| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09800195B2 |
Predicting motor failure based on relationship of motor pair characteristics
A system and method of predicting motor failure based on relationships of motor pair characteristics, such as temperatures. One method includes receiving, by a controller, a parameter of a first motor on a mining machine from a first parameter sensor on a mining machine. The method also includes receiving, by the controller, a parameter of a second motor on the mining machine from a second parameter sensor on the mining machine. The method also includes outputting an alarm signal, by the controller, upon (1) determining that at least one of the parameters of the first motor and the second motor exceeds a parameter threshold and (2) determining that the parameter of the first motor differed from the parameter of the second motor by at least a difference threshold for a predetermined amount of time. |
| US09800194B2 |
Power supply unit and electric machine
The invention relates to a power supply unit for supplying multiple conductor portions (3) of a stator winding of an electric machine which are inserted in respective slots (2), wherein the power supply unit is configured to supply a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion with at least one different operating parameter of a respective current function and/or the power supply unit is configured to supply a conductor portion with at least two superimposed current functions, which in each case have at least one different operating parameter. Furthermore, the invention relates to an electric machine having such a power supply unit. |
| US09800191B2 |
Adaptive linear resonance actuator controller
A system includes a controller to control movement of a linear resonant actuator (LRA). The system includes a monitor in the controller to monitor a back electromotive force (BEMF) signal from the LRA representing the movement of the LRA. The monitor generates an indicator that indicates whether or not movement of the LRA has occurred. A primary loop module in the controller controls acceleration and braking of the LRA based on the monitored BEMF signal if the indicator from the monitor indicates that LRA movement has occurred. An alternate cycle module in the controller pushes the LRA at a predetermined frequency if the indicator from the monitor indicates that LRA movement has not occurred. The push is employed to move the LRA when the BEMF signal is undetectable by the monitor with respect to a predetermined threshold. |
| US09800185B2 |
Motor driving circuit, cooling device and electronic apparatus including the same
A circuit for driving a fan motor includes: a control input interface circuit configured to generate a first digital value indicating an input duty ratio; a duty calculation unit configured to generate a duty command value linearly increasing with a slope with respect to the first digital value; a digital pulse width modulator configured to generate a control pulse having an output duty ratio corresponding to the duty command value; an output circuit configured to drive a fan motor based on the control pulse; a lock protection circuit configured to switch between an enable state and a disable state and to stop supply of power to the fan motor when lock of the fan motor is detected in the enable state; and a torque-off determination unit configured to switch the lock protection circuit to the disable state in a torque-off state. |
| US09800184B2 |
Motor control
A motor drive circuit comprises a motor having a plurality of phases, a switching circuit comprising a plurality of electrical switches, a motor current controller that generates voltage demand signals to be passed to a drive circuit for the switches that in turn generate pulse width modulated switching signals for the switching circuit that cause the switches to selectively connect the phases to a power supply so as to cause current to flow through the phases of the motor, and a motor torque controller that produces a demand signal that is fed to an input of the current controller, the motor current controller responding to an error signal that is at least partially dependent on the value of the demand signal. The torque controller in use updates the demand signal at a first sample rate. The motor drive circuit further comprises a downsampling circuit that in use modifies the demand signal under certain operating conditions so that the demand signal is only updated at a second sample rate that is lower than the first rate. |
| US09800180B2 |
Control apparatus of vibration-type actuator
Information regarding a rotational speed is detected by utilizing a variation in the amplitude at a frequency corresponding to the number of a plurality of protrusions of a vibrating member generated in an S-phase signal detected from a vibration detection electrode of a vibration-type actuator. |
| US09800179B2 |
Linear driving device, electronic device and human body fitting article both employing such linear driving device
A linear driving device includes a slight rapid vibratory movements producing member coupled with one end of a driving shaft which causes said driving shaft to be moved in said an axial direction, a casing for supporting at least either said driving shaft or said slight rapid vibratory movements producing member so that said driving shaft can be moved in said axial direction; and a moving body to be coupled with said driving shaft so that said moving body can be moved in the axial direction. When said moving body moves from one end side toward the other end side of said driving shaft, a part of said moving body which forms the surface facing the other end side opposite to said one end of said moving body may hit against a component which stops said moving body from moving further toward the other end side of said driving shaft. |
| US09800176B2 |
TNPC inverter device and method for detecting short-circuit thereof
The present application discloses a TNPC inverter device, comprising: a TNPC inverter module and a short circuit detecting module. The TNPC module at least comprises an inverting bridge arm and a bi-directional switching bridge arm. The inverting bridge arm comprises at least two switches connected in series; the bi-directional switching bridge arm comprises at least two switches. The short circuit detecting module mainly consists of two switch detecting unit corresponding to the two switches in the inverting bridge arm respectively. Increasing the voltage drop of the switches in the inverting bridge when a short circuit occurs in the TNPC module by some way, then it could realize the short circuit detecting module is able to detect all the paths of the short circuit in the TNPC module to simplify the peripheral circuit of the TNPC module in the TNPC inverter device. |
| US09800175B2 |
Five-level converting device
A five-level converting device includes an AC terminal, a bus capacitor module having a positive terminal, a negative terminal and a neutral terminal, a first switch module and a second switch module. The first switch module includes a bidirectional switching circuit, and the bidirectional switching circuit includes two first switching units reversely connected in series. The second switch module includes two second switching units, two third switching units, two fourth switching units, and two fifth switching units. The two second switching units are cascaded and connected to the two fourth switching units in parallel. The third, the fourth and the fifth switching units are cascaded and are connected to the bus capacitor module in parallel. Two different connection points of the first switch module are connected to the third switching units and fifth switching units through two flying capacitor modules respectively. |
| US09800174B2 |
Power supply for an inverter and method for operating power supply for an inverter
Power supply for an inverter and method for operating power supply. Power supply includes a throttle arranged to connect an output end of the inverter to an electric power supply network; a secondary-side auxiliary winding that is arranged on the throttle to transmit an output voltage (UA) of the inverter to a secondary side of the throttle; and a comparator unit. The comparator unit compares a voltage (U1) of the electric supply network with the voltage (U2) of the secondary side of the throttle, to supply, depending upon a result of the comparison of the electric supply network voltage (U1) to the secondary side voltage (U2) of the throttle, electric power to the power supply either from the electric supply network or via the secondary-side auxiliary winding. |
| US09800172B1 |
Integrated rectifier and boost converter for boosting voltage received from wireless power transmission waves
A novel integrated rectifier and boost converter circuit architecture is disclosed. The rectifier architecture includes a plurality of identical half-bridge rectifiers connected to receiving antennas to convert wireless AC power into DC power. The integrated rectifier may be coupled in series with a charging inductor in a boost converter. The inductor may discharge upon operation of two micro-controller-driven switching transistors using predetermined threshold and timing scheme to turn on/off. The rectifier architecture may provide high power densities, improve efficiency at larger load currents, and may be enabled in an integrated circuit with eight RF signal inputs, eight half-bridge rectifiers, and eight DC outputs ganged together as single feed into the boost converter. The rectifier circuit topology may include a comparator driven by the boost controller with a proprietary algorithm which suits control for a maximum power point tracking functionality, and an external micro-controller for additional control of the boost converter. |
| US09800166B2 |
Power converter and control method therefor
A power converter and a control method therefor are provided. The power converter includes a transformer, synchronous rectifier and a control circuit. A primary side of the transformer receives an input voltage, and a secondary side of the transformer generates a sensing signal. The synchronous rectifier is coupled to the secondary side of the transformer. The control circuit receives the sensing signal and detects a changing slope of the sensing signal, and accordingly generates a control signal to control the synchronous rectifier to be turned on or turned off, so as to regulate an output voltage of the power converter. |
| US09800165B2 |
Protection circuit and switching power supply
To provide a protection circuit that can reduce output voltage that is output from a switching power supply greatly when temperature rises. A protection circuit includes a comparator that supplies detection current based on voltage Vsens that a temperature sensor outputs in case that voltage Vsens that the temperature sensor outputs exceeds voltage Vref of predetermined potential, a control circuit that supplies control current that the control circuit increases detection current that the comparator supplies exponentially, and a constant voltage circuit reduces output voltage Vout that is output from a switching power supply based on control current that the control circuit supplies. |
| US09800163B2 |
Method for controlling a dead time of a secondary side of a power converter
A method for controlling a dead time of a secondary side of a power converter includes giving a previous first turning-on time and a current first turning-on time corresponding to a primary side of the power converter, generating a first voltage and a second voltage according to the previous first turning-on time and the current first turning-on time, respectively, generating a current first target voltage according to the first voltage, the second voltage, and an ideal voltage corresponding to a previous ideal second turning-on time of the secondary side, and determining a current second turning-on time of the secondary side according to the current first target voltage and a first ramp voltage corresponding to a current ideal second turning-on time of the secondary side. A difference between the current second turning-on time and the current ideal second turning-on time is a current dead time. |
| US09800161B2 |
Power converters
A power converter arrangement is described. The power converter includes a dc link and a power converter. The dc link is operably connected between a generator, or other power source, that provides an output voltage in use and a dc network. The power converter includes an inverter connected across the dc link in parallel with the generator, an isolation transformer having a primary tap changer and a secondary tap changer, and a rectifier. The rectifier has ac terminals connected to the secondary tap changer, a first dc terminal connected to the dc link, and a second dc terminal connected to the dc network. The dc terminal voltage of the rectifier is therefore summated with the output voltage of the generator to provide a converter output voltage. |
| US09800159B2 |
Buck converter having self-driven BJT synchronous rectifier
A switching converter has a self-driven bipolar junction transistor (BJT) synchronous rectifier. The BJT rectifier includes a BJT and a parallel-connected diode, and has a low forward voltage drop. In a first portion of a switching cycle, a main switch is on and the BJT rectifier is off. Current flows from an input, through the main switch, through the first inductor, to an output. Current also flows through the main switch, through the second inductor, to the output. In a second portion of the cycle, the main switch is turned off but the inductor currents continue to flow. Current flows from a ground node, through the BJT rectifier, through the first inductor, to the output. The BJT is on due to the second inductor drawing a base current from the BJT. In one example, the main switch is a split-source NFET that conducts separate currents through the two inductors. |
| US09800158B2 |
Current-parking switching regulator downstream controller
A system and method are provided for regulating a voltage level at a load. A current source generates a current and a voltage control mechanism provides a portion of the current to regulate the voltage level at the load. When the voltage level at the load is greater than a maximum voltage level, the current source is decoupled from the load and the current source is coupled to a current sink to reduce the voltage level at the load. An electric power conversion comprises the current source and the voltage control mechanism. A downstream controller is configured to control the voltage control mechanism to decouple the current source from the load and couple the current source to a current sink to reduce the voltage level at the load when the voltage level at the load is greater than a maximum voltage level. |
| US09800156B2 |
Amplifier circuit and voltage regulator
Provided are an amplifier circuit capable of improving phase characteristics, and a voltage regulator including the amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit is configured to amplify an input voltage and to output the input voltage, and includes a current source, a first transistor having a gate to which the input voltage is applied, and a second transistor having a gate to which a voltage synchronous with the input voltage is applied, and a source connected to a capacitor. |
| US09800154B2 |
Voltage supply unit and method for operating the same
A voltage supply unit includes a regulator unit, a current mirror, and a cascode unit. The regulator unit is configured to receive first and second voltage signals and generate a third voltage signal. The current mirror is configured to generate first and second current signals based on the third voltage signal. The cascode unit includes a first terminal configured to receive the first current signal, a second terminal configured to receive a first bias voltage signal, a third terminal configured to receive a second bias voltage signal, and a fourth terminal electrically connected to the regulator unit. An output voltage supply signal is controlled by the second current signal. |
| US09800153B2 |
Negative voltage generator
In an embodiment there is: negative voltage generator configured to generate an output having a negative voltage from an input having a positive voltage comprising an input node configured to receive an alternating signal, an output node for outputting an output voltage of the generator and a ground node, a switching element configured to provide a conductive and non-conductive flow path between a first terminal and a second terminal in response to a control signal; a control element adapted to control the flow of current therethrough between a first terminal and a second terminal. |
| US09800152B2 |
Voltage regulator having auto mode optimized for load profiles
Disclosed is a voltage regulator circuit configured to selectively operate the voltage regulator circuit in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The voltage regulator can change operation of the voltage regulator circuit between the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation in response to a change in a sensed load condition of the voltage regulator circuit. The voltage regulator can change operation from the second mode of operation to the first mode of operation in response to the sensed load condition changing from the second load condition to the first load condition, but only when the sensed load condition has not changed in a given direction between the first load condition and the second load condition for at least a predetermined period of time T. |
| US09800148B2 |
Control module with an estimator of an input electric quantity for a switching converter and method for controlling a switching converter
Described herein is a module for controlling a switching converter, which includes at least one inductor element and one switch element and generates an output electric quantity starting from an input electric quantity. The control module generates a command signal for controlling the switching of the switch element and includes an estimator stage, which generates an estimation signal proportional to the input electric quantity, on the basis of the command signal and of an input signal indicating a time interval in which the inductor element is demagnetized. The control module generates the command signal on the basis of the estimation signal. |
| US09800146B2 |
Non-synchronous buck converter with software-based bootstrap
An example power converter system may include a non-synchronous buck converter and a controller coupled to the a non-synchronous buck converter to receive a voltage level provided by a power source to the non-synchronous buck converter. The controller may also determine a minimum set point value for the non-synchronous buck converter based, at least in part, on the received voltage level. The controller may also alter a set point of the non-synchronous buck converter if the determined minimum set point value is less than a target set point value of the non-synchronous buck converter. |
| US09800141B2 |
Hysteretic current control with event dithering
Systems and methods implementing dithered hysteretic current control are discussed. One system can include a switched-mode power supply, a control component, and a dither component. The control component can detect a crossing of a first threshold associated with a first mode of the switched-mode power supply, and generate first and second control signals, wherein the first control signal is based on the crossing of the first threshold. The dither component can receive the first control signal, delay the first control signal for a first random time period, and output the first control signal to the switched-mode power supply. The switched-mode power supply can receive the first control signal and the second control signal, switch from the first mode to a second mode based on the first control signal, and switch from the second mode to the first mode based on the second control signal. |
| US09800139B2 |
Motor control system and method for input current protection
A motor control system for adjusting motor speed if a current overload condition occurs. The motor control system may include a motor, a power factor correction (PFC) circuit providing current to the motor, and a signal processor. The PFC circuit may limit current provided to the motor based on an output voltage sensed by the PFC circuit. The signal processor may sense input voltage of the PFC circuit to determine a power limit, then compare sensed or calculated drive power of the motor with the power limit. If the drive power sensed or calculated is greater than the power limit, the signal processor may output a signal for reducing the drive power to the power limit. Limiting the drive power provided to the motor limits or decreases a speed of the motor. |
| US09800133B2 |
Active common mode cancellation
In some examples, a circuit is configured to generate a first signal based at least in part on an input signal, wherein the first signal comprises a common mode signal and a load signal. The circuit is further configured to generate a second signal based at least in part on the input signal, wherein the second signal comprises an inverted version of the common mode signal. The circuit is further configured to apply the first signal and the second signal to a load. |
| US09800128B2 |
Linear DC motor
A linear DC motor having first and second drive coils and first and second drive magnets arranged in a symmetrical state in relation to a motor central axis that passes through a sliding member in which a lens is mounted. The first and second coils on a moveable side are positioned to both the left and right sides of the sliding member. The first and second drive coils are designed to be independent without being affected by the shape, size, arrangement position, and the like of the sliding member, a linear guide, and a detection part. The first and second drive coils have high rigidity and do not deform when the sliding member slides. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a linear DC motor that has a highly rigid moveable part and performs positioning action with high responsiveness and high precision. |
| US09800127B2 |
Reciprocating electric motor
A reciprocating electric motor includes a housing, a stator member disposed in the housing, a reciprocating armature movable relative to the housing, and a controller. The stator member includes first and second. electromagnet units opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction of the housing. The reciprocating armature includes first and second elongated pole units each of which is moved into register with a corresponding one of the first and second electromagnet units when the corresponding one of the first and second electromagnet units is energized. The controller is configured to alternately energize the first and second electromagnet units to cause reciprocating movement of the reciprocating armature. |
| US09800123B2 |
Method for modifying stator tooth top arc of brushless DC motor
The present invention provides a method for modifying a stator tooth top arc of brushless DC motor, including: detecting motor parameters; determining an angle θ between initial slot axis and eccentric slot axis; determining a first arc by taking the rotating center of rotor as the center, and taking a first radius Ri1 as the radius, where, the first arc intersects with eccentric slot axis at a first intersection point; determining a second arc by taking the first intersection point as the center, and taking a second radius R as the radius, wherein, the second arc intersects with eccentric slot axis at a second intersection point; determining a third arc of the first intersection point by taking the second intersection point as the center, and taking a radius of R as the radius, and modifying the stator tooth top arc according to the third arc to form a modified stator tooth top arc. |
| US09800122B2 |
Methods for handling a bearingless machine
A method for handling a bearingless machine into a driveline includes coaxially aligning a rotor subassembly and a stator subassembly such that first and second circumferential track portions define a substantially complete first circumferential track in communication with a first portal. A first fixture band is inserted into the first circumferential track via the first portal to substantially maintain axial and radial alignment of the rotor subassembly relative to the stator subassembly. |
| US09800119B2 |
Electromechanical actuator having an oil and water thermal system
A cooling system of an electromechanical actuator is provided. The cooling system includes a housing and a stator located within the housing and defining a central bore. A first body including a sleeve portion is configured to extend into the central bore of the stator, with the first body defining a first chamber including a first cavity within the sleeve portion and a second cavity fluidly connected to the first cavity. A heat sink is provided in thermal communication with the second cavity. |
| US09800117B2 |
Self-cooled motor
A self-cooled motor includes a rotor holder including a cylindrical portion and a bottom plate portion, and configured to rotate with a shaft; a housing supporting a bearing and a stator; and at least one blade rotating together with the shaft to generate an air current traveling radially outward, at least a portion of each blade being located axially below the bottom plate portion of the rotor holder. The housing includes a base portion axially above the rotor holder and an outlet edge portion in the housing and between adjacent ones of the attachment portions, and configured to define a main air outlet axially below, the main air outlet connecting a space radially inside the housing and a space radially outside the housing with each other. The bottom plate portion of the rotor holder includes a rotor vent hole passing therethrough in an axial direction. |
| US09800116B2 |
DC brushless motor including cover portion with fan blades
A DC brushless motor includes a housing including a plurality of attachment portions each of which is arranged to extend toward an apparatus, a base portion joined to the attachment portions, and a bearing holding portion joined to the base portion; a bearing member held by the bearing holding portion; a shaft supported by the bearing member to be rotatable about a central axis, and including a portion on one axial side to which blades that perform stirring in a heating chamber are joinable; a rotor holder fixed to the shaft; a rotor magnet held on an inside of a cylindrical portion of the rotor holder; a stator arranged radially inside the rotor magnet; and a circuit board electrically connected with the stator, and arranged axially opposite the opening of the rotor holder. |
| US09800113B2 |
Modularized servo case
A modularized servo case includes a hollow first barrel and a hollow second barrel, each of which has a lower opening at a bottom end thereof. The first barrel and the second barrel have a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion disposed on outer surfaces thereof, respectively. The first and second barrels can be combined together by engagement between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. In this way, the different inner components required for the first and second barrels can be separately installed beforehand by modularization, and then the first and second barrels can be assembled. Therefore, the assembly is preferably convenient and the inner components can be assembled simultaneously, thus enhancing the whole production capacity and efficiency and facilitating the disassembly procedure in the later repair and maintenance operation. |
| US09800111B2 |
Regenerative motor and coil
This invention presents a highly efficient electric motor which can be embodied in several configurations, including a standard motor, a hub motor, a linear motor, or other motor configuration. As a regenerative device, the motor may also act as a part-time or full-time electrical generator. There is provided a motor composed of a stator and a rotor. The stator has an array of coils arranged therein. The rotor has an array of magnets arranged therein. Each of the coils includes a first winding of wire wrapped around a core, and the wire has a non-circular cross-section. The wire can be a flattened wire. |
| US09800109B2 |
Structures and methods for controlling losses in printed circuit boards
The disclosure relates to printed circuit board motors and specifically to printed circuit boards used in motors and generators. Windings formed from copper on printed circuit boards have been used for purposes of forming antennas, inductors, transformers, and stators that can be incorporated in permanent magnet brushless DC (permanent magnet synchronous) machines. For energy conversion devices using modern permanent magnet materials and PCB stators, the magnetic field is not strongly confined by magnetically susceptible materials. Thus, the interaction between fields from adjacent turns in a winding, and/or windings on adjacent layers (for a multilayer configuration) may be significant. The structures disclosed hereinafter reduce the effective resistance in the windings, and therefore reduce the associated losses to achieve a reduced current density in portions of the rotating energy conversion devices. The effect of the disclosed structures is a measurable reduction in loss mechanisms as a function increasing frequency, compared to the currently available devices. These effects are significant in frequency ranges important to energy conversion processes as well as typical control strategies, for example, pulse-width modulation. |
| US09800108B2 |
Permanent magnet rotor shaft assembly and method
A permanent magnet rotor shaft assembly for a high speed electrical machine provides a permanent magnet cylindrical core having a longitudinal axis, the cylindrical core being axially compressed by first and second end shafts and being radially compressed by a sleeve made of a non-magnetic high strength metal. At least one of the first and second end shafts includes, facing the cylindrical core, a central shoulder head that cooperates with a mating central recess made in a central portion of a front face of the cylindrical core. An easy concentric alignment of the first and second end shafts with the permanent magnet cylindrical core is allowed while inserting the sleeve and the stiffness of the assembled set is enhanced. |
| US09800107B2 |
Rotor
A rotor may include: a shaft; a rotor core assembly including a plurality of slits formed in a radial manner, a magnet housing part formed between the respective slits, and a plurality of rotor cores having different structures depending on whether bridges for closing inner and outer diameter parts of the magnet housing part are formed, wherein the rotor core assembly is formed by stacking the plurality of rotor cores coupled to the shaft; a magnet inserted into each of the magnet housing parts; and a fastening member connecting the rotor cores through the rotor cores. |
| US09800104B2 |
Nonmagnetic high strength steel motor rotor support and method for manufacturing same
An object of the present invention is to provide a motor rotor support suitable for an axial gap motor and a method for manufacturing the same. The motor rotor support for supporting a magnetic body disposed on a rotor of a motor is configured by a nonmagnetic steel having a relative permeability of less than 1.005 and a 0.2% yield strength at room temperature of 550 MPa or more. |
| US09800103B2 |
Mechanically stabilized rotor for a reluctance motor
A rotor for a reluctance motor includes a laminated core having a number of rotor sheet metal blanks. Each rotor sheet metal blank includes flux barriers cast with a non-ferromagnetic casting compound and at least one soft-magnetic rotor sheet which delimits the flux barriers. Flux barriers of adjacent rotor sheet metal blanks are arranged offset relative to one another so that the flux barriers of one of the adjacent rotor sheet metal blanks are delimited in an axial direction at least partially by the rotor sheets of the other one of the adjacent rotor sheet metal blanks, with the casting compound of the flux barriers adhering in an adhesion zone to the rotor sheets. |
| US09800100B2 |
Permanent magnet motor and driving apparatus-integrated permanent magnet motor
A permanent magnet motor includes: a stator including: a stator core in which teeth are respectively arranged circumferentially so as to protrude radially inward from an annular core back; an armature winding that is mounted to the stator core; and a frame that holds the stator core in an internally fitted state; and a rotor that includes a rotor core and permanent magnets, the armature winding being constituted by a plurality of coils that are respectively wound so as to be concentrated on the teeth, wherein: inner circumferential ends of adjacent teeth are connected together by a connecting portion; and 0.122≦(t2+t3)/r4≦0.202 is satisfied, where t2 is a thickness of the core back, t3 is a thickness of the frame, and r4 is an outside radius of the frame. |
| US09800099B2 |
Synchronous motor
A synchronous motor is configured such that a rotor, in which permanent magnets having poles are provided at an equiangular interval in a circumferential direction, with magnetic poles with different polarities being alternately provided, is provided to face a stator, in which nine teeth are formed at an equiangular interval in a circumferential direction, and the tip width of the central tooth of each phase among the teeth of each phase grouped into three phases with each phase including three adjacent teeth is larger than 32° and smaller than 40°. |
| US09800093B2 |
Power transmission device, wireless power transmission system, and power transmission determination method
The frequency of an AC voltage applied to an active electrode and a passive electrode of a power transmission device is swept and input impedance (input voltage DCV) of a power receiving device side as viewed from a DC-to-AC inverter circuit is detected for each change of the frequency of the AC voltage. A determination is made as to whether the input voltage DCV in a first frequency range determined by a resonant frequency of a series resonance circuit of the power transmission device and parallel resonance circuit of the power receiving device falls with a range of 25 mV to 450 mV, and the input voltage DCV detected in a second frequency range is equal to or lower than 100 mv. When the results of both determinations are true, power is transmitted to the power receiving device. |
| US09800091B2 |
Aerial platform powered via an optical transmission element
An aerial platform receives power in the form of light, for example laser light, transmitted via an optical fiber from a remote optical power source. The platform comprises a receiver which converts at least a portion of the light to a different form of power, for example electric power. The platform also comprises a propulsion element which consumes the different form of power to generate propulsive thrust. Supplying power to the aerial platform from a remote source enables the platform to remain aloft longer than a battery or fuel tank carried by the platform would allow. Transmitting the power in the form of light is preferable in many cases to transmitting electric power, because electrical conductors are generally heavier than optical fibers, and are hazardous in the presence of lightning or a high-voltage power line. |
| US09800089B2 |
Robot
A robot includes a first power supply that outputs first voltage, a first circuit that operates with the first voltage, a second power supply that outputs second voltage, a second circuit that operates with the second voltage, and a first protection section that causes the first circuit to operate based on the second voltage when the first power supply stops outputting the first voltage. |
| US09800084B2 |
Solar powered case for charging electronic devices
A solar powered case for charging electronic devices is provided. The solar powered case includes a housing having a body, a back panel and a front panel. The back panel and the front panel include apertures that define interactive members of an electronic device. Solar panels are incorporated into the body of the housing. A circuit board is coupled to the solar panel. The circuit board is incorporated into the body of the housing and is integrally attached to the solar panel. An output jack extending from the circuit board is removably attached to the electronic device. A Meter Light is disposed on the surface of the housing. The Meter Light indicates the strength of a light source used to power the solar panels. |
| US09800083B1 |
Audio signal conveying power supply
An audio signal conveying power supply configured to provide an output voltage to an electrically powered helmet, an additional audio headset or both. The housing having an audio and power signal inlet port to receive audio signals and power from a vehicle and an audio and power signal outlet port or transmitting audio signals and power to an electrically powered helmet using an independent audio cable connecting between the audio and power signal inlet port to the audio and power signal. A control circuit connected the at the power converted to operate an on/off switch, an active noise reduction switch, a low battery light, a fault light, and a helmet power switch. |
| US09800082B2 |
Electronic device, method for controlling electronic device, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium
A charging coil generates induced electromotive force by interlinkage of a magnetic field from an external charger coil with the charging coil. A battery is to be charged with the induced electromotive force. A display includes a display region. A position that coincides with the center of the charging coil is located inside an outline of the display region in plan view. When the battery is charged with the induced electromotive force in a first mode that shuts off a supply of direct-current voltage from the battery to the display, at least one processor supplies the direct-current voltage to the display, and displays, in the display region, a first charging screen including first information that indicates the center of the charging coil in the position. The at least one processor ends the display of the first charging screen after a lapse of a predetermined period of time. |
| US09800080B2 |
Portable wireless charging pad
The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for improved wireless charging pads for charging and/or powering electronic devices. Such pads may not require a power cord for connecting to a main power supply, for example a wall outlet. In contrast, power may be delivered wireless to the foregoing pads through pocket-forming. A transmitter connected to a power source may deliver pockets of energy to the pads which through at least one embedded receiver may convert such pockets of energy to power. Lastly, the pads may power and/or charge electronic devices through suitable wireless power transmission techniques such as magnetic induction, electrodynamics induction or pocket-forming. |
| US09800078B2 |
High efficiency charging system and charging circuit therein
The present invention discloses a high efficiency charging system and a charging circuit therein. The high efficiency charging system includes a power supplier and a power receiver, which are connected via a transmission wire so that power is transmitted from the power supplier to the power receiver. The power receiver includes a voltage conversion circuit and a control circuit. The voltage conversion circuit converts an adjustable input voltage provided by the power supplier to an output voltage and generates an output current for charging a battery. The voltage conversion circuit adaptively adjusts the output current according to a voltage drop between the adjustable input voltage and the output voltage. The control circuit senses the adjustable input voltage and the output voltage and instructs the power supplier to adjust the output voltage according to the voltage drop between the adjustable input voltage and output voltage. |
| US09800071B2 |
Methods and system for add-on battery
Systems and methods for operating an add-on battery that may be electrically coupled to a second system that includes an electrical energy storage device are presented. In one example, the systems and methods provide for extending operation of the second system via selectively powering the second system via the add-on battery in response to operating conditions of the second system. |
| US09800069B2 |
Linear current regulator for high voltage bus precharging
A linear current regulator is provided for precharging a high voltage bus, such as within a hybrid electric vehicle, in a quick, efficient, and optimal manner. The linear current regulator can include a battery; a bus; a transistor having, a base, a collector coupled to the bus, and an emitter; a resistor coupled between a precharge switch and the base; the precharge switch coupled to the battery and the resistor; and a main contactor coupled to the battery, the emitter, and the bus. When the recharge switch is closed, the bus is connected to the battery through the resistor and the transistor so that the bus is charged. When the voltages of the bus and the battery are nearly equal, the transistor turns off, the precharge switch is opened, and the main contactor is closed for normal operation of the vehicle. |
| US09800068B2 |
Portable charger with auxiliary functions
A portable charger includes a carrier seat formed with one first clamping piece; an electrical power source installed within the carrier seat, and exposing partially from the carrier seat; a sliding seat mounted slidably on the carrier seat and formed with one second clamping piece; and a resilient strap having one portion attached to the carrier seat and a remaining portion straddling over the sliding seat such that sliding movement of the sliding seat away from the carrier seat against a restoration force of the resilient strap can vary a distance between the first and second clamping pieces such that the first and second clamping pieces can resiliently clamp two opposite ends of a mobile phone disposed between the first and second clamping pieces by virtue of the restoration force. |
| US09800067B2 |
Rail charging system for charging multiple batteries
A rail charger system used to charge multiple battery assemblies which are, in turn, used to charge electronic devices. The multiple battery assemblies slide on and off a rail charger. The rail charger charges multiple batteries at one time. Alternative embodiments of the rail charger system may be used for charging one or two battery assemblies. |
| US09800061B2 |
Power transmitting apparatus, power receiving apparatus, control methods thereof, and program
A power transmitting apparatus that transmits power to a power receiving apparatus executes intermittent wireless transmission of power. The power transmitting apparatus operates according to one of a first power transmitting method including detecting a signal load-modulated by the power receiving apparatus using an ID in response to the transmitted power during the intermittent transmission and a second power transmitting method including transmitting the power having modulated the power according to an ID determined in advance so that the power receiving apparatus detects the ID determined in advance. |
| US09800060B2 |
Power transmission device
A power transmission device includes: a power supply circuit that generates an alternating voltage; a power transmission coil that receives an alternating voltage generated by the power supply circuit to thereby generate a magnetic field; a power transmission resonator that includes: a resonant coil; and a resonant capacitor and through which electromagnetic induction causes an electric current to flow when a magnetic field is generated by the power transmission coil to enter a resonance state; and a control circuit that controls the position or the orientation of the power transmission coil with respect to the power transmission resonator in the direction in which a standing wave ratio in a transmission line from the power supply circuit to the power transmission coil decreases. |
| US09800052B2 |
Method and apparatus for power management using distributed generation
Embodiments relate to a method and system for power demand shaping (PDS) so as to manage power generation and use. Specific embodiments relate to data center power demand shaping to achieve high-performance low-overhead data center operation. Specific embodiments can incorporate standard (utility power) energy sources, renewable energy sources, or a combination of standard (utility power) energy sources and renewable energy sources. Embodiments of the subject PDS techniques can incorporate trimming the data center load power so as to allow DG systems to follow the power demand efficiently and/or incorporate two adaptive load tuning schemes that can boost data center performance and enable near-oracle operation during power demand trimming process. To implement a cross-layer power optimization scheme, embodiments of the subject invention relate to a power management module that can reside between front-end distributed generation and back-end computing facilities to provide a coordinated tuning between the supply and load. |
| US09800051B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling energy flow between dissimilar energy storage devices
The present invention provides an energy storage system that utilizes batteries of multiple compositions and provides improved load sharing between the different types of batteries is disclosed. The energy storage system includes at least two batteries, where each battery has a different chemical composition for storing energy. One battery is configured for rapid charging/discharging and the other batter is configured for slower charging/discharging. Each battery is connected to a common connection via an energy regulator. The regulators are initially configured such that the energy regulator connected between the common connection and the battery configured for rapid charging/discharging responds initially to changes in power demand at the common connection. If power demand continues, the first regulator decreases the amount of energy transferred between the first battery and the common connection while the second regulator begins transferring energy between the second battery and the common connection. |
| US09800050B2 |
Building management and appliance control system
The present disclosure is directed to energy storage and supply management system. The system may include one or more of a control unit, which is in communication with the power grid, and an energy storage unit that stores power for use at a later time. The system may be used with traditional utility provided power as well as locally generated solar, wind, and any other types of power generation technology. In some embodiments, the energy storage unit and the control unit are housed in the same chassis. In other embodiments, the energy storage unit and the control unit are separate. In another embodiment, the energy storage unit is integrated into the chassis of an appliance itself. |
| US09800049B1 |
Method and apparatus for correcting for power harmonics
A harmonics correction circuit is implemented as an independent device (such as a SiP or ASIC), and includes (1) a first node, (2) a second node, (3) a first current path extending from the first node to the second node, (4) a second current extending from the first node to ground, (5) a third current path extending from the first node to the second node, (6) a sense resistor electrically connected to the second node and to ground, (7) a differential circuit (e.g., a differential amplifier or other type of operational amplifier (“op-amp”)) that has a first input, a second input, and an output, (8) a transistor comprising a gate that is electrically connected to the output of the differential circuit, a drain that is electrically connected to the third current path, and a source that is electrically connected along the third current path. |
| US09800044B2 |
Fault location of DC distribution systems
Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of fault location in DC power distribution systems are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a DC power distribution system including a plurality of zones each including a DC power distribution line and a protective device. Each protective device structured to sense one or more electrical characteristics of a line and to controllably open a circuit including the line. At least one intelligent electronic device is structured to determine a line inductance based upon electrical characteristics sensed by one or more of the protective devices and to evaluate a location of the line fault based upon the determined line inductance. |
| US09800040B2 |
Fitting for use with armored cable
A fitting for use with a cable contained in a corrugated metal tubing, the fitting including an adaptor having an internal, longitudinal passage to receive the cable; a body coupled to the adaptor; an internal seal positioned between the adaptor and the body, the internal seal radially disposed about the cable; a nut coupled to the body; and a sealing member positioned between the nut and the body, the sealing member for placement in a valley of the corrugated metal tubing to compress a portion of the corrugated metal tubing between the sealing member and the body. |
