Document Document Title
US09060456B2 Production method of multilayer printed wiring board and multilayer printed wiring board
Multilayer printed wiring boards may be prepared by forming a via hole by laser irradiation in insulating layer formed by a prepreg, comprised of a glass cloth impregnated with a thermosetting resin composition, and subjecting the via hole to a glass etching treatment with a glass etching solution and then to a desmear treatment with an oxidizing agent solution. By such a process, etch back phenomenon and excessive protrusion of glass cloth from the wall surface of a via hole can be sufficiently suppressed, and a highly reliable via can be formed. Particularly, a highly reliable via can be formed in a small via hole having a top diameter of 75 μm or below.
US09060448B2 Vertical airflow segregation panel and baffle
An airflow segregation panel is disclosed for directing air flow. The airflow segregation panel includes a first connection end, an airflow direction portion and a hinge. The hinge is positioned between the first connection end and the air flow direction portion such that the air flow direction portion is selectively pivotable with respect to the first connection end. The airflow direction portion may be configured with a selectively adjustable length.
US09060440B2 Electronic control apparatus
A supporting structure comprises a base member to support a printed circuit board, a holder standing upright from the base member and supporting the printed circuit board; and a support standing upright from the base member and supporting the printed circuit board sidewise. The support includes a column standing upright from the base member, and having a modulus of elasticity greater than that of the holder, and an abutment portion to abut on a side surface of the printed circuit board.
US09060424B2 Ball grid array formed on printed circuit board
A ball grid array formed on a printed circuit board is provided. The ball grid array includes a first bailout module and a second bailout module. The first bailout module includes a plurality of first solder balls arranged as an array. Two of the first solder balls are grounded, and remaining of the first solder balls are disposed within a shielding area defined by the two grounded first balls. Two among the second solder balls are grounded, and remaining of the second solder balls are disposed within a shielding area of the two grounded second balls. The first and second bailout modules deploy substantially a same bailout arrangement, which is associated with relative positions of the two grounded solder balls and the remaining solder balls that are not grounded in each bailout module.
US09060418B2 Systems and methods for improved window mounting on an electronic device
Systems and methods for improved window mounting on electronic devices are provided. A window mounting assembly can include a heat activated adhesive, such as a heat activated film (“HAF”), which can be used to secure a window to an enclosure. In some embodiments, heated air can be blown in from a bottom side of the window, which can provide better offset control in the assembly. In some embodiments, an undercut can be made in the enclosure that can act as a trap for HAF overflow. An overhang that is created by the undercut can reduce the visibility of HAF overflow from a user. In addition, the heated air that is applied to the window can create a high pressure region in an area underneath the window. The high pressure region can direct the HAF overflow away from this area and towards the undercut in the enclosure.
US09060404B2 Synchronized light source for rolling shutter imagers
A lighting system adapted for use with a rolling shutter imagers. The system uniquely provides PWM-control of a light source in the context of an imager with a “rolling-shutter”-type exposure architecture that operates on a line-by-line basis rather than a frame-by-frame basis. The preferred embodiment comprises a lamp such as a LED, a drive circuit coupled to the lamp capable of energizing the lamp for switching the lamp on and off, and a lamp control circuit coupled to the drive circuit with a means for receiving a line timing signal from an imaging system, the lamp control circuit synchronously energizing the lamp with the line timing signal via the drive circuit, the line timing signal being based upon the horizontal line rate of the imager.
US09060399B2 Operating circuit applied to backlight and associated method
An operating circuit applied to a backlight is provided, where the backlight includes a plurality of lighting elements, and the operating circuit includes a plurality of current control circuits, a plurality of switches, a minimum voltage selector, a supply voltage generating circuit and a control unit. The current control circuits are coupled to the lighting elements via a plurality of nodes, respectively. The switches are coupled to the nodes, respectively. The minimum voltage selector is utilized for receiving at least a portion of voltages of the plurality of nodes, and selecting a minimum voltage among the received voltages. The supply voltage generating circuit is utilized for generating a supply voltage of the lighting elements according to the minimum voltage. For each of the switches, the control unit determines an on/off state of the switch by determining whether the corresponding lighting element is an open circuit or not.
US09060398B2 Lighting device employing ac-driven light-emitting diodes
Disclosed is a lighting device including a circuit including at least two parallel-connected light-emitting diodes of opposite pole in a first parallel branch and comprising at least two parallel-connected light-emitting diodes of opposite pole in a second parallel branch, and also including a capacitor and a coil. At least one of the diodes emits red light, blue light, and/or white light.
US09060397B2 High voltage LED and driver
A method and apparatus for providing illumination by driving LEDs using a high-voltage driver, and more specifically a method and apparatus for using a simplified boost circuit connected to an AC mains to provide a higher voltage DC driving voltage to the LED array.
US09060391B2 Lighting system
A lighting system has lighting apparatuses and a controller for the lighting apparatuses. The controller includes a display unit and a storage unit that stores attribute information. The storage unit stores, as attribute information, area information including a target area where the lighting apparatuses are installed, identification information of the lighting apparatuses in the target area, and lighting information on lighting conditions of the lighting apparatuses. The display unit displays a first operation screen that includes a first graphic generated from the area information and the identification information, and a second operation screen that includes a second graphic generated from the lighting information. The second operation screen is displayed as a dialog, so as to be superposed on the first operation screen, and the first graphic indicating the selected lighting apparatus and the peripheral area thereof is highlighted on the first operation screen.
US09060386B2 Method of selecting relay mode in mobile ad-hoc network
Disclosed herein is a method of selecting a relay node in a mobile ad-hoc network. The relay node selection method includes updating a neighbor node list based on messages received from one or more other nodes, and selecting a 1-hop neighbor node having a highest Multi-Point Relay (MPR) selector counter (MSC) value, from among one or more 1-hop neighbor nodes included in the updated neighbor node list, as an MPR node. Therefore, the present invention can prevent unnecessary channel competition and conflicts between nodes and improve network performance.
US09060381B2 In-vehicle communication device with social networking
Generally described, aspects of the disclosed subject matter are directed to managing communications from a mobile device. In accordance with one embodiment, a method for establishing a communication session with a contact is provided. The method includes causing information about at least one contact associated with the user to be displayed on the mobile device and receiving input to initiate a communication session with the contact. Then, if the identified contact is associated with a CB radio, a CB based communication session is established in which audio is transmitted and received from the mobile device using a CB radio communication unit. On the other hand, if the identified contact is associated with a remote device capable of performing data-based communications, a data-based communication session is established and which data is transmitted and received in accordance with IP-based protocols.
US09060380B2 Method and apparatus for locating a wireless local area network in a wide area network
The disclosure is directed to a mobile communication device that measures characteristics or attributes of a first communications network that vary according to physical location within that first communications network to create a fingerprint, or signature, of a location within the first communications network. When the fingerprint of the current location of the mobile device is created it can be compared to a known fingerprint associated with a second communication network to determine the mobile device's proximity to the second communications network. For example, the first communications network may be a CDMA wide area wireless communication network and the second communications network may be a 802.11 wireless LAN.
US09060377B2 ABS-based method for inter cell interference coordination in LTE-advanced networks
The Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) network, is a heterogeneous network, where macro and pico base stations (BSs) coexist to improve spectral efficiency per unit area. Systems and methods described herein attempt to provide a solution to the interference coordination problem between macro BSs and pico user equipments (UEs). Specifically, the systems and methods conduct interference coordination based on the concept of almost blank subframe (ABS), which is supported by the LTE-A standard. The macro BSs choose their ABS configurations in a cooperative way such that the overall system throughput is optimized.
US09060376B2 Data transmission method and device in wireless communication system
A data transmission method and device are provided in a wireless communication system. A user equipment transmits uplink control information (UCI) using a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource, allocated to a first component carrier (CC) among a plurality of CC's, in a sounding reference signal (SRS) subframe. The plurality of CC's in said SRS subframe, includes a second CC which comprises a single carrier-frequency division multiple access (SRS SC-FDMA) symbol, which is reserved to transmit SRS.
US09060371B2 Communication network component, communication devices, method for transmitting data and methods for data communication
A communication network component is described including a determiner configured to determine whether a communication device operates a plurality of subscriber identity modules; and a controller configured to control data transmission to the communication device depending on whether the communication device operates a plurality of subscriber identity modules.
US09060366B2 Maintaining connectivity during call-setup
A server device may receive a call setup request from a first user device; provide the call setup request towards a second user device; receive a provisional response message based on providing the call setup request; and provide the provisional response message towards the first user device. The first or second user device may be connected to a network device to provide or receive the call setup request, the provisional, a response to the call setup request, or an acknowledgement. The server device may provide, based on receiving the call setup request or the provisional response, one or more messages towards the first user device or towards the second user device to prevent the first or second user device from disconnecting from the network device, to reduce a delay in receiving by the first user device, the provisional response and the response to the call setup request.
US09060351B2 Decoupled downlink and uplink
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for decoupling downlinks and uplinks between user equipment (UE) and base stations. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system comprises UE (e.g., cellular telephones, mobile devices, etc.) for independently establishing an uplink (UL) and a downlink (DL). One embodiment of the method comprises the steps of establishing a DL to an optimal DL base station (BS), and establishing an UL to an optimal UL BS.
US09060339B2 Power control method and device
A power control method and device are used for achieving transmit power control of a User Equipment (UE) in a multi-carrier mode. The power control method includes: calculating a transmit power of a UE when the UE sends data through a plurality of carriers; and performing power compression on each carrier either step by step according to property parameters of each carrier or synchronously according to a compression ratio, when the transmit power of the UE exceeds a preset maximum transmit power. A power control device is further provided.
US09060334B2 Wireless communication device and power saving method thereof
A wireless communication device is a mobile station of a wireless communication network system. In an idle mode, when the wireless communication device enters a startup state from a sleep state to prepare for receiving a paging message, base station (BS) measurement is performed at least once before the paging message is received.
US09060330B2 System selection and determination through a smart storage device
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in which system selection and system determination algorithms maintained in a smart storage device are used by a modem of a mobile wireless terminal. The smart storage device may provide configuration data and algorithms to be used by the modem and functions ordinarily performed by the modem may be performed by a processor of the smart storage device. The functions may include system determination, system configuration and system selection functions. The smart storage device may receive network information from the modem for use in performing the functions. The smart storage device permits preferences and policies set by a home network operator to override preferences and policies set by an operator of a network to which the wireless terminal is currently connected.
US09060322B2 Method and system for preventing loops in mesh networks
The present disclosure discloses a network device and/or method for preventing loops in routing paths of network frames in a wireless digital network. The disclosed network device at a network node receives a frame from a wired network. The frame includes a site identifier uniquely corresponding to the wired network, a source physical address, and a destination physical address. If the network node is selected as a representative portal node, the network device forwards the frame. Otherwise, if another network node is selected as the representative portal node, the network device drops the received frame to prevent forming a loop in a routing path corresponding to the frame. If not other network is selected as the representative portal node, the network device floods the frame to other network nodes in the wireless network.
US09060317B2 Method and device for obtaining candidate information
A method, computer readable medium and mobile device for operating using more than one Radio Access Technology (RAT) are provided. When the mobile device is operating in a serving cell of a first RAT, it obtains, through at least one of wireless access radios in the mobile device, a first set of candidate information from a message transmitted for the serving cell. It also obtains, through at least one of the wireless access radios, a second set of candidate information from a message transmitted for a neighbor cell of the serving cell. The mobile device considers the candidate information from the first set and the candidate information from the second set for reselection by the mobile device.
US09060315B1 Techniques for establishing and executing handoff profile between telecommunications networks
Examples are disclosed for acquiring user feedback and implementing logistic regression statistical modeling techniques to enable a handoff profile for a dual-mode hybrid mobile device. In some examples communication link handoff logic may be executed by the processor component to receive user feedback during a voice call mediated by a call server, the voice call between a hybrid mobile device and another communication device, the user feedback pertaining to one or more Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication link parameters for the communication link between the hybrid mobile device and the call server. The VoIP communication link parameters are statistically modeled based on the user feedback and a handoff profile is established for the hybrid mobile devices, the handoff profile operative to establish criteria for switching the VoIP communication link to an alternate communication link.
US09060312B2 Wireless communications method and apparatus
A Communications apparatus, suitable for establishing a wireless communications connection with a further apparatus, comprises first and second communications means. The first communications means is suitable to establish a wireless communication connection with the further apparatus and the second communications means is operable to retrieve identification information from such further apparatus. The first communications means is operable only to establish a wireless communication connection with a further apparatus on the basis of an authorization made on the basis of information retrieved from the further apparatus by the second communications means.
US09060311B2 Enterprise level management in a multi-femtocell network
Aspects of a method and system for enterprise level management in a multi-femtocell network are provided. In this regard, one or more endpoint devices may receive traffic management information from a hybrid network controller for enabling handoff of calls and/or communication sessions among femtocells and/or access points. The received traffic management information may comprise set-up instructions, handoff instructions, transmit power, neighbor list information, signal quality thresholds, frequency assignments, transmission time, code assignments and/or antenna pattern assignments. The endpoint device may control handoffs between a communication device external to the communication system and the femtocells, access points and/or end-point devices.
US09060304B2 Radio frame and sounding reference signal sending method in mobile communication system
A radio frame and method are provided for sending a sounding reference signal (SRS) in a mobile communication system, which is used to solve the problem of shortage of resources for sending the SRS in the mobile communication system. The method includes a user equipment (UE) sending the SRS to eNB in time-frequency resources corresponding to a guard space in the radio frame, wherein, the guard space is one or more of downlink to uplink guard space, uplink to downlink guard space, reserved subframes, or reserved idle resources. A device is also provided for sending the SRS, applied to the UE in the mobile communication system, wherein the device includes a radio frame construction module and a sounding reference signal transmission module.
US09060303B2 Multi-rat measurement reporting
An example method for preparing a measurement report on neighbor resources of a multi-RAT mobile station is disclosed. In the example method, the mobile station (MS) supports a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs). The example method comprises receiving a plurality of RAT resource reporting values, each RAT resource reporting value indicating a number of resources of the corresponding RAT to be included into the measurement report, determining a plurality of lists of valid neighbor resources associated with the plurality of RATs, and including resources from the plurality of lists of valid neighbor resources into the measurement report according to a RAT sequence of the plurality of RATs, wherein a second resource of the given RAT is included into the report, subject to including a first resource into the measurement report, for each of the plurality of RATs for which the RAT resource reporting value is greater than zero.
US09060300B2 Method and apparatus for efficiently receiving broadcast control message using MAC PDU header in wireless access system
Disclosed is a method of driving a terminal for receiving a broadcast control message formed of a MAC PDU from a wireless access system. The method includes receiving at least one broadcast control message from a base station in a resource region where a broadcast control message is transmitted, extracting broadcast control message type information that represents the kind of a broadcast control message included in the header of the received broadcast control message, and checking the extracted broadcast control message type information and determining whether payload of the received broadcast message is decoded.
US09060293B1 Reducing wireless communication signaling overhead
In systems and methods of reducing wireless communication signaling overhead, it is determined that communication resource request traffic from a plurality of wireless devices in communication with an access node to communicate with a communication network meets a first threshold. One of the plurality of wireless devices is selected to operate as a router wireless device based on a power storage level and an assigned modulation and coding scheme of each of the plurality of wireless devices. At least one of the unselected wireless devices is instructed to communicate with the communication network via the selected router wireless device.
US09060288B2 Configuring wireless devices for a wireless infrastructure network
Systems and methods that permit a wireless device to received data wirelessly via an infrastructure wireless network, without physically connecting the wireless device to a computer in order to configure it, and without having a have an existing infrastructure wireless network for the wireless device to connect to. A remote server hosts a website that permits a user of the wireless device to input via a computer credential data for at least one infrastructure wireless network. The content access point transmits the credential data for the at least one infrastructure wireless network to the wireless device via the ad hoc wireless network, such that, upon receipt of the credential data for the at least one infrastructure wireless network, the wireless device is configured to connect to the at least one infrastructure wireless network.
US09060281B2 Overlay network-based location of E-UTRAN devices
In an overlay, network-based, wireless location system, passive network probes and Location Measurement Units, typically co-located with eNodeB's, are used to collect identity information and radio signaling both in the forward and reverse channels for use in power-based, timing-based and/or angle-based positioning methods in Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced wireless communications networks.
US09060278B2 Mobile subscriber device network access
In one or more embodiments, one or more methods and/or systems described can perform receiving, from a first access point coupled to a first network and operated by a first network provider, an access code from a subscriber mobile device (MSD), associated with a second network provider, that accesses a uniform resource locator (URL) that includes the access code. The access code can be usable by the first network provider to determine whether or not to permit the MSD access of a second network coupled to the first network. In one or more embodiments, the URL is received by the MSD in a text message and/or from a short message service (SMS). In one or more embodiments, the MSD is operable to use telecommunications services of and provided by the second network provider. In one or more embodiments, the first network provider is the second network provider.
US09060265B2 Wireless sensor network and central node device thereof
The invention is directed to a wireless sensor network system. The wireless sensor network system is adapted for a medication information security environment, and the wireless sensor network system comprising a first sensor node, a second sensor node and a central node. The first sensor node sends a request for registration and a user identification. The central node generates and stores a first set of random number and a second set of random number when receiving the request for registration and the user identification. The central node sends the first set of random number and the second set of random number to the first sensor node and the second sensor node respectively.
US09060264B2 Secure communication method and system in network environment which includes transmitter, receiver, and wiretapper
Disclosed are a secure communication method and system. In a wireless communication environment in which there is a wiretapper wiretapping a signal transmitted by a first transmitter to a first receiver, the secure communication method calculates a beamforming vector including first and second beamforming vectors based on channel information between the second transmitter and the first receiver and channel information between the second transmitter and a second receiver, and performs beamforming on the first and second receivers with the calculated beamforming vector. Accordingly, even when it is unable to know channel information of a wiretapper, the secure communication method can satisfy the minimum service-quality requirements of a secondary user and maximize a primary user's secure ability.
US09060255B1 Adaptive information service access
A communication system for providing access to an information service includes a communication interface and a processor. The communication interface is configured to receive a request for an information session between a communication device and a virtual destination identified in the request. The virtual destination is associated with service destinations that provide the information service. The processor is configured to select one destination from the service destinations based on a type of the information session. The service destinations include a voice platform and a text message platform and the type of the information session is a voice session or a text message session. The processor is also configured to initiate the information session between the communication device and the one destination.
US09060253B2 Identifying and blocking mobile messaging service spam
Systems and method for identifying and blocking short messaging service spam are disclosed. In some aspects, a first mobile messaging service message is received from a messaging source in a node of a mobile communication network, the first mobile messaging service message being addressed to a destination mobile device. The first mobile messaging service message is forwarded through the mobile communication network for delivery to the destination mobile device. Whether or not the first mobile messaging service message meets a spam messaging criterion is determined, where determining whether or not the first mobile messaging service message meets the spam messaging criterion occurs in parallel with forwarding the first mobile messaging service message through the mobile communication network. Information identifying the messaging source as a spam source is stored, upon determining that the first mobile messaging service message meets the spam messaging criterion.
US09060250B2 Device, system and method of location estimation of a mobile device
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of location estimation of a mobile device. For example, a device may include a location error corrector to provide location data to at least one application executed by the device, the location data indicating an estimated location of the device, which is based on location information from at least one location-information generator; to receive from the application error feedback information indicating an error in the estimated location; to determine a correction based on the error feedback information; and to provide to the application corrected location data based on the correction.
US09060237B2 Musical measurement stimuli
Systems and method for performing adaptive audio signal processing using music as a measurement stimulus signal. A musical stimuli generator may be used to generate musical stimulus signals composed to provide a stimulus with a spectrum that is substantially dense, and ideally white or pink, over a selected frequency range, so that all frequencies of interest are stimulated. The musical stimuli generator may generate melodically pleasing musical stimulus signals using music clips that include any of: a chromatic sequence, a chromatic sequence including chromatic tones over a plurality of octaves, a chromatic sequence including chromatic tones over a selected plurality of octaves, or an algorithmically composed chromatic sequence, to cover a selected frequency range. The musical stimulus signal may be generated as sound into the environment of use. An audio input picks up the sound from the environment, and a sound processor uses the received musical stimulus signal to determine a transfer function.
US09060236B2 Apparatus for providing an upmix signal representation on the basis of a downmix signal representation, apparatus for providing a bitstream representing a multi-channel audio signal, methods, computer program and bitstream using a distortion control signaling
An apparatus for providing an upmix signal representation on the basis of a downmix signal representation and an object-related parametric information, which are included in a bitstream representation of an audio content, and in dependence on a rendering information, has a distortion limiter configured to adjust upmix parameters using a distortion control scheme to avoid or limit audible distortions which are caused by an inappropriate choice of rendering parameters. The distortion limiter is configured to obtain a distortion limitation control parameter, which is included in the bitstream representation of the audio content, and to adjust a distortion control scheme in dependence on the distortion limitation control parameter.
US09060212B2 iKT universal electronic monitoring device and method of use for smart cooking
A universal iKT electronic monitoring device, system and method of use, to receive data from a variety of types of sensors (e.g. measuring weight, temperature) housed within apparatuses (e.g. a kitchen appliances, utensils) that are electronically compatible with the monitoring device. The monitoring device then wirelessly transmits the sensor data to a User's mobile device (i.e. a smartphone) to be analyzed and stored. The User's mobile device also comprises software to assist in using the apparatus, such as listing recipes, or transmitting commands to the device to turn off an apparatus (e.g. oven). One iKT device is compatible for use with a multitude of electronic apparatuses, such as mixing bowls to measure the weight of cooking ingredients, spatulas and oven mats to measure food temperature, cups to measure liquid volumes, and oven controls to turn off/on or reduce the temperature.
US09060211B2 Method of collecting device-condition information and device-condition information collecting kit used therefor
Accurate device-condition information of and relating to a number of devices to be managed are collected in an efficient manner. The number of devices to be managed are divided between a direct collection group including some managed devices whose device-condition information are collected by detecting operation by a portable (mobile) unit for device condition detection on each one of these managed devices and an indirect collection group including the other managed devices whose device-condition information are collected by communication between each one of these managed devices and a stationary unit disposed to be capable of detecting the device-condition information of the device.
US09060210B2 Generating excitement levels for live performances
A live performance is monitored by analyzing an input data stream comprising real-time updates related to the live performance. Different sets of excitement levels, excitement curves, alerts and teasers are generated based on the analysis and reported to a plurality of subscribers using any of a variety of mobile communication and/or computing devices.
US09060204B2 Digital broadcast receiver and method for processing caption thereof
A digital cable broadcast receiver and a method for automatically processing caption data of various standards and types, is disclosed. The digital broadcast receiver includes: a demultiplexer for dividing a received broadcast stream into video data, audio data, supplementary information; a controller for determining whether caption data included in the video data is digital caption data or analog caption data on the basis of caption information included in the supplementary information, and outputting a control signal according to a result of the determining; a digital caption decoder for extracting and decoding digital caption data from the video data according to the control signal; and an analog caption decoder for extracting and decoding analog caption data from the video data according to the control signal.
US09060201B2 Stream synchronization for live video encoding
Methods of encoding a live video signal in a video encoding system including a plurality of video capture and encoding subsystems include providing the live video signal and an associated time code signal to the plurality of video capture and encoding subsystems, starting video capture and encoding in a first one of the subsystems at a first frame of the live video signal, starting video capture and encoding in a second one of the subsystems at a second frame of the live video signal that is later than the first frame, generating encode frame timestamps for the second frame in both the first and second video capture and encoding subsystems that are synchronized across the first and second subsystems, and associating the encode frame timestamp with the second frame in both the first and second subsystems. Related systems are also disclosed.
US09060198B2 Home network component controlling data and function of another home network component
Aggregated service and feature sharing is provided in a home network, in which users can freely enjoy not only the shared content, but also the unique features provided by each device anywhere in the network. The service sharing feature allows one device to control and use shared hardware or software functionalities provided by other devices in the network.
US09060197B2 Hospitality media system operated by mobile device
A hospitality media system includes a media system controller and a plurality of controllable devices operable by the media system controller, each of a plurality of rooms having one or more in-room controllable devices. A communication module performs data communications with a mobile device. An authentication module receives identification information from the mobile device, determines a registered room currently associated with the identification information, and includes in an authorized subset of the controllable devices for which the mobile device is authorized to operate at least the in-room controllable devices of the registered room. The media system controller operates the authorized subset of the controllable devices in dependence upon commands received from the mobile device.
US09060195B2 Television advertising message targeting according to subscriber purchasing behavior
A targeted television advertising system includes a modeling processor and an identification processor. The modeling processor is configured to model purchasing behavior of a selected television service subscriber using a payment card transaction database. The identification processor is configured to identify television advertising messages that may appeal to the selected television service subscriber based upon the modeled purchasing behavior.
US09060183B2 Reduced latency media distribution system
A system for distributing audio or video data across a network, wherein an input data rate controller at a server controls the transmission rate to a client such that it matches the intended rendering rate of the data, and time stamps the data using a clock that is synchronized with the clock of the client. The client uses the time stamps and its synchronized clock signal to control the rendering of the data.
US09060178B2 Dynamic encode setting adjustment
A player decodes and renders encoded digital data received from an encoder. During processing, the player periodically monitors dropped frames as well as time spent. If the dropped frames are below a minimum, the player determines to signal the encoder to increase bit rate or frame rate by consulting a table. If the player determines to increase bit rate, the player signals accordingly. However, if the player determines to increase frame rate, the player first verifies that the spent time is below a minimum. To the contrary, if the dropped frames are both above the minimum and a first maximum but not a second maximum, the player determines to signal the encoder to decrease bit rate or frame rate by consulting the table and signaling accordingly. However, if the dropped frames are above the second maximum, the player signals the encoder to decrease the frame rate without consulting the table.
US09060176B2 Motion vector prediction in video coding
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for motion vector prediction and coding. In one embodiment, the method comprises: deriving N motion vector predictors for a first block that has N motion vectors corresponding to N lists of reference frames and a current frame, including constructing one of the N motion vector predictors when a second block that neighbors the first block and is used for prediction has at least one invalid motion vector, where N is an integer greater than 1; generating N differential motion vectors based on the N motion vectors and N motion vector predictors; and encoding the N differential motion vectors.
US09060174B2 Method and system for selectively breaking prediction in video coding
Described are techniques in video coding and/or decoding that allow for selectively breaking prediction and/or in loop filtering across segment boundaries between different segments of a video picture. A high layer syntax element, such as a parameter set or a slice header, may contain one or more indications signalling to an encoder and/or decoder whether an associated prediction or loop filtering tool may be applied across the segment boundary. In response to such one or more indications, the encoder and/or decoder may then control the prediction or loop filtering tool accordingly.
US09060164B2 Intelligent use of scene and test pattern analyses for traffic camera diagnostics
A method for determining a response to misalignment of a camera monitoring a desired area includes acquiring temporal related frames from the camera including a reference frame. A pixel location is determined of a reference object from the frames. Using the pixel location of the reference object, a displacement of the camera between a current frame and the reference frame is determined. For the displacement exceeding a first threshold, a new displacement of the camera is measured by introducing at least one additional object to a camera field of view and comparing the new displacement to a second threshold. For the new displacement not exceeding the second threshold, the camera is recalibrated using a determined pixel location and a physical location of the at least one additional object. For the new displacement exceeding the second threshold, notification is provided of a misalignment to an associated user device.
US09060163B1 Signal adaptive filtering method, signal adaptive filter and computer readable medium for storing program therefor
A signal adaptive filtering method for reducing blocking effect and ringing noise, a signal adaptive filter, and a computer readable medium. The signal adaptive filtering method capable of reducing blocking effect and ringing noise of image data when a frame is composed of blocks of a predetermined size includes the steps of: (a) generating blocking information for reducing the blocking effect and ringing information for reducing the ringing noise, from coefficients of predetermined pixels of the upper and left boundary regions of the data block when a frame obtained by deconstructing a bitstream image data for inverse quantization is an intraframe; and (b) adaptively filtering the image data passed through inverse quantization and inverse discrete cosine transform according to the generated blocking information and ringing information. Therefore, the blocking effect and ringing noise can be eliminated from the image restored from the block-based image, thereby enhancing the image restored from compression.
US09060162B2 Providing multiple viewer preferences on a display device
A system and method for providing viewer preferences on a display device are presented. An embodiment includes a storage medium for storing preset viewer preferences, each preference being categorized based on one of a plurality of viewers, a processor that accesses the storage medium and acquires the stored preset viewer preference for a given one of the plurality of viewers, and a display device that provides content to the viewer in accordance with the viewer's preferences using at least one optical element.
US09060153B2 Remote control device, remote control system and remote control method thereof
A remote control system includes a remote control device and an electronic device. The remote control device includes an input element, a wireless transmitter to transmit an absolute coordinate signal and a motion signal and a control unit electrically connected to the input element and the wireless transmitter. The electronic device includes a wireless receiver and a display screen. The wireless receiver receives the absolute coordinate signal and the motion signal, and displays the absolute coordinate signal at the display screen via a cursor. When the electronic device does not receive the motion signal, the absolute coordinate signal is not operated on an application program of the electronic device. When the electronic device receives the motion signal, the absolute coordinate signal is operated on the application program.
US09060144B2 Image sensor and manufacturing method thereof
An image sensor comprises an image sensing substrate that in turns includes an image sensing device, a first sensor pixel, a second sensor pixel, and a divider. The divider is between the first sensor pixel and the second sensor pixel.
US09060142B2 Capturing and processing of images captured by camera arrays including heterogeneous optics
A camera array, an imaging device and/or a method for capturing image that employ a plurality of imagers fabricated on a substrate is provided. Each imager includes a plurality of pixels. The plurality of imagers include a first imager having a first imaging characteristics and a second imager having a second imaging characteristics. The images generated by the plurality of imagers are processed to obtain an enhanced image compared to images captured by the imagers. Each imager may be associated with an optical element fabricated using a wafer level optics (WLO) technology.
US09060141B2 IR detector system and method
A system and method of reducing undesirable image artifacts such as image tear and image smearing are described. The system can include a series of pixels and enhanced sensitivity circuits. The circuit can be configured so as to operate in an enhanced sensitivity mode having a combination of sample and hold circuits and binning functions, the combination acting so as to reduce the undesirable imaging artifacts.
US09060135B2 Control of exposure of camera
A device for controlling exposure of a camera is provided. An image of an area ahead of a vehicle is acquired by a camera provided in the vehicle. A traveling speed of the vehicle is acquired. An exposure area in the acquired image is set by a setting section, in which the exposure area is used for exposure control of the camera. By a calculating section, a control value for performing the exposure control is calculated based on pixel values of pixels included in the exposure area. The setting section changes a size of the exposure area based on the traveling speed, such that, when the traveling speed is a first speed, the size of the exposure area in the acquired image is smaller compared to that when the traveling speed is a second speed that is lower than the first speed.
US09060133B2 Apparatus and method for supporting zoom microphone functional in mobile terminal
A method and apparatus support a zoom microphone function in a mobile terminal. The apparatus includes a plurality of microphones, a camera, and a controller. Each of the plurality of microphones has a different directional characteristic. The camera captures an image. And the controller determines a zoom level of the camera, and adjusts gains of the plurality of microphones based on a zoom range to which the zoom level belongs.
US09060131B2 Convergence feedback indicator, provided when taking a picture in a camera application
Apparatus and associated method for facilitating image capturing in an electronic camera without the image being completely focused. A “mostly-in-focus” indicator is provided to an operator of the camera to notify the operator that a reasonably good image is available for capture, without having to wait for the camera to finish a fine focus adjustment.
US09060127B2 Apparatus for adjusting image capture settings
A device and method are provided for adjusting image capture settings. In one implementation, a wearable apparatus may include at least one wearable image sensor configured to capture a plurality of images from an environment of a user. The wearable apparatus may also include at least one processing device configured to identify, in at least one representation of at least one of the plurality of images, an existence of at least one visual trigger in the environment of the user, determine, based on a type of the at least one visual trigger, a value for at least one capturing parameter, cause the image sensor to capture at least one subsequent image according to at least the value of the at least one capturing parameter, determine a data size for storing at least one representation of the at least one subsequent image, and store, in a memory, the at least one representation of the at least one subsequent image.
US09060114B2 Image processing device and image processing method for executing image processing to detect object in image
An imaging command unit commands an imaging device to image an object projected with a shaded image where a predetermined shade value is set with respect to each pixel. An image acquisition unit acquires a shaded image imaged by the imaging device in accordance with a command of the imaging command unit. An image production unit produces a shaded image where any of shade values is set with respect to each pixel so as to have a brightness distribution opposite to a brightness distribution of the shaded image. An imaging command unit commands the imaging device to image the object projected with the shaded image. The image acquisition unit acquires a shaded image imaged by the imaging device in accordance with a command of the imaging command unit. An object information acquisition unit acquires information on the object in the shaded image based on the shaded image.
US09060113B2 Sensor-synchronized spectrally-structured-light imaging
A smartphone is adapted for use as an imaging spectrometer, by synchronized pulsing of different LED light sources as different image frames are captured by the phone's CMOS image sensor. A particular implementation employs the CIE color matching functions, and/or their orthogonally transformed functions, to enable direct chromaticity capture. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
US09060111B2 Electronic device with compact camera module
A compact electronic device may include a camera module having an image sensor. The image sensor may be controlled by storage and processing circuitry to capture image data from received light. The camera module may include a substrate having front and rear surfaces. The image sensor may be mounted to the rear surface of the substrate. The substrate may include optical focusing structures on the front surface of the substrate that focus light through an opening in the substrate to the image sensor. A flex circuit may be used to convey signals between the camera module and other electronic device components. The flex circuit may be mounted to the front surface of the camera module substrate to help reduce total height of the camera module. The flex circuit may be mounted to an extended portion of the substrate or may be mounted to surround the periphery of the image sensor.
