最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US09089085B2 Protective material applicator device
Devices, methods and systems disclosed herein relate to the application of a protective film on a surface of an electronic device that instantly reduces air bubbles and eliminates the waiting time usually required when using a wet fluid solution. In one embodiment, a roller device may include a carriage or housing and one or more rollers coupled or integrated with the housing, configured to apply a protective material to a surface of the electronic device in a first orientation, and configured to function as a device stand in a second orientation. In addition or alternatively, a roller guide apparatus and/or a wedge may be utilized to assist the roller device in applying the protective material to the surface of the electronic device.
US09089082B2 Printed circuit board with embedded component and method for manufacturing same
A printed circuit board with an embedded component includes a double-sided wiring board, an electronic component, and many conductive pastes. The wiring board includes a first wiring layer, a base layer, a first insulating layer, and a second wiring layer. The base layer has an opening exposing a portion of the second surface of the first insulating layer to the outside. The second wiring layer includes electrical contact pads. The conductive blind vias are formed in the first insulating layer. Each electrical contact pad is electrically connected to an end of the corresponding conductive blind via. The other ends of the conductive blind vias are adjacent to the first surface. A filling through hole is formed in the double-sided wiring board. The conductive pastes are respectively electrically connected to the conductive blind vias. The electronic component is adhered to and electrically connected to the conductive paste.
US09089081B2 Conductive glass substrate and preparation method thereof
A conductive glass substrate includes a glass substrate, a silicon dioxide layer, and a conductive mesh line, the glass substrate defines a meshed groove on a surface thereof; the silicon dioxide layer is attached to the surface of the glass substrate having the groove; the conductive mesh line have a shape adapted to that of the groove, the conductive mesh line is deposited in the groove and attached to the glass substrate via the silicon dioxide layer. In the conductive glass substrate, the conductive mesh line is received in the groove, compared with the conventional conductive glass substrate, a flexible substrate as a supporting body is not needed, the cost is down, and the structure of the conductive glass substrate is simple, further reducing the process, saving manpower and resources. A method of preparing the conductive glass substrate is provided.
US09089075B2 Silicon-based cooling package for cooling and thermally decoupling devices in close proximity
Various embodiments of an apparatus that simultaneously cools and thermally decouples adjacent electrically-driven devices in close proximity are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus comprises a first non-silicon heat sink and a first silicon-based heat sink disposed on the first non-silicon heat sink. The first silicon-based heat sink is configured to receive a first electrically-driven device on a first portion of the first silicon-based heat sink and to receive a second electrically-driven device on a second portion of the first silicon-based heat sink. The first silicon-based heat sink includes a first groove or a first opening between the first portion and the second portion such that a heat conduction path between the first electrically-driven device and the first non-silicon heat sink through the first silicon-based heat sink is shorter than a heat conduction path between the first electrically-driven device and the second electrically-driven device through the first silicon-based heat sink.
US09089070B2 Inverter and electronic device using the inverter
An inverter and an electronic apparatus using the inverter are disclosed. The electronic apparatus has a circuit board and an inverter. The circuit board has an opening. The inverter has a wiring frame arranged in the opening. The wiring frame has a wiring portion for wiring coils. The wiring portion has two carrying portions at opposite sides, respectively. Each of the carrying portions has a side portion. A space for accommodating magnet is formed by the wiring portion and the carrying portion and the side portion. A conductive contact is arranged at one side of the side portion and a protrusion is arranged at another side of the side portion. The protrusion is used for being against the surface of the circuit board, and the height of the inverter with respect to the circuit board can thus be adjusted by the protrusion.
US09089065B2 Electrical connector having a connector standoff
An electrical connector comprises a connector body. The connector body includes an insulative housing and a contact module received in the insulative housing. The contact module includes a spacer and a plurality of contacts received in the spacer. Each of the contacts have a foot portion for being mounted onto an external printed circuit board. The insulative housing has a plurality of mating ports defined in a vertical front face. The electrical connector also includes a connector standoff assembled under the connector body to support the connector body. The connector standoff includes a base portion and four locking arms extending from the base portion along a down-to-up direction, and two of the locking arms engage with the spacer. The foot portion extends downwardly through the connector standoff.
US09089064B2 Operating section structure, image processing apparatus, and information processing apparatus
An operating section structure positioned forward of a document scanning unit. The operating section structure includes: an image display surface; and an authentication device placement surface for mounting a detachable authentication device at an angle different from the image display surface.
US09089062B2 Method for electroless nickel-phosphorous alloy deposition onto flexible substrates
The present invention relates to a method for electroless deposition of a bendable nickel-phosphorous alloy layer onto flexible substrates such as flexible printed circuit boards and the like. The nickel-phosphorous alloy layer is deposited from an aqueous plating bath comprising nickel ions, hypophosphite ions, at least one complexing agent and a grain refining additive selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde and formaldehyde precursors. The nickel-phosphorous alloy layers obtained have a columnar microstructure oriented perpendicular to the flexible substrate and are sufficiently bendable.
