Document Document Title
US09078386B2 Method for manufacturing display device with panel positioning structure
A method for manufacturing a panel display is provided. The panel display includes a frame, an elastic pad, and a display panel. The frame has a supporting tray and a side wall which perpendicularly extends from the end of the supporting tray. A groove is formed on the supporting tray adjacent to the foot of the side wall. One end of the elastic pad is located within the groove while the other end leans on the side wall before the display panel is configured with the frame. When entering the display panel into the frame, the edge of the display panel compels the elastic pad to bend and form a bottom portion and a side portion. The bottom portion is accommodated in the groove while the side portion is compressed by the edge of the display panel and lies on the side wall.
US09078385B2 Component mounting method and component mounting apparatus
A component mounting method of mounting a component onto a board by a component mounting apparatus which includes a transportation device having a plurality of rails capable of transporting a plurality of boards in parallel is provided. The method includes positioning the rails so that a center of a mounting area in a forward-backward direction is at an intermediate position between corresponding parts of two component supply units, the mounting area covering an area in which two mounting heads mount components on one or more of the boards which are transported by the transportation device, and the intermediate position being equally distant in the forward-backward direction from the two component supply units; and alternately mounting the components in the mounting area between the two mounting heads.
US09078382B2 Method of producing circuit board
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described situation, and provides a method of producing a circuit board that can bond a component to be mounted without slanting the component, and simplify the steps. The method of producing a circuit board includes forming a first adhesive layer by applying a first adhesiveness-imparting compound on the surface of terminal portions of a circuit board; attaching a core body on the first adhesive layer of the terminal portions; forming a second adhesive layer by applying a second adhesiveness-imparting compound on the surface of the core body; attaching first solder particles on the second adhesive layer of the surface of the core body; and forming a solder layer on the surface of the core body by melting the first solder particles.
US09078381B2 Method of connecting to a monolithic voltage regulator
Methods and apparatuses related to packaging a monolithic voltage regulator are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: (i) a monolithic voltage regulator with a transistor arranged as parallel transistor devices; (ii) bumps on the monolithic voltage regulator to form connections to source and drain terminals of the transistor; (iii) a single layer lead frame with a plurality of interleaving lead fingers coupled to the monolithic voltage regulator via the bumps, where the single layer lead frame includes first and second surfaces, where the first surface includes a first pattern to form connections to the bumps, and where the second surface includes a second pattern that is different from the first pattern; and (iv) a flip-chip package encapsulating the monolithic voltage regulator, the bumps, and the single layer lead frame, where the flip-chip package has external connectors of the monolithic voltage regulator at the second surface of the single layer lead frame.
US09078379B2 Flow boiling heat sink with vapor venting and condensing
A method is provided for facilitating extraction of heat from a heat-generating electronic component. The method includes providing a heat sink, the heat sink including a thermally conductive structure which has one or more coolant-carrying channels and one or more vapor-condensing channels. A membrane is disposed between the coolant-carrying channel(s) and the vapor-condensing channel(s). The membrane includes at least one vapor-permeable region, at least a portion of which overlies a portion of the coolant-carrying channel(s) and facilitates removal of vapor from the coolant-carrying channel(s) to the vapor-condensing channel(s). The heat sink further includes one or more coolant inlets coupled to provide a first liquid coolant flow to the coolant-carrying channel(s), and a second liquid coolant flow to condense vapor within the vapor-condensing channel(s).
US09078378B2 Heat emission device for junction box printed circuit board
The present disclosure provides a heat emission/radiation device for a junction box printed circuit board (PCB), which allows a next-generation intelligent junction box PCB to be manufactured in a dual-layer structure that maximizes heat emission effects. In other words, the present invention provides a heat emission device for a junction box PCB, in which a PCB having an IPS semiconductor device mounted thereon is mounted as a dual-layer structure by folding, such that the PCB may be easily installed in a small space of a vehicle, and a heat absorption and emission path for effectively emitting heat generated by the PCB mounted as the dual-layer structure is formed.
US09078374B2 Screening process for manufacturing a Z-directed component for a printed circuit board
A method for manufacturing a z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes adding a substrate material to a mold defining the shape of a layer of the z-directed component. A top surface of the substrate material in the mold is leveled. The substrate material in the mold is treated and the layer of the z-directed component is formed. A conductive material is applied to at least one surface of the formed layer. The z-directed component is formed that includes a stack of component layers that includes the formed layer.
US09078371B2 Radiofrequency absorptive filter
An apparatus for conveying an electrical signal includes: a conductive pathway having a conductive material. The conductive material has a first edge and a second edge and is configured to convey the electrical signal. The apparatus also includes a resistive material in contact with at least a portion of the conductive pathway, covering an edge of the conductive pathway, and extending beyond the edge. The resistive material has a conductivity less than the conductivity of the conductive material.
US09078365B2 Resin composition, prepreg, laminate, and wiring board
Disclosed is a resin composition which is advantageous not only in that the resin composition can be produced at low cost, but also in that it is unlikely to thermally expand, and a prepreg, a laminate, and a wiring board formed using the resin composition. The resin composition comprises an insulating resin having an aromatic ring, wherein the insulating resin having an aromatic ring has a molecular weight between crosslinking sites of 300 to 1,000 on the stage after the production of the laminate, as determined from an elastic shear modulus of the insulating resin measured at a temperature of Tg or higher.
US09078363B2 Wiring board and display apparatus
The present invention provides a wiring board wherein the resistance difference between multiple connection lines is reduced. The wiring board of the present invention comprises: a control region and a peripheral region. The control region includes multiple gate lines extending in a row direction and multiple source lines extending in a column direction. The peripheral region includes a gate driver connected with the gate lines; a source driver connected with the source lines; and multiple connection lines which extend around the control region and which connect the gate driver with the gate lines. Each of the connection lines includes a gate metal portion formed from a material of the gate lines and a source metal portion formed from a material of the source lines. An insulating layer is disposed between the gate metal portion and the source metal portion. The gate metal portion and the source metal portion are connected with each other via a contact portion which penetrates the insulating layer.
US09078357B2 Internal cover thermal conduction
An apparatus and associated methodology associated with a thermally conductive frame having a perimeter surface defining a passage. A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) is operably disposed within the passage and connected to the frame. The PCBA includes a solid state memory component. An internal cover is disposed in the passage on one side of the PCBA. The internal cover conducts heat to the frame that is operably generated by the solid state memory component. An external cover is attachable to the frame on an opposing side of the PCBA. The external cover cooperates with the frame and the internal cover to enclose the PCBA.
US09078356B2 Electrical component device
An electrical component device includes an internal conductor, a case and a fitting detection connector. The internal conductor is connected to an electrical component and includes a fastening part configured to be fastened with an external conductor. The case accommodates the electrical component and the internal conductor and has a wall surface formed with a fastening opening for fastening the external conductor to the internal conductor. The fitting detection connector detects that a cover member closing the fastening opening is installed to the fastening opening and includes a receiving connector which is fixed inside the case and a detachable connector which is attached on the cover member. The wall surface extends in the gravity direction. The receiving connector has a receiving surface extending to a vicinity of an inner wall surface of the case and positioned below the fastening part in the gravity direction.
US09078354B2 Techniques for attenuating resonance induced impedance in integrated circuits
Provided is an integrated circuit system and method for biasing the same that features bifurcating a power distribution network to provide a bias voltage to the integrated circuit system. One of the branches of the power distribution network attenuates an impedance in the power distribution network that supplies transient currents and the remaining branch supplies a substantially steady-state currents.
US09078353B2 Copper foil structure having blackened ultra-thin foil and manufacturing method thereof
A copper foil structure having blackened ultra-thin copper foil of the instant disclosure includes a carrier foil, a blackened layer, a release layer, and an ultra-thin copper foil. The carrier foil includes a matte surface and a shiny surface wherein the blackened layer is disposed thereon. The release layer is disposed on the blackened layer formed with one selected from the group: copper, cobalt, nickel, and manganese while the release layer is formed with one selected from the group: molybdenum, nickel, chromium, and potassium. Successively, the ultra-thin copper foil is disposed on the release layer. Laser drilling can apply to the blackened ultra-thin copper foil on the inner layers of a high density multi-layer printed wiring board, thus eliminating the traditional blackening or browning chemical process. The blackened ultra-thin copper foil in combination with a polyimide thin (PI) or other substrate materials displays desirable appearance.
US09078348B1 Apparatus for providing utility receptacles and cables at a selected location on a workstation
An apparatus for providing utility receptacles and VGA cables at a selected location of a workstation. The apparatus has a receptacle enclosure housing and a component housing that is movably attached to the receptacle enclosure housing. The component housing can be pivoted to a horizontal position or vertical position. An elongate member is removably inserted into a first combination of through-holes to maintain the component housing in a horizontal position under the work surface of a work station. In order to orient the component housing in a vertical position, the elongate member is removed from the first combination of through-holes and the component housing is pivoted to a vertical position. The elongate member is then reinserted into a second combination of through-holes in order to maintain the component housing in the vertical position. The apparatus provides a plurality of utility receptacles and has a cable retractor and VGA switching device.
US09078347B2 Electronic component housing unit, electronic module, and electronic device
An electronic component housing unit includes: a substrate including a mounting region on which an electronic component is mounted; a connection conductor extending from a top face to a bottom face of the substrate, the connection conductor being electrically connected to the electronic component; a wiring conductor disposed on the bottom face of the substrate, one end of the wiring conductor being electrically connected to the connection conductor, another end of the wiring conductor being drawn out from a side face of the substrate; and a ground conductor disposed on the bottom face of the substrate, the ground conductor forming a coplanar line along with the wiring conductor. A bottom face of the wiring conductor is located above a bottom face of the ground conductor.
US09078341B2 Display device
An upper frame covers a periphery of a liquid crystal display panel, and a cover plate is bonded onto the upper frame and an upper polarizing plate of the liquid crystal display panel. A step is formed on the cover plate in a portion where the upper frame is bonded to the cover plate. This can reduce a thickness of resin between the upper polarizing plate and the cover plate, thereby reducing an extrusion of the resin in between the cover plate and the upper frame. Thus, a chamfer on a lower side of the cover plate can be reduced in size, and stray light from the lower side of the cover plate can be prevented. This can prevent a white line around a screen.
US09078336B2 Radio-frequency antenna unit and plasma processing apparatus
The present invention aims at providing a radio-frequency antenna unit capable of generating a high-density discharge plasma in a vacuum chamber. The radio-frequency antenna unit according to the present invention includes: a radio-frequency antenna through which a radio-frequency electric current can flow; a protective tube made of an insulator provided around the portion of the radio-frequency antenna that is in the vacuum chamber; and a buffer area provided between the radio-frequency antenna and the protective tube. The “buffer area” refers to an area where an acceleration of electrons is suppressed, and it can be formed, for example, with a vacuum or an insulator. Such a configuration can suppress an occurrence of an electric discharge between the antenna and the protective tube, enabling the generation of a high-density discharge plasma in the vacuum chamber.
US09078335B2 Charged particle beam transport system and particle beam therapy system
A charged particle beam transport system is characterized in that in a fixed transport unit, a phase of a phase space distribution of a charged particle beam at an inlet of a rotating deflection unit that rotates around an gantry rotation axle of a rotating gantry coincides with a phase determined by a calculation based on an average value of a first phase advance and a second phase advance. The first phase advance is defined as a change in a phase, of the phase space distribution, that changes when the charged particle beam travels from the inlet of the rotating deflection unit to an isocenter in the case where a gantry angle is a gantry reference angle; the second phase advance is defined as a change in a phase at a time when the gantry angle is pivoted by 90° from the gantry reference angle.
US09078333B2 Extended dynamic range drive circuit for emitter arrays
Drive circuit (100, 200, 300, 400) for LED thermal emitters in pixel elements of an infrared scene projector (IRSP). At least two current sources (Q1, Q2, Q5) provide output currents (I1, I2, I3) which may be summed and provided to a single LED (150), or provided independently to two or more LEDs (450A, 450B). The current sources may have different gains (G1, G2, G3), and different turn-on voltages (Voffset). This allows for different resolutions for different ranges of apparent temperatures, such as high resolution in a low range and low resolution in a high range, thereby facilitating a digital implementation of the drive circuit(s).
US09078329B2 Method of fabricating light emitting device
A method of fabricating a light emitting device is provided. A mother substrate including a plurality of light emitting units thereon is provided. A cover plate comprising a plurality of unit regions is provided. Each of the unit regions corresponds to one of the light emitting units. The cover plate further comprises a cutting line, a plurality of sealant regions and spacer disposing regions. A glass frit is coated on the cover plate in the sealant regions and the spacer disposing regions. A curing process is performed to solidify the glass frit in the sealant regions to form a sealant and solidify the glass frit in the spacer disposing regions to form a spacer structure. The cover plate is disposed on the mother substrate. A laser process is performed to the sealant but not the spacer structure so as to bond the cover plate and the mother substrate together.
US09078323B2 High efficiency LED driver and driving method thereof
The present invention relates to a high efficiency LED driver, and driving methods thereof. In one embodiment, a high efficiency LED driving method can include: (i) receiving an AC input voltage to obtain an absolute value thereof; (ii) receiving a DC bus voltage, and driving the LED device through a power switch; (iii) generating a first reference voltage according to a driving current and an expected driving current; (iv) comparing the absolute value against a sum of a driving voltage and the first reference voltage; (v) when the absolute value is greater than the sum of the driving voltage and the first reference voltage, turning off the power switch; and (vi) when the absolute value is greater than the driving voltage but less than the sum of the driving voltage and the first reference voltage, turning on the power switch to generate an output current.
US09078320B2 Voltage supply arrangement and method for supplying voltage to an electrical load with transistor saturation control
A voltage supply arrangement for driving an electrical load, particularly a light-emitting diode, comprises a driver circuit (11). The driver circuit (11) features a driver output (12) for making available a driver signal (SB) for controlling a load path (34) that comprises a means (36) for connecting the electrical load (37). The driver circuit (11) furthermore comprises a device (13) for determining an AC signal component of the driver signal (SB), the input side of which is coupled to the driver output (12) and at the output side of which can be tapped a measurement signal (SI) that is dependent on the AC signal component of the driver signal (SB) and according to which a supply voltage (VOUT) of the load path (34) can be adjusted.
US09078319B2 Conversion control circuit and converter thereof
A conversion control circuit for controlling the operation of a power transistor is disclosed. The conversion control circuit includes a voltage-regulating switch and a control unit. One end of the voltage-regulating switch connects to an external voltage input terminal while another end connects to a voltage-regulating capacitor. The conversion control circuit converts an input voltage inputted from the external voltage input terminal into a power voltage. The power voltage is for supplying operating power to the conversion control circuit. The control unit receives a feedback voltage signal to generate a voltage-regulating pulse signal and a turn-on pulse signal, which are used for controlling the operations of the voltage-regulating switch and the power transistor, respectively and for defining a charging period for charging the voltage-regulating capacitor. A converter including the described conversion control circuit is also disclosed.
US09078318B2 Switched mode power converter and method of operating the same
A switched mode power converter is disclosed, together with a method for operating the same. The power converter is adapted to be operable in the boundary conduction mode, and operation is interruptible in the absence of any load requirement.
US09078315B2 Current driver for an array of LED diodes
An array of LED diodes includes N channels each having LEDs coupled in series with a switch. A current driver for the array includes a processing circuit configured to detect N currents flowing respectively through the N channels of the array. The detected currents are converted by a single analog to digital converter, one at a time, into a digital word. The circuit further includes N comparator devices configured to control the N switches as result of a comparison between the digital words and respective target digital words. A memory is provided for storing the digital words received from the analog to digital converter.
US09078313B2 Lighting wall switch with power failure capability
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.
US09078307B2 Fault protection system and method for fluorescent lamp ballasts
Provided is a lighting ballast system and method for fluorescent lamps. The system and method utilize a lamp current control loop to control the light level of a fluorescent lamp. The ballast includes an open loop detector that recognizes an open current control loop as an indication of a fault or hazard condition, and causes the ballast to output a safe lamp voltage or no voltage. The fault or hazard condition may be, for example, a very high voltage at the lamp or very low current across the lamp. The ballast also includes a disable circuit that prevents the open loop detector from triggering at times when the loop is expected to be open such as during ignition and maintenance restarting of the lamp.
US09078295B2 Heating/cooking equipment
There is provided a heating/cooking equipment capable of accurately determining boiling over. The heating/cooking equipment includes: a top plate (104) connected to a reference potential; a heating unit (105) configured to heat an object to be heated placed on the top plate; an electrode (106) arranged under the top plate; a capacitance detecting unit (107) configured to detect the electrostatic capacitance of the electrode; a boiling over detecting unit (108) configured to detect whether or not a material to be cooked in the object to be heated has boiled over on the top plate, based on a value of the electrostatic capacitance detected by the capacitance detecting unit; and a control unit (109) configured to control the heating operation of the heating unit based on a boiling over detection result from the boiling over detecting unit. The capacitance detecting unit (107) detects a change in the electrostatic capacitance of the electrode by exploiting capacitive coupling between the electrode and the reference potential which is enhanced by increase in a boiled over amount of the material to be cooked with moisture contained in the material to be cooked functioning as a dielectric when the material to be cooked boils over on the top plate.
US09078294B2 Nanoheater elements, systems and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides devices and methods for making nano structures such a nanoheater. In one embodiment, the nanoheater element comprises a first reactive member and interlayer disposed in communication with at least a portion thereof. Preferably, contact between the first and second reactive members of the nanoheater element can yield at least one exothermic reaction. A nanoheater device of the invention can optionally comprise a substrate on which the first reactive member is positioned in combination with other components. The invention also provides a nanoheater system comprising a plurality of nanoheater elements. Exemplary nanoheater elements and systems can be used to perform a method of the invention in which heat is produced. Methods includes processes for fabricating nanostructures such as layered devices, nanorods and nanowires.
US09078293B2 Temperature detection and control system for layered heaters
A system for detecting and controlling temperature of a layered heater is provided that includes a layered heater having in one form a substrate, a first dielectric layer disposed on the substrate, a sensor layer disposed on the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer disposed on the sensor layer, a resistive heating layer disposed on the second dielectric layer, and a third dielectric layer disposed on the resistive heating layer. An overtemperature detection circuit is provided in one form that is operatively connected to the resistive heating layer. The circuit includes a resistor, the sensor layer, and an electromechanical relay in parallel with the sensor layer. The sensor layer defines a material having a relatively high TCR and the resistive heating layer defines a material having a relatively low TCR such that a response time of the control system is relatively fast.
US09078281B2 Wireless station and wireless LAN system
A wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point.
US09078279B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting, receiving and/or processing information and/or data
A method and system for providing control information for supporting high speed downlink and high speed uplink packet access are disclosed. A Node-B assigns at least one downlink control channel and at least one uplink control channel to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). The downlink control channel and the uplink control channel are provided to carry control information for both the downlink and the uplink. Conventional control channels for downlink and uplink are combined into a reduced set of control channels for uplink and downlink. The Node-B and the WTRU communicate control information via the downlink control channel and the uplink control channel. The WTRU receives downlink data and transmits uplink data, and the Node-B receives uplink data and transmits downlink data based on the control information transmitted via the downlink control channel and the uplink control channel.
US09078267B2 Channel selection method for wireless networks
A method and apparatus are described including categorizing each channel into one of four categories, selecting a channel from a first category of channels, if there are any channels in the first category of channels, selecting a channel from a second category of channels, if there are any channels in the second category of channels and selecting a channel from a third category of channels, if there are any channels in the third category of channels.
US09078265B2 Optimizing block reception for simultaneous use of at least two SIM cards
There is described a method for optimizing block reception for products that do support a simultaneous use of at least two SIM cards.
US09078261B2 Mobile communication method and mobile station
The present invention notifies of an EARFCN in an equivalent band by means of an SIB 5 while minimizing the increase in overhead. A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes: a step in which a radio base station eNB in a cell #1 notifies, by means of the SIB 5, of a band #2 and an equivalent band #21 that can be supported in a cell #2 adjacent to the cell #1; and a step in which a mobile station UE assumes that access in the cell #2 is prohibited when having determined that the mobile station does not support the band #2 and the equivalent band #21.
US09078260B2 Interconnection of wireless networks using a master/slave node
A network array (200) comprises a first network (201) having a plurality of first nodes (203, 204, 209), comprises a second network (202) having a plurality of second nodes (206, 209) and comprises a forwarder node (209). The forwarder node (209) constitutes one of the first nodes (203, 204, 209) and constitutes one of the second nodes (206, 209) to form a communication interface between the first network (201) and the second network (202) in such a manner that the forwarder node (209) functions as a slave in the first network (201) and as a master in the second network (202). The forwarder node (209) is adapted to communicate with the first network (201) using a first operation frequency and is adapted to communicate with the second network (202) using a second operation frequency which is different from the first operation frequency.
US09078257B2 Random backoff for extended access barring
Technology for initiating a random access procedure by a wireless device after extended access barring (EAB) is disclosed. The wireless device can release a bar on the wireless device. The bar can prevent the wireless device from accessing a node using EAB. The wireless device can count a random backoff time using a random backoff timer. The random backoff time can include a random time between zero and a maximum backoff time period. The wireless device can transmit a random access channel (RACH) message (including physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble) from the wireless device to the node to initiate a random access procedure after the expiry of the random backoff timer.
US09078251B2 Method and apparatus for transceiving a data frame in a wireless LAN system
A method of transmitting a data frame by a transmitter in a WLAN system is provided. The method includes generating a data block including at least one data units respectively transmitted through at least one or more spatial streams to at least one receiver, transmitting first control information to the at least one receiver, transmitting second control information to each receiver, and transmitting the data block to the at least one receiver. The first control information includes a length indicator for the data block, a MIMO indicator indicating whether the data block is for SU-MIMO or MU-MIMO, and a spatial stream indication field including information about the number of the spatial streams. The second control information includes a FEC coding field indicating an encoding scheme applied to the data unit and an MCS field indicating an MCS applied to the data unit.
US09078246B2 Scheduling method in multiple access system and apparatus using the same
A method for transmitting data streams by a transmitter in a wireless communication system is provided. The transmitter performs Fourier transform for a data stream to generate a transformed stream. The transmitter repeats the transformed stream to generate a repeated stream. The transmitter maps the repeated stream on a plurality of subcarriers to generate a transmission signal. The transmitter transmits the transmission signal to a receiver. The plurality of subcarriers are selected by starting from a subcarrier having a predetermined index and hopping at a subcarrier interval.
US09078241B2 Systems and methods for establishing multiple radio connections
A method for dual connectivity by a user equipment (UE) is described. The method includes a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration message including control information for an addition of a second set of cell(s). The control information includes a second cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) for the second set of cell(s). The UE has a first C-RNTI for a first set of cell(s). The first C-RNTI is used in a first Medium Access Control (MAC) entity, and the second C-RNTI is used in a second MAC entity.
US09078228B2 Mobile geolocation
Estimating a location of a first mobile communication unit (220) in a cellular wireless communications system (200) comprises comparing a first signature from the first mobile communication unit with known signatures. The first signature may comprise control information, a set of observable cells and received power level information for the first mobile communication unit (220). A location estimate is provided from the known location of a known signature in a database (410), if that known signature matches the first signature. The comparison may be a correlation to determine the degree of matching. Context information may link two or more known signatures in the database (410), the known signatures having been obtained in temporal succession from one mobile device (258) in use in the system. The context information may be used in the comparison.
US09078219B2 Reverse link feedback for interference control in a wireless communication system
Systems and methodologies are described that provide techniques for generating and utilizing reverse link feedback for interference management in a wireless communication system. Channel quality and/or interference data can be obtained by a terminal from a serving sector and one or more neighboring sectors, from which an interference-based headroom value can be computed that contains interference caused by the terminal to an allowable range. The interference-based headroom value can then be provided with power amplifier (PA) headroom feedback to the serving sector. Based on the provided feedback from the terminal, the serving sector can assign resources for use by the terminal in communication with the serving sector. Further, the serving sector may choose to honor or disregard a received interference-based power value based on quality of service and/or other system parameters.
US09078215B2 Programmable transmit continuous-time filter
A programmable-current transmit continuous-time filter (TX-CTF) system can be included in a radio frequency (RF) transmitter. The input of the TX-CTF can receive a baseband transmission signal, and the output of the TX-CTF can be provided to an upconversion mixer for conversion to RF for transmission. The TX-CTF includes amplifier circuitry and passive circuitry that together define the filter parameters. The TX-CTF further includes programmable current circuitry that provides a programmable bias current to the amplifier circuitry. The TX-CTF system also includes control logic that receives one or more transmitter control signals and, in response, generates signals that control the bias current provided to the TX-CTF.
US09078211B2 Power management configuration for TX MIMO and UL carrier aggregation
A communication device is disclosed that efficiently manages power. In one embodiment, this communication device includes a first (main) transmitter including a first low band amplifier and a first high band amplifier; a second (MIMO) transmitter including a second low band amplifier and a second high band amplifier; a first power manager in communication with the first low band amplifier and with the second high band amplifier; a second power manager in communication with the first high band amplifier and with the second low band amplifier; and a control system in communication with the first transmitter, the second transmitter, the first power manager, and the second power manager.
US09078205B2 Methods and apparatus for enabling non-destaggered channel estimation
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques and apparatus for enabling non-destaggered channel estimation. In aspects, a method for wireless communications is provided including determining a first channel impulse response (CIR) based on a first set of received reference signals staggered in time, determining a second CIR based on a second set of received reference signals from the same sub-frame time slot, wherein a reference signal is associated with one of a plurality of virtual transmit antenna ports, and aligning the first CIR and the second CIR based, at least in part, on a time tracking loop (TTL) timing offset.
US09078203B2 Hosting edge applications at the edge of a mobile data network
Mobile network services are performed in a mobile data network in a way that is transparent to most of the existing equipment in the mobile data network. The mobile data network includes a radio access network and a core network. A breakout component in the radio access network breaks out data coming from a basestation, and hosts edge applications, including third party edge applications, that perform one or more mobile network services at the edge of the mobile data network based on the broken out data.
US09078185B2 Mobile communication system, network apparatus, and mobile communication method
A mobile communication system 100 includes a selection unit 25 configured to select a transition target frequency from the plurality of frequencies when a condition under which a mobile communication terminal not utilize a transition source frequency being any of the plurality of frequencies is fulfilled, and an instruction unit 22 configured to instruct the mobile communication terminal to perform a transition to the transition target frequency selected by the selection unit. The selection unit 25 excludes the transition source frequency from a frequency candidate to be utilized by the mobile communication terminal until an elapsed time after the instruction of the transition to the transition target frequency exceeds a predetermined time.
US09078182B2 Radio terminal and communication terminal
A radio terminal (10) comprises a radio communication unit (11) that receives packets via a first or second network at predetermined intervals; a buffer (15) that temporarily stores packets received by a receiving unit; a radio communication unit (11) that transmits a preparation request for a handover from the first network to the second network; and an application processing unit (16) that reproduces the packets stored in the buffer (15) at a rate that is established in accordance with the predetermined intervals. The application processing unit (16) changes a packet reproduction rate to a rate slower than the predetermined rate in response to transmission of the preparation request for handover, thereby increases the amount of packets stored in the buffer.
US09078171B2 Wireless communication device continuously performing communication and method thereof
A wireless communication device (10) comprising a first communication portion (36a) that connects to a wide-area wireless communication network; a second communication portion (36b) that connects to a narrow-area wireless communication network; and processing portions (32, 34) that, during communication with a wide-area wireless communication network via the first communication portion (36a), upon detection of a communication area boundary vicinity of the wide-area wireless communication network when communication is performed, perform processing so that the second communication portion (36c) continues performing communication that the first communication portion (36a) is performing.
US09078170B2 System and method for network discovery
A method for establishing a network connection includes determining a list of access networks detectable by a user equipment, and reducing the list of access networks to a list of preferred networks in accordance with supplemental information associated with the user equipment. The method also includes selecting a first candidate network from the list of preferred networks, and attempting to connect to the first candidate network.
US09078169B2 Signal field design for WLAN
A method of generating packets for transmission in a wireless communication system, wherein each packet includes a SIG field that includes a first SIG subfield, includes generating a data packet and a null data packet. Generating the data packet includes generating information bits of the first SIG subfield of the data packet and generating the data portion of the data packet. The information bits of the first SIG subfield of the data packet indicate, to a receiving device, a length corresponding to a data portion of the data packet. Generating the null data packet includes generating information bits of the first SIG subfield of the null data packet. The information bits of the first SIG subfield of the null data packet indicate, to a receiving device, a first physical layer (PHY) parameter value associated with the null data packet. The first PHY parameter value is not a length value.
US09078164B2 Method and apparatus for conducting measurements when multiple carriers are supported
Measurements are conducted on one or more carriers in a case where an access terminal supports reception on multiple carriers. Upon determining that an access terminal is capable of concurrently receiving on a given set of carriers, a measurement is conducted on one or more carriers of the set while receiving on or more other carriers of the set. Conversely, upon determining that an access terminal is not capable of concurrently receiving on a given set of carriers, a measurement is conducted on one or more carriers of the set while not receiving on or more other carriers of the set. In addition, data transfers to or from an access terminal on a carrier may be restricted (e.g., data transfers not scheduled or only low priority data transfers scheduled) during one or more subframes before or after the access terminal conducts a measurement on another carrier.
US09078159B2 Data collection method, mobile terminal and data storage device
A first mobile terminal requests a device to transmit data, on the basis of a processing request transmitted from a management server. The device transmits the requested data to the first mobile terminal. The first mobile terminal generates processed data by using the data received from the device. The first mobile terminal assigns an identifier to the processed data. The first mobile terminal transmits the processed data in association with the identifier to the management server. The first mobile terminal transmits an association relationship between the identifier and the data used for generating the processed data to the device. The device stores the identifier in association with the transmitted data. A second mobile terminal transmits to the device an identifier transmitted from the management server as an identifier associated with data to be deleted. The device identifies data associated with the identifier received from the second mobile terminal.
US09078158B2 Method and apparatus for generating radio link control protocol data units
A method and apparatus are used to generate radio link control (RLC) protocol data units (PDUs). A data request for a logical channel is received as part of an enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) transport format combination (E-TFC) selection procedure in a medium access control (MAC). Upon determining the data field size, an RLC PDU is generated such that it matches the requested data from the E-TFC selection. The size of the RLC PDU generated can be greater than or equal to the minimum configured RLC PDU size (if data is available) and less than or equal to the maximum RLC PDU size. The data is then transmitted in the RLC PDU in a current transmission time interval (TTI).
US09078153B1 Wireless local area network with spatial diagnostics
A diagnostic system for spatial diagnosis of the WLAN includes: a sounding aggregator and a spatial correlator. The sounding aggregator is configured to aggregate multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel state information (CSI) from channel soundings of the WLAN, including channel soundings between a wireless access point (WAP) node and associated station nodes on a selected one of a plurality of communication channels of the WLAN. The spatial correlator is coupled to the sounding aggregator and configured to correlate CSI from the channel soundings with spatial characteristics of the WLAN including at least one of: a change in location of a WLAN node, human activity among the WLAN nodes, and structural impediments among WLAN nodes.
US09078144B2 Signature enabler for multi-vendor SON coordination
A method is disclosed that includes communicating an indication of a signature via one or more links in a wireless network, wherein the signature has been computed by a base station of the wireless network over a plurality of configuration parameters of the base station and identifies at least a portion of a current configuration state of the base station. Another method is disclosed that includes assigning, at a base station in a wireless network, a signature using a context of the base station, wherein the assigning is performed so that the signature identifies at least a portion of a current configuration state of the base station. The method includes sending an indication of the signature to one or more entities in the wireless network. Apparatus and computer program products are also disclosed.
US09078129B1 Knowledge-based authentication for restricting access to mobile devices
An improved technique involves authenticating a user requesting access to a particular mobile device using knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions generated from data taken from a group of mobile devices to which the particular mobile device belongs. Along these lines, consider a corporation that has a group of mobile devices distributed to its employees. The mobile devices provide data to an enterprise KBA (eKBA) server regarding events on each of the mobile devices. Because an owner of a mobile device belongs to a group of employees, the owner is able to answer questions regarding fellow employees. On the other hand, a malicious user that illegitimately gains access to the owner's mobile device will not be able to answer such questions, even if the malicious user knows details about the owner.
US09078119B2 Method and system for acquiring information of machine type communication user equipment
A method and a system for acquiring information of Machine Type Communication (MTC) user equipment (UE) are provided. The method comprises the steps of: an MTC GateWay (MTC GW) acquiring the information of the MTC UE which currently requests to attach to a network or has attached to a network from a mobility management network element; the MTC GW sending the information of the MTC UE acquired from the mobility management network element to an MTC Server. The method and the system can control the MTC UE in real time and intelligently.
US09078117B2 Wireless communication method and apparatus for performing home Node-B identification and access restriction
A method and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), including a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), for identifying a closed subscriber group (CSG) cell are disclosed. The WTRU receives a broadcast from a cell including a cell identifier (ID). If the cell ID is associated with a CSG cell, the WTRU determines whether the CSG ID is programmed in the USIM. The cell broadcast may include a single bit information element (IE) indicating that the cell is a CSG cell. If the cell ID is a CSG ID, the cell ID may further include a plurality of fields which indicate at least one of a country, a region, an operator, and a home evolved Node-B (HeNB) number. The cell broadcast may further include a bit indicating whether the CSG cell is public or private. The cell broadcast may further include a bit indicating that emergency calls are allowed from all users.
US09078114B2 Message transmitted automatically in response to imminent power source depletion of mobile station
Described herein are a method, apparatus and computer program to automatically inform a second party to a call that a first party to the call has or will disconnect due to a power source, such as a battery, of a terminal used by the first party becoming depleted. The second party can be informed by the generation and transmission of any suitable type of message, including a SMS message, a MMS message and a IMS message.
