| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09793930B2 |
Using LTE-A transmitters and carrier aggregation in borehole communication
In a method, an apparatus and a system for data transmission, a plurality of transmitters are provided, which operate according to a communications standard for data transmission with a bandwidth that is higher than the transmission bandwidth. The transmitter is adapted to the transmission bandwidth, and the plurality of the adapted transmitters are allocated to different carrier frequencies in the transmission bandwidth for parallel data transmission. |
| US09793921B2 |
Methods and apparatus for unified significance map coding
Methods and apparatus are provided for unified significance map coding. An apparatus includes a video encoder for encoding transform coefficients for at least a portion of a picture. The transform coefficients are obtained using a plurality of transforms. One or more context sharing maps are generated for the transform coefficients based on a unified rule. The one or more context sharing maps are for providing at least one context that is shared among at least some of the transform coefficients obtained from at least two different ones of the plurality of transforms. |
| US09793918B2 |
Memory compression operable for non-contiguous write/read addresses
A digital data storage and retrieval system. The system has a first memory for storing a plurality of data quantities, and each data quantity, in the plurality of data quantities, consists of a first number of bits. The system also has a second memory for storing a plurality of compressed data quantities, and each compressed data quantity, in the plurality of compressed data quantities, consists of a second number of bits that is less than the first number of bits. The system also has circuitry for reading data quantities from the first memory and circuitry for writing compressed data quantities, corresponding to respective read data quantities, to non-sequential addresses in the second memory. The system also may include circuitry for reading compressed data quantities from the second memory, and circuitry for writing decompressed data quantities, corresponding to respective read compressed data quantities, to non-sequential addresses in the first memory. |
| US09793906B1 |
Range and process compensation for a digital phase locked loop (PLL) or frequency locked loop (FLL) circuit
A locked loop circuit includes a controlled oscillator generate an output signal having a frequency set by an analog control signal. The analog control signal is generated by a first digital-to-analog converter (DAC) in response to a digital control signal and a bias compensation current signal. The bias compensation current signal is generated by a second DAC in response to a compensation control signal and a bias reference current. A compensation circuit adjusts the compensation control signal during compensation mode in response to a comparison of a frequency of the output signal to a frequency of a reference signal so as to drive the frequency of the output signal toward matching a desired frequency. The bias compensation current signal associated with the frequency match condition during compensation mode is then used during locked loop mode. |
| US09793905B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device including an oscillator circuit including a circuit between inverters. In the circuit, a sum of the length (a1) of a wiring path between a terminal A and a terminal C1 and a length (b1) of a wiring path between a terminal D1 and a terminal B is substantially equal to a sum of the length (a2) of a wiring path between the terminal A and a terminal C2 and the length (b2) of a wiring path between a terminal D2 and the terminal B. |
| US09793900B1 |
Distributed multi-phase clock generator having coupled delay-locked loops
Multiple, distributed, clock generating delay-locked loop (DLL) elements are interconnected/coupled in such a way as to reduce the amount of phase error present in the clocks output by these DLL elements. A plurality of DLL elements are interconnected/coupled such that a root input clock is successively relayed down a series of DLL elements. The output clocks from each of these DLL elements are interconnected/coupled to phase-corresponding output clocks from DLL elements in the series. This reduces the amount of phase error on these output clocks when compared to DLL elements that do not have outputs coupled to each other. |
| US09793891B2 |
Drive circuit for driving a capacitive load
A liquid discharge apparatus includes: an modulation circuit that generates a modulated signal by pulse-modulating a source signal through self-oscillation; a transistor that amplifies the modulated signal to generate an amplified modulated signal; a low-pass filter that includes an inductor and a capacitor and smoothes the amplified modulated signal to generate a drive signal; a feedback circuit that allows the drive signal to return to the modulation circuit; a piezoelectric element that is displaced by application of the drive signal thereto; a cavity that is filled with a liquid inside and has an internal volume which changes when the piezoelectric element is displaced; and a nozzle that is provided to discharge the liquid inside the cavity in response to the change of the internal volume of the cavity. In this configuration, a self-resonant frequency of the capacitor is higher than a frequency of the self-oscillation. |
| US09793890B2 |
System and method for a switch transistor driver
In accordance with an embodiment, a method of driving a switching transistor includes receiving an activation signal for the switching transistor and generating a sequence of random values. Upon receipt of the activation signal, a control node of the switching transistor is driven with a drive strength based on a random value of the sequence of random values. |
| US09793886B2 |
Semiconductor device for high-voltage circuit
Provided is a semiconductor device capable of preventing a malfunction of a high-side gate driver circuit that is caused by a negative voltage surge. A diode is connected between a p-type bulk substrate configuring a semiconductor layer, and a first potential (GND potential), and a signal is transmitted from a control circuit that is formed in an n diffusion region configuring a first semiconductor region through a first level down circuit and a first level up circuit to a high-side gate driver circuit that is formed in an n diffusion region configuring a second semiconductor region. As a result, a malfunction of the high-side gate driver circuit that is caused by a negative voltage surge can be prevented. |
| US09793881B2 |
Flip-flop with zero-delay bypass mux
Exemplary embodiments may disclose a flip-flop circuit for inserting a zero-delay bypass mux including a master circuit which is configured to receive a data input, an input clock signal, and a bypass signal, and output an intermediate signal to a first node; and a slave circuit which is configured to receive the intermediate signal at the first node, the input clock signal, and the bypass signal, and output an output clock signal. The bypass signal controls the slave circuit to output one of a buffered input clock signal and a stretched clock signal as the output clock signal based on a logic level of the bypass signal. |
| US09793880B2 |
Direct coupled biasing circuit for high frequency applications
This invention eliminates the need for “capacitor coupling” or “transformer coupling,” and the associated undesirable parasitic capacitance and inductance associated with these coupling techniques when designing high frequency (˜60 GHz) circuits. At this frequency, the distance between two adjacent stages needs to be minimized. A resonant circuit in series with the power or ground leads is used to isolate a biasing signal from a high frequency signal. The introduction of this resonant circuit allows a first stage to be “directly coupled” to a next stage using a metallic trace. The “direct coupling” technique passes both the high frequency signal and the biasing voltage to the next stage. The “direct coupling” approach overcomes the large die area usage when compared to either the “AC coupling” or “transformer coupling” approach since neither capacitors nor transformers are required to transfer the high frequency signals between stages. |
| US09793876B2 |
Resonator element, method for manufacturing resonator element, resonator, gyro sensor, electronic apparatus, and moving object
To improve durability against impact, a quartz crystal resonator element includes a recess in a plan view. The quartz crystal resonator element further includes a first principal surface and a second principal surface that are front and rear surfaces facing away from each other and a side surface disposed between the first principal surface and the second principal surface, and the side surface is formed of flat surfaces and curved surfaces formed by dry etching and alternately arranged. The quartz crystal resonator element preferably has a base and at least one resonating arm extending from the base. |
| US09793870B1 |
Vehicle sound enhancement systems and methods for vehicle deceleration
An audio system of a vehicle includes a mode module that sets a mode signal to a first mode when a vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined speed and a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle is less than a predetermined acceleration. The predetermined acceleration is less than zero and the predetermined speed is greater than zero. A sound control module, when the mode signal is in the first mode, selectively sets audio characteristics for a deceleration event of the vehicle based on randomization parameters. An audio driver module, based on the audio characteristics, applies power to speakers to output sound within a passenger cabin of the vehicle. |
| US09793859B1 |
Amplifier output power limiting circuitry
An amplifier system having: an amplifier having a linear operating region where an output signal produced by the amplifier at the output terminal has a power level increasing proportionally with the increasing input signal power level up to a compression region of the amplifier where the output power is inhibited from increasing with increasing input signal power; and a DC current limiting circuit, coupled between a DC power supply and the amplifier, to: supply DC current from the DC power supply that is equal to quiescent current to the amplifier from the DC power supply when the amplifier operates in the linear region; enable the amplifier to draw increasing DC current from the DC power supply above the quiescent current with increasing input signal power until the output signal power reaches the desired compression point level which is lower than that of a stand-alone amplifier without the DC current limiting circuit; and, then limits the current drawn by the amplifier from the DC power supply. |
| US09793855B2 |
Tapped inductor voltage controlled oscillator
A voltage controlled oscillator includes a resonator and an amplifier. The resonator includes a capacitive element and an inductive element. The inductive element has a plurality of conductive segments forming a physical loop. The inductive element has electrical connections on the physical loop to the plurality of conductive segments forming at least one electrical loop disposed within an interior space formed by the physical loop. The amplifier has an input and an output, the input coupled to a first conductive segment forming a first impedance and the output coupled to a second conductive segment forming a second impedance. |
| US09793846B2 |
Power conversion device
A power conversion device has an internal power supply switch and a bias power supply switch connected in parallel with the internal power supply switch, wherein, when an output voltage of an internal power supply circuit is greater than a predetermined value when a power supply is started up, the bias power supply switch opens a current path, and when the power supply is stopped, the step-up power supply circuit is stopped based on a stop signal output by the internal power supply circuit and the internal power supply switch closes the current path, and when the output voltage of the internal power supply circuit becomes lower than a predetermined value, the bias power supply switch closes the current path. |
| US09793843B2 |
Control device for detecting disconnection
A voltage controller generates a d-axis voltage command value and a q-axis voltage command value on the basis of a drive command signal and a three-phase current. When the state in which the absolute value of the resultant vector of the d-axis voltage command value and the q-axis voltage command value is not within a set predetermined range continues for a predetermined time or longer, a disconnection detector determines that a disconnection between a power converter and an AC motor has occurred. A gate controller transmits a gate command for turning off a switching element provided in the power converter to the power converter when the disconnection detector determines that a disconnection between the power converter and the AC motor has occurred. |
| US09793840B2 |
Motor control apparatus
A motor control apparatus includes a counter, a margin calculation portion, and a cycle set portion. The counter counts a total number of switching the current supply phase of the coils when the rotor is rotationally driven. A rotation angle of the rotor is detected on a basis of the number of switching. The margin calculation portion calculates a torque margin that is a difference between an output torque of the motor and a load torque acting on the motor. The cycle set portion sets a current supply switching cycle to shorten as the torque margin is greater. The current supply switching cycle is a cycle switching the current supply phase of the coils. |
| US09793839B2 |
Motor control circuit
A motor control circuit is disclosed, which uses one hall sensor to sense the position of the magnetic poles of three-phase motor, and to execute phase switching mechanism by start controller and operation controller. The motor control circuit drives the three-phase motor from a start state to a normal operation state. In the start state, the start controller controls the switching time and controls storage to transmit the digital models of the phase switching to the operation controller. The operation controller executes the phase switching of the full-bridge circuit according to the received digital models, to drive the three-phase motor. In the normal operation state, the start controller stops transmitting the digital models of the phase switching to the operation controller. The operation controller captures six digital models in sequence once every switching time, and executes the phase switching of the full-bridge circuit, to drive the three-phase motor. |
| US09793832B2 |
Comminuting machine drive system
A comminuting machine includes a frame, a comminuting rotor coupled to the frame, and a rotary drive coupled to the rotor. The rotary drive including a controller, a multi-phase motor connected to the controller, a set of contactors disposed between the controller and the multi-phase motor for selectively providing driving motive force to the multi-phase motor, and at least one rheostat disposed between the controller and the multi-phase motor, in parallel with the first set of contactors, for selectively providing a stopping resistance to the multi-phase motor to effect frictionless braking of the comminuting rotor, wherein the controller is configured to operate the set of contactors and the at least one rheostat to single phase lines of the multi-phase motor for providing the stopping resistance. |
| US09793829B2 |
Magneto-thermoelectric generator for energy harvesting
Provided is a magneto-thermoelectric generator (MTG) device for energy harvesting and more particularly a device for converting waste thermal heat from a photovoltaic cell into mechanical energy and ultimately into electrical energy. Embodiments operate on the principle of thermally-induced switching between open and closed states of a ferromagnetic switch to generate mechanical oscillations that cause strain in a piezoelectric material, resulting in the generation of electrical energy. A structure capable of providing a non-linear restoring force provides mechanical energy to the device, which is a significant improvement over prior art MTG devices employing a linear spring restorative force. The device is also provided as a hybrid photovoltaic (PV)/MTG energy harvester for scavenging heat from photovoltaic cells. The hybrid PV/MTG device is particularly useful for harvesting waste heat to boost power generation, extend flight duration, and provide thermal management aboard HALE platforms. |
| US09793820B2 |
Six-phase supplied transformer rectifier unit
A method and apparatus for forming a direct current power supply. An apparatus comprises a transformer and a rectifier. The transformer is figured to output a plurality of phase-shifted alternating currents in response to receiving a plurality of alternating currents. The plurality of alternating currents and the plurality of phase-shifted alternating currents form a plurality of input alternating currents that are offset relative to each other by one-twelfth of a cycle in phase. The rectifier is configured to form a direct current power supply having a common mode voltage reduced to zero within selected tolerances in response to receiving the plurality of input alternating currents. |
| US09793815B2 |
Over current protection in a variable output power supply
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a switch mode power supply may include a transformer, a controller configured to generate a periodic switching signal, a switching transistor coupled between a sense node and the transformer, primarily configured to prevent or permit current flow in the transformer primary winding in accordance with the switching signal, a sense resistor coupled to the switching transistor at a sense node, and a limit circuit configured to obtain a voltage of the sense node at a particular point of the switching period as an indicator of the primary winding current, detect a duration of a demagnetizing interval, and generate a limit signal, based on the sense node voltage and the demagnetizing interval, indicating a power supply output current exceeding a limit threshold. |
| US09793812B2 |
Method for operating an inverter with reactive power capability having a polarity reverser, and inverter with reactive power capability having a polarity reverser
A method for operating an inverter with reactive power capability that includes a voltage link circuit and an unfolding bridge, wherein poles of the voltage link circuit are configured to be selectively connected to terminals of an AC output in different configurations by means of the unfolding bridge, in order to change a polarity of the AC output relative to the voltage link circuit. The method includes in the case of a phase shift between an AC current (I) and an AC voltage (U) at the AC output reversing the direction of a current flowing via the voltage link circuit. Reversing the direction of the current flowing via the voltage link circuit includes disconnecting the AC output from the voltage link circuit, providing a freewheeling path between the terminals of the AC output, while the AC output is disconnected from the voltage link circuit, and reconnecting the AC output to the voltage link circuit with the polarity of the AC output relative to the voltage link circuit being changed by the unfolding bridge. |
| US09793811B2 |
Buck converter and boost converter with dead time adjustment
A voltage converter includes first and second charging elements, first and second switches, and first and second switch controllers. The first switch controller adjusts a first activation timing of a first control signal in response to a pulse width modulation signal, a switch signal, and a first control signal. The first control signal is a signal for controlling the first switch. The second switch controller adjusts a second activation timing of a second control signal in response to the pulse width modulation signal, the first control signal, and a second control signal. The second control signal is a signal for controlling the second switch. |
| US09793809B1 |
Safety crowbar for voltage converters
In one example, a circuit includes a first voltage converter and a second voltage converter. The first voltage converter is configured to convert a first voltage to a second voltage, determine whether the first voltage converter is operating in an unsafe state, and output an indication that the first voltage converter is operating in the unsafe state. The second voltage converter is configured to selectively activate a high side switch and a low side switch to convert the second voltage to a third voltage. In response to receiving the indication that the first voltage converter is operating in the unsafe state, the second voltage converter is further configured to activate the high side switch and the low side switch to establish an electrical path between the second voltage and a reference node of the circuit. |
| US09793805B2 |
Charge pump current adjustment
A charge pump circuit may include an output node, a current source circuit, a current sink circuit, a first amplifier circuit, and a second amplifier circuit. The current source circuit may be configured to source current to the output node. The current sink circuit may be configured to sink current from the output node. The first amplifier circuit may be configured to adjust a first amount of current sourced by the current source circuit based on a voltage on the output node. The second amplifier circuit may be configured to adjust the first amount of current sourced by the current source circuit or a second amount of current sunk by the current sink circuit based on the voltage on the output node. |
| US09793802B2 |
MEMS capacitive sensor biasing circuit including an integrated inductor
A MEMS capacitive sensor biasing circuit. The circuit includes a high-voltage (HV) NMOS switch, an inductor, a diode, and a capacitor. The HV NMOS switch has a source coupled to ground. The inductor has a first node coupled to a drain of the HV NMOS switch, and a second node coupled to a DC power source supplying a first DC voltage. The diode has an anode coupled to the first node of the inductor and the drain of the HV NMOS switch. The capacitor has a first node coupled to a cathode of the diode, and a second node coupled to the ground. |
| US09793801B2 |
Semiconductor device and display device
An object is to reduce power consumption of a semiconductor device including a DC-DC converter circuit. The semiconductor device includes a DC-DC converter circuit and a microprocessor. The DC-DC converter circuit includes a conversion circuit including an inductor and a transistor, and a control circuit including a comparison circuit and a logic circuit. In the control circuit, the comparison circuit compares an output of the conversion circuit and a reference value, and the logic circuit performs an arithmetic operation between an output of the comparison circuit and a clock signal of the microprocessor. In the conversion circuit, the transistor controls a current flowing through the inductor in accordance with an output of the logic circuit, and the output of the conversion circuit is generated in accordance with the current flowing through the inductor. |
| US09793800B1 |
Multiphase switching power supply with robust current sensing and shared amplifier
In a multiphase, current mode controlled switching power supply, current through the inductors in the various phases is sensed to determine when to turn off the switching transistors. An AC current feedback path, sensing the ramping ripple current, is separate from the DC current path, sensing the lower frequency average current. A shared differential amplifier has its inputs multiplexed to receive only the DC component signals from all the phases. The gain of the amplifier is set so that the DC sense signal has the proper proportion to the AC sense signal. The output of the amplifier is sampled and held for each phase using a second multiplexer. The AC sense signal and the amplified DC sense signal, for each phase, are combined by a summing circuit. The composite sense signal is applied to a comparator for each phase to control the duty cycle of the associated switch. |
| US09793795B2 |
Variable frequency charge pump
A charge pump circuit that utilizes a sensing circuit for determining the current loading or status of the output supply generated by the charge pump circuit to determine a corresponding frequency for a variable rate clock for the charge pump circuit. When a current load is present, the clock frequency automatically ramps up to a relatively high level to increase the output current of the charge pump circuit. When the current load is removed and the supply is settled out, the clock frequency is automatically reduced to a relatively quieter level and the charge pump circuitry operates at a lower power level. Accordingly, the charge pump circuit is only noisy when it has to be, thus providing optimal power when required and being electrically quiet and operating at lower power at all other times. |
| US09793791B2 |
Power conversion apparatus and method for starting up the same
A power conversion apparatus includes a transformer; a primary side full bridge circuit provided on a primary side of the transformer; a first port connected to the primary side full bridge circuit; a second port connected to a center tap of the primary side of the transformer; a secondary side full bridge circuit provided on a secondary side of the transformer; a third port connected to the secondary side full bridge circuit; and a control unit configured to cause an upper arm of the secondary side full bridge circuit to operate in an active region in a case where a capacitor connected to the third port is charged with a transmitted power transmitted to the secondary side full bridge circuit via the transformer from the primary side full bridge circuit when power of the second port is stepped up and the stepped up power is output to the first port. |
| US09793789B2 |
Apparatus and method for protecting grid-connected inverter from occurrence of low grid voltage
An apparatus for protecting a grid-connected inverter from a low grid voltage includes a first output current sensor configured to sense an output current of a grid-connected inverter, a first output current calculator configured to calculate a D-axis current and a Q-axis current of the output current to obtain the output current that is sensed, and a first output current controller configured to determine whether a difference between the output current and a reference current exceeds a predetermined range, and to decrease the output current by a predetermined value when the difference between the output current and the reference current exceeds the predetermined range. |
| US09793788B2 |
Energy storage system for renewable energy source
An energy storage system for use in a renewable energy power system is provided. More particularly, an energy storage system can be coupled to the DC bus of a power converter in a renewable energy power system. A switching power supply can be coupled between the energy storage device and the DC bus of the power converter. The switching power supply can include a bi-directional resonant DC to DC converter. The bi-directional resonant converter can include a plurality of switching elements, a resonant circuit coupled to the at least one switching element, and a filtering circuit coupled to the resonant circuit. The bi-directional resonant converter can be configured to accommodate power flow in at least two directions. |
| US09793785B2 |
Linear motor
A linear motor includes a stator and a mover coupled to the stator. The stator includes a stator body and at least one guiding portion protruding from the stator body. The mover includes a mover body and at least one sliding portion protruding from the mover body. The at least one sliding portion defines a receiving groove. The at least one guiding portion is received in the receiving groove. A gap is defined between the at least one guiding portion and the at least one sliding portion. The mover defines at least one air inlet hole communicating with the gap and configured to inject air into the gap. |
| US09793779B2 |
Alternator assembly having cooling air flow passages therethrough
An engine component cooling system and apparatus, at least one fan and a cover are installed upon the engine component. The fan pulls cool air and force cool air through the component assembly to reduce the heat generated through operation, thereby optimizing operation and extending the useful life of the individual components and the assembly. In one example, a fan and a cover are installed on an alternator assembly so that the fan draws in and forces cool air through the rectifier, rotor, stator, and out through the front of the assembly. The cover prevents cool air from being lost and misdirected, while directing the cool air through the assembly. |
| US09793778B2 |
Drive apparatus and robot device
A drive apparatus includes a motor having a drive part that rotates a first shaft member; a transmission part that transmits rotation of the first shaft member to a second shaft member which is different from the first shaft member; a first detection device provided at the first shaft member to detect information regarding rotation of the drive part; a second detection device provided at the second shaft member to detect information regarding rotation of the transmission part; and a prevention part that prevents movement of foreign substance toward a detection part which includes at least one of the first detection device and the second detection device. |
| US09793776B2 |
Drive mechanism for rotatably coupling a system part or a machine part
The invention relates to a drive mechanism (1) for rotatably coupling a first system part or machine part, preferably an assembly (A), to a base, pedestal or frame or to another system part or machine part, for example for rotary positioning during the processing of large workpieces or during the moving of loads, which drive mechanism comprises two ring-shaped connecting elements (3, 4) each having at least one planar connecting surface (5, 6) and fastening means (7, 8) that are arranged distributed in a crown shape therein and effect connection to different system parts or machine parts or the like, said two connecting elements (3, 4) being arranged concentrically with each other and radially one inside the other with a gap-shaped interspace (9) in which are disposed one or more rows of rolling elements (14, 15, 16), each row whereof rolls between two respective raceways (17, 18) on the two connecting elements (3, 4), thus enabling same to rotate relative to each other, at least one connecting surface (5, 6) and at least one raceway (17, 18) being formed by machining or shaping a common base body. The invention is characterized in that at least one fully circumferentially extending row of magnets (40) is arranged inside the gap (9) on one connecting element (3, 4) and at least one fully circumferentially extending row of coils (38) is arranged directly opposite said magnets on the other connecting element (4, 3). According to the invention, at least one fully circumferentially extending row of magnets is arranged inside the gap on one connecting element and at least one fully circumferentially extending row of coils is arranged directly opposite said magnets on the other connecting element. |
| US09793770B2 |
Permanent magnets rotor for rotating electric machine
A rotor includes a rotor core that has magnet-receiving holes in each of which is received a corresponding permanent magnet. The rotor core also has, for each of the magnet-receiving holes, first and second supporting portions. The first supporting portion supports a radially inner end portion of a first magnetic flux barrier-side face of the corresponding permanent magnet. The second supporting portion supports a radially outer end portion of a second magnetic flux barrier-side face of the corresponding permanent magnet. A second magnetic flux barrier-side end portion of a radially outer wall surface of the magnet-receiving hole is planar in shape and parallel to a radially outer side face of the corresponding permanent magnet. A second magnetic flux barrier-side end portion of a radially inner wall surface of the magnet-receiving hole is planar in shape and parallel to a radially inner side face of the corresponding permanent magnet. |
| US09793765B2 |
High efficiency and power transfer in wireless power magnetic resonators
A wireless power transmission system is disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes a transmitting antenna configured to transmit power, via a magnetic field, to a receiving antenna to power a load. The system also includes a tuning loop electrically isolated from the transmitting antenna and being movable relative to the transmitting antenna to adjust a coupling between the transmitting antenna and the tuning loop. |
| US09793763B2 |
Refrigerator
Disclosed is a refrigerator for uniformly illuminating an inner space thereof. The refrigerator includes a cabinet including a storage compartment having a predetermined size, a shelf installed in the storage compartment, the shelf including a light source unit for illuminating an inside of the storage compartment, a transmitter connected to an external power supply for wirelessly transmitting power, the transmitter having a primary resonance frequency within a predetermined range, and a receiver for wirelessly receiving the power from the transmitter so as to supply the power to the light source unit of the shelf, the transmitter transmitting the power to the receiver using a secondary resonance frequency generated when the receiver is located close to the transmitter. |
| US09793758B2 |
Enhanced transmitter using frequency control for wireless power transmission
An enhanced transmitter for wireless power transmission is disclosed. The transmitter may be able to transmit radio frequency (RF) waves or pockets of energy for charging or powering an electronic device. The transmitter may include antenna element arrangements for receiving RF waves from a plurality of wireless sources and process them using a dedicated RF integrated circuit (RFIC) and set of antenna elements for receiving RF input signals from a plurality of wireless power sources. A digital signal processor (DSP) may be used to control reception using the dedicated RFIC and antenna elements of reception and to control transmission of wireless power selecting the transmitting RFICs and configuration of antenna elements to send RF waves or pockets of energy to a wireless receiver. The frequency of RF waves received may be sampled through a down converter array and line addressing devices to send the signals received to a micro-controller including a proprietary algorithm which control switching and processing necessary for faster and enhanced wireless power transmission, thus improving transmission efficiency. |
| US09793756B2 |
Back-up energy storage with in-rush current limiting for wind turbine pitch drive
A wind turbine pitch drive system comprises an electric grid for supplying electrical power, a motor for driving a pitch actuator, an electronic converter for controlling the motor and a back-up energy storage unit for supplying electrical power. The electronic converter comprises a DC-link capacitor bank. The system furthermore comprises a switching device for selectively connecting the DC-capacitor bank link to the back-up energy storage unit, and a frequency generator for controlling the switching device. Also disclosed is a method for protecting a component of the electronic converter. |
| US09793752B1 |
Reserve power system for data center
A system for performing computing operations in a data center includes one or more sets of computer systems, one or more primary power systems, and a reserve power system. The primary power systems include at least one power distribution unit that supplies power to at least one of the sets of computer systems. The reserve power system automatically supplies power to at least one of the sets of computer systems if a condition is met (such as a failure of the primary power system). |
| US09793744B2 |
Interface and mounting structure for a wireless charger or intermediate piece
A wireless charging system for power tools and other devices includes a charging module, docking frame, and tool holder. When a device is placed on a charging surface of the charging module, the charging module is configured to wirelessly charge the device. The charging module can be mounted within the docking frame or the tool holder via a mounting interface, and the tool holder can be affixed to a rigid surface. The docking frame can also be attached to a rigid surface, or can be mounted within the tool holder as an intermediate piece. The tool holder is configured to support the charging module such that the charging surface is at an angle. This configuration optimally locates the device relative to the charging module and allows the charging surface to act as a resting surface for the device between operations. |
| US09793742B2 |
Wireless charging device including a case part and a powerless supply part
There is provided a wireless charging device including: a case part including at least two case portions which are configured to be overlapped with each other; and a power supply part including power supply units disposed in the case portions, respectively, wherein when the case portions are overlapped with each other, power supply electrodes of the power supply units are disposed to be overlapped with each other in the same direction, so as to charge at least one target object. |
| US09793741B2 |
Magnetic sheet, wireless charging sheet and method for manufacturing magnetic sheet
The present invention relates to a magnetic sheet, a wireless charging sheet, and a method for manufacturing a magnetic sheet. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic sheet used in a wireless charging sheet, which includes a metal sheet layer consisting of a plurality of divided segments; and an insulating material filled in a dividing space between the segments and forms a magnetic path of a magnetic field generated around a coil, is provided. Further, a wireless charging sheet and a method for manufacturing a magnetic sheet are provided. |
| US09793740B2 |
Apparatus and method for charge control in wireless charging system
An apparatus and a method for charge control are provided. The apparatus for charge control may include an integrated direct current-to-direct current (DC/DC) converter configured to step up an output voltage level of a load to be greater than or equal to a supply voltage level set in a power amplifier, and the power amplifier configured to convert a direct current (DC) voltage stepped up by the integrated DC/DC converter into an alternating current (AC) voltage based on a resonant frequency, and to amplify the converted AC voltage. The apparatus for charge control may include a rectification unit configured to convert an AC power received wirelessly into a DC power; and a DC/DC converter configured to step down a voltage level of the DC power to a voltage level required by a load in the receiving mode. |
| US09793739B2 |
Wireless power transmitting device
A wireless charging device includes a wireless transmitter with an electromagnetic emitting portion. The wireless charging device also includes a seat having a surface and at least one protrusion from the surface. The seat accommodates at least one wireless power receiving device. The seat has an active area that contains the electromagnetic emitting portion. The at least one protrusion is configured as a guide for two sides of the at least one wireless power receiving device for placement over the active area. The placement of the at least one wireless power receiving device over the active area enables transferring of power to the at least one wireless power receiving device. |
| US09793736B2 |
Fast charging method for battery
The present invention provides a fast charging method for battery, including the steps as follows: (1) the battery is charged with a constant current I1 and the charging time is t1; (2) the battery is charged with a constant current I2 and the charging time is t2; (3) the battery is discharged with the constant current I2 and the discharging time is t3, recycling until the voltage reaches a pre-charging voltage of battery; (4) the battery is standed after the voltage reaching the pre-charging voltage of battery, and the rest time is t4, and then the battery is charged with a constant current I3 until the voltage reaching a cut-off voltage of battery, and then the battery is charged with a constant voltage until the current reaching a cut-off current I4; wherein, I2 |
| US09793733B2 |
Method and apparatus for charging rechargeable cells
A method for charging rechargeable cells, in particular lithium ion cells. An apparatus for charging such cells. In order to specify a method for charging a lithium-based cell and an apparatus for charging a lithium-based cell, in which the capacitance of the cell is optimally used, the charging time is drastically shortened, the shelf life of the cell is extended and/or it is possible to increase the capacitance of the cell, a method is stated which includes the following steps, pulsed charging of the cell, wherein the charging current IL exceeds the nominal charging current ILmax of the cell during the charging pulses; and the cell is discharged between the charging pulses using load pulses. |
| US09793732B2 |
Battery backed power-over-Ethernet system
A power control system arranged for use in a power-over-Ethernet system and a method of operating the power control system are generally disclosed. The power control system may comprises a battery, a battery charging unit connected to, and for charging, the battery and a processor arranged to monitor the charge level of the battery and, in response, to direct current to, or away from, the battery. The method may comprise the steps of monitoring the current requirement of and the current supplied to, the load; monitoring the charge level of the battery; monitoring the current supplied by the power sourcing device; and adjusting the current supplied to the load, the current supplied by the power sourcing device and charge level of the battery in response to said monitoring. |
| US09793731B2 |
Attenuation circuit for an energy storage device and method for attenuating oscillations of the output current of an energy storage device
The invention relates to an attenuation circuit for an energy storage device having one or more energy storage modules which are connected in series in one or more energy supply lines and have at least one energy storage cell and a coupling device which has a multiplicity of coupling elements and is designed to selectively switch or bridge the energy storage cell in the respective energy supply line. The attenuation circuit comprises a current detection device which is designed to detect an output current of the energy supply lines or of the energy storage device and to generate an output current signal dependent on the output current, a control circuit which is coupled to the current detection device and is designed to control the output current signal to a desired current signal and to output a corresponding current control signal, and a pulse width modulation device which is coupled to the control circuit and is designed to control the coupling device of at least one of the energy storage modules in a clocked manner on the basis of the current control signal. |
| US09793730B2 |
Motor-driven appliance
A motor-driven appliance comprises a drive source for driving a tool, a control unit, a power supply unit, a switch unit, a receiving unit, a supply signal output unit, and a data communication unit. The power supply unit generates a control voltage for operating the control unit. The switch unit supplies the control voltage to the control unit and stops supply of the control voltage to the control unit. The control voltage is supplied to the control unit while a given supply signal is inputted to the switch unit. The supply signal output unit outputs, to the switch unit, the supply signal for supplying the control voltage to the control unit when the receiving unit receives the electromagnetic wave while the supply of the control voltage to the control unit is stopped. The data communication unit outputs, to the control unit, the data contained in the electromagnetic wave. |
| US09793726B2 |
Wireless power transmission system
A wireless power transmission system includes an electronic device and an array display device. The array display device includes a display surface and an array substrate. The array substrate has a substrate and an array which is disposed at one side of the substrate. The array substrate emits an electric power signal coupled to the electronic device from the display surface. The electronic device manages the electric power signal for operation. |
| US09793721B2 |
Distributed charging of mobile devices
A system and method for distributed charging of mobile devices. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a secondary coil or receiver associated with a mobile device. When the mobile device is placed in proximity to a base unit having one or more primary coils, each primary coil having a generally planar shape so that when a current is passed through the primary coil a magnetic field is generated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coil, the perpendicular magnetic field is used to inductively generate a current in the secondary coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device. In accordance with various embodiments the system can incorporate efficiency measures that improve the efficiency of power transfer between the charger and receiver. |
| US09793720B2 |
Wireless power transfer using multiple near-field plates
A near-field plate is a non-periodically patterned surface that can overcome the diffraction limit and confine electromagnetic fields to subwavelength dimensions. By controlling the interference of the electromagnetic fields radiated by the near-field plate with that of a source, the near-field plate can form a subwavelength near-field pattern in a forward direction, while suppressing fields in other directions, such as those reflected. The resulting unidirectional near-field plate may find utility in many applications such as high resolution imaging and probing, high density data storage, biomedical targeting devices, and wireless power transfer. |
| US09793719B2 |
Non-contact power supply apparatus
A non-contact power supply apparatus includes a transmission-side pad, a transmission-side resonant circuit, a reception-side pad, a reception-side resonant circuit, a power transmission circuit, a power reception circuit, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls an alternating-current voltage supplied to the transmission-side pad and an alternating-current voltage supplied to the power reception circuit, so that a power factor of the alternating current supplied from the power transmission circuit to the transmission-side pad connected to the transmission-side resonant circuit and direct-current power supplied from the power supply circuit to an on-board battery are respectively set to target values. As a result, change in power factor can be suppressed even when the coupling coefficient of the transmission-side pad and the reception-side pad changes, and predetermined electric power can be transmitted. |
| US09793717B2 |
Apparatus and method for non-compliant object detection
An apparatus and method for lost power detection are described. In one implementation, an apparatus for wireless transferring power comprises a wireless power transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit power at a power level sufficient to power or charge a chargeable device. The apparatus further comprises a controller configured to determine a first and second power difference between a first and second power measurement and the second and a third power measurement of the power level provided by the wireless power transmitter at a first, second, and third sample time, respectively. The controller is further configured to determine a transmitter power difference between the first power difference and the second power difference. The controller is further configured to determine an absence or a presence of an object that affects consumption of power transmitted by the wireless power transmitter based at least on the transmitter power difference Δ_T. |
