Document Document Title
US09066461B2 Base member, manufacturing method for electronic device, and electronic apparatus
A base member includes a mounting area where an electronic component can be mounted and a ring-shaped sealing surface surrounding the area as the area is viewed in a plan view. A sealing member is fixed on the sealing surface. A through-hole portion which is a recess partitioned by a wall surface of the sealing member and which connects the mounting area and an outer peripheral side of the sealing surface as viewed in a plan view is provided on the sealing surface. A manufacturing method for an electronic device using this base member is also provided.
US09066458B2 Fabricating method of circuit board and circuit board
A method of fabricating a circuit board includes the following steps. A first and a second patterned conductive layer are plated on the first and the second surface of a core substrate, respectively. A first and a second extending pad are individually plated on a first and a second pad of the first and the second patterned conductive layer, respectively. A first and a second thermal-curing type dielectric layer are individually formed on the first and the second surface to cover the first and the second patterned conductive layer and the first and the second extending pad, respectively. A portion of the first and the second thermal-curing type dielectric layer respectively covering the top of the first and the second extending pad are removed. A protective film covers the second extending pad. The extending pad is removed by an etching process.
US09066456B2 Lens device attachment to printed circuit board
An optical assembly can be formed by providing a frame made of a plastic material on a surface of a printed circuit board (PCB), mounting at least one opto-electronic element on the surface of the PCB within the frame, and laser-welding a lens device onto the frame.
US09066454B2 Inverter with enclosure
The invention relates to an inverter with an enclosure that includes a removable hand plug which, when inserted inside the enclosure, shares an electrical connection with the inverter. The hand plug includes a fan configured to cool at least a portion of the inverter enclosure.
US09066442B2 Stand for electronic apparatus
A stand for an electronic apparatus is provided, which is configured to support a rear surface of the electronic apparatus at different inclining heights. The stand includes a base section composed of a plate member having a first edge and a second edge, and the plate member is configured to rotationally support the electronic apparatus adjacent to the first edge and defines an area for facing the rear surface of the electronic apparatus. The area defines a plurality of leg sections of different sizes, each including a lock section configured to lock with the rear surface of the electronic apparatus and a support section provided adjacent to the second edge of the plate member to serve as a rotational support for the leg section relative to the plate member. The support sections that serve as rotational supports for the plurality of leg sections share a common rotational axis.
US09066437B2 Electronic module
Electronic module, such as a small footprint pluggable (SFP) connector module, including a housing, an electroconductive cage for shielding the module and a latch for the cage to the housing. The latch includes a separate latch member accommodated between the housing and the cage, and at least one resiliently protruding tip. The cage is provided with an opening for receiving the resiliently protruding tip.
US09066429B2 Control device and vehicle steering system including control device
A circuit board includes control circuit patterns and first drive circuit patterns. A base maintains the circuit board in a state in which the base is opposed to a portion of the circuit board, in which the control circuit patterns are formed, across a space that allows control circuit elements to be mounted at the circuit board. A line module includes second drive circuit patterns electrically connected to the first drive circuit patterns so as to constitute a part of lines of a drive circuit, and is sandwiched between a portion of the circuit board, in which the first drive circuit patterns are formed, and the base.
US09066425B2 Method of manufacturing a patterned transparent conductor
Method of manufacturing patterned conductor is provided, comprising: providing a conductivized substrate, wherein the conductivized substrate comprises a substrate and an electrically conductive layer; providing an electrically conductive layer etchant; providing a spinning material; providing a masking fiber solvent; forming a plurality of masking fibers and depositing the plurality of masking fibers onto the electrically conductive layer; exposing the electrically conductive layer to the electrically conductive layer etchant, wherein the electrically conductive layer that is uncovered by the plurality of masking fibers is removed from the substrate, leaving an interconnected conductive network on the substrate covered by the plurality of masking fibers; and, exposing the plurality of masking fibers to the masking fiber solvent, wherein the plurality of masking fibers are removed to uncover the interconnected conductive network on the substrate.
US09066418B2 Housing for a portable electronic device
A housing for a portable electronic device including a first transparent curved portion configured to curve from a front face of the housing to a first side face of the housing; a second transparent curved portion configured to curve from the front face of the housing to a second side face of the housing; a third transparent curved portion configured to curve from a rear face of the housing to the first side face of the housing; and a fourth transparent curved portion configured to curve from the rear face of the housing to the second side face of the housing.
US09066404B2 Systems and methods for developing and distributing illumination data files
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for creating, distributing and playing illumination data files. The illumination data files, created using luminaire development systems are uploaded to a luminaire management system, where they are further processed and packaged for sale or license within a luminaire marketplace. Consumers and enterprises using luminaires may establish accounts with the luminaire management system and marketplace to access illumination data files for playback on individual or multiple luminaires. Consumers and enterprises may also create play lists and uniquely configure the luminaires to display various lighting effects based on user preferences, environmental factors or energy efficient settings.
US09066403B2 LED lamp with half wave dimming
An LED lamp assembly includes a power supply configured to receive an input power signal and provide a DC lamp current, a dimming controller coupled to the power supply and configured to adjust the DC lamp current, and an LED lamp coupled to the DC lamp current. The dimming controller is configured to determine if full brightness or dimmed brightness is required based at least in part on the input power signal. The DC lamp current is maintained at a first level when full brightness is required and at a second level when dimmed brightness is required.
US09066398B2 Method for reducing standby power consumption
The present invention provides a method for reducing standby power consumption, which includes providing an LED driving chip; connecting an integrator to a brightness control terminal of the driving chip, connecting the integrator to a comparator, connecting the comparator to a field-effect transistor, connecting the field-effect transistor to the driving chip; connecting the driving chip to a first power source, connecting a high voltage switch terminal of the driving chip via a resistor to a second power source, connecting the brightness control terminal and the integrator to a control source, and connecting the integrator to a reference voltage; and conducting the first and second power sources, the control source, and the reference voltage to allow the integrator and the comparator to pull down voltage of the high voltage switch terminal of the driving chip according to the conduction of the field-effect transistor by a signal of the brightness control terminal.
US09066394B2 Method and apparatus providing deep dimming of solid state lighting systems
Disclosed are devices and related methods for optimally extending the range of light output of solid-state light sources, particularly at minimum light levels, through a power converter that includes a phase detector, a processing unit and a switch. The phase detector is configured to receive a voltage signal and to detect rising edges of waveforms of the voltage signal. The processing unit is configured to initiate a predetermined shutdown period in response to each detected rising edge. The switch is configured to provide a control signal that deactivates the power converter during the shutdown period, preventing the power converter from providing power to the solid state light unit during the shutdown period.
US09066393B2 Wireless power inverter for lighting
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for systems and methods that employ a control component and/or power source integrated in an LED based light source to control and/or power the LED light source wirelessly. In embodiments, the LED based light source may take the form of a standard light bulb that plugs into a standard lighting socket or fixture.
US09066390B2 LED driving apparatus having holding current circuit and operating method thereof
A LED driving apparatus having a holding current circuit and an operating method thereof are disclosed. The holding current circuit includes an input terminal, a holding resistor, a regulator, a first resistor, a second resistor, a setup resistor, a control unit, and a transistor. The holding resistor and the regulator, the first resistor and the second resistor, and the transistor and the setup resistor are coupled between the input terminal and ground terminal respectively. The control unit is coupled to the transistor, between the holding resistor and the regulator, and between the first resistor and the second resistor respectively. The control unit receives a first voltage between the holding resistor and the regulator and a second voltage between the first resistor and the second resistor and outputs a control signal to selectively control the transistor off.
US09066386B2 Organic light emitting display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display apparatus includes a first substrate, an organic light emitting element, a second substrate and a sealing complex. The first substrate includes a display region and at least one peripheral region. The at least one peripheral region surrounds the display region. The organic light emitting element is disposed in the display region. The second substrate corresponds to the first substrate. The sealing complex includes a first seal and a second seal. The first seal is disposed between the at least one peripheral region of the first substrate and the second substrate. The first seal surrounds the display region. The second seal is spaced apart from the first seal by a hydrophobically treated surface. The second seal surrounds the first seal.
US09066384B2 Light emitting device control circuit device and control method of the control circuit device
The light emitting device control circuit device 100 in accordance with the disclosure includes a power source V1, a transistor TR1, a light emitting unit EU1, switches S1 to S17, constant current sources CC1 to CC17, and a controller 110. A switching voltage Vs1 is supplied from the controller 110 to turn ON or turn OFF the transistor TR intermittently, a pulse voltage is supplied to a pulse voltage supplying line Y1 connected to a drain terminal D of the transistor TR1. The driving signals SP1 to SP17 are sequentially supplied to the switches S1 to S17 to turn ON or turn OFF them (i.e., time division drive). The light emitting devices A1 to A17 are driven sequentially by a pulse current (i.e., time division drive) when a high voltage is supplied to the pulse voltage supplying line Y1 and when the driving signals SP1 to SP17 are turned ON.
US09066382B2 Apparatus and methods for control of a light emitting device using power line communication
A lighting apparatus includes a light emitting device that has an attribute that is adjustable responsive to a control signal carried on a power line from which the light emitting device receives an Alternating Current (AC) power signal.
US09066371B2 Method and apparatus of transmitting a White Space Map information in a wireless local area network system
A method of transmitting a White Space Map information in a wireless local area network system (WLAN) is disclosed. A method of transmitting a white space map information from a first station to a second station in a regulatory domain where a licensed device and an unlicensed device are permitted to operate together in a wireless local area network (WLAN) comprises transmitting, from the first station, one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame and a white space map announcement frame comprising a white space map (WSM) element comprising information for first available channels, which are available for the unlicensed device, to the second station, wherein the WSM element comprises a device type field indicating which device type the list of the fist available channels is for.
US09066362B2 Prioritizing time critical data for transmission during power limited state in DC-HSUPA operation
Techniques for prioritizing time critical data for transmission during a power-limited state in DC-HSUPA operation are described. A user equipment (UE) may be in a power-limited state. The UE may identify non-scheduled, time critical data and scheduled data as available for transmission. The UE may detect that a minimum transport block size is about to be selected for a transmission on a secondary uplink carrier. The UE may prioritize the non-scheduled, time critical data over the scheduled data and transmit the non-scheduled, time critical data on a primary uplink carrier based on the prioritizing. The UE also may transmit the scheduled data during a transmission time interval (TTI) that is different from the TTI during which the non-scheduled, time critical data was transmitted. The non-scheduled, time critical data and the scheduled data may be transmitted using transmit diversity.
US09066358B2 Mobile communication terminal
A mobile communication terminal including multiple receiving antennas demodulates an interfering UE-specific reference signal that might be used in another mobile communication terminal, and analyzes interference parameters specified by the interfering UE-specific reference signal demodulated by the interfering UE-specific reference signal demodulator, the interference parameters being parameters with regard to another beam sent to another mobile communication terminal from an interfering base station. Then, the mobile communication terminal calculates receiving weights so as to suppress influence to the desired beam from other beams, on the basis of desired beam parameters and the interference parameters.
US09066354B2 Synchronizing bearer context
Bearer context maintained by an access terminal is synchronized with a network so that a change in the status of the bearer context may be reflected at the network. For example, if an access terminal determines that a resource previously requested by the access terminal is no longer needed, the access terminal may deactivate the bearer context locally in a case where the access terminal is unable to communicate with the network. In such a case, the access terminal may synchronize its bearer context with the network once the access terminal reestablishes communication with the network. For example, the access terminal may send a message to the network indicating that the access terminal has deactivated the bearer context.
US09066347B2 Base station device and user device
A base station device eNB according to the embodiment is provided with a Capability signal reception unit 202 configured to receive, from a user device UE, a Capability signal that notifies whether there is a capability to simultaneously transmit an uplink signal in an allocated discontinuous frequency band, and the Capability signal is configured to be notified for each operation band.
US09066340B2 Method of detecting physical downlink control channel in long-term evolution system
Disclosed herein is a method of detecting a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a long-term evolution (LTE) system. In this method, one is selected from among possible PDCCH formats for received base station signals, and a signal corresponding to the length of the selected PDCCH format is retrieved. Thereafter, one is selected from among one or more of possible DCI formats that have not been selected yet. Thereafter, decoding is performed using the retrieved signal and the selected DCI format. Finally, a remainder is obtained by dividing the decoded signal by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) pattern, and the remainder is stored as RNTI information, along with the selected DCI and the DCI format.
US09066339B2 Method for receiving system information in a radio access network, performed by a mobile terminal and mobile terminal for receiving system information in a radio access network
A method and transmission apparatus transmit broadcast system information in a mobile communication system. Further, a method and mobile terminal receive the broadcast system information. An improved method for broadcasting broadcast system information maps different partitions of broadcast system information to a shared transport channel or a broadcast transport channel for transmission. The mapping may take into account parameters inherent to the mobile terminals to which the broadcast system information is to be transmitted and/or parameters inherent to the different partitions of broadcast system information.
US09066335B2 Mobile terminal and control channel receiving method
A base station can prevent deterioration of data channel application control accuracy due to influence of transmission power control to a control channel. In the base station, each encoding sect ion performs encoding processing to an SCCH (Shared Control Channel) of each mobile station, each modulating section performs modulation processing to the encoded SCCH, an arranging section arranges the SCCH to each mobile station to one of a plurality of subcarriers which configure an OFDM symbol, and transmission power control section controls transmission power of the SCCH based on reception quality information reported from each mobile station. The arranging section arranges a plurality of the SCCH to be under transmission power control to one of the subcarriers so that combinations at resource blocks are the same.
US09066332B2 Method, device and terminal for indicating multi-port frequency domain resource location allocation information
The disclosure provides a method, device and terminal for indicating multi-port frequency domain resource location allocation information, wherein the method includes: determining the number of total bits of multi-port frequency domain resource location allocation information according to a system bandwidth; determining the number of bits of uplink frequency domain resource location allocation information according to the system bandwidth; and placing the bits of the uplink frequency domain resource location allocation information in alignment with an LBS bit of the total bits of the multi-port frequency domain resource location allocation information or an MBS bit of the total bits of the multi-port frequency domain resource location allocation information. By means of the disclosure, the problem that the number of total bits of multi-port frequency domain resource location allocation information is insufficient to indicate a single cluster of uplink resource location allocation information under some system bandwidths during uplink transmission can be avoided.
US09066329B2 Communication system
The present invention has an object to provide a communication system capable of appropriately providing services while improving a data rate using carrier aggregation. In Step ST1408, of a cell1 and a cell2 of a base station A, RRC connection is established between the cell1 and a UE, and the cell1 becomes a primary cell (PCell). Then, in Step ST1418, the cell1 determines to configure the cell2 as a secondary cell (SCell) to be aggregated with the own cell. Then, the cell1 notifies the UE of the above in Step ST1419. Upon this notification, the operation of restricting access to the cell2 from the UE is stopped by an MME, and thereafter, communication between the UE and the cell2 is started in Step ST1422.
US09066327B2 Low energy wireless proximity pairing
A method of pairing devices includes causing a Bluetooth-enabled host device and a Bluetooth-enabled peripheral device to be located proximate to each other, the Bluetooth-enabled host device comprising at least a processor, a memory and an antenna, in the Bluetooth-enabled host device, detecting advertising packets broadcast by the Bluetooth-enabled peripheral device on one or more of a plurality of advertising channels, saving a numeric indicator of each of multiple detected advertising packets, determining an average numeric indicator from the saved numeric indicators of each of the separately detected advertising packets, if the average numeric indicator exceeds a proximity threshold, determining whether a set of conditions are met, and initiating a Bluetooth device pairing sequence between the Bluetooth-enabled host device and the Bluetooth-enabled peripheral device if the set of conditions are met.
US09066326B2 Automatic user notification, with quick response (QR) code generation following failed NFC device pairing
A first user equipment (UE) includes a display, at least two communication mechanisms that respectively supports a first and a second communication mode, and a processor communicatively coupled to the display and the communication mechanisms. The first UE further includes a failed pairing notification (FPN) utility that configures the first UE to: initiate communication with a second UE via a first communication mode; and in response to a trigger condition indicating that the first communication mode is not supported at either the first UE or the second UE, generate a notification alerting a user of the first UE that (1) a different communication mode is required for the first UE to communicate with the second UE and (2) an authorization QR code is required to be exchanged between the first UE and the second UE as an authentication mechanism before the communication can be established via the different communication mode.
US09066325B2 Methods and apparatus for controlling quality of service parameters in a radio network
A method, apparatus, and computer program for controlling device-to-device connections and associated quality-of-service parameters are presented. The quality-of-service parameters of an end-to-end connection through a plurality of different radio access networks are aligned in connection with changing a communication mode to a direct device-to-device connection.
US09066321B1 Proxy-based establishment of a communication session
A technique for proxy-based establishment of a communication session between a communication terminal and a network node device. In one example technique, a rapid-access message is received at a proxy device located in proximity to a network node device. The rapid-access message is received from a communication terminal. In response to the rapid-access message, the proxy device exchanges a plurality of messages with the network node device to perform a plurality of session establishing phases such that the proxy device establishes the communication session with the network node device on behalf of the communication terminal. The proxy device then transmits at least one confirmation message to the communication terminal to notify the communication terminal of the establishment of the communication session between the communication terminal and the network node device.
US09066318B2 Techniques for enabling compatibility of ultra wideband devices
A method (200) for enabling compatibility of wireless devices having different regulation settings. The method includes upon initialization of a wireless device, scanning a predefined common channel (S220); forming a WiNet service set (WSS) by wireless devices communicating over the predefined common channel (S230); upon switching of the wireless devices in the WSS to a channel other than the predefined common channel, checking if a new wireless device attempts to join the WSS (S240, S250); and adding the new wireless device to the WSS if such attempt was detected (S290).
US09066315B2 Information processing apparatus, communication system, and information processing method
An information processing apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive designation information corresponding to a user operation for designating an area for which an index indicating a degree of human congestion is to be displayed and a controller configured to perform control to provide a degree of communication traffic in the area as the index for the area.
US09066312B2 Mobile communication devices and location registration methods
A mobile communication device with a wireless module and a controller module is provided. The wireless module performs wireless transceiving to and from a first service network. The controller module transmits a location update request message to a first cellular station of the first service network via the wireless module, and receives a location update rejection message, which comprises a rejection cause indicating a network related failure, from the first cellular station via the wireless module. Also, the controller module transmits another location update request message to a second cellular station of the first service network via the wireless module in response to the location update rejection message. Particularly, the first cellular station and the second cellular station belong to a first location area and a second location area, respectively.
US09066307B2 Method and device for transmitting uplink transmission power control information
A method and an apparatus for transmitting uplink transmission power control information are disclosed. The method includes: transmitting uplink transmission power control information of all uplink component carriers allocated to a user equipment (UE) to the UE by one downlink component carrier. By adopting the above technical scheme, it is implemented that the uplink transmission power control information is transmitted in a carrier aggregation system.
US09066305B2 Mobile communication device capable of controlling ouput power and method thereof
A mobile communication device and a method thereof. The mobile communication device includes a processor, a transceiver circuit, an amplifier circuit, and a control logic circuit. The processor generates a baseband signal and a gain control signal. The transceiver circuit converts the baseband signal to an analog form, and amplifies the converted baseband signal to output a first transmission signal. The amplifier circuit amplifies the first transmission signal to output a second transmission signal. The control logic circuit controls the transceiver circuit and the amplifier circuit based on the gain control signal to generate the second transmission signal. The transceiver circuit adopts one of a first plurality of power gain levels at an increasing sequence when the amplifier circuit adopts a lowest level of a second plurality of power gain levels.
US09066300B2 Dynamic power class re-registration of mobile devices
Dynamic power class re-registration of wireless devices is provided. A wireless device can exchange data with a communications network. While exchanging data, the device can monitor its usage and based on the usage, generate a power change request. The device can then send the power change request to the communications network, prior to or in conjunction with powering down the device. In this regard, the communications network can receive the power change request, generate instructions for the wireless device, and adjust network resources based on the power change request. The instructions can then be sent to the wireless device. Since the device re-registers its power class with the communications network, handoffs, internetwork thresholds, network resources and other network parameters can be adjusted to compensate for the changed power class resulting into improved service for a user of the wireless device.
US09066297B2 Methods and systems for power savings using a message indication header
Techniques for signaling a mobile communications device in a special operating state that data bursts contain messages relevant to the special operating state. The signaling may be implemented using one or more bits in a frame control header (FCH). As a result, the mobile communication device may be decode the FCH first and decode data bursts only if there is an indication the data bursts contain a relevant message. Power savings may be achieved at the mobile communications device by avoiding decoding data bursts with no relevant messages.
US09066296B2 Method for operation in idle mode for M2M communication, and device using same
Provided are an operation method for M2M (machine to machine) communication and a device using same. M2M equipment receives a paging message including a resource offset for indicating an offset for uplink allocation. The M2M equipment transmits a ranging request message using the uplink allocation.
US09066294B2 Real time event-driven automation for energy management in a wireless network
Technologies are described herein for real time event-driven automation of energy management features within a wireless communications network. Resources within a wireless communications network, such as entire base stations or equipment within a base station supporting specific cells, sectors, frequency bands, or services, may be switched on or off in response to events occurring within the communications network. A central controller receives a network interface message corresponding to an event occurring within the communications network. The central controller analyzes the network interface message and, based upon the analysis of the network interface message, generates an action message that includes instructions to take an action on an affected network resource within the communications network. The action message is then transmitted to the appropriate network resource. The action message may cause the affected network resource to implement power management parameters for adjusting the power consumption of the network resource.
US09066287B2 Systems and methods of relay selection and setup
A particular method includes receiving, at an access point, one or more request messages from one or more relay nodes, each of the one or more request messages is a probe request message or an association request message related to a station. The method includes selecting a communication path between the access point and the station based on the one or more request messages and sending a response message indicating the selected communication path.
US09066282B2 Apparatus and method for selecting WPAN based adaptive RF interface
A method and apparatus for selecting a wireless personal area network (WPAN) based adaptive radio frequency (RF) interface. The method includes obtaining RF interface information by establishing a WPAN based network connection with a target RF device; selecting an RF interface from among a plurality of RF interfaces using the obtained RF interface information, based on characteristics of applications and a network load; and establishing the selected RF interface by negotiating about the selected RF interface with the target RF device.
US09066276B2 Controlling radio emission from a mobile terminal in a critical area
Methods and arrangements (400, 600) in network nodes (101, 102, 110) for controlling radio emission from a mobile terminal (102) are provided. The mobile terminal (102) is located in a critical area. The network node sends a location parameter of the critical area, wherein the location parameter indicates a geographical location of the critical area. The first radio network node (101, 110) sends a first set of control parameters to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal determines a geographical location of the mobile terminal and controls radio emission from the mobile terminal based on the first set of control parameters, the location parameter and the geographical location of the mobile terminal. Methods and arrangements (900) in a first radio network node (101, 110) for performing admission control are provided. The first radio network node (101, 110) receives a service request. In another step, the first radio network node (101, 110) denies the service request if an aggregated number of mobile terminals attached to the first radio network node (101, 110) exceeds a predetermined mobile terminal number or total received power at the first radio network node exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US09066275B2 Method and system to improve device pinging
A method and system are provided for determining the network status of a mobile device. A wireless connection between the mobile device and a wireless packet data communication network is established. The mobile device sends a data packet through the network and monitors for a response via the network one or more times within a period or until a response via the network is received. If no response is received via the network, a test message is sent to a dummy server a predetermined number of times within a period or until a response from the dummy server is received. Upon determining that a response from the dummy server has been received, the mobile device deactivates or blocks network access requests originating from the mobile device to the network, unless initiated by a user of the mobile device.
US09066272B2 Method and device for assigning a cell to a wireless communication apparatus, and corresponding apparatus
A method and device for assigning a cell to a wireless communication apparatus, and corresponding apparatus is provided. The method for assigning a cell to a wireless communication apparatus is performed when the wireless communication device leaves a standby mode so as to send a request for access to a desired service belonging to a class of services. The method may include elaborating, for each cell and for each class of service supported by the cell, an index relating to the loading rate of the class of services within the cell. The communication apparatus may then receive the loading rate indices of the cells liable to be assigned to the communication apparatus. The communication device then may select, from among the cells liable to be assigned to the communication apparatus, the cell to which the communication apparatus is assigned, at least, as a function of the loading rate indices.
US09066271B2 Mobile terminal and method of managing and performing data communication using the same
A mobile terminal and a method of managing and performing data communication using the same are provided. The mobile terminal effectively performs data communication over heterogeneous networks at a low cost and effectively manages communication modules connected to the heterogeneous network, and the method performs and manages data communication using the mobile terminal.
US09066263B2 Method and apparatus for coordinating inter-cell interference
Provided are a method and an apparatus for coordinating inter-cell interference. A user equipment receives from a serving cell information on a downlink timing offset between an interfering cell and an interfered cell and a limited resource measurement, and applies the downlink timing offset to perform measurement using a radio resource indicated for the limited resource measurement, thereby allowing the user equipment to be provided services through the radio resource which substantially mitigates interference, and enhancing connectivity with a network.
US09066262B2 Methods and nodes for handling measurements
The embodiments herein relate to a method in a positioning node (1005) for handling measurements in a communications network (1000). The positioning node (1005) acquires information about a set of carrier frequencies. The information comprises information about at least a channel number and a bandwidth for each respective carrier frequencies in the set. The positioning node (1005) selects at least one carrier frequency based on the acquired information. The positioning node (1005) sends information about the selected at least one carrier frequency to a network node (101) or a target node (1003). The information further comprises at least a channel number and a bandwidth for the selected carrier frequency, enabling the first node (1001) to perform measurements for a target node (1003) using the selected carrier frequency.
US09066260B2 System, server and method for calculating data volume of network access
A calculating system is provided, which includes at least one eNB and a core network. The eNB is coupled to two mobile devices. The core network includes two servers. The first mobile device operates as a mobile access point for the second mobile device to access a computer network via the eNB and the core network. The eNB and the core network provide a charging data record (CDR) of access of the computer network of one of the two mobile devices to the second server. The first server provides separation information indicating binding relationship between a network address of the second mobile device and the other one of the two mobile devices. The second server calculates data volumes of the access of the computer network of the two mobile devices separately according to the CDR and the separation information. The second server may further bill the two mobile devices separately.
US09066253B2 System and method for reduced interruption time in mobile communications
A method and mobile communication device that reduce communication interruption time when a base station stops operating are described. The mobile communication device is wirelessly connected to a cell operated by a base station. The method includes determining a fallback cell, obtaining parameters to quickly establish a wireless connection to the fallback cell, determining that the base station is stopping operation, and using the parameters to quickly establish a wireless connection to the fallback cell. Also described are a base station and method for the base station to reduce communication interruption time. The method includes determining that the base station is stopping operation, switching to a backup power source if the base station is stopping operation due to loss of power, and transmitting a message to the mobile communication devices connected to the base station that they should switch to a fallback cell, since the base station is stopping operation.
US09066252B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting baseband signals
A method for transmitting baseband signals is disclosed. The method includes: when downlink traffic volume in an area among areas covered by multiple remote radio frequency units RRUs is lower than a preset threshold, generating or receiving a group of downlink baseband signals, where the group of downlink baseband signals corresponds to all RRUs in the area; and transmitting the group of downlink baseband signals to each RRU in the area, so that each RRU generates downlink radio frequency signals based on the downlink baseband signals and sends the downlink radio frequency signals. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention further disclose a method for transmitting baseband signals and a BBU. With the technical solutions, the bandwidth for transmitting baseband signals is greatly lowered, implementation is easy, and complexity of a system is reduced.
US09066251B2 Global and local optimization of Wi-Fi access points
A method of managing Wi-Fi access points (APs) includes selecting between a global optimization and a local optimization of AP parameters based at least in part on one or more factors. The method includes causing a global optimization to be performed in the event that a global optimization is selected, the global optimization comprising: searching for adjustments to a first set of AP parameters that optimize an overall performance associated with a global region, the global region including a first set of APs. The method includes causing a local optimization to be performed in the event that a local optimization is selected, the local optimization comprising: searching for adjustments to a second set of AP parameters that optimize an overall performance associated with a localized region, the localized region including a second set of APs, wherein the second set of APs comprises a subset of the first set of APs.
US09066250B2 Method and network node in a communications system
The present disclosure relates to a method and a network node 100 in a wireless communications network 1. In particular, it relates to selecting a frequency band for operation for user equipment 9 in the wireless communications network 1. The frequency band to be selected is either a licensed frequency band or an unlicensed frequency band. The network node 100 is a macro base station 5, or a home base station (7, 700), and is adapted to communicate with user equipments 9 in the wireless communications network 1 which comprises both the macro base station 5 and the home base station (7, 700). The home base station (7, 700) is adapted to support operation in both the licensed frequency band and the unlicensed frequency band. The method comprises obtaining radio condition measurements performed on the licensed frequency band and/or on the unlicensed frequency band; selecting the frequency band, based on the obtained radio condition measurements; and updating the home base station of the selected frequency band to be used for communication with one or more of the user equipments.
US09066247B2 Communication devices and methods for signal detection
A communication device is described comprising a receiver configured to receive a receive symbol vector resulting from a transmission of a transmit symbol vector from at least one transmitter to the receiver wherein the transmit symbol vector comprises a plurality of transmit symbols wherein each transmit symbol is associated with a modulation type and a detector configured to determine a detection order for the plurality of transmit symbols based on the modulation types and to determine, for at least one bit of at least one transmit symbol, at least one soft value based on the receive symbol vector according to the detection order.
US09066245B2 Wireless communication apparatus and interference detection method
According to one embodiment, a wireless communication apparatus is provided with first and second determination units. The first unit determines based on a first carrier sense threshold whether busy state or not and specifies a first time when busy state is determined with the first threshold, and determines based on a second carrier sense threshold smaller than the first threshold whether busy state or not and specifies a second time when busy state is determined. The second unit determines, if at least busy state is determined based on the second threshold and the second time precedes a reference time equal to or earlier than the first time, to perform processing for avoiding interference.
US09066244B2 Uplink signal bandwidth characterization from channel state information
Techniques are provided to determine whether or not incident power at a wireless communication device in at least two frequency channels is from the same device. Incident power in frequency channels allocated to a basic service set in a wireless network is received at a plurality of antennas of the wireless communication device. Channel state information is computed for at least two frequency channels allocated to the basic service set. One or more metrics are generated based on the channel state information in the two frequency channels. The one or more metrics are evaluated to characterize an uplink signal bandwidth associated with the two channels to determine whether or not the incident power in the two channels is from the same device.
US09066243B2 Apparatus and method of managing radio bearer in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus of managing a radio bearer is disclosed. A relay node (RN) sets up at least one UuRB for a Uu interface between a user equipment (UE) and the RN and a UnRB for a Un interface between the RN and a base station (BS). The at least one UuRB is mapped to the UnRB according to quality of service (QoS) guaranteed by the at least one UuRB to setup a RB between the UE and the BS.
US09066214B1 System and method for scalable bandwidth allocation in a wireless wide area network
An access point for a wireless wide area network can allocate two or more fundamental channels among wireless devices. In various implementations, the fundamental traffic channels may be for use with incompatible versions of the same air interface protocol (e.g., the 1xRTT and EV-DO versions of code division multiple access (“CDMA)). The access point may additionally have a reserved bandwidth that it can dynamically allocate to wireless devices to supplement the bandwidth allocated to them on the fundamental channels. For example, when sending or receiving large bursts of data, the access point can allocate additional bandwidth to the wireless devices, and after transmission of the large bursts of data, the access point can release the additionally allocated bandwidth.
US09066211B2 Decision support
Decision support information is exchanged over a secure wireless network among mobile computing devices, and also optionally a central command computer. Each of the mobile computing devices has one or more sensors connected and interfaced to it. Output data from the sensor(s) can be sent over the network to one or more other devices on the network. A command for a sensor also can be sent over the network to cause the sensor to take some action such as turning on or turning off. The mobile computing devices on the network automatically share plug-in software components needed by any of the devices to view transmitted sensor output data and/or act on sensor commands.
US09066206B2 System and method for providing dynamic supply positioning for on-demand services
A method for providing on-demand service information is provided. One or more processors determine, for a given geographic region, position information for each of a plurality of requesters for an on-demand service and position information for each of a plurality of service providers that can provide the on-demand service. A plurality of sub-regions is identified for the given geographic region. Based, at least in part, on the position information of the requesters and the service providers, one or more sub-regions are determined as being under-supplied by the plurality of service providers as compared to one or more other sub-regions. Information identifying the under-supplied sub-regions are provided to one or more service provider devices.
US09066199B2 Location-aware mobile device
One or more location-based clients can be activated on a mobile device for providing location-based services. The location-based clients can be provided with information (e.g., presets, defaults) related to the current location and/or mode of the mobile device. The information can be obtained from one or more network resources. In some implementations, a number of location-based clients can run concurrently on the mobile device and share information.
US09066198B2 Integrated contactless signal transfer apparatus
An integrated contactless signal transfer apparatus makes use of the rule of filter design to transfer signal from a chip to the transmission lines of a PCB. The integrated contactless signal transfer apparatus includes a substrate, a chip disposed on the substrate, a first resonator unit disposed on the chip for receiving a first signal with a first frequency generated from the chip, a PCB positioned at a distance opposite to the substrate, and a second resonator unit disposed on the PCB. The first signal passes through the first resonator unit to generate a contactless coupling between the first and second resonator units, so the second resonator unit generates a second signal. The second signal has a second frequency substantially equal to the first frequency.