US09078111B2 Method for providing voice call using text data and electronic device thereof
A method for providing a voice call using text data and an electronic device thereof are provided. The method includes converting the detected text data into audio data when an input of the text data is detected during call connection, and converting the converted audio data into a digital signal to transmit the converted digital signal to another party.
US09078109B2 Frame structure design for new carrier type (NCT)
A system and method utilizes a selected PRB configuration for a new carrier type for a 3GPP-type wireless network. A downlink signal is received that comprises a demodulation reference signal pattern in at least one predetermined subframe of the downlink signal. The subframe comprises a first predetermined number of the plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) symbols comprising synchronization signals for a legacy version of the downlink signal and the demodulation reference signal pattern comprising a second predetermined number of OFDM symbols that are different from the first predetermined number of the plurality of OFDM symbols. After receiving the downlink signal, the demodulation reference signal pattern in the downlink signal is demodulated.
US09078105B1 Event logging and replay system and process for mobile communication platform
A system includes a mobile communication platform (MCP) with logic to record network performance data along a first route taken by the MCP. The system includes logic to track one or more of MCP location, heading, or speed as MCP circumstances, and to apply the network performance data to predict application usage by passengers aboard the MCP along a second route taken by the MCP. The MCP circumstances may include a time of day, day of the week, calendar date, or weather conditions. The system may adjust a course, speed, or location of the MCP based on the predicted application usage.
US09078104B2 Utilizing magnetic field based navigation
There is provided a solution comprising detecting that a positioning device is within a predetermined control area associated with a building, acquiring a first sequence of magnetic field measurements carried out by the positioning device, wherein the first sequence represents at least one of the magnitude and the direction of Earth's magnetic field; determining that an operational environment of the positioning de-vice has changed between an indoor environment and an outdoor environment when a at least one predetermined criterion with respect to the first sequence is met; and causing actuation of a predetermined software function in or with respect to the positioning device when the operational environment of the positioning device has changed.
US09078101B2 Geographically constrained network services
A method and system are disclosed for determining the geographic location of a user communicating on a communications network such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a provider of a product or service: (a) receives the user's phone number (or other identification for contacting the user's station), and (b) supplies the user's station with a distinctive identifier. The provider then supplies a location determining service with the user's phone number (or other identification). A phone call is made to the phone number by the location determining service for retrieving the distinctive identifier from the network station having the phone number. If the distinctive identifier is retrieved and the location determining service determines that the user's station is within an appropriate geographical area (or not within an inappropriate area), then the provider can provide the requested product or service to the user.
US09078098B1 Geo-fencing based functions
Systems and methods are provided for geo-fencing using a mobile device. In certain instances, the geo-function setting sets boundaries relating to when alerts may be presented to a user of the electronic device, or when an alert may be transmitted to another electronic device. A geo-function setting may relate a perimeter around a location, or may relate to a perimeter bracketing a pre-defined route traversed by a person carrying the electronic device. When the electronic device crosses a perimeter, an alert may be presented or transmitted according to the operating system setting. In other instances, a geo-function may be initiated though a user interface of the electronic device, and may relate to the learning of a route traversed by a person carrying the electronic device.
US09078090B1 Method and apparatus for environment based communication control
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for controlling user equipment (UE) to improve user experience. The method includes sensing an environmental condition using a sensor associated with the UE, and governing a communication functionality of the UE based on the sensed environmental condition.
US09078082B2 Interacting with cloud-based applications using unrelated devices
Systems and method provide logic facilitating an interaction between a networked server and multiple, unrelated devices. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method enables a user of a device to interact with or control multiple, unrelated devices across a could computing environment using a networked server. The method includes receiving, at the networked server, an instruction from the control device. A corresponding instruction understandable by an unrelated controlled device is generated by the networked server, and the corresponding instruction is operable to cause the controlled device to perform the received instruction. The networked server may transmit the corresponding instruction to the controlled device.
US09078078B1 Call forwarding methods and systems
A call-forwarding method that is implemented using a computer includes storing a profile that is associated with a mobile communications device and at least one additional forwarding destination using the computer; receiving a status indicator; receiving a call that is directed to an identifier that is associated with the profile; and selectively routing the call to the mobile communications device or the additional forwarding destination, based on the status indicator and the profile.
US09078076B2 Sound system
Methods and systems for processing audio data, such as spatial audio data, in which one or more sound characteristics of a given component of a spatial audio signal are modified in dependence on a relationship between a direction characteristic of the given component and a defined range of direction characteristics; this enhances the listening experience of the listener. A spatial audio in a format using a spherical harmonic representation of sound components is decoded by performing a transform on the spherical harmonic representation, in which the transform is based on a predefined speaker layout and a predefined rule, the predefined rule indicating a speaker gain of each speaker arranged according to the predefined layout, when reproducing sound incident form a given direction; this provides an alternative to existing method of decoding spatial audio streams, which focus on soundfield reconstruction. A plurality of matrix transforms is combined into a combined transform, and the combined transform is performed on an audio signal; this saves processing resources of the audio system being used.
US09078073B2 Hearing aid and method for eliminating acoustic feedback in the amplification of acoustic signals
In a hearing aid having a microphone to be arranged at a body of a user for capturing ambient sound, a loudspeaker for outputting the ambient sound after having been amplified on a frequency-dependent basis, and a signal processor, the signal processor is configured to amplify the sound such that the amplified sound is audible to the user, and to automatically re-adjust the gain by the following steps: selecting a tone having a specific frequency; outputting the tone and the amplified ambient sound via the loudspeaker as an output sound; capturing via said microphone an analysis sound composed of ambient sound and of a reflection of said output sound; extracting a reflection of the tone from the captured analysis sound; and determining a reflection component for the specific frequency of the tone; adjusting the gain in frequency-specific manner and based on the determined reflection component.
US09078070B2 Hearing instrument controller
A hearing instrument has a plurality of electronic components within a body, and an inertial sensor mechanically coupled with the body. The inertial sensor is configured to monitor the motion of the body and generate a movement signal representative of the body motion. A controller operatively coupled with the inertial sensor controls power usage by at least one or more of the electronic components as a function of the movement signal.
US09078062B2 Driving of parametric loudspeakers
A parametric loudspeaker system comprises a pre-compensator (305) for generating a pre-compensated envelope signal by applying a pre-compensation to the input audio signal where the pre-compensation compensates for distortion of in-air demodulation of the modulated ultrasound signal. A pre-modulator (307) generates a complex base band signal generating a phase signal from the pre-compensated envelope signal using a predetermined function for determining a phase signal from an amplitude signal such that the corresponding complex signal has either suppressed negative or positive frequencies. The complex base band signal is then generated to have an amplitude corresponding to the pre-compensated envelope signal and a phase corresponding to the phase signal. A modulator (309) quadrature modulates the complex base band signal on an ultrasonic quadrature carrier and an output circuit (311) drives the ultrasound transducer (301) from the modulated signal. The invention may allow effective yet low resource pre-compensation for a suppressed or single sideband modulated modulated ultrasound signal.
US09078060B2 Sealed speaker enclosure
A speaker enclosure includes a seal and a speaker grille with a tuned port. Mounting tabs are molded in the grille. The seal is engaged by a series of ribs which surround the grille mounting tabs and by a rib which surrounds the tuned port tube of the grille. The tabs have shoulders or stops which locate the grille relative to a front plate of the sound box. The sealing ribs around each tab have a height which provides the correct compression of the rubber foam seal material. As the speaker grille is installed using spring clips, the seal is compressed by the ribs to provide the seal required so that the space behind the speaker only vents through the tuned port.
US09078049B2 Protection of internet delivered media
Program code in a Web page hosted by a server and/or in server side code executed by the server is specially configured so that a modified media file whose source is embedded in the Web page and which is streamed by the server is properly playable only in browsers of media devices accessing the Web page. Thus, if a copy of the modified media file is downloaded to the media device or otherwise procured, the user of the media device is unable to properly play the downloaded copy by using a conventional media player. Further, if the downloaded copy is shared on a file sharing network, users of the file sharing network that download copies from the media device are also unable to properly play their downloaded copies by using conventional media players.
US09078045B2 Social broadcasting platform
A method of social broadcasting is disclosed. A metadata is generated indicating items of content expected to be included in a broadcast and for each item of content a manner in which the item of content is to be included in the broadcast. The metadata is provided and at least a subset of said items of content to a broadcast platform in one or more network communications sent to the broadcast platform via a network interface. A method of social broadcasting is disclosed. A metadata is received via a server interface indicating items of content expected to be included in a broadcast and for each item of content a manner in which the item of content is to be included in the broadcast. At least a subset of said items of content is stored in a media cache. Said items of content are used to assemble in the manner indicated by said metadata, and to provide as output for broadcast to the station interface, a broadcast stream, including by responding dynamically to subsequently received metadata indicating a change in one or both of (1) said items of content expected to be included in a broadcast and (2) the manner in which one or more of said items of content is or are to be included in the broadcast.
US09078041B2 Method and system for collaborative broadcast and timeshifted viewing
A collaborative system for more efficiently viewing streamed content in a time shifted matter utilizes collaborative home set-top box (STB) home component (the home STB) and a cloud component (the cloud STB) and a receiving device, such as an antenna or cable component, all cooperatively shared among a community of users. The cloud STB may further comprise a network accessible distributed part and/or a cross licensed portion of other home STBs. The home STB may be connected to the cloud STB and other home STBs over any local or wide area network topology infrastructure, such as the Internet. A group of home STBs may be cross licensed to each other within a community of users sharing the same viewing rights to a collaboratively old copy of content retained either in the consort system or among a plurality of shared user systems. Various network infrastructure configurations and streaming techniques, including unicast, multicast, and upstream and downstream collaborative streaming, are proposed to optimize network bandwidth efficiency and increase viewing options.
US09078038B2 Automatic provisioning of set-top boxes
A set-top box (STB) detects activation of the STB, and performs, in response to the activation of the STB, a health check of the STB. The STB also detects connection of the STB with a network, and performs, in response to the connection of the STB, the following: a pre-provisioning of the STB, a provisioning of the STB, and a service check of the STB.
US09078037B2 Electronic apparatus with a safe conditional access system (CAS) and control method thereof
An electronic apparatus is provided, which includes a central processing unit (CPU), a first memory unit which performs communication with the CPU, and a second memory unit which stores therein conditional access system (CAS) software and platform software. According to the method of controlling the apparatus, upon booting, the CPU copies the CAS software to an internal memory area which may be within the CPU, copies the platform software to the first memory unit and executes the CAS and platform software, and executes CAS operations through communication between the CAS software and the platform software.
US09078036B2 Mechanism to evaluate the geographic popularity of geographically-located user-generated content items
A mechanism to evaluate the geographic popularity of geographically-located user-generated content is presented. A method to evaluate the geographic popularity of geographically-located user-generated content includes receiving a user-generated content item having metadata indicating a geographic location of the user-generated content item, determining geographic location metadata of each of a plurality of views of the content item, calculating a view geographic entropy of the content item by dividing the plurality of views across multiple geographic regions while taking into account the geographic location of the content item, and providing the calculated view geographic entropy of the content item for presentation in a visual display that is part of an analytical report of the content item.
US09078027B1 Systems and methods for enabling functionality of a trigger mechanism based on log entries in a traffic log
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for enabling functionality of a trigger mechanism based on log entries in a traffic log. An example method involves (i) accessing a stored traffic log, wherein the log includes multiple ordered log entries including a first log-entry and a second log-entry; (ii) making a first determination that the first log-entry corresponds to a show-segment video-component (VC) of a live show, wherein the first log-entry further corresponds to a broadcast time-period; (iii) making a second determination that the second log-entry is positioned immediately after the first log-entry; (iv) making a third determination that the second log-entry corresponds to a manual start-time type; and (v) responsive to making the three determinations, enabling functionality of a trigger mechanism during the broadcast time-period, wherein the enabled trigger mechanism is configured to cause processing of a next log entry in the log in response to being triggered.
US09078024B2 Video processing system with user customized graphics for use with layered video coding and methods for use therewith
A video processing device includes a user interface module that receives at least one user preference. A decoder module produces a decoded video signal from a basic video layer stream and at least one graphics layer streams based on the at least one user preference.
US09078012B2 Viewing angle switching for live broadcasts and on demand video playback
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for viewing angle switching for live broadcasts and on demand video playback. A method includes, in a media server residing in a network of interconnect computers, the media server including a processor and a memory, receiving a plurality of real-time video input streams and an associated session entity from a client device in the network, enabling a producer to select streams from the received plurality of real-time video input stream and assigned angles, recording the selected streams and angles in a media mix container, transcoding the selected streams and angles, and publishing the transcoded selected streams and angles to a content delivery network.
US09078011B2 Variable available viewing time communication device and system
The communication device is installed in a predetermined space. The communication device receives and displays content distributed only within a variable available viewing time. The communication device includes an available viewing time calculation unit configured to calculate the available viewing time, a replay time calculation unit configured to calculate the replay time needed to replay predetermined content, a warning determination unit configured to compare the replay time and the available viewing time and generate warning information when the replay time exceeds the available viewing time, and a display unit configured to display the warning information generated by the warning determination unit.
US09078007B2 Digital video coding with interpolation filters and offsets
This disclosure describes techniques for encoding digital video data using interpolation filters and offsets. An encoder may be configured to select interpolation filters for sub-pixel precision motion estimation based on historical interpolation results obtained for previously encoded video units, such as frames or slices. The encoder also may be configured to compute and assign offsets to the sub-pixel positions after interpolation based on differences between a reference unit and the unit to be coded. The computation and assignment of offsets may be performed before motion estimation. Motion estimation may be refined so that the motion search considers sub-pixel positions to which offsets have been previously added and evaluates sub-pixel positions that have a non-zero offset. In some cases, interpolation filter selection, offset computation, and/or refined motion estimation for a given unit may be performed in a single encoding pass.
US09077989B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method for removing blocking artifacts
A deblocking filter applies filtering to reduce blocking artifacts from an encoded stream in which image data has been encoded in individual blocks. A filter strength adjuster adjusts the filter strength according to block sizes of the predictive image data. For example, during image encoding, the filter strength is adjusted according to the block size of the predictive image data yielding the best encoding efficiency generated using filtered and decoded image data. Filtering may also be applied to remove blocking artifacts from decoded image data during image decoding, with the filter strength being adjusted according to the block sizes of the predictive image data. Decoded images with favorable image quality are obtained, even in the case of using extended macroblock sizes.
US09077988B2 Picture coding method, picture decoding method, picture coding apparatus, picture decoding apparatus, and program thereof
A picture coding method of the present invention codes a picture signal and a ratio of a number of luminance pixels and a number of chrominance pixels for the picture signal, and then one coding method out of at least two coding methods is selected depending on the ratio. Next, data related to a picture size is coded in accordance with the selected coding method. The data related to the picture size indicates a size of the picture corresponding to the picture signal or an output area, which is a pixel area to be outputted in decoding in a whole pixel area coded in the picture signal coding.
US09077987B2 Method of displaying three-dimensional image and display apparatus for performing the method
A method of displaying a three-dimensional image includes sequentially providing light to display blocks of a display panel in a scan direction of an image, providing light at a maximum luminance to a display block during a first period in which an image for a left-eye or a right-eye is displayed on the display block, providing the light at a luminance gradually decreasing from the maximum luminance to a preset luminance to the display block during a second period in which a transition image between the left-eye or the right-eye image and a black image is displayed on the display block, and blocking the light from the display block during a third period including a period in which the black image is displayed on the display block and prior to a period in which a left-eye or a right-eye image of a following frame is displayed on the display block.
US09077984B2 Control system, control device, image system, eyeglasses, and image display device
Technology for controlling image display according to the state of a viewer wearing eyeglasses to view 3D images is provided. When an inclined angle of eyeglasses is in a predetermined range, an image display device alternately displays a left-eye image and a right-eye image. When the inclined angle of the eyeglasses exceeds the predetermined range, the image display device does not switch the left-eye image with the right-eye image. For example, the image display device displays 2D images. Optical shutters of the eyeglasses are synchronized with the left-eye image and the right-eye image. When the image display device does not switch the left-eye image with the right-eye image, the optical shutters are both open.
US09077981B2 Three-dimensional display apparatus
In a 3D image display apparatus, a display unit includes a plurality of pixels and alternately displays a left-eye image in a first group of the pixels and a right-eye image in a second group of the pixels along a first direction, a barrier unit includes a light blocking portion blocking light received from the display unit and a light transmitting portion transmitting the light received from the display unit, and the light blocking portion and the light transmitting portion are alternately arranged in the first direction. A position information extraction unit determines the distance between the display unit and a viewer watching the display unit, and a control unit controls the display unit and the barrier unit in accordance with the distance information to allow the display unit and the barrier unit to be operated in a first mode or a second mode. Thus, a distance range in which the viewer perceives the 3D image increases.
US09077973B2 Wide field-of-view stereo vision platform with dynamic control of immersive or heads-up display operation
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to 3D stereo vision goggles or other platforms that could be used for enhanced vision systems for surgical applications, for patients with macular degeneration, or for entertainment or business applications. The invention takes images received from a video input source, and segments and projects those images off a mirror defined by a portion of an ellipsoid and directly onto the retina of the eye of a user. The invention allows users to enjoy 3D stereoscopic vision with an increased field of view, increased image quality, increased comfort, reduced cost, and other benefits.
US09077972B2 Method and apparatus for assessing the quality of a video signal during encoding or compressing of the video signal
A method for assessing the quality of a video signal during encoding or compressing of the video signal includes: estimating the quality (Qcod) of the video signal using one or more parameters; and using at least one additional parameter to adjust the estimated video signal quality, wherein the at least one additional parameter includes the key-frame rate (kfr) of the video signal as a Group of Pictures (GOP)-length-related parameter. Adjustment of the estimated video signal quality is in accordance with the following equation: Qcod=(a1*kfr+a2)*exp(b*br)+c; where a1, a2, b, and c are coefficients and br is the bit-rate of the video signal.
US09077964B2 Systems and methods for error resilience and random access in video communication systems
Systems and methods for error resilient transmission and for random access in video communication systems are provided. The video communication systems are based on single-layer, scalable video, or simulcast video coding with temporal scalability, which may be used in video communication systems. A set of video frames or pictures in a video signal transmission is designated for reliable or guaranteed delivery to receivers using secure or high reliability links, or by retransmission techniques. The reliably-delivered video frames are used as reference pictures for resynchronization of receivers with the transmitted video signal after error incidence and for random access.
US09077962B2 Method for calibrating vehicular vision system
A method for calibrating a vehicular vision system includes providing a camera at a vehicle, with the camera having a field of view. Images are captured with the camera and a set of resultant images are acquired for a classification. Information is extracted related to image features in the set of resultant images, and an appropriate subset of coefficients is determined. For each classification, a classification vector of at least one appropriate weight is stored that corresponds to the determined subset of coefficients.
US09077941B2 Image processing method and image processing device
A bad pixel correction method for an image is provided. The bad pixel correction method includes the steps of determining whether each of pixels of a predetermined block in the image is a bad pixel sequentially; when a current pixel of the block is determined to be bad and a temperature value is higher than a threshold, re-determining that at least one previously determined pixel in the predetermined block to be bad; and correcting the current pixel and the previously determined pixel, wherein the previously determined pixel is adjacent to the current pixel.
US09077929B2 Portable electronic device based user-definable remote-control interface system and operating method thereof with a display and input unit adapted to show an interface allocation information map, the map being divided into a plurality of sub-areas
A portable electronic device based user-definable remote-control interface system and operating method thereof is disclosed. The system integrates remote control information of a variety of remotely controllable devices into one single interface allocation information map, which is stored in and can be shown on a portable electronic device. To operate the user-definable remote-control interface, first show the interface allocation information map on the portable electronic device and define at least an object and a button in the map. Then, search a network platform for a built-in remote-control code that corresponds to the button, or receive a learning signal from a remote controller of a device to be remotely controlled with the button to generate a learnt remote-control code corresponding to the button. Finally, store the built-in or the learnt remote-control code in a storage unit of the portable electronic device and relate the remote-control code to its corresponding button.
US09077928B2 Data reporting of usage statistics
A collection, aggregation and reporting of activities associated with applications of an Intelligent TV set is provided. Activates may include most used, least used, installed, available and removed. Periodically, a report is generated and sent to a receiver over a network.
US09077920B2 Solid-state image pickup device, method for driving solid-state image pickup device, and image pickup apparatus
A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel array section including an effective pixel region, an optical black pixel region, and a pixel region between the effective pixel region and the optical black pixel region; a vertical drive section which performs driving so that signals of pixels of the pixel region disposed at a side of the effective pixel region in a vertical direction are skipped and signals of pixels of the effective pixel region and the optical black pixel region are read; and a horizontal drive section which performs driving so that, from among the pixels selected by the vertical drive section, the signals of the pixels of the pixel region disposed at a side of the effective pixel region in a horizontal direction are skipped and the signals of the pixels of the effective pixel region and the optical black pixel region are read.
US09077918B2 Photoelectric conversion apparatus with first and second conductors that respectively supply corresponding voltages to digital circuits of a vertical scanning circuit and signal processing unit
A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes, on one substrate, a pixel driving unit and a signal processing unit that includes a digital circuit configured to execute signal processing. A first voltage and a second voltage different in value from the first voltage are supplied to the digital circuit of the pixel driving unit. A third voltage and a fourth voltage different in value from the third voltage are supplied to the digital circuit of the signal processing unit. A main portion of a first conductor that supplies the first voltage to the digital circuit of the pixel driving unit and a main portion of a second conductor that supplies the third voltage to the digital circuit of the signal processing unit are isolated from each other.
US09077910B2 Multi-field CCD capture for HDR imaging
Techniques are described to combine image data from multiple images with different exposures into a relatively high dynamic range image. A first image of a scene may be generated with a first operational mode of an image processing system. A second image of the scene may be generated with a second different operational mode of the image processing system. The first image may be of a first spatial resolution, while the second image may be of a second spatial resolution. For example, the first spatial resolution may be higher than the second spatial resolution. The first image and the second image may be combined into an output image of the scene. The output image may be of a higher dynamic range than either of the first image and the second image and may be of a spatial resolution higher than the second spatial resolution.
US09077898B2 Smart webcam device in distributed circuit casings and cable-encapsulating neck structure
Various embodiments of a novel smart webcam device in distributed circuit casings and cable-encapsulating neck structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, the novel smart webcam device has a bottom housing that contains a network communication-capable computing circuitry, a top housing that contains a webcam-specific circuitry (e.g. a camera lens and a camera processing unit), and a cable-encapsulating neck structure interposed between the bottom housing and the top housing that uniquely encapsulates a data communication and power cable, which connects a camera data interface in the bottom housing and a webcam unit interface in the top housing. Preferably, the top housing and the bottom housing are swivel-capable around the cable-encapsulating neck structure. The novel smart webcam device is internally capable of transforming raw multimedia data captured from the webcam-specific circuitry into processed multimedia data in standardized formats, and can also transmit the processed multimedia data over a data network.
US09077892B2 Imaging apparatus using different focus lens driving methods between when zoom magnification is changed and when not changed
An imaging apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image formed by the optical system to generate image data, a driver operable to drive the focus lens along an optical axis of the optical system, and an autofocus adjusting unit operable to adjust a subject image formed on the imaging unit to be in focus by evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit and by controlling the driver to drive the focus lens. When adjusting the subject image to be in focus anew after previously adjusting the subject image to be in focus, the autofocus adjusting unit estimates a focus position and controls the driver to drive the focus lens according to a driving method used for evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit, and different driving methods are used for different results of the estimation.
US09077890B2 Auto-focus tracking
An apparatus and method for supporting augmented reality or other computer vision applications are presented. Embodiments enable communication between natural feature and auto-focus engines to increase an engine's accuracy or decrease a processing time of the engine. An auto-focus engine may communicate a location of an auto-focus window to a natural feature detection module and/or a change in location of a previous auto-focus window to a next auto-focus window. The natural feature detection module uses the communicated information to limit an initial search area and/or to set a next tracking search window. A natural feature tracking module may communicate a changes from a previous location of a natural feature to a next location of the natural feature to an auto-focus engine. The auto-focus engine uses the change to set a next auto-focus window.
US09077889B2 Network management apparatus and method of controlling the same, and communication apparatus and method of controlling the same
This invention provides a network management apparatus for appropriately managing a photographing network. A plurality of apparatuses including a master apparatus that issues a control command to control a photographic operation and a slave apparatus that executes the control command belong to the photographing network. The network management apparatus preferentially determines, out of the plurality of apparatuses belonging to the photographing network, a master apparatus as a candidate apparatus that becomes a new network management apparatus in a case that the network management apparatus is disconnected from the photographing network managed by the network management apparatus itself.
US09077882B2 Relevant image detection in a camera, recorder, or video streaming device
The filtering tasks that are conventionally applied in a video monitoring application, to distinguish images that may be relevant to the application, are distributed to the image source, or near-source devices. Source devices, such as cameras and playback devices, and near-source devices, such as video concentrators and streaming devices, are configured to include video processing tools that can be used to pre-filter the image data to identify frames or segments of frames that include image information that is likely to be relevant to the receiving video monitoring application. In this manner, the receiving processor need not spend time and resources processing images that are pre-determined to be irrelevant to the receiving application.
US09077881B2 Camera module
Disclosed herein is a camera module herein. The camera module includes a case; a bracket that is installed in the case, wherein an elastic element is interposed between the bracket and the case, and the bracket is elastically supported in the case by the elastic element; a substrate coupled to a lower portion of the bracket; an image sensor installed on the printed circuit board, wherein an upper portion of the image sensor is inserted into the bracket; and a focusing and tilt adjuster that is coupled through a bottom surface of the case, wherein a front end portion of the focusing and tilt adjuster contacts the substrate.
US09077877B2 Active headwear for detachably mounting an imaging device
Disclosed is a mounting system and method for securing an imaging device to active headgear. In one embodiment, the mounting system includes a headwear frame to which can be attached a head strap to form a diving mask. A digital camera or a video recorder can be secured to an attachment base in the mounting system to allow use thereof in a hands-free operating mode.
US09077875B2 Image capturing device
There are included a housing, an image capturing unit provided to the housing, for capturing a subject image formed through an optical system, a sound pickup unit provided to the housing, for picking up audio, and a movable unit capable of moving at least between a first position and a second position with respect to the housing, the movable unit including a light emitter for emitting light on a subject, and a plate-shaped plate portion, the movable unit being for forming a space between the light emitter and the plate portion, and in a case where the movable unit is at the first position, the sound pickup unit is disposed in the space, and in a case where the movable unit is at the second position, the plate portion is disposed at a position facing the sound pickup unit.
US09077859B2 Device for recording and playing contents, server for managing content location information, information recording medium, method for managing content information
A device for recording and playing contents, a sever for managing content location information, an information recording medium, a method for managing content information, and a recording medium for the method are disclosed. The recording/playing device includes a communication interface unit configured to interface data transmission and reception with at least one external resource connected to a network and a controller configured to receive a request for a content, search for an external resource recording the requested content based on content identification information and control receiving the content from the searched external resource.
US09077854B2 Preventing the use of modified receiver firmware in receivers of a conditional access system
The invention enables the shared secret, which is used for encrypting the communication of CWs from a smartcard to a receiver, to cover at least a part of a binary image of firmware that is executing in the receiver. Preferably the shared secret covers the entire binary image of the firmware. Hereto, data from one or more predefined firmware memory locations are read, the set of data forming the shared secret.
US09077850B1 Recording multi-party video calls
A method, computer program product, and system is described. An indication of an intent of a first participant in a multi-party video-enabled call to record a portion of the call is received. A notification is provided to one or more other participants in the call of the indicated intent based upon, at least in part, receiving the indication. A perspective of the call associated with the first participant is recorded.
US09077847B2 Video communication method and digital television using the same
A digital TV capable of video communication is discussed. According to an embodiment, the DTV for a video call operation using a camera associated with the DTV, includes a display unit and at least one processor. The processor is configured to display simultaneously, on the display unit, (a) an image received from the camera for a video call operation, and (b) different image setting items for controlling characteristics of the image received from the camera. The processor is further configured to adjust at least one of the characteristics of the image based on a user's control of at least one of the different image setting items, to display on the display unit the image having the adjusted characteristic based on the user's control, and to perform the video call operation with another party using the image having the adjusted characteristic.
US09077845B2 Video processing
Video processing comprises storing data relating to images of a video signal captured over at least a reference period relative to a current image of the video signal; comparing the current image with a reference image of the video signal captured within the reference period, so as to detect image features in the current image representing changes with respect to a corresponding position in the reference image; detecting whether a detected image feature in the current image has remained at substantially the same image position over a group of images preceding the current image; and displaying the current image with an indication of any such image features and an indication of the duration of the presence of the image feature at that image position.
US09077839B2 Information processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium for suppressing a decrease in performance due to an increase in memory temperature when using a wide IO memory
An information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a wide IO memory device stacked on an SoC die that includes a CPU, acquires temperature information of multiple memories in the wide IO memory device, loads applications for executing separate functions to multiple memories, excluding the memory positioned above the circuit on the SoC die related to the function to be executed by the application, and, when the execution of the loaded application is instructed, executes the application loaded to the memory having a lower temperature that was acquired.
US09077837B2 Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes an operations unit configured to be directly operated by a user; a main unit configured to operate based on a request from the operations unit; a determination unit configured to determine a device that is to use an external storage device of the operations unit, in accordance with one of a function of the main unit that is activated through the operations unit and an application of the operations unit; and a switching unit configured to switch a current connection of the external storage device to a connection between the determined device and the external storage device.
US09077836B1 Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes: a command unit which generates a command signal periodically; a reading unit which reads an original in accordance with the command signal every time the command signal is generated; a conveying unit which conveys at least one of the reading unit and the original so as to change a relative position between the reading unit and the original; a signal output unit which outputs a displacement signal every time the relative position is changed by a predetermined amount corresponding to a reading interval; and a control unit which controls a generation timing of the command signal by the command unit. A generation period of the command signal is less than an output time interval of the displacement signal.
US09077830B2 Image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, printing system, image forming method, image forming program, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus capable of performing excellent image formation with a reduced amount of data transfer. The image forming apparatus has a plurality of image processing functions. The image forming apparatus is connectable to an external apparatus having a plurality of image processing functions. The image forming apparatus transmits information indicative of selected at least one image processing function thereof and selected at least one image processing function of the information processing apparatus, to the information processing apparatus. When information indicative of an image processing function to be provided by the information processing apparatus on behalf of the image processing apparatus is received as a result of determination performed by the information processing apparatus based on the transmitted information and predetermined conditions, the image forming apparatus is controlled not to use the image processing function.
US09077821B2 Maximizing end-user's quality of experience within a mobile data plan
Currently existing mechanisms to optimize the quality of experience (QoE) in accordance with user data plans are rather based on user self-managed usage of his mobile user data plan with, for example, help from external applications which continuously evaluate the limits reached. There is thus a need for deployment of intelligence in the network, in order to avoid abrupt downgrades in the QoE for subscribers that go over the monthly quota of their data plan. To overcome these problems, or at least to mitigate them, an embodiment of the present invention provides for an optimization of the user's quota by gradually reducing the required bandwidth for the content that the user requests. This is achieved by a method which takes into account the consumed/remaining volumes in the user data plan as well as the user browsing habits, and which provides context enrichment to content providers to enable taking decisions.
US09077816B2 Local roaming charging in LTE/EPC networks
Communication networks and methods are disclosed for performing local roaming charging in LTE/EPC networks. A visited Online Charging System (OCS) in the LTE/EPC network receives a credit request from a network element in a visited network that has been requested to provide a service to a roaming mobile device. In response to the credit request, the visited OCS determines a local rating for the service based on a local tariff defined by the operator of the visited network. The visited OCS grants a quota of service units to the network element based on the local rating, and transmits a credit response to the network element indicating the granted quota.
US09077814B2 Apparatus and method for adjusting volume in a portable terminal
An apparatus and method for adjusting the volume in a portable terminal. The apparatus includes an information collection unit and a volume adjustment unit. The information collection unit collects noise judgment information that is used for judging the extent of background noise. The volume adjustment unit estimates background noise using the collected information, and adjusts the volume according to the background noise.
US09077812B2 Methods and apparatus for improving user experience
A data processing system includes components for providing a pleasant user experience. Those components may include a family interaction engine that provides a family channel. The family interaction engine may provide for creation of a user group. The family channel may present content of interest to multiple users in the user group. When a user is detected near the data processing system, the family interaction engine may automatically present content of interest to that user. When used for presenting media content, the data processing system may also cause supplemental data to automatically be presented, wherein the supplemental data is relevant to the media content and to a predetermined interest of the user. The data processing system may also provide a ranked list of applications for potential activation by the user. The applications may be ordered based on the current context. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09077808B2 System and method for implementing do-not-disturb during playback of media content
The disclosed embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for implementing do-not-disturb feature during media content. For example, in one embodiment, the do-not-disturb feature is implemented on an electronic device during the playback of the media content based on user preferences, where the user preferences specify the media content that triggers the do-not-disturb feature on the electronic device. In response to the do-not-disturb feature being implemented, notification of an incoming communication is suspended during playback of the media content.
US09077803B2 System for facilitating loosely configured service worker groups in a dynamic call center environment
A system for soliciting and activating one or more groups of workers to service contact center business includes an interface accessible to the one or more groups for accepting group registration data, publishing contact center business and for enabling the groups to subscribe to receive business; a data repository for storing the registration data for subscribing groups; and a routing server for specifying routing strategies for event routing to the groups. The system is characterized in that the one or more groups of workers may be activated during contact center business activity to perform services based on need.
US09077802B2 Automated response system
Automated response processing includes receiving a first audible prompt from a called system and a response to the first audible prompt from a calling system during a first phone call. Automated response processing further includes determining, using a processor, a semantic identifier for the first audible prompt using semantic analysis and storing the semantic identifier of the first audible prompt in association with the response. The stored response is played responsive to determining that a semantic identifier for a second audible prompt played to the calling system matches the semantic identifier of the first audible prompt.
