| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09917683B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting channel state information in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting channel information by a User Equipment (UE) when an uplink sub-frame is used for downlink transmission in a communication system using a dynamic Time Division Duplex (TDD) UpLink-DownLink (UL-DL) configuration is provided. The method includes receiving reconfiguration information for reconfiguration of TDD uplink and downlink from an evolved Node B (eNB), measuring interference in a first sub-frame changed from an uplink sub-frame to a downlink sub-frame by the reconfiguration, and transmitting information on interference measured in only the first sub-frame to the eNB in an uplink sub-frame according to a predetermined timing. |
| US09917675B2 |
Enhanced polar code constructions by strategic placement of CRC bits
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques and apparatus for improving decoding latency and performance of Polar codes. An exemplary method generally includes generating a codeword by encoding information bits, using a multi-dimensional interpretation of a polar code of length N, determining, based on one or more criteria, a plurality of locations within the codeword to insert error correction codes generating the error correction codes based on corresponding portions of the information bits, inserting the error correction codes at the determined plurality of locations, and transmitting the codeword. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described. |
| US09917670B1 |
DC correction in uplink multi-user transmission
A communication device receives a trigger frame from an access point, the trigger frame configured to prompt the communication device to simultaneously transmit with one or more other communication devices as part of a multi-user uplink transmission. The communication device determines carrier frequency offset (CFO) information based on the trigger frame, and transmits the CFO information to the access point in response to the trigger frame so that the access point can use the CFO to process the multi-user uplink transmission. |
| US09917669B2 |
Access point and communication system for resource allocation
An access point (AP) and a communication system are provided. The access point comprises at least but not limited to a transceiver, a network connection unit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured for the following steps. The AP receives channel access requests of the user equipments (UEs) from the UEs. Next, the AP transmits a channel request data according to QoS requirements of plurality of channel access requests of the UEs to the server. Afterward, the AP receives resource allocation information associated with the channel request data from the server, wherein the resource allocation information comprises an allocated result of physical channels and transmission power configurations. Subsequently, the AP allocates the physical channels to the UEs according to the QoS requirements of the channel access requests of the UEs and the resource allocation information. |
| US09917668B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting and propagating resizability information of oduflex connections
A method, in a network element, for detecting and propagating resizability information of an Optical channel Data Unit flex (ODUflex) connection includes receiving resizability information in overhead associated with the ODUflex connection, wherein the resizability information indicates a number of available tributary slots and whether the ODUflex connection is symmetric; and adjusting the resizability information based on a change in the available tributary slots due to a bandwidth change at the network element. The systems and methods include a solution to communicate, in real time, the resizability information of an ODUflex connection utilizing the associated data path to carry it instead of the management/control plane. |
| US09917667B2 |
Host-to-host test scheme for periodic parameters transmission in synchronized TTP systems
A system for testing synchronous TTP communication networks is provided. The system includes a first and second nodes coupled to a transmission bus. The first node is configured to generate a test command, which includes a test flag and a test round field, set the test flag, and transmit the test command and a plurality of parameters via the transmission bus using data frames. The second node is configured to receive the test command and the plurality of parameters from the transmission bus, determine whether the test flag is set, and compare parameter values in the received data frames with expected values in a test vector stored on the second node, for each of the plurality of parameters, in response to determining that the test flag is set. The first and second nodes are configured to communicate with each other using a TTP on a time slot basis. |
| US09917666B2 |
Method and device for receiving a broadcast service comprising switching between digital audio broadcasting (DAB) transmissions and enhanced multimedia broadcast/multicast transmissions (EMBMS)
A method for broadcast service following for a vehicle includes a first step of continuously, or in given time intervals, estimating a signal quality and/or signal availability of the DAB service and/or the cellular network based broadcast service in a route section the vehicle is expected to reach in a given time span. The method also includes a second step of performing a handover from the DAB service to the corresponding cellular network based broadcast service dependent on the estimated signal quality and/or signal availability. The first step may depend on provided data base information. The first step may in addition, or in the alternative, depend on service information, which is included in a received DAB signal. |
| US09917655B1 |
Timing-modulated side channel
Physical-layer information is conveyed within a packetized communication network via a timing-modulated side channel to yield low-latency physical interface control without consuming host-layer signaling bandwidth. Multi-modal transceivers at opposite ends of a signaling link optionally communicate to confirm mutual support and signaling headroom for timing-modulated information exchange before transitioning from an in-band feedback mode to a side-channel feedback mode. |
| US09917654B2 |
Chip for transdermal emission or augmentation of energy
A hologram chip may be programmed to emit and/or augment energy tuned to interact with bodily functions through transdermal contact. The chip may be programmed by using a pair of Tesla pancake coils, each coupled to a spherical electrode and driven to create an energetic field between the electrodes. The hologram chip may be in contact with a transmitter coil. A tuning medium may be in contact with a receiver coil. A wave function generator may drive the transmitter coil until it is in resonance with the receiver coil causing an energetic field to form between the spherical electrodes. The longitudinal waves passed from the transmitter side to the receiver side may be conducted through the receiver pancake coil and through the tuning medium, which in turn may transmit the natural frequencies/information of the tuning medium through the longitudinal waves to the hologram chip on the transmitter coil. |
| US09917651B2 |
Feed signal generation for a phased array antenna
A feed signal generator (10) for a phased array antenna, comprising: an input (12) to receive an optical spectrum having first and second phase-locked spectral components, respectively having first and second optical frequencies; wavelength selective separator apparatus (14) to separate the optical spectrum into a first optical signal being the first spectral component and a second optical signal being the second spectral component; an optical time delay element (16) to apply a time delay to the first optical signal to form a delayed optical signal; a heterodyning device (20) to heterodyne the delayed optical signal and the second optical signal to generate a feed signal (22) having a power proportional to a product of the amplitudes of the second and delayed optical signals and a phase proportional to the time delay; and optical amplitude control apparatus (18) to set an amplitude of the delayed optical signal such that the product of said amplitudes causes the power of the feed signal to have a preselected value. |
| US09917649B2 |
Method and apparatus for characterization and compensation of optical impairments in InP-based optical transmitter
A method and apparatus for characterizing and compensating optical impairments in an optical transmitter includes operating an optical transmitter comprising a first and second parent MZ, each comprising a plurality of child MZ modulators that are biased at respective initial operating points. An electro-optic RF transfer function is generated for each of the plurality of child MZ modulators. Curve fitting parameters are determined for each of the plurality of electro-optic RF transfer functions and operating points of each child MZ modulator are determined using the curve fitting parameters. An IQ power imbalance is determined using the curve fitting parameters. Initial RF drive power levels are determined that compensate for the determined IQ power imbalance. The XY power imbalance is determined for initial RF drive power levels using the curve fitting parameters. The operating RF drive powers are determined that at least partially compensate for the first and second IQ power imbalances and for the XY power imbalance for the optical transmitter. |
| US09917648B2 |
Upstream interference eliminating transmission of digital baseband signal in an optical network
Particular embodiments provide a method for delivering data in the upstream direction without the need for upstream radio frequency (RF) modulation. For example, in some embodiments, an optical network may reach to a gateway associated with a user device. The gateway may receive digital baseband data from the user device in the upstream direction. The gateway can then send the digital baseband data through the optical network without modulating the digital baseband signal via radio frequency. At the headend, because no modulation is performed in the upstream direction, there is no need for de-modulation in the headend. In one embodiment, a scheduler-based approach is used to avoid instances of optical beat interference in the upstream direction as only one upstream device that may interfere with other devices may be able to send data at one time. |
| US09917640B2 |
Optical coupler device and an optical monitoring device for monitoring one or more optical point-to-point transmission links
Disclosed is an optical coupler device, especially for monitoring purposes in an optical point-to-point transmission link, which includes a first, a second and a third optical port and is configured to transmit a first optical signal received at the first optical port to the second optical port and to transmit a second optical signal received at the second optical port to the first and third optical port according to a monitoring split ratio with respect to the optical power of the second optical signal, the first and second optical signal having a wavelength lying in a first optical band. The device is further configured to transmit a third and a fourth optical signal received at the third and the second optical port to the respective other optical port, the third and fourth optical signal having a wavelength lying in a second optical band. The device is controllable with respect to the monitoring split ratio and includes a control means adapted to receive a control signal. The control means controls the optical coupler device with respect to the monitoring split ratio such that in a first work the second optical signal is transmitted to the first optical port, only, and in a second work mode a major portion of the optical power of the second signal is transmitted to the first optical port and a minor portion of the optical power of the second signal is transmitted to the third optical port. |
| US09917634B2 |
Demultiplexing apparatus, multiplexing apparatus, and relay apparatus
A relay apparatus includes a reception analog filter that extracts a desired signal from a received signal, an A/D converter that converts the signal after passage through the reception analog filter into a digital signal, a demultiplexing unit that demultiplexes the digital signal converted by the A/D converter into m signals, a reception-side compensating unit that digitally compensates for an analog characteristic of the reception analog filter with respect to the m signals demultiplexed by the demultiplexing unit, and a multiplexing unit that multiplexes the m signals digitally compensated by the reception-side compensating unit. The reception-side compensating unit further demultiplexes each of x signals not sufficiently compensated among the digitally-compensated m signals into k signals, digitally compensates for the analog characteristic of the reception analog filter, and multiplexes the k signals after the digital compensation. |
| US09917631B2 |
Diversity monitoring antenna system
Switching apparatus for use in RF transmission systems. The apparatus comprises first and second RF signal inputs, each coupled to an RF signal path including a coupler directing a portion of input RF signal power to corresponding first and second RF signal outputs. The apparatus includes an RF signal switching arrangement having a control input, a switch output, a first switch input coupled to the first RF signal path, a second switch input coupled to the second RF signal path, and the RF signal switching arrangement is operable by the control input to selectively connect the first or second switch input to the switch output. An RF signal monitoring output is coupled to the switch output, and a processor is configured to receive a switch command input and generate a switch control signal which is adapted to configure the RF signal switch arrangement in accordance with the switch command input. |
| US09917623B1 |
Digital beamforming architecture
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for digital beamforming. In one aspect, a subsystem of a spacecraft can include multipliers and a data distribution network including adders to provide beamformed signals. |
| US09917621B2 |
System and method for network uplink measurement based operation using UE centric sounding
Embodiments are provided for uplink measurement based mechanism and control using user equipment (UE) centric sounding signals. The mechanism provides an alternative to DL-measurement dominated system control. Based on UL-measurements at TPs, the network obtains knowledge of users' channel and timing information, traffic, and interference, and is thus able to perform better control, including TP and UE clustering and optimization, and power control and link adaptation. In an embodiment method, a TP receives one-to-one mapping information indicating a plurality of UE IDs and a plurality of sounding channels assigned to the corresponding UE IDs. When the TP detects a sounding reference signal (SRS) from a UE, the TP is able to identify the UE using the detected SRS and the one-to-one mapping information. The TP then obtains measurement information for the identified UE, enabling better control and communications for uplink and downlink transmissions between multiple TPs and the UE. |
| US09917619B2 |
Provisioning devices using near-field communication
Disclosed are various examples for provisioning a client device through near-field communication (NFC). An administrator device can provide configuration parameters to a client device in a factory-reset condition through an NFC bump. A second NFC bump can be performed that provides enrollment parameters to the client device, after which the client device can complete enrollment with an enterprise mobility management (EMM) service. |
| US09917616B2 |
Synchronization signal design for wireless devices in a long range extension mode
Systems and methods related to a synchronization signal particularly well suited for wireless devices in an extended coverage area of a cell of a cellular communications network are disclosed. In one embodiment, a base station transmits a synchronization signal including multiple repetitions of a basic synchronization block during a coherence time of a downlink channel over which the synchronization signal is transmitted. The multiple repetitions of the basic synchronization block during the coherence time enable coherent combining during detection of the synchronization signal at wireless devices located in the cellular communications network. This coherent combining enables, for example, wireless devices located in an extended coverage area of a cell served by the base station to synchronize to the cell using a shorter synchronization signal than that which would be required if only non-coherent combining were used. |
| US09917614B1 |
Low noise amplifier for carrier aggregation and apparatus including the same
Provided is an apparatus. The apparatus includes an input terminal configured to receive an input signal including at least one carrier, a first amplifier stage electrically connected to the input terminal, enabled in a first mode to output a first output signal by amplifying the input signal, and disabled in a second mode, and a second amplifier stage electrically connected to the input terminal, enabled in the second mode to output second and third output signals by amplifying the input signal, and disabled in the first mode. |
| US09917611B2 |
Molded pulp case for mobile device
A removable case for a mobile device formed from a molded pulp that is capable of conforming to the shape of the mobile device. The elasticity of the molded pulp material allows it to conform to the shape of the mobile device and to retain the mobile device within the case. This elasticity also aids in the protection of the mobile device. The molded pulp case has a plurality of sides that cover at least a portion of the side walls of the mobile device and overlap a portion of the front panel of the mobile device. A back panel covers a substantial portion of the rear panel of the mobile device. |
| US09917609B2 |
System and method for automatic detection and enablement of a virtual SIM on a mobile device
A method implemented by an enterprise server to facilitate activation of a virtual subscriber identity module (SIM) service on a mobile communication device. The method includes detecting a triggering event and in response to detecting the triggering event: determining that a SIM application on a physical universal integrated circuit card (UICC) currently inserted into the mobile communication device is associated with a mobile network operator (MNO) providing one or more virtual SIMs to which the enterprise server has access; determining whether the SIM application on the physical UICC is associated with one of the virtual SIMs provided by the MNO; and if the SIM application on the physical UICC is associated with a virtual SIM provided by the MNO, sending a message to the mobile communication device indicating that the mobile communication device is enabled for a virtual SIM service. |
| US09917600B2 |
Forward error correction with turbo/non-turbo switching
A forward error correction and differentially encoded signal obtained via a communication channel is supplied to a soft-input soft-output (SISO) differential decoder that is bi-directionally coupled to a SISO forward error correction decoder. Over a first portion of a plurality of decoding iterations of the differentially encoded signal, the SISO differential decoder and the SISO forward error correction decoder are operated in a turbo decoding mode in which decoded messages generated by the SISO differential decoder are supplied to the SISO forward error correction decoder and forward error correction messages are supplied to the differential decoder. Over a second portion of the plurality of decoding iterations of the differentially encoded signal, the SISO forward error correction decoder is operated in a non-turbo decoding mode without any messages passing to and from the SISO differential decoder. Decoder output is obtained from the SISO forward error correction decoder. |
| US09917599B2 |
Coding schemes including alternative codings for a single code construct
A coding scheme for coding “code constructs” (for example, alphanumeric characters) into “bit sequences,” where at least one of the code constructs is assigned at least two different bit sequences (that is, a first bit sequence and a second bit sequence). This is sometimes referred to herein as “alternative codings for a single code construct.” In some embodiments, at least one of the alternative codings includes bits that can be used for error detection and/or correction. In some embodiments, the code scheme will be similar to a pre-existing code scheme that does not have alternative codings for a single code construct so that the alternative-codings coding scheme is back compatible with data encoded under the pre-existing coding scheme. |
| US09917597B1 |
Method and apparatus for accelerated data compression with hints and filtering
A processor includes a decoder to decode an instruction to compress an input data stream and an execution unit for executing the instruction. The execution unit to generate metadata for a current input of the input data stream, the metadata comprises a first hint based on a portion of a current input that represents the input data stream at a current offset, select a first pointer to identify a location in a history buffer in a hash chain, determine whether the metadata generated for the current input matches metadata previously generated for the first pointer, and filter the first pointer from a search for a best match for the current input in the history buffer based on the determination that at least a portion of the metadata for the current input does not match a portion of the metadata for the first pointer. |
| US09917591B2 |
Digital phase locked loop for low jitter applications
A phase locked loop circuit is disclosed. The phase locked loop circuit includes a ring oscillator. The phase locked loop circuit also includes a digital path including a digital phase detector. The phase locked loop circuit further includes an analog path including a linear phase detector. Additionally, the phase locked loop circuit includes a feedback path connecting an output of the ring oscillator to an input of the digital path and an input of the analog path. The digital path and the analog path are parallel paths. The digital path provides a digital tuning signal the ring oscillator that digitally controls a frequency of the ring oscillator. The analog path provides an analog tuning signal the ring oscillator that continuously controls the frequency of the ring oscillator. |
| US09917590B2 |
Delay locked loop
A programmable delay line comprises a delay stage responsive to an analog control signal and responsive to one or more digital control signals. The delay stage generates an output signal that is delayed relative to an input signal by a delay amount. The delay amount controlled by a value of the analog control signal and one or more values of the digital control signals. A method for controlling a delay locked loop circuit comprises providing, to a programmable delay line of the delay locked loop circuit, a one or more digital signals, and providing, to the programmable delay line, an analog signal. A first portion of a delay produced by the programmable delay line corresponds to values of the one or more digital signals. A second portion of the delay produced by the programmable delay line corresponds to a value of the analog signal. |
| US09917588B2 |
Level shifter and approach therefor
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to communications between respective power domains (circuitry) that may operate in a stacked arrangement in which the each domain operates over a different voltage range. A first circuit provides differential outputs that vary between first and second voltage levels, based on transitions of an input signal received from a first one of the power domains. First and second driver circuits are respectively coupled to the first and second differential outputs. A third driver circuit operates with the first and second circuits to level-shift the input signal from the first power domain to an output signal on a second power domain by driving an output circuit at the second voltage level in response to the input signal being at the first voltage level, and driving the output circuit at a third voltage level in response to the input signal being at the second voltage level. |
| US09917582B2 |
Polarizer structure to control crosstalk in proximity sensor including a cover physically separates a photodetector from an object
An optical sensor, optical system, and proximity sensor are disclosed. An illustrative proximity sensor is disclosed to include a light source, a photodetector including a photo-sensitive area that receives incident light and converts the received incident light into an electrical signal, and a plurality of polarization layers stacked on the photodetector that limit light from becoming received incident light for the photo-sensitive area to light traveling toward the photodetector along a predetermined path. |
| US09917578B2 |
Active gate-source capacitance clamp for normally-off HEMT
A semiconductor assembly includes a first FET integrated within the semiconductor assembly and comprising gate, source and drain terminals. The semiconductor assembly further includes a low voltage switching device integrated within the semiconductor assembly and being configured to electrically short a gate-source capacitance of the first FET responsive to a control signal. |
| US09917576B2 |
High speed sync FET control
A circuit arrangement is disclosed for controlling the switching of a field effect transistor (FET). A current controlled amplifier may be configured to amplify a current in a current sense device to generate an amplified current, wherein the current in the current sense device indicates a current through the FET. A comparator may be coupled to the current sense amplifier to compare a voltage corresponding to the amplified current with a voltage reference and to generate a comparator output based on the comparison, wherein the comparator output controls whether the FET is on or off. |
| US09917572B2 |
Semiconductor device, electronic component, and electronic device
A semiconductor device includes a logic circuit capable of storing configuration data. The logic circuit includes a latch circuit, an arithmetic circuit, a delay circuit, and a first output timing generation circuit. The latch circuit has a function of receiving a pulse signal and a reset signal and outputting a first signal. The delay circuit has a function of receiving the first signal and outputting a second signal. The first signal controls power supply to the arithmetic circuit and the delay circuit. The second signal is obtained by delaying the first signal so as to correspond to a delay in a critical path of the arithmetic circuit. The first output timing generation circuit has a function of receiving a third signal obtained by a logical operation on the first signal and the second signal and outputting the reset signal. |
| US09917571B2 |
Resonant gyroscopes and methods of making and using the same
Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems and methods for high-frequency resonant gyroscopes. In an example implementation, a resonator gyroscope assembly is provided. The resonator gyroscope assembly can include a square resonator body suspended adjacent to a substrate, a ground electrode attached to a side of the resonator body, a piezoelectric layer attached to a side of the ground electrode, a drive electrode in electrical communication with the piezoelectric layer, and configured to stimulate one or more vibration modes of the square resonator body; and a sense electrode in electrical communication with the piezoelectric layer, and configured to receive an output from the square or disk resonator responsive to stimulation of the one or more vibration modes. |
| US09917570B2 |
Method and apparatus for signal filtering and for improving properties of electronic devices
The present invention relates to nonlinear signal processing, and, in particular, to adaptive nonlinear filtering of real-, complex-, and vector-valued signals utilizing analog Nonlinear Differential Limiters (NDLs), and to adaptive real-time signal conditioning, processing, analysis, quantification, comparison, and control. More generally, this invention relates to methods, processes and apparatus for real-time measuring and analysis of variables, and to generic measurement systems and processes. This invention also relates to methods and corresponding apparatus for measuring which extend to different applications and provide results other than instantaneous values of variables. The invention further relates to post-processing analysis of measured variables and to statistical analysis. The NDL-based filtering method and apparatus enable improvements in the overall properties of electronic devices including, but not limited to, improvements in performance, reduction in size, weight, cost, and power consumption, and, in particular for wireless devices, NDLs enable improvements in spectrum usage efficiency. |
| US09917569B2 |
High-frequency module
A high frequency module includes a first external connection terminal, a second external connection terminal, a filter unit, a first matching circuit, and a second matching circuit. The filter unit is connected between the first external connection terminal and the second external connection terminal. The first matching circuit is connected between the first external connection terminal and the filter unit. The second matching circuit is connected between the second external connection terminal and the filter unit. The first matching circuit and the second matching circuit are inductively or capacitively coupled to each other. |
| US09917567B2 |
Bulk acoustic resonator comprising aluminum scandium nitride
A ladder filter includes a plurality of series resonators and a plurality of shunt resonators connected between an input port and an output port. At least one of the series or shunt resonators include a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator structure, which includes: a first electrode disposed over a substrate; an air cavity located in the substrate and below the first electrode; a piezoelectric layer disposed over the first electrode and comprising aluminum scandium nitride, the piezoelectric layer having a thickness in a range of approximately 1.0 microns to approximately 1.5 microns; and a second electrode disposed over the piezoelectric layer. The BAW resonator structure has an area, and the area is less than an area of a comparable BAW resonator structure comprising identical layers and materials except for an undoped aluminum nitride piezoelectric layer. |
| US09917563B2 |
Apparatus and methods for biasing of power amplifiers
Apparatus and methods for biasing of power amplifiers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile device includes a transceiver that generates a radio frequency signal and a power amplifier enable signal, a power amplifier that provides amplification to the radio frequency signal and that is biased by a bias signal, and a bias circuit that receives the power amplifier enable signal and generates the bias signal. The bias circuit includes a gain correction circuit that generates a correction current in response to activation of the power amplifier enable signal, and a primary biasing circuit that generates the bias signal based on the correction current and the power amplifier enable signal. |
| US09917561B1 |
Location activated volume control for vehicle
A device and method for controlling the volume of played media through loudspeakers on a golf cart driven by a user with a Bluetooth connected device. A location receiver on the golf cart continuously signals a computing component a signal associated with a location of the golf cart on a golf course. If the golf cart is determined to be located in a volume control area, the volume of sound produced by an amplifier engaged with loudspeakers on the cart is reduced to a predetermined level for that control area. Other control areas can cause the playing of advertisements from the loudspeakers on the cart as it passes into them. |
| US09917556B2 |
Transmitter, transmission system, and transmission method
A transmitter, a transmission system and a transmission method whereby AM-PM distortions can be compensated with high accuracy without affecting the functions of a predistortor, a ΔΣ modulator and so on. The transmitter includes: a baseband signal generation circuit that outputs the amplitude value and phase value of a baseband signal; a ΔΣ modulation circuit that performs a ΔΣ modulation of the outputted amplitude and phase values to output a pulse signal train; a power supply modulation circuit that supplies, to a pre-stage amplifier, a voltage determined in accordance with the outputted amplitude value; the pre-stage amplifier and a post-stage amplifier that amplify the outputted pulse signal train; and a filter circuit that generates an output signal from the pulse signal train as amplified and outputs the output signal. The power supply modulation circuit determines the voltage for canceling a phase error occurring in the post-stage amplifier. |
| US09917553B2 |
Low distortion output stage for audio amplifiers
A circuit and method for an audio op-amp that is configured to minimize crossover distortion between push and pull components of the audio op-amp. The audio op-amp includes an input stage that receives differential input signals and generates an output that amplifies the difference between the input signals. The audio op-amp further includes an output stage that receive the amplified signal and generate an audio output signal for playback by a speaker system. The output stage includes a diamond driver circuit that buffers the input stage from the speaker system, a boost circuit that includes a pair of boosting transistors that amplify the current of the amplified signal, and a biasing circuit that provides bias currents to the transistors of the boost circuit in a manner that minimizes crossover distortion between the boosting transistors. |
| US09917548B2 |
Phase noise reduction in voltage controlled oscillators
A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a method of designing a voltage controlled oscillator, and a design structure comprising a semiconductor substrate including a voltage controlled oscillator are disclosed. In one embodiment, the VCO comprises an LC tank circuit for generating an oscillator output at an oscillator frequency, and an oscillator core including cross-coupled semiconductor devices to provide feedback to the tank circuit. The VCO further comprises a supply node, a tail node, and a noise by-pass circuit connected to the supply and tail nodes, in parallel with the tank circuit and the oscillator core. The by-pass circuit forms a low-impedance path at a frequency approximately twice the oscillator frequency to at least partially immunize the oscillator core from external noise and to reduce noise contribution from the cross-coupled semiconductor devices. |
| US09917540B2 |
Mutual inductance voltage offset compensation for brushless DC sensorless motors
A control circuit controls the operation of a brushless DC (BLDC) sensorless motor having a first terminal connected to a first winding, a second terminal connected to a second winding and a third terminal connected to a third winding. A driver circuit applies drive signals to the first and second terminals and places the third terminal in a high-impedance state. The drive signals include first drive signals at a first current amplitude and second drive signals at a second current amplitude different from the first current amplitude. A differencing circuit senses a first mutual inductance voltage at the third terminal in response to the first drive signals and senses a second mutual inductance voltage at the third terminal in response to the second drive signals. The differencing circuit further determines a difference between the first and second mutual inductance voltages and produces a difference signal that is used for zero-crossing detection and rotor position sensing. |
| US09917536B2 |
Linear ultrasonic motor and optical apparatus including the same
A driving apparatus according to the present invention includes: a movable part including a vibrator including a piezoelectric element and a pressurization part for bringing the vibrator into pressure contact with a base part by applying impression force to the vibrator, the movable part being linearly driven; and a cover part for receiving reactive force of the impression force through intermediation of a rolling part, the cover part being fixed to the base part by a holding part extending in a direction crossing a movement direction of the movable part, in which the rolling part is sandwiched by a guide part of the movable part extending in the movement direction of the movable part and a cover guide part of the cover part extending in the movement direction of the movable part, and the movable part is positioned on an outer side beyond a side of the holding part facing the movable part. |
| US09917534B2 |
Power conversion device with a plurality of series circuits
A power conversion device is provided which includes a plurality of series circuits each formed of a voltage source and a controlled current source. At least two of said series circuits formed of the voltage source and the controlled current source are connected in parallel. Further, parallel connection points of the series circuits connected in parallel form output terminals. |
| US09917533B2 |
Driver assembly
A driver assembly comprises several semiconductor switches that are arranged in a plane so that distances between adjacent semiconductor switches in the plane are equally large, and so that each semiconductor switch has the same number of adjacent semiconductor switches. |
| US09917530B2 |
Reconfigurable converter
A reconfigurable converter includes a power circuit receives a direct current (DC) power signal and provides an alternating current (AC) output signal across at least three phases. The power circuit comprises a plurality of legs, each leg comprising an output node. A coupling device provides a first output configuration and a second output configuration for the plurality of legs. In the first output configuration, the coupling device comprises a coupling portion coupling at least two output nodes to provide a common output terminal. In the second output configuration, the coupling device comprises separate output terminals, each connected to one of the at least two output nodes. |
| US09917528B2 |
Power device for delivering power to electronic devices
An energy efficient apparatus includes a switching device, a frequency dependent reactive device, and a control element is provided. The switching device is coupled to a source of electrical power and includes a pair of transistors and is adapted to receive a control signal and to produce an alternating current power signal. The frequency of the alternating current power signal is responsive to the control signal. The frequency dependent reactive device is electrically coupled to the pair of transistors for receiving the alternating current power signal and producing an output power signal. The frequency dependent reactive device is chosen to achieve a desired voltage of the output power signal relative to the frequency of the alternating current power signal. The control element senses an actual voltage of the direct current power signal and modifies the control signal delivered to achieve the desired voltage of the direct current power signal. |
| US09917526B2 |
Method of driving FETs in saturating self-oscillating push-pull isolated DC-DC converter
A converter includes a DC input; a transformer including first and second primary windings, first and second secondary windings, and first and second feedback windings; a first field-effect transistor; a second field-effect transistor; and a drive circuit connected to the first and second field-effect transistors. The drive circuit includes a bias circuit that applies a bias voltage to gates of the first and second field-effect transistors via the first and second feedback windings during start-up of the converter, wherein the bias voltage is reduced to zero or substantially zero after start-up of the converter; and a reset circuit that resets the bias circuit when the converter is turned off. The converter is a self-oscillating push-pull DC-DC converter. |
| US09917523B1 |
Control methods and switching mode power supplies with improved dynamic response and reduced switching loss
A control method is used in a switching mode power supply to improve dynamic load response and switching loss. A PWM signal is provided to control a power switch and has a switching frequency. A cross voltage of a transformer in the switching mode power supply is detected to provide a de-magnetization time. The switching frequency is controlled in response to a sleep signal and a compensation voltage, which is generated based on an output voltage of the switching mode power supply. The sleep signal is provided in response to the de-magnetization time and a current sense signal, a representative of a winding current of the transformer. The switching frequency is not less than a first minimum value if the sleep signal is deasserted, and not less than a second minimum value if the sleep signal is asserted. The second minimum value is less than the first minimum value. |
| US09917520B2 |
Power supply including a flyback controller and buck converter
Power adapters generally include a few components that make up the majority of the volume. One component that can consume a relatively large volume is a bulk capacitor. In accordance with the implementations described herein, the size (which can include the capacitance value or volume) of the bulk capacitor within a power adapter can be reduced. Moreover, by introducing a new control scheme, the bulk capacitor can be eliminated from the power adapter. This size reduction or elimination of the bulk capacitor from a power adapter can result in not only a smaller power adapter, but can also result in a lower cost for production of the power adapter and/or an improvement in the power factor and/or power efficiency of the power adapter. This type of relatively small adapter can be beneficial from a user experience perspective. |
| US09917519B2 |
Frequency hopping for reducing switching noise in a switching power converter
A switching power converter is configured to control switching noise by implementing a plurality of pulse width modulation modes of operation. The peak current in each pulse width modulation mode of operation is controlled so that an output power for the switching power converter is continuous with regard to transitions between the pulse width modulation modes. |
| US09917514B2 |
Non PWM digital DC-DC converter
A switched power converter includes a power stage for generating an output voltage according to a switching signal and an input voltage via a switching element. The switching signal is generated by a variable timing generator which is controlled by a compensator. The pulses of the switching signal are generated on a “need to have basis”. Hence, theses pulses may be generated independently of a PWM period. The pulses can be generated such that switching losses are minimized. A switching pattern can be matched to the load current pattern. Thus, the behavior of the compensator can be synchronized to a regular pattern of the load current. A high resolution variable timing generator may be employed. |
| US09917512B2 |
Power supply, electronic device including the same, and power supply method thereof
An electronic device is provided, which includes a user interface unit configured to receive an input of a user command, a controller configured to perform an operation according to the input user command and to control the user interface to display a screen according to the result of the operation, and a power supply configured to provide a power to the user interface and the controller, wherein the power supply includes a plurality of converters configured to supply the power to respective loads of the electronic device, and the plurality of converters output voltage values that correspond to levels of the respective loads connected thereto. |
| US09917508B2 |
Charge pump circuit and methods of operation thereof
A charge pump circuit, and associated method and apparatuses, for providing a split-rail voltage supply, the circuit having a network of switches that is operable in a number of different states and a controller for operating the switches in a sequence of said states so as to generate positive and negative output voltages together spanning a voltage approximately equal to the input voltage and centered on the voltage at the common terminal. |
| US09917507B2 |
Dynamic clock period modulation scheme for variable charge pump load currents
A charge pump is connected to receive a supply voltage and a clock signal and generate an output voltage. The charge pump is connected to the supply voltage through a transistor whose gate voltage is set by a regulation voltage determined by feedback from the output voltage. The current supplied to the charge pump through this transistor is mirrored in a section that generates the clock signal, where the mirrored current is used by a current controller oscillator. This allows the pump's clock frequency to linearly track the load current, improving the pump's efficiency. |
| US09917502B2 |
Universal signal processing system and method
One aspect of the present disclosure can include an electronic signal processing system and method used in a control system (e.g., for hour meter functionality, intelligent start/stop functionality, etc.). The system can include a rectifier component to receive a voltage input from an operation source during use. The voltage input can indicate that an engine is running. The rectifier component to convert the voltage input to a positive voltage input. The system can also include a constant current component to receive the positive voltage input from the rectifier circuit and to control a current based on the positive voltage input. The system can also include an optical component to provide an output based on the current and to communicate the output to a microcontroller during use of the operation source. For example, electronic signal processing methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US09917501B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of transistors, each having a gate electrode including extending portions having a length obtained by dividing the gate electrode causing interruption to switching at a desired frequency, wherein current inflow terminals of the plurality of transistors are connected to each other and current outflow terminals of the plurality of transistors are connected to each other. |
| US09917497B2 |
Linear power generator
A linear power generator has a gas pressure cylinder structure which causes reciprocating motion of a piston in an axial direction by supplying a high-pressure gas alternately to a left gas chamber and a right gas chamber of a cylinder which includes an electromotive coil, and alternately applying a gas pressure in the left gas chamber and a gas pressure in the right gas chamber to the piston which includes a permanent magnet in the cylinder, and which induces power generation of the electromotive coil by way of reciprocating motion of the piston which has the permanent magnet in the axial direction. The linear power generator encourages movement of the piston by supplying a first high-pressure gas into the left gas chamber and the right gas chamber, and keeps moving the piston by supplying a second high-pressure gas for supplementing the first high-pressure gas into the left gas chamber and the right gas chamber. |
| US09917494B2 |
Electrical conductor aligning device
An electrical conductor aligning device that can, without mutual interference, easily, and in a short period of time, align a plurality of electrical conductors in an annular shape while overlapping in the peripheral direction. The coil element aligning device includes: holding sections, a slide mechanism and a cylinder mechanism. One leg of each coil element is held by the plurality of holding sections, the plurality of coil elements being aligned in an annular shape at a spacing such that there is no overlapping in the peripheral direction, and then the plurality of holding sections being moved inwards in the radial direction by the slide mechanism and the cylinder mechanism, thereby aligning the plurality of coil elements in an annular shape while overlapping in the peripheral direction. |
| US09917492B2 |
Rotor shaft jack
