Document Document Title
US09032544B2 System and method for controlling communication of private information over a network
A system and method for controlling access to private information over a network is provided including a privacy preference repository accessible by one or more subjects of the private information and by a private access bureau. The privacy preference repository stores privacy preferences configured by the subjects to indicate conditions for disclosure of said private information. A policy repository that stores legal criteria for accessing the private information is also accessible by the private access bureau. The private access bureau is configurable to receive requests from privacy-enabled systems for privacy directives that take into account the privacy preferences and legal criteria required to release particular documents on said privacy enabled system in response to the privacy-enabled systems.
US09032542B2 System and method for creating conditional immutable objects in a storage device
A data storage system includes a storage device and a data handler that receives an object, creates metadata for the object that includes a key and an authorization, stores the object on the storage device, receives a request for the object, determines if the request includes the key, and, if the request has authorization information, permits access to the object. The data handler receives another request for the object, determines if the request includes the key, and, if the request does not have the authorization information, denies access to the object.
US09032541B2 Information processing system, information processing apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium
An information processing system includes an external system having an external server managing public information, and an internal system having an internal server managing secure information and a terminal outputting information. The external server sends an information generating module to the terminal at an acquisition request source, and the terminal executes the received information generating module, in order to generate information to be provided, using the public information acquired from the external server and the secure information acquired from the internal sever.
US09032533B2 Enterprise information security management software for prediction modeling with interactive graphs
Various baseline security measurements of assets are collected and calculated by the system. A user creates a what-if scenario by changing one or more baseline security measurements. The system generates interactive, animated graphs that compare the baseline security measurements against the what-if scenario.
US09032529B2 Detecting vulnerabilities in web applications
A method, computer program product, and system for detecting vulnerabilities in web applications is described. A method may comprise determining one or more values associated with a web application that flow to response data associated with the web application. The one or more values may be modifiable by unreliable input. The method may further comprise generating a representation of the response data associated with the web application. The method may additionally comprise determining one or more potentially vulnerable portions of the response data based upon, at least in part, the one or more values modifiable by the unreliable input that flow to the response data associated with the web application, and the representation of the response data associated with the web application.
US09032524B2 Line-rate packet filtering technique for general purpose operating systems
A method for mitigating denial of service attacks may include filtering out invalid packets from the received packets using a first filtering module, allowing the valid packets to pass through the first filtering module, and allowing some invalid packets to pass through the first filtering module. The method may also include passing the valid packets and the remaining invalid packets from the first filtering module to a second filtering module, filtering out more of the invalid packets using the second packet filtering module, allowing the valid packets to pass through the second filtering module, and allowing some invalid packets to pass through the second filtering module. The method may additionally include passing the valid packets and the remaining invalid packets to a protocol stack to filter the remaining invalid packets and pass the valid packets through to an application.
US09032516B2 System and method for detecting malicious script
Provided are a system and method for detecting a malicious script. The system includes a script decomposition module for decomposing a web page into scripts, a static analysis module for statically analyzing the decomposed scripts in the form of a document file, a dynamic analysis module for dynamically executing and analyzing the decomposed scripts, and a comparison module for comparing an analysis result of the static analysis module and an analysis result of the dynamic analysis module to determine whether the decomposed scripts are malicious scripts. The system and method can recognize a hidden dangerous hypertext markup language (HTML) tag irrespective of an obfuscation technique for hiding a malicious script in a web page and thus can cope with an unknown obfuscation technique.
US09032512B2 Secure access to healthcare information
A system and method for providing or exchanging healthcare information (e.g., medical information) to authorized users in a secure manner. The method is implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions operable to: assign identification information to a plurality of users and a plurality of items; associate the identification information of a user of the plurality of users with one or more items of the plurality of items; set-up security policies including predetermined locations, within predetermined stages within a sequence and during predetermined times; and provide the user access to the one or more items when there is a matching between the identification information of the user and the one or more items, and all of the security policies associated with the user and the one or more of the plurality of items are met.
US09032509B2 Identity verification in virtual worlds using encoded data
An avatar in a virtual world is provided with credentials for access to various parts of the virtual world by embedding information derived from avatar identification and authorized credential information in the form of a graphic image associated with the avatar. The embedded information is preferably encrypted.
US09032508B2 Pattern password trajectory configuration system and method using the same
A pattern password trajectory configuration system used in an electronic device with a graphics input interface and a method using the same are provided. The disclosed pattern password trajectory configuration system includes a central processing module, a pattern defining module electronically connected the central processing module for defining the graphics input interface into a central block and multiple blocks neighboring the central block and assigning different data codes to the different blocks neighboring the central block, a sliding direction defining module electronically connected to the central processing module for assigning different prime numbers to define different sliding directions moving along the blocks neighboring the central block, and a touch sequence defining module electronically connected to the central processing module for counting and recording touch sequences of sliding among the blocks neighboring the central block.
US09032507B2 Access request authentication and authorization information generation
An access request authentication method, an authorization information generation method, an access request authentication system, and a hardware device. The access request authentication method includes: obtaining the current clock information; receiving a first access request, where the first access request includes a first input code; and determining whether to authorize the first access request based on the current clock information and the first input code.
US09032500B2 Integrating operating systems with content offered by web based entities
Example embodiments are provided for integrating operating systems with content offered by internet based entities.
US09032499B2 System and method for providing a certificate to a user request
Provided is a system and method for providing a certificate, and more specifically a certificate for network access upon a second system based on at least one criteria and an established identity with a first system. The method includes receiving criteria, such as at least one predefined attribute. Also received from a user known to a first system is a request for network access to a second system, the request having at least one identifier. The first system is then queried with the identifier for attributes associated with the user. The attributes associated with the user are evaluated to the predefined attribute(s). In response to at least one attribute associated with the user correlating to the predefined attribute(s), providing a certificate with at least one characteristic for network access on the second system to the user. An associated system for providing a Certificate is also provided.
US09032497B2 System and method for securing embedded media
Set forth herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for processing media requests in a secure way. A server configured to practice the method receives, from a media player client, a request for media content. The server requests a playback token from a playback service associated with the media content and generates a tag containing the playback token. Then the server transmits to the media player client a response to the request for media content based on the tag, wherein the media player client retrieves the media content by presenting the playback token to the playback service. The media player client can be an embedded media player or other player in a web browser. The server and the playback service can operate based on a common, pre-shared feed token. Other playback client and playback service embodiments exist.
US09032494B2 Network-based revocation, compliance and keying of copy protection systems
A method of authenticating a device involves establishing a local connection between a local target device and a local source device; at the source device, obtaining credentials of the target device via the local connection; at the source device, sending the credentials to a cloud authentication server via a secure communication channel; at the cloud authentication server, checking the credentials of the target device against a database of known good devices; at the source device, receiving a message from the cloud authentication server via the secure communication channel, said message indicating that the target device is authenticated; and delivering content from the source device to the target device on the condition that the target device is authenticated. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US09032483B2 Authenticating a communication device and a user of the communication device in an IMS network
IMS networks and methods are disclosed for authenticating a communication device and a user of the communication device. When a communication device attempts to register with an IMS network, the IMS network receives a register message from the device that includes device authentication information, such as a public or private identifier for the device. The IMS network processes the device authentication information to authenticate the communication device. The IMS network also receives user authentication information from the device, such as a password. The IMS network processes the user authentication information to authenticate the user of the device. The device and the user are both authenticated by the IMS network. Authentication of the user may also occur when originating a session or terminating a session over the IMS network with the device.
US09032479B2 Method, mobile terminal and system for providing different authentication values according to contact method of mobile terminal
System and method of authenticating a terminal. An authentication system which provides an authentication value specified by a tilt angle of a terminal, includes a terminal which measures the tilt angle, and a short-range communication reader which receives the tilt angle and terminal identification data from the terminal by using short-range communication and which generates the authentication value based on the tilt angle. The short-range communication reader authenticates the terminal based on the authentication value.
US09032474B2 Policy application server for mobile data networks
A policy application server and methods for use are described. The policy application server is a logical element of a policy-based control and charging system for a mobile data service network. The policy application server is configured to manage policies including creating, revising, formatting, and provisioning of policies. The policy application server is configured to assemble policy rules from policies and context data. Context data includes subscriber and service information needed to make a particular policy rule. The policy application server gathers context data from one or more network databases. The policy application server is configured to send policy rules to select ones of a plurality of policy decision engines. The policy application server manages the storing of policies, policy rules and formatted context data in select ones of a plurality of policy repositories.
US09032456B2 Modifying commercials for multi-speed playback
A system for modifying commercials for multi-speed playback detects when a commercial break begins in a broadcast program content stream. If the viewer selects fast-forward playback mode during the commercial break, then the system selects the appropriate alternate content to be played to the viewer. The alternate content can include images, video, and/or audio content. The system is provided configuration information by the service provider or broadcaster to identify what alternate content will be played, when it will be played and any additional processing tasks required. A service provider can charge an advertiser or content provider a fee based on viewership of the alternate content. When the system detects that the commercial break has ended, it returns the viewer back to the program material.
US09032433B2 Personalized ad insertion during start over service
A method and apparatus is disclosed for inserting targeted/addressable advertisements into video streams delivered to users within the context of a start over service.
US09032430B2 Systems and methods for providing blackout support in video mosaic environments
Systems and methods for providing blackout support in video mosaic environments are disclosed. In response to receiving a request for a video mosaic page, screen data, which may include blackout information, is received. The screen data identifies the video assets in the video mosaic page. A determination is made, based at least in part on the screen data, whether any video assets in the video mosaic page should be blacked out. Blacked out assets may be masked and their associated audio blocked. In addition, an overlay of options associated with the blacked out asset may be presented. The overlay may include options to substitute the blacked out asset with replacement content, search for similar content, or retrieve more information about the blackout.
US09032429B1 Determining importance of scenes based upon closed captioning data
Disclosed are various embodiments for identifying importance of scenes or moments in video content relative to one another. Closed captioning data is extracted from a video content feature. A textual analysis of the closed captioning data is performed. The importance level of scenes can be ranked with respect to one another.
US09032425B1 System and method to boost application performance by using a proxy for executing synchronous application programming interface calls
Techniques are described for utilizing synchronous APIs which normally block callers until a result is returned. In particular, the techniques described herein enable an application or other programming construct to boost performance by executing synchronous APIs (e.g., long running time APIs) within a proxy container rather than executing the synchronous APIs in the context of the application itself. Since the proxy is a separate process or thread, the caller application is thereby released from waiting for the synchronous API call and may proceed with other processing instead of waiting for the synchronous API to return. The application may then monitor the proxy to determine whether a result has been received, such as by periodically polling the proxy.
US09032420B2 Method and management agent for event notifications correlation
Methods and apparatus for correlating event notifications between agents in a management network are provided. An agent constructs a network notification in response to receiving an event notification. If the received event notification is associated with a prior notification already received and stored by the agent, a correlation attribute is added to the constructed network notification. If the received notification matches a peer agent notification category that another agent in the management network is interested in receiving, the constructed network notification is sent to the other agent.
US09032415B2 Method for activating processor cores within a computer system
A method for activating processor cores within a computer system is disclosed. Initially, a value representing a number of processor cores to be enabled within the computer system is received. The computer system includes multiple processors, and each of the processors includes multiple processor cores. Next, a scale variable value representing a specific type of tasks to be optimized during an execution of the tasks within the computer system is received. From a pool of available processor cores within the computer system, a subset of processor cores can be selected for activation. The subset of processor cores is activated in order to achieve system optimization during an execution of the tasks.
US09032407B2 Multiprocessor system, multiprocessor control method, and multiprocessor integrated circuit
In a multiprocessor system, in general, a processor assigned with a larger amount of tasks is apt to perform a larger amount of communication with other processors assigned with tasks, than a processor assigned with a smaller amount of tasks. Thus in order for each processor to be able to perform the routing process efficiently, tasks are assigned such that, when there are a first processor and a second processor, the number of processors each assigned with one or more tasks and directly connected with the second processor being smaller than the number of processors each assigned with one or more tasks and directly connected with the first processor, the amount of tasks assigned to the first processor is equal to or larger than the amount of tasks assigned to the second processor.
US09032405B2 Systems and method for assigning executable functions to available processors in a multiprocessing environment
A computer implemented method for assigning executable functions to available processors in a Multiprocessor environment comprising (as an example of a collection of different processing architectures) one or more CPUs and one or more GPUs, the method comprising: providing an input source comprising instructions and data; breaking the input source into data oriented cell and interface objects with processing attributes; assigning the cell and interface objects to one or more of the GPUs and CPUs based on processing attributes and the multiprocessor environment; and producing output data.
US09032393B1 Architecture for incremental deployment
A deploy service is provided to determine a set of software artifacts that needs to be transmitted to a target machine upon receiving an application deployment request from a user of a client device. For instance, the deploy service may compare versions of software artifacts on the target machine with the software artifacts of the application that the user desires to deploy to determine the set of software artifacts that needs to be transmitted. Instead of having to transmit the entire application, some embodiments transmit only a small portion that is reflective of what has been changed between the old version of the application and the new version of the application. This enables the transfer of large files across the Internet to be more efficient.
US09032391B2 System and method for dynamically creating executable files
Techniques are disclosed for generating, on a server, executable files that are individually customized for a user. An exemplary method comprises receiving a download request from a client, the download request including a system type and one or more identification parameters; locating a pre-compiled payload that is executable on the client based on the system type; determining a configuration data for use with the pre-compiled payload based on the one or more identification parameters; and selectively generating a customized executable file for the client to download, wherein the customized executable file includes the pre-compiled payload and the configuration data. Among other benefits, some embodiments provided herein enable dynamic creation and individual customization of executable files for a user so that conventional configuration or personalization steps after the user installs the files are avoided, thereby reducing time consumed and potential confusion caused by such steps.
US09032383B2 Automatically updating applications on a client's device without interrupting the user's experience
Portions of an application can be delivered through a network without having to download the entire application. When an application is installed, HTML, CSS and JavaScripts® or other User Interface (UI) files can be copied into local cache. A version number can also be stored with this code, so that when the application is launched, a web service checks the latest version on a server computer. If the latest version differs from the cached version, then an update is needed. New UI files can then be downloaded to the local cache. The local cache can be a folder that is used by the application, wherein the folder is stored on a hard drive of the client device. Binaries associated with the application can be stored in a different folder.
US09032381B2 State recovery methods and apparatus for computing platforms
State recovery methods and apparatus for computing platforms are disclosed. An example method includes inserting a first instruction into optimized code to cause a first portion of a register in a first state to be saved to memory before execution of a region of the optimized code; and maintaining a value indicative of a manner in which a second portion of the register in the first state is to be restored in connection with a state recovery from the optimized code.
US09032380B1 Identifying function calls and object method calls
A device receives program code, generated via a technical computing environment (TCE) and including code that requires further processing to execute, and identifies one or more function calls or one or more object method calls in the program code. The device creates a control flow graph, for the program code, based on the one or more function calls or the one or more object method calls. The device transforms the control flow graph into a data flow graph. The data flow graph includes a representation for each of the one or more function calls or the one or more object method calls. The device generates hardware code based on the data flow graph, the hardware code including code that does not require further processing to execute.
US09032379B2 Platform specific optimizations in static compilers
Embodiments include systems and methods for generating an application code binary that exploits new platform-specific capabilities, while maintaining backward compatibility with other older platforms. For example, application code is profiled to determine which code regions are main contributors to the runtime execution of the application. For each hot code region, a determination is made as to whether multiple versions of the hot code region should be produced for different target platform models. Each hot code region can be analyzed to determine if benefits can be achieved by exploiting platform-specific capabilities corresponding to each of N platform models, which can result in between one and N versions of that particular hot code region. Navigation instructions are generated as part of the application code binary to permit a target machine to select appropriate versions of the hot code sections at load time, according to the target machine's capabilities.
US09032378B2 Available symbol set generation using untyped variable
The facilitated computation of an available symbol set at code locations in a dynamic language program, in which the program is executed up to a particular halt point for which an available symbol set is to be generated. At the halt point, a type of a value of a particular variable may be used in order to generate the available symbol set. However, at the halt point, the variable does not yet have a value of a useful type (e.g., null or undefined), which is possible in a dynamic language program. Rather than return an error, the principles described herein result in return of an available symbol set anyway. Specifically, the variable had previously been annotated with information representing accessed type information for the variable, even though the variable has not formally been defined. This annotated information may be used to generate the available symbol set.
US09032361B2 Agile unit and regression testing framework for domain specific languages
According to one aspect of the invention, a system and method for unit and regression testing has been developed. The system is capable to automate unit/regression test case preparation, remote execution, provide XML based assert mechanism to evaluate test results, maintenance and versioning. The present system enables model driven testing of domain specific languages and provides a user friendly mechanism to perform Unit and Regression Testing.
US09032359B1 Method and apparatus for modifying a platform-independent programming language build tool
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates modifying a platform-independent programming language build tool to aid in the development and testing of smart card applications. The system operates by creating a task in the platform-independent programming language build tool that allows a user to perform functions associated with the development and testing of smart card applications. Next, the system extends the platform-independent programming language build tool interface to include the task so that the task is executable by the user. Note that making the task part of the platform-independent programming language build tool interface reduces the overhead involved in performing functions associated with developing and testing smart card applications.
US09032356B2 Programmable clock spreading
An integrated circuit having a programmable clock spreader configured to generate a plurality of controllably skewed clock signals, each applied to a corresponding region within the integrated circuit with circuitry configured to be triggered off the applied clock signal. The programmable clock spreader is designed to enable customization of the current-demand characteristics exhibited by the integrated circuit, e.g., based on the circuit's spectral impedance profile, to cause transient voltage droops in the power-supply network of the integrated circuit to be sufficiently small to ensure proper and reliable operation of the integrated circuit.
US09032354B2 Scan chain modification for reduced leakage
A leakage power control vector is loaded into existing test scan chain elements for application to circuit elements of a circuit in which the leakage currents are to be controlled. The vector is designed to configure the circuit elements into states in which leakage currents are reduced. A multiplexer selects the power control vector for loading into the scan chain elements, and a clock generator clocks the configuration vector into the scan chain elements. A sleep mode detector may be provided to configure the multiplexer to select the power control vector and to operate the clock generator to clock the power control vector into the scan chain elements when a sleep mode of the circuit is detected.
US09032348B2 Physics-based reliability model for large-scale CMOS circuit design
This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for simulating physical active semiconductor components using in silico active semiconductor components. To simulate charge degradation effect(s) in a circuit simulation, a simulated defect signal level is produced. More specifically, the simulated defect signal level simulates at least one charge degradation effect in the in silico active semiconductor component as a function of simulation time and a simulated input signal level of a simulated input signal. As such, the charge degradation effect(s) are simulated externally with respect to the in silico active semiconductor component. In this manner, the in silico active semiconductor component does not need to be reprogrammed in order to simulate charge degradation effects.
US09032343B1 Integrating multiple FPGA designs by merging configuration settings
This disclosure relates generally to field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Some implementations relate to methods and systems for transmitting and integrating an intellectual property (IP) block with another user's design. The IP developer can design the IP block to include both a secret portion and a public portion. The IP block developer can send or otherwise provide the IP block to another IP user without disclosing the functional description of the secret portion of the IP block. In some implementations, the IP developer provides the public portion to the IP user at the register-transfer-level (RTL) level, as a hardware description language (HDL)-implemented design, or as a synthesizable netlist. In some implementations, the IP developer provides the secret portion of the IP block to the user in the form of programming bits without providing an HDL, RTL, or netlist implementation of the secret portion.
US09032335B2 User interface techniques reducing the impact of movements
New techniques improving display output and computer system input response are provided.In aspects of the invention, a system assesses whether input gesture(s) occur within an area of an output matrix describing an element, within a time period following a substantial and/or activity-affecting change in that area, and nullifies or alters an affect(s) of the input gesture(s) that would otherwise occur, and may instead or also create the affect that would occur if the output matrix had not experienced the relevant substantial and/or activity-affecting change, and may also reverse, alter, augment or otherwise address the substantial and/or activity-affecting change in that area of the output matrix to enhance the user experience.In other aspects, an object-based projection method increases efficiency and decreases output matrix judder.In additional aspects, a new form of pixel and array, with variably-angled variably-curved pixel subsections, assists in further smoothing edges between objects.
US09032329B2 System and method for dialog position management
A system, method, and computer program for managing objects within an application, comprising receiving information corresponding to a command accessed through a user interface; and in response to the received information, clipping said received information to one or more rail clips wherein said rail clip is positioned along said dialog rail in a computer window environment and appropriate means and computer-readable instructions.
US09032325B2 Management of local applications in local and remote desktops in a server-based computing environment
In a computing environment comprising multiple desktop windows displayed to a user of a client computer, a method to manage client application windows associated with applications configured to run on the client computer is provided. The method includes detecting user input regarding movement of a client application window from a client desktop window to a remote desktop window, removing a task bar icon associated with the client application window from a task bar displayed in the client desktop window, instructing the remote computer to generate a drone of the client application window in the remote desktop window and to display the task bar icon associated with the client application window in a task bar of the remote desktop window, and displaying the client application window always on top of all other windows. The method may further include applying appropriate clipping region to the client application window.
US09032320B2 Time and location based GUI for accessing media
A system and method for accessing digital media based on the time and location the media was captured. The digital media is associated with time and location information. The media is presented along with a geographical representation of where the media was captured and an indication of time when the media was captured.
US09032311B2 Method and system for implementing a compensation system
Described is an improved method, system, and computer program product for implementing an improved approach for a compensation system and related interfaces that avoids the problems of the prior approaches. According to some approaches, interfaces are provided that comprises multiple modes of compensation entry, in which data elements within the multiple modes are linked together in a coordinated way.
US09032301B2 Crowd-sync technology for participant-sharing of a crowd experience
The systems and methods taught herein provide a choreographed, crowd forum at an event, including offering to send a media display to a plurality of participants in a crowd attending the event. Each of the plurality of participants have (i) a close-visual proximity to other participants; and, (ii) it's own respective computing device with a graphical user interface, a processor, a database, and a choreography. Each respective computing device is operable to at least receive and display a choreographed portion of the crowd media display. The choreographed portions can be configured to be received and displayed by each respective computing device in a choreographed manner in the crowd coordinated with an activity at the event. In this manner, the plurality of participants have at least the experience of receiving and displaying a respective choreographed portion of the crowd media display at the event.
US09032298B2 Website application system for online video producers and advertisers
A system for accessing development components, including an online video clip library of templates and an online music clip library, and enabling online production of user-friendly, custom-integrated media products. The system includes a Web application on a Website for hosting services for producers/advertisers/users. The system also includes a search engine that indexes the video, interactive Web formatting screens for selecting development components and producing the Web products in said Web application, an online MIXER module for editing and playing said selected video, an online editing program, which allows the advertiser/user to edit his advertisement himself, outside WebServices accessible by said advertisers of said Web application via the internet for custom-integrating, encoding and formatting the video clips and a parallel platform in which content producer/users and commercial libraries could upload their raw material and set their price.
US09032297B2 Web based video editing
A web based system for creating video compositions has a network connected interface generator for providing web pages to a user coupled to the network. A content library stores video clips and optionally images for use in creating the video composition or a sequence of video clips and/or images. A project database contains metadata for one or more projects that are being edited by a user via the network, and a rendering engine provides down resolutioned previews of a user selected project for viewing by a user via the network.
US09032295B1 Method for displaying files from a plurality of devices in a multi-view interface and for enabling operations to be performed on such files through such interface
In a synchronization or back-up system that synchronizes and/or back-ups files from multiple computing devices, the present invention provides a method for (1) displaying files from multiple computing devices in a multi-view user interface and (2) enabling content and file operations to be performed on such files through the user interface. The multi-view interface includes a file-system view and one or more media-specific views. In the file-system view files are organized in the same way in which they are organized on the devices on which they are stored. The file-system view in the interface looks essentially the same as the file-system view on client devices. In the file-system view, users can perform file operations on files. In the media-specific view files are organized by media category. In one embodiment of the media-specific view, files are organized by metadata that relates to the files content. In the media-specific view, users can perform content operations on the files.
US09032283B2 Rendering common cell formatting for adjacent cells
Rendering common cell formatting for adjacent cells is disclosed. In some embodiments, when rendering cells, a set of adjacent cells that have at least one type of cell formatting in common is identified, and the at least one type of cell formatting is rendered as a single entity rather than individually for each cell in the set to prevent visual artifacts between adjacent cells from arising.
US09032281B2 System and method for collecting financial information over a global communications network
A system comprises a combination of user examination decisions and semi-automated extraction tools, integrated into a web-based administration interface, to permit a user to quickly catalog a publically available financial website and extract financial rate data in a reproducible manner. The reproducibility of the extraction process allows for automated processes to re-extract the rate data as often as necessary to attain at least daily accuracy of recorded financial rates for a financial institution. The system allows for the tracking of over a quarter of a million financial rates, across varying website technologies and display formats, and the daily tracking of financial institution product data and especially financial products with frequently changing rates. A stable repository of rate data is also created to allow for data mining of financial trends to syndicated parties.
US09032272B2 Memory systems and block copy methods thereof
Methods of operating memory systems and nonvolatile memory devices include performing error checking and correction (ECC) operations on M pages of data read from a first “source” portion of M-bit nonvolatile memory cells within the nonvolatile memory device to thereby generate M pages of ECC-processed data, where M is a positive integer greater than two (2). A second “target” portion of M-bit nonvolatile memory cells within the nonvolatile memory device is then programmed with the M pages of ECC-processed data using, for example, an address-scrambled reprogramming technique.
US09032269B2 Systems and methods of storing data
A method of writing data includes receiving data pages to be stored in a data storage device and generating codewords corresponding to the received data pages. The codewords are stored to physical pages of a first memory portion of the data storage device. A first portion of a particular codeword that corresponds to a particular data page is stored at a first physical page of the first memory portion. A second portion of the particular codeword is stored at a second physical page of the first memory portion. The codewords are copied from the physical pages of the first memory portion to a physical page of a second memory portion of the data storage device.
US09032262B2 Memory test method, memory test device, and adapter thereof
A memory test device used to test performance of at least one memory module on an electronic device, are provided. The memory test device includes at least one adapter and a control unit. The adapter includes a plugging portion, a slot, and a switch circuit. The plugging portion is used to be plugged in a memory module slot of the electronic device. The slot is connected electrically to the plugging portion, is used for the memory module to plug in, and is capable of outputting a work voltage to the memory module when the adapter is plugged in the memory module slot and connected electrically to it. The switch circuit is connected electrically to the plugging portion and the slot. The control unit is connected electrically to the switch circuit of each adapter, where the control unit enables or disables the plugged memory module by controlling the switch circuit.
US09032258B2 Safety system challenge-and-response using modified watchdog timer
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a watchdog timer having an enhanced functionality that enables the watchdog timer to monitor a process flow of the microprocessor on a task-by-task basis that enables a simple output signal to be used to determine if the watchdog timer is malfunctioning. The watchdog timer has a state machine that increments a state variable from an initial value over a watchdog period. A deterministic service request, received from a microprocessor, controls operation of the watchdog timer. The deterministic service request has an indicator of a monitoring operation to be performed, a password, and an estimated state variable. A comparison element determines if the microprocessor is operating properly based upon a comparison of the received password to an expected password and the received estimated state variable to an actual state variable.
US09032251B2 Re-forming an application control tree without terminating the application
A reconnection system re-forms a control tree for an application that is executed in parallel without terminating execution of the application. The reconnection system detects when a node of a control tree has failed and directs the nodes that have not failed to reconnect to effect the re-forming of the control tree without the failed node and without terminating the application. Upon being directed to reconnect, a node identifies new child nodes that are to be its child nodes in the re-formed control tree. The node maintains the existing connection with each of its current child nodes that is also a new child node, terminates the existing connection with each of its current child nodes that is not also a new child node, establishes a new connection with any new child node that is not a current child node, and directs each new child node to reconnect.
US09032249B1 System and method for event-driven live migration of multi-process applications
A system, method, and computer readable medium for asynchronous live migration of applications between two or more servers. The computer readable medium includes computer-executable instructions for execution by a processing system. Primary applications runs on primary hosts and one or more replicated instances of each primary application run on one or more backup hosts. Asynchronous live migration is provided through a combination of process replication, logging, barrier synchronization, checkpointing, reliable messaging and message playback. The live migration is transparent to the application and requires no modification to the application, operating system, networking stack or libraries.
US09032248B1 Memory write tracking for virtual machines
The disclosed system and method can use memory change tracking to lessen an amount of data that is synchronized between a primary virtual machine and a failover virtual machine so that the failover virtual machine can take over operations should the primary virtual machine become unavailable. A hardware-based memory synchronization manager on a primary physical host can be used to track the changes in the memory and transmit the same to a failover physical host so that the changes can be available, if necessary, by the failover virtual machine. The change tracking can be synchronized in nearly real time between the two physical hosts and can be small enough data updates to allow minimal network bandwidth over the network.
US09032247B2 Intermediate database management layer
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for using an intermediate database management layer to manage communications between an application layer and a database layer. The database management layer can receive an initial communication from the application layer and transmit a subsequent communication to a particular database based upon a rule. The rules can specify the particular database based upon the initial communication and an availability status of the database. The rules specify criteria by which the initial communication is identified and logic specifying the particular database to receive the subsequent communication based upon the identification of the initial communication. The rules can specify a plurality of potential particular databases to receive the subsequent communication and an order in which to select one of the databases to receive the subsequent communication based upon the determined availability status of each of the potential particular databases.
US09032241B2 Server, server system, and method for controlling recovery from a failure
A server includes a monitoring unit that monitors operation states of one or more physical servers in use on which same applications operate, a synchronization unit that synchronizes the data between one of the physical servers in use and one of virtual servers in a standby physical server, and a switching unit that, when the monitoring unit has detected that a failure has occurred in the operation of one of the physical servers in use, that operates a second application of the same applications while referring to a piece of the data on the one of the virtual servers synchronized by the synchronization unit with the data on the one of the physical servers in use, and that switches operation from the one of the virtual servers to the standby physical server.
US09032234B2 Systems and methods for monitoring and managing memory blocks to improve power savings
Systems and methods are provided for placing a portion of a memory into a low power mode. A system includes a hot spot region creator configured to determine an activity level for each of a plurality of regions of a memory, where certain of the regions are determined to be active regions, and where certain of the regions are determined to be inactive regions and rearrange the data to position the active region data in a contiguous active portion of memory and to position the inactive regions data in a contiguous inactive portion of memory. A memory controller is configured to place the contiguous inactive portion of memory into a low power mode.
US09032232B2 Instruction for enabling a processor wait state
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor having a core with decode logic to decode an instruction prescribing an identification of a location to be monitored and a timer value, and a timer coupled to the decode logic to perform a count with respect to the timer value. The processor may further include a power management unit coupled to the core to determine a type of a low power state based at least in part on the timer value and cause the processor to enter the low power state responsive to the determination. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09032230B2 Information processing apparatus, power saving control method, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus has a sub system that, while a main system is in power saving state, analyzes a protocol of a network communication and recovers the main system to an ordinary power mode from the power saving state, in accordance with the protocol. There is a setting unit that sets a re-transition condition which is a condition to make the main system switch to the power saving state again, depending on a kind of the network communication. Further, there is a control unit that monitors whether the re-transition condition is satisfied and switches the main system to the power saving state in response to the re-transition condition being satisfied.
US09032217B1 Device-specific tokens for authentication
A user who is authenticated to a system or service across a network can receive a token that includes a device fingerprint. The fingerprint can include information that is obtained from the client device through which the user supplied authentication credentials. The client device can be configured to include that token with subsequent requests. When a request is received, the information in the fingerprint can be extracted from the token and compared to information obtained from the device submitting that request. If the information matches within at least an allowable match threshold, for example, the request can be processed. If the information in the fingerprint does not match the current values of the device from which the request was received, the request can be denied or a remedial action performed.
US09032212B1 Self-refreshing distributed cryptography
In one embodiment, a set of servers generates at least one challenge that is sent to a client. The servers receive from the client a response that includes a message generated as a function of the challenge. The response also includes a digital signature computed on the message using a secret key of a key pair generated for a current epoch. The client is authenticated based on indications from respective ones of the servers as to whether or not the received response is accepted as valid by that server. Other embodiments involve interaction between a set of servers and a relying party in authenticating a passcode, password or other information received from a client. The client in some embodiments may comprise a connected authentication token or other type of hardware or software authentication token.
US09032205B2 Robust authentication and key agreement protocol for net-generation wireless networks
Embodiments of the invention may be used to provide an authentication and key agreement protocol that is more robust against base station, replay and other attacks compared to previously known systems. The nonce-based authentication and key agreement protocol provides security against such attacks while avoiding the problems that arise in systems that use sequence number counters on the home environment and mobile station-sides. In an embodiment, a nonce that is transmitted from the user to the home environment through the serving network, as well as subsequent values for the nonce that are derived from the initial nonce, are used as indices for authentication vectors.
US09032204B2 Methods and systems for providing a signed digital certificate in real time
A method and system for signing a digital certificate in real time for accessing a service application hosted within a service provider (SP) computer system through an open application programming interface (API) platform is provided. The API platform is in communication with a memory device. The method includes receiving registration data from a developer computer device wherein the developer computer device is associated with a developer and configured to store a developer application, receiving a certificate signing request (CSR) from the developer computer device wherein the CSR includes a public key associated with the developer, verifying the registration data as being associated with the developer, signing the CSR to produce a signed certificate after verifying the registration data wherein the verifying and signing steps are performed by the SP computer system in real time, and transmitting the signed certificate and a client ID to the developer computer device.
US09032192B2 Method and system for policy based authentication
A mobile device capable of performing a plurality of functions. The mobile device includes a memory for storing a plurality of different security policies; an input device for invoking a function from the plurality of functions by a user; a processor for assigning a first security policy from the stored plurality of security policies to the invoked function; and a security module for requiring the user to satisfy the assigned first security policy, before the invoked function is performed by the mobile device.
