| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US11018817B2 |
Bearer control
A method of conducting bearer reconfiguration in a cellular communications network, the method comprising the steps of at a network component, initiating reconfiguration of a bearer between a base station and a mobile device; transmitting a signal from the network component to the mobile device; wherein the signal includes information defining the reconfiguration and also defining additional instructions in conjunction with that reconfiguration. |
| US11018815B2 |
Transmission apparatus, reception apparatus, communication method, and integrated circuit
A terminal apparatus includes a coding unit configured to divide a transport block into one or more code blocks and generate coded bit(s) by coding the one or more code blocks; and a transmitter configured to transmit the coded bit(s) by using a channel, wherein multiplex bit(s) are given based on at least coupling of the coded bit(s) generated by coding of the one or more code blocks, the coding unit maps the multiplex bit(s) to a matrix in a first-axis prioritized manner and reads the multiplex bit(s) from the matrix in the first-axis prioritized manner or in a second-axis prioritized manner, and whether the first axis or the second axis is prioritized in a case that the multiplex bit(s) are read from the matrix is given based on at least whether a signal waveform applied to a prescribed channel is an OFDM. |
| US11018807B2 |
Method for detecting a resending of a frame
A method for detecting a resending of a frame, each frame sent that includes an identifier and a counter, the counter remaining identical during a resending, each frame sent being received by a plurality of gateways, each gateway retransmitting each frame to a central server, a response delay being predefined, the method comprising the steps of receiving a first frame comprising an identifier and a counter, storing as reference parameters a first reception time and the counter, receiving a second frame comprising the same identifier and another counter, and, if the values of the counters are equal then determining a second reception time of the second frame, and, if the difference between the reception times is greater than the response delay, then the second frame is a resending of the first frame, and updating the reference parameters with the second reception time. |
| US11018806B2 |
Data mapping method and apparatus in wireless communication system
A method, performed by a base station, of transmitting and receiving data in a wireless communication system, and an apparatus therefor are provided. The method includes determining whether a code block (CB), one of a plurality of CBs included in a transport block (TB), is scheduled for a transmission based on code block group transmission information (CBGTI), in response to the CB being scheduled for the transmission, determining a length of a sequence for the CB based on a number of CBs of the TB or a number of scheduled CBs of the TB, generating the sequence for the CB according to the determined length of the sequence, and transmitting a signal including the generated sequence. |
| US11018804B2 |
Bit allocations for encoding and decoding
Methods, systems, and devices for encoding and decoding are described. To encode a vector, an encoder allocates information bits of the vector to channel instances of a channel that are separated into groups. The groups may vary in size and allocation of the information bits is based on a base sequence of a given length. During decoding, a decoder assigns different bit types to channels instances by dividing a codeword into a plurality of groups and assigning bit types to channel instances of the plurality of groups using the base sequence. |
| US11018802B2 |
Channel quality indicator feedback method and device
A channel quality indicator feedback method and device. The method includes: determining, by a terminal device, a response message of data and a channel state, where the response message includes an acknowledgement message and/or a negative acknowledgement message; determining, by the terminal device, first channel state information based on the response message of the data and the channel state; and sending, by the terminal device, the response message and the first channel state information to the network side device. According to the method and apparatus provided, reliability of downlink data from a base station can be improved. |
| US11018784B2 |
Detecting tropospheric ducting interference in cellular networks
Tropospheric ducting can cause interference to a wireless telecommunications network from a remote source that would not normally cause such interference to the network. Interference from tropospheric ducting can be determined by analyzing tropospheric ducting factors which, individually or in combination, indicate interference from tropospheric ducting. Future tropospheric ducting interference events can be predicted using forecast data and data from past events. |
| US11018783B2 |
System and method for mitigating broadband interference
Systems and methods for operating a communication device so as to mitigate intermodulation interference to a signal. The methods comprise: continuously monitoring several communication channels by the communication device; using a noise floor level estimate of the communication device to detect when the communication device is under an influence of hig interference; determining an optimal level of attenuation to be applied by a variable attenuator of the communication device's receiver so as to mitigate the influence of intermodulation interference to the signal; and selectively adjusting an amount of attenuation being applied by the variable attenuator to achieve the optimal level of attenuation for mitigating intermodulation interference. |
| US11018781B2 |
Base station efficiency control based on load counters
It is provided a method, comprising determining, for plural data pairs each comprising a respective one of a downlink traffic volume of a cell and a downlink traffic bitrate of the cell and a related downlink utilization of the cell, a correlation between the one of the downlink traffic volumes and the downlink traffic bitrates and the downlink utilizations; checking if the correlation is smaller than a predetermined correlation threshold; deciding that the cell is a problematic cell if the correlation is smaller than the correlation threshold. |
| US11018780B2 |
Automated installed environment antenna characteristics determination
A network device receives first data associated with a first transmission received at a second antenna from a first antenna and stores the first data as a first antenna profile associated with the second antenna. The network device uses the stored first antenna profile for determining at least one first transmission characteristic associated with a third antenna transmitting to the second antenna. |
| US11018777B2 |
Digital resampling method and apparatus
A method for digital resampling in a digital communications receiver is described. The method comprises selecting whole samples of a received input signal in the time domain and implementing sub-sample digital interpolation in the frequency domain. This amounts to performing the time shift of the interpolation process in the frequency domain. The method may be performed in conjunction with the operation of a polarisation recovery filter. A digital communications receiver is also provided the receiver being arranged to perform frequency domain sub-sample interpolation on an input data signal. |
| US11018773B1 |
Cascaded offset optical modulator for optical communications
A cascaded modulator system configured to minimize the extinction ratio (ER) of an optical output of an optical transmitter. The cascaded modulator system includes a pulse position modulation (PPM) source connected to a plurality of serially-connected Mach Zehnder Interferometer (MZIs). A variable time delay Δtd may be applied to a negative low voltage differential signal (LVDS) driving a second or later MZI of the plurality of MZIs to eliminate or compensate for one or more non-idealities in an electrical signal. |
| US11018766B2 |
Optical satellite communication
Information encoded in an uplink beam (Lu) is transmitted from transceiver (10) on earth (1) to a communication satellite (20) in orbit. The uplink beam (Lu) travels through an atmosphere (2) there between, wherein a wavefront (Wu) of the uplink beam (Lu) is distorted as a result of its propagation through the atmosphere (2). The transceiver (10) comprises a wavefront sensor (12) to measure a reference distortion (Wr′) of a wavefront (Wr) of a reference beam (Lr). Adaptive optics (11) are used to pre-correct a wavefront (Wu) of the uplink beam (Lu) prior to its transmission based on the measured reference distortion (Wr′). The reference beam (Lr) originates from a guidestar satellite (30) formed by a separate man-made object at a distance (D) from the communication satellite (20) such that the reference beam (Lr) travels through the same part (2a) of the atmosphere (2) as the uplink beam (Lu). |
| US11018763B2 |
Network system, management device, and management method
A network system includes a plurality of transmission devices, each of which being provided with a wavelength selective switch including a wavelength filter, configured to transmit an optical signal for each channel; and a management device configured to manage the plurality of transmission devices. The wavelength selective switch configured to enable band setting that widens a transmission band of an optical signal of a predetermined channel to the wavelength filter of an adjacent channel. The management device is further configured to calculate an OSNR of the optical signal based on power loss, calculate a bandwidth of the optical signal according to narrowing due to the wavelength filter, determine whether or not the OSNR and the bandwidth respectively satisfies a condition of transmission quality of the optical signal, and decide whether or not to cause the wavelength selective switch to perform the band setting based on a result of the determination. |
| US11018762B2 |
Transmission device, transmission system, and transmission method
A transmission device that transmits main signal light to another transmission device via a transmission path, the transmission device includes a transmitter that generates monitoring signal light with intensity modulation based on a signal related to monitoring control of the transmission device and the other transmission device, a multiplexer that multiplexes the monitoring signal light into the main signal light, a receiver that acquires light receiving information from the other transmission device, the light receiving information being related to a light receiving state of the monitoring signal light, and a control circuit that controls a modulation degree of the intensity modulation in accordance with the light receiving information. |
| US11018758B2 |
Mobility across satellite beams using L2 connectivity
Systems and methods for providing mobility across satellite beams, are described. The system includes a first core node, a second core node in communication with the first core node at layer-2 of the OSI model (L2), and a first gateway in communication, at L2, with the first core, the first gateway configured to provide access to a first spot beam at a first location. The system further includes a second gateway in communication, at L2, with the second core node, the second gateway configure to provide access to a second spot beam at a second location, and a mobile device, at the first location, in communication with the first gateway via the first spot beam, wherein the mobile device is assigned an IP address by the first core node. The mobile device moves from the first location to the second location. Further, the first gateway, in response to the mobile device moving from the first location to the second location, notifies the second gateway, through the first core node and the second core node, that the mobile device is moving to the second location, and transmit the session information to the second gateway, and the second gateway, in response to the notification, maintains connectivity with the mobile device using the IP address. |
| US11018753B2 |
Method and system for cancelling self-interference by a node in a wireless communication system
Embodiments herein provide a method for decoding received signal by node in wireless communication system. The method includes receiving a signal from a first User Equipment (UE), where the received signal comprises a set of preambles in which each preamble is identical to an at least one preamble in a preamble structure and obtaining a composite signal comprising a self-interference signal, where the self-interference signal is known at the node. Further, the method includes determining self-interference channel estimate using the composite signal and decoding the received signal by eliminating the self-interference signal from the received signal based on the self-interference channel estimate. |
| US11018752B2 |
Reconfigurable and modular active repeater device
An active repeater device includes a primary sector and one or more secondary sectors, receives a first beam of input RF signals. A first set of analog baseband signals, are generated based on received first beam of input RF signals. The first set of analog baseband signals are converted to a first set of coded data signals and control information is extracted from the first set of coded data signals by decoding only a header portion of the first set of coded data signals without demodulation of data portion of the first set of coded data signals. Based on the extracted control information, the first set of coded data signals are transmitted as beams of output RF signals to remote user equipment. The transmission is independent of demodulation of the data portion within the active repeater device to reduce latency for transmission of the first set of coded data signals. |
| US11018751B2 |
Active repeater device shared by multiple service providers to facilitate communication with customer premises equipment
An active repeater device including a first antenna array, a controller, and one or more secondary sectors receives or transmits a first beam of input RF signals from or to, respectively, a first base station operated by a first service provider and a second beam of input RF signals from or to, respectively, a second base station operated by a second service provider. A controller assigns a first beam setting to a first group of customer premises equipment (CPEs) and a second beam setting to a second group of CPEs, based on one or more corresponding signal parameters associated with the each corresponding group of CPEs. A second antenna array of the second RH unit concurrently transmits or received a first beam of output RF signals to or from the first group of CPEs and a second beam of output RF signals to the second group of CPEs. |
| US11018748B2 |
Systems and methods for L1-RSRP measurement accuracy for beam detection
Systems and methods provide for beam detection in a wireless communication system. An apparatus for a UE may be configured to identify a plurality of CSI-RS resources corresponding to different Tx beams configured for measurement by the UE, measure an L1-RSRP for the plurality of CSI-RS resources, determine a selected Tx beam of the different Tx beams based on measured L1-RSRP values for the plurality of CSI-RS resources, and determine a measurement accuracy of a first L1-RSRP value corresponding to the selected Tx beam based on successful beam detection probability. |
| US11018746B2 |
Outcome based receiver beam tuning
An outcome-based receiver beam tuning is provided. A base station device can transmit a reference signal with a group of symbols corresponding to different transmit beams, while the reference signal instructs the user equipment to not perform receive beam sweeping. The user equipment device can report the transmit beam with the highest signal strength. The base station device can then transmit a reference signal using the transmit beam with the highest signal strength, while also informing the user equipment device to perform receive beam sweeping. By comparing the receive beam with the highest signal strength to the signal strength of the best transmit beam, the base station device can determine the density (e.g. periodicity) of CSI-RS with repetition “ON” transmission. |
| US11018744B2 |
Block-diagonalization based beamforming
Embodiments provide an innovative solution for finding the beamforming vectors which are based on classical BD. Particularly, embodiments exploit the principle of coherence interval, which suggests that the amplitude and phase of the channel is relatively constant over a small interval on a given t-f resource and thus, there is no need to re-compute the beamforming weights again. Instead, the previously computed weights (on the small interval of the given t-f resource) can be updated. To do this less-computationally-intense update operation, embodiments further exploit a principle from perturbation theory; namely, that when there is a minor change in the entries of a matrix, the decomposition of the matrix and the rank does not change heavily. In embodiments, the need to re-compute the BF weights can therefore be avoided. |
| US11018734B1 |
Eliciting MIMO transmissions from wireless communication devices
In a general aspect, MIMO transmissions are elicited from wireless communication devices for wireless sensing. A first wireless communication device may be configured to generate network or transport layer messages addressed to a second wireless communication device in a wireless communication network, and wirelessly transmit the network or transport layer messages to the second wireless communication device to elicit MIMO transmissions from the second wireless communication device. The first wireless communication device may further be configured to receive MIMO transmissions from the second wireless communication device, where the MIMO transmissions traverse a space between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device. The first wireless communication device may additionally be configured to identify a training field in each MIMO transmission, generate channel information based on the respective training fields, and detect motion that occurred in the space based on the channel information. |
| US11018732B2 |
Reporting of radio channel quality
Embodiments of systems and methods relating to a first radio device (UE) and a second radio device (base station) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method implemented in the second radio device for adaptation of transmission over a radio channel is described. The method comprises determining a condition of the radio channel in which the radio channel exhibits an invariance of statistics and transmitting a data symbol to the first radio device via the radio channel. The method further comprises receiving a quality report of the radio channel from the first radio device based on the data symbol when a statistical characterization of the radio channel exceeds a predetermined threshold. The transmission over the radio channel is adapted by the second radio device based on the received quality report. |
| US11018730B2 |
Method and apparatus for interference measurement using beam management reference signal
Provided herein are a method and an apparatus for interference measurement using a beam management reference signal (BM-RS). The disclosure provides an apparatus for a user equipment (UE), comprising circuitry configured to: decode one or more beam management reference signals broadcasted by a Transmission Reception Point (TRP) in a cell, wherein the one or more beam management reference signals are used by the TRP to perform beam management for respective one or more other UEs in the cell; and measure interference from the one or more other UEs in the cell based on the decoded one or more beam management reference signals. According to some embodiments, the overhead for the interference measurement can be reduced since it is not necessary to allocate a separate CSI-RS for the purpose of interference measurement. |
| US11018725B2 |
Data transmission method, apparatus, and system
This application relates to the field of wireless communications technologies, and in particular, to a data transmission method, an apparatus, and a system. Random access resource information: receiving, by user equipment UE, data from a first access network device to which a serving cell belongs; sending, by the UE, a decoding result of the data to the first access network device and a second access network device to which a coordinating cell belongs; and if the decoding result is negative acknowledgment NACK signaling, receiving, by the UE from the first access network device, the data that is retransmitted, and receiving, by the UE, the data from the second access network device. |
| US11018724B2 |
Method and apparatus for emulating multiple cards in mobile devices
Techniques for mobile devices configured to support or function as multiple contactless cards, such as Mifare contactless cards, are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a mobile device embedded with an emulator is loaded with a plurality of software modules or applications, each emulating one card or one type of contactless cards. An emulator is implemented in a secure element that is personalized for a user of the mobile device while the applications are respectively provisioned via their respective providers per the personalized secure element. When the mobile device is to be used as a contactless card to perform a monetary function, a corresponding application is loaded into and executed in the emulator. When the mobile device is to be used to perform another monetary function, a corresponding application is loaded into the emulator to replace the previous application entirely or partially in the emulator. As a result, the mobile device can be used as a monetary device in lieu of multiple contactless cards. |
| US11018722B2 |
Controlling a media device using a mobile device
Techniques for automatically configuring and controlling a digital media device are described. A digital media device can be configured or controlled by a mobile device, e.g., a smart mobile phone. When the digital media device is being configured, the digital media device can broadcast a signal, indicating that the digital media device is requesting configuration information from a mobile device. A mobile device located in proximity of the digital media device, upon detecting the signal, can perform various security checks to determine that the request is legitimate, and then open a communication channel with the digital media device. The mobile device can provide user preferences of the mobile device, as well as credentials for accessing and downloading remote content, to the digital media device through the communication channel. Upon receiving the configuration information, the digital media device can use parameters in the configuration information as its settings. |
| US11018721B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient communication with implantable devices
Described herein are methods of making and using and apparatus for wirelessly communicating data and providing power, particularly from a location exterior to a body and to an implantable device disposed within a body with tissue. The described embodiments provide apparatus and methods for efficiently transfer data and power between an external transceiver and an (implanted) biomedical device. The method is to modulate power carrier, which wirelessly powers the device, using an asynchronous modulation scheme, such as amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation, with minimal modulation depth in order to not disrupt the power flow. The digital data is encoded in the pulse width, eliminating the need for synchronization to the power carrier signal and further minimizing the power consumption necessary for data transfer. Additionally, a reverse backscatter method for obtaining data from the implant is described that has flexible, low power operation. |
| US11018718B1 |
Wireless communication device and wireless communication method
A wireless communication device includes a storage that stores a standard beam table, which is a table constituted by a plurality of antenna weight vector sets corresponding to beam patterns in which beam angular intervals are uniform, and a controller that determines a direction, in which a communication partner's wireless communication device exists, as a direction to be optimized, generates an optimized beam table by changing the angular intervals between the beams of the standard beam table with respect to the direction to be optimized so as to be dense, and performs a communication with the communication partner's wireless communication device using the optimized beam table. |
| US11018716B2 |
Multi-frequency processing device of tire pressure detector and processing method thereof
A multi-frequency processing device of a tire pressure detector and processing method thereof are provided. The device includes an oscillator providing an oscillation signal as a basis frequency; a microcontroller storing a first and a second frequency information; a phase lock module receiving the oscillation signal and generating a first and a second target frequency according to the first frequency information and the second frequency information; and a transmission module receiving a data from the microcontroller in a first mode, and generating a signal frame formed of the first and second target frequency carrying the data, so as to transmit the signal frame. Therefore, the transmission frequency does not have to be set in advance, improving the convenience of usage. |
| US11018715B2 |
Reliable orthogonal spreading codes in wireless communication
Techniques of transmitting wireless communications involve generating orthogonal spreading codes for any number of user devices that are linear combinations of sinusoidal harmonics that match the frequencies within the spread bandwidth. Along these lines, prior to transmitting signals, processing circuitry may generate a set of initial code vectors that form an equiangular tight frame having small cross-correlations. From each of these rows, the processing circuitry produces a new spreading code vector using a code map that is a generalization of a discrete Fourier transform. The difference between the code map and a discrete Fourier transform is that the frequencies of the sinusoidal harmonics are chosen to match the particular frequencies within the spread bandwidth and differ from a center frequency by multiples of the original unspread bandwidth. Different transmitters may then modulate respective signals generated with different spreading code vectors. |
| US11018708B2 |
Received signal filtering device and method therefor
A communication device is provided that includes a receiver configured to receive a signal. The communication device further includes a circuit configured to determine an interference reference signal based on an interference signal, to multiply the received signal with the interference reference signal in the time domain to form a multiplication signal and to filter the multiplication signal to form a filtered signal. |
| US11018707B2 |
Adaptive gain control for sidelink communications
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A first user equipment (UE) may receive one or more transmissions from one or more UEs in a first slot, including a first transmission from a second UE. The first UE may receive the first transmission using a receiver configured with a first gain and may decode the first transmission. The UE may determine a correspondence (e.g., a temporal correlation) between the first slot and a second slot and may configure the receiver with a second gain at the beginning of the second slot based on the correspondence. The UE may determine that a total received signal power in the second slot is associated with the total received signal power in the first slot. The UE may decode one or more transmissions in the second slot based on the receiver having the second gain at the beginning of the slot. |
| US11018704B1 |
Machine learning-based nonlinear pre-distortion system
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for correcting distortion of radio signals A transmit radio signal corresponding to an output of a transmitting radio signal processing system is obtained. A pre-distorted radio signal is then generated by processing the transmit radio signal using a nonlinear pre-distortion machine learning model. The nonlinear pre-distortion machine learning model includes model parameters and at least one nonlinear function to correct radio signal distortion or interference. A transmit output radio signal is obtained by processing the pre-distorted radio signal through the transmitting radio signal processing system. The transmit output radio signal is then transmitted to one or more radio receivers. |
| US11018701B2 |
Reliable data transmission method based on reliable UDP and fountain code in aeronautical ad hoc networks
This invention discloses a kind of reliable data transmission method based on reliable UDP and fountain code in aeronautical ad hoc networks. This method employs Raptor codes to recover from data loss and avoid retransmission in high loss and high delay channels. A light-weight feedback scheme is designed to provide reliability. An improved SNACK scheme is utilized to deal with the bandwidth asymmetric problem and a novel sliding window mechanism is proposed to avoid TCP's retransmission ambiguity problem and allow for more precise roundtrip-time calculation. A congestion control scheme is deployed to distinguish losses caused by congestion from losses caused by link handoffs to efficiently utilize the available bandwidth. This invention is fully implemented directly on top of UDP in Linux without requiring changes to the underlying network stack implementations. In harsh aeronautical ad hoc network environment, it is suitable for reliable and efficient data transfer service. |
| US11018698B2 |
Bit interleaver for low-density parity check codeword having length of 64800 and code rate of 3/15 and 256-symbol mapping, and bit interleaving method using same
A bit interleaver, a bit-interleaved coded modulation (BICM) device and a bit interleaving method are disclosed herein. The bit interleaver includes a first memory, a processor, and a second memory. The first memory stores a low-density parity check (LDPC) codeword having a length of 64800 and a code rate of 3/15. The processor generates an interleaved codeword by interleaving the LDPC codeword on a bit group basis. The size of the bit group corresponds to a parallel factor of the LDPC codeword. The second memory provides the interleaved codeword to a modulator for 256-symbol mapping. |
| US11018696B2 |
Soft output decoding of polar codes
According to certain embodiments, a method is provided for generating soft information for code bits of polar codes. The method includes receiving, by a decoder of a receiver, soft information associated with coded bits from a first module of the receiver and using a tree structure of the polar code to generate updated soft information. The updated soft information is output by the decoder for use by a second module of the receiver. |
| US11018692B2 |
Floating point data set compression
Computer-implemented methods, systems, and devices to perform lossless compression of floating point format time-series data are disclosed. A first data value may be obtained in floating point format representative of an initial time-series parameter. For example, an output checkpoint of a computer simulation of a real-world event such as weather prediction or nuclear reaction simulation. A first predicted value may be determined representing the parameter at a first checkpoint time. A second data value may be obtained from the simulation. A prediction error may be calculated. Another predicted value may be generated for a next point in time and may be adjusted by the previously determined prediction error (e.g., to increase accuracy of the subsequent prediction). When a third data value is obtained, the adjusted prediction value may be used to generate a difference (e.g., XOR) for storing in a compressed data store to represent the third data value. |
| US11018686B2 |
Voltage detector
A device for monitoring voltage in a battery-operated system, the device including: a ladder selector configured to select between a first resistive ladder and a second resistive ladder; the first resistive ladder includes: a first string of resistors coupled between a sensing input node and a first node of the ladder selector; and a first set of transistors configured to tap intermediate nodes of a set of resistors in the first string of resistors; the second resistive ladder includes: a second string of resistors coupled between the sensing input node and a second node of the ladder selector; and a second set of transistors configured to tap intermediate nodes of a set of resistors in the second string of resistors; and wherein a selected transistor in one of the first set of transistors or the second set of transistors is turned on, and non-selected transistors of the first set of transistors and the second set of transistors are turned off to set a threshold voltage for a sensing output node. |
| US11018684B1 |
Hybrid pipeline analog-to-digital converter
A pipeline analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a hybrid multiplying digital-to-analog converter (MDAC) that includes multiple digital-to-analog converters (DACs), at least one conversion circuit, and at least one amplifier such that a number of conversion circuits and a number of amplifiers is less than a number of DACs. Each DAC is configured to receive an analog input signal in non-overlapping durations of a clock signal and generate a corresponding analog output signal. At least one of the conversion circuits is coupled with at least two DACs, and each conversion circuit is configured to perform conversion operation on a corresponding analog output signal to generate digital signals. At least one of the amplifiers is coupled with at least two DACs, and each amplifier is configured to perform amplification operation on a corresponding analog output signal. |
| US11018682B1 |
Time-interleaved sub-ranging analog-to-digital converter
A sub-ranging analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a coarse ADC and a fine ADC that receives a set of coarse signals from the coarse ADC. The fine ADC includes multiple digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and multiple converters such that a number of converters is less than a number of DACs. The DACs and the converters function in a partial time-interleaved manner where each DAC receives an analog input signal in different non-overlapping durations of a clock signal and generates a corresponding analog output signal. At least one of the converters is coupled with at least two DACs, and each converter is configured to receive the corresponding analog output signals and perform conversion operation to generate digital signals in non-overlapping durations of the clock signal, respectively. The durations for performing conversion operation of at least two of the converters overlap partially. |
| US11018679B1 |
On-chip phase-locked loop response measurement
An integrated circuit includes an on-chip PLL response measurement capability. The PLL response is determined in terms of PLL bandwidth and PLL peaking. A digital phase offset is inserted to a digital representation of a first clock signal to create a phase step. A phase and frequency detector of a phase-locked loop (PLL) supplies a phase error signal indicative of a difference between the first clock signal and a second clock signal. The elapsed time between the phase step insertion and the first zero crossing of the phase error as the PLL tries to deal with the is used to determine PLL bandwidth. The maximum phase error overshoot resulting from insertion of the digital phase offset is determined for use in determining PLL peaking. |
| US11018674B1 |
Reducing resource requirements for high-frequency counter arrays
Systems and method include receiving counter update requests that are at a maximum frequency of fcounters; sending the counter update requests to a main block of counters that operate at a maximum frequency of fmain, where (fmain)≥(fcounters)/2; and responsive to a block of the main block of counters experiencing an overflow, sending corresponding counter update requests for the block of the main block of counters experiencing the overflow to a cache counter block that operates at a maximum frequency of fcache, where (fmain)≥(fcache) and (fcache)≥(fcounters)−(fmain). The counter update requests can be for Y×K total counters, and the main block of counters can include Y blocks of counters each block having K counters, Y and K are positive integers. (fmain)≥(fcounters)/2 ensures only one block of the main block of counters overflows simultaneously. |
| US11018670B2 |
Output buffer circuit
An output buffer circuit includes an output terminal, a transistor, and a resistor. The transistor includes a first terminal coupled to the output terminal, a second terminal coupled to a ground rail, and a third terminal coupled to an output signal source. The resistor includes a first terminal coupled to a fourth terminal of the transistor, and a second terminal coupled to the ground rail. |
| US11018668B2 |
Characterization of power delivery network in field programmable gate arrays or digital integrated circuits
Modern FPGAs operate at a core voltage around 1V and therefore even small voltage fluctuations can lead to timing violations and logic errors. The Power Delivery Network (PDN) between a power supply and the FPGA core must be carefully designed to achieve a low output impedance over a broad range of frequencies. The present disclosure describes two techniques for characterization of the PDN: 1) to extract the DC resistance in the power delivery path, and 2) to identify the high impedance frequency band(s) in the PDN. An embedded impedance extraction tool is synthesized within the FPGA load, in coordination with a mixed-signal current-mode dc-dc converter. A self-calibrated Carry-Chain based ADC (CC-ADC) is used for high-speed sampling of the core voltage. By modifying the PDN based on the extracted results, the voltage operating range and reliability of a crossbar application may be greatly extended. |
| US11018661B2 |
Short circuit detector including a voltage detector
A first aspect of the present invention will provide a short circuit detector, including: a voltage detection circuit to detect gate voltage which is input from a gate driving circuit to the semiconductor element; and a short circuit detection circuit to detect a short circuit state of the semiconductor element, when gate voltage of the semiconductor element becomes higher than or equal to first reference voltage in a transition period from when a turn-on signal is input to the gate driving circuit until when a mirror period of the semiconductor element starts. |
| US11018655B2 |
Level shift circuit and display driver integrated circuit
A level shift block of a level shift circuit includes a level shifter by which an amplitude level of a signal to drive a P-type transistor is extended to a negative side, and a level shifter by which an amplitude level of a signal to drive an N-type transistor is extended to a positive side. |
| US11018652B2 |
Tunable resonator element, filter circuit and method
A resonator element for use in a filter is provided. The resonator element includes a first resonator acoustically coupled to a second or third resonator or both. The first resonator has terminals for incorporation in a filter structure. A tuning circuit is coupled to the second or third resonator or both to enable tuning of the resonator element. The tuning circuit includes a variable capacitor and an inductor. |
| US11018649B2 |
Compensation of on-die inductive parasitics in ladder filters through negative mutual inductance between ground inductors
Compensation of on-die inductive parasitics in ladder filters through negative mutual inductance between ground inductors is disclosed herein. An exemplary ladder filter includes a primary arm of series resonators and two or more shunt resonator arms connecting nodes between the series resonators to ground. The resonators of the ladder filter are disposed over a semiconductor substrate, to form a circuit die. Constructed ladder filter dice may fail to achieve design filter rejection due to inductive parasitics (e.g., undesired magnetic induction between components). A first shunt arm and a second shunt arm are provided with mutual negatively coupled inductors in order to compensate for these parasitics and improve filter performance. |
| US11018648B1 |
Sonic logging broadband impedance matching transformer modular design method and module
A sonic logging broadband impedance matching transformer modular design method and a module are related to sonic logging. The method includes the steps: obtaining component values of a multimodal equivalent circuit of a piezoelectric transducer by fitting actual impedance data of the piezoelectric transducer through a nonlinear regression method; selecting a T-type network structure composed of a matching capacitor and a matching inductor as a piezoelectric transducer impedance matching network structure; and presetting a to-be-matched frequency band and a reflection coefficient, and taking the multimodal equivalent circuit of the transducer as an artificial circuit load to optimize parameters of the piezoelectric transducer impedance matching network structure and a boosting transformer together so as to obtain final optimized parameters of the piezoelectric transducer impedance matching network structure and the transformer. |
| US11018647B2 |
Electrical filter structure
An electrical filter structure for forwarding an electrical signal from a first port to a second port in a frequency selective manner, wherein the filter is an edge-coupled filter, the filter comprising: a plurality of coupled line sections coupled in a series, comprising at least a first coupled line section and a last coupled line section; wherein the first port is connected with the first of the coupled line sections using a first transmission line; wherein the second port is connected with the last of the coupled line sections using a second transmission line; wherein the electrical filter comprises an open stub; wherein a length of the open stub is chosen such that an electrical length of the open stub is equal, within a tolerance of +/−20 percent, to a fourth of a wavelength of a signal having a frequency of twice a passband center frequency of the filter. |
| US11018645B2 |
Oscillator, electronic apparatus and vehicle
Provided is an oscillator including: a resonator; a first circuit device electrically coupled to the resonator; and a second circuit device. The first circuit device generates a first clock signal by causing the resonator to oscillate, and performs first temperature compensation processing for temperature compensating a frequency of the first clock signal. The second circuit device receives the first clock signal from the first circuit device, generates a second clock signal based on the first clock signal, and performs second temperature compensation processing for temperature compensating a frequency of the second clock signal. |
| US11018644B2 |
Audio amplifier with embedded buck controller for class-G application
An audio amplifier includes: a buck controller configured to control an output voltage at a first supply terminal, the output voltage selected from a set including a plurality of output voltages, where the output voltage takes a settling time to settle; a first audio bridge including: a class-AB driver stage coupled to the first supply terminal, and a delay insertion circuit configured to receive a processed digital stream and provide the processed digital stream to the class-AB driver stage a delay time after receiving the processed digital stream, where the delay time is based on the settling time; and an audio amplitude detector configured to detect a first peak amplitude in the first digital audio stream, where the buck controller is configured to select a lowest output voltage from the set that is higher than the first peak amplitude plus a headroom voltage. |
| US11018642B2 |
Methods, systems, and media for controlling audio of an HDMI audio system
Mechanisms for controlling an audio level of an HDMI audio system are provided, the mechanisms comprising: causing audio data to be presented by an HDMI audio system at a current system volume level; receiving a requested volume level from a second screen device; and controlling a system volume level by: (a) determining the current system volume level; (b) determining a change in volume based on a difference between the requested volume level and the current system volume level; (c) determining a direction in which to cause the system volume level to change; (d) sending a volume control message to the system using a consumer electronic control bus connected to the system indicating whether to increase or decrease the system volume level based on the determined direction of system volume change; and (e) repeating (a)-(d) until the current system volume level reaches a predetermined value. |
| US11018641B2 |
Power combiner circuit
A power combiner circuit comprises a network topology for broadband RF and microwave systems that includes coupling elements, internodal matching sections, and an output matching section. The network topology serves as a combining mechanism for power from multiple power amplifiers. The network topology is designed so that characteristic impedances of transmissions lines serving as the coupling elements, internodal matching sections, and an output matching section produce a load impedance at an output port that is matched to the impedances seen by each power amplifier providing power to the power combiner circuit. Such a network topology is scalable to an unlimited number of power amplifiers, and enables a desired broadband frequency response for power amplification, while realizing a very low level of power output loss between input and output ports. |
| US11018640B2 |
Differential amplifier, corresponding integrated circuit, system, instrumentation amplifier and method
A differential amplifier includes: first and second input nodes; first and second output nodes; first and second supply nodes; first and second offset compensation nodes; first and second amplifier staged configured to generate first and second output voltages at the first and second output nodes as a function of first and second input voltages of the first and second input nodes and first and second offset compensation voltages of the first and second offset compensation nodes; and a feedback circuit configured to generate the first and second offset compensation voltages as a function of the first and the second output voltages. The feedback circuit includes: a coupling circuit coupled between the first and second offset compensation nodes, wherein the coupling circuit comprises one or more passive electric components. |
| US11018639B2 |
Power amplifier circuit
A power amplifier circuit includes a first transistor that amplifies a first signal and outputs a second signal; a second transistor that amplifies the second signal and outputs a third signal; a bias circuit that supplies a bias current to a base of the second transistor; and a bias adjustment circuit that adjusts the bias current to be supplied by the bias circuit by subjecting the first signal to detection. The bias adjustment circuit controls the bias current to be supplied to the base of the second transistor by drawing, from the bias circuit, a current of a magnitude corresponding to a magnitude of the first signal. The current increases as the magnitude of the first signal increases. |
| US11018637B2 |
High dynamic range transimpedance amplifier
Aspects of this disclosure relate to a receiver for a light detection and ranging system. The receiver includes a transimpedance amplifier that is operable in a linear mode for a range of power of light received by the receiver. The receiver can provide information about amplitude of the light outside of the range of power of the light for which the transimpedance amplifier operates in the linear mode. This information can be useful, for example, in identifying an object from which light received by the receiver was reflected. |
