最新美国发明专利
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US09882088B2 III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device
A long-life III nitride semiconductor light emitting device and a method of producing the same. A III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device includes an n-type semiconductor layer; a light emitting layer containing at least Al; and a p-type semiconductor layer obtained by sequentially stacking an electron blocking layer, a p-type cladding layer, and a p-type contact layer, in this order. The electron blocking layer is made of AlxGa1-xN (0.55≦x≦1.0), the p-type contact layer is made of AlyGa1-yN (0≦y≦0.1), the p-type cladding layer is made of AlzGa1-zN having an Al content z which gradually decreases over the whole thickness of the p-type cladding layer from the electron blocking layer side toward the p-type contact layer side, and the reduction rate of the Al content z of the p-type cladding layer in the thickness direction is 0.01/nm or more and 0.025/nm or less.
US09882086B2 III-nitride nanowire LED with strain modified surface active region and method of making thereof
A core-shell nanowire device includes an eave region having a structural discontinuity from the p-plane in the upper tip portion of the shell to the m-plane in the lower portion of the shell. The eave region has at least 5 atomic percent higher indium content than the p-plane and m-plane portions of the shell.
US09882085B2 Method for separating epitaxial layers from growth substrates, and semiconductor device using same
The present invention relates to a method for separating epitaxial layers and growth substrates, and to a semiconductor device using same. According to the present invention, a semiconductor device is provided which comprises a supporting substrate and a plurality of semiconductor layers provided on the supporting substrate, wherein the uppermost layer of the semiconductor layers has a surface of non-uniform roughness.
US09882083B2 Semiconductor nanocrystals and compositions and devices including same
A semiconductor nanocrystal capable of emitting light with an improved photoluminescence quantum efficiency. The present invention further relates to compositions and devices including semiconductor nanocrystals capable of emitting light with an improved photoluminescence quantum efficiency. A semiconductor nanocrystal wherein the semiconductor nanocrystal is capable of emitting light with a photoluminescence quantum efficiency greater than about 50% upon excitation and including a maximum peak emission with a FWHM less than 20 nm is disclosed. Also disclosed are a device, a population of semiconductor nanocrystals, and a composition including a semiconductor nanocrystal wherein the semiconductor nanocrystal is capable of emitting light with a photoluminescence quantum efficiency greater than about 50% upon excitation and including a maximum peak emission with a FWHM less than 20 nm. A semiconductor nanocrystal that is capable of emitting light upon excitation with a photoluminescence quantum efficiency greater than about 90%. Also disclosed are a device, a population, and a composition including a semiconductor nanocrystal.
US09882078B2 Integrated back-sheet assembly for photovoltaic module
A process for forming a back-sheet assembly for a photovoltaic module having multiple solar cells with back-side electrical contacts includes providing a substrate, adhering an electrically conductive metal circuit to the substrate, adhering release pads to the metal circuit in a pattern, adhering an insulating layer to the metal circuit, forming openings in said insulating layer in a pattern over the release pads, and filling the openings with electrically conductive material that is in electrical contact with the electrically conductive metal circuit. A process for forming a photovoltaic module with this back-sheet assembly is also provided. The back-sheet assembly and photovoltaic module made with the back-sheet assembly are also provided.
US09882073B2 Structures for bonding a direct-bandgap chip to a silicon photonic device
A composite photonic device comprises a platform, a chip, and a contact layer. The platform comprises silicon. The chip is made of a III-V material. The contact layer has indentations to help control a flow of solder during bonding of the platform with the chip. In some embodiments, pedestals are placed under an optical path to prevent solder from flowing between the chip and the platform at the optical path.
US09882071B2 Laser techniques for foil-based metallization of solar cells
Methods of fabricating a solar cell including metallization techniques and resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a semiconductor region can be formed in or above a substrate. A first metal layer can be formed over the semiconductor region. A laser can be applied over a first region of the metal layer to form a first metal weld between the metal layer and the semiconductor region, where applying a laser over the first region comprises applying the laser at a first scanning speed. Subsequent to applying the laser over the first region, the laser can be applied over a second region of the metal layer where applying the laser over the second region includes applying a laser at a second scanning speed. Subsequent to applying the laser over the second region, the laser can be applied over a third region of the metal layer to form a second metal weld, where applying the laser over the third region comprises applying the laser at a third scanning speed.
US09882070B2 Photodetector structures and manufacturing the same
A photodetector structure comprises a semiconductor substrate extending substantially along a horizontal plane and having a bulk refractive index and a front surface defining a front side of the photodetector structure. The front surface comprises high aspect ratio nanostructures forming an optical conversion layer having an effective refractive index gradually changing towards the bulk refractive index to reduce reflection of light incident on the photodetector structure from the front side thereof. Further, the semiconductor substrate comprises an induced junction.
US09882069B2 Biasing voltage generating circuit for avalanche photodiode and related control circuit
A biasing voltage generating circuit for generating a required reverse biasing voltage of an avalanche photodiode (APD) includes: a boost power converter configured to operably convert an input voltage into a higher output voltage according to a feedback signal and a reference signal, and to apply the output voltage to be a reverse biasing voltage of the APD; a reference signal generating circuit configured to operably generate the reference signal; and a control circuit. The control circuit includes: a signal sensing circuit configured to operably generate a sensed signal corresponding to an output current of the APD; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to operably convert the sensed signal into a digital signal; and a processing circuit configured to operably adjust the feedback signal or the reference signal according to the digital signal to thereby control the boost power converter to adjust the output voltage.
US09882067B2 Installation system for photovoltaic modules
A solar panel array is formed of a plurality of solar panels juxtaposed with one another along an array axis, and has a support element having first and second support terminations disposed substantially orthogonal to the array axis, with an unobstructed spatial region intermediate of the first and second support terminations. A vehicle transports the solar panels and has wheels arranged on opposing sides thereof. First and second track structures extend along the array axis and are coupled to respective ones of the first and second support terminations. The track structures each have an elongated portion for engaging and supporting respective ones of the vehicle wheels, whereby the vehicle travels along the tracks while carrying a solar panel, and at least a portion of the vehicle is disposed within the unobstructed spatial region. One of the tracks accommodates the wiring for the solar panel array.
US09882062B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A first oxide insulating film is formed over a substrate. After a first oxide semiconductor film is formed over the first oxide insulating film, heat treatment is performed, so that hydrogen contained in the first oxide semiconductor film is released and part of oxygen contained in the first oxide insulating film is diffused into the first oxide semiconductor film. Thus, a second oxide semiconductor film with reduced hydrogen concentration and reduced oxygen defect is formed. Then, the second oxide semiconductor film is selectively etched to form a third oxide semiconductor film, and a second oxide insulating film is formed. The second oxide insulating film is selectively etched and a protective film covering an end portion of the third oxide semiconductor film is formed. Then, a pair of electrodes, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode are formed over the third oxide semiconductor film and the protective film.
US09882057B2 Low temperature poly-silicon thin film transistor and manufacturing method thereof, array substrate and display device
A low temperature poly-silicon thin film transistor and its manufacturing method, an array substrate and a display device are provided. The method comprises: forming a poly-silicon film on a base substrate (1) and patterning the poly-silicon film to form an active layer (3); forming a gate insulation layer (4) on the active layer (3) and performing hydrogenation process to the gate insulation layer (4) and the active layer (3). By this method, the diffusion distance of hydrogen is largely shortened, the time for the hydrogenation process is reduced, and thus the process cost for the thin film transistor is largely lowered down.
US09882056B2 Thin film transistor and method of manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor including a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a graphene pattern. The semiconductor layer overlaps with the gate electrode. The gate insulating layer is disposed between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer. The source electrode overlaps with the semiconductor layer. The drain electrode overlaps with the semiconductor layer. The drain electrode is spaced apart from the source electrode. The graphene pattern is disposed between the semiconductor layer and at least one of the source electrode and the drain electrode.
US09882054B2 FinFET with merged, epitaxial source/drain regions
A FinFET is provided. The FinFET includes a substrate. A plurality of fin structures are defined on the substrate. A gate structure crosses each fin structure. Two first recesses are disposed on two sides of the gate structure respectively, wherein each first recess further includes a plurality of second recesses disposed therein, and the position of each second recess corresponds to each fin structure. Two epitaxial layers are disposed at two sides of the gate structure respectively and in the first recesses, each epitaxial layer has a bottom surface including a second concave and convex profile, and each epitaxial layer directly contacts a bottom surface of each first recess and a bottom surface of each second recess.
US09882053B2 Molded dielectric fin-based nanostructure
An embodiment concerns selective etching of a structure (e.g., a fin) to form a void with the shape of the original structure. This void then functions as a mold. Flowable dielectric material fills the void to form the same shape as the original structure/mold. Post-processing then occurs (e.g., oxidation build up and annealing) to harden the dielectric in the void. The resulting product is a molded dielectric nanostructure that has the same shape as the original structure but consists of a different material (e.g., dielectric instead of silicon). Other embodiments are described herein.
US09882052B2 Forming defect-free relaxed SiGe fins
A method of forming defect-free relaxed SiGe fins is provided. Embodiments include forming fully strained defect-free SiGe fins on a first portion of a Si substrate; forming Si fins on a second portion of the Si substrate; forming STI regions between adjacent SiGe fins and Si fins; forming a cladding layer over top and side surfaces of the SiGe fins and the Si fins and over the STI regions in the second portion of the Si substrate; recessing the STI regions on the first portion of the Si substrate, revealing a bottom portion of the SiGe fins; implanting dopant into the Si substrate below the SiGe fins; and annealing.
US09882050B1 Strained CMOS on strain relaxation buffer substrate
An advanced FinFET structure is described. The structure includes a strain relaxation buffer (SRB) substrate. A set of cut silicon fins is on the SRB substrate. Each fin in the set of cut silicon fins has a vertical face at a fin end of a respective cut silicon fin. A set of cut silicon germanium fins is on the substrate. Each fin in the set of silicon germanium fins has a vertical face at a fin end of a respective cut silicon germanium fin. A set of tensile dielectric structures contact the vertical faces of the cut silicon fins to maintain tensile strain at the fin ends of the set of cut silicon fins. A set of compressive dielectric structures contact the vertical faces of respective fin ends of the cut silicon germanium fins to maintain compressive strain at the fin ends of the set of cut silicon fins.
US09882047B2 Self-aligned replacement metal gate spacerless vertical field effect transistor
A method of making a vertical field effect transistor includes forming a semiconductor nanowire that extends from a substrate surface. A first sacrificial layer is deposited over the substrate surface, and a second sacrificial layer is deposited over the first sacrificial layer such that each of the first and second sacrificial layers are formed peripheral to the nanowire. The second sacrificial layer is then patterned to form a dummy gate structure. Thereafter, the first sacrificial layer is removed and source and drain regions are deposited via epitaxy directly over respective portions of the nanowire.
US09882046B2 Ultra high voltage semiconductor device with electrostatic discharge capabilities
A method includes forming a drain region in a first layer on a semiconductor substrate. The drain region is formed comprising a drain rectangular portion having a first end and a second end, a first drain end portion contiguous with the drain rectangular portion and extending from the first end of the drain rectangular portion away from a center of the drain region, and a second drain end portion contiguous with the drain rectangular portion and extending from the second end of the drain rectangular portion away from the center of the drain region. The method also comprises forming a source region free from contact with and surrounding the drain region in the first layer. The first drain end portion and the second drain end portion are formed having a same doping type and a different doping concentration than the drain rectangular portion.
US09882038B2 Method of manufacturing a bipolar semiconductor switch
A method for forming a bipolar semiconductor switch includes providing a semiconductor body which has a main surface, a back surface arranged opposite to the main surface, and a first semiconductor layer, and reducing a charge carrier life-time in the semiconductor body. The charge carrier life-time is reduced by at least one of indiffusing heavy metal into the first semiconductor layer, implanting protons into the first semiconductor layer and implanting helium nuclei into the first semiconductor layer, so that the charge carrier life-time has, in a vertical direction which is substantially orthogonal to the main surface, a minimum in a lower n-type portion of the first semiconductor layer where a concentration of n-type dopants is substantially close to a maximum.
US09882037B2 IGBT-free wheeling diode combination with field stop layer in drift region
A semiconductor device includes a middle field stop layer having a first conductivity type impurity concentration higher than a drift layer and arranged at a position in the drift layer. A ratio of a depth of the position of the middle field stop layer from a front surface of a semiconductor substrate to a thickness of the semiconductor substrate is equal to or greater than fifteen percent and equal to or less than thirty-five percent. When an IGBT is arranged in the semiconductor device, vibration of a collector voltage waveform in a switching off of the IGBT is restricted. When a diode is arranged in the semiconductor device, vibration of a recovery waveform in a recovery operation of the diode is restricted. Accordingly, at least one of the vibrations of the recovery waveform and the collector voltage waveform in the switching is restricted.
US09882036B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes first and second electrodes and a silicon carbide layer located between the first and second electrodes. A plurality of gate electrodes is interposed between the first electrode and the silicon carbide layer and extends in a first direction. The silicon carbide layer includes a plurality of spaced apart openings having sidewalls and a base which extend inwardly between the gate electrodes, a first region containing a second conductivity type impurity extending around and under the openings, and a second region containing a second conductivity type impurity interposed between the portion of the first region extending under the base of the openings. The concentration of the second conductivity type impurity is greater in the second region than in the first region. The silicon carbide layer includes a third region containing a first conductivity type impurity extending inwardly of the first region from the sidewall of the openings.
US09882035B2 Trench insulated gate bipolar transistor and manufacturing method thereof
A trench insulated gate bipolar transistor includes trenches formed in the front surface of a first conductivity type drift layer, a plurality of gate electrodes selectively provided inside the trenches, insulating blocks formed of an insulator, with which the insides of the trenches are filled, one between adjacent gate electrodes, and a second conductivity type collector region formed on a surface of the first conductivity type drift layer on the opposite side from the trenches.
US09882030B2 Method to enhance FinFET device performance with channel stop layer depth control
A method for manufacturing a fin-type semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor structure comprising a plurality of fins, and a plurality of trenches each disposed between two adjacent fins, filling each of the trenches with a spacer, and performing a first dopant implantation into the spacer to form an etch stop layer. The thus formed etch stop layer can decrease the etch rate of the HF/SiCoNi etchant towards oxide, e.g., silicon oxide, thereby reducing the spacer loss in a subsequent HF/SiCoNi etch of the dummy gate insulation layer, and improving the device performance.
US09882027B2 Confined epitaxial regions for semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating semiconductor devices having confined epitaxial regions
Confined epitaxial regions for semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating semiconductor devices having confined epitaxial regions are described. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a plurality of parallel semiconductor fins disposed above and continuous with a semiconductor substrate. An isolation structure is disposed above the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to lower portions of each of the plurality of parallel semiconductor fins. An upper portion of each of the plurality of parallel semiconductor fins protrudes above an uppermost surface of the isolation structure. Epitaxial source and drain regions are disposed in each of the plurality of parallel semiconductor fins adjacent to a channel region in the upper portion of the semiconductor fin. The epitaxial source and drain regions do not extend laterally over the isolation structure. The semiconductor structure also includes one or more gate electrodes, each gate electrode disposed over the channel region of one or more of the plurality of parallel semiconductor fins.
US09882024B2 Epitaxial and silicide layer formation at top and bottom surfaces of semiconductor fins
A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a fin in a substrate; depositing a first spacer material to form a first spacer around the fin; depositing a second spacer material to form a second spacer over the first spacer; recessing the first spacer and the second spacer; removing the first spacer; and performing an epitaxial growth process to form epitaxial growth on an end of the fin, along a sidewall of the fin, and adjacent to the fin.
US09882022B2 Method for manufacturing transistor with SiCN/SiOCN multilayer spacer
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided in the present invention. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate structure on the substrate and two spacers on both sidewalls of the gate structure. Each spacer comprises an inner first spacer portion made of SiCN and an outer second spacer portion made of SiOCN.
US09882016B2 Transistors, memory cells and semiconductor constructions
Some embodiments include a semiconductor construction having a gate extending into a semiconductor base. Conductively-doped source and drain regions are within the base adjacent the gate. A gate dielectric has a first segment between the source region and the gate, a second segment between the drain region and the gate, and a third segment between the first and second segments. At least a portion of the gate dielectric comprises ferroelectric material. In some embodiments the ferroelectric material is within each of the first, second and third segments. In some embodiments, the ferroelectric material is within the first segment or the third segment. In some embodiments, a transistor has a gate, a source region and a drain region; and has a channel region between the source and drain regions. The transistor has a gate dielectric which contains ferroelectric material between the source region and the gate.
US09882011B2 Semiconductor device with reduced parasitic drain-gate capacitance and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device having electrodes of three or more levels, includes: a semiconductor substrate; an epitaxial layer formed on the semiconductor substrate; a transistor formed on the epitaxial layer; a source electrode formed on the epitaxial layer and electrically connected to a source of the transistor; and a gate drawing electrode formed on the epitaxial layer and electrically connected to a gate of the transistor, wherein the source electrode includes a first source electrode, a second source electrode which is an electrode at a second or higher level on the first source electrode, and a third source electrode which is an electrode at a third or higher level on the second source electrode and above the gate drawing electrode, and the gate drawing electrode is an electrode at a second or higher level on the first source electrode and surrounded with the first, second, and third source electrodes.
US09882010B2 Silicon carbide substrate and method for producing silicon carbide substrate
A silicon carbide substrate includes a Si substrate (silicon substrate), a SiC base film (silicon carbide base film) which is stacked on the Si substrate and contains silicon carbide, a defective part (through-hole) which passes through the SiC base film, a hole which is located between the Si substrate and the SiC base film corresponding to the defective part, and an oxide film which is provided on the surface of the Si substrate in the hole and contains silicon oxide. Further, on the SiC base film, a SiC grown layer (silicon carbide grown layer) may be formed.
US09882001B2 Materials and methods for the preparation of nanocomposites
Disclosed herein is an isolable colloidal particle comprising a nanoparticle and an inorganic capping agent bound to the surface of the nanoparticle, a method for making the same in a biphasic solvent mixture, and the formation of structures and solids from the isolable colloidal particle. The process can yield photovoltaic cells, piezoelectric crystals, thermoelectric layers, optoelectronic layers, light emitting diodes, ferroelectric layers, thin film transistors, floating gate memory devices, phase change layers, and sensor devices.
US09881996B2 Method for manufacturing silicon carbide semiconductor device and silicon carbide semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a silicon carbide semiconductor device includes the steps of preparing a silicon carbide substrate having a first main surface and a second main surface located on a side opposite to the first main surface, forming an epitaxial layer on the first main surface, the epitaxial layer having a first conductivity type and having a third main surface located on a side opposite to a side on which the silicon carbide substrate is located, forming a trench, which includes side walls intersecting with the third main surface and a bottom portion connected to the side walls, in the epitaxial layer, widening an opening of the trench, and forming an embedded region, which has a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, in the trench. The epitaxial layer adjacent to the embedded region and the embedded region constitute a superjunction structure.
US09881994B2 Insulated gate bipolar transistor and manufacturing method therefor
An insulated gate bipolar transistor (100) is provided. A substrate (10) of the insulated gate bipolar transistor (100) is of an N type. A P-type region (16) is disposed on a back of the N-type substrate. A back metal structure (18) is disposed on a back of the P-type region (16). A terminal protection ring is disposed in a terminal structure. A polysilicon gate (31) is disposed on a front surface of the substrate (10) in an active region. Sidewalls (72) are disposed at two sides of the polysilicon gate (31) on the substrate (10). An interlayer medium (81) covered with the polysilicon gate (31) and the sidewalls (72) is disposed on the substrate (10). The interlayer medium (81) is covered with a metal lead wire layer (91). An N-type carrier enhancement region (41) is disposed in the substrate (10) in the active region. A P-type body region (51) is disposed in the carrier enhancement region (41). An N-type heavily doped region (61) is disposed in the P-type body region (51). A P-type heavily doped region (71) is disposed in the N-type heavily doped region (61). An inward recessed shallow pit (62) with a depth of 0.15 to 0.3 micrometers is formed on a surface of the P-type heavily doped region (71). By disposing the carrier enhancement region (41), the carrier concentration of a channel can be increased and a forward voltage drop can be reduced; in addition, the shallow pit (62) can make a device obtain good impurity distribution and a large metal contact area, thereby improving the performance of the device.
US09881993B2 Method of forming semiconductor structure with horizontal gate all around structure
A method of forming a semiconductor device having a horizontal gate all around structure on a bulk substrate is provided. The method comprises forming a plurality of fins on a bulk substrate wherein each fin comprises a vertical slice of substrate material and a plurality of channel layers above the vertical slice of substrate material. The plurality of channel layers includes a top channel layer above a bottom channel layer. Each channel layer comprises a first sublayer of removable semiconductor material overlaid by a second sublayer of semiconductor material. The method further comprises providing shallow trench isolation (STI) material between the vertical slices of the bulk substrate in the plurality of fins, depositing poly material around a central portion of the plurality of fins, forming source and drain regions, and forming an interlayer dielectric layer (ILD0). The method also comprises removing the poly material, forming a plurality of channels from the channel layers, and forming a gate around the channels.
US09881990B2 Integrated inductor for integrated circuit devices
A three-dimensional inductor is formed in an integrated circuit die using conductive through-body-vias which pass through the body of the die and contact one or more metal interconnect layers on the front side of the die and terminate on the back side of the die. In another embodiment, the through-body-vias may pass through a dielectric material disposed in a plug in the body of the die. In yet another aspect, a transformer may be formed by coupling multiple inductors formed using through-body-vias. In still another aspect, a three-dimensional inductor may include conductors formed of stacks of on chip metallization layers and conductive through-layer-vias disposed in insulation layers between metallization layers. Other embodiments are described.
US09881989B2 Flexible display panel and display device
The embodiments of the present invention provide a flexible display panel and a display device comprising the flexible display panel. The flexible display panel comprises a plurality of effective display regions, each effective display region comprising a pixel array; and at least one power supply lead region, which comprises at least one power supply lead in electrical connection with a power supply line of the flexible display panel; and the effective display regions and the power supply lead region are arranged alternately. For display devices using the flexible display panel according to the embodiments of the present invention, especially those having a larger size or higher resolution, the luminance uniformity can be improved and enhanced, and the advantages of the flexible display device can be further strengthened.
US09881988B2 Flexible display
A flexible display is disclosed. In one aspect, the flexible display includes a substrate, a gate insulating layer formed over the substrate, an interlayer insulating layer formed over the gate insulating layer, and a trench disposed between the gate and interlayer insulating layers and configured to accommodate a signal line therein.
US09881985B2 OLED device, AMOLED display device and method for manufacturing same
Embodiments of the invention disclose an OLED device, an AMOLED display device and a method for manufacturing the AMOLED display device. the AMOLED display device comprises a TFT active layer, a pixel electrode layer and an OLED device; the OLED device comprises a cathode layer and a functional layer, and the pixel electrode layer serves as the anode layer of the OLED device; alternatively, the OLED device comprises an anode layer and a functional layer, and the pixel electrode layer serves as the cathode layer of the OLED device. Moreover, the TFT active layer and the pixel electrode layer are formed from a same IGZO film by a patterning process.
US09881982B2 Organic light emitting display
An organic light emitting display includes a substrate including a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region, a plurality of first organic light emitting elements located in the first region, a plurality of second organic light emitting elements located in the second region, and a plurality of first thin film transistors located in the second region and connected to the first organic light emitting elements in the first region to drive the first organic light emitting elements. The first thin film transistors do not overlap with the first organic light emitting elements.
US09881981B2 Method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device includes a substrate including a plurality of pixel regions each including a light emitting region and a transparent region, a gate electrode in the light emitting region, a first insulating interlayer covering the gate electrode and extending from the light emitting region to the transparent region, a drain electrode on the first insulating interlayer and constituting a transistor in conjunction with the gate electrode, a planarization layer covering the transistor and exposing a top surface of the first insulating interlayer in the transparent region, and a first electrode on the planarization layer.
US09881980B2 Method of fabricating an organic light emitting diode display device including a selective melting and drying process with an organic solvent
An organic light emitting diode display device, and method of fabricating an organic light emitting diode display device are discussed. The organic light emitting diode display device according to one embodiment includes a first electrode on a thin film transistor and connected to a drain electrode; an auxiliary electrode on a same layer as the first electrode; a bank layer covering edges of the first electrode and edges of the auxiliary electrode and having a transmissive hole corresponding and an auxiliary contact hole; a light emitting layer on the first electrode in the transmissive hole; a residual layer on the auxiliary electrode in the auxiliary contact hole. A central portion of the residual layer has a larger thickness than an edge portion of the residual layer. The organic light emitting diode display device further includes a second electrode on the light emitting layer and the residual layer.
US09881977B2 Flexible screen and bend identifying method thereof, flexible display apparatus
An embodiment of the present invention relates to the technical field of display. Particularly, there is provided a flexible screen and a bend identifying method thereof, as well as a flexible display apparatus. The flexible screen comprises a first flexible substrate and a second flexible substrate which are oppositely disposed; the flexible screen further comprises a first electrode which is disposed on one side close to the second flexible substrate of the first flexible substrate and a second electrode which is disposed on one side close to the first flexible substrate of the second flexible substrate, as well as a detection system connected with the first electrode or the second electrode; wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to be in positional correspondence; in a case where the flexible screen is bent, the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected. The present invention is used for fabrication of a display apparatus. The present invention may be used for determining whether the flexible screen is excessively bent or flexed.
US09881971B2 Memory arrays
Some embodiments include a memory array which has a first series of access/sense lines extending along a first direction, and a second series of access/sense lines over the first series of access/sense lines and extending along a second direction which crosses the first direction. Memory cells are vertically between the first and second series of access/sense lines. Each memory cell is uniquely addressed by a combination of an access/sense line from the first series and an access/sense line from the second series. Resistance-increasing material is adjacent to and coextensive with the access/sense lines of one of the first and second series, and is between the adjacent access/sense lines and programmable material of the memory cells. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory arrays.
US09881969B2 Display panel
In a display panel, a first substrate has an active area and a peripheral area around the active area. A first trace is located at the peripheral area and extends along a first direction. A second trace intersects the first trace to define a crossing area. The first trace and the second trace are electrically isolated at the crossing area. An insulation layer is disposed on the first trace and the second trace and has an opening region corresponding to the crossing area. The opening region exposes the crossing area. The switch element is adjacent to the opening region, and has an active layer. The active layer has a first width in parallel with the first direction, and the shortest distance between the opening region and the active layer in parallel with the first direction is larger than zero and smaller than the first width.
US09881968B2 Pixel circuit
A pixel arrangement includes a photodiode, a reset transistor configured to be controlled by a reset signal and coupled to a reset input voltage, a transfer gate transistor configured to transfer charge from the photodiode to a node, wherein the transfer gate transistor is controlled by a transfer gate voltage, and a source follower transistor controlled by the voltage on the node and coupled to a source follower voltage. A capacitor is coupled between the node and an input voltage. During a read operation the input voltage is increased to boost the voltage at the node. The increased input voltage may, for example, be one the reset input voltage, said source follower voltage, said transfer gate voltage and a boosting voltage.
US09881961B2 Solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: an imaging area including a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, each of the plurality of pixels converting incident light into a pixel signal; a column signal line provided for each of the columns, for reading out the pixel signal; and a current source connected to the column signal line, in which the current source includes: three transistors connected in series and provided between the column signal line and a GND line; and a transistor having a drain and a source each of which is connected to a different one of connection points connecting adjacent ones of the three transistors.
US09881960B2 Solid-state imaging device and method of manufacturing the device
Each unit pixel includes a photoelectric converter, an n-type impurity region forming an accumulation diode together with the semiconductor region, the accumulation diode accumulating a signal charge generated by the photoelectric converter, an amplifier transistor including a gate electrode electrically connected to the impurity region, and an isolation region formed around the amplifier transistor and implanted with p-type impurities. The amplifier transistor includes an n-type source/drain region formed between the gate electrode and the isolation region, and a channel region formed under the gate electrode. A gap in the isolation region is, in a gate width direction, wider at a portion including the channel region than at a portion including the source/drain region.
US09881959B2 Chip package and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing chip package includes providing a semiconductor substrate having at least a photo diode and an interconnection layer. The interconnection layer is disposed on an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate and above the photo diode and electrically connected to the photo diode. At least a redistribution circuit is formed on the interconnection layer. The redistribution circuit is electrically connected to the interconnection layer. A packaging layer is formed on the redistribution circuit. Subsequently, a carrier substrate is attached to the packaging layer. A color filter is formed on a lower surface of the semiconductor substrate. A micro-lens module is formed under the color filter. The carrier substrate is removed.
US09881958B2 Solid-state image pickup apparatus and image pickup system
An apparatus according to the present invention in which a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion element and a gate electrode of a transistor, and a second substrate including a peripheral circuit portion are placed upon each other. The first substrate does not include a high-melting-metal compound layer, and the second substrate includes a high-melting-metal compound layer.
US09881956B2 Heterogeneous integration using wafer-to-wafer stacking with die size adjustment
A method is provided for three-dimensional wafer scale integration of heterogeneous wafers with unequal die sizes that include a first wafer and a second wafer. The method includes selecting a periodicity for the second wafer to be manufactured that matches the periodicity of the first wafer. The method further includes manufacturing the second wafer in accordance with the selected periodicity. The method also includes placing, by a laser-based patterning device, a pattern in spaces between dies of the second wafer. The method additionally includes stacking the first wafer onto the second wafer using a bonding material.
US09881943B2 Hollowed electronic display
Presented here are manufacturing techniques to create an irregularly shaped electronic display, including a hollow within which a sensor, such as a camera, can be placed. The manufacturing techniques enable the creation of the hollow anytime during the manufacturing process. The resulting electronic display occupies the full side of the mobile device, with the sensors placed within and surrounded by the display.
US09881930B1 Simple integration of non-volatile memory and complementary metal oxide semiconductor
A method that allows integrating complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistors and a non-volatile memory (NVM) transistor on a single substrate is provided. The NVM transistor includes a gate stack containing a high-k tunneling gate dielectric, a floating gate electrode, a high-k control gate dielectric and a control gate electrode. The high-k tunneling gate dielectric is formed form a first high-k dielectric layer employed in formation of a gate dielectric for a p-type field effect transistor (FET), the floating gate electrode is formed from a capping material layer employed in annealing the first high-k dielectric layer, and the high-k control gate dielectric is formed from a second high-k dielectric layer employed in formation of a gate dielectric for an n-type FET.
US09881929B1 Multi-tier memory stack structure containing non-overlapping support pillar structures and method of making thereof
A first tier structure including a first alternating stack of first insulating layers and first sacrificial material layers is formed over a substrate. First support openings and first memory openings, filled with first support pillar structures and sacrificial pillar structures, respectively, are formed through the first tier structure. A second tier structure including a second alternating stack of second insulating layers and second sacrificial material layers is formed thereabove. Second support openings and second memory openings are formed through the second tier structure such that the second support openings do not overlap with the first support pillar structures and the second memory openings overlie the sacrificial pillar structures. Inter-tier memory openings are formed by removal of the sacrificial pillar structures. Memory stack structures and second support pillar structures are formed in the inter-tier memory openings and the second support openings, respectively.
US09881924B2 Semiconductor memory device having coplanar digit line contacts and storage node contacts in memory array and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate having active areas and a trench isolation region between the active areas. The active areas extend along a first direction. Buried word lines extend along a second direction in the semiconductor substrate. Two of the buried word lines intersect with each of the active areas, separating each of the active areas into a digit line contact area and two cell contact areas. The second direction is not perpendicular to the first direction. A digit line contact is disposed on the digit line contact area. A storage node contact is disposed on each of the two cell contact areas. The digit line contact and the storage node contact are coplanar. At least one digit line extends along a third direction over a main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The at least one digit line is in direct contact with the digit line contact.
US09881922B2 Semiconductor device and method
Vertical gate all around devices are formed by initially forming a first doped region and a second doped region that are planar with each other. A channel layer is formed over the first doped region and the second doped region, and a third doped region is formed over the channel layer. A fourth doped region is formed to be planar with the third doped region, and the first doped region, the second doped region, the third doped region, the fourth doped region, and the channel layer are patterned to form a first nanowire and a second nanowire, which are then used to form the vertical gate all around devices.
US09881920B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device including, in cross section, a semiconductor substrate; a gate insulating film on the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode on the gate insulating film, the gate electrode including a metal, a side wall insulating film at opposite sides of the gate electrode, the side wall insulating film contacting the substrate; a stress applying film at the opposite sides of the gate electrode and over at least a portion of the semiconductor substrate, at least portion of the side wall insulating film being between the gate insulating film and the stress applying film and in contact with both of them; source/drain regions in the semiconductor substrate at the opposite sides of the gate electrode, and silicide regions at surfaces of the source/drain regions at the opposite sides of the gate electrode, the silicide regions being between the source/drain regions and the stress applying layer and in contact with the stress applying layer.
US09881919B2 Well and punch through stopper formation using conformal doping
A method for doping fins includes depositing a first dopant layer at a base of fins formed in a substrate, depositing a dielectric layer on the first dopant layer and etching the dielectric layer and the first dopant layer in a first region to expose the substrate and the fins. A second dopant layer is conformally deposited over the fins and the substrate in the first region. The second dopant layer is recessed to a height on the fins in the first region. An anneal is performed to drive dopants into the fins from the first dopant layer in a second region and from the second dopant layer in the first region to concurrently form punch through stoppers in the fins and wells in the substrate.
US09881918B1 Forming doped regions in semiconductor strips
A method includes etching a semiconductor substrate to form trenches, with a portion of the semiconductor substrate between the trenches being a semiconductor strip, and depositing a dielectric dose film on sidewalls of the semiconductor strip. The dielectric dose film is doped with a dopant of n-type or p-type. The remaining portions of the trenches are filled with a dielectric material. A planarization is performed on the dielectric material. Remaining portions of the dielectric dose film and the dielectric material form Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) regions. A thermal treatment is performed to diffuse the dopant in the dielectric dose film into the semiconductor strip.
US09881915B2 Power FET with a resonant transistor gate
A semiconductor FET provides a resonant gate and source and drain electrodes, wherein the resonant gate is electromagnetically resonant at one or more predetermined frequencies.
US09881914B2 Electrostatic discharge protection device
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device is disclosed including at least an NPN transistor and a PNP transistor coupled between a first node and a second node, wherein the ESD protection device may be configured to sink current from the first node to the second node in response to an ESD event. The transistors may be coupled such that a collector of the NPN may be coupled to the first node. A collector of the PNP may be coupled to the second node. A base of the NPN may be coupled to the emitter of the PNP. An emitter of the NPN may be coupled to a base of the PNP.
