| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US10256966B2 |
Integrated multiple-input multiple-output multi-band bandpass filter bank
Techniques for multiband radio frequency (RF) signal communications using integrated multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) multiband bandpass filter bank based on concentric dielectric ring resonators are described. The integrated MIMO multiband bandpass filter bank includes a plurality of transmission line structures for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals, and a plurality of ring resonators with different sizes and different resonant frequencies electromagnetically coupled to the plurality of transmission line structures, wherein each ring resonator of the plurality of concentric ring resonators is configured as a single-band bandpass filter to allow a bandpass signal to pass through. By the use of integrated MIMO multiband bandpass filter bank, multiple desired bandpass signals corresponding to the multiple resonant frequencies of the multiple dielectric ring resonators can operate to transmit and receive in the processing of multiband RF signals while having out-of-band spurious emission and interference rejection. |
| US10256965B2 |
Duplex operation in a cellular communication system
A cellular communication system comprises a first base station serving at least a first user equipment. The base station comprises functionality for transmitting a base station duplex capability message to user equipments using a transmission format which is common to a plurality of duplex modes. A first user equipment comprises a transceiver which receives the base station duplex capability message. A RACH characteristics processor determines at least one transmit characteristic for an access message in response to the base station duplex capability message and a RACH transmit controller controls the transmission of an access message to the first base station in response to the at least one transmit characteristic. |
| US10256964B2 |
Method for transmitting uplink control information, UE and base station
A method for transmitting UCI, UE and base station. The method for transmitting includes: mapping, by UE, UCI onto time-frequency resources, wherein a subframe where the UCI is located contains one uplink reference signal or contains no an uplink reference signal; and transmitting the UCI to a base station via a PUSCH. An uplink reference signal occupies only one OFDM symbol or occupies no an OFDM symbol in a subframe, which may reduce waste of resources, and correspondingly change resource mapping of the UCI, thereby obtaining better decoding performance. |
| US10256956B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing uplink transmission in flexible frequency division duplex system
A method for implementing uplink transmission in a flexible frequency division duplex (FDD) system is provided. A flexible FDD supported user equipment (FFUE) receives signaling from an evolved node B (eNB), obtains an uplink carrier configuration, and performs physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission by way of synchronous HARQ of 8 ms, synchronous HARQ of 10 ms, or asynchronous hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ). According to the solution provided by the present invention, uplink transmission in the FDD system can be realized with low complexity, and the system performance of the FDD system is improved. |
| US10256954B2 |
Data transmission method, device and system for downlink virtual multi-antenna system
Disclosed are a method, apparatus and system for data transmission in a downlink virtual multi-antenna system. The method includes: N terminals receive downlink data and/or downlink Demodulation Reference Signals (DMRSs) from one Node B or multiple Nodes B, N being a positive integer larger than or equal to 2; and one terminal in the N terminals forwards the downlink data and/or downlink DMRSs received from the one Node B or multiple Nodes B to M terminal(s), M being a positive integer larger than or equal to 1. A first forwarding unit of the apparatus is configured to forward received downlink data and/or downlink DMRSs of a Node B to M terminal(s) by one terminal in N terminals, M being a positive integer larger than or equal to 1. |
| US10256945B2 |
Forward error correction decoding avoidance based on predicted code block reliability
A method and device for performing Hforward error (FEC) correction avoidance based upon predicted block code reliability in a communications device is provided. An avoidance unit comprising a metric computation unit and a decision unit generates a reliability metric based upon a received code block. The reliability metric is compared to a reliability threshold, and the forward error correction decoder in the communications device is disabled if the metric is below or equal to the threshold. |
| US10256938B2 |
Optical receiver, optical transceiver, and optical signal reception control method
An optical receiver includes a demultiplexer configured to demultiplex, for each channel, optical signals input through a plurality of channels, a photoelectric converter having a number of light receivers corresponding to the plurality of channels, the photoelectric converter being configured to convert an optical signal into an electric signal for each channel, a monitor circuit configured to monitor, for each channel, an amplitude characteristic of the optical signal converted into the electric signal by the photoelectric converter, and a control circuit configured to control, based on a monitored result of the monitor circuit, a bias voltage to be applied to the light receiver such that an amount of variability in the amplitude characteristic between the channels is minimum or falls within a predetermined range. |
| US10256935B1 |
Adaptive flexible grid in an optical network
A disclosed method for optimizing channel selection in a flexible grid of an optical network may be used to select a minimum number of channels to allocate to traffic between pairs of optical transponders at a particular distance based on the modulation format and the FEC mechanism used. The method may include selecting an initial number of channels to allocate to the traffic, tuning the modulation format for the traffic while potentially reducing the number of channels, and tuning the FEC mechanism for the traffic while potentially further reducing the number of channels. The transponders may support multiple modulation formats of different orders and an adaptive FEC mechanism for which the maximum number of FEC overhead bytes is equal to the number of bytes in the transmitted data packets. The method may be implemented by an SDN controller and may be dependent on a feedback mechanism between the optical transponders. |
| US10256933B2 |
Method and device for transmitting preamble sequence
A method and device for transmitting a preamble sequence is disclosed. A transmitter according to an embodiment may extract a first sequence for a non-coherent receiver and a second sequence for a coherent receiver, from ternary preamble sequences including elements −1, 0 and 1, and map the first sequence and the second sequence to a preamble including a plurality of bits to generate a third sequence that the non-coherent receiver and coherent receiver support. |
| US10256932B2 |
Communication using chaotic waveforms
Example communication systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives a first chaotic sequence of a first temporal length, and a second chaotic sequence of a second temporal length. The method also receives a data symbol for communication to a destination. Based on the data symbol, the second chaotic sequence is temporally shifted and combined with the first chaotic sequence to generate a composite chaotic sequence. The first chaotic sequence functions as a reference chaotic sequence while the second chaotic sequence functions as a data-carrying auxiliary chaotic sequence. |
| US10256931B2 |
Systems and methods for detection of signal quality in digital radio broadcast signals
Systems, methods, and processor readable media are disclosed for detection of signal quality problems and errors in digital radio broadcast signals. First monitoring equipment is located in an over-the-air coverage area of a first radio station. Second monitoring equipment is located in an over-the-air coverage area of a second radio station. The first and second monitoring equipment are configured to receive digital radio broadcast signals from the respective first and second radio stations. A computing system is configured to receive data from the first monitoring equipment and the second monitoring equipment, the data being indicative of one or more attributes of a digital radio broadcast signal received at respective monitoring equipment. The computing system analyzes received data to detect a signal quality problem or error in the digital radio broadcast signals received at the first and second monitoring equipment. |
| US10256930B2 |
Testing methods and systems for mobile communication devices
A testing method for testing mobile communication devices comprises measuring a three-dimensional antenna pattern of an active phased antenna array (AAS) of the mobile communication device, with the AAS being maintained at a specific beamforming alignment during the measurement. A predefined base fading profile is calibrated with the measured three-dimensional antenna pattern to obtain an optimized fading profile adapted to the specific beamforming alignment. A channel model for emulation of a base station is emulated on the basis of the optimized fading profile. The method further involves performing a receiver test on the mobile communication device using the emulated channel model. The testing method may in some embodiments be a radiated two-stage over-the-air (RTS-OTA) testing method. |
| US10256929B2 |
Method and apparatus for decision directed common phase error estimation based on soft information
A method and apparatus are provided. The method includes receiving, by at least one antenna of a receiver, at least one signal from a transceiver, detecting at least one data symbol within the at least one signal, determining a probability associated with the at least one detected data symbol, determining channel state information (CSI) of at least one channel between the transceiver and the at least one antenna of the receiver, and estimating a common phase error (CPE) of the at least one signal based on the probabilities associated with the at least one detected data symbol and the CSI of the at least one channel. |
| US10256928B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling operation based on distance between transmission device and reception device
A pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system is provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). A method of transmitting a beacon signal and a device using the same are provided. The method includes configuring beacon-related information; generating a beacon signal based on the configured beacon-related information; and transmitting the beacon signal, wherein the beacon-related information includes at least one piece of mode information corresponding to distance information between a beacon transmitting device and at least one beacon receiving device. The present disclosure relates to a sensor network, machine type communication (MTC), machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the above technologies, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. |
| US10256926B2 |
Method for configuring a communication system
The present disclosure provides a method for configuring a communication system with a variable attenuator. The method includes measuring a first attenuation accuracy of the communication system at a first attenuation rate of the variable attenuator, and setting the variable attenuator based on the first attenuation accuracy so that the variable attenuator has a second attenuation rate and the communication system has a second attenuation accuracy. The method further includes obtaining a plurality of first gains at first temperatures and first frequencies, and performing an interpolation process to obtain, from the plurality of first gains, a plurality of second gains at second temperatures and/or second frequencies. The method also includes building a three-dimensional gain table with respect to the temperature, the frequency and the attenuation rate. |
| US10256925B2 |
Methods and wireless communication systems for wireless re-calibration of RF components of communication devices
Methods and systems for wireless re-calibration of Radio Frequency (RF) components of a communication device are described. Methods includes monitoring a current value of at least one parameter of at least one RF component of the communication device and communicating the current value to a calibration server on detection of an event related to the at least one parameter. The current value is analyzed by the calibration server to determine a calibration value, wherein the calibration server maybe configured to communicate the calibration value to the communication device. Further, the methods includes receiving the calibration value for at least one parameter from the calibration server for initiating a re-calibration procedure and re-calibrating the current value of the at least one parameter to the calibration value in accordance with the recalibration procedure. The method improves RF device performance in spite of device aging and environmental factors. |
| US10256924B1 |
Measuring device and measuring method for noise-corrected transmitter performance measurement
A measuring device for transmitter performance measuring is provided. The measuring device includes a first measuring path adapted to receive a measuring signal from a device under test, and to determine first measuring values from the measuring signal. The measuring device further includes a second measuring path adapted to receive the measuring signal, and to determine second measuring values from the measuring signal. The measuring device further includes a noise suppressor, connected to an output of the first measuring path and to an output of the second measuring path, wherein the noise suppressor is adapted to receive the first measuring values and the second measuring values, and to suppress noise by multiplying each of the first measuring values with a respective one of the second measuring values to generate a respective measuring value product. |
| US10256920B2 |
Mode-conversion digital canceller for high bandwidth differential signaling
Systems and methods for recovering rapidly from a mode-conversion of a common mode interference. One exemplary transceiver includes: a slicer configured to generate slicing decisions and slicing errors based on a differential signal, transmitted at a rate above 500 Mbps, which is received from a second transceiver; and a common mode sensor analog front end (CMS-AFE) configured to sense a common mode component of the differential signal. The CMS-AFE is coupled to a fast-adaptive mode-conversion canceller (FA-MCC) configured to generate a compensation signal that compensates for differential interferences that are correlated with the common mode component. Wherein, within less than 1 millisecond from an occurrence of a differential interference that causes the packet loss to exceed 10% as a result of the mode-conversion, the transceiver is configured to utilize the slicing errors to adapt the FA-MCC to a level that reduces the packet loss rate to below 1%. |
| US10256919B1 |
Employing optical signals for power and/or communication
Apparatus, systems and methods employing contact lens sensors are provided. In some aspects, a contact lens includes a substrate that forms at least a portion of the body of the contact lens; an optical communication device disposed on or within the substrate; and a photodetector disposed on or within the substrate, wherein the photodetector harvests light emitted from a device and generates power from the harvested light. In some aspects, an apparatus comprises a tag having a circuit including: an optical communication device; and a photodetector that harvests light received and generates power from the harvested light. The tag can be disposed on or within a contact lens in various aspects. |
| US10256916B2 |
M-ARY frequency presence modulation communication system and method
An apparatus for transmitting and receiving encoded optical signals having a data transmitter including: an optical emission device to output light energy as an optical beam having an operating bandwidth; a beam dividing device to receive and divide the operating bandwidth into plural communication bands; a frequency presence modulation unit to: spectrally segregate the bandwidth of at least one communication band into plural channels, and modulate the bandwidth to selectively produce an optical output signal with wavelengths that correspond to one or more of the channels, wherein presence and absence of energy within channels constitute an information packet for data communication; an optical pathway for bi-directional optical communication over a common optical path for transmitting the optical output signal and for receiving an optical input signal; and a data receiver to receive the optical output signal from the optical pathway. |
| US10256915B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving client signal in optical transport network
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a client signal in an optical transport network. In the transmission method, a received client signal is mapped into a variable-rate container OTU-N, wherein a rate of the OTU-N is N times as high as a preset reference rate; and then, the variable-rate container OTU-N is split into N optical sub-channel transport units OTUsubs by column, where a rate of each OTUsub equals to the reference rate; next, the N optical sub-channel transport units OTUsubs are modulated onto one or more optical carriers; at last, the one or more optical carriers is transmitted through a fiber. |
| US10256913B2 |
Optical driving device and optical communication system
An optical driving device and an optical communication system are provided which can improve signal quality of laser light that uses a PAM method. A laser driver drives a semiconductor laser by using an N-level (N is an integer of 3 or more) PAM signal. A clock control circuit determines a driving timing of the laser driver. In a case where N=4, for example, the clock control circuit determines a driving timing in association with a transition of the PAM signal from a fourth level to a first level to be earlier than a driving timing in association with a transition in an opposite direction by a first time, assuming that levels are the first level, . . . , and the fourth level in an order from a level at which light intensity is minimum. |
| US10256907B2 |
System and method for coherent detection with digital signal procession
Methods and apparatus to realize high spectral efficiency in optical signals transmitted over long distances. |
| US10256906B2 |
Position localization using visible light communication
Visible-light communication (VLC) is an optical wireless communication technique that uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other optical sources to transmit information to a user equipment (UE) device. An optically-based location determination approach, such as using VLC infrastructure, can meet a desire for location-based services where use of VLC can provide a solution to an indoor localization or navigation problem. A fingerprinting approach can include use of an optical received signal strength (RSS) or other information (e.g., an image of a scene) to generate a spatial fingerprint map of an area. A later-received RSS on the UE device and the prior-generated fingerprint map representative of RSS can be received, and a fingerprint map and RSS observations can be provided as inputs to a Bayesian filter, such as an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) or a Particle Filter, to provide an estimated position for the UE device. |
| US10256903B2 |
Network controller and signal quality estimating method
A network controller includes: a first acquisition unit configured to acquire, based on a signal quality amount of each of wavelength paths set in a network of an optical wavelength-multiplexed transmission system, a signal quality amount of each of spans in each of the wavelength paths; an arithmetic unit configured to calculate a signal quality amount of each of spans in a wavelength path of an estimation target, based on the signal quality amount acquired by the first acquisition unit; and an estimation unit configured to estimate a signal quality amount of the wavelength path of the estimation target, based on the signal quality amount calculated by the arithmetic unit. |
| US10256893B2 |
Mobility-handling aspects of user equipment beamforming
Embodiments described herein are directed to methods for controlling user equipment (UE) beamforming in a wireless network. According to certain embodiments, a (UE) can receive one or more beam reference signals included in a restricted set of useable beam reference signals for adjusting the UE beamforming. Further, the UE can receive one or more beam reference signals outside of the restricted set. It can be determined whether to update the restricted set to include a subset of the one or more beam reference signals outside of the restricted set, based on predetermined criteria. The UE beamforming can be adjusted based on beam reference signals in the restricted set. |
| US10256891B2 |
Mobile communication device and method for selecting a beam direction
A mobile communication device is described comprising a receiver configured to receive, for each of a plurality of transmit beam directions, a reference signal transmitted based on the transmit beam direction, wherein each transmit beam direction has at least one allowable precoder, a determiner configured to determine, for each transmit beam direction, a reception quality of the reference signal transmitted based on the transmit beam direction, a preselector configured to preselect, from the plurality of transmit beam directions, a subset of transmit beam directions based on a comparison of the determined reception qualities, an evaluator configured to determine, for each transmit beam direction of the subset, an evaluation of the performance of the allowable precoders of the transmit beam direction, a selector configured to select, from the subset, a beam direction for communication, based on the evaluations and a controller configured to establish communications based on the selected beam direction. |
| US10256890B2 |
Adaptive management of antennas in the network of moving things
Methods and systems are provided for adaptive management of antennas in a communication network comprising a complex array of both static and moving communication nodes (e.g., a network of moving things, which may be a vehicle network, a network of or including autonomous vehicles, etc.). |
| US10256889B2 |
Method and device for conditioning a radio data signal for a broadcast receiver
A method includes a step of reading in the radio data signal and a radio data clock signal, a step of integrating a signal that is a function of the radio data signal and/or the radio data clock signal in order to determine an integral value curve, a step of decoding radio data signal information from the integral value curve, using the radio data clock signal and/or a phase position of the radio data signal, a step of ascertaining radio data signal quality information which represents the credibility of the decoded radio data signal information, using the radio data signal and/or the phase position of the radio data signal, and a step of providing the radio data signal information and the radio data signal quality information in order to provide a conditioned radio data signal. |
| US10256885B2 |
Terminal device, feedback information generation method, and base station device
A channel estimation unit estimates channel state information to or from a base station device. A feedback information generation unit performs a decomposition process for the channel state information and thereby acquires first decomposition information that includes plural singular values and second decomposition information that includes plural right singular vectors respectively associated with the plural singular values. The feedback information generation unit mutually replaces portions of the plural singular values, thereby acquires first replacement information, and further acquires second replacement information based on the first replacement information and the plural right singular vectors. The feedback information generation unit performs a conversion process for the second replacement information and thereby acquires second conversion information. A radio transmission unit notifies the base station device of the second conversion information. |
| US10256881B2 |
Apparatus, system and method of sounding feedback sequence of explicit beamforming training
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of simultaneously communicating with a group of wireless communication devices. For example, a device may include a wireless communication unit to communicate with at least one group of a plurality of wireless communication devices over a wireless communication medium, wherein the wireless communication unit is to reserve the wireless communication medium for a time period, during which the wireless communication unit is to simultaneously transmit two or more different wireless communication transmissions to two or more wireless communication devices of the group, respectively. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US10256879B2 |
Reducing location-dependent destructive interference in distributed antenna systems (DASS) operating in multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) configuration, and related components, systems, and methods
Components, systems, and methods for reducing location-dependent destructive interference in distributed antenna systems operating in multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) configuration are disclosed. Interference is defined as issues with received MIMO communications signals that can cause a MIMO algorithm to not be able to solve a channel matrix for MIMO communications signals received by MIMO receivers in client devices. These issues may be caused by lack of separation (i.e., phase, amplitude) in the received MIMO communications signals. Thus, to provide amplitude separation of received MIMO communications signals, multiple MIMO transmitters are each configured to employ multiple transmitter antennas, which are each configured to transmit in different polarization states. In certain embodiments, one of the MIMO communications signals is amplitude adjusted in one of the polarization states to provide amplitude separation between received MIMO communications signals. In other embodiments, multiple transmitter antennas in a MIMO transmitter can be offset to provide amplitude separation. |
| US10256877B2 |
Apparatus and methods for beam refinement
The apparatus may be an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus for wireless communication may include a processing system. The processing system may manage an antenna beam. The processing system may be configured to monitor a parameter of a signal and widen the antenna beam of the apparatus for wireless communication when the parameter falls below a threshold. |
| US10256874B2 |
Data feedback methods and related apparatuses
A data feedback method includes acquiring, by the beamformee, the number of columns from a null data packet announcement (NDPA) message; detecting the number of active first spatial streams; comparing the number of first spatial streams with the number of columns, and taking the smaller value obtained from the comparison as the number of second spatial streams required for feedback; and feeding back the number of second spatial streams and spatial stream measurement information about the second spatial streams to the beamformer. |
| US10256869B2 |
Communication apparatus and communication method
This technology relates to a communication apparatus and a communication method adapted to improve the deterioration of communication performance due to variations in parts, for example.A test signal generating section generates a predetermined test signal. A detecting section detects, given a received test signal obtained by a transmitting and receiving section upon receipt of the test signal, an influence parameter affecting the intensity of an active load modulation signal that combines a transmission carrier with a synchronizing signal synchronized with a received signal obtained upon receipt of the transmission carrier. A controlling section controls the intensity of the active load modulation signal in accordance with the influence parameter. This technology applies to cases where short-range wireless communication is performed using magnetic fields. |
| US10256867B2 |
Power over data lines system providing a variable voltage to powered device
A PoDL system includes a PSE connected via a wire pair to a PD, where differential data and DC power are transmitted over the same wire pair. Typically, low voltage/current detection and classification routines are required upon every powering up of the system to allow the PD to convey its PoDL requirements to the PSE. Various techniques are described that simplify or obviate such start-up routines or enable increased flexibility for the PoDL system. Such techniques include: ways to specify a particular PD operating voltage; ways to disable the PD's UVLO circuit during such routines; using opposite polarity voltages for the two routines; using voltage limiters or surge protectors to convey the PoDL information; detecting loop resistance; using a PSE memory to store previous results of the routines; and powering the PD communication circuit using the wire pair while the PD load is powered by an alternate power source. |
| US10256863B2 |
Monolithic integration of antenna switch and diplexer
An integrated radio frequency (RF) circuit structure may include a resistive substrate material and a switch. The switch may be arranged in a silicon on insulator (SOI) layer supported by the resistive substrate material. The integrated RF circuit structure may also include an isolation layer coupled to the SOI layer. The integrated RF circuit structure may further include a filter, composed of inductors and capacitors. The filter may be arranged on a surface of the integrated RF circuit structure, opposite the resistive substrate material. In addition, the switch may be arranged on a first surface of the isolation layer. |
| US10256856B2 |
Radio receiver, method of detecting an obtruding signal in the radio receiver, and computer program
A method of detecting an obtruding signal in a radio receiver, a receiver and a computer program are disclosed. The receiver has a mixer arranged to mix a received signal to an analog baseband signal at or close to zero-frequency, a filter arranged to low-pass filter said analog baseband signal, and an analog-to-digital converter arranged to sample said filtered analog baseband signal at a sample frequency such that a digital baseband signal is formed. The method comprised receiving a radio frequency signal, mixing the radio frequency signal to the analog baseband signal at or close to zero-frequency, low-pass filtering said analog baseband signal, and analog-to-digital converting said filtered analog baseband signal at an over sample frequency such that a digital baseband signal is formed. The method further comprises frequency translating the digital baseband signal around a Nyquist frequency being based on a nominal sample frequency, the nominal sample frequency being a fraction of the oversampling frequency according to the oversampling rate, to form a translated digital baseband signal such that signal content of the digital baseband signal around zero frequency will be translated to around the nominal sample frequency and vice versa in the translated digital baseband signal, determining a first signal level at zero frequency of the digital baseband signal and a second signal level at zero frequency of the translated digital baseband signal, detecting an obtruding signal based on a relation between the first and second signal levels, and outputting an obtruding signal state signal. |
| US10256853B2 |
System and method for increasing bandwidth for digital predistortion in multi-channel wideband communication systems
A method of operating a communications system includes receiving a signal at a digital predistorter (DPD), introducing predistortion to the signal using the DPD, and converting the predistorted signal to an analog signal using a digital-to-analog converter having a first bandwidth. The method also includes amplifying the analog signal, sampling the amplified signal using an analog-to-digital converter having a second bandwidth less than the first bandwidth, and extracting coefficients of the DPD from the sampled signal. |
| US10256852B2 |
Method for performing communication and electronic device supporting same
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a communication module and a processor electrically connected to the communication module, wherein the communication module includes an antenna configured to transmit and receive a communication signal, a sensor configured to measure an impedance of the antenna, and a first matching circuit and a second matching circuit electrically connected to the antenna, and the processor is configured to receive information on the impedance of the antenna from the sensor, check control information on at least one of the first matching circuit and second matching circuit corresponding to the impedance of the antenna at least partially based on the received information on the impedance of the antenna, and transmit control information generated at least partially based on the checked control information to at least one of the first matching circuit and the second matching circuit corresponding to the control information. |
| US10256851B2 |
Systems and methods related to time-division and frequency-division duplex protocols for wireless applications
Systems and methods related to time-division and frequency-division duplex protocols for wireless applications. In some embodiments, a wireless architecture can include a radio-frequency (RF) path configured to support a first modified time-division duplex (TDD) band operation and a second modified TDD band operation. Such a wireless architecture can allow consolidation of signal paths and/or re-use of components such as filters and duplexers, to advantageously reduce or eliminate some paths and/or components. |
| US10256847B2 |
Method and terminal device for executing radio application
A method and terminal device for executing a radio application is disclosed. The method for executing a radio application is a method for executing a radio application independent of a modem in a terminal device, comprising the steps of: communicating with each other using a reconfigurable radio frequency interface (RRFI) by a unified radio application (URA), which operates on a radio computer of the terminal device, and a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, which operates in a radio platform on the radio computer; and supporting, by the RRFI, at least one service among a spectrum control service, a power control service, an antenna management service, a transmission/reception chain control service, and a radio virtual machine protection service. |
| US10256845B1 |
Symbol timing recovery based on speculative tentative symbol decisions
A method for timing recovery for a high-speed data transmission system may be provided. The method comprises receiving an analog input signal at an ADC and passing processed digital signal samples to a Viterbi detector. The method also comprises receiving at least one processed signal sample and at least two sets of at least one candidate symbol each from the Viterbi detector and/or the processed signal samples by timing error detectors and forwarding output digital signals of the timing error detectors via loop filters to related multiplexers. Furthermore, the method comprises selecting one digital signal from each of the multiplexers using a select signal generated by the Viterbi detector, and deriving a control signal controlling a sampling clock of the analog-to-digital converter by at least one of the selected digital signals from the multiplexers. |
| US10256843B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for encoding and decoding data using multi-layer integrated interleaved codes
A data storage system stores a set of codewords in memory. The set of codewords are encoded in accordance with a joint nesting matrix specifying multiple layers of integrated interleaved codes, including first, second and third layers of integrated interleaved codes, and the set of codewords stored in the memory include first, second and third layers of parity information corresponding to the first, second and third layers of integrated interleaved codes. When decoding a first codeword and a first subgroup containing the first codeword fail, the system decodes a group of codewords that include two more subgroups of codewords, including the first subgroup of codewords, using the third layer parity information for the group of codewords. The second and third layers of integrated interleaved codes are configured to enable decoding of two codewords, in a subgroup of codewords, having errors beyond the correction capability of the first layer codes. |
| US10256836B2 |
Resolver to digital conversion apparatus and method
A resolver to digital converter is provided and includes first and second inputs to receive signals from a resolver and an output to provide an estimated angle of a rotor. The sine component signal is multiplied by the cosine of the estimated angle and the cosine component signal is multiplied by the sine of the estimated angle, and a difference between them is calculated to provide an error measurement. The estimated angle is updated by the error measurement. |
| US10256833B2 |
Dual reset branch analog-to-digital conversion
Methods and systems for analog-to-digital conversion using two side branches that may be operated with overlapped timing such that a sampling phase may be overlapped with a previous conversion phase. Some embodiments provide a method of successive approximation A/D converting, comprising sampling a first signal onto a first capacitor that is configured to selectively couple to an analog input of a comparator, sampling a second signal onto capacitors that are coupled to a second analog input of the comparator and configured for charge redistribution successive approximation A/D conversion; carrying out, based on the first signal and the second signal, a charge redistribution successive approximation A/D conversion using the capacitors; and while carrying out the charge redistribution successive approximation A/D conversion based on the first and second signals, sampling a third signal onto a third capacitor that is configured to selectively couple to the analog input of a comparator. |
| US10256832B2 |
Failure determination circuit, physical quantity measurement device, electronic apparatus, vehicle, and failure determination method
A failure determination circuit includes a first A/D conversion circuit that continuously A/D converts a first analog signal based on a first physical quantity measurement signal, a switching circuit that receives a plurality of signals including a second analog signal based on the first physical quantity measurement signal and a first reference voltage and outputs the plurality of signals in a time division manner, a second A/D conversion circuit that A/D converts the output of the switching circuit, and a determination circuit, and the determination circuit determines a failure of the first A/D conversion circuit using a signal based on a first digital signal obtained by A/D converting the first analog signal by the first A/D conversion circuit and a signal based on a second digital signal obtained by A/D converting the second analog signal by the second A/D conversion circuit. |
| US10256820B2 |
Level shifter
Various implementations described herein are directed to a circuit for translating an input signal from a source voltage domain to an output signal for a destination voltage domain that is is different than the source voltage domain. The circuit may include a level shifting portion configured to operate with a supply voltage that exceeds a stressing threshold of one or more components within the circuit. The level shifting portion may be configured to generate the output signal for the destination voltage domain based on the input signal and a power management signal. The circuit may include an isolating portion configured to isolate the one or more components from the supply voltage during activation and deactivation of the circuit based on the power management signal. |
| US10256819B2 |
Resonant virtual supply booster for synchronous logic circuits and other circuits with use of on-chip integrated magnetic inductor
Circuits and methods are provided. The circuits and methods are for providing a supply voltage to a dynamic internal power supply node of a group of other circuits. A circuit includes a first transistor and a second transistor, of different channel types, coupled in parallel to a static power supply that supplies a constant power supply voltage. The circuit further includes a magnetic inductor having a first terminal connected to a common node between the first transistor and the second transistor and a second terminal connected to the dynamic internal power supply node, to supply the dynamic internal power supply node with a boosted voltage having a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the constant power supply voltage by resonating with at least one capacitance coupled to the dynamic internal power supply node. |
| US10256811B2 |
Cascode switch circuit including level shifter
Provided is a cascode circuit including first and second transistors connected between a drain terminal and a source terminal in cascode form, a level sifter configured to change a voltage level of a switching control signal applied to a gate terminal and provide the changed switching control signal to a gate of the first transistor, a buffer configured to delay the switching control signal and provide the delayed switching control signal to a gate of the second transistor, and a first resistor connected between the level shifter and the gate of the first transistor. |
| US10256810B2 |
Electronic circuit and electronic timepiece
Provided are an electronic circuit and electronic timepiece that can initialize internal circuits even if chattering occurs when a battery is installed. In the electronic circuit, when the initialization state hold signal is input, the initialization control circuit continues outputting the initialization control signal at the first level until the clock signal is output; and when the initialization state hold signal is input and the clock signal is output, outputs the initialization control signal at the second level cancelling the initialization process to the initialization circuit. |
| US10256807B2 |
Driving device for semiconductor elements
To provide a driving device for semiconductor elements that is capable of suppressing variation in switching time caused by driving capability and temperature. A driving device for semiconductor elements includes: a semiconductor chip in which a voltage control type semiconductor element is formed; a temperature detecting unit configured to detect temperature of the semiconductor chip; a driving-capability adjusting unit configured to adjust driving capability of the voltage control type semiconductor element according to temperature detection values detected by the temperature detecting unit; and a timing adjusting unit configured to adjust switching time of the voltage control type semiconductor element according to the temperature detection values detected by the temperature detecting unit. |
| US10256806B2 |
Power switch protection system and method
An electric vehicle includes a direct current (DC) power source with a DC electric power output. An inverter is coupled to receive the DC electric power output of the DC power source, and the inverter has an alternating current (AC) electric power output. An electric motor is coupled to receive the AC electric power output. The electric motor has a driving torque output that is coupled to drive at least one wheel of the vehicle. The inverter further includes a power semiconductor switch, such as an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). A protection circuit is coupled to the power semiconductor switch, and the protection circuit has an adjustable protection detection level circuit. |
| US10256805B2 |
Protective circuit with current regulating digital output module
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a protective circuit to be used in a digital output module, the digital output module comprises a first voltage source and at least an output terminal. The protective circuit comprises: a first sampling unit for sampling a first voltage relevant to the output current from the first voltage source, a first comparing unit for comparing the sampled first voltage with a first reference voltage, a control unit for generating a current regulating signal based on a result from the first comparing unit, and a current regulating unit for regulating the output current from the first voltage source based on the current regulating signal. This protective circuit provides overflowing and short circuit protection, and is cheap in cost. |
| US10256804B2 |
Fault detector for anti-parallel thyristor
A fault detector for an anti-parallel thyristor includes: a power supply unit configured to supply power to the first and second thyristors; a first current sensor configured to output a first current measurement value that flows through the first thyristor; a second current sensor configured to output a second current measurement value that flows through the second thyristor; and a detector which notifies a fault of a thyristor when the first and second current measurement values satisfy a set fault condition. |
| US10256803B2 |
Electrical device with a pulsed power supply and method for examining the power supply of the electrical device
An electrical device includes an electrical load, an electronic switch with an electronic switching element and a driver controlling the electronic switching element, and at least one pulsed power supply having a power unit coupled with the electronic switching element and configured to generate an electrical supply current for the electrical load from a voltage based on alternately turning on and off the electronic switching element. During operation of the power supply, an electrical current associated with the electronic switching element flows through a current path. A pulse transformer has a primary side coupled with the power unit such that the electrical current flows through a primary-side winding. A comparator compares a secondary-side electrical voltage or a filtered secondary-side electrical voltage of the transformer, and an evaluation device coupled with the comparator detects potential defects of the electronic switch based on the result of the comparison. |
| US10256802B1 |
Overvoltage protection circuit
In an example, an input buffer includes: first buffer circuit having an output, a first voltage control node, and a second voltage control node; a first transistor having a gate coupled to the output of the first buffer circuit, a drain, and a source; a second buffer circuit having an input coupled to a reference voltage and an output coupled to the source of the first transistor; and a first current source having a reference output coupled to the drain of the first transistor, a first output coupled to the first voltage control node of the first buffer circuit, and a second output coupled to the second voltage control node of the second buffer circuit. |
| US10256801B2 |
Integrated circuit with clock detection and selection function and related method and storage device
An integrated circuit with clock detection and selection function for use in a storage device includes: an embedded oscillator, a detection circuit and a selection circuit. The embedded oscillator is configured to generate an embedded clock signal. The detection circuit includes a sampling and counting circuit and a clock determination circuit. The detection circuit, and is configured to detect existence of a reference clock signal provided by a host based on sampling and counting operations that are performed according to a signal on a clock signal lane and the embedded clock signal. The selection circuit is coupled to the detection circuit and the embedded oscillator, and is configured to select one of the embedded clock signal and the signal on the clock signal lane according to the existence of the reference clock signal as an output clock signal, thereby to provide the output clock signal to the storage device. |
| US10256799B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus and system including plurality of channels
A semiconductor apparatus includes a direct access section, an interface section, and a through-via region. The direct access section receives first and second groups of input signals through a direct access pad, and generates first and second groups of control signals based on the first and second groups of input signals. The interface section comprises a plurality of channel circuits suitable for receiving a part or all of the first and second groups of control signals in response to a plurality of channel selection signals. The through-via region electrically couples the plurality of channel circuits and a plurality of stack dies to form a plurality of channels, respectively. |