| US11018633B2 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating digital pre-distortion of cellular transmitter
A method and an apparatus are provided for calibrating digital pre-distortion (DPD) of an electronic device. A respective signal is received, by each of a first plurality of receiving antennas, from each of a second plurality of transmitting antennas. A DPD function is determined for each of the second plurality of transmitting antennas based on the received signals. A combined DPD function of the second plurality of transmitting antennas is determined based on the DPD functions and phase shifter settings associated with the second plurality of transmitting antennas. |
| US11018630B2 |
Disabled mode error reduction for high-voltage bilateral operational amplifier current source
Provided are embodiments that include a circuit configured to operate in a disabled mode error reduction for high-voltage bilateral operational amplifier current source. The circuit includes an operational amplifier, and a switching circuit coupled to the operation amplifier, wherein the switching circuit is operable in a normal mode and a disabled mode, wherein the disabled mode reduces error current at the output of the operational amplifier. Also provided are embodiments for a method for operating a circuit in a disabled mode for error reduction. |
| US11018628B2 |
Antenna impedance prediction via power amplifier parameter
Antenna impedance prediction via power amplifier parameter. In some embodiments, a power amplification system can include a splitter circuit and a combiner circuit, and first and second Doherty power amplifiers implemented in a quadrature configuration between the splitter circuit and the combiner circuit, with each Doherty power amplifier including a carrier amplifier and a peaking amplifier. The power amplification system can further include a monitoring circuit configured to measure at least some of base currents associated with the carrier and peaking amplifiers of the first and second Doherty power amplifiers, and generate a signal capable of adjusting a load impedance presented to an output of the combiner circuit. |
| US11018627B2 |
Multi-bandwidth envelope tracking integrated circuit and related apparatus
A multi-bandwidth envelope tracking (ET) integrated circuit (IC) (ETIC) and related apparatus are provided. In a non-limiting example, the multi-bandwidth ETIC is coupled to an amplifier circuit(s) configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal corresponding to a wide range of modulation bandwidth (e.g., from less than 90 KHz to over 40 MHz). In this regard, the multi-bandwidth ETIC is configured to generate different ET voltages based on the modulation bandwidth of the RF signal. By generating the ET voltages based on the modulation bandwidth of the RF signal, it may be possible to optimize operating efficiency of the amplifier circuit(s). As a result, it may be possible to improve power consumption and reduce heat dissipation in an apparatus employing the multi-bandwidth ETIC, thus making it possible to provide the multi-bandwidth ETIC in a wearable device. |
| US11018625B1 |
Frequency reference generator
A frequency reference generator includes (i) an integrated frequency source having drive circuitry that drives a resonant (e.g., non-trimmable LC) tank to generate an oscillator signal, (ii) at least one temperature sensor that generates at least one measured temperature signal, and (iii) a frequency-adjustment circuit that adjusts the oscillator signal frequency to generate the frequency reference based on the measured temperature signal and a (e.g., sample-specific) mapping from temperature to a corresponding frequency-adjustment parameter (e.g., a divisor value for a fractional frequency divider). In some embodiments, a Colpitts oscillator generates the oscillator signal based on the measured temperature signal, where the Colpitts oscillator has voltage/temperature-compensation circuitry that compensates for variations in power supply voltage and operating temperature. Such frequency reference generators achieve substantial PVT insensitivity with as little as a single 1T-trim or even no trim at all. |
| US11018624B2 |
Connector for joining photovoltaic components
A photovoltaic assembly comprising: (a) at least two photovoltaic components that are adjacent to each other, each photovoltaic component comprising: (i) a partial connector channel in communication with a partial connector channel in an adjacent photovoltaic component and (ii) one or more connector receptors; (b) a connector located at least partially in the partial connector channel of the photovoltaic component and at least partially in the partial connector channel of the adjacent photovoltaic component so that the connector connects the photovoltaic component to the adjacent photovoltaic component, the connector comprising: a housing having: (1) a top housing and (2) a bottom housing, wherein the top housing and the bottom housing each include a first end and a second end; one or more flexible electrical conductors that extend from the first end to the second end; wherein the top housing and the bottom housing each include one or more mechanical flexing regions that allow the housing to mechanically flex. |
| US11018622B2 |
Electrical coupling apparatus for use in a solar photovoltaic power system and methods of operating the same
Electrical coupling apparatus for electrically coupling the output of a plurality of strings of photovoltaic modules to the input of a DC/AC inverter in parallel in a solar photovoltaic power system, the electrical coupling apparatus comprising a selective switching apparatus and at least one DC/DC converter. The selective switching apparatus may be configured to couple each of the plurality of strings of photovoltaic modules to the inverter either via a first electrical coupling path not comprising a DC/DC converter or via a second electrical coupling path comprising a DC/DC converter and selectively electrically couple any one of the plurality of strings of photovoltaic modules to the inverter via the second electrical coupling path by electrically coupling the string to the inverter via the at least one DC/DC converter. |
| US11018621B1 |
Methods for cleaning photovoltaic panels
The disclosure herein includes one or more methods for cleaning photovoltaic panels, which includes using cleaning assemblies for photovoltaic panels that may each include: 1) a track coupled to the photovoltaic panel; 2) a housing coupled to the photovoltaic panel; 3) a drive motor coupled to the housing; 4) a drive wheel coupled to the drive motor, wherein the wheel is capable of rolling on the track; 5) a vacuum pump having a suction head coupled to the housing; and/or 6) an air pump having an ionizing electrode. |
| US11018619B2 |
Photovoltaic cabling optimization for solar trackers using a plug and play harness configuration
Photovoltaic cabling optimization for trackers using a plug and play harness configuration. A cable harness configuration for a photovoltaic, PV, installation including a plurality of solar trackers arranged in rows in a N-S direction, each solar tracker comprising a plurality of photovoltaic modules, and a switch-box or an inverter, the cable harness configuration comprising a plurality of output strings, for each solar tracker, a trunk cable, and one or more connector devices connecting said plurality of strings and said trunk cable. Each solar tracker has associated a fuse-box with a plurality of connection inputs and said fuse-box has a single cable or connector output which is connected to the trunk cable through the use of said connector device. |
| US11018618B2 |
Photovoltaic systems
This invention relates to a roofing panel for interconnection with one or more additional roofing panels. The roofing panel comprises a PV cell coupled to an inverter, and wireless (or optionally wired) power transfer circuitry for transmitting power to another roofing panel and/or the AC grid and/or to an AC inverter, and/or for receiving power from another roofing panel. |
| US11018614B2 |
Dual-inverter drive apparatus for synchronous motor
In a dual-inverter type of motor control apparatus which controls a synchronous motor having two or more open-end armature windings corresponding to respective phases, first and second inverter control circuits control the motor by supplying voltage commands to corresponding ones of the two inverters, with a combination of respective control methods executed by the inverter control circuits for generating the voltage commands being determined such as to provide a high speed of control response, while preventing control interference caused by effects of component characteristic disparities, such as deviations between timings of updating the voltage commands by the two inverter control circuits. |
| US11018613B2 |
Mixing device power system and method
Embodiments of a mixing device power system generally include a power control module, an AC motor, and a variable frequency drive, wherein upon application of AC power to the system, electrical power is provided to the power control module which transmits electrical power to the AC motor, whereby rotation of a mixing spindle is initiated. After the spindle has begun rotating, transmission of electrical power from the power control module to the AC motor is ceased, and substantially simultaneously electrical power transmission is commenced from the power control module to the variable frequency drive which transmits electrical power to the AC motor, whereby rotation of the mixing spindle is continued. A method of using the mixing device power system to mix a fluid sample is also provided. |
| US11018612B1 |
Methods for networks of efficiently powered electrical devices
Enhanced network power factor corrective designs are presented that can use corrective devices that achieve long-term, operationally stable mechanical work. Embodiments can utilize reverse-winding induction motor designs with engineerable parameters and configurations for the reverse winding (13) in systems and through methods where an inductive motor (1) can present a current that leads voltage and a leading power factor (16) to correct other existing induction motors (8) in an initial network (9) or be optimized for a particular application. Designs also present a power factor correction that can present a variable correction without altering the character or physical capacitive value of an electrical correction component. Individual induction motors that have leading current and a leading power factor (16) can be provided to improve reverse winding induction motors. Progressive start controls (23) can also be used in a manner that limits inrush current to operational levels with passive current establishment control where reverse winding (13) effects can be used and perhaps even delayed to passively limit and even effect a current decrease while rotational acceleration continues after initial start transition. |
| US11018609B2 |
Control of a wind turbine by changing rotation rate parameters
A method for controlling a wind turbine with a wind rotor (2), a doubly-fed induction generator (1) driven therewith, and a converter (4), which is electrically connected to feed electrical energy into an electrical grid (8) with at least one grid parameter, and having a controller with a memory in which rotation rate parameters are stored, characterized in that at least one variable characteristic curve is determined between at least one of the rotation rate parameters and the at least one grid parameter, the at least one characteristic is stored in the memory, the at least one grid parameter is measured, the grid parameter measurements are fed to the controller, the values of the at least one rotation rate parameter associated with the grid parameter measurements via the at least one characteristic curve are activated. |
| US11018608B2 |
Self-propelled endoscope apparatus and control apparatus for the same
A self-propelled endoscope apparatus includes a rotation body, a motor, a drive circuit, and a regeneration protection circuit. The rotation body is provided on an outer peripheral surface of an elongated insertion section. The rotation body is configured to be rotatable. The motor rotates the rotation body. The drive circuit drives the motor. The regeneration protection circuit performs protecting operation for protecting the drive circuit from regeneration voltage generated by regeneration of the motor. |
| US11018607B2 |
Motor driver device, semiconductor device, and electronic device including the same
A motor driver device includes: a driver driving a motor by a driving method, wherein the driving method includes: a first driving method performing driving control of the motor based on zero cross timing of back electromotive force generated in a coil of a predetermined phase; and a second driving method performing driving control of the motor such that a first differential phase between zero cross timing of driving current flowing through the coil of the predetermined phase and zero cross timing of driving voltage applied to the coil of the predetermined phase coincides with predetermined first target phase, and wherein, even when the motor is being driven by the first driving method, the first differential phase is sequentially detected and, when transition from the first driving method to the second driving method occurs, the first differential phase detected immediately before the transition is set to the first target phase. |
| US11018606B2 |
Linear hall effect sensors for multi-phase permanent magnet motors with PWM drive
Low cost linear Hall Effect sensors are used for determining motor shaft positions and generating voltages proportional to the motor shaft positions. The voltages from the linear Hall Effect sensors are compared to a triangle waveform and PWM signals are generated therefrom. A constant current source and constant current sink are used in the triangle waveform generator. The voltages from the linear Hall Effect sensors are adjusted to change the PWM duty cycles used to startup and vary the speed of the motor. Comparators compare the voltages from the Hall Effect sensors and product the PWM signals having duty cycles proportional to the voltage drive requirements of the motor. |
| US11018604B2 |
Conversion circuit board of brushless direct current (BLDC) motor and packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) comprising the same
A conversion circuit board, including: a microprocessor module; a power module; a communication module; a first interface module; and a second interface module. The microprocessor module is adapted to communicate with a motherboard of an air conditioner via the communication module. The microprocessor module is adapted to connect to a first brushless direct current motor and a second brushless direct current motor via the first interface module and the second interface module, respectively. The power module supplies powers for the microprocessor module, the communication module, the first interface module, and the second interface module. |
| US11018603B2 |
Drive unit for an adjustment system of a motor vehicle, and method for operating a drive unit
A drive unit for an adjustment system for a motor vehicle has an adjustable element moved by an electric motor. The dive motor is operated electromagnetically. A magnetic field sensor is arranged on a pole pot or a housing of the drive motor to provide an electrical sensor signal dependent on a magnetic field. A control unit is configured to detect the magnetic field. The magnetic field varies on rotation of a rotor of the drive motor, so that a relative position change of the adjustable element can be derived from the electrical sensor signal. |
| US11018600B2 |
Multilevel converter for the control and transmission of electrical energy
A multilevel converter allowing the reduction of volume and accessibility to the control and transformation of electric power, including at least two basic cells and having: a) a first power switch that interconnects a positive bus between the two basic cells connected in cascade each other; b) a second power switch that interconnects a negative bus between two basic cells connected in cascade each other and c) a capacitor with a third power switch, connected in series and interconnected between the positive and negative bus. |
| US11018594B1 |
Adaptive control of resonant power converters
A power converter including a transformer, a resonant circuit including the transformer and a resonant capacitor having a characteristic resonant frequency and period, and output circuitry connected to the transformer for delivering a rectified output voltage to a load. Primary switches drive the resonant circuit, a switch controller operates the primary switches in a series of converter operating cycles which include power transfer intervals of adjustable duration during which a resonant current at the characteristic resonant frequency flows through a winding of the transformer. The operating cycles may also include energy recycling intervals of variable duration for charging and discharging capacitances within the converter. A gate driver includes a transformer, a plurality of switches, a current monitor, and a controller that operates the switches in a series of driver operating cycles having adjustable ON periods and adjustable transition periods during which capacitances are resonantly charged and discharged. |
| US11018593B1 |
Dual-mode active clamp flyback converter
A dual-mode active clamp flyback converter includes a transformer circuit, a clamping energy storage circuit, and a main switch circuit. The transformer circuit is coupled to a load, and the transformer circuit includes an auxiliary winding. The clamping energy storage circuit is coupled to the transformer circuit. If the load as a heavy loading, the clamping energy storage circuit is turned on. If the load as a light loading, the clamping energy storage circuit is turned off. The main switch circuit is coupled to the transformer circuit. When the main switch circuit is turned on, the auxiliary winding releases energy to a primary-side winding of the transformer circuit. |
| US11018591B1 |
Dynamic regulation power controller
Disclosed is a dynamic regulation power controller having a work voltage input pin, a feedback voltage input pin, a driving voltage output pin, a current sensing input pin, and a regulation power input pin, and being in collocation with a switching unit, an input power processing unit, a transformer, a current sensing resistor, a power regulation unit, an output rectification unit, and an output capacitor for converting an input AC voltage into an output voltage for supplying a load. In particular, the driving voltage and the driving current are dynamically adjusted according to the feedback voltage and the current sensing signal, thereby greatly increasing efficiency of power conversion and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). |
| US11018590B2 |
Control circuit for a flyback converter
A control circuit for a flyback converter is configured to adjust a conduction time of an auxiliary switch of the flyback converter in accordance with a drain-source voltage of a main switch of the flyback converter when the main switch is turned on, in order to achieve zero-voltage switching of the main switch. The flyback converter can include: a main power stage having the main switch to control energy storage and transmission of a transformer; and a clamp circuit having an auxiliary switch to provide a release path for releasing energy of leakage inductance of the transformer. |
| US11018589B1 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for balanced current sharing in paralleled resonant converters
Methods and systems for balancing output currents of parallel connected resonant converters are disclosed. One such method includes matching switching frequencies for a pair of resonant converters. The method also includes carrying AC output currents of resonant tanks of each of the resonant converters through a current controlled voltage source that is coupled to each of the resonant converters of the pair of resonant converters at an AC side of each of the resonant converters of the pair of resonant converters. The method further includes inducing, for the pair of resonant converters, a voltage that is proportional to a difference in the AC currents carried through the current controlled voltage source by passing the AC currents through the current controlled voltage source. The induced voltage is oriented to oppose the greater of the AC currents and to increase the smaller of the AC currents. |
| US11018586B2 |
Multi-stage chained feedback regulated voltage supply
Circuits and methods for reducing the cost and/or power consumption of a user terminal and/or the gateway of a telecommunications system that may include a telecommunications satellite. Embodiments include “chained” feedback-regulated voltage supply circuits. These circuits substantially eliminate the need for separate regulator circuits for each regulated voltage. These circuits are designed to automatically maintain a substantially constant first voltage at a first node for a first load and maintain a substantially constant second voltage at a second node for a second load. Some disclosed configurations of these circuits may be useful to achieve greater current capability at the same voltage without requiring larger switches and higher inductor and capacitor sizes that may be needed in a single (conventional) stage voltage supply circuit. |
| US11018583B2 |
Switching voltage regulators with phase-lock loops and lock range extension
Adaptive on-time switching voltage regulator circuits and methods therefor provided. In some embodiments, a voltage regulator comprises: a switching circuit configured to generate a switching signal at a switching node according to a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal; a phase-lock loop (PLL) configured to lock the PWM signal to a clock reference signal, the PLL comprising: a PWM signal generator configured to generate the PWM signal according to an error signal, and a phase detector configured to generate the error signal based on the PWM signal and the clock reference signal. |
| US11018579B2 |
Boost converter and boost converter cell
A boost converter and a cell applicable to the boost converter are provided. The cell comprises a control circuit configured to generate a bottom control signal related to a bottom plate of a capacitor, and a top control signal related to a top plate of the capacitor to connect the capacitor based on one or more operational phases, and a booster configured to convert the top control signal generated by the control circuit, wherein the capacitor is configured to be sequentially connected to voltage levels through switches, based on the bottom control signal and the converted top control signal. |
| US11018577B2 |
Charge pump circuit for providing voltages to multiple switch circuits
A charge pump circuit generates a charge pump voltage that powers a bias circuit. The bias circuit generates a reference current and generates switch currents from the reference current. Gate-source voltages are generated from the switch currents and applied to switching components of switch circuits to connect two nodes. The gate-source voltages can be generated in the bias circuit and provided to the switch circuits. The gate-source voltages can also be generated in the switch circuits. |
| US11018576B2 |
Method and device for decreasing the power supply voltage of a c-type USB receiver device supporting a USB power delivery mode
A USB source device, supporting USB Power Delivery mode and coupled to a USB receiver device, includes a power converter delivering a supply voltage and a capacitive network coupled to the power converter. A method for managing the supply voltage on an output power supply pin of the USB source device includes discharging the capacitive network so as to reduce the supply voltage in response to a request to reduce the supply voltage by the USB receiver device to a target voltage. The method also includes delivering, to the power converter, a setpoint voltage for the supply voltage, a value of the setpoint voltage being reduced non-linearly so as to keep a temporal variation of the setpoint voltage lower than that of the supply voltage. |
| US11018575B2 |
Semiconductor assembly and control method thereof
The present invention discloses a semiconductor assembly. The semiconductor assembly comprises a fully controlled power electronic device and a snubber circuit, wherein the snubber circuit is connected to the fully controlled power electronic device in parallel; the snubber circuit comprises a capacitor (C), an inductor (L), a resistor (R), a diode (D) and a half controlled power electronic device (A1); the inductor (L) and the half controlled power electronic device (A1) are connected in series and are together connected to the resistor (R) in parallel; and the diode (D) and the resistor (R) are connected in parallel and are together connected to the capacitor (C) in series. |
| US11018570B2 |
Circuit for converting an AC or a DC electrical input into a DC electrical output
A circuit converts an AC or DC electrical input applied between first and second input leads into a DC output applied to a load via first and second output leads. Four thyristors have their anodes respectively connected to one of the first and second input leads or one of the first and second output leads. Cathodes of two thyristors are connected to the first and second output leads while cathodes of two other thyristors are connected to the first and second input leads. Gates of each thyristor are connected to respective unidirectional switches that open and close at the same time. When closed, the unidirectional switches polarize the gates. Thyristors having a positive voltage on their anodes apply this voltage to the first output lead to power the load. Thyristors having a negative voltage on their cathodes transmit return current from the load to the first or second input lead. |
| US11018564B2 |
Method for forming coil and apparatus for forming coil
A method for forming a coil that is formed by winding a flat rectangular conductor wire a plurality of times, the method includes forming, in the coil end portion, an offset portion bent in a stacking direction of the flat rectangular conductor wire with an offset in the stacking direction of the flat rectangular conductor wire by an amount corresponding to a width of the single flat rectangular conductor wire by moving the outer die on the one side in the divided outer die relative to the outer die on the other side in a direction along the stacking direction. |
| US11018563B2 |
Manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of electrical rotating machine
A manufacturing apparatus of an electrical rotating machine includes a coil segment shaping section for shaping a linear wire rod with a predetermined length into a coil segment with a predetermined shape consisting of a pair of slot insertion portions extending substantially in parallel with each other and a linking portion for coupling the pair of slot insertion portions, and a coil assembling section for assembling a coil by circularly arranging the coil segments shaped in the coil segment shaping section. The coil segment shaping section and the coil assembling section are constituted to continuously perform the shaping and the assembling of the coil segment in each coil segment unit, based on control data set depending on a coil to be fabricated. |
| US11018561B2 |
Segmented magnetic core
Various embodiments associated with a segmented magnetic core are described. The segmented magnetic core can be made up of multiple singular structures so as to allow an individual singular structure to be removed with ease and without disturbing another magnetic core. This modular core design allows for a significant reduction in motor housing weight due to compatibility of the design with lightweight materials and the potential absence of extensive housing when so designed. This modular core design can be incorporated into a motor or a generator and this modular core design can be accomplished, in one example, by way of stacking and/or interlocking employing low cost assembly. In one example, a motor or a generator uses sensors to detect an operational failure in a magnetic core, notifying a user early of the failure. |
| US11018552B2 |
High-force density three pole magnetic bearing
A first radial force value and a second radial force value is received by a radial magnetic bearing controller. Coefficients are computed for a first equation using the first and second radial force values. The first equation is solved to define first solution values. A second solution value paired with each first solution value is computed using the first radial force value and a respective first solution value to define second solution values. Control current sets are computed for each unique paired solution of the second solution values and the first solution values. Each control current set includes a control current value for each of three control currents. A control current value for each of the three control currents is selected from the control current sets. The control current value for each of the three control currents is output to a respective radial winding of a three-pole radial magnetic bearing. |
| US11018548B2 |
Electrical machine having a frame and sleeve
The invention relates to an electrical machine (1) comprising a rotor (4) which is rotatably mounted around a rotation axis (5) extending in the axial direction (3) in bearing devices (16, 17), a stator (7) having two axial ends, an air gap between rotor and stator, an interior chamber (10) encompassing the stator (7) and rotor (4), a sleeve (11) encompassing a first part (111) which encloses the interior chamber (10), a frame (12) having a first (123) and a second (121) longitudinal support (123), a first (122) and a second (124) cross-support, and a dividing device (2) on the frame (12). The stator (7) comprises a fastening device (15) for connection to the frame (12) and the dividing device (2) can make the interior chamber accessible from the outside in a plane parallel to the frame (12). The invention further relates to a collection, to a frame (12), to a sleeve (11), or to a service or production method of such an electrical machine (1). |
| US11018543B2 |
Method for manufacturing stator of rotary electric machine including a cassette coil
A method is for manufacturing a stator of a rotary electric machine. The method includes; forming a stator core; forming each of cassette coils by concentrically winding rectangular wire for the specified number of turns, each of the cassette coils being formed by applying a shift amount with respect to an axis in a winding direction to a wire shape of at least one of the turns before being attached to the teeth; attaching each of the cassette coils to each of teeth while canceling the shift amount; and forming a wire coil of the rotary electric machine by connecting a winding terminal of one of the cassette coils to a winding terminal of another of the cassette coils. |
| US11018539B2 |
Electric machine with helical cooling channels
An electric machine for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle may comprise: a rotor with a rotor laminated core; a stator with winding heads on opposite end faces; and a housing with a a cooling liquid reservoir. The rotor core comprises multiple stacked laminations each with an aperture connecting the end faces to one another. The apertures of adjacent laminations are offset in a circumferential direction so: a first helical cooling channel connects an inner region of the core to a first end face; a second helical cooling channel connects the inner region of the core to a second end face; and the first cooling channel and the second cooling channel are oriented oppositely with respect to one another and are connected via a passage within the rotor laminated core to a feed line conducting the cooling liquid within the rotor shaft. |
| US11018538B2 |
Rotor assembly, motor, blower, and vacuum cleaner
A rotor assembly includes a shaft disposed along a central axis extending vertically, a tubular magnet disposed on a radially outer surface of the shaft, a lower spacer disposed axially below the magnet and fixed to the radially outer surface of the shaft, a shaft adhesive film attaching the shaft to the magnet, and a lower spacer adhesive film attaching an axially upper surface of the lower spacer to an axially lower surface of the magnet. The shaft adhesive film and the lower spacer adhesive film are an identical adhesive and are continuously formed. |
| US11018537B2 |
Method of construction for permanent magnet generator
A generator comprises as a first part a stack of disc-like annular rotors spaced one from the other and coaxially located upon and rotating with an elongate central member each rotor having an inner annular portion and an outer annular portion, the outer annular portion bearing and/or comprising a magnetic annulus, one or more spacers being coaxially mounted around the central member in between the inner annular portions of each rotor and abutting against them in such manner such as to brace them to remain orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the assembly as well as providing the required spacing therebetween, and as a second part, a stack of annular stators interposed between the rotors and mounted over the spacers but having an inner clearance diameter greater than that of the outer diameter of the portion of spacer over which they are located. |
| US11018536B2 |
Magnet motor with electromagnetic drive
An electromagnetic rotating motor system that comprise of a grooved wheel with one or more permanent magnets tangentially embedded in a horse-shoe pattern within the groove around the wheel rim with similar poles pointing in the same direction and wherein induction coils or electromagnets are positioned to fit tangentially between the permanent magnet(s) in the groove with the pole axis of the electromagnet parallel to that of the permanent magnets and with the coiling and powering made such that it generates magnetic poles that are similarly aligned to the poles of the permanent magnets such that when current is passed through the coil, the poles of the electromagnet and the permanent magnet repel each other forcing the wheel holding the magnets to rotate away from the coil. |
| US11018535B2 |
Motor, rotor, compressor, and refrigeration and air conditioning apparatus
A motor includes a stator and a rotor provided inside the stator. The rotor includes a rotor core having a magnet insertion hole and two permanent magnets disposed in the magnet insertion hole. The rotor core has a first magnet holding portion disposed between the two permanent magnets and holding the two permanent magnets, an opening disposed on an inner side of the first magnet holding portion in a radial direction of the rotor core, and a center hole disposed at a center of the rotor core in the radial direction. A distance from the opening to the magnet insertion hole is shorter than a distance from the opening to the center hole. |
| US11018531B2 |
Receiver for wireless charging system
A receiver for a wireless charging system, capable of receiving power energy using non-contact type magnetic induction, includes a coil capable of receiving the power energy and a part for generating a predetermined output power from the power energy received by the coil, a portable terminal, an NFC coil further provided outside of the coil, and a ferrite sheet further provided at the coil and the NFC coil. |
| US11018528B2 |
Wireless power transmission/reception system, power conversion device including the same, and power conversion method
Provided is a power conversion device by which an inverter MOS transistors included in an inverter can be prevented from short-circuiting. It has a DC/DC converter unit converting a voltage of DC power to be inputted, a transformation unit transforming the DC power converted by the DC/DC converter unit, an inverter unit converting the DC power transformed by the transformation unit to AC power, a control unit driving/controlling the inverter unit, a wireless power reception unit receiving power fed by wireless power feed to supply it to the control unit, a wireless power transmission unit transmitting power to the wireless power reception unit, and a power supply unit supplying power to the wireless power transmission unit. |
| US11018527B2 |
Wireless power supply assembly and electronic device
A wireless power supply assembly and an electronic device are disclosed. By providing a gap between the magnetic sheet and the coil, dense magnetic lines of force closely abutting the coil pass through the gap to avoid passing through the magnetic sheet, thereby reducing loss due to the magnetic sheet. At the meanwhile, it is also possible to further avoid significant changes in coil inductance parameters caused by horizontal offset between the coil and the magnetic sheet due to installation errors, reduce the sensitivity of the resonance compensation capacitance of the wireless power supply assembly to the position and further reduce the loss. The present disclosure can effectively reduce the loss of the wireless power supply system and improve wireless power transmission efficiency. |
| US11018526B2 |
Detuning for a resonant wireless power transfer system including cooperative power sharing
Wireless resonant inductive power receivers for achieving detuning for a resonant wireless power transfer system including cooperative power sharing is described. Cooperative power sharing allows for detuning one or more wireless received coupled to a wireless charger to alter the power received at each wireless receiver. |
| US11018525B2 |
Methods and apparatus for increasing a transfer of energy in an inductive power supply
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, generating, by a waveform generator, an alternating waveform by selectively enabling one or more switches coupled to a storage device, and supplying, by the waveform generator, the alternating voltage waveform to a winding coupled to a magnetic core of an inductive power supply to modify an alternating magnetic flux in the magnetic core from current alone flowing through a transmission medium coupled to the inductive power supply. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US11018520B2 |
Secondary power system
A secondary power system is configured to connect to a motor vehicle having a powertrain comprising an engine and a first alternator. The secondary power system includes a second alternator connected to the engine, one or more electro-chemical storage devices coupled to the second alternator and configured to be charged by the alternator, and one or more inverter chargers. The inverter chargers may operate in a first mode to provide AC power to loads on the vehicle or in a second mode to receive alternative power and charge the storage devices. In an embodiment, the secondary power system includes multiple storage devices each comprising at least one electro-chemical storage pack and a logic. The storage devices are interconnected by a junction box. The logics within each storage device may selectively disrupt power flow from the junction box upon detection of an error condition. |
| US11018517B2 |
Battery sensing voltage controller
A battery pack includes a housing, a battery, a battery pack output voltage path that includes a charge power switch and a discharge power switch, and a battery sense output. A switch can be operably coupled between the battery and the battery sense output and configured to selectively open and close a battery sense path between the battery and the battery sense output. By one approach a first control circuit controls the open and close state of the aforementioned switch (in response, for example, to a comparison of the voltage differential across the switch to a predetermined threshold such that the switch is opened when the voltage differential across the switch becomes too positive or too negative with respect to battery voltage). |
| US11018513B2 |
Battery cell management system
A battery cell management system includes a microcontroller having first and second applications and first and second memory buffers. The first and second memory buffers have first and second overvoltage fault bits, respectively, associated with a first battery cell. The first application sets a first encoded overvoltage fault indicator equal to a first fault value if the first overvoltage fault bit of the first memory buffer is equal to a first binary value. The first application receives a second encoded overvoltage fault indicator from the second application. The first application commands a digital input-output device to generate control signals to transition a contactor to an open operational state if either the first encoded overvoltage fault indicator is equal to the first fault value or the second encoded overvoltage fault indicator is equal to a second fault value. |
| US11018511B2 |
System and method for balancing battery cell charge in battery array for electrified machine
A system for balancing battery cell charge in a battery array for an electrified machine is provided. The battery array includes a plurality of individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells. A plurality of cell monitors are in communication with the individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells, with the plurality of cell monitors being powered by the individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells. A battery controller of the system receives information about the individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells, from the plurality of cell monitors. The information traverses the plurality of cell monitors in a first pattern to the battery controller and, after a predetermined period of time or occurrence of a predetermined event, the information traverses the plurality of cell monitors in a second pattern that is different than the first pattern to the battery controller. |
| US11018510B2 |
Configurable mesh network for an electrical switching system
Systems and methods that can be retrofitted into an existing wired electrical system replacing existing switches whether as a standalone single switch or part of a multi-way switch configuration that can be controlled locally nominally by touch, controlled remotely by a remote, or controlled remotely by a computer. The systems and method provide that the switches establish a local network allowing for retrofit or construction of a structure or facility with electrical system automation without the need for additional wiring. |
| US11018509B2 |
Power transmission system capable of synchronizing power transmitter apparatus having multiple operation modes, with power receiver apparatus having multiple operation
A current meter measures a current value associated with input power inputted to a code modulator. A code modulation circuit modulates the input power to generate a code-modulated wave by code modulation using a modulation code based on a code sequence, and transmits the code-modulated wave to the code demodulator via a transmission path. A control circuit controls the code modulation circuit. The code modulation circuit has operation modes different from each other depending on a direction of the input power, and a direction of the code-modulated wave to be generated. The control circuit generates waveform information indicating variations of direction of the input power over time, based on the current value measured by the current meter, and determines the operation mode of the code modulation circuit based on the waveform information. |
| US11018506B2 |
Smart grid timing synchronization method, system, device and computer readable storage medium
A smart grid timing synchronization method, a smart grid timing synchronization system, a smart grid timing synchronization device and a computer readable storage medium are provided, which is applied to any synchronization device in a smart grid. The method includes: determining whether a clock frequency of a synchronization device is consistent with a preset fixed frequency, and if not, regulating the clock frequency of the synchronization device to be consistent with the preset fixed frequency. The synchronization device includes a communication device and a central coordinator. |
| US11018503B2 |
Overvoltage protection circuit and electrical device including such a protection circuit
A protection circuit intended to be connected between an electrical energy source and an overvoltage-sensitive device. A current limiting circuit and a current monitoring circuit are connected in series, a reference voltage generator circuit delivering a reference voltage, and a balancing circuit is intended to control the current monitoring circuit so that the voltage at a point of connection between the current limiting circuit and the current monitoring circuit is substantially equal to the reference voltage. An electrical measurement or power supply device including at least one such overvoltage protection circuit. |
| US11018500B2 |
Current-limiting circuit, current-limiting device and display device
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a current-limiting circuit, a current-limiting device and a display device. A current detection circuit outputs a first voltage signal according to a first current signal output from a power management IC, and a current-limiting setting circuit outputs a second current signal for current-limiting control of a current output signal of a boost chip according to the first voltage signal. |
| US11018496B2 |
Leakage current detection and protection device, and power connector and electrical appliance employing the same
A leakage current detection and protection device, and power connector and electrical appliance employing the same. The device includes: a leakage current detection module which detects a leakage current on the power lines to generate a leakage fault signal; a self-test module which periodically generates a simulated leakage current and outputs a self-test fault signal when the leakage current detection module is faulty; a trip module, including a switch coupled between the input and output ends of the power lines, and a first trip coil which drives the switch; a drive module which drives the trip module to disconnect the electrical connection between the input and output ends in response to the leakage fault signal and/or the self-test fault signal; and a trip function detection module which generates a trip coil fault signal in response to detecting an open circuit in the first trip coil to disconnect the electrical connection. |
| US11018495B2 |
Control device for electric power conversion apparatus
A control device for an electric power conversion apparatus, the control device detecting occurrence of an earth fault in a direct-current path in a system in which the direct-current path between a solar cell module and an electric power conversion apparatus is grounded, is provided. The control device for the electric power conversion apparatus includes: a grounding control unit configured to, in a system in which a direct-current path between a solar cell module and an electric power conversion apparatus is grounded via a switch, control a switch; and an earth fault determination unit configured to, when the switch is open under the controlled of the grounding control unit, detect whether or not an earth fault has occurred in the direct-current path. |
| US11018494B2 |
Electronic protection device
An electronic protection device for a LV electric line including one or more conductors, comprising: one or more pairs of electric contacts adapted to be electrically connected with corresponding conductors of the electric line, the electric contacts being operatively coupleable or decoupleable from one another; and a control unit adapted to control the operation of the electronic protection device; wherein the control unit includes an electronic arrangement to detect and determine arc fault conditions in the electric line. |
| US11018492B2 |
Communications network power provision sensing, monitoring and control
