最新美国发明专利第2018-04-10期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US09941443B2	Semiconductor light emitting device There is provided a semiconductor light emitting device including a first conductivity-type semiconductor base layer and a plurality of light emitting nanostructures disposed to be spaced apart from one another on the first conductivity-type semiconductor base layer, each light emitting nanostructure including a first conductivity-type semiconductor core, an active layer, an electric charge blocking layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, respectively, wherein the first conductivity-type semiconductor core has different first and second crystal planes in crystallographic directions.
US09941441B2	Structural bonding compositions and attachment brackets, and their use in photovoltaic solar modules The present disclosure relates to structural bonding compositions and attachment brackets, and their use in photovoltaic solar modules. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to methods of affixing an attachment bracket to a solar module during the lamination step used to manufacture the module.
US09941440B2	Radiation microdosimeters correlated with biological cells and cell components One feature pertains to a radiation dosimeter comprising a microdosimeter cell array that includes a first microdosimeter cell having a first semiconductor volume configured to generate a first current in response to incident radiation. The first semiconductor volume may have at least one of a first size, a first shape, a first semiconductor type, and/or a first semiconductor doping type and concentration that is associated with a first biological cell type or a first biological cell component type. The dosimeter may further comprise a processing circuit communicatively coupled to the microdosimeter cell array and configured to generate a signal based on the first current. The signal generated may be indicative of an amount of radiation absorbed by the microdosimeter cell array. A display may be utilized by the dosimeter to show a radiation level reading based on the signal generated.
US09941436B2	Dual geometry trough solar concentrator The present invention is a trough shaped solar concentrator and collector having its focal area and receiver located inside the trough structure below the trough aperture and having a unique dual section trough reflector with a combination of different underlying reflector geometries.
US09941433B2	Composite quantum-dot materials for photonic detectors A composite quantum-dot photodetector comprising a substrate with a colloidally deposited thin film structure forming a photosensitive region, the thin film containing at least one type of a nanocrystal quantum-dot, whereby the nanocrystal quantum dots are spaced by ligands to form a lattice, and the lattice of the quantum dots has an infill material that forms an inorganic matrix that isolates the nanocrystal quantum dots from atmospheric exposure.
US09941432B2	Semiconductor devices, a fluid sensor and a method for forming a semiconductor device A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of quantum structures comprising predominantly germanium. The plurality of quantum structures are formed on a first semiconductor layer structure. The quantum structures of the plurality of quantum structures have a lateral dimension of less than 15 nm and an area density of at least 8×1011 quantum structures per cm2. The plurality of quantum structures are configured to emit light with a light emission maximum at a wavelength of between 2 μm and 10 μm or to absorb light with a light absorption maximum at a wavelength of between 2 μm and 10 μm.
US09941431B2	Photodiode having a superlattice structure A photodiode includes a light absorbing layer including a first superlattice structure that includes first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers, the first superlattice structure having a band structure sensitive to infrared light; a p-type semiconductor region; and an intermediate layer disposed between the p-type semiconductor region and the light absorbing layer, the intermediate layer having a conduction band having a bottom energy level lower than that of the p-type semiconductor region.
US09941429B2	Photovoltaic element According to the present invention there is provided a photovoltaic element, comprising a photovoltaic laminate; a structural substrate; wherein the photovoltaic element further comprises a plurality of hairs which are arranged to improve adhesion between said photovoltaic laminate and said structural substrate. There is also provided an intermediate product which is used in the manufacture of such a photovoltaic element and a method of manufacturing such a photovoltaic element.
US09941428B2	Nano-electrode multi-well high-gain avalanche rushing photoconductor Provided is a detector that includes a scintillator, a common electrode, a pixel electrode, and a plurality of insulating layers, with a plurality of nano-pillars formed in the plurality of insulating layers, a nano-scale well structure between adjacent nano-pillars, with a-Se separating the adjacent nano-pillars, and a method for operation thereof.
US09941427B2	Solar cell and method of fabricating the same Provided is a solar cell and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell according to an embodiment includes a supporting substrate; a transparent electrode layer on the supporting substrate; a buffer layer on the transparent electrode layer; a light absorption layer on the buffer layer; a backside electrode layer on the light absorption layer; and a plurality of recesses formed on a top surface of the transparent electrode layer and having a first slope and a second slope.
US09941421B2	Solar photovaltaic module rapid shutdown and safety system A photovoltaic (PV) module safety shutdown system includes a module-on switch coupled with a PV module coupled with an alternating current (AC) mains panel through an inverter. A system monitor couples with the module-on switch and with the AC mains panel and generates a system-on signal. A module discharge switch couples with an inherent capacitance of the inverter and with the system monitor. The module discharge switch discharges the inherent capacitance, by coupling the inherent capacitance with a discharge element, in response to the system monitor not generating the system-on signal. In implementations a module short switch shorts the PV module in response to a passage of a predetermined amount of time after the module discharge switch is switched on. The module-on switch, module discharge switch, and module short switch may be included in a junction box of the PV module and coupled with the system monitor through multiple opto-isolators.
US09941420B2	Conductive paste, method for forming wiring, electronic component, and silicon solar cell This conductive paste is such that the printing properties and sintering properties are superior and is formed such that resistance of wiring after sintering is lowered. This conductive paste is characterized by being formed from copper-based metal particles and by an aspect ratio (dmax/dmin), which is defined as the ratio of the maximum diameter (dmax) and minimum diameter (dmin) for the metal particles, being greater than or equal to 1.0 and smaller than 2.2.
US09941419B2	Monolithically integrated thin-film device with a solar cell, an integrated battery, and a controller A thin-film monolithically integrated solar module with a solar cell, an integrated energy storage device, and a controller may be provided. It may comprise a thin-film solar cell, having at least one solar diode, on a transparent substrate, a thin-film energy storage device, and an electronic controller comprising at least one thin-film transistor above the thin-film energy storage device. The electronic controller may be electrically connected to the thin-film solar cell and the thin-film energy storage device by vias. The named functional units may build a monolithically integrated device on one substrate.
US09941418B2	Schottky diode having a varied width structure Provided herein is a Schottky diode including: a first semiconductor layer; an intermediate layer provided over the first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer provided over the intermediate layer; an anode provided over the second semiconductor layer; and a cathode provided over the first semiconductor layer, wherein in a sectional view, a width of the second semiconductor layer is greater than a width of the intermediate layer.
US09941406B2	FinFETs with source/drain cladding A device includes a semiconductor substrate, and isolation regions extending into the semiconductor substrate. A semiconductor fin is between opposite portions of the isolation regions, wherein the semiconductor fin is over top surfaces of the isolation regions. A gate stack overlaps the semiconductor fin. A source/drain region is on a side of the gate stack and connected to the semiconductor fin. The source/drain region includes an inner portion thinner than the semiconductor fin, and an outer portion outside the inner portion. The semiconductor fin and the inner portion of the source/drain region have a same composition of group IV semiconductors.
US09941405B2	Nanosheet and nanowire devices having source/drain stressors and methods of manufacturing the same A method of manufacturing a nanosheet or nanowire device from a stack including an alternating arrangement of sacrificial layers and channel layers on a substrate. The method includes deep etching portions of the stack to form electrode recesses for a source electrode and a drain electrode, forming conductive passivation layers in the electrode recesses, and epitaxially growing the source and drain electrodes in the electrode recesses. Each conductive passivation layer extends at least partially along a side of one of the electrode recesses. Portions of the substrate at lower ends of the electrode recesses are uncovered by the conductive passivation layers. The source and drain electrodes are grown from the substrate and the conductive passivation layers substantially inhibit the source and drain electrodes from being grown from the channel layers.
US09941403B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes a transistor including a source region, a drain region, and a gate electrode. The gate electrode is disposed in a first trench arranged in a top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The device further includes a control electrode. The control electrode is disposed in a second trench arranged in the top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The second trench has a second shape that is different from a first shape of the first trench.
US09941401B2	Semiconductor device, power supply apparatus and high-frequency amplifier A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor stacked structure in which a semiconductor layer including an electron supply layer and an electron transit layer is stacked, and a gate electrode contacting with the semiconductor layer included in the semiconductor stacked structure or an insulating layer. The portion of the gate electrode contacting with the semiconductor layer or the insulating layer is an oxide of a metal configuring the portion of the gate electrode contacting with the semiconductor layer or the insulating layer.
US09941400B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same A semiconductor device includes: a substrate having a rear side on which a grounded electrode is disposed; a semiconductor layer disposed on a front side of the substrate and including an active region and an inactive region; a plurality of source electrodes disposed in the active region; a drain electrode including a plurality of first portions disposed in the active region and a second portion disposed in the inactive region; a gate electrode including a plurality of first portions disposed in the active region and a second portion disposed in the inactive region; and a plurality of source electrode pads having the same number as the plurality of source electrodes and disposed in the inactive region and each being connected to a corresponding source electrode directly. A plurality of through holes electrically connecting the plurality of source electrodes and the grounded electrode respectively are disposed in the plurality of source electrode pads.
US09941399B2	Enhancement mode III-N HEMTs A III-N semiconductor device that includes a substrate and a nitride channel layer including a region partly beneath a gate region, and two channel access regions on opposite sides of the part beneath the gate. The channel access regions may be in a different layer from the region beneath the gate. The device includes an AlXN layer adjacent the channel layer wherein X is gallium, indium or their combination, and a preferably n-doped GaN layer adjacent the AlXN layer in the areas adjacent to the channel access regions. The concentration of Al in the AlXN layer, the AlXN layer thickness and the n-doping concentration in the n-doped GaN layer are selected to induce a 2DEG charge in channel access regions without inducing any substantial 2DEG charge beneath the gate, so that the channel is not conductive in the absence of a switching voltage applied to the gate.
US09941398B2	High-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) capable of protecting a III-V compound layer A semiconductor structure comprises a semiconductive substrate comprising a top surface, a III-V compound layer over the semiconductive substrate, and a first passivation layer over the III-V compound layer. The semiconductor structure also includes an etch stop layer over the first passivation layer. The semiconductor structure further includes a gate stack over the first passivation layer and surrounded by the etch stop layer.
US09941397B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device In a trench deeper than a thickness of a p-type base layer and configured by a first trench and a second trench, a second trench positioned at a lower portion is configured by a third trench and a fourth trench. A width of the second trench along an X direction is expanded more than the first trench positioned above the second trench. Along the X direction, the extent to which the second trench is expanded differs for the third trench and the fourth trench. Thus, a width of the lower portion of the trench differs along a Y direction, enabling reduced gate capacitance compared to uniform expansion along a transverse direction of the trench. Further, ON voltage may be reduced and switching capability may be improved.
US09941395B2	Insulated gate semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same An insulated gate semiconductor device includes a region that is provided between trenches in which a gate electrode is filled through a gate insulating film in a surface layer of a substrate, includes a p base region and an n+ emitter region, and comes into conductive contact with an emitter electrode and a p-type floating region that is electrically insulated by an insulating film which is interposed between the p-type floating region and the emitter electrode. The p-type floating region is deeper than the trench and has a lower impurity concentration than the p base region.
US09941394B2	Tunnel field-effect transistor The tunnel field-effect transistor includes a drain layer, a source layer, a channel layer, a metal gate layer, and a high-k dielectric layer. The drain and source layers are of opposite conductive types. The channel layer is disposed between the drain layer and the source layer. At least one of the drain layer, the channel layer, and the source layer has a substantially constant doping concentration. The metal gate layer is disposed around the channel layer. The high-k dielectric layer is disposed between the metal gate layer and the channel layer.
US09941392B2	Gate planarity for FinFET using dummy polish stop A method for forming a semiconductor device includes depositing a dielectric layer over fins formed in a semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layer includes a screen layer over tops of the fins. An etch stop feature is formed on the screen layer. The etch stop feature is patterned down to the screen layer in regions across the device. A dummy gate material formed over the fins is planarized down to the etch stop feature, a dielectric fill between gate structures patterned from the dummy gate material is planarized down to the etch stop feature and a gate conductor is planarized to the etch stop feature.
US09941390B2	Method of fabricating a vertical MOS transistor The disclosure relates to a method of fabricating a vertical MOS transistor, comprising the steps of: forming, above a semiconductor surface, a conductive layer in at least one dielectric layer; etching a hole through at least the conductive layer, the hole exposing an inner lateral edge of the conductive layer and a portion of the semiconductor surface; forming a gate oxide on the inner lateral edge of the conductive layer and a bottom oxide on the portion of the semiconductor surface; forming an etch-protection sidewall on the lateral edge of the hole, the sidewall covering the gate oxide and an outer region of the bottom oxide, leaving an inner region of the bottom oxide exposed; etching the exposed inner region of the bottom oxide until the semiconductor surface is reached; and depositing a semiconductor material in the hole.
US09941388B2	Method and structure for protecting gates during epitaxial growth Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and structures for protecting gates during epitaxial growth. An inner spacer of a first material is deposited adjacent a transistor gate. An outer spacer of a different material is deposited adjacent the inner spacer. Stressor cavities are formed adjacent the transistor gate. The inner spacer is recessed, forming a divot. The divot is filled with a material to protect the transistor gate. The stressor cavities are then filled. As the gate is safely protected, unwanted epitaxial growth (“mouse ears”) on the transistor gate is prevented.
US09941381B2	Semiconductor device having a trench MOS barrier Schottky diode A semiconductor device having a trench MOS barrier Schottky diode includes a semiconductor volume of a first conductivity type, the semiconductor volume (i) having a first side which is covered with a metal layer, and (ii) including at least one trench which extends in the first side and is at least partially filled with metal and/or with a semiconductor material of a second conductivity type. The trench has at least one wall section which includes an oxide layer, at least in areas. At least one area, situated next to the trench, of the first side covered with the metal layer has a layer, situated between the metal layer and the semiconductor volume, made of a first semiconductor material of the second conductivity type.
US09941379B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method therefor The present invention discloses a manufacturing method for a semiconductor device. The manufacturing method includes: providing a substrate; forming a semiconductor stacked structure on the substrate; forming at least apart of a stacked cap layer on the semiconductor stacked structure, wherein the part of the stacked cap layer includes a nitride layer; removing a part of the nitride layer; forming the rest part of the stacked cap layer; forming a protection layer on the stacked cap layer, and etching the protection layer to form an opening, wherein the nitride layer is not exposed by the opening; and introducing an etchant material into the opening to etch the substrate. The present invention also provides a semiconductor device made by the method.
US09941376B2	Metal gate scheme for device and methods of forming Gate structures and methods of forming the gate structures are described. In some embodiments, a method includes forming source/drain regions in a substrate, and forming a gate structure between the source/drain regions. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer over the substrate, a work function tuning layer over the gate dielectric layer, a first metal over the work function tuning layer, an adhesion layer over the first metal, and a second metal over the adhesion layer. In some embodiments, the adhesion layer can include an alloy of the first and second metals, and may be formed by annealing the first and second metals. In other embodiments, the adhesion layer can include an oxide of at least one of the first and/or second metal, and may be formed at least in part by exposing the first metal to an oxygen-containing plasma or to a natural environment.
US09941370B2	Vertical field-effect-transistors having multiple threshold voltages Various embodiments disclose a method for fabricating a semiconductor structure including a plurality of vertical transistors each having different threshold voltages. In one embodiment the method includes forming a structure having at least a substrate, a source contact layer on the substrate, a first spacer layer on the source contact layer, a replacement gate on the first spacer layer, a second spacer layer on the replacement gate, and an insulating layer on the second spacer layer. A first trench is formed in a first region of the structure. A first channel layer having a first doping concentration is epitaxially grown in the first trench. A second trench is formed in a second region of the structure. A second channel layer having a second doping concentration is epitaxially grown in the second trench. The second doping concentration is different from the first doping concentration.
US09941368B2	Raised epitaxial LDD in MuGFETs and methods for forming the same Embodiments include Multiple Gate Field-Effect Transistors (MuGFETs) and methods of forming them. In an embodiment, a structure includes a substrate, a fin, masking dielectric layer portions, and a raised epitaxial lightly doped source/drain (LDD) region. The substrate includes the fin. The masking dielectric layer portions are along sidewalls of the fin. An upper portion of the fin protrudes from the masking dielectric layer portions. A first spacer is along a sidewall of a gate structure over a channel region of the fin. A second spacer is along the first spacer. The raised epitaxial LDD region is on the upper portion of the fin, and the raised epitaxial LDD region adjoins a sidewall of the first spacer and is disposed under the second spacer. The raised epitaxial LDD region extends from the upper portion of the fin in at least two laterally opposed directions and a vertical direction.
US09941366B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of semiconductor device Described herein is a semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a trench provided at a surface of the semiconductor substrate; a first insulating layer covering an inner surface of the trench; and a second insulating layer located at a surface of the first insulating layer in the trench. A refraction index of the first insulating layer is larger than a refraction index of the second insulating layer.
US09941365B2	Method for forming a stress-reduced field-effect semiconductor device A method for producing a field-effect semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor body with a first surface defining a vertical direction, defining an active area, forming a vertical trench from the first surface into the semiconductor body, forming a field dielectric layer at least on a side wall and a bottom wall of the vertical trench, depositing a conductive layer on the field dielectric layer, forming a closed cavity on the conductive layer in the vertical trench, and forming an insulated gate electrode on the closed cavity in the vertical trench.
US09941360B2	Field effect transistor and semiconductor device including the same A field effect transistor and a semiconductor device including the same are provided. The semiconductor device may include a channel layer, which is provided on a substrate and includes a two-dimensional atomic layer made of a first material, and a source/drain layer, which is provided on the substrate and includes a second material. The first material may be one of phosphorus allotropes, the second material may be one of carbon allotropes, and the channel layer and the source/drain layer may be connected to each other by covalent bonds between the first and second materials.
US09941357B2	Power MOSFET A power MOSFET includes a substrate, a semiconductor layer, a first gate, a second gate, a thermal oxide layer, a first CVD oxide layer, and a gate oxide layer. The semiconductor layer is formed on the substrate and has at least one trench. The first gate is located inside the trench. The second gate is located inside the trench on the first gate, wherein the second gate has a first portion and a second portion, and the second portion is located between the semiconductor layer and the first portion. The thermal oxide layer is located between the first gate and the semiconductor layer. The first CVD oxide layer is located between the first gate and the second gate. The gate oxide layer is generally located between the second gate and the semiconductor layer.
US09941350B1	Semiconductor device isolation via depleted coupling layer A device includes a semiconductor substrate, a doped isolation barrier disposed in the semiconductor substrate and having a first conductivity type, a body region disposed in the semiconductor substrate within the doped isolation barrier, having the first conductivity type, and in which a channel is formed during operation, and a plurality of reduced surface field (RESURF) layers disposed in the semiconductor substrate. The plurality of RESURF layers are arranged in a stack between the body region and the doped isolation barrier. The plurality of RESURF layers include an upper layer having a second conductivity type, a lower layer having the second conductivity type, and an isolation coupling layer disposed between the upper and lower layers, in contact with the doped isolation barrier, and having the first conductivity type.
US09941348B2	Method of forming a capacitor structure and capacitor structure The present disclosure provides a method of forming a capacitor structure and a capacitor structure. A semiconductor-on-insulator substrate is provided comprising a semiconductor layer, a buried insulating material layer and a semiconductor substrate material. A shallow trench isolation structure defining a first active region on the SOI substrate is formed, the first active region having a plurality of trenches formed therein. Within each trench, the semiconductor substrate material is exposed on inner sidewalls and a bottom face. A layer of insulating material covering the exposed semiconductor substrate material is formed, and an electrode material is deposited on the layer of insulating material in the first active region.
US09941347B2	Floating body contact circuit method for improving ESD performance and switching speed Embodiments of systems, methods, and apparatus for improving ESD performance and switching time for semiconductor devices including metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) field effect transistors (FETs), and particularly to MOSFETs fabricated on Semiconductor-On-Insulator (“SOI”) and Silicon-On-Sapphire (“SOS”) substrates.
US09941345B2	Organic light emitting diode display having blocking layer extending from a drain electrode An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one aspect, the OLED display includes a scan line configured to transmit a scan signal and a data line crossing the scan line and configured to transmit a data voltage. The OLED display also includes a driving voltage line crossing a scan line and configured to transmit a driving voltage, a switching transistor connected to the scan and data lines, and a driving transistor connected to the switching transistor and including a driving gate electrode configured to function as a first storage electrode. The OLED display further includes a second storage electrode overlapping the first storage electrode and an expansion portion of the driving voltage line, an OLED electrically connected to the driving transistor and a blocking layer extending from the driving drain electrode and overlapping a portion of the data.
US09941341B2	Transparent display apparatus A display apparatus includes a pixel including a first area and a second area. Light is emitted from the first area and ambient light is transmitted through the second area. A pixel circuit unit is disposed in the first area, the pixel circuit unit including at least one thin-film transistor (TFT). A first insulating layer covers the pixel circuit unit. A first electrode is disposed on the first insulating layer, and is electrically connected to the pixel circuit unit. A second insulating layer covers an edge of the first electrode. A second electrode is aligned with the first electrode and is disposed in at least the first area. An intermediate layer is disposed between the first and second electrodes and includes an emission layer. An inorganic insulating film is disposed in the second area of the pixel. An organic insulating film covers the inorganic insulating film in the second area.
US09941334B2	Display device A display device is disclosed, which includes: a pixel group including a first pixel having a red sub-pixel and a blue sub-pixel; a second pixel having a green sub-pixel and a blue sub-pixel; a third pixel having a green sub-pixel and a blue sub-pixel; and a fourth pixel having a red sub-pixel and a blue sub-pixel. The first pixel is adjacent to the second pixel in a row direction. The first pixel is adjacent to the second pixel in a column direction. The fourth pixel is diagonal to the first pixel, and the fourth pixel is adjacent to the second pixel and the third pixel. In the pixel group, the blue sub-pixels are quantitatively more than the red sub-pixels, and the blue sub-pixels are quantitatively more than the green sub-pixels.
US09941333B2	Memory device and method of manufacturing the same A memory device includes a first electrode line layer including a plurality of first electrode lines extending on a substrate in a first direction and being spaced apart from each other, a second electrode line layer including a plurality of second electrode lines extending on the first electrode line layer in a second direction that is different from the first direction and being spaced apart from each other, and a memory cell layer including a plurality of first memory cells located at a plurality of intersections between the plurality of first electrode lines and the plurality of second electrode lines, each first memory cell including a selection device layer, an intermediate electrode and a variable resistance layer that are sequentially stacked. A side surface of the variable resistance layer is perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate or inclined to be gradually wider toward an upper portion of the variable resistance layer. The first memory cell has a side surface slope so as to have a width gradually decreasing toward its upper portion.
US09941330B2	LEDs with three color RGB pixels for displays Devices and methods of forming the devices are disclosed. The device includes a substrate and a color LED pixel disposed on the substrate. The color LED pixel includes a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED. Each of the color LED includes a specific color LED body disposed on the respective color region on the substrate, a specific color multiple quantum well (MQW) on the respective color LED body and a specific color top LED layer disposed over the respective color MQW. The MQWs of the red LED, green LED and blue LED includes at least an indium gallium nitride (InxGa1−xN) layer and a gallium nitride (GaN), where x is the atomic percentage of In in the InxGa1−xN layer, and the MQWs of the red LED, green LED and blue LED have different bandgaps by varying x of the InxGa1−xN layer in the red LED, the green LED and the blue LED.
US09941328B2	Optical device having mesas for light extraction enhancement An optical device and method for fabricating an optical device. The optical device comprising: a semiconductor material comprising an active layer configured to emit light when an electrical current is applied to the device and/or to generate an electrical current when light is incident on the active layer, wherein the semiconductor material comprises a first surface and an opposed second surface, from which light is emitted from and/or received by the device, and wherein the first surface defines a first structure comprising the active layer and configured to reflect light emitted from the active layer toward the second surface and/or to reflect light received by the device toward the active layer, and the second surface defines a second structure configured to permit light incident on the second surface at an angle outside a critical angle range to the planar normal to pass therethrough.
US09941325B2	Method of manufacturing solid-state image sensor A method of manufacturing a solid-state image sensor, the method comprising preparing a structure including a substrate and an insulating member provided thereon, the substrate including a photoelectric conversion portion, forming a first opening in the insulating member, the first opening having a bottom face at a position higher than an upper face of the substrate and an inclined first face, forming a first member to fill the first opening, forming a second opening in the first member, forming a third opening, having a second face, in the insulating member by etching part of the insulating member under the second opening using the first member, and forming a second member to fill the third opening, wherein the inclined angle of the first face is smaller than that of the second face.
US09941320B2	3DIC interconnect apparatus and method An interconnect apparatus and a method of forming the interconnect apparatus is provided. Two substrates, such as wafers, dies, or a wafer and a die, are bonded together. A first mask is used to form a first opening extending partially to an interconnect formed on the first wafer. A dielectric liner is formed, and then another etch process is performed using the same mask. The etch process continues to expose interconnects formed on the first substrate and the second substrate. The opening is filled with a conductive material to form a conductive plug.
US09941319B2	Semiconductor and optoelectronic methods and devices A method for processing a semiconductor wafer, the method including: providing a semiconductor wafer including an image sensor pixels layer including a plurality of image sensor pixels, the layer overlaying a wafer substrate; and then bonding the semiconductor wafer to a carrier wafer; and then cutting off a substantial portion of the wafer substrate, and then processing the substantial portion of the wafer substrate for reuse.
US09941318B2	Semiconductor device and electronic apparatus including an organic material layer between a dummy lens and a transparent substrate Provided is a semiconductor device including: a multilayer substrate including an optical element; a light-transmitting plate provided on the substrate to cover the optical element; and a lens of an inorganic material provided between the substrate and the light-transmitting plate. A structure having a same strength as a strength per unit area of the lens is provided at a portion outside an effective photosensitive region where the optical element is formed, when the substrate is viewed in plan.
US09941317B2	Solid-state image sensor and camera which can detect visible light and infrared light at a high S/N ratio A solid-state image sensor includes a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels. Each of the plurality of first pixels includes a first filter having a visible light transmittance higher than an infrared light transmittance, and a first photoelectric converter configured to receive visible light transmitted through the first filter, and each of the plurality of second pixels includes a second filter having an infrared light transmittance higher than a visible light transmittance, and a second photoelectric converter configured to receive infrared light transmitted through the second filter. The plurality of second pixels are divided into a plurality of groups each includes at least two second pixels. The solid-state image sensor includes a synthesizer configured to synthesize a signal from signals of the at least two second pixels included in each group.
US09941314B2	Phase difference detection while suppressing deterioration of resolution The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and a driving method thereof, and an electronic apparatus that make it possible to improve the precision of phase difference detection while suppressing deterioration of resolution in a solid-state imaging device having a global shutter function and a phase difference AF function. Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit including, as pixels including an on-chip lens, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a charge accumulation unit, imaging pixels for generating a captured image and phase difference detection pixels for performing phase difference detection arrayed therein; and a driving control unit configured to control driving of the pixels. The imaging pixel is formed with the charge accumulation unit shielded from light. The phase difference detection pixel is formed in a manner that at least part of at least one of the photoelectric conversion unit and the charge accumulation unit refrains from being shielded from light. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a CMOS image sensor.
US09941312B2	Manufacturing method for LTPS TFT substrate The invention provides a manufacturing method for LTPS TFT substrate. After forming N+ areas on both sides of polysilicon layer, the first gate insulating layer, first gate, second gate insulating layer, and second gate are sequentially formed on polysilicon layer, and the second gate is wider than first gate to produce a low electric field region in the polysilicon layer to reduce leakage current; alternatively, forming first gate and first gate insulating layer, forming polysilicon layer and N+ areas on both sides of polysilicon layer, forming second gate insulating layer and second gate on polysilicon layer, the second gate insulating layer is thicker than first gate insulating layer and the second gate is wider than first gate, so that the second gate insulating layer sandwiched by the second gate beyond first gate and polysilicon layer is thicker and produces a smaller electric field, which simplifies process and reduce cost.
US09941307B2	Thin-film transistor array substrate with connection node and display device including the same A thin-film transistor (TFT) array substrate including: a first conductive layer selected from an active layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode of a TFT; a second conductive layer in a layer different from the first conductive layer; and a connection node coupling the first conductive layer to the second conductive layer. Here, the TFT array has a node contact hole formed by: a first contact hole in the first conductive layer; and a second contact hole in the second conductive layer, the second contact hole being integral with the first contact hole and not being separated from the first contact hole by an insulating layer, and at least a portion of the connection node is in the node contact hole.
US09941302B2	Structure and method to form defect free high-mobility semiconductor fins on insulator A semiconductor structure is provided that includes a plurality of high mobility semiconductor material (i.e., silicon germanium alloy of III-V compound semiconductors) fins located above and spaced apart from a bulk semiconductor substrate portion, wherein each of the high mobility semiconductor material fins has a lower faceted surface that is confined within a dielectric isolation structure.
US09941300B2	Structure and method for fully depleted silicon on insulator structure for threshold voltage modification A method for fabricating a fully depleted silicon on insulator (FDSOI) device is described. A charge trapping layer in a buried oxide layer is provided on a semiconductor substrate. A backgate well in the semiconductor substrate is provided under the charge trapping layer. A device structure including a gate structure, source and drain regions is disposed over the buried oxide layer. A charge is trapped in the charge trapping layer. The threshold voltage of the device is partially established by the charge trapped in the charge trapping layer. Different aspects of the invention include the structure of the FDSOI device and a method of tuning the charge trapped in the charge trapping layer of the FDSOI device.
US09941299B1	Three-dimensional ferroelectric memory device and method of making thereof A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of word lines and insulating layers, vertical semiconductor channels vertically extending through the alternating stack, and a ferroelectric memory material located between each vertical semiconductor channel and the word lines.
US09941296B2	Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing same A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, includes: a stacked structural unit including a plurality of insulating films alternately stacked with a plurality of electrode films in a first direction; a selection gate electrode stacked on the stacked structural unit in the first direction; an insulating layer stacked on the selection gate electrode in the first direction; a first semiconductor pillar piercing the stacked structural unit, the selection gate electrode, and the insulating layer in the first direction, a first cross section of the first semiconductor pillar having an annular configuration, the first cross section being cut in a plane orthogonal to the first direction; a first core unit buried in an inner side of the first semiconductor pillar, the first core unit being recessed from an upper face of the insulating layer; and a first conducting layer of the first semiconductor pillar provided on the first core unit to contact the first core unit.
US09941295B2	Method of making a three-dimensional memory device having a heterostructure quantum well channel A cylindrical confinement electron gas confined within a two-dimensional cylindrical region can be formed in a vertical semiconductor channel extending through a plurality of electrically conductive layers comprising control gate electrodes. A memory film in a memory opening is interposed between the vertical semiconductor channel and the electrically conductive layers. The vertical semiconductor channel includes a wider band gap semiconductor material and a narrow band gap semiconductor material. The cylindrical confinement electron gas is formed at an interface between the wider band gap semiconductor material and the narrow band gap semiconductor material. As a two-dimensional electron gas, the cylindrical confinement electron gas can provide high charge carrier mobility for the vertical semiconductor channel, which can be advantageously employed to provide higher performance for a three-dimensional memory device.
US09941293B1	Select transistors with tight threshold voltage in 3D memory Disclosed herein is a 3D memory with a select transistor, and method for fabricating the same. The select transistor may have a conductive floating gate, a conductive control gate, a first dielectric between the conductive floating gate and the conductive control gate, and a second dielectric between a body and the conductive floating gate. In one aspect, a uniform gate dielectric is formed using lateral epitaxial growth in a recess adjacent a crystalline semiconductor select transistor body, followed by forming the gate dielectric from the epitaxial growth. Techniques help to prevent, or at least reduce, a leakage current between the select transistor control gate and the select transistor body and/or the semiconductor substrate below the select transistor. Therefore, select transistors having a substantially uniform threshold voltage, on current, and S-factor are achieved. Also, select transistors have a high on-current and a steep sub-threshold slope.
US09941290B2	Read-only memory (ROM) device structure and method for forming the same A read-only memory (ROM) structure is provided. The ROM device structure includes an active region formed over a substrate and a first group of word lines formed over the active region. The first group of word lines includes at least two word lines. The ROM device structure includes a second group of word lines formed on the active region, and the second group of word lines includes at least two word lines. The ROM device structure further includes an isolation line between the first group of word lines and the second group of word lines and over the active region. The first group of word lines, the second group of word lines, and the isolation line are formed in a second metal layer.
US09941279B2	Semiconductor structure having fins and method for manufacturing the same A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, at least one active fin present on the substrate, and at least one isolation dielectric surrounding the active fin. The isolation dielectric has at least one trench therein. The semiconductor structure further includes at least one dielectric liner present on at least one sidewall of the trench of the isolation dielectric, and at least one filling dielectric present in the trench of the isolation dielectric.
US09941272B2	Method of producing a semiconductor device A semiconductor body has a drift region layer, a body region layer adjoining the drift region layer, and a source region layer adjoining the body region layer and forming a first surface of the semiconductor body. At least two diode regions extend from the first surface through the source and body region layers into the drift region layer. Each diode region and the drift region layer form one pn-junction. At least two trenches have first and second opposing sidewalls and a bottom such that each trench adjoins the body region layer on one sidewall, one diode region on the second sidewall and one pn-junction on the bottom. In each trench, a gate dielectric dielectrically insulates a gate electrode from the semiconductor body. Sections of the source and body region layers remaining after forming the diode regions form source regions and body regions, respectively.
