a client is authorized to receive such bandwidth. Content provided by a content source for a first content consumer is stored in the apparatus located in between the content source and the content consumer allowing delivery of such content to another content consumer from the apparatus thereby reducing the overall network load. For protected content, the apparatus identifies the need for authorization and provides a random identification to the target content consumer and storing that random identification as well as at least another parameter associated thereto such that when revalidation is necessary the content consumer can be validated by the apparatus. |
| US09703967B1 |
System and method to anonymize data transmitted to a destination computing device
A method and system for anonymizing data to be transmitted to a destination computing device is disclosed. Anonymization strategy for data anonymization is provided. Data to be transmitted is received from a user computer. The data includes a plurality of numbers and defines a clear data in a first base encoding scheme, with one or more predefined characteristics. The clear data is converted to a modified clear data in a second base encoding scheme. The modified clear data is anonymized using an anonymization module, to derive an interim anonymized data in the second base encoding scheme. A converted interim anoymized data in the first base encoding scheme is designated as the anonymized data, if the converted interim anonymized data meets the predefined characteristics of the clear data. The anonymized data is transmitted to the destination computer over a network. |
| US09703959B2 |
Dynamic verification of a computer software application execution path
Dynamic verification of a computer software application execution path by detecting execution of a target instruction of a computer software application, wherein the computer software application is configured to generate a token at an instruction near a waypoint instruction of the computer software application, and wherein the waypoint instruction lies along an execution path that leads to the target instruction. Determining, responsive to detecting execution of the target instruction, whether a token exists. Performing a computer-security-related remediation action responsive to determining that the token does not exist. |
| US09703958B2 |
Rollback feature
A file stored in a first portion of a computer memory of a computer is determined to be a malicious file. A duplicate of the file is stored in a quarantine area in the computer memory, the quarantine area being in a second portion of the computer memory that is different from the first portion of the computer memory. One or more protection processes are performed on the file. The determination that the file is a malicious file is determined to be a false positive and the file is restored, during a boot sequence, to a state prior to the one or more protection processes being performed on the file. |
| US09703955B2 |
System and method for detecting OBD-II CAN BUS message attacks
The present application discloses method and system for detecting potential security attacks against a vehicle networking through an OBD-II port. The system establishes an inbound OBD-II CAN message whitelist and an outbound OBD-II CAN message blacklist, respectively. Upon receipt of a CAN message command, the system updates statistics for the command and determines whether the command is inbound or outbound. In response to an inbound command from a device external to the vehicle, the system compares the inbound command with the whitelist and forwards the inbound CAN message command to the vehicle via the vehicle's OBD-II port when inbound command appears in the whitelist. In response to an outbound CAN message command from the vehicle, the system compares the outbound command with the blacklist and prevents the outbound command from being sent to an external vehicle via the vehicle's OBD-II port when the outbound command appears in the blacklist. |
| US09703954B2 |
Method and system for protecting computerized systems from malicious code
The invention relates to a method for providing a computerized system which is protected from malicious programs coming from an external source, the method comprises the steps of (a) secretly, and in a manner unknown to authors of external programs, modifying one or more essential elements at the protected system in a manner which causes all running programs to fail, unless they are subjected to a compatible modification which enables them to run properly; and (b) modifying each program at the computerized system which is known to be benign in order to comply with said modification of one or more essential elements, thereby to enable it to be executed properly. |
| US09703953B2 |
Method, device, and system of differentiating among users based on user classification
Devices, systems, and methods of detecting user identity, differentiating between users of a computerized service, and detecting a cyber-attacker. An end-user device interacts and communicates with a server of a computerized server (a banking website, an electronic commerce website, or the like). The interactions are monitored, tracked and logged. User Interface (UI) interferences or irregularities are introduced; and the server tracks the response or the reaction of the end-user to such interferences. The system determines whether the user is a legitimate user, or a cyber-attacker or automated script posing as the legitimate user. The system utilizes classification of users into classes or groups, to deduce or predict how a group-member would behave when accessing the service through a different type of device. The system identifies user-specific traits that are platform-independent and thus can be further monitored when the user switches from a first platform to a second platform. |
| US09703952B2 |
Device and method for providing intent-based access control
Embodiments relate generally to access control, and more particularly to systems and methods for providing access control based on user intent. An intent-based access control method is provided comprising: receiving, from a user, a request to gain access to a protected resource; presenting stimuli to the user to evoke a physiological or behavioral response at one or more time points or time periods; receiving a signal of the physiological or behavioral response, the one or more physiological signals associated with one or more time codes that correspond to the one or more time points or time periods for the presenting of the stimuli; processing the received signal to assess an intention of the user; and in response to the processing, selectively granting the user access to the protected resource. Various systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media are also described. |
| US09703951B2 |
Allocation of shared system resources
Techniques are described for allocating resources to a task from a shared hardware structure. A plurality of tasks may execute on a processor, wherein the processor may include one or more processing cores and each task may include a plurality of computer executable instructions. In accordance with one technique for allocating resources to a task from a shared hardware structure amongst multiple tasks, aspects of the disclosure describe assigning a first identifier to a first task from the plurality of tasks, associating a portion of the shared hardware resource with the first identifier, and restricting access and/or observability for computer executable instructions executed from any other task than the first task to the portion of the hardware resource associated with the first identifier. |
| US09703949B2 |
Time-based configuration profile toggling
Time-based configuration profile toggling of a client device can be provided. A computing device in data communication with a client device over a network can be configured to identify an enterprise configuration profile associated with a client device stored in a memory. Further, the computing device can determine whether a current time associated with the client device complies with a compliance rule that specifies at least one time period during which the client device is authorized to enable the enterprise configuration profile. In response to the current time associated with the client device complying with the compliance rule, the computing device can remotely enable the enterprise configuration profile on the client device. |