| US10256788B2 |
Acoustic resonator including extended cavity
A BAW resonator includes a nonlinear substrate defining a cavity, and an acoustic stack over the cavity, including a bottom electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and a top electrode, where an active region of the acoustic stack includes overlapping portions of the cavity, the bottom electrode, the piezoelectric layer and the top electrode. The BAW resonator further includes a connecting strip extending from a portion of the top electrode for providing electrical excitation of the acoustic stack, where an E-field generated in the BAW resonator begins at the top electrode and terminates at the bottom electrode in response to the electrical excitation. The cavity includes an inner portion in the active region and an extended portion extending from an outer perimeter of the active region underneath the connecting strip. A length of the extended portion are sufficient to substantially prevent portions of the E-field from passing through the substrate. |
| US10256781B2 |
Complementary metal oxide silicon transceiver having integrated power amplifier
A complementary metal oxide silicon transceiver having an integrated power amplifier is provided. The complementary metal oxide silicon transceiver having the integrated power amplifier is capable of controlling an output power according to a communication environment to solve the following problem that with the increment of an output level of a power amplifier, performance is decreased when noises flow into other blocks of a transceiver with power and thus are inputted to the power amplifier. |
| US10256780B2 |
Duty cycle clipper
A power conversion system comprising an amplifier input for receiving an analog input signal and an amplifier output for providing a switching output signal is disclosed. The system is applicable for use in high definition switching audio amplification. The power conversion system further comprises a clipper for clipping the analog input signal having a predefined range limited by a clipping level, a pulse modulator and a switching power stage. The system further has a feedback path to the clipper including a duty cycle measuring unit and a clip level filter which generates a clip level signal and where the clipping level of the clipper is controlled by the clip level signal. Hereby it is e.g. possible to clip an analog input signal with good precision and reliability in a switching power conversion system. |
| US10256778B2 |
Power amplifier module
A power amplifier module includes a first current source that outputs a first current corresponding to a level control voltage for controlling a signal level of an amplified signal, a second current source that outputs a second current corresponding to the level control voltage, a first transistor in which an input signal and a first bias current are supplied to a base and an emitter is grounded, a second transistor in which an emitter is connected to a collector of the first transistor, the second current is supplied to a base, and a first amplified signal obtained by amplifying the input signal is output from a collector, and a third transistor in which the first current is supplied to a collector, a bias control current or voltage is supplied to a base, and the first bias current is supplied from an emitter to the base of the first transistor. |
| US10256776B1 |
Steered current source for single-ended class-A amplifier
A single-ended Class-A amplifier includes an amplification component (e.g., a vacuum tube) having at least an output terminal, a reference terminal and a control terminal. The control terminal receives a time-varying input signal. The amplification component responds to the time-varying input signal to vary an output voltage on the output terminal and to vary a current flowing between the output terminal and the reference terminal. A load is AC-coupled to the output terminal. A steered current source has a voltage input coupled to the output terminal and has a steered current output coupled to the output terminal. The steered current source is configured to increase the steered current to provide current to the load when the output voltage on the output terminal of the amplification component increases and to decrease the steered current when the output voltage on the output terminal of the amplification component decreases. |
| US10256773B2 |
Method and apparatus for broadband data conversion
A receiver may receive a signal and process each of a plurality of sub-bands of the received signal via a respective one of a plurality of first-type receive chains. The receiver may utilize a signal output by a first one of the plurality of the first-type receive chains to remove undesired signals from a signal output by a second one of the plurality of the first-type receive chains. The undesired signals may comprise aliases and/or harmonics of one or more signals that fall within a sub-band of the first one of the plurality of the first-type receive chains. The receiver may downconvert, filter, and digitize each of the plurality of sub-bands via a corresponding one of the plurality of the first type receive chains. The received signal may encompass the cable television band, and each of the plurality of sub-bands may comprise a plurality of cable television channels. |
| US10256772B2 |
Shift control circuit and wireless device
A signal input from a microphone is A-D converted by an A-D converter, is frequency differentiated by a pre-emphasis circuit, and is input to a shift control circuit. The shift control circuit includes a limiter circuit, a phase shifter, and a harmonic suppressor. The limiter circuit performs amplitude limitation so as to limit the amplitude of the input control target signal to be equal to or less than a first threshold. The phase shifter shifts, for the control target signal having the amplitude limited, a phase of a frequency component within the predetermined frequency range. The harmonic suppressor suppresses, for the control target signal phase-shifted by the phase shifter, a frequency component equal to or greater than a second threshold, and outputs an information signal that is the control target signal having the frequency component of equal to or greater than the second threshold suppressed. The modulator performs frequency modulation on a carrier wave in accordance with the information signal. The transmitter produces a transmission signal from the frequency-modulated carrier wave, and transmits the transmission signal via an antenna. |
| US10256770B2 |
System and method for enhanced watch dog in solar panel installations
A system and method for automated shutdown, disconnect, or power reduction of solar panels. A system of solar panels includes one or more master management units (MMUs) and one or more local management units (LMUs). The MMUs are in communication with the LMUs with the MMUs and LMUs “handshaking” when the system is in operation. The MMUs are connected to one or more controllers which in turn are connected to emergency detection sensors. Upon a sensor detection of an emergency, the associated MMU is notified which in turn instructs associated LMUs to take appropriate action. In the event that communication with the MMUs has been cut off, the LMUs take the initiative to shut down, disconnect, or reduce the output of associated string(s) of solar panels. |
| US10256769B2 |
Terminal for solar junction box
A solar junction box for a solar panel includes a housing having a base and walls defining a cavity. The cavity extends along a primary axis and a secondary axis generally perpendicular to the primary axis. The base has a foil opening receiving a foil of the solar panel. A terminal is received in the cavity. The terminal has a protection device contact terminated to a protection device and a foil contact configured to be terminated to the foil. The foil contact is oriented within the cavity such that the foil contact is configured to be terminated to the foil when the foil extends into the foil opening along the primary axis and such that the foil contact is configured to be terminated to the foil when the foil extends into the foil opening along the secondary axis. |
| US10256768B2 |
Photovoltaic array mounting structure
A photovoltaic mounting structure includes a frame for holding a photovoltaic array including a plurality of widthwise channels so as to permit photovoltaic modules to be easily slid between pairs of the channels, the photovoltaic modules resting upon flanges of the channels. In various embodiments, domed protrusions are disposed on lateral sides of the channel to prevent kinking of the modules and reduce friction, retention teeth are formed on upper surfaces of the flanges to position the modules; locator teeth are formed on lower surfaces of the flanges to guide the channels to predetermined spacing; and pre-installed mounting clips are attached to a top surface of the channel. The mounting clips each include an anti-rotation tab oriented downwardly and partially disposed in a corresponding hole in a top surface of the channel so as to prevent rotation of the mounting clip when a bolt of the mounting clip is rotated. |
| US10256764B2 |
Method and device for determining a rotor temperature, computer program, and computer program product
The invention relates to a method for determining a rotor temperature of an electric motor, in particular an asynchronous motor, the rotor temperature being determined at least in accordance with reactive powers and/or in accordance with losses of the electric motor. A first rotor temperature is determined in accordance with the reactive powers and, depending on an operating range of the electric motor, plausibility-checked or replaced by a second rotor temperature, which is determined in accordance with the losses. |
| US10256762B2 |
Systems and methods for active damping of a motor
A method includes controlling a first power output to an electric machine during a transient event. Controlling the first power output includes measuring values of the first power output provided to the electric machine during the transient event, receiving an estimated speed input of the electric machine, determining adjustment commands to compensate the first power output for the transient event of the electric machine, generating switch commands for gate drives of a variable frequency drive (VFD) based at least in part on the adjustment commands, and modifying the first power output during the transient event based on the switch commands. |
| US10256760B2 |
Power conversion apparatus, control apparatus, and control method using a correction vector
A power conversion apparatus includes: a power converter that includes a plurality of switching elements; and a controller that controls the plurality of switching elements. The controller includes: a command generator that generates a voltage command vector; a synthesizer that synthesizes a correction vector with the voltage command vector to generate a synthetic vector; an adjuster that adjusts an output time of a plurality of voltage vectors from the power converter, the output time being corresponding to the synthetic vector; and a correction vector generator that generates the correction vector on the basis of an adjustment result of the adjuster. |
| US10256755B2 |
Motor drive controller and motor drive control method
A motor drive controller including a monitoring unit monitoring whether or not a use state of a motor to be controlled satisfies a predetermined condition, and an output information switching unit switching information to be outputted to the outside from an information output path from motor driving information indicating a drive state of the motor to monitoring information indicating the use state if the use state satisfies the predetermined condition. |
| US10256753B2 |
AC motor systems with drive circuits and methods of use
An alternating current (AC) motor system and control methods are provided herein. The AC motor system includes a motor having a first rated horsepower and configured to be coupled to a power source, and a drive circuit configured to be electrically coupled between the power source and the motor. The drive circuit has a second rated horsepower that is lower than the first rated horsepower. |
| US10256750B2 |
Electronic device having delay circuit for synchronous starting of two operating components
A circuit includes a first operating component, a second operating component and a starting time control circuit. The starting voltage of the first operating component is different from that of the second operating component, and the starting time control circuit is configured to regulate a starting time of the first operating component to be synchronous with that of the second operating component. |
| US10256749B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator, motor, robot, and method of driving piezoelectric actuator
The invention relates to a piezoelectric actuator including: a first piezoelectric vibrator including a first diaphragm and first piezoelectric elements that are provided on the first diaphragm and include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric material layer held by the first electrode and the second electrode; a second piezoelectric vibrator including a second diaphragm and second piezoelectric elements that are provided on the second diaphragm and include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric material layer held by the first electrode and the second electrode; and an inductor. The layout of the first piezoelectric vibrator in the first diaphragm is the same as the layout of the second piezoelectric vibrator in the second diaphragm. The positions of the first piezoelectric elements on the first diaphragm correspond to the positions of the second piezoelectric elements on the second diaphragm. The second electrode of the first piezoelectric elements corresponds to the second electrode of the second piezoelectric elements. The corresponding second electrodes are connected via the inductor. |
| US10256748B2 |
Electrostatic actuator and method for producing the same
An electrostatic actuator having a stationary electrode and a fixedly cantilevered bender is described, wherein the bender includes a cantilever electrode disposed opposite to the stationary electrode in an overlapping area and being deflectable in the direction of the stationary electrode. |
| US10256743B2 |
Method and apparatus for regulating an electrical power source based on global and local maximum load power
A method for regulating an electrical power source, comprising the steps of detecting for one or more predetermined conditions associated with a load power of the electrical power source, whereupon the one or more predetermined conditions is detected, acquiring electrical characteristics of the electrical power source to determine a global maximum load power value arranged to approximate a true maximum load power of the electrical power source, and processing the global maximum load power value to determine a local maximum load power value of the electrical power source, wherein the local maximum load power value is arranged to be more accurate in approximating the true maximum load power of the electrical power source when compared with the global maximum load power value. |
| US10256738B2 |
Dual bridge DC/DC power converter
The present invention is related to a method for controlling a high frequency dual bridge DC/DC power converter of nominal frequency (fN) and nominal power (PN), in a wide range of input voltage and with power overload capacity up to 200%, said method comprising a step of varying, in a range up to the value of π radians, a first phase shift (φHB) between the voltage of the full bridge and the voltage of the half bridge, while—varying the operation frequency (f) simultaneously with the said first phase shift and/or—inducing a second phase shift (φFB) between the voltages of the two half bridges or branches constituting the full bridge, modifying thereby the first phase shift (φHB) between the voltage of the full bridge and the voltage of the half bridge and/or—decreasing the operation frequency (f) towards the LC resonance frequency (f0) of the circuit, so as to minimize the switch losses in the DC/DC converter during operation. |
| US10256729B1 |
Switched-capacitor converter with interleaved half bridge
Circuits and methods are provided for voltage conversion within a switched-capacitor converter (SCC). The SCC includes multiple switch stages cascaded together. Each switch stage includes two half bridges connected in parallel. Each half bridge has a high and low-side switch connected at a switching node. The switching nodes of each half bridge of each switch stage are coupled to corresponding switching nodes of some other switch stage via capacitors. The switches are controlled such that during a first interval, a phase A capacitor attached to each switch stage is charged while a phase B capacitor is discharged. During a second interval, the phase B capacitor is charged while the phase A capacitor is discharged. By alternating the intervals thusly, one of the capacitors coupled to each switch stage is nearly always discharging such that it can provide current to an output of the SCC or some adjacent switch stage. |
| US10256728B1 |
Multiphase interleaved pulse frequency modulation for a DC-DC converter
An apparatus includes a plurality of pulse control circuits and a control circuit. A given pulse control circuit of the plurality of pulse control circuits may source a current pulse to the output power signal based on a comparison of a particular feedback signal of a plurality of feedback signals and a target voltage signal. The control circuit may offset a voltage level of each feedback signal of a first subset of the plurality of feedback signals. The first subset may exclude a first feedback signal. In response to a determination that a period of time has ended, the control circuit may offset a voltage level of each feedback signal of a second subset of the plurality of feedback signals. The second subset may include the first feedback signal and exclude a second feedback signal. |
| US10256727B2 |
Multi-phase power supply with DC-DC converter integrated circuits having current sharing function
An interleaved multi-phase power supply with a plurality of DC-DC converter ICs. Each DC-DC converter IC has a current sharing pin, and the current sharing pins of the plurality of DC-DC converter ICs are connected together. Each DC-DC converter IC receives a feedback voltage signal to compare with a reference voltage signal to generate an error voltage signal as a reference of an output current of the corresponding DC-DC converter IC. And each DC-DC converter IC has a mismatch voltage regulation module regulating the error voltage signal to be equal to an average of error voltage signals of the plurality of DC-DC converter ICs. |
| US10256723B1 |
Integrated circuit feed forward circuit with translinear cell
A power factor correction (PFC) integrated circuit having a feed forward circuit. The feed forward circuit comprises a first current source, a second current source, and a third current source, a first bi-polar junction transistor (BJT), a second BJT, a third BJT, and a fourth BJT coupled together in a translinear cell, where the first current source is coupled to the first BJT, the second current source is coupled to the second BJT, and the third current source is coupled to the third BJT, a biasing network coupled to the first BJT and to the second BJT and configured to maintain equal collector-to-emitter voltage across the first BJT and the second BJT, where the feed forward circuit is configured to output a current based on a current of the first current source, a current of the third current source, and a current of the second current source. |
| US10256721B2 |
Step-down chopper circuit including a switching device circuit and a backflow prevention diode circuit
In a step-down chopper circuit, a distance between a plurality of first mounting portions of a first semiconductor package that houses a switching device circuit and a distance between a plurality of second mounting portions of a second semiconductor package that houses a backflow prevention diode circuit are different from each other. |
| US10256717B2 |
Zero current detection circuit for converter soft switching control
A circuit includes a zero current detector (ZCD) circuit that senses an inductor current of an inductor and generates signal pulses indicating when an increasing cycle of the inductor current crosses a predetermined current value and when a decreasing cycle of the inductor current crosses the predetermined current value. A sync control provides a control signal specifying one of the signal pulses corresponding to the increasing or decreasing cycle of the inductor current. A sync selector circuit generates a sync pulse representing the signal pulse from the ZCD in response to the control signal. The sync pulse triggers a timing adjustment for a switch device. |
| US10256713B2 |
Power conversion device and method for controlling power conversion device
A power conversion device which converts power between a power grid and a DC power supply, includes: AC/DC converters for performing conversion from AC power to DC power or from DC power to AC power between the power grid and the DC power supply; a capacitor provided on the DC power supply side of the AC/DC converters and storing DC power; and a step-up unit for charging the capacitor. |
| US10256712B2 |
Current ripple sensing controller for a single-stage LED driver
A current-ripple-based control strategy for an AC-DC converter with a series ripple cancellation converter (RCC). Embodiments provide series ripple cancellation by sensing the load current information, and significantly simplify the control circuitry. In addition, the embodiments allow input voltage of the series RCC to tightly track its output voltage peak value with no extra control circuit, thus minimizing the RCC component voltage stress as well as the RCC loss. Embodiments are suitable for driving an LED load, where they eliminate LED light flicker caused by the power factor correction (PFC) stage, and significantly reduce its output capacitance. |
| US10256710B2 |
Linear actuator
In a magnetic drive linear actuator, a load attachment portion is fixed to the lower side portion of the rectangular tubular coil frame of a mover, and a light-emitting portion of a position detection portion for detecting the movement position of the mover is fixed to the upper side portion of the coil frame. The load attachment portion and the upper side portion of the coil frame are mutually coupled through beam portions bridged there between. This makes it possible to prevent or suppress the behaviors of the load attachment portion and light-emitting portion from being shifted to each other during high-acceleration driving of the mover, thereby improving the responsiveness and positioning accuracy of the linear actuator. |
| US10256701B2 |
Electric power tool and method for driving brushless motor thereof
An electric power tool and a method for driving a brushless motor in the electric power tool. The electric power tool includes a driving circuit for driving the brushless motor and position sensors (D1, D2, D3) for detecting positions of the rotor. The rotor of the brushless motor, when rotating in a normal direction, sequentially passes by a commutation position, where a signal of at least one of the position sensors (D1, D2, D3) in the brushless motor changes, and a reference position, where a back electromotive force of the stator winding of at least one phase in the brushless motor is at a midpoint position of the waveform of the back electromotive force. An electrical angle between the commutation position and the reference position ranges from 20° to 40°. The position sensors (D1, D2, D3) are configured such that performance of the brushless motor is improved. |
| US10256700B1 |
Robust permanent magnet electric machine and methods
Methods and apparatus for enhancing the robustness and stability of an electric machine having a rotor, stator and housing. The rotor includes a radially mounted array of permanent magnets and the stator includes a plurality of electromagnets radially positioned around the rotor. The rotor is stabilized by providing a first thermally conductive dielectric encapsulant in contact with adjacent permanent magnets. The stator is stabilized by providing a second thermally conductive dielectric encapsulant in contact with adjacent electromagnets. |
| US10256697B2 |
Electronic switching module for a power tool
An electronic power apparatus includes a housing, a pair of input power pins and a pair of output power pins, and power components mounted on a power circuit board and electrically connected to the input power pins and the output power pins to modulate a supply of power from the input power pins to the output power pins. A control unit of the electronic power apparatus is disposed at a distance from the power circuit board and substantially parallel to the power circuit board, both the control circuit board and the power circuit board arranged inside the housing. A user-actuated input unit is provided including a variable-speed actuator a first portion of which is at least partially arranged outside the housing to be engageable by a user and a second portion of which is slidably sandwiched between the power circuit board and the control circuit board along an axis substantially parallel to the power circuit board and the control circuit board. |
| US10256695B2 |
Linear actuator system
A linear actuator system comprising a linear actuator having a housing and an outer tube, which with a rear end is secured to a side of the housing at a front end thereof. The outer tube surrounds an electric motor driven spindle unit and an activation element. The linear actuator system further comprises a control box having a control, where the control box is arranged in the angle between the housing and the outer tube on the linear actuator. The control box is fastened with a mounting bracket to the outer tube on the linear actuator. The mounting bracket comprises a tubular portion, whereby it can be pushed in over the outer tube and the mounting bracket and the control box are also designed with interacting fastening means for fastening the control box to the mounting bracket. The tubular portion of the mounting bracket has an axially extending slit and the interacting fastening means between the mounting bracket and the control box are constituted on both sides of the slit. The interacting fastening means are designed such that when the control box is fastened onto the mounting bracket, the slit contracts so that the tubular portion of the mounting bracket tightens around the outer tube on the linear actuator. The construction is characterized in that the control box is only fastened to the mounting bracket on the outer tube of the linear actuator. This simplifies the fastening quite considerably while simultaneously simplifying the design. |
| US10256690B2 |
Structures and methods for controlling losses in printed circuit boards
The disclosure relates to printed circuit board motors and specifically to printed circuit boards used in motors and generators. Windings formed from copper on printed circuit boards have been used for purposes of forming antennas, inductors, transformers, and stators that can be incorporated in permanent magnet brushless DC (permanent magnet synchronous) machines. For energy conversion devices using modern permanent magnet materials and PCB stators, the magnetic field is not strongly confined by magnetically susceptible materials. Thus, the interaction between fields from adjacent turns in a winding, and/or windings on adjacent layers (for a multilayer configuration) may be significant. The structures disclosed hereinafter reduce the effective resistance in the windings, and therefore reduce the associated losses to achieve a reduced current density in portions of the rotating energy conversion devices. The effect of the disclosed structures is a measurable reduction in loss mechanisms as a function increasing frequency, compared to the currently available devices. These effects are significant in frequency ranges important to energy conversion processes as well as typical control strategies, for example, pulse-width modulation. |
| US10256689B2 |
Electric motor with Halbach array and ferrofluid core
An electric motor apparatus is described that utilizes a Halbach array and a ferrofluid core. The electric motor comprises a rotor assembly and a stator assembly, each of which utilizes a Halbach array. A ferrofluid core is utilized in the stator, which results in a motor that is less susceptible to core loss and operates with increased efficiency. |
| US10256688B1 |
Electric machine rotor cooling systems and methods
An electric machine having a rotor, stator and housing. The rotor includes a radially mounted array of permanent magnets and the stator includes a plurality of electromagnets radially positioned around the rotor. The machine includes a fluid circuit consisting of first and second cavities enclosed by the stator and positioned between the rotor and housing. The fluid circuit also includes an air gap between the stator and rotor and a plurality of ventilation channels extending through the rotor. The air gap and ventilation channels are in fluid communication with the first and second cavities. The rotor also includes an internal fan extending into the first or second cavity. When the rotor is caused to rotate with respect to the stator, the fan causes air or another fluid to circulate through the fluid circuit to cool the rotor. |
| US10256677B2 |
Near-field RF charging pad with adaptive loading to efficiently charge an electronic device at any position on the pad
An example radio frequency (RF) charging pad includes: at least one processor for monitoring an amount of energy that is transferred from the RF charging pad to an RF receiver of an electronic device. The pad also includes: one or more transmitting antenna elements that are in communication with the processor for transmitting RF signals to the RF receiver. In some embodiments, each respective transmitting antenna element includes: (i) a conductive line forming a meandered line pattern; (ii) a first terminal of the conductive line for receiving current at a frequency controlled by the processor; and (iii) a second terminal coupled with a component that allows for modifying an impedance value at the second terminal. In some embodiments, the processor adaptively adjusts the frequency and/or the impedance value to optimize the amount of energy that is transferred from the one or more transmitting antenna elements to the RF receiver. |
| US10256673B2 |
Detection device, power reception device, power transmission device and non-contact power supply system
A detection device, including: one or a plurality of magnetic coupling elements configured to have one or a plurality of coils; and a detection unit that measures or calculates an effective resistance values of the magnetic coupling elements or an effective resistance value of a circuit including at least the magnetic coupling elements and determines a presence or absence of a foreign substance based on a change in the effective resistance value. |
| US10256667B2 |
Power supplying device
The invention provides a power supplying device, which includes a first coil; and a second coil, which is wound to be substantially line symmetrical to the first coil with respect to a center line, wherein the center line is an axis passing through a winding center of the first coil. A ground point of the first coil and the second coil is disposed further inside than an outermost winding of the first coil. |
| US10256665B2 |
Power transmitting device having wire-free power transfer safety detection
An electronic device may include a power driver to receive power and to selectively provide power, and a plurality of power transfer contacts to receive power from the power driver and to provide power to an external device. A controller may control the power driver to provide power to the plurality of power transfer contacts based on a plurality of time periods having a frequency shifted such that a length of a second one of the time periods is different than a length of a first one of the time periods. The controller may control the power driver to disconnect power from the power driver to the power transfer contacts during a plurality of test time durations. The controller may obtain data during the plurality of test time durations. |
| US10256662B2 |
Method for dynamically controlling a piece of electrical equipment
The present invention concerns a method for dynamically controlling powering a piece of electrical equipment powered by an energy storage element and a renewable energy source, the power of the power supply of said equipment being temporally variable according to an adjustable reference time curve characterized in that it comprises steps of adjustment on the basis of at least one external factor and at least one internal factor, and the constraint according to which the integral over the relevant operating cycle of said adjusted curve is lower than the quantity of energy that can be allocated from said energy storage element, during the relevant operating cycle, said external factors being physical parameters acquired by local sensors. The invention also concerns a lighting system implementing this method, an array of such electrical systems and a method for detecting one or a plurality of malfunctions of such a lighting system. |
| US10256660B2 |
Free device placement for wireless charging
Systems and methods for free device placement for wireless charging are described. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to: determine that the IHS is placed in a position on a wireless charging pad such that the wireless charging pad cannot provide power to the IHS above a minimum threshold value; request that the wireless charging pad provide fringe power to IHS without repositioning the IHS on the wireless charging pad, wherein the fringe power is smaller than the minimum threshold power level; and use the fringe power to indicate a problem or error to a user. |
| US10256658B2 |
Operating method of an electronic device and electronic device supporting the same
A method for operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes monitoring a noise level of a noise signal received via a panel while wireless power is transmitted and/or received at a first power level via at least a conductive pattern, and generating a signal for changing the first power level corresponding to at least a part of an input to at least a part of the panel. |
| US10256656B2 |
Device control for wireless charging
A system and method may be used for controlling a device charging on a wireless charger. A method may include disabling, in response to determining that the device is currently charging on the wireless charger, haptic feedback at the device, determining whether the device is in a night mode or a day mode, in response to determining that the device is in the night mode and currently charging on the wireless charger, disabling notifications of the device, and enabling, in response to determining that the device is in the day mode, the haptic feedback and the notifications when the device has been removed from the wireless charger. |
| US10256650B2 |
Devices and methods for adaptive fast-charging of mobile devices
The present invention discloses devices and methods for adaptive fast-charging of mobile devices. Methods include the steps of: firstly determining whether a first connected component is charged; upon firstly determining the first connected component isn't charged, secondly determining whether the first connected component is adapted for rapid charging; and upon secondly determining the first connected component is adapted for rapid charging, firstly charging the first connected component at a high charging rate via a charging device. Preferably, the charging device is selected from the group consisting of: a rapid charger and a slave battery. Preferably, the first connected component is selected from the group consisting of: a mobile device and a slave battery. Preferably, the high charging rate is selected from the group consisting of: greater than about 4 C, greater than about 5 C, greater than about 10 C, greater than about 20 C, greater than about 30 C, and greater than about 60 C. |
| US10256649B2 |
Jump-starting arrangement for a motor vehicle
A jump-starting arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has an engine control unit and a starter for an internal-combustion engine. The motor vehicle is equipped with at least two partial onboard power systems, which are mutually coupled by way of at least one electric separator element. Each partial onboard power system, respectively, is equipped with at least one rechargeable electric energy accumulator. The two partial onboard power systems each have a jump-starting base, and the respective jump-starting bases are galvanically separated from one another. |
| US10256644B2 |
Method and apparatus for supplying power
A method and apparatus for supplying a power to a hardware module when the hardware module is mounted are provided. The method and apparatus may supply a power to a hardware module when both a mounting signal indicating that the hardware module is mounted in a module circuit and a trigger signal input by a user are received. |
| US10256641B2 |
Multi-mode resonant wireless power transmitter
A wireless power transmitter includes a multi-mode drive circuit having a controllable resonant frequency. The multi-mode drive circuit is controlled to have a first resonant frequency to drive wireless power transmission at a first transmit frequency. The multi-mode drive circuit is also controlled to have a second resonant frequency higher than the first resonant frequency to drive wireless power transmission at a second transmit frequency higher than the first transmit frequency. |
| US10256639B2 |
Reverse power supply management method, apparatus and system
A reverse power supply management method, apparatus and system are disclosed. The method includes: acquiring reverse power supply information of terminal devices of various links during a process that various terminal devices connected to a local end device stably perform reverse power supply on the local end device; determining reverse power supply management information of the various terminal devices according to the acquired reverse power supply information of the terminal devices of the various links; and transmitting respectively the reverse power supply management information of the various terminal devices to corresponding terminal devices to instruct the various terminal devices to adjust parameters for supplying reverse power to the local end device according to the received reverse power supply management information. |
| US10256635B2 |
Utilization of distributed generator inverters as STATCOM
The invention provides a method and system for operating a solar farm inverter as a Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) device—a STATCOM—for voltage control. The solar farm inverter can provide voltage regulation, damping enhancement, stability improvement and other benefits provided by FACTS devices. In one embodiment, the solar farm operating as a STATCOM at night is employed to increase the connectivity of neighboring wind farms that produce peak power at night due to high winds, but are unable to connect due to voltage regulation issues. The present invention can also operate during the day because there remains inverter capacity after real power export by the solar farm. Additional auxiliary controllers are incorporated in the solar farm inverter to enhance damping and stability, and provide other benefits provided by FACTS devices. |
| US10256634B2 |
Power supply system and method for electronic converters
The object of the invention is to provide a power supply system and method for the various elements forming DC/AC electronic power converters that assures the operation of the converters during normal operating conditions and anomalous operating conditions, being specially designed for photovoltaic systems connected to the power grid and capable of providing direct current and alternating current voltages at the output thereof from at least one DC power source (1) and at least one AC power source (2), which basically comprises an output for DC loads (6) connected to the output of a DC/DC converter (3) the input of which is connected to the DC power source (1), an AC output for critical loads (7) connected to a first selector (5) configured for alternating between a first position where said AC output for critical loads (7) is connected to the output of a first DC/AC converter (4) the input of which is connected to the DC power source (1), and a second position where said AC output for critical loads (7) is connected to the AC power source (2), an AC output for non-critical loads (8) connected to the AC power source (2) and a control unit (9) controlling the operation of said first selector (5). |
| US10256633B2 |
Real-time estimation of contributions from classes of energy generators in residual load signals
Various embodiments manage energy generation in a power generation and distribution system. In one embodiment, a set of residual load data is obtained for a given period of time measured at one or more nodes within a power generation and distribution system. The set of residual load data encodes a set of power flow signals. The set of residual load data is analyzed. An amount of power contributed to the set of residual load data by at least one energy generator class is determined based on the analysis of the set of residual load data. |
| US10256631B2 |
Systems and methods for random-access power management using packetization
Systems and methods for distributing electric energy in discrete power packets of finite duration are presented. Systems may include an aggregator for providing power packets to one or more nodes. An aggregator may receive requests for power packets from nodes. In other embodiments, an aggregator may transmit status broadcasts and nodes may receive power packets based on the status broadcasts. |
| US10256630B2 |
Controller device for power electronics circuit
In some examples, a controller device is configured to control power electronics circuitry and includes a high-voltage (HV) pin, a power supply (VCC) pin, a startup device configured to conduct electricity from the HV pin to the VCC pin, and comparator circuitry configured to determine whether a voltage level of the VCC pin is greater than a turn-on voltage threshold. In some examples, the comparator circuitry is further configured to cause the controller device to enter a normal-operation mode in response to determining that the voltage level of the VCC pin is greater than the turn-on voltage threshold. In some examples, the controller device also includes level detection circuitry configured to determine the turn-on voltage threshold based on a level of the HV pin. |
| US10256623B2 |
Power control device
A power control device includes: an output voltage controller to control the output voltage of a power supply circuit based on a feedback voltage obtained by dividing the output voltage with voltage dividing resistors; and an overvoltage protection circuit to protect against an overvoltage in the output voltage. The overvoltage protection circuit includes: an output voltage detector to detect whether the output voltage has risen above an output voltage threshold value; and a feedback voltage detector to detect whether the feedback voltage has fallen to or below a feedback voltage threshold value. The overvoltage protection circuit continues or stops operation of the output voltage controller based on a first detection output from the output voltage detector and a second detection output from the feedback voltage detector. |
| US10256613B2 |
Mounting bracket with far side support
An electrical box mounting bracket includes a mounting frame having a central opening. A removable support member is coupled to an inner edge of the central opening by a frangible tab. A removable extension member is coupled to the support member by a frangible tab that can be removed and attached to an end of the support member. A cable guide is coupled to an inner edge of the central opening by a first fold line and is bendable to a position for supporting a cable. The cable guide has a body or support plate with a plurality of adjacent cable openings with a retaining tab between two adjacent cable openings. The retaining tab is bendable from a first open position for inserting a cable into the cable openings and a second closed position to retain the cable in the cable openings. |
| US10256606B2 |
Wavelength-tunable external-cavity laser and adjustable light emission module
A wavelength-tunable external cavity laser comprises a semiconductor optical amplifier chip and a laser external cavity, the laser external cavity comprising a grid filter, a phase adjustor and a silicon-based micro-ring chip, the grid filter and the silicon-based micro-ring chip constituting a wavelength-tunable optical filter which implements wavelength tuning by spectral tuning of the grid filter and/or the silicon-based micro-ring chip. A micro-ring filter in the silicon-based micro-ring chip of the tunable external-cavity laser is manufactured by adopting a mature silicon light technology, which can greatly reduce a manufacturing difficulty of the adjustable filter, and reduce the manufacturing cost of a device. An existing external-cavity adjustable technology platform may be used for smooth transition, so as to improve the degree of integration of this type of device and simplify a preparation process. |
| US10256605B2 |
GaNFET as energy store for fast laser pulser
The present disclosure relates to systems and circuits that may facilitate sub-5 nanosecond laser diode operation. An example system includes a trigger source, a laser diode, a first field effect transistor and a second field effect transistor. The laser diode is coupled to a supply voltage and a drain terminal of the first field effect transistor. A source terminal of the first field effect transistor is coupled to ground and a gate terminal of the first field effect transistor is coupled to the trigger source. A drain terminal of the second field effect transistor is coupled to the supply voltage. A source terminal of the second field effect transistor and a gate terminal of the second field effect transistor are coupled to ground. In an example embodiment, the first field effect transistor and the second field effect transistor comprise gallium nitride (GaN). |
| US10256599B2 |
Laser light-source apparatus and laser pulse light generating method
A laser light-source apparatus includes: a fiber amplifier and a solid-state amplifier to amplify pulse light output from a seed light source serving as a first light source; a nonlinear optical element to perform wavelength conversion on the pulse light output from the solid-state amplifier; an optical switching element to permit or stop propagation of the pulse light from the fiber amplifier to the solid-state amplifier; a second light source disposed on an upstream side of the solid-state amplifier and is configured to output laser light able to be combined with the pulse light output from the seed light source; and a control unit to control the optical switching element in such a manner that the propagation of light is stopped and to perform control in such a manner that the second light source oscillates, at least in an output period of the pulse light from the seed light source. |
| US10256598B2 |
Method and device for stabilization of optical power and spectral line of radiation by mode locked ultra-short pulse fiber laser
The disclosed method and apparatus for stabilizing a mode-locked regime of a fiber ring oscillator based on a NPR include tapping a portion of light, which has a broad spectral bandwidth, from a fiber ring resonator into at least first and second control channels. The control channels are configured to guide respective first and second fractions of the tapped portion. One of the control channels is provided with a bandpass filter operative to extract a region from the broad spectral bandwidth. The fractions with respective full spectral bandwidth and region thereof are then evaluated in a central processing unit which is operable to generate a control signal if a predetermined criterion is not met. The control signal is received by one or more polarization controller units operative to dynamically modulate a state of polarization of light in the fiber ring resonator until the evaluation meets the predetermined criterion. |
| US10256595B2 |
Widely tunable infrared source system and method
A system and method for tuning and infrared source laser in the Mid-IR wavelength range. The system and method comprising, at least, a plurality of individually tunable emitters, each emitter emitting a beam having a unique wavelength, a grating, a mirror positioned after the grating to receive at least one refracted order of light of at least one beam and to redirect the beam back towards the grating, and a micro-electro-mechanical systems device containing a plurality of adjustable micro-mirrors. |
| US10256593B2 |
Raman amplifier pumped with residual power in an optical communication system