An electric motor is provided. The motor includes a motor frame assembly including a motor frame and a motor housing. A stator is fixed relative to the motor frame assembly. A rotor including a rotor shaft is mounted in the motor frame assembly for rotational movement relative to the motor frame assembly about an axis. A rotor jack is operable to selectively support the rotor shaft. The rotor jack is shiftably coupled relative to the motor frame assembly for movement between a support position, in which the jack is shifted into supporting contact with the rotor shaft, and a retracted position, in which the jack is spaced from the rotor shaft. |
| US09917491B2 |
Ground ring and enclosure in an electric motor
An enclosure for a ground ring includes an enclosure housing configured to accept a ground ring and hold the ground ring in a predetermined position around a shaft that is electrically connected to a drive shaft of an electric motor. The ground ring having a first opening for the drive shaft and the enclosure housing has a second opening for the drive shaft. The enclosure includes an attachment configured to hold the enclosure housing around the shaft to dissipate an electrical charge and to form a cavity that contains the ground ring and includes a predetermined gap between a perimeter of the second opening of the enclosure and a surface of the drive shaft. |
| US09917490B2 |
Tail cone generator with integral speed increasing gearbox
A gas turbine engine is provided, comprising a tail cone and a low-pressure spool outside the tail cone. An input shaft may be coupled to the low-pressure spool and inside the tail cone. A differential may be coupled to the input shaft and inside the tail cone. A generator may be coupled to the differential and also disposed inside the tail cone. An oil pump may be configured to pump oil through the generator to the differential. A generator assembly is also provided. The generator assembly may comprise an input shaft, a differential coupled to the input shaft, a rotating transfer tube coupled to the differential, a generator coupled to rotating transfer tube, and an oil pump configured to pump oil from the generator, through the rotating transfer tube, and into the differential. |
| US09917489B2 |
Axial air-gap motor stator and fan having the same
An axial air-gap motor stator and a fan thereof includes a motor stator. The motor stator includes multiple metal substrates stacked together. Each metal substrate has a port and multiple pole teeth disposed around the port. The two adjacent pole teeth on each metal substrate are disposed with a magnetic pole and the number of the pole teeth of each metal substrate is a natural number twice the number of the magnetic poles of each metal substrate. The magnetic poles of the metal substrates are arranged in a staggered manner. This avoids the problems of interference of magnetic poles and prevents the magnetic field from being affected. |
| US09917488B2 |
Motor including removable weights for balancing
An electric motor includes a stator, a rotor, and weights removably attached to the rotor shell for use in balancing the rotor. The removable weights may be integrally formed with a rotor shell such that the weights and the rotor shell form a unitary, one-piece construction. The removable weights may be substantially uniformly spaced apart around an entirety of the outer perimeter of the rotor shell. In a method of making an electric motor, the stator is coupled to the rotor such that the weights are accessible for selective removal during balancing of the rotor. |
| US09917483B2 |
Bus bar unit
Each of busbars of a busbar unit includes a main body part that extends along a circumferential direction of the stator so that a plate thickness direction coincides with an axial direction of a stator; a projecting part that projects radially outwardly of the stator from outer periphery of the main body part; an extending part bent from the projecting parts, the extending part extending in the axial and radial direction of the stator; and a connecting part provided on a tip of the extending part, the connecting part being connectable to the winding wire ends of the coils. A position of the connecting part is specified in accordance with length of the extending part in the axial and radial directions of the stator. |
| US09917474B2 |
Systems for providing emergency power during a power interruption
Provided is a backup power system for providing power to a load when a primary lighting system is disabled. The backup power system includes an energy source configured to supply an amount of power to the backup power system, and a charger connectable to the energy source and a power source of the primary lighting system. The backup power system additionally includes a controller configured to measure a current value of the primary lighting system and determine a backup current value corresponding to an amount of backup current that is a fractional amount of the determined current value. The backup power system include a current source configured to provide the determined backup current. |
| US09917473B2 |
Power system, power management method, and program
A power system 10 is provided with a power conversion device 110 connected to an input power supply 200, a battery 120 and a load 130 connected in parallel with each other to the output side of the power conversion device 110, and a control device 140 controlling charging/discharging of the battery 120, wherein the control device 140 receives output power of the power conversion device 110, determines, based on the received output power, charge or discharge power of the battery 120 such that the output power becomes close to a first value, and charges or discharges the battery 120 based on the determined charge or discharge power. |
| US09917472B2 |
Method and controller for controlling scheduled charging of electric vehicle
A method and controller for controlling scheduled charging of an electric vehicle. A charging start time is scheduled in the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is connected to a charger by means of a control line. A standby signal is transfers on the control line, and the charger enters into a charging standby mode. A charging control switch of the electric vehicle is then turned on (and subsequently off) for a first time at every first period so that the charger stays in the charging standby mode. At the scheduled charging start time, the charging control switch is turned on and left on so that the charger starts charging the electric vehicle. |
| US09917469B2 |
Vertical adjustable inductive charger phone adapter
A number of variations may include a phone charger assembly that may include a housing assembly that may include a retainer body, a housing, a housing liner, a vent, and trim which may be constructed and arranged to house a cell phone. The housing may be dimensioned to store a multitude of cellphones in a vertical position. The phone charger assembly may further include a pawl assembly that may include a pawl ratchet, a plurality of screws, a pawl, and a release wherein the pawl assembly is constructed and arranged to raise and lower the housing within the phone charge assembly. Additionally, the phone charger assembly may include a gear rail assembly which may include at least one gear rail and at least one dampener. The gear rail assembly and pawl assembly may be constructed and arranged to raise and lower the housing within the phone charge assembly. |
| US09917468B2 |
Wearable charging apparatus
A wearable charging apparatus configured for charging of a wearable device while the wearable device is in an operative position, such as on the wrist of the user the wearable charging apparatus includes a front housing portion, a rear charging portion, a coupling member and a charge system. The wearable device is positionable between the front housing portion and the rear charging portion. The front portion has a battery and the rear charging portion has a wearable charge coil that is placed in operable position relative to the wearable device and configured to electrically communicate with a coil within the body of the wearable device and coupled to a wearable battery therewith, to, in turn, transfer power from the battery within the cavity to the wearable battery. |
| US09917464B2 |
Electronic apparatus and charging/discharging management method thereof
An electronic apparatus and a charging/discharging management method thereof are provided. The method entails disabling a charging/discharging path of a battery provided by the electronic apparatus and driving the electronic apparatus to enter a sleep mode according to a sleep mode control command, so as to ensure that the battery cannot supply power to the electronic apparatus through the charging/discharging path. |
| US09917459B2 |
Cross body charging for wearable devices
Techniques to transmit power across a wearable device are provided. A wearable device can include a conductive transmission line and a set of contacts, the set of contacts configured to be releasably connected to a second set of contacts on another wearable device. As such, power can be communicated to the conductive transmission line through the sets of contacts and transmitted across the wearable device, via the conductive transmission line. |
| US09917458B2 |
Battery charging method and battery pack using the same
A method of charging a battery includes performing a first charging operation in a first period, performing a second charging operation in a second period, and performing a third charging operation in a third period. Each of the first, second, and third periods includes a constant current supplying period and a constant voltage supplying period. Different currents are supplied in the constant current supplying periods of at least two of the first, second, and third periods. Different voltages are supplied in the constant voltage supplying periods of at least two of the first, second, and third periods. The second period is between the first and third periods, and the second period is longer than the first and third periods. |
| US09917457B2 |
Power tool with USB connection
A battery pack includes a housing, at least one battery cell housed in the housing, a wireless transmitter housed in the housing, a button that initiates a pairing with an electronic device so that the battery pack may wirelessly communicate with the electronic device through the wireless transmitter, a connection section including a first electrical connector configured to supply power to a power tool and a charging port configured to supply power to an external device. The charging port can be in an on state in which the charging port is operable to supply power to the external device and an off state in which the charging port is not operable to supply power to the external device. |
| US09917456B2 |
Storing structure and electronic apparatus
One aspect includes an apparatus, including: a storage part having a storage hole defined therein to store a pen-type input device by insertion; and a power-supplying terminal within the storage hole that moves toward and away from the pen-type input device from a side part of the storage hole; wherein, the power-supplying terminal moves outwardly from the side of the side part of the storage hold during the insertion of the pen-type input device into the storage hole; and wherein the power-supplying terminal moves inwardly and away from a side of the pen-type input device during extraction of the pen-type input device from the storage hole. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09917455B1 |
Charging unit and system for at least one electronic device
The charging system charges electronic devices through the use of a charging base. Charging contacts within the charging base contact a charging adapter inserted into a port of the electronic device. The charging contacts of the charging base contact the charging contacts of the charging adapter to charge the device. A housing that partially encloses the electronic device limits the orientations in which the device can be inserted into the charging base. The housing promotes inserting the device into the charging base in a charging orientation that will charge the device. |
| US09917449B2 |
Method for connecting multiple battery cells of a battery and battery system having a battery with multiple battery cells and multiple battery-cell-monitoring modules which are respectively assigned to a battery cell
The present invention relates to a method for connecting multiple battery cells (21) of a battery (11), wherein the multiple battery cells (21) can be connected in series to one another, and a single first control variable P1 and a single second control variable P2 are predefined for all the battery cells (21). In this context, in order to generate a desired output voltage of the battery (11), each battery cell (21) is electrically coupled to the battery (11) with a corresponding first probability, defined as a function of the first control variable P1, and in each case electrically decoupled from the battery (11) with a corresponding second probability, defined as a function of the second control variable P2. In addition, a value of the first control variable P1 and a value of the second control variable P2 are respectively predefined repeatedly with an update frequency which is dependent on the desired output voltage of the battery (11) which is to be generated. |
| US09917448B2 |
Battery module architecture with horizontal and vertical expandability
A battery module architecture including a plurality of battery cells coupled electrically in series and having a combined battery potential proportional to the combined sum of the battery cells is controlled by microcontroller to balance battery cell voltages by a battery cell voltage balancer having a discharging circuit and a plurality of differential conductive connections each respectively coupled to positive and negative terminals of one of the battery cells. |
| US09917447B2 |
Systems and methods for synchronizing an appliance load to a local power generating capability
An apparatus for synchronizing operation of one or more appliances to an amount of energy produced by a local power generator comprises a controller for reducing the power consumed by the one or more appliances in relation to an amount of power being generated by the local power generator. In one embodiment, the operation of the appliance(s) is controlled by the controller so that the system of appliance(s) and the local power generator does not consume any external energy (e.g., from a commercial power grid), despite variations in the amount of power delivered by the local power generator. |
| US09917446B2 |
Self regulated power converter
According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a power converter configured to monitor at least one of current and voltage at a bidirectional AC load terminal, determine, based on the monitoring, whether the power converter is receiving AC power from at least one Photo-Voltaic (PV) inverter or whether AC power is being drawn from the power converter by at least one load, determine whether an energy storage device coupled to the power converter is fully charged, and in response to a determination that the power converter is receiving power from the at least one PV inverter and a determination that the energy storage device is not fully charged, operate a power conversion unit in the power converter to convert the AC power received from the at least one PV inverter into DC power and provide the DC power to a bidirectional DC terminal to charge the energy storage device. |
| US09917442B2 |
Distributed micro-grid controller
A system for management of distributed control and real-time data for an electric utility network having remote devices and legacy subsystems includes a distributed communications network and a plurality of nodes coupled to the distributed communications network. Each of the nodes includes a multi-protocol interface having a boundary protocol convertor comprising a protocol validation engine to validate messages and commands from the remote devices and an in-field distributed data analyzer. The multi-protocol interface provides a standard data model for the remote devices. |
| US09917433B1 |
Extension and retraction device and method
An extension and retraction device including a housing and a slip ring mounted within the housing. The slip ring includes a stator and rotor rotatably mounted therein. The rotor includes rotor leads and annular sections defined circumferentially around the rotor. Each rotor lead includes opposite ends with one end electrically connected to one of the annular sections. The stator includes a contact for each annular section in sliding electrical engagement with the annular section. Each contact includes a stator lead having one end electrically connected to the stator and another end extending out of an opening of the housing. A reel is mounted within the housing with the reel and rotor rotatable about a substantially common axis. A cord extending through another opening of the housing is retracted into the housing when the reel rotates in one direction, and the cord is extended from the housing when the cord is pulled and the reel rotates in the opposite direction. |
| US09917427B2 |
Underground utility box assembly
A utility box assembly includes a housing structure having an open upper end, a first peripheral channel around the open upper end, and a second peripheral channel disposed below the first peripheral channel and inwardly therefrom. A first sealing element is seated in the first peripheral channel, and a second sealing element is seated in the second peripheral channel. A cover is configured to cover the open upper end. The cover has an outer peripheral portion configured to engage the first sealing element, and a downward-depending flange configured to engage the second sealing element. A liquid-tight seal is provided by the compression of the first and second sealing elements within their channels when the cover is secured to the open upper end of the housing. |
| US09917425B1 |
Spark plug
A center electrode including an electrode base member having a cylindrical shape with a bottom and a core member embedded in the electrode base member. The core member has a thermal conductivity higher than that of the electrode base member. The center electrode includes a plurality of shoulder portions which each include a diameter reducing portion having a diameter that decreases toward a front end of the spark plug in a direction of an axial line, an outer side surface that extends in the direction of the axial line, and an edge disposed between the diameter reducing portion and the outer side surface. One of the shoulder portions closest to an inner surface of the axial hole has a cutting mark that extends in a circumferential direction over a region from the diameter reducing portion to the edge. |
| US09917422B2 |
Semi-polar III-nitride optoelectronic devices on M-plane substrates with miscuts less than +/− 15 degrees in the C-direction
An optoelectronic device grown on a miscut of GaN, wherein the miscut comprises a semi-polar GaN crystal plane (of the GaN) miscut x degrees from an m-plane of the GaN and in a c-direction of the GaN, where −15 |
| US09917420B2 |
Quantum cascade laser integrated device
A quantum cascade laser integrated device includes: first and second lower semiconductor mesas extending in a direction of a first axis; a covering region disposed on top and side faces of the first and second lower semiconductor mesas, and including first and second upper semiconductor mesas, the first and second upper semiconductor mesas extending in the direction of the first axis on the first and second lower semiconductor mesas, respectively; and first and second electrodes respectively disposed on the upper semiconductor mesas, the first lower semiconductor mesa and the second lower semiconductor mesa each including a quantum cascading core layer, the covering region including a current blocking semiconductor region embedding the first and second lower semiconductor mesas, and a first conductivity-type semiconductor region disposed on the first and second lower semiconductor mesas and the current blocking semiconductor region, and the first conductivity-type semiconductor region including an upper cladding region. |
| US09917416B2 |
Semiconductor laser oscillator
A semiconductor laser oscillator includes a diode unit configured from a plurality of banks, in which one bank is configured from a plurality of laser diodes connected in series. The diode unit includes a wavelength locking mechanism for locking to a plurality of wavelengths. The semiconductor laser oscillator includes a controller configured to control input currents to the laser diodes of each of the plurality of banks individually in correspondence to a characteristic of a wavelength locking efficiency, and to control an output of the diode unit as a whole to a required output. |
| US09917413B2 |
Cooling apparatus for diode-laser bars
A cooler for diode-laser bars comprises a machined base including a water-input plenum and a water-output plenum, and a top plate on which the diode-laser bars can be mounted. A stack of three etched plates is provided between the base and first plate. The stack of etched plates is configured to provide a five longitudinally spaced-apart rows of eight laterally spaced-apart cooling-channels connected to the water-input and water-output plenums. Water flows in the cooling-channels and in thermal contact with the first plate. |
| US09917412B1 |
Optical amplifiers with liquid crystal device
An optical amplifier may comprise a first gain stage and a second gain stage. Each of the first and second gain stages may comprise a laser pump and an active fiber. A liquid crystal device may be coupled between an output of the first gain stage and an input of the second gain stage. A control unit may be coupled to the first and second gain stages, liquid crystal device and configured to control the first and second gain stages, and the liquid crystal device to provide a switchable gain. Light may pass through the first and second gain stages and be amplified by the first and second gain stages. The light amplified by the first gain stage may pass through the liquid crystal device and may be filtered by the liquid crystal device. |
| US09917411B2 |
Double fiber optic mode adapter
An exemplary embodiment of the disclosure provides a double fiber optic mode adapter including: a fiber core having a variable core diameter; a fiber cladding having a variable cladding size; a first input interface corresponding to a first core diameter and a first cladding size; a second input interface corresponding to a second core diameter and a second cladding size; a thermally-tapered region wherein the variable core diameter of the fiber core transitions from the first core diameter to the second core diameter and the variable cladding size of the fiber cladding transitions from the first cladding size to a third cladding size; and an etched tapered region wherein the variable core diameter of the fiber core is constant and the variable cladding size of the fiber cladding transitions from the third cladding size to the second cladding size. |
| US09917408B2 |
Brush lead guide for a brush holder assembly
A brush lead guide for a brush holder assembly configured to retain the leads extending from a brush in a desired position/orientation to ensure the leads do not interfere with movement of the brush within the brush holder. In some instances, the lead guide includes a first guide rail including a channel for receiving a first lead of the brush and a second guide rail including a channel for receiving a second lead from the brush. The lead guide maintains the leads in a position such that the leads are held within the width of the opening of the brush holder to ensure the leads do not interfere with movement of the brush within the brush holder during use of the brush holder assembly. |
| US09917402B1 |
Connector assembly with variable axial assist
A connector includes a first-housing, a second-housing, a shroud, and a stacked-gear. The first-housing defines a guide-slot. The second-housing mates with the first-housing. The second-housing includes a linear-gear-rack extending from a second-outer-surface and engages the guide-slot. The shroud is moveable from an unmated-position to a mated-position. The shroud is longitudinally slideably mounted to and surrounding at least a portion of the first-housing. The shroud also includes a curved-gear-rack having a variable-pitch-radius. The stacked-gear is moveably mounted to the first-housing. The stacked-gear has a round-gear and a cam-gear having the variable-pitch-radius in communication with the round-gear. The round-gear engages the linear-gear-rack within the guide-slot. The cam-gear engages the curved-gear-rack such that the cam-gear moves in response to a movement of the shroud from the unmated-position to the mated-position. Rotation of the round-gear engaged with the linear-gear-rack axially pulls the linear-gear-rack into the guide-slot, thereby pulling the second-housing into the first-housing. |
| US09917401B2 |
Wire-to-board connector assembly
The second housing has a side panel extending in the mating direction and at least three second connector lock portions protruding from the outer surface of the side panel, the second connectors each being arranged in the transverse direction of the second housing and separated by an interval, and the first housing has a side panel extending in the mounting direction, a locking arm portion formed in the side panel and covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the side panel of the second housing when the first housing and the second housing are mated, and at least three first connector locking portions each formed in the locking arm portion in the transverse direction of the first housing and separated by an interval, and each engaging a second connector locking portion when the first housing and the second housing are mated. |
| US09917400B2 |
Electrical connector housing
The invention relates to a front housing of an electrical connector, particularly for sealed applications, said front housing being designed to be connected to a base and being configured to be at least partially received in a main housing of said electrical connector, said front housing comprising: at least one locking means configured to engage a corresponding locking zone of said main housing so as to lock said front housing to said main housing, and said front housing further comprising a plurality of contact sockets designed to each receive an electrical conductor to connect to said base. The invention further relates to a main electrical connector housing, to an electrical connector, to a base and to an electrical connector assembly. |
| US09917399B2 |
Reduced stress electrical connector
An electrical connector including a main body, a base portion, and a tapered end. The electrical connector extends axially in a first direction and an opposite second direction. The main body is configured to connect to an electrical cable. The base portion abuts the main body at a first end of the base portion and has an outer shoulder at a second end of the base portion. The tapered end extends and tapers from the outer shoulder in the second direction. The tapered end includes a plurality of resilient fingers separated by slots. The fingers extend away from the base portion in the second direction to a distal end of the fingers. The slots extend radially through the tapered end. The slots further extend axially in the first direction from the distal end through the outer shoulder. |
| US09917397B2 |
Connector and connector device
A connector includes a contact in an elongated shape that is electrically conductive, and a housing that has an internal space is formed. The contact includes a contact portion, a connection portion, a fixing portion, and a protruding portion. The contact portion is to be electrically connected to an electrically conductive member when the contact is housed in the housing. The connection portion is electrically connected to a core wire of an electrical wire. The fixing portion is provided on a side opposite to the contact portion relative to the connection portion, and fixes a covering of the electrical wire. The protruding portion is provided on an end portion side of the fixing portion opposite to the connection portion so as to protrude. The protruding portion reduces the amount of movement of the contact inside the internal space of the housing. |
| US09917394B2 |
Cable connector cover
A cable connector cover includes, in one embodiment, a unitary body. The unitary body has a plurality of portions. The portions have different diameters for receiving a cable connector and establishing one or more seals. |
| US09917392B2 |
High density cabled midplanes and backplanes
A cabled midplane includes a first support plate along a plane between a first connector set and a second connector set that connect to line cards on either side of the cabled midplane. The first connector set and the second connector set include connector slices. A wiring sub-layer includes cable slices to provide a connection between the first connector slice of a connector of the first connector set to the first connector slice of a connector of the second connector set, such that the first wiring sub-layer connects each connector of the first connector set, through one cable slice, to a connector of the second connector set. Additional wiring sub-layers are added, and a second support plate, parallel to the first support plate, is provided to encase and support the wiring sub-layers between the first support plate and the second support plate. Other apparatuses and methods are described. |
| US09917388B2 |
Multicore cable
A cable includes a line and a coupling housing. The line includes a plurality of cores and a sheath. The sheath is radially outwardly disposed relative to the cores. Each of the cores has a conductor and an insulation surrounding the conductor. Each of the conductors is stripped of the insulation at an end of the cores. A coupling housing including a coupling ring, a pin housing, and a sealing element. The coupling ring embraces the pin housing and the sheath and is fixed to the sheath. The pin housing surrounds the stripped ends of the conductors. The sealing element is disposed between the coupling ring and the pin housing. The conductors are formed of a solid and coated steel wire and the stripped ends of the conductors are useable as pin contacts. |
| US09917384B2 |
Interface card fastening module
An interface card fastening module is provided for assembling an interface card to a housing and electrically connecting the interface card with a main board having an insertion slot corresponding to the interface card, and the opening of the insertion slot is substantially parallel to the main board. The interface card fastening module includes a stopping member and an engaging member rotatably disposed on the housing so as to be movable between a release position and an engage position. Therefore, upon assembling the interface card to the main board, additional riser card would be not required. As a result, the space for installing an adapting member can be saved, and more components may be received in the housing or the size of the housing may become smaller. In addition, since the adapting member is no more needed, the manufacturing cost and assembling hours for the adapting member can be saved. |
| US09917382B1 |
MCCB current limiter lug adapter
An adaptor assembly is provided. The adaptor assembly is structured to allow a cable of a first amperage to be coupled to, and placed in electrical communication with, a terminal of a different amperage. That is, an adaptor assembly includes a lug body and an adaptor body. The adaptor body is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, the lug body. The lug body includes a cable passage, wherein said cable passage has a cross-sectional area corresponding to a cable of a first amperage. The adaptor body includes a conducting surface, wherein said conducting surface has a surface area corresponding to a conductor terminal end mating surface of a second amperage. |
| US09917380B2 |
Multipurpose wire connection device
A multipurpose wire connection device includes a base plate, a conductive plate, a wire fixation screw, a fireproof box, a support, and a dustpan-shaped housing. The support is disposed on the base plate. The fireproof box includes a rear panel, a bottom panel, two side panels, and an inserted plate. The wire fixation screw is mounted on the conductive plate. The housing is fixed on the bottom plate by a housing fixing screw. The multipurpose wire connection device prevents sparking and red burning of a ground screw when lightning current passes therein, due to corroded contact in long-term exposure to wind and rain. It avoids fire and explosion accidents. It avoids screw corrosion and facilitates ground resistance measurement. The multipurpose wire connection device can also be used for electrical relay, division, and branching. It prevents fire, explosion, rain intrusion, and rust development. It is easy to disassemble. |
| US09917376B2 |
Method for determining an antenna array
A method for generating an electromagnetic wave with an antenna array, the antenna array including at least one antenna, at least one circuit having parameters having an influence on the electromagnetic wave generated by the antenna array and connected to at least one antenna, and the method comprising: selecting a criterion to be met for the wave generated by the antenna array; determining desired decomposition coefficients of a wave in a basis giving the possibility of attaining the selected criterion; and calculating the parameters having an influence on the electromagnetic wave generated by the antenna array for each circuit of the antenna array so that the difference between the decomposition coefficients on the basis of the wave generated by the antenna array and the desired decomposition coefficients be minimal. |
| US09917374B2 |
Dual-band phased array antenna with built-in grating lobe mitigation
A dual-Band phased array antenna with built-in grating lobe mitigation includes an array of radiating elements capable of working at both bands and arranged at distances small enough, avoiding grating lobes with respect to the lower band within the desired field of view. The radiating elements are arranged in planar subarrays that can be steered independently from each other and each of the subarrays has a different boresight normal vector, so that grating lobes in the upper band is mitigated. |
| US09917371B2 |
Mid fed traveling wave antenna and a repeatable circuit segment for use therein
The present invention provides a mid fed traveling wave antenna, which includes a signal feed point including a pair of terminals adapted for receiving a differential signal. The mid fed traveling wave antenna further includes a first transmission line branch extending from the signal feed point in a first direction, and a second transmission line branch extending from the signal feed point in a second direction, where each of the first transmission branch and the second transmission branch is terminated by a reflective termination. In at least one embodiment, the first transmission line branch and the second transmission line branch each have a respective length, where the length of the second transmission line branch is different than the length of the first transmission line branch. |
| US09917366B2 |
Antenna device and communication terminal apparatus
An antenna device includes a base including a planar conductor disposed thereon, and a coil antenna. The coil antenna includes a coil conductor wound around a magnetic core. The coil antenna is arranged such that a coil opening of the coil conductor is closed to an edge of the planar conductor. A current passing through the coil conductor induces a current in the planar conductor. Thus, a first magnetic flux occurs in the coil antenna, and a second magnetic flux occurs in the planar conductor. Therefore, a third magnetic flux occurs in an area of the planar conductor. Accordingly, the antenna device achieves a small footprint, a small-sized communication terminal apparatus and a desired communication distance. |
| US09917365B1 |
Reconfigurable antennas for millimeter-wave systems that support multiple beams
An apparatus may include two or more active antenna elements with a corresponding antenna pattern. The apparatus may further include a single radio frequency signal chain communicatively coupled with the two or more active antenna elements. The apparatus may also include multiple passive antenna elements in proximity to the two or more active antenna elements. The multiple passive antenna elements may alter the antenna pattern to form multiple simultaneous beams associated with the two or more active antenna elements. |
| US09917362B2 |
Hemispherical azimuth and elevation positioning platform
An antenna positioner, and methods of positioning using the antenna positioner, that may track a satellite are described. An antenna positioner may include a base and a mount rotatably coupled to the base to turn the mount about an azimuth axis. The mount may support an antenna element so that the antenna element can rotate about the elevation axis with respect to the mount. A center drive shaft for the elevation drive may pass through the hollow portion of the mount along the azimuth axis to drive a bevel gear set, a first gear of the set being coupled to the drive shaft and a second gear of the set being coupled to the antenna element, to rotate the antenna element about the elevation axis. Drive compensation is provided to counteract elevation rotation resulting from cross-coupling of the azimuth and elevation axes by the bevel gear set during azimuth rotation. |
| US09917360B2 |
Remote electrical tilt unit, base station, and method for managing remote electrical tilt antenna
Embodiments of the present invention provide a remote electrical tilt unit, a base station, and a method for managing a remote electrical tilt antenna. The method includes: receiving, by the remote electrical tilt unit, permission configuration information sent by a first base station through a group of AISG ports of the remote control unit; configuring management permission of the first base station on the remote electrical tilt unit according to the permission configuration information, where the management permission includes at least control permission and query permission, and control permission on the remote electrical tilt unit can be allocated to only one base station. In this way, multiple base stations jointly manage a remote electrical tilt unit in a remote electrical tilt antenna, and a problem that it is difficult to locate and troubleshoot a fault when configuration of the remote electrical tilt unit is incorrect is resolved. |
| US09917356B2 |
Band-notched spiral antenna
A band-notched spiral antenna having one or more spiral arms extending from a radially inner end to a radially outer end for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic radiation over a frequency range, and one or more resonance structures positioned adjacent one or more segments of the spiral arm associated with a notch frequency band or bands of the frequency range so as to resonate and suppress the transmission or reception of electromagnetic radiation over said notch frequency band or bands. |
| US09917355B1 |
Wide field of view volumetric scan automotive radar with end-fire antenna
A vehicular radar system includes a plurality of end-fire antennas including a first array of antennas positioned along a first plane and having a transmission end oriented in a first direction, a second array of antennas positioned along the first plane and having a transmission end oriented in a second direction that is different than the first direction, a third array of antennas positioned along a second plane above or below the first plane and having a transmission end oriented in the first direction, and a fourth array of antennas positioned along the second plane and having a transmission end oriented in the second direction. The vehicular radar system also includes at least one RFIC to control the plurality of antennas to scan for objects in the first direction, the second direction, and between the first direction and the second direction by transmitting signals of varying phases to the antennas. |
| US09917354B2 |
Multiband vehicular antenna assembly
Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of multiband vehicular antenna assemblies with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) capabilities. In exemplary embodiments, a multiband antenna assembly is operable with more than two satellite navigation system frequencies (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS), BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), etc.). For example, a multiband antenna assembly may include a first patch antenna operable with at least three different satellite navigation system frequencies, e.g., GPS, BeiDou, and GLONASS, etc. The first patch antenna may be stacked on a second patch antenna. The second patch antenna may be operable with other frequencies, such as Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services (SDARS) signals (e.g., Sirius XM, etc.). The antenna assembly may also include a coupler that couples the signals from the feed ports of the first patch antenna. |
| US09917348B2 |
Antenna co-located with PCB electronics
A PIFA is formed using a grounding plane in a printed circuit board and a metal chassis or shield. Rather than using the printed circuit board as the separator, an air gap or other gap than the printed circuit board is formed. The transmitter and/or receiver for the antenna may be mounted to the printed circuit board. The feed pin routes signals for the PIFA from the transmitter and/or receiver to the metal chassis or shield while being isolated from the grounding plane that acts as the radiating surface of the PIFA. Standoffs supporting the printed circuit board may be used to short, and another standoff may be used as the feed pin. |
| US09917346B2 |
Chassis-excited antenna apparatus and methods
A chassis-excited antenna apparatus, and methods of tuning and utilizing the same. In one embodiment, a distributed loop antenna configuration is used within a handheld mobile device (e.g., cellular telephone). The antenna comprises two radiating elements: one configured to operate in a high-frequency band, and the other in a low-frequency band. The two antenna elements are disposed on different side surfaces of the metal chassis of the portable device; e.g., on the opposing sides of the device enclosure. Each antenna component comprises a radiator and an insulating cover. The radiator is coupled to a device feed via a feed conductor and a ground point. A portion of the feed conductor is disposed with the radiator to facilitate forming of the coupled loop resonator structure. |
| US09917345B2 |
Method of installing artificial impedance surface antennas for satellite media reception
A method for fabricating and installing an artificial impedance surface antenna (AISA) includes locating a substantially flat surface having a line of sight to a satellite or satellites of interest, determining an angle θo between a normal to the substantially flat surface and a direction to the satellite or satellites of interest, selecting an antenna superstrate from a pre-fabbed stock of antenna superstrates, the selected antenna superstrate configured for having a peak radiation within two (2) degrees of the angle θo, laminating the selected antenna superstrate to an antenna substrate to form the AISA, and mounting the AISA on the substantially flat surface. |
| US09917344B2 |
Nonuniform corrugated diaphragm for MEMS tuners and actuators
A cavity resonator tuning diaphragm comprising a plurality of inner corrugations, the plurality of inner corrugations having a first depth. An outer corrugation located between the plurality of inner corrugations and a perimeter of the diaphragm is also included, the outer corrugation having a second depth greater than the first depth. The addition of the outer deep corrugation provides increased thermal stability and reduced required actuation voltage. |
| US09917343B2 |
Waveguide to coaxial line transition having rigid hollow cone portions
A coaxial to waveguide transition includes a first rigid portion comprising an inverted hollow cone, a second rigid portion comprising a hollow tube, and a third rigid portion comprising a hollow cone. The first rigid portion has a first end and a second end, and tapers inward at a first angle from its first end towards its second end. The second rigid portion has a first end and a second end, with the first end being partially disposed within the second end of the first rigid portion. The third rigid portion has a first end and a second end, with the first end of the third rigid portion being partially disposed within the second end of the second rigid portion. The third rigid portion tapers outward at a second angle from its first end towards its second end, where the second angle is less than the first angle. |
| US09917340B2 |
Fuel cell system to power a portable computing device
The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a portable and cost-effective fuel cell system for a portable computing device. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power. It also includes a fuel source for the fuel cell stack and a controller which controls operation of the fuel cell system. The fuel system also includes an interface to the portable computing device, wherein the interface comprises a power link that provides power to the portable computing device, and a bidirectional communication link that provides bidirectional communication between the portable computing device and the controller for the fuel cell system. |
| US09917335B2 |
Methods for determining and controlling battery expansion
Methods and systems for detecting and compensating for expansion of rechargeable batteries over time. An expansion detector may be coupled to or positioned proximate a rechargeable battery to monitor for expansion thereof. After expansion exceeding a selected threshold is detected, the expansion detector may report the expansion to an associated processing unit. The processing unit may undertake to arrest further rechargeable battery expansion by modifying or changing one or more characteristics of charging and/or discharging circuitry coupled to the rechargeable battery. For example, the processing unit may charge the rechargeable battery at a lower rate or with reduced voltage after detecting expansion. |
| US09917334B2 |
Apparatus and method for sensing swelling of battery
Provided are an apparatus and a method for sensing swelling of a battery. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for sensing swelling of a battery includes: a sensing circuit configured to be coupled to one side of a housing of the battery; a current sensing unit configured to sense whether a current is conducted between the sensing circuit and the other side of the housing of the battery; and a determination unit configured to determine whether the battery is swelled by the sensing. |
| US09917333B2 |
Lithium ion battery, integrated circuit and method of manufacturing a lithium ion battery
A lithium ion battery includes a first substrate having a first main surface, and a lid including an insulating material. The lid is attached to the first main surface of the first substrate, and a cavity is defined between the first substrate and the lid. The lithium ion battery further includes an electrical interconnection element in the lid, the electrical interconnection element providing an electrical connection between a first main surface and a second main surface of the lid. The lithium ion battery further includes an electrolyte in the cavity, an anode at the first substrate, the anode including a component made of a semiconductor material, and a cathode at the lid. |
| US09917327B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and method for producing nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. A positive electrode charge potential is 3.7 V or less with respect to a lithium metal potential. The nonaqueous electrolyte includes a cyclic disulfone compound having a specific structure in an amount of 0.1 to 4.0% by mass based on a total mass of the nonaqueous electrolyte. |
| US09917320B2 |
Sweep membrane separator and fuel processing systems
A sweep membrane separator includes a membrane that is selectively permeable to a selected gas, the membrane including a retentate side and a permeate side. A mixed gas stream including the selected gas enters the sweep membrane separator and contacts the retentate side of the membrane. At least part of the selected gas separates from the mixed gas stream and passes through the membrane to the permeate side of the membrane. The mixed gas stream, minus the separated gas, exits the sweep membrane separator. A sweep gas at high pressure enters the sweep membrane separator and sweeps the selected gas from the permeate side of the membrane. A mixture of the sweep gas and the selected gas exits the sweep membrane separator at high pressure. The sweep membrane separator thereby separates the selected gas from the gas mixture and pressurizes the selected gas. |
