| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09825720B2 |
Method and apparatus for selectively receiving radio signals
A method, performed in a network node, for selectively receiving radio signals received in a plurality of remote radio head devices connected to the network node. The method comprises determining that a power level of a received radio signal for a first remote radio head device exceeds a threshold power and blocking received radio signals from the first remote radio head device when the power level exceeds the threshold power. A corresponding network node, remote radio head device, computer program and computer program product are also presented. |
| US09825717B2 |
Method for testing a radio frequency (RF) data packet signal transceiver using implicit synchronization
Method for testing a radio frequency (RF) data packet signal transceiver device under test (DUT) including detecting transitions between RF data packet signal transmission and reception by the DUT, detecting transitions between different RF data packet signal transmission operations by the DUT, and detecting transitions between different RF data packet signal reception operations by the DUT. |
| US09825705B2 |
Systems and methods for sharing of optical network terminals in passive optical network
The system of the present invention includes a plurality of ONTs adapted to provide multiple voice and data related services to different subscribers. Each of the plurality of ONTs comprises at least one receiver adapted to receive optical signals, a de-multiplexer to de-multiplex the optical signal into component signals, at least one transmitter and at least one output port. Further, the system includes a plurality of routers operatively coupled to the each of the plurality of ONTs. Furthermore, the system includes a plurality of subscriber devices communicably coupled to each of the plurality of routers. The subscriber devices are adapted to receive the de-multiplexed component signals routed by the corresponding router and provide data and voice services to the particular subscriber. Each of the ONTs configures separate domains for each of the routers operatively coupled thereto so as to enable sharing of the ONT. |
| US09825704B2 |
Modulation device and lighting device
A modulation device includes: a modulation ID signal generator that generates a first ID signal including first identification information; a reception terminal capable of receiving a second ID signal including second identification information; a transmission terminal capable of transmitting the first ID signal and the second ID signal out of the modulation device; a detector that detects a received state in which the second ID signal is received by the reception terminal and an unreceived state in which the second ID signal is not received by the reception terminal; and a switch circuit that outputs the first ID signal to the transmission terminal when the detector detects the unreceived state and outputs the second ID signal to the transmission terminal when the detector detects the received state. |
| US09825703B2 |
Optical communication device and control method thereof
An optical communication device and a control method thereof are provided. The optical communication device includes a driving module, a data transmission module, a light emitting module, and a feedback module. The driving module generates a driving current. The data transmission module generates a data current according to a piece of data. The light emitting module is electrically connected to the driving module and the data transmission module directly and emits visible light according to an illuminating current generated by combining the driving current with the data current. The feedback module adjusts a direct current (DC) potential of one of the driving current and the data current so as to make an average intensity of the visible light equal a preset intensity. |
| US09825692B1 |
UAV cellular communication service delivery
The use of UAV network cells may enable a wireless communication carrier to provide supplemental cellular network communication coverage to geographical areas. Geolocations of multiple user devices in a geographical area that is serviced by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) network cell may be determined. Subsequently, operation condition data for the geographical area that affect at least one of UAV flight or UAV communication signal transmission or reception for the UAV network cell may be received. Accordingly, a flight trajectory that provides network coverage to one or more specific user devices in the geographical area may be generated based on the geolocations of the multiple user devices and the operation condition data. A control command is then sent to the UAV network cell to direct the UAV network cell to travel according to the flight trajectory. |
| US09825691B2 |
Relaying frames
Frames received at a redundant port connecting a node to a communications network are identified by the frames including a sequence number associated with a source. A frame is received at the redundant port from a source. A newest sequence number of frames received from the source at the node is determined. A window of frames from the source is determined by corresponding sequence numbers. The window includes sequence numbers preceding the newest sequence number and associated with reception information of a corresponding frame at the node. The node relays the frame, when a sequence number of the received frame is within the window and the reception information indicates a first reception of the frame at the node. |
| US09825688B2 |
Systems and methods of antenna diversity switching
An audio device capable of intelligently switching between multiple antennas is provided. The audio device receives a wireless signal by a default receiving antenna, determines signal quality metrics of the wireless signal received by various antennas, compares the signal quality metrics of the wireless signal received by the various antennas, and selects a receiving antenna from the various antennas to receive the wireless signal based on the comparison of the signal quality metrics of the wireless signal received by the various antennas. |
| US09825681B2 |
Communication station with elevation beamforming and related communication device
A communication station includes a transceiving circuit, a radio signal distribution circuit and a control circuit. The radio signal distribution circuit configures an antenna array to communication with a communication device with a first antenna port formation pattern (APFP) and a second APFP based on an elevation beamforming technique. The control circuit configures the transceiving circuit to generate a first reference signal and a second reference signal, and configures the radio signal distribution circuit to configure the antenna array to transmit the first reference signal and the second reference signal respectively with the first APFP and the second APFP to the communication device. The control circuit further configures the transceiving circuit to receive the first channel state information and the second channel state information respectively corresponding to the first reference signal and the second reference signal through the radio signal distribution circuit. |
| US09825679B2 |
Hybrid-beamforming method and device for supporting multi-ranks in wireless access system
The present invention provides a hybrid-beamforming method for supporting multi-ranks, a beam estimation method and devices for supporting the methods. A hybrid-beamforming performance method for supporting multi-ranks in a wireless access system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, can comprise the steps of: detecting, by a transmission end, at least two analog beam candidates having a channel gain greater than or equal to a reference value; pre-compensating analog beam coefficients for at least two analog beam candidates such that one analog beam among the at least two analog beam candidates includes at least two digital beams; resetting digital PMI coefficient values for at least two digital beams so as to reflect the pre-compensated analog beam coefficients; and transmitting a multi-rank signal by using the pre-compensated analog beam coefficients and the reset digital PMI coefficient values. At this time, analog beamforming and digital beamforming are combined such that hybrid-beamforming can be performed. |
| US09825676B2 |
Generating precoders for joint transmission from multiple transmission points to multiple user equipments in a downlink coordinated multipoint transmission/reception communications system
There is provided generating precoders for joint transmission (JT) in a downlink coordinated multi-point transmission/reception (DL COMP) wireless communications system. The system includes a plurality of transmission points (TPs) operable to communicate with a plurality of user equipments (UEs). Each UE has one of the TPs as its serving TP. The method includes transmitting channel state information (CSI) from each UE to its serving TP, wherein the transmitted CSI includes precoder matrix indicators (PMI), and using the PMI to generate precoders for transmission of data from the plurality of TPs to the plurality of UEs. |
| US09825674B1 |
Enhanced transmitter that selects configurations of antenna elements for performing wireless power transmission and receiving functions
The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium (e.g., Bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals (e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic device. Accordingly, the embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires. |
| US09825673B2 |
Contactless plug connector and contactless plug connector system
The invention relates to contactless plug connectors and contactless plug connector systems for electromagnetically connecting a correspondrng mating plug connector. In order to allow for an electromagnetic connection, the invention suggest providing at least one antenna element arranged within the mating end of the contactless plug connector to transmit and/or to receive radio waves modulated with a predetennined carrier frequency, a transmitting/receiving circuit for modulating an inputted baseband input signal onto the predeteimined carrier frequency and transmitting the modulated baseband input signal and/or for demodulating a received radio wave into a baseband output signal. In particular, the contactless plug connector and contactless plug connector system include a securing element for securing the mating end of the contactless plug connector at close proximity to a corresponding mating end of the mating connector such that an electromagnetic connection can be established with the corresponding mating connector. |
| US09825668B2 |
Devices and methods for power consumption control in powerline communications systems and apparatus
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to power line communications (PLC) systems and apparatus. In some implementations, a method includes determining information regarding a potential data rate to be used with a powerline communications (PLC) channel, reducing a bias current or voltage of an analog front end of a PLC transceiver based on the determined information to reduce power consumption of the analog front end of the PLC transceiver, and transmitting or receiving data over the PLC channel with the reduced bias current or voltage of the analog front end of the PLC transceiver. |
| US09825665B2 |
Self-interference cancellation for full-duplex communication using a phase and gain adjusted transmit signal
The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for cancelling self-interference caused by full-duplex communication. In a full-duplex communication device, the receiver will generally experience significant self-interference from the full-duplex communication device's own transmitter transmitting a strong outbound signal over the same channel that the receiver is to receive a weak inbound signal. The apparatus and method are configured to adjust a phase and gain of the outbound signal provided at the output of a power amplifier (PA) and inject the phase and gain adjusted outbound signal at the input of a low-noise amplifier (LNA) to cancel the interference from the outbound signal in the inbound signal. |
| US09825663B2 |
Tablet holding device
A tablet holding device for allowing a user to view a mobile electronic device while lying in a supine position. The tablet holding device includes a base portion and an upper portion securable thereto, wherein the base portion and upper portion form a cavity in which the user can position his or her head. The base portion is shaped so as to support a pillow thereon or may include padding thereon. The upper portion is positioned directly above the base portion and includes a fastener on a front end thereof for sec ring a mobile electronic device in position for a user lying on the base portion to view. The tablet holding device may further include an audio unit having a microprocessor, speakers, and a wireless transceiver for communicating with a mobile electronic device so as to play audio from said mobile electronic device. |
| US09825661B2 |
Multi-user satellite receiving system and method thereof
An integrated multi-user satellite receiver includes: a single-chip, and the single-chip includes: a first synthesizer for generating a first oscillating signal having a first frequency; a first frequency multiplier for generating a second oscillating signal having a second frequency according to the first oscillating signal; a second synthesizer for generating a third oscillating signal having a third frequency; and a second frequency multiplier for generating a fourth oscillating signal having a fourth frequency according to the third oscillating signal; wherein the single-chip generates a first down-converted signal according to a first satellite signal and the second oscillating signal, generates a second down-converted signal according to the first satellite signal and the fourth oscillating signal, generates a third down-converted signal according to a second satellite signal and the second oscillating signal, and generates a fourth down-converted signal according to the second satellite signal and the fourth oscillating signal. |
| US09825659B2 |
Digital matching of a radio frequency antenna
A matching technique that may be used with electrically small antennas uses one or more digital circuit blocks connected in a feedback arrangement configured to tune the transfer function response between the antenna and an output port of the system. Each circuit block may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital filter, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). As such, tuning the transfer function may be achieved by sensing a voltage or current at various circuit nodes using one or more ADCs, filtering the measurements in response-shaping digital filters, and using one or more DACs to drive other circuit nodes in a manner that elicits a desired circuit response. Techniques are provided for allowing a matched antenna to adapt to a changing environment about the antenna. In one illustrative embodiment, the digital circuit blocks may be provided as digital non-Foster circuit blocks. |
| US09825656B2 |
Weakly coupled tunable RF transmitter architecture
RF communications circuitry, which includes a first tunable RF filter and an RF power amplifier (PA), is disclosed. The first tunable RF filter includes a pair of weakly coupled resonators, and receives and filters a first upstream RF signal to provide a first filtered RF signal. The RF PA is coupled to the first tunable RF filter, and receives and amplifies an RF input signal to provide an RF output signal. |
| US09825653B2 |
Cognitive reconfigurable RF technology
The present invention provides a radio architecture that contains a main radio path and a sensing path. The parameters of the main radio path are controlled by a cognitive engine. The main radio path is tuned to a desired frequency band. The sensing path is used to monitor the spectrum around the desired frequency band. To minimize effects of undesired non-linearity on sensing, sensing path may have a lower gain setting. The cognitive engine determines the optimal setting of the main RF front-end with respect to the current state of the spectrum. |
| US09825648B1 |
Method and apparatus for hybrid compression processing for high levels of compression
In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a first compression engine to receive a first compressed data block from a second compression engine that is to generate the first compressed data block by compressing a first plurality of repeated instances of data that each have a length greater than or equal to a first length. The first compression engine is further to compress a second plurality of repeated instances of data of the first compressed data block that each have a length greater than or equal to a second length, the second length being shorter than the first length, wherein each compressed repeated instance of the first and second pluralities of repeated instances comprises a location and length of a data instance that is repeated. The apparatus further comprises a memory buffer to store the compressed first and second plurality of repeated instances of data. |
| US09825647B1 |
Method and apparatus for decompression acceleration in multi-cycle decoder based platforms
In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a decompression engine to perform a non-speculative decode operation on a first portion of a first compressed payload comprising a first plurality of codes; and perform a speculative decode operation on a second portion of the first compressed payload, wherein the non-speculative decode operation and the speculative decode operation share at least one decode path and the non-speculative decode operation is to utilize bandwidth of the at least one decode path that is not used by the non-speculative decode operation. |
| US09825646B1 |
Integrator and A/D converter using the same
An integrator includes a first switch, a first capacitor, a second switch, a second capacitor, an amplifier, a third switch, a forth switch, a third capacitor, and a control circuit. The control circuit repeats a first phase and a second phase. In the first phase, the control circuit renders the first switch and the third switch to turn on and the second switch and the fourth switch to turn off. In the second phase, the control circuit renders the second switch and the fourth switch to turn on and the first switch and the third switch to turn off. |
| US09825644B2 |
Digital-to-analog converter and source driver using the same
A digital-to-analog converter including a resistor string configured to provide a plurality of gradation voltages formed by receiving a top voltage at one end thereof and a bottom voltage at the other end; a plurality of pass transistors including a pass transistor having one end which is electrically connected to the resistor string and outputting any one among the plurality of gradation voltages; and a decoder configured to control the plurality of pass transistors. The plurality of the pass transistors are included in any one among a plurality of groups according to values of the gradation voltages, and the pass transistors included in the any one group are divided into a first group and a second group according to output gradation voltages, and pass transistors included in the first group and pass transistors included in the second group are different types of pass transistors. |
| US09825643B1 |
Digital to analog conversion device and calibration method
A digital to analog conversion, DAC, device for converting digital signals to analog signals comprises a RF output for outputting the analog signals, a thermometer segment comprising a first number of data slices and a second number calibration slices, and a calibration controller, which electrically disconnects one of the data slices from the RF output and at the same time connects one of the calibration slices to the RF output as replacement slice for the respective data slice and performs a calibration of the disconnected data slice. |
| US09825640B2 |
Method and system for time interleaved analog-to-digital converter timing mismatch estimation and compensation
Methods and systems for time interleaved analog-to-digital converter timing mismatch calibration and compensation may include receiving an analog signal on a chip, converting the analog signal to a digital signal utilizing a time interleaved analog-to-digital-converter (ADC), and reducing a blocker signal that is generated by timing offsets in the time interleaved ADC by estimating complex coupling coefficients between a desired digital output signal and the blocker signal utilizing a decorrelation algorithm on frequencies within a desired frequency bandwidth. The decorrelation algorithm may comprise a symmetric adaptive decorrelation algorithm. The received analog signal may be generated by a calibration tone generator on the chip. An aliased signal may be summed with an output signal from a multiplier. The complex coupling coefficients may be determined utilizing the decorrelation algorithm on the summed signals. A multiplier may be configured to cancel the blocker signal utilizing the determined complex coupling coefficients. |
| US09825638B2 |
Virtual critical path (VCP) system and associated methods
A virtual critical path (VCP) circuit is defined separate from an actual critical path circuit. The VCP operates in accordance with a special clock signal. The actual critical path circuit operates in accordance with a system clock signal. The VCP circuit has a signal timing characteristic substantially equal to that of the actual critical path circuit. The VCP circuit includes computational circuitry defined to compute an output value based on an input value, and comparison circuitry defined to compare the output value with an expected result value. A match between the output value computed by the VCP circuit and the expected result value indicates that a frequency of the special clock signal is acceptable. The VCP circuit is used to determine a maximum acceptable frequency of the special clock signal. A frequency of the system clock signal is then set to the maximum acceptable frequency of the special clock signal. |
| US09825637B2 |
Digitally reconfigurable ultra-high precision internal oscillator
A system, method and apparatus for tuning an internal oscillator to a desired frequency F1 is shown and uses an RC delay element that comprises a resistor, a capacitor and a comparator. The method includes receiving a clock signal from an oscillator to be tuned, triggering charging of the RC delay element, and N clock cycles after triggering the charging, the method determines whether the charge on the precision RC delay element is higher than or lower than a reference voltage. Correction to the clock frequency is based on the results. |
| US09825636B1 |
Apparatus and method for reduced latency signal synchronization
An apparatus for synchronizing an input signal that is asynchronous to a clock signal received by the apparatus. The apparatus comprising selection circuitry configured to select the input signal and to generate a pair of intermediate signals associated with the selected input signal. The apparatus also comprising resolution circuitry configured to provide differential signals based on the pair of intermediate signals and to resolve meta-stability associated with the differential signals. The apparatus also comprising arbiter circuitry configured to determine a dominant value associated with the differential signals and to generate an intermediate output signal based on the determination. The apparatus further comprising latching circuitry configured to generate an output signal based on the intermediate output signal. |
| US09825635B2 |
Programmable logic device virtualization
A device includes a programmable logic fabric. The programmable logic fabric includes a first area, wherein a first persona is configured to be programmed in the first area. The programmable logic fabric also includes a second area, wherein a second persona is configured to be programmed in the second area in a second persona programming time. The device is configured to be controlled by a host to switch from running the first persona to running the second persona in a time less than the second persona programming time. |
| US09825633B2 |
Heterogeneous segmented and direct routing architecture for field programmable gate array
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for segmented and direct routing in a programmable gate array. In one embodiment, the programmable gate array comprises a plurality of programmable tiles, including at least one SHLRT having: a block configurable as a logic function or a routing function; and one or more switching blocks coupled to programmable tiles in the plurality of programmable tiles for segmented routing. |
| US09825630B2 |
Single pole-single-throw (SPST) switch and its derivative single pole-double-throw (SPDT) and single-pole-multiple-throw (SPMT) switches
A Single-Pole-Single-Throw (SPST) switch for RF application is disclosed that can include a semiconductor MOSFET transistor T, wherein its drain terminal can be connected to a resistor R3 and capacitor C2. It can have a source terminal connected to a resistor R1 and capacitor C1, a gate terminal connected to resistor R2, a body connected by resistor R4 to GND, and the body can be connected to the anode of a diode DE The Cathode of diode D1 can be connected to a power supply Vdd through a resistor R6. The Cathode of diode D1 can also be connected to the cathode of another diode D2. The anode of D2 can be connected to GND through resistor R5. Capacitor C1 can be connected to an I/O port P1, and capacitor C2 can be connected to an I/O port P2. Inductor L1 can connect to ports P1 and P2, while inductor L2 can connect the source terminal and drain terminal of MOSPET T. This disclosure also provides a Single-Pole-Double-Throw (SPDT) switch and Single-Pole-Multiple-Throw (SPMT) switch based on the proposed SPST concept. The SPST disclosed can offer higher isolation and higher linearity to the transmit (TX) arm of the Radio-Frequency Front-End-Module (RF FEM), while maintaining relatively good performance in the receive (RX) arm of the RF FEM. |
| US09825628B2 |
Electronic device and operation method thereof
An electronic device includes a transmission interface and a control circuit. The transmission interface includes a signal reference contact and a signal transmission contact. The control circuit is electrically coupled between the signal reference contact and a ground layer, in which the control circuit is configured to selectively conduct the signal reference contact and the ground layer, and when the signal reference contact and the ground layer are conducted, the signal transmission contact is configured to transmit a first signal, and when the signal reference contact the ground layer are not conducted, the signal reference contact is configured to transmit a second signal. A transmission frequency of the second signal is less than a transmission frequency of the first signal. |
| US09825626B2 |
Programmable high-speed equalizer and related method
A programmable equalizer and related method are provided. The equalizer includes a pair of current-setting field effect transistors (FETs) coupled in series with a pair of input FETs and a pair of load resistors, respectively, between a first voltage rail (Vdd) and a second voltage rail (ground). A programmable equalization circuit is coupled between the sources of the input FETs, comprising a plurality of selectable resistive paths and a variable capacitor, which could also be configured as a plurality of selectable capacitive paths. Each of the selectable resistive paths (as well as each of the selectable capacitive paths) include a selection FET for selectively coupling the corresponding resistive (or capacitive) path between the sources of the input FETs. In the case where one of the input FETs is biased with a reference gate voltage, the source of each selection FET is coupled to the source of such input FET. |
| US09825624B2 |
Semiconductor device and driving method of the same
In the case of reducing an effect of variations in current characteristics of transistors by inputting a signal current to a transistor in a pixel, a potential of a wiring is detected by using a precharge circuit. In the case where there is a difference between a predetermined potential and the potential of the wiring, a charge is supplied to the wiring to perform a precharge by charging rapidly. When the potential of the wiring reaches the predetermined potential, the supply of charge is stopped and a signal current only is supplied. Thus, a precharge is performed only in a period until the potential of the wiring reaches the predetermined potential, therefore, a precharge can be performed for an optimal period. |
| US09825621B2 |
Information processing apparatus capable of reducing amount of radiation noise and control method therefor
An information processing apparatus which is capable of maintaining the amount of radiation noise from a semiconductor integrated circuit constant. A voltage value information storage unit holds information indicative of a voltage to be applied to the semiconductor integrated circuit. A sub CPU modulates a clock frequency of a clock to be supplied to the semiconductor integrated circuit with a modulation width determined based on the information held in the voltage value information storage unit and supplies the clock. |
| US09825620B2 |
Method and apparatus for digital undervoltage detection and control
A method and apparats for undervoltage detection and correction is disclosed. An IC includes sensors implemented in various functional circuit blocks. The sensors are implemented using ring oscillators, and may be characterized by a polynomial. The sensors are used to monitor a supply voltage provided to a corresponding functional unit. The sensors provide information indicative of the voltage on the supply voltage node over successive clock cycles. Comparison circuitry may be used to compare the detected voltage to one or more voltage thresholds, while delta comparison circuitry may be used to determine a slope, or rate of change of the voltage. Based on comparisons performed by the comparison circuitry and the delta comparison circuitry, control circuitry may determine if one or more voltage correction actions are to be taken in order to bring the voltage on the supply node into a specified range. |
| US09825619B1 |
Self-timed, log-space, voltage-controlled delay line
A voltage-controlled delay line including a clipper configured to produce a clipped input voltage from an input voltage, an oscillator configured to produce a strobe pulse train that is initiated by the clipped input voltage, and a divider module configured to divide the strobe pulse train and produce an output voltage from the divided strobe pulse train. |
| US09825618B2 |
Tunable delay circuit and operating method thereof
A tunable delay circuit includes a first multiplexer, a delay chain, and a second multiplexer. The first multiplexer selects an input signal or a feedback signal as a first output signal according to an enable signal. The delay chain delays the first output signal for different time periods so as to generate a plurality of delay signals. One of the delay signals is used as the feedback signal. The second multiplexer selects one of the delay signals as a second output signal according to a pass signal. |
| US09825614B2 |
Elimination method for common sub-expression
A common sub-expression elimination method for simplifying hardware logic of a hardware filter circuit by eliminating a common sub-expression included in a plurality of sub-expressions is provided. Each of the sub-expressions includes a corresponding two or more of inputs constituting a plurality of coefficients used by the hardware filter circuit. The method is implemented on a computing device and includes: identifying for each coefficient of the plurality of coefficients, a combination of the inputs constituting the coefficient; counting occurrences of the sub-expressions in each of the coefficients; identifying one or more of the sub-expressions having a maximum one of the counts and including the corresponding two or more of the inputs; selecting one of the one or more of the sub-expressions as the common sub-expression; eliminating the common sub-expression; and repeating these steps to eliminate more of the sub-expressions common to multiple ones of the coefficients. |
| US09825613B1 |
Resistor calibration system
A resistor calibration system includes a reference resistor, a first control circuit, a second control circuit, a comparator, a multiplexer and a de-multiplexer. The first control circuit calibrates a first resistor and a duplicated first resistor. The second control circuit calibrates a second resistor. The comparator includes a first input terminal receiving a reference voltage, a second input terminal and an output terminal. The multiplexer includes a first input terminal coupled to the reference resistor and the first resistor, a second input terminal coupled to the duplicated first resistor and the second resistor, and an output terminal coupled to the second input terminal of the comparator. The de-multiplexer includes an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the comparator, a first output terminal coupled to the first control circuit, and a second output terminal coupled to the second control circuit. |
| US09825609B2 |
Laterally coupled multi-mode monolithic filter
A laterally coupled multi-mode monolithic filter includes: a substrate; a piezoelectric film formed on the substrate; a ground electrode formed on a first surface of the piezoelectric film; and signal electrodes formed on a second surface of the piezoelectric film and arranged in parallel to each other, the second surface being opposite to the first surface, each of the signal electrodes including a first electrode finger and a second electrode finger, wherein the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger have different electric potentials; adjacent signal electrodes of the signal electrodes are at a distance from each other, the distance being greater than a pitch of the first electrode finger and the second electrode finger. |
| US09825601B2 |
Differential two-stage amplifier and operation method thereof
A differential two-stage amplifier is provided. The differential two-stage amplifier includes an input circuit, a bias circuit, a common mode feedback circuit, a first stage amplifier, a second stage amplifier and a current compensation circuit. The input circuit receives an input current. The bias circuit provides a bias current. The first stage amplifier is coupled to the input circuit and the second stage amplifier. The common mode feedback circuit is coupled to the second stage amplifier and adjusts a common mode feedback current according to a common mode voltage, wherein the input current is made up of the bias current and the common mode feedback current. The current compensation circuit provides a compensation current, wherein when a temperature of the differential two-stage amplifier is greater than a predetermined temperature, the compensation current is input to the input circuit. |
| US09825599B2 |
Signal transmitting-receiving apparatus
A signal transmitting-receiving apparatus includes a first switching section, a second switching section, a controller, and an isolation unit. The first switching section is configured to connect Bluetooth signal receiving lines to a Bluetooth antenna. The second switching section configured to connect antennas to one of a Bluetooth receiving terminal, a Wi-Fi signal receiving terminal, and a Wi-Fi signal transmitting terminal. The controller is configured to signal process the Bluetooth signal and a Wi-Fi signal that are transmitted and received. The isolation unit is configured to suppress a signal coupling between the transmitted Bluetooth signal and the Bluetooth signal receiving lines. |
| US09825594B2 |
Power amplification module
A power amplification module includes: a first transistor that amplifies a first radio frequency signal and outputs a second radio frequency signal; a second transistor that amplifies the second radio frequency signal and outputs a third radio frequency signal; and first and second bias circuits that supply first and second bias currents to bases of the first and second transistors. The first bias circuit includes a third transistor that outputs the first bias current from its emitter or source, a capacitor that is input with the first radio frequency signal and connected to the base of the first transistor, a first resistor connected between the emitter or source of the third transistor and the base of the first transistor, a second resistor connected between the capacitor and the emitter or source of the third transistor, and a third resistor connected between the capacitor and the base of the first transistor. |
| US09825593B2 |
Highly linear, highly efficient wideband RF power amplifier having wide video bandwidth capability
A radio frequency power amplifier (RF PA) apparatus includes a first RF PA, a second RF PA, and a controller. The first RF PA is configured to deliver RF power to a load over a first range of RF power levels. The second RF PA is configured to deliver RF power to the load over a second range of RF power levels greater than the first range of RF power levels. The controller controls whether the first RF PA is delivering RF power to the load or the second RF PA is delivering RF power to the load, and is further configured to coordinate and control handoffs between the first and second RF PAs by varying magnitudes of input RF voltages applied to the RF input ports of the first and second RF PAs or by varying magnitudes of input bias voltages applied to the RF input ports of the first and second RF PAs. |
| US09825592B2 |
Self setting power supply using negative output impedance
A self-setting power supply monitors a supply current drawn by a power amplifier and sets a supply voltage based on the supply current to achieve efficient power operation. In order to maintain operation of the power amplifier above minimum operating conditions, the self-setting power supply sets the supply voltage to the minimum operating voltage when the supply current drops below a threshold bias current. When the supply current is above the threshold bias current, the self-setting power supply adjusts the supply voltage approximately proportionally to the supply current to maintain approximately constant gain of the power amplifier. |
| US09825591B2 |
Dynamic error vector magnitude duty cycle correction
Aspects of this disclosure relate to dynamic error vector magnitude (DEVM) compensation. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an amplifier, a low pass filter, and a bias circuit. The amplifier, such as a power amplifier, can amplify an input signal. The low pass filter, such as an integrator, can generate a correction signal based at least partly on an indication of a duty cycle of the amplifier. The indication of the duty cycle of the amplifier can be an enable signal for the amplifier, for example. The bias circuit can generate a bias signal based at least partly on the correction signal and provide the bias signal to the amplifier to bias the amplifier. |
| US09825589B1 |
Planar graphene semi-cyclotrons
Various emitters and emitter systems are disclosed. For instance, in various embodiments, an emitter can comprise a substrate, an insulator bonded to the substrate, a graphene layer bonded to the insulator, and a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. The first electrical contact can be bonded over a first portion of the graphene layer, and the second electrical contact can be bonded over a second portion of the graphene layer. The graphene layer electrically couples the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact and is configured to receive the application of a pulsed input voltage between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact and to radiate radio frequency (RF) energy. An emitter system can comprise a plurality of emitters, each disposed on a single integrated circuit. |
| US09825588B2 |
Oscillator, electronic apparatus, and moving object
An oscillator comprising a support substrate, at least one transducer mounted on a first surface of the support substrate, and an integrated circuit element mounted on a second surface of the support substrate. The integrated circuit element includes first and second frequency generating components integrated therein. The first frequency generating component generates a first output frequency, and the second frequency generating component generates a second output frequency that is higher than the first output frequency. The oscillator also includes a ground terminal to which the second frequency generating component is closer than the first frequency generating component. |
| US09825585B2 |
Solar cell measuring apparatus
Discussed is a solar cell measuring apparatus to measure a current of a solar cell having a photoelectric converter and first and second electrodes electrically insulated from each other, both the first and second electrodes being located at one surface of the photoelectric converter. The solar cell measuring apparatus includes a measuring unit which includes a first measuring member corresponding to the first electrode and a second measuring member corresponding to the second electrode, wherein the first and second measuring members comes into close contact with the solar cell at the surface of the photoelectric converter to measure the current of the solar cell. |
| US09825578B2 |
Control device
Object of the present disclosure is to improve accuracy of over-temperature protection of an electric motor. A control device controls an inverter main circuit for driving the electric motor. An electric power conversion circuit controller acquires DC voltage input to the inverter main circuit, output voltage of the inverter main circuit, motor amperage of current flowing through the electric motor, and motor frequencies indicating rotation rate of the electric motor. Based on at least one of the DC voltage, output voltage, motor amperage and motor frequencies, a motor loss estimator calculates a stator loss and rotor loss, each including fundamental and harmonic losses of the electric motor. Based on the inverter output voltage, stator loss and rotor loss, the electric power conversion circuit controller outputs an actual control value for control of the inverter main circuit. |
| US09825573B2 |
Device for ripple controlling an alternator and method for ripple controlling the same
A device for ripple controlling an alternator includes an alternator including a rotor and a stator, a detector for detecting a rotation position of the rotor, and a controller for controlling the alternator to generate a toque ripple with an opposite phase to a rotation of a crankshaft of an engine. |
| US09825572B2 |
Electric working machine
An electric working machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a motor, a current detector, a voltage detector, and a load state determination unit. The current detector is configured to detect a current flowing through the motor during drive of the motor. The voltage detector is configured to detect an input voltage supplied to the motor during drive of the motor. The load state determination unit is configured to determine whether the motor is in a no-load operation state based on the detected current, the detected input voltage and an output voltage from an electric power source. |
| US09825557B2 |
Impulse generator and generator set
The present disclosure provides an impulse generator and a generator set. The impulse generator comprises: a first substrate; a first conductive film layer on the first substrate; an insulation film layer on the first conductive film layer; a second substrate; a second conductive film layer on the second substrate; and an elastic connection body for connecting the first substrate with the second substrate such that the insulation film layer and the second conductive film layer face each other; wherein, when no external force is applied on the first substrate or the second substrate, the insulation film layer is separated from the second conductive film layer; and, when an external force is applied on the first substrate or the second substrate, the insulation film layer is contacted with the second conductive film layer such that, a surface charge transfer is generated by the contact between the insulation film and the second conductive film layer, owing to their difference in triboelectric series. For the impulse generator according to the present disclosure, when a periodic external force is applied on the substrate of the generator, AC pulse signal output may be formed between the first conductive film layer and the second conductive film layer. |
| US09825554B2 |
Voltage source converter
A voltage source converter comprises first and second DC terminals for connection to a DC network, and at least one limb connected between the first and second DC terminals. The or each limb includes: a phase element including two parallel-connected sets of series-connected switching elements connected in an H-bridge to define first and second diagonal switching pairs, a respective junction between each set of series-connected switching elements defining an AC terminal for connection to an AC network; and a sub-converter configured to be controllable to act as a voltage waveform synthesizer. The voltage source converter further includes a controller to operate the sub-converter to selectively synthesize a driving commutation voltage to modify a DC side current at a DC side of the H-bridge to minimize any differences in magnitude and direction between the DC side current and an AC side current at an AC side of the H-bridge. |
| US09825551B2 |
Converter and electric generator in which groups of windings are used to generate output voltages according to a power requirement
The converter includes a plurality of input lines and one or more output lines. Each input line is connected to a group of supply circuits and the supply circuits of each group are connected to different output lines. The electric generator comprises a stator and a rotor. The stator has a plurality of windings. Each winding has a plurality of phases. Each phase comprises bars connected in series. The phases have a first connection at one end, a second connection at the other end and a third connection in an intermediate position between the first and the second connection. |
| US09825550B1 |
Bi-directional power converter for converting power between alternating current and direct current
A bi-directional power converter includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, a first converter, a second converter, a power driver, and a processor. The first converter is coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal for performing a conversion between a first alternating current and a first direct current. The second converter is coupled to the first converter for performing a conversion between a second alternating current and the first direct current. The power driver is coupled to the second converter, the third terminal and the fourth terminal for performing a conversion between the second alternating current and a second direct current. The processor is coupled to the first converter, the second converter, and the power driver for controlling the first converter, the second converter, and the power driver. |
| US09825546B2 |
Circuits and methods for auxiliary secondary supply generation with self-starting primary side driver in isolated power converters
Circuits that provide an auxiliary power supply on the secondary side of an isolated switched-mode power converter are described. Such an auxiliary supply may be used to provide power to a secondary side controller or to other circuitry in the secondary side of the power converter. During at least a start-up phase of the power converter, the secondary side auxiliary power supply is supplied power by use of a self-starting primary side driver that operates autonomously until the secondary side controller is fully operational. Circuits and methods for such a self-starting primary side driver are provided. The techniques disclosed provide for a secondary side auxiliary power supply that uses minimal additional circuitry. |