| US09703945B2 |
Secured computing system with asynchronous authentication
A computing device includes an input bridge, an output bridge, a processing core, and authentication logic. The input bridge is coupled to receive a sequence of data items for use by the device in execution of a program. The processing core is coupled to receive the data items from the input bridge and execute the program so as to cause the output bridge to output a signal in response to a given data item in the sequence, and the authentication logic is coupled to receive and authenticate the data items while the processing core executes the program, and to inhibit output of the signal by the output bridge until the given data item has been authenticated. |
| US09703944B2 |
Debug architecture
Roughly described, a method of restricting access of a debug controller to debug architecture on an integrated circuit chip, the debug architecture comprising an access controller, a plurality of peripheral circuits, and a shared hub, the shared hub being accessible by the access controller and the plurality of peripheral circuits, the method comprising: at the access controller, authenticating the debug controller; at the access controller, following authentication, assigning to the debug controller a set of access rights, the set of access rights granting the debug controller partial access to the debug architecture; and after assigning the set of access rights, allowing the debug controller access to the debug architecture as allowed by the set of access rights. |
| US09703942B2 |
Multi-factor authentication system and method
A system and method of multi-factor authentication are described. In some embodiments, a first device provides an initial authentication data to a second device. The second device is different from the first device. The first device obtains a first response data from the second device. The first device generates a first subsequent authentication data using the first response data. The first subsequent authentication data is different from the initial authentication data. The first device provides the first subsequent authentication data to the second device. In some embodiments, obtaining the first response data comprises capturing the first response data from the second device using a camera on the mobile device, where the first response data is displayed on the second device. |
| US09703939B2 |
Mobile terminal and control method thereof
A mobile terminal having a face recognition function and a control method thereof are provided. A mobile terminal includes a display unit, a memory, a photographing unit and a controller. The memory stores first photographing distance information mapped to a plurality of coordinates in a previously obtained first face image, as reference information for releasing a lock mode in which a touch input applied to the display unit is restricted. The photographing unit obtains a second face image by photographing a subject, when a face recognition function is performed in the lock mode. The controller computes second photographing distance information mapped to the plurality of coordinates in the second face image, and releases the lock mode, based on a result obtained by comparing the first photographing distance information and the second photographing distance information. |
| US09703929B2 |
Method and system for microbiome-derived diagnostics and therapeutics
A method for diagnosing and treating an immune microbial dysfunction in a subject, the method comprising: receiving an aggregate set of biological samples from a population of subjects; generating at least one of a microbiome composition dataset and a microbiome functional diversity dataset for the population of subjects; generating a characterization of the immune microbial dysfunction based upon features extracted from at least one of the microbiome composition dataset and the microbiome functional diversity dataset, wherein the characterization is diagnostic of at least one of Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, and celiac disease; based upon the characterization, generating a therapy model configured to correct the immune microbial dysfunction; and at an output device associated with the subject, promoting a therapy to the subject based upon the characterization and the therapy model. |
| US09703925B1 |
Rapid processing of biological sequence data
In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification is embodied in operations of processing sequence data by selecting a distribution key according to a type of one or more tasks to be performed on the data. The key is one or more data fields of a sequence data file, e.g., a sequence alignment/map (SAM) format or binary sequence alignment/map (BAM) format file, or derived from one or more data fields of a sequence data file. The sequence data is then distributed to multiple nodes of a parallel processing relational database system. The system performs the tasks of processing the sequence data by executing database queries. The system executes the database queries on multiple nodes in parallel. The system can use query optimization functions built into the database to expedite performance of each task. |
| US09703923B2 |
Timing constraints formulation for highly replicated design modules
Embodiments of the present invention provide efficient systems and methods for creating an optimal set of partitions across replica blocks using two checkpoints during the design process. The two checkpoints group a set of macros according to a timing constraint and a location proximity to the other macros. Clustering of the macros is iteratively performed until a distance parameter exceeds a pre-defined threshold. |
| US09703921B1 |
Naturally connecting mixed-signal power networks in mixed-signal simulations
A system, method, and computer program product for determining whether a design for a circuit meets design specifications, to facilitate the provision of a manufacturable description of the circuit. A computer-operated circuit simulation tool reads the design for the circuit and a power specification, and selectively internally creates a network connection and inserts a corresponding connect module in the design, for at least one circuit block having an unsupported signal declared in the power specification. Typically such a circuit block will be an analog block, whether an original analog block or an analog representation of a digital block, and may involve electrical or wreal signal interactions. The simulation tool performs a mixed-signal simulation of the design. Embodiments tangibly output a verification determination from a comparison of the simulated design performance results and the design specifications in order to provide the manufacturable description of the circuit. |
| US09703917B2 |
Identification of high impedance nodes in a circuit design
Various aspects of the disclosed techniques relate to techniques for identifying high-impedance nodes in a circuit design. Noise sources are added to nodes of interest in the circuit design. Voltage values at the nodes of interest are then computed in parallel. Based on the voltage values, high impedance nodes in the nodes of interest are identified. |
| US09703912B2 |
Mask set, fabrication method of mask set, manufacturing method of semiconductor device, and recording medium
According to one embodiment, there is provided a mask set including a first mask and a second mask. The first mask includes a first device pattern and a first mark pattern. The first mark pattern is used for an inspection of a position of the first device pattern on a surface of the first mask. The second mask is used to perform multiple exposure on a substrate together with the first mask. The second mask includes a second device pattern and a second mark pattern. The second mark pattern is used for an inspection of a position of the second device pattern on a surface of the second mask. The second mark pattern includes a pattern corresponding to a pattern obtained by inverting the first mark pattern. |
| US09703906B2 |
Circuit simulation device, circuit simulation method, and circuit simulation program