| US09917313B2 |
Apparatus using fuel gas
An apparatus using fuel gas is provided, ensuring charge amount of a battery. The apparatus includes battery, fuel gas reservoir unit, fuel lid, open/close detection unit for detecting open/close state of fuel lid, fuel gas condition detection unit for detecting pressure and/or temperature being condition of fuel gas reserved in the fuel gas reservoir unit, communication unit for communication with fuel gas supply device, and control unit for, upon reception of signal notifying that fuel lid is in open state from open/close detection unit, performing dispensing communication to notify the fuel gas supply device, via communication unit, of condition of fuel gas having been input from fuel gas condition detection unit. The control unit stops dispensing communication when control unit has determined, according to signal received from open/close detection unit that predetermined time has elapsed with the fuel lid remaining in open state after starting dispensing communication. |
| US09917309B2 |
Printed energy storage device
An energy storage device includes a printed current collector layer, where the printed current collector layer includes nickel flakes and a current collector conductive carbon additive. The energy storage device includes a printed electrode layer printed over the current collector layer, where the printed electrode layer includes an ionic liquid and an electrode conductive carbon additive. The ionic liquid can include 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (C2mimBF4). The current collector conductive carbon can include graphene and the electrode conductive carbon additive can include graphite, graphene, and/or carbon nanotubes. |
| US09917305B2 |
Positive electrode active material, method of manufacturing the positive electrode active material, and lithium battery employing the positive electrode active material
In one aspect, a positive electrode active material is provided, a method of manufacturing the positive electrode active material, and a lithium battery employing the positive electrode active material. The positive electrode active material may have high thermal stability and low capacity deterioration despite repetitive charging and discharging. |
| US09917303B2 |
Rechargeable lithium-sulfur battery having a high capacity and long cycle life
A rechargeable lithium-sulfur cell comprising an anode, a separator and/or electrolyte, and a sulfur cathode, wherein the cathode comprises (a) exfoliated graphite worms that are interconnected to form a porous, conductive graphite flake network comprising pores having a size smaller than 100 nm; and (b) nano-scaled powder or coating of sulfur, sulfur compound, or lithium polysulfide disposed in the pores or coated on graphite flake surfaces wherein the powder or coating has a dimension less than 100 nm. The exfoliated graphite worm amount is in the range of 1% to 90% by weight and the amount of powder or coating is in the range of 99% to 10% by weight based on the total weight of exfoliated graphite worms and sulfur (sulfur compound or lithium polysulfide) combined. The cell exhibits an exceptionally high specific energy and a long cycle life. |
| US09917297B2 |
Method for preparing positive electrode active material for lithium secondary battery
Disclosed are a method for preparing a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery and a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery, the method including: preparing a mixture of a precursor represented by Chemical Formula 1 below, a lithium composite oxide represented by Chemical Formula 2 below and capable of intercalating/deintercalating lithium ions, and a lithium feed material; and firing the prepared mixture: A(OH)2-a [Chemical Formula 1] Li[LizA(1-z-a)Da]EbO2-b [Chemical Formula 2] |
| US09917294B2 |
Battery cell assembly of novel structure and battery pack employed with the same
Disclosed herein is a battery cell assembly including a battery cell array including two or more battery cells, each of which has an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure disposed in a battery case together with an electrolyte in a sealed state, arranged in the lateral direction, and a protection circuit module (PCM) connected to the upper end of the battery cell array to control the operation of the battery pack, wherein the outer sides of the battery cells or the outer side of the battery cell array is coated with a resin by insert injection molding excluding electrode terminals of the battery cells. |
| US09917293B2 |
Battery parts having retaining and sealing features and associated methods of manufacture and use
Battery parts having retaining and sealing features and associated assemblies and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery part includes a base portion that is configured to be embedded in battery container material of a corresponding battery container. The battery part and base portion include several torque resisting features and gripping features that resist torsional or twist loads that are applied to the battery part after it has been joined to the battery container. For example, the base portion can include several internal and external torque resisting features and gripping features that are configured to resist twisting or loosening of the battery part with reference to the battery container material, as well as prevent or inhibit fluid leakage from the battery container. |
| US09917292B2 |
Battery cell and battery pack using the same
A battery cell includes a first electrode terminal, a second electrode terminal spaced from the first electrode terminal, and at least one sub terminal coupled to one of the first electrode terminal or the second electrode terminal. The at least one sub terminal includes at least one convex area and at least two concave areas. Each of the convex area and the at least two concave areas to establish an electrical connection with an electrode terminal of adjacent battery cells. |
| US09917290B2 |
Battery module having holder
A battery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries having a terminal, a holder combined to end portions of the rechargeable batteries and having a first fastening portion, and a bus bar combined to the terminal, electrically connecting the rechargeable batteries, and having a second fastening portion to be fitted into the first fastening portion. |
| US09917289B2 |
Laminate, non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery separator including the laminate, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including the laminate
Provided is a laminate which is capable of ensuring a high level of safety by preventing an internal short circuit due to, for example, breakage of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery while maintaining various performance capabilities of the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. A laminate (10) includes: a porous film containing polyolefin as a main component; and a porous layer containing fine particles; the porous layer being laminated to at least one side of the porous film, in an electrical conduction test by nail penetration in which test a difference between (a) a test force of the laminate (10) which is brought into electrical conduction and (b) a test force of the laminate (10) in which a dielectric breakdown occurs, the difference being obtained by subtracting the test force (b) from the test force (a), is measured by use of a nail (2) of N50 specified in JIS A 5508 and under a condition in which the nail (2) descends at a descending speed of 50 μm/min, the difference being not less than 5 N and not more than 50 N. |
| US09917288B2 |
Lithium iron disulfide battery
A lithium-iron disulfide battery with improved high temperature performance is disclosed. The separator characteristics are deliberately selected to be compatible with the electrolyte at the intended temperature. Additional or alternative modifications can be made in the form of a scaffold or laminated structure. A preferred polymer for such separators is polyimide. |
| US09917286B2 |
Power storage device, power storage system, electronic apparatus, electric vehicle, and electric power system
A power storage device includes an outer casing and two battery units housed in the outer casing. Each battery unit includes a battery casing formed with a top casing and a bottom casing. The battery casing houses a battery block group in which battery lines are arranged in parallel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the battery line extending direction, and are arranged like stacked straw bags. The battery casing also houses partition plates that are inserted between adjacent battery lines facing one another, and are secured between the top casing and the bottom casing. |
| US09917285B1 |
Battery and connection apparatus
A battery includes: a casing that houses a cell inside; and a terminal part that has connection terminals connected to electrode terminals of a connection apparatus, in which the casing includes a top face and a bottom face positioned on opposite sides in a height direction and two side faces positioned between the top face and the bottom face on opposite sides in a widthwise direction, a notch is formed by a level difference face that is continuous from the side face and a groove forming face that is continuous from the bottom face, and a guided groove that is open to the groove forming face is formed in the casing, and the guided groove is positioned on a further bottom face side than the level difference face. |
| US09917283B2 |
Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the first and second electrode plates, an electrolyte having viscosity of about 1 Pa·s to about 15 Pa·s at a temperature from about 20° C. to about 25° C., a can having an opening on one surface through which the electrode assembly is inserted, the electrode assembly and the electrolyte being accommodated inside the can, and a cap plate that seals the opening of the can. A ratio of the height of the can to a cross-sectional area of the can is from about 12.5% to about 25%. |
| US09917282B2 |
Manufacturing method of light-emitting device, light-emitting device, module, and electronic device
A highly reliable light-emitting device is provided. A yield in a manufacturing process of a light-emitting device is increased. A light-emitting device is provided in which a non-light-emitting portion having a frame-like shape outside a light-emitting portion includes a portion thinner than the light-emitting portion. A light-emitting element and a bonding layer are formed over a substrate. The light-emitting element is sealed by overlapping a pair of substrates and curing the bonding layer. Then, while the cured bonding layer is heated, pressure is applied to at least a portion of the non-light-emitting portion with a member having a projection. |
| US09917280B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a first substrate, a pixel defining layer on the first substrate, the pixel defining layer configured to define a light emission area, a first electrode in the light emission area, a light emitting layer on the first electrode, a second electrode on the light emitting layer, a second substrate which is opposite to the first substrate, and a reflecting member on a lower surface of the first substrate. The reflecting member may include a first reflecting unit on the lower surface of the first substrate, the first reflecting unit having an aperture at a position overlapping the light emission area, and a second reflecting unit on the first reflecting unit. |
| US09917276B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a driving circuit layer including a thin film transistor, a display layer at the driving circuit layer and overlapping a portion of the driving circuit layer, a window at the display layer, a first adhesive member between the driving circuit layer and the window, and a second adhesive member between the display layer and the window and spaced from the first adhesive member in a plane view. |
| US09917267B2 |
Electronic device comprising first opening and second opening with different widths
A method for manufacturing a display device is provided. The method includes: forming, between a first substrate and a second substrate, a light-emitting element including an electroluminescence layer and a wiring over which a peeling layer formed by using the material of the electroluminescence layer is provided; and peeling whole of the second substrate from the first substrate so that the peeling layer over the wiring is simultaneously exposed. |
| US09917266B2 |
Bendable device with a window top layer and a body having extendable bending region
A bendable device is provided. The device comprises: a display stack which comprises a window layer and at least one active layer, and a body which comprises an extendable bending region. The active layers are fixed to the window layer at the bottom side of the window layer. Edges of the window layer extend outwards in relation to the at least one active layer at two or more sides of the display stack, and the window layer is rigidly fixed to the body at the edges which extend outwards at the bottom side of the window layer. A method for assembling a bendable device comprising a display is disclosed. |
| US09917265B2 |
Copper(I) complexes, in particular for optoelectronic components
The embodiments of the invention relate to copper(I) complexes of the formula A where X* is Cl, Br, I, CN, SCN, alkinyl and/or N3 (independently of one another), N*∩E is a bidentate ligand with E being a phosphanyl/arsenyl group of the form R2E (in which R=alkyl, aryl, alkoxyl, phenoxyl, or amide), N* is an imine-function, which is a component of an N-heteroaromatic 5-membered ring that is selected from the group consisting of pyrazole, isoxazole, isothiazole, triazole, oxadiazole, thiadiazole, tetrazole, oxatriazole or thiatriazole, and “∩” is at least one carbon atom, which is likewise a component of the aromatic group, the carbon atom being located directly adjacent both to the imine nitrogen atom as well as to the phosphorus or arsenic atom. The copper(I) complexes may be used in optoelectronic components, particularly in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). |
| US09917261B2 |
Organic compound, light-emitting element, display module, lighting module, light-emitting device, display device, electronic device, and lighting device
A novel organic compound is provided. Alternatively, an organic compound that can be used as an electron-transport material of a light-emitting element is provided. An organic compound in which heteroaromatic groups each including two pyridine rings are bonded to the 2- and 8-positions of dibenzofuran is provided. The organic compound is an organic compound that can be used as an electron-transport material of a light-emitting element. |
| US09917259B2 |
Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, lighting device, and electronic device
A light-emitting element is provided, in which n (n is a natural number of two or more) EL layers are provided between an anode and a cathode. Between the m-th (m is a natural number, 1≦m≦n−1) EL layer and the (m+1)-th EL layer, a first layer containing any of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a rare earth metal, an alkali metal compound, an alkaline earth metal compound, and a rare earth metal compound, a second layer containing a substance having high electron-transport properties in contact with the first layer, and a charge-generation layer containing a substance having high hole-transport properties and an acceptor substance in contact with the second layer are provided in this order over the anode. The charge-generation layer does not have a peak of an absorption spectrum in a visible light region. |
| US09917258B2 |
Phenylcarbazole-based compounds and fluorene-based compounds and organic light emitting device and flat panel display device comprising the same
Provided are an organic light emitting device including: a substrate; a first electrode; a second electrode; and an organic layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and including an emission layer, wherein one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a reflective electrode and the other is a semitransparent or transparent electrode, and wherein the organic layer includes a layer having at least one of the compounds having at least one carbazole group, and a flat panel display device including the organic light emitting device. The organic light emitting device has low driving voltage, excellent current density, high brightness, excellent color purity, high efficiency, and long lifetime. |
| US09917256B2 |
Compound for organic electroluminescent device and organic electroluminescent device including the same
This invention relates to a compound for an organic electroluminescent device and to an organic electroluminescent device including the same. This compound for an organic electroluminescent device including the same is improved in thermal stability and light emission efficiency. When this compound is used as a hole transport layer material, a triplet energy of a phosphorescent light emitting material is increased, thus improving the efficiency of the organic electroluminescent device. |
| US09917255B2 |
Methods of making composite of graphene oxide and nanostructures
A method of forming a graphene oxide based layer includes preparing a dispersion of graphene oxide and nanostructures, and spin coating the dispersion on a surface of a substrate to form a spin coated film thereon; and thermally annealing the spin coated film to form the graphene oxide based layer, where the mass ratio of the graphene oxide and the nanostructures in the graphene oxide based layer is in a range of about 1:0.01 w/w to 1:0.8 w/w. The nanostructures are functionalized with carboxylic acid. The nanostructures include carbon nanotubes, or nanofibers. The carbon nanotubes include single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). |
| US09917254B2 |
Encapsulation package, display device and packaging method
An OLED encapsulation package, a display device and a packaging method are disclosed. The OLED encapsulation package includes a substrate, a cover board and a encapsulation unit located between the substrate and the cover board; the substrate is provided with display components thereon, and the encapsulation unit encapsulates the periphery of the display components; the encapsulation unit includes at least a moisture sensitive layer therein, and the moisture sensitive layer is capable of discoloring upon encountering with water. |
| US09917251B2 |
Resistive memory cell having a reduced conductive path area
A method of forming a resistive memory cell, e.g., a CBRAM or ReRAM, may include forming a bottom electrode layer, oxidizing an exposed region of the bottom electrode layer to form an oxide region, removing a region of the bottom electrode layer proximate the oxide region, thereby forming a bottom electrode having a pointed tip region adjacent the oxide region, and forming an electrolyte region and top electrode over at least a portion of the bottom electrode and oxide region, such that the electrolyte region is arranged between the pointed tip region of the bottom electrode and the top electrode, and provides a path for conductive filament or vacancy chain formation from the pointed tip region of the bottom electrode to the top electrode when a voltage bias is applied to the memory cell. A memory cell and memory cell array formed by such method are also disclosed. |
| US09917246B2 |
Composite substrate, production method thereof, and acoustic wave device
A composite substrate production method of the invention includes (a) a step of mirror polishing a substrate stack having a diameter of 4 inch or more, the substrate stack including a piezoelectric substrate and a support substrate bonded to each other, the mirror polishing being performed on the piezoelectric substrate side until the thickness of the piezoelectric substrate reaches 3 μm or less; (b) a step of creating data of the distribution of the thickness of the mirror-polished piezoelectric substrate; and (c) a step of performing machining with an ion beam machine based on the data of the thickness distribution so as to produce a composite substrate have some special technical features. |
| US09917245B2 |
Piezoelectric element, method of manufacturing piezoelectric element, piezoelectric actuator, and electronic apparatus
Provided is a piezoelectric element including a substrate, electrodes, and a piezoelectric film, the piezoelectric film including an oxide including Ba, Ca, Ti, and Zr, and at least one element of Mn and Bi in which: 0.09≦x≦0.30 is satisfied, where x is a mole ratio of Ca to a sum of Ba and Ca; 0.025≦y≦0.085 is satisfied, where y is a mole ratio of Zr to a sum of Ti, Zr, and Sn; and 0≦z≦0.02 is satisfied, where z is a mole ratio of Sn to the sum of Ti, Zr, and Sn; a total content Save of Mn and Bi is 0.0020 moles or more and 0.0150 moles or less for 1 mole of the oxide; and a total content Sbou of Mn and Bi in a region of the piezoelectric film adjacent to one of the electrodes is smaller than Save. |
| US09917243B2 |
Method of fabricating piezoelectric MEMS devices
A single photo mask can be used to define the three critical layers for the piezoelectric MEMS device, specifically the top electrode layer, the piezoelectric material layer, and the bottom electrode layer. Using a single photo mask removes the misalignment source caused by using multiple photo masks. Furthermore, in certain exemplary embodiments, all electrical interconnects use underpass interconnect. This simplifies the process for defining the device electrodes and the process sequence for achieving self-alignment between the piezoelectric element and the top and bottom electrodes. This self-alignment is achieved by using an oxide hard mask to etch the critical region of the top electrode, the piezoelectric material, and the bottom electrode with one mask and different etch chemistries depending on the layer being etched. |
| US09917240B2 |
Thermoelectric element, method of manufacturing the same and semiconductor device including the same
A thermoelectric element is provided as follows. First and second semiconductor fin structures are disposed on a semiconductor substrate. Each semiconductor fin structure extends in a first direction, protruding from the semiconductor substrate. First and second semiconductor nanowires are disposed on the first and second semiconductor fin structures, respectively. The first semiconductor nanowires include first impurities. The second semiconductor nanowires include second impurities different from the first impurities. A first electrode is connected to first ends of the first and second semiconductor nanowires. A second electrode is connected to second ends of the first semiconductor nanowires. A third electrode is connected to second ends of the second semiconductor nanowires. |
| US09917238B2 |
Thermoelectric element and thermoelectric module provided with same
A thermoelectric element includes a p-type/n-type semiconductor element having an upper end surface and a lower end surface, a lower electrode that is joined to the lower end surface of the p-type/n-type semiconductor element to connect the p-type/n-type semiconductor element and another n-type/p-type semiconductor element adjacently thereto and has an area less than that of the lower end surface in a joint region therebetween. A joint portion is made of a solder and has a surface joint part joining the lower end surface of the p-type/n-type semiconductor element and a surface of the lower electrode while the lower end surface of the p-type/n-type semiconductor element and the surface of the lower electrode are opposed to each other A fillet part is formed to fill a space produced between intersecting surfaces, i.e., the lower end surface and a lateral side of the lower electrode, and composes a step part formed by the lower end surface and the lower electrode. |
| US09917232B2 |
Monolithic image chip for near-to-eye display
A set of light emitting devices can be formed on a substrate. A growth mask having a first aperture in a first area and a second aperture in a second area is formed on a substrate. A first nanowire and a second nanowire are formed in the first and second apertures, respectively. The first nanowire includes a first active region having a first band gap and a second active region having a second band gap. The first band gap is greater than the second band gap. The second nanowire includes an active region having the first band gap and does not include, or is adjoined to, any material having the second band gap. |
| US09917230B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor chip
An optoelectronic semiconductor chip is disclosed. In an embodiment the chip includes a semiconductor layer sequence having a bottom face and a top face, wherein the semiconductor layer sequence comprises a first layer of a first conductivity type, an active layer for generating electromagnetic radiation, and a second layer of a second conductivity type and a bottom contact element located at the bottom face and a top contact element located at the top face for injecting current into the semiconductor layer sequence. The chip further includes a current distribution element located at the bottom face, the current distribution element distributes current along the bottom face during operation and a plurality of vias extending from the current distribution element through the first layer and through the active layer into the semiconductor layer sequence, wherein the vias are not in direct electrical contact with the active layer. |
| US09917228B2 |
Semiconductor optical device
A semiconductor optical device has a multilayer structure 30 including a first compound semiconductor layer 31, an active layer 33, and a second compound semiconductor layer 32. A second electrode 42 is formed on the second compound semiconductor layer 32 through a contact layer 34. The contact layer 34 has a thickness of four or less atomic layers. When an interface between the contact layer 34 and the second compound semiconductor layer 32 is an xy-plane, a lattice constant along an x-axis of crystals constituting an interface layer 32A which is a part of the second compound semiconductor layer in contact with the contact layer 34 is x2, a lattice constant along a z-axis is z2, a length along an x-axis in one unit of crystals constituting the contact layer 34 is xc′, and a length along the z-axis is zc′, (zc′/xc′)>(z2/x2) is satisfied. |
| US09917226B1 |
Substrate features for enhanced fluidic assembly of electronic devices
Embodiments are related to systems and methods for fluidic assembly, and more particularly to systems and methods for assuring deposition of elements in relation to a substrate. In some cases, embodiments include a substrate including a plurality of wells each having a sidewall where a through hole via extends from a bottom of at least one of the plurality of wells; and a post enhanced diode including a post extending from a top surface of a diode structure. |
| US09917223B2 |
Solar cell panel
A solar cell panel is discussed. The solar cell panel includes a plurality of solar cells each including a substrate and an electrode part positioned on a surface of the substrate, an interconnector for electrically connecting at least one of the plurality of solar cells to another of the plurality of solar cells, and a conductive adhesive film including a resin and a plurality of conductive particles dispersed in the resin. The conductive adhesive film is positioned between the electrode part of the at least one of the plurality of solar cells and the interconnector to electrically connect the electrode part of the at least one of the plurality of solar cells to the interconnector. A width of the interconnector is equal to or greater than a width of the conductive adhesive film. |
| US09917221B2 |
Solar power conversion system with directionally- and spectrally-selective properties based on a reflective cavity
Solar power conversion system. The system includes a cavity formed within an enclosure having highly specularly reflecting in the IR spectrum inside walls, the enclosure having an opening to receive solar radiation. An absorber is positioned within the cavity for receiving the solar radiation resulting in heating of the absorber structure. In a preferred embodiment, the system further contains an energy conversion and storage devices thermally-linked to the absorber by heat conduction, convection, far-field or near-field thermal radiation. |
| US09917217B2 |
Solar antenna array and its fabrication and uses
A solar antenna array may comprise an array of randomly placed carbon nanotube antennas that may capture and convert sunlight into electrical power. Methods for constructing the solar antenna array may use a mold and self aligning processing steps to minimize cost. Designs may be optimized for capturing a broad spectrum of non-polarized light. Alternatively, the array may generate light, and when connected in to an array of independently controllable sections may operate as either a reflective or light transmitting display. |
| US09917216B2 |
Flexible kesterite photovoltaic device on ceramic substrate
Kesterite-based photovoltaic devices formed on flexible ceramic substrates are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a photovoltaic device includes the steps of: forming a back contact on a flexible ceramic substrate; forming a kesterite absorber layer on a side of the back contact opposite the flexible ceramic substrate; annealing the kesterite absorber layer; forming a buffer layer on a side of the kesterite absorber layer opposite the back contact; and forming a transparent front contact on a side of the buffer layer opposite the kesterite absorber layer. A roll-to-roll-based method of forming a photovoltaic device and a photovoltaic device are also provided. |
| US09917211B2 |
Flash memory cells having trenched storage elements
An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a memory cell. The memory cell includes a first trench formed in a semiconductor substrate and a second trench formed in said semiconductor substrate adjacent to said first trench. The first trench and the second trench each define a first side wall and a second sidewall respectively. The memory cell further includes a first storage element formed on the first sidewall of the first trench and a second storage element formed on the second sidewall of the second trench. |
| US09917208B2 |
Thin film transistor and method for manufacturing the same, and array substrate
A TFT, a method for manufacturing the TFT, and an array substrate are disclosed. In the TFT according to the present disclosure, the nano conductive points that are independent from one another are formed in a channel area of the active layer, so that the channel area of the active layer can be divided into a plurality of sub channels that are independent from one another, and an equivalent electric field strength thereof can be increased. The larger the equivalent electric field strength is, the higher the carrier mobility ratio would be, and the larger the saturation current of the TFT would become. Therefore, the TFT with a higher definition and a higher aperture ratio can be manufactured. |
| US09917206B2 |
Oxide semiconductor element and semiconductor device
A semiconductor element having high mobility, which includes an oxide semiconductor layer having crystallinity, is provided. The oxide semiconductor layer includes a stacked-layer structure of a first oxide semiconductor film and a second oxide semiconductor film having a wider band gap than the first oxide semiconductor film, which is in contact with the first oxide semiconductor film. Thus, a channel region is formed in part of the first oxide semiconductor film (that is, in an oxide semiconductor film having a smaller band gap) which is in the vicinity of an interface with the second oxide semiconductor film. Further, dangling bonds in the first oxide semiconductor film and the second oxide semiconductor film are bonded to each other at the interface therebetween. Accordingly, a decrease in mobility resulting from an electron trap or the like due to dangling bonds can be reduced in the channel region. |
| US09917203B2 |
Thin film transistor, manufacturing method thereof, array substrate and display apparatus
A thin film transistor, a manufacturing method thereof, an array substrate and a display apparatus are disclosed. The manufacturing method includes forming a gate electrode (2), a gate insulating layer (3), an active region (4), a source electrode (5) and a drain electrode (6) on a base substrate (1) with the active region being formed of ZnON material, and implanting the active region (4) with nitrogen ion while it being formed, so as to make the sub-threshold swing amplitude of the thin film transistor less than or equal to 0.5 mV/dec. The manufacturing method reduces the sub-threshold swing amplitude of the thin film transistor and improves the semiconductor characteristics of the thin film transistor. |
| US09917201B2 |
Semiconductor device
It is an object to provide a transistor having a new multigate structure in which operating characteristics and reliability are improved. In a transistor having a multigate structure, which includes two gate electrodes electrically connected to each other and a semiconductor layer including two channel regions connected in series formed between a source region and a drain region, and a high concentration impurity region is formed between the two channel regions; the channel length of the channel region adjacent to the source region is longer than the channel length of the channel region adjacent to the drain region. |
| US09917194B2 |
Self-aligned silicon germanium FinFET with relaxed channel region
A self-aligned SiGe FinFET device features a relaxed channel region having a high germanium concentration. Instead of first introducing germanium into the channel and then attempting to relax the resulting strained film, a relaxed channel is formed initially to accept the germanium. In this way, a presence of germanium can be established without straining or damaging the lattice. Gate structures are patterned relative to intrinsic silicon fins, to ensure that the gates are properly aligned, prior to introducing germanium into the fin lattice structure. After aligning the gate structures, the silicon fins are segmented to elastically relax the silicon lattice. Then, germanium is introduced into the relaxed silicon lattice, to produce a SiGe channel that is substantially stress-free and also defect-free. Using the method described, concentration of germanium achieved in a structurally stable film can be increased to a level greater than 85%. |
| US09917193B2 |
III-N semiconductor layer on Si substrate
A method of growing III-N semiconducting material on a silicon substrate including the steps of growing a layer of epitaxial rare earth oxide on a single crystal silicon substrate and modifying the surface of the layer of epitaxial rare earth oxide with nitrogen plasma. The method further includes the steps of growing a layer of low temperature epitaxial gallium nitride on the modified surface of the layer of epitaxial rare earth oxide and growing a layer of bulk epitaxial III-N semiconductive material on the layer of low temperature epitaxial gallium nitride. |
| US09917191B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor wafer, forming a gate dielectric over the semiconductor wafer, and forming a gate over the gate dielectric. At least one recess is formed in the semiconductor wafer proximate the gate and the gate dielectric, at least a portion of the at least one recess extending beneath the gate. The at least one recess in the semiconductor wafer is filled with a semiconductive material. |
| US09917185B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a semiconductor layer provided with a gate trench, a first conductivity type source region formed to be exposed on a surface side of the semiconductor layer, a second conductivity type channel region formed on a side of the source region closer to a back surface of the semiconductor layer to be in contact with the source region, a first conductivity type drain region formed on a side of the channel region closer to the back surface of the semiconductor layer to be in contact with the channel region, a gate insulating film formed on an inner surface of the gate trench, and a gate electrode embedded inside the gate insulating film in the gate trench, while the channel region includes a channel portion formed along the side surface of the gate trench so that a channel is formed in operation and a projection projecting from an end portion of the channel portion closer to the back surface of the semiconductor layer toward the back surface. |
| US09917180B2 |
Trenched and implanted bipolar junction transistor
The present invention concerns a monolithically merged trenched-and-implanted Bipolar Junction Transistor (TI-BJT) with antiparallel diode and a method of manufacturing the same. Trenches are made in a collector, base, emitter stack downto the collector. The base electrode is formed on an implanted base contact region at the bottom surface of the trench. The present invention also provides for products produced by the methods of the present invention and for apparatuses used to perform the methods of the present invention. |
| US09917179B2 |
Stacked nanowire devices formed using lateral aspect ratio trapping
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises depositing alternating layers of a plurality of first dielectric layers and a plurality of second dielectric layers on a substrate in a stacked configuration, forming one or more first openings in the stacked configuration to a depth penetrating below an upper surface of a bottom second dielectric layer of the plurality of second dielectric layers, forming one or more second openings in the stacked configuration to a depth corresponding to an upper surface of the substrate or below an upper surface of the substrate, removing the plurality of second dielectric layers from the stacked configuration to form a plurality of gaps, and epitaxially growing a semiconductor material from a seed layer in the one or more second openings to fill the one or more first and second openings and the plurality of gaps, wherein defects caused by a lattice mismatch between the epitaxially grown semiconductor material and a material of the substrate are contained at a bottom portion of the one or more second openings. |
| US09917177B2 |
Contact structure and extension formation for III-V nFET
FinFET devices including III-V fin structures and silicon-based source/drain regions are formed on a semiconductor substrate. Silicon is diffused into the III-V fin structures to form n-type junctions. Leakage through the substrate is addressed by forming p-n junctions adjoining the source/drain regions and isolating the III-V fin structures under the channel regions. |
| US09917173B2 |
Oxidation and etching post metal gate CMP
A method includes forming a dummy gate of a transistor at a surface of a wafer, removing the dummy gate, and filling a metallic material into a trench left by the removed dummy gate. A Chemical Mechanical Polish (CMP) is then performed on the metallic material, wherein a remaining portion of the metallic material forms a metal gate of the transistor. After the CMP, a treatment is performed on an exposed top surface of the metal gate using an oxidation-and-etching agent comprising chlorine and oxygen. |
| US09917170B2 |
Carbon based contact structure for silicon carbide device technical field
A method of forming a contact structure includes providing a silicon-carbide substrate having a highly doped silicon-carbide contact region formed in the substrate and extending to a main surface of the substrate. A carbon-based contact region is formed which is in direct contact with the highly doped silicon-carbide contact region and which extends to the main surface. A conductor is formed on the carbon-based contact region such that the carbon-based contact region is interposed between the conductor and the highly doped silicon-carbide contact region. A thermal budget for forming the carbon-based contact region is maintained below a level that induces metal silicidization of the highly doped silicon-carbide contact region. |
| US09917165B2 |
Memory cell structure for improving erase speed
A split-gate flash memory cell for improved erase speed is provided. An erase gate and a floating gate are laterally spaced over a semiconductor substrate. The floating gate has a height increasing towards the erase gate, a concave sidewall surface neighboring the erase gate, and a tip defined an interface of the concave sidewall surface and an upper surface of the floating gate. A control gate and a sidewall spacer are arranged over the upper surface of the floating gate. The control gate is laterally offset from the tip of the floating gate, and the sidewall spacer is laterally arranged between the control gate and the tip. A method for manufacturing the split-gate flash memory cell is also provided. |
| US09917164B1 |
Fabricating raised source drain contacts of a CMOS structure
The invention relates to a method for forming a field effect transistor. The method comprises providing a substrate with a channel layer, forming a gate stack structure on the channel layer, forming first sidewall spacers, forming a raised source and a raised drain on the channel layer and forming second sidewall spacers above the raised source and the raised drain. The method further includes depositing in a an insulating dielectric layer above the gate stack structure, the first sidewall spacers and the second sidewall spacers, planarization of the insulating dielectric layer and selectively etching the second sidewall spacers. Thereby contact cavities are created on the raised source and the raised drain. The method further includes forming a source contact and a drain contact by filling the contact cavities. The invention also concerns a corresponding computer program product. |
| US09917162B2 |
Fabrication of vertical field effect transistor structure with controlled gate length
A method of forming a gate structure, including forming one or more vertical fins on a substrate; forming a bottom spacer on the substrate surface adjacent to the one or more vertical fins; forming a gate structure on at least a portion of the sidewalls of the one or more vertical fins; forming a gauge layer on at least a portion of the bottom spacer, wherein the gauge layer covers at least a portion of the gate structure on the sidewalls of the one or more vertical fins; and removing a portion of the gauge layer on the bottom spacer. |
| US09917155B2 |
Superlattice materials and applications
A superlattice cell that includes Group IV elements is repeated multiple times so as to form the superlattice. Each superlattice cell has multiple ordered atomic planes that are parallel to one another. At least two of the atomic planes in the superlattice cell have different chemical compositions. One or more of the atomic planes in the superlattice cell one or more components selected from the group consisting of carbon, tin, and lead. These superlattices make a variety of applications including, but not limited to, transistors, light sensors, and light sources. |
| US09917149B1 |
Diode and method of making the same
A diode includes a second semiconductor layer over a first semiconductor layer. The diode further includes a third semiconductor layer over the second semiconductor layer, where the third semiconductor layer includes a first semiconductor element over the second semiconductor layer. The third semiconductor layer additionally includes a second semiconductor element over the second semiconductor layer, wherein the second semiconductor element surrounds the first semiconductor element. Further, the third semiconductor layer includes a third semiconductor element over the second semiconductor element. Furthermore, a hole concentration of the second semiconductor element is less than a hole concentration of the first semiconductor element. |
| US09917148B2 |
Self-limited, anisotropic wet etching of transverse vias in microfluidic chips
The present invention is notably directed to a method of fabrication of a microfluidic chip (1), comprising: providing (S10-S20) a wafer (10, 12) of semiconductor material having a diamond cubic crystal structure, exhibiting two opposite main surfaces (S1, S2), one on each side of the wafer, and having, each, a normal in the <100> or <110> direction; and performing (S30) self-limited, anisotropic wet etching steps on each of the two main surfaces on each side of the wafer, to create a via (20, 20a) extending transversely through the thickness of the wafer, at a location such that the resulting via connects an in-plane microchannel (31) on a first one (S1) of the two main surfaces to a second one (S2) of the two main surfaces, the via exhibiting slanted sidewalls (20s) as a result of the self-limited wet etching. The invention further concerns microfluidic chips accordingly obtained. |
| US09917145B2 |
Light-emitting device and electronic apparatus
A light-emitting device includes a drive transistor for controlling the quantity of current supplied to a light-emitting element, a capacitor element electrically connected to a gate electrode of the drive transistor, and an electrical continuity portion for electrically connecting the drive transistor and the light-emitting element, these elements being disposed on a substrate. The electrical continuity portion is disposed on the side opposite to the capacitor element with the drive transistor disposed therebetween. |
| US09917142B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device includes a plurality of pixels defined on a substrate. Each of the plurality of pixels has a plurality of sub-pixels, and each of the plurality of sub-pixels has a light emitting area and a driving area. Widths in a first direction of the driving areas of the plurality of sub-pixels are identical to each other. A size of a light emitting area of a first sub-pixel of the plurality of sub-pixels is greater than a size of a light emitting area of a second sub-pixel of the plurality of sub-pixels. |
| US09917141B2 |
Light-emitting device having singlet and triplet compounds
There is provided a light emitting device which enables a color display with good color balance. A triplet compound is used for a light emitting layer of an EL element that emits red color, and a singlet compound is used for a light emitting layer of an EL element that emits green color and a light emitting layer of an EL element that emits blue color. Thus, an operation voltage of the EL element emitting red color may be made the same as the EL element emitting green color and the EL element emitting blue color. Accordingly, the color display with good color balance can be realized. |
| US09917137B1 |
Integrated magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) in back end of line (BEOL) interconnects
A method is presented for forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes depositing a barrier layer, such as a tantalum nitride (TaN) layer, over a dielectric incorporating magnetic random access memory (MRAM) regions, forming magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stacks over portions of the TaN layer, patterning and encapsulating the MTJ stacks, forming spacers adjacent the MTJ stacks, and laterally etching sections of the TaN layer, after spacer formation, to form an electrode under the MTJ stacks. The electrode protects the MRAM regions. The electrode can be recessed from the spacers. |
| US09917135B2 |
Method of manufacturing solid-state image sensor
A method of manufacturing a solid-state image sensor is provided. The method comprises: depositing a gate electrode film above the semiconductor layer; etching the gate electrode film to form a first gate electrode patterned in a pixel region, leaving the gate electrode film in a peripheral region; depositing a first insulating film above the semiconductor layer after the forming the first gate electrode; removing the first insulating film formed in the peripheral region; etching the gate electrode film left in the peripheral region to form a second gate electrode patterned in the peripheral region after the removing the first insulating film; forming a second insulating film above the semiconductor layer after the forming the second gate electrode; and forming a side wall on side surface of the second gate electrode by etching the second insulating film. |
| US09917131B2 |
Semiconductor device, solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus
A semiconductor device including a first semiconductor section including a first wiring layer at one side thereof, the first semiconductor section further including a photodiode, a second semiconductor section including a second wiring layer at one side thereof, the first and second semiconductor sections being secured together, a third semiconductor section including a third wiring layer at one side thereof, the second and the third semiconductor sections being secured together such the first semiconductor section, second semiconductor section, and the third semiconductor section are stacked together, and a first conductive material electrically connecting at least two of (i) the first wiring layer, (ii) the second wiring layer, and (iii) the third wiring layer such that the electrically connected wiring layers are in electrical communication. |
| US09917130B2 |
Image sensor with reduced optical path
Among other things, one or more image sensors and techniques for forming image sensors are provided. An image sensor comprises a photodiode array configured to detect light. The image sensor comprises an oxide grid comprising a first oxide grid portion and a second oxide grid portion. A metal grid is formed between the first oxide grid portion and the second oxide grid portion. The oxide grid and the metal grid define a filler grid. The filler grid comprises a filler grid portion, such as a color filter, that allows light to propagate through the filler grid portion to an underlying photodiode. The oxide grid and the metal grid confine or channel the light within the filler grid portion. The oxide grid and the metal grid are formed such that the filler grid provides a relatively shorter propagation path for the light, which improves light detection performance of the image sensor. |
| US09917121B2 |
BSI image sensor and method of forming same
A backside illumination (BSI) image sensor and a method of forming the same are provided. A method includes forming a plurality of photosensitive pixels in a substrate, the substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being opposite the first surface, the substrate having one or more active devices on the first surface. A first portion of the second surface is protected. A second portion of the second surface is patterned to form recesses in the substrate. An anti-reflective layer is formed on sidewalls of the recesses. A metal grid is formed over the second portion of the second surface, the anti-reflective layer being interposed between the substrate and the metal grid. |
| US09917120B2 |
Pixels with high dynamic range and a global shutter scanning mode
A CMOS image sensor may have back-side illuminated pixels and operate in a global shutter scanning mode. The CMOS image sensor may be implemented using three-layer chip stacking. The chip to chip electrical connections between the upper chip and the middle chip may be formed via hybrid bonding. Two bonding pads may be included in each pixel. The electrical connections between the middle chip and the lower chip may be formed at the periphery of the array. Using three-layer chip stacking with hybrid bonding allows for the transferring and storing of signals from the upper chip on the middle chip. A signal from low light level illumination and a charge overflow signal from high light level illumination may both be transferred to the middle chip. The image sensor may be able to use a global shutter scanning mode having high dynamic range. |
| US09917118B2 |
Photodetector array and method of manufacture
The present invention is directed to photodiode arrays comprising a dielectric structure containing an array of face conductive areas (pads) and. Each photodiode is fully separated from each other. Every photodiode has a face electrode formed on sensitive side of the semiconductor substrate and an individual back electrode formed on the opposite side. The number of conductive areas on the dielectric structure is equal to number of photodiodes in the array. The photodiodes of the array are installed on the conductive areas so that their back electrodes have electrical contact with the corresponding conductive area. Each conductive area contains at least one individual conductive hole penetrating the dielectric package from the face side to the opposite side of the dielectric structure. The conductive holes going to backside of the dielectric structure are connected with the back conductive areas formed on back side of dielectric package. |
| US09917113B2 |
Array substrate and method of mounting integrated circuit using the same
An array substrate including a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area. The non-display area includes a pad portion including one or more first pads that each have a parallelogram shape. |
| US09917108B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel and method of manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor array panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an insulating substrate; a polycrystal semiconductor layer formed on the insulating substrate; a buffer layer formed below the polycrystal semiconductor layer and containing fluorine; a gate electrode overlapping the polycrystal semiconductor layer; a source electrode and a drain electrode overlapping the polycrystal semiconductor layer and separated from each other; and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode. |
| US09917107B2 |
Metal wiring and method of manufacturing the same, and metal wiring substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A metal wiring suitable for a substrate of large size is provided. The present invention is characterized in that at least one layer of conductive film is formed on an insulating surface, a resist pattern is formed on the conductive film, and the conductive film having the resist pattern is etched to form a metal wiring while controlling its taper angle α in accordance with the bias power density, the ICP power density, the temperature of lower electrode, the pressure, the total flow rate of etching gas, or the ratio of oxygen or chlorine in etching gas. The thus formed metal wiring has less fluctuation in width or length and can satisfactorily deal with an increase in size of substrate. |
| US09917106B2 |
Embedded security circuit formed by directed self-assembly
Embedded security circuits formed by directed self-assembly and methods for creating the same are provided herein. An example integrated circuit includes a set of one or more fin field effect transistor devices unrelated to one or more security devices of the integrated circuit; and an embedded security circuit structure comprising an array of fin field effect transistor devices related to the one or more security devices of the integrated circuit, wherein the array comprises a combination of (i) one or more fin field effect transistor devices with unbroken fin channels and (ii) one or more fin field effect transistor devices with broken fin channels, and wherein the combination forms a distinct code to be associated with the integrated circuit. |
| US09917104B1 |
Hybrid MOS-PCM CMOS SOI switch
A hybrid MOS-PCM IC switch utilizes both MOS transistors and groups of parallel-connected Phase-Change Material (PCM) cells to control signal transmissions. The MOS transistors are separated by PCM cell groups, and the PCM cells are configured to generate similar COFF or lower values as the MOS transistors, whereby the hybrid switch is both smaller and exhibits lower FOM than standard CMOS SOI switches. When switched into an open (OFF/high-resistance) state, both the PCM cells and MOS transistors function to distribute high VBSR voltages, and the MOS transistors prevent unintended phase changes (ON/OFF switching) of the PCM cells by preventing exponential current flow. In the closed (ON/conducting) state, the PCM cells facilitate lower total RON, whereby the hybrid CMOS SOI switch achieves improved FOM. The MOS transistors may also function as drivers during programming (switching) of direct-heating-type PCM cells. |
| US09917099B2 |
Semiconductor device having vertical channel between stacked electrode layers and insulating layers
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate; a stacked body provided on the substrate, the stacked body including a plurality of electrode layers stacked with an insulator interposed; a semiconductor body provided in the stacked body; and an insulating film. The semiconductor body includes a channel portion extending in a stacking direction of the stacked body, and a lower end portion of the semiconductor body provided between the channel portion and the substrate. The insulating film includes a charge storage film provided between the stacked body and the semiconductor body. A lower end portion of the insulating film surrounds the lower end portion of the semiconductor body. An upper surface of the lower end portion of the insulating film is provided at a lower height than an upper surface of the lower end portion of the semiconductor body in the stacking direction. |
| US09917097B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
According to an embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a layered body by alternately stacking a first film and a second film in a plurality of layers, and etching a portion of the layered body to penetrate the layered body from a top to a bottom to form a predetermined shape. The second film includes a first processing object film having a predetermined composition and a second processing object film having a composition that causes the second processing object film to be etched by the etching more easily than the first processing object film. The second processing object film is included as at least one of layers of the second film. |
| US09917095B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device
A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device having a control gate formed on a semiconductor substrate and including a cylindrical through hole. A block insulating film, a charge storage film, a tunnel insulating film, and a semiconductor layer are formed on a side surface of the control gate inside the through hole. The tunnel insulating film includes a first insulating film having SiO2 as a base material and containing an element that lowers a band gap of the base material by being added. A density and a density gradient of the element monotonously increase from the semiconductor layer toward the charge storage film. |
| US09917092B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming an insulating film above a semiconductor substrate; forming a conductive film on the insulating film; forming a dielectric film on the conductive film; forming a plurality of upper electrodes at intervals on the dielectric film; forming a first protective insulating film on the upper electrodes and the dielectric film by a sputtering method; forming a second protective insulating film on the first protective insulating film by an atomic layer deposition method, thereby filling gaps of a grain boundary of the dielectric film with the second protective insulating film; and patterning the conductive film after the second protective insulating film is formed to provide a lower electrode. |
| US09917089B2 |
III-V semiconductor CMOS FinFET device
A method for forming a semiconductor device comprises forming an insulator layer on a semiconductor substrate, removing portions of the insulator layer to form a first cavity and a second cavity, the first cavity exposing a first portion of the semiconductor substrate an the second cavity exposing a second portion of the semiconductor substrate, growing a first semiconductor material in the first cavity and the second cavity. Growing a second semiconductor material on the first semiconductor material in the first cavity and the second cavity, growing a third semiconductor material on the second semiconductor material in the first cavity and the second cavity. Forming a mask over the third semiconductor material in the first cavity, removing the third semiconductor material from the second cavity to expose the second semiconductor material in the second cavity, and growing a fourth semiconductor material on the second semiconductor material in the second cavity. |
| US09917088B2 |
FinFET contact structure and method for forming the same
A device comprises a substrate comprising a first portion and a second portion separated by an isolation region, a first gate structure over the first portion, a first drain/source region and a second drain/source region in the first portion and on opposite sides of the first gate structure, wherein the first drain/source region and the second drain/source have concave surfaces, a second gate structure over the second portion and a third drain/source region and a fourth drain/source region in the second portion and on opposite sides of the second gate structure, wherein the third drain/source region and the fourth drain/source have the concave surfaces. |
| US09917086B2 |
FinFET transistor with fin back biasing
A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a fin over the substrate. The fin includes a source region, a drain region, a channel region, and a biasing region. The channel region and the biasing region sandwich one of the source and drain regions. The FinFET further includes a gate over the substrate. The gate engages the fin adjacent to the channel region, thereby forming a field effect transistor (FET). The biasing region is configured to bias the FET when a voltage is applied across the biasing region and the source region. |
| US09917084B2 |
Semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a fin field effect transistor. The semiconductor device includes a first gate electrode, a first source/drain (S/D) region disposed adjacent to the first gate electrode, a first S/D contact disposed on the first S/D region, a first spacer layer disposed between the first gate electrode and the first S/D region, a first contact layer in contact with the first gate electrode and the first S/D contact, and a first wiring layer integrally formed with the first contact layer. There is no interface between the first contact layer and the first wiring layer in a cross sectional view, and the first contact layer has a smaller area than the first wiring layer in plan view. |
| US09917080B2 |
Semiconductor device with electrical overstress (EOS) protection
A semiconductor device with electrical overstress (EOS) protection is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a semi-insulating layer, a first contact disposed onto the semi-insulating layer, and a second contact disposed onto the semi-insulating layer. A passivation layer is disposed onto the semi-insulating layer. The passivation layer has a dielectric strength that is greater than that of the semi-insulating layer to ensure that a voltage breakdown occurs within the semi-insulating layer within a semi-insulating region between the first contact and the second contact before a voltage breakdown can occur in the passivation layer. |
| US09917079B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection circuit and method for radio frequency circuit
An ESD protection circuit for an RF circuit includes first and second power supply voltage terminals for first and second power supply voltages and a power clamp coupled between the terminals. An RF input pad is configured to receive an input signal having an RF operating frequency. A resonance circuit is coupled to the RF input pad. A first ESD current path from the RF input pad to the first power supply voltage terminal includes the resonance circuit and a first ESD block configured to direct an ESD pulse of a first polarity toward the first terminal. A second ESD current path from the RF input pad to the second power supply voltage terminal includes the resonance circuit and a second ESD block configured to direct an ESD pulse of a second polarity toward the second terminal. |
| US09917077B2 |
Display device
A display device includes at least one semiconductor body, which has a semiconductor layer sequence, which has an active region provided for producing radiation and forms a plurality of pixels. The device also includes a driver circuit that has a plurality of switches, which are each provided for controlling at least one pixel. A first metallization layer and/or the second metallization layer are electroconductively connected to at least one of the pixels. The first metallization layer and the second metallization layer are arranged overlapping one another in such a manner that, in a plan view onto the display device, the driver circuit is covered with at least one of the metallization layers at every point which overlaps with one of the pixels or is arranged between two adjacent pixels. |
| US09917076B2 |
LED package
An LED package having a plurality of light emitting regions includes a plurality of LED chips. The LED package further includes a plurality of electrode portions on which each of the plurality of LED chips is mounted, and a package mold portion having a plurality of openings formed on one surface thereof so as to each emit light by the plurality of LED chips. |
| US09917075B2 |
Light-emitting device and the method of manufacturing the same
The present application discloses a light-emitting device including a first support structure having a first surface, a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged on the first surface, and a first adhesive layer arranged on the first support structure. Each light-emitting element has a side wall, a bottom surface, a first electrode pad, and a second electrode pad arranged on the bottom surface. The first adhesive layer surrounds the side wall and does not directly contact the bottom surface. The first support structure includes a plurality of through holes located on positions corresponding to the first electrode pad and the second electrode pad. |
| US09917069B2 |
Hybrid bonding system and cleaning method thereof
A method of cleaning an apparatus for processing a semiconductor wafer includes providing a first device having a first surface configured to load a first semiconductor wafer, a second device having a second surface configured to load a second semiconductor wafer, and a first cleaning module; and cleaning the second surface by moving the first cleaning module across the second surface in a first direction with respect to the second device. |
| US09917060B1 |
Forming a contact for a semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a gate stack on a semiconductor substrate, forming a source/drain region on an exposed portion of the substrate, and forming a semiconductor material layer on the source/drain region. A first liner layer is deposited on the semiconductor material layer, and a second liner layer is deposited on the first liner layer. A conductive contact material is deposited on the second liner layer. |
| US09917054B2 |
Semiconductor device including a fuse formed on a high thermal conductivity insulating film
As means for preventing a leakage of a fuse element cut by laser trimming due to a conductive residue or the like, an insulating film which has a high thermal conductivity and a relatively low adhesion is formed between an element isolation region and the fuse element in the case of forming the fuse element on the element isolation region in a groove on a main surface of an epitaxial substrate. When the fuse element is cut by performing the laser trimming, both of a part of the fuse element and the insulating film below the part of the fuse element are removed. |
| US09917053B1 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer comprising an upper surface and a recess through the upper surface and including a lower part, an upper part, and a side surface, the side surface terminating at the upper surface at an upper edge, an insulating member in the lower part of the recess, an insulating film comprising a first portion on the upper edge of the recess, a second portion on the side surface of the recess in the upper part thereof, and a third portion on a portion of the semiconductor layer adjacent to the upper edge of the recess, and an electrode on the insulating member and the portion of the insulating film covering the upper edge of the recess. The first portion of the insulating film is thinner than thicknesses of each of the second and third portions thereof. |
| US09917050B2 |
Semiconductor device including source/drain contact having height below gate stack
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having source and drain regions, and a channel region arranged between the source and drain regions. The device further includes a gate structure over the substrate and adjacent to the channel region. The gate structure includes a gate stack, a spacer on sidewalls of the gate stack, and a conductor over the gate stack. The device further includes a first contact feature over the substrate and electrically connecting to at least one of the source and drain regions. A top surface of the first contact feature is lower than a top surface of the gate structure. The device further includes a first dielectric layer over the first contact feature. A top surface of the first dielectric layer is below or substantially co-planar with the top surface of the gate structure. The conductor at most partially overlaps in plan view with the first dielectric layer. |
| US09917048B2 |
Interconnect structure and method of forming the same
An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a low-k (LK) dielectric layer over a substrate; a first conductive feature in the LK dielectric layer, wherein the first conductive feature has a first sidewall, a second sidewall facing the first sidewall, and a first bottom surface contacting the LK dielectric layer; a first dielectric feature along an upper portion of the first sidewall, wherein a length of the first dielectric feature is at least 10 percent less than a length of the first sidewall; and a second dielectric feature along an upper portion of the second sidewall. The interconnect structure may also include a second conductive feature adjacent to the first conductive feature in the LK dielectric layer. |
| US09917047B2 |
Wiring board
A wiring board of the present disclosure includes a core substrate, insulating layers, signal wiring conductors, ground wiring conductors, power-supply wiring conductors, a first mounting portion on which a first semiconductor device is to be mounted, a second mounting portion on which a second semiconductor device is to be mounted, many first-semiconductor-device connection pads connectable to signal electrodes of the first semiconductor device, many second-semiconductor-device connection pads connectable to signal electrodes of the second semiconductor device, and many signal connection conductors that connect the first-semiconductor-device connection pads to the second-semiconductor-device connection pads. The signal connection conductors include signal connection conductors of a first wiring group that extend only through a region above the top surface of the core substrate, and signal connection conductors of a second wiring group that extend through a region below the bottom surface of the core substrate. |
| US09917041B1 |
3D chip assemblies using stacked leadframes
A stacked-chip assembly including a plurality of IC chips or die that are stacked, and a plurality of stacked leads. Leads from separate leadframes may be bonded together so as to tie corresponding metal features of the various chips to a same ground, signal, or power rail. Each leadframe may include a center paddle, which is disposed between two chips in the stack. The center paddle may function as one or more of a thermal conduit and common electrical rail (e.g., ground). The leadframes may be employed without the use of any bond wires with leads bonded directly to bond pads of the chips. A first IC chip may be mounted to a base leadframe and subsequent die-attach leadframes and IC chips are stacked upon the first IC chip and base leadframe. The die-attach leadframes may be iteratively bonded to an underlying leadframe and the bonded stacked leads stamped out of their respective leadframe sheets. |
| US09917040B1 |
Stress relieved thermal base for integrated circuit packaging
A package is formed by a thermal base and a leadframe assembly. The thermal base includes a body of thermally conductive material having a top surface, wherein the top surface of the body includes a pedestal. An integrated circuit chip is mounted to the pedestal, the integrated circuit chip including bonding pads. The leadframe assembly includes leads and an encapsulant ring that partially embeds the leads. The leadframe assembly is mounted to the top surface of said body surrounding the pedestal. The pedestal is configured with a thickness that positions the bonding pad at a height substantially coplanar with the leads. Bonding wires extend from the bonding pads to the leads with a shortened length so as to provide for improved electrical characteristics of frequency response, impedance and inductance. |
| US09917039B2 |
Method of forming a semiconductor package with conductive interconnect frame and structure
A method of forming a packaged semiconductor device includes providing a conductive frame structure. The conductive frame structure includes a first frame having leadfingers configured for directly attaching to a semiconductor device, such as an integrated power semiconductor device that includes both power devices and logic type devices. The leadfingers are further configured to provide high current capacity and a high thermal dissipation capacity for the power device portion of the semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the conductive frame structure further includes a second frame joined to the first frame. The second frame includes a plurality of leads configured to electrically connect to low power device portions of the semiconductor device. A package body is formed to encapsulate the semiconductor device and at least portions of the leadfingers and leads. |
| US09917034B2 |
Method and apparatus for cooling a semiconductor device
A method and an apparatus for cooling a semiconductor device. The method comprises the steps of contacting a surface of the semiconductor device with respective end portions of an array of contact elements thermally coupled to a cooling fluid, and disposing a flexible, heat conductive sheet between the respective end portions of the contact elements and the surface of the semiconductor device for transferring heat generated in the semiconductor device to the cooling fluid via the sheet and the contact elements. |
| US09917029B2 |
Heat dissipater for main heat generating device with peripheral heat generating devices
Embodiments of the present invention provide a heat dissipater and relate to the communications field. The heat dissipater includes a sub heat dissipater, a connecting apparatus, and a shared bracket; the sub heat dissipater is connected to the shared bracket through the connecting apparatus; the sub heat dissipater includes a first heat conducting surface, and the sub heat dissipater contacts a first heat source through the first heat conducting surface to dissipate heat for the first heat source; the shared bracket includes a second heat conducting surface, and the shared bracket contacts a second heat source through the second heat conducting surface to dissipate heat for the second heat source; and the second heat conducting surface and the sub heat dissipater are disposed in different positions of the shared bracket respectively. |
| US09917025B2 |
Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing printed wiring board
A printed wiring board includes a first circuit board having a first surface and a second surface, and a second circuit board having a third surface and a fourth surface and having a mounting area on the third surface of the second circuit board. The first circuit board is laminated on the third surface of the second circuit board such that the first surface of the first circuit board is in contact with the third surface of the second circuit board, the first circuit board includes reinforcing material and has an opening portion exposing the mounting area of the second circuit board, and the first circuit board and the second circuit board are formed such that a ratio H1/h1 is in a range that is greater than 0.75 and smaller than 2.4, where H1 represents a thickness of the first circuit board and h1 represents a thickness of the second circuit board. |
| US09917024B2 |
Electronic component and method for electrically coupling a semiconductor die to a contact pad
In an embodiment, an electronic component includes a dielectric core layer, one or semiconductor dies comprising a first major surface, a first electrode arranged on the first major surface and a second major surface that opposes the first major surface. One or more slots are arranged within the dielectric core layer adjacent the semiconductor die and a redistribution structure electrically couples the first electrode to a component contact pad arranged adjacent the second major surface of the semiconductor die. The semiconductor die is embedded in the dielectric core layer and a portion of the redistribution structure is arranged on side walls of the slot. |
| US09917021B2 |
Porous silicon relaxation medium for dislocation free CMOS devices
A method for forming CMOS devices includes masking a first portion of a tensile-strained silicon layer of a SOI substrate, doping a second portion of the layer outside the first portion and growing an undoped silicon layer on the doped portion and the first portion. The undoped silicon layer becomes tensile-strained. Strain in the undoped silicon layer over the doped portion is relaxed by converting the doped portion to a porous silicon to form a relaxed silicon layer. The porous silicon is converted to an oxide. A SiGe layer is grown and oxidized to convert the relaxed silicon layer to a compressed SiGe layer. Fins are etched in the first portion from the tensile-strained silicon layer and the undoped silicon layer and in the second portion from the compressed SiGe layer. |
| US09917020B2 |
Methods for fabricating an integrated circuit having vertically overlapping short and long channel FinFETs
An analog integrated circuit is disclosed in which short channel transistors are stacked on top of long channel transistors, vertically separated by an insulating layer. With such a design, it is possible to produce a high density, high power, and high performance analog integrated circuit chip including both short and long channel devices that are spaced far enough apart from one another to avoid crosstalk. In one embodiment, the transistors are FinFETs and the long channel devices are multi-gate FinFETs. In one embodiment, single and dual damascene devices are combined in a multi-layer integrated circuit cell. The cell may contain various combinations and configurations of the short and long-channel devices. A high density cell can be made by simply shrinking the dimensions of the cells and replicating two or more cells in the same size footprint as the original cell. |
| US09917018B2 |
Method and apparatus with channel stop doped devices
Methods and apparatuses relate to implanting a surface of a semiconductor substrate with dopants, making undoped semiconductor material directly on the surface implanted with the dopants, and making a transistor with a transistor channel in the undoped semiconductor material, such that the transistor channel of the transistor remains undoped throughout manufacture of the integrated circuit. |
| US09917015B2 |
Dual channel material for finFET for high performance CMOS
Silicon fins are formed in a bulk silicon substrate and thereafter trench isolation regions are formed between each silicon fin. The silicon fins in nFET and pFET device regions are then recessed. A relaxed silicon germanium alloy fin portion is formed on a topmost surface of each recessed silicon fin portion or on exposed surface of the substrate. A compressively strained silicon germanium alloy fin portion is formed on each relaxed silicon germanium alloy fin portion within the pFET device region, and a strained silicon-containing fin portion is formed on each relaxed silicon germanium alloy fin portion within the nFET device region. Sidewall surfaces of each compressively strained silicon-containing germanium alloy fin portion and each tensile strained silicon-containing fin portion are then exposed. A functional gate structure is provided on the exposed sidewall surfaces of each compressively strained silicon-containing germanium alloy fin portion and each tensile strained silicon-containing fin portion. |
| US09917014B2 |
Vertical air gap subtractive etch back end metal
After forming source/drain contact structures within an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer to contact source/drain regions of a field effect transistor (FET), the ILD layer is recessed to expose upper portions of the source/drain contact structures. A sacrificial layer is then formed on a remaining portion of the ILD layer to laterally surround the upper portions of the source/drain contact structures. An interconnect conductor portion is subsequently formed to contact the source/drain contact structures by subtractive patterning of a metal layer that is formed on the sacrificial layer. Next, the sacrificial layer is removed, leaving a void between the interconnect conductor portion and the remaining portion of the ILD layer. An interconnect liner layer is then formed on a top surface and sidewalls of the interconnect conductor portion and on the remaining portion of the ILD layer. The interconnect liner layer encloses an air gap surrounding the upper portions of the source/drain contact structures. |
| US09917012B2 |
Dicing method for wafer-level packaging and semiconductor chip with dicing structure adapted for wafer-level packaging
A semiconductor substrate (1) is provided with integrated circuits. Dicing trenches (7) are formed in the substrate (1) between the integrated circuits, a polyimide layer (8) spanning the trenches (7) is applied above the integrated circuits, a tape layer (14) is applied above the polyimide layer (8), and a layer portion of the substrate (1) is removed from the substrate side (17) opposite the tape layer (14), until the trenches (7) are opened and dicing of the substrate (1) is thus effected. The polyimide layer (8) is severed in sections (18) above the trenches (7) when the tape layer (14) is removed. The semiconductor chip is provided with a cover layer (11) laterally confining the polyimide layer (8) near the trenches (7), in particular for forming breaking delimitations (9). |
| US09917009B2 |
Methods of forming a through-substrate-via (TSV) and a metallization layer after formation of a semiconductor device
One illustrative method disclosed includes, among other things, forming a semiconductor device above a semiconducting substrate, forming a device level contact to the semiconductor device and, after forming the device level contact, performing at least one common process operation so as to form a through-substrate-via (TSV) in a trench in the substrate, a TSV contact structure that is conductively coupled to the TSV and a conductive metallization element that is conductively coupled to the device level contact. |
| US09917008B2 |
High speed, high density, low power die interconnect system
A system for interconnecting at least two die each die having a plurality of conducting layers and dielectric layers disposed upon a substrate which may include active and passive elements. In one embodiment there is at least one interconnect coupling at least one conducting layer on a side of one die to at least one conducting layer on a side of the other die. Another interconnect embodiment is a slug having conducting and dielectric layers disposed between two or more die to interconnect between the die. Other interconnect techniques include direct coupling such as rod, ball, dual balls, bar, cylinder, bump, slug, and carbon nanotube, as well as indirect coupling such as inductive coupling, capacitive coupling, and wireless communications. The die may have features to facilitate placement of the interconnects such as dogleg cuts, grooves, notches, enlarged contact pads, tapered side edges and stepped vias. |
| US09917007B2 |
Method of forming opening pattern
A method of forming an opening pattern including the following steps is provided. An ultra low dielectric constant layer, a dielectric hard mask layer and a patterned metal hard mask layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. A portion of the dielectric hard mask layer is removed to form a patterned dielectric hard mask layer by using the patterned metal hard mask layer as a mask. The patterned metal hard mask layer is removed after forming the patterned dielectric hard mask layer. A portion of the ultra low dielectric constant layer is removed to form a first opening by using the patterned dielectric hard mask layer as a mask. |
| US09917006B1 |
Method of planarizating film
A method includes forming a patterned layer on a substrate having a first region and a second region being adjacent each other. The patterned layer includes first features in the first region. The second region is free of the patterned layer. The method further includes forming a material layer on the patterned layer and the substrate; forming a first guard ring disposed in the second region and surrounding the first features; forming a flowable-material (FM) layer over the material layer; forming a patterned resist layer over the FM layer, wherein the patterned resist layer includes a plurality of openings; and transferring the plurality of openings to the material layer. |
| US09917003B2 |
Trench liner passivation for dark current improvement
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a trench isolation. The trench isolation is located in the semiconductor substrate, and includes a bottom portion and a top portion. The bottom portion has a lining oxide layer, a negatively-charged liner and a first silicon oxide. The lining oxide layer is peripherally enclosed by the semiconductor substrate, the negatively-charged liner is peripherally enclosed by the lining oxide layer, and the first silicon oxide is peripherally enclosed by the negatively-charged liner. The top portion adjoins the bottom portion, and has a second silicon oxide peripherally enclosed by and contacting the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09917000B2 |
Wafer carrier, method for manufacturing the same and method for carrying a wafer
A wafer carrier comprises a first foil, a second foil, and a chamber between the first and the second foil. The first foil has a perforation and is used for carrying the wafer. The first and the second foil are connected to each other so as to form the chamber. The chamber is configured to be evacuated to form a vacuum in the chamber, the vacuum causes an underpressure at the perforation, the underpressure forms a carrying force to the wafer to be carried. |
| US09916998B2 |
Substrate support assembly having a plasma resistant protective layer
A substrate support assembly comprises a ceramic body and a thermally conductive base bonded to a lower surface of the ceramic body. The substrate support assembly further comprises a protective layer covering an upper surface of the ceramic body, wherein the protective layer comprises at least one of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) or a ceramic compound comprising Y4Al2O9 and a solid-solution of Y2O3—ZrO2. |
| US09916996B2 |
Vapor phase growth method of growing a film on a substrate while heating the substrate with a heating unit
A vapor phase growth method of growing a film on a substrate by supplying material gases to the substrate while heating the substrate with a heating unit according to an embodiment, the method includes: measuring a temperature of the substrate with a radiation thermometer; executing a temperature feedback control to control an output of the heating unit to cause a measurement value of the radiation thermometer to have a set value when a film is not grown on the substrate; and executing a constant output control to maintain an output of the heating unit constant when a film causing thin-film interference in a wavelength measured by the radiation thermometer is grown on the substrate. |
| US09916995B2 |
Compact substrate processing tool with multi-station processing and pre-processing and/or post-processing stations
A substrate processing tool includes N substrate processing stations arranged in a first transfer plane around a central cavity, where N is an integer greater than one. At least one of the N substrate processing stations is configured to process the substrate. M substrate processing stations are arranged in a second transfer plane around the central cavity, where M is an integer greater than one. The second transfer plane is arranged parallel to and above the first transfer plane. An upper tool portion includes the M substrate processing stations and a first portion of the N substrate processing stations. A rotatable lower tool portion rotates relative to the upper tool portion. A second portion of the N substrate processing stations rotates with the rotatable lower tool portion. |
| US09916993B2 |
Ion injector and lens system for ion beam milling
The embodiments herein relate to methods and apparatus for performing ion etching on a semiconductor substrate, as well as methods for forming such apparatus. In some embodiments, an electrode assembly may be fabricated, the electrode assembly including a plurality of electrodes having different purposes, with each electrode secured to the next in a mechanically stable manner. Apertures may be formed in each electrode after the electrodes are secured together, thereby ensuring that the apertures are well-aligned between neighboring electrodes. In some cases, the electrodes are made from degeneratively doped silicon, and the electrode assembly is secured together through electrostatic bonding. Other electrode materials and methods of securing may also be used. The electrode assembly may include a hollow cathode emitter electrode in some cases, which may have a frustoconical or other non-cylindrical aperture shape. A chamber liner and/or reflector may also be present in some cases. |
| US09916990B2 |
Packaging substrate having a holder, method of fabricating the packaging substrate, package structure having a holder, and method of fabricating the package structure
A packaging substrate includes a holder, a first conductive pad disposed on the holder, a core layer disposed on the holder, a circuit layer disposed on the core layer, a plurality of conductive vias disposed in the core layer, and an insulating protection layer disposed on the core layer, wherein the first electrical pad is embedded in the core layer. By combining the holder on one side of the packaging substrate, cracks due to over-thinness can be prevented during transferring or packaging. A method of fabricating the packaging substrate, a package structure having a holder, a method of fabricating the package structure are also provided. |
| US09916986B2 |
Single or mutli block mask management for spacer height and defect reduction for BEOL
Aspects of the disclosure include method of making semiconductor structures. Aspects include providing a semiconductor structure including a plurality of spacer, an organic planarization layer, and a SiARC layer. Aspects also include forming an inverted mask on the semiconductor structure, the inverted mask including an inverted mask opening above a portion of the plurality of spacers and a portion of the TiN layer. Aspects also include eroding the portion of the plurality of spacers below the inverted mask opening. Aspects also include depositing a fill material masking the portion of the plurality of spacers below the inverted mask opening and the portion of the TiN layer below the inverted mask opening to generate a masked TiN layer segment and an unmasked TiN layer segment and removing a portion of the unmasked TiN layer segment. |
| US09916984B2 |
Self-aligned source and drain regions for semiconductor devices
A method for forming a semiconductor device includes patterning a gate conductor, formed on a substrate, and a two-dimensional material formed on the gate conductor. Recesses are formed adjacent to the gate conductor in the substrate, and a doped layer is deposited in the recesses and over a top of the two-dimensional material. Tape is adhered to the doped layer on top of the two-dimensional material. The tape is removed to exfoliate the doped layer from the top of the two-dimensional material to form source and drain regions in the recesses. |
| US09916979B2 |
Methods for manufacturing a semiconductor device
Methods for manufacturing a semiconductor device include forming a gate line extending in a first direction in a substrate, and an impurity region on a side surface of the gate line, forming an insulating film pattern on the substrate, the insulating film pattern extending in the first direction and comprising a first through-hole that is configured to expose the impurity region, forming a barrier metal layer on the first through-hole, forming a conductive line contact that fills the first through-hole and that is electrically connected to the impurity region, forming a first mask pattern on the conductive line contact and the insulating film pattern, the first mask pattern extending in a second direction that is different from the first direction and the first mask pattern comprising a first opening, and removing corners of the barrier metal layer by partially etching the barrier metal layer. |
| US09916975B2 |
Precursors of manganese and manganese-based compounds for copper diffusion barrier layers and methods of use
Semiconductor devices and methods of making semiconductor devices with a barrier layer comprising manganese nitride are described. Also described are semiconductor devices and methods of making same with a barrier layer comprising Mn(N) and, optionally, an adhesion layer. |
| US09916974B2 |
Amino-silyl amine compound and the manufacturing method of dielectric film containing Si—N bond by using atomic layer deposition
Provided are a novel amino-silyl amine compound and a manufacturing method of a dielectric film containing Si—N bond using the same. Since the amino-silyl amine compound according to the present invention, which is a thermally stable and highly volatile compound, may be treated at room temperature and used as a liquid state compound at room temperature and pressure, the present invention provides a manufacturing method of a high purity dielectric film containing a Si—N bond even at a low temperature and plasma condition by using atomic layer deposition (PEALD). |
| US09916971B2 |
Systems and methods of suppressing unwanted ions
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to systems including a cell downstream of a mass analyzer. In some instances, the cell is configured as a reaction cell, a collision cell or a reaction/collision cell. The system can be used to suppress unwanted ions and/or remove interfering ions from a stream comprising a plurality of ions. |
| US09916968B1 |
In-source collision-induced heating and activation of gas-phase ions for spectrometry
An electrode assembly is provided in a high sub-atmospheric pressure region of an ion source, between an ionization chamber and a vacuum region of a spectrometer, such as a mass spectrometer, an ion mobility spectrometer, or an ion mobility-mass spectrometer. The electrode assembly is spaced at a distance from an outlet of an ion transfer device. A voltage source imparts a potential difference between the ion transfer device and the electrode assembly to accelerate ions emitted from the outlet to a collision energy. The collision energy is effective to cause collisional heating of ions in the high sub-atmospheric pressure region without voltage breakdown. The collision energy may be set to cause unfolding of folded biomolecular ions and/or dissociation of ions. |
| US09916963B2 |
Specimen loading method, specimen stage, and charged particle beam device
A specimen loading method for loading a specimen that contains water into a specimen chamber of a charged particle beam device, includes: a step (S100) of mounting the specimen on a specimen support; a step (S102) of covering a predetermined area of the specimen with a water retention material; a step (S104) of evacuating the specimen chamber in which the specimen having the predetermined area covered with the water retention material is placed; and a step (S106) of exposing the predetermined area covered with the water retention material. |
| US09916961B2 |
X-ray tube having magnetic quadrupoles for focusing and steering
An X-ray tube comprising: a cathode including an emitter; an anode; a first magnetic quadrupole formed on a first yoke and having a magnetic quadrupole gradient for focusing an electron beam in a first direction and defocusing the beam in a second direction; a second magnetic quadrupole formed on a second yoke and having a magnetic quadrupole gradient for focusing the electron beam in the second direction and defocusing the electron beam in the first direction; wherein a combination of the first and second magnetic quadrupoles provides a net focusing effect in both first and second directions of a focal spot of the electron beam; and a pair of opposing quadrupole electromagnetic coils having alternating current offset being configured to deflect the electron beam in order to shift the focal spot of the electron beam on a target. |