Aspects of an optical communications network are described that include two or more optical fibers arranged to allow communication in the same or in opposite directions. The optical network includes a first optical amplifier coupled to the first optical fiber, a second optical amplifier coupled to the second optical fiber, and an optical coupler that allows excess optical power from the first optical fiber to be provided for amplification of signals traversing the second optical fiber. The disclosed systems and devices thus enable excess power from one channel to be utilized to enable amplification of signals traveling on a different channel. |
| US10256592B1 |
Device, system and method with cascaded burst mode laser amplified pumping oscillator signal
A device comprising a low-power oscillator having an oscillator output, the oscillator when triggered produces X number of oscillator pulses in series at a high repetition rate from the oscillator output, where X is an integer. The device comprises a plurality of X series coupled amplifiers having a common optical path. The plurality of X amplifiers amplify a power parameter of the X number of oscillator pulses. A first amplifier of the plurality of X amplifiers is coupled to the oscillator output. The plurality of amplifiers are triggered in sequence in accordance with the high repetition rate of the oscillator so that an output from a last amplifier of the plurality of X amplifiers is a burst of X amplified pumping oscillator (APO) pulses with high-peak power and high-average power over the burst of APO pulses. A system and a method are also provided. |
| US10256587B2 |
Securement device for a cable connector
A securement device for engagement with a cable connector held in a mating socket by a release lever. The device features at least one socket formed into a body which is configured to engage with a cable connector which requires a release lever to maintain the cable connector in the socket. A locking pin engageable through opening on a sidewall is positionable to contact against a shoulder of the cable connector from which the release lever extends to hold the cable connector in the socket until the locking pin is removed. Defective cable connectors lacking an operative release lever can also be held in operative engagement in the socket by the locking pin. |
| US10256585B1 |
Multi-configurable electrical cable assembly
Multi-configurable electrical cable assemblies adapted to facilitate communication with and charging of electronic devices are disclosed. The cable assemblies comprises a cable extending from a first electrical connector to a second electrical connector and a yoke captively and slidably coupled to one end of the cable and rotatably coupled to an adaptor module at the other end. The adaptor module includes one or more electrical connector adaptors. The yoke can be extended or retracted and when the yoke is in an unconnected position, the adaptor module is rotatable to allow for selection of a desired electrical connector adaptor for connection to the cable. In one implementation, the cable extends from a male USB Type A connector to a male USB Micro connector, the yoke is captively coupled at the USB Micro connector end of the cable, and the rotatably coupled adaptor module includes two reversibly coupled electrical connector adaptors. The first electrical connector adaptor includes a female USB Micro connector on one side and a male Lightning connector electrically coupled thereto on the other side and the second electrical connector adaptor includes a female USB Micro connector on one side and a male USB Type-C connector electrically coupled thereto on the other side. The female USB Micro connectors are positioned in opposite directions and can mate with the male USB Micro connector on the end of the cable when rotated into alignment. |
| US10256583B2 |
Power adapter
A power adapter including a main circuit board and an auxiliary circuit board is provided. The main circuit board has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, and the first surface of the main circuit board is configured with a transformer and a first capacitor. The auxiliary circuit board has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, and the first surface of the auxiliary circuit board is configured with an input rectifier filter circuit, where the auxiliary circuit board is disposed in parallel above the main circuit board, and the input rectifier filter circuit of the auxiliary circuit board is electrically connected to the first capacitor of the main circuit board. Under a condition of same electrical parameters and dimensions, the volume of the power adapter of the invention is only a half of that of the existing power adapter, which satisfies a demand for miniaturization of the electronic devices. |
| US10256577B2 |
Connector
In a connector, a tapered portion is formed at a corner portion between a housing and a flange portion so as to be formed in parallel to a chamfered portion formed on an edge of a mounting hole in a casing. An annular seal member of the connector is mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the housing at a front side of the flange portion in an insertion direction of the housing, and is brought into close contact with an outer peripheral surface of the housing and an inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole so as to seal therebetween. A lip portion abutting on the flange portion is provided on a rear side of the seal member in the insertion direction. An outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface of the lip portion are formed in parallel to the tapered portion. |
| US10256576B2 |
Shield connector
A shield connector includes an inner housing that includes a plurality of terminal accommodating rooms to respectively accommodate inner terminals of a shield electric wire which is formed by bundling up a plurality of electric wires, of which the inner terminals are attached to terminal parts, and covering an outer periphery of the electric wires with a coating material including a shielding material and an insulating material, and an outer terminal into which the inner housing is mounted. In the shielded connector, the inner housing are provided with the plurality of terminal accommodating rooms which are separated by a partition wall, and has two divided terminal accommodating parts which are connected in a combinable and dividable way by flexible hinge parts which are provided along edges of the partition wall. |
| US10256574B2 |
Connector and shielding shell
A shield connector includes a shielded cable (11) with wires (12) enclosed by a shield layer (13). An inner housing (16) accommodates terminals (15) connected to the wires (12). A shield shell (20) covers the inner housing (16) and includes a connecting portion (23) to be connected electrically to the shield layer (13). An outer housing (30) accommodates the shield shell (20) and is locked to a mating connector. The outer housing (30) includes a body (31) enabling the shield shell (20) to be inserted therein through an opening (31A) on a rear side, and two covers (40A, 40B) integrally hinged to the body (31) to close the opening (31A) and cover the connecting portion (23). Each cover (40A, 40B) includes a first lock (43, 44) to be locked to the mating cover and a second lock (45) to be locked to the body. |
| US10256573B1 |
Network connector assembly with compensation means
A network connector assembly includes a connection module having a housing having an opening on a rear side thereof and a plurality of elongated positioning grooves arranged in parallel on an opposing front side thereof, a wire bracket mounted in the housing near the opening and having a plurality of partition plates and a guide groove between each two adjacent partition plates, a contact holder mounted in the housing to face the wire bracket and including a base block, a plurality of positioning wire slots located on the base block corresponding to the positioning grooves and arranged at different elevations and a plurality of conducting contacts respectively mounted in the positioning wire slots and downwardly extended out of the positioning wire slots, a retainer block connected to the opening of the housing and providing a retaining plate, and a hollow cylindrical wire holder connected to the retainer block. |
| US10256567B2 |
Connector with wire cover
A wire cover (30) can be mounted to a connector body (C) in any one of a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction with respect to a wire drawing port (31). A first mark (M1) and a second mark (M2) having different appearance from each other are provided in the wire cover (30). A first identification mark (S1) is provided on one of both side surfaces of the connector body (C) and a second identification mark (S2) is provided on the other side surface. When the wire cover (30) is mounted in the first direction, the first mark (M1) and the first identification mark (S1) are disposed close to each other. When the wire cover (30) is mounted in the second direction, the second mark (M2) and the second identification mark (S2) are close to each other. |
| US10256566B2 |
Waterproof electric connector
The present invention provides a waterproof electric connector, including: first and second connectors configured such that first and second wire entry ends are provided at the first side ends of first and second housings; first and second packings configured to be inserted into the inner circumferences of the first and second wire entry ends; first and second finishing caps formed as blocking components which are coupled to the outer circumferences of the first and second wire entry ends; a coupling cap configured such that one side end thereof is coupled to the outer circumference of one side end of the second housing; and a connection packing part configured to include a first elastic packing and a second elastic packing. |
| US10256558B2 |
Card edge connector
A movable member (30) provided in a housing (10) is formed with a cover (32) configured to cover inserting edges (45) on a tip of a circuit board (41) in an inserting direction into a board accommodation space (15) when the circuit board (41) is inserted into the board accommodation space (15) and a receiving surface (34) configured to move the movable member (30) integrally with the circuit board (41) to a back side of the board accommodation space (15) by being pushed by the circuit board (41). The movable member (30) and the circuit board (41) are formed with locks (38, 46) configured to move the movable member (30) integrally with the circuit board (41) in a withdrawing direction from the board accommodation space (15) by locking each other. |
| US10256557B2 |
Electrical connector and electrical connector assembly
An electrical connector with terminals formed therein, at an intermediate location in the terminal width direction, contact portions that come into contact with corresponding contact portions provided in counterpart terminals under contact pressure. Within bounds of the contact portions in the direction of connector insertion and extraction, the above-mentioned terminals have guiding portions configured to guide the corresponding contact portions of the counterpart terminals in the terminal width direction toward the contact portions of the terminals. The guiding portions are formed as inclined faces that extend in a continuous manner to the contact portions while being inclined so as to approach the corresponding contact portions of the counterpart terminals as one moves in the terminal width direction from the side edge locations of the terminals toward the contact portions. |
| US10256556B2 |
Electrical connector
The actuator (20) of the electrical connector (11) is configured such that pressure contact between the contacts (21) and the flexible connection member (8) is canceled by the actuator (20) being arranged at an open position (A1), and the contacts (21) are brought into pressure contact with the flexible connection member (8) by the actuator (20) being arranged at a closed position (A2). A provisional holding mechanism (51) can hold the actuator (20) at a provisional hold position (A3) when the flexible connection member (8) is not connected to the electrical connector (11). The provisional holding mechanism (51) includes first engagement portions (52) provided on a housing (22), and second engagement portions (53) provided on the actuator (20). |
| US10256553B2 |
Efficient multi-polarization communications
Methods and systems for efficient multi-polarization communications are presented. An array based communications system may comprises an antenna array operably connected to a first polarization path and a second polarization path. Each polarization path may comprise an analog frequency conversion circuit, a digital beamforming circuit, and a cross-polarization interference suppression circuit. To save power while communicating with one or more link partners, one or both of the first polarization path and the second polarization path may be selectively enabled or disabled in accordance with temperature, bandwidth, and/or power consumption requirements. |
| US10256545B2 |
Dielectric-free metal-only dipole-coupled radiating array aperture with wide field of view
Dielectric-free, metal-only, dipole-coupled radiating array aperture with wide field of view. |
| US10256543B2 |
Tilted antenna bobbins and methods of manufacture
An antenna assembly includes a bobbin that provides a cylindrical body that defines an outer radial surface, an inner radial surface, and a central axis. One or more channels are defined on the outer radial surface, and each channel provides a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, a floor, and a pocket jointly defined by the first sidewall and the floor. A coil including one or more wires is wrapped about the bobbin and received within the one or more channels. |
| US10256542B2 |
Chip antenna and method of manufacturing the same
A chip antenna and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. A chip antenna includes connection terminals disposed on both ends of a core, and a coil wound around the core and having ends thereof connected to the connection terminals, in which the connection terminals include a metal plate, and at least a portion of the connection terminals has a thickness greater than a winding thickness of the coil. |
| US10256536B2 |
Frequency routing based on orientation
Systems, methods, and apparatus for frequency routing based on orientation are disclosed. An example method includes receiving, by a playback device, an audio data stream. The example method includes determining, by the playback device, an orientation of the playback device. The example method includes routing, by the playback device, a first set of frequencies in the audio data stream to at least one of a plurality of speaker drivers based on the first orientation. The example method includes routing, by the playback device, a second set of frequencies in the audio data stream to the at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers based on the second orientation, wherein the first set of frequencies is different than the second set of frequencies. |
| US10256535B2 |
Selectively shielding radio frequency module with multi-layer antenna
Selectively shielded radio frequency modules are disclosed. A radio frequency module can include a package substrate, a radio frequency component on the package substrate, a multi-layer antenna, a radio frequency shielding structure configured to provide shielding between the multi-layer antenna and the radio frequency component. The radio frequency shielding structure can include a shielding layer providing a shield over the radio frequency component and leaving the radio frequency module unshielded over the antenna. |
| US10256534B2 |
Terminal
A terminal is disclosed, wherein a metal back cover of the terminal includes a slot. The slot divides the metal back cover into two parts. One of the two parts is used as an antenna radiator. The antenna radiator includes a signal feed point, a first ground point, and at least one second ground point, so that an antenna of the terminal has four resonance points. The signal feed point is connected to a matching network, the first ground point is grounded by a switch device, and the second ground point is grounded. A distance between the signal feed point and the first ground point is less than a distance between the signal feed point and the second ground point, and none of the signal feed point, the first ground point, and the second ground point is located in an end of the slot. |
| US10256532B2 |
Apparatus, method, and computer program for a vehicle having at least one indoor antenna and at least one external antenna
An apparatus, a method, and a computer program for a vehicle having at least one interior antenna and at least one exterior antenna. The apparatus includes a transceiver module for communication via a frequency band and a control module to control the transceiver module. The control module provides signal processing for the transceiver module for signals from the at least one interior antenna and the at least one exterior antenna based on a combination of the signals from the at least one interior antenna and the at least one exterior antenna. |
| US10256530B2 |
Deployable reflector
A reflector assembly including a truss engaging the first net at a first plurality of points along the first net perimeter edge and engaging a second net at a second plurality of points along the second net perimeter edge. A truss deployment assembly moves the truss between a truss stowed condition and a truss deployed condition, the truss in the truss deployed condition tensioning said first net or said second net to maintain a substantially flat or parabolic net outer surface. A reflector disposed at the first net sends or receives remote data. |
| US10256527B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal includes a window including a transparent region and an opaque region surrounding the transparent region, a metal case provided below the window to accommodate the window, having a rear surface portion facing the window and a side surface portion formed to extend from the rear surface portion toward a front surface, and exposed outwardly, a non-metal member formed in a region formed by cut away a portion of the case and having a slot formation portion spaced apart from the side surface portion at a predetermined interval and a pair of sectioning portions extending from the slot formation portion and traversing the side surface portion to section the side surface portion into first to third members, and first to third antenna patterns formed in the opaque region and electrically connected to the first to third members to form first and third antennas, respectively. |
| US10256522B2 |
Vertical combiner for overlapped linear phased array
A vertical combiner for an overlapping linear phased array is provided. The vertical vector combiner enables two strip-line signals from different layers to be combined, or divided, by vertical transitions between substrate layers and produce a desired output signal phase. The combiner can terminate in a short to act as an antenna. In an antenna application, the antenna provides multiple substrate layers for each strip-line signal, each having a metal ground plane. The ground planes are be coupled by vertical transitions access enabling a stepped ground within the structure which increases bandwidth. The multi-layer combiner architecture enables integration with phased array feed networks for millimeter wave phased array antennas. |
| US10256520B2 |
Side launch contactless signal conduit structures
Conduit structures for redirecting extremely high frequency (EHF) signals are disclosed herein. The conduit structures discussed herein are designed to re-direct EHF or RF signal energy from a first signal path to a second signal path. The conduit structures according to embodiments discussed herein can re-direct the RF signal energy while simultaneously adhering to specified signaling characteristic of the RF signal and minimizing stray RF signal radiation within a device to support device-to-device contactless communications. |
| US10256518B2 |
Drill tuning of aperture coupling
A pair of joined dielectric resonator components of an RF filter includes a first dielectric resonator component and a second dielectric resonator component. The first dielectric resonator component includes a first block of dielectric material, which has a coating of a first conductive material and at least one planar face. The at least one planar face includes a first aperture formed by removing the coating of first conductive material from a portion of the planar face of the first block. The second dielectric resonator component includes a second block of dielectric material, which has a coating of a second conductive material and at least one planar face. The at least one planar face includes a second aperture formed by removing the coating of second conductive material from a portion of the planar face of the second block. The first and second dielectric resonator components are joined to one another with the coating of first conductive material on the planar face of the first block in contact with the coating of second conductive material on the planar face of the second block, and with the first aperture aligned with the second aperture. The second dielectric resonator component has a hole through the coating of second conductive material and into the second block of dielectric material. The hole is outside of the second aperture, and controls electric-field coupling between the first and second dielectric resonator components. |
| US10256517B2 |
Waveguide antenna assembly and system with mode barrier filter for electronic devices
A waveguide antenna assembly conformable to the configuration of a supported device for transceiving signals of a predetermined radio frequency range comprising at least two collaterally aligned conductive layers configured in a conformable loop so as to form an electrically isolating channel dimensionally configured for support of the waveguide modes of the predetermined frequency range, an aperture for electromagnetically transceiving the signals, wherein the aperture extends along a surface of the electrically isolating channel such that the aperture extends between the outer edge of the inner surface of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, a back short spaced apart from the aperture a predetermined distance equal to a resonant length of the waveguide mode wavelength so as to provide a circuit impedance between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer for tuning the waveguide to transceive the signals, excitation points coupled to the aperture to propagate waveguide modes within the electrically isolating channel for transceiving signals, and mode barrier filters longitudinally oriented in the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer to impede coupling between excitation points. A preferred embodiment of the present waveguide antenna strategically orients the mode barrier filters to enhance antenna transceiving and can be used to support switched TEM and H11 waveguide modes. |
| US10256516B2 |
Stable electrolyte for lithium air battery and lithium air battery including the same
Provided are electrochemical cells that include a compound having the general formula wherein R1 is moiety associated with a lithium ion, X1 and X3 are unsubstituted methylene moieties, X2 and X4 are each independently selected from a substituted or unsubstituted methylene moiety, X is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkylene moiety, arylene moiety or heteroarylene moiety, R2 is selected from Li, H, an alkyl moiety, or a heteroalkyl moiety, 0 |
| US10256514B2 |
Air cooled thermal management system for HEV battery pack
Systems are disclosed for battery modules/systems with cooling systems. In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the cooling system may be disposed against an external surface of a housing of the battery system. The cooling system may utilize air as a coolant to remove heat generated by cells within the battery module, to prevent the cells from aging prematurely. Embodiments of the cooling system may include manifolds, channels, fins, or a combination thereof, which may route the cooling air along the surface of the battery module housing. Such features may create an isothermal temperature distribution within the battery system. |
| US10256513B2 |
Battery system
Provided is a battery system having improved safety and reliability. The battery system includes a battery module including a unit cell and a cell controller performing control of the unit cell and a battery controller performing control of the battery module; the cell controller includes an abnormality diagnosis unit which diagnoses the presence or absence of abnormality of the unit cell, a state detection unit which calculates any one or more of voltage, current, temperature, SOC, SOH, and allowable charge/discharge current of the unit cell, a power line communication unit which performs wire communication, and a wireless communication unit which performs wireless communication, the information diagnosed by the abnormality diagnosis unit is output through the power line communication unit to the battery controller; and the information calculated by the state detection unit is output through the wireless communication unit to the battery controller. |
| US10256512B2 |
Systems and control devices for charging and discharging lithium-ion battery, and relevant methods
Systems and control devices for charging and discharging a lithium-ion battery and relevant methods are provided. A variable frequency triggering oscillation charge-discharge device constructs an oscillation loop with a lithium-ion battery using an inherent impedance characteristic of the lithium-ion battery to charge and/or discharge the lithium-ion battery in the form of an oscillation current generated by the oscillation loop, to avoid direct current (DC) charge-discharge for the lithium-ion battery or battery pack that causes polarization and lithium precipitation of the lithium. Accordingly, the lithium-ion battery has longer battery life, higher charging threshold voltage, higher charge, and controlled internal temperature increase. Thus, the suitable temperature range for the lithium-ion battery is broadened. |
| US10256510B2 |
Electrolyte for sodium secondary battery and sodium secondary battery using the same
Provided are an electrolyte for a sodium secondary battery, and a sodium secondary battery using the same, and the sodium secondary battery using the electrolyte for a sodium secondary battery according to the present invention may have an excellent cycle characteristic, charge-discharge capacity, and stability, thereby making it possible to be operated without deterioration at a low temperature for a long time. |
| US10256509B2 |
Short-circuit protection in wet-cell battery
A wet cell battery, where a first cell in a wet-cell battery includes a set of anode electrodes and a set of cathode electrodes, and where electrically conductive debris accumulates on a surface inside the first cell to an expected height. An anode electrode in the set of anode electrodes has an anode end closest to the surface, and a cathode electrode in the set of cathode electrodes has a cathode end closest to the surface. A first gap distance between the anode end and the surface is different from a second gap distance between the cathode end and the surface. When the electrically conductive debris accumulates up to the expected height, the debris fails to make simultaneous electrical contact with the anode electrode and the cathode electrode due to the different gap distances. |
| US10256507B1 |
Constrained electrode assembly
A secondary battery for cycling between a charged and a discharged state, wherein a 2D map of the median vertical position of the first opposing vertical end surface of the electrode active material in the X-Z plane, along the length LE of the electrode active material layer, traces a first vertical end surface plot, EVP1, a 2D map of the median vertical position of the first opposing vertical end surface of the counter-electrode active material layer in the X-Z plane, along the length LC of the counter-electrode active material layer, traces a first vertical end surface plot, CEVP1, wherein for at least 60% of the length Lc of the first counter-electrode active material layer (i) the absolute value of a separation distance, SZ1, between the plots EVP1 and CEVP1 measured in the vertical direction is 1000 μm≥|SZ1|≥5 μm. |
| US10256505B2 |
Positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, production method thereof, and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including said material
Provided is a positive electrode active material that can be used to fabricate a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having excellent output characteristics not only in an environment at normal temperature but also in all temperature environments from extremely low to high temperatures.A positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, the positive electrode active material includes a boron compound and lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide of general formula (1) having a layered hexagonal crystal structure. The lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide includes secondary particles composed of agglomerated primary particles. The boron compound is present on at least part of the surface of the primary particles, and contains lithium. Li1+sNixCoyMnzMotMwO2 (1) |
| US10256503B2 |
High performance all solid lithium sulfur battery with fast lithium ion conduction
A battery has a lithium anode, a separator adjacent the anode, and a cathode adjacent the separator opposite the anode, the cathode comprising interdigitated stripes of a first and second material, wherein the first material contains sulfur and the second material comprises a solid electrolyte. |
| US10256497B2 |
Electrolyte, electrolyte solution, gel electrolyte, electrolyte membrane, method for manufacturing gel electrolyte battery, and lithium ion secondary battery
The present invention includes an electrolyte in which an organic acid lithium salt (A) and a boron compound (B) are mixed. |
| US10256496B2 |
Power generation systems and methods utilizing cascaded fuel cells
A power generation system including a first fuel cell configured to generate a first anode tail gas stream is presented. The system includes at least one fuel reformer configured to receive the first anode tail gas stream, mix the first anode tail gas stream with a reformer fuel stream to form a reformed stream; a splitting mechanism to split the reformed stream into a first portion and a second portion; and a fuel path configured to circulate the first portion to an anode inlet of the first fuel cell, such that the first fuel cell is configured to generate a first electric power, at least in part, by using the first portion as a fuel. The system includes a second fuel cell configured to receive the second portion, and to generate a second electric power, at least in part, by using the second portion as a fuel. |
| US10256494B2 |
Electrolyte membrane for solid polymer fuel cell, method for manufacturing same, and solid polymer fuel cell
A solid polymer fuel cell has a plurality of stacked single battery modules having an electrolyte membrane, electrode layers disposed on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, and a pair of separators provided with a gas flow paths disposed on the inside surface so as to sandwich the electrode layer. The electrolyte membrane is provided with electrolyte material and a nonwoven fabric which is embedded in the electrolyte material. The nonwoven fabric is provided with a plurality of fused parts that are provided in a linear shape or spotted on a part of the nonwoven fabric that is a part corresponding to of the solid polymer fuel cell. Two or more nonwoven fibers are fused to each other, and the thickness thereof is thinner than the membrane thickness of the unwoven fabric. |
| US10256493B2 |
Redox flow secondary battery and electrolyte membrane for redox flow secondary battery
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a redox flow secondary battery which has low electrical resistance and excellent current efficiency in addition to durability. The present invention relates to: an electrolyte membrane for redox flow secondary batteries, which contains an ion exchange resin composition containing a fluorine-based polymer electrolyte; and a redox flow secondary battery which uses the electrolyte membrane for redox flow secondary batteries. |
| US10256492B2 |
Fuel cell MEA with combined metal gas diffusion layer and microporous layer
The invention describes a membrane electrode assembly for use as a transport layer in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, the assembly comprising a porous metal gas diffusion layer (GDL) (20) and a catalyst layer (40) with a microporous layer (MPL) (30) interposed between them, the MPL (30) being constructed to fill the pores of the GDL (20) and coat the surface thereof. |
| US10256484B2 |
Fuel cell system and method for controlling fuel cell system
A fuel cell system supplies anode gas and cathode gas to a fuel cell and generates electric power in accordance with a load. The fuel cell system configured to include a cathode gas control unit controls a pressure of the cathode gas on the basis of the load, an anode gas control unit configured to cause a pressure of the anode gas to pulsate on the basis of the pressure of the cathode gas and a pulsation amplitude. The pulsation amplitude is determined on the basis of an operating condition of the fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes an anode gas partial pressure maintenance control unit configured to increase the pressure of the anode gas in accordance with a condition of an impurity within the fuel cell. The cathode gas control unit configured to make the pressure of the cathode gas higher when a pressure difference between the pressure of the anode gas and the pressure of the cathode gas is large than when the pressure difference is small. |
| US10256478B2 |
Stainless steel sheet for separator of polymer electrolyte fuel cell
A stainless steel sheet for a separator of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a substrate made of stainless steel and a Sn alloy layer with which a surface of the substrate is coated. The Sn alloy layer includes 10 or more and 10,000 or fewer microcracks per cm2, where the microcrack is defined as a crack having a crack width that is at least 0.1 times the thickness of the Sn alloy layer and no more than 10 μm. |
| US10256470B2 |
Electrode, power storage device, electronic device, and manufacturing method of electrode
A power storage device with excellent charge and discharge characteristics. A power storage device in which a decrease in capacity in charge and discharge cycles is inhibited. An electrode which includes a current collector and an active material layer and in which the active material layer includes an active material and a binder and the binder includes polybenzoxazine. An electrode that includes polybenzoxazine and another material as a binder. A basic material may be used as the active material. The electrode may be formed under high temperatures. |
| US10256463B2 |
Composite anode active material, anode and lithium battery containing the material, and method of preparing the composite anode active material
Provided is a composite anode active material with pores having a composition represented by Formula 1, and, the composite anode active material contains an amorphous phase including Si and a nano-crystalline phase including a metal silicide: SixMyCz |
| US10256461B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries
A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the invention includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte, the positive electrode including lithium transition metal oxide particles as a positive electrode active material, the lithium transition metal oxide particles containing nickel as a main transition metal component and being such that a first compound containing at least one element Ma selected from the group consisting of Group IV elements and Group V elements is sintered to a portion of the surface of the lithium transition metal oxide particles, the first compound having a composition different from that of the lithium transition metal oxide particles, the positive electrode further including a second compound containing at least one element Mb selected from the group consisting of Group VI elements, the second compound having a composition different from that of the lithium transition metal oxide particles. |
| US10256460B2 |
Integrable redox-active polymer batteries
The disclosed technology relates generally to apparatuses and methods of fabricating solid-state electrochemical cells having redox-active polymers. In one aspect, an electrochemical cell comprises a negative electrode including a first redox-active polymer and configured to be reversibly oxidized during a discharging operation and further configured to be reversibly reduced during a charging operation. The electrochemical cell additionally comprises a positive electrode including a second redox-active polymer and configured to be reversibly reduced during the discharging operation and further configured to be reversibly oxidized during the charging operation. The electrochemical cell further comprises an electrolyte including a solid ion-exchange polymer, the electrolyte interposed between positive and negative electrodes and configured to conduct ions therebetween. The electrochemical cell is configured to store energy for an associated device or apparatus and further configured to provide structural features of the associated device or apparatus. The electrochemical cell may constitute a part of the casing, packaging or containment of the device. |
| US10256457B2 |
Secondary battery
A conductive member including an opening portion is connected to a positive terminal and is integrally secured to a sealing plate together with an outer insulating member and a second insulating member. The conductive member opening portion is sealed by a deformable plate. A base portion of a positive electrode current collector is connected to the deformable plate. A first insulating member that is disposed between the deformable plate and the base portion of the positive electrode current collector includes a pair of first catch portions that are disposed so as to be aligned in a longitudinal direction of the sealing plate and a pair of second catch portions that are disposed so as to be aligned in a transverse direction of the sealing plate. The first catch portions and the second catch portions are connected to the second insulating member disposed between the sealing plate and the conductive member. |
| US10256455B2 |
Secondary battery
There is provided a secondary battery comprising an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate having a first electrode tab, a second electrode plate having a second electrode tab and a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, a case including a body accommodating the electrode assembly, a cap plate covering a top portion of the body, and a bottom plate covering a bottom portion of the body, a first electrode terminal electrically connected to the first electrode tab, a second electrode terminal electrically connected to the second electrode tab through the case, and a connection plate electrically connected to the second electrode tab and configured to bend away from the bottom plate, the connection plate being on the bottom plate. |
| US10256454B2 |
Component for secondary battery and manufacturing method thereof, and secondary battery and multi-battery system manufactured by using the component
The present invention describes a component for a secondary battery and a manufacturing method thereof, and a secondary battery manufactured by using the component. The component for a secondary battery according to the present invention comprises a lead-free soldering bridge having a melting point of 150 to 300° C. and containing tin (Sn) and copper (Cu) as a main ingredient; the first and second metal plates spaced therebetween through a gap and coupling with the lead-free soldering bridge. According to the present invention, when an over-current flows through the component for a secondary battery, the temperature of the lead-free soldering bridge is locally increased rapidly to melt the lead-free soldering bridge, thereby efficiently interrupting the flow of an over-current. |
| US10256450B2 |
Laminated porous membrane, process for manufacturing same and separator for battery
A laminated porous membrane includes a polyolefin porous membrane, on one surface of which projections that are made of a polyolefin and satisfy 5 μm≤W≤50 μm (W: projection size) and 0.5 μm≤H (H: projection height) are irregularly scattered at a density of 3/cm2 to 200/cm2, and a modifying porous layer laminated on the surface of the polyolefin porous membrane having the projections, wherein the modifying porous layer includes a binder with a tensile strength of at least 5 N/mm2 and inorganic particles. |
| US10256447B2 |
Low electrical resistance microporous battery separator membranes, separators, cells, batteries, and related methods
Microporous battery separators, batteries including such separators, and/or methods of making such separators, and/or methods of using such separators. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, an improved or novel battery separator for a secondary or rechargeable lithium battery may have low electrical resistance of less than 0.95 ohm-cm2, or in some cases, less than 0.8 ohm-cm2. Furthermore, the inventive battery separator membrane may provide a means to achieve an improved level of battery performance in a rechargeable or secondary lithium battery based on a possibly synergistic combination of low electrical resistance, low Gurley, low tortuosity, and/or a unique trapezoid shaped pore. In accordance with at least certain multilayer embodiments (by way of example only, a trilayer membrane made of two polypropylene layers with a polyethylene layer in between), the inventive microporous membrane or battery separator may have excellent onset and rate of thermal shutdown performance. |
| US10256446B2 |
Binder composition for secondary battery porous membrane, slurry for secondary battery porous membrane, porous membrane for secondary battery, and secondary battery
A binder composition for a porous membrane of a secondary battery, including a polycarboxylic acid and water, wherein the polycarboxylic acid includes a carboxylic acid group-containing monomer unit in an amount of 20% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less, the polycarboxylic acid is water-insoluble at a pH of 6.5 or less and water-soluble at a pH of 8 or more, and the binder composition for a porous membrane of a secondary battery has a pH of 6.5 or less; and a slurry for a porous membrane of a secondary battery using the binder composition, a porous membrane for a secondary battery, and a secondary battery. |
| US10256443B2 |
Battery pack, electric power tool, and electronic apparatus
Provided herein is a battery pack including a plurality of secondary batteries, a containing member, a protective member, and a wiring member. The plurality of secondary batteries include a plurality of terminals at each secondary battery. The containing member contains the plurality secondary batteries to expose the plurality of terminals. The protective member includes a plurality of openings, and the plurality of secondary batteries contained in the containing member are covered with the protective member to expose the plurality of terminals from the plurality of openings. The wiring member is coupled to the plurality of terminals exposed from the plurality of openings. One or both of the containing member and the protective member include one or both of a ceramic material and a polymer material having a heat resistance temperature of 300° C. or higher. |
| US10256441B2 |
Rechargeable battery
An exemplary embodiment provides a rechargeable battery including a case including an internal space and an opening and a cap plate coupled to the case to cover the opening. The cap plate may include a first portion having a first thickness, and a second portion continuously disposed along an edge of the cap plate and having a second thickness that is thicker than the first thickness. |
| US10256426B2 |
Thin-film transistor array panel and manufacturing method thereof
A thin-film transistor array panel and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The thin-film transistor array panel has a polysilicon layer including a first region, a second region and a third region. The second region includes a fourth region, a fifth region and a sixth region. The third region includes a seventh region, an eighth region and ninth region. The sixth, the fourth, the ninth and the seventh regions are doped with first, second, third and fourth ions, respectively. In a thin-film transistor of the thin-film transistor array panel, a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode thereof correspond to the first, the sixth and the ninth regions, respectively. The device is able to reduce leakage current in the thin-film transistor. |
| US10256422B2 |
Organic electronic component, use of a zinc complex as a p-dopant for organic electronic matrix materials
An organic electronic component and a method for making an organic electronic component with a p-dopant are disclosed. In an embodiment, the component includes a matrix containing a zinc complex as a p-dopant, the zinc complex containing at least one ligand L of the following structure: formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 can be oxygen, sulphur, selenium, NH or NR4 independently selected from one another, wherein R3 may comprise alkyl, long-chain alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogen-alkyl, aryl, arylene, halogen-aryl, heteroaryl, heteroarylene, heterocyclic-alkylene, heterocycloalkyl, halogen-heteroaryl, alkenyl, halogen-alkenyl, alkynyl, halogen-alkynyl, ketoaryl, halogen-ketoaryl, ketoheteroaryl, ketoalkyl, halogen-ketoalkyl, ketoalkenyl, halogen-ketoalkenyl, halogen-alkyl-aryl or halogen-alkyl-heteroaryl, and wherein R4 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and aryl which can be bonded to R3. |
| US10256420B2 |
Organometallic complex, light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device
A novel organometallic complex having high reliability is provided. The organometallic complex includes platinum and a ligand coordinated to the platinum. The ligand includes a plurality of pyridoindole skeletons. Each of the pyridoindole skeletons includes nitrogen bonded to the platinum. Each of the pyridoindole skeletons is bonded to an arylene group bonded to the platinum. |
| US10256419B2 |
Organic electroluminescent materials and devices
Imidazophenanthridine ligands and metal complexes are provided. The compounds exhibit improved stability through a linking substitution that links a nitrogen bonded carbon of an imidizole ring to a carbon on the adjacent fused aryl ring. The compounds may be used in organic light emitting devices, particularly as emissive dopants, providing devices with improved efficiency, stability, and manufacturing. In particular, the compounds provided herein may be used in blue devices having high efficiency. |
| US10256417B2 |
Organic electroluminescent and preparation method thereof
Disclosed are an organic electroluminescent device and a preparation method thereof. The organic electroluminescent device comprises an anode, a hole transport layer, an organic light-emitting layer, an electron transport layer and a cathode. An organic metal complex and an active metal compound are doped in the electron transport layer, wherein the active metal compound is an alkali metal complex, an alkali earth metal complex or a lanthanide metal compound. The preparation method thereof includes the following steps: etching an anode pattern, and evaporating a hole transport layer and an organic light-emitting layer on an ITO glass substrate in order; and co-evaporate an electron transport material, an organic metal complex and an active metal compound to form an electron transport layer; and evaporating a cathode on the electron transport layer. |
| US10256409B2 |
Diazirine containing organic electronic compositions and device thereof
The present invention relates to organic electronic devices, and more specifically to organic field effect transistors, comprising a dielectric layer that comprises a polycycloolefinic polymer and a diazirine compound. |
| US10256408B2 |
Composition and method for preparation of organic electronic devices
The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising an organic semiconductor (OSC) and one or more organic solvents. The composition is solid at a temperature of 25° C. and fluid at a higher temperature and the boiling point of the solvent is at most 400° C. Furthermore, the present invention describes the use of these compositions as inks for the preparation of organic electronic (OE) devices, especially organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells and OLED devices, to methods for preparing OE devices using the novel compositions, and to OE devices, OLED devices and OPV cells prepared from such methods and compositions. |
| US10256407B2 |
Organic thin film transistors