US09066197B2 Method, apparatus, and computer program product for power save control for tethering connections
Example method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for configuring a mobile wireless hotspot in a wireless network. Example embodiments of the invention include a method comprising: establishing, by a mobile hotspot device, a control channel with a wireless device, using an out-of-band communications connection in an out-of-band communications medium; and exchanging, by the wireless device over the control channel, with the mobile hotspot device, by at least one of transmitting or receiving in-band communications connectivity configuration information to enable power saving features and optimize activity times in an in-band communications tethering connection with the mobile hotspot device in an in-band communications medium, for relaying by the mobile hotspot device, communications between the wireless device and one or more entities in at least one of a wide area communications network and a wireless local area network provided by the mobile hotspot device.
US09066191B2 Apparatus and method for generating filter characteristics
An apparatus for generating filter characteristics for filters connectible to at least three loudspeakers at defined locations with respect to a sound reproduction zone includes an impulse response reverser for time-reversing impulse responses associated to the loudspeakers to obtain time-reversed impulse responses. The apparatus furthermore includes an impulse response modifier for modifying the impulse responses or the time-reversed impulse responses such that impulse response portions occurring before a maximum of a time-reversed impulse response are reduced in amplitude to obtain the filter characteristics for the filters.
US09066188B2 Acoustic transmission method and listening device
A listening device having an ear hook adapted for carrying the device behind the ear of a user and magnetically operated compression parts including a subcutaneous part and a device part is provided, where further a vibrator is provided and adapted to vibrationally energize a skin portion through an output coupler, wherein the hook carries the weight of the listening device and the magnetic compression parts ensures compression between the output coupler and the skin portion.
US09066177B2 Method and arrangement for processing of audio signals
Method and arrangement in an audio handling entity, for damping of dominant frequencies in a time segment of an audio signal. A time segment of an audio signal is obtained, and an estimate of the spectral density or “spectrum” of the time segment is derived. An approximation of the estimate is derived by smoothing the estimate, and a frequency mask is derived by inverting the approximation. An emphasized damping is assigned to the frequency mask in a predefined frequency range, as compared to the damping outside the predefined frequency range. Frequencies comprised in the audio time segment are then damped based on the frequency mask. The method and arrangement involves no multi-band filtering or selection of attack and release times.
US09066162B2 Industrial controller apparatus capable of low error, ultra high-speed serial communication and method for driving same
An industrial controller includes a control unit, a first optical transmission/reception unit, a second optical transmission/reception unit, and a switching unit. The control unit handles a downlink transmission frame depending on whether or not the Protocol Control Information (PCI) of the downlink transmission frame corresponds to an ID of an industrial controller device, and internally generates and outputs an uplink transmission frame. The first optical transmission/reception unit externally sends or receives the uplink or downlink transmission frame. The second optical transmission/reception unit has at least one port, and externally sends or receives the uplink or downlink transmission frame. The switching unit sequentially transfers the downlink and uplink transmission frames, transfers the uplink transmission frame to the first optical transmission/reception unit, and transfers the downlink transmission frame to the second optical transmission/reception unit.
US09066158B2 Adaptive joint source and channel coding scheme for H.264 video multicasting over wireless networks
An invention is described including calculating a real packet loss rate in a time slot at the end of the time slot, estimating average packet loss rate for a subsequent time slot, estimating variance of packet loss rate for the subsequent time slot and estimating the packet loss rate for the subsequent time slot. An invention is also described for dynamically allocating available bandwidth for video multicast including selecting an intra-frame rate, determining a packet loss rate threshold, receiving user topology information, receiving channel conditions for each user, determining an optimal operation point for encoding and transmitting video frames in a subsequent time slot, adapting dynamically quantization parameters and a forward error correction code rate, encoding the video frames using the quantization parameters and applying forward error correction code with the forward error correction code rate to data packets of the video frames to generate forward error correction packets.
US09066156B2 Television receiver enhancement features
One or more of a system, method, apparatus, and computer-program product to enable implementation of one or more features that together or separately enhance Quality of Experience or Quality of Service as a particular user interacts with a television receiver.
US09066149B2 Information processor, information processing method and computer program
Disclosed is a content-view supporting system to recommend to a user a clear result of searched contents, based on a group of similar users' favorite programs, through a user-basis collaborative filtering process. The system selects similar users whose program view history is similar to that of a recommended user, maps the program view history in a collaborative filtering matrix registers, in the collaborative filtering matrix, a virtual user whose program view history includes a group of hit programs obtained based on a search condition served for realizing a predetermined search topic. The system also counts the numbers of reservations or views achieved by each user according to program content based on the program view history, in the collaborative filtering matrix, which counted numbers are set as matching numbers, and outputs a search result representing a recommendation list of the contents arrayed in the descending order of matching number.
US09066137B2 Providing a search service convertible between a search window and an image display window
A method for providing a search service and a display apparatus applying the same are provided. According to the search service providing method, a search window for doing an Internet search is displayed on a partial area of the screen that displays an image. The search window can be converted into an image display window in response to receiving a specific manipulation input by a user, thereby allowing the user to use the search service while converting between the use of the search window and video watching.
US09066132B2 Systems and methods for recording content from a different source when previous content runs over
Systems and methods for recording content from a different source when previous content runs over are provided. A recording of a first media asset from a first content source is scheduled. The first media asset is scheduled for transmission from the first content source at a start time following a scheduled transmission end time of a second media asset from the first content source. Transmission of the second media asset from the first content source is determined to run past the scheduled end time. A determination is made, based on a visual component and/or an audible component of the second media asset, that transmission of the first media asset at the start time from the first content source has been changed to a second content source. The recording of the first media asset is modified to record the first media asset at the start time from the second content source.
US09066129B2 Video presentation device and method
A computing device may include a video input interface and video output interface to allow insertion into a video system. The device may be configured to perform passthrough operation on the incoming video, allowing the incoming signal to appear at the output interface. When overlay video operations are desired, the device may resize the incoming video, generate one or more additional overlays, and generate a modified version of the incoming video signal, where the modified version contains the one or more additional overlays along with (if desired) the original video. The device may have data network connections, and can thereby serve as an easy way, for example, to upgrade an existing video system with network and/or interactive features.
US09066127B2 Method and device for controlling bandwidth of set top boxes in internet protocol television (IPTV) system
A method and an apparatus are disclosed for controlling bandwidth of multiple Set Top Boxes of a single user in an IPTV system. The method includes saving content bandwidth of every media content by the EPG of the IPTV system; when receiving a start-up and log-in request or a request for switching programs of the present Set Top Box operating currently in multiple Set Top Boxes sharing an identical user bandwidth transmitted by the EPG, a Management Platform of the IPTV system sending the remaining user bandwidth corresponding to the present Set Top Box to the EPG; the EPG comparing the remaining user bandwidth with content bandwidth of every media content saved by itself, and generating a program list of media contents whose content bandwidths are less than or equal to the remaining user bandwidth for the present Set Top Box to select and use.
US09066125B2 Secure display
An electronic display is provided for facilitating authentication. The display may integrate one or more of a camera, microphone, fingerprint sensor, card reader, touch screen, and communication interface to collect biometric and other identification information to authenticate a user requesting access to the display. An integrated proximity or motion sensor may be used to track presence of the user. The user may be required to re-authenticate his identity after an absence from the display. The display may be a standalone device or may cooperate with an external computing device. The display may be configured to verify its identity to the external computing device. The display may be configured to perform its own authentication and authorization procedures before presenting content from an external device.
US09066124B2 Video/audio switching in a computing device
Video/audio switching techniques for control of an application running on a computing device. In accordance with an example technique, video and associated audio signals provided from a source for playback at the computing device are processed. It is detected that the application has been placed into the background or a suspend state and the processing of the video signals is terminated without affecting processing of the audio signals.
US09066121B2 Addressable advertising switch by decoupling decoding from service acquisitions
A method and computing device for switching from a first transport stream to a second transport stream. The method detects a trigger in the first transport stream that determines a switch point for tuning to the second transport stream. The method receives a last frame of audio/video content in the first transport stream that immediately precedes the switch point, and initiates a switch to the second transport stream after receiving the last frame. The method processes the last frame through an audio/video decoder simultaneous with the initiating of the switch, and disables the output of the audio/video decoder after the processing of the last frame. The method receives a first frame of audio/video content in the second transport stream, and enables the output of the audio/video decoder after processing the first frame through the audio/video decoder.
US09066118B2 System and method for managing, converting and displaying video content on a video-on-demand platform, including ads used for drill-down navigation and consumer-generated classified ads
A video-on-demand (VOD) content delivery system has a VOD Application Server which manages a database of templates ordered in a hierarchy for presentation of video content elements of different selected types categorized in hierarchical order. The templates include those for higher-order displays which have one or more links to lower-order displays of specific content. The VOD Application Server, in response to viewer request, displays a high-order templatized display, and in response to viewer selection of a link, displays the lower-order display of specific content. The hierarchical templatized displays enable viewers to navigate to an end subject of interest while having a unique visual experience of moving through a series of displays to the end subject of interest.
US09066112B2 Method and printing system for designing code books for super resolution encoding
A method of designing a code book for super resolution encoding. The method includes, for example, via a processor, creating a first group of entries in the code book that includes a plurality of gray font values for encoding data; via the processor, creating a second group of entries in the code book that includes a set of values for each of the gray font values for decoding data; via the processor, creating a third group of entries in the code book that includes a pattern corresponding to each of the plurality of gray font values; and storing the code book in a database in communication with the processor.
US09066104B2 Spatial block merge mode
In one embodiment, a spatial merge mode for a block of video content may be used in merging motion parameters. Spatial merge parameters are considered and do not require utilization of bits or flags or indexing to signal at the encoder or decoder. If the spatial merge mode is determined, the method merges the block of video content with a spatially-located block, where merging shares motion parameters between the spatially-located block and the block of video content.
US09066100B2 Image coding apparatus and image coding method
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image coding apparatus configured to encode moving image data including: a coding unit configured to encode each picture in the moving image data in a unit of a first block; a luminance change detection unit configured to divide the moving image data into a plurality of second blocks and to detect a luminance change block in which a luminance change occurred from the plurality of the second blocks in one picture; and a code amount adjustment unit configured to increase an amount of code allocated to the first block if the first block corresponds to the luminance change block detected by the luminance change detection unit.
US09066096B2 Video encoding method and decoding method, apparatuses therefor, programs therefor, and storage media which store the programs
A video encoding method for generating, based on disparity information between an already-encoded reference camera image and an encoding target camera image corresponding to the reference camera image, a disparity-compensated image by means of inter-camera image prediction; and encoding a differential image between the encoding target camera image and the disparity-compensated image. The method includes selecting, for each predetermined section unit on the differential image, one of a decoded differential image group obtained by decoding a differential image between the already-encoded camera image and the disparity-compensated image and a decoded camera image group obtained by decoding the already-encoded camera image, by determining whether or not there is a disparity-compensated image at the corresponding position, that is, whether or not the corresponding pixel in the disparity-compensated image has an effective value.
US09066094B2 Display device and display method
There is provided a display device that includes a display portion and a drive compensation portion. The display portion line-sequentially displays, in an image display region, a first image based on a first image signal and a second image based on a second image signal, by sequentially switching the first image and the second image at a predetermined interval. The drive compensation portion performs predetermined drive compensation on the first image signal and the second image signal input to the display portion, in accordance with a position of the image display region, a luminance of the first image and a luminance of the second image. The predetermined drive compensation is performed such that an average luminance of the first image or the second image becomes substantially uniform in the image display region during a predetermined period that is shorter than the predetermined interval.
US09066090B2 Stereoscopic image display and method for manufacturing the same
A stereoscopic image display and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The stereoscopic image display comprises: a thin film transistor array substrate; a color filter substrate facing the thin film transistor array substrate, and comprising black matrix; first black stripes formed on the color filter substrate, and formed at positions corresponding to the black matrix; and a patterned retarder film formed on the first black stripes.
US09066088B1 Color measurement and correction of multiple display devices
A system and method for measuring and then correcting the color response from multiple projectors or display devices so that the devices can generate a color response that is uniform. An area light sensor (such as a commodity camera) is used to measure the color responses of each display and then to derive a model of the color transfer function for each display using a pattern of predetermined areas or regions displayed on each display device.
US09066078B2 Display controller and related method of operation
A display controller includes a merger and an alpha blender. The merger is configured to mix a first left frame including first left pixel data and a first right frame including first right pixel data based on a three-dimensional (3D) display format, and further configured and to output a first mixed frame and a second mixed frame. The alpha blender is configured to blend the first mixed frame and the second mixed frame to produce a first blended frame.
US09066075B2 Depth map coding to reduce rendered distortion
Several implementations relate to depth map coding. In one implementation, a depth coding rate, that results from coding one or more portions of a depth map using a particular coding mode, is determined. The depth map can be used to render video for a different view than that of the depth map. A depth map distortion, that results from coding the one or more portions of the depth map using the particular coding mode, is determined. A value of distortion for the rendered video, based on the depth map distortion and on a particular relationship between the depth map distortion and values of distortion for the rendered video, is determined. It is determined whether to use the particular coding mode to code the one or more portions of the depth map, and the determination is based on the value of distortion for the rendered video and the depth coding rate.
US09066071B2 Method and apparatus for providing screen data
The exemplary embodiments relate to providing screen data to a client, through a cloud server, and displaying the screen data in the client. The cloud server may encode the screen data in an encoding method that is independently determined according to attributes of each of a plurality of contents which form the screen data, and the client may decode the received screen data based on the encoding method in the cloud server and may display the decoded screen data. The screen data may be efficiently provided by performing encoding based on attributes of respective contents which form the screen data, compared to a case where only one encoding method is used.
US09066067B2 Method and system of diagnosing a video condition experienced at a customer premises
A test controller can be operable to diagnose a video condition experienced at a customer premises. The test controller can include a port coupled to the customer premises. The test controller can also include a processor operable to activate a diagnosis sequence, send a set of questions to equipment at the customer premises, and isolate a cause of the video condition to a portion of the network, in response to receiving test a video access device can include a first port coupled to particular test equipment and a second port coupled to video access devices. The test controller can be part of a system that includes methods used to diagnose the video condition experienced at the customer premises.
US09066060B2 Method of storing status information about content reproducing device, and method and apparatus for allowing content to be automatically reproduced using the status information
Provided are a method of storing status information in a first content reproducing device, and a method of allowing content to be automatically reproduced in a second content reproducing device based on the status information stored in the first content reproducing device. The method of storing status information includes: monitoring an operation of the first content reproducing device; generating status information about the monitored operation; and storing the status information in the first content reproducing device. The method of allowing content to be automatically reproduced includes: checking if the first and second content reproducing devices are connected to each other; reading a log file recording the status information from the first content reproducing device if the first and second content reproducing devices are connected to each other; interpreting the status information; and selectively performing an operation according to a result of the interpreting.
US09066059B2 Method of and apparatus for maintaining smooth video transition between distinct applications
A method and apparatus for maintaining smooth video transition between distinct applications includes a processor, a secondary memory and a system memory. In providing a smooth transition between applications, the apparatus and method provides synchronization of the video and graphics components while transitioning from a first application to a second application. If there is no video component in either application, no action is needed to provide a smooth transition between applications, and when only the first application includes a video component, the video component need only be turned off for smooth transition between the applications to occur. When both the first application and the second application include video components, smooth transition between the applications is dependent upon the display window size of the first application in comparison to the second application. A process is triggered according to the size of the display windows of the first and second applications.
US09066055B2 Power supply architectures for televisions and other powered devices
A method includes transporting audio/video data using at least one signal line in a cable. The method also includes concurrently transporting at least about 100 W of power for operating an audio/video device using at least one electrical conductor in the cable, the audio/video device coupled to the cable. The cable could include multiple electrical conductors, and the at least one signal line in the cable could include one or more of the electrical conductors in the cable. The data and the power can be transported using at least one common electrical conductor in the cable. The audio/video data could have a data rate of at least about 7 Gbps, and the power could be at least about 200 W of power.
US09066050B2 Methods for transmitting and receiving audiovisual content
Method for transmitting and receiving audiovisual content in “push” environments without a return channel, in which a transmitter composed of at least one transponder transmits, to a set of receivers, each composed of a plurality of tuners, a transport signal comprising at least one audiovisual content channel, adapted to be received and directly reproduced in each receiver by virtue of the transponder which transmits said audiovisual content channel being tuned by each receiver, and a data channel associated with each audiovisual content channel, which comprises at least one audiovisual content, for the subsequent recording thereof in a storage device of each receiver.
US09066047B2 Apparatus, systems, and methods for accessing an interactive program
An embodiment of an interactive program and access trigger system receives a signal having a program, an interactive program, and an access trigger therein; presents the program and the access trigger on a presentation device; receives selection of the access trigger; loads the interactive program in response to selection of the access trigger; continues presentation of the program during the loading of the interactive program; and changes from presentation of the program to presentation of the interactive program in response to completion of the loading of the interactive program.
US09066044B2 Image forming apparatus with increased security for functional prohibitions
An image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes: an output prohibition control unit that performs output prohibition control that prohibits outputting a registered job in a preset time period; a system administrator account information storage unit that stores account information of a system administrator who has an authority of temporal release of the output prohibition control; a temporal release control unit that performs the temporal release according to an instruction of the authenticated system administrator; a log information storage unit that stores temporal release information that identifies the system administrator who performs the instruction of the temporal release; a device administrator account information storage unit that stores the account information of a device administrator who has an authority to access the temporal release information and; a log information outputting unit that outputs the temporal release information only if an instruction is received from the authenticated device administrator.
US09066043B2 Remote controller for setting mode according to state of broadcast receiving apparatus
A remote control apparatus for setting a mode according to a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus is provided. The remote control apparatus sets operation modes based on information regarding a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus received from the broadcast receiving apparatus. The operation mode of the remote control apparatus is automatically set based on information regarding a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus, so less power is consumed in the remote control apparatus.
US09066039B2 Selective booting method and broadcast receiving apparatus using the same
A selective booting method and a broadcast receiving apparatus using the same are provided. The broadcast receiving apparatus including: a broadcast reception unit; a display which displays a broadcast received through the broadcast reception unit; a storage unit which stores a plurality of drivers of hardware provided on the broadcast receiving apparatus; and a controller which selectively loads a first driver, among the stored drivers, of first hardware for executing a first operation selected from among a plurality of operations, and then loads a second driver. Therefore, a user may execute foremost a desired operation.
US09066033B2 Defective pixel data correcting apparatus, image capturing apparatus, and method for correcting defective pixel data
Among defective pixels of an image sensor, defective pixels which need to be corrected are determined depending on the type and defect level for individual defective pixels and on image capturing conditions. Depending on the types of the defective pixels, the correspondences between the image capturing conditions and the defect levels of the defective pixels to be corrected are prepared in advance, thereby carrying out appropriate defective pixel correction in view of the fact that the dependence of the abnormal signal output level on the image capturing conditions differs depending on the type of defective pixel.
US09066030B2 Image sensors with column failure correction circuitry
Electronic devices may include image sensors having image pixel arrays with image pixels arranged in pixel rows and pixel columns. Each pixel column may be coupled to column readout circuitry through column randomizing circuitry. The column readout circuitry may include a column circuit associated with each pixel column and at least one reserve column circuit. The column randomizing circuitry may randomize the distribution of image signals from the pixel columns to the column readout circuitry. The column randomizing circuitry may distribute the randomized image signals from at least one of the pixel columns to a reserve column circuit when any of the column circuits associated with the pixel columns has failed. The column randomizing circuitry may include an output column line for each column circuit and first and second transistors coupled in parallel to each output column line.
US09066029B2 Solid-state image pickup device, image pickup device, and signal reading method
A solid-state image pickup device includes: electrically coupled substrates on which circuit elements constituting a pixel are arranged; a photoelectric conversion element included in the pixel; a reading circuit that reads from the pixel, a signal based on a signal generated by the photoelectric conversion element; and first to n-th circuit sets each including a circuit element that reads a signal by a corresponding one of first to n-th reading modes. n is an integer such that n≧2. The circuit elements arranged on one of the substrates is used to complete operations from generation of the signal by the photoelectric conversion element to reading of the signal by at least one of the first to n-th reading modes. The photoelectric conversion element, the reading circuit, and at least one of the first to n-th circuit sets are arranged on the one of the substrates.
US09066026B2 Electronic unit, communication system and method, information processing terminal and method, and information processing apparatus and method
The present invention relates to electronic units, communication systems and methods, information processing terminals and methods, and information processing apparatuses and methods which allow easy and quick communications. When a link pin 21A is inserted into a VCR 3, the VCR 3 reads the pin ID stored in the RF tag of the link pin 21A, and reports the pin ID and the address to a management server 1. When the management server 1 has already obtained the pin ID of a link pin 21B read by a television receiver 5, the management server 1 determines whether the group ID included in the pin ID reported by the VCR 3 is the same as the group ID included in the pin ID reported by the television receiver 5. When the management server 1 determines that they are the same, the management server 1 connects the VCR 3 to the television receiver 5. The present invention can be applied to various types of information processing apparatuses connected to a network.
US09066024B2 Multi-camera system and method of calibrating the multi-camera system
A multi-camera system and method of calibrating the multi-camera system uses at least one timer to synchronize cameras of the multi-camera system with respect to time. The cameras are used to capture images of the at least one timer. The images are then analyzed to adjust an image-capture timing parameter of at least one of the cameras to time synchronize the cameras.
US09066023B2 Image sensing apparatus, communication apparatus, and control method of these apparatuses
In an image sensing system in which a master camera and a slave camera are communicatably connected, the master camera acquires delay time information of the slave camera, indicative of delay time from the moment of reception of an exposure-start instruction signal to the moment of a start of exposure of the slave camera, and based on the acquired delay time information, controls at least one of the exposure-start timing of the master camera and the transmission timing for transmitting the exposure-start instruction signal to the slave camera.
US09066020B2 Image capture apparatus and method for controlling the same
An image capture apparatus capable of performing appropriate exposure control including determination of whether or not to fire an illuminating device for each frame shot during continuous shooting is provided. If shooting for recording was performed without firing the illuminating device during continuous shooting, a photometric value to be used to determine a control value (shooting parameter) used in subsequent shooting for recording is obtained based on image data obtained in the shooting for recording. On the other hand, if shooting for recording was performed while firing the illuminating device, the photometric value to be used to determine the control value to be used in subsequent shooting for recording is obtained based on image data obtained in shooting without firing the illuminating device that was performed after the shooting for recording and before the subsequent shooting for recording.
US09066019B2 Camera preview via video tag
In one embodiment, a computing device incorporating a camera receives an instruction associated with the camera to display an image generated by the camera in an area within a graphical user interface of an application running on the computing device. The computing device determines a width and a height of the area. The computing device instructs the camera to configure the image, in connection with its generation, for display in the area. And the computing device displays in the area the image as generated and configured by the camera.
US09066015B2 Image capture device, method for generating image, infrared camera system, and interchangeable lens system
An image capturing device for generating images with precise luminance gradation regardless of variability in output levels between pixels. The image capturing device consists of an image shifting means for moving an image position on a light receiving surface, a differential calculating section for calculating the difference between output levels of the same pixels before and after image position movement, a summed level calculating section for sequentially summing the difference in output level for each pixel in pixel lines arrayed in the direction of movement of the image position to calculate the summed level of each pixel, and an image generating section for generating images based on the summed levels of each pixel.
US09066011B2 Image synthesizing apparatus that synthesizes multiple images to obtain moving image, control method therefor, and storage medium
An image synthesizing apparatus which is capable of, when synthesizing moving images, carrying out an image synthesizing process without bringing about increases in processing time and the amount of transfer to memory irrespective of the number of images to be synthesized. A preset number of frames are synthesized to obtain a first synthesized image. When an image of another frame is to be synthesized with the first synthesized image, an image of a predetermined frame used for the synthesis obtaining the first synthesized image is subtracted from the first synthesized image, and the image of the other frame is added to the first synthesized image to generate a synthesized image.
US09066007B2 Camera tap switch
Various embodiments provide a wearable camera that can be worn by a user. The wearable camera includes an accelerometer that can be used to detect camera motion. Input can be provided to the camera in the form of one or more taps which have an associated motion profile, as sensed by the accelerometer. The tap or taps can be mapped to camera functionality to activate the functionality.
US09066002B2 System and method for utilizing enhanced scene detection in a depth estimation procedure
A system for performing an enhanced scene detection procedure including a sensor device for capturing blur images of a photographic target. The blur images each correspond to a scene type that is detected from a first scene type which is typically a pillbox blur scene, and a second scene type which is typically a Gaussian scene type. A scene detector performs an initial scene detection procedure to identify a candidate scene type for the blur images. The scene detector then performs the enhanced scene detection procedure to identify a final scene type for the blur images.
US09066000B2 3D auto-focusing camera module and 3D imaging method using same
A 3D AF camera module includes first and second imaging units, a storage unit, a color separation unit, a main processor unit, an image processing unit, first and second driving units, and an image combining unit. The first and second imaging units each capture an image of a scene from different angles. The color separation unit separates the images into red, green and blue colors. The main processor unit calculates MTF values of the images and determines a shooting mode of the 3D AF camera module. The image processing unit processes the images according to the MTF values to compensate for blurring of the images caused by being out of focus. The first and second driving units drive the first and second imaging units to points of optimum focuses according to MTF values. The image combining unit combines the images into a single 3D image.
US09065997B2 Image signal processing apparatus and method thereof in mobile communications terminal
An image signal processing apparatus and a method thereof which can simplify design of a circuit for controlling each of camera modules when a terminal has two camera modules therein, the image signal processing apparatus includes: first and second camera modules for capturing a subject; a digital signal processor for controlling each operation of the first and second camera modules and processing image signals captured by the first and the second camera modules; and a switch module for supplying control signals inputted through the digital signal processor to the first and second camera modules, and selectively outputting the image signals captured by the first and second camera modules to the digital signal processor.
US09065987B2 Doorbell communication systems and methods
Methods can include using a doorbell to wirelessly communicate with a remotely located computing device. Doorbells can include a speaker, a microphone, a camera, and a button to sound a chime. Some embodiments include using a doorbell to close an electrical circuit that has a sound output device in a way that precludes the sound output device from inappropriately emitting a notification sound.
US09065984B2 System and methods for enhancing the experience of spectators attending a live sporting event
A handheld electronic device for use at a venue hosting a live sporting event, having a receiver for receiving a wireless RF transmission conveying a plurality of video streams derived from video cameras filming the live sporting event, a display and a user interface for selecting a video stream among the plurality of video streams to be displayed on the display. The handheld electronic device is capable to acquire a locked mode of operation and an unlocked mode of operation, in the locked mode of operation the handheld electronic device being precluded from displaying the video streams to a spectator, in the unlocked mode of operation the handheld electronic device being enabled to display the video streams to the spectator, the handheld electronic device capable to acquire the unlocked mode of operation in response to reception of authentication data wirelessly transmitted to the handheld electronic device.
US09065970B2 Method and system for facilitating communication between wireless communication devices
There is provided a method in a first communications device operable to communicate with a second device using a network supporting first and second different communication methods. The method comprises: allowing the first device to communicate with the second device using the first communication method; registering the first device on a service platform of the network; requesting from the service platform a second device status indicator of the ability of the second device to communicate using the second communication method; receiving the second device status indicator from the service platform; and, allowing the first device to communicate with the second device using the second communication method in dependence on the received second device status indicator. The second device status indicator depends on the current network connectivity of the second device. At least one of the first and second devices is a mobile telecommunications device. Corresponding methods in a second communications device and service platform of a network are also provided as are devices adapted to perform the above method steps.
US09065968B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable storage device
An image processing apparatus includes a contour-candidate-edge detecting unit that detects, as contour candidate edges, edges based on a gradient magnitude of each pixel in a target image; a contour-edge detecting unit that detect contour edges by performing thresholding on gradient magnitudes of the contour candidate edges; an interpolation-line generating unit that generates interpolation lines for connecting end points of respective end-point pairs based on gradients of pixel values between the end points while each of the end point pairs is made up of an end point of an identical contour edge as a connection base and an end point of a different contour edge as a connection destination; and a contour-edge interpolating unit that selects one of the interpolation lines based on the gradients of pixel values on the interpolation lines and interpolates a contour edge between the end points with the selected interpolation line.
US09065954B2 Electronic apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an operating section, a sensor section, an oscillating mechanism, and a control section. The operating section receives an operation command from an operator. The sensor section includes a pyroelectric infrared sensor configured to detect the presence of an object based on a change in infrared rays. The oscillating mechanism is configured to cause the sensor section to perform an oscillating movement. The control section is configured to control the oscillating mechanism to start the oscillating movement upon satisfaction of a condition that the operator as the object operates the operating section within a predetermined period of time after the object has been detected by the sensor section.
US09065953B2 Image forming apparatus, method for controlling the image forming apparatus, and program, with mode shifting based on duration required for shifting and amount of information to be stored
An image forming apparatus includes a first volatile storage unit storing information for returning the image forming apparatus to a normal startup state, a second non-volatile storage unit storing the information for returning the image forming apparatus to the normal startup state, and a control unit configured to, if the image forming apparatus being performing normal job processing is shifted to the power-saving mode, switch between a hibernation mode and a quick mode depending on a shift time to the hibernation mode, the hibernation mode in which the control unit causes the second storage unit to store information for performing the normal job processing to shift the image forming apparatus to the power-saving mode, the quick mode in which the control unit causes the first storage unit to store the information for performing the normal job processing to shift the image forming apparatus to the power-saving mode.
US09065951B2 Data processing apparatus, controlling method and data processing system for providing service to terminal device
A data processing apparatus connected to a terminal device and providing a service in response to a request from the terminal device, includes a processable condition storing unit that stores one or more services providable by the data processing apparatus and a position of a terminal device to which provision of the service is permitted in correspondence with each of the services; a receiving unit that receives a service request of requesting provision of a service and positional information of the terminal device sent from the terminal device; and a control unit that controls the data processing apparatus to provide the service requested by the service request when the position indicated by the positional information received by the receiving unit is included in the position that is in correspondence with the service requested by the service request received by the receiving unit in the processable condition storing unit.
US09065945B2 Image reading device
An image reading device includes a conveying unit, an upper support portion, a lower support portion, and a read unit. The upper support portion and the lower support portion are positioned so as to at least partially overlap and be spaced apart from each other vertically. The upper support portion has a first upper support farthest from the conveying unit, a second upper support closer to the conveying unit than the first upper support, and a third upper support closer to the conveying unit than the second upper support. The second upper support is movable between a closed position and an open position, positioned to support a sheet in the closed position and to expose at least a part of the lower support portion in the open position, and having an upper surface in the closed position that lacks a sheet guide.
US09065943B2 Display device, electronic device and image processing apparatus including the display device, and method of displaying information
On a touch-panel display of an image forming apparatus, a function selecting area and a preview area are displayed next to each other. On the function selecting area, a function setting menu is displayed in one display mode among an icon mode in which only a group of icons are displayed, a regular mode in which a group of icons and a group of texts are displayed, and an express mode in which a group of icons, a group of texts and a group of function setting buttons are displayed. In the icon mode, detailed preview information is displayed on a large preview area, and in the express mode, detailed function selecting information is displayed on a large function selecting area.
US09065934B2 System, an apparatus, a client device and a method for providing pricing information
The invention relates to a solution for providing pricing information to a client device. The pricing information is delivered from the operator system to the client device by means of a network connection. The pricing information relates to at least one contact information appearing in the client device. The client device is then configured to display the pricing information relating to the contact information in the client device.
US09065931B2 Systems and methods for portable audio synthesis
A method for remixing a music piece includes providing a music composition graphical user interface on a portable communications device. The music composition graphical user interface displays a plurality of actionable menu items. A first collection of actionable menu items is provided to the graphical user interface from an internal source. A music remixing algorithm incorporates music rules and can remix the music piece in a manner where only one musical component is remixed at a given time. A music remix database is accessible via the graphical user interface. A plurality of music remix data is organized based in part on a music style parameter. A second collection of actionable menu items is provided from the music remix database to the graphical user interface via a communications network. The first and second collection of actionable menu items displayed in a seamless manner.
US09065928B2 Space and time based device customization
Customizing a device based on space and time (e.g., a geographic position of the device at a particular time) is disclosed. In one aspect, geographic position data of a device is obtained. Temporal data that is related to the geographic position data is obtained. An operational mode is selected based on the geographic position data and the temporal data for activation on the device. In some implementations, the operational mode identifies a communication medium.
