| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09979329B2 |
Power converting device and power converting system
In a power converting device, a controller determines a combination pattern of a first energization pattern for the first set of the at least one-phase winding and a second energization pattern for the second set of the at least one-phase winding. The first and second energization patterns respectively include at least a first energization duration for the first set of the at least one-phase winding and a second energization duration for the second set of the at least one-phase winding. The controller supplies a drive pulse signal, whose on duration is based on the determined combination pattern, to the switch to thereby control on-off operations of the switch. |
| US09979327B2 |
Robot control system
The system has a converter for converting an AC current into a DC current, an inverter for inverting the DC power supplied from the converter into an AC power, a servo control device for controlling a drive of a servo motor, and a resistance regenerating circuit for consuming a regenerative energy. The servo control device has a plurality of motor control portions for enabling a plurality of servo motors to be controlled and a plurality of control port portions corresponding to a plurality of motor control portions. At least one of the plurality of motor control portions is configured so that a power supply regenerating control function portion and a control function portion for the servo motor can be switched. The robot control system capable of suppressing the increase of the development cost and adding the power supply regenerating function can be provided. |
| US09979325B2 |
Pyroelectric power-generating system
A power-generating system includes a heat source which is able to produce temporal temperature variation; a first device which is able to produce temporal temperature variation based on the temperature change of the heat source and in which polarization occurs; a second device for taking out a net generating power from the first device; a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the first device; a voltage application device that applies a voltage to the first device; and a control unit for activating the voltage application device on detecting an increase in temperature of the first device and for stopping the voltage application device on detecting a decrease in temperature of the first device by the temperature sensor. |
| US09979324B2 |
Method for controlling ultrasonic motor and surveying instrument for the same
Provided is a method for controlling an ultrasonic motor provided at a rotary shaft of a surveying instrument to meet requirements for a rotation speed and a plurality of operation modes, and a surveying instrument for the same. In the present invention, the ultrasonic motor is controlled by a first signal having a square wave in a range of rotation speed of the rotary shaft from zero to a first speed, controlled by a second signal in which rises or falls of the square wave are sloped in a range from the first speed to a second speed, controlled by a third signal in which rises and falls of the square wave are sloped in a range from the second speed to a third speed, and controlled by a fourth signal in which the drive signal is continuously applied in a range higher than the third speed. |
| US09979320B2 |
Electronic inverter assembly
A first driver portion comprises a set of first components mounted on or associated with a first circuit board. A second circuit board is spaced apart from the first circuit board. A second driver portion comprises a set of second components mounted on or associated with the second circuit board, where the first driver portion and the second driver portion collectively are adapted to provide input signals to the control terminal of each semiconductor switch of an inverter. A first edge connector is mounted on the first circuit board. A second edge connector is mounted on the second circuit board. An interface board has mating edges that mate with the first edge connector and the second edge connector. |
| US09979318B2 |
Hybrid multilevel inverter
Embodiments herein disclose a hybrid multilevel inverter configured to obtain N-level output voltages based on operating one of FCs and a plurality of switches. In an embodiment, the multilevel inverter is a Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) Flying Capacitor (FC) based hybrid multilevel inverter. In an embodiment, the multilevel inverter is a stacked multi-cell NPC multilevel inverter. |
| US09979315B2 |
Rectifying circuit for high-frequency power supply
A rectifying circuit for high-frequency power supply that rectifies an alternating voltage at a high frequency exceeding 2 MHz, the rectifying circuit for high-frequency power supply including a bridge rectifier circuit that rectifies the alternating voltage inputted from a reception antenna for power transmission, a matching functional circuit that matches a resonance condition to that of the reception antenna for power transmission, and a smoothing functional circuit that smooths the voltage rectified by the bridge rectifier circuit into a direct voltage, in which the rectifying circuit for high-frequency power supply causes the bridge rectifier circuit to perform partial resonant switching in a switching operation at the time of rectification by using the matching functional circuit and the smoothing functional circuit. |
| US09979310B2 |
Resonant DC/DC converter
Disclosed is a resonant DC/DC converter, comprising a DC source unit, a power conversion unit, a control unit and an output rectification unit, wherein the power conversion unit comprises a resonance circuit and at least a phase-shift circuit, the phase-shift circuit comprises at least a pair of first switching elements S1, S2 and a phase-shift inductance La, one end of the phase-shift inductance is connected with the bridge node of the first switching element S1, S2, and the other end is coupled to the resonance circuit; the control unit drives each switching element of the power conversion unit, and the switching frequency and the phase shifting angle of the first switching element are calculated according to the feedback signals of the output rectification unit. Further, the resonant DC/DC converter is applicable to series connection solution, which can be extended to more than two circuits in parallel, to achieve intersection; and a phase-shift circuit is added in the resonant DC/DC converter and by adjusting the phase shift angle to drop the output voltage and achieve the adjustment of a wide range of output voltage of the resonant circuit. |
| US09979309B1 |
Synchronous rectification controller
In one example, a circuit for controlling synchronous rectification includes a first current compensation module, a second current compensation module, and a control module. The first current compensation module is configured to provide a first current into parasitic capacitance at a drain pin when a drain of a synchronous rectifier draws current from the parasitic capacitance. The drain pin is coupled to the drain of the synchronous rectifier via a resistor. The first current compensation module is further configured to generate a triggering signal using the first current. The second current compensation module is configured to draw a second current from the parasitic capacitance when the drain of the synchronous rectifier provides current into the parasitic capacitance and generate an arming signal using the second current. The control module is configured to activate the synchronous rectifier using the triggering signal and the arming signal. |
| US09979305B2 |
Auxiliary winding ground fault detection for isolated DC/DC converter
A flyback converter is provided with a controller that is configured to analyze the reflected feedback voltage waveforms to determine the presence of a ground connection fault for the auxiliary winding. |
| US09979293B2 |
Power source apparatus having switching regulators opposite in phase
A power source apparatus includes a power input terminal to which input direct-current power is input from a power source; a first switching regulator coupled to the power input terminal and configured to supply, to a first electronic component, first direct-current power obtained by converting a voltage of the input direct-current power into a first voltage; a second switching regulator coupled to the power input terminal and configured to supply, to a second electronic component, second direct-current power obtained by converting the voltage of the input direct-current power into a second voltage; and a signal generating circuit configured to generate, based on a first oscillation voltage of the first switching regulator, a reference signal to be a reference of a timing of switching the second switching regulator such that the first oscillation voltage and a second oscillation voltage of the second switching regulator become opposite in phase. |
| US09979291B2 |
Inverter apparatus
An inverter apparatus is provided for converting direct current to alternating current. The inverter apparatus includes a boost converter coupled between a power source and a bypass circuit, and a power inverter coupled between the bypass circuit and a load to generate an output voltage. The output voltage is powered by the power source directly via the bypass circuit without activating the boost converter when the output voltage is smaller than a threshold voltage. The output voltage is powered by the power source boosted by the boost converter when the output voltage is larger than the threshold voltage. High efficiency is achieved by bypassed the boost converter. |
| US09979290B2 |
Dual use bootstrap driver
A switching regulator is presented. An embodiment of the switching regulator can include a high switch coupled between an input voltage and a switched output; a low switch coupled between the switched output and a ground; and a ringing switch coupled between a capacitor and the switched output, wherein the ringing switch is closed prior to transition into a tristate where both the high switch and the low switch are open. |
| US09979289B2 |
Method for driving converters, and corresponding converter and device
A switching converter includes a first electronic switch and a second electronic switch and respective drive circuits for switching on and switching off alternatively the first and second electronic switches. The drive circuits have a supply line for supplying to them a supply voltage. At least one of the drive circuits has, coupled to it, a capacitor for storing the supply voltage. An electronic-switching circuit is provided for selectively disconnecting the drive circuit from the supply line when the electronic switch driven thereby is switched off. In this mode, the drive circuit is supplied by the voltage stored on the capacitor. |
| US09979284B2 |
Self-oscillating switched-capacitor DC-DC converter
A self-oscillating DC-DC converter structure is proposed in which an oscillator is completely internalized within the switched-capacitor network. This eliminates power overhead of clock generation and level shifting and enables higher efficiency at lower power levels. Voltage doublers are cascaded to form a complete energy harvester with a wide load range from 5 nW to 5 μW and self-starting operation down to 140 mV. Because each doubler is self-oscillating, the frequency of each stage can be independently modulated, thereby optimizing the overall conversion efficiency. |
| US09979283B2 |
DC boosting circuit with at least one energy storage element
A DC boosting circuit includes switch connected to a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit includes first and second elements, and the second circuit includes the second element and a third element. The first and second elements store energy based on an input voltage when the switch is in a first state. The third element stores energy from the second element when the switch is in the second state. The second circuit outputs a voltage greater than the input voltage, and the first, second, and third elements are reactors or capacitors. |
| US09979278B1 |
Power supply device
A power supply device may include a first power line configured to connect a power source to a load via a relay, at least one diode disposed on the first power line between the relay and the load, a second power line disposed in parallel with the first power line and configured to connect the power source to the load via a switching element, and a controller configured to control on and off of the switching element. A voltage drop that occurs across the switching element when the switching element is turned on is smaller than a voltage drop that occurs across the at least one diode when the relay is turned on. The controller is configured to determine whether the switching element is on or off based on a voltage across the at least one diode and a voltage supplied to the load. |
| US09979272B2 |
Semiconductor device
In a semiconductor device, a high-side potential determination circuit outputs an event signal when a high-side reference potential detected by a high-side potential detection circuit rises. If at that time an input logic signal for controlling a high side is at a low (L) level, a pulse generation circuit regenerates a reset signal for a high-side drive circuit. When the input logic signal for controlling the high side is at the L level and the event signal is inputted, an overcurrent detection determination circuit makes an overcurrent detection signal from an overcurrent detection circuit invalid. When the event signal is not inputted, the overcurrent detection determination circuit makes the overcurrent detection signal valid. |
| US09979271B2 |
Power converter with zero-voltage switching control
In a power converter, switch-off of the synchronous rectification switch while the auxiliary switch is on causes the first capacitance of the main switch and the second capacitance of the synchronous rectification switch to resonate with the inductance of the second magnetic component. A parameter obtainer detects a voltage across a selected one of the main switch and the synchronous rectification switch, and obtains a parameter indicative of a corresponding one of rising and falling waveforms of the voltage across the selected switch while the selected switch is switched. A controller controls a switching control signal for the auxiliary switch to adjust switch-on timing of the auxiliary switch as a function of the parameter obtained by the parameter obtainer. |
| US09979269B2 |
Micromechanical component and method for producing a micromechanical component
A micromechanical component includes a mount; a drive body on which at least one coil device is disposed and which is connected to the mount by way of at least one spring such that the drive body can be set into a driving motion by an interaction of a current conducted through the at least one coil device and a magnetic field present at the at least one coil device; and a control element connected to the drive body such a manner that a setting of the drive body into a driving motion causes the control element to be set into a deflection motion with at least one motion component directed about a rotation axis. At least one connecting element disposes the drive body and control element relative to each other such that the rotation axis extends at a spacing from a center of gravity of the drive body. |
| US09979268B2 |
Motor
A motor of the present invention includes a stator in which a coil is wound around a stator core, and a magnetic circuit unit having a rotor. The rotor holds a rotor magnet disposed facing the stator core and a sensor magnet for position detection with a rotation shaft in the center. The motor further includes an electronic circuit unit having a circuit board on which circuit components including a magnetic detection element are mounted, and a partition disposed between the magnetic circuit unit and the electronic circuit unit for separating their spaces. The motor has an auxiliary sensor magnet disposed facing the sensor magnet with the partition and the magnetic detection element in between. The auxiliary sensor magnet is fixed and supported by a rotatable auxiliary shaft disposed independent from and coaxial with the rotation shaft. |
| US09979264B2 |
Method for manufacturing laminated rotor core
A method for manufacturing a laminated rotor core comprises a first step of positioning and mounting a laminated core body 14 on a mounting table 17 of a carrying tray 16, a second step of positioning and arranging the laminated core body 14 mounted on a mounting table 17 on a lower die 28, the laminated core body 14 having permanent magnets 15 inserted into respective magnet insertion holes 11 and 12, and clamping the laminated core body 14 mounted on the mounting table 17 by an upper die 29 and a lower die 28, and a third step of pushing resin out of resin reservoir pots 42 provided in the lower die 28 and filling the respective corresponding magnet insertion holes 11 and 12 of the laminated core body 14 with the resin through resin passages 43 formed in the mounting table 17. |
| US09979262B2 |
Positioning device in gantry type of construction having a position-measurement device for measuring the position of a carriage relative to a cross-member
A positioning device in a gantry type of construction includes two linear guides that are arranged parallel to each other on a base and support a first cross member and a second cross member in a manner allowing movement in a first direction. A carriage having a functional element is supported on the first cross member in a manner allowing movement in a second direction. Position-measuring devices for measuring the position of the carriage relative to the second cross member are disposed on the carriage and on the second cross member. |
| US09979258B2 |
Vibration motor
A vibration motor, comprising a base part which expands perpendicular to a vertical center axis; a shaft which protrudes upward along the center axis, a lower end of the shaft being coupled to the base part; a circuit board disposed on the base part; coil parts which are attached onto the circuit board, and face each other in a radial direction across the shaft and a gap; a bearing part which is rotatably attached to the shaft at an upper side than the coil parts; a rotor holder which is attached to the bearing part; a magnet part which is attached to the rotor holder; an eccentric weight which is attached to the rotor holder; a spacer which is attached to the shaft at a portion between the bearing part and the coil part, a top surface of the spacer being in contact with a bottom surface of the bearing part; and a cover part which covers at least a portion of the upper and lateral sides of the rotor holder and the eccentric weight, and is fixed to an upper end portion of the shaft and an edge portion of the base part, wherein a bottom surface of the spacer vertically faces a top surface of the coil part. |
| US09979252B2 |
Rotor assembly having a functional carrier
A rotor for an electrodynamic machine, in particular an electric motor, is disclosed. The rotor includes a rotor packet having a first rotor end and a second rotor end as well as a plurality of interconnected sheet metal rings. Each sheet metal ring forms a web. Further, the rotor includes a web insulation with at least one winding support element for receiving a rotor coil. In addition, the rotor includes an end sheet metal element with at least one support element, where the end sheet metal element is at least partially integrated into the winding support element. |
| US09979251B2 |
Substrate manufactured from sheet metal and resin, motor provided with substrate, and soldering method therefor
The present invention provides a substrate provided with a land to which the tip of a magnetic wire is to be soldered and a resin wall formed around and higher than the land. The resin wall has an inclined surface inclined at an angle greater than 90° with respect to the land. |
| US09979249B2 |
Bus bar unit and motor
A bus bar unit may include a bus bar; and a bus bar holder comprising a resin material and configured to hold the bus bar, wherein the bus bar includes a plurality of members comprising a metal. The plurality of members may include a bent member including a radial branch, a circumferential branch, and a bent portion between the radial branch and the circumferential branch. The radial branch may include a terminal portion provided at a second end portion. The circumferential branch may include a first connection portion provided at a second end. A connection portion may be configured by connecting the first connection portion and a second connection portion provided in a second one of the plurality of members, and at least a portion of the connection portion of the bus bar is held in the bus bar holder. |
| US09979247B2 |
Surgical instrument motor with increased number of wires per phase set and increased fill factor and corresponding manufacturing method
A motor for a surgical instrument includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes a shaft and a magnet. The stator includes (i) a cavity in which the rotor is disposed, and (ii) a coil assembly. The coil assembly includes multiple phase sets. The phase sets include multiple sets of wires. Each of the phase sets includes multiple coils and corresponds to a respective one of the sets of wires. The coils in each of the phase sets are at respective positions about the rotor. One of the sets of wires includes at least three wires. The stator causes the rotor to axially rotate a surgical tool of the surgical instrument based on current received at the sets of wires. |
| US09979246B2 |
Electric motor comprising an internal rotor and an external stator
An electric motor (100) features a external stator (28), an internal rotor (150) rotatably mounted within the external stator, the rotor having a lamination stack (200, 200′, 200″) composed of a plurality of rotor plates (201, 201′, 201″) in which are formed at least one first recess (614) and at least one second recess (630), a rotor magnet (224) being located in each first recess (614), the second recess (630) being associated with a jamming element (40) mounted therein. A clamping member (692,694) is arranged between the first recess (614) and the second recess (630). The clamping member and the second recess (630) are shaped so as to enable support of the jamming element (40) on the lamination stack, and to permit application of a force (F) on the clamping member in the direction of the rotor magnet. The second recess (630) serves as a through-opening for receiving a shaft (40), and the shaft (40) serves as the jamming element (40). |
| US09979243B2 |
Low cost injection molded buried permanent magnet motor for an electric power steering system
An interior permanent magnet motor includes a housing, a ring-shaped stator fixed in the housing and having a coil which generates a magnetic field when a voltage is applied, a rotor being disposed for rotation within, and relative to the ring-shaped stator. The rotor includes a shaft rotatably supported by the housing, a magnetic plate pair disposed about an outer circumference of the rotor. A triangular member is disposed between the magnetic plate pair and the shaft. The triangular member having a flat surface mated to each inner end of each magnetic plate of the magnetic plate pair. The triangular member directs flux produced by rotation of the rotor toward the stator. |
| US09979241B2 |
Electronic device and method for sharing electric power in wireless charging
A method for sharing, at a first electronic device, wireless power with a second electronic device is provided. The method includes performing connection with the second electronic device; obtaining power-related information of the second electronic device; determining a power state of the second electronic device based on the power-related information of the second electronic device; determining an amount of electric power to be transmitted to the second electronic device based on the power state of the second electronic device; and transmitting the electric power of the determined amount to the second electronic device. Charging is enabled anytime, anywhere, as long as there is an electronic device to share electric power, thereby increasing user convenience. |
| US09979237B2 |
Adaptive resonant topology application in wearable devices
A wireless power transmission system is presented. The wireless power circuit includes an adaptive transmitter coupled to a transmit coil; a receive coil in interaction with the transmit coil, the receive coil being thin and having an inner diameter large enough to accommodate sensors of a wearable device; and a receive circuit receiving power from the receive coil. |
| US09979234B2 |
Resonant contactless power supply equipment, electrical transmitter and contactless power supply method
A resonant contactless electric energy transmitter configured to contactlessly supply electric energy to an electric energy receiver, can include: (i) a high frequency power supply configured to generate a high frequency AC power with a frequency that is the same as a leakage inductance resonant frequency, where the leakage inductance resonant frequency is obtained by detection of an output current of the high frequency power supply that corresponds to the high frequency AC power of a sequence of different frequencies during a frequency sweeping time period; and (ii) a transmitting resonant circuit comprising a transmitting coil, and being configured to receive the high frequency AC power from the high frequency power supply. |
| US09979228B2 |
Energy management apparatus and method of controlling the same
An energy management apparatus capable of taking an appropriate measure in the event of a power failure and a method of controlling the energy management system will be provided. A storage medium 25, a power input unit 122 for receiving power supply, a backup power source 123 for supplying power when power supply to the power input unit 122 from a grid power source 50 stops, and a control unit 124, when the power supply to the power input unit 122 from the grid power source 50 stops for a period equal to or longer than a predetermined period, for carrying out a suspension processing of the storage medium 25 are provided. |
| US09979224B2 |
Integrated circuit for wireless charging and operating method thereof
An integrated circuit for wireless charging and a method for wireless charging by an integrated circuit are provided. The integrated circuit includes a first wireless communication unit configured to support a first wireless communication method; a first route selection unit configured to perform a selection from among a first power input from a battery and a second power input according to wireless charging to be allowed as input; a power block configured to receive the selected power from the first route selection unit, and provide the received power to the first wireless communication unit; and a controller configured to control an operation of the first route selection unit. |
| US09979222B2 |
Method and device for wireless power transfer
A method and device for wireless power transfer. The device includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and an electronic controller. The method includes determining, by the electronic controller, whether the first sensor senses a magnetic field. The method further includes determining, by the electronic controller, whether the second sensor senses the magnetic field. The method further includes determining, by the electronic controller, that the portable electronic device is in use when only the first sensor senses the magnetic field. The method further includes determining, by the electronic controller, that the portable electronic device is in storage when both the first and second sensors sense the magnetic field. |
| US09979214B2 |
Adaptive buck converter and charging cable using the same
An adaptive buck converter of a charging cable includes: a power receiving interface for receiving a DC voltage and a cable current from a cable; a terminal communication interface for transmitting a charging voltage and a charging current to a connection terminal of the charging cable and for receiving a communication signal generated by the mobile device from the connection terminal; a power converting circuit for receiving the DC voltage and the cable current from the power receiving interface and for generating the charging voltage and the charging current, wherein the charging voltage is lower than the DC voltage while the charging current is greater than the cable current; and a data processing circuit coupled with the power converting circuit and configured for controlling the power converting circuit according to the communication signal. |
| US09979212B2 |
Device and method for charge equalization of an energy accumulator arrangement
The invention relates to a device for the charge equalization of an energy accumulator arrangement, and to a method for the charge equalization of accumulator modules of an energy accumulator arrangement. In order to provide a device or a method for charge equalization of accumulator modules in an energy accumulator arrangement, in which the accumulation capacity of the accumulator modules used is efficiently utilized with low circuit complexity, a device and a method for the charge equalization of an energy accumulator arrangement (11) is proposed, wherein the energy accumulator arrangement (11) comprises at least two accumulator modules (11a-11d) electrically connected in series and the device for charge equalization comprises: a switching device (12), which is coupled to the accumulator modules (11a-11d) of the energy accumulator arrangement; a DC-to-DC converter (14), which can be coupled to the accumulator modules (11a-11d) by means of the switching device (12); a control device (13) for monitoring parameters of the accumulator modules (11a-11d) and for controlling the switching device (12) and the DC-to-DC converter (14), wherein the entirety of the series-connected accumulator modules of the energy accumulator arrangement is provided for an intermediate accumulation of charge for the charge equalization between the accumulator modules. |
| US09979211B2 |
System and method for battery pack management using predictive balancing
Predictive battery pack cell balancing apparatus and methods are presented in which active bypass current switching is controlled according to initial balancing bypass current values to balance the cell depth of discharge (DOD) values by the end of a charging/discharging time period, and according to continuous balancing bypass current values representing an amount of bypass current needed to maintain a present relationship of the cell DOD values. |
| US09979208B2 |
Cordless tool system with a battery pack having a heat absorbing device
A tool discharges one battery pack and a charger simultaneously charges another battery pack to provide for continuous and circular operation of the tool. Tool system includes a tool and a lithium based battery pack having a nominal voltage of at least 56 volts for supplying power to the tool. A heat absorbing device is associated with the battery pack and includes a phase-change material. |
| US09979206B2 |
Wireless electric field power transfer system, method, transmitter and receiver therefor
A wireless power transfer system comprises: a transmitter comprising a transmit electrode set configured to transfer power via resonant electric field coupling; and a receiver comprising a receive electrode set configured to extract the transferred power via resonant electric field coupling, wherein the electrodes of at least one of the transmit and receive electrode sets are concentric. |
| US09979197B2 |
Micro-grid energy management system
Micro-grid energy management system includes distributed power generation and storage devices each configured to generate and store power in a distributed manner, monitor its own status, and transmit data on the monitored status through a different interface, a gateway device connected selectively with the distributed power generation and storage devices through different interfaces and configured to convert the status data received through the interfaces into open data having one predefined data frame format, transmit the converted open data over a network, and provide control signals of the distributed power generation and storage devices received over the network to the distributed power generation and storage devices; and an energy management server configured to perform energy management using the open data transmitted from the gateway device over the network and transmit control signals for controlling and managing the distributed power generation and storage devices to the gateway device over the network. |
| US09979195B2 |
Power distribution in energy storage farms
In one aspect, a method of distributing power among a plurality of energy storage systems in an energy storage farm may generally include receiving a power distribution input associated with a power amount to be received by or delivered from the energy storage farm, determining an initial power value for each energy storage system based at least in part on a state of charge associated with the energy storage system, determining an unallocated power value for the energy storage farm based at least in part on the received power request and the initial power values of the energy storage systems, determining an updated power value for each energy storage system based at least in part on the unallocated power value, and controlling the operation of the energy storage farm such that each energy storage system delivers or receives an amount of power equal to its determined updated power value. |
| US09979189B2 |
Control apparatus using variations in conduction angle as control command
A control apparatus using variations in conduction angle as control command, wherein a conduction angle modulation module of a traditional leading edge cutoff dimmer is arranged in parallel with a resistance module, so as to enlarge the minimum conduction angle of the leading edge dimmer. The modulation range of the conduction angle of the conduction angle modulation module may be set to a smaller range, so that the modulation range of the resistance module will not be uncertain due to different setting values of the variable resistance, whereby the circuit at load end can be identified readily and function mode switching facilitated to achieve the effect of multiplexing control. |
| US09979183B2 |
Over voltage protection circuit
An overvoltage protection circuit is disclosed. The overvoltage protection circuit includes an input voltage port, an output voltage port, a low pass filter coupled to the input voltage port and a voltage regulator coupled to the low pass filter. The overvoltage protection circuit also includes a transistor having a gate, a drain and a source. The transistor is coupled to the input voltage port and the output voltage port and the gate is coupled to the voltage regulator. |
| US09979179B1 |
Network of interconnected circuit protection devices
A network of interconnected circuit protection devices in a datacenter that can communicate over a network. Each circuit protection device can have a management component such that each device could know the state of every other device or a centralized management component could know the state of all devices. The states of the protection devices could include, fault or non-fault (e.g., high-current, current-imbalance and high temperature). Using this information, the management component(s) can prevent a single-device failure from triggering circuit-protection devices in other sections of the data center to open. The breaker logic can operate such that if a single device short-circuited and all devices upstream in the power delivery system sensed the short-circuit, then the lowest-level device would open and if the fault was still detected upstream, then the next level device would open. |
| US09979175B2 |
Arrangement for sealing the connection point of electrical lines
An arrangement (20) for covering connecting points of electrical lines (2a-2c) in a moisture tight manner is indicated. The electrical conductors (3a-3d) of at least one first electrical line (1) are connected to the electrical conductors (4a-4f) with at least two further electrical lines (2a-2c). The connecting point is surrounded by a prefabricated housing (10) consisting of a mechanically stable synthetic material. The interior of the housing (10) is completely enclosed by a sealing material produced by injection molding which extends to both sides of the housing (10) up to the lines protruding beyond the housing (1, 2a-2c). |
| US09979172B2 |
Screwless and/or seamless cover plate and cover plate assemblies that comprise one or more retention members that selectively engage and substantially conform to the outer surface and edges of an electrical device, to releasably secure the cover plate to the electrical device with a backing plate therebetween
Cover plates and cover plate assemblies are provided for electrical fixtures including a screwless cover plate and/or cover plate assembly for electrical devices that cover the fixtures but provide holes for plugs, light switches, audio, data, or video connectors, and that optionally do not show screw or attachment holes, and where the cover plate is part of a cover plate assembly that comprises one or more retention members selectively engage and substantially conform to the outer surface and edges of the electrical device, to releasably secure the cover plate to the electrical device with a backing plate therebetween. |
| US09979169B1 |
Junction box of a recessed luminaire for installation in shallow spaces
A junction box includes a first cover plate that covers a first open side defined by a main body, and a second cover plate that covers a second open side defined by the main body. The second cover plate includes a mounting pad to attach an electrical component thereto. The electrical component is disposed in an inner cavity defined by the main body when the second cover plate is in a closed position. Further, the junction box includes a fastening device that retains the first cover plate and the second cover plate in the closed position and operates without interfering with a mounting structure in which the junction box is disposed. Furthermore, the junction box includes chamfer walls and wire traps disposed thereon to receive and pass electrical wiring cables into the junction box therethrough. |
| US09979167B1 |
Device and method for splicing shielded wire cables
A wire cable assembly, such as those used in electric or hybrid electric vehicles, having a plurality of shielded wire cables that are spliced together is presented. The assembly. A resilient shield clip electrically interconnects the shield conductors of at least a portion of the plurality of shielded wire cables. The shield clip defines a first wire receiving portion that is characterized as being omega-shaped in cross section. A first shield conductor portion is received within the first wire receiving portion. The shield clip further defines second and third wire receiving portions in which the second and third shield conductor portions are received respectively. A conductive shield sleeve is in electrical contact with the shield clip and encloses the first, second, and third shield conductor portions. A method of splicing shielded wire cables using such a shield clip is also presented herein. |
| US09979166B2 |
Electrical cabinet service door with integrated dead front
In order to reduce service procedure time and labor costs, while increasing overall uptime, the electrical equipment cabinet of the invention includes a main service door that is integrated with the dead front. The dead front panel is fixed to and movable with the main service door, and therefore access to high voltage equipment situated behind the dead front is achieved by simply opening the main service door, without the need to first unlock and open the main service door and then unlock, open, and/or remove the dead front panel. Controls on the front side of the dead front are easily and safely accessible, when the main service door is closed, through a dead front control access door positioned within an opening of the main service door. |
| US09979160B2 |
Integrated optical circulator apparatus, method, and applications
An optical circulator is a device that routes optical pulses from port to port in a predetermined manner, e.g. in a 3-port optical circulator, optical pulses entering port 1 are routed out of port 2, while optical pulses entering port 2 exit out of port 3 and optical pulses fed into port 3 exit out of port 3. Currently such an optical circulator is made of discrete components such as magnetooptic garnets, rare-earth magnets and optical polarizers that are packaged together with fiber optic elements. Disclosed herein is a different kind of optical circulator that is monolithically integrated on a single semiconductor substrate and that is applicable for the routing of optical pulses. The embodied invention will enable photonic integrated circuits to incorporate on-chip optical circulator functionality thereby allowing much more complex optical designs to be implemented monolithically. |
| US09979158B1 |
Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser
A vertical cavity surface emitting laser comprising a first reflector, a second reflector comprising a layer stack of semiconductor or isolating layers, an active region arranged between the first and second reflectors, and an additional layer on top of the layer stack at the light output side, said additional layer forming an output interface of the laser, wherein the refractive index of the additional layer is smaller, equal to or larger than the smallest refractive index of the refractive indices of said layer stack. |
| US09979155B2 |
Drive circuit of light emitting element
A drive circuit of a light emitting element, the drive circuit includes: an input terminal configured to receive an input signal; an output terminal configured to output a signal based on the input signal as a drive signal to the light emitting element; and a main body circuit configured to generate the drive signal by carrying out timing correction to reduce a difference from a standard delay value for rising or falling of a plurality of signal patterns of the input signal regarding a timing of rising of a first signal subsequent to a first signal pattern in the plurality of signal patterns or a timing of falling of a second signal subsequent to a second signal pattern in the plurality of signal patterns. |
| US09979154B2 |
Semiconductor laser device
Provided is a semiconductor laser device having enhanced heat dissipation properties. A semiconductor laser device 10 comprises a stem 11, a cap 12 that is attached to an upper surface of the stem 11, a semiconductor laser element 13, and a power-feeding member 14 that is at least partially buried in the stem 11. The power-feeding member 14 comprises an element-side terminal 32 that is electrically connected to the semiconductor laser element 13, and an external terminal 33. The external terminal 33 of the power-feeding member 14 is exposed on a side surface or the upper surface of the stem 11, and an attaching surface 11b that is attached to a mounting object is provided in a lower surface of the stem 11. |
| US09979153B2 |
Optical fiber laser device and optical fiber laser providing method
Disclosed herein is an optical fiber laser device including a seed unit for providing at least two seed lights having different wavelengths; and an amplifying unit for amplifying the at least two seed lights. The amplifying unit includes: a preamplifying unit for amplifying the at least two seed lights by using excitation light of which the wavelength is shorter than the wavelengths of the seed lights; and a final amplifying unit to which no separate excitation light source is provided. The final amplifying unit amplifies the seed light having the longest wavelength by using the other seed light as excitation light with respect to the seed light having the longest wavelength among the at least two seed light. |
| US09979152B2 |
Electrical connector having improved contact module and method for making same
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a number of contacts, a shielding plate, and a metallic shell. The insulative housing defines a number of contact-receiving grooves and a number of through holes connecting with adjacent contact-receiving grooves. The contacts include a number of first contacts having connecting sections, at least one connecting section of the first contacts has a first bending section bent along a direction away from the contiguous first contact to form an enlarged gap for increasing a distance between the adjacent first contacts. The insulative housing, the shielding plate and the contacts are molded to form a contact module. The enlarged gap and the corresponding through hole are connected together. |
| US09979146B2 |
Connector housing assembly and electrical connector assembly
A connector housing assembly is disclosed. The connector housing assembly has a connector housing and a mating connector housing. The connector housing has a cable receptacle open in a cable direction. The mating connector housing has a contact receptacle open in a contact direction. The mating connector housing is connectable with the connector housing in a first position in which the cable direction and the contact direction are substantially perpendicular to each other and a second position in which the cable direction and contact direction are substantially parallel to each other. |
| US09979138B1 |
USB function-type magnetic cable
The disclosure relates to a USB function-type magnetic cable, comprising a USB cable main body and a USB moveable plug; an end B of the USB cable main body is in moveable connection with the USB moveable plug; an end A of the USB cable main body is in connection with a computer or charger, the end B of the USB cable main body is in connection with a mobile device through the USB moveable plug; the end B of the USB cable main body comprises a first PCB board, and the first PCB board is configured to output a control signal to cut off a power supply circuit when detecting a temperature abnormity of the USB moveable plug or a supply voltage abnormity. |
| US09979137B2 |
Circuit board assembly and method of manufacturing the same
A circuit board assembly and a method of manufacturing the same is provided, by which, when external pressure is applied to a cover, deformation of the cover caused by the external pressure is suppressed and no adverse effect is produced to electronic components on a circuit board. A cover of a circuit board assembly includes a first cover to cover a first surface of a circuit board and a second cover to cover a second surface of the circuit board. A projection portion projects from an inner surface of the first cover. When a complete circuit board assembly is formed by insert-molding using the circuit board assembly as an insert part, the projection portion suppresses deformation of the first cover and the second cover. |
| US09979130B2 |
Charging inlet
A charging inlet 10 described in this specification includes a cable lock mount portion 30 for mounting a cable lock 50. The cable lock mount portion 30 includes: locking walls 31 including locking holes 31A, 31B for insertion of a cable lock pin 40; a pin lock 35 to be locked on the cable lock pin 40 for retaining the cable lock pin 40; and a displacement restricting portion (support walls 36) for restricting displacement of the cable lock pin when the cable lock pin 40 is displaced in a direction toward the pin lock 35. The displacement restricting portion restricts the displacement of the cable lock pin 40 by abutting on the cable lock pin 40 in a position at which the cable lock pin 40 does not contact the pin lock 35. |
| US09979125B2 |
Fitting structure of connector