| US09793712B2 |
Power management circuitry in peripheral accessories of audio devices
A power management circuitry for a peripheral electronic device includes a power regeneration circuitry, a power selector, a power switch and an audio signal detection circuitry. The power regeneration circuitry receives a continuous periodic sound wave from an audio device and converts the continuous periodic sound wave into an amplified DC electrical signal. The power source selector receives the amplified DC electrical signal and input from a primary power source and provides a power signal output. The audio signal detection circuitry receives the amplified DC electrical signal and transmits a wake-up signal to the power switch circuitry. The power switch circuitry is turned on by the wake-up signal and connects the power source selector to the peripheral electronic device main circuitry and transfers the power signal output to the peripheral electronic device main circuitry. |
| US09793710B2 |
Energy storing device with cooling elements, and method for cooling energy storing cells
The disclosure relates to an energy storing device for generating a supply voltage for an electric machine, comprising at least one energy supply branch which is connected in parallel and each of which has a plurality of first and second energy storing modules that are connected in series. The first and second energy storing modules each comprise an energy storing cell module, which has at least one energy storing cell, and a coupling device, which is designed to selectively connect the energy storing cell module into the respective energy supply branch or to bridge said energy storing cell module. Each second energy storing module additionally has a cooling element for the at least one energy storing cell, and the cooling element is designed to cool the at least one energy storing cell dependent on a control signal of a cooling controller. |
| US09793709B2 |
Current drivers that utilize short circuit protection
Embodiments described herein provide short circuit detection capabilities for current drivers. One embodiment includes a controller and a current driver. The current driver includes a power switch circuit that couples a supply rail to a high side of a load in response to receiving a drive signal. The current driver further includes a continuity circuit that couples the supply rail to the high side and indicates to the controller whether a first current flow to the high side exceeds a first threshold. The current driver further includes a current sense circuit that couples a low side of the load to ground and indicates to the controller whether a second current flow from the low side exceeds a second threshold. The controller identifies, based on the first current flow, the second current flow, and the drive signal, a plurality of short circuit conditions that may exist at the current driver. |
| US09793702B2 |
Delay circuit for circuit interrupting device
A circuit interrupting device that includes a line conductor, a load conductor, an interrupting device, a delay circuit, and a fault detection circuit. The interrupting device disconnects the line conductor from the load conductor when the circuit interrupting device is in a tripped condition. The delay circuit includes a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch, and delays the disconnecting of the line conductor from the load conductor. The fault detection circuit detects a fault condition and generates a fault detection signal when the fault condition is detected. The fault detection circuit provides the fault detection signal to the first switch to trigger the first switch, and the delay circuit delays the triggering of the second switch and the third switch. After an amount of time has elapsed, the second switch and the third switch are triggered to place the circuit interrupting device in the tripped condition. |
| US09793691B2 |
Apparatus and method for peeling coil of motor
Disclosed is an apparatus for peeling a coil of a motor, including a pallet on which the coil is mounted; a conveying part formed long in a lengthwise direction and configured to convey the pallet; a clamper located at the side surface of the conveying part and formed to be movable toward the conveying part and to fix the tip portion of the coil; and a laser irradiating part located at a side surface of the conveying part to radiate laser at a peeling work spot and to peel a coating layer of a tip portion of the coil. Therefore, a bonding force between the coil and the bus bar can be easily increased. |
| US09793688B2 |
Sparkplug having variable spark gap and ignition device for the same
A center electrode is electrically coupled with a main terminal. A ground electrode is opposed to the center electrode to form a gap therebetween. A piezo actuator changes in length on application of a voltage. The piezo actuator actuates one of the center electrode and the ground electrode to manipulate the gap. |
| US09793687B2 |
Spark plug for internal combustion engine, having an annular ground electrode facing an outer circumference of a center electrode
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a housing, a porcelain insulator, a center electrode, and an annular ground electrode. The housing has a small-diameter portion which has a smaller inner diameter and defines a front end thereof. The ground electrode is secured to a front end surface of the small-diameter portion and forms a spark gap between itself and an outer periphery of the center electrode. A pocket is formed between the inner periphery of the housing and a portion of the porcelain insulator which is located closer to a front end of the porcelain insulator than the mounting shoulder is. An air vent extends from outside the ground electrode in a radial direction of the spark plug to the pocket to establish communication between the pocket and the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. |
| US09793685B2 |
Junctionless semiconductor light emitting devices
A junctionless light emitting device comprises a field emitter cathode, and a light emitting semiconductor material sandwiched between an ohmic contact (OC) that faces the injected electrons and a Schottky contact (SC). The field emitter cathode is configured to inject electrons into the ohmic contact. |
| US09793684B2 |
Laser apparatus
A laser apparatus includes first and second gain media; first, second, and third wavelength selection filters; and first and second mirrors. The wavelengths of first and second laser light emitted from end surfaces of the first and second gain media, respectively, are different from each other. The third wavelength selection filter is a wavelength selection filter to select light having wavelengths that cyclically exist in the light, as light to be selected. The other end surfaces of the first and second gain media are connected with the first input/output ports of the first and second wavelength selection filters, respectively. The fourth input/output ports of the first and second gain media are connected with the first and second mirrors, respectively. The first and second input/output ports of the third wavelength selection filter are connected with the second input/output ports of the first and second wavelength selection filters, respectively. |
| US09793682B2 |
Silicon photonic chip with integrated electro-optical component and lens element
Embodiments include a silicon photonic chip having a substrate, an optical waveguide on a surface of the substrate and a cavity. The cavity includes an electro-optical component, configured for emitting light perpendicular to said surface and a lens element arranged on top of the electro-optical component. The lens is configured for collimating light emitted by the electro-optical component. The chip also includes a deflector arranged on top of the lens element and configured for deflecting light collimated through the latter toward the optical waveguide. The lens element includes electrical conductors connected to the electro-optical component. The electrical conductors of the lens element may for instance include one or more through vias, one or more bottom electrical lines on a bottom side of the lens element (facing the electro-optical component), and at least one top electrical line. |
| US09793681B2 |
Semiconductor laser device
This semiconductor laser device includes a semiconductor laser chip and a spatial light modulator SLM which is optically connected to the semiconductor laser chip. The semiconductor laser chip LDC includes an active layer 4, a pair of cladding layers 2 and 7 sandwiching the active layer 4, and a diffraction grating layer 6 which is optically connected to the active layer 4. The spatial light modulator SLM includes a common electrode 25, a plurality of pixel electrodes 21, and a liquid crystal layer LC arranged between the common electrode 25 and the pixel electrodes 21. A laser beam output in a thickness direction of the diffraction grating layer 6 is modulated and reflected by the spatial light modulator SLM and is output to the outside. |
| US09793677B1 |
Single pulse laser apparatus
Disclosed herein is a single pulse laser apparatus that includes: a resonator having a first mirror, a second mirror, a gain medium, an electro-optic modulator (EOM) configured to perform single pulse switching, and an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) configured to perform mode-locking; a photodiode configured to measure a laser beam oscillated in the resonator; a synchronizer configured to convert an electrical signal, which is generated by measuring the laser beam, into a transistor-transistor logic (TTL) signal; a delay unit configured to set a delay time for the TTL signal to synchronize the EOM and the AOM and output a trigger TTL signal according to the delay time; an AOM driver configured to input the trigger TTL signal to the AOM that performs mode-locking and drive the AOM; and an EOM driver configured to input the trigger TTL signal to the EOM that performs single pulse switching and drive the EOM. |
| US09793674B2 |
Chirped Bragg grating elements
Apparatus and methods for altering one or more spectral, spatial, or temporal characteristics of a light-emitting device are disclosed. Generally, such apparatus may include a volume Bragg grating (VBG) element that receives input light generated by a light-emitting device, conditions one or more characteristics of the input light, and causes the light-emitting device to generate light having the one or more characteristics of the conditioned light. |
| US09793672B2 |
Composite laminate having a flexible circuit bridge and method of manufacture thereof
In a composite component having a laminate body, a conductive layer and a connector can be joined to one another using an intermediate flexible circuit. Among other things, this flexible circuit places the conductive layer and the connector in electrical communication with one another. Furthermore, during the forming process and because of its thinness, the flexible circuit integrates well with the layers of the laminate body and can accommodates some spatial displacement of the connector and conductive material relative to one another. |
| US09793671B2 |
Wire positioning device
Wire positioning devices (1) for positioning an electrical wire (2) in a processing device, include a wire guide (4) for receiving the electrical wire (2) and a lowering device (5), movable vertically in relation to a first longitudinal axis (45) of the wire (2) received in the wire guide (4). The lowering device (5) has a press piece (6), spring-loaded via at least one spring element (15), and is provided so as to be contacted against the wire guide (4), the spring element (15) being arranged in a tube (16). Also disclosed are methods for lowering thin wires (2) and for positioning them in an oscillation-damped manner, wherein a wire positioning device (1) or a processing device are employed. |
| US09793670B2 |
Brush holder apparatus and system
A brush holder apparatus includes a stationary support member having at least one groove and a fork electrical connector. A brush retainment member has a brush restraint apparatus having a plunger brush restraint configured to restrain a brush from sliding within the brush retainment member by pressing it against the brush retainment member. The brush retainment member has at least one rail configured to slide along the at least one groove, and a knife electrical connector configured to mate with the fork electrical connector. The brush retainment member is configured to be releasably affixed to the stationary support member. The stationary support member is configured for electrical connection to a collector mount, and the brush retainment member is configured to retain at least one brush. |
| US09793668B1 |
E26 plastic lampholder
An E26 plastic lampholder is composed of a housing, a plastic bracket, a plastic threaded ring, a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate and installed to a downlight. The lampholder has two wire plug slots for plugging two electrodes of a power line by a bare line section, so that a power source is introduced with a convenient operation. The plastic bracket and the housing of the E26 plastic lampholder are made of a plastic material, and a combining groove is reserved on the housing 1 and provided for installing and positioning the plastic bracket, or the housing and the plastic bracket are integrally formed for a more convenient assembling operation. In the meantime, the plastic threaded ring of the E26 plastic lampholder is integrally formed in the housing, so as to facilitate the manufacturing and assembling processes. |
| US09793666B2 |
Electrical apparatus having a top-hat rail mount and a conductor connection
An electrical apparatus includes a top-hat rail mount and a first conductor connection with a clamping point. A conductor can be secured via the clamping point. The electrical apparatus can be connected to a top-hat rail via a rotational movement about a rotational axis at the top-hat rail mount. In an embodiment, the first conductor connection be embodied and arranged in such a way that in the state in which the apparatus is connected to the top-hat rail via its top-hat rail mount, the longitudinal axis of a straight conductor which is accommodated in the first conductor connection is located essentially perpendicularly with respect to a straight line which is oriented orthogonally with respect to the rotational axis and which intersects the rotational axis and the clamping point. |
| US09793665B2 |
Bar juice electronic device connection system
A power strip is scalable to provide multiple connection points within an eatery, bar or similar locale. An input power socket provides power for an individual strip while a similar output power socket provides power for a succeeding power strip in a group of strips. USB connection ports located within the power strip are utilized to power USB enabled devices attached thereto. A power regulation circuit provides appropriate power to the connection ports. |
| US09793663B2 |
Communication connectors having switchable electrical performance characteristics
A connector configured to operate in two different electrical performance modes. The connector may include a plurality of connector contacts, a plurality of contact pads, and an insulator having an insulating portion adjacent the plurality of contact pads. The insulator is movable between an insulating position and a non-insulating position. When the insulator is in the insulating position, the insulating portion insulates the plurality of contact pads from the plurality of connector contacts and the connector operates in a first one of the electrical performance modes. When the insulator is in the non-insulating position, the plurality of connector contacts contact the plurality of contact pads and the connector operates in a different second one of the electrical performance modes. The connector may be implemented as a plug or an outlet. |
| US09793662B2 |
Electrical plug connector
An electrical plug connector includes an insulated housing and a rear terminal organizer. The rear terminal organizer is assembled to the rear of the insulated housing. The rear terminal organizer includes a base and a gluing passage. The front of the base corresponds to the rear of the insulated housing. The width of the base is greater than the width of the insulated housing. The periphery of the base is protruded from the periphery of the insulated housing. The gluing passage is formed at a peripheral area of the base, and the gluing passage is defined through the base from the front to the rear. |
| US09793656B2 |
Shielded electrical connector and production method thereof
The invention relates to a shielded connector for a motor vehicle. The connector comprises at least one casing shielding element. The shielding element includes a cable outlet portion provided with a plurality of resilient tabs that are integral with the shielding element. The tabs include a contact zone in electrical contact with a ferrule crimped to a shielding braid of a cable. The contact zone is maintained pressed against the shielding braid by means of a removable clamping ring. |
| US09793654B2 |
Common ground connection clamp for at least one coaxial line
The device allows simple ground contacting of the shielding of a coaxial line, in particular a parallel ground contacting. For this purpose the connection holder has a housing for receiving preferably multiple coaxial lines which are fed through the housing in a parallel manner. A ground contacting strip lies in the housing, and the shieldings of the coaxial lines, which are stripped in a contact region, are placed against the ground contacting strip and clamped thereagainst. |
| US09793652B2 |
Contact device for contacting an electric conductor and an electrical connector to an electrical conductor track
A contacting device has a housing having a first opening for inserting the electrical conductor and the electrical plug into a cavity in the housing, and having a second opening for inserting the electrical conducting track into the cavity in the housing. The contacting device further has a contact bridge which is arranged in the cavity in the housing and comprises a first portion for fixing the electrical conductor to the electrical conducting track in a force fit, and a second portion for retaining the electrical plug on the electrical conducting track and pressing it thereagainst. |
| US09793649B1 |
Rotatable plug structure for power adapter
A rotatable plug structure for a power adapter includes a carrying base, two conductive terminals and a plug. The carrying base includes a first installation slot, a second installation slot and a channel connected between the two. The conductive terminals are secured onto the first and second installation slots; the conductive terminals include a main body, a wiring portion and a clamping member. The clamping member includes a pair of metal slats bent from the main body and extended to taper toward each other. The plug is rotatably installed on the carrying base and the conductive terminal; the plug includes a pivotal axle, a pair of insertion pins and a conductive connecting end. The plug swings freely about the pivotal axle between a deployed state and a retracted state; thereby, the conductive connecting ends are clamped by the clamping member or disengaged therefrom to overcome the improper contact problem. |
| US09793646B2 |
Electronic device
There is provided an electronic device includes a terminal port disposed at a side surface of a casing, and a cap for covering the terminal port in an openable and closable manner, wherein the cap includes a fitting portion for fitting into the terminal port, a pressing surface exposed on the side surface of the casing, and a cap-turning support configured to support the cap in the openable and closable manner with respect to the terminal port, the pressing surface of the cap is perpendicular to a fitting direction of the cap into the terminal port, and a portion located above and/or below the terminal port in the side surface of the casing constitutes a first protrusion configured to outwardly protrude in an arc-like shape from the side surface of the casing more than the pressing surface in a state where the cap is closed. |
| US09793644B2 |
Waterproof connector and electronic equipment
A waterproof connector (1) includes: a first shell (2) having an approximately tubular form, formed of metal and disposed on a plug insertion side; a second shell (3) having an approximately tubular form, formed of metal and engaged with a rear portion of the first shell (2); an outer sealing member (4) provided on an outer circumference of the first shell (2) so as to abut on a front surface portion (31) of the second shell (3) positioned on an outer side of the first shell (2); a supporting portion (5) accommodated in a wall form in a rear portion of an engagement assembly of the first shell (2) and the second shell (3) in a state in which water does not enter toward a rear side from a space between the engagement assembly and the supporting portion; and contact terminals (6) supported by the supporting portion (5). At least one of the first shell (2) and the second shell (3) is seamless. In this way, it is possible to provide a waterproof connector having a low manufacturing cost and excellent manufacturing efficiency, capable of securing a waterproof performance, decreasing the length of the connector, improving the strength of the shell, and eliminating the need of a resin housing for preventing entrance of water. |
| US09793637B2 |
Crimp structure, crimping method, and electronic device
Provided is a crimp structure in which an inner member and an outer member are joined to each other. The inner member includes an insertion portion having a columnar outer circumferential surface, and an annular groove provided in the outer circumferential surface. The outer member includes a main body portion, and a cylindrical portion continuous with the main body portion and forming an opening into which the insertion portion is inserted. The cylindrical portion includes a first reduced-diameter portion continuous with the main body portion via a first plastically-deformed portion and located further inward in a radial direction than the main body portion, and a second reduced-diameter portion continuous with the first reduced-diameter portion via a second plastically-deformed portion and located further inward in the radial direction than the first reduced-diameter portion. At least a part of the second reduced-diameter portion has entered the annular groove. |
| US09793632B2 |
Spring finger and electrical connector
A spring finger of an electrical connector is disclosed. The spring finger includes a soldering section, a support section extending substantially perpendicularly from an end of the soldering section, a U-shaped first bend extending from an end of the support section opposite the soldering section and forming a first opening facing the soldering section, and a U-shaped contact structure obliquely suspended from an end of the first bend and spaced apart from the support section. The contact structure contacts a mating conductive terminal of a mating connector in a lateral direction parallel to the soldering section. |
| US09793631B1 |
Flexible circuit to wire transition member and method
A flexible circuit to wire transition member and method which transitions wires connected to a standard wire termination connector to a flexible circuit. The transition member includes a housing with a flexible circuit receiving recess provide proximate a first surface of the housing. A wire receiving recess is provided in the housing proximate a first surface of the housing. A contact extends between the flexible circuit receiving recess and the wire receiving recess, the contact provides an electrical connection between a flexible circuit received in the flexible circuit receiving recess and a wire received in the wire receiving recess. |
| US09793630B2 |
Modification of iridium 9603 / 9603N SBD transceiver by replacing SAMTEC ST4-10-2.50L-D-P-TR user connector with molex 501591-2011 user connection
An Iridium 9603/9603N SBD Transceiver is provided. The improvement comprises a MOLEX 501591-2011 user connector replacing a SAMTEC ST4-10-2.50L-D-P-TR user connector. Furthermore, a method for replacing the SAMTEC ST4-10-2.50L-D-P-TR user connector of the Iridium 9603/9603N SBD Transceiver with the MOLEX 501591-2011 user connector is provided. |
| US09793627B2 |
Ground terminal fitting
A ground terminal fitting includes a bolt fastening portion (11) to be bolted to a ground part (40) and a wire connecting portion (12) to be connected to an end part of a wire (30). The bolt fastening portion (11) and a bottom plate portion (18) of the wire connecting portion (12) are arranged flush with each other. A protrusion (21) projecting toward the ground part (40) is provided on a part of the bolt fastening portion (11) around a bolt insertion hole (14) through which a bolt (41) is to be inserted. Since a linking portion (13) lining the bolt fastening portion (11) and the wire connecting portion (12) needs not be formed into a bent shape according to this configuration, a stress concentration on the linking portion (13) can be alleviated. |
| US09793623B2 |
Coaxial cable connector assembly and a receptor connector
A coaxial cable connector assembly and a receptor connector are provided. The coaxial cable connector assembly is composed at least of one cable end connector and the receptor connector. The receptor connector is formed of an insertion space with a lateral insertion opening to allow one portion of the cable end connector to be inserted into the insertion space through the lateral insertion opening such that the cable end connector and the receptor connector are in electrical connection. The cable end connector will be constrained such that it cannot be detached from the receptor connector in the direction other than the lateral insertion opening. |
| US09793620B2 |
Connector assembly with a blade connector
A connector assembly for electrically contacting a blade connector to a second connector The connector assembly includes a blade connector which has a contact surface plane that is electrically connected to the second connector in the mated state. In order to improve mechanical and electrical properties of the overall connector assembly and, in particular, of the blade connector, the assembly further includes a mounting cage in which the blade connector is captively held and which has at least one clamping device that presses the second connector onto the contact surface plane of the blade connector in the mated state. |
| US09793617B2 |
Electrical wire-connecting structure and method for manufacturing electrical wire-connecting structure
Provided is an electrical wire-connecting structure, and a manufacturing method thereof, with which it is easy to ensure watertightness between a crimping terminal and an insulated electrical wire. A crimping terminal (11) having a tubular portion (25) is prepared in which a first cylindrical portion (52) into which a core wire portion (14) of an electrical wire (13) is inserted is formed with a smaller diameter than a second cylindrical portion (54) into which an insulation covering portion (15) of the electrical wire (13) is inserted, and an inner diameter of the second cylindrical portion (54) is in the range of 1.0 to 1.7 times an outer diameter of the insulation covering portion (15). The electrical wire (13) is inserted into the tubular portion (25), and the second cylindrical portion (54) and the insulation covering portion (15) are compressively crimped. |
| US09793616B2 |
Shared antenna structures for near-field communications and non-near-field communications circuitry
Electronic devices may be provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. The antenna structures may include conductive housing structures such as a peripheral conductive housing member. The antenna structures may be based on an inverted-F antenna resonating element or other types of antenna resonating element. An electronic device may have near field communications circuitry and non-near-field communications circuitry such as cellular telephone, satellite navigation system, or wireless local area network transceiver circuitry. Antenna structures may be configured to handle signals associated with the non-near-field communications circuitry. The antenna structures may also have portions that form a near field communications loop antenna for handling signals associated with the near field communications circuitry. |
| US09793615B2 |
Patch antenna array for transmission of Hermite-Gaussian and Laguerre Gaussian beams
An antenna array includes a plurality of patch antennas including a plurality of layers. Each of the plurality of layers are separated by a distance and each support a portion of the plurality of patch antennas. A plurality of connectors are each associated with one of the plurality of layers and supply a signal for transmission by the associated layer. A feed network on each of the plurality of layers provides a connection between a connector associated with the layer and the portion of the patch antennas located on the layer. Each layer transmits a signal having a different orthogonal function applied thereto that multiplexes each of the signals having a different orthogonal function applied thereto onto a single transmission beam. A parabolic reflector reflects the single transmission beam from the plurality of layers of the antenna array. |
| US09793612B1 |
Reduced profile leaky-wave antenna
A reduced profile leaky-wave antenna and methods for manufacture therefor can include an inner conductor and an outer conductor. The outer conductor can be arranged in a coaxial relationship around the inner conductor to define an annular waveguide. A helical aperture can be formed in the outer conductor, to establish a leaky-wave antenna configuration. The helical aperture can have a helical pitch, which can be chosen according to the desired physical length of the antenna. For monopole reduced profile leaky-wave antennas, a metallic disk can optionally be placed the distal end of the antenna. For dipole reduced profile leaky-wave antenna embodiments, a metallic disk can be place at both ends of the antenna. The devices and methods of the present invention have the added advantage of allowing for the same feed structure to be used for both monopole antennas and dipole antennas. |
| US09793603B2 |
Millimeter wave frequency data communication systems
A first module and a second module are formed on a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) chip substrate. The first module is to serialize and de-serialize a data signal. The second module is to up-convert and down-convert the data signal to and from the first module. An antenna is coupled to the second module and integrated onto the CMOS chip substrate. The antenna is coupleable to a hollow metal waveguide (HMWG). The first and second modules are arranged for proximity to the antenna to avoid substantially degrading the data signal at millimeter wave frequencies in migrating the data signal between the first module and the antenna. |
| US09793600B2 |
Wireless communication module and communication terminal apparatus incorporating the same
A wireless communication module includes a multilayer structure including a magnetic block and at least one non-magnetic layer stacked on the magnetic block, the magnetic block including at least one magnetic layer, at least one inductor element disposed at the magnetic block, and an antenna coil disposed at the non-magnetic layer so as to overlap the inductor element in a planar view along a stacking direction of the non-magnetic layer with respect to the magnetic block, wherein the magnetic layer is present between the inductor element and the antenna coil. |
| US09793597B2 |
Antenna with active elements
A multi-frequency antenna comprising an IMD element, one or more active tuning elements and one or more parasitic elements. The IMD element is used in combination with the active tuning and parasitic elements for enabling a variable frequency at which the antenna operates, wherein, when excited, the parasitic elements may couple with the IMD element to change an operating characteristic of the IMD element. |
| US09793596B2 |
Facilitating wireless communication in conjunction with orientation position
Disclosed herein are example embodiments for facilitating wireless communication in conjunction with orientation position. For certain example embodiments, at least one device, such as a portable wireless node: (i) may obtain one or more antenna assembly configuration parameters that are associated with at least one orientation position of at least one portable wireless node; or (ii) may utilize one or more antenna assembly configuration parameters that are associated with at least one orientation position of at least one portable wireless node. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, or so forth. |
| US09793588B2 |
Waveguide switch
A movable waveguide block 50 having transmission lines 51 and 52 slides in a non-contact manner between a first end surface 30b of a first fixing waveguide block 30 having transmission lines 31 and 32 and a second end surface 40a of a second fixing waveguide block 40 having a transmission line 41, and switching of propagation paths is performed. Grooves 35A, 35B, 36A, 36B, 45A, 45B, 55A, 55B, 56A, 56B, 57A, 57B, 58A, and 58B having depths equivalent to ¼ of a guide wavelength of an electromagnetic wave of a leakage prevention object are provided in pairs around openings of the transmission lines 31, 32, 41, 51, and 52 facing each other across a gap between blocks. Accordingly, unintended leakage of electromagnetic waves to the transmission lines via the gap between the blocks is prevented, and isolation increases. |
| US09793587B2 |
Electrode material, electrode, and battery
An electrode includes a plant-derived porous carbon material having an ability to catalyze oxygen reduction. |
| US09793582B2 |
Method for data transmission on battery systems having a plurality of cells
A method is provided for transmitting measured data from cells of a battery system, having a plurality of individual cells, to a control device, comprising the steps of identifying a first individual cell for which measured data are to be furnished at a first measured-data quality; identifying at least one further individual cell or which measured data are to be furnished at a second measured-data quality; the first measured-data quality being higher than the second measured-data quality; identifying the first-quality measured data; identifying the second-quality measured data; transferring the first-quality measured data to a control device using a data connection; and transferring the second-quality measured data after the first-quality measured data have been transferred. |
| US09793581B2 |
Encasing film for a galvanic element, electrochemical store, electrochemical storage system, flexible film for an encasing of a galvanic element, and method for determining a state variable of an electrochemical store
An encasing film for a galvanic element has at least one force sensor for detecting an expansion state of the encasing film. The encasing film is produced from an elastic and electrically insulating material, e.g., plastic. The force sensor, which has a strain gauge, is situated on a surface of the encasing film. |
| US09793574B2 |
Method for producing solid electrolyte
A method for producing a solid electrolyte including step of bringing the following into contact with each other in a solvent having a solubility parameter of 9.0 or more: an alkali metal sulfide; one or two or more sulfur compounds selected from phosphorus sulfide, germanium sulfide, silicon sulfide and boron sulfide; and a halogen compound. |
| US09793573B2 |
Lithium ion secondary battery containing a non-polar active material
A lithium ion secondary battery that can be charged without regard to polarity is disclosed. The lithium ion secondary battery includes a lithium ion secondary battery unit, which includes a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer that are laminated on an electrolytic region. The first electrode layer and the second electrode layer contain Li2Mn2O4 as a common active material. |
| US09793571B2 |
Apparatus for bonding separators in electrical devices
An apparatus for bonding separators in electrical devices the separators to each other so as to sandwich an electrode, includes a transmission unit configured to generate ultrasonic oscillations, an amplifier unit configured to amplify the generated oscillations, an abutting part configured to apply the amplified oscillations to the separators so as to bond the separators to each other, and separator conveyance units configured to convey the separators to a bonding position where the abutting part bonds the pair of separators to each other, the transmission unit, the amplifier unit, and the abutting part are laid out parallel to a direction in which the separators are conveyed. |
| US09793570B2 |
Shared electrode battery
A shared electrode battery includes multiple electrodes of one type (e.g., two or more cathodes) that share an electrode of another type (e.g., a shared anode). The multiple electrodes of the same type (e.g., the multiple cathodes) can have different characteristics, such as different chemistries, particle sizes and distributions, capacities, and so forth that are designed to provide particular features such as high energy density, high power density, high cycle life, fast charge, safety, and so forth. Multiple cathode-anode pairings of one of the multiple electrodes of the same type with the shared electrode are possible. Switching hardware is operable to select one of the multiple pairings at any given time, allowing the battery to provide power using the cathode having the desired characteristics at that given time. A single battery is thus able to provide these multiple different features. |
| US09793565B2 |
Method of manufacturing reinforced electrolyte membrane, method of manufacturing membrane electrode assembly, and membrane electrode assembly
An object is to provide a technique that improves the power generation performance, while enhancing the strength of a reinforced electrolyte membrane. There is provided a method of manufacturing a reinforced electrolyte membrane that comprises a first reinforcing film on one surface of an electrolyte membrane and a second reinforcing film on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane. The method of manufacturing the reinforced electrolyte membrane comprises (a) process of thermally compressing the first reinforcing film and the second reinforcing film to the electrolyte membrane. In the process (a), a number of times of thermally compressing the second reinforcing film to the electrolyte membrane is less than a number of times of thermally compressing the first reinforcing film to the electrolyte membrane. |
| US09793564B2 |
Composite having ion exchange function and preparation method and use thereof
A preparation method of composite materials having ion exchange function is provided. The method comprises the following steps: adding a trace of strong protonic acid and/or Lewis acid as a catalyst into the material during compounding, to allow nitrile groups of at least one nitrile group-containing ion exchange resin and nitrile groups of functional monomers grafted on the porous fluoropolymer membrane to form a triazine ring crosslinked structure. |
| US09793560B2 |
Estimation of the state of charge of a positive electrolyte solution of a working redox flow battery cell without using any reference electrode
A Method and device for measurement is disclosed in operation, an undivided cell sensor immersed at any desirable point of the positive electrolyte circuit is constantly supplied at a controlled fixed DC bias voltage between the positive metal electrode and the porous carbon counter-electrode by an appropriate voltage regulator of adequate power capability, or cyclically at two or more different voltages, all within a range that includes the region between 0.35V and 0.45V, measuring simultaneously the current flowing across the undivided cell sensor at the fixed voltage or voltages bias. By correlating the paired voltage and current values, using a look up table compiled at calibration, estimated values of the degree of oxidation or state of charge of the redox ion couple of the positive electrolyte solution are produced. |
| US09793558B2 |
Fuel cell system
A fuel cell system of the present invention can suppress an excessively wet or dry state of a fuel cell stack so as to thereby ensure the durability of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell system supplies an oxidant gas with a reduced flow rate per unit time and for a long time period if the rate of voltage decrease of the stack becomes faster than a threshold rate, and supplies the oxidant gas with an increased flow rate per unit time and for a short time period if the rate of voltage decrease becomes slower than a threshold rate. |
| US09793557B2 |
Thermal management system and method for fuel cell vehicle
A thermal management system and method for a fuel cell vehicle is provided. In particular, a radiator, a 3-way valve, a pump, a heater, and a stack are all connected in that order. The system is capable of selectively de-mineralizing and providing an increase in flow rate by connecting a de-mineralizer line to a port at a bypass line side of a 3-way valve. |
| US09793555B2 |
Membrane electrode assembly with gas diffusion layers having a rib porosity and method of manufacturing the same, as well as fuel cell
In order to provide a membrane electrode assembly that can further improve power generation performances of a fuel cell, the present invention allows a rib portion (22) that separates mutually adjacent gas flow passages (21) from each other to have a porosity lower than the porosity of a lower area (23) of the rib portion. Thus, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the rib portion and excessive permeation of a reaction gas, and consequently to further improve the power generation performances. |
| US09793554B2 |
Fuel cell separator and fuel cell
A fuel cell separator in which the adhesion of a conductive coating formed on the surface of the fuel cell separator is further improved. The fuel cell separator (20) includes a metal substrate (24) molded from titanium, and a conductive coating (30) that exhibits conductivity and is formed on the surface of the metal substrate (24), wherein the conductive coating (30) contains conductive particles, and the average particle size of the conductive particles is not less than 1 nm and not more than 100 nm. The average particle size of the conductive particles is preferably not less than 1 nm and not more than 10 nm, and more preferably not less than 1 nm and not more than 5 nm. |
| US09793551B2 |
Cu-based cermet materials for solid oxide fuel cells
The present invention relates to a cermet body composition for the preparation of novel cermet materials to be used in solid oxide fuel cells. The cermet body composition comprises a ceramic component and a metallic component, wherein the ceramic component is in the range of 5% to 95% by wt of the cermet body. |
| US09793541B2 |
Composite silicon or composite tin particles
The specification relates to a composite particle for storing lithium. The composite particle is used in an electrochemical cell. The composite particle includes a metal oxide on the surface of the composite particle, a major dimension that is approximately less than or equal to 40 microns and a formula of MM′Z, wherein M is from the group of Si and Sn, M′ is from a group of Mn, Mg, Al, Mo, Bronze, Be, Ti, Cu, Ce, Li, Fe, Ni, Zn, Co, Zr, K, and Na, and Z is from the group of O, Cl, P, C, S, H, and F. |
| US09793536B2 |
Pellet form cathode for use in a biocompatible battery
Methods and apparatus to form biocompatible energization elements are described. In some examples, the methods and apparatus to form the biocompatible energization elements involve forming pellets comprising active cathode chemistry. The active elements of the cathode and anode are sealed with a biocompatible material. In some examples, a field of use for the methods and apparatus may include any biocompatible device or product that requires energization elements. |
| US09793535B2 |
Electrode structure including insulating layer, manufacturing method thereof, and electrochemical device including the electrode
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing an electrode structure including (S1) coating and drying a slurry for an electrode active material layer on an electrode current collector placed on a heated bottom surface, (S2) coating and drying a slurry for an insulating layer including inorganic particles, a binder, and a solvent, on a heated roller located at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface, and (S3) transferring the dried slurry for an insulating layer to the dried slurry for an electrode active material layer on the bottom surface, and thermo-compressing the dried slurry for an insulating layer and the dried slurry for an electrode active material layer, to form an insulating layer on an electrode surface. |
| US09793524B2 |
Water resistant battery box
A water resistant battery box for use with electronic faucets. The battery box includes a lower housing, a cover supported by the lower housing, and an upper housing positioned between the lower housing and the cover. The upper housing includes a lip seal cooperating with the lower housing to prevent water from leaking into the housing while permitting for internal pressure within the battery box to be relieved. |
| US09793523B2 |
Electrochemical apparatus with barrier layer protected substrate
The present invention relates to apparatus, compositions and methods of fabricating high performance thin-film batteries on metallic substrates, polymeric substrates, or doped or undoped silicon substrates by fabricating an appropriate barrier layer composed, for example, of barrier sublayers between the substrate and the battery part of the present invention thereby separating these two parts chemically during the entire battery fabrication process as well as during any operation and storage of the electrochemical apparatus during its entire lifetime. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention thin-film batteries fabricated onto a thin, flexible stainless steel foil substrate using an appropriate barrier layer that is composed of barrier sublayers have uncompromised electrochemical performance compared to thin-film batteries fabricated onto ceramic substrates when using a 700° C. post-deposition anneal process for a LiCoO2 positive cathode. |
| US09793522B2 |
Sealed solid state battery
An electrochemical battery can include electrodes (a cathode and an electrode) arranged on respective surfaces of an electrolyte. The electrodes and electrolyte can each be solid state films that can be layered on top of one another to create a stacked structure disposed on a substrate. A polymeric sealant material can be applied over and around the battery stack and a moisture barrier can be formed over the sealant material to thereby prevent moisture from reaching the battery. Conductive terminals electrically coupled to the cathode and anode, respectively, can be formed on a second side of the substrate. As such, the battery can be flip-chip mounted to corresponding mounting pads and thereby connected to other electronics that can receive power from the battery. |
| US09793521B2 |
Pouch type rechargeable battery
A pouch-type rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly performing charging and discharging, a pouch forming a sealing portion at a side surface of a cell body receiving the electrode assembly by sealing an outer portion thereof and forming a terrace drawing out a first lead tab and a second lead tab connected to the electrode assembly at the other side surface of the cell body, and an insulation tape insulating the sealing portion from the cell body and including a short circuit check hole adjacent to the end of the terrace. The insulation tape insulates both side ends of the end. |