US09089059B1 Device packaging system
A method of servicing a portable computing device that is sealed in packaging, in which an umbilical adapter connects a servicing interface on the device, such as a micro USB port, with a servicing station dock via externally exposed contacts. The packaged device may be serviced at one or more locations after final assembly to recharge the device's battery, update or install software, or, for mobile phones, provision the mobile phone to access a cellular network.
US09089055B2 Electronic device, method of manufacturing the same, and oscillator
An electronic device includes a substrate, a cavity part formed above the substrate with a functional device placed therein, a coating structure that defines the cavity part, and the coating structure has a first surrounding wall formed around the cavity part above the substrate, a second surrounding wall formed around the cavity part above the first surrounding wall, a coating layer that defines an upper surface of the cavity part, wherein the second surrounding wall is located inside the first surrounding wall in a plan view.
US09089054B2 Chip-component structure
A chip-component structure includes an interposer on which a multilayer capacitor is mounted. The interposer includes component connecting electrodes, external connection electrodes, side electrodes, and in-hole electrodes. The component connecting electrodes and the external connection electrodes are electrically connected by the side electrodes and the in-hole electrodes. Outer electrodes of the capacitor are joined to the component connecting electrodes.
US09089049B2 Process transmitter housing assembly with viewing area and method of assembling same
A process transmitter housing assembly includes a housing and a cover assembly including a cover chassis and a transparent cover piece. The cover chassis includes a cover flange extending inward from a perimeter of the cover chassis. Internal threads of the cover chassis threadedly engage external threads of the housing. The transparent cover piece is mechanically clamped between the cover flange and a surface of the housing nearest the cover flange when the cover chassis is threadedly secured to the housing.
US09089038B2 Apparatus and method to generate X-rays by contact electrification
An x-ray source includes an enclosing vessel, a first roller arranged at least partially within the enclosing vessel, a second roller arranged at least partially within the enclosing vessel and to be in rolling contact with the first roller, and a drive assembly operatively connected to at least one of the first and second rollers. The drive assembly causes the first and second rollers to rotate while in contact to bring portions of the first and second rollers into and out of contact within the enclosing vessel as the first and second rollers rotate. The first roller has a surface at least partially of a first triboelectric material and the second roller has a surface at least partially of a second triboelectric material, the first triboelectric material having a negative triboelectric potential relative to the second triboelectric material. The enclosing vessel is structured to provide a controlled atmospheric environment, and the first triboelectric material, the second triboelectric material and the controlled atmospheric environment are selected such that rolling contact between the first and second rollers produces x-rays.
US09089027B2 LED display systems
An LED display system comprises an LED array and an LED driver circuit. An LED driver circuit comprises components including a phase lock loop, a pulse width modulation engine, a configuration register, a series of gain adjustable fast charge current sources, and a serial input/output interface. The components in this driver circuit may be integrated on a same chip. The LED array may be arranged in a common cathode configuration.
US09089014B2 Illumination system and illumination method
An illumination system includes an excitation light source that emits excitation light, a phosphor unit that converts the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source into fluorescence to emit the fluorescence toward an illuminated object and a light source device including the excitation light source and the phosphor unit. The illumination system further includes a state confirming device that confirms a state of the light source device based on the state of the phosphor unit when connected to the light source device and the phosphor unit emits the fluorescence.
US09089013B2 Wireless sensor having a variable transmission rate
A wireless sensor for measuring a light intensity is operable to transmit wireless signals using a variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the light intensity in the space. The sensor comprises a photosensitive circuit, a wireless transmitter for transmitting the wireless signals, and a controller coupled to the photosensitive circuit and the wireless transmitter. The photosensitive circuit is operable to generate a light intensity control signal in response to the light intensity. The controller transmits the wireless signals in response to the light intensity control signal using the variable transmission rate that is dependent upon an amount of change of the light intensity. In addition, the variable transmission rate may be further dependent upon a rate of change of the light intensity. The sensor may further comprise a battery for powering the photosensitive circuit, the wireless transmitter, and the controller.
US09089003B2 Quality-of-service (QoS)-based delivery of multimedia call sessions using multi-network simulcasting
A method and system for the consumption of simulcasted or multicasted multimedia information via a wireless personal or local area network by a broadband access gateway, is disclosed. A user of an access device such as, for example, a mobile multimedia handset may engage in a call served by a wireless wide area network, and may consume components of multimedia information via the wireless wide area network. Additional components of the multimedia information may be provided to the user via a second communication path, based upon user-defined parameters in a user profile. Selected components or all of the multimedia information may be communicated to a broadband access gateway, where it may be cached, or simulcast to a plurality of access devices in a wired fashion, or wirelessly via a personal area and/or wireless local area network.
US09089002B2 Efficient group ID management for wireless local area networks (WLANs)
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for efficiently managing overloaded group IDs for groups of stations (STAs) receiving simultaneous transmission in a multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) scheme. In this manner, overloading for some of the groups may allow flexibility at an access point (AP) to trade off between support for more STA combinations and power savings. As disclosed herein, the group ID management scheme may be flexible enough to support APs with both overloaded and non-overloaded groups and APs with only non-overloaded groups. This scheme also achieves these benefits for overloading with a low overhead.