A fitting structure of a connector which fits a pair of housings to each other, the fitting structure is provided with a first step portion and a second step portion on at least a part of an outer circumferential surface of one housing, and a third step portion and a fourth step portion on at least a part or an inner circumferential surface of the other housing. The first step portion extends in an axial direction. The second step portion protrudes more highly than the first step portion and is positioned on a rear side of the first step portion and extends in the axial direction. The third step portion is in contact with the first step portion and extends in the axial direction. The fourth step portion is in contact with the second step portion and extends in the axial direction. |
| US09979120B2 |
Connector
A connector includes a connector housing 10 provided with cavities 13 for accommodating terminal fittings and connectable to a mating connector, a cover 50 configured to cover wires pulled out from the connector housing 10 by being mounted on a cover mounting surface 10A side of the connector housing 10 opposite to a connection surface, locking pieces 55 deflectably provided on both side surfaces of the cover 50 and configured to lock the cover 50 to the connector housing 10 by projecting toward the connector housing 10, and protection walls 37 provided on the connector housing 10, the other locking piece 55 coming into contact with the protection wall 37 when being pushed in an unlocking direction when one of the locking pieces 55 is unlocked and the cover 50 is inclined with respect to the connector housing 10. |
| US09979118B2 |
High-pressure hermetic terminal
A hermetic power terminal feed-through for use in high-pressure applications is disclosed as including a fused pin subassembly includes a tubular reinforcing member and a current-conducting pin. The pin passes through the tubular reinforcing member and is fixed thereto by a fusible sealing material to create a hermetic seal. The fused pin subassembly is then joined and hermetically sealed to a terminal body. A method for manufacturing the high-pressure hermetic power terminal feed-through is also disclosed. |
| US09979110B2 |
Electronic component metal material and method for manufacturing the same
There are provided an electronic component metal material having low insertability/extractability, low whisker formability and high durability, and a method for manufacturing the electronic component metal material. The electronic component metal material 10 includes a base material 11, an A layer 14 constituting an outermost surface layer on the base material 11 and formed of Sn, In or an alloy thereof, and a B layer 13 constituting a middle layer provided between the base material 11 and the A layer 14 and formed of Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Os, Ir or an alloy thereof, wherein the outermost surface layer (A layer) 14 has a thickness larger than 0.2 μm, and the middle layer (B layer) 13 has a thickness of 0.001 μm or larger. |
| US09979108B2 |
Electrical connector assembly and module spacer thereof
The electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector and a module spacer. The electrical connector is installed on a circuit board and defines a mating space. The module spacer includes a cover covering on the mating space in a vertical direction and four side walls extending downwardly from the cover. The cover and the side walls defines a receiving space for retaining the electrical connector. The side walls are supported on the circuit board. |
| US09979107B1 |
Connector and composite connector
A connector is arranged in a hole portion of a retaining member and is fitted as a floating connector to a mating connector. For example, the connector includes a plurality of abutment portions, which are brought into abutment against the hole portion when the connector is arranged in the hole portion, and a plurality of biasing portions, which are configured to bias the plurality of abutment portions in respective abutment directions relative to a main outer surface portion of a shell. The plurality of abutment portions include a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion which are formed in an opposite side over a main plane being a plane which includes a main center line and is perpendicular to the main outer surface portion, and a third abutment portion which is formed at a position forming a triangle with the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion. |
| US09979105B2 |
Power semiconductor device
A power semiconductor device includes: an outer case; at least one press-fit terminal buried in a top surface of the outer case; and a plurality of supporting portions formed so as to protrude from the top surface of the outer case. A top end of the press-fit terminal protrudes more than top surfaces of the supporting portions from the top surface of the outer case. |
| US09979101B2 |
Corrosion protected communication connections and related methods
Corrosion within a flangeless connector, or at an associated connection of a device or medium (e.g., cable), used in a wireless base station may be reduced by incorporating a seating member, e.g., an O-ring, between the connector and a connector port. Conductive plating selectively applied within the connector port may provide a low-resistance ground connection between the port and the connector, while a non-conductive coating selectively applied to a surface against which the seating member is seated may form a weather-tight seal. The connection between the connector and the connector port is thereby protected from moisture, while exposed surfaces of the connector port re protected by the non-conductive coating. |
| US09979097B2 |
Expanding lattice notch array antenna and method of fabrication
The present disclosure is directed toward methods for forming an expanding lattice notch array antenna that includes a plurality of notch antenna elements extending from a surface of a base plate. The properties and dimensions of the notch antenna elements can be manipulated in order to provide an expanding notch array antenna whereby an area of a base portion of the array is different from an area of a top portion of the array, without increasing an overall height of the notch array antenna. The method includes coupling a first plurality of notch elements to a first surface of a base plate in a first orientation, expanding a second plurality of notch elements from a first state to a second state and coupling the second plurality of notch elements in the second state to the first surface of the base plate in a second orientation. |
| US09979093B2 |
Antenna apparatus, base station and communications system
Embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna apparatus, a base station and a communications system. The antenna apparatus includes: an antenna part, including a common radome; an active part, connected to the antenna part and including at least one active module, where each active module includes at least one antenna element, and an element reflector and a phase shifter and a radio frequency module that are corresponding to each antenna element, where the element reflector of the at least one active module is configured to implement an antenna function; and a common part, connected to the active part and the antenna part, and shared by the at least one active module in the active part, where the common part includes at least one common module. By using the above antenna apparatus, each radio frequency module can be flexibly configured, so as to simplify onsite replacement and maintenance operations. |
| US09979087B2 |
Coil device and antenna device
A coil device includes a multilayer base including resin sheets having a conductor pattern thereon and being stacked on top of one another such that the conductor patterns define a coil. A winding axis of the coil is parallel or substantially parallel to surfaces of the resin sheets, and the conductor patterns include first linear portions provided on a surface of a first resin sheet and second linear portions provided on a surface of a second resin sheet. Surfaces of at least one of the first linear portions and the second linear portions having small surface roughness are oriented toward the inner peripheral surface of the coil to prevent an increase in loss due to the use of adhesive and due to roughening a surface of a metal foil. |
| US09979085B2 |
Ferrite-loaded circular waveguide antenna for 3D scanning
The ferrite-loaded circular waveguide antenna for 3D scanning includes the design and optimization of an axially magnetized ferrite loaded circular waveguide antenna with three-dimensional (3D) scan characteristics. The ferrite cylinder is concentrically placed within the circular waveguide and magnetized using solenoid coils wound around the waveguide. The waveguide antenna is excited using an optimally positioned coaxial connector. By changing the magnetic biasing of the ferrite cylinder, individual modes within the multi-mode wave guide are affected separately. This generates tapered Ey-field distribution in the radiating edge of the waveguide, which leads to beam scan. Professional software is used to optimize the dimension and magnetizing requirement of the antenna to realize up to ±30° of beam scan in the azimuth and elevation planes. The magnetizing fields (H0) required for the 3D scan are tabulated. A prototype of the high power antenna is fabricated to experimentally verify the simulated scan characteristics. |
| US09979083B2 |
Radio equipment positioning
A device, a method, a system, and a computer program product for installation, positioning and/or repositioning of a radio device are disclosed. Using a positioning device, an identification information of the radio device and at least one first positioning parameter associated with the radio device are received for positioning of the radio device on an installation surface. The positioning device determines at least one second positioning parameter of the radio device. The first and second positioning parameters are compared and the radio device is positioned based on at least one of the following: the first positioning parameter and the second positioning parameter. |
| US09979077B2 |
Vehicle antenna for satellite communication
This invention discloses a design and implementation of an X-band antenna optimized for a moving vehicle to communicate with a stationary orbit satellite. The new antenna design employs unique circuit boards that contain dipole elements, power dividers, pin diode switches and digital phase shifters. The circuit boards perform together as an array to produce high gain beams. Depending on the antenna performance needs, several antenna boards may be required. The circuit boards' dimensions are all identical containing round disks of equal diameters. The dipole radiating elements are located near the outer edge of the board. They are designed to perform circular type polarization. By increasing the diameter of the board and a number of boards, or a combination of the two, one can achieve any desired beam shape that may be required. The disclosure design approach is unique and flexible; for this reason, an eight circuit board vehicle antenna has been configured. The disclosure antenna body is a cylindrical shaped structure which is having a 4.25 inch in diameter and 8.50 inch in height. This design approach is also applicable to frequencies other than X-band. Outstanding characteristics of the disclosure antenna are high performance, rigid body and low cost. |
| US09979074B2 |
Mobile device
A mobile device includes a ground plane, a first antenna, a second antenna, a first metal element, and a second metal element. The first antenna has a first feeding point coupled to a first signal source. The second antenna has a second feeding point coupled to a second signal source. The first metal element has a connection end and an open end. The connection end of the first metal element is coupled to the ground plane, and is adjacent to the first feeding point. The second metal element has a connection end and an open end. The connection end of the second metal element is coupled to the ground plane, and is adjacent to the second feeding point. |
| US09979073B2 |
Wireless device
The present invention discloses a wireless device, which includes a substrate and an antenna. The antenna includes a printed antenna element and a 3-dimensional antenna element. The printed antenna element is printed on the substrate, while the 3-dimensional antenna element is disposed on the substrate and coupled to the printed antenna element. The printed antenna element and the 3-dimensional antenna element jointly have a physical length of a desired frequency. |
| US09979072B2 |
RFID reader antenna
Provided is a transmitting/receiving antenna, including: an array antenna including a plurality of element antennas; and a feeding part transmitting a transmitting signal to the plurality of element antennas and receiving a signal received through the array antenna, in which the plurality of element antennas each include a radiation patch and a transmitting port and a receiving port positioned between the feeding part and the radiation patch. |
| US09979068B2 |
Radio frequency architectures and methods providing switchable bypass and pass-through paths
Disclosed are systems, circuits and methods related to low-loss bypass of a radio-frequency (RF) filter or diplexer. In some embodiments, a switching network circuitry can include a first switch that has an input pole configured to receive a radio-frequency (RF) signal, a pass-through throw configured to be connectable to the input pole to allow routing of the RF signal to an RF component, and at least one dedicated bypass throw configured to be connectable to the input pole and at least one bypass conduction path. The switching network circuitry can further include a second switch that has a pole and a throw, and is connectable between an output of the RF component and the bypass conduction path. Use of the dedicated bypass throw(s) in the first switch allows implementation of low-loss bypass of the filter or diplexer. |
| US09979061B1 |
Devices and methods for a dielectric rotary joint
A device is provided that includes a first waveguide configured to guide propagation of RF waves inside the first waveguide. A first side of the first waveguide is configured to emit an evanescent field associated with the propagation of the RF waves inside the first waveguide. The device also includes a second waveguide having a second side positioned within a predetermined distance to the first side of the first waveguide. The second waveguide is configured to guide propagation, inside the second waveguide, of induced RF waves associated with the evanescent field from the first waveguide. The device also includes a first probe coupled to the first waveguide and configured to emit the RF waves for propagation inside the first waveguide. The device also includes a second probe coupled to the second waveguide and configured to receive induced RF waves propagating inside the second waveguide. |
| US09979058B2 |
Battery thermal energy transfer assembly and method
An exemplary battery thermal transfer assembly includes a thermal interface material having a first side with a plurality of protrusions compressed against a plurality of battery cells, and an opposing, second side interfacing with a thermal exchange plate. Another exemplary battery thermal transfer assembly includes a thermal interface material sheet having a first side with a plurality of protrusions compressed against a plurality of battery cells, and an opposing, second side interfacing with a thermal exchange plate. |
| US09979053B2 |
Hybrid battery system
A rechargeable, hybrid battery system incorporates a high power battery component and a high energy density battery component. The voltage of the high energy density battery varies as a function of its state of charge, but remains greater than the voltage of the high power battery throughout the operating range of the battery system. |
| US09979048B2 |
Polymer electrolyte for lithium battery and lithium battery employing the polymer electrolyte
A polymer electrolyte for a lithium battery, wherein the polymer electrolyte includes a polymerization product of a lithium ion conductive compound including an ethylenically unsaturated bond, a lithium ion conductive unit, and an ion-exchangeable functional group; and a heteroatom-containing ionic liquid polymerizable with the lithium ion conductive compound. |
| US09979043B2 |
Three dimensional secondary battery including elastic member and method of fabricating the same
A three dimensional (“3D”) secondary battery includes an electrolyte layer and an anode active material layer that are sequentially stacked on a plurality of first trenches that are provided in a cathode active material layer where, in the anode active material layer, a plurality of second trenches having similar shape to that of the first trenches is provided and the plurality of second trenches are filled with an elastic member and where the elastic member absorbs expansion of the anode active material layer during charging and discharging the 3D secondary battery, and thus, the degradation of the 3-dimensional secondary battery is prevented. |
| US09979042B2 |
Fuel cell stack
A fuel cell stack includes bonding members for joining projecting sections of adjacent frames in cell modules, an inter-cell module seal member forming a seal between the cell modules, and supporting members disposed between adjacent frames in the cell modules. As viewed from above in the direction in which the cell modules are layered, the supporting members overlap at least a part of a section of the inter-cell module seal member that contacts the cell modules. |
| US09979035B2 |
Fuel cell system
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell; and a control unit that is configured to set a target current value of the fuel cell based on an output request for the fuel cell, predict that a voltage drop of the fuel cell occurs in a high current region of the fuel cell, based on an output voltage value of the fuel cell in a low current region of the fuel cell, if an output current value of the fuel cell is in the low current region and the target current value is above a current threshold that is set in the high current region, reset the target current value to a current value that is smaller than the set target current value, if it is predicted that the voltage drop occurs, and change the output current value of the fuel cell to the reset target current value. |
| US09979034B2 |
Fuel cell based power generator and fuel cartridge
A power generator includes a power generator cavity adapted to receive a fuel cartridge, a protrusion disposed with in the cavity to engage a check valve of the fuel cartridge, a fuel cell to convert hydrogen and oxygen to electricity and to generate water vapor, and a passage to transport hydrogen from the cavity to the fuel cell and water vapor to the cavity. |
| US09979031B2 |
Structure and method of production for a bipolar plate of a fuel cell
A kit for forming a bipolar plate of a fuel cell, the kit comprising two half-plates (1A, 1B) adapted to be assembled one against the other, each of the two half-plates (1A, 1B) having grooves (11A, 12A, 11B, 12B) formed by embossing and extending in a longitudinal direction (X-X), and being adapted to form reagent flow channels (5A, 5B) on either side of the half-plates (1A, 1B), together with heat transfer fluid flow ducts (6) between the two half-plates (1A, 1B), the kit being characterized in that the half-plates (1A, 1B) are identical, each having at least one pair of complementary indexing elements (2A1, 2A2, 2B1, 2B2, 3A1, 3A2, 3B1, 3B2) made by embossing and adapted to center said half-plates (1A, 1B) relative to each other when they are assembled together. |
| US09979030B2 |
Strip product forming a surface coating of perovskite or spinel for electrical contacts
A strip product consists of a metallic substrate, such as stainless steel, and a coating, which in turn comprises at least one metallic layer and one reactive layer. The coated strip product is produced by providing the different layers, preferably by coating, and thereafter oxidizing the coating to accomplish a conductive surface layer comprising perovskite and/or spinel structure. |
| US09979029B2 |
Systems and methods for generating electric power from salts and minerals in bodies of water
An electricity generating system includes a first electrode located at a first location in a body of salt water and a second electrode located at a second location in the body of salt water. The first and second electrodes may be of the same or different materials and are designed to present a large surface area to the body of water. A direct current flows between the two electrodes which is a function of the salinity of the water and the composition of the electrodes. The direct current is applied to the input port of a converting device which may be any suitable power inverter which can produce a output AC voltage corresponding to the direct current or a DC to DC converter to produce an output DC voltage corresponding to the direct current. |
| US09979028B2 |
Conformal thin film of precious metal on a support
A coated substrate for forming fuel cell catalyst layers includes a plurality of substrate particles, an adhesion layer disposed over the substrate particles, and a precious metal layer disposed over the adhesion layer. The substrate particles may be carbon powders, carbon nanorods, carbon nanotubes and combinations thereof; with a preferred aspect ratio from 10:1 to 25:1. The adhesion layer includes a tungsten metal layer and may be formed into a heterogeneous layer comprising a lattice-interrupting layer interposed between two tungsten metal layers. The lattice-interrupting layer reduces mechanical stress to the adhesion layer with extended thickness that may develop when it experiences changing environments, and can be any layer other than the metal layer, for example, Al2O3, Al, or WOx, where x is 1.5 to 3.0. Characteristically, the coated substrate is used in fuel cell applications such as providing the catalyst particles used in the cathode and/or anode catalyst layers. |
| US09979023B2 |
Positive active material and rechargeable lithium battery including same
The present invention provides a positive active material including a lithium-containing compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1 and a rechargeable lithium battery including the positive active material. LiFe1-x-zMxM′zPyO4. Chemical Formula 1 |
| US09979022B2 |
Positive electrode material, positive electrode for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A positive electrode material includes: Li2NiαM1βM2γMnηO4-∈ that has a layered structure including a Li layer and a Ni layer, and in which a Ni—O bond length is shorter than that calculated from the Shannon's ionic radii. α satisfies a relation of 0.50<α≤1.33, β satisfies a relation of 0≤β<0.67, γ satisfies a relation of 0.33≤γ≤1.1, η satisfies a relation of 0≤η≤1.00, ∈ satisfies a relation of 0≤∈≤1.00, M1 represents at least one selected from Co and Ga, M2 represents at least one selected from Ge, Sn and Sb. A positive electrode material may indicate a peak intensity ratio (I003/I104) of 0.9 or more in a measurement of a powder X-ray diffraction indexed with a space group of R3m. |
| US09979020B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte battery and battery pack
According to one embodiment, a nonaqueous electrolyte battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte is provided. The positive electrode includes an active material including Li1−xMn2−y−zAlyMzO4 (−0.1≤x≤1, 0.20≤y≤0.35, 0≤z≤0.1, M is at least one metal selected from Mg, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, and Sn). The negative electrode includes an active material including a first oxide represented by Li4+aTi5O12 (−0.5≤a≤3) and a second oxide of at least one element selected from Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Ni, Zn, and Zr. The second oxide is included in an amount of from 300 ppm to 5000 ppm relative to a weight of the first oxide. |
| US09979015B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolytic solution secondary battery
The present teaching provides a nonaqueous electrolytic solution secondary battery in which both a satisfactory high-rate characteristic and a high cycle characteristic (prevention of decrease in capacity) are realized. The nonaqueous electrolytic solution secondary battery of the present teaching includes a positive electrode provided with a positive electrode active material layer, a negative electrode provided with a negative electrode active material layer, and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution. The negative electrode active material layer includes a negative electrode active material and carbon black. A coating film made of a lithium transition metal composite oxide having lithium ion conductivity is formed on at least part of a surface of the carbon black. |
| US09979011B2 |
LixMn2O4-y(C1z) spinal cathode material, method of preparing the same, and rechargeable lithium and li-ion electrochemical systems containing the same
A method of preparing a homogeneously dispersed chlorine-modified lithium manganese-based AB2O4 spinel cathode material is provided. Furthermore, a homogeneously dispersed chlorine-modified lithium manganese-based AB2O4 spinel cathode material is provided. In addition, a lithium or lithium ion rechargeable electrochemical cell is provided incorporating a homogeneously dispersed chlorine-modified lithium manganese-based AB2O4 spinel cathode material in a positive electrode. |
| US09979006B2 |
Battery pack including drainage system having floating body to close drainage hole
Provided is a battery pack including a drainage system capable of efficiently discharging water collected inside the battery pack using buoyancy, preventing moisture permeation from the outside, and being implemented in a simple structure to maximize economical feasibility. The battery pack includes a battery pack case having a battery pack embedded therein and having a drainage hole formed in one side thereof; and a drainage system including a body provided to be concatenated with one side of the battery pack case of a position corresponding to the drainage hole and a floating body accommodated in the body and elevated by an introduced fluid to close the drainage hole. |
| US09979005B2 |
Rechargeable battery having short circuit member
A rechargeable battery has a short circuit member that improves safety. The rechargeable battery includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrode and a second electrode; a case having an opening and housing the electrode assembly; a first terminal electrically connected to the first electrode; a second terminal electrically connected to the second electrode; a cap plate coupled to the case at the opening, the cap plate having a short circuit opening and being electrically connected to the first electrode; a short circuit member inserted into the short circuit opening and electrically connecting the cap plate to the second terminal when the short circuit member is modified due to a change in pressure; an upper cover covering the short circuit opening and having an air opening; and a plug inserted into the air opening and being movable by the short circuit member. |
| US09979004B2 |
Clad material
The clad material comprises outer layers each consisting of Ni or Ni alloy and a base layer consisting of Cu or Cu alloy, and is characterized in that peeling-off at a clad boundary is not recognized in cross section observation made after the clad material has been subjected to a 90° reverse bend test ten times, and the number of reverse bend cycles before rupture is 17 cycles or more. The clad material has with both of excellent corrosion resistance against electrolytic solution and high electric conductivity. |
| US09979001B2 |
Battery explosion-proof device and battery pack comprising the same
A battery explosion-proof device battery explosion-proof device includes a valve body, a rupture plate, and a protecting cover. The valve body includes a base portion and a shaft portion connected with the base portion. The shaft portion may be formed with threads on an external circumferential surface thereof and with a venting passage. The rupture plate may be disposed inside a concaved portion of the base portion for sealing the venting passage. The protecting cover covers the concaved portion. |
| US09978998B2 |
Battery module array comprising under-base bar
Disclosed is a battery module array which has high space utilization and is easy to fabricate. The battery module array includes a plurality of battery modules, end plates, tension bars, a front sensing unit, a rear sensing unit, an under-base bar, a front cover, and a rear cover. |
| US09978997B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and method of fabricating the same
The present disclosure relates to an organic light emitting display device including a substrate having an outer part and a display part, a driving thin film transistor on each of a plurality of pixel regions within the display part of the substrate, a pixel electrode on each pixel region of the display part, an organic light emitting unit on each pixel region of the display part to emit light, a common electrode on the organic light emitting unit and a bank layer to apply a signal to the organic light emitting layer, and a first passivation layer, an organic insulating layer and a second passivation layer on the outer part and the display part, wherein the first passivation layer and the second passivation layer are removed from the outermost region of the outer part, so that the substrate is exposed to the outside. |
| US09978993B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode and method for producing an organic light-emitting diode
In one embodiment the organic light-emitting diode includes a substrate having a substrate upper side, an electrically conductive grid structure for a current distribution and an electrically conductive particle layer, which are located at the substrate upper side. The grid structure may be embedded in the particle layer. An organic layer sequence for generating the radiation is located directly on the particle layer. A covering electrode is attached to the organic layer sequence. The particle layer comprises scattering particles having a first average diameter and electrically conductive particles having a smaller second average diameter. The scattering particles are densely packed together with the conductive particles. The particle layer forms, together with the grid structure, a substrate electrode for the organic layer sequence. |
| US09978988B2 |
Organic light-emitting display apparatus
An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a substrate, a pixel electrode on the substrate, a capping layer on the pixel electrode, a second organic layer on the capping layer, a first organic layer between the capping layer and the second organic layer and corresponding to the pixel electrode, and an inorganic layer on the second organic layer. |
| US09978986B2 |
Light emitting apparatus
A light emitting apparatus (10) includes a substrate (100), an insulating layer (160), a light emitting element (102), a coating film (140), and a structure (150). The insulating layer (160) is formed over one surface of the substrate (100), and includes an opening (162). The light emitting element (102) is formed in the opening (162). The coating film (140) is formed over the one surface of the substrate (100), and covers a portion of the light emitting element (102), the insulating layer (160), and the one surface of the substrate (100). The coating film (140) does not cover another portion of the substrate (100) (for example, a portion of an end portion: hereinafter, referred to as a first portion). The structure (150) is located between the first portion of the substrate (100) and the insulating layer (160). The coating film (140) also covers the insulating layer (160). |
| US09978983B2 |
Organic light-emitting device
The present specification provides an organic light emitting device. |
| US09978971B2 |
Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device
Emission efficiency of a light-emitting element is improved. The light-emitting element has a pair of electrodes and an EL layer between the pair of electrodes. The EL layer includes a first light-emitting layer and a second light-emitting layer. The first light-emitting layer includes a fluorescent material and a host material. The second light-emitting layer includes a phosphorescent material, a first organic compound, and a second organic compound. An emission spectrum of the second light-emitting layer has a peak in a yellow wavelength region. The first organic compound and the second organic compound form an exciplex. |
| US09978968B2 |
Photovoltaic cells with a graded active region achieved using stamp transfer printing
Disclosed herein are processes for fabricating organic photosensitive optoelectronic devices with a vertical compositionally graded organic active layer. The processes use either a single-stamp or double-stamp printing technique to transfer the vertical compositionally graded organic active layer from a starting substrate to a device layer. |
| US09978967B2 |
Method for producing an organic field effect transistor and an organic field effect transistor
Methods for producing organic field effect transistors, organic field effect transistors, and electronic switching devices are provided. The methods may include providing a gate electrode and a gate insulator assigned to the gate electrode for electrical insulation on a substrate, depositing a first organic semiconducting layer on the gate insulator, generating a first electrode and an electrode insulator assigned to the first electrode for electrical insulation on the first organic semiconducting layer, depositing a second organic semiconducting layer on the first organic semiconducting layer and the electrode insulator, and generating a second electrode on the second organic semiconducting layer. |
| US09978963B2 |
Material for organic electroluminescent elements, and organic electroluminescent element using same
Provided are an organic electroluminescent device (organic EL device) that is improved in luminous efficacy, sufficiently secures driving stability, and has a simple construction, and a material for organic EL devices to be used in the organic EL device. The material for organic EL devices is a material for organic EL devices formed of an ortho-carborane compound having a structure in which a silyl group (—SiR3) is bonded to a divalent ortho-carborane group represented by C2B10H10 through an aromatic group. In addition, the organic electroluminescent device is an organic electroluminescent device having a structure in which an anode, an organic layer, and a cathode are laminated on a substrate, the device having an organic layer containing the ortho-carborane compound, and the organic layer being a light-emitting layer, an electron-transporting layer, a hole-blocking layer, or an exciton-blocking layer. |
| US09978961B2 |
Organic electroluminescent materials and devices
A compound comprising a ligand LA of Formula I: as well as, devices and formulations containing the compound of Formula 1 are disclosed. In the compounds, having a ligand La of Formula I: wherein R1 represents mono, or di-substitution, or no substitution; wherein R2 represents mono, di, tri, or tetra-substitution, or no substitution; wherein R is selected from hydrogen, deuterium, alkyl, cycloalkyl, and combinations thereof; wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from hydrogen, deuterium, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and combinations thereof; wherein any adjacent substituents of R2 are optionally joined to form a fused ring; wherein the ligand LA is coordinated to a metal M; and wherein the ligand LA is optionally linked with other ligands to comprise a tridentate, tetradentate, pentadentate or hexadentate ligand. |
| US09978959B2 |
Organometallic compound and organic light-emitting diode including the same
An organometallic compound, an organic light-emitting device including the same, and a method of manufacturing organic light-emitting device, the organometallic compound being represented by Formula 1, below: |
| US09978957B2 |
Materials for organic electroluminescent devices
Triphenylene derivatives, in particular for use as triplet matrix materials in organic electroluminescent devices, one of example of which is represented by formula I. The invention furthermore relates to a process for the preparation of the triphenylene derivatives and to electronic devices comprising the triphenylene derivatives. |
| US09978955B2 |
Organic light-emitting device
An organic light-emitting device including a first electrode; a second electrode; and an organic layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the organic layer includes at least one first material and at least one second material, the first material being represented by one of Formulae 1-1 and 1-2, below, and the second material being represented by Formula 2, below: (A21)n21-(A22)n22-(A23)n23-(A24)n24. |
| US09978950B2 |
Materials for electronic devices
The present application relates to a compound of a formula (I) which contains a spirobifluorene basic structure condensed onto a benzofuran unit. The application furthermore relates to a process for the preparation of the compound of the formula (I), and to the use of the compound of the formula (I) in an electronic device. |
| US09978949B2 |
Materials for electronic devices
The application relates to a compound of a formula (I) which is suitable for use as functional material in electronic devices. |
| US09978948B2 |
Ink composition, organic electroluminescence element, and electronic apparatus
Provided is an ink composition including the following components (A), (B), and (C).The component (A) is an anthracene derivative represented by the following formula (A1).The component (B) is an aromatic amine derivative represented by the following formula (B1) (in the formula (B1), one or more of Ar1 to Ar4 are a heterocyclic group represented by the following formula (B1′)).The component (C) is a solvent represented by the following formula (C1) and having a boiling point of 110° C. or higher and a solubility of 1 wt % or less in water. |
| US09978947B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device is disclosed. The organic light emitting device includes a first light emitting part between an anode and a cathode, the first light emitting layer having a hole injection layer, a first hole transport layer, and a first light emitting layer; a second light emitting part over the first light emitting part, the second light emitting part having a second hole transport layer and a second light emitting layer; and a first charge generation layer between the first light emitting part and the second light emitting part, the first charge generation layer having a P-type charge generation layer, wherein at least one among the hole injection layer, the first hole transport layer, the second hole transport layer, and the P-type charge generation layer includes a carbonitrile compound. |
| US09978945B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device is disclosed. The organic light emitting display device comprises at least two light emitting parts between an anode and a cathode, each of the light emitting parts having a light emitting layer and an electron transport layer, charge generation layers between the at least two light emitting parts, wherein at least one among the electron transport layers in the at least two light emitting parts includes a pyrimidine derivative at both sides of the core so as to reduce a driving voltage and increase an efficiency of the organic light emitting display device. |
| US09978941B2 |
Self-rectifying resistive random access memory cell structure
A self-rectifying resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell structure is provided. The self-rectifying RRAM cell structure includes a first electrode. An insulator-metal-transition (IMT) material layer is disposed on the first electrode. A barrier layer is disposed on the IMT material layer. A second electrode is disposed on the barrier layer. The IMT material layer is separated from the second electrode by the barrier layer. |
| US09978940B2 |
Memristor and method of production thereof
A device is disclosed which comprises a first electrode (101), a second electrode (104) spaced from the first electrode, a switching region (102) positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an intermediate region (103) positioned between the switching region and the second electrode, wherein the intermediate region is in electrical contact with the switching region and the second electrode. Preferably, the intermediate region comprises metal nanowires (105) in a polymer matrix, and the device is a memristor or a memcapacitor. In the latter case, the switching region comprises a conductive material (106) and an insulating material (107). |
| US09978938B2 |
Resistive RAM structure and method of fabrication thereof
A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure of an RRAM device includes a first electrode and a second electrode with an insulating layer interposing the first and second electrodes. The conductive filament providing for a switching function of the RRAM device may be formed within the insulating layer. Further, a nitrogen-rich metal layer interposes the second electrode and the insulating layer. The nitrogen-rich metal layer includes a greater nitrogen concentration than that of the adjacent second electrode. |
| US09978937B2 |
Methods of forming and using materials containing silicon and nitrogen
Some embodiments include methods utilizing atomic layer deposition to form material containing silicon and nitrogen (e.g., silicon nitride). The atomic layer deposition uses Sil4 as one precursor and uses a nitrogen-containing material as another precursor. Some embodiments include methods of forming a structure in which a chalcogenide region is formed over a semiconductor substrate; and in which Sil4 is used as a precursor during formation of silicon nitride material directly against a surface of the chalcogenide region. |
| US09978936B2 |
Post deposition adjustment of chalcogenide composition in chalcogenide containing semiconductors
The concentration of a constituent within a chalcogenide film used to form a chalcogenide containing semiconductor may be adjusted post deposition by reacting the chalcogenide film with a material in contact with the chalcogenide film. For example, a chalcogenide film containing tellurium may be coated with a titanium layer. Upon the application of heat, the titanium may react with the tellurium to a controlled extent to reduce the concentration of tellurium in the chalcogenide film. |
| US09978930B2 |
Method for doping an active hall effect region of a hall effect device
Methods for doping an active Hall effect region of a Hall effect device in a semiconductor substrate, and Hall effect devices having a doped active Hall effect region are provided. A method includes forming a first doping profile of a first doping type in a first depth region of the active Hall effect region by means of a first implantation with a first implantation energy level, forming a second doping profile of the first doping type in a second depth region of the active Hall effect region by means of a second implantation with a second implantation energy level, and forming an overall doping profile of the active Hall effect region by annealing the semiconductor substrate with the active Hall effect region having the first and the second doping profile. |
| US09978926B2 |
Thermal radiation microsensor comprising thermoelectric micro pillars
A thermal radiation microsensor can comprise thermoelectric micro pillars, in which multiple vertically standing thermoelectric micro pillars can act as thermoelectric pairs and mechanical support of an absorption layer. Radiation absorbed by the absorption layer can produce a temperature difference, which drives the thermocouple comprising p-type and n-type micro pillars to output a voltage. Multiple thermocouples can be connected in series to improve the signal output. |
| US09978925B2 |
Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters for processes including enhanced oil recovery
Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters, for processes including enhanced oil recovery. A representative system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a water source, a solar collector that includes a collector inlet, a collector outlet, and a plurality of solar concentrators positioned to heat water passing from the collector inlet to the collector outlet, a fuel-fired heater, a steam outlet connected to an oil field injection well, and a water flow network coupled among the water source, the solar collector, the heater, and the steam outlet. The system can further include a controller operatively coupled to the water flow network and programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct at least one portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a first sequence, and direct the at least one portion or a different portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a second sequence different than the first sequence. |
| US09978924B2 |
Method of producing thermoelectric material
A process for manufacturing a nanocomposite thermoelectric material having a plurality of nanoparticle inclusions. The process includes determining a material composition to be investigated for the nanocomposite thermoelectric material, the material composition including a conductive bulk material and a nanoparticle material. In addition, a range of surface roughness values for the insulating nanoparticle material that can be obtained using current state of the art manufacturing techniques is determined. Thereafter, a plurality of Seebeck coefficients, electrical resistivity values, thermal conductivity values and figure of merit values as a function of the range of nanoparticle material surface roughness values is calculated. Based on these calculated values, a nanocomposite thermoelectric material composition or ranges of compositions is/are selected and manufactured. |
| US09978923B2 |
Light emitting device having heat dissipation terminal arranged on substrate
A light emitting device includes a substrate, a light emitting element, a sealing member, a light transmissive member and a heat dissipation terminal. The substrate includes an insulating base material which has a concave portion with an inner curved surface. The sealing member is in contact with at least a part of a side surface of the light emitting element and is formed substantially in the same plane as the substrate on a mounting surface. The light transmissive member covers an upper surface of the light emitting element and a part of an upper surface of the sealing member, side surfaces of the light transmissive member being covered with the sealing member. The heat dissipation terminal is arranged generally in the center on a second main surface of the substrate and that has a recess portion as viewed along a direction normal to the second main surface. |
| US09978921B2 |
Light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same. The light emitting device includes a body, a first electrode installed in the body and a second electrode separated from the first electrode, a light emitting chip formed on one of the first and second electrodes, and electrically connected to the first and second electrodes, and a protective cap projecting between the first and second electrodes. |
| US09978919B2 |
Light emitting device
Disclosed is a light emitting device. The light emitting device comprises: a first lead and a second lead which are spaced apart from each other; a body part comprising a base, a reflector, and a cavity; and a light emitting diode which is disposed in the cavity, wherein the first lead includes a first bottom lead and a first top lead located on the first bottom lead, and the second lead includes a second bottom lead and a second top lead located on the second bottom lead, and wherein a separation region between the first top lead and the second top lead has a different shape than the separation region between the first bottom lead and the second bottom lead, the separation region between the first top lead and the second top lead having a shape bent at least once. |