| US09916957B2 |
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for ion traps
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for ion traps are described herein. One apparatus includes a number of microwave (MW) rails and a number of radio frequency (RF) rails formed with substantially parallel longitudinal axes and with substantially coplanar upper surfaces. The apparatus includes two sequences of direct current (DC) electrodes with each sequence formed to extend substantially parallel to the substantially parallel longitudinal axes of the MW rails and the RF rails. The apparatus further includes a number of through-silicon vias (TSVs) formed through a substrate of the ion trap and a trench capacitor formed in the substrate around at least one TSV. |
| US09916953B2 |
Clapper armature with curved pole face
The present disclosure describes an apparatus for increasing the initial closing force and reducing the final closing force in the actuating mechanism of electromechanical switching devices such as relays or contactors. |
| US09916952B2 |
Carrier sub-assembly for an electrical relay device
A carrier sub-assembly for an electrical relay device includes a plunger and a shaft. The plunger is formed of a ferromagnetic material. The plunger has a generally cylindrical shape extending between a top side and a bottom side of the plunger. The shaft extends between a contact end and an opposite plunger end. The shaft is directly secured to the plunger without a discrete component between the shaft and the plunger securing the shaft to the plunger. The shaft and the plunger are configured to move together within the electrical relay device. A segment of the shaft including the contact end protrudes from the top side of the plunger for securing to a movable contact of the electrical relay device. |
| US09916951B2 |
Contactor, contactor assembly and control circuit
The present invention relates to a contactor, a connector and a contactor component. According to the first aspect of the invention, a contactor relates to a switch mechanism, an iron core, an iron core position sensing circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit can measure the position of the iron core by measuring the variation in inductance by using the property that the coil can produce different inductances when the iron core is in different positions in the coil. According to the second aspect of the invention, a connector and contactor component are provided, wherein a control circuit is arranged on a connector, the control circuit comprises a PWM power-saving circuit. The PWM power-saving circuit is integrated on the connector, so that the average driving current of the contactor is reduced and meanwhile, the size of the contactor is reduced. |
| US09916945B2 |
Low-travel key mechanisms using butterfly hinges
A key mechanism including one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge may include a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. Hinged coupling mechanisms couple respective arms of the wings together. Additionally or alternatively, a key mechanism can include one or more half-butterfly hinges. Each half-butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. A hinged coupling mechanism couples one set of corresponding arms of the wings together, while the other set of corresponding arms are not coupled together. |
| US09916943B2 |
Linkage mechanism and press key including the same
A linkage mechanism includes a left wing having two left arms, two left supporting rods that are respectively formed on the left arms, and two left sliding rods that are respectively formed on the left arms, a right wing having two right arms, two right supporting rods that are respectively formed on the right arms, and two right connecting rods that are respectively formed on the right arms, and a hinge unit having two left hinge pins, two right hinge pins, two left hinge holes and two right holes. Each left hinge hole is formed in a respective left arm and is engaged with a respective right hinge pin. Each right hinge hole is formed in a respective right arm and is engaged with a respective left hinge pin. |
| US09916940B2 |
Power controller having adaptive control of a switching circuit
Power controller includes a switching circuit that is configured to provide electrical power to a load. The switching circuit includes a first path having a first switch and a second path that is in parallel with the first path prior to the load. The second path includes a second switch. The switching circuit is in a soft-switching state when the second path is activated and the first path is deactivated. The switching circuit is in an operational state when the second path is deactivated and the first path is activated. The power controller includes a processing unit that is configured to open or close the first and second switches to change the switching circuit between the soft-switching state and the operational state. |
| US09916930B2 |
Method of manufacturing high permittivity low leakage capacitor and energy storing device
A method is provided for making a high permittivity dielectric material for use in capacitors. Several high permittivity materials in an organic nonconductive media with enhanced properties and methods for making the same are disclosed. A general method for the formation of thin films of some particular dielectric material is disclosed, wherein organic polymers are utilized to produce low conductivity dielectric coatings. Additionally, a method whereby the formation of certain transition metal salts as salt or oxide matrices is demonstrated at low temperatures utilizing mild reducing agents. Further, a circuit structure and associated method of operation for the recovery and regeneration of the leakage current from the long-term storage capacitors is provided in order to enhance the manufacturing yield and utility performance of such devices. |
| US09916925B2 |
Wireless power receiver and transfer, wireless power transceiver system, and wireless power transceiver mobile device
A wireless power receiver includes a receiver resonator configured to be coupled to a source resonator to receive a power from the source resonator, the receiver resonator comprising: a planar dielectric layer; an antenna patterned in the form of a loop on the dielectric layer or arranged in the shape of a ring in the exterior of the dielectric layer; and a meta-structure separated from the antenna and arranged on the dielectric layer within the antenna, wherein the meta-structure is configured to reinforce at least one of the electric fields and magnetic fields that are formed in the receiver resonator. |
| US09916919B2 |
Superconducting wires and methods of making thereof
Disclosed herein are superconducting wires. The superconducting wires can comprise a metallic matrix and at least one continuous subelement embedded in the matrix. Each subelement can comprise a non-superconducting core, a superconducting layer coaxially disposed around the non-superconducting core, and a barrier layer coaxially disposed around the superconducting layer. The superconducting layer can comprise a plurality of Nb3Sn grains stabilized by metal oxide particulates disposed therein. The Nb3Sn grains can have an average grain size of from 5 nm to 90 nm (for example, from 15 nm to 30 nm). The superconducting wire can have a high-field critical current density (Jc) of at least 5,000 A/mm2 at a temperature of 4.2 K in a magnetic field of 12 T. Also described are superconducting wire precursors that can be heat treated to prepare superconducting wires, as well as methods of making superconducting wires. |
| US09916916B2 |
Conductive material and substrate
The present invention provides a conductive material comprising: (A) a π-conjugated polymer, and (B) a dopant polymer which contains one or more repeating units selected from “a1” to “a4” respectively represented by the following general formula (1) and has a weight-average molecular weight in the range of 1,000 to 500,000, (C) a nanoparticle which is selected from a gold nanoparticle, a silver nanoparticle, and a platinum nanoparticle and has a particle diameter of 1 to 200 nm. There can be provided a conductive material that has excellent film-formability and also can form a conductive film having high transparency and conductivity, superior flexibility and flatness when the film is formed from the material. |
| US09916915B2 |
Paste for diffusion layer formation and production method thereof and production method of gas diffusion layer
The paste for diffusion layer formation used for formation of a GDL for a fuel cell contains a solvent, and conductive particles, a first surfactant having a first decomposition temperature and a second surfactant having a second decomposition temperature that is lower than the first decomposition temperature, all of which are dispersed in the solvent. The paste for diffusion layer formation contains a lower amount of the first surfactant than the second surfactant on a weight basis. |
| US09916914B2 |
N-doped carbon materials
A carbon material comprising pyrolized egg protein characterized by containing mesopores or micropores. The pyrolized egg protein may comprise pyrolyzed eggshell membrane having a continuous conducting core and a porous shell, the pyrolyzed eggshell membrane comprising partially-activated carbon. The porous shell may comprise nitrogen or oxygen. The pyrolized egg protein may comprise mesoporous egg white. |
| US09916909B2 |
Swirler, steam separator including the swirler, and nuclear boiling water reactor including the same
In one embodiment, the steam separator includes a standpipe configured to receive a gas-liquid two-phase flow stream, and a first swirler configured to receive the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream from the standpipe. The first swirler is configured to separate the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream. The first swirler includes a direct flow portion and an indirect flow portion. The direct flow portion has a direct flow channel for permitting direct flow of the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream through the first swirler, and the indirect flow portion has at least one indirect flow channel defined by at least one vane in the first swirler for providing an indirect flow of the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream through the first swirler. |
| US09916908B2 |
Gas supply apparatus and air or nitrogen supply apparatus of nuclear plant
A gas supply apparatus of the present invention includes a gas discharge line of a first electromagnetic valve having s a switching valve placed therein, and a second electromagnetic valve placed between the switching valve and a gas supply source. The switching valve switches between a gas discharge from the first electromagnetic valve and a gas supply to the first electromagnetic valve. At the time of a normal operation, the second electromagnetic valve opens a gas discharge line side and closes a switching valve side, and when the power source is lost, the second electromagnetic valve opens the switching valve side and closes the gas discharge line side. In this way, even when the power source is lost, an operating valve can not only be operated remotely but also be operated safely by a remote operator. |
| US09916906B2 |
Periodically updating a log likelihood ratio (LLR) table in a flash memory controller
Log likelihood ration (LLR) values that are computed in a flash memory controller during read retries change over time as the number of program-and-erase cycles (PECs) that the flash memory die has been subjected to increases. Therefore, in cases where an LLR table is used to provide pre-defined, fixed LLR values to the error-correcting code (ECC) decoding logic of the controller, decoding success and the resulting BER will degrade over time as the number of PECs to which the die has been subjected increases. In accordance with embodiments, a storage system, a flash memory controller for use in the storage system and method are provided that periodically measure the LLR values and update the LLR table with new LLR values. Periodically measuring the LLR values and updating the LLR table with new LLR values ensures high decoding success and a low BER over the life of the flash memory die. |
| US09916900B2 |
Memory device, memory system, method of operating memory device, and method of operating memory system
A memory device, comprising: a memory cell array including a plurality of NAND strings, each NAND string including a plurality of memory cells respectively connected to a plurality of word lines vertically stacked on a substrate; and a control logic configured to generate a pre-programming control signal for memory cells of a first NAND string of the NAND strings such that, before erasing the memory cells of the first NAND string, pre-programming voltages applied to the word lines coupled to the corresponding memory cells of the first NAND string vary based on an operating characteristic of the corresponding memory cells. |
| US09916899B2 |
Storing information and updating management data in non-volatile memory
Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having memory cells and a control unit. The control unit can retrieve information from a first portion of the memory cells. The information can include bits organized into a first bit group and second bit group. The information can be associated with management information. The control unit can store the first and second bits in the second group in a second portion of the memory cells. The control unit can update the first and second management information after the second bit group is stored. |
| US09916898B2 |
EPROM cell array, method of operating the same, and memory device including the same
A memory cell array includes local blocks disposed in parallel with rows and arrayed along a direction parallel with columns, first selection lines being parallel with the rows and including a couple of first selection lines connected to each of the local blocks, second selection lines disposed in parallel with the columns, and local block selectors disposed between the plurality of local blocks. Each of the local block selectors is disposed between a Qth wherein, “Q” is an odd number local block and a (Q+1)th local block among the local blocks to electrically connect unit cells disposed in any one of the Qth local block and the (Q+1)th local block to the second selection lines. The unit cells in the local blocks are disposed at cross points of the first selection lines and the second selection lines, respectively. Each of the unit cells includes a P-channel MOSFET. |
| US09916895B2 |
Memory write driver, method and system
Disclosed are methods, systems and devices for operation of non-volatile memory devices. In one aspect, a non-volatile memory device may be placed in any one of multiple memory states in a write operation by controlling a current and a voltage applied to terminals of the non-volatile memory device. For example, a write operation may apply a programming signal across terminals of non-volatile memory device having a particular current and a particular voltage for placing the non-volatile memory device in a particular memory state. |
| US09916892B1 |
Write driver circuitry to reduce leakage of negative boost charge
A pair of write driver inverters are arranged in series to drive a bit line responsive to a data bit input signal. A first boost capacitor provides a negative boost to a first ground node for a first one of the write driver inverters during the write assist period. A second boost capacitor provides a negative boost to a second ground node for a second one of the write driver inverters during the write assist period. |
| US09916888B1 |
System for measuring access time of memory
A system for measuring an access time of a memory includes a first delay unit configured to delay a clock signal by a first delay time and to output a first delayed clock signal, a second delay unit configured to delay the clock signal by a second delay time greater than the first delay time and to output a second delayed clock signal, a memory configured to store data, the data being read from the memory in response to the first delayed clock signal, a detection data storage configured to store the data read from the memory in response to the second delayed clock signal, and a controller configured to measure an access time of the memory based on a comparison of the data in the detection data storage and the data in the memory, the first delayed clock signal and the second delayed clock signal. |
| US09916887B2 |
Semiconductor device having input/output line drive circuit and semiconductor system including the same
A semiconductor system includes a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device outputs a command/address signal. The second semiconductor device extracts an active signal, a pre-charge signal, and addresses from the command/address signal, performs an active operation on a memory cell corresponding to the addresses, and performs a refresh operation on the memory cell corresponding to counting signals generated by counting a number of pulses in a refresh signal. |
| US09916885B2 |
Semiconductor devices having a refresh operation
A semiconductor device includes a first row address generation circuit and a second row address generation circuit. The first row address generation circuit generates a first row address for refreshing memory cells connected to word lines included in a first up block and a second up block from a refresh command and an active signal in response to a period selection signal and a first period signal. The second row address generation circuit generates a second row address for refreshing memory cells connected to word lines included in a first down block and a second down block from the refresh command and the active signal in response to the period selection signal and a second period signal. |
| US09916884B2 |
Physically unclonable function circuit using resistive memory device
Described is a physically unclonable functional circuit comprising: a resistive memory device (e.g., an MTJ device) having at least two terminals; a transistor coupled to one of the at least two terminals of the resistive memory device; and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having an input coupled to the one of the at least two terminals of the resistive memory device. |
| US09916879B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and I/O control circuit therefor
An I/O control circuit, includes a mode setting unit configured to generate a first mode signal, a second mode signal, a third mode signal, and a fourth mode signal in accordance with one of a plurality of I/O option modes, a first control signal generation unit configured to generate a first mode determination signal and a first control signal enable signal in response to the first I/O option signal and the first mode signal, and a second control signal generation unit configured to generate a second control signal enable signal, a third control signal enable signal, and a fourth control signal enable signal in response to a second I/O option signal, the first mode determination signal, the second mode signal, the third mode signal, and the fourth mode signal. |
| US09916878B2 |
Methods and systems for parallel column twist interleaving
Systems and methods are provided for parallel column twist interleaving. Parallel bit-interleaving with column twist may be applied to an input bitstream based on one or more interleaving parameters. Bits in the input bitstream may be read, in sets having size based on a first interleaving parameter, and may then be processed based on a second interleaving parameter. The processing may comprise applying a shift to a combination of bits that include a current bit set and additional bits corresponding to previously processed bit sets and/or pre-set bits. The shift may be determined based on a column twist associated with the current corresponding. Bits generated based on processing in current and/or previous cycles may be stored into memory, and bits may be read from the memory, based on a third interleaving parameter, for generating an output interleaved bitstream. |
| US09916876B2 |
Ultra low power architecture to support always on path to memory
An apparatus with an ultra low power architecture is described herein. The apparatus includes a first power supply rail, wherein a plurality of subsystems are to be powered by the first power supply rail. The apparatus also includes a second power supply rail, wherein a plurality of autonomous subsystems are to be powered by the power supply rail, wherein the second power supply rail is to be always on, always available, and low power. |
| US09916872B1 |
Double-barrier vacuum seal for sealed data storage system
A data storage system assembly includes a hermetically-sealed enclosure, a double-barrier sealing system comprising first and second sealing members spaced from each other, and a vacuum source that operates in the space between sealing members to generate a lower pressure in the space than in the enclosure. A lighter-than-air gas may be enclosed in the enclosure, and a plurality of non-hermetically-sealed data storage devices may be housed within the enclosure. Air, humidity, and other contaminants may be intercepted by the vacuum system rather than leak into and pollute the sealed internal environment of the storage system enclosure. |
| US09916871B1 |
Data storage library with acclimation chamber
A data storage library includes at least a first library portion and at least a second library portion, wherein the second library portion is configured to store and receive media associated with data storage cartridges and comprises an environmental conditioning unit configured to control environmental conditions within the second library portion to be different than environmental conditions external to the second library portion. The data storage library also includes at least one acclimation chamber formed by the first library portion, wherein the at least one acclimation chamber permits gradual transition of environmental condition(s) within the at least one acclimation chamber toward at least one of the corresponding environmental condition(s) external and internal to the second library portion. |
| US09916864B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing images using a voice tag
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a voice input module which receives a voice from an outside to generate voice data, a memory which stores one or more images or videos, and a processor which is electrically connected to the voice input module and the memory. The memory includes instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the electronic device to link at least one of the voice data, the first metadata information based on the voice data, or second metadata information generated from the voice data and/or the first metadata information with the second image or video. |
| US09916863B1 |
Systems and methods for editing videos based on shakiness measures
Video information defining video content may be accessed. The video content may include video frames. Motion vectors for the video frames may be determined. The motion vectors may represent motion of one or more visuals captured within individual video frames. A transformation matrix for the video frames may be determined based on the motion vectors. The transformation matrix may characterize rigid transformations between pairs of the video frames. Shakiness metrics for the video frames may be determined based on the transformation matrix. A shakiness threshold may be obtained. One or more of the video frames may be identified based on the shakiness metrics, the shakiness threshold, and algorithms with hysteresis or finite-state machines. A video summary of the video content may be generated. The video summary may include the one or more identified video frames. |
| US09916857B2 |
Techniques to extract ENF signals from video image sequences exploiting the rolling shutter mechanism; and a new video synchronization approach by matching the ENF signals extracted from soundtracks and image sequences
Various systems and methods may benefit from determination of environmental signatures in recordings. For example, such signatures may aid forensic analysis and alignment of media recordings, such as alignment of audio or video recordings. A method can include extracting electric network frequency signals from an image sequence of a video recording or an audio recording. The method can also include synchronizing the video recording or the audio recording with at least one other datum based on the electric network frequency signals. |
| US09916854B2 |
Systems and methods for removing media from a sequential media drive
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a sequential storage media drive may include a first reel for rotatably winding sequential storage media tape from an opposing second reel of a data cartridge, an enclosure for housing the first reel and housing the data cartridge when the data cartridge is inserted into the sequential storage media drive and an access door mechanically coupled to the enclosure, the access door configured to be translated from a closed position to an open position to allow a user to access the first reel from an exterior of the enclosure in the event the data cartridge of the sequential storage media tape becomes lodged in the sequential storage media drive. |
| US09916853B2 |
Holographic storage layer, holographic disk using the same, and method for manufacturing the same
A holographic storage layer includes a reflective structure and photosensitive units. The reflective structure is a grid-shaped structure and includes cavities. The photosensitive units are disposed in the cavities, in which each of the photosensitive units is surrounded by the reflective structure. First openings and second openings are defined by the reflective structure, and the photosensitive units are exposed by the first openings and the second openings respectively. |
| US09916851B1 |
Preheat strategy during sequential writing
Embodiments described herein involve a method comprising generating a seek command in a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) device. A first current is supplied to a laser diode of the HAMR device in response to the seek command to preheat the laser diode. The first current is insufficient to cause erasure of data on media of the HAMR device. A second current that is greater than the first current is supplied to the laser diode for writing to a magnetic recording medium of the HAMR device after executing the seek command. Preheating the laser diode reduces a likelihood of a laser mode hop occurring while writing to the medium. |
| US09916847B1 |
Magnetic recording device capable of detecting contamination buildup at a head-disk interface
An apparatus comprises a thermal sensor configured to interact with a magnetic recording disk. A head-disk interface is defined between the thermal sensor and the disk. A power supply is coupled to the thermal sensor and configured to supply a bias power to the thermal sensor between a low power and a high power. A processor is coupled to the thermal sensor and configured to determine a slope of a resistance response of the thermal sensor. The processor is further configured to detect a change in the slope relative to a baseline slope. The slope change indicates increased heat sinking between the thermal sensor and the disk due to the presence of contaminant buildup at the head-disk interface. |
| US09916845B2 |
Method for determining alcohol use by comparison of high-frequency signals in difference signal, and recording medium and device for implementing same
This method for determining alcohol use comprises the steps of: detecting an effective frame in an input audio signal; detecting a difference in signal within the original signal of the effective frame; performing a fast Fourier conversion on the difference signal to be transformed into a frequency domain; detecting high-frequency components within the difference signal subjected to the fast Fourier transform; and determining the state of alcohol use on the basis of a gradient difference between the high-frequency components. Accordingly, the present invention can identify the state and extent of alcohol use by a driver or an operator from a long distance and thus can prevent accidents caused by driving or operating vehicles and machines under the influence of alcohol. |
| US09916844B2 |
Method for determining alcohol consumption, and recording medium and terminal for carrying out same
Disclosed are a method for determining whether a person is drunk after consuming alcohol on the basis of a difference among a plurality of formant energy energies, which are generated by applying linear predictive coding according to a plurality of linear prediction orders, and a recording medium and a terminal for carrying out the method. The alcohol consumption determining terminal comprises: a voice input unit for receiving voice signals and converting same into voice frames and outputting the voice frames; a voiced/unvoiced sound analysis unit for extracting voice frames corresponding to a voiced sound from among the voice frames; an LPC processing unit for calculating a plurality of formant energy energies by applying linear predictive cording according to the plurality of linear prediction orders to the voice frames corresponding to the voiced sound; and an alcohol consumption determining unit for determining whether a person is drunk after consuming alcohol on the basis of a difference among the plurality of formant energy energies which have been calculated by the LPC processing unit, thereby determining whether a person is drunk after consuming alcohol depending on a change in the formant energy energies generated by applying linear predictive coding according to the plurality of linear prediction orders to voice signals. |
| US09916843B2 |
Voice processing apparatus, voice processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium to determine whether voice signals are in a conversation state
A voice processing apparatus including a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and the processor configured to acquire a first input signal containing a first voice, and a second input signal containing a second voice, obtain a first signal intensity of the first input signal, and a second signal intensity of the second input signal, specify a correlation coefficient between a time sequence of the first signal intensity and a time sequence of the second signal intensity, determine whether the first voice and the second voice are in the conversation state or not based on the specified correlation coefficient, and output information indicating an association between the first voice and the second voice when it is determined that the first voice and the second voice are in the conversation state. |
| US09916842B2 |
Systems, methods and devices for intelligent speech recognition and processing
Systems, methods, and devices for intelligent speech recognition and processing. According to one embodiment, a method for improving intelligibility of a speech signal may include (1) at least one processor receiving an incoming speech signal comprising a plurality of sound elements; (2) the at least one processor recognizing a sound element in the incoming speech signal to improve the intelligibility thereof; (3) the at least one processor processing the sound element by at least one of modifying and replacing the sound element; and (4) the at least one processor outputting the processed speech signal comprising the processed sound element. |
| US09916841B2 |
Method and apparatus for suppressing wind noise
The invention includes a method, apparatus, and computer program to selectively suppress wind noise while preserving narrow-band signals in acoustic data. Sound from one or several microphones is digitized into binary data. A time-frequency transform is applied to the data to produce a series of spectra. The spectra are analyzed to detect the presence of wind noise and narrow band signals. Wind noise is selectively suppressed while preserving the narrow band signals. The narrow band signal is interpolated through the times and frequencies when it is masked by the wind noise. A time series is then synthesized from the signal spectral estimate that can be listened to. This invention overcomes prior art limitations that require more than one microphone and an independent measurement of wind speed. Its application results in good-quality speech from data severely degraded by wind noise. |
| US09916840B1 |
Delay estimation for acoustic echo cancellation
A technology for estimating a delay between a far-end audio signal and a near-end audio signal for acoustic echo cancellation is disclosed. A copy of the far-end signal is stored in a speaker buffer and organized in chunks, and a copy of the near-end signal is stored in a microphone buffer and organized in chunks. Cross correlation is performed on each pair of speaker chunks and microphone chunks based on β-PHAse Transform (“PHAT”) generalized cross correlation (“GCC”). A peak correlation value can be obtained for each pair of the chunks. Offset values corresponding to the peak correlation values are collected and clustered. A best cluster is selected and the offset value represented by the selected cluster is identified as the estimated delay. Acoustic echo cancellation can be performed on the near-end signal based on the estimated delay. |
| US09916835B2 |
Digital wireless audio transmission system
A digital wireless audio transmission system having a wireless receiving unit for wirelessly receiving a high-frequency signal. An HF analysis unit analyzes the received high-frequency data, detects errors in the transmission within a time window, and outputs the received data and first items of information in respect of the detected errors. A decoding unit converts/decodes the received high-frequency data into audio data. An error detection unit checks errors in the conversion of the decoding unit within a previously established time window and outputs second items of information in respect of errors during decoding of the received high-frequency data. An error rate is determined based on the first and second items of information. If the error rate exceeds a first threshold value then no audio signal is outputted. Only if the error rate falls below a second value, lower than the first value, is an audio output is then again effected. |
| US09916824B2 |
Electronic percussion controller, instrument and method
An electronic percussion instrument controller includes a selection input device, a setting input device and a processor. The selection input device is configured to select an instrument which defines a tone that corresponds to a musical performance input device. The setting input device is configured to selectively set a tone lock for the musical performance input device. The processor is programmed to maintain a set tone of the musical performance input device for which the tone lock is set by the setting device. |
| US09916823B2 |
Gradient waveforms derived from music
Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with producing gradient waveforms derived from music are provided. A piece of encoded music (e.g., MP3 file) is converted to an encoding gradient associated with a magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) pulse sequence. The encoding gradient may be optimized with respect to maximum gradient amplitude, gradient slew rate, and other properties of a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus that will perform the MRF pulse sequence. The MR apparatus may then be controlled to perform an MRF procedure using the encoding gradient. Performing the MRF procedure using the encoding gradient may cause the MR apparatus to reproduce the piece of encoded music. The encoding gradient may be manipulated (e.g., rotated) to encode additional lines in k-space. |
| US09916822B1 |
Systems and methods for audio remixing using repeated segments
A derivative track for an audio track may be generated. An audio track duration of the audio track may be partitioned into partitions of a partition size. A current partition may be compared to remaining partitions of the audio track. Audio information for the current partition may be correlated to audio information for remaining partitions to determine a correlated partition for the current partition from among the remaining partitions of the track duration. The correlated partition determined may be identified as most likely to represent the same sound as the current partition. This comparison process may be performed iteratively for individual ones of the remaining partitions. One or more regions of the audio track may be identified. Individual regions may include multiple correlated partitions that are temporally adjacent along the audio track duration. One or more partitions within one or more regions may be removed to generate the derivative track. |
| US09916820B2 |
Supporter for supporting sound tubes to be hung therefrom and method of producing the same, and musical instrument
A musical instrument includes a supporter for supporting a plurality of sound tubes to be hung therefrom using wires. The supporter includes at least one hanger bar and a plurality of hanger pins extending from the at least one hanger bar toward a hanging side of the at least one hanger bar from which the sound tubes are hung. The at least one hanger bar and the hanger pins are integrally formed in one piece. |
| US09916807B2 |
Output circuit and switching circuit of display driving device
An output circuit of a display driving device may include: an output buffer unit configured to buffer a pair of input signals having different polarities and output a pair of output signals; and a switching unit configured to transmit the pair of output signals to a pair of output terminals through a direct path or a cross path during an output period, and charge-share the pair of output terminals using a middle voltage of a pull-up voltage and a pull-down voltage of the output buffer unit during a charge-sharing period. |
| US09916806B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a gamma mapping unit configured to receive red, green, and blue image information from an external device. During the first field, the gamma mapping unit generates first to third data signals for controlling the first to third pixels based on the red, green, and blue image information in synchronization with the backlight unit. During the second field, the gamma mapping unit generates fourth and fifth data signals for controlling the first and second pixels based on at least one of the first to third data signals or based on the red, green, and blue image information. As the quantity of the second color light leaked is adjusted through the first and second color filters in the second field, a color reproduction range and brightness of the liquid crystal display panel are improved. Thus, the display quality of the liquid crystal display apparatus is improved. |
| US09916803B2 |
Display device, method for controlling display device, and method for driving display device
A display device includes a display panel including a first display region and a second display region and boundary correction circuits that perform tone correction on display data in such a manner that a correction amount for the display data to be written to a first pixel adjacent to a boundary between the first display region and the second display region and a correction amount for the display data to be written to a second pixel not adjacent to the boundary are different from each other. |
| US09916801B2 |
Pixel structure and display device for dot inversion, and driving method of display device
A pixel structure, array substrate, display panel, display device, and driving method of the display device are provided. The pixel structure includes a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines; a plurality of pixel units formed by intersecting the data lines with the scan lines. Each of the pixel units corresponds to one of the data lines and one of the scan lines; and the pixel unit includes a pixel electrode and a thin film transistor therein. In one of two adjacent columns of pixel units, a pixel electrode of each pixel unit is electrically connected with a thin film transistor of the pixel unit; and in the other one of the two adjacent columns of pixel units, a pixel electrode of each pixel unit in a row is electrically connected with a thin film transistor of a pixel unit in an adjacent row. |
| US09916799B1 |
Adaptive VCOM level generator
An adaptive Vcom level generator circuit generates a variable Vcom voltage level. A variable Vcom voltage can be used for variable refresh rate display technology to prevent flicker on a display panel. The Vcom level can be changed based on the vertical frequency being used or can be changed based on external control signals. |
| US09916798B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of driving the same
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, and a first drive module. A first source line is located between a first divisional electrode and a second divisional electrode. One frame period includes a first display period, a second display period, a sense period, and a first pre-charge period. The first drive module supplies a first image signal having a first polarity to the first source line in the first display period, supplies a first pre-charge signal having a second polarity to the first source line in the first pre-charge period, and supplies the first image signal having the first polarity to the first source line in the second display period. |
| US09916797B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus, source driver and method for controlling polarity of driving signals thereof
A liquid crystal display apparatus, a source driver, and a method for controlling polarity of driving signals thereof are provided. The source driver includes a signal receiving interface, a decoder, and a controller. The signal receiving interface receives an image data stream or a data input/output indication signal. The decoder obtains polarity controlling information from the image data stream or the data input/output indication signal. The controller receives the polarity controlling information and decides driving polarities of a plurality of source driving signals generated by the source driver according to the polarity controlling information. |
| US09916795B2 |
Optical correction for high uniformity panel lights
A display having a spatial light modulator for dynamically controlling a luminance of each pixel according to an input signal, the spatial light modulator having a non uniform spatial characteristic, the display also having an optical filter having a spatial pattern to alter the luminance to compensate at least partially for the non uniform spatial characteristic. An electronic signal processing element applies some pre compensation predominantly of higher spatial frequencies for the non uniform spatial characteristic. Such dynamic and optical compensation can enable tuning for different optimizations or for compensating for variations over time. A backlight has an optical source and an optical filter, the source having a color output which has a non uniform spatial characteristic, and the optical filter having a spatial pattern to alter the color to compensate in part at least for the non uniform spatial characteristic. |
| US09916791B2 |
Display device, electronic device, and method for driving display device
A novel display device is provided. In a display device with a 2T1C circuit configuration, a switch is provided between a current supply line and a transistor. The switch is turned off in a data voltage writing period to bring one of a source and a drain of the transistor into an electrically floating state. This configuration can prevent a potential rise on the anode side of a light-emitting element, thereby suppressing undesired light emission in the data voltage writing period. |
| US09916785B2 |
Display apparatus and control method thereof, light emitting apparatus and control method thereof, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium
A storage unit stores first adjustment information which characterizes the correspondence between adjustment parameters which are capable of being set and adjustment amounts of the emission brightness of each of two light emitting elements of the three light emitting elements. A setting unit sets the adjustment parameter. An adjustment unit adjusts the emission brightness of the two light emitting elements based on the adjustment parameter set via the setting unit and the first adjustment information stored by the storage unit. |
| US09916778B2 |
Backlighting effect for package displays
A chemiluminescent product packaging label comprising an outer layer, an adhesive layer disposed proximately to the outer layer wherein the adhesive layer comprises an adhesion material on a side not proximate to the outer layer, and at least one cavity between the outer layer and the adhesive layer. The outer layer further comprises an image with a first plurality of regions. The adhesion layer comprises a second plurality of regions corresponding to the first plurality of regions and configured to break at a plurality of different pressure values. Application of pressure on the on at least one of the second plurality of regions causes the formation of an illumination comprising at least one color in at least one of the first plurality of regions. |
| US09916776B2 |
Polyester-melamine coatings and labels including the same
Polyester-melamine coatings that exhibit desirable heat resistance and adhesion to a variety of polyolefin materials and labels including such coatings are provided. The polyester-melamine compounds present within the coatings can be obtained by reacting an etherified melamine and a hydroxylated polyester. |
| US09916771B2 |
Portable vision aid with motion pan
A vision aid device comprises a housing, an eyepiece for holding up to an eye and viewing into the vision aid device, a camera mounted within the housing, a controller and memory operably coupled to the camera, a motion sensor operably coupled to the controller and a display operably coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to: activate the camera to capture an electronic image; store the electronic image in the memory; display on the display a magnified image which is a magnified view of the electronic image; and electronically pan the electronic image from the magnified image to display successive magnified images based on motion information generated by the motion sensor, the motion information based on motion of the vision aid device as sensed by the motion sensor. |
| US09916768B2 |
Systems and methods for providing sunlight simulation in a vehicle simulator
Systems and methods for providing sunlight simulation in a vehicle simulator include a vehicle simulator. The vehicle simulator includes a visual projector configured to generate visual scene images and a bright forward field of view projector mounted with the visual projector, wherein the bright forward field of view projector includes plural light emitting diode (LED) light sources configured to generate a bright forward field of view. The vehicle simulator also includes a projection screen configured to project the visual scene images generated by the visual projector or the bright forward field of view generated by the bright forward field of view projector. |
| US09916766B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for user paced learning based on historical programming errors and solutions using electronic flash cards
A method includes performing operations as follows on a processor: indexing a database of records for a topic based on a training suitability criterion, the records comprising programming errors and associated resolutions; generating a deck of electronic flash cards containing training questions thereon, respectively, from the database of records based on the training suitability criterion; and displaying the electronic flash cards. |
| US09916764B2 |
Common operating environment for aircraft operations with air-to-air communication
A common operating environment (COE) display system for vehicle operations, such as for air transport provides coordination of logistics information with dispatch or a controller. An operational plan, such as a flight plan or other operational plan describing vehicle deployment is stored, and a map visualization system displays a map region. An in-vehicle display depicts the operational plan, providing displays of current and projected operational conditions of the vehicle within different time phases of the operational plan. Communication as either text or other data allows transmission can be performed as text, attachments or a combination of text and attachments. Messages (text) and attachments (files) are exchanged only through the server, and the items exchanged are recorded for analysis and forensic purposes. |