US09060109B2 Non-handheld high-definition digital video camera
A non-handheld high-definition (HD) digital video camera is disclosed, comprising a thin-film transistor (TFT) display module, a backup battery module, an audio & video (AV) transmission module and a video camera body. Each of the TFT display module, the backup battery module and the AV transmission module is detachably connected with the video camera body; a multifunctional interface is disposed at the bottom of the video camera body to electrically connect with the TFT display module, the backup battery module or the AV transmission module; a wide-angle lens is disposed at the top of the video camera body for forming an image on the TFT display module during operation; the video camera body is further provided with a memory module and a control module.
US09060108B1 Apparatus and methods for redirecting light to provide for reorientation of a camera
Apparatuses and methods for enabling a device to capture additional views with a camera are provided. An apparatus including reflective surfaces may be mounted to a device with a camera. The reflective surfaces may be positioned around the camera lens in such a way so as to redirect light into the lens, giving the effect of the camera being rotated, tilted, or otherwise moved to face a particular direction. A motor may be provided in the apparatus to move the reflective surfaces to a user's preference.
US09060107B2 Video responses to messages
A device may receive a message from another device. The message may include a request to capture a reaction of a user when the message is displayed. The device may further cause the received message to be displayed, and cause, based on the request, at least one of a video, a picture, or an audio of the user to be captured while the received message is being displayed.
US09060097B2 Method to manage the power setting of a receiver/decoder for pay-TV using management messages containing a first period defining a waiting period for subsequent management messages
A method to manage the power setting of a receiver/decoder for pay-TV comprising a timer and means to receive management messages, the power setting comprising at least three states, the active state during which the reception and the decoder is active, the active/standby state during which the receiver is active for the reception of management messages and the standby state during which the receiver/decoder is in idle mode.
US09060085B2 Image forming apparatus, electronic mail delivery server, and information processing apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an information delivery apparatus including an analysis unit and a first display controller. The analysis unit analyzes data to extract data elements. The first display controller displays preview of the data elements on a first display unit. A data element selected from the preview is transmitted to an information processing apparatus via a network. The information processing apparatus displays the data element as a symbol at a predetermined position on a second display unit. The second display unit displays an application window. When the second display unit receives input to select the symbol and place it on the application window, the data element is entered into a corresponding application and the symbol is displayed on the application window.
US09060083B2 Image forming device, and method of managing data
An image forming device executes a plurality of applications, and includes a scan controlling unit configured to instruct an image reading unit to read image data, and store the image data in an image data storage unit according to a request from the application; a display data generating unit configured to generate a display data of the image data stored in the image data storage unit, and store the display data in a display image data storage unit according to the request from the application, the display image data storage unit being inaccessible from the application; a display controlling unit configured to display the display data in a display unit according to the request from the application; and a deleting unit configured to delete the display data from the display data storage unit in response to a termination notice of use of the display data from the application.
US09060082B2 Wireless communication system, wireless communication device, and communication control program
A wireless communication system includes: a first communication device, which has a first controller coupled to a first interface configured; and a second communication device, which has a second controller coupled to a second interface configured; wherein at least one of the first controller and the second controller is configured to: transmit data from the first communication device to the second communication device after establishing a connection of the wireless communication between the first communication device and the second communication device; determine, based on one of information regarding the data, information regarding the wireless communication, information regarding the first communication device and information regarding the second communication device, one of a plurality of different cutoff conditions as a cutoff condition; and terminate the connection of the wireless communication which has been performed after the data transmission is completed if the determined cutoff condition is satisfied.
US09060064B2 System for routing interactions using bio-performance attributes of persons as dynamic input
A system for routing an interaction has a queue for staging the interaction, a router running a routing strategy for routing the interaction, and a number of object models maintained for a number of agents, the object models defining one or more agent skills, the values of the object models dynamically affected by real-time bio-metrics of the agents obtained through ongoing monitoring of voice and input actions of the agents. The routing strategy routes the interaction based on comparison of the dynamically-affected skill values of the agents, as evidenced in the object models.
US09060062B1 Clustering and classification of recent customer support inquiries
A system and machine-implemented method relating to enhanced customer service via processing a first communication from a customer via a first communication service, automatically obtaining a first classification, included in a plurality of predefined classifications for customer support issues, associated with the first communication, establishing a second communication between the customer and a customer service representative, and displaying to the customer service representative information about the first communication with an indication that the first classification is associated with the first communication.
US09060061B2 System and method for prompt modification based on caller hang ups in IVRs
In a method for use in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, an IVR is configured such that voice prompts provided to a caller vary systematically and caller hang-up activity is attributed to the particular version of a prompt played to the caller. Voice prompt modifications are chosen based on how long the caller willingly listens to the voice prompt. A relatively short time listening to a prompt before hang-up, indicates dissatisfaction with that prompt. The system compares caller hang-up rates for each of the phrases in a prompt and chooses the optimum solution, which is the variant of the prompt with the longest caller listening time. Optionally, the system compares hang up rates to a threshold and contingent on that comparison chooses an alternative version of the prompt.
US09060059B2 Call status sharing
In general, techniques are described for sharing information about a client device phone call to enhance other services. In one example, a method includes receiving, at a server device, voice call parameters that describe at least one characteristic of a voice call in which a user of a first device is participating wherein the first device is physically separate from the server device, and responsive to receiving the voice call parameters, determining, by the server device, a status of the user based on the received voice call parameters. The method further includes storing an account for the user on the server device, wherein the account includes a user profile for the user and identifies contacts of the user, and modifying, by the server device, the user profile to reflect the status of the user, and sending the modified user profile to a device associated with a contact of the user.
US09060057B1 Systems and methods for caller ID authentication, spoof detection and list based call handling
Systems and methods for caller id authentication, spoof detection and list based call handling are disclosed. The caller ID authentication is performed by an authentication device connected to the calling party telephone transmitting the source and destination telephone numbers of the call to an authentication server. The called party authentication device extracts the caller ID of the incoming call and transmits the caller ID of the caller and the telephone number of the called party to the authentication server. The authentication server analyzes the transmitted information from both devices and replies with the authentication status of the caller ID to the called party authentication device. Other embodiments are disclosed where the authentication server is not available and caller ID authentication is performed in a peer-to-peer manner. In another embodiment, the concepts of active and passive certification passwords are used to maintain the integrity of the system. Other embodiments allow for authenticating blocked caller ID's, reveling blocked caller ID's, VoIP implementations, legitimate caller ID spoofing, and placing a blocked caller ID on private white or black lists. Another embodiment combines the described caller ID authentication system within a call handling system utilizing internal, global and private white and black lists. Applications of caller ID authentication methodology to other forms of communication source address authentication, such as email, SMS, and postal mail are envisioned.
US09060053B2 Mitigating denial of service attacks on call centers
A device receives, from a user device, a call destined for a call center, and provides an audio CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to Tell Computer and Humans Apart) to the user device in response to the call. The device also receives, from the user device, a response to the audio CAPTCHA, and determines whether the response is correct. The device forwards the call to the call center when the response is correct, and drops the call when the response is incorrect.
US09060052B2 Single channel, binaural and multi-channel dereverberation
A method is presented for estimating and suppressing reverberation from a digital reverberant signal. A method for changing a first reverberation estimation according to another reverberation estimation is further provided. A method for controlling the reverberation suppression rate is also presented.
US09060049B2 Notification of communication events
A network element of a communication provider arranged to receive a call invite from an originating end-user terminal inviting a destination end-user terminal to a proposed session for conducting a voice or video call over a packet-based network, in response to generate a push notification, and to send the push notification to the destination end-user terminal. The processing apparatus is configured to generate the push notification with a payload comprising call signalling information enabling a response regarding the proposed session to be formulated by the destination end-user terminal and returned to the originating end-user terminal, the call signalling information comprising at least (i) an indication that a session between end-user terminals is sought, and (ii) an identifier for responding to the originating end-user terminal.
US09060048B2 Method and apparatus for content presentation in association with a telephone call
A method and apparatus are provided for presenting multimedia content to a caller and/or a called party in association with a telephone call. Content may be presented pre-ring (before the called party's telephone rings), in-call, and/or post-call. Content presented to a party may be related to another party participating in the call or may be related to a third party (e.g., an advertiser that paid for the ability to have its content presented). Presented content may be actuable, to allow a caller to change the destination of a call, take advantage of an offer presented to him or her, redeem a coupon, schedule or queue a subsequent call, etc. To find a desired destination party, a caller may initiate a manual or automatic search of his or her local contacts (on his telephone) and/or a central or global directory or contact list.
US09060045B2 Apparatus and method for managing media content
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media server and parsing engine, 3rd party mobile aggregator, client servers, and a plurality of communication devices that are each associated with a user and a user profile. The media server can provide one or more of the plurality of communication devices with access to media content, with the access being provided at a time selected by the user. At least one of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices can transmit a critique of the media content. The media server can award points to the user based on performing the critique, and can transmit the critique and user information from the user profile to the client server. The media server can provide the at least one of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices with access to at least one of services or goods to be purchased with the points. The media server can redeem the points based on a purchase of the at least one of the services or goods using the points. Other embodiments such as the obtaining of end user preferences of content in a natural environment are disclosed.
US09060044B2 System and method to actively transfer video content across device during video playback (active playback)
An active play system and method are provided that allow a piece of content to be transferred between multiple content devices associated with the user.
US09060042B2 Control apparatus and control method
Systems and methods for selective content sharing with a communication target apparatus are provided. In various aspects, communication with a communication target apparatus may be established, and content indicated by content data may be reproduced, where the reproduced content may represent audio or audio and image content. A determination may be made whether or not to share the reproduced content indicated by the content data with the communication target apparatus and a process to share or not share the reproduced content indicated by the content data with the communication target apparatus may be selectively performed. When the reproduced content is determined not to be shared with the communication target apparatus, a generated speech audio signal may be shared with the communication target apparatus while the reproduced content indicated by the content data may not shared with the communication target apparatus.
US09060041B2 Relaying messages in a heterogeneous network
A message is received at a communication interface device coupled to a first media type. A second layer (e.g., a dynamic link layer (DLL)) on the communication interface device communicates with an abstraction layer (AL) regarding relaying of the message. The AL determines whether another communication interface device should relay the message via a second media type. When the AL determines that another communication interface device cannot or should not relay the message, the communication interface device relays the message using relaying functionality provided by the second layer (e.g., the DLL). When the AL determines that another communication interface device should relay the message, the AL forwards the message to the other the communication interface device for relaying via the second media type.
US09060036B2 Social networking grouping hierarchy
A social networking environment enables interaction between social networking (SNET) groups. Some interactions between SNET groups can include docking various SNET groups based upon interactions between a member and some part of a social network. Various hierarchies of social networking infrastructure can enable hierarchical interactions between social devices, SNET groups, and other elements associated with various social networking infrastructures. Capabilities provided by various elements in various SNET infrastructures can be docked to create combined SNET groups, and capabilities provided by an SNET group can be accessed via interaction with a representative view of the capabilities. Various interactions can be managed based upon inputs, trigger events, authorizations, and the like provided by various processing systems, devices, members, or the like. Various interactions can enable members associated with an SNET infrastructure to access capabilities provided by an SNET group via a docked SNET group.
US09060034B2 System and method of filtering recommenders in a media item recommendation system
A system and method of allowing a recipient to control and customize filtering of recommenders in a media item recommendation system. Filtering recommenders allows the recipient to control from which recommenders media item recommendations can be received. Recommenders may be filtered using a tag associated by the recipient with the recommender. The tag may be any attribute. If the recommender is tagged with the attribute matching a current selection criterion established by the recipient, media item recommendations from the recommender may be sent to the recipient. If the recommender is not tagged with the attribute matching the current selection criterion, the recommender is filtered out and the media item recommendation from the recommender may not be sent to the recipient. The recipient may define the current selection criterion by setting a presentation channel.
US09060023B2 Network watermark
A network communications method utilizing a network watermark for providing security in the communications includes creating a verifiable network communications path of nodes through a network for the transfer of information from a first end node to a second end node; verifying the network communications path of nodes, by the first end node, before communicating by the first end node information intended for receipt by the second end node; and once the network communications path of nodes is verified by the first end node, communicating by the first end node, via the verified communications path of nodes, the information intended for receipt by the second end node; wherein the network watermark represents the verifiable network communications path of nodes.
US09060021B2 DDoS detection using sensor grid
Methods and apparatus for detecting a network attack are disclosed. A sensor grid may be established in a network (e.g., an enterprise network). The sensors may monitor network assets across various network layers and transmit to a server signals that indicate the probability of an attack on the network. The server may apply an amplification algorithm to combine and amplify all of the received signals into a single signal that more accurately displays the probability of an attack on the network.
US09060014B2 System and method for continuous device profiling
A system and method for monitoring, modeling and assessing networked devices. A continuous device profiling (CDP) system builds and maintains device-specific and network-specific behavioral models based on observation of network traffic. The behavioral models may be used for network management, detecting misconfigured or malware infected devices, performing network asset inventory, network access control, network discovery in support of network integration, and information security incident response management. CDP models and monitors the active roles that devices assume on the network based on a set of matching profiles, monitors transitions between roles, and triggers corrective action when role transitions violate the policies of the network.
US09060000B2 Virtual group maintenance and security
A method for providing security and maintenance of a group of devices using a group of tags. Each of the tags is attached to a device and includes a radio frequency transceiver for intercommunicating using ultra-wide band signals. Using the intercommunication, distance between two of the tags is determined and an alarm is triggered when the distance is greater than a threshold distance. The distance is preferably determined by measuring a round trip delay time between the transmission of a transmitted unicast signal to the other tag and reception of a unicast response signal in response to the transmitted signal. A configuration mechanism is typically used for configuring the group and removed upon completing the configuration, and the tags maintain the group and provide security by the intercommunication between the tags. The tags are preferably synchronized to transmit and receive solely during a previously determined periodic sequence of time intervals.
US09059996B2 Methods and systems for distributed processing on consumer devices
Systems and methods are used to provide distributed processing on a service provider network that includes a plurality of remotely located consumer devices. Each of the remotely located consumer devices includes a processing device. A service is provided from the service provider network to the remotely located consumer devices. Distributed processing of a task on the processing devices of the remotely located consumer devices occurs, the distributed processing being unrelated to the service provided to the consumers. The distributed processing occurs even when the processing devices are in use by corresponding remotely located consumer devices.
US09059993B2 System and method for using a same program on a local system and a remote system
A system and method implemented in a Customer Information Control System (CICS) Application configured to process information residing on remote systems and display such information on a local system, using a same program residing on both the remote system(s) and the local system. The method includes, for example, sending programming functions of a local system with a request for information to a remote system. The method further includes processing the programming functions of the local system with the request for information on the remote system to obtain updated information from the remote system. The updated information is sent to the local system for display.
US09059988B2 Printing device capable of authorizing printing limitedly according to user level, printing system using the same and printing method thereof
A printing device which authorizes a printing limitedly according to a user level, a printing system using the same and a printing method thereof. The printing device includes an interface part receiving a printing data requested by a user and a security level of the requested printing data; an authentication part determining whether to print the requested printing data based on the security level and a pre-stored user level of the user; a printing part printing the requested printing data; and a controller transmitting the requested printing data received through the interface part to the printing part if the authentication part permits the printing. Accordingly, even if a user obtains an access to the system, because the user has a limitation in using and printing the data depending on his/her position or job, the security of the data can be more effectively guaranteed.
US09059986B2 Method and apparatus to facilitate using a federation-based benefit to facilitate communications mobility
While facilitating (101) a call session for a participating entity having at least one federation-based benefit, one then uses (102) that at least one federation-based benefit to facilitate communications mobility for the participating entity during the call session. Such a call session can comprise, for example and at least in part, a wireless call session. The federation-based benefit itself can be one provided by a content provider, a services provider, or the like.
US09059980B2 Systems and methods for authenticating mobile devices
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for authenticating mobile devices. Device identifying information may be received for a mobile device. A base level key may also be communicated to the mobile device. The base level key may be utilized by the mobile device to derive unique transaction specific keys to encrypt subsequent communications output by the mobile device. A communication encrypted with a unique transaction specific key may be received from the mobile device. Based at least in part upon the device identifying information and the base level key, a derived key may be generated, and the derived key may be utilized to decrypt the received communication and authenticate the mobile device. In certain embodiments, the above operations may be performed by one or more computers associated with a service provider.
US09059976B2 Software-defined network attachable storage system and method
A method for establishing a software-defined network attachable storage system includes establishing first and second sets of logical computer systems (which may be virtual computer systems) as namespace servers and dataspace servers respectively. Each namespace server is configured: (a) to store, in its memory, filesystem metadata, the metadata including file and directory names and information on where user data associated with the file and directory names resides, and to store in its storage system a dynamically updated copy of the filesystem metadata; and (b) to process storage system pathname requests, for a predetermined subset of the namespace, from at least one requesting client computer and to return in response to each request a handle for use by the requesting client computer; and (ii) each dataspace server is configured to store and retrieve user data in its storage system based on handles determined by the namespace servers.
US09059971B2 Systems and methods for secure voice communications
A secure voice solution for a PDA-type device is provided. Voice data is received from the user using the device microphone and built- in media player software in the device. This data is encrypted and sent as an IP packet. The device then receives, as IP packets, encrypted voice communication from the other party in the encrypted call, which in turn are decrypted in the device and played back on a second media player running on the device. The present invention takes advantage of the device's ability to run two media players simultaneously to in effect, simulate a cellular telephone call. As a result, an encrypted call can be made with PDA-type devices such as the Blackberry® and also such calls can be made using different data paths (cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth) as the calls are made by sending and receiving data over the Internet, not as traditional cellular data signals.
US09059967B2 Method and apparatus for controlling a computer over a TCP/IP protocol network
The present invention permits virtually the entire functionality of a computer system to be made accessible over a network such as the Internet or an Intranet. More particularly, the present invention permits a computer system to be run as a “virtual machine” through a web page provided at a web site on the World Wide Web (WWW). The apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of computers arranged in a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet or an Intranet. At least one of the computers has at least one unique address designating a web site. A host computer system (which may or may not be one of the computers on the Internet) can be “posted” onto an “advertising” web page at the web site to permit other computers coupled to the Internet to interact directly with the host computer system. The computer “posted” on the web page is referred to as the “host” or “advertiser” computer, and computers accessing the host computer are referred to as “client” or “user” computers. Having the host computer posted on a web page creates a “virtual computer” that can be view and/or controlled by the client computers. Once the connection has been made between the host computer and one or more client computers, the web page is bypassed, i.e. the two or more computer systems communicate through the Internet without necessarily going through the web site supporting the “advertising” web page.
US09059959B2 Client side management of HTTP sessions
A method is provided for client side management of a client-server HTTP session comprising: sending by a client browser to a server an initial HTTP request; receiving by the browser from the server an initial HTTP response that includes a markup language document, a session identifier and a termination address; creating an iframe within the received initial document; targeting one or more hyperlink objects within the received initial document to the iframe; monitoring for an occurrence of closing the browser or changing an location to which the browser is addressed; and in response to an occurrence of one of the actions, sending by the browser an HTTP request that includes the session identifier to the termination address.
US09059955B2 System controlling use of a communication channel
A system controlling use of a communication channel in a communication network. The system comprising a network including service nodes. The service nodes comprising one or more sets having one or more nodes adapted to provide service functions in response to messages in the network. At least one of the sets comprising a member node having an interface for communication with a remote terminal, and a user interface process coupled with the interface to include a user of the remote terminal in the network. At least one of the sets comprising a member node having an interface to the communication network, and a process coupled to the interface to control establishment of the communication channel for the user.
US09059954B1 Extracting indirect relational information from email correspondence
Correspondence, such as emails, is processed to develop a database of relationships between parties addressed on the correspondence including indirectly addressed parties such as those directly addressed in included, forwarded correspondence. The database may be used to determine the contact paths between users and addressed parties including the intermediary contacts required to complete contacts paths to selected addressed parties. Patterns of correspondence, including frequency and recency of correspondence may be detected and displayed. Statistically normal patterns of correspondence may be derived in order to determine if correspondence patterns for selected addressed parties deviate there from. Data associated with contact information, such as search result listings, may be filtered and ordered in accordance with contact path proximity and/or contact related preferences or attributes.
US09059953B2 Message preview control
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computing devices and systems, as well as software, computer programs, applications, and user interfaces, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods to facilitate message preview control. For example, the method may include generating representations for messages to present on an interface, and detecting selection of the representation for the message. Further, the method can include presenting preview information for the message, which can be an electronic facsimile. The representations for the messages can include a representation for an electronic facsimile, as well as a voice message and an email.
US09059941B1 Providing router information according to a programmatic interface
A provider network may implement providing router information according to a programmatic interface. A plurality of routers may be implemented as part of provider network. Clients that utilize these routers may wish to obtain information specific to one or more routers in order to configure communications utilizing the particular router. A request may be received for the information from the client that is formatted according to the programmatic interface that is platform-independent. The requests may be maintained along with other received requests until selected for servicing according to a priority scheme. The request may be translated into one or more versions of the request that are formatted according to a interfaces specific to the one or more routers. The translated one or more versions of the request may be sent to the one or more routers to obtain the information from the one or more routers. The information may then be provided to the client.
US09059937B2 Multi-role distributed line card
A switch includes network ports and a network processor with a fabric interface that provides SerDes (Serializer/Deserializer) channels. The network processor divides each packet received over the network ports into cells and distributes the cells across the SerDes channels. Fabric ports of the switch communicate with the fabric interface to transmit cells to and receive cells from the fabric interface. The switch is selectively configurable as a standalone switch by connecting each fabric port of the switch to another of the fabric ports of the switch, as a member of a switch stack by connecting each fabric port of the switch to a different other switch through one fabric port of that other switch, or as a member of a distributed fabric system by connecting each fabric port of the switch to a different scaled-out fabric coupler (SFC) chassis by an SFC fabric port of that SFC chassis.
US09059935B2 Dynamic adaptations for network delays during complex event processing
A message handler may receive a plurality of messages associated with a plurality of events, the events having a temporal relationship to one another. A header inspector may extract latency information from the plurality of messages, the latency information characterizing a transmission duration experienced by each message in traveling from the one or more source nodes through the network. A window manager may correct a disruption in the temporal relationship between at least two events of the plurality of events, the disruption including relative differences in the transmission duration experienced by the at least two events, including relating the at least two events to a time window for processing the at least two events. An event processor may process the at least two events relative to the time window.
US09059928B2 Controller placement for fast failover in the split architecture
A method implemented by a network topology design system, the network topology design system including a processing device. The method to determine placement of a controller within a network with a split architecture where control plane components of the split architecture network are executed by a controller and the control plane components are separate from data plane components of the split architecture network. The placement of the controller is selected to minimize disruption of the split architecture network caused by a link failure, a switch failure or a connectivity loss between the controller and the data plane components.
US09059927B2 Network traffic profile aggregation for efficient discrete event smart grid network simulations
Systems and methods are provided for modeling and simulating a communication network operating under at least one communication protocol, which supports a Smart Grid electricity network. Communication performance data of the communication network are generated by a processor based on operating behavior of the Smart Grid with a plurality of assets under a first condition. Devices in the Smart grid are grouped in bins for rapid modeling. One or more different configurations of the communication network are entered into the processor and related performance data is also generated. Network configurations are compared based on the generated performance data which may include end-to-end delay and reception rate. Processor based systems to perform modeling methods are also provided.
US09059926B2 Performance analysis of virtual private network segment on a per flow basis
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes generating at a first network device Virtual Private Network (“VPN”) encapsulated packets with anonymized headers; maintaining a table mapping the anonymized headers to original headers of the VPN encapsulated packets; receiving a trace request from an initiator; generating from the received trace request an out-of-tunnel trace request toward a second network device via at least one intermediate network device using the anonymized headers; and forwarding the received trace request as an in-tunnel trace request through a VPN tunnel.
US09059919B1 Systems and methods for preserving network settings for use in a pre-boot environment
A computer-implemented method to preserve network settings for a computing device in a pre-boot environment is described. Initiation of a shut down process for the computing device is detected. Network configuration information is identified. A timestamp to associate with the identified network configuration information is generated. The identified network configuration information and the associated timestamp are stored in a storage medium.
US09059918B2 Continuity check management in a link state controlled ethernet network
An OAM link trace message is sent from a source node to a target node in a link state protocol controlled Ethernet network. The link trace message uses an 802.1ag format except, as a destination address, it uses either the unicast Ethernet MAC node ID of the target node or the multicast destination address of the service instance. Network topology verification in a link state protocol controlled Ethernet network checks the link state protocol database at a node to ascertain the control plane topology view of at least part of the network. One or more Ethernet OAM commands from the node are executed to ascertain the data plane topology view of the same part of the network. The control plane topology view of the network is compared to the data plane topology view of the network to see if they match. An error is flagged if they do not match.
US09059911B2 Diagnostics in a distributed fabric system
A distributed fabric system has distributed line card (DLC) chassis and scaled-out fabric coupler (SFC) chassis. Each DLC chassis includes a network processor and fabric ports. Each network processor of each DLC chassis includes a fabric interface in communication with the DLC fabric ports of that DLC chassis. Each SFC chassis includes a fabric element and fabric ports. A communication link connects each SFC fabric port to one DLC fabric port. Each communication link includes cell-carrying lanes. Each fabric element of each SFC chassis collects per-lane statistics for each SFC fabric port of that SFC chassis. Each SFC chassis includes program code that obtains the per-lane statistics collected by the fabric element chip of that SFC chassis. A network element includes program code that gathers the per-lane statistics collected by each fabric element of each SFC chassis and integrates the statistics into a topology of the entire distributed fabric system.
US09059895B2 Configurable network management system event processing using simple network management table indices
In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method, comprises receiving a simple network management protocol (SNMP) management information base (MIB) definition file; identifying in the MIB definition file one or more SNMP notification varbinds and associated notification varbind information; storing in a compiled MIB file for each of the varbinds: notification varbind info and columnar index info; causing generating a user interface having values based on the compiled MIB file; receiving user input selecting values and setting one or more network management system (NMS) event descriptions or event correlation rules; creating a NMS configuration file that is configured to cause the NMS at runtime to include and use the event descriptions or event correlation rules, and the compiled MIB file, in SNMP notification configuration or event correlation functions of the network management logic. As a result, descriptive data relating to SNMP notification columnar objects s becomes available for use in graphical user interface data display panels in event descriptions and in event correlation rules and processes without users or administrators having to learn a special language or API or use a special NMS configuration file format.
US09059892B2 Routing in a communications network using contextual information
A generic address resolution system facilitates communications among multiple network applications with heterogeneous addressing mechanisms, thereby allowing the network applications to interoperate with each other and/or with modules for providing enhanced functionalities. The address resolution system includes a resource mapping module that modularizes the components needed for address resolution and abstracts content from the underlying address types and content used by the network applications. The address resolution system includes a context engine that analyzes the addressing data to be resolved, selects one or more appropriate destination network applications based on contextual rules, and creates the application mapping template for the end-end routing of the communications among the network applications.
US09059885B2 Method of managing a user terminal in a telecommunications network, and an associated device
A method and apparatus are provided for managing a terminal of a user of a telecommunications network. The terminal is connected to the telecommunications network via at least one access network. The method includes a step, executed on receiving a registration request including an address of record of the user, an address of contact of the terminal, and an access network type of the terminal, of storing in a database an association between the address of record of the user, the access network type of the terminal, and the address of contact of the terminal.
US09059875B2 Method and apparatus for creating an enhanced medium access control packet data unit for enhanced transport format combination selection in wireless communications
Efficient enhanced transport format combination (E-TFC) selection methods and apparatus support flexible radio link control (RLC) packet data unit (PDU) size and medium access control (MAC) layer segmentation. Methods for filling an enhanced medium access control (MAC-e) packet data unit (PDU) with data from logical channels as part of E-TFC selection are provided. In one embodiment, the E-TFC selection algorithm employs a single request from the MAC layer to the RLC layer to request the number of bits it is allowed to send for a logical channel to create enhanced MAC-e PDUs. In another embodiment, the MAC entity performs multiple requests to the RLC entity. In another embodiment, the MAC entity makes a single request to the RLC entity to create one or more enhanced MAC-e PDUs of a set size. A technique is also provided for maintaining a guaranteed bit rate (GBR) for non-scheduled data flows with variable-length headers.
US09059872B1 Efficient highly connected deployment units
Efficient and highly-scalable network solutions are provided that each utilize deployment units based on Clos networks, but in an environment such as a data center of Internet Protocol-based network. Each of the deployment units can include multiple stages of devices, where connections between devices are only made between stages and the deployment units are highly connected. In some embodiments, the level of connectivity between two stages can be reduced, providing available connections to add edge switches and additional host connections while keeping the same number of between-tier connections. In some embodiments, where deployment units (or other network groups) can be used at different levels to connect other deployment units, the edges of the deployment units can be fused to reduce the number of devices per host connection.
US09059871B2 Policy-based communication system and method
A communication system and method is provided that includes a gateway. The gateway interconnects a client device and a server that hosts a service. The gateway is configured to determine the characteristics of service being requested by the client device and to communicate with a policy server in order to determine a policy that is to be applied to the fulfillment of the request for the service, assuming that the policy actually permits the fulfillment of the request.
US09059858B1 User characteristic based digital signature of documents
Methods and computer program products provide digital signatures for documents. An authentication code relating to a document is received. The authentication code is decoded to identify a unique identifier for the document, an identifier for an authentication server, and a user authentication parameter. A user characteristic that is defined by the user authentication parameter is obtained to serve as a digital signature for the document. A digital signature storage request is communicated to the authentication server using the identifier for the authentication server. The digital signature storage request contains the unique identifier for the document and the user characteristic obtained by the mobile terminal, and indicates that the authentication server is to store the user characteristic with an association to the unique identifier for the document.
US09059848B2 Method and arrangement in a wireless communication system
Method and arrangement in a base station for providing feedback to user equipments in a cell concerning the reception status of data received from the user equipments. The base station and the user equipments are comprised in a wireless communication system, adapted for contention based transmissions. The method comprises sending a contention based grant to a plurality of user equipments within the cell, receiving data from any user equipment and verifying if the data is correctly received. Also, the method comprises sending feedback to any user equipment that has used the contention based grant, wherein the feedback comprises an ACK, if it is verified that data has been correctly received from at least one user equipment and the feedback comprises a NACK if it is verified that data has not been correctly received from any user equipment. Also, a corresponding method and arrangement in a user equipment is described.
US09059841B2 Auto-discovery of a non-advertised public network address
Providing a network address is disclosed. A communication indicating that a first node desires to communicate via a packet data network with a second node configured to provide access to a private resource is received. A non-publicly advertised packet data network address usable to communicate with the second node via the packet data network is provided to the first node.
US09059834B2 Method and algorithm for stabilizing the output state of an optical transceiver
The invention relates to a method and algorithm for stabilizing the output state of an optical transceiver. The method includes comparing a signal quality monitor (SQM) register value with a predetermined threshold. If the SQM register value is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, a microcontroller unit (MCU) reads and determines the rx_lol state bit value of a clock and data recovery (CDR) chip. If the rx_lol state bit value reaches a low logic level value at least 3 times, the MCU converts the state bit values of rx_lol and mod_nr into low logic level values, or else, convert the state bit values of rx_lol and mod_nr into high logic level values. If the SQM register value is greater than the predetermined threshold then the state bit values of rx_lol and mod_nr will be left unchanged. When there is no data input to the CDR chip, the method of the present invention will maintain rx_lol and mod_nr at high or low logic level values to stabilize the output state of the optical transceiver.
US09059816B1 Control loop management and differential delay correction for vector signaling code communications links
Vector signaling code communications systems rely on group transmission of code symbols using multiple signaling channels that may have differing propagation characteristics, resulting in differing received signal levels, waveforms, and symbol arrival times, and thus that should be actively monitored and adjusted to minimize differential signal characteristics. Information obtained during symbol decode may be analyzed to identify channel operational characteristics during normal operation and perform non-disruptive channel adjustments, including per-channel adjustment of sample-and-hold timing to realign code symbol groups. Initialization or start-up adjustment may also be performed using intentionally-transmitted training patterns.
US09059803B2 Mechanism for facilitating an optical instrumentation testing system employing multiple testing paths
A mechanism is described for facilitating optical testing of a device under test (DUT) using a testing mechanism having multiple testing paths according to one embodiment. A method of embodiments of the invention may include facilitating, via a loopback path, optical testing of the DUT in a loopback configuration. The loopback configuration may allow for looping between one or more transmitters and one or more receivers of the DUT. The method may further include facilitating, via a spectral path, spectral measurements relating to the DUT.
US09059801B1 Optical modulator
An optical modulator including an information-containing radio frequency signal input; a semiconductor device having an optical input optically for receiving the coherent light beam, and a electrode connected to said radio frequency signal input and having a modulated bias potential so that current is generated in the second semiconductor device and extracted therefrom, while the coherent light beam is optically modulated by the signal changing the carrier density in the semiconductor device.