| US09978916B2 |
Optoelectronic component
An optoelectronic component includes a carrier, and a light source arranged on a surface of the carrier, said light source including at least one luminous surface formed by at least one light-emitting diode, wherein a transparent converter-free spacer is arranged on the luminous surface such that a distance is formed between the luminous surface and a spacer surface of the spacer facing away from the luminous surface, and wherein the light source is potted by a potting compound such that the spacer surface is formed extending flush with a potting compound surface facing away from the surface of the carrier and a surface formed by a spacer surface and the potting compound surface is plane. |
| US09978908B2 |
Non-polar blue light LED epitaxial wafer based on LAO substrate and preparation method thereof
A non-polar blue light LED epitaxial wafer based on an LAO substrate comprises the LAO substrate, and a buffer layer, a first non-doped layer, a first doped layer, a quantum well layer, an electron barrier layer and a second doped layer that are sequentially arranged on the LAO substrate. A preparation method of the non-polar blue light LED epitaxial wafer includes: a) adopting the LAO substrate, selecting a crystal orientation, and cleaning a surface of the LAO substrate; b) annealing the LAO substrate, and forming an AlN seed crystal layer on the surface of the LAO substrate; and c) sequentially forming a non-polar m face GaN buffer layer, a non-polar non-doped u-GaN layer, a non-polar n-type doped GaN film, a non-polar InGaN/GaN quantum well, a non-polar m face AlGaN electron barrier layer and a non-polar p-type doped GaN film on the LAO substrate by adopting metal organic chemical vapor deposition. |
| US09978907B2 |
Semiconductor ultraviolet light emitting device having improved light extraction efficiency
A semiconductor ultraviolet light emitting device includes: a substrate; a buffer layer disposed on the substrate and comprising a plurality of nanorods between which a plurality of voids are formed; a first conductive nitride layer disposed on the buffer layer and having a first conductive AlGaN layer; an active layer disposed on the first conductive nitride layer and having a quantum well including AlxInyGa1-x-yN (0≤x+y≤1, 0≤y<0.15); and a second conductive nitride layer disposed on the active layer and having a second conductive AlGaN layer, in which the plurality of nanorods satisfy 3.5≤n(λ)×D/λ≤5.0, where λ represents a wavelength of light generated by the active layer, n(λ) represents a refractive index of the plurality of nanorods at a wavelength of λ, and D represents diameters of the plurality of nanorods. |
| US09978902B2 |
Passivation stack on a crystalline silicon solar cell
A method for manufacturing a passivation stack on a crystalline silicon solar cell device. The method includes providing a substrate comprising a crystalline silicone layer such as a crystalline silicon wafer or chip, cleaning a surface of the crystalline silicon layer by removing an oxide layer at least from a portion of one side of the crystalline silicon layer, depositing, on at least a part of the cleaned surface, a layer of silicon oxynitride, and depositing a capping layer comprising a hydrogenated dielectric material on top of the layer of silicon oxynitride, wherein the layer of silicon oxynitride is deposited at a temperature from 100° C. to 200° C., and the step of depositing the layer of silicon oxynitride includes using N2O and SiH4 as precursor gasses in an N2 ambient atmosphere and depositing silicon oxynitride with a gas flow ratio of N2O to SiH4 below 2. |
| US09978900B2 |
Heliostat system and method of using same
A heliostat includes a heliostat frame and a plurality of reflective surfaces, each reflective surface is movably mounted within the heliostat frame. The heliostat also includes a plurality of actuators, wherein each individual actuator of the plurality of actuators is associated with a single reflective surface of the plurality reflective surfaces and capable of moving the single reflective surface. |
| US09978893B2 |
Layered bonded structures formed from reactive bonding of zinc metal and zinc peroxide
A system, method, and apparatus for layered bonded structures formed from reactive bonding between zinc metal and zinc peroxide are disclosed herein. In particular, the present disclosure teaches a layered bonded structure wherein two structures are bonded together with a layer including zinc oxide. The zinc oxide is formed through a method that includes processing the two structures by contacting the structures under pressure and applying heat to the structures to promote a reaction with zinc peroxide and zinc metal on one or both of the two structures. |
| US09978892B2 |
Transparent glass pane provided with a surface structure
A method of manufacturing a transparent pane, in particular a glass pane, which includes on at least one of its main surfaces a surface structure including an assembly of specified individual motifs in relief, in particular pyramids, cones, or truncated cones, created by embossing or by rolling. A structure is created on the surface of the pane constituted by individual motifs, based on one or more basic motifs but which are distinguished from each other by their depth, their height, and/or the perimeter of their base area, and/or by the position of their peak with respect to their base. With this variation, formation of intensity peaks of the reflected light is prevented and at the same time a high quality of light trapping is obtained by panes suitable, for example, for solar applications. |
| US09978890B1 |
Germanium multi-directional detector
Embodiments herein describe a photonic device that includes a germanium photodetector coupled to multiple silicon waveguides. In one embodiment, the silicon waveguides optically couple to a layer of germanium material. In one embodiment, if the germanium material forms a polygon, then a respective silicon waveguide optically couple to each of the corners of the polygon. Each of the plurality of input silicon waveguides may be arranged to transmit light in a direction under the germanium that is offset relative to both sides of the germanium forming the respective corner. In another example, the germanium material may be a circle or ellipse in which case the silicon waveguides terminate at or close to a non-straight, curved surface of the germanium material. As described below, optically coupling the silicon waveguides at a non-straight surface can reduce the distance charge carriers have to travel in the optical detector which can improve bandwidth. |
| US09978881B2 |
Integrated circuit devices and method of manufacturing the same
An integrated circuit device includes a substrate, first and second fin active regions formed on the substrate and extending in a first direction parallel to a top surface of the substrate, a first gate structure disposed on a side surface of the first fin active region, a pair of first impurity regions respectively formed on a top portion and a bottom portion of the first fin active region, a second gate structure disposed on a side surface of the second fin active region, and a pair of second impurity regions respectively formed on a top portion or a bottom portion of the second fin active region, wherein the pair of first impurity regions vertically overlap each other, and the pair of second impurity regions do not vertically overlap each other. |
| US09978877B2 |
Electroconductive thin film, coating liquid for forming electroconductive thin film, field-effect transistor, and method for producing field-effect transistor
To provide an electroconductive thin film, containing: a metal oxide containing indium and tin; and gold. |
| US09978871B2 |
Bulk to silicon on insulator device
A method for forming a semiconductor device comprises forming a fin in a bulk semiconductor substrate and depositing a first insulator layer over portions of the bulk semiconductor substrate adjacent to the fin. The method further includes removing portions of the first insulator layer to reduce a thickness of the first insulator layer and expose a sidewall of the fin. An etch stop layer is deposited on the first insulator layer. A gate stack is formed over a channel region of the fin and over portions of the etch stop layer. A portion of the bulk semiconductor substrate is removed to expose portions of the etch stop layer and the fin, and a second insulator layer is deposited over exposed portions of the fin and the etch stop layer. |
| US09978865B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes first source/drain regions disposed at both sides of a first gate structure and including dopants of a first conductivity type, counter regions being in contact with upper portions of the first source/drain regions and under both end portions of the first gate structure, and first halo regions in contact with bottom surfaces of the first source/drain regions. The counter regions include dopants of a second conductivity type that is different from the first conductivity type. The first halo regions include dopants of the second conductivity type. |
| US09978863B2 |
Semiconductor arrangement with one or more semiconductor columns
A semiconductor arrangement comprises a substrate region and a first semiconductor column projecting from the substrate region. The semiconductor arrangement comprises a second semiconductor column projecting from the substrate region. The second semiconductor column is separated a first distance from the first semiconductor column. The first distance is between about 10 nm to about 30 nm. |
| US09978856B2 |
Bipolar transistor
Presented is a bipolar transistor capable of improving a current amplification rate while improving voltage resistance. A bipolar transistor is provided with a p-type emitter region, a p-type collector region, an n-type base region located between the emitter region and the collector region, a p-type first embedded region located below the base region, and an n-type region having a lower n-type impurity concentration than the base region. The base region is provided with a first high-concentration region and a low-concentration region positioned above the first embedded region, and a second high-concentration region positioned on a collector region side than the low-concentration region, wherein the second high-concentration region has a higher n-type impurity concentration than the low-concentration region. |
| US09978855B2 |
Semiconductor device, method for manufacturing semiconductor device, and method for forming oxide film
One embodiment of the present invention is a semiconductor device at least including an oxide semiconductor film, a gate insulating film in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, and a gate electrode overlapping with the oxide semiconductor film with the gate insulating film therebetween. The oxide semiconductor film has a spin density lower than 9.3×1016 spins/cm3 and a carrier density lower than 1×1015/cm3. The spin density is calculated from a peak of a signal detected at a g value (g) of around 1.93 by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The oxide semiconductor film is formed by a sputtering method while bias power is supplied to the substrate side and self-bias voltage is controlled, and then subjected to heat treatment. |
| US09978853B2 |
Method of forming gate structure of a semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a gate strip including a dummy electrode and a TiN layer. The method includes removing a first portion of the dummy electrode to form a first opening over a P-active region and an isolation region. The method includes performing an oxygen-containing plasma treatment on a first portion of the TiN layer; and filling the first opening with a first metal material. The method includes removing a second portion of the dummy electrode to form a second opening over an N-active region and the isolation region. The method includes performing a nitrogen-containing plasma treatment on a second portion of the TiN layer; and filling the second opening with a second metal material. The second portion of the TiN layer connects to the first portion of the TiN layer over the isolation region. |
| US09978851B2 |
n-channel bipolar power semiconductor device with p-layer in the drift volume
A power semiconductor device having a semiconductor body configured to conduct a load current is disclosed. In one example, the device includes a source region having dopants of a first conductivity type; a semiconductor channel region implemented in the semiconductor body and separating the source region from a remaining portion of the semiconductor body; a trench of a first trench type extending in the semiconductor body along an extension direction and being arranged adjacent to the semiconductor channel region, the trench of the first trench type including a control electrode that is insulated from the semiconductor body. The semiconductor body further comprises: a barrier region and a drift volume having at least a first drift region wherein the barrier region couples the first drift region with the semiconductor channel region. |
| US09978849B2 |
SOI-MOSFET gate insulation layer with different thickness
Methods form transistor structures that include, among other components, a substrate having an active region bordered by an isolation region, a gate insulator on the substrate, and a gate conductor on the gate insulator. First and second sections of the gate conductor are within the active region of the substrate, while a third section is in the isolation region of the substrate. The second section of the gate conductor tapers from the width of the first section to the width of the wider third section. The first section and the second section of the gate conductor have undercut regions where the corner of the gate conductor contacts the substrate. The third section of the gate conductor lacks the undercut regions. The gate insulator is relatively thicker in the undercut regions and is relatively thinner where the corner of the gate conductor lacks the undercut regions in the isolation region. |
| US09978846B2 |
Method for forming stepped oxide on a substrate
A method for forming a steeped oxide on a substrate is described: successively forming a first pad oxide layer, a nitride layer, a second pad oxide layer and a poly layer on the substrate; etching the poly layer to have an opening for the stepped oxide region; isotropically etching the second pad oxide layer to the nitride layer through the opening to form a stepped trench; isotropically etching the nitride layer to the first pad oxide layer through the opening to expand the stepped trench; filling the stepped trench with dielectric material to form a dielectric layer; planarizing the dielectric layer; removing the poly layer; removing the second pad oxide layer; removing the nitride layer; removing the portion of the first pad oxide layer uncovered by the dielectric layer such that the remaining first pad oxide layer together the remaining dielectric layer forms the stepped oxide. |
| US09978844B2 |
HEMT-compatible lateral rectifier structure
The present disclosure relates to a high electron mobility transistor compatible power lateral field-effect rectifier (L-FER) device. In some embodiments, the rectifier device has an electron supply layer located over a layer of semiconductor material at a position between an anode terminal and a cathode terminal. A layer of doped III-N semiconductor material is disposed over the electron supply layer. A passivation layer is located over the electron supply layer and the layer of doped III-N semiconductor material. A gate structure is disposed over the layer of doped III-N semiconductor material and the passivation layer. The layer of doped III-N semiconductor material modulates the threshold voltage of the rectifier device, while the passivation layer improves reliability of the L-FER device by mitigating current degradation due to high-temperature reverse bias (HTRB) stress. |
| US09978842B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region, a second semiconductor region, a third semiconductor region, a first electrode, a second electrode, a control electrode and an insulating film. The first semiconductor region is of a first conductivity type and includes SiC. The second semiconductor region is provided on the first semiconductor region and has a first surface. The second semiconductor region is of a second conductivity type and includes SiC. The third semiconductor region is provided on the second semiconductor region, is of the first conductivity type and includes SiC. The first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the third semiconductor region. The control electrode is provided on the second semiconductor region. The insulating film is provided between the second semiconductor region and the control electrode. The insulating film contacts the first surface and the control electrode and includes nitrogen. |
| US09978840B2 |
Silicon carbide semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
In a first main surface of a silicon carbide substrate, a second trench having a second side surface which connects to the first main surface and is in contact with a third impurity region and a second impurity region and a second bottom portion continuous to the second side surface is formed. A fourth impurity region has a first region arranged between a second main surface and the second impurity region and a second region connecting the second bottom portion of the second trench and the first region to each other. A first electrode is electrically connected to the third impurity region on a side of the first main surface and is in contact with the second region at the second bottom portion of the second trench. |
| US09978837B2 |
Insulated gate bipolar transistor device having a fin structure
An insulated gate bipolar transistor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a drift region of an insulated gate bipolar transistor structure, a first fin structure starting from the drift region of the semiconductor substrate and extending orthogonal to a main surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a first gate structure of the insulated gate bipolar transistor structure extending alma at least a part of the first fin structure. |
| US09978835B2 |
Semiconductor device including nanowire transistor
A semiconductor device includes at least one nanowire that is disposed over a substrate, extends to be spaced apart from the substrate, and includes a channel region, a gate that surrounds at least a part of the channel region, and a gate dielectric film that is disposed between the channel region and the gate. A source/drain region that contacts one end of the at least one nanowire is formed in a semiconductor layer that extends from the substrate to the one end of the at least one nanowire. Insulating spacers are formed between the substrate and the at least one nanowire. The insulating spacers are disposed between the gate and the source/drain region and are formed of a material that is different from a material of the gate dielectric film. |
| US09978833B2 |
Methods for varied strain on nano-scale field effect transistor devices
A semiconductor device and a method to form the semiconductor device are disclosed. An n-channel component of the semiconductor device includes a first horizontal nanosheet (hNS) stack and a p-channel component includes a second hNS stack. The first hNS stack includes a first gate structure having a plurality of first gate layers and at least one first channel layer. A first internal spacer is disposed between at least one first gate layer and a first source/drain structure in which the first internal spacer has a first length. The second hNS stack includes a second gate structure having a plurality of second gate layers and at least one second channel layer. A second internal spacer is disposed between at least one second gate layer and a second source/drain structure in which the second internal spacer has a second length that is greater than the first length. |
| US09978831B2 |
Vertical power transistor with termination area having doped trenches with variable pitches
Various improvements in vertical transistors, such as IGBTs, are disclosed. The improvements include forming periodic highly-doped p-type emitter dots in the top surface region of a growth substrate, followed by growing the various transistor layers, followed by grounding down the bottom surface of the substrate, followed by a wet etch of the bottom surface to expose the heavily doped p+ layer. A metal contact is then formed over the p+ layer. In another improvement, edge termination structures utilize p-dopants implanted in trenches to create deep p-regions for shaping the electric field, and shallow p-regions between the trenches for rapidly removing holes after turn-off. In another improvement, a dual buffer layer using an n-layer and distributed n+ regions improves breakdown voltage and saturation voltage. In another improvement, p-zones of different concentrations in a termination structure are formed by varying pitches of trenches. In another improvement, beveled saw streets increase breakdown voltage. |
| US09978830B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
An IGBT region includes a collector layer, a first drift layer, a first body layer, an emitter layer, and a trench gate reaching the first drift layer through the first body layer from a front surface side of a semiconductor substrate. A diode region includes a cathode layer, a second drift layer, and a second body layer. A lifetime control region which includes a peak of a crystal defect density is provided in the first drift layer and the second drift layer that are located between a depth of a lower end of the trench gate and surfaces of the first drift layer and the second drift layer. A silicon nitride film is further provided above the trench gate on the front surface side of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09978829B2 |
Low impedance high density deep trench capacitor
Some embodiments relate to high density capacitor structures. Some embodiments include a first trench capacitor, a second trench capacitor and an interconnect structure. The first trench capacitor includes a first capacitor plate disposed in a plurality of trenches in a semiconductor substrate, and a second capacitor plate disposed in the plurality of trenches and separated from the first capacitor plate by a first capacitor dielectric along bottom and sidewall surfaces of the plurality of trenches. The second trench capacitor is disposed over the first trench capacitor. The second trench capacitor includes the second capacitor plate, and a third capacitor plate disposed in the plurality of trenches and separated from the second capacitor plate by a second capacitor dielectric. The interconnect structure connects the first capacitor plate and the third capacitor plate such that the first and second trench capacitors are in parallel. |
| US09978828B2 |
Display device having a multi-layered filling pattern
A display device includes an organic electroluminescent area on the first base substrate, a second base substrate on the organic electroluminescent area and including a light emitting area and a non-light emitting area, a base layer between the organic electroluminescent area and the second base substrate, a conductive layer between the base layer and the organic electroluminescent area, and a filling pattern between the base layer and the conductive layer and overlapping a portion of the conductive layer. The conductive layer overlaps the light emitting area and the non-light emitting area, covers the filling pattern, and contacts the base layer. A portion of the conductive layer may contact the organic electroluminescent area. The filling pattern includes a first filling pattern having an insulating material and a second filling pattern on the first filling pattern. The second filling pattern has a conductive material with a lower resistance than the conductive layer. |
| US09978822B2 |
Electro-optic device and electronic apparatus
An electro-optic device includes an element substrate. The element substrate has a display section and a peripheral circuit section. The display section has a plurality of pixels arranged therein. The peripheral circuit section is disposed around the display section and contains peripheral circuits. The display section has, for each pixel, an organic EL element and a transistor for driving the organic EL element. The organic EL element is disposed above the transistor with a light-reflective layer and an insulating layer in between. The insulating layer has a different film thickness in accordance with to the display color of the pixel. An insulating layer in the peripheral circuit section has the same layer structure as the insulating layer having a largest film thickness in the display section. |
| US09978820B2 |
Organic light emitting display device having a triple dam structure
Disclosed is an organic light emitting display device including a dam structure disposed in a non-display area of a substrate and an alignment mark disposed outside the dam structure. The alignment mark is not covered by, and does not overlap with, the dam structure, because the alignment mark is disposed outside the dame structure. Thus, a scribing process may be performed smoothly. |
| US09978819B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device includes an overcoating layer on a substrate; a first electrode on the overcoating layer; a bank layer on the overcoating layer and the first electrode, the bank layer including an opening through which the first electrode is exposed; a pattern layer having an island shape on the exposed portion of the first electrode; an organic emission layer on the first electrode and the pattern layer; and a second electrode on the organic emission layer. |
| US09978817B2 |
Optoelectronic component
An optoelectronic component and a method to operate the optoelectronic component are disclosed. In an embodiment the optoelectronic component includes an organic light-emitting diode configured to emit radiation through a main emission surface and a liquid crystal element configured to adjust a color location of the radiation, wherein the liquid crystal element is switchable into a first state and into a second state, wherein the liquid crystal element in the first state is suitable for selectively reflecting light of a first wavelength range and in the second state is transparent, and wherein the liquid crystal element is arranged on a rear side of the organic light-emitting diode facing the main emission surface so that light of the first wavelength range that is emitted towards the rear side is at least partially reflected in a direction of the main emission surface in the first state of the liquid crystal element. |
| US09978806B1 |
Three lead RGB LED
An RGB LED uses three leads instead of four. The three RGB semiconductor chips are all connected to a common lead where they are held. One of the three RGB semiconductor chips is connected, in conventional fashion, to a second lead. The other two of the three RGB semiconductor chips are alternately connected to a third lead and wired so that only one will work at a time, depending upon whether a positive or negative current is applied. A controller controls the direct and alternating current applied to the three RGB semiconductor chips to produce the desired combined color for the RGB LED. |
| US09978804B2 |
Electronic device, method of manufacturing the same, and camera
A method of manufacturing an electronic device, comprising fixing a first wafer on a second wafer to form a space theirbetween, via a surrounding member configured to surround the space, forming an opening on a bottom side of the first wafer to expose a conductive member included in the first wafer, and then forming an electrode connected to the conductive member, wherein, in the fixing, the first wafer includes a trench intersecting the surrounding member, on an upper side of the first surface, and, in the forming, the electrode is formed under a condition that the space communicates with an external space via the trench. |
| US09978803B2 |
Imaging apparatus and electronic apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of unit circuits connected to a detection line, and a signal output circuit. Each of the plurality of unit circuits includes a light receiving device including an electrode connected to a wire and an electrode, and a transistor that controls electrical connection between the electrode and the detection line. The signal output circuit includes a light receiving device in a light-blocking state including an electrode connected to a wire and an electrode, and a detection circuit that outputs a detection signal according to a potential of a detection point between the electrode and the electrode when the light receiving device and the light receiving device are in a reverse bias state between the wire and the wire. |
| US09978801B2 |
Multi-spectral photodetector with light-sensing regions having different heights and no color filter layer
In various embodiments, image sensors and methods of making images sensors are disclosed. In an embodiment, an image sensor includes a first pixel region having a pixel electrode, an optically sensitive material of a first thickness, and a counterelectrode. The images sensor also includes a second pixel region comprising a pixel electrode, an optically sensitive material of a second thickness, and a counterelectrode. The first pixel region is configured to detect light in a first spectral band and the second pixel region is configured to detect light in a second spectral band. The first and second spectral bands include an overlapping spectral range. The second spectral band also includes a spectral range that is substantially undetectable by the first pixel region. Other image sensors and methods of making images sensors are also disclosed. |
| US09978800B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device, method of manufacturing thereof, and electronic apparatus
Provided is a solid-state image pickup device including: a plurality of pixels, each of which includes a photoelectric conversion portion and a pixel transistor formed in a front surface side of a substrate, wherein a rear surface side of the substrate is set as a light receiving plane of the photoelectric conversion portion; and an element, which becomes a passive element or an active element, which is disposed in the front surface side of the substrate so as to be superimposed on the photoelectric conversion portion. |
| US09978799B2 |
Solid-state image sensor and electronic device
There is provided a solid-state image sensor including a semiconductor substrate in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, and a wiring layer stacked on the semiconductor substrate and formed in such a manner that a plurality of conductor layers having a plurality of wirings are buried in an insulation film. In the wiring layer, wirings connected to the pixels are formed of two conductor layers. |
| US09978795B1 |
Semiconductor structure
A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a plurality of image sensing devices formed in the substrate, at least a passivation layer formed on the substrate, a plurality of first metal patterns formed on the passivation layer, a plurality of gaps formed between the first metal patterns, an insulating layer lining the gaps, and a plurality of light-guiding structures respectively formed in the gaps. The light-guiding structures respectively include an anchor portion and a body portion, and bottom surfaces of the anchor portions being lower than top surfaces of the first metal patterns. |
| US09978794B2 |
Solid-state imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a solid-state imaging device photoelectrically converting light taken by a lens; and a light shielding member shielding part of light incident on the solid-state imaging device from the lens, wherein an angle made between an edge surface of the light shielding member and an optical axis direction of the lens is larger than an incident angle of light to be incident on an edge portion of the light shielding member. |
| US09978793B2 |
Surface treatment for BSI image sensors
A method comprises implanting ions in a substrate to form a plurality of photo diodes, forming an interconnect layer over a first side of the substrate and applying a first halogen treatment process to a second side of the substrate and forming a first silicon-halogen compound layer over the second side of the substrate as a result of applying the first halogen treatment process. |
| US09978791B2 |
Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same
An image sensor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The image sensor structure includes a first substrate including a first radiation sensing region and a first interconnect structure formed over a front side of the first substrate. The image sensor structure further includes a second substrate including a second radiation sensing region and a second interconnect structure formed over a front side of the second substrate. In addition, the first interconnect structure is bonded with the second interconnect structure. |
| US09978789B2 |
Image-sensing device
An image-sensing device includes a semiconductor substrate, a passive layer, and a light-collecting element. The semiconductor substrate includes a photo-sensing element, and the passive layer is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The light-collecting element is disposed over the passive layer, and includes first, second and third loops. The first loop has a first width. The second loop surrounds the first loop and has a second width that is less than the first width. The third loop surrounds the first and second loops, and has a third width that is less than the second width. The light-collecting element aligns with the photo-sensing element, and the first, second, and third loops include different refractive indices. |
| US09978785B2 |
Image sensor
An image sensor may include: a substrate including a photoelectric conversion element; a first interlayer dielectric layer formed over the photoelectric conversion element; a channel layer including a first region and a second region, the first region being formed in an opening passing through the first interlayer dielectric layer, with a portion of the first region contacting the photoelectric conversion element, and the second region being formed over the first interlayer dielectric layer; a transfer transistor formed over the first region of the channel layer, the transfer transistor including a transfer gate which gapfills the opening; and a reset transistor including a reset gate formed over the second region of the channel layer. |
| US09978782B2 |
Manufacturing method of array substrate, array substrate and display apparatus
The present invention provides a manufacturing method of an array substrate, an array substrate and a display apparatus. The manufacturing method comprises steps of: forming a thin film transistor and a signal line on a glass substrate, and forming an organic insulating layer above the thin film transistor and the signal line correspondingly; forming a passivation insulating layer on the organic insulating layer, wherein, before forming the passivation insulating layer, the manufacturing method further comprises a step of: performing a pre-heating process on the glass substrate on which the organic insulating layer is formed. |
| US09978778B2 |
Method for manufacturing TFT substrate and structure thereof
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a TFT substrate and a structure thereof. The method for manufacturing the TFT substrate arranges a connection electrode (83) that connects two dual gate TFTs in a third metal layer to prevent the design rules of a connection electrode and a second metal layer of the prior art techniques from being narrowed due to the connection electrode being collectively present on the second metal layer with signal lines of a data line and a voltage supply line so as to facilitate increase of an aperture ratio and definition of a display panel. The present invention provides a TFT substrate structure, which has a simple structure and possesses a high aperture ratio and high definition. |
| US09978777B2 |
Display device including thin film transistor array panel and manufacturing method thereof
A TFT array panel of a display device includes a first substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, a first insulating layer including a first hole, the first insulating layer disposed on the first electrode, a second insulating layer disposed on the first insulating layer and including a second hole corresponding to the first hole, and a capping layer including a first inner portion, the capping layer disposed on an inner lateral surface forming the second hole, where an end portion of the first inner portion disposed in the second hole is separated from the first electrode. |
| US09978774B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A highly reliable semiconductor device suitable for miniaturization and high integration is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first insulator; a transistor over the first insulator; a second insulator over the transistor; a first conductor embedded in an opening in the second insulator; a barrier layer over the first conductor; a third insulator over the second insulator and over the barrier layer; and a second conductor over the third insulator. The first insulator, the third insulator, and the barrier layer have a barrier property against oxygen and hydrogen. The second insulator includes an excess-oxygen region. The transistor includes an oxide semiconductor. The barrier layer, the third insulator, and the second conductor function as a capacitor. |
| US09978772B1 |
Memory cells and integrated structures
A memory cell comprises, in the following order, channel material, a charge-passage structure, charge-storage material, a charge-blocking region, and a control gate. The charge-passage structure comprises a first material closest to the channel material, a third material furthest from the channel material, and a second material between the first material and the third material. Dielectric constant (k) of the first material is less than 5.0. Sum of bandgap (BG) and electron affinity (chi) of the second material is no greater than 6.7 eV. The k of the second material is at least 5.0. Sum of BG and chi of the third material is less than 9.0 eV and at least 0.5 eV greater than the sum of the BG and the chi of the second material. |
| US09978769B2 |
Semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate; a stacked body; a columnar portion; a plate portion; and a sidewall insulating film. The thermal expansion coefficient of the substrate is α1. The stacked body includes a plurality of electrode layers and a memory cell array. The columnar portion includes a semiconductor body and a charge storage film. The plate portion includes a first layer and a second layer. The thermal expansion coefficient of the first layer is the α2 being different from the α1. The thermal expansion coefficient of the second layer is the α3 being different from the α2. The value of the α3 is in a direction from the value of the α2 toward the value of the α1. The second layer faces the major surface of the substrate continuously in the memory cell array. |
| US09978767B2 |
Non-volatile memory device
According to one embodiment, a non-volatile memory device includes electrodes, an interlayer insulating film, at least one semiconductor layer, conductive layers, first and second insulating films. The electrodes are arranged in a first direction. The interlayer insulating film is provided between the electrodes. The semiconductor layer extends in the first direction in the electrodes and the interlayer insulating film. The conductive layers are provided between each of the electrodes and the semiconductor layer, and separated from each other in the first direction. The first insulating film is provided between the conductive layers and the semiconductor layer. The second insulating film is provided between each of the electrodes and the conductive layers, and extends between each of the electrodes and the interlayer insulating film adjacent to the each of the electrodes. A width of the conductive layers in the first direction is narrower than that of the second insulating film. |
| US09978766B1 |
Three-dimensional memory device with electrically isolated support pillar structures and method of making thereof
A first tier structure including a first alternating stack of first insulating layers and first sacrificial material layers is formed over a substrate. First support openings and first memory openings are formed through the first tier structure. A dielectric material portion providing electrical isolation from the substrate is formed in each first memory openings. A second tier structure including a second alternating stack of second insulating layers and second sacrificial material layers is formed the first tier structure. Second support openings and second memory openings are formed through the second tier structure above the first support openings and the first memory openings. Memory stack structures are formed in inter-tier openings formed by adjoining the first and second memory openings. The dielectric material portions provide electrical isolation between the substrate and the vertical semiconductor layers formed within support pillar structures to prevent or reduce electrical shorts to the substrate through the support pillar structures. |
| US09978765B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of U-shaped memory strings, each of the plurality of U-shaped memory strings including a first columnar body, a second columnar body, and a conductive connection body. The conductive connection body connects the first columnar body and the second columnar body. A plurality of first memory cells are connected in series in the first columnar body and are composed of a plurality of first conductive layers, a first inter-gate insulating film, a plurality of first floating electrodes, a first tunnel insulating film, and a first memory channel layer. The plurality of first floating electrodes are separated from the plurality of first conductive layers by the first inter-gate insulating film. A plurality of second memory cells are connected in series in the second columnar body, similarly to the plurality of first memory cells. |
| US09978763B2 |
Semiconductor device, related manufacturing method, and related electronic device
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first transistor, and a second transistor. The first transistor includes a first source terminal formed of a material and connected to a first source, a first drain terminal formed of the material and connected to a first drain, a first gate overlapping a portion of the substrate that is between the first source and the first drain, and a first dielectric layer between the first gate and the substrate. The second transistor includes a control gate formed of the material and overlapping a part of the substrate that is positioned between a second source and a second drain, a second dielectric layer between the control gate and the substrate, a floating gate extending through the second dielectric layer to contact a doped region in the substrate, and an insulating member positioned between the control gate and the floating gate. |
| US09978762B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate with a memory region and a logic region, forming a recess of the substrate in the memory region, forming a non-volatile gate stack in the recess, and forming a logic gate stack in the logic region after forming the non-volatile gate stack. |
| US09978759B2 |
Memory devices and method of forming same
A method comprises forming a memory gate structure adjacent to a control gate structure over a substrate, wherein a charge storage layer is between the memory gate structure and the control gate structure and a top surface of the memory gate structure is covered by a gate mask layer, forming a first spacer along sidewalls of the memory gate structure and the gate mask layer, wherein a sidewall of the memory gate structure is fully covered by the first spacer, applying an etching process to the charge storage layer to form an L-shaped charge storage layer and forming a first drain/source region adjacent to the memory gate structure and a second drain/source region adjacent to the control gate structure. |
| US09978758B1 |
Flash memory cell
A flash memory includes a substrate, a memory gate on the substrate, a charge-storage layer between the memory gate and the substrate, a select gate adjacent to the memory gate, a select gate dielectric layer between the select gate and the substrate, a first oxide-nitride spacer between the memory gate and the select gate, and a second oxide-nitride spacer. The select gate includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The second oxide-nitride spacer is disposed between the first oxide-nitride spacer and the upper portion of the select gate. |
| US09978757B2 |
Semiconductor device
A first transistor including a channel formation region, a first gate insulating layer, a first gate electrode, and a first source electrode and a first drain electrode; a second transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, a second source electrode and a second drain electrode, a second gate insulating layer, and a second gate electrode; and a capacitor including one of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode, the second gate insulating layer, and an electrode provided to overlap with one of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode over the second gate insulating layer are provided. The first gate electrode and one of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode are electrically connected to each other. |
| US09978756B2 |
Semiconductor chips and methods of manufacturing the same
Semiconductor chips are provided. A semiconductor chip includes a peripheral circuit region on a substrate. The semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor layer on the peripheral circuit region. The semiconductor chip includes a cell region on the semiconductor layer. Moreover, the semiconductor chip includes a layer/connector that is adjacent the semiconductor layer. Methods of manufacturing semiconductor chips are also provided. |
| US09978755B2 |
Methods and devices for intra-connection structures
A device includes a source/drain region, a gate electrode, and an intra-connection structure. The gate electrode has a top surface, a bottom surface that is opposite to the top surface thereof, and a sidewall that extends between the top and bottom surfaces thereof. The intra-connection structure is coupled electrically to the source/drain region and the sidewall of the gate electrode. A method for fabricating the device is also disclosed. |
| US09978750B1 |
Low resistance source/drain contacts for complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes accessing source/drain regions (S/D) in an n-type field effect transistor (NFET) region and in a p-type field effect transistor (PFET) region. First alloy elements are implanted in the S/D regions in the NFET region, and second alloy elements are implanted in the PFET region with the NFET region blocked. The first and second alloy elements form respective amorphized layers on the S/D regions in respective NFET and PFET regions. The amorphized layers are recrystallized to form metastable recrystallized interfaces using an epitaxy process wherein the metastable recrystallized interfaces formed in respective NFET and PFET regions exceed solubility of the first and second alloy elements in respective materials of the S/D regions in the NFET and PFET regions. Contacts to the metastable recrystallized layers of the S/D regions in the NFET and PFET regions are concurrently formed. |