US09881911B2 Electronic system having increased coupling by using horizontal and vertical communication channels
An embodiment of an electronic system may be provided so as to have superior coupling by implementing a communication mechanism that provides at least for horizontal communication for example, on the basis of wired and/or wireless communication channels, in the system. Hence, by enhancing vertical and horizontal communication capabilities in the electronic system, a reduced overall size may be achieved, while nevertheless reducing complexity in PCBs coupled to the electronic system. In this manner, overall manufacturing costs and reliability of complex electronic systems may be enhanced.
US09881909B2 Method for attaching a semiconductor die to a carrier
A method for fabricating an electronic device includes providing a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip. The first semiconductor chip has a first semiconductor die and a first solder interconnect layer applied to a main face of the first semiconductor die. The second semiconductor chip has a second semiconductor die, an insulating layer applied to a main face of the second semiconductor die, and a second solder interconnect layer applied to the insulating layer. The method further includes attaching the first semiconductor chip with the first solder interconnect layer to a first carrier and attaching the second semiconductor chip with the second solder interconnect layer to a second carrier.
US09881904B2 Multi-layer semiconductor devices fabricated using a combination of substrate and via structures and fabrication techniques
A multi-layer semiconductor device includes two or more semiconductor sections, each of the semiconductor sections including at least at least one device layer having first and second opposing surfaces and a plurality of electrical connections extending between the first and second surfaces. The electrical connections correspond to first conductive structures. The multi-layer semiconductor device also includes one or more second conductive structures which are provided as through oxide via (TOV) or through insulator via (TIV) structures. The multi-layer semiconductor device additionally includes one or more silicon layers. At least a first one of the silicon layers includes at least one third conductive structure which is provided as a through silicon via (TSV) structure. The multi-layer semiconductor device further includes one or more via joining layers including at least one fourth conductive structure. A corresponding method for fabricating a multi-layer semiconductor device is also provided.
US09881898B2 System in package process flow
A method comprises connecting a substrate having a plurality of integrated circuit (IC) dies to a package substrate, so that the package substrate extends beyond at least two edges of the substrate, leaving first and second edge portions of the package substrate having exposed contacts. The first and second edge portions meet at a first corner of the package substrate. At least a first upper die package is placed over the substrate, so that first and second edge portions of the first upper die package extend beyond the at least two edges of the substrate. Pads on the first and second edge portions of the first upper die package are connected to the contacts of the first and second edge portions of the package substrate.
US09881895B2 Wire bonding methods and systems incorporating metal nanoparticles
Wire bonding operations can be facilitated through the use of metal nanoparticle compositions. Both ball bonding and wedge bonding processes can be enhanced in this respect. Wire bonding methods can include providing a wire payout at a first location from a rolled wire source via a dispensation head, contacting a first metal nanoparticle composition and a first portion of the wire payout with a bonding pad, and at least partially fusing metal nanoparticles in the first metal nanoparticle composition together to form an adhering interface between the bonding pad and the first portion of the wire payout. The adhering interface can have a nanoparticulate morphology. Wire bonding systems can include a rolled wire source, a dispensation head configured to provide a wire payout, and an applicator configured to place a metal nanoparticle composition upon at least a portion of the wire payout or upon a bonding pad.
US09881891B1 Method of forming three-dimensional wire loops and wire loops formed using the method
The invention provides a method of bonding wire between first and second bonding points with a bonding tool. It comprises the steps of forming a first bond at the first bonding point with the bonding tool, forming a first kink located over the first bond, and moving the bonding tool to a first position spaced from the first kink by a predetermined distance to release a length of wire from the bonding tool. It further comprises the step of moving the bonding tool in a direction away from the second bonding point to a second position which is outside a plane comprising the first bonding point, the second bonding point, and the first kink. It also comprises the steps of forming a second kink which lies outside the plane, and moving the bonding tool to the second bonding point to form a second bond.
US09881886B2 Semiconductor device assemblies including intermetallic compound interconnect structures
A method of forming a semiconductor device assembly comprises forming on a first substrate, at least one bond pad comprising a first nickel material over the first substrate, a first copper material on the first nickel material, and a solder-wetting material on the first copper material. On a second substrate is formed at least one conductive pillar comprising a second nickel material, a second copper material directly contacting the second nickel material, and a solder material directly contacting the second copper material. The solder-wetting material is contacted with the solder material. The first copper material, the solder-wetting material, the second copper material, and the solder material are converted into a substantially homogeneous intermetallic compound interconnect structure. Additional methods, semiconductor device assemblies, and interconnect structures are also described.
US09881881B2 Conductive seal ring for power bus distribution
A multi-block semiconductor device includes a first block and a second block operating in different power regimes from each other. A seal ring is around a periphery of the die, hermetically sealing the first and second blocks. The die has a substrate and an insulating layer, the seal ring being on the insulating layer. The seal ring serves as a power bus for the first block but not the second block. The seal ring and first block are electrically coupled to a first ground node, the first ground node being electrically isolated at a die-level from other ground nodes in the multi-block semiconductor device. In some embodiments, the second block is located in a central area of the die, and a plurality of metal lines electrically connect the seal ring to the first block, the metal lines being evenly spaced around a majority of the periphery of the semiconductor die.
US09881880B2 Tamper-proof electronic packages with stressed glass component substrate(s)
Tamper-proof electronic packages and fabrication methods are provided which include a glass substrate. The glass substrate is stressed glass with a compressively-stressed surface layer. Further, one or more electronic components are secured to the glass substrate within a secure volume of the tamper-proof electronic package. In operation, the glass substrate is configured to fragment with an attempted intrusion event into the electronic package, and the fragmenting of the glass substrate also fragments the electronic component(s) secured to the glass substrate, thereby destroying the electronic component(s). In certain implementations, the glass substrate has undergone ion-exchange processing to provide the stressed glass. Further, the electronic package may include an enclosure, and the glass substrate may be located within the secure volume separate from the enclosure, or alternatively, the enclosure may be a stressed glass enclosure, an inner surface of which is the glass substrate for the electronic component(s).
US09881876B2 Semiconductor device having conductive shield layer
A semiconductor device includes a wiring substrate that includes a base having a first surface, a second surface, and a wiring, a semiconductor chip located on the first surface, an external connection terminal located on the second surface and electrically connected to the wiring, a sealing resin layer covering the semiconductor chip, a metal compound layer containing a metal nitride in contact with a surface of the sealing resin layer, and a conductive shield layer covering the sealing resin layer with the metal compound layer interposed between the conductive shield layer and the sealing resin layer. The wiring is exposed at a side surface of the wiring substrate, and is electrically connected to the conductive shield layer.
US09881873B2 Fan-out semiconductor package
A fan-out semiconductor package includes a frame having a through hole, a semiconductor chip disposed in the through hole and including connection pads, an encapsulant encapsulating at least a portion of the frame and the semiconductor chip, and a redistribution layer disposed on the frame and the semiconductor chip and including a first region and a second region. In the first region, a first via and a second via, electrically connected to one of the connection pads, disposed in different layers, and connected by a wiring pattern, are disposed. In the second region, a third via and a fourth via, electrically connected to another of the connection pads, disposed in different layers, and connected by the wiring pattern, are disposed. A distance between axes of the first via and the second via is shorter than a distance between axes of the third via and the fourth via.
US09881868B2 Semiconductor device
A plurality of first wiring layers are arranged on a main surface of a substrate, a first insulating film is arranged on upper faces of the plurality of first wiring layers, a second insulating film is arranged on an upper face of the first insulating film, and a plurality of second wiring layers are arranged on the second insulating film. A metal resistive element layer is arranged just below at least one second wiring layer among the plurality of second wiring layers. A plurality of conductive layers extend from the plurality of second wiring layers respectively to the metal resistive element layer in a Z direction perpendicular to the main surface. The metal resistive element layer includes a metal wiring layer. At least one part of a side face of at least one conductive layer among the plurality of conductive layers is connected to the metal wiring layer.
US09881865B1 Semiconductor devices including electrically isolated patterns and method of fabricating the same
A method of forming a composite dielectric material can be provided by performing a first deposition cycle to form a first dielectric material and performing a second deposition cycle to form a second dielectric material on the first dielectric material, wherein the first and second dielectric materials comprise different dielectric materials selected from a list consisting of a transition metal nitride, a transition metal oxide, a transition metal carbide, a transition metal silicide, a post-transition metal nitride, a post-transition metal oxide, a post-transition metal carbide, a post-transition metal silicide, a metalloid nitride, a metalloid oxide, and a metalloid carbide.
US09881864B2 Method for fabricating semiconductor package and semiconductor package using the same
Provided are a method for fabricating a semiconductor package and a semiconductor package using the same, which can simplify a fabricating process of the semiconductor package by forming a lead frame on which a semiconductor die can be mounted without a separate grinding process, and can improve product reliability by preventing warpage from occurring during a grinding process. In one embodiment, the method for fabricating a semiconductor package includes forming a frame on a carrier, forming a first pattern layer on the frame, first encapsulating the frame and the first pattern layer using a first encapsulant, forming conductive vias electrically connected to the first pattern layer while passing through the first encapsulant, forming a second pattern layer electrically connected to the conductive vias on the first encapsulant, forming a first solder mask formed on the first encapsulant and exposing a portion of the second pattern layer to the outside, removing the frame by an etching process and etching a portion of the first pattern layer, and attaching a semiconductor die to the first pattern layer.
US09881863B2 Semiconductor packages and methods of packaging semiconductor devices
A device is disclosed. The device includes a carrier substrate having first and second major surfaces. The first surface includes a die region and contact pads and the second surface includes package contacts. The carrier substrate includes a patterned lead frame which defines a line level with conductive traces and a via level with via contacts. The patterned lead frame provides interconnections between the contact pads and package contacts. The carrier substrate further includes a dielectric layer isolating the conductive traces and via contacts. The device includes a die mounted on the die region of the first surface.
US09881861B2 Wiring substrate
A Wiring substrate includes a substrate body that is formed from ceramics, and that includes a front surface, a back surface, and side surfaces positioned between peripheral sides of the front surface and the back surface; a frame-shaped metalized layer (surface conductor portion) that is formed on the front surface of the substrate body, a surface of the frame-shaped metalized layer being covered with a metal plating film; and an electroplating conductor layer that is formed in the substrate body, an end of the electroplating conductor layer being electrically connected to the frame-shaped metalized layer, the other end of the electroplating conductor layer being formed at the front surface of the substrate body, the other end of the electroplating conductor layer being electrically independent of different conductor portions that differ from frame-shaped metalized layer, the electroplating conductor layer being separated from the side surfaces of the substrate body. An opening portion for exposing at least a portion of the electroplating conductor layer at a bottom surface is formed in the front surface of the substrate body.
US09881860B2 Method for producing waveguide substrate
To allow a metal film to have a sufficient thickness around a bottom surface of a non-through hole and prevent the metal film from being peeled from a substrate surface, a method for producing a waveguide substrate includes forming a first metal film on (i) a first main surface of a substrate, at which first main surface a non-through hole opens, and on (ii) an inner wall of the non-through hole, forming resist on a first main surface side of the substrate in such a manner that the resist blocks the opening of the non-through hole, removing a first portion of the first metal film which first portion is on the first main surface, removing the resist, and forming a second metal film on the first main surface of the substrate in a state where the first metal film is present on the inner wall of the non-through hole.
US09881854B2 Cascode semiconductor package and related methods
A semiconductor package includes an electrically conductive base (base) having a source connector. A drain connector and a gate connector are electrically coupled with the base. A depletion mode gallium nitride field-effect transistor (GaN FET) and an enhancement mode laterally diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (LDMOS FET) are also coupled with the base. The gate connector and a gate contact of the LDMOS FET are both included in a first electrical node, the source connector and a source contact of the LDMOS FET are both included in a second electrical node, and the drain connector and a drain contact of the GaN FET are both included in a third electrical node. The GaN FET and LDMOS FET together form a cascode that operates as an enhancement mode amplifier. The semiconductor package does not include an interposer between the GaN FET and the base or between the LDMOS FET and the base.
US09881852B2 Semiconductor module
A semiconductor module of an electric power converter includes an IGBT and a MOSFET which are connected in parallel to each other and provided on the same lead frame, either one of the IGBT and the MOSFET is a first switching element and the remaining one is a second switching element, and the conduction path of the second switching element is disposed at a position that is separated from a conduction path of the first switching element in the same lead frame.
US09881850B2 Package structures and method of forming the same
Package structures and methods of forming package structures are described. A method includes placing a first package within a recess of a first substrate. The first package includes a first die. The method further includes attaching a first sensor to the first package and the first substrate. The first sensor is electrically coupled to the first package and the first substrate.
US09881849B2 Method of forming an integrated circuit with heat-mitigating diamond-filled channels
An integrated circuit and method of forming the integrated circuit, including the steps of forming channels partially into a thickness of a semiconductor layer or through the thickness of the semiconductor layer and partially through a thickness of a substrate layer on which the semiconductor layer was formed. The method may then include underfilling or overfilling the channels with diamond. If underfilled, a remainder of the channels may be filled in with nucleation buffer layers or additional semiconductor material. If overfilled, the diamond may be selectively polished down to form a planar surface with the semiconductor layer. Next, the method may include forming an active device layer over the semiconductor material and diamond. The method may also include thinning the substrate layer down to the diamond and then placing a heat sink in physical contact with the diamond in the channel.
US09881847B2 Semiconductor structure having thermal backside core
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a recess disposed beneath a semiconductor device. The semiconductor structure also includes a thermally conductive core disposed in the recess, and a package substrate including a heat sink. The heat sink is in thermal contact with the thermally conductive core.
US09881845B1 Electronic device, lid structure and package structure
An electronic device includes a transducer including a sensing area and a covering structure that covers the transducer. The covering structure includes a shelter portion and defines at least one aperture. The shelter portion covers the sensing area. The aperture includes a first curved surface and a second curved surface farther away from the sensing area than the first curved surface, and a first center of a first curvature of the first curved surface is at a different location than a second center of a second curvature of the second curved surface.
US09881837B2 Fin-like field effect transistor (FinFET) based, metal-semiconductor alloy fuse device and method of manufacturing same
A fuse device and method for fabricating the fuse device is disclosed. An exemplary fuse device includes a first contact and a second contact coupled with a metal-semiconductor alloy layer, wherein the metal-semiconductor alloy layer extends continuously between the first contact and the second contact. The metal-semiconductor alloy layer is disposed over an epitaxial layer that is disposed over a fin structure of a substrate.
US09881835B1 Nanowire devices, systems, and methods of production
A method of depositing nanowires including generating wells disposed on a patterned conductive film. The patterned conductive film includes well-sites. The patterned conducive film covers a portion of a surface of a substrate. Each of the wells is disposed proximate to a corresponding wellsite. The method includes applying a nanowire mixture to the wells and, after applying the nanowire mixture, at least one nanowire is deposited on a first portion and a second portion of the patterned conductive film by generating an electric field proximate to the patterned conductive film. The first portion and the second portion of the patterned conductive film are separated by a gap.
US09881833B1 Barrier planarization for interconnect metallization
A method for forming interconnect structures includes forming a barrier material over a dielectric layer having a trench, the barrier layer being disposed on sidewalls and horizontal surfaces of the trench, depositing an interconnect layer over the barrier layer to form an interconnect structure, recessing the interconnect layer down to a surface of the barrier layer using a chemical mechanical planarization process, and planarizing the barrier layer and the interconnect layer using a wet etch process to form a coplanar surface to prevent dishing or divots in the interconnect structure.
US09881829B2 Adhesive composition, laminate, and stripping method
An adhesive composition for temporarily attaching a substrate to a support plate which supports the substrate, including a thermoplastic resin and a release agent.
US09881828B2 Wafer processing method
Disclosed herein is a wafer processing method including the steps of attaching a dicing tape to the back side of a wafer, the dicing tape being composed of a base tape, a DAF, and an adhesive layer for uniting the base tape and the DAF, imaging the wafer through the dicing tape to obtain an image of the wafer, detecting the positions of poor adhesion of the DAF from the image, storing the positions of poor adhesion detected above, dividing the wafer and the DAF into individual chips each having the DAF, curing the adhesive layer of the dicing tape by the application of ultraviolet light, selectively separating the chips with the DAF well adhered, at the boundary between the adhesive layer and the DAF according to the positions of poor adhesion stored above, and then picking up the chips with the DAF well adhered.
US09881818B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: a preparation step, a flow step, and a processing step. The preparation step prepares an etching solution by dissolving titanium in an ammonia-hydrogen peroxide solution in advance before use of the ammonia-hydrogen peroxide solution for etching. The flow step flows the etching solution after the preparation step so that a concentration of the etching solution in a processing bath is constant. The processing step etches a metal film on a semiconductor wafer with the etching solution by putting in the processing bath the semiconductor wafer having a resist film and the metal film after the flow step is started. The metal film is preferably formed of titanium, and a temperature of the etching solution is preferably adjusted by flowing the etching solution so that the etching solution flows via a temperature controller.
US09881815B2 Substrate cleaning method, substrate cleaning device, and vacuum processing device
A substrate cleaning method for removing particles adhered to a substrate includes: acquiring particle information including diameters of the particles adhered to the substrate; controlling, based on the acquired particle information, a factor related to sizes of gas clusters having aggregates of atoms or molecules of a cleaning gas; ejecting the cleaning gas, at a higher pressure than a processing atmosphere where the substrate is provided, to the processing atmosphere and generating the gas clusters by adiabatic expansion; and removing the particles by irradiating the gas clusters in a perpendicular direction to a surface of the substrate. As a result, even if recesses for a circuit pattern are formed on the surface of the substrate, the particles in the recesses can be removed at a high removal rate.
US09881814B2 Apparatus for manufacturing semiconductor package and method for manufacturing semiconductor package using the same
The inventive concepts provide an apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor package and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor package using the same. The apparatus includes a mold unit with a cavity formed by an inner space of the mold unit. The mold unit includes a first mold, a second mold coupled to the first mold, a supply part supplying a molding resin into the cavity, and a vent part disposed to be opposite to the supply part. The vent part includes a first vent part fixed in the mold unit, and a second vent part movable with respect to the first vent part.
US09881812B2 Power module and fabrication method for the same
The power module includes: a first metallic circuit pattern, a semiconductor device disposed on the first metallic circuit pattern; a leadframe electrically connected to the semiconductor device; and a stress buffering layer disposed on an upper surface of the semiconductor device, and capable of buffering a CTE difference between the semiconductor device and the leadframe. The leadframe is connected to the semiconductor device via the stress buffering layer, a CTE of the stress buffering layer is equal to or less than a CTE of the leadframe, and a cross-sectional shape of the stress buffering layer is L-shape. There is provided: the power module capable of realizing miniaturization and large current capacity, and reducing cost thereof by using leadframe structure, and capable of reducing a variation in welding and improving a yield without damaging a semiconductor device; and a fabrication method for such a power module.
US09881809B2 Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. A dielectric layer is formed on a barrier layer. A first opening is formed in the dielectric layer and exposes a portion of the barrier layer. A protection layer is formed on the barrier layer at the bottom of the first opening. The protection layer is thicker at the central portion while thinner at the edge portion thereof. A portion of the exposed barrier layer is removed by using the protection layer as a mask to form a second opening. The second opening has at least one sub-opening disposed in the barrier layer adjacent to the sidewall of the second opening. A semiconductor device formed with the method is also provided.
US09881808B2 Mask and pattern forming method
According to one embodiment, a mask includes a substrate, first and second pattern portions. The substrate includes a first surface, and the substrate is light transmissive. The first pattern portion includes first optical members. The first optical members are provided on the first surface. A light transmittance of the first optical members is lower than a light transmittance of the substrate. A distance between the adjacent two first optical members is a first distance. The second pattern portion includes second optical members. The second optical members are provided on the first surface. A light transmittance of the second optical members is lower than the light transmittance of the substrate. A distance between the adjacent two second optical members is a second distance. A first phase of a light penetrating the first pattern portion is different from a second phase of a light penetrating the second pattern portion.
US09881805B2 Silicon selective removal
A method of etching exposed silicon on patterned heterogeneous structures is described and includes a gas phase etch using plasma effluents formed in a remote plasma. The remote plasma excites a fluorine-containing precursor. Plasma effluents within the remote plasma are flowed into a substrate processing region where the plasma effluents combine with a hydrogen-containing precursor. The combination react with the patterned heterogeneous structures to remove an exposed silicon portion faster than a second exposed portion. The silicon selectivity results from the presence of an ion suppressor positioned between the remote plasma and the substrate processing region. The methods may be used to selectively remove silicon faster than silicon oxide, silicon nitride and a variety of metal-containing materials. The methods may be used to remove small etch amounts in a controlled manner and may result in an extremely smooth silicon surface.
US09881803B2 Chemical mechanical polishing method using slurry composition containing N-oxide compound
The present disclosure relates to a method of performing a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process with a high germanium-to-oxide removal selectivity and a low rate of germanium recess formation. The method is performed by providing a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of germanium compound regions including germanium interspersed between a plurality of oxide regions including an oxide. A slurry is then provided onto the semiconductor substrate. The slurry has an oxidant and an etching inhibitor configured to reduce a removal rate of the germanium relative to the oxide. A CMP process is then performed by bringing a chemical mechanical polishing pad in contact with top surfaces of the plurality of germanium compound regions and the plurality of oxide regions.
US09881802B2 Slurry, polishing liquid set, polishing liquid, method for polishing substrate, and substrate
A polishing liquid includes abrasive grains, an additive and water, wherein the abrasive grains include a tetravalent metal element hydroxide, and produce a liquid phase with a nonvolatile content of 500 ppm or greater when an aqueous dispersion with a content of the abrasive grains adjusted to 1.0 mass % has been centrifuged for 50 minutes at a centrifugal acceleration of 1.59×105 G.
US09881801B2 Slurry, polishing liquid set, polishing liquid, method for polishing substrate, and substrate
A polishing liquid includes abrasive grains, an additive and water, wherein the abrasive grains include a tetravalent metal element hydroxide, and produce a liquid phase with a nonvolatile content of 500 ppm or greater when an aqueous dispersion with a content of the abrasive grains adjusted to 1.0 mass % has been centrifuged for 50 minutes at a centrifugal acceleration of 1.59×105 G.
US09881799B2 Substrate liquid processing apparatus, substrate liquid processing method, and computer-readable storage medium
Disclosed is a substrate liquid processing apparatus including a processing liquid storage unit that stores a processing liquid; a processing liquid supply unit that supplies the processing liquid to the processing liquid storage unit; a processing liquid circulation unit that circulates the processing liquid inside the processing liquid storage unit; a processing liquid discharge unit that discharges the processing liquid; a concentration sensor that measures a concentration in the processing liquid; and a controller that controls the processing liquid supply unit. The controller controls the processing liquid circulation unit to circulate the processing liquid, the processing liquid discharge unit to discharge the circulated processing liquid intermittently at a predetermined timing or continuously for a predetermined period of time, the processing liquid supply unit to newly supply the processing liquid, and the concentration sensor to measure the concentration in the processing liquid at a predetermined timing.
US09881798B1 Metal cap integration by local alloying
A middle-of-line interconnect structure including copper interconnects and integral copper alloy caps provides effective electromigration resistance. A metal cap layer is deposited on the top surfaces of the interconnects. A post-deposition anneal causes formation of the copper alloy caps from the interconnects and the metal cap layer. Selective removal of unalloyed metal cap layer material provides an interconnect structure free of metal residue on the dielectric material layer separating the interconnects.
US09881797B2 Replacement gate electrode with multi-thickness conductive metallic nitride layers
Gate electrodes having different work functions can be provided by providing conductive metallic nitride layers having different thicknesses in a replacement gate scheme. Upon removal of disposable gate structures and formation of a gate dielectric layer, at least one incremental thickness conductive metallic nitride layer is added within some gate cavities, while not being added in some other gate cavities. A minimum thickness conductive metallic nitride layer is subsequently added as a contiguous layer. Conductive metallic nitride layers thus formed have different thicknesses across different gate cavities. A gate fill conductive material layer is deposited, and planarization is performed to provide multiple gate electrode having different conductive metallic nitride layer thicknesses. The different thicknesses of the conductive metallic nitride layers can provide different work functions having a range of about 400 mV.
US09881795B2 Method of fabricating semiconductors
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor includes applying a planarization material to a substrate and forming an opening in the planarization material. The opening is filled with polysilicon. A plurality of etching modulation sequences are applied to the substrate, each of the etching modulation sequences including: applying a first etching process to the substrate, wherein the first etching process is more selective to polysilicon than the planarization material; and applying a second etching process to the substrate, wherein the second etching process is more selective to the planarization material than the polysilicon.
US09881790B2 Method to enhance growth rate for selective epitaxial growth
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods for forming a doped silicon epitaxial layer on semiconductor devices at increased pressure and reduced temperature. In one embodiment, the method includes heating a substrate disposed within a processing chamber to a temperature of about 550 degrees Celsius to about 800 degrees Celsius, introducing into the processing chamber a silicon source comprising trichlorosilane (TCS), a phosphorus source, and a gas comprising a halogen, and depositing a silicon containing epitaxial layer comprising phosphorus on the substrate, the silicon containing epitaxial layer having a phosphorus concentration of about 1×1021 atoms per cubic centimeter or greater, wherein the silicon containing epitaxial layer is deposited at a chamber pressure of about 150 Torr or greater.
US09881789B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, substrate processing apparatus, and recording medium
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate having an oxide film; performing, a predetermined number of times, a cycle of non-simultaneously performing supplying a precursor gas to the substrate, supplying a carbon-containing gas to the substrate, and supplying a nitrogen-containing gas to the substrate, or performing, a predetermined number of times, a cycle of non-simultaneously performing supplying a precursor gas to the substrate and supplying a gas containing carbon and nitrogen to the substrate, or performing, a predetermined number of times, a cycle of non-simultaneously performing supplying a precursor gas containing carbon to the substrate and supplying a nitrogen-containing gas to the substrate, the oxide film being used as an oxygen source to form a nitride layer containing oxygen and carbon as a seed layer; and forming a nitride film containing no oxygen and carbon as a first film on the seed layer.
US09881788B2 Back side deposition apparatus and applications
The embodiments disclosed herein pertain to methods and apparatus for depositing stress compensating layers and sacrificial layers on either the front side or back side of a substrate. In various implementations, back side deposition occurs while the wafer is in a normal front side up orientation. The front/back side deposition may be performed to reduce stress introduced through deposition on the front side of the wafer. The back side deposition may also be performed to minimize back side particle-related problems that occur during post-deposition processing such as photolithography.
US09881786B2 Methods of forming nanostructures using self-assembled nucleic acids, and nanostructures thereof
A method of forming a nanostructure comprises forming a directed self-assembly of nucleic acid structures on a patterned substrate. The patterned substrate comprises multiple regions. Each of the regions on the patterned substrate is specifically tailored for adsorption of specific nucleic acid structure in the directed self-assembly.
US09881781B2 Optimized multiple reaction monitoring or single ion recording method
A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising monitoring for the emergence of one or more species of ions of interest and determining during the course of acquiring experimental data whether one or more ions or interest have emerged and then discontinuing monitoring for the emergence of the one or more species of ions of interest if it determined that the one or more ions or interest have emerged.
US09881777B2 Molecular diagnostics in personalized dermatology, dermatopathology and cosmetics
The present disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for determining components and associated conditions in a dermatological sample, and preparing personalized cosmetics or treatments. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the use of surface desorption ionization-mass spectrometry methods and apparatus to assay dermatological samples. The method and apparatus can allow real time analysis of sample molecules, such as in skin and hair, for molecular diagnostics in dermatology, dermatopathology and the preparation of personalized cosmetics.
US09881774B2 Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin films with composition controlled by co-sputtering
A method and apparatus for forming a thin film of a copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)-type material are disclosed. The method includes providing first and second targets in a common sputtering chamber. The first target includes a source of CIGS material, such as an approximately stoichiometric polycrystalline CIGS material, and the second target includes a chalcogen, such as selenium, sulfur, tellurium, or a combination of these elements. The second target provides an excess of chalcogen in the chamber. This can compensate, at least in part, for the loss of chalcogen from the CIGS-source in the first target, resulting in a thin film with a controlled stoichiometry which provides effective light absorption when used in a solar cell.
US09881773B2 Production method of electroconductive mayenite compound having high electron density, and target
A production method of an electroconductive mayenite compound having an electron density greater than or equal to 5×1020 cm−3 includes preparing an object of processing containing a mayenite compound or a precursor of a mayenite compound, placing aluminum foil on at least part of a surface of the object of processing, and retaining the object of processing at temperatures falling within the range of 1080° C. to 1450° C. in a low oxygen partial pressure atmosphere.
US09881772B2 Multi-radiofrequency impedance control for plasma uniformity tuning
Circuits, methods, chambers, systems, and computer programs are presented for processing wafers. A wafer processing apparatus includes top and bottom electrodes inside a processing chamber; a first, second, third, and fourth radio frequency (RF) power sources; and one or more resonant circuits. The first, second, and third RF power sources are coupled to the bottom electrode. The top electrode may be coupled to the fourth RF power source, to electrical ground, or to the one or more resonant circuits. Each of the one or more resonant circuits, which are coupled between the top electrode and electrical ground, include a tune-in element operable to vary a frequency-dependent impedance presented by the resonant circuit. The wafer processing apparatus is configurable to select the RF power sources for wafer processing operations, as well as the connections to the top electrode in order to provide plasma and etching uniformity for the wafer.
US09881770B2 Multi charged particle beam exposing method, and multi charged particle beam exposing apparatus
A multi charged particle beam exposing method includes setting, in multiple exposures by a plurality of shots of each beam of multi-beams where the plurality of shots continuously irradiate a same irradiation position, a plurality of clock periods including at least one different clock period where the plurality of clock periods individually control an irradiation time of each beam of the multi-beams such that a clock period of at least one exposure processing differs from clock periods of other exposure processing, and exposing respective corresponding irradiation positions on a target object with the multi-beams by controlling, in each exposure processing of the multiple exposures, the irradiation time in exposure processing concerned using a clock period which has been set in the plurality of clock periods including the at least one different clock period.
US09881768B2 Charged Particle Beam System With Receptacle Chamber For Cleaning Sample and Sample Stage
A charged particle beam system capable of reducing contamination has a sample chamber (15) in which the sample (S) is irradiated with a charged particle beam and a receptacle chamber (21) which is connected into the sample chamber (15) via an isolation valve (25) and is connected to the ambient via a door (26). A transport mechanism (22) conveys the sample (S) from the ambient via the door (26) into the receptacle chamber (21) and via the isolation valve (25) into the sample chamber (15). A cleaning portion supplies active oxygen into the receptacle chamber which can then be evacuated by a vacuum pump.
US09881767B2 Coherence measuring device for spin-polarized electron beam and method using the same
A path of a spin-polarized electron beam is split into two by a splitter. A spin direction of the spin-polarized electron beam is rotated by a spin direction rotator disposed on a first path, and delayed by a first delay device. On a second path, the electron beam passes through a sample stage. The spin-polarized electron beams split into the first path and the second path are superposed by a biprism, and its intensity distribution is measured. Coherence is measured from a relation between a spin direction rotation angle, a delay time, and a visibility of an interference fringe.
US09881762B2 Integrated photoemission sources and scalable photoemission structures
A scalable, integrated multi-level photoemitter device of tapered design and method of manufacture using conventional CMOS manufacturing techniques. The photoemitter device has a tapered multi-level structure formed in a material layer of a substrate, each level comprising a layer of photoemissive material and a connecting portion, said connecting portion for connecting to an adjacent photoemissive material layer of a next successive level. A first photoemissive material layer of a first level is of a configuration having a first length or width dimension; and each successive layer includes a photoemissive material layer of successively smaller length or width dimensions
US09881749B1 Lockout system for energy sources
A lockout system includes a hasp assembly and a plurality of tags. The hasp assembly has a back plate defining slots each sized and shaped to receive a tag. The back plate and tags each have openings that align when a tag is received in a slot. A first hasp portion on the back plate defines part of a closed loop. A longitudinal locking bar is slidable along the back plate and has notches shaped to receive ends of the tags. Moving the locking bar between an unlocked position and a locked position operates the second hasp portion between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the first and second hasp portions complete and define the closed loop, where one or more tags can be installed in slots with the first end of the tag engaging a notch to lock closed the hasp portion.
US09881747B2 Solid state ultracapacitor
An ink of the formula: 60-80% by weight BaTiO3 particles coated with SiO2; 5-50% by weight high dielectric constant glass; 0.1-5% by weight surfactant; 5-25% by weight solvent; and 5-25% weight organic vehicle. Also a method of manufacturing a capacitor comprising the steps of: heating particles of BaTiO3 for a special heating cycle, under a mixture of 70-96% by volume N2 and 4-30% by volume H2 gas; depositing a film of SiO2 over the particles; mechanically separating the particles; incorporating them into the above described ink formulation; depositing the ink on a substrate; and heating at 850-900° C. for less than 5 minutes and allowing the ink and substrate to cool to ambient in N2 atmosphere. Also a dielectric made by: heating particles of BaTiO3 for a special heating cycle, under a mixture of 70-96% by volume N2 and 4-30% by volume H2 gas; depositing a film of SiO2 over the particles; mechanically separating the particles; forming them into a layer; and heating at 850-900° C. for less than 5 minutes and allowing the layer to cool to ambient in N2 atmosphere.
US09881746B2 Flexible and transparent supercapacitors and fabrication using thin film carbon electrodes with controlled morphologies
Mechanically flexible and optically transparent thin film solid state supercapacitors are fabricated by assembling nano-engineered carbon electrodes in porous templates. The electrodes have textured graphitic surface films with a morphology of interconnected arrays of complex shapes and porosity. The graphitic films act as both electrode and current collector, and when integrated with solid polymer electrolyte function as thin film supercapacitors. The nanostructured electrode morphology and conformal electrolyte packaging provide enough energy and power density for electronic devices in addition to possessing excellent mechanical flexibility and optical transparency.
US09881743B2 Glass ceramic material and multilayer ceramic electronic component
A first ceramic layer of a composite laminate included in a common mode choke coil is formed from a sintered body of a glass ceramic material. The glass ceramic material contains 40 to 90 percent by weight of a glass which contains 0.5 to 5 percent by weight of K2O, 0 to 5 percent by weight of Al2O3, 10 to 25 percent by weight of B2O3, and 70 to 85 percent by weight of SiO2; and 10 to 60 percent by weight of a filler containing alumina and quartz, and the content of the alumina contained in the filler is 1 to 10 percent by weight of the total amount of the glass and the filler.