US09941267B2	Electro-static discharge protection circuit An electro-static discharge (ESD) protection circuit is configured to protect circuitry during an ESD event. The ESD protection circuit includes an ESD detection circuit and an ESD clamp circuit. The ESD clamp circuit includes a stack of transistors that is controlled by the ESD detection circuit. A first stack transistor of the stack of transistors includes a deep n-well. The stack of transistors is configured to be activated responsive to detecting the ESD event. The stack of transistors is configured to be deactivated responsive to detecting at least one of normal current conditions or normal voltage conditions. The ESD detection circuit includes a string of diodes. The string of diodes is configured to be activated responsive to detecting the ESD event. The stack of transistors is configured to be a voltage divider responsive to normal voltage conditions.
US09941250B2	Chip stack structures that implement two-phase cooling with radial flow A package structure to implement two-phase cooling includes a chip stack disposed on a substrate, and a package lid that encloses the chip stack. The chip stack includes a plurality of conjoined chips, a central inlet manifold formed through a central region of the chip stack, and a peripheral outlet manifold. The central input manifold includes inlet nozzles to feed liquid coolant into flow cavities formed between adjacent conjoined chips. The peripheral outlet manifold outputs heated liquid and vapor from the flow cavities. The package lid includes a central coolant supply inlet aligned to the central inlet manifold, and a peripheral liquid-vapor outlet to output heated liquid and vapor that exits from the peripheral outlet manifold. Guiding walls may be included in the flow cavities to guide a flow of liquid and vapor, and the guiding walls can be arranged to form radial flow channels that are feed by different inlet nozzles of the central inlet manifold.
US09941246B2	Electronic assembly that includes stacked electronic devices An electronic assembly that includes a first electronic device. The first electronic device includes a cavity that extends into a back side of the first electronic device. The electronic assembly further includes a second electronic device. The second electronic device is mounted to the first electronic device within the cavity in the first electronic device. In some example forms of the electronic assembly, the first electronic device and the second electronic device are each a die. It should be noted that other forms of the electronic assembly are contemplated where only one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device is a die. In some forms of the electronic assembly, the second electronic device is soldered to the first electronic device.
US09941240B2	Semiconductor chip scale package and manufacturing method thereof A surface mounting semiconductor component includes a semiconductor device, a circuit board, a number of first solder bumps, and a number of second solder bumps. The semiconductor device included a number of die pads. The circuit board includes a number of contact pads. The first solder bumps are configured to bond the semiconductor device and the circuit board. Each of the first solder bumps connects at least two die pads with a corresponding contact pad. Each of the second solder bumps connects a die pad with a corresponding contact pad. A method of forming a surface mounting component or a chip scale package assembly wherein the component or assembly has at least two different types of solder bumps.
US09941235B2	Power module substrate with Ag underlayer and power module A power module substrate with a Ag underlayer of the invention includes: a circuit layer that is formed on one surface of an insulating layer; and a Ag underlayer that is formed on the circuit layer, in which the Ag underlayer is composed of a glass layer that is formed on the circuit layer side and a Ag layer that is formed by lamination on the glass layer, and regarding the Ag underlayer, in a Raman spectrum obtained by a Raman spectroscopy with incident light made incident from a surface of the Ag layer on a side opposite to the glass layer, when a maximum value of intensity in a wavenumber range of 3,000 cm−1 to 4,000 cm−1 indicated by IA, and a maximum value of intensity in a wavenumber range of 450 cm−1 to 550 cm−1 is indicated by IB, IA/IB is 1.1 or greater.
US09941234B2	Integrated packaging of multiple double sided cooling planar bond power modules An integrated double sided cooled power module has one or multiple phase legs configuration including one or more planar power packages, each planar power package having an upper power switch unit and a lower power switch unit directly bonded and interconnected between two insulated power substrates, and further sandwiched between two heat exchangers via direct bonds. A segmented coolant manifold is interposed with the one or more planar power packages and creates a sealed enclosure that defines a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet and a coolant flow path between the inlet and the outlet. A coolant circulates along the flow path to remove heat and increase the power density of the power module.
US09941233B2	Electronic device and mounting structure of the same An electronic device includes an electronic element, a plurality of first sub-electrodes arrayed in a first direction, a plurality of second sub-electrodes arrayed in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction, a dummy electrode, and a sealing resin. The sealing resin has a resin back surface from which the plurality of first sub-electrodes, the plurality of second sub-electrodes and the dummy electrode are exposed. The plurality of second sub-electrodes are located further in the first direction than any of the plurality of first sub-electrodes. The plurality of first sub-electrodes are located further in the second direction than any of the plurality of second sub-electrodes. The dummy electrode is located further in the first direction than any of the plurality of first sub-electrodes, and is located further in the second direction than any of the plurality of second sub-electrodes.
US09941230B2	Electrical connecting structure between a substrate and a semiconductor chip The present invention provides an electrical connecting structure between a substrate 21 and a semiconductor chip 22. The electrical connecting structure comprises a metal bump 26 formed on a contact pad 28 of a semiconductor chip 22 and a coating layer 25 formed on the metal bump 26 of the semiconductor chip 22. The coating layer includes material not wettable with solder. The electrical connecting structure further comprises a metal pad 24 formed on the substrate 21. The electrical connecting structure further comprises a solder 29 connecting to a side surface of the metal bump 26 and an outer surface of the metal pad 24. The outer surface is not covered by the coating layer 25.
US09941228B2	Millimeter wave integrated circuit with ball grid array package including transmit and receive channels A millimeter wave integrated circuit (IC) chip. The IC chip comprises an IC die and a wire bond ball grid array package encapsulating the IC die. The wire bond ball grid array package comprises a solder ball array, a millimeter wave transmit channel, and a millimeter wave receive channel, wherein each millimeter wave transmit and receive channel electrically couples the IC die to a signal ball of the solder ball array and is configured to resonate at an operating frequency band of the millimeter wave IC chip.
US09941227B2	Impedance matching configuration A package is provided. The package comprises a die and an impedance matching network. The die has a first terminal and a second terminal. The impedance matching network is coupled to the second terminal and comprises a first inductor and a first capacitor. The first inductor comprises first bond wire connections coupled between the second terminal and a first bond pad on the die, and second bond wire connections coupled between the first bond pad and a second bond pad coupled to the first capacitor.
US09941226B2	Integrated millimeter-wave chip package An integrated millimeter-wave chip package structure including an interposer structure, a millimeter-wave chip and a substrate is provided. The interposer structure includes at least an antenna pattern and at least a plated through-hole structure penetrating through the interposer structure and connected to the at least one antenna pattern. The millimeter-wave chip is electrically connected to the at least antenna pattern located either above or below the millimeter-wave chip through the at least plated through-hole structure.
US09941224B2	Multi-die integrated circuit device with capacitive overvoltage protection An electronic device includes a package, a plurality of external leads extending outside the package, a first die within the package having one or more first contacts electrically coupled to at least a first one of the external leads, and a second die within the package having one or more second contacts electrically coupled to at least a second one of the external leads. A capacitive coupling may be positioned between the first and second die to allow electrostatic discharge (ESD) current to flow between the first die and the second die in response to an ESD event and to electrically isolate the first and second die from each other in the absence of the ESD event.
US09941223B2	Devices and methods for detecting counterfeit semiconductor devices Techniques for providing a tamper mechanism for semiconductor devices are disclosed herein. The techniques include, for example, providing at least one die and at least one strain gauge, orienting the at least one strain gauge to the die, forming an encapsulated semiconductor device by encapsulating the die and each strain gauge within a mold compound to maintain respective orientation, and measuring an initial strain value for the at least one strain gauge after forming the encapsulated semiconductor device.
US09941216B2	Conductive pattern and integrated fan-out package having the same A conductive pattern including a teardrop shaped portion, a routing line, and a connection portion is provided. The routing line links to the teardrop shaped portion through the connection portion, and a width of the connection portion decreases along an extending direction from the teardrop shaped portion to the routing line. Furthermore, an integrated fan-out package including the above-mentioned conductive pattern is also provided.
US09941215B2	Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. First, a substrate is provided, a first gate structure is formed on the substrate, a first spacer is formed around the first gate structure, and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer is formed around the first spacer. Next, a first etching process is performed to remove part of the ILD layer for forming a recess, a second etching process is performed to remove part of the first spacer for expanding the recess, and a contact plug is formed in the recess.
US09941206B2	Interconnection structures for semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same An interconnection structure includes an underlying layer including a lower interconnection, and an interlayered dielectric layer including a contact hole and a trench therein. The contact hole exposes a portion of the lower interconnection, and the trench extends along a first direction to be connected to the contact hole. A contact plug extends through the contact hole in the interlayered dielectric layer, and an upper interconnection line extends in the trench of the interlayered dielectric layer and connects to the contact plug. The contact plug includes lower and upper sidewalls inclined at first and second angles, respectively, relative to the underlying layer, and the second angle is less than the first angle. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.
US09941204B2	III-V compatible anti-fuses An anti-fuse is provided above a semiconductor material. The anti-fuse includes a first end region including a first metal structure; a second end region including a second metal structure; and a middle region located between the first end region and the second end region. In accordance with the present application, the middle region of the anti-fuse includes at least a portion of the second metal structure that is located in a gap positioned between a bottom III-V compound semiconductor material and a top III-V compound semiconductor material. A high-k dielectric material liner separates the second metal structure from a portion of the first metal structure.
US09941202B2	Dielectric thermal conductor for passivating efuse and metal resistor A semiconductor device includes a first dielectric layer formed on a second dielectric layer and planar contacts formed in the second dielectric layer. The planar contacts are spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. The first dielectric layer includes a thermally conductive dielectric layer and is formed on lateral sides of the planar contacts and in the gap. A resistive element is formed between the planar contacts over the gap and in contact with at least the thermally conductive dielectric layer in the gap.
US09941199B2	Two step metallization formation An integrated circuit structure includes a first conductive line, a dielectric layer over the first conductive line, a diffusion barrier layer in the dielectric layer, and a second conductive line in the dielectric layer. The second conductive line includes a first portion of the diffusion barrier layer. A via is underlying the second conductive line and electrically couples the second conductive line to the first conductive line. The via includes a second portion of the diffusion barrier layer, with the second portion of the diffusion barrier layer having a bottom end higher than a bottom surface of the via.
US09941196B2	Semiconductor device, fabricating method thereof and semiconductor package including the semiconductor device In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface, and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second surface defines a redistribution trench. The substrate has a via hole extending therethrough. The semiconductor device also includes a through via disposed in the via hole. The through via may include a via hole insulating layer, a barrier layer, sequentially formed on an inner wall of the via hole. The through via may further include a conductive connector adjacent the barrier layer. The semiconductor device additionally includes an insulation layer pattern formed on the second surface of the substrate. The insulation layer pattern defines an opening that exposes a region of a top surface of the through via. The semiconductor devices includes a redistribution layer disposed in the trench and electrically connected to the through via. The insulation layer pattern overlaps a region of the conductive connector.
US09941194B1	Packaged semiconductor device having patterned conductance dual-material nanoparticle adhesion layer In an embodiment, a substrate made of a first material and having a surface is provided. A first and second nozzle dispense a first solvent paste including electrically conductive nanoparticles and a second solvent paste including non-conductive nanoparticles respectively while moving over the surface of the substrate. The first and second nozzles additively deposit a uniform layer comprising sequential and contiguous zones alternating between the first solvent paste and the second solvent paste. Energy is applied to the nanoparticles to sinter together the nanoparticles and diffuse the nanoparticles into the substrate. The sintered nanoparticles form a layer composed of an alternating sequence of electrically conductive zones contiguous with electrically non-conductive zones.
US09941188B2	Assembly of an integrated circuit chip and of a plate An assembly includes an integrated circuit chip and a plate with at least one heat removal channel arranged between the chip and the plate. Metal sidewalls are formed to extend from one surface of the chip to an opposite surface of the plate. The assembly is encapsulated in a body that includes an opening extending to reach the channel. The plate may be one of an interposer, an integrated circuit chip, a support of surface-mount type, or a metal plate.
US09941187B2	Power converter and method for manufacturing power converter A power converter includes a plurality of power cards, a plurality of coolers and a pressure member. Each of the power cards houses a semiconductor element. The plurality of coolers is laminated with the power cards. The cooler includes a body, a gasket and a metal plate. The body is made of resin, and has an opening that is provided in a side surface of the cooler that faces the adjacent power card. A surface on one side of the metal plate is configured to close the opening through the gasket, and the other surface faces the power card. The pressure member is configured to apply a pressure in a laminating direction on a lamination unit. The opening is sealed by the metal plate by pressure applied by the pressure member on the lamination unit.
US09941185B2	Variable heat conductor A method and apparatus for a variable heat conductor that is able to increase heat conduction capacity based on operating temperature. The variable heat conductor is to be positioned between an electronic device and a heat sink to facilitate cooling of the electronic device. During cold start-up of the electronic device, the variable heat conductor acts as a thermal isolator, causing the electronic device to warm more quickly following the cold start-up. The variable heat conductor may fully conduct heat at higher temperatures that are at or above a desired temperature set-point.
US09941184B2	Thermal interface material on package A packaged assembly is disclosed, including thermal interface material dispensed on an organic package and methods of manufacturing. The method includes dispensing a thermal interface material (TIM) on an electronic assembly. The method further includes removing volatile species of the TIM, prior to lid placement on the electronic assembly. The method further includes placing the lid on the TIM, over the electronic assembly. The method further includes pressing the lid onto the electronic assembly.
US09941181B2	Chip package and method of forming a chip package In various embodiments, a chip package is provided. The chip package may include a chip including a chip metal surface, a metal contact structure electrically contacting the chip metal surface, and packaging material including a contact layer being in physical contact with the chip metal surface and/or with the metal contact structure; wherein at least in the contact layer of the packaging material, a summed concentration of chemically reactive sulfur, chemically reactive selenium and chemically reactive tellurium is less than 10 atomic parts per million.
US09941180B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof A semiconductor package and a manufacturing method thereof, which can reduce the size of the semiconductor package and improve product reliability. In a non-limiting example embodiment, the method may comprise forming an interposer on a wafer, forming at least one reinforcement member on the interposer, coupling and electrically connecting at least one semiconductor die to the interposer to the interposer, filling a region between the semiconductor die and the interposer with an underfill, and encapsulating the reinforcement member, the semiconductor die and the underfill on the interposer using an encapsulant.
US09941175B2	Dielectric isolated SiGe fin on bulk substrate A method for forming fins on a semiconductor device includes etching trenches into a monocrystalline substrate to form first fins and forming a first dielectric layer at bottoms of the trenches. Second fins of a material having a different composition than the substrate are grown on sidewalls of the trenches. A second dielectric layer is formed over the second fins. The first fins are removed by etching. The second fins are processed to form fin field effect transistor devices.
US09941173B2	Memory cell layout A system and method for a memory cell layout is disclosed. An embodiment comprises forming dummy layers and spacers along the sidewalls of the dummy layer. Once the spacers have been formed, the dummy layers may be removed and the spacers may be used as a mask. By using the spacers instead of a standard lithographic process, the inherent limitations of the lithographic process can be avoided and further scaling of FinFET devices can be achieved.
US09941167B2	Method for manufacturing element chip The method includes a laser scribing step of forming an opening including an exposing portion, where the first layer is exposed, by irradiating the dividing region of the substrate with laser light from the first main surface side, forming a remaining region on which the second layer in the dividing region remains around the opening other than the exposing portion, and forming a first damaged region of a surface layer portion of the first layer including the exposing portion and a second damaged region of a surface layer portion of the first layer to be covered by the remaining region on the first layer of the dividing region.
US09941166B2	Method of processing a substrate The invention relates to a method of processing a substrate, having a first surface with a device area and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the device area has a plurality of devices formed therein. The method comprises applying a pulsed laser beam to the substrate from the side of the second surface, in a plurality of positions along the second surface, so as to form a plurality of hole regions in the substrate, each hole region extending from the second surface towards the first surface. Each hole region is composed of a modified region and a space in the modified region open to the second surface. The method further comprises grinding the second surface of the substrate, where the plurality of hole regions has been formed, to adjust the substrate thickness.
US09941164B1	Self-aligned block patterning with density assist pattern A method of generating mask layouts for self-aligned block patterning is provided. Metal line patterns to be formed on a semiconductor substrate is identified. A mandrel mask layout for first mask based on the metal line patterns is generated in view of a self-aligned double patterning (SADP) process for forming a plurality of mandrels on the semiconductor substrate. The mandrel mask layout may include a plurality of mandrel patterns. A non-mandrel block mask layout for second mask is generated based on the mandrel mask layout for cutting metal lines formed under gaps between spacers in non-mandrel area on the semiconductor substrate. The non-mandrel block mask layout may include a plurality of first block patterns and a plurality of first density assist patterns. A mandrel block mask layout for third mask is generated based on the mandrel mask layout for cutting metal lines formed under mandrel area on the semiconductor substrate.
US09941163B2	Gate tie-down enablement with inner spacer A method for forming a gate tie-down includes opening up a cap layer and recessing gate spacers on a gate structure to expose a gate conductor; forming inner spacers on the gate spacers; etching contact openings adjacent to sides of the gate structure down to a substrate below the gate structures; and forming trench contacts on sides of the gate structure. An interlevel dielectric (ILD) is deposited on the gate conductor and the trench contacts and over the gate structure. The ILD is opened up to expose the trench contact on one side of the gate structure and the gate conductor. A second conductive material provides a self-aligned contact down to the trench contact on the one side and to form a gate contact down to the gate conductor and a horizontal connection within the ILD over an active area between the gate conductor and the self-aligned contact.
US09941161B2	Method for fabricating semiconductor device A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a gate structure thereon, a first hard mask atop the gate structure, and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer around the gate structure and the first hard mask; removing part of the first hard mask; forming a second hard mask layer on the first hard mask and the ILD layer; and planarizing part of the second hard mask layer to form a second hard mask on the first hard mask.
US09941157B2	Porogen bonded gap filling material in semiconductor manufacturing A method for semiconductor manufacturing includes receiving a device that includes a substrate and a first layer disposed over the substrate, wherein the first layer includes a trench. The method further includes applying a first material over the first layer and filling in the trench, wherein the first material contains a matrix and a porogen that is chemically bonded with the matrix. The method further includes curing the first material to form a porous material layer. The porous material layer has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed in the trench. The second portion is disposed over the first layer. The first and second portions contain substantially the same percentage of each of Si, O, and C. The first and second portions contain substantially the same level of porosity.
US09941151B2	Method for producing an integrated circuit including a metallization layer comprising low K dielectric material A method of forming a metallization layer of an IC having a lower via level and an upper trench level is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes applying a dual damascene process to a stack of two layers. The bottom layer includes a porous low-k dielectric in which the pores have been filled by a template material. The top layer is a template layer. This stack is obtained by depositing a template layer on top of a porous low-k dielectric and annealing in order to let the template material diffuse into the pores of the low-k layer. At the end of the anneal process, a stack of a pore-filled layer and a template layer is obtained. Vias are etched in the low-k layer and trenches are etched in the template layer. The template pore-filling protects the low-k dielectric during plasma etching, metal barrier deposition and metal deposition.
US09941145B2	Wafer processing temporary bonding arrangement, wafer processing laminate, and thin wafer manufacturing method A temporary bonding arrangement for wafer processing is provided comprising a first temporary bond layer (A) of thermoplastic resin, a second temporary bond layer (B) of thermosetting siloxane polymer, and a third temporary bond layer (C) of thermosetting polymer. Layer (B) is cured with a curing catalyst contained in layer (A) which is laid contiguous to layer (B). An adhesive layer of uniform thickness is formed without insufficient step coverage and other failures.
US09941143B2	Thin film transistor, display substrate having the same, and method of manufacturing the same A thin film transistor include a control electrode, a semiconductor layer on the control electrode, an input electrode, at least a portion of the input electrode being on the semiconductor layer, and an output electrode spaced apart from the input electrode, at least a portion of the output electrode being on the semiconductor layer. Each of the input electrode and the output electrode includes a wiring layer including a metal material, a dummy portion on a side part of the wiring layer, the dummy portion including an oxide of the metal material, and a protection layer on the wiring layer, the protection layer overlapping the wiring layer and the dummy portion.
US09941134B2	Uniform dielectric recess depth during fin reveal A method for providing a uniform recess depth between different fin gap sizes includes depositing a dielectric material between fins on a substrate. Etch lag is tuned for etching the dielectric material between narrow gaps faster than the dielectric material between wider gaps such that the dielectric material in the narrow gaps reaches a target depth. An etch block is formed in die narrow gaps. The wider gaps are etched to the target depth. The etch block is removed.
US09941131B1	Method for applying developer on semiconductor wafer A method for applying developer over a semiconductor wafer is provided. The method includes moving a nozzle over the center of the semiconductor wafer. The nozzle extends across the semiconductor wafer. The method also includes rotating the semiconductor wafer by a dispensing rotation angle that is less than 180 degrees. The method further includes dispensing developer over the semiconductor wafer relative to alignment marks formed on the semiconductor wafer while the semiconductor wafer is rotated by the dispensing rotation angle.
US09941129B2	Semiconductor device having self-aligned gate contacts A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the device. The method includes: depositing a first dielectric layer on a semiconductor device; forming a plurality of first trenches through the first dielectric layer; depositing an insulating fill in the plurality of first trenches; planarizing the plurality of first trenches; forming a first gate contact between the plurality of first trenches; depositing a first contact fill in the first gate contact; planarizing the first gate contact; depositing a second dielectric layer on the device; forming a plurality of second trenches through the first and second dielectric layers; depositing a conductive fill in the plurality of second trenches; planarizing the plurality of second trenches; forming a second gate contact where the second gate contact is in contact with the first gate contact; depositing a second contact fill in the second gate contact; and planarizing the second gate contact.
US09941126B2	Microwave plasma device A processing system is disclosed, having a power transmission element with an interior cavity that propagates electromagnetic energy proximate to a continuous slit in the interior cavity. The continuous slit forms an opening between the interior cavity and a substrate processing chamber. The electromagnetic energy may generate an alternating charge in the continuous slit that enables the generation of an electric field that may propagate into the processing chamber. The electromagnetic energy may be conditioned prior to entering the interior cavity to improve uniformity or stability of the electric field. The conditioning may include, but is not limited to, phase angle, field angle, and number of feeds into the interior cavity.
US09941125B2	Method for integrated circuit patterning A method of patterning a substrate includes forming a hard mask layer over the substrate; forming a first material layer over the hard mask layer; and forming a trench in the first material layer. The method further includes treating the hard mask layer with an ion beam through the trench. An etching rate of a treated portion of the hard mask layer reduces with respect to an etching process while an etching rate of untreated portions of the hard mask layer remains substantially unchanged with respect to the etching process. After the treating of the hard mask layer, the method further includes removing the first material layer and removing the untreated portions of the hard mask layer with the etching process, thereby forming a hard mask over the substrate. The method further includes etching the substrate with the hard mask as an etch mask.
US09941124B1	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor base body having a first main surface and a second main surface, the first main surface and the second main surface being opposite with each other; a Schottky electrode that is disposed on the first main surface and forms a Schottky junction with the semiconductor base body; and a barrier metal layer that is brought into ohmic contact with the first main surface around the Schottky electrode and covers a side surface of the Schottky electrode.
US09941117B2	Tunneling field effect transistors and transistor circuitry employing same A p-channel tunneling field effect transistor (TFET) is selected from a group consisting of (i) a multi-layer structure of group IV layers and (ii) a multi-layer structure of group III-V layers. The p-channel TFET includes a channel region comprising one of a silicon-germanium alloy with non-zero germanium content and a ternary III-V alloy. An n-channel TFET is selected from a group consisting of (i) a multi-layer structure of group IV layers and (ii) a multi-layer structure of group III-V layers. The n-channel TFET includes an n-type region, a p-type region with a p-type delta doping, and a channel region disposed between and spacing apart the n-type region and the p-type region. The p-channel TFET and the n-channel TFET may be electrically connected to define a complementary field-effect transistor element. TFETs may be fabricated from a silicon-germanium TFET layer structure grown by low temperature molecular beam epitaxy at a growth temperature at or below 500° C.
US09941116B2	Method for manufacturing silicon-carbide semiconductor element In this method for manufacturing a semiconductor element, a modified layer produced by subjecting a substrate (70) to mechanical polishing is removed by heating the substrate (70) under Si vapor pressure. An epitaxial layer formation step, an ion implantation step, an ion activation step, and a second removal step are then performed. In the second removal step, macro-step bunching and insufficient ion-implanted portions of the surface of the substrate (70) performed the ion activation step are removed by heating the substrate (70) under Si vapor pressure. After that, an electrode formation step in which electrodes are formed on the substrate (70) is performed.
US09941114B2	Organometallic precursors and methods of forming thin layers using the same An organometallic precursor is represented by a chemical formula of Xn(M)(R1)m(R2)k. M is a central metal. X is a ligand of M and one of 6,6-dimethylfulvenyl, indenyl, cyclopentadienyl and cyclopentadienyl substituted with an amino group. R1 and R2 are ligands of M, and each independently an amino group or an ethylenediamino group. Each n, m and k is a positive integer, and a sum of n, m and k is equal to 3 or 4.
US09941112B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which includes, in the following order: a first step of preparing a semiconductor element which includes a pn junction exposure portion; a second step of forming an insulation layer such that the insulation layer covers the pn junction exposure portion; and a third step of forming a glass layer on the insulation layer where a layer made of glass composition for protecting a semiconductor junction is formed on the insulation layer and, thereafter, the layer made of glass composition for protecting a semiconductor junction is baked.
US09941107B2	Cylindrical multi-reflecting time-of-flight mass spectrometer A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving resolution and duty-cycle of a multi-reflecting TOF mass spectrometer (MR-TOF) by arranging a cylindrical analyzer having an appropriate radial deflection means, means for limiting ion divergence in the tangential direction and a pulsed source providing ion packet divergence of less than 1 mm*deg. There are disclosed embodiments for fifth-order focusing cylindrical ion minors. Separate embodiments provide parallel tandem MS-MS within a single cylindrical MR-TOF.
US09941105B2	Mass spectrometry analysis of microorganisms in samples The invention generally relates to systems and methods for mass spectrometry analysis of microorganisms in samples.
US09941100B2	Adjustable nozzle for plasma deposition and a method of controlling the adjustable nozzle The description relates to an adjustable nozzle capable of pivoting about an axis of the nozzle and translating along the axis of the nozzle. A high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP CVD) chamber houses a plurality of adjustable nozzles. A feedback control system includes a control unit coupled to the adjustable nozzle and the HDP CVD chamber to form a more uniform thickness profile of films deposited on a wafer in the HDP CVD chamber.
US09941098B2	Plasma processing method In a plasma processing method of sequentially performing multiple cycles, each of which includes plural stages which generate plasma of different processing gases within a processing vessel and which are performed in sequence, a setting of a high frequency power and/or a setting of a level of a DC voltage is changed at an appropriate time point after transitioning from a preceding stage to a succeeding stage. The high frequency power is supplied to one of a first electrode and a second electrode of a plasma processing apparatus, and the processing gas output from a gas supply system is changed when transitioning from the preceding stage to the succeeding stage. Thereafter, the setting of the high frequency power and/or the setting of the level of the negative DC voltage is changed at a time point when a parameter reflecting an impedance of the plasma exceeds a threshold value.
US09941094B1	Innovative source assembly for ion beam production A source assembly for producing an ion beam and comprising a collision ionization ion source having: A pair of stacked plates, sandwiched about an intervening gap; An ionization space between said plates, connected to a gas supply duct; An input zone, provided in a first of said plates, to admit an input beam of charged particles to said ionization space; An output aperture, located opposite said input zone and provided in the second of said plates, to allow emission of a flux of ions produced in said ionization space by said input beam, which source assembly comprises: A carrier provided with a plurality of different collision ionization ion sources that mutually differ in respect of a gap height d between said plates; A selecting device, which allows a given one of said ion sources to be individually selected for production of said ion beam. The various sources in said plurality preferably have a scattering quotient QS=d/li with a value in a range 1-500, preferably in a range 1-200, where li is an ionic mean free path length in said ionization space.
US09941092B2	X-ray assemblies and coatings The disclosed subject matter includes devices and methods relating to anode assemblies and/or X-ray assemblies. In some aspects, a method of forming an X-ray assembly may include providing an anode base formed of a first material and including a first end. The method may include depositing a second material different from the first material over a first surface of the anode base to form a coated portion of the anode base. The coated portion may be configured such that some backscattered electrons do not travel beyond the coated portion.
US09941091B2	X-ray tube An X-ray tube includes a cathode including an emitter emitting an electron beam, an anode at which a target material is disposed, the target material emitting an X-ray by colliding with the electron beam, and an insulating spacer isolating the anode, wherein the cathode or the anode is disposed between the emitter and the insulating spacer.
US09941090B2	X-ray source, high-voltage generator, electron beam gun, rotary target assembly, and rotary vacuum seal Disclosed herein are a high-voltage generator for an x-ray source, an x-ray gun, an electron beam apparatus, a rotary vacuum seal, a target assembly for an x-ray source, a rotary x-ray emission target, and an x-ray source. These various aspects may separately and/or together enable the construction of an x-ray source which can operate at energies of up to 500 kV and beyond, which is suitable for use in commercial and research x-ray applications such as computerised tomography. In particular, the high-voltage generator includes a shield electrode electrically connected intermediate of a first voltage multiplier and a second voltage multiplier. The electron beam apparatus includes control photodetectors and photo emitters having a transparent conductive shield arranged therebetween. The rotary vacuum seal includes a pumpable chamber at a position intermediate between high-pressure and low-pressure ends of a bore for a rotating shaft. The rotary target assembly is configured such that when a torque between a bearing housing and a vacuum housing exceeds a predetermined torque, the bearing housing rotates relative to the vacuum housing. The rotary x-ray emission target has a plurality of target plates supported on a hub, the plates being arranged on the hub to provide an annular target region about an axis rotation of the hub. The x-ray gun is provided with a shield electrode maintained at a potential difference relative to the x-ray target different to the electron beam emission cathode.
US09941089B2	Cesium primary ion source for secondary ion mass spectrometer A primary ion source subassembly for use with a secondary ion mass spectrometer may include a unitary graphite ionizer tube and reservoir base. A primary ion source may include a capillary insert defining an ionizer aperture. An ionizer aperture may be centrally arranged in an outwardly protruding conical or frustoconical surface, and may be overlaid with a refractory metal coating or sheath. Parameters including ionizer surface shape, ionizer materials, ionizer temperature, and beam stop plate orifice geometry may be manipulated to eliminate ghost images. A graphite tube gasket with a dual tapered surface may promote sealing of a source material cavity.
US09941088B2	Fold over emitter and collector field emission transistor A field emission transistor includes a gate, a fold over emitter, and fold over collector. The emitter and the collector are separated from the gate by a void and are separated from a gate contact by gate contact dielectric. The void may be a vacuum, ambient air, or a gas. Respective ends of the emitter and the collector are separated by a gap. Electrons are drawn across gap from the emitter to the collector by an electrostatic field created when a voltage is applied to the gate. The emitter and collector include a first conductive portion substantially parallel with gate and a second conductive portion substantially perpendicular with gate. The second conductive portion may be formed by bending a segment of the first conductive portion. The second conductive portion is folded inward from the first conductive portion towards the gate. Respective second conductive portions are generally aligned.
US09941087B2	Ion source cathode shield An ion source has an arc chamber having an arc chamber body. An electrode extends into an interior region of the arc chamber body, and a cathode shield has a body that is cylindrical having an axial hole. The axial hole is configured to pass the electrode therethrough. First and second ends of the body have respective first and second gas conductance limiters. The first gas conductance limiter extends from an outer diameter of the body and has a U-shaped lip. The second gas conductance limiter has a recess for a seal to protect the seal from corrosive gases and maintain an integrity of the seal. A gas source introduces a gas to the arc chamber body. A liner has an opening configured to pass the cathode shield therethrough, where the liner has a recess. A gap is defined between the U-shaped lip and the liner, wherein the U-shaped lip reduces a conductance of gas into the gap and the recess further reduces conductance of gas into the region.
US09941084B2	Switching devices for medical apparatuses and related systems and methods In some aspects, a switching device for a medical apparatus includes a first switching member adapted to select an assigned operating function of the medical apparatus; and a second switching member adapted to permit the selecting of the assigned operating function of the first switching member. The second switching member is adapted such that it has a detection space in which it detects a presence of an operating object; and the first switching member is arranged in the detection space of the second switching member.
US09941080B2	Self-deicing lightweight conductor The invention relates to a conductor (2) for electrical equipment, the conductor comprising at least one hollow section member (2) of electrically conductive material that is elongate along a longitudinal axis (Y), the conductor having an outside surface in which at least a portion forms corrugations (23, 24) in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The conductor may advantageously form a movable contact (blade) (2) of a high voltage disconnector.
US09941078B2	Touch and/or proximity-sensitive actuation element and domestic appliance having an actuation element A touch and/or proximity-sensitive actuation element has an electrically non-conductive housing, which has a fastening portion for the stationary and non-rotational mounting of the actuation element and a substantially cylindrical detection portion, which defines a touch and/or proximity-sensitive detection region of the actuation element, at which a rotary movement of a user around the actuation element can be detected. A plurality of electrically conductive sensor elements are arranged in the housing spaced apart from one another along a lateral surface of the detection portion. A printed circuit board is provided and has a plurality of contact faces, which are each electrically conductively in contact with one of the plurality of sensor elements.