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations for a communications network with data and power provision over communication channels. In some embodiments, the network may comprise a network control apparatus having a plurality of communication channels, to connect one or more devices with the network, wherein the network control apparatus is to provide data communications between a device of one or more devices and the network via a communication channel, and to provide power to the device via the communication channel. The network may further comprise a power management block coupled with the network control apparatus, to control the provision of power to the device of the one or more devices, which may include determining whether the communication channel carries a power level in excess of a threshold associated with the communication channel. |
| US11018490B2 |
Fault interrupt module
A fault interrupt module includes a detector circuit, a counter circuit, and a switch circuit. The detector circuit is configured to detect faults as a difference in current between an input power line and a neutral line. The counter circuit configured to increment a fault count each time a fault is detected by the detector circuit, and the switch circuit is configured to terminate power to a load upon the fault count reaching a threshold count within a threshold time period. |
| US11018487B2 |
Overhead electrical infeed
An overhead electrical infeed system includes an overhead mount surface, an electrical cord coupled to the overhead mount surface, an electrical outlet assembly coupled to a distal end portion of the cord having a proximal end portion mounted to the overhead mount surface and a distal end portion spaced from the proximal end portion. At least a portion of the weight of the electrical outlet assembly is supported by the electrical cord. A retractor is positioned along the electrical cord and is operable to raise the electrical outlet assembly or to retain the electrical outlet assembly at a selected elevation. An electrical outlet is electrically energized by the electrical cord and is mounted to the electrical outlet assembly, to provide users with access to electrical or data signals. |
| US11018481B1 |
Cable securing device
A cable securing device facilitates secure connection to a cabling end, and employs a retaining cap, a barrel and a cable receiving component. Embodiments of the cable receiving component include a retaining jaw, a spacer gland and a fastening ring maintained within an interior cavity of the barrel. In various embodiments, the cable receiving component is retained in a substantially axially static position within the barrel upon insertion of a cable. |
| US11018478B2 |
Ion generator device support
The present disclosure is directed to ion generator device supports. An ion generator device support is configured to retain an ion generator device, the ion generator device having a first portion containing exposed electrodes and a second portion, the support includes a first wall, a second wall extending orthogonally from the first wall and a third wall extending orthogonally from the first wall opposed to the second wall, wherein the third wall extends a smaller distance from the first wall than the second wall, wherein the third wall comprises an orthogonal extension section that extends from the edge of the third wall towards the second wall and is substantially parallel to the first wall. |
| US11018473B1 |
Selective-area growth of III-V materials for integration with silicon photonics
Embodiments provide for selective-area growth of III-V materials for integration with silicon photonics. The resulting platform includes a substrate; an insulator, extending a first distance from the substrate, including a passive optical component at a second distance from the substrate less than the first distance, and defining a pit extending to the substrate; and a III-V component, extending from the substrate within in the pit defined in the insulator, the III-V component including a gain medium included at the second distance from the substrate and optically coupled with the passive optical component. The pit may define an Optical Coupling Interface between the III-V component and the passive optical component, or a slit defined between the III-V component and the passive optical component may define the Optical Coupling Interface. |
| US11018470B2 |
System for optimizing laser beam
A system for producing single-frequency or near-single-frequency operation of a laser beam includes a laser for emitting a laser beam at each one of a plurality of cavity lengths, A detector is configured to receive at least a portion of the laser beam emitted, and generate a signal. A computer system is configured to identify at least one beat note in the signal for each of at least one of the plurality of cavity lengths, the at least one beat note indicating the presence of one or more higher-order transverse modes, longitudinal modes, or both, in the received at least the portion of the laser beam emitted at the at least one of the plurality of cavity lengths. The cavity is adjusted to one of the plurality of cavity lengths for eliminating or minimizing the at least one beat note. |
| US11018465B2 |
Techniques for integrating wireless functionality in a power outlet
A power control device is contained within a housing and has an electric current sensor configured to measure current passing through an electric outlet during a time period, a proximity sensor configured to detect a distance of an object relative to the electric outlet during the time period, a relay switch that can open or close to stop or conduct current through a circuit in the electric outlet in response to a command, and a wireless network interface in communication with the electric current sensor and the proximity sensor, the wireless network interface configured to transmit and receive data from the current sensor and the proximity sensor, to transmit commands to the relay switch, transmit the data to a computing device, and receive commands from the computing device. |
| US11018462B2 |
Connector for vehicle
A connector includes a panel, a first housing assembled to the panel, and a second housing fittable to the first housing. A grommet covers the outer circumference of the second housing and has a lip to be brought into close contact with the panel. A flange is provided movably on the outer circumference of the second housing. The flange is regulated in movement with respect to the second housing with the lip away from the panel. A fitting detection mechanism enables the flange to move toward the panel and enables the lip to come in close contact with the panel, with the first housing and the second housing fitting normally together. |
| US11018461B2 |
Power plug for monitoring appliance performance
A power plug for coupling an electrical appliance to an electrical power supply, comprising: a current sensor, configured to measure current supplied through the plug to the electrical appliance; a voltage sensor, configured to measure voltage supplied through the plug to the electrical appliance; a processor configured to: determine power consumption data from data relating to the current and voltage measurements made by the current and voltage sensors; and monitor the performance of the electrical appliance using the power consumption data; and a transmitter, configured to transmit information relating to the performance of the electrical appliance. |
| US11018458B2 |
Electrical connector with an electromagnetic shielding mechanism
A connector includes a housing having a thread post at a first end and a thread head at a second end opposite to the first end, an insulation body received in the housing, a terminal disposed in the insulation body and received in the housing, and an electromagnetic shielding mechanism. The electromagnetic shielding mechanism is welded on a surface of the thread head adjacent to the thread post. |
| US11018457B2 |
Electrical connector with insertion loss control window in a contact module
An electrical connector includes a contact module having a first dielectric frame holding first conductors and a second dielectric frame holding second conductors stacked with the first dielectric frame to form the contact module. The first dielectric frame has insertion loss control windows defining air pockets exposing exposed portions of the corresponding first conductors to air. The size and shape of the insertion loss control windows control insertion loss along the first conductors. The second dielectric frame has insertion loss control windows defining air pockets exposing exposed portions of the corresponding second conductors to air. The size and shape of the insertion loss control windows control insertion loss along the second conductors. The insertion loss control windows of the second dielectric frame are aligned with and are open to the insertion loss control windows of the first dielectric frame. |
| US11018455B2 |
Connector and transmission wafer thereof
A connector and a transmission wafer thereof are provided. The transmission wafer includes an insulating frame, a plurality of grounding terminals fixed to the insulating frame, and a first shielding member disposed on the insulating frame. At least one of the grounding terminals includes a main segment and a parasitic segment separate from the main segment. The main segment includes a transmission portion fixed in the insulating frame and a tail portion that protrudes from the insulating frame. The parasitic segment includes a fixing portion fixed in the insulating frame and a parasitic contact portion that protrudes from the insulating frame. The first shielding member includes a plurality of first internally connecting arms respectively connected to the grounding terminals, and at least one of the first externally connecting arms is sandwiched between a first edge of the transmission portion and a second edge of the fixing portion. |
| US11018454B2 |
Backplane connector omitting ground shields and system using same
A backplane connector includes a shielded design that has wafers with signal terminals supported as edge-coupled terminal pairs for differential signaling. A ground shield is mounted on each wafer and provides a U-channel that partially shields each terminal pair. The wafers omit a ground terminal between adjacent terminal pairs. An insert can be provided to help connect the ground shield to a U-shield to provide U-shaped shielding structure substantially the entire way from a tail to a contact. |
| US11018453B1 |
Cord restraint for electrical cords
A device for holding an electrical cord, such as a cellular phone charging cord, so that the electrical cord is easily restrained, located and retrieved. The device may be constructed of a flexible body that may be in any desirable shape. The body is provided with a slit that extends some distance, and in some embodiments, approximately halfway through the body. An electrical cord can be inserted through the slit. At the center of the body, the slit is enlarged to form a channel for receiving the cord. With the cord thus secured within the channel, the body makes the cord easier to find and less likely to slip or fall off of a surface where the cord is to be placed. |
| US11018451B2 |
Locking electrical contact device with switch
An electrical connector assembly includes a first electrical contact device and a second electrical contact device. The first electrical contact device includes a plurality of conductors. The second electrical contact device includes a first portion, a second portion movable in a rotational and translational manner relative to the first portion, and an actuator movable between a first position and a second position. The first portion includes first electrical contacts, and the second portion includes electrical sockets. Each socket receives an associated conductor and includes a second electrical contact aligned with an associated first electrical contact. The second portion is biased away from the first portion. When the actuator is in the first position, the actuator inhibits translational movement of the second portion toward the first portion. When the actuator is in the second position, the second portion is movable toward the first portion to permit the second electrical contacts to engage the first electrical contacts. |
| US11018448B2 |
Covering
In accordance with example embodiments a cover may include an attachment member having at least one aperture and a shelf substantially perpendicular to the attachment member. |
| US11018445B2 |
Terminal with electrically conductive tubular shaped body portion
A terminal includes a body portion and an elastic plate. The body portion is made of an electrically conductive material, is formed into a tubular shape extending in a tube axial direction, and has an insertion opening for insertion of a mating terminal therethrough. An elastic plate is made of an electrically conductive material extending, inside the body portion, in the tube axial direction and is folded back such that an arched portion faces the insertion opening, for the elastic plate to contact with the mating terminal. The elastic plate includes a first plate spring portion and a second plate spring portion overlapping the first plate spring portion. |
| US11018440B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining beam index of antenna array
An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a first antenna array including a plurality of first antenna elements, a second antenna array including a plurality of second antenna elements, and a processor. The processor measures first signal strengths for every a plurality of beam indexes by means of the first antenna array and the second antenna array, determines second signal strengths for every the plurality of beam indexes by means of the first antenna array, and determines a beam index, a signal strength of which is maximal, based on a difference between the first signal strength and the second signal strength corresponding to a beam index selected among the plurality of beam indexes. |
| US11018439B2 |
Scanned antenna and liquid crystal device
A scanned antenna according to an embodiment includes a plurality of first antenna elements and a plurality of second antenna elements. The first antenna elements are driven by a gate driver connected to a plurality of first gate bus lines and a first source driver connected to a plurality of first source bus lines. The second antenna elements are driven by a gate driver connected to a plurality of second gate bus lines and a second source driver connected to a plurality of second source bus lines. The gate driver and the gate driver operate independently of each other, and the first source driver and the second source driver operate independently of each other. |
| US11018433B2 |
Triple wideband hybrid LTE slot antenna
There is disclosed an antenna arrangement for a portable electronic device. The antenna arrangement comprises a conductive ground plane having an edge and a substantially rectangular recess formed in the edge of the ground plane. The recess has a base, an open edge opposed to the base, and at least a first side extending from the base. A first conductor element extends across the open edge of the recess, a first end of the first conductor element being connected to the ground plane at the first side of the recess. The first conductor element leaves at least one gap at the edge of the recess, such that the first conductor element, the first side of the recess and the base of the recess together define a slot in the ground plane and the at least one gap defines at least one notch in the slot. A second conductor element is disposed within the recess and connected to or configured to couple with the ground plane. The antenna arrangement further comprises a feed arm for connection to an RF feed, the feed arm being disposed substantially within a footprint of the slot. |
| US11018431B2 |
Conformal planar dipole antenna
Systems and methods for a conformal planar dipole antenna is described herein. In one example, the antenna can include a first dipole layer, a second dipole layer, a microstrip layer, and a ground plane. The first dipole layer can include a first antenna element. The second dipole layer can include a second antenna element. The microstrip layer can include a microstrip. The first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the microstrip can be electrically coupled to each other. |
| US11018430B2 |
Self-grounded surface mountable bowtie antenna arrangement, an antenna petal and a fabrication method
A self-grounded bowtie antenna arrangement including an antenna structure including a number of antenna petals including arm sections tapering towards a respective end tip portion and being made of an electrically, conducting material, the end tip portions being arranged to approach a base portion on a first side thereof and to be connected to feeding ports, a specific port being provided for each antenna petal. The base portion includes a conducting ground plane or a Printed Circuit Board, and each antenna petal is made in one piece from a metal sheet or similar, and it is adapted to be fabricated as separate units, and to be mountable onto a front or back side of the base portion or ground plane by means of surface mounting. The ground plane may be a Printed Circuit Board, meaning that the bowties can be mounted by automatic placement and soldering machines. |
| US11018426B2 |
Antenna structure
An antenna structure includes a first radiation element, a second radiation element, and a third radiation element. The first radiation element has a feeding point. The third radiation element is coupled through the second radiation element to the first radiation element. The third radiation element has a first opening and a second opening which are separate from each other. The antenna structure covers a first frequency band, a second frequency band, and a third frequency band. |
| US11018425B1 |
Active electronically scanned array with power amplifier drain bias tapering for optimal power added efficiency
A system and method for operating a system including at least one active electronically scanned array (AESA) element incorporates drain voltage amplifier control (DRAVAC) to maintain the power amplifiers of the AESA elements at a constant gain compression level. A processor of the AESA system may dynamically program, monitor, or adjust each individual array element or component thereof. As the RF output power of the power amplifiers varies, constant gain compression is achieved by dynamically adjusting the RF input power and drain voltage to the power amplifiers. An AESA element may incorporate built-in self-test circuitry for detecting faults in the power supply to the power amplifiers as well as calibrating and calculating RF output power for a given input power by controlling the bias of a pass device serving as the amplifier current source. |
| US11018423B2 |
Antenna and manufacturing method thereof
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an antenna and a method for manufacturing the same. The antenna includes a plurality of radiating plates oriented towards different directions for radiating electromagnetic waves; a plurality of reflecting plates for reflecting the electromagnetic waves, such that the electromagnetic waves radiated by the plurality of radiating plates each have a respective directional radiation pattern; and a switch for selecting a radiating plate from the plurality of radiating plates for performing radiation. |
| US11018417B2 |
Short circuit detection apparatus for resonant antenna networks and methods therefor
A vehicle communication system includes a vehicle access module, a plurality of cables coupled to the vehicle access module, and an antenna coupled to the plurality of cables, wherein based upon short circuit analysis of the plurality of cables by the vehicle access module, the plurality of cables are decoupled from the vehicle access module. In order to determine with a short circuit exists in the plurality of cables, the short circuit analysis includes a determination as to whether a maximum of antenna current samples taken from the antenna is greater than a diagnostic parameter times an average of the antenna current samples. |
| US11018416B2 |
Small cell antennas suitable for MIMO operation
A base station antenna includes a first set of radiating elements that are configured to generate a first antenna beam that has a first peanut-shaped antenna pattern in an azimuth plane and a second set of radiating elements that are configured to generate a second antenna beam that has a second peanut-shaped antenna pattern in the azimuth plane. A longitudinal axis of the first peanut-shaped antenna pattern in the azimuth plane is rotated approximately ninety degrees from a longitudinal axis of the second peanut-shaped antenna pattern in the azimuth plane. |
| US11018409B2 |
Phased array antenna panel having reduced passive loss of received signals
A phased array antenna panel includes a first plurality of antennas, a first radio frequency (RF) front end chip, a second plurality of antennas, a second RF front end chip, and a combiner RF chip. The first and second RE front end chips receive respective first and second input signals from the first and second pluralities of antennas, and produce respective first and second output signals based on the respective first and second input signals. The combiner RF chip can receive the first and second output signals and produce a power combined output signal that is a combination of powers of the first and second output signals. Alternatively, a power combiner can receive the first and second output signals and produce a power combined output signal, and the combiner RF chip can receive the power combined output signal. |
| US11018404B2 |
Circuit body structure, where planar conductors on different layers of a multilayer board are connected by an interlayers connection
Provided is a circuit structural body is formed into a shape including: A circuit structural body, including: a multilayer board, which includes a plurality of layers of a first to N-th tri-plate structural bodies each including a first to N-th (N is an integer of 2 or more) planar conductors; an interlayers connection conductor, which is configured to connect the first to N-th planar conductors to each other; and a side-surface ground conductor, which is formed on a side surface of the multilayer board, and is approximately parallel to and near the interlayers connection conductor. |
| US11018403B2 |
Electromagnetic wave transmission cable including a hollow dielectric tube surrounded by a foamed resin member having different expansion ratios at different regions therein
An electromagnetic wave transmission cable for transmitting an electromagnetic wave comprises a hollow waveguide tube and a foamed resin member. The hollowing waveguide tube includes a hollow dielectric layer formed in a tubular shape. The foamed resin member is provided over a predetermined length in a longitudinal direction of the hollow waveguide tube and covers a surface of the dielectric layer to surround an outer periphery of the hollow waveguide tube. |
| US11018399B2 |
Battery separator with improved oxidation stability
The invention relates to a thermoplastic polymer-based battery separator, which contains a compound of formula R (OR1)n(COOMx+1/x)m. In said formula, R represents a non-aromatic hydrocarbon group comprising between 10 and 4,200 carbon atoms, which can be interrupted by oxygen atoms, R1 represents H, —(CH2)kCOOMx+1/x or —(CH2)k—SO3Mx+1/x, whereby k stands for 1 or 2, M represents an alkali or earth alkaline metal ion, H+ or NH4+, whereby not all variables of M are defined simultaneously as H+, n stands for 0 or 1, m stands for 0 or a whole number from 10 to 1,400 and x stands for 1 or 2. The ratio of oxygen atoms to carbon atoms in the compound according to the aforementioned formula ranges between 1:1.5 and 1:30 and n and m cannot simultaneously represent zero. |
| US11018396B2 |
Battery box
A battery box includes a box body, a first push element, a second push element and a third push element. The box body includes a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall and a bottom wall, which are arranged beside each other. The first push element has a first opening. The second push element has a second opening. The third push element has a third opening. The first push element is movable through the first opening along a first axis. The second push element is movable through the second opening along a second axis. The third push element is movable through the third opening along a third axis. An accommodation space of the box body is defined by the first push element, the second push element and the third push element according to a usage state of the battery box. |
| US11018395B2 |
Electrode assembly and manufacturing method thereof
An electrode assembly and a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly are disclosed. The electrode assembly includes first unit cells having two negative electrodes, two separators, and a positive electrode in a stacked configuration, second unit cells having two positive electrodes, two separators, and a negative electrode in a stacked configuration, and a separator pouch made of the same material as the separators and bonded to and surrounding respective ones of the first unit cells or the second unit cells so that portions of each separator pouch comprise an uppermost layer and a lowermost layer of the respective surrounded unit cell, wherein a surplus portion of each separator pouch protrudes beyond peripheral ends of the first and second unit cells. The first unit cells and the second unit cells are alternately stacked, and the surplus portions of the separator pouches are bonded to each other. |
| US11018391B2 |
Battery cell, battery module, and battery pack and vehicle including the same
A battery cell, which includes an electrode assembly, a battery case configured to accommodate the electrode assembly, and two pairs of electrode leads provided at outer surfaces of the battery case and connected to the electrode assembly, is provided. |
| US11018386B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack includes a heat conductive member that has heat conductivity and is provided between a plurality of battery modules which are adjacent to each other in a width direction. A heat dissipation unit dissipates heat conducted to the heat conductive member. A bus bar for modules is provided on one side of the battery modules in a height direction. The heat conductive member includes a contact portion and an extended portion. The contact portion is in contact with the plurality of battery modules which are adjacent to each other in the width direction. The extended portion extends from a side opposite to the bus bar for modules of the battery modules in a height direction and is connected to the heat dissipation unit. |
| US11018384B2 |
Dual-cell supervisor circuit for high-voltage automotive battery packs
A high-voltage automotive battery pack, system, architecture, and methodology include a first and second adjacent battery cells (410, 420) connected to a dual-cell supervisor circuit (412) that is positioned to bridge the first and second battery cells and that is connected to monitor the first and second battery cells, wherein the dual-cell supervisor circuit comprises current injection and impedance-detection circuitry (510) for separately measuring a voltage, impedance, and temperature at each of the first and second battery cells, alone or in combination with an external switched inductor (501) which is coupled to be switched across the first battery cell (505) or the second battery cell (506) to perform low-loss impedance measurement of the first and second battery cells. |
| US11018383B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules stacked with connecting terminals disposed at predetermined positions, a holding unit for holding the plurality of battery modules under the stacked state, a plurality of conducting paths connecting corresponding connecting terminals, and a substrate connected to the holding unit. The plurality of conducting paths are provided integrally in the substrate and disposed to connect the corresponding connecting terminals in association with connection of the substrate to the holding unit. |
| US11018382B2 |
System and method for assigning unique number to cell module controller
A method for assigning a unique number to a cell module controller including applying unique number assignment signals to one or more resistor units connected to one or more cell module controllers, respectively, through a main BMS and assigning unique numbers to one or more cell module controllers based on voltage values of the unique number assignment signals applied to one or more resistor units, respectively. |
| US11018380B2 |
Reconditioned battery pack and method of making same
A method of recycling battery packs having a plurality of battery units is disclosed. The battery units have positive and negative terminals combined with each other and are supported within a housing. The battery units are separated from battery packs subsequent to the one or more battery packs being judged as being degraded. Each of the battery units is tested with a battery test stand having a fixed resistance load to obtain battery operating data indicative of variable voltage and variable current. The battery units are matched based on the battery operating data to form sets of matching battery units. And, replacement battery packs are formed by connecting positive and negative terminals of the matching battery cells within the sets. |
| US11018378B2 |
Secondary battery, battery pack, and vehicle
According to an embodiment, a secondary battery is provided. The secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, separator, and an aqueous electrolyte. The separator is located at least between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator includes a composite film. The composite film includes a mixture of a polymeric material and ion conductive solid electrolyte particles having alkali metal ions conductivity. The polymeric material includes a polymer comprising a monomer unit. The monomer unit is a hydrocarbon with a functional group including at least one element selected from the group consisting of oxygen (O), sulfur (S), nitrogen (N), and fluorine (F). A ratio of the polymer in the polymeric material is not less than 70 mol %. |
| US11018375B2 |
Lithium potassium element oxide compounds as Li super-ionic conductor, solid electrolyte and coating layer for lithium metal battery and lithium-ion battery
Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium potassium element oxide based compounds are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. The element atoms are Ir, Sb, I Nb and W. An activation energy of the lithium potassium element oxide compounds is from 0.15 to 0.50 eV and conductivities are from 10−3 to 22 mS/cm at 300K. Compounds of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are also provided. Electrodes containing the lithium potassium element oxide based materials and batteries with such electrodes are also provided. |
| US11018374B2 |
All-solid-state battery
An all-solid-state battery which includes an anode layer that contains a Si-based material as an anode active material and which has high energy density. Provided is an all-solid-state battery including a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a solid electrolyte layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer, wherein the anode layer includes an anode active material that contains at least one Si-based material selected from the group consisting of Si and a Si alloy, and a solid electrolyte that contains a sulfide-based solid electrolyte; wherein a void surrounded by the solid electrolyte is present in at least a region formed by the solid electrolyte in the anode layer; and wherein, when a total volume of the anode layer is determined as 100 vol %, a percentage of the voids surrounded by the solid electrolyte in the anode layer, is 3.4 vol % or more and 29.6 vol % or less. |
| US11018368B2 |
Pouch forming method and pouch forming device
A pouch forming method and a pouch forming device are provided. In particular, the pouch forming method for forming an accommodation part that accommodates an electrode assembly in a pouch sheet includes a seating process of seating the pouch sheet on a top surface of a lower die in which a forming groove is formed in an upper portion thereof. In a vacuum elongation process, a lower portion of the pouch sheet, in which the accommodation part is formed, is elongated by vacuum, and in an accommodation part formation process, the portion of the pouch sheet, which is elongated by the vacuum, is pressed by a punch disposed above the pouch sheet in a direction in which the forming groove is formed to form the accommodation part. |
| US11018367B2 |
Secondary battery and battery pack including the same
Provided are a secondary battery and a battery pack including the secondary battery. A sealing plate has a positive electrode terminal attachment hole. A positive electrode terminal penetrates the positive electrode terminal attachment hole. An external conductive member is connected to a portion of the positive electrode terminal located on the battery outer side with respect to the sealing plate. The conduction path between a positive electrode plate and the positive electrode terminal is provided with a current interrupting mechanism. A first insulating member made of resin is disposed between the sealing plate and the positive electrode terminal. A second insulating member having higher thermal resistance than the first insulating member is disposed between the external conductive member and the sealing plate. |
| US11018366B2 |
Method of producing frame equipped membrane electrode assembly, the frame equipped membrane electrode and fuel cell
A frame equipped membrane electrode assembly or a frame equipped MEA of a fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly or an MEA and a frame member provided on an outer peripheral portion of the MEA. A method of producing the frame equipped MEA includes a first joining step of joining a first resin frame film and a second resin frame film together in a thickness direction to form a film joint body, a welding step of spot welding a first resin sheet to a portion of the first resin frame film facing a second inlet buffer when the fuel cell is formed, to form the frame member, and a second joining step of joining the frame member to the outer peripheral portion of the MEA. |
| US11018363B2 |
Fuel cell including frame member
A fuel cell includes: a membrane-electrode-gas diffusion layer assembly; a separator positioned in one side with respect to the membrane-electrode-gas diffusion layer assembly; a frame member supporting the membrane-electrode-gas diffusion layer assembly and joined to the separator, wherein the frame member includes: a base layer; an adhesive layer having thermoplasticity, having a linear expansion coefficient greater than that of the base layer, and joining the base layer and the separator; and a coating, layer provided on a side, opposite to the adhesive layer, of the base layer, having a liner expansion coefficient greater than that of the base layer, and not containing an adhesive component. |
| US11018361B2 |
Fuel cell stack device and fuel cell device
To provide a fuel cell stack device that is applicable to miniaturization of the device and does not require a pipe for discharging off-gas up to a combustion section. A fuel cell stack device including: a first manifold 2a for supplying fuel gas supplied from a reformer 12 to a plurality of fuel cells provided in a first cell stack from above, the first manifold being connected to upper ends of the plurality of fuel cells provided in the first cell stack 10a; and a second manifold 2b for recovering fuel gas discharged from the first cell stack, and supplying the recovered fuel gas to the plurality of fuel cells provided in the second cell stack from below, the second manifold being connected to lower ends of the plurality of fuel cells provided in the second cell stack 10b. |
| US11018357B2 |
Fuel cell system and method of controlling fuel cell
A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell in which a plurality of cells are stacked; a voltage sensor configured to measure a cell voltage of the fuel cell; and a pressure sensor configured to measure an anode gas pressure in the fuel cell. When the cell voltage is lower than a predetermined threshold voltage, in a state in which an amount of supply of cathode gas to the fuel cell is secured, and a rate of decrease in the anode gas pressure is larger than a predetermined threshold rate, it is determined that a cross leak abnormality has occurred in the fuel cell. |
| US11018356B2 |
Humidifying and cooling apparatus for fuel cell
The present invention relates to a humidifying and cooling apparatus for a fuel cell, and more particularly, to a humidifying and cooling apparatus for a fuel cell for actively and effectively performing a cooling and a humidification control of supplied air, when high-humidity air is supplied to a fuel cell stack in an air supplying apparatus for a fuel cell for supplying an appropriate humidity to the fuel cell stack. |
| US11018350B2 |
Ionic electric power station
The operation of the ionic electric power station is based on the stable corrosion of a plurality of sacrificial anodes immersed in sea water or water with common salt inside a cell, without membranes to separate the cathodic zone from the anodic zone, kinetic conditions being generated inside the cell by the circulation of water moved by a pump in a closed circuit between the cells and a reservoir. |
| US11018342B2 |
Binder composition for secondary battery
A purpose of the present invention is to provide a binder composition for a secondary battery which improves the charge and discharge efficiency and the cycle characteristics of a battery. The binder composition for a secondary battery of the present invention is characterized by comprising a polyamide-imide comprising a repeating unit represented by chemical formula (1) or a precursor thereof, wherein A is a trivalent group obtained by removing carboxyl groups from a tricarboxylic acid, B is a divalent group obtained by removing amino groups from a diamine, and at least one of A and B is an aliphatic group. |
| US11018339B2 |
Positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, method for producing same, and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery using same
A positive electrode active material comprises a Li-transition metal-layered oxide represented by the formula: Lia(NibCocAldMee)O2 (in which Me=Mn, Mg, Ti, Ru, Zr, Nb, Mo, W; 1.00≤a≤1.15; 0.25 |
| US11018335B2 |
Positive electrode for lithium ion secondary battery and manufacturing method thereof
A positive electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode composite material layer. The positive electrode composite material layer includes composite particles and electron conductive particles. The composite particles include positive electrode active material particles and a coating film. The coating film is formed on the surface of the positive electrode active material particles. The coating film contains a first electron conductive oxide. The electron conductive particles are dispersed in the positive electrode composite material layer. The electron conductive particles contain a second electron conductive oxide. Each of the first electron conductive oxide and the second electron conductive oxide has a perovskite structure. |
| US11018334B2 |
Stabilized lithium metal impressions coated with alloy-forming elements and method for production thereof
The invention relates to particulate lithium metal composite materials, stabilized by alloy-forming elements of the third and fourth primary group of the PSE and method for production thereof by reaction of lithium metal with film-forming element precursors of the general formulas (I) or (II): [AR1R2R3R4]Lix (I), or R1R2R3A-O-AR4R5R6 (II), wherein R1R2R3R4R5R6=alkyl (C1-C12), aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy-, or halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), independently of each other; or two groups R represent together a 1,2-diolate (1,2-ethandiolate, for example), a 1,2- or 1,3-dicarboxylate (oxalate or malonate, for example) or a 2-hydroxycarboxylate dianion (lactate or salicylate, for example); the groups R1 to R6 can comprise additional functional groups, such as alkoxy groups; A=boron, aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, silicon, germanium, tin, lead; x=0 or 1 for B, Al, Ga, In, Tl; x=0 for Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; in the case that x=0 and A=B, Al, Ga, In, Tl, R4 is omitted, or with polymers comprising one or more of the elements B, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, at temperatures between 50 and 300° C., preferably above the melting temperature of lithium of 180.5° C., in an organic, inert solvent. |
| US11018332B2 |
Lithium secondary battery including lithium metal as negative electrode active material
A lithium secondary battery includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode including a negative electrode collector having a surface, on which a lithium metal is deposited during charge; a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution filled between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The negative electrode collector includes projection portions projecting from the surface toward the separator. There is no projection portion on an imaginary line extending from a first end to a second end opposite to the first end of the surface of the negative electrode collector and traversing a space between the projection portions. |
| US11018331B2 |
Phosphate stabilized lithium ion battery cathode
A stabilized lithium ion cathode material comprising a calcined manganese oxide powder wherein the manganese on a surface is MnPO4, comprises an manganese phosphate bond, or the phosphate is bonded to the surface of the cathode material. |
| US11018330B2 |
Cathode active material containing magnesium-transition metal composite oxide and magnesium secondary battery using the same
A cathode active material for magnesium secondary batteries contains a composite oxide represented by the formula MgxMyO2, where M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Cu, and Mo; 1.0 |
| US11018325B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display includes an organic light emitting display panel including an upper surface receiving first incident light from outside and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, a light transmission preventing layer including a base layer and an adhesive layer which is between the base layer and the organic light emitting display panel and bonded thereto, the adhesive layer including a facing surface facing the lower surface and a plurality of patterns protruded from the facing surface toward the organic light emitting display panel to define a plurality of gaps between the lower surface and the facing surface. The adhesive layer includes a light blocking material blocking second incident light which passes through the organic light emitting display panel to the light transmission preventing layer from among the first incident light received by the upper surface of the organic light emitting display panel. |
| US11018324B2 |
Stretchable display device
A stretchable display device includes a structure that can minimize damage to a polarizing layer when the stretchable display device is stretched and reduce visibility of external light being reflected to a user by using a polarizing plate having a stretchable characteristic, and the thickness of the stretchable display can be reduced because components disposed under the upper substrate and the polarizing layer are configured to include the same material as the polarizing layer that can be easily stretched in a plurality of directions by alternately disposing stretchable polarizing layers in different directions. |
| US11018323B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode display including a layer having an inclined portion
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one aspect, the OLED display includes a first substrate, an insulating layer disposed over the first substrate and including a first inclined portion and a first electrode disposed over the insulating layer. The OLED display also includes a light-emitting element layer disposed over the first electrode, a second electrode disposed over the light-emitting element layer and a color conversion layer and a transmissive layer disposed over the second electrode. The first electrode includes a second inclined portion disposed over and inclined along the first inclined portion of the insulating layer. |
| US11018317B2 |
Organic light-emitting display apparatus
An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a first substrate, a display unit defining an active area on the first substrate and including an insulating layer, a second substrate on the display unit, one or more signal lines outside the active area and on the insulating layer, and a sealant between the first substrate and the second substrate. The sealant bonds the first substrate and the second substrate, and covers at least a portion of the signal lines. |
| US11018314B2 |
Organic electroluminescent diode and manufacturing method thereof, display panel and display device
An organic electroluminescent diode, a display panel, a display device and a manufacturing method of an organic electroluminescent diode are provided. The organic electroluminescent diode includes a first electrode, a first electron blocking layer, a light-emitting layer and a second electrode which are stacked arranged in sequence, a surface of the first electron blocking layer in contact with the light-emitting layer is doped with a hole-type non-metallic material. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, by doping the hole-type non-metallic material in the first electron blocking layer, the density of the holes at the recombination interface is increased, the utilization rate of the holes is improved, and the loss of holes in the transmission process is avoided, which ensures that the holes are timely recombined with the transmitted electrons, and avoids the accumulation of too many electrons at the interface between the first electron blocking layer and the light-emitting layer. |
| US11018311B2 |
Device with quantum dot emissive layer and display device comprising the same
An electronic device includes a first electrode and a second electrode facing each other, an emission layer comprising a plurality of quantum dots, wherein the emission layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a first charge auxiliary layer disposed between the first electrode and the emission layer; and an optical functional layer disposed on the second electrode on a side opposite the emission layer, wherein the first electrode includes a reflecting electrode, wherein the second electrode is a light-transmitting electrode, wherein a region between the optical functional layer and the first electrode comprises a microcavity structure, and a refractive index of the optical functional layer is greater than or equal to a refractive index of the second electrode. |
| US11018308B2 |
Photoelectric conversion film, photoelectric conversion element and electronic device
There is provided a photoelectric conversion film including a quinacridone derivative represented by the following General formula and a subphthalocyanine derivative represented by the following General formula. |
| US11018306B2 |
Compound for thermally activated delayed fluorescence and organic electroluminescence device including the same
Provided are a compound for thermally activated delayed fluorescence having a molecular aspect ratio of 1.5 or more, represented by the following Formula 1 and an organic electroluminescence device including the same in an emission layer. The organic electroluminescence device includes a first electrode, a hole transport region disposed on the first electrode, an emission layer disposed on the hole transport region, an electron transport region disposed on the emission layer, and a second electrode disposed on the electron transport region. |
| US11018302B2 |
Unsymmetrical benzothiadiazole-based random copolymers