US09059798B2 Passive optical loopback
An optical communication device comprises an input/output configured to be coupled to an optical communications line, and a passive optical loopback module coupled to the input and configured to receive optical signals from the input/output, the loopback module being further configured to reflect incoming signals of a test wavelength to the input/output.
US09059779B2 Serial digital interface between an RF transceiver and a baseband chip
One embodiment of the present invention provides a device for interfacing between a baseband controller and an RF integrated circuit (IC) chip having a modulator and a demodulator. The device includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the demodulator located on the RF IC chip. The ADC is configured to receive demodulated analog signals from the demodulator. The device further includes a serializer configured to generate a serial data frame based on the ADC's output, a first serial data port configured to send the serial data frame to the baseband controller, and a control module coupled to the baseband controller.
US09059776B1 Integrated power line communication architectures for power entry modules
Systems and techniques relating to wireless communications are described. A described system includes an input port configured to receive an alternating current (AC) waveform from a power line that is external to the apparatus; coupling circuitry coupled with the input port; power line communication (PLC) circuitry coupled with the coupling circuitry, configured to use the coupling circuitry to transmit and receive PLC signals via the power line, where the coupling circuitry and the PLC circuitry are electrically exposed to the AC waveform via the input port; a communication port coupled with the PLC circuitry, configured to provide PLC network access via the PLC circuitry; a filter coupled with the input port, configured to remove the PLC signals from the AC waveform and to produce a filtered AC waveform; and an output port coupled with the filter, configured to provide the filtered AC waveform.
US09059773B2 Radio frequency tuner
A RF tuner is described for handling RF signals in a broad frequency range and a broad power range while maintaining high linearity and tolerating high power blockers. A continuous feedback loop comprising a substantially linear LNA and a radio frequency RSSI can adjust the power of the RF signal on the RF side. On the IF side, a continuous feedback loop comprising a substantially linear, variable gain transconductor and a RSSI can adjust the power of the IF signal.
US09059767B2 Microwave transmission method, apparatus, and system using CCDP and XPIC
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a microwave transmission method, apparatus, and system using CCDP and XPIC, and relate to the field of mobile communication technologies. The microwave transmission method includes: sending two channels of service that are corresponding to the same frequency and have different polarization directions, where the two channels of service are paired into one logical group; and when receiving, through a feedback channel, a failure signal sent by another end, closing sending of a channel of service that is indicated by the failure signal. In the embodiments of the present invention, after the failure signal sent by the another end is received, the sending of a channel of the service that is indicated by the failure signal is closed, so that no interference is caused to another channel of service, thus ensuring that another channel of service is received correctly.
US09059763B2 Receiver control circuit and portable electronic device employing same
A receiver control circuit includes a first receiver, a second receiver, a first light sensor, a second light sensor, and a determination circuit. The first light sensor detects light transmitted to the first receiver. The second light sensor detects light transmitted to the second receiver. The determination circuit compares an intensity of the light detected by the first light sensor with an intensity of the light detected by the second light sensor. The determination circuit further selectively activates the first receiver when the intensity of the light detected by the first light sensor is less than the intensity of the light detected by the second light sensor, or activates the second receiver when the intensity of the light detected by the first light sensor is greater than the intensity of the light detected by the second light sensor.
US09059756B2 Using precoding vector switching in uplink shared channel
Methods and apparatuses are provided that include providing transmit diversity for data channel transmissions. Different precoding vectors can be used over different slots of a given subframes to precode corresponding signals. The precoding vectors, in one example, can be orthogonal. In addition, using the different precoding vectors can be determined based on a user equipment receiving an indicator from a base station receiving the data channel transmissions of whether to use frequency hopping over the slots. Moreover, precoding vectors used to precode data channel transmissions can additionally or alternatively vary across subframes.
US09059747B2 Method for rapid information synchronization using near field communication
A method for rapid synchronization of information between first and second terminals using NFC is provided. When authentication between the first and second terminals is successful, the second terminal compares a prior configuration document stored therein with an updated configuration document most recently recorded thereby to obtain a difference therebetween that serves as a difference configuration document. Then, the second terminal transmits the difference configuration document to the first terminal. The first terminal thus performs setting corresponding to the difference configuration document.
US09059742B1 System and method for dynamic scaling of LDPC decoder in a solid state drive
In some embodiments of the present invention, a data storage device includes a controller and a memory. The data storage device further includes an LDPC encoder and decoder, with the decoder implementing a dynamic precision-rescaling technique for improving performance. In one embodiment, the technique works by rescaling the binary representations of the input log-likelihood ratios (LLRs) and messages upon activation of decoder-state-based triggers. Various triggering functions are introduced, e.g., checking if the number of output LLRs smaller than a certain limit crosses a threshold, checking if the weight of a syndrome crosses a threshold, etc. This technique offers an improvement in the performance of the decoder.
US09059735B2 Decoding method and decoding device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a decoding method and a decoding device. The method includes: performing iterative decoding on a multidimensional code to obtain incorrigible code words; determining locations of error bits in the incorrigible code words that are obtained by performing the iterative decoding on the multidimensional code, where the locations of error bits in the incorrigible code words are multidimensional coordinate locations of the error bits in the multidimensional code; correcting error bits of a part of the incorrigible code words in the multidimensional code according to the determined locations of the error bits in the incorrigible code words; and after the error bits of a part of the incorrigible code words in the multidimensional code are corrected, performing iterative decoding on the multidimensional code The embodiments of the present invention are applicable to the field of decoding technologies.
US09059730B2 Pipelined successive approximation analog-to-digital converter
A multistage analog-to-digital data conversion, including: a first stage unit configured to process an analog input signal into a first number of most significant bits using a first reference signal, and to output a first stage residue signal; a second stage unit configured to receive and process the first stage residue signal into a second number of remaining least significant bits using a second reference signal; a sampling unit configured to sample the first stage residue signal received from the first stage unit onto the second stage unit with a passive element; and an output unit configured to output a digital value that is a combination of the first number of most significant bits and the second number of remaining least significant bits.
US09059727B2 Hybrid coded audio data streaming apparatus and method
An audio coding system in which a plurality of quantization methods are selectable for application to components of a streamed audio signal to achieve a target frame size that is determined by comparing an achieved bit rate against a target bit rate. Based on the target frame size, the system calculates a bit allocation for signal components and compares the bit allocation to the dynamic range of the signal components. Depending on the outcome of the comparison, the system may select to quantize or not quantize a signal component. The system employs lossless coding techniques, but is capable of introducing lossy coding by quantization in order to meet the target bit rate.
US09059722B2 Method and apparatus for estimating sampling delay error between first and second analog-to-digital converters of time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter
A method for estimating a sampling delay error between a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a second ADC in a time-interleaved ADC includes: receiving a first digital output signal and a second digital output signal generated from the first ADC and the second ADC based on a same analog input signal, respectively; determining a delay amount according to a predetermined sampling delay between the first ADC and the second ADC and a delay adjusting value, and applying the delay amount delay to the second digital output signal to generate a delayed digital output signal, wherein the delay adjusting value Td is used to estimate the sampling delay error Te; calculating a difference between the first digital output signal and the delayed digital output signal; and feeding back the difference for adjusting the delay adjusting value Td according to the difference.
US09059719B2 Phase difference detection method, phase difference detection circuit, and wireless power transmission device
A method used by a phase difference detection circuit for detecting a phase difference between two signals includes shifting a detected phase difference between the two signals by an offset value, outputting the detected phase difference, and controlling the offset value such that the outputted detected phase difference falls within a phase difference range between a lower limit and an upper limit.
US09059717B2 Apparatus for frequency compensation using two counters
A frequency compensation apparatus includes a first counter setting a reference period using a main clock, a second counter sensing a change in the frequency of a sub clock using the reference period, and a frequency compensator providing a compensated frequency using information on the changed frequency of the sub clock. Related methods are also described.
US09059716B1 Digital PVT compensation for delay chain
A circuit-includes a delay locked loop (DLL), a calibration circuit and an output delay chain controlled by the calibration circuit. The DLL comprises a plurality of series-coupled first delay elements, each of which has substantially the same first delay. The calibration circuit comprises a plurality of series-coupled second delay elements, each of which has substantially the same second delay that is less than the first delay, a first delay element, and a circuit for determining the minimum number of second delay elements that are needed to produce the first delay. The output delay chain comprises a plurality of series-coupled second delay elements, an input for receiving the input signal, and a circuit for selectively tapping the output delay chain at a plurality of taps in the output delay chain so as to produce in the input signal different delays of integral multiples of the second delay.
US09059714B2 Inductor-less 50% duty cycle wide-range divide-by-3 circuit
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide apparatus for producing an output signal having a duty cycle of 50% and a frequency that is one third that of an input signal. One example frequency dividing circuit for producing such an output signal generally includes first and second flip-flops; first, second, and third logic circuits, each configured to function equivalently to a logic OR gate; and an internal frequency dividing circuit configured to generate an output waveform having a frequency that is one half that of an input waveform.
US09059711B2 Detection device
A detection device includes a resonance unit having a coil and a capacitor, an oscillation unit for oscillating the resonance unit, and a signal processing unit for detecting the oscillation state of the resonance unit and outputting an object detection signal when oscillation is stopped. The signal processing unit intermittently executes a self-diagnosis mode by forcibly oscillating the oscillation unit to determine whether or not an abnormality occurs in the resonance unit.
US09059692B2 Rail to rail comparator with wide hysteresis and memory
An apparatus comprises an input to receive a voltage, a threshold voltage circuit, a comparison circuit, and an output. The threshold voltage circuit provides an adjustable first threshold voltage at a first output and an adjustable second threshold voltage at a second output. The comparison circuit determines when the input voltage is greater than the first voltage threshold, including when the first voltage threshold is adjusted substantially up to a high supply voltage rail, and determines when the input voltage is less than the second voltage threshold, including when the second voltage threshold is adjusted substantially down to a low supply voltage rail. The output provides a first indication when the input voltage is greater than the first voltage threshold and to provide a second indication when the input voltage is less than the second voltage threshold.
US09059691B2 Duty cycle detection and correction circuit in an integrated circuit
A duty cycle detection and correction circuit includes a clock generator, a clock tree, and a duty cycle correction circuit. The clock generator is configured to generate a first clock signal and a second clock signal, and the first clock signal and the second clock signal have a predetermined phase difference. The clock tree is configured to receive the first clock signal and the second clock signal, to generate a first output clock signal based on the first clock signal and the set of control signals, and to generate a second output clock signal based on the second clock signal and the set of control signals. The duty cycle correction circuit is configured to receive the first output clock signal and the second output clock signal and to generate the set of control signal based on the first output clock signal and the second output clock signal.
US09059690B2 Method and apparatus for reducing the contribution of noise to digitally sampled signals
The contribution of noise to digitally sampled signals is reduced using a statistical processor and a slope limiter. The statistical processor determines an average value (mean and/or standard deviation) of the filtered signal which is used to determine a slope limit corresponding to an expected maximum first derivative value of a target signal frequency. This slope limit is applied to constrain the output of an analog to digital converter, to prevent the output of the analog to digital converter from exceeding this maximum rate of rise or fall. By constraining the output of the analog to digital converter, it is possible to digitally sample analog signals without first utilizing an anti-aliasing filter, since the post processing of the digitally sampled signals limits the contribution of the higher frequency components of the signal to thereby enable a fully digital sampling and filtering circuit to be provided for receiving signals.
US09059683B2 Electronic device with switched-capacitor tuning and related method
An electronic device includes an inductive element, and variable capacitors. Each variable capacitor includes: first and third capacitors, both having a first terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of the inductive element; and second and fourth capacitors, both having a first terminal electrically connected to a second terminal of the inductive element. A first switch circuit electrically connects or isolates a second terminal of the first capacitor to/from a second terminal of the second capacitor. A second switch circuit electrically connects or isolates a second terminal of the third capacitor to/from a second terminal of the fourth capacitor. A third switch circuit electrically connects or isolates the second terminal of the first capacitor to/from the second terminal of the fourth capacitor. A fourth switch circuit electrically connects or isolates the second terminal of the third capacitor to/from the second terminal of the second capacitor.
US09059675B1 Filter for attenuating undesired frequencies in a signal
In some implementations, a circuit includes an operational amplifier having a positive input, a negative input, and an output, the output being connected to the negative input; a first capacitor to receive the input signal; a second capacitor connected in series with the first capacitor, the second capacitor to provide a first signal to a positive input of the operational amplifier; a first resistor connected in series with the first capacitor, the first resistor to provide a second signal to the negative input of the operational amplifier; a second resistor to receive the input signal; a third resistor connected in series with the second resistor, the third resistor to provide a third signal to the positive input of the operational amplifier; and a third capacitor connected in series with the second resistor, the third capacitor to provide a fourth signal to the negative input of the operational amplifier.
US09059672B2 Gain partitioning in a receiver
An automatic gain control loop disposed in a receiver is adapted to compensate for varying levels of out of band interference sources by adaptively controlling the gain distribution throughout the receive signal path. One or more intermediate received signal strength indicator (RSSI) detectors are used to determine a corresponding intermediate signal level. The output of each RSSI detector is coupled to an associated comparator that compares the intermediate RSSI value against a corresponding threshold. The take over point (TOP) for gain stages is adjusted based in part on the comparator output values. The TOP for each of a plurality of gain stages may be adjusted in discrete steps or continuously.
US09059663B2 Audio output circuit, electronic device using the same, and audio integrated circuit
An audio output circuit for driving an electro-acoustic transducer includes first and second D-class amplifiers, a pulse modulator to receive an audio signal and generate first and second pulse signals for driving first and second D-class amplifiers, first and second drivers to drive first and second D-class amplifiers in response to first and second pulse signals, respectively, a common mode choke coil, and a delay setting circuit to apply a relative delay to output signals of the first and second D-class amplifiers.
US09059655B2 Method for fault recognition in an electric machine controlled by an inverter in a motor vehicle and device for monitoring an operation of the electric machine
A method for fault recognition in an electric machine controlled by an inverter in a motor vehicle, in which the phase currents of the electric machine are ascertained, in particular ascertained by measuring, and a fault is recognized if at least one of the phase currents or a variable derived therefrom, exceeds a predefined upper threshold value, the upper threshold value being established as a function of operating parameters of the motor vehicle, in particular of the electric machine and/or of the inverter.
US09059654B2 Motor driving device, and motor control method
There is provided a motor driving device including: a speed detection unit detecting a speed of a motor; a comparison unit comparing the speed of the motor detected by the speed detection unit with an external input speed; and a speed control unit outputting the reference speed as a control signal when the speed of the motor is equal to a reference speed or less and outputting a motor control signal generated based on a comparative value of the comparison unit when the speed of the motor exceeds the reference speed.
US09059648B2 Driving circuit, driving module and motor driving apparatus
There are provided a driving circuit, a driving module, a motor driving apparatus capable of adjusting a driving current driving a power semiconductor device, the driving circuit including a driving unit including a plurality of drivers and selecting a corresponding driver among the plurality of drivers according to a selection signal to determine a current level of a driving signal for driving a semiconductor device, a timing controlling unit detecting a phase shift time of the driving signal transferred to the semiconductor device and comparing the detected time with a preset reference time to control the phase shift time of the driving signal, and a driving controlling unit providing the selection signal for selecting a driver to be driven among the plurality of drivers of the driving unit according a control signal from the outside and a timing control signal of the timing controlling unit.
US09059647B2 High voltage DC power generation
A DC power generating system includes a permanent magnet generator (PMG), an active rectifier in electrical communication with the PMG, and a controller in electrical communication with the active rectifier, wherein the controller is configured to regulate d-q components of a stator current of the PMG in a synchronous reference frame.
US09059633B2 Energy harvest system and the method thereof
The present disclosure discloses an energy harvest system converting an AC source provided by an energy harvester to a desired voltage. The AC source is boosted to the desired voltage by a bi-directional booster converter comprising fourth controllable transistors configured in an H-bridge, and stored by a storage capacitor. The desired voltage is then used to power various loads.
US09059628B2 Energy harvesting
A solution for harvesting energy from motion resulting from operation of an object, such as a vehicle, is provided. The motion can comprise low-frequency motion. The solution can include at least one magnet, at least one coil, a magnet supporting structure, a coil supporting structure, and a design component which provides a restoring force to at least one of: the magnet supporting structure or the coil supporting structure so as to ensure relative motion between the magnet(s) and coil(s). The relative motion of the magnet(s) and coil(s) generate energy which can be harvested for wireless monitoring or other purposes.
US09059623B2 Linear vibrator
A linear vibrator, including: a fixing part providing an inner space having a predetermined size; at least one magnet disposed in the inner space of the fixing part to generate a magnetic force; a vibration part including a coil disposed to face the magnet to generate electromagnetic force by interacting with the magnet, and a mass body being vibrated; an elastic member coupled to the fixing part and the vibration part to provide an elastic force; and a substrate coupled to the vibration part and disposed to surround at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the magnet so as to prevent the substrate from contacting the magnet when the vibration part is vibrated.
US09059621B2 Electric rotating machine
The present invention provides an electric rotating machine capable of providing a high quality and efficient machine operation with reduced oscillation and noise by lowering torque ripple. The electric rotating machine includes a stator having a plurality of teeth facing a rotor, and a plurality of slots providing spaces for winding coils around the teeth. The rotor has a pair of permanent magnets embedded therein and located in a “V” shape configuration so as to let magnetic force act on the teeth such that the rotor within said stator is driven to revolve by reluctance torque and magnet torque. An outer diameter ratio Δ of an outer diameter Dr of the rotor to an outer diameter Ds of the stator falls in a range from 0.61 to 0.645.
US09059619B2 System and method of correlating the orientation of a tri-axial accelerometer
A system and method for analyzing a device that includes a mass configured for motion. The system includes a tri-axial accelerometer disposed to detect acceleration vectors of the device and to output three channels of acceleration data, and a user interface receiving the three channels of acceleration data. The user interface is configured to correlate the three channels of acceleration data with a reference frame defined by three orthogonal axes intersecting at a vertex, and includes a display and a selector. The display shows sets of options that represent dispositions of the device with respect to gravity, placements of the tri-axial accelerometer with respect to the device, and orientations of the tri-axial accelerometer with respect to the device. The selector selects one device disposition option, one tri-axial accelerometer placement option, and one tri-axial accelerometer orientation option.
US09059617B2 Connection arrangement for windings of electric machines
A connection arrangement is provided for the windings of an electric machine and includes a plurality of phase connections, each phase connection including conductors, each conductor having an annular or annular sector shape and includes a plurality of connecting ends. The conductors of each phase connection are radially shifted.
US09059609B2 Flat-type vibration motor
A vibration motor includes a rotor including a winding coil, a first substrate having a circuit pattern formed on a surface thereof and electrically connected to the winding coil, and a holder coupled to the first substrate by injection molding; and a shaft including the rotor rotatably coupled thereto and forming a rotational axis of the rotor. The circuit pattern includes a sealing pattern formed along an outline of the holder.
US09059604B2 Methods and apparatus for controlling operation of photovoltaic power plants
A photovoltaic power plant includes a photovoltaic inverter that converts direct current generated by solar cells to alternating current. The output of the photovoltaic inverter is provided to a point of interconnection to a power grid. A meter at the point of interconnection may be read to detect the output of the photovoltaic inverter at the power grid. The photovoltaic power plant includes a plant controller with a state machine. The plant controller is configured to adjust setpoints of the photovoltaic inverter to control the output of the photovoltaic power plant. The plant controller is also configured to soft start and soft stop automatic voltage regulation (AVR) of the photovoltaic power plant to prevent perturbing the AVR.
US09059601B2 Wind-driven recharger for vehicle battery
In one illustrative embodiment, a wind-driven charging system includes a wind-driven rotation device coupled to a rotatable shaft, and a plurality of electric generators disposed at different longitudinal locations along the rotatable shaft and each of the plurality of electric generators are rotationally driven simultaneously by the rotatable shaft. By having the electric generators disposed at different longitudinal locations, more electric generators may be simultaneously driven by a common shaft. In some instances, a controller may be configured to enable more of the electric generators to provide electrical current to recharge a battery when the speed of rotation of the rotatable shaft increases, and may disable more of the plurality of electric generators to not provide electrical current when the speed of rotation of the rotatable shaft decreases.
US09059592B2 Fixing apparatus with wireless charging
A fixing apparatus with wireless charging is provided, including a base unit, at least a stop element and a charging module. The base unit includes a placement surface, and the stop element is disposed at the base unit and protrudes above the placement surface. When an electronic device is placed upon the placement surface, the stop element is located at the edge of the electronic device to prevent from sliding off the placement surface. The charging module is disposed inside the base unit, located at a location corresponding to the placement surface. The charging module includes at least a transmitting induction coil and a control circuit unit. As such, the fixing apparatus can charge an electronic device through the charging module by electromagnetic induction when the electronic device is placed upon the fixing apparatus.
US09059587B2 System and method of supplying power to loads of a drilling rig
A system for providing power to a load of a drilling rig has a natural gas engine/generator and an energy storage system. The load is switchably connected to one or both of the natural engine/generator and the energy storage system. The natural gas engine/generator and the energy storage system have a capacity suitable for supplying requisite power to the load. A rectifier is connected to an output line of the engine/generator so as to convert the AC power to DC power. This rectifier is a phase-controlled silicon-controlled rectifier so as to be responsive to a power requirement of the load. The energy storage system is a battery.
US09059586B2 Through silicon via bidirectional repair circuit of semiconductor apparatus
A TSV bidirectional repair circuit of a semiconductor apparatus is provided. The bidirectional repair circuit includes a first and a second bidirectional switches and at least two transmission path modules. The first and the second bidirectional switches determine whether to transmit an input signal of a first chip or a second chip to each of the transmission path modules according to a switch signal. Each transmission path module includes at least two data path circuits and corresponding TSVs. Each data path circuit includes an input driving circuit, a short-circuit detection circuit and a leakage current cancellation circuit. The short-circuit detection circuit detects whether short-circuit on the corresponding TSV and a silicon substrate is present according to the input signal and the corresponding TSV to produce a short-circuit detection output signal.
US09059584B2 Circuit arrangement for limiting the overvoltage of an excitation winding of a synchronous machine having rapid de-excitation
A circuit arrangement for de-exciting an excitation winding of a synchronous machine in the event of a fault, including a control circuit for controlling a current flow through the excitation winding, it being possible to apply a positive control voltage to the excitation winding for excitation and a negative control voltage for rapid de-excitation, and including a protective circuit which is parallel-connected to the excitation winding and which does not permit a current flow over the protective circuit in the event of rapid de-excitation and which forms a current path for limiting the voltage and de-exciting the excitation winding if at least one connecting line between the control circuit and the excitation winding is interrupted.
US09059569B2 Nitride semiconductor light-emitting system
A nitride semiconductor light-emitting system includes a nitride semiconductor light-emitting device, a base mount holding the nitride semiconductor light-emitting device, having an opening, and containing first metal as a main component, a cap adhered to the base mount, and a lead pin penetrating the opening. The lead pin is fixed to an inner wall of the opening with an insulating member and a buffer member interposed therebetween, the buffer member and the insulating member being stacked on the inner wall in this order. The insulating member contains silicon oxide as a component. The buffer member is made of second metal having a smaller standard oxidation-reduction potential than the first metal, or an alloy containing the second metal.
US09059567B2 CO2 laser device and CO2 laser processing device
A CO2 laser device and a CO2 laser processing device for emitting a pulse laser having a high output and a stable beam diameter without depending on a repetition frequency. The CO2 laser device includes: laser gas being a CO2 laser medium; a near-concentric stable optical resonator in which a radius of curvature of at least one resonator mirror is set so as to be equal to a distance from an optical switch to the resonator mirror; an optical switch provided in the stable optical resonator; and transmission mirrors provided so that laser light generated from the stable optical resonator passes through the CO2 laser medium again.
US09059566B2 Surface emitting laser
A surface emitting laser having a mesa structure includes an off-orientation substrate, a bottom reflection mirror, an active layer, a current confinement layer, a top reflection mirror, and a surface-relief structure. The central axis of a high-reflectivity region of the surface-relief structure and the central axis of the mesa structure do not coincide with each other.
US09059565B1 Ring cavity laser device
Laser devices are presented in which a graphene saturable absorber and an optical amplifier are disposed in a resonant optical cavity with an optical or electrical pump providing energy to the optical amplifier.
US09059564B2 Short-pulse fiber-laser
A mode-locked fiber laser has a resonator including a gain-fiber, a mode-locking element, and a spectrally-selective dispersion compensating device. The resonator can be a standing-wave resonator or a traveling-wave resonator. The dispersion compensating device includes only one diffraction grating combined with a lens and a mirror to provide a spatial spectral spread. The numerical aperture of the gain-fiber selects which portion of the spectral spread can oscillate in the resonator.
US09059563B2 Self-seeding fiber laser, method for driving self-seeding fiber laser, passive optical network system and device
This application provides a self-seeding fiber laser, including: an arrayed waveguide grating; a gain medium, coupled to one branch port of the arrayed waveguide grating; a Faraday rotator mirror, coupled to a common port of the arrayed waveguide grating, and configured to reflect a part of optical signals transmitted by the gain medium and form injection light returning to the gain medium; where the gain medium, the arrayed waveguide grating, and the Faraday rotator mirror form a laser resonator, and the arrayed waveguide grating is configured to perform wavelength selection in the laser resonator; and a compensation apparatus, coupled to the gain medium and configured to provide a compensation current for the gain medium selectively according to power of the injection light.
US09059558B2 Laser
A laser includes a total reflective mirror, an output mirror, a discharge lamp, and an active laser medium. The total reflective mirror, the output mirror, and the discharge lamp define a resonant cavity. The active laser medium is filled in the resonant cavity. The total reflective mirror includes a body, a metal film, and at least one microstructure. Each of the at least one microstructure is a step structure. The step structure includes a plurality of cylinders stacked with each other with respect to their diameters. Both the height and the diameter of the cylinders are in a range from about 0.5λ to about 2λ, while λ is a working wavelength of the laser.
US09059555B2 Wavelength-stabilized diode laser
A hybrid external cavity laser (HECL) system comprises a diode laser, collection and collimation optics, and a volume Bragg grating, emits radiation at a single wavelength with a short-term wavelength stability in the order of at least one part in a billion The wavelength stability is achieved by use of a thermal management system, comprising inner and outer housings, each containing a temperature sensor, and electronic circuitry that monitors the temperatures and controls both the laser diode current and a thermoelectric cooler based on temperatures determined from said temperature sensors. The laser system is packaged in a compact enclosure that minimizes waste heat, facilitating use in applications that have heretofore employed stable, single-frequency lasers, including He—Ne lasers.
US09059548B2 Adapter for mechanically and electrically connecting an implantable electrode to at least one test terminal contact
An adapter for mechanically/electrically connecting an implantable electrode, via the proximal connector thereof including at least one connecting contact for the electrode, to at least one test terminal contact of a measuring device, includes an electrically insulating adapter housing, a connector receiving element adapted to connector shape, and at least one contact element disposed in the adapter housing establishing contact between the at least one connecting contact of the connector and the at least one test terminal. A receiving tray, having the receiving element for the connector, is mounted on the adapter housing and variable between open and closed contact positions. In the open position, the connector is inserted in the receiving element in a defined position and removed therefrom. In the contact position, the at least one connecting contact of the connector is brought in contact with the contact element in the adapter housing in a defined manner.
US09059546B2 Electrical connector
An electrical connector includes an insulating housing, a number of power contacts received in the insulating housing, a power bus bar electrically and mechanically connecting with at least one power contact and a power contact spacer assembled within said opening of the insulating housing. Each power contact forms a first engaging portion and a first contacting portion. The power bus bar has a main section, a middle section extending from the main section, and a connecting section extending from the middle section. The power contact spacer includes a main body and a base extending downwards from the main body. The main body provides a number of protrusions along the transversal direction, and the insulating housing defines a number of grooves on a top wall thereof for correspondingly receiving the protrusions to thereby secure the power contact spacer on the insulating housing along a transversal direction.
US09059540B2 Electrical connector assembly, and connector for such assembly
The electrical connector assembly includes a first connector having a first housing, a second connector having a second housing, and a cover movably mounted on the housing. The housing of the second connector is movably mounted on the housing of the first connector. A lock that may be actuated is movably mounted on one of the housings. In the initial position of the cover, the cover covers or shields the lock. In the final position of the cover, the cover does not shield the lock.
US09059539B2 Systems and methods for coupling input/output devices
An input/output (I/O) device for an automation control system includes a base portion configured to communicatively connect the I/O device with at least one other I/O device, an I/O module physically and communicatively connected to the base portion and comprising I/O communication circuitry, a terminal block physically and communicatively connected to the base portion, and an ejection device configured to eject the I/O module or the terminal block from the base portion by pushing the I/O module or the terminal block out of engagement with the base portion when activated.
US09059538B2 Electrical conductor assembly for intra-enclosure conductor termination
An electrical conductor assembly includes a connector body with a plurality of grooves disposed on a periphery of the connector body and configured to guide corresponding flying leads of a cable along the connector body from one end (“proximal end”) of the connector body to another end (“distal end”). A mountable fastener may be positioned around the cable, coupled to the connector body, and mounted to an enclosure. In this configuration, the ends of the flying leads extend beyond the distal end of the connector body in fixed, spaced, relative location from each other so that they may be terminated within the enclosure and protected from environmental contaminants outside of the enclosure. The coupling of the mountable fastener to the connector body provides strain relief on the individual flying leads by clamping insulation of the flying leads between the mountable fastener and the connector body.
US09059535B2 Easy-installation and maintenance waterproof socket and plug assembly
An easy-installation and maintenance waterproof socket and plug assembly comprising a socket (2) and a plug (1), wherein a recess is disposed in the socket (2) for containing the plug (1), a plurality of convex connection terminals (21, 22) are set on a bottom of the recess, the connection terminals (21, 22) are connected to an external control panel (200) through conductive sheets (201, 202) sleeved inside the connection terminals (21, 22), the plug (1) is provided with hole positions corresponding to the connection terminals of the socket, the hole positions are provided with metal connection spring sheets (11, 12).
US09059525B2 Pin structure of RJ connector, RJ connector module and RJ connector system using the same
A pin structure of an RJ connector includes a base and eight pins. The eight pins includes a first pin, a second pin, a third pin, a fourth pin, a fifth pin, a sixth pin, a seventh pin and an eighth pin. One end of each pin has a contact part, and the contact parts are aligned in sequence. The other end of each pin is bent to form an inserting part, and the inserting parts are embedded in the base. The distance between the inserting parts of the third and sixth pins is smaller than the distance between the contact parts thereof. An RJ connector module and an RJ connector system with the pin structure are also disclosed. The pin structure is advantageous for decreasing cross-talk and insertion loss generated in the RJ connector, and further increasing the signal definition and accuracy.
US09059519B2 MIMO antenna device, antenna and antenna package
A multi-input and multi-output antenna device is disclosed. The MIMO antenna device comprises two antennas symmetrically disposed on a substrate. Each antenna comprises a T-shaped feeding unit, a radiation unit and a ground unit. The T-shaped feeding unit and the radiation unit are disposed on a first surface of the substrate. The T-shaped feeding unit forms a strip portion and a top portion. The radiation unit has first and second ends. The radiation unit extends from the first end to the second end to form a rectangular region and a spacing. The first end extends parallel to the top portion. The ground unit is disposed along two sides of the strip portion and electrically coupled to the second end. The two strip portions of the two T-shaped feeding units are parallel to and aligned with each other. The two ground units are electrically connected to each other.
US09059514B2 Structures for shielding and mounting components in electronic devices
An electronic device may be provided with a conductive housing. An antenna window structure may be formed in an opening in the housing. The antenna window structure may have an antenna support structure that is attached to the conductive housing and that supports antenna structures. An antenna window cap may be mounted in the opening and attached to the antenna support structure with liquid adhesive. Alignment structures may be provided in the antenna support structure. An antenna support plate with mating alignment structures may be used in attaching the antenna structures to the antenna support structures. Metal shielding structures may be used to provide electromagnetic shielding. A shielding wall may be formed from a sheet metal structure supported by a plastic support structure. A flexible metal shielding foil layer may be welded to the shielding wall using a sacrificial plate.
US09059512B2 Radio communication antenna and radio communication device
The present invention relates to a radio communication antenna and a radio communication device including the same. The radio communication antenna of the present invention includes first conductive wires extending in opposite directions with respect to a first direction on a substrate to form a dipole antenna, second conductive wires separated from the first conductive wires to be parallel with the first conductive wires, and stubs connected between the first conductive wires and the second conductive wires in a second direction intersecting with the first direction.
US09059498B2 Laminated waveguide diplexer
A laminated waveguide diplexer includes a first laminated waveguide, a second laminated waveguide, and a coupling metal connecting the first and second laminated waveguides. The first laminated waveguide has a first upper conductor with a first slot, and the second laminated waveguide has a second upper conductor with a second slot. The coupling metal includes a first line crossing over the first slot and a second line crossing over the second slot. In addition, the laminated waveguide diplexer further includes a first via connecting the first upper conductor and the first line, and a second via connecting the second upper conductor and the second line. The first and second vias are adjacent to the first and second slots, respectively, such that the first and second lines are short stubs for respective radio frequency signals propagating thereon.
US09059493B2 High-frequency signal line and electronic device
A high-frequency signal line includes an element assembly including a plurality of flexible insulator layers. a linear signal line provided in or on the element assembly, a first ground conductor provided in or on the element assembly and extending along the signal line, a plurality of second ground conductors provided in or on the element assembly and arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction in which the signal line extends, on a first side in a direction of lamination relative to the signal line, the second ground conductors being opposite to the signal line with at least one of the insulator layers positioned therebetween, and a plurality of first via-hole conductors extending through at least one of the insulator layers so as to connect the first and second ground conductors.