US09941075B2	Keyboard device A keyboard device includes a key structure, a base plate and a switch circuit board. The switch circuit board includes a soft covering element. The key structure includes a keycap and a stabilizer bar. The stabilizer bar is connected with the keycap and the soft covering element. The soft covering element is disposed on the switch circuit board. An accommodation space is formed between the soft covering element and the switch circuit board. The stabilizer bar is inserted into the accommodation space and connected with the switch circuit board. The stabilizer bar and the base plate are made of metallic material. Since the stabilizer bar and the base plate are separated by the switch circuit board, the keyboard device is capable of reducing noise.
US09941070B2	Keyswitch structure mounted within a circuit board and baseplate A keyswitch structure includes a baseplate having a switch opening, a keycap movably disposed above the baseplate, a circuit board disposed on the baseplate, the circuit board having a through hole, and a mechanical switch disposed below the keycap, the mechanical switch extending through the through hole to be partially received in the switch opening and electrically coupled to the circuit board, wherein when the keycap moves toward the baseplate, the keycap triggers the mechanical switch.
US09941068B2	Key structure A key structure includes a pedestal with a sliding groove, an upper cover, a triggering element, and a spring strip. The spring strip is movable within the sliding groove. The triggering element is arranged between the pedestal and the upper cover, and located beside the spring strip. When a keycap of the key structure is depressed, the triggering element is moved relative to the pedestal to push the spring strip. In response to the elasticity of the pushed spring strip, the spring strip is slid within the sliding groove to collide with the upper cover. Consequently, the key structure generates sound surely.
US09941066B2	Operating device and image forming apparatus An operating device includes a first light source that emits light; a second light source that emits light; a light transmission member that includes a light transmission portion through which the light emitted from the first light source and the light emitted from the second light source are transmitted; and an accepting unit which has a substantially quadrilateral shape, which has four corners, which is disposed between the first light source and the second light source, which is provided such that an extension line of a diagonal that connects two of the four corners to each other passes through the first light source and the second light source, and which accepts an operation to be performed on an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium.
US09941065B2	Current assignment method and corresponding switch arrangement A current assignment method and a switch arrangement are disclosed for assigning current, the switch arrangement including two series-connected switches, each including a trigger unit to check whether a preset current condition is satisfied. A signal is sent by the trigger unit of a switch which is postpositionally placed when the current condition is satisfied, the signal at least preventing the immediate triggering of a correspondingly prepositionally placed switch after being received by the corresponding trigger unit. To achieve a technically simple communication connection between switches, in at least one embodiment each trigger unit is formed so as to send but and receive the signal, and each trigger unit includes a measurement unit for measuring an energy flow direction in a subordinate switch and a conversion unit for converting from sending to receiving or from receiving to sending appropriately when the energy flow direction is reversed.
US09941061B2	Switch Provided is a switch that can reliably bring contacts into contact with each other with a small load, and can be prevented from malfunctioning. A switch is provided with a plunger, a lower torsion spring in which a biasing direction changes according to the movement of the plunger. The lower torsion spring biases the plunger in an opposite direction to a returning direction when the plunger is in the operation position, and biases the plunger in a direction different from the opposite direction to the returning direction when the plunger is in the reference position.
US09941060B2	Microswitch for position determination, and use Disclosed is a microswitch that allows the setting of the microswitch to be detected. The microswitch includes a conducting element movable along a surface that includes at least one conducting track that is contacted by the movable conducting element. Actuating the microswitch moves the movable conducting element along the surface resulting in electrically connecting or disconnecting two electrical tracks and causing electrical switching. In addition, the contact surfaces electrically connected by the conducting element may have different electrically conductive regions such that moving the connected surfaces changes the electrical resistances. Different switch positions can be determined by measuring resistance.
US09941058B2	Flexible and conductive waste tire-derived carbon/polymer composite paper as pseudocapacitive electrode A method of making a supercapacitor from waste tires, includes the steps of providing rubber pieces and contacting the rubber pieces with a sulfonation bath to produce sulfonated rubber; pyrolyzing the sulfonated rubber to produce a tire-derived carbon composite comprising carbon black embedded in rubber-derived carbon matrix comprising graphitized interface portions; activating the tire-derived carbon composite by contacting the tire-derived carbon composite with a specific surface area-increasing composition to increase the specific surface area of the carbon composite to provide an activated tire-derived carbon composite; and, mixing the activated tire-derived carbon composite with a monomer and polymerizing the monomer to produce a redox-active polymer coated, activated tire-derived carbon composite. The redox-active polymer coated, activated tire-derived carbon composite can be formed into a film. An electrode and a supercapacitor are also disclosed.
US09941057B2	Thermal transfer device, temperature-control panel, and energy storage device A thermal transfer device for generating a thermal transfer between an energy store and a temperature-control panel for the temperature-control of the energy store. The thermal transfer device has a thermal insulation layer made of an unevenly distributed insulation material and a tolerance compensating layer made of a compressible material for compensating different material strengths of the thermal insulation layer.
US09941055B2	Solid electrolytic capacitor with interlayer crosslinking A method for preparing a solid electrolytic capacitor and an improved solid electrolytic capacitor is provided. The method includes providing an anode, forming a dielectric on the anode, forming a cathode on the dielectric and forming subsequent layers on the cathode wherein the cathode and subsequent layers preferably comprise interlayers. At least one interlayer comprises a monomer, oligomer or polymer with multifunctional or multiple reactive groups and an adjacent layer comprises a molecule with crosslinkable functionality. The oligomer or polymer with multifunctional or multiple reactive groups on one layer react with the crosslinkable functionality in the adjacent layer.
US09941053B2	Structure and methods of forming the structure Capacitors, apparatus including a capacitor, and methods for forming a capacitor are provided. One such capacitor may include a first conductor a second conductor above the first conductor, and a dielectric between the first conductor and the second conductor. The dielectric does not cover a portion of the first conductor; and the second conductor does not cover the portion of the first conductor not covered by the dielectric.
US09941050B2	Multilayer ceramic capacitor A multilayer ceramic capacitor has a capacitor body of laminate structure and a pair of external electrodes, and shaped roughly as a rectangular solid defined by length L, width W, and height H. This multilayer ceramic capacitor is such that the width W and height H meet the condition of “1.10≤H/W≤1.70.”
US09941045B2	Bobbin design for conduction-cooled, gapped, high-permeability magnetic components A coil former, also referred to herein as a bobbin, is provided for use in conduction-cooled magnetic components that contain an air gap. The diameter of the disclosed bobbin is increased and ribs/splines or tabs are created to keep the winding centered about the core center post while allowing thermally conductive silicone-based or equivalent encapsulant to fill the voids between the coil former and the core, the coil former and the windings and/or both depending on the placement of the locating tabs. The disclosed bobbin may be fabricated from traditional injection molding resins or from high-thermal conductivity resins. As a result of the disclosed bobbin designs, the achievable power density is increased while maintaining acceptable temperatures.
US09941034B2	Direct write dispensing apparatus and method A direct write dispensing nozzle assembly and method of forming traces and twisted pairs via direct write dispensing. The method includes dispensing conductive material via an inner nozzle so as to form a conductive core. Non-conductive material may be dispensed via a peripheral nozzle surrounding the inner nozzle so as to form a non-conductive casing surrounding the conductive core. The first conductive core and the non-conductive casing may then be deposited on a substrate or other surface. The trace may be positioned on the substrate such that the non-conductive casing contacts a previously deposited trace. An additional conductive core may be dispensed within the non-conductive casing and the direct write dispensing nozzle assembly may be rotated so as to form a twisted pair.
US09941029B2	Buoyant marine electromagnetic cable assembly Embodiments described herein provide an EM source cable assembly with a buoyant member having first and second ends, and a longitudinal axis connecting the first end to the second end, and a plurality of indentations disposed along a surface of the buoyant member between the first end and the second end, wherein the indentations are operable to receive corresponding cables. The indentations extend along the longitudinal axis, and may be arranged helically about the longitudinal axis. The buoyant member may have a low density core material and a dense outer material, each of which may be a polymeric material. The low density material may be a foam, and the buoyant member may be formed by coextruding the low density material and the dense outer material.
US09941026B2	Glass composition for vitrifying low-level radioactive waste resin This invention relates to the vitrification of radioactive waste products. According to this invention, a glass composition, which is suitable for low-level radioactive waste resins, and a method of vitrifying the low-level radioactive waste resins using the same are provided to significantly reduce the volume of radioactive waste products and to vitrify low-level radioactive waste products using the glass composition, which is suitable for vitrifying the low-level radioactive waste resins, thereby maximally delaying or completely preventing the leakage of radioactive materials from a glass solidified body.
US09941025B2	Nuclear fuel and method of fabricating the same A nuclear fuel includes a volume of a nuclear fuel material defined by a surface, the nuclear fuel material including a plurality of grains, some of the plurality of grains having a characteristic length along at least one dimension that is smaller than or equal to a selected distance, wherein the selected distance is suitable for maintaining adequate diffusion of a fission product from a grain interior to a grain boundary in some of the grains, the nuclear fuel material including a boundary network configured to transport the fission product from at least one grain boundary of some of the grains to the surface of the volume of the nuclear fuel material.
US09941024B2	Heating plasma for fusion power using electromagnetic waves In one embodiment, a fusion reactor includes two internal magnetic coils suspended within an enclosure, a center magnetic coil coaxial with the two internal magnetic coils and located proximate to a midpoint of the enclosure, a plurality of encapsulating magnetic coils coaxial with the internal magnetic coils, and two mirror magnetic coil coaxial with the internal magnetic coils. The fusion reactor further includes one or more electromagnetic wave generators operable to inject a beam of electromagnetic waves into the enclosure.
US09941023B2	Post package repair (PPR) data in non-volatile memory Example implementations relate to post package repair (PPR) data in non-volatile memory. In example implementations, PPR data may be stored in non-volatile memory on a memory module. PPR data may indicate how many PPRs have been performed on the memory module.
US09941017B1	Antifuse one-time programmable semiconductor memory An antifuse one-time programmable (OTP) semiconductor memory comprises a PN junction diode formed in an active area of a semiconductor substrate proximate metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor wherein MOS gate conductor and MOS channel region are of the same conductivity type. A vertical bipolar junction transistor (BJT) is present in each cell, comprising said PN junction diode and a semiconductor layer below said PN junction diode. In a programmed cell, BJT emitter, base and collector are connected to the bit line, word line and common collector terminal, respectively. In an unprogrammed cell, BJT is an open-base BJT.
US09941016B2	Flash memory device performing adaptive loop, memory system and method of operating the memory system A method of operating a flash memory device includes detecting the number of program/erase cycles that have been executed by the flash memory device. A setting value related to the number of times a program loop is performed is changed according to the detected number of program/erase cycles. Data is programmed within the flash memory by performing the program loop one or more times, in response to receiving a write command. A determination is made whether the programming has passed or failed, based on whether the number of program loops required to program the data within the flash memory is within a boundary identified by the changed setting-value.
US09941011B2	Memory array with one shared deep doped region A memory array includes a plurality of memory pages, each memory page includes a plurality of memory cells, and each memory cell includes a floating gate module, a control element, and an erase element. The floating gate module is disposed in a first well, the erase element is disposed in a second well, and the control element is disposed in a third well. The first well, the second well and the third well are disposed in a deep doped region, and memory cells of the plurality of memory pages are all disposed in the deep doped region. Therefore, the spacing rule between deep doped regions is no longer be used to limit the circuit area of the memory array and the circuit area of the memory array can be reduced.
US09941010B2	Non-volatile memory with a variable polarity line decoder The present disclosure relates to a memory including a memory array with at least two rows of memory cells, a first driver coupled to a control line of the first row of memory cells, and a second driver coupled to a control line of the second row of memory cells. The first driver is made in a first well, the second driver is made in a second well electrically insulated from the first well, and the two rows of memory cells are produced in a memory array well electrically insulated from the first and second wells.
US09941008B1	Ternary content addressable memory device for software defined networking and method thereof The present disclosure illustrates a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) device for software defined networking and method thereof. In the TCAM device, M bits of each forwarding rule is stored as a first part into a NAND-Type TCAM, and N bits of the same forwarding rule is stored as a second part into a NOR-Type TCAM. M bits of searching data is compared with the first part to generate a first matching result, N bits of the searching data is compared with the second part to generate a second matching result when the first matching result indicates match, and comparing process for the second part is disabled when the first matching result indicates mismatch. The mechanism is help to improve flexibility of the TCAM in words length and to reduce power consumption.
US09941004B2	Integrated arming switch and arming switch activation layer for secure memory An arming switch structure and method of operation. The arming switch is integrated with a reactive material erasure device and phase change memory cell array and is coupled to a tamper detection device configured to trigger a signal for conduction to the reactive material erasure device that generates heat and induces a phase change in the phase change memory cell array. Prior to packaging, the memory chip is “armed” in a high-resistance state to prevent conduction of any signal to the reactive material erasure device. After the memory chip is packaged, the Reactive Material can be “disarmed” at a chosen time or condition by applying a bias to the arming switch activation layer, thereby heating and crystallizing the arming switch material, placing it in a low resistance state. In the disarmed state, the arming switch may conduct the trigger signal from tamper detection device to the reactive material erasure device.
US09941002B2	Resistive memory and memory cell A memory unit is provided. The memory unit includes a resistive element, a diode, and a first transistor. The resistive element has a first terminal receiving a bit voltage and a second terminal coupled to a first node. The diode has an anode coupled to the first node and a cathode coupled to a second node. The second node receives a word voltage. The first transistor has a control electrode, a first electrode coupled to the first node, and a second electrode.
US09941000B2	Memory unit and method of operating a memory unit sector Disclosed is a memory unit that includes a sector of memory cells. The sector includes a first memory cell configured to selectively take on a state representation of a first plurality of state representations and a second memory cell configured to selectively take on at least one of a second plurality of state representations. The second plurality of state representations is different than the first plurality of state representations. An apparatus includes a processing unit and a memory unit coupled to the processing unit. The memory unit includes a sector of memory cells. Further disclosed are a method of operating a memory unit sector and a method of controlling a sector of a memory unit.
US09940999B2	Semiconductor devices, circuits and methods for read and/or write assist of an SRAM circuit portion based on voltage detection and/or temperature detection circuits A method can of operating a semiconductor device can include generating a read or write assist signal having an enable logic level in response to a power supply potential being in a first voltage window and a disable logic level in response to the power supply potential being in a second voltage window. Access operations to a static random access memory (SRAM) cell can be altered in response to the assist signal having the assist enable logic level. The second voltage window can be larger than the first voltage window.
US09940997B2	Method and apparatus for enhancing read stability of a static random access memory circuit in low voltage operation Read stability of a memory is enhanced in low voltage operation mode by selectively boosting a cell supply voltage for a row of memory cells. The boosted voltage results from a capacitive coupling to the word line in that row. The capacitive coupling is implemented by running the metal line of the power supply line for the cell supply voltage and the metal line for the word line adjacent to each other in a common metallization level. The selective voltage boost is controlled in response to operation of a modified memory cell exhibiting a deteriorated write margin. An output of the modified memory cell is compared to a threshold to generate a signal for controlling the selective voltage boost. Word line under-voltage circuitry is further provided to control application of an under-voltage to the word line.
US09940996B1	Memory circuit having increased write margin and method therefor A memory circuit includes plurality of bit-cells organized in a column, each bit-cell of the plurality is coupled to a first voltage supply terminal and a second voltage supply terminal. A word-line control circuit is coupled to each bit-cell of the plurality by way of a local bit-line. The word-line control circuit is configured to operatively couple the local bit-line with a global bit-line during a read operation. A first voltage generation circuit is coupled to the first voltage supply terminal. The first voltage generation circuit is configured to provide a first reduced voltage at the first voltage supply terminal during a first write operation. A second voltage generation circuit is coupled to the second voltage supply terminal. The second voltage generation circuit is configured to provide a second reduced voltage at the second voltage supply terminal during the first write operation.
US09940988B2	Method of controlling a wordline A method of controlling a wordline by a driver decoder circuit includes generating a first control signal having a first logically high level and a first logically low level, and generating a second control signal having a second logically high level when the first control signal has the first logically high level and a second logically low level when the first control signal has the first logically low level. The first logically high level is different from the second logically high level, and the first logically low level is different from the second logically low level. The method includes coupling the wordline to a first node having a first voltage value in response to the first control signal having the first logically low level and decoupling the wordline from a second node having a second voltage value in response to the second control signal having the second logically low level.
US09940987B2	High-speed word line decoder and level-shifter A memory is provided that includes a row decoder that decodes an address into a plurality of decoded signals for selecting a word line to be asserted from a plurality of word lines. Each word line is driven through a decoder level-shifter that processes the decoded signals. Each decoder level-shifter corresponds to a unique combination of the decoded signals. The row decoder is in a logic power domain such that the decoded signals are asserted to a logic power supply voltage. When a decoder level-shifter's unique combination of decoded signals are asserted by the row decoder, the decoder level-shifter drives the corresponding word line with a memory power supply voltage for a memory power domain.
US09940978B2	Programmable memory device sense amplifier Embodiments include circuits, apparatuses, and systems for programmable memory device sense amplifiers. In embodiments, an electronic circuit may include a programmable memory device having a first resistance in a first state and a second resistance in a second state, a reference element, an amplifier to generate a first output signal based at least in part on the resistance of the programmable memory device and a second output signal based at least in part on a current from the reference element, and a comparator to determine a state of the programmable memory device based on the first and second output signals from the amplifier. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09940974B2	Systems and methods for visualizing playback plans of hypermeetings A computer-implemented method for visualizing a playback plan of a hypervideo, the hypervideo comprising a plurality of video segments from a plurality of videos linked together using a plurality of links, the method being performed in connection with a computerized system comprising a central processing unit, a display device and a memory, the computer-implemented method involving: generating the playback plan for an automated playback of the hypervideo, the automated playback comprising automatically following the plurality of links linking the plurality of video segments such that at least some of the plurality of video segments are played in a predetermined sequence, wherein the plurality of links are followed based on the playback plan; and generating a graphical user interface portion on the display device for visualizing the playback plan.
US09940972B2	Video to data A method and system can generate video content from a video. The method and system can include generating audio files and image files from the video, distributing the audio files and the image files across a plurality of processors and processing the audio files and the image files in parallel. The audio files associated with the video to text and the image files associated with the video to video content can be converted. The text and the video content can be cross-referenced with the video.
US09940971B2	Method, system and computer program product for distributed video editing A network editor comprises a central location with stored videos such as movies that can be edited by editors at remote locations. An editor receives a representation of a video, and specifies edits relative to the representation, enabling the editor to use a device lacking sufficient processing capability to edit the video directly, and also reducing the volume of information transmitted between the central location and the remote editor. The central location is able to provide the edited movie in a format suitable to the display capabilities of the viewing device of the viewer requesting the edited video.
US09940966B2	Optical information reproduction device and optical information reproduction method Provided are an optical information reproduction device and a method therefor with which the influence of reference light reflected from the surface of a disk can be reduced, thereby enabling data to be reproduced in a stable manner in an optical information reproduction device that uses holography. The information reproduction device, which reproduces from a recording medium information that has been recorded on the recording medium by the formation of a hologram, is equipped with: a light output unit that emits laser light; an optical system that generates reference light from the laser light emitted from the light output unit; an objective lens that reproduction signal light reproduced by the reference light with which the recording medium has been irradiated enters; a light detector that receives the reproduction signal light propagated by the objective lens; a medium-reflected light reduction unit that reduces the amount of medium-reflected light (generated when the recording medium reflects the reference light) with which the light detector is irradiated; and a control unit that controls the operation of the information reproduction device.
US09940964B2	Optical information recording/reproducing device, optical information reproducing device, and optical information reproducing method An optical information recording/reproducing device which records an interference pattern between a reference beam and a signal beam as a hologram in an optical information storage medium or reproduces information from the optical information storage medium, the optical information recording/reproducing device includes a light source unit which emits a light beam, a signal-beam/reference-beam optical unit which generates the signal beam and the reference beam from the light beam and irradiates the optical information storage medium, a spatial light modulator which adds information to the generated signal beam, a photodetection unit which detects a reproduced beam from the optical information storage medium and acquires a reproduced image constituted by a plurality of pixels arrayed in a lattice shape, and a signal processing unit which performs equalization processing to a first pixel of the reproduced image to have a target characteristic.
US09940960B2	Air-bearing design for hydrocarbon and lube pick-up improvements in hard disk drive (HDD) A slider design for a hard disk drive (HDD) features an air-bearing surface (ABS) topography with arrays of micro-dots formed on bases of a multiplicity of cavities at different depths. The design eliminates the accumulation of hydrocarbons (e.g., spindle oil and disk lubricant) deposits in regions of air stagnation within the cavities where backflows and foreflows of air meet and cancel during HDD operation. The micro-dots are small raised regions of various shapes having sizes and spacings in the range between 2 and 100 microns and, in a preferred embodiment, heights of 0.15 microns above the cavity bases.
US09940959B1	Non-contact laser-induced protrusion measurement apparatus and method A method and apparatus are directed to providing relative movement between a slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording and a magnetic recording medium, and causing protrusion of a portion of an air bearing surface (ABS) of the slider in response to activating at least a laser source while maintaining spacing between the protrusion and the medium. A magnitude of at least a portion of the protrusion is measured while maintaining spacing between the protrusion and the medium.
US09940957B2	Printed circuit board and method of manufacturing the same A conductor trace is formed on a base insulating layer. The conductor trace includes two terminal portions and one wiring portion. The wiring portion is formed to connect the two terminal portions to each other and extend from each terminal portion. A metal cover layer is formed to cover the terminal portion and the wiring portion of the conductor trace and continuously extend from a surface of the terminal portion to a surface of the wiring portion. The metal cover layer is made of metal having magnetism lower than magnetism of nickel, and is made of gold, for example. A cover insulating layer is formed on the base insulating layer to cover a portion, of the metal cover layer formed on the conductor trace, covering the wiring portion and not to cover a portion of the metal cover layer covering the terminal portion.
US09940948B2	Systems and methods for enabling information exchanges between devices Described is a computer-implemented method performed in connection with a computerized system incorporating an audio capture device, a central processing unit, a display device and a memory, the computer-implemented method involving: capturing an audio signal using the audio capture device; using the central processing unit to analyze the captured audio signal; when the audio signal satisfies a predetermine criterion, using the central processing unit to generate a hash of the captured audio signal; finding a similar audio signal hash among a plurality of stored audio signal hashes; and identifying a device associated with the captured audio signal using the found similar audio signal hash.
US09940946B2	Sharp noise suppression A method includes determining a first filtered signal based on an audio signal; determining a second filtered signal based on the audio signal; determining, based on the first filtered signal and the second filtered signal, a portion of the audio signal corresponding to a sharp noise; determining, based on the first filtered signal and the second filtered signal, a gain signal that, for the portion of the audio signal corresponding to the sharp noise, has a value that is smaller than a value of the gain signal for the remaining portion of the audio signal; and suppressing, based on the gain signal, the sharp noise from an amplifier input signal determined based on the audio signal.
US09940945B2	Method and apparatus for eliminating music noise via a nonlinear attenuation/gain function A system including first and second gain modules, an operator module, and a priori and posteriori modules. The first gain module applies a non-linear function to generate a gain signal based on an amplitude of a first speech signal and an estimated a priori variance of noise included in the first speech signal. The operator module generates an operator based on the gain signal and the estimated a priori variance of noise. The a priori module determines an a priori signal-to-noise ratio based on the operator. The posteriori module determines a posteriori signal-to-noise ratio based on the amplitude of the first speech signal and (ii) the estimated a priori variance of noise. The second gain module: determines a gain value based on the a priori signal-to-noise ratio and the a posteriori signal-to-noise ratio; and generates, based on the amplitude of the first speech signal and the gain value, a second speech signal that corresponds to an estimate of an amplitude of the first speech signal, where the second speech signal is substantially void of music noise.
US09940940B2	Transparent lossless audio watermarking An encoding method and encoder is provided for transparent lossless audio watermarking by quantizing an original PCM audio signal twice, each quantization quantizing to a quantization grid. As a PCM signal is inherently already quantized, there are three quantization grids to consider, the first being the quantization grid of the original PCM signal, the second being that of the watermarked signal and the third being that of an intermediate signal. The technique reduces the amount of introduced quantization error, spectrally shapes the error and fully decorrelates signal alterations from the original audio, thus making the error more similar to additive noise. A decoding method and decoder is also provided, as is a method of altering the watermark without fully decoding the encoded signal.
US09940938B2	Audio encoder, audio decoder, methods and computer program using jointly encoded residual signals An audio decoder for providing at least four audio channel signals on the basis of an encoded representation is configured to provide a first residual signal and a second residual signal on the basis of a jointly encoded representation of the first residual signal and of the second residual signal using a multi-channel decoding. The audio decoder is configured to provide a first audio channel signal and a second audio channel signal on the basis of a first downmix signal and the first residual signal using a residual-signal-assisted multi-channel decoding. The audio decoder is configured to provide a third audio channel signal and a fourth audio channel signal on the basis of a second downmix signal and the second residual signal using a residual-signal-assisted multi-channel decoding. An audio encoder is based on corresponding considerations.
US09940935B2	Method and device for voiceprint recognition A method is performed at a device having one or more processors and memory. The device establishes a first-level Deep Neural Network (DNN) model based on unlabeled speech data, the unlabeled speech data containing no speaker labels and the first-level DNN model specifying a plurality of basic voiceprint features for the unlabeled speech data. The device establishes a second-level DNN model by tuning the first-level DNN model based on labeled speech data, the labeled speech data containing speech samples with respective speaker labels, wherein the second-level DNN model specifies a plurality of high-level voiceprint features. Using the second-level DNN model, registers a first high-level voiceprint feature sequence for a user based on a registration speech sample received from the user. The device performs speaker verification for the user based on the first high-level voiceprint feature sequence registered for the user.
US09940934B2	Adaptive voice authentication system and method An adaptive voice authentication system is provided. The adaptive voice authentication system includes an adaptive module configured to compare a feature quality index of the plurality of authentication features and the plurality of enrollment features and dynamically replace and store one or more enrollment features with one or more authentication features to form a plurality of updated enrollment features. The adaptive module is configured to generate an updated enrollment voice print model from the plurality of the updated enrollment features. The adaptive module is further configured to compare the updated enrollment voice print model with the previously stored enrollment voice print model and dynamically update the previously stored enrollment voice print model with the updated enrollment voice print model based on a model quality index.
US09940931B2	Corrective feedback loop for automated speech recognition A method for facilitating the updating of a language model includes receiving, at a client device, via a microphone, an audio message corresponding to speech of a user; communicating the audio message to a first remote server; receiving, that the client device, a result, transcribed at the first remote server using an automatic speech recognition system (“ASR”), from the audio message; receiving, at the client device from the user, an affirmation of the result; storing, at the client device, the result in association with an identifier corresponding to the audio message; and communicating, to a second remote server, the stored result together with the identifier.
US09940927B2	Multiple pass automatic speech recognition methods and apparatus In some aspects, a method of recognizing speech that comprises natural language and at least one word specified in at least one domain-specific vocabulary is provided. The method comprises performing a first speech processing pass comprising identifying, in the speech, a first portion including the natural language and a second portion including the at least one word specified in the at least one domain-specific vocabulary, and recognizing the first portion including the natural language. The method further comprises performing a second speech processing pass comprising recognizing the second portion including the at least one word specified in the at least one domain-specific vocabulary.
US09940925B2	Sight-to-speech product authentication An apparatus comprises: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to: receive a spoken phrase associated with a printed phrase from a tamper-evident component of a product; obtain a notification associated with authentication of the product based on the spoken phrase; and provide the notification in a visual manner, in an audio manner, or a combined audio and visual manner. A method comprises: creating a tamper-evident component comprising an obscuring mechanism and a printed phrase, wherein the obscuring mechanism obscures the printed phrase from view; providing the tamper-evident component for integration into a product; receiving a spoken phrase from a first consumer; analyzing the spoken phrase; generating a notification associated with authentication of the product based on the analyzing; and transmitting the notification to the first consumer.
US09940924B2	Method and user device for providing context awareness service using speech recognition A method for providing a context awareness service is provided. The method includes defining a control command for the context awareness service depending on a user input, triggering a playback mode and the context awareness service in response to a user selection, receiving external audio through a microphone in the playback mode, determining whether the received audio corresponds to the control command, and executing a particular action assigned to the control command when the received audio corresponds to the control command.
US09940922B1	Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing ray-parameterized reverberation filters to facilitate interactive sound rendering Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing ray-parameterized reverberation filters to facilitate interactive sound rendering are disclosed. According to one method, the method includes generating a sound propagation impulse response characterized by a plurality of predefined number of frequency bands and estimating a plurality of reverberation parameters for each of the predefined number of frequency bands of the impulse response. The method further includes utilizing the reverberation parameters to parameterize a plurality of reverberation filters in an artificial reverberator, rendering an audio output in a spherical harmonic (SH) domain that results from a mixing of a source audio and a reverberation signal that is produced from the artificial reverberator, and performing spatialization processing on the audio output.
US09940912B1	Device for preventing a plectrum from entering into instruments The invention relates to a sound hole covering that prevents foreign items from entering into the body of an instrument, while minimizing the effects the covering may cause to the sound quality of the instrument. One such device for preventing a plectrum from entering into a body of an instrument may include, but is not limited to, a sound hole covering having a grid-like structure and a base clip, where one end of the base clip enters into the sound hole and pushes against a back surface of the soundboard while the covering is pressed against a top surface of the soundboard the other end of the base clip to enters into the sound hole in a similar fashion.
US09940911B2	Sound post, sound post tool set and method for assembling the sound post into a stringed instrument A sound post, in particular for stringed instruments, and a sound post assembly set. The sound post is composed of at least two sound post components and has end pieces which can be pivoted at the end faces of the sound post. The second sound post component has a threaded portion, and the first sound post component has an inner thread which corresponds to the threaded portion such that the sound post components can be screwed together and thus adjusted vertically or longitudinally relative to each other. The threaded portion has a fine thread. Furthermore, a scale with an equidistant graduation is arranged on one of the at least two sound post components. The graduation of the scale corresponds to the pitch of the fine thread.
US09940908B2	Display control device A display control device includes: an increase and decrease instruction acquisition unit that acquires an increase instruction or a decrease instruction to increase or decrease a blind area in which a surroundings image is not displayed in a synthesized image including a vehicle image which is an image of a vehicle and the surroundings image which is an image of the surroundings of the vehicle; a blind area generation unit that increases or decreases the blind area based on the increase instruction or the decrease instruction; and a synthesized image generation unit that generates a synthesized image including the blind area, the vehicle image, and the surroundings image.
US09940906B2	Storage device, display driver, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus A write circuit of a storage device, in a first mode, writes a plurality of first pixel data units, each of the first pixel data units being constituted by data for pixels that are on the same data line and on different scan lines in a display panel, into a plurality of memory cells connected to a selected word line, and in a second mode, writes a plurality of second pixel data units, each of the second pixel data units being constituted by data for pixels that are on the same scan line and on different data lines in the display panel, into a plurality of memory cells connected to a selected word line.
US09940903B2	System and method for managing, publishing and manipulating data objects Apparatus and methods for managing, manipulating and presenting data objects within a graphical user interface with variable dimensions, shapes, locations and interactions. The apparatus and methods allow for variable data objects to be both pinned and liquid depending on a larger management and manipulation apparatus. The apparatus consists of databases that store the data objects to be displayed within the user interface and the layout coordinates, variable potential object size, and whether the object can move or not based on the graphical user interface dimensions. The object manipulations include the representation of such objects on the graphical user interface in a defined sequence.
US09940893B2	Head mounted device control method and apparatus, and head mounted device A head mounted device control method includes capturing situation data, using the situation data to determine whether a wearer of a head mounted device is inside a moving vehicle, and when it is determined that the wearer is inside a moving vehicle, controlling an image capture apparatus in the head mounted device to capture an environmental image, using the captured environmental image to determine whether a seat taken by the wearer is a driver's seat, and when it is determined that the seat taken by the wearer is the driver's seat, disabling a preset service, where the preset service includes a screen display service of a near-eye display. The method may reduce diversion of attention of the wearer, and improve driving safety.
US09940892B2	Flexible display device A flexible display device is disclosed which includes: a display unit; a support unit configured to selectively support the display unit; a connection unit configured to attach together one edge of the display unit and one edge of the support unit; and a driving unit connected to the other edge of the display unit and the other edge of the support unit and configured to control a plurality of operations. The plurality of operations includes a first operation, which allows the display unit and the support unit to come in contact with each other and to maintain a relatively flattened state of the display unit, and a second operation which enables the display unit and the support unit to be separated from each other for stowage.
US09940891B2	Display apparatus A display apparatus includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, wherein the plurality of data lines includes a plurality of first and second data line pairs, a plurality of pixels connected to the gate lines and the data lines, driving lines connected to the second data lines, a plurality of switching elements connected to the first data lines and the driving lines, and a plurality of dummy elements respectively connected to a corresponding pair of the first and second data lines, wherein the switching elements and the dummy elements are turned on in response to a switching signal.
US09940885B2	Display device According to one embodiment, a display device includes a pixel electrode and a memory in each of pixels, a common electrode, a first drive circuit which supplies a digital signal, a second drive circuit which supplies an AC common signal to the common electrode, a storage control circuit which stores the digital signal in the memory in a storage period, and a select control circuit which selectively supplies, in a display period, to the pixel electrode, one of a display signal and a non-display signal. A frequency of the common signal in the storage period is a first frequency. The frequency of the common signal in the display period is a second frequency. The first frequency is higher than the second frequency.