A random copolymer comprising the monomer units A, B and C. In this random copolymer A comprises B comprises and C comprises an aryl group. Additionally, R1 R2, R3 and R4 are side chains independently selected from the group consisting of: H, Cl, F, CN, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, ester, ketone and aryl groups. X1 and X2 are independently selected from the group consisting of: H, Cl, F, CN, alkyl, alkoxy, ester, ketone, amide and aryl groups. |
| US11018301B2 |
Contacting optoelectronic components
A method for the contacting of electrodes with conductor tracks by means of a conductive paste and/or adhesive-coated conductive fiber composites is provided. Furthermore, an electronic component whose electrodes are connected by means of a conductive paste and/or adhesive-coated conductive fiber composites is provided. |
| US11018297B2 |
Memory device structure
A semiconductor device structure is provided. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a lower electrode over the semiconductor substrate. The structure also includes a resistance variable layer over the lower electrode and an ion diffusion barrier layer over the resistance variable layer. The structure further includes a capping layer over the ion diffusion barrier layer, and the capping layer is made of a metal material. In addition, the structure includes an upper electrode over the capping layer. The structure includes a protective element extending along a sidewall of the ion diffusion barrier layer and in direct contact with an interface between the resistance variable layer and the ion diffusion barrier layer. |
| US11018296B1 |
Semiconductor devices using insulator-metal phase change materials and method for fabrication
An exemplary semiconductor incorporates phase change material MoxW1-xTe2 that may be the semiconducting channel or may be part of a control terminal/gate of the semiconductor. The phase change material selectably being in one of metal and insulator phases depending on whether a voltage field greater than a predetermined phase change field is present at the phase change material. The properties of the semiconductor are varied depending on the phase of the phase change material. |
| US11018292B2 |
Piezoelectric device, piezoelectric transformer, and method of manufacturing piezoelectric device
A piezoelectric device that includes a base member having an opening therein and an upper layer supported by the base member. The upper layer includes a vibration portion at a location corresponding to the opening in the base member. The vibration portion includes a lower electrode, an intermediate electrode and an upper electrode that are spaced apart from one another in a thickness direction of the piezoelectric device. The upper layer includes a first piezoelectric layer disposed so as to be at least partially sandwiched between the lower electrode and the intermediate electrode, and a second piezoelectric layer disposed so as to overlap with the first piezoelectric layer and so as to be at least partially sandwiched between the intermediate electrode and the upper electrode. The first piezoelectric layer and the second piezoelectric layer are different in relative permittivity in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric device. |
| US11018284B2 |
Light emitting element and electronic device
A light emitting element includes a package substrate, a first light-emitting diode chip, an encapsulation material and a light-shielding layer. The first light-emitting diode chip is disposed on the package substrate, the encapsulation material is disposed on the first light-emitting diode chip and the package substrate, and the light-shielding layer is disposed on the encapsulation material and has a first opening. In a top-view direction, the area of the first opening of the light-shielding layer is less than the area of the light emitting element. |
| US11018276B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a first pixel that includes a first light-emitting structure, a first color conversion layer on the first light-emitting structure, and a first multi-layered filter on the first color conversion layer, and a second pixel that includes a second light-emitting structure, a second color conversion layer on the second light-emitting structure, and a second multi-layered filter on the second color conversion layer. Each of the first and second multi-layered filters includes at least one stack including a first film and a second film. The first multi-layered filter outputs light of a wavelength band that is different from a wavelength band of light output from the second multi-layered filter. The first multi-layered filter reflects light not output back into the first pixel and the second multi-layered filter reflects light not output back into the second pixel. |
| US11018274B2 |
Solar cell panel
A solar cell panel includes a solar cell; a sealing member for sealing the solar cell; a first cover member positioned at a first surface of the solar cell on a first side of the sealing member; and a second cover member positioned at a second surface of the solar cell on a second side of the sealing member. The first cover member includes a base member and a colored portion having a lower light transmittance than the base member and partially formed on the base member to form a colored region. The second cover member includes a cover portion having a lower brightness than the colored portion and positioned at least an inactive region where the solar cell is not positioned. |
| US11018273B2 |
Photosensitive reflector, laser induced touch device and laser touch detection method
A photosensitive reflector, a laser induced touch device and a laser touch detection method are provided. The photosensitive reflector, comprising a reflection layer and a photosensitive element, wherein the photosensitive element is disposed on or in the reflection layer and configured to sense at least one of light running through the reflection layer, light incident on the reflection layer, or light reflected by the reflection layer. |
| US11018272B2 |
Methods for forming metal electrodes concurrently on silicon regions of opposite polarity
A method for concurrently forming a first metal electrode (31, 58) on an n-type region of a silicon substrate (10) and a second metal electrode (32, 59) on a p-type region of the silicon substrate, wherein the n-type region and the p-type region are respectively exposed in a first and in a second area, is disclosed. The method comprises: depositing (101) an initial metal layer comprising Ni (33, 53) simultaneously in the first area and in the second area by a Ni immersion plating process using a plating solution; and depositing (102) a further metal layer (34, 54) on the initial metal layer comprising Ni (33, 53) in the first area and in the second area by an electroless metal plating process or by an immersion metal plating process, wherein the plating solution comprises Ni and a predetermined amount of another metal different from Ni. |
| US11018271B2 |
Graphic appearance for solar modules
Methods of producing a graphic mesh for a solar module are described in which mesh parameters such as warp fiber thickness, weft fiber thickness, and open area size are determined to meet a target energetic efficiency and a chromatic effectiveness. In some embodiments, chromatic effectiveness is based on mesh count, where the mesh count is set according to a distance at which the mesh will be viewed when assembled into the solar module. The mesh has a plurality of warp fibers having the warp fiber thickness and a plurality of weft fibers having the weft fiber thickness, that are interlaced to form a plurality of mesh unit cells. A graphic appearance is printed into the mesh using a coloring substance, where the coloring substance is absorbed by the fiber material to form the graphic mesh. |
| US11018261B2 |
Fin field effect transistor
A substrate is patterned to form trenches and a semiconductor fin between the trenches. Insulators are formed in the trenches and a dielectric layer is formed to cover the semiconductor fin and the insulators. A dummy gate strip is formed on the dielectric layer. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the dummy gate strip. The dummy gate strip and the dielectric layer underneath are removed until sidewalls of the spacers, a portion of the semiconductor fin and portions of the insulators are exposed. A second dielectric layer is selectively formed to cover the exposed portion of the semiconductor fin, wherein a thickness of the dielectric layer is smaller than a thickness of the second dielectric layer. A gate is formed between the spacers to cover the second dielectric layer, the sidewalls of the spacers and the exposed portions of the insulators. |
| US11018255B2 |
Devices and systems with string drivers including high band gap material and methods of formation
A device includes a string driver comprising a channel region between a drain region and a source region. At least one of the channel region, the drain region, and the source region comprises a high band gap material. A gate region is adjacent and spaced from the high band gap material. The string driver is configured for high-voltage operation in association with an array of charge storage devices (e.g., 2D NAND or 3D NAND). Additional devices and systems (e.g., non-volatile memory systems) including the string drivers are disclosed, as are methods of forming the string drivers. |
| US11018253B2 |
Three dimensional vertically structured electronic devices
According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes at least one vertical transistor, where the at least one vertical transistor includes: a substrate including a semiconductor material; an array of three dimensional (3D) structures above the substrate; and an isolation region positioned between the 3D structures. Each 3D structure includes the semiconductor material. Each 3D structure also includes a first region having a first conductivity type and a second region having a second conductivity type, where the second region includes a portion of at least one vertical sidewall of the 3D structure. |
| US11018246B2 |
Integrated circuit with a fin and gate structure and method making the same
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes device fins formed on a substrate; fill fins formed on the substrate and disposed among the device fins; and gate stacks formed on the device fins and the fill fins. The fill fins include a first dielectric material layer and a second dielectric material layer deposited on the first dielectric material layer. The first and second dielectric material layers are different from each other in composition. |
| US11018245B2 |
Epitaxial structures for fin-like field effect transistors
A method includes forming a first fin and a second fin protruding from a semiconductor substrate and defined by a fin height, forming a spacer layer over the first fin and the second fin, etching the spacer layer to form inner spacers and outer spacers along opposite sidewalls of each of the first fin and the second fin, where the inner spacers are formed between the first fin and the second fin and where etching the spacer layer results in the inner spacers to extend above the outer spacers, forming a source/drain (S/D) recess in each of the first fin and the second fin, and forming an epitaxial semiconductor layer in the S/D recesses, where forming the epitaxial semiconductor layer forms an air gap with the inner spacers. |
| US11018244B2 |
Lateral trench transistor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a trench in a first side of a semiconductor layer, the semiconductor layer including a drift zone of a first conductivity; forming a drain region of the first conductivity type in the first side of the semiconductor layer and laterally adjoining the drift zone; forming a body region of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type and laterally adjoining the drift zone at a side of the drift zone opposite the drain region; and forming source regions of the first conductivity type and body contact regions of the second conductivity type in a sidewall of the trench and arranged in an alternating manner along a length of the trench, using a dopant diffusion process which includes diffusing dopants of both conductivity types from oppositely-doped dopant source layers which are in contact with different regions of the sidewall. |
| US11018243B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate structure, a plurality of nanowires, a sacrificial material, and an epitaxy structure. The gate structure is disposed on and in contact with the substrate. The nanowires extend through the gate structure. The sacrificial material is separated from the gate structure. The epitaxy structure is in contact with the nanowires, is separated from the substrate, and surrounds the sacrificial material. |
| US11018240B2 |
Vertical field effect transistor with reduced parasitic capacitance
Embodiments are directed to a method and resulting structures for a semiconductor device having reduced parasitic capacitance. A semiconductor fin is formed on a substrate. A first bottom spacer is formed on a surface of the substrate and a sidewall of the semiconductor fin. A sacrificial spacer is formed over a channel region of the semiconductor fin and a portion of the first bottom spacer. A second bottom spacer is formed on a surface of the first bottom spacer and adjacent to the sacrificial spacer. The sacrificial spacer is removed and a conductive gate is formed over the channel region of the semiconductor fin. |
| US11018239B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a channel, source/drain structures, and a gate stack. The source/drain structures are on opposite sides of the channel. The gate stack is over the channel, and the gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer, a doped ferroelectric layer, and a gate electrode. The gate dielectric layer is over the channel. The doped ferroelectric layer is over the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode is over the doped ferroelectric layer. A dopant concentration of the doped ferroelectric layer varies in a direction from the gate electrode toward the channel. |
| US11018235B2 |
Vertically stacked semiconductor devices having vertical channel transistors
The disclosed technology generally relates to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to semiconductor devices having a stacked arrangement, and further relates to methods of fabricating such devices. In one aspect, a semiconductor device comprises a first memory device and a second memory device formed over a substrate and at least partly stacked in a vertical direction. Each of the first and second memory devices has a plurality of vertical transistors, wherein each vertical transistor has a vertical channel extending in the vertical direction. |
| US11018232B2 |
Semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a pair of source/drain regions, and a gate stack. The pair of source/drain regions is on the semiconductor substrate. The gate stack is laterally between the source/drain regions and includes a gate dielectric layer over the semiconductor fin, a metal element-containing layer over the gate dielectric layer, and a fill metal layer over the metal element-containing layer. The metal element-containing layer has a dopant, and a concentration of the dopant in an upper portion of the metal element-containing layer is higher than a concentration of the dopant in a bottom portion of the metal element-containing layer. |
| US11018231B2 |
Method to make buried, highly conductive p-type III-nitride layers
A conductive, porous gallium-nitride layer can be formed as an active layer in a multilayer structure adjacent to one or more p-type III-nitride layers, which may be buried in a multilayer stack of an integrated device. During an annealing process, dopant-bound atomic species in the p-type layers that might otherwise neutralize the dopants may dissociate and out-diffuse from the device through the porous layer. The release and removal of the neutralizing species may reduce layer resistance and improve device performance. |
| US11018226B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a source region, a drain region, a core channel region, and a barrier layer. The core channel region is between the source region and the drain region. The barrier layer is between the core channel region and the drain region. The barrier layer is a graded doped barrier layer. |
| US11018218B2 |
Narrow gap device with parallel releasing structure
The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of semiconductor processing. The method may be performed by etching a substrate to define a trench within the substrate. A sacrificial material is formed within the trench. The sacrificial material has an exposed upper surface. A plurality of discontinuous openings are formed to expose separate segments of a sidewall of the sacrificial material. The plurality of discontinuous openings are separated by non-zero distances along a length of the trench. An etching process is performed to simultaneously etch the exposed upper surface and the sidewall of the sacrificial material. |
| US11018210B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a substrate including a first surface, and a second surface opposite the first surface, and defining a through portion passing therethrough, a pixel array including a plurality of pixels surrounding the through portion at the first surface, a plurality of scan lines extending along a first direction for providing scan signals to the pixels, and a plurality of data lines extending along a second direction crossing the first direction for providing data signals to the pixels, the plurality of data lines including first and second data lines adjacent the through portion at different layers, and having at least a portion thereof curved along a perimeter of the through portion. |
| US11018202B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel, a protective sheet at a rear side of the display panel, the protective sheet including an opening, a sensor in the opening, and a pattern in the display panel, the pattern overlapping the opening. |
| US11018199B2 |
Method for driving a display panel, display driving device and electronic device
Provided are a method for driving a display panel, a display driving device and an electronic device. The method includes: acquiring any one frame of picture to de displayed; dividing the any one frame of picture to be displayed into a first partition picture, a second partition picture and a third partition picture; displaying the first partition picture in the first display region, displaying the second partition picture in the second display region, and displaying the third partition picture in the third display region; where in a same frame of picture to be displayed, a density A1 of sub-pixels for displaying the first partition picture, a density A2 of sub-pixels for displaying the second partition picture and a density A3 of sub-pixels for displaying the third partition picture satisfy that A1 |
| US11018198B2 |
Electroluminescent display device
An electroluminescent display device comprises a substrate; a plurality of sub-pixels arranged on the substrate, including sub-pixels with different colors arranged along a first direction and sub-pixels with a same color arranged along a second direction; a light-emitting diode disposed at each sub-pixel and including a first electrode, a light-emitting layer and a second electrode; a bank having an opening corresponding to a sub-pixel row along the second direction and disposed between two adjacent sub-pixels along the first direction; and a control pattern between two adjacent sub-pixels along the second direction, wherein the control pattern includes a first control pattern corresponding to a center portion of the sub-pixel row and a second control pattern spaced apart from the first control pattern along the second direction, and where a first end of each of the first and second control patterns is spaced apart from the bank and has an first surface parallel to or inclined with respect to the second direction, and a slope of the first surface of the second control pattern is larger than a slope of the first surface of the first control pattern. |
| US11018197B2 |
Display panel and fabrication method thereof
A display panel and a fabrication method of the display panel are provided. The display panel includes a plurality of pixel rows, which includes first pixel rows and second pixel rows that are alternately arranged and is extended along a first direction. A first pixel row includes a plurality of first units, and a first unit includes two first sub-pixels arranged along a second direction with a same color. First sub-pixels in adjacent first units have different colors. The second direction intersects with and is non-perpendicular to the first direction. A second pixel row includes a plurality of second units, and a second unit includes two second sub-pixels arranged along the second direction with a same color. The first pixel rows and the second pixel rows are alternately arranged in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first sub-pixels have a color different from the second sub-pixels. |
| US11018196B2 |
Display substrate and display device
The present disclosure provides a display substrate and a display device. The display substrate comprises a base substrate and an anode, an organic light-emitting layer and a cathode formed on the base substrate sequentially, wherein the display substrate further comprises a plurality of functional patterns formed between the organic light-emitting layer and the anode, the plurality of functional patterns is divided into different types based on colors of a plurality of sub-pixels, and each type of the plurality of functional patterns is disposed in a region of the sub-pixel with a color corresponding to the type; the plurality of sub-pixels with different colors has different driving voltages, and a resistance value of each type of the plurality of the functional patterns in a direction perpendicular to the organic light-emitting layer is controlled to decrease as the driving voltage of the sub-pixel with the color corresponding to the type increases. |
| US11018195B2 |
Full-color light emitting diode display having improved luminance and method of manufacturing the same
A full-color light emitting diode (LED) display having an improved luminance is provided herein. More specifically, provided herein are a full-color LED display, in which an amount of light blocked by electrodes and not extracted is minimized and ultra-small LED devices are connected to ultra-small electrodes without defects such as electrical short circuits and the like, wherein the full-color LED display exhibits a further improved luminance when a direct current (DC) driving voltage is used and each pixel of the full-color LED display exhibits uniform luminance when the DC driving voltage is used, and a method of manufacturing the same. |
| US11018188B2 |
Three-dimensional stackable multi-layer cross-point memory with bipolar junction transistor selectors
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor memory device includes forming a first doped semiconductor layer on a conductive layer, forming a second doped semiconductor layer stacked on the first doped semiconductor layer, forming a third doped semiconductor layer stacked on the second doped semiconductor layer, and forming a memory stack layer on the third doped semiconductor layer. The memory stack layer and the first, second and third doped semiconductor layers are patterned into a plurality of pillars spaced apart from each other. In the method, a plurality of extrinsic base layers are formed adjacent the patterned second doped semiconductor layers. The patterned first, second and third doped semiconductor layers in each pillar of the plurality of pillars are components of a bipolar junction transistor device, and the plurality of pillars are parts of a memory cell array having a cross-point structure. |
| US11018187B2 |
Magnetic memory device
According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory device includes a first magnetic layer having a variable magnetization direction, a second magnetic layer having a fixed magnetization direction, and a nonmagnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, wherein the first magnetic layer includes a first sub-magnetic layer in a polycrystalline state and a second sub-magnetic layer in an amorphous state. |
| US11018180B2 |
Packaging methods of semiconductor x-ray detectors
Disclosed herein are various methods for making apparatuses suitable for detecting X-ray. The method may comprise bonding a plurality of chips to a first substrate, wherein the first substrate comprises a plurality of electric contacts and a plurality of vias connecting the electric contacts to a surface of the first substrate, wherein each of the chips comprises an X-ray absorption layer comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, and wherein the plurality of chips are bonded to the first substrate such that the second electrode of each of the chips is electrically connected to at least one of the electrical contacts. |
| US11018169B2 |
Metal-insulator-metal capacitor structure to increase capacitance density
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated circuit (IC) including a capacitor. The capacitor is over a substrate and includes a first electrode having a plurality of first electrode layers that are vertically stacked over one another. The plurality of first electrode layers respectively contact an adjacent first electrode layer in a plurality of first connection regions. A second electrode including a plurality of second electrode layers that are vertically stacked over one another. The plurality of second electrode layers respectively contact an adjacent second electrode layer in a plurality of second connection regions. The plurality of second electrode layers are respectively stacked between adjacent ones of the plurality of first electrode layers. A capacitor dielectric structure separates the plurality of first electrode layers and the plurality of second electrode layers. |
| US11018166B2 |
Display substrate and manufacturing method thereof, display apparatus
The present disclosure provides a display substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, and a display apparatus, the manufacturing method comprises: forming a base; forming a thin film transistor on the base, the thin film transistor comprises a gate, a source, a drain and an active layer, a first insulating layer is formed on the base, and a second insulating layer is formed between the gate and the active layer, the active layer is formed in the first insulating layer; forming a third insulating layer above the thin film transistor; forming a pixel electrode above the third insulating layer; forming a fourth insulating layer above the pixel electrode, a material of at least one of the base, the first insulating layer, the second insulating layer, the third insulating layer and the fourth insulating layer includes an organic material, and a material of at least one of them includes an inorganic material. |
| US11018163B2 |
Fan-out structure and method for manufacturing the same, and display panel
The present disclosure provides a fan-out structure and a method for manufacturing the same, and a display panel, relating to the field of display technology. The fan-out structure includes a plurality of fan-out units for connecting a drive circuit to a display area, wherein each of the fan-out units includes a fan-out line, and at least one of the fan-out units further includes a resistance adjustment unit connected to a corresponding fan-out line, and the resistance adjustment unit is configured to make a resistance difference between different fan-out units smaller than a first threshold. |
| US11018161B2 |
Display device and manufacturing method thereof
A display device that is suitable for increasing its size is provided.The display device includes first to third wirings, a first transistor, first to third conductive layers, and a first pixel electrode; the first wiring extends in a first direction and intersects with the second and the third wirings; the second and the third wirings each extend in a second direction intersecting with the first direction; a gate of the first transistor is electrically connected to the first wiring; one of a source and a drain of the first transistor is electrically connected to the second wiring through the first to the third conductive layers; the second conductive layer includes a region overlapping with the third wiring; the first conductive layer, the third conductive layer, and the first pixel electrode contain the same material; the first wiring and the second conductive layer contain the same material; the first wiring is supplied with a selection signal; and the second and the third wirings are supplied with different signals. |
| US11018159B2 |
Display device
To provide a display device including a flexible panel that can be handled without seriously damaging a driver circuit or a connecting portion between circuits. The display device includes a bent portion obtained by bending an element substrate. A circuit for driving the display device is provided in the bent portion and a wiring extends from the circuit, whereby the strength of a portion including the circuit for driving the display device is increased and failure of the circuit is reduced. Furthermore, the element substrate is bent in a connecting portion between an external terminal electrode and an external connecting wiring (FPC) so that the element substrate provided with the external terminal electrode fits the external connecting wiring, whereby the strength of the connecting portion is increased. |
| US11018158B2 |
Display apparatus
Provided is a display apparatus. The display apparatus may include a monolithic device in which a light emitting element array, a transistor array, and a color control member are monolithically provided on one substrate. The display apparatus may include a first layered structure including the light emitting element array, a second layered structure including the transistor array, and a third layered structure including the color control member, wherein the second layered structure may be between the first layered structure and the third layered structure. The light emitting element array may include a plurality of light emitting elements comprising an inorganic material. The plurality of light emitting elements may have a vertical nanostructure. |
| US11018157B2 |
Local interconnect structure
The present disclosure describes an apparatus with a local interconnect structure. The apparatus can include a first transistor, a second transistor, a first interconnect structure, a second interconnect structure, and a third interconnect structure. The local interconnect structure can be coupled to gate terminals of the first and second transistors and routed at a same interconnect level as reference metal lines coupled to ground and a power supply voltage. The first interconnect structure can be coupled to a source/drain terminal of the first transistor and routed above the local interconnect structure. The second interconnect structure can be coupled to a source/drain terminal of the second transistor and routed above the local interconnect structure. The third interconnect structure can be routed above the local interconnect structure and at a same interconnect level as the first and second interconnect structures. |
| US11018156B2 |
3D memory semiconductor devices and structures
A 3D memory device, the device including: a plurality of memory cells, where each of the plurality of memory cells includes at least one memory transistor, where each of the at least one memory transistor includes a source and a drain; a plurality of bit-line pillars, where each of the plurality of bit-line pillars is directly connected to a plurality of the source or the drain, where each of the plurality of bit-line pillars includes metal atoms such that the plurality of bit-line pillars have at least partial metallic properties; and a thermal path from the bit-line pillars to an external surface of the device to remove heat. Various 3D processing flows and methods are also disclosed. |
| US11018154B2 |
Memory device and method for fabricating the same
A memory device includes a conductive strip stack structure having conductive strips and insulating layers stacked in a staggered manner and a channel opening passing through the conductive strips and the insulating layer; a memory layer disposed in the channel opening and overlying the conductive strips; a channel layer overlying the memory layer; a semiconductor pad extending upwards from a bottom of the channel opening beyond an upper surface of a bottom conductive strip, in contact with the channel layer, and electrically isolated from the conductive strips; wherein the channel layer includes a first portion having a first doping concentration and a second portion having a second doping concentration disposed on the first portion. |
| US11018153B2 |
Three-dimensional memory device containing alternating stack of source layers and drain layers and vertical gate electrodes
A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of source layers and drain layers located over a substrate, gate electrodes vertically extending through each of the source layers and the drain layers of the alternating stack, memory films laterally surrounding a respective one of the gate electrodes, and semiconductor channels laterally surrounding a respective one of the memory films and connected to a respective vertically neighboring pair of a source layer and a drain layer. An array of memory openings can vertically extend through the alternating stack, and each of the gate electrodes can be located within a respective one of the memory openings. |
| US11018152B2 |
Method for etching bottom punch-through opening in a memory film of a multi-tier three-dimensional memory device
First memory openings are formed through a first alternating stack of first insulating layers and first spacer material layers. Each first memory opening is filled with a first memory film, a sacrificial dielectric liner, and a first-tier opening fill material portion. Second memory openings are formed through a second alternating stack of second insulating layers and second spacer material layers. A second memory film is formed in each second memory opening. The first-tier opening fill material portions are removed selective to the sacrificial dielectric liners. The sacrificial dielectric liners are removed selective to the second memory films and the first memory films. A vertical semiconductor channel can be formed on each vertical stack of a first memory film and a second memory film. |
| US11018150B2 |
Semiconductor memory device including artificial drain select gate and method for driving same
A semiconductor memory device includes a first electrode film, a second electrode film separated from the first electrode film in a first direction, a third electrode film separated from the second electrode film in the first direction, a fourth electrode film separated from the third electrode film in the first direction, and a first and a second semiconductor members extending in the first direction. The second electrode film includes a first conductive portion, an insulating portion, and a second conductive portion arranged along a second direction. The first semiconductor member pierces the first, third and fourth electrode films and the insulating portion of the second electrode film. The second semiconductor member pierces the first, third and fourth electrode films, and the first conductive portion or the second conductive portion of the second electrode film. |
| US11018147B1 |
Method of forming split gate memory cells with thinned tunnel oxide
A method of forming a memory device includes forming a floating gate on a memory cell area of a semiconductor substrate, having an upper surface terminating in an edge. An oxide layer is formed having first and second portions extending along the logic and memory cell regions of the substrate surface, respectively, and a third portion extending along the floating gate edge. A non-conformal layer is formed having a first, second and third portions covering the oxide layer first, second and third portions, respectively. An etch removes the non-conformal layer third portion, and thins but does not entirely remove the non-conformal layer first and second portions. An etch reduces the thickness of the oxide layer third portion. After removing the non-conformal layer first and second portions, a control gate is formed on the oxide layer second portion and a logic gate is formed on the oxide layer first portion. |
| US11018144B2 |
Anti-fuse cell and chip having anti-fuse cells
An anti-fuse cell includes a control device and an anti-fuse element is introduced. The control device includes a source node, a drain node and a gate node, wherein the gate node is electrically coupled to a word line and the drain node is electrically coupled to a bit line. The anti-fuse element includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and a dielectric layer, wherein the dielectric layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The second conductive layer of the anti-fuse element physically stacks upon and directly contacts a metal layer that is electrically connected to the source node of the control device, and first conductive layer is electrically coupled to a program line through a via. An anti-fuse cell having multiple anti-fuse elements and a chip having a plurality of anti-fuse cells are also introduced. |
| US11018137B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a first active pattern on the substrate, a gate electrode intersecting a channel region of the first active pattern, a first insulating layer covering the first active pattern and the gate electrode, a contact penetrating the first insulating layer so as to be electrically connected to a first source/drain region of the first active pattern, and a second active pattern on the first insulating layer. A channel region of the second active pattern vertically overlaps with the contact. |
| US11018135B2 |
Three-dimensional devices having reduced contact length
Various embodiments comprise apparatuses and methods including a memory array having alternating levels of semiconductor materials and dielectric material with strings of memory cells formed on the alternating levels. One such apparatus includes a memory array formed substantially within a cavity of a substrate. Peripheral circuitry can be formed adjacent to a surface of the substrate and adjacent to the memory array. Additional apparatuses and methods are described. |
| US11018134B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor, a first interconnect structure, and a second transistor. The first transistor has a first gate length. The first interconnect structure is over the first transistor. The second transistor is over the first interconnect structure. The second transistor is electrically coupled to the first transistor through the first interconnect structure. The second transistor has a second gate length, and the first gate length is shorter than the second gate length. |
| US11018132B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a tunnel dielectric on the semiconductor substrate; forming a floating gate on the tunnel dielectric; forming an insulation layer conformally disposed on the top surface and the sidewall surface of the floating gate; forming a control gate disposed on the insulation layer and the floating gate; and forming a spacer continuously distributed on the sidewall surfaces of the floating gate and the control gate, where the spacer overlaps portions of the top surface of the floating gate. |
| US11018131B2 |
Semiconductor device and fabricating method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a FinFET component, a plurality of patterned dummy semiconductor fins arranged aside a plurality of fins of the FinFET component, an isolation structure formed on the patterned dummy semiconductor fins, and a tuning component formed on the patterned dummy semiconductor fins and electrically connected to the FinFET component. A height of the patterned dummy semiconductor fins is shorter than that of the fins of the FinFET component. |
| US11018130B1 |
Method to mitigate signal feed through ESD elements
An integrated circuit (IC) die is provided, which includes a die body; electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuitry formed in the die body; contact pads exposed on an active side of the die body; a first conductive tower formed in the die body and electrically coupling a first contact pad to the ESD circuitry. The first conductive tower comprises first, second, third, and fourth segments formed from metal layers of the die body; a first via electrically coupling the first segment to the second segment; a second via electrically coupling the first segment to the third segment; a third via electrically coupling the second segment to the fourth segment; and a fourth via electrically coupling the third segment to the fourth segment, the second segment electrically parallel with the third segment. The IC die further comprises at least a first data line disposed between the first, second, third, and fourth segments. |
| US11018126B1 |
IC with test structures and e-beam pads embedded within a contiguous standard cell area
An IC that includes a contiguous standard cell area with a 4×3 e-beam pad that is compatible with advanced manufacturing processes and an associated e-beam testable structure. |
| US11018124B2 |
Embedded memory device and method for embedding memory device in a substrate
A system and method of providing high bandwidth and low latency memory architecture solutions for next generation processors is disclosed. The package contains a substrate, a memory device embedded in the substrate via EMIB processes and a processor disposed on the substrate partially over the embedded memory device. The I/O pads of the processor and memory device are vertically aligned to minimize the distance therebetween and electrically connected through EMIB uvias. An additional memory device is disposed on the substrate partially over the embedded memory device or on the processor. I/O signals are routed using a redistribution layer on the embedded memory device or an organic VHD redistribution layer formed over the embedded memory device when the additional memory device is laterally adjacent to the processor and the I/O pads of the processor and additional memory device are vertically aligned when the additional memory device is on the processor. |
| US11018123B2 |
Multi-chip modules
A multi-chip module includes a first semiconductor component including a first set of connections having a first pitch dimension and at least a second set of connections having a second pitch dimension, wherein the first pitch dimension is smaller than the second pitch dimension. The multi-chip module further includes a second semiconductor component interconnected with the first set of connections of the first semiconductor component. The multi-chip module further includes at least a third semiconductor component interconnected with the second set of connections of the first semiconductor component and wherein a surface of the third semiconductor component is adhered to a surface of the second semiconductor component, wherein the surfaces at least partially overlap one another. |
| US11018121B2 |
Semiconductor packages
Disclosed is a semiconductor package including a semiconductor chip, a first outer capacitor on the semiconductor chip including a first electrode and a second electrode, a second outer capacitor on the semiconductor chip including a first electrode pattern and a second electrode pattern, and a conductive pattern on the semiconductor chip and electrically connected to the first electrode of the first outer capacitor and the first electrode pattern of the second outer capacitor. The second electrode of the first outer capacitor is insulated from the second electrode pattern of the second outer capacitor. |
| US11018118B2 |
Backlight device and manufacturing method thereof
A backlight device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The backlight device includes a substrate, a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) layer and a band-pass filter. The LED layer is disposed on the substrate and includes a plurality of LED chips arranged at intervals. The band-pass filter is disposed on the LED layer and is provided with openings formed at positions corresponding to the LED chips. |
| US11018117B2 |
Half-bridge module with coaxial arrangement of the DC terminals
A half-bridge module includes a substrate with a base metallization layer divided into a first DC conducting area, a second DC conducting area and an AC conducting area; at least one first power semiconductor switch chip bonded to the first DC conducting area and electrically interconnected with the AC conducting area; at least one second power semiconductor switch chip bonded to the AC conducting area and electrically interconnected with the second DC conducting area; and a coaxial terminal arrangement including at least one inner DC terminal. The at least first outer DC terminal and the at least one second outer DC terminal protrude from the module and are arranged in a row, such that the at least one inner DC terminal is coaxially arranged between the at least one first outer DC terminal and the at least one second outer DC terminal. |
| US11018111B2 |
Wafer level derived flip chip package
A leadless integrated circuit (IC) package includes a spaced apart plurality of lead terminals on at least two sides of the leadless IC package, and an IC die including a substrate having at least a semiconductor surface including circuitry coupled to bond pads with the bond pads having bonding features thereon. The bonding features are flip chip bonded to the plurality of lead terminals. Mold compound is above the IC die and between adjacent lead terminals. The lead terminals and the substrate both extend out to have exposed surfaces at edges of the leadless IC package, and the lead terminals also provide a back side bondable contact. |
| US11018109B2 |
Power semiconductor module with low gate path inductance
A power semiconductor module, including a housing; a power semiconductor chip within the housing; power terminals protruding from the housing and electrically interconnected with power electrodes of the semiconductor chip; and auxiliary terminals protruding from the housing and electrically interconnected with a gate electrode and one of the power electrodes; wherein three auxiliary terminals are arranged in a coaxial auxiliary terminal arrangement, which comprises an inner and two outer auxiliary terminals, which are arranged on opposing sides of the inner auxiliary terminal. The inner auxiliary terminal is electrically interconnected with the gate electrode or one of the power electrodes and the two outer auxiliary terminals are electrically connected with the other one of the gate electrode and the one of the power electrodes. |
| US11018104B2 |
Semiconductor structure and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor structure includes a first substrate, a first dielectric layer disposed over the first substrate, a plurality of first bonding pads disposed in the first dielectric layer, a plurality of second bonding pads disposed in the first dielectric layer, a second substrate, and a second dielectric layer disposed over the second substrate. The first bonding pads have a first width. The second bonding pads have a second width greater than the first width. The second bonding pads are arranged to form a frame pattern surrounding the first bonding pads. A portion of the second dielectric layer is in physical contact with the second bonding pads. The first bonding pads and the second bonding pads are arranged to form a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows. Two of the second bonding pads are disposed at two opposite ends of each column and two opposite ends of each row. |
| US11018102B2 |
Semiconductor product with interlocking metal-to-metal bonds and method for manufacturing thereof
A structure and method for performing metal-to-metal bonding in an electrical device. For example and without limitation, various aspects of this disclosure provide a structure and method that utilize an interlocking structure configured to enhance metal-to-metal bonding. |