| US09793520B2 |
Flexible folding battery cover
Battery covers and methods for producing battery covers are described. One battery cover described herein includes a single sheet of material formed into a substantially rectangular box shape with an opening formed along one side, the rectangular box shape capable of being folded into a flattened shape for transportation and the material including a flexible laminate of at least one layer of synthetic fiber and a polymer film layer. The material has a thickness and other properties such that when the battery cover is unfolded, the material substantially maintains the rectangular box shape, and when the battery cover is folded into the flattened shape, the material maintains a spring force such that, unless restrained, the battery cover would unfold to the rectangular box shape. |
| US09793519B2 |
Polymer fused batteries
Polymer-fused batteries are provided. The battery includes a casing, an anode coupled to the casing, an electrical source disposed between the casing and the anode, and a fuse. The polymer fuse comprises an electrically-conductive material formulated to decompose upon contact with a bodily fluid. |
| US09793512B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a substrate including a bending area between a first region and a second region and configured to be bent at the bending area, a display portion above the substrate in the first region, a protective film below the substrate and including a protective film base and an adhesive layer, wherein the protective film base has an opening corresponding to the bending area or the protective film base corresponds to at least a portion of the first region, and wherein the adhesive layer is between the substrate and the protective film base and forms an integral body above the first region, the bending area, and the second region, and at least a portion of the adhesive layer that corresponds to the bending area has a hardness different from that of at least a portion of the adhesive layer corresponding to the first region. |
| US09793507B2 |
OLED device packaging method and OLED device packaged with same
Provided is an OLED device packaging method, which includes: providing an OLED substrate that includes an OLED unit formed on surface thereof; attaching an insulation material to the surface of the OLED substrate to form a first frame having frame members located outside and circumferentially surround arranged the OLED unit; providing a packaging cover having a surface; attaching a low-temperature metal conductive adhesive tape directly on the surface of the packaging cover to form a second frame having frame members corresponding to and having a width smaller than the frame members of the first frame; laminating the packaging cover and the OLED substrate together in a vacuum environment with the frame members of first and second frames stacked on each other; and (6) melting the second frame securely bond the packaging cover and the OLED substrate together. Also provided is an OLED device formed with such a packaging method. |
| US09793503B2 |
Nanostructured organic memristor/memcapacitor of making with an embedded low-to-high frequency switch and a method of inducing an electromagnetic field thereto
An organic memresitor/memcapacitor comprises of two terminal electrodes, each electrode has a membrane made of nanostructure organic conducting polymer of cyclodextrin derivatives attached thereto. By self assembling of cross-linking copolymers forming conductive membranes and separated by a mobile dopant barrier dielectric material, one side of the membrane has structure formed flat horizontal nano-bridges with array larger vertical nanopores underneath the bridge; and another side of the electrode/membrane has a negative mobile dopant polymer network forming arrays nano-islands with the membrane thickness is one third of the opposite membrane to be feasible conducting “head-tail” biphase charge and discharge at wide range of frequencies, so called the low-to-high frequency switch embedded to effectively save energy and storage energy by utilizing functional groups mimicking the positive and negative isopotential poles active sites of the acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) gorge along strengthened by a hydrophobic reagent. This invention also disclosed a method to build an organic Memristor/Memcapacitor having no hydrophobic reagent applied to lining the ACHE gorge and hence it induced an electromagnetic field that was not able to have biphase charge/discharge in an organic media. |
| US09793501B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display includes a flexible substrate, a driving layer positioned on the flexible substrate and including a thin film transistor, an element layer positioned on the driving layer and including an organic light emitting diode that is connected to the thin film transistor, a thin film encapsulation layer covering the element layer and encapsulating the element layer and the flexible substrate, and a compensation layer positioned between the element layer and the flexible substrate. |
| US09793498B2 |
Organometallic complex, and light-emitting element and light-emitting device using the same
It is an object of the present invention to provide an organometallic complex that can emit phosphorescence. In the following general formula (G1), X represents —O— or —N(R10)—. R1 to R9 each represent any of hydrogen, an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyloxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogen group, a haloalkyl group, and an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms. In addition, R10 represents any of an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and a heteroaryl group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms. Moreover, M represents an element belonging to Group 9 or 10. |
| US09793497B2 |
Green luminescent materials
There is provided a compound having Formula I In the formula: Ar can be phenyl, biphenyl, or terphenyl, and can optionally have one or more substituents which can be D, alkyl, silyl, deuterated alkyl, or deuterated silyl; R1 can be alkyl, silyl, aryl, heteroaryl, deuterated alkyl, deuterated silyl, deuterated aryl, or deuterated heteroaryl; R2-R11 are the same or different and can be H, D, alkyl, silyl, deuterated alkyl, or deuterated silyl. |
| US09793496B2 |
Condensed-cyclic compound and organic light-emitting device including the same
A condensed cyclic compound and an organic light-emitting device, the compound being represented by Formula 1: (A1)a1-(L1)b1-(A2)a2 |
| US09793495B2 |
Organic light-emitting device
An OLED device including a first electrode; a second electrode; and an organic layer, the organic layer including an emission layer, a hole transport region between the first electrode and the emission layer, the hole transport region including at least one of a hole transport layer, a hole injection layer, and a buffer layer, and an electron transport region between the emission layer and the second electrode, the electron transport region including at least one of a hole blocking layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer, wherein the emission layer includes at least one host (H) and at least one phosphorescent dopant (D), an electron affinity (EA) and an ionization potential (IP) simultaneously satisfying the relationships represented by Equation (1) and Equation (2) below: EA(D)−EA(H)≧0.2 eV (1) IP(H)−IP(D)≧0.2 eV (2). |
| US09793485B2 |
Benzocyclobutenes derived compositions, and electronic devices containing the same
The invention provides compositions comprising crosslinkable BCB-functionalized materials for use in OLEDs applications. The inventive compositions can be used to form hole-transporting materials for use in electroluminescent devices. In particular, the invention provides a composition comprising at least one compound selected from Structure A, as described herein. |
| US09793479B2 |
Methods for fabricating devices including photovoltaic devices
Embodiments described herein provide methods for processing various polymer materials for use in devices, such as photovoltaic devices. In some cases, oxidative chemical vapor deposition (oCVD) may be used to process conjugated polymers, including relatively insoluble conjugated polymers. The methods described herein provide processing techniques that may be used to synthesize and/or process polymers, such as unsubstituted thiophene. |
| US09793474B2 |
Low temperature P+ polycrystalline silicon material for non-volatile memory device
A method of forming a non-volatile memory device. The method includes providing a substrate having a surface region and forming a first dielectric material overlying the surface region of the substrate. A first electrode structure is formed overlying the first dielectric material and a p+ polycrystalline silicon germanium material is formed overlying the first electrode structure. A p+ polycrystalline silicon material is formed overlying the first electrode structure using the polycrystalline silicon germanium material as a seed layer at a deposition temperature ranging from about 430 Degree Celsius to about 475 Degree Celsius without further anneal. The method forms a resistive switching material overlying the polycrystalline silicon material, and a second electrode structure including an active metal material overlying the resistive switching material. |
| US09793473B2 |
Memristor structures
A memristor structure may be provided that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a buffer layer disposed on the first electrode. The memristor structure may include a switching layer interposed between the second electrode and the buffer layer to form, when a voltage is applied, a filament or path that extends from the second electrode to the buffer layer and to form a Schottky-like contact or a heterojunction between the filament and the buffer layer. |
| US09793469B2 |
Magnetoresistive element and magnetic memory
A magnetoresistive element according to an embodiment includes: a first magnetic layer; a second magnetic layer; a first nonmagnetic layer disposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer; a third magnetic layer disposed between the first magnetic layer and the first nonmagnetic layer; and a layer having an amorphous structure, the layer containing two or more elements that are contained in the first magnetic layer, the layer being disposed between the first magnetic layer and the third magnetic layer. |
| US09793468B2 |
Magnetoresistive MTJ stack having an unpinned, fixed synthetic anti-ferromagnetic structure
A magnetoresistive magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack includes a free magnetic region, a fixed magnetic region, and a dielectric layer positioned between the free magnetic region and the fixed magnetic region. In one aspect, the fixed magnetic region consists essentially of an unpinned, fixed synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) structure which comprises (i) a first layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials, including cobalt, (ii) a multi-layer region including a plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials, wherein the plurality of layers of ferromagnetic materials include a layer of one or more ferromagnetic materials including cobalt, and (iii) an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer disposed between the first layer and the multi-layer region. The free magnetic region may include a circular shape, the one or more ferromagnetic materials of the first layer may include cobalt, iron and boron, and the dielectric layer may be disposed on the first layer. |
| US09793467B2 |
Method for reducing size and center positioning of magnetic memory element contacts
A method of centering a contact on a layer of a magnetic memory device. In one embodiment, a spacers is formed in an opening surrounding the upper layer and the contact is formed within the spacer. The spacer is formed from an anisotropically etched conformal layer deposited on an upper surface and into the opening. |
| US09793466B2 |
Ultrasonic sensor and manufacturing method thereof
An ultrasonic sensor includes a substrate. A first electrode and a first piezoelectric layer are stacked on one side of the substrate. A second electrode and a second piezoelectric layer are stacked on the other side of the substrate. A notch is defined in the first piezoelectric layer. And a conductive film is coated within the notch to couple the first electrode and the first piezoelectric layer. |
| US09793464B2 |
Ferroelectric film and method for manufacturing the same
To produce a ferroelectric film formed of a lead-free material. The ferroelectric film according to an aspect of the present invention includes a (K1-XNaX)NbO3 film or a BiFeO3 film having a perovskite structure and a crystalline oxide preferentially oriented to (001) formed on at least one of the upper side and lower side of the (K1-XNaX)NbO3 film or BiFeO3 film, and X satisfies the formula below 0.3≦X≦0.7. |
| US09793461B2 |
Nano-structured porous thermoelectric generators
Methods and processes to fabricate thermoelectric materials and more particularly to methods and processes to fabricate nano-sized doped silicon-based semiconductive materials to use as thermoelectrics in the production of electricity from recovered waste heat. Substantially oxidant-free and doped silicon particulates are fractured and sintered to form a porous nano-sized silicon-based thermoelectric material. |
| US09793457B2 |
Light emitting device package and lighting apparatus having same
An embodiment relates to a light emitting device package and a lighting apparatus having the same.According to the embodiment, A light emitting device package includes a first lead frame; a second lead frame spaced apart from the first lead frame; a body coupled to the first lead frame and the second lead frame and includes a first cavity which exposes a portion of the upper surface of the first lead frame, a second cavity which exposes a portion of the upper surface of the second lead frame, and a spacer which is disposed between the first lead frame and the second frame; at least one light emitting device disposed in the first cavity; and a protection device disposed in the second cavity. The second cavity is disposed on a first inside surface of the first cavity and the first inside surface is connected to an upper surface of the spacer, and an area of a bottom surface of the first cavity is equal to or less than 40% of entire area of the body. |
| US09793456B2 |
Molded resin body for surface-mounted light-emitting device, manufacturing method thereof, and surface-mounted light-emitting device
A molded resin body for surface-mounted light-emitting device has a cured resin body integrally molded with a plurality of leads and a concave portion to which the plurality of leads are exposed at the bottom portion, in which the ten-point average roughness (Rz) of the opening surface of the concave portion is 1 μm to 10 μm, the glass transition temperature of the cured resin body is 10° C. or higher and the glass transition temperature is a value measured using a thermomechanical analyzer (TMA) under the conditions of a temperature range of −50 to 250° C., a temperature elevation rate of 5° C./min, and a sample size length of 1 to 5 mm, and the optical reflectance at 460 nm of the opening surface of the concave portion is 80% or more and the optical reflectance retention rate on the opening surface after heating the molded resin body at 180° C. for 72 hours is 90% or more. |
| US09793450B2 |
Light emitting apparatus having one or more ridge structures defining at least one circle around a common center
A light emitting device includes a light emitting device on a substrate; an encapsulation layer covering the light emitting device; and a texture layer on the encapsulation layer. A surface of the texture layer has a ridge structure. A radial cross section of the ridge structure has a triangular shape with a distal vertex relative to the encapsulation layer surface. The distal vertex has one or more altitude angles, and the one or more altitude angles are less than or equal to 40 degrees. |
| US09793449B1 |
LED package structure and LED light-emitting device
The present disclosure provides a LED package structure and a LED light-emitting device. The LED package structure comprises a LED chip and a wavelength converting layer covering the LED chip. The wavelength converting layer contains red phosphor, which has lower amount in edge portion than in center portion. It is possible to avoid direct or indirect excitation for generating red light in edge portion of the LED chip by adjusting the amount of red phosphor in edge portion to be lower, so that the color temperature in edge portion may be adjusted toward to high color temperature, and thus the phenomenon of yellow halo may be alleviated. |
| US09793446B2 |
Composite having semiconductor structure including a nanocrystalline core and shell embedded in a matrix
Composites having semiconductor structures embedded in a matrix are described. In an example, a composite includes a matrix material. A plurality of semiconductor structures is embedded in the matrix material. Each semiconductor structure includes an anisotropic nanocrystalline core composed of a first semiconductor material. Each semiconductor structure also includes a nanocrystalline shell composed of a second, different, semiconductor material at least partially surrounding the anisotropic nanocrystalline core. An insulator layer encapsulates each nanocrystalline shell and anisotropic nanocrystalline core pairing. |
| US09793444B2 |
Display device and electronic device
One object of the invention is to provide a display device that can display an image which causes a viewer less strain associated with viewing and gives a viewer a sense of great depth and an electronic device for enjoying the image. The present inventors have focused on a sense of depth obtained by monocular viewing and have conceived a display device in which pixels each include a light-emitting module capable of emitting light having a spectral line half-width of less than or equal to 60 nm in a response time of less than or equal to 100 μs and are provided at a resolution of higher than or equal to 80 ppi; the NTSC ratio is higher than or equal to 80%; and the contrast ratio is higher than or equal to 500. |
| US09793442B2 |
Optoelectronic component
An optoelectronic component includes a housing having a top side, wherein an anchoring structure which is a positive relief is arranged at the top side, a covering element is arranged above the top side and anchored at the anchoring structure, and the covering element completely covers the top side. |
| US09793440B2 |
Light emitting diode having electrode pads
A substrate, a first conductive type semiconductor layer arranged on the substrate, a second conductive type semiconductor layer arranged on the first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer disposed between the first conductive type semiconductor layer and the second conductive type semiconductor layer, a first electrode pad electrically connected to the first conductive type semiconductor layer, a second electrode pad arranged on the second conductive type semiconductor layer, an insulation layer disposed between the second conductive type semiconductor layer and the second electrode pad, and at least one upper extension electrically connected to the second electrode pad, the at least one upper extension being electrically connected to the second conductive type semiconductor layer. |
| US09793435B2 |
Technique for the growth and fabrication of semipolar (Ga,Al,In,B)N thin films, heterostructures, and devices
A method for growth and fabrication of semipolar (Ga,Al,In,B)N thin films, heterostructures, and devices, comprising identifying desired material properties for a particular device application, selecting a semipolar growth orientation based on the desired material properties, selecting a suitable substrate for growth of the selected semipolar growth orientation, growing a planar semipolar (Ga,Al,In,B)N template or nucleation layer on the substrate, and growing the semipolar (Ga,Al,In,B)N thin films, heterostructures or devices on the planar semipolar (Ga,Al,In,B)N template or nucleation layer. The method results in a large area of the semipolar (Ga,Al,In,B)N thin films, heterostructures, and devices being parallel to the substrate surface. |
| US09793432B2 |
Light emitting devices and methods of manufacturing the same
Light emitting devices and methods of manufacturing the light emitting devices. The light emitting devices include a silicon substrate; a metal buffer layer on the silicon substrate, a patterned distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) on the metal buffer layer; and a nitride-based thin film layer on the patterned DBR and regions between patterns of the DBR. |
| US09793429B2 |
Photovoltaic intensification system using solar tracking concentrators and heat exchangers
A photovoltaic intensification system includes a solar array stand, further including a mounting base; a mounting column; a solar array frame, a solar array, solar array lenses or reflectors, a light sensor, an elevation actuator, and a horizontal actuator; and a solar system cart, further including: a cart enclosure, a radiant solar cooker chamber, cart reflectors, and cart wheels. Further included are a vertical tilt ring, a strong-arm rod, a mass pivot rod, an elevation actuating ring, a horizontal tilt ring, and mounting brackets. A power and control system for photovoltaic intensification further includes a battery charger, a battery, an A/C inverter, a solar control unit, a remote control, a thermo electric freezer component, and a heat exchanger. A solar control unit includes a light sensor control circuit and a temperature control circuit, or a processor, a non-transitory memory, an input/output, an actuator controller, and a temperature controller. |
| US09793426B2 |
Method for processing surface of light-transmitting glass and light-transmitting glass processed by said method
To impart antiglare properties without reducing the amount of transmitted light, a method for processing a surface of light-transmitting-glass according to the present invention comprises a blasting step of ejecting abrasive grains with particle sizes of #800 to #3000 (average particle diameter 14 μm to 4 μm) such as WA (white alundum: high-purity alumina) having higher hardness than that of the glass onto a light-receiving surface of the glass having light-transmitting property to be processed for forming indentations and protrusions in the light-receiving surface of the glass, and after the blasting step, a hydrofluoric acid treatment step of immersing the light-receiving surface of the glass into a hydrofluoric acid solution in 10% to 20% concentration for 30 to 600 seconds thereby increase a height (amplitude) of indentations and protrusions of the surface of light-transmitting-glass. |
| US09793421B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatus for precision automation of manufacturing solar panels
Systems and methods for manufacturing solar panels are disclosed. Solar cells are placed on a conveyor that transports the cells from a start point to an end point. A laser scribing module scribes the cells at a predetermined depth. A paste dispensing module deposits a predetermined amount of conductive paste on the surface of the solar cells. A cleaving apparatus divides the cells into smaller strips. A shingling module creates a string of cells by overlapping the strips. A targeted annealing module cures the paste, and a layup module places the strings on a backsheet. A glass cover is then added to one side of the strings. |
| US09793420B2 |
Growth layer for photovoltaic applications
Sputtered zinc oxide layer is used to improve and control the crystalline properties of a molybdenum back contact used in photovoltaic cells. Optimum thicknesses for the zinc oxide layer are identified. |
| US09793418B2 |
Schottky barrier diode
A Schottky metal 9 is in Schottky-contact with a center portion of a surface of an epitaxial layer 4. A peripheral trench 13 is formed by digging from the surface of the epitaxial layer 4 on a boundary portion between an active region 21 where the Schottky metal 9 is in Schottky-contact with the surface of the epitaxial layer 4 and a peripheral region 22 outside of the active region in a surface layer portion of the epitaxial layer 4. An insulating film 14 is formed on an entire area of inner wall surfaces of the peripheral trench 13. There is provided with a conductor 15 which is connected to the Schottky metal 9 and is opposed to the entire area of the inner wall surfaces of the peripheral trench 13 via the insulating film 14 in the peripheral trench 13. |
| US09793414B2 |
Oxide semiconductor film
To provide a crystalline oxide semiconductor film, an ion is made to collide with a target including a crystalline In—Ga—Zn oxide, thereby separating a flat-plate-like In—Ga—Zn oxide in which a first layer including a gallium atom, a zinc atom, and an oxygen atom, a second layer including an indium atom and an oxygen atom, and a third layer including a gallium atom, a zinc atom, and an oxygen atom are stacked in this order; and the flat-plate-like In—Ga—Zn oxide is irregularly deposited over a substrate while the crystallinity is maintained. |
| US09793413B2 |
Metal oxide thin film transistor having channel protection layer
The present disclosure provides a method for producing a thin film transistor. The method includes the steps of: forming a protective layer on an active layer of the thin film transistor and patterning the protective layer along with the active layer when the active layer is deposited; depositing a source and drain electrode layer and patterning it by a dry etching to form a source electrode and a drain electrode; and etching or passivating the protective layer located in a back channel region of the source electrode and the drain electrode. In addition, the present disclosure also discloses a thin film transistor produced by the above method, and an array substrate. |
| US09793412B2 |
Semiconductor device
A transistor is provided in which the bottom surface portion of an oxide semiconductor film is provided with a metal oxide film containing a constituent similar to that of the oxide semiconductor film, and an insulating film containing a different constituent from the metal oxide film and the oxide semiconductor film is formed in contact with a surface of the metal oxide film, which is opposite to the surface in contact with the oxide semiconductor film. In addition, the oxide semiconductor film used for the active layer of the transistor is an oxide semiconductor film highly purified to be electrically i-type (intrinsic) through heat treatment in which impurities such as hydrogen, moisture, hydroxyl, and hydride are removed from the oxide semiconductor and oxygen which is one of main component materials of the oxide semiconductor is supplied and is also reduced in a step of removing impurities. |
| US09793409B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel
A semiconductor device comprises a multi-layered structure disposed over a substrate and defining a composite lateral etch profile. The multi-layered structure includes a lower sub-layer disposed over the substrate and comprising a metal oxide material that includes indium and zinc, the indium and zinc content in the bottom sub-layer substantially defining a first indium to zinc content ratio; a middle sub-layer disposed over the bottom sub-layer and comprising a metal material; an upper sub-layer disposed over the middle sub-layer and comprising a metal oxide material that includes indium and zinc, the indium to zinc content in the upper sub-layer substantially defining a second indium to zinc content ratio smaller than the first indium to zinc content ratio; and a lateral byproduct layer formed over the lateral etched surface, comprising substantially an metal oxide of the metal material in the middle sub-layer. |
| US09793400B2 |
Semiconductor device including dual-layer source/drain region
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a channel region interposed between a first active region and a second active region, and a gate structure formed on the channel region. A first dual-layer source/drain region is on the first active region and a second dual-layer source/drain region is on the second active region. The first and second dual-layer source/drain regions include stacked layers formed of different semiconductor materials. A first extension region is embedded in the first active region and a second extension region is embedded in the second active region. |
| US09793399B2 |
Semiconductor device having insulating pattern and method of forming the same
A semiconductor device includes a stressor and an insulating pattern. A device isolation layer is formed to define an active area on a substrate. A first gate electrode is formed on the active area. A second gate electrode is formed on the device isolation layer. A trench is formed in the active area between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode. A stressor is formed in the trench. A cavity formed between the stressor and the device isolation layer and adjacent to the second gate electrode is disposed. An insulating pattern is formed in the cavity. |
| US09793398B1 |
Fabrication of a strained region on a substrate
A method of forming a strained channel for a field effect transistor, including forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate, forming a channel layer on the sacrificial layer, forming a stressor layer on the channel layer, wherein the stressor layer applies a stress to the channel layer, forming at least one etching trench by removing at least a portion of the stressor layer, channel layer, and sacrificial layer, wherein the etching trench exposes at least a portion of a sidewall of the sacrificial layer, and separates the stressor layer, channel layer, and sacrificial layer into two or more stressor islands, channel blocks, and sacrificial slabs, and removing the sacrificial slabs to release the channel blocks from the substrate using a selective etch, wherein the channel blocks adhere to the substrate surface. |
| US09793396B2 |
Method and structure of making enhanced UTBB FDSOI devices
An integrated circuit die includes a substrate having a first layer of semiconductor material, a layer of dielectric material on the first layer of semiconductor material, and a second layer of semiconductor material on the layer of dielectric material. An extended channel region of a transistor is positioned in the second layer of semiconductor material, interacting with a top surface, side surfaces, and potentially portions of a bottom surface of the second layer of semiconductor material. A gate dielectric is positioned on a top surface and on the exposed side surface of the second layer of semiconductor material. A gate electrode is positioned on the top surface and the exposed side surface of the second layer of semiconductor material. |
| US09793395B1 |
Vertical vacuum channel transistor
A method of fabricating features of a vertical transistor include performing a first etch process to form a first portion of a fin in a substrate; depositing a spacer material on sidewalls of the first portion of the fin; performing a second etch process using the spacer material as a pattern to elongate the fin and form a second portion of the fin in the substrate, the second portion having a width that is greater than the first portion; oxidizing a region of the second portion of the fin beneath the spacer material to form an oxidized channel region; and removing the oxidized channel region to form a vacuum channel. |
| US09793394B1 |
Integrated circuits including LDMOS transistor structures and methods for fabricating LDMOS transistor structures
Integrated circuits including LDMOS transistor structures and methods for fabricating LDMOS transistor structures are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating an LDMOS transistor structure includes providing a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate including a semiconductor layer overlying an insulator layer overlying a bulk layer. The method includes forming a gate structure overlying the substrate. A channel region is formed in the semiconductor layer under the gate structure. The method includes forming a source region overlying the substrate. Further, the method includes forming a drain region overlying the substrate. A drift region is located between the drain region and the gate structure. Also, the method includes forming contacts to the gate structure, the source region, and the drain region. |
| US09793393B2 |
MOSFET device and fabrication
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an active gate trench in the substrate; a source polysilicon pickup trench in the substrate; a polysilicon electrode disposed in the source polysilicon pickup trench; and a body region in the substrate. The top surface of the polysilicon electrode is below the bottom of the body region. |
| US09793392B2 |
Semiconductor device
A MOS gate structure is provided on a p-type base layer side of a silicon carbide semiconductor base formed by sequentially forming on a front surface of an n+-type silicon carbide substrate, an n-type drift layer and a p-type base layer by epitaxial growth. On the base front surface, in an edge termination structure region, a step portion occurring between the p-type base layer and the n-type drift layer, and a flat portion farther outward than the step portion are provided. In a surface layer of the n-type drift layer, a p+-type base region constituting the MOS gate structure is provided so as to contact the p-type base layer. The outermost p+-type base region extends from an active region into the flat portion and the entire lower side of this portion is covered by an innermost p−-type region constituting an edge termination structure provided in the flat portion. |
| US09793390B2 |
Low miller factor semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an active layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a gate electrode, a first metal layer, and a second metal layer. The active layer is disposed on the substrate. The source electrode and the drain electrode are electrically connected to the active layer. The gate electrode is disposed on the active layer and between the source electrode and the drain electrode. The gate electrode has a first extending portion extending toward the drain electrode. The first metal layer is partially disposed between the first extending portion and the active layer, and extends toward the drain electrode. The second metal layer is disposed above the first extending portion and extends toward the drain electrode. Another portions of the first and second metal layers protrude from the first extending portion. The first metal layer and the second metal layer are electrically connected to the source electrode. |
| US09793387B2 |
Semiconductor device including a vertical PN junction between a body region and a drift region
A semiconductor device includes a drift region extending from a first surface into a semiconductor portion. A body region between two portions of the drift region forms a first pn junction with the drift region. A source region forms a second pn junction with the body region. The pn junctions include sections perpendicular to the first surface. Gate structures extend into the body regions and include a gate electrode. Field plate structures extend into the drift region and include a field electrode separated from the gate electrode. A gate shielding structure is configured to reduce a capacitive coupling between the gate structures and a backplate electrode directly adjoining a second surface. |
| US09793379B2 |
FinFET spacer without substrate gouging or spacer foot
The present invention relates generally to semiconductor devices, and more particularly, to a structure and method of forming a spacer adjacent to a gate in a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device without resulting in substrate gouging or a spacer foot. A conformal spacer layer may be formed around a plurality of fins and a gate, wherein the conformal spacer layer may have a thickness above the plurality of fins that is at least one-half the distance between the individual fins. An isotropic etch may be used to remove excess spacer material around the plurality of fins (but not between the fins) and around the gate. An anisotropic etch may be used to remove the remaining spacer material from between the fins and around the gate, leaving a spacer adjacent to the gate without gouging the substrate surface between the fins. |
| US09793377B2 |
Thin film transistor, thin film transistor array panel including the same, and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention relates to a thin film transistor, a thin film transistor array panel, and a manufacturing method thereof. A thin film transistor according to an exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes: a gate electrode; a gate insulating layer positioned on or under the gate electrode; a channel region overlapping the gate electrode, the gate insulating layer interposed between the channel region and the gate electrode; and a source region and a drain region, facing each other with respect to the channel region, positioned in the same layer as the channel region, and connected to the channel region, wherein the channel region, the source region, and the drain region comprise an oxide semiconductor, and wherein a carrier concentration of the source region and the drain region is larger than a carrier concentration of the channel region. |
| US09793372B1 |
Integrated circuit including a dummy gate structure and method for the formation thereof
An integrated circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor and a dummy gate structure. The first transistor includes a first gate structure. The first gate structure includes a first gate insulation layer including a high-k dielectric material and a first gate electrode. The second transistor includes a second gate structure. The second gate structure includes a second gate insulation layer including the high-k dielectric material and a second gate electrode. The dummy gate structure is arranged between the first transistor and the second transistor and substantially does not include the high-k dielectric material. |
| US09793370B2 |
Transistor with oxidized cap layer
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a channel layer, a spacer layer, a barrier layer, and an oxidized cap layer. The channel layer is disposed on or above the substrate. The spacer layer is disposed on the channel layer. The barrier layer is disposed on the spacer layer. The oxidized cap layer is disposed on the barrier layer. The oxidized cap layer is made of oxynitride. |
| US09793368B2 |
Semiconductor devices including a rare earth element and methods of forming semiconductor devices including a rare earth element
Semiconductor devices are provided. A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer. The semiconductor device includes a rare earth element supply layer on the insulating layer. Moreover, the semiconductor device includes a metal layer that is on the rare earth element supply layer. The rare earth element supply layer is between the insulating layer and the metal layer. Methods of forming semiconductor devices are also provided. |
| US09793367B2 |
Ohmic contact to semiconductor
An ohmic contact to a semiconductor layer including a heterostructure barrier layer and a metal layer adjacent to the heterostructure barrier layer is provided. The heterostructure barrier layer can form a two dimensional free carrier gas for the contact at a heterointerface of the heterostructure barrier layer and the semiconductor layer. The metal layer is configured to form a contact with the two dimensional free carrier gas. |
| US09793362B2 |
Semiconductor device having an impurity concentration and method of manufacturing thereof
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes irradiating the semiconductor body with particles through a first side of the semiconductor body, removing at least a part of impurities from an irradiated part of the semiconductor body by out-diffusion during thermal treatment in a temperature range between 450° C. to 1200° C., and forming a first load terminal structure at the first side of the semiconductor body. |
| US09793359B2 |
Semiconductor thin film structure and method of forming the same
A method of forming a semiconductor thin film structure and a semiconductor thin film structure formed using the same is provided. A sacrificial layer is formed on a substrate and then patterned through various methods, an inorganic thin film is formed on the sacrificial layer and then the sacrificial layer is selectively removed to form a cavity defined by the substrate and the inorganic thin film on the substrate. |
| US09793358B2 |
Non-planar semiconductor device with multiple-head epitaxial structure on fin
A non-planar semiconductor structure includes raised semiconductor structures, e.g., fins, having epitaxial structures grown on top surfaces thereof, for example, epitaxial silicon naturally growing into a diamond shape. The surface area of the epitaxial structure may be increased by removing portion(s) thereof. The removal may create a multi-head (e.g., dual-head) epitaxial structure, together with the neck of the raised structure resembling a Y-shape. Raised structures that are not intended to include an epitaxial structure will be masked during epitaxial structure creation and modification. In addition, in order to have a uniform height, the filler material surrounding the raised structures is recessed around those to receive epitaxial structures. |
| US09793351B2 |
Tunnelling field effect transistor
A tunneling field effect transistor, comprising a gate electrode layer, a gate dielectric layer, a source region, a connected region and a drain region, wherein the source region comprises a first source region and a second source region, the second source region comprising an inner layer source region and an outer layer source region. The connected region comprises an expansion region and a high-resistance region. The doping types of materials of the inner layer source and the outer layer source region are opposite, and the forbidden bandwidth of the material of the inner layer source region is less than that of the outer layer source region. The contact surface formed by way of covering the inner layer source region by the outer layer source region is a curved surface. Since a contact surface of an outer layer source region and an inner layer source region of a tunneling field effect transistor is of a curved surface structure, the contact area of the outer layer source region and the inner layer source region is increased, and the probability of tunneling of a carrier through the contact surface is increased. Therefore, the On-state current is increased, thereby having a good current drive capability. |
| US09793350B1 |
Multiple layer side-gate FET switch
An exemplary FET includes a base and first and second stacked layer groups each having a nonconductive layer and a semiconductive layer adjacent the nonconductive layer. Source and drain electrodes are in low resistance contact with the semiconductive layers. First and second parallel trenches extend vertically between the source and drain electrodes to create access to first and second edges, respectively, of the layers. A 3-dimensional ridge is defined by the layers between the first and second trenches. A continuous conductive side gate extends generally perpendicular to the trenches and engages the first edges, the top of the ridge and the second edges. A gate electrode is disposed in low resistance contact with the conductive side gate. The figure of merit for the FET increases as the number of layer groups increases. A plurality of parallel spaced apart ridges, all engaged by the same side gate, can be utilized. |
| US09793348B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with an isolation region and a device manufactured by the method
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming trench isolation structures, exposing some of the trench isolation structures 28 to leave others 30 masked, and then selectively etching a buried layer to form a cavity 32 under an active device region 34. The active device region 34 is supported by support regions in the exposed trenches 28. The buried layer may be a SiGe layer on a Si substrate. |
| US09793345B1 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is disclosed, including a plurality of gate rings formed on a substrate and concentrically surrounding a first doped region formed in the substrate. The gate rings are equipotentially interconnected by at least a connecting structure. A second doped region is formed in the substrate, exposed from the space between adjacent gate rings. A third doped region is formed in the substrate adjacent to the outer perimeter of the outermost gate ring. The first doped region, the third doped region and the gate rings are electrically biased and the second doped regions are electrically floating. |
| US09793339B2 |
Method for preventing copper contamination in metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors
The present disclosure relates to a MIM capacitor that includes a composite capacitor top metal (CTM) electrode and a composite capacitor bottom metal (CBM) electrode. The composite CBM electrode includes a first diffusion barrier layer overlying a first metal layer, and the composite CTM electrode includes a second diffusion barrier layer overlying a second metal layer. A dielectric layer is arranged over the composite CBM electrode, underlying the composite CTM electrode. The first and second diffusion barrier layers protect the first and second metal layers from metal that diffuses or moves from a metal line underlying the MIM capacitor to the composite CTM and CBM electrodes during manufacture. A method of manufacturing the MIM capacitor is also provided. |
| US09793337B2 |
Integrated circuits and fabrication methods thereof
An integrated circuit includes a first polysilicon region having a first grain size formed on a substrate. The integrated circuit also includes a second polysilicon region, having a second grain size different from the first grain size, formed on the substrate. The first polysilicon region is doped with a first dopant of a first conductive type and a second dopant selected from elements of group IIIA and group IVA which has an atomic weight heavier than that of silicon. |
| US09793331B2 |
Organic light emitting display apparatus
An organic light emitting display apparatus includes a substrate, an encapsulation member facing the substrate, a plurality of pixels between the substrate and the encapsulation member, each pixel including a light emission area and a non-emission area, a first electrode overlapping at least the light emission area, an intermediate layer on the first electrode and including an organic emission layer, a second electrode on the intermediate layer, and a reflective member on a bottom surface of the encapsulation member, the bottom surface of the encapsulation member facing the substrate, and the reflective member including an opening corresponding to the light emission area, and a reflective surface around the opening and corresponding to the non-emission area. |
| US09793330B2 |
Slim-bezel flexible display device and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a slim-bezel flexible display device and a manufacturing method thereof. A through hole is formed in a first base plate of a lower substrate in an area adjacent to an edge thereof. A conductive connection body is mounted in the through hole. The conductive connection body is connected to a circuit layout layer and a flexible connection circuit that is connected to a drive circuit board so as to have the drive circuit board and the circuit layout layer connected. Compared to the prior art, the present invention provides an arrangement that makes it not necessary for the side of the lower substrate associated with the circuit layout layer to provide an additional connection zone for connection with the flexible connection circuit so that an effective display zone of a flexible display device can be enlarged and a bezel area can be reduced. Further, the flexible connection circuit is completely arranged at one side of the lower substrate so that the flexible connection circuit curving around an edge of the lower substrate required in the prior art can be prevented thereby eliminating the issue of a lateral side space of the lower substrate being undesirably occupied, allowing further reduction of the bezel area for achieving slim-bezel displaying. |