| US09800037B2 |
Power/data access module
An access module for providing access to an opening in a table, includes a grommet mounted to the table within the opening and including a top flange spaced apart from a work surface of the table, such that a flange space of the opening is defined from the work surface of the table to the top flange of the grommet; and a bezel mounted to the grommet and including a flange that is only located in the flange space. |
| US09800036B1 |
Through wall electrical and low voltage connector
A through wall electrical device including an upper electrical box having a high voltage section for receiving a first electrical receptacle and a low voltage section for receiving at least one low voltage cable, a lower electrical box having a high voltage section for receiving a second electrical receptacle and a low voltage section for receiving the at least one low voltage cable, a hollow tube connecting the upper electrical box low voltage section and the lower electrical box low voltage section, and at least one mounting flange securing each of the upper electrical box and the lower electrical box to an installation wall. |
| US09800035B2 |
Water drainage structure, electronic component module, and electrical connection box
A water drainage structure includes a block and a cover. The block holds an electronic component at an upper portion thereof. The cover has inner wall portions that face side wall portions of the block. The cover integrally covers the electronic component and the block from above. At least either the side wall portions and the inner wall portions have upper opposing surfaces facing the other of the side wall portions and the inner wall portions at first distances disabling a lift of water by a capillary phenomenon, and raised portions raised from lower portions of the upper opposing surfaces toward the other. |
| US09800031B2 |
Multi-position input cord assembly for a power distribution unit
Apparatuses and devices are provided that allow for a power input cord to be placed in two or more different orientations relative to a power distribution unit. A power distribution unit may be provided with one or more input cord assemblies that allow an input cord to be swiveled such that the cord exits an outside plane of the power distribution unit at a different angle. Such an assembly allows a power distribution unit to be placed in an equipment rack and coupled with an input power source in a flexible and convenient manner. Clearances and dimensions of equipment racks may be modified to provide enhanced space usage, efficiency, and/or density in a facility. |
| US09800024B2 |
Igniter and vehicle, and method for controlling ignition coil
An igniter that includes switch element and switch control device for controlling the switch element depending on ignition signal. The switch control device includes a determination stage that compares voltage associated with the ignition signal with a predetermined voltage to generate a determination signal, a driving stage that controls ON/OFF operations of the switch element depending on the determination signal, a timer circuit that asserts a conduction protection signal when state where the determination signal becomes an assert level corresponding to an ON operation of the switch element continues for predetermined time, a time-varying voltage generating circuit that generates time-varying voltage over time in response to the assertion of the conduction protection signal, and an amplifier that changes the voltage of a control terminal of the switch element such that detection voltage associated with coil current flowing in the switch element is close to the time-varying voltage. |
| US09800023B2 |
Spark plug
A spark plug having at least one center or ground electrode that includes a first base metal or a first base metal alloy and a precious metal or a precious metal alloy. The at least one electrode has a surface bordering a spark gap that is made of a composite material in which crystalline particles of the precious metal or precious metal alloy are mixed with the first base metal or the first base metal alloy, and a portion of the particles of the precious metal or precious metal alloy forms a portion of the surface that borders the spark gap. |
| US09800022B2 |
No-freewheeling arc lightning protection gap protecting device
Disclosed is a no-freewheeling arc lightning protection gap protecting device, comprising a grounding-side arc extinguishing device, and a grounding-side fitting and a conducting wire-side fitting installed at two ends of a circuit insulator string via fixing devices. The grounding-side arc extinguishing device comprises a thunder and lightning pulse acquisition device, an insulating sealing shell, a gas generating device and an arc extinguishing chamber. The other end of the grounding-side fitting is equipped with a connecting fine pipe. The grounding-side arc extinguishing device also comprises a tubular earth electrode made of a nonmetal conductive material and an L-shaped earth electrode. One end of the L-shaped earth electrode is inlaid in and connected with the connecting fine pipe on the grounding-side fitting via a Z-shaped connecting fitting, and the other end of the L-shaped earth electrode penetrates the thunder and lightning pulse acquisition device and is connected with the tubular earth electrode. One end of the nonmetal conductive material tubular earth electrode is internally inlaid in the arc extinguishing chamber, and the other end is connected with the insulating sealing shell. The device improves the electric power system stability and prolongs the service life of the electric power equipment such as transformer and breaker, and has low production and maintenance cost. |
| US09800021B2 |
Semiconductor laser device and manufacturing method of the same
A semiconductor laser device having a diffraction grating is disclosed. The semiconductor laser device comprises a first diffraction grating provided on a substrate, a second diffraction grating continuous to one end of the first diffraction grating along an optical waveguide direction, and an active layer provided above the first diffraction grating. The second diffraction grating has a pitch 1.05 times or greater, or 0.95 times or smaller of the pitch of the first diffraction grating. |
| US09800020B2 |
Broad area laser including anti-guiding regions for higher-order lateral mode suppression
A broad area laser diode is configured to include an anti-guiding layer located outside of the active region of the device. The anti-guiding layer is formed of a high refractive index material that serves to de-couple unwanted, higher-order lateral modes (attributed to thermal lensing problems) from the lower-order mode output beam of output signal from the laser diode. The anti-guiding layer is formed using a single epitaxial growth step either prior to or subsequent to the steps used to grow the epitaxial layers forming the laser diode itself, thus creating a structure that provides suppression of unwanted higher-order modes without requiring a modification of specific process steps used to fabricate the laser diode itself. |
| US09800015B2 |
Optical interconnect on bumpless build-up layer package
This disclosure relates generally to an electronic package that can include a die and a dielectric layer at least partially enveloping the die. Electrical interconnects can be electrically coupled to the die and passing, at least in part, through the dielectric layer. An optical emitter can be electrically coupled to the die with a first one of the electrical interconnects and configured to emit light from a first major surface of the electronic package. A solder bump can be electrically coupled to the die with a second one of the electrical interconnects and positioned on a second major surface of the electronic package different from the first major surface. |
| US09800014B2 |
Light emission module
A light emission module includes a base, a laser diode driver, a laser diode, a monitor photodiode and a reflecting mirror. The laser diode driver, the laser diode and the monitor photodiode are disposed on the base. The monitor photodiode and the laser diode are located close to a front end of the laser diode driver. A rear side of the laser diode faces the laser diode driver. The reflecting mirror is disposed between the rear side of the laser diode and the monitor photodiode for reflecting a light emitted from the rear side of the laser diode to a light receiving surface of the monitor photodiode. |
| US09800011B2 |
Dual channel method for pumping and cooling lasers and laser device
A laser pumping method pumps a primary amount of energy into a laser medium to populate an intermediate level near an upper laser level. A lesser amount of energy is pumped into the laser medium to populate an excited level that lies above the upper laser level and transfers atomic or molecular population to the upper laser level by a nonradiative process. A laser device includes a laser medium supporting four levels, including a lower laser level, an upper laser level, an excited level above the laser level from which population transfers to the upper laser level via nonradiative transition, and an intermediate level within a few kT of the upper laser level. |
| US09800010B2 |
Implantable lead assembly
An implantable lead assembly is provided that comprises a lead body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and having a length extending there between. A plurality of electrodes are disposed along the lead body. A plurality of cable conductors are contained within the lead body, the conductors extending from the electrodes to the proximal end portion. A lead connector is provided at the proximal end portion. The lead connector includes a connector pin configured to mate with a corresponding header contact; a first termination pin coupled to one of the plurality of cable conductors; a collar coupler securely and electrically coupling the connector pin and first termination pin in an axially offset alignment with one another; and a body segment that is elongated along a longitudinal axis and extends between a header mating face and a lead mating end. The body segment is over-molded about the connector pin, the first termination pin and the collar coupler, the connector pin extending from the header mating face, the first termination pin extending from the lead mating end. |
| US09800008B2 |
Terminal crimping machine having a wire clamp
A terminal crimping machine includes a termination tool having crimp tooling defining a crimping zone that receives the terminal and the wire. The crimp tooling is actuated during a crimp stroke to crimp the terminal to the wire. The terminal crimping machine includes a wire clamp holding the wire near the crimping zone. The wire clamp releases the wire prior to completion of the crimp to allow extrusion of the wire during the crimping process. Optionally, the wire clamp may release the wire prior to bottom dead center of the crimp stroke. The wire clamp may release the wire after the terminal partially retains the wire. |
| US09800005B2 |
Front sled assemblies for communication jacks and communication jacks having front sled assemblies
The present invention generally relates to communication connectors and internal components thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention is a communication jack comprising both front-rotated and back rotated plug interface contacts. In another embodiment, the present invention is a communication jack comprising a two-piece front sled. In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a communication jack that retains its functionality when mated with both eight-position and six-position plugs. |
| US09800003B1 |
Standing structure for shell of extension cord
A standing structure for a shell of an extension cord is provided. Intercalating trenches are disposed on rear edges of a pair of opposite surfaces of the shell of the extension cord. A support frame includes a horizontally-disposed bottom plate and a vertically-disposed support plate connecting the bottom plate and having two intercalating strips intercalated into the intercalating trenches. Thus, the shell of the extension cord can be combined with the support frame to form the standing structure. The planar surface, not combined with the shell of the extension cord, of the support plate thus can face to a user for hiding power outlets and power cables plugged into the power outlets. |
| US09800001B2 |
Rate scalable connector for high bandwidth consumer applications
Methods and systems may include an input/output (IO) interface that has an integrated buffer, a housing and a substrate disposed within the housing. The substrate may include a first side, a second side and a connection edge. The integrated buffer can be coupled to at least one of the first side and the second side of the substrate. A plurality of rows of contacts may be coupled to the first side of the substrate. Each row of contacts can be stacked substantially parallel to the connection edge. The substrate may have power outputs coupled thereto and the integrated buffer can include a voltage regulator that has a supply output coupled to the power outputs. |
| US09799996B1 |
Assembly of plural conductive slots sharing an overheating destructive fixing element
An assembly of plural conductive slots sharing an overheating destructive fixing element is disclosed, including a first conductive element, a second conductive element and an overheating destructive fixing element. The first conductive element includes a front end, a rear end, plural conductive slots and a contact portion. The conductive slots include a front end conductive slot and a rear end conductive slot, between which a control section is defined. The contact portion is disposed on the control section, and the second conductive element contacts the contact portion by the overheating destructive fixing element, allowing the plural conductive slots to share the overheating destructive fixing element. Furthermore, when any one conductive slot reaches each own limiting working temperature respectively, the overheating destructive fixing element is destructed by reaching a pre-determined temperature. |
| US09799995B1 |
Dual unibody USB connector
Combined connector receptacles, examples of which provide an upper housing having openings for tongues on each of two lower housings to simplify alignment of the tongues to a device enclosure, and inner shields around the lower housings and an outer shield around the upper housing and lower housings to provide isolation. |
| US09799987B2 |
Connector
A plug connector for an electrical connection has at least two electrical lines, the ends of which are connected to contact elements, includes: a housing that encompasses the electrical lines and the contact elements at least in a region of connecting the electrical lines to respective contact elements; and a holder fixedly connected to the housing. The holder has receptacles configured to hold the electrical lines, the receptacles holding the lines such that the lines cannot move out of position. |
| US09799975B2 |
Connection member for an electronic device
An electronic device may include: a printed circuit board (PCB); a plurality of electronic components electrically connected to the PCB; and a connection member comprising a first portion fixed to one of the PCB and an electronic component and a second portion magnetically connected to the other one of the PCB and the electronic component. The second portion of the connection member may be moveably connected to the first portion. The connection member may further include a stopper, and may be designed to minimize the repulsive force provided by the connection member when excessive pressure is applied to the electronic device. |
| US09799974B2 |
Connector and connector assembly including the same
A connector includes a housing into which a cable is to be inserted, a terminal accommodated in the housing and configured to be conductively connected to the cable, and a lever attached to the housing so as to turn between the first and second positions. The lever includes attachment parts to be attached to supporting parts of the housing, at both ends in the direction in which the turning shafts of the lever extend. Either the attachment parts or the supporting parts, or both of them include a defective-closing prevention structure which prevents the lever from turning from the first position to the second position when the cable is not inserted in the housing. |
| US09799973B2 |
Circuit board pad layout and mechanical retainer
Printed circuit board pad layouts and mechanical retainers are disclosed herein. For example, a printed circuit board is disclosed having a row of electrically conductive pads, the row of pads including pairs of signal pads with exactly one reference pad interposed between each pair of the signal pads. As another example, a mechanical retainer is disclosed that may assist in interconnecting two printed circuit boards and that has a longitudinal body with a threaded end, a head at an end opposite the threaded end, and a shank connecting the head to the threaded end. |
| US09799971B2 |
Floating connector with multiple fitting-side housings
A plug connector includes a substrate-side housing, a fitting-side housing, a plurality of terminals having movable springs. The fitting-side housing is formed by a plurality of divided housings. The fitting-side housing is formed by a plurality of divided housings moveable separately in a width direction of the connector. The substrate-side housing includes a receiving chamber that receives the divided housings therein and an abutment receiving portion against which the divided housings displaced inside the receiving chamber abut. The terminals are disposed in each of the divided housings, and have contact portions inside the substrate-side housing and the divided housings, and the contact portions are to be in conductive contact with the connection object. The movable springs support each of the divided housings displaceably relative to the substrate-side housing. |
| US09799970B2 |
Connecting arrangement and corresponding method
A connecting arrangement for electrically connecting at least two cable ends of electrical cables, in particular of stranded wires, and for providing a hermetic seal between the cable ends has a connection sleeve for receiving the cable ends. The connection sleeve comprises at least a first chamber for receiving one of the cable ends, wherein the first chamber includes a partition wall with respect to the other cable end. |
| US09799969B2 |
Signal lead adapter
A signal lead adapter according to the present invention comprises at least a clamper which is formed at one end of a base plate and two clamping plates integrally formed with and upwardly extending from the base plate. Each clamping plate comprises a first clamping section with a predetermined length and a first clamping surface forming into a first holding ditch with a first radius. Each clamping plate also comprises a second clamping section with a predetermined length and a second clamping surface forming a second holding ditch with a second radius. The signal lead of different radius can be inserted and hold in either the first holding ditch or the second holding ditch. The signal lead can be inserted into the adapter and pulled out from the same easily without causing damage of the flexibility as well as the metal coating layer of the clamping plates. |
| US09799968B2 |
Wire terminal connector
A wire terminal connector is adapted for connecting with an electrical lead, and includes an insulating case unit formed with an entrance hole, and a conductive unit received in the case unit and including a base member, two resilient clamping plates and a receiving space. Each of the clamping plates has a main portion extending from the base member, a clamping portion extending from the main portion in a direction away from the entrance hole, and a pressed portion extending from the clamping portion away from the base member. The receiving space has a quadrilateral cross section, is constricted in the direction and receives the lead. The clamping portions removably clamp the lead. Each clamping portion has a height less than that of the main portion. |
| US09799967B2 |
Electrically Contacting Fastening Device
An electrically contacting fastening device has a threaded bolt and a nut, between which an electric contact element can be arranged. The threaded bolt has a contacting portion for creating planar contact with the contact element, and a threaded portion. The nut can be secured on the threaded bolt by way of the threaded portion and at an end face has a contacting area for creating planar contact with the contact element. The threaded portion of the threaded bolt is provided with a lubricant coating and the contacting portion of the threaded bolt, the contact element and the end-face contacting area of the nut are permanently free of lubricant. |
| US09799966B2 |
Electrical plug connector
An electrical plug connector includes a metallic shell, an insulated housing, a plurality of plug terminals, a plurality of tooth portions, and a wire organizer. The insulated housing is received in the metallic shell. The plug terminals are held at the insulated housing. Each of the power terminal and the ground terminal of the plug terminals includes a clamping structure. Each of the tooth portions is extending from rear of the corresponding plug terminal. The wire organizer is assembled to the insulated housing. Each of the tooth portions is inserted into the corresponding wire groove of the wire organizer to connect to a corresponding wire when the wires held in the wire organizer are pressed against the tooth portions. Each power and ground terminals may include either a single one or a pair of flexible contact portions. |
| US09799964B2 |
Built-in antenna device for electronic communication device
A built-in antenna device for an electronic device for communication used in a multi-band is provided. The built-in antenna device includes a PCB, a first antenna radiator disposed on the PCB, and a second antenna radiator which has the same power feeding point as the first antenna radiator and is disposed at a housing of the electronic device, wherein the first antenna radiator and the second antenna radiator are configured to operate at different frequency bands. |
| US09799962B2 |
Dual-polarized dipole antenna
Provided is a dual-polarized dipole antenna. The dual-polarized dipole antenna includes a substrate etched as first and second microstrip lines and provided in a cube, first to fourth feeding lines etched as third microstrip lines and disposed in a square type in a vertical direction to the substrate, and first to fourth radiation patches disposed in a square type in the vertical direction to the first to fourth feeding unit, wherein the first to fourth feeding units are respectively disposed on adjacent pairs of the first to fourth radiation patches. According to the present invention, a miniature dual-polarized dipole antenna having a wide bandwidth, high isolation characteristics, and a high gain can be provided. |
| US09799960B2 |
Metal plate lens comprising multiple metallic plates with through holes of different sizes
Optical axis as central axis is defined as z-axis, and axes perpendicular to z-axis are defined as x- and y-axis. Metallic flat plates are formed parallel to x-z plane to overlap each other and be separated by a given distance. Multiple flat plates except the top flat plate and bottom flat plate are each provided with multiple through holes. Central flat plates are each provided with through holes of a first radius. Intermediate flat plates arranged between central flat plate and top flat plate and between central flat plate and bottom flat plate are each provided with through holes of a second radius smaller than first radius. Second radius of through holes formed in an intermediate flat plate arranged in a position farther from central flat plate is smaller than second size of through holes formed in an intermediate flat plate arranged in a position closer to central flat plate. |
| US09799958B2 |
Microstrip antenna
A microstrip antenna has two feed points. The microstrip antenna includes a feeder circuit which is configured to feed, to the two feed points, electric signals whose phases are different by 90° from each other. The feeder circuit includes a Wilkinson coupler unit and a phase-shift unit each of which is formed as a lumped constant circuit. |
| US09799953B2 |
Antenna isolation
A wireless radio communication device includes a printed circuit board, a plurality of antennas formed on the printed circuit board, and one or more out-of-plane isolation elements conductively coupled to a ground plane of the printed circuit board. Each antenna extends in a reference plane or in a plane parallel to the reference plane. Each out-of-plane isolation element extends in a direction transverse to the reference plane. Each antenna of the plurality of antennas is configured to resonate in a selected radio frequency (RF) band. The one or more out-of-plane isolation elements are configured to conduct a current in response to excitation of one or more associated antennas that contributes to at least partially cancelling an RF transmission coupling between the one or more antennas and one or more other antennas of the plurality of antennas. |
| US09799952B2 |
Filtering antenna systems, devices, and methods
The present subject matter relates to filtering antenna devices, systems, and methods in which a tunable antenna having one or more first variable impedance element is configured to selectively vary an impedance at a signal path output and a tunable filter is in communication between the signal path output of the tunable antenna and a signal processing chain. The tunable filter can have one or more second variable impedance element configured to provide a frequency-selective filtering response between the signal path output and the signal processing chain. A controller in communication with both the tunable antenna and the tunable filter can be configured for selectively tuning an impedance value of one or more of the one or more first variable impedance element or the one or more second variable impedance element. |
| US09799947B1 |
Modular device system desense reduction
A modular device system is provided having a base portable electronic communication device. The base portable electronic communication device has a display side and a reverse side, and one or more antennas being located along one of the device edges. A ground element on the reverse side of the housing is adjacent to the antennas and is grounded to the chassis. A multi-pin connector array on the same side is located adjacent to the ground element and the ground element lies between the connector array and the antennas. The ground element is configured to contact a mating ground element on an add-on module when the module is mated to the base portable electronic communication device. |
| US09799944B2 |
PIFA array
A PIFA (Planar Inverted-F Antenna) array antenna has multiple PIFAs. The PIFA array is used to provide different radiation patterns for communication. A signal being emitted by the PIFA array is manipulated. According to the manipulation, the PIFA array may emit the signal with an omni-directional radiation pattern or a directional radiation pattern; the same PIFA array (antenna) is used for both directional communication and omni-directional communication. The PIFA array may be used in mobile computing devices, smart phones, or the like, allowing such devices to transmit directionally and omni-directionally. The signal manipulation may involve splitting the signal into components that feed PIFAs, and before the components reach the PIFAs, changing properties of the components (e.g., phase) relative to each other. |
| US09799941B2 |
Harmonic oscillator and preparation method thereof, filtering device and electromagnetic wave device
The disclosure relates to a harmonic oscillator and a preparation method thereof, a filtering device and an electromagnetic wave device. The harmonic oscillator includes at least one dielectric slab and response units attached on one surface of the at least one dielectric slab, where the response units are structures manufactured by conductive material and provided with geometric patterns. According to the technical solution of the disclosure, the filtering device and the electromagnetic wave device with the harmonic oscillator are good in structure stability. Swinging of a harmonic oscillator sheet layer is low in loss. The Q value of the harmonic oscillator prepared by the disclosure is high; and loss of a resonant cavity, the filtering device and a microwave device with the harmonic oscillator is obviously reduced. |
| US09799939B2 |
Filtering device and method for adjusting filter characteristic
A filtering device includes at least one dielectric resonant element, which includes a dielectric block, an outer conductor, and an inner conductor, a terminal disposed in a through hole of the dielectric resonant element from a front surface, a plate-shaped circuit element electrically coupled with the at least one dielectric resonant element via the terminal, and a substrate on which the at last one dielectric resonant element and the plate-shaped circuit element are mounted. The outer conductor is disposed so as to cover the back surface besides the peripheral surface of the dielectric block. The first end surface of the dielectric block includes a first electrode-free portion that electrically isolates the inner conductor from the outer conductor, and a second electrode-free portion that electrically isolates the inner conductor from the outer conductor. |
| US09799938B2 |
Methods and devices for connecting a resonator to a filter body
A cavity filter includes a threaded resonator and a threaded filter body to improve the coupling of radio frequency signals. |
| US09799936B2 |
Fuel cell system and fuel cell automobile
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, an electrical storage device, a fuel-cell-side converter, an electrical-storage-device-side converter, and a controller. The fuel cell is to output fuel cell voltage. The fuel-cell-side converter is configured to apply the fuel cell voltage to a load in a direct connection state or configured to apply a stepped-up fuel cell voltage to the load. The electrical-storage-device-side converter is configured to apply a stepped-up electrical storage device voltage to the load. The controller is configured to control duty of the electrical-storage-device-side converter so that the fuel cell voltage changes smoothly in a case where a state in which the fuel cell voltage is controlled by the fuel-cell-side converter is switched to a state in which the fuel-cell-side converter is set to the direct connection state and the fuel cell voltage is controlled by the electrical-storage-device-side converter. |
| US09799935B2 |
Electrical energy production system
An electrical energy production system includes at least a pair of thermally regenerating ammonia batteries. One of the batteries is in a charging mode; the other is in a discharging mode. A controller is operatively connected to the at least a pair of thermally regenerating ammonia batteries. At least one heat source is connected to the at least a pair of thermally regenerating batteries. A control valve is connected to the controller and to the at least a pair of thermally regenerating batteries. The control valve distributes heat from the heat source to a specified one of the at least a pair of thermally regenerating ammonia batteries. An electrical path connects each of the pair of thermally regenerating batteries to the controller and to a power rectification circuit. An external load is connected to the power rectification circuit such that a continuous power source is provided to the external load. |
| US09799930B2 |
Battery pack
Embodiments of the invention provide a battery pack including a pack body and a plurality of terminals. The pack body has first and second main surfaces that are opposed to each other in a first axis direction, first and second end surfaces that are opposed to each other in a second axis direction orthogonal to the first axis direction, and first and second side surfaces that are opposed to each other in a third axis direction orthogonal to the first axis direction and the second axis direction. The plurality of terminals includes a positive terminal, a negative terminal, a temperature detection terminal, and a control terminal that are arranged on the first end surface along the third axis direction. The negative terminal is arranged between the temperature detection terminal and the control terminal and closer to the control terminal than the temperature detection terminal. |
| US09799921B2 |
Method of manufacturing negative electrode for solid-state battery, method of manufacturing solid-state battery, and negative electrode slurry
Provided is a method of manufacturing a negative electrode for a solid-state battery, the method including: a step of mixing a negative electrode active material, a sulfide solid electrolyte, a binder, and a solvent with each other to prepare a negative electrode slurry; a step of applying the prepared negative electrode slurry to a surface of a solid electrolyte layer of the solid-state battery or a substrate of the negative electrode; and a step of drying the applied negative electrode slurry. In this method, the solvent is butyl butyrate, and the binder is a copolymer containing a vinylidene fluoride (VDF) monomer unit and a hexafluoropropylene (HFP) monomer unit, in which a molar ratio of the HFP monomer unit to a total amount of the VDF monomer unit and the HFP monomer unit is 10% to 25%. |
| US09799916B2 |
Lithium ion battery electrodes
A lithium ion battery includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode. In an example, a positive electrode for the lithium ion battery includes a lithium transition metal oxide-based active material and a high surface area carbon. The positive electrode further includes a reactive binder having a macrocycle bonded thereto. |
| US09799913B2 |
Button cells and method of producing same
A button cell includes a housing cup and a top separated by a seal and forms a housing with parallel flat bottom and top areas, and an electrode-separator assembly including a flat positive and negative electrode and connected by one flat separator, wherein the electrodes are aligned essentially at right angles to the flat bottom and top areas and the assembly is a spiral winding having end faces defining side surfaces of the winding facing in an axial direction relative to the flat bottom and top areas, one of the electrodes connects to the flat bottom or top area via an output conductor including a foil resting between an end face of the winding and the flat top or bottom area, and at least one insulator preventing direct mechanical and electrical contact between the end faces of the winding and the flat bottom and top areas. |
| US09799908B2 |
Method of preparing an electrochemical half-cell
The present invention relates to a method for preparing an electrode-supported electrochemical half-cell including a step consisting in subjecting a green electrode layer on which a precursor gel of the electrolyte or a precursor thereof is deposited to sintering at a temperature of less than or equal to 1350° C. |
| US09799904B2 |
Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell including complex catalyst and method for producing the complex catalyst
A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is provided. The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell includes a phosphoric acid-doped polyimidazole electrolyte membrane and a complex catalyst. In the complex catalyst, an alloy or mixture of a metal and a chalcogen element is supported on a carbon carrier. The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell exhibits further improved long-term operation, power generation efficiency, and operational stability at high temperature. The complex catalyst can be produced by a simple method. |
| US09799901B2 |
Control method of flow regulating valve of oxidizing gas and flow regulation device
There is provided a control method of a flow regulating valve of an oxidizing gas in a fuel cell. In a load disconnected state that the fuel cell is electrically disconnected from a load, the control method gradually opens the flow regulating valve that is configured to supply the oxidizing gas to a cathode of the fuel cell by a predetermined valve opening each time from a full-close position or gradually closes the flow regulating valve by a predetermined valve opening each time from a full-open position, so as to gradually change a supply amount of the oxidizing gas introduced to the cathode and cause hydrogen transmitted from an anode to the cathode in the fuel cell to be oxidized. The control method measures an open circuit voltage of the fuel cell accompanied with oxidation of the hydrogen and stores at least one valve-opening position among valve-opening positions of the flow regulating valve at a predetermined number of timings including a timing when the measured voltage shifts to an increase or shifts to a decrease, as a regulation reference valve-opening timing. |
| US09799895B2 |
Stack fastening structure of fuel cell
A stack fastening structure of a fuel cell is provided and includes a fastening mechanism that is mounted at an outside of a plurality of stacked fuel cells to generate a force pressing against the plurality of stacked fuel cells. In addition, an insertion body is mounted within the fastening mechanism to adjust the force pressing against the plurality of fuel cells. Accordingly, the fastening force is more accurately adjusted using the insertion body and the external force applied to the insertion body is measured to calculate the fastening force. |
| US09799892B2 |
Electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction including silver/silver halide composite, fuel cell including the same, and preparing method of the same
The present disclosure relates to an electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction including a silver/silver halide composite, a fuel cell including the electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction, and a method for preparing the electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction. |
| US09799877B2 |
Negative electrode active material layer composition for rechargeable lithium battery and method of preparing and using the same
A negative electrode active material layer composition for a rechargeable lithium battery is disclosed. The negative electrode active material layer composition includes a negative active material including Li-doped SiOx (0 |
| US09799871B2 |
Reinforced battery separator
Separators for use in batteries are disclosed. In various embodiments, the separators include one or more of raised shoulders, ribs in three or more sizes, thickened mini-ribs on shoulders, and ribs within the shoulder. The disclosed separators are more resistant to failure due to punctures or tears than conventional separators. |
| US09799870B2 |
Multilayered microporous polyolefin film
A polyolefin multilayer microporous membrane includes at least first microporous layers which form both surface layers of the membrane and at least a second microporous layer disposed between the both surface layers, wherein static friction coefficient of one of the surface layers of the polyolefin multilayer microporous membrane against another surface layer in a longitudinal direction (MD) is 1.1 or less, and wherein pore density calculated from an average pore radius measured by mercury porosimetry method and porosity, according to Formula (1) is 4 or more: Pore density=(P/A3)×104 (1) wherein A represents the average pore radius (nm) measured by mercury porosimetry method and P represents the porosity (%). |
| US09799868B2 |
Separator for non-aqueous secondary battery and non-aqueous secondary battery
A separator for a non-aqueous secondary battery includes a porous substrate and an adhesive porous layer provided on one or both sides of the porous substrate, the adhesive porous layer including a polyvinylidene-fluoride resin and a filler whose difference between a particle diameter at 90% cumulative volume and a particle diameter at 10% cumulative volume is 2 μm or less, and the adhesive porous layer satisfying Inequality (1): 0.5≦a/r≦3.0, wherein, in Inequality (1), “a” represents an average thickness (μm) of the adhesive porous layer on one of the sides of the porous substrate; and “r” represents a volume average particle diameter (μm) of the filler contained in the adhesive porous layer. |
| US09799863B2 |
Fastening structure
Battery pack includes battery module, metallic installation substrate, metallic attachment member disposed between battery module and installation substrate, metallic fastening part, and insulating member for electrically insulating fastening part and attachment member, and attachment member and installation substrate, from each other, respectively. Insulating member includes annular insulating part having an inner-diameter hole allowing passing through of a male screw shaft portion of fastening part, and electrically insulating between attachment member and an entire surface of an outer periphery of the male screw shaft portion of the fastening part, and between attachment member and an entire surface of an outer periphery of the larger-diameter portion of fastening part; and plate-like insulating part having a corresponding inner-diameter hole which corresponds to the inner-diameter hole of annular insulating part and allows passing through of the male screw shaft portion of fastening part, and electrically insulating between attachment member and installation substrate. |
| US09799859B2 |
Secondary battery having improved safety
Provided are a secondary battery, a battery module, and a battery pack, which have improved safety. Particularly, since a bulletproof material is disposed on the inside and/or the outside of an exterior part, even when a conductive needle-shaped member penetrates a secondary battery, heating, burning, discharge of evaporated electrolyte, and electrical contact between the needle-shaped member and an electrode can be prevented, thereby improving safety of the secondary battery, the battery module, and the battery pack. |
| US09799856B2 |
Method of manufacturing organic light emitting diode with light-scattering layer
Provided is an organic light emitting diodes (OLED) and method of manufacturing the OLED. The OLED includes: a substrate; a light scattering layer having an uneven shape on the substrate; a transparent electrode film provided directly on and in contact with the light scattering layer; an organic light emitting layer on the transparent electrode film; and an electrode on the organic light emitting layer. The method of manufacturing the OLED includes: disposing a light scattering layer on a substrate; providing a transparent electrode film on the light scattering layer; and transferring the transparent electrode film to be directly on and in contact with the light scattering layer. |
| US09799855B2 |
Double-side organic light emitting diode with composite anode and cathode including transparent metal layers
The present invention discloses a diode and a manufacturing method thereof and a display apparatus. The diode comprises a composite anode, a transparent metal oxide layer, a basic stack layer, and a composite cathode. The composite anode comprises a transparent anode layer and a first transparent metal layer. The first transparent metal layer is formed on the transparent anode layer. The transparent metal oxide layer is formed on the first transparent metal layer. The basic stack layer is formed on the transparent metal oxide layer. The composite cathode comprises two second transparent metal layers. The two second transparent metal layers are formed on the basic stack layer. Both transmittance and efficiency of the diode are significantly improved. The reliability of the diode is improved to elongate the lifetime of the diode. |
| US09799849B2 |
Organic light-emitting display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
In an aspect, an organic light-emitting display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The organic light-emitting display apparatus may include a substrate; a display unit formed on the substrate; and a thin film encapsulating layer encapsulating the display unit. The thin film encapsulating layer may include a plurality of organic layers and inorganic layers that are laminated alternately. At least one of the plurality of the inorganic films may include a first layer formed of a first material, a second layer formed of a second material other than the first material, and an intermediate layer provided between the first and second layers. |
| US09799846B2 |
Organic electroluminescence display device having an organic layer on an upper electrode
An organic electroluminescence display device includes: a lower electrode that is made of a conductive inorganic material and formed in each of pixels arranged in a matrix in a display area; a light-emitting organic layer that is in contact with the lower electrode and made of a plurality of different organic material layers including a light emitting layer emitting light; an upper electrode that is in contact with the light-emitting organic layer, formed so as to cover the whole of the display area, and made of a conductive inorganic material; and a conductive organic layer that is in contact with the upper electrode, formed so as to cover the whole of the display area, and made of a conductive organic material. |
| US09799843B2 |
Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, display device, electronic device, and lighting device
Provided is a light-emitting element in which an adverse effect by halides in an EL layer is suppressed and which can be provided with low cost. The light-emitting element including at least two layers between an anode and a light-emitting layer. One of the two layers which is closer to the anode has higher concentration of halides and halogen elements than the other layer closer to the light-emitting layer. |
| US09799841B2 |
Photoelectric conversion element and method for manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a photoelectric conversion element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a first layer. The second electrode includes a base member and a first material portion. The base member includes a plurality of structure bodies including carbon. The first material portion includes a carrier transport material and is provided between the structure bodies. The photoelectric conversion layer is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The photoelectric conversion layer includes a material having a perovskite structure. The first layer is provided between the photoelectric conversion layer and the second electrode. The first layer includes the carrier transport material. |
| US09799839B2 |
Organometallic compound and organic light-emitting diode comprising the same
An organometallic compound and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) including the organometallic compound are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the organometallic compound is a platinum complex comprising one or two heterocyclic ligands, the heterocyclic ligands being the same or different if they are two in number, each heterocyclic ligand comprising two nitrogen heterocyclic rings connected by a single bond, one of the rings being six membered and comprising at least one nitrogen and the other ring being a 1,2-diazole or a 1,2,4-triazole ring. One or two other organic ligands may be attached to the central platinum atom in the complex. OLEDs including one of the subject platinum compounds in a light emission layer exhibit lower driving voltages, higher luminances, higher efficiencies and longer lifetimes than do comparative OLEDs built with established dopants incorporated into the light emitting layers. |
| US09799836B2 |
Light emitting element, light emitting device, authentication device, and electronic device
Provided are a light emitting element with a high efficiency and a long life that emits light in a near-infrared region, and a light emitting device, authentication device and electronic device that include the light emitting element. A light emitting element (1) according to one aspect of the invention includes an anode (3), a cathode (8), and a light emitting layer (5) that is provided between the anode (3) and the cathode (8) and that emits light by conducting current between the anode (3) and the cathode (8). The light emitting layer (5) includes a pyrromethene-based boron complex as a light emitting material and a tetracene-based material as a host material for retaining the light emitting material. |
| US09799827B2 |
Method of manufacturing an electronic device including a semiconductor memory having a metal electrode and a metal compound layer surrounding sidewall of the metal electrode
A method of manufacturing an electronic device including a semiconductor memory is provided. The method may include forming a material layer for forming a variable resistance element over a substrate, forming a metal layer over the material layer, forming a mask pattern over the metal layer, forming a metal layer pattern by etching the metal layer using the mask pattern as an etch barrier, performing a surface treatment on the metal layer pattern, and etching the material layer using the metal layer pattern and the metal compound layer as an etch barrier to form a variable resistance element having an external side aligned with an external side of the metal compound layer. An external part of the metal layer pattern may be transformed into a metal compound layer. The metal compound layer may have a low etch rate as an etch barrier. |