In one aspect, organic thin film transistors are described herein. In some embodiments, an organic thin film transistor comprises a source terminal, a drain terminal and a gate terminal; a dielectric layer positioned between the gate terminal and the source and drain terminals; and a vibrationally-assisted drop-cast organic film comprising small molecule semiconductor in electrical communication with the source terminal and drain terminal, wherein the transistor has a carrier mobility (μeff) of at least about 1 cm2/V·s. |
| US10256400B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate; a multilevel wiring layer structure on the semiconductor substrate; and a variable resistance element in the multilevel wiring layer structure, wherein the variable resistance element comprises a variable resistance element film whose resistance changes between a top electrode and a bottom electrode, wherein the multilevel wiring layer structure comprises at least a wiring electrically connected to the bottom electrode and a plug electrically connected to the top electrode, and wherein the wiring also serves as the bottom electrode. |
| US10256398B2 |
Magnetic random access memory structures, integrated circuits, and methods for fabricating the same
Spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory structures, integrated circuits, and methods for fabricating integrated circuits and/or memory cells are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating integrated circuit includes forming a bottom electrode and forming a fixed layer disposed over the bottom electrode. The fixed layer includes a hard layer disposed over a base layer. The base layer includes a seed layer of nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) and has a thickness of less than about 100 Angstrom (A). The method further includes forming at least a first tunnel barrier layer over the hard layer, forming a storage layer over the first tunnel barrier layer, and forming a top electrode over the storage layer. |
| US10256394B2 |
Magnetoresistive element and magnetic memory
A magnetoresistive element according to an embodiment includes: a first layer containing Al and at least one element of Ni or Co, the first layer having a CsCl structure; a first magnetic layer; a first nonmagnetic layer between the first layer and the first magnetic layer; and a second magnetic layer between the first layer and the first nonmagnetic layer, the second magnetic layer containing Mn and Ga. |
| US10256391B2 |
Thermoelectric device
Embodiments are notably directed to a thermoelectric device including a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element includes a Weyl semimetal and a plurality of magnetized elements. The plurality of magnetized elements are configured to apply a directed magnetic field on the Weyl-semimetal. Embodiments further concern a related method for cooling a device and a related method for generating electrical energy. |
| US10256384B2 |
LED support frame and LED device and LED display module manufactured with the same
A light emitting diode (LED) support frame (10), LED device adopting the same, and LED display module. The LED support frame (10) comprises a base board (101) and a reflection cup (102). A light converging component (103) is arranged on the reflection cup (102). A concave light converging surface (1030) is provided at a side of the light converging component (103) and adjacent to a reflection cup mouth (1021). A part of a light beam emitted from an LED chip is directed to the light converging surface (1030), reflected by the light converging surface (1030), and finally converged with other light beams emitted from the LED chip to focus at a visual field observed by an observer. Therefore, the embodiment effectively reduces optical loss of lights from different directions in the light converging component (103). |
| US10256382B2 |
Collimated OLED light field display
The present disclosure generally relates to light field displays and methods of displaying images with light field arrays. In one example, the present disclosure relates to pixel arrangements for use in light field displays. Each pixel includes a plurality of LEDs, such as micro LEDs, positioned adjacent respective micro-lenses of each pixel. |
| US10256380B2 |
Method of producing an optoelectronic component, and optoelectronic component
A method of producing an optoelectronic component includes embedding an optoelectronic component part into a molded body such that an upper side of the optoelectronic component part is at least partially exposed on an upper side of the molded body; arranging and structuring a sacrificial layer above the upper side of the optoelectronic component part and the upper side of the molded body; arranging and structuring a layer of an optical material above the sacrificial layer; and removing the sacrificial layer. |
| US10256379B2 |
Optoelectronic component and method for producing an optoelectronic component
An optoelectronic component and a method for producing an optoelectronic component are disclosed. In an embodiment an optoelectronic component includes at least one metallic surface, a contacted optoelectronic semiconductor chip configured to emit radiation and a protective layer arranged on the at least one metallic surface, wherein the protective layer comprises a protective material of at least one N-heterocyclic carbene, and wherein a covalent bond is formed between the protective material and the at least one metallic surface. |
| US10256378B2 |
LED device, LED module and ultraviolet light emitting device
An LED device is provided which includes a substrate, an LED element disposed on the substrate, an inorganic glass molded body disposed at a position where all or a part of the light which is emitted from the LED element passes through, a first bonding portion that is provided in contact with the substrate and bonds the substrate and the inorganic glass molded body, and a second bonding portion provided between the LED element and the inorganic glass molded body. The LED element is shielded from the outside air by the substrate, the inorganic glass molded body and the first bonding portion. A material which forms the second bonding portion contains a condensation polymerization-type silicone resin. A distance between the LED element and the inorganic glass molded body is 0.1 mm or less. |
| US10256374B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device that is capable of achieving excellent color rendering property is provided. The light emitting device contains a light emitting element having a light emission peak wavelength within a range of 430 nm or more and 470 nm or less, and a fluorescent member. The fluorescent member contains a first fluorescent material that contains an Eu-activated alkaline earth aluminate, a second fluorescent material that contains a Mn-activated fluorogermanate, a third fluorescent material that contains a Ce-activated rare earth aluminate, and a fourth fluorescent material that contains an Eu-activated silicon nitride having Al and at least one of Sr and Ca. |
| US10256367B2 |
Ultrathin solid state dies and methods of manufacturing the same
Various embodiments of SST dies and solid state lighting (“SSL”) devices with SST dies, assemblies, and methods of manufacturing are described herein. In one embodiment, a SST die includes a substrate material, a first semiconductor material and a second semiconductor material on the substrate material, an active region between the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material, and a support structure defined by the substrate material. In some embodiments, the support structure has an opening that is vertically aligned with the active region. |
| US10256366B2 |
Light-emitting diode and method of fabricating the same
Provided are a light-emitting diode and a method of fabricating the same. The light-emitting diode includes a first electrode; a P-type zinc oxide layer which is formed on the first electrode and comprises nano-discs doped with an impurity or nano-rods of zinc oxide doped with an impurity; an N-type zinc oxide layer, which is formed on the P-type zinc oxide layer, comprises nano-rods, and the nano-rods of the N-type zinc oxide layer constitutes homojunction having an epitaxial interface with the P-type zinc oxide layer; and a second electrode, which is formed on the N-type zinc oxide layer. |
| US10256360B2 |
Graphic layers and related methods for incorporation of graphic layers into solar modules
The present invention generally relates to graphic layers comprising visible images and/or patterns and related methods for incorporation of graphic layers into solar modules. In some embodiments, a photovoltaic module comprises the graphic layer (e.g., to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the photovoltaic module). In certain embodiments, the graphic layer comprises a plurality of isolated regions (e.g., substantially opaque isolated regions) and a contiguous region (e.g., a substantially transparent contiguous region). The isolated regions may comprise, in some cases, a base layer and an image layer. The plurality of isolated regions may form a recognizable image or pattern. |
| US10256357B2 |
Monolithic integration of heterojunction solar cells
A method for fabricating a device with integrated photovoltaic cells includes supporting a semiconductor substrate on a first handle substrate and doping the semiconductor substrate to form doped alternating regions with opposite conductivity. A doped layer is formed over a first side the semiconductor substrate. A conductive material is patterned over the doped layer to form conductive islands such that the conductive islands are aligned with the alternating regions to define a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series on a monolithic structure. |
| US10256356B2 |
Thin film solar cell module including series connected cells formed on a flexible substrate by using lithography
Solar thin film modules are provided with reduced lateral dimensions of isolation trenches and contact trenches, which provide for a series connection of the individual solar cells. To this end lithography and etch techniques are applied to pattern the individual material layers, thereby reducing parasitic shunt leakages compared to conventional laser scribing techniques. In particular, there may be series connected solar cells formed on a flexible substrate material that are highly efficient in indoor applications. |
| US10256355B2 |
Photoelectric converter with a multi-layered quantum dot film
A photoelectric converter includes two semiconductor layers forming a p/n junction as a photoelectric conversion layer. At least one semiconductor layer of the two semiconductor layers is a quantum dot integrated film, and the quantum dot integrated film includes two or greater quantum dot layers having different energy levels. In a case that the quantum dot integrated film is a p-type, a quantum dot layer having a large difference between an energy level (Bv) of a valence band and a Fermi level (Ef) is disposed closer to a p/n junction surface. |
| US10256354B2 |
Siloxane-containing solar cell metallization pastes
Frontside metallization pastes for solar cell electrodes contain siloxanes. Metallization pastes containing siloxanes can be used to fabricate fine line, high aspect ratio, solar cell gridlines. |
| US10256350B2 |
Method of manufacturing thin film transistor and thin film transistor
A method of manufacturing a thin film transistor including: forming a gate electrode on a substrate, forming an insulating film, forming a first silicon layer including an amorphous silicon, irradiating a region of the first silicon layer from a part or the whole of a predetermined region of the first silicon layer to an outside of the predetermined region with an energy beam so as to convert a portion of the first silicon layer into a polycrystalline silicon, a first etching step for etching the first silicon layer while leaving the predetermined region, forming a second silicon layer including an amorphous silicon so as to cover the predetermined region, a second etching step for etching the second silicon layer covering the predetermined region while leaving a part of the second silicon layer, the part larger than the predetermined region, and forming a source electrode and a drain electrode. |
| US10256344B2 |
Oxide thin film transistor and method of fabricating the same
The present disclosure relates to an oxide thin film transistor and a fabricating method thereof. In the oxide thin film transistor, which uses amorphous zinc oxide (ZnO) semiconductor as an active layer, damage to the oxide semiconductor due to dry etching may be minimized by forming source and drain electrodes in a multilayered structure having at least two layers, and improving stability and reliability of a device by employing a dual passivation layer structure, which includes a lower layer for overcoming an oxygen deficiency and an upper layer to minimize effects of an external environment on the multilayered source and drain electrodes. |
| US10256343B2 |
Thin film transistor, array substrate and their manufacturing methods, and display apparatus
The present disclosure discloses a thin film transistor, an array substrate and their manufacturing methods, and a display apparatus. The method for manufacturing the thin film transistor of the present disclosure comprises a step of forming an insulation layer, wherein the step of forming the insulation layer further comprises forming a siloxane material layer, oxidizing the siloxane material layer such that an inorganic silicon film is formed on a surface of the siloxane material layer, and curing the oxidized siloxane material layer to obtain the insulation layer. In this disclosure, the outer layer of the insulation layer is an inorganic silicon film which is a commonly-used material for making the insulation layer in prior art, and the inner layer of the insulation layer is made of the siloxane material having a low dielectric constant and high chemical stability. |
| US10256340B2 |
High-voltage semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A high-voltage semiconductor device is provided. The device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type, and a first doping region having a second conductivity type therein. An epitaxial layer is on the semiconductor substrate. A body region having the first conductivity type is in the epitaxial layer on the first doping region. A second doping region and a third doping region that have the second conductivity type are respectively in the epitaxial layer on both opposite sides of the body region, so as to adjoin the body region. Source and drain regions are respectively in the body region and the second doping region. A field insulating layer is in the second doping region between the source and drain regions. A gate structure is on the epitaxial layer to cover a portion of the field insulating layer. |
| US10256338B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first epitaxial layer of a first conductivity type, a first semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, a second epitaxial layer of a second conductivity type, a second semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, a gate insulating film, a gate electrode, an interlayer insulating film, a source electrode; and a gate electrode pad. The first semiconductor region is not provided beneath the gate electrode pad. |
| US10256328B2 |
Dummy dielectric fins for finFETs with silicon and silicon germanium channels
A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming first fins from a first semiconductor material and second fins from a second semiconductor material and encapsulating the first fins and the second fins with a protective dielectric. Semiconductor material between the first fins and the second fins is etched to form trenches. A dielectric fill is employed to fill up the trenches, between the first fins and between the second fins. The first semiconductor material below the first fins and the second semiconductor material below the second fins are oxidized with the first and second fins being protected by the protective dielectric. Fins in an intermediary region between the first fins and the second fins are oxidized to form dummy fins in the intermediary region to maintain a substantially same topology across the device. |
| US10256326B2 |
Forming stacked nanowire semiconductor device
A semiconductor device comprises a nanowire arranged over a substrate, a gate stack arranged around the nanowire, a spacer arranged along a sidewall of the gate stack, a cavity defined by a distal end of the nanowire and the spacer, and a source/drain region partially disposed in the cavity and in contact with the distal end of the nanowire. |
| US10256325B2 |
Radiation-hardened power semiconductor devices and methods of forming them
According to an embodiment, a method of forming a power semiconductor device is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming an epitaxial layer on the semiconductor substrate. The epitaxial layer includes a body region, a source region, and a drift region. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer on the epitaxial layer. The dielectric layer is formed thicker above a drift region of the epitaxial layer than above at least part of the body region and the dielectric layer is formed at a temperature less than 950° C. |
| US10256321B2 |
Semiconductor device including enhanced low-k spacer
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a channel region and a source/drain region, and an electrically conductive gate on an upper surface of the channel region. An electrically conductive source/drain contact is on an upper surface of the source/drain region. The semiconductor device further includes enhanced low-k spacer on an upper surface of the substrate and interposed between the electrically conductive gate and the electrically conductive source/drain contact. The enhanced low-k spacer includes a stacked arrangement of a dielectric material and a ferroelectric material. |
| US10256320B1 |
Vertical field-effect-transistors having a silicon oxide layer with controlled thickness
A vertical field-effect transistor and a method for fabricating the same. The vertical field-effect transistor includes a substrate and a bottom source/drain region. The vertical field-effect transistor also includes at least one fin structure, and further includes a bottom spacer layer. The bottom spacer layer has a substantially uniform thickness with a thickness variation of less than 3 nm. A gate structure contacts the bottom spacer layer and at least one fin structure. The method includes forming a structure including a substrate, a source/drain region, and one or more fins. A polymer brush spacer is formed in contact with at least sidewalls of the one or more fins. A polymer brush layer is formed in contact with at least the source/drain region and the polymer brush spacer. The polymer brush spacer is removed. Then, the polymer brush layer is reflowed to the sidewalls of the at least one fin. |
| US10256316B1 |
Steep-switch field effect transistor with integrated bi-stable resistive system
Fabricating a steep-switch transistor includes receiving a semiconductor structure including a substrate, a fin disposed on the substrate, a source/drain disposed on the substrate adjacent to the fin, a gate disposed upon the fin, a cap disposed on the gate, a trench contact formed on and in contact with the source/drain, and a source/drain contact formed on an in contact with the trench contact. A recess is formed in a portion of the source/drain contact using a recess patterning process. A bi-stable resistive system (BRS) material is deposited in the recess in contact with the portion of the source/drain contact. A metallization layer is formed in contact upon the BRS material, a portion of the source/drain contact, the BRS material, and a portion of the metallization layer contact forming a reversible switch. |
| US10256312B1 |
Semiconductor structure with a gap between conductor features and fabrication method thereof
A semiconductor structure includes a contact plug located on a barrier layer in a contact hole; a first conductive feature integrally formed with the contact plug on the barrier layer; a second conductive feature disposed on the interlayer dielectric layer; and a gap between the first and second conductive features. The gap includes a vertical trench recessed into the interlayer dielectric layer, and a discontinuity in the barrier layer. The discontinuity extends below the second conductive feature to form an undercut structure. |
| US10256305B2 |
High mobility transport layer structures for rhombohedral Si/Ge/SiGe devices
An electronic device includes a trigonal crystal substrate defining a (0001) C-plane. The substrate may comprise Sapphire or other suitable material. A plurality of rhombohedrally aligned SiGe (111)-oriented crystals are disposed on the (0001) C-plane of the crystal substrate. A first region of material is disposed on the rhombohedrally aligned SiGe layer. The first region comprises an intrinsic or doped Si, Ge, or SiGe layer. The first region can be layered between two secondary regions comprising n+doped SiGe or n+doped Ge, whereby the first region collects electrons from the two secondary regions. |
| US10256303B2 |
Semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device including a plurality of dummy trench portions that are provided in a front surface side of a semiconductor substrate and each have provided therein an electrode to which an emitter potential is supplied, and a gate trench portion that is provided in a manner to surround two or more dummy trench portions from among the plurality of dummy trench portions in the front surface side of the semiconductor substrate and has provided therein an electrode to which a gate potential is supplied. |
| US10256302B2 |
Vertical transistor with air-gap spacer
A vertical transistor has a first air-gap spacer between a gate and a bottom source/drain region, and a second air-gap spacer between the gate and the contact to the bottom source/drain region. A dielectric layer disposed between the gate and the contact to the top source/drain decreases parasitic capacitance and inhibits electrical shorting. |
| US10256301B1 |
Nanosheet isolated source/drain epitaxy by surface treatment and incubation delay
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of stacked structures spaced apart from each other on a substrate, wherein the plurality of stacked structures each comprise a plurality of gate layers and a plurality of channel layers, a plurality of arsenic implanted regions on portions of a surface of the substrate adjacent the plurality of stacked structures, and a plurality of epitaxial source/drain regions extending from the plurality of stacked structures, wherein the plurality of epitaxial source/drain regions are spaced apart from the plurality of arsenic implanted regions. |
| US10256296B2 |
Middle-of-line (MOL) capacitance reduction for self-aligned contact in gate stack
A semiconductor structure formed based on selectively recessing a middle-of-line (MOL) oxide layer of the semiconductor structure including multiple gate stacks formed on a substrate. A cap layer of the multiple gate stacks is selectively recessed. An air-gap oxide layer introducing one or more air-gaps is deposited. Chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) is performed on the deposited air-gap oxide layer. |
| US10256295B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes an outside-of-well n-type region, a p-type well region surrounded by the outside-of-well n-type region, an inside-of-well n-type region, and a gate electrode. The outside-of-well n-type region includes an impurity low-concentration region that is in contact with the p-type well region, and an impurity high-concentration region that is separated from the p-type well region by the impurity low-concentration region. |
| US10256293B2 |
Integrated circuit devices having features with reduced edge curvature and methods for manufacturing the same
A structure such as an integrated circuit device is described having a line of material with critical dimensions which vary within a distribution substantially less than that of a mask element, such as a patterned resist element, used in manufacturing the line of material. |
| US10256292B2 |
Vertical MOSFET
In order to improve the dynamic characteristics of a vertical MOSFET using GaN, it is an objective of the present invention to reduce the resistance of a current path with a long hole movement distance in a p-type well. Provided is a vertical MOSFET including a gallium nitride layer having a main surface that is a non-polar surface; a p-type well region that is provided with a stripe shape in the main surface of the gallium nitride layer; and a stripe-shaped electrode provided above the p-type well region. Hole mobility is higher in a direction orthogonal to an extension direction of the stripe-shaped electrode than in the extension direction, among directions in a plane parallel to the main surface. |
| US10256290B2 |
Method for oxidizing a substrate surface using oxygen
A method for treating a compound semiconductor substrate, in which method in vacuum conditions a surface of an In-containing III-As, III-Sb or III-P substrate is cleaned from amorphous native oxides and after that the cleaned substrate is heated to a temperature of about 250-550° C. and oxidized by introducing oxygen gas onto the surface of the substrate. The invention relates also to a compound semiconductor substrate, and the use of the substrate in a structure of a transistor such as MOSFET. |
| US10256289B2 |
Efficient metal-insulator-metal capacitor fabrication
Methods of forming capacitors include forming a self-assembled pattern of periodic first and second domains using first and second block copolymer materials over a substrate. The second block copolymer material is etched away. Material from the substrate is etched based on a pattern defined by the first block copolymer material to form cavities in the substrate. A capacitor stack is conformally deposited over the substrate, such that the capacitor stack is formed on horizontal surfaces of the substrate and vertical surfaces of the cavities. |
| US10256280B2 |
Organic light emitting display panel including a plurality of organic and inorganic layers
An organic light emitting display panel including a first electrode, a second electrode on the first electrode, an organic layer between the first electrode and the second electrode and including at least one light emitting layer, an organic cover layer disposed on the second electrode, a lower layer between the organic cover layer and the second electrode and including a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, which are different from each other and are sequentially stacked, and an upper layer on the organic cover layer. The first layer contacts the second electrode. The second layer and the third layer each include a silicon compound. |
| US10256276B2 |
Hybrid high electron mobility transistor and active matrix structure
Hybrid high electron mobility field-effect transistors including inorganic channels and organic gate barrier layers are used in some applications for forming high resolution active matrix displays. Arrays of such high electron mobility field-effect transistors are electrically connected to thin film switching transistors and provide high drive currents for passive devices such as organic light emitting diodes. The organic gate barrier layers are operative to suppress both electron and hole transport between the inorganic channel layer and the gate electrodes of the high electron mobility field-effect transistors. |
| US10256273B2 |
High density cross point resistive memory structures and methods for fabricating the same
High density resistive memory structures, integrate circuits with high density resistive memory structures, and methods for fabricating high density resistive memory structures are provided. In an embodiment, a high density resistive memory structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of first electrodes in a first plane in and/or over the semiconductor substrate. Further, the high density resistive memory structure includes a plurality of second electrodes in a second plane in and/or over the semiconductor substrate. The second plane is parallel to the first plane, and each second electrode in the plurality of second electrodes crosses over or under each first electrode in the plurality of first electrodes at a series of cross points. Each second electrode in the plurality of second electrodes is non-linear and the series of cross points formed by each respective second electrode is non-linear. |
| US10256267B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions each provided to correspond to each of a plurality of pixels in a semiconductor substrate and receiving incident light through a light sensing surface, and a pixel separation portion that is embedded into a trench provided on a side portion of the photoelectric conversion portion and electrically separates the plurality of pixels in a side of an incident surface of the semiconductor substrate into which the incident light enters. The pixel separation portion is formed by an insulation material which absorbs the incident light entering the light sensing surface. |
| US10256260B2 |
Display substrate, manufacturing method therefor and display device
Provided is a display substrate. The display substrate includes a base substrate and a thin film transistor which is formed on the base substrate, wherein the thin film transistor includes a drain electrode, and at least one pad structure is arranged on an outer side of the drain electrode; a vertical distance between a top surface of the pad structure and the base substrate is less than the vertical distance between the top surface of the drain electrode and the base substrate, and is greater than the vertical distance between the top surface of the substrate, which is located on one side of the pad structure is far away from the drain electrode, and the base substrate. Further provided are a manufacturing method for the display substrate and a display device. |
| US10256252B1 |
Three-dimensional memory device containing structurally reinforced pedestal channel portions and methods of making the same
A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over a substrate, a memory opening extending through the alternating stack, a semiconductor pedestal channel portion located at a bottom portion of the memory opening, and a memory stack structure located in the memory opening and contacting a top surface of the pedestal channel portion. The memory stack structure includes a memory film and a vertical semiconductor channel located inside the memory film. A bottommost insulating layer among the insulating layers comprises a first silicon oxide material, and at least some of the insulating layers other than the bottommost insulating layer include a second silicon oxide material having a greater density than the first silicon oxide material. |
| US10256247B1 |
Three-dimensional memory device with silicided word lines, air gap layers and discrete charge storage elements, and method of making thereof
A vertically alternating sequence of silicon-containing semiconductor layers and sacrificial material layers is formed over a substrate. Memory stack structures are formed through the vertically alternating sequence. After formation of backside trenches, backside recesses are formed by removing the sacrificial material layers employing an isotropic etchant introduced through the backside trenches. Composite electrically conductive layers are formed by reacting a metal layer with surface portions of silicon-containing semiconductor layers. A dielectric material can be anisotropically deposited to form a continuous material portion that includes vertically-extending dielectric material portions formed in the backside trenches and cavity-containing layers formed in the backside recesses. The composite electrically conductive layers include word lines, which are vertically spaced by cavity-containing layers. Each memory film can include a charge storage layer that is divided into a plurality of discrete charge storage material portions. |
| US10256246B2 |
Convex shaped thin-film transistor device having elongated channel over insulating layer in a groove of a semiconductor substrate
The present invention provides a semiconductor device that has a shorter distance between the bit lines and easily achieves higher storage capacity and density. The semiconductor device includes: first bit lines formed on a substrate; an insulating layer that is provided between the first bit lines and in a groove in the substrate, and has a higher upper face than the first bit lines; channel layers that are provided on both side faces of the insulating layer, and are coupled to the respective first bit lines; and charge storage layers that are provided on the opposite side faces of the channel layers from the side faces on which the insulating layers are formed. |
| US10256242B2 |
Memory circuit with thyristor
A memory circuit with thyristor includes a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell of the plurality of memory cells includes an access transistor and a thyristor. The thyristor is coupled to the access transistor. At least one of a gate of the access transistor and a gate of the thyristor has a fin structure. |
| US10256241B2 |
Vertical thyristor memory with minority carrier lifetime reduction
Apparatus and methods for reducing minority carriers in a memory array are described herein. Minority carriers diffuse between ON cells and OFF cells, causing disturbances during write operation as well as reducing the retention lifetime of the cells. Minority Carrier Lifetime Killer (MCLK) region architectures are described for vertical thyristor memory arrays with insulation trenches. These MCLK regions encourage recombination of minority carriers. In particular, MCLK regions formed by conductors embedded along the cathode line of a thyristor array, as well as dopant MCLK regions are described, as well as methods for manufacturing thyristor memory cells with MCLK regions. |
| US10256240B2 |
Semiconductor device having fin-shaped structure and bump
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first region and a second region, a fin-shaped structure and a bump on the first region of the substrate, and a shallow trench isolation (STI) around the fin-shaped structure and on the bump. Preferably, the fin-shaped structure and the bump comprise different material, the fin-shaped structure comprises a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion and the bottom portion comprise different semiconductor material, and a top surface of the bottom portion is lower than a top surface of all of the STI on both the first region and the second region and higher than a top surface of the bump and the top surface of the bump contacts the STI directly. |
| US10256236B2 |
Forming switch circuit with controllable phase node ringing
A switch circuit includes a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor of a same conductivity type connected in parallel between a first terminal and a second terminal of the switch circuit, the first and second MOS transistors having respective gate terminals coupled to the control terminal to receive a control signal to turn the first and second MOS transistors on or off. The first MOS transistor is characterized by a first reverse gate-to-drain capacitance (Crss) and the second MOS transistor is characterized by a second Crss that is greater than the first Crss. |
| US10256234B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate provided with an IGBT cell having a collector region and a diode cell having a cathode region, a first defect layer and a second defect layer in a drift region. A region present in the drift region and surrounded by an interface between the IGBT cell and the diode cell orthogonal to a first principal plane, and a plane passing through a boundary between the collector region and the cathode region on a boundary line along an interface between the collector region and the drift region and crossing the first principal plane at an angle of 45 degrees is referred to as a boundary region. The diode cell satisfies a relationship of SD1>S, in which S is an area occupied by the boundary region and SD1 is an area occupied by the diode cell in a surface of the drift region. |
| US10256227B2 |
Semiconductor device having multiple gate pads
Disclosed are semiconductor devices that include additional gate pads, and methods of fabricating and testing such devices. A device may include a first gate pad, a second gate pad, and a third gate pad. The first gate pad is connected to a gate including a gate oxide layer. The second and third gate pads are part of an electro-static discharge (ESD) protection network for the device. The ESD protection network is initially isolated from the first gate pad and hence from the gate and gate oxide layer. Accordingly, gate oxide integrity (GOI) testing can be effectively performed and the reliability and quality of the gate oxide layer can be checked. The second gate pad can be subsequently connected to the first gate pad to enable the ESD protection network, and the third gate pad can be subsequently connected to an external terminal when the device is packaged. |
| US10256224B2 |
Multiple-unit semiconductor device
A multiple-unit semiconductor device (1) includes a normally-ON type first FET (11) and a normally-OFF type second FET (12) that are connected to each other in series between a first terminal and a second terminal (17 and 19). The multiple-unit semiconductor device (1) further includes a protection circuit that includes a switching element for discharge (16) connected to the second FET in parallel and a trigger circuit that is disposed between the first terminal and the second terminal (17 and 19) and causes the switching element for discharge to turn to an ON state when a surge is applied to the first terminal. |
| US10256222B2 |
Light emitting diode substrate and display apparatus applying the same
A light emitting diode substrate includes a substrate, a plurality of first light emitting diode and second light emitting diode. The first light emitting diode are disposed on the substrate and arranged along a first direction and a second direction to form a first array. The first light emitting diode have a first side length extending along the first direction and a second side length extending along the second direction. The second light emitting diode are disposed on the substrate and arranged along the first direction and the second direction to form a second array. The second light emitting diode have a third side length extending along the first direction and a forth side length extending along the second direction. A first difference between the first side length and the third side length is less than a second difference between the second side length and the forth side length. |
| US10256217B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a circuitry substrate and multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) bonded to the circuitry substrate in a spaced array. The light emitting device also includes a continuous and substantially flat wavelength conversion member covering the light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to convert the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light emitting diodes (LEDs) into another wavelength range. The light emitting device also includes a planarized layer configured to support the wavelength conversion member on the circuitry substrate. The light emitting device can also include a light shaper on the wavelength conversion member configured to form emitting windows for the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the wavelength conversion member forming an output light beam having a desired emitting window size, shape, and edge and to block and minimize scattered electromagnetic radiation from the wavelength conversion layer. |
| US10256215B2 |
Semiconductor package
A semiconductor package includes a first semiconductor chip including a through silicon via in the first semiconductor chip and a first trench portion in an upper portion of the first semiconductor chip, a second semiconductor chip on an upper surface of the first semiconductor chip and being electrically connected to the first semiconductor chip through the through silicon via of the first semiconductor chip, and an insulating bonding layer between the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip. The insulating bonding layer fills the first trench portion. |
| US10256208B2 |
Overlapping stacked die package with vertical columns
Some forms relate to an electronic assembly (10) that includes a die (11) that includes an upper surface (12) and a conductive column (13) extending from the upper surface (12) such that the conductive column (13) is not surrounded by any material other than where the conductive column (13) engages the die (11). Other forms relate to an electronic package (19) that includes a stack (20) of electronic assemblies (10) where each electronic assembly (10) includes a die (11) that having an upper surface (12) and a plurality of conductive columns (13) extending from the upper surface (12) such that each conductive column (13) is not surrounded by any material other than where the conductive column (13) engages the die (11), and wherein the stack (20) of electronic assemblies (10) is arranged in an overlapping configuration such the plurality of conductive columns (13) on each electronic assembly (10) are not covered by another electronic assembly (10). |
| US10256205B2 |
Variable ball height on ball grid array packages by solder paste transfer
BGA packages with a spatially varied ball height, molds and techniques to form such packages. A template or mold with cavities may be pre-fabricated to hold solder paste material applied to the mold, for example with a solder paste printing process. The depth and/or diameter of the cavities may be predetermined as a function of spatial position within the mold working surface area. Mold cavity dimensions may be specified corresponding to package position to account for one or more pre-existing or expected spatial variations in the package, such as a package-level warpage measurement. Any number of different ball heights may be provided. The molds may be employed in a standardize process that need not be modified with each change in the mold. |
| US10256203B2 |
Semiconductor device and semiconductor package
A semiconductor package includes a die, a passivation layer, a plurality of first electrical conductive vias, a plurality of second electrical conductive vias, a plurality of thermal conductive vias and a connecting pattern. The die includes a plurality of first pads and a plurality of second pads. The passivation layer is disposed on the die. The first electrical conductive vias and the second electrical conductive vias extend through the passivation layer and contact the first pads and the second pads respectively. The thermal conductive vias are disposed on the passivation layer. Each of the thermal conductive vias is spaced apart from the first and second electrical conductive vias. The connecting pattern is disposed on the passivation layer and connects the first electrical conductive vias and the thermal conductive vias. The thermal conductive vias are connected to the first pads through the connecting pattern and the first electrical conductive vias. |
| US10256202B1 |
Durable bond pad structure for electrical connection to extreme environment microelectronic integrated circuits
A durable bond pad structure is described that facilitates highly durable electrical connections to semiconductor microelectronics chips (e.g., silicon carbide (SiC) chips) to enable prolonged operation over very extreme temperature ranges. |
| US10256199B2 |
Integrated receiver circuit for electromagnetic pulse detection in wireless microcontrollers
An integrated circuit includes an energy detection circuit, a switching circuit, and a tamper response circuit. The integrated circuit has an input for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal, a first output for providing a demodulated signal, and a second output for selectively providing a detect signal. The detect signal is provided in response to detecting that an energy of an internal signal exceeds a first threshold when the integrated circuit is in a secure mode. The switching circuit is used to alternatively switch the input of the energy detection circuit to an RF input terminal in a normal mode and to an internal antenna in a secure mode. The tamper response circuit disables a function of the integrated circuit in response to an activation of the detect signal in the secure mode. |
| US10256196B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
A semiconductor device in which an insulating material layer contains no reinforced fibers such as a glass cloth or a nonwoven cloth and which enables miniaturization of metal thin-film wiring layers, a reduction in the diameter of metal vias, and a reduction in interlayer thickness. The semiconductor device includes an insulating material layer including one or more semiconductor elements sealed with an insulating material containing no reinforced fibers, a plurality of metal thin-film wiring layers, metal vias that electrically connect the metal thin-film wiring layers together and electrodes of the semiconductor elements and the metal thin-film wiring layers together, and a warpage adjustment layer arranged on one principal surface of the insulating material layer to offset warpage of the insulating material layer to reduce warpage of the semiconductor device. |
| US10256195B2 |
Module and method for manufacturing same
A module includes a wiring board, a plurality of components mounted on an upper surface of the wiring board, a sealing resin layer which seals the components provided on the upper surface of the wiring board, and a shield layer provided so as to cover a surface of the sealing resin layer. The shield layer includes an adhesion layer which is stacked on the surface of the sealing resin layer and includes a first adhesion film composed of a metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Cr, Ni, TiCr, TiAl, NiAl, CrAl, and CrNiAl, a conductive layer which is stacked on the adhesion layer, and a protective layer which is stacked on the conductive layer and includes a protective film composed of a nitride, oxide, or oxynitride of a metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Cr, Ni, TiCr, TiAl, NiAl, CrAl, and CrNiAl. |
| US10256190B2 |
Variable resistance memory devices
A variable resistance memory device includes different variable resistance patterns on different memory regions of a substrate. The different variable resistance patterns may be at different heights from the substrate and may have different intrinsic properties. The different variable resistance patterns may at least partially comprise separate memory cells that are each configured to function as a non-volatile memory cell or a random access memory cell, respectively. |
| US10256178B2 |
Vertical and horizontal circuit assemblies
In a general aspect, an apparatus can include a leadframe including a plurality of leads configured to be coupled with a printed circuit board. The plurality of leads can be disposed along a single edge of the apparatus. The apparatus can also include an assembly including a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor die disposed on the substrate. The assembly can being mounted on the leadframe. The apparatus can further include an inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of the inductor can being coupled with the leadframe via a first contact pad, and the second terminal of the inductor can be coupled with the leadframe via a second contact pad. The leadframe, the assembly and the inductor can be arranged in a stacked configuration. |
| US10256174B2 |
Film type semiconductor package
A film type semiconductor package includes a film substrate; a metal pattern extending a first length in a first direction on the film substrate, having a first width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction the first length being larger than the first width, and includes a plurality of through holes spaced apart from each other in the first direction; a semiconductor chip including a plurality of pads; and a plurality of bumps spaced apart from each other in the first direction, bonded with the metal pattern, and overlapping the plurality of through holes and connected to the pads of the semiconductor chip. |
| US10256164B2 |
Semiconductor film and field effect transistor having semiconductor and polymer portions stacked adjacent each other
The present invention provides a semiconductor film, a field effect transistor, and a method of fabricating the semiconductor film that has one or two or more semiconductor portions, which are formed from a semiconductor material, and one or two or more polymer portions, which are formed from a polymer material. The semiconductor portion and the polymer portion are adjacent to each other and are integrated. |
| US10256162B2 |
Substrate processing system, control device, and substrate processing method
Disclosed is a substrate processing system capable of performing an etching processing collectively on a plurality of substrates accommodated in a processing container. The system includes: a first acquisition unit which acquires, as information, an amount of a film forming material formed on one of the substrates; a second acquisition unit which acquires, as information, the number of the substrates; a first calculating unit which calculates a total amount of the film forming material formed on the substrates based on the amount of the film forming material and the number of the substrates; and a second calculating unit which calculates an etching condition required to etch and remove the entire film forming material based on the total amount of the film forming materials and a relationship between a predetermined amount of the film forming material and an etching condition. |