US09065924B2 System and method for using an external component to conduct wireless communications
A system and method for improved wireless communications at a host device (e.g., a portable computing device, a mobile communications device) having multiple wireless communication abilities (e.g., Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi®). When a component (e.g., a monitor, an Ethernet dongle) having Bluetooth capability is coupled to the host device (e.g., wired or wirelessly), the host device copies its Bluetooth link keys to the component, deactivates its own Bluetooth module and activates (or initiates activation of) the component's. The component's Bluetooth module is operated using a software stack executing on the host device. Thereafter, the component handles Bluetooth operations and the host device communicates with Bluetooth devices via the component. Greater radio isolation is thus provided between antennae used by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
US09065919B2 Mixed media conferencing
Multiple users participate in a conference while taking maximum advantage of hardware and bandwidth capabilities of each participant. Each user's system makes known to a directory service its hardware sending and receiving capabilities. The directory service makes this information available to other users who may then wish to join a conference with the user. An initiating user sends invitations via the directory service to the remote users. Each user that accepts an invitation transmits its network address to the initiating user, who then establishes a peer-to-peer connection with each of the remote users. Each participant system exchanges information about hardware capabilities and bandwidth, and a conference manager determines a best model for connecting each of the participants. Depending on the hardware and bandwidth capabilities of the participants, the manager chooses from a duplicate streams model, a multicast model, and a host-among-peers model for connecting the participants.
US09065918B2 Third party call control utilizing a voice user interface
A method is described herein which enables a person to use their mobile phone to establish a voice connection with a central server, then send call control information in-band in the voice channel (via a voice user interface (VUI), digital tone multi-frequency (DTMF) or Multi-Frequency (MF) signaling) to setup a call between a convenient phone (e.g., land-line phone or mobile phone which has a better tariff structure) and one or more destination phone(s). Once the call is setup, the mobile phone can be hung-up to save on mobile connection costs and then a person can use the convenient phone to talk to a person using the destination phone.
US09065906B2 Opportunistic delivery of cacheable content in a communications network
Systems and methods are described for using opportunistically delayed delivery of content to address sub-optimal bandwidth resource usage in network infrastructures that allow subscribers to share forward link resources. According to some embodiments, content is identified as delayable and assigned to a delaycast queue and/or service flow. For example, a server system of a satellite communications system identifies content that can be delayed to exploit future excess link capacity through multicasting and to exploit subscriber-side storage resources. Some implementations attempt to exploit any excess link resources at any time, while others exploit unused bandwidth only during certain times or when a certain threshold of resources is available. Various embodiments also provide content scoring and/or other prioritization techniques for optimizing exploitation of the delaycast queue.
US09065901B2 Electronic communication devices with integrated microphones
Modern electronic devices are becoming smaller while the need to critically locate acoustic sensors or transducers, e.g., microphones, is increasing in order to provide improved intelligibility in adverse environments. The acoustic transducers can be used in arrays with their outputs processed in beam forming and noise cancellation algorithms. The use and creation of features on the surface of a small package to deal with the problem of achieving high performance solutions in a limited space are disclosed herein. For example, embodiments of electronic communication devices (10) include acoustic transducers (26) integrated with other features such as a volume control (34, 50), an antenna (87, 260, 280), an adapter (300) which can be coupled to an input/output jack (90) and an accessory connector, or a projection (98).
US09065887B2 Method, apparatus, and system for reducing power consumption on xDSL subscriber board
A method for reducing power consumption on an xDSL subscriber board, includes: obtaining a maximum downlink service bandwidth, a downlink signal-to-noise ratio margin in line connection parameters of the user port, and transmission mode information in a line template bound to the user port; determining whether the downlink signal-to-noise ratio margin is larger than a preset value, if yes, reducing a maximum downlink nominal total transmission power; otherwise, configuring the maximum downlink nominal total transmission power as a downlink transmit power in line connection parameters of the current port; calculating a minimum undistorted power supply voltage required by a corresponding line driver of each registered user port under the current configuration of the bound template, comparing minimum undistorted power supply voltage values, to find the largest value; and controlling an output voltage of a power module of a line driver equaling to the largest value.
US09065886B2 System and method for the application of an LMS method to updating an echo canceller in a multicarrier transceiver
An echo cancellation device relies on the known characteristics of the sync frame to monitor, update in an off-line fashion and determine the accuracy of an echo canceller in, for example, a modem, such as an ADSL modem. Specifically, time domain samples are read from the transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) paths of the modem. These samples are stored in memory. When the sync frame has received a predetermined number of the same Tx samples and Rx samples, the samples are stored. Running averages, over the sync frames, of the TX and RX samples are maintained. These averages are subtracted from a sync frame of samples, to allow LMS updating of the echo canceller taps, free of extraneous signals. Updating, i.e., tracking of changes in the echo channel, is done for the echo canceller in an off-line fashion. The coefficients for the in-line version are updated, while the off-line version is updated over several sync frames. Periodically, the performance of the off-line version is compared with the in-line version. The coefficients of the in-line version are replaced by those of the off-line version only if it is determined the off-line version, which is tracking echo channel changes, has better performance. After replacement of the in-line coefficients, the off-line tracking is continued in the off-line version.
US09065885B2 Method and system for detecting slow page load
A method and system for detecting slow page load is provided. An example system comprises a page request detector, a session state information detector, a throughput calculator, a response builder, and a communications module. The page request detector may be configured to receive a request for a web page. The session state information detector may be configured to determine that the request does not include session state information. The throughput calculator may be configured to calculate a throughput value associated with the network connection between the client system and the server. The response builder may be configured to build an updated data packet by including, in the data packet, the throughput value and an instruction to store the throughput value on the client as session state information. The communications module may be configured to communicate the updated data packet to the client system.
US09065881B2 Image relay apparatus and image relay method
According to one embodiment, an image relay apparatus includes a reception unit, a determination unit and a transmission unit. The reception unit receives compressed image data from a relay source apparatus. The determination unit determines whether or not the compressed image data is processable through a first path not involving decompression of the compressed image data, based on data on a relay destination apparatus. The transmission unit transfers, to the relay destination apparatus, either the compressed image data processed through the first path or recompressed image data obtained by processing the compressed image data through a second path involving decompression, drawing, and recompression of the compressed image data.
US09065880B1 Concealment of errors in HTTP adaptive video sets
A system includes a stream controller. The stream controller may be configured to generate a plurality of output streams in response to the plurality of input streams. The stream controller may be further configured to (i) determine when one of the plurality of input streams becomes invalid, (ii) switch generation of an output stream associated with the invalid input stream from the invalid input stream to a valid one of the plurality of input streams, and (iii) when the invalid input stream becomes valid again, switch the generation of the output stream back to the now valid input stream.
US09065879B2 Methods and systems for selecting media content based on technical environment information
The present disclosure includes methods and systems for selecting media content based on technical environment information. A connection over a network between a server and a client is established. The e connection is associated with the technical environment information and the technical environment information is associated with an the ability of the client to playback media content locally. The method includes selecting, at the server, a version of media content appropriate for playback at the client locally based on the ability of the client.
US09065863B1 Determining eligibility of a device to auto-enroll in a domain
A method for determining auto-enrollment eligibility for an electronic device with an enterprise domain is provided. The method includes generating a reverse lookup of the IP address of the host through which an electronic device is requesting initialization in order to determine an associated domain name. The method also includes comparing the associated domain name to a list of enterprise domains and determining if the electronic device is eligible to auto-enroll with the an particular enterprise domain. The method also includes determining if the enterprise domain has an available license for the type of electronic device and sending a request to the electronic device to initiate auto-enrollment. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.
US09065861B2 Method of interacting with social media post using mobile electronic device
A mobile electronic device presents a social network user interface to the device's user. The social network user interface displays posts from other network members who are connected to the device's user in the social network. A social networking application highlights one of the posts on the display. If the device is shaken while the post is highlighted, the application will cause an expression of the first user's positive reaction to the highlighted post to be displayed via the social network so that the first user's positive reaction can be viewed by at least the member who provided the selected post to the social network.
US09065857B2 Managing multiple IP address management systems
Managing multiple IP address management systems is provided. In some embodiments, managing multiple IP address management systems includes providing an IP address management (IPAM) manager system for receiving a configuration command to manage a first IP address management system; receiving a configuration command to manage a second IP address management system; receiving a join request from the first IP address management system; and receiving a join request from the second IP address management system, in which the IP address management manager system is in communication with the first IP address management system and the second IP address management system for managing each of the first IP address management system and the second IP address management system.
US09065856B2 Securing communication over a network using client system authorization and dynamically assigned proxy servers
A method for securing communication over a network is disclosed. A trust broker system receives a request to connect to applications and resources from a client system. The trust broker system determines whether the client system is authorized to connect to the requested applications and resources. In response to determining the client system has authorization to connect to the requested applications and resources, the trust broker system determines, from a plurality of potential proxy servers, a proxy server associated with the requested server system and transmits an identification value for the client system to the requested server system. The trust broker system then transmits the identification value to the client system and transmits contact information for the determined proxy server to the client system, wherein all communication between the client system and the requested server system passes through the proxy server.
US09065850B1 Phishing detection systems and methods
The present disclosure provides phishing heuristic systems and methods that detect phishing sites. The present invention may be implemented via a server connected to the Internet, via a distributed security system, and the like. Phishing sites may be detected in a single transaction, i.e. client request plus server reply, while knowing as little as possible about the site being masqueraded. In an exemplary embodiment, a phishing site detection system and method utilized three steps—whitelisting, blacklisting, and scoring. For example, if a particular page meets all requirements of blacklisting without any elements of whitelisting and has a score over a particular threshold, that particular site may be designated as a phishing page.
US09065843B2 Method, system and article of manufacture for providing connections and connection aliases descriptors by services and libraries archives
A method, system and machine accessible medium for establishing connectivity to a remote computer system by using connectivity objects descriptors provided with services and libraries SDAs. A service or in a library SDA provides a description of how to establish a connectivity object for accessing a remote system. When the SDAs are deployed on an application server, all packed descriptions are stored in a repository. The connectivity is established at server startup in accordance with the descriptions and is accessible for all applications, services and libraries while the server is running.
US09065841B2 Propagation time measurement device and electronic key system
A propagation time measurement device measures a propagation time of a transmission signal from when the transmission signal is transmitted, through wireless communication, from a base station to a terminal to when the transmission signal is returned to the base station from the terminal. Continuous waves having different frequencies are combined to generate the transmission signal. The propagation time measurement device includes a correlation computation unit that generates correlation values by performing a correlation computation on each of the continuous waves and a reception signal that is returned from the terminal and received by the base station. A propagation time measurement unit measures the measurement time from a phase of the correlation value generated for each continuous wave during the correlation computation.
US09065840B2 Determining server write activity levels to use to adjust write cache size
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for determining server write activity levels to use to adjust write cache size. Information on server write activity to the cache is gathered. The gathered information on write activity is processed to determine a server write activity level comprising one of multiple write activity levels indicating a level of write activity. The determined server write activity level is transmitted to a storage server having a write cache, wherein the storage server uses the determined server write activity level to determine whether to adjust a size of the storage server write cache.
US09065834B2 System and method for performing signaling on behalf of a stateless client
A system for, and method for, performing state-based signaling on behalf of a stateless client. In one embodiment, the system includes a controller, couplable to a state-based terminal, that translates at least one stateless signaling message received from the stateless client to at least one state-based signaling message for presentation to the state-based terminal thereby facilitating a media stream communications session between the stateless client and the state-based terminal over an Internet Protocol (IP)-based network.
US09065828B2 System for delegation of authority, access management service system, medium, and method for controlling the system for delegation of authority
In sequential processing including issuance of an approval token from a user to a cooperation source service via an access management service, a system for delegation of authority confirms whether each of the user and the cooperation source service has a sufficient authority to execute a service of a cooperation destination before issuing the approval token.
US09065824B1 Remote authorization of access to account data
An authentication request from a first client device may be received. The authentication request may identify an account. A second client device associated with the account may be determined. An authentication query may be transmitted to the second client device. An authentication response may be received from the second client device. The authentication response may authorize the first client device to access data associated with the account. At least some of the data associated with the account may be transmitted to the first client device.
US09065816B2 Systems and methods of integrating openID with a telecommunications network
A solution is described which allows mobile devices to specify that certain sites are allowed to be logged into based on the device credentials alone. The solution integrates OpenID with a telecommunications network in order to verify the user's identity. This verification is based on the trust that the telecom carrier has to identify the subscriber at the GGSN. The solution splits the OpenID Provider (OP) into two systems—an internal OP and an external OP. The external OP can reside in the public network and can allow the user to authenticate with a password. The internal OP resides in the private network of the carrier and is directly connected to the GGSN such that it is only reachable from the GGSN.
US09065814B2 Translation between telephone device and network client
Call control messages and audio signals between a telephone device and a computer network telephone client on a computing device can be intercepted. For control messages from the computer network telephone client, the control messages can be translated from a first control protocol to a second control protocol and forwarded to the telephone device. For control messages from the telephone device, the control messages can be translated from the second control protocol to the first control protocol and forwarded to the computer network telephone client. For audio signals from the computer network telephone client, the audio signals can be translated from a first audio protocol to a second audio protocol and forwarded to the telephone device. For audio signals from the telephone device, the audio signals can be translated from the second audio protocol to the first audio protocol and forwarded to the computer network telephone client.
US09065808B2 System and method for information sharing using visual tags
Source data stored on a source device may be shared with one or more devices. Sharing the source data may include facilitating obtaining an image of a visual tag from another device. A visual tag may be obtained via a communication method or optically captured via an optical device. The visual tag may comprise a visually encoded first token associated with the source data. The first token may be a non-public token based on the source data. The visual tag may be decoded to retrieve the first token. The device with the retrieved first token may provide for communication based on a communication protocol to a second device to download the source data using the retrieved first token. A device may be adapted to provide display of the visual tag or communicate or receive the visual tag.
US09065807B2 Ad-Hoc radio communications system
A wireless communications system comprising a wireless communications unit. The wireless communications unit comprises a communications device, a back-end router, a cryptographic module connected to the back-end router, and a front-end router connected to the cryptographic module and the communications device. The communications device is configured to exchange information over a single wireless communications channel. The front-end router is configured to perform at least one of sending a first data packet received at the front-end router from the communications device to the back-end router through the cryptographic module and sending a second data packet received at the front-end router from the back-end router through the cryptographic module to the communications device.
US09065800B2 Dynamic user identification and policy enforcement in cloud-based secure web gateways
A cloud-based secure Web gateway, a cloud-based secure Web method, and a network deliver a secure Web gateway (SWG) as a cloud-based service to organizations and provide dynamic user identification and policy enforcement therein. As a cloud-based service, the SWG systems and methods provide scalability and capability of accommodating multiple organizations therein with proper isolation therebetween. There are two basic requirements for the cloud-based SWG: (i) Having some means of forwarding traffic from the organization or its users to the SWG nodes, and (ii) Being able to authenticate the organization and users for policy enforcement and access logging. The SWG systems and methods dynamically associate traffic to users regardless of the source (device, location, encryption, application type, etc.), and once traffic is tagged to a user/organization, various polices can be enforced and audit logs of user access can be maintained.
US09065798B2 Personalizing a web page outside of a social networking system with content from the social networking system
A user device requests a web page from a web server of a third-party website, which is separate from a social networking system. The web server from the third-party website sends a markup language document for the requested web page to the user device which includes an instruction for a browser application running on the user device to incorporate information obtained from the social networking system within the web page. Based on the instruction in the received markup language document, the user device requests personalized content from the social networking system, which generates the requested personalized content based on social information about the user. The user device then renders the web page with the personalized content contained in a frame and displays the rendered web page and the frame to the user.
US09065792B2 Method of enabling digital music content to be downloaded to and used on a portable wireless computing device
The invention enables digital music content to be downloaded to and used on a portable wireless computing device. An application running on the wireless device has been automatically adapted to parameters associated with the wireless device without end-user input (e.g. the application has been configured in dependence on the device OS and firmware, related bugs, screen size, pixel number, security models, connection handling, memory etc. This application enables an end-user to browse and search music content on a remote server using a wireless network; to download music content from that remote server using the wireless network and to playback and manage that downloaded music content. The application also includes a digital rights management system that enables unlimited legal downloads of different music tracks to the device and also enables any of those tracks stored on the device to be played so long as a subscription service has not terminated.
US09065785B2 Enforced unitasking in multitasking systems
A computer system includes one or more devices that are capable of multitasking (performing at least two tasks in parallel or substantially in parallel). In response to detecting that one of the devices is performing a first one of the tasks, the system prevents the devices from performing at least one of the tasks other than the first task (such as all of the tasks other than the first task). In response to detecting that one of the devices is performing a second one of the tasks, the system prevents the devices from performing at least one of the tasks other than the second task (such as all of the tasks other than the first task).
US09065773B2 Methods and apparatus for virtual channel flow control associated with a switch fabric
A system includes a module associated with a first stage of a switch fabric directly coupled to a module associated with a second stage of the switch fabric via a single physical hop having multiple virtual channels. The module associated with the first stage is configured to assign a virtual channel identifier associated with a virtual channel with a data packet using a hash function and to send the data packet through the virtual channel based on the virtual channel identifier. The module associated with the second stage is configured to send a flow control signal to the module associated with the first stage when an available capacity of a queue is less than a predetermined threshold. The module associated with the first stage is configured to suspend sending data packets via the virtual channel in response to the flow control signal.
US09065762B2 Method and apparatus for controlling load shedding in data stream management system
Provided are a method and apparatus for controlling load shedding for excluding data streams input into a data stream management system (DSMS). A method of selecting data not to be in the data process may be determined. A load shedding factor may also be determined. Data streams of the data process may be processed by applying the method of selecting the data according to the load shedding factor.
US09065761B2 Packet reassembly processing
Described embodiments provide for a reassembly system for processing an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cell of data into an ATM adaptation layer (AAL) packet. A preprocessor module identifies a first conversation identification of one or more minipackets in the ATM cell, and reassembles the one or more minipackets having the first conversation identification into a portion of the AAL packet. A preprocessor determines if a trigger has occurred. In response to a trigger, the preprocessor sends a portion of the reassembled minipackets having the first conversation identification to a destination processor.
US09065759B2 Architecture and protection method for mesh protection of N services with M shared resources
The embodiments disclosed herein provide a mechanism for sharing protection resources in an arbitrary network topology involving pre-computing the protection resources so that data-plane-based protection can be used to activate the protection resources upon detection of a failure, thus, providing faster switching times than typical control-plane-based solutions. This is accomplished by configuring a mesh network to include, for a working path in the network, one or more protection paths with the same end nodes as the working path, where each protection path includes at least one intermediate node that is not part of the working path. The intermediate node accepts a protection request from one of the end nodes and determines whether a local resource for a protection path is available. If the local resource is available, the intermediate node forwards the protection request along the protection path, but, if the local resource is unavailable, the intermediate node notifies the end node from which the protection request originated that the protection path is unavailable.
US09065752B2 Dynamic service class upgrades in data networks
A method, program product and system for dynamically offering upgraded services in a network. The method comprising the steps of: selecting users for a possible offer of an upgrade to services within the network, based on user activity at user devices accessing the network; obtaining network context data information regarding the user activity and the network; sequentially ordering the selected users based on a likelihood that the users will purchase the upgrade to services; determining the upgrade to services to be offered based on a service prediction availability within the network; and offering the upgrade to services to the selected users for a specific time period.
US09065745B2 Network traffic distribution
A switch for a switching network includes a plurality of ports for communicating data traffic and a switch controller that controls switching between the plurality of ports. The switch controller selects a forwarding path for the data traffic based on at least topological congestion information for the switching network. In a preferred embodiment, the topological congestion information includes sFlow topological congestion information and the switch controller includes an sFlow client that receives the sFlow topological congestion information from an sFlow controller in the switching network.
US09065741B1 Methods and apparatuses for identifying and alleviating internal bottlenecks prior to processing packets in internal feature modules
Methods and apparatuses for identifying and alleviating bottlenecks prior to processing packets in internal feature modules are described. First, a method is provided for aggregating the service policies of various physical interfaces, and using results of the aggregation to determine whether a packet processing engine is capable of satisfying the aggregated service policy information. Second, a method and apparatus for applying the aggregated service policy prior to processing in an internal feature module, such as a crypto-engine. Packets on routers/switches are expected to be subjected to certain policies to address resource contention or streamlining/prioritization on outbound interfaces. Internal bottlenecks that a user can neither see nor control may cause packet transmission guarantees to be violated. Encryption is an example of an internal service that adds overhead thereby creating an internal bottleneck. Such internal bottlenecks are cured through intelligent means of pre-processing and pre-application of certain policy rules.
US09065738B2 Methods and apparatus for identifying the impact of changes in computer networks
The impact of device configuration changes on operational issues and policy compliance in a computer network can be discerned from a visual data presentation that jointly shows representations of changes, issues, and policy compliance in a common view for a group of network devices. Configuration information is collected from devices in the computer network and processed to determine whether a change has occurred in a configuration of any of the devices, whether any operational issues exist for each of the devices, and whether any of the devices are not in compliance with any applicable operational policies. A display device displays the visual data presentation to allow an operator to see trends and relationships between device configuration changes and operational issues and incidents of policy non-compliance. The visual data presentation can be depicted as a graphical timeline view, a network topology view, or a table view of the information.
US09065729B2 Intelligent automatic network operations interface
A network device may receive intelligent operations interface information that may comprise devices, resources, or events that may affect a communication system. The intelligent operations interface information may be processed to isolate network performance problems and effectuate a prioritized resolution of the network performance problems.
US09065716B1 Cross-band broadcasting
A radio communications device has a modulator that modulates each of a number of different carrier signals with the same message. A combiner combines the modulated carrier signals into a single combined output signal. A radio transmitter receives the single combined output signal and in response simultaneously transmits the modulated carrier signals over the air. Other embodiments are also described.
US09065713B2 OFDM reception device, OFDM reception circuit, OFDM reception method, and OFDM reception program
An OFDM reception device including: a first orthogonal transformation unit that orthogonally transforms a signal for a useful symbol duration included in an OFDM signal and outputs a resulting orthogonally transformed signal; a second orthogonal transformation unit that orthogonally transforms a signal for a guard interval duration included in the OFDM signal and outputs a resulting orthogonally transformed signal; a detection unit that detects a wide band carrier frequency error amount according to the signal output from the first orthogonal transformation unit and the signal output from the second orthogonal transformation unit; and a correction unit that corrects a wide band carrier frequency shift of the OFDM symbol according to the wide band carrier frequency error amount detected by the detection unit.
US09065711B2 Transmitters, receivers and methods of transmitting and receiving
The receiver comprises a demodulator configured to detect a signal representing the OFDM symbols and to generate a sampled digital version of the OFDM symbols in the time domain. A Fourier transform processor is configured to receive the time domain digital version of the OFDM symbols and to form a frequency domain version of the OFDM symbols, from which the pilot symbol bearing sub-carriers and the data symbol bearing sub-carriers can be recovered. A detector is configured to recover the data symbols from the data bearing sub-carriers of the OFDM symbols and to recover the pilot symbols from the pilot bearing sub-carriers of the OFDM symbols in accordance with the continuous pilot symbol pattern. The continuous pilot symbols are present at the same sub-carrier locations in first OFDM symbols and as second OFDM symbols. A transmitter is also provided.
US09065706B2 Information processing apparatus, computer-readable recording medium, and control method
An abnormality detection unit provided in at least one node among a plurality of nodes included in an information processing apparatus detects abnormality in a data transmission path of data transmission using a shared memory area sharable in a single node and other node, which is included in the storage unit provided in the single node or other nodes. An error information generation unit provided in the single node generates error information, based on the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit, and generates an interrupt with respect to a processor within a self node. The processor provided in the single node performs recovery processing, based on the error information according to the interrupt.
US09065705B2 Multiplexer for multi-tenant architectures
A tenant multiplexer in an administrative tenant of a multi-tenant software architecture can call an administrative agent in the administrative tenant and receive, from the administrative agent, an action framework and a trusted connection protocol for accessing each of the plurality of client tenants. The trusted connection protocol can establish, without tenant-specific authentication information, a trusted system connection to an update agent in each of the plurality of client tenants. An action framework can be simultaneously implemented using the update agent of each of at least a subset of the plurality of client tenants under control of the multiplexer via the trusted system connection to begin execution of the software process for the at least the subset of client tenants.
US09065703B2 Receiver using impedance shaping
A receiver includes a mixer configured to convert a radio frequency (RF) signal into a baseband, an impedance shaping unit configured to shape a magnitude of load impedance seen in an output terminal of the mixer in a frequency band of an interference signal converted into the baseband so as to reduce the magnitude of the load impedance, and a trans-impedance amplifier configured to amplify the signal converted into the baseband.
US09065702B2 Method and system for a communication session initialization in a telecommunication network
A method, Call Agent (CA), and circuit-switched terminal for setting up a multimedia session from the circuit-switched terminal toward a packet-switched terminal in a telecommunication network. An Instant Messaging (IM) server receives an IM message from the circuit-switched terminal and forwards the contents of the IM message to the CA. The CA generates or retrieves a unique call token that identifies the terminals, and sends the call token to the IM server, which forwards the token to the circuit-switched terminal. In response, the circuit-switched terminal initiates setup of a circuit-switched call to an identified Media Gateway Controller (MGC). The MGC then sets up a packet-switched session with the packet-switched terminal to complete the setup of the multimedia session.
US09065697B2 Method and apparatus for sharing data content between a transmitter and a receiver
A method of sharing a data content between a transmitter and a receiver, said method comprising the steps of:—retrieving (210) the data content in a server, from attribute information of said data content, and the attribute information being sent by the transmitter, and —generating (220) for said receiver an output message containing the retrieved data content.
US09065696B2 Adaptive equalizer
An equalizer that includes equalizer circuitry, a mean squared error (MSE) system, and adaptive control logic includes features that inhibit undesirable convergence to local minima.
US09065689B2 Apparatus and method for receiving signals in a vehicle
At a vehicle, a first signal is received and the first signal is of an ASK-compliant modulation type. A second signal is received and the second signal is of a FSK-compliant modulation type. Based upon a set of predetermined criteria, one of the first signal and the second signal is selected, the predetermined criteria at least in part indicating a priority as between ASK-compliant and FSK-compliant communications. The selected signal is transmitted to a vehicular controller over a single transmission line.
US09065687B2 Cognitive multi-user OFDMA
A computing device operating according to a frequency division multiplexed protocol in which communication occurs over a signal formed from a plurality of sub-channels selected from anywhere in a frequency spectrum. A computing device may select sub-channels cognitively by using information about sub-channels previously deemed suitable or unsuitable by that computing device or other computing devices. A described technique for determining sub-channel suitability includes analyzing radio frequency energy in the sub-channel to detect signals generated by another computing device or high noise levels. Information may also be used to cognitively select sub-channels to be analyzed, such as by first selecting for analysis previously-used sub-channels.
US09065686B2 Spur detection, cancellation and tracking in a wireless signal receiver
A method and device for processing spur components associated with a received wireless signal are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes first selecting a sub-band of a spectral band of the received signal. The selected sub-band is scanned, and a detection routine is executed to detect a spur within the scanned sub-band having a peak magnitude above a predetermined threshold. The spur frequency is determined, and the spur may be removed by a cancellation unit based on the determined frequency. The method also includes tracking the frequency of the spur to ensure continued suppression over time and under dynamic conditions.
US09065683B2 Content interactivity gateway
A gateway (e.g., a web site) connects content (e.g., pirated content) playing on a host device to a variety of informational, advertising, merchandising and DRM resources. Links, icons and other elements for connecting with the resources are provided to the host device by the gateway and can be presented to the user while the content is playing or paused. The type of resource presented to the user and the timing of the presentation can be based on content identifying information, timing information and/or other information provided by the host device.
US09065675B2 Microstructured adhesive article
Adhesive articles including transfer tapes and labels are described. The adhesive articles include a low elastic modulus adhesive on a microstructured release liner having a high coefficient of friction release surface. Improvements in die cut quality and razor slit edge quality are shown.
US09065663B2 Method, apparatus and system for forwarding multicast program
The present invention provide a method for forwarding a multicast program includes: receiving a multicast join request message requesting an on-demand program from a user; obtaining forwarding decision information according to the multicast join request message; determining a decision result corresponding to the forwarding decision information according to the forwarding decision information and forwarding relation data, where the decision result is forwarding according to PON replication or forwarding according to user replication, the forwarding relation data includes data elements indicating correspondence between various types of forwarding decision information and various types of forwarding modes, and the various types of forwarding modes include the forwarding according to PON replication and the forwarding according to user replication; and forwarding the on-demand program to the user according to the decision result.
US09065662B1 Method and apparatus for using a bridge table as a routing table to route an ethernet packet received from a network
A network switch including a controller. The controller is configured to use a bridge table to bridge a first network and a second network. The network switch is configured to communicate with the first network and the second network. The controller is configured to determine whether an Ethernet packet received by the network switch from the first network or the second network is (i) an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast packet, or (ii) a media access control (MAC) multicast packet that does not encapsulate an IP multicast packet. The controller is configured to use the bridge table to route the Ethernet packet received by the network switch from the first network or the second network based on whether the Ethernet packet received by the network switch is (i) an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast packet, or (ii) a media access control (MAC) multicast packet that does not encapsulate an IP multicast packet.
US09065653B2 Internal jitter tolerance tester with an internal jitter generator
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to an internal jitter tolerance tester. The internal jitter tolerance tester may include a digital loop filter consisting of a cyclic accumulator which accumulates a phase detector's output, a gain multiplier, an internal accumulated jitter generator (or an internal sinusoid jitter generator), and a phase rotator (or DCO) controller.The internal accumulated jitter generator may include a PRBS generator, a digital loop filter, an accumulator, and a gain controller. The accumulated jitter generator also may be replaced with the internal sinusoid jitter generator. The internal sinusoid jitter generator may include a counter, a sinusoid jitter profile lookup table, and a gain controller.
US09065650B2 Methods and devices for controlling the deactivation of transmission carriers
In a communication system, activity of a transmitter (10), e.g., a UE, is controlled in response to a deactivation command (401). The transmitter (10) receives data on at least one transmission carrier and, if a received transmission of data is found to be defective, may send a repeat request to trigger a retransmission (404) of the data. In response to receiving the deactivation command (401), the transmitter (10) performs a check whether a retransmission (404) is expected on the at least one transmission carrier. If a retransmission (404) is expected, execution of the deactivation command (401) to deactivate the transmission carrier is delayed until the retransmission (404) is received or a timer has expired.
US09065641B2 Method and device for updating a key
A method for updating a key includes: assigning, by a network, a stipulated specific value to an authentication management field AMF and generating a corresponding authentication tuple, and sending corresponding parameters in the authentication tuple to the terminal when an authentication request is initiated to the terminal, and generating a new authentication key for use in the next authentication; generating, by the terminal, a new authentication key corresponding to the network for use in the next authentication, when the corresponding parameters are received and it is determined that the authentication for the network is passed and the authentication management field in the corresponding parameters is with the predetermined value. According to the method for updating the key according to the invention, the key may be updated conveniently without adding to or modifying the existing signaling resources or the authentication parameters, so that network security may be improved.
US09065628B1 Frequency-agile clock multiplier
A clock generating circuit is operated in a closed-loop state to generate an output clock signal that is frequency-locked with respect to an oscillatory input signal. Upon detecting a frequency transition in the input signal, the clock generating circuit is switched from the closed-loop operating state to an open-loop operating state to enable the output clock signal to oscillate at a free-running frequency. A ratio between input signal frequency and the free-running frequency of the output clock signal is determined and used to adjust a frequency-lock range of the clock generating circuit. The clock generating circuit is then switched from the open-loop operating state to the closed-loop operating state to frequency-lock the output clock signal with respect to input signal.
US09065626B2 Bit error rate impact reduction
In an embodiment, a method includes receiving at a data interface a data stream having a plurality of logical communication channels. The data stream includes in succession a first data burst corresponding to one of the plurality of logical communication channels, a burst control word and a second data burst corresponding to the one or an other of the plurality of logical communication channels. The burst control word includes a first error check that protects the first data burst and the burst control word and a second error check that protects only the burst control word. The first error check and the second error check are examined. Only the one logical communication channel is errored out if the first error check is bad and the second error check is good; all open logical communication channels are errored out if the first error check is bad and the second error check is bad.
US09065623B1 Mixed mapping for rate compatible trellis coded modulation
Systems, methods, apparatus, and techniques are provided for producing encoded trellis coded modulation (TCM) data from user information. Encoding parameters are selected based on a target information rate. The encoding parameters include a first dimensionality value and a second dimensionality value. A first part of the user information is encoded based on the first dimensionality value to produce a first number of coded bits, and a second part of the user information is encoded based on the second dimensionality value to produce a second number of coded bits.
US09065616B2 Methods of transmitting and receiving data in mobile transmission system
A method for transmitting and receiving data in a mobile communication system is disclosed. The data transmission method for allowing a transmission end of the mobile communication system to transmit data to at least one reception end via at least one physical channel includes, transmitting a reception indicator, which indicates whether at least one second physical channel is received, via a first physical channel, such that at least one reception end can determine whether the at least one second physical channel is received using the reception indicator, and transmitting data via a third physical channel controlled by the first physical channel. So, a sleeping time for reducing power consumption can be explicitly indicated by the above data communication method, such that power consumption required for transmitting and receiving data can be minimized.
