| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09717165B2 |
Data centre
A data center (100) includes at least one rack room (in for example module 140) having a floor and a plurality of rack storage areas on the floor, each rack storage area being arranged to accommodate a plurality of racks (143) in which a plurality of rack-mountable electronic components may be housed, one or more controllable air circulation systems (in for example module 122), one or more cold aisles (144) in the rack room, each cold aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area, and one or more hot aisles (145) in the rack room, each hot aisle being adjacent to a rack storage area. There may be a large air duct, in the form of a personnel corridor (123), for transporting, under the control of the one or more air circulation systems, cooling air, above the floor, to the one or more cold aisles. The air supply corridor/duct (123) may have a height greater than 1.5 m above the floor and a cross-sectional area of at least 2 m2 and a maximum dimension in the plane of the cross-section of less than 3 m. |
| US09717161B2 |
Board assembly including cooling system and electronic apparatus
A board assembly including a cooling system includes: a wiring board; a first heat generating component mounted on a surface of the wiring board; a first heat receiving portion mounted on the first heat generating component and configured to allow a coolant to pass therethrough; a second heat generating component mounted on another surface of the wiring board; a second heat receiving portion mounted on the second heat generating component and configured to allow the coolant to pass therethrough; and a support post disposed through the wiring board so as to extend between the first heat receiving portion and the second heat receiving portion, the support post having a space through which the coolant flows from the first heat receiving portion to the second heat receiving portion or from the second heat receiving portion to the first heat receiving portion. |
| US09717160B2 |
High-density server with redundant power source for server modules
A high-density server includes a plurality of server enclosures, each of which includes an enclosure housing with a pair of module insertion/extraction parts, a pair of power source units, a plurality of cooling fans, and two pairs of server modules. Cooling fans are linearly aligned in a crosswise direction and positioned in proximity to the rear opening of the enclosure housing with upper rear openings and lower rear openings, while server modules are installed in module insertion/extraction parts inside the enclosure housing in an insertable/removable manner. Server modules have module trays for mounting electronic components and interface units. Interface units are retractively inserted into upper rear openings or lower rear openings in connection with power source units when server modules are moved in a lengthwise direction along module insertion/extraction parts inside the enclosure housing. The server enclosure is equipped with a redundant power transmitter establishing redundant multipoint-to-multipoint connections between power source units and server modules. |
| US09717157B2 |
Computer modules with small thicknesses and associated methods of manufacturing
Computer modules with small thicknesses and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed. In one embodiment, the computer modules can include a module substrate having a module material and an aperture extending at least partially into the module material. The computer modules can also include a microelectronic package carried by the module substrate. The microelectronic package includes a semiconductor die carried by a package substrate. At least a portion of the semiconductor die extends into the substrate material via the aperture. |
| US09717156B2 |
Electrical socket connector with guide frame IC chip placement
An electrical connector for electrically connecting a chip module, including an insulating body, multiple terminals fixed to the insulating body, a stiffener surrounding the periphery of the insulating body, a carrier for carrying the chip module onto the insulating body, and a load plate for pressing the chip module. The terminals are used for electrically connecting the chip module. The stiffener has a first pivoting portion and a second pivoting portion. The first pivoting portion is located in front of the second pivoting portion, and the first pivoting portion and the second pivoting portion are located on the same side of the insulating body. A rear end of the carrier is pivoted to the first pivoting portion, and a rear end of the load plate is pivoted to the second pivoting portion. |
| US09717151B2 |
Flex-rigid wiring board
A flex-rigid wiring board includes a flexible substrate, a first non-flexible substrate positioned on a first side of the flexible substrate, a second non-flexible substrate positioned on a second side of the flexible substrate, a first insulation layer laminated on first surfaces of the flexible substrate and first and second non-flexible substrates, and a second insulation layer laminated on second surfaces of the flexible substrate and first and second non-flexible substrates. Each of the first and second insulation layers has an opening portion exposing a portion of the flexible substrate such that the portion of the flexible substrate forms a flexible section connecting non-flexible rigid sections, and the first and second non-flexible substrates include a heat dissipating portion including a heat dissipating material having thermal conductivity which is higher than thermal conductivity of the first and second insulation layers. |
| US09717148B2 |
Methods of forming a microelectronic device structure, and related microelectronic device structures and microelectronic devices
A method of forming a microelectronic device structure comprises coiling a portion of a wire up and around at least one sidewall of a structure protruding from a substrate. At least one interface between an upper region of the structure and an upper region of the coiled portion of the wire is welded to form a fused region between the structure and the wire. |
| US09717147B2 |
Electronic device manufacturing system
An electronic device manufacturing system may include a mainframe to which one or more process chambers of different size may be coupled. A different number of process chambers may be coupled to each facet (i.e., side wall) of the mainframe. The process chambers coupled to one facet may be of a different size than process chambers coupled to other facets. For example, one process chamber of a first size may be coupled to a first facet, two process chambers each of a second size different than the first size may be coupled to a second facet, and three process chambers each of a third size different than the first and second sizes may be coupled to a third facet. Other configurations are possible. The mainframe may have a square or rectangular shape. Methods of assembling an electronic device manufacturing system are also provided, as are other aspects. |
| US09717145B2 |
Through silicon vias and thermocompression bonding using inkjet-printed nanoparticles
Apparatus and method for filling and optionally bumping through-silicon vias (TSVs) in device circuits utilizing inkjet printheads for ejecting sufficiently small droplets of conductive nanoparticle inks into the TSVs. Ejected drops are accurately impinged along the length of each TSV within a substrate being heated to drive evaporation of the solvent carrying the metal nanoparticles into the trenches while not de-encapsulating the particles. Once all TSVs are filled, and optionally bumped, to a desired level while they are being heated then bonding and sintering can be performed, such as utilizing thermocompression bonding to another integrated circuit. |
| US09717141B1 |
Flexible printed circuit with removable testing portion
A flexible printed circuit which includes a flexible substrate, a plurality of conductive pads, and a plurality of conductive traces that conductively connect to at least two conductive pads. The plurality of conductive pads and traces are defined on the flexible substrate. The flexible substrate has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has at least two sets of conductive pads. The second portion has at least one set of conductive pads and is configured to conductively connect to a testing device. After the flexible printed circuit is tested, the second portion of the flexible substrate is detached from the first portion of the flexible substrate. |
| US09717140B2 |
Shielded patterned ground structure filter for EMI reduction
The present disclosure generally relates to a shielded patterned ground structure in a PCB. The PCB may be disposed in a hard disk drive. Conductive traces in PCBs can have the problem of common mode current flowing through the traces and thus increasing the magnitude of EMI noise. By providing a shielded patterned ground structure, the common mode current is reduced as is the magnitude of EMI noise, yet there is no negative impact to the differential signal. |
| US09717138B2 |
Radiographic projector
A radiographic projector for housing and projecting a radioisotope for use in radiography is described. The front end of the projector has a chamfered surface for receiving an ancillary shielding component. The material used for the front end surface of the projector is tungsten powder in a less dense material matrix. A locking mechanism for a projector is described, including a locking bar for locking a source holder in the projector. The locking mechanism includes an interlock section for retaining the locking bar in an unlocked position while a source holder is not in its storage position, and a latch section for latching the locking bar in the unlocked position prior to engagement of the interlock section. A holster for mounting a radiographic projector and a refraction cage for a remote windout mechanism are also described. |
| US09717137B2 |
X-ray housing having integrated oil-to-air heat exchanger
An x-ray housing can include a tubular unitary body having an external fin array adjacent to an internal fin array through a heat exchanger portion of the unitary body, the internal fin array being on a luminal surface of a housing lumen of the unitary body. The external fin array can extend from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing. The external fin array may be at a discrete and defined location, and extend around only a portion (e.g., 25%) of a circumference or external surface of the housing. The internal fin array can extends from the first end of the housing to an arced manifold recess at the second end of the housing, and be located in a finned recess that is adjacent to and dimensioned correspondingly with the external fin array. |
| US09717134B2 |
Technique for controlling order of selection
A technique for controlling order of selecting elements from an ordered set of N elements, the technique provides applying to the ordered set a mathematical function P converting the order, in which the elements are preliminarily ordered in the set, into a desired order defined by the function P. The elements may further be selected from the set according to the new order defined by the function P. The elements in the set comprise at least one of the following: devices, items, parameters, values. |
| US09717132B2 |
Intelligent lighting control system and method
An intelligent lighting control system is provided. The system includes at least one smart lighting device, including a control module, a lighting module, a microphone module and a wireless communication module, where the control module is connected to the lighting module, the microphone module, and the wireless communication module, respectively; the microphone module is configured to receive a voice instruction from a user and send the voice instruction to the control module; and the control module is configured to convert the voice instruction to a voice data signal. The system also includes a cloud server configured to perform voice recognition analysis on the voice data signal, convert the voice data signal to a control signal, and send the control signal to at least one smart home device. Further, the system includes the at least one smart home device configured to receive the control signal and perform a corresponding function. |
| US09717131B2 |
Motion detector system, lighting system with such system and method for detecting moving vehicles and/or pedestrians
The invention relates to a motion detector system (2), a lighting system (14) with such detector system and a method for detecting moving vehicles and/or pedestrians. The motion detector system comprises: —a first motion detector (6a, 6b) for detecting vehicles and/or pedestrians having a speed in a first speed range, the first detector being arranged to detect moving objects in a first detection zone (d1, d2) having a first size, the first size determining the first speed range; and —a second motion detector (8a, 8b) for detecting vehicles and/or pedestrians having a speed in a second speed range, the second detector being arranged to detect moving objects in a second detection zone (d3, d4) having a second size, the second size determining the second speed range. |
| US09717126B1 |
Current control circuits
A current control circuit for a driving circuitry system of an LED component is provided. In the driving circuitry system, a rectifier provides a rectified voltage to an anode of the LED component, and a current module sets a current flowing through the LED component. In the current control circuit, input and output terminals of a voltage regulator are respectively coupled to the input terminal of the current module and a non-inverting input terminal of an operational amplifier. An inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is coupled to an output terminal of the current module, and an output terminal thereof is coupled to one terminal of a capacitor. An output-terminal voltage of the first operational amplifier is provided as a reference voltage for the current module. One terminal of a resistor is coupled to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier. |
| US09717125B2 |
Enhanced lighting fixture
A lighting fixture having a light source, a light sensor, a communication interface, and circuitry is described. In addition to controlling the light source, the circuitry is adapted to monitor for a light signal provided from a handheld device via the light sensor; upon receiving the light signal, measure a signal level associated with the light signal; and effect transmission of the signal level to the handheld device via the communication interface. In one embodiment, the circuitry is further configured to receive an instruction to monitor for the light signal from the handheld device via the communication interface such that the circuitry begins monitoring for the light signal upon receiving the instruction. |
| US09717124B2 |
Light emitting element drive apparatus and portable apparatus using same
A light emitting element drive apparatus capable of outputting the lowest voltage satisfying drive conditions and having high light emitting efficiency and low power loss, and a portable apparatus using the same, comprising an LED drive apparatus to which LEDs of different drive voltages required for emitting light are connected in parallel and driving one or more LEDs, wherein the LED drive apparatus 10 has drive circuits connected to the corresponding LEDs among a plurality of LEDs and driving the corresponding LEDs with luminances based on set values and power supply circuits for deciding a drive voltage value required for the highest light emission among one or more LEDs driven to emit light based on drive states of drive circuits (for example terminal voltages of the current source) and supplying a drive voltage having at least the decided value to LEDs in parallel. |
| US09717123B1 |
Audible noise reduction method for multiple LED channel systems
An LED controller for a multiple LED channel system using PWM method for LED dimming function incorporates a digital dimming control circuit to generate the PWM signals for driving the LED channels to spread out or cancel out the power supply transients generated by the LED transient current during PWM modulation for dimming operation. The digital dimming control circuit implements an audible noise reduction method whereby the active period of the PWM signals for some of the LED channels are shifted within the switching cycle to align at least some of the rising signal edges with some of the falling signal edges so as to cancel out the voltage transients on the LED power rails generated at the signal transitions. Furthermore, the rising and falling signal edges that are not lined up are spread out through the PWM switching cycle so that the power supply transients are spread out. |
| US09717117B2 |
Lighting system and method of deflection
The present invention includes a removable lighting assembly containing: a housing; a solid state lighting unit contained within the housing and electronically communicating with the housing; and a deflector fixed about the solid state lighting unit for deflection of the light emanating therefrom. |
| US09717113B2 |
Method and system for control of discontinuous reception (DRX) by a mobile device in a wireless communications network supporting voice-over-internet-protocol (VolP)
A method and system for controlling discontinuous reception (DRX) in a mobile device in a wireless communications network uses autonomous DRX control after initial VoIP traffic setup. If the mobile device transmits a negative-acknowledgement signal (NACK) indicating unsuccessful receipt of a VoIP packet, then it autonomously turns on a predetermined delay time later to receive the retransmission of the VoIP packet. The predetermined delay time is related to the time for the base station to process the NACK and prepare the VoIP packet for retransmission. When the mobile device transmits or retransmits a VoIP packet, reception is deactivated, but is autonomously activated the predetermined delay time later to receive an acknowledgement signal (ACK) or NACK. VoIP packets may be transmitted from the mobile device the predetermined delay time before VoIP packets are transmitted from the base station. |
| US09717112B2 |
Method and apparatus for small cell configuration in a heterogeneous network architecture
A method at a UE operating in a hybrid network, the method receiving a separate discontinuous reception configuration at the UE for the macro cell than for a small cell; and configuring a receiver on the UE according to the separate discontinuous reception configurations. Further, a method at a macro cell, the method determining a mobility state of a UE; finding a service at the UE; and limiting the UE to associate only with the macro cell based on at least one of the determining and the finding. Further, a method at a UE in an environment with a macro and small cell using the same frequency, including receiving a first allocation for small cell within a common small HARQ subframe set; and receiving a second allocation for a macro cell within a common macro HARQ subframe set, wherein the sets do not overlap. |
| US09717106B2 |
System for utilizing identity based on pairing of wireless devices
In one embodiment, an apparatus may include a memory and a processor. The processor may be operable to create a wireless connection to a wireless device. The processor may be operable to form a pairing with the wireless device based on a unique identifier of the wireless device. The unique identifier may be received from the wireless device. The unique identifier may identify the wireless device in the pairing. The processor may be operable to receive user data associated with the unique identifier from a database. The processor may be operable to initiate configuration of an IP telephony service, where the configuration based, at least in part, on the user data. |
| US09717105B2 |
Systems and methods for managing mobility in a network of moving things
Systems and methods for managing mobility in a network of moving things. As non-limiting examples, various aspects of this disclosure provide systems and methods for managing mobility in a network in which at least a portion of the network access points are moving. |
| US09717104B2 |
Method and system for providing data access to mobile network nodes of a data network
System and method for providing data access to mobile network nodes of a digital data network, said system comprising: a local mobility anchor node, herewith LMA, which has an uplink interface to an upstream network, a plurality of mobility access gateways, herewith MAGs, which are fixed access points comprising a wired interface to the LMA, one or more mobile mobility access gateways, herewith mMAGs, which are mobile, in particular vehicle, access points comprising a wireless interface to a MAGs or other mMAGs, a mobile network node, herewith MNN, comprising a wireless interface to a MAG or mMAG, each of said mMAGs configured for establishing a network binding to the LMA through an access point, by connecting to said access point, the access point being a MAG or another mMAG, such that data packets arrived at the LMA and destined to the MNN are routed and forwarded to the MNN through the mMAG. |
| US09717101B1 |
Emergency response system and method for elderly individuals using mobile device
The present invention is method and system that uses a mobile phone and has the ability to call and/or text one or more pre-programmed numbers once an emergency application on the mobile device is actuated without requiring any additional steps on the part of the user. In order to make this communication, the user preferably only needs to touch a simple and enlarged emergency button. The invention is catered to elderly individuals who can be prone to struggle with the functions on common mobile devices. If the user triggers the emergency call function, the mobile device will automatically call and/or text certain designated contacts of the user. |
| US09717094B2 |
Method and apparatus for device-to-device communication
A method includes scheduling at least one resource for a Device-to-Device (D2D) transmission control channel (DCCH) carrying a D2D control information (D2DCI) message, transmitting, by a first UE, the DCCH on the at least one DCCH resource to at least one second UE, scheduling at least one resource for a D2D data channel (DDCH), and transmitting, by the first UE, the DDCH on the at least one DDCH resource to the at least one second UE. A UE includes one or multiple antenna, and a processing circuitry configured to schedule at least one resource for a DCCH, transmit the DCCH on the at least one DCCH resource, to at least one second UE through the one or more multiple antenna, schedule at least one resource for a DDCH, and transmit the DDCH on the at least one DDCH resource, to the at least one second UE. |
| US09717093B2 |
Access point and associated antenna selecting method
An access point includes an antenna module, a wireless network module and a processor, wherein when the access point connects with an electronic device and operates in a training stage to determine at least an optimal antenna for the electronic device, the processor determines a number of a plurality of training packets, a delay time between the plurality of training packets and a length of at least one of the plurality of training packets according to a connecting status between the access point and the electronic device, and transmits the plurality of training packets to the electronic device via the wireless network module and the antenna module. |
| US09717092B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating resources for device-to-device (D2D) communication in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for allocating resources for D2D communication are disclosed. The method includes a WCN allocating dedicated resource for a first D2D data session and common resource for a second D2D data session in a user equipment (UE), wherein the first D2D data session and the second D2D data session are active simultaneously in the UE. The method could also include the WCN receiving a corresponding request message from the UE for establishing each D2D data session. The method could further include the WCN transmitting a response message to the UE in response to reception of the corresponding request message, wherein the response message includes resource information that indicates which type of resource is allocated for each D2D data session. |
| US09717091B2 |
Mobility-based fractional frequency reuse
Fractional frequency reuse (FFR) is defined based on a mobility condition of an access terminal. For example, upon determining that an access terminal is moving (or at a cell edge, or experiencing poor link conditions, etc., due to mobility), FFR may be defined for the serving access point of the access terminal and/or for neighbor access points to maintain acceptable link quality for the access terminal. In particular, FFR may be defined in a manner that frees-up or otherwise reserves resources for the access terminal. For example, the serving access point may allocate additional sub-bands for the access terminal and/or increase the power levels used on the sub-bands allocated for the access terminal. In addition, neighbor access points may back-off these sub-bands. |
| US09717082B2 |
Digital broadcasting system and data processing method in the digital broadcasting system
A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. In an aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a data processing method including receiving a broadcast signal in which main service data and mobile service data are multiplexed, demodulating the received broadcast signal, outputting demodulation time information of a specific position of a broadcast signal frame, and acquiring reference time information contained in the mobile service data frame, setting the reference time information to a system time clock at a specific time based on the demodulation time information and decoding the mobile service data according to the system time clock. |
| US09717080B2 |
Common mapping of resource elements to enhanced resource element groups
The invention relates to a universal mapping of resource elements (REs) to enhanced resource element groups (eREG) that applies to both the PDCCH and PDSCH regions; the mapping is universal since it is not user or cell-specific but applies to the resource block pairs irrespective of the actual reference signals used. The mapping is such that all REs of the resource block pair are assigned to one out of a plurality of eREGs. According to the mapping, the REs are sequentially assigned to the eREGs, in predetermined orders. Within an OFDM symbol a pair of REs is assigned to the same eREG, wherein the two REs are spaced apart from each other by 3 or 6 subcarriers. |
| US09717078B2 |
Method and apparatus for deactivating secondary carriers in mobile communication system using carrier aggregation
A method and an apparatus in a mobile communication system are provided. The method by a terminal in a mobile communication system includes receiving first information for activating a secondary cell (SCell) from a base station, activating the SCell based on the first information, starting a timer associated with the SCell, restarting, if second information for the activated SCell is received from the base station, the timer associated with the SCell, and if the timer expires, applying by the terminal, one or more corresponding actions for deactivating the SCell no later than in a predefined subframe. The one or more corresponding actions include at least one of preventing from transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) on the SCell, and preventing from reporting at least one of a channel quality indicator (CQI), a precoding matrix index (PMI), a rank indicator (RI), and a precoder type indicator (PTI) for the SCell |
| US09717075B2 |
Method and apparatus for avoiding in-device coexistence interference with preferred frequency notification
A method, system and device are provided for avoiding in-device coexistence interference between different radio technologies deployed in adjacent bands on the same device by providing preferred frequency solutions for the in-device coexistence system. |
| US09717073B2 |
Mobile station, base station and wireless communication method
Method and apparatus are provided for mapping an operating frequency band of a mobile station device in a mobile communication system. As operating frequency band position at the time of idle mode of respective mobile station devices is arranged so as to be distributed throughout a unique frequency bandwidth of a base station device. |
| US09717067B2 |
Location-based access point module control
Apparatus and method relating to wireless communication access points are described. In one embodiment an apparatus including one or more antennas to function as an access point for wireless communication is described. In some cases the apparatus or methods may include determining location information and/or one or more operating characteristics of one or more wireless communication access points. |
| US09717066B2 |
Sensor interface with mobile terminal satellite modem and global location system
A system and method for implementing a low-power local-area network for use with a mobile terminal satellite modem. This low-power local-area network enables sensors on an asset to transmit sensor data to a mobile terminal affixed on the asset. The mobile terminal reports the sensor data along with asset position information to a centralized facility via a communications satellite. |
| US09717063B2 |
Card toolkit support for IP multimedia subsystem
A method, system and computer-usable medium are provide for managing the Open Channel for IMS command correctly the UICC to have knowledge about the specific status codes the ME received from IMS. This knowledge allows the UICC to make a smarter decision on what it attempts to do to access IMS. Accordingly, the UICC is provided with detailed information about the status codes from the IMS service to allow the UICC to make an informed decision. If the UICC does not have such knowledge, it is possible that the UICC will send potentially unwanted commands to the ME to establish access to IMS. |
| US09717062B2 |
Method and apparatus of implementing time synchronization
The present invention discloses a method of time synchronization and a base station system. The base station system includes a main unit, at least one radio unit, and a transmission medium adapted to transmit information between the main unit and the at least one radio unit. The base station system further includes a clock synchronization server configured close to the side of the at least one radio unit or integrated with the at least one radio unit. The clock synchronization server is adapted to transmit synchronization data to the main unit through the transmission medium, so that the main unit performs configuration processing according to the synchronization data to implement time synchronization with the clock synchronization server. |
| US09717059B2 |
Power control method and apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a power control method and apparatus, relate to the field of wireless communications, and are invented for reducing power pressure of an air interface of a base station and ensuring a stable network environment. The method includes: determining whether received total wideband power (RTWP) of an air interface exceeds a set first congestion threshold value; when the RTWP of the air interface exceeds the set first congestion threshold value, sending a congestion indication to a radio network controller (RNC), where the congestion indication is used for indicating that the RNC is forbidden from up-regulating a target signal-to-interference ratio (SIR); receiving a target SIR sent by the RNC; down-regulating the target SIR sent by the RNC; and notifying, based on the down-regulated target SIR, a user equipment (UE) to reduce transmit power. The present invention is mainly applied to the field of power control. |
| US09717055B2 |
Method for performing alarm grouping control of an electronic device with aid of at least one grouping control strategy, and associated apparatus
A method for performing alarm grouping control of an electronic device and an associated apparatus are provided, where the method includes the steps of: shifting the execution timing of at least one alarm of a plurality of alarms to group the plurality of alarms into at least one grouped alarm according to at least one grouping control strategy, wherein the execution timing of the at least one alarm is shifted to the execution timing of the at least one grouped alarm; and according to the at least one grouped alarm, controlling whether to wake up at least a portion of the electronic device. |
| US09717054B2 |
Device assisted multi-step adaptive discontinuous reception (DRX) operations using power preference indicator
Examples of power conservation management for user equipment based on the operating state of the user equipment are provided. A user equipment may implement a power managing application that monitors the activity of the user equipment, such as the number of applications open on the user equipment, the data usage requirements for each open application, data delay tolerances for each application and/or a level of user interaction with the device at a given moment. Based on the level of activity and the data requirements, the managing application on the user equipment is able to make a discontinuous reception profile setting recommendation selected from more than two discontinuous reception profiles to the mobile communications network entity. In response to the discontinuous reception profile setting recommendation, the network entity may modify the connection status with the user equipment. |
| US09717052B2 |
Method for receiving radio packet through short-range wireless communication, portable terminal, and short-range wireless communication system
A method for receiving radio packets through short-range wireless communication includes receiving a first radio signal through the short-range wireless communication, identifying a preamble used for synchronization of the short-range wireless communication from a analog signal of the received first radio signal, determining whether the frequency from the identified preamble is within a specified frequency offset range, and processing data from the received first radio signal if the frequency from the identified preamble is within the specified frequency offset range. |
| US09717051B2 |
Proactive control of hardware based upon monitored processing
A method and computing apparatus for controlling operation of hardware processing components are disclosed. The method may include receiving a data packet (e.g., a media frame) at the computing device, processing the data packet with a plurality of hardware components to display the data packet, and monitoring movement of the data packet among the hardware components. A time indication for each hardware component is generated that indicates when the data packet will be received, and a frequency of each of the hardware components is adjusted based upon when the frame will arrive to be processed. |
| US09717049B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and method
According to one embodiment, a wireless communication apparatus includes a first processor, a second processor and a controller. The first processor generates one or more first frames and one or more second frames. The second processor transmits the first frames and the second frames, and receives a first acknowledgement and a second acknowledgement. The controller retains a first interval relating to a time interval between the first transmission request and the second transmission request and a second interval relating to a time interval between a first and a second time points, and controls transmission of frames to be transmitted based on the first and the second intervals. |
| US09717047B2 |
Fairness-based message transmission in a wireless network
Methods, devices, and systems are described to enable fair message transmission and to reduce maximum power consumption of stations in a wireless network. For example, a first station of the wireless network may transmit a message including a first neighbor list to a second station of the wireless network. The first neighbor list may identify one or more stations within a particular range of the first station. The second station may selectively transmit, based on a comparison between the first neighbor list and a second neighbor list and a random countdown, a copy of the message including the second neighbor list to another station of the wireless network. The second neighbor list may identify one or more stations within a particular range of the second station. |
| US09717041B2 |
Method for discovering radio access technology by mobile communication terminal and wireless access system therefor
A method includes receiving information collected by one or more auxiliary communication terminals by radio signals in order for discovering the radio access technology accessible by the mobile communication terminal, and determining connection with one of one or more radio access technologies on the basis of the information collected by the radio signals. The collected information includes information created on the basis of strength of radio signals, which are received by the auxiliary communication terminals from wireless access devices. Determining connection includes determining a wireless access device to be connected on the basis of signal strength information of the radio signals from the auxiliary communication terminals, the signal strength information being measured by the mobile communication terminal, and information derived from the strength of the radio signals included in the collected information. |
| US09717040B2 |
Method and system for enhanced cell acquisition in communication system
A method of enabling cell acquisition in a wireless communication includes determining, by a first base station, a Mobile Station (MS) located at a granularity of a first frequency carrier cell sector level, identifying at least one second base station within the first frequency carrier cell sector level, transmitting a second frequency carrier cell search command to the MS and identifying, by the MS, the second frequency carrier cell based on one or more parameters defined in the search command. The first frequency carrier cell enables the MS to search for the second frequency carrier cell by providing a predefined number of synchronization slots to be monitored based on the location information of the MS. |
| US09717039B2 |
Methods and systems for improved utilization of a wireless medium
Systems, methods, and devices for wireless communication are provided. In an embodiment, a method of determining communication parameters for wireless communication includes receiving, at an access point, a probe request comprising a transmission power indication. The method further includes determining a received transmission power. The method further includes estimating a path-loss based on the transmission power indication and received transmission power. The method further includes transmitting a first probe response using a first set of communication parameters defining a first rate. The method further includes transmitting a second probe response using a second set of communication parameters defining a second rate when the access point does not receive an acknowledgement to the first probe response within a timeout period, the second rate being lower than the first rate. |
| US09717038B2 |
User equipment, network node, second network node and methods therein
Embodiments herein relate to a method in a user equipment (10) for acquiring system information relating to a cell (11,14) in a radio communications network. The cell (11,14) is served by a network node (12,12′,15) and the user equipment (10) is capable of receiving signals on more than one downlink carrier simultaneously. The user equipment (10) creates autonomous gaps on a downlink carrier, which downlink carrier to use for creating autonomous gaps on is based on a received indication from the network node (12,12′,15) and/or a pre-determined rule. The indication or pre-determined rule specifies the downlink carrier. The user equipment (10) then acquires the system information of the cell (11,14) on the downlink carrier using the created autonomous gaps. |
| US09717035B2 |
Methods and system in supporting real time services with spectrum efficiency in a satellite network
Approaches are provided for efficient bandwidth allocation for real-time service traffic flows, providing for assured QoS and efficient spectrum utilization. A terminal of a wireless communications network receives data from one or more associated interface devices. A snooper captures a session request message from one of the interface devices for initiation of a setup process to establish a communications session over the communications network, and parses the session request message to obtain associated session parameters. Inroute bandwidth requirements for the communications session are determined based on the session parameters. A bandwidth reservation process is initiated to obtain bandwidth allocations to satisfy the inroute bandwidth requirements. The session request message is held until completion of the bandwidth reservation process, whereupon the session request message is transmitted to a session controller at a core node of the network, and the setup process to establish the communications session is completed. |
| US09717020B2 |
Method of adapting the parameter set of a mobile terminal transceiver based upon its geographical position
A transceiver may be arranged to operate according to a Radio Access Technology (RAT) in a cellular communication system. A position value for the transceiver is determined, and a database is accessed based on the determined position value. A transceiver parameter set corresponding to the determined position value is acquired, and the transceiver parameter set is arranged to adapt operation of the transceiver for the determined position within the RAT. Settings of the transceiver are applied according to the acquired transceiver parameter set. |
| US09717018B2 |
Synchronization of audio and video data in a wireless communication system
Techniques are described for encoding an audio video stream that is transmitted over a network, for example a wireless or IP network, such that an entire frame of audio and an entire frame of video are transmitted simultaneously within a period required to render the audio video stream frames by an application in a receiver. Aspects of the techniques include receiving audio and video RTP streams and assigning an entire frame of RTP video data to communication channel packets that occupy the same period, or less, as the video frame rate. Also an entire frame of RTP audio data is assigned to communication channel packets that occupy the same period, or less, as the audio frame rate. The video and audio communication channel packets are transmitted simultaneously. Receiving and assigning RTP streams can be performed in a remote station, or a base station. |
| US09717017B2 |
Mobile device equipped with mobile network congestion recognition to make intelligent decisions regarding connecting to an operator network for optimize user experience
The disclosed technology includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for optimizing network traffic management in a mobile network. One method includes determining, by a network optimization client of a mobile device, a packet call quality (PCQ) associated with transmission of packets between the mobile device and a mobile communications network. The PCQ includes a numerical indication of call quality. A congestion recognition (CR) module of the mobile device determines a measure of user congestion based on the PCQ that indicates a total delay experienced by a user of the mobile device during the transmission of packets. |
| US09717015B2 |
Rate control for wireless communication
Rate control is provided for communicating within a wireless communication network. In some examples, redundant packet information transmitted over separate links, each link having its own independent rate control loop, can result in improvement in packet reliability with fast convergence to a desired error level. In other examples, artificial degradation of a received data stream can be utilized to improve packet reliability, also with fast convergence to the desired error level. |
| US09717014B1 |
Cross-network traffic management of neighboring WLANs
A traffic management system for managing communication traffic on wireless local area networks (WLAN)s. The traffic management system comprises: a traffic aggregator and a traffic prioritizer. The traffic aggregator is configured to aggregate traffic management parameters from neighboring ones of the WLANs which share a selected communication channel with one another for communication links between their associated wireless access point (WAP) node and station nodes. The traffic prioritizer is coupled to the traffic aggregator and configured to prioritize the communication traffic of the neighboring ones of the WLANs using the aggregated traffic management parameters; thereby avoiding impediments to high priority communication traffic on a one of the neighboring networks resulting from a lack of prioritization coordination with an other of the neighboring networks. |
| US09717013B2 |
Device and method of handling measurement configuration
A communication device for handling a measurement configuration comprises a storage unit for storing instructions and a processing means coupled to the storage unit. The instructions comprise receiving a measurement configuration comprising a first carrier frequency and a low priority for the first carrier frequency from a network; changing the low priority of the first carrier frequency to a normal priority in response to a radio resource control (RRC) procedure; and performing a measurement on the first carrier frequency according to the measurement configuration comprising the first carrier frequency with the normal priority. The processing means is configured to execute the instructions stored in the storage unit. |
| US09717010B2 |
Load estimation and load management in a cellular communications network
A cellular communications network 10 comprises a plurality of basestations 12, 14, 16 and 18 connected to each other through an interface and to a core network through another interface. Each basestation has a coverage area referred to as a cell k. There are provided methods for estimating the load imparted on a cell in the cellular communications network by user equipments in the cell. The methods make it possible to estimate any potential increase in the load that may impact onto a target cell due to the handover of a UE from a serving cell. |
| US09717007B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining network status
A method for determining a network status is provided. The method includes obtaining a period determined by a first processor of an electronic apparatus, using a second processor of the electronic apparatus, transmitting a preset message from the electronic apparatus to another apparatus in a network according to the determined period, using the second processor, determining the network status based on at least one of (i) whether or not a response to the preset message is received and (ii) information included in the response, using the second processor, and when the network status is determined to be abnormal, activating the first processor using the second processor. |
| US09717003B2 |
Sponsored connectivity to cellular networks using existing credentials
Systems and techniques are disclosed to facilitate the sponsored connectivity of a user equipment on a serving network so that the UE may access a service whose connectivity is sponsored by an application service provider. The application service provider provisions the serving network so that it is aware of the sponsored connectivity. In an attach attempt to the serving network, the UE provides a client token based on a pre-existing credential (established between the UE and the application service provider) instead of a subscriber identifier with the attach request. The application service provider's server validates the access credential to authenticate the UE and provides information that the serving network uses to mutually authenticate with the UE. The UE may then use the serving network to access the service via the sponsored connection, even where the UE does not have a subscriber identity and subscription with a cellular network. |
| US09716998B2 |
Base station system and wireless transmission apparatus
A base station system includes a base station apparatus (1) and a wireless transmission apparatus (2). The base station apparatus (1) communicates with mobile stations. The wireless transmission apparatus (2) communicates with the base station apparatus (1) and wirelessly communicate with another apparatus in order to connect the base station apparatus (1) to a mobile backhaul network. The base station apparatus (1) includes a solar cell panel (15) for generating operating power of the base station apparatus (1), and a storage battery (14). The wireless transmission apparatus (2) includes a solar cell panel (25) for generating operating power of the wireless transmission apparatus (2), and a storage battery (24). The base station apparatus (1) and the wireless transmission apparatus (2) wirelessly communicate with each other. This can provide, for example, a base station system that can be easily installed and has high tolerance to accidental or intentional damage to cables. |