| US10256160B1 |
Method for protecting epitaxial layer by forming a buffer layer on NMOS region
A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a first region and a second region; forming a first gate structure on the first region and a second gate structure on the second region; forming a first spacer around the first gate structure; forming a first epitaxial layer adjacent to two sides of the first spacer; forming a buffer layer on the first gate structure; and forming a contact etch stop layer (CESL) on the buffer layer on the first region and the second gate structure on the second region. |
| US10256156B2 |
Vertical field effect transistors
Vertical field effect transistors (FETs) with minimum pitch and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The structure includes at least one vertical fin structure and gate material contacting with the at least one vertical fin structure. The structure further includes metal material in electrical contact with the ends of the at least one vertical fin. |
| US10256155B1 |
Method for fabricating single diffusion break structure directly under a gate line
A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a first active region and a second active region extending along a first direction on a substrate; forming a first single diffusion break (SDB) structure extending along a second direction between the first active region and the second active region; and forming a first gate line extending along the second direction intersecting the first active region and the second active region. Preferably, the first SDB structure is directly under the first gate line between the first active region and the second active region. |
| US10256151B2 |
Method of making a finFET device
A method for fabricating a fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) device includes forming a first dielectric layer over a substrate and then etching the first dielectric layer and the substrate to form a first fin and a second fin. A second dielectric layer is formed along sidewalls of the first fin and the second fin. A protection layer is deposited over the first fin and the second fin. A portion of the protection layer and the first dielectric layer on the second fin is removed and the second fin is then recessed to form a trench. A semiconductor material layer is epitaxially grown in the trench. The protection layer is removed to reveal the first fin and the second fin. |
| US10256143B2 |
Replacement contacts
The present disclosure describes a method of forming a replacement contact. For example, the replacement contact can include a metal with one or more first sidewall surfaces and a top surface. A first dielectric can be formed to abut the one or more first sidewall surfaces of the metal. A second dielectric can be formed over the first dielectric and the top surface of the metal. An opening in the second dielectric can be formed. A metal oxide structure can be selectively grown on the top surface of the metal, where the metal oxide structure has one or more second sidewall surfaces. One or more spacers can be formed to abut the one or more second sidewall surfaces of the metal oxide structure. Further, the metal oxide structure can be removed. |
| US10256142B2 |
Tungsten feature fill with nucleation inhibition
Described herein are methods of filling features with tungsten, and related systems and apparatus, involving inhibition of tungsten nucleation. In some embodiments, the methods involve selective inhibition along a feature profile. Methods of selectively inhibiting tungsten nucleation can include exposing the feature to a direct or remote plasma. In certain embodiments, the substrate can be biased during selective inhibition. Process parameters including bias power, exposure time, plasma power, process pressure and plasma chemistry can be used to tune the inhibition profile. The methods described herein can be used to fill vertical features, such as in tungsten vias, and horizontal features, such as vertical NAND (VNAND) wordlines. The methods may be used for both conformal fill and bottom-up/inside-out fill. Examples of applications include logic and memory contact fill, DRAM buried wordline fill, vertically integrated memory gate/wordline fill, and 3-D integration using through-silicon vias. |
| US10256140B2 |
Method of reducing overlay error in via to grid patterning
Techniques herein include a method of patterning a substrate that uses a self-alignment based process to align a via to odd and even trenches by using multiple different materials. Methods herein decompose or separate a via pattern into spacer side via and mandrel side via, and then sequentially access the spacer side and mandrel side respectively. With such a technique, overlay of via to grid is significantly improved. By using an additional memorization layer underneath a trench memorization layer and independently accessing the spacer side and mandrel side in the midst of a trench pattern, significant improvement in via alignment is achieved. |
| US10256135B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
To provide a semiconductor device having a substrate contact in a deep trench thereof and having an improved characteristic. A PVD-metal film (metal film formed by PVD) is used as a first barrier metal film which is a lowermost layer barrier metal film formed in a deep trench penetrating an n type epitaxial layer and a reaching a layer therebelow. Such a configuration makes it possible to stably form a metal silicide layer at a boundary between the PVD-metal film and a silicon layer therebelow (or silicon substrate) and thereby stabilize the contact resistance. |
| US10256132B2 |
Reticle processing system
Provided herein are approaches for processing reticle blanks. In one approach, a reticle processing system includes a support assembly having a plate coupled to a frame, and a carrier assembly coupled to the support assembly. In one approach, the carrier assembly includes a carrier base coupled to the plate, a reticle disposed over the carrier base, and a carrier shield disposed over the reticle, wherein the carrier shield may include a central opening formed therein, allowing for placement and extraction of the reticle. In one approach, when the carrier assembly is placed atop the support assembly, a plurality of pins extend from the plate through corresponding openings in the carrier base, the plurality of pins supporting the carrier assembly so the carrier base, the reticle, and the carrier shield are each independently supported and vertically separated from one another. |
| US10256131B2 |
Electrostatic chuck device
An electrostatic chuck device includes an electrostatic chuck member and a temperature controlling base member. The electrostatic chuck member has a ceramic plate having a mounting surface on which a plate-shaped sample is mounted, and an electrode for electrostatic attraction provided on the other surface on the side opposite the mounting surface of the ceramic plate. The temperature controlling base member is disposed on the surface on the side opposite the ceramic plate side of the electrode for electrostatic attraction and cools the electrostatic chuck member. The ceramic plate has a dike portion which extends to the temperature controlling base member side and surrounds the electrode for electrostatic attraction, the temperature controlling base member has a groove portion accommodating an end part of the dike portion, and a space between the groove portion and the dike portion is filled with a filling part formed of a resin material. |
| US10256123B2 |
Component temperature control using a combination of proportional control valves and pulsed valves
Methods and systems for controlling temperatures in plasma processing chamber with a combination of proportional and pulsed fluid control valves. A heat transfer fluid loop is thermally coupled to a chamber component, such as a chuck. The heat transfer fluid loop includes a supply line and a return line to each of hot and cold fluid reservoirs. In an embodiment, an analog valve (e.g., in the supply line) is controlled between any of a closed state, a partially open state, and a fully open state based on a temperature control loop while a digital valve (e.g., in the return line) is controlled to either a closed state and a fully open state. |
| US10256121B2 |
Heated stage with variable thermal emissivity method and apparatus
Embodiments include a method for controlled cooling of a heated stage. The method includes setting a stage coupling to a maximum value and heating the stage to a process temperature. The method includes providing a wafer on the heated stage in a process chamber. The method includes performing a process on the wafer and reducing the heating stage coupling to a predetermined minimum value and reducing the heated stage temperature. The method includes removing the wafer from the heated stage and the process chamber. The heated stage is covered with a plurality of pixels, each pixel of the plurality of pixels include a level of emissivity and are equipped with an emissivity control device configured to independently adjust the level of emissivity of the pixel. The heated stage coupling is configured to achieve a predetermined radiative coupling and control the wafer cooling rate and target temperature. |
| US10256120B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatus for post-chemical mechanical planarization substrate buff pre-cleaning
In some embodiments, an apparatus for cleaning a substrate is provided that includes (1) a substrate chuck configured to support a substrate with a front side of the substrate accessible; (2) a buff pad assembly configured to support a buff pad having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the substrate; and (3) a swing arm coupled to the buff pad and configured to position and rotate the buff pad along the front side of the substrate, and control an amount of force applied by the buff pad against the front side of the substrate during cleaning. The substrate chuck, buff pad assembly and swing arm are configured to buff clean the substrate. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed. |
| US10256117B2 |
Manufacturing method and wiring substrate with through electrode
There is provided a method for manufacturing a wiring substrate with a through electrode, the method including providing a device substrate having a through hole, an opening of the through hole being blocked by a current supply path and the wiring substrate including the device substrate as a core layer with the through electrode; and disposing a first metal in the through hole to form the through electrode by electroplating, in a depth direction of the through hole, using the current supply path. |
| US10256113B2 |
Transfer substrate for forming metal wiring and method for forming metal wiring with the transfer substrate
A transfer substrate for transferring a metal wiring material to a transfer target including a substrate, at least one metal wiring material formed on the substrate, at least one coating layer formed on a surface of the metal wiring material, and an underlying metal film formed between the substrate and the metal wiring material, in which the metal wiring material is a compact formed by sintering metal powder such as gold powder having a purity of 99.9 wt % or more and an average particle size of 0.01 μm to 1.0 μm, and the coating layer is a predetermined metal such as gold or an alloy having a different composition from that of the metal wiring material and has a total thickness of 1 μm or less, and the metal underlying film is made of a predetermined metal such as gold or an alloy. The transfer substrate can lower heating temperature on the transfer target side. |
| US10256109B2 |
Nitrogen-containing compounds for etching semiconductor structures
A method for etching silicon-containing films is disclosed. The method includes the steps of introducing a vapor of a nitrogen containing etching compound into a reaction chamber containing a silicon-containing film on a substrate, wherein the nitrogen containing etching compound is an organofluorine compound containing at least one C≡N or C═N functional group; introducing an inert gas into the reaction chamber; and activating a plasma to produce an activated nitrogen containing etching compound capable of etching the silicon-containing film from the substrate. |
| US10256108B2 |
Atomic layer etching of AL2O3 using a combination of plasma and vapor treatments
A method for performing atomic layer etching (ALE) on a substrate, including the following method operations: performing a surface modification operation on a surface of the substrate, the surface modification operation configured to convert at least one monolayer of the substrate surface to a modified layer; performing a removal operation on the substrate surface, the removal operation configured to remove the modified layer from the substrate surface, wherein removing the modified layer occurs via a ligand exchange reaction that is configured to volatilize the modified layer; performing, following the removal operation, a plasma treatment on the substrate surface, the plasma treatment configured to remove residues generated by the removal operation from the substrate surface, wherein the residues are volatilized by the plasma treatment; repeating the foregoing operations until a predefined thickness has been etched from the substrate surface. |
| US10256105B2 |
Disc-shaped heater and heater-cooling-plate assembly
An electrostatic chuck heater includes a disc-shaped ceramic base and a plurality of heating elements embedded in the ceramic base. A top surface of the electrostatic chuck heater, which serves as a wafer mounting surface, is divided into multiple zones. The heating elements, which each include terminals that are embedded in the ceramic base in the respective zones. Terminal collection regions are provided on a bottom surface of the electrostatic chuck heater. The number of terminal collection regions is smaller than the total number of heating elements. The terminals of each of the heating elements are connected to one of the terminal collection regions through the ceramic base. |
| US10256102B2 |
Method for fabricating a field effect transistor having a surrounding grid
A process for fabricating a gate-wrap-around field-effect transistor is provided, including providing a substrate surmounted with first and second nanowires extending in a same longitudinal direction and having a median portion covered by a first material, and first and second ends that are arranged on either side of the median portion, a periphery of which is covered by respective first and second dielectric spacers made of a second material that is different from the first material, the ends having exposed lateral faces; doping a portion of the first and second ends via the lateral faces; depositing an amorphous silicon alloy on the first and second lateral faces followed by crystallizing the alloy; and depositing a metal on either side of the nanowires to form first and second metal contacts that respectively make electrical contact with the doped portions of the first and second ends of the nanowires. |
| US10256101B2 |
Raw material gas supply apparatus, raw material gas supply method and storage medium
In a raw material gas supply apparatus, a control unit obtains an offset value of (m3−(m1+m2)), m1, m2 and m3 being respective measurement values of first and second mass controllers, and a mass flow meter, by supplying a carrier gas and a dilution gas in a state where the carrier gas flows through a bypass channel. Further, the control unit obtains an actual measurement value of a flow rate of the raw material by subtracting the offset value from (m3−(m1+m2)) obtained by supplying the carrier gas and dilution gas in a state where the carrier gas flows through the inside of a raw material container and calculating a difference between a target value of the flow rate of the raw material and the actual measurement value, and adjusts a set value of the first mass flow controller such that the flow rate of the raw material becomes. |
| US10256098B2 |
Integrated assemblies containing germanium
Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first semiconductor structure containing heavily-doped silicon, a germanium-containing interface material over the first semiconductor structure, and a second semiconductor structure over the germanium-containing interface material. The second semiconductor structure has a heavily-doped lower region adjacent the germanium-containing interface material and has a lightly-doped upper region above the heavily-doped lower region. The lightly-doped upper region and heavily-doped lower region are majority doped to a same dopant type, and join to one another along a boundary region. Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having germanium oxide between a first silicon-containing structure and a second silicon-containing structure. Some embodiments include methods of forming assemblies. |
| US10256097B2 |
Forming a metal contact layer on silicon carbide and semiconductor device with metal contact structure
A semiconductor device includes a silicon carbide semiconductor body and a metal contact structure. Interface particles including a silicide kernel and a carbon cover on a surface of the silicide kernel are formed directly between the silicon carbide semiconductor body and the metal contact structure. Between neighboring ones of the interface particles, the metal contact structure directly adjoins the silicon carbide semiconductor body. |
| US10256094B2 |
Reduction of basal plane dislocations in epitaxial SiC using an in-situ etch process
A method of: providing an off-axis 4H—SiC substrate, and etching the surface of the substrate with hydrogen or an inert gas. |
| US10256092B2 |
Fabrication of semiconductor structures
The invention relates to a method for fabricating a semiconductor circuit comprising providing a semiconductor substrate; fabricating a first semiconductor device comprising a first semiconductor material on the substrate and forming an insulating layer comprising a cavity structure on the first semiconductor device. The cavity structure comprises at least one growth channel and the growth channel connects a crystalline seed surface of the first semiconductor device with an opening. Further steps include growing via the opening from the seed surface a semiconductor filling structure comprising a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material in the growth channel; forming a semiconductor starting structure for a second semiconductor device from the filling structure; and fabricating a second semiconductor device comprising the starting structure. The invention is notably also directed to corresponding semiconductor circuits. |
| US10256089B2 |
Replacement contact cuts with an encapsulated low-K dielectric
Interconnect structures and methods of forming an interconnect structure. A sacrificial contact is arranged between a first gate structure and a second gate structure. The sacrificial contact extends vertically to a source/drain region. A section of the sacrificial contact is removed to form a cut opening extending vertically to the source/drain region. A first dielectric layer is deposited in the cut opening, and is then partially removed to open a space in the cut opening that is arranged vertically above the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is deposited that fills the space in the cut opening and forms a cap on the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer has a first dielectric constant, and the second dielectric layer has a second dielectric constant that is greater than the first dielectric constant. |
| US10256086B2 |
Systems and methods for bubble based ion sources
The present disclosure describes embodiments directed to a bubble based ion source system comprising an ion source configured to generate a plurality of ions, an ion channel, an electrode, and/or any other components. The ion source can include a container at least partially comprising a solvent or solution, a bubble generator coupled to the container configured to generate a plurality of bubbles within the solvent, and/or any other component. The ion channel can receive ions that are generated based on solvent from the bubbles. |
| US10256084B2 |
Portable electronic device for the analysis of a gaseous composition
An electronic device 1 for analyzing a gas composition, which is present in an environment A at an environment pressure Pa, is described. The device 1 is portable and comprises a gas sampling module 7, an ion filtering module 8 and an ion detecting module 9. The sampling module 7 is configured to adjust an input gaseous flow Fi of gaseous particles from the environment A and to ionize said gaseous particles and to generate an ion flow I having an ion composition representative of the gas composition to be analyzed. The ion filtering module 8 is configured to controllably select at least one type of ions present in the ion flow I and to generate a corresponding at least one homogeneous ion beam I′. The ion detecting module 9 is configured to measure the intensity of such least one ion beam I′. |
| US10256079B2 |
Semiconductor processing systems having multiple plasma configurations
An exemplary system may include a chamber configured to contain a semiconductor substrate in a processing region of the chamber. The system may include a first remote plasma unit fluidly coupled with a first access of the chamber and configured to deliver a first precursor into the chamber through the first access. The system may still further include a second remote plasma unit fluidly coupled with a second access of the chamber and configured to deliver a second precursor into the chamber through the second access. The first and second access may be fluidly coupled with a mixing region of the chamber that is separate from and fluidly coupled with the processing region of the chamber. The mixing region may be configured to allow the first and second precursors to interact with each other externally from the processing region of the chamber. |
| US10256075B2 |
Gas splitting by time average injection into different zones by fast gas valves
Techniques are disclosed for methods and apparatuses for delivering process gas for processing a substrate. In one embodiment, the method begins by injecting process gas into a processing chamber proximate an edge of a substrate disposed in the processing chamber from a first location. The method then continues by way of injecting the process gas into the processing chamber proximate the edge of the substrate disposed in the processing chamber from a second location while no gas is injected from the first location. Finally, the method finishes by way of processing the substrate in the presence of the processing gas injected from the first and second location. |
| US10256070B2 |
Stage mechanism
According to one aspect of the present invention, a stage mechanism includes a movable stage disposed in a vacuum atmosphere and mounting a heat source, a first heat pipe connected to the heat source, a movable mechanism configured to move according to the movement of the first heat pipe caused by the movement of the stage, by using a portion of the first heat pipe, and a cooling mechanism configured to cool the first heat pipe through the movable mechanism. |
| US10256069B2 |
Phosphorous trifluoride co-gas for carbon implants
Processes and systems for carbon ion implantation include utilizing phosphorous trifluoride (PF3) as a co-gas with carbon oxide gas, and in some embodiments, in combination with the lanthanated tungsten alloy ion source components advantageously results in minimal oxidation of the cathode and cathode shield. Moreover, acceptable levels of carbon deposits on the arc chamber internal components have been observed as well as marked reductions in the halogen cycle, i.e., WFx formation. |
| US10256065B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling relays
A relay control circuit for use with a relay having a coil voltage input. The relay control circuit includes a first input to receive a first voltage capable of energizing the relay from a de-energized state, a second input to receive a second voltage, less than the first voltage, that is capable of maintaining the relay in an energized state, and means, responsive to a relay control signal having one of a first state and a second state, for switchably coupling the coil voltage input to the first input for a period of time sufficient to energize the relay in response to the relay control signal having the first state, and for switchably coupling the coil voltage input to the second input in response to expiration of the period of time. |
| US10256059B2 |
Magnetic switch
A novel magnetic switch, comprising a housing, a terminal A and a terminal B, wherein an inner cavity of the housing is internally provided with a magnetic body and a tongue plate, one end of the tongue plate is movably connected to the upper end of the terminal B, the magnetic body, which is integrally linked to the tongue plate, is capable of being raised thereon; the other end of the tongue plate is disposed above the terminal A; the upper end of the terminal A is provided with an arc-removing apparatus, the arc-removing apparatus is provided with a stationary contact, and the other end of the tongue plate is provided with a movable contact. The magnetic switch has an effective structure, thus improving the work stability and prolonging the service life of the switch. |
| US10256058B2 |
Switchgear
A switchgear includes a first contact capable of reciprocating along a motion axis, and a second contact. The second contact includes a facing unit movable in a first direction from the first contact toward the second contact when the facing unit is pushed in by the first contact, a spaced unit spaced from the axis and urged in a direction toward the axis, and a regulating unit coupled to the facing unit. The spaced unit abuts on the regulating unit to restrict movement of the spaced unit in the direction toward the axis as the facing unit is located in the second direction. The spaced unit is released from abutment on the regulating unit to move in the direction toward the axis into abutment on the first contact as the facing unit moves in the first direction. |
| US10256057B2 |
Mechanical structure for button on satellite microphone
An apparatus may include: a stationary module; a movable module having an outer surface and a substrate; a tactile switch secured on a first side of the substrate; a light indicator secured on a second side of the substrate, the first side and the second side being opposing sides of the substrate, etc. The movable module is configured to generate a spatial displacement relative to the stationary module along a spatial direction in response to a physical force exerted on the outer surface along the spatial direction. |
| US10256056B2 |
Switch device
A switch device has a circuit unit that forms an electric circuit that detects at least one of disconnection and a short circuit of a wiring connecting an external device and the switch device, two terminals connected to the electric circuit, and configured to be connected to the wiring, a contact mechanism that moves in a movable direction to switch on and off of a contact of the electric circuit, and a circuit board on which the circuit unit, the two terminals, and the contact mechanism are disposed. The electric circuit comprises at least one resistive element. The circuit unit and the contact mechanism are disposed on an identical surface side of the circuit board. The resistive element is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the movable direction of the contact mechanism when viewed from at least a part of a movable range of the contact mechanism. |
| US10256047B2 |
Dye-sensitized solar cell including a porous insulation substrate and a method for producing the porous insulation substrate
The present invention relates to a dye-sensitized solar cell including a working electrode (1), a first conducting layer (3) for extracting photo-generated electrons from the working electrode, a porous insulation substrate (4) made of a microfibers, wherein the first conducting layer is a porous conducting layer formed on one side of the porous insulation substrate, a counter electrode including a second conducting layer (2) arranged on the opposite side of the porous substrate, and electrolyte for transferring electrons from the counter electrode to the working electrode. The porous insulation substrate comprises a layer (5) of woven microfibers and a layer (6) of non-woven microfibers disposed on the layer of woven microfibers. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a dye-sensitized solar cell. |
| US10256044B2 |
Method of manufacturing multilayer ceramic electronic component
A method of manufacturing a multilayer ceramic electronic component includes forming external electrodes on end surfaces of a ceramic body, and more particularly, to forming external electrodes by attaching a sheet for forming an external electrode on a ceramic body. A multilayer ceramic electronic component thus formed has external electrodes with a thin and uniform thickness. |
| US10256043B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component and method of manufacturing the same
A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic body and first and second external electrodes. The ceramic body includes an active region including a plurality of dielectric layers and first and second internal electrodes alternately disposed on surfaces of the plurality of dielectric layers to contribute to capacitance formation, and a protective layer provided on at least one of upper and lower surfaces of the active region. The first and second external electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second internal electrodes, respectively, and formed on both end surfaces of the ceramic body. The ceramic body includes a plurality of first and second dummy electrodes respectively extended from the second and first external electrodes into length-direction margin parts of the active region so as to face the first and second internal electrodes, respectively. Further, step portion absorbing layers are disposed in width-direction margin parts of the active region. |
| US10256042B2 |
Contact part for electrically connecting end-face contact layers on the end faces of a plastic film capacitor winding of an encased electric single-phase or three-phase capacitor, and encased electric single-phase and three-phase capacitors comprising same
The invention relates to a contact part (20) for electrically connecting end-face contact layers on the end faces of a plastic film capacitor winding (10) of an encased electric single-phase or three-phase capacitor to a terminal wire (18, 34) or a connecting wire, comprising a preferably flat contact support with a terminal region for contacting a terminal wire (18, 34) or a connecting wire; comprising at least one contact piece (26) with at least one contact tip, said contact piece (26) extending upwards or downwards from the contact support in a substantially vertical manner, in order to establish an electric connection to an end-face contact layer (12, 14) by pressing the contact tip into said end-face contact layer (12, 14); and comprising a penetration depth-limiting device for limiting the penetration depth of the contact tip or the contact tips in the end-face contact layer (12, 14). The invention also relates to encased single-phase and three-phase capacitors comprising said contact part. |
| US10256039B2 |
Coil electronic component and method for manufacturing the same
A coil electronic component includes: a coil part; an insulating layer covering the coil part; a magnetic body enclosing the coil part covered by the insulating layer; and an adhesive layer disposed between the insulating layer and the magnetic body to prevent chipping of the magnetic body. |
| US10256038B2 |
Coil, power receiving apparatus, and power transmitting apparatus
In one embodiment, a coil includes a magnetic core and a winding. The magnetic core includes at least one block provided with a groove or an opening. Each block is arranged so as to make the groove or the opening extend along a direction of magnetic flux. The coil is used as a power transmitting coil or a power receiving coil. |
| US10256032B2 |
Electronic component
An electronic component includes: a magnetic body; first and second internal coil parts embedded in the magnetic body to be spaced apart from each other and including coil conductors disposed on first and second support members; and a spacer part disposed between the first and second internal coil parts and suppressing mutual interference of magnetic fields generated by the first and second internal coil parts. |
| US10256030B2 |
Flexible plate adapted to be used in winged coil structure, winged coil structure, and method of manufacturing winged coil structure
A winged coil structure and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The winged coil structure includes an upper flexible plate, at least one upper magnetic induction coil, at least one upper connection pad, a lower flexible plate, at least one lower magnetic induction coil, at least one lower connection pad, at least one gold finger, a dielectric layer and at least one connection plug. The connection plug connects the upper connection pad and the lower connection pad through thermal pressing such that the gold finger, the upper magnetic induction coil, the upper connection pad, the lower connection pad, the connection plug, the lower connection pad and the lower magnetic induction coil are electrically connected. The upper flexible plate is provided with notched lines to be easily bent without damage to the upper and lower magnetic induction coils. Thus, a bendable feature for magnetic induction coils is provided. |
| US10256024B1 |
Power converter temperature estimation
A vehicle includes a power converter having an inductor electrically disposed between a traction battery and an electric machine. The vehicle includes a controller configured to reduce a power limit of the power converter. The reduction is responsive to an increase of a ratio of voltage across the inductor to a rate of change of current through the inductor. |
| US10256023B2 |
Method and apparatus for interleaved switching of track segments in a motion control system
A power converter for a linear drive system having improved control of the switching devices to reduce the effects of localized heating within the power converter is disclosed. The linear drive system controls multiple movers along a track. Multiple coils are positioned adjacent to each other along the length of the track. Each coil is connected to a switching device within the power converter to energize and de-energize the coils. Pairs of adjacent switching devices are connected to coils that have at least additional coil located between the adjacent switching devices. Thus, adjacent switching modules do not conduct the same level of current and those switching modules that are required to conduct elevated levels of current are spaced apart from each other within the power converter. Consequently, the heat generated as a result of the elevated current and increased switching is similarly spread out within the power converter. |
| US10256021B2 |
Superconducting magnet with cryogenic thermal buffer
A superconducting magnet device (14; 46), including at least one coil winding (161-164) of superconducting wire, configured for generating a static magnetic field B0, wherein the at least one coil winding (161-164) is adapted to establish a thermally conductive contact with a cold head (38) of a cryocooler that is configured for bringing to and keeping the at least one coil winding (161-164) at a temperature below the critical temperature, and at least one gas-tight container (40;48) that permanently contains an amount of helium, wherein the at least one gas-tight container (40; 48) is in thermally conductive contact to the at least one coil winding (161-164) for taking up thermal energy from the at least one coil winding (161-164) in at least one operational state; and a magnetic resonance imaging system (10) that is configured for acquiring magnetic resonance images from at least a portion of a subject of interest (22), comprising such a superconducting magnet device (14; 46) for generating a static magnetic field B0 in an examination space (20) of the magnetic resonance imaging system (10). |
| US10256020B2 |
Coil device
The coil device comprises the magnetic core comprising the axial part and the magnetic core end part connecting to the axial part, the coil part formed by winding the wire around the axial part, and the electrode part provided at the magnetic core end part and made of good conductor. Said electrode part comprises the fixing surface fixed with a wire end part of said wire, and the fixing surface is provided on a side surface which does not intersect with a center axis of said coil part at said magnetic core end part. Said fixing surface is inclined to a direction away from said center axis with respect to a direction towards said magnetic core end part from said axial part. |
| US10256019B2 |
Iron-based soft magnetic powder for dust core, method for manufacturing the same, and dust core
An iron-based soft magnetic powder for dust core having a high magnetic flux density, maintaining high electric insulation even after annealing, and more excellent in the mechanical strength in which a coating film having a phosphate conversion coating film is formed on the surface thereof and the peak height for the absorption of hydroxyl groups formed at 3700 cm−1 to 2500 cm−1 is 0.04 or more being indicated by absorbance when the coating film is analyzed by infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. |
| US10256018B2 |
Cast rare earth-containing alloy sheet, manufacturing method therefor, and sintered magnet
Rare earth-containing alloy flakes and a sintered magnet made of the same are provided, which alloy flakes are useful in the production of sintered magnets of which Br and HcJ may be excellent and well-balanced according to the Dy and/or Tb content. The rare earth-containing alloy flakes are R-TM-A-M-type alloy flakes which have a particular composition, and a structure having a Nd2Fe14B main phase and a boundary phase, the Fe content in the boundary phase is not more than 10 mass %, and a ratio of the total content (b) of Dy and Tb in the boundary phase to the total content (a) of Dy and Tb in the main phase is higher than 1.0, and are useful as a sintered magnet material. |
| US10256013B2 |
Passive arc control with sequestered phases in a vertical bus system of a motor control center
A passive arc control system for a motor control center 60 includes an arc attenuating box having sides separating adjacent vertical bus bar phases 54, providing a physical barrier to arc flash energy. The box is open at its top and bottom forming a chimney 55. A shutter assembly for each box includes an insulator cap 62 on a free end of the bus bar and an independently moveable, box-shaped shutter 64 that slides along the bus bar away from the insulator cap, when a device is connected to the bus bar. The shutter has an opening 65 through which the bus bar passes when the device is connected to the bus bar and an opening 55′ aligned with the box's chimney. The arc control system provides a high degree of arc protection for personnel working around open motor control centers and is highly modular and easy to construct. |
| US10256008B2 |
Electrical apparatus for the generation, transmission, distribution and/or usage of electrical energy and method for recovering a substance from an insulation medium of such an apparatus
An electrical apparatus for electrical energy handling includes a housing with at least one insulation space, in which an electrical component is arranged and which contains an insulation medium surrounding the electrical component. The insulation medium includes an organofluorine compound and at least one further gaseous component. The apparatus further includes a gas flow generating device for flowing an initial gas mixture, containing the organofluorine compound and at least one further component of the insulation medium, out of the insulation space through an outlet opening arranged in the housing. A substance recovery device downstream of outlet opening includes a separator for separating the organofluorine compound from the at least one further component of the initial gas mixture, the separator being a liquefaction device for liquefying and/or solidification device for solidifying the organofluorine compound. |
| US10256007B2 |
Process to extract liquid dielectric coolant from the sesame oil
The present invention provides a process to extract liquid dielectric coolant from the sesame oil, which is suitable for both power frequency and high frequency electrical applications. The process comprises the steps of, processing the refined, bleached and deodorised sesame seed oil with an alkali to remove the fatty acids. After processing the sesame seed oil, at step, the processed sesame seed oil is blended with a Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) solution. The blended sesame oil forms a top layer and a bottom layer within short duration of time. At step, the top layer is extracted and is water washed and filtered. At step, the top layer sesame seed oil is mixed the Tert Butyl Hydroxy Quinone solution. Finally, at step, the mixture of filtered top layer and Tert Butyl Hydroxy Quinone solution is heated to extract the liquid dielectric coolant. |
| US10256003B2 |
Blind-vented electrode
A vented electrode that provides a directional stop to prevent energetic particles and secondaries (i.e., secondary electrons, charged particles, photons) generated in the vent channel from reaching into a gap outside of the electrode plate. For example, ventilation is added to at least one electrode, via vented inserts, wherein the vents do not provide a direct line of sight from at least one side of the electrode plate to the other. |
| US10256000B2 |
Steam generator level control system and method of preventing oscillation of steam generator level
Provided are a method and system for improving control of a steam generator level for preventing oscillation of the steam generator level in a nuclear power plant. In order to prevent oscillation of a steam generator level and resultant shutdown of a nuclear reactor, which may be caused when a high-level priority control function is frequently and repeatedly turned on/off as the steam generator level is excessively increased, by improving a feedwater control system in the nuclear power plant, a proportional integral control value may be controlled to be reduced, and thus, output while a certain condition is met after a high-level priority mode is deactivated or a signal instructing to enter the high-level priority control mode may be controlled not to be output. |
| US10255999B2 |
System for removing the residual power of a pressurised water nuclear reactor
A system for removing the residual power of a pressurized water nuclear reactor, includes a reserve of water, a steam generator, wherein the primary water heated by the core either circulates in a forced manner during power operation, or circulates naturally when the primary pump is stopped, and a condenser housed in the containment vessel. The condenser includes a recovery unit for recovering the condensed water and a condenser link to ensure the circulation of water in a closed circuit between the reserve and the condenser. The system further includes a device for circulating the secondary water between the steam generator and the condenser, the device being activated without an external supply of electrical energy, when an operating parameter characteristic of excessive heating of the primary water reaches a certain threshold, such that the primary water heated by the core and circulating in the steam generator vaporizes the secondary water. |
| US10255996B2 |
Healthcare transaction data transformation and processing
Systems and methods of using collected data to provide business intelligence functionality and/or information are disclosed. In an example, healthcare information system data (such as billing system data) may be extracted or accessed, and transaction data from multiple information systems may be aggregated. In an example, electronic operations for transformation and processing of healthcare transaction data may include receiving healthcare transaction data, creating an aggregate set of healthcare transaction data, evaluating conditions associated with the aggregate set of healthcare transaction data, generating aggregated healthcare transaction information for display, receiving a user-selected indication in response to the display, and transmitting electronic transaction requests to effect transactions resulting from the user-selected indication. |
| US10255993B2 |
Pet insurance system and method
A pet insurance system and method are provided. The pet insurance system provides rapid insurance enrollment and quick claim processing. In addition, the pet insurance system and method generates a pet health status identifier that is displayed to users of the system. |
| US10255992B2 |
Insulin management
A method of administering insulin includes receiving blood glucose measurements of a patient at a data processing device from a glucometer. The blood glucose measurements are separated by a time interval. The method also includes receiving patient information at the data processing device and selecting a subcutaneous insulin treatment from a collection of subcutaneous insulin treatments. The selection is based on the blood glucose measurements and the patient information. The selection includes one or more of a subcutaneous standard program, a subcutaneous program without meal boluses, a meal-by-meal subcutaneous program without carbohydrate counting, a meal-by-meal subcutaneous program with carbohydrate counting, and a subcutaneous program for non-diabetic patients. The method also includes executing, using the data processing device, the selected subcutaneous insulin treatment. |
| US10255991B2 |
Liquid measurement systems, apparatus, and methods optimized with temperature sensing
An apparatus for measuring liquid volume in a container includes a plurality of light sources for emitting electromagnetic radiation (EMR) toward the container, a plurality of sensors optically coupleable to the plurality of light sources, each sensor of the plurality of sensors for detecting the EMR emitted by at least a portion of the plurality of light sources, a temperature sensor for measuring at least one temperature associated with a liquid in the container, and at least one processor for receiving data representative of the portion of the detected EMR from each of the plurality of sensors, comparing the at least one measured temperature to a temperature guideline to identify any temperature events associated with the received data; normalizing the received data based on any temperature events associated with the received data; and converting the normalized data into a signature representative of the EMR detected by the plurality of sensors. |
| US10255977B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory cell electrically connected to a first bit line and a first word line, a second memory cell electrically connected to a second bit line and the first word line, and a first circuit configured to supply voltages to the first word line. During a reading operation to read a page of memory cells including the first memory cell and the second memory cell, the first circuit supplies a first voltage to the first word line while the first memory cell is selected as a read target during a first time period, and supplies a second voltage greater than the first voltage to the first word line while the second memory cell is selected as a read target during a second time period that is different from the first time period, and directly thereafter, supplies the first voltage to the first word line. |
| US10255971B2 |
Nonvolatile memory and writing method
According to one embodiment, three bits stored in one memory cell of a nonvolatile memory correspond to three pages. In first page writing, a threshold voltage becomes within a first or second region base on a bit value. In second page writing, if being within the first region, it becomes within the first or fourth region; and if being within the second region, it becomes within the second or third region. In the third page writing, if being within the first region, it becomes within the first or sixth region; if being within the second region, it becomes within the second or seventh region; if being within the third region, it becomes within the third or eighth region; and if being within the fourth region, it becomes within the fourth or fifth region. |
| US10255970B2 |
Semiconductor device
An assist driver is coupled to an end of a word line to which a word line driver is not coupled, and couples the other end of the word line to a first power source, in accordance with a voltage of the other end of the word line. |
| US10255967B1 |
Power reduction technique during write bursts
