| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US10056756B2 |
Method and apparatus to solve PFC capacitor reduction of line AFLC ripple without passive filters
Audio Frequency Load Control (AFLC) signal processing electronics added to a power factor correction (PFC) unit allowing the AFLC system to operate without the need of large and heavy passive bypass or blocking filters at the PFC installations. The AFLC signal processing electronics a first group of additional electronics tuned to the AFLC frequency for detecting the AFLC carrier signal; and a second group of additional electronics for driving an AFLC impedance switch that is connected in parallel with an AFLC impedance. The AFLC impedance is connected in series with the PFC capacitors, and is sufficiently large to offer significant impedance in series with the PFC capacitors that allows the AFLC signal to bypass the PFC unit. |
| US10056755B2 |
Multi-source energy storage system and energy management and control method
A multi-source energy storage system, it includes a first energy storage system, a second energy storage system, and a second DC/DC converter and controller and a method for supplying power to an electrical load from multiple energy storage systems. The first energy storage system can be coupled to an electrical load. The second DC/DC converter and controller can be coupled between at least one of the following: a second energy storage system and a first energy storage system or electrical load. The controller settings control the first and second energy storage systems and the second DC/DC converter runs in both precharge mode and normal mode. In the precharge mode, the first energy storage system charges the second energy storage system via the second DC/DC converter. In normal mode, the second energy storage is coupled to the electrical load via the second DC/DC converter. |
| US10056754B2 |
Systems and methods for managing a voltage regulator
A voltage regulator may comprise a high-side switch and a low-side switch for delivering electrical current to the at least one information handling resource, a high-side driver configured to drive a high-side driving voltage for regulating a first electrical current of the high-side switch, a low-side driver configured to drive a low-side driving voltage for regulating a second electrical current of the low-side switch, and a control circuit configured to operate the at least one voltage regulator in both of a fixed dead time mode and an adaptive dead time mode. |
| US10056749B1 |
Wall plate bracket with integral straight edge and method of using same
A wall plate bracket includes integral straight edges used to quickly, easily and precisely define an area on a wall where a wall opening for the bracket is to be cut. The integral straight edges are formed along a top or bottom edge and a side edge of a generally rectangular front face plate of the bracket. The front face plate is held against a wall, and an L-shaped line is drawn along the straight edges. The bracket is then rotated 180 degrees and the ends of the straight edges are aligned at the ends of the previously drawn line. Another L-shaped line is then made or drawn along the straight edges, resulting in the two drawn L-shaped lines together forming a proper rectangle defining the wall opening to be cut. |
| US10056745B2 |
Electrical cord connection covering techniques
An apparatus is designed to protect a connection between a plug of a first electrical cord and a socket of a second electrical cord from moisture. The apparatus consists of a first housing portion and a second housing portion that, when mated, form an interior region, a first aperture configured to receive the first electrical cord, and a second aperture configured to receive the second electrical cord. Four cross-wise portions are located in the interior region. The first and second cross-wise portions are attached to the first housing portion and are positioned proximate the first and second apertures, respectively. The third and fourth cross-wise portions are attached to the second housing portion and are positioned proximate the first and second apertures, respectively. When the housing portions are mated, the first cross-wise portion abuts the third cross-wise portion and the second cross-wise portion abuts the fourth cross-wise portion. |
| US10056744B2 |
Apparatus for selectively opening up a portion of a cable
An apparatus (10) for selectively opening up a portion of a cable (12) is provided. The apparatus (10) includes a first guide (14) arranged to receive a core (16) of the cable (12). A second guide (18, 20) is spaced laterally apart from the first guide (14) and is arranged to receive one or more outer wires (22, 24) of the cable (12). The second guide (18, 20) is also arranged to draw a portion of the one or more outer wires (22, 24) of the cable (12) away from the core (16) of the cable (12) as the cable (12) is passed through the apparatus (10) when in use. |
| US10056743B2 |
Cable processing equipment and method for removing a screening film from a screened multi-core round cable
Cable processing equipment for removing a screening film from a screened multi-core round cable includes four knives radially movable relative to the cable for cutting into the screening film. In that case, each knife is associated with a cable core of the round cable. The knives have concavely formed cutting edges and guide elements, which guide elements have guide sections in which the cable cores encased by the screening film are receivable. The knives protrude relative to the guide elements in the region of the guide sections by a projection length. The guide sections have a concave circularly cylindrical shape and form a concave abutment surface for the cable cores. |
| US10056741B2 |
Mobile pole and cutting device
A mobile pole of a switchgear that includes a pole cage comprising two parallel lateral walls, at least one of which delimits at least one centering hole defining a centering axis and an interior volume; a support leg, the pole cage being constrained to rotate with the support leg; and two flanges, each being configured to be connected to a respective lateral wall of the pole cage and including fixing members being configured to cooperate with the at least one centering hole, at least one of the fixing members being a load take-up device including a fixing part defining an insertion axis and a centering part adapted to cooperate with the fixing part and being configured to be inserted at least partly into the interior volume of the at least one centering hole with which said at least one of the fixing members is configured to cooperate so that the insertion axis of the centering part is aligned with the centering axis of the centering hole with which said at least one of the fixing members is configured to cooperate. |
| US10056738B2 |
Corona ignition device with improved electrical performance
A corona comprises a central electrode surrounded by an insulator, which is surrounded by a conductive component. The conductive component includes a shell and an intermediate part both formed of an electrically conductive material. The intermediate part is a layer of metal which brazes the insulator to the shell. An outer surface of the insulator presents a lower ledge, and the layer of metal can be applied to the insulator above the lower ledge prior to or after inserting the insulator into the shell. The conductive inner diameter is less than an insulator outer diameter directly below the lower ledge such the insulator thickness increases toward the electrode firing end. The insulator outer diameter is also typically less than the shell inner diameter so that the corona igniter can be forward-assembled. |
| US10056735B1 |
Scanning UV light source utilizing semiconductor heterostructures
Embodiments regard a scanning UV (ultra violet) light source utilizing semiconductor heterostructures. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a substrate with a film of light producing material on a first surface of the substrate, wherein the film includes one or more semiconductor heterostructures; and an electron beam apparatus, the electron beam apparatus to generate an electron beam and direct the electron beam to a location on the film of light producing material to generate a light beam. |
| US10056734B2 |
Laser device
A frequency tuneable laser device includes a cavity mode selector and a cavity tuning arrangement. The cavity mode selector has a frequency response with a selection feature that is alignable in frequency with a selected cavity mode of the laser device. The cavity tuning arrangement includes a plurality of reflective elements arranged in optical series, and is used to adjust the effective optical path length of the laser cavity to move the cavity modes in frequency. The laser device further includes making the cavity mode selector and the cavity tuning arrangement perform a simultaneous coordinated movement such that respective frequencies of the selection feature and the selected cavity mode vary with substantially the same dependence on a parameter characterizing the simultaneous coordinated movement. For example, a periscope with a co-rotating etalon can be used to provide mode hop free tuning of the laser device. |
| US10056733B1 |
Wavelength locker integrated with a silicon photonics system
A wavelength locker integrated with a silicon photonics transmission system comprising a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and an input via a power tap coupler to receive a fraction of a transmission signal with one or more frequencies from a primary output path of the silicon photonics transmission system. The wavelength locker further includes a splitter configured to split the input to a first signal in a first path and a second signal in a second path and a first delay-line-interferometer (DLI) coupled to the second path to receive the second signal and configured to generate an interference spectrum and output at least two sub-spectrums tunable to keep quadrature points of the sub-spectrums at respective one or more target frequencies. The wavelength locker is configured to generate an error signal fed back to the silicon photonics transmission system for locking the one or more frequencies at the one or more target frequencies. |
| US10056731B2 |
Planar waveguide (PWG) amplifier-based laser system with adaptive optic wavefront correction in low-power beam path
A system includes a master oscillator configured to generate a low-power optical beam. The system also includes a planar waveguide (PWG) amplifier configured to amplify the low-power beam into a high-power output optical beam, where the PWG amplifier has a larger dimension in an unguided direction and a smaller dimension in a transverse guided direction. The system further includes an adaptive optic configured to pre-distort the low-power optical beam substantially along a single dimension prior to injection of the low-power optical beam into the PWG amplifier in order to compensate for thermal-based distortions created by the PWG amplifier. The single dimension represents the unguided direction. In addition, the system includes a feedback loop configured to control the adaptive optic. |
| US10056729B2 |
Two reel terminal cart
A terminal reel cart that supports two reels of terminals and two terminal applicators such that the terminal applicators can be loaded with the strip of terminals and moved into position relative to a terminal station of a wire processing system. The terminal reel cart supports the reels of terminals and the terminal applicators. The reel cart includes a plurality of wheels that allow the cart to be easily moved throughout a processing facility. The reel cart includes a pair of paper take up reels that are each driven by a motor and collects the paper backing from the strip of terminals. The paper take up reels are driven by a drive motor on the wire processing system. |
| US10056728B2 |
Cable processing apparatus for trimming, stripping insulation from and fitting crimp contacts to a cable
A cable processing apparatus includes a trimming and insulation stripping unit with cutting blades for severing the cable, first insulation-stripping blades for stripping insulation from a rear end of the severed cable piece, and second insulation-stripping blades for stripping insulation from a front end of the remainder of the cable, and a crimping press with a first crimping tool for connecting the rear end of the trimmed cable piece to a first crimp contact and with a second crimping tool for connecting the front end of the remainder of the cable to a second crimp contact. A lifting element formed by a carriage and displaceably mounted on a machine housing of the cable processing apparatus operate both the trimming and insulation-stripping unit and the first and second crimping tools. The lifting element is moved up and down by an eccentric shaft driven by a motor. |
| US10056717B2 |
Technology for maintaining secure connections of electronic cabling
For a chassis having a port mounted on a side of the chassis and connected to electronics in the chassis, with a plug mated in the port and a cable connected to the plug, first and second supports are mounted on the chassis side on opposing sides of the port, where each support has a respective, predetermined length extending away from the chassis side. A strap defines a slot beginning at a first end of the strap and extending along a portion of the strap's length. The strap is placed with the cable inserted in the slot and the plug at a central portion of the strap. With the supports mounted on the chassis side on opposing sides of the port, the strap connected to the respective supports, at least the plug forces curvature in a central portion of the strap, so that the central portion of the strap clamps the plug. |
| US10056715B2 |
Card edge connector
A card edge connector includes an insulating body, multiple terminals arranged at the insulating body, plastic ear clips, and metal reinforcing members embedded in the plastic ear clips. The insulating body has a slot extending along a lengthwise direction for inserting an electronic card. Each terminal has a contact portion protruding into the slot to connect the electronic card. Each plastic ear clips has a main body and a withdrawing portion disposed below the main body. The plastic ear clip has two rotating shafts at two opposite sides of the main body. The rotating shafts are pivoted to the insulating body. The withdrawing portion is used for pushing the bottom end of the electronic card to be separated from the slot. The metal reinforcing members extend in the main body and the withdrawing portions, and has a first through hole arranged at a position corresponding to the rotating shafts. |
| US10056713B2 |
Charger extension for elevated devices
Apparatus for an extension system that enables connecting a charger or power source to an electrical device that is mounted at a location not readily accessible without requiring an assistive device. The system includes an extension device and an extension cable. The extension device includes a pole with a holder. The extension cable has a cable connector that is received by the holder. The holder includes a window allowing an operator to see an indicator associated with the electrical device. The cable connector is one half of a connector assembly. The other half of the connector assembly is connected to the electrical device. The two connectors have a magnetically attraction that pulls the connector halves together to form an electrical connection. The connector assembly disengages upon application of a tugging or pulling force greater than that attributed to the weight of the extension cable dangling from the rechargeable device. |
| US10056712B2 |
Customized backshell for connector used for steel wire armored cables
An apparatus includes a backshell, the backshell having a shell defining an interior space, the interior space configured to encase a portion of a plurality of core cables between an entry component and a connector body in a steel wire armored (SWA) cable, wherein the portion represents an excess amount of the core cables when the SWA cable is uncoiled. |
| US10056710B1 |
Terminal module and electrical connector comprising the same
A terminal module comprises a first terminal-module having a first base, first terminal-unit and first receiving recesses; a second terminal-module having a second base and second terminal-unit; a third terminal-module having a third base and third terminal-unit; and a fourth terminal-module having a fourth base, fourth terminal-unit and second receiving recesses. The first, second, third and fourth bases are coupled to the first, second, third and fourth terminal-units by injection molding, respectively. The fourth terminal-unit corresponds in position to the first terminal-unit. The second terminal-unit corresponds in position to the third terminal-unit and lies behind the first and fourth terminal-units. A ground terminal and two signal terminals are disposed at at least one side of the first, second, third and/or fourth terminal-units. The ground terminal is the outermost one. An electrical connector comprises a casing and the terminal module disposed therein. |
| US10056709B2 |
Rubber plug fixed by a plug holder to a cover fixed to a housing
A rubber plug assembly 40 disclosed by this specification is provided with a rubber plug 50 including a rubber plug body portion 51 for waterproofing the interior of a housing 20, leg portions 52 being provided around the rubber plug body portion 51, peripheral walls 54 of recesses (through holes 53) provided in the leg portions 52 being continuous without interruption, a cover 70 to be fixed to the housing 20 while covering the rubber plug 50, and a rubber plug holder 60 including rubber plug fixing portions 64 disposed on a side opposite to the cover 70 with respect to the leg portions 52, projections 66 to be fit into the recesses from the side opposite to the cover 70 being provided on the rubber plug fixing portions 64, the rubber plug holder 60 being fixed to the cover 70 with movements of the leg portions 52 along the cover 70 suppressed by locking the projections 66 to the peripheral walls 54 of the recesses. |
| US10056701B2 |
Multiband WiFi directional antennas
Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of multiband WiFi directional antennas. In an exemplary embodiment, an antenna generally includes a base plate, a plurality of vertically polarized antenna element modules on the base plate, and a plurality of horizontally polarized antenna element modules on the base plate. Each antenna element module includes a radiating element and a ground plane/reflector. The antenna may be operable within at least a first WiFi frequency range and a second WiFi frequency range different than the first WiFi frequency range. |
| US10056700B2 |
Circular array antenna
Disclosed is a circular array antenna. The circular array antenna includes: an input/output unit receiving electromagnetic waves from a transmitter and distributing the received electromagnetic waves to the antenna; a primary feeder connected with the input/output unit and placed at the center of the circular array antenna; a plurality of secondary feeders radially connected to the primary feeder; a plurality of patch units connected to the respective secondary feeders to generate an electric field radially; and a plurality of length controllers formed at terminals of the respective secondary feeders in a direction to extend the lengths of the respective secondary feeders, of which the lengths are controllable. |
| US10056696B2 |
Antenna structure
An antenna structure includes a metal piece, a dielectric substrate, a feeding radiation element, a grounding radiation element, and a grounding metal element. The metal piece has a slot. A lower surface of the dielectric substrate is adjacent to the slot of the metal piece. The feeding radiation element is disposed on an upper surface of the dielectric substrate, and is coupled to a positive electrode of a signal source. The grounding radiation element is disposed on the upper surface of the dielectric substrate, and is coupled to a negative electrode of the signal source. The grounding radiation element is coupled through the grounding metal element to the metal piece. At least one of the feeding radiation element and the grounding radiation element has a vertical projection which at least partially overlaps the slot of the metal piece. |
| US10056695B2 |
Electronic device antenna with switchable return paths
An electronic device may have wireless circuitry with antennas. An antenna resonating element arm for an antenna may be formed from conductive housing structures running along the edges of a device. The antenna may have a pair of switchable return paths that bridge a slot between the antenna resonating element and an antenna ground. An adjustable component and a feed may be coupled in parallel across the slot. The adjustable component may switch a capacitor into use or out of use and the return paths may be selectively opened and closed to compensate for antenna loading due to the presence of external objects near the electronic device. |
| US10056694B2 |
Broadband blade antenna defining a kite-shaped outer profile
A broadband blade monopole antenna is disclosed. The broadband blade monopole antenna includes a body portion that is substantially flat to define a two-dimensional plane that the body portion extends along. The body portion defines an outer perimeter having four sides. The four sides are grouped into two pairs of equal-length sides positioned directly adjacent to each other. The broadband blade monopole antenna provides at least about 100% impedance bandwidth. |
| US10056693B2 |
Pattern shaping of RF emission patterns
A metallic shaping plate located in the interior housing of a wireless device is disclosed. The metallic shaping plate may influence a radiation pattern being generated by a horizontal antenna array. The result may be an increase in the gain of the array. |
| US10056686B2 |
Shark pin antenna
A shark pin antenna is proposed, the shark pin antenna including a base, a circuit board mounted on the base, a 3G/4G antenna mounted at a first end of the circuit board and configured to receive a signal of 3G/4G band signal, an AM/FM antenna mounted at a second end of the circuit board and configured to receive AM/FM band signal, V2X antennas mounted at a lateral surface of the AM/FM antenna, each being spaced apart at a predetermined distance and configured to realize a V2X (Vehicle to Everything) communication, and a plurality of antennas positioned between the 3G/4G antenna and the AM/FM antenna to receive a band signal higher than the AM/FM band signal, but lower than the 3G/4G band signal. |
| US10056680B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal comprises: a terminal body; and a first antenna device and a second antenna device disposed at one side of the terminal body in an adjacent manner, and formed to operate at different frequency bands, wherein the first antenna device and the second antenna device are provided with conductive members each having a slit at one side thereof, and wherein the conductive members form part of an appearance of the terminal body. |
| US10056677B2 |
External antenna device and antenna structure thereof
An antenna structure of an external antenna device includes an elongated substrate, a grounding segment, an antenna segment, a matching module, and a low-frequency extending segment, the latter four of which are disposed on the substrate. The grounding segment and the low-frequency extending segment are respectively arranged on two opposite sides of the antenna segment. The antenna segment includes a feeding portion, a high-frequency portion, and a low-frequency portion. The high-frequency portion and the low-frequency portion are electrically connected to the feeding portion and the grounding segment via the matching module. The low-frequency portion and the low-frequency extending segment each has a signal path, and a total length of the two signal paths is 0.375˜0.625 times of a wavelength corresponding to a center frequency of a low-frequency band. The low-frequency extending segment is arranged apart from and is electrically coupled to the low-frequency portion. |
| US10056675B1 |
Systems and methods for reducing directional interference based on adaptive excision and beam repositioning
Systems and methods are provided for repositioning a directional antenna that responds to a desired signal and directional interference. The antenna can generate a sum beam and first and second difference beams. Respective powers of the sum beam and the first and second difference beams can be determined. At least a portion of any of the directional interference can be excised from the sum beam and the first and second difference beams. Measures of the directional interference can be determined in the sum beam and the first and second difference beams. A first correlation between the sum beam and the first and second difference beams can be generated. Additional correlations between a signal identifier and the sum beam and first and second beams monitor the desired signal reception. The antenna can be repositioned away from the directional interference based on the powers, the measures, and the first correlation. |
| US10056671B2 |
Waveguide type power combining/dividing unit
A waveguide type power combining/dividing unit W includes a plurality of rectangular waveguides 1 for TE10 mode disposed in a radial pattern, a circular waveguide 2 for TM01 mode disposed at a center of the radial pattern, in which one ends of the plurality of the rectangular waveguides 1 are connected to a side surface of one end of the circular waveguide. |
| US10056670B2 |
Method for making electrical structure with air dielectric and related electrical structures
A method has been described for making an electrical structure having an air dielectric and includes forming a first subunit including a sacrificial substrate, an electrically conductive layer including a first metal on the sacrificial substrate, and a sacrificial dielectric layer on the sacrificial substrate and the electrically conductive layer. The method further includes forming a second subunit including a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer thereon including the first metal, and coating a second metal onto the first metal of one or more of the first and second subunits. The method also includes aligning the first and second subunits together, heating and pressing the aligned first and second subunits to form an intermetallic compound of the first and second metals bonding adjacent metal portions together, and removing the sacrificial substrate and sacrificial dielectric layer to thereby form the electrical structure having the air dielectric. |
| US10056668B2 |
High-frequency cavity resonator filter with diametrically-opposed heat transfer legs
A heat transfer interface is provided for radio-frequency resonator cavity filters used in vacuum environments such as are encountered by spacecraft and satellites. The heat transfer interface may include a thermally conductive structure that encircles or partially encircles a tubular structure of the resonator cavity filter and heat transfer legs that extend from positions that are on opposite sides of the thermally conductive structure and at approximately the same distance from a support surface to the support surface. The heat transfer legs and the thermally conductive structure may be made from a material or materials having a thermal conductivity of 350 W/(m·K) or greater. |
| US10056662B2 |
Switched bandstop filter with low-loss linear-phase bypass state
Systems and methods are provided for implementing a switched microwave bandstop filter with minimum insertion loss and phase distortion in the bypass state. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for implementing self-switching bandstop filters that do not require signal-routing RF switches, allowing for very low passband insertion loss and improved power handling. |
| US10056661B2 |
Differential phase shifter assembly
Positioned above the actual pointer head of the pointer-shaped feed element, through which the centre axis or swivel axis passes, is an additional capacitor coupling device or coupling disc that is arranged at a distance from said pointer head and is electrically isolated therefrom. This additional coupling device or disc is separated from the electrically conductive pointer head by a disc-shaped insulator which is inserted therebetween. |
| US10056657B2 |
Energy storage module comprising a plurality of prismatic storage cells
The present invention relates to an energy storage module for an apparatus for supplying voltage, in particular of a motor vehicle, in which the energy storage module has a plurality of prismatic storage cells which, in a manner stacked to form at least one row, are arranged one behind the other and are braced between two end plates by means of at least one tie rod. The tie rod may be in the form of a thermally conductive metal sheet for dissipating the heat from the storage cells to a cooling device. |
| US10056654B2 |
Electrochemical energy store and method for connecting cells of an electrochemical energy store
Disclosed are an electrochemical energy store and a method for connecting cells of an electrochemical energy store. According to the invention, the following steps are carried out: determination of a first set-point for an output voltage of the energy store; determination of a first probability (Pon) for connecting a first cell, the first probability (Pon) pre-determining the connection of the first cell to the electrochemical energy store; definition of a first condition limit value and a second condition limit value for all cells of the electrochemical energy store; calculation of a first condition value for the first cell, and independently of the first probability (Pon), non-connection of the first cell to the electrochemical energy store at a first time, if the condition value lies below the first condition limit value. |
| US10056653B2 |
Battery management device and power supply device
A plurality of cascade-connected voltage detection ICs detect each voltage of a plurality of battery cells connected in series and constituting an assembled battery, through a plurality of voltage detection lines. Power sources receive power from the assembled battery, for supplying power to the plurality of the voltage detection ICs. Communication lines connect between the plurality of the voltage detection ICs. A controlling circuit is connected to at least one of the plurality of the voltage detection ICs. First to third dummy resistors are connected to each of one or more of the voltage detection ICs which are not directly communicated to the controlling circuit out of the plurality of the voltage detection ICs. First to third switches turn on or off current supply through the first to third dummy resistors. |
| US10056645B2 |
Electrolyte, lithium battery and lithium metal battery including the same, and method of preparing the electrolyte
An electrolyte including a block copolymer having a first domain and a second domain covalently linked to the first domain, an ionic liquid, an oligomer, an inorganic particle, and a lithium salt, wherein the first domain includes an ion conductive polymer block, and the second domain includes a non-conducting polymer block. |
| US10056644B2 |
Lithium ion batteries with long cycling performance
Batteries with high energy and high capacity are described that have a long cycle life upon cycling at a moderate discharge rate. Specifically, the batteries may have a room temperature fifth cycle discharge specific energy of at least about 175 Wh/kg discharged at a C/3 discharge rate from 4.2V to 2.5V. Additionally, the batteries can maintain at least about 70% discharge capacity at 1000 cycles relative to the fifth cycle, with the battery being discharged from 4.2V to 2.5V at a C/2 rate from the fifth cycle through the 1000th cycle. In some embodiment, the positive electrode of the battery comprises a lithium intercalation composition with optional metal fluoride coating. Stabilizing additive maybe added to the electrolyte of the battery to further improve the battery performance. The batteries are particularly suitable for use in electric vehicles. |
| US10056638B2 |
Phosphonium cations and polymers incorporating them
A compound including a cation of the following structure is provided (1), wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of polymer residues and substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups, and R is H or a polymer residue. A membrane including the above cation, and electrochemical devices employing this membrane, are also provided. |
| US10056631B2 |
Non-catalytic hydrogen generation process for delivery to a hydrodesulfurization unit and a solid oxide fuel cell system combination for auxiliary power unit application
A non-catalytic hydrogen generation process is provided that supplies hydrogen to a hydrodesulfurization unit and a solid oxide fuel cell system combination, suitable for auxiliary power unit application. The non-catalytic nature of the process enables use of sulfur containing feedstock for generating hydrogen which is needed to process the sulfur containing feed to specifications suitable for the solid oxide fuel cell. Also, the non-catalytic nature of the process with fast dynamic characteristics is specifically applicable for startup and shutdown purposes that are typically needed for mobile applications. |
| US10056627B2 |
Non-invasive measurement method for controlling the functioning of a membrane fuel cell
The invention relates to a method for controlling the functioning of a fuel cell comprising at least one membrane, comprising the following steps: putting at least two conductive means in contact with two different surface elements of the same first conductive plate, said plate being able to be a distribution plate belonging to a first cell, measurement of one or more electrical voltages between said conductive means electrically connected to an electrical-voltage measurement device. |
| US10056626B2 |
Fuel cell system, fuel cell vehicle, and control method for fuel cell system
A fuel cell system mounted in a vehicle includes a fuel cell supplying electric power to a motor driving the vehicle, a pump supplying oxygen to the fuel cell, an accelerator position detection unit detecting an accelerator depression amount of the vehicle, and a control unit calculating electric power required to be generated by the fuel cell and electric power required for driving of the pump based on the accelerator depression amount and controlling the pump based on the electric power required for the driving, in which the control unit calculates the electric power required for the driving such that a rate of increase in the electric power required for the driving exceeds a rate of increase in the electric power required to be generated when the calculated electric power required to be generated increases. |
| US10056624B2 |
Sealing arrangement of solid oxide cell stacks
A sealing arrangement of solid oxide cell stacks is disclosed. The sealing arrangement includes a gasket structure between a flow field plate and an electrolyte element, and between flow field plates of repetitious structures, with first sealing layers being in contact with the flow field plate and the gasket structure, the first sealing layers being overlaid over a selected area of the flow field plate and over a selected area of the gasket structure according to corrosion minimization criteria and on the basis of sealing function criteria. |
| US10056621B2 |
Perovskite structure for fuel cell
Perovskite structures are provided for use in fuel cells. Specifically, perovskite structures are provided for use as electrodes in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and methods of making the same. The perovskite structure may include a first element X, strontium, iron, cobalt, oxygen and tungsten; wherein the first element X is barium, a lanthanide, or a mixture thereof, and wherein the structure comprises a region of single perovskite and a region of double perovskite. |
| US10056616B2 |
Manufacturing method of electrode assembly, electrode assembly and battery
A manufacturing method of an electrode assembly includes forming an active material molded body which contains lithium double oxide and includes plural voids, forming a solid electrolyte in the plural voids, and attaching a polymer gel film impregnated with an electrolytic solution for conducting lithium ions to the active material molded body in which the solid electrolyte is formed. |
| US10056613B2 |
Negative electrode active material and negative electrode for secondary battery comprising the same
Provided are a negative electrode active material including spherical artificial graphite and natural flake graphite, wherein the spherical artificial graphite and the natural flake graphite are included in a weight ratio of 80:20 to 95:5, and a negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery including the same. |
| US10056608B2 |
Composite cathode active material, method of preparing the composite cathode active material, and cathode and lithium battery each including the composite cathode active material
A composite cathode active material, a method of preparing the composite cathode active material, a cathode including the composite cathode active material, and a lithium battery including the cathode. The composite cathode active material includes a lithium intercalatable material; and a garnet oxide, wherein an amount of the garnet oxide is about 1.9 wt % or less, based on a total weight of the composite cathode active material. |
| US10056606B2 |
Negative electrode for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
It is an object to improve the initial charge-discharge efficiency of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery that uses, as negative electrode active materials, a carbon material and a metal or metal oxide that forms an alloy with lithium. There is provided a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a positive electrode, a nonaqueous electrolyte, and a negative electrode which includes, as negative electrode active materials, a carbon material and a metal or metal oxide that forms an alloy with lithium and in which at least part of a surface of the carbon material is coated with a polymer material that does not react with lithium. The mass percentage of the polymer material that does not react with lithium relative to the carbon material is preferably 0.5 to 2 mass %. |
| US10056605B2 |
Manufacturing method of cathode active material, and cathode active material for lithium secondary battery manufactured thereby
Provided are a method of preparing a cathode active material including coating a surface of a lithium transition metal oxide with a lithium boron oxide by dry mixing the lithium transition metal oxide and a boron-containing compound and performing a heat treatment, and a cathode active material prepared thereby.A method of preparing a cathode active material according to an embodiment of the present invention may easily transform lithium impurities present in a lithium transition metal oxide into a structurally stable lithium boron oxide by performing a heat treatment near the melting point of a boron-containing compound.Also, a coating layer may be formed in which the lithium boron oxide is uniformly coated in an amount proportional to the used amount of the boron-containing compound even at a low heat treatment temperature. |
| US10056603B2 |
Method of preparing heteroatom-doped carbon nanomaterial
Provided is a method of preparing a heteroatom-doped carbon nanomaterial. The method includes preparing a dispersion solution by dispersing a carbon nanomaterial in a solvent, forming first droplets by spraying the dispersion solution via an ultrasonic spray nozzle, and forming second droplets including a heteroatom-doped carbon nanomaterial by supplying a gas to the first droplets to dope the first droplets with an element included in the gas. |
| US10056600B2 |
Battery pack
Provided is a battery pack. The battery pack includes a battery module including first and second battery cells that are disposed adjacent to each other, wherein first and second electrode terminals are disposed on each of the first and second electrode terminals, a fuse part including a first fuse connecting the second electrode terminal of the first battery cell to the first electrode terminal of the second battery cell, and a switching device including a first switch disposed outside a top surface of the first battery cell of the battery module and connected to the first fuse and a second switch disposed below the first switch and connected to the second electrode terminal of the second battery cell. |
| US10056597B2 |
Connecting structure and method between grid and electrode tab of secondary battery
Disclosed is a connecting structure and method between a grid and an electrode tab of a secondary battery, which may ensure stable connection between the grid and the electrode tab of an electrode assembly and allow improved productivity. The connecting structure includes a grid integrally extending from an electrode plate of a secondary battery, an electrode tab connected to the grid, and a laser welding portion connecting the grid and the electrode tab. Also, a connecting method between a grid and an electrode tab of a secondary battery includes (a) fixing the grid with a jig, (b) cutting the grid, and (c) stacking the grid and the electrode tab and connecting the grid and the electrode tab by means of laser welding. |
| US10056592B2 |
Absorbent glass mat separators, VRLA batteries, and related methods of manufacture and use
Disclosed herein are soluble content absorbent glass mats or AGM separators for VRLA, AGM, or VRLA AGM batteries. Such glass mats may be prepared from insoluble glass fibers blended with soluble content materials. Upon exposure to a suitable solvent, the dissolving or solvating of the soluble content produces voids within the glass mat. The voids enhance the absorption of the solvent within the glass mat. The soluble content may be acid-soluble glass fibers or microfibers. |
| US10056591B2 |
Method for producing separator film
A method for producing a functional film is provided. In the method, a film is sequentially transferred through processing devices including a film inspection device. At least one expander roll is used for film transfer from a processing device to the film inspection device next to the processing device. |
| US10056590B2 |
Methods of making separators for lithium ion batteries
Methods for producing a battery separator are provided. The methods include applying a liquid precursor material to a substrate to generate a coating layer on the substrate. The liquid precursor material includes a polymer, and a first solvent. The methods also include precipitating the polymer from the liquid precursor material in the coating layer to form a polymer membrane, and drying the polymer membrane to generate a battery separator. |
| US10056589B2 |
Method of manufacturing separator for electrochemical device and separator for electrochemical device manufactured thereby
A method of manufacturing a separator for an electrochemical device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes extruding a resin composition including polyolefin and a diluent, stretching the extruded resin composition to obtain a polyolefin film, extracting the diluent from the obtained polyolefin film to obtain a porous polyolefin film, coating a slurry for forming a porous coating layer on at least one surface of the porous polyolefin film, and heat setting the porous polyolefin film coated with the slurry to obtain a composite separator with a porous coating layer. |
| US10056572B2 |
Organic light-emitting element
The present specification relates to an organic light emitting device. |
| US10056571B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device includes: a first light emitting unit including a first light emitting layer; and a second light emitting unit on the first light emitting unit including a second light emitting layer. The first light emitting layer includes at least one dopant and at least two hosts. The at least two hosts are different from each other in electron mobility and hole mobility. |
| US10056565B2 |
Organic electroluminescent materials and devices
Iridium complexes comprising a tetradentate ligand and two monodentate ligands, devices containing the same and formulations containing the same are described. The iriium complexes can have a structure according to Formula (I) or Formula (II) or Formula (III) where the iridium complex includes: a tetradentate ligand coordinated to an iridium core by coordinating atoms XI, X2, X3 and X4; a first monodentate ligand coordinated to the iridium core by coordinating atom Y1; and a second monodentate ligand coordinated to the iridium core by coordinating atom Y2, wherein X1, X2, X3 and X4 are independently selected from the group consisting of an anionic coordinating atom and a neutral coordinating atom, wherein Y1 and Y2 are independently selected from the group consisting of an anionic coordinating atom and a neutral coordinating atom, and A is a linker. |
| US10056561B2 |
Organic material and organic electroluminescent device using the same
The present invention discloses an novel organic material containing indenotriphenylene derivatives and organic EL device using the indenotriphenylene derivatives as hole blocking layer(HBL), electron transport layer(ETL) and/or phosphorescent host can efficiently lower driving voltage, lower power consumption and increase the efficiency. The present invention further relates to the methods of preparation for the indenotriphenylene derivatives and organic EL device comprising these derivatives. |
| US10056554B2 |
Functional interlayers of fullerene derivatives and applications in organic solar cells
The invention provides novel materials, methods and designs to enable improved power conversion efficiencies of organic photovoltaics (OPVs). In particular, the invention provides novel materials and interlayers for polymer-based solar cells. Novel functional fullerene-based interlayers are disclosed that enable high efficiency devices in conjunction with numerous active layer and electrode materials. |
| US10056550B2 |
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon copolymers and their use as organic semiconductors
The present invention relates to organic copolymers and organic semiconducting compositions comprising these materials, including layers and devices comprising such organic semiconductor compositions. The invention is also concerned with methods of preparing suchorganic semiconductor compositions and layers and uses thereof. The invention has application in the field of printed electronics and is particularly useful as a semiconducting material for use in formulations for organic thin filmtransistor (OTFT) backplanes for displays, integrated circuits, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), photodetectors, organic photovoltatic (OPV) cells, sensors, memory elements and logic circuits. |
| US10056542B2 |
Piezoelectric device
A piezoelectric device including a paper film including cellulose fibers and containing an additive selected from the group including 4-fluorophenethyl isocyanate, 2-2 diphenyl-ethyl isocyanate, nitrophenyl isocyanate, 1-adamantyl iso-cyanate, cyanophenyl isocyanate, and triphenylamine grafted to the cellulose fibers, the film further having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and a first electrode arranged on the first surface and a second electrode arranged on the second surface. |
| US10056538B1 |
Methods for fabrication, manufacture and production of energy harvesting components and devices
A method for forming a unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element is provided. A configuration of the energy harvesting element causes the energy harvesting element to autonomously generate renewable energy for use in electronic systems, electronic devices and electronic system components. The energy harvesting element includes a first conductor layer, a low work function layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductor layer that are particularly configured in a manner to promote electron migration from the low work function layer, through the dielectric layer, to the facing surface of the second conductor layer in a manner that develops an electric potential between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer. An energy harvesting component is also provided that includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the electric harvesting component. |
| US10056533B2 |
Quantum dot encapsulation techniques
Quantum dots and methods of making quantum dots are described. A method begins with forming quantum dots having a core-shell structure with a plurality of ligands on the shell structure. The method includes exchanging the plurality of ligands with a plurality of second ligands. The plurality of second ligands have a weaker binding affinity to the shell structure than the plurality of first ligands. The plurality of second ligands are then exchanged with hydrolyzed alkoxysilane to form a monolayer of hydrolyzed alkoxysilane on a surface of the shell structure. The method includes forming a barrier layer around the shell structure by using the hydrolyzed alkoxysilane as a nucleation center. |
| US10056531B2 |
Method of processing a semiconductor structure