| US09825545B2 |
Switched-capacitor split drive transformer power conversion circuit
A split drive transformer (SDT) and use of such a transformer in a power converter is described. The power converter includes a power and distributor circuit configured to receive one or more input signals and provides multiple signals to a first side of the SDT. The SDT receives the signals provided to the first side thereof and provides signals at a second side thereof to a power combiner and rectifier circuit which is configured to provide output signals to a load. In some embodiments, the SDT may be provided as a switched-capacitor (SC) SDT. In some embodiments, the power converter may optionally include a level selection circuit (LSC) on one or both of the distributor and combiner sides. |
| US09825536B2 |
Flyback converter with dynamic limits based upon duty cycle and power processing method
Determine the duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal to derive the voltage value of the alternating current voltage when the power supply is in the peak power working status. The voltage value of the alternating current voltage is determined as high if the duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal is lower than the predetermined duty cycle. At this time, the limit detection voltage of the pulse width modulation controller is suppressed to protect the transistor switch, and the power supply can still provide the load apparatus with enough power. The power supply does not need any alternating current voltage detection circuit. The voltage value of the alternating current voltage is derived by determining the duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal. |
| US09825532B2 |
Current control for DC-DC converters
A DC-DC converter having a primary side comprising at least three actively switched primary voltage bridges with several active switches for converting a DC input voltage into primary alternating voltages for each of the primary voltage bridges, and having a secondary side comprising at least three actively switched secondary voltage bridges with several active switches for converting the secondary alternating voltages into a shared DC output voltage for each of the secondary voltage bridges. The primary and secondary alternating voltages are each shifted by a phase angle φ with the periods T, and each of the primary and secondary voltage bridges is coupled to an appertaining phase via one or more transformers. |
| US09825531B2 |
Post-regulated flyback converter with variable output stage
A power circuit is described that includes a transformer arranged to store energy. The power circuit further includes a parallel switch device arranged in parallel to a secondary side winding of the transformer, an output port coupled to a device and the secondary side winding of the transformer, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to receive, from the device, information indicative of a required voltage associated with the device, and control, based on the information, the parallel switch device to generate, based on an amount of energy stored at the transformer, the required voltage as an output voltage at the output port. |
| US09825529B2 |
Voltage conversion control apparatus for a boost converter configured to boost or step down output voltage of an electricity storage apparatus
A voltage conversion control apparatus is a voltage conversion control apparatus which controls a voltage converter having an upper switching element and a lower switching element, and has a calculating device which calculates duty ratio such that output current of an electricity storage apparatus reaches target value and the duty ratio is within predetermined allowable range; a limit relaxing device which relaxes at least one of upper limit value and lower limit value of the allowable range on the basis of magnitude relationship between predetermined threshold value and current deviation which is obtained by subtracting the output current from the target value; and a controlling device which controls the upper switching element and the lower switching element to perform a switching control on the basis of the duty ratio which is calculated by the calculating device. |
| US09825520B2 |
Current-limiting circuit
A current-limiting circuit that includes a transistor connected between an input terminal and an output terminal of the current-limiting circuit. A controller is arranged to monitor a current flowing through the transistor and to control the transistor based on the monitored current so as to limit the current, wherein a voltage dropped across the transistor varies over a range of values during operation in a current-limiting mode. The controller includes a timing module arranged to control, based on a value of the voltage across the transistor, a period of time for which the transistor limits the current. For all ranges of voltage that may be dropped across the transistor during the current-limiting mode, the timing module is arranged to control the respective period of time for each range, such that the transistor dissipates substantially the maximum amount of energy that it is capable of dissipating without sustaining damage. |
| US09825519B2 |
In situ overvoltage protection for active bridge applications
An overvoltage protection device protects a half bridge circuit that receives a supply voltage. The overvoltage protection device includes a high speed overvoltage detector that receives the supply voltage, detects whether an overvoltage situation is present, and outputs an overvoltage signal that disables the switches of the half bridge circuit before the switches can be damaged by the overvoltage situation. With both the switches of the half-bridge disabled, the entire supply voltage appears across the two switches in series, by which each switch only receives half the entire voltage. Thus, by quickly disabling both switches of the half-bridge each switch only needs a maximum voltage rating equal to half the maximum voltage rating of the half bridge circuit as a whole. This leads to reduced size and cost for the switches of the half-bridge circuit. |
| US09825518B2 |
System and method for over-current protection
An exemplary power conversion system includes a power conversion device and a control system. The power conversion device converts electrical power from one form to another. The power conversion device includes at least one switching element capable of being turned off to block an electrical current flowing through the at least one switching element. The control system is electrically coupled to the power conversion device for monitoring an electrical current flowing through the at least one switching element and for monitoring at least one parameter in association with the operation of the power conversion system. The control system further generates an over-current threshold value that is variable with respect to at least one monitored parameter. |
| US09825517B2 |
Controlling module, switch-mode power supply apparatus, and peak current mode controlling method of a switch-mode power supply apparatus
A controlling module includes a current-command generating unit for generating reference current signal based on an output voltage of a power conversion module, a current sensor configured to sense an inductor current of the power conversion module and generate current sense signal, a current comparator for generating current compare signal when the current sense signal equaling to the reference current signal, and an off-time controller for generating off-time control signal based on an input voltage and the output voltage of the power conversion module. The controlling module further includes a time-base counter and a peak-current controlling unit. The time-base counter receives the current compare signal and the off-time control signal, and generates a trigger signal when an off-time interval established by the off-time control signal elapses. The peak-current controlling unit makes a power switch of the power conversion module in a conduction state based on the trigger signal. |
| US09825514B1 |
Electrical generator or motor with variable coil winding patterns exhibiting multiple wires incorporated into a plurality of independent three stage coil configurations and incorporating a belt drive arrangement exhibiting first and second rotating pully wheels in combination with opposite belt rotating magnet and coil supporting components for providing increased power output
An induction motor or generator assembly for converting either of an electrical input or rotating work input to a mechanical or electrical output. An outer annular arrayed component is rotatable in a first direction and includes a plurality of magnets. An inner concentrically arrayed and reverse rotating component exhibits a plurality of outwardly facing and circumferentially spaced array of coil-subassemblies opposing the magnetic elements, such that a gap separates the coil-subassemblies from the magnets. The coil sub-assemblies each include a plurality of concentrically arrayed coils configured within a platform support of the inner component. A drive box including a sleeve shaped trunk and a base, a pair of rotatable wheels supported at annular offset locations of said base and receiving looped ends of a belt, said belt also channeling upper and lower pulley rings associated with said inner and outer components. |
| US09825511B2 |
Method for repairing a stator
The method for repairing a stator having a damaged part includes providing the stator with a seat, removing the damaged part of the stator, connecting the inserts replacing the damaged part of the stator to the seat, and fixing the inserts. |
| US09825510B2 |
Variable gap electrical machines
An electrical machine system includes a stator having a conical stator surface defining a rotary axis. A rotor is operatively connected to the stator for rotation relative thereto, wherein the rotor includes a conical rotor surface. A conical gap is defined between the conical surfaces of the stator and rotor about the rotary axis. An actuator is operatively connected to at least one of the stator and rotor for relative linear motion along the rotary axis of the stator and rotor to change the conical gap, wherein the actuator provides relative linear motion between a first position for a first conical gap width and a second position for a second conical gap width different form the first conical gap width. In both the first and second positions the full axial length of one of the rotor or stator is axially within the axial length of the other. |
| US09825506B2 |
Hobby servo blocks for use with hobby servo motors
Hobby servo blocks are provided. In certain circumstances, servo blocks may increase a servo's load-bearing capabilities by helping to isolate the lateral load from the servo spline and case. The extreme versatility of servo blocks allow users to create complex, extremely rigid, structures with ease using standard servos. The robust framework acts as a servo exoskeleton, greatly enhancing the mechanical loads the servo can withstand. Additionally, servo blocks may include a hub pattern that is repeated throughout the framework to allow endless attachment options. |
| US09825497B2 |
Compressed motor winding
In one possible embodiment, a motor winding is provided having a high density multi-conductor wire bundle with a compacted Litz wire bundle. The compacted Litz wire bundle has a serpentine configuration with a central portion having compacted Litz wire and end turns having non-compacted Litz wire. |
| US09825494B2 |
Rotor of an electric machine
In a rotor of an electric machine, which rotor consists of individual segments which each have a first part which is in contact with a second cooperating part wherein the first part of an individual segment and the second cooperating part of an adjacent individual segment are positively interlocked in the radial and circumferential directions resulting in a self-supporting annular structure of the assembled rotor. The individual sections have openings accommodating permanent magnets which are fixed in the openings by wall sections bent into the openings during assembly of the segments for fixing the permanent magnets in the openings as the individual segments are joined to form a ring. |
| US09825493B2 |
Interior permanent magnet synchronous motor
An interior permanent magnet synchronous motor includes a stator a rotor disposed with a space between the stator and the rotor, and a plurality of permanent magnets embedded in the rotor. In particular, a plurality of slits are formed in one side surface of the permanent magnet in a rotation direction of the rotor at equal intervals. |
| US09825492B2 |
Steering for wireless power transfer
A signal generator generates an electrical signal that is sent to an amplifier, which increases the power of the signal using power from a power source. The amplified signal is fed to a sender transducer to generate ultrasonic waves that can be focused and sent to a receiver. The receiver transducer converts the ultrasonic waves back into electrical energy and stores it in an energy storage device, such as a battery, or uses the electrical energy to power a device. In this way, a device can be remotely charged or powered without having to be tethered to an electrical outlet. |
| US09825485B2 |
Wireless power transmitter and wireless power receiver
A wireless power transmitter is provided. The wireless power transmitter includes a power supply unit that supplies Alternating Current (AC) power having a predetermined voltage value, a rectification unit that is connected to the power supply unit, and rectifies the AC power, a voltage adjustment unit that is connected to the rectification unit, and adjusts a magnitude of an output voltage value of the rectified power, and outputs the adjusted power to a power transmission unit, the power transmission unit that generates the adjusted power output from the voltage adjustment unit as a signal in a form in which wireless power transmission is possible, and transmits the generated signal to a wireless power receiver, and a control unit that controls the magnitude of the output voltage value of the rectified power to be adjusted by the voltage adjustment unit in accordance with a predetermined criterion. |
| US09825481B2 |
Bleeder circuitry for increasing leakage current during hiccup modes of power adapters
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates operation of a power adapter in hiccup mode. The system includes a bleeding mechanism that reduces a hiccup time of the hiccup mode by increasing a leakage current of the power adapter. The system also includes an activation mechanism that activates the bleeding mechanism upon detecting a voltage drop associated with the hiccup mode. |
| US09825476B2 |
Cradle for handheld machine-readable symbol reader
Systems, methods, and articles to provide a charging cradle or base station that includes one or more movable electrical contacts. Generally, each of the movable contacts protrudes through an opening in a surface of the cradle only when a cordless electrical device is positioned on or within the cradle. When the cordless electrical device is not positioned on or within the cradle, the one or more movable contacts are retracted inside the body of the cradle such that the movable contacts cannot be bumped or hit by the reader during insertion of the reader into the cradle and during removal of the reader from cradle. Systems, methods, and articles to provide a charging cradle or base station with selectively removable electrical contacts are also disclosed. |
| US09825474B2 |
Secondary battery system with plural batteries and method of distributing charge/discharge power
A secondary battery system including plural batteries, extends the lifetime of each battery, and improves the charge/discharge (energy) efficiency of a whole system is provided. A secondary battery system includes plural batteries individually controllable for charging/discharging, plural PCSs each connected to the corresponding battery and performing charging/discharging to the connected battery, and a battery controller distributing a charge/discharge power value as a whole system to each of the PCSs at a fixed cycle or an arbitrary timing. The battery controller includes a preference order calculator setting a preference order to the plural batteries at each time point based on a deterioration characteristic of each battery related to each SOC thereof, and a distribution rate determining unit distributing the charge/discharge power value to the PCSs in accordance with the preference order. |
| US09825471B2 |
Resonant power transfer systems with protective algorithm
Systems for tuning a wireless power transfer system are provided, which may include any number of features. In one embodiment, a TET system includes a receive resonator is adapted to be implanted in a human patient and is configured to receive wireless power from a transmit resonator. The system can include a controller configured to identify if a foreign object is interfering with the transmission of power or generating an induced voltage in the receive resonator. The controller can also be configured to control the transmit resonator to phase match with the foreign object. Methods of use are also provided. |
| US09825470B2 |
Multi-source power converter
A multi-source power converter is proposed to permit bidirectional DC to AC conversion from n (n≧2 and nε) DC voltage sources to an AC load with a reduced number of switches, and DC to DC conversion. Both single and three phases AC load are considered. The proposed topology consists in a single stage of conversion, and therefore a high efficiency can be expected for the system. Any type of DC sources can be used in the system (fuel-cell, battery, ultra-capacitor, photo-voltaic cells, DC bus, DC to DC or AC to DC converter, etc.). The AC load can be either single or three phases (single-phase AC grid/microgrid, three-phase electric machines, induction machine, synchronous machine, etc.). There is no requirement for the n DC voltage source values; they can be equal or different and they can be used individually or together by the converter to generate the AC output. If different DC voltage values are used, the converter can be controlled to generate a multi-level AC voltage. This permits to improve system's voltage and current power quality and to reduce electro-magnetic interferences (EMI). Therefore gains on both differential and EMI filters design can be expected. |
| US09825468B1 |
Methods and apparatus for an automatic input selecting power path switch
A fully integrated circuit configuration that can be used to control the power path of a number of PMOS load switches is described. The circuit has a unique feature that it can automatically select the input voltage to be presented to the VOUT pin based upon the voltage levels at the respective VIN pins. By using combinations of the EN input pin and the SEL input pin, the circuit can be configured to perform one of four functional behaviors: 1. Complete shutdown (both switches in the OFF position), 2. Automatic input selection according the voltage levels that are presented on the VIN pins, 3. Selection of the VIN1 input only, or 4. Selection of the VIN2 input only. This concept is extended to multiple input sources in further embodiments. |
| US09825465B2 |
Voltage monitoring control device and voltage control device
A voltage monitoring control device includes: a transceiver unit communicating with local voltage control devices adjusting a control amount of voltage control apparatuses that control a voltage on a power distribution line in a high-voltage system every second cycle based on a command value updated every first cycle; an indicatable-range updating unit determining an indicatable range, which is a range of reactive power indicatable to the local voltage control device, based on a control result received via the transceiver unit from the local voltage control device that controls a reactive-power-modified voltage control apparatus, the control result being a limit-value time or a limit-value-time ratio; and a reactive-power determination unit determining a reactive-power command value, which is a command value updated every first cycle based on the indicatable range and transmitted, via the transceiver unit, to the local voltage control device that controls the reactive-power-modified voltage control apparatus. |
| US09825463B2 |
Devices and systems for distributed power-grid monitoring
A device for monitoring the properties of an electrical grid including an electrical connector for coupling to the electrical grid through a wall socket, a detector for detecting at least one property of electricity provided by the electrical grid, a receiver for receiving clock signals, and a sampler for sampling a respective detected property and recording sampled values in a memory, wherein the variation of the values with time represents a waveform of the respective property and the sampler samples at a rate sufficient to record variations of the property within a period of the waveform, wherein the device associates at least a portion of the sampled values with at least one clock signal. |
| US09825458B2 |
Device for intrinsically safe redundant current supply of field devices
A device is provided for intrinsically safe redundant current supply of field devices with a common current-limiting resistor in the mesh of the field device and with redundant current supply units. A current sensor can be provided in the mesh of the field device, the output signal of which sensor is connected to a controllable voltage source in the redundant current supply units. |
| US09825453B2 |
Protection mode control circuit, switch control circuit including the protection mode control circuit and power supply device including the switch control circuit
A protection mode control circuit includes an auto-restart counter configured to count the cycle of a first signal in a protection condition and to generate an auto-restart signal when a result of the count reaches a protection reference value and a latch mode unit configured to generate a latch mode signal for changing protection mode to latch mode when the auto-restart signal is consecutively generated by a predetermined threshold number. |
| US09825449B2 |
Side-loading straight-line deadend clamp assembly
A clamp assembly includes a body member having a first and second ends. A cable groove is formed in the body member between the first and second ends thereof to receive a conductor. A keeper is connected to the body member and has a lower surface to engage the conductor received in the cable groove. A threaded fastener connects the keeper to the body member. A biasing member is disposed between the keeper and the body member on the threaded fastener to bias the keeper in a direction away from the body member. |
| US09825446B2 |
Mounting bracket with far side support
An electrical box mounting bracket includes a mounting frame having a central opening. A removable support member is coupled to an inner edge of the central opening by a frangible tab. A removable extension member is coupled to the support member by a frangible tab that can be removed and attached to an end of the support member. A cable guide is coupled to an inner edge of the central opening by a first fold line and is bendable to a position for supporting a cable. The cable guide has a body or support plate with a plurality of adjacent cable openings with a retaining tab between two adjacent cable openings. The retaining tab is bendable from a first open position for inserting a cable into the cable openings and a second closed position to retain the cable in the cable openings. |
| US09825445B2 |
Strain/vibration relieving cable housing device
An electric device includes a housing and a clamp. The housing has a port through which a cable is led. The clamp has inter-connectable first and second clamping bodies. Each clamping body has clamping ribs. The clamping bodies are interconnected to one another causing the clamping ribs to interlock with one another around the cable to thereby fix the clamp to the cable. The clamp is situated at an opening of the port with the clamping bodies being within the port and the clamp is fastened to the housing. |
| US09825444B2 |
Electrical wire cover
An electrical wire cover prevents the tip of a tie member from being inserted between electrical wires when multiple electrical wires are wrapped by the tie member, and it protects and leads electrical wires to the outside. The electrical wire cover includes an electrical wire insertion portion into which the electrical wires are inserted; a tie member insertion portion provided on the outer circumferential side of the electrical wire insertion portion, and into which a tie member is inserted; a tie member lead-out portion by which the tie member is led to the outside of the electrical wire insertion portion; and an electrical wire fixing portion provided on the outer circumferential side of the electrical wire insertion portion, and that fixes the electrical wires by wrapping them along with the tie member. |
| US09825441B2 |
Electrical wiring installation system
Apparatus, systems, and methods related to an electrical wiring installation system that has a clip assembly and at least one post coupleable to the clip assembly. The clip assembly has an upper member with a first clamping surface and a threaded receptacle, and a lower member with a second clamping surface and an aperture. The upper member and the lower member are mateable such that the first clamping surface faces the second clamping surface. The post includes a base with a wire engagement member and a threaded shaft extending from the base. The threaded shaft is configured to pass through the aperture of the lower member of the clip assembly and threadably mate with the threaded receptacle of the upper member of the clip assembly. |
| US09825436B2 |
Method for integrating a detachable interconnection module in a cabinet, cabinet thus fitted, and aircraft comprising a bay consisting of such cabinets
The invention relates to optimize the use of electronic cabinets in connector technology, using simplified internal connector technology and flexibility in adapting the external connector technology to the connectors of the cabling assemblies—electronic and/or optical connector technologies—and on the structurally. To this end, according to an embodiment, an overall box-shaped electronic cabinet (1) that is fitted with at least one detachable interconnection module (6a, 6b) is provided with a bottom wall (14) including a bottom card (4) connected to a set of electronic modules (5). The rear wall (14) is extended by edges (14a, 14b) provided with connectors (C1a, C1b) that are capable of being coupled to the connectors (C6a, C6b) that are arranged on a side surface (62a, 62b) of the detachable interconnection module (6a) (6b). Devices for closing and releasably locking the at least one detachable interconnection module (6a, 6b) are provided between a handle (8a, 8b) of an interconnection module (6; 6a, 6b) and the side wall (15, 16) of the cabinet (1). |
| US09825434B2 |
Spark gap comprising a capacitive energy store
A spark gap including a capacitive energy store is provided. The spark gap is fed via a multiplicity of capacitors arranged in a form of a ring, wherein the capacitors are electrically connected to the anode and the cathode via ring-shaped and conical or funnel-shaped conductors. As a result, sudden changes in impedance can be avoided. At the same time, it is possible to realize as large a cross-sectional area of the conductor as possible within a very small space. Therefore, the spark gap has a switching response with a high rate of rise of the voltage pulse as soon as the spark gaps flash over. This results in an easily predictable switching response of the spark gap. The spark gap can be used, for example, to generate pulses of monochromatic X-ray radiation. |
| US09825426B2 |
Optical module, optical apparatus, method for fabricating optical module
An optical module includes a bench part and a cap on the bench part. The bench part includes a bench, an electrode, a semiconductor optical device and a lens. The electrode is disposed on the first and second areas of the bench. The semiconductor optical device is disposed on the electrode in the first area. The cap includes a base, a pad electrode, a conductor, a ceiling, a front wall, and a rear wall. The pad electrode is disposed on the base. The conductor is disposed on the base and connected to the pad electrode. The electrode is electrically connected to the conductor on the second area. The ceiling extends along a first plane. The front wall has a front outer face extending along a second plane intersecting the first plane. The rear wall extends from the ceiling in a direction from the cap to the bench. |
| US09825425B2 |
Integrated structured-light projector comprising light-emitting elements on a substrate
Optoelectronic apparatus includes a substrate, such as a semiconductor die and a monolithic array of light-emitting elements formed on the semiconductor die in a grid pattern comprising multiple columns. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a cylindrical lens, having a cylinder axis that is angled relative to the columns of the grid pattern of the light-emitting elements. A diffractive optical element (DOE) is mounted on the substrate and configured to project the light emitted by the elements so as to generate a pattern of stripes corresponding to the columns of the grid pattern. |
| US09825420B2 |
Image display apparatus and electronic apparatus having projector function
This image display apparatus includes a plurality of laser beam source portions outputting laser beams of a plurality of color components different from each other, a synthesized beam generation portion synthesizing the laser beams of the plurality of color components, a control portion controlling the outputs of the laser beam source portions, and a driving current correction portion estimating a variation in the threshold current of each of the laser beam source portions and correcting a driving current on the basis of the estimated variation in the threshold current. |
| US09825419B2 |
Multi-wavelength, ultrashort pulse generation and delivery, with applications in microscopy
In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a fiber laser system for the generation and delivery of femtosecond (fs) pulses in multiple wavelength ranges. For improved versatility in multi-photon microscopy, an example of a dual wavelength fiber system based on Nd fiber source providing gain at 920 and 1060 nm is described. An example of a three-wavelength system is included providing outputs at 780 nm, 940 nm, and 1050 nm. The systems include dispersion compensation so that high quality fs pulses are provided for applications in microscopy, for example in multiphoton microscope (MPM) systems. |
| US09825416B2 |
Composite connector
A composite connector includes an insulative base having a seat and a tongue plate extended forward from the seat, a first insulative board attached onto the seat and arranged in parallel to the tongue and on one side of the first surface, a plurality of first conductive terminal pieces located on an outer side of the first insulative board and away from the tongue, a second insulative board attached onto the base and arranged in parallel to the tongue plate and on one side of the second surface, a plurality of second conductive terminal pieces located on an outer side of the second insulative board and away from the tongue plate, and a plurality of first elastic connecting terminals arranged between the first surface and the first insulative board. Accordingly, the technical effect of transmission for multiple transmission interfaces is achieved. |
| US09825405B1 |
Push-push fixing structure and chip detecting module
A push-push fixing structure includes a base, a guiding element, a flexible element and a locating element. The guiding element is disposed on the base, includes a first guiding groove, a second guiding groove and a locating portion. The first guiding groove is connected to the second guiding groove, the locating portion is located at a junction of the first guiding groove and the second guiding groove. The flexible element is disposed on the base and pressed against the guiding element. The locating element has a first end portion and second end portion opposite to each other. The first end portion is disposed on the base. The second end portion is slidably disposed in the first guiding groove and the second guiding groove of the guiding element. When the guiding element is moved by push force, the second end portion of the locating element slides along the first guiding groove and the second guiding groove, and locates at the locating portion. |
| US09825404B2 |
Connector connecting structure of electronic control unit and electronic control unit
A connector connecting structure of an electronic control unit includes: a first connector arranged on a radially inner side of a cylinder portion protruding from a casing of an electronic control unit; and a lever member including a pivoting portion mounted to the cylinder portion so as to be rotatable about an axial line of the cylinder portion without changing a position of the pivoting portion with respect to the cylinder portion, and an operation lever portion that extends from the pivoting portion. The first connector includes a connector connecting portion, exposed outward from an opening in the cylinder portion and electrically connected to a connector connecting portion of a second connector protruding from a mounting target for the casing in a manner that the connector connecting portion is accommodated inside the cylinder portion. A bayonet mechanism is provided between the pivoting portion and a housing of the second connector. |
| US09825398B1 |
Waterproof connector
In the waterproof connector, a receptacle is provided with a first housing and first contacts, and a plug is provided with a second housing and second contacts. The first housing has a header at one end portion side and a quadrangular shaped waterproof ring mounted to allow close contact with an outer perimeter of the header. The second housing has in its interior a second contact housing chamber into which the header can be introduced, and has a shell which surrounds a periphery of the plurality of second contacts. The waterproof ring has a first pucker, formed with an undulating shape at an outer perimeter of the front portion, and which can closely contact at an inner wall of the shell, and a second pucker, formed with an undulating shape at an outer perimeter of the rear portion, and which can closely contact at an inner wall of a first frame. |
| US09825396B2 |
Electrical connector with male blade terminal protector
An electrical connector can include a male blade terminal protector that protects one or more male blade terminals from external objects before, during, and after coupling of the male connector to a female connector. The male blade terminal protector can be slidably disposed within a housing of the male connector and configured to retract when the female connector is coupled to the male connector and extend when the female connector is decoupled from the male connector. The male blade terminal protector is moveable from an extended position to a retracted position when a ledge is disengage from a catch by a ramped surface of a female housing and a retraction tab of the female housing is configured to move the male blade terminal protector from the retracted position to the extended position as the female connector is disengaged from the male connector. |
| US09825393B1 |
Electrical contact having contact surfaces in two planes perpendicular to each other
An electrical contact is provided. The electrical contact includes a mating segment configured to engage another contact. The mating segment extends a length to a contact end of the mating segment. The mating segment includes a first mating zone that is located a distance from the contact end along the length of the mating segment. The first mating zone is configured to intimately engage the other contact in a first plane for electrical communication between the electrical contact and the other contact. The mating segment includes a second mating zone that is offset from the first mating zone along the length of the mating segment in a direction toward the contact end. The second mating zone is configured to intimately engage the other contact in a second plane that extends approximately perpendicular to the first plane for electrical communication between the electrical contact and the other contact. |
| US09825392B1 |
High speed connector assembly, receptacle connector and receptacle terminal
A high speed connector assembly is disclosed in this invention, which includes a receptacle connector and a plug connector. Each differential signal terminal of the receptacle connector has an L-type body, a front mating portion and a bottom mounting portion. The front mating portion includes two L-type arms having unequal length. A front end of each L-type arm disposes a resilient contact finger being perpendicular to a vertical plane. The resilient contact fingers of the two L-type arms can respectively and electrically contact with two opposite sides of one plug terminal of the plug connector, thereby forming double-sided contact. The present invention can suppress the short pile effect and reduce signal crosstalk and signal loss during transmitting the high speed signal by this double contact. |
| US09825388B2 |
Layout method, electronic device and connector
A layout method applied to a connector is provided. The connector is electrically connected between a flexible printed circuit (FPC) and a printed circuit board (PCB). The FPC includes M pairs of differential lines and X shield lines. The PCB includes M pairs of differential lines and Z shield lines. The layout method includes following steps. Firstly, M pairs of conductive lines are disposed on the connector. The M conductive lines are correspondingly electrically connected to the M differential lines of the FPC and the M differential lines of the PCB. Then; Y conductive lines are disposed on the connector, wherein Y is smaller than X. Furthermore, at least one of the Y conductive lines is electrically connected to at least one of the X shield lines and at least one of the Z shield lines. |
| US09825387B2 |
Linear edge connector with a cable retention mechanism having a body with a groove with an indentation to receive a bolster plate protrusion
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a linear edge connector assembly and corresponding bolster plate features for receiving and securing a linear edge connector assembly. Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a linear edge connector assembly that includes a grooved and indented receiver that can receive a spring loaded ball on the bolster plate. In embodiments, the linear edge connector assembly can include a magnetic element to create a magnetic attraction to magnetic elements on the bolster plate, such as a press-fit ball or a U-shaped hardstop. In some embodiments, the linear edge connector assembly includes a screw or push pin that can be received by a receiver on the bolster plate. The receiver can include a thread or friction fit receiver. |
| US09825386B2 |
Board to board male connector and board to board female connector
A board to board male connector includes a male insulator, a first male signal contact set, a second male signal contact set, and a first male holding contact. The male insulator includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a first erect wall, and second erect wall. The first side wall is opposite to the second side wall. The first erect wall is opposite to the second erect wall. The first male signal contact set is disposed on the first erect wall. The second male signal contact set is disposed on the second erect wall. The first male holding contact includes a first male holding body disposed on the first side wall, and at least one first embedding wing extending from at least one side of the first male holding body and embedding into the first side wall. |
| US09825383B2 |
Shielded circuit board mounted connector having blade type contacts
A connector (100) comprises an insulative housing (1) and a plurality of contacts (2) assembled onto the insulative housing (1), the insulative housing (1) defining a mating surface (11), a mounting surface (12) opposite to the mating surface (11) and a plurality of contact grooves (13) passing though the mating surface (11) and the mounting surface (12). The contact (2) assembled onto the insulative housing (1) from the mounting surface (12) of the insulative housing (1), each contact (2) including a contact portion (21) received in the contact grooves (13) and a mounting portion (22) extending out of the insulative housing (1). Wherein the connector (100) further includes a shell (4) assembled to the insulative housing (1), the shell (4) includes a shielding portion (41) shielding the mounting surface (12), thereby preventing the contact (2) shedding from the insulative housing (1) or loosening in the insulative housing (1) to make the combine of the contact (2) and insulative housing (1) reliable. |
| US09825382B2 |
Low profile connector and assembly of the same
A connector (100) and assembly of the same, the connector comprises an insulative housing (1) and a plurality of contacts (2) assembled onto the insulative housing (1), the insulative housing (1) defining a mating surface (11) and a mounting surface (12) opposite to the mating surface (11). Each contact (2) including a contact portion (21) arranged in the insulative housing (1) and a mounting portion (22) locating at the mounting surface (12) and protruding sidewardly beyond said insulative housing, the mounting portion (22) defines a soldering surface (222) for being soldered onto to said printed circuit board (200), said soldering surface (222) face toward the mounting surface (12). Therefore, when the connector (100) assembled to the printed circuit board (200), we could make full use of the height space at the up and down direction of the printed circuit board (200), thus greatly reducing the height space occupied by the connector (100). |
| US09825377B2 |
Conducting member
A conductive member of the present invention includes: a metallic conductive base material including a joining region to be joined to another conductive member when the conductive member is used; and a conductive-auxiliary-coating-agent layer for imparting conductivity and an oxidation preventing property to a joining section between the joining region and another conductive member when the conductive member is used, the conductive-auxiliary-coating-agent layer being formed by applying a conductive auxiliary coating agent to the joining region of the conductive base material, in which the joining region of the conductive base material has a surface roughness of 0.6 μm or less in terms of an arithmetic mean roughness Ra specified in JISB0601 (1994). |
| US09825372B1 |
Dual polarized aperture coupled radiating element for AESA systems
An antenna with an FR-4 dielectric material layer includes at least one metallization layer having metallic dipoles organized into two clusters. Each of the two clusters includes metallic dipoles generally elongated along a common axis to produce signals of specific polarization. Each of the two clusters is oriented orthogonal to the other to produce two separate, orthogonally polarized signals. Each of the two clusters is associated with a dedicated stripline feed, positioned and oriented to maximize gain of the radiating element. Power from each stripline planar feed couples to the metallic dipoles through a dedicated aperture in the stripline ground plane. |
| US09825371B2 |
Segmented structure, particularly for satellite antenna reflector, provided with at least one strip-comprising unfurling device
A segmented structure comprising at least two panels, one panel referred to as a main panel and at least one panel referred to as a secondary panel, together with at least one unfurling device able to bring a secondary panel into a storage position or into an unfurled position, the unfurling device comprising at least one strip fixed to the secondary panel and connected to the main panel, the strip being elastically preloaded into the storage position thereof so as to unfurl automatically and autonomously when relative movement between the secondary panel and the main panel becomes possible, so as to move the secondary panel. |
| US09825370B2 |
Antenna reflector phase correction film and reflector antenna
The disclosure relates to an antenna reflector phase correction film and a reflector antenna. The antenna reflector phase correction film includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and multiple artificial microstructures disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the artificial microstructures are wires made of electrically conductive materials, and an electromagnetic wave, emergent after being reflected by an antenna reflector attached with the antenna reflector phase correction film, has an equiphase surface. According to the disclosure, the antenna reflector phase correction film has specific refractive index distribution internally, so that a surface emergent phase of a reflector can be corrected after attaching onto a surface of a conventional reflector, a phase error caused due to installation or processing is improved, a complete flat emergent equiphase is obtained, and then a far-field performance (such as a higher gain) is improved. |
| US09825367B2 |
Dipole antenna and wireless terminal device
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a dipole antenna and a wireless terminal device, which relate to communications technologies and enable an antenna to have a relatively high performance and a relatively low production cost. The dipole antenna includes a first radiation arm, a second radiation arm, and a balun. The first radiation arm and the second radiation arm are both soldered on a dielectric substrate. The first radiation arm and the second radiation arm are separately connected to the balun electrically. The balun is electrically connected to a feeding point and a reference ground separately. The present invention may be applied to a terminal device. |
| US09825366B2 |
Printed circuit board antenna and printed circuit board
A printed circuit board antenna and a printed circuit board are disclosed. The printed circuit board antenna includes a feeding part having at least one first branch; a coupling interdigital part having at least one second branch, where a gap is formed between the first branch and the second branch; a grounding part, where a gap is formed between the grounding part and the feeding part, a gap is formed between the grounding part and the coupling interdigital part, an opening is provided on the grounding part, and a feeding point of the feeding part extends out from the opening. The embodiments of the present invention resolve a problem of relatively low efficiency when high-frequency bandwidth of an antenna is relatively wide, implementing that efficiency meets a product requirement in an entire range of bandwidth. |
| US09825361B2 |
Antenna with multifrequency capability for miniaturized applications
A circuit arrangement includes a first antenna configured to couple to an electromagnetic field from a first frequency band and a second antenna configured to couple to an electromagnetic field from a second frequency band, the second frequency band being different than the first frequency band. The first antenna is connected in series with the second antenna as an electrical supply line therefor. |
| US09825360B2 |
Side lobe modulation system and related techniques
Embodiments for providing side lobe modulation in a radio frequency (RF) transmitting are generally described herein. In some embodiments, an antenna side lobe is modulated to add data to the side lobe for communication with an intended recipient. |
| US09825359B2 |
Antenna device having rotatable structure
An architecture for providing a low cost, high performance antenna for small devices In particular, a rotatable antenna that having three antenna elements; a primary element consisting of a radiating element and swiveling cylindrical head, a secondary element that consists of a feeding cylindrical pin attached vertically to an electronic device main board, and a third element that consists of a plastic part over-molding the secondary element to permit electromagnetic coupling accuracy between the primary and secondary elements. |