A circuit simulation device includes a measurement unit, a calculation unit, and a processing unit. The measurement unit measures first spaces between adjacent contacts of a plurality of first contacts provided on a source diffusion layer in a line in a direction along which a gate electrode of a transistor extends and also a space between adjacent contacts of a plurality of second contacts provided on a drain diffusion layer in a line in the direction, based on layout design data, and second spaces between the first contacts and the gate electrode and spaces between the second contacts and the gate electrode. The calculation unit calculates a fringe capacitance between the gate electrode, the source diffusion layer, and the drain diffusion layer of the transistor, based on the first and second spaces. The processing unit executes layout simulation based on the fringe capacitance of the transistor. |
| US09703905B2 |
Method and system for simulating multiple processors in parallel and scheduler
The present invention provides a method and a system for simulating multiple processors in parallel, and a scheduler. In this embodiment, the scheduler maps debug interface information of a to-be-simulated processor requiring debugging onto the scheduler during parallel simulation of multiple processors, so that the scheduler is capable of debugging, by using a master thread, the to-be-simulated processor requiring debugging via a debug interface of the to-be-simulated processor requiring debugging pointed by the debug interface information, thereby implementing debugging during parallel simulation of multiple processors. |
| US09703901B2 |
Iterative system and process with non-linear correction factors
A processor connected to a process module executes processor executable instructions stored on the process module according to process input data received by a process definition interface, according to variables input data received by a variables interface. A non-linear correction factor as defined by a non-linear correction factor module is applied to provide a solution to an iterative process. A processor implemented process solves a process problem and comprises processor executable instructions stored on a tangible storage device. |
| US09703899B1 |
IoT product synthesis apparatus and method
A product synthesizer has a core CPU, power distribution, and a plurality of selectable interfaces, each interface having an associated schematic symbol, PCB symbol, mechanical model, power dissipation, and power requirement. A set of constraints identifies performance metrics including low power, high performance, battery or mains power, battery life, and other constraints. The product synthesizer receives as inputs the interfaces and constraints, and generates as outputs a schematic diagram, a bill of materials, a routed printed circuit board, and a solid model of an enclosure, all of which satisfy the constraints and include the identified interfaces. |
| US09703894B2 |
Stored data with temporal proximity analysis for very large scale data with very low built in latency
A system comprises a hashing logic, which executes instructions to convert raw data into a first logical address and payload data, where the first logical address describes metadata about the payload data. A hardware translation unit executes instructions to translate the first logical address into a first physical address on a storage device. A hardware load/storage unit stores the first logical address and the payload data at the first physical address on the storage device. A content addressable store is associated with a reference to the logical addressed data in this location addressable high dimensional store, where the content addressable store is searched for the desired content word using at least one temporal attribute to retrieve the corresponding references with low latency. A hardware exclusive OR (XOR) unit compares two logical address vectors to derive a Hamming distance between the two logical address vectors. |
| US09703891B2 |
Hybrid and iterative keyword and category search technique
Provided are techniques for providing recommendations to improve a query. A query with query keywords and selected categories is received. In response to determining that the selected categories are ranked high with reference to query relevance indicator values for each of the selected categories, a query relevance indicator of the query is calculated with each subcategory using keyword relevance indicators, each subcategory is ranked based on the query relevance indicators, and the ranked subcategories are provided for use in selecting new categories to be submitted with the query. |
| US09703890B2 |
Method and system that determine whether or not two graph-like representations of two systems describe equivalent systems
The current document is directed to methods and systems that determine whether or not two graph-like representations of two physically or temporally distinct computer systems or computer-system configurations are equivalent. The currently described methods and systems extract a first and second ordered set of subgraphs from each of a first and second graph-like representation of a first and a second computer system. The ordered sets of subgraphs are logically aligned, forming a set of subgraph pairs. The currently described methods and systems transform the first and second subgraph of each subgraph pair into a corresponding first and second set of trees, label the trees, and then compare labels at each level of the trees to determine whether or not an isomorphic tree can be found in the second set of trees for each tree in the first set of trees. |
| US09703885B2 |
Systems and methods for managing content variations in content delivery cache
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a high performance content delivery system in which versions of content are cached for servicing web site requests containing the same uniform resource locator (URL). When a page is cached, certain metadata is also stored along with the page. That metadata includes a description of what extra attributes, if any, must be consulted to determine what version of content to serve in response to a request. When a request is fielded, a cache reader consults this metadata at a primary cache address, then extracts the values of attributes, if any are specified, and uses them in conjunction with the URL to search for an appropriate response at a secondary cache address. These attributes may include HTTP request headers, cookies, query string, and session variables. If no entry exists at the secondary address, the request is forwarded to a page generator at the back-end. |
| US09703884B2 |
Plane media product supporting interactive interconnected system
A plane media product supporting an interactive interconnected system supports transmit-receive of a multimedia information signal. The interactive interconnected system comprises an electronic reading device and an electronic transmitter-receiver. An external surface of the plane media product may be attached with information content. The multimedia information signal is synthesized by media information data and associated data, which is a preset Uniform Resource Identifier. The electronic transmitter-receiver is provided with an associated data reception circuit, an associated data transmission circuit and a central processing unit (with memory). The associated data reception circuit is equipped with a short-distance signal transmission-reception circuit. The electronic transmitter-receiver is configured to control transmit-receive of the associated data of the decomposed multimedia information signal, receive the associated data decomposed by the transmission circuit of the electronic reading device, transmit the associated data to external via a remote wireless technology, and quickly call out an associated electronic file. |
| US09703881B2 |
System, apparatus and method for generation of content for distributed heterogenous computers