US09881742B2 Electronic component
A first metal terminal includes a first connection portion connected to an electrode portion of a second external electrode, and a first leg portion extending from the first connection portion. A second metal terminal includes a second connection portion connected to a conductor portion of a connection conductor, and a second leg portion extending from the second connection portion. A multilayer capacitor and an overcurrent protection device are disposed in such a manner that a side surface on which an electrode portion of a first external electrode is disposed and a side surface of a second element body oppose each other. The electrode portion of the first external electrode and a fourth external electrode are connected to each other, and the connection conductor and a third external electrode are connected to each other.
US09881733B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving wireless power
An apparatus that transmits and receives wireless power, includes a controller configured to determine whether the apparatus is to operate in a power reception mode or a power transmission mode based on a capacity of a battery of the apparatus, and a capacity of a battery of another apparatus. The apparatus further includes a resonator configured to receive power from the other apparatus in response to the apparatus being determined to operate in the power reception mode, and transmit power to the other apparatus in response to the apparatus being determined to operate in the power transmission mode.
US09881730B2 Reactor
A reactor includes an annular core, coils, a sensor detecting a state of the reactor, and a connector outputting signal from the sensor. Resin-molded bodies are provided around the annular core. The resin-molded body has bobbins for the respective coils and core covering portions formed integrally with each other. An exposed area where no resin covers the bottom of the core is formed in the lower face of the covering portions. A holder to fasten the connector is formed integrally with the upper portion of the covering portion. An assembly including the resin-molded bodies in which the annular core is embedded, and the coils wound around the bobbins are retained in a metal casing. A clearance is formed between the assembly and the casing, and a filler is filled in this clearance. The filler covers the exposed area of the core bottom.
US09881729B2 Broadband power amplifier having high efficiency
A wideband power amplifier module includes a plurality of switch mode amplifiers and a plurality of impedance amplifier modules. Each switch mode amplifier includes an input to receive an input signal, and an RF output to output an RF power signal. The switch mode amplifier includes at least one semiconductor switch formed from gallium nitride (GaN). Each impedance amplifier module includes an output electrically connected to the RF output of a respective switch mode amplifier. The impedance amplifier module is configured to inject at least one impedance control signal to each RF output.
US09881728B2 High frequency transformer
A high frequency transformer with high conversion efficiency is provided. The high frequency transformer includes a first coil assembly 1 formed from a single flat wire, with first coils 1A that are configured by winding the flat wire edgewise plural times and that are formed at specific intervals, and a second coil assembly 2 formed from a single flat wire, with second coils 2A that are configured by winding the flat wire edgewise plural times and that are formed at specific intervals. In the primary coil assembly 1 and the secondary coil assembly 2, the primary coils 1A are disposed at intervals to each other such that a winding end portion of one of adjacent primary coils 1A opposes a winding start portion of the other of the adjacent primary coils 1A, and one of the secondary coils 2A is disposed in each interval between the primary coils 1A such that a winding start portion of each secondary coil 2A opposes the winding end portion of one of the primary coils 1A, and a winding end portion of each secondary coil 2A opposes the winding start portion of the other of the primary coils.
US09881727B2 Decorative multi-layer surfacing materials having embedded conductive materials, solid surfaces made therewith, methods for making such surfacing materials and uses therefor
Decorative, multi-layer surfacing materials, surfaces made therewith, methods of making such and wireless power transmission using the same, which surfacing materials comprise: a first resin-impregnated paper layer and a second resin-impregnated paper layer, and a first conductive material having a first terminus and a second terminus and capable of carrying an electric current from the first terminus to the second terminus; wherein the first conductive material is disposed on a first surface of the first resin-impregnated paper layer; wherein the first resin-impregnated paper layer and the second resin-impregnated paper layer are disposed in a stacked and compressed such that the first conductive material is encapsulated between the first resin-impregnated paper layer and the second resin-impregnated paper layer; and wherein at least one of the first resin-impregnated paper layer, the second resin-impregnated paper layer or an optional additional resin-impregnated paper layer is a decorative layer.
US09881726B2 Method for manufacturing magnetic substrate and common mode filter
A common mode filter is manufactured to include a coil part including an insulation layer and a conductor pattern formed in the insulation layer; and a magnetic substrate coupled to one surface or both surfaces of the coil part. The magnetic substrate includes: an electrostatic absorbing layer made of an electrostatic absorbing material; a magnetic layer provided on one surface or both surfaces of the electrostatic absorbing layer and made of a magnetic material; and an electrode provided between the magnetic layer and the electrostatic absorbing layer and made of a conductive material. Therefore, common mode filter may maintain high efficiency characteristics while preventing an electrostatic discharge phenomenon.
US09881723B1 Eight piece quadrupole magnet, method for aligning quadrupole magent pole tips
The invention provides an alternative to the standard 2-piece or 4-piece quadrupole. For example, an 8-piece and a 10-piece quadrupole are provided whereby the tips of each pole may be adjustable. Also provided is a method for producing a quadrupole using standard machining techniques but which results in a final tolerance accuracy of the resulting construct which is better than that obtained using standard machining techniques.
US09881719B2 Chip resistor and method for making the same
A chip resistor includes first and second electrodes spaced apart from each other, a resistor element arranged on the first and the second electrodes, a bonding layer provided between the resistor element and the two electrodes, and a plating layer electrically connected to the resistor element. The first electrode includes a flat outer side surface, and the resistor element includes a side surface facing in the direction in which the thirst and the second electrodes are spaced. The outer side surface of the first electrode is flush with the side surface of the resistor element. The plating layer covers at least a part of the outer side surface of the first electrode in a manner such that the covering portion of the plating layer extends from one vertical edge of the outer side surface to the other vertical edge.
US09881714B2 Laser-markable insulation material for wire or cable assemblies
The present disclosure is directed to laser-markable insulation material and cable or wire assemblies containing such insulation material. In certain embodiments, the laser-markable insulation material can include a fluoropolymer and an inorganic laser-markable pigment. The pigment can have a mean crystal size in a range of about 0.4 microns to about 2 microns and/or a median particle size (d50) in a range of about 0.45 microns to about 2 microns. The insulation material can exhibit improved initial and heat-aged contrast ratios without diminishing the ability of a cable or wire containing the insulation material to meet industry standards for electric-arc tracking and propagation resistance.
US09881711B2 Beam transport system and particle beam therapy system
A beam shaping device included in a beam transport system is provided with: a pre-stage quadrupole electromagnet that reduces a distribution width of x-angle components that are inclinations in the x-direction of the charged particles in the beam with respect to the traveling direction; a penumbra expander that moderates an end profile of a particle-number distribution of the x-angle components in the beam having passed through the pre-stage quadrupole electromagnet; and a post-stage quadrupole electromagnet that adjusts a betatron phase in a phase-space distribution in the x-direction, of the beam having passed through the penumbra expander; wherein the post-stage quadrupole electromagnet adjusts a phase advance angle of the betatron phase from the penumbra expander to the isocenter, to be in a range of an odd multiple of 90 degrees±45 degrees.
US09881708B1 Radiation area monitor device and method
A radiation area monitor device/method, utilizing: a radiation sensor; a rotating radiation shield disposed about the radiation sensor, wherein the rotating radiation shield defines one or more ports that are transparent to radiation; and a processor operable for analyzing and storing a radiation fingerprint acquired by the radiation sensor as the rotating radiation shield is rotated about the radiation sensor. Optionally, the radiation sensor includes a gamma and/or neutron radiation sensor. The device/method selectively operates in: a first supervised mode during which a baseline radiation fingerprint is acquired by the radiation sensor as the rotating radiation shield is rotated about the radiation sensor; and a second unsupervised mode during which a subsequent radiation fingerprint is acquired by the radiation sensor as the rotating radiation shield is rotated about the radiation sensor, wherein the subsequent radiation fingerprint is compared to the baseline radiation fingerprint and, if a predetermined difference threshold is exceeded, an alert is issued.
US09881705B2 Emergency and back-up cooling of nuclear fuel and reactors and fire-extinguishing, explosion prevention using liquid nitrogen
A system for fighting a fire includes a plurality of containers containing liquid nitrogen. Thermally activated release mechanisms are each connected to one of the containers. Each thermally activated release mechanism is configured to release the liquid nitrogen from a connected container when a predetermined safety threshold temperature is reached, so that the released liquid nitrogen produces an expanding volume of cold nitrogen vapor. A central storage container stores liquid nitrogen. The central storage container is connected to each of the plurality of containers. A sensor system activates refilling of a respective container with liquid nitrogen from the central storage container when the amount of liquid nitrogen in the respective container is below a predetermined threshold.
US09881700B2 Molten salt nuclear reactor
A Single Fluid Reactor with an inner zone that includes a solid neutron moderator, which can have through holes defined therein. This solid neutron moderator can have a relatively small diameter, which can range, in some embodiments, from less than one meter to about 1.5 meter. The solid neutron moderator effectively creates an inner zone with a neutron profile that is far more thermalized than if the solid neutron moderator were absent. The surrounding layer of salt surrounding this inner zone has a much harder neutron spectrum.
US09881699B2 Cellular structures with interconnected microchannels
A method for fabricating a cellular tritium breeder component includes obtaining a reticulated carbon foam skeleton comprising a network of interconnected ligaments. The foam skeleton is then melt-infiltrated with a tritium breeder material, for example, lithium zirconate or lithium titanate. The foam skeleton is then removed to define a cellular breeder component having a network of interconnected tritium purge channels. In an embodiment the ligaments of the foam skeleton are enlarged by adding carbon using chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) prior to melt-infiltration. In an embodiment the foam skeleton is coated with a refractory material, for example, tungsten, prior to melt infiltration.
US09881693B2 Selectors on interface die for memory device
Apparatuses including an interface chip that interfaces with dice through memory channels are described. An example apparatus includes: an interface chip that interfaces with a plurality of dice through a plurality of memory channels, each of the dice comprising a plurality of memory cells, and the interface chip comprising a test circuit. The test circuit includes: first and second terminals corresponding to the first and second memory channels respectively; a test terminal and a built in self test (BIST) circuit common to the first and second memory channels; and a selector coupled to the first and second terminals, the test terminal and the BIST circuit, and couples a first selected one of the first terminal, the test terminal and the BIST circuit to the first channel and a second selected one of the second terminal, the test terminal and the BIST circuit to the second channel.
US09881687B2 Self-latch sense timing in a one-time-programmable memory architecture
A programmable memory including a self-latching read data path. A sense amplifier senses the voltage level at a bit line, the bit line communicating the data state of a selected memory cell in its associated column. A data latch coupled to the output of the sense amplifier passes the sensed data state. Set-reset logic is provided that receives the output of the data latch in the read data path and, in response to a transition of the data state in a read cycle, latches the data latch and isolates it from the sense amplifier. The set-reset logic resets the data latch at the start of the next read cycle. In some embodiments, a timer is provided so that the latch is reset after a time-out period in a long read cycle in which no data transition occurs.
US09881686B2 Apparatuses and methods to control body potential in 3D non-volatile memory operations
Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a memory cell string including memory cells located in different levels of the apparatus and a data line coupled to the memory cell string. The memory cell string includes a pillar body associated with the memory cells. At least one of such apparatus can include a module configured to store information in a memory cell among memory cells and/or to determine a value of information stored in a memory cell among memory cells. The module can also be configured to apply a voltage having a positive value to the data line and/or a source to control a potential of the body. Other embodiments are described.
US09881685B2 Nonvolatile memory device, operating method thereof and memory system including the same
A method of operating a non-volatile memory device includes performing an erasing operation to memory cells associated with a plurality of string selection lines (SSLs), the memory cells associated with the plurality of SSLs constituting a memory block, and verifying the erasing operation to second memory cells associated with a second SSL after verifying the erasing operation to first memory cells associated with a first SSL.
US09881683B1 Suppression of program disturb with bit line and select gate voltage regulation
Techniques for suppression of program disturb in memory devices are described herein. In an example embodiment, a memory device comprises a flash memory array coupled to a control circuit. The flash memory array comprises rows and columns of memory cells, where the memory cells in each row are coupled to a source line and to a select-gate (SG) line, and the memory cells in each column are coupled to a respective bit line (BL). The control circuit is configured to regulate both a first voltage, of a selected SG line, and a second voltage, of an unselected BL, independently of a power supply voltage of the flash memory array, and to adjust at least one of the first voltage and the second voltage based on a measure of an operating temperature of the memory device.
US09881681B2 Semiconductor memory device for storing multivalued data
Data storage circuits are connected to the bit lines in a one-to-one correspondence. A write circuit writes the data on a first page into a plurality of 5 first memory cells selected simultaneously by a word line. Thereafter, the write circuit writes the data on a second page into the plurality of first memory cell. Then, the write circuit writes the data on the first and second pages into second memory cells adjoining 10 the first memory cells in the bit line direction.
US09881680B2 Multi-host power controller (MHPC) of a flash-memory-based storage device
A multi-host power controller (MHPC) of a flash-memory-based storage device is disclosed. In one aspect, the MHPC receives power mode change requests from each of multiple input/output (I/O) clients. The MHPC extracts and stores a “vote,” or a requested power mode, from the power mode change requests, and then applies a voting logic to the stored votes to determine whether to transition the flash-memory-based storage device between power modes. If the flash-memory-based storage device is not currently operating in the power mode determined by the MHPC, the MHPC is configured to issue a power mode change command to the flash-memory-based storage device to transition to the determined power mode. In this manner, the MHPC is able to control the power mode of the flash-memory-based storage device while receiving direct power mode change requests from multiple I/O clients.
US09881678B2 Fast soft data by detecting leakage current and sensing time
Systems and methods for low latency acquisition of soft data from a memory cell based on a sensing time and/or a leakage current are described. In one embodiment, the systems and methods may include applying a first read voltage to a word line of a page of memory cells selected by a processor of a flash memory device for a read operation, applying a pass voltage to word lines associated with one or more different pages of memory cells of the memory block, upon applying the first read voltage sensing whether a bit line of a memory cell in the selected page conducts, measuring a side effect associated with sensing whether the bit line of the memory cell in the selected page conducts, and assigning a LLR value to the memory cell as a soft LDPC input based at least in part on the measured side effect.
US09881677B1 Sense amplifier and method for bit line voltage compensation thereof
A sensing amplifier includes a first bit line driver, a second bit line driver and a third bit line driver. The first bit line driver sets a first bit line for a fast-pass-write (FPW) operation. The second bit line driver sets a second bit line for a first operation rather than the FPW operation. The third bit line driver sets a third bit line for a second operation rather than the FPW operation. The first bit line is arranged between the second bit line and the third bit line, and the second bit line driver and the third bit line driver respectively adjust voltage statuses of the second bit line and the third bit line to rise a voltage level of the first bit line by a compensated level.
US09881676B1 Sense amplifier with program biasing and fast sensing
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for accessing non-volatile memory. A bit line is coupled to storage cells for a non-volatile memory element. A sense amplifier is coupled to a bit line. A sense amplifier includes a sense circuit and a bias circuit. A sense circuit senses an electrical property of a bit line for reading data from one or more storage cells, and a bias circuit applies a bias voltage to the bit line for writing data to one or more storage cells. A bias circuit and a sense circuit comprise separate parallel electrical paths within a sense amplifier.
US09881674B2 Sequential write and sequential write verify in memory device
Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods for performing a first stage of an operation of storing information in a first memory cell and a second memory cell, and performing a second stage of the operation after the first stage to determine whether each of the first and second memory cells reaches a target state. The first memory cell is included in a first memory cell string coupled to a data line through a first select transistor. The second memory cell is included in a second memory cell string coupled to the data line through a second select transistor.
US09881669B1 Wordline driver with integrated voltage level shift function
Disclosed is a wordline driver with an integrated voltage level shift function. This wordline driver receives a decoder output signal from a wordline address decoder operating at first voltage level. Based on the decoder output signal, it generates and outputs a wordline driving signal, which selectively activates or deactivates a selected wordline. To ensure that the selected wordline, when activated, is at a second voltage level that is higher than the first, the wordline driver uses a combination of clock signals received from multiple timing control blocks operating at the first voltage level and multiple logic gates operating the second voltage level. To ensure that this wordline driving signal remains low during power up when fluctuations occur due to the different voltage levels and, specifically, to ensure that the wordline driving signal only switches to high when it will be stable, the wordline driver can include a reset control block.
US09881664B1 Per-group delay line architecture to de-skew input/output timing between a high bandwidth memory (HBM) physical (PHY) interface and the HBM device
A method for minimizing skew in a High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) device is provided. The method includes grouping a plurality of information bits of the HBM device into at least two groups of information bits, wherein the plurality of information bits includes a plurality of data bits and a plurality of control bits, and the plurality of information bits are grouped such that each group of the at least two groups includes at least one control bit and the at least two groups form a byte of data. The method further includes delaying the plurality of information bits of each group of the at least two groups during a data transfer operation to minimize the skew between the at least two groups of information bits.
US09881663B2 Stacked semiconductor device
A stacked semiconductor device is disclosed that includes a plurality of semiconductor dies. Each die has oppositely disposed first and second surfaces, with pads formed on each of the surfaces. A plurality of through-vias connect respective pads on the first surface to respective pads on the second surface. The through-vias include a first group of through-vias coupled to respective I/O circuitry on the semiconductor die and a second group of through-vias not coupled to I/O circuitry on the semiconductor die. The plurality of semiconductor dies are stacked such that the first group of through-vias in a first one of the plurality of semiconductor dies are aligned with respective ones of at least a portion of the second group of through-vias in a second one of the plurality of semiconductor dies.
US09881662B2 Method and apparatus for calibrating write timing in a memory system
A system that calibrates timing relationships between signals involved in performing write operations is described. This system includes a memory controller which is coupled to a set of memory chips, wherein each memory chip includes a phase detector configured to calibrate a phase relationship between a data-strobe signal and a clock signal received at the memory chip from the memory controller during a write operation. Furthermore, the memory controller is configured to perform one or more write-read-validate operations to calibrate a clock-cycle relationship between the data-strobe signal and the clock signal, wherein the write-read-validate operations involve varying a delay on the data-strobe signal relative to the clock signal by a multiple of a clock period.
US09881661B2 Charge mirror-based sensing for ferroelectric memory
Methods, systems, and devices for a sensing scheme that extracts the full or nearly full remnant polarization charge difference between two logic states of a ferroelectric memory cell or cells is described. The scheme employs a charge mirror to extract the full charge difference between the two states of a selected memory cell. The charge mirror may transfer the memory cell polarization charge to an amplification capacitor. The signal on the amplification capacitor may then be compared with a reference voltage to detect the logic state of the memory cell.
US09881657B2 Computer system and method of memory management
Computer systems and methods for memory management in a computer system are provided. A computer system includes an integrated circuit, where the integrated circuit includes a processing unit and a memory controller coupled to the processing unit. The memory controller includes a first interface and a second interface configured to couple the memory controller with a first memory and a second memory, respectively. The second interface is separate from the first interface. The computer system includes the first memory of a first memory type coupled to the memory controller through the first interface. The computer system further includes the second memory coupled to the memory controller through the second interface, where the second memory is of a second memory type that has a different power consumption characteristic than that of the first memory type.
US09881656B2 Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) backchannel communication systems and methods
Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) backchannel communication systems and methods are disclosed. In one aspect, a backchannel communication system allows a DRAM to communicate error correction information and refresh alert information to a System on a Chip (SoC), applications processor (AP), or other memory controller.
US09881654B2 Power source for memory circuitry
An integrated circuit comprises a power supply input pin receiving an off-chip supply voltage having a variable current, an on-chip power source powered by the off-chip supply voltage and providing a regulated current, a memory array, and a set of one or more circuits coupled to the memory array and powered by the regulated current from the on-chip power source. The IC can include control circuitry performing memory operations on the memory array, said control circuitry powered by at least the off-chip supply voltage from the power supply pin.
US09881634B1 Multi-microphone speech processing system
An apparatus for enhancing a speech signal includes a spectral analysis circuit that generates time-frequency spectra of signals from a microphone array, a signal separation filter, and a hardware processor. The hardware processor identifies a key phrase in the signals and aligns a template of the key phrase to time-frequency spectra of a microphone in the array. A mask is generated from the aligned template and applied to the time-frequency spectra. The masked spectra are used to determine acoustic parameters that, in turn, are used to generate coefficients for configuring the source separation filter which is then used to process the spectra to generate an enhanced speech signal. The apparatus maybe used as a front end for a speech recognition engine, for example.
US09881633B2 Audio signal processing device, audio signal processing method, and audio signal processing program
An audio signal processing device includes: a short-time fast Fourier transform unit that generates a signal in a frequency domain obtained by performing a short-time fast Fourier transform on an input audio signal; a steady sound determining unit that determines whether a waveform of a peak portion included in a waveform of the signal in a frequency domain is a steady sound; a filter coefficient calculation unit that dynamically calculates a filter coefficient on the basis of a result of determination made by the steady sound determining unit; a comb filter that operates according to the filter coefficient calculated by the filter coefficient calculation unit so as to filter a signal in a frequency domain; and an inverse Fourier transform unit that transforms an output of the comb filter into a signal in a time domain and outputs the signal in a time domain.
US09881626B2 Vector joint encoding/decoding method and vector joint encoder/decoder
A vector joint encoding/decoding method and a vector joint encoder/decoder are provided, more than two vectors are jointly encoded, and an encoding index of at least one vector is split and then combined between different vectors, so that encoding idle spaces of different vectors can be recombined, thereby facilitating saving of encoding bits, and because an encoding index of a vector is split and then shorter split indexes are recombined, thereby facilitating reduction of requirements for the bit width of operating parts in encoding/decoding calculation.
US09881620B2 Codebook segment merging
Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for compressing an audio signal. According to one representative embodiment, an audio signal that includes quantization indexes, identification of segments of such quantization indexes, and indexes of entropy codebooks that have been assigned to such segments is obtained, with a single entropy codebook index having been assigned to each such segment. Potential merging operations in which adjacent ones of the segments potentially would be merged with each are identified, and bit penalties for the potential merging operations are estimated. At least one of the potential merging operations is performed based on the estimated bit penalties, thereby obtaining a smaller updated set of segments of quantization indexes and corresponding assigned codebooks. The quantization indexes in each of the segments in the smaller updated set are then entropy encoded by using the corresponding assigned entropy codebooks, thereby compressing the audio signal.
US09881611B2 System and method for providing voice communication from textual and pre-recorded responses
An approach is provided for detecting a voice call directed to a user. The approach involves presenting a user interface for interacting with the voice call, wherein the user interface includes a control option for selecting a pre-recorded word or phrase from the user; for generating a custom-created audio word or phrase from one or more phonemes pre-recorded by the user; or a combination thereof. The approach also involves interjecting the pre-recorded word or phrase, the custom-created audio word or phrase, or a combination thereof into the voice call.
US09881610B2 Speech recognition system adaptation based on non-acoustic attributes and face selection based on mouth motion using pixel intensities
Non-acoustic data from a vicinity of speech input is obtained. A subject speaker is identified as the source of the speech input from the obtained non-acoustic data by detecting mouth motion on one or more faces segmented from the non-acoustic data by comparing a first pixel intensity associated at a first time with a second pixel intensity at a second time, and selecting a face corresponding to the subject speaker from the one or more faces in response to a determination that a number of significantly changed pixels between the first pixel intensity and the second pixel intensity exceeds a threshold. A demographic is assigned to the subject speaker based on an analysis of one or more non-acoustic attributes of the subject speaker extracted from the non-acoustic data. The speech input is processed using a speech recognition system adjusted using a model selected based on the demographic.
US09881608B2 Word-level correction of speech input
The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a computer-implemented method for correcting words in transcribed text including receiving speech audio data from a microphone. The method further includes sending the speech audio data to a transcription system. The method further includes receiving a word lattice transcribed from the speech audio data by the transcription system. The method further includes presenting one or more transcribed words from the word lattice. The method further includes receiving a user selection of at least one of the presented transcribed words. The method further includes presenting one or more alternate words from the word lattice for the selected transcribed word. The method further includes receiving a user selection of at least one of the alternate words. The method further includes replacing the selected transcribed word in the presented transcribed words with the selected alternate word.
US09881607B2 Command and control of devices and applications by voice using a communication base system
A first communication path for receiving a communication is established. The communication includes speech, which is processed. A speech pattern is identified as including a voice-command. A portion of the speech pattern is determined as including the voice-command. That portion of the speech pattern is separated from the speech pattern and compared with a second speech pattern. If the two speech patterns match or resemble each other, the portion of the speech pattern is accepted as the voice-command. An operation corresponding to the voice-command is determined and performed. The operation may perform an operation on a remote device, forward the voice-command to a remote device, or notify a user. The operation may create a second communication path that may allow a headset to join in a communication between another headset and a communication device, several headsets to communicate with each other, or a headset to communicate with several communication devices.
US09881606B2 Command and control of devices and applications by voice using a communication base system
A first communication path for receiving a communication is established. The communication includes speech, which is processed. A speech pattern is identified as including a voice-command. A portion of the speech pattern is determined as including the voice-command. That portion of the speech pattern is separated from the speech pattern and compared with a second speech pattern. If the two speech patterns match or resemble each other, the portion of the speech pattern is accepted as the voice-command. An operation corresponding to the voice-command is determined and performed. The operation may perform an operation on a remote device, forward the voice-command to a remote device, or notify a user. The operation may create a second communication path that may allow a headset to join in a communication between another headset and a communication device, several headsets to communicate with each other, or a headset to communicate with several communication devices.
US09881605B2 In-vehicle control apparatus and in-vehicle control method
According to an in-vehicle control apparatus, it is configured to receive information of a plurality of operation keys displayed on a display, to identify from a result of voice recognition of a user's speech, the operation key corresponding thereto on the basis of the information of the operation keys, and to execute a function assigned to the operation key upon receiving an instruction for execution by the user using a decision key, so that it is possible to perform an operation without making contact directly with the plurality of operation keys displayed on the display and without the need of a complex key operation. Further, solely by mounting just one decision key on a steering wheel, it becomes possible to safely perform the operation about the operation key displayed on the display without the user releasing his/her hand from the steering wheel during driving.
US09881603B2 Emotional-speech synthesizing device, method of operating the same and mobile terminal including the same
Provided is an emotional-speech synthesizing device including: a sentence recognition unit that recognizes a sentence that is input; a word emotion determination unit that calculates probability vector of an emotion that is pre-defined for each word that makes up the recognized sentence and estimates the emotion and a rhythm based on the probability vector; and an emotional-speech synthesizing unit. The emotional-speech synthesizing unit calculates in stages degrees of similarity in the emotion and the rhythm between the adjacent words based on context information on the recognized sentence, applies weight to a phoneme candidate corresponding to the each word based on the degrees of the similarity and the probability vector, selects the phoneme candidate that has a minimum target pitch, minimum duration time, a minimum distance value of a target pitch contour, and thus synthesizes an emotional speech that corresponds to the recognized sentence in optimal units.
US09881602B2 Sound system for a motor vehicle
A sound system for a motor vehicle exhaust gas system for emitting emulated engine sounds, including at least one loudspeaker and at least one housing accommodating at least one loudspeaker. The housing is mounted separately from a motor vehicle exhaust gas system in terms of the routing of an exhaust gas flow, at least one sound guidance tube having an outlet zone being mounted on the housing.
US09881601B2 Controlling stability in ANR devices
Stability is provided in an active noise reduction (ANR) headphone by measuring a sound field to generate an input signal, filtering and applying a variable gain to the input signal to produce a first filtered signal using a first filter and a variable gain amplifier in an ANR signal pathway, outputting the filtered signal, and simultaneously with outputting the first filtered signal, sampling a signal at a point in the ANR signal pathway and filtering the sampled signal using a second filter to produce a second filtered signal. The second filtered signal is compared to a threshold, and if the comparison finds that the second filtered signal is greater than the threshold signal, the gain of the variable gain amplifier is changed to attenuate the first filtered signal. The second filter applies different gains, different by at least 10 dB, in different frequency ranges between 10 Hz and 10 kHz.
US09881598B2 Fret scanners and pickups for stringed instruments
Techniques are described that relate to various aspects of converting the mechanical energy of instrument strings to digital representations for use in a variety of applications.
US09881593B2 Modular adjustable fretboard apparatus
A modular apparatus and method of varying the playability and tonal characteristics of a stringed instrument such as an acoustic or electric guitar which is commonly provided with a body and a fretboard to the instrument's neck. The modular apparatus includes a longitudinal rail, accessible fasteners, intermediary spacer blocks and a plurality of adjustable and removable frets. The rail is configured to connect with the neck of the stringed instrument and to provide a base for the frets. The frets are configured to move as needed within apertures within the rail. The frets are also configured to receive and support the instrument's strings. The frets are selectively adjustable relative to the rail by the user to change the tonal and playability characteristics of the instrument.
US09881591B2 Apparatus and method for displaying in energy management system
Embodiments of a display apparatus of an energy management system are presented. The display apparatus may include: a first screen updating unit including a drawing unit configured to determine a screen to be output based on a screen operation input and update data and an object included in the determined screen to configure an output-scheduled screen and a first temporary storage unit configured to store the configured output-scheduled screen; and a second screen updating unit configured to receive the stored output-scheduled screen and output the received output-scheduled screen through a screen output unit.
US09881590B2 Method and apparatus for multi-resolution point of interest boundary identification in digital map rendering
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for multi-resolution point of interest boundary identification in digital map rendering. A method is provided for receiving a point of interest selection indication. The method also includes receiving point of interest boundary data and map data associated with the selected point of interest from a memory. The boundary data is based on the physical shape of the structure or region associated with the point of interest. The method also includes overlaying point of interest boundary data on the map data; and causing the map data with point of interest boundary data overlay to be displayed on a user interface.
US09881587B2 Systems and methods for operating pixels in a display to mitigate image flicker
Circuits for programming a circuit with decreased programming time are provided. Such circuits include a storage device such as a capacitor for storing display information and for ensuring a driving device such as a driving transistor drives a light emitting device according to the display information. The present disclosure provides driving schemes for decreasing flickering perceived while displaying video content by introducing idle phases in between in emission phases to increase the effective refresh rate of a display. Driving schemes are also disclosed for reducing the effects of cross-talk by ensuring that programming information is refreshed in a display array that utilizes a driver connected to multiple data lines via a multiplexer.
US09881583B2 Multifunctional operating device for displaying a remote application in a vehicle
In a method and devices, data for the display of an application on a screen is provided. In addition, information with regard to a degree of distraction of the application, e.g., information regarding user-interface elements, and/or information regarding a degree of distraction of a driver of a vehicle (110) is provided. As a function of this information and a driving situation of the vehicle, it is decided whether the application will be displayed on the screen.
US09881581B2 System and method for the distribution of audio and projected visual content
A method for the distribution of audio and visual media includes: receiving at least one visual content item to be displayed, and an audio content item and at least one trigger condition for each of the at least one visual content item; storing, in a database, the received at least one visual content item and corresponding audio content item and at least one trigger condition; identifying at least one display condition of a plurality of display conditions; identifying, in the database, a specific visual content item, wherein the at least one trigger condition corresponding to the specific visual content item is met based on the identified at least one display condition; displaying, by a light projection display device, the identified specific visual content item; and wirelessly transmitting the audio content item corresponding to the specific visual content item for audible emission by a mobile communication device.
US09881576B2 Shift register, gate driving circuit, and display panel
The present disclosure provides a shift register, a gate driving circuit and a display panel and a display device. The shift register comprises an input module, a reset module, a pull-up module, a first pull-down module, a second pull-down module, an output control module, and an output denoising module. The output denoising module feeds the scanning signal back to the first control terminal of the output control module when the scanning signal output terminal outputs the scanning signal, thereby reducing noise of the signal of the first control terminal of the output control module and further reducing noise of the scanning signal outputted by the scanning signal output terminal.
US09881572B2 Shift register circuit and method for driving the same, gate driving circuit, and display apparatus
The present disclosure provides a shift register circuit and a method for driving the same, a gate driving circuit, and a display apparatus. The shift register circuit comprises an input module, configured to pull up a potential at a first node; an output module, configured to pull up a potential at an output when the potential at the first node is at a high level; a pull-up module, configured to periodically pull up a potential at the second node by using current from a high-level bias voltage line; a reset module, configured to pull down the potential at the first node under the control of a signal; and a pull-down module, configured to continuously pull down the potential at the second node before the potential at the first node is pulled down, and pull down potentials at the first node and the output when the potential at the second node is at a high level.
US09881568B2 Display apparatus, method of driving the same and vision inspection apparatus for the same
A display apparatus includes a display panel that comprises a plurality of pixels, a first image data corrector configured to calculate a Mura correction value of input data based on gamma correction data of the input data, to add the Mura correction value to the input data to generate added input data, and to generate gamma correction data of the added input data, and a data driver configured to drive the plurality of pixels based on the gamma correction data provided from the first image data corrector.
US09881567B2 Flicker reduction in an LCoS array
A method is provided for reducing flicker arising in pixels along an axis of a liquid-crystal based array such as a LCoS array. The pixels along the axis exhibit a common gray scale level. In accordance with the method, a plurality of digital data command sequences are selected that each drive a pixel at the common gray scale level. A first of the plurality of digital data command sequences is applied to a first pixel along the axis. A second of the plurality of digital data command sequences is applied to a second pixel along the axis. The second pixel is adjacent to the first pixel. The first and second digital command sequences give rise to voltages being applied to the two pixels which have frequency components that are opposite in phase and equal in magnitude.
US09881566B2 Display device, electronic apparatus, and control method for display device
An object of the present invention is to provide a display device which suppresses power consumption as well as displaying an image with excellent quality. A display device (1) in accordance with one aspect of the present invention includes a polarity determining section (35) for determining whether or not a first polarity in a drive vertical period immediately preceding a first term in which an image is not rewritten is the same as a second polarity in a pause vertical period which is a last pause vertical period before the second vertical period, and a refresh control section (34) for providing an additional vertical period in the first term in a case where the first polarity is the same as the second polarity.
US09881565B2 Method for driving electro-optic displays
A large area display having multiple sub-units arranged in rows and columns and a method of driving the multiple sub-units as a single display are provided. Each sub-unit has an associated pixel row driver and pixel column driver. The large area display may also include a chip select means that provides a separate chip select signal to the pixel row driver of each row of sub-units, so that in the row of sub-units for which the associated row driver has received the chip select signal, only the rows of pixels within a single row of sub-units are supplied data at any one time. Column data and delayed Gate Start Pulse signals are fed to the pixel column drivers in each column of sub-units such that the appropriate column data values are supplied to the associated pixel column drivers.
US09881561B2 Electronic device and method of controlling output characteristic thereof
A method of controlling an output characteristic of an electronic device is provided. The method includes executing an application, detecting the brightness of an ambient environment, determining a gamma characteristic based on the executing application and the detected brightness, and outputting a screen of the running application based on the determined gamma characteristic.