| US09799826B2 |
Current constriction for spin torque MRAM
Magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) devices include a first magnetic layer. A tunnel barrier layer is formed on the first magnetic layer. The tunnel barrier includes first regions having a first thickness and second regions having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. A second magnetic layer is formed on the tunnel barrier layer. |
| US09799824B2 |
STT-MRAM design enhanced by switching current induced magnetic field
A memory cell includes an elongated first electrode coupled to a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure and an elongated second electrode aligned with the elongated first electrode coupled to the MTJ structure. The elongated electrodes are configured to direct mutually additive portions of a switching current induced magnetic field through the MTJ. The mutually additive portions enhance switching of the MTJ in response to application of the switching current. |
| US09799818B2 |
Ultrasound probe with heat collecting portion
There is provided an ultrasound probe capable of efficiently discharging heat generated in a plurality of piezoelectric elements to the outside. A heat collecting portion that includes at least one heat conducting path and is formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than a backing member collects heat from a plurality of piezoelectric elements, and a heat exhausting portion connected to the heat collecting portion discharges the heat collected in the heat collecting portion to the outside. The heat conducting path extends in a thickness direction within the backing member and has a distal end exposed from the top surface of the backing member facing the bottom surface of each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements. |
| US09799815B2 |
Doped boron carbides and thermoelectric applications
A thermoelectric converter is provided where an n-type boron carbide element is paired with a p-type boron carbide element and placed between a eat sink and a high temperature are, such as the ocean in which a submarine operates, and the interior of that submarine, respectively. Boron carbide elements suitable for use in this invention are deposited from meta carborane (n-type) together with dopants to emphasize n-type character, such as chromocene, and orthocarborane, together with dopants to emphasize p-type character, such as 1,4 diaminobenzene to form the p-type element. |
| US09799814B2 |
Thermal ground planes and light-emitting diodes
Methods and systems for thermal management of one or more LEDs are disclosed. One or more LEDs may be coupled with an external layer of a thermal ground plane according to some embodiments described herein. For example, the one or more LEDs may be electrically coupled with a circuit carrier with one or more electrically conductive traces etched therein prior to coupling with the thermal ground plane. The thermal ground plane may be charged with a working fluid and/or hermetically sealed after being coupled with the LED. |
| US09799808B2 |
Light emitting element and light emitting element package
A light emitting element includes: a sapphire substrate having a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface; a first conductive type semiconductor layer stacked on the front surface of the sapphire substrate; a light emitting layer stacked on the first conductive type semiconductor layer; a second conductive type semiconductor layer stacked on the light emitting layer; a reflective layer which contains Ag and is disposed on the rear surface of the sapphire substrate, the reflective layer reflecting light from the sapphire substrate toward the front surface of the sapphire substrate; and an adhesive layer which is interposed between the sapphire substrate and the reflective layer and is made of ITO, the adhesive layer being adhered to the reflective layer. |
| US09799806B2 |
Light emitting device and sealing layer for the light emitting device
A emitting device includes: an LED chip mounted on a substrate; and a sealing layer that encloses the LED chip, wherein: the sealing layer is a single layer having a thickness of from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm and a maximum width of from 6.0 mm to 20 mm; and the sealing layer is composed of a methylsilicone composition and the mole percentage (mol %) X of Si—CH3 in the methylsilicone composition is more than 90 and less than 100. |
| US09799804B2 |
Light-emitting device with near full spectrum light output
A method for providing light and a light-emitting device configured to providing light in accordance thereto is disclosed herein. The method includes emitting light in a monochromatic manner from a light source, wherein the light provided falls in a first spectrum associated with light of a blue color; covering the light source with a red phosphor composite, wherein the red phosphor composite is configured to cause the first spectrum of the light source to shift to a second, intermediary spectrum associated with light of a violet color; and producing light spanning a fuller visual light spectrum from the light of the violet color received from the red phosphor composite-covered light source. |
| US09799795B2 |
Method for producing an assembly emitting electromagnetic radiation, and assembly emitting electromagnetic radiation
In various exemplary embodiments, a method is provided for producing an assembly emitting electromagnetic radiation. In this case, a component composite structure is provided which has components emitting electromagnetic radiation, which components are coupled to one another physically in the component composite structure. In each case at least one component-individual property is imparted to the components. Depending on the determined properties of the components, a structure mask for covering the components in the component composite structure is formed, wherein the structure mask has structure mask cutouts corresponding to the components, which structure mask cutouts are formed in component-individual fashion depending on the properties of the corresponding components. The structure mask cutouts provide phosphor regions, which are exposed in the structure mask cutouts, on the components. Phosphor layers are formed on the phosphor regions of the components. |
| US09799791B2 |
Process for manufacturing a photonic circuit with active and passive structures
A process for manufacturing a photonic circuit comprises: manufacturing on a first wafer a first layer stack comprising an underclad oxide layer and a high refractive index waveguide layer; patterning the high refractive index waveguide layer to generate a passive photonic structures; planarizing the first layer stack with a planarizing oxide layer having a thickness below 300 nanometers above the high refractive index waveguide layer; annealing the patterned high refractive index waveguide layer before and/or after the planarizing oxide layer; manufacturing on a second wafer a second layer stack comprising a detachable mono-crystalline silicon waveguide layer; transferring and bonding the first layer stack and the second layer stack; manufacturing active photonic devices in the mono-crystalline silicon waveguide layer; and realizing evanescent coupling between the mono-crystalline silicon waveguide layer and the high refractive index waveguide layer. |
| US09799789B2 |
Monolithic multiple solar cells
A monolithic multiple solar cell includes at least three partial cells, with a semiconductor mirror placed between two partial cells. The aim of the invention is to improve the radiation stability of said solar cell. For this purpose, the semiconductor mirror has a high degree of reflection in at least one part of a spectral absorption area of the partial cell which is arranged above the semiconductor mirror and a high degree of transmission within the spectral absorption range of the partial cell arranged below the semiconductor mirror. |
| US09799786B2 |
Support frame and photovoltaic power generation system including the same
A support frame is for a photovoltaic power generation system. The support frame includes a frame member including a first portion positioned at one surface of a solar cell panel and a second portion positioned at the other surface of the solar cell panel, wherein the second portion is openably coupled to the first portion. |
| US09799785B1 |
Unipolar barrier dual-band infrared detectors
Dual-band barrier infrared detectors having structures configured to reduce spectral crosstalk between spectral bands and/or enhance quantum efficiency, and methods of their manufacture are provided. In particular, dual-band device structures are provided for constructing high-performance barrier infrared detectors having reduced crosstalk and/or enhance quantum efficiency using novel multi-segmented absorber regions. The novel absorber regions may comprise both p-type and n-type absorber sections. Utilizing such multi-segmented absorbers it is possible to construct any suitable barrier infrared detector having reduced crosstalk, including npBPN, nBPN, pBPN, npBN, npBP, pBN and nBP structures. The pBPN and pBN detector structures have high quantum efficiency and suppresses dark current, but has a smaller etch depth than conventional detectors and does not require a thick bottom contact layer. |
| US09799773B2 |
Transistor and semiconductor device
A transistor which withstands a high voltage and controls large electric power can be provided. A transistor is provided which includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer over the gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor layer which is over the gate insulating layer and overlaps with the gate electrode, and a source electrode and a drain electrode which are in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer and whose end portions overlap with the gate electrode. The gate insulating layer includes a first region overlapping with the end portion of the drain electrode and a second region adjacent to the first region. The first region has smaller capacitance than the second region. |
| US09799771B2 |
FinFET and method for manufacturing the same
Methods for manufacturing a FinFET and a FinFET are provided. In various embodiments, the method for manufacturing a FinFET includes etching a base substrate to form a trapezoidal fin structure. Next, an isolation layer is deposited covering the etched base substrate. Then, the trapezoidal fin structure is exposed. The trapezoidal fin structure includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and the top surface has a width larger than that of the bottom surface. |
| US09799768B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
A semiconductor device includes: a sidewall insulating film; a gate electrode; source and drain regions; a first stress film; and a second stress film. |
| US09799763B2 |
Method and structure for reducing switching power losses
One embodiment is directed towards a method. The method includes forming a drift region of a first conductivity type above or in a substrate. The substrate has first and second surfaces. A first insulator is formed over a first portion of the channel, and which has a first thickness. A second insulator is formed over the second portion of the channel, and which has a second thickness that is less than the first thickness. A first gate is formed over the first insulator. A second gate is formed over the second insulator. A body region of a second conductivity type is formed above or in the substrate. |
| US09799758B2 |
Semiconductor device and semiconductor device manufacturing method
A semiconductor device and manufacturing method achieve miniaturization, prevent rise in threshold voltage and on-state voltage, and prevent decrease in breakdown resistance. N+-type emitter region and p++-type contact region are repeatedly alternately disposed in a first direction in which a trench extends in stripe form in a mesa portion sandwiched between trench gates. P+-type region covers an end portion on lower side of junction interface between n+-type emitter region and p++-type contact region. Formation of trench gate structure is such that n+-type emitter region is selectively formed at predetermined intervals in the first direction in the mesa portion by first ion implantation. P+-type region is formed less deeply than n+-type emitter region in the entire mesa portion by second ion implantation. The p++-type contact region is selectively formed inside the p+-type region by third ion implantation. N+-type emitter region and p++-type contact region are diffused and brought into contact. |
| US09799756B1 |
Germanium lateral bipolar transistor with silicon passivation
Semiconductor structure including germanium-on-insulator lateral bipolar junction transistors and methods of fabricating the same generally include formation of a silicon passivation layer at an interface between the insulator layer and a germanium layer. |
| US09799755B2 |
Method for manufacturing memory device and method for manufacturing shallow trench isolation
A method for manufacturing a memory device includes forming trenches in a substrate to define an active region, filling an insulation material in the trenches, treating at least one portion of the insulation material, removing an upper portion of the insulation material from the trenches, so as to expose upper portions of side surfaces of the active region and to convert remaining portions of the insulation material in the trenches to shallow trench isolation (STI) disposed on opposite sides of the active region, forming a lower oxide layer, a middle charge trapping layer, and an upper oxide layer which cover the exposed upper portions of the side surfaces of the active region, an upper surface of the active region between the side surfaces of the active region, and the STI, and forming a gate layer on the upper oxide layer. |
| US09799753B2 |
FinFET having isolation structure and method of forming the same
A transistor includes a substrate having an upper surface, a fin structure protruding from the upper surface of the substrate, an isolation structure over the upper surface of the substrate and surrounding a lower portion of the fin structure, and a first doped region at least partially embedded in an upper portion of the fin structure. The fin structure extends along a first direction. The first doped region has a first type doping different from that of the fin structure. |
| US09799752B1 |
Method for forming a thin-film transistor
A method of forming a thin-film transistor includes providing a substrate having a top surface and a recess in the top surface. An electrically conductive gate is provided within the recess. A conformal insulating material layer and a conformal semiconductor material layer are formed in the recess, with the semiconductor material layer extending over the top surface of the substrate outside of the recess. Source and drain electrodes are formed by adding a deposition inhibitor material on a portion of the substrate including within the recess; and depositing a thin-film of electrically conductive material, wherein the deposition inhibitor material inhibits the deposition of the electrically conductive material such that the electrically conductive material is patterned by the deposition inhibitor material during deposition, wherein the patterned electrically conductive material provides the source electrode on a first side of the recess and the drain electrode on a second side of the recess. |
| US09799749B1 |
Vertical transport FET devices with uniform bottom spacer
Methods of fabrication and semiconductor structures includes vertical transport field effect transistors (VTFETs) having a uniform bottom spacer layer between different pattern density regions. The bottom spacer layer can be deposited by plasma vapor deposition. |
| US09799748B1 |
Method of forming inner spacers on a nano-sheet/wire device
A method includes forming a stack of semiconductor material layers above a substrate. The stack includes at least one first semiconductor material layer and at least one second semiconductor material layer. A first etching process is performed on the stack to define cavities. The cavities expose end portions of the first and second semiconductor material layers. Portions of the first semiconductor material layer are removed to define end recesses. A layer of insulating material is formed in the end recesses and at least partially fills the cavities. A second etching process is performed on the stack to remove end portions of the at least one second semiconductor material layer and to remove portions of the layer of insulating material in the cavities not disposed between the first and second semiconductor material layers so as to form inner spacers on ends of the at least one first semiconductor material layer. |
| US09799747B2 |
Low resistance contact for semiconductor devices
A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a p-doped layer including a doped III-V material on the substrate. An n-type material is formed on or in the p-doped layer. The n-type layer includes ZnO. An aluminum contact is formed in direct contact with the ZnO of the n-type material to form an electronic device. |
| US09799744B2 |
TFT array substrate, method of manufacturing the same and display device
A method of manufacturing the TFT array substrate includes steps of: forming a first electrically conductive layer on the substrate, the first electrically conductive layer including a first electrically conductive pattern and a first signal line connected electrically to the first electrically conductive pattern located in a pixel region, and a first lead wire connected electrically to the first signal line; forming an insulation layer on the substrate formed with the first electrically conductive layer, the insulation layer including a first via-hole through which the first lead wire is exposed; and forming a second electrically conductive film on the substrate formed with the insulation layer, the second electrically conductive film being connected electrically to the first lead wire through the first via-hole in the insulation layer. |
| US09799738B2 |
Semiconductor device with field electrode and contact structure
A semiconductor device includes a field electrode structure with a field electrode and a field dielectric surrounding the field electrode. A semiconductor body includes a transistor section surrounding the field electrode structure and including a source zone, a first drift zone section and a body zone separating the source zone and the first drift zone section. The body zone forms a first pn junction with the source zone and a second pn junction with the first drift zone section. A gate structure surrounds the field electrode structure and includes a gate electrode and a gate dielectric separating the gate electrode and the body zone. A contact structure directly adjoins the source and body zones and surrounds the field electrode structure equably with respect to the field electrode structure. |
| US09799735B2 |
Method of manufacturing silicon carbide single crystal and silicon carbide single crystal substrate
Quality of a silicon carbide single crystal is improved. A crucible having first and second sides is prepared. A solid source material for growing silicon carbide with a sublimation method is arranged on the first side. A seed crystal made of silicon carbide is arranged on the second side. The crucible is arranged in a heat insulating container. The heat insulating container has an opening facing the second side. The crucible is heated such that the solid source material sublimes. A temperature on the second side is measured through the opening in the heat insulating container. The opening has a tapered inner surface narrowed toward the outside of the heat insulating container. |
| US09799733B2 |
Semiconductor device having a junction portion contacting a schottky metal
A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a first conductive-type SiC semiconductor layer, and a Schottky metal, comprising molybdenum and having a thickness of 10 nm to 150 nm, that contacts the surface of the SiC semiconductor layer. The junction of the SiC semiconductor layer to the Schottky metal has a planar structure, or a structure with recesses and protrusions of equal to or less than 5 nm. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a step of forming a Schottky metal, comprising molybdenum and having a thickness of 10 nm to 150 nm, on the surface of a first conductive-type SiC semiconductor layer; and a step for heat treating the Schottky metal while the surface thereof is exposed, and structuring the junction of the SiC semiconductor layer to the Schottky metal to be planar, or to have recesses and protrusions of equal to or less than 5 nm. |
| US09799726B1 |
Vertical super junction III/nitride HEMT with vertically formed two dimensional electron gas
A HEMT device comprising a M-plane III-Nitride material substrate, a p-doped epitaxial layer of III-Nitride material grown on said substrate; a recess etched in said p-doped epitaxial layer, the recess having a plane wall parallel to a polar plane of the III-Nitride material; a carrier carrying layer formed on said plane wall of the recess; a carrier supply layer formed on said at least one carrier carrying layer, such that a 2DEG region is formed in the carrier carrying layer at the interface with the carrier supply layer along said plane wall of the recess; a doped source region formed at the surface of said p-doped epitaxial layer such that the doped source region is separated from said 2DEG region by a channel region; a gate insulating layer formed on the channel region; and a gate contact layer formed on the gate insulating layer. |
| US09799725B2 |
IGBT having a deep superjunction structure
There are disclosed herein various implementations of an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) having a deep superjunction structure. Such an IGBT includes a drift region having a first conductivity type situated over a collector having a second conductivity type. The IGBT also includes a gate trench extending through a base having the second conductivity type into the drift region. In addition, the IGBT includes a deep superjunction structure situated under the gate trench. The deep superjunction structure includes one or more first conductivity regions having the first conductivity type and two or more second conductivity region having the second conductivity type, the one or more first conductivity regions and the two or more second conductivity regions configured to substantially charge-balance the deep superjunction structure. |
| US09799723B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for forming same
A system and method for forming a resistor system is provided. An embodiment comprises a resistor formed in a U-shape. The resistor may comprise multiple layers of conductive materials, with a dielectric layer filling the remainder of the U-shape. The resistor may be integrated with a dual metal gate manufacturing process or may be integrated with multiple types of resistors. |
| US09799717B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display is disclosed that includes a shield layer on a substrate; a semiconductor layer on the shield layer; a gate insulating layer on the semiconductor layer; a first gate electrode on the gate insulating layer; a first interlayer dielectric layer on the first gate electrode; a second gate electrode and a connection electrode on the first interlayer dielectric layer, the connection electrode electrically connected to the shield layer and passing through the semiconductor layer; a second interlayer dielectric layer on the second gate electrode and the connection electrode; a source electrode and a drain electrode on the second interlayer dielectric layer, the drain electrode electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and the source electrode electrically connected to the connection electrode; an insulating layer on the drain electrode and the source electrode; and a first electrode on the insulating layer and electrically connected to the source electrode. |
| US09799716B2 |
Light-emitting device and electronic device
An object is to provide a light-emitting device having a structure in which an external connection portion can easily be connected and a method for manufacturing the light-emitting device. A light-emitting device includes a lower support 110, a base insulating film 112 over the lower support 110 which has a through-hole 130, a light-emitting element 127 over the base insulating film 112, and an upper support 122 over the light-emitting element 127. An electrode 131 is provided in the through-hole 130, and the external connection terminal 132 electrically connected to the electrode 131 is provided below the base insulating film 112. The external connection terminal 132 is electrically connected to the external connection portion 133 and functions as a terminal that inputs a signal or a power supply into the light-emitting device. This light-emitting device has a structure in which an external connection portion can easily be connected. |
| US09799711B2 |
Organic EL display panel and organic EL display device
An organic EL display panel includes plural streaks of first partition walls juxtaposed on the upper side of an underlying layer in such a manner that each of the plural streaks of the first partition walls extends along a first direction, plural streaks of second partition walls that are juxtaposed on the upper side of the underlying layer in such a manner that each of the plural streaks of the second partition walls extends along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and each have an upper surface at a position lower than upper surfaces of the first partition walls, and a light emitting layer formed along the first direction on the upper side of the underlying layer and in gaps between the first partition walls adjacent to each other in such a manner as to get over the plural streaks of the second partition walls. |
| US09799689B2 |
Light absorption apparatus
A light absorption apparatus includes a substrate, a light absorption layer above the substrate on a first selected area, a silicon layer above the light absorption layer, a spacer surrounding at least part of the sidewall of the light absorption layer, an isolation layer surrounding at least part of the spacer, wherein the light absorption apparatus can achieve high bandwidth and low dark current. |
| US09799687B2 |
Method for manufacturing active-matrix display panel, and active-matrix display panel
Manufacturing method including forming, over substrate, TFT layer, planarization layer, and display element in this order. Forming of TFT layer involves forming passivation layer to cover TFT layer electrode, such as upper electrode, and to come in contact with planarizing layer. Forming of display element involves forming bottom electrode to come in contact with planarizing layer. TFT layer electrode and bottom electrode are connected by: first forming, in planarizing layer, first contact hole exposing passivation layer at bottom thereof; then forming second contact hole exposing TFT layer electrode at bottom thereof through dry-etching passivation layer exposed at bottom of first contact hole using fluorine-containing gas; then forming liquid repellent film containing fluorine on passivation layer inner surface facing second contact hole; and forming bottom electrode along planarizing layer inner surface and passivation layer inner surface respectively facing first contact hole and second contact hole. |
| US09799682B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
An object is to provide a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device in which a defect in characteristics due to a crack occurring in a semiconductor device is reduced. Provision of a crack suppression layer formed of a metal film in the periphery of a semiconductor element makes it possible to suppress a crack occurring from the outer periphery of a substrate and reduce damage to the semiconductor element. In addition, even if the semiconductor device is subjected to physical forces from the outer periphery in separation and transposition steps, progression (growth) of a crack to the semiconductor device can be suppressed by the crack suppression layer. |
| US09799678B2 |
Manufacturing method of thin film and metal line for display using the same, thin film transistor array panel, and method for manufacturing the same
A method for forming a thin film according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes forming the thin film at a power density in the range of approximately 1.5 to approximately 3 W/cm2 and at a pressure of an inert gas that is in the range of approximately 0.2 to approximately 0.3 Pa. This process results in an amorphous metal thin film barrier layer that prevents undesired diffusion from adjacent layers, even when this barrier layer is thinner than many conventional barrier layers. |
| US09799677B2 |
Structure of dual gate oxide semiconductor TFT substrate
A dual gate oxide semiconductor thin-film transistor (TFT) substrate includes a substrate; a bottom gate positioned on the substrate; a bottom gate isolation layer positioned on the substrate and the bottom gate; a first oxide semiconductor layer positioned on the bottom gate isolation layer above the bottom gate; an oxide conductor layer positioned on the bottom gate isolation layer at one side of the first oxide semiconductor layer; a top gate isolation layer positioned on the first oxide semiconductor layer, the oxide conductor layer, and the bottom gate isolation layer; a top gate positioned on the top gate isolation layer above a middle part of the first oxide semiconductor layer; a source and a drain positioned on the top gate isolation layer at two sides of the top gate; and a passivation layer positioned on the top gate isolation layer, the source, the drain, and the top gate. |
| US09799671B2 |
Three-dimensional integration schemes for reducing fluorine-induced electrical shorts
Dielectric degradation and electrical shorts due to fluorine radical generation from metallic electrically conductive lines in a three-dimensional memory device can be reduced by forming composite electrically conductive layers and/or using of a metal oxide material for an insulating spacer for backside contact trenches. Each composite electrically conductive layer includes a doped semiconductor material portion in proximity to memory stack structures and a metallic material portion in proximity to a backside contact trench. Fluorine generated from the metallic material layers can escape readily through the backside contact trench. The semiconductor material portions can reduce mechanical stress. Alternatively or additionally, a dielectric metal oxide can be employed as an insulating spacer on the sidewalls of the backside contact trench, thereby blocking a diffusion path for fluorine radicals generated from the metallic material of the electrically conductive layers, and preventing electrical shorts between electrically conductive layers and/or a backside contact via structure. |
| US09799668B2 |
Memory cell having isolated charge sites and method of fabricating same
Memory cells having isolated charge sites and methods of fabricating memory cells having isolated charge sites are described. In an example, a nonvolatile charge trap memory device includes a substrate having a channel region, a source region and a drain region. A gate stack is disposed above the substrate, over the channel region. The gate stack includes a tunnel dielectric layer disposed above the channel region, a first charge-trapping region and a second charge-trapping region. The regions are disposed above the tunnel dielectric layer and separated by a distance. The gate stack also includes an isolating dielectric layer disposed above the tunnel dielectric layer and between the first charge-trapping region and the second charge-trapping region. A gate dielectric layer is disposed above the first charge-trapping region, the second charge-trapping region and the isolating dielectric layer. A gate electrode is disposed above the gate dielectric layer. |
| US09799664B2 |
Flash memory devices
The present application provides a flash memory device. The flash memory device includes a semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of tunnel oxide layers formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The flash memory device also includes a floating gate having a first portion with a width smaller than a width of the tunnel oxide layer and a second portion with a width greater than the width of the first portion formed on the first portion formed on each of the floating silicon oxide layers. Further, the flash memory device includes a plurality of shallow trench isolation structures formed in the surface of the semiconductor substrate between adjacent floating gates and the tunnel oxide layers; and liner oxide layers formed on side surfaces of the first portion of the floating gates. |
| US09799663B2 |
Stacked bit line dual word line nonvolatile memory
An arrangement of nonvolatile memory devices, having at least one memory device level stacked level by level above a semiconductor substrate, each memory level comprising an oxide layer substantially disposed above a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of word lines substantially disposed above the oxide layer; a plurality of bit lines substantially disposed above the oxide layer; a plurality of via plugs substantially in electrical contact with the word lines and, an anti-fuse dielectric material substantially disposed on side walls beside the bit lines and substantially in contact with the plurality of bit lines side wall anti-fuse dielectrics. |
| US09799659B2 |
Semiconductor device having air gap, a method for manufacturing the same, a memory cell having the same and an electronic device having the same
A semiconductor device may include: a semiconductor substrate comprising a plurality of active regions and a device isolation region for isolating the plurality of active regions; and a conductive shield pillar formed in the device isolation region and connected to the semiconductor substrate. Each of the active regions may include: a body portion formed in the substrate; a pillar floating from the body portion and positioned over the body portion; a side portion provided over a side surface of the pillar and connected to the body portion; and an embedded spacer positioned between the side portion and the pillar, the pillar may be coupled to the substrate through the side portion. |
| US09799658B2 |
Methods of forming capacitors
A method of forming capacitors includes providing first capacitor electrodes within support material. The first capacitor electrodes contain TiN and the support material contains polysilicon. The polysilicon-containing support material is dry isotropically etched selectively relative to the TiN-containing first capacitor electrodes using a sulfur and fluorine-containing etching chemistry. A capacitor dielectric is formed over sidewalls of the first capacitor electrodes and a second capacitor electrode is formed over the capacitor dielectric. Additional methods are disclosed. |
| US09799657B2 |
Method of manufacturing a three-dimensional semiconductor memory device
The inventive concepts provide methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a thin layer structure including insulating layers and sacrificial layers alternately and repeatedly stacked on a substrate, forming a through-hole penetrating the thin layer structure and exposing the substrate, forming a semiconductor layer covering an inner sidewall of the through-hole and partially filling the through-hole, oxidizing a first portion of the semiconductor layer to form a first insulating layer, and injecting oxygen atoms into a second portion of the semiconductor layer. An oxygen atomic concentration of the second portion is lower than that of the first insulating layer. Oxidizing the first portion and injecting the oxygen atoms into the second portion are performed using an oxidation process at the same time. |
| US09799656B2 |
Semiconductor device having a gate stack with tunable work function
A method for fabricating a gate stack of a semiconductor device comprises forming a first dielectric layer over a channel region of the device, forming a first nitride layer over the first dielectric layer, depositing a scavenging layer on the first nitride layer, forming a capping layer over the scavenging layer, removing portions of the capping layer and the scavenging layer to expose a portion of the first nitride layer in a n-type field effect transistor (nFET) region of the gate stack, forming a first gate metal layer over the first nitride layer and the capping layer, depositing a second nitride layer on the first gate metal layer, and depositing a gate electrode material on the second nitride layer. |
| US09799655B1 |
Flipped vertical field-effect-transistor
Various embodiments disclose a method for fabricating vertical transistors. In one embodiment, a structure is formed comprising at least a first substrate, an insulator layer on the substrate, a first doped layer on the insulator layer, at least one fin structure in contact with the doped layer, a dielectric layer surrounding a portion of the fin structure, a gate layer on the dielectric layer, a second doped layer in contact with the fin structure, a first contact area in contact with the second doped layer, and at least a first interconnect in contact with the first contact area. The structure is flipped bonded to a second substrate. The first substrate and the insulator layer are removed to expose the first doped layer. A second contact area is formed in contact with the first doped layer. At least a second interconnect is formed in contact with the second contact area. |
| US09799652B1 |
Semiconductor structure with a dopant implant region having a linearly graded conductivity level and method of forming the structure
Disclosed are methods that employ a mask with openings arranged in a pattern of elongated trenches and holes of varying widths to achieve a linearly graded conductivity level. These methods can be used to form a lateral double-diffused metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (LDMOSFET) with a drain drift region having an appropriate type conductivity at a level that increases essentially linearly from the body region to the drain region. Furthermore, these methods also provide for improve manufacturability in that multiple instances of this same pattern can be used during a single dopant implant process to implant a first dopant with a first type (e.g., N-type) conductivity into the drain drift regions of both first and second type LDMOSFETs (e.g., N and P-type LDMOSFETs, respectively). In this case, the drain drift region of a second type LDMOSFET can subsequently be uniformly counter-doped. Also disclosed are the resulting semiconductor structures. |
| US09799651B2 |
Semiconductor structure and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first gate structure, a first spacer, a source/drain structure, a conductor, and a contact etch stop layer. The first gate structure is present on the substrate. The first spacer is present on at least one sidewall of the first gate structure, in which the first spacer has a top portion and a bottom portion between the top portion and the substrate. The source/drain structure is present adjacent to the bottom portion of the first spacer. The conductor is electrically connected to the source/drain structure. The protection layer is present at least between the conductor and the top portion of the first spacer. The contact etch stop layer is present at least partially between the conductor and the bottom portion of the first spacer while absent between the protection layer and the top portion of the first spacer. |
| US09799649B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes at least one semiconductor fin, a gate electrode, at least one gate spacer, and a gate dielectric. The semiconductor fin includes at least one recessed portion and at least one channel portion. The gate electrode is present on at least the channel portion of the semiconductor fin. The gate spacer is present on at least one sidewall of the gate electrode. The gate dielectric is present at least between the channel portion of the semiconductor fin and the gate electrode. The gate dielectric extends farther than at least one end surface of the channel portion of the semiconductor fin. |
| US09799642B2 |
Array substrate, display device and manufacturing method of array substrate
Embodiments of the invention provide an array substrate, a display device and a manufacturing method of the array substrate. The array substrate comprises a substrate (10) and a plurality of electrostatic discharge short-circuit rings (20) provided on the substrate. Each of the electrostatic discharge short-circuit rings (20) comprises a gate electrode (22), a gate insulating layer (26), an active layer (21), a source electrode (23), a drain electrode (24) and a passivation layer (30). Each of the electrostatic discharge short-circuit ring (20) further comprises a transparent conductive layer (25) for connecting the gate electrode (22) and the drain electrode (24), and the transparent conductive layer (25) is provided below the passivation layer (30). |
| US09799641B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection device and electronic device having the same
In an ESD protection device, a first well of a first conductivity type and a second well of a second conductivity type are formed in a substrate to contact each other. A first impurity region of the first conductivity type and a second impurity region of the second conductivity type are formed in the first well, and are electrically connected to a first electrode pad. The second impurity region is spaced apart from the first impurity region in a direction of the second well. A third impurity region is formed in the second well, has the second conductivity type, and is electrically connected to a second electrode pad. A fourth impurity region is formed in the second well, is located in a direction of the first well from the third impurity region to contact the third impurity region, has the first conductivity type, and is electrically floated. |
| US09799636B2 |
Packaged devices with multiple planes of embedded electronic devices
A packaged semiconductor structure includes an interconnect layer and a first microelectronic device on a first major surface of the interconnect layer. The structure also includes a substrate having a cavity, wherein the cavity is defined by a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, wherein the vertical portion surrounds the first device, the horizontal portion is over the first device, and the first device is between the horizontal portion and the first major surface of the interconnect layer such that the first device is in the cavity. The structure further includes a second microelectronic device attached to the horizontal portion of the substrate, and encapsulant on the interconnect layer and surrounding the first device, the substrate, and the second device, such that the substrate is embedded in the encapsulant. |
| US09799634B2 |
Display device using semiconductor light emitting device
The present disclosure relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device using a semiconductor light emitting device. Such a display device using a semiconductor light emitting device may include a first substrate comprising an electrode portion, a conductive adhesive layer located on the first substrate, and a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices at least part of which are buried in an upper region of the conductive adhesive layer to constitute individual pixels electrically connected to the electrode portion. |
| US09799633B2 |
Semiconductor light source with a first and a second LED chip and a first and a second fluorescent substance
A semiconductor light source comprising first and second light-emitting diode chips; and a conversion element containing a first phosphor and a second phosphor, wherein the conversion element is disposed downstream of the first and second light-emitting diode chips. The first light-emitting diode chip emits electromagnetic radiation with a first emission maximum. The second light-emitting diode chip emits electromagnetic radiation with a second emission maximum. The first phosphor has a first absorption maximum and a first radiating maximum. The second phosphor has a second absorption maximum, which differs from the first absorption maximum, and a second radiating maximum, which differs from the first radiating maximum. The degree of conversion of the first phosphor for the electromagnetic radiation of the first light-emitting diode chip is greater than the degree of conversion of the second phosphor for the electromagnetic radiation of the first light-emitting diode chip. |
| US09799630B2 |
Integrated electronic device with transceiving antenna and magnetic interconnection
An embodiment of an integrated electronic device having a body, made at least partially of semiconductor material and having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface, and a first antenna, which is integrated in the body and enables magnetic or electromagnetic coupling of the integrated electronic device with a further antenna. The integrated electronic device moreover has a coupling region made of magnetic material, which provides, in use, a communication channel between the first antenna and the further antenna. |
| US09799629B2 |
Integrated circuit dies with through-die vias
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to integrated circuit dies and their manufacture. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a plurality of integrated circuit dies are provided in a semiconductor wafer, with each integrated circuit die having: an integrated circuit within the die, a via extending from a first surface to a second surface that opposes the first surface, and first and second electrical contacts at the first surface respectively coupled to the via and to the integrated circuit. Lanes are created in a front side of the wafer between the dies, and a portion of the back side of the wafer is removed to expose the lanes. A further contact and/or via is also exposed at the backside, with the via providing an electrical signal path for coupling electrical signals through the integrated circuit die (e.g., bypassing circuitry therein). |
| US09799623B2 |
Semiconductor package with conductive clip
A semiconductor package that includes a conductive can, a power semiconductor device electrically and mechanically attached to the inside surface of the can, and an IC semiconductor device copackaged with the power semiconductor device inside the can. |
| US09799620B2 |
Warpage reduction and adhesion improvement of semiconductor die package
A method of forming a die package includes forming a conductive column over a first side of a carrier, attaching a semiconductor die to the first side of the carrier, and forming a molding compound over the first side of the carrier. The semiconductor die and the conductive column are embedded in the molding compound. A second side of the carrier opposite the first side is under a compressive stress. The method also includes forming a first compressive dielectric layer over the semiconductor die, the conductive column, and the molding compound, forming a first redistribution layer (RDL) over the first compressive dielectric layer, and forming a first passivation layer over the first RDL. |
| US09799619B2 |
Electronic device having a redistribution area
An electronic device includes an upper insulating layer on a substrate. An upper redistribution structure is embedded in the upper insulating layer. The upper redistribution structure includes an upper contact portion, an upper pad portion, and an upper line portion between the upper contact portion and the upper pad portion. A passivation layer is on the upper insulating layer and the upper redistribution structure. An upper opening is configured to pass through the passivation layer and expose the upper pad portion. Vertical thicknesses of the upper pad portion and the upper contact portion are greater than a vertical thickness of the upper line portion. |
| US09799617B1 |
Methods for repackaging copper wire-bonded microelectronic die
Methods for repacking copper wire bonded microelectronic die (that is, die having bond pads bonded to copper wire bonds) are provided. In one embodiment, the repackaging method includes the step or process of obtaining a microelectronic package containing copper wire bonds and a microelectronic die, which includes bond pads to which the copper wire bonds are bonded. The microelectronic die is extracted from the microelectronic package in a manner separating the copper wire bonds from the bond pads. The microelectronic die is then attached or mounted to a Failure Analysis (FA) package having electrical contact points thereon. Electrical connections are then formed between the bond pads of the microelectronic die and the electrical contact points of the FA package at least in part by printing an electrically-conductive material onto the bond pads. |