| US09825353B2 |
Antenna device and method of setting resonant frequency of antenna device
In antenna device, a coil conductor of an antenna coil module and a conductor layer at least partially overlap. A current flows in the conductor layer to block a magnetic field generated by a current flowing in the coil conductor. A current flows along the periphery of a slit and around the periphery of the conductor layer due to a cut-edge effect. Since magnetic flux does not pass through the conductor layer, magnetic flux attempts to bypass the conductor layer along a path in which the conductor opening of the conductor layer is on the inside and the outer edge of the conductor layer is on the outside. As a result, the magnetic flux generates large loops that link the inside and the outside of a coil conductor of an antenna on a reader/writer side to couple an antenna device and the antenna on the reader/writer side. |
| US09825343B2 |
Battery module passive thermal management features and positioning
The present disclosure includes a battery system with a battery module having electrochemical cells inside of a housing. The housing includes a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The battery module includes a heat sink coupled with the second side of the housing and a thermal interface disposed between, and in contact with, the heat sink and the electrochemical cells. The thermal interface contacts base ends of the electrochemical cells. The system includes a cage disposed about the battery module. The cage includes a cage side positioned next to the second side of the housing and having openings disposed in the cage side. The openings enable air to be drawn into the cage. The air passes over the heat sink of the battery module. |
| US09825340B2 |
Electric energy storage device having a radio-controlled switch for discharging energy using an integrated deep discharge device
An electric energy storage device has a housing, a positive pole and a negative pole, and a deep discharge device integrated in the housing. The device further has a discharge load and it is configured such that the two poles can be electrically connected by way of the discharge load. There is enabled targeted and controlled deep discharging of the energy storage device and improved operating reliability. |
| US09825337B2 |
Non-aqueous electrolyte battery including an amorphous material
A battery is composed of a positive electrode in which a positive electrode active material layer including a positive electrode active material is formed on a positive electrode collector, a negative electrode in which a negative electrode active material layer including a negative electrode active material is formed on a negative electrode collector, a separator provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and an electrolyte impregnated in the separator. The battery further includes at least one of a heteropoly acid and a heteropoly acid compound as an additive at least in one of the positive electrode, the negative electrode, the separator, and the electrolyte. |
| US09825335B2 |
Non-aqueous electrolyte solution and lithium secondary battery including the same
Provided are a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, which includes a non-aqueous organic solvent including propylene carbonate (PC) and ethylene carbonate (EC), and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI), and a lithium secondary battery including the non-aqueous electrolyte solution.The lithium secondary battery of the present invention may improve low-temperature and room temperature output characteristics, high-temperature and room temperature cycle characteristics, and capacity characteristics after high-temperature storage by forming a robust solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on an anode during initial charge of the lithium secondary battery. |
| US09825332B2 |
Electrolytic solution for lithium ion secondary battery, and lithium ion secondary battery
An electrolytic solution for lithium ion secondary batteries contains: a lithium salt electrolyte; an organic solvent; and an aliphatic compound having three or more carboxylic acid groups in a molecule.A lithium ion secondary battery includes: a cathode including a cathode active material that is capable of absorbing and releasing lithium and contains manganese (Mn) as a major transit metal species; an anode; and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution is the above-described solution. The aliphatic compound has a molecular weight within the range from 50,000 to 500,000. |
| US09825330B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and battery pack
A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to an embodiment includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode contains a negative electrode active material. A lithium insertion-extraction reaction potential of a negative electrode active material is higher than the oxidation-reduction potential of lithium by a value of 1 V or more. The nonaqueous electrolyte contains an electrolytic salt, a nonaqueous solvent, at least one hydroxyalkylsulfonic acid, and at least one sulfonate. |
| US09825329B2 |
Gel electrolyte including additives for rechargeable lithium battery, and rechargeable lithium battery including same
A gel electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a gel polymer including a repeating unit derived from a first monomer represented by A-L-E, a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and an additive. A rechargeable lithium battery includes the gel electrolyte. The additive includes a compound selected from compounds represented by compounds represented by derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. |
| US09825328B2 |
Ionically conductive compounds and related uses
Articles, compositions, and methods involving ionically conductive compounds are provided. The disclosed ionically conductive compounds may be incorporated into an electrochemical cell (e.g., a lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell, a lithium-ion electrochemical cell, an intercalated-cathode based electrochemical cell) as, for example, a protective layer for an electrode, a solid electrolyte layer, and/or any other appropriate component within the electrochemical cell. In certain embodiments, electrode structures and/or methods for making electrode structures including a layer comprising an ionically conductive compound described herein are provided. |
| US09825327B2 |
Non-aqueous electrolyte lithium secondary battery
A non-aqueous electrolyte includes (i) an inhibitor against a reaction between an anode and a linear ester; (ii) a mixed organic solvent containing cyclic carbonate and the linear ester; and (iii) an electrolyte salt, wherein the inhibitor is any one compound or a mixture of at least two compounds selected from the group consisting of cyclic carbonate with a vinyl group, fluorinated ethylene carbonate, vinylene carbonate, cyclic acid anhydride, a compound having a cyclic S═O group and an acrylate-based compound. Also, an electrochemical device includes a cathode, an anode and the above non-aqueous electrolyte. |
| US09825322B2 |
Grid-scale solid state electrochemical energy storage systems
A method facilitates storing and discharging renewable energy. The method includes applying an electrical potential across a membrane comprising an oxygen ion conducting material during an energy storage cycle, transporting oxygen through the membrane to move oxygen from ambient air to a storage chamber during the energy storage cycle, subsequent to the energy storage cycle, applying an oxygen partial pressure differential across the membrane during an energy discharge cycle, transporting oxygen ions in an opposite direction through the membrane during the energy discharge cycle; and generating an electric current in at least one electrical circuit electrically connected to the membrane during the energy discharge cycle. |
| US09825321B2 |
Self-biased and sustainable microbial electrohydrogenesis device
A hybrid photoelectrochemical and microbial fuel cell device is provided that includes a single-chamber photoelectrochemical device having an n-type TiO2 photoanode and a Pt counter electrode in an aqueous electrolyte solution, and a dual-chamber microbial fuel cell having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by a cation exchange membrane, where the anode chamber includes a carbon anode and microorganisms and the cathode chamber includes Pt-loaded carbon cathode, the carbon anode is electrically connected to the Pt counter electrode, the carbon cathode is electrically connected to the TiO2 photoanode, a light source creates photoexcited electron-hole pairs at the photoanode, the holes oxidize water into oxygen, where dissolved oxygen in the cathode chamber is reduced, the microorganisms oxidize and produce bioelectrons, where the bioelectrons are transferred to the Pt electrode and reduce protons to form hydrogen gas. |
| US09825319B2 |
Fossil fuel power plant with integrated carbon separation facility
As integrated fossil fuel power plant and a method of operating the power plant is provided. The integrated fossil fuel power plant includes a gas turbine arrangement and a carbonate fuel cell having an anode side and a cathode side. The operating method for the integrated fossil fuel power plant includes partially expanding combustion gases in the gas turbine arrangement so that the temperature of the partially expanded combustion gases is optimized for reaction in the cathode side of the carbonate fuel cell, and feeding the partially expanded combustion gases at the optimized temperature to the cathode side of the carbonate fuel cell for reaction in the cathode side of the carbonate fuel cell. |
| US09825317B2 |
Fuel cell system and control method of the same
A fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell 20, gas supply systems 30, 40, which supply gases to the fuel cell 20, and a controller 60, which controls the gas supply systems 30, 40. During a non-operation period of the fuel cell 20, the controller 60 controls the gas supply systems 30, 40 to carry out the scavenging treatment. If the scavenging treatment is interrupted by an operation performed by a user, then the controller 60 controls the gas supply systems 30, 40 and restarts the scavenging treatment after a predetermined time elapses from the interruption. |
| US09825316B2 |
Hydrogen producing fuel cartridge and methods for producing hydrogen
In aspects of the disclosure, a fuel cartridge wherein the fuel is in a powdered form is admixed with inert materials such as alumina or other ceramics to improve thermal conductivity. Said cartridge having fuel zones, heating zones, and controllers to selectively heat fuel zones and thereby generate hydrogen via decomposition of fuel is disclosed. |
| US09825314B2 |
Fuel cell and manufacturing method of expanded metal
A cathode-side gas flow path of a cell that forms part of a fuel cell is formed by a first expanded metal arranged on a gas inlet side, and a second expanded metal arranged on a downstream side. The first expanded metal is such that mesh is arranged in a straight line, and gas that flows on a gas diffusion layer side is separated from gas that flows on a separator side. The gas flowrate on the gas inlet side is reduced, so the amount of produced water that is carried away is reduced. As a result, the gas inlet side is inhibited from becoming dry at high temperatures. |
| US09825308B1 |
Low platinum catalyst and method of preparation
A low platinum catalyst and method for making same. The catalyst comprises platinum-transition metal bimetallic alloy microcrystallites over a transition metal-nitrogen-carbon composite. A method of making a catalyst comprises preparation of transition metal organic frameworks, infusion of platinum, thermal treatment, and reduction to form the microcrystallites and composite. |
| US09825301B2 |
Electrode with improvement of biased movement and secondary battery comprising the same
The present disclosure refers to a secondary battery comprising a reinforcing material in the fore part of an electrode current collector used in a jelly-roll type electrode assembly, thereby making the jelly-roll type electrode assembly wound in the predetermined position and eventually solving the problem an internal short-circuit due to biased movement. |
| US09825300B2 |
Aluminum alloy foil for electrode current collector, method for manufacturing same, and electrode material
The present invention provides an aluminum alloy foil, capable of going under thin rolling during its manufacture. The aluminum alloy foil shall also avoid cuts during the active material paste coating process and wrinkles during the press working process, and have suitable strength for the series of manufacturing processes from the manufacture of the aluminum alloy foil to the manufacture of the electrode material. Further, the present invention provides an aluminum alloy foil for electrode current collector, including 0.50 to 1.50 mass % (hereinafter mass % is referred to as %) of Mn, 0.05 to 0.50% of Cu, 0.20 to 1.00% of Fe, 0.01 to 0.60% of Si, with the rest consisting of Al and unavoidable impurities, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electrode material. Here, regarding the aluminum alloy foil, a solid solution amount of Mn is 1500 ppm or more, a solid solution amount of Cu is 40 ppm or more, and a tensile strength after a final cold rolling (T1) is 260 MPa or higher and 350 MPa or lower. |
| US09825298B2 |
Apparatus and method for manufacturing an electricity storage material
An apparatus and method for manufacturing an electricity storage material are provided which allow easily measuring the dissolution rate to solubility of a solution of a powder thickener dissolved in a liquid solvent. An apparatus for manufacturing an electricity storage material includes: a dissolving device that dissolves in a liquid solvent a thickener as powder that is ionized when dissolved; and a dissolution-rate-to-solubility determining device that measures conductivity of the solution produced by the dissolving device and determines a dissolution rate to solubility of the solution based on the measured conductivity. The dissolution rate to solubility can thus be determined without the need to stop the dissolving device during dissolution of the thickener in the liquid solvent. This can significantly improve production efficiency. Since excessive operation of the dissolving device can be prevented, energy saving can be achieved. |
| US09825297B2 |
Negative-electrode active material for sodium-ion secondary battery, method for manufacturing said negative-electrode active material, and sodium-ion secondary battery
A negative-electrode active material for a sodium-ion secondary battery contains a porous carbon material which has a plurality of open pores that extend through to the surface, a plurality of closed pores that do not extend through to the surface, and a solid made of carbon material. The distance between (002) planes of the solid portion is not less than 0.340 nm and not more than 0.410 nm. The plurality of closed pores account for a volume ratio of not less than 0% and not more than 10% with respect to a total volume of the plurality of open pores, the plurality of closed pores, and the solid portion. The plurality of open pores account for a volume ratio of not less than 0% and not more than 50% with respect to a total volume of the plurality of open pores, the plurality of closed pores, and the solid portion. |
| US09825292B2 |
Layered and spinel lithium titanates and processes for preparing the same
A process for producing lithium titanate which includes the steps of synthesizing a lithium titanate hydrate intermediate via aqueous chemical processing, and thermally treating the lithium titanate hydrate intermediate to produce the lithium titanate. The lithium titanate hydrate is preferably (Li1.81H0.19)Ti2O<<2H2O. The lithium titanate is preferably Li4Ti5O12 (LTO). Synthesizing the lithium titanate hydrate intermediate may include mixing a titanium-containing compound with a lithium-containing compound in a solvent to produce a lithium-titanium precursor mixture. Preferably the titanium-containing compound includes titanium tetrachloride TiCl4. Also, a lithium titanate obtained according to the process and a lithium battery including the lithium titanate. |
| US09825288B2 |
Method for making lithium ion battery anode active material
A method for making a lithium ion battery anode active material comprising: providing silicon particles and a silane coupling agent, wherein the silane coupling agent comprises a hydrolysable functional group and an organic functional group; mixing the silicon particles and the silane coupling agent in water to obtain a first mixture; adding a monomer or oligomer to the first mixture to obtain a second mixture, the surfaces of the silicon particles being coated with a polymer layer by in situ polymerization method to obtain silicon polymer composite material, the monomer or the oligomer reacting with the organic functional group of the silane coupling agent in a polymerization, thereby a generated polymer layer being chemically grafted on the surfaces of the silicon particles; and heating the silicon polymer composite material to carbonize the polymer layer to form a carbon layer coated on the surfaces of the silicon particles. |
| US09825279B2 |
Powder supply device for secondary battery and apparatus for manufacturing electrode body
Provided is a powder supply device for a secondary battery which can always supply a fixed amount of powder with high accuracy without being influenced by a state of the powder. In addition, provided is an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode body, which includes the powder supply device and can efficiently manufacture an electrode body. The powder supply device includes a rotor which makes powder fall into an opening, and a mesh body which covers the lower end of the opening. Uneven portions or projecting portions are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor. The rotor is rotatably supported in a storing portion. The gap is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the rotor and the inner surface of the storing portion so that they are spaced apart. The mesh body is arranged away from the outer circumferential surface of the rotor. |
| US09825276B2 |
Battery pack including a protection circuit module for unit batteries
A battery pack includes a plurality of unit batteries arranged side by side in a first direction, each unit battery including a can accommodating an opening including an electrode assembly having a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the electrode plates, and a cap plate sealing the opening. The plurality of unit batteries may be arranged side by side in the first direction with all the cap plates exposed in the same direction. The battery pack may further include a protection circuit module adjacent to the cap plate with a circuit board extending in the first direction and a protection device coupled to it, wherein each unit battery further includes a first terminal on a first area of the cap plate and a second terminal on a second area of the cap plate, each coupled to the unit battery and the protection circuit module. |
| US09825275B2 |
Bi-cell for secondary battery having improved stability and method of preparing the same
Provided are a bi-cell for a secondary battery having improved stability which may reduce shrinkage of a separator, and a method of preparing the bi-cell. The bi-cell for a secondary battery having improved stability according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a cathode and an anode are alternatingly disposed in a state in which the cathode has one more layer than the anode or the anode has one more layer than the cathode, separators having a bigger size than the cathode and the anode and insulating the cathode and the anode are disposed between the cathode and the anode, and edges of an upper separator and edges of a lower separator, which face to each other having the cathode and the anode disposed therebetween, are attached to each other to form fused portions. |
| US09825268B2 |
Separator for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery utilizing same, and manufacturing methods of same
The separator of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is characterized by having a composite nanofiber fiber which is a nanosize fiber that contains two or more kinds of aqueous resins whose melting points are different. |
| US09825266B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack includes at least one battery module, a housing accommodating the at least one battery module therein, a controller to control the at least one battery module, a partition positioned between the controller and the at least one battery module, and a connector at least partially passing through the partition, the connector electrically connecting the at least one battery module with the controller. |
| US09825259B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display device
An organic light emitting diode display device, including a flexible substrate; pixels on the flexible substrate, the pixels including an organic emission layer; a pixel definition layer between the pixels, the pixel definition layer including openings; an encapsulation layer covering the pixels; and a conductive light shielding member on the encapsulation layer, the conductive light shielding member not overlapped with the pixels, and overlapped with the pixel definition layer. |
| US09825258B2 |
Layered structure for OLED device, method for manufacturing the same, and OLED device having the same
A layered structure for an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) device, the layered structure including a light-transmissive substrate and an internal extraction layer formed on one side of the light-transmissive substrate, in which the internal extraction layer includes (1) a scattering area containing scattering elements composed of solid particles and pores, the solid particles having a density that decreases as it goes away from the interface with the light-transmissive substrate, and the pores having a density that increases as it goes away from the interface with the light-transmissive substrate, and (2) a free area where no scattering elements are present, formed from the surface of the internal extraction layer, which is opposite to the interface, to a predetermined depth. |
| US09825257B2 |
Light extraction substrate for OLED and method of fabricating the same
A light extraction substrate for an organic light-emitting device (OLED) which can improve the brightness of a display or an illumination system to which an OLED is applied by improving light extraction efficiency and a method of manufacturing the same. The light extraction substrate for an OLED includes an oxide or nitride thin film formed on a substrate body. The oxide or nitride thin film includes a base layer formed on the substrate body, a first texture formed on the base layer, the first texture having a plurality of first protrusions which protrude continuously or discontinuously from the base layer, and a second texture having a plurality of second protrusions which protrude continuously or discontinuously from each outer surface of the first protrusions. |
| US09825251B2 |
Display apparatus comprising a seal portion having two different thicknesses
A display apparatus comprises a substrate, an encapsulation panel opposing the substrate, a display unit disposed between the substrate and the encapsulation panel and a seal portion bonding the substrate and the encapsulation panel and surrounding the display unit. The seal portion comprises a first surface facing the substrate and a second surface facing the encapsulation panel. The seal portion has a first thickness that is a distance between the first surface and the second surface measured at a first point and a second thickness that is a distance between the first surface and the second surface measured at a second point. A first virtual line passing a center point of the display area and the first point is substantially perpendicular to a second virtual line passing the center point and the second point. The first thickness is substantially different from the second thickness. |
| US09825244B2 |
Organic light-emitting device
Provided is an organic light-emitting device including a first electrode, a second electrode disposed opposite to the first electrode, an emission layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electron-transporting layer disposed between the emission layer and the second electrode. The electron-transporting layer includes a first electron-transporting material and a second electron-transporting material. The lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level of the first electron-transporting material (EL1) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level of the second electron-transporting material (EL2) satisfy the equation 0.1 eV≦|EL1−EL2|≦0.3 eV. |
| US09825243B2 |
Methods for fabricating OLEDs on non-uniform substrates and devices made therefrom
Described herein are devices and methods related to fabrication of organic electroluminescent devices and related components. In certain embodiments, devices and methods for fabricating OLED panels on substrates with non-uniform reflection or un-even surfaces require that the non-uniform features are arranged in a way such that they are not presented in the region where photolithography features are needed. In certain embodiments, where precision processing such as photolithography features are needed, the substrate is designed to be flat. |
| US09825238B2 |
Heterocyclic compound, light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device
A novel heterocyclic compound that can be used as a host material in which a light-emitting substance is dispersed. A light-emitting element having a long lifetime. A heterocyclic compound in which a substituted or unsubstituted dibenzo[f,h]quinoxalinyl group is bonded to a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group having 6 to 25 carbon atoms which is bonded to any one of the 8-11 positions of a substituted or unsubstituted benzo[b]naphtho[1,2-d]furan skeleton. |
| US09825229B2 |
Purification of carbon nanotubes via selective heating
The present invention provides methods for purifying a layer of carbon nanotubes comprising providing a precursor layer of substantially aligned carbon nanotubes supported by a substrate, wherein the precursor layer comprises a mixture of first carbon nanotubes and second carbon nanotubes; selectively heating the first carbon nanotubes; and separating the first carbon nanotubes from the second carbon nanotubes, thereby generating a purified layer of carbon nanotubes. Devices benefiting from enhanced electrical properties enabled by the purified layer of carbon nanotubes are also described. |
| US09825225B2 |
Ink for forming functional layer, method of manufacturing ink for forming functional layer, and method of manufacturing organic electro-luminescence element
An ink for forming a functional layer, which is used when any thin film layer among functional layers consisting of a plurality of thin film layers is formed, includes a functional layer forming material and a solvent for dissolving the functional layer forming material, and in which the number of particles of 0.5 μm or more is 7 or less in 10 ml of the ink for forming a functional layer. |
| US09825223B2 |
Fin selector with gated RRAM
A method of fabricating a fin selector with a gated RRAM and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include forming a bottom electrode layer and a hardmask on a semiconductor substrate; etching the hardmask, bottom electrode layer, and semiconductor substrate to form a fin-like structure; forming first and second dummy gate stacks on first and second side surfaces of the fin-like structure, respectively; forming spacers on vertical surfaces of the first and second dummy gate stacks; forming an ILD surrounding the spacers; removing the first and second dummy gate stacks, forming first and second cavities on first and second sides of the fin-like structure; forming an RRAM layer on the first and second side surfaces of the fin-like structure in the first and second cavities, respectively; and filling each of the first and second cavities with a top electrode. |
| US09825215B2 |
Method of forming a piezoelectric actuator
A piezoelectric actuator of a multilayer design includes outer electrodes that are fastened by means of a bonding layer applied by thermal spraying. For example, the outer electrodes are formed as a woven wire fabric. Furthermore, a method for fastening an outer electrode in a piezoelectric actuator is specified. |
| US09825214B1 |
Films and the like produced from particles by processing with electron beams, and a method for production thereof
An article composed of sintered particles is produced by depositing ligand-containing particles on a substrate, then scanning the substrate with an electron beam that generates sufficient surface and subsurface heating to substantially eliminate the ligands and melt or sinter the particles into a cohesive film with superior charge carrier properties. The particles are sintered or melted together to form a polycrystalline layer that is substantially ligand-free to form, for example, a film such as a continuous polycrystalline film. The scanning operation is conducted so as to heat treat a controllably localized region at and below a surface of the particles by selecting a rate of deposited energy at the region to exceed a rate of conduction away from the substrate. |
| US09825213B2 |
Piezoelectric element, liquid discharge head, ultrasonic motor, and dust removing device
A piezoelectric element having an improved piezoelectric constant is provided, and a liquid discharge head, an ultrasonic motor, and a dust removing device, each of which uses the above piezoelectric element, are also provided. A piezoelectric element at least includes a pair of electrodes and a piezoelectric material provided in contact with the pair of electrodes, the piezoelectric material is formed of an aggregate of crystal grains containing barium titanate as a primary component, and among the crystal grains of the aggregate, crystal grains at least in contact with the electrodes have dislocation layers in the grains. A liquid discharge head, an ultrasonic motor, and a dust removing device each use the above piezoelectric element. |
| US09825199B2 |
Laser-transferred IBC solar cells
A laser processing system can be utilized to produce high-performance interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells. The laser processing system can be utilized to ablate, transfer material, and/or laser-dope or laser fire contacts. Laser ablation can be utilized to remove and pattern openings in a passivated or emitter layer. Laser transferring may then be utilized to transfer dopant and/or contact materials to the patterned openings, thereby forming an interdigitated finger pattern. The laser processing system may also be utilized to plate a conductive material on top of the transferred dopant or contact materials. |
| US09825196B2 |
Microcrystalline silicon thin film solar cell and the manufacturing method thereof
The present invention relates to a microcrystalline silicon thin film solar cell and the manufacturing method thereof, using which not only the crystallinity of a microcrystalline silicon thin film that is to be formed by the manufacturing method can be controlled and adjusted at will and the defects in the microcrystalline silicon thin film can be fixed, but also the device characteristic degradation due to chamber contamination happening in the manufacturing process, such as plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), can be eliminated effectively. |
| US09825184B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, an inter-electrode insulating film interposed between a floating gate electrode and a control gate electrode includes a lower layer insulating film disposed on a side closer to the floating gate electrode, an upper layer insulating film disposed on a side closer to the control gate electrode, and an intermediate insulating film interposed between the lower layer insulating film and the upper layer insulating film, wherein the intermediate insulating film contains a first element, and the lower layer insulating film contains the first element and a second element, such that a ratio of the first element relative to the second element is larger on a side closer to the intermediate insulating film than on a side closer to the floating gate electrode. |
| US09825182B2 |
Method of intercalating insulating layer between metal and graphene layer and method of fabricating semiconductor device using the intercalation method
A method includes growing a graphene layer on a metal layer, intercalating a first material between the metal layer and the graphene layer by heating the first material at a first pressure and a first temperature, and intercalating a second material between the metal layer and the graphene layer by heating the second material at a second pressure different from the first pressure and a second temperature different from the first temperature. Accordingly, the first material and the second material are chemically bonded to each other to form an insulating layer, and the insulating layer may be between the metal layer and the graphene layer. |
| US09825180B2 |
Thin-film transistor and method for manufacturing same
The present invention provides a thin-film transistor in which transistor characteristics such as drain current and threshold voltage are improved, and a method of manufacturing the same. The present invention provides a thin-film transistor provided with a source electrode (108), a drain electrode (109), a semiconductor layer (105), a gate electrode (103), and an insulating layer (104); wherein the semiconductor layer (105) contains a composite metal oxide obtained by adding to a first metal oxide an oxide having an oxygen dissociation energy that is at least 200 kJ/mol greater than the oxygen dissociation energy of the first metal oxide, whereby the amount of oxygen vacancy is controlled; and the insulating layer (104) is provided with an SiO2 layer, a high-permittivity first layer, and a high-permittivity second layer, whereby the dipoles generated at the boundary between the SiO2 layer and the high-permittivity layers are used to control the threshold voltage. |
| US09825178B2 |
Metal oxide semiconductor device
In a transistor including an oxide semiconductor film, a metal oxide film which has a function of preventing electrification and covers a source electrode and a drain electrode is formed in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, and then, heat treatment is performed. Through the heat treatment, impurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or hydride are intentionally removed from the oxide semiconductor film, whereby the oxide semiconductor film is highly purified. By providing the metal oxide film, generation of a parasitic channel on the back channel side of the oxide semiconductor film in the transistor is prevented. |
| US09825177B2 |
Manufacturing method of a semiconductor device using multiple etching mask
A semiconductor device which includes a transistor having a miniaturized structure is provided. A first insulator is provided over a stack in which a semiconductor, a first conductor, and a second conductor are stacked in this order. Over the first insulator, an etching mask is formed. Using the etching mask, the first insulator and the second conductor are etched until the first conductor is exposed. After etching the first conductor until the semiconductor is exposed so as to form a groove having a smaller width than the second conductor, a second insulator and a third conductor are formed sequentially. |
| US09825175B2 |
Thin film transistor including diffusion blocking layer and fabrication method thereof, array substrate and display device
A thin film transistor and a fabrication method thereof, an array substrate and a display device are provided. The thin film transistor includes: an active layer, a source-drain metal layer and a diffusion blocking layer located between the active layer and the source-drain metal layer, wherein, the source-drain metal layer includes a source electrode and a drain electrode; the diffusion blocking layer includes a source blocking part corresponding to a position of the source electrode and a drain blocking part corresponding to a position of the drain electrode; and the diffusion blocking layer is doped with different concentrations of nitrogen from a side close to the source-drain metal layer to a side close to the active layer. |
| US09825168B2 |
Semiconductor device capable of high-voltage operation
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a first well region formed in the semiconductor substrate. An insulator is formed in and over a portion of the first well region and a second well region is formed in the first well region at a first side of the insulator. A first doped region is formed in the second well region, and a second doped region is formed in the first well region at a second side opposite the first side of the insulator. A gate structure is formed over the insulator, the first well region between the second well region and the insulator, and the second well region. An isolation element is formed in the semiconductor substrate, surrounding the first well region and the second well region. The first and second doped regions are formed with asymmetric configurations from a top view. |
| US09825166B2 |
Silicon carbide semiconductor device and method for producing same
Disclosed herein is a technique for realizing a high-performance and high-reliability silicon carbide semiconductor device. A trenched MISFET with a trench formed into the drift through a p-type body layer 105 includes an n-type resistance relaxation layer 109 covering the bottom portion of the trench, and a p-type field relaxation layer 108. The p-type field relaxation layer 108 is separated from the trench bottom portion via the resistance relaxation layer 109, and is wider than the resistance relaxation layer 109. This achieves a low ON resistance, high reliability, and high voltage resistance at the same time. By forming the field relaxation layer beneath the trench, feedback capacitance can be controlled to achieve a high switching rate and high reliability. |
| US09825161B2 |
Logical operation element
Provided is a logical operation element that performs logical operations on three or more inputs using a single unique device. The logical operation element 30 is provided with an electrode 5A and the other electrode 5B that are provided to have a nanogap, a metal nanoparticle 7 arranged between the electrode 5A and the other electrode 5B in insulated state, and a plurality of gate electrodes 5C, 5D, 11, 11A, 11B for adjusting a charge of the metal nanoparticle 7. Electric current that flows between the electrode 5A and the other electrode 5B is controlled in accordance with the voltage applied to three or more of the gate electrodes 5C, 5D, 11, 11A, 11B. |
| US09825160B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a main electrode; a peripheral electrode; an insulating protective film; a surface metallic layer; and a solder layer, wherein the semiconductor substrate includes: a first region of a first conductive-type in contact with the main electrode on a main contact surface; a second region of a first conductive-type in contact with the peripheral electrode on a peripheral contact surface; and a third region of a second conductive-type provided under the first region, under the second region, and circumferentially outward of the second region, and a circumferentially-outward end of the metallic layer and a circumferentially-outward end of the solder layer are located more circumferentially inward than the circumferentially-outward end of the peripheral electrode. |
| US09825157B1 |
Heterojunction bipolar transistor with stress component
The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a heterojunction bipolar transistor with a stress component and methods of manufacture. The heterojunction bipolar transistor includes a collector region, an emitter region and a base region. Stress material is formed within a trench of a substrate and surrounding at least the collector region and the base region. |
| US09825151B2 |
Method for preparing substrate using germanium condensation process and method for manufacturing semiconductor device using same
The present invention suggests a substrate manufacturing method and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device comprising: providing a SOI structure having an insulation layer and a silicon layer laminated on a substrate; laminating to form a silicon germanium layer and a capping silicon layer on the SOI structure; implementing oxidation process at two or more temperatures and heat treatment process at least once during the oxidation process to form a germanium cohesion layer and a silicon dioxide layer; and removing the silicon dioxide layer. |
| US09825150B2 |
Method of forming fin field effect transistor having tapered sidewalls
A method of making a Fin field effect transistor (FinFET) includes forming a fin having a first height above a first surface of a substrate, wherein a portion of the fin has first tapered sidewalls, and the fin has a top surface. The method includes forming an insulation region over a portion of the first surface of the substrate, wherein a top of portion of the insulation region defines a second surface. The method further includes covering the first tapered sidewalls and the top surface with a gate dielectric. The method further includes forming a conductive gate strip traversing over the gate dielectric, wherein the conductive gate strip has second tapered sidewalls along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the first height, and a space between the second tapered sidewalls in the longitudinal direction is greater at a location nearest to the substrate than at a location farthest from the substrate. |
| US09825148B2 |
Semiconductor device comprising an isolation trench
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a transistor in a semiconductor substrate having a first main surface. The transistor is formed by forming a source region, forming a drain region, forming a channel region, forming a drift zone, and forming a gate electrode adjacent to at least two sides of the channel region. The channel region and the drift zone are disposed along a first direction parallel to the first main surface, between the source region and the drain region. Forming the semiconductor device further includes forming a conductive layer, a portion of the conductive layer being disposed beneath the gate electrode and insulated from the gate electrode. |
| US09825144B2 |
Semiconductor device having metal gate structure
A metal gate transistor includes a substrate, a metal gate on the substrate, and a source/drain region in the substrate adjacent to the metal gate. The metal gate includes a high-k dielectric layer, a bottom barrier metal (BBM) layer comprising TiSiN on the high-k dielectric layer, a TiN layer on the BBM layer, a TiAl layer between the BBM layer and the TiN layer, and a low resistance metal layer on the TiN layer. |
| US09825143B1 |
Single spacer tunnel on stack nanowire
A method for forming a stacked semiconductor nanowire field effect transistor (FET) having reduced parasitic capacitance is provided. The parasitic capacitance of the stacked semiconductor nanowire FET including vertically stacked and vertically spaced apart semiconductor nanowires can be reduced by forming a tunnel spacer laterally surrounding a gate structure located beneath each of the vertically stacked and vertically spaced apart semiconductor nanowires. |
| US09825140B2 |
Metal oxide thin film transistor
A metal oxide thin film transistor (TFT) includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, a metal oxide active layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. The gate electrode is formed on a substrate. The gate insulating layer is formed on the substrate and covers the gate electrode. The metal oxide active layer is formed on the gate insulating layer. The drain electrode and the source electrode are formed on two opposite ends of the metal oxide active layer in a spaced-apart manner, in which at least one of the orthographic projection of the source electrode and the orthographic projection of the drain electrode on the substrate does not overlap the gate electrode. |
| US09825139B2 |
Semiconductor device and method
A semiconductor device includes a device region including a compound semiconductor material and a non-device region at least partially surrounding the device region. The semiconductor device further includes a dielectric material in the non-device region and at least one electrode in the device region. The semiconductor device further includes at least one pad electrically coupled to the at least one electrode, wherein the at least one pad is arranged on the dielectric material in the non-device region. |
| US09825136B2 |
Semiconductor component and integrated circuit
A semiconductor component includes an element composed of a conductive material, which is arranged above a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The element includes an element region not adjoined by any electrical contacts to an overlying or underlying electrically conductive plane. In this case, a surface of the element facing away from the semiconductor substrate is patterned with elevations or depressions and a surface of the element region facing the semiconductor substrate is patterned to a lesser extent or is not patterned. |
| US09825130B2 |
Leakage reduction structures for nanowire transistors
A nanowire device of the present description may include a highly doped underlayer formed between at least one nanowire transistor and the microelectronic substrate on which the nanowire transistors are formed, wherein the highly doped underlayer may reduce or substantially eliminate leakage and high gate capacitance which can occur at a bottom portion of a gate structure of the nanowire transistors. As the formation of the highly doped underlayer may result in gate inducted drain leakage at an interface between source structures and drain structures of the nanowire transistors, a thin layer of undoped or low doped material may be formed between the highly doped underlayer and the nanowire transistors. |
| US09825124B2 |
Power device integration on a common substrate
A semiconductor structure for facilitating an integration of power devices on a common substrate includes a first insulating layer formed on the substrate and an active region having a first conductivity type formed on at least a portion of the first insulating layer. A first terminal is formed on an upper surface of the structure and electrically connects with at least one other region having the first conductivity type formed in the active region. A buried well having a second conductivity type is formed in the active region and is coupled with a second terminal formed on the upper surface of the structure. The buried well and the active region form a clamping diode which positions a breakdown avalanche region between the buried well and the first terminal. A breakdown voltage of at least one of the power devices is a function of characteristics of the buried well. |
| US09825122B1 |
Multiple work function device using GeOx/TiN cap on work function setting metal
A method is presented for tuning work functions of transistors. The method includes forming a work function stack over a semiconductor substrate, depositing a germanium oxide layer and a barrier layer over the work function stack, and annealing the germanium oxide layer to desorb oxygen therefrom to trigger oxidation of at least one conducting layer of the work function stack. The work function stack includes three layers, that is, a first layer being a TiN layer, a second layer being a titanium aluminum carbon (TiAlC) layer, and a third layer being a second TiN layer. |
| US09825120B2 |
Semiconductor device with metal extrusion formation