US09881557B2 Display device and control device
The present invention provides a display device comprising: a display panel including data lines, gate lines, a sub-pixel formed in every point where the gate lines and the data lines cross, and a sensing line formed in every sub-pixel row or every two or more sub-pixel rows, the sensing line being connected to a circuit in the sub-pixel row; a data driving unit that provides a data voltage to the data lines; an Analog Digital Converter (ADC) that converts a sensing voltage measured through a sensing channel corresponding to each sensing line into sensing data of a digital type; and a timing controller that controls the data driving unit, and performs a pixel compensation which changes data provided to a corresponding sub-pixel based on the sensing data, and when the sensing data is abnormal, changes the data provided to the corresponding sub-pixel based on previous sensing data.
US09881554B2 Driving method of pixel circuit and driving device thereof
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a technical field of display technology, and provide a driving method for a pixel circuit and a driving device thereof. A problem of cost increase can be solved which is caused by an increase in a number of storages when adjustment is made by way of Gamma curve and table lookup, by means of the technical solutions according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The driving method of the pixel circuit includes acquiring brightness information of a display screen in a light-emitting phase (S101); determining a duty cycle of a pulse signal according to the brightness information (S102); inputting a high level to the first voltage terminal, and inputting the pulse signal with the duty cycle to a gate of the first switching transistor by the first gate line (S103).
US09881549B2 OLED pixel unit and method of driving the same, and OLED display device
An OLED pixel unit, a method of driving the same and an OLED display device are provided. The OLED pixel unit comprises M driving modules, a light emitting module comprising N light emitting units and a selecting module for performing gating so that the light emitting unit about to emit light in each frame of picture is connected with the corresponding driving module, wherein M
US09881547B2 Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display and method of driving the same
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display and a method of driving the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the OLED display includes a display panel including a plurality of pixels and a plurality of sensing regions. The OLED display further includes a temperature sensor array comprising a plurality of temperature sensors respectively arranged on the sensing regions. The OLED display also includes a controller configured to output a plurality of control signals so as to sequentially select the temperature sensors, receive a plurality of output signals output from the temperature sensors selected by the control signals, and generate first temperature data corresponding to the locations of the selected temperature sensors based on the output signals.
US09881540B2 Gate driver and a display apparatus having the same
A gate driver includes first and second shift registers and a selector. The first shift register outputs first pulses. The second shift register outputs second pulses different from the first pulses. The selector selects one of the first pulses or the second pulses. When the selector selects the first pulses, the gate driver generates a first gate signal including first and second high periods, and output the first gate signal to a first gate line. The second high period is apart from the first high period by a first interval. When the selector selects the second pulses, the gate driver generates a second gate signal including the first high period and a third high period, and output the second gate signal to the first gate line. The third high period is apart from the first high period by a second interval different from the first interval.
US09881536B2 Multi-display device and method therefore
A multi-display device comprising: a plurality of display panels wherein each display panel is arranged in a housing; and a single video processor arranged within one of the housings and configured to output a different video signal to each of the plurality of display panels.
US09881535B2 Image display device and method
In an image display device having a frame rate converting (FRC) portion, it is possible to prevent image degradation of a combined image display portion such as an OSD and PinP attributed to the FRC process. The image display device includes: an FRC portion 10 for converting the number of frames of an input image signal by interpolating an image signal subjected to a motion compensation process between the frames of the input image signal; an OSD processing portion 14 for superposing an OSD signal on the input image signal, and a controlling portion 15. The FRC portion 10 has a motion vector detecting portion 11e for detecting a motion vector between the frames of the input image signal, an interpolation vector evaluating portion 11f for allocating interpolation vector between frames based on the motion vector information, and an interpolation frame generating portion 12d for generating an interpolation frame from the interpolation vector. When the OSD signal is superposed on the input image signal, the controlling portion 15 disables the motion compensation process of the FRC portion 10 by making the motion vector detected by the motion vector detecting portion 11e 0 vector.
US09881533B2 Method for detecting bright spot of liquid crystal display panel
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for detecting a bright spot of a liquid crystal display panel, which belongs to the field of display. The method can solve a technical problem of miss detecting by the bright spot detection method in the prior art which o can not detect a bright spot caused by the short circuit between a data line and a pixel electrode. The method for detecting a bright spot of a liquid crystal display panel comprises: scanning gate lines of the liquid crystal display panel, and simultaneously outputting low level signals by data lines of the liquid crystal display panel; and, stopping the scanning of the gate lines of the liquid crystal display panel, and simultaneously outputting high level signals by the data lines. The method may be used for detecting liquid crystal display panels of ADS type.
US09881525B2 Hang tab label, assembly, and method of application
A self-adhesive label for application to an object as a hang tab, without the need for a separate application device. The label includes a printable surface, a fold line dividing the label into two portions, and two matching hanger opening shapes, one on each of the two label portions. The matching hanger openings are reversely positioned with respect to each other to provide corresponding alignment upon folding the label about the object to align the matching hanger opening shapes to form a hanger opening. The label is particularly suited for use with retail product packaging used in hanging retail displays.
US09881523B2 Mechanical model of the cardiovascular system and method of demonstrating the physiology of the cardiovascular system
A hydraulic model of the cardiovascular system for illustrating a plurality of physiological concepts and relationships including arterial compliance, venous compliance, and peripheral resistance, said model comprising: a.) a cardiac subsystem for moving a fluid in a singular direction in a closed hydraulic system; b.) an arterial subsystem for modeling arterial compliance, the arterial subsystem fluidically coupled with the cardiac subsystem to receive the fluid discharged from the cardiac subsystem; c.) a peripheral resistance subsystem for modeling peripheral resistance, the peripheral resistance subsystem fluidically coupled with the arterial subsystem to receive the fluid discharged from arterial subsystem; d.) a peripheral venous (PV) subsystem for modeling peripheral venous compliance and for modeling a peripheral venous pump (PVP), the peripheral venous subsystem fluidically coupled with the peripheral resistance subsystem to receive the fluid discharged from the at least one downstream conduit; and e.) a central venous (CV) subsystem for modeling central venous compliance and for modeling a thoracic pump (TP), the CV subsystem fluidically coupled with the PV subsystem to receive the fluid discharged from the PV subsystem and to pass the fluid to the cardiac subsystem to complete the cardiovascular cycle.
US09881522B2 Chest tube simulation method and training device
Disclosed herein is a chest tube trainer model. Specifically exemplified is a an anatomical model for simulating at least a portion of a thorax that includes a rib portion removably secured to and supported by a base, the rib portion comprised in whole or in part of a hydrogel; and a securing member for holding the anatomical model onto a human; wherein the rib portion has a convex shape defining a space between the base and the rib portion, the space is adapted for receiving a bladder disposed between the rib portion and the base; and at least a portion of the base is formed from puncture resistant material.
US09881520B2 Virtual tool manipulation system
In the field of virtual reality, virtual tool manipulation systems and related methods and software are described in the present disclosure. One implementation of a virtual tool manipulation system, among others, comprises a motion tracking system configured to generate motion information related to the position of a part of a user's body. The virtual tool manipulation system also comprises a haptic feedback system configured to provide a haptic sensation to the user based on the motion information, the position of a virtual tool, and characteristics of the virtual tool.
US09881512B2 Systems and methods for customizing a learning experience of a user
Systems and methods for customizing an educational interactive multimedia presentation based on biometric sensor readings of a user. The interactive multimedia presentation may include one or more educational lessons that are presented to the user. A particular educational lesson may include content related to one or more skillsets the user is learning. By adapting the interactive multimedia presentation based on the user's biometric sensor readings, a customized learning experience may be created for the user.
US09881511B1 Monitoring and motivating health habits
A system and a method are disclosed for analyzing health-related data associated with a user and suggesting goals to the user to improve health. The system and method monitor progress towards the goal.
US09881510B2 Testing system and method
A testing system for use in conducting testing of a structure, and a method for configuring a testing system are provided. The testing system includes a testing device that includes a presentation interface, a user input interface, a memory device and a processor coupled in communication with the presentation interface, the user input interface, and the memory device. The processor causes the testing device to present to a user, prior to a test session, at least one demonstrative instruction for conducting a test session using the testing device, and at least one test instruction for use while the user is conducting a test session using the device.
US09881505B2 Method and electronic device of control of messages exchanged between an aircraft and a ground station, associated computer program product
A method and electronic device for control of messages exchanged between an aircraft and a ground station, and associated computer program product are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes acquiring a message, extracting descriptive data from the acquired message, and determining the identifier of the acquired message. If the identifier of the acquired message corresponds to a shared identifier of the messages of a dialog in progress, the method includes associating that acquired message with that dialog. If not, the method includes associating the acquired message with a new dialog. The method further includes determining the position of a symbol corresponding to the dialog associated with the acquired message, the position being determined based on the type and start date of this dialog, the symbol being configured to be displayed in a display zone of the symbols corresponding to the different dialogs.
US09881500B2 Information processing device
An information processing device has a display control section and a state detection section. The display control section instructs a display device to display road information regarding a roadway on which a vehicle runs. The display device is arranged inside of the vehicle. The state detection section detects at least one of cases A and B. In the case A, it is detected whether or not the vehicle is in a first state as a roundabout entry motion estimation in which the vehicle will enter a roundabout. In the case B, it is detected whether or not the own vehicle is in a second state in which the own vehicle is running on the roundabout. The display control section reduces information's visibility to the driver displayed on the display device when the state detection section detects at least one of the first state and the second state.
US09881497B2 Detecting road condition changes from probe data
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for identifying anomalies or changes in road conditions on a roadway location. An initial low rank data matrix of initial vehicle probe data at a plurality of different times for a roadway location is provided, where the initial low rank data matrix represents a baseline of road conditions for the roadway location. A plurality of additional vehicle probe data from at least one vehicle at the roadway location is received. The additional vehicle probe data is added to the initial vehicle probe data of the initial low rank data matrix. The updated data matrix with the compiled probe data is decomposed into a low rank data matrix and a sparse data matrix. A change at the roadway location is identified based on the probe data in the sparse data matrix.
US09881494B2 Remote controller capable of remotely controlling plurality of devices
Disclosed herein is a remote controller capable of remotely controlling a plurality of devices. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the remote controller includes a transmitter to transmit a transmitting signal, a receiver to receive a reflective signal from a first reflection pattern, an image projector to project an image outward, an input unit provided with a plurality of buttons, and a controller to perform a control operation to enter a remote control mode for a first device corresponding to the first reflection pattern based on the reflective signal from the first reflection pattern and to perform a control operation to project a remote control window for remote control of the first device outward through the image projector. Thereby, remote control may be performed based on image projection.
US09881493B2 Communication module and lighting apparatus having the same
Disclosed are a communication module and a lighting apparatus having the same. The communication module includes a housing provided therein with a space, and a module substrate provided in the space of the housing and provided therein with a wireless communication chip, a reset device to reset the wireless communication chip, and a display part to display the state of the wireless communication chip through the opening. The communication module is detachably coupled with an object to transmit a control signal, which is received through a wireless network, to the object. The communication module is stored when the lighting part of the lighting apparatus is replaced with new one, so that the cost is reduced. The light is discharged through the opening to display the erroneous operation of the inner part, such that the communication module is forcibly reset.
US09881491B2 Fire detector comprising a MOS gas sensor and a photoelectric detector
A dual sensor fire detector includes a smoke sensor and a gas sensor. A source of radiant energy emits a primary beam that is formed into first and second beams. One beam is directed into a smoke sensing chamber. The other is directed to the gas sensor. Outputs from the smoke sensor and the gas sensor are combined to make a fire determination.
US09881488B2 Method and system for locating a wireless tracking device associated with a network of alarm panels
A wireless tracking device can operate in two or more modes in connection with determining location of the wireless tracking device. In one mode, the wireless tracking device can determine location by establishing communication with an alarm panel using a short-range transceiver. The alarm panel can have a location that is known at the alarm panel or at a remote server, for example. In another mode, the wireless tracking device can utilize a location detector, such as a GPS receiver or a short-range receiver, to determine location of the wireless tracking device.
US09881483B2 Vehicle based system for managing personal items
An illustrative example embodiment of a system for assisting a driver with personal items includes a plurality of detectors that detect a signal from a transmitter that has been previously associated with a personal item; and a processor configured to: determine at least one characteristic of a journey, receive an indication from at least one of the detectors regarding a detected signal, identify a personal item and determine its location based on the detected signal, provide an indication if the determined location is different than an expected location based on the at least one characteristic of the vehicle journey, determine whether at least one other personal item is expected to be located based on the at least one characteristic of the vehicle journey, and provide an indication that the other personal item is expected but not detected.
US09881480B2 Mobile device loss prevention
A system or computer usable program product for a mobile device to prevent loss including monitoring environmental parameters by a mobile device; storing the environmental parameters in the mobile device to form a history of the environmental parameters; applying statistical analysis to a current set of environmental parameters as compared to the history of the environmental parameters to determine a probability that the mobile device is lost; and responsive to determining the probability that the mobile device is lost exceeds a threshold, performing an action to prevent loss of the mobile device.
US09881478B1 Web-based, plug and play wireless remote monitoring diagnostic and system health prediction system
A diagnostic monitoring system and method is employed for one or more vapor compression systems such as air conditioners and heat pumps having a compressor, an indoor air handler fan coil and an outdoor condensor. Temperature, voltage and current sensors are provided at the outdoor condensor to determine that at least one vapor compression system is operating properly. Data obtained from the sensors is wirelessly transmitted to a receiving-device for use by the systems' custodian or repair service provider and includes information concerning an occurrence of periods when one or more of the vapor compression systems are operating at an abnormal state.
US09881474B2 Initially detecting a visitor at a smart-home
This patent specification relates to apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for providing home security/smart home objectives. More particularly, this patent specification relates to a plurality of devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected devices, that communicate with each other and/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system to provide any of a variety of useful home security/smart home objectives.
US09881470B2 Automated crowdsourced power outage identification and staggering of HVAC system restarts
Various embodiments involving a smart-home device are presented. It may be determined that the power supply interface has ceased receiving power from the structure's wired electrical system. In response to determining that a power supply interface of the smart-home device has ceased receiving power from a structure's wired electrical system, a power loss indication may be stored that comprises a timestamp. A network connection may be determined to be available. A notification may be transmitted of information from the stored power loss indication to a remote server via the available network connection.
US09881462B2 System and method for creating electronic multiplayer game tournaments
Systems and methods for creating a plurality of seeds for a multiplayer tournament of an electronic game are disclosed. The system includes a server including a seed generator module, a seed sorter module, and a seed selection module. The seed generator module randomly generates the plurality of seeds. Each of the plurality of corresponds to a unique shuffle of cards of a game of the multiplayer tournament. The seed sorter module rates each of the plurality of seeds, and then sorts the plurality of rated seeds in accordance with one or more business goals. A seed selection module is configured to receive a player identifier and a tournament play count associated with a first player of the multiplayer tournament. The seed selection module is further configured to identify a rated seed for the first player in accordance with the player identifier and the tournament play count.
US09881448B2 User interface manager for a skill wagering interleaved game
An electromechanical gaming machine constructed to receive real credits from a user, and having an entertainment game controller connected to a game world controller, and a real world controller which together communicate game world information; receive a request to aggregate information; aggregate game world information; receive a gambling outcome; display gambling outcome; receive a wager request; determine gambling outcome; communicate gambling outcome; determine whether or not to generate an aggregation request; generate an aggregation request; disaggregate game world information, communicate wager request; receive gambling outcome; and communicate gambling outcome.
US09881443B2 Floating pivot point hinge for a wagering game cabinet door
A gaming system includes a housing having gaming components therein. The housing has a door opening and a door capable of rotating about a hinge axis defined by a set of hinge pins rigidly affixed to the housing. Attached to the door are a set of hinge arms having a set of specially shaped hinge slots positioned around the hinge pins. The hinge arms are additionally coupled to the housing by a set of spring components. When the housing door is not in a closed position, the spring components bias the door to an open position. When the housing door is in the closed position, the spring components bias the door in a direction defined by the hinge slots such that the door remains in a neutral position minimizing a spacing gap along one edge of the door. A set of roller guides align the door with a set of corresponding roller pins when the door approaches the closed position, and a locking mechanism is configured to latch the door to the housing in the closed position.
US09881442B2 Gaming system and method for redeeming a winning ticket and/or a plurality of non-winning tickets having corresponding symbols for an award
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method for redeeming a winning ticket and/or a plurality of non-winning tickets having corresponding symbols for an award. Generally, in various embodiments, the gaming system of the present disclosure enables a player to: (a) redeem a winning ticket for a first award, and (b) redeem a set of two or more non-winning tickets having corresponding symbols for a second award. Thus, while an individual ticket may be a non-winning ticket when standing alone, the gaming system of the present disclosure enables that non-winning ticket to provide value to the player (in the form of an award) when combined with at least one additional non-winning ticket.
US09881439B2 Container and system for processing bank notes
A container and a system for the processing of bank notes which are present as separate units. Beginning with a container for the processing of bank notes which are present as separate units, having a housing, open on one side, for the receiving of bank notes standing on their longitudinal edges, the container can be subdivided by means of separator elements, and the separator elements have free gaps toward the interstices formed therebetween.
US09881437B2 Money reception device
In one embodiment, a money reception device has a storage device, a reject device, and a control device. The reject device rejects money which has been judged not to be a normal coin, out of received coins. After the money has been rejected, when storage of the money to be received again in the storage device is permitted, the control device controls the reject device so that the money to be received again is not rejected.
US09881435B2 Site based clustered anti-pass back security system and method
Site based clustered APB security systems and methods are provided. Some systems can include a first plurality of access controllers located at a first site, a second plurality of access controllers located at a second site, and a host system supporting each of the first and second plurality of access controllers. A triggering event at a first of the first plurality of access controllers can cause the first of the first plurality of access controllers to transmit a triggering signal to the host system. Responsive thereto, the host system can identify the remaining access controllers in the first plurality of access controllers, transmit a status update to the remaining access controllers in the first plurality of access controllers, and avoid transmitting the status update to the second plurality of access controllers.
US09881425B1 Synchronized side-by-side display of real and virtual environments
Systems and methods that enable the synchronized display of both “as-built” and “as-designed” representations and automated data updates of a target object of interest (e.g., specific line number aircraft). More specifically, the process allows users to display a panoramic image captured for a reference environment, and then display a visualization of the corresponding 3-D model at the same viewpoint. Interprocess communication between a panoramic image viewer application and a 3-D model visualization application provides the ability to synchronize viewpoints, fields-of-view and other display features.
US09881423B2 Augmented reality-based hand interaction apparatus and method using image information
An augmented reality-based hand interaction apparatus and method using image information. The augmented reality-based hand interaction apparatus using image information includes an object recognition module configured to extract feature points from an input color image, recognize an object which is a target of interest based on the extracted feature points, and estimate a three-dimensional (3D) posture of the recognized object, and an interaction module configured to extract 3D mesh information from an input depth image, match 3D coordinates of the extracted 3D mesh information with 3D coordinates of the object recognized by the object recognition module to extract 3D position information of the recognized object in 3D space, and detect whether or not an augmented 3D object and the recognized object collide with each other based on relative positional relationship information between the recognized object and the augmented 3D object.
US09881422B2 Virtual reality system and method for controlling operation modes of virtual reality system
A virtual reality system is provided. The virtual reality system includes a host device, a transmission cable, and a head mounted display apparatus worn by a user and coupled to the host device via the transmission cable. The head mounted display apparatus includes a multimedia module, a multi-sensing module, and a peripheral hub. The multimedia module receives multimedia content from the host device via the transmission cable, and displays a video part of the multimedia content. The multi-sensing module obtains sensing information regarding the head mounted display apparatus, the user and an obstruction. The peripheral hub provides the sensing information to the host device via the transmission cable. At least one virtual object of the video part of the multimedia content is adjusted in response to the sensing information.
US09881417B2 Multi-view drawing apparatus of three-dimensional objects, and method
A drawing apparatus is for drawing a three-dimensional model including a plurality of nodes present in a three-dimensional space, by using a plurality of viewpoints. The drawing apparatus includes a memory configured to store drawing information including a correspondence relationship between the plurality of nodes and the plurality of viewpoints, and drawing parameters relevant to the plurality of viewpoints; and a CPU configured to transform the three-dimensional model into an image, by a plurality of polygons constituting the three-dimensional model, by using the drawing information. The CPU changes the drawing information in response to a position or a state of a predetermined one or a plurality of the nodes satisfying a predetermined condition, and calculates drawing positions of vertices of the plurality of polygons, by using the viewpoints corresponding to the nodes to which the vertices belong, based on the changed drawing information.
US09881415B2 Generating point clouds
Presented are embodiments for the generation of point clouds on a surface. A surface is described by a mathematical function. The surface may be subdivided into a plurality of patches, a plurality of triangles, or a plurality of rectangles, inter alia. A plurality of points are calculated and distributed among the patches, triangles, or rectangles comprising the surface. Generation of such point clouds may be useful in rendering N-dimensional surfaces for display or output on computer display or output devices.
US09881413B2 Illumination-guided example-based stylization of 3D renderings
Techniques for illumination-guided example-based stylization of 3D renderings are described. In implementations, a source image and a target image are obtained, where each image includes a multi-channel image having at least a style channel and multiple light path expression (LPE) channels having light propagation information. Then, the style channel of the target image is synthesized to mimic a stylization of individual illumination effects from the style channel of the source image. As part of the synthesizing, the light propagation information is applied as guidance for synthesis of the style channel of the target image. Based on the guidance, the stylization of individual illumination effects from the style channel of the source image is transferred to the style channel of the target image. Based on the transfer, the style channel of the target image is then generated for display of the target image via a display device.
US09881412B2 Image generation device and operation support system
An image generation device generates an output image based on an image obtained by taking images by an image-taking part mounted to a body to be operated, which boy is capable of performing a turning operation. A coordinates correspondence part causes coordinates on a columnar space model, which is arranged to surround the body to be operated and has a center axis, to correspond to coordinates on an image plane on which the input image is positioned. An output image generation part generates the output image by causing values of the coordinates on the input image plane to correspond to values of the coordinates on an output image plane on which the output image is positioned through coordinates on the columnar space model. The columnar space model is arranged so that an optical axis of the image-taking part intersects with the center axis of said columnar space model.
US09881410B2 Medical diagnostic imaging apparatus, image processing apparatus, and image generating method
A medical diagnostic imaging apparatus according to embodiments includes storage circuitry and processing circuitry. The storage circuitry stores therein volume data concerning a three-dimensional region inside an object. The processing circuitry calculates an index value concerning a region of interest in the volume data, and generates a first medical image and a second medical image based on the index value. The respective positions in the first medical image and the second medical image are associated with each other by a certain coordinate conversion. The region of interest is divided into a plurality of first regions by a first boundary position. The second medical image is divided into a plurality of second regions by a second boundary position that is not altered in accordance with the alteration of the first boundary position.
US09881406B2 Image processing using detection signal represents a movement speed of the image processing terminal, the number of movements of the image processing terminal, and an acceleration of the image processing terminal
An image processing program for causing a computer to execute: a procedure for obtaining a first image; a procedure for obtaining a second image; a procedure for changing at least a part of the second image in accordance with a signal; and a procedure for processing the first image using the changed second image. The second image is at least one of a handwritten image, a letter image, and a selected image, and the signal is used in a process which splashes the second image in a procedure which changes at least a part of the second image.
US09881405B2 Image processor for producing an image on an irregular surface in a wearable device
Solutions for producing an image on an irregular surface are described. A graphical object is identified from an image to be displayed on the irregular surface. Objects according to at least one shape function are distorted to compensate for irregularities in the irregular surface. Previously-distorted instances of objects may be added to a distortion-compensated image.
US09881403B2 Portable electronic device with a creative artworks picture application
A photography system includes a remote server to store themed photograph overlays, and at least one themed photograph overlay image located at a designated area and corresponding to one of the themed photograph overlays on the remote server. A portable electronic device (PED) includes a processor to execute a creative artworks picture application, a transceiver to communicate with the remote server based on execution of the creative artworks picture application, and a camera to scan the themed photograph overlay image located at the designated area. The transceiver receives the themed photograph overlay from the remote server based on the camera scanning the themed photograph overlay image. The camera takes a photograph at the designated area, and the photograph with the at least one themed photograph overlay is displayed.
US09881400B2 Method for measuring a high accuracy height map of a test surface
Method for measuring a height map of a test, including measuring a coarse height map of the test surface with a pre-map sensor provided to an optical profiler with a relatively long working distance and/or a large field of view, storing the coarse height map in a memory, subdividing the coarse height map into sections appropriate for the field of view of a high resolution optical profiler sensor provided to the optical profiler, calculating corresponding X, Y and Z positions for the optical profiler sensor with respect to the test surface, calculating a trajectory in the X, Y, Z-direction for the optical profiler sensor with respect to the test surface using the calculated X, Y, Z-positions, moving the optical profiler in the X, Y, Z-direction with respect to the test surface according to the trajectory, and measuring a high accuracy height map with the high resolution optical profiler sensor.
US09881396B2 Displaying temporal information in a spreadsheet application
Concepts and technologies are described herein for displaying temporal information in a spreadsheet application. In accordance with the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, spreadsheet data can be obtained at a computer system. The spreadsheet data can include data values, temporal information, and geographic information. The computer system can generate a visualization of the spreadsheet data based, at least partially, upon the data values, the temporal information, and the geographic location information. The computer system also can output the visualization.
US09881394B2 Method and apparatus for extended phase correction in phase sensitive magnetic resonance imaging
Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software for extended phase correction in phase sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A magnetic resonance image or images may be loaded into a memory. Two vector images A and B associated with the loaded image or images may be calculated either explicitly or implicitly so that a vector orientation by one of the two vector images at a pixel is substantially determined by a background or error phase at the pixel, and the vector orientation at the pixel by the other vector image is substantially different from that determined by the background or error phase at the pixel. A sequenced region growing phase correction algorithm may be applied to the vector images A and B to construct a new vector image V so that a vector orientation of V at each pixel is substantially determined by the background or error phase at the pixel. A phase corrected magnetic resonance image or images may be generated using the vector image V, and the phase corrected magnetic resonance image or images may be displayed or archived.
US09881393B2 Method, apparatus, and terminal device for determining color of interface control
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method and an apparatus for determining a color of an interface control, which can enhance visual attraction of a user interface and improve user experience. The method includes: acquiring at least one pixel from a desktop wallpaper; acquiring a color value of the at least one pixel; and determining a color value of each pixel in the interface control according to the color value of the at least one pixel. At least one pixel is determined from a desktop wallpaper, and a color of an interface control is determined according to a color value of the at least one pixel, so that color and style matching between the desktop wallpaper and the interface control can be implemented, thereby enhancing visual attraction of a user interface and improving user experience.
US09881390B2 Method and apparatus for processing image data
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for processing image data, the method including: generating a first window and a second window; loading preview image data in the first window; acquiring at least one of a feature image, current time information and geographical location information; loading at least one of the feature image, the time information and the geographical location information in the second window; and when receiving a generation instruction of the image data, embedding the at least one of the feature image, the time information and the geographical location information into generated target image data according to a first coordinate position, the first coordinate position being a coordinate of the at least one of the feature image, the time information and the geographical location information in the second window relative to the preview image data. The embodiments of the present disclosure achieve automation of post processing of the image data, greatly increase simplicity of operation, lower the operation threshold, and reduce the processing time.
US09881382B2 Methods for capturing images of a control object and tracking to control interfacing with video game objects
Methods for real time motion capture for controlling an object in a video game are provided. One method includes defining a model of a control object and identifying a marker on the control object. The method also includes capturing movement associated with the control object with a video capture device. Then, interpreting the movement associated with the control object to change a position of the model based on data captured through the video capture device, wherein the data captured includes the marker. The method includes moving the video game object presented on the display screen in substantial real-time according to the change of position of the model.
US09881381B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable recording medium
An image processing apparatus includes: a region-of-interest setting unit configured to set a region of interest in an image; a linear convex region extracting unit configured to extract, from the region of interest, a linear region having a predetermined number or more of continuously-arranged pixels whose pixel values are higher than pixel values of neighboring pixels; an intra-region curvature feature data computing unit configured to compute curvature feature data based on curvatures of one or more arcs along the linear region; and an abnormality determining unit configured to determine whether there is an abnormal portion in the region of interest, based on a distribution of the curvature feature data.
US09881380B2 Methods and systems of performing video object segmentation
Techniques and systems are described for performing video segmentation using fully connected object proposals. For example, a number of object proposals for a video sequence are generated. A pruning step can be performed to retain high quality proposals that have sufficient discriminative power. A classifier can be used to provide a rough classification and subsampling of the data to reduce the size of the proposal space, while preserving a large pool of candidate proposals. A final labeling of the candidate proposals can then be determined, such as a foreground or background designation for each object proposal, by solving for a posteriori probability of a fully connected conditional random field, over which an energy function can be defined and minimized.
US09881379B2 Self-localization device and movable body
A self-localization device including a storage unit that associates and stores a plurality of reference images and imaging positions of the plurality of respective reference images and an operation unit that periodically estimates a self-location of a movable body based on information obtained from a sensor included in the movable body, wherein the operation unit determines, when estimation of the self-location fails, a moving distance from a latest self-location obtained from successful estimation of the self-location before the estimation fails using the information from the sensor and extracts a plurality of the reference images belonging to a range of the moving distance from the latest self-location and searches the plurality of extracted reference images for images similar to a current image captured by an imaging device included in the movable body to estimate the self-location of the movable body.
US09881377B2 Apparatus and method for determining the distinct location of an image-recording camera
An apparatus and method for determining the distinct location of an image-recording camera within an environment, using visually detectable structures includes the image-recording camera, a measuring camera permanently mounted thereon, and an evaluation unit configured to ascertain the distinct location of the image-recording camera from the measuring camera image structures. The two cameras are oriented to record a common detail from the environment, containing structures that are visually detectable by the two cameras in their images. The measuring camera is connected to the evaluation unit, which is designed to ascertain the distinct location of the image-recording camera from the environment structures detected by the measuring camera. The evaluation unit is configured to locate these structures in the image-recording camera image and to correct the location of the image-recording camera, ascertained from the measuring camera image, using the position of the structures from the image-recording camera image.
US09881376B2 Content aware slideshows
A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium for performing content based transitions between images. Image content within each image of a set of images are analyzed to determine at least one respective characteristic metric for each image. A respective transition score for each pair of at least a subset of the images is determined with respect to each transition effect of a plurality of transition effects based on the at least one respective characteristic metric for each image. Transition effects implementing transitions between successive images for a sequence of the images are determined based on the transition scores. An indication of the determined transition effects is stored. The determined transition effects are useable to present the images in a slideshow or other image sequence presentation.
US09881367B1 Image processing techniques for plunger depth measurement
An automated visual inspection (AVI) system is described to measure the depth of plungers positioned within vessels. The AVI system implements various types of image processing as well as other techniques to identify, for a vessel, a reference point and the uppermost edge of the plunger. Because different inconsistencies and/or artifacts may be introduced within the vessel image, different processing techniques may be executed on the region containing the reference point versus the plunger region. In doing so, the AVI system provides a robust means to accurately measure plunger depth that is highly resilient to the aforementioned artifacts and consistently measures plunger depth for a wide variety and types of vessels.
US09881360B2 Multi-scale active contour segmentation
System and method for active contour segmentation where an image for a structure and an initial position on the image are received, a multi-scale image representation including successive image levels each having associated therewith a representation of the image is computed, a representation of the image at a given image level having a different image resolution that that of a representation of the image at a subsequent level, a given one of the levels at which noise in the image is removed is identified, the initial position is set as a current contour and the given level as a current level, the current contour is deformed at the current level to expand into an expanded contour matching a shape of the structure, the expanded contour is set as the current contour and the subsequent level as the current level, and the steps are repeated until the last level is reached.
US09881359B2 Video communication method and system in instant communication
A video communication method and system implementing video communication between a first user and a second user in instant communication are disclosed. The method includes: receiving a request for video communication; determining whether to perform a blurred processing on a video image of the first user; and if affirmative, performing the blurred processing on the video image of the first user such that a blurred video image of the first user is displayed on a video dialog window of the second user. Using the present disclosure, convenient online interactions via video communication may be achieved while ensuring that respective privacies of users are not overly exposed.
US09881357B2 Transforming wide dynamic range images to reduced dynamic range images
A method of transforming an N-bit raw wide dynamic range (WDR) Bayer image to a K-bit raw red-green-blue (RGB) image wherein N>K is provided that includes converting the N-bit raw WDR Bayer image to an N-bit raw RGB image, computing a luminance image from the N-bit raw RGB image, computing a pixel gain value for each luminance pixel in the luminance image to generate a gain map, applying a hierarchical noise filter to the gain map to generate a filtered gain map, applying the filtered gain map to the N-bit raw RGB image to generated a gain mapped N-bit RGB image, and downshifting the gain mapped N-bit RGB image by (N−K) to generate the K-bit RGB image.
US09881352B2 Facilitating efficient graphics commands processing for bundled states at computing devices
A mechanism is described for facilitating efficient processing of graphics commands at computing devices. A method of embodiments, as described herein, includes detecting a current object representing a bundled state of graphics commands in a command list to be processed at a graphics processor of a computing device, and evaluating the current object to determine a previous object bound to a first set of the graphics commands, where the first set of the graphics commands is associated with a first command state corresponding to the previous object. The method may further include copying a second set of the graphics commands to a command buffer associated with the command list, where the second set of the graphics commands represents a remainder of the graphics commands in the command list upon excluding the first set of the graphics commands. The method may further include facilitating the graphics processor to execute the second set of the graphics commands from the command buffer.
US09881349B1 Apparatus and methods for computerized object identification
Apparatus and methods for identification of a coded pattern visible to a computerized imaging apparatus while invisible or inconspicuous to human eyes. A pattern and/or marking may serve to indicate identity of an object, and/or the relative position of the pattern to a viewer. While some solutions exist for identifying patterns (for example, QR codes), they may be visually obtrusive to a human observer due to visual clutter. In exemplary implementations, apparatus and methods are capable of generating patterns with sufficient structure to be used for either discrimination or some aspect of localization, while incorporating spectral properties that are more aesthetically acceptable such as being: a) imperceptible or subtle to the human observer and/or b) aligned to an existing acceptable visual form, such as a logo. In one variant, a viewer comprises an imaging system comprised as a processor and laser scanner, or camera, or moving photodiode.