A system, apparatus and method for generation of content for distributed heterogeneous computers is provided. A server can connect to a network, which in turn is connected to a plurality of client computing devices, a plurality of fixed display computers and a plurality of administration computers. The server is configured to receive content form the administration computers, and to adjust the received content for one or more of the respective fixed display computing and to also adjust the received content for one or more of the client computing devices. |
| US09703880B2 |
Method for recommending short-cuts in order to ease and fasten navigating within navigation topology
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for designing a Web Portal comprising a hierarchical structure of portal pages and portlets for accessing Web contents accessible via the Portal.The method of the invention tracks the paths across which a user traverses a corresponding navigation topology of a portal in order to learn from the behavior of the user. Subsequently during future sessions in the portal when navigating at the same node of the web portal recommendations can be provided that allow the user to access links to an expected final destination page. |
| US09703868B2 |
Reconciling query results associated with multiple indices
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are provided for reconciling query results associated with multiple indices. A search query having a first spelling is received. A plurality of query results is determined, each query result being derived from one of a plurality of indices. At least a first index is associated with a lexicon that is specific to a user computing device and at least a second index is associated with a lexicon that is specific to web-based content. Each query result may be a query result determined based upon the first spelling for the search query, a suggested alternate spelling for the received search query, a query result determined based upon the suggested alternate spelling for the received search query, or a null result. One or more of the query results then is selected as responsive to the received search query. |
| US09703864B2 |
Directional location of sound sources
Directional sound location is used to determine security events of a security system. A sound sensor reports a vector direction to a sound source of an acoustic signal. If the vector direction is historically observed at similar times, then perhaps the sound source is not considered a security event. However, if the vector direction is unknown or unfamiliar, the security system may infer the security event and notify emergency services. |
| US09703859B2 |
Keyword search queries on online social networks
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving from a client system of a first user an unstructured text query. The method includes parsing the text query to identify one or more n-grams. At least one of the n-grams is an ambiguous n-gram. The method includes searching a plurality of keyword generators to identify one or more keyword suggestions matching the ambiguous n-gram. The method further includes calculating a keyword score for each identified keyword suggestions and generating one or more suggested queries including one or more n-grams identified from the text query. The one or more identified keyword suggestions having a keyword score greater than a threshold keyword score. The method includes sending one or more of the suggested queries to the client system of the first user for display. |
| US09703854B2 |
Determining criticality of a SQL statement
The present invention discloses a mechanism for determining criticality of a SQL statement. A plurality of elements in the SQL statement is extracted. A score of the SQL statement is calculated based on a correlation relation among respective elements in the plurality of elements and base scores of the respective elements. The criticality of the SQL statement is determined based on the score of the SQL statement. In this way, a database administrator only needs to define a small number of rules according his own needs. In the meantime, the mechanism automatically analyzes a received simple or complex SQL statement according to the small number of rules defined by the user to determine its criticality, without missing any critical SQL statement, and thereby protect security of data in the database. |
| US09703852B2 |
Systems and methods for quantile determination in a distributed data system using sampling
In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for estimating or determining quantiles for data stored in a distributed system. In one embodiment, an instruction is received to estimate or determine a specified quantile for a variate in a set of data stored at a plurality of nodes in the distributed system. A plurality of data bins for the variate are defined that are each associated with a different range of data values in the set of data. Lower and upper quantile bounds for each of the plurality of data bins are determined based on the total number of data values that fall within each of the plurality of data bins. The specified quantile is estimated or determined based on an identified one of the plurality of data bins that includes the specified quantile based on the lower and upper quantile bounds. |
| US09703849B2 |
Integrating data transform test with data transform tool
Embodiments relate to integrating data transform test with a data transform tool. A method and system are described for creating a data transform test for a data transform job having a data transform script, the method includes determining all data transform units available in the data transform job, determining a subset of the available data transform units for a new test, and generating a subset test execution script for the subset of data transform units from the data transform script. The method further includes determining boundary test data at each boundary of the subset of data transform units, defining a data transform test, and saving the data transform test for later testing. The data transform test includes the subset of data transform units with subset test execution script and with boundary test data. |
| US09703846B1 |
Methods, systems, and media for presenting content based on a generic rating
Methods, systems, and media for presenting content based on a generic rating are provided. In some implementations, the method comprises: receiving search results; determining country-specific content ratings associated with the search results; converting the country-specific content ratings to generic content ratings associated with the search results; determining that at least one search result is to be blocked based on the generic content ratings and a user-selected generic content rating restriction; in response to determining that a search result is to be blocked, removing the search result from the search results to create modified search results; causing the modified search results to be presented; receiving a selection of content from the presented search results; determining a country-specific content rating associated with the selected content; converting the country-specific content rating to a generic content rating; determining that the selected content is not to be blocked based on the generic content rating and the user-selected generic content rating restriction; and causing the selected content to be presented. |
| US09703842B2 |
User interface for search method and system
A user interface for searching records in a database is provided. Each record may contain information regarding one or more categories. The user interface may receive search criteria of one or more categories and provide search results comprising exact and/or inexact matching records. An inexact matching record may have a relevance value representing the relevance of the record to the search query, and inexact matching records may be displayed in an ordering based on the relevance values. The user interface may provide slider tools for receiving changes in a weight value or search criterion of an associated category. A new ordering of the inexact matching records may be displayed in real-time based on newly received weight values or search criterion. The user interface may also provide a mapping tool, a search-result selection function, and/or one or more drill down tools. The user interface may provide any tool or function alone or in any combination. |
| US09703840B2 |
Handling information source ingestion in a question answering system