A memory device may include voltage regulation circuitry configured to supply a voltage signal between a high signal and a low signal. The memory device may include a first data line configured to provide a first charge to the voltage regulation circuitry during a first mode of operation of the memory device. The memory device may include a second data line configured to draw a second charge from the voltage regulation circuitry to control a voltage on the second data line during a second mode of operation of the memory device. |
| US10255965B2 |
Memory circuit capable of being quickly written in data
A memory circuit capable of being quickly written in data includes a plurality of banks, and each bank of the plurality of banks includes a plurality of segments. Each segment of the plurality of segments includes a plurality of bit line groups, and each bit line group of the plurality of bit line groups corresponds to a pre-charge line. When a predetermined signal is enabled, a potential is written into memory cells of the each segment corresponding to the each bit line group through the pre-charge line and the each bit line group. |
| US10255962B1 |
Microwave write-assist in orthogonal STT-MRAM
Methods and structures useful for magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) are disclosed. The MRAM device has a magnetic tunnel junction stack having a significantly improved performance of the free layer in the magnetic tunnel junction structure. The MRAM device also utilizes an external magnetic field generator, thereby allowing efficient writing of the bit without a concomitant increase in read disturb. |
| US10255955B2 |
Multi-port memory device and a method of using the same
A multi-port memory device in communication with a controller includes a memory array for storing data provided by the controller, a first port coupled to the controller via a first controller channel, a second port coupled to the controller via a second controller channel, a processor, and a processor memory local to the processor, wherein the processor memory has stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: enable data transfer through the first port and/or the second port in response to a first control signal received from the first controller channel and/or a second control signal received from second controller channel, decode at least one of the received first and second control signals to identify a data operation to perform, the identified data operation including a read or write operation from or to the memory array, and execute the identified data operation. |
| US10255954B1 |
Memory device
A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a first chip and a second chip. The first chip includes a first memory array, a first signal buffer and a plurality of first pads. The second chip includes a second memory array, a second signal buffer and a plurality of second pads. The second signal buffer is coupled to the first signal buffer by at least one connection wire, and the at least one connection wire passes through a scribe line between the first chip and the second chip. When the scribe line between the first chip and the second chip is not cut, signals are transmitted between the first signal buffer and the second signal buffer via the at least one connection wire, and the first memory array and the second memory array are commonly connected to the first pads and not connected to the second pads. |
| US10255946B1 |
Generating tags during video upload
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for allowing multiple devices to generate tags associated with video data captured by a single device. For example, a recording device may capture and upload video data and the multiple devices may generate tags identifying memorable moments. The tags may be used to generate a video summary, such as a single video summary for the captured video data that includes video data associated with tags generated by multiple devices. In addition, the tags may be associated with unique devices and may be used to generate multiple video summaries. For example, the tags may be used to generate individual video summaries for each of the multiple devices. Therefore, multiple devices may tag the captured video data to generate the single video summary and/or multiple individual video summaries. |
| US10255945B1 |
Media storage areal density
In one implementation, the disclosure provides a method comprising detecting one or more areas of a storage medium having a data pattern with a plurality of consecutive bits, where the consecutive bits have the same polarity. The method further comprises encoding additional information on a section of the one or more detected areas, where the section of the one or more detected areas has a signal to noise ratio (SNR) higher than SNR of the other areas of the storage media. |
| US10255944B2 |
Systems and methods for reading and decoding encoded data from a storage device
Systems and methods of reading data from a storage device are provided. A first codeword and a second codeword are read from a storage device, where the second codeword is positioned after the first codeword. The first and second codewords are decoded in parallel, and the decoding of the second codeword completes before the decoding of the first codeword completes. The decoded second codeword and a signal indicating whether the decoding of the second codeword is complete are transmitted to control circuitry before the decoding of the first codeword completes. |
| US10255942B2 |
Tape transport control with feedback of velocity and tension
A tape transport control system with enhanced regulation of tape tension and velocity over the entire length of the tape. For example, a closed-loop control system for controlling a tape transport includes circuitry adapted to output a signal representing a tape velocity at a tape head, circuitry adapted to output a signal representing a tape velocity at the first tape reel and a signal representing a tape velocity at the second tape reel, circuitry adapted to output a signal representing a tape tension, and circuitry adapted to, based on the received signals, generate control signals to control the tape velocity at least at one of the tape head, the first tape reel, the second tape reel, and the tension of the tape, using controller gains that depend on a longitudinal position of the tape, and to implement a system transfer function that is approximately independent of the longitudinal position. |
| US10255939B2 |
Recording medium for heat assisted magnetic recording and method of forming the same
Various aspects of this disclosure provide a recording medium for heat-assisted-magnetic-recording (HAMR). The recording medium may include a substrate. The recording medium may further include a recording layer. The recording medium may also include a thermal control layer between the recording layer and the substrate. The thermal control layer may have a thermal conductivity that increases with increasing temperature. |
| US10255938B2 |
Magnetic recording medium using ϵ-iron oxide particle magnetic powder
A magnetic recording medium of the present invention includes a non-magnetic substrate, and a magnetic layer containing a magnetic powder. The magnetic powder is constituted by an ε-iron oxide powder. The magnetic layer has a squareness in a thickness direction of 0.65 or more. In a differential curve obtained by differentiating a hysteresis curve in the thickness direction of the magnetic layer, two or more peaks are present. In a case where, out of peaks in the same direction among the above-described peaks, a local maximum of a largest peak in a magnetic field range of +500 oersted [Oe] or more is taken as P1 and a local maximum of a largest peak in a magnetic field range of −500 oersted [Oe] or more and less than +500 oersted [Oe] is taken as P2, a relationship below is satisfied: 0.25≤P2/P1≤0.60. |
| US10255936B2 |
Magnetic tape media having servo patterns
Magnetic tape media according to one embodiment includes a plurality of servo tracks having physical characteristics of being written by an apparatus that monitors a lateral position of the magnetic tape media passing over a servo writing head during a servo track writing operation and writes servo marks to the magnetic tape media. A timing of the writing of each servo mark is based on the monitored position of the magnetic tape media. Magnetic tape media according to another embodiment include a plurality of servo tracks having a plurality of consecutively-written servo marks, a distance between each consecutively-written servo mark in a tape travel direction varying in direct correlation with a distance of the respective mark, as written, from an edge of the magnetic tape media in a cross-track direction. |
| US10255934B2 |
Magnetoresistance effect element
A magnetoresistance effect element has a first ferromagnetic metal layer, a second ferromagnetic metal layer, and a tunnel barrier layer that is sandwiched between the first and second ferromagnetic metal layers, and the tunnel barrier layer has a spinel structure represented by a composition formula AGa2Ox (0 |
| US10255929B2 |
Media presentation playback annotation
Annotations can be automatically added to a media presentation during playback of the presentation without a user having to manually interact with the playback device. The playback device determines whether an annotation is to be added to the media presentation based on characteristics of voice input received at the device, such as voice input signal strength or variances in the voice input signal strength. Characteristics of video input received at the device can be used to determine whether a user is speaking to the computing device as well. The device can handle a new annotation overlapping an existing annotation by either removing the existing annotation or by shifting the existing annotation until there is no more overlap. A media presentation can comprise multiple annotation tracks. |
| US10255928B2 |
Apparatus, medium and method to encode and decode high frequency signal
A method and apparatus to encoding or decoding an audio signal is provided. In the method and apparatus, a noise-floor level to use in encoding or decoding a high frequency signal is updated according to the degree of a voiced or unvoiced sound included in the signal. |
| US10255927B2 |
Use case dependent audio processing
An audio processing scheme is described. In an example, an apparatus comprises: at least two acoustic sensors through which audio content is received; at least one other sensor; an audio processor connected to the sensors and configured to receive audio information from the acoustic sensors and other information from the other sensor. The audio processor is configured to determine a use case of the apparatus based on the audio information and the other information. The audio processor is configured to adjust at least one audio processing scheme for the apparatus based on the determined use case. In other examples, a method and a computer program product are described. |
| US10255926B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic audio alignment in a hybrid radio system
A method of processing a digital radio broadcast signal includes: (a) determining a plurality of current correlation sample values representative of a time delay between samples in an analog audio sample stream and samples in a digital audio sample stream; (b) determining a current inversion status; (c) updating a delay history and an inversion status history; (d) checking the current correlation sample values for consistency with a first confidence threshold; (e) if consistency is found in step (d), determining if each of a first plurality of values in the delay history is consistent within a predetermined range of the current correlation sample values; (f) if consistency is found in step (e), determining if a value in the inversion status history is consistent with the current inversion status; and (g) if the consistency is found in step (f), allowing blending of an output to the digital audio sample stream. |
| US10255925B2 |
Encoder and encoding method, decoder and decoding method, and program
The present technology relates to an encoder and an encoding method, a decoder and a decoding method, and a program by which encoding efficiency is able to be improved by constraining an appearance probability of a predetermined quantization value of an encoding target to 0 when encoding with a combination of Huffman encoding and multidimensional encoding is performed. |
| US10255922B1 |
Speaker identification using a text-independent model and a text-dependent model
In some implementations, a single registration utterance that includes a hotword and an introduction declaration is received. A user is registered, including training a text-dependent speaker identification model using the hotword of the single registration utterance and training a text-independent speaker identification model using the introduction declaration of the single registration utterance. An authentication utterance by the user that includes the hotword and a voice command that is different from the introduction declaration is received. The user is authenticated, including processing the hotword of the authentication utterance using the text-dependent speaker identification model and processing the voice command using the text-independent speaker identification model. Access to an access-controlled personal resource of the user is provided without requiring the user to submit any further authentication information other than the single registration utterance by the user that includes the hotword and the introduction declaration to the speech-enabled home device. |
| US10255921B2 |
Managing dialog data providers
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for managing dialogs. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request associated with a task from a user device; submitting the request to each of a plurality of distinct data providers; receiving a plurality of suggested dialog responses from two or more of the data providers; scoring the one or more suggested dialog responses based on one or more scoring factors; determining a particular dialog response to provide to the user based on the scoring; and providing the determined dialog response to the user device. |
| US10255919B2 |
Identifying speaker roles in a streaming environment
A streams controller monitors multiple data streams with speech of a conversation with multiple speakers and uses text analytics and diaritization to identify speakers by their role in the conversation. Diaritization is applied to the audio of a data stream to associate a speaker with an SSRC from the data stream and a speaker identification (ID). The streams controller then runs text analytics on a text version of the speaker's speech to determine a speaker role for the speaker. The speaker role can be used to efficiently monitor conversations in a data stream to provide additional services. For example, speaker role can be used to analyze calls in a call center and provide services such as a transcript of conversations or enhanced customer support. |
| US10255916B1 |
Methods, systems, and media for presenting interactive audio content
Methods, systems, and media for presenting interactive audio content are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving narrative content that includes action points, wherein each of the action points provides user actions and a narrative portion corresponding to each of the user actions; determining a user engagement density associated with the narrative content, wherein the user engagement density modifies the number of the action points to provide within the narrative content; causing the narrative content to be presented to a user based on the user engagement density; determining that a speech input has been received at one of the action points in the narrative content; converting the speech input to a text input; determining whether the user action associated with the text input corresponds to one of the user actions; selecting the narrative portion corresponding to the text input in response to determining that the user action corresponds to one of the user actions; converting the selected narrative portion to an audio output; and causing the narrative content with the converted audio output of the selected narrative portion to be presented to the user. |
| US10255914B2 |
Digital concierge and method
A portable communications device may include a transceiver configured to communicate with a network, a microphone configured to convert sounds into an audio signal, and a processor coupled to the microphone and the transceiver. The device may further include a memory coupled to the processor. The memory may include instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to convert an audio signal into a natural language request and initiate payment of a first account of a first domain-specific data source from funds available in a second account of a second domain-specific data source in response to the natural language request via the network. The instructions may further cause the processor to receive a confirmation of the payment from the network. |
| US10255910B2 |
Centered, left- and right-shifted deep neural networks and their combinations
Deep Neural Networks (DNN) are time shifted relative to one another and trained. The time-shifted networks may then be combined to improve recognition accuracy. The approach is based on an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system using DNN and using time shifted features. Initially, a regular ASR model is trained to produce a first trained DNN. Then a top layer (e.g., SoftMax layer) and the last hidden layer (e.g., Sigmoid) are fine-tuned with same data set but with a feature window left- and right-shifted to create respective second and third left-shifted and right-shifted DNNs. From these three DNN networks, four combination networks may be generated: left- and right-shifted, left-shifted and centered, centered and right-shifted, and left-shifted, centered, and right-shifted. The centered networks are used to perform the initial (first-pass) ASR. Then the other six networks are used to perform rescoring. The resulting are combined using ROVER (recognizer output voting error reduction) or another technique to improve recognition performance as compared to the centered DNN by itself. |
| US10255909B2 |
Statistical-analysis-based reset of recurrent neural networks for automatic speech recognition
Techniques are provided for calculating reset parameters for recurrent neural networks (RNN). A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes generating a sequence of statistics. The calculation of each statistic is based on outputs of an RNN that is periodically re-initialized at a selected RNN reset time such that each of the calculated statistics is associated with a unique RNN reset time selected from a pre-determined range of reset times. The method further includes analyzing the sequence to identify a maximum interval during which the sequence remains relatively constant. The method further includes selecting a reset time parameter and reset context duration parameter, for re-initialization of the RNN during operation. The reset time parameter is based on the duration of the identified maximum interval and the reset context duration parameter is based on a time associated with the starting point of the identified maximum interval. |
| US10255903B2 |
Method for forming the excitation signal for a glottal pulse model based parametric speech synthesis system
A system and method are presented for forming the excitation signal for a glottal pulse model based parametric speech synthesis system. The excitation signal may be formed by using a plurality of sub-band templates instead of a single one. The plurality of sub-band templates may be combined to form the excitation signal wherein the proportion in which the templates are added is dynamically based on determined energy coefficients. These coefficients vary from frame to frame and are learned, along with the spectral parameters, during feature training. The coefficients are appended to the feature vector, which comprises spectral parameters and is modeled using HMMs, and the excitation signal is determined. |
| US10255896B2 |
Sound-absorbing mask
A sound-absorbing mask is configured for covering a mouth. The sound-absorbing mask includes a covering body, a ventilation structure and a sound-absorbing portion. The covering body has a first chamber, a first and a second openings. The first chamber communicates with the first and the second openings. The first opening corresponds to the mouth. The ventilation structure is disposed at the second opening and has a second chamber, a third and a fourth openings. The second chamber communicates with the third and the fourth openings. The fourth opening is away from the first opening. The ventilation structure includes a plate disposed in the second chamber. The plate has a functioning surface facing the third opening. An edge of the plate and an inner wall of the ventilation structure have a gap in between. The sound-absorbing portion is disposed between the ventilation structure and the first opening. |
| US10255891B2 |
No miss cache structure for real-time image transformations with multiple LSR processing engines
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing improved cache structures and methods that are optimally sized to support a predetermined range of late stage adjustments and in which image data is intelligently read out of DRAM and cached in such a way as to eliminate re-fetching of input image data from DRAM and minimize DRAM bandwidth and power. The systems and methods can also be adapted to work with compressed image data and multiple LSR processing engines. |
| US10255889B2 |
Light field display control methods and apparatuses, light field display devices
Embodiments of the present application disclose various light field display control methods and apparatuses and various light field display devices, wherein a light field display control method disclosed comprises: sampling a source image according to interest level distribution information of the source image; determining a light field image corresponding to the sampled source image; adjusting display pixel density distribution of a display of a light field display device at least according to the interest level distribution information; and displaying the light field image via the adjusted light field display device. The technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application can make full use of pixels of the display of the light field display device to present differential spatial resolution of different regions of a light field display image. |
| US10255888B2 |
Merging multiple exposures to generate a high dynamic range image
A method of generating a high dynamic range (HDR) image is provided that includes capturing a long exposure image and a short exposure image of a scene, computing a merging weight for each pixel location of the long exposure image based on a pixel value of the pixel location and a saturation threshold, and computing a pixel value for each pixel location of the HDR image as a weighted sum of corresponding pixel values in the long exposure image and the short exposure image, wherein a weight applied to a pixel value of the pixel location of the short exposure image and a weight applied to a pixel value of the pixel location in the pixel long exposure image are determined based on the merging weight computed for the pixel location and responsive to motion in a scene of the long exposure image and the short exposure image. |
| US10255887B2 |
Intensity of interest evaluation device, method, and computer-readable recording medium
A computer-readable recording medium storing an intensity of interest evaluation program that causes a computer to execute a procedure is provided. The procedure includes: using a movement amount detection sensor installed to an information processing terminal to detect a value of a movement amount of an information processing terminal in a period in which content is being displayed on the information processing terminal; and evaluating a intensity of interest toward the content based on a length of a first period within the period in which the detected value of the movement amount of the information processing terminal is a predetermined value or less. |
| US10255883B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method for controlling the same, display apparatus, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus for outputting to a display unit an output image, includes a conversion unit configured to convert a gradation value of a first pixel, of an input image, the first pixel corresponding to luminance higher than a maximum value of luminance at which the display unit can display into a predetermined gradation value, to convert a gradation value of a second pixel of the input image, the second pixel corresponding to luminance less than or equal to the maximum value of the luminance at which the display unit can display, into a gradation value less than or equal to the predetermined gradation value, and to generate the output image that includes both the first pixel with converted gradation value and the second pixel with converted gradation value; and an output unit configured to output the output image to the display unit. |
| US10255882B2 |
Reducing energy consumption of a display
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and computer program product for managing power consumption of a display. An illumination area of the display may be adjusted to limit or increase a number of activated light emitting devices, and thus, adjust power consumption of the display. A device may receive an input to adjust the first illumination area to the second illumination area. In response, a device may, for example, disable a portion of the first illumination area not included in the second illumination area. In another example, a device may enable a portion of the second illumination area not included in the first illumination area. An amount of operation time and/or energy storage may be calculated, based at least in part on a resize of an illumination area of the display. |
| US10255877B2 |
Signal source detection and selection system, electronic system having the same, and method of detecting and selecting a signal source for a display apparatus
The present application discloses a signal source detection and selection system for detecting and selecting a signal source for a display apparatus having a plurality of signal input interfaces configured to receive a plurality of input signals from a plurality of signal sources. The signal source detection and selection system includes an input interface scanner, an interface selector, a signal processor, and an output terminal. The input interface scanner is configured to scan each of the plurality of signal input interfaces and determine whether at least one signal input interfaces receives input signals. The interface selector, coupled to the input interface detector, is configured to select a signal input interface as a selected signal input interface, and gate an input signal from the selected signal input interface to the signal processor. The signal processor, coupled to the input interface selector, is configured to process the input signal from the selected signal input interface to generate a processed signal. The output terminal is configured to output the processed signal. |
| US10255876B2 |
System and method for display auto-correction impedance mismatch control
A method and information handling system including a display device connector for connecting to a digital display device, a controller executing instructions of an impedance mismatch control system for determining impedance differences along an operative connection from the display device connector to the digital display device, where the controller receives a display device connector impedance measurement and a second impedance measurement from a point further along the operative connection between the display device connector and the digital display device, and the controller executes the impedance mismatch control system to determine an impedance mismatch exists from the impedance difference between the display device connector and the point further along the operative connection between the display device connector and the digital display device. |
| US10255873B2 |
Touch module and manufacturing method thereof
A touch module and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The touch module includes a substrate, at least one bridge, an active layer, at least two first touch electrodes, at least two second touch electrodes, and at least one electrode channel. The bridge is disposed on the substrate. The active layer overlays the bridge and the substrate. The first touch electrodes are embedded in the active layer and electrically touch the bridge, so that the first touch electrodes are electrically connected to each other via the bridge. The electrode channel is embedded in the active layer, and is configured to allow the second touch electrodes to be electrically connected to each other. The first touch electrodes are electrically isolated from the second touch electrodes. |
| US10255872B2 |
Source driver circuit, method of operating same, and display device for reducing power consumed by non-display area of display panel
A source driver circuit includes a receiver, a plurality of amplifying buffers, and a control logic circuit. The receiver receives a data signal and a control signal through an input terminal. Each of the amplifying buffers outputs a driving signal generated based on the image data signal through an output terminal. The control logic circuit controls the receiver and the plurality of amplifying buffers based on the control signal. When a power-down signal is provided to the receiver, the control logic circuit is to turn off at least one of the receiver and the plurality of amplifying buffers. |
| US10255871B2 |
Display device including a MUX to vary voltage levels of a switching circuit used to drive a display panel
A display device includes a display panel including a plurality of data lines, a data driver to supply a source voltage to each data line through a source line, a switching circuit to connect each data line to the source line, and a multiplexer controller to produce a control signal operating the switching circuit and vary a voltage level of the control signal depending on the source voltage. |
| US10255867B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a plurality of driving circuits, a plurality of terminals formed in each of the plurality of driving circuits, a plurality of signal lines connected to the plurality of terminals, a plurality of pixel electrodes, each of the plurality of pixel electrodes connected to each of the plurality of signal lines; and a switch configured to change a connection mode between the plurality of terminals and the plurality of signal lines. The plurality of signal lines includes a first line, a second line and a third line arrayed in this order. The plurality of terminals includes a first terminal. The switch, configured to change from a first connection mode to a second connection mode, the first terminal connecting the first line and the second line in the first connection mode, and the first terminal connecting the second line and the third line in the second connection mode. |
| US10255861B2 |
Gate driving circuit, array substrate, display panel and driving method thereof
A gate driving circuit is disclosed which includes n stages that are sequentially arranged, n being an integer larger than or equal to 4. The n stages are divided into a first, second, third and fourth sets of stages that are configured to receive respective different combinations of a first clock signal, a second clock signal, a third clock signal and a fourth clock signal. The stages in the first set of stages and the stages in the third set of stages are cascaded with each other, and the stages in the second set of stages and the stages in the fourth set of stages are cascaded with each other. Also disclosed are an array substrate including the gate driving circuit, a display panel including the array substrate, and a driving method of the display panel. |
| US10255860B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display is provided. The organic light emitting diode display includes a display panel having a plurality of pixels each including a light emitting diode, a data driver supplying a plurality of data signals to the plurality of pixels, a gate driver including a gate unit supplying a plurality of gate signals to the plurality of pixels and an emission unit supplying a plurality of emission signals to the plurality of pixels using a charge pump element to control a length of an emission period of the light emitting diode, and a timing controller supplying image data and a data control signal to the data driver and supplying a gate control signal to the gate driver. |
| US10255856B2 |
Display device and driving method of the same
In accordance with an embodiment, a display device may include a display panel including a plurality of pixels, a dimming controller for setting a first gamma correcting offset of a reference pixel among the plurality of pixels, setting a second gamma correcting offset of at least one pixel other than the reference pixel among the plurality of pixels, and generating a corrected gamma reference voltage per pixel using the first gamma correcting offset and the second gamma correcting offset and a data driver applying the corrected gamma reference voltage to each pixel of the display panel. According to an embodiment, there may be provided a display device capable of eliminating color shift by setting an offset for a gamma reference voltage per pixel and a driving method of the same. |
| US10255853B2 |
Organic light-emitting display apparatus
An organic light-emitting display apparatus including an organic light-emitting diode emitting visible light, a driving thin film transistor driving the organic light-emitting diode, and a compensation thin film transistor. The compensation thin film transistor includes a compensation gate electrode, a compensation semiconductor layer, a compensation source electrode, and a compensation drain electrode. The compensation gate electrode includes a first gate electrode, and a second gate electrode electrically connected to the first gate electrode. The compensation drain electrode is electrically connected to the driving gate electrode of the driving thin film transistor. The compensation semiconductor layer includes a first semiconductor region overlapping the first gate electrode and a second semiconductor region overlapping the second gate electrode and disposed further from the compensation drain electrode than the first semiconductor region, and an area of the first semiconductor region is different than an area of the second semiconductor region. |
| US10255852B2 |
Comparator unit, display, and method of driving display
A comparator unit includes: a comparison section configured to compare a control pulse with an electric potential based on a signal voltage; and a control section configured to control, based on the control pulse, operation and non-operation of the comparison section. |
| US10255850B2 |
Pixel with current diffusion, method of driving the pixel, and organic light emitting display device including the pixel
A pixel includes: a first transistor connected between a data line and a first node; a second transistor connected between a first power source and a second node, the second transistor including a gate electrode connected to the first node; a third transistor connected between the first power source and the second transistor; a capacitor connected between the first node and the second node; an organic light emitting diode (OLED) connected between the second node and a second power source; and a fourth transistor including a second electrode connected to a cathode of the OLED. |
| US10255845B2 |
Gate driver and a display apparatus including the same
An N-th stage of a gate driver includes a first control circuit, a gate signal generating circuit, a carry signal generating circuit, a second control circuit, a third control circuit, and a holding circuit. The first control circuit controls a first signal in response to a first input signal. The gate signal generating circuit generates a gate signal in response to a clock signal and the first signal. The carry signal generating circuit generates a carry signal in response to the clock signal and the first signal. The second control circuit controls the first signal in response to a second input signal. The third control circuit generates a hold control signal in response to a third input signal having a frequency lower than the clock signal's. The holding circuit maintains levels of the first signal, the gate signal, and the carry signal in response to the hold control signal. |
| US10255844B2 |
Head mounted display device and method of driving the same
A head mounted display device includes a display panel including a first display region and a second display region which is arranged at a first angle with respect to the first display region; a reflective panel arranged at a second angle with respect to the second display region, to output a first transmitted light by transmitting a first light which is output from the first display region, and to output a second reflected light by reflecting a second light output from the second display region; and a lens to collect the first transmitted light and the second reflected light. |
| US10255843B2 |
Scan driving circuit and flat display device thereof
The disclosure discloses a flat panel display device and a scan driving circuit thereof. The scan driving circuit includes a plurality of first scan drivers and a plurality of second scan drivers that are cascaded, the plurality of first scan drivers and the plurality of second scan drivers receive a clock signal alternately. The plurality of first scan drivers and the plurality of second scan drivers perform cascaded transmission according to the clock signal. The disclosure performs cascaded transmission by interposing a clock signal, which can reduce the amount of input signals and simplify the array process. |
| US10255834B2 |
Parallel redundant chiplet system for controlling display pixels
A parallel redundant integrated-circuit system includes an input connection, an output connection and first and second active circuits. The first active circuit includes one or more first integrated circuits and has an input connected to the input connection and an output connected to the output connection. The second active circuit includes one or more second integrated circuits and is redundant to the first active circuit, has an input connected to the input connection, and has an output connected to the output connection. The second integrated circuits are separate and distinct from the first integrated circuits. |
| US10255831B1 |
Light tile assembly and kit
A low-profile light tile assembly that employs a self-adhesive, removable/exchangeable photograph or artwork overlay. The light tile provides frameless edge-to-edge illumination that may be illuminated by a single LED light strip. The light tile may hang on a wall, or used as a countertop display. When mounted on a wall, the assembly uses a male/female magnet-based mating system that offers dial-in leveling. The light tile image also looks vibrant and beautiful when the light tile is not illuminated. The light tile may be programmed or turned on or off via a wireless remote control. An ultra-thin rechargeable battery maintains the tiles low-profile. When used as a countertop display, the light tile may use a USB cord to plug into a wall socket. The light tile assembly may come in a kit that includes a folding countertop display stand, a battery charging station, and an optional front-surface-mounting picture frame. |
| US10255830B2 |
Tamper evident tag and method
A tamper evident tag and a method of preventing the fraudulent return of an article back to a seller are provided. The tag includes inner and outer layers. A first end of a tag fastener is inserted through the article and through an aperture formed in the inner and outer layers of the tag. A unique code is printed on the tag. A portion of the inner layer of the tag is removed to expose an adhesive. The exposed adhesive is bought into contact with the inner layer of the tag to capture the first end of the tag fastener between the outer layer and the tuner layer. The unique code is associated with the article for future reference. |
| US10255823B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating personalized exercise program
A method to generate a personalized exercise program includes: receiving, at a processor, user information of a user generating, using the processor, personalized metabolic equivalent of task (MET) information based on the user information; calculating, using the processor, a target exercise amount based on a cumulative activity amount in a daily life of the user; and generating, using the processor, a personalized exercise program based on the personalized MET information and the target exercise amount. |
| US10255816B2 |
Transport vehicle configuration for impaired riders
A system can accommodate riders of a transportation arrangement service that have certain physical impairments, such as visual, hearing, or movement impairments. In certain aspects, a transportation facilitation system can create rider profiles that specify a particular impairment, and vehicle profiles indicating accommodation features. The transport facilitation system can receive a pick-up request, utilize the rider profile and vehicle profiles of vehicle proximate to a pick-up location, select a vehicle to service the pick-up request, and generate a configuration set to configure the selected vehicle to accommodate the impaired user. |
| US10255815B2 |
Method and control unit for monitoring the lane of a vehicle
A method and a control unit for monitoring the lane of a vehicle, including the steps of ascertaining at least one lane characteristic, ascertaining at least one driving situation variable representing the instantaneous driving situation of the vehicle in an instantaneous position, as well as ascertaining at least one approach variable in a subsequent position of the vehicle. The approach variable is ascertained from the at least one lane characteristic, as well as from the at least one driving situation variable. |
| US10255812B2 |
Method and apparatus for preventing collision between objects
Disclosed are collision preventing apparatuses and methods for a vehicle. The collision preventing apparatus estimate whether objects located in a vicinity of the vehicle may collide with each other based on data collected from a sensor in the vehicle, determine a trajectory of each of the objects, verify whether the estimated trajectories intersect, determine that the objects may collide with each other in response to the estimated trajectories overlapping, inform each of the objects of a collision risk when the objects may collide with each other, and differently perform an operation of informing the objects of the collision risk based on a collision level of each of the objects. |
| US10255810B2 |
Method and system for a motor vehicle
A method to operate a motor vehicle is provided. The method comprises capturing an image of the road ahead of the vehicle; determining a limit point on a first side of a lane of the road in which the vehicle is travelling, at which the first side appears to substantially converge with a second side of the lane within the image; determining a limit line extending across the road from the limit point in a direction perpendicular to the first and/or second sides of the lane; determining a limit distance between the vehicle and the limit line; determining a stopping distance of the vehicle according to the current speed of the vehicle; and alerting a driver of the vehicle if the stopping distance is greater than the limit distance. A safety system for a vehicle is also provided. |
| US10255808B2 |
Determining a parking position based on visual and non-visual factors
A computer-implemented method includes: receiving, by a computing device, images of adjacent vehicles parked directly adjacent to an open parking space; determining, by the computing device, visual factors and non-visual factors of the adjacent vehicles based on the images; determining, by the computing device, risk scores for each of the adjacent vehicles based on the visual factor and the non-visual factors; determining, by the computing device, a parking position within the open parking space based on the risk scores; and outputting, by the computing device, information regarding the parking position. |
| US10255806B2 |
Information-processing system, terminal device, portable terminal device, and non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage medium
An information processing system includes: an information acquisition unit that acquires traveling area information of the vehicle; an entry determination unit that determines whether the vehicle has entered a specific range; an area information storage unit that stores the traveling area information when the vehicle has entered the specific range; a reception unit that receives a stop signal including information on a stop position of a different vehicle different from the vehicle when the different vehicle stops traveling or is in a state difficult to continue normally traveling; a relation determination unit that determines a positional relationship between the different vehicle and the vehicle, based on the information on the stop position and the traveling area information; and a processing execution unit that executes a predetermined process in accordance with a determination result. |
| US10255803B2 |
Vehicle image data transmission device
A vehicle image data transmission device that transmits image data obtained by capturing an image of a vehicle exterior to a management center managing travel information of vehicles includes an on-vehicle communication device and a communication controller. The communication controller is configured to transmit image data of the vehicle exterior recorded in a record device to the on-vehicle communication device through the internal network when a communication load of the internal network is less than a first predetermined value. The on-vehicle communication device includes a memory storing image data received from the communication controller and is configured to transmit image data stored in the memory to the management center through a vehicle external network when a communication load of the external network is less than a second predetermined value. |
| US10255802B2 |
Server-based system for primary bounding area transport protocol experts group frames
A traffic information system includes a server-based media automation system configured to access a traffic system to provide mobile user access to traffic through the server-based media automation system. The system further includes a traffic data source configured to provide traffic data to the server-based media automation system and a traffic message server receiving traffic messages from the traffic data source, combining the traffic messages into a traffic frame using bounding area information. The system further includes a station importer receiving the traffic frame and creating separate streams for a plurality of high definition channels packaged and multiplexed with media data into high definition radio signals for transmission by a broadcast system and wherein the traffic frame include traffic message with a primary bounding area and at least one sub-bounding area located within the primary bounding area based on road classifications. |
| US10255801B2 |
Portable electronic device with dual, diagonal proximity sensors and mode switching functionality
An electronic device includes a housing and one or more processors. At least one proximity sensor component is operable with the one or more processors and can include an infrared signal receiver to receive an infrared emission from an object external to the housing. The one or more processors can operate the at least one proximity sensor component at a first sensitivity until the infrared signal receiver receives the infrared emission from the object, and then operate the at least one proximity sensor component at a second sensitivity after the infrared signal receiver receives the infrared emission from the object. A motion detector can be actuated when the infrared signal receiver receives the infrared emission from the object at the first distance. |
| US10255798B2 |
Drowning alarm system and drowning alarm method
A drowning alarm system and a drowning alarm method. The drowning alarm system includes a submerging detection device, a position detection device and a signal transmitting device. The submerging detection device configured to detect whether or not the submerging detection device is submerged, and generate a submerging alarm instruction when the submerging detection device is submerged. The position detection device configured to determine whether or not the submerging detection device is within a preset range, and generate a distance information instruction when the submerging detection device is within the preset range. The signal transmitting device configured to transmit a first alarm signal when the submerging detection device generates the submerging alarm instruction and the position detection device generates the distance information instruction. The drowning alarming system with false alarm prevention function is realized. |
| US10255790B2 |
User reminding method and apparatus, and terminal device