| US09978749B2 |
Method to improve device performance for FinFET
A method includes providing a semiconductor structure comprising multiple fins and a gate structure on the fins. The method also includes removing a portion of the fins not covered by the gate structure to form a remaining portion of the fins, performing a first epitaxially growth process to form first epitaxially grown regions on the remaining portion of the fins, performing a first annealing process so that an upper portion of the first epitaxially grown regions is greater than a lower portion, performing a second epitaxially growth process on the annealed first epitaxially grown regions to form second epitaxially grown regions, and performing a second annealing process on the second epitaxially grown regions, so that an upper portion of the second epitaxially grown regions is greater than a lower portion. The second epitaxially grown regions are separated from each other before and after the second annealing process. |
| US09978747B2 |
Transistors having offset contacts for reduced off capacitance
Systems, apparatuses and methods for reduced OFF capacitance in switching devices are disclosed. A transistor stack includes first and second doped regions serving as a source and drain, respectively of a transistor, an elongated gate structure including a first gate structure disposed between the first and second regions and serving as a gate of the transistor, a first set of electrical contact pads disposed on the first region, and a second set of electrical contact pads disposed on the second region, the second set of contact pads having an offset position with respect to the first set of contact pads in a longitudinal direction of the first and second regions. |
| US09978746B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the same
Provided is a semiconductor device with a field effect transistor. The semiconductor device may include a substrate including an active pattern, a separation structure crossing the active pattern and dividing the active pattern into first and second region. The separation structure may include a first insulating pattern that fills a recess region between the first and second regions. The first insulating pattern may have a concave top surface. |
| US09978745B2 |
Bipolar junction transistor
A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) includes a semiconductor substrate and a first isolation structure. The semiconductor substrate includes a first fin structure disposed in an emitter region, a second fin structure disposed in a base region, and a third fin structure disposed in a collector region. The first, the second, and the third fin structures are elongated in a first direction respectively. The base region is adjacent to the emitter region, and the base region is located between the emitter region and the collector region. The first isolation structure is disposed between the first fin structure and the second fin structure, and a length of the first isolation structure in the first direction is shorter than or equal to 40 nanometers. An effective base width of the BJT may be reduced by the disposition of the first isolation structure, and a current gain of the BJT may be enhanced accordingly. |
| US09978744B2 |
Resistor and metal-insulator-metal capacitor structure and method
A passive device and method of fabricating the passive device are disclosed herein. The capacitor structure incorporates a resistor and a capacitor. An exemplary method includes receiving a substrate that has undergone front end of line (FEOL) processing, and performing back end of line (BEOL) processing on the substrate, wherein a capacitor structure is formed over the substrate during the BEOL processing, the capacitor structure incorporating a resistor with a capacitor. The BEOL processing can include performing a first metallization process to form a bottom plate of the capacitor structure; forming a dielectric spacer of the capacitor structure over the bottom plate; forming a top plate of the capacitor structure over the dielectric spacer; and performing a second metallization process to form contacts coupled to the top plate and the bottom plate of the capacitor structure. |
| US09978742B2 |
Over-voltage protection circuit
A device is disclosed that includes a first transistor, a second transistor, and a first PODE device. The second transistor is electrically coupled to the first transistor. The first PODE device is adjacent to a drain/source region of the second transistor. A control end of the first PODE device is electrically coupled to a drain/source end of the second transistor. |
| US09978738B2 |
System, apparatus, and method for N/P tuning in a fin-FET
The n-type to p-type fin-FET strength ratio in an integrated logic circuit may be tuned by the use of cut regions in the active and dummy gate electrodes. In some examples, separate cut regions for the dummy gate electrodes and the active gate electrode may be used to allow for different lengths of gate pass-active regions resulting in appropriately tuned integrated logic circuits. |
| US09978736B1 |
Method for manufacturing memory having stacked integrated circuit chip
A method for manufacturing a memory having at least one stacked integrated circuit chip is firstly to remove a plurality of transitional weld structures from a first IC chip. A varied insulation layer is then formed on the first IC chip. The varied insulation layer is then processed by a laser beam to form a plurality of metal-disposed portions. A plurality of chip-conductive structures are then formed on the metal-disposed portions. A plurality of manufactured weld structures is formed on the chip conductive structures. A second IC chip having a plurality of original weld structures is then provided to the first IC chip. The original weld structures of the second IC chip are connected to the chip conductive structures of the first IC chip to form a stacked IC chip. The stacked IC chip is then mounted onto a memory substrate component to form a memory having the stacked IC chip. |
| US09978733B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor component and method for producing same
An optoelectronic semiconductor component includes an optoelectronic semiconductor chip with a first surface and a second surface. The component also includes a protective chip which has a protective diode, a first surface and a second surface. The semiconductor chip and the protective chip are embedded in a molded body. A first electrical contact and a second electrical contact are arranged on the first surface of the semiconductor chip. A third electrical contact and a fourth electrical contact are arranged on the first surface of the protective chip. The first electrical contact is electrically connected to the third electrical contact. In addition, the second electrical contact is electrically connected to the fourth electrical contact. |
| US09978732B2 |
Network with integrated passive device and conductive trace in packaging substrate and related modules and devices
In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a packaging substrate and a die on the packaging substrate. The die includes an integrated passive device and a contact providing an electrical connection to the integrated passive device. A conductive trace of the packaging substrate is in an electrical path between the contact of the die and a ground potential. Such an integrated passive device and conductive trace can be included in a matching network configured to receive an amplified radio frequency signal from a power amplifier, for example. The packaging substrate can be, for example, a laminate substrate. |
| US09978730B2 |
Method of assembly semiconductor device with through-package interconnect
Methods for making semiconductor devices are disclosed herein. A method configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes forming a spacer material on an encapsulant such that the encapsulant separates the spacer material from an active surface of a semiconductor device and at least one interconnect projecting away from the active surface. The method further includes molding the encapsulant such that at least a portion of the interconnect extends through the encapsulant and into the spacer material. The interconnect can include a contact surface that is substantially co-planar with the active surface of the semiconductor device for providing an electrical connection with the semiconductor device. |
| US09978729B2 |
Semiconductor package assembly
The invention provides a semiconductor package assembly. The semiconductor package assembly includes a first semiconductor package including a first semiconductor die. A first molding compound surrounds the first semiconductor die. A first redistribution layer (RDL) structure is disposed on a bottom surface of the first molding compound. The first semiconductor die is coupled to the first RDL structure. A second redistribution layer (RDL) structure is disposed on a top surface of the first molding compound. A passive device is coupled to the second RDL structure. |
| US09978728B2 |
Display apparatus and fabricating method thereof
A display apparatus and a fabricating method thereof are provided. The display apparatus includes a substrate, a light emitting diode, a first bump, a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer. The light emitting diode has a first surface and a second surface opposite each other, wherein the first surface faces the substrate. The light emitting diode is bonded to the substrate through the first bump. The first insulating layer is disposed on a periphery of the first bump and the light emitting diode, and contacts the first bump and the first surface. The second insulating layer is disposed on the substrate and surrounds at least a portion of the first insulating layer. |
| US09978727B2 |
Display apparatus and manufacturing method thereof
A display apparatus including a light emitting diode part including a plurality of regularly arranged light emitting diodes, and a thin-film transistor (TFT) panel part including a plurality of TFTs configured to drive the light emitting diodes disposed on the TFT panel part. The light emitting diode part further includes a transparent substrate disposed on the light emitting diodes, and a phosphor layer disposed on the transparent substrate and configured to emit at least one of blue light, green light, and red light by converting at least a portion of a wavelength of light emitted from the light emitting diodes, in which a thickness of the transparent substrate is less than a thickness of the phosphor layer. |
| US09978726B2 |
Display device using semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
A display device including a substrate including a wiring electrode; a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices electrically connected to the wiring electrode; and an intermediate electrode extending along one direction to be electrically connected to conductive electrodes of adjoining semiconductor light emitting devices, covering the conductive electrodes, and facing the wiring electrode to be electrically connected to the wiring electrode. |
| US09978724B2 |
Red flip chip light emitting diode, package, and method of making the same
Flip chip LEDs comprise a transparent carrier and an active material layer such as AlInGaP bonded to the carrier and that emits light between about 550 to 650 nm. The flip chip LED has a first electrical terminal in contact with a first region of the active material layer, and a second electrical terminal in contact with a second region of the active material layer, wherein the first and second electrical terminals are positioned along a common surface of the active material layer. Chip-on-board LED packages comprise a plurality of the flip chip LEDs with respective first and second electrical terminals interconnected with one another. The package may include Flip chip LEDs that emit light between 420 to 500 nm, and the flip chip LEDs are covered with a phosphorus material comprising a yellow constituent, and may comprise a transparent material disposed over the phosphorus material. |
| US09978720B2 |
Insulated die
An insulated chip comprising a semiconductor chip comprising at least one chip pad and an electrically insulating layer surrounding at least part of the semiconductor chip. |
| US09978711B2 |
Method for connecting a semiconductor chip metal surface of a substrate by means of two contact metallization layers and method for producing an electronic module
A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor body having a lower side with a lower chip metallization applied thereto. A first contact metallization layer is produced on the lower chip metallization. A second contact metallization layer is produced on a metal surface of a substrate. The semiconductor chip and the substrate are pressed onto one another for a pressing time so that the first and second contact metallization layers bear directly and extensively on one another. During the pressing time, the first contact metallization layer is kept continuously at temperatures which are lower than the melting temperature of the first contact metallization layer. The second contact metallization layer is kept continuously at temperatures which are lower than the melting temperature of the second contact metallization layer during the pressing time. After the pressing together, the first and second contact metallization layers have a total thickness less than 1000 nm. |
| US09978708B2 |
Wafer backside interconnect structure connected to TSVs
An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface; a conductive via passing through the semiconductor substrate; and a metal feature on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate. The metal feature includes a metal pad overlying and contacting the conductive via, and a metal line over the conductive via. The metal line includes a dual damascene structure. The integrated circuit structure further includes a bump overlying the metal line. |
| US09978707B1 |
Electrical-device adhesive barrier
A circuit-board-assembly includes a printed-circuit-board, an integrated-circuit-die, a ball-grid-array, a barrier-material, and an adhesive-material. The printed-circuit-board includes a mounting-surface that defines a plurality of contact-pads and a continuous-trace that interconnects a selected-group of the contact-pads. The integrated-circuit-die includes an electrical-circuit having a plurality of solder-pads. The ball-grid-array includes a plurality of solder-balls interposed between the contact-pads and the solder-pads. The plurality of solder-balls establish electrical communication between the electrical-circuit and the contact-pads. The barrier-material is located between a string of solder-balls that are attached to the selected-group of the contact-pads to create a barrier. The barrier segregates an underfill-region from a non-underfill-region between the printed-circuit-board and the integrated-circuit-die. The barrier is in direct-contact with the string of the solder-balls, the integrated-circuit-die, and the continuous-trace. The adhesive-material is in direct contact with a portion of the underfill-region and the barrier prevents the adhesive-material from encroaching upon the non-underfill-region. |
| US09978706B2 |
Ball grid array rework
Embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for rework of a BGA package. Memory shape material is placed adjacent to a plurality of solder joints of the package. Stimulation is applied to the material, with the stimulation causing the material to change from a non-stimulated shape to a stimulated shape. This stimulation causes an expansion of the material. As the material expands, it exerts a tensile force on the BGA package and an adjacently positioned carrier, causing a separation of the two components, while mitigating collateral heat of adjacently positioned components. |
| US09978700B2 |
Method for building up a fan-out RDL structure with fine pitch line-width and line-spacing
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die and an encapsulant deposited over the semiconductor die. A first insulating layer is formed over a first surface of the encapsulant and an active surface of the semiconductor die. A second insulating layer is formed over a second surface of the encapsulant opposite the first surface. A conductive layer is formed over the first insulating layer. The conductive layer includes a line-pitch or line-spacing of less than 5 μm. The active surface of the semiconductor die is recessed within the encapsulant. A third insulating layer is formed over the semiconductor die including a surface of the third insulating layer coplanar with a surface of the encapsulant. The second insulating layer is formed prior to forming the conductive layer. A trench is formed in the first insulating layer. The conductive layer is formed within the trench. |
| US09978691B2 |
Semiconductor packages having wire bond wall to reduce coupling
A device (e.g., a Doherty amplifier) housed in an air cavity package includes one or more isolation structures over a surface of a substrate and defining an active circuit area. The device also includes first and second adjacent circuits within the active circuit area, first and second leads coupled to the isolation structure(s) between opposite sides of the package and electrically coupled to the first circuit, third and fourth leads coupled to the isolation structure(s) between the opposite sides of the package and electrically coupled to the second circuit, a first terminal over the first side of the package between the first lead and the third lead, a second terminal over the second side of the package between the second lead and the fourth lead, and an electronic component coupled to the package and electrically coupled to the first terminal, the second terminal, or both the first and second terminals. |
| US09978688B2 |
Semiconductor package having a waveguide antenna and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor package comprises a substrate, a grounding layer, a encapsulant, a shielding layer, and a conductive element. The substrate includes a chip. The encapsulant encapsulates the grounding layer and the chip, wherein the encapsulant has an upper surface. The shielding layer is formed on the upper surface of the encapsulant. The conductive element surrounds a waveguide cavity and extends to the grounding layer. The grounding layer, the shielding layer and the conductive element together form a waveguide antenna. |
| US09978681B2 |
Semiconductor device
Semiconductor devices and methods for forming the same in which damages to a low-k dielectric layer therein can be reduced or even prevented are provided. A semiconductor device is provided, comprising a substrate. A dielectric layer with at least one conductive feature therein overlies the substrate. An insulating cap layer overlies the top surface of the low-k dielectric layer adjacent to the conductive feature, wherein the insulating cap layer includes metal ions. |
| US09978678B1 |
Vertically integrated nanosheet fuse
Embodiments are directed to a method and resulting structures for forming a semiconductor device having a vertically integrated nanosheet fuse. A nanosheet stack is formed on a substrate. The nanosheet stack includes a semiconductor layer formed between an upper nanosheet and a lower nanosheet. The semiconductor layer is modified such that an etch rate of the modified semiconductor layer is greater than an etch rate of the upper and lower nanosheets when exposed to an etchant. Portions of the modified semiconductor layer are removed to form a cavity between the upper and lower nanosheets and a silicide region is formed in the upper nanosheet. |
| US09978675B2 |
Package, electronic component, and electronic apparatus
A package includes an insulating member, first electrically conductive members, and a second electrically conductive member. Each of the first electrically conductive members includes a first terminal portion that forms a part of a first surface, and a second terminal portion that is positioned on a side of a side surface with respect to the first terminal portion and forms a part of the side surface. The second electrically conductive member includes an embedded portion embedded in the insulating member, third terminal portions each of which forms a part of the first surface and is connected to the embedded portion, and a fourth terminal portion that forms a part of a second surface and is connected to the embedded portion. |
| US09978673B2 |
Package structure and method for fabricating the same
A package structure is provided, including a carrier, an electronic component disposed on the carrier and having a sensing area, an encapsulant formed on the carrier and encapsulating the electronic component and the sensing area, and a conductive layer formed on the encapsulant with the sensing area of the electronic component free from being covered by the conductive layer. The encapsulant prevents a user's finger from being in direct contact with the sensing area so as to protect the sensing area from being damaged and hence ensure normal operation of the electronic component. |
| US09978672B1 |
Transistor package with terminals coupled via chip carrier
A package comprising an at least partially electrically conductive chip carrier, a first transistor chip comprising a first connection terminal, a second connection terminal and a control terminal, and a second transistor chip comprising a first connection terminal, a second connection terminal and a control terminal, wherein the first transistor chip and the second transistor chip are connected to form a half bridge, and wherein the second connection terminal of the first transistor chip is electrically coupled with the first connection terminal of the second transistor chip by a bar section of the chip carrier extending between an exterior edge region of the first transistor chip and an exterior edge region of the second transistor chip and maintaining a gap laterally spacing the first transistor chip with regard to the second transistor chip. |
| US09978670B2 |
Semiconductor module and semiconductor driving device
A semiconductor module forming a semiconductor device includes lead frames in which switching elements are mounted on the side of upper surfaces and heat radiation surfaces are formed on the side of lower surfaces, and bus bars disposed on the lead frames and connecting between plural switching elements. The heat radiation surfaces of the lead frames are arranged on one plane and upper surfaces of flat surface portions of the bus bars are arranged on one plane, therefore, a layout property on the heat radiation surfaces or the upper surfaces the flat surface portions is good, which facilitates creation of a heat radiation structure and so on. |
| US09978663B2 |
Integrated circuit assembly with heat spreader and method of making the same
According to some embodiments of the present invention, a display device includes: a display panel; and an integrated circuit (IC) assembly coupled to the display panel, the IC assembly comprising: a flexible substrate; a first flexible thermally conductive layer on the flexible substrate; and an IC chip on the flexible substrate and thermally coupled to the first flexible thermally conductive layer. |
| US09978662B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method for same
In the present invention, a heat spreader has a sagging surface or a C surface being a chamfered portion at an outer peripheral end portion of a back surface thereof. A plurality of power elements formed into chips are mounted on a surface of the heat spreader with a solder therebetween, and an insulating sheet portion is located on the back surface side of the heat spreader. The insulating sheet portion has a laminated structure of an insulating layer and a metal foil, and the insulating layer being the upper layer is closely bonded to the back surface of the heat spreader. A space region between the sagging surface and the insulating sheet portion is filled with a molding resin. |
| US09978657B2 |
Semiconductor package device and manufacturing method thereof
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including providing a die, forming a pad on the die, disposing a first polymer over the die, patterning the first polymer with an opening over the pad, disposing a sacrificial layer over the patterned first polymer, disposing a molding surrounding the die, removing a portion of the molding thereby exposing the sacrificial layer, removing the sacrificial layer thereby exposing the pad and the first polymer, disposing a second polymer on the first polymer, patterning the second polymer with the opening over the pad, and disposing a conductive material on the pad within the opening. |
| US09978656B2 |
Mechanisms for forming fine-pitch copper bump structures
The mechanisms of forming a copper post structures described enable formation of copper post structures on a flat conductive surface. In addition, the copper post structures are supported by a molding layer with a Young's modulus (or a harder material) higher than polyimide. The copper post structures formed greatly reduce the risk of cracking of passivation layer and delamination of at the dielectric interface surrounding the copper post structures. |
| US09978650B2 |
Transistor channel
A transistor device includes a substrate having a first region and a second region, a first semiconductor layer of a first semiconductor material having a first portion over the first region and a second portion over the second region, the first portion being separated from the second portion, a second semiconductor layer of a second semiconductor material over the second portion of the first semiconductor layer, a first transistor of a first conductivity type, the first transistor disposed within the first region and having a first set of source/drain regions formed in the first semiconductor layer, and a second transistor of a second conductivity type, the second transistor disposed within the second region and having a second set of source/drain regions formed in the second semiconductor layer. The second conductivity type is different than the second conductivity type, and the second semiconductor material is different from the first semiconductor material. |
| US09978648B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device with regrown undoped channel and regrown S/D regions
Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a semiconductor structure, including a substrate having a top surface; a first doped region in proximity to the top surface; a non-doped region positioned in proximity to the top surface and adjacent to the first doped region, having a first width; a metal gate positioned over the non-doped region and over a portion of the first doped region, having a second width. The first width is smaller than the second width, and material constituting the non-doped region is different from material constituting the substrate. |
| US09978647B2 |
Method for preventing dishing during the manufacture of semiconductor devices
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device and a device manufactured using the same are provided. According to a method approach of the embodiment, a substrate having at least a first area with a plurality of polysilicon gates and a second area adjacent to the first area is provided. A contact etch stop layer (CESL) over the polysilicon gates of the first area is formed, and the CESL extends to the second area. Then, a dielectric layer is formed on the CESL, and a nitride layer is formed on the dielectric layer. The nitride layer is patterned to expose the dielectric layer in the first area and to form a pattern of dummy nitrides on the dielectric layer in the second area. |
| US09978645B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same. The method of manufacturing the semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate, forming a patterned semiconductor layer on the substrate, forming a filter layer to cover the patterned semiconductor layer and forming a low concentration dopant buried layer within the semiconductor substrate, wherein one to forty percent of dopant are filtered out by the filter layer in the formation of the low concentration dopant buried layer. |
| US09978639B2 |
Methods for reducing copper overhang in a feature of a substrate
Methods for forming layers on a substrate having a feature are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for forming layers on a substrate having a features may include depositing a copper layer within the feature, wherein a thickness of the copper layer disposed on upper corners of an opening of the feature and on an upper portion of a sidewall proximate the upper corners of the feature is greater than the thickness of the copper layer disposed on a lower portion of a sidewall of the feature proximate a bottom of the feature; and exposing the substrate to a plasma formed from a process gas comprising hydrogen (H2) gas to selectively etch the copper layer proximate the upper corners of the opening and the upper portion of the sidewall proximate the upper corners, without substantially etching the copper layer proximate the lower portion of the sidewall proximate the bottom of the feature. |
| US09978635B2 |
Method and apparatus for semiconductor device with reduced device footprint
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer, and a trench formed in a top surface of the semiconductor layer. The trench has a bottom surface and a sidewall. The semiconductor device further includes source and drain regions. One of the source and drain regions may be disposed at the bottom surface of the trench, and the other may be disposed at the top surface of the semiconductor layer, or vice versa. Alternatively, both source and drain regions may be disposed at the bottom surface of the trench. The semiconductor device may further include a first insulator disposed in the trench and in between the source and drain regions. The semiconductor device may further include a second insulator disposed between first insulator and the source region. The semiconductor device may further include a conductive member that disposed on the first insulator, or on the first and second insulators. |
| US09978634B2 |
Method for fabricating shallow trench isolation and semiconductor structure using the same
A method for fabricating a shallow trench isolation includes forming a trench in a substrate, forming a bottom shallow trench isolation dielectric filling a gap of the trench, and forming a top shallow trench isolation dielectric on the bottom shallow trench isolation. The bottom shallow trench isolation dielectric has a concave center portion, and the top shallow trench isolation dielectric is deposited on the bottom shallow trench isolation by a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition process using low deposition to sputter ratio. A semiconductor structure having the shallow trench isolation is also disclosed. |
| US09978632B2 |
Direct lift process apparatus
The present disclosure provides a substrate support assembly includes a substrate pedestal having an upper surface for receiving and supporting a substrate, a cover plate disposed on the substrate support pedestal, and two or more lift pins movably disposed through the substrate support pedestal and the cover plate. The cover plate includes a disk body having a central opening. The two or more lift pins are self supportive. Each of the two or more lift pins comprises one or more contact pads, and the contact pads of the lift pins extend into to the central opening of the cover plate to receive and support a substrate at an edge region of the substrate. |
| US09978629B1 |
Method of transferring micro devices and micro device transfer apparatus
A method of transferring micro devices is provided. A carrier substrate including a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of micro devices is provided. The micro devices are separated from each other and respectively electrically connected to the first electrodes. A receiving substrate is made to relatively close to the carrier substrate. The receiving substrate includes a plurality of second electrodes, and the second electrodes and the first electrodes are opposite in electrical property. A first voltage and a second voltage are applied to a portion of the adjacent two first electrodes, so that the micro devices are released from the carrier substrate to the receiving substrate and bonded to the receiving substrate. The first voltage is different from the second voltage. In addition, a micro devices transfer apparatus is also provided. |
| US09978628B2 |
Bonding method including adjusting surface contours of a bonding system
A method of wafer bonding includes bonding a wafer to a carrier in a bonding system. The method further includes measuring thickness profile of the bonded wafer. The method further includes modifying surface contours of at least one of an upper plate or a lower plate of the bonding system during a bonding operation to improve planarity of bonded wafers based on the measured thickness profile, wherein modifying the surface contours of at least one of the upper plate or the lower plate comprises modifying the surface contours using a plurality of height adjusters. |
| US09978615B2 |
Microelectronics package with inductive element and magnetically enhanced mold compound component
The present disclosure relates to a microelectronics package with an inductive element and a magnetically enhanced mold compound component, and a process for making the same. The disclosed microelectronics package includes a module substrate, a thinned flip-chip die with an upper surface that includes a first surface portion and a second surface portion surrounding the first surface portion, the magnetically enhanced mold compound component, and a mold compound component. The thinned flip-chip die is attached to the module substrate and includes a device layer with an inductive element embedded therein. Herein, the inductive element is underlying the first surface portion and not underlying the second surface portion. The magnetically enhanced mold compound component is formed over the first surface portion. The mold compound component is formed over the second surface portion, not over the first surface portion, and surrounding the magnetically enhanced mold compound component. |
| US09978611B2 |
Stack frame for electrical connections and the method to fabricate thereof
A method for forming a conductive structure is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of: forming a metallic frame having a plurality of metal parts separated from each other; forming an insulating layer over the top surface or the bottom surface of the plurality of metal parts; and forming a conductive pattern layer on the insulating layer for making electrical connections with at least one portion of the plurality of metal parts. |
| US09978609B2 |
Low dishing copper chemical mechanical planarization
Copper chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) formulation, method and system are disclosed. The CMP formulation comprises particulate materials, at least two or more amino acids, oxidizer, corrosion inhibitor, and rest being water. |
| US09978608B2 |
Fin patterning for a fin-type field-effect transistor
Methods for fabricating fins for a fin-type field-effect transistor (FinFET) and fin structures for a FinFET. A conformal layer is formed that includes respective first portions on sidewalls of first hardmask sections previously formed on a substrate, a recess between the first portions on the sidewalls of each adjacent pair of the first hardmask sections, and a second portion between the substrate and the recess. The conformal layer is constituted by a second material chosen to etch selectively to the first material constituting the first hardmask sections. A spacer is formed in each recess and masks the respective second portion of the conformal layer. The conformal layer is then etched to form second hardmask sections each comprised of one of the second portions of the conformal layer. The substrate is etched with the first and second hardmask sections masking the substrate to form a plurality of fins. |
| US09978607B2 |
Through via structure and method
A device comprises a via in a substrate comprising a lower via portion with a first width formed of a first conductive material and an upper via portion with a second width greater than the first width, wherein the upper via portion comprises a protection layer formed of the first conductive material and a via fill material portion formed of a second conductive material. |
| US09978606B2 |
Methods for atomic level resolution and plasma processing control
Methods and apparatus for processing substrates are provided. In some embodiments, methods of processing substrates includes: (a) providing a process gas comprising a polymer-forming gas and an etching gas between a first electrode and a second electrode within the processing volume, wherein the first electrode is opposite the second electrode; (b) applying a first voltage waveform from a first RF power source to the second electrode to form a plasma from the process gas, wherein the plasma has a first ion energy to deposit a polymer layer directly atop a dielectric layer of the substrate; and (c) adjusting the first voltage waveform to a second voltage waveform to increase an ion energy of the plasma from the first ion energy to a second ion energy, wherein the plasma at the second ion energy ceases to deposit the polymer layer and proceeds to etch the polymer layer and the dielectric layer. |
| US09978605B2 |
Method of forming low resistivity fluorine free tungsten film without nucleation
Provided herein are methods of depositing fluorine-free tungsten by sequential CVD pulses, such as by alternately pulsing a chlorine-containing tungsten precursor and hydrogen in cycles of temporally separated pulses, without depositing a tungsten nucleation layer. Methods also include depositing tungsten directly on a substrate surface using alternating pulses of a chlorine-containing tungsten precursor and hydrogen without treating the substrate surface. |
| US09978604B2 |
Salicide formation using a cap layer
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a gate stack over a first portion of a source and a first portion of a drain. The method includes depositing a first cap layer comprising silicon over a second portion of the source and depositing a second cap layer comprising silicon over a second portion of the drain. The method includes depositing a metal layer over the gate stack, the first cap layer and the second cap layer. The method includes annealing the semiconductor device until all of the silicon in the first and second cap layers reacts with metal from the metal layer, wherein the annealing causes metal from the metal layer to react with silicon in the first cap layer, the second cap layer, the source, and the drain. Annealing the semiconductor device includes forming a salicide layer having a germanium concentration less than 3% by weight. |
| US09978603B2 |
Memory devices and method of fabricating same
A method comprises forming a control gate structure over a substrate, depositing a memory gate layer over the substrate, applying a first etching process to the memory gate layer to form a memory gate structure, wherein, after applying the first etching process, a remaining portion of the memory gate layer is an L-shaped structure, forming a first spacer along a sidewall of the memory gate structure and forming a second spacer over the memory gate structure. |
| US09978602B2 |
Method of making a transistor
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a transistor comprising the preparation of a stack of layers of the semiconductor on insulator type comprising at least one substrate on which an insulating layer and an initial semiconductor layer are successively disposed. The method includes the formation of at least one oxide pad extending from a top face of the insulating layer, the formation of an additional layer made from semiconductor material covering the oxide pad and intended to form a channel for the transistor, the formation of a gate stack above the oxide pad, and the formation of a source and drain on either side of the gate stack. |
| US09978601B2 |
Methods for pre-deposition treatment of a work-function metal layer
A method and structure for providing a pre-deposition treatment (e.g., of a work-function layer) to accomplish work function tuning. In various embodiments, a gate dielectric layer is formed over a substrate, and a work-function metal layer is deposited over the gate dielectric layer. In some embodiments, a first in-situ process including a pre-treatment process of the work-function metal layer is performed. By way of example, the pre-treatment process removes an oxidized layer of the work-function metal layer to form a treated work-function metal layer. In some embodiments, after performing the first in-situ process, a second in-situ process including a deposition process of another metal layer over the treated work-function metal layer is performed. |
| US09978600B2 |
Semiconductor electronic devices and methods of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacturing an electronic device comprises: providing a layer of semiconductor material comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the third portion connecting the first portion to the second portion and providing a semiconductive channel for electrical current flow between the first and second portions; providing a gate terminal arranged with respect to said third portion such that a voltage may be applied to the gate terminal to control an electrical conductivity of said channel; and processing at least one of the first and second portions so as to have an electrical conductivity greater than an electrical conductivity of the channel when no voltage is applied to the gate terminal. In certain embodiments, the processing comprises exposing at least one of the first and second portions to electromagnetic radiation. The first and second portions may be laser annealed to increase their conductivities. |
| US09978597B2 |
Method for treating the surface of a silicon-carbide substrate including a removal step in which a modified layer produced by polishing is removed by heating under Si vapor pressure
This method for treating a surface of a SiC substrate includes a first removal step in which a modified layer produced by subjecting the substrate (70) to mechanical polishing or chemical-mechanical polishing is removed by heating the substrate (70) under Si vapor pressure. A second removal step in which macro-step bunching occurred in an epitaxial layer (71) is removed by heating the substrate (70) under Si vapor pressure may also be performed. Since the etching rate can be varied, etching rate in the first removal step is high, so that the modified layer can be removed in a short time. Meanwhile, etching rate in the second removal step is comparatively low, so that excessive removal of the epitaxial layer (71) can be prevented. |
| US09978595B2 |
Photo mask and exposure system
The present invention belongs to the field of semiconductor technology, and specifically provides a photo mask and an exposure system. The photo mask is provided with a patterning structure for forming a resulting pattern, the patterning structure comprising a strip-like main body for forming a rectilinear pattern, wherein the patterning structure further comprises a patterning structure auxiliary unit provided at two sides of the strip-like main body, the patterning structure auxiliary unit being capable of adjusting and compensating direction and intensity of light during exposure. With the photo mask, the resulting pattern formed through exposure using the photo mask has improved fineness, thereby improving accuracy of the formed rectilinear pattern. |
| US09978594B1 |
Formation method of semiconductor device structure using patterning stacks
Formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes forming an under layer over a substrate, forming a middle layer over the under layer, and forming a patterned upper layer over the middle layer. The patterned upper layer has a first opening exposing a portion of the middle layer. The method also includes etching the portion of the middle layer exposed by the first opening to form a second opening exposing a portion of the under layer, and etching the portion of the under layer exposed by the second opening of the middle layer. The method further includes forming pores in the middle layer before or during the etching of the portion of the under layer. |
| US09978593B2 |
Plasma processing device, plasma processing method and manufacturing method of electronic device
A plasma processing device, a plasma processing method and a manufacturing method of an electronic device with excellent uniformity, are capable of performing heating and high-speed processing for a short period of time as well as controlling the distribution of heating performances in a linear direction (amounts of heat influx to a substrate). In an inductively-coupled plasma torch unit, coils, a first ceramic block and a second ceramic block are arranged, and a chamber has an annular shape. A plasma P is applied to a substrate at an opening of the chamber. The chamber and the substrate are relatively moved in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the opening. Plural gas jetting ports jetting a gas toward a substrate stage are provided side by side in a direction of a line formed by the opening, thereby controlling the distribution of heating performances in the linear direction and realizing plasma processing with excellent uniformity. |
| US09978592B2 |
Method for repairing oxide thin film and oxide thin-film device
Disclosed is a method for repairing an oxide thin film, including repairing the oxide thin film by forming a repairing material that contains an oxide at a defect of the oxide thin film. |
| US09978588B2 |
Nitride spacer for protecting a fin-shaped field effect transistor (FinFET) device
Approaches for protecting a semiconductor device (e.g., a fin field effect transistor device (FinFET)) using a nitride spacer are provided. Specifically, a nitride spacer is formed over an oxide and a set of fins of the FinFET device to mitigate damage during subsequent processing. The nitride spacer is deposited before the block layers to protect the oxide on top of a set of gates in an open area of the FinFET device uncovered by a photoresist. The oxide on top of each gate will be preserved throughout all of the block layers to provide hardmask protection during subsequent source/drain epitaxial layering. Furthermore, the fins that are open and uncovered by the photoresist or the set of gates remain protected by the nitride spacer. Accordingly, fin erosion caused by amorphization of the fins exposed to resist strip processes is prevented, resulting in improved device yield. |
| US09978587B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device including forming a film containing a first element, a second element and carbon, substrate processing apparatus, and recording medium
A technique includes forming a film containing a first element, a second element and carbon on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times. The cycle includes non-simultaneously performing supplying a first precursor having chemical bonds between the first elements to a substrate, supplying a second precursor having chemical bonds between the first element and carbon without having the chemical bonds between the first elements to the substrate, and supplying a first reactant containing the second element to the substrate. |
| US09978579B2 |
Analyser arrangement for particle spectrometer