US09065613B2 Apparatus and method for supporting E-MBS service in multicarrier system
Disclosed is a method for operating a terminal for receiving E-MBS (enhanced-multicast and broadcast service) service in a multicarrier system, the method comprising: establishing E-MBS service connection with a base station; sending, to the base station, a first message including report mode information when the terminal receives E-MBS service from the base station; wherein the report mode information indicates the terminal requests the base station to assign a carrier switching operation start time, receiving, from the base station, a second message including the carrier switching operation start time information requested by the terminal; and starting a carrier switching operation based on the received carrier switching operation start time information.
US09065606B2 Architecture to support network-wide multiple-in-multiple-out wireless communication over a downlink
The present invention provides a method of coordinating the downlink transmissions from a plurality of base stations to at least one mobile unit. The method is implemented in a control plane entity and includes receiving, at the control plane entity and from each of the plurality of base stations, channel state information for a plurality of wireless communication channels between the plurality of base stations and one or more mobile units. The method also includes determining, at the control plane entity and based on the channel state information, transmission formats for downlink transmissions from the plurality of base stations to the mobile unit(s). The method further includes providing the transmission formats to the plurality of base stations.
US09065602B2 Integrated circuit for controlling a process
A radio transmission apparatus performs communications with high transmission efficiency. In this apparatus, a modulator modulates data and outputs to a first spreader. A second modulator modulates data under a modulation scheme having a higher M-ary number than the first modulator and outputs the modulated data to a second spreader. The first spreader spreads the data and outputs the spread data to a frequency domain mapping section. The second spreader spreads the data and outputs the spread data to a time domain mapping section. A frequency domain mapping section maps chips with spread data on subcarriers in the frequency domain and outputs the data with chips mapped on subcarriers to an IFFT section. The time domain mapping section maps chips with spread data on subcarriers in the time domain and outputs the data with chips mapped on subcarriers to the IFFT section.
US09065600B2 Aggregation for a new carrier type
The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software related product (e.g., a computer readable memory) for aggregation of a new carrier type by configuring PCC (for PCell) and SCC (for SCell) bandwidths to be overlapped or at least partially overlapped and by control signaling, e.g., using PDCCH and/or E-PDCCH, for scheduling of data resources on SCC thus simultaneously serving legacy and non-legacy UEs, e.g., in LTE-A systems.
US09065596B2 Wireless communication system and wireless communication method
The present invention relates to a radio communications system and a radio communications method, and an object of the invention is to readily reduce the occurrence of collisions of contention channels. In order to achieve the object, radio resources are assigned in different orders between one radio communication and another one radio communication.
US09065583B2 Method and apparatus for inferring user equipment interference suppression capability from measurements report
UE that are able to cancel interference from CRS, a PDSCH, a PDCCH, or a PCFICH may do so without explicitly signaling the capability to the serving eNB. The serving eNB may transmit to the UE a plurality of cell identifiers to indicate from which cells interference should be canceled. The UE receives CRS, PDSCH, PDCCH, or PCFICH from the serving eNB and cancels CRS, PDSCH, PDCCH, or PCFICH interference, respectively from the signal received from the eNB. The UE cancels the interference from the cells that correspond to the cell identifiers. The UE may then transmit a report to the eNB with a quality measurement without the interference.
US09065582B2 Optical architecture and channel plan employing multi-fiber configurations for data center network switching
Data center network architectures, systems, and methods that can reduce the cost and complexity of data center networks. Such data center network architectures, systems, and methods employ physical optical ring network and multi-dimensional network topologies and optical nodes to efficiently allocate bandwidth within the data center networks, while reducing the physical interconnectivity requirements of the data center networks. The respective optical nodes can be configured to provide various switching topologies, including, but not limited to, chordal ring switching topologies and multi-dimensional chordal ring switching topologies.
US09065577B2 Digital radio receiver system and method
Provided is a method of scanning for broadcast services in a broadcast signal to generate a broadcast service list for use with a digital radio receiver system, and the digital radio receiver system used for scanning for broadcast services to generate a broadcast service list. The system utilises spectrum awareness data, which includes data defining one or more frequencies at which broadcast services may be receivable, in order to reduce the number of frequencies to scan such that the overall scan time may be reduced. The data in the spectrum awareness data is a filtered subset of the plurality of frequencies at which the broadcast services may be received, which allows the controller of a digital radio receiver to tune a tuner to only the frequencies that are likely to contain a broadcast service when generating or updating a broadcast service list.
US09065562B2 Method and device for determining output of visible frame in visible light communication system
A method and device for determining an output of a visible frame in at Visible Light Communication (VLC) device are provided. A first VLC device determines whether to permit a second VLC device to generate visible frames, and transmits, to the second VLC device, visible frame information indicating whether the second VLC device is permitted to generate the visible frames.
US09065561B2 System and method for enhancing speech of a diver wearing a mouthpiece
Embodiments described herein provide a system, apparatus and methods to enable a diver to communicate more clearly with other divers or locations Embodiments process the speech to add clarity, or otherwise convert speech into an outputted form that is more intelligible e.g. so as to simulate the diver's unhindered speech. Embodiments provide hardware and software for receiving and recognizing hindered speech of a diver (e.g., speech hindered by a mouthpiece) and then augmenting the speech with generated output sounds corresponding to the intended speech sound or generating or replacing at least some of the diver's speech with synthesized words. The output sounds may be in the speaker's own voice or a synthesized voice. Embodiments may be configured to add clarity to and/or augment speech that is hindered by the wearing of a mouthpiece from a snorkel, SCUBA or other diving apparatus.
US09065558B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving data in human body communication system
An apparatus and a method for reducing wireless data transmission in a personal area network is configured to generate and transmit a packet including information discriminating between a synchronous channel and a data channel. The apparatus and method discriminate between the synchronous channel and data channel when receiving a packet in order to improve data transmission performance of a human body communication system. The apparatus and the method use a transmission channel whose frequency is lower than an antenna frequency as a synchronous channel, and use a transmission channel whose frequency is higher than the antenna frequency as a data channel.
US09065557B2 Signal transmission device and signal transmission method
A signal transmission device includes a signal sender that sends first and second transmission signals of mutually opposite phases, a first transmission path over which the first transmission signal is transmitted, a second transmission path over which the second transmission signal is transmitted, and a signal receiver that converts the first transmission signal received from the first transmission path and the second transmission signal received from the second transmission path into an output signal of a single phase. The signal transmission device differentiates each amplitude of the first and second transmission signals sent from the signal sender, and the signal receiver, based on an amplitude ratio of the first and second transmission signals, converts the received first and second transmission signals.
US09065551B2 Device and method for adaptively suppressing in-band interference signals in radio receivers
A circuit arrangement for adaptively suppressing interference signals includes a first local oscillator for generating a first local oscillator signal and a second local oscillator for generating a second local oscillator signal, each signal having an adjustable frequency. The circuit arrangement also includes a first mixer for converting a high-frequency signal into a corresponding intermediate frequency signal using the first local oscillator signal and a second mixer for converting the intermediate frequency signal into a corresponding baseband signal using the second local oscillator signal. The circuit arrangement also includes a notch filter with a rigidly defined blocking range. A control unit estimates the frequency of an interference signal contained in the intermediate frequency signal and to adjust the frequency of the local oscillator signals to the estimated frequency of the interference signal such that the frequency of the interference signal is converted into the blocking range of the notch filter.
US09065550B2 Reception apparatus
A reception apparatus includes an intermediate frequency converter, an analog-to-digital converter, a plurality of noise removing units, and a controller. The intermediate frequency converter converts a plurality of transmission signals in different frequency bands into a plurality of intermediate frequency signals having different intermediate frequencies, the plurality of transmission signals each being obtained by demodulating a spectrum-spread spectrum spread signal. The analog-to-digital converter discretizes the plurality of intermediate frequency signals and outputs a plurality of discretization signals. The plurality of noise removing units remove a noise other than a normal thermal noise included in the plurality of discretization signals from the plurality of discretization signals. The controller detects the noise included in the plurality of discretization signals and sets assignment of the plurality of noise removing units to the plurality of discretization signals based on a detection result thereof.
US09065547B2 Digital audio signal compression method and apparatus
Compression of audio signal data is described herein. In various embodiments, the compression of each unit of the audio signal data includes the employment of a distribution substantially representative of a subblock of residual data of the unit of audio signal data, to reduce the amount of data having to be transmitted to transmit the unit of audio signal data to a recipient.
US09065541B2 Configurable wireless communication device with configurable front-end
A configurable wireless communication device includes a baseband processing module, a transmitter section, a receiver section, an antenna, transmit/receive isolation circuits, high frequency switches, and a configuration module. The baseband processing module converts outbound data into an outbound symbol stream and converts an inbound symbol stream into inbound data. The transmitter section converts the outbound symbol stream into an outbound signal and the receiver section converts an inbound signal into the inbound symbol stream. The configuration module, in a power combining mode, couples, via a set of high frequency switches, the antenna to a set of transmit/receive isolation circuits, wherein a number of the transmit/receive isolation circuits in the set of transmit/receive isolation circuits is based on a desired combined transmit power.
US09065538B2 Transmission-reception device
A transmission-reception device includes a radio frequency section that performs a frequency conversion on a signal which is modulated using a single carrier transmission system, a correction coefficient multiplier that multiplies a frequency domain signal by a distortion correction coefficient in the frequency conversion of the radio frequency section to correct a distortion, a first transformer that converts a time domain signal into a frequency domain signal at a time of reception, and converts the frequency domain signal which is distortion-corrected by the correction coefficient multiplier into a time domain signal at a time of transmission, and a second transformer that converts a time domain signal into a frequency domain signal at a time of transmission, and converts the frequency domain signal which is distortion-corrected by the correction coefficient multiplier into a time domain signal at a time of reception.
US09065526B2 Relay device, relay method, and relay device control program
A relay device which can store acquired information in the case where it relays a communication is provided. The relay device of the present invention is provided with: a first connecting means for connecting with a first communication device; a second connecting means for connecting with a second communication device; and a relaying means which is connected with the first communication device using the first connecting means and is connected with the second communication device using the second connecting means, for relaying first information which is communicated between the first communication device and the second communication device, and outputting second information which is all or a part of the first information.
US09065518B2 Evolving antenna system based on user habits
A method and system configures an antenna system to enhance communication signal quality within a wireless communication device. An antenna system controller determines a usage state of the wireless communication device based on received sensor data. In addition, the antenna system controller determines whether the usage state matches a pre-identified reference usage state. If the usage state matches a reference usage state, the antenna system controller configures the antenna system using configuration data mapped to the reference usage state. In addition, the antenna system controller tracks occurrences of usage states to generate usage state statistics and uses the generated usage state statistics to predict a timing of future usage states within the wireless communication device. The antenna system controller configures the wireless communication device for the predicted usage state when an associated trigger event is detected. Additionally, the antenna system controller configures the antenna system based on signal quality feedback.
US09065514B2 Method for transmitting power offset information of secondary common pilot channel and radio network controller
A method for transmitting power offset information of a secondary common pilot channel and a radio network control, including: after a drift radio network control receives request information sent by a serving radio network control and used for requesting the drift radio network control to feed back power offset information of respective secondary common pilot channels of managed target primary and secondary carrier cells, the drift radio network control setting following kinds of information elements with reference to MIMO pilot modes used respectively by target primary and secondary carrier cells: power offset information of a secondary common pilot channel of a single carrier cell, power offset information of a secondary common pilot channel of a primary carrier cell, and power offset information of a secondary common pilot channel of a secondary carrier cell, and feeding back set information elements to the serving radio network control through an IUR.
US09065507B2 Mixing stage, modulator circuit and a current control circuit
A mixing stage includes a first modulation stage that receives an input signal from a first common node of the mixing stage, a first local oscillator input that receives a local oscillator signal, and a first modulation signal output adapted to provide a first modulated signal. A second modulation stage of the mixing stage includes a second input that receives a phase inverted representation of the input signal from a second common node of the mixing stage, a second local oscillator input that receives the local oscillator signal, and a second modulation signal output adapted to provide a second modulated signal. A current generation circuit provides a supply current to the first common node and to the second common node. A current control circuit is adapted to superimpose an offset current to the current of at least one node of the first common node and the second common node.
US09065505B2 Optimal switching frequency for envelope tracking power supply
A radio frequency (RF) communications system, which includes an RF power amplifier (PA) and an envelope tracking power supply, is disclosed. The RF communications system processes RF signals associated with at least a first RF communications band, which has a first bandwidth. The RF PA receives and amplifies an RF input signal to provide an RF transmit signal using an envelope power supply signal. The envelope tracking power supply provides the envelope power supply signal, which has switching ripple based on a programmable switching frequency. The programmable switching frequency is selected to be greater that the first bandwidth.
US09065502B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting control information in WLAN system
There is provided a method of transmitting control information in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system, comprising transmitting first control information by means of cyclic shift delay diversity beam-forming and transmitting second control information. The first control information comprises information necessary for each of a plurality of target stations of the second control information to receive the second control information. The second control information beamformed and transmitted to the plurality of target stations.
US09065494B2 Methods for selecting precoding vectors for multi-point MIMO (multiple-input-multiple-output) communications and related wireless terminals and radio network nodes
A wireless terminal may receive multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) downlink communications from a wireless communication network including a plurality of base station sector antenna arrays using a codebook of precoding vectors. MIMO downlink communications may be received from the wireless communication. When receiving the MIMO downlink communications as multi-point MIMO downlink communications from first and second base station sector antenna arrays of the plurality of base station sector antenna arrays, a precoding vector may be selected for the multi-point MIMO downlink communications from only a subset of the precoding vectors of the codebook.
US09065491B2 Adjusting phase imbalance between in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) signals
In a particular embodiment, a method of generating in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) signals includes generating a first I output signal based on a first I input signal, a second I input signal, a first Q input signal, and a second Q input signal. The method further includes generating a second I output signal based on the first I input signal, the second I input signal, the first Q input signal, and the second Q input signal. A first Q output signal is generated based on the first I input signal, the second I input signal, the first Q input signal, and the second Q input signal. A second Q output signal is generated based on the first I input signal, the second I input signal, the first Q input signal, and the second Q input signal. According to further embodiments, an apparatus is disclosed.
US09065487B2 Wideband software-defined RF receiver
An RF receiver is disclosed. The RF receiver includes an analog-to-digital converter for converting an analog intermediate frequency band signal to a digital intermediate frequency band signal. A plurality of decimation units coupled in cascade for generating a decimated signal based on the digital intermediate frequency band signal are also included. The RF receiver further includes a signal processing unit for processing the decimated signal and a bypass path for feeding a bypass signal to the signal processing unit. The bypass signal is either the digital intermediate frequency band signal or an output signal from one of the decimation units which is not the last one of the cascade coupled decimation units. The signal processing unit is adapted to detect critical reception conditions based on the bypass signal and to adapt the processing of the decimated signal in accordance with detected critical reception conditions.
US09065471B1 Delta-sigma modulator
A delta-sigma modulator is configured to feedback an output signal of a quantizer to an input of an integrator, and also feedback to the input of the integrator a differentiated error signal representing derivative of quantization error caused by the quantizer.
US09065469B2 Compression match enumeration
In embodiments of compression match enumeration, a trie structure can be searched to enumerate data sequence matches after the trie structure is generated. The trie structure can be generated by overwriting a suffix array of data sequences stored in a memory buffer, where the suffix array includes an array of buffer positions sorted alphabetically by a data string that begins a data sequence at a respective buffer position. The trie structure can then be traversed to determine the data sequence matches from nodes in the trie structure. The trie structure can also be updated while being traversed to bypass multiple enumerations of the data sequence matches that have the same match length.
US09065468B2 Encoder signal processing circuit
An encoder signal processing circuit is connected to encoder heads outputting an encoder signal in accordance with a relative displacement with respect to a corresponding scale in such a way that signals can be transmitted to and received from the encoder heads, and processes encoder signals from the encoder heads. The circuit includes a processing unit and a processing decision unit. The processing unit generates displacement information from the encoder signal. The processing decision unit decides at least one of content of processing for the encoder heads and content of processing on encoder signals read from the encoder heads after starting to read an encoder signal from one of the encoder heads.
US09065467B2 Data processing system
The present invention provides a data processing system which can increase resolution and which has excellent tracking with respect to the switching of a conversion range and is small in conversion error. The data processing system, which obtains an A/D conversion result after an n (where n: positive integer)-bit extension made to the resolution of an A/D converter, divides the input range of the A/D converter by m (2n≦m), determines to which divided range the A/D conversion result by the A/D converter belongs with respect to an analog signal to be measured, amplifies an amp offset which defines the range of the determined divided range as a voltage range for the input range of the A/D converter by applying the amp offset to a programmable gain amplifier, converts the amplified signal by the A/D converter, and adds a corresponding digital offset to a result of execution of a lower side bit extension to the conversion result and a division thereof by actually measured gain of the programmable gain amplifier, whereby an A/D conversion result with a bit precision being n-bit extended is obtained.
US09065456B2 Semiconductor device having DLL circuit
Disclosed herein is a device includes a first delay circuit delaying a first clock signal according to a count value to generate a second clock signal, a phase determination circuit comparing a phase of the first clock signal with a phase of the second clock signal to generate a phase determination signal, an up-down counter updating the count value according to the phase determination signal each time an update signal is activated, and an update control circuit generating the update signal at a variable interval.
US09065452B1 Superconducting digital phase rotator
An important component in digital circuits is a phase rotator, which permits precise time-shifting (or equivalently, phase rotation) of a clock signal within a clock period. A digital phase rotator can access multiple discrete values of phase under digital control. Such a device can have application in digital clock synchronization circuits, and can also be used for a digital phase modulator that encodes a digital signal. A digital phase rotator has been implemented in superconducting integrated circuit technology, using rapid single-flux-quantum logic (RSFQ). This circuit can exhibit positive or negative phase shifts of a multi-phase clock. Arbitrary precision can be obtained by cascading a plurality of phase rotator stages. Such a circuit forms a phase-modulator that is the core of a direct digital synthesizer that can operate at multi-gigahertz radio frequencies.
US09065449B2 High-speed divide-by-1.5 circuit with 50 percent duty cycle
A divide-by-1.5 circuit includes a divide-by-3 circuit that and a frequency doubler circuit. The divide-by-3 circuit has few logic elements and provides glitch-free operation with a 50 percent duty cycle output. The frequency doubler circuit is based on phase-locked loop circuitry.
US09065443B2 Inverter drive device
An inverter drive device includes a drive circuit that outputs a gate voltage signal of a power semiconductor element; and a Zener clamping protection circuit that acquires an emitter electrode side voltage of the power semiconductor element, and, if that voltage is greater than a predetermined voltage value, performs clamping of the gate voltage of the drive circuit after a predetermined time interval has elapsed from the acquisition of the emitter electrode side voltage. The Zener clamping protection circuit includes a latch circuit that, after the emitter electrode side voltage has been acquired, continues the clamping of the gate voltage by the Zener clamping protection circuit during an interval.
US09065442B2 Adjustable data drivers and methods for driving data signals
Apparatuses and methods for driving input data signals onto signal lines as output data signals are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a detection circuit, a driver adjust circuit, and a data driver. The detection circuit is configured to detect a characteristic(s) of a group of input data signals to be driven onto adjacent signal lines. A characteristic could be, for example, a particular combination of logic levels and/or transitions for the group of input data signals. The driver adjust circuit is configured to provide a driver adjustment signal based at least in part on a detection signal, that is provided by the detection circuit. A data driver is configured to drive a respective one of the group of input data signals as a respective one of the output data signals, wherein the data driver is adjusted based at least in part on the driver adjustment signal.
US09065440B2 Bypassable clocked storage circuitry for dynamic voltage-frequency scaling
Integrated circuits with sequential logic circuitry are provided. Sequential logic circuitry may include a chain of bypassable clocked storage elements coupled between a speed critical input terminal and a speed critical output terminal. Combinational logic circuits may be interposed between each adjacent pair of bypassable clocked storage elements in the chain. Dynamic voltage-frequency scaling (DVFS) control circuitry may provide an adjustable power supply voltage to the combinational logic circuits and may provide an adjustable clock signal to control the clocked storage elements. The DVFS control circuitry may be used to selectively enable at least some of the bypassable clocked storage elements while disabling other bypassable clocked storage elements so that the power supply voltage can be reduced while maintaining the same operating frequency. The power supply voltage and the frequency of the clock signal can be adjusted to provide the desired voltage-frequency tradeoff.
US09065435B1 Reduced pin full feature load switch
A four pin integrated circuit MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) load switch is disclosed that provides full features including adjustable ramp time/rate, adjustable discharge time/rate, temperature control, over-current control, and short circuit protection. In some embodiments, the adjustable ramp is based on the voltage or current input into the integrated circuit.
US09065431B2 Static signal value storage circuitry using a single clock signal
Signal value storage circuitry 2 is provided which includes a first transistor stack, a second transistor stack and a third transistor stack. The signal value storage circuitry is controlled by a single clock signal. Keeper transistors and isolation transistors serve to permit static operation of the signal value storage circuitry (i.e. the clock signal may be stopped without losing state) and to prevent contention within the circuitry.
US09065428B2 Method to control slew rate of a current-mode logic output driver
A method is provided for selecting at least one of a plurality of slew rate control settings based at least upon a speed of data transmission and receiving input data where the input data is received at the data transmission speed. The method also includes switching the received input data in accordance with the selected at least one of a plurality of slew rate control settings and sending output data at the data transmission speed. Also provided is data driver device that includes at least one activation portion comprising one or more slew rate controls, a voltage-mode driver portion and at least a first current-mode driver portion. Also provided is a computer readable storage device encoded with data for adapting a manufacturing facility to create the data driver device. Also provided is a system including the data driver device, a data storage device and a processor device.
US09065423B2 Wireless energy distribution system
Described herein are systems for wireless energy transfer distribution over a defined area. Energy may be distributed over the area via a plurality of repeater, source, and device resonators. The resonators within the area may be tunable and the distribution of energy or magnetic fields within the area may be configured depending on device position and power needs.
US09065420B2 Fabrication method of acoustic wave device
A fabrication method of an acoustic wave device includes: forming acoustic wave elements on a first substrate; forming protrusion electrodes and seal rings on the first substrate simultaneously by an electrolytic plating method, the protrusion electrodes being electrically connected to the acoustic wave elements, each of the seal rings surrounding related acoustic wave elements out of the acoustic wave elements and related protrusion electrodes out of the protrusion electrodes electrically connected to the related acoustic wave elements; and cutting a plating power-supply line used in the electrolytic plating method in a step of dividing the first substrate into pieces each including a corresponding one of the seal rings so as to electrically separate the related acoustic wave elements from the corresponding one of the seal rings.
US09065412B2 Audio amplifier circuit and method thereof
An audio amplifier circuit and a method of the same are provided. The audio amplifier circuit includes a processor, a pre-processing module, and a post-processing module. The processor controls a pre-gain value of the pre-processing module and a post-gain value of the post-processing module in accordance with a volume adjustment signal so as to process an audio input signal and generate an audio output signal. The pre-gain value and the post-gain value are dynamically adjusted by the audio amplifier circuit and a method thereof by according to the volume adjustment signal so as to generate low distortion, low noise audio output signals and improve audio playback quality of an audio output device.
US09065411B2 Adaptive sound field control
The present invention relates to methods and systems for determining an equalization filter for one or more loudspeakers provided in an enclosure, such as a listening room or an automobile cabin. A method for determining an equalization filter for one or more loudspeakers provided in an enclosure comprises the steps of providing the one or more loudspeakers with an audio input signal whereby a sound field is generated in the enclosure; determining an acoustic contribution or room gain of the enclosure to the generated sound field; forming a speaker equalization filter as the square root of the ratio between a target acoustic power output and the actual acoustic power output from the loudspeaker driver(s), which actual acoustic power output is calculated as the square of the power averaged sound pressure divided by the room gain; and determining the equalization filter as the speaker equalization filter.
US09065401B2 Amplification systems and methods with noise reductions
System and method for amplifying an input signal to generate an output signal. The system includes a current generator, an oscillator, and a comparator. The current generator is configured to receive a first voltage signal, and generate a first current signal based on at least information associated with the first voltage signal and the first reference signal. The oscillator is configured to receive at least the first current signal and a second reference signal, and to generate a second voltage signal based on at least information associated with the first current signal and the second reference signal, the second voltage signal being associated with a modulation frequency. Additionally, the comparator is configured to receive the second voltage signal and a third voltage signal, and to generate a modulation signal related to the modulation frequency based on at least information associated with the second voltage signal and the third voltage signal.
US09065397B2 Systems and methods for a radio frequency transmitter with improved linearity and power out utilizing pre-distortion and a GaN (gallium nitride) power amplifier device
Various embodiments provide for systems and methods for increased linear output power of a transmitter. An exemplary wireless communications system for transmitting an input signal comprises a predistorter module, a GaN power amplifier, a coupler, and an antenna. The predistorter module is configured to detect existing distortion by comparing the input signal to a feedback signal and generate a correction signal. The predistorter may adaptively adjust its operation to minimize the existing distortion due to GaN power amplifier nonlinear characteristics. The result is that the GaN power amplifier may send a power signal of improved linearity to the antenna. The coupler is configured to sample the amplified signal from the GaN power amplifier to generate the feedback signal. The antenna is configured to transmit the amplified signal.
US09065394B2 Apparatus and method for expanding operation region of power amplifier
An apparatus for amplifying power is provided. The apparatus includes a supply modulator for generating a supply voltage based on an amplitude component of a transmission signal, and a power amplify module for amplifying power of the transmission signal using the supply voltage, wherein the power amplify module includes a first power amplifier and a second power amplifier, and when an output power of the transmission signal is greater than a reference power, the first power amplifier amplifies the power of the transmission signal using the supply voltage, and when the output power of the transmission signal is equal to or less than the reference power, the second power amplifier amplifies the power of the transmission signal using the supply voltage.
US09065392B2 Divide by 2 and 3 charge pump methods
The present disclosure relates to methods and circuits to achieve ground centered charge-pumps generating output voltages of +/−VDD/2 or +/−VDD/3 while achieving high efficiency of power conversion and minimized output impedances. Key points of the disclosure are minimizing number of switching states, reducing the time required for transition through all switching states, maintain constant flying capacitor voltages in all switching states, and, ideally, configuring the size of the flying capacitors large enough to provide the required load charge of each switching state without voltage change of the flying capacitors.
US09065391B1 Method of operating a power amplifier in class F/inverse class F
A system and method for amplifying and wave shaping a signal is presented. A system includes a Class F/Inverse Class F radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA). The RF PA includes an amplifier and an output matching network. The amplifier amplifies a radio wave signal to produce and an amplified signal. The output matching network wave shapes the amplified signal using a plurality of tuning stubs to generate an output signal. The tuning stubs operate at different harmonics of the amplified signal. When operating in a Class F mode the plurality of tuning stubs act as short circuits at even harmonics and the plurality of tuning stubs act as open circuits at odd harmonics. When operating in an Inverse Class F mode the plurality of tuning stubs act as open circuits and at even harmonics the plurality of tuning stubs act as short circuits at odd harmonics.
US09065377B2 Load commutated inverter drive systems for high power drive applications
A load commutated inverter (LCI) drive system for a synchronous electrical machine is provided. The system may include a first supply bridge and a second supply bridge, each of which may include an alternating current to direct current (AC-to-DC) source side converter, a DC link circuit, and a DC-to-AC load side inverter. The system may include a controller for selectively controlling at least one of the first supply bridge and the second supply bridge by selective firings of silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs). The electrical power outputted from the first supply bridge and the second supply bridge may be combined by an output delta-wye electric power transformer and supplied to the electrical machine. The LCI drive system may further include one or more input electric power transformers configured to supply an input electric power to the first supply bridge and the second supply bridge.
US09065365B2 Control device of AC motor
A control device for controlling an AC motor with an inverter includes: a current acquisition device of a sensor phase current sensed value of the motor in a sensor phase current sensing cycle; a rotation angle acquisition device of a rotation angle sensed value of the motor; a current command value operation device for updating a current command value in a command update cycle; a current estimation device; a voltage command value operation device; a drive signal generation device; and a sudden change prevention device for preventing the voltage command value from a sudden change according to a sudden change in the current estimated value. The sudden change of the current estimated value is caused by a sudden change in the current command value.
US09065357B2 Power conversion circuit
A power conversion circuit includes a high side switching device connected at its collector to the high potential side of a power supply, a low side switching device connected at its emitter to the low potential side of the power supply, a first junction to which the emitter of the high side switching device and the collector of the low side switching device are connected, a first diode connected at its cathode to the collector of the high side switching device, a second diode connected at its anode to the emitter of the low side switching device, a second junction to which the anode of the first diode and the cathode of the second diode are connected, an inductance connected between the first and second junctions, and a snubber circuit connected to the first junction and adapted to absorb stored energy in the inductance when a freewheeling current flows.
US09065353B2 Direct AC power converting apparatus
Capacitors are connected in series between a first DC link section and a second DC link section when the capacitors are charged by a regenerative current derived from an inverter section. During discharge, as first, second switching circuits turn on, the capacitors are discharged with those capacitors connected in parallel between a first DC link section and a second DC link section.
US09065351B2 DC/DC converter
A DC/DC converter for providing an output voltage includes: a connected DC voltage transformer; a supply voltage input for providing a first supply potential and a second supply potential to the DC voltage transformer; a potential point which is connectable to the second supply potential as a function of an activation state of the DC voltage transformer; an output capacitor which is connected to an output connection and to the potential point, and which is chargeable to the output voltage by activating the DC voltage transformer, and at which an output potential is tappable. The output voltage is provided between the output potential and the second supply potential.
US09065346B2 Method and apparatus for integrated cable drop compensation of a power converter
An integrated circuit controller for a power converter to be coupled to a distribution network is disclosed. An example integrated circuit controller according to aspects of the present invention includes a switching control circuit that outputs a drive signal to control switching of a switch to regulate an output of the power converter. The integrated circuit controller also includes a cable drop compensator that outputs a compensated reference voltage signal to the switching control circuit in response to a switching signal. The switching signal is responsive to the drive signal. The compensated reference voltage signal is representative of a voltage value that is responsive to a distribution voltage across the distribution network and a load voltage across a load to be coupled to the distribution network. The switching of the switch is responsive to the compensated reference voltage signal and a feedback signal.
US09065343B2 Resonant converter with auxiliary resonant components and holdup time control circuitry
A resonant power converter is provided with auxiliary circuit branches and control circuitry for switchably coupling the auxiliary branches to resonant circuit components during holdup times. Auxiliary branches are coupled in parallel with any one or more of a resonant inductor, a resonant capacitor, and a magnetizing inductive winding via respective switches. When a holdup time condition is detected in accordance with, for example, a drop in the mains line voltage, the switches are controlled to adjust the corresponding inductance or capacitance for the duration of the holdup time condition or otherwise for a predetermined duration. The power converter in normal operation is configured for high efficiency and in a holdup time operation is configured to produce sufficient holdup time.
US09065340B2 Method and apparatus for implementing a power converter input terminal voltage discharge circuit
A circuit includes a control circuit coupled to detect whether an electrical energy source is coupled to an input of a power converter. A switch is coupled to the control circuit to transfer energy from the input of the power converter to an output of the power converter during a first operating mode. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in the first operating mode when the electrical energy source is coupled to the input of the power converter. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a second operating mode when the electrical energy source is uncoupled from the input of the power converter. The control circuit is coupled to discharge a capacitance coupled between input terminals of the power converter through the switch to a threshold voltage in less than a maximum period of time in the second operating mode.
US09065337B2 Inductor current emulation circuit for a switching converter
An inductor current emulation circuit for use with a switching converter in which regulating the output voltage includes comparing an output which varies with the difference between the output voltage and a reference voltage with a ‘ramp’ signal which emulates the current in the output inductor. A current sensing circuit produces an output which varies with the current in the switching element that is turned on during the ‘off’ time, an emulated current generator circuit produces the ‘ramp’ signal during both ‘off’ and ‘on’ times, a comparator circuit compares the ‘ramp’ signal with at least one threshold voltage which varies with the sensed current and toggles an output when the ‘ramp’ exceeds the thresholds, and a feedback circuit produces an output which adjusts the ‘ramp’ signal each time the comparator circuit output toggles until the ‘ramp’ signal no longer exceeds the threshold voltages.
US09065329B2 Reconfigurable power converter module
Embodiments provide a reconfigurable power converter module for a wind turbine facility adapted to supply electric power to an associated power supply grid. The reconfigurable power converter module includes a frequency converter operatively connected to filter means, wherein the frequency converter and the filter means are mutually reconfigurable so as to suppress internal and/or external resonances or harmonics.
US09065312B2 Frame having integrated cooling for an electric drive
In a frame having integrated cooling for an electric drive, coolant flows through a width of the frame in an inverse manner. The frame has roughly the form of a cylinder sleeve having a diameter and an axial width, whose outer surface is provided with cooling ducts. A first bundle of cooling ducts, connected in parallel, guides the coolant from a coolant intake around substantially the entire circumference of the frame. A second bundle of cooling ducts, connected in parallel, guides the coolant around substantially the entire circumference of the frame, back to a coolant outlet (8).