US09077799B2 Facilitating context delivery during communication sessions
An approach is disclosed that facilitates context delivery during communication sessions. The approach may be implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions operable to: render at least one service to a user device through a communication session; collect information of the communication session; and send the information of the communication session to a service provider when a call is setup between the user device and the service provider. The service provider renders the information of the communication session for viewing by the service provider.
US09077796B2 System containing a mobile communication device and associated docking station
A communication system is described that includes a mobile communication device and a docking station with which the mobile communication device can be selectively engaged and disengaged. The mobile communication device includes telephony logic that enables a user to conduct a voice call using a first speaker/microphone and/or a first network interface provided by the mobile communication device when the mobile communication device is disengaged from the docking station and that enables the user to conduct a voice call using a second speaker/microphone and/or a second network interface provided by the docking station when the mobile communication device is engaged with the docking station. The telephony logic is also capable of dynamically switching between the use of the first and second speakers/microphones and/or the first and second network interfaces in response to detecting engagement or disengagement of the docking station during a voice call.
US09077794B2 Lightning connector accessory device
A Lightning connector compatible accessory device includes circuitry that is completely enveloped by a mobile device when the accessory device is inserted in a Lightning connector. The accessory device may include a microUSB connector on one end of a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may be offset in a housing.
US09077789B2 Sleeve with electronic extensions for a cell phone
A passively re-radiating cell phone sleeve assembly capable of receiving a nested cell phone provides signal boosting capabilities and provides a radar enablement. Signal boosting is enabled by use of an additional antenna, a pass-through repeater, dual antenna isolation capability and other features.
US09077783B2 Sound data transmitting apparatus, sound data transmitting method, sound data receiving apparatus, and sound data receiving apparatus
A sound data transmitting apparatus that transmits digital sound data using first and second transmission channels for transmitting transmission signals of first and second forms respectively guaranteed and not guaranteed to obtain, as reception data, data same as transmission data, includes: a data separating unit that separates transmission digital sound data into first and second sound data that should be transmitted through the first and second transmission channels, respectively; first and second transmission processing units that process the first and second sound data separated by the data separating unit to obtain the transmission signals of the first and second forms, respectively; and a data transmitting unit that transmits, through the first and second transmission channels, the transmission signals of the first and second forms obtained by the first and second transmission processing units, respectively.
US09077781B2 Method and device for thinning streaming media data by evaluating priority information
A request for real-time transfer protocol (RTP) data is sent from the caching proxy server to the server. The request may be for one specific type of data or multiple unrelated types of data. The server responds to the request indicating its support for the requested data. The caching proxy server determines whether to proceed or terminate the data transmission process based on the response provided by the server. If it is determined to proceed with the data transmission process, the caching proxy informs the server to send the requested data. The server sends the requested data in a body of a RTP packet. The RTP packet uses a RTP Meta-Info payload format, which includes a body and a field header. The field header includes fields to identify the streaming media data, and the field body includes the requested streaming media data.
US09077779B2 Client device, method and computer program for playing media content
Client device for playing media content, comprising: a connection interface for establishing a connection with a server and for receiving a media content from the server via the connection; a detector for detecting, whether the media content is to be continued beyond a termination of the connection with the server, and for providing a detection result in case it is determined that the media content is to be continued beyond a determination of the connection with the server; and a processor for taking an action to continue the media content beyond a termination of the connection with the server.
US09077778B2 Telecommunications system with server securing storage for a device
A telecommunications system includes at least one telecommunications device and a server that is able to communicate with the telecommunications device over a network. The telecommunications device includes: a storage section in which stored is property information that identifies the device itself uniquely; and a communications section which sends the property information to the server when communicating with the server for the first time. The server includes: a storage device; a server communications section which receives the property information; and a controller which secures a storage space associated with that property information in the storage device on receiving the property information. The controller generates account information which allows a user to have access to the storage space secured and which is associated with the property information gotten. The server communications section sends the account information to the telecommunications device that has transmitted the property information.
US09077774B2 Server-assisted video conversation
A method, computer program product, and system provide real time, two way audio-video conversation between mobile computing devices. Low latency is achieved by splitting the audio and video data streams from a given audio-video conversation using two different transport protocols to send the separate streams over a network, and re-syncing them at the other end. The transmission for each stream is tuned based on feedback data indicating available bandwidth of the network or other mobile computing device. A server offloads processing requirements that would otherwise be handled by the mobile computing device. The two way conversation can be externally observed by web-based users. The system functions over a disparate set of mobile computing device endpoints and web-based endpoints, and over different wireless carrier network infrastructures.
US09077772B2 Scalable replay counters for network security
In one embodiment, an authenticator in a communication network maintains a persistent authenticator epoch value that increments each time the authenticator restarts. The authenticator also maintains a persistent per-supplicant value for each supplicant of the authenticator, each per-supplicant value set to a current value of the authenticator epoch value each time the corresponding supplicant establishes a new security association with the authenticator. To communicate messages from the authenticator to a particular supplicant, each message uses a per-supplicant replay counter having a security association epoch counter and a message counter specific to the particular supplicant. In particular, the security association epoch counter for each message is set as a difference between the authenticator epoch value and the per-supplicant value for the particular supplicant when the message is communicated, while the message counter is incremented for each message communicated.
US09077766B2 System and method for combining memory resources for use on a personal network
A personal network may be established by interconnecting a plurality of satellites as part of the personal network. Each satellite may be configured to communicate with one or more other satellites. On any given one of the plurality of satellites, data indicating a connectivity status for the one or more other satellites is automatically received, and information indicating a capability of the one or more other satellites is automatically received. The given satellite may be configured to enable at least one other corresponding satellite in the plurality of satellites to be made available for use, so that a capability of the at least one other corresponding satellite is made available for the given satellite.
US09077761B2 System and method for scalable, efficient, and robust system management communications via vendor defined extensions
In accordance with the present disclosure, a system and method for transmitting communications over a transmission medium between a first component and a second component is provided. The system and method may include an information handling system in which a packet is defined. The packet may include at least one header at a specific bit location and a vendor defined header extension, located in a packet payload portion of the packet. The system and method may further include at least one control command defined within the information handling system. The at least one control command may, for example, be used to negotiate the meaning of at least one field in the header. In addition, the at least one control command may be used to handle and recover from errors within communications and to control the flow of communications once transmission has commenced.
US09077747B1 Systems and methods for responding to security breaches
A computer-implemented method for responding to security breaches may include (1) receiving a notification that a service provider has experienced a security breach, (2) identifying a first user account that is potentially affected by the security breach by identifying an account management database that stores users' account information for a plurality of different service providers and searching the account management database for user accounts associated with the service provider that experienced the security breach, and (3) performing, for the first user account that is potentially affected by the security breach, a security action that addresses the security breach. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09077746B2 Tool, method and apparatus for assessing network security
Tools and methods in which user interaction via a common user interface enables the assessing of network security prior to implementation of the network, as well as assessing the security of existing networks, portions of existing networks, or modifications to existing networks. A network security model useful in realizing the tools and methods is also disclosed.
US09077745B1 Method of resolving port binding conflicts, and system and method of remote vulnerability assessment
A system includes a client system, a server, and a communication network providing communications between the client system and the server. The server is structured to provide remote vulnerability assessment for a subscriber at the client system, and to accept credentials of the subscriber at the client system and responsively grant access to an account manager on the server. The server is further structured to generate a license key operatively associated with the remote vulnerability assessment for the subscriber and provide the license key to the client system. The server is further structured to accept input from the client system to request a user interface for running remote vulnerability assessments, prepare a software instance of vulnerability analysis software, synchronize the license key and the credentials within the account manager, authenticate the subscriber and redirect the client system to the user interface.
US09077740B2 System and method for pooling and load distributing connection-oriented servers
There is provided a system and method for managing connections between computers and a server pool. An exemplary system comprises a file configured to store a list of a plurality of servers in the server pool. The exemplary system further comprises a session distributor configured to distribute communication sessions among the plurality of servers by directing multiple requests for a common communication session to a specific one of the plurality of servers based on the list. The exemplary method includes selecting a server from a list of a plurality of servers stored in a file, selecting a port number, generating login information, and linking the server, port number, and login information such that multiple requests for a common communication session are directed to the server.
US09077737B2 Wireless communication system, information and communication terminal, portable telephone, reader/writer, communication method and computer program
There is provided a wireless communication system that includes two information communication terminals with built-in IC chips engaged in alternating wireless communication with each other through noncontact communication, wherein one of the information communication terminals includes a reception unit that receives a packet originating from the other information communication terminal, a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits a single packet or a plurality of packets to the other information communication terminal by transmitting all packets that can be transmitted to the other information communication terminal instead of engaging in alternating wireless communication if a specific condition is satisfied and an identifier appending unit that appends a last packet identifier to a packet to be transmitted last from the transmission unit among all the packets that can be transmitted to the other information communication terminal.
US09077734B2 Authentication of devices of a dispersed storage network
A method begins by a first processing module generating a dispersed storage network (DSN) authentication request frame that includes authenticating data and an authenticating code, wherein the authenticating code references a valid authenticating process. The method continues with the first processing module transmitting the DSN authentication request frame to a second processing module. The method continues with the second processing module determining whether the second processing module includes the valid authentication process referenced by the authentication code. When the second processing module includes the valid authentication process, processing, by the second processing module, the authenticating data in accordance with the valid authentication process to produce processed authenticating data. The method continues with the second processing module generating a DSN authentication response frame that includes the processed authenticating data and transmitting the DSN authentication response frame to the first processing module.
US09077728B1 Systems and methods for managing access-control groups
A computer-implemented method for managing access-control groups. The method may include (1) tracking users' access patterns to one or more shared resources, (2) analyzing the users' access patterns to identify a cluster of users who exhibit similar access patterns to the one or more shared resources, (3) identifying a preexisting access-control group to which one or more of the users is assigned, (4) comparing the preexisting access-control group to the cluster of users, and (5) organizing, based on the comparison, one or more of the users into one or more access-control groups. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09077727B2 Method and system for data management in peer-to-peer network
A method for managing storage of data objects in a peer-to-peer system including a plurality of peer entities is provided. For each data object to be stored into the peer-to-peer system, the method including establishing a group of peer entities so that the group meets a stability requirement according to predetermined stability rules, storing the data object into each peer entity of the group, and each peer entity of the group generating and maintaining a group list associated with the data object, which includes the peer entities of the group.
US09077725B2 Configuration profile validation on iOS based on root certificate validation
An application management agent running on a wireless communications device restricts access to device functionality (e.g., applications and device features) unless the application management agent has determined that a particular configuration profile has been installed on the device (after which the application management agent permits access to device functionality, and an operating system of the device enforces policy settings specified in the configuration profile). The application management agent confirms the presence of the configuration profile by using a validation certificate to validate against a root certificate embedded in a configuration profile installed on the device. The configuration profile is configured to be non-removable, so it cannot be remove or updated, except by another configuration profile signed by the same authority. Validation against the embedded root certificate thereby implicitly confirms the presence of the configuration profile and validates the content of the configuration profile.
US09077720B2 Architecture for open communication in a heterogeneous network
Network architecture configured for open communication between a plurality of sub-networks. Each of the plurality of sub-networks has a different routable network addressing scheme. The architecture includes at least one broker node adapted to communicate using at least two different routable network addressing schemes. The broker node comprises an identification management module configured to collect peer-application addresses for nodes currently accessing a specific application, the peer-application addresses being associated with a specific application, an address resolution module configured to map each of the peer-application addresses to a sub-network specific routable network address and a network coordination module configured to monitor and coordinate sub-network communication capabilities between the broker node and at least one other broker node and elect a primary broker node for each sub-network which the broker node and at least one other broker node is capable of communication.
US09077718B2 Server machine and network processing method
An object of the present invention is to provide a server machine and network processing method capable of running a plurality of same server applications at a time on a single OS in a single sever machine.A server machine comprises a packet dispatching processor for retrieving a destination application group of a communication packet based on first identification information included in a communication packet received by any of a plurality of ports and first management information; for retrieving a plurality of endpoints based on second identification information included in the communication packet and second management information; and for dispatching the communication packet to a server application corresponding to any of the plurality of the retrieved endpoints and belonging to the retrieved application group.
US09077713B1 Typeless secure login to web-based services
A system provides a remote electronic device with secure access to a web service. The system generates an alphanumeric character set, encodes the character set in a barcode, and outputs the barcode on a login page. When the system receives an access request from a remote electronic device, it will determine whether the request or a following communication includes the character set and a unique identifier for an authentication application that is installed on the remote electronic device. If so, then the system will use the unique identifier to identify a user account for a user who is using the remote device, generate a home page that includes one or more functions for which the user account is authorized, and output the home page. The system will output the home page in a manner that permits the remote electronic device to securely access and display the home page.
US09077708B2 Information processing system, control method for controlling the information processing system, and storage medium
A second information processing system to communicate with a first information processing system includes an acquisition unit, an acceptance unit, a confirmation unit, and a setting unit. The acquisition unit acquires authentication information from the first information processing system and from a memory of the second information processing system. The acceptance unit accepts correspondence information indicating correspondence between first authentication information and second authentication information. The confirmation unit confirms, as a condition, whether the acquired authentication information in the first information processing system is identical to the accepted first authentication information and confirms, as a condition, whether the acquired authentication information in the second information processing system is identical to the accepted second authentication information. The setting unit does not set the correspondence information as single sign-on setting information if a condition is not satisfied and sets the correspondence information as single sign-on setting information if both conditions are satisfied.
US09077697B2 Method and system for managing the transfer of files among multiple computer systems
A system and method is disclosed for transferring files from a source computer to a destination computer. The system and method comprises reading a configuration file containing one or more parameter expressions representing file transfer instructions. One or more transfer files stored on the source computer are identified based on at least one of the parameter expressions contained within the configuration file. The identified transfer files are transferred from the source computer to the destination computer in accordance with the parameter expressions contained within the configuration file.
US09077681B2 Page loading optimization using page-maintained cache
Web page loading time may be decreased with the use of a page-maintained storage cache on a client device. In various implementations, a server may receive a request for a web page from a web browser that is on the client device. The server may provide a chunk reassembler to the client device that determines whether any chunks in the web page are already stored on the client device. Subsequently, the server may send one or more chunk of the web page to the client device when the chunk reassembler determines that the one or more chunks of the web page are missing from the client device. The chunk reassembler may then instruct the web browser to assemble the one or more received chunks with the one or more chunks that are stored on the client device into the web page for presentation on the client device.
US09077680B2 Offender message delivery system
A correctional facility communication system for sending an external message to an offender of a correctional facility is disclosed. The correctional facility communication system includes a messaging system and a correctional facility system coupled together with a wide area network. The messaging system is at a first location and the correctional facility system is at a second location, different from the first location. The messaging system authenticates a sender of the external message, receives the external message in electronic form at the first location, checks the external message against criteria specified by the correctional facility, determine a second location of the offender and a corresponding printer, and sends the external message to the second location for automatic printing with the corresponding printer.
US09077679B2 Mobile status update display
A method for using a wireless receiver may include receiving subscribed messages for a user identified with a user account of a hub, being messages posted by other uses of the hub to which the user has subscribed. The method may include automatically processing the messages to determine content for display on a display device, and displaying the content on the display device. The display device may be configured as two separate screens mounted at separate locations on the user's body. The messages may include user status messages, which are messages posted to the hub by the user, and the user status messages and subscription messages may be displayed on separate ones of the two screens. An apparatus for performing the method may include a processor coupled to a memory holding encoded instructions for performing operations of the method.
US09077674B2 Identification of content
Systems and methods for identifying content in electronic messages are provided. An electronic message may include certain content. The content is detected and analyzed to identify any metadata. The metadata may include a numerical signature characterizing the content. A thumbprint is generated based on the numerical signature. The thumbprint may then be compared to thumbprints of previously received messages. The comparison allows for classification of the electronic message as spam or not spam.
US09077671B2 Real-time network updates for malicious content
A global response network collects, analyzes, and distributes “cross-vector” threat-related information between security systems to allow for an intelligent, collaborative, and comprehensive real-time response.
US09077670B2 Deadline-aware network protocol
A deadline-aware network protocol is described. In an example, data transfer at a transport layer entity of a packet-based communication network is controlled by receiving a request for network resources for a data flow from a network element and allocating network resources to the data flow. The data flow comprises a number of data packets associated with an application, and the request comprises a factor relating to a time deadline associated with the application. The network resources allocated depend on the factor relating to the time deadline. In examples, the network resource can be a bandwidth or data rate allocated to the data flow, and the factor can be a data rate sufficient to complete the data flow within the time deadline. In examples, the network resources are allocated greedily, such that requests are fully satisfied whenever possible, and the network resources are fully utilized.
US09077667B2 Computing latency introduced by media transcoding operations
Systems and methods for computing latency introduced by media transcoding operations are described. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving incoming Real-Time Protocol (RTP) packets, each having time of arrival and a payload encoded with a first codec and receiving outgoing RTP packets, each having a time of transmission and a payload encoded with a second codec. The method may also include calculating a latency associated with a transcoding of at least one of the incoming RTP packets into at least one corresponding one of the outgoing RTP packets based upon a difference between the time of transmission of the at least one corresponding one of the outgoing RTP packets and the time of arrival of the at least one of the incoming RTP packets. In some cases, the incoming and outgoing RTP packets may be Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) packets.
US09077666B2 Service segregation according to subscriber service association
Processing a plurality of packets through at least one service, a privilege granter monitors at least two authentication packets to obtain a source unique network identifier, one of which does not have a vendor specific attribute and detects an authentication packet among the at least two authentication packets, and the authentication packet having the vendor specific attribute. The privilege granter receives at least one response authentication packet having at least one service definition identifier, the service definition identifier corresponding to the source unique network identifier, responsive to detecting the authentication packet having the vendor specific attribute and builds an entitlement database to pair the source unique network identifier to the service definition identifier. The privilege granter receives a session packet and determines that the source unique network identifier corresponds to a user entitlement in the entitlement database. The privilege granter routes the session packet to an addressable service.
US09077665B1 Transferring virtual machines and resource localization in a distributed fault-tolerant system
Virtual machine localization in a distributed fault-tolerant system. Network traffic is minimized between nodes, while maintaining fault-tolerant behavior. Communication is measured between VM's, which are moved to minimize real network use. An availability group defines which resources cannot safely be disposed on a single device. When two VM's are in the same availability group, they are disposed as near as practical, but not on the same device. VM's and other resources they use are also disposed to minimize real network use. Minimizing real network use includes minimizing both channels occupied and communication distance. Availability groups can include both “hard” availability groups, for which data could be irretrievably lost, or “soft” availability groups, for which data could be lost, but could still be recovered with difficulty. Resource localization responds to both distance between VM's and their resources, and risk associated with losing data.
US09077662B2 Service linkage control system and method
A service linkage control system and method are disclosed for implementing service linkage identification and control for separated control channel and data channel in the communication system. The method includes that: a linkage strategy management module (102) sends a first service template of the service needing linkage identification to a Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) identification module (101) to identify the service needing linkage identification, and sends after classification a service identification result and linkage related information to a linkage strategy management module (102) via a DPI identification device information collection database (104) and a linkage information control center (105); the linkage strategy management module (102) generates a service control strategy according to the received service identification result and a predetermined control rule, and issues the control strategy to a DPI control module (103); and the DPI control module (103) receives and implements the control strategy.
US09077659B2 Packet routing for embedded applications sharing a single network interface over multiple virtual networks
Techniques are provided for packet routing in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch includes multiple switch modules operatively connected to one another, and each switch module includes multiple bridge elements and a management controller. In one embodiment, a shared interface routing (SIR) framework is provided that includes an analysis and bifurcation layer and at least one packet interface. A packet is received over a first logical network and via a physical port, the packet being destined for at least a first application executing on the management controller. The analysis and bifurcation layer analyzes the packet and sends the packet to the packet interface, which then routes the packet to the first application.
US09077655B2 Traffic management in distributed wireless networks
Wireless networks and devices are ubiquitous today. For service providers to offer customers QoS and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) means in part providing resilient connectivity of wireless devices with good signal strength, good Signal to Noise and Interference Ratio (SNIR), and adequate useable bandwidth. Doing so requires that devices transmitting and receiving packets use over-the-air bandwidth efficiently and manage over-the-air congestion. According to embodiments of the invention QoS measurements and controls are incorporated only in the network (i.e. APs or controllers) and therefore QoS and SLAs can be achieved with all deployed client stations versus standards based approaches that require additional capabilities in network nodes, client stations and in most cases modifications to the applications. SLAs can be provided exploiting embodiments of the invention for traffic prioritization, capacity improvements through load distribution, and adjacent channel interference mitigation discretely or in combination with standards based mechanisms.
US09077652B2 Methods for limiting number of routers in a mesh network
In some cases, it may be desirable to limit the number of routers in a mesh network. Various techniques to limit the number of routers, without affecting connectivity, are disclosed. In some embodiments, a node enables its router capability if there are less than a predetermined number of routers already in the network. In other embodiments, a node enables its routing capability only is it is necessary to resolve a connectivity issue or a biconnectivity issue. In some cases, a node, which previously enabled its router capability, may no longer be required to be a router. In some embodiments, this node, upon making this determination, disables its routing capability.
US09077647B2 Correlating user reactions with augmentations displayed through augmented views
Computationally implemented methods and systems include receiving first data that at least identifies one or more augmentations that were remotely displayed in one or more remotely displayed augmented views of one or more actual scenes, receiving second data indicating one or more user reactions of one or more users in response to the remote display of the one or more remotely displayed augmented views; and correlating the one or more user reactions with the one or more augmentations that were remotely displayed through the one or more remotely displayed augmented views. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.
US09077646B2 Method and apparatus for testing and displaying test results
A test instrument provides suggested next operational step function to provide a user with assistance during testing. A display is provided to show the amount of a project that has been completed, for example as a percentage completed value. Individual test results may be saved to a ‘fix later’ list, which may be later accessed to re-test items that may not have passed on initial testing.
US09077642B2 Application level interface to network analysis tools
A user interface to a network simulator facilitates the use of application layer parameters and application layer logic. The user interface is configured to allow the user to define the input in a graphic form, or a text/programming form, or a combination of both. The user interface provides common graphic forms for both inputting the data to the simulator as well as for displaying the resultant data from the simulator. In response, the simulator and user interface may provide updated information to reflect the impact of changes made to application layer parameters and logic.
US09077627B2 Reducing impact of resource downtime
Systems and methods of reducing impact of resource downtime. In an example, a method includes monitoring user access to the resource. The method also includes identifying baseline patterns in the monitored user access to the resource. The method also includes defining downtime for the resource based on the baseline patterns and expected time for taking the resource down.
US09077624B2 Diagnostics in a distributed fabric system
A distributed fabric system has distributed line card (DLC) chassis and scaled-out fabric coupler (SFC) chassis. Each DLC chassis includes a network processor and fabric ports. Each network processor of each DLC chassis includes a fabric interface in communication with the DLC fabric ports of that DLC chassis. Each SFC chassis includes a fabric element and fabric ports. A communication link connects each SFC fabric port to one DLC fabric port. Each communication link includes cell-carrying lanes. Each fabric element of each SFC chassis collects per-lane statistics for each SFC fabric port of that SFC chassis. Each SFC chassis includes program code that obtains the per-lane statistics collected by the fabric element chip of that SFC chassis. A network element includes program code that gathers the per-lane statistics collected by each fabric element of each SFC chassis and integrates the statistics into a topology of the entire distributed fabric system.
US09077622B2 Method and apparatus for automatic VPN login on interface selection
A method and device for automatic login of a virtual private network on an interface change, the method: associating a virtual private network profile with a plurality of connection interfaces, each connection interface within the plurality of connection interfaces having a priority; monitoring the plurality of connection interfaces for availability; if a connection interface with a higher priority than the connection interface currently used by the virtual private network becomes available, utilizing the higher priority connection interface for the virtual private network; and if the connection interface currently used by the virtual private network becomes unavailable, transferring the virtual private network to a highest priority available connection interface within the plurality of connection interfaces.
US09077617B1 Kernel-based TCP-layer assist for fast recovery by backup control unit of a device
In one example, a network device includes a plurality of interface cards to send and receive packets over a network, a primary control unit of the network device, and a secondary control unit of the network device configured to detect a failover event that causes the network device to failover from the primary control unit to the secondary control unit. An operating system of the secondary control unit may be configured to send, in response to detecting the failover event, a session maintenance message on each of a plurality of application-level communication sessions in accordance with a prioritized data structure having a plurality of hierarchically arranged nodes, each of the nodes associated with a different subset of the communication sessions having a common session timeout value.
US09077609B2 Scalable reusable scanning of application networks/systems
A device schedules a scan of a group of devices associated with an application network/system, and receives, at a scheduled time, scan information from the group of devices, where the scan information is provided in different formats. The device also converts the scan information, in the different formats, into a single normalized format, and processes the normalized scan information to produce enriched, normalized scan information.
US09077604B2 High speed information transfer method and system
A high speed information transfer method and system that encode volumes of information into electromagnetic radiation, successfully transmits the electromagnetic radiation and decodes the electromagnetic radiation back into information.
US09077598B2 Digital signal transmission and reception
A digital signal transmitter in which multiple data streams are each transmitted by modulation of a respective frequency band within one of a group of frequency channels, the frequency bands each occupying no more than a predetermined maximum bandwidth less than or equal to the channel width; comprises means for transmitting at respective frequency positions within each frequency channel, one or more instances of band information defining the frequency bands corresponding to all of the data streams carried within that frequency channel, the one or more instances being arranged so that any portion of the frequency channel equal in extent to the predetermined maximum bandwidth includes at least one instance of the band information.
US09077597B2 Data communication method and apparatus
A data transmission apparatus and a method of modifying a symbol constellation for use in the data transmission apparatus, wherein a processor receives a starting symbol constellation suitable for use in a frequency domain parallel modulation system and defined in a complex space. The starting symbol constellation does not necessarily comprise a symbol at a zero point in the complex space. The processor is configured to locate or move one of the symbols of the starting symbol constellation at the zero point of the complex space. The newly created symbol constellation may be stored in a storage medium, such as volatile or non-volatile storage, or immediately used for data transmission by mapping bits of data to the symbol constellation and by transmitting the mapped data to a receiver of a frequency domain parallel modulation system.
US09077594B2 Coexistence of a normal-rate physical layer and a low-rate physical layer in a wireless network
A system including a midamble detection module and a processing module. The midamble detection module is configured to detect a midamble of a packet transmitted via a channel, where the packet includes (i) a preamble, (ii) the midamble, and (iii) a plurality of data fields, where the preamble includes (i) a first short training field, (ii) a first long training field, and (iii) a signal field, where the midamble includes (i) a second short training field and (ii) a second long training field, and where the midamble follows the preamble and is between two or more of the data fields. The processing module is configured to determine that the channel is busy in response to detecting the midamble in the packet.
US09077587B2 System and method for providing network services over shared virtual private network (VPN)
A network architecture includes an edge network having provider edge nodes configured to form a core network service VPN logically between subscribing customer network sites and a core service network, the core service network providing a core network service, the core service network including a core network service node, and a plurality of customer network sites having customer edge nodes attached to associated provider edge nodes of the edge network, wherein each customer edge node is configured to import routes tagged with a core service specific route target, and wherein the core network service node is configured to import routes tagged with a core service specific customer route target.
US09077586B2 Unified vehicle network frame protocol
A vehicle control module includes a vehicle device and a vehicle network interface. The vehicle device is operable to perform a vehicle function. The vehicle network interface facilitates communication regarding the vehicle function between the vehicle device and a vehicle network fabric in accordance with a global vehicle network communication protocol.
US09077584B2 System and method for managing user preference profile
Disclosed is a system and method for managing a user preference profile, and the system includes a plurality of application clients, a plurality of application servers corresponding to the plurality of application clients, and a shared server for storing and managing user preference profiles for respective applications. The application clients selectively activate the user preference profiles stored in the shared server and provide the selectively activated user preference profiles to the application servers. By storing user preference profiles for respective applications in one location in this way, the user preferences can be efficiently managed.
US09077582B2 System and method to publish information from servers to remote monitor devices
To assist in monitoring the intelligent messaging network, a system and method for publishing logging and status information from the servers is provided. A list of available servers accessible for monitoring by persons, devices, and applications via a remote monitor device can be provided. The remote monitor device may forward selected servers from the list of available servers in which they are interested. Also, particular information about the selected servers can be requested. Access to certain servers and information may be restricted to those with authorization. Authorization can be verified by the use of digital certificates. The requested information can then be gathered and provided to authorized persons or devices. Typically, the information includes logging and status information from the servers. The information can be provided as an XML page and viewed using, for example, a standard web browser. Further, if the information is provided to the remote monitor device as an XML page, a standard XML parser may be used to extract particular information from the XML page.
US09077574B1 DSP SerDes receiver with FFE-DFE-DFFE data path
A SerDes receiver device can receive binary signals via wireline channel such that information recovery is primarily or entirely performed via DSP algorithms in the digital domain includes an analog to digital converter, adaptation and calibration blocks, and a sequential n-way parallel equalization data path. The data path provides preliminary equalization of digital input symbols through a feed forward equalizer block followed by a decision feedback equalizer block, to which a k-slice decision feed forward equalizer block is appended for generating equalized hard decision outputs. The decision feed forward equalizer block may include a concatenation of cascading DFFE slices to improve the performance of the data path.
US09077565B2 Spam control for sharing content on mobile devices
Sharing content among users of mobile devices is facilitated and controlled by a system and method that employs a content sharing application to receive and process requests to share content among users of devices such as mobile devices and personal computers. Recipients receive share content messages from the content sharing application indicating that they have been selected to access shared content. Such messages may provide direct or indirect access to the shared content via the recipient mobile device. Recipients can specify privacy management schemes to limit or control the receipt of such messages. The content sharing application may also provide various spam filtering techniques that prevent users from abusing the system, including restricting the number or type of requests to share content that may be effectuated over time.
US09077556B2 Method and system for diagnosing access node
A method for diagnosing an access node (AN) is provided, including: a service node (SN) sending a diagnosis query message to the AN; after receiving the diagnosis query message, the AN returning a diagnosis query response message to the SN; and the SN displaying a query result on a command line or sending the query result to a network management system. A system for diagnosing an AN is provided too. The method and system solve the communication problem between the network system, maintenance group or operator associated with the SN and the network system, maintenance group or operator associated with the AN. As a result, the diagnosis of the AN is fast and efficient, thereby improving the diagnosis efficiency during the network failure and subscriber service failure.
US09077545B2 Trust management systems and methods
The present invention provides systems and methods for making efficient trust management decisions. A trust management engine is provided that processes requests for system resources, authorizations or certificates, and the identity of one or more root authorities that are ultimately responsible for granting or denying the requests. To determine whether a request should be granted, the trust management engine identifies a set principals from whom authorization may flow, and interprets each of the certificates as a function of the state of one or more of the principals. The processing logic iteratively evaluates the functions represented by the certificates, updates the states of the principals, and repeats this process until a reliable determination can be made as to whether the request should be granted or denied. The certificates may be evaluated until the state of the root authority indicates that the request should be granted, or until further evaluation of the certificates is ineffective in changing the state of the principals.
US09077543B2 Methods and apparatus for digital attestation
Methods and apparatus for providing proof of multiple entities being co-located at a specific time and location. An attestor transmits an attestation message via short range communication; the attestation message includes a time stamp, a location stamp, and a verifiable digital signature. An attestee that stores the attestation message can produce the attestation message at a later time to any interested party, as proof of co-location with the attestor at the specified time and location. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and apparatus are substantially “open” for public implementation. Such public implementation enables attestors and attestees without prior affiliation, to provide attestation. Furthermore, the device-agnostic methods and apparatus can provide attestation capabilities even in previously deployed systems and devices.
US09077540B2 Method for verification of decryption processes
The present invention describes a verification method which allows to ensure that the decryption process has been done honestly by the entity in charge of that.The method described in this invention is characterized by basing the verification of the correctness of the decryption of a set of encrypted messages in a proof demonstrating that the result of the operation with an operator φ of blocks of encrypted messages is equal to the encryption of the result of operating with the operator Θ blocks composed by the same messages, decrypted. In order to do that, a first input integrity proof is generated for each block of encrypted messages based on the operation φ of the encrypted messages, and the link with the output integrity proofs generated with the operation Θ of the decrypted messages composing each block is verified.
US09077539B2 Server-aided multi-party protocols
The disclosed architecture employs techniques that make secure multi-party computation (MPC) practical and scalable. In support of utilizing cloud computing, for example, for evaluating functionality, a third party server can be employed which does not have any input to the computation and does not receive any output from the computation, yet has a vast amount of computational resources. Accordingly, the secure MPC architecture can outsource as much as possible of the computation and communications burden of the parties without the server(s) learning any information about the party inputs.
US09077536B2 Method and apparatus for solving discrete logarithm problem using pre-computation table
A method and apparatus for computing a discrete logarithm using a pre-computation table are provided. The method includes previously generating the pre-computation table consisting of chains of function values obtained by applying an iterating function to a predetermined number of initial values having a generator of the cyclic group as a base and having different exponents; and if a function value obtained by applying the iterating function to a value having a target element as a base and having an exponent is identical to a function value stored in the pre-computation table, computing the discrete logarithm of the target element by using exponent information of the two function values.
US09077535B2 System and method for testing a radio frequency multiple-input multiple-output data packet transceiver while forcing fewer data streams
In accordance with the presently claimed invention, a system and method are provided for testing multiple-input, multiple-output wireless radiofrequency (RF) packet data signal transceivers while operating in such ways as to communicate their signals using various combinations or permutations of packet data streams without requiring termination or re-establishment of communication links following transitions from one combination or permutation of packet data streams to another.
US09077525B2 User-controlled data encryption with obfuscated policy
An obfuscated policy data encryption system and method for re-encrypting data to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of data about a user when the data is stored in a public cloud computing environment. The system and method allow a user to specify in a data-sharing policy who can obtain the data and how much of the data is available to them. This policy is obfuscated such that it is unintelligible to the cloud operator and others processing and storing the data. In some embodiments, a patient species with whom his health care data should be shared with and the encrypted health care data is stored in the cloud in an electronic medical records system. The obfuscated policy allows the electronic medial records system to dispense the health care data of the patient to those requesting the data without disclosing the details of the policy itself.