US09088998B2 Method for communicating and radio station therefor
The present invention relates to a method for communicating between a primary station and a secondary station comprising (a) at the secondary station, upon arrival of a data packet to be transmitted to the primary station, buffering said data packet in a buffer, (b) at the secondary station, after the expiration of a time period starting at arrival of the data packet, transmitting to the primary station a request for an uplink transmission resource if a grant of uplink transmission resource is not received during the said time period, (c) at the primary station, granting to the secondary station an uplink transmission resource.
US09088995B2 System and method for dynamic coordination of radio resources usage in a wireless network environment
An architecture, system and associated method for dynamic coordination of radio resource usage in a network environment. In one aspect, a relay communication method comprises detecting, by a first wireless mobile device, sensory data associated with multiple radio channels relative to at least one radio element in a sensing area of the first wireless mobile device. If the first wireless mobile device is out of range of a wide area cellular network, a short-range wireless communication path is established with a second wireless mobile device having a wide area cellular communication connection. The sensory data is transmitted by the first wireless mobile device to the second wireless mobile device for reporting to a network element via a wide area cellular network serving the second wireless mobile device.
US09088983B2 Interleaving low transmission power and medium transmission power channels in computer networks
In a multiple interface, low power and lossy network comprising a plurality of nodes, a low transmission power and medium transmission power topology are defined for the network and a channel-hopping schedule is defined for the devices operating in each topology. A sender determines that data is capable of being transmitted via a link on the low transmission power topology. The sender determines the transmission parameters for the transmission of the data over the link on the low transmission power topology and determines a low transmission power channel for transmission of the data. The sender transmits the determined channel and the transmission parameters to the receiver. The sender transmits the data via the determined channel in the low transmission power topology.
US09088974B2 Antenna port management for localized enhanced physical downlink control channel transmissions
Methods, systems, and devices are described for managing wireless communications. A first decoding candidate and a second decoding candidate are identified from a plurality of decoding candidates for a localized enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH) transmission. A first antenna port is identified from a set of antenna ports for the first decoding candidate. A second antenna port is identified from the set of antenna ports for the second decoding candidate. The second antenna port is different from the first antenna port. The localized EPDCCH is decoded based at least on the first and second decoding candidates and the identified first and second antenna ports.
US09088959B1 Paging back-off timer
The delivery of paging messages to an access node are delayed based on an estimated paging message load currently being handled by the access node. When a mobility node receives a request that requires a wireless device to be paged, the mobility node refers to an estimate of the current paging load on an access node. This estimate can be based on the number of paging messages that have been sent to the access node that have not elicited a response and have not expired. If the estimated load is less than a threshold amount (e.g., 80%), then the paging message can be sent to the access node without further delay. If the estimated load is greater than the threshold amount, then an amount of time to wait before sending the paging message to the access node is selected or calculated.
US09088952B2 Method and system for affecting power control in a wireless network
A method device and system are provided for managing a wireless local area network comprising a plurality of station units (STAs), where each of the plurality of station units is adapted to wirelessly communicate with one or more access points. The method device and system comprises affecting power control over air time request packets transmitted by respective station units from among the plurality of STAs towards one of the one or more access points, so that all air time request packets are received at said access point at substantially the same Signal to Noise Ratio (“SNR”), and wherein said power control does not affect packets carrying payload data that proceeds the air time request packets transmitted by the respective station units.
US09088951B2 Dynamic feature-aware power management
This disclosure relates to reducing battery usage in handheld communication devices due to operation of variable managed features, such as a location determination feature and other features that consume variable amounts of time and power. The techniques of this disclosure include dynamically managing a power budget allocated to one or more variable managed features of the handheld communication device based on power consumption over time by the variable managed features. More specifically, the techniques include, for each variable managed feature, recalculating a frequency for performing power events based on an amount of remaining power after one or more power events. The techniques also include reallocating the power budget to the one or more variable managed features based on an amount of remaining power after one or more power events of the variable managed features, a pre-determined period of time, or reaching a threshold level of power consumption jitter.
US09088946B2 Methods and apparatus for power saving for mesh nodes
Methods and apparatus for implementing power saving in mesh nodes include transmitting a receive window start frame prior to each awake period. The receive window start frame is a short frame, and nodes in the mesh network passively monitor for this frame. Upon detection, a mesh node can transmit data to its destination during its awake period.
US09088937B2 Methods and systems for causing a mobile station to originate a subsequent call via a coverage area other than that used for a first call
Methods and systems are provided causing a mobile station to, after experiencing a dropped call, originate a subsequent call via a coverage area different than that used for the first call. In an embodiment, a mobile station detects that, when it was engaged in the first call at a first location via a first wireless coverage area, the mobile station experienced the first call being dropped. When the mobile station subsequently attempts to originate a second call, the mobile station determines that its current location is within a threshold distance of the first location, and responsively attempts to originate the second call via a second wireless coverage area different from the first.