| US09799613B1 |
Lead frame device
A lead frame device includes a metallic outer frame member, a lead frame package preform, and an encapsulant. The metallic outer frame member includes a pair of spaced apart longitudinal and transverse sections. The lead frame package preform includes at least one die pad surrounded by the metallic outer frame member such that a gap is formed around the die pad within the metallic, and a plurality of spaced apart leads. Each of the spaced apart leads has a first portion connected to the metallic outer frame member, a second portion proximal to and spaced apart from the die pad, a top surface, and a recess indented from the top surface. The encapsulant is filled in the recess. The disclosure also provides a lead frame device assembly. |
| US09799609B2 |
Semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same
To provide a technique capable of positioning of a semiconductor chip and a mounting substrate with high precision by improving visibility of an alignment mark. In a semiconductor chip constituting an LCD driver, a mark is formed in an alignment mark formation region over a semiconductor substrate. The mark is formed in the same layer as that of an uppermost layer wiring (third layer wiring) in an integrated circuit formation region. Then, in the lower layer of the mark and a background region surrounding the mark, patterns are formed. At this time, the pattern P1a is formed in the same layer as that of a second layer wiring and the pattern P1b is formed in the same layer as that of a first layer wiring. Further, the pattern P2 is formed in the same layer as that of a gate electrode, and the pattern P3 is formed in the same layer as that of an element isolation region. |
| US09799608B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a monocrystalline substrate of a material which does not have a liquid phase at atmospheric pressure, and an identification mark disposed on or in the substrate comprising an amorphous region of the material or a region of the material deviated from stoichiometry. |
| US09799607B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a first gate electrode provided in a jumper region of a substrate and extending in a first direction, first source/drain regions provided at both sides of the first gate electrode, and a connecting contact electrically connecting the first gate electrode and the first source/drain regions to each other. The connecting contact includes first sub-contacts disposed at both sides of the first gate electrode and connected to the first source/drain regions, and a second sub-contact extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The second sub-contact is connected to the first sub-contacts and is in contact with a top surface of the first gate electrode. In the first direction, each of the first sub-contacts has a first width and the second sub-contact has a second width smaller than the first width. |
| US09799605B2 |
Advanced copper interconnects with hybrid microstructure
A device relates to a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a narrow-line bamboo microstructure integrated within a metal layer of the semiconductor device and a narrow-line polycrystalline microstructure. The narrow-line polycrystalline microstructure is integrated within the same metal layer as the narrow-line bamboo microstructure. |
| US09799603B2 |
Semiconductor device structure and method for forming the same
A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive structure over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first dielectric layer over the substrate. The first dielectric layer has a first opening exposing the first conductive structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a cover layer covering a first inner wall of the first opening. The cover layer has a second opening exposing the first conductive structure. The cover layer includes a metal oxide. The semiconductor device structure includes a second conductive structure filled in the first opening and surrounded by the cover layer. The second conductive structure is electrically connected to the first conductive structure. |
| US09799602B2 |
Integrated circuit having a staggered fishbone power network
An integrated circuit includes: a first spine formed on a first conductive layer of the integrated circuit, the spine runs in a first direction; a first plurality of ribs formed on a second conductive layer of the integrated circuit, the first plurality of ribs run parallel to one another in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and overlap respective portions of the first spine; a first plurality of interlayer vias formed between the first and second conductive layers, each of the plurality of interlayer vias electrically couple respective ones of the first plurality of ribs to the first spine at the respective portions of overlap; and a plurality of signal lines formed on the second conductive layer and running parallel to one another in the second direction. |
| US09799596B2 |
Wiring substrate and semiconductor device
A wiring substrate includes a core substrate and a cavity extending through the core substrate. The cavity has a planar shape that is rectangular, and includes corners and sides connecting the corners in a plan view. The wiring substrate also includes first through holes that extend through the core substrate and are spaced apart from the cavity. An electronic component is arranged in the cavity. The wiring substrate also includes a first insulating material with which the first through holes are filled and a second insulating material with which a gap between the electronic component and walls of the cavity is filled. The first through holes are arranged around the corners of the cavity in a plan view. Each of the first through holes is L-shaped in a plan view and formed continuously along two of the sides of the cavity that define the corresponding corner. |
| US09799593B1 |
Semiconductor package substrate having an interfacial layer
Semiconductor package substrates and methods of forming semiconductor package substrates are described. In an example, a semiconductor package substrate includes an interfacial layer between a metal layer and a dielectric layer. For example, the interfacial layer may be attached to the metal layer and the dielectric layer by a chemical bond, e.g., a coordinate bond or a covalent bond. Accordingly, the metal layer may adhere to the dielectric layer. |
| US09799590B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of using partial wafer singulation for improved wafer level embedded system in package
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor wafer including a plurality of first semiconductor die. An opening is formed partially through the semiconductor wafer. A plurality of second semiconductor die is disposed over a first surface of the semiconductor wafer. An encapsulant is disposed over the semiconductor wafer and into the opening leaving a second surface of the semiconductor wafer exposed. A portion of the second surface of the semiconductor wafer is removed to separate the first semiconductor die. An interconnect structure is formed over the second semiconductor die and encapsulant. A thermal interface material is deposited over the second surface of the first semiconductor die. A heat spreader is disposed over the thermal interface material. An insulating layer is formed over the first surface of the semiconductor wafer. A vertical interconnect structure is formed around the first semiconductor die. Conductive vias are formed through the first semiconductor die. |
| US09799585B2 |
Method for forming a case for an electronic device and manufactured case structure for electronic device
A method for forming a case for an electronic device and a manufactured case structure for an electronic device are provided. The method for forming a case for an electronic device comprises the following steps. Provide a plastic material. Provide a plurality of PCM microcapsules. Mix the plastic material and the plurality of PCM microcapsules so as to form a housing material. Form a case from the housing material by injection molding. The manufactured case structure for an electronic device comprises a plastic layer and a plurality of PCM microcapsules. The plurality of PCM microcapsules are dispersed in the plastic layer. |
| US09799583B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods of formation thereof
In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first contact pad disposed at a top side of a workpiece, a second contact pad disposed at the top side of the workpiece. An isolation region is disposed between the first contact pad and the second contact pad. A metal strip is disposed at least partially within the isolation region. The metal strip is not coupled to an external potential node. |
| US09799579B2 |
Semiconductor substrate-on-semiconductor substrate package and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor assembly includes a first semiconductor substrate having a first main surface and a second main surface and a second semiconductor substrate having a first main surface and a second main surface. The first main surface of the first semiconductor substrate faces the second main surface of the second semiconductor substrate. Further, the semiconductor assembly includes a plurality of first electrodes disposed on the first main surface of the first semiconductor chip and a plurality of second electrodes disposed on the second main surface of the second semiconductor chip, wherein the first electrodes are aligned with and connected by interconnects to the second electrodes. An electrically conducting layer perforated by holes is disposed between and fixed to the first semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor substrate, wherein the interconnects penetrate the holes. The electrically conducting layer is electrically connected to a function test electrode of the semiconductor assembly. |
| US09799577B2 |
Heat treatment system, heat treatment method, and program
A heat treatment system includes a heat treatment condition storing unit that stores a heat treatment condition with respect to a doping processing and a diffusion processing; a model storing unit that stores a model representing a relationship between a change of the heat treatment condition and a change of an impurity concentration in an impurity-doped thin film; a heat treatment unit that forms the impurity-doped thin film under the heat treatment condition; a calculating unit that calculates a heat treatment condition of the doping processing and the diffusion processing that causes the impurity concentration in the impurity-doped film to be included within the predetermined range, based on the impurity concentration in the impurity-doped thin film and the model; and an adjusting unit that adjusts the impurity concentration in the impurity-doped thin film to be included within the predetermined range. |
| US09799570B1 |
Fabrication of vertical field effect transistors with uniform structural profiles
Semiconductor devices are fabricated with vertical field effect transistor (FET) devices having uniform structural profiles. Semiconductor fabrication methods for vertical FET devices implement a process flow to fabricate dummy fins within isolation regions to enable the formation of vertical FET devices with uniform structural profiles within device regions. Sacrificial semiconductor fins are formed in the isolation regions concurrently with semiconductor fins in the device regions, to minimize/eliminate micro-loading effects from an etch process used for fin patterning and, thereby, form uniform profile semiconductor fins. The sacrificial semiconductor fins within the isolation regions also serve to minimize/eliminate non-uniform topography and micro-loading effects when planarizing and recessing conductive gate layers and, thereby. form conductive gate structures for vertical FET devices with uniform gate lengths in the device regions. The sacrificial semiconductor fins are subsequently removed and replaced with insulating material to form the dummy fins. |
| US09799567B2 |
Method of forming source/drain contact
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming a gate structure over a substrate. The gate structure includes a first hard mask layer. The method also includes forming a source/drain (S/D) feature in the substrate adjacent to the gate structure, forming a sidewall spacer along sidewalls of the gate structure. The sidewall spacer has an outer edge at its upper portion facing away from the gate structure. The method also includes forming a second spacer along sidewalls of the gate structure and along the outer edge of the sidewall spacer, forming dielectric layers over the gate structure, forming a trench extending through the dielectric layers to expose the source/drain feature while the gate structure is protected by the first hard mask layer and the sidewall spacer with the second spacer. The method also includes forming a contact feature in the trench. |
| US09799563B2 |
Fan-out wafer level chip package structure and manufacturing method thereof
A fan-out wafer level chip package structure and the manufacturing method thereof are provided. The method includes the steps of providing a supporting plate having a removable tape formed on the supporting plate, placing a plurality of chips on the removable tape, applying an adhesive layer on a back surface of each of the chips, providing a conductive cover for covering all chips and isolating the chips from each other by a plurality of partitions, injecting a molding compound into an inside of the conductive cover and curing the molding compound for forming an encapsulation, separating the encapsulation from the supporting plate, forming a connection layer on an active surface of each of the chips to establish electrical connections, and performing a cutting process to divide the encapsulation into a plurality of the package structures. |
| US09799562B2 |
Vias and conductive routing layers in semiconductor substrates
Through vias and conductive routing layers in semiconductor substrates and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for processing a semiconductor substrate includes forming an aperture in a semiconductor substrate and through a dielectric on the semiconductor substrate. The aperture has a first end open at the dielectric and a second end opposite the first end. The method can also include forming a plurality of depressions in the dielectric, and simultaneously depositing a conductive material into the aperture and at least some of the depressions. |
| US09799561B2 |
Method for fabricating a semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming a first interlayer insulating layer including a first trench that is defined by a first gate spacer and a second trench that is defined by a second gate spacer on a substrate, forming a first gate electrode that fills a part of the first trench and a second gate electrode that fills a part of the second trench, forming a first capping pattern that fills the remainder of the first trench on the first gate electrode, forming a second capping pattern that fills the remainder of the second trench on the second gate electrode, forming a second interlayer insulating layer that covers the first gate spacer and the second gate spacer on the first interlayer insulating layer, forming a third interlayer insulating layer on the second interlayer insulating layer and forming a contact hole that penetrates the third interlayer insulating layer and the second interlayer insulating layer between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode. |
| US09799560B2 |
Self-aligned structure
A fin-type semiconductor device includes a gate structure and a source/drain structure. The fin-type semiconductor device also includes a gate hardmask structure coupled to the gate structure. The gate hardmask structure comprises a first material. The fin-type semiconductor device further includes a source/drain hardmask structure coupled to the source/drain structure. The source/drain hardmask structure comprises a second material. |
| US09799559B1 |
Methods employing sacrificial barrier layer for protection of vias during trench formation
A method includes, for example, providing an intermediate semiconductor structure comprising a metallic layer, a patternable layer disposed over the metallic layer, and a hard mask disposed over the patternable layer, the intermediate semiconductor structure comprising a plurality of vias extending through the hard mask onto the metallic layer, depositing a sacrificial barrier layer over the intermediate semiconductor structure and in the plurality of vias, removing a portion of the sacrificial barrier layer between the plurality of vias while maintaining a portion of the sacrificial barrier layer in the plurality of vias, forming a trench in the patternable layer between the removed portion of the sacrificial barrier layer and the plurality of vias, and removing the remaining portions of the sacrificial barrier layer from the plurality of vias. |
| US09799557B2 |
Semiconductor device structure with metal ring on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate
In accordance with some embodiments, a semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate, and the substrate has a device region and an edge region. The semiconductor device structure also includes a silicon layer formed on the substrate and a transistor formed on the silicon layer. The transistor is formed at the device region of the substrate. The semiconductor device structure further includes a metal ring formed in the silicon layer. The metal ring is formed at the edge region of the substrate, and the transistor is surrounded by the metal ring. |
| US09799554B2 |
Method for coating a substrate
A method for coating substrates provided with vias uses a first step in which the substrate is conditioned and a second step in which the substrate is coated with an electrically insulating material such that the vias are filled up completely. |
| US09799553B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device with nano-gaps
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first capping layer formed above the substrate, a first dielectric layer formed on the first capping layer; a second capping layer formed on the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer formed on the second capping layer; a plurality of conducting lines separately formed on the substrate; a third capping layer formed on the conducting lines and the second dielectric layer; and several nano-gaps formed between the adjacent conducting lines, and the nano-gaps being formed in the second dielectric layer, or further extending to the second capping layer or to the first capping layer. The nano-gaps partially open one of the second and first dielectric layers, or the nano-gaps expose the first capping layer or the second capping layer. |
| US09799552B2 |
Low resistance metal contacts to interconnects
A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating a contact to interface with an interconnect in a semiconductor device are described. The device includes a dielectric layer formed on a semiconductor layer, and a contact fabricated in a via formed within the dielectric layer. An interconnect formed above the contact interfaces with an exposed surface of the contact opposite a surface closest to the semiconductor layer. The contact includes a contact material in a first portion of the contact and an interface metal in a second portion of the contact. |
| US09799551B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include forming an insulating layers on a substrate, forming a plurality of holes in an upper portion of the insulating layer, forming a mask layer having openings exposing at least a first set of the plurality of holes, etching a lower portion of the insulating layer exposed by one of the plurality of holes which is exposed by the mask layer to form a through hole in the insulating layer in combination with the one of the plurality of holes, and forming a conductive structure in the through hole. |
| US09799550B2 |
Manufacturing method for forming a semiconductor structure
The present invention provides a method for forming an opening, including: first, a hard mask material layer is formed on a target layer, next, a tri-layer hard mask is formed on the hard mask material layer, where the tri-layer hard mask includes an bottom organic layer (ODL), a middle silicon-containing hard mask bottom anti-reflection coating (SHB) layer and a top photoresist layer, and an etching process is then performed, to remove parts of the tri-layer hard mask, parts of the hard mask material layer and parts of the target layer in sequence, so as to form at least one opening in the target layer, where during the step for removing parts of the hard mask material layer, a lateral etching rate of the hard mask material layer is smaller than a lateral etching rate of the ODL. |
| US09799549B2 |
Process for manufacturing a composite structure
The disclosure relates to a process for manufacturing a composite structure, the process comprising the following steps: a) providing a donor substrate and a carrier substrate; b) forming a dielectric layer; c) forming a covering layer; d) forming a weakened zone in the donor substrate; e) joining the carrier substrate and the donor substrate via a contact surface having an outline; f) fracturing the donor substrate via the weakened zone, steps b) and e) being executed so that the outline is inscribed in the outline, and step c) being executed so that the covering layer covers the peripheral surface of the dielectric layer. |
| US09799544B2 |
Robot assemblies, substrate processing apparatus, and methods for transporting substrates in electronic device manufacturing
A robot assembly allowing remote actuation of a carriage supported robot. The robot assembly includes a track, a carriage moveable along the track, and a robot mounted to the carriage. The robot includes at least a first arm, and a first driven member coupled to the first arm. The robot assembly further includes a drive assembly having a first driving member, a first transmission member coupled to the first driving member and the first driven member, and a first drive motor coupled to the first driving member. The first drive motor is configured to move the first driving member causing remote rotation of the first driven member and rotation of the first arm. Substrate processing apparatus and methods of transporting a substrate within a substrate processing apparatus are also provided, as are numerous other aspects. |
| US09799543B2 |
Process box, arrangements and methods for processing coated substrates
A transportable process box for processing substrates coated on one side is described. The box has a base for the placement of a first substrate in a manner such that the latter is supported over the full area, a frame, a cover which is placed onto the frame, and an intermediate element which is arranged between the base and the cover and is intended for the placement of a second substrate in a manner such that the latter is supported over the full area. Arrangements and methods for processing substrates are also described. |
| US09799541B1 |
Multiple wafer single bath etcher
An etcher comprises a bath, a plurality of blades, and a tunnel. The bath includes a first electrode at a first end and a second electrode at a second end. The plurality of blades is configured to fit in the bath. At least one blade of the plurality of blades holds a wafer. At least one tunnel is configured to fit between adjacent blades of the plurality of blades in the bath. |
| US09799539B2 |
Method and apparatus for liquid treatment of wafer shaped articles
In an apparatus for treating a wafer-shaped article, a spin chuck is provided for holding and rotating a wafer-shaped article. A liquid dispenser comprises a check valve positioned so as to prevent process liquid from dripping out of a discharge nozzle of the liquid dispenser. A valve seat of the check valve is at a distance in a range of 20 mm to 100 mm from an outlet opening of said discharge nozzle. |
| US09799535B2 |
Heat-treatment furnace
The disclosed heat-treatment furnace, used in a semiconductor-substrate heat-treatment step, is characterized by the provision of a cylindrical core, both ends of which have openings sized so as to allow insertion and removal of semiconductor substrates. This reduces standby time between batches during consecutive semiconductor heat treatment, thereby improving productivity. Furthermore, the use of a simple cylindrical shape for the structure of the core reduces the frequency at which gas-introduction pipe sections fail, thereby decreasing the running cost of the heat-treatment process. |
| US09799533B2 |
Methods of etching films comprising transition metals
Provided are methods for etching films comprising transition metals. Certain methods involve activating a substrate surface comprising at least one transition metal, wherein activation of the substrate surface comprises exposing the substrate surface to heat, a plasma, an oxidizing environment, or a halide transfer agent to provide an activated substrate surface; and exposing the activated substrate surface to a reagent comprising a Lewis base or pi acid to provide a vapor phase coordination complex comprising one or more atoms of the transition metal coordinated to one or more ligands from the reagent. Certain other methods provide selective etching from a multi-layer substrate comprising two or more of a layer of Co, a layer of Cu and a layer of Ni. |
| US09799532B2 |
CMP polishing solution and polishing method
The CMP polishing liquid of the invention comprises a metal salt containing at least one type of metal selected from the group consisting of metals of Groups 8, 11, 12 and 13, 1,2,4-triazole, a phosphorus acid, an oxidizing agent and abrasive grains. The polishing method of the invention comprises a step of polishing at least a palladium layer with an abrasive cloth while supplying a CMP polishing liquid between the palladium layer of a substrate having the palladium layer and the abrasive cloth, wherein the CMP polishing liquid comprises a metal salt containing at least one type of metal selected from the group consisting of metals of Groups 8, 11, 12 and 13, 1,2,4-triazole, a phosphorus acid, an oxidizing agent and abrasive grains. |
| US09799527B2 |
Double trench isolation
Isolation is provided by forming a first trench, depositing a cover layer on the bottom and sidewalls of the first trench, selectively removing the cover layer from the bottom and forming a second trench extending from the bottom of the first trench. The second trench is then substantially filled by thermal oxide formed by oxidation and the first trench is subsequently filled with a deposited dielectric. |
| US09799526B2 |
Liquid composition and etching method for etching silicon substrate
An etching method includes etching a silicon substrate with a liquid composition containing an alkaline organic compound, water, and a boron compound with a content in the range of 1% by mass to 14% by mass. The boron compound is at least one of boron sesquioxide, sodium tetraborate, metaboric acid, sodium perborate, sodium borohydride, zinc borate, and ammonium borate. |
| US09799525B2 |
Semiconductor device, related manufacturing method, and related electronic device
A semiconductor device may include the following elements: a first doped region; a second doped region, which contacts the first doped region; a third doped region, which contacts the first doped region; a first dielectric layer, which contacts the above-mentioned doped regions; a first gate member, which is conductive and comprises a first gate portion, a second gate portion, and a third gate portion, wherein the first gate portion contacts the first dielectric layer, wherein the second gate portion is positioned between the first gate portion and the third gate portion, and wherein a width of the second portion is unequal to a width of the third gate portion; a doped portion, which is positioned between the third gate portion and the third doped region; a second gate member; and a second dielectric layer, which is positioned between the third gate portion and the second gate member. |
| US09799524B2 |
Extended drain MOS device for FDSOI devices
A field effect transistor (FET) with raised source/drain region of the device so as to constrain the epitaxial growth of the drain region. The arrangement of the spacer layer is created by depositing a photoresist over the extended drain layer during a photolithographic process. |
| US09799522B2 |
Aluminum oxide passivation and damage removal for solar cells
The present application provides effective and efficient structures and methods for the formation of solar cell base and emitter regions and passivation layers using laser processing. Laser absorbent passivation materials are formed on a solar cell substrate and patterned using laser ablation to form base and emitter regions. Laser damage to the solar cell substrate is removed using an etch. |
| US09799519B1 |
Selective sputtering with light mass ions to sharpen sidewall of subtractively patterned conductive metal layer
A dielectric layer is formed on a silicon substrate. A liner layer is formed on the dielectric layer. A conductive metal layer is formed on the liner layer. A first sputter etching operation is performed on the conductive metal layer, wherein the first sputter etching operation uses a first type of etch chemistry configured to subtractively pattern the conductive metal layer for a first etching time period resulting in the remaining conductive metal layer having respective sidewalls that are not substantially vertical. A second sputter etching operation is performed on the remaining conductive metal layer, wherein the second sputter etching operation uses a second type of etch chemistry configured to further subtractively pattern the remaining conductive metal layer for a second etching time period resulting in the remaining conductive metal layer having respective sidewalls that are substantially vertical. The conductive metal layer remaining after the second sputter etching operation comprises a metal interconnect. |
| US09799517B2 |
Apparatus and method for light-irradiation heat treatment
Light is applied for preheating from a halogen lamp to a lower surface of a semiconductor wafer supported on a susceptor within a chamber. Thereafter, flash light is applied for flash heating from a flash lamp to an upper surface of the semiconductor wafer. Treatment gas supplied from a gas supply source is heated by a heater, and supplied into the chamber. A flow amount control valve is provided to increase a flow amount of the treatment gas supplied into the chamber. Contaminants discharged from a film of the semiconductor wafer during heat treatment are discharged to the outside of the chamber with a gas flow formed by a large amount of high-temperature treatment gas supplied into the chamber to reduce contamination inside the chamber. |
| US09799514B1 |
Protecting, oxidizing, and etching of material lines for use in increasing or decreasing critical dimensions of hard mask lines
A method includes, for example, a starting semiconductor structure comprising a plurality of material lines disposed over a hard mask, and the hard mask disposed over a patternable layer, forming a first protective layer over some of the plurality of material lines, the protected material lines and the unprotected material lines having a same corresponding first critical dimension, oxidizing the unprotected material lines so that the oxidized unprotected material lines have an increased second critical dimension greater than the first critical dimension, removing the first protective layer, forming a second protective layer over some of the plurality of protected material lines having the first critical dimension and some of the oxidized material lines having the second critical dimension, and oxidizing the unprotected material lines so that the oxidized unprotected material lines have an increased third critical dimension greater than the first critical dimension. |
| US09799512B1 |
Semiconductor substrate structures and methods for forming the same
A semiconductor substrate structure includes a seed layer on a substrate, a first gallium nitride layer on the seed layer, and a patterned first hard mask layer on the first gallium nitride layer, wherein the patterned first hard mask layer includes a first opening. The semiconductor substrate structure also includes a second gallium nitride layer in the first opening and on the patterned first hard mask layer, a patterned second hard mask layer on the second gallium nitride layer, wherein the patterned second hard mask layer includes a second opening, and at least a portion of a projection on the substrate of the first opening and a projection on the substrate of the second opening are non-overlapped. The semiconductor substrate structure further includes a third gallium nitride layer in the second opening and on the patterned second hard mask layer. |
| US09799510B2 |
Method for producing metal oxide film and method for producing transistor
Provided is a technology for efficiently obtaining a metal oxide film having good adhesiveness. A method of producing a metal oxide film includes: an application step of applying a solution containing an organic metal complex onto a substrate; an ozone exposure step of exposing the resultant coating film to ozone; and a heating step of heating the coating film. |
| US09799508B2 |
Process of forming nitride semiconductor device
A process of forming a nitride semiconductor device is disclosed. The process includes steps of (a) implanting impurities into a portion of nitride semiconductor layers epitaxially grown on a substrate; (b) forming a silicon nitride (SiN) film on the nitride semiconductor layers; and (c) annealing the nitride semiconductor layers for activating the implanted impurities as covering the nitride semiconductor layers by the SiN film. The process has a feature that the SiN film shows, in a Fourier Transformation Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy measured before the step of annealing, absorbance peaks attributed to translational motions of a Si—H bond and an N—H bond at most 1/30 of an absorbance peak attributed to a SiN bond. |
| US09799502B2 |
Aperture gas flow restriction
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising two vacuum chambers maintained at different pressures. The two vacuum chambers are interconnected by a differential pumping aperture. The effective area of the opening between the two vacuum chambers may be varied by rotating a disk having an aperture in front of the differential pumping aperture so as to vary the gas flow rate through the opening and between the two chambers. |
| US09799501B2 |
Sample mounting plate
A sample mounting plate has: a substrate made of alumina ceramic which exhibits white; and a cover layer which is laminated so as to cover the front surface of the substrate and which has multiple grooves formed in some areas. The cover layer has: a conductive interference layer which exhibits conductivity and is configured so as to exhibit a prescribed color (such as navy blue) through light interference and which is laminated on the substrate; and a water-repellent layer which exhibits higher water repellency than that of the substrate and is laminated on at least a part of the conductive interference layer and on which a sample is to be mounted. |
| US09799499B2 |
Mass spectrometric method, mass spectrometer, and mass spectrometric data processing program
In a mass spectrometric method of the invention, a mass spectrometer (2) is used having a mass separation unit (231, 234) before and after a collision cell (232) for fragmenting ions. When a product ion corresponding to a precursor ion set for a sample is selected by performing product ion scan with respect to the precursor ion, an exclusion range of mass-to-charge ratios is set based on information on non-selection ions input by a user, and a product ion that satisfies a predefined criterion is selected within a range of mass-to-charge ratios excluding the exclusion range in a product ion spectrum. According to the mass spectrometric method of the invention, product ions suited for measurement on a target compound can be selected. |
| US09799493B2 |
Electrical transformer
Systems and methods for managing electric power are disclosed. In an aspect, a system can comprise plasma disposed in a housing and a pair of helical electrodes disposed in the housing, wherein an electric current passing through the pair of electrodes induces a rotation in the plasma. |
| US09799491B2 |
Low electron temperature etch chamber with independent control over plasma density, radical composition and ion energy for atomic precision etching
The disclosure concerns a method of operating a plasma reactor having an electron beam plasma source for independently adjusting electron beam energy, plasma ion energy and radical population. The disclosure further concerns an electron beam source for a plasma reactor having an RF-driven electrode for producing the electron beam. |
| US09799488B2 |
Method and apparatus for neutral beam processing based on gas cluster ion beam technology
A method of improving the surface of an object treats the surface with a neutral beam formed from a gas cluster ion mean to create a surface texture and/or increase surface area. |
| US09799482B2 |
Device manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of magnetic device using structure to pass ion beam
A device manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of a magnetic device. The device manufacturing apparatus can include a substrate holding portion configured to hold a substrate, an ion source, an anode disposed in a housing of the ion source, and a cathode disposed outside the housing of the ion source. A first opening can be disposed in a portion of the housing such the anode is exposed to a region between the anode and the substrate holding portion. The ion source can be configured to generate an ion beam with which the substrate is irradiated. A first structure can be disposed between the ion source and the substrate holding portion. The first structure can have a first through hole through which the ion beam can pass. The first structure can include a conductor, and an opening dimension of the first through hole can be equal to or larger than an opening dimension of the first opening. |
| US09799480B2 |
CT system
The embodiments relate to a CT system with a stationary part and a rotatable part, which is supported rotatably in the stationary part. At least one x-ray tube unit cooled by a cooling fluid, an x-ray detector lying opposite the x-ray tube unit, and a cooling device coupled in terms of fluid technology to the x-ray tube unit via a coolant circuit are disposed in the rotatable part. A cooling air channel, through which cooling air is able to be fed into the rotatable part, and an exhaust air channel, through which heated exhaust air is able to be taken away from the rotatable part, are disposed in the stationary part. In accordance with the embodiments, at least one overpressure relief valve is disposed in the coolant circuit, through which the cooling fluid is able to be conveyed away in the exhaust air channel. |
| US09799467B1 |
Key structure
A key structure includes a supporting plate, a keycap, a frame and a movable plate. The supporting plate is disposed over the movable plate. The keycap is disposed over the supporting plate. The frame is disposed over the supporting plate and arranged around the keycap. The frame includes a linking element. The linking element is inserted in a groove of the movable plate. While the movable plate is moved, the linking element is moved along the groove in response to the movement of the movable plate and the frame is ascended to a position at the same level with the keycap. Consequently, the top surface of the frame and the top surface of the keycap are collaboratively defined as a flat surface. |
| US09799466B2 |
Keyboard switch
A keyboard switch, including a base; a static contact; a moving contact; an upper cover; a button; a reset spring; an X-shaped rack structure; and a holding part. The X-shaped rack structure includes a first connecting rack and a second connecting rack. The first connecting rack includes a first balancing lever and two first connecting parts sleeving on the first balancing lever, the second connecting rack includes a second balancing lever and two second connecting parts sleeving on the second balancing lever; opposite surfaces of the two first connecting parts each are provided with one boss, facing surfaces of the two second connecting parts each are provided with one round hole, and the boss is inserted in the round hole so that two ends of the two first connecting racks and two ends of the two second connecting racks are connected to form two X-shaped structures. |
| US09799459B2 |
High pore volume utilization carbon and electric double layer capacitor
An electric double layer capacitor electrode, including: an activated carbon having: a pore volume utilization efficiency (PVUE) of from about 200 to 290 F/cm3, wherein PVUE is the ratio of the activated carbon gravimetric capacitance (F/g) to the pore volume (cm3/g) of the activated carbon; a low non-linearity value of from 0.1 to 5%; and a total pore volume of from 0.32 to 0.56 cm3/g. Also disclosed is a method of making an electric double layer capacitor electrode, and a method of characterizing the performance of activated carbon, and the electrode, in an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) device, as defined, herein. |
| US09799458B2 |
Electrode for capacitor and capacitor using same
A capacitor electrode includes a collector, and an electrode layer disposed in contact with the collector and capable of inserting and releasing cations. The electrode layer includes first carbon material particles capable of inserting and releasing cations and second carbon material particles capable of inserting and releasing cations. The average particle diameter of primary particles of the second carbon material particles is smaller than the average particle diameter of primary particles of the first carbon material particles. In the electrode layer, the content amount of the second carbon material particles is smaller than the content amount of the first carbon material particles. |
| US09799457B2 |
Electrode for solar cells and preparation method
Electrode comprising a conductive substrate on which a uniform layer of aggregates A, having an average diameter ranging from 40 to 100 nm, is deposited, on which a non-homogeneous distribution of aggregates B, having an average diameter ranging from 300 nm to 1,200 nm, is superimposed, both of said aggregates being composed of particles containing one or more metals Me selected from platinum, palladium and gold, having an average diameter ranging from 8 to 10 nm. The use of said electrode, as cathode, for DSSC devices produces a marked improvement in the performances of the cell with respect to the results that can be obtained with known cathodes. |
| US09799456B2 |
Solid electrolyte capacitor
Provided is a solid electrolyte capacitor which includes: a bottomed cylindrical housing which includes a bottom surface portion and a side surface portion raised from the bottom surface portion, and has an opening portion formed on an edge portion of the side surface portion; a capacitor element which is accommodated in the inside of the housing, and is formed by winding an anode foil and a cathode foil in an overlapping state with a separator interposed therebetween and by filling a space formed between the anode foil and the cathode foil with a solid electrolyte; a sealing member which seals the opening portion of the housing in a state where the capacitor element is accommodated in the inside of the housing; and a composite sheet which is arranged between the bottom surface portion of the housing and the capacitor element, and has the structure where a resin made of a high-molecular weight compound is retained in a fiber sheet containing at least cellulose fibers. |
| US09799454B1 |
High power capacitor
An AC capacitor including a first electrode with an electrically conductive rod protruding from surface of the first electrode, a second electrode including an opening, a bobbin located between the first and the second electrode the bobbin includes a hollow central section. The axis of the electrically conductive rod protruding from surface of the first electrode is coaxial with axis of the hollow bobbin and the electrically conductive rod passes through the hollow central section of the bobbin and through the opening in the second electrode allowing current flow. |
| US09799452B2 |
Ceramic electronic component and method of manufacturing the same
A ceramic electronic component includes a rectangular or substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped stack in which a ceramic layer and an internal electrode are alternately stacked and an external electrode provided on a portion of a surface of the stack and electrically connected to the internal electrode. The external electrode includes an inner external electrode covering a portion of the surface of the stack and including a mixture of a resin component and a metal component and an outer external electrode covering the inner external electrode and including a metal component. The inner external electrode includes a plurality of holes. An average opening diameter of the plurality of holes is not greater than about 2.5 μm. Some or all of the plurality of holes are embedded with the metal component of the outer external electrode. |
| US09799451B2 |
Dielectric composition and multilayer ceramic capacitor containing the same
A dielectric composition and a multilayer ceramic capacitor containing the same are provided. The dielectric composition contains an oxide of Ba and Ti as a main ingredient, and the main ingredient is represented by (Ba1-x(Na, Ca)x)TiO3, where 0.005≦x≦0.035 and 0.994<(Ba1-x(Na, Ca)x)/Ti<1.003. |
| US09799449B2 |
Multilayered ceramic capacitor with improved lead frame attachment
A capacitor with improved lead frame attachment is described wherein the improved lead frame attachment mitigates defects. The capacitor comprises parallel conductive internal electrodes of alternating polarity with a dielectric between the conductive internal electrodes. A first copper undercoat is in electrical contact with the conductive internal electrodes of a first polarity and a second copper undercoat is in electrical contact with conductive internal electrodes of a second polarity. A first lead is in electrical contact with the first copper undercoat with a first solder between the first lead and the first copper undercoat. A second lead is in electrical contact with the second copper undercoat with a second solder between the second lead and the second copper undercoat. |
| US09799444B2 |
Reconfigurable directional coupler
This disclosure relates generally to directional couplers. In one embodiment, a directional coupler includes a first port, a second port, a third port, a first inductive element, a second inductive element, a first switchable path, and a second switchable path. The first inductive element is coupled between the first port and the second port, while the second inductive element is mutually coupled to the first inductive element. The first switchable path is configured to be opened and closed, wherein the first switchable path is coupled between a first location of the second inductive element and the third port. The second switchable path is configured to be opened and closed, wherein the second switchable path is coupled between a second location of the second inductive element and the third port. In this manner, a directivity of the directional coupler can be switched between a forward direction and a reverse direction. |
| US09799443B2 |
Wireless power transfer through embedded geometric configurations
A wireless power transmission system includes a planar source conductor configured to generate a first periodically fluctuating electromagnetic near field in response to an alternating current received from the power source. A planar resonant source element is coplanar with the planar source conductor and has a first resonant frequency. The planar resonant source element has a Q factor that is at a maximum at the first resonant frequency. A planar resonant load element resonates at the first resonant frequency. A planar load conductor is electromagnetically coupled to and coplanar with the planar resonant load element and generates a current in response to the second periodically fluctuating electromagnetic near field from the planar resonant load element. |
| US09799441B2 |
Transformer and plasma generator
A transformer includes: a first winding; a second winding provided to maintain a first distance to the first winding; and a shell that seals the first winding and the second winding. |
| US09799437B2 |
Solenoid actuator
A plunger is formed of a soft magnetic material to have one end connected a regulation pin. A permanent magnet is affixed to a stationary portion to attract the plunger in a retreated direction. A coil generates a magnetic flux in an opposite direction of the permanent magnet to reduce a magneto attraction force, which attracts the plunger. A spring biases the regulation pin in an advanced direction. The spring applies a biasing force to the regulation pin to move the regulation pin in the advanced direction when electricity is supplied to the coil to reduce the magneto attraction force of the permanent magnet. A molded portion defines a magnet accommodation hole and a cover member covers the permanent magnet housed in the magnet accommodation hole. A magnetism detection unit is disposed on an opposite side of an inner surface of the cover from the permanent magnet. |