US09077522B2 Two-party private estimation of dataset similarity
A two-party approximation protocol is transformed into a private approximation protocol. A first input xε{0, 1, . . . , M}n and a second input yε{0, 1, . . . , M}n of a two party approximation protocol approximating a function of a form ƒ(x, y)=Σj=1ng (xj, yj) is received. Variable B is set as a public upper bound on ƒ(x, y). Variable l is set l=O*(1). The following is performed until ∑ j = 1 l ⁢ z j ≥ l t or B<1, where t is an arbitrary number: (1) a private importance sampling protocol with the first input x, the second input y, and a third input 1k, is executed independently for jε[l], where k is a security parameter, an output of the private importance sampling protocol is shares of Ijε[n]∪{⊥}; (2) l coin tosses z1, . . . , zl are independently generated where zj=1 iff Ij≠⊥; and (3) B is divided by 2 if ∑ j = 1 l ⁢ z j ≥ l t or B<1 is not satisfied. When ∑ j = 1 l ⁢ z j ≥ l 8 or B<1 a private (ε, δ)-approximation protocol Ψ for ƒ(x, y)=Σj=1ng(xj, yj) is outputted where Ψ = 2 ⁢ ⁢ B l ⁢ ∑ j = 1 l ⁢ z j , ε is an arbitrary number, and δ=exp(−k).
US09077521B2 Method and system for secure communication
A system and method for secure communication is provided. Outgoing messages to another computing device are encrypted using a first shared key shared with said other computing device, and a first counter, said first shared key and said first counter being stored in storage of a computing device. Incoming messages from said other computing device are decrypted using said first shared key and a second counter stored in said storage of said computing device.
US09077514B1 Methods and structures for compensating and tracking process, voltage and temperature variations
An integrated circuit having a clock synchronizing circuit is described. The clock synchronizing circuit includes an input-output buffer and a plurality of sampling buffer circuits. The input-output buffer receives an input signal and generating an output signal. Each sampling buffer circuit receives the output signal and a sampling clock signal. Each sampling buffer circuit generates a first sampled output by sampling the output signal at the rising edge of the corresponding sampling clock signal and a second sampled output by sampling the output signal on the falling edge of the corresponding sampling clock signal. The sampling clock signal has a predetermined phase difference at each of the plurality of sampling buffer circuits.
US09077511B2 Phase interpolator
A phase interpolator is provided. The phase interpolator includes a plurality of capacitors, a first input for a clock signal, a second input for a phase shifted clock signal, a reference input for a reference signal, and an output. The phase interpolator is configured to provide at its output an interpolated, modulated phase information signal by switching, dependent on a modulation information, a first number of the capacitors between the first input and the output, a second number of the capacitors between the second input and the output, and a third number of the capacitors to the reference input.
US09077510B2 Method for sending and receiving system information in a wireless communication system, and a system information sending device and receiving device employing the same
The present invention relates to a method for sending and receiving system information about multiple component carriers in a wireless communication system, and to a system information sending and receiving device employing the same. The present invention comprises a configuration wherein one component carrier is used to transmit system information about another component carrier to a terminal. One embodiment of the present invention solves the problems which occur when using a plurality of component carriers such as additional battery consumption and time delays before receiving information, and hence it has the advantages that battery consumption and information receipt delays are reduced.
US09077506B2 Radio communication device and response signal spreading method
A radio communication device capable of randomizing both inter-cell interference and intra-cell interference. In this device, a spreading section (214) primarily spreads a response signal in a ZAC sequence set by a control unit (209). A spreading section (217) secondarily spreads the primarily spread response signal in a block-wise spreading code sequence set by the control unit (209). The control unit (209) controls the cyclic shift amount of the ZAC sequence used for the primary spreading in the spreading section (214) and the block-wise spreading code sequence used for the secondary spreading in the spreading section (217) according to a set hopping pattern. The hopping pattern set by the control unit (209) is made up of two hierarchies. An LB-based hopping pattern different for each cell is defined in the first hierarchy in order to randomize the inter-cell interference. A hopping pattern different for each mobile station is defined in the second hierarchy in order to randomize the intra-cell interference.
US09077498B2 Systems and methods for communication of channel state information
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a technique for communicating Channel State Information (CSI) feedback. In some aspects, the CSI feedback is communicated in a very high throughput (VHT) wireless communications system.
US09077488B2 Hybrid orthogonal frequency division multiple access WTRU and method
A hybrid orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and method are disclosed. A WTRU includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver processes received data to recover data mapped to the subcarriers using OFDMA. The receiver recovers first input data by separating user data from multi-user spread data and recovers second input data from non-spread data.
US09077486B1 Rate adaptation in a communication system
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for adapting data rate in a communication system. A receiving device receives a data transmission at an initial data rate. The device determines, based on an error rate of the data transmission at the initial data rate, that a first criterion is satisfied for requesting an increase in the data transmission. The device requests that a transmitting device increase the data transmission from the initial data rate to the first subsequent data rate. The device determines, based on an error rate of the data transmission at the first subsequent data rate, whether a second criterion is satisfied for maintaining the first subsequent data rate. The device maintains, if the second criterion is determined to be satisfied, a state of the device for receiving the data transmission at the first subsequent data rate.
US09077484B2 Generation of polarization-alternated QPSK format
Methods, structures and systems for generating different polarization multiplexed signals wherein the drivers of the modulators are generic while a software-controlled manager allows the carrying of any standard 10 G/40 G/100 G data while—at the same time—being adaptively adjustable according to specific link requirements and users' requests in both dispersion-managed and uncompensated links.
US09077480B2 Demand accommodation designing system and method
A demand accommodation design system for accommodating a demand specifying a signal transmission route from a start-point node to an end-point node within an optical network includes an analytical unit to acquire at least one optical path candidate for minimizing cost of the optical network by solving an objective function incorporating cost of optical path candidates by bandwidth, the optical path candidate being a candidate for an optical path composing a demand, and a mathematical programming problem employing a constraint condition incorporating a bandwidth of an optical path pattern candidate connecting the start-point node and the end-point node of the demand and a bandwidth of the acquired optical path candidate, the optical path pattern candidate being the acquired optical path candidate itself or being obtained by combining the optical path candidates, and an allocation unit to allocate the demand to the acquired optical path candidate to accommodate the demand.
US09077474B2 Make before break optical mesh network element
A network element includes an electronic switch for routing traffic between a plurality of client access ports and a plurality of EO ports, a respective EO interface coupled to each one of the plurality of EO ports; a wavelength selective switch for optically switching optical signals between the EO interfaces and a set of optical transmission fibers; and a control system. The plurality of EO interfaces includes at least one Make Before Break (MBB) EO interface. The control system is operative to reconfigure the network element by identifying an EO interface to be reconfigured. A new optical path is set up through the wavelength selective switch and terminated on the MBB EO interface. The electronic switch is then controlled to re-route a traffic flow traversing the identified EO interface to the MBB EO interface.
US09077445B2 Temperature compensated RF peak detector
A temperature compensated RF peak detector is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a first RF peak detector configured to generate a reference signal, a temperature compensated threshold generator configured to generate a temperature compensated detection threshold based on the reference signal, and a comparator configured to generate a peak detection output based on the temperature compensated detection threshold.
US09077439B2 High-frequency module
A small high-frequency module has a structure such that a high-power signal is prevented from leaking to a switch device. On the top surface of a multilayer body, a switch device and a duplexer are mounted so as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. An inductor and resistors connected to a circuit different from a transmission system circuit are mounted between the switch device and the duplexer. The inductor and the resistors are mounted such that external connection terminals connected to the switch device are on the switch device side and external connection terminals connected to external connection power system port electrodes of the high-frequency module are on the duplexer side.
US09077437B2 Front-end circuit
The present invention concerns a front-end circuit (FEC) that is connectable to at least two radiators (RAD1M, RAD1D), wherein the front-end circuit (FEC) comprises sub-circuits (SC) and each sub-circuit (SC) is associated to one radiator (RAD1M, RAD1D). Further, each sub-circuit (SC) comprises a signal path (SP), an antenna port (AP) that is electrically coupled to the signal path (SP) and connectable to the radiator (RAD1M, RAD1D), a grounding port (GP) that is connectable to the radiator (RAD1M, RAD1D), a ground termination circuit (GTC), and a grounding switch (GS) that is electrically coupled to the grounding port (GP) and to the grounding termination circuit (GTC).
US09077424B2 Method and apparatus for use in cooperative relays using incremental redundancy and distributed spatial multiplexing
A method and apparatus may be used in cooperative relays with incremental redundancy (IR) and distributed spatial multiplexing. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may listen to the base station (BS) transmission during a first phase of the communication, and use cooperation between a relay station (RS) and the BS for the data transmission during a second phase to improve performance. During the second phase, both the BS and the RS may transmit data to the WTRU, using either distributed Space Time Block Codes/Space Frequency Block Codes (STBC/SFBC) or distributed spatial multiplexing.
US09077398B2 Network coding by beam forming
Network coding by beam forming in networks, for example, in single frequency networks, can provide aid in increasing spectral efficiency. When network coding by beam forming and user cooperation are combined, spectral efficiency gains may be achieved. According to certain embodiments, a method includes operating a user equipment of a plurality of user equipment in a network comprising a plurality of access points. The method also includes the user equipment forming a beam. The method further receives processing received signals from at least one of the plurality of access points at the user equipment. The forming the beam is configured to let different user equipment of the plurality of user equipment to receive different signals from the plurality of access points to achieve diversity by using different beams amongst the plurality of user equipment. The method additionally includes cooperating with the plurality of user equipment to decode the received data.
US09077386B1 Methods and systems for selection of unions of vector signaling codes for power and pin efficient chip-to-chip communication
Methods and systems are described for communication of data over a communications bus at high speed and high pin efficiency, with good resilience to common mode and other noise. Pin efficiencies of 100% may be achieved even for bus widths of four or fewer wires. Information to be transmitted is encoded as words of a vector signaling code, each word comprising multiple values transmitted as a group over the communications bus. Subsets of the vector signaling code have distinct group characteristics, which are discernable on transmission and are used to facilitate decoding on reception.
US09077381B2 Memory controller, storage device and memory control method
According to one embodiment, a memory controller includes an encoding unit that executes an error correction coding process on input-data and generates a code word, a calculation control unit that controls whether to execute a multiplication calculation of a multiplication circuit, and a memory interface unit that controls writing of the code word to the memory and reading of the code word from the memory, and the encoding unit includes a remainder circuit that performs a remainder calculation on the input-data using a first generator polynomial and generates a first code word having a first error correction capability and a first multiplication circuit that performs a multiplication calculation on the first code word using a second generator polynomial and performs a multiplication calculation of generating a second code word having a second error correction capability.
US09077380B2 Data processing device and data processing method
The present technology relates to a data processing device and a data processing method that enable tolerance against error of data to be improved. In the case in which an LDPC code having a code length of DVB-S.2 of 16200 bits and an encoding rate of 1/3 is modulated by 16 QAM, if a code bit of 4×2 bits and a (i+1)-th bit from a most significant bit of symbol bits of 4×2 bits of two consecutive symbols are set to bits b#i and y#i, a demultiplexer performs interchanging to allocate b0, b1, b2, b3, b4, b5, b6, and b7 to y6, y0, y3, y4, y5, y2, y1, and y7, respectively. The present invention can be applied to a transmission system transmitting an LDPC code or the like.
US09077374B2 Resolution-boosted sigma delta analog-to-digital converter
A method and an ADC circuit use multiple SD modulations on an analog value and apply digital post-processing of the pulse density modulation (PDM) streams from the SD modulations obtaining a higher resolution in the digital output value for a given oversampling ratio. SD ADC does not face the constraint of conversion time doubling for each additional bit of resolution. In one implementation, an SD ADC includes conversions in SD phase and resolution-boosting phase. During SD phase, MSBs of the digital output value are generated from the sampled analog value using a first SD conversion. At the end of SD phase, the sampled analog value is reduced to “residual quantization error,” which remains in a capacitor of an integrator of SD ADC. In resolution-boosting phase, the LSBs of the digital output value are generated from residual quantization error using a second SD conversion that provides at least the LSBs.
US09077373B1 Analog-to-digital conversion apparatus
An A/D conversion apparatus includes a signal processor, a quantizer, and a controller. The signal processor has circuit blocks connected in a loop to process an analog input signal. The quantizer generates a quantization value by quantizing an output of at least one of the circuit blocks including a final-stage circuit block. In each circuit block, one end of a first capacitor is connected through a switch to an input terminal of an operational amplifier, and one end of each of second and third capacitors is connected directly to the operational amplifier. The controller generates an A/D conversion result of the analog input signal according to the quantization value and changes connection conditions of the capacitors so that the signal processor and the quantizer function as a delta-sigma modulator or a cyclic A/D converter.
US09077370B2 Device for converting analogue signals into digital signals
Method and device for converting analog signals, of a plurality of pathways, into digital signals. A common circuit (2, 3) generates first analog signals corresponding to high-order bits of digital signals. For each pathway, a first means compares the first analog signals with the signal to be converted. A first means (18) stores high-order bits corresponding to the value of a first analog signal close to the signal to be converted. A means (9) stores the deviation between the analog signal to be converted and said first detected value. A generator means (11, 12) generates a predetermined number of second analog signals. A second means compares by successive approximations said second analog signals with said deviation. A means (20) stores said low-order bits corresponding to the results arising from said second means of comparison. A means (22) assembles said high-order bits and said low-order bits.
US09077365B2 Application specific integrated circuit including a motion detection system
An integrated circuit includes a detector having a detecting device that detects a proximity condition and develops a parameter of electric power related thereto and a parameter measuring device coupled to the detecting device. The parameter measuring device comprises a parameter detector, and an analog-to digital converter (ADC) coupled to the parameter detector and operative in one of a plurality of operational ranges to develop a digital representation of the parameter. The parameter measuring device further includes a range selector coupled between the ADC and the parameter detector that is operative to cause the parameter detector to develop an output signal magnitude representative of the parameter of electric power wherein the output signal magnitude is within one of the operational ranges of the ADC. The detector may be used in a control for a spray device to detect motion.
US09077360B2 Extension of ADC dynamic range using post-processing logic
An apparatus, comprising: an analog to digital converter including: a clipping detector; and a post-processor, wherein the post processor generates synchronous values of clipped data based on non-clipped values of non-clipped data.
US09077353B2 Integrated circuit frequency generator
An integrated circuit frequency generator is disclosed. In some embodiments, the frequency generator comprises an electronic oscillator configured to generate an oscillator frequency and calibration circuitry configured to periodically calibrate the electronic oscillator with respect to a reference frequency source. When a primary power source is unavailable, an output frequency is generated from the oscillator frequency, and the reference frequency source is powered-on only during calibration cycles.
US09077347B2 Oven controlled crystal oscillator
An oven controlled crystal oscillator includes a crystal unit, a temperature control circuit, and a circuit board. The temperature control circuit is configured to control a temperature of the crystal unit. The crystal unit includes a flange that projects outward to an entire outer periphery in one end. The circuit board includes a depressed portion in which the flange is partially inserted. The temperature control circuit includes a power transistor, a thermistor as a temperature sensor, and a metal pattern. The power transistor becomes a heat source. The metal pattern commonly connects a ground terminal of the crystal unit, a collector of the power transistor, and a ground terminal of the thermistor. The crystal unit is positioned in a state where the flange is partially inserted in the depressed portion. The crystal unit is connected to the metal pattern.
US09077344B2 Substrate for electrical component and method
Insulating substrates may be selectively removed to form electrical connections between conductive patterns on different faces of the insulating substrate or between conductive patterns on the insulating substrate and external circuits.
US09077343B2 Sensing floor for locating people and devices
A sensing floor to locate people and devices is described. In an embodiment, the sensing floor (or sensing surface), is formed from a flexible substrate on which a number of distributed sensing elements and connections between sensing elements are formed in a conductive material. In an example, these elements and connections may be printed onto the flexible substrate. The sensing floor operates in one or more modes in order to detect people in proximity to the floor. In passive mode, the floor detects signals from the environment, such as electric hum, which are coupled into a sensing element when a person stands on the sensing element. In active mode, one sensing element transmits a signal which is detected in another sensing element when a person bridges those two elements. In hybrid mode, the floor switches between passive and active mode, for example, on detection of a person in passive mode.
US09077331B1 Harmonic distortion reduction in continuous time filters
An integrated circuit (IC) includes first and second circuits. The first circuit is manufactured using a process, has an input and an output, and has a first nonlinearity. The second circuit is manufactured using the process, has a first terminal connected to the output of the first circuit and a second terminal connected to the input of the first circuit, and has a second nonlinearity. The second nonlinearity (i) is equal and opposite to the first nonlinearity and (ii) cancels the first nonlinearity.
US09077321B2 Variable amplitude signal generators for generating a sinusoidal signal having limited direct current (DC) offset variation, and related devices, systems, and methods
Embodiments disclosed include variable amplitude signal generators for generating a sinusoidal signal having limited direct current (DC) offset variation and related devices and methods. Instead of employing a single pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to generate a sinusoidal signal, in one embodiment, a circuit is provided that generates two PWM signals. The first PWM signal is a high-to-low PWM signal, where the active state is a lower signal level. The second PWM signal is a low-to-high PWM signal where active state is a higher signal level. The first and second PWM signals are combined to provide a summed signal, which is filtered to generate a sinusoidal signal. The DC offset of the first PWM signal varies inversely to the DC offset of the second PWM signal. In this manner, distortions caused by variations in the DC offset present in the generated sinusoidal signal are limited (i.e., reduced or eliminated).
US09077316B2 Transmitter finite impulse response characterization
A finite impulse response (FIR) extractor includes at least one controller. The controller injects specified FIR tap values into a first captured waveform that results from transmitting a raw waveform through a transmitter circuit including a FIR filter having pre and post cursor tap values set to zero to create an expected waveform, and injects the specified FIR tap values into the raw waveform to create an ideal waveform. The controller further projects the expected and ideal waveforms onto a second captured waveform that results from transmitting the ideal waveform through the transmitter circuit with the pre and post cursor tap values set to the specified FIR tap values to create a compensated waveform, and extracts FIR tap values from the compensated waveform.
US09077314B2 Feedback-based particle filtering
Methods for estimating a conditional probability distribution for signal states of a non-linear random dynamic process. The filter is based on multiple particles, each defined by a state space model similar to the dynamic process. Each particle is updated on the basis of a control input derived by proportional gain feedback on an innovation process. The innovation process is the difference between an increment in an observed quantity measured by one or more sensors and an average of a function of the particles. The particle filter of the invention may also be applied to filtering problems with data association uncertainty where multiple measurements are obtained, of which at most one originates from a specified target.
US09077301B2 Nanovolt amplifier design
A circuit can include operational amplifier having a first input, a second input, and an output, first and second resistors in series between the output of the op-amp and a ground, and multiple switches configurable to toggle the circuit between a positive phase and a negative phase.
US09077299B2 Pre-distortion for fast power transient waveforms
An apparatus and a method select and use parameter values for an RF power amplifier linearizer to pre-distort the input signals of a power amplifier, so as to achieve a linear output response in the power amplifier. The apparatus and the method select from a number of sets of parameter values, each set of parameter values corresponding to a different output power range of the power amplifier. The set of parameters include a coefficient vector tailored for the particular output power range for that set. The power amplifier input power is repeatedly measured and filtered at various time intervals. The input power measurements may be filtered by a fast attack/slow decay filter, which follows the peaks of the measurements under operation of the fast attack portion of the filter and provides a low variance during operation of the slow decay portion of the filter.
US09077294B2 Measurement of the output current of an amplifier circuit
An amplifier circuit includes a first and a second switching element connected in series between a first and a second voltage potential and are actuated in the amplifier mode in a clocked manner. A capacitive element is connected in parallel to at least one of the two switching elements, a measuring circuit for measuring the switching edges occurring during switching of the switching elements, and a current-determining circuit for determining the output current by means of the measured switching edges.
US09077287B2 Sound detecting circuit and amplifier circuit thereof
Disclosed is a sound detecting circuit which includes a sensing unit configured to generate an AC signal in response to a sound pressure level of a sound signal; an amplification unit configured to amplify the AC signal; and a bias voltage generating unit configured to generate a bias voltage to be provided to the amplification unit. The bias voltage generating unit comprises a current source configured to provide a power current; and a current-voltage converting circuit configured to convert the power current into the bias voltage and to reduce a noise due to the power current.
US09077285B2 Electronic devices with multiple amplifier stages and methods of their manufacture
An embodiment of an electrical device includes a device package and a plurality of amplifier paths physically contained by the device package. Each amplifier path includes an amplifier stage electrically coupled between an input and an output to the amplifier stage, and the amplifier stages of the plurality of amplifier paths are symmetrical. In a further embodiment, the amplifier paths have translational symmetry within the device package. In another further embodiment, transistors comprising the amplifier stages of the plurality of amplifier paths are substantially identical in size. The electrical device may be incorporated into an amplifier system that further includes an external input network and an external output network. For example, the amplifier system may be configured in a Doherty amplifier topology.
US09077284B2 Absorptive RF rectifier circuit
A radio frequency rectifier circuit may include a resistive termination to circuit ground, a plurality of inductors, and at least a first pair of rectifier components. The plurality of inductors may be connected electrically in series between an input node for receiving an input RF signal and the resistive termination. Each pair of electrically adjacent inductors of the plurality of inductors may be connected together at a respective in-line node. The first pair of rectifier components may electrically couple a first one of the in-line nodes to a respective direct current output node. Each rectifier component may have a cathode and an anode. A first rectifier component of the first pair of rectifier components may have the cathode electrically connected to the first in-line node and a second rectifier component of the first pair of rectifier components may have the anode electrically connected to the first in-line node.
US09077275B2 Rotor position estimating device, electric motor control system and rotor position estimating method
A rotor position estimating device includes a voltage application unit, a current detecting unit and an estimating unit. The voltage application unit is configured to apply a d-axis voltage to an electric motor including a salient-pole rotor during a stop of the electric motor. The current detecting unit is configured to detect a q-axis current flowing through the electric motor at the time when the d-axis voltage is applied. The estimating unit is configured to estimate a rotor position during a stop of the electric motor on the basis of the q-axis current detected by the current detecting unit. The voltage application unit is configured to set a voltage application time in correspondence with peak timing at which the q-axis current reaches a peak in a transitional response characteristic of the q-axis current at the time when the d-axis voltage is applied.
US09077268B2 Controller and variable-speed generator-motor starting method
In one embodiment, there is provided a controller that performs control to supply driving electricity to a secondary winding of a variable-speed generator-motor from a secondary exciter and thereby start the variable-speed generator-motor from a standstill state in a variable-speed pumped storage system. The controller performs control to complete a start-up by the driving electricity from the secondary exciter and connect the variable-speed generator-motor in parallel with an electric power system, in a state where a rotating speed of the variable-speed generator-motor is lower than a lower limit speed of a variable-speed operation range.
US09077267B2 Single-phase brushless motor drive circuit
A driving circuit for a single-phase-brushless motor, includes: a driving-signal-generating circuit to generate a driving signal for supplying, to a driving coil of the single-phase-brushless motor, first- and second-driving currents, alternately with a de-energized period therebetween during which neither of the first or the second driving current is supplied to the driving coil; an output circuit to supply the first or the second driving current to the driving coil in response to the driving signal; and a zero-cross detecting circuit to detect a zero cross of an induced voltage, generated across the driving coil, during the de-energized period, wherein the driving-signal-generating circuit determines a length of a subsequent energized period based on a driving cycle from a start of an energized period, during which the output circuit supplies the first or the second driving current to the driving coil, to a time when the zero-cross-detecting circuit detects the zero cross.
US09077264B2 Charged particle beam apparatus and electrostatic chuck apparatus
To improve an apparatus reliability by applying a voltage suitable to a situation, a charged-particle-beam apparatus 1 of the present invention includes: a sample stage 25; an electrostatic chuck 30; and an electrostatic-chuck controlling unit 13, and generates an image of a sample 24 by irradiating the sample 24 held on the sample stage 25 by the electrostatic chuck 30 with an electron beam 16. The electrostatic-chuck controlling unit 13, when the electrostatic chuck 30 holds the sample 24, applies a preset initial voltage to a chuck electrode of the electrostatic chuck 30; determines whether or not the sample 24 is normally clamped to the electrostatic chuck 30; and increases the voltage applied to the chuck electrode until determining that the sample 24 is clamped normally to the electrostatic chuck 30 if determining that the sample 24 is not clamped normally to the electrostatic chuck 30.
US09077258B2 Regulation circuit associated with synchronous rectifier providing cable compensation for the power converter and method thereof
A regulation circuit of a power converter for cable compensation according to the present invention comprises a signal generator generating a compensation signal in accordance with a synchronous rectifying signal. An error amplifier has a reference signal for generating a feedback signal in accordance with an output voltage of the power converter. The compensation signal is coupled to program the reference signal. The feedback signal is coupled to generate a switching signal for regulating an output of the power converter. The regulation circuit of the present invention compensates the output voltage without a shunt resistor to sense the output current of the power converter for reducing power loss.
US09077256B2 Method of forming a low power dissipation regulator and structure therefor
In one embodiment, a method of forming a conditioning circuit includes configuring an output biasing network to provide a biasing voltage to an MOS transistor to enable the MOS transistor to operate in a saturated operating mode for input voltages that are less than a threshold voltage.
US09077251B2 Control circuit of a quasi-resonance switching power supply
Aspects of the provide a control circuit of a quasi-resonant switching power supply in which the switching frequency can be adequately reduced under a light load condition. Some aspects include a control circuit of a quasi-resonant switching power supply that performs switching operation of a switching element based on a bottom detection signal. The control circuit of the switching power supply can include a dummy signal generating circuit that generates a dummy signal for replacing the bottom detection signal when the bottom detection becomes unable due to damping of a resonant waveform with decrease of switching frequency, or when the number of bottoms in the resonant waveform exceeds a predetermined times. The use of the dummy signal can increase the number of skips and thus, reduces the switching frequency.
US09077249B2 Power controller and power management control method
A power controller includes a clock generator, a low-frequency clock generator, and a protection circuit. The clock generator provides a clock signal with a clock frequency for periodically switching on and off a power switch. The low-frequency clock generator provides a low-frequency clock signal with a frequency lower than the clock frequency. The protection circuit includes an over-power detection circuit and a logic circuit. The over-power detection circuit determines whether an over power event has occurred according to a feedback signal controlled by an output voltage of the power supply. When the over power event lasts longer than an over power tolerance duration, the logic circuit isolates the power switch from the clock signal to keep the power switch turned off. The over power tolerance duration is equal to a predetermined clock cycles of the low-frequency clock signal.
US09077247B2 Circuit for controlling a power supply
A control circuit for controlling a power supply is revealed. The control circuit is used to generate a switching signal for switching the power supply. The control circuit has a detection terminal for detecting a status of the power supply. A first protection circuit is coupled to the detection terminal and to receive a first detection signal via the detection terminal, and the first protection generates a limit signal in response to the first detection signal, for limiting output of the power supply. A second protection circuit is coupled to the detection terminal and to receive a detection signal via thereto, and the second protection generates a protecting signal, for cutting off the output of the power supply, in response to the first detection signal. A phase dividing circuit is coupled to the detection terminal, the first protection circuit and the second protection circuit, and to generate the first and second detection signal in response to the level of the switching signal, for achieving that two independently adjusted protection circuit are detected by one pin of an integrated circuit (IC) to prevent the IC from increasing of the pin amount. It further reduces the occupied area of the IC.
US09077246B2 Flyback converter having auxiliary switch and auxiliary inductor
There is provided a flyback converter, including: a power supply unit supplying input power; a transformer unit including first and second transformers converting first and second primary current from the power supply unit into first and second secondary current, respectively; a main switch unit including first and second main switches respectively intermitting the first and second primary current flowing in respective primary windings of the first and second transformers; an auxiliary switch unit including first and second auxiliary switches forming respective transfer paths for dump power present before the first and second main switches are switched on; and an auxiliary inductor unit including first and second auxiliary inductors respectively adjusting the amount of current flowing in the first and second auxiliary switches during the switching operation thereof, wherein the first and second main switches perform a switching operation while having a predetermined phase difference therebetween.
US09077240B2 Semiconductor device including short-circuit protection
A semiconductor device is described that includes a switch to switch a load current path on and off according to an input signal. The device further includes an over-current detector to compare a load current with a threshold and to signal an over-current when the load current reaches or exceeds the threshold. The device further includes a control unit to set the threshold to a higher value while in a first state of operation and to a lower value while in a second state of operation, and to at least temporarily switch the switch off when an over-current is signalled, change from the first state of operation to the second state of operation when a first pre-defined time span has elapsed, and to change from the from the second state of operation to the first state when the switch is off for more than a second pre-defined time span.
US09077237B2 Composite AC-to-DC power converter with boosting capabilities
A nearly 2 to 1 boosting mufti-phase AC-to-DC converter may include a main rectifier, an auxiliary rectifier; and an autotransformer connected to the main rectifier and the auxiliary rectifier. The autotransformer may include a plurality of interconnected windings arranged in a plurality of legs, with one of the legs for each phase and with each leg including a plurality of windings, wherein all but one of the windings of each leg have equal turns ratios and one of the windings of each leg has a turns ratio that is less than the turns ratio of all of the other windings of the respective leg.
US09077231B2 Motor
The axial direction of a worm wheel is defined as a motor short-transverse direction, and a plane orthogonal to the motor short-transverse direction is defined as a motor flat plane. An imaginary plane contacting a first end of a sensor magnet in a motor short-transverse direction and parallel with the flat plane is defined as a first imaginary plane. An imaginary plane contacting a second end of the sensor magnet in the motor short-transverse direction and parallel with the flat plane is defined as a second imaginary plane. A control circuit board is provided with a rotation detecting element that detects rotation of the rotary shaft of the motor. The control circuit board is arranged to be parallel with or inclined relative to the flat plane, and is provided between the first and second imaginary planes.
US09077229B2 Installation of a resolver in a rotating electrical machine
A rotating electrical machine includes a rotation shaft rotatably installed in a bearing that includes a portion secured onto the shaft and a portion removably attached to a supporting surface connected to a casing. The supporting surface includes an axial abutment for the bearing and a passageway traversed by the shaft. A resolver of the machine includes a resolver stator connected to the casing, and a resolver rotor having a diameter less than that of the passageway. The resolver rotor is attached to the shaft on an opposite side of a drive rotor relative to the bearing. A longitudinal position of parts installed on the shaft is determined such that, during installation, a transverse face of the bearing reaches an entrance of a cavity of the resolver stator before a transverse end of an external radial wall of the resolver rotor of the resolver reaches the entrance of the cavity.
US09077226B2 Motor structure having connector or terminal block to which conductively caulked terminal is soldered
A motor structure capable of easily conserving space, being low cost and having few components, while utilizing a connecting method using conductive caulking. In a motor structure, a winding wire is wound onto a stator core, a terminal member is attached to one end of the winding wire by conductive caulking, and the terminal member is directly connected to a connector by soldering. The terminal member has a wire receiving portion which receives one end of each of at least one winding wire, and a connecting portion which may be directly connected to the connector or a terminal block by soldering. The wire receiving portion is a generally cylindrical member, and the connecting portion is a rod member which may be inserted into a connecting hole of the connector.
US09077206B2 Method and system for activating and deactivating an energy generating system
A method for activating a local converter for one of a plurality of energy generating devices in an energy generating array is provided. The local converter includes a power stage and a local controller. The method includes comparing a device voltage for the energy generating device to a voltage activation level. The local converter is automatically activated when the device voltage exceeds the voltage activation level.
US09077203B2 Assembly with at least two power supply units and at least one power-consuming component, computer system and method for control of an assembly
An assembly includes a plurality of power supply units for producing an output-side operating voltage from at least one input-side supply voltage and at least one power-consuming component which is electrically coupled to the plurality of power supply units. The assembly has a controller arranged to monitor the function of the plurality of power supply units and to switch the power-consuming from a normal operating mode into a restricted operating mode, whose power consumption is lower than that of the first operating mode, when at least one power supply unit fails or to activate a previously deactivated power supply unit.
US09077194B2 Power demand management in inductive power transfer systems
A method of controlling power delivered to one or more loads in an inductive power transfer (IPT) system includes varying a frequency of a current in a primary conductive path (109), detecting the frequency in a pick-up inductively coupled with the primary conductive path (109), and controlling the power supplied to a load (207) associated with the pickup dependent on the detected frequency of the current in the primary conductive path (109). The frequency of the current is determined by is determined by either or both the load on a power supply (104) of the IPT system or the load on an electricity supply network supplying the power supply (104).
US09077192B2 Transmitter and receiver tuning in a wireless charging system
A wireless charging system includes a transmitter with tunable reactive components (such as capacitance or inductance). A metric related to power transfer from the transmitter through a coil is used to determine an amount to modify a Parameter. One metric is equal to |Vs|·|Is|·cos(φ)·(Vcoil_ref/Vcoil), where |Vs| is magnitude of the power source voltage, |Is| is magnitude of the power source current, φ is phase difference between the power source voltage and power source current, Vcoil_ref is a normalization value, and Vcoil is voltage across the coil. The transmitter can further include a phase tracking and adjustment loop (such as a phase-locked loop).
US09077182B2 Method for estimating state of charge for lithium-ion batteries
A state of charge (SoC) a lithium-ion (Li+) battery is estimated at a time instant by first constructing a battery model of the Li+ battery based on a single particle operation. The battery model describes a relationship between the SoC, a charge current, a discharge current, and an output voltage of the Li+ battery. Using a nonlinear optimization, a function expressing a relationship between the SoC and an open circuit voltage of the Li+ battery is determined. The relationship is based on off-line measurements of the charge current, the discharge current, and the open-circuit voltage of the Li+ battery. Then, the SoC and parameters of the battery model are estimated concurrently, wherein the SoC and the parameters are estimated based on the battery model, the function, and on-line measurements of the charge current, the discharge current, and the output voltage.