| US09716995B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamically adjusting roaming parameters
This disclosure includes systems and methods for adjusting one or more roaming parameters using information regarding WLAN activity and/or a connection characteristic indicative of the reliability of the connection. |
| US09716994B2 |
Communication control method, user terminal, and communication apparatus
A communication control method comprises: transmitting, by a user terminal to a base station, a message including information notifying the base station of the user terminal having an interest in receiving a discovery signal in a discovery procedure for discovering a proximal terminal, and information of a frequency in the discovery procedure, when the user terminal has an interest in the discovery procedure. The user terminal notifies the base station of a request for a gap for receiving the discovery signal. |
| US09716993B2 |
Communication control method, user terminal, and communication apparatus
A communication control method comprises: receiving, by a user terminal, from a base station, first information indicating a Device to Device (D2D) frequency available in a D2D discovery procedure for discovering a proximal terminal; and using, by the user terminal, not only the frequency indicated by the first information, but also a frequency not indicated by the first information. The frequency not indicated by the first information is different from the frequency indicated by the first information and is indicated by second information received from another cell different from a cell in which the user terminal exists. |
| US09716992B2 |
Neighbor aware network logical channels
A method of communication includes transmitting a message from a first electronic device of a neighbor aware network (NAN) to a second electronic device of the NAN via a first communication channel of a plurality of communication channels during a discovery window. The message indicates that the first electronic device is available to communicate. The method also includes monitoring a second communication channel of the plurality of communication channels during a first paging window of a transmission window. The first paging window includes a beginning portion of the transmission window, and electronic devices of the NAN are in an active state during the first paging window. |
| US09716990B2 |
Method to disable a network access application in a secure element
A method comprises causing a network access application or cellular authentication in a secure element to be disabled by changing a status of security information. In one embodiment, a method is provided to disable the network access applications of a UICC, in case of an emergency call, by resetting a verification status of the PIN. |
| US09716985B2 |
Scheme capable of treating multicast/broadcast frame(s) as unicast frame(s) and transmitting multicast/broadcast frame(s) by using unicast transmission in wireless network
An electronic device includes a storage unit and a processing unit. The storage unit is configured for storing specific information. The processing unit is coupled to the storage unit and for controlling and accessing the storage unit. The processing unit is capable of accessing the specific information within the storage unit to control the electronic device to send the specific information to an access point device so as to make the access point device treat a multicast/broadcast frame as a unicast frame and transmit the unicast frame by using unicast transmission. |
| US09716967B2 |
Communication system, communication terminal apparatus, storage medium having stored therein communication program, and communication method
A communication terminal apparatus includes an antenna controller and a target-side data transceiver. Before data communication is performed with an information processing apparatus via an antenna of the communication terminal apparatus, the antenna controller changes at least one of a resistive component of the antenna, voltage to be applied to the antenna, and current to be applied to the antenna, thereby changing a state of the antenna to cause a change in a magnetic field that results from the change in the state of the antenna and can be sensed by the information processing apparatus. After the antenna controller has changed the state of the antenna, the target-side data transceiver performs the data communication with the information processing apparatus. |
| US09716965B2 |
Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed, by which a content sharing between a mobile terminal and a call counterpart is facilitated in the course of making a phone call in-between. The present invention includes a wireless communication unit configured to perform a communication with an external terminal device while the external terminal is currently in a phone call with a call counterpart, a touchscreen configured to display a content list of contents to share with the call counterpart, and a controller to control the touchscreen, wherein in response to receiving a user input to request a sharing of at least one content in the content list, the controller to control a request, to the external terminal device, to share the sharing requested content with the call counterpart. |
| US09716961B2 |
Wave field synthesis system
One example provides a decentrally structured apparatus including sound transducers and operating according to wave field synthesis principles. The decentrally structured apparatus includes a plurality of assembly units, each including several sound transducers, wherein the decentrally structured apparatus is configured to use a model-based approach to carry out a synthesis of wave fronts within each assembly unit for sound transducers of the respective assembly unit using audio signals and associated data for their form, and to actuate the sound transducers of the respective assembly unit with actuation signals corresponding to the synthesis. |
| US09716957B2 |
Headset capable of converting sound channels
A type of channel-convertible headphone is disclosed in the utility model which comprises: The left speaker, the first articulated switch, the second articulated switch, the right speaker, the left channel input terminal and the right channel input terminal, wherein, the first articulated switch is provided with the first and the second electronic contact and the second articulated switch with the third and the fourth electronic contact which can switch off or on the connection; the left speaker is connected to the third electronic contact through the first electronic contact and the second electronic contact to the right speaker through the fourth electronic contact; the left channel input terminal is connected to the left speaker through the first electronic contact and the right channel input terminal to the right speaker through the second electronic contact. Application of the channel-convertible headphone of the utility model can maintain the left and right channels in such a manner that they output same audio content and realize conversion between signal and double channels by turning the headphone switch and build a reasonable structure for easy control of the cost. |
| US09716956B2 |
Piezoelectric thin film resonator and method of fabricating the same
A piezoelectric thin film resonator includes: a lower electrode and an upper electrode facing each other across a piezoelectric film; an insertion film inserted into the piezoelectric film, located in at least a part of an outer peripheral region in a resonance region and outside the outer peripheral region, and not located in a center region of the resonance region; a protective film on the upper electrode and the piezoelectric film; and a wiring line connecting to the lower electrode and covering an outer periphery of the protective film in an extraction region of the lower electrode, wherein in the extraction region, an outer periphery of the insertion film is further out than an outer periphery of the upper electrode and further in than an outer periphery of the piezoelectric film, and the outer periphery of the protective film is further out than the outer periphery of the insertion film. |
| US09716953B2 |
Electromagnetic transducer with specific internal geometry
A device, including an electromagnetic transducer including a bobbin having a space therein, a connection apparatus in fixed relationship to the bobbin configured to transfer vibrational energy directly or indirectly at least one of to or from the electromagnetic transducer, and a passage from the space to the connection apparatus. |
| US09716946B2 |
System and method thereof for determining of an optimal deployment of microphones to achieve optimal coverage in a three-dimensional space
A system and method for determining an optimal arrangement of microphones for coverage of target sound sources are provided. The method includes receiving at least one geometric constraint respective of a three-dimensional microphone space, wherein the microphone space defines a location for possible deployment of a plurality of microphones; receiving information related to the sound sources, wherein sound sources include at least one target sound source; simulating sound distribution patterns from each of the least target sound sources and each microphone in the deployment of the plurality of microphones; selecting based, in part, on the simulated sound distribution patterns at least one contributing microphone from the deployment of the plurality of microphones; and outputting the optimal arrangement to include the least one contributing microphone. |
| US09716942B2 |
Mitigating effects of cavity resonance in speakers
A speaker includes a housing, at least one electro-acoustic driver including a diaphragm, and a cover secured to one or more of the housing and driver. The cover is configured to partially extend over the diaphragm to affect an associated cavity resonance frequency of an air cavity adjacent to the diaphragm. |
| US09716941B2 |
Frame rail-integrated subwoofer assembly and method
An assembly for use in a designated listening area includes a body having a frame rail supporting or framing the body laterally adjacent to the designated listening area, and defining a cavity, and a subwoofer assembly having subwoofer speakers each defining a smaller second air volume. The subwoofer assembly is mounted to the frame rail such that the second air volumes are contiguous with and open into the first air volume. A sealing mechanism enclosed the first air volume within the cavity. A method includes providing a subwoofer assembly having subwoofer speakers defining respective second air volumes, mounting the subwoofer assembly to a frame rail laterally adjacent to the designated listening area such that the respective second air volumes are contiguous with and open into the first air volume, and sealing the first air volume with a sealing mechanism. |
| US09716939B2 |
System and method for user controllable auditory environment customization
A method for generating an auditory environment for a user may include receiving a signal representing an ambient auditory environment of the user, processing the signal using a microprocessor to identify at least one of a plurality of types of sounds in the ambient auditory environment, receiving user preferences corresponding to each of the plurality of types of sounds, modifying the signal for each type of sound in the ambient auditory environment based on the corresponding user preference, and outputting the modified signal to at least one speaker to generate the auditory environment for the user. A system may include a wearable device having speakers, microphones, and various other sensors to detect a noise context. A microprocessor processes ambient sounds and generates modified audio signals using attenuation, amplification, cancellation, and/or equalization based on user preferences associated with particular types of sounds. |
| US09716938B1 |
Headset mount
Implementations of a headset mount are provided. In some implementations, a pair of headset mounts may be used to secure the earpieces of an electronic headset to a helmet having a suitable accessory interface (e.g., a rail system) thereon. In this way, a user wearing the helmet may adjustably position the earpieces of the electronic headset over his/her ears. In some implementations, the headset mount may comprise a housing having a body portion and a top portion, a back plate, and a wire form. In some implementations, the top portion is configured to rotate when secured to the body portion of the housing. In this way, the top portion may be used to rotate a wire form having an earpiece of a headset attached thereto into position (e.g., over the ear of a user and/or on top of the helmet to which the headset mount is secured). |
| US09716931B2 |
Speaker module, electronic device including the speaker module, and display device including the electronic device
A speaker module, An electronic device, and a display device include a housing, a main board, and at least one speaker module placed in the housing. The at least one speaker module includes at least one first speaker unit disposed in a first direction and at least one second speaker unit disposed in a second direction different from the first direction and having at least one side of the at least one second speaker unit contacting with at least one side of the at least one first speaker unit. Driving vibrations may be offsetted because the speaker units are disposed in different directions. |
| US09716928B2 |
Communications apparatus, system, and communications method
A given communications apparatus is included among plural first communications apparatuses, among which at least execution results of data processing of the given communications apparatus is communicated by multi-hop communication whereby, the execution results are transmitted to a second communications apparatus that performs a process based on the execution results. The given communications apparatus includes a storage device storing therein identification information of a specified communications apparatus that requires plural hops to communicate with the second communications apparatus and is among the plural first communications apparatuses, exclusive of the given communications apparatus; and a wireless communications circuit that transmits to a nearby communications apparatus of the given communications apparatus, request information that includes the identification information stored in the storage device and that requests the specified communications apparatus to execute the data processing of the given communications apparatus and to transmit execution results of the data processing. |
| US09716926B2 |
Remote weather sensing for harvesting conditions
Systems and methods for remote query of weather conditions at an agricultural machine use an onboard telemetry unit as a gateway for communication with the machine. The telemetry unit can be coupled to both the machine's electrical system at the machine, and a machine's controller area network (CAN). A user can call up the machine's telemetry unit using a cell phone or personal computer to retrieve weather data such as temperature, humidity and rainfall from a weather station coupled to the machine. A system can provide an alert when a desired predetermined condition is present at a machine, for example an alert that a harvesting or baling condition is present. The system can also enable an operator or fleet manager to check the state of various devices or apparatus at a machine, enabling remote diagnostics via the onboard telemetry unit. |
| US09716925B2 |
Prioritized call sessions
A local network call handling device is configured to establish multiple concurrent call sessions between local network end devices and an external network. When a prioritized end device attempts to establish a call session, the call handling device may initially determine if a first call session identifier is available. If so, the call session can be established using that first identifier. If the first identifier is in use for a call session of another end device, the call handling device may either use a different call session identifier for the prioritized end device session or may drop a pre-existing call session to free an identifier for use in connection with the prioritized end device. |
| US09716921B2 |
Method of receiving a broadcasting signal and receiving system for receiving a broadcasting signal
A broadcast signal reception method and a reception system are provided. The reception system includes a first processor, a second processor, and a storage medium. The first processor receives and processes a signaling table, the signaling table comprising first signaling information including access information of Non-Real-Time (NRT) service data and second signaling information including media object association information of the NRT service data. The second processor receives the NRT service data and processes a file including the received NRT service data based on the access information and the media object association information processed by the first processor. The storage medium stores the processed file of the NRT service data. |
| US09716919B2 |
Queue to display additional information for entities in captions
In one embodiment, a method receives a video for a media program and a set of captions for a dialog in the video. A media player plays the video. A time associated with playing of the video is determined and then the method determines a set of entities in relation to the time. The set of entities are included in one or more captions in the set of captions. The method displays the set of entities in a queue where the set of entities are associated with additional information for each respective entity in the set of entities. |
| US09716915B2 |
System and method for managing and/or rendering internet multimedia content in a network
A system and a method render internet multimedia content in a network using an application to render the internet multimedia content and/or locally stored multimedia content on one or more rendering devices in the network. The application may provide web browser functions, such as, for example, receiving, processing, decoding and/or rendering the internet multimedia content. The application may have an enhanced user interface which may enable a user to select the internet multimedia content and a rendering device in the network, send the internet multimedia content to the rendering device and/or control rendering of the internet multimedia content on the rendering device. |
| US09716904B2 |
Video content presentation override control systems, methods and devices
A video content presentation terminal includes a video content receiver that is configured to receive video content and presentation override controls for the video content. The presentation override controls define presentation restrictions for the video content. The video content presentation terminal also includes an applications processor that is configured to execute applications on the video content presentation terminal. The applications include presentation format requests. The video content presentation terminal also includes a controller that is responsive to the video content receiver and the applications processor. The controller is configured to format the content that was received for presentation on a content presentation device according to the presentation override controls that were received, while preventing implementation of the presentation format requests that are made by the applications that are inconsistent with the presentation override controls. Related systems, methods and devices are described. |
| US09716897B2 |
Prediction parameter inheritance for 3D video coding
A three-dimensional (3D) video codec encodes multiple views of a 3D video, each including texture and depth components. The encoders of the codec encode video blocks of their respective views based on a set of prediction parameters, such as quad-tree split flags, prediction modes, partition sizes, motion fields, inter directions, reference indices, luma intra modes, and chroma intra modes. The prediction parameters may be inherited across different views and different ones of the texture and depth components. |
| US09716896B2 |
Video encoding apparatus, video decoding apparatus, video encoding method, and video decoding method
A video encoding apparatus appends decoding delay correction information and display delay correction information to encoded video data in order to ensure that even when one or more pictures that are later in encoding order in the video data than a first picture that may potentially be spliced to a trailing end of other encoded video data have been discarded, the first picture and subsequent pictures in the encoded video data can be continuously decoded and displayed by a video decoding apparatus. The video decoding apparatus corrects the decoding delay and display delay of the first picture and its subsequent pictures by using the decoding delay correction information and display delay correction information. |
| US09716893B2 |
Matched filtering of prediction and reconstruction signals for next generation video
Techniques related to matched filtering of prediction and reconstruction signals for video coding are described. |
| US09716887B2 |
Chromaticity translations in coding of enhanced dynamic range signals
Methods to reduce chroma-related artifacts during video coding of high dynamic range images are presented. Given an input signal in a color space comprising a luma component and two chromaticity components, a processor determines the original white point chromaticity coordinates (Du, Dv) of a white point in the color space of the input signal. The input signal is translated using a chromaticity translation function to a second signal in a translated color space comprising two translated chromaticity components, wherein the chromaticity translation function shifts the original white point chromaticity coordinates to a predetermined second set of coordinates in the translated chromaticity color space. The second signal is encoded to generate a coded bit stream. |
| US09716879B2 |
Image display method and device for multi-view stereoscopic display
A multi-view stereoscopic display includes multiple viewing areas periodically disposed along a horizontal direction, and each of the multiple viewing areas includes multiple viewpoints. The method comprises obtaining a position of a viewer, determining that if the viewer is located in an inversion region, and if the position of the viewer is located in the inversion region, executing a preset process for left and right eye viewpoint images of the viewpoints respectively corresponding to the viewer's left eye and right eyes so as to decrease the brightness contrast of the left eye and the right eye viewpoint images in order to reduce the discomfort of the viewer for watching in the inversion region and adding the comfort of watching the stereoscopic image. |
| US09716877B2 |
3D display device using barrier and driving method thereof
A 3D display apparatus is provided, which includes a display panel which displays a multi-viewpoint image, a barrier arranged on one side of the display panel unit, and a controller which controls the barrier to alternately form light transmitting areas and light blocking areas. The barrier includes a liquid crystal layer, a plurality of upper electrodes arranged to be spaced apart from one another on an upper surface of the liquid crystal layer, and a plurality of lower electrodes arranged to be spaced apart from one another on a lower surface of the liquid crystal layer. |
| US09716876B2 |
Power efficient multiple camera system
A device may include a digital camera that includes a stereo camera pair of a first camera and a second camera, and a system control that is capable of turning the first camera and the second camera on and off separately. Additionally, the device may include a processor to receive a first image via the first camera, and detect a scene type associated with the first image. The device may also determine whether the scene type is amenable to stereo capture and perform parallax difference detection to detect whether the first image is capable of being resolved correctly. The device may perform stereo image capture of the first image and the second image via the stereo camera pair in response to a determination that the first image is capable of being resolved correctly. |
| US09716863B2 |
Load control system
A load control system includes: an imaging sensor to capture an image of a target space and detect whether or not a human exists in a detection area in the space; and a display terminal including a display unit to display detection area information corresponding to the detection area thereon. The imaging sensor transmits a transmission signal containing area data indicative of the detection area to the transmission control device, and the transmission control device transmits a transmission signal containing the area data and an address of the display terminal to the display terminal, and the display terminal displays the detection area information on the display unit based on the area data. |
| US09716861B1 |
Method and system for facilitating collaboration sessions
A method and system of facilitating a collaboration session among a plurality of conferees including at least first and second conferees using first and second different interface devices that includes first and second display screens, respectively, the method comprising the steps of presenting a first session interface on the first display screen, the session interface including a session queue, a first sharing window and a first private window, the session queue including a list of documents uploaded to the session by at least one of the conferees and presenting a second session interface on the second display screen, the second session interface including the session document queue, a second sharing window and a second private window, wherein either of the first or second conferee can open any document in the session queue in their sharing window and any document in the session queue in their private window at any time during a conference and wherein, any change in the document opened in either of the first or second sharing windows is mirrored in the other of the sharing windows. |
| US09716850B2 |
BJT pixel circuit capable of cancelling ambient light influence, image system including the same and operating method thereof
There is provided a BJT pixel circuit including a BJT transistor, a photodiode, a first storage capacitor and a second storage capacitor. The first storage capacitor is configured to discharge, via the BJT transistor, to a first output voltage in a first exposure time of the photodiode. The second storage capacitor is configured to discharge, via the BJT transistor, to a second output voltage in a second exposure time of the photodiode. |
| US09716849B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and imaging system
A solid-state imaging device including a plurality of pixels including a photoelectric conversion portion, a charge holding portion accumulating a signal charge transferred from the photoelectric conversion portion, and a floating diffusion region to which the signal charge of the charge holding portion is transferred, wherein the photoelectric conversion portion includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, and a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type formed under the first semiconductor region, the charge holding portion includes a third semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, and a fourth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type formed under the third semiconductor region, and a p-n junction between the third semiconductor region and the fourth semiconductor region is positioned deeper than a p-n junction between the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region. |
| US09716847B1 |
Image capture device with angled image sensor
An image capture device is disclosed. The image capture device may generally include an optical element configured to create a light cone having a focal plane. The image capture device may also include an image sensor having an active area defining an image plane that is angled relative to the optical element. In addition, the image capture device may include a controller communicatively coupled to the image sensor. The controller may be configured to control the image sensor such that the light passing through the optical element is detected by a readout area of the active area. The readout area may be set by the controller based on the position of the focal plane relative to the image sensor. |
| US09716842B1 |
Augmented reality presentation
An augmented experience improves user experience by including virtual reflections of an actual background on virtual items presented in a user interface. An augmented image comprising a representation of a virtual item with one or more reflective surfaces is generated and presented in a user interface. Virtual reflections based on images of an actual background acquired by a camera are generated. The virtual reflections are superimposed on the one or more reflective surfaces of the virtual item for presentation of the augmented image. During presentation of the virtual item, the inclusion of the virtual reflection may improve overall realism of the virtual item. |
| US09716838B1 |
Feedback system for imager exposure rate control
Systems and methods for extracting information from a scanned item having a plurality of regularly spaced row marks along at least part of a length of the scanned item are disclosed herein. The system can include a line scan camera that can generate a line of pixels of a portion of the scanned item in an imaging area; a feed device coupled to the line scan camera; and a timing circuit. The feed device can move at least a portion of the scanned item through the imaging area, and the timing circuit can provide a plurality of capture signals to the line scan camera. The timing circuit can vary a time interval between capture signals based on a number of pixels between adjacent row marks along at least a portion of the length of the scanned item. |
| US09716837B2 |
Video/vision based access control method and system for parking occupancy determination, which is robust against abrupt camera field of view changes
Methods, systems and processor-readable media for parking occupancy determination. Changes in the field of view can be measured using template matching between templates derived from an original scene and a current scene with motion removed. The changes measured in the field of view can be employed to adjust data indicative of a region of interest for vision-based processing thereof if the changes measured are above a pre-determined threshold so that the impact of the changes with respect to the field of view to performance is minimized. |
| US09716833B2 |
Actuator ring characteristic measurement method
Methods and systems are disclosed for determining at least one actuation characteristic of an imaging device. For example, one method includes determining a target distance to move a lens by an actuator to focus a scene on an image sensor, where moving the lens by the actuator causes an associated lens vibration having at least one actuation characteristic, determining a scan sequence having a plurality of successive measurements, each measurement having at least a first measurement parameter and subsequent measurement parameter, each measurement parameter including at least one step and at least one time delay, moving the lens the target distance for each successive measurement based on the measurement parameters of each successive measurement, measuring a performance indicator of each successive measurement, and determining at least one actuation characteristic based on the first measurement parameter of the measurement having the highest performance indicator. |
| US09716828B2 |
Method for shooting image and electronic device thereof
An apparatus and a method for performing spherical panorama shooting in an electronic device are provided. The method includes, displaying, if it is determined that the electronic device is positioned in an outdoor environment, a first summary guide corresponding to the outdoor environment, and displaying, if it is determined that the electronic device is positioned in an indoor environment, a second summary guide corresponding to the indoor environment. The first summary guide and the second summary guide are graphic User Interfaces (UI) for informing a spherical panorama shooting progress, and the second summary guide has a number of image shootings that are required for generating a spherical panoramic image, different from the number of image shootings in a case where the first summary guide is displayed. |
| US09716825B1 |
User interface for camera effects
The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces. In some examples, the electronic device transitions between user interfaces for capturing photos based on data received from a first camera and a second camera. In some examples, the electronic device provides enhanced zooming capabilities that result in visual pleasing results for a displayed digital viewfinder and for captured videos. In some examples, the electronic device provides user interfaces for transitioning a digital viewfinder between a first camera with an applied digital zoom to a second camera with no digital zoom. In some examples, the electronic device prepares to capture media at various magnification levels. In some examples, the electronic device enhanced capabilities for navigating through a plurality of values. |
| US09716824B2 |
Focus detection apparatus and focus detection method
A focus detection apparatus according the present invention includes: a normal focus detection information acquiring section which detects a normal AF evaluation peak position from contrast information; a special focus detection information acquiring section which detects a special AF evaluation peak position among different focus positions using brightness information and the contrast information; a determination section which determines information to be used for focus detection using the brightness information and either of the normal AF evaluation peak position and the special AF evaluation peak position, and a focus detection calculation section which calculates a focus detection position using the information to be used for focus detection determined by the determination section. |
| US09716822B2 |
Direction aware autofocus
Methods and imaging devices are disclosed for determining a first direction to move a lens in an autofocus operation. For example, one method includes capturing a plurality of frames depicting a scene, selecting a portion of at least one frame that corresponds to an object in a displayed frame, and tracking the object in the plurality of frames, where tracking the object provides a reference parameter of the object for each of the plurality of frames. The method may further includes detecting a change in the reference parameter of at least a first frame and a second frame of the plurality of frames, determining a focus direction based on the change in the reference parameter, and initiating a focus operation by moving a lens of the imaging device based on the determined focus direction. |
| US09716821B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, image pickup system, method of controlling image pickup apparatus, and storage medium
An image pickup apparatus includes a light receiving element configured to photoelectrically convert an optical image to output a pair of image signals, a selection unit configured to select a focus detection region from among a plurality of focus detection regions, and a calculation unit configured to calculate a defocus amount based on the image signals from the selected focus detection region and a correction value for the selected focus detection region, and the correction value varies depending on the plurality of focus detection regions. |
| US09716819B2 |
Imaging device with 4-lens time-of-flight pixels and interleaved readout thereof
Ranging devices, systems, and methods are provided. In embodiments, a device includes a casing with four openings and an array with depth pixels. The depth pixels are arranged in four quadrants, so that pixels in each of the quadrants receive light through one of the four openings. The depth pixels may generate samples in response to the received light. For a certain frame, a controller reads out samples from each of the quadrants before completing reading out the samples of any one of the quadrants. In some embodiments, reading out is performed by using interleaved rolling shutter for the rows. |
| US09716814B2 |
Biometric camera mount system
A system for reducing the substantially vertical extent of a wide-area biometric system and for reducing the cost and complexity of installation while maintaining high biometric performance, using a substantially horizontally configuration of cameras, preferably with an attention mechanism, and using a precision calibration system that can be used by an unskilled technician and that does not require an accurate site survey or additional materials or equipment. |
| US09716813B2 |
Aerial survey plane having cover for protecting lens of infrared camera for aerial survey
An aerial survey plane having a cover for protecting a lens of an infrared camera for an aerial survey according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an aerial survey observation window; an aerial survey infrared camera; at least one shock absorbing part to absorb shock applied to the aerial survey infrared camera; at least one support vertically provided on the shock absorbing part; a lifting part to lift and lower the aerial survey infrared camera; a protective cover provided between the aerial survey infrared camera and the bottom surface of the fuselage of the aerial survey plane and having a size to cover the aerial survey observation window; at least one motor to move the protective cover toward any one direction; and a controller to remotely control the opening and the closing of the protective cover. |
| US09716811B2 |
Method and apparatus for obtaining cross-section of color gamut, and recording medium
This is a method for obtaining a cross-section of a color gamut of an image forming apparatus by slicing the color gamut along a plane. This method includes the steps of obtaining gamut boundary line segments, obtaining cross-section boundary line segments, and obtaining endpoints. The gamut boundary line-segment obtaining step is to obtain gamut boundary line segments serving as baseline segments of a boundary of the color gamut. The cross-section boundary line-segment obtaining step is to obtain cross-section boundary line segments serving as baseline segments of a boundary of the cross-section. The endpoints obtained in the endpoint obtaining step are points of intersection of the gamut boundary line segments and the plane. The cross-section boundary line segments obtained in the cross-section boundary line-segment obtaining step are line segments making up a route that is the shortest route passing through all the endpoints only once. |
| US09716807B2 |
Methods for estimating watermark signal strength, an embedding process using the same, and related arrangements
The present disclosure relates to advanced signal processing including digital watermarking and steganography. One method includes: obtaining image data representing imagery in a first color mode; steganographically embedding a watermark signal into the image data, thereby generating watermarked image data; obtaining reader data representing an input color mode of a reader configured to detect or decode the watermarked image data, wherein the input color mode is different from the first color mode; transforming the watermarked image data from the first color mode to the input color mode; estimating a signal strength of the watermark signal within the transformed watermark image data; and visually displaying the estimated signal strength. The estimated signal strength can be visually displayed as a multi-color heat map. Of course, other combinations are described as well. |
| US09716805B2 |
Image forming system with identification mark color setting
An image forming system that includes an image forming apparatus which forms a predetermined identification mark on a recording medium and a reading apparatus which reads the identification mark formed on the recording medium, the image forming system including: a color information acquisition unit which acquires color information indicating a color of the recording medium; an identification mark color setting unit which sets a color of the identification mark to be formed on the recording medium by the image forming apparatus to a color distinguishable by the reading apparatus from the color indicated by the color information that is acquired by the color information acquisition unit; and an image forming control unit which controls the image forming apparatus to form the identification mark in the color set by the identification mark color setting unit on the recording medium. |
| US09716803B2 |
Reading device configured to read original document placed on platen
A reading device includes a platen; a cover; a reading unit; and a controller. The platen includes first and second reference points. The controller is configured to: control the reading unit to read one line worth of data in a main scanning direction when the cover is moved from an open position to a close position with an original document being placed on the platen, the one line including the first and second reference points; determine whether the first reference point is overlaid with the original document; in response to determining that the first reference point is overlaid with the original document, determine a first length of the original document in the main scanning direction based on the one line worth of data; specify a particular size of the original document such that the first length is a short side length of a prefixed sheet in the particular size. |
| US09716800B2 |
Image reading apparatus having transmission function and a user inquiring function and control for stopping the transmission or not depending on the transmission protocol used for transmission
An image reading apparatus in which a session timeout does not take place in a case where user's confirmation is obtained before image data obtained by reading originals is transmitted. Before transmission of image data, a control unit determines whether a protocol having a time out is selected. If the selected protocol has a timeout, the control unit determines whether a memory is in a memory full state each time image data of one page is stored into the memory. If the memory is in a memory full state, the user is requested to confirm as to whether transmission is to be performed. If the necessity of transmission is confirmed by the user, the control unit establishes a session with a destination and transmits image data of pages stored in the memory to the destination. |
| US09716794B1 |
Systems and methods for state information exchange
Apparatus and method for sharing state information using a web-enabled system and a phone service system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a presence module is used to identify a currently accessed web page to an agent during an on-line session. In some embodiments, documents are delivered to a user through a web browser concurrent with an audio message delivered by phone. Concurrent delivery of documents configured to accept an electronic signature is disclosed. |
| US09716793B2 |
System and method to detect and correct IP phone mismatch in a contact center
Detecting an IP address mismatch in a contact center includes receiving a workstation login request from a workstation of the center that include login credentials associated with an agent of the center for logging into the workstation. The method also includes retrieving from a database a predetermined first IP address assigned to the agent; receiving an application login request related to an application from a workstation of the center on which the application is executing; extracting a second IP address from the application login request; and comparing the predetermined first IP address with the second IP address and granting the agent access if the addresses match. |
| US09716792B2 |
System and method for generating a network of contact center agents and customers for optimized routing of interactions
A system and method for muting interactions to contact center agents. The system is adapted to identify a network of agents and customers. Each node of the network represents either an agent or a customer, and a connection is made between the node representing the agent and the node representing the customer, in response to identifying a fit between the customer and the agent. The system is adapted to identify a current interaction to be routed, identify a first group of agents based on one or more constraints for generating one or more candidate agents, and determine the fit between a current customer and each of the candidate agents based on the network of agents and customers. The system is further adapted to select a particular agent of the candidate agents with a best fit, and transmit a signal for routing the current interaction to the particular agent. |
| US09716791B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting and reducing fraud in a contact center
Detecting fraud in a contact center including receiving an incoming Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) media stream associated with a contact, and determining, based on a real-time biometric analysis of the incoming RTP media stream, that the contact is a potential fraudulent contact. The incoming RTP media stream comprises at least one of an audio stream or a video stream. At least one characteristic related to one or more of an audio quality or a video quality of the incoming RTP media stream is altered without altering any characteristics of an outgoing RTP media stream from the contact center to the potential fraudulent contact, and an altered incoming RTP media stream associated with the potential fraudulent contact is received. In some embodiments, at least one subsequent communications session is automatically scheduled and initiated and a subsequent incoming RTP media stream is received during each subsequent communications session. |
| US09716790B2 |
Communications between contact center agent systems to facilitate agent engagement
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and computer readable media for facilitating engagement with a plurality of agents in a contact center. In a particular embodiment, a method provides detecting a log-in/out event for a first agent of the plurality of agents operating a first agent system of a plurality of agent systems to a communication distribution system configured to distribute communications with the contact center among the plurality of agent systems. In the communication distribution system, the method provides determining that the first agent system should communicate with a second agent system of the plurality of agent systems and initiating a first communication between the first agent system and the second agent system. |
| US09716788B2 |
Multiple secondary device call controls and protocols
To control secondary devices of a subscriber whose primary device is subscribed to a mobile network, a secondary mobile directory number (“MDN”) and secondary device identifiers are employed. After the primary device is rung, an Authentication and Call Waiting Engine receives a request from a Telephony Gateway to retrieve identifiers of any secondary devices that are linked to a primary MDN of the primary device. Next, the Authentication and Call Waiting Engine retrieves a secondary device identifier for each secondary device that is paired with the primary device by searching a secondary device identifier database with the primary MDN to find all linked secondary device identifiers. A rules database may be applied to exclude secondary device identifiers based on time of day and day of the week. The Authentication and Call Waiting Engine transmits the list of qualified secondary device identifiers to the Telephony Gateway for ringing. |
| US09716785B2 |
Mobile phone terminal
Disclosed is an information communication terminal having a configuration in which it is possible to prevent a wrong operation of the information communication terminal due to an unconscious operation of an input equipment during operating an audio output equipment. That is, the information communication terminal includes a controller. The controller operates a detection sensor that detects an object approaching during operating the audio output equipment. And the controller controls a status of being input into the input equipment based on a detected result of the detection sensor. |
| US09716779B1 |
Wireless communication system
A wireless communication system includes an electronic device. A first communication unit is worn around a thumb. Thus, the first communication unit is positioned proximate an ear. The first communication unit is in electrical communication with the electronic device. A second communication unit is worn around a finger. Thus, the second communication unit is positioned proximate a mouth. The second communication unit detects spoken words. The second communication unit is in electrical communication with the electronic device. A charging unit is provided. Each of the first communication unit and the second communication unit is selectively placed in electrical communication with the charging unit. Thus, the charging unit charges each of the first communication unit and the second communication unit. |