US09059492B2 Waveguide interposer substrate having first and second conversion structures on opposed waveguide surfaces
A waveguide includes: a waveguide portion including a first surface and a second surface that are opposed to each other; a first transmission line provided on the first surface of the waveguide portion; a second transmission line provided on the second surface of the waveguide portion; and a first conversion structure inputting a signal from the first transmission line to the waveguide portion and converting the signal.
US09059487B2 Battery with soaking plate for thermally and electrically conductive channel
A battery with a soaking plate for a thermally and electrically conductive channel includes a plurality of battery rolls and two cap assemblies. Each of the battery rolls includes a central member and at least one electrode piece. Each of two ends of the central member has a bending portion. The electrode piece at least includes a positive electrode layer and a negative electrode layer. The electrode piece is winding around the central member. The battery rolls are disposed in parallel, and the bending portions at the two ends are formed as terminal disposed portions. The two cap assemblies are disposed at the terminal disposed portions.
US09059482B2 Lead acid battery manufacturing method and lead acid battery
A lead-acid battery having a reliable exhaust structure suppressing unexpected leakage of acid mist and gas to outside the battery. The battery having a first gas exhaust path A for guiding gas generated in a plate pack from a cell compartment to a recess formed in a cover. A top lid is placed on the top surface of the cover to extend over the recess. The top lid and the cover form a closed shape so that the recess and the top lid form an exhaust chamber. A through hole for establishing communication between a first opening formed in the recess and a second opening formed in the outer surface of the cover, serves as a second gas exhaust path B which establishes communication with the first gas exhaust path A through the exhaust chamber.
US09059478B2 Lithium-ion secondary battery with graphene and composite oxide layered electrode
To provide a lithium-ion secondary battery having higher discharge capacity and higher energy density and a manufacturing method thereof. The lithium-ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer provided over the positive electrode current collector. In the positive electrode active material layer, graphenes and lithium-containing composite oxides are alternately provided. The lithium-containing composite oxide is a flat single crystal particle in which the length in the b-axis direction is shorter than each of the lengths in the a-axis direction and the c-axis direction. Further, the lithium-containing composite oxide is provided over the positive electrode current collector so that the b-axis of the single crystal particle intersects with a surface of the positive electrode current collector.
US09059477B2 Secondary battery comprising eutectic mixture and preparation method thereof
A secondary battery comprising a cathode, an anode, a separator and an electrolyte that comprises a eutectic mixture formed of: an amide group-containing compound, and an ionizable lithium salt. The anode comprises a metal or metal oxide having a potential vs. lithium potential (Li/Li+) within electrochemical window of the eutectic mixture. Because the secondary battery uses a eutectic mixture as an electrolyte in combination with an anode having a potential vs. lithium potential (Li/Li+) within the electrochemical window of the eutectic mixture, problems such as decomposition of an electrolyte and degradation of the quality of a battery are avoided. Also, due to the thermal and chemical stability, high conductivity and a broad electrochemical window of a eutectic mixture, it is possible to improve the quality as well as safety of a battery.
US09059473B2 Cable-type secondary battery
The present invention relates to a cable-type secondary battery comprising a polymer electrolyte having a first electrolyte layer comprising a mixture of a first polymer and a first organic electrolyte solution in a weight ratio of 50:50 and 80:20; and a second electrolyte layer formed on at least one surface of the first electrolyte layer and comprising a mixture of a second polymer and a second organic electrolyte solution in a weight ratio of 20:80 and 50:50. Since the multiple-layered polymer electrode film of the present invention exhibits good characteristics in terms of both mechanical property and ionic conductivity, the cable-type secondary battery comprising the same according to the present invention has superior battery performances and flexibility, as well as good strength for withstanding external impact.
US09059472B2 Winder for electrode assembly of rechargeable battery
A winder for an electrode assembly of a rechargeable battery for improving space usage is disclosed. The winder includes a plurality of spools supplying a negative electrode member, a positive electrode member, a first separator member, and a second separator member, a mandrel stacking and spirally winding the first separator member, the negative electrode member, the second separator member, and the positive electrode member supplied by the spool, a first frame accommodating a predetermined number of spools from among the plurality of spools and the mandrel, a second frame connected to the first frame and accommodating other spools from among the plurality of spools, a reorienter installed between the first frame and the second frame and reorienting a progressing direction of one of the members, and a position controller controlling a position of the member that passes through the reorienter and progresses towards the mandrel.
US09059466B2 Direct synthesis of lithium ion battery electrode materials using graphene treated raw materials as the reactant
In one embodiment, a composition for use in making active materials for a lithium ion battery, the composition comprising a processed, homogenous mix of graphene-treated reactant, conductive material, and a Li and phosphate-based salt, the composition comprising a surface area of less than approximately 10 m2/g.
US09059462B2 Cathode and lithium battery using same
A cathode and a lithium battery including the cathode include a cathode active material that is obtained from a compound, Li2MoO3, in which molybdenum is doped or partially substituted with a heterogeneous element. The cathode active material includes a compound represented by LixMyMozO3, in which M is a dopant that decreases the mobility of the molybdenum upon charging and discharging of the battery. Accordingly, the cathode has improved electrical characteristics.
US09059459B2 Secondary battery
A secondary battery including an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; a case containing the electrode assembly; an electrode terminal electrically connected to the first electrode plate; a current collector coupled between and electrically connecting the first electrode plate and the electrode terminal, the current collector including a fuse portion; and an insulating unit on the fuse portion of the current collector.
US09059446B2 Battery module
A battery module includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries; a housing containing the rechargeable batteries; first heat dissipation ribs protruded from the housing and having a shape of a polygon or a closed curve; and second heat dissipation ribs protruded from the housing and linearly formed to couple the first heat dissipation ribs to each other.
US09059443B2 Fuel cell, fuel cell system and electronic device
There are provided a fuel cell having stable and good power generation characteristics and good safety, a fuel cell system including the fuel cell and an electronic device equipped with the fuel cell. The fuel cell includes at least an electrolyte membrane, an anode formed on one surface of the electrolyte membrane, a cathode formed on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane, a liquid fuel chamber for supplying a liquid fuel to the anode, and a separating layer formed between the anode and the liquid fuel chamber. The separating layer and/or the anode has an exhaust passage that is continuously formed in an in-plane direction to discharge exhaust gas generated at the anode. The separating layer allows the liquid fuel to pass from the liquid fuel chamber to the anode and blocks the movement of gas from the anode to the liquid fuel chamber.
US09059439B2 Rechargeable battery having safety device within
A rechargeable battery improving safety by discharging a gas when swelling occurs. The rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate arranged at opposite sides of a separator, a pouch to accommodate the electrode assembly, the pouch having a plurality of inner sides, a first tab connected to the first electrode plate and a second tab connected to the second electrode plate, the first tab and the second tab extending to an outside of the pouch and a safety device arranged within the pouch and including a bonding member bonded to one of the inner sides of the pouch, a fin member including a tip facing and being spaced-apart from one of the inner sides of the pouch, and a linking member connecting the fin member to the bonding member.
US09059435B2 Medical device battery enclosure
In one example, the disclosure is directed to a medical device comprising an outer housing and a battery within the outer housing, where the battery is configured to supply power to one or more electronic components of the medical device. The battery comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrolyte, and a multilayer battery enclosure. The multilayer battery enclosure comprises a substantially cylindrical member including a continuous multilayer body defining a cavity between a first end and a second end, and wherein at least one of the first end and second end are sealed to enclose the first electrode, second electrode, and the electrolyte within the cavity of the multilayer battery enclosure.
US09059433B2 Display device and method of manufacturing the same
A display device and a method of manufacturing the same. The display device includes: a substrate; and a reflection member that is disposed on a surface of the substrate and has a first thickness in a first reflection region corresponding to a light-emitting region and a second thickness in a second reflection region corresponding to a non-light-emitting region.
US09059432B2 Organic light emitting display device and method for fabricating the same
An organic light emitting display device includes a light shield layer formed on a substrate and a buffer layer formed on an entire surface of the substrate, an oxide semiconductor layer and first electrode formed on the buffer layer, a gate insulation film and gate electrode formed on the oxide semiconductor layer while being deposited to expose both edges of the oxide semiconductor layer, an interlayer insulation film formed to expose both the exposed edges of the oxide semiconductor layer and the first electrode, source and drain electrodes connected with one edge and the other edge of the oxide semiconductor layer, respectively, and a protective film formed to cover the source and drain electrodes while exposing a region of the first electrode so as to define a luminescent region and a non-luminescent region.
US09059418B2 Method for manufacturing a nanostructured inorganic/organic heterojunction solar cell
Provided is a method for manufacturing a significantly high efficient solar cell having a novel structure and superior stability, and which can be mass-produced from an inexpensive material from an inexpensive material for enabling the easy commercial availability thereof. More particularly, the method of the present invention comprises the following step: (a) depositing slurry containing metal oxide particles and heat-treating the slurry to form a porous electron transporting layer; (b) forming inorganic semiconductors on surfaces of the metal oxide particles for the porous electron-transporting layer; and (c) impregnating the porous electron-transporting layer having the inorganic semiconductor formed thereon with a solution containing an organic photovoltaic material so as to form a hole transporting layer.
US09059414B2 Phosphorescent organometallic iridium complex, light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device
As a novel substance having a novel skeleton, provided is a novel phosphorescent organometallic iridium complex that can emit phosphorescence in a blue green to red wavelength region and has high emission efficiency. The phosphorescent organometallic iridium complex has a ligand having a pyridyl pyrimidine skeleton, i.e., the phosphorescent organometallic iridium complex has a ligand having a structure represented by the following general formula (G0). Note that in the formula, R1 and R4 to R6 separately represent hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and R2 and R3 separately represent any of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a phenyl group that may have a substituent, and a pyridyl group that may have a substituent.
US09059413B1 Blue fluorescent organic material and organic light emitting diode panel thereof
A blue fluorescent organic material is provided, which has the structure as formula (I). In the formula (I), R is C1-C20 alkyl, C1-C20 alkoxyl or C1-C20 aryl having a substituent; Ar1 is H, phenyl, polycyclic aromatic group, substituted phenyl or substituted fused ring aryl; Ar2 is a substituent as given in formula (a) or formula (b). The emission efficiency, stability, and color purity of the blue light can be improved with the blue fluorescent organic material of the present invention, so as to achieve the display effect of a full natural color.
US09059409B2 Dendron-tethered and templated quantum dots on carbon nanotubes
The present invention provides an example for the construction of stable quantum dots, such as CdS quantum dots, on the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) templated and stabilized, such as by attached 1→3 C-branched amide-based dendrons. The construction and method of preparation is applicable to both single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, other types of appropriately modified polymeric and oligomeric materials, along with the use of many other types of dendrons, and other materials capable of forming quantum dots.
US09059407B2 Method for manufacturing organic semiconductor thin film and monocryastalline organic semiconductor thin film
A method for manufacturing a uniform organic semiconductor thin film consisting of single organic molecule with extremely few pinholes and of which both quality and thickness are uniform when the organic semiconductor thin film is manufactured by printing process. The uniform organic semiconductor thin film is manufactured by steps of: preparing a first ink obtained by dissolving a high concentration of the organic semiconductor in an organic solvent with high affinity for the organic semiconductor, and a second ink consisting of an organic solvent having a low affinity for the organic semiconductor; mixing the first and second inks on a substrate by simultaneously or alternately discharging the first and second inks from each ink head.
US09059399B2 Magnetic materials with enhanced perpendicular anisotropy energy density for STT-RAM
A mechanism is provided for a spin torque transfer random access memory device. A reference layer is disposed on a seed layer. A tunnel barrier is disposed on the reference layer. A free layer is disposed on the tunnel barrier. A cap layer is disposed on the free layer. The free layer includes a magnetic layer and a metal oxide layer, in which the magnetic layer is disposed on the tunnel barrier and the metal oxide layer is disposed on the magnetic layer. A metal material used in the metal oxide layer includes at least one of Ti, Ta, Ru, Hf, Al, La, and any combination thereof.
US09059398B2 Methods for etching materials used in MRAM applications
Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for fabricating magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structures on a substrate in magnetoresistive random access memory applications. In one embodiment, a method of forming a MTJ structure on a substrate includes providing a substrate having a insulating tunneling layer disposed between a first and a second ferromagnetic layer disposed on the substrate, wherein the first ferromagnetic layer is disposed on the substrate followed by the insulating tunneling layer and the second ferromagnetic layer sequentially, supplying an ion implantation gas mixture to implant ions into the first ferromagnetic layer exposed by openings defined by the second ferromagnetic layer, and etching the implanted first ferromagnetic layer.
US09059397B2 Nano piezoelectric device having a nanowire and method of forming the same
Provided are a nano piezoelectric device and a method of forming the nano piezoelectric device. The nano piezoelectric device includes a lower electrode, a nanowire extending upward from the lower electrode, and an upper electrode on the nanowire. The nanowire includes a conductive wire core and a wire shell surrounding the wire core and including a piezoelectric material.
US09059396B2 Integrated semiconductor devices with single crystalline beam, methods of manufacture and design structure
Bulk acoustic wave filters and/or bulk acoustic resonators integrated with CMOS devices, methods of manufacture and design structure are provided. The method includes forming a single crystalline beam from a silicon layer on an insulator. The method further includes providing a coating of insulator material over the single crystalline beam. The method further includes forming a via through the insulator material. The method further includes providing a sacrificial material in the via and over the insulator material. The method further includes providing a lid on the sacrificial material. The method further includes providing further sacrificial material in a trench of a lower wafer. The method further includes bonding the lower wafer to the insulator, under the single crystalline beam. The method further includes venting the sacrificial material and the further sacrificial material to form an upper cavity above the single crystalline beam and a lower cavity, below the single crystalline beam.
US09059395B2 Resistive random access memory devices having variable resistance layers and related methods
Resistive memory devices are provided having a gate stack including insulating layers and gates stacked on a substrate in a vertical direction, a channel penetrating the gate stack in the vertical direction to be electrically connected to the substrate, a gate insulating layer provided between the channel and the gates, and a variable resistance layer disposed along an extending direction of the channel. The gate stack may include an alcove formed by recessing the gate in a horizontal direction. The variable resistance layer may extend toward the alcove in the horizontal direction and be overlapped with at least one of the gates in the horizontal direction. Related methods are also provided.
US09059392B2 Piezoelectric actuator of a multilayer design and method for fastening an outer electrode in a piezoelectric actuator
A piezoelectric actuator of a multilayer design includes outer electrodes that are fastened by means of a bonding layer applied by thermal spraying. For example, the outer electrodes are formed as a woven wire fabric. Furthermore, a method for fastening an outer electrode in a piezoelectric actuator is specified.
US09059390B2 Self-isolated conductive bridge memory device
A conductive-bridge random access memory device is disclosed comprising a second metal layer configured to provide second metal cations; a layer of insulator adjacent to the second metal layer; the layer of insulator comprising a layer of first insulator and a layer of second insulator; the layer of second insulator being adjacent to the second metal layer; a first metal layer adjacent to the layer of first insulator, the first metal layer being opposite to the second metal layer; wherein the density of the layer of second insulator is higher than the density of the layer of first insulator.
US09059387B2 Semiconductor light-emitting device
A semiconductor light-emitting device includes a lead frame, a semiconductor light-emitting element mounted on the top surface of the bonding region, and a case covering part of the lead frame. The bottom surface of the bonding region is exposed to the outside of the case. The lead frame includes a thin extension extending from the bonding region and having a top surface which is flush with the top surface of the bonding region. The thin extension has a bottom surface which is offset from the bottom surface of the bonding region toward the top surface of the bonding region.
US09059381B2 Light emitting device having wavelength converting layer and method of fabricating the same
A light emitting device having a wavelength converting layer. The light emitting device includes a substrate; a semiconductor stack having a first conductive-type semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second conductive-type semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate; a first wavelength converting layer covering a top of the semiconductor stack; and a second wavelength converting layer disposed on the first wavelength converting layer and having a width narrower than the first wavelength converting layer. The second wavelength converting layer is employed, thereby being capable of reducing a color variation according to a viewing angle.
US09059379B2 Light-emitting semiconductor packages and related methods
Light-emitting semiconductor packages and related methods. The light-emitting semiconductor package includes a central barrier, a plurality of leads, a light-emitting device, a first encapsulant, a package body, and a second encapsulant. The light-emitting device is disposed in the interior space defined by the central barrier and is electrically connected to the leads surrounding the central barrier. The light-emitting device includes upper and lower light-emitting surfaces. The first encapsulant and the second encapsulant cover the upper and lower light-emitting surfaces, respectively. The package body encapsulates portions of the central barrier, portions of each of the leads, and the first encapsulant. The light-emitting semiconductor package can emit light from both the upper and lower sides thereof.
US09059361B1 Magnesium doping of boron nitride nanotubes
A method to fabricate boron nitride nanotubes incorporating magnesium diboride in their structure. In a first embodiment, magnesium wire is introduced into a reaction feed bundle during a BNNT fabrication process. In a second embodiment, magnesium in powder form is mixed into a nitrogen gas flow during the BNNT fabrication process. MgB2 yarn may be used for superconducting applications and, in that capacity, has considerably less susceptibility to stress and has considerably better thermal conductivity than these conventional materials when compared to both conventional low and high temperature superconducting materials.
US09059358B2 Solar cell module and method of manufacturing the same
In the solar cell module 100, the resin adhesive 12 includes a plurality of removed portions 12a on the principal surface of the photoelectric conversion part 20 by removing the resin adhesive 12 in a vertical direction. The plurality of removed portions 12a are formed in the row in cross directions K.
US09059356B1 Laterally injected light-emitting diode and laser diode
A p-type superlattice is used to laterally inject holes into an III-nitride multiple quantum well active layer, enabling efficient light extraction from the active area. Laterally-injected light-emitting diodes and laser diodes can enable brighter, more efficient devices that impact a wide range of wavelengths and applications. For UV wavelengths, applications include fluorescence-based biological sensing, epoxy curing, and water purification. For visible devices, applications include solid state lighting and projection systems.
US09059354B2 Light-emitting element having nitride semiconductor multiquantum barrier, and process for production thereof
An Al0.95Ga0.05N:Mg (25 nm) single electron barrier can stop electrons having energy levels lower than the barrier height. Meanwhile, a 5-layer Al0.95Ga0.05N (4 nm)/Al0.77Ga0.23N (2 nm) MQB has quantum-mechanical effects so as to stop electrons having energy levels higher than the barrier height. Thus, electrons having energy levels higher than the barrier height can be blocked by making use of multiquantum MQB effects upon electrons. The present inventors found that the use of an MQB allows blocking of electrons having higher energy levels than those blocked using an SQB. In particular, for InAlGaN-based ultraviolet elements, AlGaN having the composition similar to that of AlN is used; however, it is difficult to realize a barrier having the barrier height exceeding that of AlN. Therefore, MQB effects are very important. Accordingly, it becomes possible to provide element technology for further improving deep UV light emission intensity using, as a light-emitting layer material, an AlGaInN-based material and, in particular, an AlGaN-based material.
US09059350B2 Junction box for a photovoltaic solar panel
A junction box for a solar panel having a housing, a lid, a first connector and a second connector. The housing comprises sidewalls and a top wall defining an interior space. The first coupling having a first contact element and the second coupling having a second contact element. The contact elements penetrate at least one of the sidewalls, so that the contact elements provide an electrical contact from external contact elements to internal contact elements, such as solder tails. Internal contact elements are arranged a, least partially in the interior space. The top wall having an opening extending only partially in the top wall. The opening is located such in the top wall that access to the solder tails in a substantially perpendicular direction to the surface of a solar panel for connecting the solder tail to the solar panel is provided.
US09059348B1 Photovoltaic-clad masonry unit
A masonry unit including a photovoltaic cell for generation of electricity is described herein. More particularly a photovoltaic-clad concrete block that combines the structural attributes of concrete block (or other masonry unit) and the energy production of solar photovoltaics is described herein. Methods for manufacturing, installing, and electrically connecting such photovoltaic-clad concrete blocks are also described herein.
US09059345B2 Solar cell using p-i-n nanowire
A solar cell using a p-i-n nanowire that may generate light by absorbing solar light in a wide wavelength region efficiently without generating light loss and may be manufactured with a simplified process and low cost. The solar cell includes: a semiconductor layer formed of a semiconductor material; and a photoelectromotive layer including a semiconductor structure including a core-nanowire that extends long in an upward direction of the semiconductor layer and is formed of an intrinsic semiconductor material, and a shell-nanowire that is formed to surround a periphery of the core-nanowire and is formed of a semiconductor material, wherein the semiconductor material that is used for forming the semiconductor layer includes an n-type semiconductor material, or the semiconductor material that is used for forming the shell-nanowire includes a p-type semiconductor material, and the semiconductor material that is used for forming the semiconductor layer includes a p-type semiconductor material, and the semiconductor material that is used for forming the shell-nanowire includes an n-type semiconductor material.
US09059344B2 Nanowire-based photovoltaic energy conversion devices and related fabrication methods
Nanowire-based photovoltaic energy conversion devices and related fabrication methods therefor are described. A plurality of photovoltaic (PV) nanowires extend outwardly from a surface layer of a substrate, each PV nanowire having a root end near the substrate surface layer and a tip end opposite the root end. For one preferred embodiment, a canopy-style tip-side electrode layer contacts the tip ends of the PV nanowires and is separated from the substrate surface layer by an air gap layer, the PV nanowires being disposed within the air gap layer. For another preferred embodiment, a tip-side electrode layer is disposed upon a layer of optically transparent, electrically insulating solid filler material that laterally surrounds the PV nanowires along a portion of their lengths, wherein an air gap is disposed between the solid filler layer and the substrate surface layer. Methods for fabricating the nanowire-based photovoltaic energy conversion devices are also described.
US09059338B2 Light emitting element and a production method therefor
Disclosed are a light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same. The light emitting device includes a support substrate, a wafer bonding layer on the support substrate, a current spreading layer on the wafer bonding layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer on the current spreading layer, an active layer on the second conductive semiconductor layer, a first conductive semiconductor layer on the active layer, a surface modification layer on the first conductive semiconductor layer, and a first electrode layer on the surface modification layer.
US09059337B1 Method, system and apparatus for dynamically monitoring and calibrating display tiles
A method, system and apparatus for dynamically monitoring and calibrating display tiles are provided. The apparatus comprises: an array of light emitting devices; one or more light emitting devices paired with light emitting devices of the array; one or more sensors configured to detect an optical characteristic and/or an electrical characteristic of the one or more paired light emitting devices; and, circuitry configured to: drive the array; drive each of the one or more further light emitting devices under same conditions as light emitting devices of the array; temporarily drive each of the one or more paired light emitting devices under different conditions from the array; and, adjust driving of the array based on the optical characteristic and/or electrical characteristic of the one or more paired light emitting devices detected at sensor(s) when the one or more paired light emitting devices are driven under the different conditions.
US09059328B2 Nitride semiconductor element and method of manufacturing the same
A nitride semiconductor element having a high reverse breakdown voltage and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. A diode (a vertical-type SBD) has an n−-type nitride semiconductor layer (a drift region) formed on an n-type nitride semiconductor substrate, a p-type nitride semiconductor layer formed on the n−-type nitride semiconductor layer, and besides, an anode electrode formed on the p-type nitride semiconductor layer. The p-type nitride semiconductor layer has a relatively-thin first portion and a relatively-thick second portion provided so as to surround the first portion as being in contact with an outer circumference of the first portion. Also, the relatively-thin first portion of the p-type nitride semiconductor layer is formed thinner than the second portion so as to be depleted. The relatively-thick second portion of the p-type nitride semiconductor layer forms a guard ring part.
US09059325B2 Semiconductor device and semiconductor device manufacturing method
In aspects of the invention, an n-type epitaxial layer that forms an n− type drift layer is formed on the upper surface of an n-type semiconductor substrate formed by being doped with a high concentration of antimony. A p-type anode layer is formed on a surface of the n− type drift layer. An n-type contact layer is formed with an impurity concentration in the same region as the impurity concentration of the n-type cathode layer, or higher than the impurity concentration of the n-type cathode layer, on the lower surface of the n-type cathode layer. A cathode electrode is formed so as to be in contact with the n-type contact layer. The n-type contact layer is doped with phosphorus and, without allowing complete recrystallization using a low temperature heat treatment of 500° C. or less, lattice defects are allowed to remain.
US09059317B2 Method of making an electronic device having a liquid crystal polymer solder mask laminated to an interconnect layer stack and related devices
A method for making an electronic device includes forming an interconnect layer stack on a rigid wafer substrate having a plurality of patterned electrical conductor layers, a dielectric layer between adjacent patterned electrical conductor layers, and at least one solder pad on an uppermost patterned electrical conductor layer. An LCP solder mask having at least one aperture therein alignable with the at least one solder pad is formed. The LCP solder mask and interconnect layer stack are aligned and laminated together. Solder is positioned in the at least one aperture. At least one circuit component is attached to the at least one solder pad using the solder.
US09059300B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device having element isolating region of trench type
Disclosure is semiconductor device of a selective gate region, comprising a semiconductor layer, a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor layer, a first electrode layer formed on the first insulating layer, an element isolating region comprising an element isolating insulating film formed to extend through the first electrode layer and the first insulating film to reach an inner region of the semiconductor layer, the element isolating region isolating a element region and being self-aligned with the first electrode layer, a second insulating film formed on the first electrode layer and the element isolating region, an open portion exposing a surface of the first electrode layer being formed in the second insulating film, and a second electrode layer formed on the second insulating film and the exposed surface of the first electrode layer, the second electrode layer being electronically connected to the first electrode layer via the open portion.
US09059293B2 Array substrate and its manufacturing method
An array substrate comprises a substrate, a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode, the source electrode and the drain electrode being provided in different areas on the substrate and the vertical projections of the source electrode and the drain electrode on the substrate having an overlapping area; a semiconductor layer formed between the source electrode and the drain electrode, a vertical projection of the semiconductor layer on the substrate having overlapping areas with the vertical projections of the source electrode and the drain electrode on the substrate; a first insulating layer formed on the substrate while below the gate electrode and covering the source electrode or the drain electrode; a pixel electrode, a gate line, and a data line. A manufacturing method for the array substrate is also disclosed.
US09059288B2 Overlapped III-V finfet with doped semiconductor extensions
A semiconductor structure that includes a semiconductor fin comprising an III-V compound semiconductor material. A functional gate structure straddles a portion of the semiconductor fin. A semiconductor channel material having an electron mobility greater than silicon and comprising a different semiconductor material than the semiconductor fin and is located beneath the functional gate structure. The semiconductor channel material is present on at least each vertical sidewall of the semiconductor fin. A dielectric spacer is located on each vertical sidewall surface of the functional gate structure. A doped semiconductor is located on each side of the functional gate structure and underneath each dielectric spacer. A portion of the doped semiconductor material located beneath each dielectric spacer directly contacts a sidewall surface of semiconductor channel material located on each vertical sidewall of the semiconductor fin.
US09059279B2 Semiconductor device and method for forming the same
A semiconductor device includes a first gate structure formed in a semiconductor substrate; a second gate structure formed over the semiconductor substrate and over the first gate structure; and a bit line formed in the semiconductor substrate, and formed below the first gate structure.
US09059274B2 Replacement gate self-aligned carbon nanostructure transistor
A self-aligned carbon nanostructure transistor is formed by a method that includes providing a material stack including a gate dielectric material having a dielectric constant of greater than silicon oxide and a sacrificial gate material. Next, a carbon nanostructure is formed on an exposed surface of the gate dielectric material. After forming the carbon nanostructure, metal semiconductor alloy portions are formed self-aligned to the material stack. The sacrificial gate material is then replaced with a conductive metal.
US09059261B2 Forming array contacts in semiconductor memories
Array contacts for semiconductor memories may be formed using a first set of parallel stripe masks and subsequently a second set of parallel stripe masks transverse to the first set. For example, one set of masks may be utilized to etch a dielectric layer, to form parallel spaced trenches. Then the trenches may be filled with a sacrificial material. That sacrificial material may then be masked transversely to its length and etched, for example. The resulting openings may be filled with a metal to form array contacts.
US09059256B2 Method for producing a controllable semiconductor component
Disclosed is a method for producing a controllable semiconductor component. In a semiconductor body with a top side and a bottom side, a first trench protruding from the top side into the semiconductor body and a second trench protruding from the top side into the semiconductor body are formed in a common etching process. The first trench has a first width and the second trench has a second width greater than the first width. Then, in a common process, an oxide layer is formed in the first trench and in the second trench such that the oxide layer fills the first trench and electrically insulates a surface of the second trench. Subsequently, the oxide layer is removed from the first trench completely or at least partly such that the semiconductor body comprises an exposed first surface area arranged in the first trench.
US09059242B2 FinFET semiconductor device having increased gate height control
A semiconductor device includes a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having a buried oxide (BOX) layer, and a plurality of semiconductor fins formed on the BOX layer. The plurality of semiconductor fins include at least one pair of fins defining a BOX region therebetween. Gate lines are formed on the SOI substrate and extend across the plurality of semiconductor fins. Each gate line initially includes a dummy gate and a hardmask. A high dielectric (high-k) layer is formed on the hardmask and the BOX regions. At least one spacer is formed on each gate line such that the high-k layer is disposed between the spacer and the hardmask. A replacement gate process replaces the hardmask and the dummy gate with a metal gate. The high-k layer is ultimately removed from the gate line, while the high-k layer remains on the BOX region.
US09059241B2 3D assembly for interposer bow
A method for packaging a semiconductor device includes attaching a first array of solder material to a first surface of an interposer; bringing the first array of solder material into physical contact with a laminate; and initially bonding the interposer to the laminate by applying a first temperature and pressure gradient to the first array of solder material such that a melting temperature of the first array of solder material is not exceeded.
US09059235B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate including a trench, and a gate electrode disposed at a position adjacent to the trench on the substrate, the gate electrode having a first side surface located on an opposite side of the trench, and a second side surface located on the same side as the trench. The device further includes a first sidewall insulator disposed on the first side surface, and a second sidewall insulator disposed on the second side surface and a side surface of the trench. The device further includes a source region of a first conductivity type disposed in the substrate on the same side as the first sidewall insulator with respect to the first side surface, and a drain region of a second conductivity type disposed in the substrate on the same side as the second sidewall insulator with respect to the second side surface.
US09059232B2 T-shaped compound semiconductor lateral bipolar transistor on semiconductor-on-insulator
A base region extends upward from a recessed semiconductor surface of a semiconductor material portion present on an insulator. The base region includes a vertical stack of, an extrinsic base region and an intrinsic base region. The extrinsic base region includes a first compound semiconductor material portion of a first conductivity type and a first dopant concentration. The intrinsic base region includes another first compound semiconductor material portion of the first conductivity type and a second dopant concentration which is less than the first dopant concentration. A collector region including a second compound semiconductor material portion of a second conductivity type opposite of the first conductivity type is located on one side on the base region. An emitter region including another second compound semiconductor material portion of the second conductivity type is located on another side on the base region.
US09059221B2 Substrate processing method and substrate processing apparatus
A method capable of eliminating occurrence of a development failure when a DI water discharge nozzle 20 is scanned to dry a substrate by spinning is provided. A substrate W is held in a horizontal posture by a spin chuck 10 and rotated about a vertical axis by a rotation motor 14, and when an outlet of the nozzle 20 is scanned from a position opposed to a center of the substrate W to a position opposed to a circumferential edge while a cleaning solution being discharged, immediately after the nozzle 20 has started to move, only one dried core is produced in the vicinity of the center of the substrate W, and thus production of not less than two dried cores in the vicinity of the center of the substrate W is prevented. The dried region is spread all over the surface of the substrate W.
US09059220B2 Polysilicon manufacturing device
The present disclosure in an exemplary embodiment relates to an apparatus for manufacturing polysilicon. The apparatus for manufacturing polysilicon comprises a base plate; a container body coupled to the base plate; at least one rod; a reaction gas source and a power supply. The at least one rod is configured to have legs respectively connected with three electrodes installed on the base plate and to be disposed in the container body. The reaction gas source is configured to communicate with the container body for supplying a reaction gas into the container body. The power supply is configured to connect with the electrodes for supplying an electric current to energize the rod to generate heat.
US09059218B2 Reducing gate expansion after source and drain implant in gate last process
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, an active region and a dummy gate structure disposed over the active region. A sacrificial conformal layer, including a bottom oxide layer and a top nitride layer are provided over the dummy gate structure and active region to protect the dummy gate during source and drain implantation. The active region is implanted using dopants such as, a n-type dopant or a p-type dopant to create a source region and a drain region in the active region, after which the sacrificial conformal layer is removed.
US09059216B2 Semiconductor device, and manufacturing method thereof
In a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, a large-sized display screen is realized under low power consumption. A surface of a source wiring line of a pixel portion employed in an active matrix type liquid crystal display device is processed by way of a plating process operation so as to lower a resistance value of this source wiring line. The source wiring line of the pixel portion is manufactured at a step different from a step for manufacturing a source wiring line of a drive circuit portion. Further, electrodes of a terminal portion are processed by a plating process operation so as to reduce a resistance value thereof.