US09032182B2 Electronic apparatus with storage media having real address designated by stimulated request format and storage media having real address not designated by stimulated request format
A diagnostic tool sends a request format designating a virtual address, which is different from a real address for an EEPROM. When a microcomputer determines that an address designated by the received request format is a virtual address assigned to the EEPROM, the microcomputer executes a process, which is designated by the received request format, with respect to the virtual address assigned to the EEPROM.
US09032176B2 Avoiding physical fragmentation in a virtualized storage environment
A virtualized storage stack includes logical layers above the physical storage layer. Each logical layer allocates data blocks, and the data block allocation is propagated down to the physical storage layer. To facilitate contiguous storage, each layer of the virtualized storage stack maintains additional metadata associated with data blocks. For each data block, the metadata indicates whether the data block is free, provisioned and includes a tag that indicates when the data block was first written. Data blocks that were first written as part of the same write request share the same tag, and are mostly guaranteed to be physically co-located. Block allocations that reuse data blocks having the same tag are preferred. Such preference increases the likelihood of the blocks being contiguous in the physical storage as these blocks were allocated as part of the same first write.
US09032174B2 Information processing apparatus for restricting access to memory area of first program from second program
A processor determines whether a first program is under execution when a second program is executed, and changes a setting of a memory management unit based on access prohibition information so that a fault occurs when the second program makes an access to a memory when the first program is under execution. Then, the processor determines whether an access from the second program to a memory area used by the first program is permitted based on memory restriction information when the fault occurs while the first program and the second program are under execution, and changes the setting of the memory management unit so that the fault does not occur when the access to the memory area is permitted.
US09032165B1 Systems and methods for scheduling write requests for a solid state storage device
An I/O scheduler can manage and schedule write requests that are sent to a storage device in order to prevent the write requests from dominating a storage buffer of the storage device. The I/O scheduler can monitor the number of I/O requests in the storage buffer and maintain a balance between write requests and read requests in the storage buffer. The I/O scheduler monitor the latency of the storage device in processing write requests and manage the write requests sent to the storage device based on the latency. The I/O scheduler can utilize one or more write thresholds. The write thresholds can define thresholds of the number of write requests in the storage buffer and thresholds for the latency of the storage device in processing write requests. The write threshold can represent acceptable levels of write request in the storage buffer and acceptable latency for write requests.
US09032163B2 Data access management
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to assert a first semi-exclusive write lock with respect to a storage medium area by storing lock information when assertion of another semi-exclusive write lock with respect to the area is not detected. Additional activities may include writing data to the area by a writing entity that has asserted the first semi-exclusive write lock after determining the lock information has not changed, while substantially simultaneously de-asserting the first semi-exclusive write lock. Reading from the area may be determined as successful by determining that the semi-exclusive write lock was not asserted prior to or during the reading by checking the status of the lock information. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US09032157B2 Virtual machine failover
Disclosed is a computer system (100) comprising a processor unit (110) adapted to run a virtual machine in a first operating mode; a cache (120) accessible to the processor unit, said cache comprising a plurality of cache rows (1210), each cache row comprising a cache line (1214) and an image modification flag (1217) indicating a modification of said cache line caused by the running of the virtual machine; and a memory (140) accessible to the cache controller for storing an image of said virtual machine; wherein the processor unit comprises a replication manager adapted to define a log (200) in the memory prior to running the virtual machine in said first operating mode; and said cache further includes a cache controller (122) adapted to periodically check said image modification flags; write only the memory address of the flagged cache lines in the defined log and subsequently clear the image modification flags. A computer cluster including such computer systems and a method of managing such a computer cluster are also disclosed.
US09032154B2 Integration of secure data transfer applications for generic IO devices
Techniques are presented for sending an application instruction from a hosting digital appliance to a portable medium, where the instruction is structured as one or more units whose size is a first size, or number of bytes. After flushing the contents of a cache, the instruction is written to the cache, where the cache is structured as logical blocks having a size that is a second size that is larger (in terms of number of bytes) than the first size. In writing the instruction (having a command part and, possibly, a data part), the start of the instruction is aligned with one of the logical block boundaries in the cache and the instruction is padded out with dummy data so that it fills an integral number of the cache blocks. When a response from a portable device to an instruction is received at a hosting digital appliance, the cache is similarly flushed prior to receiving the response. The response is then stored to align with a logical block boundary of the cache.
US09032150B2 Storage apparatus and control method of storage apparatus
Storage drives of a plurality of types are mounted on a storage device together. A storage apparatus includes: an I/O controller that receives an access request sent from an information apparatus and writes data to or reads data from a storage drive; a storage drive mounting unit in which the storage drive is detachably mounted; a drive power supplying unit that supplies drive power to the storage drive mounted in the storage drive mounting unit; and a drive voltage identifying unit that identifies a voltage allowing data write to or data read from the storage drive mounted in the storage drive mounting unit, by raising a drive voltage applied to the storage drive from a voltage below a rated drive voltage of the storage drive. When the I/O controller writes data to or reads data from the storage drive, the drive power supplying unit applies the identified voltage to the storage drive to drive the storage drive.
US09032145B2 Memory device and method having on-board address protection system for facilitating interface with multiple processors, and computer system using same
A memory device includes an address protection system that facilitates the ability of the memory device to interface with a plurality of processors operating in a parallel processing manner. The protection system is used to prevent at least some of a plurality of processors in a system from accessing addresses designated by one of the processors as a protected memory address. Until the processor releases the protection, only the designating processor can access the memory device at the protected address. If the memory device contains a cache memory, the protection system can alternatively or additionally be used to protect cache memory addresses.
US09032129B2 Advanced energy profiler
An energy profiling apparatus for profiling power consumption characteristics of code being executed at an integrated circuit being powered by a power source and having a measurement module, a data processing module and a display module is disclosed. The energy profiling apparatus comprises first, second and third interfaces as well as a profile module. The first interface is configured to receive a first data set from the measurement module. The second interface is configured to receive a second data set from the data processing module. The third interface is configured to transmit a third data set to the display module. The profile module is configured to generate an energy profile of the code executed at the data processing module based on a correlation between the first data set and the second data set. Furthermore, the profile module is configured to transmit the energy profile as part of the third data set to the display module.
US09032124B2 Definition of wakeup bus messages for partial networking
A method of encoding a digital bus message information, in particular a wake-up bus message information or configuring data, on a bus system, the method comprising: encoding a predetermined part of digital bus message information bits by means of sub-patterns in a stream of line symbols on at least one bus line, wherein sub-patterns consist of successive dominant and recessive phases, comprised of recessive and dominant line symbols, wherein a recessive phase is comprised of at least two recessive line symbols in order to establish a ratio of successive dominant and recessive phases that corresponds to a value of the predetermined part. A respective digital bus message, particularly for use on a bus system, is to be encoded in accordance with the method.Further, a bus node for a system bus having a plurality of stations that are coupled together by means of an arrangement of bus lines, comprises decoding circuitry configured for an analysis of sub-patterns in a stream of data on at least one bus line, and analysing circuitry configured to detect encoded digital bus message information, in particular a wake-up bus message information or configuring data, transmitted in a stream of line symbols on the bus system, wherein the digital bus message information is encoded in accordance with the method.
US09032123B2 Serial transmission device, method, and computer readable medium storing program
A serial transmission device includes a transmitting unit that transmits data, a receiving unit that receives the data, and a plurality of serial transmission paths that connect the transmitting unit with the receiving unit and are used to transmit data. The receiving unit includes an inter-lane skew information generation unit that generates inter-lane skew information about skew of each of the serial transmission paths and transmits the generated inter-lane skew information to the transmitting unit. The transmitting unit includes a data conversion rule generation unit that generates a conversion rule used to determine distribution of the data to each of the serial transmission paths based on the inter-lane skew information.
US09032121B2 Method of analyzing the wear of a non volatile memory embedded in a secure electronic token
The invention is a method of analyzing the wear of a non volatile memory embedded in a secure electronic token. A set of events are intended to generate writing and/or erasing operations in said memory. The token comprises a buffer. The method comprises the following steps: each time an event belonging to said set occurs, generating a data which reflects the event and storing said data in the buffer, sending the buffer to a remote machine, analyzing the buffer to determine the wear of the memory.
US09032107B2 USB key and a method for communication between the USB key and a terminal
A key has a micro-control unit (MCU) module for detecting a pattern of a MCU module pin in a potential state. An Universal serial bus (USB) is fixedly connected with an interface module of a terminal. The MCU module is connected with the USB when a predetermined condition is satisfied. An enumeration request is sent to the terminal. The terminal is connected with the interface module. A mode pin is utilized for indicating a communication mode between the USB and the terminal in the potential state.
US09032102B2 Decode data for fast PCI express multi-function device address decode
An apparatus and method of fast PCIe multi-function device address decode utilizing a target function data look up table. One or more decode directives (e.g., targeted functions) are provided within the PCIe request packet, thereby eliminating the need for target function search during the decode process in the endpoint device. This enables single-decoder single-step decode implementation in complex multi-function devices.
US09032099B1 Writeback mechanisms for improving far memory utilization in multi-level memory architectures
Multi-level memory architecture technologies are described. One processor includes a requesting unit, a first memory interface to couple to a far memory (FM), a second memory interface to couple to a near memory (NM) and a multi-level memory controller (MLMC) coupled to the requesting unit, the first memory interface and the second memory interface. The MLMC is to write data into a memory page of NM in response to a request from the requesting unit to retrieve the memory page from FM. The MLMC receives a hint from the requesting unit and clears a writeback bit for the memory page indicated in the hint. The hint indicates that the data contained in the memory page of the NM is not to be subsequently requested by the requesting unit. The MLMC starts a writeback operation of a memory sector including the memory page and one or more additional memory pages. The writeback operation is to transfer the data contained in the memory page from the NM to the FM when the writeback bit is set and the writeback operation does is not to transfer the data contained in the memory page from NM to the FM when the writeback bit is cleared.
US09032095B1 Routing device having multiple logical routers
Techniques are described for implementing one or more logical routers within a single physical routing device. These logical routers, as referred to herein, are logically isolated in the sense that they achieve operational and organizational isolation within the routing device without requiring the use of additional or redundant hardware, e.g., additional hardware-based routing controllers. The routing device may, for example, include a computing platform, and a plurality of software process executing within the computing platform, wherein the software processes operate as logical routers. The routing device may include a forwarding component shared by the logical routers to forward network packets received from a network in accordance with the forwarding tables.
US09032089B2 Methods and apparatus for path selection within a network based on flow duration
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a forwarding module that is configured to receive a group of first data packets. The forwarding module is configured to modify a data flow value in response to receiving each first data packet. The forwarding module is also configured to store each first data packet in a first output queue based on the data flow value not crossing a data flow threshold after being modified. Furthermore, the forwarding module is configured to receive a second data packet. The forwarding module is configured to modify the data flow value in response to receiving the second data packet, such that the data flow value crosses the data flow threshold. The forwarding module is configured to store the second data packet in a second output queue based on the data flow value having crossed the data flow threshold.
US09032087B2 Providing a fine-grained response from a coarse-grained service object
A system and method for generating data at a fine level of detail based on a request to a service object that provides data at a coarse level of detail. The request to the service object includes a data request and a response template indicating the level of detail or selection required in the response. The service object server accesses data using the service object api and coarse level of detail. A navigator uses the data request to develop an information model of the data and then traverses the information model to extract the data needed for a response at the level of detail indicated by the response template. The service object is thus able to return data at a fine level of detail from an object that supports only coarse levels of detail.
US09032056B2 Device for processing the measurements of parameters and/or of traffic streams, for local accounting of the use of resources, for an equipment element in a communication network
A processing a device (D), for a network equipment element (RP) of a communication network equipped with an accounting and billing management module, includes processing means (MT) which are tasked, firstly, to determine, from values representing selected local parameters of their equipment element (RP) and/or of selected traffic streams received by this equipment element (RP), associated with the identifier of a customer in the network, usage data concerning the resources of the network corresponding to said customer identifier, and secondly, to transmit these usage data, and the identifier associated with them, to the accounting and billing management module for a possible billing of the customer designated by this identifier.
US09032054B2 Method and apparatus for determining a network topology during network provisioning
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a provisioning instruction including a device identifier from an external management entity, receiving the device identifier from a network device, associating the provisioning instruction the network device, and sending a portion of the provisioning instruction to the network device. The device identifier being associated with a virtual resource. The associating is based on the device identifier of the virtual resource and a device identifier of a network device. The portion of the provisioning instruction is sent to the network device based on the associating.
US09032053B2 Method and apparatus for upgrading components of a cluster
An approach is provided for upgrading components of a cluster. One or more components of at least one server of a cluster of servers are determined to be upgraded. Status information of the cluster, the at least one server, or a combination thereof is determined. It is determined whether to initiate another upgrade of one or more other components of the at least one server, another one of the servers, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on the status information.
US09032052B2 Deployment of a driver or an application on a client device having a write-filter
The deployment of a driver or an application on a client device having a write-filter is described. A deployment configuration file is obtained, wherein the deployment configuration file includes a plurality of deployment entries each having information for deployment of one of a driver and an application. A first deployment entry is retrieved from the deployment configuration file, and the deployment configuration file is modified to remove the first deployment entry from the deployment configuration file. The modified deployment configuration file is stored in a location of a memory of the client device that is exempt from a write-filter restriction, wherein the write-filter restriction prohibits a file stored on the client device with the write-filter enabled from persisting across a reboot of the client device. The one of the driver and the application of the first deployment entry is then deployed on the client device while the write-filter is disabled.
US09032051B2 Automatic differentiation of setup type in router setup application
Techniques are presented for configuring multiple client devices to connect to a network device (e.g., a wireless router). In one embodiment, a setup application executing on one of the client devices determines if the network device has previously been configured. For example, the network device may broadcast a predefined network name to advertise that a user access point has been configured. If the polling setup application detects the predefined network name, then it can skip any steps that would configure the network device. Accordingly, the setup application only configures the client device to connect to the network device.
US09032049B2 Communication methods and systems between a storage apparatus, a user terminal and a device connected to the storage apparatus
A communication system includes a user terminal connected to a first communication line, a device connected to the first communication line, and storing data to be updated, and a storage apparatus connected to a second communication line and storing the data transmitted from the device. A communication originated at the storage apparatus and addressed to the device and the user terminal is blocked by a firewall apparatus while a communication from the storage apparatus to the user terminal in reply to a request from the user terminal is permitted by the firewall apparatus.
US09032045B1 Systems and methods for using a uniform resource locator to call for different types of content
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for using a uniform resource locator to retrieve content for both a first application and a second application. The user may elect to use the first or second application to view content associated with the uniform resource locator. In one instance, an unmodified uniform resource locator may be parsed for identifiers that may be used to retrieve content for the second application instead of the content for the first application. In another instance, a modified uniform resource locator may be appended with a second application scheme and a path for the content of the second application address. In both instances, the unmodified and the modified uniform resource locators may be used to retrieve content for the first application or the second application.
US09032041B2 RDMA based real-time video client playback architecture
A client playback architecture for a media content distribution system is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the client playback architecture is a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) based architecture. The RDMA based architecture enables the client playback device to obtain media content from a central server in real-time or in substantially real-time as the media content is needed for playback at the client playback device. More specifically, the playback device includes RDMA enabled playback circuitry operating to perform RDMA transfers for select media content, buffer the media content received as a result of the RDMA transfers, and provide the media content for presentation to one or more associated viewers via one or more audio/video interfaces.
US09032040B2 Receiving device and method
A receiving device receives messages, detects the priority levels set in the headers of the messages, and reads the first and second messages. When the receiving device receives the header of the second message during reading of the first message, it controls, in accordance with the priority levels of the first and second messages, the reading rates at which the first and second messages are read.
US09032036B2 System and method for selecting messaging settings on a messaging client
A system and method of selecting messaging settings on a messaging client are provided. A display configured to operate in conjunction with the messaging client displays a compose screen that includes a message portion and a messaging settings portion when an outgoing message is to be composed on the messaging client. Messaging settings selected to control message characteristics of the outgoing message are displayed in the messaging settings portion of the compose screen.
US09032028B2 Role-based display of document renditions for web conferencing
A method and system for providing role-based renditions of a shared document during a Web conference, in which different renditions of the shared document are provided to different Web conference participants based on the participants' roles in the conference. A participant with sufficient privileges, such as a presenter, is allowed to associate different participant roles with corresponding renditions through a user interface. The disclosed system further operates to dynamically adjust to the changing roles of participants during a Web conference, such that the rendition provided to any given user is changed in response to that user's role changing during the Web conference. The role of a Web conference participant may be based on any specific information obtained regarding that participant, such as information in a user profile in a user database, or other user information. The disclosed system further operates to provide shared document renditions that are specific to individual user attributes, such as user accessibility settings. A user interface provided to the presenter or other privileged participant allows that participant to indicate which participant roles are to be provided which renditions, e.g. which participant roles will be provided with renditions including additional metadata. Such metadata may, for example, include speaker notes, rendered on the presenter's screen, but not on the attendees screens.
US09032023B2 Synchronous interface to asynchronous processes
Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are disclosed for facilitating access to one or more services in a network environment. At a host, a request is received from a client machine in communication with the host over a network. An asynchronous service description file indicates one or more asynchronous communication techniques configured to be performed to access or communicate with a service over the network. The asynchronous service description file is a conversion of a synchronous service description file indicating one or more synchronous communication techniques for accessing or communicating with a synchronous service. The asynchronous service description file is provided to the client machine.
US09032014B2 Diagnostics agents for managed computing solutions hosted in adaptive environments
A solutions manager supports computing solutions running on hosts in an adaptive computing environment by utilizing remote processes or agents placed on the hosts. A remote agent is associated with a computing solution and placed on the host on which the computing solution is running. When the computing solution is relocated to a new host, the remote agent associated with the computing solution is also automatically relocated and restarted on the new host.
US09032011B2 Management of data object sharing among applications
Presented are a system and method for sharing data objects among applications. Included is a data protocol layer that permits a flow of data messages among the applications, where a portion of the data messages include data objects stored in a data store. A client library is coupled between the applications and the data protocol layer. A data request module associated with each client library requests data objects from the data stores that match a particular data-object set. A management server receives the request, parses the request, retrieves any matching data objects, and causes the return of the any matching data objects to the data request module. Associated with the management server is a registration module that accepts subscriptions from subscribing applications. An event notification module associated with the management server compares a data object in a data message with the subscriptions, and notifies the subscribing applications in response.
US09032008B2 Communication device, reception data length determination method, multiple determination circuit, and recording medium
A communication device includes a storage unit to store quotients and remainders associated with multiplication values obtained by multiplying a specified integer number, which is expressed in a form of (2β+α) where β is a positive integer number and α is a positive integer number other than integral multiples of 2, respectively, the quotients and the remainders being obtained by dividing the multiplication values by 2β, respectively, a first unit to divide a dividend by 2βand calculate a quotient and a remainder, a second unit to obtain a quotient, which corresponds to the remainder from the storage unit, and a third unit to determine that the data length of the packet data is normal, when a combination of the quotient and the remainder calculated by the first unit is in the storage unit.
US09032006B2 Processing of linear systems of equations
Apparatus and method for processing linear systems of equations and finding a n×1 vector x satisfying Ax=b where A is a symmetric, positive-definite n×n matrix corresponding to n×n predefined high-precision elements and b is an n1 vector corresponding to n predefined high-precision elements. A first iterative process generates n low-precision elements corresponding to an n×1 vector xl satisfying Alxl=bl where Al, bl are elements in low precision. The elements are converted to high-precision data elements to obtain a current solution vector x. A second iterative process generates n low-precision data elements corresponding to an n×1 correction vector dependent on the difference between the vector b and the vector product Ax. Then there is produced from the n low-precision data elements of the correction vector respective high-precision data elements of an n×1 update vector u. The data elements of the current solution vector x are updated such that x=x+u.
US09032000B2 System and method for geolocation of social media posts
A system for geolocation of social media posts, comprising a social search engine; a geolocation software module; and a network-attached database comprising at least a media storage and a metadata storage. The social search engine retrieves a plurality of social media content postings and stores them in the database; and the geolocation software module geolocates a first social media content posting by: extracting metadata from the posting; extracting embedded location data from the posting; identifying an author of the posting; determining if the metadata storage contains location-related data about the author, if one was identified; determining if author location data is available; identifying any known place names in the social media content posting; disambiguating a plurality of locations obtained; and geotagging the posting and storing the resulting geotagged posting in the metadata storage.
US09031997B2 Log file compression
A compression system identifies one or more fields in a log file based on at least one field rule from among multiple field rules specified in a log file framework. The compression system extracts contents of the log file associated with the one or more fields. The compression system passes the contents associated with the one or more fields to corresponding compression engines from among a multiple compression engines each specified for performing a separate type of compression from among multiple types of compression for each of the one or more fields, wherein each of the one or more fields corresponds to one or more compression engines from among the multiple compression engines.
US09031995B1 Data aggregation and caching
Systems and methods aggregate data and use caching techniques. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method aggregates data. A server receives a request for data that includes one or more identifiers. Based on at least one of the one or more identifiers, at least one template defining a view of the data is retrieved. One or more modules are identified based on the at least one template and one or more services are invoked to obtain the one or more modules. The one or more modules are received and processing by applying one or more business logic rules. At least a portion of the one or more processed modules are stored in a data store. The view of the data is generated based on the processed one or more modules and a response is transmitted to a client that includes the view of the data.
US09031993B2 Customizable library for information technology design and management using expert knowledge base
A system for providing a customized library platform of informational elements, each pertaining to one or more of information technology disciplines, includes a database of informational elements, and first computer-implemented user interfaces usable to provide the customization and a second user interface usable to view the customized library platform. The IT disciplines span design, analysis, modeling and management across a wide spectrum of IT functions and includes levels of detail and viewpoints that accommodate multiple roles across IT, from very senior executives to low level engineers and programmers. The knowledge base allows organizations to model their knowledge relationships to fit their structures, processes and guidelines, by using a provided framework as a starting point. The intelligent knowledge base emphasizes specific practices that enhance the linkage of business to IT, which is a widely recognized gap across IT creating massive waste and inefficiency.
US09031992B1 Analyzing big data
A method, apparatus, and computer implemented method for analyzing a Big Data dataset, the method comprising performing analysis on a big data dataset by applying a set of analytical tool to a Big Data Model; wherein the Big Data Model decouples the Big Data dataset into properties and metadata; wherein each of the properties represent part of the Big Data dataset to enable processing and analysis; wherein the metadata enables calculation of summary information for the Big Data dataset.
US09031981B1 Search around visual queries
A method and apparatus for a data analysis system for analyzing data object collections is provided. The data analysis system includes one or more graphical user interfaces comprising various interface elements that enable users to create visual queries. A visual query is constructed as a graph representing a pattern of interest in a collection of data objects. A visual query may include one or more graph elements and property information associated with the specified graph elements. After a user has constructed a visual query, the system may transform the visual query into a query template. A query engine may then execute the query template to search a data object collection for data object results corresponding to the specified pattern. The search for instances of a specified pattern in a collection of data objects is referred herein to as a “search around.”
US09031980B2 Metric gathering and reporting system for identifying database performance and throughput problems
A database back end system includes a monitoring server operable to poll a first database for a first query running on the first database and add the first query to a query list in a second database, and a reporting server operable to normalize the first query, analyze the second database to find a second query in the query list, wherein the second query is found based upon the normalized first query, and report the second query to a user, wherein the reporting is based upon the analyzing of the second database to find the second query.
US09031978B1 Provision of location-based business information
Location-based searches for venues for a mobile computing device. An application server system may determine search results in response to a search query, comprising a search location, received from the mobile computing device. The application server system determines, for each search query, whether the search location is within a threshold distance from a location of the mobile computing device. If within the threshold distance, the application server system transmits search result data comprising, for each example venue in the search results, a distance of the venue to the location of the mobile computing device. If not within the threshold distance, the application server system transmits search result data comprising, for each venue in the search results, a distance of the venue to the search location.
US09031977B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for processing documents to identify structures
In various embodiments, multiple heterogeneous documents are processed to identify structures, such as chemical structures, contained therein, including non-embedded structures. Also described is a graphical user interface that permits a user to search for a structure or substructure within a set of electronic documents, then displays the matching structures as well as the actual pages of the documents on which the matching structures are found. Display of the actual pages allows the user to verify the matches and provides helpful context for the user.
US09031974B2 Apparatus and software system for and method of performing a visual-relevance-rank subsequent search
A method analyzes the visual content of media such as videos for collecting together visually-similar appearances in their constituent images (e.g. same scenes, same objects, faces of the same people.) As a result, the most relevant and salient (of clearest and largest presence) visual appearances depicted in the videos are presented to the user, both for the sake of summarizing the video content for the users to “see before they watch” (that is, judge by the depicted video content in a filmstrip-like summary whether they want to mouse-click on the video and actually spend time watching it), as well as for allowing to users to further refine their video search result set according to the most relevant and salient video content returned (e.g. largest screen-time faces).
US09031962B2 Method and system for incremental search with reduced text entry where the relevance of results is a dynamically computed function of user input search string character count
A method and system are provided for processing a search request received from a user operating a text input device. The search request is directed at identifying a desired item from a set of items, each of which has one or more associated terms. The method includes receiving a query input from a user that comprises one or more characters input by the user on the text input device. As each character of the query input is received from the user, a group of items having one or more terms matching the received characters is dynamically identified. The items in the group are ordered based on relevance values of the terms matching the characters and on the number of characters of the query input used in identifying the group of items. Identification of the group of items as ordered is transmitted to the user to be displayed.
US09031956B2 Mechanism for facilitating conversion and correction of data types for dynamic lightweight objects via a user interface in an on-demand services environment
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for facilitating conversion and correction of data types for dynamic lightweight objects via a user interface in an on-demand services environment. In one embodiment and by way of example, a method includes receiving a first data file at a first computing device, identifying data types in the first data file that correspond to dynamic custom objects associated with the first data file, and linking the data types to their corresponding dynamic custom objects.
US09031953B2 Method and system to curate media collections
Disclosed is a service which obtains media directly from users and from online sources, which obtains events and anniversaries from online sources, which obtains location and date information associated with photographs, which dynamically provides users with a selection of automatically curated collections of photographs based on the then-current location of the user, based on and relevant to personal and publicly recognized anniversaries and holidays (with dates obtained directly from the users and from online sources), based on specific people or locations associated with dates, events, and anniversaries, and which presents intelligently organized location-based collections which can be quickly re-organized by a user.
US09031935B2 Search system, search method, and program
Provided is a search system and a search method to find a document among documents of a search result. This search system includes a division unit that divides a document to be searched into a plurality of blocks in accordance with designated division information, a calculation unit that calculates a hash value of each block by applying a hash function to a character string included in each block, a storage unit that stores the calculated hash value together with positional information on the block in the document, and a document grouping unit that fetches, for each document obtained by searching based on the search word, a corresponding hash value from the storage unit in accordance with positional information on a block including the search word to group documents having the same hash value into one group and output the grouped documents as the search result.
US09031934B2 Estimation of a filter factor used for access path optimization in a database
A computer program product and method for estimating a filter factor for access path optimization in a database are provided. The method includes extracting from a statement segment for database query a relation condition which defines the relationship between a variable and a first table. The method includes obtaining first statistics information according to the relation condition and the statistics information of the first table. The method includes extracting from the statement segment a filter condition which defines the relationship between the variable and a second table. The method includes obtaining second statistics information according to the filter condition and the statistics information of the second table, and according to the first statistics information and the second statistics information, estimating the filter factor of the filter condition. The method and computer program product according to the embodiments of the disclosure may more accurately estimate filter factor of the filter condition.
US09031932B2 Automatic denormalization for analytic query processing in large-scale clusters
A system and method for improving performance of join operations is disclosed. The method in one embodiment includes building a graph of vertices and edges, which represent the tables and join conditions for a particular database schema. The method then traverses the graph to find a set of candidate join operations. The method further includes selecting from the set of subset of join operations that makes the best use of a given amount of memory, which means finding a collection of denormalizations which when residing in memory provide the most benefit and the least cost for the given amount of memory. The method then deploys the denormalizations so that current queries in a query processing system can use them instead of actually performing the joins.
US09031931B2 Systems and methods for providing query results to a user in an intuitive graphical format
Systems and methods for providing database query results to a user in an intuitive graphical format are provided. The system utilizes an intuitive graphical user interface dashboard that displays top-level query statistics data and selected record cards to the user in the dashboard. The user may iteratively update the query and the displayed top-level query statistics and selected records cards are updated in real time. Each customer card include customizable fields and supports intelligent zoom to provide additional fields and data as the user zooms into each successive smaller group of cards and eventually down to opening a single customer card.
US09031928B2 Grouped search query refinements
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on one or more computer storage devices, for grouping search query refinements. One of the methods includes while receiving a text input into an input field by a user and before the user has submitted the text input to a search engine obtaining query suggestions based at least in part on the text input. The method includes grouping query suggestions based on a common query term shared by the query suggestions, wherein the query suggestions include terms that refine the common query term. The method includes transmitting a set of query suggestions to a client device for presentation, wherein the set includes the query suggestions that are presented as a group with the common query term presented in a prominent position and the refinement terms presented in subordinate positions and wherein the common query term and the refinement terms are each user-selectable.
US09031923B2 System for accessing shared data using multiple application servers
A system including multiple application servers for accessing shared data and a centralized control unit for centrally controlling a lock applied to the shared data by each of the application servers. Each application server includes a distributed control unit for controlling a lock applied to the shared data by the application server and a selection unit for selecting any one of distributed mode in which a lock is acquired from the distributed control unit or a centralized mode in which a lock is acquired from the centralized control unit.
US09031921B2 Calculating deduplication digests for a synthetic backup by a deduplication storage system
Input backup data is deduplicated with data of a synthetic backup previously constructed by a deduplication storage. A synthetic backup is constructed by processing metadata instructions provided by a backup application. Deduplication digests are calculated based on the data of the synthetic backup and the deduplication digests are stored in a digests index. When new backup data is processed, deduplication digests of the new data are calculated and searched in the digests index. Matching digests of previously constructed synthetic backups are located in the digests index. Each of the located matching digest references stored data are included in the synthetic backup, and the stored data is similar to the input backup data. Data matches are found in the input data and data in the synthetic backup.
US09031919B2 Content monitoring and compliance enforcement
Responding to a use of controlled content is disclosed. Responding includes receiving an indication of the use of the controlled content including a context of the use of the controlled content, automatically determining using the context an engagement action for responding to the use, and automatically initiating the engagement action.
US09031910B2 System and method for maintaining a cluster setup
Methods and systems are directed to a maintenance procedure in a production environment comprising a primary database and a secondary database. Production data may be stored in the primary database and failover data may be stored in the secondary database. Data from the primary database may be replicated to the secondary database. The maintenance procedure may provide for modification of the primary database and the secondary database to conform to one or more modified requirements of a modified version of the application. During the maintenance procedure, data in the databases may be duplicated, data structures may be modified, and modification of certain data elements may be prohibited.
US09031908B1 Method and apparatus for simultaneous comparison of multiple backup sets maintained in a computer system
Method and apparatus for simultaneous comparison of multiple backup sets maintained in a computer system are described. A plurality of backup sets of data maintained in a computer system including a hierarchy of objects is managed. In some examples, a graphical user interface (GUI) is displayed on a display coupled to the computer, the GUI having views configured show a first group of backup sets from the plurality of backup sets. Individual objects of a selected backup set in the first group of backup sets are pinned in a pinned view of the views in response to a first command. A second group of backup sets from the plurality of backup sets is shown in the views in response to a second command by sliding individual objects of at least one backup set in the plurality of backup sets across at least one unpinned view of the views with respect to the individual objects of the selected backup set in the pinned view.
US09031903B2 Method and system for providing network based transaction metrics
An approach is provided for metrics data collection for business transactions. An online activity (e.g., Application Programming Interface (API) call) associated with a business flow is identified. It is determined whether the online activity is a part of a transaction, wherein the transaction is defined according to a business rule. Status of the transaction is updated if the online activity is a part of the transaction.
US09031901B1 Flexible database schema
Various systems and methods can provide a flexible database schema. One method can store information identifying a first entity in a first table. A unified data model includes several tables, including the first table and a metadata table. Each of the tables stores information describing one or more entities belonging to a respective archetype. The first table already stores information identifying a second entity when the information identifying the first entity is stored. The second entity is already related to another entity when the information identifying the first entity is stored. The first entity is a new type of entity not already stored in the first table when the information identifying the first entity is stored. The method then stores metadata associated with the first entity in a metadata table. The metadata then identifies the new type of entity.
US09031900B2 System and methods for integrating software layers for OLAP
In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a system and methods may be provided for integrating software layers in OLAP including receiving, at an OLAP engine, a dynamic result set structure passed from an application layer via one or more other software layers. The dynamic result set structure may include a description of entities for a target layer. The system and methods may include enhancing raw data, at the OLAP engine, acquired from a database associated with a source layer based on the description of entities for the dynamic result set structure and passing one or more references to one or more memory locations for data elements in the dynamic result set structure from the OLAP engine to the application layer via the one or more other software layers for acquiring each data element associated with each corresponding reference in the dynamic result set structure.
US09031891B2 Computing system and method for controlling the execution of a decision process to maintain the data access efficiency upon receipt of an availability information inquiry
Computer-implemented reservation method and system. The method utilized for controlling the execution of a decision process by a computer backend machine of a computer network upon receipt of a computation inquiry includes associating to the computer backend machine a configuration file containing at least a decision rule that drives the decision process and that is computed at least from a current value of a statistical indicator and a target value of the statistical indicator; periodically obtaining an updated value of the statistical indicator; upon detection that the updated value is differing from the target value, dynamically updating the configuration file which further comprises re-computing the decision rule using the updated value as new current value, and storing in real-time the re-computed decision rule in the configuration file.