Embodiments disclose a method of fabrication and a semiconductor structure comprising a Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. The method of fabrication includes depositing a first conductive material on a semiconductor substrate. A first dielectric material is deposited on the first conductive material. A second conductive material is deposited on the first dielectric material. The top plate is formed by etching the second conductive material. The bottom plate is formed by etching a portion of the first conductive material. At least one opening is formed in the first dielectric layer down to the first conductive material. |
| US09825119B2 |
Semiconductor device with metal extrusion formation
Embodiments disclose a method of fabrication and a semiconductor structure comprising a Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. The method of fabrication includes depositing a first conductive material on a semiconductor substrate. A first dielectric material is deposited on the first conductive material. A second conductive material is deposited on the first dielectric material. The top plate is formed by etching the second conductive material. The bottom plate is formed by etching a portion of the first conductive material. At least one opening is formed in the first dielectric layer down to the first conductive material. |
| US09825116B1 |
Formation of high-resolution patterns inside deep cavities and applications to RF SI-embedded inductors
A method for fabricating high-resolution features in a deep recess includes etching a cavity in a substrate, fabricating at least one focusing pattern on a bottom of the cavity, wherein fabricating the focusing pattern comprises coating a first photoresist on the bottom of the cavity, patterning the first photoresist to define a focusing etch area using contact lithography, and etching the focusing etch area, coating a second photoresist on the bottom of the cavity, using the focusing pattern to focus a high resolution lithography tool at the bottom of the cavity to pattern the second photoresist to define a microfabrication feature area; and forming a microfabrication feature in the microfabrication feature area. |
| US09825115B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display device
An organic light emitting diode display device comprises a substrate including a pixel region, the pixel region including a first portion and a second portion, a first electrode in the second portion of the pixel region, a bank layer separating the first portion and the second portion of the pixel region, an emitting layer in the second portion of the pixel region but not in the first portion of the pixel region, an emission assisting layer extending in the first portion of the pixel region and in the second portion of the pixel region, the emission assisting layer in the first portion of the pixel region being more conductive than the emission assisting layer in the second portion of the pixel region, and a second electrode on the emission assisting layer in the first portion of the pixel region and in the second portion of the pixel region. |
| US09825113B2 |
Double-sided display substrate and manufacturing method thereof and display device
The present invention provides a double-sided display substrate and a manufacturing method thereof and a display device. The double-sided display substrate includes several sub-pixel units, the sub-pixel unit includes a front side light-emitting layer provided for front side displaying, a back side light-emitting layer provided for back side displaying, a pixel electrode layer, a common electrode layer, and a driving transistor, and the front side light-emitting layer and the back side light-emitting layer are interposed between a corresponding pixel electrode layer and the common electrode layer, respectively, the common electrode layer corresponding to the back side light-emitting layer and/or the front side light-emitting layer is disposed in the same layer as a gate electrode layer of the driving transistor. According to the double-sided display substrate, quick manufacture and spread of the double-sided display substrate are realized. |
| US09825107B2 |
Organic light-emitting device
An organic light-emitting device and a flat panel display apparatus, the device including a first electrode; a second electrode facing the first electrode; and an organic layer between the first electrode and the second electrode and including an emission layer, wherein the organic layer includes a hole transport region between the first electrode and the emission layer, the hole transport region including an auxiliary layer and at least one selected from a hole transport layer and a hole injection layer, and an electron transport region between the emission layer and the second electrode, the electron transport region including at least one selected from a hole blocking layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer, wherein the auxiliary layer includes a compound represented by Formula 1 and a compound represented by Formula 2: |
| US09825103B2 |
Electronic devices having displays with openings
An electronic device may have a display. The display may have an active region in which display pixels are used to display images. The display may have one or more openings and may be mounted in a housing associated with the electronic device. An electronic component may be mounted in alignment with the openings in the display. The electronic component may include a camera, a light sensor, a light-based proximity sensor, status indicator lights, a light-based touch sensor array, a secondary display that has display pixels that may be viewed through the openings, antenna structures, a speaker, a microphone, or other acoustic, electromagnetic, or light-based component. One or more openings in the display may form a window through which a user of the device may view an external object. Display pixels in the window region may be used in forming a heads-up display. |
| US09825097B2 |
Memory device having electrically insulated reset gate
A memory that includes a memory device having a phase change layer that can be reset by using a reset gate is provided. A memory device includes memory elements arranged in two or more rows and two or more columns. Each memory element includes a pillar-shaped phase change layer, a reset gate insulating film surrounding the pillar-shaped phase change layer, and a reset gate surrounding the reset gate insulating film. The reset gates are connected in a row direction and in a column direction, and are heaters. The pillar-shaped phase change layers are electrically insulated from the reset gates. |
| US09825096B2 |
Resistance change memory, method of manufacturing resistance change memory, and FET
According to one embodiment, a resistance change memory includes a first conductive line, a second conductive line provided above the first conductive line, and extending in a first direction, a third conductive line extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a select transistor provided between the first and third conductive lines, and a resistance change layer provided between the second and third conductive lines. |
| US09825094B2 |
FinFET PCM access transistor having gate-wrapped source and drain regions
Embodiments are directed to a method of forming portions of a fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET) device. The method includes forming at least one source region having multiple sides, forming at least one drain region having multiple sides, forming at least one channel region having multiple sides, forming at least one gate region around the multiple sides of the at least one channel region and forming the at least one gate region around the multiple sides of the at least one drain region. |
| US09825093B2 |
FinFET PCM access transistor having gate-wrapped source and drain regions
Embodiments are directed to a method of forming portions of a fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET) device. The method includes forming at least one source region having multiple sides, forming at least one drain region having multiple sides, forming at least one channel region having multiple sides, forming at least one gate region around the multiple sides of the at least one channel region and forming the at least one gate region around the multiple sides of the at least one drain region. |
| US09825087B2 |
Light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode is provided. The light-emitting diode comprises: a first light-emitting structure, comprising: a first area; a second area; a first isolation path having an electrode isolation layer between the first area and the second area; an electrode contact layer covering the first area; and an electrical connecting structure covering the second area; wherein each of the first area and the second area sequentially comprises a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer, and the electrode contact layer covers a sidewall of the first area. |
| US09825080B2 |
Photodiode insulation structure
A structure of insulation between photodiodes formed in a doped semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type extending on a doped semiconductor substrate of the second conductivity type, the insulating structure including a trench crossing the semiconductor layer, the trench walls being coated with an insulating layer, the trench being filled with a conductive material and being surrounded with a P-doped area, more heavily doped than the semiconductor layer. |
| US09825076B2 |
Back-side illuminated pixel
A back-side illuminated pixel including a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type coated, on the front side of the pixel, with a three-layer assembly successively including a first layer of the second conductivity type, an insulating layer, and a second semiconductor layer. The three-layer assembly is interrupted in a central portion of the pixel by a transfer region of the first conductivity type laterally delimited by an insulated conductive wall extending from the front surface, Transistors are formed in the second semiconductor layer. |
| US09825075B2 |
Image sensor and method for fabricating the same
A method for fabricating an image sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concepts may include forming first and second photodiodes within a substrate, forming first and second gate electrodes over the substrate, the first gate electrode vertically partially overlapping the first photodiode and the second gate electrode vertically partially overlapping the second photodiode, forming an impurity injection region comprising first and second type impurities between the first and the second gate electrodes, and performing an annealing process to form a floating diffusion region comprising the first type impurities and a channel region comprising the second type impurities. The channel region surrounds lateral surfaces and a bottom surface of the floating diffusion region. |
| US09825073B2 |
Enhanced back side illuminated near infrared image sensor
An image sensor includes a photodiode disposed in semiconductor material to accumulate image charge in response to light directed through a back side of the semiconductor material. A scattering structure is disposed proximate to the front side of the semiconductor material such that the light that is directed into the semiconductor material through the back side is scattered back through the photodiode. A deep trench isolation structure is disposed in the semiconductor material that isolates the photodiode and defines an optical path such that the light that is scattered back through the photodiode in the optical path is totally internally reflected by the DTI. An antireflective coating is disposed on the back side of the semiconductor material and totally internally reflects the light scattered by the scattering structure to confine the light to remain in the optical path until it is absorbed. |
| US09825068B2 |
Display device and method for driving the same
A semiconductor device having a configuration hardly generating variations in the current value due to a deteriorated EL element is to be provided. A capacitance element is disposed between the gate and the source of a driving TFT, video signals are inputted to the gate electrode, and then it is in the floating state. Suppose an EL element is deteriorated and the anode potential rises, that is, the source potential of the driving TFT rises, the potential of the gate electrode of the driving TFT, being in the floating state by coupling of the capacitance element, is to rise by the same amount. Accordingly, even when the anode potential rises due to the deteriorated EL element, the rise is added to the gate electrode potential as it is, and the gate-source voltage of the driving TFT is allowed to be constant. |
| US09825062B2 |
Array substrate with redundant gate and data line repair structures
The present disclosure provides an array substrate and a method of manufacturing the same, and a display device comprising the array substrate. The array substrate comprises: a substrate; gate lines and data lines arranged to intersect one another on the substrate; a gate line connection conducting wire layer provided between the gate lines and the substrate and below the gate lines; and/or, a data line connection conducting wire layer provided in regions of the array substrate corresponding to the data lines; wherein the gate line connection conducting wire layer is electrically isolated from the data line connection conducting wire layer. |
| US09825059B2 |
Semiconductor device and display device
A semiconductor device including a circuit which does not easily deteriorate is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch. A first terminal of the first transistor is connected to a first wiring. A second terminal of the first transistor is connected to a second wiring. A gate and a first terminal of the second transistor are connected to the first wiring. A second terminal of the second transistor is connected to a gate of the first transistor. The first switch is connected between the second wiring and a third wiring. The second switch is connected between the second wiring and the third wiring. The third switch is connected between the gate of the first transistor and the third wiring. |
| US09825054B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
The memory string comprises: a first semiconductor layer; a stacked body in which a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of interlayer insulating layers are stacked along a first direction above the first semiconductor layer; and a second semiconductor layer having a longitudinal direction along the first direction and provided above the first semiconductor layer. The memory insulating layer includes a charge accumulation layer between the second semiconductor layer and the plurality of the conductive layers. The core insulating layer has a longitudinal direction along the first direction, and is provided in the second semiconductor layer. The oxide film layer is provided between the core insulating layer and the second semiconductor layer. |
| US09825052B2 |
Memory device and method of forming the same
Provided is a memory device including a plurality of bit line layers and a plurality of supporting structures. Each bit line layer extends in a plane defined by a first direction and a second direction and has a plurality of bit lines extending along the first direction. Each bit line has a plurality of wide parts and a plurality of narrow parts arranged alternately. The supporting structures are disposed between the wide parts of the corresponding bit lines of adjacent bit line layers. Besides, each narrow part of each bit line substantially has an ellipse-like shape in cross section, and each narrow part has a rounding ratio (RR) of greater than about 30%. |
| US09825050B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device whose performance is improved is disclosed. In the semiconductor device, an offset spacer formed in a memory cell is formed by a laminated film of a silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film, and the silicon oxide film is particularly formed to directly contact the sidewall of a memory gate electrode and the side end portion of a charge storage film; on the other hand, an offset spacer formed in a MISFET is formed by a silicon nitride film. Particularly in the MISFET, the silicon nitride film directly contacts both the sidewall of a gate electrode and the side end portion of a high dielectric constant film. |
| US09825046B2 |
Flash memory device having high coupling ratio
A flash memory cell structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a pad dielectric layer, a floating gate, a control gate, and a blocking layer. The pad dielectric layer is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The floating gate is disposed over the pad dielectric layer, in which the floating gate has a top surface opposite to the pad dielectric layer, and the top surface includes at least one recess formed thereon. The control gate is disposed over the top surface of the floating gate. The blocking layer is disposed between the floating gate and the control gate. |
| US09825045B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate including a device isolation layer defining an active region, a floating gate and a selection gate arranged side by side at intervals of a first gap over the substrate, a coupling plate formed in the device isolation layer and overlapped with the floating gate, and a contact plug suitable for electrically coupling the coupling plate and the selection gate. |
| US09825023B2 |
Insulated gate bipolar transistor comprising negative temperature coefficient thermistor
An embodiment of an IGBT comprises an emitter terminal at a first surface of a semiconductor body. The IGBT further comprises a collector terminal at a second surface of the semiconductor body. A first zone of a first conductivity type is in the semiconductor body between the first and second surfaces. A collector injection structure adjoins the second surface, the collector injection structure being of a second conductivity type and comprising a first part and a second part at a first lateral distance from each other. The IGBT further comprises a negative temperature coefficient thermistor adjoining the first zone in an area between the first and second parts. |
| US09825021B2 |
Semiconductor device for electrostatic discharge protection
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate positioned on the substrate, a drain region and a source region formed at respective two sides of the gate in the substrate, at least a first doped region formed in the drain region, and at least a first well having the first doped region formed therein. The source region and the drain region include a first conductivity type, the first doped region and the first well include a second conductivity type, and the first conductivity type and the second conductivity type are complementary to each other. |
| US09825020B2 |
Semiconductor device and an integrated circuit comprising an ESD protection device, ESD protection devices and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is provided which comprises an ESD protection device. The structure of the semiconductor device comprises a p-doped isolated region in which a structure is manufactured which operates as a Silicon Controlled Rectifier which is coupled between an I/O pad and a reference voltage or ground voltage. The semiconductor device also comprises a pnp transistor which is coupled parallel to the Silicon Controlled Rectifier. The base of the transistor is coupled to the gate of the Silicon Controlled Rectifier. In an optional embodiment, the base and gate are also coupled to the I/O pad. |
| US09825016B1 |
Light emitting device package
A light emitting device package includes a cell array including a plurality of semiconductor light emitting units, and having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, each of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting units having a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive semiconductor layer stacked on each other. The light emitting device package may further include a plurality of wavelength conversion units disposed on the first surface of the cell array to correspond to the plurality of semiconductor light emitting units, respectively, each configured to convert a wavelength of light, emitted by a respective one of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting units, into a different wavelength of light, and a partition structure disposed in a space between the plurality of wavelength conversion units, and a plurality of switching units spaced apart from the plurality of wavelength conversion units within the partition structure, and electrically connected to the plurality of semiconductor light emitting units. |
| US09825015B2 |
Light-mixing multichip package structure
A light-mixing multichip package structure includes a circuit substrate, a first light-emitting module, a first package body, a second light-emitting module and a second package body. The first light-emitting module includes a plurality of first light-emitting elements disposed on the circuit substrate and electrically connected to the circuit substrate. The first package body is disposed on the circuit substrate to enclose the first light-emitting elements. The second light-emitting module includes a plurality of second light-emitting elements disposed on the circuit substrate and electrically connected to the circuit substrate, and the first light-emitting module and the first package body are surrounded by the second light-emitting elements. The second package body is disposed on the circuit substrate to enclose the first light-emitting module, the second light-emitting module and the first package body. |
| US09825014B2 |
Light source module, display panel, and display apparatus including the same
A light source module includes a circuit board having a plurality of chip mounting regions, the plurality of chip mounting regions respectively having at least one connection pad; at least one alignment component respectively disposed on the plurality of chip mounting regions, and having a convex or concave shape; and a plurality of LED chips respectively mounted on the plurality of chip mounting regions, respectively having at least one electrode electrically connected to the at least one connection pad, and respectively coupled to the at least one alignment component. |
| US09825012B2 |
Light-emitting device
A light-emitting device of an embodiment of the present application comprises light-emitting units; a transparent structure having cavities configured to accommodate at least one of the light-emitting units; and a conductive element connecting at least two of the light-emitting units. |
| US09825011B2 |
Light emitting element and light emitting element array
A light emitting element includes a semiconductor including an active layer, and a planar shape of the light emitting elements including a concave polygon. The planar shape of the concave polygon has interior angles including at least one acute angle. |
| US09825008B1 |
Package-on-package device with supplemental underfill and method for manufacturing the same
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following operations: (i) receiving a precursor package including a precursor substrate and a plurality of semiconductor packages on the precursor substrate, in which a gap is presented between the precursor substrate and each of the semiconductor packages; (ii) forming underfill material filling the gaps; (iii) cutting the precursor substrate along a region between adjacent ones of the semiconductor packages to form a plurality of discrete package-on-package devices; and (iv) applying supplemental underfill material to one of the package-on-package devices. |
| US09825001B2 |
Light emitting device with light transmissive member and method for manufacturing thereof
A method of manufacturing a light emitting device includes: preparing a light-transmissive member including a light reflective sheet that has a through-hole, and a color conversion material layer that is composed of a light-transmissive resin containing a color conversion material and disposed in the through-hole, preparing a light emitting element, fixing the color conversion material layer to the light emitting element, covering a side surface of the light emitting element with a light-reflective member, and cutting the light-reflective member and light-reflective sheet. |
| US09824998B2 |
Device packaging facility and method, and device processing apparatus utilizing DEHT
Provided are a device packing facility and method using DEHT and a device processing apparatus utilizing the DEHT. The device packaging facility includes a mounting unit providing bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT) between first and second devices to attach the first and second devices to each other, a processing unit thermally processing the first and second devices that are attached to each other to remove the DEHT and fix the first and second devices to each other, and a transfer unit transferring the first and second devices that are attached to each other from the mounting unit to the processing unit. |
| US09824997B2 |
Die package with low electromagnetic interference interconnection
A die package having lead structures connecting to a die that provide for electromagnetic interference reductions. Mixed impedance leads connected to the die have a first lead with a first metal core, a dielectric layer surrounding the first metal core, and first outer metal layer connected to ground; and a second lead with a second metal core, and a second dielectric layer surrounding the second metal core, and a second outer metal layer connected to ground. Each lead reducing susceptibility to EMI and crosstalk. |
| US09824996B2 |
Semiconductor device having low on resistance
A semiconductor device includes a header, a semiconductor chip fixed to the header constituting a MOSFET, and a sealing body of insulating resin which covers the semiconductor chip, the header and the like, and further includes a drain lead contiguously formed with the header and projects from one side surface of the sealing body, and a source lead and a gate lead which project in parallel from one side surface of the sealing body, and wires which are positioned in the inside of the sealing body and connect electrodes on an upper surface of the semiconductor chip and the source lead and the gate lead, with a gate electrode pad arranged at a position from the gate lead and the source lead farther than a source electrode pad. |
| US09824995B2 |
Flexible circuit leads in packaging for radio frequency devices
A packaged RF device is provided that utilizes flexible circuit leads. The RF device includes at least one integrated circuit (IC) die configured to implement the RF device. The IC die is contained inside a package. In accordance with the embodiments described herein, a flexible circuit is implemented as a lead. Specifically, the flexible circuit lead is coupled to the at least one IC die inside the package and extends to outside the package, the flexible circuit lead thus providing an electrical connection to the at least one IC die inside the package. |
| US09824993B2 |
Packaging structure
A packaging structure includes a first substrate including a first metal terminal and a first protruding resin portion formed at a first surface; a second substrate including a second metal terminal and a second protruding resin portion formed at a second surface, the second metal terminal being made of the same kind of metal as the first metal terminal; and a sealing portion filled between the first surface of the first substrate and the second surface of the second substrate, the first metal terminal and the second metal terminal being directly bonded with each other, the first protruding resin portion and the second protruding resin portion being directly bonded with each other, each of the first protruding resin portion and the second protruding resin portion being made of a resin material that does not include fillers, and the sealing portion being made of a resin material including fillers. |
| US09824991B2 |
Organic thin film passivation of metal interconnections
Electronic assemblies and their manufacture are described. One embodiment relates to a method including depositing an organic thin film layer on metal bumps on a semiconductor wafer, the organic thin film layer also being formed on a surface adjacent to the metal bumps on the wafer. The wafer is diced into a plurality of semiconductor die structures, the die structures including the organic thin film layer. The semiconductor die structures are attached to substrates, wherein the attaching includes forming a solder bond between the metal bumps on a die structure and bonding pads on a substrate, and wherein the solder bond extends through the organic thin film layer. The organic thin film layer is then exposed to a plasma. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09824989B2 |
Fan-out package and methods of forming thereof
An embodiment is a package including a molding compound laterally encapsulating a chip with a contact pad. A first dielectric layer is formed overlying the molding compound and the chip and has a first opening exposing the contact pad. A first metallization layer is formed overlying the first dielectric layer, in which the first metallization layer fills the first opening. A second dielectric layer is formed overlying the first metallization layer and the first dielectric layer and has a second opening over the first opening. A second metallization layer is formed overlying the second dielectric layer and formed in the second opening. |
| US09824987B2 |
Semiconductor structure with composite barrier layer under redistribution layer and manufacturing method thereof
A mechanism of a semiconductor structure with composite barrier layer under redistribution layer is provided. A semiconductor structure includes a substrate comprising a top metal layer on the substrate; a passivation layer over the top metal layer having an opening therein exposing the top metal layer; a composite barrier layer over the passivation layer and the opening, the composite barrier layer includes a center layer, a bottom layer, and an upper layer, wherein the bottom layer and the upper layer sandwich the center layer; and a redistribution layer (RDL) over the composite barrier layer and electrically connecting the underlying top metal layer. |
| US09824984B2 |
Individualised voltage supply of integrated circuits components as protective means against side channel attacks
A semiconductor device, in particular an integrated circuit with protection against side channel attacks, in particular imaging- and probing-based attacks, EMA and reverse engineering, in which a metallic conductive layer of a first (104) and/or a second potential supply line (106) are each connected directly and individually to all the circuit components via respective individual conductor path structures (V1, V2). |
| US09824983B2 |
Chip carrier, a device and a method
According to various embodiments, a chip carrier may include: a chip supporting region configured to support a chip; a chip contacting region including at least one contact pad for electrically contacting the chip; wherein the chip carrier is thinned in the chip contacting region such that a first thickness of the chip carrier at the at least one contact pad is smaller than a second thickness of the chip carrier in the chip supporting region. |
| US09824982B1 |
Structure and fabrication method for enhanced mechanical strength crack stop
Methods for enhancing mechanical strength of back-end-of-line (BEOL) dielectrics to prevent crack propagation within interconnect stacks are provided. After forming interconnect structures in a dielectric material layer, a pore filling material is introduced into pores of a portion of the dielectric material layer that is located in a crack stop region present around a periphery of a chip region. By filling the pores of the portion of the dielectric material layer located in the crack stop region, the mechanical strength of the dielectric material layer is selectively enhanced in the crack stop region. |
| US09824981B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of producing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device provided on a semiconductor substrate includes an element region including an element, a moisture-resistant frame surrounding the element region, an insulating layer provided between the moisture-resistant frame and an outer peripheral edge of the semiconductor device and on the semiconductor substrate, a first metal line extending along the outer peripheral edge and provided in the insulating layer, and a groove provided in the insulating layer. |
| US09824976B1 |
Single-sided power device package
In some examples, a circuit package further includes an insulating layer and a first transistor extending through the insulating layer, where the first transistor includes a first control terminal on a top side of the insulating layer, a first source terminal on the top side of the insulating layer, and a first drain terminal on a bottom side of the insulating layer. The circuit package includes a second transistor extending through the insulating layer, where the second transistor includes a second control terminal on the top side of the insulating layer, a second source terminal on the bottom side of the insulating layer, and a second drain terminal on the top side of the insulating layer. |
| US09824973B2 |
Integrated circuit devices having through-silicon via structures and methods of manufacturing the same
Integrated circuit (IC) devices are provided including a substrate having a first sidewall defining a first through hole that is a portion of a through-silicon via (TSV) space, an interlayer insulating layer having a second sidewall and a protrusion, wherein the second sidewall defines a second through hole providing another portion of the TSV space and communicating with the first through hole, and the protrusion protrudes toward the inside of the TSV space and defines an undercut region in the first through hole, a TSV structure penetrating the substrate and the interlayer insulating layer and extending through the first through hole and the second through hole, and a via insulating layer surrounding the TSV structure in the first through hole and the second through hole. |
| US09824970B1 |
Methods that use at least a dual damascene process and, optionally, a single damascene process to form interconnects with hybrid metallization and the resulting structures
Disclosed are methods of forming integrated circuit (IC) structures with hybrid metallization interconnects. A dual damascene process is performed to form trenches in an upper portion of a dielectric layer and contact holes that extend from the trenches to a gate electrode and to contact plugs on source/drain regions. A first metal is deposited into the contact holes by electroless deposition and a second metal is then deposited. Alternatively, a single damascene process is performed to form a first contact hole through a dielectric layer to a gate electrode and a first metal is deposited therein by electroless deposition. Next, a dual damascene process is performed to form trenches in an upper portion of the dielectric layer, including a trench that traverses the first contact hole, and to form second contact holes that extend from the trenches to contact plugs on source/drain regions. A second metal is then deposited. |
| US09824969B1 |
Semiconductor structure and methods of forming the same
A semiconductor structure and the method of forming the same are provided. The method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a recess feature in a basal layer, forming a metal layer on the basal layer, exposing the metal layer to a tungsten halide gas to form an oxygen-deficient metal layer, and forming a bulk tungsten layer on the oxygen-deficient metal layer. |
| US09824962B1 |
Local dense patch for board assembly utilizing laser structuring metallization process
Methods of forming microelectronic package structures are described. Those methods/structures may include forming a high density region on a board comprising a first plurality of conductive structures disposed on a dielectric material on the board, wherein the first plurality of conductive structures comprises a first pitch between individual ones of the first plurality of conductive structures. A low density region on the board comprises a second plurality of conductive structures disposed on the dielectric material, wherein the second plurality of conductive structures comprises a second pitch between individual ones of the second plurality of conductive structures, wherein the second pitch is more than about twice the magnitude of the first pitch. |
| US09824960B2 |
Lead frame and method for manufacturing same
Provided is a lead frame including: one or more solder bonding regions containing copper material or copper plating; and a molding resin adhesion region containing a copper oxide film. The solder bonding regions are exposed on a surface of the lead frame. Further, provided is a lead frame manufacturing method including: forming a resist film in a molding resin adhesion region that is included in a surface of a lead frame member made of copper, or that is included in a surface of a copper-plated lead frame member; forming a plating film by performing a metal plating process on one or more solder bonding regions included in the surface of the lead frame member; removing the resist film; and forming a copper oxide film by oxidizing the molding resin adhesion region. |
| US09824955B2 |
Semiconductor device
An ESD protection device including a Si substrate with an ESD protection circuit formed at the surface of the substrate; pads formed on the Si substrate; a rewiring layer opposed to the surface of the Si substrate, which includes terminal electrodes electrically connected to the pads. The rewiring layer includes a SiN protection film formed on the surface of the Si substrate to cover parts of the pads except regions in contact with openings (contact holes) formed in a resin layer, and the resin layer that is lower in dielectric constant than the SiN protection film, and formed between the SiN protection film and the terminal electrodes. Thus, provided is a semiconductor device which can reduce the generation of parasitic capacitance, and eliminates variation in parasitic capacitance generated. |
| US09824954B2 |
Semiconductor package comprising stacked integrated circuit chips having connection terminals and through electrodes symmetrically arranged
An integrated circuit device comprises N stacked first integrated circuit chips each of which includes a first circuit and N stacked second integrated circuit chips each of which includes a second circuit. The N stacked second integrated circuit chips are stacked on the N stacked first integrated circuit chips. A first and second integrated circuit chips at symmetric positions with respect to a reference surface are paired. Each of the first and second integrated circuit chips include connection terminals for connecting the first circuit of the first integrated circuit chip and the second circuit of the second integrated circuit chip in the pair, and through electrodes each penetrating an inside of the chip. The connection terminals and through electrodes are arranged to be symmetric with respect to the reference surface. |
| US09824952B2 |
Light emitting device package strip
Disclosed herein is a light emitting device package strip capable of being used for a display application or an illumination application. The light emitting device package strip may include: a light emitting device package; and an upper adhesive sheet attached onto an upper surface of the light emitting device package so as to support the light emitting device package, wherein the light emitting device package includes: a flip-chip light emitting device having a first electrode pad and a second electrode pad; and a molding member formed to enclose side surfaces and an upper surface of the light emitting device such that the first electrode pad and the second electrode pad are exposed. |
| US09824947B2 |
Through silicon via, scan cell stimulus, response to two switches
The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for testing different types of TSVs in a single die or different types of TSV connections in a stack of die. The testing is facilitated by test circuitry associated with each type of TSV. The test circuitry includes a scan cell adapted for testing TSVs. |
| US09824943B2 |
Semiconductor structure and method for forming the same
A semiconductor structure with a stop layer for planarization process therein and a method for forming the same is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: forming a trench in a substrate and between active areas; filling the trench with isolation layer; doping the isolation layer with an element to form a doped isolation region; annealing the doped isolation region; and planarizing the annealed and doped isolation region and measuring a planarization depth thereof. The coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of the stop layer, the dielectric layer, and the active area are different. |
| US09824937B1 |
Flowable CVD quality control in STI loop
A method for semiconductor processing includes forming a first dielectric layer comprising an N-type dopant over a first plurality of fins extending above a first region of a substrate, forming a second dielectric layer comprising a P-type dopant over the first plurality of fins and a second plurality of fins extending above a second region of the substrate, the second dielectric layer overlying the first dielectric layer, and forming an isolation layer between adjacent ones of the first plurality of fins, and between adjacent ones of the second plurality of fins. The method further includes performing an implantation process using a first dopant, the implantation process changing an etching rate of the isolation layer, and recessing the isolation layer, the first dielectric layer, and the second dielectric layer, where after the recessing, the first and the second plurality of fins extend above an upper surface of the isolation layer. |
| US09824935B2 |
Methods of forming NMOS and PMOS FinFET devices and the resulting product
A method includes forming an initial strain relaxed buffer layer on a semiconductor substrate. A trench is formed within the initial strain relaxed buffer layer. An epitaxial deposition process is performed to form an in situ carbon-doped strain relaxed buffer layer in the trench. A channel semiconductor material is formed on the initial strain relaxed buffer layer and on the in situ carbon-doped strain relaxed buffer layer in the trench. A plurality of fin-formation trenches that extend into the initial strain relaxed buffer layer is formed so as to thereby form an NMOS fin including the channel semiconductor material and the in situ carbon-doped strain relaxed buffer layer and a PMOS fin including the channel semiconductor material and the initial strain relaxed buffer layer. A recessed layer of insulating material and gate structures are formed around the NMOS fin and the PMOS fin. |
| US09824931B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a fin-shaped structure thereon; forming a first shallow trench isolation (STI) around the fin-shaped structure; dividing the fin-shaped structure into a first portion and a second portion; and forming a second STI between the first portion and the second portion. |
| US09824929B2 |
FinFET gate structure and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a n-type gate structure over a first semiconductor fin, in which the n-type gate structure is fluorine incorporated and includes a n-type work function metal layer overlying the first high-k dielectric layer. The n-type work function metal layer includes a TiAl (titanium aluminum) alloy, in which an atom ratio of Ti (titanium) to Al (aluminum) is in a range substantially from 1 to 3. The semiconductor device further includes a p-type gate structure over a second semiconductor fin, in which the p-type gate structure is fluorine incorporated includes a p-type work function metal layer overlying the second high-k dielectric layer. The p-type work function metal layer includes titanium nitride (TiN), in which an atom ratio of Ti to N (nitrogen) is in a range substantially from 1:0.9 to 1:1.1. |
| US09824926B1 |
Wafer processing method
A wafer is transferred to a holding surface of a chuck table by using a transfer unit having a suction pad. The front side of the wafer is held under suction through a protective tape on the holding surface, and the suction pad is removed from the back side of the wafer. A modified layer is formed on the back side of the wafer along division lines. The wafer is transferred by mounting the wafer held by the suction pad on the holding surface and sandwiching the wafer between the suction pad and the holding surface of the chuck table. A suction force is applied to the holding surface of the chuck table to thereby hold the front side of the wafer through the protective tape on the holding surface of the chuck table under suction, and the suction pad is then removed from the back side of the wafer. |
| US09824924B2 |
Semiconductor packages having an electric device with a recess
Embodiments are directed to a package that includes an electric device having a recess. In one embodiment, the electric device is a sensor and the recess reduces signal drift of the sensor caused by thermal expansion of the package. In another embodiment, the recess is substantially filled with adhesive material, thus increasing adhesion between the electric device and a substrate of the package while at the same time allowing for lower adhesive fillets. |
| US09824923B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming conductive pillar having an expanded base
A semiconductor device has a first semiconductor die and conductive vias in the first semiconductor die. The conductive vias can be formed by extending the vias partially through a first surface of the first semiconductor die. A portion of a second surface of the first semiconductor die is removed to expose the conductive vias. A plurality of conductive pillars is formed over the first surface the first semiconductor die. The conductive pillars include an expanded base electrically connected to the conductive vias. A width of the expanded base of the conductive pillars is greater than a width of a body of the conductive pillars. A conductive layer is formed over a second surface of the first semiconductor die. The conductive layer is electrically connected to the conductive vias. A second semiconductor die is mounted to the first semiconductor die with a second conductive pillar having an expanded base. |
| US09824920B2 |
Methods of forming self-aligned contact structures by work function material layer recessing and the resulting devices
One method disclosed includes, among other things, forming a first plurality of gate cavities in a first dielectric layer. A work function material layer is formed in the first plurality of gate cavities. A first conductive material is formed in at least a subset of the first plurality of gate cavities above the work function material layer to define a first plurality of gate structures. A first contact recess is formed in the first dielectric layer between two of the first plurality of gate structures. A second conductive material is formed in the first contact recess. The work function material layer is recessed selectively to the first and second conductive materials to define a plurality of cap recesses. A cap layer is formed in the plurality of cap recesses. |
| US09824919B2 |
Recess filling method and processing apparatus
There is provided a method of filling a recess with a germanium-based film composed of germanium or silicon germanium in a substrate to be processed on which an insulating film having the recess formed therein is formed, the method including: forming a silicon film on a surface of the insulating film at a thickness as not to completely fill the recess; subsequently, etching the silicon film such that the silicon film remains only in a bottom portion of the recess; and subsequently, selectively growing the germanium-based film composed of germanium or silicon germanium on the silicon film remaining in the bottom portion of the recess and selectively filling the recess with the germanium-based film. |
| US09824918B2 |
Method for electromigration and adhesion using two selective deposition