US09059205B2 Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using source/drain epitaxial overgrowth for forming self-aligned contacts without spacer loss and a semiconductor device formed by same
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises growing a source/drain epitaxy region over a plurality of gates on a substrate, wherein a top surface of the source/drain epitaxy region is at a height above a top surface of each of the plurality of gates, forming at least one opening in the source/drain epitaxy region over a top surface of at least one gate, forming a silicide layer on the source/drain epitaxy region, wherein the silicide layer lines lateral sides of the at least one opening, depositing a dielectric layer on the silicide layer, wherein the dielectric layer is deposited in the at least one opening between the silicide layer on lateral sides of the at least one opening, etching the dielectric layer to form a contact area, and depositing a conductor in the contact area.
US09059204B2 Methodology and apparatus for tuning driving current of semiconductor transistors
A method and apparatus for repairing transistors may include applying a first voltage to a source, a second voltage to the gate and a third voltage to the drain for a predetermined time. In this manner the transistor structure may be repaired or returned to operate at or near the original operating characteristics.
US09059200B1 III-Nitride metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistor
A field effect transistor (FET) includes a III-Nitride channel layer, a III-Nitride barrier layer on the channel layer, wherein the barrier layer has an energy bandgap greater than the channel layer, a source electrode electrically coupled to one of the III-Nitride layers, a drain electrode electrically coupled to one of the III-Nitride layers, a gate insulator layer stack for electrically insulating a gate electrode from the barrier layer and the channel layer, the gate insulator layer stack including an insulator layer, such as SiN, and an AlN layer, the gate electrode in a region between the source electrode and the drain electrode and in contact with the insulator layer, and wherein the AlN layer is in contact with one of the III-Nitride layers.
US09059199B2 Method and system for a gallium nitride vertical transistor
A vertical JFET includes a GaN substrate comprising a drain of the JFET and a plurality of patterned epitaxial layers coupled to the GaN substrate. A distal epitaxial layer comprises a first part of a source channel and adjacent patterned epitaxial layers are separated by a gap having a predetermined distance. The vertical JFET also includes a plurality of regrown epitaxial layers coupled to the distal epitaxial layer and disposed in at least a portion of the gap. A proximal regrown epitaxial layer comprises a second part of the source channel. The vertical JFET further includes a source contact passing through portions of a distal regrown epitaxial layer and in electrical contact with the source channel, a gate contact in electrical contact with a distal regrown epitaxial layer, and a drain contact in electrical contact with the GaN substrate.
US09059193B2 Epitaxial wafer and semiconductor element
A silicon carbide semiconductor element, including: i) an n-type silicon carbide substrate doped with a dopant, such as nitrogen, at a concentration C, wherein the substrate has a lattice constant that decreases with doping; ii) an n-type silicon carbide epitaxially-grown layer doped with the dopant, but at a smaller concentration than the substrate; and iii) an n-type buffer layer doped with the dopant, and arranged between the substrate and the epitaxially-grown layer, wherein the buffer layer has a multilayer structure in which two or more layers having the same thickness are laminated, and is configured such that, based on a number of layers (N) in the multilayer structure, a doping concentration of a K-th layer from a silicon carbide epitaxially-grown layer side is C·K/(N+1).
US09059192B2 Metal-insulation-metal device
A metal-insulation-metal (MIM) device including a first metal layer, a first insulation layer, a second metal layer, and a second insulation layer is provided. The first insulation layer is disposed on the first metal layer. The second metal layer is disposed on a part of the first insulation layer. The second insulation layer is disposed on a side wall of the second metal layer and on another part of the first insulation layer. A width of the first insulation layer under the second metal layer and the second insulation layer parallel to the first metal layer is greater than a with of the second metal layer parallel to the first metal layer. A manufacture method of an MIM device is also provided.
US09059191B2 Chamfered corner crackstop for an integrated circuit chip
A corner crackstop is formed in each of the four corners of an integrated circuit (IC) chip, in which the corner crackstop differs structurally from a portion of the crackstop disposed along the sides of the IC chip. Each corner crackstop includes a plurality of layers, formed on a top surface of a silicon layer of the IC chip, within a perimeter boundary region that comprises a triangular area, in which a right angle is disposed on a bisector of the corner, equilateral sides of the triangle are parallel to sides of the IC chip, and the right angle is proximate to the corner relative to a hypotenuse of the triangle. The plurality of layers of the corner crackstop include crackstop elements, each comprising a metal cap centered over a via bar, in which the plurality of layers of the corner crackstop is chamfered to deflect crack ingress forces by each corner crackstop.
US09059189B2 Integrated circuit with electromagnetic energy anomaly detection and processing
An integrated circuit includes an antenna, a die manufactured from a semiconducting material, an RF energy collection and processing device disposed on or within the die and including at least a receiver and a processing device, an input configured to supply power to said RF energy collection and processing device and an output for operative communication by said RF energy collection and processing device. The integrated circuit is configurable and operable to provide at least one of electromagnetic emission anomaly detection, tamper detection, anti-tamper monitoring, degradation monitoring, health monitoring, counterfeit detection, software changes monitoring, firmware changes monitoring and monitoring of other RF energy anomalies.
US09059187B2 Electronic component having encapsulated wiring board and method for manufacturing the same
An electronic component including a wiring board having interlayer insulation layers and conductive patterns, the wiring board having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface, multiple first bumps formed on a first conductive pattern positioned on the first surface of the wiring board among the conductive patterns of the wiring board, a semiconductor element mounted on the first surface of the wiring board through the first bumps, an encapsulating resin encapsulating the semiconductor element and at least a portion of a side surface of the wiring board, the side surface of the wiring board extending between the first surface and second surface of the wiring board, and multiple of second bumps formed on the second surface of the wiring board and connected to a second conductive pattern of the conductive patterns in the wiring board.
US09059179B2 Semiconductor package with a bridge interposer
There are disclosed herein various implementations of semiconductor packages including a bridge interposer. One exemplary implementation includes a first active die having a first portion situated over the bridge interposer, and a second portion not situated over the bridge interposer. The semiconductor package also includes a second active die having a first portion situated over the bridge interposer, and a second portion not situated over the bridge interposer. The second portion of the first active die and the second portion of the second active die include solder balls mounted on a package substrate, and are configured to communicate electrical signals to the package substrate utilizing the solder balls and without utilizing through-semiconductor vias (TSVs).
US09059178B2 Method for forming carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotube film forming apparatus
A method for forming carbon nanotubes includes preparing a target object having a surface on which one or more openings are formed, each of the openings having a catalyst metal layer on a bottom thereof; performing an oxygen plasma process on the catalyst metal layers; and activating the surfaces of the catalyst metal layers by performing a hydrogen plasma process on the metal catalyst layers subjected to the oxygen plasma process. The method further includes filling carbon nanotubes in the openings on the target object by providing an electrode member having a plurality of through holes above the target object in a processing chamber, and then growing the carbon nanotubes by plasma CVD on the activated catalyst metal layer by diffusing active species in a plasma generated above the electrode member toward the target object through the through holes while applying a DC voltage to the electrode member.
US09059172B2 Fuse circuit
A fuse circuit includes a plurality of fuses, a plurality of switches and a plurality of trimming components. The fuses are coupled in parallel to a first node and a second node. The first node is coupled to an operating voltage. The switches are coupled to the second node. The trimming components are respectively disposed between the switches and a ground voltage, and coupled to the second node via the switches, respectively. When one of the trimming components is activated, the activated trimming component allows a plurality of branch currents to be generated between the first node and the second node. The branch currents respectively flow through the fuses so that one of the fuses is blown out by the branch current flowing through the one of the fuses.
US09059171B2 Electrical fuse and method of making
A semiconductor fuse and methods of making the same. The fuse includes a fuse element and a compressive stress liner that reduces the electro-migration resistance of the fuse element. The method includes forming a substrate, forming a trench feature in the substrate, depositing fuse material in the trench feature, depositing compressive stress liner material over the fuse material, and patterning the compressive stress liner material.
US09059169B2 E-fuse structures and methods of manufacture
E-fuse structures in back end of the line (BEOL) interconnects and methods of manufacture are provided. The method includes forming an interconnect via in a substrate in alignment with a first underlying metal wire and forming an e-fuse via in the substrate, exposing a second underlying metal wire. The method further includes forming a defect with the second underlying metal wire and filling the interconnect via with metal and in contact with the first underlying metal wire thereby forming an interconnect structure. The method further includes filling the e-fuse via with the metal and in contact with the defect and the second underlying metal wire thereby forming an e-fuse structure.
US09059168B2 Adjustable meander line resistor
An adjustable meander line resistor comprises a plurality of series circuits. Each series circuit comprises a first resistor formed on a first doped region of a transistor, a second resistor formed on a second doped region of the transistor and a connector coupled between the first resistor and the second resistor. A control circuit is employed to control the on and off of the transistor so as to achieve the adjustable meander line resistor.
US09059154B2 Leadframe pocket
A package structure and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The package structure corresponds, in one example, to a transceiver module having a substrate with a pocket formed therein. The pocket is configured to receive one or multiple parts of a leadframe and helps reduce the amount of wire bonding required to connect the leadframe or components mounted thereon to traces on the substrate.
US09059150B2 Conductive bump, semiconductor chip and stacked semiconductor package using the same
A conductive bump includes a step member formed to form a step on a portion of a connection pad; and a conductive member formed on the connection pad and the step member and having an inclined surface which is inclined with respect to the connection pad.
US09059149B2 Electronic device package and packaging substrate for the same
The present application provides an electronic device package. The package includes a packaging substrate having first and second surfaces opposing one another. First and second electrode patterns are formed on the first surface and first and second external terminals connected to the first and second electrode patterns. The second electrode pattern is electrically insulated from the first electrode pattern and surrounds the first electrode pattern An electronic device is mounted on the first surface of the packaging substrate and includes first and second electrodes disposed on a surface thereof facing the packaging substrate. The first and second electrodes are positioned on the first and second electrode patterns, respectively.
US09059147B1 Junction barrier schottky (JBS) with floating islands
A Schottky diode includes a Schottky barrier and a plurality of dopant regions disposed near the Schottky barrier as floating islands to function as PN junctions for preventing a leakage current generated from a reverse voltage. At least a trench opened in a semiconductor substrate with a Schottky barrier material disposed therein constitutes the Schottky barrier. The Schottky barrier material may also be disposed on sidewalls of the trench for constituting the Schottky barrier. The trench may be filled with the Schottky barrier material composed of Ti/TiN or a tungsten metal disposed therein for constituting the Schottky barrier. The trench is opened in a N-type semiconductor substrate and the dopant regions includes P-doped regions disposed under the trench constitute the floating islands. The P-doped floating islands may be formed as vertical arrays under the bottom of the trench.
US09059146B2 Electronic apparatus
A curved wall 51a is curved along a logarithmic spiral with a rotation axis C of a cooling fan 40 so that the flow path cross-sectional area of a first air flow path S1 gradually becomes larger toward a second air flow path S2. Further, the second air flow path S2 is formed to have a larger cross-sectional area than the downstream end of the first air flow path S1, and heat sinks 61 and 62 are arranged on the second air flow path S2. According to the above electronic apparatus, it is possible to efficiently provide an air flow that is formed by the cooling fan to the heat sink.
US09059145B2 Power module, method for manufacturing power module, and molding die
A power module is disclosed that includes a semiconductor element, a first cooling member and a second cooling member configured to sandwich the semiconductor element therebetween, a frame member configured to support the semiconductor element between the first cooling member and the second cooling member and molded resin disposed between the first cooling member and the second cooling member, wherein the frame member includes an adjusting member which adjusts a distance between the first cooling member and the second cooling member.
US09059141B2 Buried gate transistor
An embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor fabrication method. The method comprises forming an isolation region between a first and a second region in a substrate, forming a recess in the substrate surface, and lining the recess with a uniform oxide. Embodiments further include doping a channel region under the bottom recess surface in the first and second regions and depositing a gate electrode material in the recess. Preferred embodiments include forming source/drain regions adjacent the channel region in the first and second regions, preferably after the step of depositing the gate electrode material. Another embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor device comprising a recess in a surface of the first and second active regions and in the isolation region, and a dielectric layer having a uniform thickness lining the recess.
US09059132B2 Self aligned capacitor fabrication
A capacitor and method for fabricating the same. In one configuration, the capacitor has a silicon substrate, a first and a second silicon dioxide layer over the silicon substrate, and silicon nitride fins between the silicon dioxide layers. The capacitor further includes a dielectric layer over the silicon nitride fins and metal vias in the dielectric layer.
US09059126B1 Semiconductor device structure and method of manufacturing the same
Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first device region and a second device region. The semiconductor device structure further includes first devices in the first device region and second devices in the second device region. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first annular structure continuously surrounding the first device region and a second annular structure continuously surrounding the second device region. The first annular structure has a first thermal diffusion coefficient less than a second thermal diffusion coefficient of the second annular structure.
US09059122B2 Display unit
A display unit with which lowering of long-term reliability of a transistor is decreased is provided. The display unit includes a display section having a plurality of organic EL devices with light emitting color different from each other and a plurality of pixel circuits that are singly provided for every said organic EL device for every pixel. The pixel circuit has a first transistor for writing a video signal, a second transistor for driving the organic EL device based on the video signal written by the first transistor, and a retentive capacity, and out of the first transistor and the second transistor, a third transistor provided correspondingly to a second organic EL device adjacent to a first organic EL device is arranged farther from the first organic EL device than a first retentive capacity provided correspondingly to the second organic EL device out of the retentive capacity.
US09059120B2 In-situ relaxation for improved CMOS product lifetime
Methods and structures for restoring an electrical parameter of a field-effect transistor in an integrated circuit deployed in an end product. A source, a drain, and a gate electrode of a field-effect transistor are coupled with ground. A restoration voltage is applied to a well beneath the field-effect transistor while the source, the drain, and the gate electrode of the field-effect transistor are coupled with ground. The well may be coupled with either a positive supply voltage or ground when a switch is in a first position during normal operation of the integrated circuit and with the restoration voltage when the switch is in a second position during a relaxation operation.
US09059108B2 Integrated circuit packaging system with interconnects
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a base substrate; mounting a base integrated circuit over the base substrate; attaching a lead to the base integrated circuit and the base substrate, the lead having a lead attachment portion over the base integrated circuit; and forming a base encapsulation over the lead, the base encapsulation having a cavity exposing the lead attachment portion.
US09059106B2 Compensating for warpage of a flip chip package by varying heights of a redistribution layer on an integrated circuit chip
Structures and methods of making a flip chip package that employ polyimide pads of varying heights at a radial distance from a center of an integrated circuit (IC) chip for a flip chip package. The polyimide pads may be formed under electrical connectors, which connect the IC chip to a chip carrier of the flip chip package, so that electrical connectors formed on polyimide pads of greater height are disposed at a greater radial distance from the center of the IC chip, while electrical connectors formed on polyimide pads of a lesser height are disposed more proximately to the center of the IC chip. Electrical connectors of a greater relative height to the IC chip's surface may compensate for a gap, produced by heat-induced warpage during the making of the flip chip package, that separates the electrical connectors on the IC chip from flip chip attaches on the chip carrier.
US09059105B2 Ashing apparatus
Disclosed is an ashing apparatus and its method of manufacture wherein decrease in processing efficiency is suppressed. Specifically, a shower plate is arranged to face a substrate stage on which a substrate is placed, and diffuses oxygen radicals supplied into a chamber. A metal blocking plate is arranged between the shower plate and the substrate stage and has a through hole through which oxygen radicals pass. In addition, the metal blocking plate has a first layer, which is made of a metal same as the one exposed in the substrate, on the surface facing the substrate.
US09059102B2 Metrology marks for unidirectional grating superposition patterning processes
Cut spacer reference marks, targets having such cut spacer reference marks, and methods of making the same by forming spacer gratings around grating lines on a first layer, and fabricating an angled template mask that extends across and resides at an angle with respect to such spacer gratings. Angled, cut spacer gratings are etched into a second layer using the angled template mask to superimpose at least a portion of the spacer gratings of the first layer into the second layer.
US09059101B2 Radiofrequency adjustment for instability management in semiconductor processing
Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for reducing chamber instability while processing a semiconductor substrate. One method includes an operation for identifying a first recipe with steps having an operating frequency equal to the nominal frequency of a radiofrequency (RF) power supply. Each step is analyzed with the nominal frequency, and the analysis determines if any step produces instability at the nominal frequency. The operating frequency is adjusted, for one or more of the steps, when the instability in the one or more steps exceeds a threshold. The adjustment acts to find an approximate minimum level of instability. A second recipe is constructed after the adjustment, such that at least one of the steps includes a respective operating frequency different from the nominal frequency. The second recipe is used to etch the one or more layers disposed over the substrate in the semiconductor processing chamber.
US09059099B2 Thermal treatment method of silicon wafer and silicon wafer
There is provided a thermal treatment method of a silicon wafer. The method includes the successive steps of: (a) terminating silicon atoms existing on an active surface of the silicon wafer with hydrogen, wherein the active surface is mirror-polished, and a semiconductor device is to be formed on the active surface; (b) terminating the silicon atoms existing on the active surface of the silicon wafer with fluorine; (c) rapidly heating the silicon wafer to a first temperature under an inert gas atmosphere or a reducing gas atmosphere, wherein the first temperature is in a range of 1300° C. to 1400° C.; (d) holding the silicon wafer at the first temperature for a certain time; and (e) rapidly cooling the silicon wafer.
US09059096B2 Method to form silicide contact in trenches
A method for forming silicide contacts includes forming a dielectric layer on a gate spacer, a gate stack, and a first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer comprises source/drain regions. Contact trenches are formed in the dielectric layer so as to expose at least a portion of the source/drain regions. A second semiconductor layer is formed within the contact trenches. A metallic layer is formed on the second semiconductor layer. An anneal is performed to form a silicide region between the second semiconductor layer and the metallic layer. A conductive contact layer is formed on the metallic layer or the silicide region.
US09059094B2 Semiconductor gate structure and method of fabricating thereof
A semiconductor gate structure is provided having a trench, the trench assembled by a dielectric structure and a stack structure. A first conductive layer may be conformally applied to the dielectric structure and the stack structure. An oxide layer is formed along the first conductive layer and may then be substantially removed from the first conductive layer. In certain gate structures, a conductive fill structure having the first conductive layer and a second conductive layer may be disposed on the stack structure and the dielectric structure.
US09059085B2 Method of forming an integrated circuit using a patterned mask layer
A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a patterned mask layer on a material layer, the patterned mask layer having a plurality of first features with a first pitch. The method includes patterning the material layer by using the patterned mask layer as a mask to form the first features in the material layer. The method includes trimming the patterned mask layer, after patterning the material layer, to form a trimmed patterned mask layer. The method further includes introducing a plurality of dopants into the material layer exposed by the trimmed patterned mask layer to form doped regions having a second pitch, wherein the second pitch is different from the first pitch. The method further includes removing the trimmed patterned mask layer to expose un-doped regions in the material layer; and removing the un-doped regions to form a plurality of second features corresponding to the respective doped regions.
US09059084B2 Stacked semiconductor device and printed circuit board
An interposer of a first semiconductor package includes a power supply wiring for a second semiconductor element, the power supply wiring including a land provided in one surface layer, and a power supply pattern provided in an inner layer and electrically connected to the land, the power supply wiring further including a larger number of lands than the land, which are provided in another surface layer and electrically connected in parallel to the power supply pattern. In a stacked semiconductor device, this configuration can improve the quality of power supply to the second semiconductor element to secure signal processing operation while preventing an increase in inductance caused by the bending of a power supply path in a power supply wiring of a printed wiring board or by a deviation of connection intervals.
US09059066B2 Method of manufacturing CMOS image sensor
A CIS and a method of manufacturing the same, the CIS including a substrate having a first surface and second surface opposite thereto, the substrate including an APS array region including a photoelectric transformation element and a peripheral circuit region; an insulating interlayer on the first surface of the substrate and including metal wirings electrically connected to the photoelectric transformation element; a light blocking layer on the peripheral circuit region of the second surface of the substrate, exposing the APS array region, and including a plurality of metal wiring patterns spaced apart from one another to form at least one drainage path along a boundary region between the APS array region and the peripheral circuit region; a color filter layer on the second surface of the substrate covering the APS array region and the light blocking layer; and a microlens on the color filter layer on the APS array region.
US09059064B2 Sensor module with dual optical sensors for a camera
A sensor module has first and second sensor arrays formed on a substrate, with the first and second sensor arrays adapted to share common readout circuitry and shared read out for a pair of sensors on a single array.
US09059061B2 Structure and method for 3D image sensor
The present disclosure provides an embodiment of an image sensor structure that includes a first semiconductor substrate having a plurality of imaging sensors; a first interconnect structure formed on the first semiconductor substrate; a second semiconductor substrate having a logic circuit; a second interconnect structure formed on the second semiconductor substrate, wherein the first and the second semiconductor substrates are bonded together in a configuration that the first and second interconnect structures are sandwiched between the first and second semiconductor substrates; and a backside deep contact (BDCT) feature extended from the first interconnect structure to the second interconnect structure, thereby electrically coupling the logic circuit to the image sensors.
US09059060B2 Image sensor including an image-sensing element region and logic circuit region and manufacturing method thereof
According to one embodiment, an image sensor includes an image-sensing element region formed by arranging a plurality of image-sensing elements on a semiconductor substrate, and a logic circuit region formed in a region different from the image-sensing element region on the substrate and including a plurality of gate patterns. Further, dummy gate patterns are formed with a constant pitch on the image-sensing element region.
US09059054B1 Integrated circuit package having improved coplanarity
One aspect of the present disclosure provides an IC substrate, comprising a first material layer located on a first side of the IC substrate, and a second material layer located on a second, opposing side of the IC substrate, wherein the second material layer has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion CTE value than the first material layer.
US09059053B2 Multi-die stack structure
A multi-die stack structure including N dies stacked vertically is described. N is an integer larger than or equal to 2. Each die includes N die-specific input pads, wherein a specific pad among the N pads is for the input of the die. The specific pad of each die above the bottom die is electrically connected with a different pad of the bottom die other than the specific pad of the bottom die, via at least one TSV and, when not being in the die neighboring to the bottom die, also via a different pad of each underlying die above the bottom die. The specific pad of the bottom die is electrically connected with at least one pad of the overlying die(s) that is not the specific pad of any overlying die and not any pad electrically connected with the specific pad of any overlying die.
US09059036B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit including memory cells
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in a cell-placement row extending in a first direction, a first N well and a first P well arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in each area of the memory cells, and a second N well and a second P well each having the same length as a width of the cell-placement row and situated between at least two adjacent memory cells of the plurality of memory cells, wherein the first N well and the second N well are integrated, and the first P well and the second P well are integrated.
US09059034B2 EEPROM
An EEPROM includes: a semiconductor layer of a first conductive type; and a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor layer. First through fifth impurity regions are formed in top layer portions of the semiconductor layer. On the first insulating film, a select gate, and first and second floating gates are respectively disposed opposite a region between the first impurity region and the second impurity region, a region between the second impurity region and the third impurity region, and a region between the third impurity region and the fourth impurity region. In the first insulating film, first and second tunnel windows are respectively formed at portions in contact with the first and second floating gates. A sixth impurity region of the second conductive type, which is connected to the second impurity region, is formed in the top layer portion of the semiconductor layer that opposes the second tunnel window.
US09059032B2 SRAM cell parameter optimization
An integrated circuit having an SRAM cell includes a pair of cross-coupled inverters with first driver and load transistors connected to provide a first storage node and second driver and load transistors connected to provide a second storage node. The SRAM cell also includes first and second pass gate transistors controlled by at least one word line and respectively connected between a first bit line and the first storage node and a second bit line and the second storage node; wherein a first driver transistor threshold voltage is different than a second driver transistor threshold voltage and one of the first and second driver threshold voltages is different than a pass gate transistor threshold voltage. Alternately, a threshold voltage of the first and second driver transistors is different than a symmetrical pass gate transistor threshold voltage. Additionally, methods of manufacturing an integrated circuit having an SRAM cell are provided.
US09059028B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
The objective of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device provided with a resistance-variable element having sufficient switching property and exhibiting high reliability and high densification as well as good insulating property.The present invention provides a semiconductor device comprising a resistance-variable element provided within multiple wiring layers on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the resistance-variable element comprises a laminated structure in which a first electrode, a first ion-conductive layer of valve-metal oxide film, a second ion-conductive layer containing oxygen and a second electrode are laminated in this order, and the wiring of the multiple wiring layers also serves as the first electrode.
US09059026B2 3-D inductor and transformer
In accordance with an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor die, an interposer, and conductive bumps bonding the semiconductor die to the interposer. The semiconductor die comprises a first metallization layer, and the first metallization layer comprises a first conductive pattern. The interposer comprises a second metallization layer, and the second metallization layer comprises a second conductive pattern. Some of the conductive bumps electrically couple the first conductive pattern to the second conductive pattern to form a coil. Other embodiments contemplate other configurations of coils, inductors, and/or transformers, and contemplate methods of manufacture.
US09059023B2 Semiconductor device with reduced turn-on resistance and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a gate pattern over source and drain regions. The gate pattern includes a first gate adjacent the source region and a second gate adjacent the drain region. A concentration of dopants in the first gate is higher than a concentration of dopants in the second gate. As a result, channels are produced between the source and drain regions based on different threshold voltages.
US09059018B2 Semiconductor device layout reducing imbalance in characteristics of paired transistors
In a semiconductor device having paired transistors, an imbalance in characteristics of the paired transistors is reduced or prevented while an increase in circuit area is reduced or prevented. First and second transistors have first and second regions having the same active region pattern, and third and fourth transistors have third and fourth regions having the same active region pattern. The active regions of the third and fourth transistors have a longer length in the channel length direction than that of the active regions of the first and second transistors. The third and fourth regions have a narrower width in the channel length direction than that of the first and second regions.
US09059015B2 Light emitting device and method of fabricating the same
Disclosed are a light emitting device and a method of fabricating the same. The light emitting device comprises a substrate. A plurality of light emitting cells are disposed on top of the substrate to be spaced apart from one another. Each of the light emitting cells comprises a first upper semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second lower semiconductor layer. Reflective metal layers are positioned between the substrate and the light emitting cells. The reflective metal layers are prevented from being exposed to the outside.
US09059008B2 Resurf high voltage diode
A trench-isolated RESURF diode structure (100) is provided which includes a substrate (150) in which is formed anode (130, 132) and cathode (131) contact regions separated from one another by a shallow trench isolation region (114, 115), along with a buried cathode extension region (104) formed under a RESURF anode extension region (106, 107) such that the cathode extension region (104) extends beyond the cathode contact (131) to be sandwiched between upper and lower regions (103, 106, 107) of opposite conductivity type.
US09059007B2 Thin-film hybrid complementary circuits
Complementary circuits based on junction (or heterojunction) field effect transistor devices and bipolar junction (or heterojunction) transistor devices comprised of thin crystalline semiconductor-on-insulator substrates are provided which are compatible with low-cost and/or flexible substrates. Only one substrate doping type (i.e., n-type or p-type) is required for providing the complementary circuits and thus the number of masks (typically three or four) remains the same as that required for either n-channel or p-channel devices in the TFT level.
US09058994B2 Laser annealing method and device
A laser annealing method for executing laser annealing by irradiating a semiconductor film formed on a surface of a substrate with a laser beam, the method including the steps of, generating a linearly polarized rectangular laser beam whose cross section perpendicular to an advancing direction is a rectangle with an electric field directed toward a long-side direction of the rectangle or an elliptically polarized rectangular laser beam having a major axis directed toward a long-side direction, causing the rectangular laser beam to be introduced to the surface of the substrate, and setting a wavelength of the rectangular laser beam to a length which is about a desired size of a crystal grain in a standing wave direction.
US09058993B2 Methods for making large-area, free-standing metal oxide films
The present invention provides continuous, free-standing metal oxide films and methods for making said films. The methods are able to produce large-area, flexible, thin films having one or more continuous, single-crystalline metal oxide domains. The methods include the steps of forming a surfactant monolayer at the surface of an aqueous solution, wherein the headgroups of the surfactant molecules provide a metal oxide film growth template. When metal ions in the aqueous solution are exposed to the metal oxide film growth template in the presence of hydroxide ions under suitable conditions, a continuous, free-standing metal oxide film can be grown from the film growth template downward into the aqueous solution.
US09058971B2 Electro-optical module
An electro-optical module is provided, which includes: a substrate having a first surface with a groove and an opposite second surface; a plurality of support members disposed on the first surface of the substrate; at least an electro-optical element having opposite active and non-active surfaces and disposed in the groove of the substrate via the non-active surface thereof; an interposer disposed on the first surface of the substrate and the electro-optical element for electrically connecting the electro-optical element to the substrate, wherein the interposer has a through hole corresponding in position to the active surface of the electro-optical element; and a transparent plate disposed over the first surface of the substrate and the interposer through the support members and having a lens portion corresponding in position to the through hole of the interposer, thereby reducing signal losses, improving alignment precision, and achieving preferred thermal dissipation and EMI shielding effects.
US09058965B2 Ion trap quadrupole mass filter
An ion trap mass spectrometer is provided, including: an electron emitter; an ion trap storing ions generated by ionization resulting from an impact with electrons emitted from the electron emitter; a secondary ion filter for blocking out secondary ions generated due to ions selectively released by the ion trap; and a detector detecting ions selectively released from the ion trap, wherein the electron emitter, the ion trap, the secondary ion filter, and the ion detector are arranged on the same axis, so that a pure mass spectrum can be measured by excluding the secondary ions which are causes of background noise signals in the procedure of detection of the ions by the ion trap mass spectrometer.
US09058961B2 Rotatable sputter target comprising an end-block with a liquid coolant supply system
A tube target with an end block for supplying coolant to the tube target is provided. The end block comprises a rotatably mounted carrier shaft for holding and rotating the tube target; a connecting sleeve arranged in the carrier shaft; a sealing element for the tube target on its end facing the end block; a coolant inlet port in the interior of the tube target; and a coolant outlet port. The coolant outlet port is formed by at least one aperture in the sealing element. The aperture is located in the vicinity of the wall of the tube target, and eccentrically to the rotational axis of the tube target.
US09058949B2 Thermal switch
A thermal switch comprises a first and second electrically conducting terminals and a pre-stressable electrically conducting connecting device such as a compression spring member. The connecting device, in a compressed state, contacts at most one of the first and second terminals, and, in a released state, electrically connects the first and second terminals. The thermal switch further comprises a retainer device retaining the connecting device in the compressed state. The retainer device comprises a retaining material that melts at or above a predetermined temperature for releasing the connecting device into the released state. In the compressed state of the connecting device, the first and second terminals are electrically insulated from each other by a hollow space formed between the connecting device and at least one of the first and second terminals.
US09058948B2 Medium-voltage switchgear device comprising a vacuum cartridge
A current breaking device including a main stationary contact; a vacuum cartridge connected to the main contact and, having a rod supporting a second movable contact for connection with a second stationary contact on the main contact; a main movable contact for connection with, the main stationary contact; and a rigid rocker arm pivotally connected to the actuating rod of the vacuum cartridge, and about another axis fixed with respect to the main stationary contact and vacuum cartridge, so that upon rotation of the rocker arm to open both the main and second contacts, the main contacts are opened before the second contacts, and upon rotation in the opposite direction the second contacts are fully closed before any movement of the main contacts toward closure.
US09058942B2 Multi-chamber keys
A device comprises a key containing an upper closed chamber with a first gel and a lower closed chamber with a second gel. The key contains a divider portion interposedly common to the upper chamber and the lower chamber. The portion laterally traverses the key.
US09058937B2 Touch panel
The Present Disclosure provides a touch panel, comprising a main panel and a light-emitting touch module disposed underneath. The main panel is provided with a plurality of display patterns thereon. A light-emitting touch module includes a first circuit board provided with a plurality of touch sensors, a plurality of light-emitting devices and a plurality of light guiding parts attached to the side edges of the light-emitting devices so as to evenly project the light emitted from the light-emitting devices upward to the display patterns. The light-emitting touch module further comprises a light reflecting part disposed underneath the light guiding parts capable of reflecting the light emitted from the bottom surface of the light guiding parts back to the light guiding parts, which is further projected upward from the display patterns so as to improve the brightness of the patterns.
US09058933B2 Decoupling device including a plurality of capacitor unit arrayed in a same plane
A decoupling device including a lead frame and at least one capacitor unit assembly is provided. The lead frame includes a cathode terminal portion and at least two opposite anode terminal portions located at two ends of the cathode terminal portion. The two anode terminal portions are electrically connected with each other through a conductive line. The capacitor unit assembly includes multiple capacitor elements. The multiple capacitor elements of the capacitor unit assembly is connected in parallel, arrayed on the same plane and disposed on the lead frame. Each capacitor element has a cathode portion and an anode portion opposite to each other. The cathode portion of the capacitor element is electrically connected with the cathode terminal portion. The anode portion of the capacitor element is electrically connected with the anode terminal portion. When multiple capacitor unit assemblies exists, the capacitor unit assemblies are arrayed in a stacked way.
US09058930B2 Multiple winding apparatus and multiple winding method for coil
The multiple winding apparatus for coil includes a winding core, a spindle shaft on a tip end of which the winding core is removably mounted and which rotates together with the winding core, a wire rod feeding flyer which feeds a wire rod while rotating around the winding core mounted on the spindle shaft, a winding core removal mechanism which removes the winding core from the spindle shaft by moving the winding core in an axial direction, a supporting member which faces the spindle shaft and supports a plurality of the winding cores removed by the winding core removal mechanism at desired intervals in the axial direction, and a support member moving mechanism which moves the supporting member supporting the winding cores from a position facing the spindle shaft in a direction away from the spindle shaft.