US09065310B2 Belt conveyor and electromagnetic drive
A belt conveyor having an electromagnetic drive comprising a rotor and a stator sealed in separate nonmagnetic and nonconductive housings. The rotor is mounted to a drive shaft. A drive drum or drive sprockets supported on the shaft have peripheral drive surfaces that engage a conveyor belt. The rotor is coaxial with the peripheral drive surface—either sealed within the drum or sprockets or housed on the shaft axially spaced from the drive surface. The rotor may include conductive rotor bars or permanent magnets. The stator is spaced apart from the rotor across a narrow gap and produces a traveling magnetic flux wave across the gap that causes the rotor and the peripheral drive surface to rotate and drive the conveyor belt.
US09065304B2 Electric motors
An electric motor includes one or more separate coil sets arranged to produce a magnetic field of the motor. The electric motor also includes a plurality of control devices coupled to respective sub-sets of coils for current control. A similar arrangement is proposed for a generator. A coil mounting system for an electric motor or generator includes one or more coil teeth for windably receiving a coil for the motor and a back portion for attachably receiving a plurality of the coil teeth. A traction control system and method for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels independently powered by a respective motor. A suspension control system and method for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, each wheel being mounted on a suspension arm of the vehicle and being independently powered by a respective motor.
US09065301B2 Power control system and electric device
A power control system controls electric devices so as to consume a power generated by a self-generated power facility using a natural energy, which is provided with a surplus power detection unit that detects the surplus portion of power generated by the self-generated power facility, and a device control unit that controls the operation of a plurality of electric devices. When the surplus power detection unit detects the surplus power, the device control unit controls one or more of a plurality of electric devices to perform predetermined operations so as to consume the surplus power.
US09065289B2 Activate circuit and electronic device
An activate circuit for an electronic device includes a first node, a first transistor including a source coupled to a ground, a drain coupled to the first node, and a gate coupled to a battery voltage, a first diode including an anode coupled to an activate signal, and a cathode a first resistance coupled between the cathode of the first diode and the first node, a capacitor coupled between the first node and the ground having a logic low level, and a second transistor including a source coupled to the ground, a drain coupled to the activate signal, and a gate coupled to the first node.
US09065267B2 Superconductive device with bridge contacts
A superconducting device (1) has an elongated coated conductor (2), with a substrate (3) and a quenchable superconducting film (4), wherein the elongated coated conductor (2) has a width W, and an external shunt system (5), with bridge contacts (6; 6a, 6b), electrically connected to the superconducting film (4), and a resistive member (7), thermally insulated from the coated conductor (2) and electrically connected to the bridge contacts (6; 6a, 6b). The device is is characterized in that the bridge contacts (6; 6a, 6b) along the elongated coated conductor (2) have a spacing SP with SP≦8*W. The device reduces the risk of a burnout of a superconducting device in case of a quench in its superconducting film.
US09065263B2 Multifunctional and configurable wall plates
Multifunctional and configurable wall plate systems are provided and has a vertical base panel for a first utility, the vertical base panel operable for (i) releasably attaching to a wall surface, and (ii) positioning parallel, or substantially parallel, to the wall surface during a use of the wall plate. The systems also have a second utility, as they include a configurable component for the second utility that is releasably attachable to the at least two side surfaces of the vertical base panel to provide at least two configurations of the wall plate system. And, in some embodiments, the panel can be repositioned radially around the vertical base panel to the at least two side surfaces, such that the position of the configurable component relative to the vertical base panel is adjustable for adding flexibility to placement of the single wall plate design.
US09065262B2 Fish tape leader with quick change coupling
A fish tape leader and coupling are disclosed wherein the coupling attaches to a fish tape using an adaptor that fits within the coupling and has a slot through which the fish tape can be inserted. Twisting the fish tape deforms the tape so that the tape cannot be pulled back through the adaptor and coupling.
US09065257B2 Method of manufacturing electrode complex for forming electrode of spark plug, and method of manufacturing spark plug
A method of manufacturing an electrode composite for forming an electrode of a spark plug, the electrode composite being formed by laser-welding a first electrode member and a second electrode member together.
US09065256B2 Short-circuit prevention in an RF spark plug
A spark plug including: a central electrode including an upper end and a lower end; an insulating part including an upper portion and a lower portion and surrounds the central electrode so that the lower end of the central electrode extends beyond the lower portion of the insulating part; and a cap including an upper portion and a lower portion that has an end section and that surrounds the insulating part so that the lower portion of the insulating part extends beyond the lower portion of the cap. The insulating part includes an annular groove, on the external periphery thereof, on the lower end of the cap, and the lower end section of the cap is placed in the groove.
US09065255B2 Spark plug and method of manufacturing the same
A spark plug includes: a rod-shaped center electrode extending in an axial direction; an insulator including a shaft hole that holds the center electrode inside of the shaft hole; a metal shell surrounding and holding a part of the insulator; and a ground electrode including a base end welded to the metal shell. The metal shell and the ground electrode are joined via a fusion portion formed by welding the ground electrode and the metal shell together. When the smallest thickness of the fusion portion in the axial direction is A, when, in a cross section that includes a center line of the ground electrode and is parallel to the axis, a length of a ground-electrode-side melted boundary formed between the fusion portion and the ground electrode is B, and when the ground electrode thickness is C, conditions of A≧0.2 mm and B>C are satisfied.
US09065251B2 Wavelength monitor, wavelength lockable laser diode and method for locking emission wavelength of laser diode
A wavelength monitor monolithically integrated with a tunable LD is disclosed. The wavelength monitor includes at least two filters, each filter having a different periodic transmission spectrum. A transmittance of the first filter, and another transmittance of the second filter at a grid wavelength attributed to a WDM system forms a combination which is specific to the grid wavelength but different from other combinations at other grid wavelengths.
US09065244B1 Compact modular free electron laser (FEL) architecture
A high average power free electron laser (HAPFEL) architecture supporting multiple gain generator configurations with multiple synchronized output beams. The HAPFEL generates straight-line counter-propagating electron beams. Multiple RF electron guns and Superconducting Dual-axis Energy Recovery Linacs (SDERLs) define a fixed physical configuration for generating the counter-propagating electron beams and for recovering electron beam energy. A gain generator may be reconfigured into different configurations without physically reconfiguring the hardware supporting the counter-propagating electron beams.
US09065242B2 Apparatus and method to enable precision and fast laser frequency tuning
An apparatus and method is provided to enable precision and fast laser frequency tuning. For instance, a fast tunable slave laser may be dynamically offset-locked to a reference laser line using an optical phase-locked loop. The slave laser is heterodyned against a reference laser line to generate a beatnote that is subsequently frequency divided. The phase difference between the divided beatnote and a reference signal may be detected to generate an error signal proportional to the phase difference. The error signal is converted into appropriate feedback signals to phase lock the divided beatnote to the reference signal. The slave laser frequency target may be rapidly changed based on a combination of a dynamically changing frequency of the reference signal, the frequency dividing factor, and an effective polarity of the error signal. Feed-forward signals may be generated to accelerate the slave laser frequency switching through laser tuning ports.
US09065241B2 Methods, systems, and apparatus for high energy optical-pulse amplification at high average power
An inventive composite optical gain medium capable includes a thin-disk gain layer bonded to an index-matched cap. The gain medium's surface is shaped like a paraboloid frustum or other truncated surface of revolution. The gain medium may be cryogenically cooled and optically pumped to provide optical gain for a pulsed laser beam. Photons emitted spontaneously in the gain layer reflect off or refract through the curved surface and out of the gain medium, reducing amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). This reduces limits on stored energy and gain imposed by ASE, enabling higher average powers (e.g., 100-10,000 Watts). Operating at cryogenic temperatures reduces thermal distortion caused by thermo-mechanical surface deformations and thermo-optic index variations in the gain medium. This facilitates the use of the gain medium in an image-relayed, multi-pass architecture for smoothed extraction and further increases in peak pulse energy (e.g., to 1-100 Joules).
US09065235B2 Method of assembling VCSEL chips on a sub-mount
The present invention relates to a method of assembling VCSEL chips (1) on a sub-mount (2). A de-wetting layer (13) is deposited on a connecting side of the VCSEL chips (1) which is to be connected to the sub-mount (2). A further de-wetting layer (13) is deposited on a connecting side of the sub-mount (2) which is to be connected to the VCSEL chips (1). The de-wetting layers (13) are deposited with a patterned design or are patterned after depositing to define connecting areas (21) on the sub-mount (2) and the VCSEL chips (1). A solder (15) is applied to the connecting areas (21) of at least one of the two connecting sides. The VCSEL chips (1) are placed on the sub-mount (2) and soldered to the sub-mount (2) to electrically and mechanically connect the VCSEL chips (1) and the sub-mount (2). With the proposed method a high alignment accuracy of the VCSEL chips (1) on the sub-mount (2) is achieved without time consuming measures.
US09065225B2 Edge connector having a high-density of contacts
High-speed connectors having a high density of contacts may be provided. One example may provide a connector having a housing with a slot forming an opening in a top side. The slot and opening may be arranged to receive a card. This connector may provide a high density of contacts by arranging the contacts in multiple rows in the slot. Various contacts may include barbs to be inserted into the housing. The barbs may be angled and may have one or more teeth to help anchor the contacts in place. A conductive or nonconductive shield or shell may be placed over the housing. When a conductive shield is used, metal pins may be inserted into the housing for mechanical stability and secured to the shield, and various contacts may have contacting portions in contact with the shield to improve signal integrity.
US09065224B2 Feedthrough wire connector for use in a medical device
A feedthrough filter capacitor assembly comprising a terminal pin connector is described. The terminal pin connector is designed to facilitate an electrical connection between the terminal pin comprising a multitude of compositions to a circuit board of an implantable medical device. The terminal pin connector comprises a clip portion positioned within a connector housing. The connector clip mechanically attaches to the terminal pin of the feedthrough and an exterior surface of the connector housing electrically contacts the circuit board, creating an electrical connection therebetween. The connector housing comprises a material that is conducive to a weld or solder attachment process to the circuit board. The feedthrough filter capacitor assembly is particularly useful for incorporation into implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and the like, to decouple and shield internal electronic components of the medical device from undesirable electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals.
US09065222B2 Printed circuit board assembly for a control device, control device for a motor vehicle and signal processing arrangement
A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly for a control device has a multi-layered PCB and a plug component. The PCB has a main section, a connection section, and a curved connecting section arranged between the main section and the connection section and connects the latter such that a main plane of extent of the main section runs at an incline to a main plane of extent of the connection section. The plug component has first and second plug connectors row which each contain a plug connector. Each plug connector has connecting elements with a connection part and a contact pin. The first and second plug connector rows follow one another in a stacking direction which is inclined to the main plane of extent of the main section such that the first plug connector row is at a larger distance from the main section than the second plug connector row.
US09065200B2 Connector, and assembly of cable and connector
The connector includes a housing, a plurality of contacts fixedly disposed in the housing, and a fitting nail disposed at least one side end portion of the housing. The fitting nail includes a base fixedly disposed at a longitudinal section of an internal space of the housing, and an elastic piece upwardly extending from the base and pressed toward the base by an external force. The fitting nail is positioned between the first and second extending members of the elastic piece and further includes a locking piece extending toward the cut-out portion in a state in which it is upwardly inclined from the front end portion of the base.
US09065194B2 Connector
A connector can prevent, at a low cost, a phenomenon that a crack develops in a resin molded member to which a screwing plate portion of a terminal fitting is fixed due to a bending displacement of the screwing plate portion caused by fastening force of the screwing when the screwing plate portion is screwed to a terminal stage. A plate portion fixing portion 31, to which a screwing plate portion 11 of a terminal fitting 10 is fixed, of the connector housing 30 has a terminal escape space 31a adjacent to the screwing plate portion 11 on a destination side in a direction of fastening to a terminal stage 40. The terminal escape space 31a permits a bending displacement of the screwing plate portion 11 in the fastening direction.
US09065182B2 Antenna apparatus
There is provided an antenna apparatus capable of stably communicating with a communication partner and increasing the maximum possible communication range even when the antenna apparatus is relatively smaller than an antenna in the communication partner and the two antennas are disposed in close proximity on the same axis. A magnetic flux passing through a coil aperture of an antenna coil passes through a conductor aperture of a conductive layer, but the magnetic flux does not pass through the conductive layer. Accordingly, the magnetic flux is diverted to a path in which the conductor aperture of the conductive layer is the inside and the outer edge of the conductive layer is the outside. As a result, the magnetic flux passing through the coil aperture of the antenna coil makes a relatively large loop and links the inside and the outside of a coil conductor in an antenna in a communication partner with the antenna apparatus.
US09065181B2 Device for receiving and/or emitting an electromagnetic wave, system comprising said device, and use of such device
A device for receiving and/or emitting an electromagnetic wave having a free space wavelength λ0 comprised between 1 mm and 10 cm, comprising a medium (11) of solid dielectric material and the free space wavelength λ0 corresponding to a wavelength λ inside the medium, a plurality of conductor elements (12) incorporated inside the medium and spaced apart from each other of a distance lower than λ/10, and one antenna element (13). The conductor elements form small loop elements. A tuned conductor element among the conductor elements has a first end at a distance from the antenna element which is lower than λ/10, and has an electric resonance frequency corresponding to the wavelength λ.
US09065177B2 Three-dimensional antenna structure
A three-dimensional antenna structure includes first and second antenna components and a via. The first antenna component is on a first layer of a substrate and the second antenna component is on a second layer of a substrate. The via couples the first antenna component to the second antenna component, wherein the first antenna overlaps, from a radial perspective, the second antenna component by an angle of overlap.
US09065176B2 Ultra-wideband conformal low-profile four-arm unidirectional traveling-wave antenna with a simple feed
The invention is a class of planar unidirectional traveling-wave (TW) antenna comprising a planar four-arm TW radiator ensemble, such as a 4-arm spiral, which is fed medially with a twin-lead feed connected with only a pair of opposite arms of the TW radiator, with the other two arms parasitically excited. The use of a mode suppressor enhances the purity of single-mode TW propagation and radiation. The twin-lead feed is connected with the balanced side of a balun, and is impedance matched with the TW radiator on one side and the balun on the other side. This simple feed structure using a single balun is generally smaller and much simpler, and thus much less costly than the conventional feed for a 4-arm spiral, which is a complex one-to-four power divider that contains hybrids, power dividers, couplers, matrices, etc.
US09065169B2 High frequency magnetic field antenna
An antenna system including a loop antenna including a conductor; and a magnetic gain element positioned in an aperture defined by the loop antenna, the magnetic gain element including a magnetic material that has a relative permeability greater than one for an operating frequency range, the magnetic gain element configured to increase a magnetic flux density associated with a received magnetic-field component of an incident electromagnetic wave wherein a loop output voltage induced in the loop antenna is based, at least in part, on the increased magnetic flux density.
US09065167B2 Antenna modification to reduce harmonic activation
An arrangement for modifying a printed circuit antenna of the type used in mobile communication devices includes introducing one or more discontinuities into a printed circuit pattern of the antenna so that it is not activated at undesired frequencies. Examples of discontinuities include localized narrowing the printed circuit strip, localized widening of the printed circuit strip and localized changing of the shape of the printed circuit strip.
US09065163B1 High frequency power combiner/divider
Radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers are provided which may include high power, wideband, microwave or millimeter-wave solid state power amplifiers based on waveguide power combiner/dividers.
US09065162B2 In-phase H-plane waveguide T-junction with E-plane septum
In an example embodiment, an in-phase H-plane T-junction can comprise: a first waveguide port; a second waveguide port; a third waveguide port, wherein the third waveguide port can be a common port; and an E-plane septum. The first, second, and third waveguide ports can be in the H-plane and can be each connected to each other in a T configuration. The T-junction can be configured such that microwave signals in a first band can be in-phase with each other at the first and second waveguide ports, and microwave signals in a second band can be in-phase with each other at the first and second waveguide ports. The H-plane T-junction can be at least one of a power combiner and a power divider.
US09065154B2 Series connection of switching regulators for energy transfer in battery systems
An energy transformer for a battery system is disclosed. The energy transformer includes a first and a second primary DC/DC converter each having two inputs and two outputs. The inputs are designed for connecting a battery module and the first and the second primary DC/DC converters are connected in series on the output side. The energy transformer has at least one first secondary DC/DC converter having two inputs that are connected to the outputs of the second primary DC/DC converter and a first output connected to one of the outputs of the first primary DC/DC converter.
US09065151B2 Manufacture device of battery cell
Disclosed herein is a battery cell manufacturing device configured to manufacture a battery cell including two or more unit cells. The battery cell manufacturing device includes a unit cell stacking unit into which unit cells are introduced from above and in which the unit cells are sequentially stacked, a wrapping unit to wrap an outside of the unit cell stack discharged from the unit cell stacking unit with a separation film, and a heating unit to thermally shrink the separation film wrapping the outside of the unit cell stack.
US09065149B2 Lithium anodes for electrochemical cells
Provided is an anode for use in electrochemical cells, wherein the anode active layer has a first layer comprising lithium metal and a multi-layer structure comprising single ion conducting layers and polymer layers in contact with the first layer comprising lithium metal or in contact with an intermediate protective layer, such as a temporary protective metal layer, on the surface of the lithium-containing first layer. Another aspect of the invention provides an anode active layer formed by the in-situ deposition of lithium vapor and a reactive gas. The anodes of the current invention are particularly useful in electrochemical cells comprising sulfur-containing cathode active materials, such as elemental sulfur.
US09065138B2 Water soluble binder composition, method of producing the same and electrode for rechargeable battery employing the same
In one aspect, a water soluble binder composition, a method of producing the same and an electrode for a rechargeable battery employing the same is provided.
US09065136B2 Positive electrode for rechargeable lithium battery, method of preparing the same, and rechargeable lithium battery including the same
Provided is a positive electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery including a positive active material including a lithium phosphate compound particle and fiber-type carbon attached inside the lithium phosphate compound particle, a method of preparing the same, and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same.
US09065133B2 Cathode for an electrochemical cell
The invention provides a cathode for an electrochemical cell comprising: a first particulate material having particles comprising a mixture of at least one alkali metal halide and at least one metal; and a second particulate material comprising at least one alkali metal halide, wherein the second particulate material has a particle size smaller than that of the first particulate material.
US09065131B2 Electrolyte injection device and electrolyte injection method
A battery case is disposed in a decompression chamber. An electrolyte in an aeration tank is injected into the battery case in the decompression chamber using a liquid injection nozzle. By exposing the electrolyte to an ambient pressure in the decompression chamber within the aeration tank before supplying the electrolyte to the liquid injection nozzle, a pressure of the electrolyte is regulated to a pressure in the decompression chamber, and gas molecules in the electrolyte are separated therefrom. By providing the aeration tank, an efficiency with which the gas molecules are separated from the electrolyte is improved, and as a result, the electrolyte is injected into the battery case smoothly.
US09065120B2 Batteries utilizing electrode coatings directly on nanoporous separators
Provided are lithium batteries utilizing electrode coatings directly on nanoporous separators, the batteries comprising (a) a separator/cathode assembly, (b) a separator/anode assembly, and (c) an electrolyte, where the batteries comprise alternating layers of the separator/cathode assembly and the separator/anode assembly. Preferably, a portion of the separator/cathode assembly is not in contact with the separator/anode assembly and a portion of the separator/anode assembly is not in contact with the separator/cathode assembly, and electrically conductive edge connections are made through these portions. Also provided are methods of preparing such lithium batteries.
US09065116B2 Lithium secondary battery positive electrode and lithium secondary battery
A lithium secondary battery positive electrode according to the present invention is a lithium secondary battery positive electrode including a positive electrode material mixture layer containing a positive electrode active material and a conductivity enhancing agent on one or both sides of a current collector, wherein the positive electrode active material contains a lithium-containing composite oxide, the conductivity enhancing agent contains carbon fibers having an average fiber length of 10 nm or more and less than 1000 nm and an average fiber diameter of 1 nm or more and 100 nm or less, and the content of the carbon fibers in the positive electrode material mixture layer is 0.25 mass % or more and 1.5 mass % or less.
US09065091B2 Fuel cell
A fuel cell includes an electrolyte-electrode assembly, a frame member, a first separator, and a second separator. The frame member is provided to face a first surface of the second separator and includes a resin wall which forms a periphery of a first reactant gas passage. The resin wall has a thin-walled portion which overlaps with a cooling medium connecting portion in a stacking direction and which protrudes toward the first reactant gas passage in the stacking direction by a first dimension from a surface of the frame member. Another portion of the resin wall protrudes toward the second separator in the stacking direction by a second dimension from the surface of the frame member. The first dimension is smaller than the second dimension.
US09065088B2 Modification to stampable flowfields to improve flow distribution in the channels of PEM fuel cells
A fuel cell device includes a plurality of channels that have at least one unrestricted inlet, a conduit for directing a flow having a distribution pattern to the unrestricted inlet, and a gap region between the conduit and the plurality of channels for receiving the flow distribution pattern, the gap region having such dimensions in which the distribution pattern tends to normalize within the gap region so that flow to each of the unrestricted inlets tends to normalize across said gap region.
US09065068B2 Organic light emitting display device
Disclosed is an organic light emitting display (OLED) device that may include first and second electrodes facing each other on a substrate, at least two light emitting units between the first and second electrodes, and a charge generation layer between the at least two light emitting units, the charge generation layer including an N-type charge generation layer and a P-type charge generation layer, wherein the N-type charge generation layer includes at least two hosts and a dopant, and wherein the at least two hosts have different lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels.
US09065066B2 Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device
A light-emitting layer, which is a stack of a first light-emitting layer and a second light-emitting layer, is provided between an anode and a cathode. The first light-emitting layer is formed on the anode side and contains a first light-emitting substance converting triplet excitation energy into light emission, a first organic compound having an electron-transport property, and a second organic compound having a hole-transport property. The second light-emitting layer contains a second light-emitting substance converting triplet excitation energy into light emission, the first organic compound, and a third organic compound having a hole-transport property. The second organic compound has a lower HOMO level than the third organic compound. The first light-emitting substance emits light with a wavelength shorter than that of light emitted from the second light-emitting substance. The first and the second organic compounds form an exciplex. The first and the third organic compounds form an exciplex.
US09065065B2 Encapsulation for organic optoelectronic devices
An organic optoelectronic device includes a substrate, an anode, a cathode, an active region comprising an organic material, an encapsulation that isolates the active region from an ambient environment, wherein the encapsulation comprises a housing, and a first hermetically sealed electrical path through the housing.
US09065060B2 Compound and organic light-emitting device comprising same
The present invention relates to a novel compound and an organic light emitting device comprising the same. The compound according to the present invention may be used as hole injection, hole transport, electron injection and transport, and light emitting materials in an organic light emitting device, and the organic light emitting device according to the present invention has excellent properties in terms of efficiency, driving voltage, and life-span.
US09065059B2 Asphaltene components as organic electronic materials
Asphaltene components are useful as organic electronic materials, especially in the form of thin films, in organic electronic devices, such as optoelectronic devices, for example, photodiodes (e.g., photovoltaic cells), phototransistors, photomultipliers, integrated optical circuits, photoresistors, and the like.
US09065055B2 Method for preparing doped organic semiconductor materials and formulation utilized therein
The present invention relates to a method for preparing doped organic semiconductor materials as well as a formulation which may be utilized in that method. The doped organic semiconductor materials are prepared by preparing a solution or suspension containing at least one dopant precursor, at least one organic material to be doped, and a solvent. The solution or suspension is then applied onto a substrate. After removing the solvent, the dopant precursor is converted into a dopant by application of activation energy. The dopant precursor, which is a dimer, oligomer, polymer, dispiro compound, or polycycle, is cleaved by the application of activation energy.
US09065049B2 Thin film piezoelectric device
A thin film piezoelectric device according to the present invention includes a pair of electrode layers and a piezoelectric thin film interposed between the pair of electrode layers, wherein the piezoelectric thin film contains a rare gas element and has a content gradient of the rare gas element in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric thin film.
US09065044B2 Three dimensional non-volatile storage with connected word lines
A three-dimensional array adapted for memory elements that reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. Memory elements are formed across a plurality of planes positioned different distances above a semiconductor substrate. Bit lines to which the memory elements of all planes are connected are oriented vertically from the substrate and through the plurality of planes.
US09065033B2 Light emitting device package
The present application relates to a light emitting device package. The light emitting device package includes a package substrate in which a via hole is formed. An electrode layer extends to both surfaces of the package substrate after passing through the via hole. A light emitting device is arranged on the package substrate and is connected to the electrode layer. A fluorescence film includes a first part that fills at least a part of an internal space of the via hole and a second part that covers at least a part of the light emitting device.
US09065028B2 Flip-chip light emitting diode package with moisture barrier layer
An exemplary light emitting diode (LED) package includes a substrate, a first electrode penetrating downward through the substrate, a second electrode penetrating downward through the substrate and spaced from the first electrode, an LED die arranged on the substrate and mounted to the first and second electrodes by flip-chip technology, and an encapsulation layer formed on the substrate to encapsulate the LED die therein. The substrate includes a top surface and a bottom surface at opposite sides thereof. Top ends of the first and second electrodes are exposed at the top surface of the substrate, and bottom ends of the first and second electrodes are exposed at the bottom surface of the substrate. A moisture barrier layer is attached on the bottom of the LED package to cover a joint of the first and/or second electrode and the substrate.
US09065020B2 Semiconductor lighting module package
A semiconductor lighting module package comprises a substrate, a lead frame, at least one semiconductor lighting element, and a plurality of nanoscale reflectors formed on the substrate and the lead frame for increasing reflection efficiency of the lighting module package. A pitch between every two of the plurality of nanoscale reflectors has a distance P which is shorter than a half wavelength of the visible light. Moreover, a gap between every two of the plurality of the nanoscale reflectors has a depth H, and a ratio of the depth H over the distance P is not less than 2. The distance P is between 90 nm and 130 nm. Furthermore, the light generated by the semiconductor lighting element has at least a part which is reflected by the nanoscale reflectors.
US09065015B2 Forming light-emitting diodes using seed particles
A device includes a substrate; a group III-V semiconductor layer disposed over the substrate; and a seed layer disposed over the group III-V semiconductor layer. The substrate is a printed circuit board. The group III-V semiconductor layer includes a multiple quantum well (MQW) layer, a p-type doped layer, and an n-type doped layer. The seed layer includes a plurality of miniature elements. The miniature elements each contain a single-crystal material suitable for epitaxially growing the group III-V semiconductor layer. The miniature elements collectively cover less than 100% of a surface of the group III-V semiconductor layer.
US09065010B2 Non-planar inorganic optoelectronic device fabrication
A method of fabricating an optoelectronic device includes creating an optoelectronic structure on a first substrate. The optoelectronic structure includes a release layer and a plurality of inorganic semiconductor layers supported by the release layer. The plurality of inorganic semiconductor layers is configured to be active in operation of the optoelectronic device. The plurality of inorganic semiconductor layers are permanently attached to a second substrate, which is flexible. The plurality of inorganic semiconductor layers are released from the first substrate after the attaching step, and the second substrate is deformed to a non-planar configuration.
US09065009B2 Apparatus and method for forming a transparent conductive oxide layer over a substrate using a laser
An apparatus and method for converting an amorphous transparent conductive oxide to a crystalline form with the assistance of irradiation of a laser.
US09065007B2 Process for fabricating a ridge pin junction comprising spaced apart doped regions, application to the fabrication of electro-optical modulators and photodetectors
The invention relates to a process for fabricating a semiconductor ridge pin junction (20, 21). According to the invention, judicious choices are made when defining hard masks and the sequence in which resist masks are formed for implantation (doping) and etching, which choices enable the conventional photolithography technique to be used despite the low precision of mask alignment (±100 nm) relative to underlying regions.By virtue of the process according to the invention, a ridge pin junction is formed, at lower cost and with shorter production times than in the prior art, with doped regions precisely spaced apart from the edge of the ridge.
US09065005B2 Method and apparatus for making a solar panel that is partially transparent
A method is described for making a partially transparent thin film solar panel based on transparent glass or plastic substrates by creating an array of small light transmitting apertures through all the opaque layers by using an ink jet print head to apply droplets of an etching fluid to the top electrode layer to form apertures in the electrode layer. These apertures may then be used as a contact mask for etching holes though the underlying active layer (if this is opaque). In this second stage, the etchant may be applied using an ink jet print head or by spraying or the panel may be immersed in the etchant.
US09064991B2 Photovoltaic devices with enhanced efficiencies using high-aspect ratio nanostructures
Photovoltaic devices and techniques for enhancing efficiency thereof are provided. In one aspect, a photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device comprises a photocell having a first photoactive layer and a second photoactive layer adjacent to the first photoactive layer so as to form a heterojunction between the first photoactive layer and the second photoactive layer; and a plurality of high-aspect-ratio nanostructures on one or more surfaces of the second photoactive layer. The plurality of high-aspect-ratio nanostructures are configured to act as a scattering media for incident light. The plurality of high-aspect-ratio nanostructures can also be configured to create an optical resonance effect in the incident light.
US09064987B2 Photodiode-type ultraviolet sensor having a stacked structure and method for producing the same
An ultraviolet sensor having a p-type semiconductor layer containing, as its main constituent, a solid solution of NiO and ZnO, and an n-type semiconductor layer containing ZnO as its main constituent, which is joined to the p-type semiconductor layer such that a portion of the p-type semiconductor layer is exposed. An internal electrode is buried in the p-type semiconductor layer and opposed to the n-type semiconductor layer. Both ends of the internal electrode are exposed at both end surfaces of the p-type semiconductor layer, and first and second high-resistance layers composed of insulating materials cover one end of the internal electrode. The second high-resistance layer is obtained by diffusion of the insulating material from the first high-resistance layer into the p-type semiconductor layer. A first external electrode is connected to the other end of the internal electrode, and a second external electrode is connected to the n-type semiconductor layer.
US09064980B2 Devices having removed aluminum nitride sections
One or more layers are epitaxially grown on a bulk crystalline AlN substrate. The epitaxial layers include a surface which is the initial surface of epitaxial growth of the epitaxial layers. The AlN substrate is substantially removed over a majority of the initial surface of epitaxial growth.
US09064976B1 Modeling charge distribution on FinFET sidewalls
A method is provided for modeling charge distribution on FinFET sidewalls for estimating variability in device performance. The method includes: inputting structure parameters and simulation parameters for a FinFET structure; identifying a semiconductor-oxide interface in the structure, the interface including a plurality of atomic steps and a plurality of trapped charges; distributing charges at the interface; and performing device simulations and current-voltage analysis upon generating all samples of given number of devices.
US09064972B2 Method of forming a gated diode structure for eliminating RIE damage from cap removal
A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure provided with a plurality of gated-diodes having a silicided anode (p-doped region) and cathode (n-doped region) and a high-K gate stack made of non-silicided gate material, the gated-diodes being adjacent to FETs, each of which having a silicided source, a silicided drain and a silicided HiK gate stack. The semiconductor structure eliminates a cap removal RIE in a gate first High-K metal gate flow from the region of the gated-diode. The lack of silicide and the presence of a nitride barrier on the gate of the diode are preferably made during the gate first process flow. The absence of the cap removal RIE is beneficial in that diffusions of the diode are not subjected to the cap removal RIE, which avoids damage and allows retaining its highly ideal junction characteristics.
US09064971B2 Methods of forming ultra thin package structures including low temperature solder and structures formed therby
Methods of forming a microelectronic packaging structure and associated structures formed thereby are described. Those methods and structures may include attaching a device to a patch substrate, wherein the assembled device and patch substrate comprise a warpage, attaching the assembled device and patch substrate to an interposer to form a package structure, and then reflowing the package structure at a temperature below about 200 degrees Celsius to form a substantially flat package structure.
US09064970B2 Memory including blocking dielectric in etch stop tier
Vertical memories and methods of making the same are discussed generally herein. In one embodiment, a vertical memory can include a vertical pillar extending to a source, an etch stop tier over the source, and a stack of alternating dielectric tiers and conductive tiers over the etch stop tier. The etch stop tier can comprise a blocking dielectric adjacent to the pillar. In another embodiment, the etch stop tier can comprise a blocking dielectric adjacent to the pillar, and a plurality of dielectric films horizontally extending from the blocking dielectric into the etch stop tier.
US09064966B2 Semiconductor device with oxide semiconductor
A highly reliable semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor is provided. Provided is a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor layer, an insulating layer in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer, a gate electrode layer overlapping with the oxide semiconductor layer, and a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor layer. The oxide semiconductor layer includes a first region having a crystal whose size is less than or equal to 10 nm and a second region which overlaps with the insulating layer with the first region provided therebetween and which includes a crystal part whose c-axis is aligned in a direction parallel to a normal vector of the surface of the oxide semiconductor layer.
US09064959B2 Method and apparatus for forming a CMOS device
A method and apparatus for forming a CMOS device are provided. The CMOS device may include an N-type channel region formed of an III-V material and a P-type channel region formed of a germanium material. Over each channel may be formed corresponding gates and source/drain regions. The source/drain regions may be formed of a germanium material and one or more metallization layers. An anneal may be performed to form ohmic contacts for the source/drain regions. Openings may be formed in a dielectric layer covering the device and conductive plugs may be formed to provide contact to the source/drain regions.