The present invention relates to a method for determining at least one parameter related to charged particles emitted from a particle emitting sample, e.g. a parameter related to the energies, the start directions, the start positions or the spin of the particles. The method comprises the steps of guiding a beam of charged particles into an entrance of a measurement region by means of a lens system, and detecting positions of the particles indicative of said at least one parameter within the measurement region. Furthermore, the method comprises the steps of deflecting the particle beam at least twice in the same coordinate direction before entrance of the particle beam into the measurement region. Thereby, both the position and the direction of the particle beam at the entrance of the measurement region can be controlled in a way that to some extent eliminates the need for physical manipulation of the sample. This in turn allows the sample to be efficiently cooled such that the energy resolution in energy measurements can be improved. |
| US09978573B2 |
Method of creating spray device for sheathless CE-MS, spray device for sheathless CE-MS, and sheathless CE-MS device
Processing a capillary distal end into acute-angle, an electrophoretic liquid passing hole through which electrophoretic liquid pass is opened in a flexible insulating plate. An electrodialysis-membrane is bonded covering the electrophoretic liquid passing hole; the capillary is securely bonded to the insulating plate portion with no gap therebetween, the portion excluding electrophoretic liquid passing hole on the electrodialysis top-membrane. A crack forms at the capillary portion at the electrophoretic liquid passing hole, with the capillary entirely secured to the insulating plate except portion at the electrophoretic liquid passing hole. The capillary is securely bonded to the insulating plate; reservoir stores electrophoretic liquid on the insulating plate-side to which the capillary is unsecured. An electrode insertion hole into which an electrode is inserted opened in the reservoir upper portion; the electrode is securely inserted into the electrode insertion hole. By this, high-sensitivity measurement is using a spray device for sheathless CE-MS. |
| US09978568B2 |
Self-sustained non-ambipolar direct current (DC) plasma at low power
A processing system is disclosed, having an electron beam source chamber that excites plasma to generate an electron beam, and an ion beam source chamber that houses a substrate and also excites plasma to generate an ion beam. The processing system also includes a dielectric injector coupling the electron beam source chamber to the ion beam source chamber that simultaneously injects the electron beam and the ion beam and propels the electron beam and the ion beam in opposite directions. The voltage potential gradient between the electron beam source chamber and the ion beam source chamber generates an energy field that is sufficient to maintain the electron beam and ion beam as a plasma treats the substrate so that radio frequency (RF) power initially applied to the processing system to generate the electron beam can be terminated thus improving the power efficiency of the processing system. |
| US09978567B2 |
Apparatus and method of treating a substrate
Provided are an apparatus and a method of treating a substrate using process gas. The apparatus may include a chamber configured to provide a treatment space, in which a process of treating a substrate is performed, a detection unit configured to detect an amount of reaction by-products attached on an inner surface of the chamber. The detection unit may include a window member provided on the inner surface of the chamber, and a light source member configured to emit and receive light through the window member. |
| US09978564B2 |
Chemical control features in wafer process equipment
Gas distribution assemblies are described including an annular body, an upper plate, and a lower plate. The upper plate may define a first plurality of apertures, and the lower plate may define a second and third plurality of apertures. The upper and lower plates may be coupled with one another and the annular body such that the first and second apertures produce channels through the gas distribution assemblies, and a volume is defined between the upper and lower plates. |
| US09978552B2 |
Assembly device, circuit breaker system and method for improving fixing a molded case circuit breaker to a bus bar
An assembly device is disclosed for fixing a molded case circuit breaker, including a housing with at least one screw hole for a fixation screw for fixing the molded case circuit breaker to a bus bar. The assembly device includes a screw head holding device for holding a screw head of the fixation screw, the assembly device being configured to be arranged inside a cavity of the housing of the molded case circuit breaker in such a way that a screw head of a fixation screw arranged at the screw hole for mounting the molded case circuit breaker to the bus bar is engageable with the screw head holding device in an engagement direction. Furthermore, a circuit breaker system is disclosed including a molded case circuit breaker and an assembly device. Moreover, a method is disclosed for mounting a molded case circuit breaker to a bus bar. |
| US09978548B2 |
Liquid filled bellows activated switch and voltage source made therefrom, timepieces and methods related thereto
The device 10 includes a liquid filled bellows activated battery composed of two non miscible fluids 14, 15 flowing through a channel 13 containing two electrodes 16, 17 of different metals. One of the fluids 14 is an electrolyte while the second 15 one is electrically non conducting. At rest the two electrodes 16, 17 are in the non conductive fluid 15. When the electrical device is actuated, manually or by an external force, the fluids surrounding the electrodes 16, 17 are replaced by the electrolyte 14 thus generating an electrical voltage between the two electrodes. The electrical current can be used to temporarily generate light or supply energy to another device. When the actuation mechanism is released, the electrodes 16, 17 are surrounded by the non conductive fluids 15 again and the electrical current is stopped. |
| US09978547B1 |
Battery powered keypad assembly
A battery powered control device configured to be mounted on a wall comprising a front housing cover comprising a vertical wall and a bezel frame extending therefrom, a button assembly, a circuit board, and a rear housing plate. The button assembly is located within the bezel frame and comprises at least one button protruding through an opening in the bezel frame. The circuit board is located within the bezel frame behind the button assembly and comprises at least one tactile switch configured for being depressed by the at least one button. The rear housing plate is mounted within the front housing cover such that a periphery of the rear housing plate fits within and is surrounded by a peripheral wall of the front housing cover and a rear surface of the rear housing plate is substantially flush with the terminal end of the peripheral wall of the front housing cover. The battery powered control device further comprises a battery receiving channel located on one side of the bezel frame and configured for guiding a battery through a battery receiving opening in the front housing cover and into a battery compartment located between the circuit board and the rear housing plate. |
| US09978543B1 |
Magnet keys
Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to keyboards for computing devices. For example, rather than using a dome, the keycap may include one or more magnets. In one example, a second magnet may be placed adjacent to a switch or magnetic sensor on a circuit board. The magnets may be arranged so that they repel one another in order to force the keycap away from the switch. Webbing between the keycaps may be used to keep the keycaps from falling off of the device. To keep the keycap from moving laterally, the keycap may include two or more flanges held in place by rails. Other arrangements of magnets or magnetic plates may also be used. If a magnetic sensor is used, it may be calibrated to adjust the sensitivity of the keys, for example, how far a user must press the keycap in order to have the pressing register. |
| US09978541B2 |
Electric tool
A rechargeable grinder includes a brushless motor, a main body housing configured to accommodate the brushless motor, a main switch and a micro switch configured to distribute power to the brushless motor, and a switch lever capable of moving with respect to the main switch and the micro switch, wherein a lock off lever capable of operating the micro switch in association with movement of the switch lever toward a switch is provided so as to be movable between a lock release position in which the micro switch can be operated and a lock position in which the micro switch cannot be operated. |
| US09978540B2 |
Input operation device
An input operation device according to the present disclosure includes first to third light-emitting sections, a first light guide body, and a second light guide body. A lower end of the first light guide body faces the first light-emitting section and the second light-emitting section. The first mark emits light on the first light guide body when light is incident on the first light guide body from the first light-emitting section, and the second mark emits light on the first light guide body when light is incident on the first light guide body from the second light-emitting section. The upper surface section of the second light guide body emits light when light is incident on the second light guide body from the third light-emitting section. At least one of the first light-emitting section, the second light-emitting section, and the third light-emitting section can change light emission luminance. |
| US09978537B2 |
Contact bridge arrangement for an electrical switching element
A contact bridge arrangement for an electrical switch is disclosed that has a contact bridge holder and a contact bridge. The contact bridge holder is monolithically formed with a spring. The contact bridge is held on the contact bridge holder and movable along an actuating direction. The contact bridge is pressed against the contact bridge holder by the spring. |
| US09978533B2 |
Energy storage device, method of manufacturing same, and mobile electronic device containing same
An energy storage device includes a middle section (610) including a plurality of double-sided porous structures (500), each of which contain multiple channels (511) in two opposing surfaces (515, 525) thereof, an upper section (620) comprising a single-sided porous structure (621) containing multiple channels (622) in a surface (625) thereof, and a lower section (630) including a single-sided porous structure (631) containing multiple channels (632) in a surface (635) thereof. |
| US09978523B1 |
Multilayer capacitor and board having the multilayer capacitor mounted thereon
A multilayer capacitor includes a capacitor body including a dielectric layer and a plurality of first and second internal electrodes, the capacitor body having a first surface and a second surface opposing each other, the capacitor body having a third surface and a fourth surface connected to the first surface and the second surface and opposing each other, and first and second band portions extended from the first and second connection portions to portions of the first surface and the second surface of the capacitor body and portions of a fifth surface and a sixth surface of the capacitor body, respectively, an insulating layer covering the first and second band portions, and a first terminal electrode and a second terminal electrode covering the first and second external electrodes, and portions of the insulating layer disposed on the first surface of the capacitor body and spaced apart from each other. |
| US09978522B2 |
Multilayer ceramic capacitor and mounting board therefor
A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes: a ceramic body having dielectric layers laminated in a thickness direction, the dielectric layers having a greater width than a length; an active layer in which capacitance is formed, by including first and second internal electrodes alternately exposed to end surfaces of the ceramic body opposite to each other in a length direction with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween; upper cover layer; lower cover layers being thicker than the upper cover layer; and first and second external electrodes, wherein, when half of thickness of the ceramic body is denoted by A, thickness of the lower cover layer is denoted by B, half of thickness of the active layer is denoted by C, and thickness of the upper cover layer is denoted by D, 1.042≤(B+C)/A≤1.537 is satisfied. |
| US09978519B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component
A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic body having an end surface and a side surface adjacent to thereto such that the end surface and the side surface meet at an edge. The ceramic body has a plurality of internal electrodes with adjacent pairs of the internal electrodes being separated by a respective ceramic layer. An external electrode containing a metal, an inorganic component and voids is electrically connected to at least some of the internal electrodes and both covers the end surface and extends over the edge onto the side surface to form an extending-around portion which extends at least 50 μm onto the side surface as measured in a direction perpendicular to the edge and ends at a leading edge remote from the edge. A portion of the extending-around area which extends 50 μm from the leading edge towards the edge has an average occupancy area ratio which is at least 25 but not greater than 75. The occupancy area ratio is the ratio between the area of the conductive component and an area of the inorganic component on the one hand to the area of the conductive component, the area of the inorganic component and the area of the voids on the other. |
| US09978516B2 |
High pressure resistant capacitor assembly and assembly method
A capacitor assembly includes at least two capacitor stacks, which have a layer structure including a top layer and a bottom layer. A support assembly supports the capacitor stacks. The capacitor stacks are stacked on top of each other in the support assembly. The support assembly has a compression member which compresses the at least two capacitor stacks in a direction substantially perpendicular to the layer structure. A pressure distribution arrangement adjusts the distribution of the pressure applied to the capacitor stacks by the compression member. |
| US09978515B2 |
Electronic component unit and manufacturing method therefor
An electronic component unit includes a substrate including principal surfaces opposing each other and side surfaces between the principal surfaces, and components mounted on the principal surface of the substrate. The side surfaces include first side surfaces formed before the components are mounted and second side surfaces formed after the components are mounted. As viewed from a line normal to the principal surface of the substrate, distances between the first side surfaces and the components are different from distances between the second side surfaces and the components. |
| US09978512B2 |
Circuit device
A circuit device, includes a semiconductor substrate, and a first inductor provided over said semiconductor substrate, and a first interconnect provided over said semiconductor substrate and coupled with first inductor. |
| US09978511B2 |
Galvanic isolation system, apparatus and method
A galvanic isolation system includes a first isolation barrier and a second isolation barrier. The first isolation barrier includes a transformer. The second isolation barrier includes an inductive circuit connected to a secondary winding of the transformer. The first and the second isolation barriers are coupled to form an LC resonant network. |
| US09978506B2 |
Coil component and method for manufacturing same
A coil component of the present invention includes a magnetic core containing magnetic powder, a coil element embedded in the magnetic core and having an end projecting from the magnetic core, and a retaining member for retaining the end of the coil element. The retaining member has a main surface having a recess therein sinking toward the magnetic core. The retaining member has a ridge projecting from a bottom surface of the recess and extending linearly along the bottom surface. The ridge has a portion that intersects with the end of the coil element. The portion of the ridge is welded to the end of the coil element. |
| US09978504B2 |
Coil device
A coil device includes a core (20) having a columnar shaft (22), a first winding part (42) and a second winding part (46) that are wound around the shaft, and a terminal part (52) connected with ends of the first winding part and ends of the second winding part. A partition portion (30) provided on an outer peripheral surface (22a) of the shaft of the core protrudes from the outer peripheral surface toward the outer diameter direction and divides a part of the first winding part and a part of the second winding part. |
| US09978502B2 |
Multilayer substrate
A multilayer substrate includes a stacked body including thermoplastic resin insulating base material layers, a coil, and a first low flow member and a second low flow member including a flowability lower than the flowability of the thermoplastic resin at a temperature during heating and pressurizing. The coil includes linear conductors that are each provided on the insulating base material layers and include a first region surrounded by the linear conductors when viewed in a stacking direction (Z-axis direction) of the insulating base material layers. The first low flow member including a planar or substantially planar shape and the second low flow member including a winding shape, when viewed in the Z-axis direction, are arranged in the first region. The first low flow member, when viewed in the Z-axis direction, at least partially overlaps a second region surrounded by the second low flow member. |
| US09978501B2 |
Coil electronic component and method of manufacturing same
A coil electronic component includes a magnetic body having an internal coil part embedded therein, in which the internal coil part includes an insulating substrate, a first insulator, a coil conductor, and a second insulator. The first insulator is disposed on at least one of first and second main surfaces of the insulating substrate and has a groove formed therein. The coil conductor is formed inside the groove. The second insulator encloses the insulating substrate, the first insulator, and the coil conductor. The first insulator may be formed to a thickness larger than (and no more than 40 μm thicker than) a thickness of the coil conductor on the insulating substrate. The first insulator may be formed to a width of 3 μm to 50 μm. Further, the second insulator may extend to a thickness 1 μm to 20 μm larger than that of the first insulator on the insulating substrate. |
| US09978499B2 |
Methods for manufacturing integrated magnetic components and LED power supply
The present disclosure provides an integrated magnetic component, a method for manufacturing the integrated magnetic component, and an integrated LED power supply including the magnetic component. The integrated magnetic component includes a PCB baseboard, wherein magnetic core, copper coils and pins are embedded in the baseboard. The magnetic core may be an iron or cobalt-based soft magnetic thin film(s), and it may be stuck or coated on the inner layer of the PCB baseboard. Further, the copper coil may be thin copper tracks. The present disclosure provides a method for making iron or cobalt-based nanocrystalline strip(s) using a soft magnetic thin film deposition method, or a melt spinning method. The iron or cobalt-based soft magnetic thin film(s) may then be used to make an embedded PCB magnetic core. The resulting magnetic component is thin, highly efficient, and functions as a substrate in the assembly process. In addition, the LED power supply consistent with the present disclosure is thin and small, highly integrated, with process repeatability and reliability. Embodiments consistent with the present disclosure thus simplify the system assembly process for making LED power supplies, and save time and cost in the process. |
| US09978497B2 |
Wound magnetic core and method of producing the same
The invention provides a wound magnetic core which is configured by winding an Fe-based amorphous alloy ribbon, the wound magnetic core containing a recess row including plural recesses formed by laser irradiation in a central part of the Fe-based amorphous alloy ribbon in a width direction, in which a ratio of a length of the central part to a total width is from 0.2 to 0.8. |
| US09978492B2 |
Coil, rotating electrical machine, and linear motor
This disclosure discloses a coil. An outer shape of the coil as viewed from the first direction has an approximately rectangular shape or an approximately square shape with four corner parts. The coil includes at least one parallel part extended parallelly along the circumferential direction, and at least one connecting part arranged at a portion corresponding to any of the four corner parts, the at least one connecting part being extended along a diagonal direction with respect to the circumferential direction to connect the two parallel parts. |
| US09978491B2 |
Choke coil
A choke coil including a coil (6) and a core (1) including a first core part (5) inserted into a central hole of the coil (6) and a plurality of second core parts (4) disposed along the outer periphery of the coil. The first core part (5) and the second core part (4) form a closed magnetic path. The second core parts (4) are shaped so that the total sum of the areas of cross sections thereof perpendicular to the axis of the coil is greater than the area of a cross section of the first core part (5). A gap part (G) is formed in the second core parts (4), and a ferrite magnet (7) that applies a magnetic bias is disposed in the gap part (G). |
| US09978489B2 |
Method of producing grain oriented electrical steel sheet
Provides is a method of producing a grain oriented electrical steel sheet by heating a steel slab having a predetermined composition, then subjecting the slab to hot rolling to obtain a hot rolled sheet, then optionally subjecting the hot rolled sheet to hot band annealing and subsequent cold rolling once, or twice or more with intermediate annealing performed therebetween to obtain a cold rolled sheet with final sheet thickness, then subjecting the cold rolled sheet to primary recrystallization annealing and subsequent secondary recrystallization annealing, in which the aging index AI of the steel sheet before final cold rolling is set to 70 MPa or less to effectively grow Goss-oriented grains to thereby obtain a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet with good magnetic properties, without the restriction of containing a relatively large amount of C. |
| US09978486B2 |
Load resistor supports
A resistor support assembly includes first, second, third, and fourth support members. Each of the first and second support members includes one or more resistor contact regions and apertures extending therethrough. Each third support member is at least partially disposed within one of the apertures of one of the first support members and one of the apertures of one of the second support members. Recesses may be formed in the resistor contact regions of the first and the second support members, and one or more load resistors may be at least partially disposed within the recesses. The resistor support assembly may be used to mount one or more load resistors to a printed circuit board, without obstructing airflow through hollow portions of the load resistors. To reduce parasitic capacitance and inductance, the first support members and the second support members are formed from non-conductive materials. |
| US09978481B2 |
Oxide superconducting thin film wire and method for producing same
An oxide superconducting thin film wire includes a metal substrate, a laminate, and a Cu stabilizing layer. The metal substrate includes a supporting base material and a conductive layer located on the supporting base material. The conductive layer includes a Cu layer serving as an internal layer and a biaxially orientated surface layer. The laminate includes a buffer layer, an oxide superconducting layer, and a Ag stabilizing layer stacked on the metal substrate in this order from the metal substrate. The Cu stabilizing layer is formed so as to surround the laminate and the metal substrate. At least one of the Cu stabilizing layer and the Ag stabilizing layer is formed so as to be in contact with at least a portion of the conductive layer of the metal substrate and be electrically conductive with the conductive layer of the metal substrate. |
| US09978479B2 |
Electrically isolating polymer composition
An electrode coating composition that includes at least one crosslinkable monomer; at least one hydrophobic monomer; and at least one dielectric constant enhancing agent selected from dielectric enhancing monomers, ferroelectric particulates, and electroactive polymers. Coatings including the polymer of compositions, and articles including electrically isolating layers are also disclosed. |
| US09978476B2 |
Polymer composition for electrical devices
The present invention relates to a polymer composition with improved electrical properties and to a use thereof preferably in electrical devices as well as to a cable surrounded by at least one layer including the polymer composition. |
| US09978473B2 |
Doping methods for hole injection and transport layers
A method including combining at least one first compound in a neutral form with at least one ionic dopant in a first solvent system to provide a first doped reaction product, isolating the first doped reaction product in solid form, and combining the isolated first doped reaction product with at least one conjugated polymer in neutral form in a second solvent system to form a second doped reaction product including an oxidized form of the conjugated polymer a neutral form of the first compound is described. Advantages include better stability, ease of use, and lower metal content. Applications include organic electronic devices including OLEDs. |
| US09978464B2 |
System for regulating a liquid in a circuit
This invention relates to a system for regulating a liquid in a circuit able to reverse the direction of the circulation, with the system comprising: a regulating valve comprising at least one inlet and one outlet and comprising a movable obturator the position of which makes it possible to adjust the flow rate of the liquid through the valve, an expansion reservoir in communication with the liquid flowing in the circuit and intended to contain liquid and a compensating gas, characterized in that: the expansion reservoir is connected to the circuit by the intermediary of the valve and in such a way that the expansion reservoir communicates with at least one from among the inlet and the outlet of the valve regardless of the position of the obturator, with the position of the obturator being independent of the pressure of the fluid in the expansion reservoir. The invention also relates to a circuit integrating this system as well as a use of this system. |
| US09978457B1 |
Method for operating memory array
A method for operating a memory array is disclosed. The memory array includes a first memory cell, a second memory cell and a third memory cell sharing a gate and arranged along an extending direction of the gate in order. The method includes the following steps. A first bias is applied to a channel of the first memory cell to program the first memory cell. A second bias is applied to a channel of the second memory cell to inhibit programming of the second memory cell. A third bias is applied to a channel of the third memory cell to program or inhibit programming of the third memory cell. The first bias and the third bias are different. |
| US09978456B2 |
Techniques for reducing read disturb in partially written blocks of non-volatile memory
Techniques are presented to reduce the amount of read disturb on partially written blocks of NAND type non-volatile memory, both for when determining the last written word line in a block and also for data read. In both cases, non-selected word lines that are unwritten or, in the case of finding the last written word line, may be unwritten are biased with a lower read-pass voltage then is typically used. The result of such reads can also be applied to an algorithm for finding the last written word by skipping a varying number of word lines. Performance in a last written page determination can also be improved by use of shorter bit line settling times than for a standard read. |
| US09978447B2 |
Memory cell with improved write margin
Described is an apparatus and system for improving write margin in memory cells. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises: a first circuit to provide a pulse signal with a width; and a second circuit to receive the pulse signal and to generate a power supply for the memory cell, wherein the second circuit to reduce a level of the power supply below a data retention voltage level of the memory cell for a time period corresponding to the width of the pulse signal. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a column of memory cells having a high supply node and a low supply node; and a charge sharing circuit positioned in the column of memory cells, the charge sharing circuit coupled to the high and low supply nodes, the charge sharing circuit operable to reduce direct-current (DC) power consumption. |
| US09978445B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
A semiconductor storage device provided can increase a write margin and suppress increase of a chip area. The semiconductor storage device includes plural memory cells arranged in a matrix; plural bit-line pairs arranged corresponding to each column of the memory cells; a write driver circuit which transmits data to a bit-line pair of a selected column according to write data; and a write assist circuit which drives a bit line on a low potential side of the bit-line pair of a selected column to a negative voltage level. The write assist circuit includes first signal wiring; a first driver circuit which drives the first signal wiring according to a control signal; and second signal wiring which is coupled to the bit line on the low-potential side and generates a negative voltage by the driving of the first driver circuit, based on inter-wire coupling capacitance with the first signal wiring. |
| US09978444B2 |
Sense amplifier enabling scheme
A memory and a method for operating the memory are presented. The memory includes a memory cell, a sense amplifier configured to sense read data from the memory cell, a write driver configured to provide write data to the memory cell, a first circuit configured to enable the sense amplifier during a time period, and a second circuit configured to enable the write driver during at least a portion of the time period. The method includes enabling a sense amplifier to sense read data from a memory cell during a time period and enabling a write driver to provide write data to the memory cell during at least a portion of the time period. Another memory and method for operating the memory are presented. The memory and method further include an address input circuit configured to receive a write address while the sense amplifier is enabled. |
| US09978433B2 |
Non-destructive write/read leveling
In some examples, a memory device is configured with non-volatile memory array(s) having one or more associated volatile memory arrays. The memory device may include a non-destructive write mode configured to prevent access to the non-volatile memory array(s) during an initiation or calibration sequence performed by the memory device or an electronic device associated with the memory device to calibrate read and write access timing associated with the memory device. |
| US09978431B2 |
Line memory device and image sensor including the same
A line memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, a data line pair, a sense amplifier and an output unit. The plurality of memory cells are disposed adjacent to each other in a line. The data line pair is coupled to the memory cells to sequentially transfer memory data bits stored in the memory cells to the sense amplifier. The sense amplifier is configured to amplify the memory data bits that are sequentially transferred through the data line pair by corresponding delay times which are different from each other. The output unit samples an output of the sense amplifier to sequentially output retimed data bits of the memory data bits in response to a read clock signal. The read clock signal has a cyclic period which is less than a maximum delay time among the delay times. |
| US09978429B2 |
Negative voltage management module for an address decoder circuit of a non-volatile memory device
An address decoder circuit is designed to address and bias memory cells of a memory array of a non-volatile memory device. The address decoder circuit includes a charge-pump stage configured to generate a boosted negative voltage. A control stage is operatively coupled to the charge-pump stage for controlling switching on/off thereof as a function of a configuration signal that determines the value of the boosted negative voltage. A decoding stage is configured so as to decode address signals received at its input and generate biasing signals for addressing and biasing the memory cells. A negative voltage management module has a regulator stage, designed to receive the boosted negative voltage from the charge-pump stage and generate a regulated negative voltage for the decoding stage, having a lower ripple as compared to the boosted negative voltage generated by the charge-pump stage. |
| US09978426B2 |
Repetitive-motion activity enhancement based upon media content selection
Systems, devices, apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for repetitive-motion activity enhancement based upon media content selection are provided. An example media-playback device for enhancement of a repetitive-motion activity includes a media-output device that plays media content items, a plurality of media content selection engines, and a repetitive-activity enhancement mode selection engine. The plurality of media content selection engines includes a cadence-based media content selection engine and an enhancement program engine. The cadence-based media content selection engine is configured to select media content items based on a cadence associated with the repetitive-motion activity. The enhancement program engine is configured to select media content items according to an enhancement program for the repetitive-motion activity. The repetitive-activity enhancement mode selection engine is configured to select a media content selection engine from the plurality of engines and to cause the media-output device to playback media content items selected by the selected engine. |
| US09978425B2 |
Method and device for associating frames in a video of an activity of a person with an event
Described are methods and systems for associating frames in a video of an activity of a person with an event. The methods include recording a video of an activity of a person; storing a time-series of a plurality of sensor data (82) obtained from a sensor assembly (12) of at least one sensor (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) coupled to the person while the person is performing the activity; synchronizing the video with the sensor data (82); detecting an event in the time-series; and associating the event with at least one corresponding frame in the video showing the event. |
| US09978424B2 |
Image processing apparatus
The image-processing apparatus for performing image processes based on parameters includes a first storage to which the parameters are input; a second storage for obtaining the parameters stored in the first storage after the input is finished; a third storage for storing the parameters stored in the second storage based on a first signal; a fourth storage for obtaining first parameters, of data stored in the third storage, related to a first image process based on a first trigger signal output at a predetermined timing and obtaining second parameters, of data stored in the third storage, related to a second image process based on a second trigger signal output at a predetermined timing; a first image-processing unit for performing the first image process based on the first parameters; and a second image-processing unit for performing the second image process based on the second parameters. |
| US09978423B2 |
Modified playback rate for portions of video content
A method and system includes obtaining video content at a programmed processor. The programmed processor generates a playback rate for each of multiple portions of the video content based on a predetermined playback rate obtained by the processor for each of the multiple portions. The processor further modifies the multiple portions of the video content for playback, wherein each portion is modified in accordance with the generated playback rate which is variable for each of the portions. The modified multiple portions may be provided to a monitor device for playing the video content via in accordance with the generated playback rate for each portion of the video content. |
| US09978417B1 |
Shingled magnetic recording storage system improving command completion time
The disclosed technology provides a system and method that improves command completion time in a shingled magnetic recording device system. In one implementation, the system and method include receiving a write command to write data to a first track in a band in a recording medium, seeking to a first track, reducing an on-cylinder limit (OCLIM) from a default OCLIM to a reduced OCLIM by a predetermined amount on the first track, performing write operations on the first track with the reduced OCLIM, and determining if a transfer of data to the first track band in the write operations has been substantially completed. Upon determining that a transfer of data to the first track in the write operations has been substantially completed, the OCLIM is restored from a reduced OCLIM to a default OCLIM and write operations are performed on tracks adjacent to the first track. |
| US09978415B2 |
Optical information recording medium having first and second pit rows of identical reflectance
In a case where (i) a reflectance calculated from a reflected light amount obtained from a longest pit (P1max) or a longest space (S1max) in a first pit row is defined as a first reflectance and (ii) a reflectance calculated from a reflected light amount obtained from a longest pit (P2max) or a longest space (S2max) in the second pit row is defined as a second reflectance, the first pit row is formed such that the first reflectance becomes substantially identical with the second reflectance. |
| US09978411B1 |
Multi-mode, multi-channel magnetic recording head and apparatus
An apparatus according to one embodiment includes an array of equally-spaced 2N+1 transducers, and at least two servo readers positioned external to an outermost transducer of the array and on a same side thereof. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes an array of 2N+1 transducers on a pitch. At least one of the transducers within the array is configured as a servo reader. An apparatus according to yet another embodiment includes an array of 2N+1 transducers, and a controller directly electrically coupled to each of the transducers. The controller is configured to use transducers on only one side of a centerline of the array in one mode of operation. |
| US09978405B1 |
Heat assisted magnetic recording slider having a consistent close point
A slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording comprises an air bearing surface (ABS), a writer, and a close point of the writer. A plurality of heat producing or dissipating components are situated a predetermined distance from a vertical plane that is normal to the ABS and aligned with the close point. A location of the writer close point remains substantially consistent irrespective of which of the plurality of heat producing or dissipating components are energized. |
| US09978401B1 |
Chirped current profile with undershoot feature
Systems and methods for a providing a chirped current profile with an undershoot for a channel preamplifier are described. A method for writing bits in a magnetic recording disc may include applying an overshoot to a write current which is supplied to a magnetic writer of the magnetic recording disc and applying an undershoot to the write current after the overshoot is applied to at least partially de-saturate the magnetic writer. The method may also include writing a bit to the magnetic recording disc with the magnetic writer using the supplied write current. In some examples, the application of a short negative pulse after an overshoot portion of the write current waveform is delivered to the head during a write operation that writes the bit to the magnetic recording disc. |
| US09978399B2 |
Method and apparatus for tuning speech recognition systems to accommodate ambient noise
A system includes a head and torso simulation (HATS) system configured to play back pre-recorded audio commands while simulating a driver head location as an output location. The system also includes a vehicle speaker system and a processor configured to engage a vehicle heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. The processor is also configured to play back audio commands through the HATS system while playing back pre-recorded vehicle environment noises through the speaker system. The processor is further configured to determine if the audio command, recorded by a vehicle microphone, is recognizable in the presence of the environment noises and HVAC noises. Also, the processor is configured to repeat the engagement, playback of commands and noises, and determination, recording the results of the determination for each command in a set of commands. |
| US09978398B2 |
Voice activity detection method and device
Disclosed are a voice activity detection method and device, wherein the method includes: obtaining a combined VAD judgment result according to the number of continuous active frames, an average total SNR of all sub-bands, a tonal signal flag, and at least two existing VAD judgment results (107). The method and device are suitable for voice service, solve the problem of inaccurate VAD detection and realize highly accurate VAD judgment. |
| US09978396B2 |
Graphical display of phone conversations
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for analyzing mobile device usage. During the course of a conversation, a graphical display is generated on a mobile device which depicts entity nodes, conversation nodes, and a voice channel boundary. New nodes can be generated in response to the conversation nodes in order to reduce the tension of the conversation, reduce topic diversion, respond to received user gesture, and answer queries. Furthermore, embodiments of this invention describe a color-coded graphical display which depicts emotional sentiments during a conversation. |
| US09978394B1 |
Noise suppressor
Provided is a method, non-transitory computer program product and system for an improved noise suppression technique for speech enhancement. It operates on speech signals from a single or multiple input sources. Background noise monitoring is performed with one or multiple input speech signals to determine if the input speech contains active voice. If the absence of active voice is detected, the spectrum of the input speech is used to update a long-term noise spectrum estimate. In addition, the input from one or more secondary microphones can be used to update a short-term noise spectrum estimate. The input speech spectrum is then compared to the long-term and/or short-term noise spectra, and a selective spectrum gain based shaping is applied to the input speech spectrum to reduce noise. |
| US09978392B2 |
Noisy signal identification from non-stationary audio signals
Traditionally known classification methods of non-stationary physiological audio signals as noisy and clean involve human intervention, may involve dependency on particular type of classifier and further analyses is carried out on classified clean signals. However, in non-stationary audio signals a major portion may end up being classified as noisy and hence may get rejected which may cause missing of intelligence which could have been derived from lightly noisy audio signals that may be critical. The present disclosure enables automation of classification based on auto-thresholding and statistical isolation wherein noisy signals are further classified as highly noisy and lightly noisy through continuous dynamic learning. |
| US09978389B2 |
Combined voice recognition, hands-free telephony and in-car communication
A multi-mode speech communication system is described that has different operating modes for different speech applications. A signal processing module is in communication with the speech applications and includes an input processing module and an output processing module. The input processing module processes microphone input signals to produce a set user input signals for each speech application that are limited to currently active system users for that speech application. The output processing module processes application output communications from the speech applications to produce loudspeaker output signals to the system users, wherein for each different speech application, the loudspeaker output signals are directed only to system users currently active in that speech application. |
| US09978385B2 |
Parametric reconstruction of audio signals
An encoding system (400) encodes an N-channel audio signal (X), wherein N≥3, as a single-channel downmix signal (Y) together with dry and wet upmix parameters (C, P). In a decoding system (200), a decorrelating section (101) outputs, based on the downmix signal, an (N−1)-channel decorrelated signal (Z); a dry upmix section (102) maps the downmix signal linearly in accordance with dry upmix coefficients (C) determined based on the dry upmix parameters; a wet upmix section (103) populates an intermediate matrix based on the wet upmix parameters and knowing that the intermediate matrix belongs to a predefined matrix class, obtains wet upmix coefficients (P) by multiplying the intermediate matrix by a predefined matrix, and maps the decorrelated signal linearly in accordance with the wet upmix coefficients; and a combining section (104) combines outputs from the upmix sections to obtain a reconstructed signal (X) corresponding to the signal to be reconstructed. |
| US09978384B2 |
Audio decoding using modulator-demodulator
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes: a first processing unit; a storage unit, configured to store at least one audio file; a first memory unit; and a modulator-demodulator (modem), configured to perform audio processing of the electronic device during a phone call, wherein when the electronic device is used to play the audio file, the first processing unit reads the audio file from the storage unit, retrieves header information of the audio file, and writes the audio file into the first memory unit, wherein the modem accesses the audio file stored in the first memory unit based on the header information, and performs audio decoding on the audio file. |
| US09978382B2 |
Method and apparatus for embedding and extracting watermark data in an audio signal
Methods and apparatus for audio watermarking are disclosed in which watermark data is codified in a plurality of Fourier transform coefficients of the audio signal. The watermarked audio is transmitted and captured as sound waves after analogic conversion, typically through a medium with some degree of signal degradation. The receiving end converts the watermarked audio back to the digital domain before extracting the watermark data from the Fourier transform coefficients. This configuration is enhanced in certain embodiments by a robust bit codification technique with fast decoding algorithms, synchronization signalling and error correction. |
| US09978380B2 |
Audio encoder, audio decoder, method for encoding an audio information, method for decoding an audio information and computer program using a detection of a group of previously-decoded spectral values