| US11018101B2 |
Semiconductor devices, semiconductor packages, and methods of manufacturing the semiconductor devices
A semiconductor device includes a conductive component on a substrate, a passivation layer on the substrate and including an opening that exposes at least a portion of the conductive component, and a pad structure in the opening and located on the passivation layer, the pad structure being electrically connected to the conductive component. The pad structure includes a lower conductive layer conformally extending on an inner sidewall of the opening, the lower conductive layer including a conductive barrier layer, a first seed layer, an etch stop layer, and a second seed layer that are sequentially stacked, a first pad layer on the lower conductive layer and at least partially filling the opening, and a second pad layer on the first pad layer and being in contact with a peripheral portion of the lower conductive layer located on the top surface of the passivation layer. |
| US11018096B2 |
Crack sensor for sensing cracks in a solder pad, and method for production quality control
An integrated circuit includes a solder pad which includes, in a superposition of metallization levels, an underlying structure formed by a network of first regular metal tracks that are arranged for reinforcing the mechanical strength of the underlying structure and electrically connecting between an upper metallization level and a lower metallization level of the underlying structure. The underlying structure further includes a detection electrical path formed by second metal tracks passing between the first metal tracks in the metallization levels, the detection electrical path having an input terminal and an output terminal. Electrical sensing of the detection electrical path is made to supply a measurement which is indicative of the presence of cracks in the underlying structure. |
| US11018093B2 |
Magnetic shielding of STT-MRAM in multichip packaging and method of manufacturing the same
Methodologies and an apparatus for enabling magnetic shielding of stand alone MRAM are provided. Embodiments include placing MRAM dies and logic dies on a first surface of a mold frame; forming a top magnetic shield over top and side surfaces of the MRAM dies; forming a mold cover over the MRAM dies, FinFET dies and mold frame; removing the mold frame to expose a bottom surface of the MRAM dies and FinFET dies; and forming a bottom magnetic shield over the bottom surface of the MRAM dies. |
| US11018087B2 |
Metal interconnects
Interconnect structures and processes of fabricating the interconnect structures generally includes a recessed metal conductor and a discontinuous capping layer thereon. The discontinuous “capped” metal interconnect structure provides improved performance and reliability for the semiconductor industry. |
| US11018084B2 |
Managed integrated circuit power supply distribution
An integrated circuit (IC) can be configured to provide a managed power distribution to circuits within a plurality of regions of the IC. Each region of the plurality of regions can include a corresponding set of circuits that are electrically connected to a corresponding virtual power island (VPI) within said each region. A global power distribution structure within the IC can be configured to be electrically interconnected to an off-chip voltage supply. The IC can also include a plurality of sets of vertical interconnects (VIs), each set of VIs electrically interconnected to a VPI within a corresponding region. Each set of VIs can also be connected to the global power distribution structure, and can be used to provide a specifically managed voltage through a VPI to a set of circuits within a corresponding region of the IC. |
| US11018083B2 |
Semiconductor package and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor package and a manufacturing method are provided. The semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die, a through via structure, a dipole structure and an encapsulant. The through via structure and the dipole structure are disposed aside the semiconductor die, and respectively includes an insulating core and a conductive layer. A front surface and a sidewall of the insulating core are covered by the conductive layer. The semiconductor die, the through via structure and the dipole structure are laterally encapsulated by the encapsulant. Surfaces of capping portions of the conductive layers covering the front surfaces of the insulating cores are substantially coplanar with a front surface of the encapsulant. |
| US11018082B2 |
Space transformer and manufacturing method thereof
A space transformer for connecting a signal source and probing a semiconductor wafer and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The space transformer includes a circuit board, a redistribution structure bonded to the circuit board, and a conductive through via providing a vertical conductive path therebetween. The circuit board includes a wiring structure which includes alternately stacked dielectric layers and patterned wiring layers, and first contact pads of the patterned wiring layers connect the signal source. The redistribution structure is thinner than the circuit board and includes second contact pads for probing the semiconductor wafer. A pitch of adjacent second contact pads is finer than that of adjacent first contact pads. The conductive through via penetrates through the circuit board, and the conductive through via is laterally covered by the dielectric layers and is laterally and physically in contact with the patterned wiring layers. |
| US11018077B2 |
Modular microjet cooling of packaged electronic components
The present invention generally relates to a modular microjet cooler. The modular microjet cooler may be attached to a packaged heat generating device that is mounted on a printed circuit board. The modular microjet cooler has an inlet allowing supply fluid to be directed through microjet nozzles toward an impingement surface on the packaged device. The modular microjet cooler also has one or more outlets that allow exhaust fluid to be removed. The modular microjet cooler is attached to the device after it has been packaged. Further, the modular microjet cooler may be attached to the packaged device either before or after it is mounted to the printed circuit board. |
| US11018073B2 |
Heat spreading device and method
In an embodiment, a device includes: a die stack over and electrically connected to an interposer, the die stack including a topmost integrated circuit die including: a substrate having a front side and a back side opposite the front side, the front side of the substrate including an active surface; a dummy through substrate via (TSV) extending from the back side of the substrate at least partially into the substrate, the dummy TSV electrically isolated from the active surface; a thermal interface material over the topmost integrated circuit die; and a dummy connector in the thermal interface material, the thermal interface material surrounding the dummy connector, the dummy connector electrically isolated from the active surface of the topmost integrated circuit die. |
| US11018069B2 |
Underfill control structures and method
A semiconductor device and method of reducing the risk of underbump metallization poisoning from the application of underfill material is provided. In an embodiment a spacer is located between a first underbump metallization and a second underbump metallization. When an underfill material is dispensed between the first underbump metallization and the second underbump metallization, the spacer prevents the underfill material from creeping towards the second underbump metallization. In another embodiment a passivation layer is used to inhibit the flow of underfill material as the underfill material is being dispensed. |
| US11018068B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for packaging an ultrasound-on-a-chip
Described herein are methods and apparatuses for packaging an ultrasound-on-a-chip. An ultrasound-on-a-chip may be coupled to a redistribution layer and to an interposer layer. Encapsulation may encapsulate the ultrasound-on-a-chip device and first metal pillars may extend through the encapsulation and electrically couple to the redistribution layer. Second metal pillars may extend through the interposer layer. The interposer layer may include aluminum nitride. The first metal pillars may be electrically coupled to the second metal pillars. A printed circuit board may be coupled to the interposer layer. |
| US11018067B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
In one example, a semiconductor device can comprise (a) an electronic device comprising a device top side, a device bottom side opposite the device top side, and a device sidewall between the device top side and the device bottom side, (b) a first conductor comprising, a first conductor side section on the device sidewall, a first conductor top section on the device top side and coupled to the first conductor side section, and a first conductor bottom section coupled to the first conductor side section, and (c) a protective material covering the first conductor and the electronic device. A lower surface of the first conductor top section can be higher than the device top side, and an upper surface of the first conductor bottom section can be lower than the device top side. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein. |
| US11018066B2 |
Integrated circuit package and method of forming same
A package and a method of forming the same are provided. The package includes: a die stack bonded to a carrier, the die stack including a first integrated circuit die, the first integrated circuit die being a farthest integrated circuit die of the die stack from the carrier, a front side of the first integrated circuit die facing the carrier; a die structure bonded to the die stack, the die structure including a second integrated circuit die, a backside of the first integrated circuit die being in physical contact with a backside of the second integrated circuit die, the backside of the first integrated circuit die being opposite the front side of the first integrated circuit die; a heat dissipation structure bonded to the die structure adjacent the die stack; and an encapsulant extending along sidewalls of the die stack and sidewalls of the heat dissipation structure. |
| US11018063B2 |
Method and apparatus for nanoscale-dimension measurement using a diffraction pattern filter
A measurement apparatus for measuring dimensions within a semiconductor device includes an illumination source configured to direct light onto a stage configured to hold the semiconductor device, and a detection assembly configured to receive light diffracted by the semiconductor device, in which the detection assembly includes a detector configured to receive light diffracted by the semiconductor device and determine a measurement of a periodic structure within the semiconductor device based on the received diffracted light, and a diffraction pattern filter configured to permit light diffracted by the periodic structure to be measured to reach the detector and block at least a portion of light diffracted by other structures in the semiconductor device from reaching the detector. Embodiments include methods of measuring a semiconductor device using the measurement apparatus and methods of making the diffraction pattern filter. |
| US11018062B2 |
Multivalent oxide cap for multiple work function gate stacks on high mobility channel materials
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a high-k dielectric layer arranged on a channel region including a first transistor area and a second transistor area. The method further includes depositing a multivalent oxide layer directly on the high-k dielectric layer of the first transistor area. The method includes depositing a first work function metal on the multivalent oxide layer of the first transistor area and directly on the high-k dielectric layer of the second transistor area. |
| US11018060B2 |
Semiconductor device having deep trench structure and method of manufacturing thereof
A semiconductor device includes etch stop films formed on the first gate electrode, the first source region, the first drain region, and the shallow trench isolation regions, respectively. First interlayer insulating films are formed on the etch stop film, respectively. Deep trenches are formed in the substrate between adjacent ones of the first interlayer insulating films to overlap the shallow trench isolation regions. Sidewall insulating films are formed in the deep trenches, respectively. A gap-fill insulating film is formed on the sidewall insulating film. A second interlayer insulating film is formed on the gap-fill insulating film. A top surface of the second interlayer insulating film is substantially planar and a bottom surface of the second interlayer insulating film is undulating. |
| US11018056B1 |
Encapsulated solder TSV insertion interconnect
A method of coupling a first semiconductor device to a second semiconductor device can include encapsulating solder balls on a first surface of a first substrate of the first semiconductor device with an encapsulant material. In some embodiments, the method includes removing a portion of the encapsulant material and a portion the solder balls to form a mating surface. The method can include reflowing the solder balls. In some embodiments, the method includes inserting exposed conductive pillars of the second semiconductor device into the reflowed solder balls. |
| US11018055B2 |
Physical vapor deposition process for semiconductor interconnection structures
The present disclosure provides methods for forming a conductive fill material (e.g., a conductive feature) by a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. In one embodiment, a method of forming a conductive fill material on a substrate includes maintaining a first substrate temperature at a first range for a first period of time while forming a pre-layer of a conductive fill material on a substrate, providing a thermal energy to the substrate to maintain the substrate at a second substrate temperature at a second range for a second period of time, wherein the second substrate temperature is higher than the first substrate temperature, and continuously providing the thermal energy to the substrate to maintain the substrate a third substrate temperature at a third range for a third period of time to form a bulk layer of the conductive fill material on the substrate. |
| US11018054B2 |
Integrated circuit interconnects
Disclosed herein are integrated circuit (IC) interconnects, as well as related devices and methods. For example, in some embodiments, an interconnect may include a first material and a second material distributed in the first material. A concentration of the second material may be greater proximate to the top surface than proximate to the bottom surface. |
| US11018053B2 |
Semiconductor structure with material modification and low resistance plug
The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The method includes patterning a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate to form a trench, exposing a conductive feature within the trench; performing an ion implantation process to introduce a doping species into sidewalls of the dielectric layer within the trench, thereby forming a barrier layer on the sidewalls, the barrier layer having a densified structure to effectively prevent inter-diffusion and a modified surface characteristic to boost a bottom-up deposition; and performing the bottom-up deposition to fill the trench with a metal material, thereby forming a metal plug landing on the conductive feature. |
| US11018052B2 |
Interconnect structure and method of forming the same
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device that includes forming a mask stack over a semiconductor structure. The mask stack has a first mask layer and a second mask layer, where the second mask layer is arranged between the first mask layer and the semiconductor structure. The method further includes patterning a first pattern in the mask stack. The first pattern includes a first opening having first sidewalls formed in the first mask layer, a second opening having second sidewalls formed in the second mask layer, and a third opening having third sidewalls formed in the semiconductor structure. The first, second, and third sidewalls of the respective openings of the first pattern are formed around a central axis, where the second sidewalls of the second opening are located further away from the central axis than both the first and third sidewalls of the first and third openings, respectively. |
| US11018048B2 |
Ceramic pedestal having atomic protective layer
A method of manufacturing a pedestal includes having a support plate including a substrate, an electric element embedded in the substrate, and a conductive member connected to the electric element, preparing a tubular shaft that defines a chamber, securing the tubular shaft to the support plate, the conductive member being exposed in the chamber of the tubular shaft, and applying a protective layer on the conductive member by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. A system for manufacturing the pedestal and a pedestal are also provided in the present disclosure. |
| US11018037B2 |
Optical reticle load port
An apparatus configured to load or unload a mask pod includes a first load port supporter and a second load port supporter spaced apart from the first load port supporter. Each of the first load port supporter and the second load port supporter includes at least portions of an L-shaped rectangular prism. The first load port supporter and the second load port supporter are disposed diagonally around a rectangular area, where first inner sidewalls of the first load port supporter and second inner sidewalls of the second load port supporter delimit boundaries of the rectangular area, and where a first width of the rectangular area is equal to a second width of the mask pod, and a first length of the rectangular area is equal to a second length of the mask pod. |
| US11018034B2 |
Substrate processing method and substrate processing apparatus
A substrate processing method includes a substrate holding step of holding a substrate by a substrate holding unit, a chemical liquid supplying step of supplying a chemical liquid to a main surface of the substrate while rotating the substrate around a rotational axis passing through a central portion of the substrate, a foreign matter detecting step of detecting foreign matter, contained in the chemical liquid expelled from the substrate, in parallel with the chemical liquid supplying step, and a flow destination switching step of switching, based on the detection of the foreign matter by the foreign matter detecting step, a flow destination of the chemical liquid expelled from the substrate from a drain piping to a recovery piping during the chemical liquid supplying step. |
| US11018031B2 |
Cutting apparatus
A cutting apparatus includes a cutting dust collection box that collects cutting dust and a cutting dust guide plate that is disposed on the downstream side in a processing feed direction relative to a chuck table and receives cutting water and the cutting dust that flow to the downstream side after cutting to guide the cutting water and the cutting dust to the cutting dust collection box. A cutting dust breaking unit that breaks the cutting dust into small pieces is disposed at a position onto which the cutting dust that flows from a plate-shaped cover drops over the cutting dust guide plate. |
| US11018028B2 |
Method of applying conductive adhesive and manufacturing device using the same
An applying method includes the following steps. Firstly, a conductive adhesive including a plurality of conductive particles and an insulating binder is provided. Then, a carrier plate is provided. Then, a patterned adhesive is formed on the carrier plate by the conductive adhesive, wherein the patterned adhesive includes a first transferring portion. Then, a manufacturing device including a needle is provided. Then, the needle of the manufacturing device is moved to contact the first transferring portion. Then, the transferring portion is transferred to a board by the manufacturing device. |
| US11018025B2 |
Redistribution lines having stacking vias
A method includes forming a dielectric layer over a conductive feature, forming an opening in the dielectric layer, and plating a metallic material to form a redistribution line electrically coupled to the conductive feature. The redistribution line includes a via in the opening, and a metal trace. The metal trace includes a first portion directly over the via, and a second portion misaligned with the via. A first top surface of the first portion is substantially coplanar with a second top surface of the second portion of the metal trace. |
| US11018024B2 |
Method of fabricating embedded traces
Embodiments are provided herein for a substrate having one or more embedded traces and a method for fabricating one or more embedded traces. The method includes: forming a bump on a first major surface of a substrate, the bump having a height measured from the first major surface to a top surface of the bump; forming a trace comprising: a lower trace portion that directly contacts the first major surface, a sidewall trace portion that directly contacts at least one sidewall of the bump, and an upper trace portion that directly contacts the top surface of the bump; depositing a blanket dielectric layer over the trace; and etching away a top portion of the blanket dielectric layer to expose a top surface of the upper trace portion. |
| US11018019B2 |
Semiconductor structure and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, at least one first gate structure, at least one first spacer, at least one source drain structure, at least one conductive plug, and at least one protection layer. The first gate structure is present on the substrate. The first spacer is present on at least one sidewall of the first gate structure. The source drain structure is present adjacent to the first spacer. The conductive plug is electrically connected to the source drain structure. The protection layer is present between the conductive plug and the spacer. |
| US11018016B2 |
Hybrid evolutionary algorithm for triple-patterning
A method is presented for layout decomposition including creating a first graph representative of an integrated circuit layout to be multiple-patterned, when a computer is invoked to decompose the layout, and decomposing each of a first subset of a multitude of sub-graphs into at least three sets when a valid coloring solution is returned for the layout. The multitude of sub-graphs is created from the first graph by dividing the first graph. The method further includes approximately decomposing each of the first subset into at least three sets using a hybrid evolutionary algorithm when the hybrid evolutionary algorithm does not return a valid coloring solution for the layout, and forming a colored graph representative of the layout by merging the at least three sets to generate one of at least three colors for each one of a multitude of vertices of the first graph. |
| US11018010B2 |
Mask layout, semiconductor device and manufacturing method using the same
A mask layout for forming a semiconductor device includes an active mask pattern, a gate electrode mask pattern, a silicide blocking mask pattern, and a contact mask pattern. The active mask pattern forms source and drain regions in a substrate. The gate electrode mask pattern, disposed to overlap the active mask pattern, forms a gate electrode between the source region and the drain region. The silicide blocking mask pattern is disposed to overlap the gate electrode mask pattern and the active mask pattern in the gate electrode, the source region, and the drain regions to form a silicide blocking region. The contact mask pattern, disposed spaced apart from the silicide blocking mask pattern, forms a contact plug on the substrate. The silicide blocking mask pattern covers the gate electrode mask pattern and extends to the active mask pattern. |
| US11018006B2 |
Method for patterning a semiconductor structure
A method for patterning a semiconductor structure is provided, including forming an additional third material layer on a thinner portion of a second material layer to be an etching buffer layer. The removed thickness of the thinner portion of the second material layer covered by the third material layer during an etching back process is therefore reduced. |
| US11018004B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a step of forming an opening portion in a resist coated on a substrate, a step of coating a thermally-shrinking shrink agent on the resist to fill the opening portion with the shrink agent, a shrinking step of heating and thermally shrinking the shrink agent to reduce a width of the opening portion, a removing step of removing the shrink agent after the shrinking step, a step of forming a metal layer on the resist and in the opening portion after the removing step and a step of removing a portion of the metal layer above the resist and the resist, wherein in the shrinking step, a side surface of the resist forming the opening portion forms a curved surface protruding toward a center portion of the opening portion. |
| US11018002B2 |
Method for selectively depositing a Group IV semiconductor and related semiconductor device structures
A method for selectively depositing a Group IV semiconductor on a surface of a substrate is disclosed. The method may include, providing a substrate within a reaction chamber and heating the substrate to a deposition temperature. The method may further include, exposing the substrate to at least one Group IV precursor, and exposing the substrate to at least one Group IIIA halide dopant precursor. Semiconductor device structures including a Group IV semiconductor deposited by the methods of the disclosure are also provided. |
| US11017999B2 |
Method and structure for forming bulk FinFET with uniform channel height
A method of a forming semiconductor fin structures that includes forming a plurality of fin structures with a first etch to a first depth in a substrate. The plurality of fin structures have a first width to the first depth. A spacer is formed on sidewalls of the plurality of fin structures. A second etch step can then extend the plurality of fin structures to a second depth with a second etch. The plurality of fin structures have a second width greater than the first width at the second depth portion. At least a portion of the trench separating adjacent fin structures may then be filled with a dielectric formed by an oxidation process. The portion of the fin structures extending above the dielectric fill is the active region of the fin structures which has a uniform height for all of the fin structure in the plurality of fin structures. |
| US11017998B2 |
Precursors and flowable CVD methods for making low-K films to fill surface features
A method for depositing a silicon-containing film, the method comprising: placing a substrate comprising at least one surface feature into a flowable CVD reactor which is at a temperature of from about −20° C. to about 100° C.; increasing pressure in the reactor to at least 10 torr; and introducing into the reactor at least one silicon-containing compound having at least one acetoxy group to at least partially react the at least one silicon-containing compound to form a flowable liquid oligomer wherein the flowable liquid oligomer forms a silicon oxide coating on the substrate and at least partially fills at least a portion of the at least one surface feature. Once cured, the silicon oxide coating has a low k and excellent mechanical properties. |
| US11017996B2 |
Automated particle removal system
A foreign particle removal system for removing a particle from a surface of a fragile object has a tool gripper which grips a particle removal tool. A force sensing device determines a cleaning position of the particle removal tool relative to the surface whereat a threshold force is exerted on the surface, the threshold force being a force that is exerted by the particle removal tool on the surface that would pick up the foreign particle but would not damage the object. The particle removal tool is conveyed over a location of the foreign particle and is moved towards the surface to the cleaning position whereat the threshold force is exerted on the surface. The particle removal tool is then lifted away from the surface together with the foreign particle. |
| US11017993B2 |
Separation of liquid in droplets and sedimented material enclosed therein
The invention relates to methods for drawing-off liquid from individual droplets which are in a predefined arrangement on a flat substrate and have sedimented material enclosed in them. A mask of an absorbent material comprising a pattern of indentations or holes which corresponds at least partially to the regular arrangement of the individual droplets, or a stiff, rigid plate of an absorbent material is positioned above the flat substrate in such a way that the droplets come into contact with the absorbent material peripherally so that liquid is drawn off there-into. The invention also relates to a mask of an absorbent material with a substantially rectangular shape which has a predefined pattern of indentations or holes for the purpose of separating liquid and sedimented material enclosed therein. |
| US11017989B2 |
Collimator, fabrication apparatus including the same, and method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the same
Disclosed are a collimator, a fabrication apparatus including the same, and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the same. The fabrication apparatus may include a chamber, a heater chuck provided in a lower region of the chamber and configured to heat a substrate, a target provided over the heater chuck, the target containing a source for a thin layer to be deposited on the substrate, a plasma electrode provided in an upper region of the chamber and configured to generate plasma near the target and thereby to produce particles from the source, and a collimator provided between the heater chuck and the target. |
| US11017987B2 |
Etching method and etching processing apparatus
An etching method includes inputting, to a setting unit, at least electric power, a pressure, and a gas flow rate, performing etching processing in a chamber, on the basis of a value inputted to the setting unit, and calculating an ion energy distribution mathematical function, by using a measured value upon the etching processing. |
| US11017980B2 |
Method of manipulating a sample in an evacuated chamber of a charged particle apparatus
The invention relates to a method of manipulating a sample in an evacuated chamber of a charged particle apparatus, the method performed in said evacuated chamber, the method including: providing a sample on a first substrate; bringing an extremal end of a manipulator in contact with the sample; attaching the sample to said extremal end, the attaching being a removable attaching; lifting the sample attached to the extremal end of the manipulator from the first substrate and transport the sample to a second substrate; attaching the sample to the second substrate; and detaching the sample from the extremal end of the manipulator. At least one of the steps of attaching the sample being performed solely by bringing the sample into contact with a bundle of carbon nanotubes. |
| US11017979B2 |
Method of ion implantation and an apparatus for the same
The present disclosure relates to semiconductor devices, specifically discloses a method and an apparatus for ion implantation. The above method may comprise: generating a particle beam that satisfies the implantation energy, wherein the particle beam comprises the target ion and the impurity particle; applying a first deflection magnetic field to the particle beam to deflect the particle beam, and applying a second deflection magnetic field to the deflected particle beam to cause a second deflection of the particle beam to separate the target ion from the impurity particle; and implanting the separated target ion into the semiconductor wafer. |
| US11017970B2 |
Circuit testing system and method of operation
A circuit testing system for identifying a circuit breaker associated with an electrical circuit is disclosed. The circuit testing system includes a circuit testing module and a connector mechanism provided on the circuit testing module. The connector mechanism is adapted to operably engage the circuit testing module with an electrical connection point of the electrical circuit. The circuit testing system further includes a remote electronic device wirelessly connected to circuit testing module. The connector mechanism is one of one or more prongs, a socket, and a probe; and the one of the one or more prongs, the socket, and the probe operably engages the circuit testing module to the electrical connection point. |
| US11017969B1 |
Self-deactivating tethered interconnection system for power outlet
A self-deactivating tethered interconnection system for a power outlet is provided, in which a circuit breaker actuates to selectively disable transfer of electrical power supplied at a source side of the power outlet to a load side thereof. A conductive tether disposed at the load side transmits the electrical power transferred by the circuit breaker. A power connector coupled to the conductive tether is configured for interconnection with a load for delivery thereto of the electrical power transmitted by the conductive tether. A proving circuit coupled to the power connector and circuit breaker includes a sensing portion that detects an interconnection state of the power connector to the load, and a trip portion operating responsive to the sensing portion to selectively inhibit transfer of the supplied electrical power to the load side. The power connector and conductive tether are thus adaptively de-energized when interconnection with the load is interrupted. |
| US11017968B2 |
Electrical switch
An electrical switch for switching an electric current is disclosed. The electrical switch includes an electronic trip unit, embodied in a bipartite fashion. A first part of the trip unit is fixedly connected to the electrical switch and includes protection functions of the electrical switch. A second part of the trip unit is embodied mountably and detachably on the electrical switch and defines the protection functions enabled for the customer. |
| US11017967B2 |
Distribution grounding switch to support distributed energy resources
A distribution grounding switch for an electricity distribution network has a first electrical terminal adapted connectable to a mains line, a second electrical terminal connectable to a lateral line, a first vacuum bottle having a pair of contactors therein, a second vacuum bottle having a pair of contactors therein, and a magnetic linkage cooperative with one of the pair of contactors of the first vacuum bottle and one of the pair of contactors of the second vacuum bottle so as to cause the pair of contactors of the first vacuum bottle the close while generally simultaneously causing the pair of contactors of the second vacuum bottle to open. The mechanical linkage also causes the pair of contactors of the first vacuum bottle to open generally simultaneously with the closing of the pair of contactors of the second vacuum bottle. |
| US11017965B1 |
Pushbutton assembly
A pushbutton assembly comprises a base, a pushbutton which is displaceable in a push direction relative to the base from an unactuated rest position into an actuated position and vice versa, and a return device which biases the pushbutton towards the rest position. Further, a self-centering device is provided which comprises a button part and a base part, the button part and the base part of the self-centering device cooperating in the rest position of the pushbutton so as to position the pushbutton in a centered position with respect to the base. |
| US11017964B2 |
Middle illuminated button switch
A middle illuminated button switch including a printed circuit board (PCB), a base and a cover. A guide core is arranged between the base and the cover, a through hole is arranged at the bottom of the base and under the guide core. A light guide groove is provided at the lower end surface of the guide core. A light-emitting element is arranged on the upper end of the PCB, and the light-emitting element is inserted into the base from the through hole and embedded in the light guide groove. Since the light-emitting element is embedded in the base from the bottom to the top, and the light is emitted to the outside from the middle through the guide core, so as to realize the light-emitting effect in the middle of the button. |
| US11017957B2 |
Dye-sensitized solar cell
The dye-sensitized solar cell comprises a first electrode including a porous semiconductor layer supporting a dye; and a second electrode serving as a counter electrode of the first electrode. The second electrode includes a counter electrode conductive layer containing an absorbent supporting a dye that is the same as or different from the dye supported by the porous semiconductor layer. |
| US11017955B2 |
Cathode subassembly with integrated separator for electrolytic capacitor, and method of manufacture thereof
A cathode subassembly for use in an electrolytic capacitor may include a first separator sheet including a surface having first and second regions, where the second region extends from a perimeter of the first region to a first peripheral edge of the first sheet, a second peripheral edge of a second sheet is substantially aligned with the first peripheral edge, a conductive foil is sandwiched between the first and second sheets and disposed within the first region, the first and second sheets are adhered to each other in a sealing region extending from the second region to a region of a surface of the second sheet facing the second region, and the first sheet includes at least one first recessed portion at the first peripheral edge aligned with at least one second recessed portion at the second peripheral edge of the second sheet. |
| US11017951B2 |
Multilayer electronic component
A multilayer electronic component includes a capacitor body including a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of first and second internal electrodes, and having first to sixth surfaces; first and second external electrodes including first and second connection portions and first and second band portions, respectively; and first and second connection terminals disposed on the first and second band portions on the first surface of the capacitor body. The first and second connection terminals are each provided with a solder receiving portion to have a symmetrical shape in a direction connecting the third and fourth surfaces and a direction connecting the fifth and sixth surfaces. |
| US11017950B2 |
Method for producing a ceramic electronic component
A ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic body, an inner electrode, an outer electrode, and a connecting portion. The inner electrode is disposed inside the ceramic body. The end portion of the inner electrode extends to a surface of the ceramic body. The outer electrode is disposed on the surface of the ceramic body so as to cover the end portion of the inner electrode. The outer electrode includes a resin and a metal. The connecting portion is disposed so as to extend from an inside of the outer electrode to an inside of the ceramic body. In a portion of the surface of the ceramic body on which the outer electrode is disposed, the length of the connecting portion that extends in a direction in which the inner electrode is extends about 2.4 μm or more. |
| US11017947B2 |
Multilayer ceramic capacitor and manufacturing method of multilayer ceramic capacitor
A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes: a multilayer structure in which each of a plurality of dielectric layers and each of a plurality of internal electrode layers are alternately stacked, wherein concentrations of Mn, Si and B of a margin region are respectively higher than concentrations of Mn, Si and B of the dielectric layers, wherein a donor element concentration of the margin region is lower than a donor element concentration of the dielectric layers, wherein the margin region is at least one of an end margin region and a side margin region. |
| US11017941B2 |
Isolation transformer with low unwanted resonances, energy transfer device having an isolation transformer and energy transfer device for wireless transfer of energy having an isolation transformer
An isolation transformer and an energy transfer device having an isolation transformer are disclosed. In an embodiments an isolation transformer includes an input winding, an output winding, a third winding, a capacitive element and a resistive element, wherein the capacitive element, the resistive element and the third winding are connected in series, and wherein the input winding, the output winding and the third winding are magnetically coupled. |
| US11017940B2 |
Integrated circuit comprising a variable inductor
This integrated circuit comprises an inductor formed by at least a first coil and a second coil which are magnetically coupled together. Each of the first and second coils comprises a metal line which extends continuously, in a plane, between a first end and second end, said metal line following a winding path around an axis of the coil parallel to the plane, this metal line comprising for this purpose a succession of sections which each intersect the axis of the coil, and the sections of this succession are electrically connected in series with each other. |
| US11017937B2 |
Variable coupled inductor
A variable coupled inductor comprises a first core having a first protrusion, a second protrusion, a third protrusion, a first conducting-wire groove and a second conducting-wire groove on the top surface of the first core, wherein the second protrusion is disposed between the first protrusion and the third protrusion, wherein a first conducting wire is disposed in the first conducting-wire groove, and a second conducting wire is disposed in the second conducting-wire groove, wherein a second core, disposed over the first core, wherein a magnetic structure is integrally formed with the second core and protruded on the bottom surface of the second core, wherein the bottom surface of the magnetic structure is located over the top surface of the second protrusion. |
| US11017936B2 |
Coil electronic component
A coil electronic component includes a plurality of coil layers including coil patterns and connection patterns. The coil patterns are disposed between the connection patterns. The connection patterns are at least partially exposed from the coil electronic component. The coil electronic component further includes connection electrodes connecting the connection patterns formed in different coil layers of the plurality of coil layers with each other, and external electrodes connected to the connection electrodes and at least partially enclosing the connection electrodes. |
| US11017935B2 |
Reactor
A reactor including a coil having a wound portion that is formed by winding a wire, a magnetic core having an inner core portion disposed inside the wound portion and an outer core portion disposed outside the wound portion, the inner and outer core portions forming a closed magnetic circuit, and an inner resin portion that joins an inner peripheral surface of the wound portion and an outer peripheral surface of the inner core portion to each other. The inner core portion includes a plurality of core pieces and gap portions that are constituted by a portion of the inner resin portion, the core pieces each including a gap-facing surface that faces a corresponding gap portion, a coil-facing surface that faces the inner peripheral surface of the wound portion, and a notch-shaped resin flow portion at a corner portion between the gap-facing surface and the coil-facing surface. |
| US11017928B2 |
Magnet, magnet stack, and motor
In a magnet, an insulating layer is fixed to an upper surface of the magnet provided with the insulating layer, but is not fixed to a lower surface of the magnet above the insulating layer. Therefore, even when the magnet expands or contracts due to a temperature change, stress is less likely to occur at an interface between the insulating layer provided on the upper surface of the magnet and the magnet above the insulating layer. |
| US11017925B2 |
Soft magnetic powder, powder magnetic core, magnetic element, and electronic device
A soft magnetic powder has a composition represented by Fe100-a-b-c-d-e-fCuaSibBcMdM′eXf (at %) (wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb and the like, M′ is at least one element selected from the group consisting of V and the like, X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of C and the like, and 0.1≤a≤3, 0 |
| US11017920B2 |
Vehicle wire harness for suppressing localized uneven progression of wear in connector terminals and manufacturing method of wire harness
A wire harness that includes a plurality of wires that are bundled together to form a wire bundle; and a connector that is provided at an end of the wire bundle, the connector including a plurality of connector terminals that are to be respectively mounted to ends of the plurality of wires, and a connector housing configured to hold the plurality of connector terminals in a state in which the plurality of connector terminals are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a terminal axial direction, which is an axial direction of the plurality of connector terminals; and a restraining tape that is to be wrapped around the wire bundle, thereby restraining the plurality of wires so as to restrict relative axial displacement between the plurality of wires. |
| US11017919B2 |
Medium-voltage or high-voltage electrical device having low-thickness hybrid insulation
A medium-voltage or high-voltage electrical device comprising a sealed enclosure in which are located electrical components covered with a solid dielectric layer and a gaseous medium ensuring electrical insulation and/or extinguishing electrical arcs, the gaseous medium comprising heptafluoroisobutyronitrile and a dilution gas, the thickness of the solid dielectric layer being less than 1 mm and being produced from a material comprising a polyepoxide or polyurethane resin optionally containing a filler or aluminum oxide. |
| US11017918B2 |
Semi-conductive composition for power cable
Provided is a semi-conductive composition for a power cable, more particularly, a semi-conductive composition for a power cable having excellent mechanical properties and electrical properties, and more specifically, a semi-conductive composition for a power cable capable of having improved scorch stability, improved surface smoothness, improved space charge accumulation suppression characteristic to thereby be applicable to an ultra-high voltage direct current power cable. |
| US11017917B2 |
Dielectric composite containing dispersed primary nanoparticles of aluminum or aluminum oxide
A dielectric composite material includes an electrical insulator and primary nanoparticles. The primary nanoparticles are dispersed, without forming agglomerates, within the electrical insulator. The primary nanoparticles are of one more of the following types: aluminum, aluminum oxide, or aluminum coated with a surface oxide layer, and the electrical insulator being a dissimilar material from the primary nanoparticles. |
| US11017916B2 |
Particles, connecting material and connection structure
Particles that can suppress the occurrence of cracking or peeling during a thermal cycle in a connection part that connects two members to be connected are provided. The particles according to the present invention are particles used to obtain a connecting material for forming a connection part that connects two members to be connected, and the particles are used for forming the connection part such that thickness of the connection part after connection exceeds twice the average particle diameter of the particles before connection, or the particles have an average particle diameter of 0.1 μm or more and 15 μm or less, the particles have a 10% K value of 30 N/mm2 or more and 3000 N/mm2 or less, and the particles have a particle diameter CV value of 50% or less. |
| US11017915B2 |
Stretchable electronics and methods of making the same