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate, sequentially forming an etch stop layer and an interlayer dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate, forming a copper metal interconnect structure in the interlayer dielectric layer, forming a copper layer in the copper metal interconnect structure, forming a cobalt layer on the copper layer, and forming an aluminum nitride layer on the cobalt layer. The stack of cobalt layer and copper layer effectively suppresses electromigration caused by diffusion of the copper layer into the interlayer dielectric layer, improves the adhesion between the copper layer and the etch stop layer, and prevents delamination. |
| US09824916B2 |
Wiring structure and method of forming a wiring structure
A method of forming a mask layout includes forming a layout of a first mask including a lower wiring structure pattern and a dummy lower wiring structure pattern. A layout of a second mask overlapping the first mask and including an upper wiring structure pattern and a dummy upper wiring structure pattern is formed. A layout of a third mask including a first via structure pattern and a first dummy via structure pattern is formed. A layout of a fourth mask including a second via structure pattern and a second dummy via structure pattern is formed. The second via structure pattern may commonly overlap the lower wiring structure pattern and the upper wiring structure pattern, and the second dummy via structure pattern may commonly overlap the dummy lower wiring structure pattern and the dummy upper wiring structure pattern. The fourth mask may overlap the third mask. |
| US09824913B2 |
Isolation structure and manufacturing method thereof for high-voltage device in a high-voltage BCD process
The invention provides an isolation structure and a manufacturing method thereof for a high-voltage device in a high-voltage BCD process, the isolation structure comprising: a semiconductor substrate having a first type of doping; an epitaxial layer having a second type of doping over the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first type of doping is opposite to the second type of doping; an isolation region having the first type of doping, wherein the isolation region extends through the epitaxial layer into the semiconductor substrate, and wherein the isolation region has a doping concentration on the same order as a doping concentration of the epitaxial layer; a field oxide layer over the isolation region. This invention effectively isolates the epitaxial island where the BCD high-voltage device is located, thereby increasing the breakdown voltage of the high-voltage device in the BCD process. Further, with a minimum thickness of the field oxide layer, the parasitical threshold voltage between the aluminum wiring and the silicon surface of the high-voltage device can be higher than 1200V, thereby improving the planarization of oxide layer steps on the silicon surface in the whole high-voltage BCD process, and enhancing the reliability of the product. |
| US09824909B2 |
Chuck, in particular for use in a mask aligner
A chuck for aligning a first planar substrate in parallel to a second planar substrate includes a top plate having a top surface for arrangement of the first planar substrate. A bottom plate is at least one distance measuring sensor configured to measure a distance between the top surface of the top plate and a surface of the second planar substrate, and at least three linear actuators in contact with the top plate and the bottom plate. The method for setting a gap between the first and second planar substrate includes measuring the thickness of the first planar substrate and measuring between a surface of the second planar substrate and the top surface of the top plate. The tilt adjusts between a top surface of the first planar substrate or the chuck and the surface of the second planar substrate by using at least three linear actuators of the chuck. |
| US09824905B2 |
Semiconductor manufacturing device and semiconductor manufacturing method
A semiconductor manufacturing device has an upper cover configured to be arranged above top surface of unshielded semiconductor device which are mounted on a tray placed on a carrier to go through electromagnetic shielding, and a displacement detector configured to detect an abnormality when the upper cover is raised by at least one of the semiconductor device which is brought into contact with a bottom surface of the upper cover. |
| US09824900B2 |
Bonded structure and production method therefor
The deterioration of the resin base materials in the bonded structure is prevented. In a bonded structure containing two base materials at least one of which is a resin, an oxide which contains either P or Ag, V, and Te, and are formed by softening on the two base materials, bond the two base materials. In addition, in a method for producing a bonded structure containing two base materials at least one of which is a resin containing: supplying an oxide containing either P or Ag, V, and Te to the base material; and applying electromagnetic waves to the oxide, whereby the oxide, which soften on the substrates, bond the two base material. |
| US09824899B2 |
Etching liquid for oxide containing zinc and tin, and etching method
The present invention provides an etching liquid which has a suitable etching rate for etching of an oxide containing zinc and tin and is suppressed in change of the etching rate due to dissolution of the oxide, while being free from the generation of a precipitate. The corrosiveness of this etching liquid to wiring materials is low enough to be ignored, and this etching liquid has excellent linearity of a pattern shape. The present invention uses an etching liquid which contains (A) one or more substances selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, methanesulfonic acid, perchloric acid and salts of these acids, and (B) oxalic acid or a salt thereof and water, and which has a pH of from −1 to 1. |
| US09824898B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
To provide a highly reliable semiconductor device using an oxide semiconductor. The semiconductor device includes a first electrode layer; a second electrode layer positioned over the first electrode layer and including a stacked-layer structure of a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer; and an oxide semiconductor film and an insulating film positioned between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer in a thickness direction. The first conductive layer and the insulating film have a first opening portion in a region overlapping with the first electrode layer, The oxide semiconductor film has a second opening portion in a region overlapping with the first opening portion. The second conductive layer is in contact with the first electrode layer exposed in the first opening portion and the second opening portion. |
| US09824897B2 |
Thermal processing in silicon
A method is provided for the processing of a device having a crystalline silicon region containing an internal hydrogen source. The method comprises: i) applying encapsulating material to each of the front and rear surfaces of the device to form a lamination; ii) applying pressure to the lamination and heating the lamination to bond the encapsulating material to the device; and iii) cooling the device, where the heating step or cooling step or both are completed under illumination. |
| US09824895B1 |
Method of integration of ONO stack formation into thick gate oxide CMOS flow
A method of integrating a silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) transistor into a complementary metal-oxide-silicon (CMOS) baseline process. The method includes the steps of forming the gate oxide layer of at least one metal-oxide-silicon (MOS) transistor prior to forming a non-volatile (NV) gate stack of the SONOS transistor. |
| US09824891B1 |
Method of manufacturing the thin film
The invention disclosed a method of manufacturing the thin film, which belongs to the technological field of SOI wafer manufacture. By growing a layer of dielectric material (silicon oxide) on the provided high-resistivity silicon wafer, then to grow a layer of amorphous silicon on the dielectric material, to transfer a layer of silicon oxide to the amorphous silicon, to make the mono crystalline silicon exist on the oxidation layer, so that a SOI wafer with a layer of amorphous silicon is manufactured. The process above is completed in specific process conditions. The manufactured thin film, e.g. SOI wafer with amorphous silicon layer, is used main for RF apparatus. |
| US09824890B2 |
High throughput semiconductor deposition system
A reactor for growing or depositing semiconductor films or devices. The reactor may be designed for inline production of III-V materials grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). The operating principles of the HVPE reactor can be used to provide a completely or partially inline reactor for many different materials. An exemplary design of the reactor is shown in the attached drawings. In some instances, all or many of the pieces of the reactor formed of quartz, such as welded quartz tubing, while other reactors are made from metal with appropriate corrosion resistant coatings such as quartz or other materials, e.g., corrosion resistant material, or stainless steel tubing or pipes may be used with a corrosion resistant material useful with HVPE-type reactants and gases. Using HVPE in the reactor allows use of lower-cost precursors at higher deposition rates such as in the range of 1 to 5 μm/minute. |
| US09824888B2 |
Oxide semiconductor film and formation method thereof
To provide a crystalline oxide semiconductor film. By collision of ions with a target including a crystalline In—Ga—Zn oxide, a flat-plate-like In—Ga—Zn oxide is separated. In the flat-plate-like In—Ga—Zn oxide, a first layer including a gallium atom, a zinc atom, and an oxygen atom, a second layer including a zinc atom and an oxygen atom, a third layer including an indium atom and an oxygen atom, and a fourth layer including a gallium atom, a zinc atom, and an oxygen atom are stacked in this order. After the flat-plate-like In—Ga—Zn oxide is deposited over a substrate while maintaining the crystallinity, the second layer is gasified and exhausted. |
| US09824885B2 |
Method of fabricating double sided Si(Ge)/Sapphire/III-nitride hybrid structure
One aspect of the present invention is a double sided hybrid crystal structure including a trigonal Sapphire wafer containing a (0001) C-plane and having front and rear sides. The Sapphire wafer is substantially transparent to light in the visible and infrared spectra, and also provides insulation with respect to electromagnetic radio frequency noise. A layer of crystalline Si material having a cubic diamond structure aligned with the cubic <111> direction on the (0001) C-plane and strained as rhombohedron to thereby enable continuous integration of a selected (SiGe) device onto the rear side of the Sapphire wafer. The double sided hybrid crystal structure further includes an integrated III-Nitride crystalline layer on the front side of the Sapphire wafer that enables continuous integration of a selected III-Nitride device on the front side of the Sapphire wafer. |
| US09824881B2 |
Si precursors for deposition of SiN at low temperatures
Methods and precursors for depositing silicon nitride films by atomic layer deposition (ALD) are provided. In some embodiments the silicon precursors comprise an iodine ligand. The silicon nitride films may have a relatively uniform etch rate for both vertical and the horizontal portions when deposited onto three-dimensional structures such as FinFETS or other types of multiple gate FETs. In some embodiments, various silicon nitride films of the present disclosure have an etch rate of less than half the thermal oxide removal rate with diluted HF (0.5%). |
| US09824880B2 |
Method of polishing silicon wafer and method of producing epitaxial wafer
A method of polishing a silicon wafer, including performing a mirror polishing process on the silicon wafer, the mirror polishing process including: performing rough polishing on the silicon wafer; subsequently removing metallic impurities attached on a surface of the silicon wafer by performing both an oxidation process with ozone gas or ozone water and an oxide-film removing process with hydrofluoric acid vapor or hydrofluoric acid solution on the surface of the silicon wafer; and then performing final polishing. The invention provides a method of polishing a silicon wafer and a method of producing an epitaxial wafer that can prevent the occurrence of PID in the silicon wafer due to a mirror-polishing process and the degradation of surface quality of the silicon wafer after the mirror-polishing process and the epitaxial wafer having an epitaxial layer stacked thereon in a subsequent process. |
| US09824877B2 |
Fast pushing time of flight mass spectrometer combined with restricted mass to charge ratio range delivery
Ions having a restricted range of mass to charge ratios are transmitted to the acceleration region of a Time of Flight mass analyser. A control system applies a first extraction pulse to an acceleration electrode in order to accelerate a first group of ions into the time of flight region at a first time T1, wherein ions having the lowest mass to charge ratio in the first group of ions have a time of flight ΔT1min through the time of flight region and ions having the highest mass to charge ratio in the first group of ions have a time of flight ΔT1max through the time of flight region. The control system applies a second extraction pulse to the acceleration electrode at a subsequent second time T2, wherein ΔT1max−ΔT1min≦T2−T1<ΔT1max. |
| US09824874B2 |
Ion funnel device
An ion funnel device is disclosed. A first pair of electrodes is positioned in a first direction. A second pair of electrodes is positioned in a second direction. The device includes an RF voltage source and a DC voltage source. A RF voltage with a superimposed DC voltage gradient is applied to the first pair of electrodes, and a DC voltage gradient is applied to the second pair of electrodes. |
| US09824872B2 |
Systems and methods for high throughput solvent assisted ionization inlet for mass spectrometry
A multiplex system and method for achieving high throughput analysis of samples using solvent assisted ionization inlet includes an ionizing system with a heated inlet channel and a pressure differential across the inlet channel, pipet tips serially aligned with the inlet to a mass spectrometer, and a system of mapping data generated by mass spectrometry. |
| US09824871B2 |
Hybrid mass spectrometer and methods of operating a mass spectrometer
A hybrid mass spectrometer design and architecture, and methods of operating mass spectrometers are disclosed. According to one operating method, an analysis time is determined for each one of a plurality of ion species to be analyzed in an ordered sequence, and an injection time is calculated for at least some of the ion species based on an analysis time of a preceding ion species in the ordered list. The method enables more efficient utilization of analyzer time. |
| US09824867B2 |
Plasma generation apparatus, deposition apparatus, and plasma generation method
Provided is a plasma generation apparatus capable of generating uniform plasma over a wide range. The plasma generation apparatus includes two oppositely arranged plasma guns each injecting a discharge gas to be ionized, and having a cathode for emitting electrons, and a converging coil for forming a magnetic flux to guide the emitted electrons, and polarities of the converging coils with respect to the cathodes in the two plasma guns are opposite to each other. |
| US09824864B2 |
Plasma processing method
In a plasma processing of generating plasma of different processing gases within a processing vessel in sequence, a setting of a high frequency power can be changed at an appropriate time point after the processing gas output from a gas supply system is changed. A power level of a second high frequency power is increased at a time point when a first parameter which reflects impedance of plasma exceeds a first threshold value after the processing gas is changed while a first high frequency power is being supplied to a first electrode or a second electrode. Further, a power level of the first high frequency power is increased at a time point when a second parameter which reflects impedance of plasma exceeds a second threshold value after the processing gas is changed while the second high frequency power is being supplied to the second electrode. |
| US09824863B2 |
Plasma stabilization method and plasma apparatus
A plasma technique in which a plasma generation technique frequently used in various fields including a semiconductor manufacturing process is used, and generation of plasma instability (high-speed impedance change of plasma) can efficiently be suppressed and controlled in order to manufacture stable products. An apparatus includes a processing chamber, a surrounding member disposed so as to surround the processing chamber, an RF induction coil disposed above the top surface, a direct-current magnetic field generator for supplying a direct-current magnetic field to the inner space, and an RF cut filter connected to a direct current (DC) power supply and connected to the direct-current magnetic field generator. The RF cut filter includes a first capacitor connected to a positive terminal of the DC power supply and to ground, and a second capacitor connected to a negative terminal of the DC power supply and to ground. |
| US09824862B2 |
Symmetric VHF source for a plasma reactor
The disclosure pertains to a capacitively coupled plasma source in which VHF power is applied through an impedance-matching coaxial resonator having a symmetrical power distribution. |
| US09824860B2 |
Charged particle beam exposure apparatus and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
The invention relates to a charged particle beam exposure apparatus configured to expose cut patterns or via patterns on a substrate having a plurality of line patterns 81a arranged on an upper surface of the substrate at a constant pitch by irradiating the substrate with a plurality of charged particle beams B1 to Bn while moving a one-dimensional array beam A1 in an X direction parallel to the line patterns 81a, the one-dimensional array beam A1 being a beam in which the charged particle beams B1 to Bn are arranged in an Y direction orthogonal to the line patterns 81a. |
| US09824854B2 |
Charged particle beam device, image generation method, observation system
Provided is a charged particle beam device capable of observing the interior and the surface of a sample in a simple manner. This charged particle beam device operates in a transmitted charged particle image mode and a secondary charged particle image mode. In the transmitted charged particle image mode, a transmitted charged particle image is produced on the basis of a detection signal (512) associated with light emitted from a light-emitting member (500) that emits light upon being irradiated with transmitted charged particles transmitted through the interior of a sample (6). In the secondary charged particle image mode, a secondary charged particle image is produced on the basis of a detection signal (518) caused by reflected charged particles or secondary charged particles (517) from the sample (6). |
| US09824852B2 |
CD-SEM technique for wafers fabrication control
A Critical Dimensions Scanning Electron Microscope (CD-SEM) is described that comprises a unit for performing CD-SEM measurements of a semiconductor wafer, a BSE imaging unit for obtaining a Grey Level image (GL) of the wafer, and a unit for GL analysis and for processing the GL analysis results with reference to results of the CD-measurements. |
| US09824845B2 |
Variable field emission device
A field emission device is configured as a heat engine, wherein the configuration of the heat engine is variable. |
| US09824843B2 |
Emitter with deep structuring on front and rear surfaces
An emitter has a basic unit with at least one emission surface. Accordingly, the basic unit has deep structuring in a region of the at least one emission surface. More specifically, the basic unit has the deep structuring on both a front side and on a rear side in the region of the emission surface for improving emission properties. |
| US09824840B2 |
Mechanical disconnect switch with integrated fuse protection
A circuit protection assembly (CPA) is disposed between a source of power and a circuit to be protected. The CPA comprises a mounting block having a bore extending therethrough and a recess cavity on a first surface of the mounting block. A post having a first end is disposed within the recess cavity and a body portion extends through the bore. The body portion configured to receive a terminal and the second end configured to receive a securing mechanism. A fuse having a centrally disposed aperture is configured to receive the body portion of the post and to receive the terminal for connection to a circuit to be protected. An insulator disposed on the terminal and disposed beneath the securing mechanism. The insulator configured to isolate the post from the terminal and the fuse while allowing the securing mechanism to apply an amount of torque. |
| US09824838B2 |
Commutating circuit breaker
A commutating circuit breaker that works by progressively inserting increasing resistance into a circuit. This is done via physical motion of a shuttle that is linked into the circuit by at least one set of sliding electrical contacts on the shuttle (“shuttle electrodes”) that connect the power through the moving shuttle to a sequence of different resistive paths with increasing resistance; the motion of the shuttle can be either linear or rotary. A feature of the commutating circuit breaker is that at no point are the shuttle electrodes separated from the matching stationary stator electrodes so as to generate a powerful arc, which minimizes damage to the electrodes. Instead, the current is commutated from one resistive path to the next with small enough changes in resistance at each step that arcing can be suppressed. The variable resistance can either be within the moving shuttle, or the shuttle can comprise a commutating shuttle that moves the current over a series of stationary resistors. In either case, a “soft” opening of the circuit can be accomplished, with low switching transients, provided that the maximum step change of resistance is limited until the current is nearly extinguished. Commutating circuit breakers work equally well for DC or AC power. |
| US09824831B2 |
Detachable keyswitch mechanism and related electronic device
A detachable keyswitch mechanism includes a base and a keyswitch. The base includes a bottom plate and a lateral plate bent from the bottom plate. The base further includes an opening structure disposed on the lateral plate, a first rotating portion disposed between the bottom plate and the lateral plate, and a constraining portion disposed on the bottom plate. The keyswitch includes a body rotatably disposed inside the opening structure, a second rotating portion disposed on an upper side of the body and pivotably connected to the first rotating portion, a recovering portion connected to a low side of the body, and an actuating portion disposed on a surface of the body. An end of the recovering portion opposite to the body contacts against the constraining portion. The actuating portion is adapted to actuate a switch disposed on the base when the keyswitch rotates relative to the base. |
| US09824828B2 |
High specific capacitance and high power density of printed flexible micro-supercapacitors
The invention relates to micro supercapacitors and nanocomposite active materials and methods of fabrication thereof. |
| US09824826B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor containing conductive polymer particles
A solid electrolytic capacitor that contains an anode body, dielectric overlying the anode body, adhesion coating overlying the dielectric, and solid electrolyte overlying the adhesion coating. The solid electrolyte contains an inner conductive polymer layer and outer conductive polymer layer, at least one of which is formed from a plurality of pre-polymerized conductive polymer particles. Furthermore, the adhesion coating contains a discontinuous precoat layer containing a plurality of discrete nanoprojections of a manganese oxide (e.g., manganese dioxide). |
| US09824825B2 |
Capacitor of variable capacity, comprising a layer of a phase change material, and method for varying the capacity of a capacitor
The invention relates to a variable-capacitance electrical capacitor comprising a first electrode and a second electrode facing the first electrode and a zone of a dielectric material arranged between said first and second electrodes characterized in that the second electrode is formed at least on one hand of a primary electrode made of an electrically conductive material and, at least on the other, of an additional electrode comprising a state-change material, the primary electrode and the additional electrode facing the first electrode, said state-change material being arranged at least partially in contact with the primary electrode and configured to alternatively adopt a high-resistivity state wherein the additional electrode is electrically insulated from the primary electrode and a low-resistivity state wherein the additional electrode is in electrical conduction with the primary electrode so as to vary the electrically active surface area of the second electrode. |
| US09824822B2 |
Three-terminal capacitor including double-side oblique portion
A three-terminal capacitor includes a capacitor element including first through sixth surfaces, first-side and second-side outer electrodes, a center outer electrode between the first-side and second-side outer electrodes, and conductor layers within the capacitor element. A height H2 is greater than a height H3, where the height H2 represents a higher one of a height at a center of a portion of the first-side outer electrode on the fifth surface and a height at a center of a portion of the first-side outer electrode on the sixth surface, and the height H3 represents a height at a center of a portion of the first-side outer electrode on the third surface, wherein the height H2 and the height H3 extend in the thickness direction. |
| US09824821B2 |
Thin film capacitor with intermediate electrodes
A thin film capacitor includes: a supporting substrate; a capacitance forming member formed on the supporting substrate and made of at least two thin film electrodes and at least one thin film dielectric layer alternately stacked on one another; intermediate electrodes electrically connected to the respective thin film electrodes; a sealing member that seals the capacitance forming member and the intermediate electrodes on the supporting substrate the sealing member leaving portions of the intermediate electrodes exposed; and external electrodes formed on at least side faces of the sealing member and respectively connected to the exposed portions of the intermediate electrodes. |
| US09824819B2 |
Dielectric ceramic composition and multilayer ceramic capacitor including the same
There is provided a dielectric ceramic composition including a base powder, wherein the base powder includes: a first major component represented by BaTiO3, a second major component represented by (Na, K)NbO3, and a third major component represented by (Bi, Na)TiO3. The base powder is represented by xBaTiO3-y(Na, K)NbO3-z(Bi, Na)TiO3, where x+y+z=1, and x, y, and z are represented by mol, and x, y and z satisfy 0.5≦x≦0.97, 0.01≦y≦0.48, and 0.02≦z≦0.2, respectively. In certain embodiments, the base powder is be represented by xBaTiO3-y(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3-z(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3. |
| US09824818B2 |
Method of manufacturing wound transformer core
In a single phase transformer core and transformer, thin-strip metal is wound into multiple rings of different widths and arranged to define a ring-like structure having a stepped, substantially circular cross-section without any cuts or gaps in the magnetic path, or the core is wound from a tapered strip that is configured to define a substantially circular cross-section when wound, while in a three phase transformer core and transformer two inner frames, each made of one or more wound rings are arranged side-by-side and an outer frame of one or more rings is wound around the two inner frames, the core being covered with epoxy prior to winding coils on it. |
| US09824817B2 |
Wireless power transmission system for transmitting power between a power transmitting device and a power receiving device
A wireless power transmission system that transmits alternating-current power includes a power-transmitting device including first and second electrodes spaced apart and having a total width of λ/2π or less, i.e., a near field range, and a first inductor between the first and second electrodes and a AC power-generating section, and a power-receiving device including third and fourth electrodes spaced apart and having a total width of λ/2π or less, and a second inductor between the third and fourth electrodes and a load. A coupler including the first and second electrodes and the first inductor forms one resonant circuit and a coupler including the third and fourth electrodes and the second inductor forms another resonant circuit. Resonance frequencies of the couplers are substantially equal. The first and second electrodes and the third and fourth electrodes are spaced apart by λ/2π or less. |
| US09824816B2 |
Wireless power reception and transmission apparatus
A wireless power receiving device and a wireless power transmission apparatus are provided. The wireless power receiver may include a resonator configured to emit an electromagnetic field, a blocker configured to surround a portion of an exterior of the resonator, and a spacer disposed between the resonator and the blocker. |
| US09824811B2 |
Embedded coil assembly and method of making
An embedded coil assembly embodiment includes a ferrite ring having an annular axis. The ferrite ring is positioned on a conductive metal surface. A plurality of separate, spaced apart conductive structures extend over the ferrite ring and are attached to the conductive metal surface in a first region of the conductive surface positioned radially outwardly of the annular axis of the ferrite ring and in a second region of the conductive surface positioned radially inwardly of the annular axis of the ferrite ring. An encapsulation layer covers, the ferrite ring and at least a portion of the plurality of conductive structures. |
| US09824808B2 |
Switchable magnetic lock
This document describes techniques using, and apparatuses including, switchable magnetic locks. These techniques and apparatuses can enable low or no power consumption and a seamless design for locking and unlocking of devices one to the other, such as computing devices and peripherals. |
| US09824807B2 |
Magnetic thrust generation system
An apparatus comprises multiple electrically conductive loops, an elongated tubular ferromagnetic shield, and an elongated tubular superconductive inner shield. The superconductive inner shield is positioned within the ferromagnetic shield. Each conductive loop includes (i) a thrust segment extending from a first end of the superconductive inner shield outside the ferromagnetic shield to a second end of the superconductive inner shield and (ii) a return segment passing through an interior passage of the superconductive inner shield from the second end of the superconductive inner shield to the first end of the superconductive inner shield. The conductive loops can be spatially arranged relative to a uniform external magnetic field so that interaction between the external magnetic field and electrical current flowing in the conductive loops results in asymmetric magnetic flux density around, and non-zero net force exerted on, the conductive loops. |
| US09824799B2 |
Measuring resistor and method for producing a measuring resistor
A measuring resistor for high-current measurements is provided, which has a defined resistance value. The measuring resistor has a resistive layer having a sheet resistivity. The resistance value of the measuring resistor is defined by the resistive layer and is less than the sheet resistivity of the resistive layer. |
| US09824797B2 |
Resistive grid elements having a thermosetting polymer
A resistor grid system includes a resistor strip including multiple pins. The resistor grid system also includes an insulation board coupled to the resistor strip through the multiple pins and configured to provide a structural support. The insulation board is made of a composite material. The composite material includes a nitrogen-containing aromatic thermosetting polymeric resin and a filler. |
| US09824793B2 |
Noise reduction cable
A noise reduction cable includes a plurality of insulated wires, each including a conductor and an insulator that covers a periphery of the conductor; and one or more drain wires, each including a conductor, an insulator that covers a periphery of the conductor, and a magnetic-material layer provided on a periphery of the insulator. |
| US09824791B2 |
Multilayer electronic component and conductive paste composition for internal electrode
A multilayer electronic component may include a multilayer body including a plurality of magnetic material layers, and an internal electrode disposed in the multilayer body. The internal electrode may contain a conductive metal and glass, and the glass contains a vanadium (V) oxide. Also, a conductive paste composition for an internal electrode includes a conductive metal and glass, wherein the glass contains a vanadium (V) oxide. |
| US09824790B2 |
Fire through aluminum paste for SiNx and better BSF formation
Paste compositions, methods of making a paste composition, photovoltaic cells, and methods of making a photovoltaic cell contact are disclosed. The paste composition can include a conductive metal component such as aluminum, phosphate glass, phosphorus compounds such as alky! phosphate, and a vehicle. The contact can be formed on a passivation layer on a silicon wafer by applying the paste on the passivation layer and firing the paste. During firing, the metal component can fire through the passivation layer, thereby electrically contacting the silicon substrate. |
| US09824789B2 |
Method for producing nanowire-polymer composite electrodes
A method for producing flexible, nanoparticle-polymer composite electrodes is described. Conductive nanoparticles, preferably metal nanowires or nanotubes, are deposited on a smooth surface of a platform to produce a porous conductive layer. A second application of conductive nanoparticles or a mixture of nanoparticles can also be deposited to form a porous conductive layer. The conductive layer is then coated with at least one coating of monomers that is polymerized to form a conductive layer-polymer composite film. Optionally, a protective coating can be applied to the top of the composite film. In one embodiment, the monomer coating includes light transducing particles to reduce the total internal reflection of light through the composite film or pigments that absorb light at one wavelength and re-emit light at a longer wavelength. The resulting composite film has an active side that is smooth with surface height variations of 100 nm or less. |
| US09824788B2 |
Metal wire having a copper layer and a barrier layer and display device including the same
Provided is a metal wire. The metal wire includes a copper layer, and at least one barrier layer. The barrier layer is disposed on at least one of an upper part and a lower part of the copper layer. The barrier layer includes an alloy including copper, nickel, and zinc. |
| US09824787B2 |
Spark gap x-ray source
In one embodiment, the invention includes an x-ray source having a cathode with an elongated blade oriented substantially transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cathode. The blade can be pointed towards an anode. In another embodiment, the invention includes an x-ray source having a window with an annular-shape, forming a hollow-ring. A convex portion of a half-ball-shape of an anode can extend into a hollow of the annular-shape of the window. In another embodiment, the invention includes an x-ray source having an anode with a dome shape having a concave side facing the electron emitter. |
| US09824778B2 |
Nonvolatile memory system and data recovery method thereof
A nonvolatile memory system includes a nonvolatile memory device including a distribution table suitable for storing recovery read level intervals that are set by being changed through multiple stages according to a distribution value of threshold voltage levels of a plurality of memory cells, measured at a reference read level, is changed through the multiple stages; and a memory controller suitable for reading measurement data from the memory cells by additionally using a measurement read level, searching for a difference value between the normal data and the measurement data from the multiple stages of distribution values stored in the distribution table, and recovering the normal data based on a recovery read level interval corresponding to a searched distribution value, when an error occurs in normal data read from the memory cells by using the reference read level. |
| US09824777B2 |
Storage system managing run-time bad cells
A storage system is provided which includes: a storage device including a first memory, which may be nonvolatile memory, and a second memory, which may be a device memory, and configured to request a test on at least one of the first and second memories; and a host configured to test the at least one memory in response to the request for the memory test from the storage device and store the test result in the first memory or a third memory. |
| US09824774B2 |
Magnetic field programming of electronic devices on a wafer
A system for programming integrated circuit (IC) dies formed on a wafer includes a magnetic field transmitter that outputs a digital test program as a magnetic signal. At least one digital magnetic sensor (e.g., Hall effect sensor) is formed with the IC dies on the wafer. The digital magnetic sensor detects and receives the magnetic signal. A processor formed on the wafer converts the magnetic signal to the digital test program and the digital test program is stored in memory on the wafer in association with one of the IC dies. The magnetic field transmitter does not physically contact the dies, but can flood an entire surface of the wafer with the magnetic signal so that all of the IC dies are concurrently programmed with the digital test program. |
| US09824769B2 |
Fusible link cell with dual bit storage
A fuse-programmable register or memory location having a plurality of fusible links of differing electrical characteristics in parallel. In one embodiment, three fusible links with different resistances are provided, such that application of a programming voltage non-uniformly distributes the current among the links, allowing varying voltages to selectively blow one or more of the links. Sensing of the programmed state is performed by applying a voltage across the parallel links and measuring the current in comparison with a plurality of reference currents. Reduction in the overhead chip area per bit and in the serial data communication latency are obtained. |
| US09824767B1 |
Methods and apparatus to reduce threshold voltage drift
A disclosed example to reduce a threshold voltage drift of a selector device of a memory cell includes providing an applied voltage to the selector device of the memory cell, the applied voltage being less than a threshold voltage of the selector device, and reducing the threshold voltage drift of the memory cell by maintaining the applied voltage at the selector device for a thresholding duration to activate the selector device. |
| US09824764B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells that are NAND-connected; and a control circuit that executes a write sequence, the write sequence writing data to the memory cells, the write sequence including a plurality of write stages, one of the write stages applying to the memory cells a plurality of program pulses whose amplitudes increase by a certain increment, the write stages including 1st to Nth, where N is an integer of 2 or more, write stages, and an initial amplitude and the increment of the program pulse applied in the N−1th write stage being the same as an initial amplitude and the increment of the program pulse applied in the Nth write stage. |
| US09824760B2 |
Systems and methods of generating shaped random bits
A device includes a non-volatile memory and a controller coupled to the non-volatile memory. The controller is configured to initiate writing of first data to a first portion of a group of storage elements of the non-volatile memory. The controller is further configured to initiate writing of shaped dummy data to a second portion of the group of storage elements. |
| US09824759B2 |
Non-volatile memory devices, memory systems, and methods of operating the same
In a method of programming a non-volatile memory device, a first voltage is applied to a selected memory cell for programming, and a second voltage is applied to a non-selected memory cell. Before the second voltage rises to a predetermined voltage level, which is less than a program voltage level, the first voltage is greater than the second voltage or the second voltage is maintained at greater than a ground voltage level. Related non-volatile memory devices and memory systems are also discussed. |
| US09824757B2 |
Semiconductor device including TCAM cell arrays capable of skipping TCAM-cell search in response to control signal
The consumption current of a TCAM device is reduced. A semiconductor device includes multiple sub-arrays each including a TCAM cell array. Each sub-array searches the corresponding part of the input search data. Each sub-array outputs the search result indicative of a match for every entry without searching, when the corresponding first control signal is activated. |
| US09824756B2 |
Mapping a lookup table to prefabricated TCAMS
Access is obtained to a truth table having a plurality of rows, each including a plurality of input bits and a plurality of output bits. At least some rows include don't-care inputs. At least some of the rows are clustered into a plurality of multi-row clusters. At least some of the multi-row clusters are assigned to ternary content-addressable memory modules of a prefabricated programmable memory array. Instructions for interconnecting the ternary content-addressable memory modules with a plurality of input pins of the prefabricated programmable memory array and a plurality of output pins of the prefabricated programmable memory array are specified in a data structure, in order to implement the truth table. |
| US09824755B2 |
Semicondutor memory device and memory system including the same
A semiconductor memory device may include a cell array comprising a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell connected to a word line and a bit line, the cell array divided into a plurality of blocks, each block including a plurality of word lines, the plurality of blocks including at least a first defective block; a nonvolatile storage circuit configured to store address information of the first defective block, and to output the address information to an external device; and a fuse circuit configured to cut off an activation of word lines of the first defective block. |
| US09824754B2 |
Techniques for determining victim row addresses in a volatile memory
Examples are disclosed for determining a logical address of one or more victim rows of a volatile memory based on a logical address of an aggressor row and address translation schemes associated with the volatile memory. Other examples are described and claimed. |
| US09824753B2 |
Computing device for “big data” applications using memristors
A computing device includes a computation circuit and a data storage circuit. The computation circuit is coupled to the data storage circuit and is arranged for reading and writing data from/to the data storage circuit. The computing device includes a memory array of non-volatile memory elements and controlling circuitry connected to the memory array for reading and writing data from/to selected memory elements in the array. The computation circuit and the data storage circuit are located in the memory array, and the non-volatile memory elements of the memory array are memristor-type elements. |
| US09824750B2 |
Memory sensing
Technologies are generally described herein for technologies to sense the threshold voltage for memory cells in one sensing operation. The memory cells may be storage circuits for a flash memory device, such as a multilevel flash memory device. Data may be stored and retrieved in the memory cells of the flash memory without involving the use of hardwired or predetermined thresholds. According to some configurations, the sense time distribution from a set of flash cells (e.g., one row), may be processed to decode the digital state of each memory cell. In some examples, computer-executable instructions may be used to process and decode the digital state of the memory cells. |
| US09824746B1 |
Memory device
A memory device may include: a plurality of cell mats arranged in a plurality of rows and columns; a plurality of first drivers, each first driver being disposed on a left side of a corresponding cell mat of the plurality of cell mats and configured to drive a first sub-word line of the corresponding cell mat; and a plurality of second drivers, each second driver being disposed on a right side of the corresponding cell mat of the plurality of cell mats and configured to drive a second sub-word line of the corresponding cell mat, wherein, during an active operation, among the plurality of cell mats, sub-word lines of cell mats disposed in odd-numbered columns or sub-word lines of cell mats disposed in even-numbered columns are selectively activated. |
| US09824742B1 |
DRAM access in self-refresh state
Systems and method are directed to accessing a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) system. A DRAM controller is designed to determine that a DRAM bank of a DRAM system is in a self-refresh state and allow one or more commands to access the DRAM bank without exiting the self-refresh state. The DRAM controller may select these one or more commands, based on one or more of a clock frequency, traffic conditions related to requests for accessing the DRAM bank, or a command type. The one or more commands may include at least one of read (RD), write (WR), or precharge (PRE) commands received while the DRAM bank is in the self-refresh state. |
| US09824741B2 |
Refresh control device, wireless receiver, and semiconductor integrated circuit
Provided is a refresh control device including: an arbitration operating unit configured to arbitrate (i) a memory access request for accessing a volatile memory that requires a refresh operation for holding data and (ii) a refresh trigger for requesting execution of the refresh operation; and a trigger generating unit configured to generate refresh triggers in a non-constant cycle to satisfy refresh-rate requirements defining the number of refresh operations necessary to be executed per predetermined period for the volatile memory to hold the data. |
| US09824737B2 |
Memory circuit and method for operating a first and a second set of memory cells in direct memory access mode with refresh
A memory circuit (100), comprises a first set of memory cells (102a; 202a) configured to operate in a direct access mode or in a refresh mode and a second set of memory cells (102b; 202b) configured to operate in the direct access mode and in the refresh mode. The memory circuit (100) further comprises a controller (104) configured to receive a write request and to execute the write request for a set of memory cells being in direct access mode; and to buffer the write request for later execution for a set of memory cells being in refresh mode. |
| US09824736B1 |
Memory device
According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a memory cell array; a generation circuit generating a reference current; a sense amplifier comparing a cell current flowing through a memory cell with the reference current; a first clamp transistor connected between the sense amplifier and the memory cell; a second clamp transistor connected between the sense amplifier and the generation circuit; a first interconnect layer connected to a gate of the first clamp transistor; a second interconnect layer connected to a gate of the second clamp transistor and arranged adjacent to the first interconnect layer; and a first shield line arranged adjacent to one of the first interconnect layer and the second interconnect layer, a fixed voltage being applied to the first shield line. |