A method according to embodiments of the invention includes providing a wafer including a semiconductor structure grown on a growth substrate, the semiconductor structure comprising a III-nitride light emitting layer sandwiched between an n-type region and a p-type region. The wafer is bonded to a second substrate. The growth substrate is removed. After bonding the wafer to the second substrate, the wafer is processed into multiple light emitting devices. |
| US10056530B1 |
Phosphor-converted white light emitting diodes having narrow-band green phosphors
In one aspect, a phosphor converted white light LED comprising a narrow green phosphor rather than a conventional broad green phosphor may simultaneously exhibit high R9, and high Luminance Efficacy of Radiation, optionally without use of a deep red phosphor to maintain desired red color rendering. In another aspect, a phosphor converted white light LED comprising a narrow green phosphor rather than a conventional broad green phosphor may provide an emission spectrum exhibiting a significant dip in the yellow region of the spectrum and thereby provide high red-green contrast without use of a filter. The yellow dip may be shallower than in conventional devices, and the device may therefore be brighter, while maintaining desired CRI and R9. |
| US10056528B1 |
Interposer structures, semiconductor assembly and methods for forming interposer structures
An interposer structure includes a plurality of front side contact interface structures for connecting the interposer structure to at least one other structure. Additionally, the interposer structure includes a plurality of back side contact interface structures for connecting the interposer structure to at least one other structure. Further, the interposer structure includes a first through substrate via and an electrically conductive shielding structure. The electrically conductive shielding structure ends before reaching a back side of the interposer substrate die and the first through substrate via is connected to the electrically conductive shielding structure at a front side of the interposer substrate die. |
| US10056522B2 |
System and apparatus for precision automation of tab attachment for fabrications of solar panels
One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for attaching conductive tabs to photovoltaic structures. The apparatus includes a cassette configured to store a plurality of conductive tabs and a pick-and-place apparatus configured to obtain a conductive tab from the cassette and place the conductive tab at an edge of a photovoltaic structure. The pick-and-place apparatus further includes a tab holder configured to pick up and release the conductive tab and a substantially horizontal track coupled to the tab holder. The tab holder is further configured to move back and forth along the track. |
| US10056514B2 |
Back side contact layer for PV module with by-pass configuration
Back side connection layer for a photo-voltaic module with a plurality of PV-cells. The PV-cells are of a type having a plurality of back side contacts. A by-pass diode connection path is formed in the back side connection layer along an edge direction of two adjacent cells with a straight or meandering pattern around outer contacts of the plurality of back side contacts of the two adjacent cells. |
| US10056513B2 |
Apparatus and method of forming an apparatus comprising a two dimensional material
A method and apparatus, the method comprising: forming first electrode portions on a substrate; providing a sheet of two dimensional material overlaying at least part of the first electrode portions; forming second electrode portions on a superstrate; positioning the superstrate overlaying the substrate so that the second electrode portions are aligned with the first electrode portions; and laminating the substrate and the superstrate together so that the sheet of two dimensional material is positioned between the aligned first electrode portions and the second electrode portions. |
| US10056508B2 |
Electro-conductive pastes comprising a metal compound
In general, the present invention relates to an electro-conductive paste comprising a metal additive and solar cells obtainable therefrom by application of the paste to a p-type doped face. More specifically, the present invention relates to electro-conductive pastes, solar cell precursors, processes for preparation of solar cells, solar cells and solar modules. The present invention relates to a precursor comprising the following paste constituents: a. A Si wafer with at least one p-type doped face and at least one n-type doped face; b. A conductive paste comprising the following paste constituents: i. at least about 70 wt. % Ag particles, based on the paste, ii. a vehicle, iii. a glass, iv. a metal compound comprising a metal M and which is one or more selected from the group consisting of: an organic metal oxide, a metal oxide, an organic metal compound and a silver metal oxide; wherein the conductive paste b. is superimposed on a p-type doped face. |
| US10056505B2 |
Multi shell metal particles and uses thereof
A composition comprising a plurality of coated metal particles with a metal core surrounded by nested shells formed by an electrically conductive layer and by a barrier layer, at least one of the shells being formed by electroless plating. The invention also comprises a method of producing such compositions as well as the use of the composition in, for example, crystalline-silicon solar cell devices having contact structures formed on one or more surfaces of a solar cell device, such as those used in back contact solar cell devices or emitter wrap through (EWT) solar cell devices. |
| US10056504B2 |
Photovoltaic module
A photovoltaic module capable of suppressing separation of a tab electrode can be obtained. The photovoltaic module includes a plurality of semiconductor layers including a photoelectric conversion layer, a plurality of photovoltaic elements including a finger electrode for collecting generated currents, formed on the semiconductor layers on a side of a light receiving surface, and a tab electrode for electrically connecting the plurality of photovoltaic elements, in which the tab electrode is electrically connected to the finger electrode in a region corresponding to a power generation region of the photovoltaic element and bonded on the light receiving surface through an insulating bonding material. |
| US10056499B2 |
Bidirectional JFET and a process of forming the same
An electronic device comprising a bidirectional JFET can include a drain/source region; a lightly doped semiconductor layer overlying the drain/source region; a source/drain region overlying the lightly doped semiconductor layer; a trench extending through the source/drain region and into the lightly doped semiconductor layer; a gate electrode of the bidirectional JFET within the trench; and a field electrode within the trench. A process of forming an electronic device can include providing a workpiece including a first doped region and a lightly doped semiconductor layer overlying the first doped region; defining a trench extending into the lightly doped semiconductor layer; forming a gate electrode within the trench, wherein the gate electrode extends to a sidewall of the trench; and forming a field electrode within the trench, wherein a bidirectional JFET includes the first doped region, the lightly doped semiconductor layer, a second doped region, and the gate electrode. |
| US10056497B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A transistor with stable electrical characteristics. A semiconductor device includes a first insulator over a substrate, a second insulator over the first insulator, an oxide semiconductor in contact with at least part of a top surface of the second insulator, a third insulator in contact with at least part of a top surface of the oxide semiconductor, a first conductor and a second conductor electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor, a fourth insulator over the third insulator, a third conductor which is over the fourth insulator and at least part of which is between the first conductor and the second conductor, and a fifth insulator over the third conductor. The first insulator contains a halogen element. |
| US10056495B2 |
Thin film transistor and display device using the same
The purpose of the invention is to eliminate an abnormal current at an edge of a semiconductor layer in a thin film transistor. The invention is: A thin film transistor having a semiconductor layer comprising: a channel, a drain and a source are formed in the semiconductor layer, the channel has a channel length and a channel width, a LDD (Light Doped Drain) is formed between the channel and the drain or between the channel and the source, the LDD including a first LDD area, which is formed at a center of the LDD in the direction of the channel width, and a second LDD area, which is formed at an edge of the LDD in the direction of the channel width, wherein a width of the second LDD area in the channel length direction is bigger than a width of the first LDD area in the channel length direction. |
| US10056492B2 |
Semiconductor device, display device including the semiconductor device, display module including the display device, and electronic appliance including the semiconductor device, the display device, or the display module
A semiconductor device including a transistor is provided. The transistor includes a gate electrode, a first insulating film over the gate electrode, a second insulating film over the first insulating film, an oxide semiconductor film over the second insulating film, a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film, a third insulating film over the source electrode, and a fourth insulating film over the drain electrode. A fifth insulating film including oxygen is provided over the transistor. The third insulating film includes a first portion, the fourth insulating film includes a second portion, and the fifth insulating film includes a third portion. The amount of oxygen molecules released from each of the first portion and the second portion is smaller than the amount of oxygen molecules released from the third portion when the amounts are measured by thermal desorption spectroscopy. |
| US10056485B2 |
Semiconductor devices with gate-controlled energy filtering
The present disclosure relates to semiconductor devices with gate-controlled energy filtering. One example embodiment includes a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a channel therebetween. The semiconductor device also includes a first interference structure located in the channel. Further, the semiconductor device includes a first gate for controlling a voltage over the first interference structure. The first interference structure is formed to induce a local mini-band structure that can be shifted by the voltage controlled by the first gate, such that the first local mini-band structure is: (1) aligned with a band structure in the semiconductor device to turn the semiconductor device on; and (2) misaligned with the band structure in the semiconductor device to turn the semiconductor device off. |
| US10056480B2 |
High-side power device and manufacturing method thereof
A high-side device includes: a substrate, an epitaxial layer, a high voltage well, a body region, a gate, a source, a drain, and a buried region. A channel junction is formed between the body region and the high voltage well. The buried region is formed in the substrate and the epitaxial layer, and in a vertical direction, a part of the buried region is located in the substrate and another part of the buried region is located in the epitaxial layer. In the channel direction, an inner side boundary of the buried region is between the drain and the channel junction. An impurity concentration of a second conductive type of the buried region is sufficient to prevent the high voltage well between the channel junction and the drain from being completely depleted when the high-side power device operates in a conductive operation. A corresponding manufacturing method is also disclosed. |
| US10056478B2 |
High-electron-mobility transistor and manufacturing method thereof
Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductive substrate. A donor-supply layer is over the semiconductive substrate. The donor-supply layer includes a top surface. A gate structure, a drain, and a source are over the donor-supply layer. A passivation layer covers conformally over the gate structure and the donor-supply layer. A gate electrode is over the gate structure. A field plate is disposed on the passivation layer between the gate electrode and the drain. The field plate includes a bottom edge. The gate electrode having a first edge in proximity to the field plate, the field plate comprising a second edge facing the first edge, a horizontal distance between the first edge and the second edge is in a range of from about 0.05 to about 0.5 micrometers. |
| US10056473B1 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, including forming a dummy gate structure on a substrate, in which the substrate has a source/drain portion and a channel portion adjacent to the source/drain region, and the dummy gate structure is formed on the channel portion of the substrate; recessing at least a part of the source/drain portion to form a recess in the source/drain portion of the substrate; forming a stress material in the recess; replacing the dummy gate structure with a gate stack; removing the stress material in the recess after the replacing the dummy gate structure with the gate stack; and forming an epitaxy structure in the recess. |
| US10056470B2 |
Consumption of the channel of a transistor by sacrificial oxidation
A method for manufacturing a transistor is provided, the transistor including a gate disposed above an underlying layer of a semiconductor material, the gate including at least one first flank and at least one second flank, and a gate foot disposed under the gate in the underlying layer and protruding relative to a peripheral portion of the underlying layer, the peripheral portion surrounding the gate foot; and the method including forming a selectivity layer obtained from an original layer and disposed only above the peripheral portion of the underlying layer, and selective etching, with respect to the selectivity layer, of the material of the original layer so as to etch the gate foot. |
| US10056466B2 |
Methods for fabricating semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device may comprise forming a first transistor having a first threshold voltage in a first region of a substrate, forming a second transistor having a second threshold voltage less than the first threshold voltage in a second region of the substrate, forming a third interlayer insulating film in the third region, and planarizing the first transistor, the second transistor and the third interlayer insulating film. The first transistor may include a first gate electrode having a first height and a first interlayer insulating film having the first height, and the second transistor may include a second gate electrode having a second height shorter than the first height and a second interlayer insulating film having the second height. The third interlayer insulating film may have the first height. |
| US10056465B2 |
Transistor device and fabrication method
Transistor devices and fabrication methods are provided. A transistor is formed by forming a dummy gate film on a substrate and doping an upper portion of the dummy gate film to form a modified film. The modified film and the remaining dummy gate film are etched to form a modified layer and a dummy gate layer on the substrate. Source/drain regions are formed in the substrate and on both sides of the dummy gate layer. A dielectric film is formed on each of the substrate, the source/drain regions, and the dummy gate layer. The dielectric film and the modified layer are planarized to provide a dielectric layer, and to remove the modified layer and expose the dummy gate layer. The dielectric film has a planarization rate lower than the modified layer, and the formed dielectric layer has a surface higher than the exposed dummy gate layer. |
| US10056464B2 |
III-V gate-all-around field effect transistor using aspect ratio trapping
Embodiments of the invention provide methods for forming III-V gate-all-around field effect transistors on silicon substrates that utilize Aspect-Ratio Trapping to reduce or eliminate dislocation defects associated with lattice mismatches. A field dielectric material defining a trench is formed on a crystalline silicon substrate. A channel feature comprising III-V material is subsequently formed inside the trench. Source/drain features are then formed at both ends of the channel feature inside the trench. Lastly, gate dielectric layers and a gate feature are formed surrounding a portion of the channel feature. |
| US10056463B2 |
Transistor and manufacturing method thereof
A transistor includes a semiconductor channel layer, a gate structure, a gate insulation layer, an internal electrode, and a ferroelectric material layer. The gate structure is disposed on the semiconductor channel layer. The gate insulation layer is disposed between the gate structure and the semiconductor channel layer. The internal electrode is disposed between the gate insulation layer and the gate structure. The ferroelectric material layer is disposed between the internal electrode and the gate structure. A spacer is disposed on the semiconductor channel layer, and a trench surrounded by the spacer is formed above the semiconductor channel layer. The ferroelectric material layer is disposed in the trench, and the gate structure is at least partially disposed outside the trench. The ferroelectric material layer in the transistor of the present invention is used to enhance the electrical characteristics of the transistor. |
| US10056460B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor layer; a first insulating film which covers a surface of the semiconductor layer; a first adhering film which is formed on a surface of the first insulating film and contains a carbonyl group; and a second insulating film which covers a surface of the first adhering film and has a lower dielectric constant than the first insulating film. |
| US10056456B2 |
N-channel gallium nitride transistors
The present description relates to n-channel gallium nitride transistors which include a recessed gate electrode, wherein the polarization layer between the gate electrode and the gallium nitride layer is less than about 1 nm. In additional embodiments, the n-channel gallium nitride transistors may have an asymmetric configuration, wherein a gate-to drain length is greater than a gate-to-source length. In further embodiment, the n-channel gallium nitride transistors may be utilized in wireless power/charging devices for improved efficiencies, longer transmission distances, and smaller form factors, when compared with wireless power/charging devices using silicon-based transistors. |
| US10056455B1 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device including a substrate, a gate stack, a pair of insulator structures, and source/drain materials is provided. The substrate has a plurality of recesses, wherein the plurality of recesses defines a protruded portion of the substrate having a channel region, and the protruded portion has a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface. The gate stack is disposed on the protruded portion of the substrate. The pair of insulator structures are disposed within the plurality of recesses and respectively covering parts of the first side surface and the second side surface of the protruded portion, wherein the channel region is uncovered by the pair of insulator structures. The source/drain materials are disposed on the substrate in the plurality of recesses and on two opposing sides of the channel region, wherein the source/drain materials cover the pair of insulator structures. |
| US10056453B2 |
Semiconductor wafers with reduced bow and warpage
The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to semiconductor wafers with reduced bowing and warping and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a substrate including plurality of trenches which have progressively different depths as they extend radially inwardly from an edge of the substrate towards a center of the substrate. |
| US10056449B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for producing semiconductor device
Proton irradiation is performed a plurality of times from rear surface of an n-type semiconductor substrate, which is an n− drift layer, forming an n-type FS layer having lower resistance than the n-type semiconductor substrate in the rear surface of the n− drift layer. When the proton irradiation is performed a plurality of times, the next proton irradiation is performed to as to compensate for a reduction in mobility due to disorder which remains after the previous proton irradiation. In this case, the second or subsequent proton irradiation is performed at the position of the disorder which is formed by the previous proton irradiation. In this way, even after proton irradiation and a heat treatment, the disorder is reduced and it is possible to prevent deterioration of characteristics, such as increase in leakage current. It is possible to form an n-type FS layer including a high-concentration hydrogen-related donor layer. |
| US10056435B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display includes a stretchable substrate, a plurality of pixel forming plates, first and second pixels, and a cut-out groove. The pixel forming plates are on the substrate and spaced apart from each other. The first and second pixels are on respective first and second pixel forming plates of the plurality of the pixel forming plates adjacent in a first direction. The first and second pixel forming plates are connected by a first bridge. The cut-out groove are in the first and second pixel forming plates and adjacent to an area connected to the first bridge. |
| US10056434B2 |
Organic light emitting display panel and method of manufacturing the same
An exemplary embodiment discloses an organic light emitting display panel including a base substrate comprising first pixels configured to emit a light having a first wavelength and second pixels configured to emit a light having a second wavelength and a pixel definition layer disposed on the base substrate. The pixel definition layer includes first and second openings. The first opening corresponds to light emitting areas of n (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) first pixels among the first pixels. The second opening corresponds to light emitting areas of m (m is a natural number equal to or greater than 1 and smaller than n) second pixels among the second pixels. An area of the light emitting area of each of the first pixels is smaller than an area of the light emitting area of each of the second pixels. |
| US10056433B2 |
Semiconductor memory and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor memory includes a plurality of stripe-like active areas formed by stacking, in a direction perpendicular to a substrate, a plurality of layers extending parallel to the substrate, a first gate electrode formed on first side surfaces of the active areas, the first side surfaces being perpendicular to the substrate, a second gate electrode formed on second side surfaces of the active areas, the second side surfaces being perpendicular to the substrate. The layers are patterned in self-alignment with each other, intersections of the active areas and the first gate electrode form a plurality of memory cells, and the plurality of memory cells in an intersecting plane share the first gate electrode. |
| US10056432B2 |
Self-rectifying RRAM cell structure having two resistive switching layers with different bandgaps and RRAM 3D crossbar array architecture
The present disclosure provides a self-rectifying RRAM cell structure including a first electrode layer formed of a nitride of a first metal element, a second electrode layer formed of a second metal element that is different from the first metal element, a first resistive switching layer and a second resistive switching layer. The first resistive switching layer is sandwiched between the first electrode layer and the second resistive switching layer, and the second resistive switching layer is sandwiched between the first resistive switching layer and the second electrode layer. The first resistive switching layer has a first bandgap that is lower than the second bandgap of the second resistive switching layer. Furthermore, a RRAM 3D crossbar array architecture is also provided. |
| US10056431B2 |
Variable resistance memory device
A variable resistance memory device may include a word line extending in a first direction, a bit line extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, a phase-changeable pattern provided between the word line and the bit line, a bottom electrode provided between the phase-changeable pattern and the word line, and a spacer provided on a side surface of the bottom electrode and between the phase-changeable pattern and the word line. The bottom electrode may include a first portion and a second portion, and the second portion is provided between the first portion and the spacer. The first and second portions of the bottom electrodes may have different lengths from each other in the second direction. |
| US10056430B1 |
MRAM with voltage dependent in-plane magnetic anisotropy
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for magnetoresistive random access memory. A magnetic tunnel junction for storing data may include a fixed layer, a barrier layer, and a composite free layer. A barrier layer may be disposed between a fixed layer and a composite free layer. A composite free layer may include one or more ferromagnetic layers. A composite free layer may include one or more anisotropy inducer layers that induce an in-plane magnetic anisotropy for the composite free layer in response to a perpendicular bias voltage. |
| US10056425B2 |
Methods of making semiconductor X-ray detector
Disclosed herein is a method of making an apparatus suitable for detecting x-ray, the method comprising: attaching a chip comprising an X-ray absorption layer to a surface of a substrate, wherein the surface is electrically conductive; thinning the chip; forming an electrical contact in the chip; bonding an electronic layer to the chip such that the electrical contact of the chip is electrically connected to an electrical contact of the electronic layer. |
| US10056424B2 |
Semiconductor device, electrical device system, and method of producing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes an SOI substrate formed of a first semiconductor layer having a first conductive type, an embedded oxide film, and a circuit layer; and an interlayer insulation film formed on the SOI substrate. The SOI substrate has a circuit element region and an outer circumferential region surrounding the circuit element region. The circuit layer includes a plurality of single pixel circuits arranged in an array pattern. The single pixel circuit includes a circuit element, a diode, and a conductive portion. The diode includes a first region formed on the first semiconductor layer and a first conductive member formed on the interlayer insulation film and electrically connected to the first region. The conductive portion is electrically isolated from other elements. The conductive portion includes a second region formed on the first semiconductor layer and an electrode formed on the interlayer insulation film. |
| US10056422B2 |
Stacked semiconductor chip RGBZ sensor
An apparatus is described that includes a first semiconductor chip having a first pixel array. The first pixel array has visible light sensitive pixels. The apparatus includes a second semiconductor chip having a second pixel array. The first semiconductor chip is stacked on the second semiconductor chip such that the second pixel array resides beneath the first pixel array. The second pixel array has IR light sensitive pixels for time-of-flight based depth detection. |
| US10056421B2 |
Imaging device and imaging method
An imaging device, comprising: a pixel group in which unit pixels including a plurality of pixels receiving light fluxes having passed through different pupil areas of a photographing lens are provided in a form of a matrix; a plurality of types of color filters with different spectral transmittances provided in correspondence with the unit pixels; a microlens provided in correspondence with the color filter; a color information detection circuit which detects subject color information; and a pixel signal readout circuit which reads out a focus detection signal from the pixel group and reads out only a signal of the unit pixel in correspondence with a color filter associated with subject color information detected by the color information detection circuit. |
| US10056420B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is a semiconductor device with improved performance. The semiconductor device includes a photodiode having a charge storage layer (n-type semiconductor region) and a surface layer (p-type semiconductor region), and a transfer transistor having a gate electrode and a floating diffusion. The surface layer (p-type semiconductor region) of a second conductive type formed over the charge storage layer (n-type semiconductor region) of a first conductive type includes a first sub-region having a low impurity concentration, and a second sub-region having a high impurity concentration. The first sub-region is arranged closer to the floating diffusion than the second sub-region. |
| US10056416B2 |
Majority current assisted radiation detector device
The invention relates to a majority current assisted detector device, comprising a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type epitaxially grown on a semiconductor substrate, at least two control regions of the first conductivity type, at least two detection regions of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type, and a source for generating a majority carrier current in the semiconductor layer between the two control regions, the majority current being associated with an electrical field. The detection regions surround the control regions, thereby forming at least two taps. The device is configured for backside illumination and further comprises a well of the first conductivity type between the two detection regions for insulating the detection regions. The well comprises pixel circuitry elements. |
| US10056411B2 |
Array substrate, preparation and driving method thereof, liquid crystal display panel and display device
The present invention discloses an array substrate, preparation and driving methods thereof, a liquid crystal display panel and a display device, for reducing the drive voltage required by a liquid crystal display device, and increasing the light transmission rate. The array substrate comprises data lines and gate lines intersecting transversely and longitudinally to form a plurality of pixel units, each pixel unit comprising a pixel electrode and common electrodes, wherein the common electrodes include first common electrodes and second common electrodes; the first common electrodes, the second common electrodes and the pixel electrode are located in a same layer and do not overlap with each other; and the first common electrodes and the second common electrodes are in strip patterns, and the first common electrodes, the pixel electrode and the second common electrode are spaced apart from each other. |
| US10056410B2 |
Method for manufacturing array substrate, and array substrate, display panel and display device
A method for manufacturing an array substrate, and an array substrate, a display panel and a display device are provided. The method may include: forming, on one side of a substrate, a gate electrode layer, a gate insulation layer and a semiconductor layer, wherein the gate electrode layer has a same pattern as the semiconductor layer; forming an etching stop layer on the semiconductor layer; forming a first, second hole and third through holes by patterning the etching stop layer; forming a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer on the etching stop layer, wherein the source electrode layer is electrically connected with the semiconductor layer via the first through hole, and the drain electrode layer is electrically connected with the semiconductor layer via the second through hole; forming an active layer by etching the semiconductor layer at the location corresponding to the third through hole. |
| US10056406B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising MISFETs in SOI and bulk subtrate regions
The semiconductor integrated circuit device has a hybrid substrate structure which includes both of an SOI structure and a bulk structure on the side of the device plane of a semiconductor substrate. In the device, the height of a gate electrode of an SOI type MISFET is higher than that of a gate electrode of a bulk type MISFET with respect to the device plane. |
| US10056404B2 |
Semiconductor memory devices having closely spaced bit lines
The inventive concepts relate to a semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device includes a substrate including a circuit region and first and second connection regions respectively disposed at both sides of the circuit region opposite to each other, a logic structure including a logic circuit disposed on the circuit region and a lower insulating layer covering the logic circuit, and a memory structure on the logic structure. The logic circuit includes a first page buffer disposed adjacently to the first connection region and a second page buffer disposed adjacently to the second connection region. The memory structure includes bit lines extending onto at least one of the first and second connection regions. |
| US10056398B1 |
Method of forming split-gate, twin-bit non-volatile memory cell
A memory device that includes a substrate of semiconductor material of a first conductivity type, first and second regions spaced apart in the substrate and having a second conductivity type different than the first conductivity type, with a continuous channel region in the substrate extending between the first and second regions. A first floating gate is disposed over and insulated from a first portion of the channel region adjacent to the first region. A second floating gate is disposed over and insulated from a second portion of the channel region adjacent to the second region. A word line gate is disposed over and insulated from a third portion of the channel region between the first and second channel region portions. A first erase gate disposed over and insulated from the first region. A second erase gate disposed is over and insulated from the second region. |
| US10056393B2 |
Application of antiferroelectric like materials in non-volatile memory devices
Integrated devices comprising pinched hysteresis loop (PHL) materials in a capacitor or a transistor stack are disclosed. PHL materials include field induced ferroelectrics (FFE), anti-ferroelectric (AFE) and relaxor type ferroelectric (RFE) materials. Each integrated device includes a material stack with a PHL material layer disposed between two electrodes. Application of this material is dependent on inducing of an electric field bias over the stack. According to one option, electrodes having different workfunction values can be employed to induce the required built-in bias field and enable use of PHL materials. According to another option, a PHL material and charges, e.g., a charge interlayer, are disposed between two electrodes such that an induced built-in bias field appears. Integrated devices employing the PHL material stack include memories, transistors, and piezo- and pyroelectric devices. |
| US10056386B2 |
Memory cells and memory arrays
Some embodiments include a memory cell having a first transistor supported by a semiconductor base, and having second and third transistors above the first transistor and vertically stacked one atop the other. Some embodiments include a memory cell having first, second and third transistors. The third transistor is above the second transistor, and the second and third transistors are above the first transistor. The first transistor has first and second source/drain regions, the second transistor has third and fourth source/drain regions, and the third transistor has fifth and sixth source/drain regions. A read bitline is coupled with the sixth source/drain region. A write bitline is coupled with the first source/drain region. A write wordline includes a gate of the first transistor. A read wordline includes a gate of the third transistor. A capacitor is coupled with the second source/drain region and with a gate of the second transistor. |
| US10056383B2 |
Enhanced channel strain to reduce contact resistance in NMOS FET devices
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a fin structure and an isolation layer formed on the substrate and adjacent to the fin structure. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure formed on at least a portion of the fin structure and the isolation layer. The semiconductor device includes an epitaxial layer including a strained material that provides stress to a channel region of the fin structure. The epitaxial layer has a first region and a second region, in which the first region has a first doping concentration of a first doping agent and the second region has a second doping concentration of a second doping agent. The first doping concentration is greater than the second doping concentration. The epitaxial layer is doped by ion implantation using phosphorous dimer. |
| US10056381B2 |
Punchthrough stop layers for fin-type field-effect transistors
Device structures for a FinFET and fabrication methods for making a device structure for a FinFET. A first layer containing a first dopant is formed on a first region of a substrate. A second layer containing a second dopant is formed on a second region of the substrate. A first plurality of fins are formed and are each located in a respective trench extending from the substrate through the first layer. A second plurality of fins are formed and are each located in a respective trench extending from the substrate through the second layer. The first dopant is transferred from the first layer to a first section in each of the first plurality of fins and the second dopant is transferred from the second layer to a first section in each of the second plurality of fins. |
| US10056378B2 |
Silicon nitride fill for PC gap regions to increase cell density
A semiconductor device is provided comprising a substrate, two or more semiconductor fins, and one or more gates. A flowable oxide layer is deposited on the semiconductor device. An area between the two or more semiconductor fins is etched such that the substrate is exposed. An insulating layer is deposited within the etched area. At least the flowable oxide layer is removed. |
| US10056377B2 |
Metal layer routing level for vertical FET SRAM and logic cell scaling
Methods of forming a VFET SRAM or logic device having a sub-fin level metal routing layer connected to a gate of one transistor pair and to the bottom S/D of another transistor pair and resulting device are provided. Embodiments include pairs of fins formed on a substrate; a bottom S/D layer patterned on the substrate around the fins; conformal liner layers formed over the substrate; a ILD formed over a liner layer; a metal routing layer formed between the pairs of fins on the liner layer between the first pair and on the bottom S/D layer between at least the second pair, an upper surface formed below the active fin portion; a GAA formed on the dielectric spacer around each fin of the first pair; and a bottom S/D contact xc or a dedicated xc formed on the metal routing layer adjacent to the GAA or through the GAA, respectively. |
| US10056376B2 |
Ferroelectric FinFET
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a fin positioned above the semiconductor substrate, wherein the fin includes a semiconductor material. Additionally, a ferroelectric high-k spacer covers sidewall surfaces of the fin and a non-ferroelectric high-k material layer covers the ferroelectric high-k spacer and the fin, wherein a portion of the non-ferroelectric high-k material layer is positioned on and in direct contact with the semiconductor material at the upper surface of the fin. |
| US10056370B2 |
Semiconductor device
In order to reduce electric field concentration in a semiconductor device including a main transistor section and a sense transistor section, the semiconductor device is provided, the semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a main transistor section in an active region on the semiconductor substrate, and a sense transistor section outside the active region on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the active region is provided with a main well region of a second conductivity type, and wherein the sense transistor section has a sense gate trench section formed extending from the outside of the active region to the main well region on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US10056368B2 |
Fin diode with increased junction area
A diode includes a plurality of fins defined in a semiconductor substrate. An anode region is defined by a doped region in a first surface portion of each of the plurality of fins and in a second surface portion of the semiconductor substrate disposed between adjacent fins in the plurality of fins. The doped region includes a first dopant having a first conductivity type and is contiguous between the adjacent fins. A cathode region is defined by an inner portion of each of the plurality of fins positioned below and contacting the first surface portion and a third portion of the semiconductor substrate positioned below and contacting the second surface portion. The cathode region is contiguous and the dopants in the cathode region and anode region have opposite conductivity types. A junction is defined between the anode region and the cathode region. A first contact interfaces with the anode region. |
| US10056367B2 |
Gate stack integrated metal resistors
Described herein are semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same. In some aspects, methods of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a gate stack having a self-aligning cap and a gate metal on a substrate, depositing a resist mask onto the semiconductor device, and patterning the resist mask such that the gate stack is exposed. Additionally, methods include removing the self-aligning cap and the gate metal from the exposed gate stack, depositing a resistor metal on the semiconductor device such that a metal resistor is formed within the exposed gate stack, and forming a bar contact and contact via above the metal resistor. |
| US10056366B2 |
Gate stack integrated metal resistors
Described herein are semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same. In some aspects, methods of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a gate stack having a self-aligning cap and a gate metal on a substrate, depositing a resist mask onto the semiconductor device, and patterning the resist mask such that the gate stack is exposed. Additionally, methods include removing the self-aligning cap and the gate metal from the exposed gate stack, depositing a resistor metal on the semiconductor device such that a metal resistor is formed within the exposed gate stack, and forming a bar contact and contact via above the metal resistor. |
| US10056364B1 |
Electronic device with adjustable reverse breakdown voltage
An electrical device may include a substrate; a first doped region of the substrate having a p doping type; a second doped region adjacent to the first doped region of the substrate having an n doping type, wherein an interface between the first and second doped regions forms a p-n junction; and a circuit element placed in spaced relation to the p-n junction, the circuit element configured to produce an electric field that interacts with the p-n junction to change a reverse breakdown voltage of the p-n junction. Applicants for the electrical device include ESD protection circuits. |
| US10056358B2 |
Light-emitting module
Provided is a light-emitting module that achieves high brightness, whose electrode structure is simple and whose brightness distribution has rotational symmetry. The light-emitting module includes a substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on the substrate, LED devices connected between the first electrode and the second electrode, a dam member disposed on the substrate so as to surround the LED devices, and a phosphor-containing resin for sealing the LED devices by being filled into a region surrounded by the dam member on the substrate. The first electrode includes a first outer electrode disposed under the dam member and a first inner electrode disposed nearer to a center of the substrate than the first outer electrode is. The second electrode includes a second outer electrode disposed under the dam member and a second inner electrode disposed nearer to the center of the substrate than the second outer electrode is. The first outer electrode is disposed so as to oppose the second inner electrode. The second outer electrode is disposed so as to oppose the first inner electrode. |
| US10056356B1 |
Chip package circuit board module
A chip package circuit board module includes a circuit board and an original chip. The circuit board includes a first pad and a second pad disposed besides the first pad and separated from the first pad. The original chip is connected to the first pad and the second pad. A width of the original chip is W1, a total width of the first pad is P1, and a total width of the second pad is P2. The total width P1 of the first pad is larger than twice of the width W1 of the original chip, and the total width P2 of the second pad is larger than twice of the width W1 of the original chip. |
| US10056354B2 |
Multi-chip semiconductor apparatus
A multi-chip semiconductor apparatus includes a plurality of semiconductor chips stacked and packaged therein, wherein each of the semiconductor chips includes: a through-silicon via (TSV) formed through the semiconductor chip; a probe pad exposed to an outside of the semiconductor chip so as to enable a probing test; a bump pad exposed to the outside of the semiconductor chip and electrically connected to the TSV; and a conductive layer electrically connecting the probe pad and the bump pad inside the semiconductor chip. |
| US10056353B2 |
3DIC interconnect apparatus and method
An interconnect apparatus and a method of forming the interconnect apparatus is provided. Two integrated circuits are bonded together. A first opening is formed through one of the substrates. A multi-layer dielectric film is formed along sidewalls and a bottom of the first opening. A second opening is formed extending from the first opening to pads in the integrated circuits. A dielectric liner is formed, and the opening is filled with a conductive material to form a conductive plug. |
| US10056349B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device and semiconductor device thereof
A semiconductor device structure and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that comprises ordering and performing processing steps in a manner that prevents warpage deformation from occurring to a wafer and/or die due to mismatching thermal coefficients. |
| US10056348B2 |
Chip assembling on adhesion layer or dielectric layer, extending beyond chip, on substrate
Electronic module (100), which comprises a first substrate (102), a first dielectric layer (104) on the first substrate (102), at least one electronic chip (106), which is mounted with a first main surface (108) directly or indirectly on partial region of the first dielectric layer (104), a second substrate (110) over a second main surface (114) of the at least one electronic chip (106), and an electrical contacting (116) for the electric contact of the at least one electronic chip (106) through the first dielectric layer (104), wherein the first adhesion layer (104) on the first substrate (102) extends over an area, which exceeds the first main surface (108). |
| US10056346B2 |
Chip attach frame
A chip attach frame is used to align pins of an integrated circuit chip with pads on a chip carrier. A frame block has a socket defining two alignment edges that form a reference corner. The chip is lowered into the socket, and the chip carrier is inclined while it supports the frame block and chip until the chip moves under force of gravity to the reference corner. Once located at the reference corner, the chip position is carefully adjusted by moving the frame block in the x- and y-directions until the pins are aligned with the pads. The frame block is spring biased against movement in the x- and y-directions, and the position of the frame block is adjusted using thumbscrews. A plunger mechanism can be used to secure the integrated circuit chip in forcible engagement with the chip carrier once the pins are aligned with the pads. |
| US10056345B2 |
Conical-shaped or tier-shaped pillar connections
A pillar structure, and a method of forming, for a substrate is provided. The pillar structure may have one or more tiers, where each tier may have a conical shape or a spherical shape. In an embodiment, the pillar structure is used in a bump-on-trace (BOT) configuration. The pillar structures may have circular shape or an elongated shape in a plan view. The substrate may be coupled to another substrate. In an embodiment, the another substrate may have raised conductive traces onto which the pillar structure may be coupled. |