US09058928B2 Wireless power feeder and wireless power transmission system
A wireless power feeder 116 feeds power from a feeding coil L2 to a receiving coil L3 by wireless based on a magnetic field resonance phenomenon between the feeding coil L2 and receiving coil L3. A power transmission control circuit 200 supplies AC current at a drive frequency fo to the feeding coil L2. The feeding coil L2 outputs AC power in substantially a non-resonant state with respect to circuit elements on the power feeding side. Then, power is supplied to a receiving coil circuit 130 by a magnetic field resonance between the feeding coil L2 and receiving coil L3.
US09058927B2 Electronic component
A laminate formed by laminating a plurality of insulator layers. First coil conductors are provided in the laminate winding in a predetermined direction when viewed in a plan view in a direction of lamination. Second coil conductors are provided in the laminate on one side in the direction of lamination relative to the first coil conductors, winding in the predetermined direction when viewed in a plan view in the direction of lamination. First via-hole conductors connect downstream ends of the first parallel portion in the predetermined direction. Second via-hole conductors connect downstream ends of the second parallel portions in the predetermined direction. A third via-hole conductor connects the farthest of the first coil conductors on one side to the farthest of the second coil conductors on the other side in the direction of lamination. The first through third via-hole conductors are not connected in a series.
US09058921B2 Electrical cable with optical fiber
An electrical cable includes a cable jacket extending a length and having an internal passageway that extends along the length of the cable jacket. Twisted pairs of insulated electrical conductors extend within the internal passageway along the length of the cable jacket. Each twisted pair includes two insulated conductors twisted together in a helical manner. At least two optical fibers extend within the internal passageway along the length of the cable jacket. The optical fibers are independently held within the internal passageway of the cable jacket relative to each other.
US09058915B1 Omniconjugated conductive polymers and methods for making the same
A new class of polymers based upon the radialene group as the parent repeating group and characterized by the following general formula: where R1, R2, R3, R4 are each independently any pi electron conjugated group, but not limited to: pyrrole, thiophene, benzene, naphthalene, furan, ethene, aniline, and n is an integer from 2 to 20,000. Furthermore, the individual R groups can be further functionalized with an alky group having 1 to 22 carbons; alkoxy group having 1 to 22 carbons; alkyl sulfonate having 1 to 22 carbons; alkyl phosphate group containing 1 to 22 carbons, alkoxy phosphate group having 1 to 22 carbons; ethenylendioxy group; propylene dioxy group.
US09058903B2 Methods and circuits for disrupting integrated circuit function
Methods and circuits for disrupting integrated circuit function. The circuits include finite state machines connected to memory arrays. The finite state machines are sensitive to a predetermined sequence of addresses sent to the memory array or the time between a series of memory array errors detected by an error detection circuit. Upon detection of the pre-set addresses or errors the finite state machines either (i) enable or disable specific circuit functions or (ii) disrupt the operation of the integrated circuit.
US09058902B2 Method of detecting transistors mismatch in a SRAM cell
The present invention provides a method of detecting the transistor mismatch in a SRAM cell. The SRAM cell comprises two pass-gate transistors and a bi-stable circuit including two pull up transistors and two pull down transistors. The method comprises: providing two measuring transistors, whose gates are connected to a second word line, sources are connected to the outputs of the bi-stable circuit respectively and drains are connected to two measuring terminals respectively; turning on the measuring transistors and turning off the pass-gate transistors; detecting the voltage-current curve of the two pull down transistors and the two pull up transistors through the measuring transistors at the measuring terminals so as to detect the transistor mismatch in the SRAM cell.
US09058900B2 System, semiconductor memory device and operating method thereof
A method for operating a semiconductor memory device including a memory block constituted by first memory cells used as main memory cells and second memory cells includes reading out an erase count of the memory block stored in the second memory cells, erasing the memory block, increasing the read-out erase count, and storing the increased erase count in the second memory cells.
US09058895B2 Self-refresh control device and method for reducing a current requisite for self-refresh operation using the same
Provided is a device and method for controlling self-refresh which reduces current when a semiconductor device stays in a self-refresh operation. The device for controlling self-refresh includes a bulk voltage controller configured to combine an idle signal indicating an active termination state of a bank and a self-refresh signal so as to generate a control signal for controlling a bulk voltage, a bulk voltage driver configured to vary a level of the bulk voltage in response to the control signal, and output the bulk voltage with a different level, and a refresh controller configured to output the self-refresh active signal upon receiving the bulk voltage as a bulk bias voltage.
US09058885B2 Magnetoresistive device and a writing method for a magnetoresistive device
A magnetoresistive device including a fixed magnetic layer structure, a first free magnetic layer structure, and a second free magnetic layer structure, wherein the fixed magnetic layer structure is arranged in between the first free magnetic layer structure and the second free magnetic layer structure, wherein the magnetization orientation of the first free magnetic layer structure is variable in response to a first electrical signal of a first polarity and the magnetization orientation of the second free magnetic layer structure is at least substantially non-variable in response to the first electrical signal, and wherein the magnetization orientation of the second free magnetic layer structure is variable in response to a second electrical signal of a second polarity and the magnetization orientation of the first free magnetic layer structure is at least substantially non-variable in response to the second electrical signal, wherein the second polarity is opposite to the first polarity.
US09058881B1 Systems and methods for partial page programming of multi level cells
Multiple bits of data are programmed together to each cell of a segment of a word line while other segments of the same word line are unprogrammed. Subsequently, additional segments are similarly programmed. Data is read from a partially programmed word line (with a mix of programmed and unprogrammed segments) using a single reading scheme.
US09058880B2 Unequal bit reliability information storage method for communication and storage systems
An unequal bit-reliability information storage method for communication and storage systems at least includes one storage unit having a first memory and a second memory; the most significant information bits are stored in the first memory; and least significant information bits are stored in the second memory. Based on the significance of each bit of the information with the use of the first or second memories of different reliability for storage, the complexity of the storage unit, the production cost and the power consumption can be reduced while maintaining the performance.
US09058873B2 Memory element having ion source layers with different contents of a chalcogen element
A memory element includes: a first electrode, a memory layer, and a second electrode in this order. The memory layer includes a resistance change layer provided on the first electrode side, and an ion source layer containing one or more of metallic elements, and the ion source layer being provided on the second electrode side. The ion source layer includes a first ion source layer and a second ion source layer, the first ion source layer containing one or more of chalcogen elements of tellurium (Te), sulfur (S), and selenium (Se) and being provided on the resistance change layer side, and the second ion source layer containing the chalcogen element with a content different from a content in the first ion source layer and being provided on the second electrode side.
US09058872B2 Resistance-based random access memory
A resistance-based random access memory circuit includes a first data line, a second data line, a plurality of memory cells, a first driving unit, and a second driving unit. The memory cells are arranged one following another in parallel with the first and second data lines. Each of the memory cells are coupled between the first data line and the second data line. The first driving unit is coupled with first ends of the first and second data lines. The first driving unit is configured to electrically couple one of the first data line and the second data line to a first voltage node. The second driving unit is coupled with second ends of the first and second data lines. The second driving unit is configured to electrically couple the other one of the first data line and the second data line to a second voltage node.
US09058863B2 Reference frequency setting method, memory controller and memory storage apparatus
A reference frequency setting method of a memory storage apparatus including the following steps is provided. A setting code is read from a memory module or a storage unit by a first signal transmission path and stored into a register circuit. The setting code includes a first setting information. Whether the data having a specific frequency is inputted is detected. If not, the setting code stored in the register circuit is read, such that an oscillator circuit module of the memory storage apparatus generates a first reference frequency based on the first setting information. If yes, the setting code stored in the register circuit is updated by a second signal transmission path, and the updated setting code is read, such that the oscillator circuit module generates a second reference frequency based on a second setting information. The updated setting code includes the second setting information.
US09058862B2 Voltage regulator
The present invention relates to a voltage regulator and to a method of operating a voltage regulator that is operable in a reset mode and in a sampling mode. The voltage regulator comprises a capacitive voltage divider having a first capacitor and a second capacitor in series with the first capacitor, wherein the capacitive voltage divider is connectable to an output of a voltage supply to activate the sampling mode, a comparator having an output connected to an input of the voltage supply, the comparator further having a first input connected to a sampling node arranged between the first capacitor and the second capacitor and the comparator having a second input connected to a reference voltage, wherein the sampling node is connectable to the reference voltage for activating the reset mode.
US09058860B2 Methods and apparatus for synthesizing multi-port memory circuits
Multi-port memory circuits are often required within modern digital integrated circuits to store data. Multi-port memory circuits allow multiple memory users to access the same memory cell simultaneously. Multi-port memory circuits are generally custom-designed in order to obtain the best performance or synthesized with logic synthesis tools for quick design. However, these two options for creating multi-port memory give integrated circuit designers a stark choice: invest a large amount of time and money to custom design an efficient multi-port memory system or allow logic synthesis tools to inefficiently create multi-port memory. An intermediate solution is disclosed that allows an efficient multi-port memory array to be created largely using standard circuit cell components and register transfer level hardware design language code.
US09058854B2 Semiconductor memory apparatus
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a first chip including a refresh signal generation unit which is configured to receive an external command and generate a refresh signal; and a second chip including a first delay unit which is configured to receive the refresh signal through a first through-silicon via and delay the received refresh signal, a first selection unit which is configured to output an output signal of the first delay unit to the first chip through a second through-silicon via in response to a first select signal, and a first core region which is configured to receive the output signal of the first delay unit and perform a refresh operation.
US09058851B1 Information-storage device including an oxygen absorbing device
An information-storage device comprises an information-storage medium, a transducer operable to write and to read information on the information-storage medium, and a sealed enclosure enclosing the same in an interior space containing an atmosphere comprising a gas mixture including a substantially inert gas and oxygen gas having a molar concentration between about 0% and about 10%. The sealed enclosure includes a base, a cover, and a seal that joins cover to base. The information-storage device may include at least one oxygen permeable component integrated with the sealed enclosure. The information-storage device further comprises an oxygen absorbing device operable to remove a substantial portion of oxygen gas from the atmosphere within. The oxygen absorbing device includes an oxygen absorbent material comprising oxygen-deficient cerium oxide, CeO2-x, where 0
US09058845B2 Synchronizing a map to multiple video formats
A method comprising comparing a frame rate of a source video program to a frame rate of a target video program to generate a conversion factor between the two sources; retrieving a target frame and retrieving, responsive to a location of the target video frame within the target video program, and responsive to the conversion factor, a source video frame from within the source video program; determining, by means of an image comparison, equivalence between the target frame and the source frame; and synchronizing, responsive to the determining, the target frame and the source frame, the synchronizing enabling a set of non-sequential segments of the target video program to be equivalent to a set of non-sequential segments of the source video program.
US09058844B2 Access to migrated tapes
A system including a tape library and a tape drive. The tape library identifies which tapes in the tape library include one or more migrated tapes. The tape drive provides access to each migrated tape of the one or more migrated tapes by an original application.
US09058838B2 Multimedia storage systems and methods
An article of manufacture includes a machine-readable medium that stores a multimedia content file in a first format and multiple program sets. Each program set is a version of software that, when executed by a respective electronic system, produces the multimedia content file in a second format for use in the respective electronic system. A first program set is compatible with a first operating system executed by a first electronic system and a second program set is compatible with a second operating system executed by a second electronic system. The second operating system is distinct from the first operating system.
US09058824B2 Devices including a gas barrier layer
Devices that include a near field transducer (NFT); a gas barrier layer positioned on at least a portion of the NFT; and a wear resistance layer positioned on at least a portion of the gas barrier layer wherein the gas barrier layer includes tantalum oxide (TaO), titanium oxide (TiO), chromium oxide (CrO), silicon oxide (SiO), aluminum oxide (AlO), titanium oxide (TiO), zirconium oxide (ZrO), yttrium oxide (YO), magnesium oxide (MgO), beryllium oxide (BeO), niobium oxide (NbO), hafnium oxide (HfO), vanadium oxide (VO), strontium oxide (SrO), or combinations thereof; silicon nitride (SiN), aluminum nitride (Al), boron nitride (BN), titanium nitride (TiN), zirconium nitride (ZrN), niobioum nitride (NbN), hafnium nitride (HfN), chromium nitride (CrN), or combinations thereof silicon carbide (SiC), titanium carbide (TiC), zirconium carbide (ZrC), niobioum carbide (NbC), chromium carbide (CrC), vanadium carbide (VC), boron carbide (BC), or combinations thereof or combinations thereof.
US09058820B1 Identifying speech portions of a sound model using various statistics thereof
Speech portions of a sound model may be identified using various statistics associated with the sound model for voice enhancement of noisy audio signals. A spectral motion transform may be performed on an input signal to obtain a linear fit in time of a sound model of the input signal. Statistics may be extracted from the linear fit of the sound model of the input signal. Speech portions of the linear fit of the sound model of the input signal may be identified by detecting a presence of harmonics as a function of time in the linear fit of the sound model of the input signal based on individual ones of the extracted statistics. An output signal may be provided that conveys audio comprising a reconstructed speech component of the input signal with a noise component of the input signal being suppressed.
US09058813B1 Automated removal of personally identifiable information
A natural language system may receive user-input. The user-input may include personal or restrictable information. The natural language system may provide a dual processing system. The natural language system may store a true copy of the user-input, which may include the personal or restrictable information. The natural language system may also generate an obfuscated copy of the user-input that does not contain personal or restricted information. The true copy of the user-input may be stored in a secure storage system and may be retrieved by authorized personnel, which may include the user who provided the user-input. The obfuscated copy of the user-input may be stored in a storage system and may be employed in ongoing training of the natural language system.
US09058799B2 Sound diffuser inspired by cymatics phenomenon
Sound diffusers are important components in enhancing the quality of room acoustics. The present disclosure relates to a sound diffuser obtained by using properties of the cymatics phenomena. Cymatics is the study of sound and vibration made visible, typically on the surface of a plate, diaphragm or membrane. Two examples of diffusers are designed by the cymatic shapes and modeled by using a quadratic quadratic residue sequence. It is found that this type of acoustic diffusers can be used to maintain the acoustic energy in a room and at the same time can treat unwanted echoes and reflections by scattering sound waves in many directions. The design allows for creating different interior space designs by changing the arrangement of the diffuser panels, and this leads to different applications for the diffusers.
US09058796B2 Magnetically mounted pickup for stringed instruments
Improved pickups for stringed instruments, such as guitars, ukuleles, banjos and the like. The pickup system includes a housing with a transducer element and a first magnetic means, and a distinct second magnetic means that cooperates with the first magnetic means to grasp a part of the instrument there between and thereby releasably mount the pickup on the instrument. Thus the pickup system can be easily mounted, removed or moved to other locations on the stringed instrument to produce the most desirable effect.
US09058790B2 Image processing system, storage medium storing image processing program, image processing apparatus and image processing method
A first image processing apparatus displays markers on a monitor to thereby make a second image processing apparatus perform a display control of a second object on an imaged image of an LCD while the second image processing apparatus transmits a marker recognizing signal when the display control is performed based on the markers to thereby make the first image processing apparatus perform a display control of a first object on the monitor.
US09058789B2 Synchronous processing system and semiconductor integrated circuit
A synchronous processing system having semiconductor integrated circuits. One of the semiconductor integrated circuits as a master chip includes a first synchronization controller and a first counter controller that allows a counter in the master chip to perform counting synchronously with a clock pulse in response to a synchronization control signal from the first synchronization controller. Another semiconductor integrated circuit as a slave chip includes a second synchronization controller that receives the synchronization control signal from the master chip, and a second counter controller that allows a counter in the stave chip to perform counting synchronously with the clock pulse in response to the synchronization control signal received. Each of the first and second counter controllers allows the counter to stop counting if the synchronization control signal is not supplied at the time point that a count value of the counter has reached a predetermined value.
US09058752B2 Flex mount terminal marker
The present invention is directed toward a terminal marker used to identify a terminal block. The terminal marker includes a front having a print surface, a back, sides, and flexible legs. The flexible legs can be positioned in a natural state for installation in the terminal block or a compressed state for obtaining a marking from a printer. In the natural state, the flexible legs extend at an angle with respect to the print surface of the terminal marker. In the compressed state, the flexible legs extend outward beyond of the sides of the terminal marker.
US09058739B2 Electromechanical switch for controlling toxic gas
An electromechanical switch comprising a plunger, a first switch in contact with the plunger in a first position of the plunger, in which a connection of the switch is open, a button in sliding contact with the plunger, and a solenoid in contact with the plunger in a second position of the plunger, in which a connection of the first switch is closed.
US09058738B1 Doorbell communication systems and methods
Doorbells can be configured to wirelessly communicate with a remotely located computing device. Some embodiments of the doorbell can be configured to enter a network connection mode. The network connection mode can include detecting a first wireless network having a name and a password. The network connection mode can also include using the remotely located computing device to scan a barcode such as a Quick Response Code.
US09058737B2 Wakefulness-maintaining device and wakefulness-maintaining method
A wakefulness-maintaining device capable of maintaining a driver's wakefulness by making the driver aware of changes in sound characteristics. A wakefulness-maintaining device (100), which maintains a person's wakefulness, wherein: a switching time control part (102) analyzes the characteristics of perceived sounds acquired by a microphone provided inside the vehicle, the perceived sounds comprising control sounds played back by the wakefulness-maintaining device (100) and environmental sounds around the person when no control sounds are being played back; an in-car sound-accumulating part (103) accumulates the perceived sounds; an acoustic pressure change-setting part (105) sets the control method to be used on the environmental sounds on the basis of the characteristics of the perceived sounds accumulated by the in-car sound-accumulating part (103); and a control sound-generating part (106) applies the control method, set by the acoustic pressure change-setting part (105), on the environmental sounds and generates control sounds.
US09058730B2 Intruder deterrent system
This invention relates to portable area denial systems and to related methods. We describe an intruder deterrent system, the system comprising a plurality of nodes, each said node having a strobe light, and at least one of said nodes having an intruder-detecting sensor, wherein the system is configured to flash at least one of said strobe lights on detection of an intruder by said sensor to deter said intruder.
US09058728B2 Haptic systems, devices, and methods using transmission of pressure through a flexible medium
Systems, devices, and methods for producing haptic actuation are disclosed. An exemplary haptic system comprises a transducer and a transmission medium. The transducer induces pressure waves within the transmission medium, which is a sealed capsule with a flexible geometry. A surface of the sealed capsule thus produces haptic effects on a contact surface.
US09058722B2 Random payout system and method for gaming devices
A random payout system provides self-funding winning symbol combinations that allow various wagering games to be quickly and easily defined. The winning symbol combinations may individually be associated with a funding pool. Symbols from a winning symbol combination may be disabled or not presented when an associated funding pool is negative. The symbols may be activated or presented when the associated funding pool is non-negative. In this manner, the winning symbol combinations are self-funding. Funds for a funding pool may come from various sources including advertising revenue and placed wagers.
US09058720B2 Login application for a wagering game portal
Systems described herein include wagering game systems having a portal container with one or more portal applications running within the portal container. The portal container includes a login application that receives player credentials and logs into various servers using the login credentials. The login application serves as a proxy for the portal applications that communicate with the servers.
US09058717B2 Multi-game video poker machine and system with asymmetrically accessible customization features
A gaming system with asymmetric customization capabilities and a method of enabling asymmetric customization of a wagering game are disclosed. A plurality of selectable game-play features are provided for utilization during the wagering game. Players accessing the game-play features are unequally limited as to which features are available for modification, depending on means of access. All features, however, are available for game-play, regardless of means of access.
US09058716B2 Remote game play in a wireless gaming environment
A system employs a server computing system with an integrated database and wireless communications devices. The wireless communications devices permits players to take a position on a potential outcome of a game and includes remote game play and remote backline playing (taking a position on a potential outcome of a position on game outcome taken by a primary player occupying a player position at a gaming table) and other types of positions not involving money. In response to the electronic indication that the primary player is no longer occupying the player position at the gaming table the system automatically initiates a period locking out players taking positions on the potential outcome of the game such as a position on game outcome lock out period for such proposed backline positions on game outcome and modifies the user interface on a wireless device of the dealer accordingly.
US09058711B2 Method for paying out banknotes by cash machines and cash machine for carrying out the method
A method for paying out banknotes by cash machines and a cash machine for carrying out the method. For each banknote paid out to a customer, an individual characteristic feature of the banknote that distinguishes it from other banknotes is recorded. In addition, the data of the customer and/or the data for the paying-out transaction are recorded for each banknote dispensed to a customer. The cash machine is equipped with at least one sensor for sensing the individual characteristic feature of each banknote to be dispensed.
US09058710B2 Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for sheet material processing and verification
Methods and systems disclosed herein for processing a sheet of sheet material include a plurality of processes. The methods and systems include a process of receiving the sheet in a sheet-accepting device. The methods and systems include detecting, by a first sensor mechanism of the sheet-accepting device, first information of the sheet. The first information of the sheet includes a value of the sheet and a serial number of the sheet. The methods and systems include disposing the sheet in a removable container coupled to the sheet-accepting device. The methods and systems include storing the first information of the sheet in a memory coupled to the removable container.
US09058703B2 Shared navigational information between vehicles
A system for vehicle to another party communications that includes a vehicle personality module adapted to create a vehicle personality and a communications system that utilizes the created vehicle personality for one or more communications instead of a user's profile. The one or more communications are associated with one or more of an identifier and an icon representing the vehicle personality, with this identifier and/or icon sent with at least one communication and displayable to the recipient of the communication.
US09058698B2 Creating a customized avatar that reflects a user's distinguishable attributes
A capture system captures detectable attributes of a user. A differential system compares the detectable attributes with a normalized model of attributes, wherein the normalized model of attributes characterize normal representative attribute values across a sample of a plurality of users and generates differential attributes representing the differences between the detectable attributes and the normalized model of attributes. Multiple separate avatar creator systems receive the differential attributes and each apply the differential attributes to different base avatars to create custom avatars which reflect a selection of the detectable attributes of the user which are distinguishable from the normalized model of attributes.
US09058694B2 Multi view image display apparatus and control method thereof
A multi view image display apparatus is provided. The multi view image display apparatus includes: a depth adjuster configured to adjust a depth of an input image; a renderer configured to render a multi view image based on the input image of which depth is adjusted; a display configured to arrange a multi view image in a preset arrangement pattern in order to display the multi view image; and a controller configured to control the depth adjuster to shift the depth of the input image based on depth information related to at least one object of the input image so that an object satisfying a preset criteria has a preset depth value.
US09058693B2 Location correction of virtual objects
A computer-implemented method is provided for use in location correction of virtual objects in a virtual model of a real-world scene. Location of an object consists of both position and orientation of the virtual object. The method includes generating the virtual model, including a virtual object, and acquiring at least one digital image of a real-world object within the real-world scene, wherein the real-world object corresponds to the virtual object. The method also includes calculating an image-based positional difference between at least one predefined point on the virtual object and at least one corresponding point on the real-world object, adjusting the position and/or the orientation of the virtual object based on this image positional difference, and adjusting the virtual model with respect to the corrected location of the virtual object.
US09058691B1 Computer hardware architecture and data structures for a ray traversal unit to support incoherent ray traversal
A new hardware architecture defines an indexing and encoding method for accelerating incoherent ray traversal. Accelerating multiple ray traversal may be accomplished by organizing the rays for minimal movement of data, hiding latency due to external memory access, and performing adaptive binning. Rays may be binned into coarse grain and fine grain spatial bins, independent of direction.
US09058686B2 Information display system, information display apparatus, information provision apparatus and non-transitory storage medium
The utility of a service using AR is improved. The information display apparatus which applies an information display according to augmented reality (AR) acquires a reference image for matching with a subject in a captured image and scale information which shows a scale of the subject in the reference image from an information provision apparatus. Then, an inputter-outputter of the information display apparatus displays the captured image as well as a distribution of the reference images by a scale of the subject. On this distribution display, a guide display according to the scale of the subject in the captured image is performed. This guide display moves on the distribution display corresponding to a change of an angle of view. Accordingly, it is easily set the angle of view by which the matching using the acquired reference image can be performed appropriately, and the convenience improves.
US09058685B2 Method and system for controlling a 3D processor using a control list in memory
A graphics processing device generates control lists for controlling processing of 3D graphics. Control lists comprise primitive data for the 3D graphics, pointers to primitive data and control data. Tags that correspond to records within the control lists may be utilized for the control of processing. The graphics processing device may comprise a 3D pipeline comprising parallel processors. Processing is performed on a tile by tile basis and comprises a tile binning phase and/or a tile rendering phase. The two phases of processing may be performed in parallel on different sets of data. Control lists comprise a main list and/or sub-lists, for example, tile lists. Control lists may comprise links to other lists. Processing control may advance through the control lists without interaction from a driver and/or from a processor that is external to the graphics processing device.
US09058683B2 Automatic image rectification for visual search
Disclosed is a computing device that can perform automatic image rectification for a visual search. A method implemented at a computing device includes receiving one or more images from an image capture device, storing the one or more images with the computing device, building a three dimensional (3D) geometric model for one or more potential objects of interest within an environment based on at least one image of the one or more images, and automatically creating at least one rectified image having at least one potential object of interest for a visual search.
US09058658B2 Methods and devices for locating object in CT imaging
The present disclosure provides methods and devices for locating a plurality of interested objects in CT imaging. Location of the interested objects in the three-dimensional space can be determined by using three projection images that are substantially perpendicular to each other. The method can rapidly locate interested objects in a CT image without pre-reconstruction of the CT image even if there are a plurality of interested objects in the field of view. The algorithm does not involve interactive steps. The method is rapid and effective, and thus applicable to industrial applications.
US09058653B1 Alignment of visible light sources based on thermal images
Various techniques are disclosed for providing systems for providing alignment guide information to selectively direct a visible light source to substantially align the visible light source with a desired subject and to project a visible light beam substantially on the desired subject. For example, a system may include a small form factor infrared imaging module to capture thermal images of a scene, which may be received by a processor to generate alignment guide information such as a user-viewable image of the scene, a user-viewable cue, and a framing reticle. In another example, such a system may be implemented as a camera. In yet another example, such a system may be implemented as a spotlight.
US09058649B2 Ultrasound imaging system and method with peak intensity detection
The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system (10) and method that allow for a quantitative analysis of the acquired images during acquisition and for an optimized workflow for image acquisition and analysis. The proposed ultrasound imaging system (10) comprises a transducer (12) configured to acquire ultrasound images (14) of an object based on one or more adjustable acquisition parameters, an analyzer (22) configured to analyze an ultrasound image (14) in real-time for a mean intensity value (24), and a processor (28) configured to determine in real-time when the mean intensity value (24) has reached a peak and to change the setting of at least one of the one or more adjustable acquisition parameters after a peak has been determined.
US09058641B2 Image processing device and image processing method
An image processing device includes a control unit which controls a read out of a reference image which is referred to when performing motion compensation on an image, with a range based on a maximum value of a motion amount in a vertical direction of a motion vector of the image as a target; and a motion compensation processing unit which performs motion compensation on the image using the motion vector and the reference image which is read out according to the control by the control unit.
US09058634B2 Method for providing a negative pressure wound therapy pump device
A method for providing a device used in association with a negative pressure wound therapy bandage wherein a controller module and a plurality of pump modules are provided to a third party, who leases the controller module and provides the pump modules to an end user. A case for the device may also be provided.
US09058632B2 Community interaction using mobile communication devices
Techniques are provided for delivering content to mobile communication devices related to interactions of members with a user community. The method involves detecting a communication session involving a mobile communication device; determining one or more context parameters associated with the communication session; and delivering content related to the context parameters to one or more mobile communication devices. Data is stored at a central computing entity that indicates association or membership of a plurality of mobile communication device users in a user community. The central computing entity detects when an action is taken by one mobile device user that is a member of the user community, and sends a notification to members of the social circle based on the detected action. These techniques allow individuals who are involved in a user community to maintain their interaction with the user community using their mobile communication devices.
US09058630B2 Coverage for transmission of data method and apparatus
The present invention provides systems and methods which afford a technical application for insuring, bonding, and underwriting a transmission of a data set, streaming data, and/or document over the Internet through TCP/IP and all other electronic media such as WAP, VOIP, fiber optic channels, microwave channels, and through standard electrical switches, electrical outlets and power lines. The present invention includes a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions to cause a system perform a method for insuring, bonding, and/or underwriting data transmission. The method includes enabling a first remote client coupled to a communications network to insure, bond, and/or underwrite a transmission of an electronic data set, streaming data, and/or document, with a selected coverage type for a selected coverage amount, from the first remote client to one or more second remote clients. The method includes charging a fee to an appropriate account for the selected coverage type and amount.
US09058629B2 System and method for assessing healthcare risks
A system and method for receiving demographic data on a patient and data on at least one pharmacy service prescribed for the patient; assigning a unique drug class to each pharmacy service; using the unique drug classes for ordering the pharmacy services according to a predetermined hierarchy of classes; and providing a risk score for the patient using the ordered pharmacy services.
US09058622B2 Wireless email communications system providing resource update tracking features and related methods
A wireless communications system may include a plurality of mobile wireless communications devices to permit users to send and receive wireless electronic mail (email) messages. Each device may be enabled for email communication based upon user acceptance of terms and conditions (T&Cs) in a corresponding user selected language and in a corresponding version at a time of acceptance. The system may further include a resource deployment server which may include a database module for storing the corresponding user selected language and version for the accepted T&Cs for each user. The resource deployment server may also include a service module cooperating with the database module for enabling user review of the accepted T&Cs in the corresponding user selected language and version thereof, and independent of any subsequent change in the user selected language of a given mobile wireless communications device and independent of any subsequent change in version of the T&Cs.
US09058621B2 Automatic price display control by emulation of electronic cash register price lookup
A system and method for distribution of product price and/or sales data in a retail establishment. Product price and/or sales data is stored locally, either in a central computer or master electronic cash register (ECR) or remotely at a master computer. The product price data is stored in the form of a price look-up (PLU) table. The price data can be pushed from the master ECR, local or master computers to and ECR emulation hub to an ECR emulation hub. Similarly, the ECR emulation hub can request product price data from the master ECR, local or master computers. Once the product price data arrives at the ECR emulation hub, it can be processed and sent to a display, which will be located near the appropriate product. The ECR emulation hub can also record and/or transmit prices actually charged for products over time to allow for automatic auditing of promotional pricing offers such as those made by manufacturers of the product. The ECR emulation hub acts like an ECR, thereby requiring no special software or hardware modifications to existing pricing display systems that already support ECRs.
US09058615B2 Product evaluation system and product evaluation method
A product evaluation system and a product evaluation method allow people to quickly, inexpensively, and accurately evaluate large amounts of products including those that do not have information attached in advance in the manufacturing stage. The system comprises an I/O component that functions as a product identification mechanism that identifies product type including at least one of product, product group, product brand, or product category, a characteristic acquisition mechanism that acquires characteristic information of the product, an evaluator that performs authentication and value estimations of products, and a data store that stores information related to the product. The evaluation mechanism performs authentication and value estimations of products based on characteristic information of the product acquired by the characteristic acquisition mechanism, and genuine product characteristic information, counterfeit product characteristic information, and value information and market information for each condition included in the information related to products stored in the data store.
US09058612B2 Systems and methods for recommending software applications
A potentially beneficial software product is recommended to a user based, in part, on an analysis of parameters associated with the user's usage of software applications already installed on the user's computer.
US09058605B2 Systems and methods for simulating accessory display on a subject
A method for simulating accessory display on a subject. An accessory is coupled with a mount with at least one contact portion configured to contact the accessory. The mount is positioned in at least one orientation with respect to an imaging device. At least one accessory image is captured of the accessory coupled with the mount in the at least one orientation using the imaging device. At least one accessory matte image is captured. At least one accessory foreground matte is generated for the at least one accessory. An accessory background matte is generated for the at least one accessory.
US09058590B2 Content upload safety tool
Embodiments of content safety upload techniques are presented herein. In an implementation, outbound communications of client are monitored to detect personal identifying information (PII) in the content being communicated. Upon detection of PII one or more actions may be taken to manage the PII, for example warning a user, providing options to send or delete the communication, seeking approval and so on. Further, released PII may be tracked to permit reporting and subsequent management of PII released in outbound communications.
US09058583B2 Systems and methods for mobile access to item information
Example systems and methods of mobile access to information for items or objects, such as, for example, product and inventory items found in a warehouse or on a shop floor, are presented. In one example, an identifier is received at a mobile communication device. A search request including the identifier is transmitted from the mobile communication device to an enterprise resource planning system. Information descriptive of at least one item is received at the mobile communication device from the enterprise resource planning system in response to the search request. The information is presented to a user of the mobile communication device.
US09058578B2 Systems and methods for battery remediation in connection with an electric powered mobiel thing (EPMT)
The present disclosure provides, among other things, various systems and methods for battery remediation in connection with electric powered mobile things (EPMTs). A representative method, among others, can be summarized by the following steps: monitoring electric power capacity (EPC) associated with locomotion of the EPMT; monitoring travel data relating to the EPMT; engaging in a communication session with a remote host computer system (H-CS) based upon the EPC monitoring; requesting assistance of a battery remediation station (BRS) during the communication session; communicating location information relating to the EPMT during the communication session so that the BRS can visit and remediate (recharge, repair, or replace) a battery associated with the EPMT. Upon receiving this information, the H-CS can contact and dispatch the BRS to visit the EPMT. A representative system, among others, comprises an EPMT-CS that is programmed or designed to perform the foregoing steps.