| US09716776B2 |
Physical keyboard and network access method
A physical keyboard and a network access method are provided. The physical keyboard is provided with a card slot, and after a wireless network card is inserted into the card slot, the physical keyboard is connected to a wireless network by the wireless network card so that the mobile terminal can achieve network access through the wireless network connected to the physical keyboard while the key-in data input of the mobile terminal is accomplished. The physical keyboard of the present disclosure not only has the key-in data input function but also can achieve the network access by means of the wireless network card. Moreover, the network connected to the wireless network card may be converted into the WLANs such as a Wi-Fi network by the physical keyboard 10 to provide access points for other terminals, and this improves the using experience and meanwhile saves the consumption cost of the user. |
| US09716775B2 |
Server and authentication method based on a time stamp
An authentication method based on a time stamp is executed by at least one processor of a server. At least two force renew messages are generated in turn when a configuration of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) of the server is changed. The at least two force renew messages are encrypted asymmetrically with a private key of the server. The encrypted force renew messages are sent to a client according to a generating order of the force renew messages. A reply message is sent to the client when receiving a renew message from the client. |
| US09716770B2 |
Cache control for web application resources
Cache control for Web application resources can include receiving a cache manifest for a Web application, wherein the cache manifest specifies a Web page of the Web application, and determining, using a processor, a resource that is required by the Web page. A closure collection can be built that includes the resource required by the Web page. A reference to the resource can be written to the cache manifest. |
| US09716762B2 |
Remote vehicle connection status
A message broker may initialize, responsive to a connection notification published via vehicle connection to a vehicle-associated topic tree topic to which a service delivery network is subscribed, a lost-connection notification to be published to the topic by the broker upon broker identification of the connection as lost, and when a periodic notification over the connection to the message broker is missed, publish the lost-connection notification to the vehicle-associated topic. A service delivery may receive a message publish request for a vehicle topic via a message broker to which the service delivery network and vehicle subscribe; and send a wakeup message to the vehicle out-of-band from the message broker to request the vehicle to reconnect to the message broker when a type of the message requires the vehicle to be connected to publish the message and the vehicle is disconnected. |
| US09716755B2 |
Providing cloud storage array services by a local storage array in a data center
Locally providing cloud storage array services for a storage array of a data center when the storage array is not connected to a remote cloud-based storage array services provider includes initiating, by a primary storage array, one or more cloud storage array services and locally providing the cloud storage array services. Such local providing of the cloud storage array services also includes generating, by the cloud storage array services, metadata describing one or more real-time storage array characteristics and presenting the metadata to a user through a local area network. |
| US09716754B2 |
Data replication with dynamic compression
A method for replicating data between two or more network connected data storage devices, the method including dynamically determining whether to compress data prior to transmitting across the network based, at least in part, on bandwidth throughput between the network connected data storage devices. If it has been determined to compress the data, the method involves compressing the data and transmitting the compressed data over the network. If it has been determined not to compress the data, the method involves transmitting the data, uncompressed, over the network. Dynamically determining whether to compress data may include comparing bandwidth measurements with a predetermined policy defining when compression should be utilized. In some embodiments, the policy may define that compression should be utilized when an estimated time for compressing the data and transmitting the compressed data is less than an estimated time for transmitting the data uncompressed. |
| US09716753B2 |
Migrating shared content items between accounts
Shared content items are migrated between accounts on a content management system. Users store content items synchronized between one or more client devices and the content management system. A user may have multiple accounts including personal and organization accounts. Content items may be shared with accounts belonging to other users to enable those other users to view or manipulate the content items. A user initiates a migration of content items between accounts of different categories via a user interface, e.g., by dragging and dropping a folder from one account to another. The content management system recognizes that the user has deleted the folder from the user's first account and determines that an identical folder has been created in another account belonging to the same user. In response the content management system joins the second account to the shared folder, and removes the first account from the shared folder. |
| US09716749B2 |
Centralized management of a P2P network
Telemetry data from a plurality of peer computers of a peer-to-peer network is aggregated via a computer network. Each of the plurality of peer computers sends telemetry data relating to transfer of a digital content item within the peer-to-peer network. A mitigation operation that modifies transfer of a digital content item between peer computers of the peer-to-peer network is performed according to one or more health metrics of the peer-to-peer network. The one or more health metrics are derived from the telemetry data aggregated from the plurality of peer computers. |
| US09716745B2 |
Expertise-matched help systems
A method for tailoring help systems to the expertise of users includes recording data related to a user's interaction with a product. The data is then analyzed to ascertain a level of expertise of the user relative to using the product. Upon receiving a request for assistance from the user with respect to the product, a help system may be selected based on the determined level of expertise of the user. The method may automatically provide assistance to the user through a more advanced help system in the event the user is ascertained to have a more advanced level of expertise. Similarly, the method may automatically provide assistance to the user through a less advanced help system in the event the user is ascertained to have a less advanced level of expertise. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed. |
| US09716743B2 |
Accessing hardware devices using web server abstractions
In the new architecture, a client that desires access to a piece of hardware sends HTTP requests to a device server. The server receives a HTTP requests, accesses a device on behalf of the client, and send the device's response back to the client in the form of an HTTP response. This architecture has three primary advantages. First, it offers a clean interface for clients where all devices are accessed as if they are web servers. Second, it helps make devices more secure whereby clients can be prevented from accessing hardware directly, and all device access is forced through the narrow HTTP access protocol and checked for compliance with a desired security policy. Third, since HTTP allows local and remote servers to be contacted, the proposed architecture makes it easy for clients to communicate with devices that are not physically co-resident with the client but which are accessible via a network connection. |
| US09716740B2 |
Web-based transcoding to clients for client-server communication
In particular embodiments, a first computing device associated with a web service may receive a connection from an HTML-compatible client. The first computing device may provide the client a script. A second computing device associated with the web service may receive connection information from the HTML-compatible client and assign the client a unique socket. The second computing device may launch a transcoding remote desktop client and receive a termination of the connection by the client. |
| US09716717B2 |
Synchronizing credential hashes between directory services
The subject disclosure is directed towards securely synchronizing passwords that are changed at a source location (e.g., an on-premises directory service) to a target location (e.g., a cloud directory service), so that the same credentials may be used to log into the source or target location, yet without necessarily having each domain controller handle the synchronization. The plaintext password is not revealed, instead using hash values computed therefrom to represent the password-related data. The target may receive a secondary hash of a primary hash, and thereby only receive and store a password blob. Authentication is accomplished by using the same hashing algorithms at the target service to compute a blob and compare against the synchronized blob. Also described are crypto agility and/or changing hashing algorithms without requiring a user password change. |
| US09716713B2 |
Media services with access control
Systems and methods are describe wherein a service provider provides media services that can include, but are not limited to, telephone, radio, interactive and television services. A user residence and/or a user receiving device are designated as a primary location or device for receiving the services of the service provider. An authorization center authenticates a request to provide the service(s) at one or more secondary location/device. The verification process can include, but is not limited to, password(s), Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) and biometric identifiers such as voice, retina, finger print and DNA. |
| US09716711B2 |
High-value document authentication system and method
Provided herein are systems and methods for providing document certification and authentication using 2D barcodes. |
| US09716710B2 |
Technologies for virtualized access to security services provided by a converged manageability and security engine
Technologies for secure access to platform security services include a computing device having a processor and a security engine. The computing device establishes a platform services enclave in a virtual machine of the computing device using secure enclave support of the processor. The platform services enclave receives a platform services request from an application enclave via a first authenticated session and transmits the platform services request to a virtual security engine established by a host environment via a second authenticated session. The first and second authenticated sessions may be authenticated by report-based attestation and quote-based attestation, respectively. The virtual security engine transmits the platform services request to the security engine via a long-term pairing session established by the virtual security engine with the security engine. The security engine performs the platform services request using hardware resources shared with other platform services enclaves. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09716709B1 |
Systems and methods for managing certificates
Systems and methods for managing certificates are described. A system comprises modules to receive requests related to a digital certificate, receive responses related to authorization of the digital certificate related to the requests, and store the requests and responses. A system comprises modules to communicate audit requests, receive responses related to the audit requests, and store the responses. A system comprises modules configured to communicate audit requests related to different certificate authorization entities, receive responses related to the audit requests, and store the responses. Other embodiments are described. |
| US09716705B2 |
System and method for verifying user supplied items asserted about the user for searching and/or matching
A system and method validates user supplied photographs and/or characteristics using a video, audio or series of images of the user responding to instructions, and uses such validation in searching and/or matching. |
| US09716700B2 |
Code analysis for providing data privacy in ETL systems
In an approach for providing data privacy in information integration systems, a method performed during compilation of an information integration job receives information regarding a data flow structure of the job to be executed, said data flow structure comprising at least one source system, one or more target entities, and at least one operator for modifying output data provided by the source system. The method determines data exit points at which output data are provided to the target entities and determines at least one non-trusted target entity. The method determines, for each non-trusted target entity, if at least one data field included in the output data provided to the non-trusted target entity is classified as sensitive information, and, if so, modifies the information integration job by including a masking operator directly before a data exit point associated with the non-trusted target entity in order to mask said sensitive information. |
| US09716698B2 |
Methods for secure enrollment and backup of personal identity credentials into electronic devices
A method and system for securely enrolling personal identity credentials into personal identification devices. The system of the invention comprises the manufacturer of the device and an enrollment authority. The manufacturer is responsible for recording serial numbers or another unique identifier for each device that it produces, along with a self-generated public key for each device. The enrollment authority is recognized by the manufacturer or another suitable institution as capable of validating an individual before enrolling him into the device. The enrollment authority maintains and operates the appropriate equipment for enrollment, and provides its approval of the enrollment. The methods described herein discuss post-manufacturing, enrollment, backup, and recovery processes for the device. |
| US09716696B2 |
Encryption in the cloud using enterprise managed keys
An encryption key management system and method implements enterprise managed encryption key for an enterprise using encryption for cloud-based services. In some embodiments, the enterprise deploys a key agent on the enterprise data network to distribute encryption key material to the network intermediary on a periodic basis. The network intermediary receives the encryption key material from the enterprise and stores the encryption key material in temporary storage and uses the received encryption key material to derive a data encryption key to perform the encryption of the enterprise's data. In this manner, the enterprise can be provided with the added security assurance of maintaining and managing its own encryption key while using cloud-based data storage services. The encryption key management system and method can be applied to ensure that the enterprise's one or more encryption keys do not leave the enterprise's premises. |
| US09716689B2 |
Secured presentation layer virtualization for wireless handheld communication device
The connectivity and security of wireless handheld devices (HDs) can be leveraged to provide a presentation appliance (PA) such as a laptop with an ability to securely communicate with an enterprise's private network. A split-proxy server, with part of it executing on the HD and a part executing on the PA, implements a full HTTP 1.1 compliant Internet/Web Proxy to couple the PA for communication through the HD. Specifically, the split proxy provides support for the pragmatic keep-alive header, the CONNECT method, socket connection sharing, and thread pooling, to enable a fully functional browsing environment. Such an environment enables access to commercial web-based applications that are built on standard Internet technologies without the need for re-rendering or re-writing the user interfaces to suit the HD. In addition, Intranet web-based applications are made securely accessible without the need for additional VPN and remote access technologies. |
| US09716684B1 |
Automated delayed message redelivery
Method and system are disclosed for redelivering failed messages in asynchronous communication systems. The methods and systems automatically delay redelivery of such failed messages in order to allow required system resources to become available. In one implementation, the methods and systems provide two levels of redelivery: a micro level in which redelivery is attempted right away for a certain number of times, and a macro level in which a predefined, user-selectable delay is imposed before any additional micro level redeliveries are attempted. After a certain number of unsuccessful macro level redeliveries, the message is backed out to a backout queue for manual intervention by a system operator. Such an arrangement reduces or eliminates the burden on the system operator to manually resolve failed message deliveries. |
| US09716682B2 |
Intelligent deliverable message annotation
Enabling recipients to share tags that they associate with received e-mails includes receiving an e-mail from a sending user addressed to a receiving user, the e-mail including a header and a body and being capable of supporting attachments to the e-mail that are distinct of the body. The receiving user is enabled to perceive the e-mail and associate at least one tag with the e-mail, the at least one tag being a textual descriptor for the received e-mail distinct from the header, body, and attachments of the received e-mail. The received e-mail and the at least one tag are stored in a data store associated with the receiving user. The at least one tag is propagated to at least one of the sending user and another recipient of the e-mail to whom the sender sent the e-mail. |
| US09716681B2 |
Using analytics to optimize performance of a messaging system via topic migration to alternate delivery methods
A method and associated systems for using analytics to optimize performance of a messaging system via topic migration to alternate delivery methods. A messaging system delivers messages organized into topics to users by any of several message-delivery mechanisms, such as a publish/subscribe push mechanism and an HTTP polling pull mechanism. A processor analyzes characteristics of messages associated with a particular topic and delivered by a first delivery mechanism, and if it finds that those characteristics render the first delivery mechanism an inefficient or expensive way to deliver those messages, it determines whether a second mechanism would be more efficient or less expensive. If so, the messaging system then migrates all messages associated with the topic to the second mechanism, regardless of an identity or other characteristic of a user that receives messages associated with the topic. |
| US09716679B2 |
Information processing apparatus and cellular phone terminal
Disclosed is an information processing apparatus including a display unit displaying information on a display screen, an operation unit including a text input key, and a control unit. The control unit displays text in response to input from the operation unit in a state of displaying an initial screen on the display screen, shows an application using text to a user for selection, starts up the application in accordance with the user's selection, and executes the application, using the text inputted from the operation unit. |
| US09716677B2 |
Instant conversation in a thread of an online discussion forum
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to discussion forum management and provide a method, system and computer program product for instant conversations in a thread within a discussion forum. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for instant conversations in a thread within a discussion forum can be provided. The method can include providing a discussion forum and initiating a thread in the discussion forum and measuring a temporal proximity of postings between two or more users in the thread. In response to determining a close temporal proximity, an instant messaging session can be launched between the two or more users and entries in the instant messaging session can be inserted as responses to the thread in the discussion form. |
| US09716673B2 |
Packet storage method and packet storage apparatus
There is provided a packet storage method including: processing in which a sequence identifier is successively assigned to a packet captured from a network and the packet is stored in a buffer; creation processing in which the packet is read out from the buffer, a first identifier involved in a first property of the packet is identified, and an index data that mutually correlates the sequence identifier and the first identifier is created; and storage processing in which the packet corresponding to the sequence identifier included in the index data is read out from the buffer, the packet is sorted according to the first identifier included in the index data, and the sorted packet is stored in a storage unit on a per-first-identifier basis, executed by a processor. |
| US09716671B2 |
Provider bridged network communication
According to an example, a method for provider bridged network communication includes receiving traffic including a source and a destination address at a first virtual local area network (VLAN) for redirection to a second VLAN. The method further includes forwarding the traffic based on the source and the destination address to a provider edge bridge (PEB) of the first VLAN, and forwarding, by a processor, the traffic from the PEB of the first VLAN to a PEB of the second VLAN. |
| US09716670B2 |
Switch, switching system, switching network chip component, and forwarding chip component
Disclosed are a switch, a switching system, a switching network chip component, and a forwarding chip component. The switch includes: a switching network chip component packaged as an independent device, a forwarding chip component packaged as an independent device, and a controller. The switching system includes at least one switch and at least two network devices connected to the switch. The switching network chip component includes: a first cartridge housing, a switching network chip, a first heat dissipation component, and a first power supply component arranged inside the first cartridge housing. The forwarding chip component includes: a second cartridge housing, a forwarding chip, a second heat dissipation component, and a second power supply component arranged inside the second cartridge housing. |
| US09716669B2 |
Multi-chassis switch having a modular center stage chassis
A system may comprise a first group of switches, each switch including a first group of inputs and outputs, and a first group of controllers, each controller being independent from one another and corresponding to a switch of the first group of switches, to selectively control the switch to connect the switch's inputs with outputs. The first group of switches and controllers may be installed in a chassis. The system may comprise a second group of switches, each switch including a second group of inputs and outputs, and a second group of controllers, each controller corresponding to a switch of the second group of switches, to selectively control the switch to connect the switch's inputs with outputs. The second group of controllers may control and connect, via a group of control links, to the first group of controllers. |
| US09716668B2 |
Aggregated adaptive bit rate streaming
Systems, methods and devices provide efficient bandwidth allocation on a satellite, mobile telephone or other data connection by allowing nodes to share bandwidth for commonly-requested data. A transmission center, uplink or other gateway suitably recognizes when content requests from multiple different nodes are simultaneously requesting delivery of the same content. When the same content is recognized, the gateway device allocates shared bandwidth on the data transmission link for the requested content that is accessible to both the first and second nodes. |
| US09716667B2 |
Communication terminal and method for controlling a data transmission
A communication terminal is described comprising a quality determiner configured to determine a quality parameter for a wireless communication link between the communication terminal and a radio access network component based on one or more signals received via the wireless communication link, a throughput determiner configured to determine, based on the quality parameter, a throughput of a communication connection between the radio access network component and a server to be used for transmitting data from the server to the communication terminal via the communication connection and the wireless communication link and a controller configured to send an instruction for the server to transmit data via the communication connection between the radio access network component and the server according to the determined throughput. |
| US09716664B2 |
Tracking queuing delay and performing related congestion control in information centric networking
A network device that performs information centric networking (ICN) in an ICN network receives an Interest from a consumer as the Interest traverses an Interest path to a data responder. The Interest requests data by name and indicates an accumulated Interest queuing delay experienced by the Interest on the Interest path. The network device enqueues the Interest to an Interest queue and dequeues the Interest from the Interest queue, and determines a local Interest queuing delay between the enqueing and dequeuing. The network device increases the indicated accumulated Interest queuing delay by the local Interest queueing delay, and forwards the Interest along the Interest path. The network device receives a Data packet satisfying the Interest as the Data packet traverses the Interest path in reverse. The network device increases an accumulated Data queueing delay indicated in the Data packet, and then forwards the Data packet to the consumer. |
| US09716658B1 |
Weighted load balancing in a multistage network using heirachical ECMP
A method for weighted routing of data traffic can include generating a first hash value based on a header of a data packet and performing a lookup in a first ECMP table using the first hash value to select a secondary ECMP table from at least two secondary un-weighted ECMP tables, the first ECMP table including a weighted listing of the at least two secondary un-weighted ECMP tables. The method can also include generating a second hash value based on the header of the data packet and performing a lookup in the selected secondary ECMP table based on the second hash value to select an egress port of a plurality of egress ports of the data switch and forwarding the data packet on the selected egress port. |
| US09716656B2 |
Slipstream bandwidth management algorithm
In accordance with disclosed embodiments, there are provided methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing a slipstream bandwidth management algorithm including, for example, means for executing an application a computing device, in which the application is to communicate with a remote computing device over a public Internet; means for approximating outgoing bandwidth for communications from the computing device to the remote computing device; means for approximating incoming bandwidth for communications received at the computing device from the remote computing device; means for allocating multiple simultaneous Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connections in support of the application based at least in part on the approximated outgoing bandwidth and based further on the approximated incoming bandwidth; and means for iteratively adjusting bandwidth communicated for the application between the computing device and the remote computing device based at least in part on latency between the computing device and the remote computing device. Other related embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09716655B2 |
Processing requests
Measures for processing requests in a telecommunications network are provided. A blacklist for determining routing attempts to be conducted during a default routing attempt procedure is maintained. A request comprising an identifier for a given destination for the request is received and, in response to performing a destination address lookup for the identifier, a set of one or more destination addresses for routing the request to is received. One or more destination addresses in the set are compared to the list of destinations on the blacklist. If the comparison indicates that at least one of the destination addresses in the set is not present on the blacklist, the request is processed according to a default routing attempt procedure. If the comparison indicates that all of the destination addresses in the set are present on the blacklist, the request is processed according to an alternative routing attempt procedure. |
| US09716654B2 |
Communications terminal and method
A mobile communications network can establish one or more communications bearers for communicating data packets to/from a communications terminal via a radio network and a core network, each of the communications bearers established using context information associated with connections from the communications terminal to destination addresses, or to the communications terminal from source addresses. The communications terminal can, in an idle state, communicate a short signalling message data packet to a base station of the radio network, using predetermined parameters for configuring a mobile communications terminal transmitter, which correspond with parameters with which a receiver in the base station can receive the short message data packet, the short message data packet including an indication of context information usable by the mobile communications network for communicating the short message data packet to a mobility manager of the mobile communications network. The short message data packet can be context-less or quasi-context-less. |
| US09716648B2 |
System and method for computing point-to-point label switched path crossing multiple domains
An apparatus including a plurality of path computation elements (PCEs) associated with a plurality of inter-coupled domains and configured to communicate with a path computation client (PCC) associated with one of the domains and to implement a Forward Search Path Computation (FSPC) for a preferred path crossing the domains from a source node in a source domain of the plurality of inter-coupled domains to a destination node in a destination domain of the plurality of inter-coupled domains, wherein the preferred path is computed without using a determined order of the domains from the source domain to the destination domain. |
| US09716640B2 |
Managing isolation requirements of a multi-node workload application
In an approach to manage isolation requirements of a multi-node workload application, a computer determines one or more first isolation levels for each of a plurality of workload nodes. The computer receives performance data for the plurality of workload nodes and analyzes the performance data for statistical trends in the performance data. The computer identifies an adverse trend in the statistical trends of the performance data and identifies a root cause of the adverse trend in the performance data. The computer then identifies one or more second isolation levels required to meet performance targets, the second isolation levels including an adjustment to the first isolation levels for the plurality of workload nodes. |
| US09716637B1 |
Communication string network
A communication network employing a communicator, a string commander and a measurement string including one or more operational monitors. The string commander is in communication with the communicator and the operational monitor(s) in accordance with a serial communication protocol. In operation, each operational monitor measures one or more operational parameters of one of a system, a device or a sensor, and communicates the measurement(s) to the string commander. The string commander collects measurements of the operational parameter(s) of an associated measurement string and formats the measurements into the reportable format that is made available by the communicator to a workstation and/or a database. |
| US09716634B2 |
Fulfillment of cloud service orders
A fulfillment bridge orchestrates various types of fulfillment that fall generally into three categories of fulfillment: CSB platform based automated provisioning; external automated provisioning; and manual workflow provisioning. External automated provisioning is implemented through fulfillment agents. The fulfillment agents can implements self-registration for allowing the fulfillment bridge to understand the capabilities of the fulfillment agent. Examples of such capabilities include, but are not limited to, supported actions and input/output parameters. Adapters of the fulfillment bridge interface with the fulfillment agents and fulfillment scripts that are independently operated with respect to the CSB platform can be use to interface with the fulfillment adapters. |
| US09716633B2 |
Alarm prediction in a telecommunication network
The present disclosure relates to a method performed by a network node configured for making automatic predictions in a telecommunication network. The method comprises obtaining a first value of a first key performance indicator (KPI) for a first network entity (NE) in the telecommunication network. The method also comprises obtaining a second value of a second KPI for a communication route between said first NE and a second NE. The method also comprises predicting, automatically and based on the obtained first and second values, that an alarm will be triggered at the second NE. |
| US09716630B2 |
Data packet transport and delivery system and method
A customer's server datagram request and/or customer field unit's datagram is wrapped with a header and footer that contains a defined hopping path with direction control. An IP Host stores predefined hopping paths to all of the customer's field units, and looks at the address of the customer's request packet to determine the correct hopping path. A communication device receives the customer's field unit's datagrams and adds a defined hopping path to send the datagram to the IP Host which removes the hopping path and sends the datagram to the customer server. |
| US09716626B1 |
System, method, and computer program for adding a new network element to a network function virtualization based (NFV-based) communication network
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for adding a new element to a Network Function Virtualization based (NFV-based) communication network. In use, at least one new element to implement in an NFV-based communication network is identified, the at least one new element including at least one new service, at least one new virtual network function (VNF), at least one new device, or at least one new software upgrade. Additionally, the at least one new element is added to a service model associated with the NFV-based communication network, without disruption of existing elements in the NFV-based communication network. Further, a selection policy associated with the at least one new network element is generated. Moreover, the at least one new element is utilized in the NFV-based communication network, in accordance with the selection policy. |
| US09716625B2 |
Identifying compatible system configurations
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for identifying compatible system configurations are provided herein. A method includes generating a second graph from a first graph of multiple devices in a network and a set of one or more network compatibility rules, wherein said generating comprises dividing each device in the first graph into multiple nodes in the second graph, and wherein each node in the second graph represents a valid configuration of a device in the first graph; identifying a sub-graph of two or more linked nodes in the second graph that is isomorphic to at least a portion of the first graph, wherein the two or more linked nodes in the second graph represent two or more configurations that are compatible based on the set of one or more network compatibility rules; and determining each of one or more changes needed to convert a current configuration in the network to a target configuration specified by the sub-graph. |
| US09716619B2 |
System and method of processing media traffic for a hub-based system federating disparate unified communications systems
A system and method of processing media traffic for a hub-based system federating disparate unified communications systems is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system includes a federation server that is configured to connect to a first unified communications system and a second unified communications system, where the federation server receives a media call initiation request from a first client of the first unified communications system, where the media call initiation request initiates a media call with a second client of the second unified communications system, and where the federation server provides a uniform resource locator to the second client based on the media initiation request, wherein the uniform resource locator is configured to direct a user on the second client to a browser to accept the media call. |
| US09716618B2 |
Script termination
A scheduler may run a script. The script may have a plurality of configuration commands for a network device. A first configuration command of the plurality of configuration commands may be called to begin. A script engine may determine whether a termination request has been received. The script engine may run the first configuration command when it is determined the termination request is not received. While the first configuration command is running, the script engine may receive the termination request. Instead of terminating immediately upon detection of a termination request, the first configuration command may complete. |
| US09716616B2 |
Active IP forwarding in an event driven virtual link aggregation (vLAG) system
In one embodiment, a networking switch includes an interswitch link (ISL) interface configured to communicate with a second networking switch via an ISL and a networking port configured to connect to an access switch in Layer-2 (L2) via a virtual link aggregation (vLAG) with the second networking switch. The networking switch includes a virtual router redundancy protocol (VRRP) module configured to perform active interact protocol (IP) forwarding. Moreover, the VRRP module is configured to indicate a status of the networking switch to the second networking switch via the ISL. The status is one of: initialization when the networking switch is not currently active (INIT), back-up status when the networking switch is acting as a back-up switch (BACK-UP), or master status when the networking switch is acting as a master switch (MASTER). In addition, the networking switch is positioned at a boundary between L2 and Layer-3 (L3). |
| US09716615B1 |
Apparatus and method for network ring resiliency, availability and performance
A network comprises a plurality of switches coupled in a ring topology, wherein each adjacent pair of switches in the plurality of switches forms a multiple link aggregation group interswitch connection therebetween and forms a ring resiliency protocol logical node. A first switch in a first adjacent pair of the plurality of switches is coupled via a first link to a second switch in a second adjacent pair of the plurality of switches, and a third switch in the first adjacent pair is coupled via a second link to a fourth switch in the second adjacent pair. In the event of a failure of the first link, a packet flow to be transmitted from the first switch over the first link is redirected from the first switch to the third switch for transmission over the second link to the fourth switch. However, in the event of a concurrent failure of the first link and the second link, a ring resiliency protocol reconfigures the ring topology such that a packet flow to be transmitted via the failed links is redirected to a fifth switch in a third adjacent pair via a third link. |
| US09716613B2 |
Automated alert management
Alerts may be received from an event monitoring system that monitors computing resources of a computer system. Based on an alert ruleset, an alert management module may determine whether to provide notification of the alert. If the alert management module decides to provide notification of the alert, then the alert management module may initiate the creation of an issue ticket corresponding to the alert in an issue tracking system. If the alert management module decides not to provide notification of the alert, then the alert management module may discard the alert. |
| US09716612B2 |
Evaluation of field replaceable unit dependencies and connections
To select a master controller from a plurality of controllers, a computing system may consider whether connections between components within field replaceable units (FRUs) are functional as well as the data dependencies between the FRUs. For example, in addition to identifying whether the connections between the FRUs and the controllers are functional, the computing system sends instructions to each of the FRUs coupled to the controllers to determine if inter- and intra-FRU connections required for booting a compute node hosting the FRUs are functional. For instance, one FRU may depend on data from another FRU in order to boot. If a communication link between the FRUs is non-functional, the compute node may fail to boot. The computer system uses these evaluations to determine which of the controllers to select as the master. |
| US09716611B1 |
Method and apparatus for enhancing link anomaly tolerance in a SCSI system
A computer-implemented method is disclosed to enhance link anomaly tolerance in a small computer system interface (SCSI) system. The method starts with detecting a SCSI command failed at a SCSI target, where the SCSI target is communicatively coupled with a SCSI initiator through a set of communication links and the failed SCSI command is sent from the SCSI initiator. After detecting the failure, the SCSI target withholds returning a response for the failure. Then the SCSI target checks a status of the set of communication links periodically within the withholding duration while the response for the failed SCSI command is withheld. The SCSI target returns the response for the failed SCSI command upon at least one of two conditions is met: (1) The withhold duration expires; (2) The set of communication links is determined to function normally based on checking the status of the set of communication links. |
| US09716609B2 |
System and method for tracking changes to files in streaming applications
A technique for modifying virtual files involves tracking changes locally. A method according to the technique may include virtually representing a file on, for example, a streaming client, and writing modifications to the virtual file into a diff-file on the streaming client. A system according the technique may include a virtual file associated with a remotely stored file, a diff-file, stored locally, associated with the remotely stored file, and a diff-file integration engine. The diff-file may include local changes to the virtual file. The diff-file integration engine may be capable of combining the virtual file with the diff-file to create a locally modified virtual file. |
| US09716604B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient precoding information validation for MIMO communications
A method and apparatus for efficient precoding matrix verification in a multiple-input multiple-output MIMO wireless communication system are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit WTRU sends a precoding matrix index PMI to an eNodeB. The eNodeB sends a verification message including a PMI indicator indicating whether or not the PMI of the WTRU and a PMI of the eNodeB are identical. If the PMI of the WTRU and of the eNodeB are identical, the eNodeB sends just a PMI indicator otherwise the eNodeB sends to the WTRU a PMI indicator and the PMI of the eNodeB. A plurality of PMIs may be sent simultaneously, and the PMIs may be partitioned into a plurality of groups. The PMI indicator may be either attached to or inserted into control signaling. PMI validation messages can be signaled to WTRU by control signaling or use of a dedicated reference signal. |
| US09716601B2 |
Method and apparatus for soft detection of high order QAM symbols in MIMO channels
Methods and apparatus for soft MIMO detection of high order QAM with initial candidate reduction are described. A method includes receiving a plurality of signals including Q-order QAM symbols; determining a reduced candidate set including C potential candidates, where C is less than Q; calculating Euclidean distances (EDs) based on the reduced candidate set; and generating LLR information based on the calculated EDs. |
| US09716600B1 |
Augmented router processing
An augmented router that reads and analyzes asserted source and asserted destination of a message, selected message metadata, message data type and other relevant message attributes to determine (i) whether the message is proper to deliver to the asserted destination, (ii) whether the asserted source is, or should be, quarantined and (iii) whether message format should be converted between Web mail and Small Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP). The augmented router optionally accumulates statistics on messages that are forwarded, and on messages that the router declines to forward. |
| US09716596B2 |
Long term evolution network profile based usage notification
Notifications regarding data usage may be transmitted to mobile devices based on a threshold of data usage determined from a profile associated with the device. Upon receiving a request for service from a mobile device, a network device, such as a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) device, may determine a current bandwidth usage for the device and obtain a profile associated with the device. The network device may determine a threshold of data usage for the mobile device from the profile and determine whether the mobile device has met the threshold. If so, a notification may be transmitted to the mobile device indicating that the threshold has been met. |
| US09716594B2 |
Attestation of data sanitization
Systems and methods are disclosed for performing data sanitization at a data storage device (DSD). In an embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a controller configured to receive a data sanitization command from a host, perform a data sanitization operation to securely erase data from a memory, produce an attestation including information related to the data sanitization operation, and sign the attestation to produce a signed attestation. In another embodiment, a memory device may store instructions that cause a processor to perform a method comprising performing a data sanitization operation to securely erase data from a data storage medium, generating an attestation including information related to the data sanitization operation, and digitally signing the attestation using an authentication key. |
| US09716592B1 |
Traffic distribution over multiple paths in a network while maintaining flow affinity
System and methods for efficiently distributing data packets in a multi-path network while maintaining flow affinity are provided. In one aspect, a system and method includes calculating hash values for distributing different flows, or sets of flows, of data packets received at a routing device. The hash value is calculated not only using information in the data packets, but also based on additional information that is determined based on an N-bit derived from the data packets. In some cases, calculating a hash value based on the additional information increases the entropy of the hashing function, thus enabling a routing device to distribute different flows of data packets over a greater number of network paths. Each routing device can derive a different, and randomly generated N-bit key while maintaining flow affinity for each received data packet in a given flow of data packets. |
| US09716585B2 |
Cipher text translation
An aspect of cipher text translation includes a memory configured to store predetermined conditions for performing an encryption operation, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute computer readable instructions. The computer readable instructions include determining through analysis of an inbound key and an outbound key of the encryption operation that the encryption operation includes a translation from a first class of encryption to a second class of encryption. The second class of encryption is determined to be weaker than the first class of encryption. The instructions also include applying the predetermined conditions to the input key and the output key and authorizing the translation via the processor, based on the applying, when aspects of the predetermined conditions are satisfied. |