US09881346B2 Systems and methods for promotional validation of travel expenses
Disclosed is a system to validate promotional offers in the nature of a reduction or rebate of certain travel expenses through a network of local merchants who offer to offset travel costs in exchange for patronage. The system allows verification of the travel and the purchases.
US09881345B2 Evaluating an impact of a user's content utilized in a social network
A method, system and computer program product for evaluating an impact of a user's content utilized in a social network. Content in a document (e.g., a presentation) that has been posted on a social network environment is detected as being reused by another user in another document. The author of the reused content is then identified. A counter keeping track of the number of times this content has been adopted in derivative works is then incremented. A score (“impact score”), representing the author's ability to influence other users to adopt the author's content in other users' derivative works, is then generated based on the number of times this content has been adopted in derivative works. Social credit is then provided to the author using the impact score. In this manner, recognition is provided to the author thereby providing motivation for users to post created content in the social network.
US09881342B2 Remote sensor data systems
The invention relates to systems and methods for analyzing data collected from sensors monitoring property. In particular, the systems and methods analyze the data to make property insurance underwriting decisions based on the collected sensor data using a computerized process that varies the way in which it manipulates the collected sensor data based on a characteristic of the property being insured, a characteristic of the entity seeking the insurance, and/or on the value of one or more collected data parameters. The invention also relates to systems and methods of making property insurance pricing decisions based on a similarly dynamic computerized process.
US09881339B2 Project economics analysis tool
The present invention is applicable in the field of corporate finance, corporate capital investments, economics, math, risk analysis, simulation, decision analysis, and business statistics, and relates to the modeling and valuation of investment decisions under uncertainty and risk within all companies, allowing these firms to properly identify, assess, quantify, value, diversify, and hedge their corporate capital investment decisions and their associated risks.
US09881330B2 System, method and graphical user interface for managing contacts and calendars within an online card system
A system, a method, and a user interface are described for personalizing and sending stationery/cards. A reminder list on the user interface includes a list of reminder entries each identifying an upcoming event including events generated based on a specified relationship between the user and one or more contacts of the user. A recommendation region is populated one or more recommended stationery/card designs associated with one of the entries in the reminder list. A stationery/card personalization engine provides the user with a set of personalization options related to the selected stationery/card design, and generates personalized stationery based on the selected stationery/card design and the user input.
US09881325B1 Real-time provision of ratings information and crowd-sourcing of ratings and reviews
A system and method are provided for providing review and ratings information and for crowd-sourcing reviews and ratings in real-time based on activity of an entity to be rated. The system may include a storage device, a voice server, and a ratings server. The method may include receiving a notification of an action initiated by the entity being rated, receiving identifying information associated with the entity, outputting the identifying information on a display device, and prompting for a rating for the entity.
US09881316B2 Performance based approval in CMS workflow process
A method for testing a new workflowed item associated with a workflow process in a content management system (CMS) is provided. The method may include adding a workflow stage to the workflow process in the content management system (CMS). The method may also include adding a test associated with the workflow stage. The method may further include determining if a criteria threshold is met based on the test associated with the workflow stage. Additionally, the method may include publishing the new workflowed item based on the criteria threshold being met.
US09881315B2 Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for a customizable redemption header for merchant offers across browser instances
Systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for a customizable redemption header for merchant offers, such as online coupons, across browser instances are provided. In some embodiments, a user may open a merchant website in a first browser instance executing on a user device. An offers website may provide offers, such as online coupons, in a second browser instance executing on a user device. When a user selects an offer, an offer identifier may be stored in a browser-accessible storage device. The modification to the browser-accessible storage may be detected and a customizable redemption header having an offer redemption identifier, e.g., a coupon code, and instructions may be provided on the merchant webpage in response to the detection. Additionally, the customizable redemption header may provide user feedback requests upon submission of the coupon code.
US09881307B2 Certification of learning applications in a modular learning system
A modular learning system for certifying learning applications is provided. When the system receives a request to certify a learning application from a learning application authoring user, the system provides a certifying user an interface to view the learning application and determine whether the learning application meets standards for certification. The certifying user provides a certification for the learning application and the system determines a fee for the certification service. The learning application author pays the fee and a certification is associated with the learning application. A certification badge may also be generated for display with the learning application to indicate compliance of the learning application with the certification standards.
US09881302B1 Intelligent payment capture in failed authorization requests
Techniques and arrangements for capturing payments in cases involving a failed authorization. In some instances, a point-of-sale (POS) device may process a transaction while operating in an offline mode, and then send information regarding the transaction to a remote service after transitioning to an online mode. The remote service may attempt to authorize a payment instrument tendered to satisfy a cost of the transaction. In instances in which the payment instrument is declined, one or multiple payment-capture techniques may be utilized to capture a payment that satisfies at least a portion of the cost of the transaction.
US09881299B2 System and method for processing financial transactions
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for receiving data from a giver at a first time, the data being used to identify a merchant at which a gift from the giver to a recipient is redeemable. The system presents a group of merchants associated with the data to the giver, each merchant of the group of merchants offering a promotion in connection with the gift. The system receives from the giver a selection of a chosen merchant from the group of merchants, the chosen merchant having an associated promotion. The system then generates a policy comprising the gift, the chosen merchant, and the associated promotion such that upon receiving an indication of a triggering event caused by the recipient, the system can apply the gift and the associated promotion according to the policy.
US09881297B2 Methods and systems for secure mobile device initiated payments using generated image data
Systems, methods, processes, computer program code and means for conducting a payment transaction are provided which include activating a payment application of a mobile device, generating, using the payment application, an optical image representing payment account information associated with the payment application, said payment account information including at least one of a payment account number, an expiry date of the payment account number, and a dynamic verification code generated by the payment application; and presenting the optical image to a merchant transaction terminal for scanning to conduct the payment transaction.
US09881292B2 Point of sale (POS) docking station system and method for a mobile barcode scanner gun system with mobile tablet device or stand alone mobile tablet device
A mobile scanner gun system processes a POS sale transaction and performs real-time daily store level inventory management. The system includes a main body portion extending toward a handle portion and forms an interior cavity and an aperture with a lens. A plurality of Universal Serial Bus (USB) mobile input devices are attached to the mobile scanner gun, including a barcode scanner and payment card input devices including a “Magnetic Stripe Reader” (MSR) and a “Europay, MasterCard and Visa” (EMV) reader, both with USB access to a PIN Entry Device (PED) and a “Near Field Communications” (NFC) reader through a specialized universal serial bus wiring harness. The specialized universal series bus wiring harness is adapted to be attached to and communicate with the mobile tablet device for communicating with a system integrated therein that enables store level real-time inventory management and a fully functioning POS capability for selling merchandise in a retail sales environment. A main Printed Circuit Board (PCB) having a previously programmed Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) controlling all MSR, EMV or NFC operations through the corresponding payment card input devices of each. When a customer payment card is swiped through the MSR slot or dipped into EMV reader or tapped on the NFC reader for payment card processing, customer payment is processed through the proper secured bank card processing network.
US09881285B1 System and method for automated debiting and settling of financial transactions
A method and system for automated settlement and on-line debiting of a financial transaction, such as an emergency-cash transaction, is provided. A bank customer enters a foreign-branch bank and indicates a need for emergency cash. The customer is given a telephone by which the customer communicates with an interactive-voice response system in the customer's language. The system bridges the customer with the customer's home bank, which approves the requested emergency cash. A network in communication with the voice response system and with the issuer automatically initiates an on-line debiting of an account of the customer. The network also initiates and carries out settlement between the acquirer and the issuer by way of settlement accounts.
US09881280B2 Method and apparatus for searching for text messages
A method is performed on a handheld device that involves receiving a search term and searching through stored text message information of multiple text messages for the search term. A listing of text message conversations are listed on the display where each listed conversation has at least one text message whose text message information was found to include the search term. And, in response to a user selection of one of the conversations, a sequence of text messages within the one selected conversation is displayed.
US09881274B2 Utility timers in a food freshness printer
A method of adding a plurality of customizable event timers to a food freshness printer or smart printer is disclosed. The customizable event timers are added by the operator for the purpose of sounding an alarm to indicate an elapse in time and/or printing labels at a predetermined interval. When the event timer expires and the user acknowledges the audible tone, the user has the option to restart the timer for the next event or delete the timer. Further, the event timers enable the user to either display a message or print a set of labels when the timer expires.
US09881273B2 Automatic object detection and state estimation via electronic emissions sensing
An object recognition device that senses electrical signals conducted by the body of a human user (e.g., as a result of direct contact with or close proximity to a device emitting or conducting electromagnetic noise), compares the sensed electrical signals to a plurality of signatures of electrical signals produced by a corresponding plurality of types of electrical and electromechanical devices to determine the type of electrical or electromechanical device that generated the electrical signals sensed by the sensor, and communicates information to the human user related to or triggered by the electrical or electromechanical device.
US09881272B2 Vehicle independent employee/driver tracking and reporting
A computer system and method for storing and processing GPS data for a plurality of drivers and vehicles to provide activity reports for fleets of driver and vehicles.
US09881267B2 Tool, network and method for asset data updating
A tool, network and method of asset data updating is provided. The tool comprises: a portable computing device capable of wirelessly receiving a GPS location and updating of asset data including, among other things, asset condition and/or GPS location. The tool may also comprise knowledge based software capable of time tracking, work order management and billing. The knowledge based software may be provided alone or in combination with the asset updating. A network capable of wirelessly communicating with the tool is discloses as is a method of using the tool.
US09881266B2 System for determining personal protective equipment recommendations based on prioritized data
A system for computing personal protective equipment (PPE) recommendations, including a plurality of client computers, where each client computer in the plurality of client computers, uses a processor, for receiving and storing corporate information of a corporate organization and PPE needs associated with the corporate organization; and for receiving and storing a plurality of benchmark data describing a current PPE usage for at least one application of the PPE within the corporate organization; and a server, remotely located from the plurality of client computers and connected to the plurality of client computers via a network, for identifying a selected PPE by performing an analysis based on the corporate information and the benchmark data wherein the analysis compares characteristics of a plurality PPE against characteristics of the at least one application and provides a priority ranking of importance for the plurality of characteristics required for the at least one application.
US09881265B2 Method and system for implementing historical trending for business records
Disclosed is an improved method, system, and program product to implement a business platform that assigns a server instance and dedicated database to each business customer. A snapshot of data is periodically copied from one or more database tables to a historical table of the dedicated database. Data is retrieved in response to a query from the historical table, enabling historical trending capabilities without affecting a performance of other business customers of the business platform.
US09881264B2 Mobile system and method for processing secure remote in person transactions
A mobile system and method are provided for securely sending, receiving and signing documents remote from a home office. A mobile unit capable of connecting to a home corporate network where documents are stored relating to a transaction is used as part of the system. While in route to or at the remote signing location, the mobile unit connects to the corporate network and prints the documents, or the home office sends the documents through a secure wireless connection to the mobile unit. The transaction is conducted at a remote location, and the executed documents are scanned and sent securely to the corporate network. The housing and mobile unit may be moved to a subsequent location and the mobile unit connects, while in route to or at the subsequent location, prints the documents for the subsequent transaction.
US09881256B2 Systems and methods for problem solving, useful for example in quantum computing
Computational systems implement problem solving using heuristic solvers or optimizers. Such may iteratively evaluate a result of processing, and modify the problem or representation thereof before repeating processing on the modified problem, until a termination condition is reached. Heuristic solvers or optimizers may execute on one or more digital processors and/or one or more quantum processors. The system may autonomously select between types of hardware devices and/or types of heuristic optimization algorithms. Such may coordinate or at least partially overlap post-processing operations with processing operations, for instance performing post-processing on an ith batch of samples while generating an (i+1)th batch of samples, e.g., so post-processing operation on the ith batch of samples does not extend in time beyond the generation of the (i+1)th batch of samples. Heuristic optimizers selection is based on pre-processing assessment of the problem, e.g., based on features extracted from the problem and for instance, on predicted success.
US09881254B2 Tree structured data transform, by determining whether a predicate of a rule matches a given node in a set and applying a function responsive to the match
A transformation process determines whether a predicate of a rule matches a given node of tree structured data containing a set of nodes and, when the predicate of a rule matches the given node, applies a function of an identified rule to the node to generate a compound result and an interim mutated output document, and when the compound result contains a next node, determines whether the next node is compared with the predicate of a next rule. The transform process includes determining that the next node is processed by a next rule, using the interim mutated output document as input, and determining whether a predicate of a rule matches the next node in a set of nodes. When the predicate of a rule matches the next node, a function of an identified rule is applied to the next node to generate a compound result and interim mutated output document. When the compound result does not contain a next node, a final mutated output document is generated.
US09881247B2 Method for producing a smart card having a plurality of components and card obtained in this way
A method is provided for producing a smart card including at least one chip and another electronic component having a face accessible from the outside. The method includes: forming a card body having two opposing faces and in which at least two recesses are formed, one being a through-recess extending from one of the faces to the other, forming a first module including the chip and forming a second module separate from the first module and including the other electronic component, the second module including a support to which the component is secured opposite the face that must be accessible, securing the second module in the through-recess from the face of the body that is opposite the face through which the face of the component must be accessible, via a shoulder in the through-recess, and securing the first module in the other recess.
US09881243B2 Image forming apparatus having deployment configurations
An image forming apparatus includes an operation unit that receives an instruction for an operation and executes the operation, and an instruction unit that outputs the instruction to the operation unit. The operation unit includes a configuration storage unit that stores deployment configuration of one or more image forming apparatuses, and an instruction acceptance unit that accepts an instruction for an operation corresponding to the deployment configuration. The instruction unit includes an instruction output unit that receives a designation of an operation, and outputs an instruction for the designated operation to the operation unit, and a configuration reporting unit that, if the designated operation does not correspond to a first deployment configuration stored in the configuration storage unit, reports to the operation unit a second deployment configuration to which the designated operation corresponds, and stores the second deployment configuration in the configuration storage unit, before the instruction is output.
US09881241B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming system and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that prints an image on a transfer medium based on image data; a conveyance unit that conveys the transfer medium; a duplex printing mechanism that inverts and conveys the transfer medium on one surface of which an image is formed, and conveys the transfer medium to a conveyance direction upstream side of the image forming unit; and a control unit that controls the image forming unit and the conveyance unit, the control unit has a function of printing a first additional image outside an image forming area of the transfer medium by the image forming unit, and when printing the first additional image, the control unit is capable of control of inhibiting printing of the first additional image on one or both of a leading transfer medium and a final transfer medium in a bundle of piled up transfer media.
US09881240B2 Image processing device, system, and method for correcting a dithering process
An image processing device includes a dithering circuit, a gradation correction pattern generating circuit, and a gradation correction pattern correcting circuit. The dithering circuit performs a dithering process on image data to generate dithered image data. The gradation correction pattern generating circuit sets, in multi-valued data, gradation information of each of pixels of the generated dithered image data, and generates a gradation correction pattern imitating the dithered image data. The gradation correction pattern correcting circuit performs pattern matching on the generated gradation correction pattern, and corrects the generated gradation correction pattern in accordance with a result of the pattern matching.
US09881238B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and non-transitory computer readable medium configured to execute division of pages based on detected identification information
Provided is an image processing apparatus including an image data obtaining unit that obtains image data of an original document including plural pages, a feature amount obtaining unit that obtains a predetermined feature amount for each of the pages based on the obtained image data, a detection unit that compares a feature amount of one page on which identification information for dividing the plural pages in units of pages is formed with a feature amount of the other pages and detects the identification information on a page having a feature amount similar to a feature amount of the one page from among the other pages, and a division unit that divides the plural pages in units of pages based on the detected identification information.
US09881237B2 Real-time line feed measurement of inkjet printer
Disclosed is a method of determining characteristics of a printer, the method comprising the steps of receiving print data, defining dot locations to be printed on a print medium, determining from the dot locations a dot frequency measure reflecting the number of dots to be printed on at least a part of the print medium, forming a simulated reference image of the print data comprising simulated dots corresponding to the dot locations in the print data, determining a size of the simulated dots in the reference image, this size being inversely related to the dot frequency measure, printing the print data on the print medium using the image forming apparatus to form a printed image, and determining characteristics of the image forming apparatus by comparing the printed image and the simulated reference image.
US09881236B2 Organizing images associated with a user
A method includes identifying images associated with a user, where the image is identified as at least one of captured by a user device associated with the user, stored on the user device associated with the user, and stored in cloud storage associated with the user. The method also includes for each of the images, determining one or more labels, wherein the one or more labels are based on at least one of metadata and a primary annotation. The method also includes generating a mapping of the one or more labels to one or more confidence scores, wherein the one or more confidence scores indicate an extent to which the one or more labels apply to corresponding images. The method also includes interacting with the user to obtain identifying information that is used to categorize one or more of the images.
US09881235B1 System, apparatus, and method for determining physical dimensions in digital images
A system and method is provided for generating a digital image configured to facilitate measuring at least one physical dimension in the digital image. At least one light source is configured to project a plurality of substantially parallel light beams onto at least one physical object spaced away from the at least one light source. The light beams form a reference pattern on the at least one physical object. The reference pattern includes at least one feature defining a physical dimension having a predetermined magnitude. A digital camera is configured to store a digital image of at least a portion of the at least one physical object and the at least one feature. The digital image includes an image data file having a plurality of pixels and metadata. At least a portion of the metadata is indicative of a conversion factor relating the predetermined magnitude of the physical dimension with a pixel distance corresponding to the predetermined magnitude of the physical dimension.
US09881228B2 Method and apparatus for removing a mark in a document image
A method for removing a mark in a document image includes: extracting connected components from a binary image corresponding to the document image; clustering the connected components based on grayscale features of the connected components to obtain one clustering center; searching, within numerical ranges of a clustering radius R and a grayscale threshold T, for a combination (R, T) which causes an evaluation value based on the grayscale features of the connected components to be higher than a first evaluation threshold; and removing the mark in the document image based on the grayscale threshold in the combination. The method and an apparatus according to the invention can remove a mark in a document image effectively and accurately.
US09881227B2 Image processing apparatus and method
An image analysis unit of an image processing apparatus acquires a distribution condition of feature points in an entire input image and in each of a plurality of small regions in the input image. A target point number setting unit sets a target point number for each small region based on the distribution condition of feature points in the entire input image. An expected point number setting unit sets an expected point number for each small region based on the distribution condition of feature points in the small region. A comparison unit compares the target point number and the expected point number. A sensitivity setting unit sets detection sensitivity based on the comparison result. A feature point detection unit performs feature point detection according to the detection sensitivity.
US09881226B1 Object relation builder
Recommendations can be generated even in situations where sufficient user information is unavailable for providing personalized recommendations. Instead of generating recommendations for an item based on item type or category, a relation graph can be consulted that enables other items to be recommended that are related to the item in some way, which may be independent of the type or category of item. For example, images of models, celebrities, or everyday people wearing items of clothing, jewelry, handbags, shoes, and other such items can be received and analyzed to recognize those items and cause them to be linked in the relation graph. When generating recommendations or selecting advertisements, the relation graph can be consulted to recommend products that other people have obtained with the item from any of a number of sources, such that the recommendations may be more valuable to the user.
US09881224B2 User interface for overlapping handwritten text input
A “Stroke Untangler” composes handwritten messages from handwritten strokes representing overlapping letters or partial letter segments are drawn on a touchscreen device or touch-sensitive surface. These overlapping strokes are automatically untangled and then segmented and combined into one or more letters, words, or phrases. Advantageously, segmentation and composition is performed without requiring user gestures, timeouts, or other inputs to delimit characters within words, and without using handwriting recognition-based techniques to guide untangling and composing of the overlapping strokes to form characters. In other words, the user draws multiple overlapping strokes. Those strokes are then automatically segmented and combined into one or more corresponding characters. Text recognition of the resulting characters is then performed. Further, the segmentation and combination is performed in real-time, thereby enabling real-time rendering of the resulting characters in a user interface window. A related drawing mode enables entry of drawings in combination with the handwritten characters.
US09881222B2 Optimizing a visual perspective of media
One or more signals are used to identify regions of interest of an image. The signals are applied to the image to generate one or more models that are based on the regions of interest. The models may present different perspectives of the image by emphasizing various features and focal points. The models may be ranked and displayed according to a scoring paradigm that is based on one or more signals. Multi-tiered feedback mechanisms allow for the collection of user intent and/or other forms of explicit input. Feedback associated to the models may be obtained and used to generate additional models that are based on one or more signals and the feedback. The feedback may also be stored and utilized for machine learning purposes.
US09881219B2 Self-recognition of autonomous vehicles in mirrored or reflective surfaces
A controller for an autonomous vehicle receives an image stream from one or more imaging devices. The controller identifies vehicle images in the image stream. Vehicle images are compared to the color, shape, badging, markings, license plate, and driver of the autonomous vehicle. If the vehicle image is determined to match the autonomous vehicle, then the vehicle image is ignored as a potential obstacle. The location of a reflective surface that generated the vehicle image may be determined and added to a set of potential obstacles. The color and shape of a vehicle in a vehicle image may be evaluated first. Only if the color and shape in the vehicle image match the autonomous vehicle are other factors such as badging, markings, license plate, and driver considered. Vehicle images not matching the autonomous vehicle are included in a set of potential obstacles.
US09881218B2 Location calculation system and non-transitory computer-readable medium
A location calculation system that includes circuitry that stores vector information regarding a plurality of first vectors each connecting a specific point-relevant location, that is associated with each of a plurality of specific points set along a road, with a location of a predetermined feature, in relation to position information regarding each position of the plurality of specific points; stores predetermined feature location information regarding the location of the predetermined feature; obtains image data ahead of a moving body; calculates a location of the predetermined feature in an image of the image data as obtained by the circuitry; calculates a location of the moving body based on the location of the predetermined feature as calculated by the circuitry and the vector information; and outputs the location of the moving body as calculated by the circuitry.
US09881215B2 Apparatus and method for identifying a still image contained in moving image contents
Apparatus for identifying one or more still images in one or more moving image contents. An identifying unit is configured to identify one or more still images included in the moving image contents having one or more features that closely resemble particular features. A display controller is configured to cause the display on a timeline associated with the moving image contents of the location of an identified still image in at least one of the moving image contents.
US09881214B1 Generating pixel maps from non-image data and difference metrics for pixel maps
Systems and methods for scalable comparisons between two pixel maps are provided. In an embodiment, an agricultural intelligence computer system generates pixel maps from non-image data by transforming a plurality of values and location values into pixel values and pixel locations. The non-image data may include data relating to a particular agricultural field, such as nutrient content in the soil, pH values, soil moisture, elevation, temperature, and/or measured crop yields. The agricultural intelligence computer system converts each pixel map into a vector of values. The agricultural intelligence computer system also generates a matrix of metric coefficients where each value in the matrix of metric coefficients is computed using a spatial distance between to pixel locations in one of the pixel maps. Using the vectors of values and the matrix of metric coefficients, the agricultural intelligence computer system generates a difference metric identifying a difference between the two pixel maps. In an embodiment, the difference metric is normalized so that the difference metric is scalable to pixel maps of different sizes. The difference metric may then be used to select particular images that best match a measured yield, identify relationships between field values and measured crop yields, identify and/or select management zones, investigate management practices, and/or strengthen agronomic models of predicted yield.
US09881208B2 Neural network based recognition of mathematical expressions
Provided are methods and system for recognizing characters such as mathematical expressions or chemical formulas. An example method comprises the steps of receiving and processing an image by a pre-processing module to obtain one or more candidate regions, extracting features of each of the candidate regions by a feature extracting module such as a convolutional neural network (CNN), encoding the features into a distributive representation for each of the candidate regions separately using an encoding module such as a first long short-term memory (LSTM) based neural network, decoding the distributive representation into output representations using a decoding module such as a second LSTM-based recurrent neural network, and combining the output representations into an output expression, which is outputted in a computer-readable format or a markup language.
US09881204B2 Method for determining authenticity of a three-dimensional object
A method for determining authenticity of an object includes, detecting the object included in each of a plurality of two-dimensional images captured at different angles, detecting one or more feature points in the detected object, generating three-dimensional data representing a surface around each of the one or more feature points, generating a similarity value of the generated three-dimensional data relative to referential three-dimensional data, with respect to each of the one or more feature points, and determining whether or not the object is a real object, based on the similarity value generated with respect to each of the one or more feature points.
US09881200B2 Self-capacitive fingerprint recognition touch screen, manufacturing method thereof, and display device
The present invention provides a self-capacitive fingerprint recognition touch screen, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device comprising the self-capacitive fingerprint recognition touch screen. The self-capacitive fingerprint recognition touch screen comprises a plurality of fingerprint recognition electrodes, and a plurality of connecting lines which are respectively electrically connected to the plurality of fingerprint recognition electrodes directly. The connecting lines are used for transmitting driving signals and detection signals needed by the fingerprint recognition electrodes.
US09881199B2 Fingerprint identification device
A fingerprint identification device includes a backlight module and a sensing module. The sensing module is disposed on the backlight module. The sensing module includes a plurality of light sensing units and a plurality of light converting units. Each of the light converting units is disposed on a respective one of the light sensing units. The backlight module emits a first color light, the first color light passes through gaps between the light sensing units and then is reflected to the light converting unit, and the light converting unit converts the first color light into a second color light, such that the light sensing unit senses the second color light.
US09881197B2 Fingerprint sensing device and method therein for noise detection
A capacitive fingerprint sensing device and method therein for noise detection are disclosed. The fingerprint sensing device comprises a plurality of sensing elements, each having a sensing structure and configured to sense a capacitive coupling between the sensing structure and a finger. The fingerprint sensing device further comprises sensing circuitry configured to provide a sensing signal indicative of the capacitive coupling between the finger and the sensing structures and timing circuitry configured to control a timing of a drive signal. The fingerprint sensing device is controllable to operate in a noise-detection mode and in a fingerprint mode. When in the noise-detection mode, the fingerprint sensing device is configured to control the timing circuitry such that a drive signal is provided. The fingerprint sensing device repeatedly senses a capacitive coupling between the finger and at least one sensing structure and provides a time-dependent sensing signal by means of said sensing circuitry.
US09881196B2 Integrated finger print sensor
A fingerprint sensor and fingerprint sensor system especially for integration in a device having an overlay made of an insulating material comprises a plurality of sensing elements positioned on a first side of the overlay; a plurality of probes positioned in a predetermined pattern defining a fingerprint sensing area on a second side of the overlay, the plurality of probes extending from the first side of the overlay at least partially through the overlay; a plurality of conductor leads on the first side of the overlay interconnecting the plurality of probes with the plurality of sensing elements; a plurality of amplifiers connected to the plurality of sensing elements, the number of amplifiers being less than the number of sensing elements; and an activation circuit connected to the plurality of sensing elements, the activation circuit being adapted to output at least one activation signal.
US09881195B2 Apparatus for recognizing biometric information and method for activating a plurality of piezoelectric element individually
The present invention relates to a biological information recognition apparatus and a method for selectively activating, by the biological information recognition apparatus, a plurality of piezoelectric elements. More particularly, the present invention relates to a biological information recognition apparatus which may be used to identify a user by recognizing biological information, such as the fingerprint, blood vessels, and bones of a finger of the user, and a method of driving the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a methodology for individually activating a plurality of piezoelectric elements included in the biological information recognition apparatus and scanning biological information using a method different from a conventional method by selectively activating the plurality of piezoelectric elements. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to forming the piezoelectric elements on a substrate in a pattern of a form which is different from a conventional pattern of a matrix form and more efficiently identifying biological information.
US09881192B2 Systems and methods for electronically pairing devices
A method for electronically pairing a plurality of control units with a plurality of objects in an aircraft is provided. The method includes identifying a selected control unit from the plurality of control units that will control a selected object from the plurality of objects, placing a hand-held scanner in close proximity to a first machine-readable tag on the selected control unit to acquire a first unique ID for only the selected control unit, placing the hand-held scanner in close proximity to a second machine-readable tag on the selected object to acquire a second unique ID for only the selected object, and associating the first unique ID with the second unique ID to pair the selected control unit with the selected object.
US09881189B2 Surface material enhancement with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags
In certain embodiments of surface material enhancement with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, one or more RFID pressure assemblies are incorporated into a surface material. An RFID pressure assembly includes a pressure switch and an RFID tag. The RFID tag can be in an inactive state or in an active state. The RFID tag is generally in the inactive state, but the RFID tag is placed in the active state if a person applies pressure to the pressure switch. If the RFID tag is in the inactive state, the RFID tag fails to respond to an interrogation signal transmitted from an RFID reader. If the RFID tag is in the active state, the RFID tag responds to an interrogation signal by reflecting back a responsive signal. The responsive signal sent from the RFID tag may include a positional indicator of the RFID pressure assembly or an appliance control command.
US09881184B2 Authenticity-assured data gathering apparatus and method
Data is captured by a data capture apparatus in a manner to ensure authenticity of the data to the data capture apparatus. Transducer signaling is generated in response to physical excitation of one or more transducers, and is digitized to produce digital signaling. A cryptographic key is stored in association with the data capture apparatus. At least portions of the digital signaling are digitally signed based on the cryptographic key to produce an authenticatable set of captured data. A security boundary is provided within which the digitizing, storing, and digitally signing are performed. Production of the authenticatable set of captured data is prevented in response to a breach of the security boundary.
US09881179B2 User-generated content permissions status analysis system and method
A method for user-generated content privacy control, including: detecting a trigger event, identifying a post for permissions analysis, determining permissions for the post, and storing the updated permissions in a post indexing system.
US09881175B2 Requesting modification rights to a linked file set
A computer implemented system and method of sharing files between a link sharer and a link recipient over a network. The method comprises generating, in response to a request by a link sharer, a file sharing link to a file set, where the link does not provide a link recipient the ability to modify the contents of the linked file set. In response to receiving an indication that the generated link has been activated by a link recipient, displaying a representation of the linked file set with a display element configured to send a request for modification rights to the linked file set when activated by the link recipient. In response to receiving the request for modification rights, either automatically granting modification rights to the linked file set or sending notice to the link sharer indicating that the link recipient is requesting modification rights to the linked file set.
US09881172B1 Systems and methods of file tracking and notification
In one embodiment, a method is performed by a computer system. The method includes monitoring events in relation to files stored at multiple network nodes and, responsive to the monitoring, detecting that a new file has been created from an existing file. The method further includes accessing a stored file-family model of the existing file, the stored file-family model comprising interconnected nodes, wherein the interconnected nodes represent a plurality of overlapping file variants such that one of the interconnected nodes represents the existing file. In addition, the method includes logically connecting the existing file and the new file in the stored file-family model. The method also includes determining a primary file variant in the stored file-family model and, responsive to a determination that the existing file is not the primary file variant, notifying one or more users.
US09881171B2 Privacy protecting sensing devices
Information regarding one or more sensing devices in an environment is broadcasted. The broadcasted information is received by a user application running on a user device in the environment. The broadcasted information comprises information regarding presence of the one or more sensing devices in the environment and at least one of a capacity profile and an activity profile of the one or more sensing devices.
US09881168B2 Sanitization of virtual machine images
Sanitizing a virtual machine image of sensitive data is provided. Labeling dependencies and sanitization dependencies between a plurality of software components in the virtual machine image are identified based on labeling execution policies located in a labeler module and sanitization execution policies located in a sanitizer module, respectively. The labeler module and the sanitizer module are inserted in the virtual machine image. A sensitivity level label of a plurality of sensitivity labels is attached to identified sensitive data from the sensitive data contained in the virtual machine image based on the identified labeling dependencies. In response to receiving an input to perform a sanitization of the identified sensitive data having attached sensitivity level labels contained in the virtual machine image, the sanitization of the identified sensitive data having the attached sensitivity level labels contained in the virtual machine image is performed based on the identified sanitization dependencies.
US09881167B2 Sanitization of vitual machine images
Sanitizing a virtual machine image of sensitive data is provided. Labeling dependencies and sanitization dependencies between a plurality of software components in the virtual machine image are identified based on labeling execution policies located in a labeler module and sanitization execution policies located in a sanitizer module, respectively. The labeler module and the sanitizer module are inserted in the virtual machine image. A sensitivity level label of a plurality of sensitivity labels is attached to identified sensitive data from the sensitive data contained in the virtual machine image based on the identified labeling dependencies. In response to receiving an input to perform a sanitization of the identified sensitive data having attached sensitivity level labels contained in the virtual machine image, the sanitization of the identified sensitive data having the attached sensitivity level labels contained in the virtual machine image is performed based on the identified sanitization dependencies.
US09881166B2 Multi-focused fine-grained security framework
An approach is provided in which a knowledge manager generates a knowledge structure that includes security annotation tokens and term tokens. Each of the security annotation tokens are stored in a parallel field and align to at least one of the term tokens. The knowledge manager matches security policies corresponding to a search request to one or more of the security annotation tokens and, in turn, generates search results based upon obfuscation of one or more of the term tokens aligned to the matched security annotation tokens.
US09881165B2 Security system and method for protecting a vehicle electronic system
Security system for protecting a vehicle electronic system by selectively intervening in the communications path in order to prevent the arrival of malicious messages at ECUs, in particular at the safety critical ECUs. The security system includes a filter which prevents illegal messages sent by any system or device communicating over a vehicle communications bus from reaching their destination. The filter may, at its discretion according to preconfigured rules, send messages as is, block messages, change the content of the messages, request authentication or limit the rate such messages can be delivered, by buffering the messages and sending them only in preconfigured intervals.
US09881161B2 System on chip to perform a secure boot, an image forming apparatus using the same, and method thereof
A system on chip is provided. The system on chip includes a first memory to store a plurality of encryption keys, a second memory, a third memory to store an encryption key setting value, and a CPU to decrypt encrypted data which is stored in an external non-volatile memory using an encryption key corresponding to the encryption key setting value from among the plurality of encryption keys, to store the decrypted data in the second memory, and to perform a boot using data stored in the second memory. Accordingly, security of a boot operation can be improved.
US09881158B2 Secure option ROM control
A mechanism for controlling the execution of Option ROM code on a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)-compliant computing device is discussed. A security policy enforced by the firmware may be configured by the computing platform designer/IT administrator to take different actions for different types of detected expansion cards or other devices due to the security characteristics of Option ROM drivers associated with the expansion card or device. The security policy may specify whether authorized signed UEFI Option ROM drivers, unauthorized but signed UEFI Option ROM drivers, unsigned UEFI Option ROM drivers and legacy Option ROM drivers are allowed to execute on the UEFI-compliant computing device.
US09881157B1 Anti-malware systems and methods using hardware-assisted code injection
Described systems and methods allow conducting computer security operations, such as detecting malware and spyware, in a bare-metal computer system. In some embodiments, a first processor of a computer system executes the code samples under assessment, whereas a second, distinct processor is used to carry out the assessment and to control various hardware components involved in the assessment. Such hardware components include, among others, a memory shadower configured to detect changes to a memory connected to the first processor, and a storage shadower configured to detect an attempt to write to a non-volatile storage device of the computer system. The memory shadower and storage shadower may be used to inject a security agent into the computer system.