US09077169B2 Connection structure for shield wire
In a connection structure for a shield wire, a shield conductor of the shield wire is fastened tightly by a shield fastening portion for a connection thereto. The shield fastening portion is provided with a plurality of holes. A wire contact surface of the shield fastening portion has: at least an area around each of the holes and on the lower side of a wire pulling direction, as a non-knurled surface which is not knurled; and other area as a knurled surface which is knurled.
US09077159B2 Electrical metering and switching equipment
An electrical service equipment provides electrical service to a building or other similar venue. The equipment includes a cabinet with two portions structured to hold a meter pan and a switch, respectively. The switch is preferably an HCP switch. The portion holding the meter pan includes a subassembly including two horizontal plates and a plurality of buses passing through the plate and adapted to provide connection to the current and voltage transformers of the meter pan.
US09077149B2 Modulation of vertical cavity laser (VCSEL) for enhanced range of multi-modal fiber communication
Technologies are described for enabling VCSELs to transmit phase or frequency modulated signals, which may have a substantially smaller transmission bandwidth and are more robust to transmission in a highly dispersive media such as multi-mode fibers. By applying an electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic field across one or more reflector layers of the VCSEL, a refractive index of the reflector layer(s) may be modified. The VCSEL may then be excited and the laser beam generated by the VCSEL phase-modulated by modifying a magnitude of the applied field.
US09077147B2 Burst oscillation method in laser system and apparatus for same
Disclosed is a burst mode oscillation method for burst mode oscillation by controlling the peak output of light pulses in a laser system. The burst mode oscillation apparatus includes a seed beam generator which receives electrical input signals having different pulse widths, modulates pulse widths and amplitudes of outputs in output light according to the received electrical input signals, and outputs the modulated pulse light, an amplifier which amplifies the modulated pulse light and outputs amplified pulse light, and a non-linear wavelength converter which can control wavelength-converted output light according to the amplitudes of the peak output changed through the pulse widths of the amplified pulse light.
US09077145B2 Laser
A laser includes a total reflective mirror, an output mirror, a discharge lamp, and an active laser medium. The total reflective mirror, the output mirror, and the discharge lamp define a resonant cavity. The active laser medium is filled in the resonant cavity. The total reflective mirror includes a microstructure. The microstructure is concave ring-shaped structure. The concave ring-shaped structure has a depth and a width, and both the depth and the width are in a range from about 0.5λ to about 2λ, while λ is a working wavelength of the laser.
US09077144B2 MOPA laser source with wavelength control
The invention provides a wavelength-controlled pump MOPA laser and a method of operation thereof. A monolithic semiconductor MOPA laser chip has a DFB-laser based MO (master oscillator) and PA (power amplifier) sections formed in a same monolithic waveguide, and separate MO and PA electrodes for individual control of current injection into the MO and PA sections. The laser wavelength is defined by the DFB grating and is kept fixed by suitably controlling the MO current to compensate for a thermal crosstalk from the PA section, or tuned by suitably changing the MO current or direct heating of the DFB region.
US09077141B2 Gas laser device and gas reservoir
The invention refers to a laser device comprising a tubular space formed by at least two resonator tubes (12) for a gas to be excited, excitation means (50) for each of the at least two resonator tubes for exciting the gas in the resonator tube for generating laser light, a partially reflecting output coupler (42) for coupling out a laser beam, and at least one gas reservoir container (60) which forms a gas reservoir, the gas reservoir container being free of excitation means and in fluidic communication with the tubular space, wherein the gas reservoir container is arranged between the at least two resonator tubes and connected to the tubular space at two separate connecting portions (20).
US09077136B2 Combination electrical connector and assembly of the same
An electrical connector comprises an insulating housing, a contact module and a metal shell. The insulating housing defines a front face and rear face, and a receiving space running through the front face and the rear face. The contact module includes a plurality of first contacts loaded thereon and is received in the receiving space, the contacting comprising board connecting tail exposing to the rear face of the housing. The metal shell is received in the receiving space and surrounds the contact module second connector port located beside and separated from the first connector port in said lengthwise direction. Wherein the metal shell is inserted and retained with the insulating housing from the front face, the contact module is inserted and retained with the insulating housing from the rear face.
US09077135B2 Bush fitting machine
The present invention relates to a machine for delivering supplied hollow bushes and for fitting individual hollow bushes to a cable, and to a corresponding method. The apparatus has a picking apparatus which can pick up hollow bushes and arrange said hollow bushes so as to be axially aligned in front of the fitting tube, and a bush fitting apparatus for fitting individual hollow bushes to a cable, wherein the bush fitting apparatus has a fitting tube which can receive and hold, on the outer surface of said tube, the hollow bushes on the inner surface thereof, and in which the cable for fitting the hollow bushes can be arranged. Furthermore, the apparatus has a delivery apparatus with a slip-over device which is capable of moving relative to the picking apparatus and by means of which the hollow bushes can be delivered from the picking device to the fitting tube, and a filling mandrel, which can protrude through the fitting tube in order to deliver the hollow bush from the picking apparatus onto the bush fitting apparatus and can withdraw from the fitting tube in order to fit the hollow bush to the cable.
US09077127B2 Connector assembly
A film substrate with flexibility includes connection through holes and combining through holes into which connection posts and combining posts of the header are inserted, respectively. Each connection pad is formed around a corresponding connection through hole and adapted to be electrically connected to a corresponding connection post. Each combining pad is formed around a corresponding combining through hole and adapted to be electrically connected to a corresponding combining post. The film substrate includes slots each of which is formed to extend along a plane of the film substrate with a first end side thereof connected to a corresponding through hole. The film substrate includes pad-free parts with neither connection pad nor combining pad each of which is present at a second end side of a corresponding slot on the surface of the film substrate.
US09077118B2 Electrical connector with improved contacting portions
A plug connector includes a housing with a rear base and a front mating tongue in a mating direction and a plurality of terminals arranged in the housing in a lateral direction. The front mating tongue defines a first face and a second face. The first side defines a rib thereby the first face being divided to a first mating face, a third mating face and a second mating face on the rib. The second face is defined as a fourth mating face. The terminals include plate portions exposed upon the mating tongue and mounting legs outside the housing. The terminals are divided to four groups, the plate portions of the four groups are exposed upon the mating faces respectively. Each of the first and second groups of terminals includes grounding terminals and differential signal pairs, the plate portions of the differential signal pairs have a length equal to 3.2 mm.
US09077106B2 Connector with intermediate housing between first and second identical inner housings and first and second differently shaped outer housings
A connector includes an intermediate housing (10) with a first fitting recess (12) and a second fitting recess (13), a first inner housing (30A) to be fitted into the first fitting recess, a first outer housing (50) separate from the first inner housing (30A) and to be externally fitted onto the first fitting recess (12), a second inner housing (30B) to be fitted into the second fitting recess (13), and a second outer housing (70) separate from the second inner housing (30B) and to be externally fitted onto the second fitting recess (13). The first and second outer housings (50, 70) are shaped differently from each other and the first and second inner housings (30A, 30B) are identically shaped.
US09077094B2 Electrical connector assembly having reduced stub length
An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the dielectric housing. The electrical contacts can each define a mating portion that is configured to mate with a complementary mating portion of a complementary electrical connector. When the electrical connector is mated with a complementary electrical connector, a plurality of contact surfaces of the mating portions can contact a complementary mating portion, so as to establish an electrical connection between the electrical connector and the complementary electrical connector.
US09077090B2 Earth cable connecting structure of shielded electric wire
An earth cable connecting structure of a shielded electric wire for connecting a shield layer of the shielded electric wire to an earth cable. The shielded electric wire includes an inner insulating layer covering a core wire, the shield layer provided in an outer periphery of the inner insulating layer and an outer insulating layer covering the shield layer. A first crimping part is crimped to the shield layer of a part from which the outer insulating layer is removed. A second crimping part is crimped to a core wire of the earth cable in an outer surface side opposite to an inner surface of the first crimping part which faces the shield layer. The first crimping part and the second crimping part are formed integrally.
US09077087B2 Antennas using over-coupling for wide-band operation
Systems and methods in which antenna system configurations use over-coupling between a plurality of antenna elements for effectively providing wide-band operation are shown. Such over-coupling comprises a multiple antenna element configuration in which adaptation to one antenna element (e.g., an influencing antenna element) results in substantial operational frequency band adaptation to a second antenna element (e.g., a respondent antenna element). Over-coupling results in a frequency split at the second antenna, whereby the resonate frequency of the antenna element is split into a plurality of frequency bands. By implementing such frequency splitting with respect to otherwise narrow band antenna elements, the over-coupled antenna system may be made to effectively provide wide-band operation.
US09077086B2 Portable communication apparatus
A portable communication apparatus includes a first antenna radiator, a second antenna radiator, a first feeding point, a second feeding point, and a matching circuit. The first antenna radiator is used for radiating a high-frequency band signal. The second antenna radiator is used for radiating a low-frequency band signal. The first feeding point is coupled to the first antenna radiator and is utilized for processing feed-in or feed-out of the signal of first antenna radiator. The second feeding point is coupled to the second antenna radiator and is utilized for processing feed-in or feed-out of the signal of second antenna radiator. The first feeding point is separate from the second feeding point. The matching circuit is coupled to the first and second feeding points, and used for impedance matching with the first antenna radiator and the second antenna radiator.
US09077077B2 Mobile communication device and antenna device
A mobile communication device for operating in LTE and WWAN bands is provided in the invention. The mobile communication device includes a system circuit board and an antenna. The system circuit board includes a system ground plane. The antenna includes: an antenna substrate, substantially parallel to the system ground plane; a first radiation element, disposed on the antenna substrate; a second radiation element, disposed on the antenna substrate; an antenna ground plane, disposed on the antenna substrate, and coupled to the system ground plane; and a transmission line, disposed on the antenna substrate, coupled to the first and second radiation elements, and having a feed point. The mobile communication device is further configured to accommodate a data transmission component.
US09077072B2 Antenna system and filter
Antenna systems and antenna filters are provided, for example for use in a windshield or on a roof of a vehicle. An antenna system comprises a first antenna, a second antenna, and a filter. The first antenna is configured to operate at a first frequency. The second antenna is configured to operate at a second frequency. The filter is coupled to the first antenna. The filter is configured to create an open circuit condition at the second frequency and reduce secondary radiation between the first and second antennas.
US09077070B2 Tri-pole antenna element and antenna array
A dual polarized base station antenna is provided, including a reflector having a longitudinal axis and an array of tri-pole elements disposed on the reflector. Each tri-pole element has a first side arm and a second side arm. The tri-pole element also includes a center arm which is approximately perpendicular to the first and second side arms. The tri-pole elements are oriented such that either the side arms or the center arm are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reflector. The antenna further includes a feed network having a first signal path coupled to the first arms of the tri-pole elements and a second signal path coupled to the second anus of the tri-pole elements. In this example, the array of tri-pole elements produces a cross-polarized beam at +45 degrees and −45 degrees from the longitudinal axis. Tri-pole arrays may be used in a multiband antenna.
US09077069B2 Method and apparatus for tunable antenna and ground plane for handset applications
An embodiment is directed to a device comprising an antenna, a chassis configured to be electrically coupled to the antenna and comprising a slot loaded with at least one tunable component, wherein: the slot is aligned along a longitudinal edge of the chassis, the slot is formed in an area of the chassis based on an identification of currents in the area, and the antenna and chassis are electrically connected at a location based on the area.
US09077066B1 Wideband tapered antenna with parasitic grounding element
Methods and systems for extending a bandwidth of a wideband antenna of a user device are described. A wideband antenna includes a parasitic element coupled to ground and a single radio frequency (RF) input coupled to an antenna structure at a first point. The antenna structure comprises a tapered side that tapers away from the first point to create an increasingly larger gap between the antenna structure and ground. The antenna structure is configured to operate as a feeding structure to the parasitic element, the parasitic element not being conductively connected to the antenna structure.
US09077058B2 Cooling member of compact structure and excellent stability and battery module employed with the same
Disclosed herein is a cooling member mounted between battery cells to remove heat generated from the battery cells during charge and discharge of the battery cells, wherein the cooling member includes a plate-shaped heat dissipation fin disposed between the battery cells in a state in which opposite main surfaces of the heat dissipation fin are in tight contact with the battery cells and a coolant conduit configured to have a hollow structure through which a coolant flows, the coolant conduit thermally contacting the heat dissipation fin, the coolant conduit being located at an outside of an electrode assembly receiving part of each of the battery cells when the heat dissipation fin is disposed between the battery cells.
US09077057B2 Structure for cooling battery cells accommodated in battery module case
A battery module case includes: a first case in which a plurality of first battery cells is held in a stacked state and which includes a first plate formed with a first cutout portion from which an end surface of one of the first battery cells which is adjacent to the first plate is exposed; and a second case in which a plurality of second battery cells is held in a stacked state and which includes a second plate confronting the first plate and formed with a second cutout portion from which an end surface of one of the second battery cells which is adjacent to the second plate is exposed. When the first and the second plates are arranged adjacent to each other, the first cutout portion and the second cutout portion define a passage in which cooling fluid can flow between the first plate and the second plate.
US09077054B2 Battery pack for electric power tool with reduced difference in voltages of multiple cells constituting battery
A battery pack for an electric power tool includes a control device that determines the necessity of a balancing control to reduce difference in voltages of cells of a battery based upon voltages of the respective cells measured by a voltage measuring device. The control device controls a subject cell, which is subject to the balancing control to discharge via the discharging device when the balancing control is determined to be necessary. A voltage measuring device measures the voltages of the respective cells when a battery charger detecting device detects the connection of the battery charger in a state where the battery has not been connected to the battery charger for a predetermined specified period of time or more and power feeding to the electric power tool has not been performed for the specified period of time or more.
US09077050B2 Lithium secondary battery including lithium molybdate
A lithium secondary battery including lithium molybdate. The lithium molybdate is a composite including semi-crystalline lithium molybdate as a minor component and crystalline lithium molybdate as a major component.
US09077046B2 Electrolytes including fluorinated solvents for use in electrochemical cells
Provided are electrochemical cells and electrolytes used to build such cells. The electrolytes include ion-supplying salts and fluorinated solvents capable of maintaining single phase solutions with the salts at between about −30° C. to about 80° C. The fluorinated solvents, such as fluorinated carbonates, fluorinated esters, and fluorinated esters, are less flammable than their non-fluorinated counterparts and increase safety characteristics of cells containing these solvents. The amount of fluorinated solvents in electrolytes may be between about 30% and 80% by weight not accounting weight of the salts. Fluorinated salts, such as fluoroalkyl-substituted LiPF6, fluoroalkyl-substituted LiBF4 salts, linear and cyclic imide salts as well as methide salts including fluorinated alkyl groups, may be used due to their solubility in the fluorinated solvents. In some embodiments, the electrolyte may also include a flame retardant, such as a phosphazene or, more specifically, a cyclic phosphazene and/or one or more ionic liquids.
US09077039B2 Electronically conductive polymer binder for lithium-ion battery electrode
A family of carboxylic acid groups containing fluorene/fluorenon copolymers is disclosed as binders of silicon particles in the fabrication of negative electrodes for use with lithium ion batteries. Triethyleneoxide side chains provide improved adhesion to materials such as, graphite, silicon, silicon alloy, tin, tin alloy. These binders enable the use of silicon as an electrode material as they significantly improve the cycle-ability of silicon by preventing electrode degradation over time. In particular, these polymers, which become conductive on first charge, bind to the silicon particles of the electrode, are flexible so as to better accommodate the expansion and contraction of the electrode during charge/discharge, and being conductive promote the flow battery current.
US09077038B2 Lithium ion batteries
A lithium ion battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a microporous polymer separator soaked in an electrolyte solution. The microporous polymer separator is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. An ion exchange polymer material is any of i) incorporated as a binder in any of the positive electrode or the negative electrode, ii) deposited onto a surface of any of the positive electrode or the negative electrode, iii) incorporated into the microporous polymer separator, or iv) deposited onto a surface of the microporous polymer separator. Examples of methods for making the ion exchange polymer material for use in the lithium ion batteries are also disclosed herein.
US09077036B2 Lithium ion secondary battery, positive electrode active material, positive electrode, electric tool, electric vehicle, and power storage system
A lithium ion secondary battery including a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and an electrolytic solution, wherein the positive electrode includes a first lithium composite oxide and a second lithium composite oxide expressed by following formula (1) as a positive electrode active material, and wherein the second lithium composite oxide has a charge capacity greater than the first lithium composite oxide Li1+a(NibM1cM21−b−c)1.5−0.5aO2  (1) wherein, M1 represents at least one selected from among elements of group 13 to group 15 in an extended periodic table of elements excluding boron B, or carbon C, or nitrogen N, M2 represents at least one selected from among elements of group 3 to group 12, and a, b, and c satisfy relationships of 0.95≦a≦1.05, 0
US09077034B2 High manganese polycrystalline anode material, preparation method thereof and dynamic lithium ion battery
Provided are a high manganese polycrystalline anode material, preparation method thereof and dynamic lithium ion battery. The general formula of the high manganese polycrystalline anode material is LiwMnx(CoNi)yOz, wherein x=0.4-2.0, y=0.1-0.6, x+y<2, z≧2, and w≧1. The weight of Mn is not less than 40% of the weight of LiwMnx(CoNi)yOz, and the particle size thereof is 7-20 microns. The high manganese polycrystalline anode material has more than two lattice structures selected from LiMn2O4, LiCOn(NiMn)1-nO2, LiNi0.8Co0.2O2, LiCoO2, LiNinMn1-nO2, LiMn2nNi2(1-n)O4 and LiNiO2, which are in mixed state or intergrowth state, wherein n<1. The specific energy of the anode material is more than 155 Wh/K, the conservation rate of the capacity is not less than 80% after 500 charging and discharging circles when the charging and discharging multiplying dynamic is 1C and at 55° C., and at 25° C., its cycle life is not less than 1000 times and the conservation rate of the capacity is more than 80%. The processability of the anode material is good.
US09077032B2 Electrode materials for magnesium batteries
A compound of formula Ab′MgaMbXy or Ab′MgaMb(XOz)y for use as electrode material in a magnesium battery is disclosed, wherein A, M, X, b′, a, b, y, and z are defined herein.
US09077031B2 Li4Ti5O12, Li(4-α)ZαTi5O12or Li4ZβTi(5-β)O12 particles, processes for obtaining same and their use in electrochemical generators
Synthesis process for new particles of Li4Ti5O12, Li(4-α)ZαTi5O12 or Li4ZβTi(5-β)O12, wherein β is >0 and ≦0.5, α is a number >0 and ≦0.33, Z is a source of at least one metal, preferably chosen from the group made up of Mg, Nb, Al, Zr, Ni, Co. These particles coated with a layer of carbon notably exhibit electrochemical properties that are particularly interesting as components of anodes and/or cathodes in electrochemical generators. The process may involve the steps of a) preparing a dispersion of a mixture of TiOx—LizY-carbon, wherein x is a number between 1 and 2, z is 1 or 2, and Y is a radical chosen among CO3, OH, O and TiO3 or a mixture thereof; and 2) heating of the dispersion, preferably to a temperature of between about 400° C. and about 1000° C.
US09077029B2 Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery including the same
A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery including a flake powder including a plurality of flakes, each flake including a plurality of silicon atoms and a plurality of oxygen atoms, wherein an oxygen atom amount for each flake ranges from 5 wt % to 36 wt % based on a total amount of silicon atoms and oxygen atoms, each flake having a thickness ranging from 30 nm to 500 nm and a ratio of an average longest dimension to the thickness ranging from 10 to 100.
US09077015B2 Battery pack
A battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules including a plurality of cells 100 aligned and accommodated in a case, wherein a battery assembly 200 in which the plurality of cells 100 are aligned in a row is used as a unit, and the multiple ones of the battery assembly 200 are aligned in each battery module. The battery modules are a first battery module 300 in which the plurality of battery assemblies 200 are aligned in parallel and second battery modules 400A, 400B in which the plurality of battery assemblies 200 are aligned in series, and the first battery module 300 and the second battery modules 400A, 400B are combined with each other to form the battery pack.
US09077008B2 Integrated power generation and chemical production using fuel cells
In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell to reduce or minimize losses due to loss of heat energy. A molten carbonate fuel cell can be operated based on a desired ratio of heat generated by exothermic reactions in the fuel cell relative to heat consumed by endothermic reactions in the fuel cell and any optional integrated endothermic reaction stages.
US09077007B2 Integrated power generation and chemical production using fuel cells
In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell with an excess of reformable fuel relative to the amount of oxidation performed in the anode of the fuel cell. Instead of selecting the operating conditions of a fuel cell to improve or maximize the electrical efficiency of the fuel cell, an excess of reformable fuel can be passed into the anode of the fuel cell to increase the chemical energy output of the fuel cell. This can lead to an increase in the total efficiency of the fuel cell based on the combined electrical efficiency and chemical efficiency of the fuel cell.
US09077006B2 Integrated power generation and carbon capture using fuel cells
Systems and methods are provided for capturing CO2 from a combustion source using molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). The fuel cells are operated to have a reduced anode fuel utilization. Optionally, at least a portion of the anode exhaust is recycled for use as a fuel for the combustion source. Optionally, a second portion of the anode exhaust is recycled for use as part of an anode input stream. This can allow for a reduction in the amount of fuel cell area required for separating CO2 from the combustion source exhaust and/or modifications in how the fuel cells are operated.
US09076994B2 Method for producing a liquid electrolyte battery
The invention relates to a method for making an electrolytic battery which is preferably used in movable facilities such as cars, boats and planes. The method comprises the following steps: inserting of intermixing plates 5a′ into the battery case 1, one each at two sides thereof which are opposite to each other, inserting of the set of electrodes 2 between the two intermixing plates 5a′ positioned in the battery case 1 and connecting of the two intermixing plates 5a′ straightened out vertically with the bridging plate 5b′ comprising a drain surface, which is slightly inclined towards the center thereof, and an opening provided approximately in the center thereof to enable electrolyte to flow back into the batter case.
US09076991B2 Mask management system and method for OLED encapsulation
A system and method for encapsulating an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) device by enabling a substrate and a plurality of masks to be efficiently received into a vacuum processing environment, transferred between one or more process chambers for the deposition of encapsulating layers, and removed from the processing system. A method of encapsulating an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) device includes positioning one or more masks over a substrate to deposit encapsulating layers on an OLED device disposed on the substrate. A processing system for encapsulating an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) device includes one or more transfer chambers, one or more load lock chambers coupled to each transfer chamber and operable to receive a mask into a vacuum environment, and one or more process chambers coupled to each transfer chamber and operable to deposit an encapsulating layer on a substrate.
US09076982B2 Patterning slit sheet assembly, organic layer deposition apparatus, method of manufacturing organic light-emitting display apparatus, and the organic light-emitting display apparatus
A patterning slit sheet assembly for performing a deposition process to form a thin film on a substrate in a desired fine pattern. The patterning slit sheet assembly includes a patterning slit sheet having a plurality of slits, a frame combined with the patterning slit sheet to support the patterning slit sheet, and a support unit including an upper member that is allowed to be moved or fixed to support the patterning slit sheet when a gravitational force is applied to the patterning slit sheet and a lower member disposed more apart from the patterning slit sheet than the upper member, wherein the upper member is fixed on the lower member.
US09076973B2 Phosphorescent materials
Novel organic compounds containing a twisted aryl group are provided. In particular, the compounds provided contain a 2-phenylpyridine ligand having a twisted aryl group on the pyridine portion of the ligand. The compounds may be used in organic light emitting devices, particularly as emitting dopants. Devices comprising the compounds containing twisted aryl may demonstrate improved color, efficiency, stability and manufacturing. Additionally, methods are provided for making homoleptic Ir (III) compounds which may contain a twisted aryl.
US09076968B2 Piezoelectric element, piezoelectric actuator, piezoelectric sensor, hard disk drive, and inkjet printer device
A piezoelectric element includes, as a piezoelectric layer, a thin film of potassium sodium niobate that is a perovskite compound represented by a general expression ABO3, in which Ta (tantalum) is substituted on both of an A site and a B site. Accordingly, the piezoelectric element is provided to increase a reliability of the piezoelectric element using the thin film of potassium sodium niobate and to improve piezoelectric characteristics thereof.
US09076962B2 Nonvolative memory
A phase changeable memory cell is disclosed. In an embodiment of the invention, a phase changeable memory cell is formed with an ultra-small contact area to reduce the programming current. This contact area between heater electrode and phase changeable material is limited by the thickness of thin films rather than lithographic critical dimension in one dimension. As a result, the contact area is much less than the square of lithographic critical dimension for almost every technology node, which is helps in reducing current. To further reduce the current and improve the heating efficiency, heater electrode is horizontally put with its length being tunable so as to minimize the heat loss flowing through the heater to the terminal that connects to the front end switch device. In addition, above and below the heater layer, low-thermal-conductivity material (LTCM) is used to minimize heat dissipation. This results in reduced power consumption of the phase changeable memory cell with improved reliability.
US09076960B2 Magnetic memory element
A magnetic memory element includes a memory layer having magnetic anisotropy on the film surface thereof in the perpendicular direction and in which the magnetization direction is variable, a reference layer having magnetic anisotropy on the film surface thereof in the perpendicular direction and in which the magnetization direction is not variable, and a tunnel barrier layer which is interposed between the memory layer and the reference layer. The memory layer is made of an alloy including cobalt (Co) andiron (Fe). A plurality of oxygen atoms are present on both interfaces of the memory layer.
US09076952B2 Semiconductor light-emitting device
A semiconductor light-emitting device including a favorable radiating structure can include a semiconductor light source sealed between a metallic cap having a light-emitting window and a metallic base attached on a heat sink plate. The semiconductor light-emitting device can also include a holder attaching the metallic base along the metallic cap between the holder and the heat sink plate to efficiently radiate heat generated from the light source, and a thermal interface material layer disposed between at least a top surface of the heat sink plate and an outer bottom surface of the holder so as to be able to enlarge each tolerance of parts composing the light-emitting device. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide semiconductor light-emitting devices including the favorable radiating structure, which can be employed for various lighting apparatuses including a headlight in a relatively small size by selecting the semiconductor light source incorporated in the devices.
US09076949B2 Light emitting device package
A light emitting device package including a package body, at least one electrode pattern placed on the package body, at least one light emitting device electrically connected to the electrode pattern, a heat dissipation member disposed in the package body to thermally come into contact with the light emitting device, and an anti-fracture layer placed on the heat dissipation member, wherein a width of the heat dissipation member is different at different heights of the package body.
US09076948B2 Light emitting apparatus and production method thereof
A light emitting apparatus comprises an electrically insulating base member; a pair of electrically conductive pattern portions formed on an upper surface of the base member; at least one light emitting device that is electrically connected to the pair of electrically conductive pattern portions; and a resin portion that surrounds at least a side surface of the at least one light emitting device and partially covers the pair of electrically conductive pattern portions. Each of the pair of electrically conductive pattern portions extends toward a periphery of the base member from resin-covered parts of the electrically conductive pattern portions. At least the resin-covered parts of each of the electrically conductive pattern portions has at least one elongated through hole extending in a direction in which the electrically conductive pattern portions extend from the resin-covered parts, wherein the resin portion contacts the base member via the through holes.
US09076935B2 Light emitting diode
A light emitting diode includes a source layer, a metallic plasma generating layer, a first optical symmetric layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The source layer includes a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer stacked in series. The first semiconductor layer includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first electrode covers and contacts the first surface. The second electrode is electrically connected with the second semiconductor layer. The metallic plasma generating layer is disposed on a surface of the source layer away from the first semiconductor layer. The first optical symmetric layer is disposed on a surface of the metallic plasma generating layer away from the first semiconductor layer. A refractive index difference between the source layer and the first optical symmetric layer is less than or equal to 0.3.
US09076930B2 Light emitting device and light emitting device package
Disclosed are a light emitting device and a light emitting device package. The light emitting device includes a light emitting structure including a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer on the first conductive semiconductor layer, and a second conductive semiconductor layer on the active layer, an adhesive layer contacting a top surface of the first conductive semiconductor layer, a first electrode contacting a top surface of the first conductive semiconductor and a top surface of the adhesive layer, and a second electrode contacting the second conductive semiconductor layer, wherein the adhesive layer contacting the first electrode is spaced apart from the second electrode.
US09076917B2 Method of manufacturing photovoltaic cell
Provided is a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic cell in which a light absorption layer is formed by promoting chalcogenation. The method includes providing a microporous member, arranging an object on a first side of the microporous member, and arranging a chalcogen source on a second side of the microporous member opposite to the first side, heating the chalcogen source, transmitting a liquefied or evaporated portion of the heated chalcogen source through the microporous member, and exposing the object to the liquefied or evaporated portion of the heated chalcogen source that has passed through the microporous member.
US09076902B2 Integrated optical receiver architecture for high speed optical I/O applications
An integrated optical receiver architecture may be used to couple light between a multi-mode fiber (MMF) and silicon chip which includes integration of a silicon de-multiplexer and a high-speed Ge photo-detector. The proposed architecture may be used for both parallel and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) based optical links with a data rate of 25 Gb/s and beyond.
US09076891B2 Integrated circuit (“IC”) assembly includes an IC die with a top metallization layer and a conductive epoxy layer applied to the top metallization layer
An integrated circuit (“IC”) assembly includes an IC die with a metallization layer on a top surface thereof. A plurality of lead wires are bonded at first end portions thereof to the metallization layer. A conductive layer is attached to the metallization layer and covers the first ends of the lead wires.
US09076887B2 Method of fabricating a vertical diffusion metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first conductive type. An epitaxy layer having the first conductive type is formed on the semiconductor substrate. First trenches are formed in the epitaxy layer. First insulating liner layers are formed on sidewalls and bottoms of the first trenches. A first dopant having the first conductive type dopes the epitaxy layer from the sidewalls of the first trenches to form first doped regions. A first insulating material is filled into the first trenches. Second trenches are formed in the epitaxy layer. Second insulating liner layers are formed on sidewalls and bottoms of the second trenches. A second dopant having a second conductive type dopes the epitaxy layer from the sidewalls of the second trenches to form second doped regions.
US09076886B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a device isolation region, a trench formed in the device isolation region, a void connected to the trench in the device isolation region, a first mask pattern formed along sidewalls of the trench and protruding inwardly with respect to the void, a gate insulating film formed along the sidewall of the void, and a gate electrode filling the trench and at least a portion of the void.
US09076879B2 Three-dimensional semiconductor memory device and method for fabricating the same
A three-dimensional (3D) semiconductor memory device and a method for fabricating the same, the device including insulating layers stacked on a substrate; horizontal structures between the insulating layers, the horizontal structures including gate electrodes, respectively; vertical structures penetrating the insulating layers and the horizontal structures, the vertical structures including semiconductor pillars, respectively; and epitaxial patterns, each of the epitaxial patterns being between the substrate and each of the vertical structures, wherein a minimum width of the epitaxial pattern is less than a width of a corresponding one of the vertical structures.
US09076878B2 Non-volatile memory with vertical selection transistors
The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a non-volatile memory on a semiconductive substrate, comprising the steps of implanting in the depth of the substrate a first doped region forming a source region of selection transistors, forming in the substrate a buried gate comprising deep parts extending between an upper face of the substrate and the first doped region, implanting between two adjacent deep parts of the buried gate, a second doped region forming a common drain region of common selection transistors of a pair of memory cells, the selection transistors of the pair of memory cells thus having channel regions extending between the first doped region and the second doped region, along faces opposite the two buried gate adjacent deep parts, and implanting along opposite upper edges of the buried gate, third doped regions forming source regions of charge accumulation transistors.
US09076875B2 Thin film transistor substrate with pixel matrix
A thin film transistor substrate includes a thin film transistor, a source wire, an upper-layer source wire, and a pixel electrode. The thin film transistor includes: a source electrode and a drain electrode located to be spaced from each other on the same plane; a semiconductor film located to straddle those electrodes; an insulating film located to cover at least the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the semiconductor film; an upper-layer source electrode and an upper-layer drain electrode located on the insulating film and respectively connected to the semiconductor film through contact holes; and a gate electrode located below or above the semiconductor film. The source wire extends from the source electrode. The upper-layer source wire extends from the upper-layer source electrode. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to the drain electrode.
US09076869B1 FinFET device and method
A fin field effect transistor (FinFET), and a method of fabrication, is introduced. In an embodiment, trenches are formed in a substrate, wherein a region between adjacent trenches defines a fin. A dielectric material is formed in the trenches. A part of the substrate is doped and a region of high dopant concentration and a region of low dopant concentration are formed. Gate stacks are formed, portions of the fins are removed and source/drain regions are epitaxially grown in the regions of high/low dopant concentration. Contacts are formed to provide electrical contacts to source/gate/drain regions.
US09076868B1 Shallow trench isolation structure with sigma cavity
Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved shallow trench isolation structure and method of fabrication. The shallow trench isolation cavity includes an upper region having a sigma cavity shape, and a lower region having a substantially rectangular cross-section. The lower region is filled with a first material having good gap fill properties. The sigma cavity is filled with a second material having good stress-inducing properties. In some embodiments, source/drain stressor cavities may be eliminated, with the stress provided by the shallow trench isolation structure. In other embodiments, the stress from the shallow trench isolation structure may be used to complement or counteract stress from a source/drain stressor region of an adjacent transistor. This enables precise tuning of channel stress to achieve a desired carrier mobility for a transistor.