| US10056344B2 |
Semiconductor device
A first surface of a first substrate included in a semiconductor device includes a first area in which a plurality of first connecting portions are disposed and a second area in which a plurality of second connecting portions are disposed. A second surface of a second substrate included in the semiconductor device includes a third area in which the plurality of first connecting portions are disposed and a fourth area in which the plurality of second connecting portions are disposed. The second area surrounds the first area on the first surface. The fourth area surrounds the third area on the second surface. A height of the second base electrode in a thickness direction of the first substrate is greater than a height of the first base electrode in the thickness direction. |
| US10056342B2 |
Electronic component and electronic device
A surface of at least one of a connection terminal of an electronic component and a connection terminal of a circuit board is covered with a protection layer made of a AgSn alloy. The connection terminal of the electronic component is soldered to the connection terminal of the circuit board. |
| US10056338B2 |
Methods of forming semiconductor packages including molding semiconductor chips of the semiconductor packages
Some embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method for forming semiconductor packages. The method includes disposing a plurality of semiconductor chips over a top side of a wafer, molding the plurality of semiconductor chips with a first molding material, and after molding the semiconductor chips, forming a composite layer over the plurality of semiconductor chips. |
| US10056336B2 |
Semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same
To provide a technique capable of positioning of a semiconductor chip and a mounting substrate with high precision by improving visibility of an alignment mark. In a semiconductor chip constituting an LCD driver, a mark is formed in an alignment mark formation region over a semiconductor substrate. The mark is formed in the same layer as that of an uppermost layer wiring (third layer wiring) in an integrated circuit formation region. Then, in the lower layer of the mark and a background region surrounding the mark, patterns are formed. At this time, the pattern P1a is formed in the same layer as that of a second layer wiring and the pattern P1b is formed in the same layer as that of a first layer wiring. Further, the pattern P2 is formed in the same layer as that of a gate electrode, and the pattern P3 is formed in the same layer as that of an element isolation region. |
| US10056335B2 |
Prototyping of electronic circuits with edge interconnects
In a method of forming an assembly including projecting or protruding nodules, a substrate is provided that supports an electrical circuit. One or more cavities are formed in the substrate, a conductive pad is formed in each cavity, and one or more conductive traces are formed on the substrate. Each conductive trace connects a conductive pad to a location, node, or terminal of the electrical circuit. A part of the substrate is removed to form the assembly that includes the electrical circuit, the one or more conductive traces, and a portion of each conductive pad projecting or protruding from the substrate. The electrical circuit can be formed on the substrate, which can be a PCB, or can be formed on a microchip supported by the substrate, which can be formed of semiconductor material, e.g., a semiconductor wafer. |
| US10056325B2 |
Semiconductor package having a trench penetrating a main body
The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor package and a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor package includes a semiconductor element including a main body, a plurality of conductive vias, and at least one filler. The conductive vias penetrate through the main body. The filler is located in the main body, and a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the filler is different from that of the main body and the conductive vias. Thus, the CTE of the overall semiconductor element can be adjusted, so as to reduce warpage. |
| US10056321B2 |
Semiconductor package and method for routing the package
A semiconductor package having improved performance and reliability and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor package includes a processing chip including a first pin at a first side to output a first signal, and a second pin at a second side to output a second signal different from the first signal, and a substrate having the processing chip thereon, the substrate including a first bump ball electrically connected to the first pin and a second bump ball electrically connected to the second pin, wherein the first bump ball and the second bump ball are adjacent at one of the first and second sides of the substrate. |
| US10056319B2 |
Power module package having patterned insulation metal substrate
A packaging structure is provided, including a substrate, a first chip, a second chip, and a conductive unit. The substrate includes a metal carrier, a patterned insulation layer disposed on the metal carrier and partially covering the metal carrier, and a patterned conductive layer disposed on the patterned insulation layer. The first chip is disposed on the metal carrier not covered by the patterned insulation layer. The second chip is disposed on the patterned conductive layer and electrically connected to the first chip by the conductive unit. |
| US10056317B1 |
Semiconductor package with grounding device and related methods
Implementations of a semiconductor package may include a first side of a die coupled to a first side of an electrically insulative layer, a second side of the electrically insulative layer coupled to a lead frame, and at least one ground stud physically coupled to the lead frame and to the die, the at least one ground stud extending from the second side of the electrically insulative layer into the electrically insulative layer from the lead frame. The die may be wire bonded to the lead frame. |
| US10056315B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device of an embodiment includes a semiconductor layer, a first conductor, a first conductive layer, a first insulating layer, a second conductive layer, and a plurality of second conductors. The semiconductor layer has a first region and a second region. The first conductor is provided in the semiconductor layer. The first conductive layer is electrically connected to the first conductor. The first insulating layer is provided in the semiconductor layer with at least part of the first insulating layer being provided between the first conductive layer and the semiconductor layer. A distance from the first insulating layer to the first region is smaller than a distance to the second region. A first distance to the first region from a plane that includes a first interface between the first insulating layer and the first conductive layer is larger than a second distance from the plane to the second region. |
| US10056313B2 |
Power module of square flat pin-free packaging structure
A power module of a square flat pin-free packaging structure for suppressing the power module from being excessively high in local temperature. The power module includes an insulating resin, a driving chip, a plurality of power chips, and a plurality of metal electrode contacts. The driving chip, the power chips, and the metal electrode contacts are electrically connected through a metal lead according to a predetermined circuit. A plurality of metal heat dissipating disks used for heat dissipation of the power chips and a driving chip lead frame are disposed at the bottom of the insulating resin. A plurality of metal power chip lead frames are disposed on the metal heat dissipating disks, the power chips are disposed on the power chip lead frames, and the drain electrodes of the power chips are electrically connected to the metal heat dissipating disks. |
| US10056309B2 |
Electronic device
Each of first and second semiconductor devices mounted on a substrate includes an emitter terminal electrically connected with a front surface electrode of a semiconductor chip and exposed from a main surface of a sealing body located on a front surface side of the semiconductor chip. Each of the first and second semiconductor devices includes a collector terminal electrically connected with a back surface electrode of the semiconductor chip and exposed from the main surface of the sealing body located on a back surface side of the semiconductor chip. The collector terminal of the first semiconductor device is electrically connected with the emitter terminal of the second semiconductor device via a conductor pattern formed on an upper surface of the substrate. |
| US10056306B2 |
Test structure for monitoring interface delamination
Aspects of the present disclosure include a test structure that includes two or more devices. Each device includes a wire disposed within a dielectric and a first via disposed over the wire and in electrical contact with the wire. Each device includes a test pad electrically connected to the first via and a polysilicon resistor electrically connected to the wire. Each of the polysilicon resistors of the two or more devices are electrically tied together. A method for forming the interconnect structure to be used for testing is also provided. |
| US10056303B1 |
Integration scheme for gate height control and void free RMG fill
A method of controlling NFET and PFET gate heights across different gate widths with chamfering and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming an ILD over a fin; forming cavities in the ILD, each with similar or different widths; forming a high-K dielectric layer over the ILD and in each cavity; forming a pWF metal layer over the dielectric layer in one cavity; recessing the pWF metal layer to a height above the fin; forming an nWF metal layer in the cavities over the dielectric and pWF metal layers; recessing the nWF metal layer to a height above the pWF metal layer; forming a barrier layer over the dielectric and nWF metal layers; filling the cavities with a low-resistive metal; and recessing the barrier and dielectric layers to a height above the nWF metal layer; and concurrently etching the low-resistive metal. |
| US10056302B2 |
Semiconductor device and related manufacturing method
A semiconductor device may include a substrate, a p-channel device, and an n-channel device. The p-channel device may include a first metal member, a first dielectric layer positioned between the substrate and the first metal member, a first barrier layer positioned between the first dielectric layer and the first metal member, a first first-type work function layer directly contacting the first barrier layer and positioned between the first barrier layer and the first metal member, and a first second-type work function layer directly contacting both the first first-type work function layer and the first metal member. The n-channel device may include a second metal member, a second dielectric layer positioned between the substrate and the second metal member, and a second second-type work function layer directly contacting both the second dielectric layer and the second metal member. |
| US10056300B2 |
Methods of forming NMOS and PMOS finFET devices and the resulting product
A device includes an NMOS FinFET device including a first fin. The first fin includes a first strain relaxed buffer layer doped with carbon and a first channel semiconductor material formed above the carbon-doped strain relaxed buffer layer. A PMOS FinFET device includes a second fin. The second fin includes a second strain relaxed buffer layer and a second channel semiconductor material formed above the carbon-doped strain relaxed buffer layer. A first gate structure is positioned around a portion of the NMOS fin. A second gate structure is positioned around a portion of the PMOS fin. |
| US10056293B2 |
Techniques for creating a local interconnect using a SOI wafer
In one aspect, a method of forming a local interconnect structure includes the steps of: forming a BOX SOI wafer having a fully depleted seed layer between a first BOX layer and a second BOX layer, and an active layer over the second BOX layer; forming at least one STI region in the active layer having an STI oxide; forming at least one trench that extends through the STI oxide and the second BOX layer down to the seed layer, wherein the trench has a footprint and a location such that a portion of the STI oxide remains lining sidewalls of the trench; and growing an epitaxial material in the trench using the seed layer as a template for the growth, wherein the epitaxial material is doped and serves as the local interconnect structure which is buried in the double BOX SOI wafer. |
| US10056288B1 |
Semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a gate trench penetrating through an active area and a trench isolation region surrounding the active area. The gate trench exposes a sidewall of the active area and a sidewall of the trench isolation region. The sidewall of the trench isolation region includes a void. A first gate dielectric layer conformally covers the sidewall of the active area and the sidewall of the trench isolation region. The void in the sidewall of the trench isolation region is filled with the first gate dielectric layer. A second gate dielectric layer is grown on the sidewall of the active area. A gate is embedded in the gate trench. |
| US10056287B2 |
Apparatus for treating surfaces of wafer-shaped articles
A device for processing wafer-shaped articles comprises a closed process chamber. The closed process chamber comprises a housing providing a gas-tight enclosure, a rotary chuck located within the closed process chamber and adapted to hold a wafer shaped article thereon, and an interior cover disposed within said closed process chamber. The interior cover is movable between a first position in which the rotary chuck communicates with an outer wall of the closed process chamber, and a second position in which the interior cover seals against an inner surface of the closed process chamber adjacent the rotary chuck to define a gas-tight inner process chamber. |
| US10056286B2 |
Support ring with masked edge
A support ring for semiconductor processing is provided. The support ring includes a ring shaped body defined by an inner edge and an outer edge. The inner edge and outer edge are concentric about a central axis. The ring shaped body further includes a first side, a second side, and a raised annular shoulder extending from the first side of the ring shaped body at the inner edge. The support ring also includes a coating on the first side. The coating has an inner region of reduced thickness region abutting the raised annular shoulder. |
| US10056284B2 |
Electrostatic chuck optimized for refurbishment
A method of manufacturing an electrostatic chuck includes bonding an electrostatic puck to a metal base plate, wherein the electrostatic puck has an electrode embedded in the electrostatic puck. The method further includes subsequently polishing a surface of the electrostatic puck to a flatness of below 10 microns and an average surface roughness of approximately 2-6 micro-inches. The method further includes subsequently forming surface features on a surface of the electrostatic puck, the surface features comprising mesas and a sealing band around a perimeter of the electrostatic puck. |
| US10056283B2 |
Apparatus of aligning substrate and method of aligning substrate
An apparatus and a method for aligning a substrate are disclosed. In one aspect, the substrate aligning apparatus includes a stage configured to support a plurality of substrates, a supporting pin placed in the stage to support the substrates and an alignment clamp configured to respectively move each of the substrates to align the substrates. The alignment clamp can respectively align at least two of the substrates with reference to an alignment reference position as a two-dimensional coordinate system which includes a first axis and a second axis crossing the first axis and is set on an imaginary plane by the first and second axes. |
| US10056281B2 |
Container transport facility
A transport apparatus transports a container that includes a flow hole forming portion in which a flow hole through which gas can flow between the outside and the inside of the container is formed. A connecting portion that has a flow path through which gas can flow and a filling gas supply source that allows a filling gas to flow through the flow path are provided in the transport apparatus. The connecting portion is configured to be switchable between a non-connected state in which the connecting portion is retracted to the outside of a moving region of the container that moves along a transport path and a connected state in which the connecting portion enters the inside of the moving region and is connected to the flow hole forming portion of the container. |
| US10056279B2 |
Semiconductor process equipment
A system for processing a substrate is provided including a first planar motor, a substrate carrier, a first processing chamber, and a first lift. The first planar motor includes a first arrangement of coils disposed along a first horizontal direction, a top surface parallel to the first horizontal direction, a first side, a second side. The substrate carrier has a substrate supporting surface parallel to the first horizontal direction. The first processing chamber has an opening to receive a substrate disposed on the substrate carrier. The first lift includes a second planar motor having a second arrangement of coils disposed along the first horizontal direction. A top surface top surface of the second planar motor is parallel to the first horizontal direction. The first lift is configured to move the top surface of the second planar motor between a first vertical location and a second vertical location. |
| US10056276B2 |
Fluid monitoring system and method for semiconductor fabrication tools
A system and method provide for monitoring and controlling fluid flow in semiconductor manufacturing apparatuses. The method and system include a vortex flow meter coupled to a digital readout that displays the measured flow rate and trip point. The flow meter display includes input devices used to adjust the trip point. The system and method provide for sending signals via a custom relay to the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus which is adapted to terminate a processing operation or change the fluid flow if the trip point is tripped. The system and method also provide for sending an electrical signal to a computer by way of a data acquisition unit and a converter. The converter converts the signal to a communication protocol consistent with the computer network and provides fluid flow information and trip point data as a function of time to the computer which then displays such data graphically. |
| US10056273B2 |
Heating apparatus, substrate heating apparatus, and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A heating apparatus includes a heater, an electron reflection plate, a filament arranged between the heater and the electron reflection plate, a heating power supply configured to supply an AC voltage between a first terminal and a second terminal of the filament to emit thermoelectrons from the filament, an acceleration power supply configured to supply an acceleration voltage between the filament and the heater, and a resistor arranged so as to form a path which connects the electron reflection plate and the heating power supply. |
| US10056272B2 |
Gas-controlled bonding platform for edge defect reduction during wafer bonding
A wafer bonding method includes placing a top wafer on a top bonding framework including a plurality of outlet holes around a periphery of the top bonding framework. A bottom wafer is placed on a bottom bonding framework that includes a plurality of inlet holes around a periphery of the bottom bonding framework. The top bonding framework is in overlapping relation to the bottom bonding framework such that a gap exist between the top wafer and the bottom wafer. A gas stream is circulated through the gap between the top wafer and the bottom wafer entering the gap through one or more of the plurality of inlet holes and exiting the gap through one or more of the plurality of outlet holes. The gas stream replaces any existing ambient moisture from the gap between the top wafer and the bottom wafer. |
| US10056269B2 |
Substrate liquid processing apparatus
Gas-liquid separation of an exhaust gas from a liquid processing unit can be improved. A substrate liquid processing apparatus includes a liquid processing unit, a first exhaust pipe and a second exhaust pipe. The liquid processing unit is configured to process a substrate with a processing liquid. At least a part of the first exhaust pipe at is located above the liquid processing unit. One end of the second exhaust pipe is connected to the liquid processing unit, and the second exhaust pipe is configured to evacuate the liquid processing unit through the first exhaust pipe by an exhaust device. Further, the other end of the second exhaust pipe is connected to a portion of the first exhaust pipe which is located above the liquid processing unit. |
| US10056268B2 |
Limiting electronic package warpage
An electronic package includes a carrier, semiconductor chip, a lid, and a lid-ring. The carrier includes a top surface and a bottom surface configured to be electrically connected to a system board. The semiconductor chip is electrically connected to the top surface. The lid is attached to the top surface enclosing semiconductor chip and includes a perimeter recess. The lid-ring is juxtaposed within the perimeter recess. The lid-ring exerts a reverse bending moment upon the lid to limit warpage of the electronic package. |
| US10056267B2 |
Substrate design for semiconductor packages and method of forming same
An embodiment device includes a first die, a second die, one or more redistribution layers (RDLs) electrically connected to the first die, a plurality of connectors on a surface of the one or more RDLs and a package substrate electrically connected to the first die and the second die. The package substrate is electrically connected to the first die through the one or more RDLs and the plurality of connectors. The package substrate comprises a cavity, and the second die is at least partially disposed in the cavity. |
| US10056265B2 |
Directed self-assembly process with size-restricted guiding patterns
A method includes providing a substrate; forming mandrel patterns over the substrate; and forming spacers on sidewalls of the mandrel patterns. The method further includes removing the mandrel patterns, thereby forming trenches that are at least partially surrounded by the spacers. The method further includes depositing a copolymer material in the trenches, wherein the copolymer material is directed self-assembling; and inducing microphase separation within the copolymer material, thereby defining a first constituent polymer surrounded by a second constituent polymer. The mandrel patterns have restricted sizes and a restricted configuration. The first constituent polymer includes cylinders arranged in a rectangular or square array. |
| US10056263B2 |
Method of processing SiC wafer
A SiC wafer is processed by a laser beam having a wavelength that transmits SiC to form a peeling plane in a region of the wafer which corresponds to a device area of a first surface of the wafer. A plurality of devices demarcated by a plurality of intersecting projected dicing lines in the device area are formed on the first surface. An annular groove is formed on a second surface of the wafer which is opposite the first surface, in a boundary region of the wafer between the device area and an outer peripheral excessive area surrounding the device area. A portion of the wafer which is positioned radially inwardly of the annular groove is peeled from the peeling plane, thereby thinning the device area and forming an annular stiffener area on a region of the second surface which corresponds to the outer peripheral excessive area. |
| US10056262B2 |
Non-volatile memory having individually optimized silicide contacts and process therefor
In an integrated-circuit memory, performance is increased by reducing an electrical contact resistance between a metal layer and an upper poly layer (a control gate poly). The electrical contact resistance is reduced by increasing the thickness of a silicide layer between the metal layer and the upper poly layer. The memory has a memory cell region and a non-memory cell region. The thickness of the silicide layer is typically restricted by consideration of integrated-circuit fabrication geometry for each memory cell not to exceed a predetermined aspect ratio. The present implementation allows independent optimization of the thickness of silicide layer in the memory cells region and the non-memory cell region. In particular, in the non-memory cell region, a thicker silicide layer significantly improves the contact resistance of a slit contact for components having the upper poly layer in contact with a lower poly layer (a floating gate poly). |
| US10056261B2 |
P type MOSFET
Provided are P type MOSFETs and methods for manufacturing the same. The method may include forming source/drain regions in a semiconductor substrate; forming an interfacial oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate; forming a high K gate dielectric layer on the interfacial oxide layer; forming a first metal gate layer on the high K gate dielectric layer; implanting dopants into the first metal gate layer through conformal doping; and performing annealing to change an effective work function of a gate stack including the first metal gate layer, the high K gate dielectric, and the interfacial oxide layer. |
| US10056260B2 |
Schottky diode with dielectrically isolated diffusions, and method of manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first well region in a semiconductor substrate, forming isolation structures on the semiconductor substrate, and forming second well regions and a third well region in the first well region, wherein the second well regions are isolated from the third well region by the isolation structures, and two of the adjacent second well regions have a first distance between them. The method also includes performing a rapid thermal annealing process to shorten the first distance to a second distance. The method further includes forming first barrier metal layers on the first well region and covering the second well regions, forming a second barrier metal layer on the first well region and covering the third well region, forming first electrodes on the first barrier metal layers, and forming a second electrode on the second barrier metal layer. |
| US10056259B1 |
Single conductor alloy as diffusion barrier system and simulataneous OHMIC contact to N- and P-type silicon carbide
Use of a single alloy conductor to form simultaneous ohmic contacts (SOC) to n- and p-type 4H-SiC. The single alloy conductor also is an effective diffusion barrier against gold (AU) and oxygen (O2) at high temperatures (e.g., up to 800° C.). The innovation may also provide an effective interconnecting metallization in a multi-level metallization device scheme. |
| US10056255B2 |
Method and structure for forming dielectric isolated FinFET with improved source/drain epitaxy
Described herein is a FinFET device in which epitaxial layers of semiconductor material are formed in the source/drain regions on dielectrically isolated fin portions. The fin portions are located within a dielectric layer that is deposited on a semiconductor substrate. Surfaces of the fin portions are oriented in the {100} lattice plane of the crystalline material of the fin portions, providing for good epitaxial growth. Further described are methods for forming the FinFET device. |
| US10056253B2 |
Method for forming a vertical hetero-stack and a device including a vertical hetero-stack
Embodiments described herein include a method for forming a vertical hetero-stack and a device including a vertical hetero-stack. An example method is used to form a vertical hetero-stack of a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure arranged on an upper surface of the first nanostructure. The first nanostructure is formed by a first transition metal dichalcogenide, TMDC, material and the second nanostructure is formed by a second TMDC material. The example method includes providing the first nanostructure on a substrate. The method also includes forming a reactive layer of molecules on the first nanostructure along a periphery of the upper surface. The method further includes forming the second nanostructure by a vapor deposition process. The second TMDC material nucleates on the reactive layer of molecules along the periphery and grows laterally therefrom to form the second nanostructure on the upper surface. |
| US10056249B2 |
Atomic layer deposition of antimony oxide films
Antimony oxide thin films are deposited by atomic layer deposition using an antimony reactant and an oxygen source. Antimony reactants may include antimony halides, such as SbCl3, antimony alkylamines, and antimony alkoxides, such as Sb(OEt)3. The oxygen source may be, for example, ozone. In some embodiments the antimony oxide thin films are deposited in a batch reactor. The antimony oxide thin films may serve, for example, as etch stop layers or sacrificial layers. |
| US10056246B2 |
Semiconductor wafer
A semiconductor wafer which is disk-shaped as a whole, and which has a substantially flat face, a back substantially flat in at least a main portion thereof and substantially parallel to the face, and a side surface. The side surface is convex as a whole in a longitudinal sectional view. A means to be detected, which is composed of a local flat surface, is disposed in the side surface. |
| US10056242B2 |
Systems and approaches for semiconductor metrology and surface analysis using secondary ion mass spectrometry
Systems and approaches for semiconductor metrology and surface analysis using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) are disclosed. In an example, a secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) system includes a sample stage. A primary ion beam is directed to the sample stage. An extraction lens is directed at the sample stage. The extraction lens is configured to provide a low extraction field for secondary ions emitted from a sample on the sample stage. A magnetic sector spectrograph is coupled to the extraction lens along an optical path of the SIMS system. The magnetic sector spectrograph includes an electrostatic analyzer (ESA) coupled to a magnetic sector analyzer (MSA). |
| US10056241B2 |
Addition of reactive species to ICP source in a mass spectrometer
Disclosed is a method of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), comprising steps of introducing at least one sample comprising at least one sample species, and at least one reactive species, into an inductively coupled plasma source, such that at least one molecular adduct ion of the at least one reactive species and the at least one sample species is formed; transferring the at least one molecular adduct ion into a collision cell that is arranged between the inductively coupled plasma source and at least one mass analyzer, transferring the at least one molecular adduct ion, or a product thereof, into the at least one mass analyzer, and analyzing the mass of the at least one molecular adduct ion, or the product thereof, in the at least one mass analyzer. Also disclosed is a mass spectrometer that is adapted to perform the method. |
| US10056239B2 |
Electrical vacuum-compatible feedthrough structure and detector assembly using such feedthrough structure
An ultra-high vacuum (UHV) compatible feedthrough structure and a detector assembly using such feedthrough structure, the feedthrough structure comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) for carrying one or more detectors, wherein said PCB comprises a top surface covered with a first UHV sealing layer and one or more first electrical electrodes and at least a first thermally conductive layer extending at least partly over said top surface; and, a back surface comprising one or more second electrodes and at least a second thermally conductive layer extending at least partly over said back surface, wherein one or more conductive wires are embedded in said PCB for electrically connecting said one or more first electrodes with said one or more second electrodes respectively; and, wherein one or more thermally conductive vias are embedded in said PCB for thermally connecting said at least first thermally conductive layer with said second thermally conductive layer. |
| US10056236B2 |
Plasma processing method
A plasma processing method for plasma-etching a sample in a metallic processing chamber includes etching the sample with a plasma; plasma-cleaning the processing chamber with a fluorine-containing gas after etching the sample; and plasma-processing the processing chamber with a gas containing sulfur and oxygen after plasma cleaning the processing chamber. |
| US10056233B2 |
RPS assisted RF plasma source for semiconductor processing
Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to a hybrid plasma processing system incorporating a remote plasma source (RPS) unit with a capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) unit for substrate processing. In one embodiment, the hybrid plasma processing system includes a CCP unit, comprising a lid having one or more through holes, and an ion suppression element, wherein the lid and the ion suppression element define a plasma excitation region, a RPS unit coupled to the CCP unit, and a gas distribution plate disposed between the ion suppression element and a substrate support, wherein the gas distribution plate and the substrate support defines a substrate processing region. In cases where process requires higher power, both CCP and RPS units may be used to generate plasma excited species so that some power burden is shifted from the CCP unit to the RPS unit, which allows the CCP unit to operate at lower power. |
| US10056223B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus and temperature control method
A plasma processing apparatus includes a lower electrode 12 on which a wafer W is provided. A second coolant path 70b is formed in a spiral shape in a region within the lower electrode 12 corresponding to where the wafer W is placed. Further, a first coolant path 70a is formed in a spiral shape to be located in a lower region within the lower electrode 12 corresponding to where the second coolant path 70b is formed. A pipeline 72 connected to a chiller unit 71 is branched into a first pipeline 72a connected to the first coolant path 70a and a second pipeline 72b connected to the second coolant path 70b. A check valve 90 allowing a coolant to flow in one direction is provided on the first pipeline 72a, and a reversing unit 92 reversing a flow direction of the coolant is provided on the pipeline 72. |
| US10056222B2 |
Rotating anode and method for producing a rotating anode
The present invention relates to a rotating anode (100) comprising: an outer ring compound (6) comprising a first carbon material with a first material property and carbon fibers substantially aligned to a contour of the outer ring compound (6), wherein the outer ring compound (6) is configured to mechanically stabilize the rotating anode (100); an intermediate ring compound (5) comprising a second carbon material with a second material property differing from the first material property; a inner disc compound (2) comprising a layered fiber structure and a third carbon material with a third material property differing from the first and the second material property, wherein the inner disc compound (2) and the intermediate ring compound (5) are configured to provide a thermally conductive interface between the intermediate ring compound (5) and the inner disc compound (2); and an interface compound (3) comprising a metallic or a semi-metallic material, wherein the interface compound is coupled to the intermediate ring compound (5) and the inner disc compound (2). |
| US10056218B1 |
Graphene/graphite-based filament for thermal ionization
Methods and systems for thermal ionization of a sample and formation of an ion beam are described. The systems incorporate a thermal ionization filament that is formed of a graphene-based material such as graphite, graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide or combinations thereof. The filament material can be doped or chemically modified to control and tune the work function of the filament and improve ionization efficiency of a system incorporating the filament. The systems can be utilized in forming an ion beam for target bombardment or analysis via, e.g., mass spectrometry. |
| US10056217B2 |
Device for protection against transitory overvoltages
The invention concerns a device for protection against transitory overvoltages, comprising: a varistor; a discharge tube; a thermofusible soldering securing a first electrode of the discharge tube and a first electrode of the varistor, the thermofusible soldering being a conductor of electricity and being able to melt beyond a temperature threshold when the varistor or the discharge tube heats up; the second electrode of the varistor being designed to be connected to a first electrical line and the second electrode of the discharge tube being designed to be connected to a second electrical line; a restoring element exerting a restoring force tending to move the first electrode of the varistor away from the first electrode of the discharge tube in order to allow a separation between the first electrode of the varistor and the first electrode of the discharge tube during a melting of the thermofusible soldering. |
| US10056213B1 |
Electromagnetic switch protection structure
An electromagnetic switch protection structure includes a power-off key located between a press assembly and a contact seat. The power-off key is provided with a press portion extending downward. The press portion directly presses an elastic seat of the electromagnetic switch. When a power-off button is pressed, movable contacts of the elastic seat can be immediately separated from immovable contacts of electrode plates to cut off the power supply of the electromagnetic switch. That is, the press assembly is slightly touched to cut off the power supply, not pressing deep to cause an erroneous pressing, to avoid damage to the electromagnetic switch, achieving the protection of the electromagnetic switch. |
| US10056211B2 |
Heat-reactive switch
A heat-reactive switch includes an airtight container with a housing and a lid plate, two conductive terminal pins fixed in through-holes in the lid plate, a fixed contact point fixed on one of the conductive terminal pins, a heater connected to the other conductive terminal pin and to the lid plate, a heat-reactive plate connected to the housing internal surface, the bending direction becoming inverted at a predetermined temperature, and a mobile contact point provided at the end of the heat-reactive plate. A heating element has a plurality of serpentine portions made from a metal plate in ribbon form, disposed between the lid plate and the heat-reactive plate so as to be parallel thereto. At least two of the serpentine portions are disposed to face each other while sandwiching the conductive terminal pin. Each portion follows the inner peripheral surface of the housing and have planar portions facing each other. |
| US10056210B2 |
Arc chamber assembly and method
The present disclosure describes an apparatus and method for quenching the arc developed during the interruption of a current carrying path by use of an arc quenching apparatus with a contiguous chamber that shapes and directs the gas pressure and other associated arc components through a set of splitter plates located at the ends of the chamber. The contiguous chamber contains the gas pressure and other associated arc components for the duration of the quenching process. |
| US10056209B2 |
Medium- or high-voltage circuit breaker or isolator, provided with improved fixed contacts, and method of use
A high- or medium-voltage circuit breaker, in which a movable contact (1) is moved in sliding in order to separate stationary contacts (11, 12) from its sliding surface (2). In accordance with the invention, the stationary contacts (11, 12) have switching portions (9) that separate from the movable contact more or less simultaneously as a result of a setback (19) in the movable contact (1), thereby causing two simultaneous switching arcs to appear (14, 15), which arcs are extinguished much more quickly than a single arc, before the current is transferred to the conventional arcing contacts (5). This disposition enables the stationary contacts (11, 12) and their environment to be less exposed to damage. |
| US10056206B2 |
Backlit keyboard using two thin-film circuit boards
A direct-backlit keyboard is disclosed, the direct-backlit keyboard comprising a plurality of keys, a thin film circuit board, a base plate, a copper etched thin-film circuit board, and a plurality of light-emitting units. The plurality of keys are disposed on the thin film circuit board, the thin film circuit board being disposed on the base plate, the base plate being disposed on the copper etched thin-film circuit board, and the copper etched thin film circuit board being provided with the plurality of light-emitting units. Each light-emitting unit corresponds to each key so that the light emitted from each light-emitting unit can be transmitted to each corresponding key. |
| US10056205B2 |
Fabric electronic device housings
An electronic device such as a cover for a portable device or other electronic equipment may have circuitry mounted in a housing. The housing may be formed from layers of material such as fabric and polymer layers. The fabric may be formed from woven polymer yarn. The fabric may be treated with chemicals to improve stain resistance and wear resistance, may be provided with a polymer backing layer, and may receive molded plastic structures. Patterned areas may be woven into the fabric, may be formed by placing coatings on selected portions of the fabric, or may be formed by embroidering or otherwise locally processing the fabric. The patterned areas may form labels for keyboard keys, logos, key trim patterns, and other features for an electronic device. Patterned areas may have locally enhanced light transmission characteristics and may be backlit. |
| US10056204B2 |
Key button assembly and electronic device having the same
According to various embodiments, an electronic device comprises a key button that can be assembled to keep the key button in place in the housing of the electronic device and functional without having to completely assemble the housing of the electronic device. |
| US10056201B2 |
Push switch
A push switch includes a casing, an operation body movable into and out of the casing, and a switch element operable with the movement of the operation body into and out of the casing. The casing includes a first outer peripheral wall, a first inner peripheral wall, a first guide provided to the first outer peripheral wall, and a second guide provided to the first inner peripheral wall. The operation body includes a second outer peripheral wall, a second inner peripheral wall, a first engagement portion provided to the second outer peripheral wall and slidably engaged with the first guide, and a second engagement portion provided to the second inner peripheral wall and slidably engaged with the second guide. A clearance between the second guide and the second engagement portion is smaller than a clearance between the first guide and the first engagement portion. |
| US10056194B2 |
Capacitor with multiple elements for multiple replacement applications
A capacitor provides a plurality of selectable capacitance values, by selective connection of six capacitor sections of a capacitive element each having a capacitance value. The capacitor sections are provided in a plurality of wound cylindrical capacitive elements. Two vertically stacked wound cylindrical capacitance elements may each provide three capacitor sections. There may be six separately wound cylindrical capacitive elements each providing a capacitor section. The capacitor sections have a common element terminal. |
| US10056192B2 |
Multilayer ceramic capacitor
A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes: a pair of external electrodes; a first internal electrode containing a base metal and coupled to one of the external electrodes; a dielectric layer stacked on the first internal electrode and containing a ceramic material and the base metal; and a second internal electrode stacked on the dielectric layer, containing the base metal, and coupled to another one of the external electrodes, wherein a concentration of the base metal in each of five regions, which are equally divided regions of a region between locations 50 nm away from the first and second internal electrodes in a stacking direction between the first and second internal electrodes, is within ±20% of an average of the concentrations of the base metal in the five regions, and the dielectric layer has a thickness of 0.6 μm or less. |
| US10056190B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component and method of manufacturing the same
A multilayer ceramic electronic component and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic body including dielectric layers, and internal electrodes alternately disposed on the dielectric layers and containing a ceramic additive disposed therein; and external electrodes formed on an outer portion of the ceramic body and electrically connected to the internal electrodes. The ceramic additive is disposed in the internal electrode at a position spaced apart from a boundary between the internal electrode and the dielectric layer by a predetermined distance. |
| US10056187B2 |
Trans inductor and power converter using the same
A trans inductor having a powdery magnetic substance and a power converter using the trans inductor are provided. The trans inductor and the power converter reduce peak current flowing in an inverter power module (IGBT), improve inverter efficiency, reduce output RMS current (output effective current) and reduce capacitor consumption by applying a material with properties that are resistant against current saturation instead of a core material of a conventional trans inductor employed in a power converter. Accordingly, an inductance decreasing rate due to core saturation when high current is generated is improved and current flowing in a switch device is prevented from being abruptly increased. |
| US10056185B2 |
Ignition coil realizing a closed magnetic circuit and higher efficiency
An ignition coil capable of maintaining reliable insulation performance over a long period of time. A coil main body unit, for housing a primary coil, a secondary coil and a switching element, includes a case main body in which a housing space is provided, and a case lower portion which abuts the perimeter of the case main body. The primary coil and the secondary coil, which are placed in the case lower portion, are covered by the case main body. The secondary coil is configured by winding a second winding around a secondary bobbin, through which a central hole is extended in the horizontal direction, and the outer periphery of the same is covered by the case lower portion and a protective cap and is filled with a first material. When the primary coil is placed in the central hole, the remaining gap is filled with a secondary material. |
| US10056184B2 |
Segmented core cap system for toroidal transformers
A modular toroidal transformer core cap system, including a plurality of cap segments, wherein each respective cap segment further includes first and second spaced elongated wall members, first and second connector members connected to the respective first and second elongated wall members, and a generally flat panel member connected to and extending between the first and second elongated wall members. The first and second wall members are disposed at a predetermined angle relative one another and the first and second elongated wall members and the panel member are electrically nonconducting. An integral number of cap segments may be joined together to define an annular core cap. |
| US10056183B2 |
Coil component and board having the same
There are provided a coil component and a board having the same. The coil component may include: a magnetic body including a substrate having two cores, first and second coil parts disposed on one surface of the substrate, and third and fourth coil parts disposed on the other surface of the substrate; a connection part disposed to penetrate through the two cores in the magnetic body and connecting the two cores to each other; and first to fourth external electrodes disposed on outer surfaces of the magnetic body and connected to the first to fourth coil parts. |
| US10056179B2 |
Electromagnetic actuator for a surgical instrument and method for setting a stroke distance