| US09824735B1 |
System and method to generate a random number
An apparatus includes a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) including a free layer. The apparatus includes a spin orbit torque metal layer coupled to the perpendicular MTJ and configured to change a magnetization state of the free layer responsive to flow of a current along the spin orbit torque metal layer. The apparatus includes a random number generator configured to generate a random number at least partially based on a state of the perpendicular MTJ. |
| US09824734B2 |
Nonvolatile memory module having backup function
Disclosed is a memory system. The memory system includes a volatile memory device configured to exchange data with a host through a first channel, a nonvolatile memory device, and a memory controller connected with the volatile memory device through a second channel. The memory controller detects a request of the host or a power state and controls the volatile memory device and the nonvolatile memory device based on the detection result such that data stored in the volatile memory device is backed up in the nonvolatile memory device through the second channel. The volatile memory device includes a first interface for communicating with the host through the first channel and a second interface for communicating with the memory controller through the second channel. |
| US09824726B2 |
Semiconductor device having air-gap
A semiconductor device includes a bit line structure located on a semiconductor substrate, an outer bit line spacer located on a first side surface of the bit line structure, an inner bit line spacer including a first part located between the bit line structure and the outer bit line spacer and a second part located between the semiconductor substrate and the outer bit line spacer, and a block bit line spacer located between the outer bit line spacer and the second part of the inner bit line spacer. A first air-gap is defined by the outer bit line spacer, the inner bit line spacer, and the block bit line spacer. |
| US09824725B2 |
Semiconductor device with single ended main I/O line
Apparatuses included a single-ended main input/output line in a semiconductor device are described. An example apparatus includes: a pair of differential data lines coupled to a sense amplifier; a single-ended data line; a first transistor coupled between the one of the pair of differential data lines and the power line and coupled to the single-ended data line at a control node thereof; a second transistor coupled between the single-ended data line and the power line and coupled to the one of the pair of differential data lines at a control node thereof; and a third transistor coupled between the single-ended data line and the other of the pair of differential data lines. |
| US09824724B2 |
Magnetic recording device capable of implementing read after write
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording and reproducing device includes a magnetic recording medium including a plurality of recording tracks, a magnetic head, and a controller. The plurality of recording tracks includes a first track. The controller causes the magnetic head to implement a first recording operation of recording first information in at least two of a plurality of first track recording components included in the first track. The controller causes the magnetic head to implement a first reproduction operation of reproducing the first information from a first information reproducing/recording component of one of the at least two of the plurality of first track recording components. |
| US09824717B2 |
Adjusting occupancies of a set of buffers
The respective occupancies of a set of audio buffers are controlled via a common target occupancy value common to all the buffers in the set. This common target may take non-integral values. For each buffer, the difference is taken between the occupancy value of the buffer and the common target occupancy value. A sample is dropped or repeated as the difference exceeds half a sample. A recursive sum is formed of the fractional parts of the difference measures from the set of buffers and the recursive sum is used to adjust the common target occupancy value, within a selected range of values. |
| US09824715B2 |
Tape drive with integrated reel hub and motor shaft assembly
An integrated reel hub and motor shaft assembly for a tape drive that limits axial and radial run-out of tape (e.g., magnetic, optical) relative to a read/write head assembly and the various errors (e.g., loading, tension, reading, writing, and the like) associated therewith. In one arrangement, a reel hub of a reel assembly is directly molded (e.g., via an injection molding process) onto and around an end of a drive or motor shaft of a drive assembly. As a result, a more consistent head to tape interface, greater tape tracking performance, increased track density, and the like may be achieved. |
| US09824712B2 |
Magnetic storage media and data storage device
A magnetic storage media which has an endurance (durability) characteristics close to an infinite number of writing times of data and a data retention (holding) characteristics close to permanency, and is ultra-high-speed writable and erasable, and a data storage device and an image storage device which apply this magnetic storage media are provided. A magnetic storage media includes a thin layer magnet and a magnetic field generating unit arranged facing a surface of the magnet, and is capable of creating or eliminating a skyrmion by applying heat energy to another surface of the magnet positioned on the opposite side of the surface of the magnet, and a skyrmion memory includes the magnetic storage media. |
| US09824711B1 |
Soft underlayer for heat assisted magnetic recording media
A soft underlayer (SUL) and methods for making an SUL are provided, the SUL having characteristics that make it compatible with the high temperature requirements associated with heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) media growth and writing, e.g., temperatures greater than 500° C. The SUL may have a high crystallization temperature of greater than 450° C. and a high Curie temperature greater than 300° C., for example. Additionally, the SUL can maintain a saturation magnetization value greater than, e.g., 9 kGauss, at such high temperatures, thereby having the ability to remain amorphous at temperatures up to, e.g., 650° C., and exhibiting a relatively flat integrated noise profile from approximately 300° C. to 650° C. Further still, a spacer layer material is chosen such that inter-diffusion does not occur at these high temperatures. |
| US09824710B1 |
Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) medium with thermal barrier layer in multilayered heat-sink structure
A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) medium has a multilayered or laminated heat-sink structure. The laminated heat-sink structure includes a first heat-sink layer and a RuAl—X thermal barrier layer between the medium substrate and the first heat-sink layer. The laminated heat-sink structure may include a second heat-sink layer may between the substrate and the RuAl—X thermal barrier layer. In the RuAl—X thermal barrier layer, X is selected from C and one or more oxides of Si, Ti, W, Zr and Hf. The HAMR medium with the laminated heat-sink structure reduces the amount of required laser current as compared to a similar HAMR medium with a conventional single heat-sink layer of the same thickness, while also slightly improving magnetic properties and recording performance. |
| US09824705B1 |
Pad sharing for contact sensor and bolometer with temperature compensation in heat-assisted magnetic recording device
A slider of a heat-assisted recording head comprises electrical bond pads coupled to bias sources and a ground pad, an air bearing surface, and a waveguide configured to receive light from a laser source. A contact sensor proximate the air bearing surface is coupled between a first bond pad and a second bond pad. A bolometer is coupled to a reference thermal sensor. The bolometer is situated at a slider location that receives at least some of the light communicated along the waveguide. The reference thermal sensor is situated at a slider location unexposed to the light communicated along the waveguide. The bolometer and reference thermal sensor are coupled between the first and second bond pads and in parallel with the contact sensor. A ground connection is coupled to the ground pad and at a connection between the bolometer and the reference thermal sensor. |
| US09824703B2 |
Magnetic recording and reproducing device having magnetic head with first and second reproducing element portions and magnetic reproducing method
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording and reproducing device includes a magnetic recording medium, a magnetic head, and a processor. The magnetic head includes a first reproducing element portion and a second reproducing element portion. The processor is configured to acquire a first signal and a second signal, and to output an output signal according to either one of the first signal and the second signal. The first signal is obtained by reproducing information recorded on a first recording region by the first reproducing element portion. The second signal is obtained by reproducing the information recorded on the first recording region by the second reproducing element portion. |
| US09824700B1 |
Manufacturing method for a magnetic head including a main pole and a write shield
A manufacturing method for a magnetic head forms a leading shield having a top surface. The top surface of the leading shield includes first and second portions. The second portion is located farther from a medium facing surface than is the first portion, and recessed from the first portion. A first gap layer is then formed on the first portion. Then, a magnetic layer including an initial first side shield, an initial second side shield and a coupling section connecting them is formed using a mold. The mold is then removed. The coupling section is then removed by etching the magnetic layer. A second gap layer and a main pole are then formed in this order. |
| US09824695B2 |
Enhancing comprehension in voice communications
Embodiments herein include receiving a request to modify an audio characteristic associated with a first user for a voice communication system. One or more suggested modified audio characteristics may be provided for the first user, based on, at least in part, one or more audio preferences established by another user. An input of one or more modified audio characteristics may be received for the first user for the voice communication system. A user-specific audio preference may be associated with the first user for voice communications on the voice communication system, the user-specific audio preference including the one or more modified audio characteristics. |
| US09824691B1 |
Automated population of electronic records
A computer-implemented method to populate an electronic record may include generating first transcript data of first audio of a first speaker during a conversation between the first speaker and a second speaker. The method may also include generating second transcript data of second audio of the second speaker during the conversation and identifying one or more words from the first transcript data as being a value for a record field based on the identified words corresponding to the record field and the one or more words being from the first transcript data and not being from the second transcript data. The method may further include providing the identified words to an electronic record database as a value for the record field of a user record of the first speaker. |
| US09824683B2 |
Data augmentation method based on stochastic feature mapping for automatic speech recognition
A method of augmenting training data includes converting a feature sequence of a source speaker determined from a plurality of utterances within a transcript to a feature sequence of a target speaker under the same transcript, training a speaker-dependent acoustic model for the target speaker for corresponding speaker-specific acoustic characteristics, estimating a mapping function between the feature sequence of the source speaker and the speaker-dependent acoustic model of the target speaker, and mapping each utterance from each speaker in a training set using the mapping function to multiple selected target speakers in the training set. |
| US09824681B2 |
Text-to-speech with emotional content
Techniques for converting text to speech having emotional content. In an aspect, an emotionally neutral acoustic trajectory is predicted for a script using a neutral model, and an emotion-specific acoustic trajectory adjustment is independently predicted using an emotion-specific model. The neutral trajectory and emotion-specific adjustments are combined to generate a transformed speech output having emotional content. In another aspect, state parameters of a statistical parametric model for neutral voice are transformed by emotion-specific factors that vary across contexts and states. The emotion-dependent adjustment factors may be clustered and stored using an emotion-specific decision tree or other clustering scheme distinct from a decision tree used for the neutral voice model. |
| US09824680B2 |
Beamforming module, ultrasonic imaging apparatus using the same, beamforming method using the beamforming module, and method of controlling the ultrasonic imaging apparatus using the beamforming module
A beamforming module includes a conversion unit configured to convert an input signal to generate a converted signal using at least one conversion function, a weight calculator configured to calculate a converted signal weight as a weight for the converted signal, and a synthesizer configured to generate a result signal using the converted signal and the converted signal weight. |
| US09824679B1 |
Audio enhancing apparatus for electronic media devices
An audio enhancing apparatus for electronic media devices including a support base having a rectangular rear side, an open front side, an open top side, a bottom side perpendicularly disposed to the rear side, and a pair of sidewalls. Each of the pair of sidewalls has a right triangulated bottom portion and an elongated rectangular top portion extended upwards from the bottom portion. Each of a right bracket and a left bracket of a pair of brackets is attached to the top portion of each of a right sidewall and a left sidewall, respectively, of the pair of sidewalls. The pair of brackets is configured to removably secure a bottom section of a portable electronic device within the support base. |
| US09824676B2 |
Cabinet structure, electronic equipment, and image forming apparatus
A cabinet structure includes multiple cover members configured to spatially partition an inside from an outside of a cabinet, and a clearance communicating between the inside and the outside of the cabinet is left between two cover members, the two cover members being adjacent to each other, of the cover members, and a passage defined by the clearance and leading from the inside to the outside of the cabinet through the clearance has a shape with multiple bends. |
| US09824672B2 |
Modular approach to large string array electronic musical instruments such as specialized harps, zithers, sympathetic string arrays, partch kithara and harmonic cannon
A modular approach to large string array electronic musical instruments such as specialized harps, zithers, sympathetic string arrays, the Harry Partch Kithara, the Harry Partch Harmonic Cannon, and other large string array electronic musical instruments is presented.A mounting frame is used to interchangeably secure a plurality of a plurality of musical instrument modules, each comprising a plurality of strings configured to vibrate and create electronic signals. An electronic interface is configured to transmit electrical signals from the plurality of musical instrument modules to an external system. The electronic interface can be configured to provide a multichannel output. The arrangement can further comprise either or both of at least one audio mixer and at least one signal processor. |
| US09824668B2 |
Eye mounted displays and systems, with headpiece
A display device is mounted on and/or inside the eye. The eye mounted display contains multiple sub-displays, each of which projects light to different retinal positions within a portion of the retina corresponding to the sub-display. The projected light propagates through the pupil but does not fill the entire pupil. In this way, multiple sub-displays can project their light onto the relevant portion of the retina. Moving from the pupil to the cornea, the projection of the pupil onto the cornea will be referred to as the corneal aperture. The projected light propagates through less than the full corneal aperture. The sub-displays use spatial multiplexing at the corneal surface. Various electronic devices interface to the eye mounted display. |
| US09824667B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method
An image processing apparatus is provided including: a plurality of buffers, a first buffer from a among the plurality of buffers storing a first frame; and a controller configured to obtain frame information of a second frame, which includes second object information about a second object added in the second frame and second object location information indicating a second object area that is an area of the second object in the second frame, detect a duplicate area in the first frame, copy the duplicate area stored in the first buffer to a second buffer from among the plurality of buffers, and draw the second object in the second buffer based on the frame information. |
| US09824664B2 |
Calibration device, calibration method and display device
A calibration device for a display device having a plurality of image quality adjustment items, the calibration device comprises a storage unit that stores set values of a plurality of parameters which are used respectively in processing of the plurality of image quality adjustment items, a calibration unit that implements calibration to update the set values of the plurality of parameters, by implementing, a plurality of times, processing for displaying a colorimetry image on the display device and determining the value of any of the parameters, using colorimetry results from the colorimetry image, and a display unit that displays, on the display device, a confirmation image for confirming the effects of calibration. The display unit displays the confirmation image at the image quality settings during calibration. |
| US09824663B2 |
Waveform-shaping circuit for trimming rising edge of scanning signal, liquid crystal display device having the same, and driving method for the same
A waveform-shaping circuit, a liquid crystal display device having the same, and a driving method for the same are provided. The device includes a pixel unit, a data line for transmitting a data signal to the pixel unit, a clock signal generation chip for generating a first clock signal and a second clock signal, a waveform-shaping circuit connected with the clock signal generation chip for receiving the first clock signal and the second clock signal, outputting a scanning signal having a trimmed rising edge as a chamfered waveform according to the first clock signal and the second clock signal, and a scanning signal for transmitting the scanning signal having the trimmed rising edge to the pixel unit. The present invention can reduce the waveform difference of the scanning signals at two sides and a middle portion of a panel in order to increase the display quality of the device. |
| US09824661B2 |
Display apparatus having reduced vertical flickering lines
A display apparatus includes: a plurality of pixel blocks, each pixel block of the plurality of pixel blocks including a first pixel electrode connected to a first switching element and a second pixel electrode connected to a second switching element; gate lines which extend along a first direction and include a first gate line connected to the first switching element and a second gate line connected to the second switching element; and data lines which extend along a second direction intersecting the first direction. A gate voltage is applied to the first gate line before the second gate line, and the first pixel electrode of each of the pixel blocks displays a same color. |
| US09824659B2 |
Shift register, gate driving circuit and display apparatus
A shift register, a gate driving circuit and a display apparatus are provided. The shift register comprises a pull-up node control unit, a pull-down node control unit, a pull-up output unit, a noise reduction unit, and a touch scanning control unit. Herein, the pull-up node control unit is connected to a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a first power supply terminal, a second power supply terminal, and a pull-up node (PU); the pull-down node control unit is connected to a high level terminal (VGH), a low level terminal (VGL) and the pull-up node (PU) and a pull-down node (PD); the pull-up output unit is connected to a clock signal input terminal (CLK), the pull-up node (PU), a signal output terminal (Output); the noise reduction unit is connected to the pull-up node (PD) and the low level terminal (VGL); the touch scanning control unit is connected to a control signal input terminal (SW), the pull-up node (PU), the signal output terminal (Output), and the low level terminal (VGL). |
| US09824658B2 |
GOA circuit and liquid crystal display device
A GOA circuit and an LCD device. The GOA circuit includes multiple cascaded GOA units, and each includes a transferring circuit, a latch circuit and an output circuit. In a forward scanning, the transferring circuit receives a (N−1)th stage-transfer signal of a (N−1)th stage, and sending to the latch circuit. In a backward scanning, the transferring circuit receives a (N+1)th stage-transfer signal of a (N+1)th stage, and sending to the latch circuit. In the canning period, the latch circuit receives a first clock signal and a second clock signal simultaneously, and outputs an Nth stage-transfer signal the same as the first clock signal and opposite to the second clock signal. The output circuit receives the Nth stage-transfer signal, and outputs an Nth scanning signal the same as the Nth stage-transfer signal. The present invention utilizes two clock signals to commonly drive the GOA circuit to improve the stability. |
| US09824653B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method for driving the same
A liquid crystal display includes: a display panel including data lines, scan lines and a plurality of pixels connected to the data lines and the scan lines; a scan driver configured to supply scan signals to the scan lines; a data driver configured to supply data voltages to the data lines; and a timing controller configured to control operation timings of the scan driver and the data driver, where the timing controller is configured to output a plurality of scan output enable signals to the scan driver, and the scan driver is configured to supply odd scan signals to odd scan lines based on a first scan output enable signal of the scan output enable signals and to supply even scan signals to even scan lines based on a second scan output enable signal of the scan output enable signals. |
| US09824652B2 |
Display apparatus and operation method thereof
A display apparatus includes: a display panel which displays an image; a data driver which supplies a data voltage to the display panel in response to a polarity control signal, where the polarity control signal controls a polarity of the data voltage; a timing controller which outputs a polarity signal corresponding to a polarity of the data voltage; and a polarity converter which receives a common voltage from a common electrode of the display panel and the polarity signal from the timing controller, where the polarity converter outputs the polarity control signal to the data driver in response to a difference in voltage level between the common voltage from the common electrode and the polarity signal from the timing controller. |
| US09824650B2 |
Method of adjusting display unit and electronic device
A method for an electronic device with a display unit and an electronic device are provided. The method may comprise: obtaining an environmental parameter under an environment where the electronic device is disposed when the display unit is in a first display status, the environmental parameter including at least an environmental color temperature parameter of the environment and configured for adjusting the display status of the display unit; determining whether to adjust the display status based on at least the environmental color temperature parameter included in the environmental parameter to get a first determination result; and adjusting the display status from the first display status to a second display status different from the first display status if the first determination result indicates that it is to adjust the display status. |
| US09824646B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a display area in which pixels are disposed in a matrix with rows and columns. The display area includes first and second configuration columns. The first configuration column is a column where first pixels are aligned. The first pixels each include a pixel electrode including first and second areas. In the first area, electrodes extending in a first direction inclined to the column direction are disposed. In the second area, electrodes extending in a second direction inclined differently from the first direction are disposed. The second configuration column is a column where second and third pixels are alternately aligned. The second pixels each include a pixel electrode including electrodes extending in a third direction inclined to the column direction. The third pixels each include a pixel electrode including electrodes extending in a fourth direction inclined differently from the third direction. |
| US09824642B2 |
Rendering techniques for textured displays
Rendering techniques are disclosed for displays capable of adjusting/changing the angle of individual pixels (or pixel groups), referred to herein as textured displays. The textured displays may be capable of creating on demand textures which may be used to simulate the surface of an object in a scene. The rendering techniques may be used to improve upon the realism of rendered scenes/objects and they may provide users with a unique rendering experience whereby the textured display physically changes to mimic textures of the rendered scenes/objects. This can be achieved by sending geometric data, such as surface normal information, to individual pixels of the textured display. Other factors may be considered when adjusting the angle of individual pixels of the textured display, such as whether the user is experiencing too much glare. |
| US09824637B2 |
Reducing visual artifacts and reducing power consumption in electrowetting displays
A device, such as an electrowetting display device, includes a first substrate and a second substrate opposite to the first substrate. A pixel region is on the first substrate. The device includes an input line for applying a driving voltage to a capacitor associated with the pixel region to control a luminance of the pixel region, wherein, after the driving voltage is applied to the capacitor, the pixel region exhibits a reduction in a luminance of the pixel region over time. An illumination device is configured to illuminate at least a portion of the pixel region. A timing controller is configured to modify an output of the illumination device to compensate for the reduction in the luminance of the pixel region over time. |
| US09824635B2 |
Control head with electroluminescent panel in land mobile radio
An exemplary land mobile radio control head and method are provided. In one embodiment, the control head has the capability to utilize halo light of the control head to implement a multi-function indicator that communicates a state of the land mobile radio. In another embodiment, the control head has the capability to provide buffer images constructed from data received from the land mobile radio into a video stream for rendering on an electroluminescent display. In another embodiment, the control head provides the capability for a user to modify a configuration stored on the land mobile radio that defines one of several display modes to be utilized in generating data for use in forming images to be rendered on an electroluminescent display. |
| US09824634B2 |
OLED display device with variable gamma reference voltage
An OLED display device includes an OLED display panel on which subpixels are disposed, a gamma reference voltage supply circuit supplying gamma reference voltages that are variable during driving and when sensing a threshold voltage, and a data driver supplying data voltages based on the gamma reference voltages to data lines. The data driver senses a voltage of a sensing node within each of the subpixels in sensing mode. A timing controller controls the data driver, and performs a compensation process based on the voltage sensed by the data driver. |
| US09824631B2 |
Display device
In a display element such as an organic EL element, deterioration progresses due to light emission, and emission luminance is lowered even if the same voltage is applied to the display element. Therefore, use over time causes variations in luminance of each pixel, thereby a so-called “image burn-in” phenomenon occurs. Given this factor, the invention provides a display device which can reduce the difference in deterioration of a display element in each pixel and suppress variations in light emission of a display element in a pixel. It is prevented that only a specific pixel has a long accumulated lighting time. For that purpose, a gray scale of a display pattern is changed to prevent the difference in deterioration of display element in pixels from increasing. Alternatively, a specific display pattern is prevented from being fixedly displayed in a specific region. Further alternatively, a pixel lagging behind in deterioration is deteriorated so that the accumulated lighting time of pixels is equal to each other. |
| US09824627B2 |
Display circuit and display apparatus
A display circuit includes a plurality of pixel circuits and a shared compensation transistor. Each pixel circuit includes a driving transistor to control light emission of a light emitter. The compensation transistor is to compensate the threshold voltages of the driving transistors of the pixel circuits. |
| US09824625B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
Disclosed is a driving method of a display device that includes, for example, setting a luminance increase gain based on a chroma of an RGB data of an input image; modulating the RGB data of the input image based on the luminance increase gain to generate an RGB data of a first image; substituting a W data for common components of the RGB data of the first image and converting the RGB data of the first image to an RGBW data of a second image; and encoding the RGBW data of the second image into an RGBW data of a third image such that a number of bits of the RGBW data of the third image is less than a number of bits of the RGBW data of the second image. |
| US09824618B2 |
Display device and method for driving same
When a clock signal pulse number and a compensation-target-line address indicating a compensation-target row match, the following control is carried out with a time point being a starting point of a current measurement period, the time point being one horizontal scanning period after a time point of the match. At a current measurement period starting point and ending point, only the potential of the one of the clock signals applied to a unit circuit corresponding to the compensation-target row is changed. Throughout the current measurement period, the clock operation of the clock signals is stopped. A monitor enable signal, that is applied to a control terminal of an output control transistor for controlling active signal output to a monitor control line, is only set to a high level during the current measurement period. |
| US09824617B2 |
Data driver and display device including the same
A data driver electrically connected to data lines includes a digital-to-analog converter configured to sequentially receive data signals respectively corresponding to the data lines and outputting an analog image signal, and a switching output unit configured to sequentially output the analog image signal outputted from the digital-to-analog converter as analog driving signals respectively corresponding to the data lines in synchronization with a clock signal. |
| US09824616B2 |
Drive method and drive device of liquid crystal display
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; implementing high frequency detection to the image pixels of the image to display to determine color differences of the respective image pixels and the adjacent image pixels; implementing the color washout compensation to the image to display according to the high frequency weight; driving the liquid crystal panel to show the image to display after the color washout compensation. 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. |
| US09824615B2 |
Load adaptive power management for a display panel
This application relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for optimizing the operations of a power converter of a display panel based on image data to be output by the display panel. The power converter can include one or more switches that can be activated or deactivated based on the image data in order to shift a power efficiency of the power converter. Power efficiency is shifted as a result of balancing an amount of charge necessary for a load with an amount of resistance created when activating switches of the power converter. Therefore, by dynamically altering a configuration of a power converter based on image data, power efficiency of the power converter can be improved. |
| US09824614B2 |
Gate driving method and display device
Disclosure are a display device that provides effective partitive driving using an optimal signal line structure, and provides partial driving that effectively drive a partial area under the signal line structure and partial driving, and a gate driving method thereof. |
| US09824612B2 |
Display panel with a timing control unit, method for driving the same and 3D display device
The disclosure provides a display panel, a method for driving the display panel and a 3D display device including the display panel, and relates to the technical field of display. The display panel comprises a display unit and at least one timing control units, wherein the display unit comprises a plurality of display regions and the plurality of display regions are simultaneously scanned. With the present invention, wire impedance in the display panel is reduced, charging time for a single row of pixels can be reduced and charging rate of the pixels can be improved. |
| US09824607B1 |
Brain machine interface for extracting user intentions with subliminal decision-related stimuli
A brain-machine interface for extracting user action intentions within a continuous asynchronous interactive environment is presented. A subliminal stimulus module generates contextually appropriate decision-related stimuli that are unobtrusive to a user. An altered perceptual experience module modifies a user's sensation of the interactive environment based on decision-related stimuli generated from the subliminal stimulus module. A brain monitoring module assesses the user's brain activity in response to the decision-related stimuli and to determine whether an action within the asynchronous interactive environment is intended by the user. Finally, an action is taken based on explicit user input, the user's brain activity in response to the decision-related stimuli, or a combination thereof. The decision-related stimuli can be visual stimuli, audio stimuli, tactile stimuli, or olfactory stimuli, any be a repeated signal having a start and a stop, where the start and stop are selected to minimize cognitive load on a user. |
| US09824606B2 |
Adaptive system for real-time behavioral coaching and command intermediation
A method, information processing system, and computer readable article of manufacture reinforce behavior in an individual. A behavior associated with an individual is monitored. A determination is made, based on the monitoring, that the behavior substantially matches a behavior in a set of behaviors. A set of interactive actions associated with the behavior are identified. At least one of the interactive actions in the set of interactive actions is selected. The at least one of the interactive actions that has been selected is performed. A response from the individual is monitored in response to the least one of the interactive actions being performed. An indicator is associated with the at least one of the interactive actions based on the reaction from the individual. The indicator indicates a relative degree of success in obtaining a desired response from the individual. |
| US09824601B2 |
Symbiotic helper
In one embodiment, a computer-based method includes detecting a state of a user and detecting a stimulus in an environment of the user. The computer-based method then provides a variable level of assistance to the user based on the detected state of the user and the detected stimulus in the environment. In another embodiment, detecting the stimulus in the environment of the user may include detecting a visual stimulus, an auditory stimulus, a physical stimulus, a vibratory stimulus, an electro-magnetic stimulus, an olfactory stimulus, a temperature stimulus, or a movement stimulus. Detecting the state of the user may include detecting natural language spoken by the user. The resulting variable level of assistance utilizes a range of immersive virtual reality, augmented reality and sparsely augmented reality. 3D models of the user's situation (the environment) may be employed in the variable levels of assistance. |
| US09824597B2 |
Magnetic navigation methods and systems utilizing power grid and communication network
Methods and configurations are disclosed for exploiting characteristic magnetic signature of electrical power transmission and distribution lines for navigation. |
| US09824596B2 |
Unmanned vehicle searches
A method of planning a flight path for a search can include receiving, by a control system, an indication of a search area boundary; receiving, by the control system, an indication of a selected search pattern; determining, by the control system, a flight path based on the search area boundary and the selected search pattern; and transmitting one or more indications of the flight path to an unmanned aerial vehicle. |
| US09824595B1 |
Aircraft monitoring and analysis using edge computing
A multi-layered edge computing method for aircraft monitoring and analysis includes providing an aircraft having a plurality of sensors connected to a flight data acquisition unit (FDAU), and providing a processing device having a processor, a non-transitory computer-readable memory, and a transmitter, wherein the processing device is in communication with the FDAU, wherein sensor data stored within the FDAU is communicated to the processing device, wherein, during flight of the aircraft, the processor analyzes the sensor data from the FDAU to detect an occurrence of at least one emergency event. The processing device ranks the at least one emergency event for transmission priority according to sensor type and severity and provides a signal transmitted to a flight control authority upon ranking of the at least one emergency event, wherein the signal has an alert sequence according to the ranking. |
| US09824593B1 |
System and method for holistic flight and route management
A distributed system for flight and route management (FARM) of one or more aircraft of the system may include onboard processing devices for combining sensor data local to an aircraft with cloud-based data received through the system from other aircraft or from ground-based processing devices, thereby generating situation models of each aircraft relative to its flight path and in the context of current and predictive conditions (weather, traffic, terrain, threats, etc.). The FARM system may evaluate situation models against prioritized constraint sets of business rules or policies associated with each aircraft's flight plan to determine, crosscheck, and implement possible modifications to the flight plan. Localized aircraft data and flight plan modifications may be propagated through the system via a variety of communications networks to provide synchronized, holistic airspace data portraits to aircraft and ground control alike. |
| US09824590B2 |
Lane departure warning system and method for controlling the same
A lane departure warning system includes a front camera generating front image information of a vehicle. A speaker outputs a departure warning message, and a screen displays an image including user interface objects. A touch detector generates touch information by detecting a user's touch on the screen. A controller recognizes lanes at both sides of a current driving road by using the front image information, sets first and second warning lines based on the lanes, and controls the speaker to output the departure warning message if the vehicle reaches one of the first and second warning lines. The controller calculates a touch operation time by using the touch information and changes the first and second warning lines to third and fourth warning liens if the touch operation time is greater than a first reference time. A distance between the third and fourth warning lines is less than a distance between the first and second warning lines. |
| US09824586B2 |
Moving object recognition systems, moving object recognition programs, and moving object recognition methods
The moving object recognition system includes: a camera that is installed in a vehicle and captures continuous single-view images; a moving object detecting unit that detects a moving object from the images captured by the camera; a relative approach angle estimating unit that estimates the relative approach angle of the moving object detected by the moving object detecting unit with respect to the camera; a collision risk calculating unit that calculates the risk of the moving object colliding with the vehicle, based on the relationship between the relative approach angle and the moving object direction from the camera toward the moving object; and a reporting unit that reports a danger to the driver of the vehicle in accordance with the risk calculated by the collision risk calculating unit. |
| US09824584B2 |
Driving support apparatus for vehicle
A driving support apparatus for a vehicle comprises a first determination part which determines whether a likelihood of a collision between an own vehicle and another vehicle exists based on information acquired by an autonomous sensor and outputs a first notification request when a notification for the likelihood of the collision is required, a second determination part which determinates whether the likelihood of the collision based on information acquired by an inter-vehicle communication device and GPS sensor and outputs a second notification request when the notification for the likelihood of the collision is required, a warning determination part which inhibits the output of the second notification request by the second determination part when a time at which starts outputting the second notification request for a notification device by the second determination part has come until the time period from a time treq1 at which starts outputting the first notification request for the notification by the first determination part. Consequently, the apparatus is less likely to bother and/or confuse a driver, since the notification contents are not switched in a short time. |
| US09824580B2 |
Method, computer readable storage medium and system for producing an uncertainty-based traffic congestion index
Provided is a mechanism for producing an uncertainty-based traffic congestion index, wherein the mechanism may comprise: obtaining a plurality of GPS data points; dividing the plurality of GPS data points into a plurality of variable sliding windows, wherein the dividing maximizes an amount of shape information in each of the plurality of variable sliding windows, performing a map matching process on the plurality of GPS data points as the GPS data points had been divided by the dividing; calculating a confidence value indicative of the map matching process; and producing the traffic congestion index, wherein the traffic congestion index is produced by taking into account the calculated confidence value indicative of the map matching process. In various embodiments, such a mechanism may be implemented via systems, methods and/or computer program products. |
| US09824576B2 |
Dynamic determination of a geographically dispersed group for alert resolution
Described herein are techniques for receiving an alert associated with an entity and dynamically determining, based on the alert and on substantially real-time attributes for the entity, a geographically dispersed group in which each member of the geographically dispersed group either is a device associated with the entity or shares at least one attribute with the entity. The techniques further include requesting information about the entity from the geographically dispersed group, receiving information from at least a subset of the group, and taking action responsive to the alert based on the received information. |
| US09824574B2 |
Contextual fire detection and alarm verification method and system
A number of different approaches are described for minimizing or preventing false alarms. In one case, override panels are used such as locally near or in the protected space or remotely at a security desk, for example. These override panels are used to deactivate or block the generation of a fire alarm signal in the case where the occupants or a management personnel recognizes that the fire alarm signal should not be generated. In this way, an alarm verification step is included. In another aspect, additional, contextual information is used to characterize or adjust when fire alarm signals are generated. This contextual information can be generated from sources that are not typically used in the generation of the fire alarm signal but instead are based on other sources of the information concerning the protected space. |
| US09824571B2 |
Alerting on proximity of items
An apparatus alerts on a distance between items. The apparatus includes a radio for communicating with an internet of things (IoT) tag on an item. A locator module determines a distance between two or more items, and an alertor module alerts a user to a violation of a proximity rule. |
| US09824569B2 |
Wireless communication for dispenser beacons
A communication system for hygiene compliance monitoring comprising a plurality of hygiene dispensers for dispensing hygiene product, each dispenser having a transmitter for transmitting data indicating the status of dispenser, such as product remaining in the dispenser to a central monitoring station. |
| US09824565B1 |
Smoke detector system with expanded capabilities
A smoke detector system functionally integrates several systems into a common housing, including smoke/carbon monoxide detection, motion sensing, camera, lighting and audio systems. |
| US09824563B2 |
Fire monitoring system and smoke detector
A fire monitoring system includes a smoke detector, a first correction unit obtaining a first corrected value by multiplying a difference value between a reference value and a detection value by a first correction coefficient, a first conversion unit converting the first corrected value into a first smoke density, and a fire determination unit determining occurrence of a fire event based on the first smoke density. The first correction coefficient is set on an increase side corresponding to an increase in a rate of change of the reference value to an initial reference value, and an upper limit value is set for the first correction coefficient. |
| US09824562B2 |
Wireless audio system using smoke detectors with integrated audio systems paired for mobile device output