| US09916762B2 |
Parallel parking system
A parallel parking system may include a controller configured to generate an alert identifying a discrepancy between a permitted parking distance that is defined by local requirements and a recommended parking distance that is defined by a minimum distance between an object adjacent to an available parking place to avoid contact with the object and an open vehicle door in a parked position in response to the recommended distance exceeding the permitted distance. |
| US09916761B2 |
Method and system for locating a mobile asset
An improved system and method for creating and accessing a centralized database containing an assorted variety of information related to a debtor such as physical addresses of the debtor or his friends, associates and relatives, as well as information related to a mobile asset, such as physical description information, collectively referred to as “identifying information.” Methods are also disclosed for lenders and others to send identifying information to the centralized database, and for users such as skip tracers to be able to download and use the information located in the database for asset recovery purposes. |
| US09916757B2 |
Smart loop treadle having both an Eddy Current sensor and a ferromagnetic sensor
Lanes sensors are used to count the number of wheel assemblies on vehicles passing over roadway sensors. Lane sensors can also be used to classify vehicles at single and multiple lane sites for tolling and/or traffic planning. For counting vehicles, the Smart Loop Treadle of the present invention is designed for both tire and wheel assembly detection using inductive loop sensors for toll roads in single (Conventional) lane applications. The sensors detect the tire assemblies of both vehicles and vehicle trailers being towed to provide the sum of axle assemblies. For vehicle characterization, the sensor arrangement can have a combination of unique sensors that include tire/wheel detection sensors and vehicle lane position sensors. The characteristics of the vehicle, travel direction, speed, in lane position of the vehicle can be detected using combination of these sensors. |
| US09916755B1 |
On-demand roadway stewardship system
An on-demand, crowdsourced, roadway stewardship system with video reporting features is disclosed. The invention described herein is comprised of a system that allows users with mobile device cameras to record and report roadway safety incidents, traffic violations, crimes and infrastructure problem. Users are encouraged to become stewards by engaging in the system's rewards program. An on-demand style cloud infrastructure is presented which speeds up video processing and citations. Objects of the invention are to enhance safety and increase public participation in safety. |
| US09916752B2 |
Multiplexing communication system and working robot
A multiplexing communication system is capable of maintaining an appropriate response speed of a control with respect to an electromagnetic motor based on an encoder signal during multiplexing and transmission of the encoder signal. A transmission data composition processing section of a multiplex communication device multiplexes encoder signals ENCD1 to ENCD8 output from a linear scale and a rotary encoder into frame data FRMD and transmits the data. The transmission data composition processing section sets the encoder signals ENCD1 to ENCD8 to bit positions of the frame data FRMD respectively corresponding to the linear scale and the rotary encoder. At the bit positions where the encoder signals ENCD1 to ENCD8 are set, the encoder signal ENCD and information showing the presence or absence of the data of the encoder signal ENCD are alternately set for each cycle of transmission of the frame data FRMD. |
| US09916750B2 |
Method and device for reminding based on alarm clock
A method for a terminal to perform reminding includes outputting first reminding information according to a first event alarm of an event flow alarm clock at a first reminding time of the first event alarm. The event flow alarm clock contains at least two event alarms. The method further includes, when there exists a second event alarm having a second reminding time later than the first reminding time, outputting second reminding information according to the second event alarm at the second reminding time. |
| US09916746B2 |
Security system coupled to a door lock system
A security system is coupled to a door lock system. A sensor is at a dwelling. The sensor is coupled to a drive shaft of a lock device to assist in locking and unlocking a lock of a lock device at a door. An engine, an energy source and a memory are coupled together. The engine is coupled to the sensor. The memory provides information relating to open or closed status of a door to a dwelling occupant or a third party designated by the dwelling occupant. At least one motion detection device is provided to detect a person at or near a door or window at the dwelling. A security system includes a video apparatus that captures video and coupled to the motion detection device to take a video of an image of the person or an outline of the person, wherein the video is configured to begin before motion detection begins. |
| US09916745B2 |
Container fraud detection system and method
A container fraud detection system and method using one or more wireless communication tags attached to a container in specific ways to ensure the authenticity of the contents. The tag is affixed to the container in such a way that the tag is destroyed upon opening of the container, thereby indicating fraud upon scanning. The tag may be affixed to the container by an adhesive strip, polymer film or wax composition. The tag may be affixed to an adhesive strip prior to application of the strip to a container. Two tags on the container or strip may be cryptographically linked. The tag information is accessible through a scanning device which communicates with a database that stores information about the container and analyzes the probability of fraud with an algorithm. |
| US09916741B2 |
Haptically enabled messaging
Method, device, and computer readable medium for generating haptically enabled messages. One disclosed method comprises the steps of receiving a user generated input, mapping the user generated input to a predetermined haptic feedback, assigning a haptic feedback command to the predetermined haptic feedback, inserting the haptic feedback command into a text message, and sending the text message. |
| US09916740B2 |
Signal display lamp
A signal display lamp is provided that is capable of performing display in diverse modes and hence capable of increasing the quantity of transmittable information and capable of improving the reliability of information transmission. The signal display lamp includes a display portion that is capable of performing display in a plurality of display colors and that is capable of changing a position or a size of a display region in each display color, a display color determining means for determining the display color based on first information, a display region determining means for determining a position or a size of a display region in a display color determined by the display color determining means based on second information, and a display portion control means for controlling the display portion based on a display color determined by the display color determining means and based on a position or a size of a display region determined by the display region determining means. |
| US09916739B2 |
Communication adapter and electric working machine system
A communication adapter in one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of outer surfaces comprising at least two outer surfaces, an interface device, an antenna, and a transmission device. The interface device is provided at at least one outer surface of the at least two outer surfaces and electrically coupled to an electric working machine through the at least one outer surface. The antenna is provided at another at least one outer surface, which is different from the at least one outer surface, among the plurality of outer surfaces, and configured to be capable of transmitting a radio wave for wireless communication with a communication device other than the electric working machine from the another at least one outer surface. |
| US09916735B2 |
Remote gaming cash voucher printing system
Remote gaming cash voucher printing systems facilitate partial cash voucher payouts of cash value balances on electronic gaming terminals, such as to provide tips. Systems can include electronic gaming tables that host wager-based table games facilitated by live human dealers, cash voucher printers at the gaming tables, remotely located electronic gaming terminals that provide remote play at the electronic gaming tables, and a remote print server coupled with the gaming tables and gaming terminals. The remote print server debits a cash value of a partial monetary payout request from a gaming terminal credit balance, and routes the request from the gaming terminal to a gaming table printer for issuance of a cash voucher. The remote print server can communicate with an existing TITO server and emulate authorized TITO requests in some arrangements. |
| US09916730B2 |
Gaming device having card game
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus, system, computer readable storage media, and/or method that involve or otherwise facilitate a card game or secondary card game played on a gaming device. The card game may be structured to use similar rules to a blackjack-styled card game. The card game may be played against an opponent, such as a computer, dealer, or another player. Alternatively, the card game may include the display of one or more cards and a process to determine if a total value of the cards meets a predefined criterion. A win against an opponent or satisfaction of the predefined criterion may progress the card game to another round of play. These rounds of play may continue until an opponent wins, or until the predefined criterion is not satisfied. |
| US09916721B2 |
Intermediate in-game resource hybrid gaming system
An electronic gaming machine is provided. In an entertainment game, utilization of an entertainment game element by a player may trigger a wager in accordance with a gambling proposition. Based on the outcome of the wager, the player may be awarded an intermediate in-game resource for use in the entertainment game. The intermediate in-game resource may be used by the player to acquire an entertainment game resource or element that may be used to enhance the player's play of the entertainment game. |
| US09916719B2 |
Method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller
An electronic method of gaming comprising, displaying a symbol evaluation area on a display of a gaming system, the symbol evaluation area comprising a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of symbol display positions; generating a game outcome by selecting a plurality of symbols to populate the symbol display area, the symbols being selected from first symbols having a size corresponding to the size of the symbol display positions and one or more second symbols, wherein each second symbol is at least the size of two display positions, the selecting of the symbols including selecting a display position of the evaluation area at which each selected first symbol will be displayed, and selecting one or more symbol display positions of the evaluation area at which part of each selected second symbol will be displayed. |
| US09916718B2 |
Terminal, system and game play method for random number selection events
A console for enabling play of a casino wagering game has: a video display screen; a player input system; a wager accepting and resolving system; a ball drop-and-capture gaming system; sensors for the gaming system; and a processor. Separate areas are provided on the video display screen for display of distinct results from at least two consecutive separate ball drop-and-capture events. The processor is configured to: a) receive information from sensors as to results of each ball drop-and-capture event; b) transmit viewable information to each separate area provided on the video display screen for each consecutive separate ball drop-and-capture event; and c) to compare all ball drop-and-capture events to a preselected number of memorialized ball drop-and-capture outcomes. |
| US09916717B2 |
Holographic amusement/wagering system with vehicular user transport
A virtual entertainment system supports holographic display for multiple players. The system has multiple viewing screens, each screen displaying thematic events. Multiple carriages have seating supporting multiple audience members. A track system supports and directs the multiple carriages through a sequence of the multiple viewing screens. A processor accesses memory of more than one theme and multiple holographic data content related to a single theme to each of the video display screens. A theme selecting input system provides a signal identifying a single theme for display to a single carriage as it moves along the track system. The processor identifies location of individual carriages with respect to individual viewing screens. The processor provides thematic content of the single identified theme to the at least two players in the individual respective ones of the multiple carriages. The theme may be gaming activity and include gaming input. |
| US09916716B2 |
Gaming system and method of gaming
A gaming system is disclosed that comprises a symbol selector configured to select a plurality of base symbols from a set of base symbols for display in a display area; and at least one set of additional symbols, each set of additional symbols including a plurality of additional symbols. The gaming system is configured to incorporate the additional symbols of an additional symbol set into the base symbol set so as to define a combined symbol set, and the gaming system is configured to select and display a plurality of base and/or additional symbols from the combined symbol set. The gaming system further comprises an outcome evaluator configured to determine a game outcome based on the selected base and/or additional symbols. |
| US09916714B2 |
System and method for optimizing utilization of inventory space for dispensable articles
A system and method for optimizing the utilization of inventory space for articles dispensable from an article dispensing machine is provided. A subset of articles in the article dispensing machine may be targeted for removal for various purposes. Based on a list of the subset of articles, the article dispensing machine may move the subset of articles from a storage unit to a predetermined area, such as a merchandising zone of the storage unit or a separate article removal bin. The subset of articles may be removed from the predetermined area, followed by loading of new articles to the predetermined area. |
| US09916709B2 |
Coin batch insertion device
To provide a coin batch insertion device which is capable of feeding a coin at high speed. In addition, to provide a coin batch insertion device which is capable of implementing space saving.A coin batch insertion device 1 that separates and feeds a plurality of inserted coins C, inserted as a batch, one by one, includes: a cylindrical portion 4; a rotor 5 arranged inside the cylindrical portion 4; and a floor portion 7 including a coin dropping hole 7a, in which the inserted coins C, maintained in an erect state, are fed by conveying the coins between an inner peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 4 and an outer peripheral wall of the rotor 5 along the inner peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 4 using rotation of the rotor 5 and dropping the coins into the coin dropping hole 7a one by one. |
| US09916705B2 |
Vehicle data collection and verification
Disclosed are various embodiments for a data aggregation application. Operational data and image data may be captured from a client device. Odometer readings can be extracted from the image data. The operational data and image data can be verified by comparing an instrument panel depicted in the image data to a known instrument panel depiction. |
| US09916698B1 |
Automatic crash detection
Systems and methods are disclosed for determining whether or not a crash involving a vehicle has occurred. The acceleration of the vehicle may be measured using, for example, an accelerometer of a mobile device, which may be located inside the vehicle. The system may determine the magnitude of each accelerometer measurement and whether the magnitude exceeds one or more acceleration magnitude thresholds. The system may also determine the number of accelerometer events within a time window and whether the number exceeds one or more count thresholds. The system may determine whether a crash involving the vehicle has occurred based on the magnitudes of acceleration, number of acceleration events, and various thresholds. In some examples, the system may confirm that a crash has occurred based on, for example, the location of the mobile device. |
| US09916693B1 |
Augmented reality geolocation optimization
Providing of an electronic map displaying preferred real-world locations to utilize in connection with an augmented reality world. A request is received at a server computer to provide the electronic map to utilize in connection with the augmented reality world. A geolocation is received. Real-world locations in a vicinity are queried from a real-world location profile. A virtual location profile of virtual locations in the augmented reality world is accessed to generate an initial virtual location set. A participant preference profile containing virtual preferences and real-world preferences is accessed. Real-time participant data is accessed. The virtual locations in the initial virtual location set are prioritized to generate a prioritized virtual location set. The prioritized virtual location set is limited based upon the real-time participant data to generate a real-time prioritized location set. The electronic map is generated based upon the real-time prioritized location set, and transmitted. |
| US09916688B2 |
Augmented reality skin manager
Technologies are generally described for systems, devices and methods effective to set up image data to be processed by an augmented reality device. In some examples, a processor may generate image data from light reflected from a real object. The image data may represent, or may be a digital representation of, the real object. The processor may analyze a skin stack of augmented reality skins and identify one of the augmented reality skins stored in the memory. The augmented reality skin may include instructions effective to modify some of the image data when the image data includes a feature. The processor may create metadata related to the image data. The metadata may relate to the presence of the feature in the image data. The processor may store the metadata in the memory. |
| US09916686B1 |
Interactive rendering of building information model data
The invention provides a system, apparatus and method for interactively displaying a virtual three dimensional structure representing building information modeling (BIM) data. The displaying of the virtual structure provides a viewing perspective that simulates both internal and external lighting effects upon the virtual structure. Commands being communicated by a viewer of the virtual structure are processed in real time to direct navigation (location and direction) of a virtual camera that is located within the virtual three dimensional structure. |
| US09916682B2 |
Variable precision shading
The power consumption of processor-based devices may be reduced by reducing the consumption of power during graphics processing. In some embodiments, the precision of pixel shading in parts of images where artifacts are less objectionable may be reduced. For example, in areas the user is not directly looking at, precision may be reduced to save power. At the same time, because a person is not focusing on those regions, even if usually perceptible artifacts occur because of the reduced precision, an overall pleasing depiction may be achieved. |
| US09916681B2 |
Method and apparatus for selectively integrating sensory content
To integrate a sensory property such as occlusion, shadowing, reflection, etc. among physical and notional (e.g. virtual/augment) visual or other sensory content, providing an appearance of similar occlusion, shadowing, etc. in both models. A reference position, a physical data model representing physical entities, and a notional data model are created or accessed. A first sensory property from either data model is selected. A second sensory property is determined corresponding with the first sensory property, and notional sensory content is generated from the notional data model with the second sensory property applied thereto. The notional sensory content is outputted to the reference position with a see-through display. Consequently, notional entities may appear occluded by physical entities, physical entities may appear to cast shadows from notional light sources, etc. |
| US09916678B2 |
Kernel convolution for stencil computation optimization
Data processing techniques are provided to increase a computational speed of iterative computations that are performed over a domain of data points, such as stencil computations. For example, a method includes loading a set of domain data points into a cache memory; obtaining an iteration count T, and a base stencil operator having a first set of coefficients; generating a convolved stencil operator having a second set of coefficients, wherein the convolved stencil operator is generated by convolving the base stencil operator with itself at least one time; and iteratively processing the set of domain data points in the cache memory using the convolved stencil operator no more than T/2 iterations to obtain final processing results. The final processing results are similar to processing results that would be obtained by iteratively processing the set of domain data points using the base stencil operator for the iteration count T. |
| US09916674B2 |
Baking path rendering objects into compact and efficient memory representations
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for improving path rendering on computer systems with an available graphics processing unit. The technique involves reducing complex path objects to simpler geometric objects suitable for rendering on a graphics processing unit. The process involves a central processing unit “baking” a set of complex path rendering objects to generate a set of simpler graphics objects. A graphics processing unit then renders the simpler graphics objects. This division of processing load can advantageously yield higher overall rendering performance. |
| US09916669B2 |
Projection data correction and computed tomography value computation
Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are described for correcting projection data generated from a computed tomography (CT) examination of an object and/or for computing or updating a CT value of the object from the projection data. An image generator is configured to generate a CT image of an object under examination. Using this CT image, a set of actions are performed to correct projection data from which the CT image was generated and/or to update a CT value of one or more voxels within the CT image. In this way, the projection data and/or CT image is adjusted to reduce image artifacts and/or otherwise improve image quality and/or object detection. |
| US09916668B2 |
Methods and systems for identifying background in video data using geometric primitives
Systems and methods for using geometric primitives to identify background in video data. In one embodiment, a method obtains video data depicting at least a portion of a user. The video data is processed with at least one persona identification module comprising a geometric primitive module for generating a first persona probability map at least in part by: detecting at least one geometric primitive within the video data; identifying a respective region within the video data associated with each of the at least one detected geometric primitives; and assigning the respective regions an increased background-probability in the first persona probability map; and outputting a persona image by extracting pixels from the video data based on the persona probability map. |
| US09916666B2 |
Image processing apparatus for identifying whether or not microstructure in set examination region is abnormal, image processing method, and computer-readable recording device
An image processing apparatus includes: an imaging distance estimating unit configured to estimate an imaging distance to a subject shown in an image; an examination region setting unit configured to set an examination region in the image such that an index indicating a spread of a distribution of imaging distances to the subject shown in the examination region is within a given range; and an abnormal structure identifying unit configured to identify whether or not a microstructure of the subject shown in the examination region is abnormal, by using texture feature data that enables identification of an abnormality in the microstructure of the subject shown in the examination region, the texture feature data being specified according the examination region. |
| US09916663B2 |
Image processing method and process simulation apparatus
An image processing method includes the steps of detecting edge information from an input image, identifying a plurality of lines from the edge information, dividing the input image into a plurality of areas based on the relative locations of the plurality of identified lines, calculating a similarity between adjacent areas of the plurality of divided areas, detecting boundaries between the adjacent areas as line segments partitioning the adjacent areas based on a degree of dissimilarity of the adjacent areas, wherein each of the line segments is at least a portion of the plurality of lines, and connecting the line segments forming the boundaries, and generating a connected shape using the boundaries. |
| US09916662B2 |
Foreground detection using fractal dimensional measures
A technique for foreground determination includes analyzing pixels that are deemed to be changing between frames, and applying a filtration technique that is based on fractal methods. Implementations include applying a filter that is designed to eliminate structures of dimensionality less than unity while preserving those of dimensionality unity and greater. The technique may be performed in real-time and makes use of a variable threshold for foreground determination and image segmentation techniques. |
| US09916659B2 |
Operating device, operating method, and program therefor
Exterior orientation parameters of a camera are easily determined by, for example, a reference image being obtained by photographing a building 131 with a camera 112, in which exterior orientation parameters are determined, while a vehicle 100 travels, and a comparative image being simultaneously obtained by photographing the building 131 with a camera 113, in which exterior orientation parameters are undetermined. Then, points that match between the reference image and the comparative image are selected, and relative orientation and scale adjustment using a predetermined scale are performed, whereby the exterior orientation parameters of the camera 113 are calculated. |
| US09916655B2 |
Image fusion scheme for differential phase contrast imaging
The latest progresses in breast imaging using differential phase contrast techniques pose the question of how to fuse multiple information sources, yielded by absorption, differential phase, and scattering signals, into a single, informative image for clinical diagnosis. It is proposed to use an image fusion scheme based on a multiple-resolution framework. The three signals are first transformed into multiple bands presenting information at different frequencies and then a two-step processing follows: (1) intra-band processing enhances the local signal-to-noise ratio using a novel noise estimation method and context modeling; and (2) inter-band processing weights each band by considering their characteristics and contributions, and suppressing the global noise level. The fused image, looking similar to a conventional mammogram but with significantly enhanced detail features, is reconstructed by inverse transform. The fused image is compatible with clinical settings and enables the radiologists to use their years of diagnosis experiences in mammography. |
| US09916652B2 |
Technique for measuring overlay between layers of a multilayer structure
A method for determining overlay between layers of a multilayer structure may include obtaining a given image representing the multilayer structure, obtaining expected images for layers of the multilayer structure, providing a combined expected image of the multilayer structure as a combination of the expected images of said layers, performing registration of the given image against the combined expected image, and providing segmentation of the given image, thereby producing a segmented image, and maps of the layers of said multilayered structure. The method may further include determining overlay between any two selected layers of the multilayer structure by processing the maps of the two selected layers together with the expected images of said two selected layers. |
| US09916651B2 |
Method for characterizing a part made of a woven composite material
A method of characterizing a part made of woven composite material, includes calculating autocorrelation values of a three-dimensional image in an observation window of the volume of the part for a plurality of spatial vectors used as the autocorrelation interval, and then detecting at least one local extremum in the autocorrelation value on a main orientation of the weaving in order to determine a mean in the observation window for the distance between neighboring parallel yarns. |
| US09916649B1 |
Method to determine impaired ability to operate a motor vehicle
A method and system for determining if an individual is impaired. In one embodiment, physical and cognitive testing of the individual are conducted in the field or at the scene of an event. The test results are compared to previously stored baseline test results taken for the specific individual while the individual is known to be in an unimpaired state or condition. The current test results are electronically compared to the baseline test results and if the results differ or deviate beyond a predetermined level or amount the individual is considered to be impaired. If no baseline test results exist for the specific individual, the current test results can alternatively be compared to previously determined or known scientifically accepted or minimums for the specific tests given to the individual. |
| US09916641B2 |
Picture display method and apparatus
The present disclosure provides a picture display method and apparatus that relate to the field of image processing and are increase flexibility of picture display and reducing a memory occupation rate of a terminal on the premise of not modifying an attribute of an original picture. The method and apparatus include receiving an instruction for displaying a picture; obtaining, according to an identifier of a to-be-displayed picture included in the instruction, an original bitmap of the to-be-displayed picture and searching, a database of a current device for a pre-stored first rotation angle corresponding to the to-be-displayed picture; adjusting, according to a resolution of a current screen and/or a current window size, a display size of the original bitmap of the to-be-displayed picture, so as to obtain a compressed bitmap of the original bitmap; and displaying, according to the first rotation angle, a compressed bitmap of the original bitmap. |
| US09916639B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating enhanced display characteristics based on viewer state
Systems and methods for facilitating enhanced display characteristics based on viewer state are provided. A media device may process an indication of a first state of a first viewer of a display device that is coupled to the media device. The indication of the first state of the first viewer may be captured at a time corresponding to the display device displaying first content with a first set of one or more size characteristics. The media device may determine a display adjustment based at least in part on the indication of the first state of the first viewer. The media device may cause the display device to display second content in accordance with the display adjustment so that the display device displays at least a portion of the second content with a second set of one or more size characteristics that is different from the first set of one or more size characteristics. |
| US09916636B2 |
Dynamically provisioning and scaling graphic processing units for data analytic workloads in a hardware cloud
Server resources in a data center are disaggregated into shared server resource pools, including a graphics processing unit (GPU) pool. Servers are constructed dynamically, on-demand and based on workload requirements, by allocating from these resource pools. According to this disclosure, GPU utilization in the data center is managed proactively by assigning GPUs to workloads in a fine granularity and agile way, and de-provisioning them when no longer needed. In this manner, the approach is especially advantageous to automatically provision GPUs for data analytic workloads. The approach thus provides for a “micro-service” enabling data analytic workloads to automatically and transparently use GPU resources without providing (e.g., to the data center customer) the underlying provisioning details. Preferably, the approach dynamically determines the number and the type of GPUs to use, and then during runtime auto-scales the GPUs based on workload. |
| US09916635B2 |
Transparent display device and control method thereof
A transparent display device is provided, which includes: a transparent display; a camera; a graphic processor configured to generate an augmented reality (AR) object; and a controller configured to operate in at least one of a transparent AR mode in which the AR object is displayed on the transparent display and a video AR mode in which the AR object is displayed on an image captured by the camera. The controller is further configured to switch between the transparent AR mode and the video AR mode in response to an occurrence of a predetermined event. |
| US09916625B2 |
Mobile insurance platform system
A mobile insurance architecture includes a wireless communication interface that connects mobile client devices to wireless networks. An insurance server cluster that includes a group of independent network servers operates and appears to mobile client devices as if the group of independent network servers were a single computer server. An adaptive transmission controller communicates with the insurance server cluster and processes content in multiple mobile formats that may be optimized to the screen sizes of the mobile client devices. The insurance server cluster responds to native application clients resident to the mobile client devices. The native application clients contain code stored on a non-transitory media that render insurance quoting services, insurance claims services, on-line insurance policy services, usage based insurance services, mobile monitoring services, or insurance agency management services. |
| US09916624B2 |
Techniques for arranging views and navigating in a web-centric insurance management system
A scalable, adaptable, modular, and web-centric Insurance Back-Office System (IBOS) for serving the needs of carriers, agencies, agents, and service providers in the insurance industry is disclosed. The IBOS provides a framework for allowing web-centric collaboration among agents, agencies, carriers, and service providers, using applications that manage applicants, cases, and policies in an efficient and secure manner. The IBOS infrastructure is designed to facilitate the creation of a new application, module, tool, or view in a simplified manner. A multi-tiered framework of application, module, tool, and view facilitates ease of navigation for users. |
| US09916622B2 |
High speed processing of financial information using FPGA devices
A high speed apparatus and method for processing a plurality of financial market data messages are disclosed. With respect to an exemplary embodiment, a reconfigurable logic device is employed to map the symbols present in the financial market data messages to another symbology. |
| US09916617B2 |
Systems and methods of processing information and data involving digital content, digital products and/or experiences
Systems and methods described herein relate to processing of information, data and database identifiers involving content and/or experiences. According to one exemplary implementation, an illustrative method of computerized information processing may involve handling and/or processing data regarding a product, where the product may be an experience represented by and automatically processed via one or more computer system(s) and/or platform(s) as a function of product type identifiers and/or Boolean flags. |
| US09916613B1 |
Automatic color palette based recommendations for affiliated colors
Systems and methods are provided for generating color-related item recommendations using color palette information. A request may be received from a user for a color-related item recommendation. The request may include an input image and one or more item attributes. Based at least in part on an analysis of the input image to identify affiliated colors to the input image and the one or more item attributes, one or more items corresponding to the affiliated colors and the one or more item attributes are identified. Where there is more than one identified item, a ranking for the identified plurality of items may be generated. Item recommendations comprising at least a portion of the identified plurality of items in accordance with the generated ranking may be provided for presentation on a user device. |
| US09916607B2 |
Ink billing system with changeable billing rate table
An ink billing system is used between a client company X 200 that prints information and a printer manufacturer that supplies ink cartridges (or toner) to company X 200. Company X 200 has a main server 210, a plurality of in-store servers 220, 230 in communication with the main server, and a plurality of inkjet (or laser) printers 240 each having an ink cartridge 20 (or toner) for printing according to commands from the in-store server 220, 230. When billing company X 200 based on the number of ink shots (or drum charging time) used by the printers 240 and stored on the main server 210, the terminal device 100 of the printer manufacturer changes the billing rate per unit of ink according to the ink shot count (or drum charging time). |
| US09916606B2 |
System and method for processing a transaction document including one or more financial transaction entries
A system for processing a transaction document including one or more financial transaction entries, including a record generation subsystem having data processing means configured to a) receive or generate a complete character string characterizing the financial transaction entries displayed on the document; b) analyze each complete character string to identify known transaction identifiers used in financial transactions; c) analyze each complete character string to identify transaction data strings associated with each identified transaction character string; and d) store transaction data, including the transaction character strings and associated transaction data strings, for each single financial transaction in a database. |
| US09916605B2 |
Collaboration group recommendations derived from request-action correlations
In response to a user-initiated interaction request sent by a user using an electronic communication, subsequent actions performed by other users that received the user-initiated interaction request are analyzed. A determination is made as to whether the subsequent actions performed by the other users that received the user-initiated interaction request correlate to an intended interaction result of the user-initiated interaction request. A visual representation of a collaboration model that correlates probabilities of successful collaborations between the user and the other users is generated in accordance with determined correlations between the subsequent actions performed by the other users and the intended interaction result. A collaboration recommendation based upon a degree of correlation between the subsequent actions performed by the other users and the intended interaction result represented within the collaboration model is provided in association with the visual representation of the collaboration model. |
| US09916603B2 |
Network advertising system
Systems and methods for transmitting content to a client via a communication network are provided. An insertion server, running within a firewall device associated with a private IP network, detects establishment of a transport communication protocol connection between a client associated with the network and a destination located external to the network by examining packets as they pass through the network and pass by the insertion server. A content request of an application protocol initiated by the client and directed to the destination is observed by the insertion server. The content request is negated by the insertion server by causing a canceling message of the transport communication protocol to be sent to the destination. Unsolicited content is caused to be selected for delivery to the client by the insertion server. The unsolicited content is sent by the insertion server to the client via the application protocol. |
| US09916600B2 |
Auction apparatus and auction method
An auction apparatus according to the application includes a plan receiving unit and a providing unit. The plan receiving unit gradually receives plan information indicating a plan of content from a content creator who creates the content a plurality of times. The providing unit additionally presents the plan information which is gradually received by the plan receiving unit and provides an auction service in which a bid target is a right to display an advertisement in an advertising space set to the content. |
| US09916598B2 |
System and method for managing emails
The embodiment of the present invention allows for a simple and intuitive system and method to manage email by applying time-elapsed rules to emails matching specific criteria (i.e. emails coming from specific email addresses): Time-elapsed rules are rules that will execute an action on an email message after the email has been in the inbox for a certain period of time. These actions may include, but are not limited to, moving the email to another folder, copying the email to another folder, and deleting the email. |
| US09916596B1 |
Systems and methods for providing a direct marketing campaign planning environment
Embodiments of system are disclosed in which selection strategies for a direct marketing campaign that identify consumers from a credit bureau or other consumer database can be planned, tested, and/or refined on a stable subset of the credit database. In some embodiments, once refined, consumer selection criteria may be used to execute the direct marketing campaign on the full consumer/credit database, which is preferably updated approximately twice weekly. In one preferred embodiment, the data for the test database represents a random sampling of approximately 10% of the full database and the sampling is regenerated approximately weekly in order to provide a stable set of data on which campaign developers may test their campaign. For each consumer in the sampling, the environment may allow a client to access and use both attributes calculated by the credit bureau and proprietary attributes and data owned by the client. The system allows for a plurality of clients to use the system substantially simultaneously while protecting the privacy and integrity of the client's proprietary data and results. |
| US09916590B2 |
Analytic services portal
Provided are methods and systems for providing analytic services, as well as computer programs encoded on computer storage devices and configured to perform the actions of the methods. One or more processors create an alignment associated with a client, where the alignment organizes data in a database, and where the data in the database comprises prescription information, store information, and product information. A request for a report is received, where the request identifies the client. The requested report is generated based on the alignment, where the report comprises one or more indicators derived from data contained in the database. |
| US09916584B2 |
Method and system for automatic assignment of sales opportunities to human agents
A method (and system) of assigning a sales opportunity, includes creating an assignment model based on clustering historical sales opportunities, and providing a scoring mechanism on a plurality of sales agents for automatically optimizing an assignment of at least one sales opportunity to at least one of the plurality of sales agents. |
| US09916570B2 |
Point-of-sale system
A point-of-sale system includes a stand that supports a tablet computer. The tablet computer can run a merchant application to provide the typical functionality for a point-of-sale system. The stand can be rotatable to face either the merchant or the customer. The stand can incorporate a card reader. The tablet computer can be connected through a hub to other peripheral components, such as a controllable cash drawer, a printer and/or a bar code reader. The cash drawer can include a slidable drawer having sliding rails that are hidden from a top view of the drawer. |
| US09916565B2 |
Undo stack to explore past actions in business analytics
A computer program product for using an undo stack to explore past actions and apply new actions to previous states in a data view is provided. The computer program product includes program instructions to detect a change in an application data view. The application then displays an undo stack and stores the data change in the application data view to the undo stack. Upon detecting a selection of the undo stack entry for undo, the application returns the application data view to the state represented by the undo stack entry. The computer program product further includes program instructions to provide a user interface allowing a user to perform operations on undo stack entries. Responsive to the user utilizing the user interface and making selections, the application then adjusts the application data view state based on the performed actions. |
| US09916561B2 |
Methods, devices and computer readable storage devices for tracking inventory
The location of a container and the location of a storage device that stores a particular item are determined. A determination is made that the particular item is placed in the container. The locations of the particular item and the container are tracked as the container moves through a premises. For a purchase-related transaction, a determination is made whether the location of the particular item corresponds to the location of the container. If the location of the particular item corresponds to the location of the container, a cost for the particular item is included in the purchase-related transaction. If not, the cost for the particular item is not included in the purchase-related transaction, and the location of the particular item is accounted for. |
| US09916558B2 |
Method, distribution vehicle and system for autonomously delivering and/or collecting at least one shipment
A method for autonomously delivering and/or collecting at least one shipment using at least one distribution vehicle is described, in which a distribution vehicle approaches a customer vehicle at least partially autonomously and at least partially via the public road traffic, in which the distribution vehicle at least partially autonomously causes opening of a closure unit of the customer vehicle, in which, when the closure unit is open, the distribution vehicle at least partially autonomously places a shipment into the customer vehicle and/or at least partially autonomously removes a shipment from the customer vehicle, which, after placing and/or removing the shipment, the distribution vehicle at least partially autonomously causes closing of the closure unit of the customer vehicle. |
| US09916553B1 |
Method and system for managing workforce mobility within a business entity