US09064958B1 Multiple gate transistor architecture providing an accessible inner source-drain node
The present invention provides a multiple gate transistor architecture that provides an accessible inner source-drain (SD) node. The transistor architecture includes a source structure having multiple source fingers, which extend from a source bus, and a drain structure having multiple drain fingers, which extend from a drain bus. The fingers of the respective source and drain structures are interleaved wherein a meandering path is formed between the source and drain structures. Two or more gate structures run substantially parallel to one another along the meandering path between the source and drain structures. An SD structure is provided between each adjacent pair of gate structures and runs along the meandering path to form the SD node. An SD extension is coupled to the SD structure and accessible by other circuitry to allow a signal to be applied to the SD structure during operation.
US09064953B2 Semiconductor device including a drift zone and a drift control zone
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having a drift zone of a first conductivity type and a drift control zone. A junction termination structure is at a first side of the semiconductor body. A first dielectric is between the drift zone and the drift control zone. A second dielectric is at a second side of the semiconductor body. The drift control zone includes a first drift control subregion of the first conductivity type and a second drift control subregion of a second conductivity type between the first drift control subregion and the second dielectric.
US09064952B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device 10 includes an element domain 40 and a termination domain 50 that surrounds the element domain 40. The element domain 40 and the termination domain 50 respectively include a second conductive type drift region 18. A gate trench 38 may be provided in the element domain 40. The termination domain 50 may be provided with a termination trench 22 surrounding the element domain. A first conductive type floating region surrounded by the drift region 18 is not provided at a bottom of the gate trench 38, and a first conductive type floating region 20 surrounded by the drift region 18 is provided at a bottom of the termination trench 22.
US09064950B2 Fabrication method for a chip package
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a chip package and fabrication method thereof, which includes a chip protection layer or an additional etching stop layer to cover conducting pads to prevent dicing residue from damaging or scratching the conducting pads. According to another embodiment, a chip protection layer, an additional etching stop layer formed thereon, or a metal etching stop layer level with conducting pads or combinations thereof may be used when etching an intermetal dielectric layer at a structural etching region and a silicon substrate to form an opening for subsequent semiconductor manufacturing processes.
US09064947B2 Island matrixed gallium nitride microwave and power switching transistors
A gallium nitride (GaN) device that has greatly superior current handling ability per unit area than previously described GaN devices. The improvement is due to improved layout topology. The layout scheme, which uses island electrodes rather than finger electrodes, is shown to increase the active area density over that of conventional interdigitated structures. Ultra low on resistance transistors can be built using the island topology. Specifically, the present invention, which uses conventional GaN lateral technology and electrode spacing, provides a means to enhance cost/effective performance of all lateral GaN structures.
US09064944B2 Nanowire transistor with underlayer etch stops
A nanowire device of the present description may be produced with the incorporation of at least one underlayer etch stop formed during the fabrication of at least one nanowire transistor in order to assist in protecting source structures and/or drain structures from damage that may result from fabrication processes. The underlayer etch stop may prevent damage to the source structures and/or drain the structures, when the material used in the fabrication of the source structures and/or the drain structures is susceptible to being etched by the processes used in the removal of the sacrificial materials, i.e. low selectively to the source structure and/or the drain structure materials, such that potential shorting between the transistor gate electrodes and contacts formed for the source structures and/or the drain structures may be prevented.
US09064935B2 Methods of forming a plurality of conductive lines in the fabrication of integrated circuitry, methods of forming an array of conductive lines, and integrated circuitry
A method of forming a pair of conductive lines in the fabrication of integrated circuitry includes forming a trench into a damascene material received over a substrate. Conductive material is deposited over the damascene material and to within the trench to overfill the trench. The conductive material is removed back at least to the damascene material to leave at least some of the conductive material remaining in the trench. Etching is conducted longitudinally through the conductive material within the trench to form first and second conductive lines within the trench which are mirror images of one another in lateral cross section along at least a majority of length of the first and second conductive lines. Other implementations are contemplated.
US09064934B2 Barrier layer for copper interconnect
A device and a method of forming the device is provided. The device includes a dielectric layer overlying a substrate, a conductive line with a sidewall in the dielectric layer, a Ta layer adjoining the sidewall of the conductive line, and a metal oxide formed between the Ta layer and the dielectric layer.
US09064915B2 Support method, high-temperature treatment method using same, and support jig
A method for supporting a support to which a wafer is attached, by supporting the support against gravitational force by supporting three or more support points of an inner circumference section of a support surface of the support. The support surface of the support is opposite to a side on which the wafer is attached to the support.
US09064911B2 Heated cooling plate for E-chucks and pedestals
A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a substrate support assembly includes a pedestal, a chuck connected to the pedestal, a cooling plate structure thermally coupled with the chuck, a heater thermally coupled with the cooling plate structure, and a controller configured to control the cooling plate structure while controlling the heater during processing of a substrate on the chuck. The method includes cooling a substrate support with a cooling plate structure while heating the cooling plate structure with a heater thermally coupled with the cooling plate structure, monitoring the performance of the cooling plate structure and the heater, and regulating the performance of the cooling plate structure and the heater to maintain the substrate support at a desired temperature.
US09064910B2 Bonding unit control unit and multi-layer bonding method
A multi-layer bonding method of the present invention includes: forming a first bonded substrate by bonding a first substrate and an intermediate substrate in a bonding chamber; conveying a second substrate inside said bonding chamber when said first bonded substrate is arranged inside said bonding chamber; and forming a second bonded substrate by bonding said first bonded substrate and said second substrate in said bonding chamber. According to such a multi-layer bonding method, the upper-side substrate can be bonded with an intermediate substrate and then a first bonded substrate is bonded with a lower-side substrate without taking out the first bonded substrate from the bonding chamber. For this reason, a second bonded substrate can be produced at high speed and at a low cost.
US09064880B2 Zero stand-off bonding system and method
A system and method for a zero stand-off configuration are provided. An embodiment comprises forming a seal layer over a conductive region that is part of a first substrate and breaching the seal with a conductive member of a second substrate in order to bond the first substrate to the second substrate.
US09064879B2 Packaging methods and structures using a die attach film
Packaging methods and structures for semiconductor devices that utilize a novel die attach film are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of packaging a semiconductor device includes providing a carrier wafer and forming a die attach film (DAF) that includes a polymer over the carrier wafer. A plurality of dies is attached to the DAF, and the plurality of dies is packaged. At least the carrier wafer is removed from the packaged dies, and the packaged dies are singulated.
US09064877B2 Semiconductor wafer and method of testing the same
The present invention provides a semiconductor wafer characterized by including: a silicon substrate which includes chip regions and scribe regions; multiple-layered films formed on the silicon substrate; and a reference mark formed in at least one film constituting the multiple-layered films. In addition, the semiconductor wafer is also characterized in that the reference mark is located at least one of the vertices of a virtual rectangle covering the plurality of chip regions, and in that the reference mark is longer than one side of each of the chip regions.
US09064874B2 Interconnect with titanium—oxide diffusion barrier
An interconnect structure located on a semiconductor substrate within a dielectric material positioned atop the semiconductor substrate is provided having an opening within the dielectric material, the opening includes an electrically conductive material extending from the bottom to the top, and contacting the sidewall; a first layer located on the sidewall of the opening, the first layer is made from a material including titanium oxide or titanium silicon oxide; a second layer located between the first layer and the electrically conductive material, the second layer is made from a material selected from the group TiXOb, TiXSiaOb, XOb, and XSiaOb, X is Mn, Al, Sn, In, or Zr; and a third layer located along a top surface of the electrically conductive material, the third layer is made from a material selected from the group TiXOb, TiXSiaOb, XOb, and XSiaOb, X is Mn, Al, Sn, In, or Zr.
US09064871B2 Vertical electronic fuse
An electronic fuse structure including a first Mx metal comprising a conductive cap, an Mx+1 metal located above the Mx metal, wherein the Mx+1 metal does not comprise a conductive cap, and a via, wherein the via electrically connects the Mx metal to the Mx+1 metal in a vertical orientation.
US09064869B2 Semiconductor module and a method for fabrication thereof by extended embedding technologies
The semiconductor module includes a carrier, a plurality of semiconductor transistor chips disposed on the carrier, a plurality of semiconductor diode chips disposed on the carrier, an encapsulation layer disposed above the semiconductor transistor chips and the semiconductor diode chips, and a metallization layer disposed above the encapsulation layer. The metallization layer includes a plurality of metallic areas forming electrical connections between selected ones of the semiconductor transistor chips and the semiconductor diode chips.
US09064865B2 Mechanisms for forming gate dielectric layer
Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a nitride buffer layer over the semiconductor substrate, and the nitride buffer layer is in an amorphous state. The semiconductor device also includes a crystalline gate dielectric layer over the nitride buffer layer and a gate electrode over the crystalline gate dielectric layer.
US09064860B1 Method for forming one or more vias through a semiconductor substrate and forming a redistribution layer on the semiconductor substrate
Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus that includes a semiconductor substrate comprising a first surface having one or more integrated circuit devices formed thereon and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein one or more vias are formed through the semiconductor substrate to couple the first surface with the second surface. The apparatus may further include a redistribution layer coupled with the second surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the one or more vias couple the redistribution layer with the first surface of the semiconductor substrate. Other embodiments including, for example, associated packages and methods may be described and/or claimed.
US09064847B2 Heterojunction semiconductor device with conductive barrier portion and manufacturing method
Disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a group 13 nitride heterojunction comprising a first layer having a first bandgap and a second layer having a second bandgap, wherein the first layer is located between a substrate and the second layer; and a Schottky electrode and a first further electrode each conductively coupled to a different area of the heterojunction, said Schottky electrode comprising a central region and an edge region, wherein the element comprises a conductive barrier portion located underneath said edge region only of the Schottky electrode for locally increasing the Schottky barrier of the Schottky electrode. A method of manufacturing such a semiconductor device is also disclosed.
US09064836B1 Extrinsic gettering on semiconductor devices
A semiconductor wafer, die and semiconductor package formed therefrom are disclosed, where the inactive surface of the wafer has an extrinsic gettering pattern formed from a texturing process. In examples, the texturing process follows a polishing process that removes stress concentration point from the inactive surface of the wafer.
US09064835B2 Thin-film transistor array substrate and display device including the same
A TFT array substrate includes: a first insulation layer over a semiconductor layer; a second insulation layer over a plurality of first gate wires formed on the first insulation layer; a third insulation layer over a plurality of second gate wires formed on the second insulation layer; a cover metal formed over the third insulation layer and contacting the semiconductor layer through a contact hole that passes through the first, second and third insulation layers; a fourth insulation layer over the cover metal; a protection layer formed over the fourth insulation layer; and an anode electrode formed over the protection layer and contacting the cover metal through a via hole that passes through the protection layer, the fourth insulation layer, and the contact hole.
US09064832B2 Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
An array substrate for a display device, including a substrate having a pixel region and a switching region, a source electrode and a drain electrode on the switching region of the substrate, ends of the source and drain electrodes having tapered edges, a pixel electrode in the pixel region of the substrate, the pixel electrode being connected to the drain electrode, an organic semiconductor layer on the source and drain electrodes, the organic semiconductor layer completely contacting tapered edges and a top surface of each of the source and drain electrodes, a first insulating layer on the organic semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode on the first insulating layer.
US09064831B2 Organic light-emitting display apparatus
An organic light-emitting display apparatus and a fabrication method thereof are disclosed. The organic light-emitting display apparatus may include, for example, a flexible substrate, a plurality of barrier layers formed on the flexible substrate, a thin film transistor (TFT) formed on the barrier layers, the TFT including a semiconductor active layer, and at least one thermal emission layer formed between the barrier layers, an organic light-emitting device (OLED) electrically connected to the TFT, formed on the barrier layers, and an encapsulation portion encapsulating the OLED.
US09064830B2 Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes a transmission region and a reflection region. When external light is incident on the OLED display, a reflection rate of the external light of the reflection region is proportional to luminance of the transmission region. The transmission region includes a pixel electrode, an organic emission layer, and a common electrode. The transmission region is configured to transmit light emitted from the organic emission layer to a first direction. The reflection region includes a control electrode, liquid crystal capsules, and the common electrode. The reflection region is configured to reflect the external light to the first direction.
US09064821B2 Silicon dot formation by self-assembly method and selective silicon growth for flash memory
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method that achieves a substantially uniform pattern of discrete storage elements within a memory cell. A copolymer solution comprising first and second polymer species is spin-coated onto a surface of a substrate and subjected to self-assembly into a phase-separated material comprising a regular pattern of micro-domains of the second polymer species within a polymer matrix comprising the first polymer species. The second polymer species is then removed resulting with a pattern of holes within the polymer matrix. An etch is then performed through the holes utilizing the polymer matrix as a hard-mask to form a substantially identical pattern of holes in a dielectric layer disposed over a seed layer disposed over the substrate surface. Epitaxial deposition onto the seed layer then utilized to grow a substantially uniform pattern of discrete storage elements within the dielectric layer.
US09064815B2 Methods for etch of metal and metal-oxide films
A method of selectively etching a metal-containing film from a substrate comprising a metal-containing layer and a silicon oxide layer includes flowing a fluorine-containing gas into a plasma generation region of a substrate processing chamber, and applying energy to the fluorine-containing gas to generate a plasma in the plasma generation region. The plasma comprises fluorine radicals and fluorine ions. The method also includes filtering the plasma to provide a reactive gas having a higher concentration of fluorine radicals than fluorine ions, and flowing the reactive gas into a gas reaction region of the substrate processing chamber. The method also includes exposing the substrate to the reactive gas in the gas reaction region of the substrate processing chamber. The reactive gas etches the metal-containing layer at a higher etch rate than the reactive gas etches the silicon oxide layer.
US09064809B2 Method for removing oxide film formed on surface of silicon wafer
Disclosed is a method for removing an oxide film formed on a surface of a silicon wafer, comprising steps of: preparing a silicon wafer having an oxide film formed thereon; arranging a discoid wafer mounting stage, which has a contact portion with the oxide film being formed of an acid-resistant resin layer, in a reaction container of a vapor-phase etching apparatus; mounting the silicon wafer on the mounting stage in such a manner that a wafer center coincides with a central axis of the mounting stage; and circulating a hydrogen fluoride containing gas into the reaction container and removing the oxide film from an interface between a chamfered surface and a wafer lower surface toward the inner side of the wafer until a desired interval a is obtained, wherein the desired interval a is adjusted by changing a stage diameter of the mounting stage.
US09064804B2 Method for manufacturing twin bit structure cell with silicon nitride layer
A method for manufacturing a twin bit cell structure with a silicon nitride material includes forming a gate dielectric layer overlying a semiconductor substrate and a polysilicon gate structure overlying the gate dielectric layer. An undercut region is formed in each side of the gate dielectric layer underneath the polysilicon gate structure. Thereafter, an oxidation process is performed to form a first silicon oxide layer on a peripheral surface of the polysilicon gate structure and a second silicon oxide layer on an exposed surface of the semiconductor substrate. Then, a silicon nitride material is deposited over the first and second silicon oxide layers including the undercut region and the gate dielectric layer. The silicon nitride material is selectively etched to form an insert region in a portion of the undercut region. A sidewall spacer is formed to isolate and protect the exposed silicon nitride material and the polysilicon gate structure.
US09064802B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device having oxide film crystallized by a thermal treatment
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a metal oxide on a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate electrode film on the metal oxide, and executing a thermal treatment on the semiconductor substrate provided with the metal oxide and the gate electrode film to crystallize the metal oxide.
US09064797B2 Systems and methods for dopant activation using pre-amorphization implantation and microwave radiation
Systems and methods are provided for dopant activation in a semiconductor structure for fabricating semiconductor devices. For example, a substrate is provided. A semiconductor structure is formed on the substrate. Pre-amorphization implantation is performed on the semiconductor structure. Microwave radiation is applied to the semiconductor structure to activate dopants in the semiconductor structure for fabricating semiconductor devices. Microwave-radiation absorption of the semiconductor structure is increased after the pre-amorphization implantation.
US09064790B2 Method for producing p-type ZnO based compound semiconductor layer, method for producing ZnO based compound semiconductor element, p-type ZnO based compound semiconductor single crystal layer, ZnO based compound semiconductor element, and n-type ZnO based compound semiconductor laminate structure
A method for producing a p-type ZnO based compound semiconductor layer is provided. The method comprises the steps of (a) preparing an n-type single crystal ZnO based compound semiconductor structure containing a Group 11 element which is Cu and/or Ag and at least one Group 13 element selected from the group consisting of B, Ga, Al, and In, and (b) annealing the n-type single crystal ZnO based compound semiconductor structure to form the p-type ZnO based compound semiconductor layer co-doped with the Group 11 element and the Group 13 element.
US09064783B2 Method for the direct bonding of a silicon oxide layer
A direct bonding method between at least a first layer (104) comprising silicon oxide having a thickness equal to or higher than about 10 nm and a second layer (108) of material having hydrophilicity, comprising at least the steps of: making the first layer (104) on a first substrate (102) such that the absorbance value of this first layer (104), at a vibration frequency of silanol bonds present in the first layer (104) equal to about 3660 cm−1, is equal to or higher than about 1.5×10−5 nm−1, the silanol bonds being formed in at least part of the thickness of the first layer (104) which is equal to or higher than about 10 nm; direct bonding between the first layer (104) and the second layer (108).
US09064781B2 Package 3D interconnection and method of making same
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit (IC) package is provided. The method includes stacking an interposer substrate and a device structure, the interposer substrate having a first plurality of contact members formed on a first surface of the interposer substrate and the device structure having a second plurality of contact members that are exposed at a surface of the device structure, and laminating the interposer substrate and the device structure such that the first plurality of contact members are physically and electrically coupled to the second plurality of contact members. The interposer substrate is configured such that a circuit member mounted to a second surface of the interposer substrate is electrically coupled to the second plurality of contact members.
US09064776B2 Radiation hardened transistors based on graphene and carbon nanotubes
Graphene- and/or carbon nanotube-based radiation-hard transistor devices and techniques for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a radiation-hard transistor is provided. The method includes the following steps. A radiation-hard substrate is provided. A carbon-based material is formed on the substrate wherein a portion of the carbon-based material serves as a channel region of the transistor and other portions of the carbon-based material serve as source and drain regions of the transistor. Contacts are formed to the portions of the carbon-based material that serve as the source and drain regions of the transistor. A gate dielectric is deposited over the portion of the carbon-based material that serves as the channel region of the transistor. A top-gate contact is formed on the gate dielectric.
US09064772B2 Touch screen system having dual touch sensing function
A touch screen system includes an in-cell type optical touch device for displaying images and receiving a light signal, an out-cell type touch device for sensing a finger or a non-optical stylus, a first functional unit connected with the in-cell type optical touch device, a second functional unit connected with the out-cell type touch panel and a third functional unit connected with the first functional unit and the second functional unit. The out-cell type touch device is disposed on the in-cell type optical touch device. The first functional unit converts an analog sensing signal received by the in-cell type optical touch device into a first electrical signal. An object-sensing signal generated from the out-cell type touch panel is processed by the second functional unit to generate a second electrical signal. The third functional unit analyzes the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal and generates valid output signals.
US09064767B2 Solid state imaging device and method of manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a pixel detecting light having the longest wavelength in a picture element includes a protective film which is disposed on a photodiode at a surface side facing a light incident surface of a semiconductor substrate and a first diffraction grating portion which is disposed on the protective film and where columnar holes penetrating in a thickness direction are two-dimensionally arrayed. Diameter and array period of the holes are selected so that the first diffraction grating portion reflects light transmitting through a filter disposed on the pixel.
US09064766B2 Solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment includes: an imaging element including an imaging area formed with a plurality of pixel blocks each including pixels; a first optical system forming an image of an object on an imaging surface; and a second optical system re-forming the image, which has been formed on the imaging surface, on the pixel blocks corresponding to microlenses, the second optical system including a microlens array formed with the microlenses provided in accordance with the pixel blocks. The microlenses are arranged in such a manner that an angle θ between a straight line connecting center points of adjacent microlenses and one of a row direction and a column direction in which the pixels are aligned is expressed as follows: θ>sin−1(2dp/Dml), where Dml represents microlens pitch, and dp represents pixel pitch.
US09064760B2 Substrate processing based on resistivity measurements
The resistivity of a silicon boule may vary along its length, thereby making a uniform ion implantation process sub-optimal. A system and method for measuring a resistivity of a substrate, and processing the substrate based on that measured resistivity is disclosed. The system includes a resistivity measurement system, a controller and an ion implanting system, where the controller configures the ion implantation process based on the measured resistivity of the substrate.
US09064757B2 Enhanced flip chip structure using copper column interconnect
A flip chip package includes a carrier coupled to a die. The carrier includes: at least a via, for coupling the surface of the carrier to electrical traces in the carrier; and at least a capture pad electrically coupled to the via, wherein the capture pad is plated over the via. The die includes: at least a bond pad formed on the surface of the die; and at least a copper column, formed on the bond pad for coupling the die to the capture pad on the carrier, wherein the copper column is disposed on one side of the capture pad about the via opening only.
US09064750B2 Display substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a display substrate includes forming a gate insulation layer on the base substrate on which a gate metal pattern, forming a data metal pattern on the gate insulation layer, sequentially forming a insulation layer and an organic layer on the base substrate on which the data metal pattern is formed, partially exposing the organic layer, developing the organic layer to partially remove the organic layer on the data metal pattern and to expose at least a portion of the protecting layer on the gate metal pattern, forming a common electrode on the organic layer, forming a pixel electrode on the on the organic layer, and forming an insulation layer between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. An etching degree of a data metal may be controlled by controlling a thickness of a remained organic layer to reduce a damage of the data metal.
US09064749B2 Array substrate
An array substrate includes a substrate and a plurality of pixel structures. At least one pixel structure includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode, a patterned semiconductor layer, a first passivation layer, and a transparent conductive pattern disposed in a pixel region of the substrate. The patterned semiconductor layer includes a first semiconductor pattern and a second semiconductor pattern. The first semiconductor pattern substantially corresponds to the gate electrode and covers a portion of the source electrode and a portion of the drain electrode. The second semiconductor pattern covers a portion of the drain electrode. The first passivation layer is disposed on the patterned semiconductor layer and has a first opening exposing a portion of the second semiconductor pattern. The transparent conductive pattern is disposed on the first passivation layer and electrically connected to the second semiconductor pattern through the first opening.
US09064740B2 Measurement device and method for vapour deposition applications
In vapor deposition applications, especially OLED mass production, where it is necessary to measure and/or control the deposition rate of evaporation sources within specific tolerances, a measurement system is adapted to use robust and accurate optical thickness measurement methods at high and low rate sources, so that the thickness of a layer deposited on a substrate can be measured and controlled. A first evaporation source (11) deposits a layer of material on a substrate (20). A mobile element (41) is provided, On which a film is deposited from a second evaporation source (12b) in a deposition location (D1). Subsequently the mobile element is conveyed to a measurement location (D2) where the thickness of the film is measured by a thickness detector (45). The measurement apparatus is arranged to control the deposition of the first evaporation source in dependence on the thickness of the film deposited on the mobile element.
US09064736B2 Method of manufacturing three dimensional semiconductor memory device
A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional semiconductor memory device is provided. The method includes alternately stacking a first insulation film, a first sacrificial film, alternating second insulation films and second sacrificial films, a third sacrificial film and a third insulation film on a substrate. A channel hole is formed to expose a portion of the substrate while passing through the first insulation film, the first sacrificial film, the second insulation films, the second sacrificial films, the third sacrificial film and the third insulation film. The method further includes forming a semiconductor pattern on the portion of the substrate exposed in the channel hole by epitaxial growth. Forming the semiconductor pattern includes forming a lower epitaxial film, doping an impurity into the lower epitaxial film, and forming an upper epitaxial film on the lower epitaxial film. Forming the lower epitaxial film, doping the impurity into the lower epitaxial film and forming the upper epitaxial film are all performed in-situ, and the semiconductor pattern includes a doped region and an undoped region.
US09064728B2 Method and apparatus for fabricating a memory device with a dielectric etch stop layer
The present technique relates to a method and apparatus to provide a dielectric etch stop layer that prevents shorts for a buried digit layer as an interconnect. In a memory device, such as DRAM or SRAM, various layers are deposited to form structures, such as PMOS gates, NMOS gates, memory cells, P+ active areas, and N+ active areas. These structures are fabricated through the use of multiple masking processes, which may cause shorts when a buried digit layer is deposited if the masking processes are misaligned. Accordingly, a dielectric etch stop layer, such as aluminum oxide Al2O3 or silicon carbide SiC, may be utilized in the array to prevent shorts between the wordlines, active areas, and the buried digit layer when the contacts are misaligned.
US09064727B2 Sputter and surface modification etch processing for metal patterning in integrated circuits
One embodiment of an integrated circuit includes a plurality of semiconductor devices and a plurality of conductive lines connecting the plurality of semiconductor devices, wherein at least some of the plurality of conductive lines have pitches of less than one hundred nanometers and sidewall tapers of between approximately eighty and ninety degrees. Another embodiment of an integrated circuit includes a plurality of semiconductor devices and a plurality of conductive lines connecting the plurality of semiconductor devices, wherein at least some of the plurality of conductive lines are fabricated by providing a layer of conductive metal in a multi-layer structure fabricated upon a wafer and sputter etching the layer of conductive metal using a methanol plasma, wherein a portion of the layer of conductive metal that remains after the sputter etching forms the one or more conductive lines.
US09064722B2 Breakdown voltage multiplying integration scheme
A circuit includes a first field effect transistor having a gate, a first drain-source terminal, and a second drain-source terminal; and a second field effect transistor having a gate, a first drain-source terminal, and a second drain-source terminal. The second field effect transistor and the first field effect transistor are of the same type, i.e., both n-channel transistors or both p-channel transistors. The second drain-source terminal of the first field effect transistor is coupled to the first drain-source terminal of the second field effect transistor; and the gate of the second field effect transistor is coupled to the first drain-source terminal of the second field effect transistor. The resulting three-terminal device can be substituted for a single field effect transistor that would otherwise suffer breakdown under proposed operating conditions.
US09064718B1 Pre-formed via array for integrated circuit package
A method for assembling a 3D integrated circuit package that includes a base device and a top device. The method includes bonding (i) a pre-formed via array having a via rack and via elements and (ii) a base die to the substrate of the base device. The resulting sub-assembly is encapsulated in molding compound, and the via rack and any corresponding molding compound are removed, such as by grinding, to generate a base device with vias corresponding to the via elements and exposed bond posts on its top surface corresponding to the tops of the vias. A pre-packaged or unpackaged top device is then attached and bonded to the base device and, if necessary, encapsulated to form the 3D package with the exposed tops of the vias providing electrical connections between the base substrate and the top device.
US09064717B2 Lock and key through-via method for wafer level 3D integration and structures produced thereby
A three dimensional device stack structure comprises two or more active device and interconnect layers further connected together using through substrate vias. Methods of forming the three dimensional device stack structure comprise alignment, bonding by lamination, thinning and post thinning processing. The via features enable the retention of alignment through the lamination process and any subsequent process steps thus achieving a mechanically more robust stack structure compared to the prior art.
US09064708B2 Display panel, chip on film and display device including the same
A display panel includes a display area including a display element, and a non-display area adjacent to the display area, the non-display area including a plurality of conductive pads. The conductive pads are spaced apart at a predetermined distance so as to form a first pad row and a second pad row, the conductive pads collectively having a center portion and lateral portions. A distance between the first pad row and the second pad row is greater at at least one of the lateral end portions than at the center portion.
US09064707B2 Bonding contact area on a semiconductor substrate
A bonding contact area on a semiconductor substrate is provided that includes a reinforcing structure having at least one conductive material layer arranged on the semiconductor substrate to receive the patterned reinforcing structure, a metal layer formed as a bonding contact layer with a bonding surface and arranged on a conductive material layer. Whereby, below the bonding surface, an oxide layer having at least about a 2 μm thickness is arranged, which extends beyond the edge of the bonding surface. The reinforcing structure is arranged in the oxide layer, when viewed looking down onto the bonding surface, outside the bonding surface within the oxide layer.
US09064702B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor devices
A method for reducing defects in an active device area of a semiconductor device during fabrication is disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises providing the active device area adjacent an isolation structure, wherein a substantially planar surface is formed over the isolation structure and the active device area, forming a patterned stress-inducing layer over the substantially planar surface, forming at least one screening layer between the patterned stress-inducing layer and the substantially planar surface, where the screening layer is configured to screen part of the stress field induced by the patterned stress-inducing layer, performing an anneal process after forming the patterned stress-inducing layer on the substantially planar surface, so as to induce a movement of the defects towards a contact interface between the active device area and the isolation structure, and removing the patterned stress-inducing layer from the substantially planar surface.
US09064700B2 Crystallization annealing processes for production of CIGS and CZTS thin-films
In one embodiment, a method includes depositing a chalcogenide precursor layer onto a substrate, and annealing the precursor layer in the presence of a gaseous phase comprising volatile species, the partial pressure of each volatile species being approximately constant over substantially all of the surface of the precursor layer, the partial pressure of each species being between approximately 0.1 mTorr and 760 Torr, where the presence of the gaseous phase reduces decomposition of volatile species from the precursor layer during annealing.
US09064694B2 Nitridation of atomic layer deposited high-k dielectrics using trisilylamine
A method is provided for forming a nitrided high-k film in an atomic layer deposition process (ALD) process. The method includes receiving a substrate in a process chamber, maintaining the substrate at a temperature sufficient for ALD of a nitrided high-k film, and depositing the nitrided high-k film on the substrate by exposing the substrate to a gas pulse sequence that includes, in any order: a) exposing the substrate to a gas pulse comprising a metal-containing precursor, b) exposing the substrate to a gas pulse comprising an oxygen-containing gas, and c) exposing the substrate to a gas pulse comprising trisilylamine gas, where the exposing the substrate to the trisilylamine gas yields the nitrided high-k film that includes nitrogen and that is substantially free of silicon, and repeating the gas pulse sequence. A trisilylamine gas exposure may also be used to nitride a deposited high-k film.
US09064692B2 DRAM cells and methods of forming silicon dioxide
Some embodiments include methods of forming silicon dioxide in which silicon dioxide is formed across silicon utilizing a first treatment temperature of no greater than about 1000° C., and in which an interface between the silicon dioxide and the silicon is annealed utilizing a second treatment temperature which is at least about 1050° C. Some embodiments include methods of forming transistors in which a trench is formed to extend into monocrystalline silicon. Silicon dioxide is formed along multiple crystallographic planes along an interior of the trench utilizing a first treatment temperature of no greater than about 1000° C., and an interface between the silicon dioxide and the monocrystalline silicon is annealed utilizing a second treatment temperature which is at least about 1050° C. A transistor gate is formed within the trench, and a pair of source/drain regions is formed within the monocrystalline silicon adjacent the transistor gate. Some embodiments include DRAM cells.
US09064688B2 Performing enhanced cleaning in the formation of MOS devices
A method includes etching a semiconductor substrate to form a recess, wherein the recess extends from a top surface of the semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate. An enhanced cleaning is then performed to etch exposed portions of the semiconductor substrate. The exposed portions are in the recess. The enhanced cleaning is performed using process gases including hydrochloride (HCl) and germane (GeH4). After the enhanced cleaning, an epitaxy is performed to grow a semiconductor region in the recess.
US09064684B1 Flowable oxide deposition using rapid delivery of process gases
Methods and apparatus for filling gaps on partially manufactured semiconductor substrates with dielectric material are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods include introducing a first process gas into the processing chamber and accumulating a second process gas in an accumulator maintained at a pressure level substantially highest than that of the processing chamber pressure level. The second process gas is then rapidly introduced from the accumulator into the processing chamber. An excess amount of the second process gas may be provided in the processing chamber during the introduction of the second process gas. Flowable silicon-containing films forms on a surface of the substrate to at least partially fill the gaps.
US09064680B2 AFM fluid delivery/liquid extraction surface sampling/electrostatic spray cantilever probe
An electrospray system comprises a liquid extraction surface sampling probe. The probe comprises a probe body having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, and having a liquid extraction tip. A solvent delivery conduit is provided for receiving solvent liquid from the liquid inlet and delivering the solvent liquid to the liquid extraction tip. An open liquid extraction channel extends across an exterior surface of the probe body from the liquid extraction tip to the liquid outlet. An electrospray emitter tip is in liquid communication with the liquid outlet of the liquid extraction surface sampling probe. A system for analyzing samples, a liquid junction surface sampling system, and a method of analyzing samples are also disclosed.
US09064678B2 Vacuum photosensor device with electron lensing
A scalable vacuum photosensor configured to simplify mass production with a housing having an evacuated first side at an ultrahigh vacuum and a second side which does not require high vacuum. The first side of the device is sealed to a base plate, having a central electron readout element, using an oxide-free sealing technique, with the deposited sealing areas serving as high voltage throughputs from the first to second sides. A conductive photocathode layer on the transparent first side converts photons to photoelectrons and concentrates the photoelectrons upon the readout. The first and second sides together form an electrostatic lens for accelerating and focusing photoelectrons upon the readout, preferably having a scintillator which generates secondary light measured by an optical detector in the second side of the housing.