US09058575B2 Method and system for creating and maintaining activity plans
A system for activity management with a user interface that allows a user to access previously authored activity plans on a mobile device. An activity plan includes one or more activity items, in which each activity item includes at least a title and description. When the system receives a user selection of an activity plan, the system obtains the activity plan from a database storing the previously authored activity plans and presents the activity plan to the user on the mobile device.
US09058567B2 Intelligent production station and production method
One aspect related to design of systems and methods for manufacturing products that include technology in skilled areas is configuring a production station for use by an operator without specialized skills. The present invention contemplates an approach to designing a station configurable to perform one or more of incoming inspection, assembly, testing, and branding. A preferred approach includes verifying data associated with units prior to accepting them for incorporation, preventing incorporation of an incorrect unit, and guiding an operator in possible remedial action. This approach includes storing data in a server and making such data substantially instantly accessible to production stations once written in the server. Such data preferably includes software to configure the production station such that the operator need not have specialized skills. A production station designed using this approach is particularly useful in the manufacture of an outdoor unit of a split-mount microwave radio system.
US09058563B1 Suggesting activities
A method includes receiving inputs indicative of a user state of each user of a group of users. The inputs include sensor inputs from one or more and/or user inputs received from a graphical user interface. The method includes determining a collective user state for each user based on the received inputs and determining one or more possible activities for the group of users and one or more predicted outcomes for each activity based on the collective user states. The method includes executing one or more behaviors that evaluate the one or more possible activities and/or the corresponding one or more predicted outcomes, selecting one or more activities based on the evaluations of the one or more possible activities and/or the corresponding one or more predicted outcomes, and sending results including the selected one or more activities from the computing device to one or more screens.
US09058562B2 Traffic prediction for web sites
A traffic prediction component may automatically generate predicted traffic profiles for web sites based on tags that characterize the sites. An initial set of tags can be selected for a web site based on a set of predefined rules. An initial traffic profile may be selected based on the initial set of tags. The predicted profile of user traffic is then generated based on the initial set of tags and on the initial traffic profile.
US09058554B2 Transponder with tamper protection
The invention relates to sewable tamper detection elements for radio frequency identification devices, and to radio frequency identification devices with such tamper detection elements. The devices can be sewn into a seam of a garment so that the tamper detection element is partially inside the garment, e.g. as part of a care label. This makes removing the device difficult without breaking the tamper detection element, and thereby shoplifting attempts can be more reliably noticed. For this purpose, the tamper detection element is formed so that sewing through it does not break the element. The radio frequency identification device may be formed asymmetric so that the tamper detection element is on a different side from the antenna elements with respect to the chip. In this manner, the disturbance from the tamper detection element to the antenna can be minimized. The tamper detection element may be formed so that it contains a transparent opening on which text can be printed.
US09058528B2 RFID device groups
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates configuring at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) device. An RFID network can include at least one device associated with a device group, wherein the device group corresponds to a characteristic. An organizational manager can uniformly configure the at least one device based at least in part upon membership of the device group.
US09058527B2 Apparatus having hybrid monochrome and color image sensor array
There is provided in one embodiment an apparatus having an image sensor array. In one embodiment, the image sensor array can include monochrome pixels and color sensitive pixels. The monochrome pixels can be pixels without wavelength selective color filter elements. The color sensitive pixels can include wavelength selective color filter elements.
US09058524B2 Measuring the range to an object, in an image, using size categorization
When determining a range of distance to an object or vehicle in front of or behind the host vehicle, image data of the object is captured and analyzed to determine the relative location of the object relative to the bottom of an image frame containing the object as well as with a feature measurement of the object measured in pixels across a plurality of image frames. The object is classified into one of a plurality of discrete size categories as a function of its relative location and median feature measurement. Once the object is classified, a table lookup is performed to identify the distance range for the object relative to a host vehicle as a function of a monitored median feature measurement of the object and the discrete size category assigned to the object.
US09058521B2 Mobile robot and simultaneous localization and map building method thereof
A simultaneous localization and map building method of a mobile robot including an omni-directional camera. The method includes acquiring an omni-directional image from the omni-directional camera, dividing the obtained omni-directional image into upper and lower images according to a preset reference to generate a first image, which is the lower image, and a second image, which is the upper image, extracting feature points from the first image and calculating visual odometry information calculating visual odometry information to track locations of the extracted feature points based on a location of the omni-directional camera, and performing localization and map building of the mobile robot using the calculated visual odometry information and the second image as an input of an extended Kalman filter.
US09058519B2 System and method for passive live person verification using real-time eye reflection
Systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting a live human face in an image are disclosed. The methods, systems, and apparatus are capable of capturing an image of a verification pattern that has been reflected from a defined region of interest of a user's eye. The captured image can be compared to the emitted verification pattern to determine whether the captured reflection matches the emitted pattern and is within the region of interest to verify a live user of an electronic device.
US09058510B1 System for and method of controlling display characteristics including brightness and contrast
A system and method for controlling display characteristics is disclosed. The system and method includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to detect video input from a sensor, receive a control signal from a user and use the input control signal to alter a level of pixel intensity in a video output. The system and method for controlling display characteristics also includes altering the video input into the video output according to an algorithm and displaying the video output signal with an altered level of pixel intensity.
US09058503B2 Systems and methods for secure storage on a mobile device
In one embodiment the present invention includes a computer-implemented method for a mobile device. An application security status is detected. When the application security status is active an application passcode is required to access functionality of a mobile application operating on the mobile device. A first encryption of data associated with the mobile application is performed, where the first encryption uses a first encryption key when the application security status is active, and the first encryption uses a second encryption key when the application security status is not active. A mobile device passcode status is detected. When the mobile device passcode status is active a mobile device passcode is required to access functionality of the mobile computing device. A second encryption of the data is performed when the mobile device passcode status is active, where the second encryption uses a third encryption key.
US09058487B2 Method of detecting potential phishing by analyzing universal resource locators
A method for detecting potential phishing URLs includes extracting a URL from a document, analyzing the URL context, and comparing the URL to stored trusted URLs and stored known phishing URLs. The URL context includes anchor text and surrounding content associated with the URL. The method further includes generating a phishing alert based on the comparing and the analyzing.
US09058484B2 Method for checking whether program instructions have been executed by a portable end device
A method and a system for checking whether program instructions have been executed by an end device, wherein, the end device calls for program instructions and the program instructions are stored in executable form in a trustworthy entity, in particular a chip card. Subsequently, the program instructions are variably modified in the trustworthy entity such that the modified program instructions vary upon each execution of the method. Through execution of the instructions in the end device there is obtained a check value which is in turn transferred to the trustworthy entity and verified in the trustworthy entity.
US09058479B2 Pass-pattern authentication for computer-based security
Implementing security access includes mapping input elements of an input device to a coordinate system. Each of the input elements is assigned to a point on the coordinate system that is defined by respective coordinate values. The security access also includes receiving a number of inputs via corresponding input elements. An input element assigned to a first input of the number of inputs is denoted as a starting point for a sequence. Beginning with an input in the sequence that immediately follows the first input in the sequence, the security access further includes identifying a directional orientation of each of the input elements as compared to an input element immediately preceding the input element in the sequence, creating a directional pattern sequence from the directional orientation identified for each of the input elements, and providing access to an information source using the directional pattern sequence as an authentication mechanism.
US09058477B2 Process for the gradual exchange of personal information in non-trusted peer-to-peer environments
The invention relates to a method for the exchange of personal information in non-trusted peer-to-peer environments in a step-by-step fashion, in which the information preferably prepared as a graphics display is segmented into several individual sections and is subsequently alternately exchanged between the communication partners.
US09058475B2 Account creating and authenticating method
An account creating and authenticating method is provided. Firstly, an account is created according to a face image included in a photo. A password corresponding to the face image is also generated by a service system. During an account authenticating method, an image pickup device is used to shoot a face of a login person on the spot. If the service system judges that the shot face image of the login person on the spot complies with a predetermined face image corresponding to an existing account, the login person is allowed to login into the service system and the password is displayed. In a case that the image pickup device is provided, the service system may be authenticated by inputting the password. The method of the present can simplify the process of creating and authenticating the account.
US09058474B2 Biometric device, system, and method for individual access control
A biometric device, and a corresponding system and a method, is used to control human access to an arbitrary area. The device includes a biometric capture system that reads specified biometric information from an individual and that compares the biometric information to previously stored biometric information to determine a match between the read and stored biometric information; a position location system that records the geographic location of the device, and determines if the device is inside the United States or outside the United States; an encryption system that encrypts the geographic location and a device-unique identification; and a wireless system that sends the encrypted geographic location and the device-unique identification to a remote location, where if the geographic location is inside the United States, the device receives a test satisfactory signal, and where if the geographic location is outside the United States, the device receives an exit satisfactory signal.
US09058471B2 Authorization system for heterogeneous enterprise environments
A unified authorization system for an enterprise that includes heterogeneous access control environments is provided. Components in the enterprise utilizing either Java Platform Security (JPS) or Oracle Access Manager (OAM) can both use the unified authorization system to perform authorization. A common policy store can contain policies applicable to diverse components in a canonical form conducive to varieties of access control models. The data model used within the common policy store can support access control features found in both role-based policies and delegable access control administration. The common policy store can enable the querying and retrieval of authorization policies that are based on various access control models. A unified administrator interface permits administrators of applications following any kind of access control model to administer policies for resources. A unified policy decision engine can evaluate whether authorization policies are satisfied, regardless of the access control models that those policies follow.
US09058470B1 Actual usage analysis for advanced privilege management
Methods and computer program products for analyzing privilege usage are disclosed. Event information is identified for each user, including a list of events and a count of each listed event. Privilege information of each user is identified, including a list of privileges of the user. The event information and privilege information of users with similar events are compared. Events are mapped to privileges based on the comparison to generate an event-privilege mapping. Users with similar counts for similar events may be used for comparison. A computer system is disclosed that includes an event identifier, a privilege identifier and an event-privilege mapper.
US09058463B1 Systems and methods for specifying. modeling, implementing and verifying IC design protocols
A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to support a hybrid verification framework (HVF) to design, verify, and implement design protocols for an integrated circuit (IC) chip such as a system-on-chip (SOC) and/or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip. The framework creates a plurality of specifications in form of extended state transition tables for different phases of a design flow of the IC chip. The framework integrates and uses the extended state table-based specifications and the templates in all phases in the design flow, resulting in a tight revision loop of debug, verification, and validation across the phases of the design flow.
US09058449B2 Simulating machine and method for determining sensitivity of a system output to changes in underlying system parameters
The invention provides improved apparatus, systems and methods for simulating systems, processes and environments characterized by stochastic processes. The invention is particularly useful when Monte Carlo or Quasi Monte Carlo simulation techniques are employed in a simulation. The invention provides indications of sensitivities of simulated process outputs to changes in underlying process parameters. Embodiments of a simulator of the invention operate at a speed suitable for use in real time environments. In addition, the computational cost of a simulator of the invention relative to the cost associated with the output process is independent of the number of sensitivities and of the number of observations involved in the simulation.
US09058448B2 Usage-based temporal degradation estimation for memory elements
Methods and systems for computing threshold voltage degradation of transistors in an array of memory cells are disclosed. In accordance with one method, a process that models an expected usage of the array is selected. In addition, a hardware processor can run the process to populate the array with data over time to simulate the expected usage of the array. The method further includes compiling data that detail different durations at which each of the memory cells in the array stores 1 or at which each of the memory cells in the array stores 0. For each separate grouping of memory cells that share a common duration of the different compiled durations, a threshold voltage degradation is determined for each transistor in the corresponding grouping of cells based on at least one biased temperature instability model.
US09058439B2 Process for designing rugged pattern on golf ball surface
A golf ball 2 has numerous craters 8 on its surface. The craters 8 are arranged randomly. Of the surface of the golf ball 2, a part other than the craters 8 is a land 10. By the craters 8 and the land 10, a rugged pattern is formed on the golf ball 2. A process for designing the rugged pattern includes the steps of: (1) assuming a plurality of states; (2) assuming a large number of cells on a spherical surface; (3) deciding an initial state of each cell; (4) determining whether or not to change a state of the each cell based on states of a plurality of cells located adjacent to the each cell; (5) updating the state of the each cell based on the determination; and (6) assigning a land 10 or a recess to the each cell according to the state of the each cell.
US09058429B2 Usability testing tool
Systems, methods and apparatus for usability testing of remote interfaces or online applications via a user test application are disclosed. A parser of the user test application receives an HTTP request for a page of the interface or application to be tested from an evaluating participant. The parser creates an iframe that contains a URL of the user test application with a task URL related to the remote interface or online application to be tested appended to the URL. An HTTP request is made to the interface or online application based on the HTTP request and the user test application processes an HTTP response from the interface or online application and transmits the HTTP response to the participant as if the participant made the request directly from the remote interface or online application.
US09058428B1 Software testing using shadow requests
The techniques described herein provide software testing that may concurrently process a user request using a live version of software and a shadow request, which is based on the user request, using a shadow version of software (e.g., trial or test version, etc.). The live version of software, unlike the shadow version, is user-facing and transmits data back to the users while the shadow request does not output to the users. An allocation module may vary allocation of the shadow requests to enable a ramp up of allocations (or possibly ramp down) of the shadow version of software. The allocation module may use allocation rules to dynamically initiate the shadow request based on various factors such as load balancing, user attributes, and/or other rules or logic. Thus, not all user requests may be issued as shadow requests.
US09058423B1 Dynamic environment deployment within system tests to clusters, local machines or production
A continuous build and test system, method, and computer-readable medium, performed by one or more processors is described. The system includes an input for inputting a test specification that imports an environment manager. An environment manager object is created upon processing of the test specification, and delegates management functions to one or more specialized manager objects. The environment manager includes config data that designate paths to one or more binary files, and token settings specifying resources to be used during testing of the binary files. The environment manager selects a test platform to be used in testing the one or more binary files. The specialized manager objects perform testing, including bringing up the one or more binary files in the selected test platform, creating the data resources based on the token settings, performing the instructed tests, and cleaning up created data resources.
US09058418B2 Molecular profiling of tumors
Provided herein are methods and systems of molecular profiling of diseases, such as cancer. In some embodiments, the molecular profiling can be used to identify treatments for a disease, such as treatments that were not initially identified as a treatment for the disease or not expected to be a treatment for a particular disease.
US09058410B2 Integrated electronic patient health care data coordination system
A patient care coordination system that includes a plurality of hand-held computers in communication with a cloud computing network or a remote server that has an accessible database of all patients and the health care information of each. The cloud computing network or remote server synchronizes, in real time, patient health care information input in any one of the plurality of hand-held computers with all the others of the plurality of hand-held computers that are each able to download and view the patient health care information in the database in a user friendly graphic user interface.
US09058404B2 System and method for using a device description repository
A method, computer program product, and computer system for using a device description repository comprises calculating an index by a processor based upon, at least in part, at least a portion of a plurality of user preferences associated with a computing device. One of a first experience and a second experience may be provided to the computing device based upon, at least in part, the index.
US09058403B2 Data display apparatus using category-based axes
A user input selecting a first data item is received. Multiple informational categories associated with the selected first data item are accessed based on the received user input selecting the first data item. Multiple data items within a first of the multiple informational categories associated with the selected first data item are retrieved. Multiple data items within a second of the multiple informational categories associated with the selected first data item are retrieved. A display is generated. The display includes the first data item, the multiple retrieved data items within the first informational category arranged according to a first category-based axis that extends away from the first data item, and the multiple retrieved data items within the second informational category arranged according to a second category-based axis that extends away from the first data item. Rendering of the generated display is enabled.
US09058399B2 System and method for providing network resource identifier shortening service to computing devices
A system and method for providing shortened network resource identifier service to computing devices uses a link translating technique to replace at least some of the links in network resources requested by the computing devices using shortened network resource identifiers so that network activities of the computing devices can be monitored or controlled.
US09058395B2 Resolving queries based on automatic determination of requestor geographic location
Resolving a query term includes receiving at least one query term from a requestor and determining a geographic location of the requestor. The geographic location of the requestor may be determined by accessing an electronic information store containing a requestor profile including geographic information about the requestor, where the requestor profile is used by more than one program. The query term is resolved against electronic information within at least one electronic information store to determine whether one or more matches exist and a result is generated that accounts for the geographic location of the requestor.
US09058379B2 System, method and article of manufacture for advanced information gathering for targeted activities
An agent based system assists in preparing an individual for an upcoming meeting by helping him/her retrieve relevant information about the meeting from various sources based on preexisting information in the system. The system obtains input text in character form indicative of the target meeting from a calendar program that includes the time of the meeting. As the time of the meeting approaches, the calendar program is queried to obtain the text of the target event and that information us utilized as input to the agent system. Then, the agent system parses the input meeting text to extract its various components such as title, body, participants, location, time etc. The system also performs pattern matching to identify particular meeting fields in a meeting text.
US09058378B2 System and method for identification of near duplicate user-generated content
A computer-implemented system and method relates to identifying near duplicate content. An example embodiment includes a data receiver to receive a first instance of user-generated content and a tokenizer to tokenize the first instance into a set of words, create a set of portions from the tokenized first instance, and assign weight to each portion of the set of portions. The example embodiment also includes a magnitude calculator to calculate a magnitude for the first instance based on the weight of each portion and a resemblance score calculator to search a data store for a second instance with at least one portion in common with the first instance and calculate a resemblance score between the first instance and the second instance.
US09058371B2 Distributed database log recovery
Log entries are recorded in a data storage application (such as an in-memory database, etc.) for a plurality of transactions among nodes in a node hierarchy. The node hierarchy comprises master node having a plurality of slave nodes. Thereafter, at least a portion of the master node log entries are replayed until a first replay position is reached. Next, for each slave node, at least a portion of its respective log entries are replayed until the first replay position is reached (or an error occurs). Subsequently, replay of at least a portion of the log entries of the master node that are subsequent to the first replay position is initiated by the master node in parallel to at least a portion of the replaying by the slave nodes. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
US09058369B2 Consolidated network repository (CNR)
The disclosed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate support for or integration of disparate communications networks. The architecture can embody a consolidated network repository (CNR) that can be configured as a single logical repository that can potentially be configured according to a common schema regardless of the type or number of schema employed by the disparate communications networks.
US09058365B2 Systems and methods providing touchscreen report navigation
According to some embodiments, a database may store business information and meta-data associated with the business information. A processor coupled to the database may generate: (i) a first report associated with at least some of the business information, wherein the first report is to be displayed in a first area of a display of a remote touch sensitive device, and (ii) a second report associated with at least some of the business information, wherein the second report is to be displayed in a second area of the touch sensitive device. A communication port coupled to the processor may transmit the first and second reports and receive a destination location from the touch sensitive device, wherein the destination location is associated with a movement of a selected report element of the first report. According to some embodiments, the processor may, if the destination location is not associated with a report, generate a third report based on at least some of the business information and the selected report element. If the destination location is associated with the second report, the processor may generate a modified second report based on a pre-determined analytical mapping between the first and second reports, if available.
US09058358B2 Merging apparatus and merging method
A merging apparatus includes a first database in which a plurality of attributes including a key attribute that is set in advance as a key for merging is set and a second database in which one or a plurality of attributes excluding the key attribute is set. Furthermore, the merging apparatus checks an attribute that is set in the first database against an attribute that is set in the second database and extracts a common attribute that is set in common in both the first database and the second database. Then, the merging apparatus merges the first database with the second database by determining whether attribute values classified under the extracted common attribute match.
US09058353B2 Computer relational database method and system having role based access control
A computer method, system and apparatus control access to secured data in a plurality of databases. A repository is coupled to the databases and has a security runtime subsystem. The repository intercepts a user query of a subject database in the plurality. The security runtime subsystem determines from the intercepted query a user and corresponding user role. Based on user role, the security runtime subsystem automatically modifies the user query to filter out secure data for which the identified user is unauthorized to access but are part of the user query.
US09058351B2 Apparatus and method for read optimized bulk data storage
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to store load data in new rows of an append only table within a data warehouse, without updating or deleting existing rows in the append only table. The new rows are added in a database transaction that guarantees that the distributed reads and writes of all transactions are processed reliably and that the transactions obey snapshot isolation rules. Data changes associated with the load data are maintained in a separate update table. Data from the append only table is merged with data changes from the update table to supply read data.
US09058350B2 Computer-implemented method of determining validity of a command line
Provided is a method of determining command line validity, including: a step of maintaining a block network address database including block network address information; a step of receiving a command line from a terminal of a user; a step of extracting network address information included in the command line; a step of determining whether the network address information is the block network address information, with reference to the block network address database; a step of generating log information associated with the command line in case that the network address information is not the block network address information as the result of the determination, in which the log information comprises at least one of the network address information included in the command line, input time point information with respect to the input time point of the command line, and request content information; a step of recording the log information in a log database; and a step of determining the validity of the command line by using the log information.
US09058345B2 System and method of generating reusable distance measures for data processing
In one embodiment the present invention includes a computer-implemented method of analyzing data. The method includes storing, by a computer system, a column definition that includes metadata that defines a column. The method further includes generating, by the computer system, a distance measure for the column. The method further includes storing, by the computer system, the distance measure for the column as part of the metadata for the column in the column definition. In this manner, improvements may result in the areas of reuse, delegation, usability, and precalculation.
US09058340B1 Service for associating network users with profiles
A system is disclosed that maps user IDs (such as IP addresses) and geographic regions to particular categories or “segments” reflective of user profiles. The mappings may be based on behavioral data reflective of user browsing activities, offline data (e.g., survey data or demographic data), or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the mappings are generated using data collected by a plurality of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) regarding their subscribers. The system also includes a query interface that enables content providers to retrieve segment data associated with particular user IDs.
US09058338B2 Storing a small file with a reduced storage and memory footprint
An I/O request to store a file in a file-system is received. A determination is made whether the size of the file does not exceed a threshold size. Exceeding the threshold results in storing at least a portion of the file in a block of the file-system devoid of sub-blocks. A determination is made whether the size of the file does not exceed a size of unallocated space within a single block in the file-system. The single block includes a set of sub-blocks. Responsive to the size of the file not exceeding the threshold size and the size of unallocated space within the single block, the file is stored, at an address, in a first subset of the set of the sub-blocks of the single block. The address identifies the single block and a position of a sub-block in the subset.
US09058332B1 Blended ranking of dissimilar populations using an N-furcated normalization technique
Systems and methods for blending dissimilar, ordered populations into a single selection for users are disclosed herein. In an aspect, content items belonging to distinct parent populations which display a large disparity in the value which is used for ranking purposes, can be displayed together in a single continuously ranked list for simple browsing and selection by users. Further, a score can be assigned to the respective media content items based at least in part on a median value of a distribution of media content items corresponding to the respective parent populations and this score can be used as a normalized, universal value with which to rank content from all dissimilar populations together.
US09058326B1 Recovery and flush of endurant cache
Various embodiments are directed towards enabling data writes utilizing a node cache and a logstore stored on a stable storage device. A client device may send data to a node for writing to a parent file. The node may cache the received data prior to writing the data to the parent file. Caching the received data may comprise adding the received data to a node cache and to a logstore. In one embodiment, the node cache may include a coalescer that combines data from a plurality of data writes from the client device to the node prior to writing to the parent file. In some embodiments, the logstore may be mirrored logstore on one or more stable storage devices. The parent file may periodically be updated from the node cache data. After the parent file is updated, the node cache data and the logstore data may be purged.
US09058312B2 What-you-see-is-what-you-get editor with user interface for editing the underlying structure of content
Systems and methods for represent and manipulate (i.e., processing) the underlying structure of a structured document (e.g., a mark-up language document), while maintaining a What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) environment. The traditional WYSIWYG editor view is paired with a Visual Document Structure Indicator (VDSI) pane to allow for both WYSIWYG and structure editing within a single interface. The VDSI pane includes left pane and upper pane, which are configured along the left and top borders, respectively. The document editor allows document content to be created, edited, and maintained in the WYSIWYG environment while keeping document structure information available to the user.
US09058308B2 System and method for identifying text in legal documents for preparation of headnotes
A method for generating feature graphs employed for creation of a head note in a legal document is provided. The method enables identifying one or more predetermined features in a plurality of legal documents. The one or more predetermined features are based on grammatical constituents of text in the legal document. The plurality of legal documents is manually identified as headnote and non headnote. The method further enables obtaining data related to the availability of the one or more identified predetermined features in the sentences manually identified as headnote and non headnote in the plurality of legal documents. Furthermore, the method enables computing likelihood of a sentence being a headnote based on the obtained data. The method further enables generating feature graphs corresponding to each predetermined feature based on the computed likelihood and obtained data and storing the generated feature graphs in a repository.
US09058300B2 Integrated circuits and methods to control access to multiple layers of memory
Circuits and methods to control access to memory; for example, third dimension memory are disclosed. An integrated circuit (IC) may be configured to control access to memory cells. For example, the IC may include a memory having memory cells that are vertically disposed in multiple layers of memory. The IC may include a memory access circuit configured to control access to a first subset of the memory cells in response to access control data in a second subset of the memory cells. Each memory cell may include a non-volatile two-terminal memory element that stores data as a plurality of conductivity profiles that can be non-destructively sensed by applying a read voltage across the two terminals of the memory element. New data can be written by applying a write voltage across the two terminals of the memory element. The two-terminal memory elements can be arranged in a two-terminal cross-point array configuration.
US09058299B2 Efficient copying between storage devices
A system and method are disclosed for efficiently copy a disk image between storage devices. In accordance with one example, a computer system issues a request to create on a first storage device a snapshot of a first disk image that is stored on the first storage device. The computer system then issues a request to create on the first storage device a second disk image based on the snapshot, and copies the snapshot on to a second storage device. The computer system issues a request to create on the second storage device a third disk image based on the snapshot. The computer system then issues a request to compute a difference between the second disk image and the snapshot, and the difference is overwritten on to the third disk image.
US09058275B2 Data returned responsive to executing a start subchannel instruction
An abstraction for storage class memory is provided that hides the details of the implementation of storage class memory from a program, and provides a standard channel programming interface for performing certain actions, such as controlling movement of data between main storage and storage class memory or managing storage class memory.
US09058272B1 Method and apparatus having a snoop filter decoupled from an associated cache and a buffer for replacement line addresses
An apparatus including a snoop filter decoupled from a cache and an associated method for snoop filtering are disclosed. The snoop filter is decoupled from the cache such that the cache changes states of lines in the cache from a first state that is a clean state, such as an exclusive (E) state, to a second state that is not a clean state, such as a modified (M) state, without the snoop filter's knowledge. The snoop filter buffers addresses of replaced lines that are unknown to be clean until a write-back associated with the replacement lines occurs, or until actual states of the replaced lines are determined by the snoop filter generating a snoop. A multi-level cache system in which a reallocation or replacement policy is biased to favor replacing certain lines such as inclusive lines, non-temporal lines or prefetched lines that have not been accessed, is also disclosed.
US09058266B2 Deskew apparatus and method for peripheral component interconnect express
Disclosed herein are a deskew apparatus and method for Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express for compensating for a skew. The deskew apparatus includes a lane data input unit, a lane data alignment unit, and a lane data detection unit. The lane data input unit receives 18-bit data from each of lanes of the PCI Express. The lane data alignment unit aligns the 18-bit data using a COM symbol. The lane data detection unit detects a change in a state of alignment of the 18-bit data attributable to deletion or addition of an SKP symbol when the 18-bit data is aligned, and to perform synchronization between the lanes.
US09058265B2 Automated fault and recovery system
A mechanism is provided for handling incidents occurring in a managed environment. An incident is detected in a resource in the managed environment. A set of incident handling actions are identified based on incident handling rules for an incident type of the incident. From the set of incident handling actions, one incident handling action is identified to be executed based on a set of impact indicators associated with the set of incident handling rules. The identified incident handling action is then executed to address the failure of the resource.
US09058259B2 System and method for dynamic problem determination using aggregate anomaly analysis
A system and method are provided for determining problem conditions in an IT infrastructure using aggregate anomaly analysis. The anomalies in the metrics occurring in the monitored IT infrastructure are aggregated from all resources reporting metrics as a function of time. The aggregated metric anomalies are then normalized to account for the state of the monitored IT infrastructure to provide a normalized aggregate anomaly count. A threshold noise level is then determined utilizing a variably selectable desired level of confidence such that a problem event is only determined to likely be occurring in the IT infrastructure when the normalized aggregate anomaly count exceeds the threshold noise level. The normalized aggregate anomaly count is monitored against the threshold noise level as a function of time, such that a problem event in the IT infrastructure is identified when the normalized aggregate anomaly count exceeds the threshold noise level at a given time.
US09058257B2 Persistent block storage attached to memory bus
A method of configuring a computer memory system includes receiving a request from customized software driver or a BIOS extension software or a customized legacy BIOS or a customized UEFI PMM extension software or a customized UEFI BIOS, scanning memory module sockets in response to the request, recognizing memory modules in the memory module sockets, the memory modules being made of, at least in part, persistent memory modules (PMMs), configuring the PMMs to be invisible to the OS, and storing the mapping information to a designated protected persistent memory area, and presenting the PMMs as a persistent block storage to the OS.
US09058247B2 Risk potential calculation apparatus
A risk potential estimating device 20 of a driving support apparatus 10 calculates the risk potential of an object at each of a plurality of points which are set around a host vehicle 100. When there is a pedestrian M2 in a blind spot B caused by a pedestrian M1 in the field of view of the host vehicle 100, the risk potential estimating device 20 omits the calculation of the risk potential of the pedestrian M2. When there is the pedestrian M1 close to the host vehicle 100, first, the behavior of avoiding the pedestrian M1 is performed. Therefore, the risk potential of the pedestrian M1 may be calculated at each point. In many cases, the calculation of the risk potential of the pedestrian M2 which is located in the blind spot B caused by the pedestrian M1 and is away from the host vehicle 100 is redundant. When the calculation of the risk potential of the pedestrian M2 which is located in the blind spot B caused by the pedestrian M1 is omitted, it is possible to reduce the load of an operation for calculating the risk potential while maintaining the accuracy of calculating the risk potential around the vehicle.
US09058244B2 Durable and coherent cache transactions between volatile and non-volatile memories
A system for conducting memory transactions includes a non-volatile main memory and a memory buffer including a plurality of cache lines. Each of the cache lines includes content and one or more bits signifying whether a memory transaction corresponding to the content of the cache line has been performed to completion and whether the content of the cache line matches content of a corresponding location of the non-volatile main memory. When the one or more bits of a cache line of the plurality of cache lines signifies that the transaction has been performed to completion and the content of the cache line does not match the content of the corresponding location of the non-volatile memory, access to modify the content of the cache line is restricted until the content of the cache line is written to the corresponding location of the non-volatile main memory.
US09058242B2 Method and system of optimizing a web page for search engines
An organic search ranking of a web page for a particular search query can be optimized by publishing a large number of short, subsidiary web documents associated with the web page. The web page and the associated web documents can be individually optimized in terms of one or more parameters based upon web analytical data compiled for the search query. The web page and associated web documents can also be jointly optimized by coordinating the content of the associated web documents to align with the primary web page, and further by providing a network of links between the associated web documents and the primary web page. To provide greater insight and to assess the overall efficacy of the web presence optimization effort, historical search rank data can be correlated with specific events and reported to a user.
US09058241B2 System and method for application configuration comparison and reuse
A system and method allow a user to extract the set of customizations performed on an application and use these to estimate the time and effort and cost of (a) migrating to a new version of the application and/or (b) consolidating systems. The user can browse the extracted data and select configuration elements for re-use. After downloading the one or more configurations and comparing them, the user selects elements of the configurations for re-use. The first step is to scan one or more application systems and extract the configuration data using a surveyor. The method according to the invention automatically identifies configuration differences. The user then selects configuration elements for re-use. A graphic user interface (GUI) can be provided which allows the user to make these selections by dragging and dropping selected elements to a “To Be” configuration. The selected configurations are then uploaded and installed on an instance of the application.
US09058228B2 Random number generator for generating truly random numbers
An apparatus includes multiple oscillators, where each oscillator includes an inverter chain. The apparatus also includes combinatorial logic configured to generate a random number having one or more bits. The combinatorial logic is configured to generate each bit by combining two or more signals from at least two oscillators that have inverter chains with different prime numbers of inverters. The combinatorial logic may be configured to generate each bit using signals from a unique combination of oscillators. The combinatorial logic may also be configured to combine the signals asynchronously and sample the combined signal synchronously using a synchronous sampling clock, where at least one of the signals is not harmonically related to the sampling clock. Each of at least one of the oscillators may include multiple taps configured to provide multiple signals, and the multiple signals from one oscillator could have different asynchronous phases relative to the sampling clock.
US09058212B2 Combining memory pages having identical content
In a device having a memory accessed as multiple pages, two or more pages of the multiple pages having identical content are identified. While the two or more pages are being identified, other processes running in the device are allowed to use the two or more pages, including being allowed to change cache attributes of each of the two or more pages. The two or more pages are combined into a single combined page (e.g., a newly allocated page of the multiple pages), and a process page record having multiple entries pointing to the multiple pages is updated so that entries that previously pointed to one of the two or more pages instead point to the single page.