The present disclosure is directed toward incorporating corporate culture, change management, and employee morale concerns into a business facilities management process to ensure continuity of operations and revenues when managing a change event. A preferred methodology focuses on flexible and careful consideration of human factors throughout the change process, with frequent status re-assessment and plan re-alignment. A preferred system may allow the user to incorporate existing preferred software tools to manage logistics associated with an office move, and together with an information-based kit, address human factors and provide a form factor solution to facilitate teamwork and buoy employee morale. In a preferred configuration, the relocation kit may simplify the change process and enable managers of change and mobile employees to experience a sense of control, order, calm, and fun. |
| US09916550B2 |
System and method for allocating manufactured products to sellers using profitable order promising
A system and method is disclosed for allocating products to one or more sellers. The system includes a database operable to store data associated with one or more enterprises. The system further includes an order promising system coupled with the database and operable to model the flow of the products through the one or more enterprises and allocate resources to the one or more sellers based on the modeled flow of the products. |
| US09916549B2 |
Managing virtual business instances within a computer network
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for orchestrating a business process in a computer network. A script describing a business process is received from a client machine over the computer network. The script is compiled into executable program instructions. A reference to the script and data to be operated on by the script is received from the client machine over the computer network. The data is processed in accordance with the script. The result of the data processing is returned to the client machine over the computer network. |
| US09916545B1 |
Portable network interfaces for authentication and license enforcement
Methods and apparatus for portable network interfaces to manage authentication and license enforcement. A system may include a plurality of resource instances including a producer instance configured to implement a network-accessible service, and an authentication coordinator. The coordinator may assign an interface record to the service, wherein the interface record comprises an IP address and a set of security properties. The coordinator may configure the security properties to allow a client to request an attachment of the interface record to a selected resource instance, such that the selected resource instance is enabled to transmit network messages from the IP address using one or more physical network interfaces of the selected resource instance. The producer resource instance initiates authentication operations for the service, including at least one authentication operation based on the IP address of the interface record. |
| US09916539B2 |
Systems and methods for processing geophysical data
Described herein is a computer implemented method for generating a probabilistic model usable to identify instances of a target feature in geophysical data sets stored on a memory device. The computer implemented method using a computer processing unit to generate a probabilistic model from a training library for use in identifying instances of the target feature in the geophysical data sets, applying, using the computer processing unit, the probabilistic model to one or more of the geophysical data sets to generate a plurality of results, processing, using the computer processing unit, the set of results according to an acceptability criteria in order to identify a plurality of candidate results, receiving a selection of one or more of the candidate results and for the or each selected candidate result displaying on a display the result and its associated geophysical data set to assist a user in making an assessment as to whether or not the probabilistic model is an acceptable model for the processing of the geophysical data sets, receiving from a user an assessment as to whether or not the probabilistic model is an acceptable model; and if the assessment received indicates the probabilistic model is an acceptable model for processing the geophysical data, outputting the probabilistic model and/or the training library. |
| US09916536B2 |
Significance of relationships discovered in a corpus
Certain relationships representing material insights are identified from among a set of discovered relationships. Cognitive discovery of relationships in a knowledge base, or corpus, are ranked according to one or more metrics indicative of material insights, including recentness and degree of alignment. |
| US09916532B2 |
Method for performing graph query operations within a cognitive environment
A method for providing cognitive insights via a cognitive information processing system comprising: receiving data from a plurality of data sources; receiving and processing queries; and, bridging the queries into a cognitive graph. |
| US09916529B1 |
Multifunctional touch smart card
The present invention provides a multifunctional touch smart card, having: an operation center, a touch part, a security element, and a battery. The touch part is capable of controlling operation of the operation center and the security element. The battery supplies power to the operation center, the security element, and the touch part. A touch button design is adopted for the smart card of the present invention, so a button of the present invention can be disposed at any position of the smart card. Thus, not only may the card have a more beautiful appearance design, but also it is easier to lay out circuits of the smart card. |
| US09916527B2 |
Two dimensional barcode and method of authentication of such barcode
A method is disclosed for creating a 2D barcode. In an embodiment, the method includes: embedding primary information that can be read by a 2D-barcode-reader in a primary information pattern, and embedding secondary information that is made difficult to reproduce without alteration in a visible pattern. In an embodiment, the visible pattern is embedded within the barcode in at least one area that does not contain any primary information. |
| US09916526B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of generating a handwritten document specific to a user
An image forming apparatus includes an image generating unit and a printing device. The image generating unit is configured to generate a document image based on document data of a user. The printing device is configured to print the document image. If a character appears plural times in the document data, the image generating unit converts the character that appears plural times to respective user-specific handwritten characters that are different from each other. |
| US09916524B2 |
Determining depth from structured light using trained classifiers
Techniques for determining depth for a visual content item using machine-learning classifiers include obtaining a visual content item of a reference light pattern projected onto an object, and determining shifts in locations of pixels relative to other pixels representing the reference light pattern. Disparity, and thus depth, for pixels may be determined by executing one or more classifiers trained to identify disparity for pixels based on the shifts in locations of the pixels relative to other pixels of a visual content item depicting in the reference light pattern. Disparity for pixels may be determined using a visual content item of a reference light pattern projected onto an object without having to match pixels between two visual content items, such as a reference light pattern and a captured visual content item. |
| US09916520B2 |
Automated food recognition and nutritional estimation with a personal mobile electronic device
A food recognition assistant system includes technologies to recognize foods and combinations of foods depicted in a digital picture of food. Some embodiments include technologies to estimate portion size and calories, and to estimate nutritional value of the foods. In some embodiments, data identifying recognized foods and related information are generated in an automated fashion without relying on human assistance to identify the foods. In some embodiments, the system includes technologies for achieving automatic food detection and recognition in a real-life setting with a cluttered background, without the images being taken in a controlled lab setting, and without requiring additional user input (such as user-defined bounding boxes). Some embodiments of the system include technologies for personalizing the food classification based on user-specific habits, location and/or other criteria. |
| US09916517B2 |
Image processing method and apparatus
A method generates an image for display by deriving an expected depth of field for the image and by generating the image for display by the display device by applying a blurring function. The expected depth of field is derived with respect to a point of focus in the image, in response to lighting conditions of the environment represented by the image. The blurring function is applied to simulate the expected depth of field of the image by blurring as a function of apparent spatial depth within the image. The degree of blurring applied to a closer depth region, in an apparent depth direction, to the point of focus is lower than the degree applied to a further depth region from the point of focus. Variation of the blurring function with respect to depth separation from the point of focus depends upon the expected depth of field. |
| US09916505B2 |
Method and system for collecting image data
An evaluator can determine whether there is a material change in the observed parameter of a crop or field with respect to average measurements of the observed parameter. A location-determining receiver is adapted to determine a location of a vehicle corresponding to the material change in the observed parameter. An imaging device is adapted to collect the image data for a time interval associated with the material change. A data processor is arranged for associating the image data with the corresponding location data and storing the image data and corresponding location data in a data storage device. |
| US09916504B2 |
User terminal and method of providing information to a user thereof
A user terminal and a providing method thereof are provided. The method includes acquiring an iris image, determining a capturing condition of the iris image, converting the acquired iris image to an iris code and performing iris recognition by comparing the converted iris code with an iris code corresponding to a determined capturing condition among pre-registered iris codes, determining a physical condition of a user who is subject to the iris recognition on the basis of an iris recognition matching rate being within a preset range, and providing a determined physical condition result. |
| US09916499B2 |
Method and system for linking printed objects with electronic content
A method for linking objects to electronic content is disclosed. The method includes providing a digital copy of a layout of an object; processing the digital copy for distinguishing text objects each associated with a visual form of at least portion of a word or a combination of adjacent words in the layout, and determining bounding boxes of the text objects; coding each text object in a binary descriptor corresponding to its visual form, whereby the coding includes: scaling the bounding box of the text object to a fixed size binary image, and flattening the binary image to form the binary descriptor; representing the layout in a binary vector formed as an array of the binary descriptors of at least the text objects in the layout; and assigning hashwords to the binary descriptors, for converting the binary vector into a searchable text form. |
| US09916497B2 |
Automated embedding and blending head images
An automated process of transferring an object (e.g., the head with hair) from an image into another image, or to a different location in the same image is described. The implementation is a comprehensive and fully automated approach enabling the object's transfer without intermediate intervention and support from the user. The process automates both steps: the object's delineation, and its blending into the new background as well. |
| US09916496B2 |
Systems and methods for operating a virtual reality environment using colored marker lights attached to game objects
Systems and methods are disclosed for operating, calibrating, and dynamically optimizing a system for a virtual reality environment where colored marker lights are attached to objects, the objects including players, controllers, and devices related to the game. One or more color cameras are used to view one or more spaces, and track positions and orientations of players and other objects according to the attached marker lights. A hierarchical system of servers may be used to process positions and orientations of objects and provide controls as necessary for the system. A method for color assignment is described as well as a calibration process, and a dynamic optimization process. A synchronization process is also described that ensures that a plurality of cameras and attached servers are properly coordinated. Head-mounted devices may also be used in conjunction with marker lights to provide information regarding players. |
| US09916494B2 |
Positioning feature points of human face edge
An example method for positioning feature points of a human face edge including fitting a profile edge curve of a human face edge in a human face image according to the human face image; calculating by using a preset human face edge feature point calculation model to obtain feature points of the human face edge in the human face image; calculating by using a preset convergence algorithm to obtain feature information of a convergence feature point corresponding to each feature point; determining respectively whether a distance from each feature point to the profile edge curve is greater than a distance from a respective corresponding convergence feature point to the profile edge curve; and determining whether a magnitude of overall position change of all the feature points of the human face edge in the human face image before and after the above determination is less than a preset threshold. |
| US09916493B2 |
Method and system for aggregating video content
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, systems and methods aggregating video content and adjusting the aggregate video content according to a training model. The adjusted aggregate video content comprises a first subset of the images and does not comprise a second subset of the images. The first subset of the images is determined by the training model based on a plurality of categories corresponding to a plurality of events. The illustrative embodiments also include presenting the adjusted aggregate video content and receiving identifications for the first subset of the images in the aggregate video content. Further, the illustrative embodiments include adjusting the training model according to the identifications and providing the adjusted training model to a network device. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09916492B1 |
Image processing and analysis for UID overlap avoidance
A method for preventing overlap during the application of a universal identifier (UID) to a signature document in an electronic signature service is disclosed. The method includes parsing an image file of the signature document to obtain a content vector. A set of addresses of the content vector uniquely correspond with a set of locations in the image. Each value in the content vector indicates content at a corresponding location in the image. The method also includes measuring an overlap quantity for a potential UID location using the content vector to measure the overlap quantity. The method also includes selecting a UID location in the signature document using the overlap quantity. The method also includes applying the UID to the signature document using the UID location. |
| US09916486B2 |
Method and apparatus for mobile terminal to process visual graphics code
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for a mobile terminal to process a visual graphics code. The method mainly comprises: obtaining a digital image recorded by the mobile terminal; analyzing the digital image to obtain a visual graphics code in the digital image; decoding the visual graphics code and classifying decoded information obtained after decoding; and processing the decoded information according to the classification of the decoded information. The present invention can achieve an effect that the mobile terminal can adaptively recognize and process various types of visual graphics codes, and greatly enhance the ability for the mobile terminal to intelligently process a visual graphics code, thereby improving the function of the mobile terminal, and causing the mobile terminal to meet the need of a user better. |
| US09916482B2 |
Fibers with physical features used for coding
Disclosed are fibers which contains identification fibers. The identification fibers can contain a plurality of distinct features, or taggants, which vary among the fibers and/or along the length of the identification fibers, a fiber band, or yarn. The disclosed embodiments also relate to the method for making and characterizing the fibers. Characterization of the fibers can include identifying distinct features, combinations of distinct features, and number of fibers with various combinations of distinct features and correlating the distinct features to supply chain information. The supply chain information can be used to track the fibers, fiber band, or yarn from manufacturing through intermediaries, conversion to final product, and/or the consumer. |
| US09916478B2 |
Data protection enhancement using free space
A data storage system uses the free space that is not yet filled with data after the deployment of the data store. The free space is used to store additional ‘opportunistic’ protection information for stored data, possibly above and beyond the specified protection level. As the system fills up, the additional protection information is deleted to make room for more data and specified protection information. |
| US09916477B2 |
ASICs having programmable bypass of design faults
A relatively small amount of programmable logic may be included in a mostly ASIC device such that the programmable logic can be used as a substitute for a fault-infected ASIC block. This substitution may occur permanently or temporarily. When an ASIC block is temporarily substituted, faulty outputs of the ASIC block are disabled just at the time they would otherwise propagate an error. The operations of the temporarily deactivated ASIC block(s) may be substituted for by appropriately programmed programmable logic. Thus, a fault-infected ASIC block that operates improperly 1% of the time can continue to be gainfully used for the 99% of the time when its operations are fault free. This substitution can be activated in various stages of the ASIC block's life including after: initial design; pilot production; and mass production. This provides for cost saving and faster time-to-market, repair, and maintenance even years after installation and use. |
| US09916473B2 |
Privacy protection for a life-log system
Technologies are generally described for privacy protection for a life-log system. In some examples, a method performed under control of a life-log system may include receiving, from a user account, a request to change one or more real life-log data entries relating to a real event that are stored in a first part of a database; removing the one or more real life-log data entries relating to the real event from the first part of the database; and storing, in the first part of the database, one or more misleading life-log data entries relating to a false event corresponding to the real event. |
| US09916469B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for securing data stored in a cloud environment
Devices, systems, and methods for performing particularized encryption of confidential information within real-world data files that are subsequently stored within a cloud environment are described. Specific rules/logic are executed in a local computing environment to identify the type(s) and/or magnitude(s) of confidential information contained within each real-world data file. The identified type(s) and/or magnitude(s) of confidential information is thereafter specifically encrypted using various encryption processes. Once encrypted, the data is packaged and stored within a cloud environment without the need for further encryption at either the local computing or cloud environments. |
| US09916467B2 |
Method, system and computer product for accessing data of a database in a MES system
A method and a system access data of a database in a MES system by a client application where the database access is required to satisfy a set of custom data protection rules depending on a set of user credentials. The method includes providing, at developing time a secure access layer for enabling the client application to access data to/from the database in a protected manner taking into account the set of custom data protection rules; and at runtime or engineering time by the client application, requesting, through a given authenticated user, data access to/from the database by sending to the secure access layer a given data access descriptor and the given user credentials of the given authenticated user. By the secure access layer, the received data access descriptor is processed to generate a given SQL statement for data access. |
| US09916461B2 |
Identity context-based access control
Identity context-based access control is implemented by generating an identity context expression from user identity data. In particular, users are clustered based on combinations of one or more attributes. These clusters comprise one or more identity context(s). Preferably, an intersection of attribute sets of each user in the cluster is formed. In addition, an intersection of attribute sets of each user not in the cluster also is formed. If the attribute set that is common across the cluster of users is not a subset of the attribute set that is common across the rest of the users, then the attribute set forms a unique identity context expression. To reduce the number of roles used in role-based access control (RBAC), at least one role is replaced with an identity context expression. Run-time access control is then enabled. |
| US09916459B2 |
Photograph metadata encryption
Methods, systems, and computer program products for encrypting photograph metadata are provided. An image file is received. The image file includes digital image data and a plurality of data fields. A first data field of the plurality of data fields includes a first metadata. A rule set for modifying the first metadata is received. In response to determining that at least one rule of the rule set corresponds to the first metadata, the first metadata is encrypted based to create a second metadata. The second metadata is stored in the image file. |
| US09916451B2 |
Information handling system boot pre-validation
Pre-validation of bootloader certificates for firmware bootloaders of an operating system boot list during a setup mode of BIOS boot initiation provides the end user with a tool to address boot certification problems associated with the firmware bootloaders before the operating system boot precludes execution of bootloaders that lack a valid certificate. For example, re-configuration of a boot list to address certification problems before exit of boot setup prevents boot to an inoperative state caused by lack of firmware execution during boot due to a failed certificate, such as a failure to load an unsigned option ROM. |
| US09916450B2 |
Reconciliation of access rights in a computing system
Systems and methods are provide for reconciling access rights of a computing system are described. Access right information that respectively corresponds to access rights of a computing system may be obtained and evaluated. Reconciliation tasks may be performed using the access right information, and a reconciliation report may be generated during performance of at least one of the reconciliation tasks. The reconciliation report may indicate that one or more of the access rights should either be provisioned or revoked at the computing system. |
| US09916448B1 |
Detection of malicious mobile apps
Software development kit (SDK) class tree structures of malicious SDKs are created, with each node of the SDK class tree structures representing a class of a corresponding malicious SDK. An app class tree structure of a mobile app is also created, with each node of the app class tree structure representing a class of the mobile app. To determine if the mobile app has been created (e.g., repackaged or originally created) using at least one of the malicious SDKs, the app class tree structure is compared against the SDK class tree structures to find an SDK class tree structure that matches the app class tree structure. For confirmation, the similarity of classes of the app class tree structure relative to classes of the SDK class tree structure can be determined. |
| US09916446B2 |
Anonymized application scanning for mobile devices
Disclosed are various approaches for integrating application scanning into a mobile enterprise computing management system. A management service instructs the client device to provide a list of installed applications to the management serviceand receives the list of installed applications from the client device. The management service then adds the list of installed applications to an aggregate listing of applications representing a list of client applications installed on one or more client devices. Subsequently, the management service sends to a scanning service a policy comprising an identifier of a client application that is prohibited on the client device. The management service also sends the aggregate listing of applications to the scanning service. The management service then receives a notification from the scanning service that the prohibited client application is present in the aggregate listing of applications. In response, the management service determines whether the prohibited client application is installed on the client device and instructs the client device perform a remedial action specified by the policy. |
| US09916444B2 |
Recovering from unexpected flash drive removal
Techniques for recovering from unexpected removal of (or other unexpected power loss) a flash memory device from a computer system. An interpolated device driver notes whenever the flash memory device is unexpectedly removed, or otherwise unexpectedly powers off or enters a locked state. If the flash memory device is reinserted, the interpolated device driver reinitializes the flash memory device, and satisfies any flash memory device security protocol, so the flash memory device and the computer system can be restored to their status just before unexpected removal. The interpolated device driver caches requests to the flash memory device, and when status is restored to just before removal, replays those requests to the flash memory device, so the flash memory device responds to those requests as if it had ever been removed. The computer system does not notice any break in service by the flash memory device due to removal and reinsertion. |
| US09916443B1 |
Detecting an attempt to exploit a memory allocation vulnerability
Various techniques for detection of malware that attempt to exploit a memory allocation vulnerability are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system, process, and/or computer program product for detecting an attempt to exploit a memory allocation vulnerability includes receiving a malware sample; monitoring an array operation performed by the malware sample using a memory monitoring component; and determining whether the array operation performed by the malware sample is suspicious. For example, an array operation, such as a vector operation performed by an application that is executed using an ActionScript virtual machine, can be monitored to detect any suspicious vector operations. |
| US09916437B2 |
Automated password generation and change
An identity management system detects the occurrence of a trigger event, such as a time period expiration, or an action on the identity management system. The identity management system accordingly generates a new password for an account of a user on a third-party service and causes the account of the user on the third-party service to use the new password. The identity management system can also detect a manual user change of a password for a third-party service and cause configuration of client devices of the user to reflect the new password. |
| US09916434B2 |
Office infrastructure device with extended integrated biometric login system
A mission-specific computer peripheral, incorporating an integrated biometric login system, provides a portable linkable work platform. The device is used for establishing a shareable office computing infrastructure on a host personal computer and for accessing securely thereon (i.e., through biometric identification) a comparatively extensive selection of applications, services, and functions. In its principal embodiment, the device includes data storage (used for reading and writing both system and user data), user executable code (for launching the shareable office computing infrastructure on the host personal computer), and a power button containing an integrated fingerprint scanner (used to capture biometric data for authentication together with a unique device identification code). Incorporation of the biometric login system into the device promotes its accessibility and convenience. |
| US09916433B2 |
Condition authentication based upon temporal-spatial analysis of vibrational responsivity
The present invention relates to a method and system for condition authentication based upon temporal-spatial analysis of vibrational responsivity. In particular, the present invention provides temporal tracking of reflected secondary speckle patterns generated when illuminating an object with a source of at least partially coherent beam and while applying a stimulated field at different temporal stimulating frequencies. |
| US09916428B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting infectious diseases
Systems, methods, and devices for detecting infections in a clinical sample are provided. Small-volume clinical samples obtained at a point-of-service (POS) location and may be tested at the POS location for multiple markers for multiple diseases, including upper and lower respiratory diseases. Samples may be tested for cytokines, or for inflammation indicators. Dilution of samples, or levels of detection, may be determined by the condition or past history of a subject. Test results may be obtained within a short amount of time after sample placement in a testing device, or within a short amount of time after being obtained from the subject. A prescription for treatment of a detected disorder may be provided, and may be filled, at the POS location. A bill may be automatically generated for the testing, or for the prescription, may be automatically sent to an insurance provider, and payment may be automatically obtained. |
| US09916424B2 |
Early exacerbation detection using differential temperature monitoring
A system and method for predicting an onset of an exacerbation in a patient is provided. The method includes monitoring core body temperature of the patient; monitoring breath temperature of the patient; calculating a relationship, or a change in relationship, between the core body temperature and the breath temperature of the patient; and detecting the onset of the exacerbation, when the calculated relationship, or a change in relationship, satisfies a predetermined criteria. |
| US09916423B2 |
Random eye generation systems and methods
Random human eye generators are provided for use in evaluating aspects of treatment in refractive surgery or other therapeutic vision modalities. Exemplary random eye generators include an optical parameter such as a manifest refractive sphere parameter or a wavefront sphere parameter, and incorporate a Rayleigh distribution for such parameters. |
| US09916422B2 |
Method for planning the positioning of an implant
The present invention relates to a method for planning the positioning of an implant relative to a body part, comprising the steps of: —identifying at least one reference feature of the body part and determining, in a first posture of the patient, a biunique positional and/or orientational relationship between the at least one reference feature and at least one adjustment parameter defined for the first posture, for positioning the implant; —identifying the at least one reference feature of the body part in a second posture of the patient; —deriving at least one corresponding adjustment parameter defined for the second posture from the position and/or orientation of the at least one reference feature in the second posture and the positional and/or orientational relationship between the at least one reference feature in the first posture and the at least one adjustment parameter defined for the first posture. |
| US09916415B2 |
Integrated circuit performance modeling that includes substrate-generated signal distortions
Disclosed are embodiments for modeling integrated circuit (IC) performance. In these embodiments, a parasitic extraction process is performed to generate a netlist that, not only accounts for various parasitics within the IC, but also accounts for substrate-generated signal distortions (e.g., substrate-generated harmonic signal distortions) that occur within the IC. During this netlist extraction process, the design layout of the IC is analyzed to identify parasitics that are to be represented in the netlist and to also identify any circuit elements with output signals that are subject to substrate-generated signal distortions. When such circuit elements are identified, signal distortion models, which were previously empirically determined and stored in a model library, which correspond to the identified circuit elements, and which account for the signal distortions, are selected from the model library and incorporated into the netlist. Simulations are subsequently performed using this netlist to generate a performance model for the IC. |
| US09916414B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating test cases for processor verification, and verification device
An apparatus for generating a test case includes a constrained description generator configured to define a plurality of constrained verification spaces in a total verification space, and generate a constrained description for each of the plurality of constrained verification spaces; and a test case generator configured to generate a test case using the constrained description. |
| US09916411B2 |
Negative plane usage with a virtual hierarchical layer
A virtual hierarchical layer (VHL) is constructed for a semiconductor design in order to reduce the computational requirement of design rules checking (DRC) and design rules for manufacture (DRM) procedures. In order to form the VHL, a negative plane is created. A cell and multiple instances of the cell are then identified in the semiconductor design and polygons which overlap the cell and its instances are determined. The polygons are pushed into the negative plane to create holes in the plane. Shapes overlapping other instances of the cell which fall onto holes in the solid virtual cell plane are ignored. The resulting holed solid virtual cell plane can then be inverted to create a VHL to be used for design simulation and verification. |
| US09916410B2 |
Signal via positioning in a multi-layer circuit board
One aspect is a method that includes identifying a substantially uniform distribution of signal vias for a multi-layer circuit board based on a design file defining a layout that includes via groups in a two-to-one signal-to-ground via ratio configuration. A signal via pitch is determined as a center-to-center distance between a neighboring pair of signal vias. The signal via pitch is compared to a target minimum drilling distance. A ground via is identified proximate the neighboring pair of the signal vias. Based determining that the signal via pitch of the neighboring pair is less than the target minimum drilling distance, at least one of the signal vias is positioned closer to the ground via such that after the positioning, the signal via pitch of the neighboring pair meets or exceeds the target minimum drilling distance. The design file is modified to include the positioning of the signal vias. |
| US09916403B1 |
Method and system for efficiently determining differential voltages for electrostatic discharge simulations
An improved approach is provided for determining differential voltages for driver and receiver pairs as a result of electrostatic discharge (ESD) events including identifying circuits of interest, re-characterizing the circuits of interest into a system for evaluating differential voltages, determining the differential voltages for ESD pin locations, and outputting results after iterating through all the ESD pin locations. In some embodiments, re-characterizing may include performing a resistance only extraction of a net, attaching a resistance to any node in the circuit and to ground, formulating a conductance matrix and distributing the total current I as source points. In some embodiments, determining differential voltages for ESD pin locations may include, stamping a first ESD pin location with a total current, solving for the system using previously computed values, mapping the driver and receiver pairs to the nodes in the system, computing the differential voltage, and recording the lowest differential voltage. |
| US09916402B2 |
Creation of cut files to fit a large package flat on one or more substrates
A package design system creates one or more package design files by creating cut line instructions and fold line instructions for a package flat. If the system determines that the package flat should be split into two or more subparts across two or more substrates or two or more sub-regions of a single substrate, it will select a fold line and convert the selected fold line to a seam. Conversion to a seam may occur by creating cut line instructions for the selected fold line, imparting a first set of functional elements on a first side of the seam, and imparting a second set of functional elements on a second side of the seam. The first set of functional elements and the second set of functional elements will form a functional connection when the three-dimensional structure is formed. |
| US09916397B2 |
Pattern matching based character string retrieval
Embodiments relate to generating a retrieval condition for retrieving a target character string from texts by pattern matching. An aspect includes dividing a first text into words. Another aspect includes generating a converted character string by performing at least one of appending at least one character in at least either one of previous and subsequent positions of the target character string. Another aspect includes replacing at least one character of the target character string. Another aspect includes generating the retrieval condition for retrieval candidates in the words of the first text, the retrieval condition comprising determining that a retrieval candidate matches the target character string and does not match the converted character string based on a ratio of a part of the retrieval candidate which matches the converted character string and corresponds to the target character string is less than or equal to a reference frequency. |
| US09916394B2 |
Vectorized graph processing
An input graph is decomposed into a graph topology component and a graph properties component. A matrix representation is generated for each of the graph topology component and the graph properties component. Each of the graph topology matrix representation and graph properties matrix representation are partitioned into one or more sub-matrices. A forward pass comprising one or more vectorized operations is performed over the one or more sub-matrices. An output matrix is generated in response to the performing step. |
| US09916392B2 |
Method, system, and storage medium for displaying media content applicable to social platform
The present disclosure relates to the field of computer technologies, and discloses a method, system, and storage medium for displaying media content applicable to a social platform. The method includes: detecting an input operation about a dynamic area located around a media content displaying area; and responding to the input operation, and scrolling to display, according to a layout direction of media content loaded in the media content displaying area, the media content in the media content displaying area, where a width of the media content in a direction that is perpendicular to the layout direction of the media content is consistent with a width of the media content displaying area. Embodiments of the present invention do not need to intercept the media content, and also do not need to display a clear and complete picture by using a large picture floating layer, so as to reduce a workload of the system effectively. |
| US09916391B2 |
Method, apparatus and terminal for webpage content browsing
A method for webpage content browsing is provided. The method includes a terminal receiving a browsing request inputted by a user through performing an operation on a webpage link in a task window of an application, where the browsing request contains the webpage link. The method also includes the terminal parsing the browsing request to obtain the webpage link included in the browsing request. Further, the method includes the terminal generating a browsing window process, creating a browsing window using the browsing window process and attaching the browsing window to the task window. In addition, the method includes the terminal obtaining the webpage contents corresponding to the webpage link and outputting the webpage contents to the browsing window. |
| US09916386B2 |
Method and apparatus for presenting search result
A method and apparatus for presenting a search result. The method comprises: receiving a current search term input by a user; determining user information about a user, and determining a pre-established first model corresponding to the user according to user information, the first model recording historical data of the user, and the historical data comprising a historical search term and a corresponding historical selection result; determining, in the historical data, a historical search term matched with the current search term, determining a historical selection result corresponding to the matched historical search term, and determining an online recommendation result according to the historical selection result; and presenting a search result to the user, the search result comprising the online recommendation result or a result obtained by processing the online recommendation result. The disclosed method can provide a personalized search service, so that the search result better meets the user's needs. |
| US09916381B2 |
Method and system for content classification
A processing method for classification of contents in a domain that can be represented through a taxonomy includes generating a first digital mathematical representation of the taxonomy; generating a second digital mathematical representation of text documents different from the contents and containing keywords; processing the first and second digital mathematical representations for enriching the taxonomy, by associating keywords of the text documents with the first digital mathematical representation; generating a third digital mathematical representation of the contents; and processing the first digital enriched mathematical representation and third mathematical representation for classifying the contents in the enriched taxonomy. |
| US09916380B2 |
Readability awareness in natural language processing systems
Electronic natural language processing in a natural language processing (NLP) system, such as a Question-Answering (QA) system. A receives electronic text input, in question form, and determines a readability level indicator in the question. The readability level indicator includes at least a grammatical error, a slang term, and a misspelling type. The computer determines a readability level for the electronic text input based on the readability level indicator, and retrieves candidate answers based on the readability level. |
| US09916377B2 |
Log-aided automatic query expansion approach based on topic modeling
A base query having a plurality of base query terms is obtained. A plurality of problem log files are accessed. Words, contained in a corpus vocabulary, are extracted from the plurality of problem log files. Based on the words extracted from the plurality of problem log files, a first expanded query is generated from the base query. The corpus is queried, via a query engine and a corpus index, with a second expanded query related to the first expanded query. |
| US09916376B2 |
Digital document keyword generation
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method may include obtaining a wordlist from a digital document. The method may further include creating a keyword candidate list derived from the wordlist and noting the relationships between the keyword candidates. The method may also include obtaining scores for the keyword candidates. The method may further include selecting keyword candidates as keywords of the digital document based on the scores and the relationships between the keyword candidates. |
| US09916372B1 |
Folded-hashtable synchronization mechanism
Computing devices may synchronize respective copies of a repository in part by sharing status information for records stored in the repository. Status information may be conveyed by encoding record identifiers in a hashtable. A hash function may be selected to have an output range equal to or larger than a number of records in the repository. A plurality of hash function outputs may be mapped to a storage location containing a sum of identifiers and a count of identifiers included in the sum. The storage location may be transmitted to a remote computing device, which may unfold the data in the storage location to identify changed records. |
| US09916368B2 |
Non-exclusionary search within in-memory databases
Methods for non-exclusionary searching within clustered in-memory databases are disclosed. The non-exclusionary search methods may allow the execution of searches where the results may include records where fields specified in the query are not populated or defined. The disclosed methods include the application of fuzzy matching and scoring algorithms, which enables the system to search, score and compare records with different schemata. This may significantly improve the recall of relevant records. |
| US09916365B1 |
Citation network analytics
The present disclosure is directed towards systems and methods for linking documents that refer to other documents through implicit linkages. A first document is identified. The first document comprises an authoritative comment regarding a second document and has been explicitly linked to the second document. Then, one or more third documents are identified. The second document cites or is being cited by the one or more third documents and shares common information. Based upon the authoritative comment, the first document is implicitly linked to the one or more third documents via the common information. |
| US09916364B2 |
Personalization of news articles based on news sources
News search and browse experience is personalized based on user preferences. User attributes like a geographic location are obtained and news sources preferred by other users with attributes similar to those of a requesting user are identified. News sources that are popular across different user groups are eliminated and relevant news items from the remaining news sources are retrieved and presented to the requesting user. |
| US09916362B2 |
Content recommendation based on efficacy models
The disclosure includes a system and method for providing recommendation items to users. The system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that when executed cause the system to: receive identification input data associated with a user; identify the user using the identification input data; receive sensor data; determine a current situation associated with the user from one or more predefined situations described by predefined situation data and associated parameters; receive data describing a set of candidate items; generate a set of efficacy scores for the set of candidate items; eliminate one or more candidate items from the set of candidate items to obtain one or more remaining candidate items; rank the one or more remaining candidate items based on one or more associated efficacy scores; and provide one or more recommendation items to the user from the one or more ranked remaining candidate items. |