| US09716584B2 |
Systems and methods for operating secure elliptic curve cryptosystems
Various embodiments of the invention implement countermeasures designed to withstand attacks by potential intruders who seek partial or full retrieval of elliptic curve secrets by using known methods that exploit system vulnerabilities, including elliptic operation differentiation, dummy operation detection, lattice attacks, and first real operation detection. Various embodiments of the invention provide resistance against side-channel attacks, such as sample power analysis, caused by the detectability of scalar values from information leaked during regular operation flow that would otherwise compromise system security. In certain embodiments, system immunity is maintained by performing elliptic scalar operations that use secret-independent operation flow in a secure Elliptic Curve Cryptosystem. |
| US09716583B2 |
Split loop timing recovery
Various embodiments provide systems and methods for performing clock recovery on a received signal using a split loop architecture. A split loop timing recovery apparatus is provided comprising a first path configured for performing frequency offset tracking on a signal by adjusting a receiver clock frequency to match a remote transmitter frequency associated with the signal and a second path configured for tracking random jitter on the signal. |
| US09716579B2 |
Subcarrier allocations for operation in mixed bandwidth environments
Embodiments of the disclosure provide bandwidth allocation in wireless telecommunications including communication devices that can operate according to different operating bandwidth. The bandwidth allocation can include allocation of subcarrier blocks having specific sizes. The subcarriers blocks can be contiguous within a channel or can be non-contiguous or distributed. |
| US09716573B2 |
Aggregated touchless wireless fronthaul
A method implemented by a wireless fronthaul unit, the method comprising aggregating a plurality of first wireless channel signals to produce a first aggregated signal via digital frequency-domain mapping (FDM), wherein the first wireless channel signals are positioned in the first aggregated signal in non-overlapping first frequency bands with unchanged channel bandwidths (BWs), converting the first aggregated signal into a first modulated signal, and transmitting the first modulated signal to a wireless fronthaul link. |
| US09716572B2 |
MIMO based adaptive beamforming over OFDMA architecture
A wireless communications system that combines Multiple Input/Multiple Output (MIMO), beamforming, and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) techniques to facilitate increasing spectral efficiency of the communications system has been disclosed. A method of operating a wireless communications system includes transmitting first data in a first beam of electromagnetic signals generated by a first antenna array. The first data is associated with a first user. The first data is transmitted using a first OFDMA resource block of a radio frame. The method includes transmitting second data in a second beam of electromagnetic signals generated by the first antenna array. The second data is associated with a second user. The second data is transmitted using a second OFDMA resource block of the radio frame. |
| US09716569B2 |
Method and apparatus for hybrid automatic repeat request signaling
In one aspect, the teachings herein provide a system and method for reusing the PUCCH format 3 to address the new HARQ-ACK feedback cases encountered in Rel-11, where different UL/DL configurations are involved in the CA configuration of a UE, such as Rel-11 interband TDD CA with different UL/DL configurations on different bands. The various embodiments illustrated by way of example in this disclosure enable reliable and efficient HARQ-ACK feedback for Rel-11 TDD CA without a substantial increase in specification and implementation complexity. |
| US09716568B2 |
Wireless communication system and transmitter
The present invention relates to a radio communication system that provides a transmission technique capable of suppressing degradation of communication quality even in an area other than an interference area of two base station radio waves. Further, the transmission technique and the communication system include implementation of a Differential Space-Time Block Coding (DSTBC) method relating to transmission diversity in radio communication utilizing, for example, base stations with transmission antennas that transmit respective sequence signals of the DSTBC. |
| US09716566B2 |
Threat response signal inhibiting apparatus for radio frequency controlled devices and corresponding methods
An apparatus (100) includes a canine harness (101) with a radio frequency inhibitor (400). A leash (1002) can serve as a control device (102). The leash can selectively mechanically couple to the canine harness and electrically couple an actuator (114) to the radio frequency inhibitor. When the actuator is actuated, the radio frequency inhibitor is to emit one or more radio frequency inhibition signals (405), which can include the emission of all programmed signals simultaneously. Radio frequency inhibitors can also be integrated into clothing or armor (1802), as well as equipment (1901). The radio frequency inhibitor can interrupt, suppress, or halt electronic detonation communications to an explosive device. |
| US09716558B1 |
Communication device and a method for operating a communication device
A method and device for providing access to a radio frequency (RF) unit of the device, comprising assigning a static weight value to each of a plurality of signals, calculating a true weight value for each signal comprising modifying the static weight value with a dynamic value, wherein the dynamic value is based on at least one of a performance consideration value or a signal status value, determining a signal with a highest true weight value from the plurality of signals; and providing the signal with the highest true weight value access to the RF unit of the device. |
| US09716553B2 |
Radio frequency signal transceiver, coherent radar receiver and method of processing radio frequency signals
An RF signal transceiver comprising a mode-locked laser to output an optical signal having a plurality of phase-locked modes, an optical splitter to power split the optical signal into a transmitter optical signal and a receiver optical signal; a transmitter apparatus to receive the transmitter optical signal and comprising an optical filter to select two of the modes, an optical modulator to modulate a part of the transmitter optical signal to form at least one phase modulated optical signal, and a photodetector to heterodyne the phase modulated optical signal with one of the modes without a corresponding phase modulation to form an RF signal for transmission; and a receiver apparatus arranged to receive an RF signal and the receiver optical signal and comprising an optical modulator to modulate the receiver optical signal with the received RF signal; and an optical to electrical signal conversion apparatus to convert the modulated receiver optical signal into a corresponding electrical signal. |
| US09716552B2 |
OTDM coherent transceiver
An OTDM coherent transceiver and related methods and apparatus that employ a pulsed source which advantageously allows higher symbol rates without requiring higher speed electronics. |
| US09716551B2 |
Optical amplifier with closed loop control for scintillation compensation in free space optical communications
A method includes receiving a first optical signal at a first communication terminal from a second communication terminal through a free space optical link and determining a receiving power for the optical link based on the first optical signal. The method further includes adjusting an output amplification at the first communication terminal based on the receiving power for the optical link. The output amplification is adjusted to provide a second optical signal with a minimum transmission power for maintaining the optical link. The method transmits the second optical signal from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal through the optical link. |
| US09716549B2 |
Free space optical communication tracking with electronic boresight compensation and co-boresighted transmit and receive optics
Exemplary embodiments described herein include a bi-directional Free Space Optical (FSO) communication unit that may be used in a multi-node FSO communication system. The bi-directional FSO unit may include a co-boresighted optical unit such that received and transmitted beams are coincident through a common aperture. Embodiments described herein may be used to correct or accommodate the alignment errors of the received and transmitted beams. |
| US09716548B2 |
Data center with free-space optical communications
A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links. |
| US09716544B2 |
Wireless software dialer for satellite communication device
An aircraft communication system is provided that includes: i) a self-contained onboard communication system, the onboard communication system comprising a first peripheral device and an at least one second peripheral device, the first and second peripheral devices each comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium, having stored thereon a computer program for data communication, the computer program having a plurality of protocols, the protocols being extensible, the protocols executable by a processor to cause the first and second peripheral devices to send data and commands between one another, the first peripheral device further caused to perform the steps of: directly controlling a satellite communication device; directly dialing the satellite communication device; sending data directly to the satellite communication device; and receiving data from the satellite communication device, each of said steps being performed without the assistance of an on-board server. |
| US09716543B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for managing aircraft radiofrequency communications
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for managing aircraft radiofrequency communications on board an aircraft are disclosed. In some aspects, a method can include determining at least one communication frequency, the at least one communication frequency corresponding to a communication center within a radio horizon of the aircraft, displaying the at least one communication frequency at an interface, and where there is more than one communication frequency displayed on the interface: filtering the more than one communication frequency according to a flight step of the aircraft in order to reduce a number of the more than one communication frequency displayed on the interface, and sorting the more than one communication frequency according to occupation rate in order to prioritize the more than one communication frequency displayed on the interface, and thereby aid in predicting a communication frequency communicated to the aircraft. |
| US09716542B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating communications destined for a non-terrestrial network
Embodiments are provided for facilitating text- and voice-based communications that are destined for an electronic device connected to a non-terrestrial network. According to certain aspects, the electronic device can be previously registered with a data center and can have an active service or product with the data center. A data center receives a communication request that is intended for the electronic device. The data center examines the communication request to identify the electronic device, and modifies the communication request to indicate an identification of the electronic device. The data center transmits the modified communication request to an on-board communications network system for delivery to the destination device. |
| US09716539B2 |
Method and device for reporting channel state information in wireless communication system
A method of reporting channel state information (CSI) on a terminal in which a plurality of CSI processes are configured in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: measuring a channel based on a CSI reference signal (RS) resource related to one of the CSI processes; measuring interference based on a CSI-interference measurement (IM) resource related to the CSI process; determining CSI based on the measured channel and the measured interference; and reporting the CSI through an uplink channel, wherein a codebook for reporting the CSI, which is used for determining the CSI, is one of two or more codebooks that correspond independently to each of the CSI processes. |
| US09716536B2 |
System and method for wireless communications over fading channels
The data are communicated from a transmitter to a receiver in a wireless communications network. Data symbols are modulated using a coded modulation to produce modulated symbols and the modulated symbols are precoded using a precoder matrix to produce precoded symbols. The precoder matrix is formed using a rotation matrix including phase angles for at least some elements of the rotation matrix with values determined according to a parametric function of indices of the elements storing the phase angles. Next, the data packets are formed using the precoded symbols and the data packets are transmitted over the wireless network. Multi-stage parametric phase precoding provides full-diversity and full-rate transmissions by using fast-transformable unitary matrices and deterministic diagonal phase rotation, whose phase angles are pre-determined to minimize the union bound for time-selective and frequency-selective fading channels. |
| US09716533B2 |
Information processing system, information processing apparatus, storage medium having stored therein information processing program, and information processing method
An information processing system includes an information storage medium and an information processing apparatus for performing near field communication with the information storage medium. The information processing apparatus includes: at least one antenna coil; and a computer processor configured to: perform near field communication with the information storage medium via the antenna coil, thereby reading information from the information storage medium in proximity to the antenna coil; detect an orientation of the information storage medium that can perform the near field communication; and perform predetermined processing using the information read from the information storage medium and the orientation of the information storage medium. |
| US09716532B2 |
Power receiver, method of controlling power receiver, and program
User convenience is reduced if vibration of a power receiver is inhibited when the power receiver is receiving power through a cable or when the power transmitting region is large and vibration of the power receiver does not cause the power receiver to deviate from a power transmitting region of a power transmitter. It is desired to selectively inhibit the vibration of the power receiver during power reception, depending on the power reception status. The power receiver includes a vibrating unit, and includes a power receiving unit configured to receive power, an identifying unit configured to identify a power reception technique used in the power receiving unit when the power receiving unit receives the power, and an inhibiting unit configured to inhibit the vibrating unit from vibrating in accordance with the identification by the identifying unit. |
| US09716525B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a case, a lid removably attachable to the case, a bolt as a first fastening portion which is located in the lid and can secure at least a part of the lid to the case, and an insert nut as a second fastening portion which is located in the case and can be fastened to the first fastening portion. The lid can take at least two states of a proper attached state and a provisional attached state with respect to the case. In the proper attached state, the lid is relatively fixed to the case as the bolt and the insert nut are fastened to each other, and in the provisional attached state, the bolt is pressed against the insert nut while the bolt is not fastened to the insert nut. |
| US09716523B1 |
Wireless communication assembly
A wireless communication assembly for enhancing public safety includes a base station. The base station is configured to record incoming and outgoing communications. Each of a plurality of communicators is configured to communicate with the base station. A respective communicator is configured to communicate with the plurality of communicators. The base station is configured to record incoming and outgoing communications with the plurality of communicators. The respective communicator is configured to communicate with the plurality of communicators. |
| US09716522B2 |
Radio communication module
To reduce the size of a radio communication module installed in a vehicle by simplifying the structure thereof.A radio communication module 100 includes a board 170 on which electronic components 172 for radio communication are mounted and a housing 110 accommodating the board 170 and is installed in the vehicle. The board 170 has a hole 180 into which a pin 150 standing in the housing 110 is inserted to fix the board 170 in the housing 110 by inserting the pin 150 to the hole 180. The pin 150 functions as an antenna for transmitting and receiving a signal in the radio communication. |
| US09716519B2 |
Dynamic access management of wireless communication resources
A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining interference at a receiver of a wireless mobile device based on an updated indication of receiver performance at a receiver frequency. A wireless interference pattern is determined based on wireless emitters operating at a number of emitter frequencies. Distances are determined between the wireless mobile device and at least some of the wireless emitters, and an interference source is identified based on both of the wireless interference pattern and the distances. After determining the interference source, one of the emitter frequency, the receive frequency, or a combination thereof, is reassigned to a new frequency. The frequency reassignment is based on the interference pattern and separation distances and results in a modification to the interference pattern. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09716517B1 |
Intrinsically safe telematic systems
A telematics system includes a telematics input unit that has a first housing and an electrical barrier located in the telematics input unit. The telematics input unit is connectable to a power supply through the electrical barrier and provides safe electrical power. A telematics transmitter unit has a second housing and is remote from the telematics input unit. The telematics transmitter unit receives the safe electrical power from the telematics input unit. A communications device is disposed within the telematics transmitter unit. |
| US09716512B2 |
Asynchronous low-power analog-to-digital converter circuit with configurable thresholds
An analog-to-digital converter circuit is described that includes register space to keep one or more values to establish upper and lower thresholds of the analog-to-digital converter. The analog-to-digital converter circuit also includes first and second comparators to compare an analog input signal against the upper and lower thresholds and to trigger an analog-to-digital conversion process in response to the analog input signal crossing one of the thresholds. The analog-to-digital converter circuit also includes first logic circuitry to discard a result of the analog-to-digital conversion process if the result is within a prior analog-to-digital conversion process's thresholds. The analog-to-digital converter circuit also includes second logic circuitry to provide the result as an output and generate an interrupt if the result is not within the prior analog-to-digital conversion process's thresholds. |
| US09716508B1 |
Dummy signal generation for reducing data dependent noise in digital-to-analog converters
Mechanisms for generating dummy signals for use in reducing data dependent noise in DACs are disclosed. Disclosed mechanisms differentiate between odd and even bits of a digital data signal to be converted and generate dummy signals by inverting some of these bits and leaving other bits as they are (i.e. including them in their non-inverted form). One dummy signal is generated as a sequence of bits that is the same as a sequence of bits of a data signal except that every odd bit of the data signal is inverted. An alternative dummy signal is generated as a sequence of bits that is the same as a sequence of bits of a data signal except that every even bit is inverted. Generating dummy signals in this manner eliminates the need to use calibration, feedback, or transition detectors, advantageously resulting in increased timing margins and substantial power savings over existing implementations. |
| US09716506B2 |
Phase lock method
A phase lock method is provided. The method includes: sampling a data signal according to a plurality of reference clocks and outputting a sampling result; performing a first logic operation according to the sampling result and outputting a first logic result; delaying the first logic result and outputting the delayed first logic result; performing a second logic operation according to the first logic result and the delayed first logic result and outputting a second logic result; outputting a first frequency adjustment signal according to the second logic result; and performing a phase lock according to the first frequency adjustment signal and a frequency of the data signal. |
| US09716498B2 |
Impedance-to-digital converter, impedance-to-digital converting device, and method for adjustment of impedance-to-digital converting device
An impedance-to-digital converter is provided. A sensible impedance range of the impedance-to-digital converter is adjustable by changing magnitudes of signals inputted thereto. |
| US09716491B2 |
Multiple mode device implementation for programmable logic devices
Various techniques are provided to efficiently implement user designs in programmable logic devices (PLDs). In one example, a programmable logic device (PLD) includes a plurality of programmable logic blocks (PLBs) and at least first and second logic cells within at least one of the PLBs, where each logic cell includes a lookup table (LUT) and associated mode logic configured to receive a LUT output signal from the LUT. The associated mode logic is configured to use a single physical signal output to provide a logic cell output signal corresponding to a selected logic function operational mode, ripple arithmetic operational mode, or extended logic function operational mode for each logic cell. |
| US09716487B1 |
Latency compensation network using timing slack sensors
A latency compensation circuit and method. A three dimensional (3D) package is disclosed having a latency compensation circuit to address timing delays introduced by a through silicon via (TSV), including: an input for receiving a reference data signal from a redundant TSV and for receiving a local clock signal; a timing slack sensor that outputs a digital value reflecting a delay between a clock pulse of the local clock signal and the reference data signal; a look-up table that converts the digital value into a set of control bits; and an adjustable delay line that adjusts the local clock signal based on the set of control bits. |
| US09716486B1 |
Complex exponential modulated filter bank for high frequency reconstruction or parametric stereo
An apparatus and method are disclosed for filtering and performing high frequency reconstruction of an audio signal. The apparatus includes an analysis filter bank, a phase shifter, a high frequency reconstructor, and a synthesis filter bank. The analysis filterbank receives real-valued time domain input audio samples and generates complex valued subband samples. The phase shifter shifts a phase of the complex-valued subband samples by an arbitrary amount. The high frequency reconstructor modifies at least some of the complex valued subband samples. A phase shifter unshifts a phase of the modified complex-valued subband samples by the arbitrary amount. The synthesis filter bank receives the modified complex valued subband samples and generates time domain output audio samples. The analysis filter bank comprises analysis filters that are complex exponential modulated versions of a prototype filter with an arbitrary phase shift. |
| US09716484B2 |
Resonator element, resonator, resonator device, oscillator, electronic device, and mobile object
A resonator element includes a quartz crystal substrate having a main surface along a plane including an X-axis and a Z′-axis, and a thickness in a Y′-axis direction. The quartz crystal substrate includes a vibrating portion including a side along the X-axis, a side along the Z′-axis, and a peripheral portion having a thickness smaller than that of the vibrating portion, which is provided along an outer edge of the vibrating portion. The vibrating portion includes a first portion and a second portion having a thickness smaller than that of the first portion, which is provided on at least an outer edge on a +X side of the X-axis and an outer edge on a −X side thereof, among outer edges of the first portion. When Z is a length of the quartz crystal substrate along the Z′-axis, and t is a thickness of the first portion, 11 |
| US09716483B1 |
Wideband slide screw impedance tuner
Multi octave frequency-range electro-mechanical impedance tuners cover frequencies from the megahertz (FM range) to the high (millimeter-wave) gigahertz range, by combining a high frequency with one or two low frequency slide screw tuner modules. Special configurations allow for compact size. The low frequency module can be bypassed using SPDT remotely controlled millimeter wave switches. Appropriate calibration, control and tuning procedures allow for a fully integrated operation. |
| US09716481B2 |
Multi-band impedance tuners using weakly-coupled LC resonators
Radio frequency (RF) filter structures and related methods and RF front-end circuitry are disclosed. In one embodiment, an RF filter structure includes a first terminal and a first tunable RF filter path defined between the first terminal and a second terminal. The first tunable RF filter path is tunable to provide impedance matching between the first terminal and the second terminal at a first frequency. The first frequency may be provided within a first frequency band. Additionally, the RF filter structure includes a second tunable RF filter path defined between the first terminal and the second terminal. The second tunable RF filter path is tunable to provide impedance matching between the first terminal and the second terminal at a second frequency. The second frequency may be within a second frequency band. In this manner, the RF filter structure is configured to provide impedance tuning for multiple impedance bands simultaneously. |
| US09716477B2 |
Bias control for stacked transistor configuration
Various methods and circuital arrangements for biasing one or more gates of stacked transistors of an amplifier are presented, where the amplifier can be an envelope tracking amplifier. Circuital arrangements to generate reference gate-to-source voltages for biasing of the gates of the transistors of the stack are also presented. Particular biasing for a case of an input transistor of the stack is also presented. |
| US09716475B1 |
Programmable low noise amplifier
A selectable low noise amplifier (LNA) system comprising, a plurality of LNAs having a plurality of LNA characteristics and at least one selection switch network coupled to the plurality of LNAs to select at least one of the plurality of LNAs. |
| US09716471B2 |
Quasi-switched, multi-band, high-power amplifier and method
A quasi-switched, multi-band, high-power amplifier includes an input matching network, a low band path, a high band path, and an output matching network. The input matching network includes a single input port that is configured to receive an input signal. The input signal includes at least one tone within a specified frequency band. The low band path is configured, when the specified frequency band is a low frequency band, to amplify the input signal to generate a low band amplified signal. The high band path is configured, when the specified frequency band is a high frequency band, to amplify the input signal to generate a high band amplified signal. The output matching network includes a single output port and is configured to filter at least one of the low band amplified signal and the high band amplified signal into a load through the single output port. |
| US09716469B2 |
Amplification systems and methods with one or more channels
Systems and methods are provided for amplifying multiple input signals to generate multiple output signals. An example system includes a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel. The first channel is configured to receive one or more first input signals, process information associated with the one or more first input signals and a first ramp signal, and generate one or more first output signals. The second channel is configured to receive one or more second input signals, process information associated with the one or more second input signals and a second ramp signal, and generate one or more second output signals. The first ramp signal corresponds to a first phase. The second ramp signal corresponds to a second phase. The first phase and the second phase are different. |
| US09716467B2 |
Compact apparatus for the semi-automatic horizontal assembly of photovoltaic panels
Compact apparatus for the semi-automatic horizontal assembly of photovoltaic panels with solar cells, made up of a multi-function workstation in the form of a pilot system integrating multiple working and conveying means which carry out the various operations concomitantly and in a coordinated way. On the sides of the working surface there is the loading zone of the cells, the loading zone of the conductive ribbons and a pair of longitudinal rails which are intended to guide two mobile gantries, which roto-translate above the working surface, from one loading zone to the other, being equipped for the purpose of assembly. In particular, the compact apparatus is versatile in use and allows to obtain already in the experimental laboratory phases the levels of accuracy and control of an industrial system, for the purpose of optimizing the product and the assembly technologies reducing wastes and faults. |
| US09716466B2 |
Power conversion apparatus, photovoltaic module and communication device and photovoltaic system including the same
A power conversion apparatus, a photovoltaic module, and a communication device and a photovoltaic system including the same are discussed. The power conversion apparatus includes an inverter unit to perform alternating current (AC) voltage conversion based on direct current (DC) voltage from a solar cell module, a controller to control the inverter unit, and a communication unit to add a carrier frequency signal containing predetermined information to the converted AC voltage and output the AC voltage containing the predetermined information to a grid and, when a level of the converted AC voltage is equal to or less than a predetermined level, to add the carrier frequency signal containing the predetermined information to DC voltage and output the DC voltage containing the predetermined information to the grid. Consequently, it is possible to stably transmit information. |
| US09716465B2 |
Photovoltaic array with array-roof integration member
One embodiment relates to a photovoltaic (PV) apparatus. The PV apparatus includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules arranged in an array and attached to a support structure which is attached to a roof. Each of the photovoltaic modules comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells. A first array-roof integration member is attached to a first side of the array. The array-roof integration member covers a gap between the first side of the array and the roof. Another embodiment relates to a method of installing a photovoltaic apparatus upon a sloped roof. Another embodiment relates to a kit for mounting a photovoltaic apparatus on a roof. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed herein. |
| US09716454B2 |
Driving circuit and driving method for permanent magnet synchronous motor
A driving circuit of a PMSM can include a current sampling circuit configured to generate a current sampling signal by sampling a stator current information of one phase of the permanent magnet synchronous motor; a BEMF circuit configured to receive the current sampling signal and a voltage sampling signal that represents a stator voltage of the phase, to estimate back electromotive force information of the phase, and to output a first voltage signal that represents the back electromotive force information; and a torque regulating circuit configured to generate an angle difference signal by calculating an angle difference between the first voltage signal and the current sampling signal, where the angle difference signal is configured to regulate an amplitude of a first U-shaped modulation wave such that a rotor current is in phase with the first U-shaped modulation wave for maximum torque per ampere. |
| US09716452B2 |
Rotation angle calculation device
An ECU has a function of calculating a rotation angle, which is used for torque control, based on amplitude-modulated signals SIN and COS outputted from an angle sensor and a synchronous detection signal. Frequency components generated at the time of switching operation of switching elements of an inverter connected to a motor-generator is included in an output voltage of the inverter. The ECU has a function of shifting frequencies of the frequency components and an excitation frequency of an excitation signal from each other so that noise having the frequencies of the frequency components are not superimposed on the amplitude-modulated signals SIN and COS. |
| US09716450B2 |
Electronically commutated electric motor with harmonic compensation
The invention relates to an electronically commutated electric motor with a stator and a rotor, which is designed as a permanent magnet rotor in particular. The electric motor also has a control unit which is connected to the stator. The control unit is designed to generate control signals for energizing the stator coils of the stator in order to generate a rotational magnetic field. The electric motor is designed to at least partly compensate for a torque ripple of a torque generated by the rotor. According to the invention, the electric motor has a rotor position sensor and a current sensor. The current sensor is designed to detect currents flowing in the stator coils and to generate a current signal which represents the currents. The control unit preferably has a processing unit which is designed to ascertain harmonics of the electromotive force dependent on the current signal, a voltage applied to the stator coils, and a rotor position signal generated by the rotor position sensor and to generate a control signal which compensates for the effect of the harmonics. The control unit, in particular the processing unit, is designed to superimpose the compensating control signal with the control signal so as to completely or at least partly compensate for the effect of the harmonics and thus the torque ripple. |
| US09716448B2 |
Power tool and control circuit thereof
A power tool and a control circuit thereof by which electric energy can be recovered into a battery pack while an electric motor is braked. The control circuit includes a battery, the electric motor, an operation switch, a first control switch, a second control switch, a controller and an inductive element. The control circuit has a discharging state, a braking state and a charging state. In the charging state, the operation switch is in a second switched-on state, the first control switch is switched on, the second control switch is switched off, the battery, the inductive element, the operation switch, the electric motor and the first control switch form a charging circuit, and the electric motor charges the battery. The controller is electrically connected with the operation switch, the first control switch and the second control switch, respectively. |
| US09716447B2 |
Method and integrated motor drive power electronics system with improved efficiency
Embodiments of an integrated motor drive power electronics system are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the integrated motor drive power electronics system includes an active line filter (ALF) configured to control and regulate current drawn from an input power source and to attenuate current ripple fed back to the input power source, an energy storage capacitance coupled to an output of the active line filter, and a bidirectional low voltage power supply (LVPS). In some embodiments, the bidirectional LVPS may provide regulated power to a load and may selectively recycle power back to the input power source and regulate voltage at the load to a predetermined output voltage. In some embodiments, the energy storage capacitance may serve as a local input power source for higher power motor drive electronics and the bidirectional LVPS. |
| US09716444B2 |
Pulse width modulation (PWM) for multi-level power inverters
Provided is a method for controlling operation of semiconductor gates in a power conversion system including one or more multilevel inverters coupleable to a modulator and a controller. The method includes generating, via the controller, a control signal responsive to an output current power factor associated with the inverters and producing a discontinuous pulse width modulation reference signal based upon the control signal and a target output power, the discontinuous pulse width modulation reference signal being indicative of shifting a phase angle between current and voltage. A gating signal is generated for output from the modulator, as a function of the reference signal and a carrier waveform. The gating signal adjusts the phase angle to prevent switching of the semiconductor gates. |
| US09716443B2 |
Voltage converter
A radio frequency transponder circuit, comprising: an AC-DC converter (70) connected to an RF input terminal (21a) and a DC output terminal (81) and operable to convert an RF signal (RFA) at the RF input terminal (21a) to a DC output signal (VDD) at the DC output terminal (81); and a voltage limiting circuit (50) connected to the RF input terminal (21a) and operable to limit the amplitude of the RF signal (RFA); wherein the voltage limiting circuit (50) comprises a NMOS limiting transistor (51) in parallel with a complimentary PMOS limiting transistor (52). |
| US09716431B2 |
IGBT/FET-based energy savings device for reducing a predetermined amount of voltage using pulse width modulation
An IGBT/FET-based energy savings device, system and method wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system. A magnetic flux concentrator senses the incoming analog signal and a volts zero crossing point detector determines the zero volts crossing point of the signal. The positive half cycle and negative half cycle of the signal are identified and routed to a digital signal processor for processing the signal. The signal is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user. |
| US09716429B2 |
Power supply system and display apparatus
A power supply system includes a charging pump module including a plurality of charging pump circuits, wherein each charging pump circuit includes a plurality of transistor switches and is coupled to a flying capacitor set in parallel and the flying capacitor set includes a plurality of flying capacitor units; and a control module for generating a plurality of control signals to switch a connection relationships of the plurality of flying capacitor units; wherein the plurality of charging pump circuits charges the plurality of flying capacitor units and the connection relationships of the plurality of flying capacitor units determines a generation of a charging voltage; an amplifying module for utilizing the charging voltage as a voltage source to generate an amplifying voltage; and a load module for processing a dynamic charging operation in a predetermined period according to the amplifying voltage, to make the load module achieve a predetermined voltage. |
| US09716425B2 |
Multilevel converter with hybrid full-bridge cells
A multilevel converter converting between AC and DC includes a phase arm with a number of cells between a DC pole and an AC terminal, the cells include at least one hybrid full bridge cell including a first cell connection terminal for coupling to the DC pole, a second cell connection terminal for coupling to the AC terminal, an energy storage element having a positive and a negative end, a first group of series connected semiconducting units in parallel with the energy storage element, where a junction between these forms one cell connection terminal, and a second group of series connected semiconducting units in parallel with the energy storage element and including a third semiconducting unit and a fourth semiconducting unit consisting of a number of unidirectional conducting elements including at least one unidirectional conducting element, where a junction between these forms a further cell connection terminal. |
| US09716419B2 |
Foot-powered energy generator
A foot-powered energy generation device includes a step plate that moves between an upper position and a lower position in response to the step action of a user. The device also includes an electrical generator, and a gear train that will cause a rotor of the generator to rotate in response to movement of the step plate up and down. A carriage is mechanically interconnected to the step plate and the gear train to cause the rotation of the gear train in response to the step plate motion. |
| US09716417B2 |
Motor
Recesses and projections that extend in an axial direction are formed on an outer-circumferential surface of a molded resin body. The recesses are provided on portions where are extended outward from teeth having the winding and are on the outer circumferential surface. In addition, further recesses and projections that extend in a radial direction are formed on an axial-direction end surface of the molded resin body. The further recesses are provided on portions of the axial-direction end surface that are aligned in the axial direction with the winding. |
| US09716413B2 |
Electric machine stator with radial vent
An electric machine stator is provided and includes laminations consolidated along an axial direction to form a core element such that the core element includes an end lamination at an axial end of the core element. The end lamination includes a body extending in a plane and a plurality of spacer protrusions protruding along the axial direction from the plane. Each of the spacer protrusions of the plurality of spacer protrusions is configured for consolidation with another core element to define a radial vent between the core element and the another core element. |
| US09716410B2 |
Rotor for a rotating electric machine and rotating electrical machine comprising such a rotor
The rotor comprises of a plurality of alternating north poles (N) and south poles (S) formed from a plurality of permanent magnets (3) having a radial polygonal section and arranged in first recesses (4). These first recesses extend axially and are distributed regularly between a circumferential portion (5) and a central portion (6) of the magnetic mass (2) of the rotor in such a way as to define a plurality of circumferential polar sections (10). The radial section comprises a substantially rectangular portion (8) next to the circumferential portion adjacent to a substantially trapezoidal portion (7) next to the central portion. The rotor has a ratio (R) between a first height (h) of the trapezoidal portion and a second height (H) of the rectangular portion, in a radial direction, is predetermined in such a way as to maximize the efficiency of the electric machine. |
| US09716409B2 |
Motor with stator core having overlapping insulator insulation film
There are disclosed a motor comprising a stator and a rotor rotary with respect to the stator, the stator comprising a stator core comprising a back yoke and a plurality of teeth projected from the back yoke 311 in a radial direction; an insulator provided in a predetermined portion in a radial direction with respect to the stator core to insulate the stator core from outside; and an insulation film formed from the other portion in the radial direction with respect to the stator core to the plurality of the teeth, to insulate stator core from the coil and the teeth, so as to reduce the manufacture price, with an easy manufacture process and an improved product reliability. |
| US09716408B2 |
Redundant residential power sources
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for controlling a battery power source. In one aspect, a system includes a first MOSFET having a first gate, a first source, and a first drain. A second MOSFET having a second gate, a second source, and a second drain. The first source is connected to the second source, and the second drain is coupled to a ground. A control circuit connected to the first gate and the second gate and that provides control signals to the first gate and the second gate that cause the first and second MOSFETS to operate in saturation regions during a first operational state to cause the first power source to discharge and the first MOSFET operates in a linear region during a second operational state to limit a charging current that charges the first power source. |
| US09716397B2 |
Apparatus and method for maintaining charge amount of secondary battery
The present disclosure discloses an apparatus and method for maintaining a charge amount of a secondary battery. The present disclosure reduces a charge amount or increases a discharge amount when a larger charge amount than a required proper charge amount is charged in the secondary battery. Also, the present disclosure reduces a discharge amount or increases a charge amount when a smaller charge amount than a required proper charge amount is charged in the secondary battery. Through this, a proper charge amount may be maintained. |
| US09716393B2 |
Battery backup remaining time arrangement
For reducing the current consumption from a battery in order to lengthen a battery remaining time when an interruption in a mains supply voltage occurs and battery backup operation follows, a controller initiates shutdown operation of selected devices.—Some of the selected devices experience a shutdown delay of, for example, 1-4 minutes, referred to as a transitional shutdown delay interval, from a time immediately following the interruption to a time when shutdown is fully completed. During the transitional shutdown delay interval, battery remaining time is calculated by using a value that is indicative of anticipatory current consumption, instead of by using the actural real time current measurements. Thus, fluctuation of the current consumption, during the transitional shutdown delay interval, will have no effect on a signal containing the battery remaining time, during the transitional shutdown delay interval. Because the calculated battery remaining time is unaffected by the transient loading, during the transitional shutdown delay interval, any “race” condition and its potentially harmful effects will be, advantageously, prevented. |
| US09716385B2 |
Solid STTE power controller with parallel MOSFET load sharing
A solid state power control (SSPC) controls flow of current from a power bus to an inductive load. The SSPC utilizes load sharing, in which a plurality of current supply paths are connected in parallel to control and share the flow of current between the power bus and the inductive load. Each current supply path includes a main power switching field effect transistor (FET); a balance resistor, and a secondary FET. The balance resistor is connected between the main FET and the load. The secondary FET shunts the balance resistor when the main FET is turned on, and allows current flow through the balance resistor during a turn-off time of the main FET. The balance resistor modulates gate-source voltage of the main FET in order to compensate for gate-source threshold differences among the main FETs that could lead to unequal current sharing during the turn-off period. |
| US09716383B2 |
Multiple supply DVFs
A system for delivering a voltage to at least one power domain has at least one component. Each power domain functions according to at least two operating points, each operating point requiring a distinct supply voltage. The system includes at least two power supply units, alternatively delivering controllable supply voltages. The system also includes a control unit that selects one of the power supply units to be connected to a power domain, based on a current operating point of the power domain. The control unit also controls the supply voltage delivered by the selected power supply unit, to deliver the required voltage level associated with the current operating point of the power domain. |
| US09716377B2 |
Electrical wire protection member