An audio decoder for providing a decoded audio information includes a arithmetic decoder for providing a plurality of decoded spectral values on the basis of an arithmetically-encoded representation of the spectral values and a frequency-domain-to-time-domain converter for providing a time-domain audio representation using the decoded spectral values. The arithmetic decoder is configured to select a mapping rule describing a mapping of a code value onto a symbol code in dependence on a context state. The arithmetic decoder is configured to determine or modify the current context state in dependence on a plurality of previously-decoded spectral values. The arithmetic decoder is configured to detect a group of a plurality of previously-decoded spectral values, which fulfill, individually or taken together, a predetermined condition regarding their magnitudes, and to determine the current context state in dependence on a result of the detection.An audio encoder uses similar principles. |
| US09978372B2 |
Method and device for analyzing data from a microphone
A method for analyzing data from a microphone, the microphone being arranged to continuously record audio data, the method comprising: continuously storing the recorded audio data in a buffer, receiving a first triggering signal at a first point in time, the first triggering signal pertaining to a request for analyzing the audio data presently being recorded by the microphone, transferring a predefined amount of recorded audio data stored prior to the first point in time and audio data stored after the first point in time to a conversation analyzing unit. The method is advantageous as the information that was momentarily available during a conversation in the form of sound waves is now analyzed and thus may be converted to a format compatible with information available from other sources of relevance to the user. |
| US09978371B2 |
Text conversion method and device
The method includes acquiring a target spoken text, where the target spoken text includes a non-spoken morpheme and a spoken morpheme; determining, from a target weighted finite-state transducer (WFST) model database, a target WFST model corresponding to the target spoken text, where output of a state that is corresponding to the spoken morpheme and that is in the target WFST model is empty, and output and input of a state that is corresponding to the non-spoken morpheme and that is in the target WFST model are the same; and determining, according to the target WFST model, a written text corresponding to the target spoken text, where the written text includes the non-spoken morpheme and does not include the spoken morpheme. |
| US09978368B2 |
Information providing system
Because an information providing system according to the present invention generates recognition object words for selecting one headline from a plurality of headlines in such a way that the recognition object words do not overlap one another, the information providing system can select a headline uniquely through the user's utterance, and present information (content) corresponding to the headline selected thereby, and therefore the convenience to the user is improved. |
| US09978366B2 |
Event-based speech interactive media player
Interactive content containing audio or video may be provided in conjunction with non-interactive content containing audio or video to enhance user engagement and interest with the contents and to increase the effectiveness of the distributed information. Interactive content may be directly inserted into the existing, non-interactive content. Additionally or alternatively, interactive content may be streamed in parallel to the existing content, with only minimal modification to the existing content. For example, the server may monitor content from a content provider; detect an event (e.g., detecting a marker embedded in the content stream, or in a data source external to the content stream); upon detection of the event, play interactive content at one or more designated times while silencing the content stream of the content provider (e.g., by muting, pausing, playing silence.) The marker may be a sub-audible tone or metadata associated with the content stream. The user may respond to the interactive content by voice, touch or gesture. |
| US09978365B2 |
Method and system for providing a voice interface
A classifier voice interface of a user terminal may receive a query, may parse the query to identify an attribute, and may process the query to select a first domain-specific voice interface of a plurality of domain-specific voice interfaces based on the attribute, wherein each of the domain-specific voice interfaces comprises specialized information to process queries of different types. The classifier voice interface may further instruct the first domain-specific voice interface to process the query. |
| US09978363B2 |
System and method for rapid customization of speech recognition models
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for generating domain-specific speech recognition models for a domain of interest by combining and tuning existing speech recognition models when a speech recognizer does not have access to a speech recognition model for that domain of interest and when available domain-specific data is below a minimum desired threshold to create a new domain-specific speech recognition model. A system configured to practice the method identifies a speech recognition domain and combines a set of speech recognition models, each speech recognition model of the set of speech recognition models being from a respective speech recognition domain. The system receives an amount of data specific to the speech recognition domain, wherein the amount of data is less than a minimum threshold to create a new domain-specific model, and tunes the combined speech recognition model for the speech recognition domain based on the data. |
| US09978361B2 |
Systems and methods for building state specific multi-turn contextual language understanding systems
Systems and methods for building a dialog-state specific multi-turn contextual language understanding system are provided. More specifically, the systems and methods infer or are configured to infer a state-specific schema and/or state-specific rules from a formed single-shot language understanding model and/or a single-shot rule set. As such, the systems and methods only require the information necessary to form a single-shot language understanding model and/or a single-shot rule set from a builder to form or build the dialog-state specific multi-turn contextual language understanding system. Accordingly, the systems and methods for building a dialog-state specific multi-turn contextual language understanding system reduce the expertise, time, and resources necessary to build a dialog-state specific multi-turn contextual language understanding system for an application when compared to systems and methods that require further input from the builder than necessary to build a single-shot language understanding system. |
| US09978359B1 |
Iterative text-to-speech with user feedback
A text-to-speech (TTS) processing system may be configured for iterative processing. Speech units for unit selection may be tagged according to extra segmental features, such as emotional features, dramatic features, etc. Preliminary TTS results based on input text may be provided to a user through a user interface. The user may offer corrections to the preliminary results. Those corrections may correspond to the extra segmental features. The user corrections may then be input into the TTS system along with the input text to provide refined TTS results. This process may be repeated iteratively to obtain desired TTS results. |
| US09978350B1 |
Sound source noise-suppressing drum structure
An electronic percussion instrument for suppressing sound source noise is described. The instrument includes a percussion pad, a metal plate disposed below the percussion pad, at least one damping element disposed in a ring-like manner below the metal plate, a resonance conductive member disposed below the damping element, a sensor disposed at a central region below the resonance conductive member, and a noise suppressing mechanism disposed at a peripheral annular region below the resonance conductive member. The noise suppressing mechanism includes, in an order from top to bottom, a foam ring and a metal ring. The metal ring has a plurality of cushioning elements thereon. Accordingly, the instrument can effectively suppress or otherwise eliminate interference on and noise sensed by the sensor caused by vibration of a casing when the percussion pad is percussed. This can greatly improve the sound effect and performance of the instrument. |
| US09978347B1 |
Integral spring-hidden capo
The invention provides an integral spring-hidden capo comprising a U-shaped capo skeleton, wherein a capo skeleton rotating shaft hole is arranged at an end at an opening of the U-shaped capo skeleton, the capo skeleton rotating shaft hole is equipped with an integral push-pull handle component, one end of a power unit is located above the capo skeleton rotating shaft hole of the U-shaped capo skeleton, and the other end of the power unit is hidden inside the integral push-pull handle component. The invention has the following beneficial effects: the capo can be stably and portably operated by two fingers, and has high integrity and a simple process. |
| US09978343B2 |
Performance-based graphics processing unit power management
Performance counters provided in a graphics processor unit (GPU) are used to provide values used to make a determination of GPU activity so that power management can be exercised. In preferred embodiments counter values relating to computation unit idle times, computation unit stall times, DRAM bandwidth and computation unit stall times due to a sampler wait are utilized to determine performance level. If performance is above a minimum level but the GPU is above certain idleness determinations provided by those values, the GPU can have portions powered down to reduce power consumption while not having a noticeable effect on operations. Based on the various counter values, portions of the GPU can be turned off or disabled to reduce power consumption without having a noticeable effect on perceived GPU performance. |
| US09978340B2 |
Touch communications device for performing touch communications
A touch communications device includes a first touch panel and a processor. The first touch panel includes a first region and a second region. The processor is arranged to control the first region and/or the second region to transmit a signal when a second touch panel of another touch communications device is close to or in contact with the first touch panel. |
| US09978339B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a signal processing unit that receives input signals, and calculates output signals to a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, a third sub-pixel, and a fourth sub-pixel. The signal processing unit calculates a frequency of pixels belonging to each of a plurality of partitions using a light quantity of a surface light source. The signal processing unit calculates an index value for each of the partitions by at least multiplying the cumulative frequency being obtained by sequentially adding the frequency of pixels from a partition having the maximum light quantity among the partitions, and the number of partitions representing a position of a partition to which the cumulative frequency belongs counted from the partition having the maximum light quantity. The signal processing unit controls luminance of the surface light source based on a partition in which the index value exceeds a threshold. |
| US09978338B2 |
Method and system of showing colors for mosaic display device
The present invention discloses a method and a system of showing colors for a mosaic display device, in which sending the reference control signal to the first LCD to control the first pixel unit in the first LCD to show the reference colors; determining the reference three stimulus values of the reference colors; determining the calibration three stimulus values closest to the reference three stimulus values; and then sending the calibration control signal to the second LCD to control the second pixel unit in the second LCD to show the calibration colors corresponding to the calibration three stimulus values. Accordingly, the consistency calibration process of the color display for different LCDs is accomplished, and thus, to make the display result of the second LCD and the display result of the first LCD come close to the same. |
| US09978335B2 |
Display apparatus having color pixel diagonal group to receive data voltages having same polarity
A display apparatus includes gate lines extending in a first direction, data lines extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, first color pixels, and second color pixels. A first color pixel arranged in an f-th column between an f-th data line and an (f+1)th data line is connected to one of the f-th data line and the (f+1)th data line. A first color pixel arranged in a g-th column between a g-th data line and a (g+1)th data line is connected to one of a (g−1)th data line and a (g+2)th data line. First color pixels in a first color pixel diagonal group receive data voltages having a same polarity.Second color pixels in a second color pixel diagonal group receive data voltages having a same polarity. |
| US09978331B2 |
Digital to analog conversion module, data drive circuit and liquid crystal display
The present invention discloses a digital to analog conversion module, a data drive circuit and a liquid crystal display, wherein the digital to analog conversion module can comprise 2N−1 sub circuits and 2N−1−1 first divider resistors, and each sub circuit comprises a second divider resistor, a first switch circuit and a second switch circuit, wherein the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit are respectively coupled to two ends of the second divider resistor; the first switch circuit comprises N first switch units coupled in series, and the second switch circuit comprises a second switch unit and at least one first switch unit coupled in series; according to a preset order, a control end of the second switch unit is coupled to a connection node of a N−1th and a Nth first switch units; an output end of the second switch unit is coupled to the first switch unit. |
| US09978330B2 |
Display driving method using overlapping scan mode with reduced coupling effect
The embodiment of the present invention provides a display driving method relating to the field of display, which can reduce the coupling effect due to the rapid changes of the voltage on the gate line and improve stability of display. The display driving method uses overlapping scan mode, wherein in the display panel two gate lines are arranged between two rows of pixel units for driving the two rows of pixel units respectively, the display driving method comprising: providing a switching voltage signal to the odd gate lines in the gate line group sequentially; providing a switching voltage signal to the even gate lines in the gate line group sequentially; and wherein for every two adjacent gate lines, when the switching voltage signal on an odd gate line has a falling edge, the switching voltage signal on an adjacent even gate line has a rising edge. |
| US09978329B2 |
Pulse generation circuit and semiconductor device
Two gate drivers each comprising a shift register and a demultiplexer including single conductivity type transistors are provided on left and right sides of a pixel portion. Gate lines are alternately connected to the left-side and right-side gate drivers in every M rows. The shift register includes k first unit circuits connected in cascade. The demultiplexer includes k second unit circuits to each of which a signal is input from the first unit circuit and to each of which M gate lines are connected. The second unit circuit selects one or more wirings which output an input signal from the first unit circuit among M gate lines, and outputs the signal from the first unit circuit to the selected wiring(s). Since gate signals can be output from an output of a one-stage shift register to the M gate lines, the width of the shift register can be narrowed. |
| US09978324B2 |
Driver applied to display apparatus
A driver applied to a display apparatus is disclosed. The driver includes 2(N+1) source channels, M display lines, and an output polarity control module. N and M are positive integers. Polarity outputs of the M display lines are independently controlled and have no dependencies between each other. The output polarity control module provides (N+1) polarity inversion control signals. A K-th polarity inversion control signal of the (N+1) polarity inversion control signals controls polarities outputted by the (2K−1)-th source channel and the 2K-th source channel of the 2(N+1) source channels. K is a positive integer and 1≤K≤(N+1). |
| US09978323B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and display device
A liquid crystal display panel and a liquid crystal display device, where polarities of signals provided by data lines are inversed when half gate lines are scanned to comply with the driving manners of half column inversion, and gate lines on one side which are sequentially scanned line by line from top to bottom are scanned alternately with gate lines on the other side which are sequentially scanned line by line from bottom to top, thus the effect of the dot inversion is realized, thereby reducing the power consumption. |
| US09978320B2 |
Method for driving semiconductor device
The resolution of a low-resolution image is made high and a stereoscopic image is displayed. Resolution is made high by super-resolution processing. In this case, the super-resolution processing is performed after edge enhancement processing is performed. Accordingly, a stereoscopic image with high resolution and high quality can be displayed. Alternatively, after image analysis processing is performed, edge enhancement processing and super-resolution processing are concurrently performed. Accordingly, processing time can be shortened. |
| US09978315B2 |
Image display apparatus and method of controlling image display apparatus
An image display apparatus includes: a first light modulation device that includes a plurality of display pixels and modulates light based on input first image information; an illumination unit that includes a plurality of light adjustment elements and emits adjusted light to the first light modulation device; an illumination distribution storage unit that stores an illumination range in which the light emitted from the light adjustment elements illuminates the display pixels of the first light modulation device; and a light adjustment information decision unit that decides light adjustment information to control the light adjustment elements of the illumination unit based on a feature amount of the first image information corresponding to the display pixels of the illumination range stored in the illumination distribution storage unit. |
| US09978314B2 |
Gate driver including a plurality of normal stages and a plurality of dummy stages and display device having the same
A display device includes a display panel having a curved side or a polygonal side, the display panel including a plurality of pixels in a display region, a gate driver including a plurality of normal stages connected to each other for outputting gate signals to the pixels via a plurality of gate lines, and a plurality of dummy stages between some of the normal stages, and a data driver providing data signals to the pixels via a plurality of data lines. |
| US09978312B2 |
Pixel circuit and a driving method thereof, a display device
The present invention provides a pixel circuit and a driving method thereof, a display device. The pixel circuit comprises a display driving module, a compensation module, a light emitting module and a fingerprint identification module. The compensation module is connected with the display driving module, a first signal terminal, a second signal terminal, a third signal terminal, a first voltage terminal, a data signal terminal and a common voltage terminal respectively. The display driving module is further connected with the light emitting module. The light emitting module is further connected with an enable signal terminal, the first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal. The fingerprint identification module is connected with a fourth signal terminal, a fifth signal terminal and a readout signal line respectively. |
| US09978308B2 |
Pixel voltage compensation circuit
A pixel voltage compensation circuit includes a first switch, a second switch, a driving switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, a first capacitor and a second capacitor. The first end of the first switch is coupled to a first node. The second end of the first switch is coupled to the data signal end. The first end of the second switch is coupled to the first node. The second end of the second switch is coupled to the anode end of the light emitting component. The first end of the driving switch is coupled to the high voltage source node. The first end of the third switch is coupled to the second end of the driving switch. The second end of the third switch is coupled to the light emitting component. The first end of the fourth switch is coupled to the control end of the driving switch. The second end of the fourth switch is coupled to the second end of the driving switch. The first capacitor is coupled to the control end of the driving switch and the first node. The second capacitor is coupled to the high voltage source node and the first capacitor. |
| US09978305B2 |
Organic light emitting display utilizing data drivers for sequentially supplying data signals to output lines during one horizontal period
An organic light emitting display can improve display quality by securing a charging time of a data signal. An organic light emitting display includes pixels, a data driver, a plurality of data drivers, and a control signal generator. The pixels are respectively positioned at areas defined by scan lines and data lines. The data driver sequentially supplies i (i is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) data signals to each of output lines during one horizontal period. The plurality of data dividers are respectively coupled to the output lines, and supply the i data signals to i data lines. The control signal generator sequentially supplies i control signals to the data dividers, corresponding to the i data signals. In the organic light emitting display, the data dividers supply a corresponding data signal to each data line during the one horizontal period. |
| US09978303B2 |
Display device and electronic apparatus
A display device includes: an image display panel including pixels each including a first to a forth sub-pixel that display a first color to a fourth color; and a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit stores an expanded color space, determines maximum set brightness as an upper limit value of brightness displayable within a range of the brightness in the expanded color space so that the maximum set brightness increases as a panel average input value decreases, determines an input expansion coefficient for expanding the color displayed by the image display panel to a color of the maximum set brightness, obtains the output signal of the first to forth sub-pixel based on the input signal of the first to third sub-pixel and the input expansion coefficient. The expanded color space is a color space that can extend a color of brightness higher than that in a standard color space. |
| US09978301B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes pixels connected to gate lines and data lines. Among the pixels arranged in k-th and (k+1)th columns between j-th and (j+1)th data lines, the pixels arranged in the k-th column are connected to one data line of the j-th and (j+1)th data lines, the pixels arranged in the (k+1)th column are connected to the other data line of the j-th and (j+1)th data lines, and the pixels arranged in the k-th and (k+1)th columns are alternately connected to the j-th and (j+1)th data lines in a unit of two pixels. |
| US09978300B2 |
Apparatus and/or method and/or computer program for creating images adapted for transreflective displays
A method including analysing an image intended for display on a transflective display to identify first pixels and second pixels in the image; and creating an adapted image for display on the transflective display by changing relative reflectance of the first pixels relative to the second pixels. |
| US09978295B1 |
Gateway display fixture with transom display unit
A gateway display fixture includes first and second side display unit and a transom display unit. The first side display unit includes a first primary frame including two threaded cavities along a top surface thereof. The second side display unit is spaced from the first side display unit. The transom display is unit selectively coupled with and extends across each of the first display unit and the second side display unit to form a pathway under the transom display unit. The transom display unit includes a bottom segment having a first pair of coupling apertures near a first end of the bottom segment. The display fixture is adjustable between a first configuration, where the first side display unit extends substantially in line with the transom display unit, and in the second configuration, where the first side display unit is rotated out of line with the transom display unit. |
| US09978294B1 |
Modular display panel
Embodiments of the present invention relate to integrated modular display panels. In one embodiment, modular display panel includes a a shell with a first thermally conductive material, a printed circuit board disposed in the shell, and a plurality of LEDs attached to a first side of the printed circuit board. A driver circuit is disposed in the shell and coupled to the plurality of LEDs from a second side of the printed circuit board. The panel further includes a power supply unit for powering the LEDs. The printed circuit board are disposed between the power supply unit and the plurality of LEDs. A second thermally conductive material is disposed between the power supply unit and an outer back side of the panel. A protective structure is disposed over the first side of the printed circuit board, where a display side of the panel, opposite the outer back side, is waterproof. |
| US09978293B2 |
Display device with curvature changing unit
A display device. A back cover supports a rear surface of a display panel. A pair of support members are disposed on a left side and a right side of the back cover with respect to a central portion of the rear surface of the back cover. Outer ends of the pair of support members are fixed to the back cover. A curvature-changing unit is coupled to the central portion of the rear surface of the back cover to support the pair of support members in a lateral direction of the back cover and change a curvature of either the display panel or the back cover. |
| US09978290B2 |
Identifying a change in a home environment
A system and computer implemented method for detecting a change in a home environment for a visually impaired user is disclosed. The method may include monitoring the home environment using a set of sensors configured to collect environment data for a set of areas of the home environment. The method may also include detecting an environmental change in an area of the home environment. The method may also include providing, in response to a triggering event, a notification of the environmental change. |
| US09978282B2 |
Ride chaining
A system for determining a dispatch includes an input interface, a processor, and an output interface. The input interface is to receive a request for a first pickup including a first pickup location and a first destination. The processor is configured to determining a driver to dispatch to the first pickup location. The output interface is to provide a first pickup indication to the driver to go to the first pickup location. The input interface is further to receive a first pickup arrival indication indicating the driver arrived at the first pickup location. The output interface is further to provide a first destination indication indicating to the driver to go to the first destination. The input interface is further to receive a request for a second pickup including a second pickup location and a second destination. |
| US09978281B2 |
Parking guide line device and displaying method
A device for assisting rear parking of a vehicle including a rear view camera that is mounted on the rear of a vehicle; a display unit that displays an image taken by the rear view camera; a height measurer that measures the position of the rear view camera from the ground; an angle measurer that measures the inclination of the rear view camera from the ground; and an image processor that creates a parking guide line in the image taken by the rear view camera on the basis of information obtained by the height measurer and the angle measurer and outputs the parking guide line through the display unit. |
| US09978277B2 |
Vehicle control device and vehicle control method
A vehicle control device for starting a drive assist in accordance with relative positional relationship between a self vehicle and an object around the self vehicle, comprises a control value calculating part which calculates a control value based on an inter-vehicular distance between the self vehicle and the object, a velocity of the self vehicle, a relative velocity of the object to the self vehicle, and an acceleration-related value obtained based on at least one of an acceleration of the self vehicle and an acceleration of the object; an acceleration-related value adjusting part which adjusts the acceleration-related value by changing a degree of contribution of at least one of the acceleration of the self vehicle and the acceleration of the object in the acceleration-related value in accordance with the acceleration of the self vehicle; and a drive assist start judging part which starts the drive assist if the control value is greater than a threshold value. |
| US09978275B2 |
Solar modular power system
Modular solar systems comprise one or more module units that are connectable into a system/assembly for convenient installation on a roof or other surface that receives solar insolation. The modules are adapted for electrical, and preferably also mechanical, connection into a module assembly, with the number of modules and types of modules selected to handle the required loads. Each module is adapted and designed to handle the entire power of the assembly and to provide or receive control signals for cooperative performance between all the modules and for monitoring and communication regarding the assembly performance and condition. |
| US09978273B2 |
Method and system for improving a traffic participant's attention
A method and a system for improving a traffic participant's attention is such that, at first, information on the traffic scene that is encountered by the traffic participant is obtained. From the obtained information a traffic situation development is predicted. A measure for at least on future risk in the predicted traffic situation development is determined and a communication with the traffic participant is started. The communication comprises a first step of notifying the traffic participant and a second step of providing additional information in response to the traffic participants reaction to the notification which includes some information on the determined future risk. |
| US09978262B2 |
Universal remote controller and remote control method thereof
A remote controller and a remote control method thereof are provided. The remote controller includes a communication module which communicates with a plurality of devices; an input unit through which a user command is input; and a controlling unit which determines a pointed device, among the plurality of devices, that the remote controller is pointing towards, and controls the communication module to transmit the user command to the pointed device to control the pointed device. |
| US09978261B2 |
Remote controller and information processing method and system
A remote controller and an information processing method and system, which relate to the field of electronic technologies and can improve user experience, where the remote controller is easy to carry. The remote controller includes a remote control main body, where the remote control main body is a wearable ring body; a sensor configured to detect a signal generated by an operation gesture input by a user; a processor, where the processor is connected to the sensor, and is configured to analyze the signal generated by the operation gesture, and generate a corresponding control signal according to an analysis result; and a first wireless communications module, connected to the processor, and configured to send the control signal to a terminal device, so that the terminal device performs a corresponding operation according to the control signal. |
| US09978258B2 |
Security system automatic bypass reset
Methods and apparatus are described to automatically re-enable monitoring of a bypassed security sensor by a security system control device. |
| US09978257B1 |
Alarm signaling technology
Techniques are described for handling an event where a control panel or an alarm signaling device is tampered with or destroyed by a disablement tactic, e.g., a “crash and smash intrusion”. |
| US09978256B1 |
Method and system for monitoring fire alarm systems
The near-universal connection between control panels and monitoring stations is used to transmit status information for non-compatible control panels to connected services systems. In this way, connected services systems can incorporate monitoring and tracking of non-compatible control panels as well as compatible control panels. |
| US09978255B1 |
Alarm probability
Alarm system technology, in which an alarm event is detected at a property monitored by an alarm system when the alarm system was set in an armed state. Based on detection of the alarm event, an alarm probability score that indicates a likelihood of the alarm event being an emergency situation is determined and the alarm event is handled based on the determined alarm probability score. |
| US09978252B2 |
Personal monitoring and emergency communications system and method
A personal monitoring and emergency communications system including a mobile wrist worn apparatus carried by a monitored person for minimizing emergency response time notwithstanding the monitored person's conscious state and including an array of sensors for periodically sensing vital biometric parameters of the monitored person, a memory for storing and comparing the sensed parameters to a pre-stored standard range of the vital parameters for providing a comparator signal, an alarm circuit for evaluating the comparator signal for providing an emergency alarm signal when the sensed vital parameters are not within the pre-stored standard range, and a programmable logic controller for automatically responding to an emergency including broadcasting the alarm signal from a signal transceiver to a worldwide communication network via either of a pair of parallel communication links for locating and continuously communicating the monitored person's data directly to the closest medical response team for providing emergency medical services. |
| US09978250B2 |
Detection of hygiene compliance
The present technology relates to apparatuses, methods and systems for detecting hygiene compliance, particularly in hospital and clinical settings, where hospital acquired infections (HAIs) are of concern. A temperature signature can be determined and then used to ascertain whether a user is compliant with a given hygiene standard. The present technology also relates to sanitizing compositions used in conjunction with such apparatuses, methods and systems. |
| US09978249B1 |
Method, device, and system for monitoring taxi
In the embodiments of the present invention, by respectively acquiring a first mass of a taxi when the taxi stops running in an empty state, a second mass of the taxi when the taxi is switched from the empty state to a passenger carrying state, a third mass of the taxi when the taxi is switched from a running state to a stopped state in the passenger carrying state, and a fourth mass of the taxi when the taxi is switched from the empty state to the passenger carrying state; and comparing a first difference between the first mass and the fourth mass with a second difference between the second mass and the third mass, if the first difference is less than the second difference, then it is determined that a passenger's article is left in the taxi and thus an alarm in the taxi will be triggered to warn. |
| US09978248B2 |
Low cost online condition monitoring
Aspects include performing online condition monitoring. Online condition monitoring includes compiling the digital sensor data to produce compiled data and processing the compiled data via a signal analysis operation to produce digitally analyzed data. Further, online condition monitoring includes comparing the digitally analyzed data to at least one threshold to output corresponding values and utilizing the corresponding value to determine whether to issue an event notification. |
| US09978243B2 |
Wandering notification server and wandering notification system
A wandering notification system (1) to which the present invention is applied is provided with a management server (2), a neighborhood terminal (3), and an external terminal (4). A wandering information transmission unit (10) of the management server (2) extracts a plurality of neighborhood terminals (3) for making known information with a notification area in a certain range, set on the basis of an address of a person to be protected who starts wandering, as a reference. Further, the wandering information transmission unit (10) receives positional information of the extracted neighborhood terminals (3) and transmits personal information and wandering information of the person to be protected to the neighborhood terminal (3) that exists within the notification area. |
| US09978242B2 |
Fall impact and trauma signal transmitter
A fall impact signal transmitter device is associated with a fall arrest harness to provide an alert signal when a user has experienced a fall event and is suspended in the fall arrest harness. A transmitter is disposed within a housing and is caused to issue an incident signal when actuated by an engagement member when a fall event occurs. The transmitter may be Bluetooth® enabled to permit an incident signal to be communicated by the user's own cell phone, or to permit two-way communication through the cell phone between the user and a called number. |
| US09978241B2 |
Safety service system and method thereof
Disclosed are a safety service system and a method thereof. The safety service system comprises: a collection unit for collecting position information and image information related to a protected person who is registered by a protector; and a service providing unit for providing the position information and the image information to one or both of the protector and a security company upon detection of a signal that the protected person is in danger. |
| US09978240B1 |
System and process for distributed network of redundant central stations
Techniques are described for distributing, to a distributed network of central stations, alarm events detected in monitoring system data collected by sensors included in monitoring systems located at monitored properties. A system receives monitoring system data collected by sensors included in monitoring systems located at monitored properties, tracks alarm events detected within the monitoring system data, and generates, for central station servers in a distributed network of central stations, load profiles that reflect a volume of alarm events being handled at each of the central station servers at a particular period of time. The system determines capacities to handle additional alarm events for the central station servers, determines relative priorities for the central station remote servers based on the determined capacities, and directs subsequent alarm events to the central station servers based on the relative priorities. |
| US09978237B2 |
System and method for a single-piece internet of things (IOT) security sensor
A system and method are described for a single-piece IoT security device. For example, one embodiment of an Internet of Things (IoT) security apparatus comprises: a first module to detect motion of an object to which the IoT device is fixedly coupled; a wireless radio controller communicatively coupled to the first module, the first module to wake the wireless radio controller responsive to detecting motion of the object; and a proximity sensor and associated logic to take a proximity reading and to compare the proximity reading to a stored reading taken when the object was in a secure position. |
| US09978236B2 |
Self-detaching anti-theft device with power removal station
Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods involve: establishing an electrical connection between the security tag and an external Power Removal Station (“PRS”); performing operations by the security tag to authenticate a detach command sent from the external PRS; allowing power to be supplied from the external PRS to an electro-mechanical component of the security tag when the detach command is authenticated; and actuating the electro-mechanical component so that a pin of the security tag transitions from an engaged position to an unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to the security tag. |
| US09978235B2 |
Multi-technology transponder and system
Systems (100) and methods (800) for operating a security tag. The methods involve: coupling the security tag to an article by at least partially inserting an attachment assembly into a tag body; performing core security tag functions by a first electronic circuit disposed within the tag body of the security tag to protect the article from an unauthorized removal of the article from an area; and performing at least one first peripheral security tag function by a second electronic circuit disposed within the attachment assembly of the security tag. |
| US09978225B1 |
Portable lamp flashlight
A flashlight capable of operating with its head removed in a candle mode is combined with a wand which has two inner zones to receive either the head of the flashlight or the barrel of the flashlight. |
| US09978222B2 |
Gaming system and a method of gaming
A gaming system is disclosed that comprises a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for display in a respective plurality of display positions in a plurality of display position groups, a condition determiner arranged to determine whether a defined condition exists based on the displayed symbols, and a special symbol determiner arranged to determine whether a special symbol is displayed. The gaming system is arranged to add at least one display position to at least one display position group in response to existence of the defined condition. The gaming system is also arranged to cause a particular symbol to be displayed in all display positions of a display position group when the special symbol is displayed in the display position group. |
| US09978220B2 |
Card reading device and tabletop game sistem
A card reading device includes a card shoe part in which cards are housed, a card reading part that reads information on the cards drawn out, a control part that determines the outcome of a game based on the read information on the cards, and display parts that display the determined outcome of the game. In a tabletop game system, the information on the cards read by the card reading part and information on the game outcome determined by the control part are transmitted from the card reading device to a main computer apparatus via wireless communication. The card reading device includes a battery that supplies electric power to the control part, the display parts and a wireless output part. The card reading device, as such, is capable of facilitating moving the card reading device in a participatory tabletop game. |
| US09978218B2 |
Systems and methods for enabling remote device users to wager on micro events of games in a data network accessible gaming environment
A method and system for micro-betting. One or more micro-bets can be electronically placed with respect to one or more micro-events associated with an event during a round of micro-betting. One or more wages with respect to the micro-bet(s) can be managed and controlled during the round of micro-betting. The wager(s) can be managed and controlled remote from electronically placing the micro-bet(s) during the round of micro-betting. Additionally, a portion of a profit can be automatically obtained with respect to the round of micro-bets in exchange for the aforementioned managing and controlling of the wager(s) with respect to the micro-bet(s) during the round of micro-betting. |
| US09978217B2 |
Method of and system for conducting multiple contests of skill with a single performance
A method of and system for conducting multiple competitions of skill for a single performance are described herein. User generated competition groups and system generated competition groups allow users to participate in multiple competitions at once based on answering the same questions or making the same selections related to a single event. The users are informed of each competition either via email, text message or when logging into the network via a website. The users select which competitions groups to join. After joining the desired groups, the users then make their selections related to the event which are transmitted to the network where results are tabulated and transmitted back to the users. The results are separated based on each competition group, so that users can continually know where they stand in each separate competition. With multiple competition groups, users are able to have varying success from the same performance in multiple competitions. |
| US09978215B2 |
Secondary gameplay features for a computer-implemented group matching game
Embodiments relate to gaming devices and to techniques for operating such devices in connection with secondary gameplay features of computer-based games. The secondary gameplay may share gameplay features with primary gameplay. In some group-matching games, each game piece includes two characteristics that may affect a display of the game piece in a computer user interface. One characteristic may be used during primary gameplay and another may be used to track when a user has an opportunity for secondary gameplay. For example, a gameplay facility may determine whether the grid includes a set of game pieces having a first characteristic. If so, the gameplay facility may then evaluate each of the game pieces in the set and increment a score based on whether each game piece has a second characteristic. When the score meets or exceeds a threshold, the gameplay facility triggers secondary gameplay. |
| US09978213B2 |
Gaming system and method for providing different bonus awards based on different types of triggered events
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming devices. The central server tracks the occurrences of one or more suitable events occurring at or in association with one or more gaming devices in the gaming system. Upon the central server determining that the quantity of occurred events tracked has reached a designated quantity or threshold, (i.e., a triggering event has occurred), the gaming system provides a progressive award to one of the players at one of the gaming devices in the gaming system. |
| US09978208B2 |
Gaming system and a method of gaming based on hit-rate