US09088929B2 Systems and methods for distributed data routing in a wireless network
Various systems and methods described herein relate to distributed data routing over a wireless network. An exemplary method comprises receiving routing data by a routing element of a point to point wireless network, the routing data comprising routing criteria and a plurality of path identifiers which identify a plurality of paths through the wireless network, storing the routing data by the routing element, receiving a packet of data, determining a destination node of the packet of data, the destination node being identified using the routing data as accessible by two or more paths of the plurality of paths, determining, based on the routing criteria of the routing data, at least one path of the plurality of paths to transmit the packet of data to reach the destination node, and transmitting the packet of data to a first node of the determined at least one path of the wireless network.
US09088921B2 Device and method for transmitting cell offset in telecommunication system
A terminal unit, base station, computer readable medium and method for transmitting cell individual offset information from a base station in a cell in a communication network, to a user terminal that applies the cell individual offset information to measurement reports and/or events associated with the cell, including, generating the cell individual offset information; mapping the cell individual offset information on at least one channel that is different from a broadcast channel; and transmitting the mapped cell individual offset information.
US09088920B2 Method and arrangement in a telecommunication system
The invention relates to a method and arrangement in a serving Radio Network Controller, SRNC for controlling inter RAT handover to E-UTRAN of a UE with E-UTRA capability operating in a serving network comprising said SRNC, wherein the SRNC receives, from a Serving GPRS Support Node, SGSN, security keys generated at authentication and key agreement, AKA, upon attachment of the UE to the serving network; characterized in the steps of—determining (202) which type of UICC the UE is equipped with by analyzing the security keys received from SGSN; —using the knowledge of which type of UICC the UE is equipped with to base a decision (204) on whether to allow handover of the UE to E-UTRAN.
US09088919B2 Method and apparatus for expedited wireless device handover
The present disclosure presents a method and apparatus for expedited mobile device handover that include performing one or more handover tasks in parallel that have previously been performed exclusively in serial. For example, the disclosure presents a method for wireless device handover, which may include acquiring a target cell, ascertaining a system frame number (SFN) of the target cell, calculating a connection frame number (CFN) for a dedicated channel (DCH) transmission, and reconfiguring a dedicated physical channel (DPCH) based on the calculated CFN. In addition, such an example method may include, while performing at least one of the ascertaining of the SFN, the calculating of the CFN, and the reconfiguring of the DPCH, contemporaneously performing at least one of establishing a downlink dedicated physical channel (DL-DPCH), establishing a synchronization with the target cell, and establishing an uplink dedicated physical channel (UL-DPCH) subsequent to the downlink synchronization.
US09088918B2 Method and device for information transfer
A method for information transfer includes: determining, by a source Mobility Management Network Element (MMNE) of a source Access Network (AN), version number of GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) used between the source MMNE and a destination MMNE of a destination AN; and transmitting, by the source MMNE, user information corresponding to the version number of the GTP used between the source MMNE and the destination MMNE to the destination MMNE. The embodiment of the invention also provides a device for information transfer. With the embodiment of present invention, corresponding user information transfer may be realized.
US09088915B2 Method for configuring the link maximum transmission unit (MTU) in a user equipment (UE)
In a System Architecture Evolution/Long Term Evolution (SAE/LTE) radio network, the network is set to configure the link MTU in the UE for each bearer where the network-configured link MTU can represent an MTU of a path for a SAE bearer service in complete or part of a particular SAE/LTE network.
US09088912B2 Method for reducing overhead in a measurement report from a user equipment configured with carrier aggregation to a network in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for providing a measurement report from a User Equipment (UE) to a network in a wireless communication system according to one embodiment includes using a configuration to indicate whether or not a corresponding additional measurement result should be included in the measurement report, and using the configuration to indicate more than one type of additional measurement result. A method and apparatus for providing a measurement report from a UE to a network in a wireless communication system according to another embodiment includes triggering a measurement report, and omitting an additional measurement result in the measurement report if the measurement report is triggered by inter-Radio Access Technology measurement (inter-RAT measurement).
US09088910B2 Method and a system for controlling the aggregate interference in cognitive radio networks
A method for controlling the aggregate interference of a secondary system (10) in a cognitive radio network comprises the steps of computing the power density (Pd,i), footprint (Afoot,i) and service area (Ai) for each of the cells (100) of the secondary system (10) that satisfy the interference constraint at a given point (P) in a primary system (50); summing the power densities (Pd,i) for all cells (100) for the point (P); and using the sum of the power density at the point (P) to decide which power level a new secondary system (10) user is allowed to use in a given cell (100). A system for performing such a method is also disclosed.
US09088906B2 WiFi establishing a protected medium duration for USB-like wireless operations
A master electronic circuit includes a storage representing a wireless collision avoidance networking process involving collision avoidance overhead and combined with a schedulable process including a serial data transfer process and a scheduler, a wireless modem operable to transmit and receive wireless signals for the networking process and a processor coupled with the storage and with the wireless modem and operable to execute the scheduler to establish and transmit a schedule for plural serial data transfers involving the processor and distinct station identifications, and to execute the serial data transfers inside the wireless networking process and according to the schedule so as to avoid at least some of the collision avoidance overhead. Other electronic circuits, processes of making and using, and systems are disclosed.