US09940884B1	Automated dimmer wall switch with a color multi-touch LCD/LED display An automated dimmer switch is provided. The dimmer has a color sensor display embodied into plastic or metal housing. The dimmer includes a mother board, a central processor for processing incoming data, an operating memory and a flash memory. The dimmer also has various sensors for use with corresponding smart home technologies and a wireless module for connecting to a network standard IEEE 802.11a/b/n utilizing different internet protocols and chips for other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Z-Wave/Zigbee. The dimmer can include a motion sensor, such that the display image changes gradually from stand-by mode to display of interface icons for dimmer operation. The stand-by mode image when not in operation is derived from surrounding wall texture.
US09940881B2	Techniques for dual modulation display with light conversion Techniques for driving a dual modulation display include generating backlight drive signals to drive individually-controllable illumination sources. The illumination sources emit first light onto a light conversion layer. The light conversion layer converts the first light into second light. The light conversion layer can include quantum dots or phosphor materials. Modulation drive signals are generated to determine transmission of the second light through individual subpixels of the display. These modulation drive signals can be adjusted based on one or more light field simulations. The light field simulations can include: (i) a color shift for a pixel based on a point spread function of the illumination sources; (ii) binning difference of individual illumination sources; (iii) temperature dependence of display components on performance; or (iv) combinations thereof.
US09940878B2	AMOLED real-time compensation system The present invention provides an AMOLED real-time compensation system, comprising a source drive and real-time detection compensation integration module (2), in which a first operational amplifier and a second operational amplifier are provided. The positive, negative input ends of the first operational amplifier (Y1) respectively receive the drive thin film transistor source target voltage and the drive thin film transistor source actual voltage, and the output end outputs the difference value (ΔV) of the drive thin film transistor source target voltage and the actual voltage to implement real-time detection to a threshold voltage deviation of the drive thin film transistor (T2). Then, the second operational amplifier (Y2) accumulates the voltage difference value (ΔV) of the drive thin film transistor source target voltage and the actual voltage outputted by the outputted end of the first operational amplifier (Y1) to the data signal (data) voltage to implement real-time compensation to the threshold voltage deviation of the drive thin film transistor (T2). The real-time measurement, real-time compensation to each pixel unit can be realized and all the gray scale data signals (data) can be effectively compensated.
US09940876B2	Scanning drive circuit and display device including the same A display device including a display area including a plurality of pixel circuits, a peripheral area including a scanning circuit, a plurality of first scanning lines, a plurality of second scanning lines, and a plurality of third scanning lines. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a write transistor, a drive transistor, a first switching transistor, a second switching transistor, a third switching transistor, a fourth switching transistor, a capacitor, and a light emitting element. Duration of a light emitting period of respective light emitting element in each of the pixel circuits within one frame period is variably controlled by changing a width of an input pulse.
US09940873B2	Organic light-emitting diode display with luminance control An organic light-emitting diode display may have an array of pixel circuits. Each pixel circuit may contain an organic light-emitting diode that emits light, a drive transistor that controls current flow through the diode, and additional transistors such as switching transistors for loading data into the pixel circuit and emission transistors for enabling and disabling current flow through the drive transistor and diode. Gate driver circuitry may produce emission control signals that control the emission transistors. Display driver circuitry may generate a start signal with a digitally controlled pulse width. The start signal may be applied to shift register circuitry in the gate driver circuitry. The pulse width of the start signal may be adjusted to adjust the luminance of the display.
US09940872B2	Degradation compensating device, organic light emitting display device having the same, and method for driving organic light emitting display device A degradation compensating device includes an accumulator configured to accumulate stress data every pixel block, a memory configured to receive the stress data from the accumulator, and to load accumulated data from an external flash memory when a display device power is turned on, the accumulated data being a total sum of the stress data, a compensation factor calculator configured to determine a target compensation factor based on the accumulated data to compensate image data, and to apply an initial compensation factor to the target compensation factor during a wake-up period after loading the accumulated data is completed, the initial compensation factor being changed gradually during the wake-up period, and a data compensator configured to generate image compensation data based on the target compensation factor, and to generate initial image data based on a wake-up factor that is an adjusted target compensation factor based on the initial compensation factor.
US09940860B2	Display device A display device includes a pixel array, a switch element, and inspection lines. In a display area, at least a portion of an outer region includes a curved section and pixels to which a data line is connected are disposed. The switch element is disposed in a bezel area outside the display area, and supplies a test voltage to the data line in response to an enable signal. The inspection lines connect an inspection pad part and switch elements and are disposed in a staircase form along the curved section. The switch elements are disposed along the inspection lines and include first and second switch elements disposed to be adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to each other.
US09940859B2	Testing apparatus for testing display apparatus and method of testing the same A testing apparatus for testing a display apparatus includes a base substrate, a plurality of fixing tools on the base substrate to affix the display apparatus to the base substrate, the plurality of fixing tools being movable in a z-axis direction independently of each other, the z-axis direction extending along a normal direction to the base substrate, and a controller that controls the fixing tools to bend the display apparatus in two or more test patterns different from each other.
US09940857B2	LED console assembly with light reflector A console assembly for an appliance has a light transmissive indicia assembly having at least one indicator and one operator control, a printed circuit assembly (PCA) mounted to the indicia assembly with touch circuit and light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted to both sides of the PCA, and a light reflector disposed adjacent to the PCA and the LEDs.
US09940855B2	Lottery signs for displaying lottery jackpots of millions to billions of dollars An illuminated display for displaying a lottery jackpot values in the range of millions and billions of dollars is disclosed. A lottery display comprises a string of three LED modules positioned next to each other, where the leftmost LED module indicates the hundreds place for a jackpot value, the center LED module indicates the tens place, and the rightmost LED module indicates the ones place for the jackpot. Conventional LED modules having seven segments may be employed for the indicia of the hundreds and tens values. A special LED module having nine segments may be employed for the indicia of units, where the LED module may be illuminated to form the numerals 0 through 9, as well as an upper case letter “B.” The illuminated display may also display indicia for currency and the day of the week for the jackpot draw.
US09940852B2	Rosin esters and compositions thereof Rosin esters are provided. The rosin esters can exhibit improved color (e.g., the rosin ester can have a neat Gardner color of 8.5 or less), improved oxidative stability (e.g., when 1000 ppm or less of an antioxidant is present in combination with the rosin ester, the rosin ester can exhibit an oxidative-induction time at 130° C. of at least 75 minutes), improved color stability (e.g., the rosin ester can exhibit less than a 10% change in neat Gardner color when heated to a temperature of 160° C. for a period of three hours), or combinations thereof. Also provided polymeric compositions comprising the rosin esters, as well as methods of making the rosin esters.
US09940851B2	System and device for decluttering a display A system and device for controlling a display are disclosed. Data is examined, which correspond to an image to be shown with the display. Upon determining that said data comprise a critical item corresponding to an element of the image, the critical item is shown with an uncluttered view. Non-critical items corresponding to elements of the image are attempted to be shown as well, such that the critical item is not obscured and the image remains uncluttered.
US09940846B2	Adaptive interface for continuous monitoring devices Systems and methods that continuously adapt aspects of a continuous monitoring device based on collected information to provide an individually tailored configuration are described. The adaptations may include adapting the user interface, the alerting, the motivational messages, the training, and the like. Such adaptation can allow a patient to more readily identify and understand the information provided by/via the device.
US09940843B2	Systems and methods for managing restricted areas for unmanned autonomous vehicles Methods, systems, and devices for providing data from a server to a UAV, enabling the UAV to navigate with respect to areas of restricted air space (“restricted areas”). A server may receive from a UAV, a request for restricted area information based on a position of the UAV. The server may determine boundaries of a surrounding area containing the position of the UAV and a number of restricted areas. The server may transmit coordinate information to the UAV defining the restricted areas contained within the surrounding area.
US09940840B1	Smart platooning of vehicles A computing system may obtain, for each vehicle of a plurality of vehicles located within a location area, navigation data that indicates a travel route for the vehicle. Based on the navigation data for the plurality of vehicles, the computing system determines a subset of the plurality of vehicles that are within a threshold distance of each other and have respective travel routes that at least partially overlap. The computing system selects, based on a set of selection parameters, two or more vehicles among the subset of vehicles to form a platoon of vehicles that travel in a coordinated arrangement in proximity to each other during at least a portion of the respective travel routes of the selected vehicles. The computing system can direct the selected vehicles to form the platoon of vehicles.
US09940835B2	Dynamically routing messages in a publish/subscribe system by creating temporal topics for subscriptions and publications A method, system and computer program product for dynamically routing messages in a publish/subscribe system. A messaging application receives messages from sensors (e.g., road condition sensors). Upon analyzing the messages using data analytics, an event (e.g., icy road condition) may be correlated with the analyzed messages. In such a scenario, a temporal topic based on the triggered event is created. Furthermore, a temporal publication (e.g., “icy road condition near exit 40”) and a temporal subscription are created. Potential subscribers to be associated with the temporal subscription are identified by using either geo-location information or social media information. Once those subscribers are identified, they are associated with the temporal subscription. The temporal publication is then published to the subscribers associated with the temporal subscription. In this manner, messages are dynamically routed to the appropriate subscribers that may have previously been excluded based on dynamically created temporal topics, subscriptions and publications.
US09940834B1	Autonomous vehicle application Methods and systems for communicating between autonomous vehicles are described herein. Such communication may be performed for signaling, collision avoidance, path coordination, and/or autonomous control. A computing device may receive communications from autonomous vehicles, where the communications include data for the same road segment, including an indication of a condition of the road segment. The computing device may combine the data for the same road segment to generate an overall indication of the condition of the road segment, which may include a recommendation to vehicles approaching the road segment. Additionally, the computing device may receive a request from a mobile device within a vehicle approaching the road segment to display vehicle data. The overall indication for the road segment may then be displayed on a user interface of the mobile device.
US09940830B2	Wireless switch assembly, relay retransmission control system and memory card A wireless switch assembly, comprising: a wireless switch comprising a control switch; a wireless transmitter connected to the control switch and transmitting a corresponding control signal according to the instruction of the control switch; a first identification card pluggably mounted in the wireless switch and connected to the wireless transmitter; a wireless receiver connected to a controller of a controlled piece and communicating with the wireless switch through radio frequency signal or optical signal. The wireless receiver has a second identification card pluggably mounted therein. The present invention can achieve a remote control by a low power consumption wireless transceiver module and matches the wireless switch to the wireless receiver via the identification cards, thus eliminating the need for complicated control wiring, therefore greatly reducing the complexity of wiring, saving electric wires and cables, and reducing cost.
US09940828B2	Home appliance control method and device A home appliance control method and device are provided. The method includes: receiving operation mode information from a home appliance, wherein the operation mode information indicates a current operation mode of the home appliance; and sending the operation mode information to another home appliance to cause said another home appliance to operate in the indicated operation mode. Accordingly, a wearable device can receive from a home appliance operation mode information, and then send the same to another home appliance to cause said another home appliance to operate in the operation mode of the home appliance.
US09940827B2	Controlling operation of a device A method comprises determining, based on at least one radio frequency packet passed wirelessly between first and second devices using an array of plural antennas provided in one of the first and second devices, an orientation of the second device with respect to the first device and, if the orientation satisfies a predetermined criterion, controlling operation of the first device.
US09940821B2	Systems and methods of privacy within a security system Systems and methods disclosed herein provide setting a mode for a door lock of a door in a building with an electronic device communicatively coupled to the door lock via a communications interface of the door lock, when the mode of the door lock is set in a privacy mode, correspondingly placing a security system device communicatively coupled to the door lock into a privacy mode via the communications interface, and updating an operation state of the security system in the building according to the setting of the privacy mode for the door lock and the device.
US09940819B2	Systems and methods for encouraging hand washing compliance In some embodiments, a hand washing compliance system includes a primary soap dispenser adapted to be located near an entrance to a room, the primary soap dispenser comprising a motion sensor configured to detect passage of an individual through the room entrance, a soap dispensation sensor configured to detect dispensation of soap from the primary soap dispenser, and a communication device configured to enable communication with other soap dispensers, and a secondary soap dispenser adapted to be located inside of the room, the secondary soap dispenser comprising a soap dispensation sensor configured to detect dispensation of soap from the secondary soap dispenser, a communication device configured to enable communication with other soap dispensers, and a warning indicator configured to generate an alert that encourages individuals entering the room to wash their hands.
US09940818B2	Method for controlling mobile phone loss prevention function by means of bluetooth earphones The present invention relates to a method for controlling a mobile phone loss prevention function by means of Bluetooth earphones. The method includes: a link loss determination step (S10) of measuring a sensitivity of a signal transmitted/received between a mobile phone and the Bluetooth earphone and determining occurrence of a link loss; warning sound generation steps (S20, S40, and S60) of, when the link loss has occurred, generating a warning sound, which warns of loss of the mobile phone, through the Bluetooth earphone in such a manner as to amplify a volume of the warning sound from a low volume to a high volume for each step; and warning sound stop identification steps (S30, S50, and S70) of determining whether a warning sound stop button has been operated by a user who has recognized the warning sound and selecting whether the generation of the warning sound is to be stopped.
US09940814B1	Cable suspension detection An apparatus for an embedded sensor cable assembly, where a first cable assembly includes a cable portion and a connector portion. The cable portion includes a first embedded sensor and a second embedded sensor, where the first embedded sensor is electrically coupled to the second embedded sensor and where the first embedded sensor and the second embedded sensor is capable of registering orientation measurements. A microcontroller is electrically coupled to the connector portion, first embedded sensor and the second embedded sensor, where the microcontroller is capable of receiving the orientation measurements from the first embedded sensor and the second embedded sensor.
US09940809B2	Smart phone having function of preventing to leave children in car A smart phone with application of preventing children from being left in a car includes a speedometer, a data processing center, a phone speaker, a micro phone, a touch screen and an application of preventing children from being left in a car (application). the application is programmed as the follows: the speedometer detects car speed and reports the car speed data to the application, when the car speed increasing from first speed to second speed the application issues a [REMINDER] of “if has children in the car” to a driver, when the car speed decreasing from third speed to 0 speed, the application issues a [WARNING] of “must bring children out of the car” to the driver.
US09940808B2	Geolocation bracelet, system, and methods An identity, position, and/or health monitoring apparatus is provided. The identity, position, and/or health monitoring apparatus includes a retention feature, such as a wristband, configured to removably secure the monitoring apparatus to a person, such as a child. Particularly, the band of the monitoring apparatus may be a flexible and/or stretchable band that may be worn around a part of the body, such as a wrist or ankle. The band may be defoned by a circumferential member and/or may include first and second ends and a clasping mechanism configured to clasp and secure the first and second ends together, such as around the wrist or ankle of the user. In certain instances, the monitoring apparatus is retained within the band, and in other instances, the monitoring apparatus may be removable from the band, and the clasping mechanism may be configured for allowing the monitoring device to be removably attached therewith.
US09940807B1	System and method for monitoring multiple patients A system for monitoring multiple patients within a facility comprises a plurality of monitoring apparatuses, a central communication hub, and a plurality of notification devices. The monitoring apparatuses generate data relating to the status of patients, and send the data to the communication hub. The data may include an alarm signal. In a variant, the monitoring apparatuses do not generate alarm signals. Rather the communication hub processes the data and generates alarms if needed. Alarms are sent by the communication hub to the notification devices to inform employees of the facility of the source of the alarm.
US09940805B1	Identification system and method of use A marking and identification system and method includes a dispersing device configured to disperse marker therefrom when in an activated mode. An activating device is configured to arm the dispersing device from an inactivated mode wherein the dispensing device does not disperse marker to the activated mode. A triggering device is configured to operate the dispersing device and disperse marker when in the activated mode. The marker can be identified at a later time to positively identify a person that triggered the marking and identification system.
US09940804B2	Protecting mobile objects The invention integrates hardware and software for sensing, communications, data storage and control into a protection module that is sufficiently small and inexpensive to be attached directly to individual objects, such as musical instruments, and the inventory of stores and museums. Sensors monitor environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, and accelerometers alert owners to unwanted motion, such as theft or misuse. Sensed data is stored locally and transmitted wirelessly to nonproprietary data receivers, such as smart phones or tablets that generate alerts. In some embodiments the data is forwarded to cloud servers for storage and analysis. Bluetooth communication between the attached module and the data receiver allows large spaces, such as stores and showrooms containing many attached modules to be protected. In some embodiments accelerometers enable finger-tap-controlled recording of musical performance and tuning of the instrument relative to tonal frequencies stored in the module.
US09940803B2	One time use multi-function tag An anti-theft tag has two slightly concave shells attached to each other by a hinge. One shell has an aperture through it and the other shell has a post located to insert through the aperture when the two shells are brought together. At least one catch tab extends laterally from the end of the post. The catch tab exceeds the width of the aperture and is constructed to give to allow the post to insert into the aperture, but to resist and prevent the extraction of the post. The post is severable to allow the remove of the catch tab to allow the opening of the tag. One of the shells also has a slot and the other has a tack. When the post is inserted through the aperture, the tack inserts into the slot. The tack passes through an object to be protected and maintains the tag in place.
US09940802B2	Mounting assembly A mounting assembly (10) for an electronic device (11) is disclosed. The mounting assembly (10) comprises an attachment part (12), a base (16), and an arm (14). The attachment part (12) is coupled to the arm (14) and the arm (14) is coupled to the base (16) such that the arm (14) is lockingly rotatable relative the base (16) about a rotational axis (18). The arm (14) comprises a housing and a locking member (20) being provided with a locking protrusion (30). The locking member (20) is coupled to the housing such that the locking protrusion (30) is radially displaceable in relation to the rotational axis (18). The base (16) is provided with a set of radially extending locking grooves (22). The locking protrusion (30) is received by one locking groove (22a) in response to a displacement of the locking member (20), whereby the arm (16) is rotationally locked.
US09940800B2	Anti-theft alarm device with high charging efficiency An anti-theft alarm device for protecting an electronic device from theft, includes a host, a connecting member and an alarm wire. The host includes a main control device, a charging contactor and an internal connecting wire. The charging contactor is connected to the main control device by the internal connecting wire in the host. The connecting member is fixedly attached to the electronic device and includes a charging terminal, a charging wire and an alarm connecting wire. The charging terminal and the charging wire are electrically connected. The charging wire is for connecting a charging port of the electronic device. The alarm connecting wire is for connecting the alarm wire and the electronic device. The alarm wire is for connecting the alarm connecting wire and the main control device. The charging contactor and the charging terminal are electrically connected when the host and the connecting member are mechanically connected.
US09940797B2	Smart barrier alarm device A barrier alarm device for reducing the number of false alarms that may occur in a home security system. In one embodiment, a barrier alarm device, such as a door or window sensor, determines whether a barrier, such as a door or a window, has been opened, determines whether a human being is in proximity to the door or window inside a monitored premises. If a human being is inside the monitored premises when the door or window is opened, it indicates that the human being is authorized to be inside the monitored premises, and an alarm signal is not transmitted to a central security panel, thus reducing false alarms.
US09940795B2	Toroidal virtual reels for slot machines A gaming system comprising a spheroid object, a surface of which is provided with a plurality of symbols, gaming means for causing the spheroid object to rotate along at least three separate axes of rotation, display means for displaying symbols provided on a part of the surface of the spheroid object as rotated by the gaming means in a display area of the gaming system, and win determination means for evaluating a winning condition from those symbols of that are visible in the display area along at least one win line.
US09940793B1	Reversing multi-card, multi-hand poker event A method of executing a wagering event using card symbols comprising: a player position placing at least one wager of value at risk against a paytable. The player position receiving multiple specialty playing cards comprising a top section and a bottom section, the top half of each specialty playing card having a random rank and a first color, the bottom half of each specialty playing card having a random rank and a second color. Creating an optimal set of at least one or at least two specialty playing card hands based on a first hand formed by all top halves of the multiple specialty playing cards and a second hand formed by all bottom halves of the multiple specialty playing cards. Resolving the at least one wager for at least one of the original two hands first and/or the final first and second hands against a paytable.
US09940789B2	Credit contribution method for a hybrid game Systems and methods for collecting a credit contribution for a hybrid game having an entertainment game portion and a gambling game portion are provided. In operation, a portion of real world credits committed or accumulated in the hybrid game are collected and the collected portion of real world credits is contributed to a pool via a credit tax management system, the pool for the purposes of contributing to an award for redemption of game world credit granted players for achieving a certain status in a hybrid game tournament.
US09940788B2	System and method for augmented reality gaming using a mobile device Disclosed is a method and system for preventing replay attacks for mobile promotions associated with promotion devices. Upon the occurrence of a promotion winning event such as a designated outcome of a game played on the promotion device the user, via a software application accessible to their mobile device, forwards images of the event to a server over a network. The server determines entitlement to the promotion and analyses data associated with the images and mobile device location and time to confirm that the event is new promotion winning event. Upon such confirmation an entitlement to the promotion is awarded to the user. The foregoing prevents unscrupulous users from logging multiple claims for the same promotion winning event.
US09940786B1	Gaming system with dynamic prizing Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for dynamically managing the distribution of prizes in a gaming system. In one aspect, a method includes initializing a digital interactive sweepstakes game, receiving player identification data, receiving player activity data, determining a player activity forecast based on the player activity data, updating a prizing algorithm based on the player activity forecast, applying the prizing algorithm to player activity data to identify a particular player, and distributing a prize to an account associated with the particular player.
US09940784B2	Apparatus and method for a game with blockading game symbols An apparatus and method for a game of play for use in a casino establishment, or on a general purpose computing device for offering games with multiple outcomes and including blockading game elements or symbols. A base game, or an outcome on a base game that triggers a sub-game or a bonus game involves forming winning combinations from combinations of symbols in a matrix using only accessible symbol positions. Achieving winning combinations of symbols among accessible symbols results in awards to players. The apparatus and method are offered on electronic gaming machines such as slot machines and video poker machines, but may also be deployed on other devices such as on a general purpose computing device or mobile phone in stand-alone form or connected to a network, such as the internet.
US09940778B2	System for monitoring and playing a plurality of live casino table games A system for monitoring and playing a plurality of live casino table games, comprising: a plurality of dealer game tables; a plurality of electronic handheld devices remotely located from the game tables configured to display a video of at least one game taking place at the plurality of game tables; a gaming server; and a network operatively coupling the gaming server to the game tables and the electronic handheld devices; wherein each electronic handheld device includes a display part comprising: a player wagering display area having a touch screen input configured to display a plurality of touch screen results bars that allow a player to switch between the plurality of the game table's videos in response to touching the touch screen results bar to provide a selected touch screen results bar; a video display area configured to display a video of at least one game taking place at the plurality of game tables, wherein the video being displayed corresponds to the selected touch screen results bar.
US09940776B2	Bet sensing apparatuses and related devices and methods A bet sensor for sensing values of gaming tokens may include a bet placement surface configured and oriented to support a stack of gaming tokens thereon and an image sensor located and oriented to capture an image of a lateral side surface of at least one gaming token located on the bet placement surface. The image may depict the lateral side surface in a radial format. The bet sensor may include a processor in communication with the image sensor. The processor is configured to acquire image data from the image and analyze the image data to determine a wager value of the at least one gaming token. A gaming table may include such a bet sensor. The disclosure includes methods of operating such a gaming table.
US09940775B2	System and method for a wagering game having guaranteed wins A gaming system includes game-logic circuitry performing at least one regulated casino wagering game including a base game and a bonus game. The player accrues at least one of a number of free spins and a number of guaranteed wins for the bonus game. The free spins allow a player to win awards without further wagering. The guaranteed wins may trigger a re-spin of one or more free spins of the bonus game, result in a monetary award directly based upon symbols of a cash reel, or specify a minimum guaranteed wins threshold for a given base game or bonus game spin. The guaranteed wins may decrement with free spins when the free spin awards are above zero. Each guaranteed win remaining after all the free spins are completed may result in a cash reel displaying a symbol corresponding to a specific award.
US09940773B2	Systems and methods for automated dispensing systems in retail locations An automated vending system for retail locations can include: an exterior housing that houses a plurality of differently shaped items for purchase and return; a data processor that is disposed in the exterior housing and that is coupled to an external server having a database; a display device on a face of the exterior housing; a memory storing computer-executable instructions that cause the automated vending system to execute vending and returning of an item; a payment validation device that is configured to accept payment information; a storage area that holds a plurality of items; an item compartment that is disposed within the exterior housing and that is capable of opening to the user; an item dispenser that dispenses an item from the storage area to the item compartment; and a detector that is positioned to detect foreign activity within the item compartment.
US09940769B2	Wearable key fob A wearable key fob is disclosed herein. The wearable key fob includes a wrist band including a slot and a key fob including a charging tab that fits into the slot of the wrist band; wherein the key fob is configured for vehicle operability and monitoring a user's health.
US09940766B2	Lock arrangement and method for detecting the presence and location of a device sending a radio signal Lock arrangement and method for detecting the presence and location of a device sending a radio signal, which lock arrangement includes a lock case that can be fixed into a door, which lock case includes a locking latch and a latch mechanism. The lock arrangement further includes at least two antennas fitted into connection with the lock arrangement and a device for receiving radio signals connected to the antennas. The lock arrangement is able to determine on the basis of the signals measured from the antennas on which side of the lock arrangement the device sending a radio signal is located.
US09940765B1	Location based secure data device In providing secure data access, a secure data device receives a data access request to access secured data stored in a storage of the secure data device. A location module of the secure data device calculates a current location of the secure data device. A secure data module of the secure data device compares the current location and a pre-stored location stored in the secure data device. Upon determining that the current location matches the pre-stored location, the secure data module retrieves the secure data from the storage and processes the secure data. The processed secure data is sent as available data in response to the data access request. Upon determining that the current location does not match the pre-stored location, the secure data module retrieves the secure data and processes the secure data in a manner that renders the available data unusable.
US09940762B2	Systems and methods for identification of a compromised module A vehicle computing system having a computer processor in communication with a wireless transceiver, such that the wireless transceiver is capable of communication with a wireless communication device located remotely from the processor. The computer processor may be configured to receive input identifying at least one checksum value from one or more modules in the vehicle. The computer processor may transmit the at least one checksum value to a remote server through the wireless communication device. The remote server may compare the at least one checksum value to a predetermined value. Based on the compared results, the processor may receive one or more messages from the remote server to indicate whether the at least one checksum is equal to the predetermined value. The processor may generate one or more remedial actions if the at least one checksum is not equal to the predetermined value.
US09940759B2	Drive data collection system A drive data collection system includes an in-vehicle system and an information center. The in-vehicle system includes a data collector that repeatedly collects measurement values indicative of various indexes regarding a state of a subject vehicle, a model memory that memorizes model information regarding discretization rules that are shared by each of participating vehicles in the system, and a data discretizer that discretizes drive data, which includes time-series measurement values collected by the data collector, into multiple data parts according to the model information. The information center includes a data accumulator that accumulates the discretized drive data in a server. The in-vehicle system sends the discretized drive data to the information center through a communicator. Therefore, the drive data collection system efficiently collects the drive data in a versatilely-utilizable manner for the analysis of general driving practices/behaviors.
US09940754B2	Head-mounted display system and method for presenting display on head-mounted display Provided is a technique capable of performing displaying or hiding a menu through an operation by a movement of the head of a user wearing a head-mounted display. A head-mounted display system according to an embodiment includes an inclination detector for detecting an inclination from an initial angle of the head-mounted display mounted on a user while an application is in progress, and a display controller for generating an application image in progress in the virtual space in accordance with the detected inclination and outputting the application image to the head-mounted display. When the detected inclination is larger than a first threshold value, the display controller generates an image in which a menu image is superimposed on the application image generated in accordance with the inclination and outputs the generated image to the head-mounted display.
US09940751B1	Measuring physical objects and presenting virtual articles An image of an environment including an object (i.e., object in reality, physical object) can be captured and be displayed by a computing device. The size of an image representation of the object can be determined. Information about a physical size of the object and about a distance between the computing device and the object in the environment can be obtained/determined. A comparison of the size of the image representation of the object and the physical size of the object can be used to calculate a scale for converting between an actual size of a real-world item and a size of the item as displayed. The information about the distance can optionally be used to determine/adjust/modify the scale. A virtual article depicting/representing a real-world article/item/object (i.e., real-world correspondence) can be displayed with the captured image. The virtual article displayed can be scaled to an appropriate size using the scale.
US09940748B2	Method and apparatus for multi-experience adaptation of media content A method or apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for adapting media content of a source device for a recipient device. Characteristics of a first environment of a source device and of a second environment of a recipient can be identified. At least one difference between the characteristics of the first environment of the source device and the characteristics of the second environment of the recipient device can be determined. A presentation of media content can be modified according to the at least one difference between the characteristics of the first environment of the source device and the characteristics of the second environment of the recipient device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09940747B2	Mapping 3D to 2D images A method for mapping a 3D surface that contains a volume in space, the method including: acquiring 3D vertices representing the surface, and defining in the space a first plane cutting the volume and a second parallel plane, external to the volume, thereby partitioning the vertices into a first set not between the two planes and a second set located between the two planes. The method further includes projecting the first set vertices onto the first plane so as to generate first projected points therein, and projecting the second set vertices onto the first plane while translating these vertices in respective directions parallel to the second plane by respective translations responsive to respective distances of the second vertices from the first plane, thereby generating second projected points in the first plane. The first and second projected points are displayed as a 2D representation of the surface on a screen.
US09940745B2	Image manipulation for electronic display The density of images to display can be increased, and distractions reduced, through intelligent cropping or manipulation of at least some of the images. For objects such as dresses represented in the images, the density can be increased by cropping away regions of background outside the object region(s). Locating regions representing the face and legs of the wearer can enable cropping of the top and/or bottom of the image in order to cause the dress to occupy the majority of the area of the image, and can provide for a level of consistency of the sizes of the objects across the images, regardless of the sources of the images. Representative colors of the objects can also be selected to adjust the background color, in order to provide for easy distinction between the images while not providing contrasting or unappealing colors that take away from the aesthetics of the objects.
US09940738B2	System and method for reducing data transmission volume in tomosynthesis A method for processing and communicating breast tissue image data includes obtaining image data of a patient's breast tissue, processing the image data to form a first subset thereof, transmitting the first subset of the image data to a user computer, receiving a user request from the user computer based on the one or more lower resolution images, processing the image data to form a second subset thereof, and transmitting the second subset of the image data to the user computer. The second subset of the obtained image data is responsive to the user request. The first and second subsets of obtained image data are sufficient to generate one or more respective lower and higher resolution images of respective portions of the patient's breast tissue.
US09940734B2	Color transformation using one or multi-dimensional hierarchical lookup table Described herein are technologies for color transformation in a graphics processing hardware using at least two hierarchical one or multi-dimensional lookup-tables (LUT) in order to obtain a minimized overall LUT storage space yet achieves transformation output of desired accuracy. Particularly, a first interpolation of an input signal is implemented using a main LUT and successive interpolations using higher order difference LUTs. Outputs of the first and successive interpolations are then combined to generate a transformed pixel output.
US09940733B2	Virtual memory supported compression control surfaces Data destined for memory, i.e., data that was evicted at some level in the cache hierarchy is intercepted and subjected to compression before being sent to memory. Thereby, when the compression is successful, the memory bandwidth requirement is reduced, potentially resulting in higher performance and/or energy efficiency in some embodiments.
US09940729B1	Detection of invariant features for localization A first image and a second image are provided to a trained neural network. The first image comprises one or more static features and the second image comprises at least one of the one or more static features. A static feature is identified in both the first and second images by a branch of the trained neural network. A three dimensional image comprising the identified static feature is generated and three dimensional geometric information/data related to the static feature is extracted and stored in association with a tile of a digital map. A set of training images may be used to train the trained neural network comprises training image subsets comprising two or more images that substantially overlap that were (a) captured at different times; (b) captured under different (i) weather conditions, (ii) lighting conditions, or (iii) weather and lighting conditions; or both a and b.
US09940726B2	System and method to improve object tracking using tracking fingerprints A method includes receiving image data at a first tracking system. The image data may represent a region in an image of a sequence of images. The method includes generating a first tracking fingerprint based on the image data. The method includes comparing the first tracking fingerprint and a second tracking fingerprint. The method further includes providing an output from the first tracking system to a second tracking system based on a result of the comparison of the first tracking fingerprint and the second tracking fingerprint.
US09940725B2	Method for estimating the speed of movement of a camera A method for estimating the speed a first video camera when it captures a current image of a three-dimensional scene, the current image including pixels. The method includes storing a reference image corresponding to an image of the same scene captured by a second video camera in a different pose, the reference image including pixels. The method also includes storing the current image, containing for each pixel of the current image the measurement of a physical magnitude measured by that pixel, which is the same as the physical magnitude measured by the pixels of the reference image. The method further includes storing for each pixel of the reference image or of the current image the measurement of a depth that separates that pixel from the point of the scene photographed by that pixel, estimating the pose and speed of the first video camera.
US09940723B2	Systems and methods to detect and display endovascular features In part, the disclosure relates to method for identifying regions of interest in a blood vessel. The method includes the steps of: providing OCT image data of the blood vessel; applying a plurality of different edge detection filters to the OCT image data to generate a filter response for each edge detection filter; identifying in each edge detection filter response any response maxima; combining the response maxima for each edge detection filter response while maintaining the spatial relationship of the response maxima, to thereby create edge filtered OCT data; and analyzing the edge filtered OCT data to identify a region of interest, the region of interest defined as a local cluster of response maxima. In one embodiment, one or more indicia are positioned in one or more panels to emphasize a reference vessel profile as part of a user interface.