US09064655B2 Input device with gel containing chambers in key cap
A device is provided. The device includes a first T-shaped structure defined via a first leg and a first platform. The device further includes a key cap with an interior open chamber. The cap is mounted onto the first structure such that the chamber contains the first platform. The device also includes a second T-shaped structure defined via a second leg and a second platform. The first leg vertically moves within the second leg such that the cap travels between a non-pressed position and a pressed position. The cap is raised above the second platform in the non-pressed position. The cap is in contact with the second platform in the pressed position.
US09064654B2 Method of manufacturing an input device
Input device manufacture techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a plurality of layers of a key assembly is positioned in a fixture such that one or more projections of the fixture are disposed through one or more openings in each of the one or more layers. The positioned plurality of layers is secured to each other.
US09064650B2 Assembly of RF-safe switch and detonator system in a non-RF free environment
A method for assembling a radio frequency (RF) safe switch and detonator system in a non-RF free environment. More particularly, the method is for assembling an RF-safe switch and detonator system for an oil well perforating gun at a well-site that is in a non-RF free environment.
US09064637B2 Dye-sensitized solar cell
A dye-sensitized solar cell includes a base material that functions as an electrode, has flexibility, and has a porous layer, containing a dye-sensitizer-supported fine particle of a metal oxide semiconductor on one surface thereof. A counter electrode base material is arranged to oppose the base material for dye sensitized solar cell, functions as an electrode, and has flexibility. A solid electrolyte layer is provided between the base material for dye-sensitized solar cell and the counter electrode base material and contacts the porous layer. Among the base materials, at least one has transparency; and at least one has an insulating layer provided on a surface thereof. The insulating layer is provided in a region a region where the porous layer is formed, and where the base materials are opposed to each other. The insulating layer has an external communication portion that leads from an inside of the porous layer-forming region to outside.
US09064636B1 Multilayer ceramic capacitor including first and second outer layer portions and an inner layer portion disposed therebetween
A multilayer body includes an inner layer portion, and a first outer layer portion and a second outer layer portion with the inner layer portion therebetween. The inner layer portion includes a conductive layer arranged closest to a first principle surface side to a conductive layer arranged closest to a second principle surface side in a stacking direction. The first outer layer portion includes a first dielectric layer arranged closest to the first principle surface side. The second outer layer portion includes an outer portion including a second dielectric layer arranged closest to the second principle surface side and an inner portion including a first dielectric layer arranged next to the outer portion at the first principle surface side.
US09064623B2 Electronic component
An electronic component comprises an element body, an external electrode, and an insulating resin coating layer. The element body has a pair of end faces opposed to each other, a pair of principal faces extending so as to connect the pair of end faces and opposed to each other, and a pair of side faces extending so as to connect the pair of principal faces and opposed to each other. The external electrode is formed so as to cover at least a partial region of the principal face and/or a partial region of the side face and has a plating layer comprised of Sn or an Sn alloy. The insulating resin coating layer covers at least the portion of the external electrode formed so as to cover the side face.
US09064622B2 RF resistor with lossy traces
An RF power resistor includes: a lossy layer; and a dielectric layer. The lossy layer is shaped and/or sized as a transmission line. The lossy layer is made of a lossy material. The dielectric layer is made of a dielectric material. The lossy layer and the dielectric material are located to be adjacent to each other and in contact with each other.
US09064620B2 Superconducting thin film and method of manufacturing superconducting thin film
Adhesiveness between a metallic substrate and a metal oxide layer is made to increase. A superconducting thin film (1) includes a metallic substrate (10), a metallic layer (22) that is formed on a main surface of the metallic substrate (10) and includes a metal element capable of being passivated as a main component, a metal oxide layer (24) that is formed on the metallic layer (22) and includes the passivated metal element as a main component, and a superconducting layer (40) that is formed on the metal oxide layer (24) directly or through an intermediate layer and includes an oxide superconductor as a main component.
US09064619B2 Electrical cable with easily removable casing
A cable which has at least two strands which each have a conductor surrounded by an insulation, where the strands are surrounded by an inner casing composed of a first polymer mixture and by an outer casing of a second polymer mixture resting on the inner casing, where the polymer components of the first and second polymer mixtures include a thermoplastic elastomer, and where the inner casing is foamed.
US09064614B2 Method of making a transparent conductive film
A method of making a transparent conductive film includes providing a carbon nanotube array and a substrate. At least one carbon nanotube film is extracted from the carbon nanotube array, and stacked on the substrate to form a carbon nanotube film structure. The carbon nanotube film structure is irradiated by a laser beam along a predetermined path to obtain a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern is separated from the other portions of the carbon nanotube film, thereby forming the transparent conductive film from the predetermined pattern of the carbon nanotube film.
US09064607B2 Method and apparatus for refueling a nuclear reactor having an instrumentation penetration flange
Apparatus and a method for retracting in-core instrument thimble tubes from the reactor core prior to refueling a nuclear reactor with top mounted instrumentation. The apparatus includes a penetration flange interposed between the head flange and the reactor vessel flange through which the instrumentation cabling passes. The penetration flange is connected to the upper internals and can be raised relative thereto to retract instrumentation thimbles from the core prior to removal of the upper internals from the reactor vessel for refueling. The penetration flange is removed from the vessel with the upper internals.
US09064603B1 Semiconductor memory device and memory system including the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array and a control logic. The memory cell array includes first and second sub arrays, the first sub array includes a first set of bank arrays, and the second sub array includes a second set of bank arrays. Each of the upper and lower bank arrays includes first and second portions having different timing parameters with respect to each other. The control logic controls access to the first and second portions such that read/write operation is performed on the first and second portions.
US09064601B2 Method of providing write recovery protection in PSRAM and related device
A method of operating a PSRAM includes selecting a bit on a word line of the PSRAM, keeping the word line on for a first predetermined duration after selecting the bit, writing a data into the bit in response to a write command, and keeping the word line on for a second predetermined duration after the write command ends.
US09064596B2 Semiconductor device
A register for a scan test has a data saving function. A scan flipflop includes first to third memory circuits. The first memory circuit is a memory circuit functioning as a register of a combination circuit in normal operation. The second memory circuit is a memory circuit for backup of the first memory circuit. The third memory circuit has a function of transferring data to a flipflop in a next stage. Further, the second memory circuit has a function of writing data of the first memory circuit to the third memory circuit and a function of writing data of the third memory circuit to the first memory circuit. At a given time, data of the first memory circuit can be extracted from an external device and data can be stored in the first memory circuit from an external device.
US09064594B2 Methods and apparatus for soft data generation for memory devices based on performance factor adjustment
Methods and apparatus are provided for soft data generation for memory devices based on a performance factor adjustment. At least one soft data value is generated for a memory device, such as a flash memory device, by obtaining at least one read value; and generating the soft data value based on the obtained at least one read value and an adjustment based on one or more performance factors of the memory device. The read values may be soft data or hard data. Possible performance factors include endurance, number of read cycles, retention time, temperature, process corner, inter-cell interference impact, location and a pattern of aggressor cells. One or more pattern-dependent and/or location-specific performance factors may also be considered. The generated soft data value may be a soft read value used to generate one or more log likelihood ratios or may be the log likelihood ratios themselves.
US09064588B1 Semiconductor devices including E-fuse arrays
The semiconductor device includes a start signal generation circuit and a boot-up operation circuit. The start signal generation circuit detects a level of an external voltage signal to generate a pre-detection signal; executes a differential amplification operation of a voltage difference between the external voltage signal and a reference voltage signal to generate a first detection signal; detects a level of an internal voltage signal to generate a second detection signal, and generates a start signal in response to the first and second detection signals. The boot-up operation circuit executes a boot-up operation in response to the start signal.
US09064575B2 Determining whether a memory cell state is in a valley between adjacent data states
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to memory cell state in a valley between adjacent data states. A number of methods can include determining whether a state of a memory cell is in a valley between adjacent distributions of states associated with respective data states. The method can also include transmitting a signal indicative of a data state of the memory cell and whether the state of the memory cell is in the valley.
US09064571B2 Programming at least one multi-level phase change memory cell
A method is provided that comprises a step of programming the PCM cell to have a respective definite cell state by at least one current pulse flowing to the PCM cell, said respective definite cell state being defined at least by a respective definite resistance level, a step of controlling said respective current pulse by a respective bitline pulse and a respective wordline pulse, and a step of controlling said respective bitline pulse and said respective wordline pulse dependent on an actual resistance value of the PCM cell and a respective reference resistance value being defined for the definite resistance level.
US09064566B2 Apparatuses and methods including supply current in memory
Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having first conductive lines, second conductive lines, a memory array including memory cells, each of the memory cells coupled between one of the first conductive lines and one of the second conductive lines. At least one of such apparatuses and methods can include a module configured to cause a first current from a first current source and a second current from a second current source to flow through a selected memory cell among the memory cells during an operation of storing information in the selected memory cell. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
US09064562B2 Memory module having multiple memory banks selectively connectable to a local memory controller and an external memory controller
A memory module includes memory banks, a local memory controller to access data in the memory banks, and an interface to an external memory controller that is configured to access the memory module. Multiplexing circuitry selectively connects the memory banks to the local memory controller and to the interface to the external memory controller.
US09064561B2 Handling of write operations within a memory device
A memory device includes an array of memory cells arranged into a plurality of rows and columns and having a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines passing through the array. The memory cells in each row are activated via a word line signal on the corresponding word line, and the memory cells in each column are coupled to an associated bit line pair via which data is written into an activated memory cell of the column during a write operation and data is read from the activated memory cell of the column during a read operation. A dummy column of dummy memory cells is provided and includes a plurality of loading dummy memory cells for providing a load to the at least one dummy bit line, and at least one write timing dummy memory cell coupled to a dummy word line.
US09064556B2 High frequency pseudo dual port memory
A pseudo dual port (PDP) memory is disclosed having a write driver that selectively precharges only one of a bit line and a complement bit line in a bit line pair responsive to a bit value to be written into an accessed bitcell while discharging a remaining one of the bit line and the complement bit line. In this fashion, the cleanup time between a read operation and a write operation during a read/write clock cycle is advantageously reduced.
US09064550B2 Method and apparatus for word line suppression
A memory access operation on a bit cell of a digital memory, e.g., a static random access memory (SRAM), is assisted by reducing the word line control voltage for reading and boosting it for writing, thus improving data integrity. The bit cell has cross coupled inverters for storing and retrieving a logic state via bit line connections through a passing gate transistor controlled by the word line. A level of a word line signal controlling the passing gate transistor is shifted from a first voltage value to a higher second voltage value to begin a memory access cycle. The level of the word line signal is shifted from the second voltage value to a third voltage value less than the second voltage value during the access cycle. The word line signal is maintained at the third voltage value for a time interval during the access cycle.
US09064544B2 Mounting device for hard disk drive
A mounting device for mounting a hard disk drive (HDD), includes a number of retaining members each including a neck portion and a head portion, an elastic latching member including a stop portion, and a number of vibration attenuation members fixed on a bottom wall of the HDD. Each vibration attenuation member includes a top portion, a bottom portion defining a mounting hole, and two elastic portions. The mounting hole defines a first hole and a second hole smaller in width than the first hole and communicating with the first hole. The retaining members are inserted into the first holes of the corresponding mounting holes, the HDD is moved until the neck portions of the retaining members engage in the second holes of the plurality of vibration attenuation members. The stop portion abuts against an end wall of the HDD.
US09064536B2 Randomly accessible visual information recording medium and recording method, and reproducing device and reproducing method
Access point pictures designated as randomly accessible positions are I pictures or P pictures. Information indicating the decoding sequence (I1, P1, B1, B2, B3, B4, P2, . . . ) of pictures functioning as access points and attribute information (picture_type) indicating whether a picture functions as an access point or is necessary for decoding of the access point following a given access point are recorded on the video information recording medium. Random access is possible even if the GOP interval is lengthened.
US09064533B2 Tape friction measurement
According to one embodiment, a method includes determining whether a primary velocity is valid and/or in a steady state; averaging a velocity error over a predetermined time period upon determining the primary velocity is valid and/or in a steady state; and calculating a new friction value based on the averaged velocity error.
US09064528B1 Interferometric waveguide usable in shingled heat assisted magnetic recording in the absence of a near-field transducer
A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) head is coupled with a laser for providing energy and has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The HAMR head includes a slider coupled with the laser and a HAMR transducer coupled with the slider. The HAMR transducer includes a write pole that writes to a region of the media, coil(s) for energizing the write pole and an interferometric waveguide (IWG) optically coupled with the laser. The IWG includes a splitter, a recombination region and arms between the splitter and the recombination region. The arms have multiple optical path lengths. The IWG is configured to provide the energy from the laser to the media by forming an interference pattern in the recombination region. An antinode of the interference pattern is at a region of the media and heats the region of the media for a write operation.
US09064527B1 High order tapered waveguide for use in a heat assisted magnetic recording head
A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) transducer is coupled with a laser for providing energy and has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The HAMR transducer includes a write pole, at least one coil, and a tapered waveguide optically coupled with the laser. The write pole is configured to write to a region of the media. The coil(s) energize the write pole. The tapered waveguide includes an entrance distal from the ABS, a bottom proximate to the ABS, a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. At least a portion of the first side and the second side converge in accordance with a function having at least one term having an order greater than one.
US09064507B1 Magnetic etch-stop layer for magnetoresistive read heads
A tunneling magnetoresistive read head produced thereby are disclosed. A shield layer is provided. A magnetic etch-stop layer is formed over the shield layer, where the magnetic etch-stop layer comprises a nonmagnetic metal and a soft magnetic material with overall property still being magnetically soft. A sensor stack is formed over the magnetic etch-stop layer. A patterned mask layer is formed over the sensor stack. Material from a portion of the sensor stack not covered by the patterned mask is removed.
US09064502B2 Speech intelligibility predictor and applications thereof
The application relates to a method of providing a speech intelligibility predictor value for estimating an average listener's ability to understand of a target speech signal when said target speech signal is subject to a processing algorithm and/or is received in a noisy environment. The application further relates to a method of improving a listener's understanding of a target speech signal in a noisy environment and to corresponding device units. The object of the present application is to provide an alternative objective intelligibility measure, e.g. a measure that is suitable for use in a time-frequency environment. The invention may e.g. be used in audio processing systems, e.g. listening systems, e.g. hearing aid systems.
US09064498B2 Apparatus and method for processing an audio signal for speech enhancement using a feature extraction
An apparatus for processing an audio signal to obtain control information for a speech enhancement filter has a feature extractor for extracting at least one feature per frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands of a short-time spectral representation of a plurality of short-time spectral representations, where the at least one feature represents a spectral shape of the short-time spectral representation in the frequency band. The apparatus additionally has a feature combiner for combining the at least one feature for each frequency band using combination parameters to obtain the control information for the speech enhancement filter for a time portion of the audio signal. The feature combiner can use a neural network regression method, which is based on combination parameters determined in a training phase for the neural network.
US09064492B2 Detecting potential significant errors in speech recognition results
In some embodiments, recognition results produced by a speech processing system (which may include two or more recognition results, including a top recognition result and one or more alternative recognition results) based on an analysis of a speech input, are evaluated for indications of potential errors. In some embodiments, the indications of potential errors may include discrepancies between recognition results that are meaningful for a domain, such as medically-meaningful discrepancies. The evaluation of the recognition results may be carried out using any suitable criteria, including one or more criteria that differ from criteria used by an ASR system in determining the top recognition result and the alternative recognition results from the speech input. In some embodiments, a recognition result may additionally or alternatively be processed to determine whether the recognition result includes a word or phrase that is unlikely to appear in a domain to which speech input relates.
US09064490B2 Method and apparatus for processing an audio signal using window transitions for coding schemes
An apparatus for processing an audio signal and method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes receiving, by an audio processing apparatus, an audio signal including a first data of a first block encoded with rectangular coding scheme and a second data of a second block encoded with non-rectangular coding scheme; receiving a compensation signal corresponding to the second block; estimating a prediction of an aliasing part using the first data; and, obtaining a reconstructed signal for the second block based on the second data, the compensation signal and the prediction of aliasing part.
US09064486B2 Ultrasonic sensor
An ultrasonic sensor includes a substantially cylindrical case including a bottom portion and a side wall portion and a plurality of members disposed within the case. A reinforcement having a substantially ring shape is fitted on a thick section in the case at a location that is not in contact with an inner surface of a thin section of the side wall portion. A piezoelectric element is attached to an inner bottom surface of the case. An elastic member is fitted on the reinforcement so as to cover a substantially ring-shaped opening region of the reinforcement. A gap between the elastic member and an inner circumferential surface of the case is filled with a first filler. The terminal holding member is placed on the elastic member. A surrounding region of the terminal holding member is filled with a second filler.
US09064483B2 System and method for identifying and converting frequencies on electrical stringed instruments
A method of producing an output from an electrical stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar, having a plurality of strings includes steps of (i) receiving a plurality of analog signals, each analog signal being generated in response to vibration of a corresponding one of the plurality of strings and each analog signal having an associated frequency, (ii) identifying from among the analog signals a particular one of the analog signals having the lowest associated frequency, and (iii) creating an output electrical signal based on only the particular one of the analog signals, the output electrical signal having a converted frequency that is lower than the associated frequency of the particular one of the analog signals.
US09064463B2 Electrowetting display device
A display device includes a display capacitor, a data switching device, and a reset switching device. The data switching device may transmit a data voltage to the display capacitor in response to an activating gate signal that is applied to the data switching device for a activating gate signal duration. The reset switching device may transmit a storage voltage to the display capacitor in response to an activating reset signal that is applied to the first reset switching device for an activating reset signal duration. The storage voltage is configured for resetting a pixel associated with the first display capacitor. The activating reset signal duration is longer than the activating gate signal duration.
US09064461B2 Load-aware compensation in light-emitting-diode backlight illumination systems
System(s) and method(s) are provided for power management in an electronic display via compensation of a power source of a light-emitting-diode (LED) backlighting system. A compensation feedback loop includes a load-aware controller that receives the bad condition from a dimming controller and supplies a control signal to the power source. An efficiency regulator functionally connected the backlight circuitry closes the compensation, feedback loop and provides an input signal to the load-aware controller. The dimming controller implements phase-shifted pulse-modulation dimming, which based on duty cycle can establish a dimming equilibrium with two load conditions. The load aware controller includes a set of compensation blocks arranged in parallel, with a single compensation block connected to the input signal and that provides the control signal. A selector component in the load aware controller determines a compensation block to be connected to the compensation feedback loop based on the received load condition.
US09064458B2 Organic light emitting display and driving method thereof
An organic light emitting display includes a display unit that includes pixels coupled to scan lines, control lines, and data lines; a control line driver for providing control signals to the respective pixels through the control lines; a first power driver for applying a first power to the pixels of the display unit; and a second power driver for applying a second power to the pixels of the display unit, wherein the first power and/or the second power is applied to the pixels of the display unit, having voltage values at different levels, during periods of one frame, and the control signals and the first and second powers are concurrently provided to all of the pixels.
US09064455B2 Display device having a power line arrangement for reducing voltage drop
A display device includes: a pixel area comprising pixels in rows and columns; main power lines at a first side of the pixel area and a second side of the pixel area facing the first side; first sub-power lines coupled to a first main power line of the main power lines formed at the first side and extending into the pixel area in a column direction; and second sub-power lines coupled to a second main power line of the main power lines formed at the second side and extending into the pixel area in the column direction, wherein the first sub-power lines and the second sub-power lines extend in different columns of pixels, and wherein a column of pixels of the pixels are alternatingly coupled to a neighboring sub-power line of the first sub-power lines and a neighboring sub-power line of the second sub-power lines.
US09064452B2 Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a switching transistor configured to perform a switching operation according to a scan signal; a driving transistor configured to supply a driving current according to a data signal transmitted according to the switching operation of the switching transistor; an organic light emitting element electrically connected with the driving transistor and configured to emit light according to the driving current; a resistor having a first end connected with an anode of the organic light emitting element; and a bypass wire connected with a second end of the resistor.
US09064444B2 Three-dimensional display device
A 3D image display device including a position detector, a display panel, a barrier panel, and a barrier panel controller. The position detector detects a position of a viewer and generates a selection signal. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels and alternately displays a left-eye image and a right-eye image. The barrier panel includes a light transmitting portion and a light blocking portion. The barrier panel controller controls a width of each of the light transmitting portion and the light blocking portion. The barrier panel is operated in one of a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode.
US09064440B2 Display apparatus and method of controlling display apparatus
When image data which does not satisfy set conditions is input from a device which outputs image data, a display apparatus prevents a distortion of display. The display device includes a display unit that displays an image based on image data input from the PC, a connection control unit that executes connection control of setting transmission conditions including transmission line capacity of the image data to be output from the PC by transmitting and receiving control information to and from the PC, an input data determination unit that determines whether or not the image data to be input from the PC satisfies the transmission conditions, after the connection control, and a display control unit that sets a display state with the display unit as a predetermined display state, when it is determined that the image data to be input from the PC does not satisfy the transmission conditions.
US09064436B1 Text input on touch sensitive interface
Methods and systems for text input are provided. In one example, a head-mountable device (HMD) having a touch interface may be configured to receive touch inputs from a user to enter text. The touch interface may include input areas corresponding to characters. The HMD may be configured to determine characters and words the user wishes to enter according to different touch inputs, including land inputs, lift inputs, flick inputs, drag inputs, tap inputs, and scratch inputs. In one case, the HMD may determine subsets of characters for each letter in a word the user wishes to enter, and determine the word the user wishes to enter according to the subsets of characters. In another case, the HMD may determine a vector array corresponding to the word the user wishes to enter, and determine the word the user wishes to enter by comparing the vector array against word vector templates.
US09064432B2 Display device
A display device includes a display panel including a front substrate and a back substrate, a back cover positioned in the rear of the display panel, and a backlight unit positioned between the display panel and the back cover. The backlight unit includes a plurality of optical sheets. At least first optical sheet of the plurality of optical sheets includes an opening. At least second optical sheet of the other optical sheets except the first optical sheet among the plurality of optical sheets includes a protrusion corresponding to the opening of the first optical sheet.
US09064429B2 Taxidermy head form and method
A taxidermy form recreates the head of an animal, the taxidermy head form comprising a head member including first and second laterally spaced protrusions molded therein for receiving and supporting artificial eyes, the eyes being movable relative to the protrusions for a desired alignment. A face member has first and second eye openings formed therethrough. The head member and the face member are dimensionally adapted to receive the other to form the assembled taxidermy head form for receiving the animal head skin. The face member is affixed in at least partially covering relation to the head member such that the at least one eye extends at least partially through the first or second eye openings.
US09064425B2 Color-based music output system and method thereof
The present invention discloses a color-based music output system and a method thereof. The system of the present invention comprises a pickup unit receiving a musical signal; a recognition unit electrically connected with the pickup unit to receive the musical signal and recognizing musical elements from the musical signal; a conversion unit electrically with the recognition unit to receive the musical elements and converting the musical elements into colored musical notes; and a processing unit electrically connected with the pickup unit, the recognition unit and the conversion unit, receiving the colored musical notes, and outputting a colored musical notation corresponding to the colored musical notes. The present invention provides an easy-to-read colored musical notation to simplify the conventional five-line staff and overcome the disadvantages thereof and also provides an innovative color-based music output system to make users read musical notations easier.
US09064422B2 Data transmission for transportation management
A portable wireless data transfer and display device includes a user interface, a communication module, a display, and a short-range wireless communication module configured to wirelessly receive vehicle data from a data acquisition device mounted inside a vehicle when in close proximity to the data acquisition device. The portable wireless data transfer and display device is configured to accept inputs of driver information from a user via the user interface and further includes a long-range wireless communication module configured to send the vehicle data and the driver information through the communication module in real-time or at intervals that approximate real-time to a remote network device via a long-range wireless network. The portable wireless data transfer and display device is further configured to present at least one of: the vehicle data, the driver information, processed data, driver communications to the user via the display.
US09064414B2 Indicator for automated parking systems
Indicating payment for use of a destination location is disclosed. First, it is determined that a vehicle has approached the destination location. In response, it is determined that that the destination location is associated with automated parking services. In response, a first activation signal is forwarded to an indicator. Next, it is determined that the vehicle is within the destination location at a first time. In response, it is determined that an account associated with the vehicle is configured to make payment for parking of the vehicle within the destination location. Then, payment for the parking of the vehicle within the destination location is activated. Finally, in response, a second activation signal that differs from the first activation signal is forwarded to the indicator.
US09064411B1 Traffic light illumination duration indicator
A traffic light illumination duration indicator that provides a motor vehicle operator with a visual indicator of the current illuminated light time remaining before the light changes. The visual indicator is a digital display for showing the remaining minutes and seconds before the traffic light changes state between green, amber and red. The visual indicator can also be a clock-like face that either turns on or turns off a plurality of LED's in a hand sweep action indicating the time duration before the traffic light changes from one state to another.
US09064409B1 Traffic signal connected digital electronic display and method of controlling the same
A digital electronic display connected to a traffic signal and a method of controlling the digital electronic display are provided. The digital electronic display includes a communication unit configured to receive content including content segments and metadata, a display screen, and a processor. The processor is configured to monitor the traffic signal to determine when, and the duration during which, a red light and a green light of the traffic signal is illuminated, present a content segment on the display screen corresponding to the red light based on the metadata and substantially for the entire duration when the red light is illuminated, and control the display screen to operate in a low-power state substantially for the entire duration when the green light is illuminated.
US09064396B2 Receiver, apparatus, and methods for wirelessly receiving data from a power infrastructure
Apparatuses, receivers, systems and methods for receiving data via a power line infrastructure. An exemplary apparatus includes a base station configured to receive a signal from a power line of a structure by coupling to the power line through an electrical outlet. The base station may include an impedance matching circuit configured to match an impedance of the power line of the structure, and a receiver coupled to the impedance matching circuit. The receiver may be configured to demodulate the signal received from the power line of the structure, convert the demodulated signal into a digital signal, and provide the digital signal to a decoder.
US09064393B2 Video playback method, terminal, and system
The present disclosure discloses a video playback method, apparatus, and system. The method includes: dividing an original playback image into at least two regions of interest; determining, among the at least two regions of interest, a first region of interest where a triggering event occurs; obtaining decoded data of a first video image displayed in the first region of interest; and rendering the decoded data of the first video image to a specified playback window for playing. Using the video playback method, apparatus, and system according to embodiments of the present disclosure, an original playback image is divided into multiple regions of interest, and an image in a region of interest where a triggering event occurs is displayed separately.
US09064388B1 Impulse noise detection and cancellation in power line communication device
A receiver for a power line communication (PLC) device includes an analog front end configured to receive an input signal from a power line. The input signal includes symbols and wherein each of the symbols includes samples. A demodulator module is configured to demodulate the input signal to generate a demodulated signal. The demodulator module includes an impulse noise module configured to detect and remove impulse noise in the symbols of the input signal.
US09064386B2 Alarm enhancing protective cover for safety instruments with optional calibration chamber
Methods and systems to redirect the audible and visible signals from alarms on a portable safety device. A cover (10) cooperates with a portable safety device (50) to define a sound chamber (12) that amplifies audible warning signals. A visual alarm guide (14) also is provided. A calibration adapter (500) affords quick and simple bump testing and calibration of the portable safety device.
US09064374B2 System and method for gaming in a dynamic network using wireless communication devices
A short-range wireless network is established by direct communication between wireless devices and wireless access points to permit gambling within a casino. The short communication range of the access points assures that the wireless device is in the casino. A gaming communication link is used to exchange game play data (e.g., betting, card dealing, etc.) between a gaming controller and one or more wireless devices. Game play may be conducted between a player and the house or between a plurality of payers. In one embodiment, all communication is routed between players using the gaming controller so that the house controls the transmission of all game play data.
US09064366B1 Blind withdrawal for transportation
Methods and devices provide for blind withdrawal of currency for transportation. A cash handling device may allow a selection for transport withdrawal. The user need not know the amount to be requested for dispensation. At least a portion of the currency in the cashing handling device may be stored in the container. The container may have an identifier (e.g., a barcode, an RFID tag, and the like) on it. The identifier may be stored in a database along with the amount of currency in the container. The database may be stored locally in the cashing handling device or in remote location. At a location to which the container is being delivered, the identifier may be read and used to lookup in the database the amount of currency in the container. The currency in the container may be counted and compared to the amount stored in the database for the identifier.
US09064365B2 Authentication system
The invention is directed to an authentication system comprising a reader and a first and a second authentication media and a meta authentication media foreseen as a carrier between different authentication media and the reader.
US09064360B2 Coin counting device
A coin counting device includes a mounting seat, a counting unit disposed removably on the mounting seat, a guiding unit, and a track unit. The mounting seat includes a first guide passage, and two retaining groove units located respectively at two sides of a central axis of the first guide passage. The counting unit is disposed selectively within one of the retaining groove units.
US09064346B2 Hierarchical based 3D image processor, method, and medium
A three dimensional (3D) image processing using ray tracing. The 3D image processing includes checking for a collision of rays, each ray respectively corresponding to a pixel of a plurality of pixels included in an image, and generating a plurality of corresponding ray trees to a first depth; and checking a collision of rays, each ray respectively corresponding to at least one pixel of the plurality of pixels, and updating a ray tree corresponding to the at least one pixel to a second depth.
US09064332B2 Fused-image visualization for surgery evaluation
Disclosed herein is a framework for facilitating fused-image visualization for surgery evaluation. In accordance with one aspect of the framework, at least one pre-operative image and at least one intra-operative image of an anatomical structure are received. A region of interest may be identified in the intra-operative image. The pre-operative image may be straightened, and a symmetric region may be identified in the straightened pre-operative image. The symmetric region is substantially symmetrical to a target region in the straightened pre-operative region. The target region corresponds to the region of interest in the intra-operative image. The symmetric region may be extracted and reflected to generate a reference image. The intra-operative image may be rigidly registered with the reference image to generate registered intra-operative image, which is overlaid on the target region in the straightened pre-operative image to generate a fused image.
US09064331B2 Three-dimensional image processing apparatus, three-dimensional image processing method, and program
A three-dimensional image processing device for performing image correction processing on a three-dimensionally-viewed image includes a conversion unit and a composition unit. The conversion unit generates a converted image by performing tone conversion on a pixel value in an object included in the three-dimensionally-viewed image based on a relationship between a pixel value of a pixel of interest that is a processing target and a pixel value of a peripheral pixel of the pixel of interest. The composition unit synthesizes an n-th pixel in a first viewpoint image included in the three-dimensionally-viewed image and a corresponding pixel in a second viewpoint image included in the three-dimensionally-viewed image with a distribution ratio that is based on a subject distance of the n-th pixel. The corresponding pixel is located in the same spatial location as the n-th pixel.
US09064326B1 Local cache of augmented reality content in a mobile computing device
An augmented reality application is coded to operate on a mobile computing device. A routine allocates a portion of a memory in the mobile computing to be a local cache for the downloadable application to store augmented reality content and information and characteristics concerning a plurality of real world trigger items. A space utilization algorithm and a content selection algorithm are incorporated into the augmented reality application. The amount and ways the real world trigger items and augmented reality content are stored is balanced against an amount of memory space set or allowed for a size of the local cache on that particular mobile computing device.
US09064324B2 Image processing device, image processing method, and recording medium on which an image processing program is recorded
An image processing device, in a case in which an image processing module, uses in image processing a processor that is different than a processor used in image processing by an image processing module of a preceding stage, is connected at a subsequent stage, carries out transfer processing that transfers image data, that has been written into a buffer by the image processing module of the preceding stage, to a buffer for transfer that is reserved in a memory space corresponding to the processor that the image processing module of the subsequent stage uses in image processing, and carries out processing that causes the image processing module of the subsequent stage to read-out the image data transferred to the buffer for transfer.
US09064321B2 Imaging or communications system utilizing multisample apodization and method
Methods, systems and system components for optimizing contrast resolution of an imaging or sensing system utilizing multiple channels of broadband data associated with an array of transducers. Channels of data are filtered by passing the channels of data through finite impulse response (FIR) filters on each channel. The filters each have multiple taps having tap weights pre-calculated as a function of distance of the array from an object that energy is being transmitted to or reflected from. The weights are pre-computed through a deterministic equation based on an a priori system model.
US09064316B2 Methods of content-based image identification
A method of identifying one or more image features of an image based on content of the image according to one example embodiment includes receiving an image, correcting a distortion and a tone of the image, segmenting the corrected image and extracting the one or more image features, generating an input image descriptor based on the one or more extracted image features, matching the input image descriptor with a reference image descriptor, and performing an action based on the matched reference image descriptor.
US09064313B2 Adaptive tone map to a region of interest to yield a low dynamic range image
Technologies may provide for yielding a low dynamic range image. A logic architecture may be implemented to perform a global tone map operation on a high dynamic range image to yield a preview image. The logic architecture may also be implemented to perform a local tone map operation on a region of interest of a preview image to yield a low dynamic range image. Additionally, the logic architecture may be implemented to provide an image that includes a predetermined amount of image pixels that are not saturated. In addition, the logic architecture may be implemented to employ image view data to yield a low dynamic range image. Moreover, the logic architecture may be implemented to convert the region of interest into a region that includes the foveal region of a user. In one example, the tone map operation is performed entirely automatically and interactively.