| US09793328B2 |
Self-light-emitting device
Failure light emission of an EL element due to failure film formation of an organic EL material in an electrode hole 46 is improved. By forming the organic EL material after embedding an insulator in an electrode hole 46 on a pixel electrode and forming a protective portion 41b, failure film formation in the electrode hole 46 can be prevented. This can prevent concentration of electric current due to a short circuit between a cathode and an anode of the EL element, and can prevent failure light emission of an EL layer. |
| US09793326B2 |
Organic light-emitting display device
An organic light-emitting display device includes first through third pixels, wherein each of the first through third pixels comprises a first electrode, a second electrode which faces the first electrode, an organic light-emitting layer which is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first pixel includes a first color filter material, the second pixel includes a second color filter material, and the third pixel includes a third color filter material. The third pixel comprises a first transmitting region in which the third color filter material is not disposed and which is configured to allow a substantial amount of light emitted from the organic light-emitting layer of the third pixel to transmit therethrough. |
| US09793325B2 |
OLED display panel and the method for fabricating the same, and OLED display apparatus
The present disclosure provides an OLED display panel and a method for fabricating the same and an OLED display apparatus. The OLED display panel includes a light-emitting layer, the light-emitting layer includes white sub-pixels and color sub-pixels, the size of the white sub-pixel is equal to the sum of size of at least two of the color sub-pixels, and the number of the color sub-pixels is less than the number of color-forming primary colors. The OLED display panel further includes a color film, the color film including color blocks matching the color sub-pixels, the color blocks being disposed on a side of the light-emitting layer toward the display side and at positions corresponding to the positions where the white sub-pixels are located. |
| US09793320B1 |
Memory cell structures
A memory cell includes a first diode, a second diode, and a random access memory cell element. The first diode and the random access memory cell element are series connected between a bit line and a word line. The second diode and the random access memory cell element are series connected between the word line and a reset line. A set path is formed through the first diode and the random access memory cell element, and a reset path is formed through the random access memory cell element and the second diode. The first diode is configured to performed a read operation and a set operation. The second diode is configured to perform a reset operation. The memory cell has higher forward current, lower leakage current and smaller size comparing with conventional memory cells. |
| US09793311B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor unit and the semiconductor unit
In a solid-state imaging device including a plurality of pixels each pixel including a plurality of photodiodes, it is prevented that an incidence angle of incident light on the solid-state imaging device becomes large in a pixel in an end of the solid-state imaging device, causing a difference in output between the two photodiodes in the pixel, and thus autofocus detection accuracy is deteriorated. Photodiodes extending in a longitudinal direction of a pixel allay section are provided in each pixel. The photodiodes in the pixel are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the pixel allay section. |
| US09793307B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, method of manufacturing the same, and electronic equipment
A solid state imaging device including a semiconductor layer comprising a plurality of photodiodes, a first antireflection film located over a first surface of the semiconductor layer, a second antireflection film located over the first antireflection film, a light shielding layer having side surfaces which are adjacent to at least one of first and the second antireflection film. |
| US09793304B2 |
Array substrate, method for producing the same and display apparatus
A method for producing an array substrate is provided. The method includes: forming metal film layers and patterning the metal film layers to form a plurality rows of gate lines and a plurality columns of data lines crossed to each other in the non-display area and forming thin film transistors; forming a pad part at one end of the gate lines or data lines. The process of producing the pad part includes: forming a first insulation layer on the metal film layers by patterning; forming an etching protection layer, a source and drain metal layer and a second insulation layer sequentially by patterning, wherein the first insulation layer, the etching protection layer, the source and drain metal layer and the second insulation layer form a trapezoid stack. |
| US09793303B2 |
Array substrate and method of manufacturing the same, and display panel
The present disclosure provides an array substrate and a method of manufacturing the same, and a display panel comprising the array substrate, for reducing a drop or height difference between surfaces of portions of a passivation layer located on either side of a source/drain electrode lead wire and a surface of a portion of passivation layer located on an upper surface of the source/drain electrode lead wire so as to increase an aperture ratio of the display panel. The method comprises: forming a source/drain electrode lead wire and a passivation layer successively on a base substrate, the passivation layer at least covering the source/drain electrode lead wire; and thinning a portion of the passivation layer located on the source/drain electrode lead wire such that a surface of the portion is higher than those of other portions of the passivation layer, at the time of patterning the passivation layer to form a via hole therein. |
| US09793302B1 |
Active device
An active device includes a poly-silicon semiconductor layer, a first insulating layer, a gate electrode, a second insulating layer, a first through hole, an oxide semiconductor layer, a first electrode and a second electrode. The poly-silicon semiconductor layer includes a first doped region, a channel region and a second doped region. The gate electrode is disposed on the first insulating layer covering the poly-silicon semiconductor layer, and corresponds to the channel region. The gate electrode is covered by the second insulating layer, where the first and second insulating layers have a first through hole. The oxide semiconductor layer is disposed on the second insulating layer and corresponds to the gate electrode. The first and second electrodes are oppositely disposed on the oxide semiconductor layer. The oxide semiconductor layer is electrically connected to the second electrode, and to the second doped region via the first through hole. |
| US09793301B2 |
Display panel
A display panel is provided. The display panel has an active area and a border area out of the active area. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels, a first gate driver portion, a plurality of scan lines and a multiplexer portion. The pixels are located in the active area. The first gate driver portion is located in the border area. The scan lines are located in the active area, and connected to the first gate driver portion. The multiplexer portion is located in the border area. The multiplexer portion and the first gate driver portion at least partially overlap along a direction parallel to one of the plurality of scan lines. |
| US09793295B2 |
Semiconductor device
A nitride insulating film which prevents diffusion of hydrogen into an oxide semiconductor film in a transistor including an oxide semiconductor is provided. Further, a semiconductor device which has favorable electrical characteristics by using a transistor including a silicon semiconductor and a transistor including an oxide semiconductor is provided. Two nitride insulating films having different functions are provided between the transistor including a silicon semiconductor and the transistor including an oxide semiconductor. Specifically, a first nitride insulating film which contains hydrogen is provided over the transistor including a silicon semiconductor, and a second nitride insulating film which has a lower hydrogen content than the first nitride insulating film and functions as a barrier film against hydrogen is provided between the first nitride insulating film and the transistor including an oxide semiconductor. |
| US09793290B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor memory device having charge accumulation layer positioned between control gate electrode and semiconductor layer
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of control gate electrodes, a semiconductor layer, and a charge accumulation layer. The plurality of control gate electrodes are provided as a stack above a substrate. The semiconductor layer has as its longitudinal direction a direction perpendicular to the substrate, and faces the plurality of control gate electrodes. The charge accumulation layer is positioned between the control gate electrode and the semiconductor layer. A lower end of the charge accumulation layer is positioned more upwardly than a lower end of a lowermost layer-positioned one of the control gate electrodes. |
| US09793289B2 |
Non-volatile memory device
A non-volatile memory device includes a conductive layer, a first electrode layer provided side by side with the conductive layer in a first direction, a second electrode layer provided between the conductive layer and the first electrode. At least a part of the second electrode on the conductive layer side has a work function smaller than a work function of the first electrode. The device further includes a first channel body extending through the first electrode layer in the first direction and a charge storage portion provided between the first electrode layer and the first channel body. |
| US09793287B2 |
Semiconductor wafer with first and second stacked bodies and semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor wafer including first and second stacked bodies provided on separate parts of a substrate. The first stacked body includes a first insulating and a second insulating film being provided on the first portion, the second stacked body includes a plurality of third insulating films and a plurality of electrode films. The third insulating films and the electrode films are alternately stacked, and a shape of an end portion of the second stacked body on a side opposing to the first stacked body is a stepped pattern. |
| US09793284B1 |
Method of ONO stack formation
A method of controlling the thickness of gate oxides in an integrated CMOS process which includes performing a two-step gate oxidation process to concurrently oxidize and therefore consume at least a first portion of the cap layer of the NV gate stack to form a blocking oxide and form a gate oxide of at least one metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor in the second region, wherein the gate oxide of the at least one MOS transistor is formed during both a first oxidation step and a second oxidation step of the gate oxidation process. |
| US09793283B1 |
High conductivity channel for 3D memory
Disclosed herein is a 3D memory with vertical NAND strings, and method for fabricating the same. Each vertical NAND string has a source side select transistor having a body in contact with a single crystal silicon substrate. The NAND string channel is formed from silicon germanium (SiGe), which provides for greater electron mobility than silicon. The body of the source side select transistor comprises epitaxial crystalline silicon germanium (SiGe) in contact with the single crystal silicon substrate. By epitaxial crystalline SiGe it is meant that the crystalline SiGe has the same crystalline orientation as the single crystal silicon substrate. |
| US09793280B2 |
Integration of split gate flash memory array and logic devices
A memory device and method including a semiconductor substrate with memory and logic device areas. A plurality of memory cells are formed in the memory area, each including first source and drain regions with a first channel region therebetween, a floating gate disposed over a first portion of the first channel region, a control gate disposed over the floating gate, a select gate disposed over a second portion of the first channel region, and an erase gate disposed over the source region. A plurality of logic devices formed in the logic device area, each including second source and drain regions with a second channel region therebetween, and a logic gate disposed over the second channel region. The substrate upper surface is recessed lower in the memory area than in the logic device area, so that the taller memory cells have an upper height similar to that of the logic devices. |
| US09793278B1 |
Structure of memory cell with asymmetric cell structure and method for fabricating the same
A memory cell disposed on a substrate has a first gate structure and a second gate structure. The memory cell includes a first heavily doped region adjacent to an outer side of the first gate structure. Further, a first lightly doped drain (LDD) region with a first type dopant is between the first heavily doped region and the outer side of the first gate structure. A pocket doped region with a second type dopant is overlapping with the first LDD region. The second type dopant is opposite to the first type dopant in conductive type. A second heavily doped region is adjacent to an outer side of the second gate structure, opposite to the first heavily doped region. A second LDD region with the first type dopant is disposed between the first gate structure and the second gate structure. |
| US09793277B2 |
Method of maintaining the state of semiconductor memory having electrically floating body transistor
Methods of maintaining a state of a memory cell without interrupting access to the memory cell are provided, including applying a back bias to the cell to offset charge leakage out of a floating body of the cell, wherein a charge level of the floating body indicates a state of the memory cell; and accessing the cell. |
| US09793276B2 |
Semiconductor device having transistor and capacitor
A semiconductor device with a novel structure in which stored data can be held even when power is not supplied and there is no limitation on the number of times of writing. In the semiconductor device, a plurality of memory cells each including a first transistor, a second transistor, and a capacitor is provided in matrix and a wiring (also called a bit line) for connecting one memory cell to another memory cell and a source or drain electrode of the first transistor are electrically connected to each other through a source or drain electrode of the second transistor. Accordingly, the number of wirings can be smaller than that in the case where the source or drain electrode of the first transistor and the source or drain electrode of the second transistor are connected to different wirings. Thus, the degree of integration of the semiconductor device can be increased. |
| US09793275B2 |
Multilayer circuit
A multilayer circuit (400) includes a base layer (205) which has a number of base vias (247, 415), a first overlying layer (215) formed on the base layer (205) and having a first routing section (210) and a second overlying layer (220) formed on the first overlying layer (215). The second overlying layer (220) has a second routing section (210) and is formed using the same set of masks. The first routing section (210) and the second routing section (210) form a unique electrical pathway (248) between a base via (247) and an element in an overlying layer. A method for forming a multilayer circuit is also provided. |
| US09793269B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacture
In accordance with some embodiments, conductive material is removed from over a first plurality of fins and second plurality of fins, wherein the first plurality of fins is located within a small gate length region and the second plurality of fins is located in a large gate length region. The removal is performed by initially performed a dry etch with a low pressure and a high flow rate of at least one etchant, which causes the conductive material to have a larger thickness over the second plurality of fins than over the first plurality of fins. As such, when a wet etch is utilized to remove a remainder of the conductive material, dielectric material between the second plurality of fins and the conductive material is not damaged. |
| US09793267B1 |
Semiconductor device having gate structure with reduced threshold voltage and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device is provided, including: a substrate having a first area and a second area; several first gate structures formed at the first area, and at least one of the first gate structures including a first hardmask on a first gate, and the first gate structure having a first gate length; several second gate structures formed at the second area, and at least one of the second gate structures including a second hardmask on a second gate, and the second gate structure having a second gate length. The first gate length is smaller than the second gate length, and the first hardmask contains at least a portion of nitrogen (N2)-based silicon nitride (SiN) which is free of OH concentration. |
| US09793266B2 |
Semiconductor device
An influence of a gate interference is suppressed and a reverse recovery property of a diode is improved. A diode includes a diode region located between the first boundary trench and the second boundary trench and a first and second IGBT regions. An emitter region and a body region are provided in each of the first and second IGBT regions. Each body region includes a body contact portion. An anode region is provided in the diode region. The anode region includes an anode contact portion. An interval between the first and second boundary trenches is equal to or longer than 200 μm. An area ratio of the anode contact portion in the diode region is lower than each of an area ratio of the body contact portion in the first IGBT region and an area ratio of the body contact portion in the second IGBT region. |
| US09793264B1 |
Vertical metal insulator metal capacitor having a high-K dielectric material
A vertical metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor is formed within multiple layers of a multi-level metal interconnect system of a chip. The vertical MIM capacitor has a first electrode, a second electrode, and a high-k capacitor dielectric material disposed therebetween. The dielectric constant of the capacitor dielectric material is greater than the dielectric constant of interlayer dielectric (ILD) material. After ILD is removed from between the vertically-oriented, interdigitated portions of the first and second electrodes, a capacitor dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than the ILD dielectric material is disposed therebetween. |
| US09793260B2 |
System and method for a switch having a normally-on transistor and a normally-off transistor
In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes conducting a reverse current through a first switch that includes a normally-on transistor coupled in series with a normally-off transistor between a first switch node and a second switch node. While conducting the reverse current, the first switch is turned-off by turning-off the normally-off transistor via a control node of the normally-off transistor and reducing a drive voltage of the normally-on transistor by decreasing a voltage between the control node of the normally-on transistor and a reference node of the normally-on transistor. After turning-off the first switch, a second switch coupled to the first switch is turned on. |
| US09793257B1 |
Electrostatic discharge protection device having an adjustable triggering threshold
An electrostatic discharge protection device includes first and second diodes series-connected between first and second connection terminals. A third connection terminal is coupled to a junction of the first and second diodes. A capacitor is connected in parallel with the first and second diodes between the first and second terminals. |
| US09793255B2 |
Power semiconductor device including a cooling material
A power semiconductor device includes a wiring structure adjoining at least one side of a semiconductor body and comprising at least one electrically conductive compound. The power semiconductor device further includes a cooling material in the wiring structure. The cooling material is characterized by a change in structure by means of absorption of energy at a temperature TC ranging between 150° C. and 400° C. |
| US09793253B1 |
Integrated circuit containing standard logic cells and library-compatible, NCEM-enabled fill cells, including at least Via-open-configured, AACNT-short-configured, GATE-short-configured, and TS-short-configured NCEM-enabled fill cells
An IC includes logic cells, selected from a standard cell library, and fill cells, configured for compatibility with the standard logic cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The IC includes such NCEM-enabled fill cells configured to enable detection and/or measurement of a variety of open-circuit and short-circuit failure modes, including at least one via-open-related failure mode, one AACNT-short-related failure mode, one GATE-short-related failure mode, and one metal-short-related failure mode. |
| US09793250B2 |
Package board, method for manufacturing the same and package on package having the same
There are provided a package board, a method for manufacturing the same, and a package on package having the same. The package board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first insulating layer formed with a cavity having a penetrating shape; and a first connection pad formed to penetrate through the first insulating layer and formed at one side of the cavity. |
| US09793245B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacture
A semiconductor device and method that utilize a surface device are provided. In an embodiment a fuse line comprises an underbump metallization which has two separate, electrically isolated parts. The two parts are bridged by an external connector, such as a solder ball in order to electrically connect the surface device. When, after testing, the surface device is determined to be defective, the fuse line may be disconnected by removing the external connector from the two separate parts, electrically isolating the surface device. In another embodiment the surface is located beneath a package within an integrated fan out package or is part of a multi-fan out package. |
| US09793243B2 |
Buffer layer(s) on a stacked structure having a via
A structure includes first and second substrates, first and second stress buffer layers, and a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) structure. The first and second substrates include first and second semiconductor substrates and first and second interconnect structures on the first and second semiconductor substrates, respectively. The second interconnect structure is on a first side of the second semiconductor substrate. The first substrate is bonded to the second substrate at a bonding interface. A via extends at least through the second semiconductor substrate into the second interconnect structure. The first stress buffer layer is on a second side of the second semiconductor substrate opposite from the first side of the second semiconductor substrate. The PPI structure is on the first stress buffer layer and is electrically coupled to the via. The second stress buffer layer is on the PPI structure and the first stress buffer layer. |
| US09793241B2 |
Printed wiring board
A printed wiring board includes a lowermost resin insulating layer, a first conductor layer formed on a first surface of the lowermost resin insulating layer, a conductor post formed in the lowermost resin insulating layer such that the conductor post has an upper surface facing the first surface and a lower surface on the opposite side with respect to the upper surface, a semiconductor element embedded in the lowermost resin insulating layer such that the semiconductor element has an electrode facing the first surface and is positioned on a second surface side of the lowermost resin insulating layer, and via conductors formed in the lowermost resin insulating layer and including a first via conductor and a second via conductor such that the first via conductor is connecting the first conductor layer and the conductor post and that the second via conductor is connecting the first conductor layer and the electrode. |
| US09793240B2 |
Multiple die layout for facilitating the combining of an individual die into a single die
An apparatus includes a wafer portion and a plurality of die fabricated in the wafer portion in a defined pattern such that the die are separated from each other by a dicing area or a street. The apparatus includes a conductive connection between given adjacent die. The conductive connection is electrically coupled to circuitry disposed on the given adjacent die. |
| US09793236B2 |
Wire-bonding apparatus and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
Provided is a wire-bonding apparatus (10) including: a capillary (28) through which a wire (30) inserted; and a controller (80). The controller (80) is configured to execute operations including: a disconnection operation, after the second bonding operation, of moving the capillary through which the wire is inserted within a horizontal plane vertical to an axial direction of the capillary while the wire is held in the clamped state, and thereby disconnecting the wire from the second bonding point; a preliminary bonding operation of feeding the wire from the second bonding point to a predetermined preliminary bonding point, and performing preliminary bonding at the preliminary bonding point; and a shaping operation, after the preliminary bonding operation, of shaping the wire projecting from a tip of the capillary into a predetermined flexed shape. |
| US09793234B2 |
Chip package and manufacturing method thereof
A chip package includes a first chip and a second chip. The first chip includes a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first passive element on the first surface, and a first protection layer covering the first passive element, which the first protection layer has a third surface opposite to the first surface. First and second conductive pad structures are disposed in the first protection layer and electrically connected to the first passive element. The second chip is disposed on the third surface, which the second chip includes an active element and a second passive element electrically connected to the active element. The active element is electrically connected to the first conductive pad structure. |
| US09793231B2 |
Under bump metallurgy (UBM) and methods of forming same
A device package includes a die, fan-out redistribution layers (RDLs) over the die, and an under bump metallurgy (UBM) over the fan-out RDLs. The UBM comprises a conductive pad portion and a trench encircling the conductive pad portion. The device package further includes a connector disposed on the conductive pad portion of the UBM. The fan-out RDLs electrically connect the connector and the UBM to the die. |
| US09793227B1 |
Switchable die seal connection
An integrated circuit (IC) structure for radio frequency (RF) circuits having a multi-point selectably grounded die seal and multi-point selectably grounded signal paths. Embodiments include switch-coupled grounding pads that can selectively electrically couple an internal grounding pad within the die seal of an IC die to a connection point on the die seal and/or on a signal path. When the IC die is embedded in a grounded system, the die seal and/or signal path can be locally grounded at selected connection points, and thus an IC die may be “tuned” to mitigate the effects of parasitic coupling and/or to selective repurpose such parasitic coupling to generate a notch filter effect. Another aspect is selective grounding of inactive signal paths to improve isolation between signal ports. |
| US09793225B2 |
Thermal expansion compensators for controlling microelectronic package warpage
The present description relates to the field of fabricating microelectronic packages, wherein a microelectronic device may be attached to a microelectronic substrate with a compensator to control package warpage. The warpage compensator may be a low coefficient of thermal expansion material, including but not limited to silicon or a ceramic material, which is positioned on a land-side of the microelectronic device to counteract the thermal expansion effects of the microelectronic device. |
| US09793224B2 |
Crack stop barrier and method of manufacturing thereof
A wafer is disclosed. The wafer comprises a plurality of chips and a plurality of kerfs. A kerf of the plurality of kerfs separates one chip from another chip. The kerf comprises a crack stop barrier. |
| US09793221B2 |
Semiconductor device mounting method
A first insulating film is applied onto a joining face of a semiconductor device including a connection terminal on a joining face, and the connection terminal is embedded inside the first insulating film. The second insulating film is formed on a joining target face of a joining target, which includes a connection target terminal on the joining target face, and the connection target terminal is embedded inside the second insulating film. The semiconductor device and the joining target are joined together by applying pressure and causing the semiconductor device and the joining target to make contact with each other. |
| US09793218B2 |
Method for manufacturing device embedded substrate, and device embedded substrate
In a method for manufacturing a device embedded substrate, a conductive via that penetrates a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer from an outer metal layer to reach a second terminal of an IC device is formed after forming the outer metal layer. |
| US09793217B2 |
Package-on-package type semiconductor device which is realized through applying not a TSV technology but a fan-out wafer level package technology
A semiconductor device may include a bottom package embedded with a first semiconductor chip. The semiconductor device may include a middle package stacked over the bottom package, and embedded with at least two second semiconductor chips in a fan-out structure. The semiconductor device may include a top package stacked over the middle package, and embedded with at least two third semiconductor chips. |
| US09793210B2 |
Power line layout structure of semiconductor device and method for forming the same
A power line layout structure of a semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are disclosed. The power line layout structure of the semiconductor device includes a first block region including a plurality of first and second power lines, a second block region including a plurality of first and second power lines spaced apart from the first block region by a predetermined distance. Further, a first connection pattern arranged in a boundary region between the first and second block region, and formed to interconnect the first power line of the first block region and the first power line of the second block region. Still further, a second connection pattern arranged in a boundary region between the first and second block regions, and formed to interconnect the first and second block region power lines, wherein the first and second connection patterns are formed over different layers. |
| US09793208B2 |
Plasma discharge path
A semiconductor device with a temporary discharge path. During back-end-of-line (BEOL), the temporary discharge path discharges a plasma charge collected in a device well, such as a floating p-type well. After processing, the temporary discharge path is rendered non-function, enabling the device to function properly. |
| US09793200B2 |
Printed wiring board
A printed wiring board includes a first circuit board having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side with respect to the first surface, and a second circuit board having a third surface and a fourth surface on the opposite side with respect to the third surface and having a mounting area on the third surface of the second circuit board. The first circuit board is laminated on the third surface of the second circuit board such that the first surface of the first circuit board faces the third surface of the second circuit board, and the first circuit board includes reinforcing material and has an opening portion exposing the mounting area of the second circuit board. |
| US09793197B2 |
Low profile leaded semiconductor package
In a semiconductor package a lead having a bottom surface coplanar with the flat bottom surface of the plastic body extends outward at the bottom of the vertical side surface of the plastic body. The result is a package with a minimal footprint that is suitable for the technique known as “wave soldering” that is used in relatively low-cost printed circuit board assembly factories. Methods of fabricating the package are disclosed. |
| US09793193B1 |
Air gap and air spacer pinch off
Embodiments are directed to a method of forming a semiconductor device and resulting structures having an air spacer between a gate and a contact by forming a gate on a substrate and over a channel region of a semiconductor fin. A contact is formed on a doped region of the substrate such that a space between the contact and the gate defines a trench. A first dielectric layer is formed over the gate and the contact such that the first dielectric layer partially fills the trench. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer such that an air spacer forms in the trench between the gate and the contact. |
| US09793191B2 |
Heat spreader with flexible tolerance mechanism
A semiconductor device packaging system includes a substrate, a heat spreader, a stiffener attached to the substrate, and at least one die electrically coupled to the substrate and thermally coupled to the heat spreader. The semiconductor device packaging system further includes at least one stud coupled to one of the stiffener and the heat spreader and at least one orifice formed through one of the stiffener and the heat spreader. In addition, the at least one orifice is aligned with the at least one stud. |
| US09793186B1 |
Semiconductor wafer and method of backside probe testing through opening in film frame
A semiconductor test system has a film frame including a tape portion with one or more openings through the tape portion. The opening is disposed in a center region of the tape portion of the film frame. The film frame may have conductive traces formed on or through the tape portion. A thin semiconductor wafer includes a conductive layer formed over a surface of the semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer is mounted over the opening in the tape portion of the film frame. A wafer probe chuck includes a lower surface and raised surface. The film frame is mounted to the wafer probe chuck with the raised surface extending through the opening in the tape portion to contact the conductive layer of the semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer is probe tested through the opening in the tape portion of the film frame. |
| US09793182B2 |
Semiconductor device arrangement and a method for forming a semiconductor device arrangement
A semiconductor device arrangement includes a semiconductor substrate which includes a semiconductor substrate front side and a semiconductor substrate back side. The semiconductor substrate includes at least one electrical element formed at the semiconductor substrate front side. The semiconductor device arrangement further includes at least one porous semiconductor region formed at the semiconductor substrate back side. |
| US09793177B2 |
Precise annealing of focal plane arrays for optical detection
Precise annealing of identified defective regions of a Focal Plane Array (“FPA”) (e.g., exclusive of non-defective regions of the FPA) facilitates removal of defects from an FPA that has been hybridized and/or packaged with readout electronics. Radiation is optionally applied under operating conditions, such as under cryogenic temperatures, such that performance of an FPA can be evaluated before, during, and after annealing without requiring thermal cycling. |
| US09793176B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method
The temperature of a chemical liquid supplied to a pot is detected while allowing a processing liquid discharge port to discharge the chemical liquid toward the pot at a pre-dispensing position. The temperature of the chemical liquid rises in response to the lapse of time. When the temperature of the chemical liquid supplied to the pot reaches a second target temperature, the processing liquid discharge port is allowed to stop the discharge of the chemical liquid. Thereafter, a positional relationship between the processing liquid discharge port and the pot is changed, and the processing liquid discharge port is allowed to discharge the chemical liquid toward the substrate at the processing position. |
| US09793174B1 |
FinFET device on silicon-on-insulator and method of forming the same
A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) on a silicon-on-insulator and method of forming the same are provided in the present invention. The FinFET includes first fin structure, second fin structure and an insulating layer. The first fin structure and the second fin structure are disposed on a substrate. The insulating layer covers the first fin structure and the second fin structure and exposes a first portion of the first fin structure and a second portion of the second fin structure. The first fin structure has a first height and the second fin structure has a second height different from the first height, and a top surface of the first fin structure and a top surface of the second fin structure are at different levels. |
| US09793172B2 |
Reducing or eliminating pre-amorphization in transistor manufacture
A method for fabricating field effect transistors using carbon doped silicon layers to substantially reduce the diffusion of a doped screen layer formed below a substantially undoped channel layer includes forming an in-situ epitaxial carbon doped silicon substrate that is doped to form the screen layer in the carbon doped silicon substrate and forming the substantially undoped silicon layer above the carbon doped silicon substrate. The method may include implanting carbon below the screen layer and forming a thin layer of in-situ epitaxial carbon doped silicon above the screen layer. The screen layer may be formed either in a silicon substrate layer or the carbon doped silicon substrate. |
| US09793171B2 |
Buried source-drain contact for integrated circuit transistor devices and method of making same
An integrated circuit transistor is formed on a substrate. A trench in the substrate is at least partially filled with a metal material to form a source (or drain) contact buried in the substrate. The substrate further includes a source (or drain) region in the substrate which is in electrical connection with the source (or drain) contact. The substrate further includes a channel region adjacent to the source (or drain) region. A gate dielectric is provided on top of the channel region and a gate electrode is provided on top of the gate dielectric. The substrate may be of the silicon on insulator (SOI) or bulk type. The buried source (or drain) contact makes electrical connection to a side of the source (or drain) region using a junction provided at a same level of the substrate as the source (or drain) and channel regions. |
| US09793165B2 |
Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method may include preparing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, forming a via hole exposing at least a portion of the substrate from the first surface of the substrate, forming a first insulating film on an inner wall of the via hole, forming a conductive connection part filling an inside of the via hole including the first insulating film, polishing the second surface of the substrate until the conductive connection part is exposed, and selectively forming a second insulating film on the second surface of the substrate using an electrografting method to expose the conductive connection part. |
| US09793160B1 |
Aggressive tip-to-tip scaling using subtractive integraton
A method for forming an interconnect structure including: forming a semiconductor structure on a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor structure having a gate structure, shallow trench isolation and a source/drain; forming a dielectric over the semiconductor structure; removing the dielectric adjacent to the gate structure to create a trench adjacent to the gate structure; depositing a metal into and filling the trench adjacent to the gate structure to form a metal line; etching the metal line to form a gap in the metal line so as to create segments of the metal line; and filling the gap with a dielectric material to enable tip-to-tip spacing between the segments of the metal line. |
| US09793159B2 |
Previous layer self-aligned via and plug patterning for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects
Previous layer self-aligned via and plug patterning for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects are described. In an example, an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit includes a first layer disposed above a substrate. The first layer of the interconnect structure includes a grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a first direction. A second layer of the interconnect structure is disposed above the first layer. The second layer includes a grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. Each metal line of the grating of the second layer is disposed on a recessed dielectric line composed of alternating distinct regions of a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material corresponding to the alternating metal lines and dielectric lines of the first layer of the interconnect structure. |
| US09793158B2 |
Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, the method including forming at least one interconnection structure that includes a metal interconnection and a first insulating pattern sequentially stacked on a substrate; forming barrier patterns covering sidewalls of the interconnection structure; forming second insulating patterns at sides of the interconnection structure, the second insulating patterns being spaced apart from the interconnection structure with the barrier patterns interposed therebetween; forming a via hole in the first insulating pattern by etching a portion of the first insulating pattern, the via hole exposing a top surface of the metal interconnection and sidewalls of the barrier patterns; and forming a via in the via hole. |
| US09793156B1 |
Self-aligned low resistance metallic interconnect structures
Methods are provided for fabricating self-aligned, low resistance metal interconnect structures, as well as semiconductor devices comprising such metal interconnect structures. A first metal line is formed in a first insulating layer. An etch stop layer is formed by selectively depositing dielectric material on the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the etch stop layer and the first metal line, and an opening is etched in the second insulating layer selective to the etch stop layer to prevent etching of the first insulating layer. The opening is filled with a metallic material to form a second metal line in contact with the first metal line. The first and second metal lines are formed with aspect ratios that are less than 2.5 to minimize resistivity of the metal lines. The first and second metal lines collectively form a single metal line of an interconnect structure. |
| US09793148B2 |
Method for positioning wafers in multiple wafer transport
A method for positioning wafers in dual wafer transport, includes: simultaneously moving first and second wafers placed on first and second end-effectors to positions over lift pins protruding from first and second susceptors, respectively; and correcting the positions of the first and second wafers without moving any of the lift pins relative to the respective susceptors or without moving the lift pins relative to each other, wherein when the first and second wafers are moved to the respective positions, the distance between the first wafer and tips of the lift pins of the first susceptor is substantially smaller than the distance between the second wafer and tips of the lift pins of the second susceptor. |
| US09793147B2 |
Transporting system and transporting unit included therein
A transporting system includes a first rail including a first region and a second region, the first region being a region where the first rail extends linearly and the second region being a region where the first rail is curved. A second rail includes a third region, separated from the first region, and a fourth region overlapping the second region, wherein the first and second rails merge at a joining location that includes the second region and the fourth region. Optical lines are disposed in the second region and the fourth region, wherein the optical lines are parallel to each other in the fourth region. A first transporting unit travels on the first rail. A second transporting unit travels on the second rail. A first controller controls the traveling of the first and second transporting units using light transmitted or received through the optical lines. |
| US09793134B2 |
Etching method
A method of concurrently etching a first region in which silicon oxide films and silicon nitride films are alternately stacked and a second region including the silicon oxide film having a thickness larger than a thickness of the silicon oxide film of the first region is provided. The method includes generating plasma of a first processing gas containing a fluorocarbon gas and a hydrofluorocarbon gas within a processing vessel of a plasma processing apparatus into which a processing target object is carried; and generating plasma of a second processing gas containing a hydrogen gas, a hydrofluorocarbon gas and a nitrogen gas within the processing vessel of the plasma processing apparatus. Further, the generating of the plasma of the first processing gas and the generating of the plasma of the second processing gas are repeated alternately. |
| US09793129B2 |
Segmented edge protection shield
A segmented edge protection shield for plasma dicing a wafer. The segmented edge protection shield includes an outer structure and a plurality of plasma shield edge segments. The outer structure defines an interior annular edge configured to correspond to the circumferential edge of the wafer. Each one of the plurality of plasma shield edge segments is defined by an inner edge and side edges. The inner edge is interior to and concentric to the annular edge of the outer structure. The side edges extend between the inner edge and the annular edge. |
| US09793128B2 |
Plasma processing chamber with dual axial gas injection and exhaust