An electromagnetic actuator for a medical instrument including: a stator; and a movable element, at least partly composed of a paramagnetic and/or a ferromagnetic material, and which can be reversibly moved from a first to a second position by the application of a switchable magnetic field, wherein the stator and the movable element have annular distal and proximal pole shoes corresponding to each other, wherein the distal pole shoes and/or the proximal pole shoes of the stator and the movable element are aligned with each other in an overlapping manner in the first and/or the second position, and the distal pole shoes and/or the proximal pole shoes of the stator and the movable element have a structure in the circumferential direction on the surfaces of pole shoes facing each other, with the structures corresponding to each other. |
| US10056175B2 |
Thermistor mounting apparatus and thermistor component
In order to realize a thermistor on a base substrate without restricting the layout of a wiring layer, a thermistor mounting apparatus is provided, the thermistor mounting apparatus including a base substrate, and a thermistor component provided over the base substrate, in which the thermistor component has an insulating substrate, an electrode provided over the insulating substrate, and a thermistor provided over the insulating substrate and electrically connected to the electrode. |
| US10056170B2 |
High density shielded electrical cable and other shielded cables, systems, and methods
A shielded cable includes adjacent first and second conductor sets, each conductor set includes a pair of insulated conductors. At least 90% of a periphery of each conductor set is encompassed by a shielding film. The cable also includes first and second non-conductive polymeric films disposed on opposite sides of the cable. The polymeric films include cover portions and pinched portions. In transverse cross section, the cover portions of the polymeric films in combination surround the conductor sets, and the pinched portions of the polymeric films in combination form pinched portions of the cable on each side of the cable. When the cable is laid flat, a center-to-center spacing of the pair of insulated conductors for the first conductor set is σ1 and a center-to-center spacing of the first and second conductor sets is Σ. Σ/σ1 is less than 4. |
| US10056168B2 |
Electrically conductive polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin composition and molded article for vehicle using the same
An electrically conductive polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin composition and a molded article for vehicles using the same. The resin composition includes a polyphenylene ether; a polyamide; an olefin-based polymer; an impact modifier; a compatibilizer; and carbon fibrils, wherein the polyphenylene ether and the impact modifier form domains, and the polyamide, the olefin-based polymer and the carbon fibrils form a matrix, the domains including about 90 vol % or more of domain particles having a particle diameter of about 0.1 μm to about 2.0 μm, and wherein the electrically conductive polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin composition has a surface resistance of about 108Ω/□ or less as measured on a specimen having a size of about 100 mm×about 100 mm×about 0.5 mm under conditions of about 23° C. and about 50% relative humidity (RH). The electrically conductive polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin composition and the molded article for vehicles using the same can exhibit good properties in terms of mechanical strength, heat resistance, impact resistance and electrical conductivity. |
| US10056165B2 |
Copper alloy for electronic device, method for producing copper alloy for electronic device, and copper alloy rolled material for electronic device
This copper alloy for an electronic device is composed of a binary alloy of Cu and Mg which is composed of Mg at a content of 3.3 to 6.9 atomic %, and a remainder of Cu and inevitable impurities, and a conductivity σ (% IACS) is within the following range when the content of Mg is given as A atomic %, and/or an average number of intermetallic compounds having grain sizes of 0.1 μm or more is in a range of 1/μm2 or less, σ≤{1.7241/(−0.0347×A2+0.6569×A+1.7)}×100. |
| US10056161B2 |
CRDM with separate scram latch engagement and locking
A control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including separate latch engagement and latch holding mechanisms. A CRDM configured to latch onto the lifting rod of a control rod assembly and including a four-bar linkage closing the latch, wherein the four-bar linkage biases the latch closed under force of gravity. |
| US10056160B2 |
Integral molten salt reactor
The present relates to the integration of the primary functional elements of graphite moderator and reactor vessel and/or primary heat exchangers and/or control rods into an integral molten salt nuclear reactor (IMSR). Once the design life of the IMSR is reached, for example, in the range of 3 to 10 years, it is disconnected, removed and replaced as a unit. The spent IMSR functions as the medium or long term storage of the radioactive graphite and/or heat exchangers and/or control rods and/or fuel salt contained in the vessel of the IMSR. The present also relates to a nuclear reactor that has a buffer salt surrounding the nuclear vessel. During normal operation of the nuclear reactor, the nuclear reactor operates at a temperature that is lower than the melting point of the buffer salt and the buffer salt acts as a thermal insulator. Upon loss of external cooling, the temperature of the nuclear reactor increases and melts the buffer salt, which can then transfer heat from the nuclear core to a cooled containment vessel. |
| US10056158B2 |
Determination of enhancing structures in an anatomical body part
A data processing method for determining an enhancing structure of interest within an anatomical body part, wherein the structure of interest exhibits an enhanced signal in an image of the anatomical body part generated by a medical imaging method using a contrast agent, said method being designed to be performed by a computer and comprising a region growing algorithm. |
| US10056157B1 |
Memory apparatus with post package repair
Apparatuses for memory repair for a memory device are described. An example apparatus includes: a non-volatile storage element that stores information; a storage latch circuit coupled to the non-volatile storage element and stores latch information; and a control circuit that, in a first repair mode, receives first repair address information, provides the first repair address information to the non-volatile storage element, and further transmits the first repair address information from the non-volatile storage element to the storage latch circuit. The control circuit, in a second repair mode, receives second repair address information and provides the second repair address information to the storage latch circuit and disables storing the second address information into the non-volatile storage element. |
| US10056156B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method of controlling arithmetic processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus includes an arithmetic processing apparatus, a main memory and an auxiliary memory configured to store a program for diagnosing the main memory and diagnosing an apparatus accessed by the arithmetic processing apparatus. The arithmetic processing apparatus executes the program stored in the auxiliary memory to determine whether the program can be executed on the main memory. The arithmetic processing apparatus executes the program on the main memory when the arithmetic processing apparatus determines that the program can be executed on the main memory and executes the program on the auxiliary memory when the arithmetic processing apparatus determines that the program cannot be executed on the main memory. |
| US10056153B2 |
Semiconductor device and operating method of same
A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes first and second memory cells, a first word line, and first and second bit lines. The first memory cell has a first gate electrode and a first channel. The second memory cell has a second gate electrode and a second channel. The first word line connected with each of the first and second gate electrodes. The first and second bit lines electrically connected with the first and second channels, respectively. The semiconductor device erases data of each of the first and second memory cells, and then shifts respective threshold voltages of the first and second memory cells while making a first voltage between the first gate electrode and the first channel, and a second voltage between the second gate electrode and the second channel. The first voltage is different from the second voltage. |
| US10056150B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device is disclosed. The device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a memory cell array provided on the semiconductor substrate. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory transistors which are electrically rewritable and arranged in a three-dimensional manner. The device further includes a latch provided above the semiconductor substrate and configured to hold data that is to be written in the memory cell array. The latch includes a capacitor and a first field-effect transistor which is connected to the capacitor and includes a first oxide semiconductor layer. |
| US10056147B1 |
Two-level storage device with faster front end
A data storage device includes a first data storage medium having a first capacity and a first speed, a second data storage medium having a second capacity and a second speed, and a device controller for interfacing between the data storage device and a host system. The second capacity is greater than the first capacity and the second speed is slower than the first speed. The device controller presents the data storage device to the host system as having a device capacity at least equal to the second capacity and a device speed at least equal to the first speed. The first data storage medium may be a solid-state drive while the second data storage medium is a hard disk drive. The device controller may be a solid-state drive controller, or a hard disk drive controller that may accept at least one solid-state drive command, such as a TRIM command. |
| US10056145B2 |
Resistive memory transition monitoring
A circuit for monitoring a resistive memory having an array of cells coupled between respective bitlines and respective wordlines. The circuit includes a current determining circuit configured to determine a cell current and a cell current change rate of at least one of the cells; and a control circuit configured to: determine whether the cell current change rate is outside of a cell current change rate predefined range; and perform a predetermined action if the control circuit determination is positive. |
| US10056140B2 |
Memristor memory with volatile and non-volatile states
In an example, a method of controlling a memristor memory includes operating the memristor memory in a volatile mode, wherein switching a state of a memristor cell is with a low writing load. The method also includes operating the same memristor memory in a non-volatile mode, wherein switching a state of the memristor cell is with a high writing load. |
| US10056135B2 |
Programming schemes for multi-level analog memory cells
A method for data storage includes storing first data bits in a set of multi-bit analog memory cells at a first time by programming the memory cells to assume respective first programming levels. Second data bits are stored in the set of memory cells at a second time that is later than the first time by programming the memory cells to assume respective second programming levels that depend on the first programming levels and on the second data bits. A storage strategy is selected responsively to a difference between the first and second times. The storage strategy is applied to at least one group of the data bits, selected from among the first data bits and the second data bits. |
| US10056133B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a cell array including memory cells. A potential generation circuit applies a first potential to the memory cells. A control signal output circuit outputs a control signal based on the first potential. A pulse width adjustment circuit adjusts a pulse width of a word line voltage of the cell array based on the control signal. An amplitude of a voltage applied to bit lines connected to the memory cells is controlled with the pulse width. |
| US10056131B2 |
Semiconductor memory device including first memory cell and second memory cell over first memory cell
The semiconductor device includes a first memory cell, and a second memory cell thereover. The first memory cell includes first and second transistors, and a first capacitor. The second memory cell includes third and fourth transistors, and a second capacitor. A gate of the first transistor is electrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the second transistor and the first capacitor. A gate of the third transistor is electrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the fourth transistor and the second capacitor. One of a source and a drain of the first transistor is electrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the third transistor. The second and fourth transistors include an oxide semiconductor. A channel length direction of the first and third transistors is substantially perpendicular to a channel length direction of the second and fourth transistors. |
| US10056129B1 |
Cell bottom node reset in a memory array
Methods, systems, and devices for cell bottom node reset in a memory array are described. The memory array may include a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells having a cell bottom node and a cell plate opposite the cell bottom node. A zero voltage may be applied to a plurality of digit lines in the memory array. A plurality of word lines may be activated to electrically coupled the plurality of digit lines to cell bottom node of each of the ferroelectric memory cells. Accordingly, the cell bottom node of each of the ferroelectric memory cells may be reset to the zero voltage. |
| US10056123B2 |
Method and system for improving serial port memory communication latency and reliability
A method, apparatus and system for reducing memory latency is disclosed. In one embodiment, data between a host computer system and a memory is communicated via a port or a group of ports at the memory over multiple time intervals, wherein the host computer is coupled to the memory. Further, a command associated with the data is communicated between the host computer system and the memory via the port or the group of ports over a single time interval. |
| US10056121B2 |
Integrated circuit using topology configurations
Various implementations described herein may refer to and may be directed to circuitry for an integrated circuit using topology configurations. For instance, in one implementation, such circuitry may include a memory array having a plurality of memory cells. Such circuitry may also include one or more reconfigurable sense amplifier devices coupled to the memory array and configured to amplify differential voltage levels received from the memory array. The reconfigurable sense amplifier devices may include a plurality of sense amplifier circuits configured to be arranged in one of a plurality of topology configurations, where the topology configurations include a parallel configuration and a cross parallel configuration. The reconfigurable sense amplifier devices may also include one or more switches configured to set the plurality of sense amplifier circuits into the plurality of topological configurations based on one or more control bits. |
| US10056118B2 |
Carrying apparatus used for memory storage unit
A carrying apparatus for clamping the side edges of a memory storage unit includes a base part, a fixed arm, and a holding arm. The base part is disposed corresponding to a first side edge of the memory storage unit and has a fixed end and a pivot end. The fixed arm extends from the fixed end of the base part. The holding arm is pivoted on the pivot end of the base part and spaced with the fixed arm. The base part has a working space in which an elastic element is disposed. The holding arm has a stop end extending into the working space. Thus, the elastic element exerts a force on the stop end such that the holding arm moves toward and clamps the third side edge of the memory storage unit. |
| US10056117B1 |
Data storage device baseplate diverter and downstream spoiler
A unitary enclosure base for a data storage device integrally includes a first surface beneath a bottom disk, a bypass channel formed with an entry area with a lower surface below the first surface, a second surface lower than the first surface and beneath an actuator arm that services the bottom surface of the bottom disk, and a flow diverter extending upward from the first surface and positioned upstream of the actuator arm. The diverter may be positioned relative to the bypass channel such that disk-generated gas flow is diverted into the bypass channel away from the actuator arm. The base may further include a spoiler extending upward from the first surface and positioned downstream of the actuator arm. The spoiler may be positioned to inhibit a wake effect upon the actuator arm. |
| US10056116B2 |
Data processing system for automatically generating excitement levels with improved response times using prospective data
A data processing system automatically generates excitement levels with improved response times using prospective data. One embodiment includes accessing data that provides state information for an event at different times during the event, automatically generating a plurality of excitement levels based on the accessed data, and reporting the generated excitement levels. Each of the excitement levels of the plurality of excitement levels corresponds to a different sample time during the event. For each sample time, the generating of the plurality of excitement levels comprises calculating an excitement level based on accessed data prior in time to the sample time and accessed data subsequent in time to the sample time. |
| US10056114B2 |
Small-screen movie-watching using a viewport
This document describes techniques and apparatuses for small-screen movie-watching using a viewport. These techniques enable viewers to experience movies and other media programs using a small screen as a viewport to the movie rather than dramatically compressing or cropping the movie to fit the small screen. A viewer may select whatever portion of the movie imagery he or she desires to experience through the small screen at a size sufficient to perceive details of plot elements and an environment in which the plot elements interact. Thus, the viewer may follow plot elements central to the plot while also exploring the environment that provides context for these plot elements. |
| US10056113B2 |
Video processing method and associated electronic device
Described is a method for video processing. The method comprises: providing one display interface, where a page is displayed on the display interface, and the page comprises a page having a video playback area; playing a video on the page having the video playback area and acquiring a first instruction during video playback, where the first instruction is used for creating a video playback window on the display interface, and the first instruction at least comprises a uniform resource locator (URL) of the page on which the video is played; creating the video playback window according to the first instruction; pausing playback of the video on the page; logging the progress of the video when playback of the video is paused as a first progress; and, with the first progress as playback starting point for the video, playing same on the video playback window. |
| US10056109B2 |
Shingled magnetic recording with operational based track spacing
A data storage device can employ shingled magnetic recording with data tracks oriented in order to optimize operational parameters, such as bit error rate. A data storage device can consist of a plurality of data tracks overlapping in a band on a data storage medium. First, second, and third data tracks of the band can be respectively separated by a uniform first track pitch during testing the band for an operational parameter. The first track pitch may then be adjusted to provide at least two different adjusted track pitches with each track pitch measured between longitudinal centerlines of adjacent data tracks of the band. |
| US10056107B2 |
Control device, magnetic disk control system, and control method for controlling disk storage device
A control device is provided which can perform a retraction operation of a head included in a disk storage device with lower power consumption.The control device of the disk storage device includes a control unit that controls a motor and retracts the head from over a disk to a ramp mechanism when power supply is shut down, an acquisition unit that acquires information related to a moving distance of the head that retracts to the ramp mechanism, and a calculation unit that calculates the moving distance of the head based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit. The control unit switches an operation of the motor from a first retract operation to a second retract operation when determining that the head reaches a first position after passing through an inclined surface of the ramp mechanism based on the moving distance calculated by the calculation unit. |
| US10056106B1 |
Methods and devices for power control of a light source of a memory system
A circuit includes a light source, a sensor, and a switch. The sensor measures output of the light source and provides an electrical signal to a feedback loop that is indicative of the measured output of the light source. The switch is positioned in the feedback loop and is movable between a first position and a second position depending upon whether the feedback loop is operating in a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. During the first mode of operation the output of the feedback loop adjusts at least one operating parameter of the light source responsive to the electrical signal. During the second mode of operation the output of the feedback loop does not adjust the at least one operating parameter of the light source responsive to the electrical signal. |
| US10056103B2 |
Method of manufacturing magnetic recording medium, magnetic recording medium, and magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus
A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium, includes at least: forming an orientation control layer 3 that controls orientation of an immediately above layer thereof on a non-magnetic substrate 1; and forming a perpendicular magnetic layer 4 in which an easy axis of magnetization is mainly perpendicularly orientated to the non-magnetic substrate 1, in which the forming of the orientation control layer 3 includes forming a granular layer having a granular structure that includes Ru or a material in which Ru is a main component and an oxide having a melting point which is greater than or equal to 450° C. and less than or equal to 1000° C., by a sputtering method, and the forming of the perpendicular magnetic layer 4 includes growing crystal grains to form columnar crystals that are continuous in a thickness direction together with crystal grains that form the orientation control layer 3. |
| US10056102B2 |
Magnetic recording medium and method of manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium including a substrate and a magnetic recording layer formed on the substrate and including a plurality of projections is obtained. The array of the plurality of projections includes a plurality of domains in which the projections are regularly arranged, and a boundary region between the domains, in which the projections are irregularly arranged. The boundary region is formed along a perpendicular bisector of a line connecting the barycenters of adjacent projections. |
| US10056099B1 |
Variable range offset read recovery for tape storage devices
Various embodiments for error recovery in a data storage environment, by a processor device, are provided. For monitoring signal from one or more read channels in a tape storage drive, a variable range of offsets organized by row into a table is selected by a microcode algorithm and applied by a track following servo mechanism of the tape storage drive to position a read head in relation to a track of a tape media at an offset up to and including beyond a predetermined margin of the track. |
| US10056098B1 |
Data storage device employing multi-mode sensing circuitry for multiple head sensor elements
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, wherein the head comprises a first sensor element and a second sensor element. When configured into a first single-ended mode, a bias signal is applied to the first sensor element to generate a first single-ended output signal based on a response of the first sensor element, and when configured into a second single-ended mode, the bias signal is applied to the second sensor element to generate a second single-ended output signal based on a response of the first sensor element. When configured into a differential mode, the bias signal is concurrently applied to the first sensor element and the second sensor element to generate a differential output signal based on a response of the first sensor element and the second sensor element. |
| US10056096B2 |
Electronic device and method capable of voice recognition
Provided herein is an electronic device and method of voice recognition, the method including analyzing an audio signal of a first frame when the audio signal is input and extracting a first feature value; determining a similarity between the first feature value extracted from the audio signal of the first frame and a first feature value extracted from an audio signal of a previous frame; analyzing the audio signal of the first frame and extracting a second feature value when the similarity is below a predetermined threshold value; and comparing the extracted first feature value and the second feature value and at least one feature value corresponding to a pre-defined voice signal and determining whether or not the audio signal of the first frame is a voice signal, and thus the electronic device may detect only a voice section from the audio signal while improving the processing speed. |
| US10056091B2 |
Microphone array beamforming
A system that includes a microphone array comprising a plurality of microphones positioned at different locations, where the microphones output microphone signals. A beamformer is applied to the microphone output signals and is configured to control a gain that is applied to the microphone output signals. The gain is frequency dependent and is related to a mismatch in sensitivity between two or more of the microphones. |
| US10056088B2 |
Encoding method, decoding method, encoder apparatus, decoder apparatus, and recording medium for processing pitch periods corresponding to time series signals
In encoding, pitch periods for time series signals in a predetermined time interval are calculated, and a code corresponding thereto is output. In that encoding, the resolutions for expressing the pitch periods and/or a pitch period encoding mode are switched according to whether an index indicating a periodicity and/or stationarity level of the time series signals satisfies a condition indicating high or low in periodicity and/or stationarity. In that decoding, according to whether an index indicating a periodicity and/or stationarity level, the index being included in or obtained from an input code corresponding to the predetermined time interval, satisfies a condition indicating high periodicity and/or stationarity, a decoding mode for a code, included in the input code, corresponding to pitch periods is switched to decode the code corresponding to the pitch periods to obtain the pitch periods corresponding to the predetermined time interval. |
| US10056081B2 |
Control method, controller, and non-transitory recording medium
A method of controlling a plurality of equipment pieces by a controller including a microphone, a sensor, and a speaker includes collecting, with the microphone, sound around the controller, sensing, with the sensor, a location of a person with respect to the plurality of equipment pieces, generating sensing data based on the sensing, extracting an utterance for controlling the plurality of equipment pieces from the sound collected by the microphone, in accordance with the utterance, identifying a target equipment piece to be controlled among the plurality of equipment pieces, determining whether to control the target equipment piece based on the sensing data, when the control equipment piece is determined to be controlled, generating an audio response for verifying whether to control the target equipment piece in accordance with the utterance, and causing the speaker to output the audio response. |
| US10056079B2 |
In-vehicle device, server device, information system, and content start method
An in-vehicle device according to the present invention includes a voice input receiving unit that receives input information with a voice, an output control unit that transmits the input information to a predetermined external device, and then outputs a plurality of received content candidates according to order of a priority degree of the content candidates, and a content execution unit that executes the content candidate upon receipt of specification of any of the output content candidates. |
| US10056078B1 |
Output of content based on speech-based searching and browsing requests
Speech-controlled searching and browsing for content using speech-controlled devices, or other input-limited devices, is described. A user may audibly indicate to a speech-controlled device whether the user wants to search or browse for content, along with a topic of the content/results to be retrieved. A server, located remotely from the speech-controlled device determines an appropriate endpoint device for displaying results of the requested search or browse. The server also determines an appropriate content source for the requested content, and sends a request for the content to the content source. The server receives search or browse results from the content source and forwards them to the determined endpoint device. |
| US10056075B2 |
Systems and methods for accelerating hessian-free optimization for deep neural networks by implicit preconditioning and sampling
A method for training a deep neural network, comprises receiving and formatting speech data for the training, preconditioning a system of equations to be used for analyzing the speech data in connection with the training by using a non-fixed point quasi-Newton preconditioning scheme, and employing flexible Krylov subspace solvers in response to variations in the preconditioning scheme for different iterations of the training. |
| US10056072B2 |
Systems and methods for electronic sound enhancement tuning
Example systems and methods for electronic sound enhancement tuning are disclosed. An example disclosed method includes sampling, with a microphone, an audio profile of engine noises in a cabin of a vehicle. The example method also includes comparing the sampled audio profile to a model audio profile. Additionally, the example methods includes, when the sampled audio profile does not satisfy a similarity threshold, applying a convergence function to the sampled audio profile to generate a target audio profile, and iterating until the target audio profile satisfies a similarity threshold. |
| US10056068B2 |
Audio systems for providing isolated listening zones
An audio system includes a plurality of near-field speakers arranged in a listening area. A plurality of cross-talk cancellation filters are coupled to the speakers. The speakers and the filters are arranged to provide first and second listening zones in the listening area such that audio from the first listening zone is cancelled in the second listening zone and vice versa. The system also includes at least one audio source providing audio content. Volume-based equalization circuitry receives an audio signal representing audio content for the first listening zone from the audio source and controls a volume adjustment applied to the audio signal to control a volume of audio in the first listening zone. The circuitry limits attenuation or amplification of a first frequency portion of the audio signal when a volume setting differential corresponding to a difference between volume settings for the first and second zones exceeds a predetermined value. |
| US10056067B2 |
Audio processing device and audio processing method
An audio processing device includes a first anti-noise filter, an output circuit, and an equalizer circuit. The first anti-noise filter is configured to process a digital signal, in order to generate a noise cancellation signal. The output circuit is configured to mix the noise cancellation signal with an equalized signal to generate a mixed signal, and to generate a sound output signal based on the mixed signal, in which the digital signal is associated with the sound output signal. The equalizer circuit is configured to receive an input signal, and to adjust at least one parameter of the equalizer circuit according to the equalized signal and the digital signal, in order to process the input signal to generate the equalized signal. |
| US10056066B2 |
Active noise reduction
A noise reducing sound reproduction system comprises a loudspeaker that is connected to a loudspeaker input path and that radiates noise reducing sound. A microphone is connected to a microphone output path and picks up the noise or a residual thereof. An active noise reduction filter is connected between the microphone output path and the loudspeaker input path, and the active noise reduction filter comprises at least one shelving filter. |
| US10056062B2 |
Systems and methods for the creation and playback of animated, interpretive, musical notation and audio synchronized with the recorded performance of an original artist
A music application guides a user with some musical experience through the steps of creating and editing a musical enhancement file that enhances and plays in synchronicity with an audio signal of an original artist's recorded performance. This enables others, perhaps with lesser musical ability than the original artist, to play-along with the original artist by following melodic, chordal, rhythmic, and verbal prompts. The music application accounts for differences in the timing of the performance from a standard tempo by guiding the user through the process of creating a tempo map for the performance and by associating the tempo map with MIDI information of the enhancement file. Enhancements may contain MIDI information, audio signal information, and/or video signal information which may be played back in synchronicity with the recorded performance to provide an aural and visual aid to others playing-along who may have less musical experience. |
| US10056060B2 |
Display apparatus and display method
A display apparatus includes a conversion unit, and an output unit. The conversion unit receives an input signal in which frame rates are respectively set for frames, individually sets received frames of the input signal as a first frame to be output with a first polarity or a second frame to be output with a second polarity opposite to the first polarity, and converts the frame rates of the first frames and the frame rates of the second frames so that the first frame period taken to output the first frames and the second frame period taken to output the second frames are equal within a predetermined time period. The output unit outputs the first frames with the first polarity to a display unit, and outputs the second frames with the second polarity to the display unit. |
| US10056055B2 |
Display management methods and apparatus
Apparatus and methods for mapping video signal parameters such as tone and color may be applied at various points in a video generation and delivery pipeline. apparatus may be configured to control mappings based on a range of inputs which may include one or more of: ambient conditions, user inputs, control information, adaptation models. Apparatus and methods may be applied to display video or other images so as to preserve a creative intent embodied in video or other image data. |
| US10056052B2 |
Data control circuit and flat panel display device including the same
A data control circuit includes a MUX driver that electrically connects a first channel of a data driver and one of the pixels in a first pixel group of a display panel in response to a first control signal, and electrically connects a second channel of the data driver and one of the pixels in a second pixel group of the display panel in response to a second control signal; and a MUX controller that outputs the first and second control signals. |
| US10056050B2 |
Low power display device with variable refresh rates
The disclosure describes procedures for dynamically employing a variable refresh rate at an LCD display of a consumer electronic device, such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, or a music player device. In some configurations, the consumer electronic device can include a host system portion, having one or more processors and a display system portion, having a timing controller, a buffer circuit, a display driver, and a display panel. The display system can receive image data and image control data from a GPU of the host system, evaluate the received image control data to determine a reduced refresh rate (RRR) for employing at the display panel, and then transition to the RRR, whenever practicable, to conserve power. In some scenarios, the transition to the RRR can be a transition from a LRR of 50 hertz or above to a RRR of 40 hertz or below. |
| US10056047B2 |
Control of an electrowetting element
A method of controlling an electrowetting element. The method includes receiving first data indicative of a first display effect. Using the first data, a first magnitude of a first voltage is determined. The first voltage with the first magnitude is generated and applied to the electrowetting element. Second data indicative of a second display effect different from the first display effect is received. Using the second data, a second magnitude of a second voltage is determined. The second magnitude is equal to the first magnitude. The second voltage with the second magnitude is generated and applied to the electrowetting element. |
| US10056044B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and display flickering method
A liquid crystal display device and a display flickering method are provided. The display flickering method includes receiving a first instruction signal and a color selection signal from a time sequence control circuit; outputting a data signal and a control signal according to the first instruction signal and the color selection signal; displaying an image by at least one frame display frequency according to the data signal; providing a backlight source for illuminating the display panel by at least one backlight flicker frequency according to the control signal, in which the display panel displays the at least one image having at least one frame flicker frequency according to the at least one backlight flicker frequency and the at least one frame display frequency. |
| US10056041B1 |
Shift register unit, array substrate, display panel, display apparatus, and driving method thereof
The present application discloses a shift register unit and method thereof. The shift register unit includes an output port for outputting a driving signal. The shift register unit further includes a first output node control sub-circuit for controlling an emission control signal from an emission control line to be applied to a first output control node when the first clock signal is at a first level. The shift register unit further includes a first output sub-circuit and a second output sub-circuit. The shift register unit furthermore includes a second output node control sub-circuit for controlling a start signal being applied to a second output control node when a second clock signal is at the first level and controlling a second level being applied to the second output control node when the emission control signal is at the first level. The emission control signal is used to generate the driving signal. |
| US10056039B2 |
Array substrate and row share module outside of a display area and output pull-up/pull-down module within the display area
Embodiments of the invention provide an array substrate and a display device, the array substrate comprises a plurality of pixel units arranged in an array and a plurality of shifting register units, each shifting register unit corresponding to a row of pixel units. A shifting register unit corresponding to pixel units of any row comprises: a row shared module outside of a display area of the array substrate, an input of which is connected with clock signal lines and a gate signal line of pixel units of a previous row, and an output of which is connected with a pull-up control signal line of pixel units of the row thereof and a pull-down control signal line of pixel units of the row thereof; an output pull-up module within the display area of the array substrate, which is connected to the pull-up control signal line of pixel units of the row thereof and a gate signal line of pixel units of the row thereof; an output pull-down module within the display area of the array substrate, which is connected to the pull-down control signal line of pixel units of the row thereof and the gate signal line of pixel units of the row thereof. Embodiments of the invention can overcome the problem of the gate driver restricting the narrowing for the frame. |
| US10056037B1 |
AMOLED pixel driver circuit and pixel driving method
The invention provides an AMOLED pixel driver circuit and pixel driving method. The AMOLED pixel driver circuit has a 6T1C structure, comprising a first thin film transistor (TFT) (T1), a second TFT (T2) forming mirror relation with the first TFT (T1), a third TFT (T3), a fourth TFT (T4), a fifth TFT (T5), a sixth TFT (T6), a capacitor (c1), and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) (D1), and receiving a first scan signal (Scan1), a second scan signal (Scan2), a third scan signal (Scan3), a data signal (Data), and a predefined voltage (Vpre). The circuit can effectively compensate the threshold voltage of the driving TFT to solve the problem of unstable current flowing through the OLED caused by the threshold voltage drift. Moreover, the use of double-gate TFT as driving TFT allows designating the threshold voltage of the driving TFT through inputting predefined voltage. |
| US10056034B2 |
Organic light-emitting pixel driving circuit, driving method and organic light-emitting display device
The present disclosure discloses an organic light-emitting pixel driving circuit, driving method and an organic light-emitting display panel. A driving transistor is to generate a driving current, a light-emitting element is to emit light; a first transistor is to transmit a first initialization voltage to the light-emitting element; a second transistor is to transmit a second initialization voltage to the driving transistor; a third transistor is to transmit a data signal voltage to the pixel driving circuit; a fourth transistor is to transmit a reference voltage to the driving circuit; a first capacitor is coupled in series between the output terminal of the third transistor and the driving transistor; a fifth transistor is to control the first capacitor; a sixth transistor is to control light emission of the light-emitting element; a second capacitor is to maintain the charge amount between the gate and source of the driving transistor. |
| US10056027B2 |
Virtualized display output ports configuration
A virtualized DisplayPort (DP) configuration data (DPCD) for multi-stream transport (MST) logical DP end points and non-DP end points allows DPCD configuration for links within a DisplayPort topology which are not configurable using DPCD. A virtualized DPCD may configure a link to an internal display of a MST sink device or a non-DP display to receive data using a dynamic refresh rate (DRR), display stream compression (DSC), panel self-refresh (PSR) and other DPCD configurable features. |
| US10056025B2 |
Variable VCOM level generator
A variable Vcom level generator circuit generates a variable Vcom voltage level. A variable Vcom voltage can be used for variable refresh rate display technology to prevent flicker on a display panel. The Vcom level can be changed based on the vertical frequency being used or can be changed based on external control signals. |
| US10056022B2 |
Saturation dependent image splitting for high dynamic range displays
Systems, methods, and computer readable media that improve the gamut size for a multi-layer display. Various embodiments receive a color input value indicative of a target display color associated with an input image and determine a color saturation value for the received color input value. Based on the color saturation value, a drive value for a monochromatic modulation panel and a drive value for a color modulation panel may be determined. The various embodiments can then drive the monochromatic and color modulation panel according to the drive values. The monochromatic modulation panel is not modulated until the color modulation panel is driven to full illumination. |
| US10056018B1 |
Dynamic color rendering methods and systems providing just-noticeable color accentuation and quasi-animation effects
Lighting methods and systems to enhance the browsing behaviors of shoppers in a manner intended to be primarily subconscious include illumination of a targeted area, such as a typical retail display, with a tunable spectrum lamp that slowly cycles through different illumination spectra such that color rendering of illuminated target is deliberately varied for subtle arousal of the visual senses. The illumination spectra, and the rates at which spectral conditions are changed, are both chosen as such that multi-colored objects in the targeted area change in appearance in a barely noticeable way, such that shoppers may find their visual attention redirected, seemingly at random, to a wider variety of products on display. Color spectrum changes also may be controlled in coordination with predefined packaging colors to create quasi-animation effects. |
| US10056017B2 |
Flag mount bracket systems
Flag mount bracket system for improved installation of a flag into a bracket safely from ground level without the need for a ladder comprising a spring tension mount or ratchet mount and a specialized raising and lowering pole. |
| US10056016B2 |
Transportable sign
A transportable sign for temporary advertising is provided comprising a display portion configured to carry a flexible display medium (10) to display an image, wherein the display portion comprises a frame (9) at least partly surrounding the display portion and having sets of adjacent first and second grooves (35, 37) around the display portion, the second groove (37) being outward from the first groove (35) relative to the display portion, the first groove having opposing first groove walls (35A, 35B). The sign further comprises a clamp (39) having a clamp body (41) to be received in the first groove (35) and having a flange (43). The first groove (35) and the clamp (39) are arranged to clamp the flexible display medium (10) between the clamp body (41) and at least one first groove wall on insertion of the clamp body (41) into the first groove (35), and the first and second grooves (35, 37) and the clamp (39) are arrangeable such that on insertion of the clamp body (41) into the first groove (35) for clamping the display medium (10), the flange (43) of the clamp (39) covers the second groove (37). |
| US10056015B2 |
Multi-paneled signage substrate and method for making the same
An article (101) is provided which includes a plurality of panels (103), wherein each panel comprises a first edge having a first longitudinally extending protrusion (107) adjacent thereto and a second edge having a second longitudinally extending protrusion (109) adjacent thereto, wherein each of the first and second protrusions has a planar exterior surface (131) and an interior surface (133) having an indentation (135) therein, and wherein the plurality of panels are arranged in an abutting manner such that the planar exterior surface of at least one first protrusion and at least one second protrusion are disposed in an opposing relation to each other. A coupler (113) is also provided which extends over said first and second protrusions. The coupler is equipped with at least a first protuberance (145) which engages the indentation on the interior surface of the first protrusion. |
| US10056012B2 |
Hybrid image/scene renderer with hands free control
A system and method for converting static/still medical images of a particular patient into dynamic and interactive images interacting with medical tools including medical devices by coupling a model of tissue dynamics and tool characteristics to the patient specific imagery for simulating a medical procedure in an accurate and dynamic manner by coupling a model of tissue dynamics to patient specific imagery for simulating surgery on the particular patient. The method includes a tool to add and/or to adjust the dynamic image of tissues and ability to draw any geometric shape on the dynamic image of tissues and to add the shape into the modeling system. |
| US10056009B2 |
Training apparatus