US09064310B2 Position estimation device, position estimation method, and computer program product
According to an embodiment, a position estimation device includes first and second obtaining units, first and second calculators, and an estimating unit. The first obtaining unit is configured to obtain first data about a size and a position of an object in a first image. The second obtaining unit is configured to obtain second data about a distance to or a position of the object in a second image. The first calculator is configured to calculate, based on the first and second data, weights for first and second actual sizes of the object estimated respectively from the first and second data. The second calculator is configured to calculate a third actual size of the object by using the first and second actual sizes and the weights. The estimating unit is configured to estimate a three-dimensional position of the object by using the third actual size.
US09064306B2 Bidirectional blood vessel segmentation
Embodiments relate to segmenting blood vessels in angiogram images. An aspect includes a method that includes receiving and preprocessing at least one angiogram frame and preprocessing. In one embodiment, at least one angiogram frame is received and preprocessed. Bottom-up filtering of the preprocessed angiogram frame and top-down segmentation of the preprocessed angiogram frame are performed based on the results of the bottom-up filtering. The bottom-up filtering and the top-down segmentation are iteratively repeated until the difference between results of the top-down segmentation from consecutive iterations is equal to or below a threshold value. Based on determining that a difference between results of the top-down segmentation from consecutive iterations is below or equal to the threshold value, the results of the top-down segmentation are outputted.
US09064293B2 Vehicle surroundings monitoring device
A vehicle surroundings monitoring device carries out a position mapping process of expressing a positional relationship in the detection ranges of distance sensors 2 for detecting an obstacle 100 by coordinates on a camera image captured by a camera unit 3 having an image capture range in the surroundings of a vehicle, derives transformation parameters used for carrying out a mapping transformation in such a way that the obstacle detected by the distance sensors 2 is placed at a predetermined position on the camera image on which the position mapping process has been carried out, and carries out an image transformation on the camera image by using the transformation parameters in such a way that the obstacle is placed at the predetermined position.
US09064290B2 Method for inspecting a physical asset
A method of inspecting a physical asset using a mobile computing device is disclosed. Data regarding the asset and its condition is collected on the mobile device by a user, and may include photographs, audio or video recordings, text or other types of data. The data is automatically annotated with the current time and the geo-location of the device. The data is transmitted to a server and saved in a manner such that it may not be modified. This allows for auditing, as well as tracking of the asset over time by comparing data entered at one time with data entered at another time. Reports may be automatically generated from the saved data when desired. Pre-defined fields for data entry may be presented for ease of use. In some embodiments, the asset being inspected is a building, house or apartment.
US09064283B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for reviewing file management
Systems, apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture provide for reviewing the management of one or more business files. According to some embodiments, methods may include determining a plurality of file review criteria, determining a plurality of file review questions, determining a respective maximum potential review score for each file review question, determining respective responses for the file review questions, adjusting (if necessary) one or more of the maximum potential review scores, and/or determining at least one review score for each file review question answered. Some embodiments may provide for determining a respective review score for a file for each of one or more predetermined file review criteria.
US09064280B2 Electronic commerce checkout procedures of a website
In one example, a method includes transitioning, by a server system, from a full checkout procedure of a website to a reduced functionality checkout procedure of the website. The full checkout procedure includes calculations corresponding to a set of parameters associated with an electronic commerce transaction. The reduced functionality checkout procedure includes calculations corresponding to a subset of the parameters associated with the electronic commerce transaction. The method further includes receiving, by the server system and from a client device, a request to complete the electronic commerce transaction via the website, and in response to receiving the request to complete the electronic commerce transaction, executing, by the server system, the reduced functionality checkout procedure.
US09064273B2 System and method for management and delivery of content and rules
A system and methods for management and delivery of content and rules is disclosed. An exemplary method may comprise managing, for an organization, a plurality of data and a plurality of content in separate database entities, wherein the plurality of content is associated with the plurality of data based on a plurality of rules; packaging the plurality of rules with the plurality of content in a carrier that is independent from one or more presentation channels, wherein at least part of the plurality of content is integrated with at least part of the plurality of data; delivering the plurality of data and the carrier to the one or more presentation channels; integrating, at the one or more presentation channels, the plurality of data with the plurality of content based on the plurality of rules; and distributing the integrated data and content through the one or more presentation channels.
US09064268B2 Gift card exchange kiosks and associated methods of use
The present disclosure is directed to gift card exchange kiosks and associated methods of use. In one embodiment, for example, a consumer operated kiosk can receive a gift card identifier associated with a gift card via a user interface and/or a card reader, verify the gift card's activation status and/or face value, and display exchange options for a consumer. The exchange options can include exchanging the gift card for cash or a redeemable cash voucher. The kiosk can also store exchanged gift cards for later sale at the kiosk or at a remote location.
US09064263B2 System and method for advertisement placement
Advertisement placement includes: obtaining one or more advertisement query keywords; determining, using one or more computer processors, in a multi-level advertisement information store, a selection of advertisement information for placement; and presenting the selection of advertisement information to be placed at a client. The multi-level advertisement information store comprises advertisement information organized into a plurality of first-level categories, and each first-level category is associated with a respective plurality of subordinate levels of categories.
US09064262B2 Method and apparatus for exchange of information
A computer-implemented method for transmitting information comprises receiving, by a server, contact information about a participant; assigning, by the server, an identification to the participant; associating, by the server, the identification with the contact information of the participant; allowing, by the server, use of the identification on a network, wherein the network is limited to a geographic region; receiving, by the server, a request transmitted over the network to send a message to the participant, wherein the request comprises the identification of the participant; determining, by the server, a method of communication of the participant based upon the identification in the request; and transmitting, by the server, the message to the participant using the preferred communication method.
US09064259B2 Customer care mobile application
A system and method is provided for providing contact center services via a mobile application on a mobile device. Status of a service request that is transmitted to a contact center is monitored. When a change in the status is detected, a notification is automatically transmitted to the mobile application. An interaction request is received from the mobile application in response to the notification. The interaction request identifies the service request. A party handling the service request is identified in response to receipt of the interaction request. The identified party is invited for engaging in interaction with the mobile device.
US09064258B2 Method and system for reserving future purchases of goods and services
A method and system for reserving future purchases of goods or services or events. A sub-set of reservations from a set of available reservations used to reserve a spot in a facility or at an event are associated with and selectable with plural electronic options. The plural electronic options are also associated with reservation requests if no actual available reservation are available and automatically converted to electronic options for actual reservation if a reservation later becomes available at the facility or event.
US09064251B2 Plug-in based chip card payments
A chip card payment processor interface component exposes a plurality of different interfaces for a plurality of different chip card payment processors. A chip card peripheral device interface component exposes a plurality of different chip card peripheral device interfaces for a plurality of different chip card peripheral devices. A payment services component can thus interact with the plurality of different chip card peripheral devices in conducting a transaction, and can also interact with a plurality of different chip card payment processors to authenticate and validate the transaction.
US09064246B1 Payment service and platform authentication integration
A mobile payment services integration system is provided. The system comprises a computer system and an application, that when executed on the computer system, maintains a list of payment options associated with a portable electronic device. The system also authenticates an identity of the portable electronic device in connection with a first online purchase transaction with a first online merchant. The system also orders payment using one of the payment options to the first online merchant. The system also authenticates the identity of the portable electronic device in connection with a second online purchase transaction with a second online merchant, where the first online merchant is unaffiliated with the second online merchant. The system also orders payment using one of the payment options to the second online merchant.
US09064240B2 Application based on node types associated with implicit backtracking
Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to development of an application. An interface can be provided to develop an application using multiple nodes associated with a workflow model. The workflow model can include implicit backtracking based on node type.
US09064233B2 Methods and apparatus for device-specific analytics data visualization
Methods and apparatus for presenting a visualization of content and analytics data for content accessed from one or more devices, where the visualization includes a display of the content as it would appear on a given device. In some cases, an analytics visualization tool displays the content overlaid with analytics data specific to a device and to the content. Additionally, the analytics visualization tool may request a content page from a content server, where the request includes an indication of being a particular device, and in response, a content page is received formatted according to the particular device. The analytics visualization tool may then display the received content page along with analytics data that has been segmented according to the device and according to the content page.
US09064229B2 Real-time asset tracking using discovery services
Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to sharing data in a supply chain, the data corresponding to an item having a tag associated therewith. Methods include storing item-level data in a computer-readable repository, determining endpoint data, the endpoint data indicating a location of the item-level data, determining a random number from the tag, the random number unique to the item, selecting a first integer and a second integer, generating a first public key based on the first integer and a semi-public key based on the second integer, generating an identifier based on the first public key and the random number, generating a key based on the semi-public key and the random number, encrypting the endpoint data using the key to provide encrypted endpoint data, defining a tuple comprising the identifier and the encrypted endpoint data, and transmitting the tuple over a network for storage in a persistent storage device.
US09064228B2 Methods and devices for classifying objects
The invention provides methods for classifying an object by (a) at least partially coating at least one surface of the object with at least one barcode; (b) scanning the barcode with at least one corresponding barcode detector that is detectably compatible with a barcode of the type coated on the object; (c) determining whether the barcode is read by the barcode detector; and (d) classifying the object on the basis of at least one barcode not being read by the corresponding barcode detector.
US09064224B2 Process driven business intelligence
Described herein is a technology for facilitating process driven business intelligence. In one implementation, context data generated by a business process tool is received. One or more relevant application programming interfaces (APIs) are identified by matching the APIs with the current attribute associated with the context data. The APIs are executable by a processor to retrieve source data from an information source and provide business intelligence based on the source data.
US09064215B2 Learning spike timing precision
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for learning or determining delays between neuron models so that the uncertainty in input spike timing is accounted for in the margin of time between a delayed pre-synaptic input spike and a post-synaptic spike. In this manner, a neural network can correctly match patterns (even in the presence of significant jitter) and correctly distinguish between different noisy patterns. One example method generally includes determining an uncertainty associated with a first pre-synaptic spike time of a first neuron model for a pattern to be learned; and determining a delay based on the uncertainty, such that the delay added to a second pre-synaptic spike time of the first neuron model results in a causal margin of time between the delayed second pre-synaptic spike time and a post-synaptic spike time of a second neuron model.
US09064214B2 Context aware apparatus and method
A context aware apparatus is provided. The context aware apparatus includes an extracting unit configured to extract a terminological-box (T-box) from a semantic model, a first generating unit configured to generate a reasoning rule based on the extracted T-box, a second generating unit configured to generate a first assertion-box (A-box) based on sensing information, and a reasoning unit configured to infer a user context based on the reasoning rule and the first A-box.
US09064212B2 Automatic event categorization for event ticket network systems
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving event information associated with an event listing, the event information being inputted by a user of an online event management system at a client device; transmitting the event information to the online event management system, the event listing being synchronously categorized with the sending of the event information; and receiving from the online event management system one or more categories associated with the event listing for display to the user at the client device, the categories being automatically determined based on categorization models of the online event management system in response to the transmitted event information.
US09064209B2 Printing through physical proximity between printer and print client device
Systems and methods of operating a computing system may involve utilizing an interactive physical event between a client device and a target printer to unambiguously select the target printer. In one example, upon such an interactive event, a mutual identification method may be implemented between the client device and the target printer, followed by creation of a secure point-to-point communication link over which a print request may be executed.
US09064208B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming system
When data for printing and an authentication code are inputted, a CPU of printer calculates a number of sheets to be used based on the data for printing. The CPU adds the calculated number of sheets to be used to the management table, based on the inputted authentication code, and rearranges the management table so that a use with a smaller number of used sheets is in a higher place. The CPU executes print processing using the inputted data for printing. The CPU acquires a display name, ranking, and the number of used sheets corresponding to inputted authentication code from the management table in an RAM to transmit to information technology equipment.
US09064206B2 Image forming apparatus that prints image data including color code symbol
An image forming apparatus capable of printing image data including a color code symbol without damaging information held in the code symbol even in an environment where only monochrome printing is possible due to print settings or the capability of an apparatus. A code symbol is extracted from input image data, and code symbol information is acquired from the extracted code symbol. It is determined whether or not an image to be output by performing image processing on the input image data is a monochrome image. When it is determined that the image to be output is a monochrome image, a monochrome code symbol is generated based on the acquired code symbol information. The generated monochrome code symbol and the image to be output are synthesized, and the synthesized image is output.
US09064194B1 Systems and methods for spike suppression for dynamic magnetic stripe communications devices
Dynamic magnetic stripe communications devices are provided as magnetic stripe emulators on a card or device having one or more communication channels. An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) may include one or more waveform generators that include spike suppression circuitry to reduce excessive signal excursions during power-up and/or activation of the one or more communication channels on the card or device. Data to be communicated by the magnetic stripe emulator may be encoded within the one or more waveforms and communicated to a magnetic stripe reader.
US09064187B2 Method and system for item identification
The disclosed method and the corresponding system for identifying an item on a production line according to the invention relies on color histograms established from a digital image of the item, which are compared, on a bin per bin basis, with minimum and maximum numbers of pixels per bin allowed for identification with a reference item.
US09064185B2 Preventing classification of object contextual information
Technology is disclosed for preventing classification of objects, e.g., in an augmented reality system. The technology can identify a set of objects to be classified, determine whether context information for one or more objects in the identified set of objects to be classified is identified as not to be employed during classification, and during classification of two different objects, include context information for one object but not the other.
US09064177B1 System and method for automatically measuring the dimensions of and identifying the type of exterior siding
Methods, systems, and computer readable media are disclosed for determining a pixel-to-length ratio between a number of pixels disposed over a predetermined length of a reference object within an image of a siding sample and the predetermined length of the reference object. A first and second distance between respective first and second pairs of points within the image corresponding to respective first and second length measurements of the siding sample are determined, as well as a first and second number of pixels disposed between the first and second pair of points, respectively. Furthermore, the method, system, and computer readable medium disclose determining the first length measurement based on the pixel-to-length ratio and the first number of pixels, determining the second length measurement based on the pixel-to-length ratio and the second number of pixels, and identifying a siding product associated with the first and second length measurements.
US09064173B2 Method and apparatus for automated plant necrosis
A method of real-time plant selection and removal from a plant field including capturing a first image of a first section of the plant field, segmenting the first image into regions indicative of individual plants within the first section, selecting the optimal plants for retention from the first image based on the first image and the previously thinned plant field sections, sending instructions to the plant removal mechanism for removal of the plants corresponding to the unselected regions of the first image from the second section before the machine passes the unselected regions, and repeating the aforementioned steps for a second section of the plant field adjacent the first section in the direction of machine travel.
US09064154B2 Systems and methods for associating electronic content
Systems and methods are provided for identifying and recommending electronic content to consumers. In accordance with an implementation, one or more elements of electronic content are associated to generate video graph data. In an exemplary method, information associated with first and second elements of video content is obtained and decomposed into corresponding first and second segments. A value indicative of an association between the first and second elements of video content is generated when the similarity measure satisfies at least one association rule.
US09064142B2 High-speed fingerprint feature identification system and method thereof according to triangle classifications
A fingerprint feature identification system and method utilizes multiple feature points on a fingerprint to build feature triangles. Each of the feature triangles are classified as one of predetermined triangle classifications according to geometric data thereof. Every new feature triangle built from a new fingerprint is classified first and then compared with its geometric data to multiple filed feature triangles with the same triangle classification to shorten overall comparison duration.
US09064132B1 Method for writing hardware encrypted backups on a per set basis
A method is disclosed. The method includes encrypting a first data, wherein the encrypting the first data set is performed using a first key, and the encrypting the first data set is performed using a dedicated encryption circuit. The first data set is stored on a first storage medium. A second data set is encrypted, wherein the encrypting the second data set is performed using a second key, and the encrypting the second data set is performed using the dedicated encryption circuit. The second data set is stored on the first storage medium.
US09064129B2 Managing data
One example discloses a data manager of a data collector (DCDM) executing on a virtual machine for managing sensitive data. The DCDM can have a conformance certificate that characterizes functionality of the DCDM. The DCDM can request sensitive data from a data subject, wherein the request for the sensitive data includes the conformance certificate. The DCDM can further receive, in response to the request, the sensitive data encrypted with an encrypted secret key. The secret key can be decrypt-able with a private key stored at a trusted platform module for the data collector (DCTPM).
US09064128B1 Selective physical world correlation of virtual world interactions
Techniques described herein relate to facilitating interaction in the physical world, after initial interaction has occurred within the virtual world, while also maintaining at least a degree of privacy, anonymity, safety, and/or deniability for the physical world parties. This may be accomplished, according to some example embodiments, by the exchange of one or more self-identifiers between virtual world personas, each of which is defined by its sending physical world party but that lacks any personal identification information associated with the sending party. Content of a self-identifier may only be known to the sending physical world party, at least until the receiving party is authorized and/or consents to view or display the self-identifier in a manner that may be perceived by the sending party. A sending party that perceives their own self-identifier, as displayed by a receiving party, may correlate the receiving party with a virtual world persona to which the self-identifier was sent.
US09064125B2 Image analysis and management
Systems, methods and apparatuses are described herein that allow an enterprise to analyze and manage work product images that are stored on a mobile device. Employees of an enterprise may use a mobile device to store both work product images (e.g., images of sensitive or proprietary information) and non-work product images (e.g., personal images). An enterprise may desire to enforce security protocols on the work product images, but the employee may not want the security protocols applied to the non-work product images. In some embodiments, by installing and executing an image manager that is able to analyze and manage images, the enterprise can enforce security protocols on only the work product images. Such security protocols may include the prevention of unauthorized viewing of the work product image (e.g., by encrypting the work product image) or deleting any work product image from the mobile device when the employee's employment has ended.
US09064124B1 Distributed caching system
The disclosure describes embodiments of a distributed caching system that are configured to store session state identifiers in a networked cache, enabling dynamic allocation of requests to servers. Client devices can resume secure sessions even if assigned to new servers as the new servers can obtain the session state identifiers from the distributed caching system. In at least some cases, the client device can be authenticated without the server having to perform a full authentication, thereby reducing the workload of the server and decreasing latency as the server can respond faster.
US09064122B2 Job processing system, job processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
A system for processing a job including one or a plurality of tasks, comprises: a management service server which manages a job generated by receiving the designation; and one or a plurality of task processing service servers which process one or a plurality of tasks forming the job, in order to execute processing based on the job, the management service server comprises: holding unit which holds, for each of the service servers, encryption information defining a method of encrypting and to decrypt a file corresponding to the job, and information which is used when generating a key for use in encryption and decryption; and specification unit which specifies, when receiving encryption information acquisition request, encryption information for a service server of a job corresponding to an encrypted file to be decrypted by the task processing service server.
US09064109B2 Privacy enhanced key management for a web service provider using a converged security engine
In an embodiment, a security engine of a processor includes an identity provider logic to generate a first key pair of a key pairing associating system user and a service provider that provides a web service and having a second system coupled to the system via a network, to perform a secure communication with the second system to enable the second system to verify that the identity provider logic is executing in a trusted execution environment, and responsive to the verification, to send a first key of the first key pair to the second system. This key may enable the second system to verify an assertion communicated by the identity provider logic that the user has been authenticated to the system according to a multi-factor authentication. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09064107B2 Infusion devices and methods
Medical devices having restrictive access, and methods thereof are provided.
US09064106B2 Method and apparatus to keep consistency of ACLs among a meta data server and data servers
Exemplary embodiments may involve a meta-data server that manages data-server access control list (DS ACL) information. Each entry of this DS ACL information may include an address of a data server, an identification or a range address of chunk data on the data server, a file path of the chunk data in the file tree provided by the meta-data server, and addresses of the permitted clients. The meta-data server may determine the addresses of the permitted clients for the chunk data by retrieving the original file path of chunk data from layout information of the meta-data server, and by retrieving the entry containing the directory path that partially matches with the original file path from an access control list of the meta-data server.
US09064102B2 Method, system and device for secured access to protected digital material
A method, system and device for providing secure access to multimedia content received by a networked digital storage device, such as a set-top box. A mobile device, such as a mobile telephone, obtains appropriate security binding information and application software when coupled to the networked digital storage device at its end user location. The mobile device uploads the security binding information to a randomly located temporary hosting device at its place-shifted location when coupled thereto and, through a logical binding with the temporary hosting device, enables a secure, remote session. The secure binding and transfer of appropriate keys allow the remote hosting device to securely access premium or protected digital material/services available at the networked digital storage device. After completion of the secure, remote access session, termination occurs and the security binding information and the computing activity residue can be removed from the mobile device and the temporary hosting device.
US09064086B2 Retargeting semiconductor device shapes for multiple patterning processes
A method includes receiving a design layout file for an integrated circuit device in a computing apparatus. The design layout file specifies dimensions of a plurality of features. The design layout file is decomposed to a plurality of colored layout files, each colored layout file representing a particular reticle in a multiple patterning process. Each of the colored layout files is retargeted separately in the computing apparatus to generate a plurality of retargeted colored layout files. Retargeting each of the colored layout files includes increasing dimensions of a first plurality of features based on spacings between the first plurality of features and adjacent features. The retargeted layout files are combined to generate a combined layout file. Features in the combined layout file are retargeted in the computing apparatus to increase dimensions of a second plurality of features based on spacings between the second plurality of features and adjacent features.
US09064082B2 Updating pin locations in a graphical user interface of an electronic design automation tool
Methods and apparatuses are described for creating, editing, and viewing a floorplan of a circuit design. Specifically, some embodiments enable a user to perform a graphical operation at an inference point in a circuit design layout, wherein the location of the inference point is determined based on existing graphical objects in the circuit design layout. Some embodiments substantially instantaneously update a congestion indicator in a circuit design layout in response to modifying the circuit design layout. Some embodiments substantially instantaneously update pin locations of a block or partition in response to changing the size or shape of the block or partition. Some embodiments enable a user to view a circuit design layout based on the logical hierarchy, and also based on at least one additional attribute type such as voltage, power, or clock domain.
US09064079B2 Power layout for integrated circuits
An integrated circuit with a power layout includes at least one power grid cell. Each power grid cell includes a first power layer configured to be electrically coupled to a first power supply voltage, and a second power layer separate from the first power layer and configured to be electrically coupled to a second power supply voltage different from the first power supply voltage. The first power layer has conductive lines configured to surround a conductive element electrically connected to the second power layer.
US09064075B1 Automatic assignment of signals for a functional model
A device receives information associated with a functional model, and generates the functional model based on the received information and with a technical computing environment (TCE), where the functional model including nodes, inputs, and outputs. The device also automatically detects architecture information from an architecture model associated with the functional model, and automatically assigns, based on the architecture information, at least one signal between two nodes of the functional model, a node and an input of the functional model, or a node and an output of the functional model. The device obtains information for code generation based on the assigned at least one signal, and stores the information for code generation.
US09064073B2 Hyper-concurrent optimization over multi-corner multi-mode scenarios
Some embodiments of the present invention provide techniques and systems for performing aggressive and dynamic scenario reduction during different phases of optimization. Specifically, essential scenarios at gates and timing end-points can be identified and then used during the dynamic scenario reduction process. In some embodiments, margin values associated with various constraints can be used to determine the set of essential scenarios to account for constrained objects that are near critical in addition to the constrained objects that are the worst violators. In some embodiments, at any point during the optimization process, only the set of essential scenarios are kept active, thereby substantially reducing runtime and memory requirements without compromising on the quality of results.
US09064072B2 Modeling semiconductor device performance
Disclosed are embodiments for modeling semiconductor device performance using a single compact model despite changes in performance attribute to model parameter dependency of a single semiconductor device that occur during fitting and/or re-centering due to local layout effects (LLEs) and despite variations in this dependency across multiple related semiconductor devices due to LLEs. In one embodiment, the actual performance attribute to model parameter dependence of a single semiconductor device is fit to a reference dependence so that changes to the compact model are not required even when changes occur in the performance attribute to model parameter dependency during fitting and/or re-centering. In another embodiment, the actual performance attribute to model parameter dependence of each of multiple related semiconductor devices are fit to a reference dependence so that changes to the compact model are not required even when the performance attribute to model parameter dependency varies across the devices.
US09064066B2 Methods and systems for well planning based on a complex fracture model
Optimizing well planning scenarios. At least some of the illustrating embodiments include: receiving, by a computer system, a complex fracture model that estimates fractures in a subsurface target; applying the complex fracture model to a reservoir model that estimates geological features between the subsurface target and earth's surface; and determining an earth surface well site and a well path from the earth surface well site to the subsurface target based on the complex fracture model and the geological information, wherein the earth surface well site is offset from the subsurface target.
US09064063B1 Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for implementing interactive, real-time checking or verification of complex constraints
Disclosed encompasses method, system, computer program product for implementing interactive checking of constraints. Various embodiments bridge schematic design environment and layout environment with a binder mapping process and utilize connectivity information from the schematic design to identify constraint violations early in the physical design stage. The method identifies or creates a layout and identifies or generates an object for a modification process. The method may take snapshot(s) of the design database or may use one or more logs for restoring the design database. The method then identifies or creates scratch pad(s) and performs modification process on the object to generate a change. The method uses scratch pad(s) and trigger(s) to perform constraint checking during the modification process to provide interactive feedback in response to the modification process before committing the change to the persistent database.
US09064055B2 Software development assistant method and system
The present invention provides a software development method, system and computer program product. Generally, a computer program product for software development assistance includes a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith such that the computer readable program receives from a server over a computer communications network both a software update for software installed in an end user device, and also test cases and a testing tool. The test cases are loaded in memory of the end user device and executed in the end user device with the execution tool with respect to the software update. Execution information produced by the execution of the test cases is collected and transmitted back to the server from the end user device. Optionally, a new test case for the software update can be created within the memory of the end user device the new test case can be executed along with the received test cases with the execution tool in the end user device. Consequently, the new test case can be transmitted to the server along with the collected execution information.
US09064047B2 Parallel processing of ETL jobs involving extensible markup language documents
Techniques for running an Extract Transform Load (ETL) job in parallel on one or more processors wherein the ETL job comprises use of an extensible markup language (XML) document are provided. The techniques include receiving an XML document input, identifying a node in the XML document at which partitioning of the XML document is to begin, sending partition information to each respective processor, performing a shallow parsing of the XML document in parallel on the one or more processors, wherein each processor performs shallow parsing using the identified partition node until it reaches its identified partition, using the shallow parsing to generate the partition of the input XML document, wherein each processor generates a different partition of the same XML document, and sending each partition in streaming format to an ETL job instance.
US09064045B2 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.
US09064035B2 Medical and personal data retrieval system
A system for confidentially retrieving data from a person, such as by authorized personnel. One embodiment provides a data carrier item such as jewelry, having encrypted data imparted upon the item in manner that is only intelligible after being unencrypted. Such data can be encrypted and/or invisibly disposed such that the data is not identifiable by the public, but can be quickly and accurately retrieved by authorized personnel.
US09064020B2 Information providing device, information providing processing program, recording medium having information providing processing program recorded thereon, and information providing method
There are provided an information providing device, an information providing processing program, and an information providing method which can efficiently recommend information related to a shooting spot matching a user's preference. An information providing server is configured to decide a coincidence between user object information included in image data registered by a given user, and representative object information of a location whose position can be specified, and notify location information associated with the representative object information, to the user based on a decision result of the coincidence.
US09064019B2 Virtual billboard display on a mobile device
A method, system, and apparatus are directed to providing advertising information to a mobile device over a network. A request is received from the mobile device. The request may comprise a query, geo-location information, and/or a user preference. If the request comprises the query, a search result is generated based on a search for the received query and/or the received geo-location information. At least one virtual billboard is determined, wherein the at least one virtual billboard is in proximity with a first geo-location identified by the received geo-location information and/or a second geo-location associated with the search result. The virtual billboard may also be based on a type of the virtual billboard, a time, a user preference (criterion), and/or a keyword included in the query. The virtual billboard is provided to the mobile device. An advertising usage is recorded for the provided virtual billboard.
US09064018B2 Information providing system that provides information based on strenghth of desire and current situation
An internal state of a user and a situation of the user are complementarily used to recommend optimal information for the individual user. An information providing system according to the present invention estimates a current strength of a desire of the user and a current situation of the user to refer to a database describing combinations of the strength and the situation to thereby present items that can satisfy both the desire of the user and the situation of the user.
US09064017B2 Systems and methods for providing information incorporating reinforcement-based learning and feedback
Systems and methods are provided for feedback-driven provision of information in relation to a plurality of information resources. Some such methods involve: accessing information resources from repositories to establish a mapping between information resources; maintaining a state table comprising a plurality of state-table records, each state-table record attributing a value to a state-action pair, which comprises an indication of actions in relation to the information resources; monitoring actions of a user in relation to the information resources; receiving a feedback metric related to interaction of the user with the information resources; using the feedback metric to update the values of the state-table records; and providing output information based at least in part on the updated values of the state-table records.
US09064016B2 Ranking search results using result repetition
Ranking search results using result repetition is described. In an embodiment, a set of results generated by a search engine is ranked or re-ranked based on whether any of the results were included in previous sets of results generated in response to earlier queries by the same user in one or more searching sessions. User behavior data, such as whether a user clicks on a result, skips a result or misses a result, is stored in real-time and the stored data is used in performing the ranking. In various examples, the ranking is performed using a machine-learning algorithm and various parameters, such as whether a result in a current set of results has previously been clicked, skipped or missed in the same session, are generated based on the user behavior data for the current session and input to the machine-learning algorithm.
US09064014B2 Information provisioning device, information provisioning method, program, and information recording medium
An information provisioning device (12) presents more appropriate search results to the user while using an existing search function. A storage part (206) stores taboo character strings for identification information of a search target and stores identification information as one of those already searched or already selected by the user in the past. An acquisition part (202) acquires search results consisting of matched information containing identification information of a search target satisfying the query. A correction part (203) corrects the search results in regard to matched information based on whether a taboo character string for the identification information is contained in the query. A presentation part (204) presents the corrected search results to the user. A selection reception part (207) receives a command to select matched information from the user.
US09064008B2 Computer-implemented system and method for displaying visual classification suggestions for concepts
A computer-implemented system and method for displaying visual classification suggestions for concepts is provided. At least one cluster is provided, the cluster including one or more uncoded concepts, each associated with a visual representation that includes a geometric shape, and one or more reference concepts, each associated with a visual representation of an assigned classification code. For at least one of the uncoded concepts, a neighborhood that includes at least one of the reference concepts is determined. A classification code for the neighborhood is determined based on the at least one of the reference concepts. The classification code of the neighborhood is suggested as a classification code for the uncoded concept, which includes displaying the visual representation of the suggested classification code placed on a portion of the geometric shape associated with the uncoded concept.
US09064004B2 Extensible surface for consuming information extraction services
Representing structured data extracted from unstructured data in fashion allowing querying using relational database concepts. A method includes receiving user input specifying one or more database views. The method further includes receiving user input specifying an information extraction technique, such as an extraction workflow. The method further includes receiving user input specifying a corpus of data. The extraction technique is applied to the corpus of data to produce the one or more database views. These views can then be queried or operated on using database tools.
US09064001B2 Method and apparatus for a frequently-asked questions portal workflow
In FAQ based systems, associating questions with answers can be a time consuming task if performed manually. In one embodiment, a method of building a frequently-asked questions (FAQ) portal can include creating cluster labels. The labels can include predefined universal semantic labels and application-specific labels. The method can further include applying the cluster labels to clusters of queries within an FAQ application. The method can additionally include adjusting the application-specific labels to support combined and newly created clusters of queries based on application-specific queries within the FAQ application on an ongoing basis and reapplying the universal semantic labels and the adjusted application-specific labels to the combined and newly created clusters of queries. The method and system proposed herein allow for the automated clustering of queries and association with applicable answers, which leads to higher efficiencies for a faster response time for a user.
US09063988B2 Database methods and apparatus
An apparatus having a computer-implemented database controller module, a computer-implemented database module, and a computer-implemented database query module. Software and/or firmware that is/are included in computer-implemented database controller module is/are configured to enter baseline data into the computer-implemented database module and to enter changes into the computer-implemented database module using an extensible multidimensional effectivity method of recording only an indicated change with its effectivity parameters. The computer-implemented database query module is configured to retrieve answers to queries relating to the baseline data and the changes and to return the answers in response to the queries.
US09063985B2 Method, system, apparatus, program code and means for determining a redundancy of information
Some embodiments include a system, method, apparatus and means for determining that first information in an input data packet is not redundant with second information previously stored in a database system, includes receiving the input data packet, generating a database query based on one or more tagged portions in the input data packet, comparing second information retrieved by the database query with the first information to identify at least a first portion of the first information that is different than the second information, and causing storage of the at least a first portion of the first information in the database system.
US09063983B1 Detecting name-triggering queries
A system may be configured to receive a query; identify an object and a verb associated with the query; obtain information indicating a quantity of occurrences, in one or more documents, of the object in a sentence that may include the verb, or a quantity of occurrences, in one or more documents, of one or more terms, which are related to the object, in a sentence that may include the verb; generate a confidence score that may indicate a probability that the query seeks a result relating to a name of a person; identify a set of documents that are responsive to the query; determine that the confidence score satisfies a threshold; identify one or more documents, of the set of documents, that are associated with one or more names of people; select a particular document, of the set of documents; and output information regarding the selected particular document.