| US09799436B2 |
Magnetic attraction-fixing assembly, two-piece apparatus, and rotating support structure for a portable device having the magnetic attraction-fixing assembly
A magnetic attraction-fixing assembly and a rotating support structure for a portable device are provided. The magnetic attraction-fixing assembly includes two magnetic units, the two magnetic units stacked with and attracting each other; wherein each of the magnetic units respectively comprises a circular magnetic component and at least one annular magnetic component around the circular magnetic component, a magnetic pole of the circular plane of the circular magnetic component is an unlike pole to a magnetic pole of an annular plane of the annular magnetic component that is adjacent to the circular magnetic component. The rotating support structure comprises two magnetic units and a body. Magnetic attractions in both radial and axial directions are enhanced. |
| US09799434B2 |
Magnetic field generating device and superconducting rotary machine comprising magnetic field generating device
A magnetic field generating device includes a superconducting coil formed by winding a superconductive wire material; an unseparated conductor plate which includes an electric conductor and is placed such that the conductor plate is insulated from the superconducting coil and is adjacent to the superconducting coil in a winding axis direction of the superconducting coil, and one of main surfaces of the conductor plate faces the superconducting coil; and a protection circuit which is connected in parallel with the superconducting coil and attenuates a current flowing through the superconducting coil. |
| US09799433B2 |
Superconducting magnet
A superconducting magnet includes a superconducting coil, a refrigerant container, a radiation shield, a vacuum container, a refrigerating machine cooling an interior of the refrigerant container, a tubular current lead passing from outside of the vacuum container to inside of the refrigerant container electrically connected to the superconducting coil, a power source electrically connected to the current lead, a manometer measuring a pressure inside of the refrigerant container, a thermometer to measure a temperature of the current lead, and a control unit connected to each of the power source, the manometer, and the thermometer. The control unit raises an output of the power source to vary a value of a current flowing into superconducting coil only when a measurement value of the manometer is higher than or equal to a set value and a measurement value of the thermometer is lower than or equal to a set value. |
| US09799432B2 |
Grain oriented electrical steel sheet
A grain oriented electrical steel sheet has a magnetic domain structure modified by strain introduction without a trace of treatment, in which noise generated when the grain oriented electrical steel sheet is used laminated on an iron core of a transformer is effectively reduced by: setting a magnetic flux density B8 to 1.92 T or higher; then setting a ratio of average magnetic domain width of treated surface after strain-introducing treatment Wa to average magnetic domain width before strain-introducing treatment W0 as Wa/W0<0.4; and setting a ratio of Wa to average magnetic domain width of untreated surface Wb as Wa/Wb>0.7; and further setting a ratio of average width of magnetic domain discontinuous portion Wd in the untreated surface to average width of magnetic domain discontinuous portion in treated surface resulting from strain-introducing treatment Wc as Wd/Wc>0.8; and setting Wc<0.35 mm. |
| US09799429B2 |
Coaxial cable with dielectric layer having sealed segments and method of making same
A coaxial cable includes: a center conductor; a dielectric layer circumferentially surrounding the center conductor; and an outer conductor circumferentially surrounding the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer comprises an inner sleeve that circumferentially overlies the center conductor and an outer sleeve that circumferentially overlies the inner conductor. The outer sleeve contacts the inner sleeve to form a plurality of longitudinally-spaced seams to create a plurality of sealed segments along a longitudinal axis of the cable. |
| US09799427B2 |
Wire harness and method for producing wire harness
A lighter and more space-saving wire harness that has a function of retaining the shape of part of electric wires and an electromagnetic shield function. The wire harness includes a plurality of spliced and sheathed electric wires and a conductive shielding member. Each of the spliced and sheathed electric wires has a spliced core wire and an insulating sheath that covers the spliced core wire. The spliced core wire includes a first core wire that is a single conductive wire, and a second core wire that is a bundle of a plurality of conductive wires that are thinner and shorter than the first core wire, the second core wire being connected to an end portion of the first core wire. The shielding member is formed in a flexible tubular shape, and collectively covers the plurality of spliced and sheathed electric wires. |
| US09799423B2 |
Cable and method of manufacturing the same
A cable is provided and includes a first conductor, a second conductor, and a PTC material layer. The PTC material layer is directly bonded to and electrically connects the first conductor and the second conductor. |
| US09799421B2 |
Thick print copper pastes for aluminum nitride substrates
The invention provides an electroconductive paste comprising 50-90 wt. % of copper particle, 0.5-10 wt. % of a glass frit, 0.1-5% wt. % of adhesion promoter, which is at least one selected member from the group consisting of cuprous oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, boron resinate, zirconium resinate, amorphous boron, lithium phosphate, bismuth oxide, aluminum oxide, and zinc oxide, and 5-20 wt. % of an organic vehicle. An article comprising an aluminum nitride substrate and electroconductive paste of the invention is also provided. A method of forming an electroconductive circuit comprising is also provided. |
| US09799420B2 |
Conductive aniline polymer, method for producing same, and method for producing conductive film
When measuring the molecular mass distribution of conductive aniline polymer of formula (1) by GPC and converting its retention time into molecular mass (M) in terms of sodium polystyrene sulfonate, for the molecular mass (M), the area ratio (X/Y) of the area (X) of a region of 15,000 Da or more to the area (Y) of a region of less than 15,000 Da is 1.20 or more. A method for producing such a polymer includes: polymerization step (Z1) where specific aniline derivative (A) is polymerized in a solution containing basic compound (B), solvent (C), and oxidizing agent (D) at a liquid temperature lower than 25° C.; or polymerization step (Z2) where specific aniline derivative (A) and oxidizing agent (D) are added to and polymerized in a solution of a conductive aniline polymer (P-1) with a unit of formula (1) dissolved or dispersed in a solvent (C). |
| US09799417B2 |
Method and system for the thermoelectric conversion of nuclear reactor generated heat
A method and system for the thermoelectric conversion of nuclear reactor generated heat including upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy and supplying the electrical energy to a mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system. |
| US09799415B2 |
Method for controlling aluminum dissolution
A process for controlling the dissolution of a metal in an acid bath is described. The metal may comprise aluminum and the acid bath may contain a metal catalyst that causes the metal to dissolve. In order to control the rate of dissolution, the metal can be contacted with a cathodic member. In one embodiment, the process can be completely stopped even without removing the metal from the acid bath. The cathodic member provides anodic protection to the metal. In one embodiment, the cathodic member is made from a nickel-chromium-based alloy. |
| US09799409B2 |
Read-only memory (ROM) architecture with selective encoding
Embodiments provide improved memory bitcells, memory arrays, and memory architectures. In an embodiment, a memory array includes a plurality of memory cells to store data bits. Each of the plurality of memory cells includes a transistor having drain, source, and gate terminals, and a plurality of program nodes, each of the program nodes charged to a predetermined voltage and coupled to a respective one of a plurality of bit lines. For each memory cell in a subset of the plurality of memory cells, none of the plurality of program nodes is coupled to the drain terminal of the transistor to program the each memory cell in the subset of the plurality of memory cells to store at least one data bit, the at least one data bit is most occurred between the data bits. |
| US09799408B2 |
Memory circuit with leakage compensation
A memory array comprising a word line and a bit line is disclosed. Each of a plurality of memory cells of the memory array has a first terminal connected to the bit line and a current path between the first terminal and a respective second terminal. A first memory cell of the plurality of memory cells has the second terminal coupled to receive a first supply voltage when selected by the word line. A second memory cell of the plurality of memory cells has the second terminal coupled to receive a voltage different from the first supply voltage when the first memory cell is selected by the word line. |
| US09799406B2 |
Memory system
A memory system includes a memory device, and a controller which controls the memory device. The memory device includes a plurality of memory cells capable of rewriting data, a plurality of word lines connected to the plurality of memory cells, a page including the plurality of memory cells connected to the same word line, a plane including a plurality of pages, a memory cell array including a plurality of planes, and a plurality of word line drivers which apply voltages to the plurality of word lines, and a plurality of switches provided for each plane and which assigns the word line drivers to the word lines. |
| US09799403B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a first memory cell, a second memory cell above the first memory cell, a first word line electrically connected to a gate of the first memory cell, a second word line electrically connected to a gate of the second memory cell, and a control unit that performs an erasing operation on the first and second memory cells. During the erasing operation, the control unit applies a first voltage to a first word line and a second voltage higher than the first voltage to a second word line. |
| US09799402B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and program method thereof
A nonvolatile memory system includes first and second nonvolatile memory devices and a memory controller configured to control the first and second nonvolatile memory devices through one channel. During a program operation, the memory controller transmits first signals, for setting first page data up in the first nonvolatile memory device, to the first nonvolatile memory device through the channel. While the first nonvolatile memory device sets up the first page data in response to the first signals, the memory controller transmits second signals, for setting second page data up in the second nonvolatile memory device, to the second nonvolatile memory device. |
| US09799399B2 |
Nonvolatile memory devices including controller for operating nonvolatile memory cell array layer in memory chip in one of memory mode and storage mode
A nonvolatile memory module including a plurality of memory chips and a module controller on a printed circuit board (PCB) may be provided. Each of the plurality of memory chips may include a plurality of nonvolatile memory cell array layers stacked on a substrate in a three dimensional structure. The module controller may control operations of the plurality of memory chips. The module controller may operate each of the plurality of nonvolatile memory cell array layers included in each of the plurality of memory chips in one of a memory mode, in which a corresponding nonvolatile memory cell array layer is used as a working memory area that temporarily stores data for an operation of the nonvolatile memory module, and a storage mode, in which the corresponding nonvolatile memory cell array layer is used as a storage area that preserves data. |
| US09799398B2 |
Memory cell verification circuits, memory cell sense circuits and memory cell verification methods
Memory sense amplifiers and memory verification methods are described. According to one aspect, a memory sense amplifier includes a first input coupled with a memory element of a memory cell, wherein the memory element has different memory states at different moments in time, a second input configured to receive a reference signal, modification circuitry configured to provide a data signal at the first input from the memory element having a plurality of different voltages corresponding to respective ones of different memory states of the memory cell at the different moments in time, and comparison circuitry coupled with the modification circuitry and configured to compare the data signal and the reference signal at the different moments in time and to provide an output signal indicative of the memory state of the memory cell at the different moments in time as a result of the comparison to implement a plurality of verify operations of the memory states of the memory cell at the different moments in time. |
| US09799395B2 |
Sense amplifier in low power and high performance SRAM
A static random access memory (SRAM) includes an array of storage cells and a first sense amplifier. The array of storage cells is arranged as rows and columns. The rows correspond to word lines and the columns correspond to bit lines. The first sense amplifier includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first sense amplifier is configured to provide a first read of a first storage cell of the array of storage cells. Based on the first read of the first storage cell failing to correctly read data stored in the first storage cell, the first sense amplifier is configured to increment a body bias of the first transistor a first time. In response to the body bias of the first transistor being incremented, the first sense amplifier is configured to provide a second read of the first storage cell. |
| US09799394B2 |
Static random access memory (SRAM) with recovery circuit for a write operation
A static random access memory (SRAM) including at least a memory cell array, a first data line, a second data line, a third data line and a driver circuit. The first data line is electrically coupled with the memory cell array. The second data line is electrically coupled with the memory cell array. The driver circuit is electrically coupled with the first data line, the second data line and the third data line. The driver circuit includes a recovery circuit electrically coupled with the first data line, the second data line and the third data line. During a write operation of the SRAM, the recovery circuit is configured to pull a voltage level of the first data line to a first voltage level when the recovery circuit is enabled. |
| US09799393B1 |
Methods, apparatus and system for providing NMOS-only memory cells
A memory device having a memory cell comprising NMOS only transistors. An SRAM bit cell comprises a first pass gate (PG) NMOS transistor coupled to a first bit line signal and a word line signal; a second PG NMOS transistor coupled to a second bit line signal and the word line signal; a first pull down (PD) NMOS transistor operatively coupled to the first PG NMOS transistor; a second PD NMOS transistor operatively coupled to the second PG NMOS transistor; a first pull up (PU) NMOS transistor operatively coupled to the first PD NMOS transistor; and a second PU NMOS transistor operatively coupled to the second PD NMOS transistor. Each of the back gates of the first and second PU NMOS transistors are coupled to a predetermined voltage signal for biasing the first and second PU NMOS transistors. |
| US09799392B2 |
Memory device comprising electrically floating body transistor
A semiconductor memory instance is provided that includes an array of memory cells. The array includes a plurality of semiconductor memory cells arranged in at least one column and at least one row. Each of the semiconductor memory cells includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell. Further includes are a plurality of buried well regions, wherein each of the buried well regions can be individually selected, and a decoder circuit to select at least one of the buried well regions. |
| US09799388B1 |
Charge sharing between memory cell plates using a conductive path
Methods, systems, techniques, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A first ferroelectric memory cell may be used to charge a second ferroelectric memory cell by transferring charge from a plate of first ferroelectric memory cell to a plate of the second ferroelectric memory cell. In some examples, prior to the transfer of charge, the first ferroelectric memory cell may be selected for a first operation in which the first ferroelectric memory cell transitions from a charged state to a discharged state and the second ferroelectric memory cell may be selected for a second operation during which the second ferroelectric memory cell transitions from a discharged state to a charged state. The discharging of the first ferroelectric memory cell may be used to assist in charging the second ferroelectric memory cell. |
| US09799386B1 |
STT MRAM midpoint reference cell allowing full write
Improved STT MRAM midpoint reference cell configurations are provided. In one aspect, a STT MRAM midpoint reference cell includes: a plurality of word lines having at least one write reference word line and at least one read reference word line; a plurality of bit lines perpendicular to the word lines; at least one source line perpendicular to the bit lines; at least one first magnetic tunnel junction in series with i) a first field effect transistor gated by the write reference word line and ii) a second field effect transistor gated by the read reference word line; and at least one second magnetic tunnel junction in series with iii) a third field effect transistor gated by the write reference word line and iv) a fourth field effect transistor gated by the read reference word line. A method of operating a STT MRAM midpoint reference cell is also provided. |
| US09799385B2 |
Resistance change memory
According to one embodiment, a resistance change memory includes a memory cell, a reference voltage generating circuit, a first transistor and a sense amplifier. The memory cell includes a resistance change element. The reference voltage generating circuit generates a reference adjustment voltage. The first transistor provides a reference current in accordance with the reference adjustment voltage. The sense amplifier compares a cell current flowing through the memory cell with the reference current flowing through the first transistor. |
| US09799384B2 |
Multi-bit MRAM cell and method for writing and reading to such MRAM cell
A multi-bit magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cell including a magnetic tunnel junction including: a first magnetic storage layer, a second magnetic storage layer, a magnetic sense layer, a first spacer layer between the first magnetic storage layer and the magnetic sense layer, and a second spacer layer between the second magnetic storage layer and the sense layer. The first and second storage magnetization are switchable between m directions to store data corresponding to one of m2 logic states, with m>2. The present disclosure further concerns a method for writing and reading to the MRAM cell and to memory devices including multi-bit MRAM cells. |
| US09799382B2 |
Method for providing a magnetic junction on a substrate and usable in a magnetic device
A method for providing a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device and a magnetic junction are described. A reference layer, a crystalline MgO tunneling barrier layer and a free layer are provided. The crystalline MgO tunneling barrier layer is continuous, has a (001) orientation and has a thickness of not more than eleven Angstroms and not less than two Angstroms. The crystalline MgO tunneling barrier layer is between the free layer and the reference layer. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction. |
| US09799379B2 |
Hold time aware register file module and method therefor
A register file module comprising at least one register array comprising a plurality of latch devices is described. The plurality of latch devices is arranged to individually provide memory bit-cells when the register file module is configured to operate in a first, functional operating mode, and at least one clock control component is arranged to receive a clock signal and to propagate the clock signal to the latch devices within the at least one register array. The register file module is configurable to operate in a second, scan mode in which the latch devices within the at least one register array are arranged into at least one scan chain. The at least one clock control component is arranged to propagate the clock signal to the latch devices within the at least one register array such that alternate latch devices within the at least one scan chain receive an inverted form of the clock signal. |
| US09799378B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for performing compare operations using sensing circuitry
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to performing compare and/or report operations using sensing circuitry. An example method can include charging an input/output (IO) line of a memory array to a voltage. The method can include determining whether data stored in the memory array matches a compare value. The determination of whether data stored matches a compare value can include activating a number of access lines of the memory array. The determination can include sensing a number of memory cells coupled to the number of access lines. The determination can include sensing whether the voltage of the IO line changes in response to activation of selected decode lines corresponding to the number of memory cells. |
| US09799376B2 |
Method and device for video browsing based on keyframe
A method for video browsing includes comparing a current image frame with a previous image frame prior to the current image frame in a video to obtain target block information, identifying the current image frame as a keyframe if the target block information satisfies a predetermined condition, and playing the keyframe. |
| US09799374B2 |
Method and system for tracking and analyzing browser session data within online video via the vixel delivery mechanism
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for new analytic pathways for collecting information regarding video playback by human (and automated) users. This is achieved in part by placing certain elements (Vixels) within the code of a video file prior to it being uploaded by a user who shares the video. Whenever and wherever the video is played, whether it is streamed once, downloaded and played several times thereafter, or played for a mass audience, the analytic pathway is triggered each and every time the video file is played because the elements triggering the collection of analytics exist in the video file itself. By embedding Vixels into video files at or before upload, the analytics mechanisms are triggered by the embedded Vixel regardless of how, where, when, and by whom the video is played back, forming the framework for a simpler and more accurate analytics network. |
| US09799370B2 |
Adjustable interpolation sampling interval for tape systems
In one general embodiment, a method includes determining a sampling interval for an interpolator using at least one parameter. The method further includes applying the sampling interval to the interpolator in response to determining the sampling interval. In another general embodiment, an apparatus includes an interpolator and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a sampling interval for the interpolator using at least one parameter. The controller is also configured to apply the sampling interval to the interpolator in response to determining the sampling interval. |
| US09799369B2 |
Switching period control of microwave assisted magnetic recording for pole erasure suppression
A magnetic recording system for preventing data loss resulting magnetic oscillator current. The magnetic recording system includes a magnetic write head with a magnetic write pole, a magnetic oscillator near the magnetic write pole, and a write coil for magnetizing the write pole. Circuitry is connected with the magnetic write coil to supply a current to the write coil and connected with the magnetic oscillator to supply a current to the magnetic oscillator. The circuitry is configured to ensure that the current to the magnetic oscillator does not inadvertently magnetize the write pole after the magnetic write pole has demagnetized. |
| US09799361B1 |
Dual purpose bolometric sensor for heat-assisted magnetic recording device
An apparatus comprises a slider and an optical waveguide formed in the slider and configured to receive light from a laser source. A near-field transducer (NFT) is formed on the slider at or near an air bearing surface (ABS) of the slider and optically coupled to the waveguide. A bolometric sensor is positioned proximate the NFT and exposed to at least some of the light. The bolometric sensor is configured to detect changes in output optical power of the laser source and contact between the slider and a magnetic recording medium. |
| US09799360B2 |
Magnetic disk device and correction method of head position
According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk drive in the present embodiment includes a disk including tracks, each including servo sectors, a head, and a controller configured to acquire first correction data for repeatable runout occurring in a first direction, and second correction data different from the first correction data, to write the first correction data within a first permitted range in the first direction, to write the second correction data within a write permitted range including the first permitted range and a second permitted range in a second direction opposite to the first direction, to read at least one of the first correction data and the second correction data, and to correctly place the head. |
| US09799357B1 |
Magnetic reader sensor with shield spacing improvement and better pin flop robustness
A MR sensor is disclosed with an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer recessed behind a bottom shield to reduce reader shield spacing and improve pin related noise. Above the AFM layer is an AP2/AFM coupling layer/AP1 stack that extends from an air bearing surface to the MR sensor backside. The AP2 layer is pinned by the AFM layer, and the AP1 layer serves as a reference layer to an overlying free layer during a read operation. The AP1 and AP2 layers have improved resistance to magnetization flipping because back portions thereof have a full cross-track width “w” between MR sensor sides thereby enabling greater pinning strength from the AFM layer. Front portions of the AP1/AP2 layers lie under the free layer and have a track width less than “w”. The bottom shield may have an anti-ferromagnetic coupling structure. A process flow is provided for fabricating the MR sensor. |
| US09799354B2 |
Magnetic recording head and magnetic recording and reproducing device
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a magnetic pole, a stacked body, and a first nonmagnetic layer. The stacked body includes first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the magnetic pole, and an intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer and being nonmagnetic. The first nonmagnetic layer is provided between the second magnetic layer and the magnetic pole. A product of a thickness and a saturation magnetic flux density of the second magnetic layer is larger than a product of a thickness and a saturation magnetic flux density of the first magnetic layer. The length of the first magnetic layer is shorter than a length of the second magnetic layer. A current flows from the second magnetic layer toward the first magnetic layer. |
| US09799352B1 |
Near-field transducer with isolated peg
A near-field transducer includes an enlarged portion formed of a soft plasmonic metal. A diffusion barrier is formed on one side of the enlarged portion, the diffusion barrier made of a harder material than the soft plasmonic metal. A heat sink is formed on the diffusion barrier, the heat sink made of the soft plasmonic metal. A peg is embedded in the diffusion layer so that the peg is isolated from the enlarged portion and the heat sink. The peg made of the soft plasmonic material and extends out from the diffusion layer towards a recording medium. |
| US09799349B2 |
Analog-to-digital converter (ADC) dynamic range enhancement for voice-activated systems
The dynamic range and power efficiency of a voice-activated system may be improved by dynamically adjusting the configuration of the voice-activated system's input path. In one embodiment, a first portion of audio may be received through an input path of the voice-activated system having a first configuration. A characteristic of the first portion of audio may be determined and the input path may be adjusted to a second configuration based on the determined characteristic. A second portion of audio may then be received through the input path having the second configuration, and speech analysis may be performed on the second portion of audio. |
| US09799345B2 |
Apparatus and method for decoding an encoded audio signal with low computational resources
An apparatus for decoding an encoded audio signal including bandwidth extension control data indicating either a first harmonic bandwidth extension mode or a second non-harmonic bandwidth extension mode, includes: an input interface for receiving the encoded audio signal including the bandwidth extension control data indicating either the first harmonic bandwidth extension mode or the second non-harmonic bandwidth extension mode; a processor for decoding the audio signal using the second non-harmonic bandwidth extension mode; and a controller for controlling the processor to decode the audio signal using the second non-harmonic bandwidth extension mode, even when the bandwidth extension control data indicates the first harmonic bandwidth extension mode for the encoded signal. |
| US09799340B2 |
Efficient and scalable parametric stereo coding for low bitrate audio coding applications
The present invention provides improvements to prior art audio codecs that generate a stereo-illusion through post-processing of a received mono signal. These improvements are accomplished by extraction of stereo-image describing parameters at the encoder side, which are transmitted and subsequently used for control of a stereo generator at the decoder side. Furthermore, the invention bridges the gap between simple pseudo-stereo methods, and current methods of true stereo-coding, by using a new form of parametric stereo coding. A stereo-balance parameter is introduced, which enables more advanced stereo modes, and in addition forms the basis of a new method of stereo-coding of spectral envelopes, of particular use in systems where guided HFR (High Frequency Reconstruction) is employed. As a special case, the application of this stereo-coding scheme in scalable HFR-based codecs is described. |
| US09799334B2 |
Speech recognition apparatus, vehicle including the same, and method of controlling the same
A speech recognition apparatus includes a voice collection unit configured to collect voices, and a controller configured to control recognizing a speech based on signals of the voices collected during a predetermined time period from a voice collection start time, identifying whether a signal is received during the predetermined time period when an operation command corresponding to the recognized speech is not identified, determining that an early utterance occurs upon determination that the signal is received during the predetermined time period, counting a number of times of the speech recognition failure occurring by the early utterance, re-performing speech recognition when the counted number of times is less than a reference number of times, and outputting early utterance habit guidance information when the counted number of times is the same as the reference number of times. |
| US09799332B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing a reliable voice interface between a system and multiple users
A communication interface apparatus for a system and a plurality of users is provided. The communication interface apparatus for the system and the plurality of users includes a first process unit configured to receive voice information and face information from at least one user, and determine whether the received voice information is voice information of at least one registered user based on user models corresponding to the respective received voice information and face information; a second process unit configured to receive the face information, and determine whether the at least one user's attention is on the system based on the received face information; and a third process unit configured to receive the voice information, analyze the received voice information, and determine whether the received voice information is substantially meaningful to the system based on a dialog model that represents conversation flow on a situation basis. |
| US09799327B1 |
Speech recognition with attention-based recurrent neural networks
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for speech recognition. One method includes obtaining an input acoustic sequence, the input acoustic sequence representing an utterance, and the input acoustic sequence comprising a respective acoustic feature representation at each of a first number of time steps; processing the input acoustic sequence using a first neural network to convert the input acoustic sequence into an alternative representation for the input acoustic sequence; processing the alternative representation for the input acoustic sequence using an attention-based Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) to generate, for each position in an output sequence order, a set of substring scores that includes a respective substring score for each substring in a set of substrings; and generating a sequence of substrings that represent a transcription of the utterance. |
| US09799325B1 |
Methods and systems for identifying keywords in speech signal
The disclosed embodiments relate to a method of keyword recognition in a speech signal. The method includes determining a first likelihood score and a second likelihood score of one or more features of a frame of said speech signal being associated with one or more states in a first model and one or more states in a second model, respectively. The one or more states in the first model corresponds to one or more tied triphone states and the one or more states in the second model corresponds to one or more monophone states of a keyword to be recognized in the speech signal. The method further includes determining a third likelihood score based on the first likelihood score and the second likelihood score. The first likelihood score and the third likelihood score are utilizable to determine presence of the keyword in the speech signal. |
| US09799315B2 |
Interactive instruments and other striking objects
Systems, methods, and devices for providing interactive striking objects (e.g., drumsticks) and performing actions in response to striking motions of the striking objects are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide an interactive drumstick, which includes a lighting display located at a tip portion of the interactive drumstick, a motion detector contained at least partially within the drumstick, a processor and memory contained at least partially within the drumstick, and an interactive system stored within the memory of the drumstick. The interactive system includes a striking motion module that determines striking motions of the drumstick with respect to a virtual percussion instrument based on accessing information measured by the motion detector, and a display module that causes the lighting display to present a certain type of illumination based on the striking motions determined by the striking motion module. |
| US09799314B2 |
Dynamic improvisational fill feature
The present disclosure is directed at systems, methods, and apparatus for implementing a rhythm-action game having an improvisational fill feature. The rhythm-action game can provide a musical track having at least one section that can be varied. The rhythm-action game can also provide a database having a plurality of fills, wherein each fill includes a soundtrack and a set of cues. During run-time, the rhythm-action game can select, for each section in the musical track that can be varied, a fill from the plurality of fills. In some embodiments, this selection can be based on various characterizing parameters to ensure that the fill is a good fit for the musical track. The rhythm-action game can also display a set of visual cues associated with the selected fill, and to evaluate whether received user input substantially corresponds to the displayed cues. |
| US09799312B1 |
Composing music using foresight and planning
An approach is provided in which an information handling system configures a reinforcement learning model based inspiration selections received from a user. The information handling system performs training iterations using the configured reinforcement learning model, which generates multiple actions and multiple rewards corresponding to multiple actions. The information handling system determines that the multiple rewards reach an empirical threshold and, in turn, generates a musical composition based on the multiple actions. |
| US09799311B2 |
Marching tenor drum assembly having unitary multiple-drum mounting frame
A marching tenor drum assembly includes a quad mounting frame and two individual mounting frames for receiving a plurality of tenor drums. A mounting lip of each drum shell rests on the top plate of one of the mounting frames, a compression rim of a bearing ring covers the mounting lip and is fastened to the mounting frame with a plurality of clamp screws. The drum skin of a top head is placed over the top edge of an upwardly extending support wall of the bearing ring. A top hoop is placed over a peripheral portion of the top head and is fastened to the clamp screws. |
| US09799310B2 |
Guitar string tuning and anchor system
A guitar string anchor includes a housing, a tension slide, and a tension slide adjuster operatively connected to the tension slide. The guitar string anchor is secured to a guitar bridge. The tension slide receives a ball end of a guitar string. The tension slide adjuster adjusts a position of the tension slide, which causes a change in the guitar string tension. |
| US09799304B2 |
Drive method and drive device of liquid crystal display based on different gray scale values applied to two pixels of same color
The present invention provides a drive method and a drive device of a liquid crystal display, and the drive method comprises: receiving an image to display; employing the original gray scale values of the respective primary color components of the respective image pixels of the image to display to respectively generate a first display gray scale value and a second display gray scale value; employing the first display gray scale value and the second display gray scale value to respectively control display brightnesses of two display pixels of the same color on a liquid crystal panel, wherein the first display gray scale value is larger than the second display gray scale value. With the aforesaid arrangement, the present invention can reduce the color washout under large view angle to promote the display effect of the large view angle. |
| US09799300B2 |
Voltage compensating circuit and voltage compensating method based on the voltage compensating circuit
A voltage compensating circuit and a method thereof are disclosed. The circuit includes a first TFT circuit, a controlling circuit and a scan driving chip. An output terminal of the power management chip of the controlling circuit connects to a first terminal of the third resistor, a second terminal of the third resistor connects to a first terminal of the first resistor, the second terminal of the third resistor connects to a feedback terminal of the chip, the feedback terminal of the chip connects to a first terminal of the second resistor, a second terminal of the second resistor connects to a ground, a second terminal of the first resistor connects to an input terminal of the scan driving chip. A source of the first TFT connects to a first input terminal of the chip, a second input terminal of the chip connects to the first gate driving signal. |
| US09799298B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof
A display device in which power consumed in an image holding period is suppressed. The display device includes a liquid crystal display panel which is driven by power supplied from a converter or a backup circuit. A fixed potential may be supplied and a capacitor may be charged with the use of the converter in a writing operation where a load is large, and the fixed potential may be preferentially supplied from the capacitor without using the converter in an image holding period when the load is small. |
| US09799296B2 |
CMOS GOA circuit
The invention provides a CMOS GOA circuit, by disposing a feedback regulation module (4) connected to output buffer module (3) and signal processing module (2) in the GOA unit, to achieve the following: when the scan driver signal (G(N)) becomes high, the positive feedback from the sixth N-type TFT (T6) of feedback regulation module (4) will enhance the pull-down capability of the signal processing module (2) to reduce the rising time of the scan driver signal (G(N)) waveform; when the scan driver signal (G(N)) becomes low, the positive feedback from the fifth P-type TFT (T5) of feedback regulation module (4) will enhance the pull-up capability of the signal processing module (2) to reduce the falling time of scan driver signal (G(N)) waveform; that is, the invention can reduce the RC loading of scan driver signal (G(N)) and improve the stability of high resolution display panel. |
| US09799295B2 |
Scan driving circuit and liquid crystal display device having the circuit
The invention provides a scan driving circuit and a liquid crystal display device. The scan driving circuit includes: an input module for calculating a preceding-stage control signal, first and second clock signals to obtain a first control signal; a resetting module for resetting a control signal node according to a reset signal; a latching module for calculating the first control signal, the first and second clock signals to obtain a second control signal; a logic processing module for performing a logic calculation on the second control signal and a third clock signal to obtain a logic control signal; an output module for calculating the logic control signal to obtain a scan driving signal; and a scan line for receiving and transmitting the scan driving signal to a pixel unit, to reset the control signal node and the scan driving signal and thereby avoid the failure of scan driving circuit. |
| US09799294B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and GOA scanning circuit of the same
The present invention discloses a liquid crystal display device and a GOA scanning circuit. The GOA scanning circuit includes multiple cascaded GOA circuit units, and an n-th stage GOA circuit unit includes: a forward and backward scanning module including a first thin-film transistor and a second thin-film transistor, wherein, two current path terminals of the first thin-film transistor are respectively connected with a first clock signal and a first node; two current path terminals of the second thin-film transistor are respectively connected with a second clock signal and the first node; a control terminal of the first thin-film transistor is connected with a stage-transferring signal STn−1 of a previous stage GOA circuit unit; a control terminal of the second thin-film transistor is connected with a stage-transferring signal STn+1 of a next stage GOA circuit unit. |
| US09799293B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and gate driving circuit
A liquid crystal display device and a gate driving circuit are disclosed. The gate driving circuit includes multiple-stage gate driving units and a control chip. Each stage gate driving unit includes a first pulling control unit, a first pulling unit, a second pulling control unit, a second pulling unit, a first control unit, a second control unit and a third control unit. The control chip is used for pulling a first clock signal and a first voltage reference signal to a first voltage level. Accordingly, the scanning lines driven by the gate driving circuit are all turned on in order to stably realize an All-Gate-On function. |
| US09799283B2 |
HSD liquid crystal display panel, display device and driving method thereof
The present disclosure discloses a HSD liquid crystal display panel, a display device and a driving method thereof. Said display panel comprises a plurality of sub pixel unit groups connected with data lines and scanning lines, wherein each data line comprises a plurality of winding parts; and wherein the sub pixel unit groups that are spaced from each other by k rows and connected to data line i and the sub pixel unit groups that are spaced from each other by k rows and connected to data line i+m are located in the same column group, so that during display driving the polarity of a sub pixel unit group is opposite to that of its adjacent sub pixel unit group in the same row, and the polarity of a sub pixel unit group is the same as that of the sub pixel unit group which is spaced from said sub pixel unit group by k rows in the same column group, i and k being positive integers and m being odd number. |
| US09799280B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes: a display panel including a plurality of pixels arranged substantially in a matrix form, a plurality of gate lines connected to the pixels, and a plurality of data lines connected to the pixels; and a common voltage generator configured to generate a common voltage and apply the common voltage to the display panel, in which the common voltage generated from the common voltage generator is substantially the same as an optimum common voltage at a highest grayscale level, which minimizes flicker at the highest grayscale level. |
| US09799279B1 |
Electronic display with a relief
Introduced here are methods and systems to create a relief on an electronic display. In one embodiment, the relief is created by micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) placed above a cover layer of the electronic display. Each MEMS when activated can protrude or depress, thus creating the relief on the electronic display. In another embodiment, the relief is created by a plurality of resistors placed beneath the cover layer. The cover layer is made out of an elastically deformable material that, when heated, expands, thus creating a protrusion on the electronic display. Each resistor when activated heats a section of the cover layer, causing the cover layer to protrude. |
| US09799272B2 |
Shift register, gate driving circuit and relevant display device
There are provided a shift register, a gate driving circuit and a relevant display device, comprising a first node controlling module (1), a second node controlling module (2), a third node controlling module (3), a first outputting module (4) and a second outputting module (5). The first node controlling module (1) adjust a potential of a first node (A), the second node controlling module (2) adjust a potential of a second node (B), the third node controlling module (3) adjust a potential of a third node (C), the first outputting module (4) adjust a potential of a driving signal output terminal (Output), and the second outputting module (5) adjusts the potential of the driving signal output terminal (Output). Through mutual coordination of the five modules, the shift register could control a time length of a scanning signal outputted by the driving signal output terminal (Output) by only changing a time length of an input signal (Input), without changing clock signals (CK,CB) and changing the circuit and process, so that difficulty of the gate driving circuit and complexity of process could be reduced, thereby the cost is reduced. |
| US09799269B2 |
Pixel circuit, display panel and driving method thereof