The present disclosure relates to a training apparatus for providing different training levels to an operator of a machine. Known training systems are standalone training systems and separate from the machine. The training system is provided onboard the machine and allows for different training of the operator according to the operator's expertise. |
| US10056007B2 |
Motion control apparatus
A motion simulator (10) has a body tub (12) fixed on a carrier platform (14), the carrier platform being supported via motion control apparatus (52, 54, 56, 58), each having bearings which translate along an inclined path, the motion control apparatuses together providing six degrees of motion for the carrier platform. |
| US10056005B2 |
Mission-based, game-implemented cyber training system and method
A mission-based cyber training platform allows both offensive and defensive oriented participants to test their skills in a game-based virtual environment against a live or virtual opponent. The system builds realistic virtual environments to perform the training in an isolated and controlled setting. Dynamic configuration supports unique missions using a combination of real and/or virtual machines, software resources, tools, and network components. Game engine behaves in a manner that will vary if participant attempts to replay a scenario based upon alternate options available to the engine. Scoring and leader boards are used to identify skill gaps/strengths and measure performance for each training participant. A detailed assessment of a player's performance is provided at the end of the mission and is stored in a user profile/training record. |
| US10055997B2 |
Systems and methods for managing non-integrated CPDLC systems from a first CPDLC system
In one embodiment, a method for implementing a non-integrated CPDLC solution is provided. The method includes monitoring a datalink router for messages from a first CPDLC application in a first one or more execution partitions, wherein the first one or more execution partitions are configured to implement a first CPDLC application and wherein messages from the first CPDLC application and a second CPDLC application in a second one or more execution partitions use the datalink router to interface with one or more radio transceivers. The method also includes when the second CPDLC application has an active current data authority (CDA) air traffic control (ATC) connection, inhibiting communication between the first CPDLC application and an ATC ground station by discarding downlink messages of the first CPDLC application from the datalink router. |
| US10055992B2 |
Method for managing parking spaces on public streets
The invention relates to a method for managing on-street parking spaces. The method includes querying, by a unit of a vehicle, vehicle sensors about the occupancy status of a parking space around the vehicle, the setting up of a communication channel between the unit and a remote server, the authentication of the unit with the server, the sending of a message with a public encryption key by the server to the unit, the encryption of the geolocation data and the occupancy status, the sending of the encrypted data to server, the decryption by the server of the received encrypted data, the comparison of the geolocation data received with a database containing referenced parking spaces and the update in the database of the occupancy status of referenced parking spaces. |
| US10055989B2 |
Antenna validation for vehicle-to-vehicle communication
Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for antenna validation for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. An example disclosed vehicle includes a wireless communication module and an antenna calibrator. The example antenna calibrator, for each of a plurality of validation responses received from second vehicles (a) determines an estimated received signal strength based on an estimated open path signal strength loss, and (b) in response to a difference between the estimated received signal strength and an actual received signal strength from the validation response not satisfying a threshold, provides an alert to occupants of the vehicle. |
| US10055986B2 |
Dynamically configurable traffic controllers and methods of using the same
Dynamically configurable traffic controllers and methods of using the same are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first display facing a first direction; a second display facing a second direction; a third display facing a third direction; and a processor, in response to a first input being received indicative of traffic approaching the first display and no traffic approaching the second display and the third display, the processor to cause the second display and the third display to display a first signal and for the first display not to display the first signal or a second signal, the first signal providing a first warning level, the second signal providing a second warning level greater than the first warning level, the first signal illuminatable on the second display, the second signal illuminatable on the second display, the first signal, when illuminated, disposed within a perimeter of the second signal, when illuminated. |
| US10055985B1 |
Broadcasting information related to hazards impacting vehicle travel
A system of broadcasting information related to hazards impacting vehicle travel may include a mobile device configured to: (1) mount within a vehicle dashboard cradle so that the mobile device is positioned to take images forward of a vehicle; (2) collect telematics data, with customer permission or affirmative consent, when the vehicle is moving, including GPS location, speed, heading, lane, braking, cornering, acceleration, and/or route data of the vehicle; (3) generate an alert based upon the telematics data and the images, and/or broadcast data including the images and the telematics data; and/or (4) broadcast the alert and/or the data collected to (a) a nearby vehicle(s) and/or (b) a smart infrastructure component(s) to facilitate warning of hazards upon the nearby vehicle(s) and/or the smart infrastructure component(s) receiving and processing the alert and/or the broadcasted data. Insurance discounts may be generated based upon the risk mitigation or prevention functionality. |
| US10055979B2 |
Roadway sensing systems
A number of roadway sensing systems are described herein. An example of such is an apparatus to detect and/or track objects at a roadway with a plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors can include a first sensor that is a radar sensor having a first field of view that is positionable at the roadway and a second sensor that is a machine vision sensor having a second field of view that is positionable at the roadway, where the first and second fields of view at least partially overlap in a common field of view over a portion of the roadway. The example system includes a controller configured to combine sensor data streams for at least a portion of the common field of view from the first and second sensors to detect and/or track the objects. |
| US10055977B2 |
Wearable control device, control system and method for controlling controlled appliance
The present invention provides a wearable control device for controlling a controlled appliance, wherein the wearable control device comprises a biological information input unit for receiving input biological information, a processing unit for determining whether the input biological information is registered biological information and generating a control signal based on said input biological information only when the input biological information is the registered biological information, and a first communication unit for communicating the control signal to the controlled appliance and for receiving a response signal from the controlled appliance. The present invention further provides a control system for controlling the controlled appliance and a corresponding control method. |
| US10055968B2 |
Payment card location method and apparatus
A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium configured to track the location of lost payment cards. |
| US10055953B2 |
Device for electronically sealing container using proximity wireless communication, and system and method for operating same
The objective of the present invention is to provide a device for electronically sealing a container using proximity wireless communication for controlling the sealing of a container door from a remote distance by applying a proximity wireless communication technique to the device for electronically sealing a container, so that unlocking a container becomes more convenient, rapid, and safer, and to provide a system and a method for operating the device for electronically sealing a container. The device for electronically sealing a container is coupled to a keychain outside of the container, so that whether the container door is open or closed can be checked in real time, and various types of information related to the container can be relayed, in real time, to a shipper or persons associated with tracking the container, thereby fundamentally eliminating the possibility of illegal opening and closing of container doors associated with existing container-locking devices, and also allowing convenient, rapid, and safe unlocking of container doors. |
| US10055947B2 |
Task lighting system with alarm and dimming features
A temporary task lighting system used on job sites has an alarm mode. The system may be used to provide an alarm indication using the light units of the system. The alarm indication may be cycling the lights through on and off conditions or full on and dimmed conditions. Different systems and methods may be used to activate the alarm. The alarm activation may come from a typical fire alarm switch, a button on the power supply, a button on a central control computer, or a signal from an emergency response system such as a 911 system. The disclosure also provides central control for remote drivers and ballasts. The central control allows different zones of low voltage lighting systems or different zones of low voltage lights to set up, identified, and individually controlled from a central interface. |
| US10055944B2 |
Gaming system and method for providing a cascading symbol game with multiple symbol display position elements
A gaming system including a cascading symbol or tumbling reel game which utilizes zero, one or more multiple symbol display position elements. Each multiple symbol display position element is configured to occupy or span a plurality of symbol display positions of a symbol display position matrix. For a generated multiple symbol display position element to be removed from the symbol display matrix, each of the individual symbols of the multiple symbol display position element must individually qualify to be removed from the symbol display matrix. |
| US10055943B2 |
Camera guided arcade game
An arcade game with that allows a player to control the game using a video feedback plus a tactile response is provided. A player must use the video feed for controlling the game, and the video feed can be transmitted from a remote location. The video signal can be transmitted via the internet, a wireless connection, or a wired connection. |
| US10055942B2 |
Computerized game management systems and methods for skill-based poker
A system for at least substantially removing chance from a traditionally chance-based game includes a dealer circuit configured to deal a set of hole cards to be dealt to each player participating in the play cycle, and a winning percent circuit configured to rank each set of hole cards before the hole cards are dealt to the players and to assign each set of hole cards to one of the players before the sets of hole cards are dealt to the players, based on the ranks of the sets of hole cards. The ranks of the sets of hole cards are based on a likelihood of winning the poker hand. The winning percent circuit assigns the sets of hole cards to each player such that the assigned hole cards provide each player with substantially the same rank of hole cards across all hands of the play cycle. |
| US10055935B2 |
Multi-mode multi-jurisdiction skill wagering interleaved game
A gaming system is provided. The gaming system enables a player to engage in various types of gaming depending on the jurisdiction in which the player is located. For example, depending on the jurisdiction of a player's device, the gaming system may allow the player to wager using real world currency, or virtual currency. If the player's device is located in a jurisdiction that allows gambling using real world currency, the gaming system may allow the player to place wagers using real world currency. Alternatively, if the player's device is located in a jurisdiction that does not allow gambling using real world currency, the gaming system may limit the player to placing wagers using virtual currency. |
| US10055932B2 |
Device and method for arranging video displays to define an opening to pass a physical object and display content about the opening
A device and method are set forth which includes an electronic, video display including L-shaped sub-displays mated to define a frame surrounding an opening which accommodates a physical object such as the view of a second display. The second display may be a mechanical component extending through the opening to operate for example a pointer operating with the video display to provide a function for a game. The opening may also be configured to reveal a mechanical, electro-mechanical or video display. |
| US10055929B2 |
Automated eyewear kiosk
A self-service kiosk for dispensing eyewear is disclosed. The kiosk includes a display for depicting available frame and lens options to customers. A user interface accepts eyewear order information from a customer including the customer's prescription information and frame selection. The kiosk also includes a lens manufacturing device that is wholly contained within the kiosk for manufacturing optical lenses in the prescription of the customer, which are adapted for the selected frame. Further, the kiosk includes a dispensing mechanism for dispensing from the kiosk the manufactured lenses, along with the customer selected frame. |
| US10055925B2 |
System for voucher or token verification
The present invention allows verification of a voucher or token prior to redemption. The voucher or token has a code associated therewith so that a value of the voucher or token may be stored in a database. Later when the voucher or token is presented to a cashier for redemption, the code is submitted to the database in order to retrieve the value associated with that voucher or token. In this way, the voucher or token is verified before redemption. In one embodiment, a verification system includes a voucher or token database, a recognition subsystem and two transceivers. The database knows the code and value associated with the voucher or token. A recognition subsystem reads the code from the voucher or token. The transceivers couple together the database and the recognition subsystem in such a way that the a query can be made by the recognition system to determine the value associated with the code or otherwise verify the validity of the voucher or token. |
| US10055923B2 |
Banknote sorting apparatus and control method therefor
A banknote sorting apparatus and a control method therefor are provided. The control method for the banknote sorting apparatus includes: obtaining a characteristic value of a standard template, wherein the standard template is a preset banknote template satisfying a set condition, and the characteristic value is a characteristic value for banknote classification; and displaying the characteristic value and an original sorting parameter corresponding to the characteristic value, wherein the original sorting parameter is a sorting parameter preset in the banknote sorting apparatus. |
| US10055919B2 |
Relay-attack deterrence relay-attack deterrence
A relay attack deterrence system includes a mobile platform including a plurality of mobile platform transmitter components and a mobile platform receiver component provided therein. The system further includes a fob device having a fob receiver component, a fob transmitter component, and a motion sensor component configured to produce motion information. The fob device is configured to receive, at the fob receiver component, one or more first signals from at least one of the plurality of mobile platform transmitter components and to selectably transmit, to the mobile platform receiver component, a second signal based on the motion information and position information derived from the one or more first signals. |
| US10055918B2 |
System and method for providing secure and anonymous personal vaults
A method and system for providing a secure vault may include providing a vault enclosure that has one or more nests, with each nest including one or more personal vaults. The personal vaults can also be used as a secure and anonymous gun locker. Security information must be established before access is granted to the vault enclosure, a nest, and a personal vault. Separate access measures are required for access to the vault area, the nest, and the personal vaults. User anonymity can be maintained by only linking security information to a particular nest and personal vault, without requiring any personal identifying information from the user. |
| US10055916B1 |
Remote vehicle access system
A remote access system is configured for use with a fob configured to lock and unlock a vehicle, the vehicle including a door having a handle, a window, and a window actuator. The system includes a position sensor configured to detect proximity between and relative position of the fob and the door of the vehicle. The remote access system also includes a contact sensor configured to detect contact with the handle. The system further includes a processor configured to communicate with the position sensor and the contact sensor to lower the window a predetermined amount that facilitates opening of the door via the window actuator upon the processor determining: 1) the handle has been contacted, and 2) the fob is disposed at a specified position relative to the door of the vehicle. |
| US10055910B2 |
Vehicle information recording device, program therefor, vehicle information recording method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
A vehicle information recording device includes: a first control device that continuously stores, into a data storage device, vehicle information indicative of a state of a vehicle having an engine; a first determination device that determines whether the engine is stalled; a second control device that stores engine stall information into the storage unit when the first determination device determines that the engine is stalled while the first control device is storing the vehicle information into the data storage device; and a second determination device that determines whether the engine starts. When the second determination device determines that the engine starts, and the engine stall information is stored in the storage unit, the first control device starts storing the vehicle information into the data storage device. |
| US10055909B2 |
Systems and methods for crash determination
Systems and methods for crash determination in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle telematics device includes a processor and a memory storing a crash determination application, wherein the processor, on reading the crash determination application, is directed to obtain sensor data from at least one sensor installed in a vehicle, calculate peak resultant data based on the sensor data, where the peak resultant data describes the acceleration of the vehicle over a first time period, generate crash score data based on the peak resultant data and a set of crash curve data for the vehicle, where the crash score data describes the likelihood that the vehicle was involved in a crash based on the characteristics of the vehicle and the sensor data, and provide the obtained sensor data when the crash score data exceeds a crash threshold to a remote server system. |
| US10055907B2 |
Diagnostic system for a vehicle
A vehicle that includes a chassis, wheels, a drivetrain including an engine and a transmission, and a brake system. The vehicle also has a vehicle control system that includes controllers for the engine, the transmission controller, and the brake system, a vehicle network connected to the controllers to permit communication to and from these components, and a primary vehicle controller connected to the network and configured to communicate with the controllers. The vehicle further includes a vehicle diagnostic system that is connected to the network and configured to communicate with the various controllers. The diagnostic system is configured to operate in a diagnostic mode, in which the diagnostic system is configured to display diagnostic information from one or more of the controllers. The diagnostic system may further be configured to operate in a display mode, where the vehicle diagnostic system is configured to display operating information regarding the vehicle. |
| US10055903B2 |
Vehicle health check via noise and vibration level
Technical solutions are described for autonomously monitoring health of a vehicle, such as a car, a truck and so on. An example computer-implemented method includes receiving sensor data of the vehicle. For example, the sensor data includes vibration data and microphone data. The vibration data measures vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle. The microphone data measures noises experienced by the occupant, including noises emanated by the vehicle. The method further includes accessing a predetermined performance data of the vehicle and determining a difference in the received sensor data and the predetermined performance data. The method further includes transmitting a notification of condition of the vehicle in response to the difference surpassing a predetermined threshold. |
| US10055897B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for placing an asset on a three-dimensional model
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for placing an asset on a three-dimensional model. Each asset can be associated with a pivot point and with an asset normal. A contact point on the surface of a model where an asset is to be positioned may be identified, and a surface normal that may be perpendicular to the surface at the contact point may also be identified. Then, the asset can be placed on the model such that the position of the pivot point of the asset may coincide with the position of the identified contact point on the surface of the model, and such that the orientation of the asset normal may match the orientation of the identified surface normal. |
| US10055896B1 |
Interactive vertex manipulation system and methods for geometry repair
A method for simulating a physical object includes receiving user input to move a vertex of a simulated surface from a first location to a second location that is across an edge of the surface. The method also includes generating a visual display that is configured to inform the user that the movement of a vertex to the second location across an edge of the surface is unpermitted. |
| US10055894B2 |
Markerless superimposition of content in augmented reality systems
A method is provided for markerless injection of content into an augmented reality scene by use of a mobile device. Through the mobile device, a camera feed of a scene is acquired, which includes a flat surface. A key frame of the flat surface is selected from the feed. After determining that the flat surface in the key frame meets a predetermined level of feature richness, digital content is injected by superimposing text, graphics, video content over at least a part of the key frame. The digital content can be viewed and interacted with by the user of the mobile device. In one embodiment, the digital content is an advertisement. |
| US10055893B2 |
Method and device for rendering an image of a scene comprising a real object and a virtual replica of the real object
A method and device for rendering a scene including one or more real objects is described. A virtual object is associated with each real object, a virtual object associated with a real object corresponding to a virtual replica of this real object. The virtual replica is used to render a transformation that may be applied to the real object when for example hit by a virtual object, the virtual object then replacing the corresponding real object within the scene. To bring realism to the scene, texture information obtained from image(s) of the real object(s) is used to texture the visible part(s) of the transformed virtual object(s). The texture information is selected in the images by using information on the visibility of the parts of the real object(s) that correspond to the visible parts of the transformed virtual object(s). |
| US10055892B2 |
Active region determination for head mounted displays
Some augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications may require that an “activity region” be defined prior to their use. For example, a user performing a video conferencing application or playing a game may need to identify an appropriate space in which they may walk and gesture while wearing a Head Mounted Display without causing injury. This may be particularly important in VR applications where, e.g., the user's vision is completely obscured by the VR display, and/or the user will not see their actual environment as the user moves around. Various embodiments provide systems and methods for anticipating, defining, and applying the active region. In some embodiments, the system may represent real-world obstacles to the user in the user's field of view, e.g., outlining the contour of the problematic object to call the user's attention to the object's presence in the active region. |
| US10055890B2 |
Augmented reality for wireless mobile devices
A model includes model layers on which a wireframe representation of objects located at geographic coordinates is stored in a memory such that surface detail of the objects increases from a base model layer to an uppermost model layer. Digital data layers stored in the memory that encompass digital coordinates corresponding with the geographic coordinates. Digital content for augmenting scenes is stored on pre-selected digital data layers at pre-selected digital coordinates on those layers. One or more of the digital data layers are logically linked with one or more of the model layers. When the location and spatial orientation of a mobile device in which a scene is viewed is received, the digital content on the digital data layer logically linked to one of the model layers is transmitted over a wireless communication channel to the mobile device. |
| US10055887B1 |
Virtual/augmented reality transition system and method
A system and method of operating an audio visual device generating a virtual immersive experience is provided. The system may include an optical system and a display system received in a housing, and an audio output device operably coupled to the display system, the housing being coupled to a frame to be worn by a user. A sensing device may sense at least one of an ambient brightness level or an ambient noise level, and a control system and processor operably coupled to the optical system, the display system, the audio output device and the sensing device may, in response to an external command to transition between the virtual environment and the ambient environment, adjust at least one of a brightness level or a noise level of the virtual environment based on the sensed ambient brightness level and/or the sensed ambient noise level before executing the received external command. |
| US10055882B2 |
System and method for three-dimensional scanning and for capturing a bidirectional reflectance distribution function
A method for generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object includes: capturing images of the object from a plurality of viewpoints, the images including color images; generating a 3D model of the object from the images, the 3D model including a plurality of planar patches; for each patch of the planar patches: mapping image regions of the images to the patch, each image region including at least one color vector; and computing, for each patch, at least one minimal color vector among the color vectors of the image regions mapped to the patch; generating a diffuse component of a bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) for each patch of planar patches of the 3D model in accordance with the at least one minimal color vector computed for each patch; and outputting the 3D model with the BRDF for each patch. |
| US10055880B2 |
Methods and systems to modify a two dimensional facial image to increase dimensional depth and generate a facial image that appears three dimensional
The specification describes methods and systems for increasing a dimensional depth of a two-dimensional image of a face to yield a face image that appears three dimensional. The methods and systems identify key points on the 2-D image, obtain a texture map for the 2-D image, determines one or more proportions within the 2-D image, and adjusts the texture map of the 3-D model based on the determined one or more proportions within the 2-D image. |
| US10055879B2 |
3D human face reconstruction method, apparatus and server
A 3D human face reconstruction method and apparatus, and a server are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes determining feature points on an acquired 2D human face image; determining posture parameters of a human face according to the feature points, and adjusting a posture of a universal 3D human face model according to the posture parameters; determining points on the universal 3D human face model corresponding to the feature points, and adjusting the corresponding points in a sheltered status to obtain a preliminary 3D human face model; and performing deformation adjusting on the preliminary 3D human face model, and performing texture mapping on the deformed 3D human face model to obtain a final 3D human face. |
| US10055878B2 |
Method of visualizing a three-dimensional object from a data volume
A method of visualizing a three-dimensional object from a data volume is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes computing an irradiance cache for the data volume; and applying the irradiance cache during rendering of a three-dimensional image from the data volume. In an embodiment, entries of the irradiance cache are organized in a uniform grid. |
| US10055877B2 |
Allocation of tiles to processing engines in a graphics processing system
A graphics processing system processes primitive fragments using a rendering space which is sub-divided into tiles. The graphics processing system comprises processing engines configured to apply texturing and/or shading to primitive fragments. The graphics processing system also comprises a cache system for storing graphics data for primitive fragments, the cache system including multiple cache subsystems. Each of the cache subsystems is coupled to a respective set of one or more processing engines. The graphics processing system also comprises a tile allocation unit which operates in one or more allocation modes to allocate tiles to processing engines. The allocation mode(s) include a spatial allocation mode in which groups of spatially adjacent tiles are allocated to the processing engines according to a spatial allocation scheme, which ensures that each of the groups of spatially adjacent tiles is allocated to a set of processing engines which are coupled to the same cache subsystem. |
| US10055876B2 |
Optimal texture memory allocation
Systems and methods for generating three-dimensional models having regions of various resolutions are provided. In particular, imagery data can be captured and utilized to generate three-dimensional models. Regions of texture can be mapped to regions of a three-dimensional model when rendered. Resolutions of texture can be selectively altered and regions of texture can be selectively segmented to reduce texture memory cost. Texture can be algorithmically generated based on alternative texturing techniques. Models can be rendered having regions at various resolutions. |
| US10055875B2 |
Real-time eulerian water simulation using a restricted tall cell grid
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth an Eulerian fluid simulation technique which enables real-time simulations of large scale three dimensional fluid volumes that include free surface water. A hybrid grid representation composed of regular cubic cells on top of a layer of tall cells is used to reduce computation time. Water above an arbitrary terrain can be represented without consuming an excessive amount of memory and compute power, while focusing simulation effort on the area near the surface of the water to produce accurate results. Additionally, the grid representation may be optimized for a graphics processor implementation of the fluid solver. |
| US10055867B2 |
Accelerated light field display
This disclosure describes methods, techniques, devices, and apparatuses for graphics and display processing for light field projection displays. In some examples, this disclosure describes a projection display system capable of rendering and displaying multiple annotations at the same time. An annotation is any information (e.g., texts, signs, directions, logos, phone numbers, etc.) that may be displayed. In one example, this disclosure proposes techniques for rendering and displaying multiple annotations at the same time at multiple different focal lengths. |
| US10055866B2 |
Systems and methods for appearance mapping for compositing overlay graphics
Systems and methods for overlaying a second image/video data onto a first image/video data are described herein. The first image/video data may be intended to be rendered on a display with certain characteristics—e.g., HDR, EDR, VDR or UHD capabilities. The second image/video data may comprise graphics, closed captioning, text, advertisement—or any data that may be desired to be overlaid and/or composited onto the first image/video data. The second image/video data may be appearance mapped according to the image statistics and/or characteristics of the first image/video data. In addition, such appearance mapping may be made according to the characteristics of the display that the composite data is to be rendered. Such appearance mapping is desired to render a composite data that is visually pleasing to a viewer, rendered upon a desired display. |
| US10055865B2 |
System and method for presenting dynamic visualizations
The present disclosure relates to data management. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to visualizing data and/or navigating visualized data. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for dynamically presenting graphical and textual information in a graphical user interface is configured to: display graphical user interface elements visually representing a data set stored in memory along at least one dimension of a graphical user interface; receive activation signals generated by user input devices and corresponding to at least one dimension of the displayed graphical user interface; and, upon receiving an activation signal, display at least a portion of the data set based on the position at which the activation signal was received. |
| US10055857B2 |
Extension of the MPEG/SC3DMC standard to polygon meshes
A system, method and computer program product to traverse a polygon mesh, partition the polygon mesh into a set of polygon fans based on the traversal order, and tessellate the set of polygon fans into triangles based on the traversal order. This transformation of the polygon mesh into a triangle mesh enables the polygon mesh to be compressed and decompressed using the SC3DMC standard. |
| US10055856B2 |
Method and device for processing lightfield data
Method and device adapted for the processing of lightfield data representative of a scene, said lightfield data comprising a plurality of elements, 4-dimensional coordinates being associated with each element. Following operations are performed: associating a ray with each element, the ray being obtained from the 4-dimensional coordinates associated with each element; determining a depth information for each element; determining an origin of each ray in the scene according to the depth information; grouping rays having a same origin in the scene to form a plurality of groups; processing the lightfield data according to the plurality of groups. |
| US10055846B2 |
Normalized probability of change algorithm for image processing
A method for detecting changes in geospatial imagery. An imaging device is operated to take two images of a single location. The two images are received at processor, which normalizes the visible band and near infrared band of the two images. The two images are registered. Corresponding pixels of the two images are divided into a first group with slope and a second group without slope. Slope groupings are compared to determine which corresponding pixels have a probability of change greater than a predetermined threshold. Vector polygons are created based on the comparing slope groupings, to indicate areas of change in the two images. The areas of change in the two images are displayed on a display device. |
| US10055843B2 |
System and methods for automatic polyp detection using convulutional neural networks
A system and methods for detecting polyps using optical images acquired during a colonoscopy. In some aspects, a method includes receiving the set of optical images from the input and generating polyp candidates by analyzing the received set of optical images. The method also includes generating a plurality of image patches around locations associated with each polyp candidate, applying a set of convolutional neural networks to the corresponding image patches, and computing probabilities indicative of a maximum response for each convolutional neural network. The method further includes identifying polyps using the computed probabilities for each polyp candidate, and generating a report indicating identified polyps. |
| US10055841B2 |
Ultrasonic image apparatus, control device for ultrasonic image apparatus, and ultrasonic image forming method
A signal synthesizing unit performs aperture synthesis of output signals from conversion element groups which are arranged in a matrix and convert ultrasonic waves into electric signals, and sequentially outputs a first image signal, for every transmission of the ultrasonic waves. A signal addition unit adds the first image signals output from the signal synthesizing unit together for each group so as to output a second image signal. An adaptive signal processing unit calculates an adaptive weight on the basis of the second image signal, and synthesizes the second image signals with each other. |
| US10055838B2 |
Registration of medical images
A method for registration of medical images comprises: receiving a 2D X-ray image (20) acquired with a medical 2D imaging device (14) under a first view direction; filtering the 2D X-ray image (20), such that high frequency components of the 2D X-ray image are emphasized with respect to low frequency components of the 2D X-ray image; receiving a 3D image (16) acquired with a medical 3D imaging device (12); generating a 2D projection image (26) from the 3D image, wherein the 2D projection image is generated with a second view direction; overlaying the filtered 2D X-ray image and the 2D projection image; providing functionality for changing the second view direction, such that the 2D projection image is registered with the filtered 2D X-ray image. |
| US10055835B2 |
Inspection apparatus for welding tip of spot welding gun and analysis method for pollution and array of welding tip using the same
The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for increasing inspection efficiency and reducing time for analyzing an image when inspecting contamination and alignment of the welding tip of the spot welding gun. An apparatus for inspecting a welding tip according to some embodiments of the present invention is configured to inspect the contamination and the alignment of the welding tip based on an end-surface image and a profile image of the welding tip. In particular, when recording the welding tip through an internal housing arranged in an internal space of an external housing, the noise generated from an external light source can be blocked, and hence the contamination and the alignment of the welding tip can be inspected by using a clearer image, thus improving the accuracy of the inspection. |
| US10055833B2 |
Method and system for EUV mask blank buried defect analysis
A reflective mask inspection system comprises a short wavelength radiation source for irradiating a reflective mask. A detector system detects the short wavelength radiation reflected from the reflective mask and a controller compares reflectance images of the reflective mask from the detector to characterize the mask. The system analyzes the spatially resolved reflectance characteristics of the substrate from different angles with respect to normal to the substrate and/or at different angles of rotation of the substrate. This information can be used to then analyze the mask for buried defects and then characterize those defects. This technique improves over current systems that rely on atomic force microscopes, which can only provide surface information. |
| US10055829B2 |
Method of measuring thickness, method of processing image and electronic system performing the same
A thickness of a first layer in a structure may be measured based on an original image of the structure. A first boundary of the first layer may be identified in the original image. A second boundary that is substantially indistinguishable in the original image may be identified based on converting the original image into a first image based on the first boundary and generating a second image based on filtering the first image. The first image may be generated based on adjusting partial image portions of the original image to align the representation of the first boundary with an axis line, such that the first image includes a representation of the first boundary that extends substantially in parallel with the axis line. The second boundary may be identified from the second image, and the thickness of the layer may be determined based on the identified first and second boundaries. |
| US10055828B2 |
Method for retrieving atmospheric aerosol based on statistical segmentation
The present invention discloses a method for retrieving atmospheric aerosol based on statistical segmentation. Firstly a multi-band remote sensing image including an apparent reflectance and an aerosol optical thickness look-up table corresponding to a retrieval band is obtained, then pixels are partitioned and screened according to apparent reflectance segments of a mid-infrared 2.1 micrometer band. After that the retained pixel sets are further partitioned and screened according to the apparent reflectance segments of the mid-infrared 1.6 micrometer band. Finally the obtained pixel sets are partitioned into two categories according to the pixel number, one category including pixels having more pixels, the other including those with less pixels.The category with more pixels is taken as the reference part for retrieval. Specifically, the pixel sets are first searched for the clean segment, then the ground surface reflectivity of the clean segment is taken as the ground surface reflectivity of the whole pixel set, thereby obtaining the aerosol thickness value through retrieval. After that these pixels are taken as references to perform retrieval on the other category.The present invention can improve accuracy and resolution of the retrieval result of the bright ground surface area, and is applied to a wider range. |
| US10055826B2 |
Systems and methods for processing images of objects using coarse surface normal estimates
An image processing system and method for determining a set of surface normals of one or more objects for use in rendering the object(s) is described. One or more input images are received, each representing a view of the object(s). A depth image is received representing depth values of the object(s). Coarse surface normal estimates are determined based on depth values of the received depth image. The set of surface normals are determined by applying bilateral filtering to the coarse surface normal estimates. The bilateral filtering uses bilateral filtering guidance terms based on luminance values derived from the input image, wherein the determined set of surface normals are for use in rendering the object(s). |
| US10055823B2 |
Method for generating a pixel filtering boundary for use in auto white balance calibration
A method for generating a pixel filtering boundary required by the auto white balance (AWB) calibration is proposed. The method includes: taking a specific color temperature reference point as a center and dividing a G/B-G/R color space into six color regions having different color component relationships; based on a saturation calculating approach of a HSV color space, respectively identifying six color boundaries in the six color regions to generate a specific hexagonal filtering boundary, so that each color boundary has a predetermined saturation difference with the specific color temperature reference point; adopting the approach for generating the specific hexagonal filtering boundary to respectively identify multiple hexagonal filtering boundaries corresponding to other color temperature reference points; generating an enveloping boundary as a pixel filtering boundary based on the specific hexagonal filtering boundary and the multiple hexagonal filtering boundaries. |
| US10055822B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
A tint of an object according to a second image capturing device is corrected by a first parameter for correcting a tint of a second object that the second image capturing device captured in a first time zone to a tint of a first object that a first image capturing device captured in a first time zone. If a third object captured by a third image capturing device corresponds to the first object, a parameter for correcting a tint of the third object to the tint of the first object is used for correcting a tint of an object according to a third image capturing device. If the third object corresponds to the second object, the first parameter and a third parameter for correcting the tint of the third object to the tint of the second object is used for the foregoing tint correction. |
| US10055818B2 |
Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to use biometric sensors to control an orientation of a display
Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for a portable electronic device that uses biometric content to determine an orientation in which a display device is presenting content are disclosed. Example electronic devices include a display device, a biometric sensor to capture a biometric sample, and an orientation determination tool to determine a device orientation relative to a user based on the biometric sample. Example devices further include an orientation adjustment tool to change a content orientation in which the display device of the portable electronic device presents content based on the determination of the device orientation of the at least one of the display device and the portable electronic device. In some examples, the biometric sensor is a fingerprint sensor or an image sensor. |
| US10055815B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing system, imaging apparatus and image processing method
An imaging apparatus 12 acquires RAW images 202a and 202b by left and right cameras and performs a demosaicing process for and stepwise reduction of the RAW images 202a and 202b to generate and correct colored image groups 204a and 204b which represent picked up images with a plurality of resolutions (S10 and S12). Image process parameters 206 acquired in the course of the demosaicing process and the correction process are transmitted to a host terminal 20 together with part of colored images and data of a partial image 208 of the RAW image 202a. The host terminal 20 utilizes the image process parameters 206 transmitted from the imaging apparatus 12 to perform a demosaicing process for the partial image 208 to generate and correct a colored image 212 (S16). The host terminal 20 utilizes the colored image transmitted from the imaging apparatus 12 and the colored image 212 generated therein to generate an image 214 to be displayed (S18 and S20). |
| US10055814B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method
The present technique relates to an image processing device and an image processing method for realizing accurate depth image warping operations on the receiving end when depth images with reduced resolutions are transmitted. A partial resolution converting unit reduces resolutions of parallax images of auxiliary images. A partial conversion information generating unit generates partial conversion information. The parallax images having the resolutions reduced by the partial resolution converting unit and the partial conversion information generated by the partial conversion information generating unit are transmitted to a decoding device. The present technique can be applied to encoding devices that encode glasses-free 3D images, for example. |
| US10055812B1 |
Systems, apparatuses and methods for image mesh warping