US09881156B2 Detecting heap spraying on a computer
Detecting heap spraying on a computer by determining that values of characteristics of a plurality of requests to allocate portions of heap memory are consistent with benchmark values of the characteristics, wherein the benchmark values of the characteristics are associated with heap spraying; and performing a computer-security-related remediation action responsive to determining that the values of the characteristics are consistent with the benchmark values of the characteristics.
US09881151B2 Providing selective system privileges on an information handling device
Devices, methods and products are described that provide for selective system or root level access for applications on an information handling device. One aspect provides a method comprising determining whether an application has system privileges on an information handling device; and executing privileged code from the application on said information handling device responsive to determining that the application has system privileges through one or more native services operating on said information handling device. Other aspects and embodiments are also described herein.
US09881150B2 Method and device for verifying the integrity of platform software of an electronic device
A method for verifying the integrity of platform software of an electronic device is provided, the method comprising accessing a module of said platform software, obtaining a signature (S), obtaining a verification key (VK), said verification key (VK) corresponding to a signing key (SK), verifying if said signature (S) was derived by signing said platform software module with said signing key (SK), by using said verification key (VK), and establishing a positive verification of said platform software module if said verification is successful. The invention also provides a method for providing a platform software module to perform the aforementioned method, and a device on which the aforementioned method can be performed.
US09881149B2 Methods, systems, and products for authentication of users
Methods, systems, and products authenticate users for access to devices, applications, and services. Skills of a user are learned over time, such that an electronic model of random subject matter may be generated. The user is prompted to interpret the random subject matter, such as with an electronic drawing. The user's interpretation is then compared to the electronic model of the random subject matter. If the user's interpretation matches the electronic model, the user may be authenticated.
US09881148B2 Authentication processing device for performing authentication processing
The present invention is to enable a user to input authentication information without burden, such that the user only has to memorize part of the authentication information even when inputting lengthy authentication information in order to ensure high-level security. When an operation of inputting and arranging authentication information in an information arrangement region is performed in a state where an arrangement status of a specified portion in the information arrangement region is set in advance as partial-authentication reference information in a reference authentication information memory, a CPU detects an arrangement status of the specified portion from an overall arrangement status in the information arrangement region, and performs, as partial authentication, processing of matching the detected arrangement status of the specified portion and the arrangement status of the specified portion set as the partial-authentication reference information.
US09881144B2 Identifying usage of code
As disclosed herein a method, executed by a computer, includes receiving a deployed computer application to be staged, where the deployed computer application includes monitored items corresponding to a downloaded code package, verifying the integrity of the downloaded code package included in the deployed computer application, and staging the deployed computer application to provide a staged computer application. The method further includes monitoring the staged computer application for usage of monitored items corresponding to the downloaded code package and billing a customer according to usage of the monitored items. A computer system, and a computer program product corresponding to the method are also disclosed herein.
US09881138B2 Methods and apparatuses for digital content protection
A method for digital content protection comprises generating a plurality of frame keys, retrieving a plurality of frames from digital content, and at least one of encrypting and decrypting the digital content with a different frame key that dynamically changes for each frame of the plurality of frames. A storage device comprises a computer-readable medium including encrypted digital content stored thereon, wherein the encrypted digital content is encrypted with a frame key that is different for each frame of the encrypted digital content. A content player comprises a computer-readable medium including instructions stored thereon, that when executed cause a processor to decrypt encrypted digital content by reconstructing a plurality of frame keys that are different from each other that are used to decrypt each frame of the encrypted digital content.
US09881135B2 Identification of a person having risk for developing type 2 diabetes
The present invention relates to the identification of a person having risk for developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) by determining the presence or absence of specific genes, gene clusters, genera or species of bacteria in the person's gastrointestinal microbiota. More specifically the invention relates to a model to identify an individual having or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) using metagenomic clusters (MGCs), wherein said model is characterized by using different metagenomic clusters for different population groups. Also provided is the use of such a model in the identification of a person having risk for developing type 2 diabetes (T2D).
US09881130B2 Tags for automated location and monitoring of moveable objects and related systems
An example embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, at a tag affixed to a moveable object, a signal to wake the tag affixed to a moveable object; receiving, at the tag affixed to a moveable object, a request from at least one receiver for presence information associated with the moveable object; providing, from the tag affixed to a moveable object, identification information associated with the moveable object; transmitting, from the tag affixed to a moveable object, location data to the at least one receiver; transmitting, from the tag affixed to a moveable object, use state information associated with the moveable object; and returning the tag affixed to a moveable object to a sleep state. Related systems are also provided herein.
US09881129B1 Method, system, and computer program product for physician efficiency measurement and patient health risk stratification utilizing variable windows for episode creation
A method for measuring physician efficiency and patient health risk stratification is disclosed. Episodes of care are formed from medical claims data and an output process is performed. Physicians are assigned to report groups, and eligible physicians and episode assignments are determined. Condition-specific episode statistics and weighted episode statistics are calculated, from which physician efficiency scores are determined.
US09881125B2 Ultrasound measurement of biometrics of fetus
A method for measuring biometrics of an object includes receiving an image of an object, modeling the object to identify a portion of the object, and measuring biometrics of the object based on a modeling result the object.
US09881124B2 Rational design of components of the oligo-saccharyltransferase-catalysed asparagine-linked glycosylation
The present invention is directed to methods for identifying or designing (a) a potential oligosaccharide donor, (b) a potential oligosaccharyltransferase (OST), (c) a potential consensus sequence motif polypeptide, and/or (d) a potential glycosylation inhibitor for use in the oligosaccharyltransferase (OST)—catalysed asparagine-linked (“N-linked”) glycosylation, comprising the steps of generating a three-dimensional model of the catalytic domain and/or the polypeptide binding site of the oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) of Campylobacter lari, and designing or selecting a potential component selected from (a) to (d) which optimizes the stereo chemical complementarity of said three-dimensional model(s) and the potential component.
US09881123B1 Method and system for timing analysis with adaptive timing window optimization for determining signal integrity impact
A method and system are provided for timing analysis of an electronic circuit design. A timing graph defines a plurality of timing paths through different subsections of the electronic circuit design. A timing window is defined for each of the nodes included in a timing path. At least one preliminary round of a predetermined signal integrity analysis is executed on the circuit design based on the timing windows to identify at least one pair of crosstalk-coupled victim and aggressor nodes. Each victim node's timing window is adaptively adjusted according to a predetermined timing property thereof. At least one primary round of the predetermined signal integrity analysis is executed on the electronic circuit design based in part on this adaptively adjusted timing window for each victim node to generate a delay, which is annotated to the timing graph. A predetermined static timing analysis is executed based on the delay-annotated timing graph.
US09881122B2 Overlay sampling reduction
Method and apparatus for reducing overlay measurements and predicting overlay in unmeasured regions of a wafer are provided. Embodiments include providing a wafer having sets of four fields sharing a common vertex; measuring overlay values near each corner of each field, except for a corner near the common vertex of a first field and a corner near the common vertex of a second field of each set; decomposing the measured overlay values into measured interfield and intrafield correctable and non-correctable errors; forming a virtual stack of all fields; determining an average intrafield correctable error and intrafield non-correctable error for each corner of the virtual stack based on the measured intrafield correctable and non-correctable errors, respectively; and predicting the overlay values for the unmeasured corners of each set based on combinations of the measured interfield correctable and non-correctable errors and the average intrafield correctable and non-correctable errors.
US09881119B1 Methods, systems, and computer program product for constructing a simulation schematic of an electronic design across multiple design fabrics
Disclosed are techniques for generating a parasitic-aware simulation schematic across multiple design fabrics. These techniques identify a first extracted model from existing extracted models for a first circuit component design in a first layout in a first design fabric of an electronic design that spans across multiple design fabrics. These techniques further generate a simulation schematic by inserting the first extracted model into the simulation schematic. In addition, a simulation may be performed with the simulation schematic to generate simulation results. Schematic models, if existing, may also be used to revise the simulation schematic. For circuit component designs corresponding to no extract models or schematic models, one or more extracted models placeable in the simulation schematic may also be constructed to update the simulation schematic.
US09881116B2 Restricted region transform method and restricted region transform device
A restricted region transform method and a restricted region transform device are disclosed. The method includes following steps: reading out bare board information of a printed circuit board and layout information of a plurality of components, wherein the layout information of the plurality of components corresponds to a plurality of physical restricted regions; setting a first region according to edge information in the bare board information; setting a plurality of second regions according to projections of the plurality of physical restricted regions on a surface of the printed circuit board; selecting every two second regions, which overlap each other, among the plurality of second regions, and the selected second regions constituting a restriction conflict set; and selectively amending the second regions in the restriction conflict set to remove one or more overlaps from the second regions in the restriction conflict set.
US09881110B1 Apparatus and method for estimating and modeling turbulent flow
A turbulent flow estimation apparatus and method provides for the measurement of turbulent flow through the introduction of particles which characterize the flow, the detection of extents of turbulent flow regions, the assignment of a plurality of primitive shapes to those turbulent flow regions, and the assignment of individual characteristics to each of the primitive shapes of the estimate, including center location, rotational velocity of the primitive shape, identification of the rotational axis of the primitive shape, and the temporal trajectory of the primitive shapes.
US09881101B2 Dynamic file retrieving for web page loading
A computer loads a web page, the web page including a first file and a second file. The computer then determines a likelihood of change value for the first and second file. The computer then loads one of the first or second file having a higher likelihood of change value and subsequently loads the other of the first or second file having a lower likelihood of change value.
US09881097B2 Systems and methods for contacting target person
Systems and methods for a requester to contact a target person. A linking path is made to connect a requester with a target person through references. After references along the path recommend the requester one by one, the requester is allowed to contact the target person. To protect privacy, names of references are not released. References may use strength level to quantify their recommendation.
US09881090B2 Method and apparatus for providing information and method and apparatus for providing search result
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing information and a method and apparatus for providing a search result. The method for providing information comprises: acquiring a current hotspot event, and determining a first keyword corresponding to the current hotspot event; determining a second keyword matched with the first keyword in a pre-built first database, and determining an information provider suitable for hotspot correlation according to the second keyword, the first database comprising the information provider and the second keyword corresponding to the information provider; and generating hotspot information materials of the information provider suitable for hotspot correlation according to the first keyword, and making the hotspot information materials online so as to be provided for a user. The method for providing information in the embodiments of the present invention can meet user needs, can increase the information provision efficiency, and improve the information conversion rate.
US09881085B2 Methods, systems, and media for aggregating and presenting multiple videos of an event
Methods, systems, and media for aggregating and presenting multiple videos of an event are provided. In some implementations, a method for identifying related video content is provided, the method comprising: receiving a first video and first video metadata that describes the first video from a first camera device; receiving a second video and second video metadata that describes the second video from a second camera device; comparing the first video metadata and the second video metadata; determining whether the first video and the second video are associated with an event based on the comparison; in response to determining that the first video and the second video are associated with the event, grouping the first video and second video into a plurality of videos associated with the event; and causing the plurality of videos to be displayed to a viewer based on the viewer requesting at least one of the plurality of videos.
US09881084B1 Image match based video search
Various embodiments may obtain an image representation of an object for use in image matching and content retrieval. For example, an image matching system processes video content items to determine one or more scenes for one or more video content items. The image matching system can extract, from at least one video frame for a scene, feature descriptors relating to one or more objects represented in the at least one video frame. The image matching system indexes the feature descriptors into a feature index storing information for each of the feature descriptors and respective corresponding video frame. The image matching system correlates the feature descriptors of the feature index to determine one or more groups having similar feature descriptors. The image matching system indexes the one or more groups into a correlation index storing information for each of the one or more groups and respective corresponding feature descriptors.
US09881083B2 Method of and a system for indexing audio tracks using chromaprints
A non-transient computer information storage medium storing an audio track inverted index, and method of its creating and maintaining, the audio track inverted index comprising a plurality of sets of posting lists, each posting list within the plurality of sets of posting lists being a posting list of chroma words, each chroma word being a component of an audio fingerprint, each of chroma words being split into a plurality of bytes, each of chroma words comprising a beginning portion of the chroma word, the beginning portion of the chroma word being a sub-plurality of bytes having a first byte and a following byte, the following byte located immediately after said first byte; within a given set of posting lists of the plurality of postings lists: each posting list contains chroma words having the same first byte within the beginning portion of the chroma word, and a first one of the plurality of posting lists being different from a second one of the plurality of posting lists by the associated chroma words having a different following byte, the different following byte being unique for the given set of posting lists. Validation index comprising key file and fingerprint file.
US09881080B2 System for enhancing expert-based computerized analysis of a set of digital documents and methods useful in conjunction therewith
An electronic document analysis method receiving N electronic documents pertaining to a case encompassing a set of issues including at least one issue and establishing relevance of at least the N documents to at least one individual issue in the set of issues, the method comprising, for at least one individual issue from among the set of issues, receiving an output of a categorization process applied to each document in training and control subsets of the at least N documents, the output including, for each document in the subsets, one of a relevant-to-the-individual issue indication and a non-relevant-to-the-individual issue indication; building a text classifier simulating the categorization process using the output for all documents in the training subset of documents; and running the text classifier on the at least N documents thereby to obtain a ranking of the extent of relevance of each of the at least N documents to the individual issue. The method may also comprise evaluating the text classifier's quality using the output for all documents in the control subset.
US09881079B2 Quantification based classifier
Methods, computing systems and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include selecting a dataset that includes instances, each of the instances having respective features, and determining an expected distribution of the instances among multiple categories. A first classification is generated that includes, for each of the instances based on their respective features, one or more first categories and a corresponding confidence score for each of the one or more categories. One or more of the instances classified into the given category are allocated to each given category, based on their respective confidence scores, using the allocated one or more instances, a second classification is generated.
US09881075B2 Method and apparatus for accurate localization of points of interest using a world shape
Geo-referenced and oriented media items may be used to determine a location of one or more points of interest depicted by the media items. A difference between an actual capture location and orientation and a reported location and orientation may be modeled according to one or more distributions, which distribution(s) may be used to assign one or more weights to each location in the world where such weight(s) may be considered to be a likelihood that a point of interest might have been seen by a capturing device. A density map may be acquired by superimposing the derived likelihoods, and a maximum, e.g., local maximum, may be determined to represent a location of a point of interest.
US09881074B2 System and method for news events detection and visualization
Systems and methods are disclosed for news events detection and visualization. In accordance with one implementation, a method is provided for news events detection and visualization. The method includes, for example, obtaining a document vector based from a document, obtaining one or more clusters of documents, each cluster associated with a plurality of documents, a cluster vector, and a cluster weight, determining a matching cluster from the one or more clusters based at least on the similarity between the document vector and the cluster vector of the matching cluster, and associating the document with the matching cluster.
US09881071B2 Transport layer abstraction for clustering implementation
Systems and methods are disclosed for replicating data. An example method includes receiving at a server a current data index and current data. The server is coupled to a first node and a second node, and the current data is responsive to a request from a client. The method also includes replicating the current data and the current data index to the second node. The method further includes receiving at the server a heartbeat message including the current data index and a client identifier. The heartbeat message is from the second node, and the client identifier identifies the client. The method also includes in response to receiving the heartbeat message, sending a notification indicating that the current data has been replicated to the second node to a load balancer.
US09881070B2 Controlling service functions in response to service instigation and service reactivation messages
A service is delivered by a computer system comprising a processor, a memory accessible to the processor and computer storage. The memory holds code which defines service object classes. The service object classes are configured to provide service functions, and the service object classes are instantiated to create service objects which implement the service functions. For each service object, an associated service object identifier is generated in the memory which distinguishes that service object from any other service object. The service objects are serialized to generate serialized data, the serialized data comprising a representation of each service object, and the representation comprising that service object's service object identifier, that service object's associated state data and the service object identifier of any other service object referenced by that service object. Following deactivation, the service objects can be recreated by following the chain of references.
US09881065B2 Selecting supplemental content for inclusion in a search results page
Disclosed are various embodiments that involve selecting supplemental content to be included with search results in a network page. At least one search result is generated by executing a search based at least in part on relevance to a search query. Supplemental content is selected based at least in part upon relevance to the search query without regard to the at least one search result. A subset of the supplemental content is selected in response to determining that the subset is permitted to be presented together in a search results page as defined by at least one compatibility rule. The search results page is generated to include the subset of the supplemental content and the search results.
US09881064B2 Systems and methods for using graphical representations to manage query results
Described are systems and methods for changing query result data graphically displayed on an electronic device. A query of a data repository is performed. A graphical representation of a set of query results identified from the query is displayed. The query results include a plurality of query result records. The graphical representation includes a first node corresponding to a first record field value and a second node corresponding to a second record field value. A region proximal to the first node displays a query result record having the first record field value. A query result record having the first record field value is selected. A field value of a selected query result record is changed from the first record field value to the second record field value by transitioning the selected query result record to a region proximal to the second node.
US09881063B2 Systems and methods for using graphical representations to manage query results
Described are systems and methods for changing query result data graphically displayed on an electronic device. A query of a data repository is performed. A graphical representation of a set of query results identified from the query is displayed. The set of query results includes a plurality of query result records. The graphical representation includes a first node corresponding to a first record field value and a second node corresponding to a second record field value. A region proximal to the first node displays at least one query result record having the first record field value. A query result record of the at least one query result record having the first record field value is selected. A field value of a selected query result record is changed from the first record field value to the second record field value by transitioning the selected query result record to a region proximal to the second node of the graphical representation.
US09881057B2 Reducing redundant operations in a streaming environment
A stream computing application may permit one or more jobs to connect to a data stream of a different job. As more jobs connect to the data stream, the likelihood that two or more operators are performing redundant operations on a data stream may increase. A stream manager may monitor an operator graph to identify two operators performing a redundant operation. If the stream manager determines that there are redundant operators in the operator graph, the stream manager may modify the operator graph to remove the redundant operators.
US09881056B2 Monitor system and monitor program
A monitor system transmits a request requesting event occurrence information to multiple node apparatuses, detects occurrence of an event on the basis of event occurrence information included in a response, calculates an index value of each of conclusions of multiple rules indicating corresponding relationship between one or more condition events and a conclusion, and generates, at a predetermined time point, a snapshot indicating an index value at that time point. When the monitor system receives a first response in reply to a first request, the monitor system updates the index value indicated by the snapshot generated in a period from a transmission date/time of the first request to a reception date/time of the first response, on the basis of the first response.
US09881053B2 Machine-assisted object matching
Embodiments are directed towards managing data using modeling platform. A principal data set and match data set may be provided. The principal data set may include principal objects and the match data set may include other model objects. Blocking may associate each of the plurality of principal objects with potential match objects. Principal objects from the plurality of principal objects may be selected based on heuristics, their associated potential match objects, or the like. Potential match objects may be labeled as a true match or a non-match with respect to their associated principal object. A ranker may be trained to identify top-ranked matches based on the labeled potential match objects. The trained ranker may be employed to indicate matches where each matching other model object is a potential match object that is ranked higher than other potential match objects that are associated with its matched principal object.
US09881052B2 Limiting scans of loosely ordered and/or grouped relations in a database
Data within a database object are accessed based on a query with a predicate including a plurality of conditional expressions. Elements of the database object are stored among a plurality of different storage regions along with range values for element values within each storage region. Each conditional expression of the query predicate is applied to the range values for each storage region to produce evaluation results of that conditional expression for each storage region. The evaluation result of each conditional expression for a corresponding storage region is combined to produce aggregated results for each of the storage regions, where the aggregated result for a corresponding storage region indicates results of a tri-state evaluation (e.g., true/false or unknown) of the conditional expressions for that storage region. One or more corresponding individual storage regions are scanned based on the aggregated results for those storage regions when the tri-state evaluation is unknown.
US09881047B2 System and method of integrating time-aware data from multiple sources
A time-aware union operator is disclosed for consistent integration of time-aware data, wherein the time-aware union produces a time-aware consistent integrated view of underlying sources according to specified key constraints and policies. The implementation of time-aware union is idempotent, commutative, and associative, thus making it suitable for data integration, and it produces the same integrated outcome, modulo representation of time, regardless of the order in which sources are integrated.
US09881041B2 Multiple RID spaces in a delta-store-based database to support long running transactions
A delta store giving row-level versioning semantics to a non-row-level versioning underlying store is described. An example method includes establishing a column-based in-memory database including a main store and a delta store, where the main store allows only non-concurrent transactions on a same table and the delta store has a plurality of row-visibility bitmaps implementing a row-level versioning mechanism that allows concurrent transactions on the same table. A local RID space is established for a table fragment, that for each table in the database, the data of the table is stored in one or more main table fragment in the main store and in one or more delta table fragments in the delta store. Each table fragment has a local RID space, and the local RID space is a collection of one-based contiguous integer local RIDs (Row IDs) describing local positions of the rows of the table fragment.
US09881039B2 Rebalancing operation using a solid state memory device
Systems and methods to manage database data are provided. A particular method includes automatically identifying a plurality of storage devices. The storage devices include a first device of a first type and a second device of a second type. The first type includes a solid state memory device. The method may further identify a high priority data set of the database. A rebalancing operation is conducted that includes moving the high priority data set to the solid state memory device and substantially evening distribution of other data of the database among the storage devices.
US09881038B2 Archive migration system
A computer detects that a threshold value associated with a storage capacity of a first storage account has been exceeded. The computer determines one or more other storage accounts to migrate a determined amount of data contained in the first storage account, wherein the determined one or more storage accounts are linked to the first storage account. The computer migrates the determined amount of data from the first storage account to the determined one or more other storage accounts.
US09881037B2 Method for systematic mass normalization of titles
A system for determining a canonical title includes an interface and a processor. The interface is to receive a new title. The processor is to generate a set of n-grams based on the new title; look up n-grams in canonical database to assign one or more labels; and map the new title to a canonical title based on the one or more labels.
US09881035B2 Systems and methods for in-place migration with downtime minimization
A system and method for database migration is provided. In an example embodiment, the database migration technique may include a first connection to a relational database, a second connection to an in-memory database, and a migration framework to analyze the data structures of the relational database so as to identify first and second subsets of data structures. The first subset of data structures is migrated to the in-memory database during an uptime period of the relational database, and the second subset of data structures is migrated to the in-memory database during a downtime period of the relational database.
US09881032B2 Personal objects using data specification language
A system includes reception of a logical schema associated with data stored in a data store, generation of an input schema based on the logical schema, reception of an expression having a type of the input schema and comprising a first expression element defining an object, compilation of the first expression element based on the input schema to generate an output schema, and merger of the output schema and the input schema to generate a second input schema.
US09881028B2 Photo-optic comparative geolocation system
A photo-optic comparative geolocation system for calculating the location of an object has been developed. The apparatus includes optic sensors that capture surrounding location data, an interface that maps the optic sensor data, a storage database containing prior optical and location data, a digital sextant that provides data calculated using magnetic or celestial references, a data processor that compares the mapped data to stored data and calculates current location based on the comparison analysis, and a visual display for location information.
US09881025B2 Identifying product metadata from an item image
A metadata extraction machine accesses an image that depicts an item. The item depicted in the image may have an attribute that describes a characteristic of the item and an attribute descriptor that corresponds to the attribute of the item and specifies a value of the attribute. The metadata extraction machine performs an analysis of the image. The analysis may include identifying the attribute descriptor corresponding to the attribute based on image segmentation of the image. The metadata extraction machine transmits a communication to a device of a user based on the identifying of the attribute descriptor corresponding to the attribute of the item depicted in the image.
US09881024B1 Mobile healthcare application for facilitating color determination
A method for assisting a health care practitioner in color evaluation includes maintaining, in a database, a plurality of images each corresponding to a particular result or condition; capturing, by a healthcare practitioner using a camera of a mobile electronic device, a subject image of a patient or an object associated with the patient; automatically comparing, utilizing one or more electronic processors, the captured subject image to images maintained in the database, such comparison including comparing one or more colors in the subject image to one or more colors in the images maintained in the database; automatically determining, based on the automatic comparison, that the captured subject image is positively matched to one or more of the plurality of images maintained in the database; and displaying an indication of the particular result or condition corresponding to each of the positively matched plurality of images.
US09881023B2 Retrieving/storing images associated with events
Retrieving and/or storing images associated with events is described. For example, streams of event data comprising text are analyzed to detect an event and a language component builds an event language model for the event, comprising a plurality of words. In various examples, images extracted from web or other sources have associated text. In examples, images with associated text that is similar to the event language model are identified as images of the event. In various examples, associations between images and events are used to update an image retrieval system and/or an image storage system. In various examples, query terms about an event are received at an image retrieval system which returns images related to the event on the basis of associations between image text and event language models.
US09881022B2 Selection of networks for communicating with unmanned aerial vehicles
A device receives a request for a flight path, for a UAV, from a first location to a second location, and calculates the flight path based on the request for the flight path. The device determines network requirements for the flight path based on the request, and determines scores for multiple networks with coverage areas covering a portion of the flight path. The device selects a particular network, from the multiple networks, based on the network requirements for the flight path and based on the scores for the multiple networks. The device causes a connection with the UAV and the particular network to be established, and generates flight path instructions for the flight path. The device provides, via the connection with the particular network, the flight path instructions to the UAV to permit the UAV to travel from the first location to the second location via the flight path.
US09881021B2 Utilization of third party networks and third party unmanned aerial vehicle platforms
A device receives a request for a flight path, for a UAV, from a first location to a second location, and calculates the flight path based on the request. The device determines network requirements for the flight path based on the request, and selects a network based on the network requirements. The device generates flight path instructions, and device provides the flight path instructions to the UAV to permit the UAV to travel from the first location to the second location via the flight path. The device receives, at a particular point of the flight path, an indication that the UAV is leaving a coverage area of the network and entering a coverage area of a third party network, and hands off the UAV to a third party device to permit the third party device to monitor traversal of the flight path by the UAV, via the third party network.
US09881020B2 File document management server and file document managing method
According to an embodiment, a file document management server includes a controller and a memory. The memory stores expiration date information which indicates an expiration date of file documents which have been transmitted to a client device, and status information which indicates a storage state or a deletion state of the file documents of the client device to which the file documents have been transmitted. The controller changes the status information from a storage state to a deletion state when the expiration date passes.
US09881014B1 Snap and replicate for unified datapath architecture
A data protection technique maintains replicas of both a data object and its snaps by conducting replication operations on the data object between a source and a destination. The technique includes generating a pair of content-consistent snaps, one snap of the data object at the source and one snap of its replica at the destination. A common snap signature identifies both snaps of the pair of content-consistent snaps. Orchestration of replication ensures that both snaps of the pair share the same content. The two snaps may thus be used interchangeably, with the snap of the replica at the destination providing essentially a backup of the snap of the data object at the source.
US09881013B2 Method and system for providing restricted access to a storage medium
A system, apparatus, method, or computer program product of restricting file access is disclosed wherein a set of file write access commands are determined from data stored within a storage medium. The set of file write access commands are for the entire storage medium. Any matching file write access command provided to the file system for that storage medium results in an error message. Other file write access commands are, however, passed onto a device driver for the storage medium and are implemented. In this way commands such as file delete and file overwrite can be disabled for an entire storage medium.
US09881009B1 Identifying book title sets
Techniques are described for identifying book title sets. The techniques may include a first-pass comparison with other books to identify other candidate title sets. A second-pass comparison may then be performed with respect to the candidate title sets. The first-pass comparison may be based on book metadata such as titles and authorship. The second-pass comparison may include a more comprehensive content comparison, such as comparing the body text of the books.
US09881008B2 Content participation translation apparatus and method
A content participation translation apparatus includes a content registration unit for registering an original of content data on a database, wherein text data and image data are stored separately in the original of the content data; a data selection unit for individually selecting the text data and image data included in either the original of the content data or a translation of the content data in which a translation is added to the original of the content data; a translations editor providing unit for providing a translations editor to a user terminal, the translations editor including a content data display unit for displaying the text data and the image data and a text data editor unit in which a translation of the text data is input; and a content storage unit for receiving a representative image and a second-language text input from at least one user terminal via the translations editor, and storing the text data, the image data, and the received second-language text as a translation of the content data, wherein the representative image comprises an image included in a portion of a translation created by each user.
US09881006B2 Methods for automatic generation of parallel corpora
A method of forming parallel corpora comprises receiving sets of items in first language and second languages, each of the sets having one or more associated descriptions and metadata. The metadata is collected from the two sets of items and are aligned using the metadata. The aligned metadata are mapped from the first language to the second language for each of the sets. The descriptions of two items are fetched and the structural similarity of the descriptions is measured to assess whether two items are likely to be translations of each other. For mapped items with structurally similar descriptions, the mapped item descriptions are formed into respective sentences in first language and in the second language. The sentences are parallel corpora which may be used to translate an item from the first language to the second language, and also to train a machine translation system.
US09881000B1 Avoiding sentiment model overfitting in a machine language model
Provided are techniques for avoiding sentiment model overfitting in a machine language model. A current list of keywords in a current sentiment model can be updated to create a proposed list of keywords in a proposed sentiment model. Machine-generated sentiment results, based on the proposed sentiment model, are presented to identify model overfitting, without revising the current set of keywords. The proposed set of keywords can be edited, and when overfitting is not present, the current list of keywords is replaced by the proposed list of keywords.
US09880999B2 Natural language relatedness tool using mined semantic analysis
Mined semantic analysis techniques (MSA) include generating a first subset of concepts, from a NL corpus, that are latently associated with an NL candidate term based on (i) a second subset of concepts from the corpus that are explicitly or implicitly associated with the candidate term and (ii) a set of concept association rules. The concept association rules are mined from a transaction dictionary constructed from the corpus and defining discovered latent associations between corpus concepts. A concept space of the candidate term includes at least portions of both the first and second subset of concepts, and includes indications of relationships between latently-associated concepts and the explicitly/implicitly-associated concepts from which the latently-associated concepts were derived. Measures of relatedness between candidate terms are deterministically determined based on their respective concept spaces. Example corpora include digital corpora such as encyclopedias, journals, intellectual property datasets, health-care related datasets/records, financial-sector related datasets/records, etc.
US09880996B2 System and method for increasing recognition rates of in-vocabulary words by improving pronunciation modeling
The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for generating a lexicon for use with speech recognition. The method includes overgenerating potential pronunciations by converting portions of symbolic input into a number of possible lexical pronunciation variants based on an established set of conversion rules, wherein the symbolic input comprises labeled speech data and selecting pronunciations in a speech recognition context from the potential pronunciations, to yield selected potential pronunciations. The method further includes retraining the established set of conversion rules based on the selected potential pronunciations.
US09880993B2 System and method for accessing rich objects via spreadsheets
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for providing access to a data object from within a spreadsheet included in a spreadsheet application. The method includes associating the data object with a first cell of the spreadsheet, wherein the data object is related to a parameter, and the first cell is identified by a cell reference, receiving an input that is related to a second cell of the spreadsheet and includes an expression that specifies the parameter and the first cell reference, and replacing the first cell reference specified by the expression with the data object, wherein a value for the second cell may be determined by applying the parameter to the data object specified in the expression.
US09880989B1 Document annotation service
Organizations maintain and generate large amounts of documentation and entities of these organizations often need to collaborate on generating and reviewing this information. There is a need to maintain and store this documentation remotely in such a way that the entities of these organizations may collaborate with each other. To ensure that entities of the organization can collaborate on documents, a document annotation service is described that converts a text-based document, such as a word processing document, to a fixed-layout document, such as a coordinate-based document. Annotations can be received on the fixed-layout document. The annotations can then be mapped to the text-based document and downloaded to a user for viewing.
US09880987B2 System and method for parameterizing documents for automatic workflow generation
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for generating a new workflow for an application. The method includes generating a parameter tree related to a current workflow, wherein the parameter tree includes a different node corresponding to each parameter included in one or more documents associated with the current workflow, modifying a value associated with a first node included in the parameter tree based on an input, wherein the first node corresponds to a first parameter included in a first document associated with the current workflow, evaluating a second document associated with the current workflow based on the modified value associated with the first node, and generating the new workflow based on the evaluated second document.
US09880985B2 Revision of a portion of a document via social media
Document revision via social media includes receiving a portion of a document and contact information of a reviewer to be notified for reviewing the portion of the document. The contact information of the reviewer corresponds to a social network. Document revision via social media also includes storing the portion of the document and the contact information of the reviewer into a memory, generating a link referencing the portion of the document stored into the memory, and publishing the link to the reviewer for the reviewer to access the portion of the document for reviewing via the social network.
US09880982B2 System and method for rendering presentation pages based on locality
A system renders presentation pages such as in a wireless communications system. A server includes an extensible stylesheet transformation (XSLT) module. A storage medium contains at least one of images and text. The XSLT module is operative for calling an XSL extension and rendering the at least one of images and text into a presentation page based on a language requirement at a foreign locale.
US09880980B2 Document transformation performance via incremental fragment transformations
A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of document transformation processes is disclosed. For example, more efficient XML transformations may be performed against a source document that has incurred minor or incremental changes. Rather than apply a transform (e.g., an XSLT document) to a complete document each time any fragment of the source document is modified, a document management system may be configured to apply the transform only to the modified portions of the document.
US09880979B2 Information processing terminal, method and storage medium for switching to a privacy mode
Display of a screen for switching one tab or one window selected by a user to a privacy mode is controlled while the user browses a website in a tab or a window which is a target of a normal mode on a web browser.
US09880970B2 Method for implementing highly available data parallel operations on a computational grid
The present invention describes a new method for implementing highly available data-parallel-operations on a computational grid. This new method provides high availability after a server fails or the grid experiences a partial network failure. The present invention invokes the data parallel operation's method on selected objects stored in partitions within a highly available distributed cache. It thereby takes advantage of the use of highly available data partitions implemented by the distributed cache as a means for reliably tracking the progress of method invocations within a data parallel operation even after a server or network failure occurs. Using the cache's partitions as the basis for tracking enables the present invention's method to restart method invocations and thereby ensure completion of the data-parallel operation. It also uses a completion object within the cache to ensure that completion of the data parallel operation is detected and reported in a highly available manner.
US09880969B2 Computing device and storage medium containing program therefor
A computing device includes a processor to perform a coefficient calculation control for (i) displaying a mathematical formula including a coefficient on a display unit, (ii) displaying the coefficient name, and (iii) receiving a coefficient value to calculate the mathematical formula; and a regression calculation control for storing numeric data sets of independent and dependent variables in a memory and calculating a value of a coefficient in a regression formula representing the relationship between the independent and dependent variables based on the numeric data sets. The coefficient calculation control performs a coefficient value displaying control for displaying the value of the coefficient in the regression formula calculated through the regression calculation control and performs a post-regression calculation control for using the regression formula as the mathematical formula to calculate the mathematical formula using the displayed coefficient value.