US09940722B2	Segmentation and identification of closed-contour features in images using graph theory and quasi-polar transform Segmentation and identification of closed-contour features in images using graph theory and quasi-polar transform are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes representing, in a rectangular domain, an image including a feature of interest. Further, the method includes determining a point within the feature of interest. The method also includes transforming the image of the feature from the rectangular domain to a quasi-polar domain based on the point. The quasi-polar domain is represented as a graph of nodes connected together by edges. The method also includes graph cutting the quasi-polar domain to identify the boundary of the feature of interest in the image.
US09940718B2	Apparatus and method for extracting peak image from continuously photographed images An apparatus for extracting a peak image includes an image selector configured to select one of continuously photographed images; a base image determiner configured to determine at least one base image according to a predetermined criterion; a difference calculator configured to calculate a difference between the selected image and the at least one base image; and a peak image determiner configured to determine a peak image among the continuously photographed images based on the calculated difference.
US09940713B1	MR-based navigators for inter-scan and intra-scan motion correction A method for MRI inter-scan motion correction includes performing (i) an anatomical localizer scan of a region of interest (ROI) to identify anatomical landmarks defining orientation of a surrounding field-of-view (FOV); (ii) an inter-scan motion reference scan of the ROI to acquire a reference inter-scan dataset indicating a reference navigator location in the ROI; and (iii) scans of the ROI to acquire k-space data. Prior to one or more of the scans, a motion correction process is performed that includes (a) performing an inter-scan motion tracking scan to acquire a tracking inter-scan dataset indicating an updated reference navigator location; (b) determining an estimation of inter-scan patient motion based on a comparison between the reference inter-scan and tracking inter-scan datasets; and (c) updating the FOV relative to the landmarks based on that estimation. Images of the ROI may be generated using the k-space data acquired with each of the scans.
US09940712B2	Quantitating disease progression from the MRI images of multiple sclerosis patients Methods and systems are provided for the automated detection and analysis of structural tissue alterations related to myelin and axons/neurons in one or more biological structures of a patient's nervous system obtained from data from a medical imaging system, or the initial sensing or data collection processes such as, those that could be used to generate an image. In some embodiments, the method comprises, at a system having a memory and one or more processor for processing and displaying images of the biological structure, computationally processing at least a T1 weighted magnetic resonance image of the structure and a T2 weighted magnetic resonance image of the structure in order to analyze at least a portion of the structure of the nervous system using a plurality of stored tissue classifier elements to determine if the portion of the structure correlates with the presence of myelin. Such methods are useful for the detection of diseases associated with demyelination.
US09940710B2	Biological information detection device equipped with light source projecting at least one dot onto living body A biological information detection device includes first and second light sources, an image capturing system, and an arithmetic circuit. The first and second light sources project, onto a living body, at least one first dot formed by first light and at least one second dot formed by second light, respectively. The image capturing system includes first photodetector cells and second photodetector cells. The image capturing system generates and outputs a first image signal and a second image signal. The arithmetic circuit generates information concerning the living body, by using the first and second image signals. The first light includes fifth light. The second light includes sixth light. Each of the fifth light and the sixth light has a wavelength in a range from 650 nm to 950 nm. The wavelength of the sixth light is longer than that of the fifth light by 50 nm or more.
US09940709B2	Systems and methods for diagnosing tumors in a subject by performing a quantitative analysis of texture-based features of a tumor object in a radiological image An example method for diagnosing tumors in a subject by performing a quantitative analysis of a radiological image can include identifying a region of interest (ROI) in the radiological image, segmenting the ROI from the radiological image, identifying a tumor object in the segmented ROI and segmenting the tumor object from the segmented ROI. The method can also include extracting a plurality of quantitative features describing the segmented tumor object, and classifying the tumor object based on the extracted quantitative features. The quantitative features can include one or more texture-based features.
US09940706B2	Image processing apparatus, image processing method and storage medium for extracting a lesion having a ground glass opactiy An image processing apparatus which extracts a lesion having a ground glass opacity from an image includes a change unit which changes a pixel value corresponding to a candidate region for the ground glass opacity to a predetermined pixel value range, a first feature amount extraction unit which obtains a first feature amount from the image, the pixel value of which is changed, and an extraction unit which extracts the lesion from the image based on the first feature amount.
US09940698B1	Cleaning writing boards based on strokes A method for processing an original image. The method includes: obtaining the original image of a writing board; identifying, within the original image, a first stroke by identifying a first plurality of pixels that exceed at least one intensity threshold; determining a geometric feature of the first stroke; selecting a region of the original image adjacent to the first stroke based on the geometric feature; determining an additional pixel in the region that corresponds to the first stroke; and adding the additional pixel to the first plurality of pixels. The first plurality of pixels correspond to the first stroke.
US09940696B2	Dynamic image adjustment to enhance off- axis viewing in a display assembly A display assembly includes a display console displaying at least one image on an image plane. The image is divided into a plurality of pixels. A controller is operatively connected to the display console and includes a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for dynamically adjusting the image in real-time for off-axis viewing. The controller is programmed to generate a compensation-over-viewing-angle map which includes respective compensation factors for each of the plurality of pixels for multiple viewing positions. In one embodiment, the controller is programmed to apply separate respective compensation factors for the instantaneous viewing positions of a first user at a time j and a second user at a time k. In another embodiment, the controller is programmed to apply first and second compensation factors simultaneously at a time m, for a first image and a second image, respectively.
US09940693B2	Information processing for display of content based on importance level A system includes a content obtaining circuit configured to obtain a plurality of content and information related to the content from at least one of a plurality of sources, an importance obtaining circuit configured to obtain an importance level for each content, and a display control circuit configured to generate data to control a display of an image corresponding to each of the plurality of content. The importance level is based on the information related to the content. The display control circuit determines a size of each image on a display screen based on the importance level for each content.
US09940691B2	Information processing apparatus, control method of the same, and video camera When deducing a homography matrix representing a geometrical relationship between two images, an image processing apparatus obtains a transformation matrix for four feature points in each of the two images based on reference coordinates. More specifically, the apparatus obtains the area of a triangle formed by three out of the four feature points, and calculates projective parameters of transformation matrices from the area ratios. The apparatus calculates the homography matrix between the images by the product of one of the two obtained matrices and an inverse matrix of the other.
US09940690B2	Terminal apparatus and screen updating method A terminal apparatus includes: a buffer memory that stores rendering data displayed on a display device; and a processor that acquires, according to scroll operation of the display device, rendering data including a connection portion, which is connected to a residual portion displayed in a moving destination region on a screen after the scroll operation from a screen before the scroll operation and is displayed, stores, in the buffer memory for storing the rendering data including the moving destination region and the connection portion, the rendering data of the residual portion and the rendering data including the connection portion, and outputs, in response to update of a display position of the rendering data stored in the buffer memory, the rendering data, the display position of which is updated, to the display device after the scroll operation.
US09940688B2	Video adapter alignment The embodiments relate to a computer system, and management of an operating mode of a general-purpose computing on graphics processing unit (GPGPU) adapter. A tool is provided to control the function of the GPGPU adapter. The tool includes an input/output (I/O) interface operatively coupled to the GPGPU adapter. The tool further includes basic input/output system (BIOS) to determine presence of the GPGPU adapter and to interrogate the GPGPU adapter to automatically set an operating mode of the GPGPU adapter. At least two modes of the GPGPU adapter are provided. The GPGPU adapter is set to a first mode in response to determining that the GPGPU adapter is in communication with the visual display, and set to the second mode in response to determining that the GPGPU is not in communication with a visual display.
US09940684B2	Detecting encoded signals under adverse lighting conditions using adaptive signal detection The disclosure relates to image signal processing, encoded signals and fingerprinting. Lighting information, associated with image capture, is used to adapt a signal encoder to fingerprint generator. The encoder or generator can be adapted by applying different weightings to different color channels, the different weightings being associated with the lighting information.
US09940681B2	Predictive approach to contract management Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer program products, and systems for a predictive approach to contract management. In one embodiment, acceptable contract parameters are predicted based, at least in part on historic data and specified thresholds of identified contract parameters. Predicting acceptable contract parameters can help reduce negotiation cycles.
US09940680B2	Method and apparatus to create a mash-up of social media data and business data to derive actionable insights for the business A method and system are disclosed for providing near-real-time actionable insights associated with user interactions within a social media environment. A first and second set of social media data, respectively associated with a first and second set of social media interactions, are processed to generate a first and second set of Social Network Advocacy Pulse (SNAP) data in near-real-time. The resulting first and second sets of SNAP data are then processed to generate a first and second set of actionable insight data, which respectively indicate a near-real-time measurement of sentiment and advocacy related to a predetermined business aspect. The first and second sets of social pricing index data are then processed to generate a set of actionable insight differential data, which indicates a corresponding improvement or decline in sentiment or advocacy related to the business aspect.
US09940679B2	Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for event creation and notification Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for verifying parameters for a user-created event. In accordance with one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided that comprises receiving a set of parameters for an event created by a user. Further, the method includes verifying the set of parameters for the event by comparing the set of parameters to source data and determining, based on a result of the verification, replacement data for one or more of the set of parameters for the event. The method also includes presenting, on a display device, the replacement data for selection by the user and updating, based on a selection received from the user, the set of parameters for the event to include the replacement data.
US09940678B2	Automated systems and methods for managing the placement process for securing insurance coverage Automated systems and methods for implementing and managing the submission, quote, proposal and binding stages (i.e., placement process) for securing insurance coverage.
US09940676B1	Insurance system for analysis of autonomous driving System and methods are disclosed for determining properties of vehicle insurance policies for vehicles that engage in autonomous driving. Vehicle driving data, an autonomous driving system quality rating, and/or other information may be used to determine, for example, a premium, a deductible, a coverage term, and/or a coverage amount of an automobile insurance policy of an automobile that engages in autonomous driving. In addition, vehicle driving data and/or other information may be used to determine a distance-based autonomous driving insurance factor based at least in part on a distance traveled by the vehicle while the vehicle was engaged in autonomous driving.
US09940675B2	System and method for rules driven insurance claim processing According to some embodiments, data is received indicative of a plurality of insurance claims submitted in connection with insurance policies. A rules driven claim processing engine may then apply a first exclusion filter to the received plurality of claims, wherein the first exclusion filter operates to remove claims from the received plurality of claims to create a first subset of claims. A second exclusion filter may then be applied to the first subset of claims, wherein the second exclusion filter operates to remove claims from the first subset of claims to create a second subset of claims. It may then be automatically arranged for the second subset of claims to be processed via an expedited claim processing workflow.
US09940662B2	Tag-based product monitoring and evaluation Aspects of tag-based product monitoring and evaluation are described. In one embodiment, a system directs a tag reader to interrogate an RFID tag provided on a product package for a product. In response, the system receives a unique identifier, product detail data, and product usage data from the RFID tag. In certain cases, the system can place an order for the product on an electronic commerce platform based on the unique identifier, the product detail data, and the product usage data. For example, the system can identify when the product package was opened with reference to the product usage data, determine that the product is expired based on when the product package was opened, and place the order for the product based on the product being expired.
US09940660B2	Add items from previous orders A computer-implemented method for providing a list of frequently purchased items by a user from a retailer to a computing device corresponding to the user includes receiving a request to generate the list of frequently purchased items. A purchase history of the user is obtained in response to the request, the purchase history including a plurality of previously purchased items. A number of purchases for each of the purchased items within a predetermined time period is monitored. The list of frequently purchased items is generated based on the monitored number of purchases for each of the purchased items. The generated list of frequently purchased items is transmitted to the computing device.
US09940655B2	Image processing An image processing method includes partitioning an image under test to form a plurality of contiguous image segments having similar image properties, deriving feature data from a subset including one or more of the image segments, and comparing the feature data from the subset of image segments with feature data derived from respective image segments of one or more other images so as to detect a similarity between the image under test and the one or more other images.
US09940653B1	Systems and methods for a commerce platform coordinating transactions within third party applications A method and apparatus for a commerce platform coordinating a purchase of a product sold by a merchant system through a third party application are described. The method may include receiving a notification at the commerce platform from the third party application that a user device executing the third party application has requested to purchase a product from within the third party application, wherein the notification comprises an identifier for the product and an identifier for the merchant system that sells the product using the commerce platform. The method may also include generating a product checkout interface by the commerce platform based on the identifier for the product and the identifier for the merchant system, and transmitting the product checkout interface to the third party application to change a user interface of the third party application to include the product checkout interface within the third party application.
US09940652B1	Restrictively exchanging and controlling vehicular data between communication devices of a private network A novel and non-trivial system and method for restrictively exchanging and controlling vehicular data between communication devices of a private network is disclosed. A processor in communication with a plurality of user communication devices is used for controlling and restricting the exchange of vehicular data. In such network, the processor may establish a communication connection with an initiating communication device of an initiating user, receive initiating vehicular data from the initiating communication device and corresponding first users (e.g., defined trusted users) data, provide the initiating vehicular data to at least one available first user communication device, receive responding vehicular data responsive to the initiating vehicular data, and provide the responding vehicular data to the initiating communication device. Additionally, the processor may provide interested users who have not been defined as trusted users with the initiating product data and receive responding vehicular data from such interested users.
US09940646B2	Dynamic insertion of content items into resources Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for providing content. Publisher input is received regarding acceptable content item types and sizes for inclusion with other content in a publication. Publisher input is received regarding how often content items are to appear in the publication. Identification is received of a user device that will render the publication as an article. The other content is evaluated including formatting the article as a single scrolling page, including defining logical pages with boundaries determined by formatted content blocks and based on display capabilities of the user device. Based on the evaluating, content items are selected for presentation along with the other content when presenting the article on the user device, including dynamically determining a number, types and placement of content items based on the logical pages and properties of the user device.
US09940638B2	Identifier-based coupon distribution A client device detects a QR code (or NFC tag). The client device decodes the QR code. The client device determines that the data encoded within the QR code includes a URL. Based on the URL, the client device sends a first request to a first server identified by the URL. In response to the first request, the client device receives from the first server data configured to cause the client device to display, to a user of the client device, at least one of: a video or an interactive web page. Responsive to the data encoded in the QR code, the client device sends to a coupon server: identification data associated with a user of the client device, and a request for the coupon server to distribute a digital coupon for an offer associated with an identifier encoded within the QR code to an account associated with the user.
US09940631B2	Online content collection An online content collection system includes a scanning server to scan web sites to retrieve a potential creative uniform resource locator (URL). The scanning and retrieving includes parsing web pages for the web sites, identifying a potential creative URL from the parsed web pages that matches a predetermined criterion for retrieving potential creative URLs, and retrieving the potential creative URL that matches the predetermined criterion. A data storage may be used to store creative URLs. An online content collection server analyzes the retrieved potential creative URL by determining whether the retrieved potential creative URL has been seen before by comparing the retrieved potential creative URL against the creative URLs stored in the data storage, and determining whether the retrieved potential creative URL points to a creative if the retrieved potential creative URL has been seen before.
US09940626B2	Methods and apparatus to provide an electronic agent Methods and apparatus to provide an electronic agent are disclosed. An example method includes receiving an interactive program via a network at a first information presenting device, accessing a list of keywords associated with the interactive program via the network, accessing a first database using at least one of the keywords, and presenting an electronic agent on the first information presenting device to at least one of present information retrieved from the first database or offer to retrieve information identified via the first database.
US09940625B2	Autonomous driving certification generalizer Methods, devices and apparatuses pertaining to identifying the candidate road segments for autonomous operations are described. A method may involve obtaining data of a first plurality of road segments that are permitted for one or more autonomous operations. The method may further include generating a road segment template based on the data of the first plurality of road segments, and reconstructing a second plurality of road segments based on the road segment template to obtain a plurality of reconstructed road segments.
US09940624B2	Credit card imaging for mobile payment and other applications A mobile payment device includes a contactless payment module, a processing module, and a display module. The contactless payment module is coupled to execute a credit payment transaction. The processing module is coupled to detect the executing of the credit payment transaction and retrieve credit image data based on the detecting. The display module is coupled to process the credit image data into a displayed credit image.
US09940620B2	Systems and methods for processing customer purchase transactions using biometric data A system and method is provided for processing customer purchase transactions using biometric data. Consistent with disclosed embodiments, a processing entity receives biometric data of a customer, wherein the biometric data is unique to the customer. The processing entity may additionally receive transaction data, the transaction data reflecting the price of a purchase transaction by the customer. The processing entity may compare the received biometric data to stored biometric data associated with customers of a financial service provider and identify common biometric data. Additionally, the processing entity may correlate the common biometric data to a customer account associated with the financial service provider, compare the customer account associated with the financial service provider with the transaction data, and verify the customer account associated with the financial service provider contains adequate funds. Furthermore, the processing entity may authorize the purchase transaction.
US09940619B2	Processing non-traditional transactions on a traditional payment network A system for and methods of processing non-traditional payment transactions on a traditional payment network is disclosed. More specifically, a payments system includes one or more payment program managers (PPMs), which are the providers of alternative payment products, in combination with one or more payment program processors (PPPs), which serve as processors for the PPMs. The PPMs and PPPs operate on a payment network, such as a traditional payment network. The payments system includes the utilization of traditional bank identification numbers (BINS) in order to process non-traditional transactions on a traditional payment network. Surrogate numbers are issued on BIN ranges to the non-traditional transactions in order to process them on the traditional payment network. Additionally, the payments system includes pricing structures that are associated with alternative payment products. These pricing structures are implemented and processed on the payment network, alongside the pricing structures of traditional payment products.
US09940617B2	On-line pay-per-use system and method Aspects of the invention may involve systems, methods, and computer readable medium. In an embodiment of the invention, a computer-implemented method for paying for usage of a pay per use device may be provided. The method may transmit device identification information from the device to a server. Device setup information and vend price may be received and the vend price may be displayed. User identification may be received and transmitted to the server. An account balance value may be received and displayed on the display. A start request may be received and transmitted to the server. The device may start and an updated account balance may be displayed.
US09940616B1	Verifying proximity during payment transactions Method, systems, and apparatus for processing a transaction for a customer using a first device and a second device, comprising: receiving a notification from the first device, where the notification includes a selection of one or more items for purchase, where the notification includes an identifier, and where the identifier uniquely identifies both the customer and a second device; determining that the second device is in proximity to the first device as an authentication measure; in response to the determining, sending the determination to the second device, where the second device displays details regarding the selection of the one or more items for purchase; receiving, from the second device, user input indicating a confirmation of the purchase of the one or more items; submitting, to a payment processor, the details for authentication.
US09940614B2	Syncing two separate authentication channels to the same account or data using a token or the like Syncing two separate authentication channels to the same account or data using a token or the like is performed. Two authentication channels could be an online login and a mobile device login. Login for one channel creates a unique authentication code. When login from the second channel is desired, the login information is passed to the first channel device to obtain the appropriate authentication code. Then login at a service layer and data access are accomplished.
US09940612B1	Fraud detection in portable payment readers A payment reader and a POS terminal may communicate over a wireless connection. The methods and systems include receiving, from POS terminal, a request for establishing a network connection with the payment card reader. The server determines whether the payment card reader is associated with the POS terminal or a payment application thereon. If the payment card reader is not associated with the POS terminal or the payment application thereon, the server determines the probability of the request being fraudulent.
US09940611B2	Secure wireless network-based activation for table-side information and point-of-sale devices A new terminal is seamlessly and securely integrated to an existing (primary) Wi-Fi network within an operating environment at a restaurant location. The location includes a data management server (DMS) for managing the local operations of devices operating there. The device being installed at the location is auto-configured into the primary Wi-Fi network by being provided with a default Wi-Fi profile that only enables the device to be activated on an activation Wi-Fi network also available at the location. Once the device activates to the Wi-Fi activation network, it requests activation onto the primary Wi-Fi network from a cloud-based data center. The data center requests an activation password from the local DMS. The local DMS generates an activation bundle, which is then returned and eventually instantiated on the device to complete the activation. Once activated, the device updates its Wi-Fi profile to now executed on the primary Wi-Fi network.
US09940610B1	Payments portal Technologies are described herein for a payments portal. A payments portal can be configured to support payments by generating and embedding widgets in webpages hosted by merchant sites associated with a marketplace. The widgets can provide specific payment functionality for users, thereby providing consistent payment experiences across merchant sites without updating the merchant sites. The widgets can be dynamic or static. Interactions with the widgets can cause a browser displaying the widgets to access data hosted by the payments portal and/or other systems, devices or services in communication with the payments portal.
US09940608B2	Real time EFT network-based person-to-person transactions A system and method for processing person-to-person transactions using EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) networks in real time is provided. The system may include an adaptive payment server including one or more processors configured to receive first identification information and second identification information from a sender communication device. The adaptive payment server may receive third identification information from a receiver communication device. The adaptive payment server may determine a sender account based on the first identification information. The adaptive payment server may determine a receiver account based on the third identification information. The adaptive payment server may process a person-to-person transaction based on the sender account and the receiver account via an EFT network.
US09940604B2	System and method for piece picking or put-away with a mobile manipulation robot A method and system for piece-picking or piece put-away within a logistics facility. The system includes a central server and at least one mobile manipulation robot. The central server is configured to communicate with the robots to send and receive piece-picking data which includes a unique identification for each piece to be picked, a location within the logistics facility of the pieces to be picked, and a route for the robot to take within the logistics facility. The robots can then autonomously navigate and position themselves within the logistics facility by recognition of landmarks by at least one of a plurality of sensors. The sensors also provide signals related to detection, identification, and location of a piece to be picked or put-away, and processors on the robots analyze the sensor information to generate movements of a unique articulated arm and end effector on the robot to pick or put-away the piece.
US09940603B1	Shortage indicators A processor identifies that at least one value of a primary shortage metric triggers an exception to a rule. The processor retrieves a list of items that have a non-zero value for the primary shortage metric and retrieves at least one secondary shortage metric value for each item in the list of items. The processor then generates report data for a report that includes at least one item in the list of items and the values of the first and second shortage metrics for the item.
US09940598B2	Apparatus and method for controlling execution workflows A first executing unit executes, among tasks included in a first workflow, a first task group including one or more tasks using a resource. When a task included in the first task group is stopped, a rollback processing unit restores the resource to its former state prior to the execution of the first task group. After the resource is restored to the former state prior to the execution of the first task group, a second executing unit starts executing, among tasks included in a second workflow, a second task group including one or more tasks using the resource.
US09940594B1	Digital workroom A workroom is automatically established for each job created and is associated with a unique email address. The workroom allows members to hold live meetings, communicate in real-time, including via email, upload/manage/share files, and automatically provide transcripts of communication. The workroom also allows team members to launch work trackers directly from the workroom. A work tracker collects work information and directly generates one or more status reports based on the work information collected. A status report includes a back-end version viewable and modifiable by a service provider and a front-end version viewable by a buyer. The status report directly generates an invoice based on the information from the status report. The invoice is submitted to the buyer and allows the buyer to directly pay the service provider.
US09940589B2	Virtual reality system including viewer responsiveness to smart objects Embodiments of the invention include a virtual reality system that includes an instrumented device used to present a virtual shopping environment to a simulation participant. The participant's interactions with the virtual shopping environment may be used to conduct market research into the consumer decision making process. The virtual shopping environment may include one or more smart objects configured to be responsive to participant interaction. The virtual shopping environment may recreate a real-world shopping environment.
US09940582B2	Intelligent problem tracking electronic system for optimizing technical support Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to technical support management and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for intelligent problem tracking to optimize technical support. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for intelligent problem tracking can include receiving recorded information of tracked end user behavior collected in an end user computing system while the end user addresses a problem in the end user computing system, determining a level of technical sophistication of the user based upon the recorded information, selecting a technical support level corresponding to the determined level of technical sophistication of the user, and transmitting a resolution to the problem in a message to the end user computing system commensurate with the selected technical support level.
US09940574B1	System and method to control a model state of a neuromorphic model of a brain Model-based neural control uses a model of a portion of a brain and provides feedback control to the model that is based on a received output from the model. A neuromorphic model-based control system includes a neuromorphic model that includes a neuromorphic network to model the brain portion. A synaptic time-multiplexed (STM) neural model-based control system includes an STM neural network to the model the brain portion. The control systems further include a feedback controller to receive an output of the neuromorphic model or STM neural network and to provide a feedback control input to control a model state of the neuromorphic model or the STM neural network.
US09940573B2	Superpixel methods for convolutional neural networks Methods, systems, and apparatus for efficiently performing a computation of a convolutional neural network layer. One of the methods includes transforming a X by Y by Z input tensor into a X′ by Y′ by Z′ input tensor, wherein X′ is smaller than or equal to X, Y′ is smaller than or equal to Y, and Z′ is larger than or equal to Z; obtaining one or more modified weight matrices, wherein the modified weight matrices operate on the X′ by Y′ by Z′ input tensor to generate a U′ by V′ by W′ output tensor, and the U′ by V′ by W′ output tensor comprises a transformed U by V by W output tensor, wherein U′ is smaller than or equal to U, V′ is smaller than or equal to V, and W′ is larger than or equal to W; and processing the X′ by Y′ by Z′ input tensor using the modified weight matrices to generate the U′ by V′ by W′ output tensor, wherein the U′ by V′ by W′ output tensor comprises the U by V by W output tensor.
US09940572B2	Methods and a computing device for determining whether a mark is genuine The present disclosure is generally directed to a method and computing device for determining whether a mark is genuine. According to various implementations, a computing device (or logic circuitry thereof) uses unintentionally-produced artifacts within a genuine mark to define an identifiable electronic signature, extracts certain attributes of the signature (such as deviation from the mean value for each band of the signature), and assigns numerical values to the extracted attributes in order to create a hash identifier that is significantly smaller than the electronic signature itself. The hash identifier is then used as an index for a database of electronic signatures (of genuine marks) to enhance the ease and speed with which numerous genuine signatures can be searched (e.g., in a database) and compared with signatures (of candidate marks.
US09940568B2	Transaction card having internal magnetic stripe A transaction card is provided. The transaction card includes a card frame having a card inlay and a card housing. The transaction card also includes a magnetic stripe disposed inside the card frame between the card inlay and the card housing.
US09940557B2	Document printing using hardware-dependent fonts A system prints a document by generating a device-dependent font that is appropriate for the document and the print device. The system does this by identifying a font for the document, identifying an affine transformation matrix for the font, using the device resolution and current page location of the print device to modify the affine transformation matrix to yield a current transformation matrix, adding a reverse of the current transformation matrix to the affine transformation matrix to yield a modified font matrix, and generate a print file using the modified font matrix. The print device then uses the print file print the document with a font corresponding to the modified font matrix.
US09940554B2	Data analysis and management methods and systems for social networks Data analysis and management methods and systems for social networks are provided. First, specific data is received from a specific registered user of a social network system via a network. The specific data is processed with a data analysis procedure to obtain at least one contact information based on the specific data. Then, a connection with at least one target user who has not registered on the social network system is established according to the contact information.
US09940545B2	Method and apparatus for detecting anatomical elements A method, apparatus and computer program product are hereby provided to detect anatomical elements in a medical image. In this regard, the method, apparatus, and computer program product may receive a test image and generate a classified image by applying an image classifier to the test image. The image classifier may include at least one decision tree for evaluating at least one pixel value of the test image and the classified image may include a plurality of pixel values. Each pixel value may be associated with a probability that an anatomical element is located at the pixel location. The method, apparatus, and computer program product may also evaluate the classified image using an anatomical model to detect at least one anatomical element within the classified image.
US09940541B2	Artificially rendering images using interpolation of tracked control points Various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to systems and processes for artificially rendering images using interpolation of tracked control points. According to particular embodiments, a set of control points is tracked between a first frame and a second frame, where the first frame includes a first image captured from a first location and the second frame includes a second image captured from a second location. An artificially rendered image corresponding to a third location is then generated by interpolating individual control points for the third location using the set of control points and interpolating pixel locations using the individual control points. The individual control points are used to transform image data.
US09940535B1	Imaging-based sensor calibration Sensor calibration relative to common coordinates with depth, height and shift dimensions includes obtaining, via a mobile apparatus camera, an image of a calibration target. The calibration target includes first and second surfaces at first and second predefined depths, bearing first and second sets of indicia at heights encoded by the indicia and having predefined shifts. The method includes decoding the heights; generating first and second transforms between image coordinates and first and second planes at predefined common coordinate depths; applying the transforms to each of a plurality of calibration pixels to generate position pairs including calibration positions on each of the first and second planes; determining a common coordinate camera position from an intersection of calibration lines defined by the position pairs; and storing the camera position in association with a location of the mobile apparatus, for common coordinate mapping of subsequent images captured at subsequent mobile apparatus locations.
US09940534B1	Digital integrated circuit for extracting features out of an input image based on cellular neural networks Digital integrated circuit (IC) for extracting features out of input image is disclosed. The IC contains one or more identical cellular neural networks (CNN) processing engines operatively coupled to at least one I/O data bus. Each CNN processing engine includes a CNN processing block, a first set of memory buffers for storing imagery data and a second set of memory buffers for storing filter coefficients. CNN processing block is configured to simultaneously perform 3×3 convolutions at M×M pixel locations using received imagery data and corresponding filter coefficients. Imagery data represents a (M+2)-pixel by (M+2)-pixel region of the input image. CNN processing block further performs rectification and/or 2×2 pooling operations as directed. When two or more CNN processing engines are configured on the IC, CNN processing engines are connected to one another as a loop via a clock-skew circuit for cyclic data access. M is a positive integer.
US09940530B2	Platform for acquiring driver behavior data Described herein is an onboard vehicle system capable of gathering driver behavior to be provided to a service provider computer. In some embodiments, the onboard vehicle system includes one or more input sensors, such as camera devices, configured to capture image information surrounding the onboard system. Upon detecting another vehicle within the image information, the onboard system may determine a vehicle identifier and determine, based on the vehicle's movements, that the vehicle is exhibiting anomalous behavior. Upon detecting anomalous behavior of a vehicle within its vicinity, the onboard system may transmit an indication of the anomalous behavior and a vehicle identifier to the service provider computer to be stored in a database. In some embodiments, the information provided to the service provider computer may be accessed by one or more users over a public network.
US09940526B2	System and method for managing a surveillance system A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device including a controller programmed to receive security video content associated with a premises where the security video content has been captured by one or more cameras located within or in proximity to the premises and where the premises have one or more digital video recorders, and transmit the security video content to the digital video recorders for forwarding to a communication device that is remote from the premises, where the security video content is wirelessly transmitted over a wireless television channel dynamically selected from available wireless television channels associated with the premises. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09940515B2	Image analysis for authenticating a product A method of authenticating a product by taking an image of the product and comparing the image with a reference image of a genuine product taken previously to determine if the products in the two images are the same. The two images are captured under substantially similar conditions so that the two images are as similar as possible prior to the comparison. The two images are processed in order to calculate for each of them a list of significant points. The significant points are compared to determine a degree of correspondence between the significant points. An answer is output indicating the authenticity of the product based on the degree of correspondence. Some of the matching significant points may be used to define a common coordinate system for the two images. The two lists of significant points may be compared in this common coordinate system.
US09940514B2	Automated geospatial image mosaic generation with multiple zoom level support Generation of a plurality of orthomosaic image layers for a geographical area, wherein the layers comprise different spatial resolutions and are radiometrically normalized to facilitate improved radiometric consistency when zooming relative to the geographic area. In applications that facilitate zooming with respect to a geographic area imaged by the orthomosaic layers, radiometric normalization of the orthomosaic image layers may reduce radiometric discontinuities when zooming in, zooming out, and/or panning a displayed portion that is output to the user. The orthomosaic layers may be generated based on one or more orthomosaic image layer or may be developed independently using a source images. In any regard, the radiometric normalization may include generating a normalization function based on image metadata that is calculated and may be independent of the spatial resolution of the image.
US09940506B2	System and method for face recognition A system and method for generating a descriptor for a face is provided. The descriptor is operable to generate information about a given region in a face image to enable face recognition. The descriptor provided herein is a low dimension relative to many existing descriptors providing similar face recognition accuracy. In another aspect, a system and method for face recognition is provided.
US09940503B2	Authentication device including template validation and related methods An authentication device may include a housing and a finger sensor carried by the housing and including first processing circuitry and a finger sensing area coupled thereto. The first processing circuitry may be configured to generate finger image data based upon a finger positioned adjacent the finger sensing area, and generate and store a first template based upon the finger image data. The authentication device may include second processing circuitry carried by the housing and configured to obtain the finger image data from the first processing circuitry. The second processing circuitry may be configured to generate a second template based upon the finger image data. The first processing circuitry may further be configured to obtain the second template from second processing circuitry, and validate the second template against the first template.
US09940494B2	RFID reading apparatus for shelf occupancy detection An RFID reading apparatus (20) for shelf occupancy detection comprises an elongated antenna (18) with an outer conductor (26) and an inner conductor (28) arranged in the outer conductor (26), an RF transceiver (22) connected with the antenna (18), and a control and evaluation unit (24) configured to communicate with an RFID transponder (14) via the RF transceiver (22) and the antenna (18) by means of RFID signals. The outer conductor (26) comprises a plurality of slot structures (16) over its longitudinal extent each for transmitting and receiving RFID signals.
US09940493B2	Systems and methods of real-time assignment of items to preregistered individuals Systems and methods of assigning an RFID chip and/or a participant number to an event participant who has preregistered for the event. The assignment of the RFID chip and/or participant number to the participant occurs in real-time while the event participant or a designated representative thereof is present at a designated pick-up location to pick up the RFID chip and/or participant number.