The present disclosure provides a pixel circuit, a display panel and a driving method thereof. The pixel circuit comprises a charging module, a light-emitting device and a capacitor. The present disclosure achieves a pulse width modulation driving with a pixel data refreshing frequency that is equal to a frame frequency, and addresses the problem of a large operation current and a low service life with the light-emitting device in the pixel. Furthermore, it features in low power consumption, a simple structure and being easy to implement. |
| US09799266B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode display
An organic light-emitting diode display is disclosed. In one aspect, the OLED display includes first and second pixels respectively including first and second capacitors, each of the first and second capacitors including top and bottom electrodes. The first and second pixels respectively include first and second pixel electrodes. The display also includes a substrate, a first conductive layer formed over the substrate and including the bottom electrodes of the first and second capacitors, and a second conductive layer formed over the first conductive layer and including the top electrodes of the first and second capacitors. The display further includes a third conductive layer formed over the second conductive layer and including the first and second pixel electrodes, and a connection node electrically connecting the first capacitor to the second capacitor. |
| US09799265B2 |
Display drive circuit including an output terminal
A display drive circuit formed in a chip manufactured by a chip on glass implementation, which is connected to lead lines formed on a glass substrate, includes a rectangularly-shaped substrate, a power supply line formed on the substrate, the line being elongated along the longer side of the rectangular shaped substrate, a plurality of output terminals formed on the rectangular shaped substrate, the output terminal being disposed along the power supply line, a plurality of bump electrodes, each of which connects one of the output terminal to one of the lead lines, switches disposed along the power supply line, each of which is connected between the one of the output terminals and the power supply line, a single power supply terminal, which is disposed near the middle of the power supply line, being connected to the power supply line. |
| US09799262B2 |
Shift register and driving method thereof, gate driving circuit
A shift register and driving method thereof, and a gate driving circuit. The shift register of the present disclosure comprises: an input unit for controlling whether the signal of a first input end is inputted to a charging unit; a charging unit for charging a pull-up node; a pull-up unit for maintaining a high level of the pull-up node; a high level output unit for controlling whether the high level is outputted to the output end according to the level of the pull-up node; a pull-down unit for pulling down the level of the pull-up node and outputting the low level to the output end; a low level output unit for outputting the low level to the output end. The gate driving circuit of the present disclosure is formed by cascading a plurality of the above shift registers. |
| US09799254B2 |
Display apparatus and method of driving the same
A method of driving a display device includes displaying both a natural image and a color vision test image on the display unit. The color vision test image is an image used to determine whether a person has a color vision impairment. A color adjustment user interface for adjusting color of the display unit is displayed on the display unit. A color adjustment instruction that instructs to adjust color of the display unit is received via an input unit. Supply image data supplied to the display unit is adjusted based on the color adjustment instruction by using a controller. |
| US09799250B2 |
Data driver
A data driver includes first through n-th shift register units, first through n-th latch units, and first through n-th output buffer units. The first through n-th shift register units shift and store a plurality of image output from a timing controller. The first shift register unit includes first through m-th shift registers. The first through m-th shift registers shift and store first through m-th image data among the plurality of image data. The first through n-th latch units are connected to the first through n-th shift register units, respectively. The first latch unit includes first through m-th latches. The first through n-th output buffer units are connected to the first through n-th latch units, respectively. The first output buffer unit includes first through m-th output buffers. The first through n-th latch units sequentially latch the plurality of image data stored in the first through n-th shift register units. |
| US09799246B2 |
System and methods for extraction of threshold and mobility parameters in AMOLED displays
A system reads a desired circuit parameter from a pixel circuit that includes a light emitting device, a drive device to provide a programmable drive current to the light emitting device, a programming input, and a storage device to store a programming signal. One embodiment of the extraction system turns off the drive device and supplies a predetermined voltage from an external source to the light emitting device, discharges the light emitting device until the light emitting device turns off, and then reads the voltage on the light emitting device while that device is turned off. The voltages on the light emitting devices in a plurality of pixel circuits may be read via the same external line, at different times. |
| US09799244B1 |
Vehicle display device
A vehicle display device and method for elevating and rotating a vehicle configured to fit in a single car parking space, while simultaneously displaying messages through a connected electronic message display. The vehicle display device has a turntable allowing for three hundred and sixty degrees of rotation of the vehicle. The electronic message display can present multiple messages that are customizable and easily modified. |
| US09799239B1 |
Elliptical corrugated signage
A corrugated display sign with a main body having an inner surface and an outer surface, with the body including a first portion and a second portion. The sign further includes at least one or more formers, and in some embodiments two or more formers, secured to the first portion of the inner surface of the main body, with the formers each including a tab section that secures the former to the main body, a front body portion with a wing portion, and a back body portion with a wing portion. Further, the second portion of the main body is folded around the first portion and the formers, so as to create an elongated elliptical shape for the sign. The display sign is capable of being erected from a knockdown configuration to an erected configuration by folding the former body portions and the wing, and folding the second portion of the main body around the first portion and the formers. |
| US09799237B2 |
Labeling article and method of use
A labeling article and a method of use and assembly of the labeling article, where the labeling article comprises a label, an elastic securing band, and a release liner, and where the elastic securing band is configured to be stretched to define a loop between the elastic securing band and the release liner. |
| US09799234B2 |
Shoulder assembly for crash test dummy
A shoulder assembly for a crash test dummy includes a shoulder assembly having a spring housing and a shoulder pivot member pivotally connected to the spring housing. The shoulder assembly includes a spring element disposed in the spring housing and an adjustable member to adjust the friction of the spring element. |
| US09799232B2 |
Information processing apparatus and storage medium
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a determination unit configured to determine whether a user is consuming food and drink or whether food and drink is present in a periphery of the user, and a control unit configured to carry out control to output a control signal to an adding unit that adds a lighting effect to one of the food and drink present in a real space and picked-up images of the food and drink in accordance with a determination result of the determination unit. |
| US09799227B2 |
Team management for a learning management system
A progression collector may collect, in conjunction with displayed learning context provided by a learning management system (LMS), first learner progression data of a first learner, and second learner progression data of a second learner. A team aggregator may aggregate the first learner progression data and the second learner progression data into team progression data, and may provide the team progression data to the LMS as virtual learner progression data. A rendering engine may receive progression results processed by the LMS for each of the first learner progression data, the second learner progression data, and the virtual learner progression data representing team progression results. |
| US09799225B2 |
Method and apparatus for building a taxiing route
A method and apparatus for building a route for moving an aircraft within an on-ground environment by identifying route elements. Input that is entered by an operator of an aircraft based on route instructions provided by a controller is received through a character input section of a graphical user interface. Route information is generated based on the input using character recognition. The route for moving the aircraft within the on-ground environment is built based on the route information. |
| US09799222B2 |
Public transportation navigator
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for providing information relevant to using a public transportation system (PTS), the method comprising: receiving data relevant to the PTS responsive to a first user while the first user is using the PTS; and providing data relevant to the PTS to at least one of the first and a second user responsive to the received data. The received data may relate to at least one of physically relevant features and socially relevant features of the PTS. Providing data relevant to the PTS may comprise displaying information on a map comprising at least one icon indicative of a PTS vehicle and at a route of travel. |
| US09799220B2 |
Keyless entry system linked to vehicle-to-vehicle communications system
Apparatus for use in a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system. A remote keyless entry fob is provided for remote control of vehicle access. The fob includes a receiver for receiving a message broadcast by the vehicle-to-vehicle communication system and a memory for storing at least some elements of the message. |
| US09799219B2 |
Vehicle data system and method
A server system configured to communicate with a device that is installable in a vehicle, such as a portable or in-built navigation device, comprises a communications resource for receiving vehicle data indicative of a parameter of the vehicle; and a processing resource operable to obtain weather data and to process the weather data and the vehicle data to determine at least one weather-related condition in dependence on both the weather data and the vehicle data. |
| US09799218B1 |
Prediction for lane guidance assist
The automated lane management assist method, data structure and system receive unprocessed lane-specific limited-access highway information, including lane use and speed limits, from traffic detectors in the roadway or from other sources, process and develop predicted information from these sources and substitute the predicted information for the current information where appropriate, thus improving the timeliness of the information in a form that assists in the selection of driving lanes and target speeds for vehicles, including in partially and fully automated vehicles, and communicate the processed predicted information to the vehicles by suitable means. |
| US09799216B2 |
Method and system for using intersecting electronic horizons
A method and system for using data associated with a first vehicle and a given road segment defined for a road network and using data associated with a second vehicle and the given road segment to determine a multi-vehicle probability value that indicates a probability that the first vehicle and the second vehicle will arrive at a common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The multi-vehicle probability value can be compared to a threshold probability value to determine whether the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle should take a responsive measure to avoid those vehicles arriving at the common position of the given road segment simultaneously. The data associated the first vehicle and the data associated with the second vehicle can each include a respective electronic horizon for that vehicle, and time parameters and probability values associated with those vehicles being on the given road segment. |
| US09799215B2 |
Low power acoustic apparatus and method of operation
A method of operating an acoustic system includes detecting an ultrasonic sound signal and pattern matching the received ultrasonic sound signal to determine when the received ultrasonic sound signal is a desired ultrasonic sound signal. The method includes sending a signal to at least one electronic component when the received ultrasonic sound signal is the desired ultrasonic sound signal. The method includes operating the microphone in a lower power state when the received ultrasonic sound signal is not the desired ultrasonic sound signal. |
| US09799213B1 |
Garage door switch control system and method thereof
Provided is an intelligent garage door switch control system and method thereof. The system includes a transmitting radio frequency device, a receiving radio frequency device, and a control circuit for operating a switch. The control circuit is configured to use a predetermined pattern detected as the basis to operate the switch. The predetermined pattern includes a first acceleration from a speed of 0 to a speed greater than 0, a first deceleration from a speed greater than 0 down to a speed of 0 thereafter, and a second acceleration from a speed of 0 to a speed greater than 0 thereafter. |
| US09799209B2 |
Intrusion sensor for monitoring an entrance to a building to be monitored, and method
An intrusion sensor for monitoring an entrance to a building to be monitored, the intrusion sensor being situated at the entrance on the inside of the building, includes an acceleration sensor which is configured to detect motions of the intrusion sensor in at least one spatial axis, and in the case of a motion in the at least one axis, to output an acceleration signal, including a surroundings sensor which is configured to detect at least one value of at least one physical variable in the surroundings of the intrusion sensor, and including a plausibility check device, which is configured to carry out a plausibility check of the acceleration signal using the detected value of the physical variable, and to output an intrusion signal if the result of the plausibility check is negative. Also described is a corresponding method and an alarm system including an intrusion sensor. |
| US09799205B2 |
Owner controlled evacuation system with notification and route guidance provided by a user device
A method includes receiving, by a user device, information regarding a sensed condition in a structure. The sensed condition is sensed by a sensory node. The method also includes providing, by the user device, a notification identifying the sensed condition to a user of the user device, and receiving, by the user device, information regarding navigable pathways of the structure. The method further includes determining, by the user device, a location of the user device, and identifying, by the user device, a first evacuation route based at least in part on the information regarding the sensed condition, the information regarding navigable pathways of the structure, and the location of the user device. The method also includes displaying, by the user device, the first evacuation route. |
| US09799203B1 |
Separation alert device
A separation alert device for warning a user of separation from an item includes a housing that defines an internal space. The housing is configured for retention on the user's person. A power module, a microprocessor, a first proximity sensor and a plurality of alarms are coupled to the housing and are positioned in the internal space. The microprocessor is operationally coupled to the power module. The first proximity sensor and the alarms are operationally coupled to the microprocessor. A second proximity sensor is in wireless communication with the microprocessor. The second proximity sensor is coupled to an item that the user desires to retain proximate to the user. The microprocessor is positioned to receive a location signal from the second proximity sensor. Separation of the first proximity sensor by a preset distance from the second proximity sensor will compel the microprocessor to compel the alarms to notify the user. |
| US09799200B2 |
System to monitor an amount of material in a container
Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a system effective to monitor an amount of a material, the system includes a portable container, the material is within the portable container; a sensor operatively associated with the portable container, the sensor effective to detect a first level of the material in the portable container when the portable container is at a first location and to generate a first data signal based on the first level, and the sensor is also effective to detect a second level of the material in the portable container and to generate a second data signal based on the second level; a processor in communication with the sensor, the sensor is able to communicate the first data signal and the second data signal to the processor, and the processor is effective to receive the data signals, and effective to generate a report based on the first data signal and the second data signal. |
| US09799199B2 |
Remote cooking systems and methods
A remote temperature monitoring system includes a first unit operatively connected to one or more temperature sensors for sensing the temperature of one or more materials or food items being cooked or heated. The first unit transmits the sensed temperature to a second unit that is located remotely from the first unit during heating. The second unit is programmable with the desired temperature and/or heating parameters of the item. By monitoring the temperature status of the item over time, the system determines when the food has reached the desired temperature or degree of cooking, and notifies the user. |
| US09799192B2 |
Intelligent shoe for the blind
Disclosed is an intelligent shoe for the blind, which includes a sole and an upper. At least a portion of the sole is provided with multiple pressure sensors for generating pressure sensing signals when the sole is in contact with raised ground surface. The intelligent shoe further includes a storage chip, used to pre-store a signal characteristic of pressure sensing signals generated when the sole is in contact with a blind sidewalk, and a ata processing chip electrically connected to the multiple pressure sensors and the storage chip, used to compare a signal characteristic of pressure sensing signals from the pressure sensors with the pre-stored signal characteristic, and determine that the sole deviates from the blind sidewalk and send a prompt signal in the case that the signal characteristic of the pressure sensing signals from the pressure sensors is inconsistent with the pre-stored signal characteristic. |
| US09799190B2 |
Security system tracking of remote items using reduced power
A mobile tracking unit includes a controller having a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by the processor to communicate with a control unit of an automation and security system, determine a position of the mobile tracking unit relative to a base station using a low power location module, and communicate the position of the mobile tracking unit to at least one of the base station and a control unit of the automation and security system. When the mobile tracking unit is outside a specified range from the mobile tracking unit, the controller continues tracking the position of the mobile tracking unit with the low power location module. When the mobile tracking unit is inside the specified range, the controller determines the position of the mobile tracking unit using a high power location module. |
| US09799188B2 |
Intelligent earplug system
The present teachings disclose methods and apparatuses for an intelligent, wireless earplug system comprising a speaker, an earplug, an electronics base, and a cable. The earplug fits into a user's ear canal and is operatively connected to a smart device, such as a smart phone, to intelligently transmit sounds from the smart device to the earplugs in a manner selected by the user, such as for example transmitting binaural beats to the earplugs to facilitate sleep. |
| US09799185B2 |
Method, device, and computer program for mobile asset tracking
A device, remote control, and web application for tracking mobile assets are disclosed. The device is attached to the mobile asset. The remote control enables or disables the device, and communicates to a user the location and status of the device. The web application can also be used for tracking the device and providing advanced features. The device includes a GPS transceiver and an accelerometer for determining its location and travel parameters. The web application includes a map to give a visual representation of the device location. Also disclosed is a social networking feature of the device, which is optimally utilized where the device is used for tracking of pets by owners. |
| US09799184B2 |
Microwave motion sensing technology and its application thereof
A method of detecting an occupancy state of a living space for controlling the on/off performance of a lighting apparatus. The method using a microwave motion sensor to detect a motion intrusion, wherein a microcontroller with program codes analyzes a time duration and a frequency pattern of the echoed microwave signal generated by the motion intrusion in the living space. The method using an occupancy counting APP to record, wherein an updated numerical value represents the number of occupants remaining in the living space for operating the illumination. The echoed microwave signal is judged with the frequency pattern being lower or higher than the frequency pattern of the microwave signal transmitted to adjust the numerical value. When the microwave motion sensor is operated with a frequency level below 20 GHz, a microwave confining device is required to limit a detecting capacity of the microwave motion sensor. |
| US09799179B2 |
Method and apparatus for mobile cash transportation
A device designed to validate and transport paper currency in a protected fashion. While being transported, the device monitors for tampering or break-in attempts and subsequently generates warning notifications, or sounds an alarm depending on configuration and the type of tampering detected. The transport case provides end-to-end cash accountability from a location where a bill is inserted into the case, to the bank or cash destination, where the transport case is delivered. Additionally, a docking station accessory is described in which the transport case can be securely fixed while at a point of sale. |
| US09799170B2 |
Method and system for providing alternative usages of closed lottery networks
A method for processing lottery transactions and debit/credit transactions with lottery terminals that communicate with a lottery central site over a closed lottery network includes conducting lottery transactions at the lottery terminals and transmitting lottery transaction data between the lottery terminals and the lottery central site. An interface is configured between the lottery central site and an acquiring processor that is external to the closed lottery network. Debit/credit purchase transactions are conducted at the lottery terminals and debit/credit purchase transaction data is transmitted from the lottery terminals through the closed lottery network to the lottery central site, and from the lottery central site to the acquiring processor via the interface. The debit/credit purchase transaction data and lottery purchase transaction data are isolated throughout the closed lottery network. |
| US09799169B1 |
On-line lottery with player exclusion based on citizenship and residency
An on-line lottery is operated from a jurisdiction, with only players who are not citizens or residents of the jurisdiction being eligible to participate. The eligibility of a prospective player is checked at sign-up and/or when selected to win a prize. If a prospective player is determined to be a citizen or resident of the jurisdiction, their participation in the lottery is nullified, meaning the prospective player was not entered in the lottery, and thus was never eligible to win a prize. |
| US09799162B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for the electronic operation, management, sponsorship, advertising, promotion, marketing, and regulation of games of chance on a network
The present invention is directed to a computer network system that allows a user to register for games of chances throughout the country and in accordance with national, state and local laws and ordinances. This system analyses the geographical location and residency information of a user in relation to the geographical access and participation areas permitted, excluded, and restricted for a game of chance as governed by jurisdictional laws, statutes, rules, and regulations. If the user is not located within a permitted area or falls within an excluded or restricted area, the user will not be allowed to access or participate in the game of chance. The ability of the system to limit participation by geographical location is based on user input, data, and variable analysis, and the comparison between the areas where games of chance are permitted, excluded, restricted, and user location and residency, filters data to determine user accessibility to a game of chance, listings, and advertising. The methods and apparatus of this system have applications on the Internet for raffles as well as other conventional games of chance. |
| US09799161B2 |
Enhanced electronic gaming machine with gaze-aware 3D avatar
A computer device and method for displaying a 3D avatar and causing the 3D avatar to move are provided. The computer device may be an electronic gaming machine, and comprises a camera which can be used to collect data on the movement of a player of an electronic game. The movements of the player may then be analyzed and used to generate avatar movement data for moving the 3D avatar. The 3D avatar may mimic the motions of the player, or may react to the player's motions in complimentary fashion. Additionally, the electronic gaming machine may be networked to other like electronic gaming machines, which may share avatar movement data amongst themselves. |
| US09799159B2 |
Object detection and interaction for gaming systems
A wagering gaming apparatus is provided, comprising a 3-dimensional (3D) display device; at least one processor programmed to cause the 3D display device to display a 3D scene for a game, the 3D scene comprising a virtual 3D space in which a plurality of virtual game components are displayed; and at least one contactless sensor device configured to sense a location and shape of a physical object in a physical 3D space and generate 3D information indicative of the location and shape of the physical object in the physical 3D space. In some embodiments, the at least one processor is programmed to: update a 3D model for a virtual object in the 3D scene, the virtual object corresponding to the physical object; and detect an interaction between the virtual object and at least one virtual game component in the 3D scene. |
| US09799157B2 |
Sheets processing apparatus and sheets processing method
A sheet processing apparatus including a table to be loaded a first and a second banknote group partitioned by a header card recording the bar code number in the piling direction of the banknotes, a take-in portion to take in the banknotes of the first and second banknote groups loaded on the table and the header card, a discrimination portion to count the banknotes taken in by the take-in portion and discriminate the kind thereof, a plurality of stackers to sort and stack the banknotes discriminated by the discrimination portion on the basis of the kink thereof, and a sensor to detect the header card taken in by the take-in portion. The sheet processing apparatus additionally includes a controller to control so as to stop the taking-in of the second banknote group on the basis of detection of the header card by the sensor and after a lapse of a predetermined time, to start the taking-in of the second banknote group. |
| US09799155B2 |
Tracking and access system
An apparatus may include a controller that may include one or more processors, and memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, may cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations may include receiving key fob data from a reader. The key fob data may include ID information of a user. The operations may further include determining authorization privileges associated with the received ID information of the user, and controlling a lock system of a gas flow valve in response to the determination of the authorization privileges associated with the received ID information of the user. |
| US09799153B1 |
Portable access control
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a portable access control device. In some embodiments, the portable access control device is configured to store a list of user identifiers and user attribute data, receive a set of access criteria specifying one or more attributes, receive and identify a user identifier via a data input component, determine an access status of the user identifier based on the access criteria, and present the access status in such a way as is perceivable by a user of the access control device. |
| US09799152B2 |
Control device and control system
A control device of the present disclosure includes a receiver configured to receive a function enabling signal transmitted from a portable machine used to manipulate a vehicle, a determination unit configured to measure a predetermined time since the receiver receives the function enabling signal and determine whether the predetermined time elapses, and an opening and closing body controller configured to control opening and closing of an opening and closing body of the vehicle. The opening and closing body controller controls an opening operation of the opening and closing body based on user's action detected by a sensor, which is provided in or around the opening and closing body to detect the user's action, before the determination unit determines that the predetermined time elapses and after the receiver receives the function enabling signal from the portable machine. |
| US09799151B2 |
Aircraft fuel shutoff interlock
A system for hindering the pilot from inadvertently turning off the fuel and/or engine when it is not safe is disclosed. In an embodiment, a fuel shutoff interlock is engaged if the aircraft is in the air and cross-side engine is not running. In an embodiment, a fuel shutoff interlock is not engaged if essential bus power is not present. In an embodiment, a fuel shutoff interlock is not engaged if the aircraft is on the ground. In an embodiment, a fuel shutoff interlock is not engaged if the cross-side engine is running. |
| US09799150B2 |
System and method for sharing real-time recording
This invention provides a system for sharing real-time recording and the method thereof. The system in this invention transmits the traffic image from the traffic recording device to the cloud server database for storage by the hand-held communication device. Here, the system for sharing real-time recording includes at least three parts: a traffic recording device, a hand-held communication device and a cloud server. User can automatically transmit traffic image provided by the vehicle event data recorder capable of transmitting traffic image to the cloud server by the system and its method disclosed here to achieve real-time sharing of the traffic images. |
| US09799143B2 |
Spatial data visualization
A system and method for spatial data visualization are described. An analytics computation of users' interactions with an augmented reality content is performed based on a physical object captured by a viewing device. The analytics computation comprises a computation of geometric paths of the users' interactions with the augmented reality content. A display of a visualization of the analytics computation is displayed based on the computation of the geometric paths of the users' interactions with the augmented reality content. |
| US09799142B2 |
Spatial data collection
A system and method for spatial data collection are described. Sensor data related to a position and an orientation of a device are generated over time using sensors of the device. Augmented reality content is generated based on a physical object captured by the device. A path bundle data package identifying a user interaction of the device with the augmented reality content relative to the physical object is generated. The user interaction identifies a spatial path of an interaction with the augmented reality content. The path bundle data package is generated based on the sensor data using a data model comprising a data header and a data payload. The data header comprises a contextual header having data identifying the device and a user of the device. A path header includes data identifying the path of the interaction with the augmented reality content. A sensor header includes data identifying the sensors. The data payload comprises dynamically sized sampling data from the sensor data. |
| US09799140B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating personalized 3D face model
A method of generating a three-dimensional (3D) face model includes extracting feature points of a face from input images comprising a first face image and a second face image; deforming a generic 3D face model to a personalized 3D face model based on the feature points; projecting the personalized 3D face model to each of the first face image and the second face image; and refining the personalized 3D face model based on a difference in texture patterns between the first face image to which the personalized 3D face model is projected and the second face image to which the personalized 3D face model is projected. |
| US09799137B2 |
Processing primitives which have unresolved fragments in a graphics processing system
A graphics processing system performs hidden surface removal and texturing/shading on fragments of primitives. The system includes a primary depth buffer (PDB) for storing depth values of resolved fragments, and a secondary depth buffer (SDB) for storing depth values of unresolved fragments. Incoming fragments are depth tested against depth values from either the PDB or the SDB. When a fragment passes a depth test, its depth value is stored in the PDB if it is a resolved fragment (e.g. if it is opaque or translucent), and its depth value is stored in the SDB if it is an unresolved fragment (e.g. if it is a punch through fragment). This provides more opportunities for subsequent opaque objects to overwrite punch through fragments which passed a depth test, thereby reducing unnecessary processing and time which may be spent on fragments which ultimately will not contribute to the final rendered image. |
| US09799132B2 |
Driving support apparatus for tow coupling
A driving support device outputs, to a display means (103), a superimposed image in which a pair of left and right planar predicted trajectory guide marks (405), (406) corresponding to steering of the vehicle are superimposed onto a captured vehicle-rearview image including the tow vehicle connector (402) and the towed-vehicle connector (404). An image superimposing unit (112) superimposes sides (405a), (406a) of the predicted trajectory guide marks (405), (406) that are on the vehicle-width-center side further towards the outer edge relative to the tow vehicle connector (402), and superimposes sides (405b), (406b) of the predicted trajectory guide marks (405), (406) that are on the outer-edge side in the vehicle-width direction as predicted trajectories of the side edges of the vehicle. |
| US09799131B1 |
Rendering interaction statistics data for content elements of an information resource by identifying client device segments
Systems and methods of rendering webpage interaction statistics data over graphical user interfaces is provided herein. A computing device can transmit a request for an interaction statistics identifying an information resource. The computing device can receive the interaction dataset for the identified information resource. The computing device can calculate a similarity measure among the client devices based on the interaction dataset using a clustering algorithm. The computing device can identify a subset of client devices based on the similarity measure. The computing device can calculate the interaction sequence metrics for the client devices for each selected content element. The computing device can select the content elements based on the calculated interaction sequence metrics. The computing device can generate a graph element including nodes representing each selected content element and paths representing the interaction sequence metrics. The computing device can display the graph element. |
| US09799127B2 |
Displaying a live stream of events using a dynamically-constructed three-dimensional data tree
A dynamically configured tree form and corresponding graphical elements graphically represent information contained in a live stream of event data. The tree form is positioned in virtual three dimensional space within a computer graphical user interface such that the root of the tree is in the center of the screen, originating at the farthest distance from the viewer along the z axis. The tree form is configured to guide movement of the three dimensional graphical elements which represent individual measurements of events during specific time periods. The outermost, or leaf, portions of the tree represent the present time. The root or base of the tree represents the maximum duration that is being measured. |
| US09799125B1 |
Color control user interfaces
A color control user interface can include a controller, a display area, and a three-dimensional shape generated by the controller and disposed in the display area. The three-dimensional shape can include a first axis that represents a first range of selections for a first color factor, a second axis that represents a second range of selections for a second color factor, and a third axis that represents a third range of selections for a third color factor. A control engine of the controller can be configured to receive user selections having a first selection of the first color factor, a second selection of the second color factor, and a third selection of the third color factor. The control engine can also be configured to compare the user selections to light source information stored in memory, and send commands via a transceiver to at least one light source. |
| US09799124B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for determining a property of an image
A method of determining a property of an image (176) captured by a camera (127). Vanishing points (320, 330, 340) are in the image (176). Each pixel of the image (176) is associated with one or more of the vanishing points (320, 330, 340) based on an orientation of the image gradient at the pixel. The image is partitioned into a set of regions associated with a pair of the determined vanishing points based on the vanishing point associations for pixels in the image (176). Boundaries of the regions are aligned with the associated vanishing points. For at least one of the plurality of regions, a confidence value is determined for the property of the image based on pixels in the region. The property of the image is determined for one or more pixels within the image (176) based on the confidence value. |
| US09799123B2 |
Information identification system, method of identifying information, and program for identifying information
The present invention is to provide an information identification system, a method of identifying information, and a program for identifying information to efficiently identify information by considering information on an object existing in the imaged area when identifying information from an image. The information identification system 10 that identifies information on an object imaged in the image previously registers information on the object existing in a predetermined area, detects the location information of the image and identifies which area the location information belongs to, detects the feature amount of the object imaged in the image, and matches the identified area information and the detected feature amount to the database and identifies information on the object imaged in the image. |
| US09799121B2 |
Control device for communicating visual information
Methods and systems for processing input by a computing device are presented. One method includes operations for receiving images of a control device that includes an object section, and for determining a location of the control device utilizing image analysis for each captured image. Additionally, the movement of the control device is tracked based on the determined locations, where the tracking of the movement includes receiving inertial sensor information obtained by sensors in the control device, and determining an orientation of the control device based on the sensor information. Additionally, the method includes an operation for translating the movement and orientation of the control device into input for a game executing in the computing device, where the input is translated into a motion and orientation of an object in the game based on the movement of the control device. |
| US09799120B1 |
Method and apparatus for atlas/model-based segmentation of magnetic resonance images with weakly supervised examination-dependent learning
In a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus and segmentation method, a region in an MR image, acquired from a scan of a patient with an MR scanner of the apparatus, is provided to a computer for segmentation of the region from the overall image dataset. The segmentation takes place based on a classification of image elements of the image dataset, and the classification is iteratively re-trained in a weakly supervised learning algorithm based on examination-specific information provided to the computer. |
| US09799115B2 |
Apparatus and method for automatically registering landmarks in three-dimensional medical image
A method of automatically registering landmarks in a 3-dimensional (3D) medical image includes obtaining a 3D image; determining a set of search points based on a statistical atlas attached to a bounding box corresponding to a part of the 3D image; extracting features of the determined set of search points; forming a set of candidates for a landmark based on the extracted features; filtering the candidates and outputting remaining candidates among the candidates based on the filtering; and outputting a final position of the landmark based on one of the remaining candidates. |
| US09799102B2 |
Smoothing images using machine learning
Smoothing images using machine learning is described. In one or more embodiments, a machine learning system is trained using multiple training items. Each training item includes a boundary shape representation and a positional indicator. To generate the training item, a smooth image is downscaled to produce a corresponding blocky image that includes multiple blocks. For a given block, the boundary shape representation encodes a blocky boundary in a neighborhood around the given block. The positional indicator reflects a distance between the given block and a smooth boundary of the smooth image. In one or more embodiments to smooth a blocky image, a boundary shape representation around a selected block is determined. The representation is encoded as a feature vector and applied to the machine learning system to obtain a positional indicator. The positional indicator is used to compute a location of a smooth boundary of a smooth image. |
| US09799101B2 |
Restoration filter generation device and method, image processing device and method, imaging device, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
A restoration filter generation device that generates a restoration filter to perform restoration processing on luminance system image data that is image data related to luminance, which is generated based on image data of respective colors of multiple colors obtained by an imaging device having an optical system, includes an information acquisition device acquiring transfer function information corresponding to point image distribution in the optical system, for each color of the multiple colors, and a restoration filter generation device generating the restoration filter based on the transfer function information acquired by the information acquisition device and generating the restoration filter that performs phase correction of the luminance system image data according to the transfer function information on a single color of the multiple colors. |
| US09799098B2 |
Method and apparatus for image processing
Identifying objects in images is a difficult problem, particularly in cases an original image is noisy or has areas narrow in color or grayscale gradient. A technique employing a convolutional network has been identified to identify objects in such images in an automated and rapid manner. One example embodiment trains a convolutional network including multiple layers of filters. The filters are trained by learning and are arranged in successive layers and produce images having at least a same resolution as an original image. The filters are trained as a function of the original image or a desired image labeling; the image labels of objects identified in the original image are reported and may be used for segmentation. The technique can be applied to images of neural circuitry or electron microscopy, for example. The same technique can also be applied to correction of photographs or videos. |
| US09799097B1 |
Method and system for defining a virtual reality resolution distribution
Aspects of the present disclosure include a method and system for the delivery of virtual reality content that enables a more immersive experience to the user by adaptively changing desired resolution distributions according to a variety of parameters and to create resolution-defined projections. The resolution-defined projections can be two-dimensional and virtual reality content agnostic. According to some aspects, the projections can be used to generate virtual reality content images and video that can be encoded and/or compressed for processing and transmission with lower or without increasing bandwidth requirements, and to be perceived of a higher resolution. Additional aspects may include, the adaptive focus via the resolution-defined projections using the user's viewing direction and/or orientation, system limitations, user vision's constraints, optimization data from a feedback loop and/or crowdsourcing data. |
| US09799096B1 |
System and method for processing video to provide facial de-identification
A system and method for real-time image and video face de-identification that removes the identity of the subject while preserving the facial behavior is described The facial features of the source face are replaced with that of the target face while preserving the facial actions of the source face on the target face. The facial actions of the source face are transferred to the target face using personalized Facial Action Transfer (FAT), and the color and illumination is adapted. Finally, the source image or video containing the target facial features is outputted for display. Alternatively, the system can run in real-time. |
| US09799094B1 |
Per-instance preamble for graphics processing
A method for processing data in a graphics processing unit (GPU) including receiving an instance identifier for an instance and a shader program comprising a preamble code block and a main shader code block, assigning, the instance identifier to a general purpose register at wave creation, allocating address space within the constant memory for instance uniforms, and determining the preamble code block has not been executed and the wave is a first wave of the instance to be executed, based on determining the preamble code block has not been executed and the wave is the first wave to be executed, executing the preamble code block to store the plurality of instance uniforms in the constant memory and based, at least in part, on executing the preamble code block, executing the wave of the plurality of waves using at least one of the plurality of instance constants stored inconstant memory. |
| US09799093B2 |
Secure rendering of display surfaces
A protected graphics module can send its output to a display engine securely. Secure communications with the display can provide a level of confidentiality of content generated by protected graphics modules against software and hardware attacks. |
| US09799092B2 |
Graphic processing unit and method of processing graphic data by using the same