A question-answering (QA) system first receives input questions. Each question is then assigned to a first question category of a plurality of question categories. The QA system then identifies a set of candidate answers to each question using a core information source. A set of confidence scores, including a confidence score for each candidate answer, is then calculated. The QA system then determines that the first set of confidence scores fails to satisfy confidence criteria. In response to this determination, an updated information source is ingested. |
| US09703833B2 |
Unification of search and analytics
A system includes reception of a request conforming to a modeled query and join filter criteria, the request comprising a first subrequest associated with a search attribute view and a second subrequest associated with an analytical view, definition of a join between the search attribute view and the analytical view based on one or more view attributes of the search attribute view, and filtering of a result set associated with the first subrequest based on the join and on the join filter criteria. |
| US09703829B2 |
Database system and database management method
A database system comprises an interface for a storage device, and a control device for accessing the storage device through the interface. The storage device stores a table that manages a plurality of rows comprising a plurality of item values, and an index configured in a tree structure based on a plurality of nodes enabling to identify the rows by using one or more item values. The control device identifies an item value condition included in a search condition of a search query, determines whether or not the node of the index corresponding to the item value condition is reference-disabled, and when the node is reference-disabled, identifies a range of item values managed by the reference-disabled node, and searches for a row that satisfies the search condition for the identified range. |
| US09703828B2 |
System and method for idempotent interactive disparate object discovery, retrieval and display
The present invention is a system that performs a real time on-demand searching for items such as goods or services with specific search criteria, and returns a set of search results that are deduped and can be updated when modifications to the search results occur. The functionality is provided by a idempotence search system having a user agent that asynchronously receives search results from user's remote computing devices, a set of fetchers for retrieving search results from associated external site and organizing the results in a results queue, a plurality of parser operating in parallel, a broadcaster wherein the user agent includes retrieving the difference from the delta queue, retrieving the results associated with the difference and displaying the results for the user. |
| US09703826B2 |
Method and system for providing in-line scheduling in an on-demand service
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for providing in-line scheduling in an on-demand service in a database system. These mechanisms and methods for providing in-line scheduling can enable embodiments to provide a multi-tenant database that stores client scheduling information, client customer contact information, and enables drag and drop event scheduling. In a multi-tenant database, a system for managing client customer contact information and event scheduling is established, which may be useful for a tenant that is a salesperson or that employs salespersons. The multi-tenant database may include a combined view application that provides for the simultaneous display of a calendar view and list view of contact information. The multi-tenant database may further include drag and drop functionality, allowing list view information to be dragged and dropped onto the calendar view for event scheduling. The ability of embodiments to provide drag and drop inline event scheduling can enable efficient calendaring of events by rapidly transferring relevant information onto a calendar. |
| US09703824B2 |
Managing a distributed database
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for managing a distributed database. A data management application can obtain a query. The data management application can analyze the query to determine a number of data structures relevant to the query. The data management application also can analyze data stores storing the data structures and move or assign data structures to other data stores within a distributed database. The movement of the data structures within the distributed database can be based upon greedy algorithms for moving data and/or executing queries. |
| US09703823B2 |
Automated dynamic data quality assessment
In general, embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and computer readable media for automated dynamic data quality assessment. One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification includes the actions of receiving a data quality job including a new data sample; and, if the new data sample is determined to be added to a reservoir of data samples, sending a quality verification request to an oracle; receiving a new data sample quality estimate from the oracle; and adding the new data sample and estimate to the reservoir. A second aspect of the subject matter includes the actions of receiving, from a predictive model, a judgment associated with a new data sample; analyzing the new data sample based in part on the judgment to determine whether to send a new data sample quality verification request to an oracle; and, if a new data sample quality estimate is received from the oracle, determining whether to add the new data sample and the judgment to the reservoir. |
| US09703821B2 |
Database auditing for bulk operations
A method facilitates auditing of database transactions by maintaining logical consistency between a source database table and a shadow database table. A bulk command is received that specifies edits to a plurality of rows in the source database table. The bulk command is executed on the source database table. The shadow database table is queried to obtain an indication of the plurality of rows edited by the bulk command. The indication is stored as part of an audit trail for the source database table. |
| US09703819B2 |
Generation and use of delta index
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is determined whether a delta index is beneficial based on the difference between a first version and a second version of a document, wherein the first version is associated with a first index comprising a plurality of keywords appeared in the first version. The delta index is generated for the difference between the first and second versions if the delta index is beneficial, wherein the delta index comprises a first section including information about one or more keywords affected by the difference and the information about the positions of the affected keywords. |
| US09703812B2 |
Rebuilding slices of a set of encoded data slices
A method begins with a processing module initiating a rebuilding process for an encoded data slice of a set of encoded data slices and generating rebuilding information from one or more other encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module creating a rebuilt encoded data slice for the encoded data slice based on the rebuilding information. The method continues with the processing module determining whether another encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices requires rebuilding and when the other encoded data slice requires rebuilding, the method continues with the processing module creating another rebuilt encoded data slice for the other encoded data slice based on the rebuilding information without initiating another rebuilding process for the other encoded data slice. |
| US09703805B2 |
Individual verification apparatus, individual verification method and computer-readable recording medium