US09031878B2 Receiving apparatus and method, information distribution method, filtering and storing program, and recording medium
It is possible for the content distribution side to control the conditions of target viewers for distributions without depending on the functions specific to a receiver. Content which is broadcast, a content profile, and a program are received. In an initial step of the program, prestored viewer profile information is read. All the content profiles and the contents are downloaded temporarily. Next, the profile information is read, and then a process of matching the profile information with the viewer profile information is performed. When it is determined that they do not match, a matching process for the next content profile is performed. If, on the other hand, they match, at the next step, the content is stored. The viewer reproduces the stored content at an appropriate time.
US09031875B1 System and method for reusing payment authorizations
Various embodiments may include a payment management system including an authorization reusability component. The payment management system may be configured to, subsequent to a customer providing payment information for an order, receive a payment authorization that indicates funds of an account associated with the customer have been reserved as a form of payment for a given transaction associated with the order. The payment management system may be configured to assign the reserved funds of the payment authorization to the given transaction. The payment management system may be configured to, subsequent to assigning the reserved funds, reassign at least some of the reserved funds of the authorization to a one or more other transactions. The payment management system may be configured to initiate a settlement of the one or more other transactions, the settlement including the reserved funds reassigned to the one or more other transactions.
US09031874B2 Methods, systems and agreements for increasing the likelihood of repayments under a financing agreement for renewable energy equipment
A system is provided for increasing the probability of timely receiving payment under an agreement between a consumer and a non-utility entity for providing financing for renewable energy consumer premises equipment (CPE) by the consumer for power generation at a consumer premises, the renewable energy CPE adapted to deliver power onto a power grid or to the consumer's premises, the system comprising: a computer for monitoring consumer financial information for by the non-utility entity to detect the consumer's financing default in accordance with the agreement, wherein the renewable energy CPE including a PV array and a control device coupled to the PV array for controlling the operation of the PV array and any power generated by the CPE upon a default detected by the computer.
US09031872B1 Digital sign with incorrectly stocked item identification
A merchandising unit has a merchandise support unit supporting items for sale and an electronic sign. The electronic sign displays a price for correctly stocked items on the merchandise support unit, detects incorrectly stocked items on the merchandise support unit, retrieves a price for the incorrectly stocked items, and alters display information so that the price for the correctly stocked items and the price for the incorrectly stocked items are displayed.
US09031865B1 Methods and systems for organizing products for purchase based on tangential information
Methods and systems for providing an information-conveying layout based on tangential categories of products for sale in a retail location are applicable to any product for which there are multiple complex criteria for determining an appropriate selection. By providing customers with an intuitive and systematic approach to selecting a desired product, such as wine, the present disclosure provides customers the rare satisfaction of quickly making a precise and intelligent decision based on informed choice, rather than choosing only based on a direct category or relying on the suggestions of a salesperson.
US09031863B2 Contextual advertising with user features
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for facilitating contextual selection of advertisements for displaying online via a computer network. In general, user features in the form of text are provided in conjunction with web page content for contextual advertisement matching. In one embodiment, a request for an advertisement to be displayed in a current web page that has been requested by a current user is received. The current user is associated with one or more current user characteristics from a plurality of different user characteristics, and the current web page has an associated content. A mapping model and the one or more current user characteristics are used to obtain a plurality of user-relevant terms for each of the one or more current user characteristics. A combination of the content of the current web page and obtained user-relevant terms are provided for selecting an advertisement for displaying with the current web page based on such combination.
US09031860B2 Systems and methods to aggregate demand
In one aspect, a computing apparatus includes: a data warehouse to store data associating a plurality of account identifiers with an offer having a predefined purchase requirement and an aggregated purchase requirement for a benefit; and a transaction handler configured to process a plurality of transactions. The transaction handler is further configured to determine whether each of the plurality of transactions satisfies a predefined purchase requirement, identify a set of transactions each satisfying the predefined purchase requirement, and determine whether the set of transactions satisfies an aggregated purchase requirement for the benefit. In one example, the transaction handler is configured to provide the benefit via statement credits when the set of transactions satisfies the aggregated purchase requirement.
US09031844B2 Full-sequence training of deep structures for speech recognition
A method includes an act of causing a processor to access a deep-structured model retained in a computer-readable medium, the deep-structured model includes a plurality of layers with respective weights assigned to the plurality of layers, transition probabilities between states, and language model scores. The method further includes the act of jointly substantially optimizing the weights, the transition probabilities, and the language model scores of the deep-structured model using the optimization criterion based on a sequence rather than a set of unrelated frames.
US09031843B2 Method and apparatus for enabling multimodal tags in a communication device by discarding redundant information in the tags training signals
A method and apparatus for enabling multimodal tags in a communication device is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a first training signal and receiving a second training signal in conjunction with the first training signal. A multimodal tag is created by discarding redundant or non-discriminative information associated with each of the first and second training signals to represent a combination of the first training signal and the second training signal and a function is associated with the created multimodal tag.
US09031839B2 Conference transcription based on conference data
In one implementation, a collaboration server is a conference bridge or other network device configured to host an audio and/or video conference among a plurality of conference participants. The collaboration server sends conference data and a media stream including speech to a speech recognition engine. The conference data may include the conference roster or text extracted from documents or other files shared in the conference. The speech recognition engine updates a default language model according to the conference data and transcribes the speech in the media stream based on the updated language model. In one example, the performance of default language model, the updated language model, or both may be tested using a confidence interval or submitted for approval of the conference participant.
US09031838B1 Method and apparatus for voice clarity and speech intelligibility detection and correction
Systems, methods and apparatus are described herein for continuously measuring voice clarity and speech intelligibility by evaluating a plurality of telecommunications channels in real time. Voice clarity and speech intelligibility measurements may be formed from chained, configurable DSPs that can be added, subtracted, reordered, or configured to target specific audio features. Voice clarity and speech intelligibility may be enhanced by altering the media in one or more of the plurality of telecommunications channels. Analytics describing the measurements and enhancements may be displayed in reports, or in real time via a dashboard.
US09031827B2 Multi-lingual conference bridge with cues and method of use
The present invention relates to a new method and system for use of a multi-protocol conference bridge, and more specifically a new multi-language conference bridge system and method of use where different cues, such as an attenuated voice of an original non-interpreted speaker, is used to improve the flow of information over the system.
US09031825B1 Statistical circuit simulation
Method and system are disclosed for statistical circuit simulation. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method for statistical circuit simulation includes providing descriptions of a circuit for simulation, wherein the descriptions include variations of statistical parameters of the circuit, partitioning the circuit into groups of netlists according to variations of statistical parameters of the circuit, simulating the groups of netlists using a plurality of processors in parallel to generate a plurality of output data files, and storing the plurality of output data files in a memory. The method of partitioning the circuit into groups of netlists includes forming the groups of netlists to be simulated in a single instruction multiple data environment, and forming the groups of netlists according to proximity of variations of statistical parameters of the circuit.
US09031822B2 System and method for use in simulating a subterranean reservoir
A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for updating simulation models of a subterranean reservoir. An ensemble of reservoir models representing a subterranean reservoir having non-Gaussian characteristics is provided and the ensemble of reservoir models is updated using a subspace ensemble Kalman filter. Kemal principle component analysis parameterization or K-L expansion parameterization can be used to update the ensemble of reservoir models.
US09031818B2 Adaptive multiple shooting optimization method for determining optimal spacecraft trajectories
Disclosed herein is a method for determining a trajectory for a transfer of a spacecraft from a starting space body to a target space body with respect to a given central space body, wherein the determined trajectory is optimal with respect to a given space mission requirement to be met by the transfer of the spacecraft. The method comprises providing, according to the Pontryagin maximum principle, a physical-mathematical model relating model quantities and physical quantities representing the transfer of the spacecraft with respect to the given central space body.
US09031816B2 Independent component analysis processor
An independent component analysis processor conducts real-time operations of multiple-channel parallel signals. The processor includes an input buffering unit for receiving and storing multiple-channel parallel signals, a mean/covariance unit, a centering unit for removing direct current components in the multiple channels parallel signals, a whitening unit for performing a whitening process, and an ICA training unit and an ICA calculating unit that perform an independent component analysis process, to calculate independent components in the multiple-channel parallel signals and separate artifacts from the signals.
US09031813B2 Methods and apparatus for estimating gravity-free shapes
Methods and apparatus (100,200) for estimating the gravity-free shape of a flexible object (140) such as a thin sheet of glass are provided. In certain embodiments, an estimate of the gravity-free shape is produced using a bed-of-nails (BON) gauge (100) and then the shape is measured at a higher spatial resolution using a second gauge (200), with the theoretical sag between the pins (110) of the BON gauge being subtracted from the shape measured by the second gauge. In other embodiments, shape measurements are performed on both sides of the object (140) and used to estimate the reliability of the gravity-free shape estimate. In further embodiments, the bed-of-nails gauge (100) uses a least squares minimization procedure in adjusting the heights of the pins (110).
US09031812B2 Notifications on a user device based on activity detected by an activity monitoring device
A method for generating a notification on a mobile device is provided, including: establishing a wireless connection to an activity monitoring device; receiving activity data from the activity monitoring device via the wireless connection; processing the activity data to determine an activity metric for a user of the activity monitoring device; comparing the activity metric against a predefined threshold, the predefined threshold being mapped to a notification message; in response to determining that the activity metric reaches or exceeds the predefined threshold, scheduling the notification message for display on the mobile device at a specified date and time; wherein the notification message is displayed on the mobile device at the specified date and time, the display of the notification message providing access to an application for interfacing with the activity monitoring device.
US09031790B2 System and method for correction of borehole effects in a neutron porosity measurement
Systems, methods, and devices for determining a porosity of a subterranean formation corrected for borehole effects are provided. One such device may be a downhole tool capable of being lowered into a borehole of a subterranean formation that may include a neutron source, two or more neutron detectors, and data processing circuitry. The neutron source may emit neutrons into the subterranean formation. The two or more neutron detectors may be respectively disposed at two or more azimuthal orientations within the downhole tool, and may detect neutrons scattered by the subterranean formation or borehole fluid in the borehole, or both. Based on the neutrons detected by the neutron detectors, the data processing circuitry may determine a porosity of the subterranean formation corrected for borehole effects.
US09031789B2 System and method for testing fluid seals for leaks
A system and method for testing a fluid seal in a device can include pumping fluid to the device and a control device simultaneously, while measuring the pressure of the fluid pumping to both devices. A change in volume of the fluid in the control device can be initiated, a change in pressure difference associated with the change in volume can be determined, and a leak test ratio can be formed therefrom. Changes in the pressure difference can be used to determine the presence of fluid leaks, which can be presented as test results to users connected to a network. A leak volume can be determined using the change in pressure difference and the leak test ratio.
US09031787B2 Lane guidance display system, lane guidance display method, and lane guidance display program
A determination unit that determines whether a vehicle is in a lane change state where the vehicle is going to make a lane change from a travelling lane to a recommended lane; and a display control unit that causes a display unit to display the front image on which a guide line is superimposed, wherein the guide line has a front end point and a rear end point, are provided. In the lane change state, the display control unit sets a position of the rear end point in the front image such that the rear end point indicates a central position in a width direction of the vehicle, and, not in the lane change state, the display control unit sets a position of the rear end point in the front image such that the rear end point indicates a central position in a width direction in the travelling lane.
US09031783B2 Repositionable graphical current location indicator
A computer-implemented method includes determining a current location of a mobile device, displaying in a map viewport a first map area surrounding the current location of the mobile device and displaying on the first map area a graphical current location indicator representing the current location of the mobile device. The method further entails repositioning the graphical current location indicator relative to the map viewport by shifting the first map area to a partially overlapping second map area that includes both a new map area and a portion of the first map area that contains the graphical current location indicator.
US09031767B2 Internal combustion engine control device
An electronic control device is applied to an internal combustion engine including an engine driving pump, circulates lubricant by use of a driving force of the internal combustion engine, and reduces that driving load of the pump which works on the internal combustion engine, by executing a low-pressure control to limit a circulation amount of the lubricant when demand for the lubricant is small. Further, when a predetermined automatic stop condition is established, an engine operation is stopped automatically, and when a predetermined restart condition is established during the automatic stop, the internal combustion engine is restarted. Further, the execution of the low-pressure control is prohibited at the time of starting the internal combustion engine along with an operation of an ignition switch, but the execution of the low-pressure control is allowed at the time of restarting the internal combustion engine.
US09031765B2 Method to complete a learning cycle of a recursive least squares approximation
A method to control a non-linear system includes operating a learning cycle to approximate characteristics of the system and, once the learning cycle is complete, operating the system based upon the characteristics. The learning cycle includes monitoring operation of the system, approximating the characteristics of the system with a recursive least squares approximation based upon the monitored operation, comparing variance of the operation to a threshold variance, and completing the learning cycle based upon the variance exceeding the threshold variance.
US09031761B2 Driving assist apparatus for a vehicle
A driving assist apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a determination unit that determines a state of a traffic flow in a lane in which a ego-vehicle is driving, on the basis of acceleration of the ego-vehicle and inter-vehicle distances to other vehicles around the ego-vehicle. The apparatus also includes a drive control unit that controls a motion of the ego-vehicle and is capable of switching drive control according to a determination result by the determination unit. The drive control unit switches the drive control when the determination result indicates that the state of the traffic flow is a state of a critical region which is present in a transition period from a free-flow state to a mixed-flow state. Here, the free-flow state is a state in which the probability of occurrence of traffic congestion is low, and the mixed-flow state is a state in which a braking state and an acceleration state of a vehicle are mixed.
US09031756B2 Method for setting the clamping force applied by a parking brake
In a method for setting the clamping force applied by a parking brake, an electromechanical clamping force portion is set in an electromechanical brake device, and an auxiliary clamping force is set in an auxiliary brake device. A parameter of the electric actuator is regulated to a defined value, while a state variable of the auxiliary brake device, which determines the auxiliary clamping force, is simultaneously set to a setpoint value without feedback control.
US09031753B1 Control apparatus for automatic transmission and control method for automatic transmission
A control apparatus for an automatic transmission that selectively engages a plurality of frictional engaging elements for shift control includes a shift instruction device, a temperature calculator, an engageability determiner, an engagement delay device, a load calculator, a cumulative load calculator, and a threshold temperature changer. The engageability determiner is configured to determine whether at least one of the plurality of frictional engaging elements is engageable or not based on a comparison between a temperature of the at least one of the plurality of frictional engaging elements calculated by the temperature calculator and a predetermined threshold temperature in a case where the shift instruction device outputs a shift instruction. The threshold temperature changer is configured to change the predetermined threshold temperature in a case where a cumulative load calculated by the cumulative load calculator reaches a value greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
US09031751B2 Device for controlling automatic transmission
In a control apparatus for an automatic transmission, a gear shift from a second gear shift stage to a first gear shift stage is inhibited and the gear shift from the first gear shift stage to the second gear shift stage is continued, when, during the gear shift from the first gear shift stage to the second gear shift stage, a request of the gear shift from the second gear shift stage to the first gear shift stage by means of an automatic transmission section has occurred during a time duration from a time at which a gear shift command from the first gear shift stage to the second gear shift stage is issued to a time at which an inertia phase is started.
US09031744B2 Electric power steering apparatus and method of controlling the same
Disclosed are an electric power steering apparatus which controls a current supplied to a motor to adjust a torque of a steering wheel, thereby solving a catching feeling generated when the steering wheel is rotated from opposite ends to a center, and a method of controlling the same.
US09031743B2 Collision avoidance device
A collision avoidance ECU estimates a traveling locus based on an estimated curve radius of an own vehicle in a basic traveling locus estimating unit, and in a changed traveling locus estimating unit, obtains separation distances between an own vehicle and white lines based on the relative positional relationship between an own vehicle and the white lines, and estimates, as a changed traveling locus, a route along the white lines with the obtained separation distances maintained. In a collision judging unit, when auto-steering control and departure warning control are not performed, collision judgment is performed based on the basic traveling locus estimated in the basic traveling locus estimating unit, and when the auto-steering control and departure warning control are performed, the traveling locus is changed to the changed traveling locus estimated in the changed traveling locus estimating unit and collision judgment is performed.
US09031731B2 Apparatus and method for parking assistance
An apparatus and a method for parking assistance is provided that include a controller configured to determine an intention to park based on vehicle condition information and environmental information. In addition, the controller is configured to set a parking mode of a vehicle by analyzing the direction of the vehicle and a gear position, when the vehicle stops in an area in response to determining that the vehicle is to be parked. Furthermore, the controller is configured to assist the vehicle in automatic parking into a target parking lot based on the set parking mode.
US09031730B2 Power demand management apparatus and power demand management system
A power demand management apparatus comprises a schedule holding section that holds a power restriction schedule indicating a device on which a mobile robot is to perform power restriction, in association with a power restriction execution time; a movement instructing section that transmits movement instructions to the robot such that, prior to the power restriction execution time indicated in the power restriction schedule, the robot moves to an area in which is arranged the device on which the power restriction is to be performed at the execution time; and a restriction instructing section that transmits power restriction instructions to the robot, thereby causing the robot to perform the power restriction on the device at the execution time.
US09031729B2 Method and system for controlling a vehicle
A method for controlling a vehicle which includes obtaining, via at least one detecting device, behavior information of a driver in the vehicle, and transitioning control statuses of the vehicle according to the driver behavior information.
US09031728B2 Electric driving type utility vehicle having regenerative brake force distribution control function, and regenerative brake force distribution control method thereof
An electric driving type utility vehicle having a regenerative brake force distribution control function, and a regenerative brake force distribution control method thereof are provided. The utility vehicle includes: a controller for controlling an output and a recovery of a motor; recovery sensing means for sensing a recovery braking state when the motor is driven; a power measurement unit for measuring the amount of recovery power generated in the recovery braking state; and a power switching unit for automatically switching a drive mode from a two-wheel drive mode to a four-wheel drive mode or vice versa according to the load condition. The present invention can switch the present mode to the four-wheel drive mode by operating the power switching unit according to the control of the controller when sensing the recovery brake through the recovery sensing means in the driving state.
US09031727B2 Vehicle travel control apparatus
A vehicle running control device in a vehicle includes a power connecting/disconnecting device interrupting power transmission between an engine and drive wheels, the vehicle running control device providing free-run control of interrupting the power transmission with the power connecting/disconnecting device and stopping the engine during inertia running, the vehicle running control device being configured to determine a target vehicle deceleration at the start of the free-run control based on a vehicle speed and to estimate an estimated vehicle deceleration when the free-run control is started, before starting the free-run control, and when the estimated vehicle deceleration is closer to the target vehicle deceleration at the start of the free-run control, the free-run control being more easily provided.
US09031718B2 Aircraft and control method therefor
An aircraft is provided with: an attitude control command calculating section which calculates an attitude control command for target attitude on the basis of a control stick operation amount; a gain value generating section which generates a gain value equal to or less than 1 which decreases as the control stick operation amount is larger; a multiplication section which multiplies the attitude control command for target attitude by the gain value; and a addition section which adds a rate damping control command to the attitude control command for target attitude multiplied by the gain value and outputs a result to a subtraction section for calculating an SAS command.
US09031710B2 Cloud-based vehicle information and control system
Systems and methods for providing a cloud-based vehicle information and control ecosystem are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: providing a first layer of a cloud-based vehicle information and control ecosystem, the first layer being in data communication with at least one network resource via a network cloud; providing a second layer of the cloud-based vehicle information and control ecosystem in data communication with the first layer, the second layer being in data communication with at least one mobile device; providing a third layer of the cloud-based vehicle information and control ecosystem in data communication with the second layer, the third layer including a subsystem for linking the third layer to at least one electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle; and causing, by use of a data processor, data indicative of a state change occurring in the at least one ECU to be communicated to a component in the first layer.
US09031703B2 Operation management apparatus, operation management method, and operation management program
An operation management apparatus includes an air conditioning thermal load prediction unit configured to calculate an air conditioning thermal load predicted value indicating a predicted amount of heat required to adjust temperature to a pre-set temperature on a day-of-prediction, a power generation output prediction processing unit configured to calculate power generation output prediction data indicating a generated power obtained by a generator within the day-of-prediction, and an operation planning unit configured to prepare an air conditioning heat source operation plan, and determines a purchased power and the generated power using the power generation output prediction data to thereby prepare a power facility operation plan indicating a schedule of a power output from the purchased power source and the generator, so that the purchased power per predetermined time supplied from a purchased power source of a commercial power system becomes a target value.
US09031695B2 Medical diagnosis and/or intervention device
On a medical diagnosis and/or intervention device having a movable component, collision sensors are to be arranged without the cabling outlay becoming too high. This is made possible by the collision sensors being capable of sending signals wirelessly. The voltage supply can also be provided wirelessly along a section by using e.g. a slip ring.
US09031690B2 Automated retrieval and delivery of medications
This invention relates to a process and a device for automatically delivering and retrieving singular medication from a plurality of containers or product blister packages, storing and recording medication transactions for each patient, and the crushing of designated medications. This invention also relates to medication control, delivery, consumption verification and monitoring within institutional entities.
US09031687B2 Method for predicting worked shape, method for determining working conditions, working method, working system, semiconductor device manufacturing method, computer program and computer program storage medium
The relationship between polishing conditions constituting elements and the worked shape (amount of polishing) obtained by means of these polishing conditions is input beforehand into polishing condition determining means along with the type of the object of polishing, and polishing conditions (invariable polishing conditions) that are used in common for the polishing of this object of polishing. The polishing condition determining means determine the polishing conditions on the basis of these conditions. Specifically, the above-mentioned polishing conditions constituting elements are given in a time series, or combinations of the above-mentioned polishing conditions constituting elements are converted into variations in the swinging velocity of the polishing body, and the swinging velocity corresponding to the swinging position is determined. The polishing apparatus control means input the polishing conditions determined by the polishing condition determining means, and control the polishing apparatus so that these polishing conditions are realized. As a result, working conditions for obtaining a specified worked shape in a working apparatus can be simply and accurately determined.
US09031683B2 Systems and methods for managing material storage vessels having information storage elements
Material management systems and methods include material storage vessels with information (e.g., electronic information) storage. Information may be communicated from a storage device to a process tool controller and employed to set or adjust a process tool operating parameter. Material information may be determined by remote analysis and subsequently communicated to an electronic information storage device of a vessel containing such material. Location and movement of material storage vessels within a customer facility may be automatically tracked, with further transfer of material-specific information. Product information may be associatively stored with material-specific information utilized in product manufacture.
US09031679B2 Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing a plurality of pre-encoded payloads to generate a packet stream transmission
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing a plurality of pre-encoded payloads in a stream transmission are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes receiving a plurality of payload streams associated with an audio stream clip file and selecting a first payload stream encoded at a first bit rate from the plurality of payload streams as the payload for a packet stream transmission being sent to a device under test. The method also includes receiving a bit rate change request that indicates a second payload stream encoded at a second bit rate is to be used as the payload for the packet stream transmission and conducting a synchronization procedure that synchronizes a first packet of the second payload stream with a last packet of the first payload stream in order to transition the packet stream transmission from the first bit rate to the second bit rate.
US09031670B2 Electromagnetic shield for a passive electronic component in an active medical device implantable lead
A shielded component or network for an active medical device (AMD) implantable lead includes an implantable lead having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end, all external of an AMD housing, a passive component or network disposed somewhere along the length of the implantable lead, the passive component or network including at least one inductive component having a first inductive value, and an electromagnetic shield substantially surrounding the inductive component or the passive network. The first inductive value of the inductive component is adjusted to account for a shift in its inductance to a second inductive value when shielded.
US09031662B2 Implantable medical device including surface geometry having reduced biofilm formation characteristics
An implantable medical device configured to be implanted in a recipient. The implantable medical device includes an implantable assembly, wherein the exterior geometry of the implantable assembly is adapted to inhibit formation of a biofilm thereon after implantation in the recipient.
US09031657B2 Implantable device for acquisition and monitoring of brain bioelectric signals and for intracranial stimulation
An implantable device for the acquisition and monitoring of brain bioelectric signals is described. The implantable device has a plurality of active electrodes configured to detect brain bioelectric signals, the active electrodes being arranged on a grid connected to an electronic module of the implantable device according to a predefined pattern. The active electrodes are connected to a microprocessor of the electronic module through respective paths formed on the grid and connected to at least one analog input unit arranged in the electronic module, the at least one analog input unit being in turn connected to at least one passive electrode and to the microprocessor through a data bus. The at least one analog input unit has an analog-to-digital converter for each active electrode connected thereto. A data acquisition and processing system, which includes the implantable device is also described.
US09031654B2 Method of stimulating a hypoglossal nerve for controlling the position of a patient's tongue
A method for controlling a position of a patient's tongue includes attaching at least one electrode to the patient's Hypoglossal nerve and applying an electric signal through the electrode to at least one targeted motor efferent located within the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least one muscle of the tongue. Methods may also include the use of more than one contact to target more than one motor efferent and stimulating more than one muscle. The stimulation load to maintain the position of the tongue may be shared by each muscle. The position of the patient's tongue may be controlled in order to prevent obstructive sleep apnea.
US09031652B2 Use case-based services
An apparatus comprises an external device for communication with an implantable device. The external device includes a communication circuit configured to receive a communication signal from at least a third device separate from the external device and the implantable device, a locating circuit configured to determine a location of the external device using the received communication signal, a port configured to receive user identity information into the external device, and a control circuit electrically coupled to the communication circuit, the locating circuit, and the port. The control circuit is configured to allow user access to an implantable device feature according to the determined location and received user identity information.
US09031649B2 Reducing inappropriate delivery of therapy for suspected non-lethal arrhythmias
An implantable medical device (IMD) identifies suspected non-lethal ventricular arrhythmia, and takes one or more actions in response to the identification to avoid or delay delivery of a defibrillation or cardioversion shock. The IMD employs number of intervals to detect (NID) thresholds for detection of ventricular arrhythmias. When a NID threshold is met, the IMD determines whether the ventricular rhythm is a suspected non-lethal rhythm despite satisfying a NID threshold. In some embodiments, the IMD increases the NID threshold, i.e., extends the time for detection, in response to identifying a rhythm as a suspected non-lethal rhythm, and monitors subsequent ventricular beats to determine if the increased NID threshold is met before detecting a ventricular arrhythmia and delivering therapy. The IMD can determine whether a rhythm is a suspected non-lethal arrhythmia by, for example, comparing the median ventricular cycle length (VCL) to the median atrial cycle length (ACL).
US09031643B2 Method for monitoring and communicating biomedical electromagnetic fields
The present invention provides a system and a method of monitoring and communicating biomedical data to a remote receiver. Specifically, the present invention provides a system and method that can monitor a biomedical-based electromagnetic field, e.g., heart rate variability (HRV) field, emitted from a human user (“sender”), and/or communicate the biomedical-based electromagnetic field to a remote receiver by measuring the biomedical-based electromagnetic field emitted from the sender, creating an electronic signal corresponding to the field and transmitting or broadcast and/or apply the signal to a remote receiver.
US09031642B2 Methods for simultaneous cardiac substrate mapping using spatial correlation maps between neighboring unipolar electrograms
A base cardiac electrogram signal at a base electrode is recorded for a predetermined amount of time. A plurality of cardiac electrogram signals at a plurality of electrodes other than the base electrode are recorded for the predetermined amount of time. The base cardiac electrogram signal is compared with each of the plurality of cardiac electrogram signals. The similarities between the base cardiac electrogram signal and each of the plurality of cardiac electrogram signals is determined. A specific area of cardiac tissue where the base electrode is positioned is mapped based at least in part on the determined similarities.
US09031636B2 MRI-compatible head fixation apparatus
An MRI-compatible base is configured to support an MRI-compatible head support frame. The base is configured to be secured to a gantry associated with an MRI scanner, and to extend across a width of the gantry. The base allows the head support frame to be moved to any of a plurality of locations across the width of the gantry, and allows the head support frame to rotate about two orthogonal axes so as to be positioned at any of a plurality of angles relative to the gantry.
US09031630B2 Analyte sensors and methods of use
An analyte sensor system including a substrate, a first electrode disposed on a first surface of the substrate, a second electrode disposed on a second surface of the substrate, a third electrode provided in electrical contact with at least one of the first or second electrodes, where at least a portion of the first electrode and the second electrode are subcutaneously positioned in a patient, and where the third electrode is substantially entirely positioned external to the patient, and corresponding methods are provided.
US09031624B2 Intelligent mirror
A mobile telephone or cellular telephone unit and a rearview mirror housing of an automobile are combined to provide an improved telephone apparatus that allows for efficient projection of images on a windshield of a vehicle.
US09031620B2 Second microphone device of a mobile terminal
A second microphone device of a mobile terminal, and more particularly, a second microphone device of a mobile terminal for preventing various limitations caused by mounting of a second microphone, is provided. The second microphone device includes an ear jack connector having an insertion space, a microphone hole connected at one end to the insertion space, and a second microphone connected at the other end of the microphone hole, thereby improving ambient noise removal performance of the mobile terminal without adversely affecting its appearance.
US09031615B2 Expedited communication key system and method
A method of performing expedited communication functions on a mobile device includes monitoring the duration-of key press on a keyboard of the mobile device and determining if the monitored duration of the key press is greater than a threshold duration. If the monitored duration of the key press is determined to be less than a threshold duration, then a primary key function associated with the pressed key is activated. If the monitored duration of the key press is determined to be greater than a threshold duration, then an expedited communication function associated with the pressed key is activated.
US09031614B2 Method and apparatus for secure electronic business card exchange
An electronic business card is provided with voice data associated with the card owner. In some embodiments, the voice data is a digitized voice sample; in other embodiments, the voice data is a selection of pre-processed voice recognition data associated with a voice sample. In some implementations, the electronic business card can be transferred to other parties using a Bluetooth personal network. A user application can then make use of the voice sample or pre-processed voice recognition data for security or user identification.
US09031610B2 Camera attachment for phone
Embodiments generally relate to an external camera that can be attached to a mobile device such as a phone. A housing is used for mounting the camera onto the mobile device. Mechanisms are provided for enabling the camera to communicate with the phone. In some embodiments the camera can include a shutter button for triggering the camera to capture the least one image. The camera can activate the phone and put the phone into a camera mode when the shutter button is pressed.
US09031601B2 Controlling radio transmitter power based on signal performance
Embodiments herein include a method of controlling the total power with which a radio transmitter of a radio access node transmits a signal. The method entails inputting an input signal into a power amplifier of the radio transmitter to produce, as a function of the input signal, an output signal to be transmitted by the radio transmitter. The method further entails generating a feedback signal from the output signal at the radio transmitter, and measuring that feedback signal to obtain one or more performance metrics that characterize performance of the output signal. The method finally includes comparing the one or more performance metrics to one or more performance metric thresholds, and controlling a maximum permissible level of the total power of the input signal, based on that comparison.
US09031590B2 Method for cooperative data transmission among terminals, and method for clustering cooperative terminals for same
The present description relates to a method in which a base station clusters cooperative terminals so as to enable cooperative data transmission among terminals. The clustering method comprises the following steps: identifying terminals which can transmit data of an opponent terminal; generating a cooperative cluster containing the identified terminals; transmitting information on the cooperative cluster to the terminals which belongs to the cooperative cluster; and receiving data of a second terminal from a first terminal, which are terminals belonging to the cooperative cluster.
US09031567B2 Method and apparatus for transmitter optimization based on allocated transmission band
First and second inputs are received. The first input indicates a frequency offset of a frequency band allocated for signal transmission. The said allocated band is a subband of a total band available for transmission. The second input indicates a bandwidth of the allocated band. One or more filters of a transmitter of a communications system are controlled to operate cumulatively in a lowpass filtering mode, wherein the highest frequency in a pass band in the lowpass filtering mode is less than the highest frequency of the total band available for transmission. A signal is filtered using the filter(s).
US09031566B2 Home base station access method, home base station system and home base station access point
The present invention discloses a home NodeB access method comprising: during initialization, a home NodeB access point selecting a home NodeB gateway connected to one of core networks which the home NodeB access point has right to access as a serving home NodeB gateway; the home NodeB access point registering in the serving home NodeB gateway, registering user information with the serving home NodeB gateway after receiving a non-access layer message sent from a user equipment, and forwarding the non-access layer message to the serving home NodeB gateway; and the serving home NodeB gateway forwarding the non-access layer message to a core network corresponding to a network access identifier of the user equipment according to the identifier after receiving the non-access layer message; and the core network interacting with the user equipment to complete access of the user equipment; so as to achieve share of the home NodeB.
US09031557B2 Method and apparatus for steering of roaming
A system and method for implementing steering of roaming (SOR) services in wireless networks is disclosed. The SOR platform operates on messages transmitted by a home location register (HLR), intercepting them and denying use of a visited network unless it is the preferred visited network of a home network.
US09031526B2 Method and apparatus for in-channel interference cancellation
A communication device includes a receiver that is capable of canceling in-channel interference. The receiver includes an antenna for receiving a wireless signal comprising in-channel components and an out-of-channel component, wherein the in-channel components comprise a desired component and an in-channel interference component. A first filter of the receiver filters the wireless signal by blocking at least a portion of the out-of-channel component to produce a first signal comprising the in-channel components, and at least a second filter of the receiver filters the wireless signal by blocking at least a portion of the in-channel components to produce a second signal comprising the out-of-channel component. An in-channel interference estimator of the receiver generates an in-channel interference estimation signal based on the second signal. And a combiner of the filter combines the first signal and the second signal to at least partially cancel the in-channel interference component of the first signal.