An image processing system defines an M×N grid for each of source and destination images. The system selects a pixel location in a grid location in the destination image. The system forms a bounding box using two diagonally opposite vertices of the grid location. The system forms a quadrilateral connecting vertices of the grid location. The system determines whether the selected pixel location falls inside or outside the quadrilateral in the bounding box. If the selected pixel location falls inside the quadrilateral in the bounding box, the system determines coordinates of the selected pixel location as percentages of two sides of the quadrilateral connected to one of the diagonally opposite vertices. The system locates a pixel in a corresponding grid location in the source image using the coordinates. The system maps the pixel found in the source image to the selected pixel location in the destination image. |
| US10055811B2 |
System and method for generating interactive 2D projection of 3D model
A method for generating an interactive 2D projection of a 3D model includes steps of applying hierarchical defect data to the 3D model of a multi-part object, generating heatmap data based at least in part on the hierarchical defect data, and overlaying the heatmap data on the 3D model. The method also includes steps of extracting data corresponding to the 3D model and including the heatmap data after the overlaying step, and creating the interactive 2D projection based on the extracted data. |
| US10055809B2 |
Systems and methods for time shifting tasks
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for time shifting tasks in a computing system. A system may include a display control unit configured to process pixels for display. The display control unit may include at least one or more pixel processing pipelines, a control unit, and a pixel buffer. The control unit may be configured to monitor the amount of data in the pixel buffer and set the priority of pixel fetch requests according to the amount of data in the pixel buffer. If the control unit determines that an inter frame period will occur within a given period of time, the control unit may prevent the priority of pixel fetch requests from being escalated if the amount of data in the pixel buffer falls below a threshold. The control unit may also be configured to fill the buffers of the display control unit with as much data as possible during the inter frame period. |
| US10055808B1 |
Distributed and parallelized visualization framework
A technique for rendering database data in visualized form using a distributed computer system including a plurality of networked worker nodes each including a graphics processing unit (GPU) is disclosed. The technique includes receiving, at a head node, a user request to render data, forwarding the request to the worker nodes, processing, in parallel, by the worker nodes, chunks of respective shards of data to be rendered. The technique also includes merging, in parallel, by each of the worker nodes, initial images formed by the processing within respective shards, to form a plurality of integrated images, merging, in parallel, respective integrated images to form worker node images, and transmitting respective worker node images to the sink node. The technique also includes merging the worker node images to form a final image, converting the final image to an output image, and providing the output image to the user. |
| US10055805B2 |
Device for measuring positions and postures of plurality of articles, and robot system having the device
A position/posture measurement device, capable of precisely measuring the position/posture of each article, and a robot system including the device and a robot, in which the robot can be correctly operated with respect to the articles. The position/posture measurement device has: a model data storing part which stores three-dimensional shape data representing the shape of a workpiece as model data; a position/posture calculating part which detects each workpiece and calculates the positions/postures of the workpieces by comparing the model data stored by the model data storing part to the scene data transmitted from a three-dimensional sensor; and a combination evaluating part which calculates evaluation values with respect to all combinations of the positions/postures calculated by the position/posture calculating part, and transmits the combination of the positions/postures having the maximum evaluation value as a measurement result to a robot controller. |
| US10055797B2 |
System and method for indexing application programming interfaces (APIs)
This disclosure relates generally to application programming interfaces, and more particularly to system and method for indexing APIs. In one embodiment, a processor-implemented application programming interface economy indexing method is disclosed. The method may include identifying, via one or more hardware processors, an application programming interface associated with at least one device in Internet of Things operatively connected to a communication network. The method may also include receiving a request to access the application programming interface. The method may further include determining a monetary category for the application programming interface, based on the request. Also, the method may include calculating an economy index for the application programming interface. The method may include determining, using the monetary category, one or more financial conditions of access to the application programming interface. |
| US10055791B2 |
Trading availability utilizing alternate messaging channels
Certain embodiments provide a method including determining a communication state of a trading device, the communication state based on one or more factors including a measured signal strength of a first channel, the trading device configured to utilize at least one of a first channel and a second channel to communicate. The example method includes comparing the communication state to a communication criterion. The example method includes reconfiguring, based on the comparison of the communication state to the communication criterion, the trading device from transmitting using only the first channel to transmitting using both the first channel and the second channel. The example method includes assigning a first identifier to a first trading order. The example method includes transmitting the first trade order to a server using both the first and the second channel, the first channel transmitting the first trade order using the first identifier in a first message and the second channel transmitting the first trade order using the first identifier in a second message such that the server is to process only one of the first message and the second message based on the first identifier and a time of receipt of the first message and the second message. |
| US10055789B2 |
System and method for quick quote configuration
A method and system are described for providing a trader with the ability to quickly configure the quoting side of a trading tool, without experiencing the normal delays associated with conventional methods of quoting. In spread trading, an automated spread trading tool may automatically work an order to buy or sell a tradeable object. A user may configure the trading tool to work an order in a certain tradeable object first. The system allows the user to essentially on-the-fly configure the trading tool to work a second order in another tradeable object, and in response to the change, the system can take specific actions such as deleting the order in the first tradeable object and automatically entering the second order in the other tradeable object. This allows the trader to trade quickly and efficiently. |
| US10055788B1 |
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for calculating a housing volatility index
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for calculating a housing volatility index. An exemplary embodiment includes accessing stored property value data reflecting first values of real estate properties during a first time period and second values of the real estate properties during a second time period. The second time period may be subsequent to the first time period. The property value data may be processed to identify the first values and the second values, and time intervals between dates of the first values and dates of the second values may be calculated. Value changes of the real estate properties over the time intervals may also be calculated, based on the first values and the second values. A volatility measure for the real estate properties may be determined based on the value changes of the real estate properties over the time intervals, and the volatility measure may be output to a user. |
| US10055785B2 |
Three-dimensional shopping platform displaying system
A three-dimensional model, a display module, a motion capture module and a perspective switch module is provided. The perspective switch module is respectively connected to the display module and the motion capture module. A preset-sized graphic displaying area is defined in the display module. The motion capture module changes the relative position between the graphic displaying area and the three-dimensional model according to the manipulation of the user. The perspective switch module adjusts the three-dimensional model according to the control instruction transmitted by the motion capture module. Simultaneously, the different graphic data are displayed within the graphic displaying area. The graphic data are the projections of the three-dimensional model in the plane of graphic displaying area. |
| US10055784B1 |
In-stream pivoting search results
When a search query is provided to a search engine, and search results obtained from the search engine in response to the search query are displayed in a stream or list on a mobile device, an interaction with one or more of the search results causes information regarding the search result to be displayed within the stream or list, thereby creating a visual history of the user's interactions with the search results. Additionally, the items following a search result with which the user has interacted may be reordered based on the attributes of the search result, the user, or any other relevant factor. |
| US10055782B2 |
Two-way touch-screen based communication system
Embodiments of the disclosure generally set forth a two-way touch screen based communication system. One example method may include receiving an order for an item from a first touch screen device via a first network, wherein the order is associated with a first identification for a merchant, a second identification for the customer, and a negotiable parameter reflective of a preference of the customer. The method may also include making available the order for a second touch screen device of the merchant to retrieve via a second network and to display and prior to completing processing of the order, transmitting a first response to the preference of the customer to the first touch screen device via the first network. |
| US10055780B1 |
Dynamic list view inventory in commerce apps
A ticket transaction system includes auction logic coupled with a database of ticket inventory. The auction logic periodically executes online auctions among sellers of the ticket inventory to determine placement of tickets in a user interface view to potential buyers of the tickets. Real time event engine logic coupled with the auction logic provides real time updates of ticket inventory availability to mobile devices over a machine network. The system is adapted with logic to substitute in real time a next best value ticket for a sold ticket in the user interface. |
| US10055777B1 |
Real-time user generated virtual shopping parties
Virtual shopping parties on a peer-to-peer marketplace are facilitated. A virtual party initiated is reserved by a user of the peer-to-peer marketplace. The virtual party comprises a specific set of items available to a specific set of users during a specific time span. A theme is set for the virtual shopping party dictating parameters for whether an item can be added to the virtual shopping party. The theme also dictates parameters for who can add an item to the virtual shopping party. Invitations are sent for the virtual shopping party to the specific set of users, based on the theme. A customized feed is then presented to each of the set of users that join the virtual shopping party. |
| US10055775B2 |
Information providing method, mobile terminal and display device for the same
A method of acquiring and processing information on a mobile terminal is provided. The method includes: receiving, at the mobile terminal, information about at least one item displayed on an external display device from the external display device; and performing, at the mobile terminal, a function for the at least one item based on the received information. |
| US10055772B1 |
Method and apparatus for product comparison
A method of comparing products is disclosed. The method includes selecting a first configuration (which represents a first product with a first attribute), selecting a second configuration (which represents a second product with a second attribute), and displaying the first attribute and the second attribute. The first attribute is defined in the first configuration and the second attribute is defined in the second configuration. The first and second products may be, for example, vehicles of some sort. |
| US10055770B2 |
Unified product catalog data retrieval and modification
Embodiments for providing a unified catalog include systems and methods that import catalog data from one or more underlying catalog systems. The systems identify items from the catalog data and modify at least one of item descriptions, item names, product categories, and item identifiers associated with the identified items. The systems further provide a unified user interface to a user for browsing the items, receive a request for at least one product selected by the user from the items, and send an order for the at least one selected product to the one or more catalog systems. |
| US10055769B1 |
Automatic invoice generation
Described is technology for automatic generation of an invoice for transactions initiated by a provider of goods and/or services with merchants, where the invoice is automatically populated with details of the transactions collected from respective point-of-sale (POS) systems of the merchants. In at least some embodiments, the invoice technology involves communication of transaction data between an application installed on a merchant POS system and a payment service system (PSS). Upon completion of a transaction initiated at the POS system, the PSS automatically allocates the transaction to a particular invoice based on an identifier included in the transaction data. The PSS then populates the invoice with item-level data of items in the transaction, and generates the populated invoice for the provider (e.g., to view and/or to send to appropriate client(s)). In some instances, the PSS provides an invoice dashboard that enables the provider to edit a generated invoice. |
| US10055768B2 |
Interactive product placement system and method therefor
A method for facilitating the order of commercial products in connection with the display of media content, whereby a player comprises a media production component and an interactive e-commerce component embedded therein. The player with the e-commerce component can be virally copied and propagated from one web page to any number of other web pages. |
| US10055766B1 |
Viral marketing object oriented system and method
The present invention involves a web site advertising placement system and method which identifies web sites unaffiliated with the advertiser and related to a topic being advertised to provide advertising links that refer to unaffiliated web sites. |
| US10055759B2 |
Systems and methods for digital spend based targeting and measurement
The present disclosure includes a system, method, and article of manufacture for spend based targeting. In various embodiments, the system may transmit, to a third party system, a spend data file associating a first party cookie ID with spend data, as well as a first party cookie ID and/or a third party cookie ID to a web client. The web client may transmit the first party cookie ID and/or the third party cookie ID to the third party system, and the third party system may generate a look alike model for targeting advertisements to the web client based on the spend data file and clickstream data associated with the web client. In various embodiments, the third party system may match the third party cookie ID with the first party cookie ID in the spend data file, which may associate a customer with a segment. |
| US10055756B2 |
Determining user engagement
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for determining user engagement levels during a presentation of content. The system first collects data associated with a user session at a client device. Next, the system predicts a user engagement level during the user session by applying an engagement predicting rule to the data. The system can predicts respective user engagement levels for various segments of the presentation by applying one or more engagement predicting rules to the data. The system then presents invitational content based on the user engagement level. |
| US10055752B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing real-time out home advertising performance analytics based on arbitrary data streams and out of home advertising display analysis
An approach is provided for determining performance of location-based displays. The coincidences computational platform may process and/or facilitate a processing of at least one data stream associated with at least one device to cause, at least in part, an extraction of one or more data sets. Then, the content platform may determine one or more arbitrary events data sets from among the one or more data sets based, at least in part, on a coincident occurrence of casual and non-causal events of the one or more arbitrary events data sets with at least on location-based display. Lastly, the content platform may determine one or more information placement parameters for the at least one location-based display based, at least in part, on the one or more arbitrary events data sets. |
| US10055750B2 |
Distributing virtual items for collection in the real world
A system and method for distributing virtual items for collection by a user device in the real world are provided. One embodiment of a method includes sending a notification to a user device indicating availability of a virtual item, the virtual item configured to be available to the user device when the user device is determined to be proximate to one or more real world geolocations associated with the virtual item. The method provides for determining that the user device is proximate to the one or more geolocations and for providing information related to the virtual item so as to enable viewing of at least a portion of the virtual item. The method also provides sending an activated version of the virtual item to the user device when predetermined conditions associated with viewing the virtual item have been met. |
| US10055749B2 |
Local contextual display
A service provider system remembers feedback by a user when the user selects an offer, a presented option, or other content from a page or display on a user device. The user is then taken to a new page or screen with details about the offer, option, or other content. When the user goes back to the original page or screen, the page is revised based on the user feedback. For example, a dialog box may pop up over the selected offer to ask the user whether the user accepted the offer or is not interested in the offer. If so, the offer disappears and subsequent pages may not show the selected offer again. |
| US10055748B2 |
Survey targeting
Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems generate a first candidate list of users that meet a first set one or more characteristics and a second candidate list of users that meet a second set one or more characteristics. When a user appears in both of the first and second candidate lists, the user is selected to receive only the first survey or only the second survey based upon a first priority value for the first survey and a second priority value for the second survey. |
| US10055747B1 |
Consumer Portal
A consumer portal enables consumers to review data collected about those consumers in a privacy-protected manner, through authentication using personally identifiable information (PII) and a linking service supported by a marketing database. Once consumers review this data, they may then edit this data or determine whether they wish it to be used for marketing purposes. They are also presented with various opt-out facilities. The consumer portal is accessible by computers, tablets, smartphones, and other computing devices with Internet-access capabilities. |
| US10055746B1 |
Method and system for obtaining feedback for a content recommendation by various algorithms
A simulation engine and method of operating a simulation system includes a plurality of user devices and an interface receiving user device data and a recommendation request from at least one the plurality of user devices. The system also includes a memory storing the user device data therein. The system also includes a recommendation engine that generates a content recommendation based on the user device data and an algorithm. The interface communicates the content recommendation to the user device. The recommendation engine receives a recommendation rating from at least one of the plurality of user devices and changes the algorithm in response to the recommendation rating. The user device receives a different recommendation of the changed algorithm within the simulation engine. |
| US10055743B1 |
System and method of managing customer care
Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to methods and systems for monitoring customer service channels and identifying possible improvements for customer service channels. A computer system may comprise one or more analysis applications operable to receive and analyze information from a plurality of customer service channels. Customer service channels may include retail stores, customer care centers, and websites. |
| US10055740B2 |
Payment selection and authorization
When making a payment with an electronic payment type, a user may provide additional verification of ownership through communications with the user's mobile computing device. For example, the user may swipe her bank card at a retailer's store. The retailer may authorize the bank card through an issuing party (“host”). The host may transmit a request to the user via a mobile application running on the mobile computing device, which may request the user to approve or decline the purchase request. In various embodiments, the host's request may require the user to enter personal and/or authorization information (e.g., a PIN, password, biometrics, etc.) via the mobile application to approve the request. In some aspects, the host may allow the user to split or allocate a payment amount across one or more electronic payment types available to the user from the host via the mobile application during the authorization process. |
| US10055738B2 |
System and methods to prevent unauthorized usage of card readers
A contactless card reader comprises a contactless card reader front-end coupled to a processor. A communications module is coupled to the processor and a set of sensors is coupled to the processor. The set of sensors determines parameters related to the location, orientation and motion of the card reader. The processor receives the parameters from the set of sensors and utilizes the parameters and scenario configuration data to evaluate a rule. The result of the evaluation of the rule results in a limitation on the operation of the card reader. The communications module is configured to intermittently receive the scenario configuration data from external sources. |
| US10055735B2 |
Delayed transit fare assessment
At each of a plurality of point of sale terminals (POS) of a merchant, for each of a plurality of consumers, where each consumer seeks to conduct a transaction with the merchant for a good or service at a cost by using a payment device issued by an issuer in a payment system, data is read from a payment device. The data can include an identifier for an account issued by an issuer. Information is stored for each transaction and the consumer is permitted to receive the good or service from the merchant. After the consumer has received the good or service, a batch of the transaction are processed to derive there from the respective costs that are assessable to the respective accounts, where the merchant can be a transit system, the consumer a rider thereon, and the transaction can be access to a facility thereof. |
| US10055722B1 |
Transitioning point-of-sale devices between modes
Techniques and arrangements for transitioning point-of-sale (POS) devices between online and offline modes. In some instances, the techniques instruct a POS device to transition from an online mode to an offline mode based on a volume of transactions on the POS device within a certain time period, based on an increase in the rate of transactions occurring on the POS device, or based on anticipating a rise in the number of transactions on the POS device for other reasons. |
| US10055719B2 |
Automated system and method for adapting market data and evaluating user-specified configurations
A system includes a server that implements a metric server adapter and a metrics application. The server receives a user-agent configured product specification data set that identifies an item or items having attributes which causes the metrics application to obtain time-dependent metric data. The metric data includes reference data for one or more responsive items responsive to a respective item in the product specification data set. The metrics application dynamically discovers differences in the attribute data, which enables the metric server adapter to define context-specific instructions for adapting the metric data for the respective item. An adjustment value applied to the reference data transforms the reference data and produces context-specific reference data for the respective item. One or more user interfaces expose the context-specific reference data values produced for the user-agent configured product specification data set to at least a client computing device associated with the user-agent. |
| US10055717B1 |
Message processor with application prompts
A computer implemented method includes identifying a special character in a message generated by a sender. A money transfer prompt is supplied to the sender in response to the special character. A transfer amount is validated. An account transfer for the transfer amount is initiated. The message is sent to a recipient with indicia of the account transfer. |
| US10055714B2 |
Digital currency (virtual payment cards) issued by central bank for mobile and wearable devices
Provided is a method for issuing single-use and multiple-use digital currency via a mobile and wearable device. The method may include receiving a currency issuance request from a user, prompting the user to enter a user authentication information, accessing a user account maintained by a currency issuer, generating the digital currency based on payment data of the user account, and providing the digital currency to the mobile and wearable device. The method may continue with receiving a transaction request from a merchant and matching merchant identification data provided by the user in the currency issuance request and merchant identification data provide by the merchant. If the match of the merchant identification data is determined, the method may continue with authorizing a payment transaction by transferring a payment amount from the digital currency to a merchant account associated with the merchant. |
| US10055712B2 |
Concepts for repair, service, purchase, sale or trade-in of items
Embodiments of the present invention provide a repair or purchase program that may be associated with a common carrier. In various embodiments, one or more bids for a target item are received prior to receiving a listing for an item. After receiving the listing for the item, one or more relevant bids may be identified. Information associated with at least one of the identified bids may be provided. A user selection of one of the identified bids may be received. Completion of the transaction indicated by the user's selection may be facilitated. Associated methods, systems, and computer program products are provided. |
| US10055710B2 |
Information management system for product ingredients
A method for automatically deconstructing, analyzing, and confirming information on a plurality of labels using information technology. The plurality of labels is for a plurality of consumer products. The method includes obtaining, using a computing device, a plurality of labels from the plurality of consumer products, each label of the plurality of labels identifying content of a respective consumer product of the plurality of consumer products. The method includes processing, using the computing device, a label of the plurality of labels to identify constituent information on the label including a first set of claims on the label. The method also includes generating a portion of a label view for display at a client device based on a query about at least the respective consumer product associated with the label, including automatically displaying a second set of claims having at least one claim based on the constituent information that is different than any claim in the first set of claims. |
| US10055709B2 |
Retail shopping facility-based use of time and location codes with physical items
A received item has a machine-readable timecode placed thereon. A storage area that contains this item is correlated with that timecode to provide correlated information. That correlated information is used to automatically determine when to move that item from that storage area to a display area. So configured, an item received at a product-receiving area of a retail shopping facility can have a label placed thereon, the label bearing a current time. After placing this labeled item in a non-public storage area of the retail shopping facility a handheld code scanner can help correlate a particular timecode/item with a particular machine-readable location code in the non-public storage area. That correlated information is used to automatically determine when to move that item from the non-public storage area to a retail display area of the retail shopping facility. So configured, earlier-received items can be reliably moved in this manner before later-received items. |
| US10055708B2 |
Vehicle inventory verification system, apparatus and method cross reference to related applications
A system, method, and devices are disclosed for remotely verifying and managing the record of an inventory asset, such as an automobile or other vehicle, wherein the asset in the inventory is located at a site remote from a user initiating a request for verification. A user selects from a web-based interface on a client device or mobile application the location of an asset to be verified. When an inventory verification request is initiated, a request is sent electronically to a base station/transmitter located at the dealer's location. The transmitter sends a signal out to verify the inventory in the dealer's to one or more receivers installed in each vehicle/inventory object. The receivers communicate data associated with vehicles/inventory objects present in the dealer's lot back to the transmitted request with the list of data representing the inventory. |
| US10055707B2 |
Location detection devices for use in a courier services network
There are provided systems and methods for location detection devices for use in a courier services network. A first user may travel to a location for a particular reason, such as item purchases or appointments. While at the location, the user may be identified at the location by a server offering courier services to a seller and a second user purchasing items from the seller. Based on the first user's reason for traveling to the location and other indicia of trustworthiness or fraud, the server may determine whether the first user can be trusted as a courier. If the user is trusted as a courier, the server may update the first user and the seller to arrange delivery of the item to another location set by the second user. The first user may also be provided with additional items for the second user to deliver to further locations. |
| US10055705B2 |
Just in time learning driven by point of sale or other data and metrics
A method and system are provided. The method includes monitoring, by a processor-based monitoring device, work metrics, indicative of work performance, of a plurality of users. The method further includes soliciting input, by a user input solicitation device, from any of the plurality of users who have success regarding at least one work task, regarding activities which led to the success and suggestions on how other users can benefit from the input. The method also includes providing, by an input dissemination device, the input to a particular user identified from among the plurality of users as needing improvement in performing the at least one work task. The success is determined by evaluating the work metrics with respect to at least one threshold. |
| US10055702B2 |
Facilitating dynamic collection of data and generation of visual workflow in an on-demand services environment
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for facilitating collection of data and dynamic generating of visual workflow and corresponding tasks in an on-demand services environment. In one embodiment and by way of example, a method includes receiving, by and incorporating into a database system, a query to perform a collection of data relating to an organization, where the query represents creating a new business process relating to workings of the organization. The method may further include collecting, by the database system, the data from one or more accounts relating to the organization, assigning, by the database system, one or more tasks to the collected data, performing, by the database system, the one or more tasks, and dynamically generating, by the database system, a visual workflow in response to the performing of the one or more tasks, wherein the visual workflow is used to facilitate the new business process based on the one or more tasks. |
| US10055700B2 |
Intelligent tool for collecting and managing data during manual harvesting of fruits and vegetables
An apparatus for collecting and managing data during an agricultural manual operation is provided. The agricultural manual operation includes harvesting, planting roots, cutting flowers, and pruning and thinning fruit trees or vegetables. The apparatus comprises: an intelligent tool configured to log an event including an agricultural manual operation when a picker succeeds in picking at least one harvested product by using the intelligent tool, or planting event when a worker succeeds in planting at least one product, or cutting flowers event when a worker succeeds in cutting at least one flower product, or pruning and thinning event when a worker succeeds in thinning fruit trees. The apparatus further comprises a means for collecting a set of data relevant to at least one manually picking event, or manually planting event, or manually cutting event, or manual pruning or thinning event. |
| US10055698B2 |
Online work management system with job division support
An online work management system provides a marketplace for multiple job owner and workers. The job owners provide a job description that defines task. The job description may be processed to generate task descriptions that may be published for workers' application. The task descriptions specify the qualification or restrictions for workers to have the task assigned. The online work management system also provides various functions supporting coordination and management of task assignment such as determining the trust level of the user's identity, search the tasks or workers, monitoring the progress of job, managing payment to workers, training and testing the workers, evaluating the review by the job owners, and generation of surveys. |
| US10055696B2 |
Systems and methods for generating a dynamic personalized events feed
A device and method for generating a dynamic personalized events feed that is personalized for a user is provided. The device may include one or more processors configured to determine events that match filtering information, generate the dynamic personalized events feed based on the determined events, and update the generated dynamic personalized events feed based on the determined events. The device may also include a network interface component coupled to a network, the network interface component configured to receive the filtering information, and transmit the generated dynamic personalized events feed to a user device. The device may further include a memory, the memory storing event information and user information for determining events that match the filtering information. |
| US10055695B2 |
Throttling solutions into a legacy inventory system during a service disruption
A method for improved management of an airline inventory during a service disruption is described. The method comprises receiving, at a mirror of a legacy inventory system, one or more updates from a re-accommodation system. The mirror is populated with the one or more updates. The method proceeds with communicating the one or more updates to the legacy inventory system at a controlled rate. The one or more updates communicated to the legacy inventory system are flagged as pending update. A confirmation that the one or more records are updated in the legacy inventory system is received. The confirmation indicates synchronization of the mirror and legacy inventory system. In response to the confirmation, the one or more updates are unflagged in the mirror. Statistical evaluation of the inventory is provided based on the one or more updates in the mirror. |
| US10055694B2 |
Use-assisting tool for autonomous mobile device, operation management center, operation system, and autonomous mobile device
Provided are: a use-assisting tool for an autonomous mobile device that enhances convenience for a user of the autonomous mobile device; an operation management center; an operation system; and an autonomous mobile device. The use-assisting tool for an autonomous mobile device provides assistance for using the autonomous mobile device, which travels autonomously along a route to a destination, and is characterized by: being provided with a communication means that communicates with an operation management center, an input means, and a display means; a destination to be visited using the autonomous mobile device being input by means of the input means; and the display means displaying cooperation information established at the destination that is transmitted from the operation management center. The cooperation information established at the destination includes information regarding securing a mobility means at the destination and establishing a reservation at the destination. |
| US10055689B2 |
Calculating a relation indicator for a relation between entities
A method is provided for calculating a relation indicator for a relation between entities based on an optimization procedure. The method combines the strong relational learning ability and the good scalability of the RESCAL model with the linear regression model, which may deal with observed patterns to model known relations. The method may be used to determine relations between objects, for instance entries in a database, such as a shopping platform, medical treatments, production processes, or in the context of the Internet of Things, in a fast and precise manner. |
| US10055680B2 |
Antenna for use in an RFID tag
An antenna for use in an RFID tag comprises a yarn. The yarn comprises stainless steel fibers or the RFID-antenna comprises a stainless steel wire. The stainless steel fibers or the stainless steel wire have a martensite percentage by weight less than 5%. |
| US10055676B2 |
Image forming apparatus with print modes, the print modes comprising printing based on detection of a location on a print medium and printing not based on detection of a location on a print medium
The user can configure the print layout intuitively, and prevent needlessly executing a compensation process based on the printer mode. A plug-in 22 that controls a printer 3 that prints to a target print area in each unit print area disposed in the conveyance direction of a continuous print medium has: a mode selector 51 that determines if the printer 3 prints based detecting each unit print area of the print medium; a layout acquisition unit 53b that acquires first layout information representing the location of the target print area in the unit print area; and a layout generator 54b that generates second layout information which differs from the first layout information in the conveyance direction of the print medium when the printer determines to print based on the position detection. |
| US10055675B2 |
Training algorithm for collision avoidance using auditory data
A machine learning model is trained by defining a scenario including models of vehicles and a typical driving environment. A model of a subject vehicle is added to the scenario and sensor locations are defined on the subject vehicle. A perception of the scenario by sensors at the sensor locations is simulated. The scenario further includes a model of a parked vehicle with its engine running. The location of the parked vehicle and the simulated outputs of the sensors perceiving the scenario are input to a machine learning algorithm that trains a model to detect the location of the parked vehicle based on the sensor outputs. A vehicle controller then incorporates the machine learning model and estimates the presence and/or location of a parked vehicle with its engine running based on actual sensor outputs input to the machine learning model. |
| US10055673B2 |
Method and device for processing an image of pixels, corresponding computer program product and computer-readable medium
A method for processing an image of pixels is described. The method includes determining a plurality of features representative of the image, obtaining both information representative of a probability of presence of an object in the image and information representative of a shape of the object by implementing a unique multivariate regression applied to at least a part of the features. |
| US10055670B2 |
Image recognition device, image sensor, and image recognition method using feature
An image recognition device includes an identification unit configured to compare a feature point in an input image and a feature point in every model image to compute a first degree of similarity between the input image and the model image, and to identify the input image on the basis of said first degree of similarity. To compute the first degree of similarity for a model image, the identification unit adds to a score based on a matching feature point for each feature point in the model image matching a feature point in the input image. The score based on the matching feature point is a value that increases as the number of model images including the matching feature point decreases. |
| US10055669B2 |
Methods and systems of determining a minimum blob size in video analytics
Techniques and systems are provided for processing video data. For example, techniques and systems are provided for determining blob size thresholds. Blob sizes of blobs generated for a video frame can be determined. A lower boundary of a category of blob sizes can then be determined that corresponds to a minimum blob size of the video frame. The lower boundary is determined from a plurality of possible blob sizes including the blob sizes of the blobs and one or more other possible blob sizes. One of the possible blob sizes is determined as the lower boundary when one or more lower boundary conditions are met by characteristics of the possible blob size. A blob size threshold for the video frame is assigned as the minimum blob size corresponding to the lower boundary. |
| US10055663B2 |
Comparing extracted card data with user data
Extracting card data comprises receiving, by one or more computing devices, a digital image of a card; perform an image recognition process on the digital representation of the card; identifying an image in the digital representation of the card; comparing the identified image to an image database comprising a plurality of images and determining that the identified image matches a stored image in the image database; determining a card type associated with the stored image and associating the card type with the card based on the determination that the identified image matches the stored image; and performing a particular optical character recognition algorithm on the digital representation of the card, the particular optical character recognition algorithm being based on the determined card type. Another example uses an issuer identification number to improve data extraction. Another example compares extracted data with user data to improve accuracy. |
| US10055659B2 |
Systems and associated methods for arabic handwriting using synthetic extension concatenation and synthesis
Systems and associated methodology are presented for Arabic handwriting synthesis including accessing character shape images of an alphabet, determining a connection point location between two or more character shapes based on a calculated right edge position and a calculated left edge position of the character shape images, extracting character features that describe language attributes and width attributes of characters of the character shape images, the language attributes including character Kashida attributes, and generating images of cursive text based on the character Kashida attribues and the width attribues. |
| US10055658B2 |
State monitoring device
A state monitoring device mounted in a vehicle includes: a light emitter to emit light to irradiate a predetermined area; an imaging unit to image an imaging area including the predetermined area; a state monitoring unit to monitor a state of the driver based on an image generated by the imaging unit; a state determination unit to determine whether the driver is ready to drive the vehicle or unready to drive the vehicle; and a light emission control unit to execute specific processing to lower a light emitting function of the light emitter when the state determination unit determines that the driver is unready to drive the vehicle, specific processing to lower a light emitting function of the light emitter and not to lower the light emitting function of the light emitter when the state determination unit determines that the driver is ready to drive the vehicle. |
| US10055654B2 |
Monitoring unit for a motor vehicle, having partial color encoding
A monitoring unit for monitoring an environment outside of a motor vehicle includes a camera with an imaging sensor that has both color pixels and monochrome pixels. Pixel groups each include one or two color pixels and respectively three or two monochrome pixels. The pixel groups are arranged in a repeating pattern of partial color encoding. |
| US10055652B2 |
Pedestrian detection and motion prediction with rear-facing camera
Systems, methods, and devices for pedestrian detection are disclosed herein. A method includes receiving one or more images from a rear-facing camera on a vehicle. The method further includes determining that a pedestrian is present in the one or more images, predicting future motion of the pedestrian, and notifying a driver-assistance or automated driving system when a conflict exists between forward motion of the vehicle and the predicted future motion of the pedestrian. |
| US10055648B1 |
Detection, classification, and tracking of surface contacts for maritime assets
Techniques are provided for detection, classification and tracking of surface contacts based on multispectral image data from sensors on maritime assets. An example system may include an anomaly detection circuit configured to detect an object based on anomalies in the variance of pixels of water surface image data. The system may also include an object motion tracking circuit configured to analyze motion of the object relative to water surface waves. The analysis may compensate for motion of the asset and sensors. The system may further include an object classification circuit configured to classify the object as an object of interest, based on the analyzed motion of the object, and as a threat, further based on size estimation, edge detection, surface texture analysis, and volume analysis. The range from the asset to the object may be estimated based on the relation of the object to a detected or estimated horizon line. |
| US10055647B2 |
Method and system for monitoring logistics facilities
The invention relates to a method for monitoring processes and/or operating states in logistics facilities, in particular in roofed logistics facilities, comprising: providing a system which comprises at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (20), having at least one sensor, and comprises at least one data processing machine and at least one output device, detecting a current state of at least one characteristic in the logistics facility by means of the at least one sensor of the at least one aerial vehicle and transmitting the data representing the current state to the data processing machine, processing the data representing the current state by the data processing machine, wherein at least one processing result is obtained, and transmitting the at least one processing result to the output device, outputting the processing result by the output device, wherein the processing of the data transmitted by the at least one sensor comprises comparing the detected current state with a predetermined target state. |