A method of triggering a multi-player game, comprising: determining a current number of eligible gaming machines; communicating current hit rate data based on the current number of eligible gaming machines to at least each eligible gaming machine; determining at each eligible gaming machine whether to trigger the multi-player game at a hit rate based on the current hit rate data. |
| US09978198B2 |
Change machine management apparatus and operating method thereof
A change machine management apparatus includes an interface to a change machine that discharges money based on discharge data received through the interface, a display unit, and a processor programmed to create a screen display on the display unit including first, second, and third areas, each displaying a number of bills and coins for each denomination, and control the display unit to display in the first area, the number of bills and coins stored in the storage unit for each denomination, display in the second area, the number of bills and coins to be stored as a change reserve amount in the storage unit for each denomination, and display in the third area, the number of bills and coins for each denomination according to a difference between the number of bills and coins displayed in the first area and the number of bills and coins displayed in the second area. |
| US09978197B2 |
Banknote handling apparatus
In a banknote handling apparatus capable of dealing with a depositing/dispensing process by a banknote cassette and a manual depositing/dispensing process, the banknote handling apparatus enables a depositing process without dispensing a reject banknote, which has been deposited from the banknote cassette, to the outside. A banknote accounting apparatus 22 capable of receiving a banknote from banknote feeding units (a banknote receiving unit 201a, a banknote cassette 30a) includes: a transport unit 230a configured such that the banknote feeding unit is connected thereto, the transport unit configured to transport a received banknote; a recognition unit 240a configured to recognize the banknote being transported; an apparatus-internal reject unit 224a configured to store a reject banknote inside the apparatus; an apparatus-external reject unit 22a configured to dispense a reject banknote outside the apparatus; a unit deciding part configured to decide the banknote feeding unit for feeding a banknote; and a control unit configured to decide, when the recognition unit recognizes a banknote having been received from the banknote feeding unit as a reject banknote, to which one of the apparatus-internal reject unit 224a and the apparatus-external reject unit 222a the reject banknote is transported, based on the banknote feeding unit having fed the banknote. |
| US09978196B2 |
Banknote acceptor with visual checking
A banknote acceptor 1 for authenticating a banknote 2, has a sensing station S with detector 18 that produces image signals corresponding to a face the banknote. A processor 24 pre-processes the image signals and compares them with stored reference data corresponding to an acceptable banknote from memory 25 to determining the authenticity of the banknote and its denomination. A display device 29 displays an image 31 corresponding to the banknote under test based on the image signals from the detector 18, to allow the user to perform a visual check that the banknote detected at the sensing station corresponds to the banknote under test presented by the user. Also, the detected denomination of the banknote is displayed on device 32. The user can accept or reject the banknote using buttons 33 and 34, and retrieve images of previously accepted banknotes with button 35. |
| US09978193B2 |
Lockbox access device and method with biometric security data
A lockbox access apparatus comprising a wireless communications device having a stored program configured to: cause the wireless communications device to communicate an access request to a lockbox; and receive lockbox identifying information from the lockbox. The wireless communication device is further configured to: record biometric identifying information of an individual; take entry from a user of non-biometric identifying information of the individual; and transmit the lockbox identifying information, the biometric identifying information, and the non-biometric identifying information to a remote destination. |
| US09978189B2 |
Device and method for checking an aircraft landing gear shock absorber
An electronic device checks the pressure of an aircraft landing gear oleo by means of a camera capturing and processing an image of the oleo. An image recognition module processes the oleo image to extract a measure of the amount of extension of the oleo. This measure is then processed together with a measure of oleo temperature to calculate a pressure value representative of the expected pressure of the gas within the oleo, which can then be compared with another measurement of oleo pressure to determine whether the two are consistent or whether the oleo might be under- or over-filled with gas. The electronic device may be in the form of a hand-held smart phone or tablet device appropriately programmed with software. |
| US09978188B2 |
Vehicle electronic control device and system with off-board diagnostic function
An electronic control device (ECU) refrains from a transmission of a requested diagnosis data while IGSW is turned ON in case that an external device is connected to a dedicated connector. After turning OFF of IGSW, regardless of the connection of the external device to the connector, the transmission of the requested diagnosis data to the center is performed. As a result, a delay of an off-board diagnosis process in the ECU due to the transmission of the diagnosis data is prevented. Further, the data required for performing a remote diagnosis service is regularly transmitted to a management center. Therefore, the remote diagnosis service is performable when a commercially-available external device is connected to the dedicated connector by a user of a vehicle. |
| US09978186B2 |
Information reporting system for managing a fleet of an industrial vehicles
Operational data are transmitted, by each of a plurality of material handling vehicles at a facility, into a communications system. A computer connected to the communications system processes the operational data and presents reports on a monitor screen. The computer operates in an impact report mode which provides reports about material handling vehicle impacts with objects, a maintenance report mode for reports pertaining to vehicle maintenance, a verify report mode presenting reports about vehicle inspections, and a metrics report mode for reports describing amounts of work performed by the vehicles, and an overview mode summarizes information from each of other report modes. Each report mode has different display modes which summarize data for a group of the vehicles or provide detailed information about one particular vehicle or one specific vehicle operator. |
| US09978183B2 |
Video system, video generating method, video distribution method, video generating program, and video distribution program
Appropriate reduction of transferred data volume is used to deliver interruption-free video to a user, minimizing viewing discomfort. A head-mounted display secured to the head of a user and a video generating device that generates a video for presentation to the user by the head-mounted display are combined in a video system. In the head-mounted display, a presentation unit presents the video to the user, an imaging unit captures an image of the user's eye, the first communication unit sends the captured image to the video generating device, and receives the video from the video generating device. In the video generating device, a second communication unit receives captured images from the head-mounted display and sends a video to the head-mounted-display, a gaze point acquisition unit acquires, based on the captured images, the gaze point of the user in the video, a calculation unit defines a designated region based on the acquired gaze point, and generates the video, wherein the data volume per unit pixel count used for the exterior of the designated region is reduced compared to the data volume used for the interior of the designated region. |
| US09978182B2 |
Technique for more efficiently displaying text in virtual image generation system
A virtual image generation system and method of operating same is provided. An end user is allowed to visualize the object of interest in a three-dimensional scene. A text region is spatially associated with the object of interest. A textual message that identifies at least one characteristic of the object of interest is generated. A textual message is streamed within the text region. |
| US09978180B2 |
Frame projection for augmented reality environments
Motion vector estimation is provided for generating and displaying images at a frame rate that is greater than a rendering frame rate. The displayed images may include late stage graphical adjustments of pre-rendered scenes that incorporate motion vector estimations. A head-mounted display (HMD) device may determine a predicted pose associated with a future position and orientation of the HMD, render a current frame based on the predicted pose, determine a set of motion vectors based on the current frame and a previous frame, generate an updated image based on the set of motion vectors and the current frame, and display the updated image on the HMD. In one embodiment, the HMD may determine an updated pose associated with the HMD subsequent to or concurrent with generating the current frame, and generate the updated image based on the updated pose and the set of motion vectors. |
| US09978178B1 |
Hand-based interaction in virtually shared workspaces
When sharing visible content on multiple display surfaces associated with different users, the hand of a user may be detected and analyzed when placed over the user's display surface. Characteristics of the user's hand, including things such as position, orientation, color, shape, and texture, may be shared with other users. Based on these characteristics, a representation of the user's hand may be depicted over the shared content on the display surfaces of the other users. |
| US09978176B2 |
Simplifying small mesh components with redundant backs
A mesh simplification system receives three-dimensional (3D) polygonal mesh of a 3D object. The mesh simplification system identifies a component of the (3D) polygonal mesh, having a first surface area size being less than a second surface area size of the 3D polygonal mesh, wherein the component comprises a set of topologically interconnected surfaces that are modeled as a separate structure from the 3D polygonal mesh. The mesh simplification system then automatically generates a simplified version of the component by removing a back surface from the component, wherein the simplified version the component comprises fewer polygons than the component. |
| US09978174B2 |
Remote sensor access and queuing
An application generates instructions to a wearable device to remotely activate a sensor in the wearable device and to receive sensor data from the sensor. A query related to a physical object is received. Instructions to wearable devices are generated to remotely activate at least one sensor of the wearable devices in response to the query. Sensor data is received from at least one of the wearable devices in response to that wearable device being within a range of the physical object. |
| US09978171B2 |
Control of a sample mask from a fragment shader program
A method, system, and computer program product for controlling a sample mask from a fragment shader are disclosed. The method includes the steps of generating a fragment for each pixel that is covered, at least in part, by a primitive and determining coverage information for each fragment corresponding to the primitive. Then, for each fragment, the method includes the steps of generating a sample mask by a fragment shader, replacing the coverage information for the fragment with the sample mask, and writing, based on the sample mask, a result generated by the fragment shader to a memory. The method may be implemented on a parallel processing unit configured to implement, at least in part, a graphics processing pipeline. |
| US09978164B2 |
Enhanced visualization method for down hole diagnostics and characterization
A method, a non-transient computer readable medium containing instruction, and a computing system are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes steps of: (1) identifying an area in a graph using first and second parameters of multiple parameters; (2) consolidating other parameters of the multiple parameters that are associated with the area into a single visualization value; and (3) visualizing the area according to the single visualization value. |
| US09978162B1 |
Rules-based causality visualization framework
A method and associated apparatus for generating a radial causality visualization including accessing a data store storing a first set of data and a second set of data, the first set of data and the second set of data being in a predetermined hierarchical relationship with each other, plotting the first set of data as nodes disposed on a first shape (e.g., circle, ring, rectangle, etc.) of a plurality of concentric shapes of a displayed visualization, plotting the second set of data as nodes on a second shape of the plurality of concentric shapes of the displayed visualization, wherein the second shape is disposed radially further outward from a center of the plurality of concentric shapes compared to the first shape, and displaying on the displayed visualization respective connecting lines that connect nodes disposed on the first shape with nodes disposed on the second shape. |
| US09978159B2 |
Method and apparatus for motion correction and image enhancement for optical coherence tomography
Images of an object, such as OCT scans of a human eye, can include distortions and data gaps due to relative motion of the object and the image acquisition device. Methods and systems for correction of such distortions and data gaps are described herein. Motion-corrected data is arrived at by applying three-dimensional transforms to input three-dimensional data sets that represent at least partially overlapping regions of the imaged object. The three dimensional transforms are computed based on an objective function that accounts for similarity between the transformed three-dimensional data sets and the estimated motion of the object relative to an imaging instrument. Methods and systems described herein advantageously eliminate the need for postulated assumptions and reliance on landmarks and are capable of filling data gaps, thereby producing high quality, undistorted images of objects subject to movement during imaging. Multiple motion-corrected data sets can be merged or combined to produce a data set with improved image quality. |
| US09978158B2 |
Spectral projection data de-noising with anti-correlation filter
A method includes receiving at least two sets of noisy basis material line integrals, each set corresponding to a different basis material and filtering the at least two sets of noisy basis material line integrals with an anti-correlation filter that at least includes a regularization term with balancing regularization factors, thereby producing de-noised basis material line integrals. An imaging system (100) includes a projection data processor (116) with an anti-correlation filter (118) that filters at least two sets of noisy basis material line integrals, each set corresponding to a different basis material, thereby producing de-noised basis material line integrals, wherein the anti-correlation filter includes a regularization term with regularization balancing factors. |
| US09978155B2 |
Method and apparatus for counting number of persons
A method and apparatus for counting a number of persons in an image are provided. The person counting apparatus includes: a detector configured to detect a movement area in a top-view distance image, of at least one image frame, providing distance information; an estimator configured to estimate a candidate head area from the movement area based on the distance information; and a determiner configured to determine whether the candidate head area is an actual head of a person based on a similarity to a circle of the candidate head area and a spherical curvature of the candidate head area estimated from the distance information about the candidate head area. |
| US09978151B2 |
Method and system for tracking moving objects
A system and method for the tracking of target objects in motion includes observing targets, determining, recursively, a target type of the targets, tracking, recursively, movements of the targets, and determining whether a target is concealed. The tracking and the determining whether a target is concealed are deployed in consideration of the target type of the targets. |
| US09978147B2 |
System and method for calibration of a depth camera system
A method and apparatus for performing inbuilt calibration of camera system that performs three-dimensional measurements and depth reconstruction are described. In one embodiment, the method includes displaying, using a projector of a capture device, a fiducial projection pattern in response to calibration of the capture device. The method may also include capturing, with a camera of the capture, an image of the fiducial projection pattern. The method may also include determining calibration coefficient values indicative of relative physical relationships of one or more components of the depth camera system based on analysis of the captured image of the fiducial projection pattern. |
| US09978144B2 |
Biological information measurement apparatus, biological information measurement method, and computer-readable recording medium
A biological information measurement apparatus includes: a plurality of first pixels configured to generate a first imaging signal based on received light; a plurality of second pixels configured to generate a second imaging signal based on the received light; a time series signal generation unit configured to generate a first time series signal by connecting representative values of first imaging signals in time series and generate a second time series signal by connecting representative values of second imaging signals in time series; a signal component separation unit configured to separate a plurality of signal components from each of the first and second time series signals; and a biological information component selector configured to select a signal component in accordance with the biological information, among the plurality of signal components separated by the signal component separation unit. |
| US09978143B2 |
Centerline determining apparatus, medical apparatus, and program
An MR apparatus 1 comprising an image producing unit 101 for producing axial images D1 through D10; a binarizing unit 102 for executing binarization processing for binarizing the axial images; a separating unit 103 for executing separation processing for separating a left-arm region HL and a right-arm region HR from a torso region HB; an extracting unit 104 for executing extraction processing for extracting the torso region HB from the images obtained by the separating unit 103; and a unit for locating a centerline of a body of a subject by executing first removal processing on an extracted region HE2 extracted by the extraction processing, and locating a centerline of the body of the subject based on the first-removal-processed extracted region. |
| US09978141B2 |
System and method for fused image based navigation with late marker placement
Systems and methods for image guidance, which may include an image processing unit, cameras, and handheld real-time imaging components or handheld displays, wherein the cameras observe visual features on patients, tools, or other components, and wherein said features allow camera or object positions to be determined relative to secondary image data or a reference position, and wherein the image processing unit is configured to dynamically register observations with secondary image data, and to compute enhanced images based on combinations of one or more of secondary image data, positioning data, and real-time imaging data. |
| US09978140B2 |
Retinal image processing
The present disclosure relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that can cause a processor to process image data defining an image of a vascular structure of temporal vascular arcades of a retina to estimate a location of the fovea of the retina in the image by transforming received image data such that the vascular structure in the image defined by the transformed image data is more circular than the vascular structure defined by the image data; calculating, for each of a plurality of pixels of the transformed image data, a respective local orientation vector indicative of the orientation of any blood vessel present in the image; calculating a normalized local orientation vector for each of the pixels; operating on an array of accumulators; and estimating the location of the fovea in the image of the retina using the location of a pixel of the transformed image data. |
| US09978135B2 |
Detecting object presence on a target surface
Described are methods, systems, apparatus, and computer program products for determining the presence of an object on a target surface. A machine vision system includes a first image capture device configured to image a first portion of a target surface from a first viewpoint and a second image capture device configured to image a second portion of the target surface from a second viewpoint. The machine vision system is configured to acquire a first image from the first image capture device, a second image from the second image capture device, rectify the first image and second image, retrieve a disparity field, generate difference data by comparing, based on the mappings of the disparity field, image elements in the first rectified image and a second image elements in the second rectified image; and determine whether the difference data is indicative of an object on the target surface. |
| US09978134B2 |
Sampling method and apparatus applied to OPC of lithography layout
A sampling method and apparatus applied to optical proximity correction of a lithography layout are provided in the present disclosure. The sampling method includes: performing wavelet decomposition to a pattern in the layout to be corrected, to acquire wavelet matrixes of different orders; and performing wavelet reconstruction according to the wavelet matrixes of the different orders for discrete sampling, wherein results of the discrete sampling are applied to simulation in the OPC. The sampling method and apparatus can improve the accuracy and efficiency of sampling of the layout to be corrected in a conventional technology. |
| US09978132B2 |
Radiation image processing device, method, and program
Information indicating the correspondence relationship of imaging conditions, the thickness of an object, and the thickness of a specific composition included in the object, and a contrast correction amount is stored. The thickness of the object and the thickness of a specific composition included in the object of each unit region having one or two or more pixels of the radiation image are acquired. For each unit region of the radiation image, a contrast correction amount corresponding to a combination of the imaging conditions, the thickness of the object acquired for the unit region, and the thickness of the specific composition is acquired with reference to the stored information indicating the correspondence relationship, and contrast correction is performed using the acquired contrast correction amount. |
| US09978131B2 |
Video image denoising and enhancing method and device based on random spray retinex
The invention relates to image processing technology field, and discloses a video image denoising and enhancing method based on random spray retinex, including: structuring spray pixel sets, and tuning parameters related to the random spray retinex based on the spray pixel sets, wherein the parameters include quantity of the spray pixel sets and quantity of pixels; processing video images with random spray retinex based on tuned parameters; denoising the video images processed by the random spray retinex via low pass filters and blur channels to get a brightness variation calculating formula; obtaining a brightness calculating formula of output images, combined with the brightness variation calculating formula, and calculating brightness variations of three channels via the brightness calculating formula to get local brightness estimating vectors; and fusing the three channels based on the local brightness estimating vectors to get denoised and enhanced video images. |
| US09978128B2 |
Image processing appartatus and method, recording medium storing image processing program readable by computer, and imaging apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes a degree-of-degradation detector, a degree-of-degradation estimation unit, a correction system selector and a gradation correction unit. The degree-of-degradation detector detects a degree of degradation of an image data. The degree-of-degradation estimation unit estimates a dispersion of the degree of degradation in the image data. The correction system selector selects either a first gradation correction system or a second gradation correction system in accordance with the dispersion of the degree of degradation. The gradation correction unit performs gradation correction of the image data based on either the selected first or second gradation correction system. |
| US09978123B2 |
Computer-readable storage medium storing image processing program, image processing device, and image processing method
Image data representing an image are obtained. A quadrangular area, which is defined by a quadrangle including a group of pixels with a first color, is specified. The first color corresponds to a color of an outline of a hole image in the image. A hole orientation is specified based on positions of the group of pixels with respect to the quadrangular area. The hole orientation represents a direction that the outline of the hole image occupies. When the hole orientation is specified, a candidate area is specified by extending the quadrangular area in an extension direction. The extension direction corresponds to a direction opposite to the hole orientation and extending along one of sides of the quadrangular area. |
| US09978120B2 |
Warping panoramic images to fit a boundary
The present disclosure is directed toward systems and method for warping a panoramic image to fit a predetermined shape using content-unaware warping techniques. For example, systems and methods described herein involve generating a mesh grid for a panoramic image with skewed edges by sampling boundary points around edges of the panoramic image and interpolated interior vertex points from the boundary points. Further, systems and methods described herein involve warping the mesh grid and underlying pixels of the panoramic image to fit a predetermined boundary. Further, systems and methods described herein involve generating the mesh grid and warping the panoramic image without consideration of content included therein and without overly-warping individual cells of the mesh grid and underlying pixels of the panoramic image. |
| US09978119B2 |
Method for automatic facial impression transformation, recording medium and device for performing the method
A method for automatic facial impression transformation includes extracting landmark points for elements of a target face whose facial impression is to be transformed as well as distance vectors respectively representing distances of the landmark points, comparing the distance vectors to select a learning data set similar to the target face from a database, extracting landmark points and distance vectors from the learning data set, transforming a local feature of the target face based on the landmark points of the learning data set and score data for a facial impression, and transforming a global feature of the target face based on the distance vectors of the learning data set and the score data for the facial impression. Accordingly, a facial impression may be transformed in various ways while keeping an identity of a corresponding person. |
| US09978118B1 |
No miss cache structure for real-time image transformations with data compression
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing improved cache structures and methods that are optimally sized to support a predetermined range of late stage adjustments and in which image data is intelligently read out of DRAM and cached in such a way as to eliminate re-fetching of input image data from DRAM and minimize DRAM bandwidth and power. The systems and methods can also be adapted to work with compressed image data. |
| US09978117B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus and high speed image data processing
A semiconductor apparatus pertaining to one embodiment has: a first processor that operates by a first program and reads pixel data from a storage unit; a second processor that operates by a second program, performs processing to the pixel data, and writes the processed pixel data back to the storage unit; and a buffer circuit that transfers the pixel data from the first processor to the second processor. |
| US09978114B2 |
Systems and methods for optimizing graphics processing for rapid large data visualization
A system for optimizing processing and display of large datasets is provided. The system includes a graphics processing and optimization (GPO) computing device. The GPO computing device is configured to store a dataset including a data point in a memory device, select the data point to display on a display device based on a first display request signal received via a user interface, and accelerate graphical processing of the dataset using optimization algorithms, wherein the GPO computing device is configured to assign a worker process to execute on the data point, The GPO computing device is also configured to convert the data point into a renderable graphics component, and generate a least-compute intensive representation of the data point, and cause the user interface to display a graphical representation of a first subset of the data including the renderable graphics component at a first display resolution. |
| US09978113B2 |
Feature resolutions sensitivity for counterfeit determinations
A counterfeit identification performance attribute (SIPA) sensitivity to changes in resolution of the image for features of an image is determined. The CIPA sensitivity for the features is used to choose at least one feature to determine whether the image on a sample is a counterfeit. |
| US09978109B1 |
Method and system for a mobile computerized multiple function real estate brokers assistant
An integrated computerized method, oriented to mobile computerized devices such as tablet computers and Smartphone's, for assisting real estate brokers in conducting client site visits and tours to various real properties of interest and/or the client by themselves in visiting and touring various real estate properties of interest. The method comprises various software modules, including software modules to assist in various numeric comparative property evaluation schemes, modules to automatically present building floor plans and other information at defined tour locations, and modules to show images or CAD drawings of proposed property modifications (often using augmented reality techniques). Other modules may additionally help manage the tour, including semi-automatic notification of tour itinerary changes, management of tour route instructions, and audio or text narration during selected portions of the tour. |
| US09978107B2 |
Method and system for establishing and using a social network to facilitate people in life issues
Embodiments described herein provide numerous applications and implementations of a social network to facilitate individuals to resolve various life issues. These issues may include issues that arise when individuals or families relocate, including logistic problems, assimilation of family members in a community, and roommate pairings. As will be described, embodiments described herein greatly facilitate corporations in relocating their employees logistically, and also assist employees and their families with life issues that may determine whether the employees' relocation will be a success. |
| US09978106B2 |
Managing copyrights of content for sharing on a social networking system
A social graph may be modeled as a collection of claims. Each claim is associated with an author, an audience, and an assertion about a fact. Probabilistic information may be collected from various sources for a claim, enabling a social networking system to evaluate a truthfulness of the assertion made in the claim. User-declared profile information may be evaluated as claims. A user, entity, or application may make claims about any assertions made in the social networking system. Reputation scores may be determined for users based on evaluations of their historical assertions. Claims may be evaluated for truthfulness using a probabilistic prediction model using heuristics analysis, regression analysis, and machine learning methods. A claims-based profile of users may be provided to viewers based on the contexts in which the claims were made. Viewers may view claims made about users, such as the users' biographical information, contact information, expertise, and interests. |
| US09978103B2 |
Method and apparatus for portfolio trading using margin
An automated portfolio manager system enables an investor to quickly adjust the underlying risk of the entire portfolio without modifying the underlying investments in the portfolio. A user interface enables the user to adjust the risk of a portfolio of investments without adding or deleting investments from the portfolio by purchasing more or less of the entire portfolio on margin, thereby increasing or decreasing the riskiness of the portfolio. A predetermined portfolio of investments is provided to all investors. Each investor's desired risk/reward characteristic for his or her portfolio is accommodated by determining an appropriate amount of the predetermined portfolio to purchase on margin or an appropriate amount of the user's funds to place in cash reserves or other less risky investment to modify an actual risk/reward characteristic of the portfolio so that it matches the investor's desired risk/reward characteristic without changing the underlying investments. |
| US09978102B2 |
Apparatus and method for trade aggregation of trade allocations and settlements
A post-trade aggregation system includes an allocation middleware interface, which interacts with data interface to allocate and settle trades. An order management system receives a trade order on behalf of a customer and causes apportionment of the trade into a plurality of smaller orders to be transmitted to a plurality of order destinations directly (e.g. via the FIX protocol). The post-trade aggregation system includes an allocation middleware interface which receives the individual trade executions from the plurality of order destination and compresses them into a single average-priced block. The allocation middleware interface then transmits the single average-priced block to be cleared by a designated clearing agent and allocates the single average-priced block into one or more custodian accounts. |
| US09978100B2 |
Method and system for tracking personal property collateral
A tracking system is provided for tracking personal property, such as to track collateral which is used to secure a loan. Collateral belonging to a borrower, such as electronic devices or other items of personal property having a wireless communication interface, is placed in communication with a tracking system which receives information from those items of collateral and utilizes that information to verify the existence of the borrower's collateral. |
| US09978098B1 |
Proactive payroll support
A method for correcting a payroll error in a payroll of an employee includes calculating a value range of a payroll component based on the payroll of the employee for a pre-determined number of prior payroll periods, comparing a current value of the payroll component for a current payroll period and the value range to generate a difference, identifying an irregularity parameter associated with the payroll component in response to the difference exceeding a pre-determined threshold, wherein the irregularity parameter relates to a pre-determined mechanism capable of causing the payroll error, analyzing the difference using a pre-determined rule based on the irregularity parameter to determine whether the payroll error exists, and in response to determining that the payroll error exists, and correcting the payroll error prior to releasing the payroll for the current payroll period. |
| US09978096B2 |
Method and system for illustrating where a ticket is located in an event venue
A system accepts event criteria for at least one ticket and at least one event; accepts price criteria for the ticket(s) and the event(s); displays an interactive graphics-based event venue map illustrating a location of all sections at a venue with at least one ticket meeting the event and price criteria; accepts section selection criteria, at least one section being selected from the interactive graphics-based event venue map; displays ticket information to allow a user to drill down to a specific ticket, cause a location of the specific ticket to be displayed in the interactive venue map; and enable a capability to utilize the interactive venue map to choose a section of interest, causing corresponding ticket information to be displayed in the web browsing language. |
| US09978093B2 |
Method and system for pushing mobile application
Provided are a method and system for pushing a mobile application. The method comprises: determining more than one mobile application category with the highest relevance to a mobile application category to which a mobile application designated by a user belongs; according to the pre-generated weight value of the mobile application, calculating and determining the degree of recommendation of each mobile application under the mobile application category; and according to the principle of high to low of the determined degrees of recommendation of each mobile application under the mobile application category, selecting a preset recommendation result number of the mobile applications as a recommendation result and pushing same to a user. According to the technical solution provided in the present invention, the diversity of recommended mobile applications can be effectively improved. |
| US09978092B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, program for information processing device, and recording medium
At least one pattern matching character string matching a predetermined pattern is extracted from target product information on a target product in a target store (S11, S12), the number of products in the target store of products hit in a range of product information on products sold in the target store is found, with each pattern matching character string as a search keyword, for each pattern matching character string (S13), and among the one or more pattern matching character strings, a pattern matching character string of which the number of products in the target store is the smallest is determined as a product specific character string for specifying the target product (S15). |
| US09978091B2 |
Method and system for tracking marketing channel of application
A method and system for tracking a marketing channel of an application is disclosed. A marketing channel tracking method includes generating identification information for identifying an editor and an application corresponding to the editor that provides a marketing channel of the application, transferring the identification information from the editor through a user terminal, and storing the identification information corresponding to a user terminal in response to the user terminal downloading the application through the marketing channel. |
| US09978088B2 |
Application independent DEX/UCS interface
Systems, methods, and devices are described for an application independent DEX/UCS interface (AIDI). The AIDI is a “plug and play” DEX/UCS solution that removes the requirement for developers to know the structure, function, and format of DEX/UCS transaction sets and to make the DEX/UCS process independent from the existing business logic of many mobile applications. |
| US09978086B1 |
Systems and methods regarding point-of-recognition optimization of onsite user purchases at a physical location
Systems and methods are described for a point-of-recognition optimizer system configured to optimize onsite user purchases at a physical location. In various aspects, a purchasable-unit identifier (ID) may be received via a computer transmission, where the purchasable-unit ID, as identified by an optimizer device, is associated with a recognized purchasable-unit located onsite with the optimizer device. Based on the purchasable-unit ID, a plurality of competing purchasable-units may be identified, where the plurality of competing purchasable-units includes the recognized purchasable-unit and one or more additional purchasable-units, which may be either onsite or offsite purchasable-units. An offer is transmitted via a second computer transmission for an offered purchasable-unit to the optimizer device where the offer originates from an outbidding purchasable-unit distributor, and where the outbidding purchasable-unit distributor outbid other competing purchasable-unit distributors, each distributor corresponding to the plurality of competing purchasable-units, for an opportunity for the optimizer device to receive the offer. |
| US09978085B2 |
Method and system for implementing cloud based marketing integration with external content
Disclosed is an approach for implementing an improved system, method, and computer program product for a marketing automation product, where an external content service is integrated with the marketing automation tool. |
| US09978083B2 |
Systems and methods for determining a dynamic advertisement schedule for a playlist session
Methods and systems are provided herein for determining a dynamic advertisement schedule. These methods and systems are provided by way of associating a first value with a selectable delay option on a playlist menu, and associating a second value with a selectable skip option on the playlist menu. Each time the selectable delay option is selected, the first value may be added to a composite value, and each time the selectable skip option is selected, the second value may be added to a composite value. The composite value may be compared to a threshold value, and when the composite value corresponds to the threshold value, an advertisement may be generated for display on a display screen and the composite value may be reset. |
| US09978075B2 |
Population estimation apparatus, program and population estimation method
A log information obtaining unit which obtains log information; a population information obtaining unit which obtains local population information indicating a population of a local area; a first terminal extraction unit which extracts, based on the log information, a wireless terminal present in the local area in a particular time from among the one or more wireless terminals; a relation parameter deriving unit which derives a relation parameter representing a relation between the number of wireless terminals and the population based on a population of the local area indicated by the local population information and the number of wireless terminals extracted by the first terminal extraction unit; and an estimated value deriving unit which derives an estimated population value from the number of wireless terminals by using the relation parameter are comprised. |
| US09978073B2 |
System and method of advertising and marketing
The invention relates to an improved advertising and marketing system and method that includes a data terminal for communicating information over a communication network and a display terminal for displaying information related to first and second products that are being offered for sale.The invention also relates to the measurement and specific sales and marketing that can be performed as a result of the information gathered by the data terminals. |
| US09978070B1 |
Dynamic customer relationship management while maintaining customer privacy
Functionality is disclosed herein for providing messages specified by a third party to customers of an electronic marketplace while maintaining customer privacy. An occurrence of a customer relationship management event configured by a third party is detected and a message is provided to one or more customers of an electronic marketplace. Actions of customers of the electronic marketplace might be tracked that relate to the message. Analytics may also be provided to a third party while maintaining customer privacy. |
| US09978064B2 |
Hosted thin-client interface in a payment authorization system
A methods and system of hosted thin-client payment authorization and authentication services for processing payments for value-added service (VAS) providers is described. A method, performed by a host server operating a thin-client device, includes receiving transaction request data at a host server computer from a thin-client device, where the transaction request data can include financial account data and biometric data. The host-server transmits a verification request message to a VAS provider and receives an indication that it is a valid merchant. The host-server transmits an authorization request message comprising the biometric data to a payment processing network (PPN), where the PPN communicates with an authentication server computer to validate the biometric data, sends the authorization request message to an issuer and receives an authorization response message from the issuer. The host-server receives the authorization response message from the PPN and sends a service fulfillment request to the VAS provider. |
| US09978060B2 |
Mobile secure element based shared cardholder verification
In a payment-enabled smartphone, a shared cardholder verification method (CVM) applet serves a number of mobile payment cardlets. The shared CVM applet validates CVM information input by a user of the smartphone and in response issues a CVM token. The CVM token is passed to a particular one of the mobile payment cardlets that is selected for a current transaction. The selected mobile payment cardlet submits the CVM token back to the shared CVM applet for verification. Upon verifying the CVM token, the shared CVM applet enables the selected mobile payment cardlet to perform the current transaction. |
| US09978056B2 |
Smart card having multiple payment instruments
The disclosure is related to a primary payment instrument of a smart card may be changed to one of other payment instruments stored in the smart card through single operation of user equipment without requiring further user input or user interaction. |
| US09978044B2 |
Analyzing device
An analyzing device requires regular maintenance for maintaining a predetermined analyzing performance thereof. However, the more complex the analyzing device becomes, the more number of maintenance items are provided. For example, if a plurality of types of maintenances to be performed by removing same component, efficiency may be improved by performing the same as a whole. However, when conforming with a manual, if recommended timings to perform the maintenance are shifted delicately, there is a probability of occurrence of a case where the same components are removed several times for maintenance during a short time. At the time when an instruction to perform maintenance is issued, maintenance items to be performed are extracted, the extracted maintenance items are sorted into a recommended performance order in conformity to a preset rule such that the similar maintenance or the maintenance of the same portion or the like are performed continuously. |
| US09978041B2 |
Social network with multiple logins