US09076860B1 Residue removal from singulated die sidewall
Methods of dicing semiconductor wafers, each wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits, are described. In an example, a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits involves forming a mask above the semiconductor wafer, the mask including a layer covering and protecting the integrated circuits. The method also involves patterning the mask with a laser scribing process to provide gaps in the mask, the gaps exposing regions of the semiconductor wafer between the integrated circuits. The method also involves plasma etching the semiconductor wafer through the gaps in the mask to singulate the integrated circuits. The method also involves, subsequent to plasma etching the semiconductor wafer, removing etch residue from sidewalls of the singulated integrated circuits.
US09076857B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
Over a semiconductor substrate, a gate insulating film including an interfacial layer, a HfON film, and a HfSiON film is formed. Then, over the HfSiON film, an Al-containing film and a mask layer are formed. Subsequently, the mask layer and the Al-containing film are selectively removed from an n-channel MISFET formation region. Then, a rare-earth-element-containing film is formed over the HfSiON film in the n-channel MISFET formation region and over the mask layer in a p-channel MISFET formation region. Heat treatment is performed to cause a reaction between each of the HfON film and the HfSiON film and the rare-earth-element-containing film in the n-channel MISFET formation region and cause a reaction between each of the HfON film and the HfSiON film and the Al-containing film in the p-channel MISFET formation region. Thereafter, the unreacted rare-earth-element-containing film and the mask layer are removed, and then metal gate electrodes are formed.
US09076856B2 Positioning system
A positioning system includes a first working platform, a second working platform spaced apart from the first working platform, and a carrier. The carrier is fixed on the first working platform or the second working platform. The carrier has at least one fixing member for fixing the substrate onto the carrier and fixing the mask onto the substrate. The substrate has at least one fixing hole formed thereon for receiving the fixing member, and the mask has at least one positioning hole formed thereon in alignment with the fixing hole. The fixing member is capable of inserting sequentially through the fixing hole of the substrate and the positioning hole of the mask.
US09076855B2 Laser machining method
An object to be processed 1 is irradiated with laser light L along a line to cut 5a while locating a converging point within the object 1, so as to form a modified region 7a. Thereafter, the irradiation with the laser light L is performed again along the line 5a, so as to form a modified region 7b between a front face 3 and the first modified region 7a in the object 1 and generate a fracture Cb extending from the modified region 7b to the front face 3. Therefore, a deflecting force F1 occurring when forming the modified region 7a in the object 1 can be released and canceled out by the fracture Cb. As a result, the object 1 can be inhibited from deflecting.
US09076845B2 Method of forming a high density dielectric etch-stop layer
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit device includes forming an inter-level dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate, forming a transformative layer over the inter-level dielectric layer, forming a protective layer over the transformative layer without allowing the transformative layer to undergo a substantive transformation, and after forming the protective layer, causing the transformative layer to undergo a volume-increasing transformation. The volume-increasing transformation produces a high density material that provides an effective etch stop.
US09076840B2 Method for manufacturing a bonded SOI wafer
According to the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an SOI wafer having the step of performing a first sacrificial oxidation treatment on the aforementioned bonded SOI wafer in which the delamination has been performed after a first RTA treatment has been performed thereon and then performing a second sacrificial oxidation treatment thereon after a second RTA treatment has been performed thereon, wherein the first and second RTA treatments are performed under a hydrogen gas containing atmosphere and at a temperature of 1100° C. or more, wherein after a thermal oxide film has been formed on the aforementioned SOI layer front surface by performing only thermal oxidation by a batch type heat treating furnace at a temperature of 900° C. or more and 1000° C. or less in the first and second sacrificial oxidation treatments, a treatment for removing the thermal oxide film is performed.
US09076839B2 Method for manufacturing SOI substrate
An object of an embodiment of the present invention to be disclosed is to prevent oxygen from being taken in a single crystal semiconductor layer in laser irradiation even when crystallinity of the single crystal semiconductor layer is repaired by irradiation with a laser beam; and to make substantially equal or reduce an oxygen concentration in the semiconductor layer after the laser irradiation comparing before the laser irradiation. A single crystal semiconductor layer which is provided over a base substrate by bonding is irradiated with a laser beam, whereby the crystallinity of the single crystal semiconductor layer is repaired. The laser irradiation is performed under a reducing atmosphere or an inert atmosphere.
US09076825B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the semiconductor device
When an oxide semiconductor film is microfabricated to have an island shape, with the use of a hard mask, unevenness of an end portion of the oxide semiconductor film can be suppressed. Specifically, a hard mask is formed over the oxide semiconductor film, a resist is formed over the hard mask, light exposure is performed to form a resist mask, the hard mask is processed using the resist mask as a mask, the oxide semiconductor film is processed using the processed hard mask as a mask, the resist mask and the processed hard mask are removed, a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed in contact with the processed oxide semiconductor film, a gate insulating film is formed over the source electrode and the drain electrode, and a gate electrode is formed over the gate insulating film, the gate electrode overlapping with the oxide semiconductor film.
US09076824B2 Memory arrays with a memory cell adjacent to a smaller size of a pillar having a greater channel length than a memory cell adjacent to a larger size of the pillar and methods
The disclosure is related to memory arrays and methods. One such memory array has a substantially vertical pillar. A memory cell adjacent to the pillar where the pillar has a first size has a greater channel length than a memory cell adjacent to the pillar where the pillar has a second size larger than the first size.
US09076816B2 Method and device for self-aligned contact on a non-recessed metal gate
A methodology for forming a self-aligned contact (SAC) that exhibits reduced likelihood of a contact-to-gate short circuit failure and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments may include forming a replacement metal gate, with spacers at opposite sides thereof, on a substrate, forming a recess in an upper surface of the spacers along outer edges of the replacement metal gate, and forming an aluminum nitride (AlN) cap over the metal gate and in the recess.
US09076815B2 Spacer stress relaxation
A known problem when manufacturing transistors is the stress undesirably introduced by the spacers into the transistor channel region. In order to solve this problem, the present invention proposes an ion implantation aimed at relaxing the stress of the spacer materials. The relax implantation is performed after the spacer has been completely formed. The relax implantation may be performed after a silicidation process or after an implantation step in the source and drain regions followed by an activation annealing and before performing the silicidation process.
US09076813B1 Gate-all-around metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors with gate oxides
A method and structure for a semiconductor transistor, including various embodiments. In embodiments, a transistor channel can be formed between a semiconductor source and a semiconductor drain, wherein a transistor gate oxide completely surrounds the transistor channel and a transistor gate metal that completely surrounds the transistor gate oxide. Related fabrication processes are presented for similar device embodiments based on a Group III-V semiconductor material and silicon-on-insulator materials.
US09076809B2 Tunable semiconductor component provided with a current barrier
Semiconductor component or device is provided which includes a current barrier element and for which the impedance may be tuned (i.e. modified, changed, etc.) using a focused heating source.
US09076808B2 RF MEMS isolation, series and shunt DVC, and small MEMS
The present invention generally relates to an architecture for isolating an RF MEMS device from a substrate and driving circuit, series and shunt DVC die architectures, and smaller MEMS arrays for high frequency communications. The semiconductor device has one or more cells with a plurality of MEMS devices therein. The MEMS device operates by applying an electrical bias to either a pull-up electrode or a pull-down electrode to move a switching element of the MEMS device between a first position spaced a first distance from an RF electrode and a second position spaced a second distance different than the first distance from the RF electrode. The pull-up and/or pull-off electrode may be coupled to a resistor to isolate the MEMS device from the substrate.
US09076805B2 Current sense transistor with embedding of sense transistor cells
A semiconductor device a field of transistor cells integrated in a semiconductor body. A number of the transistor cells forming a power transistor and at least one of the transistor cells forming a sense transistor. A first source electrode is arranged on the semiconductor body electrically connected to the transistor cell(s) of the sense transistor but electrically isolated from the transistor cells of the power transistor. A second source electrode is arranged on the semiconductor body and covers the transistor cells of both the power transistor and the sense transistor, and at least partially covering the first source electrode in such a manner that the second source electrode is electrically connected only to the transistor cells of the power transistor but electrically isolated from the transistor cells of the sense transistor.
US09076791B1 MOS transistor operated as OTP cell with gate dielectric operating as an e-fuse element
A process and device are provided for a high-k gate-dielectric operating as a built-in e-fuse. Embodiments include: providing first and second active regions of a transistor, separated by a gate region of the transistor, on a substrate; forming an interfacial layer on the gate region; minimizing the interfacial layer; forming a high-k gate dielectric layer on the interfacial layer to operate as an e-fuse element, the high-k gate dielectric layer and interfacial layer having a combined breakdown voltage less than three times a circuit operating voltage associated with the transistor; and forming a metal gate on the high-k gate dielectric layer.
US09076782B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing same
A semiconductor device has a plurality of electronic components mounted on an insulating substrate formed with a metal layer, and electrically connected to each other or to the metal layer; a positioning wire member having a predetermined diameter and a predetermined length, and bonded to each of the plurality of electronic components or to the metal layer; a lead frame disposed to bridge and electrically connect the plurality of electronic components to each other or between the metal layer and the electronic components; and an opening having a size capable of inserting the wire member therethrough formed to penetrate through the lead frame, to join the lead frame to each of the electronic components or the metal layer at a predetermined position therein. The lead frame is positioned on the insulating substrate by inserting the wire member into the opening.
US09076780B2 Power module and lead frame for power module
The present invention aims at providing a power module and a lead frame for the power module which can enhance adhesion between a heat sink and an insulating resin sheet while maintaining heat radiation properties. The power module includes: the lead frame including a conductor plate formed from Cu or a Cu alloy, and an Al film formed at least on the other side, opposite to one side on which to mount a semiconductor device, of the conductor plate; the semiconductor device mounted on the one side of the conductor plate; a sealing resin which seals at least the semiconductor device and the conductor plate; and an insulating resin sheet adhered to the conductor plate through the Al film therebetween.
US09076777B2 Manufacturing method of semiconductor device and semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a die pad, which includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface forming a rectangular shape in plan view; a plurality of support pins that support the die pad; a plurality of inner leads arranged around the die pad; a plurality of outer leads connected to each of the inner leads; a semiconductor chip which includes a main surface and a back surface and in which a plurality of electrode pads is formed in the main surface; a plurality of wires which electrically couple the electrode pads of the semiconductor chip to the inner leads respectively; and a sealing body that seals the support pins, the inner leads, the semiconductor chip, and the wires. A first support pin of the plurality of support pins is integrally formed together with the die pad. The first support pin is terminated inside the sealing body.
US09076769B2 Fixing device and thermal module incorporating the same
An exemplary fixing device is for mounting a heat conduction plate to two electronic components. The fixing device includes a first mounting clip and a second mounting clip connected to the first mounting clip through arms. The first mounting clip includes a pressing plate pressing a first contacting portion of the heat conduction plate against one electronic component. The second mounting clip includes two pressing tabs pressing a second contacting portion of the heat conduction plate against the other electronic component. The pressing plate and the two pressing tabs are made of a single monolithic piece of material.
US09076754B2 3DIC packages with heat sinks attached to heat dissipating rings
A package includes a first die and a second die underlying the first die and in a same first die stack as the first die. The second die includes a first portion overlapped by the first die, and a second portion extending beyond edges of the first die. A first Thermal Interface Material (TIM) is overlying and contacting a top surface of the first die. A heat sink has a first bottom surface over and contacting the first TIM. A second TIM is overlying and contacting the second portion of the second die. A heat dissipating ring is overlying and contacting the second TIM.
US09076747B2 Organic light-emitting display apparatus having an embossed structure
Provided is an organic light-emitting display apparatus including a thin-film transistor (TFT) that includes an active layer, a gate electrode, and source/drain electrodes; an organic light-emitting device that includes a pixel electrode which is connected to the TFT, an intermediate layer which includes a light-emitting layer, and an opposite electrode; and an opposite electrode contact unit in which the opposite electrode is electrically connected to a power wiring, wherein, with regard to the power wiring, a surface that contacts the opposite electrode is formed to have an embossed structure.
US09076746B2 Organic light-emitting display device and method for manufacturing the organic light-emitting display device
A display device includes a power line configured to transmit an electric current. The display device further includes a plurality of pixel electrode units associated with a single pixel of the display device and configured to share the electric current. The display device further includes a common electrode overlapping the plurality of pixel electrode units. The display device further includes a plurality of light-emitting units associated with the single pixel of the display device and disposed between the common electrode and the plurality of pixel electrode units, wherein each light-emitting unit of the plurality of light-emitting units overlaps a pixel electrode unit of the plurality of pixel electrode units.
US09076742B2 Oxidation annealing device and method for fabricating thin film transistor using oxidation annealing
A far-infrared plane heater 6 is placed in a closed-container-shaped device body 3 of an oxidation annealing device 1, an oxygen addition gas feed pipe 8 through which an oxygen addition gas containing water vapor and oxygen is fed into the device body 3 is connected to a gas exhaust pipe 11 through which gas in the device body 3 is discharged, and jet nozzles 16 through which the oxygen addition gas containing water vapor and oxygen is ejected to an oxygen-deficient portion of a substrate 50 are brought into communication with the oxygen addition gas feed pipe 8. This allows oxidation annealing of a large substrate at high throughput and low cost while preventing a leakage current.
US09076736B2 Patterning method for semiconductor device fabrication
A method includes forming a first pattern having a first opening on a semiconductor substrate. The first opening is then filled. A second pattern of a first and second feature, interposed by the filled opening, is formed on the semiconductor substrate. Spacer elements then are formed on sidewalls of the filled opening, the first feature and the second feature. After forming the spacer elements, the material comprising first and second features is removed to form a second opening and a third opening. The filled opening, the second opening and the third opening are used as a masking element to etch a target layer of the substrate.
US09076722B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes fin-type stacked layer structures. Each of the structures includes semiconductor layers stacked in a perpendicular direction. Assist gate electrodes are disposed in an in-plane direction and divided on a surface in the perpendicular direction of the structures.
US09076721B2 Oxynitride channel layer, transistor including the same and method of manufacturing the same
A transistor includes a channel layer including an oxynitride semiconductor doped with at least one of hafnium (Hf) and zirconium (Zr), a source on one side portion of the channel layer and a drain on another side portion of the channel layer, a gate corresponding to the channel layer, and a gate insulation layer between the channel layer and the gate.
US09076715B2 Interconnect structure for connecting dies and methods of forming the same
A structure includes a first chip having a first substrate, and first dielectric layers underlying the first substrate, with a first metal pad in the first dielectric layers. A second chip includes a second substrate, second dielectric layers over the second substrate and bonded to the first dielectric layers, and a second metal pad in the second dielectric layers. A conductive plug includes a first portion extending from a top surface of the first substrate to a top surface of the first metal pad, and a second portion extending from the top surface of the first metal pad to a top surface of the second metal pad. An edge of the second portion is in physical contact with a sidewall of the first metal pad. A dielectric layer spaces the first portion of the conductive plug from the first plurality of dielectric layers.
US09076709B2 3D CCD-style imaging sensor with rolling readout
The presented readout structure provides charge transport based readout of a photosensitive device with a minimum number of transport gates. The structure uses the given charge storage buckets of the photosensitive device, separated by a minimum sized barrier-gate, to transport the charge out of the pixel field. This new readout schema allows for a fast readout speed based on a 2 phase transport chain and increases the pixel's optical fill factor by significantly reducing the transport gate size compared to state-of-the-art pixels using a 3 or 4 phase CCD readout chain. This readout structure can be exploited for standard photo-detecting elements such as e.g. pinned photo-diodes or any enhanced pixel structure that has additional intelligence incorporated as well. Typical applications are 2D- or 3D-imaging. The process used for manufacturing a sensor with such a readout scheme requires preferably charge transport mechanisms like charge-coupled gate devices as well as the possibility of integrating circuitries of high density. The exploitation of such a combination of process-related features results in a new sensor readout technique that allows for optimizing the pixel's dynamic range and optical fill factor.
US09076702B2 Frontside-illuminated barrier infrared photodetector device and methods of fabricating the same
Frontside-illuminated barrier infrared photodetector devices and methods of fabrication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a frontside-illuminated barrier infrared photodetector includes a transparent carrier substrate, and a plurality of pixels. Each pixel of the plurality of pixels includes an absorber layer, a barrier layer on the absorber layer, a collector layer on the barrier layer, and a backside electrical contact coupled to the absorber layer. Each pixel has a frontside and a backside. The absorber layer and the barrier layer are non-continuous across the plurality of pixels, and the barrier layer of each pixel is closer to a scene than the absorber layer of each pixel. A plurality of frontside common electrical contacts is coupled to the frontside of the plurality of pixels, wherein the frontside of the plurality of pixels and the plurality of frontside common electrical contacts are bonded to the transparent carrier substrate.
US09076694B2 Light-emitting device and driving method thereof
Charge corresponding to a potential difference between electrodes of an electroluminescence element is accumulated in a period in which the electroluminescence element emits light; the potential difference is detected without decrease in the luminance at the time of light emission of the electroluminescence element; and a reference potential of one electrode of the electroluminescence element is changed based on the detected potential difference, so that reduction in luminance of the electroluminescence element due to deterioration of the electroluminescence element is compensated.
US09076685B2 Semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a lower gate layer, a stacked body including a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of insulating layers, alternately stacked on the lower gate layer, a channel body extending within the stacked body from the topmost electrode layer to the lower gate layer, and a memory film provided between the electrode layer and the channel body. The memory film includes a charge storage film. The electrode layer includes a step portion in which a step is formed in a stacking direction of the stacked body. The channel body and the memory film pass through the step portion.
US09076683B2 Operating method of nonvolatile memory and method of controlling nonvolatile memory
An operating method of a nonvolatile memory, which includes a plurality of cell strings, each cell string having a plurality of memory cells and a string selection transistor stacked on a substrate, includes detecting threshold voltages of the string selection transistors of the plurality of cell strings; adjusting voltages to be supplied to the string selection transistors according to the detected threshold voltages; and applying the adjusted voltages to the string selection transistors to select or unselect the plurality of cell strings during a programming operation.
US09076680B2 Integrated circuitry, methods of forming capacitors, and methods of forming integrated circuitry comprising an array of capacitors and circuitry peripheral to the array
A method of forming capacitors includes providing a support material over a substrate. The support material is at least one of semiconductive or conductive. Openings are formed into the support material. The openings include at least one of semiconductive or conductive sidewalls. An insulator is deposited along the semiconductive and/or conductive opening sidewalls. A pair of capacitor electrodes having capacitor dielectric there-between is formed within the respective openings laterally inward of the deposited insulator. One of the pair of capacitor electrodes within the respective openings is laterally adjacent the deposited insulator. Other aspects are disclosed, including integrated circuitry independent of method of manufacture.
US09076673B2 FinFET cell architecture with power traces
A finFET block architecture suitable for use of a standard cell library, is based on an arrangement including a first set of semiconductor fins in a first region of the substrate having a first conductivity type, and a second set of semiconductor fins in a second region of the substrate, the second region having a second conductivity type. A patterned gate conductor layer including gate traces in the first and second regions, arranged over channel regions of the first and second sets of semiconductor fins is used for transistor gates. Patterned conductor layers over the gate conductor layer are arranged in orthogonal layout patterns, and can include a plurality of floating power buses over the fins in the first and second regions.
US09076665B2 CMOS-compatible silicon nano-wire sensors with biochemical and cellular interfaces
The systems and methods described herein include a sensor for suitable for sensing chemical and biological substances. The sensor comprises a semiconductor layer formed in or on a substrate and a channel having nano-scale dimensions formed in the semiconductor layer, where the structure creates an electrically conducting pathway between a first contact and a second contact on the semiconductor layer. In certain preferred embodiments, the nano-scale channel has a trapezoidal cross-section with an effective width and exposed lateral faces, where the effective width is selected to have same order of magnitude as a Debye length (LD) of the semiconductor material of which the semiconductor layer is formed.
US09076656B2 Electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp circuit with high effective holding voltage
Boosted Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) clamp circuit with high effective holding voltage. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit may include a trigger circuit operably coupled to a first voltage bus and to a reference bus; a diode including an anode terminal operably coupled to a second voltage bus, the second voltage bus distinct from the first voltage bus; a transistor including a gate operably coupled to an output terminal of the trigger circuit, a drain operably coupled to a cathode terminal of the diode, and a source operably coupled to the reference bus; and an input/output (I/O) cell operably coupled to the first voltage bus, the second voltage bus, and the reference bus.
US09076652B2 Semiconductor process for modifying shape of recess
A semiconductor process includes the following steps. Two gates are formed on a substrate. A recess is formed in the substrate beside the gates. A surface modification process is performed on a surface of the recess to modify the shape of the recess and change the contents of the surface.
US09076651B1 Gate stacks and ohmic contacts for SiC devices
SiC substrates are cleaned and provided to a process chamber. In-situ plasma surface treatments are applied to further clean the surface of the substrate. A dielectric interface layer is deposited in-situ to passivate the surface. Metal layers having a low work function are deposited above the dielectric interface layer. The stack is annealed at about 500C in forming gas to form low resistivity ohmic contacts to the SiC substrate. SiC substrates are cleaned and provided to a process chamber. In-situ plasma surface treatments are applied to further clean the surface of the substrate. A silicon oxide dielectric interface layer is deposited in-situ to passivate the surface. Optional plasma surface treatments are applied to further improve the performance of the silicon oxide dielectric interface layer. An aluminum oxide gate dielectric layer is deposited above the silicon oxide dielectric interface layer.
US09076649B2 Film forming method and apparatus
A method of forming a thin film on a surface of target objects in a vacuum-evacuable processing chamber by using a source gas and a reaction gas includes: forming a mixed gas by mixing the source gas and an inert gas in a gas reservoir tank, and supplying the mixed gas and the reaction gas into the processing chamber.
US09076643B2 Supercritical processing apparatus, substrate processing system and supercritical processing method
Disclosed is a supercritical processing apparatus which can suppress the occurrence of pattern collapse, improve the throughput, and prolong a maintenance interval. In the disclosed supercritical processing apparatus to remove a liquid remained on a substrate by a super-critical state processing fluid, a heating unit heats the processing fluid to place the processing fluid into a processing receptacle in a supercritical state, and a cooling mechanism forcibly cools an area capable of transferring the heat to the substrate from the heating unit in order to suppress the liquid from being evaporated from the substrate until the substrate is disposed on a seating unit.
US09076641B2 Ultra-low resistivity contacts
Contacts for semiconductor devices and methods of making thereof are disclosed. A method comprises forming a first layer on a semiconductor, the first layer comprising one or more metals; forming a second layer on the first layer, the second layer comprising the one or more metals, nitrogen and oxygen; and heating the first and second layer such that oxygen migrates from the second layer into the first layer and the first layer comprises a sub-stoichiometric metal oxide after heating. Exemplary embodiments use transition metals such as Ti in the first layer. After heating there is a sub-stoichiometric oxide layer of about 2.5 nm thickness between a metal nitride conductor and the semiconductor. The specific contact resistivity is less than about 7×10−9 Ω·cm2.
US09076637B2 Plasma processing method and plasma processing apparatus
The invention provides a plasma processing apparatus and a dry etching method for etching a multilayered film structure having steps with high accuracy. The plasma processing apparatus comprises a vacuum reactor 107, a lower electrode 113 placed within a processing chamber of the vacuum reactor and having a wafer 112 to be etched mounted on the upper surface thereof, bias supplying units 118 and 120 for supplying high frequency power for forming a bias potential to the lower electrode 113, a gas supply means 111 for feeding reactive gas into the processing chamber, an electric field supplying means 101 through 103 for supplying a magnetic field for generating plasma in the processing chamber, and a control unit 127 for controlling the distribution of ion energy in the plasma being incident on the wafer 112 via the high frequency power.
US09076632B2 Position sensitive STEM detector
A STEM system is disclosed wherein an imaging system is used to image the electron scatter pattern plane of the HAADF detector onto a two-dimensional array detector. A data acquisition system stores and processes the data from the two-dimensional array detector. For each illumination pixel of the STEM, one frame of data is generated and stored Each frame includes data of all scattered angles and can be analyzed in real time or in off-line at any time after the scan. A method is disclosed for detecting electrons emitted from a sample by detecting electrons scattered from the sample and generating plurality of corresponding signals, each signal indicative of scattering angle of a scattered electron; generating a plurality of signal groups, each signal group being a collection of signals of a user selected scattering angle.
US09076623B2 Switching micro-resonant structures by modulating a beam of charged particles
When using micro-resonant structures, a resonant structure may be turned on or off (e.g., when a display element is turned on or off in response to a changing image or when a communications switch is turned on or off to send data different data bits). Rather than turning the charged particle beam on and off, the beam may be moved to a position that does not excite the resonant structure, thereby turning off the resonant structure without having to turn off the charged particle beam. In one such embodiment, at least one deflector is placed between a source of charged particles and the resonant structure(s) to be excited. When the resonant structure is to be turned on (i.e., excited), the at least one deflector allows the beam to pass by undeflected. When the resonant structure is to be turned off, the at least one deflector deflects the beam away from the resonant structure by an amount sufficient to prevent the resonant structure from becoming excited.
US09076621B2 Electromagnetic actuator with under voltage release
An electromagnetic actuator has a yoke for guiding a magnetic flux, and a holding plate attached to an actuating member, the holding plate and yoke forming a first magnetic circuit. Furthermore a magnetic flux generation device is provided for generating a magnetic flux in the first magnetic circuit. The magnetic flux generation device has an under voltage release coil electrically connected to an auxiliary voltage source representing the value of a voltage to be monitored.
US09076620B2 Electromagnetic switching device
Disclosed is an electromagnetic device. The electromagnetic switching device includes: a shaft coupled with a movable contact point to reciprocate up and down; and an elastic member coupled with a bottom end of the shaft, wherein a vertical volume of the elastic member expands as a temperature is increased.
US09076619B2 Miniature magnetic switch structures
According to an illustrative embodiment, a switching device structure is provided comprising a cavity defined by a laminated structure; and a moveable member comprising a plurality of laminated layers, wherein the moveable member is suspended from a side surface of the cavity by a hinge comprising a plurality of adjacent electrical conductors. In one embodiment, a current conducting coil is formed within the moveable member, and first and second of the adjacent electrical conductors of the hinge respectively comprise coil-in and coil-out conductors electrically connected to the coil. In such an embodiment, the third and fourth of said electrical conductors may respectively comprise tip and ring conductors. In illustrative embodiments, each of the electrical conductors of the hinge may comprise a resilient or flexible copper material.
US09076617B2 Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay including a contact switching unit formed by arranging at least two contact groups, in parallel with each other and perpendicular to the touch/separation direction of the contacts, each of the contact group includes a pair of contacts that can touch and separate; an electromagnet block that drives the contact switching unit to open and close the contacts; and an arc-extinguishing member comprising a connection member made from a magnetic material and formed by a connection of protrusions that respectively protrude from both sides of a middle part in the direction of the parallel arrangement of the contact groups and between the contact groups, and also comprising permanent magnets respectively disposed at least on the opposing positions of the protrusions located on both sides of the middle part.
US09076614B2 Switchgear
A switchgear includes a fixed contactor provided in a tank filled with insulating gas, and a movable contactor provided in the tank, the movable contactor being connected to and disconnected from the fixed contactor so as to move forward and backward. The switchgear includes an arc extinction member including a surrounding portion which is slidably connected to the outer circumferential surface of the movable contactor halfway in a movement range from a close contact state to an open contact state and is formed so as to surround an arc space portion in a sealed manner, the surrounding portion being formed with a through hole through which the arc space communicates with the outside of the arc space.
US09076610B2 Rotary knob assembly
A rotary knob assembly having a lightpipe affixed to a push button within a rotary knob portion that may be rotatably affixed to a vehicle control panel. The lightpipe engages a halo ring surrounding the push button and is disposed between the push button and the rotary knob portion. The lightpipe has a plurality of concentric circles recessively disposed thereon to provide illumination to the knob assembly specifically, to the halo ring and a graphic display of the push button. The rotary knob assembly has a first light emitting diode in communication with the control panel to provide light to the lightpipe. Light is transmitted and refracted through the lightpipe illuminating the halo ring surrounding the push button as well as distributes light to the recessed portion or gaps between the plurality of concentric circles which allow light to flow directly to the graphic display of the push button.
US09076602B2 Electrical isolator
An electrical isolator includes a body defining an aperture therethrough, a first electrical contact disposed at a first end of the aperture, a second electrical contact movably disposed at a second end of the aperture, the second contact configured to be operatively movable through the aperture to electrically connect to, or disconnect from, the first contact and at least two concave electrical field control screens fixed to the body at respective ends of, and about, the aperture such that the screens lie transverse to the aperture and an open-end of each concave screen is directed towards the other.
US09076598B2 Paste for dye-sensitized solar cell, transparent insulation film for dye-sensitized solar cell, dye-sensitized solar cell, and dye-sensitized solar cell fabrication method
A paste containing a silica polymer, made by substituting at least some of the surface functional groups thereof with alkyl groups, and solvent-removable inorganic particles is prepared, and the paste is applied and fired to form a transparent insulating film in a dye-sensitized solar cell.
US09076584B2 Powder for magnet
Provided are a powder for a magnet, which provides a rare-earth magnet having excellent magnet properties and which has excellent formability, a method for producing the powder for a magnet, a powder compact, a rare-earth-iron-based alloy material, and a rare-earth-iron-nitrogen-based alloy material which are used as materials for the magnet, and methods for producing the powder compact and these alloy materials. Magnetic particles 1 constituting the powder for a magnet each have a texture in which grains of a phase 3 of a hydride of a rare-earth element are dispersed in a phase 2 of an iron-containing material, such as Fe. The uniform presence of the phase 2 of the iron-containing material in each magnetic particle 1 results in the powder having excellent formability, thereby providing a powder compact 4 having a high relative density. The powder for a magnet is produced by heat-treating a rare-earth-iron-based alloy powder in a hydrogen atmosphere to separate the rare-earth element and the iron-containing material from each other and then forming a hydride of the rare-earth element. The powder for a magnet is subjected to compacting to form the powder compact 4. The powder compact 4 is subjected to heat treatment in vacuum to form a rare-earth-iron-based alloy material 5. The rare-earth-iron-based alloy material 5 is subjected to heat treatment in a nitrogen atmosphere to form a rare-earth-iron-nitrogen-based alloy material 6.
US09076577B2 Resistor arrangement and method of use
This disclosure relates to a semiconductor device including resistor arrangement including a first resistor electrically connected to a ground voltage and a second resistor in direct physical contact with the first resistor. The second resistor is configured to receive a temperature independent current and the second resistor has thermal properties similar to those of the first resistor. This disclosure also relates to a semiconductor device including a load configured to receive an operating voltage and a voltage source configured to supply the operating voltage. The semiconductor device further includes a resistor arrangement between the load and the voltage source. This disclosure also relates to a method of using a resistor arrangement to calculate an operating current.
US09076576B2 Chip thermistor and thermistor assembly board
A chip thermistor is provided with a thermistor element body, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode. The thermistor element body has a first principal face and a second principal face opposed to each other in a first direction. The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged as separated from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, on the first principal face of the thermistor element body. The third electrode is arranged so as to lap over the first electrode and the second electrode, when viewed from the first direction, on the second principal face of the thermistor element body.
US09076573B2 Halogen-free resin composition and method for fabricating halogen-free copper clad laminate using the same
The present invention relate to a halogen-free resin composition and a method for fabricating a halogen-free copper clad laminate using the same. The halogen-free resin composition comprises the following components: reactive small molecular polyphenylene oxide with a number average molecular weight of 500-3000, a polybenzoxazine resin, a phosphorus-containing epoxy resin, a composite curing agent, a curing promoter, a filler, and a benzene or ketone solvent. The method for fabricating a halogen-free copper clad laminate comprises: Step 1: dissolving reactive small molecular polyphenylene oxide with a number average molecular weight of 500-3000 in a benzene or ketone solvent, adding a polybenzoxazine resin after dissolution, and mixing by stirring, to prepare a solution for use; Step 2: adding a phosphorus-containing epoxy resin, a composite curing agent, a curing promoter, and a filler to the solution for use, and stirring uniformly, to obtain a colloidal solution; Step 3: evenly coating the prepared colloidal solution to E-glass cloth with an even surface and baking, to produce a B-stage partially cured prepreg; and Step 4: cutting the B-stage partially cured prepreg into a suitable size according to the size of a compressor, precisely overlaying, placing a copper foil on and under the laminated B-stage partially cured Prepregs, and pressing in a vacuum hot pressing machine, to obtain a halogen-free copper clad laminate.
US09076571B2 Thick-film conductive compositions with nano-sized zinc additive
The present invention is a thick film silver composition for use a solar cell device. The thick film paste composition comprises an electrically conductive silver powder, one or more glass frits, a nano-sized additive wherein the nano-sized additive is selected from metallic zinc, zinc alloys or a mixture of metallic zinc and zinc oxide, all dispersed in an organic medium.
US09076566B2 DC power cable with space charge reducing effect
Provided is a DC power cable including a conductor, an inner semiconductive layer, an insulation and an outer semiconductive layer. In particular, the inner semiconductive layer or the outer semiconductive layer may be formed from a semiconductive composition containing a polypropylene base resin or a low-density polyethylene base resin and carbon nano tubes; and the insulation may be formed from an insulation composition containing a polypropylene base resin or a low-density polyethylene base resin and inorganic nano particles. The resulting power cable may have improved properties such as volume resistivity, hot set, and so on, and excellent space charge reducing effect.
US09076558B2 Memory test system and memory test method
A memory test system and a memory test method are provided. The memory test system includes a control unit, a data reading channel, a data writing channel and a test channel. The control unit generates and outputs a first read and a first write command. The data reading channel and the data writing channel coupled to the memory unit, and the control unit respectively reads data from the memory unit at a first time and writes the data back to the memory unit at a second time according to the first read command and the first write command. The test channel receives the data from the data reading channel through an input end and outputs the data back to the data writing channel through an output end after a time delay. The time delay is substantially equal to a time interval between the first time and the second time.