An electric wire protection member that prevents a connector or a terminal portion from coming into contact with water due to water intruding into a grommet. The electrical wire protection member disclosed by this specification includes a tube-shaped corrugated tube that protects electrical wires; a tube-shaped grommet that has a connection tube portion for connection to an opening end portion of the corrugated tube, and protects the electrical wires in place of the corrugated tube; a tube-shaped holder that has a mating tube portion that is fitted into the connection tube portion of the grommet, and abuts against the opening end portion of the corrugated tube; and a rubber stopper that has electrical wire sealing holes into which the electrical wires are inserted in a sealed state, and that comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the holder. |
| US09716376B2 |
Mounting for a data conductor, energy transmission system and data transmission system
The invention relates to a mounting for a data conductor on a conductor strand of a conductor line. The invention further relates to an energy transmission system for transmitting electrical energy between a conductor line and an electrical consumer that can be moved along the conductor line and has at least one data conductor guided along the conductor line and at least one antenna arranged on the consumer, and to a data transmission system for contactless local data transmission between at least one data conductor guided along a conductor line and at least one antenna arranged on an electrical consumer that can be moved along the conductor line. The invention solves the problem of enabling a compact construction, simple, fast fitting and retrofitting of an energy transmission system and reliable data transmission in an energy transmission system by means of a mounting having a mounting means that is adapted to an outer contour of the conductor strand for fastening the mounting to the conductor strand and a fastening means for fastening the data conductor to the mounting at a distance from the conductor strand, and by means of an energy transmission system and a data transmission system, which comprise a multiplicity of mountings for mounting the data conductor at an invariant distance from a conductor strand of the conductor line. |
| US09716371B2 |
Non-invasive method for resonant frequency detection in corona ignition systems
A corona ignition system including a corona igniter, an energy supply, and a frequency detector is provided. The energy supply provides energy to the corona igniter during corona events which are spaced from one another by idle periods, during which no energy is provided to the corona igniter. During the idle periods, the frequency detector obtains the resonant frequency of the corona igniter from at least one of an output voltage and an output current of the energy stored in the corona igniter. The resonant frequency measured during this idle period is dependent only on the corona igniter, and not any other components of the system, and thus is very accurate. The drive frequency of future corona events can then be set based on this accurately measured resonant frequency to achieve a robust corona discharge. |
| US09716370B2 |
Spark plug
A spark plug includes a metal shell, an insulator, a center electrode, and a ground electrode. At least one of the center electrode and the ground electrode includes a projection having a columnar shape. The projection projects toward the other of the center electrode and the ground electrode and forms the discharge gap. A portion of a side surface of the projection has a recess. A melted portion is formed by melting the noble metal tip and an electrode base material. The recess is formed in the melted portion. When D is a depth of the recess from a side surface of the noble metal tip and R is a diameter of the noble metal tip, 0.05 mm≦D≦0.3×R is satisfied. |
| US09716368B2 |
Tunable optical phase filter
An embodiment provides a 850 nm VCSEL transmitter that includes an active region having: one or more quantum wells having InGaAs material; and two or more quantum well barriers having AlGaAs or GaAsP materials adjacent to the one or more quantum wells. An in-phase or anti-phase, step or ring surface relief structure depth control is made on either (i) the topmost GaAs surface/contact layers by either dry or wet etching, or (ii) with the help of PECVD made thin SiN layer made on GaAs layer with wet etching for tunable static and dynamic characteristics such as output power, slope efficiency, and resonance oscillation bandwidth, photon lifetime through its damping, rise/fall times of eye-opening, over shooting, and jitter respectively. Moreover, anti-phase surface relief structure diameter control can be made on the topmost GaAs step surface/contact, or SiN ring layers for filtering of higher order modes and reduction of spectral line width. |
| US09716365B2 |
High power neodymium fiber lasers and amplifiers
A fiber block is configured with a fiber block including a Nd-doped active fiber and a pump-light delivery fiber which has a stretch extending along the active fiber in a side-to-side configuration so as to lunch pump light into the Nd-doped core of the active fiber. The core of the active fiber is surrounded by at least one or more claddings which, like the core, have a double bottleneck cross-section with a relatively large-area central region and relatively small input and output regions. The pump light delivery fiber is structured to have a substantially dumbbell cross-section with a relatively small-area central region coextending with the central region of the active fibers. The active fiber is dimensioned so that the overall length of the active fiber is configured to provide for the maximal amplification of the laser signal in a 900 nm range while limiting amplification in the 1060 nm range to the preset threshold. The fiber block is further configured so as to have the major fraction of the unabsorbed light, supported in the relatively large-area output end region of the passive fiber, be further used for pumping a neighboring fiber block. |
| US09716356B2 |
Electrical receptacle connector
An electrical receptacle connector for electrically connecting with a mating plug connector is disclosed. The electrical receptacle connector comprises an enclosure which has an upper wall and a lower wall at least one of which comprises a spring clip. The spring clip defines at its end an engaging head bending towards inside of the enclosure, and a bending angle of the engaging head is made to be greater than or equal to a certain threshold so that when said electrical receptacle connector connects with said plug connector, the spring clip and a metal area around a receiving member where the engaging head is received on the mating plug connector contact with each other. |
| US09716355B1 |
Plug and receptacle having high density of electrical contacts and/or pins
The systems, methods, and apparatuses disclosed herein relate to apparatuses having high density of electrical contacts and/or pins. In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises sets of electrical contacts, and a housing comprising housing portions, each of the housing portions comprising a corresponding planar end that supports a number of the sets of electrical contacts, wherein at least two sets of the sets of electrical contacts are located at different positions measured along a length of the housing. In further embodiments, an apparatus comprises sets of pins, and a housing comprising sets of walls, each of the sets of walls defines a corresponding portion of the elongated cavity, each of the sets of walls supporting a number of sets of the sets of pins, wherein at least two sets of the sets of pins are located at different depths measured along a length of the elongated cavity. |
| US09716352B1 |
Electrical cord having plugs with improved safety features
An electrical cord having improved safety features comprises a plug having a first body portion surrounding respective first ends of first, second, and third electrical wires. A live blade is in electrical communication with the first end of the first electrical wire. A neutral blade is in electrical communication with the first end of the second electrical wire. A ground pin receptacle is in electrical communication with the first end of the third electrical wire. A removable ground pin is configured to be removably secured within the ground pin receptacle to place the ground pin receptacle and third electrical wire in electrical communication with the ground pin. The first body portion surrounds and maintains the live blade, neutral blade, and ground pin receptacle in spaced apart orientation corresponding to sockets on an electrical outlet. |
| US09716351B2 |
Plug with overheat warning device having a temperature sensor, a control board and an alarm generator
The plug with overheat warning device includes a main member, prongs, and an overheat warning device. The prongs are extended from within the main member towards and outside of a front side of the main member. The overheat warning device is housed inside the main member. The overheat warning device includes a control board, a temperature sensor, and an alarm generator. The control board is configured with a power circuit, a temperature sensing circuit, and an alarm control circuit. |
| US09716350B2 |
Connector having a thermal protection circuit
The invention relates to a connector including a thermal protection circuit which detects abnormal heating to cut off the power supply. The connector (200) of the invention has: a cover portion (21); a plug portion (22); and a printed circuit board (27). The thermal protection circuit includes: an FET (34) which is inserted in a power supply line of a printed circuit board; and a temperature switch IC (33) which detects a temperature, and which, when the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, outputs an abnormal heating signal for causing the FET to cut off the power supply line. The connector includes a metal bonding member (360) which thermally couples a metal shell (25) to the temperature switch IC (33). The connector in which power supply can be cut off with high sensitivity with respect to abnormal heating in a plug portion is provided. |
| US09716348B2 |
Connector for a unified power and data cable
In one implementation, a device includes: one or more data terminals, where each of the one or more data terminals provides a respective mating interface between a respective data transmission path and a corresponding device data port; a first power terminal having a power portion and a ground portion separated by a dielectric, where the ground portion is arranged in association with the one or more data terminals in order to shield the one or more data terminals from electromagnetic interference from the power portion, and where the first power terminal provides a respective mating interface between a respective power transmission path and a corresponding device power port; and a support member provided to maintain the arrangement of the one or more data terminals in combination with the first power terminal. |
| US09716347B2 |
Connector with a vent wall with openings sized to block electromagnetic interference
A connector includes a cage that surrounds a housing. The cage defines two vertically spaced apart ports. A chamber is positioned between the ports. The chamber includes a vent wall that is angled to provide additional vent area so as to improve cooling of the connector. An aperture array in a rear wall of the cage can be used to further improve the cooling capabilities of the connector. |
| US09716344B2 |
Apparatus for terminating wire wound electronic components to an insert header assembly
An exemplary connector insert assembly, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In one embodiment, the connector insert assembly comprises an insert body assembly consisting of two insert body elements made from a high-temperature polymer. The insert body assembly includes an electronic component receiving cavity that is configured to receive any number of electronic components, including without limitation, chip chokes and wire wound electronic components. The insert body assembly includes a wire termination feature that includes termination slots that position the wire ends of the wire wound electronic components adjacent to a substrate to which the wire ends are ultimately to be secured. The wire ends are then secured to the substrate using, for example, a mass termination technique. The aforementioned connector insert assembly can then be inserted into a single or multi-port connector assembly. Methods of manufacturing the aforementioned single or multi-port connector assemblies are also disclosed. |
| US09716341B2 |
Lever-type connector assembly
A connector assembly is disclosed including a first connector and a second connector matable with the first connector. The first connector has a first housing, a first power terminal attached, and a first signal terminal. The second connector has a lever attached to a moving housing, the lever moving the moving housing between a mating released position, an intermediate position, and a mating completed position, a second housing movably disposed within the moving housing, a second power terminal disposed in the second housing and contacting the first power terminal in the intermediate position, a second signal terminal attached to the moving housing and contacting the first signal terminal at a position between the intermediate position and the mating completed position, and a separating protrusion disposed on the moving housing preventing the second power terminal from contacting the first power terminal in the mating released position. |
| US09716336B2 |
Cage of electronic apparatus
An insulating housing for receiving an electronic apparatus has an upper housing, a lower housing connected to the upper housing, and a device receiving space positioned between the upper housing and the lower housing. Two upper sidewalls are positioned on opposite edges of the upper housing. Two lower sidewalls are positioned on opposite edges of the lower housing, each of the lower sidewalls being connected with one of the upper sidewalls. Each lower sidewall has a first lower sidewall, and a second lower sidewall independent from the first lower sidewall that is positioned proximate to a device receiving end of the insulating housing. |
| US09716333B1 |
Heavy current female connector
A new fastening heavy current female connector comprising a main body and terminal assemblies. The main body includes separated terminal grooves provided on both of its upper and lower arms and a terminal plugging opening which is a recess in the main body and located between the upper and lower grooves. Each terminal assembly includes two terminals inserted into one of the separated terminal grooves. Each terminal includes a bending portion located between its plugging and non-plugging ends. The new heavy current female connector adds bending portions to the terminals of a common connector. The terminal is bended at its bending portion, enabling it to be elastic and possess a certain degree of tolerability to plugging deflection. Specifically, when the present female connector and a male connector are plugged, stable contacting of electric conductors is ensured. |
| US09716323B2 |
RFID antenna system with multi-axis polarization for field installation and beam steering operations
Antenna system includes a fixture having a first portion and a second portion joined along an alignment axis. A first planar antenna element having a first polarization direction is aligned with a first plane, and secured to the first portion of the antenna fixture. A second planar antenna element has a second polarization direction aligned with a second plane. The second planar antenna element is secured to the second portion of the antenna fixture so that the second plane is transverse to the first plane and the first and second planes intersect along a line parallel to the alignment axis. At least one tuned element mitigates near-field interference as between the first planar antenna element and the second planar antenna element. Signals applied to the antenna feed port will result in three-polarization radiation. |
| US09716318B2 |
Patch antenna assemblies
Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of multilayer printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) that integrally define or include patch antenna radiating elements. The radiating elements may be defined or formed from electrically-conductive layers of the PCBAs. Also disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of antenna assemblies, systems, or modules comprising such multilayer PCBAs. |
| US09716307B2 |
Mobile device and antenna structure
A mobile device includes a dielectric substrate, a metal layer, a metal housing, a nonconductive partition, at least one connection element, and a feeding element. The metal layer is disposed on the dielectric substrate, and includes an upper element and a main element, wherein a slot is formed between the upper element and the main element. The metal housing is substantially a hollow structure, and has a slit, wherein the slit is substantially aligned with the slot of the metal layer. The connection element couples the upper element of the metal layer to the metal housing. The feeding element is coupled to the upper element of the metal layer or coupled to the metal housing. An antenna structure is formed by the feeding element, the upper element of the metal layer, the connection element, and the metal housing. |
| US09716303B1 |
Low cost probes for slide screw tuners
A new tuning probe for slide-screw impedance tuners uses a simplified semi-cylindrical tubular form. This ensures reduced manufacturing cost and high machining tolerance for probes using galvanic ground contact. RF performance matches or exceeds traditional cubical probes both using galvanic and capacitive ground contacts. |
| US09716302B2 |
System for launching a signal into a dielectric waveguide
A system is provided for transmitting sub-terahertz electro-magnetic radio frequency (RF) signals using a dielectric waveguide (DWG) having a dielectric core member surrounded by dielectric cladding. An RF transmitter is coupled to an antenna located on a first substrate, in which the antenna is adjacent an edge of the substrate. The first substrate is mounted on a second substrate. A conductive reflector plate is formed on the top surface of the second substrate. An end of the DWG is mounted on the second substrate over the reflector plate such that an exposed face of the core member at the end of the DWG is adjacent the antenna. The core member at the end of DWG forms an angle of inclination with the second substrate in which the angle is in a range of approximately 10-30 degrees. |
| US09716297B2 |
Energy storage module and system
An energy storage module, an energy storage system including such modules, and a method for manufacturing an energy storage system are disclosed. The energy storage module may include an energy storage cell unit and a cooling plate unit which are kept in thermal contact with each other by a first retaining element having a through-hole and two deformed end portions. One of the end portions is deformed after the first retaining element has been arranged through the energy storage cell unit and the cooling plate unit. Two or more modules may be stacked together to form an energy storage system. The modules may be held together by a second retaining element arranged through the through-hole of the first retaining element. |
| US09716296B2 |
Thermal solution for prismatic lithium ion battery pack
A lithium ion battery pack includes a plurality of prismatic lithium polymer cells and one or more graphite heat spreaders. Each spreader has at least two major surfaces and is made of one of a sheet of a compressed mass of exfoliated graphite particles, a graphitized polyimide sheet, or combinations thereof. |
| US09716292B2 |
Electrochemical energy storage device
An exemplary electrochemical energy storage device includes: a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material; a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material; and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution including LiCl, at least one of Li(XSO2NSO2Y) (where X and Y are any of F, CnF2n+1 and (CF2)m, and (CF2)m forms a cyclic imide anion) and LiBF4, and at least one of tetrahydrofuran and a polyethylene glycol of which both terminals are alkyl groups, the non-aqueous electrolytic solution being in contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein the positive electrode active material includes a chloride of Cu, Bi or Ag, or the negative electrode active material includes magnesium chloride. |
| US09716285B2 |
Porous nano-fiber mats to reinforce proton conducting membranes for PEM applications
A method of manufacturing a proton conducting fuel cell composite membrane includes the step of electrospinning a non-charged polymeric material, such as PVDF and PSF, into fiber mats. The fibers are fused to one another to provide a welded porous mat. The welded porous mat is filled with proton conducting electrolyte, such as PFSA polymer, to generate a proton conducting composite membrane. The resulting proton conducting fuel cell membrane comprises a randomly oriented, three dimensional interlinked fiber lattice structure filled with proton conducting electrolyte, such as PFSA polymer. |
| US09716276B2 |
Method for manufacturing an electrode for lithium ion batteries
An electrode for lithium ion batteries, the electrode having a metal film which is inert to lithium ions and having a plurality of silicon nanowires protruding from the film, which are arranged on at least one flat side of the film, wherein sections of the nanowires are enclosed by the metal film. |
| US09716274B2 |
Cathode active material for sodium batteries, and sodium battery
A cathode active material for sodium batteries has excellent discharge capacity, and a sodium battery has the cathode active material for sodium batteries. A cathode active material for sodium batteries is represented by a general formula Na4Co(3-x)Mx(PO4)2P2O7; M is any of Fe, Cr, Mn and Al; X is 0.015≦x≦0.21 when M is Fe; X is 0.03≦x≦0.18 when M is Cr; X is 0.006≦x≦0.24 when M is Mn; and X is 0.03≦x≦0.06 when M is Al. |
| US09716272B2 |
Positive electrode composition for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and method for producing positive electrode slurry using the positive electrode composition
A positive electrode composition comprises a positive electrode active material composed of a lithium transition metal complex oxide represented by the general formula Li1+xNiyCozM1-y-z-wLwO2 (wherein 0≦x≦0.50, 0.30≦y≦1.0, 0 |
| US09716266B2 |
Positive electrode for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the same
[Object] Provided is a means for improving cycle characteristics by suppressing electrode deterioration resulting from non-uniformity of voltage across an electrode plane in a high-capacity and large-area non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery that includes lithium nickel-based composite oxide as a positive electrode active substance.[Solving Means] Disclosed is a positive electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery used in a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery in which the ratio value of battery area (projected area of the battery including the battery outer casing body) to rated capacity is 5 cm2/Ah or more and the rated capacity is 3 Ah or more, the positive electrode comprising a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active substance layer that is formed on a surface of the positive electrode current collector and has a positive electrode active substance containing a lithium nickel-based composite oxide and a spinel type lithium manganese composite oxide, in which, when the average secondary particle diameter (D50) of the lithium nickel-based composite oxide is D50(A) [μm], the content ratio of the lithium nickel-based composite oxide in the positive electrode active substance layer is A [% by mass], the average secondary particle diameter (D50) of the spinel type lithium manganese composite oxide is D50(B) [μm], and the content ratio of the spinel type lithium manganese composite oxide in the positive electrode active substance layer is B [% by mass], the positive electrode satisfies the following Mathematical Formula 1 and Mathematical Formula 2: [Math. 1] 2.0 |
| US09716265B2 |
High-density precursor for manufacture of composite metal oxide cathodes for Li-ion batteries
The disclosed embodiments relate to the manufacture of a precursor co-precipitate material for a cathode active material composition. During manufacture of the precursor co-precipitate material, an aqueous solution containing at least one of a manganese sulfate and a cobalt sulfate is formed. Next, a NH4OH solution is added to the aqueous solution to form a particulate solution comprising irregular secondary particles of the precursor co-precipitate material. A constant pH in the range of 10-12 is also maintained in the particulate solution by adding a basic solution to the particulate solution. |
| US09716263B2 |
Battery module printed circuit board assembly system and method
A battery module includes a housing, a plurality of battery cells disposed in the housing, and a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly disposed in the housing. The PCB assembly includes a PCB and a shunt disposed across a first surface of the PCB. A second surface of the shunt directly contacts the first surface of the PCB, and the shunt is electrically coupled between the battery cells and a terminal of the battery module. |
| US09716262B2 |
Battery wiring module manufacturing method
A battery wiring module is manufactured by an arrangement process of arranging in parallel a long chain bus-bar which is configured by connecting a plurality of bus bars at chain parts, a covering process of covering both an outer periphery of plurality of linear conductors and a side edge of the chain bus-bar adjacent to the plurality of linear conductors with an insulation resin part integrally formed by extrusion molding, a breaking process of breaking the chain parts of the chain bus-bar in order to separate the plurality of bus bars, and a connection process of electrically connecting each of the plurality of linear conductors to a predetermined one of the bus bars. |
| US09716261B2 |
Rechargeable battery
Disclosed is a rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly and a housing for the electrode assembly. The housing includes a case having an opening therein, the opening exposing case sides the case configured to receive the electrode assembly through the opening and a cap plate to seal the case at the opening. The cap plate includes cap plate sides corresponding to the case sides, the case sides facing and contacting the cap plate sides at first and second contact regions, respectively, the first and second contact regions being asymmetric to each other. |
| US09716259B2 |
Bracket attachment structure with fault folds
A vehicle underbody includes a tray structure, a battery pack having a plurality of footers and a bracket; and an enclosure surrounding the battery pack. The bracket has a wall attached to the enclosure, a ledge attached to the footers, and a stepped deformation region between the wall and ledge. The stepped deformation region deforms in response to impact to absorb energy associated with the impact. |
| US09716256B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack includes a battery assembly including battery cells and spacers that are alternately arrayed, a side plate extending across a side of the battery assembly, and a motion prevention unit protruding from the side plate toward the battery assembly so as to cover a portion of the battery assembly, the motion prevention unit being arrayed on the spacers. |
| US09716254B2 |
Battery pack
Provided are a pack main body of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which a battery cell is embedded, and a terminal portion provided on a front face of the pack main body. The pack main body includes bevelled portions at corner portions formed by a top face and a bottom face and opposite side faces. The terminal portion is provided, in a protruding manner, on the front face at a position biased with respect to center lines in a width direction and a height direction. The corner portions on one side have a chamfered shape and the corner portions on the other side have a rounded shape. |
| US09716252B2 |
Organic light emitting display panel and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display panel including a partition wall to prevent different organic light emitting materials from being mixed with each other between adjacent light emitting areas. The partition wall may protrude from a surface of a pixel definition layer or a first common layer. Accordingly, desired light colors are generated by organic light emitting patterns respectively disposed in the light emitting areas. |
| US09716245B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device and preparation method thereof, and display device
An organic electroluminescent device and a preparation method thereof, and a display device are provided. The organic electroluminescent device comprises a substrate (1), a first electrode (2) formed on the substrate (1), a light-emitting layer (3) formed on one side of the first electrode (2) away from the substrate (1), and a second electrode (4) formed on one side of the light-emitting layer (3) away from the first electrode (2), and only a portion of a projection of the light-emitting layer (3) on the substrate (1) is positioned at an overlapping portion of projections of the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4) on the substrate (1). The organic electroluminescent device can facilitate realizing a high resolution design of a display screen. |
| US09716244B2 |
OLED device with anode of silver nanowire and fabrication method thereof, display substrate
An OLED device and a fabrication method thereof, a display substrate and a display device are provided. The OLED device comprises: a base substrate, and an anode, an organic light emitting layer and a cathode which are sequentially stacked on the base substrate. The anode includes a silver nanowire material. |
| US09716238B2 |
Boron compound for organic electroluminescent elements, and organic electroluminescent element
Provided are an organic EL device which is practically satisfactory in terms of a light-emitting characteristic, a driving voltage, and durability, and a compound for organic EL devices to be used in the device. The organic EL device is an organic EL device produced by laminating, on a substrate, an anode, a plurality of organic layers including a light-emitting layer, and a cathode, the organic EL device containing, in at least one organic layer selected from the light-emitting layer, a hole-transporting layer, an electron-transporting layer, a hole-blocking layer, and an electron-blocking layer, a boron compound having two indolocarbazolyl groups in a molecule thereof. The boron compound is represented by Y-L-B(A)a-L-Y or Y-L(Z)b-Y, where Y represents an indolocarbazolyl group, L represents an aromatic group, and Z represents a boron-containing group. |
| US09716237B2 |
Heteroacenes for organic electronics
The present invention provides compounds of formula 1 wherein X1 and X2 are independently from each other O, S or Se, and an electronic device comprising the compounds as semiconducting material. |
| US09716235B2 |
9,10-bis[2-(p-substituted phenyl)pyrimidin-4-yl] anthracene compounds, methods of preparing the same, organic electroluminescent devices and organic electroluminescent display apparatus
The invention relates to organic electroluminescent materials and provides 9,10-bis[2-(p-substituted phenyl)pyrimidin-4-yl] anthracene compounds and methods of preparing the same, organic electroluminescent devices comprising the compounds, and organic electroluminescent display apparatus comprising the devices. The compounds of the invention are easy to be synthesized and can be used as blue-phosphorescent organic electroluminescent materials. Due to the inherent ability of the materials to block holes, there is no need to arrange a hole-blocking layer between a light-emitting layer and an electron transport layer, which simplifies the manufacturing process of full color display panels of organic electroluminescent display apparatus and reduces the manufacture cost and time. The organic electroluminescent devices made from the materials exhibit high luminous efficiency. |
| US09716234B2 |
Compound and organic light-emitting device including the same
Provided is a compound represented by Formula 1, Formula 2, or Formula 3: |
| US09716233B2 |
Electronic device including a fluoranthene derivative
There is provided a compound having Formula I In Formula I: R1-R10 are the same or different and are H, D, alkyl, silyl, aryl, deuterated alkyl, deuterated silyl, or deuterated aryl, where no more than two of R1-R10 are biphenyl and where at least two of R1-R10 have Formula II In Formula II: Ar is phenyl, naphthyl, heteroaryl, spirofluorenyl, or a deuterated analog thereof; R11 is the same or different at each occurrence and is D, alkyl, silyl, aryl, deuterated alkyl, deuterated silyl, or deuterated aryl, where adjacent R11 groups can join to form a fused aromatic ring or fused deuterated aromatic ring; m is an integer from 0-4; n is an integer from 1-5; and the asterisk represents a point of attachment. |
| US09716232B2 |
Material for organic light-emitting device, and organic light-emitting device using same
The present specification provides an organic light emitting device comprising: a first electrode, a second electrode, and organic material layers formed of one or more layers comprising a light emitting layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein one or more layers of the organic material layers comprise the compound of Formula 1, or a compound in which a heat-curable or photocurable functional group is introduced into this compound. |
| US09716209B2 |
Method of manufacturing n-p-n nitride-semiconductor light-emitting device, and n-p-n nitride-semiconductor light-emitting device
This application provides a method of manufacturing an n-p-n nitride-semiconductor light-emitting device which includes a current confinement region (A) using a buried tunnel junction layer and in which a favorable luminous efficacy can be obtained and to provide the n-p-n nitride-semiconductor light-emitting device. The p-type activation of a p-type GaN crystal layer stacked below a tunnel junction layer is performed in an intermediate phase of a manufacturing process in which the p-type GaN crystal layer is exposed to atmosphere gas with the tunnel junction layer partially removed, before the tunnel junction layer is buried in an n-type GaN crystal layer. In the intermediate phase of the manufacturing process in which the p-type GaN crystal layer is exposed, p-type activation is efficiently performed on the p-type GaN crystal layer, and a p-type GaN crystal layer with low electric resistance can be obtained. |
| US09716206B2 |
Interconnect processing assembly for connecting solar cells
A solar cell interconnect processing assembly includes a stack of interconnects, a positioning head, and a control system. The positioning head picks up an interconnect from the stack of interconnects at a first location, moves the interconnect from the first location to a second location, heats the interconnect while moving the interconnect from the first location to the second location, and places the interconnect over two adjacent solar cells at the second location. The control system controls a temperature at which the interconnect is heated and controls movement of the positioning head. |
| US09716199B2 |
Solar cell apparatus
A solar cell apparatus includes a substrate having a transmission area and a non-transmission area adjacent to the transmission area, a solar cell disposed at the non-transmission area on the substrate, and a lattice pattern disposed at the transmission area on the substrate. |
| US09716198B2 |
Photovoltaic interconnect wire
A photovoltaic interconnect wire includes a conductive base strip with grooves provided thereon, and the grooves are linear and/or curved strip-shaped grooves (3) arranged obliquely to a longitudinal direction of the conductive base strip. An inclination angle of 15° to 75° is present between each linear strip-shaped groove and the longitudinal direction of the conductive base strip, and between a tangent line of any point on the curve of a curved-shaped groove and the longitudinal direction of the conductive base strip. The photovoltaic soldering strip increases an output power of a solar cell assembly by increasing the total reflection proportion. It also ensures soldering fastness by adjusting flat regions of the base strip. Effective cross section loss of the conductive base strip is reduced by adjusting the angle of each groove, so as to minimize the confluence efficiency loss of the soldering strip. |
| US09716190B2 |
Optical sensor device and method of manufacturing optical sensor device
An optical sensor device comprises an element-mounting portion, an optical sensor element provided on the element-mounting portion, a lead having a first contact region connected to the optical sensor element and a second contact region for an external connection, and a resin-encapsulating portion which covers at least a light-receiving plane of the optical sensor element. The resin-encapsulating portion comprises a resin and a glass filler including borosilicate glass dispersed in the resin. The transmissivity of the resin-encapsulating portion in one example is equal to or more than 40% in a wavelength range between 300 nm to 400 nm, and in another example is equal to or more than 60% in a wavelength range between 300 nm and 350 nm. |
| US09716187B2 |
Trench semiconductor device having multiple trench depths and method
In one embodiment, a trench Schottky rectifier includes a termination trench and active trenches provided in a semiconductor layer. The active trenches are configured to be at a shallower depth than the termination trench to provide a trench depth difference. The selected trench depth difference in combination with one or more of the dopant concentration of the semiconductor layer, the thickness of the semiconductor layer, active trench width to termination trench width, and/or dopant profile of the semiconductor layer provide a semiconductor device having improved performance characteristics. |
| US09716186B2 |
Semiconductor device manufacturing method, and semiconductor device
A semiconductor device manufacturing method according to an embodiment includes: forming an n-type SiC layer on a SiC substrate; forming a p-type impurity region at one side of the SiC layer; exposing other side of the SiC layer by removing at least part of the SiC substrate; implanting carbon (C) ions into exposed part of the SiC layer; performing a heat treatment; forming a first electrode on the p-type impurity region; and forming a second electrode on the exposed part of the SiC layer. |
| US09716181B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a polycrystalline semiconductor layer on a substrate, first and second stacks on the polycrystalline semiconductor layer, the first and second stacks extending in a first direction, a separation trench between the first and second stacks and extending in the first direction, the separation trench separating the first and second stacks in a second direction crossing the first direction, and vertical channel structures vertically passing through each of the first and second stacks, wherein the polycrystalline semiconductor layer includes a first grain region and a second grain region in contact with each other, the first and second grain region being adjacent to each other along the second direction, and wherein each of the first and second grain regions includes a plurality of crystal grains, each crystal grain having a longitudinal axis parallel to the second direction. |
| US09716168B2 |
Silicon carbide semiconductor device, method of manufacturing silicon carbide semiconductor device and method of designing silicon carbide semiconductor device
A silicon carbide semiconductor device includes a silicon carbide layer 32 of a first conductivity type, a silicon carbide layer 36 of a second conductivity type, a gate trench 20, a gate electrode 79 provided in the gate trench 20, and a protection trench 10 formed to a depth greater than the gate trench 20. A region in the horizontal direction that includes both the gate trench 20 and a protection trench 10 that surrounds the gate trench 20 with at least a part of the gate trench 20 left unenclosed is a cell region, and a region in the horizontal direction that includes a protection trench 10 and in which a gate pad 89 or a lead electrode connected to the gate pad is disposed is a gate region. |
| US09716167B2 |
Trench DMOS transistor with reduced gate-to-drain capacitance
A trench DMOS transistor with a very low on-state drain-to-source resistance and a high gate-to-drain charge includes one or more floating islands that lie between the gate and drain to reduce the charge coupling between the gate and drain, and effectively lower the gate-to-drain capacitance. |
| US09716166B2 |
Transistor structure with improved unclamped inductive switching immunity
A laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) transistor structure with improved unclamped inductive switching immunity. The LDMOS includes a substrate and an adjacent epitaxial layer both of a first conductivity type. A gate structure is above the epitaxial layer. A drain region and a source region, both of a second conductivity type, are within the epitaxial layer. A channel is formed between the source and drain region and arranged below the gate structure. A body structure of the first conductivity type is at least partially formed under the gate structure and extends laterally under the source region, wherein the epitaxial layer is less doped than the body structure. A conductive trench-like feed-through element passes through the epitaxial layer and contacts the substrate and the source region. The LDMOS includes a tub region of the first conductivity type formed under the source region, and adjacent laterally to and in contact with said body structure and said trench-like feed-through element. |
| US09716155B2 |
Vertical field-effect-transistors having multiple threshold voltages
Various embodiments disclose a method for fabricating a semiconductor structure including a plurality of vertical transistors each having different threshold voltages. In one embodiment the method includes forming a structure having at least a substrate, a source contact layer on the substrate, a first spacer layer on the source contact layer, a replacement gate on the first spacer layer, a second spacer layer on the replacement gate, and an insulating layer on the second spacer layer. A first trench is formed in a first region of the structure. A first channel layer having a first doping concentration is epitaxially grown in the first trench. A second trench is formed in a second region of the structure. A second channel layer having a second doping concentration is epitaxially grown in the second trench. The second doping concentration is different from the first doping concentration. |
| US09716150B2 |
Device isolation for III-V substrates
Techniques for device isolation for III-V semiconductor substrates are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a III-V semiconductor device is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having an indium phosphide (InP)-ready layer; forming an iron (Fe)-doped InP layer on the InP-ready layer; forming an epitaxial III-V semiconductor material layer on the Fe-doped InP layer; and patterning the epitaxial III-V semiconductor material layer to form one or more active areas of the device. A III-V semiconductor device is also provided. |
| US09716144B2 |
Semiconductor devices having channel regions with non-uniform edge
A semiconductor device may include a drift region having a first conductivity type, a source region having the first conductivity type, and a well region having a second conductivity type disposed adjacent to the drift region and adjacent to the source region. The well region may include a channel region that has the second conductivity type disposed adjacent to the source region and proximal to a surface of the semiconductor device cell. The channel region may include a non-uniform edge that includes at least one protrusion. |
| US09716141B2 |
Applications for nanopillar structures
A disclosed method of fabricating a hybrid nanopillar device includes forming a mask on a substrate and a layer of nanoclusters on the hard mask. The hard mask is then etched to transfer a pattern formed by the first layer of nanoclusters into a first region of the hard mask. A second nanocluster layer is formed on the substrate. A second region of the hard mask overlying a second region of the substrate is etched to create a second pattern in the hard mask. The substrate is then etched through the hard mask to form a first set of nanopillars in the first region of the substrate and a second set of nanopillars in the second region of the substrate. By varying the nanocluster deposition steps between the first and second layers of nanoclusters, the first and second sets of nanopillars will exhibit different characteristics. |
| US09716139B2 |
Method for forming high voltage transistor
A method for forming a high voltage transistor is provided. First, a substrate having a top surface is provided, following by forming a thermal oxide layer on the substrate. At least a part of the thermal oxidation layer is removed to form a recess in the substrate, wherein a bottom surface of the recess is lower than the top surface of the substrate. A gate oxide layer is formed in the recess, then a gate structure is formed on the gate oxide layer. The method further includes forming a source/drain region in the substrate. |
| US09716137B1 |
3D capacitor with 3D memory
An integrated circuit includes 3D memory blocks and 3D capacitor blocks. The 3D capacitor comprises a plurality of stacks of conductive strips alternating with insulating strips, and a first terminal connected to conductive strips in consecutive levels in one or more stacks, whereby the conductive strips act as a first plate of the 3D capacitor. A second terminal is insulated from the first terminal, either connected to conductive strips in consecutive levels in another or other stacks, or connected to a plurality of pillars. No intervening conductive strip is disposed between the conducive strips in consecutive levels. |
| US09716127B2 |
Light-emitting element having an optical function film including a reflection layer
A light-emitting element includes a light-emitting layer, and an optical function film. The light-emitting layer is configured to include a first plane with a first electrode, a second plane with a second electrode, and a circumferential plane connecting the first and second planes, the second plane being opposing to the first plane, and the light-emitting layer being made of a semiconductor. The optical function film is configured to include a reflection layer being able to reflect light coming from the light-emitting layer, the reflection layer being provided with first and second regions, the first region covering the second plane and the circumferential plane, the second region protruding from the first region to an outside of the light-emitting layer to expose an end plane thereof. |
| US09716121B1 |
Majority current assisted radiation detector device
The invention relates to a majority current assisted detector device, comprising a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type epitaxially grown on a semiconductor substrate, at least two control regions of the first conductivity type, at least two detection regions of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type, and a source for generating a majority carrier current in the semiconductor layer between the two control regions, the majority current being associated with an electrical field. The detection regions surround the control regions, thereby forming at least two taps. The device is configured for backside illumination and further comprises a well of the first conductivity type between the two detection regions for insulating the detection regions. The well comprises pixel circuitry elements. |
| US09716120B2 |
Image sensor and electronic device including the same
An image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate integrated with at least one of a first photo-sensing device that may sense a first wavelength spectrum of visible light and a second photo-sensing device that may sense second wavelength spectrum of visible light, and a third photo-sensing device on the semiconductor substrate that may selectively sense third wavelength spectrum of visible light in a longer wavelength spectrum of visible light than the first wavelength spectrum of visible light and the second wavelength spectrum of visible light. The first photo-sensing device and the second photo-sensing device may overlap with each other in a thickness direction of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09716117B2 |
Method for producing a via, a method for producing an array substrate, an array substrate, and a display device
The invention relates to the field of display technologies, and discloses a method for producing a via, a method for producing an array substrate, an array substrate and a display device to prevent a chamfer from being formed in producing the via, to promote the product quality and improve the display effect of the display device. The method for producing a via comprises: employing a first etching process to partially etch a top film layer in an area that needs to form a via above an electrode, wherein the vertical etching amount achieved by employing the first etching process is less than the thickness of the top film layer; and employing a second etching process for which the vertical etching rate is larger than the lateral etching rate to etch the remaining part in the area that needs to form a via, until the electrode is exposed. |