| US10055645B1 |
Augmented reality user interface facilitating fulfillment
Disclosed are various implementations for updating information displayed in a user interface for a worker in a fulfillment center. Information changing relative to a previous user interface can be provided in response to location data that indicates the worker's location within a fulfillment center. |
| US10055634B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for manipulating user interfaces based on fingerprint sensor inputs
An electronic device with a display and a fingerprint sensor displays a fingerprint enrollment interface and detects, on the fingerprint sensor, a plurality of finger gestures performed with a finger. The device collects fingerprint information from the plurality of finger gestures performed with the finger. After collecting the fingerprint information, the device determines whether the collected fingerprint information is sufficient to enroll a fingerprint of the finger. When the collected fingerprint information for the finger is sufficient to enroll the fingerprint of the finger, the device enrolls the fingerprint of the finger with the device. When the collected fingerprint information for the finger is not sufficient to enroll the fingerprint of the finger, the device displays a message in the fingerprint enrollment interface prompting a user to perform one or more additional finger gestures on the fingerprint sensor with the finger. |
| US10055632B2 |
Capacitive fingerprint sensing apparatus and capacitive fingerprint sensing method
A capacitive fingerprint sensing apparatus includes sensing electrodes, a sensing driver, and a processing module. In a self-capacitive sensing mode, the sensing driver performs self-capacitive sensing on at least one sensing electrode to obtain a first fingerprint sensing signal. In a mutual-capacitive sensing mode, the sensing driver performs mutual-capacitive sensing on at least two adjacent sensing electrodes to obtain a second fingerprint sensing signal. The processing module generates a first fingerprint pattern and a second fingerprint pattern according to the first fingerprint sensing signal and the second fingerprint sensing signal and combines the first fingerprint pattern and the second fingerprint pattern into a combined fingerprint pattern. The resolution of the combined fingerprint pattern along at least one direction is larger than that of the first fingerprint pattern and the second fingerprint pattern along the at least one direction. |
| US10055630B2 |
Electronic device with fingerprint recognition circuit powered by dedicated power source
An electronic device with fingerprint recognition circuit powered by dedicated power source includes a functional circuit, a plurality of fingerprint sensing electrodes, and a fingerprint sensing control circuit. The functional circuit is powered by a first power source. The fingerprint sensing electrodes are provided for sensing a contact of a finger. The fingerprint sensing control circuit is powered by a second power source which is different from the first power source. The fingerprint sensing control circuit is connected to the fingerprint sensing electrodes for driving the fingerprint sensing electrodes to sense the fingerprint, wherein there is no common current loop between the first power source and the second power source during an operation of fingerprint sensing. |
| US10055628B2 |
Detecting item scans with audio signal processing
Disclosed are various embodiments for detecting item scans with audio signal processing. A first machine-readable identifier may be rendered in a display device associated with at least one computing device, where the first machine-readable identifier is associated with a first item in a list of items. An audio signal may be captured using a microphone and analyzed to identify a predetermined tone in the audio signal indicative of a scan being performed on a register device. In response to the predetermined tone in the audio signal being identified, the first machine-readable identifier may be replaced with a second machine-readable identifier in the display device, where the second machine-readable identifier is associated with a second item in the list of items. |
| US10055626B2 |
Data reading system and method with user feedback for improved exception handling and item modeling
A checkout system for data reading, and related methods of use, the checkout system including one or more data reading devices with a conveyor for transporting items toward a read zone of the data reading devices, and an exception identification system capable of identifying exception items transported through the read zone without being successfully identified by the data reader. The checkout system includes an exception handling system operable to receive exception handling input for resolving an exception associated with the exception item, and a feedback system for receiving the exception handling input and determining whether and how to adjust an object recognition model of the data reading devices to improve performance. |
| US10055625B2 |
Imaging barcode reader with color-separated aimer and illuminator
A scanner for machine-readable symbols, such as barcodes and two-dimensional matrix symbols, employs at least two different light frequencies (colors). The first frequency supports accurate aiming of the scanner at a symbol. The second frequency supports illumination of a machine-readable symbol so that the reflected illumination light can be read at the second frequency by the scanner's optical imaging element. Employing two different light frequencies enables both aiming and scanning to occur simultaneously, while the aiming process does not interfere with the scanning process. It enables the aiming frequency to be used for additional purposes, such as providing signaling to a user of the scanner. In an embodiment, two distinct light sources are used in the scanner to provide the different light frequencies. In an embodiment, various color filters are employed to separate and distinguish light frequencies. In an embodiment, signal processing may be employed to digitally distinguish multiple separate frequencies in light reflected from the symbol. |
| US10055624B2 |
Module and system for, and method of, directing an aiming pattern on, and illuminating, a target to be electro-optically read by image capture
A hybrid aiming/illuminating light assembly in an imaging reader directs a visible aiming pattern and an illumination light pattern on a target to be read by image capture. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly includes a light source for emitting visible light rays, a collimating lens component for collimating the light rays, and a lenslet component having an array of lenslets configured to optically modify the collimated light rays to generate and project the visible aiming pattern on the target to locate the target, and to also project the illumination light pattern on the target to illuminate the target. |
| US10055623B2 |
Monitoring system and method for a bolting operation
Provided herein is a monitoring system and method for a bolting operation, during which a torque tool is coupled to a torque sensing and transmitting adapter disposed of with an RFID reader or a middle device to read the information in the RFID tag attached to each bolt following the preset bolting sequence. After receiving the information, a torque control device evaluates whether the bolts are valid and memorizes the bolting sequence, edits and stores in the memory. The torque control device continuously monitors whether the operator does follow the programmed bolting sequence and the bolting mode to fasten the bolt with target torque value and issues a warning if otherwise. Meanwhile, the torque control device writes the bolting information in the tag or stores the information in a peripheral server or in a cloud server via the Internet for later inquiry. |
| US10055622B1 |
Fast RFID tag identifying method
A fast RFID tag identifying method includes an encoding step for encoding a pair of bits to be expressed by an RFID tag into a silence code to be used in a transmitting step for the RFID tag. The silence code is arranged such that the superposition of a plurality of silence codes from a plurality of RFID tags is decoded into a set of pairs of bits to be expressed by the RFID tags. |
| US10055621B2 |
Agriculture exchange
An agricultural exchange system includes a smart chute for isolating a live animal. The live animal can be weighed, photographed, and identified while in the smart chute. A subscriber unit receives measured data and transmits the data to a centralized server. The centralized server stores measured data and identification data as part of a product data card for the live animal. The centralized server provides the data as needed to potential buyers directly or through a service provider. Potential buyers may access the data in real time to obtain detailed information on a live animal prior to purchase. |
| US10055620B2 |
Baggage handling
Systems, methods and tools for transporting and monitoring baggage by leveraging hardware and software based techniques to schedule time slots for the arrival of the baggage at pre-scheduled waypoints or final destinations. Computer systems manage route scheduling, baggage transportation, tracking and verification using a multi-tiered architecture to ensure each bag arrives at the scheduled waypoints and final destination. Baggage security includes tracking, via one or more chaperone devices and/or tagging the baggage using active or passive tagging systems. Tracking baggage allows the system to identify exceptions in the routing pattern of the baggage before the error may be realized by employees of the transportation service or the customer arriving at the final destination. Identifying exceptions to the routing pattern sooner may increase the likelihood of successfully backtracking to the last known whereabouts of the baggage and re-routing the baggage to the final destination in a timely manner. |
| US10055618B1 |
RFID reader for RFID sensors
An RFID apparatus is disclosed generally comprising an RFID reader antenna attached to a microprocessor, the RFID reader antenna adapted to receive a first digital signal from a first RFID sensor and a second digital signal from a second RFID sensor. The RFID apparatus further possesses a converter that converts the first digital signal to a first analog output, such as electrical current, and the second digital signal to a second analog output. The apparatus can further possess a first electrical wire adapted carry the first analog output to a control system when the first electrical wire is connected to the control system. Also the apparatus can possess a second electrical wire adapted to carry the second analog output to the control system when the second electrical wire is connected to the control system. The control system is external to RFID apparatus and independent of the RFID apparatus. |
| US10055613B1 |
NFC reader with auto tuner
A near field communication (NFC) reader is disclosed. The NFC reader includes a NFC controller, an antenna, a filter coupled to the NFC controller, a tuner coupled to the antenna and a dynamic power control unit coupled between the filter and the tuner. The dynamic power control unit includes a voltage controlled capacitor and a direct current (DC) part extraction circuit coupled to the voltage controlled capacitor. |
| US10055611B2 |
Secure remote application shares
A customer support application provides screen sharing of the user's computing device with a remote customer support agent, thereby enabling the customer support agent to view the content displayed on the user's device. At least a portion of the content displayed on the user's device may contain sensitive information. Coordinates corresponding to the content displayed on the user's device may be obtained and the portion of the display corresponding to the coordinates may be obscured from the remote customer support agent. |
| US10055610B2 |
Personal content control on media device using mobile user device
A method for controlling personal content on a media device includes establishing, at the media device, a wireless connection with a mobile user device using a wireless communication circuit of the media device; receiving, from the mobile user device, account information for an account associated with personal content, the personal content of the account accessible by the media device from a server computer over a communication network or from a memory of the media device; receiving, from the mobile user device, a usage term for accessing or using the personal content of the account; and controlling access to or usage of the personal content of the account by the media device based on the received account information and the usage term. |
| US10055608B2 |
Data management for combined data using structured data governance metadata
Systems and methods provide for data management and governance to enforce proper usage of combined data formed from different pieces of data. Data governance metadata identifying authentication states for the individual pieces of data are combined to tag the combined data with new data governance metadata indicating the cumulative authentication states. Similarly, data governance metadata identifying standard contractual considerations for the individual pieces of data are combined to tag the combined data with new data governance metadata indicating the cumulative standard contractual considerations. An extent to which the combined data can be used to identify and/or contact a person is determined, and data governance metadata is tagged to the combined data identifying the extent to which the data can be used to identify and/or contact the person. |
| US10055606B2 |
Implementing block device extent granularity authorization model processing in CAPI adapters
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing block extent granularity authorization model processing in Coherent Accelerator Processor Interface (CAPI) adapters. The CAPI adapter includes an authorization table and a file system authorization function to authenticate data access for a client at an extent granularity and to prevent an application from accessing unauthorized data in the CAPI adapter. Each authorization table entry provides for the CAPI client, a CAPI client identification (ID), a CAPI server register space assigning resource ownership to the CAPI client with a CAPI set of allowed functions. |
| US10055605B2 |
Multi-party secure information integration system
A method of the present disclosure includes a host system authenticating a user of the user device to access secure host information associated with the user in a database. A request may be transmitted to a third-party system to access secure third-party information stored by the third party based on third-party authentication information. The host system may receive the secure third-party information and store the secure third-party information in a memory location of the database that is associated with a different memory location including the secure host information. The memory location and the different memory location may be associated in the database based on a common information type. The host system may generate a graphical user interface that positions the secure host information and the secure third-party information in the graphical user interface based on their respective location in the database. |
| US10055604B2 |
Filesystem access for web applications and native code modules
One embodiment provides a system that facilitates the execution of a web application. During operation, the system allocates a storage space on one or more storage devices for use by the web application. Next, the system creates, for the web application, a private filesystem comprising a private root directory within the storage space. Finally, the system enables access to the private filesystem for the web application through the private root directory in a manner that does not allow access to a host filesystem associated with the one or more storage devices from the web application. |
| US10055597B2 |
Intelligent connection method
An intelligent connection mechanism performs automatic connection for two or more physical elements requesting a connection to each other or one or more physical element requesting a connection to a base unit or a base unit connecting automatically attaching or detaching a module to itself. A customizable modular device is introduced exemplifying some embodiments of the intelligent connection mechanism techniques. |
| US10055593B2 |
Updating processor microcode
Approaches are described for updating code and/or instructions in one or more computing devices. In particular, various embodiments provide approaches for updating the microcode of one or more processors of a computing device without requiring a restart of the computing device and without disrupting the various components (e.g., applications, virtual machines, etc.) executing on the computing device. The microcode updates can be performed on host computing devices deployed in a resource center of a service provider (e.g., cloud computing service provider), where each host computing device may be executing a hypervisor hosting multiple guest virtual machines (or other guest applications) for the customers of the service provider. |
| US10055592B2 |
Systems and methods to generate a type based self-assembling indirect control flow graph
Using various embodiments, methods and systems for computing a self-assembling indirect control flow graph based on one or more function types and function pointer types are described. In one embodiment the indirect control flow graph is computed by finding one or more function types and function pointer types in source code and/or binary code, computing one or more identifier tags for each type, classifying functions and function pointers based on the computed tags. In one embodiment, the classification tags can be used in a tag check based Control Flow Integrity system. In another embodiment, the classification tags can be used to convert indirect function calls into direct function calls. Yet in another embodiment, tag checks can be eliminated in a Control Flow Integrity system. |
| US10055590B2 |
Rule matching in the presence of languages with no types or as an adjunct to current analyses for security vulnerability analysis
A method includes reading by a computing system a rule file including one or more rules having specified paths to methods, each method corresponding to one of a sink, source, or sanitizer. The method includes matching by the computing system the methods to corresponding ones of sinks, sources, or sanitizers determined through a static analysis of an application. The static analysis determines at least flows from sources of information to sinks that use the information. The method includes performing by the computing system, using the sinks, sources, and sanitizers found by the matching, a taint analysis to determine at least tainted flows from sources to sinks, wherein the tainted flows are flows passing information to sinks without the information being endorsed by a sanitizer. Apparatus and program products are also disclosed. |
| US10055587B2 |
Implementations to facilitate hardware trust and security
Disclosed are devices, systems, apparatus, methods, products, media and other implementations, including a method that includes triggering a beacon circuit combined with a hardware-based protection module, included within a hardware device, the hardware-based protection module configured to provide protection against malicious implementations within the hardware device, with the beacon circuit being configured to provide a beacon output when triggered. The method further includes determining based on the beacon output provided by the triggered beacon circuit whether the hardware device includes at least one malicious implementation. |
| US10055582B1 |
Automated detection and remediation of ransomware attacks involving a storage device of a computer network
An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a security appliance having a processor coupled to a memory. The security appliance is associated with at least one storage device and comprises a ransomware detector configured to generate a detection score for one or more sets of files stored in the storage device. The ransomware detector comprises a file analyzer configured to compare characteristics relating to a current state of the files with information stored in a file history database, and a detection score generator having a weighting module for applying weights to respective comparison results from the file analyzer in generating the detection score for the one or more sets of files. The ransomware detector is further configured to generate an alert if the detection score for the one or more sets of files exceeds a specified threshold. The alert may be transmitted by the security appliance to a network security system. |
| US10055580B2 |
Technologies for multi-factor security analysis and runtime control
Technologies for client-level web application runtime control and multi-factor security analysis by a computing device include receiving application code associated with a browser-based application from a web server. The computing device collects real-time data generated by at least one sensor of the computing device and performs a multi-factor security assessment of the browser-based application as a function of the collected real-time data and the application code. Further, the computing device establishes a client-level web application runtime security policy associated with the browser-based application in response to performing the multi-factor security assessment and enforces the client-level web application runtime security policy. |
| US10055577B2 |
Technologies for mutual application isolation with processor-enforced secure enclaves
Technologies for mutual application isolation include a computing device having a processor with secure enclave support. The computing device loads an application image to a memory range within a predefined virtual address range and creates a secure enclave with the predefined virtual address range assigned to the secure enclave. The computing device validates control flow integrity of the secure enclave. To validate control flow integrity the computing device may validate that the memory pages of the secure enclave synchronously exit only to an allowed address. Additionally, to validate control flow integrity the computing device may validate an asynchronous exit point associated with an enclave entry instruction. After validating the control flow integrity, the computing device executes the secure enclave, which includes enforcing mutual isolation of the application image and the secure enclave using the secure enclave support of the processor. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US10055575B2 |
Smart random password generation
A method for generating a password for accessing a password-protected service is disclosed. A password requirements database and default password generation requirements are stored in a memory of a computing device. The password requirements database includes one or more service profiles, where each service profile includes an identifier for a service and an associated indication of requirements of valid passwords for the service. If the password requirements database includes a service profile associated with the password-protected service, the password is randomly generated to comply with requirements of valid passwords indicated in the service profile associated with the password-protected service; otherwise, the password is randomly generated to comply with the default password generation requirements. |
| US10055574B2 |
Implementing extent granularity authorization processing in CAPI adapters
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing block extent granularity authorization processing for a Coherent Accelerator Processor Interface (CAPI) adapter. An Application Client requests authorization to a File from a system processor file system. The file system validates the request, determines the location of each Extent that comprises the File, and requests authorization to each Extent from a System CAPI Authorization manager. The System CAPI Authorization manager requests the CAPI Client manager to assign a Child Client ID and CAPI Server Register range to the requesting Application Client and requests a previously authorized CAPI Parent Client to authorize the Child ID to the list of Extents. The CAPI Parent Client sends a Create Authorizations command to the CAPI Adapter via the Parent's CAPI Server Registers. The CAPI Adapter validates the Parent Authorization Handle and CPI Server Register range for the specific Extent/Command/Resource, and creates an Authorization List by assigning a new Child Authorization Handle for each requested, validated Extent/Command/Resource. The Authorization List and the Child Client ID are returned to the File System. |
| US10055573B2 |
Implementing extent granularity authorization and deauthorization processing in CAPI adapters
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing block extent granularity authorization and deauthorization processing for a Coherent Accelerator Processor Interface (CAPI) adapter. The Application Client, such as an Application Child Client sends a Delete Authorizations command to the CAPI Adapter via the Client CAPI Server Registers assigned to the specific Application Client. The CAPI Adapter deletes the Authorizations in all Lists in the Delete Authorizations command. |
| US10055572B1 |
Systems and methods for preventing windows kernel code or drivers from being executed
Systems and methods for preventing drivers from being loaded in Windows® OS kernel space. A security driver according to aspects of the invention is loaded in kernel space and is configured to register a filter to provide a notification in the event of an ImageLoad. So configured, the Windows® kernel provides a notification on all executables being loaded to the kernel on a first method and all file system related activities for a second method before executing them. The user may then selectively determine whether the executable or the file system related activities may be executed. |
| US10055570B2 |
Mesh relay
A communication device capable of communicating over a network on behalf of a consumer device, the network being configured such transport of packets through the network is provided by each communication device in the network listening for and relaying packets, the communication device comprising a relay unit configured to listen for packets and relay them over the network, a mode unit configured to identify whether the consumer device is active or non-active with respect to the network, and a timing unit configured to control the time that the relay unit listens for packets in dependence on that identification. |
| US10055567B2 |
Proximity unlock and lock operations for electronic devices
The described embodiments perform a proximity unlock operation. For the proximity unlock operation, a first electronic device in a locked operating state detects that an authorized second electronic device is in proximity to the first electronic device. Based on detecting the authorized second electronic device in proximity to the first electronic device, the first electronic device transitions from a locked operating state to an unlocked operating state. In the described embodiments, the transition to the unlocked operating state occurs without the user performing a manual authentication step that is performed in existing electronic devices to cause the transition from the locked operating state to the unlocked operating state. |
| US10055564B2 |
Biometric authentication, and near-eye wearable device
Biometric authentication can comprise: obtaining, in response to an access request, verification information for biometric authentication and at least one piece of depth information corresponding to at least one presentation depth of the verification information; presenting the verification information at the at least one presentation depth according to the at least one piece of depth information; obtaining verification input information in response to a verification input operation corresponding to the verification information; and comparing the verification input information with a reference verification result, to determine whether the biometric authentication succeeds. According to the embodiments of this application, verification information for biometric authentication is presented at a depth corresponding to the verification information, and whether the biometric authentication succeeds is determined by determining whether corresponding verification input information is consistent with a reference verification result, thereby improving accuracy of authentication and security of object access. |
| US10055563B2 |
Air writing and gesture system with interactive wearable device
A wearable device interactive system and techniques, methods and apparatuses thereof are described. A wearable device may sense a movement by a user wearing the wearable device. The wearable device may also determine whether a path of the movement corresponds to one or more predefined patterns. The wearable device may further perform one or more operations in response to a determination that the path of the movement corresponds to at least one of the one or more predefined patterns. |
| US10055559B2 |
Security device, methods, and systems for continuous authentication
Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for securing a computing device. One security device includes a processor, memory and a connector. The memory includes a computer program that, when executed by the processor, performs a method. The method includes operations for detecting that the connector is coupled to a second computing device, and for determining a user associated with the security computing device. In addition, the method includes operations for receiving periodic images from an image capture device coupled to the second computing device, and for performing continuous authentication operations to validate an identification of the user based on the periodic images. The user is disabled from using the second computing device after an authentication operation fails. |
| US10055558B2 |
Telecommunication method for authenticating a user
The disclosure relates to a telecommunication method for authenticating a user with respect to a computer system, the computer system comprising an authentication system including a user interface and an interface for connecting the computer system to a digital, cellular telecommunication network, the authentication being carried out by way of a mobile telecommunication terminal, the mobile telecommunication terminal comprising an interface for the communication network, the computer system comprising a memory in which a communication address for the telecommunication terminal is stored, comprises: the user identifies himself or herself with respect to the authentication system of the computer system by entering login information via the user interface; after successful identification of the user on the authentication system, the authentication system accesses the communication address stored in the memory and transmits an activation request via the communication network to the mobile telecommunication terminal; the mobile telecommunication terminal automatically ascertains at least one piece of information that is required for activating the computer system for the user by way of a program that is stored on the mobile telecommunication terminal and/or by way of an interface of the mobile telecommunication terminal; the mobile telecommunication terminal automatically checks whether the ascertained information meets at least one predefined criterion that is stored on the mobile telecommunication terminal; the mobile telecommunication terminal transmits activation information for the user on the computer system via the communication network to the authentication system if the ascertained information meets the stored criterion; upon receipt of the activation information, the authentication system issues an authentication signal indicating the authentication of the user to the computer system. The disclosure further relates to a system for carrying out such a method. |
| US10055556B2 |
Technologies for authenticating a user of a computing device based on authentication context state
Technologies for authenticating a user of a computing device based on an authentication context state includes generating context state outputs indicative of various context states of a mobile computing device based on sensor data generated by sensors of the mobile computing device. An authentication manager of the computing device implements an authentication state machine to authenticate a user of the computing device. The authentication state machine includes a number of authentication states, and each authentication state includes one or more transitions to another authentication state. Each of the transitions is dependent upon a context state output. The computing device may also include a device security manager, which implements a security state machine that includes a number of security states. Transition between security states is dependent upon the present authentication state of the user. The device security manager may implement a different security function in each security state. |
| US10055555B2 |
Image processing apparatus that performs user authentication, authentication method therefor, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus using an authentication technique that enables user authentication suited to application characteristics and user authorities, thus ensuring security and enhancing usability at the same time. An authority of a user authenticated in a first authentication process for authenticating the user is obtained. When the obtained authority of the user is a predetermined authority, control is provided to give the predetermined authority to the user authenticated in the first authentication process. When the authority of the user is not the predetermined authority, control is provided to authenticate the user in a second authentication process for authenticating the user more securely than in the first authentication process, and when the second authentication process is successful, give the obtained authority to the user. |
| US10055554B2 |
Software-enabled remote licensing and provisioning
Described herein are systems and methods for providing software provisioning of functionality in a wireless communications device. Software-enabling functionality may include systems for granting a license to intellectual property or other pre-embedded functionality within a device. Communications to and from the device may be used to send or receive activation messages and/or licensing messages. Network capabilities may be provisioned using activation messages sent over the network. Activation messages may be sent in-band or out-of-band, for a device connected to the Internet and/or a mobile operator core network. Licenses may be required for any functions or intellectual property present on a given device. Activation may enable logical modules of a system-on-chip (SOC), functions of a software-defined radio (SDR), baseband, or DSP core. The disclosed systems and methods could thereby provide a new, flexible paradigm, namely, “Silicon as a Service (SaaS).” |
| US10055553B2 |
PC secure video path
A system and method are disclosed for creating a secure video content path, or a protected media content bus, within an unsecure personal computer. A portable security module, or electronic key safe, may be inserted into a personal computer that has different internal components for processing secure and unsecured content. The security module may establish a secure encrypted link with a secure video processor of the personal computer, and may use the personal computer's network interface to request authority to receive secured content. The security module may provide content keys to the secure video processor to access secured content received over an external network. |
| US10055552B2 |
Pharmaceutical management system
A pharmaceutical management system including a housing having a closeable top cover. Within the housing, there is provided, in combination, a computer processor and a computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions being executed by the computer processor, a plurality of pharmaceutical containers within the housing; each of the plurality of pharmaceutical containers having an identification means, and scanning means in communication with the computer processor adapted to read information from the identification means. The computer executable instructions include instructions identifying a pharmaceutical in each of the containers based on information in the identification means. |
| US10055551B2 |
Systems and methods for quantitative analysis of histopathology images using multiclassifier ensemble schemes
Described herein are systems and methods for performing multi-stage detection and classification of cancer regions from digitized images of biopsy slides. Novel methods for processing the digitized images to improve feature extraction and structure identification are disclosed, including but not limited to the use of quaternions, logarithmic mappings of color channels, and application of wavelets to logarithmic color channel mappings. The extracted features are utilized in improved machine learning algorithms that are further optimized to analyze multiple color channels in multiple dimensions. The improved machine learning algorithms include techniques for accelerating the training of the algorithms, making their application to biopsy detection and classification practical for the first time. The performance of the described systems and methods are further improved by the disclosure of a novel multistage machine learning scheme, in which additional classifiers are utilized to choose among the classes proposed by other classifiers in close cases. |
| US10055549B2 |
Method and apparatus for wireless health monitoring and emergent condition prediction
The present invention relates generally to an adherent sensor patch for wireless and remote physiological monitoring and evaluation of health and disease state of a patient wearing the patch, and specifically with respect to cardiac and pulmonary pathologies, including heart failure and sleep apnea. Data generated by the patch, which includes a microphone sensor and other sensors, is processed by a remote server and is made accessible to caregivers and also used to manage, calibrate and control the operations of the sensors of the patch. |
| US10055548B2 |
Single use AED
An automatic external defibrillator (AED) is described which is designed for use in a single cardiac emergency. If the AED is in standby for a year without being deployed, the AED is removed from service and replaced with another AED. The AED requires a rescuer only to deploy the electrodes on the torso of the victim; the AED turns itself on, performs rhythm analysis and delivers a shock if needed automatically. The AED thus requires no user controls. Preferably the AED requires no on-site maintenance, as the AED communicates its readiness for use to a remote monitoring site which responds to any problems detected by self-testing. In addition to its electro-resuscitation function, the AED can be used on the chest of the victim to administer CPR compressions. |
| US10055544B2 |
Patient care pathway shape analysis
A method includes accessing data related to a series of patient events, and determining whether the data accessed is related to a specific condition. Care pathway data for the condition is generated in response to determining that the accessed data is related to the specific condition. The care pathways data for the condition is stored at a custom extension to a relational database. |
| US10055543B2 |
Control method and storage medium for searching medical images similar to a target image
A control method for an information terminal including a computer, the control method including controlling the computer to 1) detect whether information indicating a region of interest in a target medical image to be interpreted is input, 2) receive a plurality of similar medical images similar to the target medical image from a case search system, the received similar medical images including an axial image and a coronal image, and 3) display the axial image or the coronal image on a display such that the axial image is displayed when the number of regions of interest indicated by the information input to indicate region of interests is one while the coronal image is displayed when the number of regions of interest indicated by the information input to indicate region of interests is two or more or in a case where the information indicating regions of interest is not input. |
| US10055542B2 |
Software interface tool for breast cancer screening
What is disclosed is a software interface tool for breast cancer screening that is designed for medical professionals to view and analyze suspicious regions for hot spots and hence facilitate a determination of whether identified areas of breast tissue are cancerous. Isotherm maps are constructed at designated temperature resolution. Maps are displayed on the screen. Point & click on the isotherm map can extract temperature values of pixels within the region covered by the isotherm contours. Also provided are isothermic views at different viewing angles which is advantageous for visual detection. Additional functionalities for hotspot selection, cropping, zooming, viewing at different angles, etc. are also enabled by the present software interface. The present software interface further utilizes a tumor detection method which is also disclosed herein. |
| US10055535B2 |
Method, system and program product for identifying anomalies in integrated circuit design layouts
Disclosed is a method and corresponding system and program product that includes providing integrated circuit design layout(s), deconstructing the integrated circuit design layout(s) into unit-level geometric constructs, identifying anomalies in the unit-level geometric constructs, and storing anomaly data in a database. The method further includes determining one or more feature attributes for each of the plurality of unit-level geometric constructs, annotating the unit-level geometric constructs with feature attributes, resulting in annotated unit-level geometric constructs, mapping the annotated unit-level geometric constructs in a hyperplane formed by one or more feature attributes, each of the one or more feature attributes forming a dimensional axis of the hyperplane, resulting in a mapped hyperplane, applying a first model to the mapped hyperplane, identifying the anomalies from applying the first model, and applying a second model to the mapped hyperplane to rank the anomalies for printability risk, the generated data including rank data. |
| US10055534B2 |
System and method for design based inspection
A system for design based inspection of a lithographic mask of a first layer of an article, the system may include a decision module and a memory module; wherein the memory module is configured to store (a) first layer information about an outcome of an illumination of the lithographic mask during a lithographic process, (b) design information related to an irrelevant area to be removed from the first layer of the article after a manufacturing of the first layer of the article; and wherein the decision module is configured to process the first layer information to detect lithographic mask defects and to reduce a significance of a lithographic mask defect that is positioned within the irrelevant area. |
| US10055530B1 |
Arrangement and method for facilitating electronics design in connection with 3D structures
An electronic arrangement for facilitating circuit layout design in connection with three-dimensional (3D) target designs, the arrangement including at least one communication interface for transferring data, at least one processor for processing instructions and other data, and a memory for storing the instructions and other data. The at least one processor being configured, in accordance with the stored instructions, to cause: obtaining and storing information in a data repository hosted by the memory, receiving design input characterizing 3D target design to be produced from a substrate, determining a mapping between locations of the 3D target design and the substrate, and establishing and providing digital output comprising human and/or machine readable instructions indicative of the mapping to a receiving entity, such as a manufacturing equipment, e.g. printing, electronics assembly and/or forming equipment. |
| US10055523B2 |
Method for analyzing oxidation in an internal combustion engine
A process for analyzing incomplete fuel oxidation in an internal combustion engine is provided. The process includes simulating a cylinder with a cylinder wall and a piston within the cylinder for the internal combustion engine. Based on the simulation of the internal combustion engine operation, a pressure and a temperature are determined at a predetermined location within the cylinder for at least one piston crank angle. In addition, combustion of fuel at the predetermined location within the cylinder is simulated and a determination of combustion products is provided. In this manner, simulation of incomplete oxidants produced during operation of the internal combustion engine is afforded and can be used for the design of engine components such as cylinder walls, piston heads, piston rings, valves, spark plugs, and the like. |
| US10055522B2 |
Automated checker generation
The invention relates to a method for verifying a design of an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit comprises at least one register including one or more parts. After receiving specification information of said register, a register monitor module is automatically created based on said received specification information. The register monitor module comprises a scoreboard for each part of the register. Said scoreboard comprises an expected data value queue for receiving expected data values, an actual data value queue for receiving actual data values. Furthermore, the register monitor module provides a matching strategy for comparing expected data values with actual data values. Expected data values and actual data values are compared for each scoreboard based on the matching strategy and an error indication is generated if the result of the comparison step does not fulfill the requirements specified in the matching strategy. |
| US10055516B1 |
Testing open mobile alliance server payload on an open mobile alliance client simulator
An Open Mobile Alliance client mobile communication device simulator. A computer system comprising at least one processor and a memory, an application, when executed by the processor, sets up a configuration file for a simulated device, retrieves test conditions for device capabilities to be configured on the device from a data store, builds an expected test result file in an Open Mobile Alliance tree structure with tree node set up with device settings and leaf node with device setting values, sends a request to the Open Mobile Alliance Device Management server for initiating the device configuration, receives an extensible markup language payload from the Open Mobile Alliance Device Management server for a mobile communication device, processes contents of the extensible markup language payload, and builds a test file in the form of an Open Mobile Alliance tree structure wherein the contents of the test file resides in memory contiguously. |
| US10055500B2 |
Optimizing searches
A method, executed by a computer, for optimizing searches includes receiving a boolean search query comprising a plurality of operators and operands and usage information corresponding to a user, determining modifications to be made to the boolean search query according to the usage information, and modifying the boolean search query according to the modifications. A computer program product and computer system corresponding to the above method are also disclosed herein. |
| US10055495B2 |
Method and system for user initiated query searches based on gaze data
The invention generally relates to computer implemented systems and methods for utilizing detection of eye movements in connection with interactive graphical user interfaces and, in particular, for utilizing eye tracking data to facilitate and improve information search and presentation in connection with interactive graphical user interfaces. A gaze search index is determined based on information that has been presented on an information presentation area and gaze data signals. The gaze search index comprises links between gaze search parameters and presented information that satisfies gaze filter criteria for respective gaze search parameter. A user can initiate query searches for information on the computer device or on information hosts connectable to the computer device via networks by using combinations of gaze search parameters of the gaze search index and non gaze search parameters of a non gaze search index. |