US09076551B2 Multi-phase ground-referenced single-ended signaling
A system includes a control circuit and first, second, and third ground-referenced single-ended signaling (GRS) driver circuits that are each coupled to an output signal. The control circuit is configured to generate a first, second, and third set of control signals that are each based on a respective phase of a clock signal. Each GRS driver circuit is configured to pre-charge a capacitor to store a charge based on the respective set of control signals during at least one phase of the clock signal and drive the output signal relative to a ground network by discharging the charge during a respective phase of the clock signal.
US09076550B2 Test circuit for testing refresh circuitry of a semiconductor memory device
A test circuit of a semiconductor apparatus includes a test temperature information generation section, an erroneous operation prevention unit, and a refresh cycle adjustment unit. The test temperature information generation section outputs test temperature information having a plurality of bits in a test operation mode, and irregularly changes logic values of the plurality of bits and transition time points of the logic values. The erroneous operation prevention unit generates a temperature compensation signal in response to the test temperature information. The refresh cycle adjustment unit changes a cycle of a reference refresh signal in response to the temperature compensation signal, and generates a refresh signal.
US09076548B1 Semiconductor memory device including refresh control circuit and method of refreshing the same
A method of refreshing a semiconductor memory device includes performing a first refresh operation for memory cells included in a memory cell array, and determining whether a command other than a refresh command is applied to the semiconductor memory device in a refresh cycle of the first refresh operation. The method further includes continuing to perform the first refresh operation when a command other the refresh command is applied to the semiconductor memory device in one refresh cycle of the first refresh operation, and performing a second refresh operation when a command other than the refresh command is not applied to the semiconductor memory device in one refresh cycle of the first refresh operation. A refresh time of the second refresh operation is greater than a refresh time of the first refresh operation.
US09076543B2 Techniques for providing a direct injection semiconductor memory device
Techniques for providing a direct injection semiconductor memory device are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a direct injection semiconductor memory device including a first region coupled to a source line, a second region coupled to a bit line. The direct injection semiconductor memory device may also include a body region spaced apart from and capacitively coupled to a word line, wherein the body region is electrically floating and disposed between the first region and the second region. The direct injection semiconductor memory device may further include a third region coupled to a carrier injection line configured to inject charges into the body region through the second region.
US09076538B2 Fuse information storage circuit of semiconductor apparatus
A test mode decoder configured to decode a test mode signal inputted a plurality of times and to generate preliminary fuse information, a count latch configured to count the preliminary fuse information in response to a count clock signal and to generate fuse information, and a fuse array block configured to store the fuse information can be included.
US09076535B2 Array arrangement including carrier source
A source of charge carriers in thin film transistor-based memory devices is provided for a memory. The source of charge carriers can include a diode having a first and second terminal. A NAND string coupled on a first end via a first switch to a bit line, is coupled on a second end via a second switch to the first terminal of the diode. Separately drivable first and second supply lines are coupled to the first and second terminals, respectively of the diode. Circuitry is included that is coupled to the first and second supply lines, that is configured to bias the first and second supply lines with different bias conditions depending on the mode of operation, including forward bias conditions and reverse bias conditions.
US09076531B2 Memory device and redundancy method thereof
A memory device includes at least one memory, a controller controlling the at least one memory and a connect unit. The at least one memory includes a memory region comprising a plurality of memory cells, a redundant memory region comprising a plurality of memory cells and a redundancy information memory unit. The redundancy information memory unit stores redundancy information of the memory cells of the memory region. The controller includes a control unit. The control unit controls data read-out from the at least one memory and data to be written-in to the at least one memory according to the redundancy information stored in the redundancy information memory unit.
US09076523B2 Methods of manufacturing embedded bipolar switching resistive memory
Non linear current response circuits can be used in embedded resistive memory cell for reducing power consumption, together with improving reliability of the memory array. The non linear current response circuits can include two back to back leaky PIN diodes, two parallel anti-directional PIN diodes, two back to back Zener-type metal oxide diodes, or ovonic switching elements, along with current limiting resistor for standby power reduction at the low voltage region. Also, the proposed embedded ReRAM implementation methods based upon 1T2D1R scheme can be integrated into the advanced FEOL process technologies including vertical pillar transistor and/or 3D fin-shaped field effect transistor (FinFET) for realizing a highly compact cell density.
US09076512B2 Synchronous nonvolatile memory device and memory system supporting consecutive division addressing DRAM protocol
A nonvolatile memory device and system having a nonvolatile memory device accessible with a DRAM protocol for generating a first command signal and a second command signal based on a row address strobe signal and a column address strobe signal and storing an n-bit row address signal based on the first command signal, an n-bit column address signal based on the second command signal, and decoding the n-bit row address signal and the n-bit column address signal to synchronously provide a row selection signal and a column selection signal to a memory cell array.
US09076500B2 Memory module including plural memory devices and data register buffer
Disclosed herein is a memory module that includes a module substrate, data connectors, memory devices, and data register buffers. A first main surface of the module substrate has first and second memory mounting areas. One of the first and second main surfaces of the module substrate has a register mounting area located between the first and second memory mounting areas in a planner view. The memory devices include a plurality of first memory devices that are mounted on the first memory mounting area and a plurality of second memory devices that are mounted on the second memory mounting area. The data register buffers are mounted on the register mounting area. The data register buffers transfers write data supplied from the data connectors to the memory devices, and transfers read data supplied from the memory devices to the data connectors.
US09076499B2 Refresh rate performance based on in-system weak bit detection
A memory subsystem can test a memory device in situ, testing the performance of the device in the system it is built into during production. Thus, the refresh rate can be adjusted specific to the memory device(s) of a specific system, rather than defaulting to a refresh frequency specified by a standard for the memory device(s). A test component embedded within the host memory subsystem can perform a test and identify specific bits or lines of memory that produce errors when a lower frequency refresh rate is used. The system maps out the identified bits or lines to prevent the bits/lines from being used in runtime of the system. The memory subsystem can then set its refresh rate to an adjusted refresh rate at which a threshold number of errors can be removed by mapping out the bits/lines.
US09076497B1 Electronic device with disk drive mounting assembly
A disk drive mounting assembly is configured to mount a disk drive. The disk drive mounting assembly can include a carrier configured to receive a disk drive and a retainer configured to be coupled to the disk drive and retain the disk drive in the carrier. The retainer can include a main body, a head extending from the main body, and two wings extending from two opposite sides of the main body and configured to be coupled to the disk drive. The head has a distal end spaced from the main body and the wings. The head has a distal end moving toward the main body when the head is pressed, and has the end moving away from the main body retain the disk drive in the carrier when the head is released.
US09076490B1 Disk drive writing radial offset spiral servo tracks by reading spiral seed tracks
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of spiral seed tracks. The head is positioned at a first radial location over the disk, and the head is servoed over the disk in response to the spiral seed tracks starting from the first radial location in order to write a first spiral servo track on the disk. The head is positioned at a second radial location over the disk different from the first radial location, and the head is servoed over the disk in response to the spiral seed tracks starting from the second radial location in order to write a second spiral servo track on the disk.
US09076487B2 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.
US09076484B2 Methods for estimating playback time and handling a cumulative playback time permission
Methods for estimating playback time and handling a cumulative playback time permission are provided. In one embodiment, a file is streamed from a first device to a second device for playback. The amount of data of the file that was streamed to the second device is determined, and a playback time of the file is estimated using a time rate associated with the file and the determined amount of data of the file that was streamed to the second device. If the file is associated with a permission specifying an allowed cumulative playback time of the file, the estimated playback time can be accrued against the allowed cumulative playback time. Other embodiments are disclosed, and each of the embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.
US09076473B1 Data storage device detecting fly height instability of head during load operation based on microactuator response
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a first disk surface, a first head, and a first microactuator configured to actuate the first head over the first disk surface. The first microactuator is configured into a first sensor, and a first load operation is executed to load the first head over the first disk surface. A fly height instability of the first head is detected during the first load operation based on a first sensor signal generated by the first microactuator.
US09076461B2 Optical information recording/reproducing apparatus and optical information recording/reproducing method
An optical information recording/reproducing apparatus for recording an interference pattern between signal light and reference light information-multiplexed as a hologram in an optical information recording medium and for reproducing information recorded in the optical information recording medium on the basis of the recorded hologram with use of the reference light. The apparatus includes a light source for emitting light and a coherency controller for controlling a coherency of the light source. The apparatus controls the coherency controller in such a manner as to switch between a coherency required in a recording mode and a coherency required in a reproducing mode.
US09076454B2 Adjusting a speech engine for a mobile computing device based on background noise
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for adjusting a speech engine for a mobile computing device based on background noise, the mobile computing device operatively coupled to a microphone, that include: sampling, through the microphone, background noise for a plurality of operating environments in which the mobile computing device operates; generating, for each operating environment, a noise model in dependence upon the sampled background noise for that operating environment; and configuring the speech engine for the mobile computing device with the noise model for the operating environment in which the mobile computing device currently operates.
US09076453B2 Methods and arrangements in a telecommunications network
The present invention relates to a postfilter and a postfilter control to be associated with a postfilter for improving perceived quality of speech reconstructed at a speech decoder. The postfilter control comprises means for measuring stationarity of a speech signal reconstructed at a decoder, means for determining a coefficient to a postfilter control parameter based on the measured stationarity, and means for transmitting the determined coefficient to a postfilter, such that the postfilter can process the reconstructed speech signal by applying the determined coefficient to the postfilter control parameter to obtain an enhanced speech signal.
US09076439B2 Bit error management and mitigation for sub-band coding
Systems and method for managing and/or mitigating the impact of bit errors on encoded frames received by an LC-SBC (Low Complexity Sub-band Coding) decoder are described herein. For example, in one embodiment, the impact of bit errors on an LC-SBC frame received by an LC-SBC decoder is estimated and one of a plurality of bit error management techniques is applied to the LC-SBC frame based on the estimated impact, wherein the bit error management techniques may include performing PLC, performing normal SBC decoding, or performing some other technique for managing and/or mitigating the impact of the bit errors. Techniques for concealing bit errors in LC-SBC frames are also described.
US09076432B2 Encoding apparatus, encoding method, and program
An encoding apparatus includes a noise detector configured to detect noise included in a certain band in accordance with an audio signal, a gain controller configured to perform gain control on the audio signal so that components in the certain band of the audio signal are attenuated when the noise is detected by the noise detector, a bit allocation calculation unit configured to calculate the numbers of bits to be allocated to frequency spectra of the audio signal which have been subjected to the gain control performed by the gain controller in accordance with the frequency spectra, and a quantization unit configured to quantize the frequency spectra of the audio signal which have been subjected to the gain control in accordance with the numbers of the bits.
US09076428B2 Sound attenuation building material and system
A building material configured to enhance sound attenuation and reduction in dB across a walled partition, the building material comprising a facing membrane, a core matrix disposed about the facing membrane, the core matrix comprising a plurality of microparticles and a binder solution configured to support the microparticles, the building material comprising at least a substantially exposed face, wherein a side of the core matrix is at least partially exposed to increase sound attenuation by reducing reflections from sound waves impinging on the building material as compared to a control building material lacking an exposed face. Two building materials may be used in conjunction with one another about a building structure, such as a stud wall, to create and define a sound trap that functions to reduce sound transmission across the partition formed by the stud wall and building materials.
US09076425B2 Apparatus and method for reducing digital noise of audio signal
Provided are an apparatus and method for reducing digital noise. The digital noise reducing apparatus includes: a clarified signal generator configured to generate a clarity improvement pattern for increasing an energy ratio of an early reflection region with respect to all reverberations for a received audio source signal, to convolve the clarity improvement pattern with the audio source signal, and to output an audio source signal convolved the audio source signal with the clarity improvement pattern; an early reflection generator configured to output an early reflection signal convolved the audio source signal with an early reflection pattern; a late reverberation generator configured to receive the audio source signal, and to generate a late reverberation signal for attenuating digital noise of the audio source signal; and a noise attenuator configured to generate an audio signal added the early reflection signal and the late reverberation signal to the audio source signal.
US09076418B2 Graphical user interface for music sequence programming
An example graphical programming interface system includes a processor. A grid matrix defined by a plurality of coordinate axes, having selectable matrix positions is displayed on a display device. Multiple movable object icons, each representing an object having a predefined output sound are also displayed on the display device. In one aspect, a single object data file is associated with each matrix position on said grid matrix. In this aspect, once a user places an object icon on a matrix position, the processor causes the predefined output sound associated with the object icon in accordance with the object data file associated with the matrix position at which the object icon is placed, and outputs the processed sound to an output device. This allows a user to program musical sequences by placing one or more object icons each on the selectable matrix positions.
US09076411B2 Guitar string regulator
A tuning key for guitar strings is provided, which enables the remaining portion of guitar strings which is left after being wound on the tuning key when the guitar strings are hung and set. The tuning key for guitar strings comprises a tuning peg on which a worm gear portion is arranged at one side, a coupling body in which a male screw portion is formed, a casing in which a bearing portion is formed, a rotary rod in which a spur gear is arranged, and a nut coupled to the male screw portion of the casing and fixes the casing from a head, wherein tuning keys for guitar strings are provided in the head, and a through-hole through which the remaining portion of guitar strings wound on a winding portion is penetrated and arranged is formed in the center of the rotary rod.
US09076409B2 Display control method, display control device and program
A display control method for controlling display of characters in a display section equipped with a plurality of pixels, includes: acquiring character data; and displaying a character according to the character data in a character display region of the display section. The character corresponding to the character data is displayed in the character display region by using a plurality of pixel groups each having a predetermined shape.
US09076401B2 Method for driving liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device capable of displaying a moving image and a still image, a reduction in contrast due to light scattering in a reflective pixel portion or the like is suppressed and consumed power is reduced. As a driving method of a transflective liquid crystal display device including a plurality of pixels each including a plurality of light-transmitting pixel portions and a reflective pixel portion, an image signal for color display is supplied to the plurality of light-transmitting pixel portions and a signal for black display is supplied to the reflective pixel portion in a moving-image display period, and an image signal of black-and-white grayscale is supplied to the plurality of light-transmitting pixel portions and the reflective pixel portion in a still-image display period.
US09076397B2 Image display device and image display method
An object is to moderate the occurrence of mura in an oblique view in an image display device that conducts area active driving. An emission luminance calculator (151) computes a luminance (first emission luminance) (32) of LEDs in respective areas on the basis of an input image (31). The emission luminance corrector (152) applies a correction to the first emission luminance (32) on the basis of correction data (33) in an LED filter (155). Herein, provided that a first image is defined as an image displayed in the case of being externally given an image in which a high-gradation region and a low-gradation region neighbor each other as the input image (31), the emission luminance corrector (152) uses the LED filter (155) to compute a second emission luminance (34), thereby setting the values of correction data (33) stored in the LED filter (155) so as to yield a constant degree of spatial variation in the output gradations between the high-gradation region and the low-gradation region in the case of viewing the first image from a designated oblique direction.
US09076387B1 Display device with ADC and pixel compensation
A display device includes a display panel having data lines, gate lines and a plurality of subpixels. Each of the plurality of subpixels are defined by the data lines and the gate lines, and each of the plurality of subpixels includes a circuit having a transistor. A plurality of Digital Integrated Circuits (DICs) where a digital to analog converter (DAC) is disposed within each of the plurality of DICs. An analog to digital converter (ADC) is disposed within each of the plurality of DICS, where the ADC disposed in each of the plurality of DICs includes a plurality of sensing channels. The display device includes a pixel compensation circuit to compensate a characteristic of the transistor within each of the plurality of subpixels and an ADC compensation circuit to compensate a characteristic of the ADC within each of the plurality of DICs.
US09076384B2 Pixel circuit and display device
A pixel circuit able to prevent a spread of the terminal voltages of drive transistors inside a panel and in turn able to reliably prevent deterioration of uniformity, wherein a source of a TFT serving as a drive transistor is connected to an anode of a light emitting element, a drain is connected to a power source potential, a capacitor is connected between a gate and source of the TFT, and a source potential of the TFT is connected to a fixed potential through a TFT serving as a switch transistor and wherein pixel circuit lines are connected by an upper line and bottom line and are arranged in parallel with pixel circuit power source voltage lines so as not to have intersecting parts.
US09076381B2 Organic light emitting display device and driving method thereof
An organic light emitting display device, which can independently (or freely or individually or arbitrarily) control light emission times of red, green and blue subpixels and a driving method thereof. The organic light emitting display device includes a plurality of subpixels connected with scan lines, light emitting control lines, and data lines; a scan driver for driving the scan lines and the light emitting control lines; and a data driver for driving the data lines. Here, the subpixels connected with one of the light emitting control lines generate lights of a same color.
US09076380B2 Pixel driving cirucit, pixel driving methods, display panels and electronic devices
A pixel driving circuit is provided, including first, second, third, fourth, and fifth switching devices and first and second capacitors. The first switching device has a first terminal coupled to a first power source voltage, and a control terminal coupled to a first scan signal line. The second switching device has a first terminal coupled to a second terminal of the first switching device, a second terminal coupled to a first node and an emitting device, and a control terminal coupled to a second node. The third switching device has a first terminal coupled between the first terminal of the second switching device and a second terminal of the first switching device, a second terminal coupled to the second node, and a control terminal coupled to a second scan signal line.
US09076371B2 Display device and electronic apparatus using display device
A display device includes independently driven common and segment terminals. The common and segment terminals are connected to display components divided into display blocks that are turned ON to perform a display function and are turned OFF so as to not perform the display function. A first driver drives the common terminals using a scanning signal of a predetermined period and a second driver drives the segment terminals using a segment signal synchronized with the scanning signal to correspond to a display signal, so that the display components perform a display corresponding to the display signal. The first driver separates the common terminals into common terminal blocks and drives the common terminals. The first and second drivers perform the driving so that the common and segment terminals which are connected to display blocks that are turned OFF are not supplied with a turn-off signal and are maintained at ground potential.
US09076369B2 Image modulation apparatus, method, and program
An image modulation apparatus includes a device information obtaining unit to obtain device property information of a plurality of display devices respectively disposed at a plurality of image distribution destination apparatuses; a simulated image generator to generate a simulated image to be displayed on each of the display devices disposed at each of the image distribution destination apparatuses based on a distribution target image, to be transmitted to each of the image distribution destination apparatuses, and the device property information of each of the display devices obtained by the device information obtaining unit; and an image modulation unit to modulate the distribution target image based on a modulation instruction prepared for the plurality of the simulated images simulated by the simulated image generator.
US09076366B2 Clock recovery system
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a clock recovery system is provided comprising: a phase comparator; an integrator coupled to the phase comparator; a numerically controlled oscillator coupled to the integrator; and a mixer coupled to the numerically controlled oscillator and to the phase comparator.
US09076358B2 Reproducing device, setting changing method, and setting changing device
A reproducing device that can reproduce data and operates on a battery includes displaying means, attitude detecting means for detecting an attitude of the reproducing device, determining means for determining whether the reproducing device satisfies a predetermined condition, and controlling means for changing a setting of the reproducing device on a basis of a result of detection of the attitude detecting means when the determining means determines that the reproducing device satisfies the predetermined condition.
US09076339B2 Facilitating vehicle merging utilizing road markers
Disclosed is an apparatus, system, and method to utilize a plurality of road markers to aid a vehicle in merging into a lane. The lane that the merging vehicle desires to merge into is determined. Further, the position of the merging vehicle is determined. Target vehicles are then notified about the merging vehicle utilizing the plurality of road markers.
US09076336B2 Personalized parking assistant
An in-vehicle parking system and method for displaying and analyzing parking information.
US09076334B2 Navigation system and navigation method
A navigation system and method having a function of alerting the driver to potential wrong way driving comprises means 102 for determining a position of a vehicle 300, means 107 for calculating a driving route of the vehicle 300, means 108 for determining a driving maneuver in accordance with the predetermined driving route 305, means 104, 105, 110, 111 for outputting indications relating to the determined driving maneuver to a driver of the vehicle 300, and means 109 for alerting the driver to potential wrong way driving including means 201 for detecting a potential wrong way driving situation and means 202, 104, 105, 110, 111 for outputting an indication relating to the potential wrong way driving situation to the driver.
US09076316B2 System and method for verifying associations between intiating devices and notifications applicances in alarm systems
A method for verifying associations between initiating devices and notification appliances in an alarm system. The method may include including actuating an initiating device of the alarm system, thereby activating one or more notification appliances that are associated with the initiating device. The method may further include deactivating each notification appliance that is expected to be associated with the actuated initiating device and, at an alarm panel, providing an indication of whether there are any notification appliances that are still active.
US09076313B2 Method for self-testing notification appliances in alarm systems
A method for self-testing notification appliances in an alarm system by determining whether the performance of the notification appliances has degraded over time. The method may include the steps of measuring and recording initial output levels of notification features of the notification appliances at a first time, measuring test output levels of the notification features at a second time after the first time, and comparing the test output levels to respective threshold output levels that are derived from the initial output levels. The method may further include recording a pass result for notification appliances whose notification features produced test output levels that exceeded the respective threshold output levels, and recording a fail result for notification appliances whose notification features produced test output levels that did not exceed the respective threshold output levels.
US09076312B2 Disposable and tamper-resistant RFID lock
Implementations described and claimed herein provide an RFID locking apparatus including an RFID tag, a locking member, and a disabling member. The RFID tag is disposed inside a housing and has a chip and an antenna that emits a signal. The locking member includes a tube that extends outwardly from within the housing and a cable connected to the disabling member and exiting the housing via the tube. The locking member configured to compress a spring into a loaded state by pulling the cable. The disabling member is disposed near the spring inside the housing and is configured to destroy the antenna and/or the chip, such that the signal cannot be emitted, upon release of the spring from the loaded state. The RFID locking apparatus is configured to release the spring when the locking member is damaged.
US09076309B2 Gaming system and a method of gaming
A method of gaming comprising: determining at least one game outcome; determining a total award from the at least one game outcome; modifying the total award based on a size of the total award to obtain a modified total award; and awarding the modified total award.
US09076303B1 Implementing contests in social networks
Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer-readable mediums are provided for implementing a contest between various social networks. A contest is staged between at least two teams using a server accessible by a plurality of clients. The contest requires each of the teams to achieve a predefined goal. The membership to each one of the teams is restricted to a plurality of individuals associated with a respective one of a plurality of social networks accessible by the server.
US09076302B2 Gaming machine with special symbol
A gaming machine having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize, wherein, when a special symbol is carried by a symbol-carrying element into a display position on the display means, the special symbol substitutes as more than one occurrence of a standard symbol of the game.
US09076300B2 Card game with auction function
A method of playing a card game by a number of players competing for a jackpot contributed by the players that includes performing an auction phase by a computer. The auction phase can be applied to any kind of poker and includes the steps of revealing a face value of an auction card; auctioning the auction card; and (i) eliminating the auction card when none of the players makes a bid for the auction card, (ii) awarding the auction card to a player who makes a sole bid and requiring the player to pay the amount of the sole bid into the jackpot, or (iii) awarding the auction card to a player who makes a winning bid among a plurality of bids and requiring the player to pay the amount of the winning bid to the player having the second best bid. The step of auctioning the auction card includes a bidding period that is timed by a computer (connected with the input terminal of the manager when the manager is not a computer). Each user utilizes a keypad and/or touch screen display to input and increase bids.
US09076299B2 Gaming system and method for providing an offer and acceptance game with progressive awards
A gaming system for providing a progressive award in association with an offer and acceptance game.
US09076298B2 Wagering games with unlockable bonus rounds
Method and system are disclosed for allowing players at wagering game terminals to select entire sets of bonus games instead of a single bonus game upon occurrence of a certain randomly selected basic game outcome. One or more of the bonus games or sets of bonus games may be temporarily unavailable or “locked” to the player. The player may unlock the bonus games or sets of bonus games by acquiring certain game assets, reaching certain game milestones, and/or exceeding certain wagering levels. The unlocked games may reveal credits, prizes, progressives, basic and/or bonus game updates, or additional bonus games, some of which may also be locked. The updates and additions may already be present in the wagering game terminals or they may be downloaded from a central location. The player may retain the locked and unlocked statuses of the bonus games across multiple wagering game sessions and/or wagering game terminals.
US09076293B2 Method and apparatus for using conditional parameters to alternate between wagering games
A wagering method is provided that allows players or gaming establishments to specify conditions which when satisfied, reconfigure the gaming device to change game play from a first game to a second game. The condition may depend upon the value of a parameter—generally related to game play—to determine if the condition is valid and triggers the reconfiguration. The second game may be selected from a game on the same gaming device, from a game on a different gaming device, or a game played by a specific player.
US09076288B2 Methods devices apparatus and systems for extending broadening and promoting gaming participation
Disclosed is a game participation extension system for extending, broadening and promoting gaming participation, in a regularly recurring game, including: a game instance tracking module to track one or more instances of the regularly recurring game, a virtual game generator to substantially in real-time generate virtual representations mirroring game events from the tracked game instance and to transmit the virtual representations to a computing appliance of a prospective player, and a virtual wager module to accept virtual wagers made by a prospective player through their respective computing appliance.
US09076278B2 Automated timing systems and methods having multiple time event recorders and an integrated user time entry interface
Systems and methods for timing of a passing of an object past a monitored location where the monitored location is being monitored by timing system having at least one automated object detection system for wirelessly detecting the passing of the object at the monitored location. The system comprises a remote entry computer system having a processor for executing computer executable instructions, a clock for determining a present time, a user interface for receiving user input data, a memory being a computer readable medium storing the computer executable instructions and the received user input data, and a communications interface for communicating with the timing system. The system includes a computer readable medium including the computer executable instructions for performing the method of receiving the user input data at the user interface, receiving from the clock a user data input time associated with the receipt of the received user input data at the user interface, and storing the received user input data and the user data input time in the memory. The computer executable instructions also include the method of creating a received user data message including the stored user input data and a time value as a datagram message and transmitting the user data message over the communications interface to the timing system.
US09076277B2 Vehicle glass damage detection and reporting method
A method to detect objects striking the windshield or other glass in a vehicle and report this at the conclusion of a vehicle rental transaction. A microphone or other device capable of detecting the sound of objects striking the windshield or glass of a vehicle is used to convert the sound into an electrical signal which is further processed and results of a suspected glass strikes are stored. This stored result is communicated to the rental agency following the completion of the rental period so that a thorough inspection for damage can be made and such damage can be assigned to the responsible party.
US09076274B2 Door courtesy switch abnormality detection apparatus and method
A door courtesy switch abnormality detection apparatus used in an on-vehicle system in which a door unlocked status is formed based on a wireless signal transmitted from an electronic key is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to generate information representing an abnormality in the door courtesy switch, if the electronic key in a cabin of a vehicle is detected by a antenna having the detection area thereof within the cabin of the vehicle in a situation where an ON/OFF signal of the door courtesy switch is not inverted after the door unlock operation is detected.
US09076268B2 Method and system for analyzing multi-channel images
A method and a system for analyzing multi-channel images are provided. The method includes: receiving a plurality of images through a plurality of channels, respectively; combining selected images among the plurality of images into a single image; and performing an image analysis with respect to: entirety of the combined image by treating the selected images as a single image; or each of the selected images in the combined image.
US09076263B2 Image processing apparatus, picture style conversion method and storage medium
An image processing apparatus includes a line drawing conversion module configured to executes line drawing conversion of a source image, an image conversion module configured to form a plurality of divisional images having geometrical shapes, by connecting lines of a line drawing obtained by the line drawing conversion by the line drawing conversion module, and a coloring module configured to color, in specific colors, areas in the respective divisional images formed by the image conversion module.
US09076256B2 Information processing device, information processing method, and program
An information processing apparatus that acquires first posture information corresponding to the information processing apparatus and a first distance coordinate corresponding to the information processing apparatus, and second posture information corresponding to another information processing apparatus and a second distance coordinate corresponding to the another information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus then calculates an object's position in a virtual space based on the first and second posture information and the first and second distance coordinates.
US09076253B2 Methods and devices for displaying an overlay on a device display screen
Disclosed herein is a camera unit configured to capture an image, and a microprocessor configured to control a display to display the image and an overlay substantially simultaneously. In one broad aspect, at least one of the level of transparency, the brightness level, or the color value of the overlay is determined based on at least one of a representative brightness level or a representative color value associated with the image being displayed.
US09076252B2 Image perceptual attribute adjustment
Techniques are described generally related to perceptual attribute adjustment. In some examples, the perceptual attribute adjustment may be performed by a color correction unit as part of the functionality of the color correction unit to correct deficiencies in the ability of a display to display particular colors. In this manner, the techniques may allow for current display processors to implement the described techniques without needing hardware modification.
US09076249B2 Hole filling method for multi-view disparity maps
A hole filling method for multi-view disparity maps is provided. At least one disparity map is respectively captured as a plurality of known views among a plurality of views for capturing an object. As for a plurality of virtual views among the views excluding the at least one known view, disparity maps of the virtual views are synthesized by sequentially using the disparity maps of the known views according to a distance of a virtual camera position or a transformed angle between each virtual view and each known view. Hole filling information of the disparity maps of other virtual views having the distances or the transformed angles smaller than that of the virtual view is used to fill holes in the synthesized disparity maps of the virtual views.
US09076243B2 Digital interior system and method for controlling the same
A digital interior system includes a sensitivity-space-environment detection engine for collecting sensitivity information, space related information, or environmental information about an interior space. Further, the digital interior system includes an interior content generation system for generating interior content about each of objects in the interior space based on the sensitivity information, space related information or environmental information collected by the sensitivity-space-environment detection engine. Furthermore, the digital interior system includes a digital interior construction system for performing interior construction using each of pieces of interior content generated by the interior content generation system.
US09076237B2 System and method for estimating a statistical noise map in x-ray imaging applications
Described here are a system and method for producing a statistical noise map that indicates the noise present in data acquired with an x-ray imaging system, such as an x-ray computed tomography system, an x-ray tomosynthesis system, a C-arm x-ray imaging system, and so on. In general, an image is reconstructed from the acquired data using, for example, any standard filtered back projection (“FBP”) image reconstruction algorithm. This image is used as a base line to estimate a noise standard distribution map. The raw projection data represents a typical measurement among many repeated measurements under the same experimental conditions; therefore, the measured projection data can be used to numerically generate an ensemble of many (e.g., twenty or more) noisy projection data sets. These noisy projection data sets are then used to reconstruct noisy images and from these noisy images and the original image, the statistical noise map can be computed.
US09076235B2 Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
An image processing apparatus which generates, from first image data having a first resolution, second image data having a second resolution lower than the first resolution, comprises: a determination unit configured to determine a pixel of interest in the first image data based on the first resolution and the second resolution; a selection unit configured to select one of a plurality of filters in accordance with a position of the pixel of interest in the first image data that has been determined by the determination unit; and a generation unit configured to generate second image data having the second resolution by performing filter processing for a region including the pixel of interest by using the filter selected by the selection unit.
US09076234B2 Super-resolution method and apparatus for video image
A super-resolution method and apparatus for a video image are disclosed. The method includes performing super-resolution processing based on fuzzy motion estimation by integral multiple times on an original low-resolution video image, to obtain an intermediate high-resolution video image. When resolution of the intermediate high-resolution video image is different from resolution of a target high-resolution video image, a non-integral multiple between the resolution of the target high-resolution video image and the resolution of the intermediate high-resolution video image is calculated. Super-resolution processing based on interpolation by the non-integral is performed multiple times on the intermediate high-resolution video image, to obtain the target high-resolution video image.
US09076228B2 Image processing device, image processing method, and image processing system
According to one embodiment, an image processing system includes an image processing device, an encoder, and a memory. The image processing device is configured to select one of a plurality of resolution candidates as a unified resolution, and to scale, according to the unified resolution, a first input image and a second input image to generate a first output image and a second output image, respectively. The first input image has a first resolution, the second input image has a second resolution different from the first resolution, and a resolution of the first output image is identical to a resolution of the second output image. The encoder is configured to encode the first output image and the second output image to generated encoded data. The memory is configured to store the encoded data.
US09076227B2 3D object tracking in multiple 2D sequences
A tumor is tracked in multiple sequences of images acquired concurrently from different viewpoints. Features are extracted in each set of current images using a window. A regression function, subject to motion constraints, is applied to the features to obtain 3D motion parameters, which are applied to the tumor as observed in the images to obtain a 3D location of the object. Then, the shape of the 3D object at the 3D location is projected onto each image to update the location of the window for the next set of images to be processed.
US09076224B1 Image processing for HDR images
Image encoding is described. Log-luminances in an HDR input image are histogrammed to generate a tone-map, along with which a log global tone-mapped luminance image is computed. The log global tone-mapped luminance image is downscaled. The log-luminances and the log global tone-mapped luminance image generate a log ratio image. Multi-scale resolution filtering the log ratio image generates a log multi-scale ratio image. The log multi-scale ratio image and the log luminances generate a second log tone-mapped image, which is normalized to output a tone-mapped image based on the downscaled log global tone-mapped luminance image and the normalized image. The HDR input image and the output tone-mapped image generate a second ratio image, which is quantized.
US09076217B2 Image compression method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for image compression. The method includes: calculating a total bit length that is needed for compressing any one segment line and an ideal bit length that is needed for compressing any one segment; for each segment in any one segment line, acquiring a quantization parameter and a compression mode for compressing the segment and an actual bit length that is needed for compressing the segment by using the acquired quantization parameter and compression mode; distributing a redundancy bit length of one or more simple segments in the segment line to one or more complex segments in the segment line, and re-acquiring quantization parameters and compression modes for compressing every complex segment of the one or more complex segments; and compressing every segment in the segment line by using the acquired quantization parameters and compression modes.
US09076209B2 Augmented reality method applied to the integration of a pair of spectacles into an image of a face
Method for creating a final real-time photorealistic image of a virtual object, corresponding to a real object arranged on an original photo of a user, in a realistic orientation related to the user's position, includes: detecting the presence of an area for the object in the photo; determining the position of characteristic points of the area for the object in the photo; determining the 3D orientation of the face, the angles Φ and Ψ of the camera having taken the photo relative to the principal plane of the area; selecting the texture to be used for the virtual object, in accordance with the angle-of-view, and generating the view of the virtual object in 3D; creating a first layered rendering in the correct position consistent with the position of the placement area for the object in the original photo; obtaining the photorealistic rendering by adding overlays to obtain the final image.