| US09716115B2 |
Flexible display and method of manufacturing the same
A flexible display and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the display includes a flexible substrate including first concave bent portion and a pad formed over the first concave bent portion of the flexible substrate and including a second concave bent portion overlapping the first concave bent portion. The display further includes a connection pin electrically connected to the second concave bent portion. The connection pin has a central portion and a boundary portion surrounding the central portion. The height of the central portion is greater than that of the boundary portion. |
| US09716111B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel which is configured to display an image, and includes a cell identification section configured to indicate an identification number of the display panel, and a pad section at least partly disposed on the cell identification section and being at least partly overlaid with the cell identification section, a printed circuit board configured to drive the display panel, and a chip-on-glass package electrically configured to connect the display panel with the printed circuit board. |
| US09716106B2 |
Integrated circuit, semiconductor device based on integrated circuit, and standard cell library
An integrated circuit (IC) may include at least one cell including a plurality of conductive lines that extend in a first direction and are in parallel to each other in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, first contacts respectively disposed at two sides of at least one conductive line from among the plurality of conductive lines, and a second contact disposed on the at least one conductive line and the first contacts and forming a single node by being electrically connected to the at least one conductive line and the first contacts. |
| US09716105B1 |
Three-dimensional memory device with different thickness insulating layers and method of making thereof
A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over a substrate, memory stack structures including a memory film and a vertical semiconductor channel and extending through a first region of the alternating stack, and support pillar structures extending through a second region of the alternating stack that is laterally offset from the first region. Each insulating layer includes a respective first insulating material portion having a respective first insulator thickness in the first region of the alternating stack and a respective second insulating material portion having a respective second insulator thickness that is greater than the respective first insulator thickness in the second region. |
| US09716102B2 |
Semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device including forming a charge storage layer, and forming a first tunnel insulating layer covering the charge storage layer, the forming of the first tunnel insulating layer including heat treating the charge storage layer. |
| US09716097B2 |
Techniques to avoid or limit implant punch through in split gate flash memory devices
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a flash memory device. The flash memory device includes first and second individual source/drain (S/D) regions spaced apart within a semiconductor substrate. A common S/D region is arranged laterally between the first and second individual S/D regions, and is separated from the first individual S/D region by a first channel region and is separated from the second individual S/D region by a second channel region. An erase gate is arranged over the common S/D. A floating gate is disposed over the first channel region and is arranged to a first side of the erase gate. A control gate is disposed over the floating gate. A wordline is disposed over the first channel region and is spaced apart from the erase gate by the floating gate and the control gate. An upper surface of the wordline is a concave surface. |
| US09716094B2 |
Semiconductor device having capacitor and method of fabricating the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device having a capacitor includes a substrate which has a transistor, a first insulating pattern which is formed on the substrate and does not overlap a first contact node formed in the substrate, a second insulating pattern which is formed on the substrate, does not overlap a second contact node formed in the substrate, and is separated from the first insulating pattern, a first lower electrode which is formed on part of the substrate and sidewalls of the first insulating pattern, a second lower electrode which is formed on part of the substrate and sidewalls of the second insulating pattern, a dielectric layer pattern which is formed on the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode, and an upper electrode which is formed on the dielectric layer pattern. Related fabrication methods are also discussed. |
| US09716089B2 |
Semiconductor device and electronic apparatus including the same
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of transistor components disposed on a semiconductor substrate, and a guard ring disposed on the semiconductor substrate surrounding the transistor components. The guard ring includes a plurality of fin structures disposed in parallel on the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of first conductive connection members disposed on the fin structures and connecting at least two fin structures, and a plurality of second conductive connection members connecting at least two first conductive connection members. The first conductive connection members and the second conductive connection members are formed as one structure. |
| US09716088B1 |
3D bonded semiconductor structure with an embedded capacitor
A first semiconductor structure including a first bonding oxide layer having a first metallic structure embedded therein and a second semiconductor structure including a second bonding oxide layer having second metallic structure embedded therein are provided. A high-k dielectric material is formed on a surface of the first metallic structure. A nitride surface treatment process is performed to provide a nitrided surface layer to each structure. The nitrided surface layer includes nitridized oxide regions located in an upper portion of the bonding oxide layers and either a nitridized high-k dielectric material located in at least an upper portion of the high k dielectric material or a nitridized metallic region located in an upper portion of the second metallic structure. The nitrogen within the nitridized metallic region is then selectively removed to restore the upper portion of the second metallic structure to its original composition. Bonding is then performed. |
| US09716087B1 |
Semiconductor electrostatic discharge protection circuit, ESD protection semiconductor device, and layout structure of ESD protection semiconductor device
An electrostatic discharge protection semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first well formed in the substrate, a second well formed in the substrate and spaced apart from the first well, a gate formed on the substrate and positioned in between the first well and the second well, a drain region formed in the first well, a source region formed in the second well, a first doped region formed in the first well and adjacent to the drain region, and a second doped region formed in the first well and spaced apart from both the first doped region and the gate. The first well, the drain region, and the source region include a first conductivity type, the second well, the first doped region and the second doped region include a second conductivity type, and the first conductivity type and the second conductivity type are complementary to each other. |
| US09716085B2 |
Method for manufacturing a light emitted diode display
A method for manufacturing a micro LED display is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of LED elements on a first substrate, transferring, using a magnetic holder or a vacuum holder, at least two of the plurality of LED elements of the same primary color from the first substrate to a second substrate, performing the steps of the providing and the transferring with respect to three primary colors, forming an array of RGB LED units on the second substrate, each of the array of RGB LED units including a red LED element, a green LED element, and a blue LED element, interposing the array of RGB LED units between the second substrate and an LED driver wafer, detaching the second substrate from the array of RGB LED units, and interposing the array of RGB LED units between the LED driver wafer and a cover. |
| US09716076B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device with metal-containing film layer at bonding surface thereof
There is provided a semiconductor device, including a semiconductor substrate, an interlayer insulating layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, a bonding electrode formed on a surface of the interlayer insulating layer, and a metal film which covers an entire surface of a bonding surface including the interlayer insulating layer and the bonding electrode. |
| US09716067B2 |
Integrated circuit package with embedded bridge
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated circuit (IC) package having first and second dies with first and second input/output (I/O) interconnect structures, respectively. The IC package may include a bridge having first and second electrical routing features coupled to a portion of the first and second I/O interconnect structures, respectively. In embodiments, the first and second electrical routing features may be disposed on one side of the bridge; and third electrical routing features may be disposed on an opposite side. The first and second electrical routing features may be configured to route electrical signals between the first die and the second die and the third electrical routing features may be configured to route electrical signals between the one side and the opposite side. The first die, the second die, and the bridge may be embedded in electrically insulating material. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09716061B2 |
Flexible light emitting semiconductor device
A flexible polymeric dielectric layer has first and second major surfaces. The first major surface has a conductive layer thereon. The dielectric layer has at least one via extending from the second major surface to the first major surface. The conductive layer includes electrically separated first and second portions configured to support and electrically connect a light emitting semi-conductor device to the conductive layer. |
| US09716059B2 |
Package substrate and method for manufacturing package substrate
A package substrate includes an outermost interlayer, an outermost conductive layer including first pads positioned to mount at electronic component and second pads positioned to mount another electronic component, a first conductive layer including first circuits and formed such that the outermost interlayer is on the first conductive layer and that the first circuits are connecting the first and second pads, an inner interlayer formed such that the first conductive layer is on the inner interlayer, a second conductive layer formed such that the inner interlayer is on the second conductive layer, via conductors penetrating through the outermost interlayer and including first via conductors connecting the first conductive layer and the first pads and second via conductors connecting the first conductive layer and the second pads, and third via conductors penetrating through the inner interlayer and positioned such that the first and third via conductors form stacked via conductors. |
| US09716056B2 |
Integrated circuit with back side inductor
A method for providing an inductively loaded integrated circuit includes providing a wafer with an integrated circuit formed thereon, the integrated circuit comprising at least one substrate via, including one or more substrate vias that are to be inductively loaded, and fabricating an inductive element on the backside of the wafer that electrically connects to the substrate vias that are to be inductively loaded. A corresponding apparatus includes a wafer with an integrated circuit formed on a top side of the wafer and an inductive element formed on a back side of the wafer, and at least one substrate via that extends through the wafer and electrically connects the inductive element to the integrated circuit. In certain embodiments, the inductive element comprises a plurality of conductive layers. In some embodiments, the inductive element comprises multiple turns on each conductive layer. |
| US09716044B2 |
Interlayer dielectric structure with high aspect ratio process (HARP)
The present disclosure provides a method of making an integrated circuit. The method includes forming a gate stack on a semiconductor substrate; forming a stressed contact etch stop layer (CESL) on the gate stack and on the semiconductor substrate; forming a first dielectric material layer on the stressed CESL using a high aspect ratio process (HARP) at a deposition temperature greater than about 440 C to drive out hydroxide (OH) group; forming a second dielectric material layer on the first dielectric material layer; etching to form contact holes in the first and second dielectric material layers; filling the contact holes with a conductive material; and performing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process. |
| US09716042B1 |
Fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) with reduced parasitic capacitance
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a plurality of fins on the substrate, wherein the plurality of fins each include a fin channel region, first isolation regions on the substrate corresponding to active gate regions, a second isolation region on the substrate corresponding to a dummy gate region, wherein a height of the second isolation region is greater than a height of the first isolation regions, a plurality of active gate structures formed around the fins, and on the first isolation regions, and a dummy gate structure formed on the second isolation region. |
| US09716039B2 |
Wafer processing method
A wafer having a substrate and a functional layer formed on the front side of the substrate is processed by attaching a protective tape curable by an external stimulation to the front side of the functional layer. The substrate is cut from the back side along each division line by using a cutting blade, thereby forming a cut groove having a depth not reaching the functional layer, with a part of the substrate left between the bottom of the cut groove and the functional layer. A laser beam is applied along the cut groove, thereby dividing the remaining part of the substrate to divide the wafer into device chips. When the groove is formed, an uncut portion in which the cut groove is not formed is left in a peripheral marginal area of the wafer. |
| US09716032B2 |
Via-free interconnect structure with self-aligned metal line interconnections
The present disclosure provides a method for forming a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first conductive line disposed over a substrate. The first conductive line is located in a first interconnect layer and extends along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a second conductive line and a third conductive line each extending along a second direction different from the first direction. The second and third conductive lines are located in a second interconnect layer that is different from the first interconnect layer. The second and third conductive lines are separated by a gap that is located over or below the first conductive line. The semiconductor device includes a fourth conductive line electrically coupling the second and third conductive lines together. The fourth conductive line is located in a third interconnect layer that is different from the first interconnect layer and the second interconnect layer. |
| US09716025B2 |
Temporary bonding laminates for use in manufacture of semiconductor devices
Provided is temporary bonding laminates for used in a manufacture of semiconductor devices, by which a member to be processed (a semiconductor wafer or the like) can be temporarily supported securely and readily during a mechanical or chemical process of the member to be processed and then the processed member can be readily released from the temporary support without damaging the processed member even after a high temperature process, and processes for manufacturing semiconductor devices. The temporary bonding laminate includes (A) a release layer and (B) an adhesive layer, wherein the release layer (A) comprises (a1) a first release layer having a softening point of 200° C. or more and adjoining the adhesive layer (B), and (a2) a second release layer adjoining the first release layer (a1); the second release layer (a2) contains a resin; and the resin after curing has a capable of being dissolved at 5% by mass or more, at 25° C., in at least one kind of solvents selected from hexane and the like. |
| US09716023B2 |
Methods for temporarily bonding a device wafer to a carrier wafer, and related assemblies
A method of bonding a device wafer to a carrier wafer includes disposing a first adhesive over a central portion of a carrier wafer, the first adhesive having a first glass transition temperature, disposing a second adhesive over a peripheral portion of the carrier wafer, the second adhesive having a second glass transition temperature greater than the first glass transition temperature, and bonding the first adhesive to an active front side of the device wafer and the second adhesive to a peripheral portion of the front side of the device wafer. Related assemblies may be used in such methods. |
| US09716022B2 |
Method of determining thermal stability of a substrate support assembly
A method of determining thermal stability of an upper surface of a substrate support assembly comprises recording time resolved pre-process temperature data of the substrate before performing a plasma processing process while powering an array of thermal control elements to achieve a desired spatial and temporal temperature of the upper surface. A substrate is processed while powering the array of thermal control elements to achieve a desired spatial and temporal temperature of the upper surface of the assembly, and time resolved post-process temperature data of the assembly is recorded after processing the substrate. The post-process temperature data is recorded while powering the thermal control elements to achieve a desired spatial and temporal temperature of the upper surface. The post-process temperature data is compared to the pre-process temperature data to determine whether the data is within a desired tolerance range. |
| US09716021B2 |
Substrate heat treatment apparatus, method of installing substrate heat treatment apparatus
Disclosed is a substrate heat treatment apparatus. The apparatus includes: a conveyance storage unit which includes a first storage section and a second storage section each of which stores a plurality of conveyance containers, and a conveyance mechanism configured to convey the conveyance containers, each of the conveyance containers accommodating a plurality of wafers; and a heat treatment unit including a heat treatment furnace which accommodates a holder configured to hold the plurality of wafers in multiple stages, and performs the heat treatment on the wafers. A mounting stage of a transfer section is provided below the first storage section in the conveyance storage unit. On the mounting stage, the conveyance containers are mounted so that the wafers within the conveyance containers are transferred to the holder in the heat treatment unit. |
| US09716020B2 |
Substrate liquid processing apparatus and substrate liquid processing method
Disclosed is a substrate liquid processing apparatus including: a first processing liquid supply mechanism provided with a first tank in which a processing liquid is stored and a first nozzle through which the processing liquid stored in the first tank is ejected, and configured to supply the processing liquid to a first surface of a substrate by the first nozzle; a second processing liquid supply mechanism provided with a second tank in which a processing liquid having the same composition as the processed liquid stored in the first tank is stored and a second nozzle through which the processed liquid stored in the second tank is ejected, and configured to supply the processed liquid to a second surface of the substrate by the second nozzle; a processing unit configured to perform processing on the substrate using the processed liquids supplied by the first nozzle and the second nozzle; and a recovery line configured to recover the processed liquids which are supplied to the substrate from the first nozzle and the second nozzle and mixed with each other from the processing unit and return the recovered processed liquids to the second tank. |
| US09716016B2 |
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp
One or more techniques or systems for forming an electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp are provided herein. In some embodiments, the ESD clamp includes a first pad and a second pad. For example, the first pad is a positive supply voltage (Vdd) pad and the second pad is a negative supply voltage (Vss) pad. In some embodiments, active regions and oxide regions are associated with substantially rounded shapes or obtuse angles. Additionally, metal regions are configured to be in contact with at least some of at least one of the active regions or the oxide regions and the first pad. In some embodiments, the metal regions are substantially wedge shaped. In this manner, an ESD clamp with enhanced performance is provided, at least because the respective active regions are substantially rounded or associated with obtuse angles, for example. |
| US09716014B2 |
Method of processing workpiece
A method according to an embodiment includes (i) a step of preparing a workpiece in a processing container of a plasma processing apparatus, (ii) a first plasma processing step of generating a plasma of a first processing gas, which contains chlorine, in the processing container, (iii) a second plasma processing step of generating a plasma of a second processing gas, which contains fluorine, in the processing container, and (iv) a third plasma processing step of generating a plasma of a third processing gas, which contains oxygen, in the processing container. A plurality of sequences, each of which includes the first plasma processing step, the second plasma processing step, and the third plasma processing step, are performed. |
| US09716012B2 |
Methods of selective layer deposition
Provided are methods for selective deposition. Certain methods describe providing a first substrate surface; providing a second substrate surface; depositing a first layer of film over the first and second substrate surfaces, wherein the deposition has an incubation delay over the second substrate surface such that the first layer of film over the first substrate surface is thicker than the first layer of film deposited over the second substrate surface; and etching the first layer of film over the first and second substrate surfaces, wherein the first layer of film over the second substrate surface is at least substantially removed, but the first layer of film over the first substrate is only partially removed. |
| US09716010B2 |
Handle wafer
A handle wafer which prevents edge cracking during a thinning process and method of using the handle wafer for grinding processes are disclosed. The handle wafer includes a body portion with a bottom surface. A square edge portion is provided about a circumference of the bottom surface. |
| US09716003B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
Provided are an oxide semiconductor layer in which the number of defects is reduced and a highly reliable semiconductor device including the oxide semiconductor. A first oxide semiconductor layer containing a single metal element as a constituent element is formed over a substrate by a thermal chemical vapor deposition method. A second oxide semiconductor layer containing two or more metal elements as constituent elements is formed successively after the first oxide semiconductor layer is formed. The second oxide semiconductor layer is formed by epitaxial growth using the first oxide semiconductor layer as a seed crystal. A channel is formed in the second oxide semiconductor layer. |
| US09716002B2 |
Substrate cleaning method
A disclosed substrate cleaning apparatus for cleaning a back surface of a substrate includes a first substrate supporting portion configured to support the substrate at a first area of a back surface of the substrate, the back surface facing down; a second substrate supporting portion configured to support the substrate at a second area of the back surface of the substrate, the second area being separated from the first area; a cleaning liquid supplying portion configured to supply cleaning liquid to the back surface of the substrate; a drying portion configured to dry the second area of the back surface of the substrate; and a cleaning portion configured to clean a third area of the back surface of the substrate when the substrate is supported by the first substrate supporting portion, the third area including the second area, and a fourth area of the back surface of the substrate when the substrate is supported by the second substrate supporting portion, the fourth area excluding the second area of the back surface. |
| US09716001B2 |
Method for analyzing ionic structure
A method for analyzing ionic structure, including: applying a radio frequency electric field on an ion mass analyzer to cause sample ions to be excited to a motion amplitude, the motion amplitude at this moment being recorded as a primary motion amplitude; continuously feeding carrier gas into the ion mass analyzer and keeping a certain degree of vacuum in the ion mass analyzer, the sample ions being collided with the carrier gas and the motion amplitude being decreased gradually, and collecting a time domain signal of an image current generated by the sample ions during the process; and analyzing the time domain signal through a time-frequency analysis method and obtaining time-varying characteristic curves indicating corresponding relations between the motion frequencies of the ions having corresponding sizes and the collision cross sectional areas of the ions and the carrier gas, thus distinguishing among ions having different sizes. |
| US09716000B2 |
Lens pulsing apparatus and method
A lens pulsing apparatus and method for transferring ions in a mass spectrometry system from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure which includes a gating apparatus that contains multiple electrostatic lenses. Each of the lenses operates at different voltages. The first lens operates at a predetermined fixed voltage and the second lens operates between two different voltages. |
| US09715999B2 |
Chromatograph mass spectrometer
A chromatograph mass spectrometer including an optimum gas pressure search controller that performs an MRM measurement for a target compound while changing a collision-gas pressure, investigates an optimum collision-gas pressure giving a highest signal strength based on the measured result, and stores the same gas pressure for each compound in a compound-related information storage section. When a target compound is specified in a simultaneous multicomponent analysis, a control sequence determiner reads the optimum collision-gas pressure and retention time information corresponding to the specified compound from the storage section, prepares a control sequence which sets the gas pressure in a collision cell at the optimum gas pressure at the timing where each compound is eluted, and stores the sequence in a control sequence storage section. |
| US09715998B2 |
Method for monitoring level of paraben in cosmetics
The invention discloses a method for monitoring level of paraben comprising: dissolving a sample in a solvent and obtaining a supernatant containing paraben by ultrasonic vibration and high speed centrifugation; performing a derivatization reaction between a derivatization reagent and paraben by adding the derivatization reagent into the supernatant to obtain a derivatization solution containing a tagged paraben; extracting the derivatization solution by an extractant to obtain an extract containing the tagged paraben; and ionizating the tagged paraben by a laser beam and analyzing mass-to-charge ratio of the tagged paraben by an analyzer to determine molecular weight thereof. |
| US09715996B2 |
Adjustable capacitor, plasma impedance matching device, plasma impedance matching method, and substrate treating apparatus
Disclosed is a substrate treating apparatus which comprises a process chamber; an electrode configured to generate plasma from a gas supplied into the process chamber; an RF power supply configured to output an RF power; a transmission line configured to transmit the RF power to the electrode from the RF power supply; an impedance matching unit connected to the transmission line and configured to match plasma impedance; and a controller configured to output a control signal to the impedance matching unit, wherein the impedance matching unit comprises an adjustable capacitor having a plurality of capacitors and a plurality of switches corresponding to the plurality of capacitors, the plurality of switches being switched on/off according to the control signal so that capacitance of the adjustable capacitor is adjusted. |
| US09715995B1 |
Apparatus and methods for electron beam lithography using array cathode
One embodiment relates to an apparatus for electron beam lithography. The apparatus includes an array of cold cathode electron sources for generating an array of electron beams, and driver circuitry underlying the array of electron sources. The driver circuitry is configured to selectively blank individual electron beams so as to create a patterned array of electron beams. The apparatus further includes an imaging system configured to focus and demagnify the patterned array of electron beams and a movable stage for holding a target substrate. The movable stage is configured to translate the target substrate under the patterned array of electron beams. A computer may be configured to send drive signals to the driver circuitry to cause a pattern to be written onto the target substrate to roll across the array in synchronization with the translation of the target substrate. Other embodiments, aspects and feature are also disclosed. |
| US09715993B2 |
Multi charged particle beam writing apparatus, and multi charged particle beam writing method
A multi charged particle beam writing apparatus includes a deflector to collectively deflect each beam in an “on” state, by tracking control in such a way as to follow stage movement, an obtaining processing circuitry to obtain a deviation amount of an irradiation position of each beam of multi-beams depending on a tracking amount of the tracking control, a correction coefficient calculation processing circuitry to calculate a correction coefficient for correcting the deviation amount of the irradiation position depending on the tracking amount, for each beam of the multi-beams and for each irradiation position, a shot data generation processing circuitry to generate shot data where deviation of an irradiation position of each beam of multi-beams depending on a tracking amount is to be corrected using a correction coefficient, for each tracking operation, and a deflection control processing circuitry to control plural blankers, based on the shot data. |
| US09715990B2 |
Electron beam window tile having non-uniform cross-sections
Window tiles for electron beam systems are provided. The window tiles can comprise a first surface and a second surface, and one or more features extending from the first surface to the second surface. The one or more features can have a non-uniform or tapered cross-section between the first surface and the second surface. The first surface can be configured to be exposed to vacuum conditions and can be configured to receive electrons accelerated from an electron beam generator. The second surface can be configured to allow electrons to pass through to a foil. The window tiles can improve electron beam processing systems for example by increasing electron throughput, lowering power consumption, reducing heat absorption to the foil, improving and increasing foil life, and potentially allowing for use of smaller and cheaper machines in electron beam processing. |
| US09715980B2 |
Breaker, safety circuit provided with same, and secondary cell
A breaker (1) is provided with: a fixed piece (2) which has a fixed contact; a movable piece which has a movable contact at a front end portion and pushes the movable contact against the fixed contact to bring same into contact with each other; a thermally responsive element that deforms in accordance with a change in temperature and thereby actuates the movable piece so that the movable contact separates from the fixed contact; and a case body (71) of a resin case that accommodates the fixed piece (2), the movable piece, and the thermally responsive element. The case body (71) has recess portions (75, 77) which are recessed from a peripheral portion, and the fixed piece (2) has a withdrawal portion (25) that withdraws from the recess portions (75, 77) of the case body (71) by a predetermined first distance (D1) or more, and is embedded in the case body (71). |
| US09715978B2 |
Low travel switch assembly
A key of a keyboard and a low travel dome switch utilized in the key. The key may comprise a key cap, and a low travel dome positioned beneath the key cap, and operative to collapse when a force is exerted on the low travel dome by the key cap. The low travel dome may comprise a top portion, and a group of arms extending from the top portion to a perimeter of the low travel dome and at least partially defining a tuning member located between two of the group of arms. The low travel dome may also comprise a group of elongated protrusions. Each of the group of elongated protrusions may extend from one of the top portion, or one of the group of arms. At least one of the group of elongated protrusions may extend into the tuning member. |
| US09715977B1 |
Keyboard with height-adjustable keys
A keyboard with height-adjustable keys is provided. The keyboard includes a key supporting plate, the keys and a movable plate. Each key includes a supporting element. Moreover, plural bulges are disposed on the supporting element. The movable plate is disposed under the key supporting plate. The key is fixed on the key supporting plate. The key is connected with the key supporting plate through the supporting element. Moreover, the plural bulges are penetrated downwardly through the key supporting plate and inserted in the movable plate. While the movable plate is moved, the bulges are pushed and the key is moved toward the key supporting plate with the supporting element. Consequently, the height of the key is lowered. |
| US09715976B2 |
Keyboard device
A keyboard device includes a base plate, a circuit board and plural keys. The base plate includes plural fixing parts. Each of the plural fixing parts includes two extension structures, an opening and a guiding slot. Each key includes a keycap and a metallic elastic element. The keycap includes plural positioning parts. The base plate includes plural fixing parts. The plural positioning parts are connected with the plural fixing parts, respectively. Each positioning part includes a positioning bulge. The positioning bulge is introduced into the guiding slot of the fixing part through the opening of the fixing part, so that the keycap is fixed on the base plate. When the keycap is depressed, the positioning bulge of the positioning part is moved downwardly within the guiding slot, so that the keycap is moved toward the base plate. |
| US09715973B2 |
Keyswitch and keyboard thereof
A keyswitch includes a board, a cap, and a support device. The support device is disposed between the board and the cap and includes first and second support members movably connected to the cap and the board. A stopping member is formed on one of the first support member and the cap. An elastic member is formed on the other one of the first support member and the cap. When the cap is not pressed, the stopping member abuts against the elastic member to keep the cap at a non-pressed position. When the cap is pressed to a pressed position, the cap and the first support member slide relatively to make the stopping member deform the elastic member. When the cap is released, the elastic member drives the cap and the first support member to slide relatively, so as to move the cap back to the non-pressed position. |
| US09715970B2 |
Electrolyte for three-volt ultracapacitor
An electric double-layer ultracapacitor configured to maintain desired operation at an operating voltage of three volts, where the capacitor includes a housing component, a first and a second current collector, a positive and a negative electrode electrically coupled to one of the first and second current collectors, and a separator positioned between the positive and the negative electrode. The capacitor may also include an electrolyte in ionic contact with the electrodes and the separator, the electrolyte having acetonitrile and a quaternary ammonium salt with a molarity of less than one. |
| US09715969B2 |
Electrolytic capacitor module with high resistance to vibration
An electrolytic capacitor module for installation in a housing of a motor vehicle control device, a method for producing an LC module and a corresponding motor vehicle control device with an electrolytic capacitor module. The electrolytic capacitor module includes a cylindrical electrolytic capacitor with a capacitor can and a cover at each end of the can. The covers secure a capacitor winding inside the capacitor can. The electrolytic capacitor module also has a support plate with a chamber for accommodating the electrolytic capacitor. The capacitor can has at least one opening and, on the inside of the electrolytic capacitor, the interstice between the inner wall of the capacitor can and the capacitor winding is at least partially filled with casting compound. The capacitor is at least partially surrounded by the same casting compound on the outside thereof in the region of the chamber. |
| US09715966B2 |
Supercapacitor with extreme energy storage capacity
A supercapacitor, principally ceramic, with a fast recharging rate and extremely high energy density. Energy densities can exceed 9.5 KW-hr/L (0.27 MW-hr/ft3). High permittivity, high voltage breakdown and nanoporous electrodes achieve these features. High permittivity is reached through a ceramic dielectric consisting of a titanium oxide variant, doped with various combinations of trivalent positive ions. Example: (Al0.5Nb0.5)0.5%Ti99.5%O2. The dielectric permittivity is further increased by adding layers of conductive island matrices placed in the dielectric. Charge capacity is expanded by use of nanoporous electrodes with an effective area over twenty times a flat surface electrode. Example: graphene. The key process involves sintering wafers, adding conductive island matrices' conductors, typically vacuum impregnating wafers with a polymer, then stacking wafers and electrodes, followed by connecting electrodes. Subassemblies are then stacked into unlimitedly larger macro-assemblies. |
| US09715965B2 |
Electrical component with random electrical characteristic
An electrical component is formed with a directed self assembly portion having a random electrical characteristic, such as resistance or capacitance. The random pattern can be produced by using a directed self assembly polymer with guide structures 2 including randomness inducing features. The electrical components with the random electrical characteristics may be used in electrical circuits relying upon random variation in electrical characteristics, such as physically unclonable function circuitry. The electrical components may be resistors and/or capacitors. |
| US09715963B2 |
Plug device for contact-free inductive energy transfer and operating method for such a plug device
A contact-free electrical connector arrangement is provided for transferring inductive energy from a primary connector component to a secondary connector component, comprising a pair of connector components each including a housing containing a chamber, a ferrite core arranged in the chamber, and a coil arranged in the chamber for cooperation with the core. An input cable supplies electrical energy to the coil contained in the housing of a primary one of said components, and an output cable removes inductively-transferred energy from the coil contained in the housing of a secondary one of said components. According to an operating method of the invention, a parameter is measured at the primary coil for interrupting the energy supply when the secondary component is not present. |
| US09715961B2 |
Pulse transformer
A pulse transformer includes a winding drum and a coil portion in which wires are wound around the winding core. The coil portion includes a first general winding area, a second general winding area, and a low density winding area. In the first general winding area, the wires are mutually closely wound around the winding core. In the second general winding area, the wires continuing from the wires of the first general winding area are mutually closely wound around the winding core. The low density winding area is formed along a winding axis of the winding core between the first general winding area and the second general winding area and has a low winding density of the wires along the winding axis. |
| US09715960B2 |
Magnetic fixings and connectors
A mechanism for fixing together first and second parts and comprising first and second guides provided respectively in or attached to the first and second parts. The mechanism further comprises first and second magnetic components coupled respectively to the first and second guides such that the first magnetic component is rotatable with the first guide and the first part, and the second magnetic component cannot rotate relative to the second guide, the magnetic components being moveable axially and rotationally with respect to each other and having magnetic poles oriented such that rotation of said first magnetic component causes relative axial movement of the magnetic components between a locking position in which one of the magnetic components straddles the two guides and an unlocking position in which it does not straddle the two guides. |
| US09715959B2 |
Permanent magnet suitable for magnetic angle encoder
The present invention relates to a permanent magnet suitable for a magnetic angle encoder. The permanent magnet has an annular cylindrical structure and comprises a first permanent magnet unit and a second permanent magnet unit. The first permanent magnet unit and the second permanent magnet unit are geometrically symmetrical with respect to a diametral cross section. The magnetization intensity of the first permanent magnet unit and the magnetization intensity of the second permanent magnet unit are parallel to the axial direction of the annular cylinder and are in opposite directions, or the magnetization intensity of the first permanent magnet unit and the magnetization intensity of the second permanent magnet unit are perpendicular to the diametral cross section and are parallel to one another and in the same direction. |
| US09715955B2 |
Cable bushing for a potentially explosive area
A cable bushing includes a metal tube, at least one cable for signal transmission received from a sensor which extends in an opposite direction inside the metal tube, which, in at least one axial end region sits with an immovable fit in a through-hole of a bearing block. The bearing block is arranged in a sealed manner in a passage of a housing wall or is connected in a sealed manner to the sensor. |
| US09715952B2 |
Electrical characteristics of shielded electrical cables
A shielded electrical cable includes a plurality of conductor sets. Each conductor set includes two insulated conductors. One of the conductor sets also includes a drain wire that generally lies in the plane of the two insulated conductors of the one conductor set. The conductor of each insulated conductor has a size that is not greater than 24 AWG. Each conductor set is substantially surrounded by a shield. The cable also includes first and second non-conductive polymeric layers disposed on opposite sides of the cable. The polymeric layers include cover portions and pinched portions arranged such that, in transverse cross section, the cover portions, in combination, substantially surround the plurality of the conductor sets, and the pinched portions, in combination, form pinched portions of the cable on each side of the plurality of the conductor sets. When the cable is laid flat, the distance between the center of the drain wire of the one conductor set and the center of the nearest insulated conductor of the closest conductor set is σ1, the center-to-center spacing of the insulated conductors of the closest conductor set is σ2, and σ1/σ2 is greater than 0.7. |
| US09715951B2 |
Shielded electrical cable
A cable includes one or more conductor sets. Each conductor set includes one or more central conductors surrounded by a dielectric material. Shielding films are disposed on opposite sides of the conductor sets. In cross-section, cover portions of the shielding films in combination substantially surround each conductor set, and pinched portions of the shielding films in combination form pinched portions of the cable on each side of each conductor set. For at least one shielding film in a pinched portion, the conductive layer, but not the non-conductive layer, includes a break. |
| US09715950B2 |
Single cell apparatus and method for single ion addressing
A single cell apparatus and method for single ion addressing are described herein. One apparatus includes a single cell configured to set a frequency, intensity, and a polarization of a laser, shutter the laser, align the shuttered laser to an ion in an ion trap such that the ion fluoresces light and/or performs a quantum operation, and detect the light fluoresced from the ion. |
| US09715949B2 |
Radiation monitor
The radiation monitor includes: a shutter; a calculation section; an AC solenoid; a temperature switch which is attached to the AC solenoid; a circuit protector which has a contact and is connected in series to the AC solenoid; and a mode selection switch connected in series to the AC solenoid. The shutter is maintained in a closed state when the mode selection switch is set to a normal mode; the mode selection switch is changed from the normal mode to a check radiation source mode, thereby flowing an AC current through the AC solenoid to change the shutter from the closed state to an opened state; and the contact of the temperature switch is reversed from the opened state to the closed state, thereby disconnecting the contact of the circuit protector to interrupt the AC current that flows through the AC solenoid. |
| US09715948B2 |
Reactor system with a lead-cooled fast reactor
Steam generators are in the form of tubular heat exchangers in which molten lead coolant flows within the pipes, while the water-steam flows in a space between the pipes, the steam generators are arranged in separate boxes and communicate with the reactor cavity by means of circulation conduits for raising and discharging the lead coolant, the steam generators and most of the circulation conduits and are arranged higher than the level of the lead coolant within the reactor cavity, and the circulation pumps are arranged within the reactor cavity on the circulation conduits and for raising the “hot” lead coolant, and a technical means is provided for ensuring natural circulation of the lead coolant through the reactor core when the circulation pumps are switched off. The specific volume of lead coolant per unit of power of the reactor is reduced and the safety of the reactor is increased. |
| US09715945B2 |
Fusion reactor
A fusion reactor includes a columnating panel disposed between the positive electrode and negative electrode for channeling deuterium ions along predetermined paths that are likely to lead to fusion-producing collisions with previous deuterium ions. Deuterium ions are introduced to the reactor adjacent to the positive electrode, and then pass from the columnating panel, through a reduced pressure chamber, and then proceed towards the negative electrode. Once the deuterium ions strike the negative electrode, they remain attached to the negative electrode so that subsequent deuterium ions following the same channels through the columnating panel are more likely to collide with them. |
| US09715944B1 |
Automatic built-in self test for memory arrays
A memory array includes m·(n+1) memory cells, wherein n and m are natural numbers greater than zero. Each of the plurality of memory cells is connected to one of (n+1) bitlines and one of m wordlines. The memory array further includes n outputs configured for reading a content of the memory array. The memory array further includes n output switches, wherein an i-th output switch is configured for selectively connecting, in response to a switching signal, either an i-th bitline or an (i+1)-th bitline to an i-th output, and wherein i is a natural number and 0≦i≦n−1. The memory array further includes an (n+1)-th output switch, wherein the (n+1)-th output switch is configured for selectively connecting, in response to the switching signal, either the (n+1)-th bitline or a defined potential to an (n+1)-th output. |