US09880968B2 Bi-directional communication between electronic components
Embodiments are directed to a system comprising: a first device, and a second device coupled to the first device via an interface that provides a handshaking algorithm that ensures that only one of the first device and the second device initiates communication over the interface at a given point in time.
US09880967B2 Method and system maintaining quality of service (QoS) of host commands in multi-port, multi-function peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) devices
A method maintaining a fixed QoS for a PCIe device accessed by multiple hosts includes; receiving commands from the hosts in PCIe function queues of the PCIe device, fetching the commands from the PCIe function command queues, queuing the commands according to a command arbitration policy established for the PCIe device, storing the queued commands in an internal memory of the PCIe device, retrieving the queued commands from the internal memory in a sequence determined by applying a calculated QoS to at least one of the queued commands, and allocating PCIe device resources based on payload information corresponding to each one of the retrieved commands.
US09880965B2 Variable frame length virtual GPIO with a modified UART interface
A virtual GPIO interface is provided that receives a transmit set of GPIO signals from a processor. The virtual GPIO interface transmits a portion of the transmit set of GPIO signals over GPIO pins in a conventional fashion. However, the virtual GPIO interface provides a remaining portion of the transmit set of GPIO signals to a finite state machine that serializes the GPIO signals in the remaining portion into frames of virtual GPIO signals. A modified UART interface transmits the frames over a UART transmit pin responsive to cycles of a UART oversampling clock.
US09880960B1 Configurable sponge function engine
A configurable sponge function engine. The configurable engine includes a state register having bitrate and capacity sections, each having a variable size, where a sum of the bitrate and capacity sizes is fixed. A controller generates a bitrate size indication. A configurable message processor receives an input message from an input bus, receives the size indication, fragments the input message into fragmented blocks of a size specified by the size indication, and converts the blocks to a bus width of the bitrate and capacity sizes. An iterative calculator receives the blocks, performs iterative processing operations on the blocks, and stores a result of each operation in the state register overwriting a previous register value. An output adaptor receives a value stored in the state register after the block corresponding to the end of the input message is processed and outputs the register value converted to have an output bus width.
US09880957B2 Electronic device group-coupling system and method
An electronic device coupling system includes a master electronic device and a plurality of slave electronic devices which are each independently connected to the master. The master electronic device includes connecting module and identity module, the slave electronic device includes coupling module and identify module. The identity module stores identity information of each slave device and sends out serially all the identity information. The identify module confirms correspondence of the identity information to a selected slave device. The connecting module has a plurality of matching codes corresponding to each connecting port and each group address code. The master device can couple to a slave device when the identity information corresponds to a selected slave device. The coupling module is couplable to the connecting module according to the matching codes. An electronic device coupling method is further provided.
US09880955B2 Interface unit for direct memory access utilizing identifiers
An interface unit is provided for the arrangement between a bus system, to which a processor unit and a data memory are connectable, and a data transporting unit, in particular a network processor, are described. The interface unit carries out a direct memory access to the data memory as a function of an identifier (chid) previously agreed upon between an application and the data transporting unit.
US09880954B2 Method and apparatus for providing data access
A method of providing access to first data stored at a first device to a second device, the first device storing the first data in a memory accessible to said second device. The method comprises, at a control element distinct from each of said first and second devices accessing the stored first data in said memory accessible to said second device before said first data is accessed in said memory accessible to said second device by said second device.
US09880949B1 Cross clock compensation between layers in peripheral component interconnect express
A PCIe bus adapted for cross clock compensation of asynchronous clocks includes one or more PHY data ports provided in a PHY layer having a transmit clock (TCLK) for timing data transmitted to a peripheral device and a receive clock (RCLK) for timing data received from the peripheral device, one or more media access control (MAC) ports provided in a MAC layer having an interface clock (PCLK) for timing data transmitted to the PHY layer and data received from the PHY layer, wherein the PCLK and one or both of the TCLK and the RCLK are asynchronous, and one or more backpressure ports at an interface between the PHY layer and the MAC layer for controlling reading and writing of one of the PHY layer and the MAC layer. In some aspects, the PCLK frequency is set to be always greater than a maximum frequency of the RCLK and the TCLK.
US09880946B1 Data transfer techniques with data replication
Described are data replication techniques. Y cycles of writes directed to a first storage device of a first data storage system are collected, Y>2. Each of the Y cycles denotes writes directed to the first storage device at an occurrence of a fixed time interval. Writes of cycle N−1 directed to the first storage device are transmitted from the first data storage system to a second data storage system. Writes of cycle N−2 are applied to a second storage device. An acknowledgement regarding cycle N−1 is sent from the second data storage system to the first data storage system responsive to determining that the writes of cycle N−1 directed to the first storage device have been received by the second data storage system and that the writes of cycle N−2 directed to the first storage device have been applied to the second storage device.
US09880945B2 Method and apparatus for suggesting data for deletion
An approach is provided for suggesting data for deletion from an electronic data storage medium. An external device detects initiation of transfer of data from first storage medium to second storage medium. Next, the external device determines an available storage in the second storage medium for the data. Then, the external device generates a list to suggest content for deletion within the second storage medium to accommodate the data.
US09880944B2 Page replacement algorithms for use with solid-state drives
A page replacement algorithm is provided. An idle range of memory pages is determined based, at least in part, on indications of references to memory pages in the idle range of memory pages, wherein the idle range of memory pages is a set of one or more memory pages. A first memory page is identified in the idle range of memory page for paging out of memory. The first memory page is identified based, at least in part, on indications of modifications to the memory pages. The first memory page is paged out of memory.
US09880942B2 Selective purging of PCI I/O address translation buffer
A method of enhancing a refresh PCI translation (RPCIT) operation to refresh a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) includes determining, by a computer processor, a request to perform at least one RPCIT instruction for purging at least one translation from the TLB. The method further includes purging, by the computer processor, the at least one translation from the TLB in response to executing the at least one RPCIT instruction. The computer processor selectively performs a synchronization operation prior to completing the at least one RPCIT instruction.
US09880938B2 System and method for compacting pseudo linear byte array
In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for compacting a pseudo linear byte array, for use with supporting access to a database. A database driver (e.g., a Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) driver) provides access by software application clients to a database. When a result set (e.g., ResultSet) is returned for storage in a dynamic byte array (DBA), in response to a database query (e.g., a SELECT), the database driver determines if the DBA is underfilled and, if so, calculates the data size of the DBA, creates a static byte array (SBA) in a cache at the client, compacts the returned data into the SBA, and stores the data size as part of the metadata associated with the cache. In accordance with an embodiment, the DBA and the SBA can use a same interface for access by client applications.
US09880934B2 Access-based eviction of blocks from solid state drive cache memory
Methods and systems are presented for allocating CPU cycles among processes in a storage system. One method includes operations for maintaining segments in a first memory, each segment including blocks, and for maintaining a block temperature for each block in a second memory. The first memory is a read-cache where one segment is written at a time, and each block is readable from the first memory without reading the corresponding complete segment. The block temperature is based on the frequency of access to the respective block, and a segment temperature is based on the block temperature of its blocks. Additionally, the segment with the lowest segment temperature is selected for eviction from the second memory, and blocks in the selected segment with a block temperature greater than a threshold temperature are identified. The selected segment is evicted, and a segment with the identified blocks is written to the first memory.
US09880922B1 System and method for automatically generating a graphical model from a text-based program
A system and method automatically generates graphical model from an object-oriented, textual program, and verifies the performance of the graphical model to the textual program. The textual program may include a plurality of system objects having properties. The objects may be mapped to graphical model blocks that have parameters. The properties of the system objects may be mapped to the parameters of the graphical model blocks.
US09880920B2 Providing a user with feedback regarding power consumption in battery-operated electronic devices
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing a user with feedback regarding power consumption in a battery-operated electronic device. In one aspect, a method performed by data processing apparatus includes identifying, using the data processing apparatus, usage of a hardware component of a battery-operated electronic device that includes the data processing apparatus, attributing the usage of the hardware component to the hardware component or to a software application that uses the hardware component, recording, using the data processing apparatus, a power consumption resulting from the usage, and presenting power consumption feedback to a user using the data processing apparatus. The power consumption feedback identifies the hardware component or the software application of the electronic device and the power consumption resulting from the usage.
US09880919B2 Aggregation of metrics data with fine granularity
A computing resource monitoring service receives a request to store metrics data. The request includes the metrics data and a fully qualified metric identifier generated based at least in part on metadata included in an earlier request to store other metrics data for the same metric. The service uses the fully qualified metric identifier to identify an aggregator datastore for storing the metrics data. Once the service has identified the aggregator datastore, the service accesses the aggregator datastore to store the metrics data such that the metrics data and the other metrics data can be obtained in response to a request to obtain data for the metric, where the request includes the metadata.
US09880916B2 Management of system events using one or more event attributes
A method for managing a system may include gathering, with a system manager, data about a first system event and a second system event. The method further includes determining, with the system manager, a plurality of first system event attribute values and a plurality of second system event attribute values. The first and second system event attribute values are based on the data gathered about the first and second system event. The method further includes generating, with the system manager, a display of the plurality of first system event attribute values in hierarchal relation to the plurality of second system event attribute values.
US09880915B2 N-gram analysis of inputs to a software application
Input sequence information may be analyzed and quantified using n-gram analysis of inputs received by an application. The sequences of inputs may be represented by n-grams, and the frequency of the various n-grams may indicate the ‘real world’ uses of the application in production, which may be compared to a test suite whose coverage may be quantified using a similar n-gram analysis. A coverage factor may compare the observed inputs to the application in production to the test suite for the application. The n-grams may be further quantified or prioritized by resource utilization and several visualizations may be generated from the data.
US09880914B2 Device, method and program for performing system testing
In an approach for testing the operations of a host system during a host system migration, a terminal agent exchanges messages already exchanged between the current host system and a terminal with the new host system. A manual operation replay unit replays messages generated by manual operations among the messages sent to the current host system by the terminal. An automatic response unit automatically generates a response message for messages received from the new host system. The automatic response unit also generates screen data for a screen displayed on the terminal on the basis of messages received from the new host system. A comparison unit compares and evaluates screen data generated by the automatic response unit and screen data from a screen generated by the terminal on the basis of messages received from the current host system.
US09880907B2 System, method, and computer program product for dynamic volume mounting in a system maintaining synchronous copy objects
In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor, the logic being configured to cause the processor to receive, from a host, a command directed to a volume, the command including a parameter. The logic is further configured to cause the processor to evaluate a policy associated with the host, and, based on the evaluation of the policy associated with the host, determine a value of the parameter included in the command. Still yet, the logic is configured to cause the processor to open two copies of the volume in response to the parameter including a first value, and open only one of the two copies of the volume in response to the parameter including a second value.
US09880906B2 Drive resources in storage library behind virtual library
Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for managing resources in a physical storage library behind a virtual storage library. In one embodiment, priorities are assigned to copy applications and rules determine which when applications are assigned to resources in the physical storage library.
US09880900B2 Method for scrubbing and correcting DRAM memory data with internal error-correcting code (ECC) bits contemporaneously during self-refresh state
In one embodiment, a method for updating a DRAM memory array is disclosed. The method comprises: a) transitioning the DRAM memory array from an idle state to a self-refresh state after a period of inactivity; b) initiating a refresh on the DRAM memory array using DRAM internal control circuitry; and c) during the refresh, performing an Error Correction Code (ECC) scrub operation of selected bits in an activated row of the DRAM memory array.
US09880899B2 Die-level monitoring in a storage cluster
In some embodiments, a method for die-level monitoring is provided. The method includes distributing user data throughout a plurality of storage nodes through erasure coding, wherein the plurality of storage nodes are housed within a chassis that couples the storage nodes. Each of the storage nodes has a non-volatile solid-state storage with non-volatile memory and the user data is accessible via the erasure coding from a remainder of the storage nodes in event of two of the storage nodes being unreachable. The method includes producing diagnostic information that diagnoses the non-volatile memory on a basis of per package, per die, per plane, per block, or per page, the producing performed by each of the plurality of storage nodes. The method includes writing the diagnostic information to a memory in the storage cluster.
US09880888B2 Executing an operating system in a multiprocessor computer system
When a CPU core (1) 101 and a CPU core (2) 102 share the execution of an OS (1) 201, a program (A) 204, and a program (B) 205, the CPU core (2) 102 withdraws from sharing the execution of the OS (1) 201, the program (A) 204, and the program (B) 205, starts a replacement OS which replaces the OS (1) 201, and switches an OS on which the program (A) 204 operates from the OS (1) 201 to the replacement OS. After the OS on which the program (A) 204 operates is switched to the replacement OS, the CPU core (1) 101 terminates the execution of the OS (1).
US09880886B2 Framework to improve parallel job workflow
Embodiments of the inventive subject matter include receiving, in a distributed computing environment, a plurality of files for execution. Embodiments further include identifying, by parsing the plurality of files, code segments contained in each of the plurality of files. Embodiments further include determining, based on a comparison of the code segments and definitions contained in a distributed computing basic function library, a first group of the code segments that include configuration tasks and a second group of the code segments that include computational tasks. Embodiments further include combining the first group of the code segments to form a super configuration task. Embodiments further include creating an executable code, wherein the executable code comprises the super configuration task and the second group of code segments. Embodiments further include allocating the executable code to one or more nodes. Embodiments further include executing the executable code on the one or more nodes.
US09880885B2 Method and system to rebalance constrained services in a cloud using a genetic algorithm
A method in a server end station is described. The method includes performing an iteration of a rebalancing computation by selecting a set of one or more service sets for rebalancing, wherein the selecting the set of one or more service sets is based on service set constraints and host constraints; generating candidate solutions, wherein each candidate solution includes a randomized one-to-one mapping of each of the service sets to one of the hosts; performing one or more crossover operations on the candidate solutions; performing one or more mutation operations on the additional candidate solutions; selecting as a solution one of the candidate solutions that has a best fitness score, wherein a fitness score for a candidate solution is calculated based on the distribution of resources resulting from and number of migrations needed for the candidate solution; and repeating the iteration of the rebalancing computation an additional number of times.
US09880884B2 Resource allocation/de-allocation and activation/deactivation
A method for managing resources in a server environment includes querying a first resource consumer for a list, wherein the list includes at least a first virtual resource and a first host resource. The method queries a host resource pool to determine if the first host resource is present. Responsive to determining the first host resource is present in the host resource pool, the method allocates the first host resource to the first resource consumer. The method sends a request to activate the first virtual resource and the first host resource to a virtual resource provider and a host resource provider, wherein the request to activate the first virtual resource and the first host resource is performed on a single thread. The method determines to prepare one or more virtual resources for activation of one or more allocated host resources.
US09880878B2 Method and system for distributed task dispatch in a multi-application environment based on consensus
A method and system for distributing tasks from an external application among concurrent database application server instances in a database system for optimum load balancing, based on consensus among the instances. Each application instance identifies a task partition ownership by those in a membership group based on a time window and generates a new membership group and partition ownership based on the current partition ownership. The instance makes the new membership group and partition ownership known to other members by recoding them in the membership table and partition map. Each participation by an instance in the membership group is identified by a random number. The new membership group and partition ownership are generated and adjusted based on an average partition allocation to achieve consensus among the instances.
US09880876B2 Scheduling computer program jobs based on historical availability of resources
A method and system for scheduling, for periodic execution, a program requiring a computer hardware resource for execution. A computer determines and records historic utilization or availability of the resource multiple times a day. The computer subsequently receives a request to schedule the program for execution on the day at a specified time and (a) daily, (b) weekly, or (c) monthly at the specified time, and in response, the computer determines if there has been historical availability of the resource exceeding a predetermined availability threshold on the day at approximately the specified time to execute the program, and if so, schedule the program for execution on the day at the specified time and (i) daily, (ii) weekly, or (iii) monthly thereafter, as requested, and if not, not schedule the program for execution on the day at the specified time or (i) daily, (ii) weekly, or (iii) monthly thereafter, as requested.
US09880871B2 Protection from guest interrupts in a virtual machine function
An example method for secure virtual machine access to a protected virtual machine function includes storing a first virtual machine function instruction, which is executable to configure access privileges of a guest according to a trampoline view, as a last instruction on a first trampoline page. The method also includes storing a clear interrupt flag instruction as a first instruction on a second trampoline page. The method further includes storing a second virtual machine function instruction, which is executable to configure access privileges of the guest according to a protected view, as a last instruction on the second trampoline page. The method also includes in response to detecting an extended page fault violation while the trampoline view is active, clearing the interrupt flag of the guest and entering execution on an instruction following the clear interrupt flag instruction on the second trampoline page.
US09880865B2 Ascertaining configuration of a virtual adapter in a computing environment
A control component of a computing environment activates a virtual adapter hosted on a physical adapter of a host system of the computing environment. The virtual adapter is for use by a guest of the host system in performing data input and output. The activating activates the virtual adapter absent involvement of the guest. Based on activating the virtual adapter, the control component obtains configuration information of the activated virtual adapter from the physical adapter, the configuration information generated based on the activating. The control component ascertains a configuration of the activated virtual adapter based on the obtained configuration information.
US09880855B2 Start-up control program, device, and method
A start-up control device includes a processor that executes a procedure. The procedure includes: acquiring data relating to communication processing when communication connection of plural data processing devices is initiated; and based on the acquired data relating to communication processing, controlling start-up of the plural data processing devices such that a data processing device that transmitted a response to a request for the connection is started-up earlier than a data processing device that transmitted the request.
US09880854B1 Reboot system and method
A method, computer program product, and computing system for initiating a computing device includes setting a master reboot flag to no reboot required. A first software component in an initiation component stack is executed. Upon completing execution of the first software component, a determination is made concerning whether the computing device requires: an immediate reboot, a deferred reboot, or no reboot.
US09880843B2 Data processing apparatus and method for decoding program instructions in order to generate control signals for processing circuitry of the data processing apparatus
A data processing apparatus and method for accessing operands stored within a set of registers. Instruction decoder circuitry, responsive to program instructions, generates register access control signals identifying for each program instruction which registers in the register set are to be accessed by the processing circuitry when performing the processing operation specified by that program instruction. The set of registers are logically arranged as a plurality of register groups, with each register in the set being a member of more than one register group. Each program instruction includes a register specifier field, and instruction decoder circuitry is responsive to each program instruction to determine a selected register group, and to determine one or more selected members of that selected register group. The instruction decoder circuitry then outputs register access control signals identifying the register corresponding to each selected member of the selected register group.
US09880842B2 Using control flow data structures to direct and track instruction execution
A mechanism for tracking the control flow of instructions in an application and performing one or more optimizations of a processing device, based on the control flow of the instructions in the application, is disclosed. Control flow data is generated to indicate the control flow of blocks of instructions in the application. The control flow data may include annotations that indicate whether optimizations may be performed for different blocks of instructions. The control flow data may also be used to track the execution of the instructions to determine whether an instruction in a block of instructions is assigned to a thread, a process, and/or an execution core of a processor, and to determine whether errors have occurred during the execution of the instructions.
US09880837B2 Artifact manager for release automation
An artifact manager generates an abstraction for artifacts and repositories in a deployment platform such that the artifacts may be located uniformly and securely in each deployment environment during the deployment process. The described system includes a release automation platform having a release pipeline which is responsible for deploying build artifacts into multiple deployment environments, testing the build artifacts thoroughly in each environment, and follow organization-specific approval processes to promote the build artifacts to a next deployment environment.
US09880827B2 Managing software version upgrades in a multiple computer system environment
An independent product upgrade function is associated with each of multiple software products installed in a set of multiple computing devices. Responsive to a triggering event, each upgrade function determines whether the corresponding product can be updated based on rules for the corresponding product. Upgrade may be dependent on other products, but the upgrade function need not know the conditions for upgrading other products. If a product can be updated, update is performed and all other products are notified. Each of the other product upgrade functions then determines whether its corresponding product can be upgraded as a result of the recent upgrade to the first product, and if so, another set of notifications is sent. This cycle continues until all dependent products have been updated. Upgrade functions preferably operate in a peer-to-peer relationship, and upgrade can be initiated in any node.
US09880826B2 Installing of application resources in a multi-tenant platform-as-a-service (PaS) system
A mechanism for automatic installing and scaling of application resources in a multi-tenant Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) environment in a cloud computing system is disclosed. A method includes creating, by a processing device of an Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) platform, an image package corresponding to a node host on a multi-tenant Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) system. The image package comprises an image file including a script file having a plurality of software updates and run time configuration files. The image package is stored in a storage memory of the IaaS platform and is accessible by a virtual machine (VM) instance. The method also includes retrieving, from the storage memory, the script file from the image package and causing a boot process of the VM instance to download the script file into the PaaS system.
US09880824B2 On demand resources
A computer-implemented method for building a software application is disclosed. The method includes: generating a plurality of application resources; creating a plurality of tags; applying one of the tags on each of the plurality of application resources; grouping the application resources by their tags to form at least two asset packs, each identifiable by at least one tag shared by all application resources in the asset pack; and creating an asset pack manifest comprising a location of each of the asset packs and an order in which the asset packs are to be downloaded.
US09880820B2 Programming language with extensions using dynamic keywords
Systems and methods for extending a programming language with a set of extensions using a strict meta-model are disclosed. Embodiments provide a set of interfaces that allow a schema to be synthesized. Syntax is introduced into an existing programming language to allow the construction of schematized data objects. A schema processor module translates a schema representation into new keywords. A document generator module receives the set of keywords and produces output in a selected form. When code comprising the keyword extensions is parsed, AST nodes represent keyword actions as a set of functions and implements those function calls with the original meta-data. A keyword definition comprises a name and an action to be taken at parse time and an action to be taken at runtime. The default action at parse time is to inject a function call into the code. The default action at runtime is to call the function.
US09880816B2 Simulator with local resource capabilities
A framework for developing applications is described herein. In accordance with one aspect, an application is developed using an integrated development environment (IDE) with a preview function. The preview function may be selected to preview the application. In response to the selection of the preview function, the IDE causes a companion application on an end-user device to be launched onto an application simulator on the end-user device. The companion application is a container application that includes plugins of local resources. The application may be run in the companion application, where the application may access local resources provided by the companion application.
US09880811B2 Reproducible stochastic rounding for out of order processors
A method for generating a random number for use in a stochastic rounding operation is provided. The method includes executing an instruction that causes at least two operands to produce an intermediate result and incrementing a state of a random number generator. The method d further includes causing the random number generator to generate a random number in accordance with the state and producing a final result by utilizing the random number to determine a rounding of the intermediate result.
US09880807B1 Multi-component viewing tool for contact center agents
Various embodiments of the invention provide a tool for reviewing the content of communications conducted between parties. A communication is analyzed between a first and second party to determine the words present. A set of keywords are developed that represent a subset of the words determined to be present in the communication. Occurrences of the keywords in the communication are mapped to times at which they occur. An interface is provided to a user that displays a representation of the communication comprising an identifier, such as an icon, representing a particular occurrence of a keyword with respect to a timeline. The user can search, locate and review a corresponding portion of audio containing the occurrence of the keyword. This may involve playing the corresponding portion of the audio containing the occurrence of the keyword and/or displaying the corresponding portion of a transcript of the audio portion.
US09880806B2 Media playback processing and control method, apparatus, and system
A media playback processing and control method, apparatus, and system, where the processing method includes receiving, by a central server, a query request of a control device, returning a query response to the control device according to a resource information table, receiving a resource request of a selected display device selected by the control device, querying the resource information table, determining that a selected media resource corresponding to information about a selected storage path is stored on a first media server (MS), and determining a second MS with a conversion capability to convert a media format of the selected media resource into a media format supported by a playback capability of the selected display device in order to enable the selected display device to play a media resource converted by the second MS from the selected media resource.
US09880802B2 Systems and methods for reducing audio artifacts from switching between paths of a multi-path signal processing system
A processing path may include a controller and a plurality of processing paths including a first processing path and a second processing path. The first path may be configured to generate a first digital signal based on an analog input signal and the second path may be configured to generate a second digital signal based on the analog input signal, wherein the first path has a lower gain and a higher noise floor than the second path. The controller may be configured to determine that a transition between the first path and the second path needs to occur based on the analog input signal crossing a threshold or a prediction that the input signal will cross the threshold and in response to determining the transition between the first path and the second path needs to occur, blend the transition during or near zero cross points of the analog input signal.
US09880800B1 Routing content in a dual-display computing device
In some implementations a computing device may comprise at least a first display device and a second display device. The computing device may receive a selection to display protected content. The computing device may determine a display mode associated with the first display device and the second display device. The computing device may determine an orientation (e.g., landscape or portrait) and modify (e.g., by rotating) the content based on the orientation to create modified content. The computing device may determine a routing of the modified content and route the modified content to at least one of the first display device or the second display device.
US09880799B1 Extendable display screens of electronic devices
A mobile communication device promoting an extendable display. The mobile communication device comprises a software application stored in a memory of the electronic device, when executed by a processor of the electronic device in response to detecting the second proximate display screen, communicates with the second display screen and ad hoc collaborates with the second display screen. The software application further adapts a graphic to display it on the first display screen and the second display screen, with one part of the graphic displayed on the first display screen and the rest of the graphic displayed on the second display screen, without displaying an opaque bar at an edge where display screens touch, wherein the graphic is scaled based on a size of the combined single display screen.
US09880796B2 Rapid view mobilization for enterprise applications
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and computer readable media for automatically converting a non-mobile computer platform application view to a mobile application view for use on a mobile device. The method can include transforming the non-mobile computer platform application view to the mobile application view based at least in part on differences between the-non mobile computer platform and the mobile device, wherein the differences comprise one or more of display capability, associated peripheral devices, bandwidth, or software libraries. The method can also include sending information associated with the transformed application view to the mobile device.
US09880795B2 Recording system, recording apparatus, information processing apparatus, and recording control method that shift range of recording elements
A recording system, includes a recording apparatus configured to perform recording using a recording head having a plurality of recording elements; and an information processing apparatus configured to send a print job to the recording apparatus to shift a range of use of the recording elements in an array direction of the recording elements. The information processing apparatus includes a head shading correction unit configured to execute, based on information indicating that the range of use of the recording elements is one of plural ranges of use, head shading correction corresponding to the one range on image data; and a sending unit configured to send the image data subjected to the head shading correction to the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus includes a recording control unit configured to control the recording head to perform recording at the one range by using the image data subjected to the head shading correction.
US09880790B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and storage medium for reducing a consumption amount of color material
An image forming apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set a thinning amount smaller than one pixel for each line data in a high density area in image data, a comparison unit configured to compare the thinning amount set by the setting unit with a predetermined threshold, and a processing unit configured to execute, based on a result of comparison by the comparison unit, a thinning process by using a thinning amount larger than the thinning amount set by the setting unit or a thinning amount smaller than the thinning amount set by the setting unit as for M pixels out of N pixels (N>M) contained in the line data, and a thinning process by using the thinning amount set by the setting unit as for the rest of the N pixels contained in the line data.
US09880788B2 Modeling the effects of switching data storage resources through data storage pool tier performance capacity and demand gap analysis
The assignment of data storage resources in a data storage arrangement having a plurality of pools, where each pool includes a plurality of data storage resources arranged in tiers, can be optimized. A gap analysis can be performed for each tier of each pool to determine that tier's excess capacity or demand. The effect of switching data storage resources between tiers of different pools can be modeled to determine the effect of the switch on excess capacity and demand. An improved arrangement of data storage resources in the tiers can be determined that reduces excess capacity and demand, from the modeling of the effect of switching data storage resources between pools. At least one data storage resource can be switched from the tier of the first pool to the tier of the second pool to match the determined improved arrangement of data storage resources.
US09880784B2 Data routing and buffering in a processing system
In a computing system where an incoming packet can be written directly into one or more local registers of a processing unit, a packet interface routes packets arriving at a computing system to the local registers of the processing unit or to a memory shared by multiple processing units. The shared memory includes a portion configured as a first-in, first-out (FIFO) buffer for storing packets arriving for the processing unit when its local registers are full. The stored packets are then delivered to the processing unit's one or more registers when the registers become available.
US09880782B2 Managing temperature of solid state disk devices
A solid state disk (SSD) device has a set of data transfer parameters which regulate I/O operations of the SSD device. The temperature of the SSD device is monitored using temperature readings from a temperature sensor. The temperature of the SSD device satisfies a temperature threshold. A data transfer modification is determined. The data transfer modification is capable of modifying one or more data transfer parameters of the set of data transfer parameters. The set of data transfer parameters is modified using the data transfer modification in response to the temperature of the SSD satisfying the temperature threshold. One or more I/O operations are completed with the SSD device using the modified set of data transfer parameters.
US09880779B1 Processing copy offload requests in a storage system
A system and method for performing copy offload operations. When a copy offload operation from a first volume (pointing to a first medium) to a second volume (pointing to a second medium) is requested, the copy offload operation is performed without accessing the data being copied. A third medium is created, and the first medium is recorded as the underlying medium of the third medium. The first volume is re-pointed to the third medium. Also, a fourth medium is created, the second volume is re-pointed to the fourth medium, and the second medium is recorded as the underlying medium of the targeted range of the fourth medium. All other ranges of the fourth medium have the second medium as their underlying medium.
US09880778B2 Memory devices and methods
A memory device includes a plurality of NAND flash chips, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) portion in data communication with the NAND flash chips, and a controller. Each NAND flash chip has a first storage capacity, and includes a memory section, each memory section including a plurality of pages. The DRAM portion has a second storage capacity that is at least as large as the first storage capacity. The controller is configured to select one of the NAND flash chips as a currently selected NAND flash chip for writing data, copy all valid pages in the currently selected NAND flash chip into the DRAM portion, and, in response to a write request to a logical memory location mapped to a particular physical location in one of the NAND flash chips, allocate the currently selected NAND flash chip for writing to a particular page that includes the particular physical location.
US09880775B2 System and apparatus for transferring data between communication elements
A method, device and machine-readable storage device for transferring data between identity modules is disclosed. Data is stored in one of a first removable storage module coupled to a donor communication device and a memory of the donor communication device, or both. A first portion of the data is provided to a server. The server provides the first portion of the data to a second removable storage module coupled to a recipient communication device responsive to a determination that a recipient communication device has a right to the data. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US09880772B2 Systems and methods for providing file information in a memory system protocol
A memory device includes a memory component and controller circuitry. The memory component stores data and the controller circuitry receives, from a host electronic device, one or more commands of a memory system protocol. The one or more commands include at least one write command, the write command comprising one or more blocks of data to be stored in the memory component. Further, the one or more commands include metadata, attributes, or both related to the one or more blocks of data. The controller circuitry interprets and executes the one or more commands. Accordingly, the blocks are stored in the memory component. Further, the controller circuitry of the memory device has access to the metadata, attributes or both.
US09880771B2 Packing deduplicated data into finite-sized containers
Deduplicated data is packed into finite-sized containers. A similarity score is calculated between files that are similarly of the deduplicated data. The similarity score is used for grouping the similarly compared files of the deduplicated data into subsets for destaging each of the subsets from a deduplication system to one a finite-sized container.
US09880769B2 Streaming joins in constrained memory environments
Large amounts of memory can be consumed in streaming joins because events from one stream are held in memory while waiting for matching events from a second stream. Memory needs can be reduced by analyzing the join condition to determine the bounds on the time discrepancy between events in the two streams. When it is determined that an event from one stream must occur prior to the matching event from the other stream, the later-arriving stream data can be ingested with an intentional delay. When it is determined that regardless of input received from a first stream, no output will be produced when there is no input from the second stream, pulling data from the first stream can cease. A multi-stage join plan can be employed so that a less busy stream can be scanned with increasing amounts of intentional delay. Only unmatched data is stored.
US09880764B1 Flash disk cache management for increased virtual LUN availability
Systems, methods, and computer readable media are disclosed. A map including the number of dirty cache pages stored in the flash disk cache for each VLUN of the plurality of VLUNs on the storage system is maintained, by the storage system. A flash disk cache error requiring the storage system to take the flash disk cache offline is detected. In response to detecting the flash disk cache error a first one or more VLUNs of the plurality of VLUNs with at least one dirty cache page stored in the flash disk cache are identified by the storage system based on the map. The first one or more VLUNs are taken offline by the storage system. The flash disk cache is taken offline by the storage system. A second one or more VLUNs comprising VLUNs of the plurality of VLUNs without dirty cache pages stored in the flash disk cache are maintained online by the storage system.
US09880763B2 Data processing apparatus and data processing method for processing data in memory
In a case where a non-volatile memory comes close to the end of a life time and has become ReadOnly, it is impossible to erase data stored in the non-volatile memory, which may lead to a decreased robustness of maintaining confidentiality. A data processing apparatus determines whether the life time of a non-volatile memory is about to expire. In a case where the determination result indicates that the life time of the non-volatile memory is about to expire, the data stored in the non-volatile memory is erased.
US09880758B1 Data transfer techniques with data replication
Described are data replication techniques. Writes of cycle N directed to a first storage device of a first data storage system are received. Writes of cycle N−1 directed to the first storage device are transmitted to a second data storage system. Writes of cycle N−2 directed to the first storage device are applied to a second storage device of the second data storage system. An acknowledgement regarding cycle N−1 is sent to the first data storage system responsive to determining that the writes of cycle N−1 directed to the first storage device have been received by the second data storage system and that the writes of cycle N−2 have been applied to the second storage device. At least some writes of cycle N directed to the first storage device are transmitted to the second data storage system prior to the first data storage system receiving the acknowledgement regarding cycle N−1.
US09880754B2 System and method for enabling transportability of a non volatile dual inline memory module
A dual inline memory module includes a local memory and a non-volatile memory. The local memory stores data during normal operation of the dual inline memory module. The non-volatile memory includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion stores the data located in the local memory in response to a power failure of an information handling system in communication with the dual inline memory module. The second portion stores configuration information for the dual inline memory module. The configuration information is utilized to set up the dual inline memory module in a new information handling system.
US09880751B2 Cost-effective IAAS (infrastructure-as-a-service) cloud storage based on adaptive virtual disks (AVD)
There are provided a system, a method and a computer program product for operating a cloud computing storage system. The cloud computing storage system allocates and manages virtual disks. A virtual disk provides a logical data storage. The cloud computing storage system divides data stored in the virtual disks into chunks and allocates the chunks to physical data storage devices. The cloud computing storage system monitors I/O access patterns and user requests to change data storage capacities and throughputs of the virtual disks in real time. The cloud computing storage system dynamically reconfigures an allocation of the chunks to the physical data storage devices.