Certain embodiments provide an individual verification apparatus, comprising: a database configured to associate a face image having the brightness and the light reception direction of an image region with the personal information of an individual; a correction section configured to carry out a correction operation using a correction amount pre-stored for image data for verification having another brightness and another light reception direction; and a verification section configured to verify the individual using the face part in the image data for verification which is corrected in at least one of brightness and light reception direction and the face image in the database. |
| US09703803B2 |
Replica identification and collision avoidance in file system replication
A unique file-system node identification (ID) is created for each newly created node in a file system repository by combining a grid identification (ID), a repository identification (ID), and a node identification (ID) to form the unique file-system node ID. The unique file-system node ID is associated with a unique association identification (ID) thereby linking the node from a source repository to a target repository to form an association when performing a replication operation between the source repository and the target repository. Upon removing the association, the unique association ID is unlinked from a replication policy in a source repository, where an initiated replication operation is disabled. |
| US09703802B1 |
Web-native maintained media file format
Methods and systems for managing media objects by maintaining one unique location that the media object is stored to and accessible from. A media object is received by a computing system and a unique uniform resource identifier is determined based at least in part on identification information corresponding to the media object. The identification information is requested from a remote identification information maintenance service. The media object is provided to a storage location corresponding to the determined unique uniform resource identifier. |
| US09703795B2 |
Reducing fragmentation in compressed journal storage
While discharging a data chunk the chunk is compressed into a storage block. If the chunk is found to be too large to be able to be completely compressed into the storage block certain characteristics of the data chunk are examined to determine whether or not the data chunk should be split. If the data chunk should be split, a remaining portion of the data chunk is compressed to a storage block that is next in chronological order to the original storage block. If the data chunk should not be split, all of the data chunk is moved to the next chronological storage block while leaving any remaining space in the storage block as unused. |
| US09703792B2 |
Online binders
Technology is disclosed for organizing, managing and sharing data files as pages of an online binder (“the technology”). In various embodiments, the technology stores multiple data files received in multiple formats from multiple sources as pages of the online binder. The pages of the online binder are of a common format. The common format allows the pages, that is, the data files corresponding to the pages, to be accessed using a variety of devices regardless of a platform of the devices. The online binder is platform agnostic. The technology provides tools to create notes for the pages of the online binder. The notes can include text annotations, drawings, or audio visual annotations, including a recording of the user actions as presented on the device of the user. The technology provides a collaboration service for sharing the online binder with multiple users asynchronously or in real-time. |
| US09703788B1 |
Distributed metadata in a high performance computing environment
A computer-executable method, system, and computer program product for managing meta-data in a distributed storage system, wherein the distributed storage system includes one or more burst buffers enabled to operate with a distributed key-value store, the co computer-executable method, system, and computer program product comprising receiving a request for meta-data associated with a block of data stored in a first burst buffer of the one or more burst buffers in the distributed storage system, wherein the meta data is associated with a key-value, determining which of the one or more burst buffers stores the requested metadata, and upon determination that a first burst buffer of the one or more burst buffers stores the requested metadata, locating the key-value in a portion of the distributed key-value store accessible from the first burst buffer. |
| US09703785B2 |
Dynamically updating content in a live presentation
A method for dynamically updating content in a live presentation. The method includes a computer processor determining a first content of a live presentation. The computer processor monitors a plurality of data sources and determines at least one of the plurality of data sources includes the first content and a second content. The computer processor retrieves information related to the second content. The computer processor then updates the live presentation with the information related to the second content. |
| US09703784B2 |
Mobile device and method for concurrently processing content according to multiple playlists
A mobile device, such as a media player, a telephone, or a gaming console, concurrently produces multiple content streams based on differing playlists. The mobile device includes a memory, a controller, and at least two output interfaces. The controller processes concurrently the content stored in the memory to produce a first content stream according to a first playlist and a second content stream according to a second playlist. More content streams may be produced based on additional playlist, all of which playlist differ from each other. The content streams may include audio content, video content, or a combination thereof. For each content stream, an output interface is available to convey the content stream. Also disclosed is a method of processing content to produce and send content streams to output interfaces. |
| US09703782B2 |
Associating media with metadata of near-duplicates
Techniques for identifying near-duplicates of a media object and associating metadata of the near-duplicates with the media object are described herein. One or more devices implementing the techniques are configured to identify the near duplicates based at least on similarity attributes included in the media object. Metadata is then extracted from the near-duplicates and is associated with the media object as descriptors of the media object to enable discovery of the media object based on the descriptors. |
| US09703781B2 |
Managing related digital content
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to one or more configured computing systems identifying companion content and supplemental content for a base content. Companion content may include, for example, video adaptations of the base content. Supplemental content may include content referenced or related in subject matter to the base content. Information regarding companion content may be utilized to enable a user to interchangeably or synchronously present either a base content (e.g., an eBook or audio book) with the companion content (e.g., a movie adaptation). Information regarding supplemental content may be utilized to present the supplemental content during consumption of a base content, or to save supplemental content for later viewing. |
| US09703780B2 |
XDM system and method for forwarding a document
Disclosed are a system and a method for implementing an XDM forward function described in [XDM2_RD] and [XDM2 AD]. The method includes the steps of: transmitting, by the XDM forward requesting user a forward request message for forwarding a desired XML document to the XDMS; receiving, by the XDMS the forward request message, determining if the XDM forward requesting user has been granted a forward authority for a forward-requested target XML document forwarding the requested XML document to the XDM forward receiving user when the XDM forward requesting user has been granted an authority to forward the target XML document, performing receiver authorization for determining if an XDM forward receiving user can accept the forwarded XML document, and confirming that the XDM forward receiving user owns the forwarded XML document and storing the possessed XML document in a user directory when the receiver authorization has been successfully performed. |
| US09703778B2 |