| US09715939B2 |
Low read data storage management
Systems and methods disclosed herein are used to efficiently manage low read data. In one aspect, a method includes, in response to detecting occurrence of a first event (e.g., PFail), writing low read data to non-volatile memory of a storage device with a fast SLC programming mode, distinct from a default SLC programming mode. Writing the low read data with the fast SLC programming mode: (i) includes using one or more memory programming parameters distinct from a default set of memory programming parameters used for writing data with the default SLC programming mode and (ii) takes less time per predefined unit of data than writing data with the default SLC programming mode. The method also includes: in response to detecting occurrence of a second event (e.g., host write command), writing data corresponding to the second event with the default SLC programming mode using the default set of memory programming parameters. |
| US09715934B2 |
Peripheral circuit, semiconductor memory device and operating method of the semiconductor device and/or peripheral circuit
The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, and more particularly, to a peripheral circuit, semiconductor memory device, and an operating method of the semiconductor memory device and/or peripheral circuit. The method of operating the semiconductor memory device may include turning on pass transistors. |
| US09715931B2 |
Resistive memory apparatus and a writing method thereof
A resistive memory apparatus including a resistive memory cell array and a control unit is provided. The resistive memory cell array includes resistive memory cells. The control unit is configured to receive a logic data, determine a logic level of the logic data, and select one resistive memory cell from the resistive memory cells. The control unit provides a set signal or a reset signal to the selected resistive memory cell in a writing period according to the logic level of the logic data. The set signal includes a first set pulse and a second set pulse having a polarity opposite to that of the first set pulse. The reset signal includes a first reset pulse and a second reset pulse having a polarity opposite to that of the first reset pulse. A writing method of the resistive memory apparatus is also provided. |
| US09715929B2 |
Semiconductor memory devices including a memory array and related method incorporating different biasing schemes
Memory devices provide a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell including a memory element and a selection device. A plurality of first (e.g., row) address lines can be adjacent (e.g., under) a first side of at least some cells of the plurality. A plurality of second (e.g., column) address lines extend across the plurality of row address lines, each column address line being adjacent (e.g., over) a second, opposing side of at least some of the cells. Control circuitry can be configured to selectively apply a read voltage or a write voltage substantially simultaneously to the address lines. Systems including such memory devices and methods of accessing a plurality of cells at least substantially simultaneously are also provided. |
| US09715927B2 |
1-R resistive change element arrays using resistive reference elements
Methods for reading and programming one or more resistive change elements within a 1-R resistive change element array are disclosed. These methods include using measurement and storage elements to measure the electrical response of one or more selected cells within an array and then comparing that stored electrical response to the electrical response of a reference element within the array to determine the resistive state of the one or more selected cells. These methods also include programming methods wherein selectable current limiting elements are used to permit or inhibit programming currents from flowing through selected and unselected cells, respectively. These methods further include programming methods that use specific biasing of array lines to provide sufficient programming currents through only selected cells. |
| US09715924B2 |
Three dimensional non-volatile memory with current sensing programming status
A non-volatile memory system includes a plurality of non-volatile memory cells, one or more control circuits that perform programming of the memory cells, a power supply line that provides a supply used to program the memory cells, and a current measurement circuit. The current measurement circuit senses an indication of current on the power supply line. The one or more control circuits determine whether the programming of the memory cells is successful based on the indication of current. |
| US09715921B2 |
Semiconductor device having PDA function
A method for writing a mode register in a semiconductor device, the method includes receiving a mode register command and a mode signal; generating a first mode register setting signal; delaying the first mode register setting signal in a first latency shifter to provide a second mode register setting signal; receiving a data signal in synchronization with the second mode register setting signal; and writing the mode signal to the mode register only if the received data signal has a first logic level. |
| US09715918B1 |
Power reduction for a sensing operation of a memory cell
Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A memory device may leverage non-volatile memory properties of a ferroelectric capacitor—e.g., that a ferroelectric capacitor may remain polarized at one of two states without a voltage applied across the ferroelectric capacitor—to activate a subset of sensing components corresponding to multiple memory cells with a common word line. For example, a first and second set of memory cells with a common word like may be selected for a read operation. A first set of sensing components corresponding to the first set of memory cells may be activated for the read operation, and a second set of sensing components that correspond to the second set of memory cells may be maintained in a deactivated state. |
| US09715916B1 |
Supply-switched dual cell memory bitcell
In one embodiment, a bit state in a supply-switched dual cell memory bitcell in accordance with the present description, may be read by coupling a supply line to a common node of the bitcell to drive complementary currents through complementary resistance state storage cells for a pair of complementary bit line signal lines of the bitcell. The bit state of the bitcell may be read by sensing complementary bit state signals on the pair of first and second complementary bit line signal lines. In one embodiment, each resistance state storage cell has a resistance state ferromagnetic device such as a magnetic-tunneling junction (MTJ). In one embodiment, a supply-switched dual cell memory bitcell in accordance with the present description may lack a source or select line (SL) signal line. Other aspects are described herein. |
| US09715915B2 |
Magneto-resistive devices including a free layer having different magnetic properties during operations
Magneto-resistive devices with lower power consumption and higher stability are provided. The magneto-resistive devices may include a pinned layer, a free layer and an insulating layer between the pinned layer and the free layer. The pinned layer, the free layer and the insulating layer may constitute a magnetic tunnel junction. The free layer may include a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer that has a Curie temperature lower than a Curie temperature of the first magnetic layer. |
| US09715911B2 |
Nonvolatile backup of a machine state when a power supply drops below a threshhold
Input power quality for a processing device is sensed. In response to detection of poor power quality, input power is disconnected, and the processing device backs up its machine state in non-volatile logic element arrays using available stored charge. When power is restored, the stored machine state is restored from the non-volatile logic element arrays to the volatile logic elements whereby the processing device resumes its process from the state immediately prior to power loss allowing seamless processing across intermittent power supply. |
| US09715905B2 |
Detecting maximum voltage between multiple power supplies for memory testing
A computing system, processing unit, and method are disclosed for detecting a maximum voltage power supply for performing memory testing. The method includes generating, using a sense amplifier of a processing unit and based on a timing of a received pulse signal, first and second drive signals that collectively indicate which of first and second voltages is greater, the first and second voltages produced by respective first and second power supplies. The method also includes coupling, based on the first and second drive signals, the power supply corresponding to the relatively greater voltage of the first and second voltages with the memory. |
| US09715897B2 |
Data storage component test deck
A test deck may be employed as part of a data storage component testing system. A test deck can consist of at least a bottom cover mating to a top cover to define an enclosed testing region configured to house a data storage medium, transducing head, and head suspension. The top cover may have an access port occupied by a door providing access to the enclosed testing region. |
| US09715896B2 |
Modular data storage device testing system
A data storage device testing system may be configured with at least a test slot, a loader assembly, and an exchange assembly. The loader assembly can be positioned to respectively engage and disengage a test deck with the test slot. The exchange assembly may be configured to open an access port portion of the test deck and subsequently replace a tested data storage component housed within the first test deck with an untested data storage component. |
| US09715895B1 |
Multi-brush interface for power rail communications
Embodiments include systems and methods for distribution of power and communications to robotic assemblies in data storage libraries, including enabling instruction signal communications during robot motion on conductive rails of the data storage library. For example, each robot can include at least two distinct sets of brushes, one set (e.g., pair) of power brushes and one set of signal brushes. The power brushes can be optimized for transferring power from the rails to the robot, and the signal brushes can be optimized for communicating instruction signals from the rails to the robot during robot motion. The power brushes can be coupled with power processing circuitry, and the signal brushes can be coupled with signal processing circuitry. Certain embodiments isolate the power and signal circuitry to improve power and/or signal distribution properties. Such techniques can appreciably increase the cartridge exchange rate and/or otherwise improve performance of the data storage library. |
| US09715893B2 |
Recording apparatus, server apparatus, recording method, program and storage medium
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and information processing apparatuses. The medium stores instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method including automatically reading first management data from a first storage medium. The first management data identifies files of source data stored on the first storage medium. One of the files of source data is automatically identified based on the first management data and second management data. The second management data identifies files of transferred data stored on a second storage medium. The one of the files of source data is absent from the second storage medium and automatically transferred to the second storage medium. The one of the files of source data being transferred becomes one of the files of transferred data. The method further includes automatically displaying transferring status of the one of the files of source data by a symbolic figure. |
| US09715889B1 |
Read sensor having an insulating layer capable of use in two-dimensional magnetic recording
A magnetic read apparatus has a media-facing surface (MFS) and includes a read sensor, a magnetic bias structure and an insulating layer. The read sensor has a side, a front occupying part of the MFS and a back. The read sensor includes a free layer, a pinned layer and a barrier layer between the free and pinned layers. The barrier layer has a barrier layer coefficient of thermal expansion. The magnetic bias structure is adjacent to the side of the free layer. The insulating layer includes first and second portions. The first portion of the insulating layer is between the read sensor side and the magnetic bias structure. The second portion of the insulating layer adjoins the read sensor back. The insulating layer has an insulating layer coefficient of thermal expansion that is at least ⅓ of and not more than 5/3 of the barrier layer coefficient of thermal expansion. |
| US09715887B2 |
Magnetic recording system using pattern dependent writer having register pages for storing write currents
A storage system includes a magnetic write head, a magnetic storage medium, a channel circuit comprising a write data output, wherein the channel circuit is operable to process write data to be recorded on the magnetic storage medium by the magnetic write head, and a preamplifier operable to receive the write data from the channel circuit, wherein the preamplifier comprises a number of register pages configured to store pattern dependent write current characteristics for a variety of magnet lengths, and wherein the preamplifier is operable to retrieve the write current characteristics based on magnet lengths and to record data bits on the magnetic storage medium using the write current characteristics. |
| US09715884B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer-readable storage medium
An information processing apparatus includes: an acquisition unit adapted to acquire activities corresponding to a plurality of bases from an audio signal; a determination unit adapted to determine whether the plurality of acquired activities have a specific characteristic; and an output unit adapted to output an audio signal obtained by separating, from the audio signal, a component corresponding to an activity which is determined to have the specific characteristic by the determination unit. |
| US09715882B2 |
Reconstructing audio signals with multiple decorrelation techniques
A method performed in an audio decoder for decoding M encoded audio channels representing N audio channels is disclosed. The method includes receiving a bitstream containing the M encoded audio channels and a set of spatial parameters, decoding the M encoded audio channels, and extracting the set of spatial parameters from the bitstream. The method also includes analyzing the M audio channels to detect a location of a transient, decorrelating the M audio channels, and deriving N audio channels from the M audio channels and the set of spatial parameters. A first decorrelation technique is applied to a first subset of each audio channel and a second decorrelation technique is applied to a second subset of each audio channel. The first decorrelation technique represents a first mode of operation of a decorrelator, and the second decorrelation technique represents a second mode of operation of the decorrelator. |
| US09715880B2 |
Methods for parametric multi-channel encoding
The present document relates to audio coding systems. In particular, the present document relates to efficient methods and systems for parametric multi-channel audio coding. An audio encoding system (500) configured to generate a bitstream (564) indicative of a downmix signal and spatial metadata for generating a multi-channel upmix signal from the downmix signal is described. The system (500) comprises a downmix processing unit (510) configured to generate the downmix signal from a multi-channel input signal (561); wherein the downmix signal comprises m channels and wherein the multi-channel input signal (561) comprises n channels; n, m being integers with m |
| US09715879B2 |
Computer implemented methods and apparatus for selectively interacting with a server to build a local database for speech recognition at a device
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable storage media for selectively interacting with a server to build a local dictation database for speech recognition at a device. In some implementations, a computing device receives an audio sample. The computing device may determine that the received audio sample does not match any of one or more existing audio samples stored in the local dictation database of the computing device. The received audio sample may be transmitted to a remote server for detection of one or more words indicated by the received audio sample. The computing device may receive data identifying the one or more words, and update the local dictation database to store the received audio sample in association with the one or more words. |
| US09715875B2 |
Reducing the need for manual start/end-pointing and trigger phrases
Systems and processes for selectively processing and responding to a spoken user input are provided. In one example, audio input containing a spoken user input can be received at a user device. The spoken user input can be identified from the audio input by identifying start and end-points of the spoken user input. It can be determined whether or not the spoken user input was intended for a virtual assistant based on contextual information. The determination can be made using a rule-based system or a probabilistic system. If it is determined that the spoken user input was intended for the virtual assistant, the spoken user input can be processed and an appropriate response can be generated. If it is instead determined that the spoken user input was not intended for the virtual assistant, the spoken user input can be ignored and/or no response can be generated. |
| US09715874B2 |
Techniques for updating an automatic speech recognition system using finite-state transducers
Techniques are described for updating an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system that, prior to the update, is configured to perform ASR using a first finite-state transducer (FST) comprising a first set of paths representing recognizable speech sequences. A second FST may be accessed, comprising a second set of paths representing speech sequences to be recognized by the updated ASR system. By analyzing the second FST together with the first FST, a patch may be extracted and provided to the ASR system as an update, capable of being applied non-destructively to the first FST at the ASR system to cause the ASR system using the first FST with the patch to recognize speech using the second set of paths from the second FST. In some embodiments, the patch may be configured such that destructively applying the patch to the first FST creates a modified FST that is globally minimized. |
| US09715873B2 |
Method for adding realism to synthetic speech
The present disclosure provides a method for adding realism to synthetic speech. The method includes receiving text (218) that is to be converted into synthetic speech from a mobile device (108). The text (218) may include embedded emoticons indicating a first prosody information and a predefined sound stored in a stored data repository (208). The method also includes identifying a user associated with the text (218) based on a comparison between metadata associated with the text (218) and user profiles stored in the stored data repository (208); retrieving a speech font from a speech data corpus associated with the user stored in the stored data repository (208). The speech font includes a second prosody information and a predefined accent of the user. The method further includes converting the text (218) into synthetic speech based on the retrieved speech font, which is being modulated based on the emoticon. |
| US09715863B2 |
Scale factor based on viewing distance
Techniques for scale factor based on viewing distance are described. In at least some embodiments, a viewing distance refers to a distance at which a user typically views and/or is viewing a display device. For instance, different displays can be used in different ways and for different purposes, and thus may have different viewing distances. Techniques discussed herein consider the estimated viewing distance of a particular display in determining a scale factor to be applied to visual elements (e.g., graphics) for output via the particular display. A scale factor, for instance, can specify that visual elements are to zoomed-out or zoomed-in prior to be displayed. As detailed herein, this enables a consistent viewing experience to be maintained across different devices with different display sizes and different viewing distances. |
| US09715860B2 |
Shift register unit and driving method thereof, gate driving circuit and display apparatus
A shift register unit and driving method thereof, a gate driving circuit and a display apparatus are provided. The potential of the pull-up control node is continuously raised by the output signals of multiple stages of shift register circuits. The high level of the pull-up control node can be used to release output noise of the shift register unit, such as to improve the quality of the display apparatus product, and ensures the life and the long time stable operation of the GOA circuit. The shift register unit provided by embodiments of the present disclosure comprises an input module, a pull-up module, a pull-down control module, a pull-up control module and a pull-down module. |
| US09715849B2 |
Data compensation circuit and organic light-emitting diode display having the same
A data compensation circuit and OLED display including the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the circuit compensates a voltage drop of a power voltage applied to a display panel of the display. The circuit includes an average current calculator configured to calculate an average current value of each of M×N pixel blocks. The circuit also includes a voltage drop calculator configured to calculate one or more pixel block voltage drops of the power voltage of each of the selected target pixel blocks based at least in part on an X-axis voltage drop and a Y-axis voltage drop of each of target pixel block. The circuit further includes an interpolator configured to interpolate the pixel block voltage drops of adjacent target pixel blocks so as to calculate a pixel voltage drop of a target pixel selected among one of the target pixel blocks. |
| US09715843B2 |
Method and device of estimating image sticking grade of display
It is provided a method of estimating an image sticking grade of a display, comprising steps of: displaying a first image in a first frame and a second image in a second frame on the display; switching the display, at at least two sampling times, to display the first image, and then obtaining brightness change factors and image sticking area factors for an image sticking displayed on the display at each sampling time to determine at least two image sticking grades corresponding to each sampling time, wherein an image sticking fading period is set as interval time between two adjacent sampling times to perform an image sticking fading process of the display; and determining a change trend of the image sticking grades of the display during the image sticking fading process based on the at least two image sticking grades when the image sticking stops fading. From the change trend, adverse influences of the image sticking on the display performance may be reflected accurately and fully such that related comprehensive modifications may be made by the skilled based on defects caused by the image sticking in the display. |
| US09715839B2 |
Perfusion method and apparatus
A perfusion system apparatus includes a subject simulator for simulating a subject. The subject simulator includes a circulatory system having an inlet line for receiving fluid from the perfusion system, an outlet line for transferring fluid to the perfusion system, at least one sensor for sensing at least one fluid property and at least one control device coupled to at least one of the inlet line and the outlet line. The control device manipulates the at least on fluid property based at least partially on signals from the at least one sensor, to thereby simulate a least one of compliance and resistance of the simulated subject. |
| US09715837B2 |
Text reading and translation in a visual prosthesis
The present invention is a visual prosthesis which restores partial vision to patients blinded by outer retinal degeneration. While visual prosthesis users have achieved remarkable visual improvement to the point of reading letters and short sentences, the reading process is still fairly cumbersome. In the present invention the visual prosthesis is adapted to stimulate visual braille as a sensory substitution for reading written letters and words. The visual prosthesis system, used in the present invention, includes a 10×6 electrode array implanted epiretinally, a tiny video camera mounted on a pair of glasses, and a wearable computer that processes the video and determines the stimulation current of each electrode in real time. |
| US09715835B2 |
Progressive pregnancy wellness promotion using a progression scheme and task tracking
In some embodiments, a scheme engine selects a progressive support scheme that promotes wellness by encouraging users to responsibly respond to a health condition. The scheme includes a set of nodes. Each node represents a progression of the health condition being experienced by a user. A node of the set of nodes is associated with a set of tasks, each promoting wellness given a presence of the condition. A progression tracker identifies, for the user, the node as corresponding to a current progression of the condition. A task engine assigns a weight to a task characteristic based on an input received from the user and selects a task from amongst the set of tasks associated with the identified node. The selection of the task is based on the weight assigned to the task characteristic. The task engine further presents the task to the user. |
| US09715832B2 |
Navigation aid method based on meteorological conditions
A navigation aid method for an aircraft flying a reference trajectory between a point of departure and a point of arrival subject to a field of wind vectors comprises: decomposing the reference trajectory into a plurality of discrete waypoints Pi, loading meteorological data comprising the field of wind vectors, iterating the following steps N times, to generate an improved trajectory: for each waypoint Pi named current point, determining a reference plane, determining an orthonormal reference frame, determining a wind curl ((∇W)Pi), determining a sign of the projection of the wind curl on axis zi ((∇W)zi Pi), determining a direction of displacement from the current point Pi to a new current waypoint Pi′, determining a line of displacement, determining a displacement distance, determining the new current waypoint, determining a new trajectory, assigning the new waypoints Pi′ determined in the preceding iteration to the waypoints Pi for the next iteration. |
| US09715830B2 |
Apparatus for assisting in lane change and operating method thereof
Disclosed are an apparatus for assisting in a lane change and an operating method thereof. The apparatus includes a driving information collecting unit, an image generating unit, a line detecting unit, a lane change determination unit, and a danger determining unit. The apparatus calculates a danger of an accident based on an image photographed by a camera and notifies a driver of the danger of the accident in advance when two or more vehicles, which are travelling with one lane interposed therebetween, simultaneously change lanes toward the same lane, thereby enabling a driver of a vehicle to be safe according to a lane change before the driver actually changes the lane. |
| US09715828B2 |
Meter display device for vehicle
The invention provides a meter display device for a vehicle having improved visibility of indicated contents. A meter display device includes a pointer having a pointer position changed by shifting in a predetermined array direction in accordance with a continuously changing vehicle state to indicate the vehicle state, a dial having a plurality of numeral indicating portions configured to indicate the vehicle state at different levels, aligned at intervals in the array direction, and individually change lighting modes, and a controller configured to change the lighting modes of the plurality of numeral indicating portions in accordance with the vehicle state. |
| US09715826B1 |
Systems, methods, and media for remote control of electronic devices using a proximity sensor
Systems, methods and media for remote control of electronic devices using a proximity sensor are provided. In some implementations, the system comprises: a proximity sensor comprising an infrared emitter and an infrared detector, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to emit infrared light having specific properties using the infrared emitter and sense reflected light having the specific properties using the infrared detector to determine proximity of the sensor to an object; and a hardware processor that is programmed to: receive a user instruction to cause a command to be issued to control an electronic device; determine a code to be transmitted that corresponds to the command from a plurality of codes associated with the electronic device; and provide at least one signal to the proximity sensor to cause the proximity sensor to emit an infrared signal corresponding to the code instead of emitting infrared light having the specific properties. |
| US09715819B1 |
Emergency alert assembly
A emergency alert assembly includes a band that may be worn around a hand of a user. A communication unit is coupled to the band and the communication unit may be selectively manipulated. The communication unit may be in electrical communication with an extrinsic communications network. Thus, the communication unit may selectively contact an emergency response. The communication unit may be in electrical communication with a global positioning satellite. Thus, the communication unit may communicate a physical location of the band to the emergency response. |
| US09715817B2 |
Hygiene monitoring system
A system and method is provided for monitoring hygiene compliance. |
| US09715815B2 |
Wirelessly tethered device tracking
Systems, methods and computer-readable mediums are disclosed for wirelessly tethered device tracking. In some implementations, a method comprises: determining, by a first wireless device, an estimated distance between the first wireless device and a second wireless device, the second wireless device paired with the first wireless device; selecting, by the first wireless device, a first alarm to be generated by the first wireless device based on the estimated distance; and causing, by the first wireless device, the selected first alarm to be generated on the first wireless device. |
| US09715809B2 |
Fall protection harness with damage indicator
A fall protection harness has a magnetic sensor coupled to it, and a computer processor is coupled to the magnetic sensor. Upon damage to the fall protection harness, the magnetic sensor senses the damage, the magnetic sensor generates a first signal to the computer processor, and the computer processor generates a second signal indicating the damage. |
| US09715807B2 |
Wireless device and methods for use in determining classroom attendance
Various embodiments include, for example, a wireless device that includes a short-range wireless transceiver to communicate RF signals including a beacon signal to identify the wireless device and to facilitate the association of the wireless device with the plurality of mobile communication devices in proximity to the wireless device. Each corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices includes a mobile communication device processor that executes a student application, downloaded from an app store associated with the operating system of the corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices that facilitates location of the corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices. Attendance data is stored indicating that a student associated each corresponding one of the plurality of mobile communication devices is in a classroom associated with the wireless device. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09715806B2 |
Monitoring of fall protection harness using a body area network
A system receives body area network (BAN) data and calculates an end of life of a fall protection harness as a function of the BAN data. |
| US09715799B2 |
System and method of using a fire spread forecast and BIM to guide occupants using smart signs
Systems and methods of using a fire spread forecast and BIM to guide occupants using smart signs are provided. Some methods can include receiving a first signal indicative of a first location of a fire event in a monitored region, using the first location and BIM information to project an area into which the fire event will spread in the monitored region, and identifying at least one smart sign in the monitored region to enable for guiding an occupant in the monitored region to an exit door in the monitored region while avoiding the first location and the area. |
| US09715798B2 |
Method and apparatus of converting control tracks for providing haptic feedback
Disclosed are systems and methods for converting a control track designed for use with a number and/or type of haptic output devices to be used with other numbers and/or types of haptic output devices. For example, a computing device may convert the control track into another control track that can be applied to other types and/or numbers of haptic output devices. The converted control track may be compatible for use with a smartphone or other system that includes a different number and/or type of haptic feedback devices than the system for which the haptic track was originally designed. In this manner, the user of the smartphone or other system may experience haptic feedback using a device that is different from another haptic feedback system for which the control track was originally designed for use. The conversion may occur locally at the smartphone or other system and/or remotely at another device. |
| US09715796B2 |
Communicating circuit breaker architecture with automatic load center position identification
A communicating circuit breaker architecture with automatic load center position identification links circuit breakers having electronics for reporting a self-status signal including operating data and a position identifier. Each breaker has light pipes with optical ports at its sides for communicating with its neighbors and preferably a mechanically operated optical shunt providing an optical path through the breaker in the event of a trip. Each breaker has optical data transceivers for the light pipes which transmit self-status information through the light pipes and receive and repeat neighboring breaker status signals to its neighbors. The breakers form a network via their aligned optical ports reporting to an aggregator device in a known position of the Load Center which transmits breaker status reports outside the load center. Each breaker has a logic unit for determining its position in the load center based on the received position of a neighboring device. |
| US09715793B1 |
Banking systems controlled by data bearing records
A cash handling device may receive a request to perform a deposit transaction at a deployment location of the device. The device may receive at least one deposit item. The device may validate the at least one deposit item and generate a deposit transaction record, which may include information directing a server to apply a provisional credit to at least one treasury account. The device may send the deposit transaction record to the server. The device may receive a request to perform a change order transaction and may receive at least one change order item. The device may validate the at least one change order item and may dispense one or more currency items to complete the change order transaction. The device may generate and send, to the server, a change order transaction record, which may include information directing the server to update one or more transaction history records. |
| US09715787B1 |
Systems and methods for automated jackpot processing
Systems and methods are disclosed for processing jackpot events occurring at electronic gaming devices of a casino environment. Upon a player hitting a jackpot, tax documentation can be automatically populated with the player's information, such as social security number and mailing address. The populated tax information can be electronically transmitted to recipients, such as the player. The player's information used to populate the tax documentation can be based on personally identifiable information provided by the player to obtain a stored value payment vehicle that is issued to the player and tied to a player identifier used by the casino environment for player tracking. |
| US09715781B2 |
System and method for automatic eye tracking calibration
A system and method is disclosed for calibrating the location of a player's gaze at a video display of a gaming machine. The system and method includes capturing images of the player's gaze with a camera while displaying a plurality of reference symbols at locations on the display during serial display of game video content. Also, a processor creates control signals that represent the direction of the player's gaze relative to the location of the plurality of symbols on the display of the gaming machine. The processor develops a data set based on the control signals and the locations of the plurality of reference symbols to develop a data set. Further, the system and method includes calibrating the location of the player's gaze using the data set with the location s of the plurality of reference symbols on the display. |
| US09715775B2 |
Biological information storing apparatus, biological authentication apparatus, data structure for biological authentication, and biological authentication method
A biological information storing apparatus includes: a biological information storing unit for storing biological information for authenticating reception of a first service; a biological information acquisition unit for acquiring biological information for authenticating reception of a second service different from the first service; and a determination unit for determining whether the biological information acquired by the acquisition unit and the biological information stored in the storing unit coincide with each other, wherein when the determination unit determines that the biological information acquired by the acquisition unit and the biological information stored in the storing unit coincide with each other, either the biological information acquired by the acquisition unit or the biological information stored in the storing unit is selected and stored into the storing unit as biological information for authenticating the reception of the first service and the second service. |
| US09715770B2 |
Systems and methods for built in test equipment for a brake control system
A method is disclosed that comprises severing an I/O channel between an EMAC and an aircraft component; sending a test signal to the brake system controller; receiving, from the brake system controller, a feedback signal to the test signal; and determining an appropriateness of the feedback signal. |
| US09715768B2 |
Electronic tracking system
An electronic tracking system for electronically tracking a vehicle includes a vehicle. A decal is adhered to the vehicle and a tracking unit is coupled to the decal. The tracking unit is in electrical communication with an extrinsic communications network thereby facilitating a location of the vehicle to be tracked via the extrinsic communications network. |
| US09715767B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing realtime vehicle operating data
The objective of the present application is to provide a method and apparatus for processing real-time vehicle operating data, aiming at solving the technical problem that car owners couldn't obtain real-time vehicle operating data to ensure safety via an existing vehicle-mounted system. The method comprises: obtaining real-time vehicle operating data from an electronic control unit of the vehicle via a vehicle bus; reading the real-time vehicle operating data from a serial port; determining whether there is data that needs to be answered in the real-time vehicle operating data and storing the real-time vehicle operating data into a data queue whose data need to be answered and a data queue whose data doesn't need to be answered respectively after the determination; transmitting the real-time vehicle operating data to a background server, so that the background server can provide current vehicle with diagnostic message or service information. Compared with the prior art, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application can provide car owners with remote diagnosis or remote service conveniently, thereby reducing various costs of using cars. |
| US09715764B2 |
System and method for dynamic in-vehicle virtual reality
A method for in-vehicle dynamic virtual reality includes receiving vehicle data and user data from one or more portable devices, wherein the vehicle data comprises vehicle dynamics data of the vehicle. The method includes generating a virtual view based on the vehicle data, the user data and a virtual world model. The virtual world model including one or more components that define the virtual view and wherein generating the virtual view includes augmenting one or more components of the virtual world model according to at least one of the vehicle data and the user data. The method includes rendering the virtual view to an output device by controlling the output device to update display of the virtual view according to at least one of the vehicle data or the user data. |
| US09715763B2 |
Method for operating augmented reality contents and device and system for supporting the same
Disclosed are methods of operating augmented reality (AR) contents, and a device and a system supporting the same. In one method, a real world image is captured using a camera in a portable device. A virtual space corresponding to the real world image is built, by partitioning image elements included in the virtual space into plural background objects and displaying the background objects. Augmented reality contents are generated by mapping one or more user contents onto the background objects. In other embodiments, location information of the portable device is used to obtain AR contents for enhancing captured images. |
| US09715762B2 |
3D stadia algorithm for discrete network meshing
The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for modeling three dimensional objects, such as, but not limited to, fractures, for the purpose of reservoir simulation. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes a method that receives a set of 3D fractures with geometry that has been discretized by 2D surfaces by a collection of polygonal facets, generates a set of 3D stadia at specified radii around each facet in the collection of polygonal facet, generates closed 3D stadia surfaces around intersecting facets, discretizes all 3D stadia surfaces using various shape cells, generates 3D cells within each of the closed 3D stadia surfaces, and assigns each cell reservoir properties suitable for a numeric simulation program, such as, but not limited to, Nexus® Reservoir Simulation Software. |
| US09715761B2 |
Real-time 3D computer vision processing engine for object recognition, reconstruction, and analysis
Methods and systems are described for generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a fully-formed object represented in a noisy or partial scene. An image processing module of a computing device receives images captured by a sensor. The module generates partial 3D mesh models of physical objects in the scene based upon analysis of the images, and determines a location of at least one target object in the scene by comparing the images to one or more 3D reference models and extracting a 3D point cloud of the target object. The module matches the 3D point cloud of the target object to a selected 3D reference model based upon a similarity parameter, and detects one or more features of the target object. The module generates a fully formed 3D model of the target object using partial or noisy 3D points from the scene, extracts the detected features of the target object and features of the 3D reference models that correspond to the detected features, and calculates measurements of the detected features. |
| US09715760B2 |
Analysis-suitable geometry from discrete point sets using a mesh-free method
The present invention includes a method of creating analysis suitable models from discrete point sets. The proposed methodology is completely automated, requiring no human intervention, as compared to traditional mesh-based methods that often require manual input. The present invention is directly applicable to engineering approaches in medicine where the object to be analyzed is described by discrete medical images, such as MRI or CT scans. Moreover, the present invention is useful in any application where the object of interest is created from digitized imaging technology. |
| US09715759B2 |
Reference object for three-dimensional modeling
Images are made of a surface, and images are made of a covering (in the form of a reference object) having a pattern that includes an array of locally non-repetitive pattern elements. A three-dimensional models of the pattern elements on the covering is created using the images. A correlation in scaling between the process of generating three-dimensional models of the pattern elements on the covering and the process of generating a three-dimensional model of the surface is known, and this known correlation in scaling and the known actual distances among pattern elements on the covering can be used as a dimensional scale reference to determine dimensional information of the three-dimensional model of the surface. |
| US09715758B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method using virtual point light (VPL) information
A sampler of an image processing apparatus may sample at least one first virtual point light (VPL) from a direct light view. The sampler may sample a second VPL in a three-dimensional (3D) space independent of the direct light view. A calculator may calculate a luminance of the second VPL using a first VPL adjacent to the second VPL selected from among the at least one first VPL. |
| US09715755B2 |
Systems and methods for photogrammetric rendering
Systems and methods are provided for producing a rendered drawing or rendering from a detailed image of an object (e.g. photograph) resulting in a rendering that is photogrammetric and that preserves detail in the said image of said object. The combination of the metric nature and image detail preservation in a rendering resulting from the process enhances the usefulness of the rendering to users. The invention is useful in particular for large format renderings such as wire frame style drawings used for blueprints in the architecture, engineering and construction industry (AEC industry) when used for existing structures. The processes combine graphic arts techniques with photogrammetric techniques to preserve, fully or partially, information about an object as captured in image detail of said object and to present said information in photogrammetrically correct rendering, which rendering may be incorporated into drawings useful to and/or familiar to end users of said drawings. |
| US09715753B2 |
Personalizing medical conditions with augmented reality
Augmented reality is used to simulate the impact of medical conditions on body parts and other objects within images taken of the objects. The simulations enable a user to see how a medical condition can affect the user by dynamically simulating the impact of the medical condition on captured images of body parts associated with the user in real-time. A user can select different medical conditions that are associated with different body parts. These objects are then identified within images containing the body parts using image recognition algorithms and/or user input. Thereafter, the images are modified so as to render the body parts as though the body parts were being impacted by the medical condition. The modifications are made by blending image data of the captured image with condition image data available to the processing system. |
| US09715750B2 |
System and method for layering using tile-based renderers
A method for tile-based rendering of content. Content may be rendered in a memory region organized as multiple tiles. In scenarios in which content is generated in layers, for operations that involve compositing image layers, an order in which portions of the image are processed may be selected to reduce the aggregate number of memory accesses times, which in turn may improve the performance of a computer that uses tile-based rendering. An image may be processed such that operations relating to rendering portions of different layers corresponding to the same tile are performed sequentially. Such processing may be used in a computer with a graphics processing unit that supports tile-based rendering, and may be particularly well suited for computers with a slate form factor. An interface to a graphics processing utility within the computer may provide a flag to allow an application to specify whether operations may be reordered. |