US09940490B1	Enhanced RFID tag authentication An authentication method includes RFID tags authenticating RFID readers. A tag sends a tag identifier and a reader challenge to a reader in response to one or more commands from the reader. The reader then either derives a response to the reader challenge itself or has a verification authority derive the response. The response may be derived from parameter(s) in the reader challenge, and may be derived using a cryptographic key. The reader then sends the response to the tag along with another command. The tag verifies the response before executing instruction(s) included in the command.
US09940483B2	Firmware security interface for field programmable gate arrays This disclosure provides for implementing a firmware security interface within a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) for communicating between secure and non-secure environments executable within the FPGA. A security monitor is implemented within the programmable logic of the FPGA as a soft core processor and the firmware security interface modifies one or more functions of the security monitor. The modifications to the security monitor include establishing a timer “heartbeat” within the FPGA to ensure that the FPGA invokes a secure environment and raising an alarm should the FPGA fail to invoke such environment.
US09940481B2	Privacy management across multiple devices Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, and including a method for managing privacy rights of a user related to the delivery of content. The method comprises providing a global privacy management interface that presents a selection tool for enabling a user to review privacy options and interests. The privacy options and interests include controls for presenting a list of identifiers that are associated with the user and interests associated with those identifiers. Each identifier is associated with a requesting source having been used by the user to access content. The interface enables de-selection of individual interests on a per-identifier or global basis. The method further comprises determining, in a server system, content to deliver to the user in view of the privacy selections.
US09940480B2	Securing delegated remote management with digital signature A system and method of executing a script includes receiving, by a service user account module, a user script from a first user account. The method includes issuing, by a management system, execution data including the user script and validation parameters. The method includes signing, by the management system, the execution data with a private key. Responsive to signing the execution data, the execution data further includes a digital signature. The method further includes authorizing, by the management system, communication to a remote execution tool, where authorization requires the digital signature. The method further includes sending, to the remote execution tool, the execution data including the digital signature. The method further includes confirming, by the remote execution tool, the validation parameters. The method further includes, responsive to confirming the validation parameters, executing, by the remote execution tool, the user script on a remote system for the first user account.
US09940476B2	Selective exposure of document tags for search, access, and feed based on user groups A method for selective exposure of document tags associated with a plurality of online search engine content based on a predetermined user criteria is provided. The method may include annotating a content tag associated with the plurality of search engine content with a plurality of metadata, whereby the plurality of metadata includes a text and an access control. The method may also include displaying a plurality of content based on the annotated content tag.
US09940475B2	Interlinking routines with differing protections using stack indicators Corruption of program stacks is detected by using guard words placed in the program stacks. A called routine executing on a processor checks a guard word in a stack frame of a calling routine. The checking determines whether the guard word has an expected value. Based on determining the guard word has an unexpected value, an indication of corruption of the stack frame is provided. Some routines, however, may not support use of guard words. Thus, routines that are interlinked may have differing protection capabilities. In this situation, a determination may be made as to whether a caller routine supports guard word protection. Based on determining that the caller routine supports guard word protection, the called routine verifies the guard word.
US09940474B1	Techniques and systems for data segregation in data storage systems A computer system, such as a data storage system, implements techniques for segregating and controlling access to data stored in multiple regions. In some embodiments, redundancy coded shards generated from the data and stored in durable storage of a data storage system is allocated across multiple regions, but in a fashion that prevents actors with access to regions outside that of a “home” region from recovering a sufficient number of unique shards to regenerate the data represented thereby. In some embodiments, encryption is used to segregate the data by encrypting the generated shards, then storing the cryptographic information on or otherwise controlling access on hosts or other devices of only the home region.
US09940473B2	Information processing device, information processing method and medium An information processing device of the present invention includes: a cluster information acquisition unit which acquires information indicating a cluster which is a set of records in an anonymized state in which at least a portion of attribute values of set-valued attributes, which can include one value or a plurality of values included in the records, is removed from the cluster which is a set of records including an attribute value so that the cluster satisfies a predetermined anonymity; and a set-valued attribute refinement unit which discloses at least a portion of attribute values from among removed attribute values of the set-valued attributes of records included in the cluster acquired by the cluster acquisition, and divides the cluster into clusters which satisfy the predetermined anonymity based on the disclosed attribute values.
US09940463B2	System and method for secure authentication A method for device authentication comprises receiving, by processing hardware of a first device, a message from a second device to authenticate the first device. The processing hardware retrieves a secret value from secure storage hardware operatively coupled to the processing hardware. The processing hardware derives a validator from the secret value using a path through a key tree, wherein the path is based on the message, wherein deriving the validator using the path through the key tree comprises computing a plurality of successive intermediate keys starting with a value based on the secret value and leading to the validator, wherein each successive intermediate key is derived based on at least a portion of the message and a prior key. The first device then sends the validator to the second device.
US09940462B2	Code validation Methods and apparatus for validating a system include reading protected record data for a section of the system from a secure storage element, and verifying integrity of the section of the system using the record data. The secure storage element independently verifies that all record data and data to be written to the system is valid.
US09940458B2	Flag based threat detection Technologies are generally described for systems, devices and methods effective to generate an alert in a computing system. In some examples, a read request may be identified to read from a memory location in a memory. The memory location may include first data accessible by a virtual machine and an instance manager module. The first data may be allowed to be read from the memory location. A write request may be identified to write second data to the memory location. A flag may be identified in response to the identification of the write request. The flag may be associated with the memory location. An alert may be generated, based on the identification of the flag and the identification of the write request.
US09940452B2	Method and system for interoperable identity and interoperable credentials The present teaching relates to generating an identifier for a person. In one example, an actual name of the person is received. The identity of the person that is associated with the actual name of the person is proved at a pre-determined level of assurance (LOA) required by an identity management system. When the identity of the person has been proved, a peripheral name is solicited from the person. An identifier that includes the actual name and the peripheral name of the person is created. Whether the identifier is unique is determined. The steps of soliciting, creating, and determining are repeated until the identifier is unique. The peripheral name is associated with the person. The identifier is associated with the person.
US09940450B2	Method and apparatus for managing confidential information The invention is a method and apparatus for managing the secure acquisition, storage and disclosure of confidential information, to facilitate identity rights management; and/or preemptively authorized data querying techniques to preserve the anonymity of disclosed personal data.
US09940448B2	Unlock processing method and device An unlock processing method for a terminal, includes: receiving an input unlocking instruction from a user; determining whether the user belongs to a preset user group according to the unlocking instruction; and acquiring and storing information regarding the user, if it is determined that the user does not belong to the preset user group.
US09940446B2	Anti-piracy protection for software A certificate for a target device includes encrypted system attributes that are verified against attributes of the target device prior to software usage. A certificate server securely obtains system attributes from the target system and generates a certificate with encrypted components including some system attributes. The certificate is stored on the target device and software installation/execution is made dependent on validation of the certificate. An encrypted system fingerprint in the certificate is decrypted by the software at the target device and compared with locally obtained system attributes to verify authorization for software usage on the target device. The certificate represents an easy to use paradigm for anti-piracy protection of software.
US09940443B2	Supporting secondary use of content of electronic work A technique for supporting secondary use of content of an electronic work. This technique includes receiving, from a user terminal, a use request requesting secondary use of the content of the electronic work, in which a secondary use policy of an author of the electronic work is associated with the electronic work; determining whether the use request satisfies the secondary use policy specified by the author; and transmitting, to the user terminal, together with a unique identifier associated with the use request, content of the electronic work based on the determination or edited content based on the determination.
US09940438B2	Medical diagnosis support apparatus and medical diagnosis support method A medical diagnosis support apparatus which provides information for supporting medical diagnosis includes an inference unit which obtains an inference result based on a combination of already input information and each of one or more pieces of information that has not been input (“non-input information”), an evaluation unit which evaluates each piece of non-input information by using an inference result on the already—input information which is obtained by the inference unit and an inference result on each piece of the non-input information which is obtained by the inference unit, and a selection unit which selects non-input information to be presented, from among the various pieces of non-input information, based on the evaluation obtained by the evaluation unit.
US09940437B2	Computer-aided multiple standard-based functional evaluation and medical reporting system A method of performing an objective functional evaluation of a person's physical capacity comprises of a computer program particularly designed to amass and assess test data in accordance with a selected standard. A wide variety of evaluation protocols are incorporated to lead an operator in a step-by-step process. The method includes special testing tools, many of which have been modified to input data directly into the computer diagnostic program. The interface may be a wired or a wireless connection. The software program may use an algorithm to calculate a coefficient of variation for the multiple trials of a test, using the entered data, to providing a determination of validity of the trials. A second algorithm calculates an average result of the condition-specific protocol of tests, after which the software program correlates those average results to a database of normative standards to compute an impairment rating.
US09940435B2	Visualization of a development and escalation of a patient monitor alarm In the present invention, a monitoring device for providing information on data obtained from sensors operably connected to the device includes a central processing unit configured to receive incoming data signals from a sensor concerning a physiological parameter and to compare the incoming data signals to predetermined alarm criteria for the physiological parameter to determine an alarm condition. The device also includes a display operably connected to the central processing unit and having a display screen with a display area configured to visually represent the incoming data signals concerning the physiological parameter relating to a determined alarm condition on a portion of the display area in a visually distinct manner from a remainder of the display area to visually illustrate an escalation effect.
US09940432B1	Development of an unmanned aerial vehicle Techniques for developing a design for a module of an unmanned device may be provided. For example, the unmanned device may comprise one or more already designed components. If a component is to be added to the unmanned device, a design of this new component may be developed. The development may include attaching a computer to the unmanned vehicle. The computer may interface with the one or more already designed components, may be configured to host features of the new component, and may interface with a design computing device. The computer and the design computing device may form a design environment within which data may be exchanged to develop the design. Upon completion of the design development, a design plan may be generated for the new component.
US09940430B2	Burn-in power performance optimization Method of burn-in power optimization which includes: testing integrated circuit devices to record a performance speed for each of the integrated circuit devices; categorizing each integrated circuit device by a selective voltage binning (SVB) process into a voltage bin according to the performance speed of the integrated circuit device; performing a burn-in operation on each of the integrated circuit devices while toggling an SVB performance monitor on each of the integrated circuit devices; testing the plurality of integrated circuit devices after the burn-in operation; categorizing each integrated circuit device into the SVB voltage bin according to the performance speed of the integrated circuit device after the burn-in operation; when the SVB voltage bin after the burn-in operation corresponds to an SVB voltage bin having a slower performance speed than before the burn-in operation, changing the SVB voltage bin to the slower performance speed.
US09940425B2	Method and apparatus for camouflaging a standard cell based integrated circuit with micro circuits and post processing A method and apparatus for camouflaging an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), wherein the ASIC comprises a plurality of interconnected functional logic is disclosed. The method adds functionally inert elements to the logical description or provides alternative definitions of standard logical cells to make it difficult for reverse engineering programs to be used to discover the circuit's function. Additionally, post processing may be performed on GDS layers to provide a realistic fill of the empty space so as to resemble structural elements found in a functional circuit.
US09940421B1	Method for optimizing place-and-routing using a random normalized polish expression Simultaneous automatic placement and routing speeds up implementation an integrated circuit layout and improves the resulting layout such that the layout is more compact, has reduced parasitics, and has improved circuit performance characteristics (e.g., power, frequency, propagation delay, gain, and stability). A technique generates solutions based on a random normalized polish expression, and includes cost considerations based on routing of interconnect.
US09940416B2	Two-scale method using a list of active sub-domains for a fully parallelized solution of wave equations Described herein is an apparatus and method for allocating hardware-based processing units for a wave modeling computation. The method generates a computational domain representing a physical region in which wave amplitudes for physical waves are determined. The domain is divided into a plurality of sub-domains, whereafter the method determines which sub-domains of the plurality of sub-domains are active. Further, the method, for each computational step of a plurality of computational steps and in each active sub-domain, executes a first portion of the wave modeling computation corresponding to the active sub-domain by at least one available hardware-based processing unit and determines whether the active sub-domain will remain active in a next computational step of the plurality of computational steps. When the active sub-domain is determined to become inactive in the next computational step, the method allocates the at least one available hardware-based processing unit to other computational tasks.
US09940415B2	Finite impulse response filter for producing outputs having different phases A method and system for designing and implementing a finite impulse response (FIR) filter to create a plurality of output signals, each output signal having the same frequency but at a different phase shift from the other output(s), is described. Values are determined for the resistors, or other elements having impedance values, in a FIR filter having a plurality of outputs, such that each output has the same frequency response but a different phase than the other output(s). This is accomplished by the inclusion of a phase factor in the time domain calculation of the resistor values that does not change the response in the frequency domain. The phase shift is constant and independent of the frequency of the output signal.
US09940414B2	Total asset modeling with integrated asset models and persistent asset models Systems and methods for total asset modeling by updating a preexisting integrated asset model in the form of a unique type model during different stages of an asset lifecycle to identify and evaluate a new asset during the asset lifecycle.
US09940411B2	Systems and methods of bypassing suppression of event bubbling for popup controls The technology disclosed describes systems and methods for implementing extensible browser executable components, such as popup controls for action, checkbox and radio button dropdown menus, modals, dialogs, date pickers and autocompletes. The disclosed technology systems and methods can also be used for rendering executable components for mobile application interfaces. The technology further discloses systems and methods for providing support for developers whose goal is to render specific implementations of browser executable components. The technology disclosed also describes systems and methods for bypassing suppression of DOM click event bubbling for a popup controls for action, checkbox and radio button dropdown menus, modals, dialogs, date pickers and autocompletes; and discloses systems and methods for implementing modal interaction between an iframe and a popup control.
US09940408B2	Trigger query obtaining apparatus, trigger query obtaining method, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium A trigger query obtaining apparatus includes a graph creating unit, a score calculation unit, a trigger query obtaining unit, and an output unit. The graph creating unit creates a minimal directed graph having nodes each corresponding to a search query included in one of two search logs, and a link directed from one node to another node. The score calculation unit calculates a score for each node of a directed graph composed of minimal directed graphs, using a seed query. The trigger query obtaining unit obtains a trigger query that is a search query corresponding to a node having a score that satisfies a condition. The output unit outputs the trigger query.
US09940404B2	Three-dimensional (3D) browsing A three dimensional (3D) client application for web browsing is described. The 3D client is able to interpret 3D structure definitions and display 3D environments associated with various sets of websites. Each 3D environment is defined using a set of connecting grids. Each connecting grid defines spatial relationships among sets of websites associated with zones of the connecting grid. Each zone includes a set of 3D structures and is associated with a set of surrounding zones. As a user moves throughout the 3D environment, additional zones may be included in the 3D environment while some zones may be removed such that the user experiences a continuous expansive environment. A user is able to interact with multiple sets of websites included within the set of surrounding zones.
US09940399B2	Methods and systems for pathing analysis Methods, systems and computer program products for pathing analysis are provided. The method includes receiving at a server, a query comprising one or more nodes. The method further includes identifying one or more prior queries, wherein the one or more prior queries comprise at least one of the one or more nodes. The method accesses metadata associated with the one or more prior queries. The method then selects based on the metadata, one or more data partitions for further processing. Next, the method causes one or more computers to identify one or more paths in the selected data partitions, wherein the one or more paths comprise at least the one or more nodes. Finally, the method presents the identified paths as an output to the query.
US09940395B2	Influence business benefit from user reviews and cognitive dissonance An approach is provided in which a knowledge manager identifies first opinion phrases included in a first review that the knowledge manager displays on a display. The knowledge manager locates contradictory reviews that include second opinion phrases that contradict the first opinion phrases and, in turn, displays the contradictory reviews on the display.
US09940392B2	Performing an object relational model query against a database that includes fields defined at runtime A facility for querying user-defined database columns is described. The facility receives a database query referring to one or more database columns, at least one of the referred-to database columns being a user-defined database column. The facility provides access to a database query result generated for the perceived database query via a programmatic object.
US09940389B2	Systems and methods for generating issue networks Systems and methods for generating issue networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method of generating an issue network from a document corpus includes searching, using a computer, the document corpus for a set of documents discussing a starting issue, wherein the starting issue is one of a plurality of normalized issues defined by the document corpus. The method further includes determining a set of normalized issues discussed by the set of documents discussing the starting issue, wherein the set of normalized issues also includes the starting issue, and determining instances of co-occurrences of individual normalized issues of the set of normalized issues within individual cases of the set of documents. The method also includes linking individual normalized issues of the set of normalized issues based on their co-occurrences within the set of documents, wherein the linked individual normalized issues at least in part define the issue network.
US09940375B2	Systems and methods for interest-driven distributed data server systems Systems and methods for interest-driven business intelligence systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. In one embodiment, an interest-driven distributed data server system includes a processor, an interest-driven distributed data server application, aggregate data storage, and a data source directory, wherein the interest-driven distributed data server application configures the processor to obtain reporting data requirements, determine at least one data dimension using the reporting data requirements, identify at least one data source identified that can provide data associated with the data dimension, generate data source job data, transmit the data source job data to at least one data source, and receive job response data, store the received job response data in the aggregate data storage, build reporting data based on the reporting data requirements, and transmit the reporting data.
US09940373B2	Method and system for implementing an operating system hook in a log analytics system Disclosed is a system, method, and computer program product for implementing a log analytics method and system that can configure, collect, and analyze log records in an efficient manner. An improved approach is provided for identifying log files that have undergone a change in status that would require retrieve of its log data, by including a module directly into the operating system that allows the log collection component to be reactively notified of any changes to pertinent log files.
US09940371B2	Method, system, and apparatus for arranging content search results Content search involves receiving a user-formulated search query via a user device. The search query is submitted to two or more search domains. The search domains represent separate data repositories accessible via the user device. Results objects are received from the two or more search domains in response to the search query. The results objects arc ranked using different ranking criterion by the respective search domains from which the search results were received. A rank value for each of the results objects is determined based on a single ranking criterion. The results objects are ordered based at least in part on the rank values determined using the single ranking criterion and sent for display in a user interface of the user device.
US09940370B2	Corpus augmentation system An approach is provided for automatically ingesting additional corpus based on an interaction history that is mined to identify a question that meets specified answer deficiency criteria, and then generate a second question which is correlated to the first question by requesting additional answer information for answering the first question, where the second question is posted to a forum using a selected persona so that forum responses can be monitored and ingested as additional content in the knowledge base.
US09940368B2	Ranking search results Methods, systems, computer readable media, and apparatuses for ranking search results are presented. According to one or more aspects, two or more search results may be ranked based on the extent to which each search result matches at least one search criterion and based on the amount of time that content corresponding to each search result will remain available. Content with less availability time remaining may be ranked higher than content with more availability time remaining. The ranking may also be based on a genre of the content being ranked, and availability may be weighted differently in ranking content of different genres.
US09940366B2	Image search device, image search method, program, and computer-readable storage medium An image search device is configured to: obtain a plurality of query feature vectors each indicating a local feature of an image serving as a query; select a plurality of image feature vectors respectively corresponding to the plurality of query feature vectors based on proximities between the plurality of image feature vectors respectively indicating a plurality of local features of each of a plurality of search target images to be searched, and the plurality of query feature vectors; generate an image score of the search target image based on a total sum of score elements each corresponding to the proximities between the selected plurality of image feature vectors and the query feature vectors corresponding to the selected image feature vectors; and select at least one of the plurality of search target images based on the image score.
US09940364B2	Obtaining desired web content from a mobile device Methods and systems to obtain desired web content for a mobile device are disclosed. Users access web pages with mobile devices such as smart phones in addition to their non-mobile devices. In order to conveniently display information on mobile devices having smaller screens, mobile versions of web pages offering abridged content are available as well as non-mobile versions. When a web page is selected from search results provided from a query in a web search, the mobile or non-mobile versions of the web page may be delivered. By delivering a web page version to a mobile device based on relevance rankings determined for the non-mobile and mobile versions of the web page, desired content is more efficiently delivered. In this manner, a search experience may be improved by reducing deliveries of mobile versions of web pages to mobile devices where an alternative non-mobile version of the web page is preferred.
US09940359B2	Data-partitioned secondary index (DPSI) partition level join Provided are techniques for a Data-Partitioned Secondary Index (DPSI) partition level join. While using a Data-Partitioned Secondary Index (DPSI) to perform a join of an outer table and an inner table, a different task from multiple tasks is assigned to each partition of the inner table. With each task, a join is performed of the outer table and the assigned partition of the inner table using the DPSI to generate results. The results from each different task are merged.
US09940354B2	Providing answers to questions having both rankable and probabilistic components Providing answers to questions. A LAT, a rankable criterion, and a probabilistic criterion are identified in a received query. A set of candidate answers to the question that are instances of the LAT identified in a first data source is generated. Based on the rankable criterion, the candidate answers are ranked. Each candidate answer is assigned a likelihood that the candidate answer satisfies the probabilistic criterion, based on a statistic of occurrences of terms related to the candidate answer and the probabilistic criterion in text passages from a second data source. One or more candidate answers are selected based on the rank and the likelihood of the candidate answers. In another aspect of the invention, a Boolean criterion is also identified in the query and the set of candidate answers is reduced by applying the Boolean criterion.
US09940347B2	Systems and methods for high speed remote change data capture A system and method are described for change data capture wherein a source database is replicated to a remote database. In one embodiment, a data storage device contains source log blocks containing information regarding database transactions processed for a source database, wherein the data storage device and source database are located in a first location, and at least some of the source log blocks include a plurality of database transactions in the same order as processed in the source database. Messages containing source log blocks are sent from the first location to a second location geographically remote from the first location. One or more components at the second location receive source log blocks from the messages, extract the source transaction data from the source log blocks, and use the source transaction data to write database transaction information to a second database based on the extracted source transaction data.
US09940345B2	Software method for data storage and retrieval This invention discloses a novel method for storing data in virtual multidimensional blocks and accessing and retrieving desired information from these blocks. Specific items of data whose characteristics fall within the range of a specified block are stored within that block. Blocks with smaller ranges are nested within larger blocks with the same characteristics. This invention's search method involves checking the specific range of a search query against the largest relevant block range, and then successively checking smaller and smaller range blocks that contain the desired data. This method provides greater speed and accuracy than conventional database linear storage and record by record search methods.
US09940337B2	Predictive probabilistic deduplication of storage Examples perform predictive probabilistic deduplication of storage, such as virtualized or physical disks. Incoming input/output (I/O) commands include data, which is written to storage and tracked in a key-value store. The key-value store includes a hash of the data as the key, and a reference counter and the address of the data as the value. When a certain percentage of sampled incoming data is found to be duplicate, it is predicted that the I/O commands have become not unique (e.g., duplicate). Based on the prediction, subsequent incoming data is not written to storage, and instead the reference counter associated with the hash of the data is incremented. In this manner, predictions on the uniqueness of future data is made based on previous data, and extraneous writes and deletions from the chunk store are avoided.
US09940336B2	File monitoring Various methods and systems for monitoring files in a computer system are provided. In this regard, aspects of the invention facilitate file monitoring without file handle use, as it pertains to file monitoring and tailing, thereby mitigating file handle locking conflicts. In various implementations, information for the monitored files is obtained from the kernel using a filter driver in the I/O path. When the filter driver detects write operations being performed on monitored files, file-write data is copied and placed in a kernel buffer, where it can be pulled by a user mode monitoring process and fed to a monitoring application. As such, there is no need for coordination between the monitoring process and the user mode processes of other third-party applications writing data to monitored files.
US09940331B1	Proactive scavenging of file system snaps Improved techniques involve a storage processor proactively scavenging provisioned free blocks in snap container files and punching holes in the scavenged provisioned free blocks. For example, the storage processor may locate provisioned free blocks by accessing container file system metadata. The storage processor may then punch holes, i.e., release ownership of the snap container file on the identified provisioned free blocks. The storage processor may also delete or otherwise invalidate pointers to those blocks in the snap container file's inode.
US09940329B2	System and method for providing a climate data persistence service A system, method and computer-readable storage devices for providing a climate data persistence service. A system configured to provide the service can include a climate data server that performs data and metadata storage and management functions for climate data objects, a compute-storage platform that provides the resources needed to support a climate data server, provisioning software that allows climate data server instances to be deployed as virtual climate data servers in a cloud computing environment, and a service interface, wherein persistence service capabilities are invoked by software applications running on a client device. The climate data objects can be in various formats, such as International Organization for Standards (ISO) Open Archival Information System (OAIS) Reference Model Submission Information Packages, Archive Information Packages, and Dissemination Information Packages. The climate data server can enable scalable, federated storage, management, discovery, and access, and can be tailored for particular use cases.
US09940324B2	Performance detection and enhancement of machine translation In an approach for evaluating performance of machine translation, a processor receives a first document in a source language. A processor translates the first document in the source language to a second document in a target language, based, at least in part, on a first quantity of information. A processor evaluates the second document in the target language, based, at least, on one or more aspects of the translation. A processor determines, based, at least in part, on the evaluation, the second document in the target language meets a predetermined threshold.
US09940322B2	Term consolidation for indices A computer-implemented method, carried out by one or more processors, for consolidating an index entry of a dictionary. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of receiving, by one or more processors, a set of parameters, wherein the set of parameters indicates at least a length of prefix and a length of hash value; receiving, by one or more processors, a first term for entry into an index; converting, by one or more processors, the first term for entry into the index according to the set of parameters; and responsive to determining the converted first term is not present in the index, storing, by one or more processors, the first converted term into the index.
US09940315B2	Previewing inline authoring of web content In a method for managing modifications to elements of a website, receiving one or more modifications to an element of a first webpage, wherein the first webpage is a member of a website. The method further includes determining one or more webpages that include one or more instances of the modified element of the first webpage, wherein the determined one or more webpages are members of the website. The method further includes mapping a location for each of the one or more instances of the modified element within a respective webpage of the determined one or more webpages. The method further includes rendering at least a portion of the determined one or more webpages, wherein the rendered portion of the determined one or more webpages includes the location of the corresponding instance of the modified element.
US09940314B2	Synchronising screenshots in documentation with product functionality Systems and computer program product synchronize screenshots in documentation with product functionality. Documentation source relating to a product includes placeholders where screenshots of user interface views of the product are to be located. A placeholder includes a description or pointer to a description of how to generate the user interface view of the product associated with the screenshot. A new version of the documentation may be generated. The documentation source including placeholders is read. Placeholders in the documentation are used to generate a user interface view. The user interface view is captured as a screenshot. The screenshot is inserted in the new version of the documentation at the location of the placeholder used to generate the screenshot.
US09940308B2	Dynamically providing a feed of stories about a user of a social networking system To display a news feed in a social network environment, a social networking system generates news items regarding activities associated with a user of a social network environment. The social networking system may also attach an informational link associated with at least one of the activities to at least one of the news items, limit access to the news items to a predetermined set of viewers, and assign an order to the news items. The news items may be displayed in the assigned order to at least one viewing user of the predetermined set of viewers, and the number of news items displayed may be dynamically limited.
US09940301B2	Cache management for RDMA data stores Embodiments relate to methods, systems and computer program products for cache management in a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) data store. Aspects include receiving a request from a remote computer to access a data item stored in the RDMA data store and creating a lease including a local expiration time for the data item. Aspects further include creating a remote pointer to the data item, wherein the remote pointer includes a remote expiration time and transmitting the remote pointer to the remote computer, wherein the lease is an agreement that that the remote computer can perform RDMA reads on the data item until the remote expiration time.
US09940300B2	Board portal subsidiary management system, method, and computer program product A board portal system provides the ability to manage multiple boards, where each of the boards may be a separate legal entity. The board portal may provide the ability to establish links between the multiple boards and create parent-child relationships with subsidiary boards. With the board portal, users can create content and make it viewable and accessible across multiple boards that related through a parent-child relationship. At the same time, the board portal maintains a requisite level of separation between the related boards in the portal using encryption and/or other separation techniques. As a result, the board portal facilitates flexible workflow patterns and communication processes based on the proper hierarchical structure that exists between the parent organization and its subsidiaries.
US09940297B2	Method for manipulating the bus communication of a control device A method for manipulating the bus communication of an electronic control device is provided, wherein the bus communication includes a bus hardware-independent first communication layer and a bus hardware-dependent second communication layer. The first communication layer encodes at least one piece of information in a first protocol data unit and transmits it to the second communication layer and/or the first communication layer receives the first protocol data unit from the second communication layer and decodes the first information from the first protocol data unit. The second communication layer generates bus hardware-dependent bus information from the first protocol data unit or from an additional protocol data unit derived from the first protocol data unit for transmission via the bus and/or the second communication layer generates the first protocol data unit or an additional protocol data unit, from which the first protocol data unit can be derived.
US09940296B2	Communications control system with a serial communications interface and a parallel communications interface A communications control system is disclosed that includes a serial communications interface and a parallel communications interface for coupling a plurality of in modules with a control module. The serial communications interface is configured for connecting the plurality of input/output modules to the control module in parallel to transmit information between the plurality of input/output modules and the control module, and the parallel communications interface is configured for separately connecting the plurality of input/output modules to the control module to transmit information between the plurality of input/output modules and the control module, and to transmit information between individual ones of the plurality of input/output modules. The serial communications interface may comprise a multidrop bus, and the parallel communications interface may comprise across switch.
US09940294B2	Method, apparatus, and system for configuring high-speed serial bus parameter A method for configuring a high-speed serial bus parameter, including sending an application signal from a transmit end of a high-speed serial bus to a receive end of the high-speed serial bus, searching a parameter configuration table for a high-speed serial bus parameter that matches all of a frequency of the application signal, a loss of the application signal on the high-speed serial bus, and a material type of a wiring board of the high-speed serial bus, and configuring the high-speed serial bus according to the high-speed serial bus parameter. According to the method, a problem involving configuration of a high-speed serial bus parameter when a transmitted signal is compensated may be solved.
US09940290B2	Handling CPU hotplug events in RCU without sleeplocks Read-copy update (RCU) grace period initialization and CPU hotplugging are synchronized without a sleeplock. Periodic RCU grace period initialization includes, for each node of a combining tree, copying a first bitmask indicating online/offline status of a set of CPUs to a second bitmask indicating RCU quiescent state status of the CPUs. Periodic CPU hotplug operations include indicating CPU online/offline status to leaf nodes associated with the CPUs. This status is indicated without manipulating any bits in the first bitmask of the leaf nodes. Prior to each RCU grace period initialization, RCU grace period pre-initialization is performed at each leaf node. The RCU grace period pre-initialization includes (1) updating the first bitmask to account for the CPU hotplug operations, and (2) if this results in the first bitmask transitioning between fully cleared and not-fully cleared states, the state change is conditionally propagated to a higher level node.
US09940287B2	Pooled memory address translation A shared memory controller receives, from a computing node, a request associated with a memory transaction involving a particular line in a memory pool. The request includes a node address according to an address map of the computing node. An address translation structure is used to translate the first address into a corresponding second address according to a global address map for the memory pool, and the shared memory controller determines that a particular one of a plurality of shared memory controllers is associated with the second address in the global address map and causes the particular shared memory controller to handle the request.
US09940278B2	System on chip having semaphore function and method for implementing semaphore function A system on chip, semiconductor device, and/or method are provided that include a plurality of masters, an interface, and a semaphore unit. The interface interfaces the plurality of masters with a slave device. The semaphore unit detects requests of the plurality of masters, controlling the salve device, about an access to the interface and assigns a semaphore about each of the plurality of masters by a specific operation unit according to the detection result.
US09940277B2	Multi-channel peripheral interconnect supporting simultaneous video and bus protocols A method includes generating, by a control unit of a first device, a handshaking signal to be transmitted to a second device via a second channel. The method further includes based on the handshaking signal being acknowledged by the second device, configuring, by the control unit, the second channel to communicate non-display data and configuring a first channel connecting the first device to the second device to selectively communicate either display data or non-display data; and based on the handshaking signal being not acknowledged by the second device, configuring, by the control unit, the first channel to communicate display data.
US09940272B1	Hardware-based handling of missing interrupt propagation A circuit may receive an interrupt associated with a device. The interrupt may be sent by the device via an interrupt line associated with the device. The circuit may send the interrupt associated with the device. The interrupt may be sent via an interrupt line associated with the circuit. The circuit may start a missing interrupt timer, associated with the interrupt, based on sending the interrupt. The missing interrupt timer may be associated with a threshold amount of time by which the interrupt is to be serviced. The circuit may identify, based on the missing interrupt timer, the interrupt as a missing interrupt. The circuit may resend the missing interrupt via the interrupt line associated with the circuit. The missing interrupt may be resent to cause the missing interrupt to be serviced.
US09940271B2	Methods for using pulse signals in memory circuits In a memory system where multiple memory chips communicate their ready/busy status on a shared bus line, a pulse mechanism is used for the individual memory chips to indicate their ready/busy status to the controller. In one example, the controller assigns pulse durations of differing lengths to the memory dies to allow the controller to distinguish between them. Techniques for dealing with bus collisions between the pulses of different chips are also described.
US09940266B2	Method and system for genomic visualization A method and system for correlating genome data with EMR/PHR data is disclosed herein. The method includes identifying a plurality of sources of genome data. The method also includes generating an index file for each of the plurality of genome files. The method also includes transmitting each index file to a central depository. The method also includes identifying electronic medical record (EMR) and/or personal health record (PHR) data at each source of the plurality of sources of genome data. The method also includes correlating each genome file of the plurality of genome files with a corresponding EMR/PHR data.