US09058188B2 Transformative user interfaces
Various examples include systems, methods, and software that provide transformative user interfaces. Some examples include a container renderable within a user interface of a computing application. In some such examples, code of the container may be executable to receive an object to present within the container. Further, and based on a context of the container, such examples may present a view of the object within the container based on rendering information retrieved by the container via a rendering service of the object defining how the object is to be presented within the particular context of the container amongst a plurality of possible contexts within which the object can be rendered. In some examples, a container may further override and modify object behaviors when depending upon at least the particular container or context the context thereof.
US09058184B2 Run time generation and functionality validation of device drivers
A method of generating and validating a device driver for a hardware device is provided. The method include (i) dynamically querying the hardware device for a device programming specification, (ii) dynamically querying a run time environment for a run time specification, (iii) obtaining the device programming specification that is specific to the hardware device, (iv) obtaining the run time specification that is specific to the hardware device and the run time environment, (v) dynamically synthesizing a device driver, by a device driver generation tool to obtain a synthesized device driver, (vi) automatically testing, by the device driver generation tool, the synthesized device driver based on a device class of the hardware device, and (vii) automatically evaluating, by the device driver generation tool, a performance of the synthesized driver with respect to standard performance parameters for the device class of the hardware device for validating the synthesized device driver.
US09058177B2 Real software components for achieving real component-based design
A method and system for creating a software application code comprising multiple Replaceable Self-Contained Components (RSCCs) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes creating each RSCC by instantiating and initializing an object instance of a Replaceable Component Class (RCC) that substantially encapsulates construction code of a Self-Contained Component (SCC). A method for creating communication code for allowing necessary collaboration between the RSCCs uses a Service Registration Object (SRO), implements necessary coupling code within the RSCCs that provide services for registering its services with the SRO and implements necessary coupling code within the RSCCs that require services for finding and getting the required services from the SRO. Another method for creating necessary communication code between any two RSCCs includes implementing appropriate coupling interfaces in each of the two RSCCs and implementing necessary communication code in the code of the application using the coupling interfaces of the two RSCCs.
US09058174B2 Wiring web widgets of a web mashup
For wiring web widgets of a web mashup application, a web widget registry may be generated based on one or more properties of the web widgets of the web mashup application. Based on the web widget registry, the web widgets of the web mashup application may be wired together, without requiring input from a user. Cycles among the web widgets may also be detected and removed.
US09058172B2 Method for conserving power using a wireless card reader
Methods, systems, and apparatus, for conserving power in a system, comprising: (a) receiving a card interaction from a card at a card interface of the system, where the system comprises components including: a microcontroller, one or more card interfaces, a power source, an antenna, and a wake-up circuit, where the components are powered down, and where the card interaction triggers the wake-up circuit; (b) activating a power source using a signal from the wake-up circuit; (c) powering the microcontroller using the power source and in response to powering the microcontroller: (i) powering down the wake-up circuit; (ii) powering up the card and the respective card interface associated with the card interaction; (iii) receiving card data from the card through the card interface; (iv) powering down the card and the respective card interface; (v) powering up the antenna; and (vi) sending the card data using the antenna.
US09058166B2 Method and apparatus for managing processing resources in a distributed processing system
In one aspect, the present invention reduces average power consumption in a distributed processing system by concentrating an overall processing load to the minimum number of processing units required to maintain a defined level of processing redundancy. When the required number of active processing units is fewer than all available processing units, the inactive processing units may be held in a reduced-power condition. The present invention thereby maintains the defined level of processing redundancy for reallocating jobs responsive to the failure of one of the active processing units, while reducing power consumption and simplifying jobs allocation and re-allocation when expanding or shrinking the active set of processing units responsive to changing processing load. As a non-limiting example, the distributed processing system is implemented within a telecommunications network router or other apparatus having a configured set of processing cards, such as control-plane processing cards.
US09058164B2 Power consumption reduction in a multiprocessor system
Methods and apparatus provide for reducing power consumption by decreasing operating frequencies of waiting processors in a multiprocessor system. Power consumption may be reduced by having a processor enter a low frequency mode when the processor is in a loop waiting for data that have been locked by another processor. The frequency of operation of the waiting processor may be reduced to a fraction (one half, one quarter, etc.) of the normal, initial clock frequency. The multiprocessor system may monitor a number of times (loop count) that a waiting processor takes the wait loop and compare the number to a threshold. When the loop count is greater than or equal to the threshold, the clock frequency of the waiting processor is reduced. When the waiting processor ceases to wait and does not take the wait loop branch (e.g., because the other processor has released the lock on the data), the loop count is reset to zero and the frequency of operation of waiting processor is increased to an increased frequency, such as the normal, initial level.
US09058144B2 Image transmission system facilitating address registration
An image transmission system includes an image transmission apparatus and a client apparatus connected to a network. The image transmission apparatus distributes, via the network, a search message for searching for the client apparatus, transmits a request of the address information to the client apparatus that has transmitted a reply message for replying to the search message, displays one or more addresses included in address information that has been transmitted from the client apparatus, and transmits the image to the address among the one or more addresses. The client apparatus manages the address information, transmits the reply message to the image transmission apparatus that has transmitted the search message, and transmits the address information to the image transmission apparatus.
US09058138B2 System and method for releasing print jobs based on location information
A system and method that provides a user interface on a mobile network terminal for operation with a printer resource access system wherein the user interface is modified for releasing a print job from a nearby printer resource. Since printer resources may include any number of print job release mechanism each requiring different authentication information, the user interface must be modified appropriately. The mobile network terminal obtains location information from a location service, such as GPS or an internet based location service, and provides the location information to a punter directory service in a printer resource access system. The printer directory service then consults the database of printer resource information and provides connection and configuration information for printer resource located nearby the mobile network terminal. The mobile network terminal modifies its user interface to accept the appropriate type of authentication and configuration information specified by the printer directory service. The authentication information may then be provided over a secure network connection to the printer resource to release the print job.
US09058132B2 Information processing apparatus, control method, and computer-readable medium
An information processing apparatus in which a preset associated with a driver is registered, comprises a preset acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a preset registered in the information processing apparatus; a function acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a function of a printer that corresponds to a driver associated with the preset; a determination unit that compares information regarding a plurality of presets and determines whether or not the presets have the same parameter for a common setting item; and a registration unit that, if a function related to a setting item that is a difference included in only one of the presets is not held by a printer that corresponds to a driver associated with the other presets, registers only the preset including the setting item that is the difference in the information processing apparatus in association with a plurality of drivers associated with the plurality of presets.
US09058126B2 Nonvolatile logic array with retention flip flops to reduce switching power during wakeup
A processing device is operated using a plurality of volatile storage elements. Data in the plurality of volatile storage elements is stored in a plurality of non-volatile logic element arrays. A primary logic circuit portion of individual ones of the plurality of volatile storage elements is powered by a first power domain, and a slave stage circuit portion of individual ones of the plurality of volatile storage elements is powered by a second power domain. During a write back of data from the plurality of non-volatile logic element arrays to the plurality of volatile storage elements, the first power domain is powered down and the second power domain is maintained. In a further approach, the plurality of non-volatile logic element arrays is powered by a third power domain, which is powered down during regular operation of the processing device.
US09058124B2 Directory tree search
Directory tree searching uses a path index to determine a set of documents for a directory path portion of a search query. The set of documents for the directory path portion is evaluated with a set of document for an indexed term portion of the search query to determine common documents.
US09058119B1 Efficient data migration
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed that provide for improved speed and efficiency when transferring data from a source data storage device to a destination data storage device in a data storage network. A data storage network is configured such that a source data storage device, a destination data storage device and a migration server can communicate with each other. Both a source data storage drive and a destination data storage drive are mapped to the migration server. The migration server identifies controllers coupled to the data storage network for the source and destination data storage drives. A route of data transfer is mapped from the source data storage drive to the destination data storage drive through the identified controllers, and the data is transferred from the source data storage drive to the destination data storage drive using the mapped route of data transfer.
US09058097B2 Method for adjusting navigation frame, navigation apparatus and recording medium
A method for adjusting a navigation frame, a navigation apparatus, and a recording medium are provided. In the method, a navigation frame is displayed on a screen of a device in a form of a three-dimensional picture. When an event is received, the angle of view of the navigation frame is adjusted to make the size of the navigation frame reduce and a window corresponding to the event is displayed in an area of the screen that is emptied due to the reduction of the navigation frame.
US09058090B1 Collaborative information sharing in a virtual world
A system and method are provided for enabling information sharing in a distributed virtual world. In general, a virtual world client associated with a user participating in a virtual world operates to obtain one or more annotations associated with virtual world constructs identified as being of interest to the user. The virtual world constructs of interest to the user may be identified by the user or identified automatically by the virtual world client. In one embodiment, the one or more annotations are defined by other users participating in the virtual world. Once the one or more annotations are obtained, the virtual world client may, for example, present the one or more annotations to the user, present a portion of the one or more annotations to the user, notify the user that the one or more annotations are available, or the like.
US09058089B2 Sponsored-stories-unit creation from organic activity stream
A method includes receiving sponsor specifications designating story characteristics, monitoring an organic activity stream for entries matching the story characteristics, and, in response to identifying an entry as matching the story characteristics, providing for display the entry in a predetermined area of a web page.
US09058087B2 Smart device and method for controlling the same
A smart device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed herein. Herein, the method includes the steps of operating an application of the smart device, so as to display contents and a contents control interface controlling the contents, wherein the contents control interface may control a display of the contents in accordance with a first input with respect to the content control interface, and wherein a display direction of the contents may be displayed by being automatically or manually rotated, and controlling the display direction of the contents by using a second input with respect to the contents control interface, wherein the playback function of the contents is controlled in accordance with the first input, and wherein a position of the contents control interface may be relocated in accordance with the second input.
US09058076B2 Touch panel
The present invention provides a touch panel used in a display device. The touch panel of the present invention is configured to display images and to receive as well as to process instructions inputted by user's touches. A display substrate partially overlaps with an image driving circuit substrate of the touch panel. A touch sensing circuit is disposed on the inner side of the display substrate. A touch sensing processor is disposed on the inner side of a touch sensing circuit and is also electrically coupled to the touch sensing circuit. Consequently, the thickness of the touch panel as well as the overall thickness of the display device is reduced.
US09058073B2 Electronic device and adjustment method for adjusting setting value
An electronic device that can solve a problem in which fine adjustment for a setting value requires much effort is provided. Display and input control section 102 displays slide bar 107 used to adjust a setting value on display screen 106 and detects a touch position at which a touch operation has been performed on display screen 106. Control section 104 detects a first operation that is a drag operation performed in a horizontal direction of slide bar 107 based on the touch position detected by display and input control section 102 and a second operation that is performed for slide bar 107, the second operation being different from said first operation. Slide bar control section 105 changes the setting value based on a horizontal moving distance that is a moving distance of the touch position of said first operation and base on contents of said second operation.
US09058063B2 Tracking system calibration using object position and orientation
To calibrate a tracking system, a computing device receives positional data of a tracked object from an optical sensor as the object is pointed approximately toward the optical sensor. The computing device computes a first angle of the object with respect to an optical axis of the optical sensor using the received positional data. The computing device receives inertial data corresponding to the object, wherein a second angle of the object with respect to a plane normal to gravity can be computed from the inertial data. The computing device determines a pitch of the optical sensor using the first angle and the second angle.
US09058057B2 Information processor, information processing method and program
Disclosed herein is an information processor including, a storage section configured to store data representing the appearance features of a target device and data of an operation image used for operation of the target device, an acquisition section configured to acquire an image captured by a camera, a recognition section configured to recognize an object included in the image based on the feature quantity data stored in the storage section, and a display control section configured to display the operation image based on the data of the operation image stored in the storage section if the object included in the image is recognized by the recognition section as the target device.
US09058056B2 System and method of dynamically generating a frequency pattern to realize the sense of touch in a computing device
Systems and methods for providing tactile feedback. A method for providing tactile feedback, comprises extracting a plurality of features from a visual representation of a physical object, wherein the extracting is performed using at least one image processing technique, generating a variable frequency pattern corresponding to the extracted features, sending the variable frequency pattern to a computing device, and generating the tactile feedback via the computing device in response to a stimulation applied by a user, wherein the tactile feedback is based on the variable frequency pattern.
US09058045B2 Current generator, notably for current of the order of nano-amperes, and voltage regulator using such a generator
An ultra-low current generator and a voltage regulator using such a generator. The generator includes a first set of Q transistors connected as a current mirror and able to be linked to a supply voltage; a second set of Q-1 transistors connected as a current mirror and each connected in series to one of the transistors in the first set of transistors; a first transistor connected in series with a transistor in the second set of transistors; and a second transistor, connected as a current mirror with the first transistor, and connected in series with a transistor included in the first set of transistors. The first transistor operates in its linear zone, a value of a current generated by the current generator depends on an equivalent resistance of the first transistor, and the first and second transistors have ultra-long channels, with a very large length/width ratio.
US09058040B2 Automatic pilot pitch angle compensation
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are present for operating an aircraft. Responsive to a command to hold an altitude of the aircraft, an adjustment to a pitch angle of the aircraft needed to substantially maintain the altitude of the aircraft is identified using a lift for the aircraft to form an identified adjustment to the pitch angle to reduce altitude deviations from at least one of a change in configuration of a number of flight surfaces and changes in wind. The pitch angle of the aircraft is adjusted using the identified adjustment during flight.
US09058037B2 Return of appliance state after demand response event
In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of controlling an appliance is provided comprising establishing settings on an appliance related to threshold variables, wherein the settings include the threshold variables for determining a reaction of the appliance in response to reaching one or more of the threshold variables. The method further comprises sending a signal from an associated utility to the appliance, wherein the appliance includes a controller in signal communication with the associated utility. The controller receives and processes a signal from the associated utility, and converts and compares the signal to the threshold variables. The method still further comprises changing the operating of the appliance from a first state of operation to a second state of operation, wherein in the second state of operation one or more power consuming functions of the appliance are based on the comparison of the signal to the threshold variables and, returning the appliance to the first state of operation.
US09058036B1 Vehicle capability monitoring and adaptation system and method therefor
A system for monitoring a vehicle having systems, components, and sensors has a nominal controller and an adaptive controller. A vehicle health function module is coupled to an output of the adaptive controller and generates a vehicle health output signal indicating a prognosis of at least one of the systems or components degradation of the vehicle.
US09058025B2 Standalone biometric authorization control device and method
A standalone biometric authorization control device (10) comprises an input device (110) configured to receive a time sensitive authorization code comprising encrypted information about an authorization time schedule. Connected to the input device (110) is a control unit (120), configured to extract the authorization time schedule from the time sensitive authorization code, and to compare the extracted authorization time schedule with the current date and time. Connected to and controlled by the control unit (120) is a biometric sensor (130), which is configured to obtain biometric data from a user. The control unit (120) is further configured to register the biometric data obtained from the user into the current standalone biometric authorization control device (10) if the current date and time is within a time interval when registering of biometric data is allowed according to the extracted authorization time schedule.
US09058019B2 Image forming apparatus
The present invention prevents condensation on a pressure roller and excessive temperature rise of a non-paper-passage portion of a fixing unit by switching a blower unit that cools the fixing unit between a blowing mode in which the blower unit sends air to the non-paper-passage portion and an exhausting mode in which a fan of the blower unit is rotated reversely and the air in the fixing unit is exhausted out of the apparatus.
US09058018B2 Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes a first unit provided with an image bearing member and a second unit that is provided with a developer carrying member for carrying a developer, with the second unit being connected with the first unit so as to be movable between a contact position in which the developer carrying member is contacted with that image bearing member and a spacing position in which the developer carrying member is spaced from the image bearing member. The second unit includes a recess or opening into which a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly of the apparatus to apply a voltage to the process cartridge when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus and second unit is positioned in the spacing position.
US09058008B2 Image forming apparatus that prevents image defect caused by off-centering of rotating shaft of photosensitive drum
An image forming apparatus that is capable of forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a photosensitive member with high position accuracy even when the shaft of the photosensitive member is off-centered. In the apparatus, exposure devices form electrostatic latent images on respective photosensitive drums, and developing devices develop the electrostatic latent images. An intermediate transfer belt rotates in contact with the photosensitive drums. A rotary encoder detects a rotational speed of a drum shaft of each photosensitive drum. An amount of off-centering of the drum shaft is detected, and a correction coefficient for correcting positional displacement of electrostatic latent images is calculated. A control unit corrects timing of exposure using the calculated correction coefficient, and controls the exposure device to form the image on the photosensitive drum based on the corrected timing of exposure.
US09058006B2 Punching processing apparatus, sheet post-processing apparatus, and image forming apparatus
A punching processing apparatus includes: a punching scrap collection member that is disposed at a position where punching scraps produced after punching a sheet drop; a punching scrap housing unit that is disposed in the punching scrap collection member and movable in a horizontal direction; a registration detection unit that is movable in a width direction of the sheet for detecting a positional deviation amount of the sheet in the width direction when a position of the sheet in the width direction is adjusted so as to meet a punching position, wherein punching scraps accumulated in the punching scrap housing unit are shaken and flattened out by causing the punching scrap housing unit to move in the horizontal direction in coordination with the movement of the registration detection unit.
US09058005B2 Methods, apparatus, and systems for substrate decurler initialization and setup
A decurler system includes a metallic penetrating roll and a conductive elastomeric idler roll that is movable from an open position to a contact position. The penetrating member is connected to an electrical power supply. When the idler roll contacts the penetrating roll, the idler roll conducts electrical power supplied to the penetrating roll. An initialization process includes detecting an electrical current conducted by the idler roll to determine that an idler roll is in a contact position. An idler roll wear is monitored by counting a number of steps that the idler roll is driven before an electrical current is detected at the idler roll.
US09058000B2 Recording material determination device and image forming apparatus
A recording material determination device includes an ultrasonic wave transmission unit configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to a recording material based on a driving signal, an ultrasonic wave receiving unit configured to receive the ultrasonic wave, a light exposure unit configured to expose the recording material to light, a light receiving unit configured to receive light, an amplification unit configured to amplify an ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic wave receiving unit to a first output value, and after the amplification unit amplifies the ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic wave receiving unit to the first output value, a control unit performs control so as to obtain the second output value by the light exposure unit and the light receiving unit during a period of time after the amplification of the ultrasonic wave is stopped and before the next ultrasonic wave comes to be transmittable.
US09057999B2 Image forming apparatus capable of printing at a plurality of speeds
An image forming apparatus (multifunction peripheral) includes an input portion and a job execution portion. The input portion includes an operation portion configured to accept user's setting input and stop of a job, and a communication portion, so as to accept a content confirmation input of a job to be executed. When executing a job for which the content confirmation input is not accepted, the job execution portion executes the job at lower speed for a predetermined number of sheets from first than a job for which the content confirmation input is accepted, and executes the job at the same speed after the predetermined number of sheets as the job for which the content confirmation input is accepted.
US09057997B2 Moving object detecting device, power supply control device, and image processing apparatus
A moving object detecting device includes a detecting device body that includes a detection unit formed in a chassis covering the inside of an apparatus and disposed to correspond to a monitoring window of which at least an aperture area or an aperture size is restricted and which monitors a moving object approaching the apparatus and a circuit board unit controlling a signal output from the detection unit and is disposed so that some optical axes among optical axes having detection surfaces of plural infrared detecting elements included in the detection unit, as focal points passes through the monitoring window and the other optical axes are blocked by the chassis, and an optical member that is formed in an inner wall of the chassis and that deflects the other optical axes of the infrared detection elements to pass through the monitoring window.
US09057995B2 Printing system, job processing method, storage medium, and printing apparatus
A printing system is operable to enable a printing apparatus to continue a printing of a print job by using printing media of a second supply source after using printing media of a first supply source without expending all of printing media of the first supply source. The printing media included in the first supply source are the same size and type as the printing media included in the second supply source.
US09057993B2 Image heating apparatus
An apparatus includes a coil generating magnetic flux, a rotatable heater generating heat by the flux generated from the coil, for heating an image on a recording material, magnetic cores provided outside the heater and arranged in a rotational axis direction of the heater, a first mover moving at least a part of the cores from a first position to a second position spaced from the coils, an adjuster, movable between the cores and the heater, for reducing the flux directed from the cores toward the heater, and a second mover moving, when a first core in a non-sheet-passing area of the recording material is moved to the second position by the first mover and a second core adjacent to the first core in the non-sheet-passing area is disposed at the first position to heat the image, the adjuster to a position corresponding to the second core.
US09057991B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a facing member facing the image carrier via a transfer position; a power supply to output a voltage between a first position on the image carrier side and a second position on the facing member side; a resistance detector to detect electrical resistance between the first position and the second position via the transfer position; and a controller to switch between a first transfer mode in which the power supply outputs a direct current voltage, and a second transfer mode in which the power supply outputs a superimposed voltage. When a toner image on the image carrier is transferred onto a recording medium at the transfer position, the controller selects either the first transfer mode or the second transfer mode. When the resistance detector detects the electrical resistance, the controller selects the first transfer mode.
US09057984B2 Powder container, toner cartridge, drawer tray, and image forming apparatus
A powder container includes: a housing unit that is horizontally elongated, that contains powder, and that has at least part thereof being deformable; and a discharging unit that is attached to one end of the housing unit in a longitudinal direction. The discharging unit includes a discharge opening through which the powder in the housing unit is discharged outside and a rotary shutter that is provided inside the discharge opening and that opens and closes the discharge opening by rotating about a rotating shaft that is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing unit.
US09057982B2 Developer container
A developer container including: a housing including an inner surface that defines a filling port for filling developer; a cap mounted to the housing and sealing the filling port; and an agitating member having a rotary shaft and configured to be rotated about the rotary shaft to agitate the developer in the housing, wherein a first end portion of the rotary shaft is supported by the inner surface of the housing and the cap mounted to the housing.
US09057979B2 Apparatus for and method of forming image
An apparatus for and method of forming images. The apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a charging member configured to electrify a surface of the photosensitive member to a predetermined electric potential, an exposure member configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the electrified surface of the photosensitive member, and a developing member configured to develop a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive member on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing member converts a toner disposed near the photosensitive member into a cloud state using ultrasonic oscillation and adheres the cloud-state toner to the electrostatic latent image due to a bias voltage applied between the developing member and the photosensitive member.
US09057974B2 Image forming apparatus having photosensitive member exposed to plural beams, and control apparatus for light source of image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus capable of suppressing density unevenness of a toner image formed on a photosensitive member. A light amount of a light beam that exposes an end portion of the photosensitive member is made different from a light amount of a light beam that exposes a central portion thereof in order to suppress a density difference between a toner image density at the central portion of the photosensitive member and that at the end portion thereof in a scanning direction of the light beams.
US09057968B2 Positioning apparatus, exposure apparatus and method of manufacturing device
A positioning apparatus for a moving object includes: a driving unit including a stator and a movable element connected to the moving object via a connecting member; a chassis which includes an opening which allows movement of the connecting member upon driving of the movable element, and an exhaust outlet which includes end exhaust outlets arranged at first and second ends of the driving range of the movable element; an exhaust unit which exhausts a gas in the chassis; and a controller which controls the exhaust unit so that an amount of exhaust from the end exhaust outlet arranged at the first end becomes larger when the movable element is driven toward the first end on a side of the first end of the driving range than when the movable element is positioned at the center of the driving range.
US09057964B2 Imaging optics and projection exposure installation for microlithography with an imaging optics
Imaging optics includes a first mirror in the imaging beam path after the object field, a last mirror in the imaging beam path before the image field, and a fourth to last mirror in the imaging beam path before the image field. In an unfolded imaging beam path between the object plane and the image plane, an impingement point of the chief ray on a used region of each of the plurality of mirrors has a mirror spacing from the image plane. The mirror spacing of the first mirror is greater than the mirror spacing of the last mirror. The mirror spacing of the fourth to last mirror is greater than the mirror spacing of the first mirror. Chief rays that emanate from points of the object field that are spaced apart from another have a mutually diverging beam course, giving a negative back focus of the entrance pupil.
US09057956B2 Method and system for design of enhanced edge slope patterns for charged particle beam lithography
A method and system for fracturing or mask data preparation are presented in which overlapping shots are generated to increase dosage in selected portions of a pattern, thus improving the fidelity and/or the critical dimension variation of the transferred pattern. In various embodiments, the improvements may affect the ends of paths or lines, or square or nearly-square patterns. Simulation is used to determine the pattern that will be produced on the surface.
US09057939B2 Light source structure of projector
A light source structure of a projector includes at least a solid state lighting element, at least an optical collimator lens, a condenser lens, and a light dispersing apparatus. The solid state lighting element generates a plurality of radial beams, which are incident, to the optical collimator lens. The optical collimator lens converts the radial beams into a plurality of parallel beams which strike the condenser lens. The parallel beams are concentrated and focused by the condenser lens into a projecting beam. The light dispersing apparatus is positioned on at a focal point of the condenser lens and receives the projecting beam to scatter the projecting beam uniformly.
US09057934B2 Mounting bracket
According to the present invention, there is provided a bracket for a camera device. The camera device comprises a wall mount, an arm extending from the wall mount, an adjustable camera mount supported by the arm, and a locking element for locking of the camera mount in an adjusted position. The camera mount is being adjustable by tilting and panning by means of a pivot arrangement comprising a socket provided in the arm, a first member seated in the socket, a second member enclosed by the first member, wherein the second member is formed integral with said camera mount, wherein the socket and first member form a pan joint rotatable about a pan axis, and wherein the first member and the second member form a tilt joint rotatable about a tilt axis.
US09057930B2 Method and device for optical parametric chirped pulse amplification
An optical parametric amplification device and method. The method includes providing a pump pulse having a pump pulse duration, providing a chirped seed pulse having a seed pulse duration, sequentially passing the pump and seed pulses through amplification stages, wherein the pump and seed pulses are coupled into the amplification stages with varying mutual temporal overlap and the seed pulse is amplified at each amplification stage, an amplified signal pulse is provided by the seed pulse after amplification in a last amplification stage, the seed pulse duration is longer than the pump pulse duration, the mutual temporal overlap of the pump and seed pulses is varied with different temporal ranges of the seed pulse amplified at each amplification stage. Compared with the seed pulse, the signal pulse has an increased energy in the spectral regions determined by the temporal overlap of the seed pulse with the pump pulse.
US09057929B2 Quinolinium single crystals for use in nonlinear optics
The present invention relates to quinolinium-derived single crystals for use in nonlinear optics, which exhibit high molecular orientation and macroscopic optical nonlinearity. When the quinolinium-derived crystals according to the present invention are applied to THz wave light sources, higher THz wave generating efficiency may be obtained as compared with inorganic crystals or existing organic crystals.
US09057912B2 Backlight unit for display device
The present disclosure relates to a backlight unit for flat panel display device. The backlight unit according to the present disclosure comprises: a plurality of light sources; a cover bottom housing the plurality of light source; a PCB attached at outer surface of the cover bottom; an LED installed at back side of the PCB; and an LED hole formed at the cover bottom and introducing a light from the LED to the light sources. Supplying photoelectrons to all fluorescent light sources of the direct type backlight unit with an LED, the fluorescent light sources have an enhanced initial lighting property and can be turned on quickly without a time delay.
US09057901B2 Plastic frame, backlight module and liquid crystal display device
The present invention discloses a plastic frame, a backlight module and a liquid crystal display device. The plastic frame comprising a support portion for supporting the liquid crystal panel, and having a first side surface disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal panel and provided with multiple first concave structures; and a second side surface disposed away from the liquid crystal panel and opposite to the first side surface. Through the above way, the present invention can reduce the heat transmitted to the liquid crystal panel and reduce the risk of display problem of the liquid crystal panel produced by over temperature so as to improve the display quality of the liquid crystal display device.
US09057897B2 Liquid crystal display devices and methods of manufacturing liquid crystal display devices
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a first electrode on the first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a second electrode on the second substrate facing the first electrode, and a liquid crystal structure between the first electrode and the second electrode. The liquid crystal structure includes a polymer network and liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal display device operates in a transmissive mode when an electric field is not generated between the first and the second electrodes, and operates in a scattering mode when the electric field is generated between the first and the second electrodes.
US09057888B2 Fabric sunshade
A fabric sunshade can be used alone or may be assembled with glasses having temples. The sunshade has a first edge, an opposed second edge, and third and fourth edges that each extend between the first edge and the second edge. An opening in the sunshade is disposed nearer to the first edge than the second edge. The sunshade is symmetrical about an axis that extends from the first edge to the second edge and passes through the opening. In close proximity to each of the third and fourth edges the sunshade is provided with a fastening system that may be used to fasten a first portion of the sunshade to a second portion of the sunshade when the sunshade is folded over on itself either in a direction perpendicular to the axis of symmetry or in a direction parallel to the axis of symmetry.
US09057884B2 Reading glasses attachable to a keyboard
Reading glasses may be stored on a key of a keyboard. The reading glasses may also be kept inside a laptop computer when the laptop computer is open or closed without causing consequential damage to the reading glasses or laptop components.
US09057883B2 Image shake correcting device, lens barrel, optical apparatus, and image pickup apparatus
An image shake correcting device includes a movable unit for holding a correction lens, a rotation preventing plate that rotatably supports the movable unit about a first rotation axis orthogonal to the optical axis, and a fixed base plate that rotatably supports the rotation preventing plate about a second rotation axis orthogonal to the optical axis. The first rotation axis and the second rotation axis intersect at point O on the optical axis of the correction lens. An urging spring urges in a direction where both the movable unit and the fixed base plate are brought closer to each other. A first rolling ball is located on a first hypothetical spherical surface formed between the movable unit and the rotation preventing plate, and a second rolling ball is located on a second hypothetical spherical surface formed between the rotation preventing plate and the fixed base plate.
US09057869B2 Positive-lead type zoom lens and image pickup apparatus equipped with the same
A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having positive refractive power, a second lens unit having negative refractive power, and a third lens unit having positive refractive power, wherein at least the first to third lens units move during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, and a focal length f2 of the second lens unit, a focal length ft of the entire zoom lens at the telephoto end, and a refractive index Nd2n of a lens having negative refractive power closest to the object side included in the second lens unit are appropriately set.
US09057860B2 Fiber optic enclosure with external cable spool
A fiber optic telecommunications device includes an enclosure defining an interior. A first fiber optic adapter is provided at the enclosure. A spool is provided at an exterior of the enclosure. A fiber optic cable, which includes a first optical fiber, is wrapped around the spool. A first fiber optic connector is mounted at a first end of the first optical fiber. The first end of the first optical fiber is positioned within the interior of the enclosure. The first fiber optic connector is inserted within the first fiber optic adapter. The enclosure and the spool are configured to rotate in unison about a common axis when the fiber optic cable is unwound from the spool.
US09057852B2 Optical receptacle and optical module including the same
An optical receptacle disposed between a photoelectric conversion device and an optical fiber includes a light separating section for separating incident light into monitor light and fiber coupled light, which section includes a segmented reflective surface and a segmented transmitting surface. The reflective surface for reflecting light as monitor light is disposed in a segmented manner with spaces in a segmentation direction. The transmitting surface is disposed in a segmented manner in areas where the reflective surface is not disposed, so as to transmit a portion of light other than the reflected light in a direction directly oppose to the direction of the reflected light and to advance the other portion of light towards the side of an end face of the optical fiber.
US09057851B2 Optical coupling element and optical fiber connector using same
An optical coupling element includes a first side surface and an upper surface. The upper surface defines a first cavity and a tapering hole which permits the insertion and precise fixing in place with adhesive of an optical fiber, without any gap or play in the attachment which would allow misalignment between the optical fiber and a light coupling lens.
US09057849B2 Optical fiber connector and an assembly method for the same
The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector whereby an operator can easily couple optical fibers on site, and to an assembly method for the same. More specifically the invention relates to: an optical fiber connector wherein a guide ferrule bush is provided between a ferrule and a coil spring so as to be able to solve a problem whereby a ferrule optical fiber between a ferrule body and a reinforcing sleeve is bent, and a problem whereby contact between the ferrule body and the ferrule optical fiber is broken due to frequent movement, when the ferrule moves within a range of movement provided for by a resilient member due to the resilient member; and to an assembly method for the same.
US09057844B2 Grating edge coupler and method of forming same
An apparatus for optical coupling comprises a substrate, a first waveguide formed on the substrate and includes a grating structure directing light in a first direction, and a second waveguide formed on the first waveguide and including an angled portion directing the light in a second direction different from the first direction.
US09057842B2 Polarizing plate, method of manufacturing the same and liquid crystal display employing the same
Disclosed are a polarizing plate manufacturable by a manufacturing method safe in work and less imposing a burden on the environment using protective films excellent in adhesion with the polarizer and a method for manufacturing the same. A liquid crystal display device using the polarizing plate and having both a large viewing angle and a high visibility (high contrast and so forth) is also disclosed. The polarizing plate made by holding both surfaces of the polarizer held with protective films is characterized in that at least one protective film is a protective film hydrophilized by either a plasma treatment or a corona treatment and that the surface energy of the protective films before the hydrophilization and the surface energy of the protective films after the hydrophilization satisfy a predetermined relational expression.
US09057839B2 Method of using an optical device for wavelength locking
A method of using an optical device. The method comprises splitting a light beam into a first beam that passes through a first arm of a waveguide, and, into a second beam that passes through a second arm of the waveguide. The method also comprises passing at least one of the first beam or second beam through one or more optical resonators that are optically coupled to at least one of the first or second arms. The method also comprises determining a difference in the light-transmittance of the first beam exiting the first arm and the light-transmittance of the second beam exiting the second arm, and, adjusting the operating wavelength if the difference in transmittance exceeds a predefined value.