A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards seeding a user's contacts for their online social network. The invention is arranged to automatically recommend to the user a set of seed contacts that the user may employ to invite to join their social network. The set of seed contacts may be harvested from the user's existing portal activities, as well as other sources. In one embodiment, the invention analyzes portal activity, such as email exchanges with the user, and the like, to determine a frequency of contact with the user. Other sources may include but not be limited to emails, names within an address book of the user, names within an address book of another person, a buddy list, an instant messaging list, an activity, a mailing list, an online discussion group, a membership in a category, chat group, and the like. |
| US09978034B1 |
Systems and methods involving features of terminal operation
Systems and methods are disclosed for processing information related to a terminal operating system. In one exemplary implantation, there is provided a method for providing information of terminal operating system management. The method may include processing information related to an input to manage the terminal operating system management. Other exemplary implementations may include processing to generate a result such that an output of a result of the managed terminal operating system management functionality is produced. |
| US09978033B1 |
System and methods for simulating home loss prevention
A method and computer system executes a home loss prevention simulation to provide a user with information on home loss prevention. The method and system may allow the user to select and place one or more home sensors on items and/or in locations within a simulated home environment. Once the user has finished selecting and placing the home sensors in the simulated home, the method and system may begin the home loss prevention simulation by applying different loss-related simulation scenarios to the simulated home. Based the different loss-related scenarios, the method and system may evaluate the placement of the home sensors in the simulated home to determine one or more losses (e.g., fire, water or burglary) and any associated financial costs. At the end of the simulation, the method and system may provide instructional information regarding the simulation results in order to educate the user on how to improve or optimize home loss prevention. |
| US09978031B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring and detecting fraudulent uses of business applications
A systems and methods are described detect fraud in existing logs of raw data. There can be several disparate logs, each including data of disparate data types and generated by different and possibly unrelated software enterprise applications. The fraud management system aggregates and organizes the raw log data, extends the raw data with reference data, archives the data in a manner that facilitates efficient access and processing of the data, allows for investigation of potentially fraudulent usage scenarios, and uses the results of the investigation to identify patterns of data that correspond to correspond to high risk usage scenarios and/or process steps. In subsequent processing, archived data can be compared against the identified patterns corresponding to high risk usage scenarios to detect matches, and the invention thereby automatically detects high risk usage scenarios and issues appropriate alerts and reports. |
| US09978030B2 |
System and method for processing of UAV based data for risk mitigation and loss control
This invention relates to a drone based predictive system for detecting and analyzing web and drone based data in order to mitigate potential losses and enhance risk mitigation activities in commercial insurance such as for business owners policies and workers compensation. The drone is able to capture from a plurality of angles and perspectives to provide data to effect a variety of insurance based actions. |
| US09978029B2 |
System and method for generating a custom revenue cycle model with automated lead movement
A system and method for generating a custom revenue cycle model with automated lead movement are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving user input, wherein the user input comprises at least one of data related to a stage, data related to a success path definition, and data related to transition rules for lead movement, wherein the stage is a revenue stage or a detour stage; generating a custom revenue cycle model based on the user input; storing the custom revenue cycle model; providing for automated lead movements based on the transition rules; and providing for automated tracking of lead movements in the custom revenue cycle model. |
| US09978028B2 |
Methods, apparatus, and communication systems for user management
Methods, apparatus, and communication systems for user management are provided. A batch operation request from a client is received. The batch operation request contains a first user identification (ID), a first user group ID, and a batch operation type ID. It is then determined whether a first user indicated by the first user ID has a batch operation authorization. When the first user is determined to have the batch operation authorization and according to a batch operation type indicated by the batch operation type ID, a batch operation is processed to users in a first user group indicated by the first user group ID or processed to users that request to join the first user group. |
| US09978027B2 |
Productivity monitoring
A method for monitoring productivity may include monitoring performance of a medical procedure at a local device. Medical procedure data may be received at the local device from a management device. The medical procedure data may include relative value units (RVUs) associated with the medical procedure. Medical professional productivity data related to the medical procedure may be provided for display at the local device based on the monitoring of the performance of the medical procedure and the medical procedure data. A procedure completion notification may be transmitted from the local device to the management device when the medical procedure is completed. |
| US09978026B1 |
Computation of optimal inventory targets in bill-of-materials in a multi-echelon supply chain
A system and method is disclosed for computing optimal inventory targets in bill of materials in a multi-echelon supply chain. The system includes one or more memory units and one or more processing units collectively configured to determine a delay time from at least one second plan level node in an at least second indenture plan level to at least one first plan level node in a first indenture plan level. The one or more memory units and one or more processing units is further collectively configured to determine a delay time from the at least one first plan level node in the first indenture plan level to a finished good. |
| US09978025B2 |
Ordered-element naming for name-based packet forwarding
A name-based content-forwarding system generates an ordered-element name for a content item, and can process an interest to identify and perform an action that satisfies the interest. To generate the ordered-element name, the system generates one or more fixed-length elements for a content item, such that each fixed-length element of the ordered-element name is mapped to the content item or to a context associated with the content item. The system then generates the ordered-element name to include the one or more fixed-length elements so that the name elements are ordered from a highest matching priority to a lowest matching priority. The system can also generate a packet that includes the ordered-element name for the content item, and sends the packet to a target location that corresponds to the ordered-element name. |
| US09978023B2 |
System and method for using unique device identifiers to enhance security
A method for detection and use of device identifiers to enhance the security of data transfers between electronic devices. A first electronic device can transmit access data to a second electronic device. The access data can be associated with a first access code that can be generated based at least in part on data representing a device identifier of the first electronic device. A device identifier can uniquely identify the first electronic device from a plurality of electronic devices. Transferring the access data can involve transforming the first access code into a second access code that can include data representing a device identifier associated with the second electronic device. Transforming the first access code into the second access code can facilitate access to a resource associated with the access data for a second user, but not for a first user. |
| US09978017B1 |
State change detection and behavioral prediction of a nonlinear and non-stationary system
A method includes performing a comparison, at a computing device, of first probability distribution function (PDF) parameters of a first data set to second PDF parameters of a second data set. The first data set and the second data set at least partially overlap. The method also includes determining, at the computer device, based on the comparison whether a state change occurs between the first data set and the second data set. The method further includes, in response to determining that the state change occurs, generating an indication of the state change. |
| US09978010B2 |
Organic light emitting diode (“OLED”) universal plastic
Aspects of the invention relate to a smart card that includes an OLED display. The smart card may store data associated with multiple purchasing instruments and utilize the OLED display to present sensitive data associated with a user selected purchasing instrument. In response to the selection, the smart card may transmit sensitive data associated with the selected purchasing instrument. The OLED display may allow the smart card to include a customizable face. The OLED display may present video, colors or any suitable text. For example, the OLED display may present a user's credit limit, rewards or spend categories. Such smart cards may be easily re-branded as a result of the smart card not being permanently tied to an embossed number. New sensitive data may be pushed to the smart card and thereby allow it to be used immediately based on the new sensitive data. |
| US09978008B2 |
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. |
| US09978004B2 |
Information recording medium, information recording method, and information reproduction method
It is an object of the present invention to improve visibility for observation with naked eyes or for camera shooting without spoiling the appearance during marking inside a transparent medium using a laser. By irradiating an inside of a transparent medium with a laser, the present invention forms a micro-denatured region in each of a first layer and a second layer inside the medium. The micro-denatured regions in the respective layers are arranged out of alignment with each other on a two-dimensional plane (refer to FIG. 1). |
| US09978000B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, light-emitting device regulating apparatus, and drive current regulating method
An information processing device includes: a captured image acquiring section that acquires data of an image captured of a target space including a light-emitting marker emitting light in a predetermined color; a score map preparing section that determines, for each of pixels making up the captured image, a score value indicative of the certainty of how likely a target object represented by an image including the pixel is emitting light in the predetermined color on the basis of a pixel value, the score map preparing section further preparing a score map associating the score values with an array of pixels on an image plane; a target region extracting section that extracts from the score map an aggregate of pixels meeting predetermined criteria as a region constituting an image of the light-emitting marker; and a position information generating section that, on the basis of the position of the extracted region, generates and outputs position information about the light-emitting marker in a real space. |
| US09977999B2 |
Paper classification based on three-dimensional characteristics
Examples disclosed herein relate to classifying paper based on three-dimensional characteristics of the paper. For example, a representation of the three-dimensional characteristics of the paper may be created, and statistical summary information related to the three-dimensional characteristics of the paper may be determined based on the representation. The paper may be classified based on the statistical summary information. |
| US09977997B2 |
Training method and apparatus for convolutional neural network model
Disclosed are a training method and apparatus for a CNN model, which belong to the field of image recognition. The method comprises: performing a convolution operation, maximal pooling operation and horizontal pooling operation on training images, respectively, to obtain second feature images; determining feature vectors according to the second feature images; processing the feature vectors to obtain category probability vectors; according to the category probability vectors and an initial category, calculating a category error; based on the category error, adjusting model parameters; based on the adjusted model parameters, continuing the model parameters adjusting process, and using the model parameters when the number of iteration times reaches a pre-set number of times as the model parameters for the well-trained CNN model. After the convolution operation and maximal pooling operation on the training images on each level of convolution layer, a horizontal pooling operation is performed. Since the horizontal pooling operation can extract feature images identifying image horizontal direction features from the feature images, such that the well-trained CNN model can recognize an image of any size, thus expanding the applicable range of the well-trained CNN model in image recognition. |
| US09977993B2 |
System and method for constructing a statistical shape model
Systems and methods are provided for constructing a statistical shape model from a set of training shapes. In one embodiment, two shapes in the training set can be parameterized to a common base domain. Correspondence between the shapes can be evaluated using shape-specific data, such as, for the case of anatomical shapes, anatomical curves and/or anatomical landmarks. In evaluating correspondence, the shape-specific data about the second shape can be mapped to the shape-specific data about the first shape, and the mapping can be optimized based at least in part on a deformation energy of the mapping. |
| US09977989B2 |
Systems and methods for identifying objects and providing information related to identified objects
Systems and methods for identifying an object and presenting additional information about the identified object are provided. The techniques of the present invention can allow the user to specify modes to help with identifying objects. Furthermore, the additional information can be provided with different levels of detail depending on user selection. Apparatus for presenting a user with a log of the identified objects is also provided. The user can customize the log by, for example, creating a multi-media album. |
| US09977987B2 |
Region selection for counterfeit determinations
A method and apparatus to select from an image (30) of a first sample (28), at least one region (44) digitally captured at a first resolution based upon how a counterfeit identification performance attribute of each region (44) digitally captured at the first resolution correlate to the counterfeit identification performance attribute of the region (44) digitally captured at a second resolution higher than the first resolution. The selected region (44) is used to determine whether the image (30) on a second sample is a counterfeit. |
| US09977985B2 |
Method for producing a histogram of oriented gradients
A method for producing a histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) for at least a portion of an image comprises dividing said image portion into cells, each cell comprising a plurality of image pixels. For each image pixel of a cell, a horizontal gradient component, gx, and a vertical gradient component, gy, is obtained based on differences in pixel values along at least a row of said image and a column of said image respectively including the pixel. A gradient is allocated to one of a plurality of sectors, each sector extending through a range of orientation angles. At least some of said sectors are divided from adjacent sectors along lines including gx=2n·gy, where n is any integer value with a magnitude greater than or equal to 1. At least one sector is associated with a bin; and a count of each instance of a pixel gradient of a cell associated with a bin is performed to provide a HOG for said cell. |
| US09977983B2 |
Optical data processing device, optical data processing system, optical data processing method, and optical data processing program
A processing for specifying a correspondence relationship of feature points between two sets of optical data can be highly precise and efficiently carried out. The correspondence relationship of the perpendicular edges is obtained based on the assumption that the object is a building, in the processing for integrating the three-dimensional model obtained from the point cloud position data and the three-dimensional model obtained from the stereophotographic image. In this case, one perpendicular edge is defined by the relative position relationship with the other perpendicular edge, and the correspondence relationship is high-precisely and rapidly searched. |
| US09977977B2 |
Apparatus and method for low-power object-detection in images using computer vision feature computation hardware
An apparatus includes a hardware sensor array including a plurality of pixels arranged along at least a first dimension and a second dimension of the array, each of the pixels capable of generating a sensor reading. A hardware scanning window array includes a plurality of storage elements arranged along at least a first dimension and a second dimension of the hardware scanning window array, each of the storage elements capable of storing a pixel value based on one or more sensor readings. Peripheral circuitry for systematically transfers pixel values, based on sensor readings, into the hardware scanning window array, to cause different windows of pixel values to be stored in the hardware scanning window array at different times. Control logic coupled to the hardware sensor array, the hardware scanning window array, and the peripheral circuitry, provides control signals to the peripheral circuitry to control the transfer of pixel values. |
| US09977974B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting light source of vehicle
In a light control system, a captured image of a cruising direction of a vehicle is acquired, and a light source is extracted from the captured image. A probability for estimating a light source to be a vehicle light source originating from a vehicle is calculated based on light source parameters for differentiating the light source. A dark section that is darker than the periphery and is present below the light source in the captured image is extracted. The probability is set to be higher for the light source of which the dark section is extracted. The light source having a probability that is a reference value set in advance or higher is estimated to be a light source of another vehicle. When the dark section that is detected as a shadow of a vehicle is detected, the probability of the light source being a vehicle light source is set to be high. |
| US09977965B1 |
Teaching a robot to place objects in dynamic environments
A method may include obtaining first images, each image including an object, and determining a set of one or more visual cues for each. The method may include selecting a common visual cue of the one or more visual cues that is common to each set of one or more visual cues determined for each corresponding image and determining a correlation between a location of the common visual cue in each image of the first images and a location of the object in each image of the first images. The method may include obtaining a second image of an environment and identifying the common visual cue in the second image. The method may include determining a placement location for the object in the environment based on the correlation and a location of the common visual cue in the second image. |
| US09977963B1 |
UAVs for tracking the growth of large-area wildland fires
A system and method for tracking the growth of large-area wildland fires. The technique includes monitoring wind conditions in and around a wildfire using near-surface-sited sensors deployed by a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), such as the Global Hawk. The deployed sensors measure a localized wind vector at multiple locations within and surrounding the wildfire, and transmit the wind data back to the UAV for relaying to a command center operated by fire management authorities, where the wind data are used to assist decision-making, including as input into wildfire growth prediction models. The sensors may provide additional data such as local altitude/elevation, pressure, temperature and relative humidity. The UAV may also carry sensors that provide additional data to be used by the fire management authorities or the wildfire growth prediction models—such as infrared images defining actively flaming areas, and visual images which indicate vegetation type and density. |
| US09977962B2 |
Method and apparatus for on-board software selection of bands of a hyperspectral sensor based on simulated spectral representation of the region of interest
A system and method for surveying a region of interest with a mobile platform having a sensor having a plurality of narrow spectral bands spanning a contiguous frequency space is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating a simulated spectral representation of a region of interest, identifying at least one of the plurality of materials as a material of interest within the region of interest, identifying other of the plurality of materials not identified as a material of interest as background materials within the region of interest, sensing, with the sensor, spectral data in the region of interest in the plurality of narrow spectral bands, selecting and transmitting only the spectral data of the one of more of the plurality of spectral bands of the sensor according to the simulated spectral representation of the material of interest. |
| US09977960B2 |
Eye-tracking enabled wearable devices
A system for determining a gaze direction of a user is disclosed. The system may include a first illuminator, a first profile sensor, and at least one processor. The first illuminator may be configured to illuminate an eye of a user. The first profile sensor may be configured to detect light reflected by the eye of the user. The processor(s) may be configured to determine a gaze direction of the user based at least in part on light detected by the first profile sensor. |
| US09977957B2 |
Method and system for identifying characters on a valuable medium
A character recognition method for recognizing a character printed over a background pattern on a valuable medium includes acquiring a character image captured by capturing the character printed on the valuable medium; evaluating a degree of similarity between the character image and each template image, the template image having been obtained beforehand by capturing each character that had a possibility of having been printed on the valuable medium and of which background area is evenly filled; and determining that the character corresponding to the template image showing the highest degree of similarity at the evaluating is the character included in the character image. |
| US09977956B2 |
Selecting primary groups during production of a flowchart object from an image
A method for image processing. The method includes: reading an image of a flowchart; identifying, within the image, a plurality of paths corresponding to the flowchart; grouping the plurality of paths into a plurality of groups including a first group and a second group; calculating a plurality of likelihood scores corresponding to flowchart elements for each of the plurality of groups; identifying a first path belonging to the first group and the second group; and selecting the first group as the primary group for the first path based on a maximum likelihood score for the first group and a maximum likelihood score for the second group; and generating a flowchart object based on the primary group for the first path. |
| US09977953B2 |
Sensor network for trick classification
Systems and techniques for a sensor network for trick classification are described herein. A first data stream may be received from a first sensor array affixed to a first free-moving body of a sporting device. A second data stream may be received from a second sensor array affixed to a second free-moving body of the sporting device. A trick region of a predetermined length of the first data stream corresponding with an occurrence of a trick may be determined using data from the first data stream. The trick may be classified using a first set of data from the first data stream corresponding with the trick region and a second set of data from the second data stream. The second set of data may be obtained by aligning the trick region of the first data stream with the second data stream. |
| US09977951B2 |
Picture ranking method, and terminal
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a picture ranking method and a terminal. The picture ranking method comprises acquiring pictures stored in a terminal, detecting whether the pictures are first-type pictures, where the first-type picture refers to a picture including a human face, and when the pictures are first-type pictures, ranking the pictures according to a social relation model, or when the pictures are not first-type pictures, ranking the pictures according to a preset rule. |
| US09977947B2 |
Fingerprint identification method and device thereof
A fingerprint identification method is provided. The method includes steps as follows: having a finger press on a photoelectronic sensor module; respectively emitting an invisible light beam reflected to a photoelectronic sensor module after passing through the finger and a visible light beam reflected to the photoelectronic sensor module via a surface of the finger; generating, by the photoelectronic sensor module, photocurrent signals based on the visible light beam and the invisible light beam; respectively generating, by an analog/digital converter module, a first digital signal and a second digital signal based on the photocurrent signals; and outputting, by a processor module, the first digital signal as a gray-scale fingerprint image and a second digital signal as a colored fingerprint image. The invention also provides a fingerprint identification device performing the fingerprint identification method. |
| US09977939B2 |
Programming and placement techniques for RFID tags without antennas
A radio frequency identification system, and method of operation thereof, provides: a sensor for sensing the absence or presence of a radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system; a supply system connected to the sensor for supplying the radio frequency identification transponder to the radio frequency identification system in the absence of the radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system; and a programmer connected to the sensor for writing transponder content to the radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system in the presence of the radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system. |
| US09977937B2 |
Multi-capability apparatus supporting background RFID tag-reading and corresponding methods
A portable multi-capability apparatus has a non-RFID capability and an RFID-tag reading capability. Upon determining that the apparatus is employing the non-RFID capability, the apparatus uses information regarding the non-RFID to determine a location of the apparatus. The apparatus then uses the RFID-tag reading capability in a ping mode of operation as a background task while also continuing to simultaneously use the non-RFID capability. When an RFID tag response to an RFID-tag reading ping, the apparatus correlates the RFID-tag response to the location of the apparatus is previously determined. |
| US09977931B2 |
Grouping transponders
Methods and systems of processing transponder signals received from transponders to identify the transponders are provided. A first signal including a first identifier may be received from a first transponder. The first identifier is written to the first transponder by an RFID writer after the first transponder is placed proximate to the RFID writer, and the first identifier is used to associate transponders with a first user. A second signal including the first identifier may be received from a second transponder. The first identifier is also written to the second transponder by the RFID writer when the second transponder is placed proximate to the RFID writer. The first and second transponders are associated with the first user based on receiving the first identifier from both the first and second transponders. |
| US09977928B2 |
Radio frequency identification tray systems and methods
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tray for use with a cloud application platform is described. A cloud application, operatively coupled to the RFID tray via the cloud application platform, issues a command to the RFID tray. The issued command is received by an embedded agent of the RFID tray. Based on the received command, the RFID tray performs an RFID scan of one or more RFID-tagged items placed on or in the RFID tray, and the embedded agent sends the tag information from the one or more RFID-tagged items to a cloud application of the cloud network that tracks an inventory of the RFID-tagged items. |
| US09977927B2 |
Data read-out device and information processing apparatus
A card reader (data read-out device) causes an image display section to display an image that indicates a predetermined portion on a display surface of a display panel, as a portion where a non-contact IC card (recording medium) is to be close. An antenna for making communications with a non-contact IC card is arranged at a portion located at the rear side of the predetermined portion on a rear surface of the display panel. In a case where a user brings a non-contact IC card close to the predetermined portion on the display surface presented as an image, the card reader reads out data from a non-contact IC card wirelessly by using an antenna. A user can identify a portion where a recording medium is to be brought close without turning his/her gaze away from the display surface of the card reader. Therefore, it is possible to bring a recording medium close to a proper position so as to enable reading out data. |
| US09977924B2 |
Method and device for providing notification indicating loss of terminal
A method and a device are disclosed for providing a notification indicating a loss of a terminal, the method including obtaining a matching relation between first feature information of a current user of a target terminal and second feature information of a predetermined user. The method also includes controlling a related terminal associated with the target terminal to output a loss notification in response to determining that the matching relation indicates that the first feature information and the second feature information do not match. The loss notification indicates a loss of the target terminal. |
| US09977920B2 |
Providing data privacy in computer networks using personally identifiable information by inference control
Data privacy is provided in a computer network using a security inference control processor of a network device in the computer network which receives a query from a user device through a network interface circuit. In response to the query, a query result data set is generated based on information in a database stored in a non-volatile data storage device. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) exposure risk associated with the query result data set is determined based on an evaluation of combining the query result data set with an exposure storage log that includes result data sets from past queries associated with the user. Based on the PII exposure risk, the query result data set is provided to the user, so as to refrain from providing the query result data set if the PII exposure risk is greater than a risk threshold. Related methods, devices, and computer program products are provided. |
| US09977917B2 |
Retroactive shared content item links
A content management system implementing methodologies providing retroactive shared content item links is disclosed. The content management system and methodologies allow a team administrator of a team to configure a team-wide shared link policy that determines whether non-team members can access content items associated with team accounts using shared links generated for the content items by team members. The team shared link policy has two settings. In a first setting, the content management system allows non-team members to use shared links generated by team members to access content items associated with team accounts. In a second setting, the content management system blocks access to the content items by non-team members. Shared links are retroactive in the sense they do not need to be regenerated after the team shared link policy has been changed from the second setting back to the first setting. |
| US09977916B2 |
Reach objects
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for a row level security. One of the methods includes receiving, by a computer device executing at least part of a functional logic tier of an application, a request from a user for one or more objects present in the functional logic tier. The method includes determining that a type of the requested objects is associated with an object representative of instance level security. The method includes in response to determining that the type is associated with the object, determining access is authorized to at least some of the objects, determining access comprising accessing, by a computer device executing at least part of a data tier of the application, a link data structure that links the user with at least some of the objects. The method also includes providing the at least some of the objects to the user. |
| US09977914B1 |
Electronic device security through boot cycles
An electronic device. The electronic device comprises a memory comprising a confidential information region and a non-confidential information region, a processor, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application determines if a reboot has occurred after a most recent power-off boot, where a reboot takes place without removing power from the processor and memory and, in response to determining that the reboot occurred after the most recent power-off boot, prevents access of applications to the confidential information region in the memory. |
| US09977912B1 |
Processing backup data based on file system authentication
Processing backup data based on file system authentication is described. A system request authentication information from an application in response to a receipt of a request from the application to process backup data. The system receives encrypted authentication information associated with an authentication system corresponding to a file system. The system requests a permission level from the authentication system based on the encrypted authentication information. The system receives the permission level from the authentication system. The system determines whether the permission level permits the request from the application to process the backup data. The system processes the backup data for the application in response to a determination that the permission level permits the request from the application to process the backup data. |
| US09977910B2 |
Trusted user circles
A trusted user circle server for encryption key distribution and authentication support, as well as a client-side application which resides on user's devices are disclosed. In particular, the trusted user circle server manages a repository for static public keys (SPUK) which are used for authentication and secure distribution of a dynamic private context key (DPCK) used for the end-to-many encryption. Accordingly, posting users encrypt posted document using the DPCK and viewing users retrieve the DPCK to decrypt the posted document. These keys are associated to the trusted user circle and are generated dynamically for a given circle policy context (CPC). The CPC is an identifier that represents a group of members of a trusted user circle. It changes whenever any member of the trusted user circle leave it, when a new trusted user circle is created or when the DPCK expires after a pre-determined period of time. |
| US09977909B1 |
Selectively obscuring and/or revealing sensitive information in a display of a computing device
A computer-implemented method may include (1) generating or receiving, at a computing device, display data defining a display layout and one or more fields, (2) providing, upon a display screen of the computing device and by processing the display data, a display that initially either obscures or shows first information in a first field of the one or more fields without obscuring an entirety of the display, (3) detecting, by one or more sensors of the computing device, a physical movement of the computing device or a change in orientation of a user of the computing device relative to the computing device, and, (4) in response to the sensor(s) detecting the physical movement or the change in orientation, causing the display to either show or obscure the first information in the first field without obscuring the entirety of the display. As a result, enhanced security for sensitive information is provided. |
| US09977905B2 |
Method and system for identification of security vulnerabilities
A system for securing an electronic device may include a processor and a memory. The memory may be communicatively coupled to the processor and include instructions. The instructions, when loaded and executed by the processor, cause the processor to scan data including one or more application components to uniquely identify elements therein, determine from a given application component additional components to be accessed by the given application component, scan the additional components to uniquely identify elements therein, determine whether the additional components include any known vulnerabilities, associate one or more known vulnerabilities of the additional components with the given application component, record the known vulnerabilities and the given application component. The given application component may be uniquely identified. |
| US09977903B2 |
Detecting security vulnerabilities on computing devices
Identifying security vulnerabilities on computing devices by detecting an inter-process communication on a computing device, determining whether the inter-process communication is consistent with a predefined specification of a security vulnerability, and causing a predefined action to be performed on the computing device responsive to determining that the inter-process communication is consistent with a predefined specification of a security vulnerability. |
| US09977902B2 |
Enabling a secure boot from non-volatile memory
A system may include a host that may include a processor coupled to a non-volatile memory over a secure communication protocol. As a result, prior to release for manufacturing, a binding code may be established between the host and the non-volatile memory. In some embodiments, this binding code may be stored on the non-volatile memory and not on the host. Then during a boot up of the system, the boot up process may be initiated by the host using code associated with the host, followed by secure booting using the secure protocol using code stored on the non-volatile memory. |
| US09977897B2 |
System and method for detecting stack pivot programming exploit
Systems, methods and media are shown for detecting a stack pivot programming exploit that involve extracting return addresses from a call stack from a snapshot of a running program and, for each extracted return address, identifying a stack frame and following frame from stack pointer information, checking whether the stack is consistent with the type of stack generated by the operating system and architecture conventions, and alerting that a stack pivot is likely if an anomaly in stack layout is found. Some examples involve determining whether the stack frame and following frame follow consistently in one of ascending or descending addresses. Some examples involve, given a consistent directional polarity and metadata about the directional polarity of the stack specified by one of the microarchitecture, operating system, software, or other configuration, determining whether the observed directional polarity corresponds to the expected directional polarity. |
| US09977896B2 |
Systems and methods for generating policies for an application using a virtualized environment
Provided herein are systems and methods for generating policies for a new application using a virtualized environment. Prior to allowing a new application to operate on a host system, the new application may be installed in a virtual environment. A first program execution restrictor of the virtualized environment may determine a set of policies for the new application. The set of policies may allow the new application to add specific program elements during installation and execution in the virtualized environment. The first program execution restrictor may verify an absence of malicious behavior from the new application while the new application executes in the virtualized environment. The new application may be executed on the host system responsive to the verification. The host system may have a second program execution restrictor that applies the set of policies when the new application is allowed to execute on the host system. |
| US09977894B2 |
Virtual machine malware scanning
Methods, systems, and computer program products for selecting a virtual machine to perform a task corresponding to a client request and performing the task at the virtual machine. After performing the task at the virtual machine, an indicator corresponding to a shutdown of the virtual machine is detected. After detecting the indicator and prior to the shutdown of the virtual machine, a memory space is preserved corresponding to the virtual machine. The preserved memory space is then scanned for malware. |
| US09977892B2 |
Dynamically updating CAPTCHA challenges
Systems and methods of dynamically updating CAPTCHA challenges are provided. For instance, a request to access an online resource can be received from a user device. A verification challenge can then be provided to the user device. One or more user responses to the verification challenge can be received. Each user response can correspond to an interaction by the user with an object from the plurality of objects. One or more risk assessment scores associated with the user can be determined based at least in part on the one or more user responses. The verification challenge can then be updated based at least in part on the one or more risk assessment scores and the one or more user responses. |
| US09977884B2 |
Authentication server for a probability-based user authentication system and method
An authentication server, an application device and a probability-based user authentication system and method are disclosed. To simplify authentication while keeping a high level of security, the authentication server comprises at least an authentication probability evaluation module for determining a probability of requestor identification. The authentication server is configured to at least receive an authentication request from an authenticator, said authentication request comprises at least user identification data. The authentication probability evaluation module is configured upon reception of said user identification data to receive user behavior information, corresponding to the received user identification data from a user information database; and to determine a user probability value by comparing at least said user behavior information with authenticator application data. The requestor is authenticated in dependence of said determined user probability value. |
| US09977879B2 |
Multimedia data method and electronic device
An information security method operable to be executed in an electronic device with modules, such as a calculating module, a first determining module, an extracting module, a logic operation module, and an adjusting module. The modules find out audio segments which are suitable for the concealing of copyright and other information by way of phase inversion of the original data as audio codecs are applied and build the concealable information into the data by way of a key. |
| US09977876B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for drawing chemical structures using touch and gestures
Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided that allow a user to draw and edit a chemical structure using one or more gestures performed on an input interface, such as a touch pad or touch screen. For example, the user may rotate the chemical structure representation in the graphical display by performing one or more rotation gestures. |
| US09977871B2 |
Cassette control including presence sensing and verification
A method for controlling medicament dispensing from a cassette moved from a mount for the cassette includes mounting the cassette fully on the mount, the cassette being loaded with bulk-form medicaments, generating a first signal indicating that the cassette is fully mounted, enabling operation of the cassette responsive to the first signal, unmounting the cassette at least partially from the mount, generating a second signal indicating that the cassette has been at least partially unmounted, and disabling further operation of the cassette responsive to the second signal even if the cassette is fully remounted. The method may include also generating a third signal indicating that the cassette is ready for further dispensing of medicaments, remounting the cassette fully on the mount, generating the first signal indicating that the cassette is fully remounted, and enabling further operation of the cassette responsive to the first and third signals after disabling further operation of the cassette. |
| US09977870B2 |
Medication adherence monitoring system and method
A medication management system is described that is operable to determine whether a user is actually following a protocol, provide additional assistance to a user, starting with instructions, video instructions, and the like, and moving up to contact from a medication administrator if it is determined that the user would need such assistance in any medical adherence situation, including clinical trial settings, home care settings, healthcare administration locations, such as nursing homes, clinics, hospitals and the like. Suspicious activity on the part of a patient or other user of the system is identified and can be noted to a healthcare provider or other service provider where appropriate. |
| US09977869B2 |
Vascular flow assessment
A method for vascular assessment is disclosed. The method includes receiving a plurality of medical images of a portion of a vasculature of a subject and processing the medical images to produce a model of the vasculature. The method further includes obtaining a flow characteristic of the model and calculating an index indicative of vascular function, based, at least in part, on the flow characteristic in the model. |