Method of remotely controlling external services and selectively sharing control of the same
A method of controlling an external service among a plurality of external services, by receiving an input command at a mobile device, translating the input command into a common language sharable between the external services so that such input commands are understood between the plurality of devices and services and functions are performed at the devices and or services in response to the input command. This control of the services is also sharable as instructed by an input command. |
| US09703776B2 |
Automatic training of a syntactic and semantic parser using a genetic algorithm
Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for automatic training of a syntactic and semantic parser using a genetic algorithm. An initial population is created, where the initial population comprises a vector of parameters for elements of syntactic and semantic descriptions of a source sentence. A natural language compiler (NLC) system is used to translate the sentence from the source language into a target language based on the syntactic and semantic descriptions of the source sentence. A vector of quality ratings is generated where each quality rating in the vector of quality ratings is of a corresponding parameter in the vector of parameters. Quality ratings are evaluated according to specific criterion, which comprise parameters such as a BLEU score and a number of emergency sentences. A number of parameters in the vector of parameters are replaced with adjusted parameters. |
| US09703775B1 |
Crowdsourcing translations on online social networks
In one embodiment, a method includes selecting a first text string from a set of text strings to be translated, wherein each text string of the set of text strings is associated with a priority value that is based on a previously-calculated reliability-values of one or more translations for the first text string, and wherein the first text string is selected based on its priority value; sending, to a client system of the user, instructions configured to present a translation prompt comprising the first text string and a translation-input field, wherein the user is associated with a credibility-score based on prior translation activity; receiving, from the client system, an input by the user corresponding to a translation for the first text string; and calculating a reliability-value for the translation based on the input and the credibility-score of the first user. |
| US09703774B1 |
Smart terminology marker system for a language translation system
A terminology marker system integrates a terminology analytical component for quantifying the amount of linguistic noise found in the translation output as measured against a dictionary; further, correlating the noise measured on a continuous basis enables the analytical component to build terminology predictive models used in a feedback loop to upstream components of the supply chain to improve future translation of new content. The system also provides a smart terminology assessment component for assessing linguistic assets and improving the quality of those assets to assist in translation. The system also provides a smart terminology evaluation component that is able to analyze MT output to make smart decisions on reducing the amount of post editing corrections needed for delivering a persistent level of translation quality. The integration and configuration of the system component within a translation supply chain assists in delivering a reliable level of translation quality by reducing the linguistic noise across all components of the supply chain. |
| US09703772B2 |
System and method for automated alerts in anticipation of inappropriate communication
A method for providing a sensitive text alert includes monitoring a key selected on a keyboard of a computer system. The key selected is reported to a key-logger application executing on the computer system. The reported key selected is appended to a string file. At least one portion of the string file is compared to a database of sensitive words/phrases. An alert is generated when it is determined that the compared at least one portion of the string file matches an entry in the database of sensitive words/phrases. The generated alert is superimposed on a display device of the computer system. |
| US09703767B2 |
Spreadsheet cell dependency management
A spreadsheet file and a dashboard structure file characterizing a dashboard are received. These files are then analyzed to determine dependencies. Subsequently, for each determined dependency, an event listener is registered for a dependent component that corresponds to the determined dependency. These event listeners are notified of an event from an event source when a corresponding dependee is changed. Dependent components are then updated using data from a corresponding dependee in response to event notifications so that each updated dependent component can be rendered within the dashboard. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. |
| US09703766B1 |
Systems and methods for generating tables from print-ready digital source documents
Systems and methods are provided for generating tables from print-ready digital source documents. A document is received and one or more text fragments are identified on a rendered page of the document. A wrapping region collection is generated, comprising one or more wrapping regions. A tabular, narrative and label score is generated for each wrapping region. A block type is assigned to each wrapping region based on the scores. A wrapping region group and a block set are generated. One or more tables are generated based on text fragments corresponding to one of the one or more blocks. The text fragments are organized into corresponding fields of the one or more tables. |
| US09703765B2 |
Data display apparatus and method for energy management system
The present disclosure relates to a data display method and a data display apparatus for an energy management system. The data display method according to the present disclosure comprises receiving a table generation request signal for data received from a data acquisition and management system, receiving a table display form and selection information of sorting, receiving at least one layer according to a selected table display form, sorting and displaying the received data according to the input table display form and the input layer, sensing a sorting request signal for the displayed data, and re-sorting and displaying the displayed data based on the received sorting request signal. |
| US09703764B2 |
Smarter electronic reader
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer program products, and systems for enriching and customizing one or more portions of textual content. Embodiments of the present invention analyze one or more portions of the textual content and customize the textual content based on preferences of a user interacting with the textual content. Embodiments of the present invention can present customized or original textual content to users requesting textual content. |
| US09703753B2 |
Apparatus and method for updating a device
An apparatus for updating a device, includes: a card configured to include a first device; a controller configured to acquire first circuit data from the card and to update a second device by using the first circuit data; and a storage unit configured to store, from the card, second circuit data for updating the first device, wherein the controller acquires the second circuit data stored in the storage unit and updates the first device by using the second circuit data. |
| US09703750B2 |
Computer system including CPU or peripheral bridge directly connected to a low voltage differential signal channel that communicates serial bits of a peripheral component interconnect bus transaction in opposite directions
A computer system for multi-processing purposes. The computer system has a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site. Each coupling site comprises a connector. The console is an enclosure that is capable of housing each coupling site. The system also has a plurality of computer modules, where each of the computer modules is coupled to a connector. Each of the computer modules has a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the processing unit, and a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit. Each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other to provide independent processing of each of the computer modules in the computer system. |