A system for pairing a smoke detector based audio system with a device for wireless audio. The system has a smoke detector circuit with an integrated audio system. The device is paired to the smoke detector circuit using a communications protocol and used to output audio from a speaker. The system has an alarm circuit and an alarm speaker, that can be separate from the audio speaker. The alarm circuit is connected to one or more detection device for determining hazardous conditions. If a hazardous condition is detected, the audio from the device is overridden and alarm audio is output to warn of the hazardous condition. |
| US09824561B2 |
Low power detection and alarm
An alarm apparatus, for detecting radiation and/or pollutants including smoke and carbon monoxide, comprises an alarm circuit including a detector for radiation and/or pollutants and an audible alarm emitting device. A power supply circuit, connectable to an external AC power supply, supplies power to the alarm circuit. A controller operates the power supply circuit in a first mode of operation in which it supplies current to the alarm circuit at a first power level less than that required to energize the audible alarm emitting device and, in response to the detection of radiation and/or pollutants, operates the power supply in a second mode of operation in which it supplies current to the alarm circuit at a second power level sufficient to energize the audible alarm emitting device. |
| US09824558B2 |
Automated motion disturbance detection and alerting
Several methods and a system of automated motion disturbance detection and alerting are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes associating a protection device with a movable tangible personal property. The method also includes activating the protection device remotely. The method further includes detecting, through a sensor in the protection device, a motion disturbance of the movable tangible personal property. The method further includes automatically responding based on a set of user-specified preferences when an intensity of the motion disturbance exceeds a minimum threshold of a sensitivity associated with the protection device. The method furthermore includes relaying a confirmed motion disturbance of the movable tangible persona property to a user of the protection device. The method furthermore includes protecting the movable tangible personal property through the automatic response of the protection device. The protection device includes a sensor to detect a motion disturbance associated with a movable tangible personal property. |
| US09824550B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling indicator lights in a device
An apparatus and method for controlling indicator lights in a device is described. The apparatus includes a first visual indicator that indicates a status of a first activity, a second visual indicator that indicate a status of a second activity, and a control circuit adjusting an intensity for the first visual indicator when the first visual indicator is illuminated in response to the status of the first activity and adjusting an intensity for the second visual indicator when the second visual indicator is illuminated in response to the status of the second activity. The method includes providing a first signal to a first indicator light indicating a status for a first activity, providing a second signal to a second indicator light indicating a status for a second activity, and providing a third signal to the first and second indicator lights that adjusts the brightness of the lights. |
| US09824549B2 |
Side viewable lighted bezel for a display device
A monitor display unit mounted on a surface and in electronic communication with a system or device to be monitored, comprising a face plate, a back plate having at least a portion of a side edge being translucent or transparent, a logic controller, and at least one light-emitting device in electronic communication with the controller. Actuation of the light-emitting device causes light to pass through the side edge of the back plate, thereby being visible to a viewer at an angle that can be generally parallel to the surface on which the display unit is mounted. |
| US09824547B2 |
Cash register system with pivotable arms
A cash register system (10, 100) has an arm (16, 22) for holding a display unit (18, 24). The arm (16) has a first section (24, 30) and a second section (28, 34) pivotable relative thereto. The second section (28, 34) is pivotable relative to the first section (28) between a first position in which the display unit (18, 24) is arranged above a receiving area (36) and a second position in which the display unit (18, 24) is not arranged above this receiving area (36). |
| US09824543B2 |
Methods and systems for providing a parlay card sweepstakes opportunity
A parlay card sweepstakes opportunity is presented to a player via a web site hosted by a computer system. The parlay card sweepstakes opportunity may include one or more player-selectable parameters for the selection of previously generated pre-populated parlay cards associated with the sweepstakes opportunity. The pre-populated parlay cards may be stored in a data store that is accessed upon receiving a parameter selection from the player. The pre-populated parlay cards include a plurality of events as well as predicted outcomes for these events. A particular pre-populated parlay card may be selected from the plurality of previously generated pre-populated parlay cards and presented to the player via the web site. Actual outcome information regarding events included in the pre-populated parlay card may then be received and a prize may be presented to the player based a combined actual outcome of the plurality of events included on the pre-populated parlay card. |
| US09824540B2 |
Method and system for gaming revenue
A method and system comprises integrating a contest framework into a game. The contest framework at least comprises means for communicating with a transactional server, a plurality of listeners being configured to monitor interactions during a play of the game for communication to the transactional server, and means for displaying notifications from the transactional server. The transactional server is at least configured for processing received interactions in conjunction with a progressive jackpot contest associated with the game and communicating notifications regarding the processing to the contest framework. A communicating with the transactional server at least comprises associating the game with a progressive jackpot contest and setting parameters for the progressive jackpot contest. |
| US09824535B2 |
Method and device for conducting a prize game using trackable activity
A user application monitors user activity for trackable user activity. When a trackable user activity occurs, a prize indicium is issued. A prize is awarded based on whether a predetermined collection of prize indicia is obtained. |
| US09824532B2 |
Uses of location tracking in mobile devices
In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes: detecting a plurality of wagering game machines in proximity to the mobile phone, and selecting a first of the plurality of wagering game machines with which to establish a connection. The method can also include requesting the connection with the first of the plurality of wagering game machines, and transmitting, from the mobile phone to the first of the plurality of wagering game machines, player account information for configuring a wagering game. The method can also include receiving, from the first of the plurality of wagering game machines, content indicating a result of the wagering game, and presenting, on the mobile phone, the result of the wagering game. |
| US09824528B2 |
Method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller
A computer implemented method of gaming. The method includes monitoring game outcomes generated for one or more players of a plurality of linked gaming machines, and for each generated game outcome i) identifying instances of one or more special symbols occurring in the generated game outcome, ii) incrementing an accumulating counter for each of the one or more special symbols based on instances of one or more special symbols occurring in the game outcome, and iii) determining whether a trigger condition is met. In response to the trigger condition being met, allocating one or more special symbols to one or more of the linked gaming machines for modifying a game outcome generated for a player of the linked gaming machine, to provide a new game outcome for each of the one or more players of linked gaming machines to which the special symbols are allocated, wherein the number of special symbols allocated to the linked gaming machines is based on a value of the accumulating counter for the special symbol at the time the trigger condition was met, and resetting the accumulating counter for the allocated special symbols. |
| US09824527B2 |
Gaming system and method for providing a matching game
A gaming system selects and displays one of a plurality of symbol blocks in each of a plurality of block positions, wherein each of the selected blocks includes at least one partial symbol. Each partial symbol has at least one complementary partial symbol which, when arranged in a designated spatial relationship with one another, form a complete matching symbol. If any of the partial symbols on the selected blocks create a complete matching symbol, the gaming system provides at least one award to the player. Each matching block which includes any portion of a complete matching symbol is then removed, creating an empty block position. The gaming system then fills the empty block position by either shifting a displayed block into the empty block position or by selecting a new block. The gaming system repeats this process until no complete matching symbols are formed. |
| US09824525B2 |
3D enhancements to game components in gaming systems as multi-faceted game components
An electronic gaming machine, a system and a method for providing game components with 3D enhancement are disclosed. The machine includes one processor, one persistent data store, one receiver to receive game data, and a display device configured with a user interface to display: a portion of the game data as at least one of a row and a column of game components along a plane in accordance with a set of game rules for a given game; and at least one of the game components as a multi-faceted game component, wherein the multi-faceted game components are displayed in a 3D configuration in relation to the plane of the display device, wherein the at least one processor is configured to associate at least one additional symbol with at least one facet of the multi-faceted game component; and integrate the at least one additional symbol into the given game. |
| US09824518B2 |
Information processing system, control information processing device, and program
There is provided an information processing system that includes an information processing terminal equipped with an IC chip capable of non-contact communication with a reader/writer, a data provider device that stores a first data record for creating service data, and a control information processing device that creates the service data and transmits the service data to the information processing terminal. The information processing terminal includes a terminal communication portion that acquires the first data record from the data provider device and transmits the first data record to the control information processing device. The control information processing device includes a control communication portion that receives the first data record, a control storage portion that stores a second data record for creating the service data, and a data creation portion that creates the service data based on the first data record and the second data record. |
| US09824514B2 |
Applying geographical limitations to control actions of a security system
Apparatus for applying geographical limitations to control actions of a security system is described. The apparatus receive location data from a user device, determines whether location data has the user device within a predetermined distance range from the security system and cause a message to be sent to the security system to perform the control action specified in the request when the processor determines that the user device is within the predetermined distance range. |
| US09824510B2 |
Vehicle operation sensing system, vehicle operation sensing unit, and vehicle operation sensing device
A vehicle operation sensing system includes an operation sensor, a fixture sensor, and a vehicle operation sensing unit. The operation sensor is an acceleration sensor fixed to an operation member, and sensing an acceleration generated in the operation member at least in a gravitational acceleration direction. The operation member has one end fixed to a vehicle and the other end a position of which is displaced in the gravitational acceleration direction when the operation member is operated. The fixture sensor is an acceleration sensor used at a position unchanging part of the vehicle, and sensing an acceleration generated in the vehicle at least in the gravitational acceleration direction. The vehicle operation sensing unit has an operation sensing part sensing an operation of the operation member by using a sensing result of the fixture sensor as an object to be compared with a sensing result of the operation sensor. |
| US09824507B2 |
Mobile device based vehicle diagnostic system
A vehicular diagnostic communications system, and components thereof, are provided for an apparatus and technique for communicating vehicular diagnostic information over a cellphone network. The system includes a code reader having a vehicle diagnostic port connector for receiving vehicle diagnostic information from the vehicle diagnostic port. The code reader also has a local connectivity network circuit for communicating vehicle diagnostic information between the vehicle diagnostic port connector and a local connectivity circuit. A cellphone is arranged in communication with the local connectivity network for communicating vehicle diagnostic information between the code reader and a cellular telephone network. |
| US09824505B2 |
Method for triggering a vehicle system monitor
Methods and systems are provided for improving the frequency of attempting and successfully completing one or more on-board diagnostic routines. Engine operating conditions are predicted based on a vehicle operator's driving pattern and routines are initiated if the predicted conditions match the conditions required for performing the routine. If the conditions do not match, entry and/or execution conditions of the routine are adjusted to better match the predicted conditions, so as to enable the routine to be attempted. |
| US09824504B2 |
Mobile card processing using multiple wireless devices
A payment transaction between a passenger and a driver may be processed using a mobile device of the passenger and a mobile device of the driver. For example, the mobile device of the passenger and the mobile device of the driver may be associated for processing the payment transaction. Fare data for a ride that is offered by the driver may be received from the mobile device that is associated with the driver and payment data for the passenger may be received from the mobile device that is associated with the passenger. A payment processing server may cause the payment transaction to be processed. |
| US09824499B2 |
Mixed-reality image capture
A head-mounted display includes a visible-light camera configured to collect a visible-light image of a physical space, a surface sensor configured to measure one or more surface parameters of the physical space, a see-through display configured to visually present an augmentation image while light from the physical space passes through the see-through display to a user eye, and an augmented-reality engine. The augmented-reality engine may be configured to identify a surface of the physical space from the one or more measured surface parameters, compose a mixed-reality image that includes the augmentation image overlaid on the visible-light image, and visually present, via the see-through display, the mixed-reality image in alignment with the identified surface. |
| US09824494B2 |
Hybrid surfaces for mesh repair
Techniques are provided for repairing a polygon mesh that represents a three-dimensional surface, the repaired mesh comprising explicit regions that are preserved from the original mesh and implicit regions that are modified from the mesh repair operation. The explicit and implicit regions that comprise the hybrid surface meet along a “cut path” which can be located by identifying the elements of the volumetric grid where the implicit and explicit surfaces diverge. These elements comprise a path of marching cubes having faces that intersect the polygon elements of the explicit surface along the cut path. In certain embodiments the path between these intersections is selected so as to reduce deviation from the marching cube face and the path length. Once a preferred cut path is selected, the polygons that comprise the explicit surface are subdivided to conform to the cut path. |
| US09824489B2 |
Grading and monitoring of a geographical region
A grading and monitoring system that evaluates a quality of index of a neighborhood via satellite images in described. The system utilizes a fuzzy-logic rule based technique in determining the quality of the neighborhood. The crisp input parameters that define the characteristics of a neighborhood are first fuzzified and based on a set of rules that are obtained from an experts knowledge, an output fuzzy set of type-2 is obtained. Further, the output fuzzy set is aggregated and type-reduced to obtain an output crisp value corresponding to the neighborhoods quality. The system also monitors changes in the neighborhood quality in predetermined time intervals. |
| US09824484B2 |
Dynamic subroutine linkage optimizing shader performance
Allocation of memory registers for shaders by a processor is described herein. For each shader, registers are allocated based on the shader's level of complexity. Simpler shader instances are restricted to a smaller number of memory registers. More complex shader instances are allotted more registers. To do so, developers' high level shading level (HLSL) language includes template classes of shaders that can later be replaced by complex or simple versions of the shader. The HLSL is converted to bytecode that can be used to rasterize pixels on a computing device. |
| US09824482B2 |
Map viewer and method
Techniques for displaying a 3d map view of a 3d geographical map are provided. A database stores data which defines the 3d geographical map in a layered hierarchy comprising data layers which can be individually rendered for the 3d map view. The database comprises a data layer of a digital terrain model which is modelling a terrain surface and a data layer of a 3d road network comprising 3d road elements. A processor is configured for selecting specific data layers of the database in response to a resolution setting of the 3d map view and to render the 3d map view using the selected specific data layer. |
| US09824481B2 |
Maintaining heatmaps using tagged visual data
Techniques describe tagging visual data (e.g., image and/or video data) with wireless and sensor measurement information by a mobile device. Tagged visual data may be sent to a server, such as a crowdsourcing server. Techniques further describe receiving visual data from a device, wherein the visual data is tagged with information comprising source identifying information associated with an at least one signal emitting device, identifying at least one visual feature from the visual data, determining a coordinate on a map at which the visual data was acquired based on identifying the at least one visual feature from the visual data, and associating the coordinate on the map with the information associated with the at least one signal emitting device. |
| US09824480B2 |
Chaining animations
In applications that display a representation of a user, it may be reasonable to insert a pre-canned animation rather than animating a user's captured motion. For example, in a tennis swing, the ball toss and take back in a serve could be a pre-canned animation, whereas the actual forward swing may be mapped from the user's gestures. An animation of a user's gestures can be chained together into sequences with pre-canned animations, where animation blending techniques can provide for a smoother transition between the animation types. Techniques for blending animations, that may comprise determining boundaries and transition points between pre-canned animations and animations based on captured motion, may improve animation efficiency. Gesture history, including joint position, velocity, and acceleration, can be used to determine user intent, seed parameters for subsequent animations and game control, and determine the subsequent gestures to initiate. |
| US09824479B2 |
Method of animating messages
The present invention relates to rendering texts in a natural language, namely to manipulating a text in a natural language to generate an image or animation corresponding to this text. The invention is unique mainly in that a sequence of animations is selected, semantically corresponding to a given text. Given a set of animations and a text, the invention makes it possible to compare the sequence of these animations to this text. It is unique in that text templates are used and an optimum sequence of these templates is determined. The idea of the template-based text rendering consists in that the text is manipulated to generate an image or animation with the aid of searching correspondences to a limited number of predefined templates. An animation according to certain style is selected in compliance with each template. Animations are sequentially combined into a single sequence of video images. |
| US09824476B2 |
Method for superposing location information on collage, terminal and server
A method for superposing location information on a collage includes: acquiring a selected image and a collage template identifier corresponding to a selected collage template, and acquiring longitude and latitude information corresponding to the selected image; sending the longitude and latitude information and the collage template identifier to a server; and receiving graphic and textual information returned by the server, and superposing the selected image and the graphic and textual information on the selected collage template. |
| US09824475B2 |
Obscuring displayed information
A method can include rendering pixel representations of information to a rectangular display; and rendering pixel representations of perspectival text to the rectangular display where the pixel representations of perspectival text overlay a portion of the pixel representations of information. Various other methods, apparatuses, systems, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US09824473B2 |
Cross-platform data visualizations using common descriptions
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for cross-platform data visualizations using common descriptions. Embodiments of the invention provide mechanisms for simplifying software development and enhanced code reliability. A user interface, along with interactive and dynamic characteristics, can be described (programmatically and/or declaratively) independently of any specific device platform. User interface qualities can be described using a generic scene graph structure with attached behaviors. The generic scene graph can then be used to drive the user interface on any number of different computing platforms using platform specific (e.g., rendering, gesture recognition, etc.) sub-systems. Platform specific sub-systems can vary based on technologies that are used by the platform specific sub-systems. For example, rendering sub-systems can vary based on the technology used to render graphical data, such as, for example, Open GL, XAML, Direct X, Quartz, etc. |
| US09824472B2 |
Determining alternative visualizations for data based on an initial data visualization
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented method generates an alternative visualization of a data set based on a specification of a selected first visualization of the data set and parameters comprising information about a data visualization goal and statistical relations between two or more variables in the data set. Embodiments of the present invention further include a system and computer program product for generating an alternative visualization in substantially the same manners described above. |
| US09824471B2 |
Automatic generation of hierarchy visualizations
A method, system, and computer program product for presentation of data in enterprise applications. The method form commences by identifying a hierarchy of data maintained by an enterprise application (e.g., in a database). A hierarchy processor or other processor reads the hierarchy of data to configure a graphical representation of the hierarchy of data to be displayed on a display device. The graphical representation includes a graphical display indication corresponding to one or more relationships between items in the displayed hierarchy. Additional display indications include a calculated summary value of aggregated data, such as where the aggregated data is calculated using an aggregation function. |
| US09824468B2 |
Dictionary learning based image reconstruction
A computationally efficient dictionary learning-based term is employed in an iterative reconstruction framework to keep more spatial information than two-dimensional dictionary learning and require less computational cost than three-dimensional dictionary learning. In one such implementation, a non-local regularization algorithm is employed in an MBIR context (such as in a low dose CT image reconstruction context) based on dictionary learning in which dictionaries from different directions (e.g., x,y-plane, y,z-plane, x,z-plane) are employed and the sparse coefficients calculated accordingly. In this manner, spatial information from all three directions is retained and computational cost is constrained. |
| US09824466B2 |
Colour contrast enhancement of medical images by non-linear colour mapping
An image enhancement system and method for enhancing medical images from a surgical imaging system. Each image pixel has a value in a first three-dimensional color space. A mapping of values in a subset of the first color space is calculated to map each color point in the subset to an enhanced value. The mapping is calculated by selecting a reference point in the subset and, for each color point in the subset, mapping the color point to a modified color value offset from the reference point by the modified color point vector that has the same direction as the color point vector extending from the reference point to the color point, but a greater magnitude. The mapping is applied to the pixel values in the medical image falling in the subset to produce an enhanced image. |
| US09824463B2 |
Methods and systems for providing mapping, data management, and analysis
A method for providing mapping, data management and analysis. Creation of a map is initiated with a desired Gaussian aggregation and desired color map parameters. Data is loaded to be utilized in the map. The data is rasterized, then converted to a certain scale. A convolution operation is performed on the data. The convolution results are applied to a color ramp, and the map is created based on the color ramp and the convolution results. |
| US09824462B2 |
Method for detecting object and object detecting apparatus
A method for detecting an object includes inputting information of a moving object included in a plurality of images and generating a regression tree. In response to input of a new image, the system communicates information of a moving object included in the newly inputted image into the regression tree, and determines a size of a person included in the new image based on a resultant value of the regression tree. |
| US09824457B2 |
Model-based segmentation of an anatomical structure
A system (100) and method is provided for performing a model-based segmentation of an anatomical structure in a medical image of a patient. The medical image (022) is accessed. Moreover, model data (162) is provided which defines a deformable model for segmenting the type of anatomical structure. The model-based segmentation of the anatomical structure is performed by adapting the deformable model to the anatomical structure in the medical image using an adaptation technique. In accordance with the present invention, performing the model based segmentation further comprises determining from patient data (042) medical information which is predictive of an appearance of the anatomical structure in the medical image, and adjusting or setting a segmentation parameter based on the medical information so as to adjust the model-based segmentation to said predicted appearance of the anatomical structure in the medical image, the segmentation parameter being a parameter of i) the deformable model or ii) the adaptation technique. Advantageously, the system and method are enabled to better cope with the inter-patient and inter-disease-stage variability in the appearance of anatomical structures. |
| US09824456B2 |
Automatic segmentation of image frames in anatomical scan based on non-rigid registration with manually segmented frame
A time series of image frames in an anatomical scan is segmented. An image frame k in the time series of image frames is manually segmented. A non-rigid registration is then performed between the image frame k and a next image frame k+1 in the time series of image frames. A segmentation on the image frame k+1 is computed based on the non-rigid registration. Each subsequent image frame k+n in the time series of image frames is iteratively segmented using non-rigid registration with the segmented previous image frame k+(n−1) in the time series of image frames. |
| US09824455B1 |
Detecting foreground regions in video frames
Various examples are directed to systems and methods for determining foreground regions in video frames. A computing device may select from a first frame of a video, a plurality of scene point locations and divide the first frame into a plurality of sections. For a first section of the first frame, the computing device may generate a first vector subspace, basis vectors of the first vector subspace are trajectories of scene point locations in the first section. The computing device may determine that a projection error for a first scene point location in the first section is greater than a projection error threshold and write an indication of the first pixel value to a listing of foreground pixel values. |
| US09824451B2 |
Camera pose estimation
A system for determining a camera pose relative to an object including a unique feature may include a monocular camera configured to produce an image of the object, and a processing unit in operative communication with the monocular camera. The processing unit may be configured to: identify the unique feature of the object in the image produced by the monocular camera, synthesize at least four points along a contour of the object in the image using the identified unique feature as a starting point, synthesize a same number of points as synthesized in the image along a contour of the object in a reference model, the reference model preprogrammed into a memory of the processing unit, correlate the points from the reference model to the image, and determine a pose of the monocular camera based on the correlated points. |
| US09824446B2 |
Evaluating electromagnetic imagery by comparing to other individuals' imagery
A computer-based method and system assists users performing medical imaging studies, such as echocardiograms. While the user manipulates the imaging device on an individual, the system automates image processing, relieving the user from the need to simultaneously operate an application and an imaging device. The system assesses an organ system, then through comparison with other imaging data sets, generates an evaluative assessment of the organ system. The system becomes increasingly image-aware and content-aware during an evaluation, and by sequential comparisons against progressive data sets, refines an evaluative assessment. |
| US09824445B2 |
Endoscope system
An endoscope system for analyzing, when an endoscope is inserted into a subject, an observed region and an unobserved region of the endoscope using information of a three-dimensional image of the subject obtained in advance, including: one or more processors comprising hardware, for: three-dimensionally changing a display direction for displaying a luminal organ model extracted from a three-dimensional image, and when an identification image provided with identification information is generated on the luminal organ model with the display direction changed, generating the identification image in a direction such that a proportion of the non-angle-of-view region in the identification image is largest. |
| US09824439B2 |
Method for indicating a characteristic of bone mineral density
A method of generating an indication of at least one characteristic of a patient's bone mineral density. The method comprises obtaining at least one measurement of a width of a patient's inferior mandibular cortex and generating said indication based upon said at least one measurement. The at least one measurement is obtained at a location along the inferior mandibular cortex between the ante-gonion and a point on the inferior mandibular cortex defined with reference to the mental foramen. |
| US09824438B2 |
Method for testing an agricultural spraying device
In a method for testing an agricultural spraying device (1) which comprises a plurality of nozzles (3) that are arranged at a spacing from one other and spray a liquid, which is supplied under pressure, in a defined atomizing cone (8), a region, near the nozzle, of the atomizing cone (8) of each individual nozzle (3) is optically recorded, in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the atomizing cone (8), by means of a recording device (6) having a digital camera (7), and is stored as a digital image file. |
| US09824435B2 |
Image analyzing apparatus and program
Proposed are an image analyzing apparatus and program in which the orientation of fiber bundles can be easily analyzed from a three-dimensional image of CMC. Provided is an image analyzing apparatus for analyzing an orientation of a fiber bundle from a three-dimensional image of a fiber-reinforced composite material, comprising an input unit which inputs the three-dimensional image, a binarization processing unit which binarizes the input three-dimensional image and acquires a binary image, an orientation estimation processing unit which estimates each orientation of foreground pixels in the binary image based on an orientation detection filter having a parameter for causing a shape of a detected cross section to have anisotropy, a center extraction processing unit which extracts center pixels showing a center of the fiber bundle from a foreground pixel group, in which the orientation thereof was estimated, based on the orientation detection filter, a fiber bundle connection processing unit which deems center pixels having a same or similar orientation to be a same fiber bundle with regard to the extracted center pixel group, and connects the center pixels indicating the same fiber bundle, and a meander determination processing unit which calculates a meandering amount of the connected center pixel group indicating the same fiber bundle. |
| US09824433B2 |
Pipe inspection system camera heads
Camera heads for use in pipe inspection systems are disclosed. In one embodiment a camera head includes a body; an image sensor disposed in the body for generating images of an interior of a pipe or cavity in which the camera head is inserted, and processing circuitry operatively coupled to the image sensor to automatically capture images or video frames by the camera head within the object. |
| US09824432B2 |
Peripheral inspection system and method
A method of inspecting two or more sides of an object is provided. The method includes generating one set of image data of two or more sides of the object, such as by using spherical mirror segments that project all sides of the object onto a single image and generating an X by Y array of image data of the single image. The projection of the image data is then compensated for, such as by identifying inspection processes to locate defects of the object in the projected image data or by converting the image data from the projected inspection coordinates to Cartesian coordinates. Predetermined inspection processes are then performed on the compensated image data, such as by using the inspection processes that are optimized for use with the projected image data or by converting the projected image data into a Cartesian format and using Cartesian image data inspection processes. |
| US09824430B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting image brightness
Provided are a method and an apparatus for adjusting image brightness. The method includes: acquiring an image to be processed, and acquiring a single-channel brightness image based on grayscales of each channel of the image to be processed; performing Gaussian filtering on the single-channel brightness image to acquire a Gaussian filtered image; adjusting grayscales of the Gaussian filtered image based on the grayscales of the Gaussian filtered image and a preset proportion; comparing the Gaussian filtered image after adjustment with the Gaussian filtered image before adjustment to acquire a grayscale change rate of each pixel through adjustment; processing the image to be processed based on the grayscale change rate of each pixel to acquire a processed image; and outputting the processed image. |
| US09824425B2 |
Image quality enhancing apparatus, image display apparatus, image quality enhancing method, and computer readable storage medium
An image quality enhancing apparatus, an image display apparatus, an image quality enhancing method, and a computer readable storage medium which make a learning-type image quality enhancing method utilizing a sparse expression practical are provided. The image quality enhancing apparatus calculates, from the feature quantity of an image, coefficients of low-image-quality base vectors expressing a feature quantity with a linear sum and generates the image with the enhanced image quality by calculating a linear sum of high-image-quality base vectors using the calculated coefficient. When calculating the coefficient, T base vectors highly influential on the feature quantity are selected from among a plurality of base vectors and an analytic solution making L2 norm of a coefficient matrix α as small as possible is calculated. A sparse solution of the coefficients can be obtained without using the iteration method and a practical image quality enhancing apparatus can be realized. |
| US09824423B1 |
Data overlay for animated map traffic display and method of rapidly loading animated raster data
A data visualization technique rapidly loads images to decrease data transfer time and associated bandwidth cost for animation effects in displays of data, and includes initially loading raster imagery at a coarser zoom level than a current view on the display, and then manipulating the imagery using general-purpose image manipulation algorithms to interpolate data points as a user adjusts the zoom level. In this manner, the data visualization technique intentionally displays a coarser view than that selected, rather than transferring entirely new imagery or datasets, and manipulates the imagery as necessary to avoid loading more data from a remote server to the local client each time the user adjusts the view. |
| US09824420B2 |
Determining scaling factors for devices
An image scaling service includes determining an image as a candidate for a scaling process, scanning the image for an initial text value, and scaling the image to a next lower resolution. The image scaling service also includes iteratively performing the scaling process until a threshold value of a readability metric is reached, the scaling process includes scanning the scaled image for a scaled text value, comparing a difference between the initial text value and the scaled text value, the difference indicative of the readability metric, and scaling the scaled image to a next lower resolution. In response to reaching the threshold value of the readability metric, the image scaling service further includes selecting from scaled images an image having a lowest resolution resulting from the scaling process before the threshold value of the readability metric was reached. |
| US09824417B2 |
Image signal processor for generating depth map from phase detection pixels and device having the same
An image signal processor including a CPU is provided. The CPU receives image data and positional information of phase detection pixels from an imaging device, extracts first phase detection pixel data and second phase detection pixel data from the image data using the positional information of phase detection pixels, computes first phase graphs from the first phase detection pixel data based upon moving a first window, computes second phase graphs from the second phase detection pixel data based upon moving a second window, computes disparities of the phase detection pixels using the first phase graphs and the second phase graphs, and generates a depth map using the disparities. |
| US09824415B2 |
Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus for processing image data by a plurality of pipeline-connected processing modules is provided. The apparatus includes a first pipeline processing unit configured to include a plurality of processing modules including a processing module which processes image data for every first size; and a second pipeline processing unit configured to be branched from the first pipeline processing unit and include a plurality of processing modules including a processing module which processes image data for every second size different from the first size. The second pipeline processing unit includes, at a start, a change unit configured to acquire partial image data of the first size from the first pipeline processing unit and change the partial image data of the first size into partial image data of the second size. |
| US09824412B2 |
Position-only shading pipeline
In position-only shading, two geometry pipes exist, a trimmed down version called the Cull Pipe and a full version called the Replay Pipe. Thus, the Cull Pipe executes the position shaders in parallel with the main application, but typically generates the critical results much faster as it fetches and shades only the position attribute of the vertices and avoids the rasterization as well as the rendering of pixels for the frame buffer. Furthermore, the Cull Pipe uses these critical results to compute visibility information for all the triangles whether they are culled or not. On the other hand, the Replay Pipe consumes the visibility information to skip the culled triangles and shades only the visible triangles that are finally passed to the rasterization phase. Together the two pipes can hide the long cull runs of discarded triangles and can complete the work faster in some embodiments. |
| US09824409B2 |
Energy management system, server, energy management method, and storage medium
According to an embodiment, energy management system includes client and server. Server includes acquisition unit, estimation unit, calculator and controller. Acquisition unit acquires data concerning electrical equipment in a building including a storage battery from client. Estimation unit estimates energy demand and energy generation amount in building based on the data. Calculator calculates, based on the energy demand and the energy generation amount, operation schedule of the electrical equipment to optimize energy balance in building under a constraint that minimizes dump power to be discarded after storage battery is fully charged. Controller creates control information to control electrical equipment based on operation schedule. |
| US09824408B2 |
Browser payment request API
Disclosed is an updated browser having an API for communicating payment data between the browser and a site for processing payments of purchases and to reduce the number of user interactions needed for a purchasing process. The method includes receiving, via the user interface, an interaction by a user with an object associated with a site, the interaction indicating a user intent to make a purchase, receiving, based on the interaction and via an application programming interface, a request from the site for payment data in connection with the purchase and transmitting, to the site and via the application programming interface, the payment data, wherein the payment data confirms the purchase or can be used to process or deliver a product associated with the purchase. |
| US09824407B2 |
Calculating unique social networking system users performing an action on a social networking system object
A social networking system generates one or more metrics describing user interactions with objects to describe the popularity of the objects among users. Data describing actions performed by social networking system users on objects stored by the social networking system to identify an action, the user performing the action and the object on which the action was performed. Stored actions performed on a selected object are retrieved and a subset of the actions is generated by sampling the stored actions at a sampling rate. A number of unique users included in the subset is determined and used along with the sampling rate to determine the number of unique users included in the retrieved actions, which is used to derive a metric describing user interaction with the selected object. |
| US09824403B2 |
Measuring problems from social media discussions
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and program product to measure problems from a social media discussion. In exemplary embodiments, a computer extracts one or more problems from the social media discussion. The computer extracts one or more severity indicators and one or more complexity indicators from the social media discussion. The computer clusters the one or more problems into one or more sets of unique problems in a manner that related problems are clustered together into the one or more unique problems. The computer determines an overall severity and an overall complexity of the sets of unique problems. |
| US09824400B2 |
Cost item life cycle viewer with configurable document traversal options
A method, system, and computer program product for enterprise accounting software applications. The computer implemented method commences upon receiving a single user-specified indication of a subject cost item. Then, responsive to the single user-specified indication, the method traverses from the subject cost item to at least one of a successor cost item or a predecessor cost item. Then, still responsive to the single user-specified indication of a subject cost item, the method proceeds to automatically retrieve information from the successor cost item or from the predecessor cost item. Then, still responsive to the single user-specified indication, the method invokes operations for displaying a representation of the subject cost item in a juxtaposition to the automatically traversed-to items. A user can configure traversing from a purchase requisition to a purchase order, and/or traversing from a purchase order to a payable invoice, and/or traversing from a payable invoice to a project expenditure. |
| US09824399B2 |
Secure data validation system
An automated validation system validates whether a property of a policyholder receiving at least one insurance benefit is currently receiving remote monitoring services, as represented by the policyholder. The system includes an application server, a trusted third party server, and a management computer. The application server requests the trusted third party server to validate whether the property of the policyholder is presently receiving remote monitoring services from a service provider. A management computer can adjust the policyholder's insurance policy based on the received validation results. |
| US09824393B2 |
Methods and systems for managing consumer savings with credit card transactions