US09031520B2 Transmitter and method with RF power amplifier having control loop stabilized bias
A transmitter (32) generates a time-varying stabilized bias signal (82) from which an amplifier-generated, sub-RF distortion signal (26) has been canceled. The distortion signal (26) is a byproduct of amplification and is generated due to imperfect linearity and/or other characteristics of a linear RF power amplifier (36). An envelope amplifier (84) includes a high bandwidth differential input, linear, bias signal amplifier (120) and a low bandwidth switching amplifier (122) coupled together to achieve both a high bandwidth and high efficiency. A control loop (154) feeds a portion of the voltage V(t) from a conduction node (146) of the RF power amplifier (36) to one of the differential inputs of the linear bias signal amplifier (120), while a bias control signal (92) drives the other differential input. The portion of voltage V(t) fed to bias signal amplifier (120) is a low power portion from which the RF portion has been removed.
US09031516B2 Apparatus and method for impedance adjustment
A transceiver includes an antenna, an impedance adjustment device, an RF (Radio Frequency) front-end circuit, a storage device, and a processor. The antenna receives an RF signal. The impedance adjustment device is coupled to the antenna, and includes a plurality of branch circuit with different impedance values and a switch module. The processor is coupled to the RF front-end circuit and controls the switch modules. In a comparison mode, the switch module selects to connect to the branch circuits individually, and the processor detects each RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indications) value corresponding to the branch circuit and records all of the RSSI values to the storage device respectively. In the comparison mode, the processor further compares the RSSI values to for highest one. Finally, the switch module selects the branch circuit corresponding to the highest RSSI value as a transmission branch.
US09031501B2 Method of interference reduction by geo-localisation of terminals in a satellite telecommunication network
A process for eliminating interference in a telecommunications network including a multi-beam satellite, a coverage area made up of a plurality of cells in which terminals are located, at least two of the cells, referred to as the first and second cell, being associated with the same frequency band, a first earth station including a first demodulator capable of demodulating signals transmitted by terminals located in the first cell and a second earth station including a second demodulator different from the first demodulator capable of demodulating signals transmitted by terminals located in the second cell. The process uses information supplied by the terminal, particularly its position and transmission parameters, and enables the appropriate G/T figure to be deduced. This information is then transmitted to the demodulator of the second earth station and will be used to reconstruct the signal incorporating the message and remove it from the received signal.
US09031500B2 Portable electronic device and operation method for establishing a near field communication link
A portable electronic device (110) with a NFC (near field communication) unit (114) is switchable between an active mode and a passive mode. A motion sensor unit (112) records a motion of the portable electronic device (110), and outputs a motion signal descriptive for the recorded motion. A processing unit (111) analysis the motion signal to detect a first predefined motion pattern including an acceleration and a deceleration phase. The NFC unit (114) is switched into the active mode upon detection of a first predefined motion pattern descriptive for an NFC touch gesture.
US09031499B2 Car-to-X communication system, participant in such a system, and method for receiving radio signals in such a system
Motor vehicles as well as infrastructure stations, which are stationary and which are installed on the side of the road such as traffic light systems for example, are provided as participants in a Car-to-X network. The vehicles include an automobile radio together with the communication unit for communicating with other participants of the network. In the event that such a vehicle travels through a region, for example a tunnel or a forest, in which a direct antenna reception of the radio signal of the radio station set in the automobile radio is poor or impossible and thus the reception quality of said radio signal is poor, the driver can be irritated or angered due to static or other disruptive noises as well as a loss of sound. Reception of radio signals in a Car-to-X communication system is improved by forwarding radio signals from one user to another.
US09031496B2 Apparatus and method for communication satellite monitoring
Provided is an apparatus for monitoring a communication satellite, including: a receiver to receive at least one satellite service signal from a satellite repeater; a measurement unit to measure a frequency, a bandwidth, and a magnitude of the at least one satellite service signal; a controller to determine whether a signal transmitting station malfunctions by comparing the at least one satellite service signal with a predetermined reference value based on the measurement result; and a communication unit to inform an operator terminal about a malfunction of the signal transmitting station when the signal transmitting station is determined to malfunction.
US09031495B2 System and method for optimization of network delivery of streaming data
A system and method for optimizing network delivery of streaming data is provided. Streaming delivery of data using point-to-point transmitters and broadcast transmitters can be dynamically controlled to maximize the usage of network resources. Current usage of respective systems can be analyzed, as can projected usage be analyzed. Network resources can be reallocated, and connecting devices can be redirected as needed to maintain high efficiency of allocated resources.
US09031483B2 Fixing device with sheet separating device that uses compressed gas and image forming apparatus
A sheet separating device is attached to a fixing device. The fixing device includes: a fixing member that is a rotary body having a heating unit; and a pressing member that is pressed against and is brought into contact with the fixing member. The fixing device conveys a sheet material that carries unfixed toner thereon through a nip section formed by the fixing member and the pressing member so as to fix the unfixed toner image to the sheet material. The sheet separating device includes: at least one nozzle member that discharges compressed gas from the direction of a nip outlet toward the nip section along the fixing member. The nozzle member is rotatably supported by a shaft member that is provided parallel to the fixing member and includes a gas flow passage through which compressed gas is supplied to the nozzle member.
US09031472B2 Developing device with a developer conveying member having paddles connecting spiral blades at one circumferential position and image forming apparatus with such a developing device
A developing device includes a housing containing a developer, a developer carrier, a developer conveying path, a developer conveying member, and a plurality of paddle members. The developer conveying path includes a first conveying path and a second conveying path. The developer conveying member is disposed in the second conveying path and includes a rotating shaft and spiral blades formed around the rotating shaft. The developer conveying member is rotationally driven to convey the developer in the second direction and feeds the developer to the developer carrier. The plurality of paddle members project in a radial direction from the rotating shaft of the developer conveying member at one circumferential position on the rotating shaft. The plurality of paddle members is contiguously arranged in the axial direction of the rotating shaft to connect the spiral blades adjacent to each other in the axial direction.
US09031469B2 Image forming apparatus and process cartridge incorporated therein
A tandem-type electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes multiple color image forming units using a dry toner, a first black image forming unit using the dry toner, and a second black image forming unit using a wet toner and performs an image formation with the dry toner in a first printing mode and an image formation with the wet toner in a second printing mode. The image formed in the second printing mode with the wet toner is fixed to a recording medium at a temperature lower than the image formed in the first printing mode with the dry toner. Each of the image forming units corresponds to a process cartridge that is removably installable in the tandem-type electrophotographic image forming apparatus and including an image carrier and other image forming components integrally therein.
US09031463B2 Electrophotographic photoconductor, image forming method, image forming apparatus and process cartridge
An electrophotographic photoconductor including a metal tube and a photoconductive layer on the metal tube, wherein the metal tube has an outer diameter of 40 mm to 300 mm, and has a total runout of 5 μm to 70 μm relative to a driving axis thereof.
US09031459B2 Process cartridge and image forming device
An image forming device, including a cylindrical photoreceptor drum, an end member having a tubular body which is mounted at an end portion of the photoreceptor drum and which has an outer circumferential surface serving as a sliding surface, and a bearing configured to have a hole which defines an inner peripheral surface that corresponds to a sliding surface, the bearing supporting the tubular body of the end member by inserting the tubular body into the hole, wherein a difference between an outside diameter of a part provided with the sliding surface of the end member and a diameter of the hole of the bearing is equal to or more than 0.06 mm and equal to or less than 0.5 mm.
US09031457B2 Developer unit and image formation device
A developing unit and image formation device in which a developer carrier is reliably pressed towards and separated from an image carrier is described. A separation and pressing mechanism is provided for separating and pressing the developer carriers of developing cartridges installed in a drum unit onto image carriers. This separation and pressing mechanism has a pair of direct cam members. Each direct cam member has a release action portion that engages with the releasing projection of a developing cartridge when the developer carrier is to be separated from the image carrier. Each direct cam member may also have a pressing action portion that engages with the pressing projection of the developing cartridges when the developer carrier is to be pressed onto the image carrier.
US09031449B2 Toner collector and image forming apparatus including same
A toner collector includes a housing, an inlet port, a fan, a discharge port, a first upstream side filter, and a downstream side filter. The inlet port is opened in the housing. The fan is disposed in the housing, and intakes and discharges the airflow having flowed in through the inlet port. The discharge port is provided to the fan. The first upstream side filter is disposed on an upstream side of the fan in a direction of the airflow, and captures the toner and allows passage of the airflow. The downstream side filter is disposed on a downstream side of the discharge port in the direction of the airflow, and allows passage of the airflow discharged from the discharge port and captures the toner. The downstream side filter has a larger cross-sectional area of a cross section perpendicular to the direction of the airflow than the discharge port.
US09031443B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming station for forming an unfixed image on a recording material; a fixing portion for heating and fixing an unfixed image formed on the recording material, the fixing portion including a fixing rotatable member, and a pressing roller cooperative with the fixing rotatable member to form a nip for nipping and feeding the recording material; an ambient condition sensor for detecting an ambient temperature and an ambient humidity; and a controller for controlling the fixing portion; wherein the controller sets such a warming-up time for warming up the fixing portion that a temperature of the pressing roller at the time when the recording material enters the nip is a temperature calculated on the basis of the ambient temperature and the ambient humidity.
US09031435B2 Image formation apparatus
An image formation apparatus includes: a developer image formation section configured to form plural developer images whose colors are different from each other; a transfer device configured to transfer the plural developer images onto a medium while superimposing the developer images on each other, thereby to form a multi-color developer image on the medium; and a memory configured to store information on priority color settings including plural priority colors and transfer orders of the plural developer images which are predetermined for the respective priority colors. When one of the priority colors is selected, the image formation apparatus transfers the plural developer images sequentially in the transfer order for the priority color setting of the selected priority color.
US09031429B2 Gloss processing apparatus
A sheet of paper is set on a paper-supplying portion of a top surface gloss processing apparatus while its top surface is faced upward. A gloss level sensor measures gloss level of the top surface of the sheet of paper. Data of this measurement is compared with a previously set threshold value. Based on this comparison, it is determined whether or not the gloss processing has been performed on the top surface thereof. When determining that the gloss processing has been already performed, a warning message such that the gloss processing has been already performed on the top surface of the sheet, of paper is displayed on a screen. On the other hand, when determining that the gloss processing has not performed, the top surface gloss processing apparatus performs the gloss processing on the top surface thereof.
US09031416B2 Apparatus and method for supporting mobility of a mobile terminal that performs visible light communication
A method and apparatus for supporting mobility of a mobile terminal in a Visible Light Communication (VLC) system. The method includes activating only necessary light sources for VLC considering the mobility of the mobile terminal, instead of using total light sources for VLC. Consequently, power consumption can be significantly reduced.
US09031415B2 Adaptor system for an Ethernet network
An Ethernet adapter system may include a transmitter to insert a payload type identifier sequence in a generic frame procedure header to indicate that a network is a converged enhanced Ethernet network. The transmitter may insert idle sequences in a stream of data frames transmitted along a link. The system may include a receiver to recognize a condition and to force a loss of synchronization condition on the link that will be converted by the receiver into a loss of light condition. The receiver may scan the transmitted stream of data frames for invalid data frames and introduce a code into the stream of data frames whenever an invalid data frame is detected.
US09031395B2 Moving member control apparatus and imaging apparatus incorporating the same
The present invention relates to a moving member control apparatus that makes sure unerring control of a moving member having an ill-balanced structure and an imaging apparatus that incorporates that control apparatus.
US09031393B2 Methods for enhancing camera focusing performance using camera orientation
An electronic system for enhancing camera focusing on a portable electronic device is disclosed. The system comprises a body, a bus, and a camera module coupled to the bus and comprising a photosensitive substrate and a lens assembly wherein the lens assembly comprises a lens capable of being selectively moved to a distance from the photosensitive substrate for light focus thereon. Further, it comprises an accelerometer coupled to the bus and configured to generate orientation information, said orientation information indicating contemporaneous orientation of the body with respect to a predetermined reference. It also comprises a memory and a processor coupled to the bus. The memory comprises instructions that when executed implement an autofocus program configured to automatically determine the distance based on: 1) image data captured by said camera module; and 2) the orientation information generated by the accelerometer.
US09031390B2 Wiper device
A wiper device that includes: a wiper motor that swings a wiper blade that is coupled to the wiper motor through a wiper arm to-and-fro over a window pane between an upper return position and a lower return position; and a drive component that gradually increases power supplied to the wiper motor until the rotation speed of the wiper motor reaches a specific speed when the wiper motor has been restarted from a stationary state of the wiper blade between the upper return position and the lower return position.
US09031389B2 Image editing apparatus, image editing method and program
Method and information processing apparatus for generating an edited work including a subset of a plurality of scenes in an image material. The information processing apparatus includes a memory configured to store the image material including the plurality of scenes. The information processing apparatus further includes a processor configured to select, for an n-th scene of the edited work, a plurality of first candidate scenes from the plurality of scenes based on at least one feature of a preceding (n−1-th) scene of the edited work and features of the plurality of scenes. The processor is also configured to generate a graphical user interface including a scene selection area and a preview area. The scene selection area includes one or more first candidate images corresponding to at least one of the plurality of first candidate scenes, and the preview area includes a preview of the preceding (n−1-th) scene.
US09031388B2 Apparatus and method of seamless switching between a live DTV decoding and a PVR playback
Methods and apparatus for switching between a live video decoding and a recorded playback in a digital video and recording system. A received video data stream is transmitted to a first-in first-out video decoder buffer without first looping the video data stream through a playback buffer. The video data stream is transmitted from the video decoder buffer to a video decoder. If a “pause” command is received, the video data stream is transmitted to a first-in first-out playback buffer, while continuing to transmit the video data stream to the video decoder buffer. Transmission of the video data stream to the video decoder buffer is halted when the video decoder buffer fills up. The last byte of the video data stream that was transmitted to the video decoder buffer is marked. If a “play” command is received, the video data stored in the video decoder buffer is transmitted to the video decoder. The video data stored in the playback buffer is transmitted to the video decoder buffer starting at a point immediately after the data element that was marked previously.
US09031385B2 Television receiver storage management
Various arrangements for managing television programming storage at a television receiver are presented. User input specifying a number of days for retention of each managed array of a plurality of managed arrays of television channels to be recorded by the television receiver may be received. A television service provider may select a plurality of television channels for recording as the plurality of managed arrays of television channels. Also, the television service provider may define times for recording of the plurality of television channels of the plurality of managed arrays of television channels. A first amount of storage space for storage of the plurality of managed arrays of television channels may be calculated based on the number of days for retention. The first amount of storage space of a storage medium to the plurality of managed arrays of television channels may be allocated.
US09031375B2 Video frame still image sequences
An electronic device may determine to present a video frame still image sequence version of a video instead of the video. The electronic device may derive a plurality of still images from the video. The electronic device may generate the video frame still image sequence by associating the plurality of still images. The electronic device may present the video frame still image sequence. The video frame still image sequence may be displayed according to timing information to resemble play of the video. In some cases, audio may also be derived from the video. In such cases, display of the video frame still image sequence may be performed along with play of the audio.
US09031374B2 Optical fiber guide device
The invention relates to a device for guiding an optical fiber (2), which is intended to be mounted on a vertical tower (T) for manufacturing an optical fiber (2), the fiber being produced from an oven (18) located at the upper portion of the tower (T) and being moved vertically downward relative to the tower (T), the guide device (1) being located downstream of the oven (18), the device including: a first guide pulley (10), at least one surface (1220) for twisting the fiber (2), which is located downstream of the first guide pulley (10), a second guide pulley (14) located downstream of the at least one surface (1220) for twisting the fiber (2), and a deflecting pulley (16), the distance (C) between the first guide pulley (10) and the at least one surface for twisting the fiber (1220) being greater than the distance (D) between the at least one surface for twisting the fiber (1220) and the second pulley (14), the device being characterized in that it timber includes a second surface (1222) for twisting the optical fiber (2), wherein the two surfaces (1220, 1222) for twisting the optical fiber (2) are the two sides of a groove formed in a single twisting pulley (122).
US09031373B2 Lightwave circuit and method for manufacturing same
Provided are a lightwave circuit and a method of manufacturing the same. The lightwave circuit includes a first substrate having an engraved core formation groove which is formed on an upper portion of the first substrate, a core layer which is formed inside the engraved core formation groove, a BPSG bonding layer which is formed on the first substrate including the core layer, and a second substrate which is formed on the BPSG bonding layer. Accordingly, light loss and branching uniformity of the lightwave circuit are effectively improved, and the lightwave circuit is manufactured simply and inexpensively while also further improving light loss and branching uniformity of the lightwave circuit.
US09031372B2 Holey fiber and method of producing the same
A holey fiber includes: a core portion; an inner-cladding portion positioned at an outer periphery of the core portion, the inner-cladding portion having a plurality of inner holes formed in a layered structure around the core portion; and an outer-cladding portion positioned at an outer periphery of the inner-cladding portion, the outer-cladding portion having a plurality of outer holes formed in a layered structure around the inner-cladding portion. The inner holes are disposed to form a triangular lattice of which lattice constant Λ1 is equal to or smaller than 2.0 μm and to form equal to or greater than two layers. The outer holes are disposed to form a triangular lattice of which lattice constant Λ2 is greater than the Λ1 and equal to or larger than 3.0 μm and to form equal to or greater than two layers. The overlap index is equal to or greater than 2.0%.
US09031370B2 Grooved optical fiber jacket
An optical fiber is disclosed which includes a protective outer jacket. The outer protective jacket is grooved to include one or more peripheral grooves formed into the jacket. In operation of a laser device, laser energy passes through the optical fiber to the distal tip of the optical fiber. As the distal tip erodes, the outer protective jacket also erodes in a controlled fashion such that portions of the outer jacket flake off as the fiber tip erodes to the position of the peripheral grooves formed in the outer jacket rather than in a random fashion.
US09031367B2 Optical element package and manufacturing method thereof
An optical element package includes an optical wave guide array, at least one optical assembly and at least one optical transmission member. The optical wave guide array has a reflection groove. The reflection groove includes a reflection surface. The at least one optical assembly is positioned on the optical wave guide array adjacent to the reflection surface. The at least one optical transmission member is positioned on the optical wave guide array, and is optically coupled with the reflection surface. The optical signals emitted by the at least one optical assembly are reflected by the reflection surface and then reaching the at least one optical transmission member for transmission.
US09031363B2 Optical communication device with photoelectric element and driver chip
An optical communication device includes a substrate, a photoelectric element, a driver chip, a light waveguide unit, and a lens element. The substrate defines a receiving groove and a number of positioning holes around the receiving groove. The photoelectric element and the driver are electrically positioned on the substrate. The photoelectric element is configured for emitting/receiving optical signals, and the driver chip is configured for driving the photoelectric element to emit/receive optical signals. The light waveguide unit is configured for transmitting optical signals. The lens element includes a number of positioning portions corresponding to the positioning holes. The lens element is received in the receiving groove, and the positioning portions are received in the positioning holes.
US09031359B2 Delay line interferometer multiplexer
In an embodiment, a delay line interferometer (DLI) multiplexer (MUX) includes a first stage and a second stage. The first stage includes a first DLI and a second DLI. The first DLI includes a first left input, a first right input, and a first output and has a free spectral range (FSR) that is about four times a nominal channel spacing. The second DLI includes a second left input, a second right input, and a second output and has an FSR that is about four times the nominal channel spacing. The second stage is coupled to the first stage and includes a third DLI. The third DLI includes a third left input optically coupled to the first output, a third right input optically coupled to the second output, and a third output. An FSR of the third DLI is about two times the nominal channel spacing.
US09031358B2 Video retargeting using seam carving
Aspects of the present disclosure provide improved image resizing techniques including seam craving and seam lining that consider image content in addition to geometric constraints. In one aspect of the disclosure, the energy for each of the pixels of an image is determined in accordance with an energy function. A line energy is determined for each straight line of the image, and the line energy corresponds to a sum of the energy of the pixels in each straight line. A plurality of starting points are identified for a plurality of seams corresponding to the straight lines having the lowest line energy. Further, the paths for each of the seams are determined. The image may be resized by removing the seams from the image.
US09031352B2 Auto-focus image system
An auto focus image system that includes a pixel array coupled to a focus signal generator. The pixel array captures an image that has at least one edge. The focus signal generator may generate a focus signal that is a function of a width of the edge and/or statistics of widths of edges. A processor receives the focus signal and/or the statistics of the widths and adjusts a focus position of a focus lens. The width can be determined by various techniques including the use of gradients. An width determined along a prescribed direction is corrected for a slant of a boundary to which the edge belongs relative to the prescribed direction. The correction may use a peak gradient in the prescribed direction along the edge in conjunction with a largest gradient of a perpendicular direction within a predefined neighborhood of the peak gradient.
US09031348B2 Edge-preserving filtering method and apparatus
An edge-preserving filtering method and apparatus. The edge-preserving filtering method includes: acquiring an upper edge pixel P(x,y−n), a lower edge pixel P(x,y+m), (m+n) left edge pixels P(x−p,y′), and (m+n) right edge pixels P(x+q,y′) of a pixel to be filtered P(x,y), wherein “x”, “y”, “m”, “n”, “p” and “q” are all positive integers, and “y” takes an integer larger than “y−n” and less than “y+m” in turn; acquiring a filtered pixel value of the pixel to be filtered by using pixel values of the pixel to be filtered, the upper edge pixel, the lower edge pixel, the left edge pixels and the right edge pixels. The edge-preserving filtering method and apparatus in accordance with an embodiment utilize edge information around the pixel to be filtered to swiftly acquire a set of pixels for filtering the pixel to be filtered, and thus implement edge-persevering filtering.
US09031346B2 Method for converting input image data into output image data, image conversion unit for converting input image data into output image data, image processing apparatus, display device
In a method and device for improving image rendition by contrast and/or sharpness enhancement the sharpness enhancement is made dependent on the local average luminance value. A mix is made of spatially enhanced image signals is used, wherein for various signal differing spatial frequencies are boosted. The mixing factors for mixing of the boosted signals are dependent on a local average luminance value such that the distribution over frequency bands shifts to higher frequencies and sharper enhancement as the luminance value increases.
US09031340B2 Providing a feature hidden image and detecting and recovering a tampered digital image
Described embodiments provide an apparatus for providing a digital image by embedding recovery feature. The apparatus may include an input unit, an extraction unit, an embedding unit, and an output unit. The input unit may be configured to receive a digital image. The extraction unit may be configured to extract recovery feature from the received digital image using quad-tree decomposition. The recovery feature may be binary data that represents unique characteristics of the received digital image. The embedding unit may be configured to embed the extracted recovery feature into the received digital image. The output unit may be configured to output the digital image embedded with the recovery feature as a feature hidden image.
US09031334B2 Image coding method, image decoding method, image coding apparatus, image decoding apparatus, and image coding and decoding apparatus
An image coding method in which a chroma component and a luma component of an input image including one or more transform blocks are transformed to code the input image. The luma component has the same size as the current transform block. The chroma component is smaller than the current transform block. In the method, when the current transform block has a first minimum size, the chroma component is transformed on a basis of a block resulting from binding a plurality of the chroma blocks to has the same size as the luma block, and when the current transform block has a size other than the first minimum size, a CBF flag indicating whether or not coefficients of the chroma component include a non-zero coefficient is not coded.
US09031325B2 Automatic extraction of built-up footprints from high resolution overhead imagery through manipulation of alpha-tree data structures
A system for automatically extracting or isolating structures or areas of interest (e.g., built-up structures such as buildings, houses, shelters, tents; agricultural areas; etc.) from HR/VHR overhead imagery data by way of making as little as a single pass through a hierarchical data structure of input image components (where pixels are grouped into components based on any appropriate definition or measure of dissimilarity between adjacent pixels of the input image) to identify candidate components (e.g., possible structures of interest) free of necessarily having to re-iterate the same operator configured with different threshold parameters for a plurality of values.
US09031323B2 Multimedia copy source detection
The Embodiments provides a method for detecting leakage stage associated with a multimedia. The method includes storing histograms associated with various stages of the multimedia. Further, the method includes receiving candidate histograms associated with various stages of a candidate multimedia, matching the stored histograms with the candidate histograms, and detecting a leakage stage associated with the multimedia in response to a match.
US09031321B2 Content adaptive edge and detail enhancement for image and video processing
A content-adaptive edge and detail enhancement apparatus is described for image/video processing. Both 2D peaking and LTI/CTI are used in sharpening pictures. Image analysis is performed to generate a blending factor to control the use of the two peaking techniques. The strength or likelihood of edges or transitions is measured and such a strength or likelihood measurement will be transformed into the blending factor controlling the blending of the LTI/CTI and peaking outputs.
US09031313B2 Inspection system
The entire surface of a photomask 101 is inspected after data and parameters of the lithography simulator are set in the operation setting screen of a control computer 110 and after the inspection system 100 is calibrated. The coordinates of a portion or portions determined in the inspection to be a defect are written into an XML file. When the inspection system 100 is in the die-to-database inspection mode, the control computer 110 reads pattern data from the database, which data is used by the inspection system 100 to generate reference data, and then converts the read pattern data into OASIS format, which is highly versatile. The optical image captured by the inspection system 100 is converted into a bitmap. These data are sent to the lithography simulator, together with simulation operating conditions and the image data that was used to calibrate the inspection system 100.
US09031310B2 Conductive film manufacturing method, conductive film, and recording medium
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a conductive film in which a mesh pattern comprising a wire material is provided on a base material. Also disclosed are a conductive film and a recording medium. Image data representing a mesh pattern is created on the basis of a plurality of selected positions. On the basis of said image data, an evaluation value which quantifies noise characteristics of the mesh pattern is computed. On the basis of the computed evaluation value and prescribed evaluation conditions, one image datum is chosen as an output image datum.
US09031302B2 Image processing apparatus configured to change a parameter determined based on user input so that an amplitude response of a processed image with respect to an original image is to be zero or more and related image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes a processing unit configured to generate a processed image by processing a plurality of band limit signals based on a parameter for adjusting the band limit signal, and a control unit configured to control the parameter so that an amplitude response of the processed image with respect to an original image is to be a predetermined value or more.
US09031301B2 Image processing apparatus and medical image diagnosis apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes: an enlarging unit that enlarges target data by using an enlargement factor based on an optimal sample number indicating a quantity of samples per unit length suitable for an image processing process; a decomposing unit that generates a group of data satisfying the optimal sample number by performing a decomposing process realized by a multi-resolution analysis on the enlarged data; a data processing unit that generates an already-processed group of data by performing the image processing process on the group of data satisfying the optimal sample number; a reconstructing unit that generates reconstructed data by performing a reconstructing process realized by a multi-resolution analysis on the already-processed group of data; and a reducing unit that reduces the reconstructed data in such a manner that the quantity of samples per unit length becomes equal to the quantity of samples per unit length in the target data.
US09031282B2 Method of image processing and device therefore
An image processing method and an image processing apparatus are provided. The image processing method includes dividing the image into a plurality of regions; setting a portion of the divided regions to a first region of interest; detecting a candidate region for a target from the first region of interest; determining if the detected candidate region corresponds to the target; detecting a target region by using the candidate region if the candidate region corresponds to the target; estimating a pose of the target by using the detected target region; and performing modeling with respect to the target.
US09031281B2 Identifying an area of interest in imagery
Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for identifying an area of interest comprising a desired object in imagery (e.g., so an image comprising the desired object may be altered in some manner). A determination can be made as to whether a capture event occurs within a proximity mask, where an object is not likely to be out of range if an image of the object is captured from within the proximity mask. For an image captured within the proximity mask, a determination can be made as to whether capture event imagery metadata for the image overlaps a footprint mask for the desired object. If so, the image may be regarded as comprising a discernible view of at least some of the desired object and is thus identified as an area of interest (e.g., that may be modified to accommodate privacy concerns, for example).
US09031278B2 Image capture and identification system and process
A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object.
US09031267B2 Loudspeaker array providing direct and indirect radiation from same set of drivers
An array loudspeaker includes a plurality of drivers arranged in an array configuration. A digital signal processor-based control system processes direct audio signal and indirect audio signal inputs for the loudspeaker to simultaneously produce direct sound in the form of a directed beam or wavefront, and indirect sound as a perceptually diffuse soundfield.
US09031266B2 Electrostatic loudspeaker with membrane performing out-of-plane displacement
An electrostatic loudspeaker comprises a membrane structure and an electrode structure. The membrane structure comprises a central membrane portion and a circumferential membrane portion. The electrode structure is configured to electrostatically interact with the membrane structure for causing a movement of the membrane structure along an axis of movement. The electrode structure comprises a circumferential electrode portion and an opening, the circumferential electrode portion being substantially aligned to the circumferential membrane portion and the opening being substantially aligned to the central membrane portion with respect to a direction parallel to the axis of movement. In an end position of the movement of the membrane structure, the central membrane portion is configured to extend at least partially through the opening. A method for operating an electrostatic loudspeaker and a method for manufacturing an electrostatic loudspeaker are also described.
US09031260B2 Electronic musical apparatus having a playback control circuit
A band division apparatus obtains an analog low-band signal, an analog intermediate-band signal and an analog high-band signal from a digital sound signal. In the band division apparatus, a digital filter separates the digital sound signal into a digital intermediate-band signal having the intermediate frequency band while the high frequency band and the low frequency band are attenuated, and a digital low-high-band signal having a frequency band combining the low frequency band and the high frequency band while the intermediate frequency band are attenuated. A DA converter converts the digital low-high-band signal into an analog low-high-band signal. Another DA converter converts the digital intermediate-band signal into the analog intermediate-band signal. An analog filter separates the analog low-high-band signal into the analog low-band signal and the analog high-band signal.
US09031258B2 Acoustic feedback suppression apparatus, microphone apparatus, amplifier apparatus, sound amplification system, and acoustic feedback suppression method
An acoustic feedback suppression apparatus includes an amplitude measurement section for measuring the amplitude of a sound signal input from a microphone, an amplitude attenuation section for attenuating the amplitude of a sound signal output to a speaker, and an acoustic feedback determination section for determining whether or not acoustic feedback is occurring based on the sound signal input from the microphone. If it is determined that acoustic feedback is occurring, a sound-deadening control section enables sound-deadening control so that the amplitude of the sound signal output to the speaker is attenuated to a sound-deadening level. A sound-deadening release section releases the sound-deadening control if the amplitude of the sound signal input from the microphone is more than specified threshold amplitude and if it is determined that acoustic feedback is not occurring while the sound-deadening control is conducted.
US09031255B2 Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide low-latency audio
Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide for low-latency delivery and playback of audio are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example audio system includes multiple playback devices including a primary device and one or more secondary devices, whereby, the primary device establishes and controls a peer-to-peer network that connects, wirelessly or wired, to each of the satellite devices. An example audio device contains a channel selector, a control interface, and an audio interface. In some embodiments the control interface is used to transmit control information to another device on a first frequency channel, and the audio interface is used to transmit audio information to another device on a second frequency channel.
US09031247B2 Hearing aid fitting systems and methods using sound segments representing relevant soundscape
Disclosed herein are systems and methods enabling hearing aid fitting by a non-expert consumer. The method in one embodiment involves delivering a sequence of test audio signals corresponding to natural sound segments to a non-acoustic input of a programmable hearing device in-situ, while allowing the consumer to adjust fitting parameters based perceptual assessment of hearing device output. The sound segments define a fitting soundscape within the normal human auditory range, with each sound segment corresponding to one or more fitting parameters of the programmable hearing device. The consumer is instructed to listen to the output of the in-situ hearing device and adjust controls related to corresponding fitting parameters. In one embodiment, the fitting system comprises a personal computer and a handheld device providing calibrated test audio signals and programming interface. The systems and methods allow home dispensing of hearing devices without requiring specialized instruments.
US09031244B2 Smart audio settings
Embodiments described herein provide for smart configuration of audio settings for a playback device. According to an embodiment, when a user adjusts the audio settings of a playback device during the playback of a song or track, the user is warned if the currently playing song is “atypical” relative to other audio content. According to another embodiment, audio settings for a playback device are dynamically adjusted based on an audio profile of the audio that is played. According to yet another embodiment, audio settings are replicated onto other playback devices on a playback network.
US09031241B2 Link and physical coding sub-layer protocols
An approach to data communication makes use of a protocol for encoding data on a serial link that provides both a run length limiting function and a frame marking function, while minimizing communication overhead over the data bearing portions of the signal, and while limiting latency introduced into the communication. In some examples, a single bit is added as a frame marker in such a way that a single bit frame marker also limits run length.
US09031238B2 Data encryption and/or decryption by integrated circuit
In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided that may include an integrated circuit to be removably communicatively coupled to at least one storage device. The integrated circuit of this embodiment may be capable of encrypting and/or and decrypting, based at least in part upon a first key, data to be, in at least in part, stored in and/or retrieved from, respectively, at least one region of the at least one storage device. The at least one region and a second key may be associated with at least one access privilege authorized, at least in part, by an administrator. The second key may be stored, at least in part, externally to the at least one storage device. The first key may be obtainable, at least in part, based, at least in part, upon at least one operation involving the second key. Of course, many alternatives, modifications, and variations are possible without departing from this embodiment.
US09031228B2 Systems and methods for implementing block cipher algorithms on attacker-controlled systems
Systems and methods for an implementation of block cipher algorithms (e.g., AES) use lookup tables to obscure key information, increasing difficulty of reverse engineering efforts. The implementation encodes round key information into a first plurality of tables (T1), which when used for lookup operations also complete SubBytes operations, and output state in an encoded format. A Shiftrows operation is performed arithmetically on the output state. A second plurality of tables (T2) are used to perform a polynomial multiplication portion of MixColumns operation, and an XOR portion of MixColumns is performed arithmetically on the columns. Encoding from the T1 tables is made to match a decoding built into the T2 tables. Subsets of the T1 tables use the same T2 tables, reducing a memory footprint for the T2 tables. Multiple AES keys can be embedded in different sets of T1 tables that encode for the same set of T2 tables.