An electrode is exposed to a plasma generation volume and is defined to transmit radiofrequency power to the plasma generation volume, and includes an upper surface for holding a substrate in exposure to the plasma generation volume. A gas distribution unit is disposed above the plasma generation volume and in a substantially parallel orientation to the electrode. The gas distribution unit includes an arrangement of gas supply ports for directing an input flow of a plasma process gas into the plasma generation volume in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the electrode. The gas distribution unit also includes an arrangement of through-holes that each extend through the gas distribution unit to fluidly connect the plasma generation volume to an exhaust region. Each of the through-holes directs an exhaust flow from the plasma generation volume in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the electrode. |
| US09793126B2 |
Ion to neutral control for wafer processing with dual plasma source reactor
The disclosed techniques relate to methods and apparatus for etching a substrate. A plate assembly divides a reaction chamber into a lower and upper sub-chamber. The plate assembly includes an upper and lower plate having apertures therethrough. When the apertures in the upper and lower plates are aligned, ions and neutral species may travel through the plate assembly into the lower sub-chamber. When the apertures are not aligned, ions are prevented from passing through the assembly while neutral species are much less affected. Thus, the ratio of ion flux:neutral flux may be tuned by controlling the amount of area over which the apertures are aligned. In certain embodiments, one plate of the plate assembly is implemented as a series of concentric, independently movable injection control rings. Further, in some embodiments, the upper sub-chamber is implemented as a series of concentric plasma zones separated by walls of insulating material. |
| US09793113B2 |
Semiconductor structure having insulator pillars and semiconductor material on substrate
One aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of forming a semiconductor structure. The method may include: forming a set of openings within a substrate; forming an insulator layer within each opening in the set of openings; recessing the substrate between adjacent openings containing the insulator layer in the set of openings to form a set of insulator pillars on the substrate; forming sigma cavities within the recessed substrate between adjacent insulator pillars in the set of insulator pillars; and filling the sigma cavities with a semiconductor material over the recessed substrate between adjacent insulator pillars. |
| US09793109B2 |
Perhydropolysilazane, composition containing same, and method for forming silica film using same
[Problem] To provide a perhydropolysilazane making it possible to form a siliceous film with minimal defects, and a curing composition comprising the perhydropolysilazane.[Means for Solution] The present invention provides a perhydropolysilazane having a weight-average molecular weight of 5,000 to 17,000, characterized in that when 1H-NMR of a 17% by weight solution of said perhydropolysilazane dissolved in xylol is measured, the ratio of the amount of SiH1,2 based on the aromatic ring hydrogen content of the xylol is 0.235 or less and the ratio of the amount of NH based on the aromatic ring hydrogen content of the xylol is 0.055 or less, and a curing composition comprising the perhydropolysilazane. The present invention also provides a method for forming a siliceous film, comprising coating the curing composition on a substrate and heating. |
| US09793107B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, substrate processing apparatus, and recording medium
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming a thin film containing silicon, oxygen and carbon or a thin film containing silicon, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times. The cycle includes supplying a precursor gas serving as a silicon source and a carbon source or a precursor gas serving as a silicon source but no carbon source, and a first catalyst gas to the substrate; supplying an oxidizing gas and a second catalyst gas to the substrate; and supplying a modifying gas containing at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon and nitrogen to the substrate. |
| US09793106B2 |
Reliability improvement of polymer-based capacitors by moisture barrier
It has been discovered that poor TDDB reliability of microelectronic device capacitors with organic polymer material in the capacitor dielectric is due to water molecules infiltrating the organic polymer material when the microelectronic device is exposed to water vapor in the operating ambient. Water molecule infiltration from water vapor in the ambient is effectively reduced by a moisture barrier comprising a layer of aluminum oxide formed by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. A microelectronic device includes a capacitor with organic polymer material in the capacitor dielectric and a moisture barrier with a layer of aluminum oxide formed by an ALD process. |
| US09793104B2 |
Preparing a semiconductor surface for epitaxial deposition
Provided is a method of epitaxial deposition, which involves dry-etching a semiconductor substrate with a fluorine containing species and exposing the dry-etched substrate to hydrogen atoms, prior to epitaxially depositing a semiconductor layer to the surface of the substrate. |
| US09793102B2 |
Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor manufacturing method
In one embodiment, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a stage provided in a chamber, and a conveying module configured to convey a plurality of wafers into the chamber and to set the plurality of wafers on the stage. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to divide treatment time for simultaneously treating the plurality of wafers on the stage into first to K-th treatment periods where K is an integer of two or more, and to change positions of one or more of the plurality of wafers on the stage by the conveying module according to the treatment periods. |
| US09793097B2 |
Time varying segmented pressure control
An apparatus for processing a substrate is provided. A processing chamber is provided. A substrate support for supporting the substrate is within the processing chamber. A gas inlet provides gas into the processing chamber. An exhaust pressure system exhausts gas around a periphery of the substrate, wherein the periphery around the substrate is divided into at least three parts, wherein the exhaust pressure system controls exhaust pressure to control a velocity of the gas over the substrate, wherein the exhaust pressure system provides at independent exhaust pressure control for each part of the periphery for the at least three parts. |
| US09793096B2 |
Systems and methods for suppressing parasitic plasma and reducing within-wafer non-uniformity
A substrate processing system for depositing film on a substrate includes a processing chamber defining a reaction volume. A showerhead includes a stem portion having one end connected adjacent to an upper surface of the processing chamber. A base portion is connected to an opposite end of the stem portion and extends radially outwardly from the stem portion. The showerhead is configured to introduce at least one of process gas and purge gas into the reaction volume. A plasma generator is configured to selectively generate RF plasma in the reaction volume. An edge tuning system includes a collar and a parasitic plasma reducing element that is located around the stem portion between the collar and an upper surface of the showerhead. The parasitic plasma reducing element is configured to reduce parasitic plasma between the showerhead and the upper surface of the processing chamber. |
| US09793095B2 |
Microwave surface-wave plasma device
A processing system is disclosed, having a power transmission element with an interior cavity that propagates electromagnetic energy proximate to a continuous slit in the interior cavity. The continuous slit forms an opening between the interior cavity and a substrate processing chamber. The electromagnetic energy may generate an alternating charge in the continuous slit that enables the generation of an electric field that may propagate into the processing chamber. The electric field may interact with process gas in the processing chamber to generate plasma for treating the substrate. The interior cavity may be isolated from the process chamber by a dielectric component that covers the continuous slit. The power transmission element may be used to control plasma density within the process chamber, either by itself or in combination with other plasma sources. |
| US09793093B2 |
System for manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device manufacturing system includes: a PL evaluation apparatus that evaluates wavelengths of photoluminescent light produced by individual optical modulators on a single semiconductor wafer; an electron beam drawing apparatus that draws patterns of diffraction gratings of laser sections that adjoin respective optical modulators on the wafer; and a calculation section that receives the wavelengths of the photoluminescent light from the PL evaluation apparatus, calculates densities of respective diffraction gratings so that differences between the wavelengths of the photoluminescent light and oscillating wavelengths of the laser sections become a constant, and sends the densities calculated to the electron beam drawing apparatus for drawing respective diffraction grating patterns on the respective laser sections. |
| US09793092B2 |
Charged particle beam apparatus and processing method
A charged particle beam apparatus has a charged particle beam column configured to irradiate a charged particle beam, and a controller configured to control the charged particle beam column to irradiate the charged particle beam at a first pixel interval for a first region and to irradiate the charged particle beam at a second pixel interval different from the first pixel interval for a second region included in the first region. The first and second regions include plural first and second pixels each including first and second sub-pixels which are irradiated by the charged particle beam to generate secondary electrons. First and second sub-pixel images are formed based on the detected secondary electrons, and the first and second sub-pixel images are synthesized to form first and second images. |
| US09793088B2 |
Two-stage dodecapole aberration corrector for charged-particle beam
An aberration corrector has two stages of dodecapole (12-pole) elements each of which has first through twelfth poles arranged in this order. Exciting coils of the (4n+1)th poles and the exciting coils of the (4n+4)th poles are connected with a first reversible power supply in series (where n=0, 1, 2) to produce magnetic fields which are identical in absolute value but mutually opposite in sense relative to the optical axis within a plane perpendicular to the axis. The exciting coils of the (4n+3)th poles and the exciting coils of the (4n+2)th poles are connected with a second reversible power supply in series to produce magnetic fields which are identical in absolute value but mutually opposite in sense relative to the optical axis within the plane perpendicular to the axis. |
| US09793084B2 |
Floating intermediate electrode configuration for downhole nuclear radiation generator
Systems, methods, and devices with improved electrode configuration for downhole nuclear radiation generators are provided. For example, one embodiment of a nuclear radiation generator capable of downhole operation may include a charged particle source, a target material, and an acceleration column between the charged particle source and the target material. The acceleration column may include an intermediate electrode that remains floating at a variable potential, being electrically isolated from the rest of the acceleration column. |
| US09793082B2 |
Method of manufacturing flat panel display for heating sealing unit with different laser beams
A method of manufacturing a flat panel display is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes forming a plurality of display elements over a first substrate and forming over the first substrate or a second substrate a plurality of sealing units respectively surrounding the display elements. The method further c includes arranging the first and second substrates to face each other and emitting a laser beam to the sealing units so as to bond the first and second substrates. The emitting includes (a) emitting a first laser beam, from a first laser source, clockwise or counterclockwise along perimeters of the sealing units and (b) substantially simultaneously emitting a second laser beam, from a second laser source, to facing sides of adjacent ones of the sealing units. |
| US09793081B2 |
Exchange operating mechanism
A changeable mechanism includes a contact support, a connecting rod, a connecting shaft, a cantilever, and a changeable component. The contact support has a moving contact therein, and rotates about a shaft. The connecting rod bottom end is connected to the contact support, the connecting rod top end is connected to a cantilever through a connecting shaft. The changeable component is connected to and drives the cantilever through a main shaft, and drives the contact support to rotate through the connecting shaft and connecting rod. Rotation of the contact support makes the moving contact and static contact separate or in contact to realize opening or closing a circuit breaker. The changeable mechanism may switch between a manual operation mechanism and an electrical operation mechanism of a MCB. The changeable component does not dispose the electrical operation mechanism outside the MCB, so that height and volume of the MCB is reduced. |
| US09793078B2 |
Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay includes: an electromagnet; a twin contact set that includes first twin contacts provided on a first movable spring, and second twin contacts that are provided on a first fixed contact plate and disposed opposite to the first twin contacts; a single contact set that includes a first single contact provided on a second movable spring, and a second single contact that is provided on a second fixed contact plate and disposed opposite to the first single contact; and a card that moves in response to excitation or non-excitation of the electromagnet, and moves the first and the second movable springs simultaneously with the movement of the card. |
| US09793075B2 |
Rotary input device
A connection state (conduction/non-conduction) between a slide electrode and a first electrode pattern is switched with a first rotation angle as a boundary, and the switching of the connection state is generated by switching a contact state (contact/non-contact) between a first contact and a first electrode pattern. A connection state between a slide electrode and a second electrode pattern is switched with a third rotation angle as a boundary, and the switching of the connection state is generated by switching a contact state between a first contact and a second electrode pattern. That is, the contact state between the first contact farther away from a rotation center than the second contact and the electrode pattern defines a connection state between the slide electrode and an electrode pattern. |
| US09793074B2 |
Multi-directional operation switch
A multi-directional operation switch that can be miniaturized is provided. The multi-directional operation switch includes an operation rod that is rotatable about an operation rod axis, and is also tiltable. The operation rod has an inner end portion inserted in a hole in a circuit substrate, and a slider, which operates in conjunction with an operation of the operation rod, is provided on the inner end portion. The slider has a movable contact. The circuit substrate has a plurality of fixed contacts that are brought into contact with, and are electrically connected to, the movable contact when the slider rotates or slides. |
| US09793073B2 |
Backlighting a fabric enclosure of a flexible cover
Fabric enclosure backlighting techniques are described. In one or more implementations, one or more translucent portions are formed within a plurality of layers of a fabric enclosure assembly. In one approach, regions within one or multiple layers are laser etched to form the translucent portions within the fabric enclosure assembly. A light source is then arranged to selectively transmit light through the layers via the translucent portions to provide backlight for one or more elements integrated with fabric enclosure assembly. The one or more elements may include representations of input keys and/or graphics associated with the fabric enclosure assembly. The backlight may be used to view the one or more elements in low light and/or provide backlight effects such as borders, side lighting, labels, and so forth. |
| US09793062B2 |
Electric storage device and method for producing the same
An electric storage device includes an electrolyte and an electric storage unit including a positive electrode including a positive-electrode collector electrode and a positive-electrode active-material layer disposed on the positive-electrode collector electrode; a negative electrode including a negative-electrode collector electrode and a negative-electrode active-material layer disposed on the negative-electrode collector electrode and facing the positive-electrode active-material layer; a first insulating layer bonded to the positive electrode and the negative electrode to isolate the positive electrode and the negative electrode from each other; and a region that is sealed with the first insulating layer in plan view and that holds the electrolyte between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein an air permeability P of the first insulating layer satisfies the formula 1250 s/100 cc |
| US09793060B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor containing conductive polymer particles
A solid electrolytic capacitor that contains an anode body, dielectric overlying the anode body, adhesion coating overlying the dielectric, and solid electrolyte overlying the adhesion coating. The solid electrolyte contains an inner conductive polymer layer and outer conductive polymer layer, at least one of which is formed from a plurality of pre-polymerized conductive polymer particles. Furthermore, the adhesion coating contains a discontinuous precoat layer containing a plurality of discrete nanoprojections of a manganese oxide (e.g., manganese dioxide). |
| US09793058B2 |
Capacitor with charge time reducing additives and work function modifiers
A capacitor, and method for making the capacitor, is provided with improved charging characteristics. The capacitor has an anode, a cathode comprising a conductive polymer layer and a work function modifier layer adjacent the conductive polymer layer and a dielectric layer between the anode and the cathode. |
| US09793057B2 |
Electronic component termination and assembly by means of transient liquid phase sintering metallurgical bond
An improved method for forming a capacitor is provided as is a capacitor, or electrical component, formed by the method. The method includes providing an aluminum containing anode with an aluminum oxide dielectric thereon; forming a cathode on a first portion of the aluminum oxide dielectric; bonding an anode lead to the aluminum anode on a second portion of the aluminum oxide by a transient liquid phase sintered conductive material thereby metallurgical bonding the aluminum anode to the anode lead; and bonding a cathode lead to said cathode. |
| US09793049B2 |
Protected capacitor system and method
A protected capacitor system/method implementing enhanced transient over-voltage suppression is disclosed. The system/method incorporates one or more surge suppression devices (SSDs) proximally located and in parallel with a capacitor structure to produce an overall protected capacitor structure having enhanced reliability and simultaneous ability to resist transient overvoltage conditions. The SSDs are formed from series combinations of transient voltage surge suppressors (TVSs) (metal oxide varistor (MOV), diode for alternating current (DIAC), and/or silicon diode for alternating current (SIDAC)) and corresponding shunt diode rectifiers (SDRs) and placed in parallel across a capacitor structure to locally suppress voltage transients across the capacitor structure in excess of the voltage rating of the capacitor structure. The parallel shunting TVS/SDR pairs may be integrated into a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly that is externally attached to the capacitor structure or encapsulated in an enclosure incorporating the capacitor structure. |
| US09793046B2 |
Rotating transformers for electrical machines
A rotary transformer for an electrical machine includes a rotary printed circuit board and a stator printed circuit board. The rotary printed circuit board is operatively connected to the stator printed circuit board for relative rotation with respect to the stator printed circuit board. A conductor is fixed to the one of the printed circuit boards and includes a spiral coil for transferring electrical energy between the rotary printed circuit board and stator printed circuit board. |
| US09793044B2 |
Coil device and method for manufacturing the same
A coil device includes a bobbin, a first winding part, and a second winding part. A partition portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the bobbin. The first winding part is wound around the outer peripheral surface at one side of the partition portion. The second winding part is wound around the outer peripheral surface at the other side of the partition portion and has an inner winding layer and an outer winding layer located farther to the outer peripheral surface at the other side than the inner winding layer. |
| US09793043B2 |
Coil component and electronic circuit
Provided are a coil component capable of preventing internal residence of air bubbles after encapsulated with a resin and an electronic circuit incorporating such coil component. The coil component (10) includes: a columnar core having a flange portion (210) which is formed to have a diameter larger than that of a shaft portion having a coil wound therearound; and an annular core having an opening (110) through which the columnar core is inserted, the perimeter of the inner flange face of the flange portion (210) being configured by externally disposed regions (211,212,213,214) which are positioned outside the inner face of the opening (110) in the radial direction, and internally disposed regions (215,216,217,218) which are positioned inside the inner face of the opening (110) in the radial direction. |
| US09793039B1 |
Carbon nanotube-based integrated power inductor for on-chip switching power converters
An inductor has a substrate and at least one coil of carbon nanotubes. A trench is formed in the substrate, and the carbon nanotubes are grown in the trench in order to form a coil for the inductor. In some embodiments, multiple coils may be formed in the trench as may be desired. |
| US09793035B2 |
Soft magnetic metal powder and soft magnetic metal powder core using the same
The present invention relates to a soft magnetic metal powder which has Fe as the main component and contains Si and B, wherein, the content of Si in the soft magnetic metal powder is 1 to 15 mass %, the content of boron inside the metal particle of the soft magnetic metal powder is 10 to 150 ppm, and the particle has a film of boron nitride on the surface. The present invention also relates to a soft magnetic metal powder core prepared by using the soft magnetic metal powder. |
| US09793033B2 |
Resistor and manufacturing method
There is provided a resistor in which a first resistive part of a resistive element that electrically conducts between a pair of electrodes formed on either end of an insulating substrate has a meandering pattern meandering on the substrate surface and a swelling pattern that has a form in which a part of the meandering pattern swells out from the stroke width of the meandering pattern, a second resistive part that is electrically connected in series to the first resistive part is shorter than the entire length of the first resistive part, and has a wider width than the stroke width of the meandering pattern, and a trimming groove is formed in at least either the swelling pattern or the second resistive part. This can improve resistance accuracy and provide a high voltage resistor with high withstand voltage property. |
| US09793032B2 |
Reinforced 2212 multifilament superconducting wire with low aspect shape, cables thereof, and 2223 silver tape-based cables
Methods and devices for producing reinforced 2212 multifilament superconducting wire with low aspect shape. More specifically, methods and devices for producing reinforced round or rectangular wire with reinforcement strips. Methods and devices for producing cable using the reinforced 2212 multifilament superconducting wire as well as for producing reinforced 2223 Silver tape-based cable. |
| US09793031B2 |
Wire harness and method for manufacturing wire harness
The invention of the present application provides a wire harness with an improved accuracy of the dimension, that can be manufactured with an easy operation. A protector (4) defines at least either one of a bending shape and a branching shape of a plurality of electric wires (2). A cable tie (10) is attached to the electric wires (2), and includes a distal portion (11a) to be attached to the protector (4). The protector (4) includes an engaging portion (13) engageable with the distal portion (11a). Positions of the electric wires (2) and the protector (4) relative to each other are settled by engagement of the distal portion (11a) of the cable tie (10) attached to the electric wires (2) with the engaging portion (13). |
| US09793027B2 |
Dielectric fluid compositions for enhanced thermal management
A dielectric fluid composition for electrical apparatus comprises a functionalized 12-hydroxy stearic acid having desirable properties including a pour point less than −30° C. and a fire point greater than 250° C. It may be prepared by a process wherein 12-hydroxy methyl stearate is transesterified by reaction with a C3-C20 alcohol to form an alkyl-12-hydroxy stearate, followed by esterification thereof with a linear or branched C4-C20 carboxylic acid. This acid may be a free acid chloride, a fatty acid, a carboxylic acid anhydride, or combination thereof. The resulting functionalized 12-hydroxy stearic acid exhibits improved thermoxidative capability, low temperature flowability, and increased fire point. |
| US09793025B2 |
Conductive paste composition and semiconductor devices made therewith
A conductive paste composition contains a source of an electrically conductive metal, a boron lithium tellurium oxide, and an organic vehicle. An article such as a high-efficiency photovoltaic cell is formed by a process of deposition of the paste composition on a semiconductor device substrate (e.g., by screen printing) and firing the paste to remove the organic vehicle and sinter the metal and establish electrical contact between it and the substrate. |
| US09793024B2 |
Electrically conductive coating materials, electrically conductive coating systems, and methods including the same
Electrically conductive coating materials, electrically conductive coating systems, and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The electrically conductive coating systems include an electrically conductive base layer, a dielectric layer, and a plurality of electrically conductive elements that are embedded within the dielectric layer. The electrically conductive coating materials include a liquid dielectric and a plurality of electrically conductive elements that are suspended within the liquid dielectric. The methods include applying an electrically conductive coating material to an electrically conductive base layer and curing the electrically conductive coating material to define the electrically conductive coating system. The electrically conductive elements are defined by an elongate body that has a nonlinear conformation and is shaped to extend across at least 80% of an average thickness of the dielectric layer and/or to project from the electrically conductive base layer at least 80% of the average thickness of the dielectric layer. |
| US09793022B1 |
Method of decontamination for a high activity nuclear waste polluted storage canister
A method of follow-up decontamination operation for the polluted storage canister of a high activity nuclear waste storage facility, using needle and steel brushes driven by pneumatic tools for abrading the bottom and the inner wall of the storage canister to remove contaminants, a multi-level filter system for air filtration and removing pollutants in the storage canister, and a cover to be used in association with the pneumatic tools and the multi-level filtration system suitable to cap the storage canister, thus effectively block the exposure of contaminant of the storage canister to the external environment, achieving effective decontamination of the radioactive waste and reducing spreading to the environment. |
| US09793021B2 |
Transfer cask system having passive cooling
A transfer cask system for cooling spent nuclear fuel during the transfer from a spent nuclear fuel pool to a storage or transfer cask is disclosed. A canister containing spent nuclear fuel is inserted into a transfer cask. The transfer cask includes spacing components which define an annular region between the transfer cask and the canister. The transfer cask includes air inlets near a bottom end that permit air to flow through the defined annular region and exit at the open top of the transfer cask, thereby cooling the fuel within the canister. The transfer cask further comprises a neutron shield configured to absorb additional heat and shield radiation that may be generated within the canister. The transfer cask includes a transfer door that can open and close and has support rails that can support a spent nuclear fuel canister located in the transfer cask. |
| US09793019B1 |
Low temperature chemical processing of graphite-clad nuclear fuels
A reduced-temperature method for treatment of a fuel element is described. The method includes molten salt treatment of a fuel element with a nitrate salt. The nitrate salt can oxidize the outer graphite matrix of a fuel element. The method can also include reduced temperature degradation of the carbide layer of a fuel element and low temperature solubilization of the fuel in a kernel of a fuel element. |
| US09793018B2 |
Ambient temperature decontamination of nuclear power plant component surfaces containing radionuclides in a metal oxide
This invention generally concerns radioactive decontamination of deposits on components in a nuclear power plant and is specifically concerned with improved compositions, systems and methods for disrupting, dissolving, removing and reducing at ambient temperature radionuclides formed on the primary side surfaces of components in a pressurized water reactor and the internal components of a boiling water reactor. The methods include identifying the structure, taking the structure out of operational service, contacting the structure with an aqueous solution (e.g., a recirculating flow or static immersion), and adding an effective amount of elemental metal in solid form to the aqueous solution. |
| US09793016B2 |
Inspection method and inspection device
There is provided an inspection device for inspecting an inner surface of a nozzle provided in a reactor vessel. The inspection device includes: a device frame, an inspection unit provided on the device frame, an inspection unit push-out moving mechanism for pushing out and moving the inspection unit to the inner surface of the nozzle, a rotation moving mechanism for rotating and moving the inspection unit, a calibration test unit arranged on the device frame for calibrating the inspection unit; and a calibration test unit forward/backward moving mechanism for moving the calibration test unit forward or backward in the direction along the central axis with regard to a track where the inspection unit makes push-out movement. |
| US09793013B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor
Illustrative embodiments provide a reactivity control assembly for a nuclear fission reactor, a reactivity control system for a nuclear fission reactor having a fast neutron spectrum, a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor having a fast neutron spectrum, a method of controlling reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor having a fast neutron spectrum, methods of operating a nuclear fission traveling wave reactor having a fast neutron spectrum, a system for controlling reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor having a fast neutron spectrum, a method of determining an application of a controllably movable rod, a system for determining an application of a controllably movable rod, and a computer program product for determining an application of a controllably movable rod. |
| US09793010B2 |
Nuclear fuel pebble and method of manufacturing the same
A method of mass producing nuclear fuel elements may include: forming a graphite base portion of the fuel elements; repeatedly performing a sequence of operations comprising depositing a uniform graphite layer over a previous layer, depositing a layer of particles on the uniform graphite layer within a fuel zone diameter, so that the particles are spaced apart in a predefined pattern, and applying a binder using additive manufacturing methods to bind each layer with successively increasing and then decreasing diameters to form a central portion of fuel elements including a fuel-containing fuel zone; and repeatedly performing a sequence of operations comprising forming a uniform graphite layer on a previous layer and applying a binder using additive manufacturing methods to bind each layer with successively decreasing diameters to form a cap portion of fuel elements. The particles may include one or more of a nuclear fuel material, burnable poison material, or breeder material. The fuel particles may be tri-structural-isotropic (TRISO) particles that do not have an overcoat. |
| US09793008B2 |
Soft post package repair of memory devices
Apparatus and methods for soft post package repair are disclosed. One such apparatus can include memory cells in a package, volatile memory configured to store defective address data responsive to entering a soft post-package repair mode, a match logic circuit and a decoder. The match logic circuit can generate a match signal indicating whether address data corresponding to an address to be accessed matches the detective address data stored in the volatile memory. The decoder can select a first group of the memory cells to be accessed instead of a second group of the memory cells responsive to the match signal indicating that the address data corresponding to the address to be accessed matches the defective address data stored in the volatile memory. The second group of the memory cells can correspond to a replacement address associated with other defective address data stored in non-volatile memory of the apparatus. |
| US09793002B2 |
Fuse element programming circuit and method
In one embodiment, a programming circuit is configured to form a programming current for a silicide fuse element by using a non-silicide programming element. |
| US09792998B1 |
System and method for erase detection before programming of a storage device
Systems and methods for detecting program disturb and for programming/reading based on the detected program disturb are disclosed. Program disturb comprises unintentionally programming an unselected section of memory during the program operation of the selected section of memory. To reduce the effect of program disturb, the section of memory is analyzed in a predetermined state (such as the erase state) for program disturb. In response to identifying signs of program disturb, the voltages used to program the section of memory (such as the program verify levels for programming data into the cells of the section of memory) may be adjusted. Likewise, when reading data from the section of memory, the read voltages may be adjusted based on the adjusted voltages used for programming. In this way, using the adjusted programming and reading voltages, the effect of program disturb may be reduced. |
| US09792997B2 |
Ramping inhibit voltage during memory programming
The inhibit voltage is a voltage applied to wordlines adjacent to a program wordline having a memory cell to write during the program operation. The inhibit voltage for a program operation can be ramped up during the program pulse. Instead of applying a constant high inhibit voltage that results in the initial boosted channel potential reducing drastically due to leakage, a system can start the inhibit voltage lower and ramp the inhibit voltage up during the program pulse. The ramping up can be a continuous ramp or in finite discrete steps during the program pulse. Such ramping of inhibit voltage can provide better tradeoff between program disturb and inhibit disturb. |
| US09792995B1 |
Independent multi-plane read and low latency hybrid read
Read operations are performed in a multi-plane memory device. A state machine interfaces an external controller to each plane of memory cells to allow reading from selected word lines in the planes. In one approach, different types of read operations are performed in different planes, such as a multi-level cell read, e.g., a lower, middle or upper page read and a single-level cell (SLC) read. When the read operation in one plane uses fewer read voltages than another plane, the read data can be output early from the one plane while read operations continue on the other plane. The external controller can also command a cache release for one plane after outputting data from the caches of another plane. Read voltages can be set for each plane in a respective set of registers. |
| US09792994B1 |
Bulk modulation scheme to reduce I/O pin capacitance
A driver circuit, such as could be used as an off-chip driver for an I/O pin on a memory circuit, is presented. The driver has a PMOS connected between a supply level and the driver's output node. In an active mode, the bulk terminal of the PMOS is connected to the supply level; and in a standby mode, the PMOS's bulk terminal is set to a higher level. This reduces the leakage current through the PMOS in the standby mode, allowing for smaller device with a lower capacitance to be used. |
| US09792993B2 |
Memory cell with high endurance for multiple program operations
A memory cell includes a read transistor, a first floating gate transistor, a program transistor, a second floating gate transistor, and a common floating gate. The common floating gate is coupled to the second floating gate transistor and the first floating gate transistor. The memory cell is programmed and erased through the common floating gate on the second floating gate transistor, and is read through the first floating gate transistor and the read transistor. |
| US09792990B2 |
Flash memory system and word line interleaving method thereof
Provided are a flash memory system and a word line interleaving method thereof. The flash memory system includes a memory cell array, and a word line interleaving logic. The memory cell array is connected to a plurality of word lines. The word line (WL) interleaving logic performs an interleaving operation on WL data corresponding to at least two different wordlines and programming data, including the interleaved data, to the memory cell array. |
| US09792984B1 |
Method, system and device for non-volatile memory device operation
Disclosed are methods, systems and devices for operation of non-volatile memory devices. In one aspect, a correlated electron switch (CES) device may be placed in any one of multiple memory states in a write operation. Limiting current between terminals of the non-volatile memory device during read operations may enable use of higher voltages for higher realized gain. |
| US09792983B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and memory system
A memory device includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory cell array, a plurality of terminals through which control signals are received to control the memory device, an on-die termination circuit connected to at least one of the terminals and having a variable resistor, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to enable the on-die termination circuit in response to an enabling signal to enable the on-die termination circuit, with a resistance of the variable registor at different values depending on whether a control signal is asserted or deasserted when the enabling signal is received. |
| US09792982B1 |
Method, system and device for read signal generation
Disclosed are methods, systems and devices for generation of a read signal to be applied across a load for use in detecting a current impedance state of the load. In one implementation, a voltage and current of a generated read signal may be controlled so as to maintain a current impedance state of the load. |
| US09792979B1 |
Process, voltage, and temperature tracking SRAM retention voltage regulator
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for tracking a retention voltage are disclosed. In one embodiment, a circuit is utilized for generating a standby voltage for a static random-access memory (SRAM) array. The circuit tracks the leakage current of the bitcells of the SRAM array as the leakage current varies over temperature. The circuit mirrors this leakage current and tracks the higher threshold voltage of a p-channel transistor or an n-channel transistor, with the p-channel and n-channel transistors matching the transistors in the bitcells of the SRAM array. The circuit includes a voltage regulator to supply power to the SRAM array at a supply voltage proportional to the higher threshold voltage tracked. Setting a supply voltage of the SRAM array based on threshold voltages and leakage current may reduce power consumption as compared to using a supply voltage based on a worst case operating conditions assumption for the SRAM array. |
| US09792978B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and memory system including the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array and a first buffer. The memory cell array includes a plurality of bank arrays. Each of the plurality of bank arrays includes a plurality of memory cells. The memory cell array and the first buffer are configured for performing a first internal read operation, which represents operations of retrieving first data from a first region of the memory cell array and of storing the first data into the first buffer, based on a first read command and a first read address. The first internal read operation is performed based on a deterministic interface in which the first data is stored into the first buffer within a predetermined first duration after the first read command is received and a generation of a first acknowledgement signal is unnecessary after storing the first data into the first buffer is completed. |
| US09792976B2 |
Memory device including delay circuit having gate insulation films with thicknesses different from each other
Provided is a memory device including a delay circuit having gate insulation films with thicknesses different from each other. The memory device includes a delay circuit configured to input an input signal and output an output signal, and circuit blocks configured to control an operation of reading or writing memory cell data in response to the input signal or the output signal. One of transistors constituting a circuit block has a gate insulation film having such a thickness that an effect of negative biased temperature instability (NBTI) or positive biased temperature instability (PBTI) on the transistors is minimized. The delay circuit may be affected little by a shift in a threshold voltage that may be caused by NTBI or PBTI, and thus, achieve target delay time. |
| US09792974B2 |
Memory system including plurality of DRAM devices operating selectively
A memory system including a plurality of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices and a DRAM controller is provided. The plurality of DRAM devices includes one or more DRAM groups. Each of the one or more DRAM groups includes at least two DRAM devices. The DRAM controller outputs a clock enable signal, and controls a selection signal used to select a target DRAM device that operates in a normal mode in response to the clock enable signal. At least one target DRAM device is selected from the one or more DRAM groups. One or more stand-by DRAM devices other than the at least one target DRAM device operates in a self-refresh mode. |
| US09792968B2 |
Self-timed reset pulse generator and memory device with self-timed reset pulse generator
A self-timed reset pulse generator includes a flip-flop, a tracking block, and a tracking circuit. The flip-flop receives an input signal and a feedback signal and outputting a reset signal. The tracking block has replicating cells coupled in series and replicates a structure in an external device. The tracking block has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal and the second terminal are taking from the tracking block at a same location or two different locations. The tracking circuit unit receives the reset signal and receives the first terminal and the second terminal for respectively discharging the tracking block at the first terminal and sensing a voltage level at the second terminal as triggered by the reset signal. A track-out signal serving as the feed back signal is output to the flip-flop when the voltage level is less than or equal to a threshold. |
| US09792966B2 |
Page buffer and semiconductor memory device including the same
A semiconductor memory device may include a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, and a plurality of page buffers respectively coupled to a plurality of bit lines of the memory cell array, the page buffers being supplied with internal voltages to precharge the plurality of bit lines or to sense an amount of current flowing through the plurality of bit lines, during a sensing operation, wherein each of the page buffers converts the internal voltages into supply voltages having constant potential levels. |
| US09792964B1 |
Apparatus of offset voltage adjustment in input buffer
Apparatuses for providing external terminals of a semiconductor device are described. An example apparatus includes an input pad, an input buffer including a first input node and a second input node, a switch that couples the first input node and the second input node in an active state and further decouples the first input node and the second input node in an inactive state, a control circuit that provides a signal causing the switch to be in the active state or an inactive state. The first input node of the input buffer is coupled to the input pad by a conductive wiring. |
| US09792963B2 |
Managing disturbance induced errors
In an embodiment, a memory controller may determine that one or more neighboring memory cells associated with a target memory cell in a memory device are to be refreshed. The controller may generate a command associated with refreshing the one or more neighboring memory cells. The controller may transfer the command from the memory controller to the memory device containing the target memory cell. The command may direct the memory device to refresh the neighboring memory cells and/or return one or more addresses associated with the neighboring memory cells. |
| US09792962B1 |
Sense amplifier for memory device
A read-amplifier circuit includes a core with a first input and a second input that are intended to receive in a measurement phase a differential signal arising from a first bit line and from a second bit line of the memory device. The circuit also includes a memory element with two inverters coupled in a crossed manner. The first and second inputs are respectively connected to two of the power supply nodes of the inverters via two transfer capacitors. A first controllable circuit is configured to temporarily render the memory element floating during an initial phase preceding the measurement phase and during the measurement phase. |
| US09792956B2 |
Use of program-schedule text and closed-captioning text to facilitate selection of a portion of a media-program recording