In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for managing consumer savings initiated from a payment card transaction is included. The payment card transaction involves a cardholder and a payment card of the cardholder. The method uses a computer device in communication with an issuing bank. The computer device includes a memory. The method includes receiving, by the computer device, transaction data associated with the payment card transaction. The transaction data separately identifies a payment amount and a savings amount. The savings amount is an amount the cardholder selects to save. The method also includes identifying, by the computer device, a savings account number associated with the cardholder. The method further includes transmitting the savings amount and the savings account number to the issuing bank for recording as a savings accrual for the cardholder. The issuing bank is the issuer of the payment card. |
| US09824391B2 |
Virtual reality shopping experience
A solution is provided for a method for a user to shop online in a three dimensional (3D) virtual reality (VR) setting by receiving a request at a shopping server to view a shopping location, having at least one store, and displaying the shopping location to the user's computer in a 3D interactive simulation view via a web browser to emulate a real-life shopping experience for the user. The server then obtains a request to enter into one of the stores and displays the store website to the user in the same web browser. The store website has one or more enhanced VR features. The server then receives a request to view at least one product and the product is presented in a 3D interactive simulation view to emulate a real-life viewing of the product. |
| US09824387B2 |
Systems and methods involving proximity, mapping, indexing, mobile, advertising and/or other features
Systems and methods involving proximity, mapping, indexing, mobile, advertising, and location processing, among others, are disclosed. According to one illustrative implementation, a method of determining a mobile device location may comprise capturing product information from a product within a facility by a mobile device, retrieving a product location within the facility from a database based on the captured product information, and determining the mobile device location within the facility based on the product location and the product information. |
| US09824386B2 |
HTTP parallel processing router
According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a router having a first I/O terminal and a second I/O terminal, wherein the first I/O terminal is configured to be in communication with at least one client via a first network, wherein the second I/O terminal is configured to be in communication with a plurality of remote servers via a second network, and wherein the router is configured to receive, at the first I/O terminal via the first network, a web services request from the at least one client, identify, based on the web services request from the at least one client, a group of the plurality of remote servers that are capable of fulfilling the web services request, and transmit, in parallel via the second I/O terminal and the second network, the received web services request to each one of the plurality of remote servers within the group. |
| US09824373B2 |
Mobile device cluster advertisement delivery
Methods provide advertisement delivery to a cluster of mobile devices with computer readable program code, when read by a processor, configured for identifying, among a plurality of mobile devices associated with a network, a cluster of two or more mobile devices. The identification may be based at least in part on a relative displacement of the two or more mobile devices during a period of time being less than a maximum relative displacement. The methods may further include displaying an advertising message on each mobile device in the cluster. |
| US09824372B1 |
Associating advertisements with videos
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes identifying web pages that embed a selected video, aggregating content derived from the identified web pages, and transmitting one or more advertisements (ads) that are targeted to the aggregated content for presentation with the selected video embedded on the identified web pages. |
| US09824370B1 |
Dynamic physical interaction tracking system and method
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a social networking game that enables players to scan QR codes (or other identifying markers) and transmit the items scanned to a server that determines the physical location of the player. Players can play a game where they attempt to find and scan as many QR codes as possible. In an embodiment, the QR codes can also be used for crowd control. People in areas that are overly populated can be incentivized to move to lower traffic areas by offering them incentives for reporting to the low traffic area. |
| US09824366B2 |
Customer pre-selected electronic coupons
Embodiments presented herein generally relate to novel systems and methods for managing electronic coupons. In embodiments, the user uploads one or more coupons into a mobile device. While shopping, the mobile device receives communications from one or more NFC sensors/transmitters associated with one or more products in one or more product displays. The mobile device can determine from information in the communication to which product the communication applies. The mobile device can then search for one or more uploaded coupons that apply to the one or more products. In embodiments, the mobile device alerts the user when one or more of the coupons apply. |
| US09824364B2 |
Regulatory inventory and regulatory change management framework
A computer implemented method, implemented by an enterprise, of receiving regulatory change data from a feed, identifying a regulatory change, and communicating the regulatory change to an affected regulatory inventory associated with the enterprise. The method may also comprise of providing a questionnaire to a user, receiving questionnaire answers from a user, and creating a compliance action plan to assist the enterprise in managing the regulatory change. |
| US09824361B1 |
System and method for discovering and managing remote assets related to distributed offerings
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide for managing a customer asset, which is a hardware or software component of a remote customer device, in a data processing system having an offering platform program. The customer asset's identity and location are received from an offering. The customer asset is located on the remote customer device using the received customer asset's identity and location. A file system is locally implemented for the customer asset. Information is provided to the customer asset via the locally implemented file system. |
| US09824358B2 |
Fraudulent transaction detection system for use in identity-based online financial transaction decisioning system
Embodiments of the invention provide for systems to determine potential fraudulent activity associated with online financial transaction identity-based transaction decisioning, to electronically determine decisions for transactions such as account opening, and the like. The embodiments herein described accurately provide a system tool to prevent fraudulent transactions from occurring, such as preventing accounts from being opened by individuals who present an identity risk and efficiently identify such risky applicants early in an automated decisioning process. Specific embodiments provide for electronically determining a transaction decision based on applying business rules to potential fraud indicators. In other embodiments of the invention, a decisioning score is determined that takes into account the application of predetermined business rules to potential fraud indicators. |
| US09824357B2 |
Focus-based challenge-response authentication
A method for authenticating an access attempt includes detecting an access attempt by a user device over a network. A challenge-response authentication is provided over the network to the user device. The challenge-response authentication includes an image having a plurality of image objects. The challenge-response authentication is operable to display the image such that at least one of the plurality of image objects is in focus and at least one of the plurality of image objects is not in focus. In response to providing the challenge-response authentication, an authentication response is received from the user device over the network, and it is determined whether the authentication response includes an indication of the at least one of the plurality of image objects that is in focus to determine whether to authenticate or deny the access attempt. |
| US09824354B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing transactions over a network using cross-origin communication
A transaction is conducted between a merchant site and a customer's electronic device using a payment processor. The merchant site is associated with a client-side application and a server-side application. The client-side application executes on the customer's electronic device. The client-side application electronically sends payment information retrieved from the customer's electronic device to the payment processor. The client-side application does not send the payment information to the server-side application. The payment processor creates a token from the payment information sent by the client-side application. The token functions as a proxy for the payment information. The payment processor electronically sends the token to the client-side application. The client-side application electronically sends the token to the server-side application for use by the server-side application in conducting the transaction. The payment information can thus be used by the server-side application via the token without the server-side application being exposed to the payment information. |
| US09824353B2 |
Key protection method and system
Proposed are a key protection method and system. The method comprises: a: receiving by a mobile terminal a registration instruction, generating a user's public key and private key, and sending the user's public key to a third-party e-business verification server, if the mobile terminal respectively passes identity verifications of the mobile bank server and a comprehensive pre-position bank server; b: performing a verification by the mobile bank server on user's trade information, and performing a trade by the comprehensive pre-position bank server if the verification is successful; c: generating by the mobile terminal an updated parameter for protecting a private key after the trade is performed, sending to the mobile bank server, receiving a successful updating result from the mobile bank server and encrypting and storing the user's private key. The present invention can increase the difficulty of an attack, and improve security. |
| US09824349B2 |
Facilitating mobile device payments using product code scanning
Provided are computer implemented methods and systems for facilitating mobile device payments using barcodes displayed on mobile devices and scanned by merchants at checkout counters. When a customer is ready to tender a payment to a merchant, instead of using a credit card, cash, or check, the customer activates an application on his mobile device. The mobile device includes or obtains information about the payment system of this merchant. Furthermore, the mobile device includes or obtains information about the customer/mobile device user and then uses these two pieces of information to generate and display a barcode that encodes customer payment information specific to this merchant. The barcode is scanned at the checkout counter and processed to retrieve customer records from a database of the payment processing system. These records are then used to transfer funds between the merchant and customer, obtain discounts, and/or perform other retail transactions. |
| US09824347B2 |
Serialization and database methods for tubulars and oilfield equipment
Methods and apparatus identify downhole equipment and correlate input data with the equipment to improve planning and/or inventory operations. For some embodiments, oilfield equipment or tubular goods such as drill pipe include a shaped recess along an outer circumference for receiving a tag cartridge by shrink fitting. Once tagged, detector system configurations at pipe yards may facilitate logging the presence and location of each drill pipe and correlating specific data, such as inspection data, to each drill pipe. Further, this correlation populates a database utilized to achieve other business functions such as forecasting number of additional drill pipe needed to purchase, invoicing customers according to actual tracked wear/use of the drill pipe being returned, and providing well or job specific drill string population using known history pipe joints. |
| US09824345B2 |
Receipt generating device, and control method of a receipt generating device
To appropriately execute a receipt generating process based on whether or not an application is installed on a mobile terminal as the target communication device. A printer driver according to the invention has an installation decision unit that determines if a specific application is installed on a mobile device targeted for communication; a receipt generation decision unit that determines whether or not to generate a paper receipt and/or electronic receipt based on the decision of the installation decision unit; and receipt generating process units that execute paper receipt and/or electronic receipt generating processes according to the decision of the receipt generation decision unit. |
| US09824344B2 |
Techniques for automating self-service transactions
Techniques for automated transactions are provided. A customer uses a mobile device to interact with a self-service checkout device (SSCO) to perform a transaction. Initially, a unique barcode for the transaction is generated and displayed to the customer, via an attract screen of the SSCO. The mobile device scans the barcode (can be a QR code); this causes the mobile device to communicate with a remote server that identifies the customer. Preferences for the customer are retrieved and the transaction and features of the SSCO are configured based on the preferences. The transaction proceeds with the configured preferences. |
| US09824341B2 |
Object oriented system for managing complex financial instruments
Object oriented design strategies and patterns are applied to financial data processing systems for processing and modeling of financial products (also referred to as financial instruments) with an emphasis being on derivative products. The system employs valuation independent, well-defined financial components (also referred to as financial events) that can be combined to build new financial structures. A general purpose software model is provided for representing the structure and characteristics of these products. A declarative specification language is provided to describe financial instruments in a consistent manner that lends itself to processing in such an object oriented system. A general traversal process is provided that can be applied to the macro structure of a financial instrument to implement various functions that produce results based on such information, such as the stream of financial events associated with the instrument, or the pricing or valuation of the instrument. Techniques including double dispatch and other mechanisms are further provided to provide flexible means of associating the appropriate processing methods with the diverse range of instrument characteristics that are encountered in a typical financial institution's course of business. |
| US09824337B1 |
Waste management system implementing receptacle tracking
A system is disclosed for tracking receptacles serviced by a service vehicle. The system may have a locating device located onboard the at least one service vehicle and configured to generate a location signal indicative of a location of the at least one service vehicle, a receptacle sensor located onboard the at least one service vehicle and configured to generate an identity signal indicative of an identity of a receptacle in a vicinity of the at least one service vehicle, and a display. The system may also have at least one controller in communication with the locating device, the sensor, and the display. The at least one controller may be configured to show on the display an icon representing the receptacle overlaid on a map based on the location and identification signals. |
| US09824335B1 |
Integrated calendar and conference application for document management
Techniques presented herein provide techniques for integrating one or more documents for a communication session in a calendar application. In one example, a computing device retrieves a meeting appointment in a calendar application executed by the computing device for a meeting via a communication session, wherein the meeting appointment includes identifying information of one or more invitees and for the communication session, wherein the communication session enables communication between different computing devices. At least one document associated with the communication session is identified. The document is linked with the meeting appointment such that a centralized version of the at least one document is accessible to the one or more invitees via the meeting appointment, wherein authorization is granted to each of the one or more invitees to the communication session defining permission levels for each of the one or more invitees to access the at least one document. |
| US09824333B2 |
Collaborative management of activities occurring during the lifecycle of a meeting
Technologies are described herein for collaborative management of activities occurring during the lifecycle of a meeting. A collaboration program includes functionality for collaborative management of activities occurring during the entire lifecycle of a meeting. Using the collaboration program, meeting participants can collaborate on the creation of a meeting agenda prior to the occurrence of a meeting, can independently take and exchange meeting notes during a meeting, and can collaboratively generate a meeting summary following the meeting. The meeting agenda, meeting notes, and meeting summaries can be synchronized to a shared workspace accessible to each of the meeting participants through the collaboration program. |
| US09824328B2 |
Arm-detecting overhead sensor for inventory system
Inventory systems may include one or more sensors capable of detecting spatial positioning of inventory holders and an arm of a worker interacting with the inventory holder. Data can be received from a sensor, a gesture of the arm can be determined from the data, and a bin location or other information can be determined based on the gesture. |
| US09824325B2 |
Systems and methods for initiating returns over a network
The present invention provides systems and methods for processing return transactions over a network. An embodiment of the invention discloses an online return application that generates an electronic return shipping label that can be delivered to a browser of a customer that wishes to make a return. Also, disclosed is the creation and transmission of label delivery links, which provide for dynamic generation and delivery of shipping labels. |
| US09824324B2 |
Automated package relocation from an unmanned kiosk
Automated package deliveries comprises a server at a package delivery system that receives a request for a package delivery, the request comprising an identification of a package and an identification of a first kiosk location. The server associates the package with an aerial delivery device and a user authentication to retrieve the package. The server transmits to the delivery device instructions to deliver the package to the first kiosk. Subsequently, the server receives a request from a user computing device to retrieve the package from the first kiosk and deliver the package to an alternate kiosk. The server transmits to the delivery device instructions to retrieve the package from the first kiosk and instructions to deliver the package to the alternate kiosk. The delivery device retrieves the package from the automated kiosk and delivers the package to the alternate kiosk. |
| US09824323B1 |
Gathering in-store employee ratings using triggered feedback solicitations
Embodiments are disclosed to detect whether an interaction has occurred between a customer and one or more store employees. By analyzing a how long a communication device used by the customer was within a threshold range of one or more devices worn by store employees, an interaction between the customer and one or more store employees may be identified. Employees whom the customer interacted with may be identified by processing transmission parameters broadcasted by the devices worn by the store employees. Thus, all employees in which a customer interacted with while visiting a store may be identified. The customer may be asked for feedback via the communication device upon detection that a customer has completed a transaction and/or left the store. Using the solicited feedback provided by the customer, various types of reports may be generated. |
| US09824319B2 |
Multi-interval dispatch system tools for enabling dispatchers in power grid control centers to manage changes
A system tool that provides dispatchers in power grid control centers with a capability to manage changes. Included is a user interface and a plurality of scheduler engines. Each scheduler engine is configured to look ahead at different time frames to forecast system conditions and alter generation patterns within the different time frames. A comprehensive operating plan holds schedules generated by the plurality of scheduler engines. A relational database is coupled to the comprehensive operating plan. Input data is initially received from the relational database for each scheduling engine, and thereafter the relational database receives data from the scheduling engines relative to forecast system conditions. |
| US09824314B2 |
Grouping email messages into conversations
Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems determine that an indication that a received message was sent in response to another message is present in the received message, parse a stored message, in response to the indication being present, for at least a partial match between a subject of the received message and contents of a subject of the stored message, and for at least a partial match between sender and recipient participants of the received message and sender and recipient participants of the stored message, and display the received message as grouped with the stored message. A further exemplary feature includes parsing text of the received message for text that is redundant of text of the stored message, determining that a minimum threshold of consecutive matching characters has been reached, and displaying the received message with the consecutive matching characters at least partially hidden from view. |
| US09824313B2 |
Filtering content in an online system based on text and image signals extracted from the content
The disclosure relates (a) a method and computer program product for training a content classifier and (b) a method and computer program product for using the trained content classifier to determine compliance of content items with a content policy of an online system. A content classifier is trained using two training sets, one containing NSFW content items and the other containing SFW content items. Content signals are extracted from each content item and used by the classifier to output a decision, which is compared against its known classification. Parameters used in the classifier are adjusted iteratively to improve accuracy of classification. The trained classifier is then used to classify content items with unknown classifications. Appropriate action is taken for each content item responsive to its classification. In alternative embodiments, multiple classifiers are implemented as part of a two-tier classification system, with text and image content classified separately. |
| US09824309B2 |
Mitigating adjacent RFID reader interference
A radio frequency identification (RFID) automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system configured to mitigate signal interference, the system comprising a plurality of RFID readers, comprising a first RFID reader and a second RFID reader; and a plurality of antennas, wherein a first antenna is connected to the first RFID reader and a second antenna is connected to the second RFID reader. Prior to the first RFID reader transmitting a signal through the first antenna, the first RFID reader samples a received radio frequency (RF) signal from the first antenna, and if the received RF signal meets predetermined strength and frequency criteria, the first RFID reader inhibits transmission of the signal through the first antenna. |
| US09824303B2 |
Image matching method using feature point matching
An image matching method includes: extracting a plurality of feature points from a reference image; selecting a first feature point from the feature points, and selecting a first reference search area comprising the first feature point; setting a first matching candidate search area corresponding to the first reference search area from a target image, and extracting a plurality of feature points from the first matching candidate search area; selecting a second feature point closest to the first feature point in the first reference search area, and selecting a first straight line connecting the first and second feature points; generating a plurality of segments from the feature points extracted from the first matching candidate search area; and determining a first matching straight line matching a length and an angle of the first straight line, from the segments generated from the feature points extracted from the first matching candidate search area. |
| US09824297B1 |
Method and apparatus for medication identification
A system and method for recognizing a medication are provided. The method includes the steps of presenting a medication to a medication identification apparatus, the medication identification apparatus adapted to visually image the presented medication and visually imaging the presented medication. A predetermined transformation may be applied to the visually imaged presented medication, the predetermined transformation adjusting one or more parameters of the visually imaged presented medication along one or more dimensions. Finally, the transformed visually imaged medication is compared to a medication library to determine a closest match therebetween. |
| US09824295B2 |
Imaging systems and methods including obscurant characterization
Systems and methods for characterizing an obscurant and imaging a target are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of imaging a target includes characterizing at least one obscurant present in an environment, and determining, based on the at least one characterized obscurant, one or more of the following: one or more wavelengths corresponding to the at least one obscurant, a polarization state corresponding to the at least one obscurant, and a sensor exposure time corresponding to the at least one obscurant. The method further includes adjusting one or more parameters of an imagining system based at least in part on a characterization of the at least one obscurant. |
| US09824292B2 |
Metric-based recognition, systems and methods
Apparatus, methods and systems of object recognition are disclosed. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter generates map-altered image data according to an object-specific metric map, derives a metric-based descriptor set by executing an image analysis algorithm on the map-altered image data, and retrieves digital content associated with a target object as a function of the metric-based descriptor set. |
| US09824289B2 |
Exploiting color for license plate recognition
Methods and systems for exploiting color for object recognition. A color gradient for each pixel in a gradient image of an object can be calculated. The gradient image can be binarized to produce an image having white walls around characters and other structures. A connected component analysis operation can be performed with respect to black regions in the image to determine bounding boxes for characters and other pictorial elements in the image and thereafter identify character candidates from the image utilizing character metrics. Non-character colors can then be eliminated from the image utilizing an outlier rejection. |
| US09824285B2 |
Vehicular control system
A control system for a vehicle includes a forward-viewing camera and an image processor operable to process image data captured by the forward-viewing camera. The control system is operable to detect a traffic light and to determine a change in state of the traffic light from red to green. The control system determines that another vehicle is ahead of the stopped equipped vehicle at the traffic light, and determines a change in state of the traffic light from red to green. Responsive to (a) a threshold period of time elapsing during which the other vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle has not moved after the traffic light changes state from red to green and/or (b) the other vehicle ahead of the equipped vehicle moving a threshold distance away from the equipped vehicle, the control system (i) generates an alert and/or (ii) controls a vehicle system of the equipped vehicle. |
| US09824281B2 |
System and method for tracking moving objects in videos
A system and method are provided for tracking objects in a scene from a sequence of images captured by an imaging device. The method includes processing the sequence of images to generate sequential images at a plurality of hierarchical levels to generate a set of regions of interest; and, at each of the hierarchical levels: examining pairs of sequential images to link pixels into short tracklets; and grouping short tracklets that indicate similar motion patterns to generate representative tracklets. The representative tracklets are grouped to generate a tracking result for at least one object. |
| US09824273B2 |
Image processing system, processing method, and storage medium
An image processing system includes: an analysis unit configured to obtain information indicating a degree of curvature of a retina from a tomographic image of an eye to be examined; and an obtaining unit configured to obtain a category of the eye to be examined based on an analysis result. |
| US09824272B2 |
Iris recognition camera system for mobile device
An iris recognition camera system for mobile device includes a sensor and associated circuit, a lens and lighting sources including a lighting source element, a displaying light source element and IR LED light source elements, wherein the lighting sources are installed around the center of a camera lens with a certain clearance, and the lighting sources are attached on an FPCB and arranged on the four sides of the center of the camera lens and equipped with an FPCB cover for protection and a guiding mirror so that a user may conveniently acquire an image of his or her iris watching the image of his or her iris so as to identify and process only a living iris. |
| US09824269B2 |
Enhanced interpretation of character arrangements
Technologies are described herein for interpreting character arrangements. An image including an arrangement of characters may be received or captured by a computing device. Techniques described herein generate data representative of the characters. Characteristics and other information interpreted from the image may be processed to determine a data type. The data representative of the characters may be arranged into a data structure based on the data type, an arrangement type and/or other information interpreted from the image. The data type may indicate one or more attributes of the arranged data such as a format, font, date, language, or currency. The data type may also indicate how data is used in a process, equation or calculation. In addition, the data type may identify an anchor that may be used to merge data generated from the image with other data generated from another image. |
| US09824267B2 |
Writing board detection and correction
A method for image processing, including: obtaining an image including a writing board and a background external to the writing board; detecting a plurality of lines within the image; determining, based on the plurality of lines, a plurality of corners of the writing board within the image; and correcting a perspective of the writing board by applying a transformation to the image based on the plurality of corners. |
| US09824260B2 |
Depth image processing
Embodiments described herein can be used to detect holes in a subset of pixels of a depth image that has been specified as corresponding to a user, and to fill such detected holes. Additionally, embodiments described herein can be used to produce a low resolution version of a subset of pixels that has been specified as corresponding to a user, so that when an image including a representation of the user is displayed, the image respects the shape of the user, yet is not a mirror image of the user. Further, embodiments described herein can be used to identify pixels, of a subset of pixels specified as corresponding to the user, that likely correspond to a floor supporting the user. This enables the removal of the pixels, identified as likely corresponding to the floor, from the subset of pixels specified as corresponding to the user. |
| US09824259B2 |
Device and method for microscopy on a plurality of samples
The present invention relates to a device and a method for microscopy (100) of a plurality of samples (102), wherein the device comprises:—a first optical detector (106, 108), which is designed to consecutively adopt a plurality of measuring positions and to detect first image data (200) of a sample (104) with a first spatial resolution at each measuring position;—an image data analyser device which is designed to determine for each sample (202) a region (204) of the sample to be examined represented within the first image data (200) in each case;—a second optical detector (110, 112), which is coupled to the first optical detector (106, 108) in such a manner that the second optical detector (110, 112) tracks the first optical detector (106, 108) and therefore the second optical detector (110, 112) adopts measuring positions which the first optical detector (106, 108) had previously adopted. The second optical detector (110, 112) is designed to detect for each sample (202) respective second image data (300) from the region (204) to be examined in the sample (202) concerned, with a spatial resolution that is higher than the first spatial resolution. |
| US09824257B2 |
All-flat sensor with exposed colorful member and electronic device using such sensor
An all-flat sensor includes a coupling substrate; a sensing chip, which is disposed on the coupling substrate, has first electrodes arranged in an array and a first dielectric layer covering over the first electrodes, and is electrically connected to the coupling substrate; and a second dielectric layer covering over the sensing chip and providing an outlook color. An electronic device using the all-flat sensor is also provided. |
| US09824254B1 |
Biometric sensing device with discrete ultrasonic transducers
A biometric sensing system includes discrete ultrasonic transducers, a first electrode layer disposed over a first surface of the discrete ultrasonic transducers, and a second electrode layer disposed over a second surface of the discrete ultrasonic transducers. The first electrode layer may be a sheet of conductive material that is a common ground connection for the discrete ultrasonic transducers. Alternatively, the first electrode layer can be formed with discrete electrode elements, with a discrete electrode element disposed over the first surface of a discrete ultrasonic transducer. The second electrode layer may be formed with discrete electrode elements, with a discrete electrode element disposed over the second surface of one ultrasonic transducer. At least one integrated circuit can be attached and connected to one of the electrode layers. The integrated circuit includes drive circuits and sense circuits for the discrete ultrasonic transducers. |
| US09824249B2 |
Electrical activity sensor device for detecting electrical activity and electrical activity monitoring apparatus
An electrical activity sensor attachable to a power cable of an electrical device for detecting an impulse generated in the power cable in response to a change in electrical power state of the electrical device, the electrical activity sensor comprising an antenna assembly comprising an antenna element operable to magnetically couple with an electrical pulse generated in the power cable to induce an electrical signal in response to a change in electrical power state of the electrical device; and at least one dipole type antenna configured operate as a half wave dipole in the operating frequency range of the antenna element and to magnetically couple to the antenna element wherein the dipole type conductor is operable to wirelessly transmit data representative of the power state change of the electrical device to a remote reader. |
| US09824248B2 |
Proximity-based and user-based access control using wearable devices
Methods and apparatuses are described for proximity-based and user-based access control using wearable devices. A short-range frequency reader coupled to a target device detects a plurality of wearable devices in proximity to the reader, each wearable device comprising a short-range frequency antenna. The reader identifies, for each wearable device, a user wearing the wearable device. The reader determines, for each wearable device, a distance from the reader and an orientation in relation to the target device. The reader determines a level of access available to the target device based upon the identity of each user, the distance of each wearable device from the reader, the orientation of each wearable device in relation to the target device, and the distance of the wearable devices from each other in a three-dimensional space. |
| US09824243B2 |
Model-based runtime detection of insecure behavior for system on chip with security requirements
A runtime classifier hardware circuit is incorporated into an electronic device for implementing hardware security by storing a support vector model in memory which is derived from pre-silicon verification data to define secure behavior for a first circuit on the electronic device; monitoring input and/or output signals associated with the first circuit using the runtime classifier hardware circuit which compares the input and/or output signals to the support vector model to detect an outlier input signal and/or outlier output signal for the first circuit; and blocking the outlier input and/or output signal from being input to or output from the first circuit. |
| US09824237B2 |
Audience-based sensitive information handling for shared collaborative documents
A method for providing audience-based redaction of sensitive information in an electronic document may include receiving a request from a computing device to access an electronic document, retrieving the electronic document, identifying the user(s) associated with the computing device, determining an access level for each user associated with the computing device, determining the lowest access level for the user(s) associated with the computing device, generating a rendering of the electronic document for display on the computing device based on the lowest access level for the user(s) associated with the computing device, and providing the rendering of the electronic document to the computing device for display. When generating the rendering of the electronic document for display, sensitive information in the electronic document is typically redacted based on the lowest access level for the user(s) associated with the computing device. |
| US09824234B2 |
Method of protecting care information in a care provider terminal
A method protects care information in a care provider terminal. The method includes detecting if there is a network disconnection between the care provider terminal and an authorized access point (AP), operating the care provider terminal in an offline mode until a first predetermined time is over after the network disconnection is detected, activating an alarm operation when the first predetermined time is over, and deleting the care information when a second predetermined time is over after the alarm operation is activated. The method may further include determining whether or not the care provider terminal is connected to an unauthorized AP while counting the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time, and deleting the care information if it is determined that the care provider terminal is connected to the unauthorized AP. |
| US09824233B2 |
Posixly secure open and access files by inode number
A method for secure portable operating system interface (POSIX) directory traversing for opening and accessing files by inode number. The method includes receiving, by a process executed by a processor, a request for a ticket for traversing a file system. The process generates a secure key for a unique handle object based on the request for the ticket. An authentication code is generated for the ticket using a numeric file identifier and the secure key. In response to reading a directory with POSIX x and r permissions according to directory permission bits or an access control list (ACL), the ticket is returned including ticket information including the numeric file identifier, generation information and the authentication code. In response to a request to open a directory, the ticket information is validated based on the secure key. A directory is opened for reading using the validated ticket information and the unique handle. |
| US09824231B2 |
Retention management in a facility with multiple trust zones and encryption based secure deletion
A computing facility, including a storage management system belonging to a first trust zone having a first privilege level, a metadata management system belonging to a second trust zone having a second privilege level higher than the first privilege level, and a security management system belonging to a third trust zone having a third privilege level higher than or equal to the second privilege level. The storage management system is and configured to store multiple content entities, and the metadata management system is configured to manage, for each of the multiple content entities, metadata including a respective content encryption key and a respective retention time, each of the content entities being encrypted by its respective content encryption key. The security management system is configured to manage a master encryption key used to create the respective content encryption keys, and to confirm expiration of the respective retention times. |
| US09824230B2 |
Remote data access techniques for portable devices
A wide-area network (“WAN”)-based service enables remote data access transactions between participating endpoints within a group of participating endpoints that includes at least one server and at least one portable electronic device. Each participating endpoint is configured for communication via one or more communication networks and stores the same or different data items on behalf of a user. The WAN-based service maintains information about each participating endpoint in the group and its network accessibility, and also maintains one or more catalogs of available data items. The WAN-based service identifies a communication network available to both participating endpoints, and a direct or proxied communication session is established between the portable electronic device and the other participating endpoint via the communication network. Selected data items are downloaded, uploaded, accessed or synchronized via the communication session. The use of digital rights and identity management techniques in combination with the WAN-based service is also discussed. |
| US09824224B2 |
Security-minded cloning method, system and program
In order to solve this problem, the first aspect of the present invention is a system for duplicating (cloning) a physical environment in a virtual environment using CMDB, the system comprising: means for setting a level of confidentiality for attributes of configuration items (CI) of CMDB managing the source hardware information and software information, and means for sending CMDB information including CI having the level of confidentiality set to a virtual environment constructing means connected via a network; the virtual environment constructing means having a means for constructing the source environment in a virtual environment based on sent CMDB information; and the sending means having a means for changing the level of confidentiality of CI attributes having the level of confidentiality set in accordance with a default confidentiality policy. |
| US09824222B1 |
Method of distributed discovery of vulnerabilities in applications
In one aspect, the disclosure provides: A method comprising: inviting a distributed plurality of researchers to participate in one or more computer vulnerability research projects directed to identifying computer vulnerabilities of one or more networks and/or computers that are owned or operated by a third party; assessing reputation and skills of one or more of the researchers, and accepting a subset of the researchers who have a positive reputation and sufficient skills to perform the investigations of the computer vulnerabilities; assigning a particular computer vulnerability research project, relating to a particular network under test, to a particular researcher from among the subset of the researchers; using a computer that is logically interposed between the particular researcher and the particular network under test, monitoring communications between the particular researcher and the particular network under test, wherein the communications relate to attempting to identify a candidate security vulnerability of the particular network under test; validating a report of the candidate security vulnerability of the particular network under test that is received from the particular researcher; determining and providing an award to the particular researcher in response to successfully validating the report of the candidate security vulnerability of the particular network under test that is received from the particular researcher. |
| US09824220B2 |
Secure execution of software modules on a computer
A system and method for executing software modules on a computer, the method comprising: executing (S4) a bootloader (15, 16), at least partly (16) in the computer (101); and upon execution of the bootloader: accessing (S5) requirements as to an initial set (IS) of software modules (SMn); and hardware specifications of the computer; determining (S6) within said initial set, one or more candidate sets (CS1, CS2) of software modules that are compatible (S6a) with said hardware specifications and can (S6b) be stored as a RAM disk; and storing (S9) the software modules of a final set (FS) on a RAM disk (121), the final set (FS) being one of the one or more candidate sets, and instructing to execute the software modules stored on the RAM disk, wherein each of the initial set and the final set of software modules comprises application components and operating system image components, and preferably further comprises hardware component drivers. |
| US09824218B1 |
Detecting setting tampering
A computer implemented method includes generating a first cryptographic hash based on at least one setting associated with an operating system at a first time, storing the first cryptographic hash as a first bit string, generating a second cryptographic hash as a second bit string, wherein the second cryptographic hash is based on the at least one setting associated with the operating system at a second time, determining that a setting associated with the operating system has changed and that the setting change was made outside of the operating system based on a comparison of the first and second bit strings, and if the setting change was made outside of the operating system, setting the setting to a default value. |