| US09715748B2 |
Method and apparatus for graphical data interaction and vizualization of graphs via paths
Method for displaying and identifying relevant paths through a graph by displaying them in a tabular format and providing user defined and computed values and filters. Each graph is represented as a set of nodes and edges. Each path through the graph is displayed as a row in a table where the user can apply sorting, filtering, and compute intrinsic or extrinsic information to augment the data. |
| US09715747B2 |
Fast high-fidelity flood-filling on vector artwork
Techniques are disclosed for performing flood-fill operations on vector artwork. In one embodiment, a region under a point of interest (POI) of vector artwork is rasterized and flood-filled, and an initial bounding shape around that area is used as a first guess as to the area to be filled. In other cases, the initial bounding shape is created around some initial area that includes the POI (no rasterization). In any such case, vector objects having bounding shapes that intersect the initial bounding shape are identified and fed into a planar map. After map planarization, a new bounding shape is created around a new area resulting from the planarizing and that includes the POI. In response to that bounding shape not extending beyond the initial bounding shape, a vector-based flood-fill operation can be performed on that new area. The process repeats if a new bounding shape extends beyond previous bounding shape. |
| US09715746B2 |
Curve rendering method and apparatus
A curve rendering method includes calculating a step size based on a length of a straight line connecting a start point and an end point among control points of a curve to be rendered, and calculating initial values of a forward differencing algorithm (FDA) based on the calculated step size and coefficient values of an equation of the curve that is determined based on the control points. The method further includes generating an FDA table based on the initial values, and calculating a coordinate value of a pixel based on the FDA table. |
| US09715743B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
Aspects of the present invention include an apparatus including a memory storing instructions, and a control unit configured to execute the instructions to detect an image of an object of interest within an image of real space, detect an orientation of the real space object image with respect to a real space user perspective, generate a modified image comprising an image of a modified object, corresponding to the real space object, such that an orientation of the modified object image corresponds to a desired user perspective, and display the modified image. |
| US09715742B2 |
Method for producing advertisement content using a display device and display device for same
The present invention relates to a display device and to an method for operating same and more particularly, to a method for producing advertisement content using a display device and to the display device for the same, which enable a user to accurately and quickly produce advertisement content and display the produced advertisement content in the case where advertisement content is displayed by using the display device as signage. The present invention generates first content included in the advertisement content, generates second content included in the advertisement content, sets the execution time of the first and second content, and stores the advertisement content including the first content, the second content, and the setting information. Accordingly, the display device can display a protection screen for preventing an afterimage screen or burn-in which may occur while displaying an advertisement screen on the display device for a long time, thereby protecting the display unit while maximizing information delivery to the user. |
| US09715740B2 |
Methods of and apparatuses for recognizing motion of objects, and associated systems
A method of recognizing motion of an object may include periodically obtaining depth data of a first resolution and two-dimensional data of a second resolution with respect to a scene using an image capturing device, wherein the second resolution is higher than the first resolution; determining a motion tracking region by recognizing a target object in the scene based on the depth data, such that the motion tracking region corresponds to a portion of a frame and the portion includes the target object; periodically obtaining tracking region data of the second resolution corresponding to the motion tracking region; and/or analyzing the motion of the target object based on the tracking region data. |
| US09715737B2 |
Imaging adjusting method capable of varying scaling ratios and related camera and image processing system
An image adjusting method capable of varying scaling ratios according to different regions of an image includes setting a first ROI (region of interest) circle on the image, acquiring a center of the first ROI circle to be a first reference point for setting at least one first bridging region circle, and utilizing a first scaling ratio, a second scaling ratio and a third scaling ratio to respectively adjust pixels of the first ROI circle, pixels between the first bridging region circle and the first ROI circle, and pixels out of the first bridging region circle. Dimension of the first bridging region circle is greater than dimension of the first ROI circle, and the first scaling ratio and the third scaling ratio are greater than the second scaling ratio. Further, the foresaid image adjusting method is applied to a camera and a related image processing system with image adjusting function. |
| US09715731B2 |
Selecting a high valence representative image
In one embodiment, a plurality of images is received. The plurality of images are frames of a video file. A user requests for a thumbnail picture representative of the plurality of images. The plurality of images are filtered to obtain a set of images. The filtering can be based on a blurriness of the image, whether an image is near a scene transition, an amount of text depicted in the image, or a color level of the image. Valence scores may be determined for one or more of the images in the set of images. Valence scores are based on determining values of characteristics of an image that can predict user responses to the image. A first image from the set of images is selected based at least in part on the valence score of the first image. The first image is sent for display. |
| US09715730B2 |
Three-dimensional measurement apparatus and robot system
The three-dimensional measurement apparatus includes: a base camera for capturing a workpiece to acquire a first image; a reference camera for capturing the workpiece from a view point different from the base camera to acquire a second image; and a camera control unit for extracting multiple edge lines from the first and second images, calculating line-of-sight errors with respect to provisional three-dimensional coordinates, wherein the line-of-sight errors are calculated at an endpoint of a first edge line selected from the multiple edge lines of the first image and an endpoint of a second edge line extracted from the multiple edge lines of the second image to correspond to the first edge line, setting an evaluation function from the line-of-sight errors, and a three-dimensional constraint condition set based on a shape of the workpiece, and making an optimization calculation of the evaluation function to measure the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece. |
| US09715729B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing block to be processed of urine sediment image
Concepts herein relate to processing urine sediment images. An example method comprises: approximating the color of a pixel in a block to be processed to one of the kc colors in a code book, wherein the code book is a set of the kc colors generated in a set of urine sample blocks; obtaining a distribution histogram of the number of pixels the color approximation results of which fall on each color of the kc colors; using an occurrence frequency correction factor to correct the number of pixels the color approximation results; standardizing the corrected number of pixels the color approximation results; and processing the block to be processed. |
| US09715725B2 |
Context-based inspection for dark field inspection
Methods and systems for detecting defects on a wafer are provided. One method includes altering one or more design clips based on how the one or more design clips will appear in output generated by a wafer inspection process for a wafer. The method also includes aligning the one or more altered design clips to the output generated for the wafer during the wafer inspection process. In addition, the method includes detecting defects on the wafer based on the output aligned to the one or more altered design clips. |
| US09715722B2 |
Image pickup apparatus that performs tone correction, control method therefor, and storage medium
An image pickup apparatus which is capable of setting image quality as desired by a user when performing tone correction according to a luminance histogram of a taken image. A luminance histogram obtaining unit obtains a luminance histogram from image data. A luminance tone correction unit performs tone correction on the image data using a correction curve generated based on the obtained luminance histogram. A user setting unit receives a setting as to a correction intensity of the tone correction from the user and sets parameters for determining coordinate values of control points on the correction curve. A luminance tone control unit generates the correction curve based on the luminance histogram and determines the coordinate value according to the parameters set by the user setting unit. |
| US09715720B1 |
System and method for reducing image noise
System and methods are provided for performing image noise reduction. A pixel having an initial pixel value is selected from an image for performing noise reduction, wherein the image is stored in a data structure in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. A block window including a plurality of pixel blocks associated with the selected pixel is determined, wherein a pixel block includes a plurality of pixels. A plurality of pixel block average values for the plurality of pixel blocks are calculated, wherein a pixel block average value corresponds to an average pixel value of a pixel block. A weighted average of the plurality of pixel block average values with respect to the selected pixel is calculated using a bilateral filtering algorithm. The data structure is updated by replacing the initial pixel value of the selected pixel with the weighted average of the plurality of pixel block average values. |
| US09715718B2 |
Image processing device, image processing system, image processing method, and computer program for effecting changes in a selected display region
An image processing device includes: an input information obtaining section for obtaining input information for changing a display region in an image as a display object; a display image processing section for generating an image inside the display region determined on a basis of the input information as a display image; and a display section for displaying the generated display image on a display, wherein when the input information obtaining section obtains input information for scaling the display image, the display image processing section scales the display image according to the input information, and performs image manipulation making visibility of a region in a predetermined range including a focus as a center of scaling in an image plane different from visibility of another region. |
| US09715716B2 |
Data processing apparatus for organic light emitting display device
Provided is a data processing apparatus of an organic light emitting display device, which performs encoding and decoding through different schemes according to frequency components and data components, thereby preventing loss of a high frequency component included in data. |
| US09715713B1 |
Monitoring and combining mobile device data and vehicle use records
The inappropriate use of a mobile device and/or a motor vehicle may be ameliorated through audit by a supervisor, parent or peer using a system that monitors vehicle movements and mobile device use and notifies the supervisor, parent or peer of potentially inappropriate use, such as simultaneous vehicle and mobile device use, use of the mobile device generally at times when such use is normally inappropriate according to a calendar of events, and use of the motor vehicle generally at a location or at a time and location that is normally inappropriate. |
| US09715712B2 |
System for and method for comprehensive sales and service metric reporting
A system and method in accordance with example embodiments for comprehensive sales and service data reporting. Sales and service events that take place at a front end branch of an enterprise may be input into a front end system and transmitted to a backend system where various modules then use the front end system data to generate various data and reports to display various data, such as, for example, sales incentive metrics and key performance indicators. |
| US09715709B2 |
Communication device including multi-part alias identifier
Methods and systems are disclosed for allowing financial transactions to be conducted using consumer devices. In some embodiments, the consumer device is a mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone. A payer initiates a transaction by sending a payment request message from a mobile phone which specifies the payee and amount to be paid. Payees are identified by unique aliases, which are maintained in a database. The aliases, in turn, are comprised of multiple parts. Each part of the alias may identify a relevant aspect of the transaction. For example, one part of the alias may identify the payee and another part of the alias may identify the financial institution of the account of the payee. Methods for assembling the enrollment and alias database are included. |
| US09715698B2 |
Systems and methods for encrypting location broadcasts
The present disclosure provides a system and method for providing a user with supplemental content based on the user's preferences and location. The disclosure provides a computer program that allows users to discover and organize content from a platform that is accessible from a mobile device or computer. Additionally, the disclosure provides a system for determining a user's location while indoors. The system can associate the user's location with specific content or items in a store and provide the user with supplemental content related to those items. |
| US09715696B2 |
Systems and methods for targeting ad impressions
The present disclosure includes a system, method, and article of manufacture for targeting ad impressions. A list of customer records may be transmitted to a service provider system that identifies a matched customer and installs a cookie on a web client associated with the matched customer. The system may further receive a campaign request from a merchant and transmit the campaign request to the service provider system which may add a flag to the cookie based on the campaign request as well as instruct a media buyer system to bid on an ad impression for the matched customer based on the flag. The system may further receive an expenditure associated with the matched customer who received the ad impression and compare the expenditure to an expenditure associated with a customer who did not receive targeted ad impression but fits parameters associated with the campaign request. |
| US09715693B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributing advertisements using social networks and financial transaction card networks
An exemplary method for distributing an offer to a mobile device includes identifying a location of a first mobile device, identifying offer preferences for a user of the first mobile device, and distributing the offer to the first mobile device. The offer is an offer for the purchase of goods or services, the offer meets the offer preferences of the user of the first mobile device, and the offer is encoded with a first offer identifier corresponding to the user of the first mobile device. |
| US09715692B1 |
System for managing bids for pay-per-click search engines
An Internet/world-wide-web based keyword bid management system that allows advertisers on pay-per-click search engines (“PPCSEs”) to influence position (ranking) on said PPCSEs with the use of a rules based bidding engine. Keyword bid rules allow advertisers to influence desired rankings on PPCSEs based on time-of-day, competitor ranking, bid gaps, etc, or combination of said rules and allow advertisers to mimic human bidding behavior through an automated means. The system comprises of specialized software (“rules based bidding system”) that is hosted by an ASP (“application service provider”) so that all of the advertiser's interactions with said software can take place from any personal computer with Internet access and relatively recent Internet browser software without the requirement of having to download any additional software locally. |
| US09715691B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing transaction history information, account history information, and/or charge-back information
A computer-implemented method, including processing, with a processing device, information regarding an account involved in a transaction involving an individual, wherein the information regarding the account is received by a receiver, and further wherein the information regarding the account is processed prior to a processing, a completion, a consummation, or a cancellation, of the transaction, generating, with the processing device, a report or a message in response to the processing of the information regarding the account, wherein the report or the message contains information regarding a charge-back regarding a previous transaction involving the account, and transmitting, with or from a transmitter, the report or the message to a communication device associated with a merchant, vendor, or provider, of a good, product, or service. |
| US09715687B1 |
Substrate with electrically conductive patterns that are readable
One embodiment is a flat card that includes an electrically non-conductive substrate and a plurality of electrical conductors disposed on a surface of the non-conductive substrate. The conductors are connected together to form patterns of conductive lines connected to conductive geometric shapes located at ends of the conductive lines. A switch is positioned between two of the conductive geometric shapes and switchable between an open state and a closed state. |
| US09715686B2 |
Secure identity authentication in an electronic transaction
An approach is provided for securely authenticating an identity of a user participating in an electronic transaction. A request for a biometric identifier/security question is converted to a first Quick Response (QR) code. Based on user attributes and a request from the user's mobile device to a computer to initiate the transaction, the first QR code is disassembled into first and second portions. The first portion, but not the second portion, is sent to the mobile device. Responsive to the mobile device reassembling the first QR code, receiving and converting the biometric identifier/answer to the security question to a second QR code, disassembling the second QR code into first and second portions, and transmitting the first portion of the second QR code to the computer, the second QR code is reassembled. The transaction is authorized based on whether the biometric identifier/answer matches a data repository record. |
| US09715684B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting misidentification of items sold by weight
A point of sale terminal that performs purchase transactions is presented. The point of sale terminal includes an optical code scanner and weigh scale device. The optical code scanner portion of the optical code scanner and weigh scale device continuously scans for an optical code while the weigh scale portion of the optical code scanner and weigh scale device weighs an item placed on the scale. When the point of sale terminal receives data for an optical code that is read during the time an item is being weighed, the point of sale terminal compares information from the optical code data to the identification data entered by an operator for the item being weighed. If the item information does not match, the point of sale terminal halts the current purchase transaction until a supervisor intervenes. |
| US09715679B2 |
System and method for displaying multiple time zones in an online calendar view
Method and system for presenting a view of a calendar on an electronic display. In one embodiment, the method comprises presenting on the display an entry corresponding to a scheduled meeting having at least two participants; presenting on the display a first timeline associated with a first one of the participants, the first timeline comprising an incremental listing of time of day in accordance with a first time zone; presenting on the display a second timeline adjacent the first timeline, the second timeline associated with a second one of the participants and comprising an incremental listing of time of day in accordance with a second time zone; and wherein the entry is presented on the display relative to the first and second timelines to thereby reflect start and end times of the scheduled meeting relative to each of the first and second time zones. |
| US09715678B2 |
Side-by-side shared calendars
Methods and systems are provided for presenting a plurality of shared calendars in a single electronic display frame or window where each of the plurality of shared calendars is displayed in a common view mode relative to other displayed shared calendars. Users may select one or more shared calendars to be displayed in the same display frame or window as their own calendar. Upon selection of a shared calendar to be displayed alongside a first calendar, an aggregate view object is called to control and coordinate all shared calendars selected for display in the common window or frame. The aggregate view object determines the view data object, including view mode (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly) and other calendar display settings of the first or active calendar displayed in the common view of shared calendars. |
| US09715676B2 |
Method and system for confirming proper receipt of e-mail transmitted via a communications network
A method and system for confirming proper receipt of an e-mail file sent by a sending party over a communications network such as the Internet and intended to be received by a target party. The e-mail file sent by the sending party is properly or improperly delivered to a recipient e-mail address and stored in a data storage location of a recipient computer system. When the accessing party, who may or may not be the intended target party, accesses either the e-mail file itself or an e-mail processing program or user account, various recipient information, including identity information associated with the accessing party, is discovered from the recipient computer system and included in a generated confirmation of receipt notice. The confirmation of receipt notice is subsequently and automatically return transmitted to the sending party. In one embodiment, an attachment file is transmitted together with the e-mail which operates to discover and obtain the recipient data, generate the confirmation of receipt notice, and transmit the confirmation of receipt notice to the sending party. In this manner, the sending party can determine whether the accessing party who actually received and was notified of the e-mail file was in fact the intended target party, and thereby determine whether delivery was proper. |
| US09715673B2 |
System and method for managing replacement of consumables including recyclable gas purifiers
A system and a method for managing replacement of consumables, the system including an installed base of equipment assemblies, an installed base of consumables, the consumables including recyclable gas purifiers having a limited lifetime and being used in combination with a said equipment assembly. The system includes a server for registering the consumables and having a module for calculating a replacement advice with respect to the consumable that has been registered in the server. A web portal provides a provider or an end user access to the server via the internet. Various data relating to the end user, its equipment assemblies and its consumables may be inputted via the web portal and the replacement advice that is associated with the registered consumables may be outputted via the web portal. |
| US09715672B2 |
Secure self-checkout station
A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase or allocate to an account a product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The patron exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, a computer monitor and/or a mobile device enables the patron to complete a purchase or allocate transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for marking products stolen when transferred through the portal without a transaction. Alternatively, a smart shelf keeps track of products on the smart shelf and keeps a checkout tally of removed products. If the patron does not complete a purchase or allocate transaction, or returns the product to the smart shelf within a user-defined set of time, the smart shelf will mark the product as stolen. A security system responds to products marked as stolen. |
| US09715671B2 |
Facility-wide medication management systems
A system for managing medications facilitates documentation of medication returned from remote dispensing units to a central storage location such as a pharmacy vault. The system may be especially useful in facilitating the tracking of controlled substances. The system receives an indication that a medication previously removed from the remote dispensing units has been designated for return to the medication management system. The system computes an estimated return amount of the medication, and causes a queued return list to be displayed at the central storage location. The system can accommodate multiple remote dispensing devices and multiple medications. |
| US09715669B2 |
Monitoring and reporting productivity in enterprise environment
A system and associated method for monitoring and reporting productivity in an enterprise environment. The enterprise environment has a server, a database, a client program and a web interface. The database stores transaction data and administration data. The transaction data stores records of time spent by an end user to perform a certain volume of work for a transaction. The administration data configures operations of the client program per transaction. The client program records a time log and provides an interface to upload a volume log of the transaction. The end user or an administrative user manages content of the database via web interface. The server processes a respective request for recording transaction time and volume log and subsequently generates a productivity report including efficiency, availability, and utilization values based on the transaction data in the database. |
| US09715668B1 |
Patrol presence management system
A patrol presence management system having a dosage processing unit in communication with one or more prediction and dosage related data processing modules and an output device for monitoring, generating, and displaying a crime prediction field, a pre-determined dosage, and a current dosage to provide real-time or historical analysis of a police presence within a particular region within a particular time window for one or more crime types to improve policing strategy and tactics. |
| US09715665B2 |
Methods and systems for monitoring the condition of vehicle components from a nomadic wireless device or computer
A computer-implemented method for detecting a working condition of one or more vehicle components includes communicating with a cellular communication module in a vehicle over a telecommunications network. A vehicle component characteristic or identifier for the vehicle components is received over the telecommunication network. One or more operation status identifiers for the one or more vehicle components based on data from the vehicle is also received. A location for servicing or purchasing the one or more vehicle components based on the vehicle component characteristic or identifier is determined. A service status of the one or more vehicle components based on the one or more operation status identifiers is also determined. Based on the service status, a message including an identification of the vehicle components and a service or purchase location for the vehicle components is generated. The message is transmitted to a terminal for display. |
| US09715664B2 |
Detecting missing rules with most general conditions
A technique for detecting missing rules (mr) with most general conditions in a rule project (1) having a given scope with a fixed number of objects of a given type, wherein each rule (r) is defined by at least one test (t) in respect to at least one condition of at least one attribute (age, value) of the object, the method comprising the steps of finding at least one missing case not covered by the rules (r), identifying a list of tests (t) that occur in the rules (r), generalizing the missing case into a family of missing cases (mc) in terms of the tests (t) occurring in the rules (r), generalizing the family of missing cases (mc) into a missing rule (mr), and generating missing rules (mr) with most general conditions. |
| US09715663B2 |
Predicting application performance on hardware accelerators
Predicting program performance on hardware devices, in one aspect, may comprise obtaining a set of existing applications and observed performance on a target hardware device. The set of existing applications are run on one or more general purpose computer processors and application features are extracted from the existing application. A machine learning technique is employed to train a predictive model based on the extracted application features and the observed performance for predicting application performance on the target hardware device. |
| US09715662B2 |
Inconsistency detection between structured and non-structured data
A computer implemented method, computerized apparatus and computer program product for inconsistency detection between structured and non-structured data. The method comprising: automatically determining, by a computer, inconsistencies between fields in electronics records, the fields comprise at least a structured field and a non-structured field, the fields are designed to be able to include overlapping information in structured and non-structured form; and indicating, by the computer, to a user potential inconsistencies. Optionally, the indication uses a visual cue when displaying the electronic record to the user, wherein the visual cue indicates the fields which are determined to comprise inconsistent content. |
| US09715656B1 |
Killing asymmetric resistive processing units for neural network training
Technical solutions are described for improving efficiency of training a resistive processing unit (RPU) array using a neural network training methodology. An example method includes reducing asymmetric RPUs from the RPU array by determining an asymmetric value of an RPU from the RPU array, and burning the RPU in response to the asymmetry value being above a predetermined threshold. The RPU can be burned by causing an electric voltage across the RPU to be above a predetermined limit. The method further includes initiating the training methodology for the RPU array after the asymmetric RPUs from the RPU array are reduced. |
| US09715655B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing close-loop programming of resistive memory devices in crossbar array based hardware circuits and systems
Method and apparatus for performing close-loop programming of resistive memory devices in crossbar array based hardware circuits and systems. Invention provides iterative training of memristor crossbar arrays for neural networks by applying voltages corresponding to selected training patterns. Error is detected and measured as a function of the actual response to the training patterns versus the expected response to the training pattern. |
| US09715652B2 |
Multiple information carrier
The invention describes a multiple information carrier having at least one electrically conductive layer and an electorally non-conductive substrate, wherein at least one first electrically conductive layer in the form of a touch structure, and second electrically conductive layer in the form of an antenna, are present in places on the substrate. |
| US09715651B1 |
Active radio frequency identification device
An active RFID device includes at least one solar cell, and the solar cell includes: a substrate; a first conductive layer, disposed on the substrate; an electron supplying layer, disposed on the first conductive layer; an electron receiving layer, disposed on the electron supplying layer; and a second conductive layer, disposed on the electron receiving layer; and a RFID tag, including a RFID chip and an antenna, and installed on the substrate, and coupled to the solar cell through a telecommunication connection structure. |
| US09715650B2 |
Dual coil transaction card
A secure transaction card does not interact with an interrogating radio frequency field without user interaction. The user interaction may include pressing on the card to cause a smartcard chip to connect to a coil on the card. The user interaction may also include exposing the card to light, motion, touch, or the like. Control of the secure transaction card may be active or passive. |
| US09715649B2 |
Device with current carrying conductor to produce time-varying magnetic field
An electronic transaction card communicates with an add-on slot of an intelligent electronic device. The add-on slot may be a memory card slot. The intelligent electronic device may be a mobile phone or other device with or without network connectivity. The electronic transaction card may have magnetic field producing circuitry compatible with magnetic card readers, smartcard circuitry, other point-of-sale interfaces, or any combination thereof. |
| US09715647B2 |
Two-dimensional barcode to avoid unintentional scanning
A method of disseminating a message is disclosed. The message is encoding in a barcode. A selected region of the barcode is damaged so as to hinder decoding of the message at a scanning device. The damaged region of the barcode may be occluded from the scanning device in order to enable the scanning device to read the barcode and the message therein. |
| US09715645B2 |
Marking agent subscription credits
In one example of the disclosure, credit data indicative of a subscription credit is received at a printer via a first network. The printer is connected to a marking agent supply. The subscription credit is to authorize the printer to at least one of dispense or consume a credit quantity of marking agent from the supply according to a subscription. Job data is received at the printer via a second network. |
| US09715644B1 |
Protector coat bitmap generation for printing systems
One embodiment comprises a system that includes a first print head that applies a colorant to a medium based on a first bitmap that indicates printable features for the medium, and a second print head that applies a clear protectant to the medium based on a second bitmap. The system receives the first bitmap, and replicates the printable features in the first bitmap to generate the second bitmap. The system identifies boundaries of the printable features in the second bitmap, and expands the boundaries of the printable features in the second bitmap where the clear protectant is applied to the medium. The system directs the first print head to apply the colorant to the medium to form the printable features based on the first bitmap, and directs the second print head to apply the clear protectant to the printable features formed on the medium based on the second bitmap. |
| US09715639B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting targets
A method and apparatus for performing target detection. A potential object is detected within a candidate chip in an image. The potential object is verified as a candidate object. The candidate object is classified as one of a candidate target or a background in response to the potential object being verified as the candidate object. The candidate target is verified as a target of interest in response to the candidate object being classified as the candidate target. |
| US09715638B1 |
Method and apparatus for identifying salient subimages within a panoramic image
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to facilitate the review of at least portions of a panoramic image and to increase the likelihood that a viewer consumes at least those portions of the panoramic image that are considered to be both interesting and of aesthetic value. In the context of a method, one or more regions within a panoramic image are identified based upon a saliency of the one or more regions. The method also includes identifying candidate subimages that at least partially overlap with at least one of the regions identified within the panoramic image. The method further includes scoring the candidate subimages based upon predefined criteria and causing information for one or more of the candidate subimages to be provided based upon scores associated therewith. |
| US09715637B2 |
Method and system for automatic aorta segmentation
A method and system for aorta segmentation in a 3D volume, such as a C-arm CT volume is disclosed. The aortic root is detected in the 3D volume using marginal space learning (MSL) based segmentation. The aortic arch is detected in the 3D volume using MSL based segmentation. The ascending aorta is tracked from the aortic root to the aortic arch in the 3D volume, and the descending aorta is tracked from the aortic arch in the 3D volume. |
| US09715636B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
By setting a parameter in accordance with features of a unique portion appearing in a print image, the unique portion in the print image is efficiently determined. The image is printed on a sheet along with a relative movement in a main scanning direction of the sheet and a print head on which multiple printing elements are arrayed in a sub-scanning direction. One division area is set such that a size in the main scanning direction is greater than a size in the sub-scanning direction. A shift amount from one division area to another division area is set such that a shift amount in the main scanning direction greater than a shift amount in the sub-scanning direction. |
| US09715633B2 |
Vehicle-mounted image processing device
Provided is a vehicle-mounted image processing device capable of recognizing the outside of a vehicle based on an image taken by a vehicle-mounted camera more precisely. A vehicle-mounted image processing device of the present invention includes: an image acquisition unit (12) that acquires through-images (21) to (24) taken by cameras (1) to (4) disposed on front, rear and sides of a vehicle (10); a bird's eye view image generation unit (13) that converts the acquired through images (21) to (24) to generate a bird's eye view image (25); a parking line recognition unit (15) that performs parking line recognition processing to recognize a parking line WL based on at least one of the through-images (21) to (24) and the bird's eye view image (25). The parking line recognition unit (15) performs first parking line recognition processing (S111) based on the bird's eye view image (25) to recognize a parking line WL in a predetermined range of the bird's eye view image (25), and second parking line recognition processing (S112) based on the through-images (21) to (24) to recognize a parking line WL in an area that is far away from the predetermined range of the bird's eye view image (25). |
| US09715628B2 |
Method for estimating a distance from a first communication device to a second communication device, and corresponding communication devices, server and system
The invention concerns a method for estimating a distance from a first communication device to a second communication device. According to an aspect of the invention, the method comprises: Taking a picture of the second communication device by the first communication device; Obtaining a description of the second communication device; Identifying the second communication device in the picture, by using said description; Estimating a distance from the first communication device to the second communication device by using the description of the second communication device and dimensions of the second communication device identified in the picture. |
| US09715627B2 |
Area information estimating device, area information estimating method, and air conditioning apparatus
An area information estimating device has a camera that photographs an image within a sensing area, a person detector that detects a person from the image from the camera, and a position calculator that calculates an existence position of the person in the sensing area based on a coordinate on the image in which the person is detected by the person detector. The person detector excludes the person in whom a relationship between the coordinate and a size on the image does not satisfy a predetermined condition from a detection target. |
| US09715626B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatically recognizing input audio and/or video streams
A method and system for the automatic identification of audio, video, multimedia, and/or data recordings based on immutable characteristics of these works. The invention does not require the insertion of identifying codes or signals into the recording. This allows the system to be used to identify existing recordings that have not been through a coding process at the time that they were generated. Instead, each work to be recognized is “played” into the system where it is subjected to an automatic signal analysis process that locates salient features and computes a statistical representation of these properties. These features are then stored as patterns for later recognition of live input signal streams. A different set of features is derived for each audio or video work to be identified and stored. During real-time monitoring of a signal stream, a similar automatic signal analysis process is carried out, and many features are computed for comparison with the patterns stored in a large feature database. For each particular pattern stored in the database, only the relevant characteristics are compared with the real-time feature set. Preferably, during analysis and generation of reference patterns, data are extracted from all time intervals of a recording. This allows a work to be recognized from a single sample taken from any part of the recording. |
| US09715624B1 |
Document image segmentation based on pixel classification
In a document image segmentation method, pixels of the image are classified into different types such as background, text, table, etc., to generate an initial segmentation map. The initial segmentation map is processed multiple rounds. In each round, a working map is divided into 2×2 pixel blocks; based on pixel types in the block, a corresponding pixel in a combined map is assigned a type, and pixels in a corresponding block in the segmentation map are modified either to change some background pixels to other types or keep them unchanged. The initial segmentation map is used as the working map in the first round, and the combined map of the last round is used as the working map for the next round. After a number of rounds, remaining background pixels of the segmentation map are changed to other types based on the types of their neighboring areas. |
| US09715623B2 |
Reduced document stroke storage
For reduced storage of user stroke data, systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed. The apparatus includes a handwriting input device that receives input stroke data, a processor, and a memory that stores code executable by the processor, the code including code that identifies a handwritten character from the stroke data, maps the handwritten character to a user-specific font character based on the stroke data, and creates a file storing a character encoding corresponding to the user-specific font character. The handwriting input device may include an input device selected from the group consisting of: a touchscreen, a touch panel, a digitizer, a digital pen, a scanner, an imager, and a digital camera. |
| US09715620B2 |
Method to position a parallelepiped bounded scanning volume around a person
The present invention provides an efficient three dimensional scanning of a person. |
| US09715619B2 |
Facilitating aligning a user and camera for user authentication
A user is authenticated based on user features that can be captured by a camera, such as facial features or eye features. In order for the user to be authenticated, an image is captured of the user while the user is within an interaction zone, which is an area that is within both a field of view of the camera and a suitable distance range from the camera. If the user is not within the suitable distance range from the camera, then feedback is provided indicating that the user is not within the suitable distance range from the camera. Various feedback can be provided, such as one or a combination of audio, visual, and haptic feedback. The feedback notifies the user that an adjustment is to be made to the location of the user and/or the camera in order for the user to be within the interaction zone. |
| US09715616B2 |
Fingerprint sensing and enrollment
A sequence of biometric data images is received, such as, for example, a sequence of fingerprint images, and a set of biometric data images is selected from the sequence of images. The set of images can include one or more segments of at least one image in the sequence of images. One or more portions of at least one image of biometric data in the set of images can be selected to be included in the unified image of biometric data. The unified image of biometric data can be constructed using the one or more portions of the at least one image of biometric data. If the unified image of biometric data is not complete, a user can be prompted for one or more additional images of biometric data. |
| US09715615B2 |
Geological log data processing methods and apparatuses
A method of processing geological log data to construct missing information from destroyed or occluded parts using cues from observed data comprises the steps of: a. in respect of one or more data dimensions associated with missing values in a log data set, decomposing the signal into a plurality of morphological components; and b. morphologically reconstructing the signal such that missing values are estimated. |
| US09715613B2 |
Systems and methods for use in authenticating an object
A system for use in authenticating an object is provided. The system includes a radio-frequency identification tag coupled to the object and an interrogation system. The interrogation system includes a backscatter x-ray source configured to discharge backscatter x-ray beams towards the object. The backscatter x-ray source is calibrated such that the backscatter x-ray beams cause the radio-frequency identification tag to emit a signal. The system also includes a radio-frequency detector configured to receive the signal from the radio-frequency identification tag and a computing device in communication with the radio-frequency detector. The computing device is configured to obtain first identifying information of the object from the signal and authenticate the object from the first identifying information. |
| US09715612B2 |
Constant magnification lens for vision system camera
This invention provides a lens assembly for a vision system, allowing for a constant magnification at various focal distances. The lens assembly resides movably/adjustably along the optical axis relative to the sensor. In an embodiment, the lens assembly includes a fixed rear lens and a front lens that is moved mechanically to focus the object image on the image sensor. The lens assembly can alternatively include a liquid lens that is controlled to adjust magnification with respect to a fixed front lens so as to maintain a constant system magnification. The liquid lens resides between the (fixed) front lens assembly and the image sensor and can be controlled to focus the image onto the image sensor. |
| US09715610B2 |
System for tracking bicycle commuter activity
A method for tracking non-motorized vehicle commuting activity includes providing a tracking system having a tag reader at a commute destination, wherein the tag reader is adapted to detect the presence of an RFID tag, and to generate and transmit a detection signal indicating a time of detection and one or more attributes of the detected RFID tag. The RFID tag is secured to a non-motorized vehicle used in commuting to the commute destination, and is secured in a manner to enable detection by the tag reader at the commute destination, and to prevent tampering therewith. Information obtained by the tracking system is accessible by one or more of a system administrator and a commuting participant. |