US09031220B2 System, method, and computer-readable medium for by-passing the public switched telephone network when interconnecting an enterprise network and a carrier network
A system, method and computer-readable medium by-passing the public switched telephone network when routing a call from a carrier network to an enterprise network are provided. A carrier gateway server is communicatively coupled with an enterprise gateway server. The enterprise gateway server is adapted to publish direct inward dial numbers assigned to enterprise extensions to the carrier gateway server. Once published, call setups originated in the carrier network may be routed directly to an enterprise network having a terminal assigned the dialed number of the call setup. Advantageously, the carrier network operator does not incur any inter-connect fee from any public switched network operator.
US09031216B1 In-conversation search
A computer-implemented communications method is discussed. The method includes receiving a typed user input in a texting conversation on an electronic communication channel between two or more users of electronic communications devices; analyzing the user input to identify whether the user input contains a reserved word for triggering a search; submitting a search query received in association with the reserved word to a search engine, if the user input contains a reserved word; receiving one or more search results from the search engine; and providing, in the electronic communication channel for incorporation into the texting conversation, at least one of the one or more search results.
US09031210B2 Device for non-intrusive screening of telephone calls and method thereof
A telephone with a call screening device is able to screen automated calls by transmitting a message containing an instruction upon detecting an incoming call. The instruction from the call screening device requests that the calling party respond to the message correctly and in time before the call screening device allows the telephone to ring and the call answered. The instruction contains, inter alia, a string of randomly generated numbers that the calling party is asked to dial as part of his/her response. In the event that the response is not received in time or the response is incorrect, the call screening device terminates the call without the phone ever ringing.
US09031209B2 Divided call history user interface
A computing device displays a call history graphical user interface (GUI). The call history GUI includes a new list and an old list. The new list may include new missed call elements and missed call elements associated with new unopened voicemails. The old list may include other call history GUI elements, such as old missed call elements and missed call elements associated with opened voicemails.
US09031203B2 X-ray beam system offering 1D and 2D beams
A system for analyzing a sample is provided. The system includes an optical system capable of providing a one-dimensional beam and a two-dimensional beam. The system may include a beam selection device to select between providing a one-dimensional x-ray beam to the sample in a one-dimensional operation mode and a two-dimensional x-ray beam to the sample in a two-dimensional operation mode.
US09031198B2 Power assist for use of high power X-ray generators to operate from low power single phase supply lines
A power supply operating off a common 110/220 Volt source utilizes a number of capacitors connected in series to form a module. A number of modules are connected in series to form a bus level module. A number of bus level modules are connected in parallel to provide the voltage and power needed by an X-Ray generator.
US09031197B2 Method for detecting the true coincidence of two charge pulses on adjacent picture elements, X-ray detector and X-ray image recording apparatus
With the aid of discriminators on a picture element of an X-ray detector, digital outputs are generated that indicate energy intervals to which X-ray quanta are allocated. If this occurs for adjacent picture elements, a distinction may be made between true coincidences, in which k-fluorescence photons play a part, and random coincidences in which two primary quanta randomly strike adjacent picture elements. The energy of the primary quantum may also be at least roughly reconstructed in the case of true coincidences. An energy-triggering measurement may thereby be provided to the extent that different materials of a picture object should be distinguished.
US09031196B2 Adaptive scanning in an imaging system
An imaging system exposes an object within a region to a beam of penetrating radiation. The beam of penetrating radiation is sensed on a side opposite the region from a source of the beam. An attenuation of the beam caused by passing the beam through the object is determined, the attenuation is compared to a threshold attenuation. If the attenuation exceeds the threshold attenuation, a parameter of the imaging system is adjusted based on the determined attenuation.
US09031192B2 Ray emission device and imaging system having the same
A ray emission device and an imaging system with the ray emission device are disclosed. The ray emission device comprises: a cylinder; a ray source disposed in the cylinder for emitting a ray; and a collimator disposed in the cylinder. The collimator enables the ray emitted by the ray source to form sectorial ray beams at a plurality of positions in an axial direction of the cylinder. The cylinder has a pencil beam forming part arranged over an axial length of the cylinder corresponding to the plurality of positions. The sectorial ray beams form pencil beams through the pencil beam forming part when the cylinder rotates around a rotation axis.
US09031180B2 Coherent transmission from distributed wireless transmitters
In one aspect, a distributed coherent transmission system enables transmissions from separate wireless transmitters with independent frequency or clock references to emulate a system where all the transmitters share a common frequency or clock reference. Differences in frequency and/or phase between transmitters are addressed by suitably precoding signals before modulation at one or more of the transmitters based on a synchronizing transmission from one of the transmitters (e.g., a master transmitter) received at a corresponding receiver sharing the frequency or clock reference with each of the one or more transmitters. Such a distributed coherent transmission system can allow N single-antenna transmitters with independent frequency or clock references to emulate a single N-antenna Multi Input Multi Output (MIMO) transmitter, or implement schemes such as distributed superposition coding or lattice codes that require coherence across separate transmitters.
US09031172B2 Equalizing method and device for a non-linear transmission channel
The present invention relates to a method for equalizing modulation symbols transmitted on a non-linear transmission channel. The equalizing method operates on a sequence of observables, each non-linearly depending on a predetermined number of consecutive modulation symbols, and is based on a Viterbi algorithm. It comprises a prior step of receiving a pilot sequence of modulation symbols and storing corresponding observables (110), said pilot sequence leading to a path passing through all the branches of the lattice.In a second step (120), for each symbol to be equalized, for each branch, a branch metric is calculated as a distance between the observable corresponding to the modulation symbol to be equalized and the observable stored for said branch.
US09031169B2 Sparse channel detection, estimation, and feedback
Most wireless channels are sparse, so sparse channel-based methods can be used for channel estimation and feedback with much better estimation accuracy and much lower feedback overhead. However, certain wireless channels can be non-sparse, for which sparse channel-based methods may cause degraded estimation quality and increased feedback overhead. Means of detecting the channel sparseness are described that provide simple and effective channel sparseness indicators and safeguard against the mismatch between non-sparse channels and sparse channel-based methods. Various fallback options can be used under non-sparse channels such that estimation degradation and feedback overhead are both minimized. Fake multipath removal in continuous time-domain parameter extraction, a sparse channel-based method, is also described that further improves estimation quality and reduces feedback overhead.
US09031162B2 Mobility-resilient multi-antenna communications
The antenna weight selection solution disclosed herein selects antenna weights for a multiple antenna communication system that transmits uplink or downlink data using multiple radiation patterns based on channel variability metrics determined for two or more sets of candidate antenna weights. In so doing the antenna weight selection solution disclosed herein reduces the channel variability associated with data transmissions, and therefore reduces the amount of feedback and/or the feedback rates required for the multiple antenna communication system.
US09031161B2 Apparatus and method for scrambling in a wireless communication system
An apparatus for a transmit end in a wireless communication system is provided. The apparatus includes at least one scrambler configured to scramble a transmission bit stream, wherein the at least one scrambler comprises, a first circulation unit configured to output, during one cycle, at least one bit for scrambling odd-numbered bits of the transmission bit stream and at least one bit for scrambling even-numbered bits of the transmission bit stream, a second circulation unit configured to output, during one cycle, at least one bit for scrambling odd-numbered bits of the transmission bit stream and at least one bit for scrambling even-numbered bits of the transmission bit stream, and operators configured to generate a scrambled bit stream, wherein each of the operators generates a scrambled bit using an input bit, an output bit from the first circulation unit and an output bit from the second circulation unit.
US09031155B2 Method and apparatus for sending signals
A method and an apparatus for sending signals to suppress outband interference effectively in a simple way includes: grouping subcarriers in a spectrum into edge subcarriers of the spectrum and non-edge subcarriers of the spectrum; precoding data to be sent to obtain modulated symbols of the data on the subcarriers, where the precoding makes every two adjacent edge subcarriers of the spectrum in the edge subcarriers of the spectrum carry a pair of modulated symbols with opposite polarities, and makes each of the non-edge subcarriers of the spectrum carry a modulated symbol with no polarity; and sending the modulated symbols of the data on the subcarriers. The embodiments of the present invention are applicable to a signal sending process.
US09031147B2 Multi-link wireless channel sounder and multi-link wireless channel measurement method thereof
A multi-link wireless channel sounder is provided. The multi-link wireless channel sounder includes a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna unit, a transmitter (TX) signal processing unit configured to transmit via the MIMO antennas one or more TX wireless channel signals to be transmitted via a wireless channel, a receiver (RX) signal processing unit configured to receive and process one or more RX wireless channel signals that are received from multiple links via the MIMO antenna unit, and a control unit configured to receive an operation mode selection signal that indicates a TX mode or an RX mode from a user and to control the TX signal processing unit or the RX signal processing unit to operate selectively in accordance with the operation mode selection signal.
US09031144B2 Peak factor reduction device and wireless transmitter
To satisfy the required SNR values for each system and/or each channel, a peak factor reduction device for reducing peak components included in a transmission signal, generates a cancellation signal to be multiplexed on the transmission signal, and the peak factor reduction device changes an amplitude of the generated cancellation signal according to a signal noise ratio required for the transmission signal and a power level of the transmission signal.
US09031116B2 Monitoring of power-consumption
A power-consumption monitoring device, for taking measurements of the power consumed by an appliance. The device is connectable to a mains electrical circuit and operable to transmit the measurements to a master device through the circuit. Also presented is a master device, for receiving over a mains electrical circuit power-measurements transmitted by one or more power-consumption monitoring devices. Also presented is a power-line communications network comprising: a master device; and one or more power-consumption monitoring devices.
US09031111B2 Optical semiconductor device and method of manufacturing optical semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing an optical semiconductor device including: forming a mesa structure including a first conductivity type cladding layer, an active layer and a second conductivity type cladding layer in this order on a first conductivity type semiconductor substrate, an upper most surface of the mesa structure being constituted of an upper face of the second conductivity type cladding layer; growing a first burying layer burying both sides of the mesa structure at higher position than the active layer; forming an depressed face by etching both edges of the upper face of the second conductivity type cladding layer; and growing a second burying layer of the first conductivity type on the depressed face of the second conductivity type cladding layer and the first burying layer.
US09031110B2 Laser optic protection
The specification and drawings present an apparatus and a method for protecting lasers or other sources of high optical power from damage due to external sources of contamination using a concept of a sacrificial optical component and automatic laser shutdown based on a pressure indication of a substantial damage to the sacrificial optical component such as puncturing through that component.
US09031108B2 Circuitry and method for driving laser with temperature compensation
A temperature-compensated laser driving circuit for driving a laser component is provided. The temperature-compensated laser driving circuit includes: a temperature compensation circuit, configured to generate a second current based on a first current and a temperature-independent current; and a modulation current generating circuit, configured to generate a modulation current based on the second current, and calibrate optical power output of the laser component based on the modulation current. The first current is proportional to the absolute temperature. The second current and the first current have a slope relative to the absolute temperature respectively, and the slope of the second current relative to the absolute temperature is larger than of the slope of the first current relative to the absolute temperature.
US09031097B2 MIMO system with multiple spatial multiplexing modes
A MIMO system supports multiple spatial multiplexing modes for improved performance and greater flexibility. These modes may include (1) a single-user steered mode that transmits multiple data streams on orthogonal spatial channels to a single receiver, (2) a single-user non-steered mode that transmits multiple data streams from multiple antennas to a single receiver without spatial processing at a transmitter, (3) a multi-user steered mode that transmits multiple data streams simultaneously to multiple receivers with spatial processing at a transmitter, and (4) a multi-user non-steered mode that transmits multiple data streams from multiple antennas (co-located or non co-located) without spatial processing at the transmitter(s) to receiver(s) having multiple antennas. For each set of user terminal(s) selected for data transmission on the downlink and/or uplink, a spatial multiplexing mode is selected for the user terminal set from among the multiple spatial multiplexing modes supported by the system.
US09031092B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting LAN signals over a transport system
A computer system and method for transmitting LAN signals over transport systems. LAN signals are generated in any client LAN compliant interface. A transceiver receives the client LAN signal in the LAN format. The client LAN signals are not converted to a SONET transmission format at any time before reaching the transceiver. The transceiver then converts the client LAN signal to an internal electrical LAN signal before re-clocking the internal electrical LAN signal. The re-clocked internal electrical LAN signal is then re-modulated into a second LAN signal. The second LAN signal is then transmitted to a transport system.
US09031072B2 Methods and apparatus to route fibre channel frames using reduced forwarding state on an FCOE-to-FC gateway
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a switching policy module configured to define a switching policy associating a Fiber Channel port with a destination Media Access Control (MAC) address. The switching module can be configured to receive a Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) frame from a network device and send a Fiber Channel frame encapsulated in the FCoE frame to the Fiber Channel port based at least in part on the switching policy and a destination MAC address of the FCoE frame.
US09031068B2 Methods and apparatus for managing multicast traffic through a switch
A method for managing multicast traffic through a switch operating in the layer 2 of the OSI model, and routers and switches involved in the method. In one implementation a router sends to a switch a message containing identification of specific equipment which has requested specific multicast traffic, and also containing a specification of the specific traffic, and when the switch receives data carrying multicast traffic, based on the destination and origin addresses of the data, and based on the identification of the specific equipment and of the specification of the specific multicast traffic that it has received in the message, the switch deduces if the data carry the specific traffic that has been requested by the specific equipment, and decides through which of its ports it transmits the data.
US09031066B2 Casing apparatus having wireless communication function for mobile terminal
The present invention relates to a casing apparatus having the wireless communication function for a mobile terminal, comprising a casing apparatus body, and an antenna, a communication PCBA, and a battery supplying power to the communication PCBA that are arranged in the casing apparatus body; the communication PCBA is integrated with a digital communication module and a WIFI communication module, and the antenna and the battery are respectively connected to the communication PCBA. The casing apparatus according to the present invention transmits a WIFI signal from a tablet computer through the antenna to the WIFI communication module for processing, then transmits the processed signal to the digital communication module for modulation, and finally radiates the modulated signal through the antenna to access a wireless communication network. In this way, the WIFI signal from the tablet computer gets to access the network, thereby realizing the wireless access to the network even though there is no WIFI hotspot available.
US09031065B2 Switch having dedicated stacking link
A first switch includes a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions causing the processor, after execution of the instructions by the processor, to establish a first stacking link between a first stacking port of the first switch and a first stacking port of a second switch, establish a second stacking link between a second stacking port of the first switch and a first stacking port of a third switch, and dedicate the first stacking link to a first class of traffic between the first switch and the second switch.
US09031062B2 Method and apparatus for providing a synthetic system
A method and apparatus of providing a configurable computer system capable of being modeled are disclosed. The system, in one embodiment, includes a configurable component and a clock distributor. The configurable component includes multiple programmable devices arranged in a predefined configuration. The predefined configuration, for example, is a cubical shape having multiple neighboring nodes. The configurable component is capable of being modeled in accordance with policies from a system program for data transmission. The clock distributor further includes a first clock element, which provides long-term accuracy, and a second clock element, which provides short-term accuracy.
US09031053B2 Method and apparatus for communicating in a relay communication network
Techniques for transmitting data in a relay communication network are described. In an aspect, stations in the relay network may be grouped into multiple depths, and stations at each depth may send the same transmission in each time interval. Packets may be transmitted in a pipelined manner in the relay network. Transmissions of a packet may be sent by stations at progressively higher depth in successive time intervals. A station may perform auto-configuration, attempt to decode transmissions from stations at different depths, and determine its depth based on decoding results. In another aspect, stations at each depth may transmit the same synchronization signal, and stations at different depths may transmit different synchronization signals. In one design, the synchronization signals for different depths may be different pilots, which may be generated with different scrambling codes or different orthogonal codes or may be multiplexed in frequency and/or time.
US09031046B2 Methods and arrangements in a radio communication system
The present invention relates to uplink transmissions and scheduling of resources for uplink transmissions in connection with packet switched communication. A radio communication network schedules time slots for transmission of bursts of a first radio block on at least two different uplink packet data channels and transmits an Uplink State Flag, associated with a mobile station for which the first radio block was scheduled, on a first downlink packet data channel representing a first subperiod within a basic uplink period. The mobile station receives the Uplink State Flag, identifies the scheduled resources for transmission of the first radio block wherein the timing of the first subperiod is derived utilizing the fact that the Uplink State Flag was received on the first downlink packet data channel and transmits the first radio block utilizing the identified resources.
US09031042B2 Adapting a communication network to varying conditions
Systems and methods are disclosed for adapting a communication system to varying conditions. Using some form of discovery protocol, the communication standards supported by at least two communicants are determined. Each communicant may then periodically monitor the quality of the channel established by the communication standard and dynamically select a set of one or more communication standards to use for communicating. Further, when communicants share common non-standard parameterized implementations of communication standards, changes to the protocols which the communication standards comprise can be used to add options for a more dynamic response to changing conditions than is possible when adhering only to an established communication standard.
US09031035B2 Transmitter apparatus, receiver apparatus, transmission method, and notification method
This invention relates to a transmitter apparatus, a receiver apparatus, a transmission method and a notification method that, when a switching between MIMO communication and non-MIMO communication is performed, can suppress the increase of an SRS (Sounding Reference Signal) resource, while suppressing the degradation of trackability of temporal variation of a channel. In a terminal (200), a mapping unit (212) maps an SRS sequence, which is received from a pilot, generating unit (216), on the basis of information related to an SRS hopping pattern, received from a base station (100). For this SRS hopping pattern, the frequency of the SRS transmissions via a first one of a plurality of antennas of the terminal (200) is higher than that of the SRS transmissions via a second one of the plurality of antennas of the terminal (200).
US09031034B2 Wireless communication system, wireless communication setting method, base station, mobile station, and program
A wireless communication system including a base station and a mobile terminal, includes a setting unit to set a number of sets of at least one or more resource blocks for the mobile terminal, the at least one or more resource blocks of each set being consecutive in frequency. An allocation unit allocates the resource blocks for a transmission channel so that the resource blocks are not contiguous in frequency. A controller generates a reference signal sequence corresponding to a bandwidth of the allocated resource blocks, and maps the reference signal sequence to subcarriers according to an allocation of the resource blocks.
US09031028B2 Method for transmitting and receiving downlink control information in wireless communication system and device therefor
Disclosed is a method for allowing a terminal to receive a downlink signal from a base station in a wireless communication system. More specifically, the method comprises the steps of: receiving a first control channel which indicates the location information of a resource allocated to a second control channel; receiving the second control channel, on the basis of a control format indicator contained in the first control channel; and obtaining a downlink grant and/or an uplink grant contained in the second control channel, wherein the second control channel is allocated with the resource contained in a data region of a specific subframe.
US09031022B2 Base station, mobile station, coordinated mobile station, transmission method and reception method
A base station (BS) which communicates with a plurality of mobile stations (MSs) is configured so as to comprise a control signal generation unit which generates control signals showing information on the allocation of resources for each of the plurality of mobile stations (MSs), and a transmission unit which transmits the control signals to the plurality of mobile stations (MSs). A control signal for a given mobile station (MS) includes information relating to another mobile station (MS).
US09031021B2 Method and apparatus for indicating physical resource block pairs for EPDCCH
A method of specifying one or more sets of one or more physical resource block (PRB) pairs from among a plurality of PRB pairs in a subframe that a user equipment (UE) is to monitor for an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) includes sending, from a base station, a first representation of the PRB blocks, the representation including a plurality of bits, a total number of the plurality of bits being less than a product of total number of the plurality of PRB pairs and a total number of the one or more sets, the first representation indicating which of the plurality of PRB pairs are in at least one of the one or more sets of one or more PRB pairs the UE is to monitor for the EPDCCH.
US09031016B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving PDCCH using DCI having adjusted size
The present invention relates to a method for adjusting a size of an information bit used in a control channel and an apparatus for performing the same. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for searching for a control channel including an information bit having an adjusted size. A method for receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a wireless access system for supporting multi-carriers as one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: performing blind decoding in a search space allocated in a terminal to search for a PDCCH; and receiving the PDCCH including downlink control information (DCI) having a size adjusted in the search space. At this time, the size of the DCI can be adjusted by considering a bandwidth allocated in the terminal, a transmission mode of a component carrier (CC) allocated in the terminal, and the number of antennas of the terminal.
US09031008B2 Methods and apparatus for multi-user MIMO transmissions in wireless communication systems
A wireless communication system includes a base station capable of communicating with a plurality of subscriber stations. The base station can transmit control information and data to a subscriber stations. The base station also can identify a set of RS patterns to be used to communicate with the subscriber station, assign a subset of antenna port numbers within the set of RS patterns to the subscriber stations. The base station can indicate the assigned states in a Downlink Control Information (DCI) format transmitted in a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). The base station transmits the data using a subset of antenna ports corresponding to the subset of antenna port numbers. The base station also can map reference signals corresponding to the subset of antenna ports according to at least one RS pattern within the set of RS patterns.
US09031003B2 Terminal, the transmission power of which is limited in accordance with an adjacent channel interference ratio
The present description relates to a terminal. The terminal comprises: a transceiving unit; and a control unit which controls the transceiving unit. When transmitting a signal in an uplink band that is spaced apart by a predetermined band so as to avoid continuity with the uplink band used by a terminal in an adjacent cell, the transceiving unit has an adjacent channel interference ratio, the value of which can be limited to a preset value in accordance with an offset relative to a predetermined band.
US09031002B2 Devices for sending and receiving feedback information
An evolved Node B (eNB) for sending feedback information is described. The eNB includes a processor and instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The eNB determines configuration parameters related to an Enhanced Physical Hybrid-Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) Indicator Channel (EPHICH). The eNB also sends a configuration signal based on the configuration parameters. The eNB additionally receives data in a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). The eNB further sends Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) information based on the configuration parameters.
US09031001B2 Method and apparatus for accurate time synchronization in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for time synchronization and an OFDMA receiver thereof are provided. A preamble timing is obtained by a two-stage correlation in a time domain between a sequence of a received symbol and a reference preamble. The two-stage correlation is further simplified to perform a conjugate multiplication between a one-stage correlation and its correspondingly delayed result. A preamble boundary is adaptively determined by a peak value based on a result of the two-stage correlation. In this way, the time synchronization is achieved with a robust performance in a low SNR, high frequency offset or large delay spread fading channel.
US09030996B2 Layer 2 processing and creation of protocol data units for wireless communications
Enhanced MAC-es PDUs are created by concatenating enhanced MAC-es service data units (SDUs) based on higher layer PDUs and segments thereof, where segmentation information is included in the enhanced MAC-es headers. An enhanced MAC-e header is generated for each enhanced MAC-es PDU to describe information about the enhanced MAC-es PDU. An enhanced MAC-e PDU is created by concatenating enhanced MAC-es PDUs and enhanced MAC-e headers. An enhanced MAC-es header may include a Transmit Sequence Number (TSN) field, a Segmentation Description (SD) field, length (L) fields to indicate the length of each enhanced MAC-es SDU and/or logical channel indicator (LCH-ID) fields. An enhanced MAC-e header may include one or more logical channel indicator (LCH-ID) fields for corresponding enhanced MAC-es PDUs or MAC-s SDUs and length (L) fields.
US09030991B2 System and method for offloading data in a communication system
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a downstream data packet transported on a backhaul link at a first network element, the downstream data packet is associated with a user equipment; identifying whether a downstream tunnel used to communicate the data packet to the user equipment has become dormant; and communicating an in-band message to a second network element that the downstream tunnel is dormant. In other examples, the method can include dropping the data packet when a network address port translation binding has expired or does not exist. In certain implementations, the method can include identifying the downstream tunnel as dormant when an activity timer has expired, or identifying the downstream tunnel as dormant based on a stale state setting.
US09030984B2 Transmission power control schemes for D2D communications
Power control schemes for D2D communications are described. The schemes control the transmission power of a UE during D2D communications in a manner that reduces interference while maintaining the D2D communications link and the cellular link with the eNB. Open-loop and/or closed-loop techniques are employed.
US09030981B2 Device power management in a wireless network
In various embodiments of the invention, a device in a wireless communications network may negotiate with a network controller to determine when the device may enter a power save mode. The power save mode may include period(s) in which the device is in a low power state in which it cannot transmit or receive, and period(s) in which it is in an operational state in which it can transmit and/or receive.
US09030980B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving uplink data in mobile communication system
A method for transmitting uplink data using multiple carriers by a User Equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system is provided. The method includes determining a first maximum transmission power indicating a maximum transmission power for each carrier and a second maximum transmission power indicating a maximum transmission power for all carriers based on information for setting transmission power, received from an evolved Node B (eNB), determining a minimum value from among a required transmission power and the first maximum transmission power as an uplink transmission power, for each carrier, scaling the determined uplink transmission powers so that a sum of the uplink transmission powers is less than or equal to the second maximum transmission power, and transmitting the uplink data based on the scaled uplink transmission powers.
US09030979B2 Reducing power consumption in multi-threaded processor mobile devices
In a multi-threaded processor mobile device, power consumption is reduced by matching a number of active processing resources with the data rate capability of a serving base station. The number of active resources may be adjusted to increase the amount of time the mobile device is in an all-waits period, where its processors are all idle at the same time. Increasing the all-waits time increases power savings. The mobile device may reduce the number of active resources to reduce power consumption or may increase the number of active resources temporarily in order to increase an all-waits period. The mobile device may also operate in a low power state by adjusting its active resources and operating at a reduced data rate, which is communicated to a base station.
US09030977B2 Methods and apparatus for transport block size determination
Methods and apparatus for determining transport block sizes for relaying backhaul subframes from a relay node to a donor base station are described. A transport block size may be adjusted at a relay node by an adjustment factor. The adjustment factor may be based on parameters such as propagation delay between the relay node and donor base station, a multiplexing configuration of control and data information in a relay node subframe, a switching time in a relay node subframe between a downlink and an uplink partition of the subframe, and/or other channel or configuration characteristics.
US09030970B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting uplink control information in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for transmitting uplink control information in a wireless communication system is disclosed. A method for transmitting uplink control information in a mobile station of a wireless communication system includes performing reverse repetition coding with respect to first uplink control information, and performing joint coding with respect to the reverse repetition coded first uplink control information and second uplink control information. The first uplink control information has higher priority than the second uplink control information.
US09030969B2 Wireless communication device capable of utilizing multiple radio access technologies
A wireless communication device is disclosed that is capable of utilizing multiple radio access technologies (RATs) in various coordinated ways so as to optimize, and enhance the versatility, of the device's communication capabilities. One or more RATs may be selected for use, either alone or in cooperation with each other, based on various conditions, such as channel conditions, traffic, data type, and priority. When conditions change, the originally-selected communication scheme may no longer be preferred. Consequently, the device can initiate a handover to another communication scheme. Transmitters corresponding to RATs that are not currently selected are controlled to enter a low-power state in order to conserve power. However, in some circumstances, the device may utilize both RATs simultaneously. For example, redundant communications can be made over both RATs for error-reduction or other purposes, and partial communications can be made over multiple RATs for increased speed and bandwidth, among other reasons.
US09030960B2 Method and apparatus for reducing redundant traffic in communication networks
A capability is provided for reducing or even eliminating redundant traffic in cellular wireless networks. A method is provided for encoding a target packet in a manner for reducing redundancy of information in the target packet. The method includes identifying a region of the target packet that matches a region of a stored packet, removing, from the target packet, the identified region of the target packet from the target packet, and inserting, within the target packet, an encoding key comprising a hash of the stored packet. A method is provided for reconstructing a packet from an encoded packet that is encoded in a manner for reducing redundancy of information in a network. The method includes identifying an encoding key within the encoded packet, wherein the encoding key comprises a hash of a stored packet, retrieving the stored packet using the hash of the stored packet, removing the encoding key from the encoded packet, and inserting information from the stored packet within the encoded packet.
US09030959B2 Apparatus and method for monitoring quality metrics associated with a wireless network
An apparatus and method for measuring metrics associated with a wireless network is described. One embodiment includes capturing a packet transmitted over a network and determining a minimum delay of a plurality of previously captured packets, where each previously captured packet of the plurality of previously captured packets is associated with a delay. The embodiment further includes determining a current overall delay of the packet based on features of the packet and calculating a congestion indicator based on the current overall delay and the minimum delay.
US09030951B2 System and method for improving network convergence via adaptive routing techniques
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for a node within a network to adjust one or more routing parameters based on certain network parameters. A node monitors certain network metrics such as the mean time between routing drops. In response to changes in these network parameters, the node changes certain routing parameters, such as the holddown time. The node may store network metrics and associated routing parameters that result in preferred network operating conditions. The node may pre-load these beneficial settings upon the occurrence of a particular condition such as a system reset of the node. Moreover, a node may share these beneficial settings with neighboring nodes on the same network. One advantage of this approach is that cost savings are achieved when a node within a network may be installed without preconfiguring the node with specific routing parameters.
US09030950B2 Communication apparatus, processing method for the same, and computer-readable storage medium
A communication apparatus extracts segment data including information defining the position of a fragment packet before fragmentation and the identification information of the fragment packet from the header information of the fragment packet. If the fragment packet is the last fragment packet, the apparatus extracts packet length information before packet fragmentation from the header information of the last fragment packet. A memory stores a segment database holding segment data and information associating identification information with packet length information. The communication apparatus executes integration processing of the segment data based on information stored in the segment database and determines whether the reception of all the fragment packets constituting the packet before fragmentation is complete.
US09030941B2 Power saving procedure in communications network
There is proposed a mechanism for power saving procedures to be conducted in transmission network nodes, such as base stations or the like, in a heterogeneous network environment. A transmission node is set to operate in a sensor mode for conducting traffic monitoring when an operation mode of the transmission node is an inactive state. Information necessary for the traffic monitoring by the transmission node based on detection of random access channel (RACH) signals of neighboring cells is provided. On the basis of results of the monitoring of RACHs of the neighboring cells, it is determined whether the inactive transmission node is to be reactivated.
US09030935B2 Device and method for adjusting rate limits for transmission rates of data flows having a certain priority in a transmitter
A device for adjusting a set of primary rate limits for transmission rates of data flows having a certain priority in a transmitter is provided, wherein data flows of different priorities including said certain priority are transmitted by a port of the transmitter. The transmission of the data flows having the certain priority is limited by secondary rate limits per data flow and by a transmission or flow control per priority. The device comprises a determiner and a number of adjusters. The determiner is configured to determine a mean value of a duty cycle of the certain priority at the port provided by the transmission or flow control. The adjusters are configured to adjust the primary rate limits for the transmission rates of the data flows having the certain priority based on the determined mean value of the duty cycle to obtain the secondary rate limits.
US09030931B2 Latency analysis of traffic passing through an ethernet switch
A method for accurately measuring, recording and reporting latency of an Ethernet switch is disclosed. Various packet queues in the switch are monitored at any given time and forwarding latency is calculated. Latency data from multiple switching elements in a network is collected to provide end-to-end forwarding latency of a system.
US09030922B2 Method and apparatus for laser control during recording
The invention relates to recording on a medium, and in particular, to laser control during recording data on an optical medium. A laser control method for dynamically adjusting laser power during recording data onto an optical disc comprises: recording normal data onto the optical disc according to an initial laser power; stopping recording when a trigger is generated; reading back the recorded normal data and generating a first recording quality index; recording a test pattern at a test pattern starting point according to a selected laser power; reading back the test pattern and generating a second recording quality index; and determining an adaptive laser power to continually record the normal data according to the first recording quality index and the second recording quality index.
US09030915B2 System and method for swath overlap detection
System and method for rapidly determining the geographic areas where spatial overlap of arbitrarily oriented (i.e. not just parallel) swath sensor data meets a pre-selected specified percentage of swath width.
US09030912B2 Method and apparatus for separating and composing seismic waves
An approach is provided for a multi-component seismic data processing that separates P-type and S-type seismic waves in an affine coordinate system. A method for separating and composing seismic waves comprises: determining base vectors of the seismic waves; transforming and separating the seismic wave in an affine coordinate system; and obtaining a signal with true amplitudes and eliminating a mode leakage phenomenon. Therefore, the method achieves the wave separation and recovers the amplitudes of separated waves simultaneously, which reduces noises to provide more precisely seismic data and to satisfy the requirement of seismic data analysis and processing.
US09030901B2 Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a first memory block group including memory blocks coupled to first sub bit lines, a second memory block group including memory blocks coupled to second sub bit lines, an operation circuit coupled to main bit lines, and configured to perform an operation for data input/output to/from a memory block selected from the first memory block group or the second memory block group, and a bit line control circuit configured to differently control sub bit lines of the selected memory block group and sub bit lines of the unselected memory block groups in response to group select signals for selecting a memory block group including the selected memory block of the first memory block group and the second memory block group and voltages of the main bit lines controlled by the operation circuit.
US09030892B2 Data reading device
There is disclosed a data reading device in which data of a nonvolatile storage element is reflected in a circuit to be regulated, with a minimum necessary delay width after turning a power on or after reset cancellation, and wrong writing due to a static electricity is prevented. A delay circuit is additionally disposed to output a delayed data reading signal after a signal of turning the power on or a signal of the reset cancellation is generated. A delay time T2 and a static electricity convergence time T1 are set so as to keep a relation of T1
US09030889B2 Buffering systems for accessing multiple layers of memory in integrated circuits
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to data storage and computer memory, and more particularly, to systems, integrated circuits and methods for accessing memory in multiple layers of memory implementing, for example, third dimension memory technology. In a specific embodiment, an integrated circuit is configured to implement write buffers to access multiple layers of memory. For example, the integrated circuit can include memory cells disposed in multiple layers of memory. In one embodiment, the memory cells can be third dimension memory cells. The integrated circuit can also include read buffers that can be sized differently than the write buffers. In at least one embodiment, write buffers can be sized as a function of a write cycle. Each layer of memory can include a plurality of two-terminal memory elements that retain stored data in the absence of power and store data as a plurality of conductivity profiles.
US09030880B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device includes a memory cell array where memory cells are arranged in a cell well in a row direction and a column direction in a matrix; word lines which select the memory cell in the row direction; bit lines which select the memory cell in the column direction; a sense amplifier which determines a value stored in the memory cell based on a potential of the bit line; a peripheral transistor in the memory cell array which is arranged in the periphery of the memory cell array; and an enhancement type transistor which drives a gate of the peripheral transistor.