US09088901B2 Method and arrangement in a wireless communication system
Method and arrangement in a first base station for calculating a first location parameter α of a user equipment in order to improve beamforming accuracy. The first base station and the user equipment are comprised in a Coordinated Multiple Point “CoMP” communication system together with a second base station. The method comprises measuring a signal received from the user equipment, estimating a first parameter value α′ based on the measured signal, obtaining a second parameter value α″, based on an estimated second location parameter β of the user equipment, estimated at the second base station and calculating the first location parameter α, based on the first estimated parameter value α′ and the obtained second parameter value α″.
US09088899B2 Computational syndrome detector
Example methods disclosed herein to monitor wireless system operation include processing a plurality of session records describing characteristics of wireless sessions in a coverage area of a wireless system to determine a first time interval for a first wireless device to propagate from a first access point in the coverage area to a second access point in the coverage area, determining a coverage area traversal rate for the first wireless device based on the first time interval, the coverage area traversal rate corresponding to a rate at which the first wireless device is traversing the coverage area, and providing a wireless service advisory for the coverage area to a second wireless device based on the coverage area traversal rate for the first wireless device.
US09088877B1 Systems and methods for initiating communication between IM clients and mobile clients
In some embodiments, methods comprise: receiving a communication request from the IM client using a first server; delivering the received communication request to the mobile phone using the first server; recording information regarding the communication request; receiving a communication response from the mobile phone; associating the received response from the mobile phone with the communication request from the IM client based on the recorded information; and sending the received communication response to the IM client. In some embodiments, methods comprise: receiving a call from a mobile phone at a first server, wherein the call is made by dialing a number from the mobile phone, the number indicating that an IM client is an intended recipient of the call and identifying the IM client; sending a communication request to the IM client based on the received call using the first server.
US09088873B2 Method for allocating group address in wireless local network area, method for transmitting response request frame and response frame in plurality of stations, and method for transmitting data using group address
The present invention relates to a method for allocating a group address in a wireless LAN, a method for transmitting a response request frame and a response frame to a plurality of terminals, and a data transmission method using the same group address. The method for allocating the group address of the present invention comprises the steps of: transmitting a group agreement request frame including the group address (identifier) to terminals as grouping targets; and receiving a response frame corresponding to the group agreement request frame. The group agreement request frame includes group address (identifier) information and a terminal address as a destination address and is transmitted to a receiving terminal as a destination.
US09088860B2 Communication apparatus, communication method, computer program, and storage medium for setting wireless communication parameters
Even if the roles of apparatuses are not decided in advance when automatically setting communication parameters, communication parameter setting processing and network joining processing are appropriately executed without requiring the user to select the roles of apparatuses. The invention is characterized by a communication method for a communication apparatus, including a first search step of searching for a communication partner apparatus on a predetermined communication channel, a second search step of searching for a communication partner apparatus on all communication channels available for communication, and a search control step of searching for a communication partner apparatus using the first and second search steps.
US09088857B2 Audio apparatus, control method for the audio apparatus, and storage medium for determining sudden noise
An audio apparatus includes a sound generation unit configured to generate a measuring signal, a sound collection unit configured to obtain a sound collection signal, a detection unit configured to detect a level difference between the sound collection signal and background noise, a characteristic calculation unit configured to extract each signal period of the measuring signal from the sound collection signal, a feature amount calculation unit configured to calculate a feature amount representative of sudden noise for each period based on each of the period signals, and a determination unit configured to compare feature amounts of the periods and to remove, from periods to be used for averaging the period signals, a period or periods whose feature amounts are not within a range between a threshold value and a minimum value of the feature amounts as a reference, wherein the threshold value is determined according to the detected level difference.
US09088856B2 Networked sound masking system with centralized sound masking generation
A sound masking system for shaping the ambient noise level in a physical environment. The sound masking system comprises a networked and distributed system having a number of master units coupled together and to a control unit. One or more of the master units may include satellite sound masking units which function to reproduce an audio signal generated by a central sound masking module. The audio signal comprises a sound masking signal, a paging signal or a sound masking signal mixed with a paging signal. The sound masking signal is generated by the central sound masking module or a selected from a number of sound masking signal inputs at the control unit. Each of the master units is addressable over the network by the control unit enabling the control unit to control the contour, spectral band, and gain characteristics of the audio output signal. The system may also include a remote control unit which provides the capability to tune and adjust each master sound masking unit in situ without requiring physical access through the ceiling installation.
US09088853B2 Receiver system for a hearing instrument
A hearing instrument receiver system for operation in an ear canal of a user for converting audio signals into sound, comprising a lateral receiver, a medial receiver and a flexible joint assembly connecting the medial end of the lateral receiver and the lateral end of the medial receiver in such a manner that the lateral receiver and the medial receiver are pivotable relative to each other in order to follow the shape of the ear canal.
US09088848B2 Biologically fit wearable electronics apparatus and methods
Detachable wearable electronic eyeglasses and head mounted gear with a plurality of electronic functions and interchangeable electronic function, and a wearable computer with optimal weight distribution and stretchable arms.
US09088837B2 Serially-distributed devices in a communication network
Serially-distributed devices in a communication network include a cable including communication wires, a plurality of devices connected in series with the communication wires along a length of the cable, and a headend interface connected at one end of the cable and operable to provide a communication interface with the devices.