In one aspect, an example method involves a computing device accessing first data representing a program schedule of a media program; accessing second data representing closed-captioning text of the media program; making a determination that first text of the program schedule has at least a threshold extent of similarity with second text of the closed-captioning text, where a portion of the media program was recorded proximate a time when a portion of the second data representing the second text of the closed-captioning text was generated; using the first text of the program schedule as a basis to select a portion of the program schedule; and responsive to at least the determination, storing third data indicative of a correlation between the selected portion of the program schedule and the recorded portion of the media program. |
| US09792955B2 |
Automatic generation of multi-camera media clips
Some embodiments provide a media-editing application. The application receives a selection of several media clips for creating a multi-camera media clip. Based on metadata stored with the media clips that identifies sources of the media clips, the application automatically assigns the clips to at least two different groups in the multi-camera media clip. For each group of the multi-camera media clip, the application automatically orders the assigned clips along a timeline using timing data. The application uses the timing data to automatically initially synchronize the different groups of the multi-camera media clip. The application automatically adjusts the initial synchronization of the groups by comparing audio data of media clips assigned to different groups. |
| US09792953B2 |
Mobile terminal and control method for the same
Disclosed are a mobile terminal and a method for controlling the same. The mobile terminal includes: a memory capable of storing video data therein; a touch screen capable of receiving a touch input related to the video data; and a controller capable of reducing a play time or a capacity of the video data based on a preset reference, such that a summary of the video data is generated based on the touch input, wherein the preset reference is established based on a restriction condition of a social network service or an application for sharing the video data. |
| US09792949B1 |
Laser mode hopping detection method and apparatus for a heat-assisted magnetic recording device
An apparatus and method provide for performing, using a heat-assisted magnetic recording head, multiple sequential writes to a recording medium, and recording a metric of write performance for each of the writes. The apparatus and method further provide for calculating fluctuations in the metric, detecting whether the head has a laser mode hopping problem using the metric fluctuations, and categorizing a severity of the laser mode hopping problem. |
| US09792947B1 |
Skiving block for mitigating protruding defects from magnetic tape recording media
An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a block having multiple skiving edges along a tape bearing surface thereof, and a guide mechanism configured to set a wrap angle of a tape approaching the skiving edge. A drive mechanism is configured to cause the tape to move over the block. The block has no transducer coupled directly thereto. A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes causing a magnetic recording tape to pass over a block having a skiving edge at a wrap angle of at least one degree for burnishing the tape, wherein the block has an average hardness of at least about 9 Mohs. |
| US09792946B2 |
Patterned media for heat assisted recording
A patterned magnetic recording medium for use in heat assisted magnetic recording comprises an electrically conductive heat sink layer and a plurality of discrete magnetic recording elements positioned adjacent to a first surface of the heat sink layer. Disc drives that include the patterned medium and a method of magnetic recording using the patterned media are also included. |
| US09792945B1 |
3D optical memory storage cells
An apparatus includes a first storage cell with an electrical property. The first storage cell is configured to change the electrical property in response to a first light energy, and to maintain the change to the electrical property. The first storage cell is also configured to alter the change to the electrical property in response to a second light energy, and to maintain the alteration to the change to the electrical property. A second storage cell disposed over the first storage cell in a vertical plane of the first storage cell. A third storage cell disposed adjacent to the first storage cell in a horizontal plane of the first storage cell. |
| US09792942B2 |
Optical information medium having multiple layers with management information areas disposed at the same distance from center
A write-once type information recording medium according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one recording layer. In the information recording medium, the at least one recording layer has a spiral shape in which a land track and a groove track are alternately arranged as a recording track, the recording track is divided into blocks each of which being minimum unit in which recording is performed, and the information recording medium includes a management information area where management information is recorded and a user data area where user data is recorded. Each of the management information areas of both the land track and the groove track on each recording layer of the at least one recording layer is disposed at a same distance from the center of the information recording medium. |
| US09792941B2 |
Method and system for data replication
A method and system of replicating data stored on a storage device where an update is stored in a snapshot. The update includes a copy of at least one portion of the data stored on the storage device. Metadata relating to the update is also stored. The replica is periodically updated by copying the contents of the snapshot into the replica in accordance with the stored metadata. After the replica is updated, the snapshot can be deleted. |
| US09792936B1 |
Gimbal assembly with linear actuators that cause rotation of a slider
A gimbal assembly includes a flex circuit with a first end extending along a loadbeam and second end having bond pads configured to be electrically coupled to a slider. The gimbal assembly includes a metallic layer with a fixed portion fixably attached to the loadbeam and a movable portion fixably attachable to the slider. The movable portion has at least one extension arm coupled to and providing support to the second end of the flex circuit. First and second linear actuators are coupled between the fixed portion and the movable portion. The first and second linear actuators cause a rotation of the slider in response to an electric signal. |
| US09792935B2 |
Magnetic devices with variable overcoats
A magnetic device including: a magnetic reader; a magnetic writer; and a variable overcoat, the variable overcoat positioned over at least the magnetic reader and writer, the variable overcoat having an overcoat layer, the overcoat layer having a substantially constant thickness and material; and at least one disparate overcoat portion, the disparate overcoat portion having a different thickness, a different material, or both, than the overcoat layer. |
| US09792931B2 |
Devices including a difussion barrier layer
Devices having an air bearing surface (ABS), the devices including a write pole; a near field transducer (NFT) that includes a peg and a disc, wherein the peg is at the ABS of the device; a heat sink positioned adjacent the disc of the NFT; a dielectric gap positioned adjacent the peg of the NFT at the ABS of the device; and a conformal diffusion barrier layer positioned between the write pole and the dielectric gap, the disc, and the heat sink, wherein the conformal diffusion barrier layer forms at least one angle that is not greater than 135°. |
| US09792928B2 |
Tape storage device having at least one redundant read data element
A technique includes in a data storage device, sensing a plurality of data streams from a track of storage media as the media moves in a given direction using a plurality of read elements such that at least one of the read elements is redundant. The technique includes combining the data streams to generate a data stream indicating data read from the track. |
| US09792923B2 |
High frequency regeneration of an audio signal with synthetic sinusoid addition
A method performed in an audio decoder for reconstructing an original audio signal having a lowband portion and a highband portion is disclosed. The method includes receiving an encoded audio signal and extracting reconstruction parameters from the encoded audio signal. The method further includes decoding the encoded audio signal with a core audio decoder to obtain a decoded lowband portion and regenerating the highband portion based at least in part on a cross over frequency and the decoded lowband portion to obtain a regenerated highband portion. The method also includes creating a synthetic sinusoid with a level based at least in part on a spectral envelope value for the particular subband and a noise floor value for the particular subband and adding the synthetic sinusoid to the regenerated highband portion in the particular frequency band specified by the location information. Finally, the method includes combining the lowband portion and the regenerated highband portion to obtain a full bandwidth audio signal. |
| US09792921B2 |
Media synchronisation system
A communications system distributes code word pairs within the audio of a television or radio program or the like. Each pair of code words includes an ID code word that is the same for a given program and a synchronization code word that is unique within the program. A portable user device is able to synchronize itself to the program using the embedded synchronization code words. |
| US09792912B2 |
Method for verifying the identity of a speaker, system therefore and computer readable medium
The invention refers to a method of verifying the identity of a speaker based on the speakers voice comprising the steps of: receiving (1, 5) a first and a second voice utterance; using biometric voice data to verify (2, 6) that the speakers voice corresponds to the speaker the identity of which is to be verified based on the received first and/or second voice utterance and determine (8) the similarity of the two received voice utterances characterized in that the similarity is determined using biometric voice characteristics of the two voice utterances or data derived from such biometric voice characteristics. The invention further refers to a System (80) for verifying the identity of a speaker based on the speakers voice comprising: a component (81) for receiving a first and a second voice utterance; a component (82) for using biometric voice data to verify that the speakers voice corresponds to the speaker the identity of which is to be verified based on the received first and/or second voice utterance and a component (83) for comparing the two received voice utterances in order to determine the similarity of the two voice utterances characterized in that the similarity is determined using biometric voice characteristics of the two voice utterances or data derived from such biometric voice characteristics. |
| US09792909B2 |
Methods and systems for recommending dialogue sticker based on similar situation detection
Provided is a method of recommending a dialogue sticker through similar situation retrieval. The method includes: generating dialogue situation information on the last utterances of the first user terminal and the second user terminal; retrieving a candidate situation having the most similar context from a dialogue situation information database, the situation including a plurality of continuous utterances; acquiring sticker information from pairs of utterance-sticker derived from the retrieved candidate situation and providing the sticker information for the first user terminal. |
| US09792908B1 |
Analyzing speech delivery
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for analyzing the speech delivery of a user is disclosed including presenting to the user a plurality of speech delivery analysis criteria, receiving from the user a selection of at least one of the speech delivery analysis criterion, receiving, from at least one sensing device, speech data captured by the at least one sensing device during the delivery of a speech by the user, transmitting the speech data and the selected at least one speech delivery analysis criterion to an analysis engine for analysis based on the selected at least one speech delivery analysis criteria, receiving, from the analysis engine an analysis report for the speech data, the analysis report comprising an analysis of the speech data performed by the analysis engine based on the selected at least one criterion, and presenting to the user the analysis report. |
| US09792904B2 |
Methods and systems for natural language understanding using human knowledge and collected data
Disclosed herein are systems and methods to incorporate human knowledge when developing and using statistical models for natural language understanding. The disclosed systems and methods embrace a data-driven approach to natural language understanding which progresses seamlessly along the continuum of availability of annotated collected data, from when there is no available annotated collected data to when there is any amount of annotated collected data. |
| US09792903B2 |
Methods and systems for determining ranking of dialogue sticker based on situation and preference information
Provided is a method of determining the ranking of dialogue stickers based on situation and preference information. The method includes: analyzing utterances between the first user terminal and the second user terminal and selecting a sticker candidate group to be recommended to the first user terminal; calculating an expression suitability based on the preference and situation information in regard to the selected sticker candidate group; and determining the ranking of stickers in the order of suitability and then recommending a higher ranked sticker to the first user terminal. |
| US09792896B2 |
Providing intelligent transcriptions of sound messages in a messaging application
One or more embodiments described herein include methods and systems of creating transcribed electronic communications based on sound inputs. More specifically, systems and methods described herein provide users the ability to easily and effectively send an electronic communication that includes a textual message transcribed from a sound input. Additionally, systems and methods described herein provide an analysis of a textual message transcribed from a sound input allowing users to correct an inaccurate or incorrect transcription. |
| US09792889B1 |
Music modeling
A computer implemented method is provided for generating a prediction of a next musical note by a computer having at least a processor and a memory. A computer processor system is also provided for generating a prediction of a next musical note. The method includes storing sequential musical notes in the memory. The method further includes generating, by the processor, the prediction of the next musical note based upon a music model and the sequential musical notes stored in the memory. The method also includes updating, by the processor, the music model based upon the prediction of the next musical note and an actual one of the next musical note. The method additionally includes resetting, by the processor, the memory at fixed time intervals. |
| US09792887B2 |
Acoustic drum kit, and ensemble of musical instruments comprising such an acoustic drum kit
An acoustic drum kit including a bass drum, a snare drum and a hi-hat stand, the base drum including two parts that are movable with respect to one another between a spaced-apart position, in which the snare drum is fixed removably to the bass drum and to the hi-hat stand such that the drum kit is in a playing configuration, and a compact position, in which the snare drum and the hi-hat stand are housed inside the bass drum, between the two parts thereof, such that the drum kit is in a storage and transport configuration. |
| US09792883B2 |
Apparatus and method for compositing image in a portable terminal
A method and apparatus for compositing images in a portable terminal are provided. The method includes acquiring a plurality of images, displaying a plurality of candidate composition regions in each of the plurality of images, selecting a composition region of each of the plurality of images based on a user input, and compositing the plurality of images by using the composition regions of the plurality of images. |
| US09792881B2 |
Selective composite rendering
Systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are described below for rendering a graphical user interface by selectively compositing display contents. In general for each of one or more content producers, where each content producer is associated with content storage containing display content, display content for output is identified depending on the content consumer to which the graphical user interface is being rendered. |
| US09792879B2 |
Display system and driving method
A display system that includes a display panel and a display device is provided. The display panel has display pixels each of the display pixels including two sub display pixels. The driving device includes a mode detection unit, a 1-D sub-pixel rendering unit and a 2-D sub-pixel rendering unit. The mode detection unit determines whether a predetermined condition of the first frame is met. The 1-D sub-pixel rendering unit generates first display pixel values when the predetermined condition is not met. The 2-D sub-pixel rendering unit generates second display pixel values when the predetermined condition is met. Either the first display pixel values or the second display pixel values are generated to be outputted to the display panel and are displayed by the display pixels. |
| US09792874B2 |
Array substrate, method for driving the same and electrochromic display
An array substrate, an electrochromic display and a method for driving the array substrate are disclosed. A display region of the array substrate (30) comprises a plurality of sets of data lines (33) and a plurality of scan lines (36), the plurality of sets of data lines (33) and the plurality of scan lines (36) intersecting each other to divide the display region into a plurality of pixel regions, a pixel electrode (32) is disposed in each of the pixel regions and electrically connected to the data lines (33); the pixel electrode (32) comprises a central pixel electrode (32a) and a peripheral pixel electrode (32b) adjacent to and electrically isolated from the central pixel electrode (32a). When the pixel region is driven, the peripheral pixel electrode (32b) and the central pixel electrode (32a) are at opposite polarities, thereby making the electrochromic material flowing from the central pixel region (32a) corresponding to the central pixel electrode (32a) to the peripheral pixel electrode (32b) and having been changed in color to fade in color. Cross-talk between adjacent pixel regions in the electrochromic display panel can be effectively controlled, and the display effect of the electrochromic display can be improved. |
| US09792873B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display device with low manufacturing cost
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel includes drive circuits, data lines for transmitting the data signals, scan lines, and pixel units. Each of the drive circuits includes a level shifter and an output buffer. Voltage signals which are inputted to a non-inverting input terminal and an inverting input terminal of the level shifter are determined according to a number of inverting amplifiers of the output buffer. The present invention further provides a liquid crystal display device. The present invention can effectively decrease the manufacture cost of the liquid crystal display panel. |
| US09792872B2 |
Electro-optical panel having a driver with variable driving capability
A driver and an electronic device include a capacitor driving circuit and a capacitor circuit having a plurality of capacitors provided between a plurality of capacitor driving nodes and a data voltage output terminal, and the capacitor driving circuit includes a plurality of driving units that output capacitor driving voltages. In the case where the capacitor that has the highest capacitance among the plurality of capacitors is driven, the driving unit that drives that highest capacitor is a driving unit whose driving capability is variable. |
| US09792871B2 |
Gate driver on array circuit and liquid crystal display adopting the same
A GOA circuit includes GOA circuit units. When scan signal outputted by a previous stage GOA circuit unit and a next stage GOA circuit unit are at a low level, a fifth transistor controlled by the scan signal of previous stage GOA circuit unit and a sixth transistor controlled by the scan signal of a next stage GOA circuit unit turn on, so that the current stage GOA circuit unit starts to operate, and voltage of a control node becomes the same as the first constant voltage. When a third clock signal is triggered, the scan signal of the previous stage GOA circuit unit is charged from the low level, which was maintained previously, to the first constant voltage. Therefore, scan signal of GOA circuit unit will not affect the normal stage transmission of other GOA circuit units, and mitigate the problem of outputting redundant scan signal pulse. |
| US09792869B1 |
Display panel
A display panel includes a substrate, and a pixel array and a gate driving circuit. The gate driving circuit provides gate driving signals to the pixel array, and includes shift registers, wherein each shift register includes a voltage providing unit, a first driving transistor, a voltage transmitting unit and a second driving transistor. The voltage providing unit receives a setting signal and a system high voltage to provide a first terminal voltage. The first driving transistor receives a first clock signal and the first terminal voltage to provide a first gate driving signal. The voltage transmitting unit receives the first gate driving signal to provide a second terminal voltage. The second driving transistor receives a second clock signal and the second terminal voltage to provide a second gate driving signal. Therefore, the influence caused by large difference of driving capabilities of the first and the second driving transistor is avoided. |
| US09792868B2 |
Shift register unit, gate driving device and display device
The present disclosure provides a shift register unit including a pull-up module, an input module, a reset module, a first pull-down module, a second pull-down module, a first control module, a second control module, a first state clearing module, and a second state clearing module. The shift register unit utilizes a first clock signal and a second clock signal to cause the first and second pull-down modules to pull down alternately, in order to maintain the stability of the output signal. Furthermore, each of the TFTs in the circuit structure has a duty cycle smaller than 50%, so that the lifetime of TFTs is greatly increased. The present disclosure further provides a gate driving device and a display device using the shift register unit. |
| US09792865B2 |
Display device
To reduce the area of a portion where a plurality of transistors are provided in a region around a display region and to reduce the area of the region around the display region, a display device includes a first transistor and a second transistor each as a transistor, and the transistor includes a connection wiring that electrically connects a semiconductor film and a source-drain electrode to each other via an opening portion provided in an insulating film. The first transistor and the second transistor are adjacent to each other, and there is a clearance between an end portion, on the side of the second transistor, of the connection wiring in the first transistor and an end portion, on the side of the second transistor, of the opening portion in the first transistor. |
| US09792863B2 |
Display element having switching elements formed into different shapes corresponding to sub pixels of different sizes
According to one embodiment, a display element includes a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of signal lines orthogonal to the plurality of scanning lines. A pixel of the display element includes sub-pixels of a plurality of colors to be respectively formed in the regions surrounded by the scanning lines and the signal lines. The size of a sub-pixel of a predetermined color among the plurality of colors is larger than the sizes of the sub-pixels of the other colors. Switching elements of the display element are connected to the scanning lines and the signal lines and drive the sub-pixels, respectively, and are formed into different shapes corresponding to the sub-pixels with different sizes. |
| US09792861B2 |
Electro-phoretic display capable of improving gray level resolution and method for driving the same
An electro-phoretic display and a method for driving the same are provided, where the electro-phoretic display has a plurality of pixel units. The method includes: setting a plurality of particle tightening time periods and a plurality of gray level displaying time periods for the pixel units respectively, where each of the gray level displaying time periods is arranged after each corresponding particle tightening time period; providing a plurality of particle tightening voltages to the pixel units for tightening the particles of the pixel units respectively during the particle tightening time periods, and providing a plurality of display driving voltages to the pixel units during the gray level displaying time periods. The particle tightening time periods and/or the gray level displaying time periods are determined by a plurality of display gray level data corresponding to the pixel units. |
| US09792856B2 |
Organic light emitting display device with lines for repairing defective pixels
An organic light emitting display device includes a display area and a non-display area. The display area includes display pixels at crossing areas of data lines, scan lines, and emission control lines. The non-display area includes auxiliary pixels at crossing positions of auxiliary data lines, scan lines, and emission control lines. The display device also includes a scan driver to supply scan signals to the scan lines, a first data driver to supply data voltages to the data lines, a second data driver to supply an auxiliary data voltage to the auxiliary data line, and a demultiplexer between the data lines and the first data driver. |
| US09792854B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display area that includes sub-pixels arranged in a matrix having rows and columns, pixels formed of the combination of two sub-pixels, from which light of different wavelength regions is emitted, image signal lines arranged by two columns, scanning signal lines arranged by one in each row, pixel transistors disposed in the respective sub-pixels in which one image signal line is connected to a source of each pixel transistor, and the one scanning signal line is connected to a gate of the pixel transistor, light emitting elements that each emit light on the basis of a potential of a drain of the pixel transistor, and a drive circuit that applies a conduction potential for rendering the pixel transistors conductive to two scanning signal lines corresponding to two adjacent rows at the same time. |
| US09792853B2 |
Pixel, driving method of pixel, and display device including pixel
A pixel includes a driving transistor connected to an organic light emitting diode. The circuit places the driving transistor in an on-biased state based on first and second scan signals which at least partially overlap during a time when an organic light emitting diode does not emit light. The first and scan signals are received from different scan lines. The scan lines may be adjacent scan lines. |
| US09792852B2 |
Signal processing method, display apparatus, and electronic apparatus
A signal processing method includes inputting image signals containing gradations of respective pixels of an image to be displayed. Corresponding gradations, which are the gradations contained in the input image signals and corresponding to respective common pixel circuits included in a plurality of common pixel circuits, are selected. The plurality of common pixel circuits is a plurality of predetermined pixel circuits among a plurality of pixel circuits each having a light-emitting element, the plurality of predetermined pixel circuits being commonly connected to a signal line, a plurality of signal voltages being output to the signal line sequentially and continuously, each signal voltage setting a light-emission luminance of the light-emitting element. On the basis of a plurality of corresponding gradations selected corresponding to the plurality of common pixel circuits, sizes of the respective signal voltages being output to the signal line sequentially and continuously are corrected. |
| US09792848B2 |
Digital driving method of OLED display device
The present invention provides a digital driving method of an OLED display device, and the input front end data analysis module analyzes the data signals of at least two adjacent frames of image, and the OLED display device divides the data signals of each frame of image in the at least two adjacent frames of image into a plurality of subframes according to an order of display times, and adjusts an order of various color components outputted by the plurality of subframes corresponded with the data signals of each frame of image according to an analysis result of the data signals of at least two adjacent frames of image to prevent the new integral effect generates between the two adjacent frames of image because the data signals are different, and thus to eliminate the flicker and raising the image display quality. |
| US09792845B2 |
Scan driving circuit
A scan driving circuit is provided for driving scan lines which are connected in series, including a pull-down controlling module, a pull-down module, a reset-controlling module, a resetting module, a downward-transmitting module, a first bootstrap capacitor, a constant low voltage level source, and a constant high voltage level source. The entire structure of the scan driving circuit is simple, and energy consumption is reduced. |
| US09792843B2 |
Load driving apparatus and grayscale voltage generating circuit
A load driving apparatus for driving a plurality of loads is provided. The load driving apparatus includes an output stage module, a load driving module, and an output stage selection module. The output stage module includes a plurality of output stages. Each of the output stages is coupled to a corresponding one of the loads. The load driving module is coupled to the output stage module and outputs a driving signal to drive one of the loads through the output stage module. The output stage selection module is coupled between the output stage module and the load driving module and selects one of the output stages in the output stage module, so that the load driving module drives the load which is coupled to the selected output stage through the selected output stage. Furthermore, a grayscale voltage generating circuit including the foregoing load driving apparatus is also provided. |
| US09792840B2 |
Tabbed nameplate on a ring
Example embodiments relate to a tabbed nameplate on a ring apparatus and a method of moving a plurality of nameplates. In at least one nonlimiting example embodiment the method includes providing a first nameplate, inserting a holding member through a first aperture of a first tabbed portion of the first nameplate, and closing the holding member by moving a first end of the holding member to a second end of the holding member and using a connector to connect the first end to the second end. In at least one nonlimiting example embodiments the first nameplate has a first nameplate body and a first tabbed portion separated from each other by a cut. |
| US09792839B2 |
Wide filament fastener and stock
A length of fastener stock (111) includes opposing first and second continuous side members—(113-1) and (113-2) which are coupled together by a plurality of flexible cross-links (117). Individual fasteners (121) are selectively obtained from the stock (111) by cutting or separating the side members (113-1) and (113-2) at appropriate points (i.e., midway) between the cross-links or filaments (115). Accordingly, each fastener (121) will include a first cross-bar (123-1), which has been cut from side member (113-1), and a second cross-bar (123-2), which has been cut from side member (113-2), the cross-bars (123-1) and (123-2) being interconnected by the flexible filament (115). Suitably, with respect to an axial cross-section thereof, the width W of the flexible filament (115) is greater than or equal to approximately one and a half-times the height H of the filament (115). |
| US09792834B2 |
Computer, method and program for effectively notifying others of problems concerning accessibility in content
A computer has a display device, a speaker device and an input device, and is capable of identifying problems concerning accessibility in web content displayed on the display device to a visually impaired user of the computer. The web content includes a plurality of structured objects. The computer also has text-to-speech capability such that the web content displayed on the display device is audibly read to the user. The user provides a specification operation input when he or she is uncomfortable with the audible reading. A reporter software module executing on the computer determines which one of the structured objects is causing the discomfort. |
| US09792832B2 |
Charged particle beam apparatus, specimen observation system and operation program
An image display device displays operation items of an electron microscope on an operation screen, and a storage device stores information of assist buttons which display image state information acquired via a detector of the electron microscope. The information of the assist buttons corresponds to image quality of an acquired image via the detector as well as to observation conditions composed of a combination of parameter setting values of the electron microscope, an operation program which analyzes the image quality of the acquired image. The information of the assist buttons is acquired based on analytical results of the image quality as well as current observation conditions, and the assist buttons are displayed on a predetermined part of the operation screen. Accordingly, the skills of a novice user operating a charged particle beam apparatus can be improved. |
| US09792830B2 |
Full motion racing simulator
A full motion racing simulator is configured based on a real motor vehicle and includes wheels, a vehicle frame, and an actuating system for pivotably supporting the vehicle frame on the wheels. The actuating system includes a plurality of actuating assemblies each including a connecting structure pivotably connecting the vehicle frame to a corresponding one of the wheels, an actuator pivotably mounted to the vehicle frame, a push element pivotably connected to the connecting structure, and a rocker arm rotatably mounted to the vehicle frame and pivotably connected to the actuator and the push element. Upon actuation of the actuator, the actuator causes the rocker arm to rotate relative to the vehicle frame and to push the push element such that the push element causes the connecting structure to pivot relative to the wheels and to move the vehicle frame. |
| US09792827B2 |
Providing questions to entity groups
Entities that answer questions are organized into entity groups. An interface determines an answer to a question from one of the entity groups with a confidence that is greater than a second confidence threshold. To determine the answer, the interface performs an exploration phase where the interface asks the question to each of the entity groups. Entity groups that provide answers with a confidence that is greater than a first confidence threshold are selected for a subset. The interface enters an exploitation phase where the question is asked of the entity groups in the subset. If an answer is determined with a confidence that is greater than the second confidence threshold, then the answer is provided. If no answer is determined before a duration of time expires, then the interface enters a rollback phase where all of the entity groups are considered. |
| US09792819B2 |
Provision of an efficient environmental map for a vehicle
A method provides an environmental map for a vehicle, wherein the environmental map represents a section of the environment and includes cells which are each assigned to a subsection of the environment of the vehicle. Each cell is assigned occupancy information which is based on the probability of the presence of an object in the subsection assigned to the cell in question. The vehicle has a group of at least two driver assistance systems which are each configured to adopt an active and an inactive state and which, in the active state require occupancy information concerning sections of the environment which at least do not overlap completely. The method determines the driver assistance system(s) which is(are) in the active state; determines the section of the environment that the environmental map is intended to represent, on the basis of the section(s) about which the driver assistance system(s) in the active state require(s) occupancy information. In particular, the section of the environment that the environmental map is intended to represent includes the section(s) about which the driver assistance system or the driver assistance systems in the active state require(s) occupancy information when in the active state. |
| US09792816B2 |
Mobile device and method and system for transmission of data thereto
A server system 150 for providing data to at least one mobile device 200, the server system comprising a processing resource 174. In a first embodiment, the processing resource 174 is configured to generate contour data representing a boundary of a respective area for which a weather-related parameter has substantially the same value, the contour data being sent to a mobile device 200. In a second embodiment, the processing resource 174 is configured to determine a plurality of parameter values of a model representative of weather-related data, and to filter the parameter values such that only some of the values of sent to a mobile device 200. |
| US09792815B2 |
Driving assistance apparatus and program
A driving assistance apparatus determines whether or not a road section corresponding to a current location of an own vehicle corresponds to a no-passing zone. A leading vehicle present ahead of the own vehicle is detected. An operation state of the detected leading vehicle is recognized. A passing maneuver performed by the own vehicle to pass the detected leading vehicle is detected. A warning operation to output a warning to a driver of the own vehicle is performed, when the passing maneuver is detected under a condition that the road section corresponding to the current location is determined to correspond to the no-passing zone. The warning operation is prohibited when the recognized operation state of the leading vehicle meets a predetermined passing-allowed condition that is a condition under which passing is allowed. |
| US09792814B2 |
Traffic disruption detection using passive monitoring of vehicle occupant frustration level
Aspects of the present disclosure include a navigation system and computer-implemented methods for detecting traffic disruption events based on an analysis of input component data obtained from navigation-enabled devices of vehicles near a particular location. Traffic disruption events are events such as accidents, construction road closures, police and speed traps, or road hazards that cause a decrease in the flow of traffic along a particular route and thus, added time delays for occupants of vehicles traveling along those routes. The navigation system scores the input component data associated with each vehicle and aggregates the scored input component data to obtain a frustration score associated with the vehicle. The navigation system may detect traffic disruption events based on a number of vehicles near a particular area having associated frustration scores above a certain threshold. |
| US09792813B2 |
Management of data collected for traffic analysis
A method for managing data regarding one or more flows of physical entities in a geographic area during at least one predetermined time period. For each physical entity, the data includes a plurality of positioning data representing detected positions of the element in the geographic area and corresponding time data identifying instants at which each position is detected. The method subdivides the geographic area into at least two zones, subdivides the at least one time period into one or more time slots, and identifies a number of physical entities that flowed from a first zone of the at least two zones to a second zone of the at least two zones during each time slot. |
| US09792809B2 |
Bio-threat alert system
In a bio-threat alert infrastructure system and method, an analyzing processor applies statistical algorithms to the collected quantitative data to precisely estimate event data, including time and position data, associated the development of a bio-threat. An encoding processor encodes the event data into a bio-threat alert signal. A transmitting element transmits the signal for reception by a bio-threat alert device. In the bio-threat alert device, and an associated method, a receiving element receives the signal. A decoding processor decodes the signal into the event data. A presentation element presents the event data to a user of the device. |
| US09792808B2 |
Alert system with zoning using wireless portable detectors and a central station
A system and method of monitoring zones for alarm conditions and automatically alerting individuals in a plurality of zones about the safety of a particular zone is provided. The method includes providing a site map of a predefined area, configuring a plurality of zones in the predefined area, receiving ambient condition data and location data from a plurality of wireless devices located in the predefined area, computing an alarm level for each zone in the plurality of zones based on the received ambient condition data and location data, and transmitting alert notifications to the plurality of wireless devices. The alert notification sent to each wireless device is based on the computed alarm level of the zone in which that wireless device is located relative to the computed alarm level of the other zones in the plurality of zones. |
| US09792807B2 |
Systems and methods for emergency event reporting and emergency notification
Systems and methods for emergency event reporting and emergency notification are provided herein. An example method includes monitoring a location of one or more devices of a plurality of devices, selecting an environmental safety condition for the one or more devices using the location, and selecting a device behavior for the one or more devices, the device behavior including a physical response produced by the one or more devices that is based on the environmental safety condition and the location. |
| US09792806B2 |
Security system
A computing device may communicate with a mobile node via a wireless link, and may determine if the mobile node is within range or out of range. In response to that determination, the computing device may cause various actions to occur, such as opening a door, unlocking a door, arming/disarming a monitoring system, activating a light, or other actions. |
| US09792802B2 |
Comprehensive tsunami alert system via mobile devices
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to navigation in GPS-enabled mobile computing devices and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for location-based tsunami alerting navigational instructions in mobile computing devices. In an embodiment of the invention, a location-based tsunami alerting data processing system can be provided. The system can include a central processing unit coupled with a memory component, and a visual display along with location-based navigation logic that is enabled to compute a geographic zone of danger resulting from a tsunami, identify a geographic location for a mobile computing device corresponding to a subscriber, and render a set of personalized navigational instructions in the mobile computing device responsive to a determination that the subscriber is located in the geographic zone of danger. |
| US09792798B2 |
Context-aware wearable safety system
In an example embodiment, biometric data and environmental data are obtained from sensors. Corporate information system (CIS) information is retrieved for a worker, with the CIS information including a schedule of tasks assigned to the worker. A task currently being performed by the worker is determined based on the schedule of tasks. Weights are assigned to the biometric data and the environmental data. The weights vary between data from different sensors, with the weights assigned based on the task currently being performed by the worker. A current safety score is assigned for the worker based on the calculation of a formula, with the formula using the assigned weights as coefficients to variables, with the variables being values obtained from the biometric data and the environmental data. The current safety score is compared to a safety threshold, and if the threshold is violated, an alert is generated to the worker. |
| US09792794B2 |
Life safety device having high acoustic efficiency
Low frequency alarm tones emitted by life safety devices are more like to notify sleeping children and the elderly. Disclosed herein is a life safety device equipped with a novel, compact, quarter-wave, folded resonant cavity which significantly increases the low frequency (400-700 Hz square wave) acoustic efficiency of an audio output transducer when the folded resonant cavity is acoustically coupled to the transducer forming an audio output apparatus. The folded resonant cavity is comprised of undulating, annular, acoustic passages to significantly reduce the length of the resonant cavity, thereby permitting the audio output apparatus to fit within the housing of conventional size life safety devices such as, but not limited to, residential and commercial smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Battery powered embodiments of the audio output apparatus comprising a folded resonant cavity passed audibility tests for low frequency alarm tones in smoke alarms specified by UL217. |
| US09792791B2 |
Combination non-programmable and programmable key for security device
A security device for an item of merchandise is provided. The security device includes a non-programmable locking mechanism comprising a mechanical lock and a programmable locking mechanism comprising a monitoring circuit operatively coupled to an alarm. The security device is configured to secure an item of merchandise from theft or removal when the mechanical lock is locked and to be separated from the item of merchandise when the mechanical lock is unlocked. The alarm is configured to provide an alarm signal if the security device is separated from the item of merchandise while the monitoring circuit is armed. |
| US09792786B1 |
Dual mount searchable binder
A searchable binder which is operationally compatible with a binder management system having a cabinet with shelves or a file cabinet with file drawers for removable storage of searchable binders. Each binder has a body with front and rear covers and a spine. Inside the body is a binder mechanism for removably retaining sheet media. Each binder has a pair of binder contact mechanisms mounted to the spine at opposite ends, a binder identification circuit electrically coupled to the binder contact mechanisms, and a visible indicator. Each binder contact mechanism has a base element and a sliding element. The sliding element can be manually set to a retracted position in which the sliding element is extended a first distance and an extended position in which the sliding element is extended a second greater distance. In the retracted position, the sliding elements can make contact with conductive elements of a binder cabinet when a binder is placed on a shelf. In the extended position the sliding elements can make contact with conductive support rails of a file cabinet when a binder is placed in a file drawer. When a binder identification signal from a host computer is supplied to the conductive elements or the conductive rails. It is transferred by the binder contact mechanisms to the binder identification circuit. If the signal matches an address code stored in the binder identification circuit, the LED is activated to aid the user in finding the binder. |