US09030879B2 Method and system for programming non-volatile memory with junctionless cells
A non-volatile memory system that has junctionless transistors is provided that uses suppression of the formation of an inversion-layer source and drain in the junctionless transistors to cause a discontinuous channel in at least one string. The system may include NAND flash memory cells composed of junctionless transistors, and has a set of wordlines. During program operation, a selected wordline of the set of wordlines is biased at a program voltage, and wordline voltage low enough to suppress the formation of source/drains is applied on at least one word line on a source side of the selected wordline such that a channel isolation occurs thereby causing the discontinuous channel in the at least string.
US09030876B2 Memory system, program method thereof, and computing system including the same
Disclosed is a memory system and a method of programming a multi-bit flash memory device which includes memory cells configured to store multi-bit data, where the method includes and the system is configured for determining whether data to be stored in a selected memory cell is an LSB data; and if data to be stored in a selected memory cell is not an LSB data, backing up lower data stored in the selected memory cell to a backup memory block of the multi-bit flash memory device.
US09030869B2 Three dimensional semiconductor memory device
A three-dimensional (3D) semiconductor memory device comprises memory cell strings each comprising at least one selection transistor and at least one memory cell, a first pass transistor group sharing a first well region and comprising a first selection line pass transistor connected to the selection transistor and a first world line pass transistor connected to the memory cell, a second pass transistor group sharing a second well region and comprising a second selection line pass transistor connected to the selection transistor, and a controller that controls the first pass transistor group and the second pass transistor group. The controller applies selected voltages to the first and second well regions during read operation.
US09030867B2 Bipolar CMOS select device for resistive sense memory
A resistive sense memory apparatus includes a bipolar select device having a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of transistors disposed in the semiconductor substrate and forming a row or transistors. Each transistor includes an emitter contact and a collector contact. Each collector contact is electrically isolated from each other and each emitter contact is electrically isolated from each other. A gate contact extends along a channel region between the emitter contact and a collector contact. A base contact is disposed within the semiconductor substrate such that the emitter contact and a collector contact is between the gate contact and the base contact. A resistive sense memory cells is electrically coupled to each collector contact or emitter contact and a bit line.
US09030859B2 Three dimensional non-volatile storage with dual layers of select devices
A three-dimensional array adapted for memory elements that reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. Memory elements are formed across a plurality of planes positioned different distances above a semiconductor substrate. Bit lines to which the memory elements of all planes are connected are oriented vertically from the substrate and through the plurality of planes.
US09030855B2 Semiconductor device, start-up circuit having first and second circuits and a single voltage output terminal coupled to a second node between the semiconductor unit and the first circuit, and operating method for the same
A semiconductor device, a start-up circuit, and an operating method for the same are provided. The start-up circuit comprises a semiconductor unit, a first circuit, a second circuit, a voltage input terminal and a voltage output terminal. The first circuit is constituted by one diode or a plurality of diodes electrically connected to each other in series. The second circuit is constituted by one diode or a plurality of diodes electrically connected to each other in series. The semiconductor unit is coupled to a first node between the first circuit and the second circuit. The voltage input terminal is coupled to the semiconductor unit. The voltage output terminal is coupled to a second node between the semiconductor unit and the first circuit.
US09030854B2 Method and apparatus for zero-sequence damping and voltage balancing
An exemplary method and an apparatus implementing the method for an arrangement having a three-phase, multi-level inverter, an output LCL-filter connecting the inverter to a grid, and a virtual-ground connection between the LCL-filter and the neutral point of the DC-link. The method includes determining a zero-sequence component of an LCL-filter inverter-side current, calculating a zero-sequence damping and balancing voltage term based on the LCL-filter inverter-side current zero-sequence component and voltages over the two halves of the DC-link, and adding the zero-sequence damping and voltage balancing term to the output voltage reference.
US09030851B2 DC bus voltage control method and system
A method for controlling voltage of a DC bus in a converter circuit is provided. The method includes monitoring a duty cycle of a switch that connects a resistive circuit across the DC bus, the switch being closed when the DC bus voltage reaches an upper voltage value and opened when the DC bus voltage reaches a lower voltage value and altering the lower voltage value based upon the duty cycle of the switch.
US09030848B2 DC to DC converter
A DC to DC converter can include a reverse-blocking semiconductor switch that makes a synchronously rectifying MOSFET become parallel-connected with a capacitor that is connected to a power supply of a controller IC for a conventionally used synchronously rectifying circuit. The reverse-blocking semiconductor switch can be driven either by signals for adjusting a voltage of the capacitor within a permitted range of voltage of the power supply of the controller circuit, or by signals that are determined by a signal obtained from voltage across the MOSFET and the signals for adjusting a voltage of the capacitor within a permitted range of voltage of the power supply of the controller circuit.
US09030846B2 Transformer-based switching resonant power conversion apparatus
A resonant power conversion apparatus including a transformer-based resonant converter and first and second switch control units is provided. The transformer-based resonant converter includes a primary switch circuit and a secondary output circuit configured to provide an output voltage to a load. The first switch control unit is configured to control an ON/OFF operation of the primary switch circuit in response to a status of the load. The second switch control unit is configured to determine whether to activate or inactivate the first switch control unit. When the status of the load is the light-loading or the no-loading, the first switch control unit intermittently controls the ON/OFF operation of the primary switch circuit, and meanwhile, the first switch control unit is inactivated during the primary switch circuit is disabled, so as to substantially reduce the light-loading or no-loading loss of the resonant power conversion apparatus.
US09030835B2 Method for welding a plastic housing
The main part of the melt produced during laser welding of two housing parts along a circumferential edge is made to flow towards the printed circuit board by a predefined geometry, thus fixing the board in a form-fitting manner. The basic geometry is modified to prevent the melt from distributing in both directions in an uncontrolled manner and make it flow towards the inside of the housing in a targeted manner. The printed circuit board can thus be fixed and the housing sealed in a single operation. Less space is required on the printed circuit board since the support surfaces only affect the peripheral zone of the printed circuit board. The peripheral zone is a barrier zone since the individual printed circuit board is cut out of a panel. Due to the larger contact surface, prestress losses caused by creep of the plastic have no adverse effect.
US09030834B2 Mounting structure of flexible printed circuit board and sliding-type electronic device
A mounting structure of a flexible printed circuit board and a sliding-type electronic device is provided by which a too large increase in thickness of devices can be avoided and a pair of housings can be slid relatively in a bending and slanting direction. In the mounting structure, an upper housing 12 and a lower housing 22 coupled in a freely slidable manner are electrically connected to each other by a flexible printed circuit board folded back to be routed between slide facing surfaces 12b and 22a of both the housings and the height of a side wall surface 12c and 22c of the upper housing and lower housing changes in a bending manner along the direction of freely sliding and, in the slide facing surfaces of the upper housing and lower housing, concave space portions 15 and 25 to accommodate the change in curvature and in position of a folding-back portion 31a caused by sliding motion between the upper housing and lower housing are disposed.
US09030832B2 Proximity sensor for electronic device
A compact proximity sensor for use in a portable computing device is described. In particular various embodiments of a proximity sensor which fits in an extremely small portion of a cellular phone, and accurately determine the presence of a user's head in close proximity to a surface of the cellular phone. In particular, a high yield assembly process for installing the compact proximity sensor is described.
US09030831B2 Locking mechanism and electronic device using same
A locking mechanism includes a first locking member positioned on the first object and a second locking member positioned on the second object. The second locking member can be moved to engage with or disengage from the first locking member. The second object defines at least one through hole for allowing insertion of the disassembly tool to push the second locking member, which disengages the second locking member from the first locking member.
US09030827B2 Server and drawer lifting device
A server includes a casing, a bottom plate, a first hard disk module, a second hard disk module, and a lifting device. The bottom plate is disposed in the casing and configured to be sliding relative to the casing. The first hard disk module is movably disposed on the bottom plate. The first hard disk module includes a track. The second hard disk module is fixed on the bottom plate and disposed behind the first hard disk module. The lifting device moves up the first hard disk module when the bottom plate is pulled out of the casing, and the lifting device moves down the first hard disk module when the bottom plate is pushed into the casing. A drawer lifting device is also disclosed.
US09030820B2 Notebook computer with telescopic mechanism for adjusting inclination
A notebook computer includes a display connected to a base by a pivot. The base defines a receiving space by a cover and a housing. The notebook computer further includes a telescopic mechanism arranged near the pivot in the receiving space. The telescopic mechanism protrudes from the housing via a first through hole defined in a bottom of the housing to maintain the base at certain inclination on a supporting surface; the notebook computer is in a first working state. The notebook computer switches to a second working state from the first working state when the telescopic mechanism retracts into the housing.
US09030802B2 Multilayer ceramic electronic component, manufacturing method thereof, and board for mounting the same
A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic body including dielectric layers stacked in a thickness direction and satisfying T/W>1.0 when a width thereof is W and a thickness thereof is T; first and second internal electrodes; and first and second external electrodes, wherein when the ceramic body is divided into five regions in a width direction and a central region among the five regions is CW1 and regions adjacent to the central region CW1 are CW2 and CW3, a difference between electrode connectivity of the central region CW1 and electrode connectivity of the region CW2 or CW3 satisfies 0.02≦(CW2 or CW3)−CW1≦0.10.
US09030798B2 Electrostatic chuck
An electrostatic chuck comprises: a dielectric substrate having a protrusion and a planar surface part. The protrusion is formed on a major surface of the dielectric substrate. An adsorption target material is mounted on the major surface. The planar surface part is formed in a periphery of the protrusion. The dielectric substrate is formed from a polycrystalline ceramics sintered body. A top face of the protrusion is a curved surface, and a first recess is formed in the top face to correspond to crystal grains that appear on the surface. The planar surface part has a flat part, and a second recess is formed in the flat part. A depth dimension of the first recess is greater than a depth dimension of the second recess. The electrostatic chuck can suppress the generation of particles and can easily recover a clean state of the electrostatic chuck surface.
US09030785B2 Narrow read-gap head with recessed afm
The embodiments of the present invention relate to a magnetic read head with pinned layers extending to the ABS of the read head and in contact with an antiferromagnetic layer that is recessed in relation to the ABS of the read head. The recessed antiferromagnetic layer may be disposed above or below the pinned layer structure and provides a pinning field to prevent amplitude flipping in head operation. In these embodiments of the present invention, the read gap of the sensor, that is the distance between the highly permeable, magnetically soft upper and lower shield layers at the ABS, is reduced by the thickness of the antiferromagnetic layer.
US09030779B2 Tape head with tape-bearing surface exhibiting an array of protruding topographic features
A tape head, adapted for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape, has a tape-bearing surface and is configured to urge a magnetic tape against the bearing surface, in operation. The bearing surface includes a transducer area, having at least one transducer that is a read and/or write element, designed for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape, and a structured area adjacent to the transducer area, comprising a periodic array of topographic features, the topographic features configured within the structured area to determine a minimal distance between the transducer area and a tape.
US09030775B2 Impact resistant rotating device with increased-thickness portion relationship and suction plate configuration
In a disk drive device, a magnetic recording disk is mounted on a hub. A base rotatably supports the hub via a bearing unit. The base has a ring-shaped wall that surrounds the bearing unit and that protrudes towards the hub. A laminated core is fixed to the base. The laminated core has a ring portion and twelve teeth that radially outwardly extend from the ring portion. Coils are wound around the twelve teeth. The base includes an increasing-thickness portion formed so that the less the distance between a part of the increasing-thickness portion and the ring-shaped wall is, the thicker the part of the increasing-thickness portion becomes.
US09030771B2 Compressed data verification
A media drive includes drive side circuitry that, in response to a request to validate compressed data read from media, validates packets of the compressed data while compressed and, in response to detecting end of data on the media without having detected an unrecoverable corrupt one of the packets and without decompressing the compressed data, generates a message indicating that the compressed data read from the media has been validated.
US09030767B2 Color filter and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a color filter and a manufacturing method thereof. The method includes steps of: coating a first material layer on a substrate and patterning it to have first photoresists, first filter portions and first spacer portions; coating a second material layer on the substrate and patterning it to have second photoresists, second filter portions and second spacer portions; and coating a third material layer on the substrate and patterning it to have third photoresists, third filter portions and third spacer portions; and the first, the second, the third filter portions are correspondingly overlapped with each other, and the first, the second, the third spacer portions are correspondingly overlapped with each other.
US09030766B2 Displacement mechanism, lens module using the same and device using the same
A displacement mechanism, a lens module using the same and a device using the same are provided. The displacement mechanism of lens module comprises a base, a first element and a second element. The first element is disposed on the base, wherein the first element is immovably disposed relative to the base along a first direction and movably disposed relative to the base the base along a second direction. The second element is disposed on the base, wherein the second element is movably disposed relative to the first element along the first direction and movably disposed relative to the base along the first direction and the second direction.
US09030765B2 Optical apparatus including decentering/tilting adjustment mechanism
The optical apparatus includes a first holding member holding an optical element, a second holding member holding the first holding member, and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism includes a fulcrum portion provided at one place in a circumferential direction and connecting the first and second holding member so as to allow movements of the first holding member in decentering and tilting correction directions with respect to the second holding member. The adjustment mechanism further includes two decentering adjustment portions arranged in the circumferential direction and each including a first adjusting member, and two tilting adjustment portions arranged in the circumferential direction and each including a second adjusting member. The first and second adjusting members each have an eccentric portion eccentric with respect to its rotation center portion.
US09030764B2 Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging lens substantially consists of six lenses of a negative first lens, a negative second lens, a positive third lens, a positive fourth lens, a negative fifth lens and a positive sixth lens in this order from an object side. When a curvature radius of an object-side surface of the fourth lens is R8, and a curvature radius of an image-side surface of the fourth lens is R9, and an Abbe number of the material of the third lens for d-line is νd3, and an Abbe number of the material of the fifth lens for d-line is νd5, the following conditional formulas (1) and (6) are satisfied: −0.61<(R8+R9)/(R8−R9)<0.44  (1); and 38.1<νd3+νd5<45.1  (6).
US09030762B2 Polyester resin and optical lens
The present invention relates to a polyester resin including a diol constitutional unit and a dicarboxylic acid constitutional unit as main constitutional units, in which the diol constitutional unit contains from 70 to 95% by mol of a constitutional unit derived from ethylene glycol and from 5 to 30% by mol of a constitutional unit derived from tricyclodecane dimethanol or pentacyclopentadecane dimethanol, and the dicarboxylic acid constitutional unit contains 50% by mol or more of a constitutional unit derived from a naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and an optical lens obtained by molding the polyester resin. According to the present invention, there are provided a polyester resin that has a high refractive index and a low Abbe number and can be molded into a good optical lens, and an optical lens obtained by molding the polyester resin.
US09030760B2 Imaging lens assembly
An imaging lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element and a fourth lens element. The positive first lens element has a convex object-side surface at a paraxial region. The negative second lens element has a concave image-side surface at a paraxial region, wherein the image-side surface thereof has a convex shape at a peripheral region, and the surfaces thereof are aspheric. The positive third lens element has a convex object-side surface at a paraxial region and a convex image-side surface at a paraxial region. The negative fourth lens element has a concave image-side surface at a paraxial region, wherein the image-side surface thereof has a convex shape at a peripheral region, and the surfaces thereof are aspheric. The imaging lens assembly has a total of four lens elements with refractive power.
US09030755B2 Zoom lens system, optical apparatus, and method for manufacturing zoom lens system
A zoom lens optical system includes, in order from an object side along an optical axis: a first lens group having positive refractive power; a second lens group having negative refractive power; a third lens group having positive refractive power; a fourth lens group having negative refractive power; and a fifth lens group having positive refractive power, wherein upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, the first lens group being moved with respect to an image plane, a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group increasing, a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group decreasing, a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens group varying, and a distance between the fourth lens group and the fifth lens group varying.
US09030750B2 Objective lens
An objective lens OL comprises: a first lens group G1 disposed on an object side, having positive refractive power as a whole and having a positive lens (plano-convex lens L1) which is disposed closest to the object and of which lens surface closest to the object is a plane or a surface having a low curvature, and at least one cemented lens (cemented lens CL12 or the like); a second lens group G2 disposed on an image side, having negative refractive power as a whole, and having a concave surface facing the image and a concave surface facing the object, which face each other; and a diffractive optical element GD in which two diffractive element constituents made from different optical materials are cemented, which has a diffractive optical surface D formed with diffraction grating grooves on the cemented surface, and which is disposed closer to the object than a position where a principal ray crosses the optical axis.
US09030740B2 Photochromic article having at least partially crossed polarized photochromic-dichroic and fixed-polarized layers
Photochromic-dichroic articles are provided, which include a substrate having a first surface, a fixed-polarized layer over the first surface of the substrate, and a photochromic-dichroic layer over the first surface of the substrate. The fixed-polarized layer optionally includes a fixed-colorant and has a first polarization axis. The photochromic-dichroic layer includes a photochromic-dichroic compound that is laterally aligned within the photochromic-dichroic layer, and which defines a second polarization axis. The first polarization axis and the second polarization axis are oriented relative to each other at an angle of greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°. The photochromic-dichroic articles can provide, for example, increased optical density and/or increased kinetics when exposed to a given amount of actinic radiation.
US09030738B2 Stereoscopic image viewing device
A stereoscopic image viewing device to be attached for stereoscopic image viewing to eyeglasses; which includes: a pair of light shutters for right and left eyes; a driver circuit for the light shutters; a power source unit for driving the light shutters; a bridge for supporting the light shutters at their inside edges; a binding portion for removably binding the stereoscopic image viewing device to the eyeglasses; and a support for supporting the driver circuit and the power source unit. The power source unit includes a secondary battery. The binding portion and the support are integrally formed with the bridge. The stereoscopic image viewing device has a center of gravity positioned in the bridge.
US09030737B2 3D display device and method
A 3D display device that includes: a first optical section of focal distance f1 provided with a group of small lenses arrayed along a specific direction; and a second optical section of focal distance f2 that converges N beams of parallel light that are emitted from the first optical section and hit the individual small lenses by converging so as to offset the N beams from an optical axis. A distance d1 between the first optical section and the second optical section satisfies f2−f1≦d1≦f2 and a viewing distance d2 from the second optical section satisfies d2≈f2.
US09030731B2 Quantum entangled photon pair generator
In a quantum entangled photon pair generator selectively generating polarization entangled photon pairs and time-bin entangled photon pairs, an excitation optical pulse shaper receives a linearly polarized optical pulse, and selectively outputs either one of a polarization excitation optical pulse pair to be a seedlight pulse for a polarization entangled photon pair and a consecutive excitation optical pulse pair to be a seedlight pulse for a time-bin entangled photon pair. An optical interferometer receives the polarization excitation optical pulse pair or the consecutive excitation optical pulse pair, and outputs a correlated photon pair forming signal and idler photons through a parametric fluorescence process. A quantum entangled photon pair extractor spatially extracting wavelength components corresponding to photons of the quantum entangled photon pair to output the components as the polarization entangled photon pair or the time-bin entangled photon pair.
US09030729B2 Particles for display, particle dispersion for display, display medium, and display device
Particles for display include a copolymer that contains at least, as copolymer constituents, a reactive compound containing a silicone chain or an alkyl chain and a vinyl compound represented by Formula (1), wherein a content of the reactive compound containing a silicone chain or an alkyl chain is 3.0% by weight or less with respect to the weight of the particles: ArH2C═CH2)n  Formula (1) wherein in Formula (1), Ar represents an unsubstituted aromatic ring or an aromatic ring that is substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and n represents an integer from 1 to 4.
US09030724B2 Flexible and printable electrooptic devices
This invention discloses how electrooptic devices including electrochromic devices that can be fabricated as tags or labels; and further the materials used, device structures and how these can be processed by printing technologies and on flexible substrates. In addition, systems using displays of such devices and their integration with other components are described for forming labels and tags, etc, that may be actuated wirelessly or powered with low voltage and low capacity batteries.
US09030715B2 Sheet conveyance device that can detect sheet size
A sheet conveyance device is capable of detecting a sheet length in a conveyance direction correctly, and of detecting a length of a non-standard size sheet correctly. A detection unit detects front and rear ends of a sheet conveyed with a conveyance unit. A measurement unit measures sheet length in a conveyance direction based on a detection result of the detection unit. An acquisition unit acquires a reference length of the sheet. A computation unit computes a correction value that is used to correct a length measured by the measurement unit based on length measured and the reference length acquired in a correction mode. A storage unit stores the correction value computed. A determination unit determines sheet length corrected based on the correction value and the length measured at the time of conveyance of a sheet in a mode other than correction mode.
US09030713B2 Data processing apparatus and data processing method
Provided is a data processing method that is capable of high-speed processing without using a large cache memory, while correlating 2-dimensional parameters with a plurality of data without damaging the arrangement rule. Therefore, when there is a continuing M-line parameter after a previously read M-line parameter in a 2-dimensional table that is stored in an external memory 406, the contents of the cache memory 404 are updated with this continuing M-line parameter as the new parameter. When there is no continuing M-line parameter after the previously read M-line parameter in the 2-dimensional table, the contents of the cache memory 404 are updated with the continuing M-line parameter after returning to the starting line of the 2-dimensional table as the new parameter. Such an update rule is maintained even when the band, which is the processing unit, is changed, or even in the progress of band processing.
US09030703B2 Printing server, printing system, and printing method for creating image data representing an image based on print data and an additional image to be added to the image
When print data transmitted by a PC is accumulated in a printing server, the printing server creates display data for displaying on the PC an image based on the print data and an image corresponding to an advertisement image to be added to the image, and transmits the display data to the PC. When print data is created so that an image is printed on only the front side of a recording paper, image data is created so that an advertisement image is printed on the reverse side of the recording paper. The PC previews an image on the surface and an image on the reverse side based on the received display data on an LCD of a display section.
US09030682B2 Systems and methods for universal imaging components
A method of operating a cartridge chip installed in an imaging device includes: causing, by the cartridge chip, the imaging device to enter an error condition; monitoring the timing or sequence of communication signals received from the imaging device during at least a portion of the error condition; and operating, based on the timing or sequence of the communication signals received from the imaging device during at least a portion of the error condition, in a first mode of operation compatible with a first type of imaging device or in a second mode of operation compatible with a second type of imaging device.
US09030680B2 Information processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and program
An information processing apparatus includes a control unit that, in a case where it is determined that proxy response processing should be performed, performs control such that an inputted job is processed without causing the information processing apparatus to transition from a second power mode to a first power mode, and, in a case where it is determined that proxy response processing should not be performed, performs control such that inputted job is processed after causing the information processing apparatus to transition from the second power mode to the first power mode.
US09030677B2 Automatic environmentally friendly font substitution using print control policies and governance logs
A method and a system are disclosed for the automatic substitution of font with a toner saving font. Dynamic substitution of document specified fonts with a toner saving font can reduce the amount of toner used and minimize system resource usage that can slow printing speeds. Substitution software first determines whether a document print request matches a set of predefined conditions. If the document print request does not match all of the conditions, the inquiry ends. Substitution software then determines whether font substitution is selected or mandated at any level of print control. Where a document print request matches all of the predefined conditions and where font substitution is selected or mandated at any level of print controls, the substitution software performs a font substitution to replace original font with a toner saving font.
US09030675B2 Method for determining a distance between two beamlets in a multi-beamlet exposure apparatus
The invention relates to a method for determining a distance between charged particle beamlets in a multi-beamlet exposure apparatus. The apparatus is provided with a sensor comprising a converter element for converting charged particle energy into light and a light sensitive detector provided with a two-dimensional pattern of beamlet blocking and non-blocking regions. The method comprises scanning a first beamlet over the pattern, receiving light generated by the converter element, and converting the received light into a first signal. Then the two-dimensional pattern and the first beamlet are moved relatively with respect to each other over a predetermined distance. Subsequently, the method comprises scanning a second beamlet over the pattern, receiving light generated by the converter element, and converting the received light into a second signal. Finally, the distance between the first beamlet and second beamlet is determined based on the first signal, the second signal and the predetermined distance.
US09030674B2 Method and apparatus for secure control of a robot
A device according to the invention (1) for monitoring the safety of at least one robot (2), having a non-contact detection apparatus (3A, 3B) for monitoring a working space (A) of at least one robot (2) in a monitoring mode (FIG. 1), is characterized by a switching means (1) for switching the detection apparatus into a measuring mode (FIG. 2) to measure at least one robot (2).
US09030655B2 Closed loop atomic inertial sensor
An apparatus for inertial sensing is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one atomic inertial sensor, and one or more micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) inertial sensors operatively coupled to the atomic inertial sensor. The atomic inertial sensor and the MEMS inertial sensors operatively communicate with each other in a closed feedback loop.
US09030651B2 Laser range finding device and distance measurement method thereof
A distance measurement method is provided that includes the steps of transmitting a laser signal to a target, receiving outside signals reflected by the target, converting the outside signals into an analog voltage signal, sampling the analogy voltage signal to obtain digital signals, storing the digital signals at storage addresses in a one-to-one relationship, repeating the above steps, accumulating numeral values at each storage addresses to obtain an accumulated value, outputting the accumulating value which exceeds a constant and corresponds to a time point, and calculating the distance between a laser range finding device and the target according to the time point corresponding to the output accumulated value.
US09030650B2 Laser rangefinder
A laser rangefinder includes a laser emitter for emitting parallel laser beams, a micro electro mechanical system reflector including a plurality of micro reflecting units and configured for reflecting the parallel laser beams toward different points on an object, a micro electro mechanical system photoreceiver configured for receiving the laser beams reflected by and from the different points on the object, a time interval counter configured for recording the time intervals between a first time when the laser emitter emitting the parallel laser beams and second times when the laser beams are received by the micro electro mechanical system photoreceiver, and a processor configured for calculating the distances to the different points of the object based on the time intervals.
US09030649B2 Target positioning device, method for driving a target positioning device, and a lithography system comprising such a target positioning device
A target positioning device, in particular for a lithography system, comprising a carrier for carrying a target, and a stage for carrying and moving the carrier along a first direction (X). The stage comprising two X-stage bases, both arranged on top of a common base plate, each X-stage base carries an X-stage carriage, and a Y-beam comprising a Y-stage for carrying said carrier and moving the carrier said carrier in a second direction (Y). The Y-beam bridges the space between the X-stage carriages and is connected to the X-stage carriages via a flexible coupling. The device further comprises two motors each for driving a corresponding X-stage carriage along its corresponding X-stage base. The two motors are arranged at least substantially below the stage. Each motor of said two motors is coupled to an eccentric cam or crank which is connected to the corresponding X-stage carriage via a crank shaft.
US09030642B2 Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device, which includes a backlight module, a mold frame mounted on the backlight module, a liquid crystal display panel mounted on the mold frame, and a bezel mounted on the liquid crystal display panel. The backlight module includes a backplane, a light bar mounted to the backplane, a graphite pad arranged between the backplane and the light bar. The light bar includes a metal core printed circuit board that is set in the form of an inverted U-shape and a plurality of LED lights mounted to and electrically connected with the metal core printed circuit board. The metal core printed circuit board is mounted to the backplane so as to mount the light bar to the backplane.
US09030636B2 Liquid crystal display apparatus
According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first substrate including a pixel electrode including a contact portion, main pixel electrodes extending in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction from two end portions of the contact portion in the first direction, and a connecting portion electrically connecting extended distal ends of the main pixel electrodes, a second substrate including a common electrode including main common electrodes extending substantially parallel to the main pixel electrode on either side of the main pixel electrode, and secondary common electrodes extending between the main common electrodes between the pixel electrodes juxtaposed in the second direction, and a liquid crystal layer.
US09030630B2 Microlens array substrate, electro-optic device, and electronic apparatus
A microlens includes a lens center portion having a lens-curved surface and a lens circumference portion having a linear side surface. In the case where length of the side surface is taken as L1, length of an aperture is taken as Ax, an angle formed by a normal of the side surface and incident light on the microlens is taken as θ1, and an angle formed by the normal of the side surface and output light from the microlens is taken as θ2, a relational expression of Equation 1 is satisfied. 0 < L 1 ≤ A x ⁢ cos ⁡ ( θ ⁢ 1 - θ 2 ) cos ⁢ ⁢ θ 2 Equation ⁢ ⁢ 1
US09030623B2 Frameless liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a frameless liquid crystal display device, which includes a rear enclosure, a backlight module arranged inside the rear enclosure, a mold frame arranged on the backlight module and fixedly coupled to the rear enclosure, a liquid crystal display panel arranged on the mold frame, and a surface decoration arranged at a lower end of the liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel includes a CF substrate and a TFT substrate laminated on the CF substrate and a top polarization plate and a bottom polarization plate respectively laminated to the CF substrate and the TFT substrate. The bottom polarization plate forms projections on upper and lower ends of the liquid crystal display panel. The mold frame forms retention slots in which the projections are received to mount the liquid crystal display panel to the mold frame.
US09030593B2 Imaging apparatus and method for controlling the same
An imaging apparatus is capable of preventing unintended shooting setting when a through-image is displayed at a zoom position different from a field angle for reach shooting. The imaging apparatus includes a recording control unit configured to record a zoom position taken before a start of a function for temporarily changing the zoom position as a first position, a zoom control unit configured to perform control to move the zoom position from the first position to a second position when the function is started, and from the second position to the first position when the function is ended, and a control unit configured to perform control, when the zoom position is at the second position by the function, not to make any changes according to an instruction for changing specific shooting setting.
US09030588B2 Imaging apparatus for reducing deterioration of AD conversion of a pixel signal
An imaging apparatus capable of reducing deterioration of AD conversion accuracy is provided, wherein, when performing the AD conversion on a pixel signal corresponding to a reset level, a latch control unit causes a latch circuit of a latch unit to enter an enabled state (third timing) at a first timing according to a comparison start in a comparing unit, and then causes the latch circuit of the latch unit to execute latching at a fourth timing at which a predetermined time has lapsed from a second timing according to a comparison end in the comparing unit. Further, when performing the AD conversion on the pixel signal corresponding to the signal level, the latch control unit causes the latch circuit of the latch unit to enter the enabled state at the second timing according to the comparison end in the comparing unit.
US09030584B2 Image sensor with substrate noise isolation
A process including forming an a backside-illuminated (BSI) image sensor in a substrate, the image sensor including a pixel array formed in or near a front surface of the substrate and one or more circuit blocks formed in the substrate near the pixel array, each circuit block including at least one support circuit. An interconnect layer is formed on the front surface of the substrate that includes a dielectric within which are embedded traces and vias, wherein the traces and vias electrically couple the pixel array to at least one of the one or more support circuits. An isolation trench is formed surrounding at least one of the one or more circuit blocks to isolate the pixel array and other circuit blocks from noise generated by the at least one support circuit within the circuit block surrounded by the isolation trench. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US09030580B2 Color filter modules for plenoptic XYZ imaging systems
A method for designing a color filter module used in a plenoptic XYZ imaging system. In one approach, the color filter module is spatially partitioned into filter cells, and the spatial partition is designed by considering data captured at the sensor in light of variations in ΔE.
US09030576B2 Album creating apparatus, album creating method and program therefor
An album creating apparatus is provided to insert a title appropriate for the timing at which the image stored in the album is captured. The album creating apparatus includes: an image acquiring section for acquiring a plurality of images in association with image capturing times; a reference time acquiring section for acquiring a reference time indicative of the time and date of a main event in an album; an image capturing timing specifying section for specifying an image capturing timing indicative of a period for the reference time acquired by the reference time acquiring section; a title determining section for determining a title to be inserted into the album; and an album creating section for creating the album by laying out the title determined.
US09030575B2 Transformations and white point constraint solutions for a novel chromaticity space
A novel chromaticity space is disclosed that may be used as a framework to implement an auto-white balance solution or other color image processing solutions that take advantage of the particular properties of the novel chromaticity space. The chromaticity space may be defined by using a series of mathematical transformations having parameters that are optimized to adapt to specific sensors' spectral sensitivities. The unique properties of the novel chromaticity space provide a conscious white point constraining strategy with clear physical meaning. In this chromaticity space, the ranges of possible white points under different kinds of lighting conditions can be defined by polygons. Because of the physical meaning the chromaticity space, the projection that is needed to bring an initially “out-of-bounds” white point back into the polygon also carries physical meaning, making the definition of projection behavior and its consequences conceptually clean and predictable.
US09030566B2 Image capturing apparatus and control method of the same
An image capturing apparatus comprises: an image sensor configured to capture an image; a vibration detection unit configured to detect a vibration; a vector detection unit configured to detect a motion vector from images; a first correction unit configured to optically correct an image blur; a second correction unit configured to electrically correct the image blur; a first calculation unit configured to calculate, on the basis of the vibration, a first vibration correction amount for controlling the first correction unit; a second calculation unit configured to calculate, on the basis of the motion vector, a second vibration correction amount for controlling the second correction unit; and a control unit configured to control the first and second calculation units so that the first and second vibration correction amounts are suppressed when a vibration amount is greater than a first threshold.
US09030559B2 Constrained parametric curve detection using clustering on Hough curves over a sequence of images
A method for automatically detecting a constrained curve over a set of images includes: obtaining a set of one or more binary images of a scene wherein pixels thereof are designated as an edge pixel or not; and, processing at least one of the images. The processing includes: applying a Hough transform to the image to generate an accumulator array; determining Hough peaks from the accumulator array; selecting Hough peaks subject to a set of constraints; determining Hough curve segments for the selected Hough peaks; grouping the Hough curve segments into clusters; selecting from the clusters a cluster having a greatest number of Hough curve segments; and fitting a curve to the Hough curve segments grouped in the selected cluster.