US09088835B2 Method for adjusting depth or view of three-dimensional streaming video
A system and method for adjusting the depth or view of three dimensional (3D) images in streaming video is provided. The invention enables the 3D streaming video client to change among different 3D disparities without any knowledge of the disparity maps or requiring any image processing at the client. Multiple versions of the video sequence are pre-encoded with each version representing a different disparity. The disparity of the 3D image may be changed on-the-fly to a selected rendering of a particular disparity. The 3D video player may switch among disparities seamlessly during playback.
US09088831B2 Systems and methods for providing a network link between broadcast content and content located on a computer network
The invention relates, in various aspects, to systems and methods for linking content stored on a computer network with content broadcast over a television network. The system includes a database, a trigger mechanism, a communications interface, and a packet generator. The database stores tokens representative of links to the stored content and delivery information representative of at least a duration for delivering the token. The trigger mechanism indicates an instruction to deliver a token over the television network, generating a signal indicating a respective one of the stored tokens and a time for starting the delivery of the respective token. The communications interface has a channel in communication with a television, set top box device for transferring the respective token to the television set top box device. The packet generator generates packets within a stream of television content to be broadcast over the television network.
US09088824B2 Systems and methods for providing a customized program lineup
Systems and methods for delivering content according to a customized program lineup are provided. A content source transmits a plurality of media assets in a first schedule according to scheduled transmission times. A processing device may receive a user input to receive the media assets in a second schedule different from the first schedule. When a request to access the content source is received, the processing device may automatically determine, based on the second schedule, whether the user has requested a different media asset than the originally-scheduled asset at the time of the request. If the user has requested a different media asset, the processing device may automatically receive and provide the different media asset instead of the originally-scheduled asset.
US09088823B1 Customized insertions into digital items
Digital content items may include additional content such as advertisements. Placement of the additional content may be based on a characteristic of the digital content item and/or a characteristic of a consumer of the digital content item. In one implementation, a level of interest is determined for multiple time points in a digital content item and an advertisement is located in the digital item based on the level of interest.
US09088822B2 Systems and methods of media clip sharing with sponsor carryover
An exemplary method includes a computer-implemented media clip sharing system receiving, from an end-user of a media distribution service that distributes a media program, a request to share a clip of the media program to a social network and, in response to the request to share the clip of the media program to the social network, identifying a sponsor of the media program in the media distribution service and sharing the clip of the media program and data representative of the identified sponsor to the social network. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.
US09088820B2 Method of managing contents to include display of thumbnail images and image display device using the same
Provided are a method of managing the contents and an image display device using the same. The method includes: obtaining contents information on each of a plurality of contents sources; displaying the obtained contents information on one screen as a plurality of lists that are differently configured according a plurality of classified items; and receiving meta information on at least one content in the contents lists and displaying the received meta information in correspondence to the content.
US09088816B2 Venue-oriented social functionality via a mobile communication device
Methods and systems for social functionality via a mobile communication device are presented. An example system may include an access device and a communication node. The access device may be located at a commercial venue and communicatively coupled via a local area network with a mobile communication device located at the venue. The communication node may be communicatively coupled to the access device via a wide area network to provide a social networking service related to the venue to a user of the mobile communication device. The access device may exchange information relating to the social networking service between the communication node and the mobile communication device.
US09088812B2 Context aware dynamic interface
A method performed in a transmitter operable to provide multiple functions, comprising identifying available functions, receiving input relating to a current user context, based on said context, selecting a subset of functions from said available functions, and dynamically generating said user interface, said user interface arranged to present user activatable items representing each of the functions in said subset, and, upon activation of one of said items, performing a function associated with said item in accordance with said user context. A system with a transmitter adapted to perform the method. The disclosed method and system creates a fully dynamic user interface where the context and user should be able to define what should be available where in the interface without additional programming.
US09088808B1 User interaction based related videos
Methods and systems to locate related videos in a video access log. In one embodiment, the method comprises extracting user events from a log database, tagging each event as positive or negative, determining if a video is positively interacted and processing the tagged videos in a sliding window to determine positive interactions between a pair of videos.
US09088806B2 Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.
US09088799B2 Image coding method, image decoding method, image coding apparatus, and image decoding apparatus
An image coding method includes: deriving a candidate for a motion vector predictor from a co-located motion vector; adding the candidate to a list; selecting the motion vector predictor from the list; and coding a current block and coding a current motion vector, wherein the deriving includes: deriving the candidate by a first derivation scheme in the case of determining that each of a current reference picture and a co-located reference picture is a long-term reference picture; and deriving the candidate by a second derivation scheme in the case of determining that each of the current reference picture and the co-located reference picture is a short-term reference picture.
US09088796B2 Video decoder with enhanced CABAC decoding
A decoder receives a bitstream containing quantized coefficients representative of blocks of video representative of a plurality of pixels and decodes the bitstream using context adaptive binary arithmetic coding that includes at least two decoding modes, the first mode decoding the bitstream based upon a probability estimate which is based upon at least one of spatially and temporally adjacent syntax element values to a current syntax element being decoded, the second mode decoding the bitstream not based upon a probability estimate based upon other syntax elements to the current syntax element being decoded. The coding decodes the current syntax element using the first mode if the current syntax element is intra-coded and selecting between sets probable modes with different probabilities. The coding decodes the current syntax element using the second mode if the current syntax element is intra-coded and if selecting among one of the second set of probable modes.