A method and apparatus for processing graphic data, which are capable of decreasing a bandwidth of a memory, are provided. The method of processing graphic data includes receiving first graphic data and processing the first graphic data to generate second graphic data, and storing the generated second graphic data in a first shared memory line in which a state bit is set to a first state, wherein the first shared memory line is included in a first memory line set which is a part of an n-way set associative cache structure (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2), at least one of the memory lines of the first memory line set is set to a second state which is different from the first state, and the state bit represents whether data stored in the memory line is replaceable. |
| US09799091B2 |
Apparatus and method for efficient frame-to-frame coherency exploitation for sort-last architectures
An apparatus and method are described for the frame-to-frame coherency algorithm for sort-last architecture. In one embodiment of the invention, if a tile of pixels is covered completely by one triangle from a static draw call in one frame, then that tile is marked with that draw call's identifier. For the next frame, if the same static draw call is drawn, the same tile will be visited, and if the draw call's fragment passes for all pixels, it indicates that tile will contain exactly the same pixel color values as the previous frame. Hence, there is no requirement to run the pixel shader for the tile of pixels, and the color values of the tile can instead be reused from the previous frame. |
| US09799086B1 |
Budget information system with cross-reference feature and related methods
A budget information device may include a memory and a processor cooperating with the memory for importing and storing different financial databases into the memory. Each different financial database may include numerical data and textual identifiers. The processor and memory may be for processing the numerical data and textual identifiers from the different financial databases. The processor and memory may also be for providing a GUI to a user, the GUI including views for respectively accessing the numerical data and textual identifiers for each of the different financial databases. Each view may include a cross-reference feature for accessing numerical data and textual identifiers associated to numerical data and textual identifiers in a current view. |
| US09799077B1 |
Inspection facility
An enhanced claims settlement apparatus may process insurance claims rapidly and accurately. The apparatus may first receive a notification of loss associated with an insured item (e.g., car, boat, truck, home, etc.). The apparatus may then apply various algorithms for using sensors to identify, analyze, and estimate the cost of damage associated with the insured item. The sensors that are a part of the enhanced claims settlement server may include cameras, tactile sensors, electromagnetic sensors, etc. that may communicate data to a processor associated with the server. Once the data has been generated and analyzed by the sensors, a claim settlement file may be transmitted to a claimant. |
| US09799075B2 |
Random-time auctions in an electronic trading system
A system is configured to hold price improvement auctions for customer orders for a duration that is based on a random timer. The system receives an initiating order from an auction guarantor that describes the financial instrument that a customer wishes to trade. The auction guarantor provides a guaranteed order that can fill the initiating order. A random time period to hold the auction is selected. The system solicits responses from other market participants for the financial instrument. When the random time period expires the system matches the initiating order against the responses, existing orders in an order book, and the guaranteed order. |
| US09799071B1 |
One swipe registration
Disclosed are system and methods for registering an account with a payment service system on behalf of a customer in response to a payment card associated with the customer being used at a point of sale terminal. The system receives payment card information extracted from the payment card when it is swiped at the point of sale terminal. The system also receives a communication identifier that is entered on a user interface of the point of sale terminal or on a user interface of a mobile application on a mobile device of the customer. In response to receiving the payment card information and the communication identifier, the system automatically creates an account for the customer by associating the payment card with the communication identifier without requiring the user to enter details of the payment card to link the payment card to the account. |
| US09799068B2 |
Measurement of a body part
A method of obtaining a user's measurement for matching an item, comprising obtaining a predefined definition of a first body part; displaying on a user's handheld device instructions for measuring, using the handheld device, the first body part according to the predefined definition; utilizing a sensor of the handheld device that is adapted to measure physical displacement of the handheld device to measure a total physical displacement of the handheld device's movement over the first body part, giving rise to a first measurement; and searching for an item having a specification that matches the first measurement. |
| US09799059B1 |
System and method for adjusting the user cost associated with purchasable virtual items
A virtual space is provided to users via client computing devices where the user cost associated with purchasable virtual items may be adjusted. A game shop interface may be presented to users, comprising offers to purchase sets of one or more virtual items to the user. The associated user cost for the one or more sets of virtual items may be adjusted based upon a determination that the rate of purchase of and/or the revenue generated from the virtual items is more than a specified threshold from the average rate of purchase and/or average revenue generation rate. |
| US09799053B2 |
Systems and methods for checking a user into a location using a packet sequence including location information
Systems and methods are disclosed which may allow a user having a mobile device to check in to a location using a packet sequence that includes information for identifying the location transmitted by one or more Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) beacons at or near the location. The user may be able to store packet sequences for various locations that may allow the user to automatically check into these locations using the store packet sequences. |
| US09799050B2 |
Controlling content distribution
A computer-implemented method for controlling content distribution includes forwarding information associated with a user to a device operated by the user, the information being configured for use in selecting content from any of multiple content providers for a content distribution to the user. The method includes receiving, in response to the information, an edit of the information forwarded from the device. The edit identifies a first content provider and including a first modification of the content distribution regarding the first content provider. The method includes storing the edit in association with the information such that the first modification is taken into account in the content distribution. The method can be implemented using a computer program product tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium. |
| US09799048B2 |
Intelligent tool to support manual scheduling of ads
A system and method for providing options for scheduling ads is provided. In example embodiments, a list of one or more ads is presented to an operator. A selection of an ad to be placed into a schedule is received. Placement analysis is performed, using a hardware processor, to identify a plurality of placement options based on placing the ad into the schedule. The placement analysis includes determining a net difference metric value for each placement option. The net difference metric value is determined based on displacement of at least one previously scheduled ad in each placement option. The plurality of placement options are sorted according to a score derived from at least one value metric to create a result. The result is presented to the operator, whereby the result includes the score derived from the at least one value metric for each placement option. |
| US09799046B2 |
Zero click commerce systems
In accordance with some implementations, a method for enabling clickless purchasing is disclosed. The method is performed on a server system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The server system detects commercial intent from a user of the computer system. In response to detecting commercial intent, the server system determines a product relevant to the detected commercial intent of a user. The server system sends a recommendation message to the user, wherein the recommendation message includes an option to purchase the product. The server system then receives a response message from the user, the message including authorization from the user to purchase the recommended product. The server system then purchases the recommended product on behalf of the user and delivers the purchased product to the user. |
| US09799043B2 |
Accredited advisor management system
Systems and methods for an accredited advisor management are provided. First information enabling unique identification of a first advisor may be processed. The first advisor may be matched to a first category of advising services. Input from the first advisor may be processed based at least in part on the first category. Data sources corresponding to accrediting authorities may be selected. Credential information that came electronically from the data sources may be processed. A first set of advisor information may be consolidated at least partially based on the input and on the credential information. A second set of advisor information may be prepared for exposure to advisees. At least part of the second set of advisor information may be transmitted to an end-user communication device. |
| US09799042B2 |
Method and systems for distributed signals for use with advertising
Methods and systems for providing an automated virtualized signal marketplace or exchange for signals from distributed data sources for use in advertising. Systems and methods to automatically discover and recommend which of the signals controlled by multiple entities may be most effective toward a given objective associated with advertising campaigns. Signals are indicators of data that are derived from data sources and abstracted to protect the underlying data. Each entity that sells data in the virtual marketplace first converts data into a “signal” or indicator that represents the data without disclosing it or providing it. Signal sellers determine if they want share signals based upon buyer, price, and other rules, including limitations on signal use; signal buyers determine signal value based upon their objectives. |
| US09799041B2 |
Method and apparatus for interactive evolutionary optimization of concepts
A method includes determining a plurality of data points, determining a distance between each data point and each of the other plurality of data points, choosing a first one of the plurality of data points, identifying all of the other plurality of data points within a maximum distance of the chosen data point, repeating steps the previous steps to choose a different one of the plurality of data points until all of the data points have been chosen, identifying one or more clusters each having a predefined minimum number, K, of data points within a predefined search radius and analyzing the one or more clusters with respect to K linkages. |
| US09799040B2 |
Method and apparatus for computer assisted innovation
The present invention relates to a method of computer assisted innovation. The invention provides a method which can automatically generate suggested innovation opportunities which may then be viewed or otherwise communicated to and analysed by a user. The invention provides a method and apparatus for determining innovation opportunities by selecting one or more terms; determining trend data relating to a selected element; determining an innovation likelihood measure for said selected element in dependence upon said trend data; identifying an innovation opportunity in dependence upon said innovation likelihood measure. |
| US09799039B2 |
System and method for providing television programming recommendations and for automated tuning and recordation of television programs
A system that is capable of receiving and interpreting a user's spoken commands is also coupled to a television interface device that controls video programming content displayed the user's television. The user can speak commands to cause certain programs to be played, and to control various functions of the television. The system can track and analyze a user's video viewing habits. In addition, the system is able to determine which of multiple users might be interested in a particular video program, and the system can play marketing messages regarding that video program to those users that might be interested in viewing the video program. |
| US09799035B2 |
Customer feedback analyzer
A method and system for analyzing customer feedback is provided. The method includes accessing a keyword and word mapping database and receiving consumer feedback data associated with a product or service. The consumer feedback data includes feedback data groups. Each group is divided into segments based on word analysis. Each segment is analyzed with respect to the keyword and thesaurus database. A score is generated for each segment and a composite score is generated for each feedback data group. Each composite score is stored. |
| US09799033B2 |
Method and system for handling sensitive data in a content delivery network
Using cryptographic techniques, sensitive data is protected against disclosure in the event of a compromise of a content delivery network (CDN) edge infrastructure. These techniques obviate storage and/or transfer of such sensitive data, even with respect to payment transactions that are being authorized or otherwise enabled from CDN edge servers. |
| US09799027B2 |
System and method to enable a network of digital wallets
A method for authorizing a digital wallet transaction initiated by a consumer from a merchant web site or app includes providing an acceptance mark on a merchant landing page associated with the merchant web site or app for initiating the digital wallet transaction, the acceptance mark comprising a link to a host server accessing an acceptance network for authorizing payment, the acceptance network comprising a plurality of digital wallets. A wallet selector switch allows selection of a wallet, the transaction is routed to the selected wallet, a payment card and shipping address are selected and the transaction is redirected back to the merchant with purchase details for authorizing and completing the digital wallet transaction. The wallets can include federated and non-federated cobranded wallets and partner-hosted wallets. Direct provisioning with partner credentials and automatic update of consumer details is provided in a federated cobranded wallet. |
| US09799023B2 |
Self-checkout method and apparatus
A point-of-sale self-checkout terminal includes a code reader device for automated entry of a product identification code present on items for purchase and a customer input device for receipt of data from a customer. A customer can initiate a purchase of a non-scannable item and, in response, a database is queried to identify items based on a prediction of purchase of the items, and the identified items are displayed for selection by the customer to purchase the item. Image processing and voice processing, can also be implemented to assist customers with the purchase of non-scannable items. |
| US09799020B2 |
Method for providing payment card security using registrationless telecom geolocation capture
A method for providing registrationless payment card security for a payment network that includes maintaining a list of anonymous mobile telephone numbers, which correspond to personal payment card account numbers (PAN). When a card-present authorization for a listed PAN is received, the payment network requests the geolocation of the cell phone of the card holder in real time from the mobile network operator. The mobile network operator determines the geolocation of the cell phone and transmits it to the payment network. The payment network compares the geolocation of the cell phone with the geolocation of the merchant to confirm that the card holder is present at the location of the transaction. |
| US09799019B2 |
Order terminal and order entry system using same, and method for changing input mode of order terminal
Provided is an order terminal for inputting a customer's order that operates in any one of a staff mode of being operated by an employee and a customer mode of being operated by a customer as an input mode. When the employee inputs initial information on the customer in the staff mode, the input mode of the order terminal is switched over from the staff mode to the customer mode to allow the customer to input an order. |
| US09799017B1 |
Cross-data-store operations in log-coordinated storage systems
Data stores that are to be configured as members of a storage group on behalf of a client are identified. The client indicates one or more types of cross-data-store operations to be performed. A transaction manager that makes acceptance decisions for write requests directed to the members based at least partly on contents of a log is instantiated, and respective write transformers are set up for at least some of the types of cross-data-store operations. During a particular time period, the workload at the storage group is monitored, and the number and types of cross-data-store operations is determined. The results of the monitoring are used to determine a billing amount for the client based on a selected pricing policy. |
| US09799016B2 |
Mobile one-time card number generator for ATM usage
Embodiments are directed to a mobile bank card number generator for digital wallet. Embodiments receive a request from a user to perform an ATM transaction on an account owned by the user; in response to the request to perform an ATM transaction, generate a one-time bank card number associated with the account owned by the user; generate a readable indicia based at least in part on the one-time bank card number; and initiate communication of the readable indicia to an ATM, wherein the ATM receives a user authentication credential from the user, a bank system validates the user authentication credential and in response to validating the user authentication credential, approves the ATM transaction for the user's account. |
| US09799012B2 |
Electronic receipt system with social media link and related servers and methods
An electronic receipt system may include a point-of-sale (POS) terminal having a near field communication (NFC) device for communicating with a mobile wireless communications device during a transaction for purchasing at least one item, and a server. The server may be for receiving a user identifier transmitted from the mobile communication device via the NFC device, verifying an enrollment status of the user identifier, based upon results of the verifying, generating an electronic receipt associated with the transaction, and generating a social media network link feature in the electronic receipt and associated with the item, the social media network link feature for sharing the purchase of the item on a corresponding social media network. |
| US09799008B2 |
Applying ordered modifications to recurring event instances
A method and system for the ordered modification of a recurring event in a calendaring application. A method for applying ordered modifications to recurring event instances, can include identifying an event exception which corresponds to a separately defined recurring event instance. Subsequently, at least one property of the recurring instance can be modified based upon the event exception. Additional event exceptions corresponding to the recurring event instance can be further identified in accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention. For each further identified additional event exception, at least one property of the recurring event instance can be further modified based upon the further identified additional event exception. Notably, each of the identifying and modifying steps can be repeated for additional recurring event instances. |
| US09799000B2 |
Predictive conversion systems and methods
In one embodiment, a system and method of predicting sale transaction conversion rate of an item operates through a search of information in response to a query over a network. The item can be included in a category of items. Information for other relevant items of the category is available through network query and historical data, among others. Respective information for the other items of the category is available to the method. The system and method includes discovering available information of the item of interest, extracting certain of the available information of the item, analyzing the certain information for the item by comparing the information to other item information for the category of items, weighting the information for the commercial item in comparison to other items of the category, calculating a predictive score for the commercial item of interest, and presenting the information of the commercial item of interest ranked according to the predictive score as compared to other items of the category. |
| US09798998B2 |
Computer system for routing package deliveries
A shipping system for shipping packages involving the coordinated use of at least a first carrier and a second carrier. The shipping system includes physical delivery facilities for the physical delivery of packages, the physical delivery facilities including at least one transfer location at which the second carrier may take over delivery responsibilities for a package. The shipping system also includes an information system having a shipper computer system configured to record and determine whether the delivery address of a package is an efficient destination for the first carrier. If not an efficient destination, such as a delivery address having a rural zip code, the shipper computer system is configured to label the package for delivery to one of the transfer locations, allowing the first carrier to transfer the selected package to the second carrier for completion of the less efficient portion of the delivery. |
| US09798997B2 |
Article management system, article management apparatus and method for managing article
An article management system comprises a transmitter for sending electric wave, a receiver for receiving the electric wave from the transmitter, an alarm for carrying out a notification operation in response to the input of a drive signal and an article management apparatus including an association module configured to associate the transmitter with the alarm corresponding to an article to be handed over to a user who has the transmitter on condition that the electric wave from the transmitter is being received by the receiver, and a determination-output module configured to determine whether or not a relative distance between the transmitter and the receiver becomes shorter than a specific distance on condition that the electric wave from the transmitter is being received by the receiver and to output the drive signal to the alarm which is associated with the transmitter if the relative distance is shorter than the specific distance. |
| US09798984B2 |
Collaborative ticketing system
Features are disclosed relating to a collaborative ticketing system that manages various aspects of ticketing for events (e.g., movies, concerts, sporting events, and the like) using knowledge about the contacts, friends, and other social connections of system users. The collaborative ticketing system may generate dynamic ticket offers that are based on the number of friends, invited by users, ultimately obtaining tickets. The collaborative ticketing system can also streamline the procurement of concessions and other event-related items by allowing users to pre-purchase such items (e.g., in connection with ticket offers), and then pick up the items at the event venue with little or no wait. In addition, users can preview event-related content (e.g., movie trailers) for event providers (e.g., movie studios), and answer questions or otherwise provide feedback about the event-related content in return for special offers, rewards, and other considerations. |
| US09798976B2 |
Systems and methods for semantic reasoning
A system for providing semantic reasoning includes an extended semantic model, a semantic knowledge database, and an inference engine. The extended semantic model includes existing concepts for a specific knowledge domain, existing relationships among the existing concepts, and logic including conditions and processes that cause a new concept or a new relationship to be inferred from an existing concept or an existing relationship, respectively. The semantic knowledge database includes existing nodes and existing links and the existing nodes represent instances of the existing concepts, and the existing links represent instances of the existing relationships. The inference engine is configured to add new nodes and new links to the semantic knowledge database by following the logic of the extended semantic model. |
| US09798972B2 |
Feature extraction using a neurosynaptic system for object classification
Embodiments of the invention provide a neurosynaptic system comprising a first set of one or more neurosynaptic core circuits configured to receive input data comprising multiple input regions, and extract a first set of features from the input data. The features of the first set are computed based on different input regions. The system further comprises a second set of one or more neurosynaptic core circuits configured to receive the first set of features, and generate a second set of features by combining the first set of features based on synaptic connectivity information of the second set of core circuits. |
| US09798968B2 |
Smartcard with coupling frame and method of increasing activation distance of a transponder chip module
A conductive coupling frame (CF) having two ends, forming an open loop having two ends or a discontinuous metal layer disposed surrounding and closely adjacent a transponder chip module (TCM, 610), and substantially coplanar with an antenna structure (AS, CES, LES) in the transponder chip module (TCM). A metal card body (MCB, CB) or a transaction card with a discontinuous metal layer having a slit (S) or a non-conductive strip (NCS, 1034) extending from a module opening (MO) to a periphery of the card body to function as a coupling frame (CF). The coupling frame (CF) may be thick enough to be non-transparent to RF at frequencies of interest. A switch (SW) may be provided to connect ends of the coupling frame (CF) across the slit (S, 630). A reinforcing structure (RS) may be provided to stabilize the coupling frame (CF) and card body (CB). The transponder chip module (TCM) may comprise an antenna structure which may be a laser-etched antenna structure (LES) or a chemical-etched antenna structure (CES), and may comprise and a non-perforated contact pad (CP) arrangement. A coupling frame (CF) may be incorporated onto the module tape (MT, CCT) for a transponder chip module (TCM). |
| US09798965B2 |
On card display of data from secured chip
A retrofitted credit card including a certified smart card chip, a display and retrofitted emulation circuitry operative to enable the certified smart card chip to communicate information to the display notwithstanding that the certified smart card chip is configured for communication only with an external read/write device. |
| US09798962B2 |
Printing apparatus and computer program product for managing sheet attribute information for print jobs
A control apparatus includes a storing unit, a determining unit, a first notification unit, a selection unit, and a second notification unit. The storing unit stores attribute information of sheets to be stored in sheet holding units. The determining unit determines whether attribute information of sheets to be used by a job corresponds to the stored sheet attribute information. The first notification unit notifies, in a case where the determining unit determines that the attribute information does not correspond, a user that the attribute information does not correspond to the sheet attribute information. The selection unit selects the stored sheet attribute information to change the attribute information of sheets to be used by the job. The second notification unit notifies, in accordance with selection of the sheet attribute information, the user that the attribute information of sheets to be used by the job corresponds to the stored sheet attribute information. |
| US09798960B2 |
Identification of item attributes using artificial intelligence
A system that identifies attributes of an item depicted in an image using artificial intelligence is provided. For example, the system may use one or more deep belief networks (DBNs) or convolution neural networks (CNNs) trained to analyze images and identify attributes in items depicted in the images. A first artificial intelligence module may analyze an image to determine a type of item depicted in the image. The system may then select a second artificial intelligence module that is associated with the type of item and use the second artificial intelligence module to identify attributes in the item depicted in the image. Identified attributes, if associated with a confidence level over a threshold value, may be provided to a user. The user may provide feedback on the accuracy of the identified attributes, which can be used to further train the first and/or second artificial intelligence modules. |
| US09798954B1 |
System, device, and method for image anomaly detection
Systems and methods for detecting image anomalies include extracting one or more detected images from a submission file received from at least one computing device and generating an image identification (ID) for each of the one or more images. One or more image quality indices are determined for the submission file based on at least one of predetermined image features, an image type of the one or more images, and submission file attributes, and one or more image anomalies associated with the one or more images of the submission file are detected based on at least one of the image ID and the one or more image quality indices. |
| US09798952B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method therefor
A feature amount acquisition unit divides input image data into blocks each including a plurality of pixels and acquires the feature amounts of the blocks. A first detection unit detects a pair of two blocks whose feature amounts are approximate to each other and extract a first aggregate area in which one block of each of the pairs gathers and a second aggregate area in which the other block of each of the pairs gathers from the input image data. A second detection unit performs additional detection of adding a block adjacent to the first aggregate area to the first aggregate area, and adding a block adjacent to the second aggregate area to the second aggregate area. |
| US09798949B1 |
Region selection for image match
The accuracy of an image matching process can be improved by determining relevant swatch regions of the images, where those regions contain representative patterns of the items of interest represented in those images. Various processes examine a set of visual cues to determine at least one candidate object region, and then collate these regions to determine one or more representative swatch images. For apparel items, this can include locating regions such as an upper body region, torso region, clothing region, foreground region, and the like. Processes such as regression analysis or probability mapping can be used on the collated region data (along with confidence and/or probability values) to determine the appropriate swatch regions. |
| US09798944B2 |
Dynamically enabling an interactive element within a non-interactive view of a screen sharing session
A non-interactive screen sharing session executing within a computing device can be identified. The device can be communicatively linked to different computing devices of the screen sharing session. The contents of the remote screen buffer can be analyzed to determine a graphical representation of a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) within the contents prior to presenting the contents of the buffer within the device. A visible information item can be extracted and a non-visible reference can be established from the representation. An area surrounding the representation including a position and dimensions of the representation within the contents can be determined. The representation of the URL can be replaced with an interactive element in real-time. The element can include the visible and non-visible reference. The contents of the buffer can be presented within an interface associated with the session of the device, responsive to the replacing. |
| US09798943B2 |
Optical character recognition method
The optical character recognition method applies a first OCR engine to provide an identification of characters of at least a first type of characters and zones of at least a second type of characters in the character string image. A second OCR engine is applied on the zones of the at least second type of characters to provide an identification of characters of a second type of characters. The characters identified by the first OCR engine and by the second OCR engine are in a further step combined to obtain the identification of the characters of the character string image. |
| US09798938B2 |
Detecting device, detecting method, and program
To detect a distant object that may become an obstacle to a traveling destination of a moving vehicle or the like more accurately than the conventional, there is provided a detecting device, a program used in the detecting device, and a detecting method using the detecting device, where the detecting device includes: an acquisition section for acquiring two or more images captured in two or more imaging devices provided at different heights; and a detection section for detecting a rising portion of an identical object toward the imaging devices based on a difference between the lengths of the identical object in the height direction in the two or more images. |
| US09798937B2 |
Vehicle control method for safety driving and device thereof
The present invention provides a vehicle control method for driving safety, including: a first step of photographing an infrared image and a visible ray image; a second step of transmitting the photographed infrared image and visible ray image to an image recognizing and comparing module; a third step of leaving only a frequency for an edge of the infrared image and the visible image using a high pass filter, in the image recognizing and comparing module; and a fourth step of comparing a frequency band distribution processed in the third step to determine the situation as a situation which has a difficulty to secure a clear view when a difference is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. |
| US09798932B2 |
Video extraction method and device
A video extraction method and device. The method includes acquiring original image resolution S0 of a Tth frame in which a target image corresponding to a target object is located, where T is a positive integer, and acquiring a resolution parameter P of the target image in the Tth frame, obtaining extraction resolution S1 according to the original image resolution S0 and the resolution parameter P, and extracting an image of the target object in a (T+1)th frame according to the extraction resolution S1. In this way, when extraction processing is performed on the target object in the (T+1)th frame, extraction processing is performed on the target image corresponding to the target object in the (T+1)th frame with reference to the extraction resolution, which is obtained through analysis, of the (T+1)th frame. |
| US09798930B2 |
Determining elongation of elastic bandage
The present invention is directed to new methods of determining elongation, tension and applied pressure of elastic bandages comprising tension indicators. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method of detecting elongation of an elastic bandage (e.g. on a mobile computing device having a processor and graphical user interface) is described. The method comprises receiving image data that includes a digital photograph of an elongated tension indicator of an elastic bandage; analyzing the image data to determine elongation of the elastic bandage by comparing geometric features of the elongated tension indicator to model geometric features that define a predetermined elongation state (such as an unelongated state); and providing output indicia associated with the determined elongation. Also described are various articles, some of which are intermediate articles of the methods described herein. Such articles include non-transient computer readable medium, a three-dimensional member comprising at least one layer of certain elastic bandages. In one embodiment, the elastic bandage comprises a tension indicator and a computer readable code. |
| US09798925B2 |
Method for identifying PDF document
The present invention discloses a method for identifying PDF document. wherein, it comprises the following steps: S1: analyzing the path objects in the PDF document, and identifying the forms in PDF document; S2: analyzing the text objects outside the form regions in the PDF document, and recognizing the text contents in the PDF document; S3: writing the identified results into a temporary file, or writing them into the PDF document as an attachment. The method for identifying PDF document provided by the present invention could identify the tables, the paragraphs, titles, the tabulations and so on in the PDF document, thereby, the PDF document can be edited with the paragraph as a unit, and be tagged conveniently to confirm the reading order, so as to facilitate the reading of people with visual impairment; in the same time, it also can derive document in other forms according to the identified results, which thereby greatly facilitates users to read and edit the PDF document. |
| US09798923B2 |
System and method for tracking and recognizing people
A tracking and recognition system is provided. The system includes a computer vision-based identity recognition system configured to recognize one or more persons, without a priori knowledge of the respective persons, via an online discriminative learning of appearance signature models of the respective persons. The computer vision-based identity recognition system includes a memory physically encoding one or more routines, which when executed, cause the performance of constructing pairwise constraints between the unlabeled tracking samples. The computer vision-based identity recognition system also includes a processor configured to receive unlabeled tracking samples collected from one or more person trackers and to execute the routines stored in the memory via one or more algorithms to construct the pairwise constraints between the unlabeled tracking samples. |
| US09798918B2 |
Method and system for analyzing biological specimens by spectral imaging
The methods, devices, and systems may allow a practitioner to obtain information regarding a biological sample, including analytical data, a medical diagnosis, and/or a prognosis or predictive analysis. The method, devices, and systems may provide a grade or level of development for identified diseases. In addition, the methods, devices and systems may generate a confidence value for the predictive classifications generated, which may, for example be generated in a format to show such confidence value or other feature in a graphical representation (e.g., a color code). Further, the methods, devices and system may aid in the identification and discovery of new classes and tissue sub-types. |
| US09798917B2 |
Biometric sensing
An novel sensor is provided having a plurality of substantially parallel drive lines configured to transmit a signal into a surface of a proximally located object, and also a plurality of substantially parallel pickup lines oriented proximate the drive lines and electrically separated from the pickup lines to form intrinsic electrode pairs that are impedance sensitive at each of the drive and pickup proximal locations. |
| US09798916B2 |
Symbolic print to electronic media bridge
A symbolic print-to-electronic media bridge system facilitates information flow across a computer network. Such a system can include a printed publication containing a print media instance with a printed symbolic key representation; a system agent with a media database having an electronic version of the print media instance stored therein; and a bridge agent having an output device and an optical input device to optically capture the printed symbolic key representation to provide a primary key. After such a capture, the bridge agent sends the primary key to the system agent, which references the electronic version and sends the same to the bridge agent for storage and subsequent output via the output device. |
| US09798915B1 |
Grocery inventory tracking assembly
A grocery inventory tracking assembly includes a scanning unit has a scanner and an electronic memory. The scanner is electrically coupled to the electronic memory. The scanner may scan bar codes on grocery items. The electronic memory may store the bar codes thereby facilitating the electronic memory to track inventory of the grocery items. A mount is provided and the mount may be removably coupled to a support surface. The mount frictionally engages the scanning unit. Thus, the scanning unit may be retained on the support surface. |
| US09798906B2 |
Transaction terminal device
A transaction terminal device is provided. The device includes a magnetic head module that supports a magnetic head which reads a magnetic card. A plurality of communication antennas that communicate according to different standards are arranged at a same end of a housing as the magnetic head module. The magnetic head module includes a line-shaped metal urging member that exerts urging force to the magnetic head in a passing path direction of the magnetic card. The line-shaped metal urging member has a first straight portion exerting the urging force to the magnetic head in a direction perpendicular to the first straight portion when viewed from a side view of the transaction terminal device. Even though a communication antenna is arranged close to the magnetic head, a reradiated radio wave generated from the metal urging member of the magnetic head is reduced. |
| US09798905B2 |
Information bearing medium and information processing system
An information processing system includes an information bearing medium and an information reading unit. The information bearing medium has a two-dimensional array of unit data zones. Marks are provided on some of the unit data zones so as to form a digital code. Mark patterns of any two Y-directional adjacent unit data zone strings based on the arrangement of marks in an X-direction differ from each other. The information reading unit generates a data string on the basis of a unit signal formed from a plurality of signals output from a group of detection units that detect the marks in synchronization and recognizes the digital code of the information bearing medium on the basis of a group of the data strings sequentially obtained from the array of the unit data zones. |
| US09798904B2 |
IC card reader and operating method thereof
An IC card reader may comprise a first interface unit that communicates with an IC chip of an IC card by using a first communication mode, a second interface unit that communicates with the IC chip by using a second communication mode, and a control unit that controls the first and second interface units, and reads data from the IC chip through an interface unit, which first receives a response message from the IC chip, between the first and second interface units. |
| US09798901B2 |
Device having a security module
A device securely accesses data in a memory via an addressing unit which provides a memory interface for interfacing to a memory, a core interface for interfacing to a core processor and a first and second security interface. The device includes a security processor HSM for performing at least one security operation on the data and a remapping unit MMAP. The remapping unit enables the security processor to be accessed by the core processor via the first security interface and to access the memory device via the second security interface according to a remapping structure for making accessible processed data based on memory data. The device provides a clear view on encrypted memory data without requiring system memory for storing the clear data. |
| US09798899B1 |
Replaceable or removable physical interface input/output module
A system includes a removable or replaceable I/O interface (e.g., a panel and associated electronics card). In one embodiment, a security device includes an FPGA I/O array that can be programmed for different interfaces. The interchangeable I/O panel and card is designed with a selected interface's matching physical electronics and connectors. This permits the main physical chassis of a security device to remain unchanged and avoid re-design, so that a user can readily use different interface options that can be changed by the user. |
| US09798898B2 |
Microprocessor with secure execution mode and store key instructions
A microprocessor conditionally grants a request to switch from a normal execution mode in which encrypted instructions cannot be executed, into a secure execution mode (SEM). Thereafter, the microprocessor executes a plurality of instructions, including a store-key instruction to write a set of one or more cryptographic key values into a secure memory of the microprocessor. After fetching an encrypted program from an instruction cache, the microprocessor decrypts the encrypted program into plaintext instructions using decryption logic within the microprocessor's instruction-processing pipeline. |
| US09798897B2 |
Encoder and method for encoding thereof
A method of encoding and an encoder are provided. The method includes generating first one-hot bits for most significant bits (MSBs) and second one-hot bits for least significant bits (LSBs) using input one-hot bits; encoding the first one-hot bits to the MSBs and complementary MSBs through a first logical operation using a cross-connection; and encoding the second one-hot bits to the LSBs and complementary LSBs through a second logical operation using a cross-connection. The encoder includes a first bit generator, a first encoder, a second bit generator and a second encoder. |
| US09798896B2 |
Managing unwanted tracking on a device
Methods, devices, systems, and non-transitory process-readable storage media manage unwanted tracking by evaluating conditions encountered by a browser application during sessions with websites. Embodiment methods performed by a processor of a computing device may include operations for identifying predefined browsing execution conditions encountered by the computing device during a session with a website, determining whether unwanted tracking of the computing device likely exists based on the identified predefined browsing execution conditions, and performing a corrective action in response to determining that the unwanted tracking of the computing device likely exists based on the identified predefined browsing execution conditions. Embodiment methods may also include operations for identifying a type of condition for each of the predefined browsing execution conditions and determining whether a number of each type of condition exceeds a predefined threshold for each type of condition for the session. |
| US09798895B2 |
Platform identity architecture with a temporary pseudonymous identity
In an example, a client-server platform identity architecture is disclosed. The platform identity architecture may be used to enable a venue operator to provide online services and to collect telemetry data and metrics while giving end users greater control over privacy. When entering a compatible venue, the user's device generates a signed temporary pseudonymous identity (TPI) in secure hardware or software. Any telemetry uploaded to the venue server includes the signature so that the server can verify that the data are valid. The TPI may have a built-in expiry. The venue server may thus receive useful tracking data during the term of the TPI, while the user is assured that the data are not kept permanently or correlated to personally-identifying information. |
| US09798891B2 |
Methods and systems for service level objective API for storage management