A user reminding method and apparatus, and a mobile terminal includes, obtaining, by a terminal device, a physical status of a user and a first blood pressure value of the user when a time difference between a current time and a preset reminding time is less than a first threshold; determining a first safety level based on the physical status and the first blood pressure value; and sending a first reminding signal in a manner corresponding to the first safety level. |
| US10255787B1 |
Magnetic sensor batteries
A monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property is described. The monitoring system includes a sensor that includes a battery and that is configured to generate sensor data based on activity in a portion of the property that is within a field of view of the sensor. The monitoring system further includes a monitor control unit that is configured to: after replacement of a battery of the sensor, receive and analyze the sensor data, based on analyzing the sensor data, determine a status of the portion of the property without recalibrating the field of view of the sensor, and provide, for output, a notification that includes data describing the status of the portion of the property. |
| US10255780B1 |
System and method for detecting and mapping progression of a fire event
A system and method for mapping progression of a fire event within a structure distributing fire event detectors throughout the structure, detecting an ambient air condition indicative of a fire event using the fire event detectors, sounding an alarm in a respective fire event detector if an ambient air condition proximate a respective fire event detector detects a fire event, determining a geographical position of each of the plurality of fire event detectors associated with the structure, determining a clock time indicative of a respective fire sensor detecting a fire event, an emergency response module remote from the plurality of fire event detectors receiving a notification from a respective fire event detector that an ambient air condition indicative of a fire event condition has been detected at a specific time and specific position, and mapping to a display the specific time and the specific detector and position of the notification. |
| US10255777B1 |
Systems and methods for dynamic field reduction based on a measured distance between a tag and a tag deactivator
Systems and methods for deactivating an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) security tag coupled to an item. The methods comprise: detecting a presence of the EAS security tag in proximity to a tag deactivator; determining a distance between the item and at least one deactivation coil of the tag deactivator, in response to a detection of the EAS security tag; dynamically adjusting a deactivation field strength setting of the tag deactivator based on the distance that was previously determined; and using the at least one deactivation coil to generate a deactivation field in accordance with the deactivation field strength setting which was previously dynamically adjusted. |
| US10255776B2 |
Dome camera mechanism
A dome camera mechanism for an improved gimbal pan assembly which allows rotation of an optical module of the dome camera over 360 degrees in a pan direction using a track and a guide. |
| US10255772B2 |
Tactile information supply module
Provided is a tactile information supply module. The tactile information supply module includes a receiver for receiving message information from the outside, a controller for converting the message information into a tactile signal, and an operator for providing tactile information to a user based on the tactile signal, wherein the operator includes at least one tactile sensation provider comprising magnetic particles and a matrix material, and wherein the tactile sensation provider is transformed in response to an external magnetic field to provide the tactile information. |
| US10255771B2 |
Apparatus and methods for haptic covert communication
Embodiments described herein relate generally to providing information through tactility. A computer system may receive an input from a user. The computer system may identify one or more locations associated with haptic elements disposed on a wearable haptic apparatus. The computer system may generate a message that includes an indication of the one or more locations. The computer system may transmit this message to the wearable haptic apparatus. The wearable haptic apparatus may actuate one or more haptic elements disposed thereon based on the indication of the one or more locations included in the message. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US10255770B2 |
System and method for nutrient leakage detection
System and method for detecting a leakage of a nutrient from soil is provided. The nutrient is applied by a nutrient applicator associated with a work vehicle. The method includes receiving, by one or more processors, sensor signals from at least one sensor coupled to a nutrient applicator that observes a temperature of the soil and generates sensor signals based on the observation. The method includes determining, by the one or more processors, whether the observed temperature of the soil exceeds a pre-defined threshold temperature. The method includes generating, by the one or more processors, one or more notifications to a human-machine interface that the nutrient has leaked from the soil based on the observed temperature exceeding the pre-defined threshold temperature. |
| US10255769B2 |
Electronic badge as a talking marker
A process uses electronic badges to convey a condition associated with an environment to an industrial vehicle. The process comprises identifying a condition in a limited, defined environment and associating the identified condition with a badge ID. The process also comprises programming an electronic badge based upon the identified condition and positioning the electronic badge within a work area of industrial vehicles. Still further, the process comprises receiving, by a processor on an industrial vehicle, information from the electronic badge including at least one of the associated badge ID and the identified condition. The information is received via a badge communicator that communicates with electronic badges that are within a predetermined range of the industrial vehicle via a first wireless communication link. The process also determines the condition from the information from the electronic badge, and controls the industrial vehicle to take a predetermined action based upon the determined condition. |
| US10255765B2 |
Gaming aspects relating to multiplayer/tournament hybrid arcade/wager-based games
Various aspects described for implementing tournament hybrid arcade/wager-based gaming techniques via computer networks, including one or more casino gaming networks. The tournament hybrid arcade/wager-based game may include a non-wager based gaming portion and a wager-based gaming portion. One or more players are able to concurrently engage in continuous game play of the non-wager based gaming portion during execution of wager-based gaming events which are automatically triggered based on events which occur during play of the non-wager based gaming portion. Payouts for a given wager-based game event outcome may include both monetary payouts and/or non-monetary payouts. |
| US10255760B2 |
Gaming machine, method of controlling gaming machine, and computer-readable recording medium
A gaming machine, a method of controlling a gaming machine, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program wherein a first game and a second game are related to each other are provided. In a gaming machine, a first area and a second area sharing virtual reel strips are displayed, only the first area is set as a determination area in a first game, and both the first area and the second area are set as determination areas in a second game. Therefore, the first game and the second game can be provided in a form such that they are related. |
| US10255757B2 |
Submission of pre-authorized tax-related documents relating to game payouts
Methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for submitting a tax submission on behalf of a player of a game. Based on the location of the gaming device, determine at least one jurisdiction that governs the player's taxable winnings. The player fill out an electronic tax form for each jurisdiction and submits an electronic authorization. Transmitting, in response to the tax liability, a tax submission to a remote device, in which the tax submission comprises at least the electronic tax form and the electronic authorization. |
| US10255756B1 |
Delayed, game-triggered online game platform registration
This disclosure relates to enabling a user to access a game hosted on a game platform without registering a platform account. In implementations, a game provider may set a game trigger based on an instance of a game. In response to a determination that the game trigger is met, instructions effectuating presentation of a platform registration request to a user may be transmitted to a platform provider. |
| US10255755B2 |
Apparatus and method for facilitating gaming activity and/or gambling activity
A method, including: detecting, with a computer, a posting of information regarding a gaming activity, gambling activity, or sporting event; generating a notification message regarding the same; initiating a communication link with, and transmitting the notification message to, a first communication device as an electronic transmission, or transmitting the notification message as an electronic mail message; receiving a bet message transmitted from the first communication device or a second communication device, wherein the first communication device or the second communication device comprises a global positioning device which determines a position or location of the first communication device or second communication device, wherein the bet message contains information regarding a bet to be placed regarding the activity or event, and information regarding the position or location of the first communication device or second communication device; and determining whether the bet is allowed or disallowed using the position or location information. |
| US10255754B2 |
Methods and systems for interactive image sharing
A method for interactive image sharing includes receiving, by an image sharing application executing on a first computing device, from a second computing device, a plurality of puzzle piece images and an image associated with the plurality of puzzle piece images. The method includes generating, by a puzzle generator executing on the first computing device, a puzzle assembly interface. The method includes confirming, by the puzzle generator, assembly of the plurality of puzzle piece images by a user of the first computing device. The method includes displaying, by the puzzle generator, the image associated with the plurality of puzzle piece images upon confirmation of assembly. |
| US10255752B2 |
Game machine having a plurality of ways for a user to obtain payouts based on the appearance of any and all symbols within an active symbol matrix (WYSIWYG)
A wagering game of chance comprising: an input device configured to accept an item associated with a monetary value, the monetary value establishing a credit balance, the credit balance being increasable and decreasable based at least on wagering activity; a memory device having computer-executable instructions stored thereon; and a processor, which upon executing the computer-executable instructions, is configured to: accept a wager, the wager amount decreasing the credit balance; use a random number generator to select and display a portion of each of a plurality of reels on a display device, the plurality of reels comprising symbols thereon including one or more number symbols; determine if a number symbol is displayed on any one of the portions of the plurality of reels on the display device; in response to at least one number symbol being displayed on any displayed portions of the plurality of reels, issue the sum of all number symbols displayed on the display device as a monetary payout without regard to the alignment of the number symbols on the reels and without regard to a pay table; and detect a command from a cashout input to cause the initiation of a the payout, via the cashout device. |
| US10255750B2 |
Front-mounted display
Examples disclosed herein relate to a front-mounted display utilized to enhance the installation of a display on an electronic gaming device. The systems and methods may allow for easier installation of a display on the electronic gaming device via a front-mounted display. One or more electrical interconnection points may be electrically connected with one or more electrical attachment points to form one or more electrical connects between the electronic gaming device and one or more displays. |
| US10255748B2 |
Database and server for automatic wagering
A system and method include a database configured to store results of wagers on at least one prior game for a plurality of players, a first server, a second server, and an application executable by a user computing device processor. The first server queries the database to receive the results of the wagers and to determine a ranked list of leaders based at least in part on the results of the wagers. The application presents the ranked list of leaders to a user, enables the user to select one of the leaders, and transmits data representative of the selected leader to the first server. The second server receives the selected leader from the first server and automatically links the user with the selected leader such that when the leader places a wager, the second server automatically places the same wager on behalf of the user. |
| US10255741B2 |
Chip sorting devices and related assemblies, components and methods
Chip sorting devices may include at least one chip collection tube having at least one adjustable wall that at least partially defines an inner diameter of the at least one chip collection tube. The at least one adjustable wall may be at least partially rotatable to define different inner diameters. Chip sorting devices may include a chip hopper having a relief mechanism for clearing chips that become jammed between a chip chamber and a base plate of the chip hopper. Methods of sorting chips may include actuating the relief mechanism to increase a space between a top plate of the relief mechanism and the chip chamber. Methods of setting up a chip sorting device may include adjusting an inner lateral dimension of the at least one chip collection tube. |
| US10255737B1 |
Systems and methods for controlling door locking mechanisms to facilitate package delivery or pickup
A system for facilitating package delivery or pickup at premises of senders or recipients has a package door that is used for receipt and collection of packages. The package door includes an input device for entering package information and an image capture device for visually recording the arrival of a courier. Based on the package information entered via the input device, the system determines whether the package information matches a predetermined value, such as a package tracking number. The system may automatically unlock the package door if the package information matches such predetermined value. In other embodiments, a user may remotely monitor the package information and/or information from the image capture device to determine whether to provide inputs for unlocking the package door. The system logs the package information received from the input device and the image capture device. |
| US10255736B2 |
System and method to access/restrict a security system for temporary users using a mobile application
An apparatus that includes a mobile wireless device of an authorized person receiving an identifier of another person who is to be granted temporary access into a secured geographic area of the authorized person by a security system of the authorized person, a processor of the mobile device or the security system generating a temporary access code with specific features that is to be used by the other person for gaining entry into the secured area and the mobile device of the authorized person transferring the temporary password to a mobile wireless device of the other person. |
| US10255731B2 |
Display apparatus and display method
The present invention provides a display apparatus including a storage unit that stores information on electronic tickets; a reading unit that reads the information on electronic tickets stored in the storage unit; a determining unit that determines whether the electronic tickets are in use based on usage information of the electronic tickets included in the information on electronic tickets read by the reading unit; a display order determining unit that determines display order on a screen display of the electronic tickets based on results of the determination made by the determining unit; and a display screen generating unit that generates a display screen showing the electronic tickets according to the display order on the screen display determined by the display order determining unit. |
| US10255730B2 |
Chroma key content management systems and methods
A system of properly displaying chroma key content is presented. The system obtains a digital representation of a 3D environment, for example a digital photo, and gathers data from that digital representation. The system renders the digital representation in an environmental model and displays that digital representation upon an output device. Depending upon the context, content anchors of the environmental model are selected which will be altered by suitable chroma key content. The chroma key content takes into consideration the position and orientation of the chroma key content relative to the content anchor and relative to the point of view that the environmental model is displayed from in order to accurately display chroma key content in a realistic manner. |
| US10255728B1 |
Planet-scale positioning of augmented reality content
Cell-based augmented reality (AR) content positioning systems may include a reference grid of cells, each of which includes a 32-bit intracellular coordinate system based on a respective reference point of the cell. Cell topology is selected such that the intracellular coordinate systems may utilize single-precision floating point numbers while retaining the ability to define content positions with, e.g., millimeter-level precision. Accordingly, rendering of AR content may be performed at a high precision using 32-bit devices and methods. |
| US10255726B2 |
Systems and methods for augmented reality representations of networks
Augmented reality systems and methods are disclosed which provide for representing imperceptible aspects of telecommunications networks as visual, auditory, tactile, or audiovisual stimuli. In some embodiments, the representation is a type of augmented reality from the perspective of a user on the ground, such as a technician deployed in the field. |
| US10255722B2 |
Method for generating camerawork information, apparatus for generating camerawork information, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A method for generating camerawork information includes extracting, from design information of an architectural structure, a plurality of pieces of space information showing a plurality of spaces related to the architectural structure, specifying a reference line that passes through two connected spaces included in a space shown by a plurality of pieces of extracted space information and is used as a reference when a video image is configured, and generating camerawork information showing time-series information concerning at least one of an image-capturing position, an image-capturing direction, and an image-capturing movement direction in the two spaces on the basis of the specified reference line and the space information corresponding to each of the two spaces for which the reference line is specified. |
| US10255721B2 |
Multicamera device tracking
The present invention relates to tracking an interventional device. In order to provide a facilitated and simplified real-time tracking of an interventional device, a medical imaging system (10) for tracking an interventional device is provided, that comprises an interface unit (12), and a processing unit (14). The interface unit is configured to provide first image data (18) of a first part of an interventional device, which first part is arranged outside an object. The first image data comprises 3D image data. The interface unit is configured to provide second image data (20) of a second part of the interventional device, which second part is a continuation of the first part, and which second part is arranged inside the object. The second image data comprises 2D image data. The processing unit is configured to compute a first 3D model portion of the interventional device based on the first image data, and to compute a second 3D model portion of the interventional device based on the second image data and the first model portion. The interface unit is configured to provide data of a graphical representation (22) of the interventional device based on the first and second 3D model portions. |
| US10255718B2 |
Graphics processing
A graphics processing pipeline includes position shading circuitry, a tiler, varying-only vertex shading circuitry and fragment (frontend) shading circuitry. The tiler reads a list of indices defining a set of vertices to be processed by the graphics processing pipeline and determines whether or not vertex shading is required for the positional attributes of the vertices. If vertex shading is required, the tiler sends a position shading request for the vertices to the position shading circuitry. The tiler uses the vertex shaded position data to identify primitives that should be processed further to generate the render output and that accordingly should be subjected to a second, varying shading, vertex shading operation. When the tiler determines that a vertex (or group of vertices) should be subjected to the second, varying shading, vertex shading operation, the tiler sends a varying shading request for the vertex (or vertices) to the varying shading circuitry. |
| US10255717B2 |
Geometry shadow maps with per-fragment atomics
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to techniques for improving the efficiency of shadow mapping by using highly optimized hardware-accelerated rasterizers. Embodiments of the present invention use a shader (such as a fragment or compute shader) to construct advanced shadow maps which store a list of polygons that intersect each pixel, and synchronizing read/write operations (e.g., with atomics) to ensure consistency of the texture accesses when managing the per-texel triangle lists during creation. By using these hardware-accelerated and optimized techniques, high quality hard shadows can be produced during real-time rendering, as performed in graphics processing engines, for example. Moreover, this technique can be synchronized with other pre-fragment features that are becoming increasingly prevalent and efficient in the latest processing architectures. |
| US10255715B2 |
Field of view (FOV) throttling of virtual reality (VR) content in a head mounted display
A method for reducing discomfort when viewing virtual reality (VR) content for use in head mounted displays (HMDs). The method includes accessing a model that identifies a plurality of learned patterns associated with the generation of corresponding baseline VR content that is likely to cause discomfort. The method includes processing a first application to generate data associated with simulated user interactions with first VR content of the first application. The method includes comparing the data to the model to identify a pattern in the data matching at least one of the learned patterns, such that the identified pattern is likely to cause discomfort. The method includes identifying a zone in the first application corresponding to identified pattern. The method includes applying a discomfort reduction filter effect within the zone for purposes of reducing potential discomfort in a user. |
| US10255702B2 |
Dynamic progressive awareness
Behavior of an industrial system is communicated to an operator through graphical representations of gauges having a scale and pointer that represent parameters of the system. The pointer is positioned relative to the scale to indicate the parameter value. In various embodiments, when the parameter value is within operating limits, a first range is displayed that corresponds to the operating limits. When the parameter value has gone outside of the operating limits, the displayed range is changed, in some embodiments, to a second range that goes beyond the operating limits. A local visual indicator is also displayed, in particular embodiments, when the parameter value has gone outside of the operating limits. In a number of embodiments, such a tool can help to make the operator better aware of abnormal parameters of the system for early detection and correction of problematic operating conditions. |
| US10255697B2 |
Method for generation of synthetic mammograms from tomosynthesis data
A method and related apparatus (VS) for synthesizing a projection image (S), in particular for use in mammography. It is proposed to compute a weight function from one image volume (V1) and is then used to implement a weighted forward projection through another image volume block to compute a synthesized projection image (S) across block (V2). |
| US10255695B2 |
Calculating a four dimensional DSA dataset with variable spatial resolution
A method calculates a four-dimensional DSA dataset from x-ray datasets. Each of the x-ray datasets contains a two-dimensional x-ray projection of an examination volume in relation to a direction of projection and a recording time. A first three-dimensional DSA dataset of a first reconstruction volume is determined based on the x-ray datasets. The first reconstruction volume is a part of the examination volume. A second three-dimensional DSA dataset of a second reconstruction volume is determined based on the x-ray datasets. The second reconstruction volume is a part of the first reconstruction volume. The second three-dimensional DSA dataset is segmented. The x-ray datasets are normalized based on the first three-dimensional DSA dataset. A four-dimensional DSA dataset is calculated by back projection of the normalized x-ray datasets onto the segmented second three-dimensional DSA dataset. The four-dimensional DSA dataset contains a number of third three-dimensional DSA datasets and associated time information. |
| US10255691B2 |
Method and system of detecting and recognizing a vehicle logo based on selective search
The invention discloses a method and a system of detecting and recognizing a vehicle logo based on Selective Search, the method comprising: positioning a vehicle plate on an original image of a vehicle to obtain a vehicle plate position; coarsely positioning a vehicle logo on the original image to obtain a coarse positioning image of the vehicle logo; selecting vehicle logo candidate areas in the coarse positioning image; performing target positioning in the vehicle logo candidate areas with the Selective Search to obtain a set of target regions; training a vehicle logo location classifier with Spatial Pyramid Matching based on Sparse Coding (ScSPM) to determine the vehicle logo from the set of target regions to obtain a vehicle logo position; and training a multi-class vehicle logo recognition classifier with the ScSPM to conduct a specific type-recognition for the vehicle logo to obtain a vehicle logo recognition result. |
| US10255690B2 |
System and method to modify display of augmented reality content
A system and head-mounted device modify display of augmented reality content during an interaction between a person and a user of a mixed reality system. The method comprises detecting an interaction between a person and a user of a mixed reality system, the mixed reality system displaying the augmented reality content to the user, the interaction being detectable by the mixed reality system when a gaze interaction of the person is detected as directed towards the user and accordingly a sensor of the mixed reality system; determining an urgency of the interaction according to further interaction between the person and the user; determining that an element of the display of the augmented reality content is obscuring the interaction; selecting a transition effect for modifying display of the element from a plurality of transition effects according to the determined urgency of the interaction, and modifying the display of the element according to the selected transition effect. |
| US10255689B2 |
Electronic device for selecting image processing technique based on shape and operating method thereof
An electronic device and an operating method thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a camera module, a memory module, and a processor operatively coupled with the camera module and the memory module. The processor acquires an image through the camera module, extracts distance information based on the acquired image, determines an image processing technique for an object based on the extracted distance information, applies the determined image processing technique to the acquired image to generate a new image, and displays the new image. |
| US10255681B2 |
Image matting using deep learning
Methods and systems are provided for generating mattes for input images. A neural network system can be trained where the training includes training a first neural network that generates mattes for input images where the input images are synthetic composite images. Such a neural network system can further be trained where the training includes training a second neural network that generates refined mattes from the mattes produced by the first neural network. Such a trained neural network system can be used to input an image and trimap pair for which the trained system will output a matte. Such a matte can be used to extract an object from the input image. Upon extracting the object, a user can manipulate the object, for example, to composite the object onto a new background. |
| US10255679B2 |
Visualization and quantification of lung disease utilizing image registration
Methods and systems for assessing lung function using volumetric images obtained at inspiration and expiration. The method may include processing the first and second set of images to identify known anatomical structures of the lungs, registering the first set of images to the second set of images to match voxels of the first set of images to voxels of the second set of images as matched pairs of inspiratory and expiratory voxels, calculating a continuous probability of a lung characteristic at a location of the matched pairs of voxels, and displaying the result on a display. The method may also include classifying lung tissue at each location as normal, having air trapping without emphysema, or being emphysematous. |
| US10255677B2 |
Method and system for determining physiological status of users based on marker-less motion capture and generating appropriate remediation plans
Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing image-based physiological status determination of users, and, in particular embodiments, for implementing physiological status determination of users based on marker-less motion-capture and generating appropriate remediation plans. In various embodiments, one or more cameras may be used to capture views of a user (e.g., an athlete, a person trying to live a healthy life, or the like) as the user is performing one or more set of motions, and the captured images may be overlaid with a skeletal framework that is compared with similar skeletal framework overlaid images for the same one or more sets of motions. The system can automatically determine a physical condition of the user or a probability that the user will suffer a physical condition based at least in part on an analysis of the comparison, which may be difficult or impossible to observe with the naked human eye. |
| US10255676B2 |
Methods and systems for simulating the effects of vision defects
A method for providing a simulation of a vision defect is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a first image of a scene and a second image of the scene, the first image corresponding to a first viewpoint of the scene and the second image corresponding to a second viewpoint of the scene; applying one or more first distortions to only a selected one of the first and second images; generating a stereoscopic image by merging the distorted one of the first and second images and an undistorted one of the first and second images; and displaying the stereoscopic image on a display. |
| US10255671B1 |
System and method for capture of high resolution/high magnification images
Methods and systems for efficient inspection that provide a record and enable remote inspection. The system of these teachings includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, a first aiming subsystem optically operatively disposed to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the source of electromagnetic radiation, the first aiming subsystem optically aiming the electromagnetic radiation onto a surface on which an object is disposed, an image acquisition component, a second aiming subsystem optically operatively disposed such that the second aiming subsystem aims an optical field of the image acquisition component to locations on the surface on which the object is disposed, and a computing component configured to establish the object, the first aiming subsystem and the second aiming subsystem in a common coordinate system, wherein the optical field of the image acquisition is aimed at regions illuminated by the electromagnetic radiation. |
| US10255669B2 |
Defect measuring device for wafers
Provided is a device for measuring wafer defects, which prevents damage of a wafer and also measures defects at upper, lower and side surfaces of the wafer simultaneously.The device for measuring wafer defects includes a lower blower configured to inject air to a lower surface of a wafer to float the wafer; an upper blower provided to be moved up and down with respect to the lower blower and configured to inject the air to an upper surface of the wafer to fix the wafer; an upper contamination measuring part provided at an upper side of the upper blower and configured to detect contamination on the upper surface of the wafer; a lower contamination measuring part provided at a lower side of the lower blower and configured to detect contamination on the lower surface of the wafer; and a side contamination measuring part provided between the upper and lower blowers and configured to detect contamination on a side surface of the wafer. |
| US10255668B2 |
Enhancement of a profile photo system
Embodiments can provide a computer implemented method in a data processing system comprising a processor and a memory, the memory comprising instructions that are executed by the processor to cause the processor to implement a system for providing profile photo enhancement, the method comprising receiving, from an online platform, one or more specifications for image acceptance criteria; receiving, through an uploading user, a plurality of images; receiving, through a requesting user, a request to view an image; selecting a particular specification for image acceptance criteria; for each image in the plurality of images: examining, through an image processing toolbox, the image to determine if the image acceptance criteria are met; if all acceptance criteria are met, providing the image to the requesting user; if one or more acceptance criteria are not met, taking one or more actions to process the image, reexamining, through the image processing toolbox, the processed image to determine if the image acceptance criteria are met; if all acceptance criteria are met, providing the processed image to the requesting user; and if one or more of the image acceptance criteria are not met, disregarding the processed image for the particular specification for image acceptance criteria. |
| US10255665B2 |
Image processing device and method, image capturing device, program, and record medium
When distortion correction is performed by dividing a distortion correction target region (Atc), a distortion-corrected division region image (D3) is generated by performing the distortion correction on each division region of the distortion correction target region and a distortion-corrected image (D4) is generated by combining a plurality of distortion-corrected division region images (D3). Regarding each pixel of the distortion-corrected image (D4), a gain (Gp) is determined according to scaling ratios (MR) of a division region including the pixel and one or more division regions around the division region, high-frequency components (D6) of the pixel are multiplied by the gain (Gp), and the product is added to a pixel value of the pixel of the distortion-corrected image (D4). This makes it possible to lessen the difference in the sense of resolution among the division regions of the distortion-corrected image (D4) and obtain an image having an excellent sense of resolution. |
| US10255664B2 |
Image processing device and method
The present disclosure relates to an image processing device and method, which are capable of reproducing optical information processing of a lens. A viewpoint PSF calculating unit converts each disparity map into a map of a depth z. Then, the viewpoint PSF calculating unit obtains a viewpoint position on the basis of each viewpoint image, a map of each depth z, and a focus position, and generates PSF data of each viewpoint on the basis of the viewpoint position. Here, the PSF data is a point spread function, and an offset amount and an intensity coefficient of each viewpoint can be obtained on the basis of the PSF data of each viewpoint. The viewpoint PSF calculating unit supplies the obtained PSF data of each viewpoint (that is, the offset amount and the intensity coefficient) to a light collection processing unit. The present disclosure can be applied to an imaging device that performs multi-viewpoint photographing using an array of a plurality of cameras in a light field photographing technique capable of tracing a light ray. |
| US10255663B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, computer program product
According to one embodiment, an image processing device includes a storage and an image processor. The storage stores therein an input image. The image processor segments the input image into a plurality of regions by using a first convolutional neural network (CNN), generates a first image by converting pixel values of pixels in a first region included in the regions into a first value, and performs image processing on the first image by using a second CNN to generate a second image. |
| US10255659B2 |
Method of and apparatus for scaling data arrays
A scaling apparatus for scaling data arrays, such as images, comprises first horizontal scaling stage circuitry operable to scale a data array input to the scaling apparatus in the horizontal direction, one or more line memories for storing horizontal lines for a data array, wherein the or each line memory is for storing a horizontal line of data for the data array, vertical scaling stage circuitry operable to read data stored in the one or more line memories and to scale the read data in the vertical direction, and second horizontal scaling stage circuitry operable to scale a data array in the horizontal direction. |
| US10255655B1 |
Serial pixel processing with storage for overlapping texel data
Techniques relating to serial processing of pixels in a texture processing pipeline. In some embodiments, the pipeline receives pixel data for a set of pixels in parallel but processes the pixels in the set serially in a pipelined fashion. In some embodiments, the pipeline includes a stage configured to retain texel data for use by a subsequently processed pixel. They may allow overlapping texels to be fetched once for the set of pixels rather than multiple times for different pixels in the set. In some embodiments, the pipeline uses a selected ordering of serial processing for the pixels, where the ordering increases the potential for texel overlap, relative to one or more other orderings. |
| US10255653B2 |
Task assembly for SIMD processing
A cache system in a graphics processing system stores graphics data items for use in rendering primitives. It is determined whether graphics data items relating to primitives to be rendered are present in the cache, and if not then computation instances for generating the graphics data items are created. Computation instances are allocated to tasks using a task assembly unit which stores task entries for respective tasks. The task entries indicate which computation instances have been allocated to the respective tasks. The task entries are associated with characteristics of computation instances which can be allocated to the respective tasks. A computation instance to be executed is allocated to a task based on the characteristics of the computation instance. SIMD processing logic executes computation instances of a task outputted from the task assembly unit to thereby determine graphics data items, which can be used to render the primitives. |
| US10255651B2 |
Methods and systems for generating shaders to emulate a fixed-function graphics pipeline
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for rendering graphics using a graphics pipeline for emulating a fixed-function graphics pipeline, including selecting a first pre-compiled shader chunk from a set of pre-compiled shader chunks, selecting at least one second pre-compiled shader chunk from the set of pre-compiled shader chunks, and, concatenating the first shader chunk with the at least one second shader chunk, wherein each shader chunk corresponds to a fixed-function graphics function. |
| US10255648B2 |
Self-driving vehicle systems and methods
Self-driving vehicles have unlimited potential to learn and predict human behavior and perform actions accordingly. Several embodiments described herein include a method of using a vehicle management system to operate a self-driving vehicle. Methods include coupling communicatively, by the vehicle management system, a remote computing device to the self-driving vehicle, and then determining, by the vehicle management system, that the remote computing device is no longer communicatively coupled to the vehicle management system. Methods also include identifying, by the vehicle management system, a pick-up location of the user and sending, by the vehicle management system, the self-driving vehicle to the pick-up location in response to determining that the remote computing device is no longer communicatively coupled to the vehicle management system. |
| US10255647B2 |
Controlling and communicating with respiratory care devices
Disclosed are methods, systems, apparatus, and products, including a method for operating a respiratory care device that includes collecting at a respiratory care device data representative of operation of the respiratory care device, and communicating to a computing-based device external to the respiratory care device at least some of the collected data to control the operability of the respiratory care device. In some embodiments, the method may further include communicating to the respiratory care device data to controllably change one or more operation parameters of the respiratory care device to cause a change in the operation of the respiratory care device, changing the operation parameters of the respiratory care device according to the communicated data, and communicating to the external computing-based device resultant data representative of operation of the respiratory care device resulting from the controllable change to the one or more operation parameters. |
| US10255643B2 |
Classified relation networking optimization platform in open wireless architecture (OWA) mobile cloud terminal device
A fully user-centric mobile relation networking management of business networking, personal networking and general social networking for mobile terminal device with relation networking services adaptively and securely optimized by converged wireless connections based on open wireless architecture (OWA) mobile cloud infrastructure powered by Mobile DNA to enable highly secured relation networking with geographic location properties of mobile users and mobile devices for media contents to be delivered through business relation networking and personal relation networking as well as delivered through any on-line platforms across Internet. |
| US10255641B1 |
Predictive model based identification of potential errors in electronic tax return
Computer-implemented methods, articles of manufacture and computerized systems for identifying or alerting a user of certain data in electronic tax returns. A computerized tax return preparation system including a tax return preparation software application executed by a computing device receives first and second tax data and populates respective fields of the electronic tax return. The system executes a predictive model such as logistic regression, naive bayes, K-means clustering, clustering, k-nearest neighbor, and neural networks. First tax data is an input into the predictive model, which generates an output, which is compared with second tax data. An alert is generated when the second tax data does not satisfy pre-determined criteria relative to the first output generated by the predictive model. The same or other predictive model may be used as additional tax data is received for subsequent tax data analysis. |
| US10255640B1 |
Retail location services
Methods of preparing retail establishments are disclosed. An area for a retail location may be chosen and an individual may be selected to manage the retail location. The selection of the area may include an evaluation of geographical factors. From the area, a retail location may be selected based on an aggregate score of a set of characteristics of the retail location. The individual may remotely select the layout and furnishing of the retail location and may remotely monitor the progress of the preparation of the retail location. In an embodiment, the individual may be prepared to manage the retail location at a centralized location that is distinct from the area where the retail location is located. |
| US10255638B2 |
Systems and methods for surface segment data
Systems, apparatus, interfaces, methods, and articles of manufacture that provide for acquisition, management, and/or utilization of surface segment data. |
| US10255636B2 |
PCA-based portfolio margining
A computer implemented method determines a margin requirement for a financial product portfolio. Market conditions for the financial product portfolio are characterized by a zero curve. The method includes producing a plurality of scenario curves, each scenario curve reflecting a principal component analysis (PCA) model of the zero curve with a respective PCA factor of a plurality of PCA factors of the PCA model offset from a corresponding base value for the zero curve, calculating a respective projected value of the financial product portfolio for each scenario curve of the plurality of scenario curves, calculating a loss risk amount for each PCA factor based on the respective projected value and a current value of the financial product portfolio, and determining the margin requirement based on a sum of the loss risk amounts for the plurality of PCA factors. |
| US10255633B2 |
Systems and methods for providing seller-initiated financing in private sales
Methods and systems are disclosed for providing seller-initiated financing in a sale of an item between private parties. A financial service system configures a financing program to give sellers the opportunity to offer prospective buyers financing directly. The financial service system enrolls a given seller in the program, providing resources and services to the seller to help market the sale and select a credit-worthy buyer. Once the transaction is completed, the financial service system transfers proceeds to the seller, then configures a loan account and payment plan for the buyer. Alternatively, the program can be implemented with an intermediate service provider, such as an online marketplace retailer. The service provider enrolls the seller and assists with marketing and buyer selection, and the financial service system transfers proceeds to the seller and service provider, and configures a loan account and payment plan for the buyer. |
| US10255630B2 |
User published auctions in online mediums
A method and system is disclosed for user-published interactive widgets for auctions hosted by an auction forum resource. Examples include an auction forum configured to generate a script associated with an auction upon a publisher-request, and to provide the script to be published on the publisher's resource, resulting in an external interactive component displayed on the publisher's resource. Example features may be configured to respond to user inputs submitted from the interactive component. Furthermore, reward logic can be included to issue a reward to the publisher associated with the script request. |
| US10255623B2 |
Managing multiple beacons with a network-connected primary beacon