US09088795B2 Picture coding and decoding system for coding and decoding macroblocks in direct mode
A picture coding apparatus includes a motion vector estimation unit and a motion compensation unit. The motion vector estimation unit selects one method for deriving a motion vector of a block to be motion-compensated, depending on a motion vector of a block located in a corner of a decoded macroblock from among a group of blocks that compose the decoded macroblock corresponding to the current macroblock to be coded and determines the motion vector derived by the selected method for derivation to be a candidate of the motion vector of the current macroblock to be coded. The motion compensation unit generates a predictive image of the block to be motion-compensated based on the estimated motion vector.
US09088794B2 Macroblock shuffling device, macroblock shuffling method, and macroblock shuffling program
[Problem to be solved] To provide a shuffling device that can lower correlation between macroblocks by executing macroblock shuffling substantially equally to an image with an arbitrary size. [Means for solving the problem] A macroblock shuffling device, comprising: a pack creation portion that extracts and rearranges in order a macroblock from a screen on which a plurality of macroblocks constituting the image data are arranged, and creates a plurality of packs, each having a first predetermined number of or a second predetermined number smaller than the first predetermined number of the macroblocks; and a slice creation portion that extracts macroblocks one by one in order from each of the plurality of packs created by the pack creation portion and creates the same number as the first predetermined number of slices, each having a plurality of macroblocks.
US09088789B2 Methods and systems for presenting adjunct content during a presentation of a media content instance
An exemplary method includes an adjunct content presentation system including adjunct content within a first image of a media content instance and a second image of the media content instance by setting a pixel value of a first group of pixels included in the first image and a pixel value of a second group of pixels included in the second image and corresponding to the first group of pixels to each be substantially equal to one pixel value unit greater than a predetermined neutral pixel value, including the adjunct content within a compensating image by setting a pixel value of a third group of pixels included in the compensating image and corresponding to the first and second groups of pixels to be substantially equal to two pixel value units less than the predetermined neutral pixel value, and presenting the first image, the second image, and the compensating image.
US09088784B2 Coding device and method, decoding device and method, recording medium, and program
An encoding apparatus and an encoding method, a decoding apparatus and a decoding method, a recording medium, and a program suitable for encoding image signals with a higher compression ratio for transmission or accumulation. In an arithmetic coding section, from among the syntax elements of input image compression information, the frame/field flag is first encoded by a frame/field flag context model. When the macroblock to be processed is subjected to frame-based encoding, a frame-based context model, specified in the current H.26L standard, is applied. On the other hand, when the macroblock to be processed is subjected to field-based encoding, a field-based context model is applied for the syntax elements described below. The present invention is applied to an encoder for encoding image information and a decoder for decoding image information.
US09088781B2 Picture encoding method and picture decoding method
A picture encoding method of the present invention is a picture encoding method of predictively encoding an input picture with reference to pictures stored in a picture buffer, decoding the encoded input picture, judging whether or not the decoded picture is a picture for reference and whether or not the decoded picture is a picture for output which needs to be stored until its display time, and storing, in the picture buffer, the picture for reference and the picture for output based on the determination result.
US09088778B2 Method and system for multiview distributed video coding with adaptive syndrome bit rate control
A method and device for multiview distributed video coding with adaptive syndrome bit rate control are disclosed. In one embodiment, multiple groups, including video frames coming from associated digital cameras, are formed. Further, video frames coming from a predetermined number of the digital cameras are declared as key video frames. Furthermore, video frames coming from remaining digital cameras are declared as non-key video frames. In addition, the key video frames are encoded to obtain encoded bits. Moreover, the non-key video frames are encoded to obtain syndrome bits. Also, the encoded key video frames are decoded, to obtain decoded bits and the encoded non-key video frames are decoded, to obtain decoded bits and CRC bits. Further, an optimal number of syndrome bits in each non-key video frame are determined. Furthermore, the encoded bits and determined optimal number of syndrome bits are sent to multiple receivers.
US09088777B2 Methods and systems for processing stereoscopic video data
Methods and systems are disclosed for processing stereoscopic video data for transmission into a single frame or field, including multiplexing color data for left-eye and right-eye image into a single frame or field in a spatially incongruous manner. Embodiments of the invention also relate to methods and systems for processing such a single frame or field and displaying the corresponding stereoscopic video data either on a passive monitor or on an active monitor, to render three-dimensional (3D) video content. The invention also relates to corresponding computer programs and signals.
US09088772B2 Image-capturing apparatus
In a motion picture capturing system for generating a virtual viewpoint image by a plurality of cameras, if image-capturing is performed with timing being shifted to improve frame rate performance, estimation accuracy is deteriorated due to an error in corresponding point detection between images or the presence of a moving subject. The image-capturing timing is controlled such that two or more of a plurality of image-capturing units perform simultaneous image-capturing, and motion of the whole of an image-capturing apparatus is estimated from a plurality of images captured by the simultaneous image-capturing. The virtual viewpoint image is synthesized from the images captured by the simultaneous image-capturing by the plurality of image-capturing units and the estimated motion.