| US10055493B2 |
Generating a playlist
Generating a playlist may include designating a seed track in an audio library; identifying audio tracks in the audio library having constructs that are within a range of a corresponding construct of the seed track, where the constructs for the audio tracks are derived from frequency representations of the audio tracks, and the corresponding construct for the seed track is derived from a frequency representation of the seed track; and generating the playlist using at least some of the audio tracks that were identified. |
| US10055491B2 |
Media content search based on metadata
Embodiments are provided for querying a media server for media content based on user-selected metadata associated with first media while the first media is being experienced by a user. In one embodiment, at least one metadata associated with the first media may be displayed for the user to review while the first media is being experienced by the user. The user may then select a displayed metadata to initiate a search for media content based on the selected metadata. The search for media content may be performed by querying a media server associated with a selection of media content services. The user may then review the results of the media query, select media content from the results, and initiate further action, such as adding the media content to a digital repository, or purchasing the media content. |
| US10055484B2 |
Inference of query relationships based on retrieved attributes
Various example embodiments are provided for inferring relationships between a first query comprising a plurality of first terms and a second query comprising a plurality of second terms. In an example, queries are related based on the identification of common terms between the queries. One or more dissimilar terms are identified between the plurality of first terms and the plurality of second terms. A first number of dissimilar terms included in the first query and a second number of dissimilar terms included in the second query are identified. A weight is assigned to the relationship between the first query and the second query based on a difference between the first number and the second number. |
| US10055483B2 |
Data stream management systems
A method is carried out by a data stream management system suitable for executing continuous queries on input data streams. Primary continuous queries are executed by, or provisioned to be executed by, the data stream management system on one or more input data streams in order to produce one or more output data streams. In the method, at least one secondary continuous query is generated for execution on the data stream management system on one or more input data streams. The generated secondary continuous queries are different from the primary continuous queries, and the secondary continuous queries are generated based on the at least one primary continuous query. The generation of secondary continuous queries notably enables, when ad-hoc continuous queries are requested, to quickly start outputting data streams for these ad-hoc queries. Data stream management systems and computer programs are also disclosed. |
| US10055482B2 |
Knowledge engine for managing massive complex structured data
A system, a method, and a medium are provided to use Freebase as a source of structured data to construct a knowledge database with Resource Description Framework (RDF) triples and determine encoded entities responsive to structured queries. |
| US10055481B2 |
Method and system for automatic event classification
A system and methods for classification of events, the system including a memory, a network interface, and a processor configured to monitor system events via the network interface and store the system events as an event log in the memory, collect information about events from various web resources, extract, from the event log and the collected event information, labeling data including data about urgency of events and generate, based on the extracted labeling data, labeling data structures ascribing labels to respective events, extract, from the event log and the collected event information, event features data and generate, based on the extracted event features data, event features data structures ascribing features to respective events, and formulate decision rule structures for identification of urgent events based on the labeling data structures and the event features data structures. |
| US10055480B2 |
Aggregating database entries by hashing
Aggregating input into hashtables using just-in-time compilation of compilable code in response to a database query. Compilable code can be generated that is configured to cause a programmable processor to produce one or more hashmaps based on the input database. The one or more hashmaps can correspond to each individual thread from the input. The compilable code can be configured to cause the one or more processors to insert the hashmaps into a scheduler. Compilable code can be generated that is configured to: aggregate elements from the one or more hashmaps into buckets of elements having the same partition identity; rehash the buckets of elements having the same partition identity to reduce the number of groups within the bucket; facilitate the merger of all non-empty elements from each target-partition into a merged-partition. |
| US10055476B2 |
Fixed phrase detection for search
A set of search requests may be analyzed to detect fixed phrases suitable for inclusion in a search index. Sets of candidate phrases may be identified among the search requests. Fixed phrases may be detected among the candidate phrases using statistical techniques, for example, by identifying phrases having a relatively high pointwise mutual information (PMI) with respect to component keywords. Fixed phrase detection may include keyword and/or phrase clustering. Clusters may correspond to topics defined using a latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) procedure. Fixed phrase detection may include identifying phrases having relatively high PMI within particular clusters. |
| US10055475B2 |
Authentication system, synchronization method, and authentication apparatus
First user information is to be associated with a first user identifier stored in a first authentication apparatus to second user information associated with a second user identifier stored in a second authentication apparatus or the second user information is to be updated to the first user information, if the second user identifier received from the second authentication apparatus is the same as the first user identifier. First card information is to be associated with the first user identifier and stored in the first storage unit, if the first card information corresponding to the second card information stored in the second authentication apparatus is not stored in the first authentication apparatus and a user having the second user identifier associated with the second card information further has the first user identifier stored in the first authentication apparatus. |
| US10055472B2 |
Adaptive distribution method for hash operations
A method, apparatus, and system for join operations of a plurality of relations that are distributed over a plurality of storage locations over a network of computing components. |
| US10055469B2 |
Method and software for retrieving information from big data systems and analyzing the retrieved data
A method is provided for enabling a software user to obtain answers based on information retrieved from Big Data systems to a query defined by a user. The method comprises: a) providing a software that comprises computational models, wherein each of the computational models is configured to provide answers to a different type of a user query, and at least one of the computational models is further configured to retrieve information from one or more Big Data systems; b) upon inputting the user query to the software, retrieving information from Big Data systems and presenting to the user a pre-determined series of queries and the results thereof, thereby reflecting to the user a multi-step process selected by the software for retrieving the answers to the query defined, based on information retrieved from the Big Data systems. |
| US10055461B1 |
Ranking documents based on large data sets
A system ranks documents based, at least in part, on a ranking model. The ranking model may be generated to predict the likelihood that a document will be selected. The system may receive a search query and identify documents relating to the search query. The system may then rank the documents based, at least in part, on the ranking model and form search results for the search query from the ranked documents. |
| US10055460B2 |
Analysis of parallel processing systems
A method of analysing streams of metric data from a plurality of data processing sources (2) in a parallel processing system (1), using a computer (6). Each stream includes time stamped data associated with the respective data processing source in respect of a given metric which is sampled at intervals. For each stream of data, a start time and an end time are identified. A normalized start time and a normalized end time are determined across all streams. Sampling points are specified between the normalized start time and the normalized end time. For each stream of data, the data is re-sampled at the specified sampling points. For each sampling point, the re-sampled data across all the streams of data is processed to determine a statistical derivative of the data. A report is displayed which represents the values of the statistical derivative as a function of time. The process may be applied to various different metrics, and the results displayed at the same time, on a common time axis. |
| US10055459B2 |
Query hint management for a database management system
Disclosed aspects relate to query hint management for a database management system. With respect to a hint for a query, a set of hint profile data is established. The database management system detects a triggering event. Based on the set of hint profile data, the database management system determines to perform a hint action in response to the triggering event. Performance of the hint action is initiated. |
| US10055456B2 |
Information processing apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium for displaying an information object
There is provided an information processing apparatus including: an information space storage section that stores an information object in connection with an arrangement destination coordinate; an information space screen generation section that generates an information space screen; an update section that receives an instruction given by a user to change the arrangement destination coordinate of the information object or an instruction given by the user to specify a new information object, and that updates information stored in the information space storage section; a retrieval condition receiving section that receives an input of a retrieval condition on a supplemental screen superposed in the information space screen; a retrieval section that performs a retrieval through the information space storage section to find an information object which satisfies the retrieval condition; and a control section that controls the information space screen generation section. |
| US10055445B2 |
Transaction processing method and apparatus
The present invention provides a transaction processing method, which is applied to a node presenting a coordinator, where the coordinator is communicatively connected to nodes presenting participants. The method includes: sending, by the coordinator, a query message to each participant; drawing, by the coordinator, a conclusion according to response messages, executing, by the coordinator, the conclusion, and sending the conclusion to the participants, where the conclusion can be determined by a transaction ID, a object ID and a change information. |
| US10055442B2 |
Efficient updates in non-clustered column stores
The processing of transaction oriented data tends to be row-oriented, while the processing of analytical operations tends to be column-oriented. Various systems, sometimes referred to as operational data warehouses, may comprise mechanisms adapted for use in scenarios where both transactional data processing and analytical queries are to be performed efficiently. The operational data warehouse (ODW) may perform and update data efficiently by maintaining a table in structures comprising a column store, a delta store, a delete bitmap, and a delete buffer. In this environment, key values may be associated for each row such that the ODW may more efficiently seek rows. Further, rows may also be excluded from a column store based at least in part on a filter criterion. The filtering criterion may be used to filter out rows based on a created predicate set by a user or the system. |
| US10055436B2 |
Alert management
Alert management may include receiving, by a monitoring module from one or more disparate monitored sources, an alert, where the alert is a data structure that includes a plurality of fields; storing, by the monitoring module, the alert in a database; processing, by the monitoring module periodically at predefined intervals, the database, including identifying, in dependence upon a predefined ruleset, one or more alerts; storing, by the monitoring module, the identified alerts in a staging table, including creating, for each of the identified alerts, a primary key in dependence upon the fields of the identified alert; populating, by the monitoring module for each of the alerts stored in the staging table, one or more attribute fields of the alert in dependence upon the created primary key of the alert; and storing, by the monitoring module, the populated alerts in the database. |
| US10055434B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing random selection and long-term potentiation and depression in an artificial network
A digital circuit element of a two dimensional dynamic adaptive neural network array (DANNA) may comprise a neuron/synapse select input functional to select the digital circuit element to function as one of a neuron and a synapse. In one embodiment of a DANNA array of such digital circuit elements, a destination neuron may be connected to a first neuron by a first synapse in one dimension, a second destination neuron may be connected to the first neuron by a second synapse in a second dimension and, optionally, a third destination neuron may be connected to the first neuron by a third synapse thus forming multiple levels of neuron and synapse digital circuit elements. In one embodiment, multiples of eight inputs may be selectively received by the digital circuit element selectively functioning as one of a neuron and a synapse. The dynamic adaptive neural network array (DANNA) may implement long-term potentiation or depression to facilitate learning through the use of an affective system and random selection of input events. |
| US10055430B2 |
Method for classifying an unmanaged dataset
A computer implemented method for classifying at least one source dataset of a computer system. The method may include providing a plurality of associated reference tables organized and associated in accordance with a reference storage model in the computer system. The method may also include calculating, by a data classifier application of the computer system, a first similarity score between the source dataset and a first reference table of the reference tables based on common attributes in the source dataset and a join of the first reference table with at least one further reference table of the reference tables having a relationship with the first reference table. The method may further include classifying, by the data classifier application, the source dataset by determining using at least the calculated first similarity score whether the source dataset is organized as the first reference table in accordance to the reference storage model. |
| US10055428B2 |
Spatially driven content presentation in a cellular environment
Techniques are provided for integrated content presentation via cells arranged geometrically in a cellular environment. Users can navigate various orientations and zoom states of the cellular environment to access information via different applications, different media types, different visual representations and from different underlying content sources. The information can be organized according to various logical relationships. Upon receiving an indication of a zoom state associated with a cell or a group of cells arranged in the cellular environment, a content reference at that zoom state is retrieved. Further, the content reference is resolved to retrieve and output content, including a visual representation associated with the zoom state. |
| US10055426B2 |
System and method transforming source data into output data in big data environments
A system may receive a request to derive an output variable from a source variable. The request may include proposed logic to derive the output variable from the source variable. The system may then compare the proposed logic to existing logic to determine the proposed logic is new. In response to the proposed logic being new, the system may generate transformation code configured to execute the proposed logic. The system may further schedule the transformation code for execution at a predetermined time, and then execute the transformation code to generate data for the output variable. |
| US10055422B1 |
De-duplicating results of queries of multiple data repositories
De-duplicating results of queries of data repositories is described. A system associates each data object of the first set of duplicate data objects stored by multiple data repositories with a first unique duplicate set identifier, and each data object of the second set of duplicate data objects stored by the multiple data repositories with a second unique duplicate set identifier. The system identifies a first data object of the first set of duplicate data objects and a second data object of the first set of duplicate data objects in response to a query. The system determines that the first data object is associated with the first unique duplicate set identifier, and that the second data object is also associated with the first unique duplicate set identifier. The system outputs a query result that includes only the first data object. |
| US10055417B2 |
Centralized parallel burst engine for high performance computing
Data storage systems and methods for storing data are described herein. An intermediate storage system is coupled with a High Performance Computing (HPC) system. A plurality of burst engines of the intermediate storage system are directly connected to compute nodes of the HPC. The burst engines are operative to receive file level data from the compute nodes at data transfer rates that at least match to the burst mode output rate of the compute node. The burst engines store the data to high bandwidth storage devices of the intermediate storage system at a data rate that at least matches the burst output rate of the compute node. During a compute phase of the compute node, data is replayed from the intermediate storage devices to a primary storage system at a lower data transfer rate. |
| US10055416B2 |
Method for file handling in a hierarchical storage environment and corresponding hierarchical storage environment
A method for file handling in a hierarchical storage environment includes initiating a new document notification process in response to receipt of a new document. The document notification process includes evaluating enhanced metadata of the new document via a relationship analyzing process to produce a priority list defining a likelihood of possible access, where the enhanced metadata includes a set of keywords and/or references from the new document. The method additionally includes storing the new document in a storage tier of a hierarchical storage environment according to the priority list. |
| US10055414B2 |
Access points for maps
Methods, systems, and apparatus, for providing map data that causes a user device to display a map of an area that includes a physical entity location and a access locations for the physical entity, wherein the physical entity location is indicated by an icon of a first type and each access location is indicated by an icon of a second type that is different from the icon of the first type. |
| US10055413B2 |
Identifying media content
Systems, devices, apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for identifying media content for playback during a repetitive motion activity are provided. An example media-playback device includes a media-output device that plays media content items and a repetitive-motion activity content identification engine. The repetitive-motion activity content identification engine is configured to: review media content items to identify the media content items that are conducive to performing repetitive-motion activities; and select certain media content items from the media content items, the certain media content items being conducive to performing the repetitive-motion activities. |
| US10055412B2 |
Providing media items from playback history
Examples provided herein involve a playback history for media items played by playback zones of a media playback system. An example implementation involves a computing device storing a playback history of media items played by the media playback system, the playback history including, for each of the media items, an indication of a playback zone in which the media item was played, a time at which the media item was played, and metadata of the media item. The implementation also involves receiving a request for media items played during a given time period by the one or more playback zones; and based on the request, transmitting, to the media playback system, a portion of the playback history. Transmitting the portion of the playback history causes an indication of particular media items played by the one or more playback zones during the given time period to be displayed. |
| US10055410B1 |
Corpus-scoped annotation and analysis
Corpus-scoped annotation and analysis. Enrichment analysis data is generated including annotations and metadata for a plurality of documents that are part of a corpus. Whether to generate a second set of annotations is determined, based on a correlation of the annotations and metadata. A relational database is populated with the enrichment analysis data. A corpus-scoped query is resolved, initiated by an application, using the enrichment analysis data and content of the corpus. |
| US10055405B2 |
Computer-implemented directional translation method and apparatus
The present disclosure presents a directional translation method and a directional translation apparatus based on artificial intelligence. The method includes: receiving directional translation information that is set by a user for translating a first word in a translation file into a second word; and translating the first word in the translation file into the second word. With the directional translation method and the directional translation apparatus based on artificial intelligence provided in the present disclosure, the word is translated directionally into a result needed, thereby improving accuracy and efficiency of translation. |
| US10055404B2 |
Translation apparatus
Provided is a method of managing a server having stored thereon a phrase table containing phrase pairs each being a pair of a phrase in a first language and a phrase in a second language different from the first language. In the method, a processor receives combinations of the phrase pairs used to generate respective candidate target texts which are generated by translation of a source text in the first language into a target text in the second language as candidates for the target text in the second language, and records combination information (for example, a data structure and paths) in the server, the combination information identifying, in the phrase pairs contained in the phrase table, the combinations of the phrase pairs used to generate the respective candidate target texts. |
| US10055403B2 |
Rule-based dialog state tracking
The present disclosure relates dialog states, which computers use to internally represent what users have in mind in dialog. A dialog state tracker employs various rules that enhance the ability of computers to correctly identify the presence of slot-value pairs, which make up dialog states, in utterances or conversational input of dialog. Some rules provide for identifying synonyms of values of slot-values pairs in utterances. Other rules provide for identifying slot-value pairs based on coreferences between utterances and previous utterances of dialog sessions. Rules are also provided for carrying over slot-value pairs from dialog states of previous utterances to a dialog state of a current utterance. Yet other rules provide for removing slot-value pairs from candidate dialog states, which are later used as dialog states of utterances. |
| US10055399B2 |
Method and system for linear generalized LL recognition and context-aware parsing
A computer system and method of grammar analysis to generate code for runtime recognition to produce a list or graph representation of multiple lists of directions to be followed for a given sentence during a subsequent parse. The computer system implementing the method to parse grammar to create an intermediate representation, construct a graph for analysis that represents all features of a grammar, including recursion, alternation, grouping of alternatives, and looping, process each decision point in the graph to generate the intermediate representation, generate code for recognition functions that return lists of directions for use in runtime parse decisions, and patch each decision point token to reference or inline a top level recognition code for each decision point. |
| US10055394B2 |
Collaborative document editing
Various features and processes related to document collaboration are disclosed. In some implementations, animations are presented when updating a local document display to reflect changes made to the document at a remote device. In some implementations, a user can selectively highlight changes made by collaborators in a document. In some implementations, a user can select an identifier associated with another user to display a portion of a document that includes the other user's cursor location. In some implementations, text in document chat sessions can be automatically converted into hyperlinks which, when selected, cause a document editor to perform an operation. |
| US10055393B2 |
Distributed version control of orchestration templates
Distributed version control in a multi-region cloud in which each region includes an instance of a version control service. A first version control service in a first region receives an indicator to re-version a document saved in the first cloud region. For re-versioning due to creation of a new version of the document in the first cloud region, first version control service re-versions the document by saving the created new version of the document in the first cloud region. The first version control service identifies access information to a second version control service in a second cloud region and transmits the re-versioned document to the second version control service. For a re-versioning due to receiving a new version of the document from a second version control service, the first version control service re-versions the document by saving the received new version of the document in the first cloud region. |
| US10055392B2 |
History-based archive management
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to determine a proximate save time difference between a target version of electronic content and a next (proximate in time and newer) version of the electronic content. An aged save time difference may be determined as the time difference between the current time and either one of the target version or the next version. The target version of the electronic content may be pruned from a plurality of revisions of the electronic content if the proximate save time difference is less than a selected fraction of the aged save time difference. The plurality of revisions, less the pruned revisions, may be displayed along a historical time line as part of a graphical user interface. |
| US10055378B2 |
Coupling connector to management port or system port
A device is connected to a connector of a computing system. In response, the computing system determines whether the device is a management device. In response to determining that the device is the management device, the computing system couples the connector to a management port of a service processor of the computing system. In response to determining that the device is not the management device, the computing system couples the connector to a system port of a primary processor of the computing system. |
| US10055377B2 |
Using a proprietary framework on a standards-based embedded device
A vendor extension command is used to transport a proprietary message to a device (e.g., a solid state drive), to instruct the device to access and return data stored on the device (e.g., data that can be used for debugging). More specifically, a device that is coupled to a host system by a host bus interface (e.g., a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express bus) receives a command in a vendor extension of a standard driver (e.g., a Non-Volatile Memory Express driver). In response to the command in the vendor extension, data (e.g., debugging data) stored in memory on the device is accessed. The data can then be sent over the host bus interface to the host system. Thus, for example, a proprietary debugging framework can be used with a standards-based device. |
| US10055371B2 |
Apparatus and method for RDMA with commit ACKs
Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for remote direct memory access (RDMA) with commit acknowledgements (ACKs) are described. In embodiments, a device may include a process queue to store a remote direct memory access (RDMA) request from an initiator to update a target memory. The device may further include a control module, coupled to the process queue, to issue a commit operation to the target memory based on the RDMA request and generate an acknowledgement, ACK, to be sent to the initiator on completion of the commit operation. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US10055367B2 |
Integrated-circuit radio
An integrated-circuit radio communication device (1) comprises a processor (7) having a hardware-interrupt input line; memory (13); radio communication logic (17); and interrupt-interface logic (8). The memory (13) contains a firmware module (23) comprising (i) instructions (31) for controlling the radio communication logic (17) according to a predetermined radio protocol, and (ii) an interrupt routine comprising instructions for receiving an identification of a radio communication function in the firmware module (23) and for invoking the identified radio communication function. The interrupt-interface logic (8) comprises input logic for receiving a signal generated by software (27) executing on the device (1), and output logic arranged to assert the hardware-interrupt input line of the processor (7) in response to receiving a software-generated signal at the input logic. The device (1) is configured to invoke the interrupt routine in response to an assertion of the hardware-interrupt input line of the processor (7). |
| US10055365B2 |
Shared buffer arbitration for packet-based switching
Methods and apparatuses regarding shared buffer arbitration for packet-based switching are described. A data packet may be received by a packet buffer including a first plurality of banks of memory units and a second plurality of banks of memory units. Each memory unit may store one cell of data and accommodate one access operation in one clock cycle. In an event that the data packet includes at least two cells of data, the at least two cells of the data packet may be alternately written into at least one memory unit in the first plurality of banks of memory units and at least one memory unit in the second plurality of banks of memory units. Cells of data packets may be read from the first plurality of banks of memory units and the second plurality of banks of memory units according to a time-division multiplexing (TDM) scheme. |
| US10055364B2 |
Methods and systems for filtering communication between peripheral devices and mobile computing devices
The embodiments are directed to methods and systems for sending and receiving signals between one or more peripheral devices connected to a dongle system and an operating system. The methods and systems can detect when a dongle system has been connected to a mobile computing device. The methods and systems can receive an input to use the dongle system with a local operating system or a remote operating system. The methods and systems can also establish a communication channel between the local operating system and the remote operating system, and exchange signals between the dongle system and the remote operating system using one or more virtual filters. |
| US10055362B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing application auto-install function in digital device
An apparatus and method install an application in a digital device. An apparatus for providing a connection program to a desired peripheral device in a digital device includes a communication unit for receiving system information from a peripheral device and transmitting a connection program list, a program detecting unit for analyzing the received system information and creating the connection program list executable in the peripheral device, and a control unit for transmitting the created connection program list to the peripheral device. |
| US10055358B2 |
Run length encoding aware direct memory access filtering engine for scratchpad enabled multicore processors
Techniques are described herein for efficient movement of data from a source memory to a destination memory. In an embodiment, in response to a particular memory location being pushed into a first register within a first register space, the first set of electronic circuits accesses a descriptor stored at the particular memory location. The descriptor indicates a width of a column of tabular data, a number of rows of tabular data, and one or more tabular data manipulation operations to perform on the column of tabular data. The descriptor also indicates a source memory location for accessing the tabular data and a destination memory location for storing data manipulation result from performing the one or more data manipulation operations on the tabular data. Based on the descriptor, the first set of electronic circuits determines control information indicating that the one or more data manipulation operations are to be performed on the tabular data and transmits the control information, using a hardware data channel, to a second set of electronic circuits to perform the one or more operations. Based on the control information, the second set of electronic circuits retrieve the tabular data from source memory location and apply the one or more data manipulation operations to generate the data manipulation result. The second set of electronic circuits cause the data manipulation result to be stored at the destination memory location. |
| US10055351B1 |
Low-overhead index for a flash cache
Systems and methods for a low-overhead index for a cache. The index is used to access content or segments in the cache by storing at least an identifier and a location. The index is accessed using the identifier. The identifier may be shortened or be a short identifier. Because a collision may occur, the index may also include one or more meta-data values associated with the data segment. Collisions can be resolved by also comparing the metadata of the segment with the metadata stored in the index. If both the short identifier and metadata match those of the segment, the segment is likely in the cache and can be accessed. Segments can also be inserted into the cache. |
| US10055348B2 |
Transactional execution in a multi-processor environment that monitors memory conflicts in a shared cache
A higher level shared cache of a hierarchical cache of a multi-processor system utilizes transaction identifiers to manage memory conflicts in corresponding transactions. The higher level cache is shared with two or more processors. Transaction indicators are set in the higher level cache corresponding to the cache lines being accessed. The transaction aborts if a memory conflict with the transaction's cache lines from another transaction is detected. |
| US10055344B2 |
Intelligent computer memory management
A plurality of memory allocators are initialized within a computing system. At least a first memory allocator and a second memory allocator in the plurality of memory allocators are each customizable to efficiently handle a set of different memory request size distributions. The first memory allocator is configured to handle a first memory request size distribution. The second memory allocator is configured to handle a second memory request size distribution. The second memory request size distribution is different than the first memory request size distribution. At least the first memory allocator and the second memory allocator that have been configured are deployed within the computing system in support of at least one application. Deploying at least the first memory allocator and the second memory allocator within the computing system improves at least one of performance and memory utilization of the at least one application. |
| US10055343B2 |
Memory storage windows in a memory system
A memory device comprises a first plurality of addressable memory locations associated with a first data storage window and a second plurality of addressable memory locations associated with a second data storage window. The memory device includes a controller that receives requests from a host device to identify the first data storage window and the second data storage window. The controller receives requests to assign a first window index value to the first data storage window and to assign a second window index value to the second data storage window. The controller receives memory commands from the host device that indicate the first window index value and at least one address. The controller accesses, based at least on the first window index value, a location associated with the at least one address within the first plurality of addressable memory locations. |
| US10055340B2 |
Dynamic test topology visualization
An approach for dynamic test topology visualization is provided. The approach retrieves test data from one or more databases. The approach retrieves test data from an application under test. The approach creates a visual diagram, wherein the visual diagram includes one or more topological elements, one or more topological relationships between the one or more topological elements, the test data, and a screen snapshot of an application under test. The approach overlays the visual diagram with user interaction information. The approach associates the visual diagram to the test execution performed on the application under test. |
| US10055339B2 |
Methods and systems for testing mobile applications
A method, device, and non-transitory computer readable medium for testing mobile applications in a mobile application testing system is disclosed. The method includes creating at least one Docker container in the mobile application testing system. After creating the at least one docker container, the method identifies a mobile application for testing. The method automatically generates at least one test artifact in response to identifying the mobile application for testing. Thereafter, the method installs the at least one test artifact for the mobile application for testing in the at least one Docker container. Further, the method selects at least one mobile device in response to installing the at least one test artifact for the mobile application for testing in the at least one Docker container. Thereafter, the method executes the at least one test artifact for the at least one selected mobile device in the at least one Docker container. |
| US10055338B2 |
Completing functional testing
The Functional Tester Plug-in (FTP) extracts information from a data base to enhance automated testing tools to accommodate changes to the computer environment and so that a simulation can be fully executed even if an exception occurs. The FTP accesses the test script and static data store created by a developer using the automated testing tool, wherein the test script and static data store indicate a first resource to be tested at a verification point and a first expected result. The FTP identifies the first resource used by the test script at a first verification point and accesses the data base. The FTP identifies the status and configuration of the first resource in the data base. The FTP calculates an optimal expected result based any changes in the status and configuration of the first resource. The FTP executes the test script using the optimal expected result based any changes in the status and configuration of the first resource. |
| US10055337B2 |
Methods and systems for analyzing software development risks
Methods and systems for analyzing software development risks are described. In one embodiment, a plurality of risk factor questions associated with a software development process of a software program during a software development stage in which the software program is being created or will be created are generated. A plurality of risk factor responses associated with the software development process of the software program is received. A plurality of risk factors with a plurality of risk factor models and a plurality of risk factor weightings is respectively associated. The plurality of risk factors are totaled in combination with their respective association of the plurality of risk factor models and the plurality of risk factor weightings to generate a predicted number of expected software development defects associated with continued development of the software program. Additional methods and systems are disclosed. |
| US10055334B2 |
Debugging through causality and temporal patterning in an event processing system
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method and apparatus for visualizing events received and processed by a plurality of software agents in a distributed system. Aspects of the present disclosure generally include receiving, for each software agent, a recording identifying one or more events occurring on that software agent, generating a visualization showing a timeline for one or more of the plurality of software agents wherein the visualization represents each event consumed or emitted by the one or more software agents as an icon on the timeline ordered based on the time the event is consumed or emitted, receiving a request indicating at least a first one of the icons in the visualization, determining, for the event corresponding to the first icon, a causal chain of events related to that event, and updating the icons corresponding to events in the causal chain of events to present an ordered sequence of events in the causal chain of events that occurred relative to the event corresponding to the first one of the icons. |
| US10055331B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic cross-system program debugging
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for automatic cross-system program debugging. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for cross-system program debugging. The method comprises: determining a first breakpoint in a first debugging session of a first system; determining a second breakpoint in a second debugging session of a second system, the second system being different from the first system; and responsive to a user performing a debugging action of associating the first breakpoint with the second breakpoint in the first debugging session and the second debugging session, recording an association between the first breakpoint and the second breakpoint for automating the program debugging across the first system and the second system. There is further described a corresponding apparatus. |
| US10055329B2 |
Detection of antipatterns through statistical analysis
A computer implemented method of detecting code antipatterns, comprising: 1) Receiving a code containing one or more of a plurality of code segments, each one of the one or more code segments includes one or more of a plurality of patterns. 2) Automatically analyzing each one of the one or more code segment to create an array of a plurality of features vectors, each one of the plurality of features vectors maps a plurality of predefined features found in one or more patterns. 3) Matching each one of the plurality of features vectors with a plurality of template features vectors each representing one of a plurality of antipatterns, the plurality of template features vectors is stored in an antipatterns dataset. 4) Determining a presence or an absence of each of the plurality of antipatterns within each of the one or more code segments according to the matching. |
| US10055328B2 |
System, method and computer program product for monitoring data activity utilizing a shared data store
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for monitoring data activity utilizing a shared data store. These mechanisms and methods for monitoring data activity utilizing a shared data store can enable enhanced data monitoring, more efficient data storage, improved system resource utilization, etc. |
| US10055324B2 |
Management of system events using one or more event attributes
A method for managing a system may include gathering, with a system manager, data about a first system event and a second system event. The method further includes determining, with the system manager, a plurality of first system event attribute values and a plurality of second system event attribute values. The first and second system event attribute values are based on the data gathered about the first and second system event. The method further includes generating, with the system manager, a display of the plurality of first system event attribute values in hierarchal relation to the plurality of second system event attribute values. |
| US10055321B2 |
Storage device, main board in which the storage device is embedded, and self-diagnosis method thereof
A storage device includes at least one nonvolatile memory device, a host interface configured to communicate with a peripheral channel hub disposed external to the storage device, a sideband interface configured to receive a self-diagnostic command from a host disposed external to the storage device, and a self-diagnostic firmware configured to be driven in response to the self-diagnostic command to perform a self-diagnosis operation on the storage device. |
| US10055319B2 |
Validation of asset data for component assemblies
Disclosed are various embodiments of a computing device for validating the configuration of components of a component assembly. The computing device serves a boot image executable by a component of the component assembly. Expected configuration data associated with the component is identified by the computing device, and actual configuration data associated with the component is obtained by the computing device. The computing device determines a validation response for the component assembly based at least in part upon a comparison of the expected configuration data and the actual configuration data. |
| US10055318B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating test bench for verification of processor decoder
A method and apparatus for generating a test bench for verifying a processor decoder are provided. The method including receiving an architecture description comprising processor decoder information, parsing the received architecture description into information for verifying the processor decoder, and generating the test bench to verify the processor decoder based on the parsed information. |
| US10055314B2 |
Managing the execution of software applications running on devices having device functions
A computer-implemented method includes running a software unit in an isolation container located on a software platform. The computer-implemented method further includes allocating an instance of a device function instantiated by the software platform to the software unit. The computer-implemented method further includes storing usage data associated with the instance to a memory region logically external to the isolation container, the usage data being generated by the software unit operating the device function. The computer-implemented method further includes detecting a failure of the software unit. The computer-implemented method further includes, responsive to detecting the failure, restarting the software unit and providing the software unit with a usage context, wherein the usage context comprises at least one of identifying information and the usage data associated with the instance stored in the memory region logically external to the isolation container. A corresponding computer system and computer program product are also disclosed. |