| US09916360B2 |
Joining operations in document oriented databases
An approach for joining operations on document-oriented databases. The approach consists of receiving database identifiers, common attributes and results attributes for core and target databases being joined. Common attributes are searched for in the databases. The searches performed include string, expansive, character and nested. Common attribute join conflicts are identified and input is received to resolve attribute join conflicts. Resolved join conflicts are updated in a join substitution database for subsequent use and joined data results are output to virtual table(s). |
| US09916359B2 |
Indexing dynamic hierarchical data
A system includes storage of data of a hierarchy, where each node of the hierarchy is represented by a row, and each row includes a level of its respective node, a pointer to a lower bound entry of an order index structure associated with the hierarchy, and a pointer to an upper bound entry of the order index structure associated with the hierarchy, reception of a pointer l, and determination of an entry e of the order index structure to which the received pointer l points. |
| US09916357B2 |
Rule-based joining of foreign to primary key
Linking of a child table to a parent table in a database system. For a given parent table row, an expression associated with the particular row is identified. The expression may be a semantic expression that comprises something different than or more than an equals expression or a contains expression. The expression might also take as input a field of the parent table other than the primary key of the parent table. For each of multiple (and potentially all) rows of a child table, the expression is evaluated against a foreign key of the corresponding row of the child table. If the foreign key matches the expression, an association is created, and perhaps saved, between the foreign key and the particular row of the parent table. The expressions may differ even down to the granularity of a single row in the parent table, thereby enabling perhaps custom per-row expressions. |
| US09916354B2 |
Generating multiple query access plans for multiple computing environments
A database management system (DBMS) runs on scalable production system. The DBMS includes a first operating mode, wherein the scalable production system runs on a first set of computing resources, and a second operating mode, wherein the scalable production system runs on a second set of computing resources. The DBMS in the first mode determines that with respect to the first set of resources a first query access plan for executing a query satisfies optimization criteria. A determination is made that with respect to the second set of resources the first plan fails preliminary criteria. In response to this failure determination, a second query access plan for executing the query is generated. Prior to having the DBMS receive a request to execute the query while in the second mode, a determination is made that with respect to the second set of resources the second plan satisfies the optimization criteria. |
| US09916353B2 |
Generating multiple query access plans for multiple computing environments
A database management system (DBMS) runs on scalable production system. The DBMS includes a first operating mode, wherein the scalable production system runs on a first set of computing resources, and a second operating mode, wherein the scalable production system runs on a second set of computing resources. The DBMS in the first mode determines that with respect to the first set of resources a first query access plan for executing a query satisfies optimization criteria. A determination is made that with respect to the second set of resources the first plan fails preliminary criteria. In response to this failure determination, a second query access plan for executing the query is generated. Prior to having the DBMS receive a request to execute the query while in the second mode, a determination is made that with respect to the second set of resources the second plan satisfies the optimization criteria. |
| US09916352B2 |
Caching external data sources for SQL processing
Techniques are provided for caching external data sources for SQL processing. According to an embodiment, a database system receives a query that requires foreign data from an external data source. In response to receiving the query, the database system determines whether the foreign data currently resides in a cache of the database system. In response to determining that the foreign does not currently reside in the cache, the database system retrieves the foreign data from the external data source, maps the foreign data to a column granule of a table, and stores the column granule in the cache. In another embodiment, the database system receives a second query that requires the foreign data. In response to determining that the foreign data is cached with the stored column granule, the database system retrieves the column granule from the cache. |
| US09916351B2 |
Joining operations in document oriented databases
An approach for joining operations on document-oriented databases. The approach consists of receiving database identifiers, common attributes and results attributes for core and target databases being joined. Common attributes are searched for in the databases. The searches performed include string, expansive, character and nested. Common attribute join conflicts are identified and input is received to resolve attribute join conflicts. Resolved join conflicts are updated in a join substitution database for subsequent use and joined data results are output to virtual table(s). |
| US09916347B2 |
Rapid searching and matching of data to a dynamic set of signatures facilitating parallel processing and hardware acceleration
A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for matching data to a dynamic set of signatures. The mechanism creates a state transition, result, and mask (STR&M) table based on a set of signatures. The mechanism executes scanner code in each of a plurality of hardware devices in parallel to form a plurality of matching engines. The mechanism loads the STR&M table into each of the plurality of matching engines. Responsive to receiving a plurality of input records, the mechanism distributes input strings from the plurality of input records among the plurality of matching engines and receiving signature set match results from the plurality of matching engines. |
| US09916345B1 |
Searching three-dimensional (3D) object data models
Methods and systems for interacting with multiple three-dimensional (3D) object data models are provided. An example method may involve receiving a search query comprising a descriptor for an object that is associated with a given category of objects. The method may involve comparing the descriptor to contents of a three-dimensional (3D) object-data-model database that includes contents associated with the given category of objects. Based on the comparison, the method may involve generating a search query result that comprises 3D object data models that describe the object and associated images that describe the object. The method may also involve arranging the 3D object data models and associated images in the search query result in a manner such that the 3D object data models are moveable inline in the search query result, and providing the search query result. |
| US09916338B2 |
Managing data records
Data records may be managed in a relational database by monitoring, a record length for a first data record in a page of memory, an amount of free space in the page, and a page length. In response to receiving an operator command to replace the first data record with a second data record, a database management system may determine whether an estimated record length of a compressed second data record is outside of the amount of free space in the page. In response to determining the estimated record length of a compressed second data record is outside of the amount of free space in the page, the database management system may determine whether an estimated length of a compressed page is outside of the page length. In response to determining the estimated length of a compressed page is within the page length, the page may be compressed. |
| US09916335B2 |
Row, table, and index decompression
Methods, systems, and computer program products for decompressing data are described. An ordinal column number of columnar data to be accessed is obtained, the ordinal column number identifying a location of the columnar data in a corresponding uncompressed row, the columnar data being stored in a first data structure. A breakpoint value in a breakpoint field of the at least partially compressed row is determined, the breakpoint value indicating a location of an end of a common prefix in the corresponding uncompressed row, the common prefix being stored in a second data structure. The ordinal column number of the columnar data to be accessed and a column number indicated by the breakpoint value are compared, the comparison identifying one or more locations of the columnar data to be accessed. |
| US09916332B2 |
Dataset chart scaling
An example process for selecting chart scalings for plotting two time-series datasets includes determining a first log difference between a logarithm of a maximum value of a first dataset and a logarithm of a minimum value of the first dataset. The process also includes determining a second log difference between a logarithm of a maximum value of a second dataset and a logarithm of a minimum value of the second dataset. The process also includes selecting, based at least in part on the first and second log differences, between a linear chart scaling and a logarithmic chart scaling for the first dataset. The process also includes selecting, based at least in part on the first and second log differences, between a linear chart scaling and a logarithmic chart scaling for the second dataset. |
| US09916331B2 |
Method and device for automatically processing static test data of rail transit vehicle
A method and device for automatically processing static test data of a rail transit vehicle are provided. A target operation step is determined in accordance with a commissioning template. Information about a commissioning task step is sent to a terminal device, for prompting that the target operation step needs to be executed. After the information about a commissioning result corresponding to the target operation step is received, it is judged whether test data in the information is correct. If it is judged that the test data is correct, the information is sent to the terminal device, the judgement result is filled into the commissioning template, and a step of determining the target operation step is executed. If it is judged that the test data is incorrect, the information is sent to the terminal device, and the judgement result is filled into the commissioning template. |
| US09916330B2 |
Method and system for analyzing an image generated by at least one camera
A method for analyzing an image of a real object, generated by at least one camera includes the following steps: generating at least a first image by the camera capturing at least one real object, defining a first search domain comprising multiple data sets of the real object, each of the data sets being indicative of a respective portion of the real object, and analyzing at least one characteristic property of the first image with respect to the first search domain, in order to determine whether the at least one characteristic property corresponds to information of at least a particular one of the data sets of the first search domain. If it is determined that the at least one characteristic property corresponds to information of at least a particular one of the data sets, a second search domain comprising only the particular one of the data sets is defined and the second search domain is used for analyzing the first image and/or at least a second image. |
| US09916328B1 |
Providing user assistance from interaction understanding
Systems and methods are provided for providing user assistance on a mobile device. For example, a method may include receiving a first image of a screen captured on a mobile device, determining key content in the first image by performing recognition on the first image, and using the key content as a query to an index that associates key items with screen capture images previously received from the mobile device. The method may further include determining that a search result of the query includes at least one key item with a rank that exceeds a relevancy threshold, determining a portion of a second image from the screen capture images that is associated with the at least one key item, generating annotation data that includes the portion of the second image, and providing the annotation data for display with the screen on the mobile device. |
| US09916326B2 |
Efficient point-in-polygon indexing technique for facilitating geofencing operations
A system that facilitates a geofencing operation is disclosed. The system obtains polygons that define a set of geographic regions. Then, the system projects rays from endpoints of the line segments that define the polygons onto a reference line to form intersection points. For each interval between pairs of consecutive intersection points on the reference line, the system keeps track of open line segments that project onto the interval. For each data point in a set of data points, the system identifies a relevant interval on the reference line that the data point projects onto, and performs a crossing number operation to identify polygons that the data point falls into, and the system increments a count for each polygon that the data point falls into. Finally, the system performs a geofencing operation for the location-aware device based on the identified polygons that the data point falls into. |
| US09916325B2 |
Quick initialization of data regions in a distributed storage system
A method includes flushing a write transaction based on byte-ranges within a file system block. It is determined if the write transaction is a first write transaction to the file system block and whether to flush the received write transaction to a recovery log. If it is determined to flush the write transaction to the recovery log and the received write transaction is the first write transaction: the data associated with the write transaction is appended in the recovery log and byte-ranges remaining in the file system block are recorded, and also recording an associated particular bit value or particular bit pattern that the remaining byte-ranges must be set to before the remaining byte-ranges are accessed or when a recovery sequence for recovering data in the recovery log executes due to failure. The write transaction is replicated. The entire file system block byte-range is marked as committed. |
| US09916324B2 |
Updating key value databases for virtual backups
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for protecting data. A file modification is identified. A previous file entry is modified where the previous file entry is stored in a key value database. A new file entry is created in the key value database. The previous file entry modification includes modifying the end version of the entry. |
| US09916322B2 |
Virtual private cloud that provides enterprise grade functionality and compliance
Techniques to enforce policies with respect to managed files and/or endpoints are disclosed. A policy to be applied with respect to one or more files included in a synchronization set and/or an endpoint associated with the synchronization set is received. Compliance with the policy is ensured across a plurality of heterogeneous endpoints associated with the synchronization set. |
| US09916318B2 |
Method of reusing existing statistics to load database tables
An indication to load data into a database table is received. A determination is made whether an existing set of frequency distribution statistics is available. In response to determining that an existing set of frequency distribution statistics is available, the data is loaded into the database table using the existing set of frequency distribution statistics. |
| US09916317B2 |
Data transfer optimization through destination analytics and data de-duplication
There are provided methods and systems for transferring requested data over a node chain from a source node to a destination node through at least two intermediate nodes. A method includes identifying, at a file system level, at each of the at least two intermediate nodes, prior data previously sent to or received from a subsequent node in the node chain that matches at least a portion of the requested data. The method also includes transmitting, to the subsequent node, at least one pointer to the prior data and a reconstruction recipe for reconstructing the requested data at the subsequent node based on at least the at least one pointer, when the prior data matches at least the portion of the requested data. |
| US09916314B2 |
File extraction method, computer product, file extracting apparatus, and file extracting system
An AND operation is performed for an integrated appearance map of a compression code of character data “”, an integrated appearance map of a compression code of character data “”, and an integrated deletion map for a segment. The AND result is “1100” and it is found that the character data “” and “” are likely to be present in the segments (sg1(1)) and (sg1(2)). Since the segments are specified from the AND result, the AND operations are performed. As a result, the segments are specified and the AND operations are performed. As a result, a file number 3 is specified from the segment (sg0(1)) and a file number 19 is specified from the segment (sg0(5)). Therefore, it is found that both of the character data “” and “” are present in compression files (f3) and (f19). |
| US09916312B1 |
Coordination of file system creation to ensure more deterministic performance characteristics
A method includes (a) receiving a command to create an upper-deck filesystem of a specified size, the upper-deck filesystem residing within a logical volume expressed from a container file of a lower-deck filesystem, (b) provisioning a plurality of storage provisioning units (SPUs) from a storage pool of the data storage system to the container file in an order reflecting proximity of the SPUs within storage devices of the data storage system, the plurality of SPUs providing storage for the entire container file, and (c) subsequent to provisioning the plurality of SPUs to the container file, executing a plurality of threads in parallel to write metadata of the upper-deck filesystem to the plurality of SPUs, representing the upper-deck filesystem. Other embodiments are directed to a system, a computerized apparatus, and a computer program product for performing methods similar to that described above. |
| US09916309B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatically summarizing the contents of electronic documents
One embodiment of a method for summarizing an electronic document includes splitting the electronic document into a plurality of terms, wherein each of the plurality of terms is associated with a respective length, a respective informativeness score, and a respective coherence score, automatically selecting a subset of the plurality of terms, such that an aggregate informativeness score of the subset is maximized while an aggregate length of the subset is less than or equal to a maximum length, and arranging the subset as a summary of the electronic document. |
| US09916307B1 |
Dynamic translation of idioms
Dynamic translation of idioms is performed with respect to electronic communications. An electronic communication is observed and movement of indicia proximal to a phrase in the electronic communication is detected. In response to the detection, an idiom search application is activated which identifies an idiom within the phrase and searches a corpus for a translation of the idiom and one or more associated characteristics. In response to detection of the translation in the corpus, profile metadata related to the observed communication is collected and compared to the one or more characteristics. The idiom and the collected profile metadata are stored in a corpus that supports a search of the idiom. In response to absence of the translation in the corpus, the idiom is dynamically translated. The translated idiom is presented proximal to the evaluated expression. |
| US09916304B2 |
Method of creating translation corpus
A translation corpus creation method of the present disclosure includes generating plural paraphrasing candidate sentences for a first original sentence in a first language by paraphrasing one or plural fragments among plural fragments included in the first original sentence into other expressions in the first language by a paraphrasing candidate sentence generation unit, identifying one or plural paraphrasing candidate sentences in the same meaning as the meaning of the first original sentence from the plural paraphrasing candidate sentences as one or plural paraphrasing sentences by a paraphrasing sentence identification unit, and generating a new set of sentences by setting the one or plural identified paraphrasing sentences and a second original sentence translated from the first original sentence as a set of sentences to create a translation corpus with the generated and new set of sentences by a translation corpus creation unit. |
| US09916303B2 |
Answering time-sensitive questions
A method providing an answer to an input question containing at least one time-sensitive word or at least one time-sensitive phrase using natural language processing (NLP) is provided. The method may include receiving the input question. The method may also include performing natural language processing (NLP) analysis on the input question to extract a required value phrase. The method may further include forming at least one mathematical equation based on the extracted required value phrase. Additionally, the method may include forming at least one interim question based on the extracted required value phrase. The method may further include solving the at least one formed mathematical equation and the at least one formed interim question. The method may also include narrating the answer to the input question in natural language based on the solved at least one interim question or the solved at least one mathematical equation. |
| US09916295B1 |
Synchronous context alignments
A method and apparatus to align contexts with text. Multiple versions within separate forms of context are controlled; all contexts are controlled in independent alignment with parts in text. Plain text syllables are synchronized with audio vocalization playback with timings applied in context. Precise synchronization is controlled within a multi-touch tap process. Same-language restatements, translations, linguistic alignment “ties” and tags are controlled in contexts. Depictions and vocalizations of text and parts in text are controlled within contexts and sorted within tiered carousels. Toggle controls quickly access separate contexts. Independent alignments between multiple contexts and parts in text are controlled and dynamically adjusted in real-time. Text and contexts in multiple writing systems, styles and sizes are aligned and edited within WYSIWYG textarea. Context alignment controls are applied within a collaborative social framework. |
| US09916288B2 |
Method and server for pushing cellular lexicon
A method and server for pushing a cellular lexicon. The server is used for receiving input method log information sent by a client; acquiring a client identifier and a client-selected word in the input method log information; searching for an undownloaded cellular lexicon in an undownloaded cellular lexicon list corresponding to the client identifier, acquiring a first matching lexicon comprising the client-selected word in the undownloaded cellular lexicon, and adding a first weight value to a lexicon weight value of the first matching lexicon corresponding to the client identifier; pushing the first matching lexicon to a corresponding client when the lexicon weight value is greater than a pushing threshold value; and deleting the pushed first matching lexicon. The server can push a cellular lexicon actually needed by the client, thereby increasing the input precision regarding a certain category of entries, and improving the input efficiency of the client. |
| US09916287B2 |
Method, device and system for zooming font in web page file, and storage medium
Disclosed is a method, a device and a system for zooming a font in a web page file, and the method includes: receiving a web page file; parsing and recognizing the web page file, to classify text contained in the web page file into a first group of zoomable text and a second group of unzoomable text; detecting a zoom operation performed on the web page file displayed at a mobile terminal; and upon the detection of the zoom operation, zooming the first group of text in the web page file except for the second group of text in the web page file. With the method, the problem that the text in a web page file are overlapped due to zooming is avoided, and the typesetting of the web page may be reasonable, without degrading the experience of the user in browsing the web page. |
| US09916284B2 |
Analyzing document content and generating an appendix
A method for generating an appendix from document content is provided. Included is analyzing a structure of a document to identify at least one logical element in a content of a page of the document; identifying at least one relation within the identified at least one logical element to determine an appendix topic; determining a degree of relevance of the at least one relation identifying the appendix topic; extracting an appendix content from at least one source document, based on determining a relevance of the source document to the appendix topic; and formatting the appendix based on the extracted appendix content. |
| US09916283B2 |
Method and system for solving a problem involving a hypergraph partitioning
A method for solving a problem involving a hypergraph partitioning is disclosed, the method comprising receiving an indication of a problem involving a hypergraph partitioning; obtaining at least one property associated with a quadratic unconstrained binary optimization solver operatively coupled with the digital computer; formulating a partitioning problem of the hypergraph as an unconstrained binary optimization problem; reducing the unconstrained binary optimization problem into a quadratic unconstrained binary optimization problem; mapping the quadratic unconstrained binary optimization problem into the quadratic unconstrained binary optimization solver; obtaining from the quadratic unconstrained binary optimization solver at least one solution to the quadratic unconstrained binary optimization problem; applying a refinement procedure and translating the refined at least one solution to provide an indication of the partitioning and providing a solution to the problem. |
| US09916282B2 |
Computer-implemented systems and methods for time series exploration
Systems and methods are provided for analyzing unstructured time stamped data. A distribution of time-stamped data is analyzed to identify a plurality of potential time series data hierarchies for structuring the data. An analysis of a potential time series data hierarchy may be performed. The analysis of the potential time series data hierarchies may include determining an optimal time series frequency and a data sufficiency metric for each of the potential time series data hierarchies. One of the potential time series data hierarchies may be selected based on a comparison of the data sufficiency metrics. Multiple time series may be derived in a single-read pass according to the selected time series data hierarchy. A time series forecast corresponding to at least one of the derived time series may be generated. |
| US09916279B1 |
Single-sided distributed storage system
A distributed storage system including memory hosts and at least one curator in communication with the memory hosts. Each memory host has memory, and the curator manages striping of data across the memory hosts. In response to a memory access request by a client in communication with the memory hosts and the curator, the curator provides the client a file descriptor mapping data stripes and data stripe replications of a file on the memory hosts for remote direct memory access of the file on the memory hosts. |
| US09916277B2 |
Translation of universal armament interface (UAI) to military standard (mil-std-1760) messaging interface
A Universal Armament Interface (UAI) translator for a legacy military standard-1760 (MIL-STD-1760) messaging interface can include a legacy interface, a UAI, and a processor. The legacy interface can transmit a legacy receive message (‘R’ message) and receive a legacy transmit message (‘T’ message). The legacy interface can include a MIL-STD-1760 remote terminal (RT) messaging interface. The UAI can receive a UAI ‘R’ message and transmit a UAI ‘T’ message. The processor can translate the legacy ‘R’ message to the UAI ‘R’ message, and translate the UAI ‘T’ message to the legacy ‘T’ message. |
| US09916276B2 |
Data processing device, data processing system and method
A data selector circuit divides a group of data including a plurality of types of data into the plurality of types of data. A first compression circuit and a second compression circuit respectively compress the plurality of types of data in parallel with each other in accordance with each of the plurality of types of data. The first compression circuit compresses data and obtains compressed data. The second compression circuit compresses data and obtains compressed data. The data transmission circuit-transmits the compressed data and the compressed data to a terminal. |
| US09916271B2 |
Communication system, communication system control method, and program
Communication systems and communication control methods are disclosed. In one example, a slave device belonging to a group of devices to which arbitration is applicable sequentially transmits a start bit and a first address including a first bit having a value different from a corresponding first bit of predetermined pattern data. A master device sequentially transmits the start bit and the predetermined pattern data. The master device arbitrates the master device and the first slave device based on the value of the first bit. |
| US09916270B2 |
Virtual intelligent platform management interface (IPMI) satellite controller and method
Devices and techniques for implementing virtual system management controllers are described herein. A baseboard management controller (BMC) can include processing circuitry to monitor system sensors, and to provide monitoring information for system sensors responsive to requests for monitoring information. The processing circuitry may further implement a virtual satellite controller within a firmware stack. The BMC and the virtual satellite controller may comply with a specification of the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) family of specifications to provide monitoring information for the system sensors. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US09916264B2 |
Privilege based memory pinning mechanism
A method for privilege based memory pinning is provided. The method includes receiving a request to pin an amount of address space memory from a process executing on an operating system. The operating system includes a configurable mode of operation. In mandatory mode, the operating system executes the request to pin address space memory based on the role hierarchy-based privilege level of the requestor process. When the requested amount is greater than the operating system's amount of memory that can be used to pin memory, the operating system fails the request. However, when the operating can satisfy the request from processes having a lower privilege level relative to the requestor process, memory is unpinned from one or more of these processes. |
| US09916263B2 |
Access of virtual machines to storage area networks
A method for managing access of virtual machines executed by a host computer system to storage area networks, the storage area networks connecting the host computer system with storage systems via switches, where the host computer system includes one or more host ports to connect with a switch each, and where one or more port names are assigned to each virtual machine. The method includes, for each storage area network connected with the host computer system, sending the port names of a virtual machine and a target port name as part of a validate access command to the respective switch; and when receiving the validate access command by the switch, the switch returning success information to the sending host computer system in case all received virtual machine port names have access to a target port assigned to the received target port name, otherwise returning a fail information. |
| US09916262B2 |
Least privileged operating system
A method and system encrypts data in a least privileged operating system. The method includes determining a first encryption scheme to be used with software code to be mapped to a virtual memory. The method includes mapping a first portion of the virtual memory with the software code for access by a processor using the first encryption scheme. The method includes receiving a call for an entry point of the operating system. The method includes determining a second encryption scheme to be used with the entry point when mapped to the virtual memory. The method includes mapping a second portion of the virtual memory for executing entry point code associated with the entry point for access by the processor using the second encryption scheme. The processor executing the software code is permitted to access only data from the first and second portions of the virtual memory. |
| US09916253B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting a plurality of load accesses of a cache in a single cycle to maintain throughput
A method for supporting a plurality of requests for access to a data cache memory (“cache”) is disclosed. The method comprises accessing a first set of requests to access the cache, wherein the cache comprises a plurality of blocks. Further, responsive to the first set of requests to access the cache, the method comprises accessing a tag memory that maintains a plurality of copies of tags for each entry in the cache and identifying tags that correspond to individual requests of the first set. The method also comprises performing arbitration in a same clock cycle as the accessing and identifying of tags, wherein the arbitration comprises: (a) identifying a second set of requests to access the cache from the first set, wherein the second set accesses a same block within the cache; and (b) selecting each request from the second set to receive data from the same block. |
| US09916248B2 |
Storage device and method for controlling storage device with compressed and uncompressed volumes and storing compressed data in cache
The storage device of the present invention provides a decompression VOL having no corresponding relationship (mapping) with a final storage media to a superior device, and receives accesses from the superior device to the decompression VOL. Then, data written into the decompression VOL is compressed on-line in a cache memory, and the compressed data is mapped to a compression VOL which is a volume mapped to a final storage media. At the same time, by maintaining and managing a mapping information between an area in the decompression VOL where data has been written and a location in the compression VOL to which compressed data of the relevant data is mapped, when a read request is received from a superior device regarding the decompression VOL, the storage device converts a location information in the decompression VOL designated by the read request to a location information of the final storage media. |
| US09916243B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing a bus lock and translation lookaside buffer invalidation
A method and apparatus for performing a bus lock and a translation lookaside buffer invalidate transaction includes receiving, by a lock master, a lock request from a first processor in a system. The lock master sends a quiesce request to all processors in the system, and upon receipt of the quiesce request from the lock master, all processors cease issuing any new transactions and issue a quiesce granted transaction. Upon receipt of the quiesce granted transactions from all processors, the lock master issues a lock granted message that includes an identifier of the first processor. The first processor performs an atomic transaction sequence and sends a first lock release message to the lock master upon completion of the atomic transaction sequence. The lock master sends a second lock release message to all processors upon receiving the first lock release message from the first processor. |
| US09916242B2 |
Storage system and monitor device
A storage system includes control devices and a second processor. The second processor determines a number of abnormal batteries when an abnormality has occurred in a first battery. The second processor assigns a second cache currently assigned to a second control device associated with the first battery to a first control device when the number is smaller than a threshold. The second processor assigns a mirror cache currently assigned to the second control device to a third control device when the number is smaller than the threshold. The second processor instructs the first control device to control write to a first storage device associated with a first cache by using the first cache. Data of the first cache is mirrored to the mirror cache. The second processor instructs the first control device to control write to a second storage device associated with the second cache by using the second cache. |
| US09916238B2 |
Memory system and method for performing garbage collection on blocks based on their obsolescence patterns
A memory system and method are provided for performing garbage collection on blocks based on their obsolescence patterns. In one embodiment, a controller of a memory system classifies each of the plurality of blocks based on its obsolescence pattern and performs garbage collection only on blocks classified with similar obsolescence patterns. Other embodiments are possible, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination. |
| US09916237B2 |
Model based configuration parameter management
Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for model based configuration parameter management. An association module is configured to group a plurality of erase blocks of a non-volatile memory medium based on an amount of time since data has been written to the plurality of erase blocks. A read module is configured to sample data of at least two word lines from at least one erase block from each of a plurality of groups of erase blocks. A configuration parameter module is configured to determine different read voltage thresholds for different word lines of groups of erase blocks using different read voltage threshold models for different groups based on sampled data. |
| US09916234B1 |
Systems and methods for mainframe batch testing
Methods and systems for performing mainframe batch testing and/or property-based validation testing using a finite-state machine are provided. According to certain aspects, a validation server may receive a set of batch data designed to validate a property under test, such as during mainframe batch testing. A validation server may validate that the set of batch data is in a proper format. The validation server may then cause a finite-state machine to process instructions contained within the set of batch data. Once the finite-state machine processes the set of batch data, the validation server may then validate that the finite-state machine adheres to the property under test. If the validation fails, the validation server may generate an error report describing the failure. |
| US09916233B1 |
Using containers for update deployment
A system and method for software deployment, where the system and method include, at a deployment service, obtaining a software package and determining that a client device is ready to receive at least a portion of the software package. If the client device is ready, providing at least the portion of the software package to the client device, launching at least the provided portion of the software package as set of instructions executing in a test container, and performing a set of tests on the executing set of instructions in the test container. Based at least in part on results of performing the set of tests, determining whether to cause at least the provided portion of the software package to execute in an active container on the client device. |
| US09916230B1 |
White box testing
The source code of a software artifact may be scanned, and a call tree model with leaf nodes may be generated based on the scan. A set of test cases can be executed against the software artifact and log data from the execution can be collected. A set of untested leaf nodes can be detected and a new set of test cases can be generated to test the untested nodes. The new set of test cases are executed and a subset of the test cases which cover the previously untested nodes are added to the existing set of test cases. |
| US09916229B2 |
Decomposing application topology data into transaction tracking data
In an approach for generating transaction tracking data that is used to simulate a customer environment or test case scenario, a processor receives user input data, wherein the user input data includes, at least, an application topology constructed using a graphical user interface. A processor validates the user input data for, at least, supported environments of components of the application topology. A processor generates transaction tracking data based on, at least, the user input data. |
| US09916227B2 |
Systems and methods for analyzing software compatibility
Computer-implemented systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for facilitating analysis of a software application to determine its compatibility with one or more computer platforms. In accordance with some embodiments, a processor may receive, via an operator interface, a selection of an application and a user identity, and the processor may determine compatibility status between the application and at least one computing platform of a device associated with the user identity, and generate a report with the compatibility results. |
| US09916224B2 |
Integrating quality analysis with a code review tool
Techniques are provided for integrating source code analysis tools with a code review tool. A user submits a code change to the code review tool and one or more code analysis tools are automatically initiated to analyze the changed code. Results of the code analysis tool(s) are automatically provided back to the code review tool. Additionally or alternatively, one or more tests are automatically run to test one or more executables that are based on the changed code. Results of the test(s) are automatically provided to the code review tool. In this way, an effect of a code change is automatically determined and available for review along with the code change. The results of any code analysis tools and/or tests may be posted synchronously or asynchronously with the corresponding code change. |
| US09916223B2 |
Automatically complete a specific software task using hidden tags
A method to detect and diagnose where an error occurs in a source code that is associated with a software program or a website is provided. The method may include receiving a log report associated with the software program or the website, whereby by the log report is sent based on a hidden tag associated with the software program or the website. The method may also include analyzing the received log report. The method may further include detecting at least one error based on the analysis of the received log report. The method may include reverting back to a previous line in the source code associated with the software program or the website, whereby the reverting is based on the detection of the at least one error. |
| US09916220B2 |
Smart logging of trace data for storage systems
An improved technique for storing trace data involves storing software operation debug trace information in a buffer memory rather than in a log file in the main memory, and after completion of the software operation either (1) deleting the debug trace information upon the successful completion of the operation, or (2) transferring the debug trace information to a log file memory upon a failure of the operation. |
| US09916209B2 |
Data asset reconstruction
According to an aspect, data asset reconstruction includes receiving a data lineage for a data asset, where the data lineage identifies a data source connected to the data asset by an intermediate process. It is determined whether the intermediate process can be used to reconstruct a lost data asset. Based on determining that the intermediate process can be used to reconstruct the lost data asset, reconstructing the lost data asset with the intermediate process and the data source. |
| US09916205B2 |
Secure live virtual machine guest based snapshot recovery
A system, method, and apparatus for secure live virtual machine guest based snapshot recovery. A virtual machine sends a request to access a snapshot of a first virtual disk of the virtual machine including a snapshot identifier. A hypervisor selects the snapshot using the snapshot identifier and creates a second virtual disk using the snapshot. The hypervisor then maps the second virtual disk to the virtual machine and notifies the virtual machine that the snapshot on the second virtual disk is accessible. The virtual machine accesses the snapshot on the second virtual disk including retrieving snapshot data from the second virtual disk without reverting a current virtual machine instance on the first virtual disk to the snapshot on the second virtual disk. |
| US09916200B2 |
Fault-tolerant distributed information handling systems and methods
Fault-tolerant distributed information handling systems and methods, including a method in a system including: a first host configured to store a first fragment of data, a second host configured to store a second fragment of data, a third host configured to store a third fragment of data, and a fourth host configured to store a first code derived at least from the first fragment of data, the second fragment of data, and the third fragment of data, are provided. The method includes: the first agent transmitting via a multicast operation an updated second fragment of data to the second host and the fourth host; a second agent corresponding to the second host transmitting via a unicast operation the second fragment of data to the fourth host; and generating a second code derived from the first code, the second fragment of data, and the updated second fragment of data. |
| US09916192B2 |
Thread based dynamic data collection
Dynamically collecting data pertaining to a program execution. A method can include monitoring execution of the program in a plurality of threads and, responsive to identifying an exception triggered by the program execution in a first of the plurality of threads, initiating at least one data collector to collect data exclusively relevant to the program execution in the first thread. |
| US09916189B2 |
Concurrently executing critical sections in program code in a processor
In the described embodiments, entities in a computing device selectively write specified values to a lock variable in a local cache and one or more lower levels of a memory hierarchy to enable multiple entities to enable the concurrent execution of corresponding critical sections of program code that are protected by a same lock. |
| US09916188B2 |
Provisioner for cluster management system
A processing device executing a provisioner requests a node level task from a server. The processing device receives an assignment of a first node level task, wherein the first node level task is associated with a cluster management operation for a first cluster. The processing device determines a first plugin capable of performing the first node level task from a plurality of plugins, wherein each of the plurality of plugins comprises a self-contained program for performing a specific set of node level tasks. The processing device performs the first node level task by the first plugin, wherein the first node level task is an operation on a remote target host that does not include software associated with the provisioner. The processing device reports a result of the node level task to the server. |