US09030554B2 Device for analysing the surface of a substrate
An analysis device for analysing a transparent or specular surface of a substrate, the device including a raster located opposite the surface of the substrate to be measured, a video camera for capturing at least one image of the raster deformed by the measured substrate, a raster lighting system, and an image-processing and digital analysis mechanism connected to the video camera. The video camera is a matrix array camera, the raster is provided on a substrate having an oblong shape and is bidirectional including a first pattern extending along a first direction and along a smallest extension of the substrate, the first pattern being transversely periodical to the smallest extension, and a second pattern extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first pattern and along a largest extension of the substrate.
US09030541B2 Endoscope system
An endoscope system includes: a photoelectric conversion element; a contour enhancing section that detects an edge component in a picked-up image subjected to the photoelectric conversion, thereby generating a contour enhancement signal; an electronic zoom region determining section that determines an electronic zoom region in the picked-up image based on a strength of the contour enhancement signal; an instruction section that provides an instruction for enlargement/reduction of the image; a parameter setting section that sets a zoom parameter for an electronic zoom section according to the instruction provided by the instruction section; and the electronic zoom section that performs an electronic zoom of the picked-up image for the electronic zoom region determined, according to the parameter set by the parameter setting section.
US09030536B2 Apparatus and method for presenting media content
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor including a controller to receive a broadcast of media content comprising three-dimensional image content for presentation on a display device operably coupled with the media processor, adjust the broadcast of the media content to comprise two-dimensional image content, and present the media content on a display device, wherein the controller adjusts the media content to comprise the two-dimensional image content during presentation of the broadcast of the media content on the display device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09030534B2 Apparatus and method of displaying 3-dimensional image
An apparatus and a method of displaying 3-Dimensional image are disclosed. A camera unit serves to capture an image of a viewer. A position tracking device serves to detect a position of the viewer using a video frame included in the captured image and calculate a position of a non-transmissive region of a 3D image filter based on the detected position of the viewer. A display unit serves to move the non-transmissive region of the 3D image filter according to the calculated position of the non-transmissive region. Changing a sweet spot of the 3D image to suit movement of the viewer has the effects of enlarge a viewing angle of the viewer and preventing crosstalk and image flipping even when the viewer moves.
US09030532B2 Stereoscopic image display
Stereoscopic image display is described. In an embodiment, a location of the eye pupils of a viewer is determined and tracked. An image is displayed within a first focus for viewing with the left eye of the viewer, and the image is displayed within a second focus for viewing with the right eye of the viewer. A positional change of the eye pupils is tracked and a sequential image that corresponds to the positional change of the eye pupils is generated for stereoscopic viewing. In another embodiment, an image is displayed for stereoscopic viewing and a head position of a viewer relative to a center of the displayed image is determined. A positional change of the viewer's head is tracked, and a sequential image that corresponds to the positional change of the viewer's head is generated for stereoscopic viewing.
US09030528B2 Multi-zone imaging sensor and lens array
An imaging module includes a matrix of detector elements formed on a single semiconductor substrate and configured to output electrical signals in response to optical radiation that is incident on the detector elements. A filter layer is disposed over the detector elements and includes multiple filter zones overlying different, respective, convex regions of the matrix and having different, respective passbands.
US09030522B2 Apparatus and method for providing media content
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receive a request for a telepresence seat at an event, obtain media content comprising event images of the event that are captured by an event camera system, receive images that are captured by a camera system at a user location, provide the media content and video content representative of the images to a processor for presentation at a display device utilizing a telepresence configuration that simulates the first and second users being present at the event, where the providing of the first and second video content establishes a communication session between the first and second users. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09030517B2 Pixel clock generating device and image forming apparatus
A pixel clock generating device includes a time interval detection unit detecting a time interval between a first signal and a second signal in each of cyclically repeating N (≧2) time periods; a comparing unit cyclically selecting a target value from N target values corresponding to the N time periods and outputting an error indicating a difference between the detected time interval and the selected target value for each of the N time periods; a frequency calculation unit correcting a frequency of the pixel clock signal based on the error and cyclically generating a frequency specification signal indicating the corrected frequency for each of the N time periods; a high-frequency clock generating unit generating a high-frequency clock signal; and a pixel clock generating unit generating a pixel clock signal based on the frequency specification signal and the high-frequency clock signal.
US09030511B2 Information processing apparatus, method of controlling thereof, printing system, tape printing apparatus, and computer-readable medium
An information processing apparatus used in connection with a tape printing apparatus has a tape information acquisition section which acquires from the tape printing apparatus tape information about a tape mounted therein, a new standardized tape discrimination section which discriminates whether a new standardized tape having a standard different from an existing standard has been mounted or not based on the tape information, a printing parameter acquisition section which acquires a printing parameter corresponding to the new standardized tape in a case that it is discriminated that the new standardized tape has been mounted, and a data transmission section which transmits the printing parameter acquired by the printing parameter acquisition section to the tape printing apparatus.
US09030508B2 Method and device for optical focusing
A device for optically focusing a projection image projected by a projector includes a detector for controlled creation of at least one observation shot of the projection image over a time period, a processing unit for defining at least one image section within the projection image generated by the projector, where the image section is modulated over the time period with respect to the optical power and/or the optical spectrum thereof, and the at least one image section of the projection image is essentially synchronous compared with the corresponding respective image section of the observation shot, where the processing unit also calculates a variable derived from the comparison of the respective image sections and a control signal derived from the derived variable, and outputs the control signal to a focusing device of the projector.
US09030503B2 Anamorphic eyepiece with a microlens array for a panoramic field of view
An innovative anamorphic eyepiece is described, which uses a microlens array with complex surface features used in conjunction with a modified microdisplay to provide a high resolution image with a panoramic field of view. An optical system can be based on such an eyepiece with a microlens array and modified microdisplay that can provide a large, panoramic field of view to the user. The microdisplay is modified to increase the resolution in the horizontal axis.
US09030501B2 Methods and systems for modifying a display of a field of view of a robotic device to include zoomed-in and zoomed-out views
Methods and systems for modifying a display of a field of view of a robotic device to include zoomed-in and zoomed-out views are provided. In examples, the robotic device may include a camera to capture images in a field of view of a robotic device, and distance sensors which can provide outputs that may be used to determine a distance of the robotic device to an object in the field of view of the robotic device. A display of the field of view of the robotic device can be generated, and as the distance decreases, the display can be modified to include a zoomed-in view of the object. As the distance increases, the display can be modified to include a zoomed-out view of the object. An amount of zoom of the object may be inversely proportional to the distance.
US09030497B2 Display device and arrangement method of OSD switches
A display device in the invention comprises an OSP section and OSD switches 10 configured to include a plurality of switches for performing various kinds of setting operations using the OSD section. In OSD switches 10, switches 10a and 10b are disposed on a right side of a front bezel 2 and switches 10c and 10d are disposed on a lower side of the front bezel 2. By that, the OSD switches can be disposed so that a switch operation can be visually performed without an uncomfortable feeling, without increasing the thickness of a front bezel even if the front bezel is narrow.
US09030496B1 Methods for and apparatus for interactive school yearbook
The present disclosure provides for image processing apparatus for generating static image data and corresponding Spatial Coordinates as an infrastructure for receiving media input. The media input will generally be related to the image data corresponding with selected Spatial Coordinates. Image data may specifically relate to a physical yearbook converted to static image data.
US09030491B1 System and method for displaying data from multiple devices on a single user interface
A method involves using a first software module loaded within a storage device to publish a first paint method under a first window object, the first window object covering a first portion of a display operatively connected to the storage device, using a second software module loaded within the storage device to publish a second paint method under a second window object, wherein the second window object at least partially overlaps the first window object and at least partially covers the first portion of the display, and displaying data within the first portion of the display by calling the first paint method and the second paint method in order based upon a property, such as a hierarchical-based property, of both the first window object and the second window object, where data originates from more than one hardware devices operatively connected to the storage device.
US09030483B2 Image display device displaying multi-primary color and method of driving the same
An image display device includes: a display panel including a plurality of pixels and displaying an image; a color converting portion generating a converted image signal regarding red, green and blue colors and an auxiliary primary color from an original image signal regarding red, green and blue colors using one of a plurality of gains corresponding to the plurality of pixels, respectively; and a data signal generating portion generating a data signal from the converted image signal and supplying the data signal to the display panel.
US09030480B2 Triggering performance event capture via pipelined state bundles
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for analyzing the performance of a graphics processing pipeline. A first workload and a second workload are combined together in a pipeline to generate a combined workload. The first workload is associated with a first instance and the second workload is associated with a second instance. A first and second initial event are generated for the combined workload, indicating that the first and second workloads have begun processing at a first position in the graphics processing pipeline. A first and second final event are generated, indicating that the first and second workloads have finished processing at a second position in the graphics processing pipeline.
US09030478B2 Three-dimensional graphics clipping method, three-dimensional graphics displaying method, and graphics processing apparatus using the same
A three-dimensional (3D) graphics clipping method, a 3D graphics displaying method, and a 3D graphics processing apparatus using the same are provided. The 3D graphics clipping method includes following steps. A plurality of vertexes of a triangle is obtained, wherein a 3D object is constructed by using a plane of the triangle. Whether a view point is located between a first near clipping plane and a far clipping plane is determined. A second near clipping plane is set according to the determination result, and a view field is set between the second near clipping plane and the far clipping plane. A near clipping procedure is executed on the triangle according to the second near clipping plane. In the 3D graphics clipping method, a correct view field is determined in advance so that a graphics processing procedure is efficiently sped up and the accuracy of the near clipping procedure is increased.
US09030468B2 Method for depth map generation
A method for depth map generation is disclosed, capable of generating a depth map corresponding an image signal, for the application of a 2D to 3D image transformation system. In the depth map generated by the disclosed method, each of the plural image regions of the image signal is assigned with a depth value. Besides, by means of comparing the depth map with another depth map of the earlier time point, the disclosed method can generate a modulated depth map, for assigning a depth value to each of the plural image regions of the image signal more precisely. Thus, the transformation performance and efficiency of the 2D to 3D image transformation system are hereby improved.
US09030460B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes pixels, a driver for providing a driving voltage, and conductive lines including a first line, a second line, and a third line. The display apparatus further includes a first circuit electrically connected to the driver for receiving the driving voltage and electrically connected to the pixels for controlling the pixels. The first circuit includes a first chip, a first inner line, a first pad, a second pad, a third pad, a fourth pad, and a fifth pad. The first chip is electrically connected to the driver through the third pad, the fourth pad, the fifth pad, the third line, the second line, the second pad, the first inner line, the first pad, and the first line. The fourth and fifth pads may contribute to consistent resistance for paths that transmit the driving voltage, for enabling desirable display quality of the display apparatus.
US09030454B2 Display device including pixels and method for driving the same
A display device includes an insulation substrate; a plurality of gate lines arranged on the insulation substrate in a first direction and including first group of gate lines and second group of gate lines; a plurality of data lines insulated from and crossing the plurality of gate lines; a gate driver applying gate-on voltages to the plurality of gate lines; and a data driver applying data voltages to the plurality of data lines, wherein at least one of the first group of gate lines is arranged between the second group of gate lines and the gate driver applies the gate-on voltages to the first group of gate lines during the first half of a frame and the gate-on voltages to the second group of gate lines during the second half of the frame.
US09030446B2 Placement of optical sensor on wearable electronic device
In one embodiment, a wearable device includes a body that includes a touch-sensitive display. The wearable device includes a band coupled to the body and an optical sensor placed on or in the band so that an image of an object displayed on the touch-sensitive display is viewable while the object is also viewable without the wearable device blocking a view of the object.
US09030442B2 Touch panel and method for manufacturing the same
A touch panel and a method for manufacturing the same are introduced and characterized by enhanced process yield of the touch panel. The manufacturing method includes stacking a first conductive layer on a substrate, stacking an electrode on the first conductive layer, stacking a first insulating transparent layer on the electrode and the first conductive layer, exposing the electrode from the first insulating transparent layer by exposure and development, stacking a second insulating transparent layer on the electrode, the first conductive layer, and the first insulating transparent layer, stacking a second conductive layer on the second insulating transparent layer, stacking a metal layer on the electrode and the substrate to form a first transmission line, and stacking the metal layer on at least a portion of the second conductive layer and the substrate to form a second transmission line.
US09030435B2 Touch input device with button function
A touch input device with a button function is provided. The touch input device includes a base member, a touch module, a triggering switch, a linking module, and plural movable pads. The plural movable pads are disposed on the linking module. The linking module is fixed on the base member through a fixing part. Moreover, the linking module is located near the triggering switch, which is disposed on the base member. When the touch module is depressed, the linking module is pushed by the plural movable pads. Consequently, the linking module is swung by using the fixing part as a fulcrum, and the triggering switch is pushed by the linking module. Since the lever arm of the linking module is longer than the lever arm of the prior technology, the touch module is depressed by a smaller force.
US09030430B2 Multi-touch navigation mode
Techniques are disclosed for providing a navigation mode in electronic touch sensitive devices. The navigation mode can be used to advance forward and backward through displayed pages of content on a page-by-page or multi-page basis, such as pages of an eBook, photos, lists such as search results and files, or other consumable content that can be displayed in a page-like fashion. The user can engage the navigation mode with a particular gesture that includes a combination of contact points that uniquely and/or globally identify that the navigation mode is desired. The combination may include, for example, a press-and-hold activation contact point by one hand of the user, and one or more additional moving gesture contact points that indicate the desired navigation using the other hand of the user. Horizontal and/or vertical paging speeds correspond to the number of moving contact points, which can be effected with swiping or circular gestures.
US09030428B2 Generating haptic effects for dynamic events
A system that generates a dynamic haptic effect for a dynamic event receives a first endpoint and a second endpoint for dynamic events. The first endpoint includes a first endpoint value and a corresponding first haptic effect, and the second endpoint includes a second endpoint value and a corresponding second haptic effect. The system receives a dynamic value for the dynamic event. The dynamic value is between the first endpoint value and the second endpoint value. The system then determines the dynamic haptic effect from the dynamic value by interpolating the dynamic haptic effect from the first haptic effect and the second haptic effect.
US09030426B2 Method of minimizing charges accumulated at common electrode of display panel
A touch system including a display panel associated with a first electrode, a touch panel having a plurality of touch electrodes having a plurality of transmit electrodes and a plurality of receive electrodes, and a voltage generating circuit is provided. When a mutual capacitance between a selected transmit electrode and a selected receive electrode is measured, the voltage generating circuit applies a first voltage of a first polarity to the selected transmit electrode, and substantially concurrently applies a second voltage of a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity to at least one other transmit electrode for minimizing charges associated with an application of the first voltage to the selected transmit electrode and accumulated at the first electrode.
US09030419B1 Touch and force user interface navigation
Techniques for navigating through a user interface with a force-sensitive touch sensor are described. In some implementations, the force-sensitive touch sensor is also a display that presents the user interface. Touches on the force-sensitive touch sensor may be interpreted as indicating a vector direction based on the location of the touch and a vector magnitude based on the force of the touch. For instance, when a user navigates through a collection of photographs on a device having a force-sensitive touch sensor, the vector direction may determine if the user is scrolling forwards or backwards through the photographs and the vector magnitude may determine how rapidly the scrolling occurs. The user may also navigate through a hierarchy of folders and files using touch and force. Selection of a folder and application of force exceeding a threshold may result in display of the contents of a most commonly accessed subfolder or file.
US09030404B2 Method and apparatus for distributed user interfaces using wearable devices to control mobile and consumer electronic devices
A method for controlling a controlled device with a device wearable on a portion of a body is disclosed. The method includes detecting relative movement between the wearable device and the portion of the body; and generating an indication of the relative movement for use in controlling the controlled device. A method for controlling a controlled device with a device wearable on a portion of a body is also disclosed. The method includes receiving a message indicating a relative movement between the wearable device and the portion of the body; and generating an action to control the controlled device based on a command associated with the relative movement. Apparatuses for performing the methods are disclosed herein as well.
US09030399B2 Gate driver stage outputting multiple, partially overlapping gate-line signals to a liquid crystal display
A gate driver for driving a TFT-LCD panel includes a number of gate-driver circuits arranged in groups and stages. Each gate-driver circuit has a main driver and an output section. The main driver is used to provide a charging signal to the output section which has two or more output circuits. Each of the output circuits is configured to provide a gate-line signal in response to the charging signal and a clock signal. The gate-driver circuit uses fewer switching elements, such as thin-film transistors, than the conventional circuit. When the gate driver is integrated in a TFT-LCD display panel and disposed within the periphery area around the display area, it is desirable to reduce or minimize the number of switching elements in the gate driver so that the periphery area can be reduced.
US09030398B2 Shift register circuit, source driver including the same, and method
A shift register circuit and method includes: a plurality of shift registers configured to generate latch clock signals by sequentially shifting input signals according to first and second clock signals, the first and second clock signals including: periods longer than a shift register clock signal, and phases different from each other, wherein odd shift registers among the plurality of shift registers are configured to be driven by the first clock signal, and wherein even shift registers are configured to be driven by the second clock signal.
US09030392B2 Display device
A display device is provided with: a first display panel for displaying an image; and a second display panel for forming a parallax by controlling a refractive index in a form of cylindrical lenses that run in a first direction and are aligned in a second direction, wherein the second display panel is provided with a first substrate having a first electrode and a second substrate having second electrodes, the first substrate and the second substrate face each other with a liquid crystal layer in between so as to provide a liquid crystal display panel, and a thickness of the liquid crystal layer is equal to or smaller than such a thickness that makes a rotational angle in a direction of a deflection angle of liquid crystal directors in a center portion of the liquid crystal layer in the direction of the thickness be 90° during three-dimensional display.
US09030391B2 Systems, devices, and methods for driving an analog interferometric modulator
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for accurately positioning a movable conductive layer of a reflective display element. In one aspect, an initial position of the movable conductive layer with respect to at least one or more fixed conductive layers is sensed. A charging voltage may be determined based at least in part on the initial position. The charging voltage may be applied to the movable conductive layer.
US09030385B2 Image processing apparatus, display system, electronic apparatus, and method of processing image
An image processing apparatus which corrects pixel data corresponding to pixels configuring a display image of a display device having light emitting elements includes an information storage unit which, in units of one or a plurality of pixels of the display device, stores information corresponding to operating currents of light emitting elements included in the one or plurality of pixels, and a pixel data correction unit which corrects the pixel data based on the information corresponding to the operating currents stored in the information storage unit.
US09030374B2 Composite display modules
The present invention provides composite display modules which have reduced visible dead space between display modules. This is of particular interest for the price rail, where it is desirable to achieve a long (about 3-4 ft) section of an active module. The present invention is directed to a composite display module comprising: (a) more than one single display module, wherein said single display modules are not edge-sealed and they are mounted on a single back support structure and are kept tightly close to each other right up to their edges; and (b) said composite display module is edge sealed.
US09030371B2 Antenna device and communication terminal apparatus
An antenna device includes an antenna element and an impedance converting circuit connected to the antenna element. The impedance converting circuit is connected to a power-supply end of the antenna element. The impedance converting circuit is interposed between the antenna element and a power-supply circuit. The impedance converting circuit includes a first inductance element connected to the power-supply circuit and a second inductance element coupled to the first inductance element. A first end and a second end of the first inductance element are connected to the power-supply circuit and the antenna, respectively. A first end and a second end of the second inductance element are connected to the antenna element and ground, respectively.
US09030360B2 Electromagnetic band gap structure for enhanced scanning performance in phased array apertures
Embodiments of a phased array antenna having a plurality of unit cells, each unit cell utilizing an improved electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure and a lossy material in connection with the EBG element are disclosed. The lossy material reduces the undesired coupling between the antenna radiator and the EBG, thus providing enhanced scanning performance in the phased array aperture.
US09030352B2 Sensor rotation bias removal
A method for determining rotation bias in a sensor using a cooperative target that includes receiving, via a processor, sensor data acquired in a field of view of a sensor at a plurality of points in time. The method also includes receiving, via the processor, position data for a cooperative target travelling along a path through the field of view of the sensor at the plurality of points in time. The method also includes determining, via the processor, a rotation bias in the sensor based on a maximum likelihood estimate performed over the path based on the sensor data and the cooperative target position data.
US09030351B2 Sensor suite and signal processing for border surveillance
A land-based Smart-Sensor System and several system architectures for detection, tracking, and classification of people and vehicles automatically and in real time for border, property, and facility security surveillance is described. The preferred embodiment of the proposed Smart-Sensor System is comprised of (1) a low-cost, non-coherent radar, whose function is to detect and track people, singly or in groups, and various means of transportation, which may include vehicles, animals, or aircraft, singly or in groups, and cue (2) an optical sensor such as a long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensor, whose function is to classify the identified targets and produce movie clips for operator validation and use, and (3) an IBM CELL supercomputer to process the collected data in real-time. The Smart Sensor System can be implemented in a tower-based or a mobile-based, or combination system architecture. The radar can also be operated as a stand-alone system.
US09030350B2 Method for initializing Cartesian tracks based on bistatic measurements performed by one or more receivers of a multistatic radar system
The invention consists of a method that makes it possible to produce an association of bistatic blips, formed by the different bistatic bases of a multistatic radar system comprising a plurality of transmitters and receivers remote from one another, this association making it possible to transmit to the tracking means only bistatic blips that probably correspond to one and the same target so as to facilitate the work of the tracking means. The association of blips that is produced takes into account the parameters defining, in three dimensions, the bistatic measurements (distance and speed), as well as the azimuth measurement, relating to the corresponding target.
US09030348B2 Systems and methods for providing diversity-distance-measuring equipment
Systems and methods that allow for distance-measuring equipment (DME) to use either a lower or an upper fuselage-mounted antenna. An exemplary system located on an aircraft includes an aircraft configuration data source that generates aircraft configuration information, an aircraft orientation data source that generates aircraft orientation information, a positioning system that generates aircraft position information and a component that provides DME ground station position information. The system also includes a first antenna, a second antenna and a processing device that determines if a DME signal communication issue exists with the first antenna that is based on the generated aircraft position information, the DME ground station position information and at least one of the configuration or orientation information. The processing device switches DME signal communication to the second antenna if a DME signal communication issue has been determined to exist.
US09030339B2 Transmitting device and receiving device
A transmitting device includes a parallel data generation unit and a transmitting unit. The parallel data generation unit generates first serial data and second serial data from a data packet, converts the first serial data and second serial data respectively into first parallel data and second parallel data, transmits the first parallel data and second parallel data respectively through first and second parallel transmission paths, and performs the transmission of the first parallel data and the transmission of the second parallel data in parallel. The transmitting unit receives the first parallel data and second parallel data respectively through the first and second parallel transmission paths, re-converts the first parallel data and second parallel data respectively into the first serial data and second serial data, and transmits the first serial data and second serial data to a receiving device respectively through first and second serial transmission paths.
US09030323B2 Method and apparatus for detecting position
Provided are a method and apparatus for detecting a position of an object using radio frequency identification (RFID). The method includes calculating a position of a moving object using a first RFID tag installed at a particular position in a predetermined space while the moving object is moving, sensing a second RFID tag included in the object, determining the position of the object as the position calculated at a point of time when the RFID tag included in the object is sensed, and displaying the determined position.
US09030318B1 Wireless tandem alarm
A wireless tandem alarm having a first alarm configured for physical connection to an industrial machine having an electronic machine controller, and a second alarm configured for detachable connection to the first alarm or to the industrial machine. Each alarm has a housing, a piezoelectric transducer within the housing, a processor configured to drive the piezoelectric transducer in response to a control signal, and a wireless transceiver configured for relatively short-range, low-power communications. In the first alarm, the processor drives the piezoelectric transducer in response to a signal from the machine controller and, also responsive to the machine controller signal, transmits a control signal via the wireless transceiver. In the second alarm, the wireless transceiver receives the control signal from the first alarm and supplies it to the processor, which is configured drive the piezoelectric transducer in response. The alarms are configured to work in tandem, when attached to each other, to cooperatively produce a combination of sound characteristics not achievable with either alarm alone. The alarms are also configured to detect when they are detached from each other and to respond by changing one or more sound characteristics. When detached, the alarms are also capable of affecting the operation of each other via two-way wireless communications.
US09030315B2 Binding methods and devices in a building automation system
An automation component configured for wireless communication within a building automation system is disclosed. The automation component includes a communication module having a communication port, and a wireless communication component. The automation component further includes a processor in communication with the communication module, a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor. The computer readable instructions are programmed to receive a component identifier via the communications port, generate a binding request based on the received component identifier, and communicate the binding request via the wireless communication component.
US09030309B2 System for monitoring items in proximity to a vehicle
A vehicle having an item detection system is provided having at least one indicator for selectively emitting an alarm when activated, a vehicle alarm control module, at least one radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag, and a radio frequency (“RF”) interrogator. The vehicle alarm control module is in communication with the at least one indicator and includes control logic for sending an activation data signal to the at least one indicator to selectively activate the at least one indicator. The RFID tag is configured for receiving a query RF signal and transmitting a reply RF signal upon receipt of the query RF signal. The RF interrogator is in communication with the vehicle alarm and is located within a specified distance of the RFID tag. The RF interrogator has a processor, and includes control logic for transmitting the query RF signal to the RFID tag.
US09030303B2 Contactless sensing and control system
This disclosure describes embodiments of a contactless sensing system for controlling operation of a remote device. The sensing system can comprise an actuator and a sensing device, which is responsive to a field the actuator emits. An end user can move the actuator relative to the sensing device to generate an output that reflects a device command that modifies operation of the remote device. In one example, the sensing device comprises an array of sensing elements. The field causes a change in operating parameters in the sensing elements, which the sensing device can identify and associate with the device command. The sensing device can also recognize combinations of one or more of the sensing elements that exhibit changes in the operating parameters to provide a robust control mechanism for the remote device.
US09030302B2 Method and apparatus for three-phase power line communications
Method and apparatus for generating a balanced three-phase power line communication signal. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating a plurality of modulation signals based on at least one data stream; modulating a plurality of carrier signals by the plurality of modulation signals to generate a balanced three-phase PLC signal comprising a first phase signal, a second phase signal, and a third phase signal; and coupling the balanced three-phase PLC signal to a three-phase power line.
US09030301B2 Systems and methods to determine kinematical parameters using RFID tags
Systems and methods to determine kinematical parameters of physical objects using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags attached to the objects. In one embodiment, one of a population of RFID tags is selectively instructed by an RFID reader to backscatter the interrogating electromagnetic wave and thus allow the RFID reader to measure the position, speed, acceleration, jerk of the object to which the tag is attached. The RFID reader combines the signal representing the backscattered interrogating electromagnetic wave and the signal representing the interrogating electromagnetic wave transmitted by the RFID reader to determine or monitor one or more of the kinematical parameters of the object.
US09030289B2 Touch sensing apparatus
A touch sensing apparatus has a plurality of unit regions, and each of the unit regions includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a spacer structure. The first substrate has a first electrode layer thereon. The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate and has a second electrode thereon. The spacer structure is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. In particular, there are plural of sensing units in each of the unit regions, and sensing trigger forces of the sensing units in the unit region are not completely the same.
US09030280B2 Electromagnetically operated device and switching device including the same
An electromagnetically operated device includes: a moving member of the electromagnetically operated device; a drive coil that is energized to generate magnetic flux for driving the moving member; a permanent magnet provided between a stationary member and the moving member for holding the moving member; and a holding force adjusting member for adjusting the holding force applied to the moving member by the permanent magnet, wherein the holding force adjusting member is placed at a position that will not be included in the main magnetic path of the magnetic flux caused by the drive coil so as to be removable.
US09030277B2 Compact microwave distributed-element dual-mode bandpass filter
A compact microwave distributed-element dual-mode bandpass filter is provided, comprising a dual-mode resonator and a signal input port and a signal output port coupled electrically to the dual-mode resonator respectively; wherein, the dual-mode resonator comprises a main stripline with a center-loaded short-circuited stub, the main stripline is reasonably folded in both vertical and horizontal directions and is reasonably folded into a first layer, a second layer, a third layer and a fourth layer; a symmetrical plane is provided between the second layer and the third layer, while the first layer and the fourth layer are symmetrical to each other relative to the symmetrical plane, the second layer and the third layer are symmetrical to each other relative to the symmetrical plane as well; the center-loaded short-circuited stub is located on the symmetrical plane, and the symmetrical plane can be treated as a virtual ground at odd-mode resonant frequency.
US09030275B2 RF monoblock filter with recessed top pattern and cavity providing improved attenuation
An electrical signal filter defined by a block of dielectric material with a top surface, a bottom surface, side surfaces, and through-holes extending between the top and bottom surfaces. In one embodiment, first and second walls protrude outwardly from the top surface and extend the length of first and second opposed longitudinally extending side surfaces. A surface-layer pattern of metallized and unmetallized areas is defined on selected surfaces of the block including an area of metallization that covers the top surface. In one embodiment, first and second surface-layer input/output electrodes are defined by first and second respective isolated strips of conductive material that extend from the top surface of the block and onto the first and second walls respectively.
US09030272B2 Duplex filter with recessed top pattern and cavity
A duplex filter includes a block of dielectric material with top, bottom, and side surfaces and first and second spaced-apart sets of through-holes. A pair of outside walls and a center wall extend outwardly from the top surface. A pattern of metallized areas is defined on the top surface of the block including first and second electrodes that extend on the pair of outside walls respectively and third and fourth electrode antennae that extend on the center wall. The block may be two separate blocks coupled together to form an interior layer of metallization separating the first and second sets of through-holes and the center wall separates respective transmit and receive portions of the pattern of metallized areas.
US09030269B1 Tunable microstrip and T-junction
A tunable microstrip having removable contactless tuning stubs is used in the fabrication of a tunable T-junction circuit. Arrays of tuning stubs are formed in proximity to both sides of a microstrip signal trace. Each array of tuning stubs has a shared grounding bus connected by multiple vias to the ground plane. The sinusoidally patterned shape of the tuning stubs and their proximity to the signal trace provides a minimum breakdown voltage of 1.3 kV and a tuning sensitivity of approximately 0.01 dB to 0.02 dB.
US09030268B2 Multiple E-probe waveguide power combiner/divider
A power combiner/divider having a waveguide, a plurality of amplifiers disposed on a supporting structure, a plurality of probes, each one having a first end electrically coupled to an output of a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers and a second end projecting outwardly from the supporting structure and into the waveguide. The probes are disposed in a common region of the waveguide. The region has a common electric field maximum within the waveguide. A first portion of the probes proximate the sidewalls have lengths different from a second portion of the probes disposed in a region distal from the sidewalls of the waveguide. The waveguide is supported by the support structure. The power combiner is a monolithic microwave integrated circuit structure.
US09030261B2 Two mode power converter for audio amplifiers
A power converter with positive and negative supply rail outputs for feeding a single ended class D amplifier, the converter comprising a transformer arrangement, a supply pump reduction arrangement connected between the secondary windings and the positive and negative supply rail outputs, and a boost drive mode switching arrangement. A controller is adapted to control the power converter in a negate drive mode and a boost drive mode, wherein the output voltage in the boost mode is increased by means of the transformer and the boost drive mode switching arrangement. The output voltages on the positive and negative rails can be generated at two different output voltage levels without changing the duty cycle or dead time of the control signals.
US09030259B2 System and method for pre-charging a current mirror
A system for pre-charging a current minor includes a controller configured to provide a first current and an additional current to a current minor to rapidly charge a capacitance associated with the current minor based on a reference voltage or control signals. A power amplifier module includes at least one current minor and a controller. A capacitor is coupled to the current minor. The controller provides a bias current in an amount proportional to an input to a voltage-to-current converter. The controller receives a control signal that directs the controller to apply one of a pre-charge voltage and a nominal voltage to the voltage-to-current converter.
US09030257B2 Differential circuit compensated with self-heating effect of active device
A differential circuit with a function to compensate unevenness observed in the differential gain thereof is disclosed. The differential circuit provides a low-pass filter in one of the paired transistors not receiving the input signal in addition to another low-pass filter that provides an average of output signals as a reference level of the differential circuit. The cut-off frequency of the filter is preferably set to be equal to the transition frequency at which the self-heating effect explicitly influences the trans-conductance of the transistor.
US09030256B2 Overlay class F choke
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an overlay class F choke of a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) stage and an RF PA amplifying transistor of the RF PA stage. The overlay class F choke includes a pair of mutually coupled class F inductive elements, which are coupled in series between a PA envelope power supply and a collector of the RF PA amplifying transistor. In one embodiment of the RF PA stage, the RF PA stage receives and amplifies an RF stage input signal to provide an RF stage output signal using the RF PA amplifying transistor. The collector of the RF PA amplifying transistor provides the RF stage output signal. The PA envelope power supply provides an envelope power supply signal to the overlay class F choke. The envelope power supply signal provides power for amplification.
US09030250B2 Dual path level shifter
Dual path level shifter methods and devices are described. The described level shifter devices can comprise voltage-to-current and current-to-voltage converters.
US09030249B2 Level shift circuit
There is provided a level shift circuit free from malfunction. The level shift circuit converts a signal of a first power supply voltage of a first supply terminal, which is supplied to an input terminal, into a signal of a second power supply voltage of a second supply terminal and outputs the converted signal to an output terminal. The level shift circuit has a control circuit that detects when the first power supply voltage reduces below a predetermined voltage. The voltage of the output terminal of the level shift circuit is fixed to the second power supply voltage or a ground voltage according to a detection signal of the control circuit.
US09030232B2 Isolator circuit and semiconductor device
An isolator circuit capable of two-way electrical disconnection and a semiconductor device including the isolator circuit are provided. A data holding portion is provided in an isolator circuit without the need for additional provision of a data holding portion outside the isolator circuit, and data which is to be input to a logic circuit that is in an off state at this moment is stored in the data holding portion. The data holding portion may be formed using a transistor with small off-state current and a buffer. The buffer can include an inverter circuit and a clocked inverter circuit.