| US09703749B2 |
Method and device for synchronizing a control unit and at least one assigned peripheral unit
In a method for synchronizing a control unit and at least one peripheral unit having actuators and/or sensors, the control unit and the peripheral unit exchange data with each other via a serial interface. The control unit transmits data to the at least one peripheral unit which is processed in the peripheral unit for the operation of the actuators and/or sensors, and at least one synchronization character is transmitted from the control unit to the peripheral unit for the synchronization. In this context, the synchronization character is appended by the control unit to a first data sequence of a data stream to be transmitted from the control unit to the peripheral unit, and the transmission of a second data sequence to be transmitted after the first data sequence is delayed in time on the part of the control unit, so that the second data sequence is transmitted by the control unit to the peripheral unit following the synchronization character. |
| US09703746B2 |
Headend with redundancy, and an associated method
A head station including at least two identical processing units supplied respectively with at least one identical input datastream in order to generate an output datastream, and an output bus system connected to the processing units for the exchange of output datastreams and status data generated in each of the processing units is provided. Additionally, within the head station, several decision circuits connected to the output bus system are provided for the selection of the output datastream to be transmitted in each processing unit in each case to a transmitter system. |
| US09703741B2 |
Connector with a termination module
A communication device is provided. The communication device can include a processing device for communicating data via a data connection or receiving power via an electrical connection and a connector for providing the data connection or electrical connection. The connector can include at least one terminal and a sensing module. The terminal can be communicatively coupled to the processing device. The terminal can form the data connection or electrical connection with at least one external terminal of a mating connector. The sensing module can detect a movement associated with removing the mating connector. The sensing module can provide a termination signal to the processing device to terminate the data connection or electrical connection. The processing device can terminate data communication via the data connection or current flow via the electrical connection in response to the termination signal. |
| US09703731B2 |
Data transfer apparatus and data transfer method
In a data transfer apparatus, a data coupling unit includes a command transfer unit that outputs a write address based on transfer requests input from a bus master, a judgment result indicating whether data corresponding to the input transfer requests are continues, and a judgment result indicating whether a size after coupling exceeds an arbitrary burst length. The data coupling unit includes a buffer unit that retains the data input from the bus master according to the write address, a buffer management unit that retains information used by the data coupling unit to couple the transfer requests, and a coupled command transfer unit that generates a transfer request after coupling, having a data size less than or equal to the arbitrary burst length and a start address based on the arbitrary burst length. |
| US09703730B2 |
Arbitration circuit and processing method of arbitration circuit
In an arbitration circuit, transactions output from a plurality of master circuits are stored in a first-in-first-out type first buffer, and when a high-priority transaction higher in priority than one of the stored transactions is output from one of the plural master circuits, a cancel request of a low-priority transaction lower in priority than the high-priority transaction, out of the stored transactions, is output to a second buffer in a slave circuit, and when the cancel request is successful, the high-priority transaction is output to the slave circuit, and after the high-priority transaction is output to the slave circuit, the low-priority transaction whose cancel request is successful is output to the slave circuit. |
| US09703729B2 |
Detecting the orientation of a multimedia link connected to a device
Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to identifying the orientation of a multimedia link connected between a source device and a sink device. A sink device includes a plurality of pins that are configured to interface with a plurality of pins of the multimedia link. The sink device identifies based on the values of one or more pins of the plurality of pins of the sink device whether the multimedia link is connected to the sink device. Further, the sink device determines an orientation of the multimedia link connected to the sink device. The multimedia link can be in one of two orientations, straight or flipped. The sink device may communicate the orientation of the multimedia link to the source device. The source device may perform lane mapping based on whether the multimedia link is in the straight or flipped orientation. |
| US09703723B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing mapping within a data processing system having virtual machines
In an environment in which a processor operates a hypervisor and multiple guest partitions operating under the hypervisor's control, it is desirable to allow a guest partition access to a physical memory device without decreasing system performance. Accordingly, a conversion instruction for converting a logical address to a real address, i.e., an LTOR instruction, executable from a guest partition, is added to the processor. Upon the guest partition's execution of the conversion instruction with the logical address specified, the processor converts the logical address to an encrypted real address, and returns it to the guest partition. The guest partition is then able to pass the encrypted real address to an accelerator that converts the encrypted real address to a real address in order to access the memory device using the real address. |
| US09703719B2 |
Fast read for non-volatile storage
Sensing techniques and associated circuitry are provided for use with a memory device. The techniques are suited for sensing operations involving even-numbered or odd-numbered bit lines. In one approach, the sensing circuitry includes left and right hand portions which have separate cache access lines, but are connected to a common output bus. A full data word can be output at a time by using a half word from the left hand portion and a half word from the right hand portion. Or, the sensing circuitry can be configured so that a full data word is output at a time from the left or right hand portion. One implementation provides an N-bit bus and N input paths for each of the left and right hand portions. Another implementation provides an N-bit bus and N/2 input paths for each of the left and right hand portions. |
| US09703718B2 |
Managing read tags in a transactional memory
Managing cache evictions during transactional execution of a process. Based on initiating transactional execution of a memory data accessing instruction, memory data is fetched from a memory location, the memory data to be loaded as a new line into a cache entry of the cache. Based on determining that a threshold number of cache entries have been marked as read-set cache lines, determining whether a cache entry that is a read-set cache line can be replaced by identifying a cache entry that is a read-set cache line for the transaction that contains memory data from a memory address within a predetermined non-conflict address range. Then invalidating the identified cache entry of the transaction. Then loading the fetched memory data into the identified cache entry, and then marking the identified cache entry as a read-set cache line of the transaction. |