A stretchable and transparent electronic structure may generally include a stretchable elastomer layer; optionally, a metal adhesion layer on top of the stretchable elastomer layer; a metal alloying layer on top of the metal adhesion layer; and a liquid metal, wherein the structure is colorless and transparent when viewed under visible light. Methods of making the stretchable and transparent electronic structure are also described. |
| US11017913B2 |
Crystal and substrate of conductive GaAs, and method for forming the same
An electrically conductive GaAs crystal has an atomic concentration of Si more than 1×1017 cm−3, wherein density of precipitates having sizes of at least 30 nm contained in the crystal is at most 400 cm−2. In this case, it is preferable that the conductive GaAs crystal has a dislocation density of at most 2×10−2 cm2 or at least 1×10−3 cm2. |
| US11017912B2 |
X-ray shutter apparatus and X-ray shutter opening and closing system using the same
The subject technology provides an X-ray shutter apparatus and an X-ray shutter opening and closing system using the same. An X-ray shutter apparatus may be configured to open or close an X-ray shutter using a magnetic field and to accurately control opening and closing of the X-ray shutter using an optical sensor. An X-ray shutter may include a fixing plate, a solenoid fixing block, a frame, a magnet, stop blocks and an exposed block. An X-ray shutter opening and closing system may use an X-ray shutter apparatus. |
| US11017911B2 |
Low density porous iridium
The disclosure pertains to a radiation source, such as an active insert, typically containing porous or microporous iridium or compounds, alloys or composites thereof within an encapsulation, and methods of manufacture thereof. The porosity or microporosity or low-density alloying ingredient with iridium causes a reduced density of the iridium within the active insert to be achieved. |
| US11017909B2 |
Bolt installation and tensioning system
A bolt installation and removal (BIR) system is used for assembling and disassembling a nuclear vessel. The BIR system includes a platform with a stand for supporting the nuclear vessel. A track extends around an outside perimeter of the platform and multiple tool carts include wheels that roll on the track. Tool towers are located on the carts and include tool assemblies configured to install and remove bolts on the nuclear reactor vessel. Magazine towers also extend up from the tool carts next to the tool towers and include magazines that hold bolts for exchanging with the tool assemblies. Drive mechanisms move tool heads in the tool assemblies around a first vertical axis, vertically up and down, and laterally to more simply and reliably install and remove the bolts in a radioactive underwater environment. |
| US11017905B2 |
Counterfactual measure for medical diagnosis
A method for providing a computer-implemented medical diagnosis includes receiving an input from a user comprising at least one symptom of the user. The method also includes providing the at least one symptom as an input to a medical model, the medical model being retrieved from memory. The medical model includes a probabilistic graphical model comprising probability distributions and relationships between symptoms and diseases. The method also includes performing inference on the probabilistic graphical model to obtain a prediction of the probability that the user has that disease. The method also includes outputting an indication that the user has a disease from the Bayesian inference, wherein the inference is performed using a counterfactual measure. |
| US11017899B2 |
Pairing and synchronizing a mobile phone application with a handheld glucose meter
A diabetes management system includes a handheld medical device, a mobile computing device, and a diabetes management application. The handheld medical device is configured to determine, in response to a port receiving a test strip, whether an auto-send feature is enabled on the handheld medical device, determine whether the handheld medical device is paired with a mobile computing device, and selectively instruct a wireless transceiver to establish a wireless connection and communicate a glucose measurement and identifying information to the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device is configured to execute the diabetes management application. The diabetes management application is configured to process a plurality of glucose measurements and identifying information associated with each of a plurality of glucose measurements. |
| US11017898B2 |
Patient monitor sensor type auto configuration
A method and system that allows various sensor types to be connected to common input ports of a patient monitor. The system includes a data acquisition module that identifies the type of sensor connected to each one of a plurality of input ports. Once the sensor type has been identified, the data acquisition module configures amplification circuits and input circuits such that the output signal from the sensor is properly received and amplified within the patient monitor. The properly amplified output signal from the sensor, along with a sensor identifier, is supplied to a controller of the patient monitor. In this manner, the patient monitor can identify the type of sensor connected to each input port and properly display the conditioned output signal from the sensor. |
| US11017897B2 |
Healthcare management objects
Healthcare object management systems and methods are presented. Health Object Identifiers (HOI) representative of healthcare object (e.g., medical records, data, etc.) can be derived from biometric data associated with a patient. HOIs can resolve to a network location where the healthcare object can be accessed. Biometric data, or other types of object data, can be exchanged among computing devices and the healthcare object. On exemplary use of HOIs includes self assembling personal data records as sensor data is obtained. |
| US11017896B2 |
Radiomic features of prostate bi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (BPMRI) associate with decipher score
Embodiments facilitate predicting a patient prostate cancer (PCa) DECIPHER risk group. A first set of embodiments relates to training of a machine learning classifier to compute a probability that a patient is a member of a DECIPHER low/intermediate risk group based on radiomic features extracted from bi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (bpMRI) images. A second set of embodiments relates to classifying a patient as a member of DECIPHER low/intermediate risk group, or DECIPHER high-risk group, based on radiomic features extracted from bpMRI imagery of the patient. |
| US11017892B1 |
System and method for ingestible drug delivery
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an ingestible medication device is a self-contained electronic device that stores an active agent, and that controls release of the active agent using an on board processor. The ingestible medication device embodies one or more ingestible device identifiers, including personal identifiers and active agent identifiers, which are compared with external device identifiers to determine whether to release the active agent. A method for managing an ingestible medication device detects proximity to a limited range, RFID-enabled patient wristband, indicating that the wristband is worn by the patient that ingested the ingestible medication device. Various methods enable a nurse to track medication information to monitor compliance with medication regimen and dosage information. Other methods track an ingestible medication device selected for filling a prescription at a pharmacy of the health care provider, including transfer to a caregiver station using a transport cart. |
| US11017887B2 |
End of service summary report for mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry
A method for filtering ECG data includes receiving ECG data of a patient, generating an ECG report comprising a plurality of pages, and presenting priority information on a first page of the plurality of pages. The priority information includes information identifying the patient, monitoring summary information including an indication of a total duration of a monitoring period, heart rate summary information including an average heart rate, a fastest heart rate, and a slowest heart rate, representative arrhythmia summary information including a count of ECG strips containing each of a plurality of types of cardiac arrhythmia, and atrial fibrillation summary information including an indication of atrial fibrillation burden during the monitoring period. The first page of the report does not include an ECG strip. |
| US11017886B2 |
Health information exchange system and method
A system, method and program product, the system comprising: memory comprising one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising: a master patient database; an exchange partner database; a sub-network database; and a global identifier database storing a plurality of global identifiers; and one or more computers configured with: an inbound module for receiving incoming request data or results data from an exchange partner, including a sub-process to determine when one of a plurality of methods is identified by the incoming data, a sub-network and/or one or more responding exchange partners, a requested data type, and whether a patient is identified; a sub-process to create when the incoming data is destined for a different exchange partner, a respective communication manager sub-process for each of the one or more or responding exchange partners; an outbound request module that has a multi-level consent determination process, and a sub-process to create, by the one or more computers, a global identifier comprising a link between the respective responding exchange partner and the requesting exchange partner for an initial transfer of the data. |
| US11017885B2 |
Remote monitoring of medical devices
A remote monitoring system for medical data collection can include a data-flagging process embeds authorization and settings information into a file containing the test results. Such data flagging can occur at a medical device or testing site, and may be based in policy settings received from a remote system. A file containing the test results can also include data category information that can be used to protect sensitive information by preventing such information from being communicated to the wrong server. |
| US11017879B1 |
Adjustable column address scramble using fuses
Methods, systems, and devices for adjustable column address scramble using fuses are described. A testing device may detect a first error in a first column plane of a memory array and a second error in a second column plane of the memory array. The testing device may identify a first column address of the first column plane associated with the first error and a second column address of the second column plane based on detecting the first error and the second error. The testing device may determine, for the first column plane, a configuration for scrambling column addresses of the first column plane to different column addresses of the first column plane. In some cases, the testing device may perform a fuse blow of a fuse associated with the first column plane to implement the determined configuration. |
| US11017871B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device which shifts a low-level signal is provided. In an example, a first transistor including a first terminal electrically connected to a first wiring and a second terminal electrically connected to a second wiring, a second transistor including a first terminal electrically connected to a third wiring and a second terminal electrically connected to the second wiring, a third transistor including a first terminal electrically connected to a fourth wiring and a second terminal electrically connected to a gate of the second transistor, a fourth transistor including a first terminal electrically connected to a fifth wiring, a second terminal electrically connected to a gate of the third transistor, and a gate electrically connected to a sixth wiring, and a first switch including a first terminal electrically connected to the third wiring and a second terminal electrically connected to a gate of the first transistor are included. |
| US11017870B1 |
Select gate maintenance in a memory sub-system
A processing device in a memory system receives a request to erase a data block of a memory device, determines a number of program/erase cycles performed on the data block, and performs an erase operation to erase the data block. The processing device further determines that the number of program/erase cycles performed on the data block satisfies a scan threshold condition and performs a first threshold voltage integrity scan on the data block to determine a first error rate associated with a current threshold voltage of at least one select gate device of the data block. Responsive to the first error rate associated with the current threshold voltage of the at least one select gate device satisfying an error threshold criterion, the processing device performs a touch up operation on the at least one select gate device to adjust the current threshold voltage to the target threshold voltage. |
| US11017855B2 |
Electronic device and operating method thereof
An operating method of an electronic device including a semiconductor memory, the operating method includes selecting one of a plurality of memory cells during a set operation, applying a write current having a slow quenching pattern to the selected memory cell, monitoring a cell current flowing through the selected memory cell, generating a discharge control signal corresponding to a result of the monitoring, and discharging the write current in response to the discharge control signal. |
| US11017854B2 |
Storage device having a memory cell with a variable resistance element, in which voltage applied to a word line of the memory cell is controlled based on voltage of a bit line of the memory cell
A storage device includes a first layer extending in a first direction, a second layer extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a third layer extending in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions, a first transistor including a first gate electrode electrically connected to the second layer, a first selection transistor having a first end electrically connected to the third layer and a second end electrically connected to the second layer, a first cell including a first element electrically connected between the first and second layers and to a node of the second layer that is between the first gate electrode of the first transistor and the second end of the first selection transistor, and a circuit turning on the first selection transistor to electrically connect the first cell to the third layer during a write operation performed on the first cell. |
| US11017852B2 |
Method of forming memory device
A method of forming a memory device includes: forming a polish stop layer over a metallization layer in an inter-metal dielectric layer; performing an etching process to form an opening in the polish stop layer, in which a sidewall of the opening extends at an acute angle relative to a top surface of the polish stop layer; forming an electrode material in the opening and over the polish stop layer; planarizing the electrode material until a top surface of the polish stop layer is exposed so as to form a bottom electrode surrounded by the polish stop layer; and forming a stack of a resistance switching layer and a top electrode over the bottom electrode. |
| US11017850B2 |
Master set of read voltages for a non-volatile memory (NVM) to mitigate cross-temperature effects
Method and apparatus for managing data in a non-volatile memory (NVM) of a storage device, such as a solid-state drive (SSD). In some embodiments, first data are read from the NVM using an initial set of read voltages over a selected range of cross-temperature differential (CTD) values comprising a difference between a programming temperature at which the first data are programmed to the NVM cells and a reading temperature at which the first data are subsequently read from the NVM cells. A master set of read voltages is thereafter selected that provides a lowest acceptable error rate performance level over the entirety of the CTD range, and the master set of read voltages is thereafter used irrespective of NVM temperature. In some cases, the master set of read voltages may be further adjusted for different word line addresses, program/erase counts, read counts, data aging, etc. |
| US11017847B2 |
On-demand high performance mode for memory write commands
A processing device in a memory system determines whether a number of a plurality memory commands stored in a queue satisfies a queue depth threshold criterion. Responsive to the queue depth threshold criterion being satisfied, the processing device initiates a high performance mode of operation for the system and executes, in the high performance mode of operation, a first memory command of the plurality of memory commands. |
| US11017846B2 |
Updating program files of a memory device using a differential write operation
Methods, systems, and devices for a differential write operation are described. The operations described herein may be used to alter a portion of a program file from a first state to a second state. For example, a file (e.g., a patch file) that is associated with a signature may be received at a memory device. Based on an authentication process, the file may be used to alter the program file to the second state. In some examples, the program file may be altered to the second state using a buffer of the memory device. A host system may transmit a file that includes the difference between the first state and the second state. A signature may be associated with the file and may be used to authenticate the file. |
| US11017845B2 |
RAM cell processing circuit for concurrency of refresh and read
A method includes generating a voltage difference indication between a previous voltage on the bit line of a DRAM and a current voltage on a bit line. In an embodiment, the previous voltage corresponds to a logic 1 voltage or a logic 0 voltage stored in a previous DRAM cell of a column of DRAM cells, the current voltage corresponds to a logic 1 voltage or a logic 0 voltage being stored in the current DRAM cell of the column of DRAM cells, and the bit line is coupled to the column of DRAM cells. When the current DRAM cell is in a read mode, the method further includes the following steps: Generating a read voltage reference based on the voltage difference indication; Generating a read output voltage based on the read voltage reference; Supplying the read output voltage on to the bit line; and Outputting a representation of the read output voltage. |
| US11017839B2 |
DRAM, memory controller and associated training method
A training method for a memory system is provided. The memory system includes a memory controller and a memory. The memory controller is connected with the memory. The training method includes the following steps. Firstly, the memory samples n command/address signals according to a first signal edge and a second signal edge of a clock signal to acquire a first sampled content and a second sampled content. The memory selectively outputting one of the first sampled content and the second sampled content through m data signals to the memory controller in response to a control signal. Moreover, m is larger than n and smaller than 2n. |
| US11017838B2 |
Nonvolatile memory devices
A nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell array and a row decoder. The memory cell array includes a plurality of mats. A first cell string of first mat is connected to a plurality of first word-lines, a first bit-line and a first string selection line. A second cell string of second mat is connected to a plurality of second word-lines, a second bit-line and a second string selection line. Each of the first and second cell strings includes a ground selection transistor, memory cells, and a string selection transistor coupled in series. The row decoder applies a first voltage to a third word-line among the plurality of first and second word-lines for a first period of time in a single mat mode and to apply a second voltage to the third word-line for a second period of time longer than the first period of time in a multi-mat mode. |
| US11017836B2 |
Apparatus and method for non-volatile memory for applying voltages to selected and unselected strings during the channel initialization for improved read operation
A memory device and an operating method thereof are provided. A memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of strings, a voltage generating circuit configured to apply a turn-on voltage to the plurality of strings during a predetermined time period during a channel initialization operation of a read operation of a selected string among the plurality of strings, and control logic configured to set the predetermined time period of applying the turn-on voltage to the plurality of strings and to control the voltage generating circuit to apply the turn-on voltage to the plurality of strings during the predetermined time period, wherein the control logic sets the predetermined time period corresponding to the selected string as a first time period and the predetermined time period corresponding to unselected strings among the plurality of strings to be shorter than the first time period. |
| US11017834B2 |
Refresh command management
Methods, systems, and devices for refresh command management are described. A memory device may conduct a refresh operation to preserve the integrity of data stored to one or more memory cells. In some examples, the frequency of refresh operations conducted may be based on the memory device's temperature and may be initiated based on one or more commands received from an external device (e.g., a host device). Each command may be transmitted by the host device at a defined rate, which may impact the rate at which the memory device conducts one or more refresh operations. The memory device may postpone or skip at least a portion of one or more refresh operations based on one or more operating parameters of the memory device. |
| US11017831B2 |
Ferroelectric memory cell access
Methods, systems, and devices for accessing a ferroelectric memory cell are described. In some examples, during a first portion of an access procedure, the voltages of a digit line and word line coupled with the memory cell may be increased while the voltage of a plate coupled with the memory cell is held constant, which may support sensing a logic state stored by the memory cell prior the access procedure, and which may result in a first logic state being written to the memory cell. A voltage of the plate may then be increased, and the digit line may then be coupled with the plate. Because the first logic state was previously written to the memory cell, a target logic state may not need to be subsequently written to the memory cell unless different than the first logic state. |
| US11017828B2 |
Apparatus for generating a magnetic field and method of using said apparatus
An apparatus for generating a magnetic field including permanent magnets arranged in a plane, each magnet being spatially separated along the plane from the adjacent magnet by a predetermined spacing, each magnet having a magnetic polarity opposed to the polarity of the adjacent magnet such that a magnetic field of adjacent magnets is oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane and in opposite directions, each magnet being spatially separated in the plane from the adjacent magnet by a nonmagnetic material. A method for programming a magnetic device or sensor device using the apparatus is also described. |
| US11017819B1 |
Data storage devices, and related components and methods of making
The present disclosure relates to a data storage device interior components and/or data storage device housing components that include one or more solid-state deposition layers, and related methods of applying solid-state material to said components via solid-state deposition. |
| US11017818B2 |
Event-based media playback
A method and apparatus for event-based media playback. A media device infers one or more actionable events in a media content item using one or more neural network models and determines a respective start location for each of the actionable events in the media content item. The media device receives user input indicating a selection of one of the actionable events and selectively initiates playback of the media content item at the start location associated with the selected actionable event. |
| US11017817B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, camera apparatus, remote control apparatus, and camera system
The present invention enables correct placement of an electronic mark on a frame of captured image data intended by a remote control apparatus performing monitoring. Monitoring image data with a time code is transmitted to an external device. A command (an electronic mark placement command, or the like) to which a time code value showing a command target frame in the monitoring image data is added is received from the remote control apparatus. Processing based on the command is performed on a frame corresponding to the time code value added to the command, among image data corresponding to the monitoring image data recorded on a recording medium. |
| US11017815B2 |
Editing method and recording and reproducing device
In order to provide a recording and reproducing device that allows a user to select and manage arbitrary play lists, a unit of management for managing all registered play list information and an upper management hierarchical level are added. The unit of management is adapted to be handled on the same level with unified information that indicates a reproduction range of all AV data. User-defined unified information is adapted to be handled on the added management hierarchical level. The user-defined unified information is formed to allow arbitrary reproduction ranges contained on a lower hierarchical level to be registered. |
| US11017814B2 |
Live and post workflow system and method
Embodiments of the invention relate a system and method of a live and post workflow for generating a media project of a live production media and fully reconstructing all graphical elements and all graphical events of the live production media for a post-production environment. The live and post workflow system including a live broadcasting component for controlling a live broadcast and recording, via a recorder, all media actions, including graphic data information and graphic events, but also all other components and actions required for the production, including video and audio filters, transitions, media clips, mix levels, and a converting phase component for processing and building a generic output from the one or more media files, user actions, and incoming data events and then translating and reconstructing the generic output into a complete reconstruction of the live broadcast having a generic output format and timeline that is supported by the post-production environment. |
| US11017806B2 |
Alternative designs for magnetic recording assisted by a single Spin Hall Effect (SHE) layer in the write gap
A Spin Hall Effect (SHE) assisted magnetic recording device is disclosed wherein a SHE layer comprising a giant Spin Hall Angle material is formed in a write gap between a main pole (MP) trailing side and trailing shield (TS). The SHE layer contacts either the MP or TS, and has a front side at the air bearing surface or recessed therefrom. In one embodiment, a current (I1) is applied between the MP trailing side and SHE layer and is spin polarized to generate a first spin transfer torque that tilts a local MP magnetization to a direction that enhances a MP write field. In a second embodiment, a current (I2) is applied between the SHE layer and TS and is spin polarized to generate a second spin transfer torque that tilts a local TS magnetization to a direction that increases the TS return field and improves bit error rate. |
| US11017805B2 |
Magnetic tape recording device having dual reading transducers
A magnetic tape reading apparatus comprises an acquisition unit that acquires information on linearity of a servo pattern to be recorded on a servo band of a magnetic tape, a reading element unit in which at least two reading elements each of which reads data from a specific track region included in the magnetic tape are disposed, a servo reading element that reads the servo pattern, a control unit that performs control of positioning the reading element unit, a derivation unit that derives a deviation amount, and an extraction unit that extracts data recorded on the reading target track by performing a waveform equalization process on each reading result for the reading elements in accordance with the deviation amount. |
| US11017804B1 |
Magnetic disk device and method of setting recording capacity
According one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a disk including a first region and a second region to which data before written to the first region is temporarily written, a head which writes data to the disk and reads data from the disk, and a controller which selectively performs conventional magnetic recording for writing a track at an interval in a radial direction of the disk and shingled magnetic recording for writing a track so as to overlap in the radial direction, and changes a cache data capacity of data which can be written to the second region in accordance with a first write capacity of data which can be written to the first region by the shingled magnetic recording. |
| US11017803B1 |
Disk drive with actuator assemblies
According to one embodiment, a disk drive includes a first actuator assembly, and a second actuator assembly. In the first actuator assembly, arms each includes a slit provided at a side face of the arm, the slit expending from an extending end of the arm to a first actuator block. The slit is provided such that a central line of the slit in its width direction is offset in position from a central line of the arm in its thickness direction in a direction further away from a boundary plane between the first and second actuator assemblies. The arm have a first inclined face and a second inclined face formed at an open end portion of the slit, the first and second inclined face each inclining in a direction in which an open width of the slit widens. |
| US11017791B2 |
Deep neural network-based method and apparatus for combining noise and echo removal
Disclosed is a deep neural network-based method and apparatus for combining noise and echo removal. The deep neural network-based method for combining noise and echo removal according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise the steps of extracting a feature vector from an audio signal that includes noise and echo; and acquiring a final audio signal from which both noise and echo have been removed, by using a combined nose and echo removal gain estimated by means of the feature vector and deep neural network DNN. |
| US11017790B2 |
Avoiding speech collisions among participants during teleconferences
A method of avoiding speech collisions among participants during teleconferences includes, during a teleconference, performing, using computer hardware, audio analysis of voices of a plurality of participants of the teleconference, determining, using the computer hardware, an emotive state for each of the plurality of participants during the teleconference, generating, using the computer hardware, a user frequency model for each of the plurality of participants based on the audio analysis and the emotive state, and adjusting, using the computer hardware, frequency of a voice of at least one of the plurality of participants during the teleconference based on the user frequency models of the plurality of participants to avoid a speech collision. |
| US11017788B2 |
System and method for creating timbres
A method of building a new voice having a new timbre using a timbre vector space includes receiving timbre data filtered using a temporal receptive field. The timbre data is mapped in the timbre vector space. The timbre data is related to a plurality of different voices. Each of the plurality of different voices has respective timbre data in the timbre vector space. The method builds the new timbre using the timbre data of the plurality of different voices using a machine learning system. |
| US11017783B2 |
Speaker template update with embedding vectors based on distance metric
A device includes a processor configured to determine a feature vector based on an utterance and to determine a first embedding vector by processing the feature vector using a trained embedding network. The processor is configured to determine a first distance metric based on distances between the first embedding vector and each embedding vector of a speaker template. The processor is configured to determine, based on the first distance metric, that the utterance is verified to be from a particular user. The processor is configured to, based on a comparison of a first particular distance metric associated with the first embedding vector to a second distance metric associated with a first test embedding vector of the speaker template, generate an updated speaker template by adding the first embedding vector as a second test embedding vector and removing the first test embedding vector from test embedding vectors of the speaker template. |
| US11017779B2 |
System and method for speech understanding via integrated audio and visual based speech recognition
The present teaching relates to method, system, medium, and implementations for speech recognition. An audio signal is received that represents a speech of a user engaged in a dialogue. A visual signal is received that captures the user uttering the speech. A first speech recognition result is obtained by performing audio based speech recognition based on the audio signal. Based on the visual signal, lip movement of the user is detected and a second speech recognition result is obtained by performing lip reading based speech recognition. The first and the second speech recognition results are then integrated to generate an integrated speech recognition result. |
| US11017778B1 |
Switching between speech recognition systems
A method may include obtaining first audio data originating at a first device during a communication session between the first device and a second device. The method may also include obtaining an availability of revoiced transcription units in a transcription system and in response to establishment of the communication session, selecting, based on the availability of revoiced transcription units, a revoiced transcription unit instead of a non-revoiced transcription unit to generate a transcript of the first audio data. The method may also include obtaining revoiced audio generated by a revoicing of the first audio data by a captioning assistant and generating a transcription of the revoiced audio using an automatic speech recognition system. The method may further include in response to selecting the revoiced transcription unit, directing the transcription of the revoiced audio to the second device as the transcript of the first audio data. |
| US11017777B2 |
Language processing method and apparatus
A language processing method and apparatus is disclosed. A language processing apparatus using a neural network may obtain context information from a source text using a neural network-based encoder, generate a prefix token from the context information using a neural network-based main decoder, generate a token sequence including at least two successive tokens sequentially following the prefix token using a skip model in response to the prefix token satisfying a preset condition, and indicate a target text in which the prefix token and the token sequence are combined as an inference result with respect to the source text. |
| US11017774B2 |
Cognitive audio classifier
A method, system, and computer program product are provided for classifying spoken audio content with a cognitive audio classifier by applying a set of distorted audio resources through a set of speech-to-text models STTi (STT1 . . . STTn) to get a set of interference coherence scores based on the transcript for each speech-to-text model STTi, thereby generating a measured baseline Mi (M1 . . . Mn) and a practical baseline Pi (P1 . . . Pn) that is associated with a coherence matrix for the audio effects AEj (AE1 . . . AEk) that were used to generate the distorted audio resources, thereby generating training data for use in training a cognitive audio classifier which classifies input spoken audio content to measure a quality of detected vocabulary elements from the spoken audio content under the set of audio distortion effects for each speech-to-text model STTi. |
| US11017762B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating text-to-speech model
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method and apparatus for generating a text-to-speech model. A specific implementation of the method includes: obtaining a training sample set, a training sample including sample text information, sample audio data corresponding to the sample text information, and a fundamental frequency of the sample audio data; obtaining an initial deep neural network; and using the sample text information of the training sample in the training sample set as an input, and using the sample audio data corresponding to the input sample text information and the fundamental frequency of the sample audio data as an output, to train the initial deep neural network using a machine learning method, and defining the trained initial deep neural network as the text-to-speech model. |
| US11017760B1 |
Active noise canceling apparatus using motor
An active noise canceling apparatus using a motor may include a reference sensor configured for detecting a noise source of the vehicle; an error sensor configured for detecting information related to internal noise of the vehicle; an adaptive control circuit configured of adjusting a filter value for reducing the internal noise of the vehicle on the basis of detecting signals from the reference sensor and the error sensor, and generating a current instruction for driving the motor by applying the adjusted filter value; a motor controller configured for controlling driving of the motor to follow the current instruction; and a radiation sound generator engaged to the motor and generating sound for offsetting the internal sound using vibration generated according to the driving of the motor. |
| US11017759B2 |
On-demand adaptive active noise cancellation system
A method may include receiving a user trigger signal indicating a user desire to update characteristics of an adaptive filter, receiving an error microphone signal indicative of the output of the transducer and the ambient audio sounds at the transducer, wherein the transducer reproduces both a source audio signal for playback to a listener and an anti-noise signal for countering the effects of ambient audio sounds in an acoustic output of the transducer, implementing the adaptive filter having a response that generates the anti-noise signal to reduce the presence of the ambient audio sounds in the error microphone signal, determining an acoustic coupling of the transducer to an error microphone for producing the error microphone signal, and responsive to a change in the acoustic coupling, prompting a user to assert the user trigger signal to indicate user desire to update characteristics of the adaptive filter. |
| US11017758B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
An information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program, which make it possible for a user to listen to an audio signal more appropriately, are provided. An information processing apparatus, including: behavior recognition unit configured to recognize behavior of a user on a basis of sensing information of at least one of the user and an environment; a processing controller configured to control, on a basis of the recognized behavior of the user, signal processing with respect to at least one of an audio signal listened to by the user, a noise reduction signal, and an external sound monitor signal; and a signal processing unit configured to execute the signal processing. |
| US11017757B2 |
Apparatus and method for mounting a sound masking device in a hotel room
An apparatus and method for mounting a sound masking component or device to an existing electronic component, appliance, or a furnishing installed or located in a hotel room or other interior space. According to an embodiment, the existing electronic component or appliance comprises a television set. The television set includes a pre-existing mounting mechanism for attaching a television wall-mounting bracket. The sound masking component further includes a mounting bracket wherein the mounting bracket is configured to be secured to the pre-existing mounting mechanism on the television set. According to another embodiment, the sound masking component is mounted internally inside the television set and configured to receive power from the television power supply and emit a sound masking signal utilizing a television speaker or a separate sound masking speaker. |
| US11017753B2 |
Keyboard device
A keyboard device includes: a frame; a plurality of keys including a first key and a second key, the plurality of keys rotating around the frame; and a plurality of guides for restricting an operation of each of the plurality of keys, at positions different in a vertical direction, each of the plurality of guides including a first member that is softer than the frame and the plurality of keys, and a second member that is harder than the first member, wherein each of the plurality of guides is in a first state where a corresponding one of the keys comes into contact with the first member, or in a second state where the corresponding one of the keys comes into contact with the second member. |
| US11017748B2 |
Copy-on-write (COW) rendering of graphical object models
A method of rendering an object model includes modifying, by a first thread executing on a computer system that is coupled to a display screen, a current object model to generate a new object model that is stored at a first memory address. The method also includes storing, by the first thread, a copy of the new object model at a second memory address. The method further includes updating, by the first thread, a reference to identify the copy of the new object model. The method also includes rendering, by a second thread executing on the computer system, a renderable object model identified by the reference into a buffer that is converted into pixels on the display screen, the first thread being independent of the second thread. |
| US11017746B2 |
Auxiliary display scaling factor
One embodiment provides a method, including: displaying, on a primary display of an information handling device, an object having a predetermined size; adjusting, based on user input, a position of the object from the primary display to an auxiliary display; and maintaining, based on a scaling factor applied to the auxiliary display, the predetermined size of the object on the auxiliary display. Other aspects are described and claimed. |
| US11017744B2 |
Challenge game system
Methods and systems are provided for enabling the creation, game play, and third party view of a head-to-head challenge game played synchronously or asynchronously by a first and second player. In one embodiment, a method includes operations for receiving a request to view the challenge game for obtaining a first and second video associated with a predefined segment of a single player game as played by the first and second player. The method further includes operations for executing the challenge game that plays the first video alongside the second video in a spectator interface, for accessing and processing telemetry data of the game play of the predefined segment to generate modified game play metrics, and for replacing game states that were produced when the predefined segment of the game was played with the modified game play metrics. The modified game play metrics are rendered to the spectator interface. |
| US11017741B2 |
Light sensor having partially opaque optic
A rearview assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes: a housing configured for mounting to the vehicle; a rearview element disposed in the housing that displays images of a scene exterior of the vehicle; a light sensor assembly disposed in the housing; and a controller for receiving the electrical signal of the light sensor and for adjusting a brightness of the images displayed by the rearview element. The light sensor includes a light sensor for outputting an electrical signal representing intensity of light impinging upon a light-receiving surface of the light sensor, and a secondary optical element configured to receive light, wherein the light passes through the secondary optical element to the light sensor, the secondary optical element including a tint material that is substantially color neutral for attenuating light passing therethrough. |
| US11017740B2 |
Timing controller and anti-interference method thereof
A timing controller and an anti-interference method thereof are provided. The timing controller includes a timing control circuit. The timing control circuit provides an input signal for controlling a source driver. When at least one of the timing control circuit and the source driver detects that an interference event occurs to the input signal, the timing control circuit is configured to adjust a frequency of a data signal or a clock signal from a normal operation frequency to at least one anti-interference frequency. The timing control signal is further configured to provide at least one of the data signal and the clock signal to the source driver. |
| US11017737B2 |
Display device and liquid crystal display device for adjusting transparency and polarity
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a display panel including a display area where first drive areas and second drive areas are alternately disposed, and display function layers which include first display function layers and second display function layers and which are changed to a transparent state and a scattering state, and a control unit. The control unit applies a drive voltage to the first display function layers, in a first field period. The control unit applies the drive voltage to the second display function layers, in a second field period. A polarity of the drive voltage in the first field period is different from a polarity of the drive voltage in the second field period. |
| US11017732B1 |
Backlight driving method, backlight driving circuit, and backlight driving device
A backlight driving method for a backlight driving circuit and a backlight driving device includes a first driving signal processing step, a second driving signal processing step, and a backlight driving step. The driving circuit includes a backlight driving module that includes a first processing module, a second processing module, and a driving control module. The first processing module includes a first signal decoding module, a first register module, and a first conversion module, and the second processing module includes a second signal decoding module, a second register module, a second conversion module, and a third conversion module. |
| US11017730B2 |
Display device and driving method of the same
A display device including multiple displays is provided. The display device includes a first display including first pixels; a second display including second pixels; a first driver configured to drive the first display; a second driver configured to drive the second display; a controller configured to control the first and second drivers; a first power supply configured to supply first power to the first and second displays; and a second power supply configured to supply second power to the first and second displays. The second power supply includes a first voltage source configured to generate a first voltage; a second voltage source configured to generate a second voltage; a first switch configured to couple the first display to any one of the first and second voltage sources; and a second switch configured to couple the second display to one of the first and second voltage sources. |