Systems and methods are provided which allow for the management of multiple beacons using a network-connected primary beacon in communication with the multiple beacons. The primary beacon may be in communication with the other beacons in the network using a low power wireless technology, such as Bluetooth® low energy (BLE). The primary beacon may receive updates and content from a server over a network to which the primary beacon is in communication, and then send the received updates and content to the other beacons. Moreover, the other beacons may periodically provide updates or collect information and provide this information to the primary beacon, which can then send the updates or collected information to the server for storage and/or analysis. |
| US10255620B1 |
Fine print builder
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed to improve generation of fine print for promotions. The method includes receiving identifying information that identifies one or more locations and either a product or service, transmitting the identifying information, and receiving, based on the identifying information, information including a set of relevant fine print clause data structures. The method further includes displaying, by a user interface, one or more fine print clauses from the relevant fine print clause data structures and generating, using a processor, a configured fine print data structure based on the displayed fine print clauses and input received via the user interface. Finally, the method includes transmitting the configured fine print data structure. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided. |
| US10255619B2 |
Dynamic geo-fencing based on a popularity of a product
Approaches presented herein enable creating a dynamic geo-fence based on a popularity of a product. Specifically, a geo-fence at a venue (e.g., retail outlet, restaurant, ticket office, etc.) is established based on a reference point and an area having a range. A product is associated with the established geo-fence. The range of the area is dynamically modified (i.e., increased or decreased) based on a popularity of the product in order to optimize the flow of customers to the venue. |
| US10255616B2 |
Selecting whisper codes to present with offers
A social networking system captures performance metrics of an offer by selecting a whisper code to include in an offer when presenting the offer to users of the social networking system. The social networking system receives information for providing its users with an offer for redemption at a merchant establishment. The social networking system also receives a set of rules for selecting a whisper code to go with the offer. The rules may be based on any context for which the advertiser or merchant may want to track performance of the offer. When presenting the offer, the social networking system selects a whisper code using those rules. This tracking using different whisper codes enables the merchant to understand the performance of the offer campaign based on the context in which the social networking system presents the offers to its users. |
| US10255611B2 |
Determining pricing using categorized costs with tree structures
A hardware computer-implemented method is provided for pricing a current contract for bid that includes generating a tree of the current contract, and generating trees of historical contracts. The contracts each specify respective services. The method includes grouping the trees of historical contracts to form a plurality of groups of trees, based on respective tree distances between the trees in each group. The method includes identifying a group of trees, from the plurality of groups, that is closest to the tree of the current contract by calculating respective distances there between. The method includes calculating a price for the current contract based on gross profits and costs for each service in the identified group. The grouping, identifying, and calculating steps each use different methods, responsive to a service (a) having a baseline; and (b) lacking the baseline, wherein the baseline is a value that indicates a scale of the service. |
| US10255610B1 |
System and method of enhancing leads
A consumer lead enhancement system comprises a vendor criteria database, a web server, and a matching engine. The vendor criteria database is configured to store vendor criteria for receiving leads regarding consumers. The web server is configured to request from a consumer a first set of consumer characteristics and a second set of consumer characteristics. The matching engine is configured to compare the consumer characteristics with information in the vendor criteria database in order to match the consumer with one or more vendors so that the system is capable of generating a lead and transmitting the lead to the vendors. If the consumer provides the second set of consumer characteristics, the consumer may be matched to vendors based on the second set of consumer characteristics. Otherwise the consumer may be matched to vendors based on the first set of consumer characteristics. |
| US10255609B2 |
Interactive marketing system
The present invention is a system which enables a marketing team to initiate and sustain directed and interactive communication with thousands or millions of existing or prospective customers. In the preferred embodiment, a marketer accesses a database and selects a group of qualified prospects, using lifestyle dimensions and or demographic information, from a stable group of prospective or existing customers conducting financial transactions online. Once a prospect list is selected, the marketer designs a series of questions, typically using branch and skip logic, and the system deploys the question sequence to the target list in the form of a response-redeemable savings coupon. When prospects are next performing their financial transactions online, they are presented with a lifestyle-relevant coupon which is immediately redeemable by responding to the question/communication. |
| US10255607B2 |
Collecting consumer information
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for collecting consumer information. A first message is received from a portable communication device having a device identifier. The first message includes an item code that identifies a promotional item. It is verified whether the device identifier is registered for a promotional service corresponding to the item code. If the device identifier is not registered for the promotional service, a second message is sent to the portable communication device, where the second message requests an address for delivering the promotional item. |
| US10255606B2 |
Method and system for authenticating a driver for driver compliance
Method and apparatus for authenticating a driver for driver compliance. A base unit including an electronic processor configured to receive an identification of a portable communication device associated with a driver, determine if the portable communication device is within a configurable distance from the base unit, compare the identification of the portable communication device with a stored identification, and authenticate the driver in response to the portable communication device associated with the driver being within a configurable distance from the base unit and based on identification of the portable communication device associated with the driver being a match with the stored identification. |
| US10255598B1 |
Credit card account data extraction
A credit account extraction system is configured to identify account information in credit data associated with a consumer and populate a digital wallet of the consumer with the identified financial card information. The financial card information may then be used by online retailers, for example, to expedite transaction completion. |
| US10255597B2 |
System and method for automatically filling webpage fields
A method for generating a personal identification number (PIN) debit child product for use in performing a debit payment transaction with a merchant entity. A payment processing platform receives a user selection of a financial institution made via a merchant payment page and directs the user to authenticate a user identity with the financial institution. The payment processing platform receives a user selection of a core account held with the financial institution, such that the core account provides financial backing for the child product. The child product is generated that includes a child card number and a virtual PIN associated with the core account. Advantageously, the method provides the ability to make PIN debit transaction on the Internet. |
| US10255593B1 |
Passcode entry through motion sensing
Some examples include determining a plurality of motion pattern readings detected by an electronic device in conjunction with entry of a passcode on the electronic device, such as for authentication of a transaction. The passcode may be entered as a sequence of tactile presses on the electronic device, and the detected motion pattern readings may be indicative of movements of the electronic device when the tactile presses occur. Based at least in part on the motion pattern readings, a plurality of locations corresponding to the tactile presses may be determined. Further, based at least in part on the determined plurality of locations, symbols for the passcode may be determined. In some cases, a process for authenticating the transaction may be initiated using the determined passcode. |
| US10255592B2 |
Wireless service provider system and method for activating and selling a wireless service on a wireless device
A wireless service provider system and associated methods of using the system for the sale and/or activation of wireless services is disclosed. The system includes a communication interface for a wireless device having a unique identifier. A backend system computer of the wireless service provider system can receive a unique identifier corresponding to the wireless device; authorize the activation of the wireless service corresponding to the unique identifier of the wireless device; and record, in a database, the authorized unique identifier to improve a user's experience and ease of activation/provisioning of services for the wireless device. |
| US10255590B1 |
Radio frequency noise management
A payment terminal has a clock management unit for providing clock signals to components of the payment terminal. The payment terminal also has a wireless communication interface for communicating wireless signals. A processing unit of the payment terminal may monitor clock signals provided by the clock management unit and determine a phase and frequency difference between a clock signal provided to a component producing RF noise and a clock signal provided to a wireless communication interface of the payment terminal. When RF noise present in the received wireless signal falls below a threshold, the processing unit may sample the received wireless signal. |
| US10255589B1 |
Access controls for transfer transactions
Access controls for transferring funds from a customer to a designated recipient using a transaction machine and a one-time account and/or an authentication process that does not involve the use of a transaction card are disclosed. An example method (and system) can include storing identification data associated with a one-time account or transfer for the designated recipient of the one-time account; receiving authentication data from the transaction machine; determining that the user corresponds to the designated recipient using the received authentication data and the stored identification data; and executing the selected transaction after the determination. |
| US10255587B2 |
System and method for blended presentation of locally and remotely stored electronic messages
An electronic messaging client caches copies of a subset of electronic messages available in a remote store in a local store of a user device. When the user device is in an online state, the client provides for the blended presentation of electronic messages such that a user can concurrently view information about the electronic messages that have been cached in the local store as well as information about electronic messages that are stored only in the remote store. The client also presents a blended state associated with a container of electronic messages to a user of a user device and enables a user to execute a search of cached electronic messages stored in a local store as well as of electronic messages stored in the remote store. |
| US10255586B2 |
Deriving multi-level seniority of social network members
An online social networking system receives an unstructured job title record from a profile of a member or a job posting. The system extracts a raw job title from the unstructured job title record, and extracts a first seniority level from the raw job title. The first seniority level is a seniority modifier associated with the raw job title. The system determines a second seniority level. The second seniority level is a company seniority within the company associated with the unstructured job title record. The system determines a third seniority level. The third seniority level is a seniority score for the member or the job posting. The system compares the seniority score with a second seniority score, and communicates with the member, or transmits the job posting to the member, based on the comparison of the seniority score and the second seniority score. |
| US10255585B2 |
System and method for determining candidates for a role in an organization
A system, method and computer program product for determining suitability of a candidate for a role in an organization. According to an embodiment, the system is configured to generate an ideal candidate profile for the selected role based on performance data, psychometric test results and/or social network or profile data of one or more employees or individuals in an organization. The system is configured to generate a profile for the candidate in the selected role based on psychometric test results and/or social network data. The system compares the profile of the candidate to the ideal candidate profile and the basis of the comparison generates a suitability rating or factor for the candidate in the selected role. |
| US10255584B2 |
Tracking new submissions for an online forms service
A method and system to track new submissions for an online forms service is provided. The system may include a request detector to detect a request to load a view (e.g., a web page) and a view provider to provide the view for display in response to the request. The view may comprise submission information for an electronic form and a value indicative of a number of new submissions. |
| US10255582B2 |
AGV traffic management system
Techniques for providing an entity monitoring safety feature in an inventory management system are described herein. For example, instructions may be received by a computer system of an autonomous vehicle that identify a path to move inventory within a materials handling facility. Further, the computer system of the autonomous vehicle may reduce a current traveling speed of the autonomous vehicle in response to receiving a first signal that is provided by a transmitter coupled with an entity moving with the materials handling facility. The first signal may be provided up to a first distance from the entity. In embodiments, the computer system of the autonomous vehicle may stop movement of the autonomous vehicle in response to receiving a second signal provided by the transmitter coupled with the entity. The second signal may be provided up to a second distance from the entity that is less than the first distance. |
| US10255577B1 |
System and method for generating a delivery plan for multi-tier delivery schemes
Various embodiments of a system and method for generating a delivery plan for multi-tier delivery schemes are described. Embodiments may include generating a delivery plan for a region including multiple delivery locations. The delivery plan may specify at least one agent delivery route within the region. The delivery route may include at least one shipment acquisition location coinciding with an expected travel route of a vehicle conveying shipments. The agent delivery route may be traversed by an agent that is to deliver a specific group of shipments acquired from the vehicle at the shipment acquisition location. Embodiments may include selecting the specific group of shipments for delivery on the delivery route. The selecting is based on a time constraint for delivering the group of shipments to respective delivery locations along the delivery route, and historical delivery time information for previous deliveries to the delivery locations along the delivery route. |
| US10255572B2 |
Integration of clothing performance in planning optimization of paper and board machine to reduce manufacturing costs
Integration of clothing performance into production planning, scheduling and execution of papermaking machines yields paper products with consistent acceptable quality with minimum downtime and inventory. Linking the selection and operation of papermaking machines to their respective clothing performances improves clothing life cycle. Selected operating parameters of a papermaking machine and historical clothing data are indicative of the machine's clothing condition. Order scheduling engine identifies manufacturing times for particular grades of product and generates order blocks. Papermaking machines are assigned to execute specific order blocks with provision that each machine completes execution of the assigned orders without any anticipated breakage of the wire or felts. |
| US10255571B2 |
GUI support for diagnosing and remediating problems that threaten on-time delivery of software and systems
A graphical interface module may provide a set of graphical presentations comprising at least: a Likelihood of Delivery chart showing a probability distribution of predicted delivery dates; a Delivery Date Risk Trend chart showing how the completion time for the project predicted according to the Likelihood of Delivery chart has changed over time; and a Burndown chart that shows at least work-items of planned work for the project. Each of the Likelihood of Delivery chart, the Delivery Date Risk Trend chart, and the Burndown chart has a timeline axis. |
| US10255568B2 |
Methods and systems for selecting a data transmission path for navigating a dynamic data structure
Embodiments are directed to selecting a data transmission path, comprising receiving a query having attribute(s), extracting the attribute(s) from the query, performing a search in a dynamic data structure for target(s) associated with the attribute(s), identifying a first set of target(s), and transmitting a data item to each target of the first set. The method further comprises determining whether the dynamic data structure has transformed from a first state to second state, and when a transformation is determined, performing a second search in the dynamic data structure, identifying a second set of target(s), and transmitting the data item to each target of the second set. The transmitting comprises pushing, to a first target, an option to select the data item, and pushing, to a second target, an option to select the data item when the data item is not selected by the first target. |
| US10255566B2 |
Generating and processing task items that represent tasks to perform
Techniques for processing task items are provided. A task item is electronic data that represents a task to be performed, whether manually or automatically. A task item includes one or more details about its corresponding task, such as a description of the task and a location of the task. Specifically, techniques for generating task items, organizing task items, triggering notifications of task items, and consuming task items are described. In one approach, a task item is generated based on input from a user and context of the input. In another approach, different attributes of task items are used to organize the task items intelligently into multiple lists. In another approach, one or more criteria, such as location, are used to determine when to notify a user of a task. In another approach, actions other than generating notifications are enabled or automatically performed, actions such as emailing, calling, and searching. |
| US10255562B2 |
Syndicating enterprise application system data
Systems and methods are provided that syndicate enterprise application system (EAS) data. A method includes creating a feed for an EAS module, generating a news item for the feed, and publishing the news item on the feed. Accordingly, employees in an organization are able to easily become aware of information about their organization by tightly coupling a syndication system to human resources management. The sharing of information throughout the organization creates a more inclusive and cohesive working environment. In one embodiment, the EAS data is enterprise resource planning (ERP) data. |
| US10255558B1 |
Managing knowledge-based authentication systems
A method is used in managing knowledge-based authentication systems. A set of factors is evaluated for gathering organization based information from a set of information sources for authenticating a user in a knowledge-based authentication system. The organization based information is collected based on the evaluation. |
| US10255555B2 |
Generating quantum logic control sequences for quantum information processing hardware
In a general aspect, a quantum logic control sequence is generated for a quantum information processor. In some aspects, a quantum computation to be performed by a quantum information processor is identified. The quantum information processor includes data qubits and is configured to apply entangling quantum logic operations to respective pairs of the data qubits. A graph representing the quantum information processor is defined. The graph includes vertices and edges; the vertices represent the data qubits, and the edges represent the entangling quantum logic operations. A quantum logic control sequence is generated based on the graph. The quantum logic control sequence includes a sequence of quantum logic operations configured to perform the quantum computation when executed by the quantum information processor. |
| US10255552B2 |
Reasoning engine services
A reasoning engine is disclosed. Contemplated reasoning engines acquire data relating to one or more aspects of various environments. Inference engines within the reasoning engines review the acquire data, historical or current, to generate one or more hypotheses about how the aspects of the environments might be correlated, if at all. The reasoning engine can attempt to validate the hypotheses through controlling acquisition of the environment data. |
| US10255551B2 |
Mixed-signal circuitry for computing weighted sum computation
An integrated circuit and method are provided for performing weighted sum computations. The circuit includes: a plurality of current generators interconnected and arranged into pairs, a positive summation node, a negative summation node, and an input generation circuit. For each pair of current generators, the control terminal of each element is electrically connected to an input node. One of the current generators has its drain connected to the positive summation node while the other current generation element has its drain connected to the negative summation node. The remaining terminals on both current generators are connected to a reference, which may be shared. Each pair of current generator source predetermined amounts of current onto the two summation nodes when the following conditions occur: the input node is at an activation voltage, and the two summation nodes are at a predetermined target voltage. |
| US10255545B2 |
Cards and devices with multifunction magnetic emulators and methods for using same
A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable of communicating information to a magnetic stripe reader. Information used in validating a financial transaction is encrypted based on time such that a validating server requires receipt of the appropriate encrypted information for a period of time to validate a transaction for that period of time. Such dynamic information may be communicated using such an emulator such that a card may be swiped through a magnetic stripe reader—yet communicate different information based on time. An emulator may receive information as well as communicate information to a variety of receivers (e.g., an RFID receiver). |
| US10255544B2 |
Authentication of a bottle and of its contents
An electronic device for authentication of a bottle whose neck is closed by a stopper covered by a cap is positioned between the bottle and the cap, with an electronic circuit including: a flexible insulating support with at least one conducting wire forming circuit traces; an electronic chip storing identification datum for the bottle, an antenna to transmit the identification datum to an external reader when the antenna is in the area of coverage of the reader; a unit for detecting piercing of stopper at least partially covering the neck when the device is positioned between the bottle and the cap, and which are linked electrically to the electronic chip by the tracks of the circuit, the electronic chip being configured in such a way as to determine that the stopper is removed and/or pierced when the electrical link with the unit of detecting piercing of stopper is broken. |
| US10255541B2 |
Vehicle RFID tag
The utility model discloses a vehicle RFID tag comprising a first glue layer, IR/UV protective layers, an INLAY layer, a second glue layer and a print layer, and the first glue layer, the INLAY layer, the second glue layer and the print layer are sequentially arranged in a stacked mode; the INLAY layer comprises a fragile layer, an RFID antenna layer and an RFID chip, and the fragile layer, the RFID antenna layer and the RFID chip are sequentially arranged in a stacked mode; the areas of the IR/UV protective layers are larger than the area of the RFID chip, and the viscosity of the first glue layer is larger than that of the second glue layer. The utility model has the beneficial effects that the anti-dismantling function is achieved, and the RFID chip can be protected against damage caused by ultraviolet rays and infrared rays. |
| US10255538B2 |
Module equipped with a capacitor and an antenna, with improved capacitor electrode arrangement
A module comprising a base (20) supporting a planar capacitor, an antenna, and a microcircuit electrically connected to each other to form a resonant electrical circuit, the capacitor including on a first face of the base a first electrode (30, 301, 302, 303) and a second electrode (300) disposed on a second face opposite to said first face facing said first electrode, the second electrode and the first electrode having substantially the same shape. Each electrode has at least a first portion and a second portion disposed on either side of the turns (40) of said antenna. |
| US10255537B2 |
Dynamic authentication system and methods for use with legacy terminals
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method and communication device with an emulated mag stripe capability. Information is transmitted in the mag stripe data indicating that the communication device has chip capability as well. This information is used by a server on the back-end (acquirer, issuer, network) to take advantage of that chip capability. For example, additional fields can be used for security measures and communication over the telecommunications network with the device can be performed to provide a more secure communication with a terminal. In one embodiment, the additional information is provided in the service code, using a unique 3 digit code other than 2xx. |
| US10255536B2 |
Weighted transaction card
Weighted transaction cards and methods of manufacturing the same. The weighted transaction cards may include a tungsten member that comprises at least a portion of a layer of the transaction card. The tungsten member may be encapsulated and/or disposed in an opening of a surround to define an inlay. The inlay may be laminated with one or more additional layers according to traditional card manufacturing techniques (e.g., a hot lamination process). The weighted transaction cards may have a weight significantly greater than traditional plastic transaction cards. |
| US10255534B2 |
Control apparatus and storage medium
A control apparatus includes a display unit, a storing unit, a determining unit, and a control unit. The display unit displays a job. The storing unit stores attribute information about a sheet to be accommodated in a sheet holding unit. The determining unit determines whether attribute information about a sheet to be used in the job corresponds to attribute information about the sheet stored in the storing unit. The control unit controls the determining unit, wherein, after determination processing by the determining unit has been completed. the control unit controls the determining unit to further perform determination processing in response to a change of the attribute information about the sheet stored in the storing unit, or in response to a change of the attribute information about the sheet to be used in the job. |
| US10255531B2 |
Inkjet printer and inkjet recording method
An inkjet printer system that records images in a shorter time while taking ink drying time into account includes an output data generator including an ink information acquirer, a hard-to-dry index acquirer, a first image setter, a first area setter, and a layout arranger. The ink information acquirer acquires, for two or more images, ink information including an amount of ink required to record the images. The hard-to-dry index acquirer acquires, for each of the two or more images, a hard-to-dry index calculated from the ink information and indicating how difficult the ink is to dry. The first image setter sets an image having a highest hard-to-dry index to be a first image. The first area setter sets a first area in a recording area of a recording medium that is upstream in a conveying direction. The layout arranger arranges the first image in the first area earlier than other images. |
| US10255526B2 |
Computer system and method for classifying temporal patterns of change in images of an area
A set of successive images for a given area may comprise a first, second, and third images representing different times. Comparisons may be performed between the first image and the second image, the first image and the third image, and the second image and the third image. The respective outputs of the three pairwise comparisons may be evaluated to identify any sub-areas of the given area where one or more temporal patterns of change have occurred. For instance, any sub-area of the given area that exhibits a change between the first and second images, a change between the second and third images, and an absence of change between the second and third images may be identified as a persistent change. An indication that the temporal pattern of change has occurred at each identified sub-area of the given area may then be output to a client station. |
| US10255525B1 |
FPGA device for image classification
Image processing systems can include one or more cameras configured to obtain image data, one or more memory devices configured to store a classification model that classifies image features within the image data as including or not including detected objects, and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device coupled to the one or more cameras. The FPGA device is configured to implement one or more image processing pipelines for image transformation and object detection. The one or more image processing pipelines can generate a multi-scale image pyramid of multiple image samples having different scaling factors, identify and aggregate features within one or more of the multiple image samples having different scaling factors, access the classification model, provide the features as input to the classification model, and receive an output indicative of objects detected within the image data. |
| US10255524B2 |
Method for providing a singling device of a storage and dispensing container
A method for providing a singling device of a storage and dispensing container for drug portions is provided. A singling device is adapted to a specific drug portion based on the measurement of the drug portion. The measurement is obtained by generating at least one image of a to-be-measured drug portion by a detection device and using image analysis to process the at least one image. Drug information for the specific drug portion is determined, the drug information including at least the dimensions of the specific drug portion. Based on the determined drug information, a singling device fitting the drug portion to be singularized is identified and provided for use in the storage and dispensing container. A system for identifying a singling device is also provided. |
| US10255523B2 |
Moving vehicle detection and analysis using low resolution remote sensing imagery
Disclosed is a method and system for processing images from an aerial imaging device. A moving vehicle analysis system receives images from an aerial imaging device. The system may perform edge analysis in the images to identify a pairs of edges corresponding to a road. The system may identify pixel blobs in the images including adjacent pixels matching each other based on a pixel attribute. The system uses a machine learning model for generating an output identifying moving vehicles in the images. The system determines a count of the moving vehicles captured by the images, where each moving vehicle is associated with corresponding pixel blobs. |
| US10255520B2 |
System and method for aircraft docking guidance and aircraft type identification
A system and method for aircraft docking guidance and aircraft type identification. The method is executed in the system for aircraft docking guidance and aircraft type identification comprising a machine vision sub-system, a laser scanning sub-system and a fusion module. The method includes: in step 1000, obtaining, by the machine vision sub-system, an image via image capturing means, and calculating a first aircraft front wheel position therefrom; in step 2000, obtaining, by the laser scanning sub-system, the position of the nose of an aircraft via laser scanning means, and calculating a second aircraft front wheel position; in step 3000, fusing the first aircraft front wheel position and the second aircraft front wheel position according to a fusion rule, to obtain deviation of an aircraft front wheel. |
| US10255516B1 |
Systems and methods for using image analysis to automatically determine vehicle information
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for analyzing digital images to determine alphanumeric strings depicted in the digital images. An electronic device may generate a set of filtered images using a received digital image. The electronic device may also perform an optical character recognition (OCR) technique on the set of filtered images, and may filter out any of the set of filtered images according to a set of rules. The electronic device may further identify a set of common elements representative of the alphanumeric string depicted in the digital image, and determine a machine-encoded alphanumeric string based on the set of common elements. |
| US10255512B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for processing an image
A method of determining a vertical medial axis of an object in an input image, is disclosed. A measure of horizontal symmetry is determined for each pixel of the image. First and second vertical bounds within the image are determined. A continuous path between the first and second vertical bounds is determined based on the horizontal symmetry measure, the continuous path representing the vertical medial axis of the object. |
| US10255506B2 |
Infrared radiation fire detector with composite function for confined spaces
Infrared radiation fire detector, comprising a curved support surface and a plurality of infrared radiation sensors arranged on the support surface. Each sensor comprises a planar array of infrared radiation-sensitive elements, having a respective sight direction and a solid angle of view defined around the sight direction, which define a field of view associated to the sensor. The sight directions of the sensors intersect with one another at a central point and the sensors are spaced apart from one another by a given angular distance referred to the central point, the solid angles of view of the sensors having a same narrow width so that the fields of view of the sensors are non-intersecting with one another. |
| US10255505B2 |
Augmenting video data to present real-time sponsor metrics
Systems and methods are described for augmenting video data based on automated identification of one or more objects depicted in the video data. One or more classification models may identify an object of interest in video data. An aggregated duration count may be maintained that reflects a length of time that the object of interest has been depicted in the video data. This duration or additional metric data derived in part from the duration may be displayed in association with display of the video data and continuously updated during playback of the video data. |
| US10255499B2 |
Head-mounted display
A head-mounted display including a display, a first lens, at least one light source, at least one pinhole and at least one image sensor is provided. An eye ball observes the display by the first lens. The at least one light source emits at least one light beam to illumine the eye ball. The at least one pinhole is disposed outside a space between the display and the first lens. The at least one light beam reflected by the eye ball passes through the at least one pinhole to form an image on the at least one image sensor. |
| US10255497B2 |
Authentication method and authentication system
The invention relates to a method and to a device for authenticating and/or identifying persons, objects, or service systems. In said method, a material, a construction, a substance, or a composition, or an image thereof, either changes itself or is actively changed, by means of a physical, chemical, or mechanical influence or feature, such that the resulting structure or feature is unforeseeable. If an image of said material, of the construction, of the substance, or the composition recorded at a later time is compared with the image stored in a storage means, the person and/or the object and/or the medium and/or service system is positively authenticated if the material, the construction, the substance, or the composition has at least partially changed between the two times in comparison with the image stored in the storage means. |
| US10255495B2 |
System and method for quantifying reflection e.g. when analyzing laminated documents
A system for computerized authentication of a laminated object, the system comprising a digital medium storing a digital image of at least a portion of the laminated object in a computer-implemented memory; a shininess analyzer operative, using a processor, to generate shininess data quantifying shininess of the digital image; and a parameterized computerized authentication sub-system operative to differentially perform at least one laminated object authentication operation based on the shininess data. |
| US10255491B2 |
Guidance system, detection device, and position assessment device
To appropriately guide a subject person while protecting a privacy of the subject person despite use of an captured image of the subject person, a guidance system includes: an image capturing unit capable of capturing an image containing a subject person from a first direction; a detection unit that detects a size of an image of the subject person from the image captured by the image capturing unit; and a guidance unit that provides guidance for the subject person based on a detection result of the detection unit. |
| US10255490B2 |
Method and apparatus for human detection in images
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for human detection in images taken from a surveillance camera. In one embodiment, the method comprises subtracting a current image from a baseline image to obtain a delta image, said delta image comprising at least one object; filtering stray noises and/or noise clusters from said delta image; marking and traversing the boundary of said at least one object; determining the at least one object as valid object: if a length traversed along the boundary of said at least one object is greater than a pre-determined threshold value; and if an interior region of said at least one object is detected as being solid; erasing the interior region of said at least one object and determining one or more pre-determined points on the boundary of said valid object; determining one or more pre-determined parameters corresponding to said pre-determined points and ratio thereof; processing the ratios to identify if the object is a human being or not. |
| US10255486B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method of generating face image
An image processing apparatus stores, as instance images, a plurality of face images obtained by photographing respective faces of a plurality of persons on a plurality of photographing conditions, while associating the persons with the photographing conditions for each part; obtains the photographing condition of the input face image; approximates the respective parts of the input face images, by a combination of the instance images of the plurality of persons stored in association with the parts and the obtained photographing conditions; decides, for each part of the input face image, a combination corresponding to the combination in the approximation from the instance images of the plurality of persons stored in association with the part and a predetermined photographing condition; and generates an image obtained by photographing the input face image on the predetermined photographing condition, by synthesizing the obtained combination on the whole input face image. |
| US10255485B2 |
Identification device, identification method, and recording medium recording identification program
An identification device includes an inputter which receives image information of a person photographed by a camera, and a controller which identifies the person and detects parts, which are at least a head and hands, of the person based on the image information, thereby identifying a motion of the person based on the identified person, the detected parts, and a motion model in which a motion of a person is registered for every person, and outputs the identified motion of the person. |
| US10255483B2 |
Computer systems and computer-implemented methods specialized in tracking faces across visual representations
Embodiments directed towards systems and methods for tracking a human face present within a video stream are described herein. In some embodiments, the exemplary illustrative methods and the exemplary illustrative systems of the present invention are specifically configured to process image data to identify and align the presence of a face in a particular frame. |
| US10255481B2 |
Display device and operating method thereof with adjustments display
A display device for displaying an image and a method by which the display device operates to display an image are provided. The display device may include a display configured to output a screen image, an image sensor configured to acquire an image signal, a bending detection sensor configured to detect a bending motion or a bent state of the display device, and a control unit configured to control the display to display an image, which is generated based on the image signal, in a region according to a position at which the display is bent on the screen image if the bending detection sensor detects the bending motion or a bent state. |
| US10255476B2 |
Fingerprint registration method and device and terminal thereof
A fingerprint registration method, device and terminal thereof are proposed. The method includes: retrieving feature information of a fingerprint recoded every time based on preset index types when registering the fingerprint; matching the feature information based on preset index information corresponding to the index types to determine whether the fingerprint recorded every time is effective; and signaling a successful fingerprint registration if a number of effective fingerprints recorded is monitored to reach a preset number of fingerprint templates. |
| US10255473B2 |
Geological log data processing methods and apparatuses
A method and a resistivity image logging tool connected or connectable to one or more processing devices process geological log data to construct missing information from destroyed or occluded parts using cues from observed data. The geological log data signals can be generated through use of the logging tool having one or more electrodes interacting with a formation intersected by a borehole. The processing involves the steps of: in respect of one or more data dimensions associated with missing values in a log data set, decomposing the signal into a plurality of morphological components; and morphologically reconstructing the signal such that missing values are estimated. |
| US10255470B2 |
Barcode reader and accessory for the barcode reader
A barcode reader and an accessory are disclosed. The accessory may include an interface system and a wireless and/or wired interface for communication with a host computer such that the barcode reader may communicate with the host computer via the accessory. The interface system includes an authentication coprocessor such that the barcode reader may establish mutual authentication with the host computer using the authentication coprocessor of the interface system. The barcode reader may send a request for an accessory identifier, and the accessory may then query the authentication coprocessor for the accessory identifier and provide the accessory identifier to the barcode reader. The barcode reader may send an authentication challenge to the accessory, and the accessory may then present the authentication challenge to the authentication coprocessor to obtain an authentication response, and provide the authentication response to the barcode reader. |
| US10255468B2 |
Transmission RFID test systems
An RFID test system is disclosed that establishes a minimum coupling between two ports without an RFID tag present and a higher coupling when the RFID tag is present. Furthermore, this controlled coupling in the presence of an RFID tag is used to read and identify tags. The RFID tag is read when it is in the coupling zone, as it receives maximum power and has the lowest loss path to the receiver. Adjacent tags do not couple efficiently, so they are isolated from the wanted device (i.e., RFID tag). Further, the coupling through the RFID tag can be frequency specific, and the peak frequency can be determined. This peak frequency and also the amount of coupling can give a good indication of a number of aspects of the tag assembly. |
| US10255467B2 |
Hybrid tag for radio frequency identification system
RFID (radio frequency identification) systems are provided in which tag and interrogator devices implement a hybrid framework for signaling including an optical transmitter/receiver system and an RF transmitter/receiver system. For instance, an RFID tag device includes: optical receiver circuitry configured to receive an optical signal having an embedded clock signal from an interrogator device, and convert the optical signal into an electrical signal comprising the embedded clock signal; clock extraction circuitry configured to extract the embedded clock signal from the electrical signal, and output the extracted clock signal as a clock signal for controlling clocking functions of the tag device; voltage regulator circuitry configured to generate a regulated supply voltage from the electrical signal, wherein the regulated supply voltage is utilized as a bias voltage for components of the tag device; and data transmitter circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit tag data to the interrogator device. |
| US10255459B2 |
Privacy enabled runtime
Technical solutions are described for preventing unauthorized transmission of data by a communication apparatus. An example computer-implemented method includes monitoring a data transmission request from an application being executed by the communication apparatus. The data transmission request is associated with transmission data. The method further includes securing the transmission data, where the securing includes identifying a content of a predetermined type in the transmission data, and generating secured transmission data. The secured transmission data includes a corresponding modified version of the content of the predetermined type. The computer-implemented method also includes transmitting the secured transmission data in response to the data transmission request. |
| US10255458B2 |
Trust based access to records via encrypted protocol communications with authentication system
Systems and techniques are disclosed for trust based access to records via encrypted protocol communications with an authentication system. An example system is configured to authorize and provide selective and secured access to sensitive medical information according to one or more trusted relationships. The system is configured to receive a request for access to a patient's health record from an outside entity. Authentication information associated with the outside entity is determined. Whether the outside entity is authorized to access the requested data is determined. The determination is based on existence of a trust relationship being established between the outside entity and the patient, the trust relationship established by an action of the patient or a patient's representative. Access to the patient's health record is enabled based on a positive determination. |