US09076207B1 Image processing method, system and electronic device
The present disclosure provides an image processing method, system and electronic device. The method comprises: obtaining a first image; applying a first process to the first image to obtain a second image having a number of pixels smaller than a number of pixels in the first image; applying a second process to the second image to obtain a third image having an image quality higher than that of the second image; sending, upon detecting a first operation by a user, the first image to a server, such that the server applies a third process to the first image to obtain a fourth image having an image quality higher than that of the first image, the third process and the second process belonging to a same type of image process; and receiving the fourth image. The present invention avoids unnecessary waste of data traffic and saves the consumed time.
US09076201B1 Volumetric deformable registration method for thoracic 4-D computed tomography images and method of determining regional lung function
A method of deformable image registration for thoracic 4-D computed tomography (CT) images includes: receiving, by a processing device, a set of thoracic 4-D CT images; and iteratively solving, by the processing device, an energy function applied to subsequent images of the set of thoracic 4-D CT images to transform the subsequent images into respective optical flow fields between the subsequent images, the energy function enforcing the following constraints on the subsequent images: intensity constancy; mass conservation; gradient constancy; and spatio-temporal smoothness. A method of determining regional lung function includes: receiving, by a processing device, a set of thoracic 4-D CT images of a lung; transforming, by the processing device, the set of 4-D CT images of the lung into respective spatial voxel-wise deformation maps; and transforming, by the processing device, the spatial voxel-wise deformation maps into respective spatial voxel-wise strain maps of the lung indicating regional mechanics of the lung.
US09076194B2 System and method for monitoring quilting machine
A monitoring system for use with a sewing machine. The monitoring system includes a camera assembly mounted to a base of the sewing machine with a camera that collects images from a bottom side of the fabric. The camera assembly delivers images of the back side of the fabric to a monitor assembly that includes a display device. The display device displays the images collected by the camera. The monitor can be mounted to an upper or arm portion of the sewing machine for convenient viewing by the operator during use of the sewing machine.
US09076191B2 Automatic determination of regularization factor for iterative image reconstruction with regularization and/or image de-noising
A processing component (122) processes images based on an iterative reconstruction algorithm with regularization and/or de-noising algorithm. The processing component includes a set point determiner (224) that determines a quality set point (216) between predetermined lower and upper quality bounds (226) based on a quality variable (228) indicative of an image quality of interest. The processing component further includes a comparator (214) that compares, each processing iteration, a quality metric of a current generated image with the quality set point and generates a difference value indicative of a difference between the quality metric and the quality set point. The processing component further includes a regularization factor updater (220) that generates an updated regularization factor for a next processing iteration based on a current value (222) of the regularization factor and at least the quality metric in response to the difference value indicating that the quality metric is outside of a predetermined range about the quality set point.
US09076188B2 Method and system for shipment authentication
In one embodiment of the present invention, a source point of a supply chain secures shipment of an object by devising an encryption key and encrypting a message using the encryption key to produce an encrypted message. A portion or portions of the encryption key and the encrypted message are included or incorporated within the object to be shipped, packaging surrounding the object, and/or labels affixed to the object or packaging, prior to shipping the object to a destination point within the supply chain. Upon receipt of the object from the supply chain, the destination point can extract the portion or portions of the encryption key and the encrypted message from the object, packaging surrounding the object, and/or labels affixed to the object or packaging, obtain the remaining portion of the encryption key directly from the source point, reassemble the encryption key, and decrypt the encrypted message to produce a computed message. The destination point can then obtain the original message from the source point and compare the original message to the decrypted message in order to determine whether or not the shipment is authentic.
US09076175B2 Mobile comparison shopping
Improved capabilities are disclosed for receiving a product selection from a mobile communication facility, identifying merchants that sell such product and products associated with the product selection, receiving information relating to the mobile communication facility and presenting an ordered list of merchants selling the product. In embodiments, based at least part on the information relating to the mobile communication facility, the list of merchants may be ordered. These and other capabilities are employed to provide systems and methods for comparison shopping that are adapted for mobile comparison shopping.
US09076174B2 Method and service for providing access to premium content and dispersing payment therefore
A method and system for providing premium content and dispersing payment therefore. The method includes entering into an agreement with at least one partner that provides premium content and entering into an agreement with at least one customer that grants the customer access to premium content provided by at least one partner. The method further includes collecting defined parameter data of at least one customer accessing the premium content and dispersing payment to at least one partner where the payment is determined from the defined parameter data. The defined parameter data can be approximate time spent.
US09076170B2 Self-service checkout pay station located remote from a produce weighing scale and methods of operating such a self-service checkout pay station
A self-service checkout pay station is located at a store exit section of a retail grocery store and is located remote from a produce weighing scale located in a produce section of the retail grocery store. The self-service checkout pay station comprises a communications circuit arranged to (i) communicate with a communications circuit associated with the produce weighing scale, and (ii) communicate with a communications circuit associated with a barcode gun server which is located remote from the produce weighing scale. The self-service checkout pay station further comprises an electronic processor arranged to (i) receive from the barcode gun server a barcode list in response to receiving an end of transaction signal, (ii) recognize from the barcode list at least one barcode chit which is associated with a produce item, (iii) request produce item information from the produce weighing scale based upon at least some barcode information obtained from the at least one barcode chit, and (iv) receive from the produce weighing scale an image of the produce item which was previously captured at the produce weighing scale when a retail customer placed the produce item on the produce weighing scale.
US09076169B2 Digital delivery system and method
A digital delivery system and method. The method includes receiving identification information related to at least one digital book, and generating an anonymous receipt that has a single access code that represents the at least one digital book.
US09076166B1 Generating a proposed bid
A computer-implemented method for generating a proposed bid includes receiving an input generated by a first content provider as part of a bidding process where content providers bid for opportunities to provide content for publication. The input indicates (i) a resource for publishing first content from the first content provider and (ii) a campaign characteristic associated with the first content. The method includes determining a proposed bid for the first content provider based on the input and on historical data from the bidding process associated with the resource. The method includes presenting the proposed bid to the first content provider.
US09076164B2 Method and apparatus for performing targeted advertising in documents
A method, apparatus and computer program product for performing targeted advertising in documents is presented. A document is identified as having advertisements associated therewith. A statistical ranking of terms derived from said document is received and at least one term is selected from the results to use as a keyword for associating at least one advertisement with the document. The at least one term is stored with the document. When the document is viewed, the document is identified as being enabled to have advertisements associated therewith. The at least one stored term is retrieved from the document and is submitted to an advertisement aggregator. At least one advertisement is received from the advertisement aggregator and is rendered with the document.
US09076162B2 Method for optimum placement of advertisements on a webpage
A method for the placement of advertisements on a page to optimize the occurrence of an event associated with such advertisements. The advertisements might include, for instance, advertisements on a webpage, and the event would include a user clicking on an advertisement. Data regarding the past performance of the advertisements is stored and updated as new data is received. A user requests a page from a server associated with the system. The server uses the performance data to derive a prioritized arrangement of the advertisements on the page. The server performs a calculation regarding the likelihood that an event will occur for a given advertisement displayed to a user. The advertisements are arranged according to this calculation and returned to the user on the requested page. The likelihood can also be multiplied by a weighting factor and the advertisements arranged according to this product.
US09076156B2 Real-time adaptive binning through partition modification
In one embodiment, real-time adaptive binning may be performed through the modification of a set of partitions. More particularly, a set of partitions separating one or more bins from one another may be identified, each of the one or more bins having boundaries including a lower boundary and an upper boundary, wherein the boundaries of the one or more bins together define a contiguous range of data values capable of being stored in the one or more bins. A data value may be obtained and added to one of the one or more bins according to the boundaries of the one or more bins. It may be determined whether to modify the set of partitions. The set of partitions may be modified according to a result of the determining step.
US09076152B2 Semantic analysis of information
Semantic information that describes data sets is inferred based upon a semantic analysis performed on data sets retained within a data repository. The semantic analysis can include a determination of formats associated with fields of the data sets and a comparison of values of the fields against reference data sets having predetermined semantic types. Correlations are inferred between data sets based upon respective semantic information. The correlations are incorporated into visualizations displayed in connection with a graphical user interface.
US09076150B1 System and method for online sales by hosting site with RSS feeds controlled by user/buyer
Online purchases by users/buyers are facilitated by an online hosting company operating an online website for providers/sellers/merchants. The merchant establishes criteria used to identify potential buyers. The online company would maintain a RSS feeder means. The user/buyer selects criteria at the online company regarding products and/or services desired and would be notified of availability by use of the RSS feed. The online company would match the user/buyer and the provider/merchant based upon the criteria provided by both. The online company would also provide secure credit/debit card pre-approval for user/buyers by establishing an account therewith. A notice on the merchant website would alert the user/buyer that the merchant is a participant/member in the online company. If the merchant is not a member, the user/buyer would be redirected to the merchant website.
US09076147B2 Systems and methods for online marketing and advertising on e-mail systems
Methods for enhancing e-mail messages to provide preview enhanced e-mail messages that allow e-mail senders to associate customized preview content related to an e-mail message, including graphical images, that can be viewed by recipients directly from an e-mail inbox listing without opening the e-mail message itself. The e-mail messages have associated preview instructions, and have a preview trigger that upon actuation opens a temporary preview window on the inbox view and displays the preview content in accordance with the preview instructions while the preview trigger is actuated. The invention is applicable to web-based e-mail systems as well as to POP-based and proprietary e-mail systems.
US09076146B2 Personal customer care agent
Aggregating information includes configuring, by at least one processor, a user profile that indicates user preferences for aggregated information. The at least one processor monitors information sources including the World Wide Web, business websites of interest, and online social media, based on the user preferences. Data obtained from the information sources is presented, based on the monitoring, by the at least one processor, in accordance with a presentation format, as the aggregated information, based on the user preferences. The at least one processor triggers updating of the presented aggregated information based on a change to the data at least one of the information sources and a change to the user profile.
US09076145B2 Systems and methods for purchasing electronic transmissions
Provided are methods, apparatus and systems for the sale of digital content over a network. The disclosure herein discusses the recording of a broadcast of a digital data stream by a broadcast receiving device. A listener may select a particular digital data stream to purchase by selecting a content identifier associated with the digital data stream of interest at the recording device. Upon obtaining the selection, a purchase request message is transmitted to an intermediary communication device. The purchase request message includes at least the content identifier. After the transaction is completed at a transaction server, a purchase confirmation message including at least a digital rights management key associated with the digital data stream is returned to and received by the broadcast receiving device. Upon receipt, of the digital rights management key, the recorded digital data stream is released for reproduction.
US09076140B2 Image embedding apparatus and method
A method is disclosed for embedding an image during a transaction at a point-of-sale system. The method may include obtaining a first digital image coded to display a call to action and a placeholder occupying a specific position with respect to the call to action. A computer system associated with the point-of-sale system may interpret the first digital image to collect data identifying the specific position of the placeholder. The computer system may obtain a two-dimensional barcode encoded with a transaction identification unique to the transaction. Using the collected data, the computer system may generate a third digital image coded to display the call to action and the two-dimensional barcode. The two-dimensional barcode may occupy the specific position with respect to the call to action. The point-of-sale system may display the third digital image to a customer associated with the transaction via a receipt, a customer-facing screen, or the like.
US09076138B2 Method and apparatus for obfuscating slice names in a dispersed storage system
A method begins by a processing module receiving a data segment for dispersed storage. The method continues with the processing module encoding the data segment in accordance with an error coding dispersed storage function to produce a plurality of error coded data slices. The method continues with the processing module generating a slice name for an error coded data slice of the plurality of error coded data slices, wherein the slice name includes a dispersed storage routing information section and a data identification section. The method continues with the processing module performing a securing function on at least the data identification section to produce a secure data identification section. The method continues with the processing module replacing, within the slice name, the data identification section with the secure data identification section to produce a secure slice name.
US09076133B2 Ordering lottery tickets using machine-readable code images display on mobile devices and transmitting a lottery image ticket
A mobile application or mobile website allows a user of a mobile device to make player selections associated with the order of a lottery ticket. The mobile device then displays a machine-readable code image. When a lottery retailer scans the image, the code conveys the lottery ticket order to the retail system, allowing the retailer to sell lottery tickets corresponding with the order. The mobile application or website may record player selections for reuse, record purchased tickets to report lottery status to the player, and assist the player in locating a lottery retailer. Further, a lottery image ticket may be transmitted to the user's mobile device or to an account which can be accessed through the user's mobile device. The lottery image ticket can then be presented to the retailer equipment for winnings check and redemption.
US09076121B2 Dimensional translator
A dimensional translator may automatically translate a dimension from an entity to a different dimension of another entity. The dimensional translator may do so by comparing attributes of the input dimension (the dimension to be translated) to attributes of a target data structure. An attribute may include, for example, hierarchy of a data structure, relationships of a data structure, a keyword associated with a data structure, and a data value associated with the data structure. The dimensional translator may automatically determine how a target entity would categorize the item. In particular, a Universal Product Code dimension of an item provided by an entity may be translated into a data structure of a target entity such as a retailer in order to determine how an item identified by the UPC will be categorized by the retailer.
US09076112B2 Consistent interface for financial instrument impairment expected cash flow analytical result
A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a financial instrument impairment expected cash flow analytical result business object.
US09076102B2 Image forming apparatus, host apparatus, image forming system having the same, and method of controlling power thereof
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus and a host apparatus. The image forming apparatus counts an idle state time during which the image forming apparatus is not in use, and, when the idle state time reaches a predetermined threshold time, transmits a notice screen display command to the host apparatus. The host apparatus displays a notice screen, and, when a turn on time extension menu is selected on the notice screen, transmits a turn on time extension command to the image forming apparatus. When the turn on time extension command is received, the image forming apparatus resets a timer unit and recounts the idle state time, and, when the turn on time extension command is not received for a predetermined time, is automatically turned off.
US09076094B2 System and method for providing power to a wireless tag
The present invention provides an engine, system and method for providing an NFC tag capable of receiving a charge and performing as an active tag without interaction.
US09076089B2 Image processing apparatus and method for printing according to a dot-arrangement matrix
Provided are an image processing apparatus and an image processing method that are able to optimize the arrangement method and arrangement size of a plurality of dot-arrangement patterns for each printing mode and each nozzle array without creating a need to increase memory. In order for this, a dot-arrangement table that stores a plurality of patterns having different dot arrangements for each level of multi-value data, and a small matrix arrangement table that stores information about the arrangement of those patterns are prepared. Desired arrangement information is acquired from the small matrix arrangement table according to the size and reading starting address of arrangement information that was set for each printing mode, and a unique dot-arrangement matrix is generated for each printing mode.
US09076064B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
For each of a plurality of second images other than a first image in an image group having a plurality of images, a feature point pair is generated by associating a second feature point of the second image with a first feature point of the first image based on a feature amount of the second feature point. A feature point pair is detected from the generated feature point pairs, where a position of the second feature point in the detected feature point pair is located within a predetermined region. A region including first feature points of the first image is extracted, where in the extracted region, detection counts of the feature point pairs exceed a predetermined threshold.
US09076062B2 Feature searching along a path of increasing similarity
Techniques for searching in an image for a particular block of pixels that represents a feature are described herein. The techniques may include searching within an expanding search area to find a block of pixels that has a threshold amount of similarity to a block of pixels of a preceding image. Upon finding a block of pixels that satisfies the threshold, the techniques may search in the image along a path of increasing similarity to the block of pixels of the preceding image.
US09076056B2 Text detection in natural images
A system and method of text detection in an image are described. A component detection module applies a filter having a stroke width constraint and a stroke color constraint to an image to identify text stroke pixels in the image and to generate both a first map based on the stroke width constraint and a second map based on the stroke color constraint. A component filtering module has a first classifier and second classifier. The first classifier is applied to both the first map and the second map to generate a third map identifying a component of a text in the image. The second classifier is applied to the third map to generate a fourth map identifying a text line of the text in the image. A text region locator module thresholds the fourth map to identify text regions in the image.
US09076041B2 Motion event recognition and video synchronization system and method
Enables recognition of events within motion data obtained from portable wireless motion capture elements and video synchronization of the events with video as the events occur or at a later time, based on location and/or time of the event or both. May use integrated camera or external cameras with respect to mobile device to automatically generate generally smaller event videos of the event on the mobile device or server. Also enables analysis or comparison of movement associated with the same user, other user, historical user or group of users. Provides low memory and power utilization and greatly reduces storage for video data that corresponds to events such as a shot, move or swing of a player, a concussion of a player, or other medical related events or events, such as the first steps of a child, or falling events.
US09076033B1 Hand-triggered head-mounted photography
Embodiments described herein may help a computing device, such as a head-mountable device (HMD), to capture and process images in response to a user placing their hands in, and then withdrawing their hands from, a frame formation. For example, an HMD may analyze image data from a point-of-view camera on the HMD, and detect when a wearer holds their hands in front of their face to frame a subject in the wearer's field of view. Further, the HMD may detect when the wearer withdraws their hands from such a frame formation and responsively capture an image. Further, the HMD may determine a selection area that is being framed, within the wearer's field of view, by the frame formation. The HMD may then process the captured image based on the frame formation, such as by cropping, white-balancing, and/or adjusting exposure.
US09076032B1 Specularity determination from images
Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to determine specularity of an object. As an example an object or area of geometry may be selected. A set of images that include the area of geometry may be captured. This set of images may be filtered to remove images that do not show the area of geometry well, such as if the area is in a shadow or occluded by another object. A set of intensity values for the area are determined for each image. A set of angle values for each image is determined based on at least a direction of a camera that captured the particular image when the particular image was captured. The set of average intensities and the set of angle values are paired and fit to a curve. The specularity of the area may then be classified based on at least the fit.
US09076027B2 Authentication system using biometric information and authentication device
It is provided an authentication system comprising: an input device; an image pickup device for picking up an image of the living body; an image processing unit for processing the image picked up by the image pickup device; a storage device for storing a plurality of pieces of first feature data and a plurality of pieces of second feature data; and a matching processing unit for checking input data, which indicates features of a living body picked up by the image pickup device, against each of the plurality of pieces of first feature data and each of the plurality of pieces of second feature data. Each of the plurality of pieces of second feature data is data that is smaller in size than each of the plurality of pieces of first feature data and that includes at least a part of the features of the living body.
US09076022B2 Method and device for sensing and responding to an unauthorized opening of a biometric trait capture device
A biometric trait capture device includes a biometric trait capture sensor contained in a housing and configured to capture biometric data, such as a handwritten signature or other biometric trait(s) of a signor, in digitized form. A memory is provided in the housing and is not electronically accessible from outside of the housing. A value, such as an encryption key, is stored in the memory. A memory-erasure device erases or overwrites the value in response to an opening of the housing, thereby providing information indicating that the biometric trait capture device has possibly been tampered with by an unauthorized person.
US09076017B2 Hardware virtualization module for exclusive controlled access to CPU
In one embodiment, a method comprises providing an apparatus having exclusive access to each of one or more central processing units (CPUs) of a computing system and exclusive access to host resources of the computing system; and controlling, by the apparatus, execution of a virtual machine in the computing system based on the apparatus controlling access to any one of the CPUs or any one of the host resources according to prescribed policies for the virtual machine, the prescribed policies maintained exclusively by the apparatus.
US09076011B2 Secret information leakage prevention system, secret information leakage prevention method and secret information leakage prevention program
Provided is a system in which two or more clients, each including an application program that transmits a network access request, and a server are able to communicate, wherein at least one client includes first control means for controlling the access request transmitted to the server, based on a security level assigned to the application program, and the server includes second control means for determining whether the first control means has been introduced to the client that has transmitted the access request, authorizing the access request when the determination result is positive, and controlling the access request based on a security level assigned to an access target when the determination result is negative.
US09076008B1 Content protection on an electronic device
Some embodiments enable a user of an electronic device to selectively secure applications and/or content of the electronic device. For instance, certain embodiments enable a user to password protect applications (e.g., email, calendar, contacts, photos) within a single environment. In some embodiments, a user can selectively secure specific content (e.g., work-related email messages, personal emails, work-related calendar entries, corporate contacts) within an application. Further, some embodiments enable a user to specify which applications and/or types of content the user would like to password protect. For instance, a user that has sensitive work-related information stored on or accessible through the user's device may choose to password protect work-related applications (e.g., work email account) and content (e.g., work documents, work-related calendar entries). By allowing the user to selectively secure certain applications and/or content on the electronic device, the user's interaction with the device is improved and made more convenient.
US09076004B1 Systems and methods for secure hybrid third-party data storage
The disclosed computer-implemented method for secure hybrid third-party data storage may include (1) identifying, at a trusted proxy system, an access request from a client system to access an encrypted file stored under a user account at a third-party storage system, where the requested access requires decryption of the encrypted file, (2) retrieving, from the third-party storage system, (i) the encrypted file and (ii) a decryption key that has been encrypted with a client-side key, where an asymmetric key pair designated for the user account includes an encryption key and the encrypted decryption key, (3) receiving, at the trusted proxy system, the client-side key, (4) decrypting, at the trusted proxy system, the decryption key with the client-side key, and (5) using the decryption key to access an unencrypted version of the encrypted file at the trusted proxy system. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09076001B1 Method and apparatus for implementing a secure content pipeline
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with implementing a secure content pipeline are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first processor, write-only memory, and unsecure memory. The write-only memory is accessible to the first processor for writing data, wherein the write-only memory is not accessible to the first processor for reading data. The unsecure memory is accessible to the first processor for writing and reading data. According to another embodiment, a method includes receiving data to be written to a write-only memory from a first processor; writing the data to the write-only memory; and preventing read access to the write-only memory by the first processor.
US09075986B1 Systems and methods for software application security management
Apparatus and method for managing password information associated with a service account are disclosed. In some embodiments, a service account management system is configured to include a security account utility and a password information data store. In some embodiments, a security account utility is used when registering, tracking, and adjusting password change information. In some embodiments, notification of a password change date is transmitted to a service account owner and a security auditor for enforcement. Use of a security account management system with a middleware application is also disclosed.
US09075972B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a control unit, a login information storage, a login information receiver, a login authenticator, a target function setter, an authorization information storage, an alternative function information storage and a target function changer. The target function changer sets a user alternative function matching a user authorized function related to an authenticated user as a target function out of functions alternative to a user prohibited function and determined by alternative function information instead of the user prohibited function different from the user authorized function related to the authenticated user out of target functions when the authenticated user is set in a login state.
US09075970B2 Systems and methods for secure handling of secure attention sequences
A method for authenticating, by a trusted component, a user of a desktop appliance to a remote machine includes executing, by a desktop appliance, a user interaction component, responsive to receiving a secure attention sequence from a user. The user interaction component receives authentication credentials associated with the user. The desktop appliance transmits, to a broker service, the received authentication credentials. The broker service authenticates the user, responsive to the received authentication credentials. The broker service transmits, to a remote machine, authentication data associated with the received authentication credentials. The remote machine authenticates the user, responsive to the received authentication data. The remote machine provides, to the desktop appliance, access to a resource requested by the user. In another aspect, a trusted component provides, to a user of a desktop appliance, access to secure desktop functionality provided by a remote machine.
US09075967B2 Mobile device security using multiple profiles
A mobile electronic device operates in accordance with at least two different application configurations. The device starts by operating in accordance with the first configuration after it receives a first access credential. The first configuration includes a hidden security application. When the device executes the hidden security application, a user may enter a second access credential via the second security application. When the device receives the second access credential, it then switches to a second application configuration.
US09075960B2 Digital media content management apparatus and method
A digital media content management apparatus and method for securely storing a content file on a computer readable medium and playing the content file from the computer readable medium is disclosed. The content file comprises control information readable by a content player and payload information including content data. The content file is deconstructed into at least one control information portion and at least one payload information portion being undetectable to a content player of a user device. The control information portion and the payload information portion are separately stored, and at least one of the portions is associated with packing data, and the packing data associated with at least one of the portions comprises a reference to the location of the other portion.
US09075951B2 Executable computer-readable medium storing code that causes a system to implement a method
A computer-readable medium storing code when executed by one or more processors of a computer system causes the system to implement a method is disclosed. The method provides for: 1. preparing a GUI comprising a plurality of input fields and a graphical representation of output response data of the machine using parameters; 2. receiving a plurality of parameters into the plurality of input fields; 3. emulating a mechanical operation of the machine using the plurality of parameters inputted into the plurality of input fields by simulating the programmable logic control code; 4. generating the output response data based on the emulation of the mechanical operation of the machine; 5. calculating one or more predicted product values based at least in part on the output response data provided to the a product model; and, 6. preparing for display the one or more predicted product values.
US09075935B2 Merit-based characterization of assertions in hardware design verification
A system is configured to generate assertions for verification of an integrated circuit hardware design expressed at a register transfer level (RTL) for variables of interest, each including an antecedent and a consequent. A relative importance score for the variables is determined by characterizing respective variables by a level of importance with respect to a target variable of the consequent. The relative importance scores may be combined to form a relative importance score of the assertion. A relative complexity score for the variable is determined by characterizing the variable by a level of understandability of the variable with respect to the target variable. The relative complexity scores are combined to form a relative complexity score of the assertion. The relative importance and complexity scores are combined to generate a rank score, which is used in ranking the assertion with respect to the RTL design for which the assertion was generated.
US09075931B2 Process and system for rendering an object in a view using a product lifecycle management database
The invention proposes a process for rendering an object view using a PLM database. The database comprises modeled objects and relations between said modeled objects. Said modeled objects are associated to a set of values of attributes, whose values are stored in the database or computable based on relations involving said modeled objects. The process comprises displaying to the user a view of a set of modeled objects; receiving a selection by a user of an attribute; querying the database for a modeled object to be rendered; providing a value of the selected attribute, associated to said modeled object; and rendering said modeled object in the view according to the provided value of the attribute. It is also possible for the user to select a value of an attribute and the rendering will be carried out only on the object, whose value(s) matches with the selected value.
US09075930B2 Configurable embedded memory system
An embodiment of a memory module is disclosed. This memory module is a configurable hard macro. A portion of this memory module includes a data input multiplexer coupled to select between cascaded data and direct/bused data. Such portion further includes, a memory coupled to receive output from the data input multiplexer for storage therein, and a register input multiplexer coupled to select between read data from the memory and the cascaded data. This memory module further includes: a register coupled to receive output from the register input multiplexer, a latch/register mode multiplexer coupled to select between the read data from the memory and registered data from the register, and a data output multiplexer coupled to select between the cascaded data and output from the latch/register mode multiplexer to provide output data.
US09075923B2 Discovery mechanisms for universal serial bus (USB) protocol adaptation layer
A WiFi serial bus (WSB) attribute for use in Wi-Fi Alliance defined point-to-point (P2P) discovery mechanism includes a plurality of fields disposed in the frame. The WiFi serial bus attribute is arranged to provide information in the plurality of fields to support connectivity decisions for a USB device in a point-to-point network using a WSB protocol. The WSB attribute includes WSB architectural element information and information associated with a USB device behind a USB protocol adaptation layer (PAL).
US09075912B2 Method and system for software system performance diagnosis with kernel event feature guidance
A method includes generating a normal trace in a training stage for the monitored software systems and a monitored trace in the deployment stage for anomaly detection, applying resource transfer functions to traces to convert them to resource features, and system call categorization to traces to convert them to program behavior features, performing anomaly detection in a global scope using the derived resource features and program behavior features, in case the system finds no anomaly, generating no anomaly report, in case the anomaly is found, including the result in an anomaly report; and performing conditional anomaly detection.
US09075902B2 Tracking errors in a computing system
Tracking errors in a computing system that includes a plurality of current error buckets and a plurality of historical error buckets, including: inserting, by an error repository manager into a current error bucket, error information describing a first error identified by a timestamp; moving, by the error repository manager, the error information in the current error bucket to a historical error bucket upon the expiration of the bucket interval, wherein each historical error bucket has a storage interval determined in dependence upon the base time interval associated with the error and a bucket number associated with the historical error bucket; and moving, by the error repository manager, the error information in a source historical error bucket to a destination historical error bucket upon the expiration of the storage interval associated with the source historical error bucket.
US09075900B2 Systems, methods and computer program products for providing compliant delivery of content, applications and/or solutions
Systems, methods and computer program products for providing device independent compliant applications include accumulating device, user and/or peripheral interface data corresponding to a mobile terminal of a user and associating the device, user and/or peripheral interface data with a unique identifier and storing the device, user and/or peripheral interface data and the unique identifier in a database. Before storing the device, user and/or peripheral interface data, the device, user and/or peripheral interface data is de-identified from the user.
US09075899B1 Automated display settings for categories of items
Provided herein are various systems and methods for customizing display of items associated with medical exams based on one or more categories (for example) associated with respective items.
US09075894B2 System and method for identifying web objects unworthy of being cached
A caching device is configured to determine whether an object received or currently stored at the caching device should be (or continue to be) cached at the caching device, even if the object is otherwise cacheable. If so, the object is cached (or retained) at the caching device, otherwise, it is not. The determination as to whether or not the object should be cached or, if already cached, retained at the caching device may be made on the basis of a worthiness determination which evaluates the object on the basis of one or more parameters or attributes of the object, which worthiness may be one part of an overall value determination for the object.
US09075889B2 Mechanism for facilitating user-controlled management of site network mapping and synchronization
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for facilitating user-controlled mapping of sites and synchronization of their content. In one embodiment and by way of example, a method includes receiving a first generation request for generating a site template in a first site network. The first generation request is received at a first computing device. The method may further include generating the site template, generating a child site based on the site template, and mapping the child site to one or more of a parent site and one or more child sites within the first site network.
US09075887B2 Method and system for creating pervasive data form reporting
A content syndication system is disclosed where a syndicated data feed entry may include whatever information contributed to the content of that feed entry. Doing so allows business reporting and analytics tools to consume both the feed information (e.g., a summary of a report) and the underlying data (e.g., a collection of database records). A feed-reader application that does not understand the extended feed data (i.e., the information which contributed to the content of the feed entry) simply disregards the extended content. Thus, the extended feeds may be included in email messages, documents and other packaging and delivery mechanisms since no additional information is needed to consume or render formatted content.
US09075882B1 Recommending content items
Recommending content items is disclosed. In some embodiments, determining an item to recommend includes receiving an indication that a first item is of interest and selecting a second item to recommend based at least in part on a degree of similarity of the second item to the first item as determined based at least in part on a number of other instances in which both the first item and the second item have been of interest and a first decayed popularity of the first item. In some embodiments, the degree of similarity of the second item to the first item is determined based in addition on a second decayed popularity of the second item.
US09075880B2 Method of associating multiple applications
An exemplary information-processing device includes: a display controller configured, when a second application program, capable of performing a search is activated during execution of a first application program, to display a second image displayed as a result of execution of the activated second application program, and a first image that has been displayed as a result of execution of the first application program before activation of the second application program; and an execution controller configured to notify the second application program of an event corresponding to an input operation, to execute a process according to a procedure described in the second application program, while maintaining the first image to be displayed.
US09075879B2 System, method and computer program for searching within a sub-domain by linking to other sub-domains
The present invention may provide a system, method and computer program for searching a sub-domain that involves linking to other sub-domains. In particular, the present invention may provide a sub-domain search that ranks and/or weighs search results based on relevance, such relevance being determined by a calculation operating on a broader range of domain and/or sub-domains than a single sub-domain. The present invention may weight and score a search of web pages in a sub-domain based on the content of web pages in other sub-domains.
US09075855B2 Table synthesis from raw data
A system, method, and computer program product for organizing a visual representation of data into a structured data format are presented. Steps for identifying cell data structures from raw data and creating a structured data format are disclosed.
US09075854B2 Browser based database manipulation
Methods, program products, and systems implementing browser-based database manipulation are described. A browser on a client device can receive a form definition that is generated based on a schema of a relational database and a layout. The schema in the form definition can specify properties of data fields. The browser can display the data fields and other components of the layout in a list. The browser can receive a drag-and-drop input, the drag-and-drop input selecting a data field or a layout component from the list and dropping the selected data field or layout component in a drop zone in a form area in the browser. The browser can determine the drop location, and use the drop location as a parameter to modify the form definition. The layout and the schema can be modified based on the modified form definition.
US09075830B2 Propagation through perdurance
An event processor accepts event representations that comprise perdurance and epistemological relationships among entities or entity references, and the event processor stores information derived from event representations in a datastore. A search component searches entities based on local epistemological and perdurance properties, and a perdurance engine traverses the perdurance relationships obtained from the datastore. An epistemological propagator generates derived epistemological relationships using the perdurance engine and local epistemological data obtained from the datastore.
US09075823B2 Method and system of sharing a broadcast preset table between a vehicle tuner and an external device
A method of sharing a preset table between a vehicle infotainment system including a vehicle tuner, memory for storing a first preset table and a broadcast signal receiver that receives a broadcast signal based on the first preset table, and an external device coupled to the vehicle infotainment system, includes storing the first preset table in the memory, the first preset table including first regional information and at least one combination of first station identification information and a first tuning frequency corresponding to the first station identification information, receiving a second preset table from the external device, the second preset table including second regional information and at least one combination of second station identification information and a second tuning frequency corresponding to the second station identification information, comparing the first preset table with the second preset table, and making the first preset table and the second preset table identical, if the first preset table and the second preset table are different.
US09075819B1 Method and apparatus for providing parallel backup set processing for creating a synthetic backup
A method of creating a synthetic backup set which can be used as a baseline for subsequent incremental backup or for the restoration of a data volume. The method includes copying a first data object from a first backup set to a memory media for storing the synthetic backup set, and copying a second data object from a second backup set to the memory media. The second data object is copied to the memory media when both the first and second backup sets are open for read access. In one embodiment, the first backup set data of data objects is stored on a first magnetic tape, and the second backup set data of data objects is stored on a second magnetic tape. When the second data object is copied to the memory media, the first and second magnetic tapes are simultaneously mounted on first and second tape drives, respectively.