| US11017729B2 |
Display device and method of driving the same
A display device includes: a display panel including a plurality of pixels; a first correction circuit configured to perform, using a gamma correction value, a gamma correction for first image data; a second correction circuit configured to receive the gamma-corrected first image, and to generate second image data by performing gray-scale compensation for the gamma-corrected first image data; and a data driver configured to provide a data signal corresponding to the second image data to the plurality of pixels, wherein the second correction circuit performs the gray-scale compensation based on the gamma correction value and a threshold value measured for each of the plurality of pixels. |
| US11017728B2 |
Display device
A display device includes: first and second dots arranged on a first horizontal line in a first direction, each of the first and second dots including first to fourth pixels; a switch unit configured to selectively couple first to fourth output lines respectively to the first to fourth pixels of each of the first and second dots, in response to a first control signal and a second control signal; and a data driver configured to supply data voltages to the first to fourth output lines in a time-sharing manner. The data driver may include: a data processor configured to generate data signals corresponding to the first to fourth output lines; and first to fourth digital-to-analog converters (DACs) configured to convert the data signals into the data voltages. Each of the first to fourth DACs may be supplied with a corresponding one of first to fourth gamma voltages. |
| US11017726B2 |
Display method and method of driving the same
A display device comprises: a panel comprising a pixel array; a data driver for outputting video data signals to the panel; and a latch part for receiving the video data signals from the data driver and outputting the received video data signals to the pixel array. With this configuration, the number of data drive ICs of the data driver can be reduced while maintaining the panel driving frequency. |
| US11017724B2 |
Gate driving circuit and display apparatus having the same
A gate driving circuit includes a plurality of stages. Adjacent two stages from among the plurality of stages constitute a stage pair. The adjacent two stages in the stage pair include switching elements connected with each other. When a carry signal of an N-th stage in the stage pair has a defect, the N-th stage is configured to output a carry signal of an (N+1)-th stage in the stage pair. N is a positive integer. When a defect has occurred at a carry signal of a stage in a stage pair, the carry signal of the stage having the defect may be repaired by a carry signal of another stage in the stage pair. |
| US11017723B2 |
Pixel and related organic light emitting diode display device
A pixel of a display device includes a capacitor; a light emitting diode; and first, second, third, and fourth transistors. The display device has a normal frequency mode and a low frequency mode. Two electrodes of the capacitor are respectively connected to a first voltage source and a gate node. A gate electrode of the first transistor is connected to the gate node. In a hold period in the low frequency mode, both the second and third transistors receive a scan signal, the third transistor diode-connects the first transistor, the fourth transistor receives an initialization signal and transfers an initialization voltage to the gate node, the scan signal is at a first off voltage level, and the initialization signal is at a second off voltage level unequal to the first off voltage level. The cathode of the light emitting diode is connected to a second voltage source. |
| US11017721B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
The present disclosure relates to an organic light emitting display device including a display panel on which a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of first power lines, a plurality of second power lines, and a plurality of pixels are disposed. Each of the plurality of pixels includes: a storage capacitor connected between a first node and a second node; a driving transistor including a gate electrode connected to the second node, a drain electrode connected to the power line, and a source electrode connected to the first node; an organic light emitting diode connected to the first node and the second power line; a first switching transistor connected to the second node and the data lines; and a second switching transistor connected to the first node and the first power lines. |
| US11017716B2 |
Display device and method of manufacturing the same
A display device and a method of manufacturing a display device are provided. A display device may include: a display panel including a first area, a second area spaced apart from the first area, and a bending area between the first area and the second area; a driving circuit chip on the second area of the display panel; a flexible printed circuit board on the second area of the display panel and spaced apart from the driving circuit chip; and a bending protection layer including a first pre-formed bending protection layer covering a portion of the flexible printed circuit board, and a first post-formed bending protection layer covering the bending area of the display panel. |
| US11017713B2 |
Pixel circuit, sensing method for pixel circuit, and display panel
The present disclosure relates to the field of display technologies, and provides a pixel circuit including: a display pixel driving circuit, a sensing line, and at least one non-display pixel driving circuit. The display pixel driving circuit is configured to drive a display sub-pixel, and includes a first driving transistor. The sensing line is coupled to an output end of the first driving transistor, and configured to sense a current of an output end of the first driving transistor; each of the non-display pixel driving circuits is configured to drive one non-display sub-pixel, and the non-display pixel driving circuit includes a second driving transistor. An output end of the second driving transistor is coupled to the sensing line to input a compensation current to the sensing line. |
| US11017712B2 |
Optimized display image rendering
In one example, a head mounted display system includes detecting a position of a head of a user of the head mounted display, predicting a position of the head of the user of the head mounted display at a time after a time that the position of the head of the user was detected, and rendering image data based on the predicted head position. |
| US11017710B2 |
Driving circuit, driving method and display apparatus
A driving circuit, a driving method and a driving apparatus, wherein the driving circuit includes: a driving signal generation sub-circuit; a plurality of first signal lines, configured to receive the driving signal generated from the driving signal generation sub-circuit; a plurality of second signal lines, configured to output the driving signal to the plurality of pixels in the display panel; a switch sub-circuit, set between the plurality of first signal lines and the plurality of second signal lines, and configured to selectively connect a part of the plurality of second signal lines or the plurality of first signal lines and the plurality of second signal lines; and a control sub-circuit, configured to control turn-on or turn-off of the switch sub-circuit, so that the plurality of pixels of the display panel are driven in a first mode or in a second mode. |
| US11017709B2 |
Driving method for pixel matrix and display device
The invention provides a driving method for a pixel matrix. The pixel matrix includes a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in a matrix, the polarity of data lines is inverted once every two columns, the polarity of the voltage loaded in the direction of the data lines is exchanged once every N sub-pixels, and each data line alternately loads the voltage to the lth column and (I+2)th column of sub-pixels every N sub-pixels. The driving method includes: acquiring original pixel data; generating a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage according to the original pixel data; and loading the first driving voltage or the second driving voltage to the pixel matrix along the data lines within one frame, where I≥1, N≥2. In addition, the invention further provides a display device. |
| US11017707B2 |
Organic light emitting display panel
An OLED panel may include a substrate including a first region and a second region disposed along a first direction. A plurality of first pixels are disposed in the first region on the substrate, the first pixels each having a first area, the first pixels each comprising a first unit pixel, a second unit pixel disposed along a second direction from the first unit pixel, and a transmission portion disposed along the first direction from the first unit pixel and the second unit pixel. A plurality of second pixels are disposed in the second region on the substrate, the second pixels each having a second area less than the first area, the second pixels each comprising a third unit pixel. The first unit pixel, the second unit pixel, and the third unit pixel may have substantially the same shape as each other. |
| US11017706B2 |
Display screen and electronic device
A display screen and an electronic device are provided. The display screen includes a number of display pixels arranged on a display area of the display screen and a plurality of image capturing pixels arranged in gaps between the plurality of display pixels. The display screen is operable in a display mode or an image capturing mode. The plurality of display pixels is switched on when the display screen is in the display mode and the plurality of image capturing pixels is switched on when the display screen is in the image capturing mode. The display screen integrates display pixels and image capturing pixels, so the display screen may be used for display and image capturing at the same time. |
| US11017701B2 |
Correction data generating device, computer program, method for generating correction data, and method for producing display panel
A correction data generating device is a device generating correction data for correcting input grayscale level vs. luminance characteristics of a plurality of pixels included in a display region of a display panel, and includes a display controller supplying each of the plurality of pixels with display signal voltages corresponding to two or more grayscale levels; an acquisition portion acquiring two or more luminances of each of the plurality of pixels supplied with the display signal voltages respectively corresponding to the two or more grayscale levels; a specification portion specifying, among the plurality of pixels, at least one abnormal pixel, the input grayscale level vs. luminance characteristic of which needs to be corrected and also specifying at least one correction target grayscale level including a grayscale level that needs to be corrected, based on the two or more luminances of each of the plurality of pixels acquired by the acquisition portion; and a generation portion generating correction data based on the at least one abnormal pixel and the at least one correction target grayscale level specified by the specification portion. |
| US11017695B2 |
Method for developing a machine learning model of a neural network for classifying medical images
Methods for developing a machine learning model of a neural network for classifying medical images using a medical imaging system such as an ultrasound system. The methods involve capturing images during a first medical procedure, analyzing the images for the presence of one or more features, labeling the images as belonging to one or more classes, splitting the labeled images into a training set and a validation set. Training and validation processes are then performed, and the machine learning model may be used when training process metrics and validation process metrics for the training and validation processes are within acceptable thresholds. |
| US11017693B2 |
System for enhancing speech performance via pattern detection and learning
A method for enhancing speech performance includes communicating, via an input/output (I/O) device, speech data of a patient with speech problems, segmenting the speech data, generating one or more feature vectors based on at least the segmented speech data, determining whether the one or more feature vectors match with one or more recognition objects pre-trained using clinical data of one or more other patients, determining a speech disorder based on a matched result between the one or more feature vectors and the one or more recognition objects, and communicating, via the I/O device, one or more ameliorative actions for mitigating the determined speech disorder. |
| US11017692B2 |
Device of extracting regularity for a number sequence and the method thereof
The present invention relates to a method of extracting regularity for an arbitrary number sequence and a device using the same, and especially provides a method and a device for finding regularity for an arbitrary number sequence using objects and computing the number that appears after a certain amount of time or times. |
| US11017691B2 |
Training using tracking of head mounted display
Embodiments can use a model for training according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, a model can be created from actual video. The model can be a spherical video. In this manner, users can be immersed in real situations, and thus the user can get more experience than the user otherwise would have had. Various technical features can be provided for enhancing such a system, e.g., synchronization of pointers on two screens, camera rigs with extended view to allow the camera rig to be placed further from a location of the players, analytics for rating users and controlling playback of a next play (action interval), and for allowing a user to feel translation while in a model. |
| US11017685B2 |
Methods and systems for presenting topic-specific biographical information of a user
A question-and-answer application that displays topic-specific biographical information about users when presenting certain content elements is described. The topic-specific biographical information for a user may be displayed in various contexts, such as with an answer to a question on a question page for the question, or with information identifying a user who is following a question or a topic. With some embodiments, a user's topic-specific biographical information may be provided by the user, provided or suggested by another user, or obtained from an external data source. |
| US11017683B2 |
Electronic video ev-Book using flexible video screens
An Electronic Video ev-Book of design and manufacture resolving problems of loading undesirable internet content in said book by providing means to eliminate downloading text and graphical images from the internet. The claimed invention differs from existing e-reader products as an ev-Book of flexible QLED and like video screen e-Paper pages displaying internal memory content and eliminating internet communication components. An Electronic Video ev-Book in which the minimum required electronic memory, processing capacity and video capability for all video pages is contained within embedded electronic semiconductor digital operating mini-CPU Central Processing Units. The ev-Book's purposely specified and installed components eliminate user manipulation and changing of programmed content as compared with the ease of reloading personal computer e-readers. The invention claims an ev-Book exterior cover housing a spine harness comprising power batteries and positioning and binding of the interlocking video flexible e-paper pages each containing a mini-CPU for realistic experiences. |
| US11017682B2 |
Generating customized learning paths
Techniques for generating customized learning paths are provided. In one technique, consumption data that indicates consumption of multiple learning resources by multiple users is recorded. Based on the consumption data, multiple learning resource tuples are generated, each learning resource tuple indicating that one learning resource that was consumed by a user prior to another learning resource that was consumed by the user. Multiple aggregations are performed, where each aggregation involves aggregating different sets of learning resource tuples, where each set of learning resource tuples comprises the same two learning resources in the same order. Based on a subset of the aggregations, a customized learning path that comprises a set of learning resources is generated for a particular user. The customized learning path is presented to the particular user. |
| US11017671B2 |
Precautionary visual perception by detection of rear stop light of vehicle that is two vehicles ahead
Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided. Systems and methods are provided to detect a braking next-to-last vehicle that may cause the last vehicle (the preceding vehicle) to collide with the next-to-last vehicle, panic brake, make a sudden lane change, or otherwise endanger a vehicle following the preceding vehicle. Automated means for computer based vision and detection of brake lights are provided for a next-to-last vehicle. Brake lights are identified; if illuminated to a sufficient level to indicate braking, systems of the operated vehicle are alerted; and appropriate responses may be deployed. |
| US11017670B2 |
Intermediate vehicle repeater for out of range vehicles
Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication through short range communication techniques can be extended by sending messages from a host vehicle to a target vehicle using an intermediate vehicle. The host vehicle identifies road conditions which may be of interest to a target vehicle. An intermediate vehicle relays the message detailing the identified road conditions from the host vehicle to the target vehicle. The message can be rebroadcast by the intermediate vehicle to target vehicles in its communication range, or it can generate a new message to transmit the information to target vehicles. |
| US11017667B2 |
Leading system, leading device, and control method of leading system
A leading system has an output unit configured to output a predetermined signal to a first area around a vehicle, and a terminal carried by a person. The terminal has a receiving unit configured to receive the predetermined signal when the person enters the first area and a first notification unit configured to automatically perform a first notification to the person when the predetermined signal is received by the receiving unit. |
| US11017665B1 |
Vehicle-to-vehicle payment system for traffic prioritization in self-driving vehicles
A self-driving or autonomous vehicle comprises a processor to transmit an offer message to another vehicle and to receive a reply message from the other vehicle, and to transfer a payment to the other vehicle to obtain a traffic prioritization relative to the other vehicle. For example, the traffic prioritization may enable one vehicle to pass the other vehicle, to take precedence at an intersection or to be given priority to take a parking place or any other traffic-related advantage. |
| US11017663B2 |
Ultra-low-power traffic-monitoring system
A traffic-monitoring system includes a gateway that includes a gateway radio and that is connected to a server and traffic-monitoring devices arranged along a road. Each of the traffic-monitoring devices includes a housing, a microcontroller that is located within the housing, at least one sensor that is located within the housing, that is connected to the microcontroller, and that collects traffic and/or environmental data, and a monitor radio that sends data to the gateway or an adjacent traffic-monitoring device. The microcontroller processes data collected by the at least one sensor to reduce an amount of data to be sent to the gateway or the adjacent traffic-control device and sends processed data to the gateway or the adjacent traffic-monitoring device in real time or near real time using the monitor radio. |
| US11017662B2 |
Systems and methods for determining a path of a moving device
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining a path of a moving vehicle. The systems may perform the methods to obtain a plurality of location points relating to a moving device; determine at least one average velocity of the moving device between two of the plurality of location points; remove at least one interfering location point from the plurality of location points based on the at least one average velocity; determine remainders of the plurality of location points as a set of effective location points based on the at least one average velocity; determine a path of the moving device based on the set of effective location points; and store data for the path of the moving device in the one or more storage media. |
| US11017661B1 |
Method and system for pedestrian-to-vehicle collision avoidance based on amplified and reflected wavelength
Provided are a method and a system for collision avoidance between vulnerable road users (VRUs) and vehicles, notably for pedestrian-to-vehicle (P2V) collision avoidance, in the field of intelligent transportation technology and data analytics distributed among edge and cloud systems. In one aspect, the method and the system for collision avoidance between VRUs and vehicles is further based on a reflected optical signal, wherein VRUs and vehicles are configured to emit and receive a proximity signal pertaining to road usage safety before accidents happen. The method and the system for pedestrian-to-vehicle (P2V) collision avoidance is further based on a reflected optical signal analysis at the edge. The method and system are useful for providing danger notifications pertaining to the field of road safety, and pertaining to collision avoidance before accidents happen. |
| US11017656B2 |
Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise
A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermine period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations. |
| US11017648B2 |
Pedestal with embedded camera(s) for beam steering
Systems and methods for operating a pedestal of an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) system. The methods comprise: capturing at least one first image or video by a camera coupled to the pedestal; analyzing the at least one first image or video to detect a person's presence and determine the person's location relative to the camera; determining a first beam pointing direction for the pedestal based on results of the analysis of the at least one first image or video; and steering a read beam of the pedestal in accordance with the first beam pointing direction so that a main lobe of the pedestal's antenna field pattern covers a first area of an interrogation zone. |
| US11017645B2 |
Presence control method and monitoring system
Method for monitoring for presence in a surveillance zone (ZS) using a surveillance system (SY), comprising the following steps: detecting an absence of movement or of at least one movement of at least one entity (E1, E2, En) in a detection zone (ZD); creating and/or modifying, in a memory of the surveillance device (Dl), a piece of movement information (IM); sending the movement information (IM) using the surveillance device (Dl) to a processing unit (UT) of the surveillance system (SY); detecting an absence or a presence of at least one terminal (T1, T2, T3, Tn) in a communication network (RI); creating and/or modifying, in a memory of a listening module (ME), a piece of presence information (IP); and sending the piece of presence information (IP), using the listening module (ME), to the processing unit (UT). |
| US11017641B2 |
Visual recognition and sensor fusion weight detection system and method
Disclosed are visual recognition and sensor fusion weight detection system and method. An example method includes: tracking, by a sensor system, objects and motions within a selected area of a store; activating, by the sensor system, a first computing device positioned in the selected area in response to detecting a presence of a customer within the selected area; identifying, by the sensor system, the customer and at least one item carried by the customer; transmitting, by the sensor system, identifying information of the customer and the at least one item to a computing server system via a communication network; measuring, by the first computing device, a weight of the at least one item; transmitting, by the first computing device, the weight to the computing server system via the communication network; and generating, by the computing server system, via the communication network, transaction information of the at least one item. |
| US11017640B1 |
Systems and methods for a night drop system
Systems and methods relating to a lockbox bank for currency drop-offs are provided. A lockbox bank includes one or more lockboxes, a safe coupled to the one or more lockboxes, and a terminal of a lockbox computing system. Each lockbox includes a receptacle configured to receive a currency drop-off and a locking mechanism. The terminal includes a network interface, a display device, one or more input/output devices, and a processing circuit including a processor and a memory. The memory is structured to store instructions that are executable by the processor and cause the processing circuit to receive a request from the customer to use a lockbox for a currency drop-off, receive access credentials, verify the access credentials, in response to successful verification, grant the customer access to a lockbox, and in response to determining that the drop-off has been completed, move the drop-off from the receptacle to the safe. |
| US11017638B2 |
Gaming machine using multiple triggers to determine an award from a subset of displayed awards
A gaming system includes at least one input device adapted to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, an input indicative of a wager drawn on the credit balance for a wagering game, and a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance. In response to a wager input, a wagering game is initiated that includes the spinning and stopping of a set of bonus reels through a plurality of bonus spins populating a bonus array with bonus symbols. The bonus reels comprise a combination of symbols reducing display processing requirements and improve mapping random numbers to displayed symbols for display during bonus spins having reduced durations. When completed, an award is determined based according to values associated with less than all of the bonus symbols displayed in a bonus outcome array. |
| US11017635B2 |
System and method for an interactive drinking game
A system and method for a drinking game, the method including providing a gaming machine having a series of selection reels corresponding to various outcomes occurring within the game session such as possible types of alcohol, possible types of cordials, possible types of mixer, what type of drink, which player consumes the drink, and how the player consumes the drink, whereby a player pulls a lever and the selection reels land on a specific selection and the player consumes a drink based on the selection indicator after the stopping mechanism stops the selection reels. |
| US11017632B2 |
Regulated casino games, gaming machines and computer-implemented methods having payout schedules and associated returns to player (RTPs) selected based upon time to successful interaction
A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting funds, in the regulated gaming machine, from a player and correspondingly establishing player game credits. A game may be provided that comprises a plurality of in-game assets, each of which being configured to generate a wagering opportunity when interacted with by the player. One or more player interactions may be received, with at least one the plurality of in-game assets. For each generated wagering opportunity, it may be determined whether the received player interaction(s) resulted in a successful or an unsuccessful interaction with the in-game asset. For each successful interaction, a time elapsed until successful interaction and a wagering event may be generated. For one or more of the generated wagering events, the determined time elapsed until successful interaction may be used to select one of a plurality of payout schedules, each of which being associated with a different return to player (RTP) percentage. An award of player game credits may be generated according to the selected payout schedule and the RTP associated with the selected payout schedule, such that shorter times elapsed until successful interaction cause a selection of payout schedules that are more advantageous to the player than comparatively longer times elapsed until successful interaction. |
| US11017629B2 |
Gaming machine having secondary gaming controller and primary and secondary credit balances
A gaming machine has a main or master gaming controller for presenting primary games based upon wagers of primary credits associated with a primary credit balance. A secondary controller is associated with the gaming machine for presenting secondary games based upon wagers of secondary credits associated with a secondary credit balance. The secondary controller may effectuate transfers of credits between the primary and secondary credit balances. |
| US11017626B2 |
Means for controlling payback percentage of gaming device
Embodiments of the present concept provide means to control the payback percentage of games being played on gaming devices. In one example, a gaming device includes a processor configured to initiate a payback-controlling event and determine a game outcome to display on the game display in response to a gaming event being initiated. Here, the determined game outcome is a payback-controlling outcome when the payback-controlling event satisfies the payback-controlling criterion, and the determined game outcome is a game outcome determined from the base-game paytable when the payback-controlling event does not satisfy the payback-controlling criterion. |
| US11017623B2 |
Access control system with virtual card data
An access control system includes a mobile library on a mobile device operable to communicate with the credential service, the mobile library operable to receive the credential from the credential service and a credential module for an access control, the credential module operable to receive virtual card data from the credential, the virtual card data usable to operate the access control. |
| US11017621B1 |
Mobile digital locking technology
A mobile station is used to open doors of buildings and vehicles instead of a dedicated physical key. The mobile station is configured to provide the operating power to the lock without a power cord. A mobile station app is then configured to communicate with the lock via a short-range wireless communication connection, and open and close the lock. This can provide an electronic software-based key and lock system that is cheaper and easier to use than the physical key. |
| US11017619B2 |
Techniques to detect vehicle anomalies based on real-time vehicle data collection and processing
Various embodiments may be directed to systems, devices, apparatuses to perform techniques such as determining vehicle data for a plurality of vehicles, wherein the vehicle data may be based on detections made by input devices of a plurality of mobile devices. Embodiments may further include determining vehicle attributes for the plurality of vehicles and environmental data. Embodiments also include training a machine-learning model with the vehicle data, the vehicle attributes, and the environmental data, and the machine-learning model may be trained to detect anomalies associated with vehicles having the at least one of the vehicle attributes. Embodiments may also include a trained machine-learning model to data to detect anomalies associated with a vehicle. |
| US11017618B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for processing vehicle performance data
Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for processing vehicle-related data received from one or more smart tracker devices connected to one or more vehicles. The smart tracker devices can be connected to one or more sensors that can provide an output according to operating conditions of the vehicles. Data from the sensors can be transmitted from the smart tracker devices to a server device and/or a portable computing device for further processing. The portable computing device can include an application for visualizing the data in three dimensions. The application can include an interface that can provide a three-dimensional visualization of a track on which a vehicle is traveling, and map the data to a shape of the track in order to provide an indication of how the data changed as the vehicle traveled along the track. |
| US11017616B2 |
Smart over-the-air updates using learned vehicle usage
A memory stores a probability map including information indicative of probabilities of a vehicle being used during each of a plurality of segments of a time period. A processor of the vehicle is programmed to schedule a time to install a software update utilizing the probability map and an expected downtime required for the installation, and to install the software update at the scheduled time responsive to confirming the vehicle is not in use. |
| US11017615B2 |
Information processing server that provides information of position of charging station, information processing method, vehicle, control method of vehicle, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and information providing system
An information processing server comprises: a receiver that receives, from a vehicle chargeable from an outside, predetermined information of the vehicle; a memory; and at least one processor or circuit which functions as: an estimation unit configured to estimate, based on the predetermined information received from each of a plurality of vehicles, a position of a charging station used to charge the vehicle; and a providing unit configured to provide information of the estimated position of the charging station such that the estimated position of the charging station is reflected on map information. |
| US11017614B2 |
Sharing system
A system includes: a transmission device provided on a vehicle, for transmitting a signal including a vehicle ID within an area set in advance; a receiving means for receiving the signal; an external control means provided on the vehicle, for receiving a command including an authentication key for a usage right, and for performing vehicle state control including at least unlocking/locking a door of the vehicle from outside a control system inherent in the vehicle; a communication connection means for establishing a communication link to send the command from a user terminal to the external control means; and a management server located on a communication network, for linking and managing the vehicle ID with a status of the usage right. |
| US11017612B2 |
Multi-dimensional model dimensioning and scale error correction
Systems and methods are disclosed for adjusting plane positions in multi-dimensional models. Disclosed is moving planes associated with an architectural element based on detecting edge position(s) for an architectural element relative to a given plane and reconstructing the model based on the adjusted position(s). |
| US11017609B1 |
System and method for generating augmented reality objects
A user can use a camera of a smart device to capture a video of the user's surroundings, and the smart device may superimpose a virtual object on the image being captured by the smart device. The virtual object can be selected based on actual objects in the surrounding environment of the smart device, e.g., a chalk drawing on the floor. The application may consider other factors in selecting the item, e.g., the user's profile and geolocation as well as features downloaded by user of the application, e.g., characters, accessories, masks, avatars, etc. The application can enable the user to interact with the virtual object by allowing the user to customize the object and add features to it. |
| US11017608B2 |
Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for displaying objects in 3D context
An electronic device, while displaying a first user interface region and a first media item, detects a first input corresponding to a sharing user interface. In response, the device displays the sharing user interface, which includes a second user interface object for initiating a process for displaying a second representation of a first media item in an augmented reality environment. In response to detecting a sequence of one or more inputs including selection of the second user interface object, the device displays the second representation of the first media item in a second user interface that includes content of at least a portion of a field of view of the device's one or more cameras. |
| US11017606B1 |
Co-viewing in virtual and augmented reality environments
Techniques are described that facilitate co-viewing in an experiential reality environment such as a virtual reality or augmented reality environment. These techniques include prioritizing a main view of experiential reality content over side views of the experiential reality content. |
| US11017605B2 |
Method and system for addressing and segmenting portions of the real world for visual digital authoring in a mixed reality environment
A method of generating a digital island is disclosed. A base shape of a digital island virtual object is created with respect to a local coordinate system of a digital island. Conditions are associated with the digital island. The conditions include criteria for properties of objects within an environment. Additional virtual objects are associated with the digital island. Data describing the environment is received. The data is analyzed to determine one or more parts of the environment that match the conditions. Based on the matching of conditions, a display of the digital island is positioned, scaled, and oriented in a mixed reality display device contemporaneously with a view of the environment. The digital island with is aligned with at least one part of the one or more parts based on the conditions and a movement of one or more sensors and the mixed reality display device. |
| US11017602B2 |
Systems and methods for universal augmented reality architecture and development
Provided are various systems and methods that establish a self-service AR generation and publication platform. The platform is configured to allow novice users to build AR experiences for rendering to other users. The platform encodes the AR experiences under a universal data format that decouples generation functions from later visualization responsive to a recognizable visual trigger. Access to the file triggers request, retrieval, rendering and display of the user defined AR Media and associated options set for that specific AR Experience. Also provided is a AR universal browser which public and private users can execute to view, share, load, and experience user generated AR Media (e.g., generated on the platform). The browser can provide the connections, logic and security needed to initialize and load the specific aggregation of data for the AR experience. |
| US11017593B2 |
Automated registration of three-dimensional vectors to three-dimensional linear features in remotely-sensed data
A system for advanced vector editing, comprising a routing calculation server and a rendering engine. The routing calculation server calculates a radius around a visual cursor associated with a raster image; determines a three-dimensional location at the cursor from the raster image; determines a three-dimensional path using epipolar geometry; and recalculates a vector path through the cursor location according to the three-dimensional path. |
| US11017588B2 |
Image processing apparatus that generates a virtual view image from multiple images captured from different directions and method controlling the same
A system comprises an obtainment unit that obtains virtual viewpoint information relating to a position and direction of a virtual viewpoint; a designation unit that designates a focus object from a plurality of objects detected based on at least one of the plurality of images captured by the plurality of cameras; a decision unit that decides an object to make transparent from among the plurality of objects based on a position and direction of a virtual viewpoint that the virtual viewpoint information obtained by the obtainment unit indicates, and a position of the focus object designated by the designation unit; and a generation unit that generates, based on the plurality of captured images obtained by the plurality of cameras, a virtual viewpoint image in which the object decided by the decision unit is made to be transparent. |
| US11017587B2 |
Image generation method and image generation device
This image generation method is for generating a virtual image by a processor using at least one of images obtained by cameras disposed in different positions and attitudes capturing the same target space in a three-dimensional (3D) space. The virtual image is a two-dimensional (2D) image of the target space viewed from a virtual viewpoint in the 3D space. When generating the virtual image using one or more second images captured by one or more second cameras, at least one of which is different from one or more first cameras that capture one or more first images serving as a basis among the images, a second process which includes at least one of luminance and color adjustments and is different from a first process performed to generate the virtual image using the one or more first images is performed on the one or more second images. |
| US11017582B2 |
Method for fast generation of path traced reflections on a semi-reflective surface
The present disclosure describes a method of generating fast path traced physically correct reflections in a semi-reflective surface. Secondary rays, generated by GPU graphics pipeline, are randomly deviated from the principal direction. |
| US11017581B1 |
Method for constructing and traversing accelerating structures
Accelerating structure for hybrid ray tracing is characterized by high locality, wherein scene changes are updated locally in one of its hierarchies, without effecting other locations in the structure. Reconstructions of accelerating structures of prior art are replaced by low-cost updates. The efficiency of traversals is improved by a double step traversal. |
| US11017578B2 |
Display control system to control a display based on detecting wind
A display control system includes a display, a detector, and a controller. The display is configured to display an image. The detector is configured to detect wind. The controller is configured to, in response to the detector detecting wind, control the image based on strength of the detected wind. |
| US11017577B2 |
Skinned multi-person linear model
The invention comprises a learned model of human body shape and pose dependent shape variation that is more accurate than previous models and is compatible with existing graphics pipelines. Our Skinned Multi-Person Linear model (SMPL) is a skinned vertex based model that accurately represents a wide variety of body shapes in natural human poses. The parameters of the model are learned from data including the rest pose template, blend weights, pose-dependent blend shapes, identity-dependent blend shapes, and a regressor from vertices to joint locations. Unlike previous models, the pose-dependent blend shapes are a linear function of the elements of the pose rotation matrices. This simple formulation enables training the entire model from a relatively large number of aligned 3D meshes of different people in different poses. The invention quantitatively evaluates variants of SMPL using linear or dual quaternion blend skinning and show that both are more accurate than a BlendSCAPE model trained on the same data. In a further embodiment, the invention realistically models dynamic soft-tissue deformations. Because it is based on blend skinning, SMPL is compatible with existing rendering engines and we make it available for research purposes. |
| US11017576B2 |
Reference model predictive tracking and rendering
A system and method may be used for reference model predictive tracking and rendering. Systems and methods may use computational systems, networking, or display hardware to seamlessly allow users to see their motion in real-time. The systems and methods may provide the brain the extra visual information to help a user converge to highly efficient high-quality technique (e.g., movement control) more rapidly than other processes. An approach to generating accurate models in delayed processing may include treating depth-sensor-derived skeletal inference of body position as statistical data about the underlying motion rather than a representation of that motion itself. In an example, a process for slicing up a time-series of body constructions in a motion model may use a full time series of positions for individual body segments, creating trajectories. |
| US11017575B2 |
Method and system for generating data to provide an animated visual representation
Generating data to provide an animated visual representation is disclosed. A method comprises receiving input data obtained by a first sensor system measuring information about at least one target person. One data unit is selected from a database comprising a plurality of the data units. Each data unit comprises information about a reference person in a reference state measured at a previous time by the first sensor system or by a second sensor system. The information in each data unit allows generation of an animated visual representation of the reference person in the reference state. The reference state is different for each of the data units. The selected data unit and the input data are used to generate output data usable to provide an animated visual representation corresponding to the target person and synchronized with activity of the target person measured by the first sensor system. |
| US11017573B2 |
Information processing device, display system, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An information processing device includes a selection unit and an embedding unit. The selection unit selects, in a case where a moving image obtained by photographing plural targets that are present in front of a display screen of a display device is displayed on the display screen, plural related targets that are related to each other from the plural targets, based on a frame image of the moving image. The embedding unit embeds a composite image obtained based on an image of at least part of the plural related targets and a presentation image into the frame image. |
| US11017572B2 |
Generating a probabilistic graphical model with causal information
A computer-implemented method of generating a PGM with causal information, said graphical model containing the causal relationship between a first variable and a second variable, the method comprising: receiving data at a processor, said data showing a correlation between the first variable and a second variable; producing a third variable by reducing the dimensionality of the graphical representation of the two dimensional data defined by the first variable and the second variable, determining determine the causal relationship between the first and third variables and the second and third variable, the causal discovery algorithm being able to determine if the first variable causes the third variable, the third variable causes the first variable, the second variable causes the third variable and the third variable causes the second variable; and outputting a graphical model indicating the direction of edges in a graphical representation of said PGM. |
| US11017566B1 |
Point cloud compression with adaptive filtering
A system comprises an encoder configured to compress attribute information and/or spatial for a point cloud and/or a decoder configured to decompress compressed attribute and/or spatial information for the point cloud. To compress the attribute and/or spatial information, the encoder is configured to convert a point cloud into an image based representation. Also, the decoder is configured to generate a decompressed point cloud based on an image based representation of a point cloud. A processing/filtering element utilizes occupancy map information and/or auxiliary patch information to determine relationships between patches in image frames and adjusts encoding/decoding and/or filtering or pre/post-processing parameters based on the determined relationships. |