| US09792785B2 |
Display strategy for a parking assistance for a motor vehicle
A vehicle parking assistant system which detects and displays a true distance of an object from the vehicle is disclosed. The system includes several vertically stacked LEDs integrated in a window pane of the vehicle. At least one sensor detects the distance between the motor vehicle and an object at a distance from the motor vehicle. A control unit is connected to the sensor and the LEDs. Each of the LEDs has a threshold value of the distance of the object assigned to it, and the control unit is configured to hold each of the LEDs in an inactive state While the distance exceeds the associated threshold value, and to activate the LEDs when the distance drops below the associated threshold value. |
| US09792784B2 |
Shopping support server and program
According to one embodiment, a shopping support server includes a merchandise list unit that lists merchandise a shopper plans to purchase; a merchandise evaluation unit that identifies merchandise listed by the merchandise list unit upon which the shopper has performed a health evaluation; a calculation unit that calculates a ratio between the merchandise listed by the merchandise list unit and merchandise identified by the merchandise evaluation unit; and a notification unit that notifies the shopper of the ratio. |
| US09792783B1 |
Secure point of sale terminal and associated methods
Methods and systems for processing secure information are disclosed. One method includes receiving secure data from a user via an input device. The method also includes routing the secure data to a secure processor using a hardware multiplexer. The method also includes processing the secure data using the secure processor. The method also includes receiving non-secure data from the user via the input device. The method also includes routing the non-secure data to a second processor using the hardware multiplexer. The method also includes processing the non-secure data using the second processor. The method also includes altering a routing state of the hardware multiplexer using the secure processor. The routing state of the hardware multiplexer is only controlled by the secure processor. |
| US09792781B1 |
Item depository apparatus operated responsive to data bearing records
A depository system operates in response to data bearing records. Information regarding planned future deposits is recorded, at least one record visible appearance feature is stored or generated, and data corresponding to the at least one record appearance feature is stored in associated relation with deposit data. The at least one record appearance feature is made visible on a deposit item. The deposit item is subsequently presented to a depository that includes an image sensor. The image sensor operates to read the at least one record appearance feature. At least one controller in the depository causes a determination to be made that at least one record appearance feature corresponds to a pre-registered deposit and such determination enables the deposit item to be received in the depository. |
| US09792777B2 |
Gaming machine and control method thereof
Symbols to be rearranged on the lower image display panel are randomly selected. When the combination of the rearranged symbols results in the establishment of a bonus trigger, how many BONUS symbols are included in the combination of the symbols is counted. Random determination based on a free game number random determination table is executed for a number of times corresponding to the counted number of the BONUS symbols. The randomly-determined total number of times of execution of the free game is awarded as the number of times of execution of the free game. Furthermore, when the number of the BONUS symbols including the combination of the symbols resulting in the establishment of the bonus game trigger is 15, the right to execute the free game 50 times is awarded. |
| US09792776B2 |
Gaming device having free game bonus with a changing multiplier
The present invention includes an apparatus and method for a bonus game, and particularly a free spin bonus with an incrementing multiplier. The bonus game includes a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols and multipliers. The gaming device provides a number of free spins to the player at the beginning of the bonus game. The multiplier preferably starts at “1×” and increases by one after each free spin. Initially, the player spins the reels attempting to obtain a winning symbol combination on the reels. If the player obtains a winning combination, the gaming device provides an award. The award is multiplied by the multiplier and the player receives the multiplied award for that free spin. The player continues to spin the reels until there are no free spins remaining in the bonus game. |
| US09792775B2 |
Reel for gaming machine and gaming machine including the same, and method of manufacturing reel
A method of manufacturing a reel for a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: forming an opening in a reel strip on which a plurality of first symbols are printed; forming a second symbol on an optical sheet by vacuum forming the optical sheet to form a symbol piece, the second symbol including a protrusion and a depression; attaching the symbol piece to the reel strip such that the second symbol is exposed through the opening of the reel strip; and attaching the reel strip to a reel frame for the slot machine. |
| US09792770B2 |
Play for fun network gaming system and method
A network based play for fun gaming system and method that includes allocating a first number of achievable elements to said player based at least in part on at least one of a number of games completed by a user, a total amount of said wagers of said player in one or more games, and/or a total amount of winnings and/or losses by a player, wherein said achievable elements do not affect the game outcome. The achievable elements may also be purchased by a player and used to unlock additional features, speed play, assign additional players, provide additional features, provide additional bonuses, and/or provide a user the option to modify the player's play for fun experience. |
| US09792768B2 |
Gaming system and methods of gaming
A method for providing a jackpot controlled by a computer implemented jackpot controller. The method includes (a) on commencement of the jackpot, the jackpot controller setting a start-up jackpot prize value, the start-up prize value being the sum of a base amount and a predefined average increment amount for the jackpot, (b) incrementing the jackpot prize value by the jackpot controller using contributions from at least one participating gaming device until a jackpot trigger is determined; and (c) in response to the jackpot controller determining the jackpot trigger, awarding the jackpot prize and re-setting the jackpot prize value to the base amount. |
| US09792759B2 |
Gaming system and method providing a multiple-player bonus redemption game
A gaming system and method including a plurality of gaming devices that may participate in a shared secondary or bonus game and a controller operable to communicate with said plurality of gaming devices. At least one of the plurality of gaming devices is programmed to generate and accumulate collectors upon an occurrence of a first triggering event. Upon an occurrence of a second triggering event at one of the gaming devices, the controller enables a player of said gaming device to redeem a quantity of accumulated collectors in a bonus event. The controller also enables the player to invite other gaming devices from the plurality of gaming devices to redeem accumulated collectors and participate in said bonus event. The odds of each player earning a higher-valued total award in the bonus event increases with the total number of accumulated collectors redeemed in the bonus event. |
| US09792758B2 |
Gaming machine with locking function
A gaming machine includes: a casing top having an upper door device capable of being opened/closed; a casing bottom having a lower door device capable of being opened/closed; an upper door lock mechanism capable of locking the upper door device; and an lower door lock mechanism capable of locking the lower door device, wherein the upper door lock mechanism is provided inside the casing bottom. |
| US09792757B2 |
3D enhanced gaming machine with selectable 3D intensity level
An electronic gaming machine for stereoscopic display of game components is provided. The machine includes at least one processor, memory storing processor-executable instructions in communication with the at least one processor, a stereoscopic display. Executing the instructions by the at least one processor causes the processor to: identify, for display, at least one game component in accordance with a set of game rules for a given game; select a three-dimensional intensity level for displaying the at least one game component; render left and right eye images based on the selected three-dimensional intensity level; and provide the rendered left and right eye images to the stereoscopic display, for presentation to the left and right eyes, respectively, of a player. |
| US09792756B2 |
Medicine cassette and medicine feeding apparatus
A medicine feeding apparatus includes a cylindrical body 8, a first rotating body 9, and a second rotating body 10. The first rotating body 9 is disposed on the inner side of the cylindrical body 8, and together with the cylindrical body 8, constitutes a medicine storage section 42 capable of storing medicine. The first rotating body 9 can reciprocate in the axial direction of the cylindrical body 8, and can rotate about a first rotary axis. The second rotating body 10 is disposed on the outer circumference of an opening of the cylindrical body 8, and can rotate about a second rotary axis. This configuration has a function of smoothly performing automatic dispensing depending on the remaining amount of stored medicine while storing a large amount of medicine. |
| US09792753B2 |
Systems and methods for processing bank notes using a distributed tracking system
A distributed system for tracking bank notes as they pass through an automated currency processing system is disclosed. The bank note processing system includes a conveyance device for transporting a bank note along a transport path and a detector module comprising a detector. The detector detects raw detector information from the bank note. The detector controller is communicatively coupled to the detector module and the raw detector information is communicated to the detector controller. A host controller is communicatively coupled to the detector controller. The detector controller processes the raw detector information to determine processed detector information. The detector controller then communicates the processed detector information to the host controller. |
| US09792752B1 |
Banking systems controlled by data bearing records
A computing platform may receive, from one or more cash handling devices, aggregated activity information comprising a plurality of transaction records. Subsequently, the computing platform may identify one or more deposit transactions based on the aggregated activity information comprising the plurality of transaction records. Based on identifying the one or more deposit transactions, the computing platform may generate one or more account credit commands, which may direct at least one account management computer system to apply one or more provisional credits to one or more treasury accounts associated with the one or more deposit transactions. Subsequently, the computing platform may send, to the at least one account management computer system, the one or more account credit commands directing the at least one account management computer system to apply the one or more provisional credits to the one or more treasury accounts associated with the one or more deposit transactions. |
| US09792744B2 |
Antenna diversity implementation for wireless locks
An electronic lock system including an access control device configured to provide system instructions, an interface module electrically coupled to the access control device and configured to transmit RF signals in response to system instructions received from the access control device, and a plurality of wireless electronic door locks each configured to wirelessly communicate with the interface module. Each of the wireless electronic door locks includes a controller and a wireless receiver operatively connected to the controller, the wireless receiver including a first antenna defined as a circuit board trace and a second antenna, spaced from the first antenna and defined as a circuit board trace. Each of the first antenna and the second antenna include one of a monopole antenna and a fractal antenna. The controller is configured to switch between the first antenna and the second antenna to receive a wireless signal having a greater signal strength. |
| US09792743B2 |
Communications system and communications apparatus
A communications system configured to execute data transmission between a transponder having no radio wave generating source thereof and a reader/writer is provided. The communications system includes, a service permission level notifier configured to tell a service permission level for associated with a received signal level for permitting service acceptance from the reader/writer to the transponder, and an access controller configured to determine in the transponder whether the received signal level from the reader/writer is at the notified service permission level to determine accessibility to the transponder from the reader/writer. |
| US09792742B2 |
Decentralized virtual trustless ledger for access control
Described are systems and techniques for leveraging a virtual distributed trustless database using access-enabling codes. The computations use private codes. Each computation includes the information from all previous computations so that a chain of computations is maintained and controlled. A central system insures that dual computations do not occur. |
| US09792733B2 |
Augmented reality virtual content platform apparatuses, methods and systems
The AUGMENTED REALITY VIRTUAL CONTENT PLATFORM APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“ARV”) provides a photo driven ad-platform that transforms digital media placements into immersive and immediately shareable brand-consumer engagements via GPS-linked virtual photo components instantiated on a user mobile device. Within embodiments, users may create and share photographs augmented with brands or other images and accompanying messages on various social networks using their Smartphones or tablets to earn rewards. In one implementation, merchants and/or advertisers may populate the mobile augmented reality space as fans and consumers may share their photos on social networks and spread the word virally. |
| US09792732B2 |
Systems and methods for activities solver development in augmented reality applications
Systems and methods for generating an augmented reality interface for generics activities are disclosed. The systems and methods may be directed to creating an augmented reality display for an activity performed on a surface. Given an image of the activity, an activity solver library and associated configuration information for the activity may be selected. The surface of the activity from the image may be rectified, forming a rectified image, from which activity state information may be extracted using the configuration information. The activity state information may be provided to the activity solver library to generate solution information, and elements indicating the solution information may be rendered in a perspective of the original image. By providing the configuration information associated with an activity solver library, an augmented reality interface can be generated for an activity by capturing an image of the activity. |
| US09792731B2 |
System and method for controlling a display
A system includes circuitry configured to acquire image data captured by an electronic device, acquire content and display position information corresponding to the content based on an object detected in the image data, the display position information indicating a display position of the content in relation to the object, determine whether the content is capable of being displayed in a superimposed manner on the image data at the display position indicated by the display position information, and indicate an alert to be output by the electronic device when it is determined that the content is unable to be displayed at the position indicated by the display position information. |
| US09792728B2 |
Method and apparatus for 3D mesh de-noising
Disclosed are a method and apparatus for processing a 3D model. To preserve fine structures while de-noising a 3D mesh model, the local structural information around a vertex is captured when designing a de-noising filter. In particular, for a current vertex to be processed, a path, for example, a geodesic path, is determined between the current vertex and each neighboring vertex. For each mesh edge along the path, local variations are calculated for the two end vertices of the mesh edge using a covariance matrix, and a geometric variation for the mesh edge is calculated as the difference between the two local variations. Then structural information for the region between the current vertex and a neighboring vertex is calculated as a function of the geometric variations for mesh edges along the path, for example, as the maximum geometric variation along the path. The present principles can also be adjusted to be used in de-noising 3D point-based models. |
| US09792726B2 |
Determining and displaying reserve estimates for a reservoir
Systems and methods for determining and displaying reserve estimates for a reservoir by generating a table and, optionally, a report and/or a graph for the reserve estimates and predefined identification properties that uniquely describe the reserve estimates. |
| US09792725B2 |
Method for image and video virtual hairstyle modeling
The invention discloses a method for image and video virtual hairstyle modeling, including: performing data acquisition for a target subject by using a digital device and obtaining a hairstyle region from an image by segmenting; obtaining a uniformly distributed static hairstyle model which conforms to the original hairstyle region by solving an orientation ambiguity problem of an image hairstyle orientation field, calculating a movement of the hairstyle in a video by tracing a movement of a head model and estimating non-rigid deformation, generating a dynamic hairstyle model in every moment during the moving process, so that the dynamic hairstyle model fits the real movement of the hairstyle in the video naturally. The method is used to perform virtual 3D model reconstruction with physical rationality for individual hairstyles in single-views and video sequences, and widely applied in creating virtual characters and many hairstyle editing applications for images and videos. |
| US09792723B2 |
Method and system for progressively sculpting three-dimensional geometry
The disclosure provides an approach for progressively sculpting three-dimensional (3D) geometry. In one configuration, a sculpting application receives time-based sculpts and stores the sculpted changes from the original geometry, referred to herein as “offsets,” in “fixes” which include (time, offsets) pairs, with the offsets being defined in relation to a reference frame. Each fix may further be associated with a “set” which includes portions of the geometry that are managed together. The sculpting application automatically provides smooth transitions between sculpts by applying scatter-data interpolation to interpolate the offsets of successive fixes, thereby generating new offsets for frames in between user-provided fixes. Further, the user may modify an envelope curve for a set to scale offsets, including offsets in fixes and those automatically generated through interpolation. In addition, tools are disclosed herein that permit a user to manipulate offsets, as opposed to manipulating the geometry itself. |
| US09792721B2 |
Method and device for displaying an object
The invention related to a method and a device for displaying an object, in particular biological tissue. Said method having the following steps: a) generating a first image of at least one sub-region of the object using a first device; b) generating a second image of at least one sub-region of the object using a second device; c) ascertaining first coordinates of at least some image points of the second image in a first coordinate system; d) ascertaining second coordinates of the image points of the second image by projecting the first coordinates in a second coordinate system which is different from the first coordinate system and which is assigned to the first device; and e) generating a combined image of the object from the first and the second image using the ascertained second coordinates of the image points of the second image. |
| US09792717B2 |
Interactive slide deck
According to an example, a series of video frames may be accessed, in which a first set of the video frames depicts segments of an entity moving relative to other entities in the video frames and wherein a second set of the video frames depicts static content. In addition, the video frames in the first set of video frames may be generated into animated image files and the video frames in the second set of video frames into single image files. Furthermore, the animated image files and the single image files may be arranged into an interactive slide deck. |
| US09792715B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing synthetic animatronics
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing synthetic animatronics are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for synthetic animatronics includes providing a display surface having different regions that accommodate different positions or deformations of a subject, mapping images of the subject to the different regions on the display surface, and displaying the mapped images on the different regions of the display surface at different times in accordance with a desired animation of the subject. |
| US09792713B1 |
Photography system and method
A photograph display apparatus and associated method of display that includes a substrate having a mounting surface and a rib structure mounted on the mounting surface of the substrate. The rib structure is constructed and arranged to form a series of juxtaposition ribs formed in a parallel array including successive rib peaks. A composite photograph that includes alternating photograph segments of respective first and second photograph is formed in a folded array that includes fold lines that correspond to a demarcation line between respective photograph segments. The folded composite photograph is constructed and arranged for mating support to the rib structure. |
| US09792704B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program for tracking effectiveness of ecological user actions
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a control section which performs control of presenting, in association with each other, actual energy consumption representing an amount of energy consumed by a device in a case where a user performs any one of user actions, the user actions each being capable of being carried out by the user, and estimated energy consumption representing an amount of energy consumed by the device in a case where the user does not perform the user action. |
| US09792703B2 |
Generating a synthetic two-dimensional mammogram
A method for generating a synthetic two-dimensional mammogram with enhanced contrast for structures of interest includes acquiring a three-dimensional digital breast tomosynthesis volume having a plurality of voxels. A three-dimensional relevance map that encodes for the voxels the relevance of the underlying structure for a diagnosis is generated. A synthetic two-dimensional mammogram is calculated based on the three-dimensional digital breast tomosynthesis volume and the three-dimensional relevance map. |
| US09792701B2 |
Method and system for determining a relation between a first scene and a second scene
The present invention relates to a system (200) and method for determining a relation between a first scene and a second scene. The method comprises the steps of generating at least one sensor image of a first scene with at least one sensor; accessing information related to at least one second scene, said second scene encompassing said first scene, and matching the sensor image with the second scene to map the sensor image onto the second scene. The step of accessing information related to the at least one second scene comprises accessing a 3D map comprising geocoded 3D coordinate data. The mapping involves associating geocoding information to a plurality of positions in the sensor image based on the coordinate data of the second scene. |
| US09792698B2 |
Image refocusing
A method including automatically segmenting regions of images of a focal stack into segment regions; and based, at least partially, upon selection of one or more of the segment regions, generating a refocused image which induces different ones of the segment regions from at least two of the images of the focal stack. An apparatus including an image segmentator for a focal stack of images, where the image segmentator is configured to automatically form segment regions for each of the images; and a focal stack fuser configured to fuse the focal stack of images into a refocused image, where the refocused image comprises different ones of the segment regions from at least two of the images of the focal stack. |
| US09792695B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image processing system, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An image processing apparatus includes a position information obtaining unit and a region detection unit. The position information obtaining unit obtains position information indicating a representative position of one or more designated regions in an image. The region detection unit detects the one or more designated regions from the position information. The region detection unit cancels a setting of the one or more designated regions for pixels within a predetermined portion of the image, and detects the one or more designated regions again for the pixels within the predetermined portion, based on a reference pixel selected from among pixels on the image for which the setting of the one or more designated regions has not been canceled. |
| US09792689B2 |
Posture estimating apparatus, posture estimating method and storing medium
The present invention aims to estimate a more consistent posture in regard to a multi-joint object. A target range image is first input, a human body region is extracted from the input range image, a target joint position candidate is calculated from the input range image, and a joint position is finally determined based on the calculated joint position candidate and a likelihood of each joint to estimate the posture. At this time, joint position permissible range information concerning inter-joint distance and angle of a human body model previously set by learning is obtained from a human body model storing unit, consistency is evaluated for a relation between the joint position candidates of a certain joint and other joint based on the obtained information, and thus the posture corresponding to the best combination of the joint positions is determined. |
| US09792687B2 |
Point-to-point distance measurements in 3D camera images
Systems and methods for determining point-to-point distances from 3D image data. In some embodiments, two measure points, for example specified by a user, represent endpoints on an object of interest within an image frame. Assuming all points lying between these endpoints also belong to the object of interest, additional 3D data associated with points that lie along a measurement line defined by the measure points may be leveraged to provide a robust distance measurement. In some embodiments, total least squares fitting is performed, for example through Robust Principal Component Analysis (RPCA) to identify linear structures within the set of the 3D coordinates on the measurement line. In some exemplary embodiments, the minimum covariance determinant (MCD) estimator of the covariance matrix of the data is computed for a highly robust estimate of multivariate location and multivariate scatter. |
| US09792684B2 |
System and method for imaging device modelling and calibration
The invention relates to a camera modeling and calibration system and method using a new set of variables to compensate for imperfections in line of sight axis squareness with camera plane and which increases accuracy in measuring distortion introduced by image curvature caused by geometric and chromatic lens distortion and wherein the camera image plane is represented from a full 3D perspective projection. |
| US09792683B2 |
System, vehicle and method for online calibration of a camera on a vehicle
A camera mounted on or for a vehicle has camera rotational parameters φ, θ, ψ and camera translational parameters xc, yc, zc in a camera image coordinate system, and the vehicle has a vehicle coordinate system. A method for online or on-the-fly calibration of the camera involves two independent steps, namely while the vehicle is moving relative to the ground, calibrating the camera rotational parameters using a parallel geometrical calibration process, and calibrating at least some of the camera translational parameters xc, yc independently of the camera rotational parameters. |
| US09792679B2 |
Diagnosis assistance apparatus, diagnosis assistance method, and computer readable storage medium
A diagnosis assistance apparatus for assisting a diagnosis using schemas includes a storage section that stores a plurality of different schemas each configured by a figure representing a body region, an acquiring section that acquires results of a plurality of examinations that are performed on an examination target, a schema refining section that refines a schema of a body region related to a disease that is predicted from the acquired examination results, from the schemas step-by-step in accordance with progress of the examinations, and a displaying section that displays the schema refined by the schema refining section. |
| US09792678B2 |
Imaging for quality control in an electronic cigarette
Assembly and quality of an electronic vaping device (“e-vaping device”) may be tested and verified using imaging techniques. Infrared (“IR”) imaging may identify whether a temperature is uniform in an vaping device during usage. Potential burning locations may be identified through the imaging by identifying locations whose temperature is unusually high or non-uniform. This temperature information may be used to calibrate the power of the e-vaping device. |
| US09792672B2 |
Video capture devices and methods
Embodiments provide a video camera that can be configured to highly compress video data in a visually lossless manner. The camera can be configured to transform blue and red image data in a manner that enhances the compressibility of the data. The data can then be compressed and stored in this form. This allows a user to reconstruct the red and blue data to obtain the original raw data for a modified version of the original raw data that is visually lossless when demosaiced. Additionally, the data can be processed in a manner in which the green image elements are demosaiced first and then the red and blue elements are reconstructed based on values of the demosaiced green image elements. |
| US09792670B2 |
Picture display method and apparatus
The present disclosure provides a picture display method and apparatus that relate to the field of image processing and are increase flexibility of picture display and reducing a memory occupation rate of a terminal on the premise of not modifying an attribute of an original picture. The method and apparatus include receiving an instruction for displaying a picture; obtaining, according to an identifier of a to-be-displayed picture included in the instruction, an original bitmap of the to-be-displayed picture and searching, a database of a current device for a pre-stored first rotation angle corresponding to the to-be-displayed picture; adjusting, according to a resolution of a current screen and/or a current window size, a display size of the original bitmap of the to-be-displayed picture, so as to obtain a compressed bitmap of the original bitmap; and displaying, according to the first rotation angle, a compressed bitmap of the original bitmap. |
| US09792664B2 |
System and method for mapping object coordinates from a video to real world coordinates using perspective transformation
This disclosure relates generally to video analysis, and more particularly to systems and methods for mapping object co-ordinates from a video frame view to real world co-ordinates using perspective transformation. In one embodiment, a processor-implemented video frame coordinate transformation method is disclosed. The method may include obtaining an image from an image capture device and identifying, via one or more hardware processors, an object depicted in the image. Further, the method may include determining image-frame object coordinates for the object, and selecting one of a plurality of coordinate transformation matrices associated with the image capture device, based on the image-frame object coordinates for the object. Also, the method may include calculating, via the one or more hardware processors, real-world object coordinates for the object using the image-frame coordinates and the selected coordinate transformation matrix, and determining a trajectory of the object using the calculated real-world object coordinates. |
| US09792661B2 |
Methods involving maps, imagery, video and steganography
The disclosure describes methods and apparatus of providing steganographic indicia or digital watermarking in image or video data. One implementation provides a method of embedding a digital watermark in image data captured by an imager, with watermark embedding occurring on-chip with the imager. Another implementation provides a method of managing images. Each of the images comprises plural-bit data steganographically embedded therein in the form of a digital watermark, with the plural-bit data corresponding to a geo-location. Yet another implementation provides a method of identifying locations on a map, with the map being for display via a computer display. Still another implementation provides a method of introducing a watermark message to a watermark embedder located on-chip with an image array. Other implementations and embodiments are provided as well. |
| US09792660B2 |
Clinician to device association
Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of providing data feeds from medical devices associated with patients to computing devices associated with clinicians. A computing device for each of a number of clinicians is registered as being associated with the clinician. An identification of a patient is received. A list of medical devices related to the patient is retrieved. An identification of a number of clinicians is received. The medical devices are associated with the computing devices of the clinicians. Data feeds are provided to the computing devices from the medical devices. |
| US09792655B2 |
Automated assessment
A system for automated assessments is provided. The system includes a processing device and a memory device. The memory device stores instructions that when executed by the processing device may result in receiving a video stream including image frames from an imaging source. Image data from one or more of the image frames can be compared with an image profile database to determine whether at least one item in one or more of the image frames is identifiable. A lookup operation can be initiated in a secondary data source to determine one or more item attributes of the one or more identified items. The video stream can be modified to add an item identifier for each of the identified items to the video stream as an annotated video. A record can be stored of the one or more item attributes of the identified items in the annotated video. |
| US09792653B2 |
Recommender engine for collections treatment selection
A system for automatically recommending treatments for delinquent accounts in collections is provided. The system includes one or more sub-models for analyzing and scoring delinquent accounts and comparing them to historical accounts to identify similar historical accounts. The system can select and recommend one or more treatments for the delinquent account based on treatments for the historical accounts that may have previously provided a favorable outcome for a similar account. The system may test the efficacy of new treatments and incorporate the results into the memory, thereby learning and adapting to new treatments and account behavior. |
| US09792652B2 |
User interface for computer-implemented trading system
A system and method are disclosed. A GUI is provided that includes at least one interactive location of a trading screen. The location corresponds to a tradeable object. A graphical object is populated with data relating to a current market condition, and the object is populated on the basis of a respective location in the trading screen. The GUI object is presented in the graphical user interface, at the respective location in the trading screen such that the GUI object presents a portion of the populated data centered around the respective location. A tactile input action associated with the object is received in the GUI, and the trade instruction is caused to be constructed that is associated with the GUI object and the received single-click action. Further, the trade instruction is transmitted to at least one computing device that is configured to execute the trade instruction. |
| US09792650B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying market depth and other information on a mobile phone, handheld device, or computer system
An exemplary system according to the present disclosure comprises a server system (comprising one or more computing devices) that is in communication with one or more financial exchange systems and one or more data source computer devices (e.g., news sources). Also in communication with the server system are one or more mobile communication devices. The server system comprises a memory and a processor executing software that enables the server system to receive live market data and information from one or more of the financial exchange systems and the data source computer devices; aggregate and filter the data and information; according to one or more pre-set user preferences and/or one or more user-initiated commands; and transmit the aggregated/filtered data and information to one or more mobile communication devices via one or more live data feeds. The mobile communication device displays aggregated/filtered information in a single, interactive GUI. |
| US09792647B1 |
Electronic bid switch requests for computer-based auctioning of basic generation services
A system and method of conducting a computer-based, simultaneous, multiple round, descending clock auction for basic generation services (BGS) includes receiving bids by an application server host application for processing bids according to auction rules, for tranche units of BGS products, calculating next round prices, and sending round results to bidders, the subsequent round prices and a notice of the number of tranches bid during the previous round and/or the amount of excess supply offered. When a later round price is less than an earlier one an electronic switch request to switch a bid to another product is received. When the number of tranches bid are equal to or less than a certain threshold for each of the products, the auction may end and bidders are awarded an ending price for each of the products won. |
| US09792644B1 |
System and method of supporting aircraft sales
An apparatus and method for supporting aircraft acquisition and brokerage services for aircraft of different models, and aircraft manufactured by a plurality of different manufacturers. The system and method maintains extensive database regarding a wide-range of aircraft information and market information, and uses one or more computer servers adapted serving organized information to the user, who may be using a user terminal, for providing support to the user for determining appropriate aircraft for purchase by customers for meeting the particular needs of the customer. |
| US09792639B1 |
Systems and methods for price searching via a mobile device reading display screen graphics
Price searching via a mobile device reading display screen graphics is provided. A system for obtaining pricing information comprises at least one subsystem that electronically reads a price of a product using a mobile device scanning a display screen, at least one subsystem that searches for other available products and price data to compare to the electronically read price and product data, at least one subsystem that compares the price data of the other products to the electronically read price data, and at least one subsystem that presents purchase options based upon results of the comparison of the price and product data. |
| US09792637B2 |
System and method of displaying an autograph of the artist(s) of their song(s) on an electronic device and a method for customers to resell autographed MP3/MP4 type music files and the like
A method and system of displaying an autograph of the artist(s) of their song(s) on an electronic device and a method for customers to resell autographed MP3/MP4 type music files and the like. |
| US09792636B2 |
Social network transaction processing system
A system for transferring funds using social network connections. The system sends application programming interface (API) requests to social networks to obtain “friend” information and create accounts into which funds are deposited and which may be retrieved by recipients via hyperlinks in messages provided through social networks. The system may also be used to request funds from social network friends. The system provides benefactor friends fund requests in the form of social network messages, which allow the benefactors to access the system and provide funds to a user via hyperlinks in the messages. |
| US09792635B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for updating feature values of products for object recognition
An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit, an image capturing unit, and a processing unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of feature values to be used for object recognition and an update program for the feature values, with respect to each of products registered for sale. The image capturing unit is configured to acquire an image of a product registered for sale. The processing unit is configured to extract a feature value of the product from the acquired image, select one of the plurality of the feature values corresponding to the product as a replacement target, by executing the update program corresponding to the product, and replace the selected feature value with the extracted feature value. |
| US09792632B2 |
System and method for processing vehicle transactions
A method and system for processing a transaction request prior to a vehicle arriving at a service station is provided. Upon entering a wireless service area of a back office system associated with a service station, a driver and/or truck may request certain transactions. The back office system may communicate with a carrier information system associated with the driver and/or truck to validate and authorize the transaction. If the transaction is authorized, the back office system may send authorization to the service station. Once the driver and/or truck arrives at the point of sale, they may proceed directly to performing the requested transaction. A receipt may be automatically generated at the point of sale and transmitted to the carrier information system through the back office. |
| US09792631B2 |
Merchant managed method and system for text-to-pay subscriptions at a billing server
A subscription identifier is communicated between the billing server and subscription server. The billing server receives a subscription identifier text message from the user device. The billing server identifies a carrier server from the subscription identifier text message. The billing server receives an authorization text message from the user device in response to an authorization request text message and charges an account of the carrier server that has been identified. If the charge has been successful, then the billing server transmits a renewal notification text message to the subscription server. The subscription server updates an account having the subscription identifier to reflect a new expiration. |
| US09792627B1 |
Platform-aware commercial content resolution
A method of resolving commercial content on a mobile communication device comprises determining whether to delegate interaction with an intelligent content distributor to the mobile communication device, wherein the interaction is related to resolving commercial content, wherein resolving commercial content comprises processing redirections of the commercial content, and wherein the commercial content comprises at least one of text, images, video, and other data intended to market a good or service; delaying resolving commercial content until the commercial content is to be displayed on the mobile communication device; caching commercial content on the mobile communication device; resolving, upon a request for the commercial content, a cached version of the commercial content; and prioritizing distribution of the commercial content based on characteristics of at least one of a requesting application and a user. |
| US09792624B2 |
Network of tags
Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating product or service information to a potential purchaser. A product or item describing a service are scanned to obtain both a product or service code and an advertisement promotion code provided by a vendor/retailer or manufacturer of the product or service using a smartphone of a first user. A barcode is generated on the smartphone by combining the product or service code and the advertisement promotion code with information from the smartphone associated with the product or service and with an advertiser code that uniquely identifies the first user. The barcode is communicated to a communication device of a second user that is the potential purchaser of the product or service. When the communication device is presented to a point of sale (POS) terminal, the terminal scans the barcode, decodes the barcode, and compensates the first user according to the advertisement promotion code. |
| US09792621B2 |
Determining use of a display characteristic
A display characteristic determination machine receives a request to display seller-related content that references an item available for sale. The display characteristic determination machine identifies a display characteristic available from a web server, determines that the seller-related content is to be displayed using the display characteristic, and communicates to the web server that the seller-related content is to be displayed using the display characteristic and with primary content. The display characteristic determination machine may function as an allocation device to allocate use of the display characteristic. This functionality may be scaled, for example, to include determining use of multiple display characteristics, available from multiple web servers, by multiple instances of seller-related content requested for display by multiple sellers of multiple items. The display characteristic determination machine, therefore, may function as a “broker” for display characteristics available from multiple web servers. |