US09880749B2 Storage method and device for controlling the output timing of commands based on a hold time
According to one embodiment, there is provided a storage controlling device including a receiving unit and a controlling unit. The receiving unit receives a read command or a write command for a storage device, from an internal or external command issuing device. The controlling unit holds the write command received by the receiving unit until at least a first interval time has elapsed after outputting a write command received most recently before the write command is received, and then outputs the write command which is held after the first interval time has elapsed. The controlling unit outputs the read command received by the receiving unit, prior to outputting the write command that is held, when the read command is received during a time when the write command is held.
US09880748B2 Bifurcated memory management for memory elements
Bifurcated memory management for memory elements techniques are disclosed. In one aspect, a memory element includes a self-managed portion and a portion that is managed by a remote host. Software that needs low latency access may be stored in the portion of the memory element that is managed by the remote host and other software may be stored in the portion of the memory element that is managed by the memory element. By providing such bifurcated memory management of the memory element, a relatively inexpensive memory element may be used to store software while at the same time allowing low latency (albeit at low throughputs) access to sensitive software elements with minimal bus logic.
US09880744B1 Method for flash-friendly caching for CDM workloads
A processor-based method for flash-friendly caching is provided. The method includes reading data from a first memory and writing the data to a second memory, in a cache. The method includes performing an aligned block write of data from the second memory in the cache to a flash memory in the cache, responsive to accumulating sufficient data for the aligned block write.
US09880743B1 Tracking compressed fragments for efficient free space management
A technique for managing storage space in a file system applies reference weights to compressed storage extents stored in multi-block segments. Each time a reference weight for a compressed storage extent in a segment changes to a value that indicates that the storage extent is no longer in use, a file system manager increments a freed-fragment counter provided for a range of the file system that includes the segment. The file system manager then determines whether to scavenge for free space in that range of the file system based at least in part on a count of the free-fragment counter.
US09880741B2 Generalized storage allocation for multiple architectures
A method for managing storage allocation includes adaptively determining, by a storage device processor, a region width across disk spaces for a group of storage devices that is inversely proportional to a number of nodes sharing a particular storage device. An adaptive storage device allocation region of the particular storage device is created based on the determined region width across the disk spaces for the group of storage devices.
US09880740B2 Rapid virtual machine power-on with iterative swap space reservation
A computer system provides for rapid power-on operations on virtual machines (VMs) with a virtual memory space including a reservation from machine memory and a small or no swap size. When the computer system powers on a VM, the computer system creates a physical memory space for the VM with a size larger than the minimum memory reservation for the VM and a swap space with a size less than the difference between the size of the virtual memory space and the minimum memory reservation. Subsequently, the computer system iteratively decreases the size of the physical memory space for the VM and increases the size of the swap space for the VM until the size of the physical memory space equals the minimum size of the memory reservation, which may be the amount of the virtual space that is guaranteed to be backed by machine memory.
US09880739B2 Method and system for cascaded FlashCopy® zoning and algorithm and/or computer program code and method implementing the same
A method for storage volumes in a cascade of storage volumes including starting a first data map relating a first storage volume to a second storage volume while a second data map relating the first storage volume and a third storage volume is active. Starting the first data map uses a zone map that relates the first storage volume to a zone within the cascade of storage volumes.
US09880736B2 Systems and methods for determining a symbol input by a user from two sets of symbols on a multi-layer keyboard
A method may include providing for display a first set of touch-screen keys corresponding to a first set of symbols. The method may also include providing for display at least partially underneath the first set of touch-screen keys a second set of touch-screen keys corresponding to a second set of symbols. At least a portion of the second set of touch-screen keys are visible through the first set of keys. The method may also include detecting a touch gesture by the user over the first and second sets of keys intending to input a symbol. The method may also include determining a context of the input by the user. The method may also include selecting based at least in part on the context a symbol in the first set of symbols or a symbol in the second set of symbols as the symbol that the user intended to input.
US09880735B2 Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interface objects with visual and/or haptic feedback
A device concurrently displays a background user interface and a first version of a notification associated with a first application. The device detects a first contact at a location that corresponds to the first version of the notification. In response to the detection, and upon a determination that the contact meets application-launching criteria, the device initiates a process to launch the first application. In response to the detecting, and upon a determination that the contact meets notification-expansion criteria, where the notification-expansion criteria require that the characteristic intensity of the contact meet a preview intensity threshold, the device displays a second version of the notification, where the second version of the notification has a size larger than the first version, includes expanded notification content that is not displayed in the first version, and is overlaid on the background user interface.
US09880732B2 Method for detecting an angular variation of a control path on a touch surface and corresponding control module
The invention relates to a method for determining the elementary angle of a control path on a touch surface, characterized in that it comprises measuring two elementary movement values (|dX|, |dY|) along two perpendicular axes (X, Y) for a predetermined duration (dT), comparing said values (|dX|, |dY|) with unitary value ranges of elementary movements (Xu, Yu) of a reference data table and allocating a reference data representative of an angle to an elementary angle (dθ) of the control path. The invention also relates to a method for detecting an angular variation of a control path on a touch surface, characterized in that it comprises implementing the above method for determining the elementary angle of a control path on a touch surface and storing the elementary angle (dθ) allocated during an elementary step, repeating the elementary step, and assembling in series the allocated elementary angles (dθ) in order to determine an angular variation of the control path. The invention further relates to a control module including a touch surface (1), characterized in that it comprises a processing unit for implementing the method for detecting an angular variation of a control path as described above.
US09880731B1 Flexible modular screen apparatus for mounting to, and transporting user profiles between, participating vehicles
A modular flexible-screen apparatus allowing a user to transport personal preferences or settings between participating vehicles of transportation. The user can carry the preference-holding screen apparatus to and from the same vehicle, and between other vehicles the user owns, and/or to shared, taxi, or rental vehicles.
US09880728B2 Methods and systems for controlling a virtual interactive surface and interactive display systems
Systems and methods for controlling a virtual interactive surface in a scene include a surface for displaying information and one or several virtual sensors positioned with respect to the surface. The virtual sensor includes data representing a geometric form, data representing a position in the scene, and data representing one or several trigger conditions. A data representation of the scene is captured and a determination whether a virtual sensor trigger condition is fulfilled is made, based on an analysis of the captured data representation in an area corresponding to the geometric form and position of the virtual sensor.
US09880725B2 Methods, systems, and apparatuses for accurate measurement and real-time feedback of solar ultraviolet exposure
System and methods for accurate measurement and real-time feedback of solar ultraviolet exposure for management of ultraviolet dose. The systems can include a wearable device and a mobile device, the system performing accurate measurement of UV exposure.
US09880723B2 Graphical user interface using color spectrum to map sentiments
Systems and methods of operating a human-machine interface (HMI) with a graphical user interface (GUI). A color spectrum is displayed along with a topic. A selection of a point on the color spectrum is received, and associated in a memory with the displayed topic. A data record is stored indicating a sentiment associated with the topic. The sentiment includes an intensity level and an emotion level. The intensity level is one of multiple intensity levels that change along a first dimension of the color spectrum, and the emotion level is one of multiple emotion levels that change along a second dimension of the color spectrum.
US09880722B2 Automatic presentation of slide design suggestions
A method and system for organizing slides by analyzing content and offering alternative solutions for placing content on the slides in an effective and visually interesting organization is provided. The presentation application automatically generates alternative design suggestions for the provided content that effectively utilize the slide space pursuant to analytics performed on the content. Providing alternative design suggestions for organizing content on a slide assists in quickly and easily creating presentations that effectively utilize slide space.
US09880721B2 Information processing device, non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing an information processing program, and information processing method
An information processing device includes an operation receiver capable of receiving a gesture operation for an object on a screen; and a controller configured to receive an output from the operation receiver and an output from a user motion detector configured to detect whether the gesture operation received by the operation receiver is a two-hand operation or a one-hand operation. The controller sets a size change associated with the resizing to a first degree when the gesture operation for the object is the two-hand operation, and sets a size change associated with the resizing to a second degree which is relatively greater than the first degree when the gesture operation for the object is the one-hand operation on a basis of a user operation detected by the user motion detector, and reflects resizing of the object on the screen on a basis of the set degree.
US09880717B1 Account switching
Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to effortlessly switching between user accounts. For example, a user may access an application on their computing device. Within the application the user may have multiple user accounts. The application may display a plurality of indicators that signify each user account associated with that application. In this regard, the user may perform a swiping or tapping motion to select a particular user account to switch to. A transitional stage may take place that changes a first background and details associated with a first user account to a second background and details associated with a second user account. When the transition is complete, the user is able to access and perform functions associated with the second user account. The user may switch to another user account using a similar swiping or tapping motion.
US09880716B2 User-selectable quasi-permanent partial overlap of user interface display
A method includes displaying via a processor a user interface on a display screen of a computing device, detecting a selection of a portion of the first user interface, generating a clip configured to include the selected portion of the user interface as content. The method further includes displaying the generated clip on the display screen to enable a user of the mobile device to review the content, and maintaining the display of the generated clip on the display screen even after the user interface is no longer displayed on the display screen.
US09880715B2 System and method for streamlining user interaction with electronic content
Various aspects and embodiments are directed to a graphical user interface that organizes interface elements into views of computer content for presentation to a user. Different views of are used to provide an interface that is responsive to configurations of the device and activities performed by the user. Aspects include permitting the user to transition the device from one configuration to another during its use. The elements that comprise the graphical user interface are configured to present a summarized view of available actions and content to simplify user interaction. The different views present different organizations of the interface elements and in some examples display only certain modes of content in order to reduce the number of options a user must navigate. Methods and systems for streamlining user interaction with computer content are also provided. Streamlining includes, for example, pre-configuring a user device based on received information.
US09880714B2 Dynamic loading of contextual ontologies for predictive touch screen typing
A system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program and a computer-implemented method for generating a navigable user interface for the dynamic loading of contextual ontologies for predictive typing. In some embodiments, the method may include receiving an input from a client device, gathering context data corresponding to the input, and providing a predictive typing entry based on the context data and the received input, in a navigable user interface.
US09880711B2 Adaptive alert duration
A computing device may output, for display at a display device, a graphical user interface. The computing device may receive a plurality of indications of user interaction with the computing device. The computing device may determine a set of one or more time intervals between receiving at least two of the plurality of indications of user interaction with the computing device. The computing device may determine, based at least in part on the determined set of one or more time intervals, a length of time to visually emphasize an alert in the graphical user interface. The computing device may visually emphasize, for the length of time, the alert in the graphical user interface.
US09880710B1 Systems and methods for effectively using data controls in a graphical user interface on a small visual display
A user interacts with a graphical user interface on a client device. The device displays a data visualization that includes configuration parameters. The device also displays one or more read-only static controls, each static control corresponding to a respective parameter. Each static control indicates the value assigned to the corresponding parameter. A first user action activates a first static control. The first static control corresponds to a first parameter with a first value. The device displays an editable indirect control in the graphical user interface, which displays the first value. The editable indirect control is larger than the first static control, and is superimposed over the corresponding static control. The user changes the first value to a second value, and the device updates the displayed data visualization based on the second value for the first parameter. The editable indirect control is subsequently removed from display in the graphical user interface.
US09880707B2 Methods and systems for displaying vehicle data parameters with operating condition indicators
Methods and system pertaining to displaying vehicle data parameters (VDP) are described. A vehicle service tool (VST) with a display can receive vehicle data messages or signals from a vehicle to receive the VDP. Some of the VDP can be associated with a PID. The VST can display VDP thresholds and indicators when a received VDP has breached a VDP threshold. The VST can determine being changed from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation or vice versa and responsively change the presentation of VDP graphs displayed by the display. The display can receive various inputs such as a drag-and-drop or pinch-and-expand input to alternatively change the presentation of the VDP graphs being displayed. Changing a VDP presentation of graphs can include resizing or repositioning one or more VDP graph windows including a VDP graph.
US09880705B2 Methods, systems, and media for navigating a user interface using directional controls
Methods, systems, and media for navigating a user interface are provided. In some embodiments, methods for navigating a user interface is provided, the method comprising: causing a user interface to be presented including media identifiers that correspond media assets; causing the media identifiers to be arranged along a first direction; causing a first media identifier at a first position to be highlighted; causing a menu element to be presented at a first menu position associated with the first media identifier; receiving an instruction from a user input device to navigate to a next element along the first direction; causing a second media identifier next to the first position to be highlighted in response to receiving the instruction; causing the menu element to be presented at a second menu position associated with the second media identifier; and inhibiting presentation of the menu element at the first menu position.
US09880704B2 Email user interface
Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems receive a reply or forward command for a selected email message in an email user interface, determine that the email user interface is in full screen mode and that the selected email message is at least partially outside of a visible area of the email user interface, and display a composition window in response to the command, wherein the displaying includes a sequence of images to create the illusion of the composition window sliding up from the bottom of the screen. In an example, a user interface includes a collapsible panel of mailboxes and folders, and a separate and independent favorites bar including a plurality of the mailboxes and folders. One of the mailboxes and folders in the favorites bar may be a hierarchical folder that includes a subfolder that is accessible via a drop down menu from the hierarchical folder in the favorites bar.
US09880702B2 Content structures and content navigation interfaces
In one example, a content navigation interface apparatus includes display logic for displaying selections for accessing a first entry of a content structure and a second entry of the content structure, wherein the second entry is a sub-entry of the first entry. The apparatus further including selection logic for determining the second entry for display based on a user characteristic (e.g., history, user profile, etc.). The first entry may be associated with a first level of a hierarchical content structure, and the second entry associated with a second level of the hierarchical content structure. In one example, the first entry is associated with a broad content category and the second entry associated with content, such as a media object.
US09880696B2 System for providing dynamic linked panels in user interface
A computer system may be configured to: execute a first query associated with a first panel; display the first panel in a user interface based on first display settings of the first panel, the first panel displaying at least a portion of the result of the first query, the result of the first query associated with a variable; execute a second query associated with a second panel, wherein the second query refers to the variable associated with the first query; display the second panel in the user interface based on second display settings of the second panel, the second panel displaying at least a portion of the result of the second query; and in response to user input changing the displayed result in the first panel: re-execute the second query; and update the display of the second panel in the user interface based on results of the re-executed second query.
US09880694B2 Shop order status visualization system
A method and apparatus for visualizing an assembly of parts for an aircraft. A shop order instance is identified for the assembly of parts for the aircraft. A volume is identified for the shop order instance. The assembly of parts is displayed within the volume in context with a number of assemblies of other parts within the volume.
US09880691B2 Device and method for synchronizing display and touch controller with host polling
Devices, systems, and methods are provided for coordinating the interaction between a touch screen controller and a display controller in an electronic device of the type including a host processor, a touch screen controller configured to acquire capacitive measurements from a touch screen, and a display controller configured to update a display at a refresh frequency and phase. The method includes: sharing a synchronization signal between the display controller and the host processor, the synchronization signal indicative of the refresh frequency and phase; polling the touch screen controller, by the host processor, based on the synchronization signal; and in response to the polling, acquiring the capacitive measurements by the touch screen controller at a sampling rate and phase determined by the refresh frequency and phase.
US09880689B2 Touch screen panel
Disclosed is a touch screen panel including: a touch sensing electrode; and a pixel part disposed on a bottom of the touch sensing electrodes, wherein the touch sensing electrode includes: sensing patterns which include first patterns formed in a first direction and second patterns formed in a second direction; bridge electrodes which electrically connect separated unit patterns of the second patterns; and at least one auxiliary pattern which is provided on a top or a bottom of at least one of the first patterns and second patterns, the pixel part includes a plurality of unit pixels, and the auxiliary patterns respectively satisfy Equation 1, thereby having excellent touch sensitivity due to significantly decreased resistance of a touch screen panel.
US09880686B2 Touch screen panel, display device, and manufacturing method thereof
A touch screen panel includes first electrode patterns disposed in a first direction, first connection patterns electrically connecting the first electrode patterns, second electrode patterns disposed in a second direction intersecting the first direction and insulated from the first electrode patterns, insulating patterns disposed on the first connection patterns, and second connection patterns disposed on the insulating patterns and electrically connecting the second electrode patterns, in which at least one of the first electrode patterns, the first connection patterns, the second electrode patterns, and the second connection patterns include a first polymer layer including a conductive material infiltrated therein, and the insulating patterns comprise a second polymer layer comprising a dielectric material infiltrated therein.
US09880685B2 Portable electronic device including keyboard and method of controlling same
An electronic device includes a plurality of keycaps, first magnets disposed on an underside of the keycaps, each first magnet of the plurality of first magnets being associated with a respective one of the keycaps and moveable therewith relative to the back of the device, and electromagnets disposed between the back of the keyboard and the first magnets, each electromagnet being associated with a respective one of the first magnets and a respective one of the keycaps. The electronic device also includes a controller coupled to the electromagnets to control each electromagnet to maintain a magnetic field to repel the first magnet and to reverse the polarity in response to detecting an external applied force on the keycap that meets a threshold value to facilitate movement of the respective keycap from a first position, toward the back of the keyboard, to a second position.
US09880682B2 Device adapted for emulating tactile contacts on a capacitive screen
The invention relates to a device (CD) comprising a capacitive keyboard (KB) constituted of a plurality of keys (KY), each key comprising an active electrode (AEL) and an active ground plane (AGP), a microcontroller (MC) connected to said keyboard (KB) through active electrode (AEL) and active ground plane (AGP). Said microcontroller (MC) is adapted for managing said keyboard (KB) in a reverse manner for emulating a sequence of tactile contacts on a capacitive screen.
US09880679B2 Electronic apparatus which effects touch coordinate based on proximity and strain
An electronic apparatus includes a display unit that displays predetermined information and an electrostatic capacitive touch panel unit through which display of the display unit passes and that determines a two-dimensional coordinate indicated by an instructing object which has some conductivity. In the electronic apparatus, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a two-dimensional coordinate corresponding to the instructing object is caused to be effective and the effective two-dimensional coordinate is changed depending on movement of the instructing object, and when the effective two-dimensional coordinate is changed in a predetermined range for a predetermined time, the effective two-dimensional coordinate is caused to be ineffective.
US09880678B2 Touch sensor layer and display device
The disclosure provides a touch sensor layer and a display device. The display device includes a display module and a touch sensor layer. The display module includes a substrate. The touch sensor layer is disposed on the substrate and includes a plurality of touch sensor units defined by a plurality of first non-continuous conducting lines and a plurality of second non-continuous conducting lines cross over each other. A sensor electrode is defined by some of the plurality of touch sensor units connected together.
US09880675B2 Capacitive sensing array modulation
A capacitive fingerprint sensor that may be formed of an array of sensing elements. Each capacitive sensing element of the array may register a voltage that varies with the capacitance of a capacitive coupling. A finger may capacitively couple to the individual capacitive sensing elements of the sensor, such that the sensor may sense a capacitance between each capacitive sensing element and the flesh of the fingerprint. The capacitance signal may be detected by sensing the change in voltage on the capacitive sensing element as the relative voltage between the finger and the sensing chip is changed. Alternately, the capacitance signal may be detected by sensing the change in charge received by the capacitive sensing elements as the relative voltage between the finger and the sensing chip is changed.
US09880669B2 Touch panel with infrared light receiving elements, and display device
A touch panel and a display device are provided. The touch panel includes a touch substrate; two first photodetectors disposed at both ends of a side of the touch substrate, wherein the touch substrate is divided into a first touch area and a second touch area, the second touch area is in a location corresponds to the detection blind zone of the two first photodetectors, and the two first photodetectors are configured to determine the position of a touch point in the first touch area; and a second photodetector disposed at peripheral of the touch substrate which can emit and receive infrared light and are configured to determine a position of a touch point in the second touch area.
US09880665B2 Touch screen and touch-sensitive apparatus
The present disclosure relates to field of display technique and discloses a touch screen and a touch-sensitive apparatus to prevent light rays outside a display region of the touch-sensitive apparatus from being reflected toward the display region through a silver paste layer, thereby reducing a light leak of the touch-sensitive apparatus and thus improving display effect and yield rate thereof. The touch screen comprises a first transparent substrate layer and a first tin indium oxide layer and a silver paste layer formed on the first transparent substrate layer. The silver paste layer is electrically connected with the first tin indium oxide layer and arranged within a non-display region of the touch screen. The touch screen further comprises a shielding layer arranged on a side of the silver paste layer where the first transparent substrate layer is located and configured for shielding the silver paste layer.
US09880663B2 Piezoelectric sensor, and an electrical appliance, an installation or a gadget comprising at least one piezoelectric sensor
A piezoelectric sensor with configurable sensitivity thresholds in response to at least one sensitivity threshold command received from a host (28) over a serial data bus (27). The piezoelectric sensor (2) is improved by configuring its microcontroller (26) such that after receiving the sensitivity threshold command, to continue using the at least one actual sensitivity threshold until the sensitivity threshold command has been completely processed and the sensitivity threshold register (30) has been updated by the microcontroller (26), and then to swap to using the updated sensitivity threshold register with the adjusted sensitivity thresholds, and after receiving the sensitivity threshold command, to discard any signals from all piezoelectric sensor elements (20) or at least from such piezoelectric sensor elements (20), to the sensitivity threshold of which the sensitivity threshold command relates, until the microcontroller (26) has completely processed the sensitivity threshold command and updated the sensitivity threshold register (30).
US09880658B2 Array substrate, display panel and electronic device
Array substrate, display panel and electronic device are provided. The array substrate includes: a touch control circuit including first switches, second switches and a first control module; and touch control electrodes arranged in array and insulated from one another, wherein adjacent touch corresponding control electrodes are connected with each other through first switch, each touch control electrode is connected with signal line through second switch, when the array substrate is in touch control detection state, the first control module turns off first switches connecting to touch control electrodes in a particular row, and turns on second switches connecting to touch control electrodes in the particular row, such that touch control electrodes in the particular row are disconnected from other ones and electrically connected to signal line; and repeat above processing row by row. Detection signal lines are saved, wiring is simplified, space for wiring is saved, and cost is reduced.
US09880657B2 Touch-sensitive panel, method, and method of manufacturing the same
A touch-sensitive panel, touch-sensing method, and method for manufacturing the same are provided. The touch-sensitive panel includes a substrate, an induction line array layer, a dielectric layer, and an LED display panel. The induction line and the scanning line of the LED display panel intersect, and the induction line, the dielectric layer, and the scanning line form an inducing capacitor, which is utilized to generate a touch-sensing signal when the touch-sensitive panel is acted upon by an applied force. The present invention enables the display panel with the touch-sensing function to be thinner.
US09880656B2 Information terminal, display controlling method and program
An information terminal includes a first housing and a second housing interconnected for opening/ closure, a first display unit and a first touch panel stacked one upon the other on the first housing, and a second display unit and a second touch panel stacked one upon the other on the second housing. The information terminal also includes a detection unit which, in a closed state with the first and second display units superposed one upon the other and facing outwards, detects actuations on one of the first touch panel and the second touch panel that happens to be back-facing as seen from a user. The information terminal further includes a controller that controls an onscreen display on the first display unit or the second display unit that happens to be front-facing as seen from the user, based on information regarding the actuations detected by the detection unit.
US09880654B2 Touch display drive circuit, touch display drive method and display device
The present invention provides a touch display drive circuit, a touch display drive method and a display device. The circuit comprises a touch module and a display drive module, wherein the display drive module is connected with a data line, a first scanning line, a second scanning line, a control line, a first voltage source, a third voltage source and a fourth voltage source; the touch module is connected with the first scanning line, the second scanning line, a reading line and a second voltage source, and the touch module receives the data signal input from the display drive module under the action of the signals input from the first scanning line and the second scanning line to reset the touch module; when touch occurs, the touch module provides a touch signal, and the reading line receives the touch signal.
US09880643B1 User terminal device and method for controlling the user terminal device thereof
A user terminal device and a control method are provided. The user terminal device includes a display, a sensor configured to sense a user interaction on the display, and a controller configured to, in response to a user interaction being sensed by the sensor of a touch being made by an input device of a polyhedral shape that includes different touch patterns on each of a plurality of surfaces, control a function of the user terminal device according to a touch pattern on a touched surface among the plurality of surfaces.
US09880639B2 Pointing system, pointing device, and pointing control method
[Object] To provide a pointing system capable of presenting an intuitive operational feeling to a user.[Solving Means] A pointing device includes a casing, a tactile sense presentation section, and a sensor section. The sensor section detects an operation for the casing and outputs an operation signal for controlling a movement of a pointer on a screen. The control apparatus includes an area setting section and a signal generation section. The area setting section sets a first area that belongs to an inside of a display area of an object on the screen, a second area that belongs to an outside of the display area of the object, and a third area that belongs to a boundary portion between the first area and the second area. The signal generation section calculates a position of the pointer based on the operation signal to generate, when the pointer is located in the first area, a control signal by which the tactile sense presentation section is driven in a first drive mode and generates, when the pointer is located in the third area, a control signal by which the tactile sense presentation section is driven in a second drive mode.
US09880638B2 Character specification system and method that uses a limited number of selection keys
A method and apparatus of identifying and selecting characters from among a plurality of characters. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computer processor electronically enables identification of each of a plurality of characters arranged in a one-dimensional array. Each character is identified by an integer value that corresponds to the number of positions the character is offset from a reference position of the one-dimensional array. The computer processor electronically enables selection of any of the characters by receiving input resulting from activation of selection keys that specify the integer value of a character desired for selection. In one further embodiment, each selection key has an assigned integer value, and the integer value that identifies the selected character is calculated by summing the assigned integer values of each selection key activated for each instance that each selection key is activated within a selectable-length time period.
US09880637B2 Human interface apparatus having input unit for pointer location information and pointer command execution unit
A human interface apparatus comprising the steps of: receiving text input from a user; switching to input mode for pointing location information; receiving input for pointing location information from the user; and switching the human interface apparatus to a text input mode, wherein the text input area and the pointing location information input area have at least a part of the area in common.
US09880636B2 Configurable character variant unification
A method for configurable character variant unification is provided in the illustrative embodiments. A determination is made that a unification profile is applicable to a circumstance in which a character variant has been selected. The character variant is a variation of a character in a set of variations of the character such that each variation of the character in the set is represented by a unique Unicode code point. A unification repository is identified according to the profile. A determination is made whether the character variant satisfies a unification rule. Responsive to the character variant not satisfying the unification rule, a different variation of the character is selected from the unification repository, the different variation forming a replacement character variant. The replacement character variant is used in place of the character variant.
US09880634B2 Gesture input apparatus, gesture input method, and program for wearable terminal
A trajectory of a user's finger is converted to an input signal without touching a sensor. A gesture input apparatus 1 acquires images photographed by a camera 101 and a camera 102 when a user's finger draws a trajectory like arrows 202 and 203 by stroking, for example, reference numbers 201b and 201c from a reference number 201a, detects a user's fingerprint in the images, and stores the trajectory in a fingerprint position database 50. Thereafter, the gesture input apparatus 1 extracts from a motion pattern database 51 a motion pattern matching with the trajectory of the user's finger and extracts an input signal associated with the motion pattern. Then, the gesture input apparatus 1 converts the trajectory of the user's finger to the input signal such that the extracted input signal behaves in the same manner as being actually input.
US09880629B2 Gesture recognition devices and methods with user authentication
Devices and related methods are disclosed herein that generally involve detecting and interpreting gestures made by a user to generate user input information for use by a digital data processing system. In one embodiment, a device includes first and second sensors that observe a workspace in which user gestures are performed. The device can be set to a keyboard input mode, a number pad input mode, or a mouse input mode based on the positioning of the user's hands. Subsequent gestures made by the user can be interpreted as keyboard inputs, mouse inputs, etc., using observed characteristics of the user's hands and various motion properties of the user's hands. These observed characteristics can also be used to implement a security protocol, for example by identifying authorized users by the anatomical properties of their hands or the behavioral properties exhibited by the user while gesturing.
US09880626B2 Haptic actuator including pulse width modulated waveform based movement for overcoming resting inertia and related methods
A haptic actuator may include a housing, at least one coil carried by the housing, a field member movable within the housing responsive to the at least one coil, and at least one mechanical limit stop between the housing and the field member. The haptic actuator may also include circuitry capable of generating a pulse width modulated (PWM) waveform for the at least one coil to move the field member from an initial at-rest position and without contacting the at least one mechanical limit stop.
US09880621B2 Generating virtual stimulation devices and illusory sensations using tactile display technology
Systems and methods providing tactile displays that present two-dimensional moving tactile stroke sensations are described herein. Systems and methods provide for controlling the characteristics of stimulation devices arranged in a grid topology to generate virtual stimulation devices and illusory sensations. Embodiments provide for the generation of illusory sensations including, but not limited to, continuous linear movement and shapes such as curves, squares, and circles. According to embodiments, a tactile display apparatus is provided that facilitates user interaction with the tactile display. The tactile display apparatus includes an interface embedded with stimulation devices and a control device that controls the operation of the stimulation devices to generate illusory sensations.
US09880619B2 Virtual reality system with a finger-wearable control
A system, which is optionally a virtual reality (VR) system, including: (a) a finger-wearable device that has a force sensing actuator configured to sense a pinching of thumb to finger and trigger an emission of a signal, multiple light sources configured to emit multiple optical signals, a motion detector, and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter configured to transmit an RF signal; (b) a screen; (c) an RF receiver configured to receive the RF signal; (d) at least one optical sensor configured to receive the multiple optical signals and use the optical signals to detect a spatial position of the finger-wearable device; and (d) a controller configured to use the received RF signal, the multiple optical signals and the spatial position to project visual content onto the screen.
US09880618B2 System and method for providing information
Systems, methods and apparatus for presenting information using idle time slot. In an aspect, when a standby or idle device detects that a user gazes at it, it starts showing contents on its display automatically. In another aspect, when a standby or idle device detects that a user shakes or taps on it, it starts gaze sensing. If the user gazes at the device, it begins to show contents automatically. The contents may include advertisements.
US09880610B2 Power supplying method, power supplying system, and electronic device
The present disclosure discloses a power supplying method, a power supplying system, and an electronic device to address the technical problems in the related art that the structure of an electronic device is complex, thereby achieving the technical effect that the internal structure of an electronic device is simplified and the cost for manufacturing the electronic device is reduced. The method comprises: detecting and acquiring current voltage of a power supplying battery in an electronic device as a first voltage if the power supplying battery is in a first power supplying state where a first operational circuit comprising a Real-Time Clock (RTC) and a second operational circuit are supplied with power, wherein the power supplying battery is connected to the first operational circuit and the second operational circuit via a regulator, and wherein the second operational circuit is a power-on circuit comprising a power switch; determining whether the first voltage is lower than a preset voltage to acquire a determination result; and controlling the power supplying battery to switch from the first power supplying state to a second power supplying state where only the first operational circuit is supplied with power if the determination result is yes.
US09880608B2 Application processor for adjusting clock signal using hardware power management unit and devices including the same
An application processor includes a central processing unit (CPU), intellectual properties (IPs), a hardware power management unit (PMU) configured to determine whether the application processor is in system idle based on a first idle signal output from the CPU and output control signals as a result of the determination, and a clock signal supply control circuit configured to change an output signal supplied to the CPU and the IPs from clock signals to an oscillation clock signal, based on the control signals. The oscillation clock signal has a frequency lower than that of the clock signals.
US09880604B2 Energy efficient location detection
In a device, one or more low energy sensors are used to determine a mobility state of the device. Based on both the mobility state of the device and one or more places of interest for the device, a determination is made as to when to use a high energy sensor to determine a location of the device. One of the one or more places of interest for the device within which the device is located at any particular time can be determined based on the mobility state of the device and/or the location of the device as determined by the high energy sensor.
US09880602B2 Power characteristics in a system of disparate storage drives
A mass data storage system includes a plurality of communicatively coupled storage drives powered by one or more power supplies. A power map defines the relationships between the storage drives and the power supplies and power rules/policies define the maximum permissible power load on each power supply at any point in time.
US09880600B2 Stand-by power estimating apparatus and program
An estimating apparatus includes an acquiring unit, a history recording unit, and a determining unit. The acquiring unit acquires power amounts for respective measurement times from a measuring apparatus that measures power for each branch line, as a plurality of used power amounts. The history recording unit records the plurality of used power amounts in association with dates and times. The determining unit variably sets a comparison value for comparing magnitudes of the plurality of used power amounts recorded in the history recording unit, obtains a minimum value of the comparison value in a range satisfying a condition that an amount of time for which at least some of the plurality of used power amounts are continuously equal to or below the comparison value exceeds a prescribed sustained time, and estimates the minimum value to be a peak value of stand-by power of the branch line.
US09880598B2 Cascaded power-over-ethernet system
A Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) device (200) for use in a PoE system is described. The PoE device (200) comprising a first PoE port (210) for connecting the device to an upstream PoE device or a central control unit, a second PoE port (220) for connecting the device to a downstream device or PoE device and a control unit (240) for controlling data (335) and/or power communication (400) between the first (210) and second (220) PoE port. The control unit (240) further comprises a first power input terminal (305) connected to the first PoE port (210) to receive electrical power (320) for powering the control unit (240).
US09880597B2 Method and terminal device for continuous power supply to external carrier
The invention discloses a method and terminal device for continuously supplying power to external element. The method comprises the following steps: when a terminal device switches from a first operating system to a second operating system, a proxy external element application is generated in the second operating system so that the proxy external element application is associated with an external element; by means of this proxy external element application, the external element which is associated with the application in the first operating system before the above switch operation is continuously supplied with power after the above switch operation.
US09880594B2 Thermal management for solid-state drive
A device structure includes a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a thermal conduction plane, at least one heat generating component thermally connected to the thermal conduction plane, and a first frame portion thermally connected to the thermal conduction plane and at least partially enclosing the at least one heat generating component. The thermal conduction plane thermally connects the at least one heat generating component to the first frame portion by way of a plurality of vias from a surface of the PCB to the thermal conduction plane.
US09880588B2 Variably deformable display device with click button module
There is provided a variable display device including: a variable display displaying an image and variably changed by external force; and at least one click button module provided separately from the variable display and attached onto the bottom of the variable display to correspond to a predetermined touch button region of the variable display.
US09880585B2 Electronic device
The present disclosure provides an electronic device that includes a first body, a second body, a rotating mechanism, an enclosing mechanism, and a flexible display screen. The first body and the second body are pivotally connected by the rotating mechanism, and the enclosing mechanism encloses the rotating mechanism. The flexible display screen is arranged on the enclosing mechanism. The electronic device according to the present disclosure can add an auxiliary display device, i.e. a flexible display screen, apart from main display devices, and according to different settings, the auxiliary display device can achieve an external image output independent from the main display device, and can also achieve a larger area image output than that of the main display device.
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