| US11017563B2 |
Referencing system
A reference imaging system including a planar reference piece. The reference imaging system further includes a three-axis gantry for positioning the planar reference piece at a plurality of points in a 3D coordinate system. Additionally, the reference imaging system includes a yaw actuator for adjusting the yaw angle of the object. Furthermore, the reference imaging system includes a pitch actuator for adjusting the pitch of the object. Moreover, the reference imaging system includes a computer processing unit for controlling the 3D position, pitch and yaw of the planar reference piece. |
| US11017559B2 |
Hole location targets and measurement systems, and methods for measuring a location of a hole
A hole location target includes a self-centering insert having a centerline and an optical target attached to the self-centering insert at a fixed position relative to the centerline of the self-centering insert. The optical target surface includes a two-dimensional pattern thereon. |
| US11017554B2 |
Method for securing a bonding product in a working region of a bonder
A method for securing a bonding product in a working region of a bonder via a clamping device. The bonding product and the clamping device are positioned in the working region of the bonder and a partial characteristic contour is captured to determine the position of the bonding product in the working region. The previously set clamping position of the clamping fingers is captured via a camera and a clamping position is calculated. A current position and orientation of clamping fingers and a new misalignment of the clamping fingers is calculated and displayed until the current position and orientation of the clamping fingers corresponds to a clamping finger reference position. |
| US11017542B2 |
Systems and methods for determining depth information in two-dimensional images
Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for determining depth information in a two-dimensional (2D) image. An exemplary system may include a processor and a non-transitory memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the various operations. The operations may include receiving a first feature map based on the 2D image and applying an extraction network having a convolution operation and a pooling operation to the first feature map to obtain a second feature map. The operations may also include applying a reconstruction network having a deconvolution operation to the second feature map to obtain a depth map. |
| US11017535B2 |
Method and system for hybrid mesh segmentation
A computer-implemented method for generating one or more segmented 3-D teeth models obtains a 3-D mesh model of a patient's dentition and executes a first segmentation procedure on the obtained 3-D mesh model, displaying one or more segmented teeth from the 3-D mesh model. At least one of the one or more segmented teeth is recorded according to operator instruction and removed from the 3-D mesh model to form a modified 3-D mesh model. A repeating sequence identifies a modified segmentation procedure, executes the modified segmentation procedure on the modified 3-D mesh model, displays one or more segmented teeth from the modified 3-D mesh model, records at least one of the one or more segmented teeth, and removes the recorded at least one tooth from the modified 3-D mesh model. Recorded segmentation results are displayed, stored, or transmitted. |
| US11017529B2 |
Method for determining a characteristic blood value, computed tomography device, computer program and electronically readable storage medium
A method is for determining at least one first characteristic value of blood in a patient. In an embodiment, the method includes acquiring, via a computed tomography device, computed tomography data of the patient for at least two energy levels of radiation using multi-energy computed tomography; defining a region of interest including blood, in at least one image data set reconstructed from the computed tomography data acquired; determining, at least in the region of interest defined, attenuation coefficients for each energy level of the at least two energy levels; performing material decomposition into at least two materials, one material of the two materials being iron, using the attenuation coefficients determined, yielding at least a fraction of iron in the region of interest defined; and determining the at least one first characteristic value, at least one of as and from the fraction of iron yielded. |
| US11017523B2 |
Inspection device and PTP packaging machine
An inspection device for inspecting an inspection object portion in a PTP sheet, the inspection device including: an irradiator that irradiates the inspection object portion with light; an imaging device that takes an image of the inspection object portion irradiated with the light; a processor that detects a defect in the inspection object portion from the taken image by using a predetermined luminance threshold value, and determines whether the inspection object portion is non-defective; a verification image generating circuit that generates a verification image in which a virtual defective image is placed in a non-defective image; and a threshold value verifier that causes the processor to determine whether the inspection object portion is non-defective or defective by using the verification image, in place of the image taken by the imaging device, and to verify the luminance threshold value based on a determination result by the processor. |
| US11017522B2 |
Inspection and cleaning system and method for the same
A system includes an inspection device and an image processing unit. The inspection device is configured to scan a wafer to generate an inspected image. The image processing unit is configured to receive the inspected image, and is configured to analyze the inspected image by using at least one deep learning algorithm in order to determine whether there is any defect image shown in a region of interest in the inspected image. When there is at least one defect image shown in the region of interest in the inspected image, the inspection device is further configured to magnify the region of interest in the inspected image to generate a magnified inspected image for identification of defects. |
| US11017516B2 |
Forgery detection system and its method for falsified biomedical experiment images
The present invention relates to a forgery detection system and its method for biomedical experiment images, especially for molecular-biological experiment images, such as western blot (WB) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results. The forgery detection system mainly comprises a processing module, an image difference computing module, a thresholding module, and an image mixing module are formed in an image analyzing device in the form of a library, a variable or an operand. Moreover, the processing module has a quantization parameter establishing unit, a similar computing unit, and a pseudo background generating unit. The purpose of the image analyzing device is to display an artificial image on the input image. |
| US11017512B2 |
Blood flow image processing apparatus and blood flow image processing method
According to one embodiment, a depth map used for a reflection model is generated based on a power image as a blood flow image. A reflection image is generated from the depth map according to the reflection model. By synthesizing the reflection image 70 with the power image, a weighted power image is generated. Using the same method as described above, a weighted velocity image may be generated. |
| US11017511B2 |
Method and system of haze reduction for image processing
A method, system, and article are directed to haze reduction for image processing. |
| US11017509B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating high dynamic range image
A method and an apparatus for generating a High Dynamic Range, HDR, image are proposed. The method comprises obtaining a set of two or more input images, the two or more input images including a reference image and one or more non-reference images; for each of the one or more non-reference images, performing an image analysis which comprises, for each region of a plurality of regions of the non-reference image, assessing whether the region of the non-reference image and a corresponding region of the reference image show the same image content and declaring the region of the non-reference image as valid or as invalid based on the assessment; and generating the HDR image by fusing the reference image and the one or more non-reference images, wherein the fusing comprises, for each of the one or more non-reference images, disregarding the invalid regions of the respective non-reference image. |
| US11017506B2 |
Video enhancement using a generator with filters of generative adversarial network
Techniques for enhancing an image are described. For example, a lower-resolution image, for example from a video file, may be enhanced using a trained neural network by applying the trained neural network to enhance a middle lower-resolution image of a plurality of lower-resolution images using a generator with filters of a generative adversary network. In some examples, a plurality of sequential feature processing acts are performed on the lower-resolution images to generate a residual which is added to a filtered version of one of the lower-resolution images to generate an enhanced image. |
| US11017504B2 |
Light level adaptive filter and method
A system includes an image sensor, an imaging pipeline, and a display device. The image sensor is configured to capture a first frame of pixel data. The imaging pipeline is coupled to the image sensor to receive the first frame of pixel data. The imaging pipeline includes an adaptive noise filter. The adaptive noise filter is configured to filter a pixel based on noise in the pixel. The imaging pipeline is configured to output a second frame of pixel data. The second frame of pixel data includes pixels filtered by the adaptive noise filter. The display device is coupled to the imaging pipeline to receive the second frame of pixel data. The display device being configured to display the second frame of pixel data. |
| US11017498B2 |
Ground truth generation from scanned documents
A plurality of electronic documents comprising one or more document pages are received. First position markers, second position markers and page identifiers are inserted to the pages. The plurality of electronic documents are printed, thereby generating a printed corpus comprising a plurality of printed documents. The plurality of printed documents are scanned, thereby generating a scanned corpus comprising a plurality of scanned images. Scanning frame positions of the first and the second position markers are detected and the detected scanning frame positions and the page positions are used to define affine transformations between the plurality of scanned images and the corresponding document pages. The affine transformations are applied to the plurality of scanned images to align the plurality of scanned images with the corresponding document pages of the plurality of electronic documents. |
| US11017496B2 |
Display driving circuit and method of partial image data
An electronic device includes a display, a processor generating image data, a graphic random access memory (GRAM) storing the image data, and a display driver integrated circuit for driving the display. The display driver integrated circuit is configured to select a part of the image data and to output the selected part to a specified area of the display. |
| US11017483B2 |
System and method for telematics for tracking equipment usage
Systems and methods are described for tracking information of an equipment including a telematics device configured to receive data from the equipment to determine a telematics information. The telematics information includes at least two of an equipment type, a location, a duration in the location, and miles travelled. A transmission device is configured to transmit the vehicle telematics information to at least one of a third party entity device, a government device and a mobile device. |
| US11017480B2 |
Identifying property usage type based upon smart sensor data
A computer-implemented method for identifying a property usage type based upon sensor data includes, with customer permission or affirmative consent, receiving data generated by various sensors; generating a report that includes a listing of events recorded by each sensor; analyzing data from the report to determine a property usage type score; receiving data regarding types and levels of insurance coverage associated with the property usage type score; receiving data derived from a homeowner's insurance policy; comparing the types and levels of insurance coverage associated with the property usage type score with the types and levels of insurance coverage from the homeowner's current insurance policy; and transmitting a message to the homeowner to update their insurance policy if there are differences between (i) the insurance coverage that the homeowner has, and (ii) the insurance coverage the homeowner should have based upon the property usage type score. |
| US11017479B2 |
System and method for adverse vehicle event determination
A method for determining an adverse vehicle event, including: sampling sensor data an onboard vehicle system coupled to an ego-vehicle; at the onboard vehicle system, extracting a set of event parameters from the sensor data, wherein the vehicle event data is associated with a vehicle event occurring within the time interval; computing a loss probability based on the set of event parameters in response to the loss probability exceeding a threshold probability, transforming the set of event parameters into insurance claim data; and automatically transmitting the insurance claim data to an endpoint, wherein the endpoint is determined based on the participant identifier. |
| US11017477B1 |
Digital imagery, audio, and meta-data
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, to process audio and visual data. One of the methods includes receiving, from a mobile device, image data and audio data, wherein the image data and audio data were obtained within the same time frame. The method includes processing the image data to identify a first set of facts. The method includes processing the audio data to identify a second set of facts. The method includes processing meta-data associated with the image data to identify a third set of facts. The method also includes performing at least one process using the first set of facts, the second set of facts, and the third set of facts. |
| US11017476B1 |
Telematics system and method for accident detection and notification
A computer-implemented method and system for performing analytics on telematics data to determine incidence of a relevant vehicle event and provide event notification. Telematics data is acquired from a data capture device associated with a vehicle and at least a portion of the telematics data is transmitted to a computer device configured to perform analytics on the captured telematics data. Analytics is performed on the computer device to determine if a relevant event has occurred regarding the vehicle. Event notification is generated and transmitted to a user computing device when it is determined a relevant event has occurred. |
| US11017475B1 |
Systems and methods for analyzing and visualizing traffic accident risk
Methods and systems described in this disclosure determine area with an elevated risk of being involved in an accident, where a driver of an insured vehicle is expected to drive the insured vehicle through the area. The elevated risk may be a risk with a risk score greater than a first threshold. An alternative route that avoids the area of elevated risk can be determined. In some embodiments, an insurance discount is calculated for the policyholder of the insured vehicle if the alternative route is taken. A visual representation of the alternative route and the insurance discount if the alternative route is taken can be generated. |
| US11017464B1 |
Detecting account takeover fraud from digital transactional data
A fraud detection system for detecting fraudulent acts related to account takeover in digital transactions is disclosed. In some embodiments, the fraud detection system is programmed to detect occurrences of triggering events for account takeover fraud. The triggering events generally include changes related to the taken-over account, such access patterns, account data, or linked transactional data. In response to detecting the occurrence of one triggering event, the fraud detection system is programmed to determine whether the triggering event corresponds to potential fraud by analyzing historical triggering events and triggering events involving similar accounts. In response to identifying potential fraud, the fraud detection system is programmed to send a notification of the potential fraud to a device associated with the taken-over account before the triggering event or a device associated with an affected account engaged in a transaction with the taken-over account. The fraud detection system can also be programmed to suspend or postpone the transaction. |
| US11017461B2 |
Systems and methods for displaying a personalized outfit
Systems and methods including one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform acts of coordinating displaying a set of dress code interface elements, coordinating displaying each weather condition interface element of the set of weather condition interface elements associated with a different weather condition of a set of weather conditions, receiving a dress code selection of a first dress code interface element of the set of dress code interface elements, receiving a weather condition selection of a first weather condition interface element of the set of weather condition interface elements, and coordinating displaying a first outfit comprising multiple layers. The one item for each layer of the multiple layers can be based on one or more item affinity scores for the user and one or more color rules. |
| US11017460B1 |
Electronic shelf system
An electronic shelf system includes a shelf, a first display unit, a first sensing unit, a storage unit and a processing unit, wherein the processing unit communicates with the first display unit, the first sensing unit and the storage unit. The shelf includes a compartment. The first display unit is disposed on the compartment. The first sensing unit is disposed on the shelf. The first sensing unit is configured to sense a characteristic parameter. The storage unit stores a plurality of display information. The processing unit receives the characteristic parameter from the first sensing unit and controls the first display unit to switch one of the display information being displayed currently to another one of the display information according to the characteristic parameter. |
| US11017459B2 |
Common purchasing user interface
In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A first third-party application program that was developed by a first entity receives a first request to purchase a first product for use within the first third-party application program. In response to receiving the first request, a purchasing user interface is customized to include first details that are specific to the first product. The purchasing user interface that includes the first details is displayed. A second request to purchase a second product for use within the second third-party application program is received from a second third-party application program that was developed by a second entity. In response to receiving the second request, the purchasing user interface is customized to include second details that are specific to the second product. The purchasing user interface that includes the second details is displayed. |
| US11017450B2 |
Message based generation of item listings
According to various exemplary embodiments, an electronic text message is received from a source telephone number, the electronic text message including content describing a product item. A seller of the product item is identified, based on the source telephone number, and the product item is identified, based on the content included in the electronic text message. Thereafter, a draft version of an item listing is automatically generated, where the item listing lists the product item as being for sale by the seller on a marketplace website. |
| US11017440B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for providing a self-service interface
Provided herein are systems, methods and computer readable media for programmatically generating and/or revising promotion offers for a merchant based on one or more merchant self-service indicators. In providing such functionality, the system can be configured to, for example, facilitate registration and verification of merchant identities, determine promotion content and parameters based on merchant self-service indicators, and monitor and analyze promotion offers for merchants with similar merchant self-service indicators. The system may determine the relative successfulness of a promotion offer for a merchant and/or category of merchant. In some embodiments, the system may be further configured to revise the promotion offer programmatically and/or upon receiving the merchant's approval of the programmatically generated proposed edits to the promotion offer. |
| US11017437B2 |
Method and system for managing communications including advertising content
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that include combining an offer with media content to generate a notice within a portion of the media content, providing the notice in the designated portions of the media content with the notice during a media content presentation at equipment of a user, receiving an indication of interest in the portion, retrieving marketing information for the portion of the media content based on the user profile including location based information, time based information, and activity information, monitoring an activity of the mobile communication device to determine when the mobile communication device information satisfies a location, time, and activity information that matches the marketing information and determining a communication for the user based on the marketing information and the monitoring of the activity of the mobile communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US11017436B1 |
Advertising engine
Delivering an advertisement is disclosed. Local user information is collected. Examples of local user information include language settings, web browser history, and actions taken by a user with respect to various applications. An advertisement is selected from a plurality of advertisements based at least in part on the local user information. The selected advertisement is caused to be displayed. |
| US11017435B1 |
Methods, systems, and media for dynamically detecting mobile environment information
Methods, systems, and media for dynamically detecting mobile environment information are provided. In some implementations, a method for detecting mobile environment information for advertisement requests, the method comprising: receiving a request for advertising content from an advertisement tag; applying one or more JavaScript objects to return a URL of an advertisement web view, wherein the advertisement website is generated by an advertisement software development kit to contain an advertisement responsive to the request; extracting keywords from the URL of the advertisement web view; determining whether the advertisement tag is running within a mobile application based on a comparison of the extracted keywords with known mobile application information; in response to determining that the advertisement tag is running within the mobile application, determining the advertisement software development kit from a plurality of advertisement software development kits that the advertisement tag is running in by: applying a plurality of JavaScript objects that are made available by the advertisement software development kit to return properties of the advertisement software development kit; and comparing the returned properties with a database of known software development kit information; and transmitting an indication that associates the advertisement software development kit used within a mobile application environment with the advertisement tag. |
| US11017432B2 |
Market exchange for user data and rewards
Methods and systems for data access are disclosed. An example method can comprise receiving a request to access user data. In one aspect, the request can comprise an offer, and the request and the offer can be provided to one or more users. The users can be associated with the user data. The users may grant or deny access to the requested user data in response to the request and in consideration of the offer. |
| US11017430B2 |
Delivering advertisements based on user sentiment and learned behavior
Provided are embodiments including a method, system, and computer program product for identifying how to deliver advertisements to a user based on the user sentiment and learned behavior. The embodiments provide for collecting information on the sentiment of a user, monitoring user interactions based at least in part on the collected emotional information on the sentiment of the user, and determining a pattern of user interactions with one or more applications of a user device based on the sentiment information. The embodiments also provide for determining a pattern of user responses to an advertisement based on the sentiment information, and generating a profile based at least in part on the pattern of user interactions and the pattern of user responses. |
| US11017425B2 |
Optimization of promotional content campaigns
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for increasing the performance of an advertisement network by monitoring requests for advertisements from applications, detecting patterns, and developing and implementing remedial actions to increase system performance. |
| US11017424B2 |
Distributed promotional platform for promoting securities information
Systems and methods are provided for promoting securities information. The method includes: storing, in a memory, a database of securities information; indexing, using a processor, the database of securities information to enable a first user to search through the database of securities information; displaying, using a graphical user interface, a digital searching tool, wherein the first user is able to search through the indexed database on the graphical user interface using the digital searching tool; receiving, from the first user, using the graphical user interface, one or more filings selected from the indexed database; and transforming at least one of the selected filings into a shareable digital widget, wherein the widget, when shared, is configured to display a description of each of the at least one of the selected filings to one or more second users. |
| US11017421B1 |
Systems and methods for linking ACH data with merchant loyalty data
A method for linking alternative payment information with customer loyalty data includes obtaining a customer loyalty identifier associated with a customer, reading customer data from a database based on the obtained customer loyalty identifier, obtaining alternative payment information from the read customer data, determining whether payment by the alternative payment information is enabled for the customer loyalty identifier, prompting the customer to enable payment by the alternative payment information, prompting the customer for authorization information associated with payment by the alternative payment information, enabling payment by the alternative payment information for the customer loyalty identifier, and applying the alternative payment information to a current purchase of the customer. |
| US11017416B2 |
Distributing electronic surveys to parties of an electronic communication
In one or more embodiments, systems and methods allow a user to easily create an electronic survey by simply including a survey system as a party in a communication (e.g., an email address associated with a survey system being included in a meeting invite). In addition, the systems and methods provide for distributing the created electronic survey to a user based on the user being included as a party within the communication (e.g., an email address associated with the user being included in the meeting invite). Accordingly, the systems and methods create an electronic survey, and distribute the electronic survey to parties of a communication based on a user including a survey system as a party of the communication. |
| US11017410B2 |
Methods and systems for managing and trading using a shared order book as internal exchange
Methods and corresponding system are herewith provided that, in certain embodiments, include the steps or steps of receiving a plurality of orders for an item from computing devices associated with a plurality of internal users; receiving a plurality of orders for the item from computing devices associated with a plurality of external users; determining a best bid and a best offer from the plurality of the orders from the plurality of internal users and the plurality of the external orders; and causing an interface screen to be displayed at a user computing device, the interface screen comprising a shared order book for the item that comprises a listing of the orders from the plurality of internal users and the plurality of external users sorted based at least by price, the shared order book arranged in a set of bid side columns and a set of ask side columns, each of the set of columns comprising at least one price column and at least one size column, and at least one column indicating a source of at least one of each of an order from an internal user and an order for an external user. |
| US11017406B2 |
Multi factor authentication rule-based intelligent bank cards
System, method, and computer program product to implement four factor authentication rule-based intelligent bank cards, by receiving valid authentication information for a card associated with an account, capturing an image of a person presenting the card, applying an algorithm to the image to determine that the image capture was successful, and the image can be used by a facial recognition algorithm, verifying that the image matches an image of an authorized user of the account, analyzing image data of the image with a facial emotion recognition algorithm to detect an emotion expressed by the person in the image, identifying an emotion rule associated with the account and the emotion, providing, by the processor, an alert to a person associated with the account, wherein the alert is specified as part of the emotion rule, and restricting access to the account. |
| US11017402B2 |
System and method using authorization and direct credit messaging
A merchant computer generates a token including a “pay-me” merchant account identifier and transaction data for a transaction conducted by a consumer. The merchant token can be obtained by a mobile communication device and transmitted to a payment processing network along with a device identifier for the mobile communication device and an authentication token provided by the consumer. The payment processing network can authenticate the device using the authentication token, retrieve a consumer account number based on the device identifier, and complete the transaction by pushing money into the merchant “pay-me” account from the consumer account. |
| US11017401B1 |
Predictive pre-authorization of transactions using passive biometrics
A system and method for predictive pre-authorization of transactions using biometrics which uses wireless mobile devices and biometric scanning to automatically predict pre-authorized transaction amounts in a secure manner without requiring the customer to handle his or her mobile device. The system and method uses a payment facilitation device at the business location which automatically detects and recognizes registered mobile devices, displays a photo of the customer to a business employee for identity confirmation, verifies the customer with a biometrics verification database, generates a pre-authorization amount with an authorization generator, and automatically deducts payments for purchases from a pre-authorized customer account. |
| US11017400B2 |
Information processing system, customer identification apparatus, and information processing method
According to the present invention, there is provided an information processing system (100) including an acquisition unit (11) that acquires an image, which is generated by a camera, of a face, a selection unit (14) that extracts a person in the acquired image, and selects a person who performs a settlement process based on at least one of a distance from a checkout apparatus, an appearance frequency, and an appearance period of time in a case where a plurality of persons are extracted, an identification unit (12) that identifies the selected person based on the image in which the person is included, and database information in which a feature value of a face is registered, a settlement unit (checkout unit (21)) that performs the settlement process with respect to the identified person. |
| US11017398B2 |
Systems and methods for processing an access request
A system for controlling access to a physical asset and associated servers and methods are provided. The system includes an access control terminal coupled to the physical asset and operable to read a token from a user token device associated with a user, and generate control signals to allow access to the physical asset, an access control processing server operable to receive an access request from the access control terminal, the access request including the token, generate an authentication verification request including the token, send the authentication verification request to a network, receive an authentication response from the network, generate an access control response to cause the access control terminal to allow access to the asset in response to the authentication response, and send the access control response to the access control response. |
| US11017397B1 |
Systems and methods for electronic presentation of financial instrument offers
Methods and systems described in this disclosure generally relate to presentation of electronic offers that are viewable on financial instruments (e.g., credit cards and debit cards) by users. More specifically, various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems for embedding information pertaining to the electronic offers on a financial instrument of a user. The information can be displayed on a screen or using flashing lights included inside or on the surface of the financial instrument. These offers can be provided by merchants or by banks and financial institutions associated with the financial instrument. In some embodiments, the financial instrument communicates with a mobile application running on a user's mobile device via wireless communication methods to receive offer-related information provided by the mobile application. |
| US11017394B2 |
System for vision impaired users to execute electronic transactions
A method of enabling an electronic payment for a visually impaired user may be disclosed. The visually impaired user may proceed to use the payment device and enter the braille code which may be communicated to an authority using a first channel to begin a transaction. The system may communicate a verification code to the portable computing device using a second communication channel. The user may enter the verification code which may be communicated to an authority via the first communication channel. |
| US11017391B1 |
System, method and program product for generating and utilizing stable value digital assets
The present invention generally relates to the use of a stable value digital asset to pay dividends for securities and other financial instruments tied to a blockchain. |
| US11017389B2 |
Systems, methods and computer program products for OTP based authorization of electronic payment transactions
The invention provides methods, systems and computer program products for one-time-password (OTP) based payment authentication. The invention comprises receiving one or more specified transaction parameters corresponding to a specified transaction and generating at an authentication server, an OTP for authorizing a transaction payment corresponding to the specified transaction. The generated OTP is associated with the one or more specified transaction parameters, and may be transmitted to a user for subsequent use to authenticate identity of the user for executing the specified transaction. |
| US11017385B2 |
Online transactions
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for online transactions. A web page of an online store includes a payment option that allows a payment application on a user device to pay for the merchandise using card payment information that does not include the account number of the card or require that the account number be shared with the online store merchant. |
| US11017384B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for using a primary user device to provision credentials onto a secondary user device
A system for provisioning credentials onto an electronic device is provided. The system may include a payment network subsystem, a service provider subsystem, a primary user device, and a secondary user device. The user may select a particular payment card to provision onto the secondary user device by providing an input at the primary user device. A broker module running on the service provider subsystem may then transfer a disabled pass to the secondary user device. Concurrently, the payment network subsystem may direct a trusted service manager module on the service provider subsystem to write credential information onto a secure element within the secondary user device. Once the secure element has been updated, the broker module may provide an activated pass to the secondary user device so that the secondary user device can be used to perform NFC-based financial transactions at a merchant terminal. |
| US11017381B1 |
Systems, methods, and program products for a digital math-based asset exchange
Systems, methods, and program products for providing exchanges for converting from, to, or between digital assets, and in particular digital math-based assets, such as bitcoins, Namecoins, Litecoins, PPCoins, Tonal bitcoins, IxCoins, Devcoins, Freicoins, I0coins, Terracoins, Liquidcoins, BBQcoins, BitBars, PhenixCoins, Ripple, Dogecoins, Mastercoins, BlackCoins, Ether, Nxt, BitShares-PTS, Quark, Primecoin, Feathercoin, and Peercoin, to name a few, are disclosed. In embodiments, such systems, methods, and program products can further provide or be used in conjunction with automated transactions, digital asset arbitrage systems, and/or kiosk systems for transacting or interacting with digital math-based assets. A kiosk for transacting with digital assets and digital asset exchanges is also disclosed. Systems, methods, and program products for automated transactions and automated digital asset arbitrage transactions are also disclosed. |
| US11017372B2 |
Data interaction method, verification terminal, server, and system
A data interaction method, a verification terminal, a server, and a system are described. The method includes: receiving, by a verification terminal, identity verification information from a user terminal, the identity verification information being information sent to the user terminal by a server in advance; sending, by the verification terminal, a request instruction to the server, the request instruction including the identity verification information; executing, by the server, an operation corresponding to the request instruction; and sending, by the server, feedback information to the verification terminal. |
| US11017370B2 |
Multi-point authentication for payment transactions
Authentication includes receiving an indication of physical possession of a payment card by a merchant and receiving a purchase request for an authorization of an exchange from the payment account of the cardholder to the merchant. Authentication includes assigning a randomized transaction identifier to the request for the authorization of the exchange. The method also includes transmitting the request for the authorization of the exchange from the payment account of the cardholder to the merchant and receiving the assigned randomized transaction identifier and a randomized authentication identifier associated with the randomized transaction identifier from a payment association, the payment association determining whether the request for the authorization of the exchange is valid. Authentication includes transmitting a copy of the randomized authentication identifier to the mobile device and receiving validation that the transmitted copy of the randomized authentication identifier from the mobile device matches the randomized authentication identifier. |
| US11017369B1 |
Cloud-based inventory and discount pricing management system
Introduced is a technology for processing transactions on behalf of a merchant employing a legacy system, where the processing includes managing inventory data and bundle pricing data associated with transactions occurring at various point-of-sale (POS) devices that include both legacy and non-legacy POS devices. Briefly described, the technology involves a payment processing system (PPS) working in coordination with a legacy merchant system. The PPS includes a payment processing database system, a adapter module installed at the merchant system, and a payment processing engine installed at a cloud-based server system. The payment processing engine, via the adapter module, can receive the most up-to-date inventory data and bundle pricing rules from the legacy merchant system. Based on the bundle pricing rules, the payment processing engine can compute one or more minimum-price carts that apply pricing discounts to eligible items for transactions occurring at the POS device(s) associated with the PPS. |
| US11017363B1 |
Message processor with application prompts
A computer implemented method includes identifying a special character in a message generated by a sender. A money transfer prompt is supplied to the sender in response to the special character. A transfer amount is validated. An account transfer for the transfer amount is initiated. The message is sent to a recipient with indicia of the account transfer. |
| US11017362B2 |
N-level replication of supplemental content
A method includes receiving a transacting media container having video content and an affiliate tracking identifier with first entity information associated with a first entity. The method also includes identifying second entity information associated with a second entity and retrieving supplemental content based on the second entity information. The method further includes adding the supplemental content to the transacting media container and the second entity information to the affiliate tracking identifier. |
| US11017361B2 |
Reprogrammable point-of-sale transaction flows
Integrating payment processing functionality into a third-party application via software development kit (SDK) instructions is described. In an example, a payment card reader can include reader instructions executable on the payment card reader to configure the payment card reader to read payment card data from a payment card and transmit the payment card data to a mobile device for processing by SDK instructions on the mobile device. The SDK instructions can be executable on the mobile device to configure the mobile device to process the payment card data from the payment card reader. The SDK instructions, which can be provided by a payment processor, can be configured to be integrated into a third-party application on the mobile device, wherein the third-party application is provided by an entity distinct from the payment processor. |
| US11017359B2 |
Determining validity of service recommendations
Embodiments include techniques for determining the validity of service recommendations, where the techniques include receiving a service provider recommendation for a device from a service provider, and receiving device inputs and service provider inputs associated with the device. The techniques also include performing an input analysis on the device inputs to determine a predicted recommendation, and determining a trust level score for the service provider based at least in part on the service provider inputs, and comparing the service provider recommendation and the predicted recommendation. Techniques include performing, based at least in part on the trust level score, a value analysis and a severity analysis, and generating a recommended action based at least in part on the value analysis and the severity analysis. |
| US11017355B2 |
Identification of job skill sets and targeted advertising based on missing skill sets
Methods and systems are disclosed for determining gaps in a user's resume regarding skills or titles for a job, and recommending educational courses to the user based on those gaps. The user's resume is received and analyzed for the user's current set of skills. Various searching methods are used to identify a set of job requisitions based on a user's input query for a job. The user's skills are compared with a set of required skills associated with the set of job requisitions. Educational courses are identified for the skills that are required for the set of job requisitions but are not present in the user's set of skills. The educational courses presented to the user via the search engine. The user's resume can also be ranked relative to other resumes for the skills or titles required for a job. |
| US11017354B2 |
Managing projects in a content management system
Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for managing projects in a content management system. For example, the content management system can create a project folder (e.g., shared folder) for managing data associated with a project. The project folder can be shared with content management system users (e.g., project members) who are contributors to the project. The content management system can store project data (e.g., content items, communications, comments, tasks, etc.) related to the project in the project folder. When the project folder is selected by a user, the content management system can generate a project folder view that presents the project data associated with the project folder and/or project in a convenient and easy to access graphical user interface. The content management system can aggregate project data from various content items associated with the project and present the project data in a single graphical user interface. |
| US11017352B2 |
Management of pharmacy kits using multiple acceptance criteria for pharmacy kit segments
A pharmacy kit is managed by defining multiple rules for determining whether a segment of a pharmacy kit is satisfactorily stocked, selecting at least one rule among the multiple rules according to a kit stocking contingency, an prompting a user to stock the segment of the pharmacy kit according to the selected at least one rule. |
| US11017350B1 |
Interposers for converting traditional shelves into smart shelves
Interposer assemblies may be inserted between a traditional shelf and traditional supports for the shelf. Each of the interposer assemblies may be configured to generate signals corresponding to changes in loading on the traditional shelf, and information regarding the changes may be determined to identify items placed onto or removed from the traditional shelf, and locations at which the items were placed or from which the items were removed. The interposer assemblies may include one or more load cells, such as strain-gage load cells, and analog signals generated by the load cells may be processed to determine a mass of an item placed on the shelf or removed therefrom. The item, and a location corresponding to the item, may be determined based on the mass and according to standard equilibrium procedures. |