| US09792614B2 |
Automated integration of partner products
Automated integration of partner products in connection with a web analytics application is facilitated. A list of available partner products is displayed, and the user is provided with an opportunity to select one or more of the displayed partner products. A wizard is presented, allowing the user to configure the partner product by specifying and mapping metrics, dimensions, and the like. Partner product integration then takes place automatically, thereby simplifying the process by which such integrations can be implemented. |
| US09792612B2 |
Facilitating user support of electronic devices using dynamic matrix code generation
An electronic device may derive information specific to the device, dynamically generate a matrix code that includes the information as well as user support information, and transmit the dynamically generated code to a display. When a user captures the matrix code with a reader device, the reader device may decode (or use a back end server to decode) the specific information specific and the user support information and initiate a user support request. Thus, user support for electronic devices may be facilitated utilizing dynamically generated matrix codes, such as (but not limited to) QR codes. In response to the initiated user support request, user support may then be provided for the user. Problems may be automatically taken care of for the user, tutorials may be provided for the user, one or more notifications may be provided to the user, service calls may be scheduled for the user, and so on. |
| US09792610B2 |
Non-payment communications using payment transaction network
A communication channel is provided between a transaction acquirer and a payment network, for the purpose of transmitting payment card account transaction authorization requests. Via the communication channel the payment network may receive a message containing additional information. The additional information may originate at the point of sale and may be in addition to a PAN (primary account number) or the like. The payment network may send a message including the additional information to an entity that is neither a payment account issuer nor the transaction acquirer. |
| US09792602B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing emotion expression service in mobile communication terminal
A method and an apparatus for providing an emotion expression service in a mobile communication terminal are provided. The method includes performing a video call with another terminal, recognizing, by the mobile communication terminal, a shaking of the other terminal using images received from the other terminal, and generating a vibration of the mobile communication terminal corresponding to the recognized shaking of the other terminal. |
| US09792601B2 |
System and method for electronically providing receipts
Systems and methods are provided for facilitating the automatic transmission of an electronic receipt to a user conducting a financial transaction at a computing device. The systems and methods described herein enable a series of operations whereby a user can conduct a transaction at a computing device and the computing device can automatically read user-account information and one or more electronic contact addresses which are stored in the memory of the user's personal transaction device. The system can also process the transaction and automatically transmit an electronic receipt to the electronic contact address providing an automated transaction experience that does not require the user to actively input an electronic contact address into the computing device in order to have the receipt transmitted electronically. In addition, the system thereby facilitates private transaction as opposed the unsecured and time-consuming process of manually entering a contact address. |
| US09792600B1 |
Payment without account creation
Technology is disclosed for a convenient money transfer without requiring any account login and/or creation activities. The disclosed technology enables a sender to transfer a specified amount of currency to one or more recipients through a payment application. In response to a request from the sender, the technology provides a user interface to collect a numerical value corresponding to the specified amount of currency, accesses a list of contacts in a database of the sender's mobile device, and then provides the list of contacts to the sender. The technology enables the sender to manually select recipients from the provided list of contacts and can accordingly initiate a payment process based on statuses of selected recipients. |
| US09792597B1 |
Product catalog services
A product catalog service allows business entities to create and store product catalogs indicating products that are available from the business entities. A product catalog includes multiple product family definitions. Each product family definition specifies attribute names of a product family and, for each attribute name, a set of allowed attribute values. In order to specify a particular product variant, an entity may supply one of the allowed attribute values for each specified attribute name of the product. The product catalogs may be received from multiple business entities. Each product catalog may also be shared with multiple business entities. A merchant, for example, may select products from a product catalog to purchase from another merchant. When creating a product catalog, a business entity may reference product family definitions of other product catalogs. |
| US09792594B1 |
Augmented reality security applications
A method implemented on an augmented reality electronic device includes an augmented reality electronic device. A wireless connection is established between the augmented reality device and an automated teller machine (ATM). A user of the augmented reality electronic device is authenticated. After the wireless connection is established and after the user is authenticated, a financial transaction is initiated. Financial information is received from the ATM related to the financial transaction. The financial information is displayed on a display screen of the augmented reality electronic device. |
| US09792590B2 |
System and framework for instant messenger timecard integration
In an Instant Messenger, a current state that is transmitted to other employees is selectable by user input, to be a first state identifying a given employee as working or a second state identifying the given employee as taking a break. A draft time card is automatically prepared for the given employee, by using a time at which the current state is set in the IM to the first state as a time of occurrence of a clock-in event in tracking time to be paid, or when it is set to the second state as a time of occurrence of a clock-out event. The draft time card is displayed to the given employee and finalized based on additional user input identifying any changes to periods of time in the draft time card, to obtain a finalized time card. The finalized time card is submitted to an accounting system, for payment. |
| US09792589B2 |
Methods, systems and products for synchronizing reminder acknowledgements in calendaring applications
Methods, systems, and products acknowledge a reminder in a calendaring application. When an acknowledgement of the reminder is received, a message is communicated to similarly acknowledge a pending reminder in another instance of the calendaring application. |
| US09792587B2 |
Online platform for design, creation, maintenance, and information sharing of a garden
An online platform for design, creation, maintenance, and information sharing of a garden is disclosed. A user interface is generated for receiving information from a user relating to a garden. In response to receiving information from the user, a selection of plant varieties is generated based on garden geotagging and environmental information. At least one, dynamically maintained plant database of user created garden knowledge is provided. Identification searches are performed by using geometry-based botanical properties in a visual search. |
| US09792586B2 |
System and method for perceiving outcast in group
Provided is a system and method for perceiving an outcast in a group. The system may include: a plurality of member terminals held, respectively, by a plurality of members conducting an outdoor activity and configured to transmit waves with a radio frequency; and a leader terminal held by a leader of the outdoor activity and configured to receive the waves transmitted from the plurality of member terminals, to sense intensities of the waves, to obtain distances between the plurality of member terminals from the sensed intensities of the waves, to calculate a group distance based on the obtained distances between the member terminals, to sort the plurality of member terminals into at least one subgroup, and to determine an outcast member terminal excluded from the at least one subgroup. |
| US09792581B1 |
Dynamic marker responsive to emitted light
Techniques for improving efficiency of an inventory system are described. In an example, based on instructions of a computing management module of an inventory system, a trigger associated with reading a marker may be triggered. The marker may be attached with an item available from an inventory space and may encode information about the item. The marker may be configured to present, in response to receiving a non-visible light wavelength, a visible indication of an attachment location of the marker. Further, based on the instructions and at least in part on the trigger, a light source may emit the non-visible light wavelength. The emission of the non-visible light wavelength may cause the marker to respond with the visible indication of the attachment location. The visible indication may facilitate a read of the marker by a reader of the inventory system to trigger an inventory action. |
| US09792577B2 |
Filling an order at an inventory pier
A system includes a inventory pier and a mobile drive unit. The inventory pier includes a first side and a second side. The first side includes defined areas at which inventory holders are designated to be stationed. The inventory pier is operable to receive inventory items from at least one of the inventory holders at least one of the defined areas. The mobile drive unit is operable to transport an order holder along the second side of the inventory pier, wherein the order holder is operable to receive an inventory item from the inventory pier at a location along the second side of the inventory pier. |
| US09792574B2 |
System and methods for verifying that one or more end user transport directives do not conflict with one or more package delivery directives
Computationally implemented methods and systems that are designed for receiving one or more package delivery directives that direct a transportation vehicle unit to deliver one or more packages; receiving one or more end user transport directives that direct the transportation vehicle unit to transport one or more end users; and verifying that the one or more end user transport directives do not conflict with the one or more package delivery directives such that transport of the one or more end users by the transportation vehicle unit in accordance with the one or more end user transport directives will not violate one or more package delivery obligations of the transportation vehicle unit to deliver the one or more packages in accordance with the one or more package delivery directives. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. |
| US09792570B2 |
Reminder system
A reminder system is provided. The system provides a user-friendly interface to a user's existing email, and in some embodiments to the user's document management, calendar and other systems, in order to ensure that an appropriate user is notified when action should be taken, and also provides notation to the user indicating the appropriate course of action to be taken. The system provides a calendaring feature where a supervisor or manager can determine the workload of a group of workers for an upcoming time period. The system provides an easily accessible and traceable database of information pertaining to a project checklist, document, a client name, a client matter number, a document type, or other customizable fields in order for a user to search and sort the information for their own use. |
| US09792566B2 |
Modeling hierarchical information from a data source
Techniques are described for modeling hierarchical information from a data source. In one example, a method for modeling hierarchical information from the data source includes outputting for display a plurality of columns that represent corresponding data sets in the data source and each comprise values from the corresponding data set. The method further includes receiving an input indicating a selected value from a first column that corresponds to a first data set in the data source, and the selected value is comprised in the first data set. The method further includes receiving an input indicating a second column that corresponds to a second data set from the data source. The method further includes outputting for display a filtered view of the second column that comprises a subset of values from the second data set that are associated in the data source with the selected value in the first data set. |
| US09792563B1 |
Human resources system development
Defining a human resource system is disclosed. Metadata models are defined. Processes are defined. The human resources system is stored including metadata models and processes, wherein the stored metadata models and processes are interpreted using an interpretive engine, wherein the interpretive engine is configured to process the metadata model and process definitions without compilation of any code, and wherein defining metadata models and defining processes when interpreted by the interpretive engine is sufficient to define a fully functional human resource system. |
| US09792562B1 |
Event prediction and object recognition system
A computing device predicts occurrence of an event or classifies an object using semi-supervised data. A label set defines permissible values for a target variable. A value of the permissible values is defined for a subset of observation vectors. A predefined number of times, a distance matrix is computed that defines a distance value between pairs of observation vectors using a distance function and a converged classification matrix; a number of observation vectors is selected that have minimum values for the distance value; a label is requested and a response is received for each of the selected observation vectors; the value of the target variable is updated for each of the selected observation vectors with the received response; and the value of the target variable is determined again by recomputing the converged classification matrix. The value of the target variable for each observation vector is output to a second dataset. |
| US09792559B2 |
Switching system, line card, switch card, FDB learning method, FDB learning arbitration method and program
A switching system includes a plural of line and a switch card. The line card or cards notifies the out whether or not the line card or line cards is in the FDB learning enabled state. The switch card includes a learning information storage unit that holds in store the FDB learning information received from the multiple line cards and an FDB learning arbitration unit that, when all of the line cards are in an FDB leaning enabled state, selects and sends the FDB learning information, stored in the learning information storage unit, to the respective line cards, based on a notification from each the line cards. |
| US09792557B2 |
Precision agriculture system
A device may receive sensor data from a sensor device located on a particular farm. The device may identify an alert, associated with the particular farm, based on the sensor data and using a model. The model may be created based on imagery data and numeric data relating to a group of farms. The device may determine, using the model, a recommended course of action to address the alert, and provide, to a user device associated with the particular farm, the recommended course of action. |
| US09792556B2 |
Mapping gathered location information to short form place names using correlations and confidence measures that pertain to lengths of overlaps of location data and calendar data sets
Using the short form information people tend to use in their calendar locations (not full address or GPS location), machine learning techniques are used to map gathered location information to these short form names. |
| US09792555B2 |
Probabilistic modeling and sizing of embedded flaws in ultrasonic nondestructive inspections for fatigue damage prognostics and structural integrity assessment
A method for probabilistic fatigue life prediction using nondestructive testing data considering uncertainties from nondestructive examination (NDE) data and fatigue model parameters. The method utilizes uncertainty quantification models for detection, sizing, fatigue model parameters and inputs. A probability of detection model is developed based on a log-linear model coupling an actual flaw size with a nondestructive examination (NDE) reported size. A distribution of the actual flaw size is derived for both NDE data without flaw indications and NDE data with flaw indications by using probabilistic modeling and Bayes theorem. A turbine rotor example with real world NDE inspection data is presented to demonstrate the overall methodology. |
| US09792552B2 |
Prediction of available generator running time
At least one aspect of the invention is directed to a power monitoring system including a generator coupled to a fuel tank, a plurality of monitors, and a processor configured to monitor one or more loads drawing power from the generator; monitor one or more parameters that affect the amount of power drawn by the one or more loads; monitor a fuel consumption rate of the generator; generate one or more load profiles for each of the one or more loads; receive a set of the one or more loads for which a predicted time is to be generated; receive values for the one or more parameters; generate a predicted load profile for the set of the one or more loads and the values of the one or more parameters; receive information indicating an amount of remaining fuel; and calculate a predicted available run time. |
| US09792550B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing information of interest to one or more users
Methods and system for providing information selected from a large set of digital content to at least one user. One such method comprises receiving user context information associated with the at least one user and identifying or generating, using at least one processor executing stored program instructions, a first concept in a semantic network, the first concept representing at least a portion of the user context information. The method further comprises obtaining at least one concept, including a second concept, semantically relevant to the first concept at least in part, by synthesizing the second concept based on the first concept and at least one other concept in the semantic network; and providing information to the at least one user, wherein the information is selected by using the first concept and the at least one obtained concept semantically relevant to the first concept, wherein the first concept in a semantic network is represented by a data structure storing any data associated with a node in the semantic network. |
| US09792548B2 |
Systems and methods for biochemical data analysis
Methods and systems for biochemical data analysis are provided. A dataset can be received and a selection of a compare field can be used for creation of sub-groups of data to run statistical analysis on. The sub-groups of the dataset can be created based on the selection of the compare field. Statistical information about each sub-group of data can be calculated and displayed on a user display. Other information can be provided for further dataset refinements. A user may supply a control group selection, and such a selection may then result in an indication on the display of which population represents the control group. A user may supply information for further dataset filtering. Such information may be used to filter data, prior to creating the sub-groups for statistical analysis. |
| US09792538B2 |
Printing system, printing apparatus, and control using sheet attribute information
A printing system includes a printing apparatus and a printing control apparatus. The printing apparatus obtains stored first attribute information of a sheet, and sends the obtained first attribute information to the printing control apparatus. The printing control apparatus includes an information storing unit and a first and second receiving unit. The information storing unit stores first and second attribute information of sheets. The first receiving unit receives first attribute information and the second sending unit reads sheet candidates corresponding to the received first attribute information and sends the sheet candidates to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus further receives the received sheet candidates, displays the received sheet candidates, selects sheet information from the displayed sheet candidates, and sets the second attribute information of a selected sheet as attribute information of a sheet to be stored. |
| US09792536B2 |
Gate for a payment interface
A gate assembly can include a housing, a main body, at least one member, and an activation rib. The housing can define at least a portion of a card path of a payment interface. The main body can be coupled to the housing and can be movable between a closed position and an open position. The at least one member can extend from the main body such that, when the main body is in the closed position, the at least one member extends into the card path and can be oriented to inhibit an item from traveling through the card path. The activation rib can extend from the main body and can be located such that, when the main body is in the closed position, the activation rib extends into the card path. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described. |
| US09792530B1 |
Generating and using a knowledge base for image classification
A knowledge base (KB) is generated and used to classify images. The knowledge base includes a number subcategories of a specified category. Instead of obtaining images just based on a category name, structured and unstructured data sources are used to identify subcategories of the category. Subcategories that are determined to not be relevant to the category may be removed. The remaining data may be used to generate the KB. After identifying the relevant subcategories, representative images are obtained from one or more image sources based on the subcategories identified by the KB. The obtained images and the KB are then used to train an image classifier, such as a neural network or some other machine learning mechanism. After training, the neural network might, for example, classify an object within an image of a car, as a car, but also as a particular brand and model type. |
| US09792529B2 |
Invariant-based dimensional reduction of object recognition features, systems and methods
A sensor data processing system and method is described. Contemplated systems and methods derive a first recognition trait of an object from a first data set that represents the object in a first environmental state. A second recognition trait of the object is then derived from a second data set that represents the object in a second environmental state. The sensor data processing systems and methods then identifies a mapping of elements of the first and second recognition traits in a new representation space. The mapping of elements satisfies a variance criterion for corresponding elements, which allows the mapping to be used for object recognition. The sensor data processing systems and methods described herein provide new object recognition techniques that are computationally efficient and can be performed in real-time by the mobile phone technology that is currently available. |
| US09792528B2 |
Information processing system, information processing method, information processing apparatus and control method and control program thereof, and communication terminal and control method and control program thereof
A search object and m-number of first local features respectively constituted by a feature vector of 1 to i dimensions of local areas of m-number of feature points in an image of the search object are stored, feature points are extracted from the image, second local features respectively constituted by a feature vector of 1 dimension to j dimensions are generated with respect to local areas of n-number of feature points, a smaller number of dimensions among the number of dimensions i of the first local features and the number of dimensions j of the second local features is selected, and an existence of the search object in the image in the video is recognized when a prescribed ratio of the m-number of first local features up to the selected number of dimensions corresponds to the n-number of second local features up to the selected number of dimensions. |
| US09792527B2 |
Automated slide comparator
In response to an identification of an input slide, aspects generate text content confidence scores that represent amounts of similarity of slide text content of the input slide to compared text content of a slides that are included within slide presentation files of a repository. Graphic element content confidence scores are generated that represent amounts of similarity of graphic content of the input slide to compared graphic element content of the respective ones of the repository slides. Similarity confidence scores are generated for respective ones of the repository slides as functions of weighted averages of the generated text content confidence scores and graphic element content confidence scores, wherein the graphic element content confidence scores are weighted differently from the text content confidence scores. The repository slides may be ranked for similarity to the input slide as a function of the generated similarity confidence scores. |
| US09792524B1 |
Gap shifting for automatic recognition of tabular text
Disclosed are various embodiments for improving optical character recognition approaches through the use of gap shifting. A text detection process is performed upon an image to detect a first region of text. A second region that is in line with the first region is shifted to reduce a gap between the first region and the second region, thereby creating a modified image. The text detection process is performed upon the modified image in order to detect text within the second region. |
| US09792522B2 |
Weather information extraction using sequential images
Techniques for weather information extraction using image data are described herein. In accordance with the present disclosure, economical weather data collection devices may be installed in any places on the earth, and form a dense network of weather data collection devices. Preferably, these weather data collection devices include image capture components that may capture series of sequential images over time (i.e., image streams) from any particular locations. The disclosed techniques include extracting a sky portion from a series of time-sequenced images. The extracted sky portion may be used for determining cloud coverage, a sun track, and so on, thereby enabling to provide accurate weather forecast as well as other weather data mining abilities. |
| US09792518B2 |
Method and system for aligning and classifying images
In one embodiment, L dimensional images are trained, mapped, and aligned to an M dimensional topology to obtain azimuthal angles. The aligned L dimensional images are then trained and mapped to an N dimensional topology to obtain 2N vertex classifications. The azimuthal angles and the 2N vertex classifications are used to map L dimensional images into 0 dimensional images. |
| US09792517B2 |
Method and system for generating and selectively outputting two types of ink vector data
A computer-implemented method is provided to selectively output two types of vector data representative of user-input strokes. Type one stroke objects are generated in a device including a position input sensor, on which a user operates a pointer to generate a type one stroke object representative of a stroke. A stroke starts at a pen-down time at which the pointer is placed on the position input sensor and ends at a pen-up time at which the pointer is removed from the position input sensor. Real-time rendering of a type one stroke object is started after the pen-down time of a stroke without waiting for the pen-up time. After completion of a type one stroke object through its pen-up time, the type one stroke object is converted to a type two stroke object, which is a set of curves defining a boundary of the stroke, and can be rendered. |
| US09792514B2 |
Image inspection method and apparatus, and ink jet printing apparatus
Provided are image inspection method and apparatus, and an ink jet printing apparatus that can highly accurately detect a stripe defect. An inspection image obtained by an imaging device imaging a printed matter printed by an ink jet printing apparatus including a line head is acquired. Each of at least one non-scanning direction linear structural element that is a linear structural element in a direction not parallel to a direction of scanning by the line head relative to a medium is used to execute morphology processing of a grayscale image to thereby smooth the inspection image to create a first smoothed inspection image (S22, S24). A stripe defect extending in the scanning direction is detected by using at least (1) one of the inspection image and a second smoothed inspection image created based on the inspection image and (2) the first smoothed inspection image. |
| US09792508B2 |
Apparatus for recognizing lane partition lines
An apparatus for recognizing lane partition lines on opposite sides of a traveling lane in a processing area of a forward image captured by a camera mounted in a vehicle. In the apparatus, a lane change determiner is configured to determine whether or not there is a lane change made by the vehicle. A processing area changer is configured to, while it is determined by the lane change determiner that there is a lane change, change the processing area from a predefined processing area to a processing area that can accommodate the lane change. |
| US09792504B2 |
Modularized monitoring apparatus
A modularized monitoring apparatus pivotally connected to a supporter includes a photographic module, a lighting module, a communication control module, a power supply module, and a detection module. The photographic module includes a first joint interface. The lighting module includes a second joint interface selectively connected to the first joint interface. The communication control module, the power supply module, and the detection module can be selectively connected to one another, and each includes a third joint interface and a fourth joint interface disposed corresponding thereto. The third joint interface is selectively connected to the first joint interface or the fourth joint interface, and the fourth joint interface is selectively connected to the second joint interface or the third joint interface. The multifunctional modularized monitoring apparatus can rotate and be operated by a smart phone. |
| US09792503B2 |
Stationary target detection by exploiting changes in background model
Provided is a computer-implemented method for processing one or more video frames. The meth can include generating, by a processor, a change in value of one or more pixels obtained from the one or more video frames; classifying, by the processor, the change in value of the one or more pixels to produce one or more classes of the change in value of the one or more pixels, wherein the one or more classes include one or more of a stationary target, a moving target, a target insertion, a target removal, or a local change; and constructing, by the processor, a listing of detected targets based on the one or more classes. |
| US09792500B2 |
Fire urgency estimator in geosynchronous orbit (FUEGO)
A fire detector is disclosed that successively images a particular area from geosynchronous Earth orbit satellite to attain very good signal-to-noise ratios against Poisson fluctuations within one second. Differences between such images allow for the automatic detection of small fires greater than 12 square meters. Imaging typically takes place in transparent bands of the infrared spectrum, thereby rendering smoke from the fire and light clouds somewhat transparent. Several algorithms are disclosed that can help reduce false fire alarms, and their efficiencies are shown. Early fire detection and response would be of great value in the United States and other nations, as wild land fires destroy property and lives and contribute around five percent of the US global carbon dioxide contribution. Such apparatus would incorporate modern imaging detectors, software, and algorithms able to detect heat from early and small fires, and yield detection times on a scale of minutes. |
| US09792497B2 |
Methods and apparatus for directing the gaze of a user in an iris recognition system
The present disclosure describes systems and methods for directing a gaze of a user to one of different locations or positions of an iris biometric acquisition system for accommodating different heights of individuals. A user attention device may be positioned behind a visibility limiting device, for use in guiding the gaze of the user and positioning an eye of the user with respect to the iris biometric acquisition system. The visibility limiting device may be configured to limit an angular field of view of the user attention device. A sensor may be positioned at, behind or adjacent to the visibility limiting device. The sensor may be configured to acquire imagery of an iris from the eye positioned using the user attention device and the visibility limiting device. |
| US09792495B2 |
Character recognition apparatus, character recognition processing system, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A character recognition apparatus includes a stroke extracting unit, a noise-candidate extracting unit, a generating unit, a unit, and a specifying unit. The stroke extracting unit extracts multiple strokes from a recognition target. The noise-candidate extracting unit extracts noise candidates from the strokes. The generating unit generates multiple recognition result candidates obtained by removing at least one of the noise candidates from the recognition target. The unit performs character recognition on the recognition result candidates and obtains recognition scores. The specifying unit uses the recognition scores to specify a most likely recognition result candidate from the recognition result candidates as a recognition result. |
| US09792494B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method, and program capable of recognizing hand gestures
An image processing apparatus includes a facial image detection unit which detects a facial image from an input image; a posture estimation unit which estimates a posture of a person in the input image from a position of the facial image; a hand position detection unit which detects positions of hands of the person based on the posture; a hand image extraction unit which extracts a hand image of the person from the input image based on information regarding the positions of the hands of the person; a hand shape specifying unit which specifies shapes of the hands of the person based on the hand image; a hand shape time-series storage unit which stores the shapes of the hands in a time-series; and a hand gesture recognition unit which recognizes a hand gesture based on information regarding the shapes of the hands. |
| US09792492B2 |
Extracting gradient features from neural networks
A method for extracting a representation from an image includes inputting an image to a pre-trained neural network. The gradient of a loss function is computed with respect to parameters of the neural network, for the image. A gradient representation is extracted for the image based on the computed gradients, which can be used, for example, for classification or retrieval. |
| US09792489B2 |
Time-in store estimation using facial recognition
A method of monitoring the amount of time spent in a specified area by an individual comprises employing a first camera to automatically create one or more entrance images, each entrance image containing a face of an entering individual that passes a first location, and storing each entrance image in a database along with a corresponding entrance time that the entering individual passed the entrance location. An exit image is compared to the entrance images in the database to identify a matching entrance image containing the same face as the exit image. A stay time is then determined for the exiting individual by determining the difference between the entrance time corresponding to the matching entrance image and the exit time. |
| US09792482B2 |
Multi-mode capacitive sensor
A method and device for providing a multi-modal capacitive sensor, including a plurality of sensor electrodes, in an electronic device is provided. In a first mode, the capacitive sensor is configured to capture an image of a biometric object. In a second mode, the capacitive sensor is configured to provide presence detection functionality. In the second mode, the capacitive sensor includes at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode selected from a plurality of sensor electrodes. When operating in the second mode, the at least one first electrode is configured to receive a transmit signal, and the at least one second electrode is configured to receive a resulting signal capacitively coupled from the at least one first electrode. Based on the resulting signal, a processing system of the electronic device determines whether a biometric object to be imaged is present in the sensing area. |
| US09792476B2 |
Medication tracking system and method using hybrid isolated magnetic dipole probe
A system and method for tracking medical articles located in a container includes a hybrid isolated magnetic dipole (“IMD”) probe that provides an activating EM energy RF field having a magnetic near field at least as great as the electric near field, both of which cover the entire interior of the container. The probe comprises a main element having capacitive coupling across at least one slot and spacing above a ground plane to thereby form an isolated electric field and an equally strong or stronger magnetic field that fills the interior of the container to activate RFID tags therein. A dual system is provided for larger containers. A dynamic impedance tuning system controls the probe impedance for increased efficiency in transferring power to the interior of the container. Beam steering is provided with the IMD probe. |
| US09792473B2 |
Card swiping method and device for determining mobile terminal for swiping card, utilizing intensity of ultrasonic signal
The present invention relates to a card swiping method for determining card swiping of a mobile terminal by using ultrasonic signal strength, comprising: closely contacting, by a mobile terminal, a card reading device, wherein a multi-interface integrated circuit module in the mobile terminal receives a ultrasonic signal transmitted by an ultrasonic wave transmitting module in the card reading device; measuring, by the multi-interface integrated circuit module, strength of the received ultrasonic signal, and comparing the measured strength with an ultrasonic signal strength threshold which allows card swiping; and if the strength of the received ultrasonic signal received by the multi-interface integrated circuit module is greater than the ultrasonic signal strength which allows card swiping, interactively performing card swiping procedures by the multi-interface integrated circuit module and the card reading device. |
| US09792471B1 |
Arrangement for, and method of, optimizing radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) reading performance
Multiple stationary radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) readers are deployed overhead in a venue and are operated to read RFID tags. A mobile RFID reader is also operated in the venue for reading the RFID tags. The mobile reader is located in the venue, and a host server synchronizes the operation of the stationary readers with the operation of the mobile reader, determines when the mobile reader is in substantially simultaneous, synchronous operation with the stationary readers, and responsively modifies the operation of the stationary and mobile RFID readers to optimize the RFID reading performance. |
| US09792467B2 |
Wireless card reader and method for storing data
A wireless card including a wireless power receiving module configured to receive wireless power supply from a first wireless user equipment in a first time period, to obtain first power; a wireless communications module, electrically connected to the wireless power receiving module, and configured to use the first power in the first time period and use ultra-wideband impulse radio to perform wireless communication with the first wireless user equipment; a contact-type power supply module, electrically connected to the wireless power receiving module, and configured to use the first power in the first time period to supply power to an inserted memory card; a first contact-type communications module, electrically connected to the wireless power receiving module, in communication connection with the wireless communications module, and configured to use the first power in the first time period to perform contact-type communication with the memory card. |
| US09792466B2 |
Lump sequences for multi-track magnetic stripe electronic data transmission
A system and method of validating electronic encoded information from magnetic stripe card data transmitted as electronic stripe data includes a lump transmission stream. The lump transmission stream is read by at least two track channel readers each of which recognizes and reads only data corresponding to data to be read from a respective magnetic stripe represented in the lump transmission stream, which has data read from two tracks of magnetic card stripes. One track channel reader reads the first portion of the lump stream and discards the second portion of the stream, the second track channel reader reads the second portion of the stream and discards the first portion of the stream. |
| US09792462B2 |
Suspicious portable device movement determination
A system and method to determine suspicious movement of a portable device are disclosed. A determination is made that an update received by a local device was sent from a remote device different than the local device. A suspicious movement of the local device is determined based upon determining that the local device is moving at a time associated with the update and based upon determining the update originated from the remote device. Based on determining the suspicious movement, a notification of unauthorized device movement is provided. |
| US09792460B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing biometric information in electronic device
A method and apparatus for processing biometric information in an electronic device including a processor that operates at a normal mode or at a secure mode, the method comprising, detecting a biometric input event from a biometric sensor module at normal mode, creating biometric data based on sensed data from the biometric sensor module at the secure mode, performing biometric registration or biometric authentication based on the created biometric data at the secure mode, and providing result information of biometric registration or biometric authentication at the normal mode. |
| US09792457B2 |
Systems and methods for trigger-based modification of privacy settings associated with posts
Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can identify a post to be published via a social networking system. A privacy schedule for modifying a privacy setting associated with the post can be determined. A trigger to modify the privacy setting associated with the post can be detected. The privacy setting can be modified based on the privacy schedule when the trigger is detected. |
| US09792455B2 |
Sensor aware security policies with embedded controller hardened enforcement
An information handling system (IHS) performs security policy enforcement using security policy data maintained in an embedded controller, which operates within a privileged environment. The security policy data identifies security policies established for the IHS. The EC is directly connected to a number of sensors from which the EC receives sensor data and to at least one integrated functional device. The EC determines whether the received sensor data fulfills any trigger condition of a security policy. If the received sensor data does not fulfill any trigger condition of a security policy described by the security policy data, the EC continues to monitor sensors for updated sensor data. However, if the received sensor data fulfills any trigger condition of the security policy, the EC performs a security measure that involves enabling, disabling, or resetting one or more of the at least one integrated functional devices that can be disabled. |
| US09792454B2 |
Record level data security
A database security system protects a data table at both the column level and the individual data record level. Access to data records within the data table is governed by categories assigned to data records, by user roles assigned to users, and by a set of security access tables. A first access table maps data record identifiers to data record categories, data record protection schemes, and corresponding scheme keys. A second access table maps user roles to data record categories. A third access table maps column identifiers to column protection schemes and corresponding scheme keys. A fourth access table maps user roles to column identifiers. If a user requests access to a data record, the security access tables are queried using the data record identifier, the associated column identifier, and the user roles associated with the user to determine if the user can access the requested data record. |
| US09792452B2 |
Pervasive intermediate network attached storage application
A Pervasive Intermediate Network Attached Storage Application (PINApp) enables users to digitally assign (pin/tack) a folder or drive to a public cloud storage service for the purpose of sharing their digital content with others. The PINApp enables users to engage the cloud storage services without the need to upload the digital content to the cloud in order for it to be viewed or shared. The PINApp can be used to unify all of the digital content stored on multiple devices and cloud services for a single owner or user. |
| US09792450B2 |
Preserving redundancy in data deduplication systems by encryption
A method for preserving data redundancy in a data deduplication system in a computing environment is provided. A selected data segment, to be written through the data deduplication system, is encrypted such that the selected data segment is not subject to a deduplication operation. The method determines and identifies copies of the data segment that are to be precluded from data deduplication. A unique encryption key is used to encrypt the selected data segment to be written through the data deduplication system such that the selected data segment is not subject to a deduplication operation. The data deduplication system is tricked to recognize the encrypted, selected data segment as new, undeduplicated data by the encrypting thereby skipping steps of the deduplication operation that includes fingerprint generation and matching. The encrypted, selected data segment is directly written to a new physical storage location. |