US09940257B2	Implementing hardware accelerator for storage write cache management for managing cache line updates for purges from storage write cache A method and controller for implementing storage adapter enhanced write cache management, and a design structure on which the subject controller circuit resides are provided. The controller includes a hardware write cache engine implementing hardware acceleration for storage write cache management. The hardware write cache engine manages cache line updates for purges from storage write cache with no firmware involvement for greatly enhancing performance.
US09940253B2	Implementing hardware accelerator for storage write cache management for destage operations from storage write cache A method and controller for implementing storage adapter enhanced write cache management, and a design structure on which the subject controller circuit resides are provided. The controller includes a hardware write cache engine implementing hardware acceleration for storage write cache management. The hardware write cache engine performs destage operations from storage write cache with minimal firmware involvement to enhance performance.
US09940252B2	Implementing hardware accelerator for storage write cache management for reads with partial read hits from storage write cache A method and controller for implementing storage adapter enhanced write cache management, and a design structure on which the subject controller circuit resides are provided. The controller includes a hardware write cache engine implementing hardware acceleration for storage write cache management. The hardware write cache engine performs reads with partial read hits from storage write cache with no firmware involvement for greatly enhancing performance.
US09940250B2	Implementing hardware accelerator for storage write cache management for writes to storage write cache A method and controller for implementing storage adapter enhanced write cache management, and a design structure on which the subject controller circuit resides are provided. The controller includes a hardware write cache engine implementing hardware acceleration for storage write cache management. The hardware write cache engine performs writes to storage write cache with no firmware involvement for greatly enhancing performance.
US09940245B2	Caching in storage clients Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for caching in storage clients. In some embodiments, a storage client for accessing a storage service from a computer program may be provided. A cache may be integrated within the storage client for reducing a number of accesses to the storage service. An application may be used the cache to reduce accesses to the storage service, wherein the application is implemented by a computer program. In response to the storage service being unresponsive or responding too slowly, the application may use the cache to allow the application to continue without communicating with the storage service.
US09940243B1	System and method for managing an object cache In order to optimize efficiency of deserialization, a serialization cache is maintained at an object server. The serialization cache is maintained in conjunction with an object cache and stores serialized forms of objects cached within the object cache. When an inbound request is received, a serialized object received in the request is compared to the serialization cache. If the serialized byte stream is present in the serialization cache, then the equivalent object is retrieved from the object cache, thereby avoiding deserialization of the received serialized object. If the serialized byte stream is not present in the serialization cache, then the serialized byte stream is deserialized, the deserialized object is cached in the object cache, and the serialized object is cached in the serialization cache.
US09940241B1	Network system with cache offload service for flash storage A system is provided comprising: a packet routing network; Flash storage circuitry; a management processor coupled as an endpoint to the network; an input/output (I/O) circuit coupled as an endpoint to the network; a packet processing circuit coupled as an endpoint to the network; a cache storage circuit coupled to send and received packets to and from the packet processing circuit; and a RAID management circuit coupled as an endpoint to the network and configured to send and receive packets to and from the Flash storage circuitry; wherein the management processor is configured to determine routing of packets among the I/O circuit, packet processing circuit and RAID management circuit; and wherein the packet processing circuit is configured to control cache read requests, cache write requests and cache data eviction.
US09940235B2	Method and system for valid memory module configuration and verification Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system and method for verifying and validating accurate memory module placement on a printed circuit board. In one embodiment, the printed circuit board is configured to include actuating elements that can be used to verify correct memory module location placement on the printed circuit board. In another embodiment, the actuating elements can be used to validate accurate memory module placement. The actuating elements can be in the form of buttons that may be depressed and configured to trigger light emitting diodes (LEDs) that correspond to the slots on the printed circuit board.
US09940229B2	Technologies for persistent memory programming Technologies for persistent memory programming include a computing device having a persistent memory including one or more nonvolatile regions. The computing device may assign a virtual memory address of a target location in persistent memory to a persistent memory pointer using persistent pointer strategy, and may dereference the pointer using the same strategy. Persistent pointer strategies include off-holder, ID-in-value, optimistic rectification, and pessimistic rectification. The computing device may log changes to persistent memory during the execution of a data consistency section, and commit changes to the persistent memory when the last data consistency section ends. Data consistency sections may be grouped by log group identifier. Using type metadata stored in the nonvolatile region, the computing device may identify the type of a root object within the nonvolatile region and then recursively identify the type of all objects referenced by the root object. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09940227B2	Identifying severity of test execution failures by analyzing test execution logs The method includes identifying a test report log for a regression test. The method further includes identifying one or more errors in the identified test report log. The method further includes determining a severity category for the one or more identified errors in the identified test report log. The method further includes determining a severity category for the identified test report log based on the determined severity category for the one or more identified errors in the identified test report log.
US09940225B2	Automated error checking system for a software application and method therefor A test system for providing automatic testing of an application on a plurality of devices, the system including an input/output device for communicating with the plurality of devices, a processor and a memory that stores instructions which cause the processor to install an application on a device, monitor the device as it performs a series of steps, and record the results of the series of steps in a log.
US09940222B2	System and method for safety-critical software automated requirements-based test case generation Automated requirements-based test case generation method includes constructing in a model-based development tool a software architecture model automatically derived from architectural information of a software design model, allocating requirement models into blocks/operators of the software architecture model, and generating component level requirements-based test cases from the software architecture. The component level requirements-based test case generation method includes receiving a software architecture along with allocated requirement models represented in hierarchical data flow diagram, selecting one of the software components, building an intermediate test model based on the selected component by automatically attaching at least one of test objectives or constraints to the corresponding software architecture model blocks/operators based on the selected test strategy, and generating human and machine readable test cases with the test generator for further automatic conversion to test executable and test review artifacts. A system and a non-transitory computer-readable medium for implementing the method are also disclosed.
US09940217B2	Enhanced policy editor with completion support and on demand validation In an approach to providing completion support and on demand validation in a web tool that operates on live resources, one or more computer processors create one or more lists of content, where the one or more lists of content include one or more references to one or more runtime objects. The one or more computer processors parse the one or more lists of content. The one or more computer processors populate one or more lists of one or more choices with the parsed one or more lists of content. The one or more computer processors create one or more callbacks for one or more runtime objects referenced by the one or more lists of one or more choices.
US09940213B2	Integrating external services with a clustered file system A computer program product is provided for extending a clustered file system. The computer program product comprises a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are executable by a processor to cause the processor to define functions required by external services implemented on top of a clustered file system, identify at least one function that is not provided by the clustered file system, and extend the clustered file system to provide the at least one function.
US09940212B2	Automatic qubit calibration Methods and apparatus for automatic qubit calibration. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining a plurality of qubit parameters and data describing dependencies of the plurality of qubit parameters on one or more other qubit parameters; identifying a qubit parameter; selecting a set of qubit parameters that includes the identified qubit parameter and one or more dependent qubit parameters; processing one or more parameters in the set of qubit parameters in sequence according to the data describing dependencies, comprising, for a parameter in the set of qubit parameters: performing a calibration test on the parameter; and performing a first calibration experiment or a diagnostic calibration algorithm on the parameter when the calibration test fails.
US09940209B2	SVC cluster configuration node failover An SVC cluster manages a plurality of storage devices and includes a plurality of SVCs interconnected via a network, each SVC acting as a separate node. A new configuration node is activated in response to configuration node failures. The new configuration node retrieves client subscription information about events occurring in storage devices managed by the SVC cluster from the storage devices. In response to events occurring in the storage device managed by the SVC cluster, the new configuration node obtains storage device event information from a storage device event monitoring unit. The new configuration node sends storage device events to clients who have subscribed to this information according to subscription information obtained. The storage device is not installed in the original configuration node.
US09940206B2	Handling failed cluster members when replicating a database between clusters Data integrity is maintained during failed communications between a member node of a primary cluster and a backup cluster by assigning an assisting member node to run an assisting process that transmits data entered into the member node to the backup cluster. In this way, a replicated database is maintained during a partial communication failure between the primary cluster and the backup cluster.
US09940203B1	Unified interface for cloud-based backup and restoration A cloud gateway (GW) device receives a first request for incremental backup from a client device over a LAN, where the first request includes a first file representing a difference between the incremental backup in view of a prior backup. In response, the cloud GW identifies a first base backup previously backed up to a cloud storage server over a WAN. A second request is transmitted to the cloud storage server over the WAN to copy the first base backup into a second base backup. A third request is transmitted to the cloud storage server over the WAN to replace a second file within the second base backup. The third request includes a second backup ID, a descriptor describing the file to be replaced, and content of the file received from the client without modifying the first file.
US09940192B2	Non-volatile semiconductor storage apparatus According to one embodiment, a non-volatile semiconductor storage apparatus is configured to decide determination periods respectively corresponding to each of management blocks based on rewrite count information items and a temperature, and to perform a determination processing for each of management blocks for each determination period. The determination processing includes determining whether first data read from a block in the blocks is normal based on the number of errors that are occurred in the first data. The apparatus is configured to perform a rewrite processing of rewriting the first data to second data which is error-corrected when it is determined that the first data is not normal.
US09940189B2	Method and system for data rebuilding and memory control circuit unit thereof A method and a system for data rebuilding and a memory control circuit unit thereof are provided. The method includes reading a plurality of physical-logical mapping information and a plurality of time information corresponding to the physical-logical mapping information stored in a rewritable non-volatile memory module. The method also includes sorting the plurality of physical-logical mapping information according to the plurality of time information corresponding to the physical-logical mapping information. The method further includes rebuilding a logical-physical mapping table according to the sorted plurality of physical-logical mapping information, and storing the rebuilt logical-physical mapping table into a buffer.
US09940188B2	Resolving conflicts between multiple software and hardware processes Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for prioritizing delivery of messages across multiple communication systems. Aspects include that a conflict resolution system is configured to identify a plurality of processes. The conflict resolution system is further configured to generate a plurality of conflict rules corresponding to the plurality of processes. Based on the at least one selected process, the conflict resolution system can identify a conflict corresponding to at least one selected process of the plurality of processes in a conflict medium. In the exemplary embodiment, the conflict resolution system, applies at least one selected conflict rule of the plurality of conflict rules corresponding to the conflict, the at least one selected process, and the conflict medium. Based on the at least one selected conflict rule, the conflict resolution system modifies the at least one selected process.
US09940187B2	Nexus determination in a computing device A nexus of a software failure can be determined. A feature module can determine execution features based at least in part on particular execution-related data. An analysis module can determine particular nexus data based at least in part upon a stored computational model and the determined execution features. In some examples, a communications module receives the particular execution-related data and transmits the determined particular nexus data via the communications interface. In some examples, a modeling module determines the computational model based at least in part on training data including execution features of a plurality of execution-related data records and respective nexus data values. Some examples include executing a program module, transmitting execution-related data of the program module, receiving a nexus data value, and executing the program module again if the nexus is a condition external to the program module.
US09940181B2	System and method for reacting to system calls made to a kernal of the system A method for reacting to system calls made to a kernel of a computerized system, the method includes controlling an execution of at least one system call by the kernel in response to a result of a comparison between information of system calls mane to a kernal and between data structure elements (DEs) of a non-executable control data structure that includes fields that correspond to the system call type fields, to the system call initiator fields and to the system call request fields of the segments of the first control data structure. The method also includes (A) Receiving a first control data structure. The first control data includes multiple segments. Each segment includes a system call type field, at least one system call initiator field and at least one system call request field. And (B) Converting the first control data structure into the non-executable control data structure.
US09940177B2	Traffic control method and system The present invention discloses a method and system for controlling traffic. The method for controlling traffic comprises: receiving, by a gateway, a request for invoking an internal application interface of the development platform from a client application; acquiring, by the gateway, rules for controlling the traffic, of the client application or the internal application interface; detecting, by the gateway, whether the rules for controlling the traffic are satisfied by the client application or the internal application interface; if so, admitting the request for invoking from the client application; otherwise, rejecting the request for invoking from the client application. The present invention prevents one same client application from excessively invoking an internal application through an internal application interface and prevents one same internal application from being invoked excessively, thereby reducing system resource consumption and improving system stability.
US09940170B2	Dynamically managing distribution of data and computation across cores for sequential programs Technologies are generally provided for dynamically managing execution of sequential programs in a multi-core processing environment by dynamically hosting the data for the different dynamic program phases in the local caches of different cores. This may be achieved through monitoring data access patterns of a sequential program initially executed on a single core. Based on such monitoring, data identified as being accessed by different program phases may be sent to be stored in the local caches of different cores. The computation may then be moved from core to core based on which data is being accessed, when the program changes phase. Program performance may thus be enhanced by reducing local cache miss rates, proactively reducing the possibility of thermal hotspots, as well as by utilizing otherwise idle hardware.
US09940167B2	Identifying memory devices for swapping virtual machine memory pages Systems and methods for identifying memory devices for swapping virtual machine memory pages. An example method may comprise: determining a workload type associated with a workload being executed by a virtual machine running on a computer system; identifying a memory device associated with the workload type; and allocating a memory block on the identified memory device for swapping memory pages of the virtual machine.
US09940166B2	Allocating field-programmable gate array (FPGA) resources A system for allocating field-programmable gate array (FPGA) resources comprises a plurality of FPGAs operable to implement one or more pipeline circuits, the plurality of FPGAs comprising FPGAs of different processing capacities, and one or more processors operable to access a set of data comprising a plurality of work items to be processed according to a pipeline circuit associated with each of the plurality of work items, determine processing requirements for each of the plurality of work items based at least in part on the pipeline circuit associated with each of the plurality of work items, sort the plurality of work items according to the determined processing requirements, and allocate each of the plurality of work items to one of the plurality of FPGAs, such that no FPGA is allocated a work item with processing requirements that exceed the processing capacity of the FPGA.
US09940165B2	Increasing the efficiency of scheduled and unscheduled computing tasks One or more processors determine that a user is attempting to execute an unscheduled computing task and estimate the time for execution. One or more processors determine that a computing task is scheduled to execute along with the unscheduled computing task. One or more processors warn the user that the computing task is scheduled to execute along with the unscheduled computing task. One or more processors estimate one or both of: a utilization of processing and a memory consumption for the computing tasks and determine whether a threshold will be exceeded. If the threshold will be exceeded, one or more processors warn the user.
US09940164B2	Increasing the efficiency of scheduled and unscheduled computing tasks One or more processors determine that a user is attempting to execute an unscheduled computing task and estimate the time for execution. One or more processors determine that a computing task is scheduled to execute along with the unscheduled computing task. One or more processors warn the user that the computing task is scheduled to execute along with the unscheduled computing task. One or more processors estimate one or both of: a utilization of processing and a memory consumption for the computing tasks and determine whether a threshold will be exceeded. If the threshold will be exceeded, one or more processors warn the user.
US09940162B2	Realtime optimization of compute infrastructure in a virtualized environment A system and method is provided to dynamically optimize the topography of a compute cluster in real time based on the runtime configuration, specified as metadata, of jobs in a queuing or scheduling environment. The system provisions or terminates multiple types of virtualized resources based on the profile of all applications of the jobs in a current queue based on their aggregate runtime configuration specified as requirements and rank expressions within associated metadata. The system will continually request and terminate compute resources as jobs enter and exit the queue, keeping the cluster as minimal as possible while still being optimized to complete all jobs in the queue, optimized for cost, runtime or other metric. End users can specify the runtime requirements of jobs, thereby preventing the user from having to know about the physical profile of the compute cluster to specifically architect their jobs.
US09940158B2	Feedback analysis for virtual machines manager scheduling Embodiments of the present invention include a computer program product for running a virtual manager scheduler for scheduling activities for virtual machines. The computer program product may include program instructions to: define a schedule for one or more activities to be executed for a virtual machine; apply an adjustment to the schedule in accordance with feedback information received via a virtual machine client aggregating the feedback information from a plurality of virtual machine clients, each being related to a virtual machine, per scheduled activity type; and determine of a group adjustment for a determined group of the virtual machine clients based on a function of the feedback information of the plurality of virtual machine clients.
US09940157B2	Computer readable medium, method, and management device for determining whether a virtual machine can be constructed within a time period determined based on historical data A method includes: when receiving an acquisition request, including performance condition, that requests first virtual machine, determining whether the first virtual machine that satisfies the performance condition is able to be constructed on one of physical machines by referring operation statuses of the physical machines; when the first virtual machine satisfying the performance condition is determined to be unable to be constructed, setting, based on previous determination history of whether second virtual machine that satisfies the performance condition is able to be constructed, a determination period for determining whether the first virtual machine that satisfies the performance condition is able to be constructed, in accordance with time interval at which the second virtual machine that satisfies the performance condition is determined to be able to be constructed; after elapse of a time period corresponding to the determination period, determining whether the first virtual machine is able to be constructed.
US09940156B2	Decreasing hardware resource amount assigned to virtual machine as utilization of hardware resource decreases below a threshold An amount of a hardware resource is assigned to a virtual machine (VM) to be run on a computing device including the hardware resource. The VM is caused to run on the computing device, and usage of the hardware resource by the VM is monitor. In response to determining that the usage of the hardware resource by the VM is less than a threshold, the amount of the hardware resource assigned to the VM is decreased.
US09940154B2	Storage virtual machine relocation One or more techniques and/or devices are provided for storage virtual machine relocation (e.g., ownership change) between storage clusters. For example, operational statistics of a first storage cluster and a second storage cluster may be evaluated to identify a set of load balancing metrics. Ownership of one or more storage aggregates and/or one or more storage virtual machines may be changed (e.g., permanently changed for load balancing purposes or temporarily changed for disaster recovery purposes) between the first storage cluster and the second storage cluster utilizing zero-copy ownership change operations based upon the set of load balancing metrics. For example, if the first storage cluster is experiencing a relatively heavier load of client I/O operations and the second storage cluster has available resources, ownership of a storage aggregate and a storage virtual machine may be switched from the first storage cluster to the second storage cluster for load balancing.
US09940150B2	Policy based virtual resource allocation and allocation adjustment A computer-implemented method, carried out by one or more processors, for policy based virtual resource allocation. In an embodiment, the method includes identifying a number of host resources specified by host resource requirements for a first resource consumer. The method determines if the host resource requirements include a list of host resource pools for the first resource consumer. Responsive to determining that the host resource requirements include the list of host resource pools for the first resource consumer, a first set of eligible host resource pools is identified. An allocation policy may be identified, where the allocation policy includes one or more parameters for allocating host resources. Host resources from the first set of eligible host resource pools are allocated based on the allocation policy.
US09940149B2	System and method for automatically launching virtual machines based on attendance Certain aspect of the present disclosure relates to a virtual machine (VM) control system, which includes a VM controller. For a plurality of employees, the VM controller registers each employee by assigning an employee ID, and stores registration information in an attendance database. The VM controller also associates one or more VMs to each employee, and stores VM association information between the VMs and the employees in an employee ID database. The VM controller transmits polling inquiries periodically to the attendance database to retrieve employee presence events of the employees. For each employee, the employee presence events include an ingress event and an egress event. When the ingress event is detected and the associated VM is off, the VM controller launches the associated VM. When the egress event is detected and the associated VM is on, the VM controller shuts down the associated VM.
US09940148B1	In-place hypervisor updates Techniques for in-place updates of hypervisors are described herein. At a time after receiving an update hypervisor request, one or more controlling domains within a computing system invoke one or more system capabilities at least to pause execution of currently running client domains and non-essential CPUs. While the client domains and non-essential CPUs are paused, a new hypervisor in instantiated, state information is copied from the existing hypervisor to the new hypervisor. After the state and/or configuration copy is complete, control is switched form the existing hypervisor to the new hypervisor and client domains and non-essential CPUs are resumed.
US09940146B2	Controlling the configuration of computer systems Embodiments relate to controlling configuration of a computer system comprising one or more exchangeable components. The exchangeable components comprising identification means to store an identifier. A pair of a private key and a public key are generated for each accepted manufacturer of the exchangeable components and a pair of a private key and a public key for the computer system; assigning an identifier for each exchangeable component available for attachment to the system; receiving configuration data comprising a list of encrypted identity records comprising identifiers of the components together with signatures over the data generated with the private key of the respective component manufacturer for each component expected to be attached to the system; and receiving a configuration record. The configuration data of the expected components from the received configuration record is compared with the configuration data of the components attached to the system.
US09940144B2	State-specific mouse-over guidance in user interfaces State-specific mouse-over guidance can be provided to a user of a user interface such that a field in the user interface can include more than one mouse-over guidance content item, and a specific mouse-over guidance content item provided to the user is determined based on a current state of the field and at least one underlying factors identified as resulting in the current state.
US09940141B2	Method and apparatus for selecting bootstrap ESIMs Disclosed herein is a technique for selecting a bootstrap electronic Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) from among multiple bootstrap eSIMs stored in a secure element of a mobile device. Specifically, the technique involves selecting the bootstrap eSIM based on location information associated with the mobile device. When the mobile device is located at a first location (for example, a first country) a first bootstrap eSIM associated with a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) local to the first country is selected. Similarly, when the mobile device is located at a second location (for example, a second country), a second bootstrap eSIM associated with an MNO local to the second country is selected.
US09940140B2	Systems and methods of resetting a processor The invention relates to a method of resetting a processor, the method comprising the receiving of a reset signal indicating that one or more parts of said processor need to be reset, and forwarding of said reset signal to said parts to be reset. The forwarding of the reset signal is delayed for a period of time for at least one of the parts to be reset. The clock frequency of at least one of the parts to be reset is gradually decreased during said period of time. In this way the total activity of the processor device is gradually decreased so as to avoid an on-chip voltage overshoot, which could cause a total reset of all the parts of the processor.
US09940134B2	Decentralized allocation of resources and interconnect structures to support the execution of instruction sequences by a plurality of engines A method for decentralized resource allocation in an integrated circuit. The method includes receiving a plurality of requests from a plurality of resource consumers of a plurality of partitionable engines to access a plurality resources, wherein the resources are spread across the plurality of engines and are accessed via a global interconnect structure. At each resource, a number of requests for access to said each resource are added. At said each resource, the number of requests are compared against a threshold limiter. At said each resource, a subsequent request that is received that exceeds the threshold limiter is canceled. Subsequently, requests that are not canceled within a current clock cycle are implemented.
US09940131B2	Rotate instructions that complete execution either without writing or reading flags A method of one aspect may include receiving a rotate instruction. The rotate instruction may indicate a source operand and a rotate amount. A result may be stored in a destination operand indicated by the rotate instruction. The result may have the source operand rotated by the rotate amount. Execution of the rotate instruction may complete without reading a carry flag.
US09940128B2	Conditional access with timeout A method can include receiving a first memory load request by a conditional load with time out (CLT) device at a first time. The first memory load request can specify a first condition. A first determination of whether the first condition is satisfied is performed. The CLT device determines a wait period when the first condition is not satisfied. A reply is issued. The reply indicates that the first condition is satisfied when the first condition is satisfied. The reply indicates that the first condition is not satisfied when the duration of the wait period exceeds a time-out threshold. When the first condition is not satisfied, a first memory store request can be received during the wait period and a second determination of whether the first condition satisfied performed. The reply indicates that the first condition is satisfied when the second determination is that the first condition is satisfied.
US09940127B1	System and method for providing real-time execution of source code in a collaborative online software development environment Access to a source code file stored at a server is provided to a plurality of user devices, via a network. The source code file may comprise software code. The source code file stored at the server is updated based on a plurality of changes received from respective user devices, substantially in real-time. A selection of an option to execute the source code file is received from one of the plurality of user devices. In response to the selection, the source code file is executed, substantially in real-time.
US09940125B1	Generating upgrade recommendations for modifying heterogeneous elements of information technology infrastructure A method includes selecting, for each of a plurality of application workloads, first and second configuration templates based on aligning an application workload specification template with first and second pluralities of configuration templates in respective first and second repositories. The first repository is obtained by filtering the second repository using a local platform catalog representing capabilities provided by information technology infrastructure. The method also includes scheduling the application workloads to run on the information technology infrastructure utilizing respective ones of the first configuration templates each comprising a set of heterogeneous elements of the information technology infrastructure. The method further includes generating one or more upgrade recommendations for modifying the information technology infrastructure based on analysis of the first and second configuration templates selected for respective ones of the application workloads, and transmitting the one or more upgrade recommendations over a network to an operator of the information technology infrastructure.
US09940118B2	Systems and methods utilizing highly dynamic wireless ad-hoc networks Systems and methods for propagating a mesh network are disclosed. In embodiments, an API for participation in a mesh network stored on a first device may be distributed without a central provider. The presence of the first device may be detected on a second mobile device. The second mobile device may wirelessly connect to the first device. A web browser application may be accessed on the second mobile device and used to access a DNS implementation on the first device. The second mobile device may submit a request for an API from the first device. The API from the first device may be downloaded and installed at the second mobile device. The second mobile device, using the installed API, may connect to and communicate with the first device.
US09940115B2	Mobile application deployment for distributed computing environments Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system, and computer program product for ensuring the veracity of a mobile application for deployment in a distributed computing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for ensuring the veracity of a mobile application for deployment in a distributed computing environment is provided. The method includes detecting a mobile application being uploaded for deployment to a mobile computing device in the distributed computing environment, creating and then storing a fingerprint for the uploaded mobile application, calculating an offset value according to the fingerprint for the uploaded mobile application, and storing the offset value for the uploaded mobile application. The method further includes, prior to deploying the uploaded mobile application to the mobile computing device, validating the offset value for the uploaded mobile application to determine that the uploaded mobile application is an unaltered version of the uploaded mobile application.
US09940108B2	Automated merging in a software development environment A system and method for merging changed elements in a software development environment is provided, in which the software development environment is provided with a set of at least one defect, comprising at least one changed element, associated with a software project that comprises a plurality of elements, the software project comprising a plurality of elements. The environment first obtains a list of changed elements in a defect record, for example from a defect database, and for each changed element in the list, attempts an automated merge of the changed element with a corresponding target. If any attempt fails, the environment may re-attempt the merge for any failed attempt, and may invoke a user interface for resolving the merge manually.
US09940103B2	Discovery and modeling of deployment actions for multiple deployment engine providers Provided are techniques for modeling operational units, each operational unit corresponding to an operational workflow and to one or more deployment engines of a plurality of deployment engines; selecting, for each of the plurality of operational units, one of the corresponding deployment engines; ordering the operational units with respect to the operational workflow; grouping the ordered operation units according to the selected deployment engines into deployment engine groupings; mapping output parameters corresponding to a first operational unit that concludes a first deployment engine grouping to input parameters corresponding to a second operational unit that initiates a second deployment engine grouping, inserting between the first operational unit and the second operational unit a transitional operational unit for transitioning between a first deployment engine corresponding to the first deployment engine grouping and as second deployment engine corresponding to the second deployment engine grouping to generate a multi-deployment engine operational workflow.
US09940101B2	Tininess prediction and handler engine for smooth handling of numeric underflow Embodiments of the present disclosure include a tininess prediction and handler engine for handling numeric underflow while streamlining the data path for handling normal range cases, thereby avoiding flushes, and reducing the complexity of a scheduler with respect to how dependent operations are handled. A preemptive tiny detection logic section can detect a potential tiny result for the function or operation that is being performed, and can produce a pessimistic tiny indicator. The tininess prediction and handler engine can further include a subnormal post-processing pipe, which can denormalize and round one or more subnormal operations while in a post-processing mode. A schedule modification logic section can reschedule in-flight operations. The schedule modification logic section can issue dependent operations optimistically assuming that a producing operation will not produce a tiny result, and so will not incur extra latency associated with fixing the tiny result in the post-processing pipe.
US09940099B2	Systems and methods for content processing Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to gather, rank, categorize, and perform other processing of various types of content. In some embodiments, content items such as text, images, video, and other content are received from a variety of different sources and are processed to generate an article containing selected content items. While there may be hundreds or thousands of separate articles and stories regarding a particular topic, embodiments of the present disclosure help provide users with a single concise article that contains high-quality content items selected from among a potentially vast number of disparate sources.
US09940091B2	Playback according to playback responsibility in group An example implementation may involve a first playback device rendering audio content. The example implementation may also involve the first playback device detecting that a second playback device has been connected to a playback system. After detecting that the second playback device has been connected to the playback system, the first playback device may determine a playback responsibility associated with the second playback device. The determined playback responsibility may include a grouping with the first playback device. After determining the playback responsibility associated with the second playback device, the first playback device may direct the second playback device to render the audio content.
US09940088B2	Method for performing multi-tasking using external display device and electronic device thereof A method and apparatus for performing multi-tasking using an external display device in an electronic device are provided. A method for performing a multi-tasking work using an external display device in an electronic device includes the operations of executing at least one application, determining whether to output an application screen to the external display device, in response to determining to output the application screen, sending an emulator execution request to the external display device, and, after sending the emulator execution request to the external display device, determining an application identifier in a screen of an application whose screen is determined to be outputted to the external display device, and transmitting a signal corresponding to the screen and the application identifier to the external display device.
US09940082B2	System, printing apparatus and method for controlling the same, and post-processing apparatus and method for controlling the same for performing re-printing processing for a first job preferentially At least one embodiment of a post-processing apparatus performs post-processing on a product printed by a printing apparatus, and transmits, to the printing apparatus, instruction information instructing the printing apparatus to perform print processing for a first job preferentially. At least one embodiment of the printing apparatus receives, from the post-processing apparatus, the instruction information instructing the printing apparatus to perform the print processing for the first job preferentially, and performs control so as to perform the print processing for the first job preferentially over print processing for a second job, based on the instruction information.
US09940078B2	Printing apparatus that processes print data based on security setting data A printing apparatus includes a printing unit configured to perform printing with a decolorable material, a communication unit configured to receive print data and security setting data for the print data from an external device, and a control unit configured to determine a security level of the print data based on the security setting data received by the communication unit and control the printing unit to print or not print the print data based on the security level.
US09940075B2	Print inspection apparatus and print inspection method A print inspection apparatus according to the present invention obtains an object for variable printing which is stored in a storage and generates a combined image by combining the obtained object. If the combined image is normally generated, the combined image is set to both of a print image and a collation image. Whereas if the combined image is not normally generated, a different image is set to each of the print image and the collation image. The print inspection apparatus generates a print product by printing the set print image. Then, the print inspection apparatus inspects the print product by comparing image data generated by reading the print product with the set collation image.
US09940073B1	Method and apparatus for automated selection of a storage group for storage tiering Example embodiments relate to methods, systems, and computer program products for creating a cascaded storage group. The method includes receiving a request to apply a data storage policy to a group of volumes; iterating through all available storage groups in a storage array to determine whether any volumes in a storage group satisfy a first condition of being both common to the group of volumes and not being associated with an existing cascaded storage group; defining a candidate list of those volumes in the storage group that satisfy the first condition; when iterating is complete, selecting as a child group to a parent cascaded storage group, volumes associated with the candidate list that satisfy a second condition; and selecting as a parent cascaded storage group, if the first and second candidate lists both satisfy the second condition, whichever of the first and second candidate lists was iterated through most recently.
US09940068B2	Device and method for determining memory leaks A device and method generates a graphical representation for memory leak detection. The method includes executing a selected application for a time period. The method includes determining a plurality of memory application programming interface (API) functions performed during the execution of the selected application in the time period. Each of the memory API functions request a chunk of a memory of the electronic device at a specified time. The method includes determining select ones of the memory API functions that do not release the respective chunk of the memory in the time period. The method includes generating the graphical representation including the selected memory API functions at the respective specified time for identification of a memory leak of the selected application.
US09940064B2	Live migration of virtual disks Live migration of a virtual disk of a virtual machine between storage devices is described. In accordance with one example, a computer system prepares a first area of a first storage device and a second area of a second storage device for a live snapshot of a virtual disk of a virtual machine. A transaction is then executed that includes storing the live snapshot in the first area of the first storage device, copying the live snapshot to the second area of the second storage device, and mirroring a change to the virtual disk that occurs after the creation of the live snapshot, where the mirroring is via one or more write operations to the live snapshot in the first area and to the copy of the live snapshot in the second area.
US09940062B1	Technique for creating a history of tape movement in a virtual tape library A method and system manages a virtual tape library history database. The method includes triggering an update of the virtual tape library history database in response to detecting a change related to a tape in a virtual tape library state table, where the update is asynchronous from processing of small computer system interface (SCSI) or command line interface (CLI) commands handled by a virtual tape library, and adding a record to a virtual tape history table in the virtual tape library history database, the virtual tape history table corresponding to the tape, where the record includes information about the change, where the virtual tape history table functions as a log of activity for the tape.
US09940061B2	Method of moving files in hierarchical storage system A method for moving files in a hierarchical storage system having a primary storage and a secondary storage including a sequential storage device from the primary storage to the secondary storage includes obtaining a predetermined file size to be written to the secondary storage, extracting, from a plurality of files in the primary storage, a file not stored in the secondary storage and having the oldest last access time, estimating a file size of the file having the oldest last access time on the secondary storage if the file having the oldest last access time is written to the secondary storage, and selecting the file having the oldest last access time as a file to be moved to the secondary storage as long as the estimated file size does not exceed the predetermined file size to be written to the secondary storage.
US09940060B1	Memory use and eviction in a deduplication storage system The method includes storing data including an index summary (IS) and a deduplication map (DDM) in volatile memory of a deduplication system. The method also includes detecting that the stored data exceeds a data allocation size limit for the volatile memory. The method includes evicting the data from the volatile memory using a memory eviction policy to meet the data allocation size limit. The method further includes performing a first eviction by evicting the DDM levels from an oldest DDM level to a newest DDM level until a first one of the data allocation size limit or a DDM threshold is met. The method also includes performing a second eviction by evicting the IS levels from an oldest IS level to a newest IS level until a first one of the data allocation size limit or IS threshold is met in response to the data allocation size limit not being met by the first eviction.