Methods and systems for a networked storage environment are provided. For example, one method includes generating by a processor in response to a request, a storage service level class (SLC) defined by a storage attribute and a protection SLC defined by a protection attribute for a storage item managed by a storage server, where the storage attribute provides a performance level for the storage item and the protection attribute provides a protection level for the storage item; identifying by the processor, a first resource for complying with the storage attribute of the storage SLC for storing the storage item; configuring a second resource for complying with the protection attribute of the protection SLC for storing information associated with the storage item; and monitoring the first resource for compliance with the storage attribute for the storage SLC. |
| US09798888B2 |
Data management
An example method for managing data in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes receiving from a user in the computer network environment a policy about how a piece of data should be treated, an encryption of the piece of data, a signature of a cryptographic hash of the policy and a cryptographic key, requesting from a trust authority the cryptographic key to access the piece of data, transmitting an encryption of at least one share to the trust authority, wherein the at least one share is created by and received from the trust authority, receiving from the trust authority the cryptographic key, wherein the cryptographic key is recreated by a combiner using a subset of the at least one share, shares associated with the trust authority and shares associated with the combiner, and decrypting the encryption of the piece of data using the recreated cryptographic key. |
| US09798887B2 |
Computing device to securely activate or revoke a key
Disclosed is an apparatus and method to securely activate or revoke a key. For example, the apparatus may comprise: a storage device to store a plurality of pre-stored keys; a communication interface to receive an activate key command and a certificate associated with one of the pre-stored keys; and a processor. The processor may be coupled to the storage device and the communication interface and may be configured to: implement the activate key command to reboot the apparatus with the pre-stored key and the certificate; and determine if the reboot is successful. |
| US09798886B2 |
Bio-medical sensing platform
Methods, devices, systems, and computer program products for implementing a bio-medical sensing platform are provided herein. A method includes receiving one or more items of sensed biological data and/or sensor-related information from one or more sensor devices via a communication link established with the one or more sensor devices, wherein the one or more sensor devices are associated with a given user; analyzing the one or more items of sensed biological data and/or sensor-related information to perform one or more characterization functions pertaining to the one or more items of biological data and/or the given user; and transferring the one or more items of sensed biological data and/or sensor-related information and/or a result of the one or more characterization functions to a private storage component via a communication link established with the private storage component, wherein said transferring comprises implementing one or more security functions in conjunction with said transferring. |
| US09798885B2 |
Security policy generation based on snapshots of similar virtual machines
Determining which snapshot deltas tend to occur in: (i) healthy virtual machines (VMs) that have been subject to an attack yet remained healthy, and/or (ii) unhealthy VMs that have apparently been adversely affected by an attack. Snapshot deltas that occur in at least some (or more preferably all) of the healthy VM subset provide information about software changes (for example, updates, configuration changes) that may be helpful. Snapshot deltas that occur in at least some (or more preferably all) of the unhealthy VM subsets provide information about software changes (for example, updates, configuration changes) that may be unhelpful. |
| US09798883B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for detecting and assessing security risks in a network
The present disclosure is directed to a system, method, and computer program for detecting and assessing security risks in an enterprise's computer network. A behavior model is built for a user in the network based on the user's interactions with the network, wherein a behavior model for a user indicates client device(s), server(s), and resources used by the user. The user's behavior during a period of time is compared to the user's behavior model. A risk assessment is calculated for the period of time based at least in part on the comparison between the user's behavior and the user's behavior model, wherein any one of certain anomalies between the user's behavior and the user's behavior model increase the risk assessment. |
| US09798881B2 |
Dynamic feature enhancement in client server applications and high volume server deployment with dynamic app store integration
Generally, this disclosure provides methods and systems for dynamic feature enhancement in client server applications and for high volume server deployment with dynamic app store integration and further enable the delivery of a secure server in a pre-configured turnkey state through an automated process with increased efficiency tailored to mass production. The system may include a server application module configured to receive request packets from, and send response packets to, a web based client application, the packets comprising input data, output data and control commands associated with a feature; and a script engine module coupled to the server application module, the script engine module configured to identify a plug-in application on a remote server, download the plug-in application and execute the plug-in application under control of the server application module, wherein the plug-in application implements the feature. |
| US09798880B2 |
Fuse-enabled secure bios mechanism with override feature
An apparatus for protecting BIOS, including a BIOS ROM, a detector, a generator, JTAG control, a machine specific register, and a controller. The BIOS ROM stores plaintext and an encrypted digest that is an encrypted version of a first digest corresponding to BIOS contents. The detector generates an interrupt at a combination of prescribed intervals and event occurrences, accesses the BIOS contents and the encrypted digest upon the interrupt, and directs a microprocessor to generate a second digest of the BIOS contents and a decrypted digest corresponding to the encrypted digest, compares the second digest with the decrypted digest, and precludes operation of the microprocessor when the second digest and decrypted digest are unequal. A random number is generated at completion of a current BIOS check, and sets a following prescribed interval. JTAG control programs the combination of prescribed intervals and event occurrences. |
| US09798863B2 |
Federated digital rights management scheme including trusted systems
Federated systems for issuing playback certifications granting access to technically protected content are described. One embodiment of the system includes a registration server connected to a network, a content server connected to the network and to a trusted system, a first device including a non-volatile memory that is connected to the network and a second device including a non-volatile memory that is connected to the network. In addition, the registration server is configured to provide the first device with a first set of activation information in a first format, the first device is configured to store the first set of activation information in non-volatile memory, the registration server is configured to provide the second device with a second set of activation information in a second format, and the second device is configured to store the second set of activation information in non-volatile memory. |
| US09798862B2 |
Apparatus for dispensing medicine, vitamins and/or samples
An apparatus for distributing medicines, vitamins and/or samples, including an organizer and dispensing units for medicines, vitamins and/or samples. The organizer includes seats in which to place the dispensing units. The apparatus includes an identification device connected to a data processing device and containing dispensing data on medicines, vitamins and/or samples, including detecting members controlled to a detecting state by detecting signals generated on the basis of dispensing data in the data processing device. The identification device is configured to be brought in connection with the organizer so that at least some of the detecting members are aligned with at least some of the seats of the organizer, wherein at least those dispensing units, which are aligned with at least one detecting member, can be identified by means of detecting signals generated on the basis of dispensing data in the data processing device. |
| US09798859B2 |
Fluid delivery device and methods of its operation
A medicinal fluid delivery device and methods for its use are provided. The device can include a command means and a dispensing unit that can include a reusable part and a disposable, reservoir part. Software can be included that facilitates pairing and communications between a command means and the dispensing unit. |
| US09798853B2 |
Increasing manufacturing yield of integrated circuits by modifying original design layout using location specific constraints
An integrated device product having objects positioned in accordance with in-situ constraints. Said in-situ constraints comprise predetermined constraints and their local modifications. These local modifications, individually formulated for a specific pair of objects, account for on-the-spot conditions that influence the optimal positioning of the objects. The present invention improves the yield of integrated devices by adding local process modification distances to the predetermined constraints around processing hotspots thus adding extra safety margin to the device yield. |
| US09798848B1 |
Method, system, and computer program product for performing channel analyses for an electronic circuit design including a parallel interface
Disclosed are methods and systems for characterizing and analyzing an electronic system design including a parallel interface. Some methods and systems identify an electronic design including a parallel interface, determine a single circuit representation including the parallel interface from the electronic design, and analyze the parallel interface to determine waveform responses of the parallel interface by using channel analysis techniques without performing circuit simulations. Some other methods and systems are directed at performing channel analyses for a communication interface of an electronic system by concurrently applying stimuli to corresponding transmitters of a communication interface, characterizing the communication interface to perform a single simulation on the communication interface with the stimulus to determine responses at receivers of the communication interface, and determining waveform responses of the communication interface by performing operations on the responses and an input signal to the communication interface. |
| US09798845B2 |
User grey cell
In various embodiments, a user grey cell is disclosed. The user grey cell comprises a simplified logical implementation of a black box cell identified in a software and/or hardware design. The internal functionality of the black box cell is undefined, hidden, or encrypted, and thus is not available for timing analysis. The user grey cell for the black box cell provides sufficient clocking and register information to allow for accurate CDC, false path, and multi-cycle path analysis, and provides a way for designers to locate and repair clock domain crossing violations before the design is implemented in hardware. In various embodiments, a method for user grey cell analysis is disclosed. The method comprises identifying one or more black box cells in a user design. The method further comprises determining which of the input and/or output pins of each of the black box cells are in use by the user design. The method further comprises selecting a user grey cell for one or more of the black box cells, wherein a user grey cell comprises a simplified logic implementation for the black box cell, sufficient to perform CDC, false path, and multi-cycle path analysis. The selected user grey cells may be used in place of the black box cells for CDC, false path, and multi-cycle path analysis. |
| US09798841B2 |
Systems and methods of conducting numerical simulation of an underwater explosion
Characteristics of a blast source and a FEA model representing a surrounding fluid domain are defined. One layer of new border nodes and elements are created outside of the fluid domain's original outer boundary formed by the original border elements. Each new border element/node is associated with one of the original border elements/nodes as corresponding master element/node. At each time step of a time-marching simulation of an underwater explosion, simulated fluid behaviors are computed for all but the new border elements. The computed fluid behaviors of each original border element are saved into a corresponding lookup table configured to store the computed fluid behaviors for a predefined number of time steps in a first-in-first-out manner. Simulated fluid behaviors of each new border element are determined by interpolating, with the calculated blast wave propagation time from the master element, the stored fluid behaviors in the corresponding master element's lookup table. |
| US09798837B1 |
Online engineering tool system for specifying the various components of a holdown system
Computerized online engineering tool system for specifying the various components of a holdown system that assemble a run comprising a tie rod in a frame wall structure from the foundation up through the walls to the top floor, and bearing members and tension devices securing the tie rod to the wall. The system comprises a user's computer for connecting to a server which includes a database of drawing elements and hardware component parts; the server including a program operably associated with the database; and the program including the steps of i) allowing a user to login into the server; ii) allowing the user to select options for the run; iii) providing the user a data input and calculated data page for the load at each framing level and rod size sufficient to handle the load; and allowing the user to download a shop or installation drawing of the run generated using the drawing elements and hardware component parts from the database. |
| US09798835B2 |
Groups of faces that form a geometrical pattern
It is provided a computer-implemented method for designing a three-dimensional modeled object. The method comprises providing a boundary representation of the modeled object; determining a subset of the set of faces for which the faces are a copy one of another; forming a first group of faces within the subset that form a geometrical pattern; and associating to the first group of faces at least one second group of faces that are, for each face of the second group, adjacent to a respective face of the first group and that are, for each pair of faces of the second group, compliant with the rigid motion that transforms, one into the other, the respective faces of the first group to which the faces of the pair are adjacent. Such a method improves the design of a 3D modeled object. |
| US09798834B2 |
Apparatus and a method for assembling a 3D model
There are disclosed an apparatus for assembling a 3D model including a key input unit configured to generate a variety of key inputs for 3D model assembling or key data based on touch input on a screen; a control unit configured to drive an application to implement 3D model assembling based on the key input from the key input unit; a 3D model unit configured to provide a menu screen for 3D model assembling, when driven by the control unit, to display a screen of parts for a 3D model selected as an assembling object based on the touch or key input on the menu screen and to assemble parts selected from the part screen in successive steps to finish the 3D model; and a display unit configured to display successive screens based on the 3D model assembling performed by the 3D model unit. |
| US09798833B2 |
Accessing information content in a database platform using metadata
Systems and methods are disclosed for accessing information content in a database environment using metadata. The method may include receiving search criteria for searching a plurality of database connections. Each of the plurality of database connections may be associated with analytics metadata. At least one of the plurality of database connections may be identified. The analytics metadata associated with the at least one of the plurality of database connections may meet the search criteria. The identified at least one of the plurality of database connections may be rated. The search criteria may include a keyword, and each of the plurality of database connections may include a database, a database query, or a data cube. The analytics metadata may include metadata associated with the database, the database query, the data cube, or an analytics report accessible using at least one of the plurality of database connections. |
| US09798832B1 |
Dynamic ranking of user cards
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a social graph including a number of nodes and a number of edges connecting the nodes. Each of the edges between two of the nodes represent a single degree of separation between them. The nodes include a first node corresponding to a first user associated with an online social network and a number of second nodes that each correspond to a concept or a second user associated with the online social network. The method also includes generating a number of user-cards in response to a request by the first user for a list of second users. Each user-card is associated with a structured query referencing nodes or edges of the social graph. Each user-card contains references to a number of second users corresponding to one or more second nodes that match the structured query associated with the user-card. |
| US09798831B2 |
Processing data in a MapReduce framework
A computer-implemented method for processing input data in a mapreduce framework includes: receiving, in the mapreduce framework, a data processing request for input data; initiating, based on the data processing request, a map operation on the input data by multiple mappers in the mapreduce framework, each of the mappers using an aggregator to partially aggregate the input data into one or more intermediate key/value pairs; initiating a reduce operation on the intermediate key/value pairs by multiple reducers in the mapreduce framework, wherein, without sorting the intermediate key/value pairs, those of the intermediate key/value pairs with a common key are handled by a same one of the reducers, each of the reducers using the aggregator to aggregate the intermediate key/value pairs into one or more output values; and providing the output values in response to the data processing request. |
| US09798829B1 |
Data graph interface
Some implementations provide a user interface that allows non-technical users to import, create, and maintain a knowledge document. The knowledge document may include links to other knowledge documents or links to public data graphs. For example, a method may include generating data used to display tabular data to a user, a first column of the tabular data being associated with a first entity type and non-heading rows in the tabular data representing information for entities of the first entity type. The method may also include permitting the user to select a second column of the tabular data and provide a second entity type as an object type to be associated with a relationship represented by the second column. The method may include generating an entity in the knowledge document of the second entity type and linking an entity of the first entity type to the generated entity by the relationship. |
| US09798826B2 |
History-based tracking of user preference settings
A process is disclosed for using the existing Universal Resource Identifier (URI) history feature of browsers to maintain user preference settings, or other state information, used by one or more web sites or other systems. In one embodiment, when a user makes a particular preference selection on a web site, the user's selection is recorded in the browser's URI history by causing the browser to access a URI (or a set of URIs) representing the particular selection. The same or a different web site may subsequently test the browser's URI history for this particular URI by including appropriate JavaScript or other executable code in a page requested by the browser. Depending upon the outcome of this test, the web site and/or the page's executable code may take an appropriate action or inaction consistent with the preference selection. |
| US09798825B1 |
Active context information for an object and contextually associated objects
An information system using active context technology allows a user to view and interact with a large amount of data disposed within multiple objects with relative ease, minimal time, and minimal interaction. An active context object allows an active context window to display labels, identifiers, and links for objects that are actively (e.g. presently) contextually associated with each other. Contextual association of objects can be determined by a user, inferred by the nature of each object, or automatically determined by an information system. In another embodiment, an active context window is persistently displayed to a user to allow the user to easily obtain information about contextually associated objects and easily allow the user to navigate among contextually associated objects. In one embodiment, the active context object can be transmitted to other users to allow each user to access contextually related objects and, thus, contextually related information. |
| US09798824B2 |
Methods and terminals for generating and reading 2D barcode and servers
Generating a 2D barcode includes acquiring private information input by a user and sending the private information to a server through a network. The method includes receiving an information access address returned through the network by the server, and generating a 2D barcode including the information access address. The method further includes acquiring a 2D barcode including an information access address and scanning the 2D barcode to obtain the information access address included in the 2D barcode, the information access address being for accessing private information. The method further includes sending the information access address to a server through a network, and receiving the private information returned through the network by the server, and using the private information as a reading result of the 2D barcode. |
| US09798822B2 |
Location based grouping of browsing histories
Methods and systems that present URLs from a history of records organized by locations are described. Each record may be stored to represent a URL accessed for retrieving a web page by a browser hosted in a device at a certain point in time. Additionally, the record may include a location data indicating a physical location of the device at the certain point in time. Optionally, a timestamp indicating the certain point in time may be included in the record. Groups of the records may be clustered according to the locations. In one embodiment, at least one of the groups may be selected for presentation on a display according to where the display is currently located. |
| US09798821B2 |
Navigation system with classification mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a signal weight with a control unit based on a feature extracted from a user activity; generating an activity model based on the signal weight for representing the feature as a positive weight or a negative weight depending on an activity type, a category of interest, or a combination thereof; classifying a user entry based on comparing the feature of the user entry to the feature represented in the activity model; and determining a user's intention based on the user entry classified for presenting a point of interest on a device. |
| US09798819B2 |
Selective map marker aggregation
The selective aggregation of marker objects on a map is disclosed. A plurality of marker objects is received in response to a query. The marker objects are each defined by a set of coordinates to a specific location on the map. The map is segregated into a plurality of bounding areas each defined by a set of bounding coordinates. A bounding area count of the number of marker objects having coordinates within a first one of the bounding areas is generated. The bounding area count is compared to a predetermined threshold. If the bounding area count is greater, a first aggregate marker is displayed in the first one of the bounding areas of the map. Otherwise, each of the marker objects within the first one of the bounding areas of the map is displayed. The marker objects are positioned according to the set of coordinates associated therewith. |
| US09798814B2 |
Computer systems and computer-implemented methods for providing training content to a user
Computer systems and computer-implemented methods for providing training content to a user through processing information from a user to select an estimate of most-useful course modules from a plurality of possible course modules, based on a received user input such as a users answers to a plurality of filtering questions. When a user provides feedback on the usefulness of the selected course modules, the computer system is updated to select more useful content for future users. |
| US09798812B2 |
Soft matching user identifiers
Particular embodiments may receive one or more data items associated with a first user of a social-networking system. The one or more data items being related to an entity. One or more data stores may store a social graph of the social-networking system. The social graph may comprise a plurality of nodes and plurality of edges between nodes. The nodes may comprise user nodes corresponding to users of the social-networking system and concept nodes corresponding to concepts. Particular embodiments may identify one or more nodes of the social graph that likely match the entity and associate at least one of the data items to at least one of the identified nodes. |
| US09798811B2 |
Automatically selecting addressees for receiving a content item
A system, method, and apparatus are provided for distributing a content item toward target recipients solely via first degree connections (e.g., in a professional network, in a social network). For a selected content item and identified target recipients of the item, when a user initiates a message to forward or otherwise convey the content item, one or more schemes are applied to select and automatically populate the message with suitable addressees. In one scheme, values are computed for each neighbor of the sender, to indicate the value of delivering the item to that neighbor; the message is automatically addressed to the highest-value neighbors. In another scheme, user communities that encompass the target recipients are identified and the message is automatically addressed to neighbors that are best able to disseminate the item throughout a community. In another scheme a minimal set of neighbors having connections to all target recipients is identified. |
| US09798808B2 |
Data visualization system
There is provided a method for determining, for a set of co-ordinate records associating co-ordinates with incident values, the numbers of incidents associated with co-ordinates within a query area. Co-ordinate data is stored as data representing a binary tree comprising leaf nodes, a root node and branch nodes wherein the leaf nodes are associated with individual items of co-ordinate data identified by the set of co-ordinate records, and the root node and branch nodes are each associated with a pair of child nodes, and are each associated with split values. In response to a query identifying a query area the binary tree is then recursively processed starting with the root node. |
| US09798804B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and computer program product
According to an embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a storage unit, a detector, an acquisition unit, and a search unit. The storage unit configured to store therein voice indices, each of which associates a character string included in voice text data obtained from a voice recognition process with voice positional information, the voice positional information indicating a temporal position in the voice data and corresponding to the character string. The acquisition unit acquires reading information being at least a part of a character string representing a reading of a phrase to be transcribed from the voice data played back. The search unit specifies, as search targets, character strings whose associated voice positional information is included in the played-back section information among the character strings included in the voice indices, and retrieves a character string including the reading represented by the reading information from among the specified character strings. |
| US09798801B2 |
Observation-based query interpretation model modification
The modifying of a natural language interpretation model for interpreting natural language queries. The system discovers modifications that one or more queriers made to one or more original query results of one or more natural language queries to generate one or more modified query results. The system then uses the discoveries to identify one or more changes to a natural language interpretation model that would result (given the same natural language queries) in one or more query results that more accurately reflect the one or more modified query results. The system the causes the natural language interpretation model to be modified with at least one of the one or more identified changes. Accordingly, over time, the natural language interpretation model may learn from observations of its own performance. |
| US09798797B2 |
Cluster method and apparatus based on user interest
A cluster method and apparatus based on user interest are provided in the present invention. The method includes: receiving pre-determined basic attribute data of a user; calculating a distance between the basic attribute data and a cluster center point, based on the cluster point of the basic attribute data related to the calculation of user interest; comparing the distance with a predefined threshold; if the distance is less than the predefined threshold, determining that the user belongs to a cluster of the interest. As the embodiments of the invention take the basic attribute data from the data of registered users into consideration, the recommendation of corresponding content is executed before getting user behavior data of browsing operations, based on the cluster of interest obtained from register information. Thus the accuracy of recommending to new registered users may be improved. |
| US09798792B2 |
Replication for on-line hot-standby database
A method, and corresponding computer program product and computer system, for replicating a database image in a distributed database environment comprises: defining a checkpoint image of the primary node including a database structure and a plurality of database pages; creating a replica database by initiating a backup node and saving the defined structure on the initiated backup node; sending each database page of the checkpoint image for saving on the backup node; saving every transaction on the primary node and creating a corresponding REDO transaction; identifying each data page operated on by each REDO transaction; sending each created REDO transaction to the backup node in the order in which the corresponding transaction occurred, and prioritizing each identified database page so that it arrives at the backup node before or substantially at the same time as a corresponding REDO transaction. |
| US09798785B2 |
Apparatus and method for searching for address book information
Provided is an apparatus and method for searching for address book information. To this end, the present invention, upon receiving a search request message for searching address book information from a client, checks a search preference, searches for the address book information based on the checked search preference, applies a priority to the found address book information to create a final search result, creates a response message including the created final search result, forwards the response message to the client, and updates the preset search preference based on the final search result, thereby providing a search result optimized for a user. |
| US09798781B2 |
Strategy trees for data mining
A method for applying a strategy to a dataset in a data mining system to address a business problem, comprising: receiving at least one conditional expression defining the strategy from a user through a graphical user interface (“GUI”) displayed on a display screen of the data mining system; applying the conditional expression to the dataset to split the dataset into segments; displaying the segments as nodes in a tree structure on the display screen; receiving a calculation expression for operating on one or more values in one or more of the segments; applying the calculation expression to one or more of the segments to generate one or more respective calculated values; displaying the one or more calculated values in respective nodes of the tree structure; receiving a treatment expression for operating on the calculated values; applying the treatment expression to one or more of the calculated values to generate respective responses to the business problem; and, displaying the responses in respective nodes of the tree structure to thereby address the business problem. |
| US09798778B2 |
System and method for dynamic growing of a patient database with cases demonstrating special characteristics
A system and method for context-dependent data filtering for clinical decision support are disclosed. The system and method comprise determining values for characteristics of a present case, determining whether the present case is a special case based on the determined values, receiving input from a user verifying that the present case is the special case and saving the present case to a database containing a compilation of cases if the user verifies that the present case is the special case. |
| US09798777B2 |
Authorization and authentication based on an individual's social network
In particular embodiments, a method includes receiving, from a client device associated with a first entity of a communication service, a request by the first entity to access the communication service, the request comprising an entity identifier (ID) of the first entity, determining whether the first entity is authorized to access the communication service based at least in part on a gray list comprising entity IDs of the entities who are not authorized to access the communication service, wherein the gray list is based on a black list, and prohibiting, by one or more of the computing devices, access to the communication service by the first entity if the first entity is not authorized to access the communication service based on the gray list. |
| US09798776B2 |
Systems and methods for parsing search queries
Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for parsing search queries. In accordance with some embodiments, search records including character strings are retrieved, and search query templates are generated comprising sequences of categories corresponding to character substrings of the character strings. Also, in accordance with some embodiments, search queries are parsed into character substrings and matched with a search query template. The search query template may then be used to associate categories with the character substrings. A search engine may use the categories to focus or otherwise refine a search based on parsed search query. |
| US09798769B2 |
Sharing document links from multiple data providers
A document sharing system includes a plurality of different data provider implementations. The document sharing system exposes a common application programming interface to a plurality of different clients and receives data requests identifying a given data provider, from the clients. The document sharing system then uses the data provider implementation for the data provider identified in the request, in order to obtain the requested data, and place it in a common data structure that is returned to the client. |
| US09798768B2 |
Search around visual queries
A method and apparatus for a data analysis system for analyzing data object collections is provided. The data analysis system includes one or more graphical user interfaces comprising various interface elements that enable users to create visual queries. A visual query is constructed as a graph representing a pattern of interest in a collection of data objects. A visual query may include one or more graph elements and property information associated with the specified graph elements. After a user has constructed a visual query, the system may transform the visual query into a query template. A query engine may then execute the query template to search a data object collection for data object results corresponding to the specified pattern. The search for instances of a specified pattern in a collection of data objects is referred herein to as a “search around.” |
| US09798767B1 |
Iterative searching of patent related literature using citation analysis
Methods, systems, and techniques for facilitating searching for patent related literature are provided. Some examples provide a Patent Related Publication Search Engine (“PRPSE”), which enables users and or programs through the use of an application programming interface (“API”) to iteratively find patent related publications such as issued patents and patent application publications. In typical operation, based upon input text, the PRPSE determines predominant keywords found in the text and locates a set of patent related publications most closely related to these determined keywords as search results. In some examples, the PRPSE determines the set of patent related publications most closely related to these determined keywords both by full text searching of a corpus of patent related publications for all of the patent related publications that contain the predominant keywords and by finding all correlated patent related publications through citation analysis. |
| US09798760B2 |
Application retention metrics
The disclosure relates to methods and systems for generating application retention metrics. In one aspect, a method for generating coupled application retention metrics is disclosed. First and second reference application identifiers are selected (230), and a coupled application retention metric between the first and second reference application identifiers is generated (330). The coupled retention metric is generated by querying (100) an application database including a plurality of application records, where each record includes an application identifier, a user identifier, and retention information. Retention metrics in the application database are compared for application identifiers corresponding to the first or second reference application identifier and having a common user identifier. An application of interest is selected by and its identifier is received (200) from a user of a remote application, where the selected application corresponds to the first reference application identifier. The coupled application retention metric is transmitted (430) to the user. |
| US09798753B1 |
Search result snapshot histories
Methods, systems, and techniques for managing and using search snapshot histories are provided. Some examples provide a Search Snapshot Management Engine (“SSME”), which enables users and or programs through the use of an application programming interface (“API”) to define and manipulate search snapshots. In typical operation, an iteration of a search result is associated with a search snapshot history. A rendering of the search snapshot history may be provided to assist in navigation to other potentially related search iterations and to define new search states for performing searches. In some examples, the SSME may be used to provide search histories to teams for reviewing patent related publications and other types of literature. |
| US09798752B1 |
Systems and methods for ingesting relational data into a delimited column qualifier NoSQL database
Methods and systems for ingesting data stored in a relational database into a non-relational delimited column qualifier NoSQL database are provided. According to certain aspects, an ingestion server may receive a request to transform the data stored in the relational database into a delimited column qualifier format. The ingestion server may then identify and query a reference table that defines the delimited column qualifier format. In accordance with the reference table, the ingestion server may transform the data into the delimited column qualifier format. Subsequently, the ingestion server may store the transformed data in the delimited column qualifier NoSQL database. By storing data in the column qualifier database, fewer computer resources are used to store and access the same data that is stored in the relational database. Accordingly, all the transformed data is stored in a single delimited CQ row. |
| US09798747B2 |
Systems and methods for creating a form for receiving data relating to a health care incident
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for creating a form for receiving data relating to a health care incident. A dictionary of field objects is provided in a metabase, where a field object defines attributes, and an instance of a field object is a form field. A request to create a user-defined field object is received and it is determined that the user-defined field object is not in the dictionary of field objects in the metabase. The user-defined field object is generated by defining attributes for the user-defined field object, where at least one attribute is a presentation attribute for a form field within a form. The user-defined field object is added to the dictionary of field objects in the metabase and the user-defined field object is linked to a data location in a persistent store. The form is generated, where the form is an ordered collection of form fields, where at least one form field is an instance of the user-defined field object and is displayed according to the at least one presentation attribute. |
| US09798742B2 |
System and method for the identification of personal presence and for enrichment of metadata in image media
A method and system for the identification of personal presence and enrichment of metadata in image media is disclosed. The method includes obtaining user presence information for user images. Feature extraction is performed on the images and media databases are searched for images based on the presence information, which includes filtering based on known metadata and filtering based on the feature extraction. The user confirms their presence in the filtered images and the user provides new metadata known to the user for the images. The system then infers metadata for the filtered images based on the new metadata and presents the inferred metadata to the user. The user validates the inferred metadata and the inferred metadata confirmed to be valid is stored. |
| US09798737B2 |
Systems and methods for in-place records management and content lifecycle management
An in-place information management system having a management application built on a common data model and configured for asynchronous query-based application of policies on content stored in the disparate data storage systems through a query interface which may be part of a set of integration services. The common data model may be configured based on common architectures of the disparate data storage systems. The query interface may be configured for running a query on a data storage system in response to a search request received by the management application from a records manager and for mapping semantically equalivant keys from disparate data storage systems to a key in the common data model. The query may define a set of records to be treated similarly according to corporate policy on content lifecycle and records compliance. |
| US09798729B2 |
Information processing devices that merge files, information processing methods for merging files, and computer-readable media storing instructions that instruct information processing devices to merge files
Information processing devices include a sensor, a storage device, a communication device, a processor, and a memory. The information processing devices receive a particular file and particular sensor information from a terminal device. The particular sensor information is generated by the terminal device. The information processing devices access certain sensor information generated by the sensor. The information processing devices determine a merge condition based on the particular sensor information and the certain sensor information. The information processing devices merge a certain file stored in the storage device and the particular file based on the merge condition. Some information processing devices transmit certain sensor information to another terminal device. Such information processing devices receive a particular file and a merge condition from the other terminal device. Such information processing devices merge a certain file stored in the storage portion and the particular file based on the merge condition. |
| US09798727B2 |
Reordering of database records for improved compression
According to embodiments of the present invention, apparatus, systems, methods and computer program products for sorting and compressing an unordered set of data records from a structured database are provided. Fields of the unordered set of data records are prioritized based on an impact of those fields to a compression scheme for column-oriented compression. The unordered set of data records are sorted based on the prioritized field(s) with a greatest impact on the performance metric. Data of the sorted data records are compressed according to a compression scheme. In some embodiments, prioritizing the fields may be based on an anticipated level of usage of data within those fields and/or a cost function associated with a performance metric as well as optimization of compression. A performance metric may include a faster computational time, reduced I/O computation, faster scan time, etc. |
| US09798726B2 |
Identifying content under access control
A search query is received from a first user through one or more input devices. A set of results is determined from content stored on a computer system based on the search query. The set of results includes a first subset of results not accessible to the first user due to access control. A list of results is provided to the first user. The list excludes the first subset of results. A target result is identified from the first subset of results. An owner is identified with control over access to the target result. The owner is notified that the target result is not accessible to at least one user. |
| US09798725B1 |
Variance detection between heterogeneous multimedia files from heterogeneous computer systems
In some implementations a query module generates one or more queries from multimedia objects that are encapsulated in inquiry transmissions and a variance analytic module generates a quantitative variance from responses to the inquiry transmissions, the quantitative variance describes variances and discrepancies within the multimedia objects and between the multimedia objects. |
| US09798724B2 |
Document discovery strategy to find original electronic file from hardcopy version
A method for document discovery includes receiving a scan of a physical copy of a document with a non-text object, determining a tag for the non-text object defining a portion of the non-text object in an original file, and generating, based on the tag, non-text object metadata with composition information of the non-text object. The method further includes searching, using the non-text object metadata, electronic documents stored in a data repository, where each of the electronic documents has an object and searchable metadata associated with the object, comparing the non-text object metadata with the searchable metadata, and providing a location of the original file to a user when the non-text object metadata matches the searchable metadata. |
| US09798717B2 |
Human-to-mobile interfaces
A method of character recognition for a mobile telephone having a plurality of data input keys. The method facilitates a reduction in the number of user interactions required to create a given data string to less than the number of characters within the data string. The method includes: storing a set of data strings each with a priority indicator; recognizing an event; looking up the most likely subsequent data string to follow the event from the set of data strings; and ordering the data strings for display based on the priority indicator of that data string. If included in the list, the required subsequent data string is selected. If not included in the list, an event is entered and the steps of recognizing the event, looking up and ordering data strings are repeated. The priority indicator of the selected data string and the set of data strings are updated. |