US09030228B1 Intelligent current drive for bus lines
An intelligent current drive is disclosed that couples an active current source to a bus line to increase the rate of pull-up and decouples the active current source from the bus line prior to reaching the desired pull-up voltage.
US09030226B2 System and methods for generating unclonable security keys in integrated circuits
A system and methods that generates a physical unclonable function (“PUF”) security key for an integrated circuit (“IC”) through use of equivalent resistance variations in the power distribution system (“PDS”) to mitigate the vulnerability of security keys to threats including cloning, misappropriation and unauthorized use.
US09030220B2 Voltage tester having alternatively attachable or separable probes
A tester includes a main body and a removable probe. The main body includes a main body probe and a front panel including selectable options for selecting a tester function. The removable probe may be coupled to the main body via a cord. The removable probe is fixable to the main body via a latch assembly. The latch assembly including a socket disposed on one of the removable probe or the main body and a mating protrusion disposed at the other of the removable probe or the main body, the main body having a probe support ridge associated therewith and the removable probe having an alignment ridge associated therewith, the alignment ridge and the probe support ridge lying in a same plane when the mating protrusion is inserted into the socket.
US09030217B2 Semiconductor wafer and method for auto-calibrating integrated circuit chips using PLL at wafer level
In integrated circuit chips that are used for RFID, a method of calibrating an operation frequency that is generated in an operation frequency generator and a semiconductor wafer including a calibration circuit are provided. The method of calibrating an operation frequency of integrated circuit chips includes: supplying DC power to the integrated circuit chips; selecting an integrated circuit chip to perform calibration of an operation frequency; receiving an operation frequency that is generated in the selected integrated circuit chip; calculating a difference between a phase of the operation frequency and a phase of a calibration target frequency; generating a frequency calibration value of the operation frequency using the phase difference; transmitting a control signal including the frequency calibration value to the integrated circuit chip; and releasing a selection of the integrated circuit chip in which calibration of the operation frequency is complete.
US09030214B2 Proximity or touch sensor
A sensor for sensing proximity or touch of an object includes a sensing region, an oscillating signal generator for generating an oscillating signal having an oscillation period, a gating signal generator for generating a gating signal having a gating duration, a controller for controlling the oscillation period or the gating duration and a processor for determining a number N of oscillation periods over the gating duration. The number N is indicative of the object's contact with, or proximity to, the sensing region. The sensor is calibrated by determining an optimal value for the oscillation period or gating duration such that an optimal number N over the gating duration is expected.
US09030198B2 Magnetic field sensor and method for producing a magnetic field sensor
A magnetometer is described, having a substrate and a magnetic core, the substrate having an excitation coil for generating a magnetic flux in the magnetic core; and the excitation coil having a coil cross section, which is aligned generally perpendicular to a main plane of extension of the substrate. The magnetic core is situated outside the coil cross section.
US09030195B2 Linear structure inspection apparatus and method
An apparatus is provided for sensing anomalies in a long electrically conductive object to be inspected. The object may be a pipeline, or other hollow tube. The apparatus may have a magnetic field generator, and an array of sensors spaced about the field generator. As relative motion in the longitudinal direction occurs between the apparatus and the object to be inspected, the moving magnetic field, or flux, passed from the field generator into the object to be inspected may tend to cause eddy currents to flow in the object. The sensors may be spaced both axially and circumferentially to permit variation in magnetic flux, or eddy current divergence, to be sensed as a function of either or both of axial position relative to the wave front of the magnetic field (or, effectively equivalently any other known datum such as the radial plane of the midpoint of the field generator), and circumferential position about the periphery of the apparatus as measured from an angular datum. Post processing calculation may then tend to permit inferences to be drawn about the location, size, size, shape, and perhaps nature, of anomalies in the object. The sensors, and possibly the entire field generator, may be maintained at a standoff distance from the object to be inspected, as by a sealed housing such as may protect the sensors and reduce the need for and cost of maintenance. The field generator may include two primary poles of like nature held in a non-touching back to back orientation, and may include secondary magnetic circuits placed to bias the flux of the primary magnetic circuit into a more focussed shape with respect to the object to be inspected.
US09030192B2 System and method for calibrating a magnetometer on a mobile device
A method and system are provided for calibrating a magnetometer on a mobile device. The method includes obtaining one or more pairs of magnetometer readings. Each pair includes a first reading and a second reading. For each pair of magnetometer readings, the method also includes determining a rotation axis direction and a rotation angle corresponding to a change in orientation of the mobile device between obtaining the first reading and the second reading and determining a rotation axis for the pair of magnetometer readings using the rotation axis direction and rotation angle. The method also includes determining a calibration parameter based on at least one property of one or more of the rotation axes.
US09030185B2 Power factor correction circuit
A power factor correction circuit includes a first series circuit, a second series circuit, a smoothing capacitor, and a reactor. The power factor correction circuit further includes an input voltage detector that detects an input voltage of at least one end of an AC power source based on one end on a ground side of the smoothing capacitor, and a current detector that detects a reactor current from the AC power source, the current detector having a transformer in which the reactor is a primary side, and first and second switching elements are controlled based at least partially on a reactor current detection signal that is output in accordance with the reactor current from a secondary side of the transformer to supply a desired DC voltage to a load circuit.
US09030163B2 Energy recharging device for a vehicle
The object of the invention is a device for recharging with energy a piece of storage equipment loaded on-board a vehicle comprising at least one power supply device external to the vehicle, at least one power collector fixed on the vehicle, the power collector comprising a central portion provided with at least one friction strip, intended for powering the vehicle when the vehicle is moving, the central portion being laterally extended with at least one horn formed in one piece in a metal material and forming an upper surface. At least one portion of the upper surface of the horn forms a contact area capable of directly coming into contact with a corresponding contact surface of the power supply device when the vehicle is at a standstill in a stop station in order to ensure energy transfer between the power collector and the power supply device via the contact area.
US09030154B2 Apparatus and method for preventing battery from being overcharged
Disclosed is an apparatus for preventing a battery from overcharging. In particular, the apparatus includes a battery module which has a plurality of battery cells and a battery controller that is connected to the battery module. The battery controller has a voltage sensor. A mounting frame is arranged a predetermined distance from the battery module, and is made of a conductor to which a ground is connected. The battery controller determines that overcharging to the battery module has occurred when the voltage sensor senses a low voltage due to the battery module coming in contact with the mounting frame because of swelling.
US09030151B2 Solar cell pack and method for balancing output currents of solar cell modules
The present disclosure provides a solar cell pack and a method for balancing currents of solar cell modules. The solar cell pack includes a first solar cell module, a second solar cell module, a first balancer, a sampler and a controller. A negative pole of the first solar cell module is electrically connected to a positive pole of the second solar cell module. The first balancer is electrically connected to the first and the second solar cell modules in order to balance the current flowing through the both solar cell modules. An input terminal of the sampler is electrically connected to the first and the second solar cell modules. An output terminal of the sampler is electrically connected to an input terminal of the control unit. An output terminal of the control unit is electrically connected to an input terminal of the first balancer.
US09030145B2 Device and method for regulating an increase in the output torque over time of an electric drive motor
A device for regulating an increase in the output torque over time of an electric drive motor, including a monitoring unit for monitoring an operating variable of the electric drive motor, a regulating unit for regulating the operating variable for regulating the increase in output torque over time, a control unit for activating the regulating unit as a function of a time derivation of the monitored operating variable, the regulating unit being designed to be deactivated after a predetermined period of time. A method for regulating an increase in the output torque over time of an electric drive motor is also described. A corresponding tool and a computer program having program code for carrying out the method are also described.
US09030144B2 Monitoring system
Disclosed is an improved system and method for sensing both hard and soft obstructions for a movable panel such as a sunroof. A dual detection scheme is employing that includes an optical sensing as the primary means and electronic sensing of motor current as a secondary means. The secondary means utilizes system empirical precharacterization, fast processing algorithms, motor parameter monitoring including both current sensing and sensorless electronic motor current commutation pulse sensing, and controller memory, to adaptively modify electronic obstacle detection thresholds in real time without the use of templates and cycle averaging techniques.
US09030143B2 Method and system of limiting current to a motor
A method of limiting current to a motor. The method comprising monitoring a speed of a motor, an input voltage of a controller, and a temperature of the controller. Determining a maximum current limit for the motor based on the monitored speed when the motor speed is below a speed threshold. Determining a maximum current limit for the motor based on the input voltage and the temperature when the motor speed is above the speed threshold and the input voltage is below an input voltage threshold. Determining a maximum current limit for the motor based on the temperature when the motor speed is above the speed threshold and the input voltage is above the input voltage threshold. Or determining a maximum current limit for the motor based on the monitored speed when the motor speed is above the speed threshold and the temperature is below a temperature threshold.
US09030142B2 Circuit arrangement and method and device for operating the circuit arrangement
A circuit arrangement for an electrical machine having a plurality of stator windings, with each stator winding including at least a first winding phase and a second winding phase. The circuit arrangement includes at least a prespecified first and a prespecified second selection of in each case a plurality of half-bridges. A common connection of the two switching elements of the respective half-bridge of the first selection can be electrically coupled in each case to a connection of the first winding phase of the respectively associated stator winding. A common connection of the two switching elements of the respective half-bridge of the second selection can be electrically coupled in each case to a connection of the second winding phase of the respective associated stator winding.
US09030140B2 In-vehicle power supply system with multiple voltage-reducing devices
An in-vehicle power supply system includes a DC power source, a steering power converter, a steering drive control unit, a plurality of voltage-reducing devices, and a voltage-reducing control unit. The steering power converter converts electric power supplied from the DC power source, and provides the electric power converted to a steering assist motor. The steering drive control unit is supplied with electric power from the DC power source, and controls the steering power converter. The voltage-reducing devices are coupled in parallel to each other between the DC power source and the steering power converter. Each of the voltage-reducing devices reduces a power source voltage of the DC power source and generates a reduced voltage when being operated. The voltage-reducing control unit determines operation state or non-operation state of each of the voltage-reducing devices such that at least one of the voltage-reducing devices is in operation at a time.
US09030139B2 System and method for controlling speed of motor
Disclosed herein are a system and a method for controlling a speed of a motor. The method for controlling a speed of a motor includes: receiving a signal from a hall sensor of the motor to measure a current speed of the motor; comparing the current speed of the motor measured with a reference speed to calculate errors; outputting a speed control value of the motor based on the calculated errors; limiting the output speed control value to values within a predetermined range; controlling a duty or a phase of current applied to the motor according to the limited values within the predetermined range; and generating a motor driving signal based on the duty control or the phase control and applying the generated motor driving signal to the motor.
US09030138B2 Method for driving an electric motor
A circuit configuration for driving an electric motor includes a signal evaluation module, which stores a number of output patterns. An input pattern is specified, and as a function of the input pattern, one of the output patterns is output, by which the electric motor is driven.
US09030134B2 Charged particle accelerators, radiation sources, systems, and methods
Man-portable radiation generation sources and systems that may be carried by hand to a site of interest by one or two people, are disclosed. Methods of use of such sources and systems are also disclosed. Battery operated radiation generation sources, air cooled radiation generation sources, and charged particle accelerators, are also disclosed. A radiation generation source, a radiation scanning system, and a target assembly comprising target material having a thickness of less than 0.20 mm are also disclosed.
US09030124B2 Lighting system and method for PWM duty cycle control
A lighting system and method are provided for controlling a PWM duty cycle. The lighting system is provided with at least one device that is configured to emit light in response to receiving electrical power. The lighting system includes a power circuit and a feedback circuit. The power circuit is configured to selectively supply power to the device at a duty cycle corresponding to a first mode and a second mode, wherein the duty cycle of the first mode is less than 10% of the duty cycle of the second mode. The feedback circuit is configured to provide a feedback signal that is indicative of the energy provided to the device. The power circuit is further configured to disable power to the device during the first mode in response to the energy being greater than a threshold energy value, thereby adjusting the duty cycle.
US09030120B2 Heat sinks and lamp incorporating same
A lamp comprising a solid state light emitter, the lamp being an A lamp and providing a wall plug efficiency of at least 90 lumens per watt. Also, a lamp comprising a solid state light emitter and a power supply, the emitter being mounted on a heat dissipation element, the dissipation element being spaced from the power supply. Also, a lamp, comprising a solid state light emitter and a heat dissipation element that has a heat dissipation chamber, whereby an ambient medium can enter the chamber, pass through the chamber, and exit. Also, a lamp, comprising a light emissive housing at least one solid state lighting emitter and a first heat dissipation element.
US09030118B2 Single inductor control of multi-color LED systems
A circuit for driving multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) includes at least two sets of LEDs, each set comprised of one or more LEDs in series. The circuit further includes a single inductor connected in series with the two sets of LEDs. At least one set of LEDs is connected to a shunting transistor connected in parallel with the set of LEDs. The duty cycle of the shunting transistor is controlled by a single controller connected to the shunting transistor and the inductor.
US09030117B2 Method for feeding light sources and related device
In various embodiments, a method for powering light sources from a input power supply through a converter circuit is provided including a primary side and a secondary side separated by a galvanic barrier, wherein the primary side includes a power factor control block with an output capacitor. The method may include providing save circuitry on said secondary side for saving operational data of the converter upon failure of said input power supply; and powering said save circuitry during saving said operational data with energy derived from said output capacitor of said power factor control block.
US09030107B2 Illumination apparatus
An illumination apparatus includes: a series circuit of a thyristor and at least one load circuit connected across an AC power source; a current control circuit for adjusting an input current to be maintained at a predetermined level during a part or the whole of an ON period of the thyristor; and a short circuit for short-circuiting input ports of the load circuit to have a predetermined resistance during a part of the ON period of the thyristor and a part or the whole of an OFF period of the thyristor. The current control circuit and the short circuit are connected in parallel to the load circuit.
US09030103B2 Solid state light emitting devices including adjustable scotopic / photopic ratio
Solid state light emitting devices include multiple LED components separately arranged to generate spectral output having different ratios of scotopic to photopic light (S/P ratios) but similar chromaticities preferably within seven MacAdam ellipses. A light emitting device may be controlled to permit transitioning between different modes of operation of multiple LED components, with aggregated output of different modes having different S/P ratios but similar chromaticities. Multiple LED components of a light emitting device may be simultaneously controlled with different dimming profiles to effect increased color rendering at maximum emissive output of the apparatus, and to effect increased aggregated S/P ratio at minimum emissive output of the device.
US09030102B2 LED lighting devices having a control system operative in multiple modes
A lighting device includes an LED light source (20) operable by electric power supplied to the device, and a control system (23) receiving electric power from an external power supply (26) and supplying power to the light source (20). The control system (23) also being operable of operating in a second mode to supply power to the light source (20) only on receipt by the control system (23) via the power supply (26) of a signal identifying said device. Thus the device (24) can be incorporated in a conventional lighting circuit or a circuit in which the devices (24) are individually controlled.
US09030081B2 Piezoelectric device
A piezoelectric device capable of adjusting shape/position of connection electrodes is provided to accommodate a first or second oscillating plate (piezoelectric). The second oscillating plate is shorter than the first oscillating plate, each oscillating plate includes an excitation and an extraction electrodes. The extraction electrode is electrically connected with a connection electrode via conductive adhesive agent in a package. The package includes a carrier section, carrying the first or the second oscillating plate thereon. The connection electrode is disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the carrier section. When the extraction electrode of the first oscillating plate is electrically connected with the connection electrode, the excitation electrode on one side of the first oscillating plate is not electrically connected with the connection electrode on the other side. The extraction electrodes of the second oscillating plate can be electrically connected with the connection electrodes.
US09030074B2 Air-cooled generator rotor with improved wedges
A wedge for use in a generator rotor has a wedge body with a central radially top surface of the wedge body, formed with a plurality of blades. At least some of the plurality of blades extend at an angle such that a plane defined through the blades will be non-perpendicular to a rotational axis of the rotor that will receive the wedge.
US09030073B2 Claw rotor equipped with insulator for an excitation coil and magnets, and rotary electrical machine equipped with rotor of this type
The claw rotor (2) comprises: an axial symmetry axis (X-X); two magnet wheels having a core and teeth (9); insulation (11′) for a field coil (10) mounted onto the core; and permanent magnets mounted between two adjacent teeth (9) belonging to one and the other of the magnet wheels, wherein the insulation (11′) comprises a hub and a flange on each end of the hub (110), each flange having a plurality of projecting petals for engaging with the angled inner periphery (90) of a tooth (9). At least some petals of a flange (120) corresponding to the permanent magnets (38) are split into a plurality of portions, namely, a main petal (121a) for engaging with the inner periphery (90) of a tooth of the magnet wheel (8) in question and at least one side secondary petal (121b) that is lower, when seen in the radial direction, than the main petal. The rotating electrical machine comprises such a rotor. The invention is of use in a claw rotor for motor vehicle alternator or alterno-starter.
US09030072B2 Rotor configured to be rotateably disposed in an electric rotating machine with a circumferential surface of a rotor core facing a stator of the electric rotating machine
A rotor includes a rotor core with a circumferential surface facing a stator and permanent magnets each received in a corresponding slot of the rotor core. Each of the permanent magnets has a first corner portion positioned closest to the circumferential surface of the rotor core and a first side surface that intersects an imaginary line, faces toward the stator side and makes up part of the first corner portion. The imaginary line extends in the magnetization direction of the permanent magnet through the center of the permanent magnet. Between the first side surface of the permanent magnet and the inner surface of the corresponding slot, there are formed a first gap, a second gap and an abutment area from the first corner portion side in this order. The first gap has a smaller width than the second gap in a direction perpendicular to the first side surface.
US09030069B2 Hydrodynamic bearing assembly and spindle motor having the same
There is provided a hydrodynamic bearing assembly including: a shaft; a sleeve disposed to be spaced apart from the shaft by a predetermined interval to form a bearing clearance therewith; and a thrust member installed on the shaft, wherein at least one of the shaft, the sleeve, and the thrust member is provided with a dynamic pressure groove for generating fluid dynamic pressure in a lubricating fluid provided in the bearing clearance, and one side of a portion of the dynamic pressure groove into which the lubricating fluid is introduced is provided with a pressure reduction preventing groove for suppressing a reduction in pressure generated at the time of introduction of the lubricating fluid.
US09030068B2 Spindle motor and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a spindle motor including: a shaft connected directly or indirectly to a base member and having a depression groove formed in a central portion of an outer peripheral surface thereof; a sleeve rotatably installed on the shaft and having a communication hole formed so as to be connected to the depression groove; and a rotor hub fixedly installed on the sleeve to thereby rotate together therewith, wherein the communication hole is inclined so that lubricating fluid may be easily injected into the depression groove, and the sleeve has a fluid storage part formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof, the fluid storage part being connected to the communication hole and temporarily storing the lubricating fluid therein.
US09030066B2 Electric motor with multiple power access
A motor assembly includes an electric motor having a stator and a rotor. A housing is coupled to the electric motor. The housing includes a terminal housing portion defining a first aperture and a second aperture. A power input terminal is disposed within the terminal housing portion. The power input terminal receives power input connections from at least one of the first aperture and the second aperture. A motor controller is disposed within the housing, the motor controller in communication with the power input terminals and the stator. A human machine interface (HMI) is in communication with the motor controller.
US09030063B2 Thermal management system for use with an integrated motor assembly
An integrated drive system assembly is provided that combines an electric motor, a power inverter assembly and a gearbox into a single, multi-piece enclosure. Combining these components into a single enclosure reduces weight, reduces drive system complexity, reduces system volume, simplifies assembly integration into an electric vehicle, reduces manufacturing cost, allows the flexible and lengthy electrical cables between the power inverter and the electric motor to be replaced with short, low loss, rigid bus bars, and simplifies component cooling by allowing the use of a common thermal management system, i.e., a mutual thermal management system. The common thermal management system includes a liquid coolant loop that is thermally coupled to the electric motor, the power inverter assembly and the gearbox.
US09030057B2 Method and apparatus to allow a plurality of stages to operate in close proximity
According to one aspect of the present invention, a stage apparatus includes a first stage, a first magnet arrangement, and a stator arrangement that includes a first coil having a first width. The first magnet arrangement is associated with the first stage, and includes a first quadrant and a second quadrant or, more generally, a first sub-array and a second sub-array. The first quadrant has at least one first magnet arranged parallel to a first axis, and the second quadrant has at least one second magnet arranged parallel to a second axis. The first quadrant is adjacent to the second quadrant relative to the first axis, and is spaced apart from the second quadrant by a distance relative to the second axis. The stator arrangement is configured to cooperate with the first magnet arrangement to drive the first stage.
US09030051B2 Wireless power transmission with improved modulation ripple
A wireless power receiver receives electrical power via electromagnetic field coupling from a wireless power transmitter. During communication time periods, the power receiver alters the electromagnetic field in a manner that the power transmitter can detect as a string of logic bits in a communication bit stream for sending data to the power transmitter. During pause time periods when data is not being sent to the power transmitter, the power receiver alters the electromagnetic field in a manner that the power transmitter does not detect as a string of logic bits (e.g. at a rate outside a communication frequency band). In some embodiments, a ripple is reduced in a voltage produced by the wireless power receiver from the electromagnetic field during the communication and pause time periods.
US09030050B1 Voltage amplifier
In an embodiment, a voltage amplifier is provided. In this voltage amplifier, a DC/DC boost converter converts an input DC voltage to an output DC voltage, which is higher than the input DC voltage. A DC/AC converter connected to the DC/DC boost converter converts the output DC voltage to an AC pulse-train. A voltage multiplier connected to the DC/AC converter converts the AC pulse-train to an amplified output DC voltage that is higher than the AC pulse-train. A discharger connected to the voltage multiplier can discharge the amplified output DC voltage.
US09030047B2 Controlling a fault-tolerant array of converters
A redundant path power subsystem comprises a plurality of phase regulators in a multi-phase power converter. The plurality of phase regulators comprises at least N+2 phase regulators. N phases are sufficient to serve an electrical load coupled with the redundant path power subsystem. The redundant path power subsystem also comprises a plurality of power supplies, and a plurality of input and control paths between the plurality of power supplies and the plurality of phase regulators. The plurality of input and control paths comprises a plurality of multiplexing logic devices and a plurality of phase controllers. The plurality of phase controllers is operable to control the plurality of phase regulators. The plurality of multiplexing logic devices is operable to multiplex control signals from the plurality of power supplies and a microprocessor for the plurality of phase controllers.
US09030044B2 Methods and circuits for power switching
The present invention relates to a method and a circuit for power switching. The method comprises the steps of: providing a operation circuit; receiving a command from a Host and setting up a power mode of the operation circuit; supplying a first rated consuming power source and then a second rated consuming power source to the operation circuit via the power switching circuit according to power mode; detecting the transferring process form the first rated consuming power source to second rated consuming power source; and preventing over current according to detecting result.
US09030039B2 Wind turbine and compressed gas storage system for generating electrical power
A wind turbine and compressed gas storage system for producing electrical energy. A plurality of wind turbines is serially interconnected for staged compression to output high pressure compressed gas. Each wind turbine includes an upper head portion with two or more propellers, a gear box, a rudder and fin assembly, and a propeller feathering and braking system, all pivotally mounted on a lower storage tank portion. The storage tank portion houses a turbine compressor, and one or more internal tanks. Compressed gas, outputted from one or more of such lines, is directed into a reserve tank, comprising a plurality of concentric, scalloped, ring-like tanks, interconnected by pressure-actuated valves. Each tank is adapted for storing compressed gas at stepped pressures, varying from the highest pressure central tank to the lowest pressure outermost ring tank. Compressed gas from the outer ring tank drives one or more air turbines and respective electrical generators.
US09030038B2 Tethered airborne wind power generator system
The present application is directed to a tethered airborne wind power generator system including a plurality of pilot buoyant parafoils, at least one power generator parafoil, a nacelle and its twin-blimps, and a train of windsock propellers. The plurality of pilot buoyant parafoils is inter-connected via a composite cable. The power generator parafoil with built-in wind turbines can be suspended beneath the pilot buoyant parafoils via the composite cable. The nacelle is suspended beneath the power generator parafoil via a composite cable. A train of windsock propellers can be coupled to a rear end of the nacelle. The system shall also be applicable on ground by the deployment of an array of trains of windsock propellers hung onto a steel cable grid supported by steel towers to form a wind farm for power generation. The trains of windsock propellers rotating by wind drive their respective outboard generators to generate electrical power.
US09030036B2 Arrangement for a direct drive generator for a wind turbine and method for the assembly of the generator
The invention concerns an arrangement for a direct drive generator for a wind turbine, which generator comprises a stator with several stator segments each stator segment having at least one stator element for the power generation and which generator comprises a rotor pivotable around a center axis of the generator and relatively to the stator with several rotor segments each rotor segment having at least one rotor element for the power generation, wherein said arrangement comprises at least one stator segment and at least one rotor segment, and wherein the at least one stator segment and the at least one rotor segment are able to be at least temporarily supported against each other. The invention concerns further a direct drive generator comprising such an arrangement, a wind turbine comprising such a direct drive generator as well as a method for the assembly of the direct drive generator.
US09030035B2 Quick start-up of wind turbine generators
A wind farm is provided that is capable of quickly starting up without delay after an electrical grid becomes available after an outage. According to one embodiment, the wind farm comprises one or more main WTGs and an auxiliary WTG having a substantially lower start-up energy requirement than the one or more main WTGs. The auxiliary WTG is coupled to supply power to the one or more main WTGs to prepare the one or more main WTGs for start-up.
US09030028B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor devices having a metallisation layer
A method for manufacturing semiconductor devices is disclosed. In one embodiment a semiconductor substrate having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface and a plurality of semiconductor components is provided. The semiconductor substrate has a device thickness. At least one metallization layer is formed on the second surface of the semiconductor substrate. The metallization layer has a thickness which is greater than the device thickness.
US09030025B2 Integrated circuit layout
An integrated circuit layout comprises a through silicon via (TSV) configured to couple positive operational voltage VDD (VDD TSV), a through silicon via (TSV) configured to couple operational signals (signal TSV), a plurality of through silicon vias (TSVs) configured to couple operational voltage VSS (VSS TSVs) around the VDD TSV and the signal TSV and one or more backside redistribution lines (RDLs) connecting the VSS TSVs together to form a web-like heat dissipating structure at least surrounding the VDD TSV and the signal TSV.
US09030021B2 Printed circuit board having hexagonally aligned bump pads for substrate of semiconductor package, and semiconductor package including the same
Provided are a printed circuit board (PCB) having hexagonally aligned bump pads as a substrate of a semiconductor package, and a semiconductor package including the same. The PCB includes: a PCB body; a bottom metal layer at a bottom of the PCB body; and a top metal layer at a top of the PCB body, and the top metal layer includes: vias vertically connected to the PCB body; bump pads hexagonally aligned in a horizontal direction around the vias; and connection patterns connecting the vias to two or more of the bump pads. Accordingly, the number of bump pads in a unit area of the PCB may be increased.
US09030015B2 Three dimensional stacked structure for chips
A 3-D chip stacked structure is disclosed. Each chip layer is provided with plural single-layered conductive members where among the same chip layer the two adjacent conductive members are structurally formed in mirror symmetric way with each other along a chip longitudinal direction and the arrangements of the single-layered conductive members of the two adjacent chip layers are shifted by a test pad distance. The single-layered conductive members of the two adjacent chip layers are communicated through a vertical TSV (through silicon via). Therefore, a selection signal or an enabling signal might be transferred through this specific metal layer and related TSV to reach targeting chip layer and targeting circuit.
US09030011B2 Chip package and method for forming the same
An embodiment of the invention provides a chip package which includes: a carrier substrate; a semiconductor substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface, disposed overlying the carrier substrate; a device region or sensing region located on the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate; a conducting pad located on the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate; a conducting layer electrically connected to the conducting pad and extending from the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate to a sidewall of the semiconductor substrate; and an insulating layer located between the conducting layer and the semiconductor substrate.
US09030009B2 Stacked semiconductor package and method for manufacturing the same
A stacked semiconductor package includes: a first semiconductor chip formed with a first through electrode, the first through electrode protruding above a first surface of the first semiconductor chip; a first polymer layer formed over the first surface of the first semiconductor chip such that the first through electrode is exposed by the first polymer layer; a second semiconductor chip having a first surface attached onto the first semiconductor chip by medium of the first polymer layer and a vial hole passing through the second semiconductor chip, the first surface of the second semiconductor chip being formed with a bonding pad having a through hole which corresponds to the first through electrode; and a second through electrode located within the through hole and the via hole and is electrically connected with the first through electrode.
US09030008B2 Adhesion promoting composition for metal leadframes
A process for increasing the adhesion of a polymeric material to a metal surface, the process comprising contacting the metal surface with an adhesion promoting composition comprising: 1) an oxidizer; 2) an inorganic acid; 3) a corrosion inhibitor; and 4) an organic phosphonate; and thereafter b) bonding the polymeric material to the metal surface. The organic phosphonate aids in stabilizing the oxidizer and organic components present in the bath and prevents decomposition of the components, thereby increasing the working life of the bath, especially when used with copper alloys having a high iron content.
US09030007B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a first circuit base member including a surface having multiple first electrodes formed thereon, a second circuit base member being provided above the first circuit base member and having first through holes and second through holes formed respectively above the first electrodes, a semiconductor package provided above the second circuit base member, and multiple first bumps provided inside the first through holes and the second through holes to connect the first electrodes to the semiconductor package.
US09030006B2 Integrated circuit package system with internal stacking module
An integrated circuit package system includes: providing an integrated circuit substrate; forming an internal stacking module coupled to the integrated circuit substrate including: forming a flexible substrate, coupling a stacking module integrated circuit to the flexible substrate, and bending a flexible extension over the stacking module integrated circuit; and molding a package body on the integrated circuit substrate and the internal stacking module.
US09030004B2 Stacked semiconductor apparatus, system and method of fabrication
A stacked semiconductor apparatus and method of fabricating same are disclosed. The apparatus includes upper and lower semiconductor devices having a similar pattern of connection elements. When stacked connected the resulting plurality of semiconductor devices includes a serial connection path traversing the stack, and may also include parallel connection paths, back-side mounted large components, and vertical thermal conduits.
US09030003B2 Encapsulated semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
An encapsulated semiconductor device includes: a first conduction path formative plate (1); a second conduction path formative plate (5) joined to the first conduction path formative plate; a power element (12) bonded to the first conduction path formative plate; a heatsink (14) held by the first conduction path formative plate with an insulation sheet (13) interposed between the heatsink and the first conduction path formative plate; and an encapsulation resin (9) configured to encapsulate the first and second conduction path formative plates. A through hole (3) or a lead gap (1b) is formed in a region of the first conduction path formative plate in contact with the insulation sheet. The insulation sheet is press-fitted into the through hole or the lead gap.
US09030001B2 Microelectronic packages with nanoparticle joining
A method of making an assembly includes the steps of applying metallic nanoparticles to exposed surfaces of conductive elements of either of or both of a first component and a second component, juxtaposing the conductive elements of the first component with the conductive elements of the second component with the metallic nanoparticles disposed therebetween, and elevating a temperature at least at interfaces of the juxtaposed conductive elements to a joining temperature at which the metallic nanoparticles cause metallurgical joints to form between the juxtaposed conductive elements. The conductive elements of either of or both of the first component and the second component can include substantially rigid posts having top surfaces projecting a height above the surface of the respective component and edge surfaces extending at substantial angles away from the top surfaces thereof.
US09029996B2 Bonding and electrically coupling components
Methods and systems for electrically coupling bonded components, including: a support layer, an electrically conductive wire supported by the support layer, and an electrically conductive adhesive, the electrically conductive adhesive being over the electrically conductive wire, the electrically conductive adhesive being electrically coupled to the electrically conductive wire, the electrically conductive adhesive extending beyond the electrically conductive wire onto the support layer, the electrically conductive adhesive being configured to adhesively bond to the support layer, the electrically conductive adhesive being configured to adhesively bond to one or more additional components above the electrically conductive adhesive, the electrically conductive wire being configured to be electrically coupled to the one or more additional components through the electrically conductive adhesive.
US09029995B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
To enhance the reliability of connection between a semiconductor chip and a metal plate by ensuring sufficiently the thickness of a conductive material interposed between the semiconductor chip and the metal plate. A lead frame is arranged over a jig and a clip frame is arranged over protruding portions provided on the jig. In this state, a heating process (reflow) is performed. In this case, high melting point solders filling first spaces are melted in a state in which the first space is formed between a High-MOS chip and a High-MOS clip and the first space is formed between a Low-MOS chip and a Low-MOS clip. At this time, even when the high melting point solder is melted in the first space, the size (in particular, the height) of the first space does not change and the first space is maintained.
US09029993B2 Semiconductor device including semiconductor chip mounted on lead frame
A semiconductor device includes a lead frame, a semiconductor chip, a substrate, a plurality of chip parts, a plurality of wires, and a resin member. The lead frame includes a chip mounted section and a plurality of lead sections. The semiconductor chip is mounted on the chip mounted section. The substrate is mounted on the chip mounted section. The chip parts are mounted on the substrate. Each of the chip parts has a first end portion and a second end portion in one direction, and each of the chip parts has a first electrode at the first end portion and a second electrode at the second end portion. Each of the wires couples the second electrode of one of the chip parts and one of the lead sections. The resin member covers the lead frame, the semiconductor chip, the substrate, the chip parts, and the wires.
US09029988B2 Through silicon via in n+ epitaxy wafers with reduced parasitic capacitance
A semiconductor device includes an epitaxy layer formed on semiconductor substrate, a device layer formed on the epitaxy layer, a trench formed within the semiconductor substrate and including a dielectric layer forming a liner within the trench and a conductive core forming a through-silicon via conductor, and a deep trench isolation structure formed within the substrate and surrounding the through-silicon via conductor. A region of the epitaxy layer formed between the through-silicon via conductor and the deep trench isolation structure is electrically isolated from any signals applied to the semiconductor device, thereby decreasing parasitic capacitance.