US09940055B2	Operator panel with applications for operating production systems The invention relates to an operator panel (1) having one or more applications (121, 122) for operating at least one production system (2). A configuration data memory (13) is set up to store configuration data that are provided for configuring the one or more applications (121, 122) of the operator panel (1). A synchronization module (14) is set up to access configuration data stored in the configuration data memory (13) and to synchronize these data via a communications interface (11) of the operator panel (1) with configuration data that are stored in a configuration data memory (13′, 13″) of a remotely disposed operator panel (1′, 1″). A configuration access module (15) is set up to receive from at least one application (121, 122) of the operator panel (1) a read request for stored configuration data, to access stored configuration data, and to read the stored configuration data corresponding to the read request and to deliver the read configuration data for configuring the at least one application (121, 122) to the at least one application (121, 122).
US09940050B2	Apparatus and method to speed up memory frequency switch flow A computing system for accessing a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) includes a processing circuit, a queue, and a DRAM controller. The processing circuit is configured for issuing an early notification signal before issuing a clock frequency switch signal; the early notification signal notifies upcoming of the clock frequency switch signal and the clock frequency switch signal requests a change of frequency of a DRAM clock. The queue has N entries and each entry stores at least an address and an associated command to be sent to the DRAM. The DRAM controller is configured for controlling access to the DRAM and the DRAM controller manages to decrease occupancy of the queue to a target level upon receiving the early notification signal.
US09940048B2	Nonvolatile memory data protection using nonvolatile protection codes and volatile protection codes Methods for protecting data on an integrated circuit including a memory are described. One method includes storing nonvolatile protection codes on the integrated circuit. The nonvolatile protection codes have a first value indicating a protected state or a second value indicating an unprotected state for respective sectors in a plurality of sectors of the memory. The method includes storing volatile protection codes on the integrated circuit. The volatile protection codes have a first value indicating a protected state or a second value indicating an unprotected state for respective sectors in the plurality of sectors. The method includes blocking modification in a particular sector using circuitry on the integrated circuit when the volatile protection code for the particular sector has the first value, else allowing modification in the particular sector, and setting the volatile protection codes to values of the nonvolatile protection codes in an initialization procedure.
US09940046B2	Semiconductor memory device with operation environment information storing circuit and command storing function A semiconductor memory device which stores operation environment information such as use time data, operating temperature data, or operating voltage data includes an internal circuit configured to perform a function set in the semiconductor memory device, and an operation environment information storing circuit configured to sense information about an operation environment of the semiconductor memory device when the semiconductor memory device operates, store the operation environment information in non-volatile memory cells, and provide the operation environment information stored in the non-volatile memory cells to an outside based on a request of reading out information.
US09940037B1	Multi-tier storage environment with burst buffer middleware appliance for batch messaging A multi-tier storage system is provided that employs a burst buffer middleware appliance for batch messaging. An exemplary multi-tier storage system comprises at least first and second storage tiers comprising storage for storing data; and at least one burst buffer appliance, wherein the at least one burst buffer appliance comprises an abstract storage interface comprising a software interface module that communicates with at least one persistent storage device in at least one of the first and second storage tiers, wherein the at least one persistent storage device provides a list application programming interface, wherein the software interface module provides a batch operation comprised of a plurality of individual operations to the at least one persistent storage device using an aggregated message. The batch operation optionally comprises a batch operation for processing metadata. A burst buffer appliance is also provided for implementing the batch messaging techniques described herein.
US09940035B1	Latency optimizing for scalable journaling Embodiments are directed to storing data in a storage system. Data portions may be provided from blocks of write data provided by client computers. A storage location identifier may be associated with each data portion based on the content of the each data portion. Data portions may be stored in a memory buffer that may correspond to the storage location identifiers. If an amount of data stored in the memory buffer exceeds a threshold value, or if a maximum latency time expires, the data portions are stored on a storage location that corresponds to the memory buffer, such that, the maximum latency time is selected to prevent a collision caused by simultaneously storing of data portions in the same storage location. A write acknowledgement message may be provided to the client computers indicating that the blocks of write data are stored to stable storage.
US09940032B2	Storage system, method, and apparatus for processing multi-layer protocol encapsulation or decapsulation operation requests According to a storage system, method, and apparatus for processing an operation request provided by embodiments of the present invention, a controller directly encapsulates a SCSI protocol operation request into an Ethernet operation request packet at the MAC layer instead of using the TCP/IP protocol layer and a disk enclosure decapsulates the Ethernet operation request to obtain the SCSI protocol operation request and sends the SCSI protocol operation request to a target disk, thereby reducing layers of encapsulation, reducing a processing delay of the storage system, and improving performance of the storage system.
US09940030B2	Memory system and method of operating the same A memory system in accordance with an embodiment may include a memory chip and a controller. The memory chip may store data in a plurality of logical pages by performing a sensing operation on a selected page in response to commands and performing an output operation of the data. The controller may transmit the commands to the memory chip so that a part of the sensing operation and a part of the output operation are simultaneously performed.
US09940027B2	Method and processor for recording variable size data, and method, processor and recording medium for reading variable size data Disclosed is a method of recording variable size data. A first processor receives, from a second processor, a read parameter including information on a read address value of data which has been read by the second processor and is stored in an external memory, compares the read address value acquired from the received read parameter and a record address value for data previously recorded in the external memory by the first processor, and determines whether or not the first processor is to transmit data to the second processor on the basis of the comparison result.
US09940020B2	Memory management method, apparatus, and system A memory management method implemented by a requesting node includes sending first indication information used for indicating a length of memory required by the requesting node and receiving second indication information used for indicating first remote memory provided to the requesting node by a target contributing node in at least one contributing node that can provide remote memory. The method also includes determining, from available virtual addresses, a first virtual address corresponding to the first remote memory, and sending a first data read/write instruction for the first data when first data whose pointer is within a range of the first virtual address needs to be read/written, where the first data read/write instruction includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used for indicating storage space, for storing the first data, in the first remote memory.
US09940018B2	Boundless projected interactive virtual desktop A method for creating a boundless projected interactive virtual desktop, wherein the interactive virtual desktop comprises an adjustable image of a projected portion of an area associated with at least one desktop of a computing device is provided. The method may include integrating a projector and a motion sensor into a device. The method may also include capturing at least one of a location, a change in location, a change in direction, or a change in orientation associated with the device. The method may include computing a projected image. The method may also include coordinating the computed projected image across at least one application running in the device. The method may further include projecting a view of a portion of an area associated with the coordinated projected image, wherein the projected view comprises an interactive virtual desktop. The method may additionally include adjusting the projected view based on a criteria.
US09940016B2	Disambiguation of keyboard input An apparatus includes a keyboard engine that operates a keyboard that accepts shape-writing input and radial entry input. A keyboard input module obtains input data from at least one input sensor of the keyboard. An intention disambiguation engine enables simultaneous use of the shape-writing input and the radial entry input acceptance for a user of the keyboard.
US09940011B2	Remote control device and method of controlling other devices using the same Provided is a method of controlling an electronic device by using a remote control device comprising a touch screen, the method including selecting one of a plurality of functions supported by the electronic device via the touch screen, sequentially displaying a plurality of user interfaces, usable for controlling the function selected with an input detected by the touch screen, one-by-one, and controlling the electronic device by using one of the plurality of user interfaces that are sequentially displayed.
US09940010B2	Information processing method and electronic device The present disclosure discloses an information processing method which includes: detecting a first drag and touch operation performed by a first operation body for moving a first object displayed in a first position on the touch display unit; acquiring a first end position of the first drag and touch operation on the touch display unit, the first end position is a position where the first operation body loses contact with the touch display unit during the first drag and touch operation; and maintaining the first object to be in a selected state in the first end position for a preset duration, and displaying the first object in the first end position.
US09940008B2	Social networking based on nearby neighborhoods Disclosed embodiments relate to a system and a method of managing an online social network having a plurality of neighborhoods. The system may receive a location from a user, and select, based on the location, a neighborhood from the plurality of neighborhoods. The system may further assign the user to the selected neighborhood and grant the user access to communications by users assigned to the selected neighborhood. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises creating and storing in computer data storage neighborhood data defining a plurality of geographical neighborhoods based upon a plurality of vertices or boundaries; using a computer, for each particular neighborhood among the plurality of neighborhoods, determining one or more nearby neighborhoods is associated with a geographical area proximate to the particular neighborhood; using the computer, receiving from a second computer that is associated with a user account, activation input specifying selections of one or more nearby neighborhoods as activated in association with the particular user account, wherein the activation input specifies fewer than all the one or more nearby neighborhoods; updating a database coupled to the computer to associate the selections of one or more nearby neighborhoods as activated in association with the particular user account; using the computer, receiving a request from the second computer to perform any of displaying a map page that includes the nearby neighborhoods, displaying a feed of messages, and creating a new message; using the computer, in response to the request, performing causing the displaying the map page that includes the nearby neighborhoods, causing displaying the feed of messages, or the creating the new message based upon only the selections of the one or more nearby neighborhoods as activated in association with the particular user account.
US09940007B2	Shortening multimedia content A method to display a representation of multimedia content that includes a progress bar. The method includes shortening a portion of the multimedia content having a start time and an end time from an original length to a shortened length based on a received indication and modifying the progress bar to represent the shortened portion of the multimedia content. The original length of the portion is represented by a curve adjacent to the progress bar, where a first end of the curve is adjacent to the progress bar at a location indicating the start time, and where a second end of the curve is adjacent to the progress bar at a location indicating the end time, and the shortened length of the portion is represented by a distance on the progress bar between the location indicating the start time and the location indicating the end time.
US09940005B2	Interactive control of the curvature of links A link curvature processing module enables a user with the ability to control the curvature of links in a node-link diagram. As a node-link diagram is displayed to a user, the user may interact with the diagram and adjust the curvature of one or more links in the diagram to improve the readability of the diagram. The user's modification to the curvature of a link alters the shape of the link so that the position of the nodes connected to the link does not change. By providing the user with such control, the user is able to tailor the visual display of the links to the user's preference.
US09940003B2	Method and device for executing object on display A method and device for executing an object on a display. The method of executing an object includes receiving a user input to an object displayed on a display; gradually enlarging and displaying the object; and executing the application corresponding to the object as the object is enlarged.
US09940002B2	Image variation engine Various features described herein may include ways of processing multiple images to determine whether any duplicates are among the multiple images. A hashing algorithm may be used to create a hash key of an image. Multiple hash keys corresponding to multiple images may be compared to determine whether those images are duplicate images. A root mean square algorithm may be used to further identify whether multiple images are duplicate images. An image variation engine, which uses intensity coding, may be used to display differences between images. For example, similar areas in images may be drawn with low intensity or high opacity, while different areas in images may be drawn with high intensity or low opacity.
US09939997B2	Transitioning browser tabs from one environment context to another Transitioning browser tabs from one contextual environment to another contextual environment may be provided. A user interface having a set of tabs may be presented. A context may be defined for the set of tabs and stored. One or more of the tabs in the set may be changed and a new context defined for the changed tabs and stored. A plurality of such additional contexts may be defined and stored. The set of tabs may be adjusted based on a selected browser tab context.
US09939995B2	Preview related action list Previewing content included in an enterprise database associated with an enterprise system is disclosed. A first indication is received for an overlay object associated with an object from the enterprise database that is being displayed. an action list is dynamically determined associated with the object being displayed using a first method to retrieve actions from the enterprise system that are associated with the object being displayed. The action list is provided to the overlay object. Content associated with the object is dynamically determined using a second method to retrieve content from the enterprise system. The content is provided to the overlay object. The overlay object is displayed to preview the content included in the enterprise database and to provide the action list.
US09939990B2	Mobile terminal and method of displaying information therein A mobile terminal is presented. The mobile terminal includes a display including a touchscreen, and a controller for performing an editing operation on information displayed on the touchscreen according to a state of an object in near-proximity to the displayed information.
US09939989B2	User interface for displaying and playing multimedia contents, apparatus comprising the same, and control method thereof A user interface for displaying and playing multimedia contents is capable of allowing the user to easily recognize information about multimedia contents at a glance, and allowing the user to more easily retrieve desired information, through an image pre-play function. An apparatus includes the user interface, and a control method for the apparatus are includes displaying a sorting item of a multimedia content, and arranging file information included in the sorting item and having the form of a playable image.
US09939986B2	Screen transfer control system, computer-readable recording medium, and screen transfer control method A screen transfer control system includes a business device performing a business process, a mobile terminal, and a screen transfer control device converting a business screen of the business device to image data and sending the image data to the mobile terminal, the screen transfer control device converting the business screen to the image data on the basis of the drawing command, detecting a change in the cursor shape on the basis of cursor information included in the drawing command, and sending change information, when a change in the cursor shape is detected, to the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal displaying the image data from the screen transfer control device, determining whether the cursor shape is changed on the basis of the change information, and starting up a software keyboard when a screen touch that made the change in the cursor shape continues for a predetermined time.
US09939985B2	Online wizard for facilitating methodology implementation Embodiments of a method for creating a methodology implementation that supplements a business application are described. In one embodiment, a comprehensive customer engagement methodology is maintained on a server and defines processes and disciplines related to the business application. A series of requests is received from a collaborative computing environment. The series of requests collectively represent a request for a collection of documents and related metadata included in the comprehensive customer engagement methodology. The series of requests are then responded to by providing a copy of the collection of documents and related metadata.
US09939982B2	Control of application based on user operation on information processing apparatus There is provided an information processing apparatus including a determination unit configured to determine, for each window, whether time decided by a certain method has elapsed since a last operation performed on a window in a display screen, and a control unit configured to shut down an application of a window for which the determination unit has determined that the time has elapsed.
US09939981B2	File manager integration with virtualization in an information management system with an enhanced storage manager, including user control and storage management of virtual machines A storage manager that interoperates with a file manager application that integrates with virtualization substantially enables end-user control and storage management of virtual machines (VMs). The storage manager may manage information management operations relative to virtual machines based on and/or in response to messages and/or instructions received from the file manager application. The storage manager may further report results to the file manager application for presentation to the user. The file manager application, which may operate as a plug-in for a legacy file manager executing on a user's client computing device, may comprise: displaying the VMs associated with the user, including their respective properties; enabling viewing/browsing of information about storage management operations for a VM such as backups and/or archiving, including files associated with the VM and searching and filtering criteria; control features that enable the user to control existing VMs, such as shut down, restart/activate/power-on, suspend, and/or re-configure, and also perform storage management of a VM and/or its associated files, such as create snapshot, back up, archive, restore VM from secondary storage, restore and overwrite VM, restore file(s)/folder(s) to user's client computing device, restore file(s)/folder(s) to a production VM in primary storage, etc.; control features that enable the user to provision additional VMs, such as create a new VM, create a clone VM, configure a VM, etc.
US09939980B2	Task assistant including navigation control A method of providing a task assistant to provide an interface to an application is described. The method includes, in one embodiment, identifying a user and determining whether there is a push notification to be shown to the user. When there is a push notification to be shown to the user, the task assistant displaying the push notification to the user, such that when the user acknowledges the push notification, the user is directed to a push destination. When there is no push notification, receiving input from a user through multimodal input including a plurality of speech input, typing input, and touch input, interpreting the input, and providing a formatted query to the application, receiving data from the application in response to the query, and providing a response to the user through multimodal output including a plurality of: speech output, text output, non-speech audio output, haptic output, and visual non-text output.
US09939979B2	Apparatus and method for performing capture in portable terminal An apparatus and method for specifying a capture region, performing a picture capture for a specific region (partial region) on an output picture, and verifying contents of capture data copied to a clipboard. The apparatus includes a capture window setting unit configured to output a capture window specifying a region to be captured, and change a setting of the capture window. The apparatus also includes a data processing unit configured to acquire capture data for a region corresponding to the capture window when the setting of the capture window is completed.
US09939975B2	Determining touch terminal and active stylus target operating frequency according to noise information A touch terminal, an active stylus detection method, and a system are disclosed. The method includes the following steps: separately scanning, by a touch screen controller, multiple pieces of noise information on multiple operating frequencies of an active stylus of a touch screen; determining, by the touch screen controller, a target operating frequency according to the multiple pieces of noise information; and sending, by the touch screen controller, the target operating frequency to the active stylus, and adjusting an operating frequency of the active stylus to the target operating frequency, so that the active stylus and the touch screen operate jointly at the target operating frequency. In the method, the touch screen controller scans noise information on multiple operating frequencies of the active stylus, so as to determine a target operating frequency of the active stylus, so that the active stylus operates at the target operating frequency.
US09939971B2	Display apparatus A display apparatus, including a display panel generating an image; a window member on the display panel and including a display region transmitting the image and a non-display region adjacent to the display region; and a touch panel between the display panel and the window member, the touch panel including a lower base member; an upper base member including a front portion overlapped with an upper surface of the lower base member, and a side portion bent from the front portion and covering a side of the lower base member; touch electrodes on at least one of the upper surface of the lower base member and a lower surface of the upper base member; and signal lines connected to the touch electrodes.
US09939967B2	Position detection method in touch panel and touch panel A position detection method that includes calculating a distance between 2 contact points in a first direction by measuring a potential of a first electrode in a state where a power supply voltage is applied to the first electrode and a second electrode is grounded, calculating a distance between 2 contact points in a second direction by measuring a potential of a third electrode in a state where a power supply voltage is applied to the third electrode and a fourth electrode is grounded, and correcting the distance between the 2 contact points in the first direction obtained by the potential of the first electrode in accordance with the distance between the 2 contact points in the second direction obtained by the potential of the third electrode.
US09939962B2	Enhanced keyboard including multiple application execution A default virtual interface is replaced by an adapted interface to an independent application. The adapted interface allows one (dependent) application to be accessed from within a second (independent) application. This allows, for example, a game application to be executed within a text messaging application. Output of the dependent application can be conveyed to the base application. The adapted user interface optionally includes a plurality of shortcut keys each represented by a different shortcut icon. One or more of the shortcut keys are optionally configured for sharing the dependent and/or independent applications with remote devices. Content shared via the virtual interface is optionally provided as a data stream and is optionally mapped to a social network, such sharing can be tracked across social networks.
US09939961B1	Virtualization of tangible interface objects An example system includes a computing device located proximate to a physical activity surface, a video capture device, and a detector. The video capture device is coupled for communication with the computing device and is adapted to capture a video stream that includes an activity scene of the physical activity surface and one or more interface objects physically intractable with by a user. The detector processes the video stream to detect the one or more interface objects included in the activity scene, to identify the one or more interface objects that are detectable, to generate one or more events describing the one or more interface objects, and to provide the one or more events to an activity application configured to render virtual information on the one or more computing devices based on the one or more events.
US09939960B2	Photosensitive structure, photosensitive display substrate, and fabrication and control methods of the photosensitive display substrate The present disclosure provides a photosensitive structure, a photosensitive display substrate, and fabrication and control methods of the photosensitive display substrate. The photosensitive structure includes a first conductive layer; a second conductive layer; and a photoconductive material layer, sandwiched there-between. In response to a light illumination, the photoconductive material layer is capable of changing from an insulating state to a conductive state. One or more first constant voltage sources are configured in a periphery of the first conductive layer to charge the first conductive layer in different directions to maintain a first voltage there-on. Each current measurement unit is disposed between one first constant voltage source and the first conductive layer and configured to measure a charging current between the first constant voltage source and the first conductive layer, and configured to output current signals corresponding to the first constant voltage sources. A touch signal determination unit is connected to the current measurement units to determine a touch position.
US09939958B2	Touch sensitive surface with recessed surface feature for an electronic device An electronic device (300) includes a housing (301). A touch sensitive surface (100) can be disposed along the housing. The touch sensitive surface can include a recessed surface feature (106) on a portion of the touch sensitive surface. A control circuit (315), operable with the touch sensitive surface, can detect a predetermined gesture sequence (501, 502, 503) when a touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface interacts with the recessed surface feature.
US09939956B2	Capacitive sensing device comprising perforated electrodes This invention relates to a capacitive sensing device comprising (i) at least one capacitive electrode (12) with a substantially conductive material arranged so as to form a conductive surface (51); (ii) at least one guard component placed close to said at least one capacitive electrode (12); said capacitive electrode(s) (12) comprises(comprise) at least one opening (52) without conductive material arranged within or on the edge of the conductive surface (51) so as to reduce the coupling capacitance between said capacitive electrode(s) (12) and said guard component(s).The invention also relates to an apparatus implementing the device.
US09939955B2	Mechanism to create pattern gesture transmissions to create device-sourcing emergency information A system may comprise a registration device configured to register patterns for users; a recording device configured to record a received pattern, as an electronic pattern, wherein the recording device recognizes the received pattern as one of the registered patterns; a receiving device configured to observe human movement patterns with a camera, transform the observed human movement patterns to an electronic signal, and receive the recognized registered pattern from the recording device by a first wireless transmission; a forwarding device configured to transmit the electronic signal, and the received recognized registered pattern to an alert service by a second wireless transmission; and an alert service, configured to receive the electronic signal and the received recognized registered pattern from the forwarding device and configured to transmit the electronic signal and the received recognized registered pattern to a second electronic device by a third wireless transmission.
US09939953B2	Controlling display of items based on flexibility of a display unit A display unit has a flexible display section, a detection section for detecting a deflection amount and a deflection direction of the display section, a determination section for determining a visible portion and a non-visible portion of the display section based on the deflection amount and the deflection direction, and a control section for controlling display contents of the display section. The control section either prevents an image display on the non-visible portion or displays one of a fixed image or a pre-set moving image on the non-visible portion. The display unit also includes a displacement sensor located in the same region as the display section.
US09939952B2	Organic light emitting display device An organic light emitting display device is provided. The organic light emitting display device includes a conductive pattern of which impedance varies due to damage or heat generation of a panel and senses the damage or heat generation of the panel by using the conductive pattern.
US09939948B2	Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed, by which an external terminal can be controlled easily and intuitively. The present invention includes a touchscreen, a wireless communication unit configured to transceive data with an external terminal, a sensing unit configured to detect a rotation of the mobile terminal, a user input unit configured to receive an input of a gesture command from a user, and a controller controlling the external terminal in 1st operating mode based on the received input of the gesture command, the controller controlling the touchscreen to output at least one control button for controlling the external terminal in 2nd operating mode, the controller switching the 1st operating mode and the 2nd operating mode to each other based on the detected rotation.
US09939943B2	Display apparatus, display system, and display method A client can return a display state of an object to the past. When a point body moves on a screen, a projector draws an object of a line representing a moving trajectory. The projector generates object data representing the object and transmits the generated object data to tablet terminals. The object data contains order information representing generation order of the object. The tablet terminals display the object represented by the transmitted object data on a touch panel. When performing an operation for returning the display, the tablet terminals return the display by object unit based on the order information contained in the object data.
US09939940B2	In-cell touch screen and method for driving the same The present disclosure relates to a field of displaying technology, and describes an in-cell touch screen and a method for driving the same. The in-cell touch screen comprises: a substrate; an electrode layer, formed on the substrate; and a touch driving module, wherein multiple rows of electrodes are formed on the electrode layer, and each row of electrodes is configured to drive at least one row of pixel units; the touch driving module comprises a plurality of signal lines corresponding to electrodes in one-to-one correspondence; and during a time period for displaying an image, when the image is to be displayed by the pixel units corresponding to a row of electrodes, the touch driving module is configured to input display driving signals to the row of electrodes and input touch driving signals to the other rows of electrodes simultaneously.
US09939939B2	Interface module An interface module includes a touchpad that is transparent and able to detect a user's press, a display screen, disposed behind and cooperating with the touchpad to form a touch screen, and a front frame including an exterior periphery and an internal rim, delimiting in the interior space of the front frame a front housing and a rear housing. The touchpad is disposed inside the front housing and the display screen is disposed inside the rear housing.
US09939936B2	OGS touch screen substrate bridge structure and manufacturing method thereof, OGS touch screen and its manufacturing method as well as display device A one-glass-solution (OGS) touch screen substrate bridge structure and its manufacturing method, an OGS touch screen and its manufacturing method as well as a display device. The OGS touch screen substrate bridge structure includes: one insulating layer and two layers of transparent electrodes provided on the substrate, the two layers of transparent electrodes are the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode, the insulating layer is provided on the first transparent electrode, and the second transparent electrode is provided on the insulating layer, the first transparent electrode includes several sub-electrodes arranged at a certain spacing from each other, the second transparent electrode keeps the sub-electrodes in electrical connection. In the above, by forming the bridge structure with one insulating layer and two layers of transparent electrodes, it is possible to avoid the provision of redundant insulating layer, thus decrease the possibility that the bridge structure become visible, improving the display effect of a display device.
US09939932B2	Position sensing device and method using self-capacitance A capacitive position sensing system has a pickup electrode, a shield electrode partially enclosing the pickup electrode, and an essentially grounded relatively movable target near the pickup electrodes; a capacitance-to-digital converter, and switching means for connecting each electrode in turn to the converter input or to ground. A capacitive position sensing method in the system includes measuring a first capacitance C1 of at least one pickup electrode set with the shield electrode set grounded, measuring a second capacitance C2 of at least one shield electrode set with the pickup electrode set grounded, and measuring a third capacitance C3 of the pickup electrode set and the shield electrode set connected together; and calculating a first result indicating a position of a target using the first capacitance C1, the second capacitance C2 and the third capacitance C3.
US09939931B2	Position indicator and position detecting device A position indicator includes a chassis, a core body, and a variable capacitance capacitor. The capacitor includes a dielectric, a first conductor disposed on a first surface of the dielectric, a first terminal coupled to the first conductor, forming a first electrode, a second conductor disposed on a second surface of the dielectric, an electrically-conductive member disposed opposed to the second surface of the dielectric, a second terminal that forms a second electrode of the capacitor with the second conductor and the electrically-conductive member, and an elastic member. In operation, the elastic member applies a biasing force to separate the electrically-conductive member from the second surface of the dielectric. The electrically-conductive member contacts the second conductor on the second surface of the dielectric in response to the force applied through the core body, and, in response to the contact, a capacitance of the capacitor changes to a determined capacitance.
US09939929B2	Apparatus, method, and program product for erasing with a stylus Apparatuses, methods, and program products are disclosed for erasing with a stylus. By use of a processor, an orientation of a stylus relative to a display is determined. Whether a touch event of the display occurs is determined. An erase function is performed in response to the touch event occurring and the orientation of the stylus being is in a substantially inverted position.
US09939926B2	Pointing device for a portable computer including multiple pressure sensors located below a keyboard plate A pointing device is disclosed. The pointing device includes an operation cap having an operation surface fitted into a stud. The stud is fixed to a keyboard plate with a screw from below together with a sensor plate. A waterproof material is provided between the stud and the keyboard plate. Multiple pressure sensors are arranged below the keyboard plate. The pressure sensors are applied with a predetermined pressure beforehand. When the operation surface is depressed, the stud and the sensor plate slide and move downward while being tilted to reduce the detection pressures of the pressure sensors. Since the pressure sensors exist below the keyboard plate, the operation cap can be downsized, and the pressure sensors can be protected from impact to the operation cap.
US09939925B2	Behind-display user interface Example systems and methods of providing a user interface are presented. In one example, a graphical object is displayed on an opaque display component on a user-facing side of a computing device. Using a sensing component of the computing device, movement of a physical pointer controlled by a user is sensed. The physical pointer may be located opposite the user-facing side of the computing device. On the opaque display component, a representation of the physical pointer is displayed during the movement of the physical pointer. The graphical object, as displayed on the opaque display component, is modified based on the sensed movement of the physical pointer during the movement of the physical pointer.
US09939922B2	Input method of Chinese pinyin and terminal Embodiments of the present invention discloses an input method of Chinese pinyin. The method comprises: obtaining an operation position and an operation duration of inputting a character through a character input platform; determining a combination of pinyin letters corresponding to the operation position according to mapping relationships between operation positions of the character input platform and character information; selecting a pinyin letter from the combination of pinyin letters corresponding to the operation position or selecting the combination of pinyin letters corresponding to the operation position as a character input through the character input platform according to mapping relationships between operation durations each corresponding to one of the operation positions of the character input platform and character information. The embodiments of the present invention further discloses a terminal.
US09939920B2	Keyset fingerprint sensor with backlight Designs and techniques for keyset fingerprint sensors with backlight are described herein. In one or more implementations, a fingerprint sensor is integrated within a keyset of an input device. For instance, a key within an arrangement of keys is adapted to operate as a sensor key having an integrated fingerprint sensor. The sensor key is included within the arrangement of keys rather than being provided as a separate or external component. The sensor key includes a cover and a transmission layer covering the fingerprint sensor. A backlight integrated with the sensor key is arranged to supply light for the backlighting. The backlight is operable to selectively supply light at different times, in different colors, and/or in different sequences to illuminate a pattern on the cover and thereby provide indications indicative of sensing operations performed via the fingerprint sensor.
US09939914B2	System and method for combining three-dimensional tracking with a three-dimensional display for a user interface Systems and methods for combining three-dimensional tracking of a user's movements with a three-dimensional user interface display is described. A tracking module processes depth data of a user performing movements, for example, movements of the user's hands and fingers. The tracked movements are used to animate a representation of the hand and fingers, and the animated representation is displayed to the user using three-dimensional display. Also displayed are one or more virtual objects with which the user can interact. In some embodiments, the interaction of the user with the virtual objects controls an electronic device.
US09939913B2	Smart home control using modular sensing device A modular sensing device and method of operating a smart home device includes initiating a control mode from a plurality of modes on the modular sensing device, where the control mode determines a manner in which user gestures are interpreted. Based on initiating the control mode, a connection with the smart home device can be established. Furthermore, the modular sensing device and method can further include receiving sensor data corresponding to the user gestures, translating the sensor data into a corresponding control command, and transmitting the control command to the smart home device. The corresponding control command can be executable to control the smart home device in accordance with the user gesture.
US09939910B2	Dynamic effects processing and communications for wearable devices Processing techniques and device configurations for performing and controlling output effects at a plurality of wearable devices are generally described herein. In an example, a processing technique may include receiving, at a computing device, an indication of a triggering gesture that occurs at a first wearable device, determining an output effect corresponding to the indication of the triggering gesture, and in response to determining the output effect, transmitting commands to computing devices that are respectively associated with a plurality of wearable devices, the commands causing the plurality of wearable devices to generate the output effect at the plurality of wearable devices. In further examples, output effects such as haptic feedback, light output, or sound output, may be performed by the plurality of wearable devices, associated computing devices, or other controllable equipment.
US09939904B2	Systems and methods for pressure-based haptic effects One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a touch surface and transmit a sensor signal including data associated with a pressure of the user interaction. The illustrative system also includes a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine, based on the sensor signal, a pressure level; determine a user interface level based at least in part on the pressure level; perform a function associated with the user interface level and the user interaction; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the user interface level and the user interaction; generate a haptic signal based at least in part on the haptic effect; and transmit the haptic signal. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device in configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
US09939903B2	Display device and control method thereof A display device and method for controlling the display device are discussed. The display device can include a display unit for displaying a first object and a second object on a display screen, a tactile feedback unit for generating tactile feedback on the display screen; and a controller configured to generate a first tactile feedback according to properties of the first object while a first touch input is detected in a first region where the first object is displayed, generate a second tactile feedback according to properties of the second object while a second touch input is detected in a second region where the second object is displayed, detect a pressure of the first touch input or the second touch input, and adjust the intensity of the first tactile feedback or the second tactile feedback according to the detected pressure of the first touch input or the second touch input.
US09939901B2	Haptic feedback assembly A haptic feedback assembly includes interconnections for mechanically and electrically securing a haptic actuator in a track pad assembly so as to securely and efficiently provide haptic feedback to a user.
US09939897B2	Gaze-based security Systems and methods for presenting actual data on a display device based on eye-tracking data. An eye-tracking engine receives sensed data from an eye-tracking device, determines a movement status of an eye based on the sensed data, and determines a display configuration based on the determined movement status. The display configuration is output on the display device and includes masking data when the determined movement status indicates the eye is in motion.
US09939895B2	Image displaying system An image displaying system includes: a display device, a detection device and an image compensating chip. The detection device obtains position information of a view point relative to the display device, and an angle of sight line; the image compensating chip divides equally the image to be displayed into a plurality of first sub-images along a first reference direction, calculates a compensation ratio along the first reference direction for each first sub-image, and compensates each first sub-image along the first reference direction; the first virtual section line segment has two endpoints located on the frame of the display device, is extended along the first reference direction, and passes through an intersection of the sight line and the display device; the display device displays the compensated image, so that the compensated first sub-images are viewed as having the same size along the first reference direction.
US09939893B2	Eye gaze tracking Methods and systems for eye gaze tracking are provided, in which a plurality of images of at least one eye are received and, for each image of the eye(s), a plurality of stable vascular points associated with a vasculature of the eye(s) are identified. Based on the identified stable vascular points in the received images of the eye(s), a gaze angle of the eye(s) is determined.
US09939891B2	Voice dictation systems using earpiece microphone system and method An earpiece for use in voice dictation includes a speaker disposed within the earpiece housing, a microphone, and a processor disposed within the earpiece housing and operatively connected to the microphone and the speaker, wherein the processor is adapted to capture a voice stream from the microphone. The earpiece may further include a wireless transceiver disposed within the earpiece housing, the wireless transceiver operatively connected to the processor. The earpiece is configured to be controlled by a user through a plurality of different user interfaces to perform voice dictation.

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