US09088770B2 Size based transform unit context derivation
Systems, apparatus, articles, and methods are described including operations for size based transform unit context derivation.
US09088769B2 Reduced worst-case context-coded bins in video compression with parity hiding
Methods and devices for reconstructing coefficient levels from a bitstream of encoded video data for a coefficient group in a transform unit. Parity hiding is used to signal the parity of the upper left coefficient of the coefficient group. Based on the parity, either the significant coefficient flag or the greater-than-one flag is encoded/decoded for that coefficient, but not both. The greater-than-one flag is encoded/decoded irrespective of whether a maximum number of greater-than-one flags have been encoded/decoded with respect to the other coefficients in the coefficient group.
US09088763B2 Recording additional channels of a shared multi-channel transmitter
A method for recording multiple pieces of content with a single tuner. A content delivery network can include multiple channels organized into bands with several channels per band. These bands can be transmitted on an up-link such as to a satellite. The bands can be relayed to receivers at the end user locations. The end user receivers can tune to one, two, or some other fraction of the total number of transmitted bands. When a user selects a program to view and/or record, a tuner of the receiver tunes to the band that includes the channel that includes the program. The method prompts the user regarding the other channels that form the set of channels on that band, and solicits input for recording one or more concurrent programs of the band, which can all be recorded on the single receiving tuner.
US09088762B2 Image capturing apparatus and control method thereof
An image capturing apparatus comprises a first image capturing unit configured to shoot an object side; a second image capturing unit configured to shoot a photographer side; and a control unit configured to, in a shooting mode in which the first image capturing unit performs shooting and the second image capturing unit also performs shooting, when a setting upon shooting meets a predetermined condition, perform first recording processing of recording image data captured by the first image capturing unit and image data captured by the second image capturing unit in association with each other, and when the setting does not meet the predetermined condition, perform second recording processing of recording image data captured by the first image capturing unit without associating the image data with image data captured by the second image capturing unit.
US09088761B2 Image recording system, image recorder, and data accessing method
An image recording system, an image recorder and a data accessing method are provided. Some of memory blocks of a flash memory are set as first blocks, and the other memory blocks are set as second blocks. When a target image file received from a capturing unit of an image reorder is being written into the first blocks, a control unit of the flash memory detects whether the first block into which a processing unit of the image recorder tries to write a piece of data of the target image file is faulty. When the first block is faulty, the control unit selects normal one of the second blocks and then writes the piece of the data of the target image file into the selected second block instead of the first block.
US09088758B2 Mark information recording apparatus, mark information presenting apparatus, mark information recording method, and mark information presenting method
A mark information recording apparatus includes an output unit and a recording unit. The output unit is configured to output, for displaying a partial image being a part of an entire image having an arbitrary resolution among entire images generated at a plurality of different resolutions with respect to a single target, the partial image. The recording unit is configured to associate mark information with information on a position within the entire image and information on the resolution of the output partial image and record the mark information.
US09088757B2 Method and system for socially ranking programs
A method and system for displaying program representation. Program rating information derived from a plurality of identified users regarding a plurality of programs is obtained. A social rank of the plurality of programs is determined based on the rating information. A plurality of program representations are displayed to a viewer, wherein the program representations represent corresponding ones of the plurality of programs and wherein a differentiating visual characteristic of each of the plurality of program representations is based on the social ranking.
US09088756B2 Systems and methods for camera image correction and white balancing
Systems and methods are provided for calibrating a digital camera. First pixel values of a first calibration image illuminated by white light are captured using a color sensor. A color sensor adjustment matrix is determined based on a comparison of the first pixel values and baseline pixel values associated with the calibration image. Second pixel values of a second calibration image illuminated by a first color temperature light are captured. The second pixel values are adjusted based on the color sensor adjustment matrix, and a first color temperature balance factor is determined based on the adjusted second pixel values, where a white balance adjustment is performed on captured image data based on the first color temperature balance factor.
US09088755B2 Constant current control device and television having the same
The invention provides a constant current control device and a television including the constant current control device. The constant current control device includes a constant current control module and a switched-mode power supply module used for providing a stable voltage for a load. The constant current control module includes a constant current source unit used for providing a reference current, a constant current control unit used for keeping a current flowing through the load constant as the reference current, and a feedback unit used for keeping the voltage of the constant current control unit constant. The present invention, with a simple circuit structure, implements the objective of precisely controlling a current passing through a load.
US09088753B2 Image forming apparatus, luminance correction method, and storage medium storing program
An image processing apparatus includes an image data acquisition unit to acquire image data by optically reading a document. A frequency distribution acquisition unit acquires a first frequency distribution of luminances from the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit. A generation unit generates a second frequency distribution of luminances of a background of the document, by using a maximum frequency of the first frequency distribution as a maximum frequency of the second frequency distribution of luminances of the background of the document. An acquisition unit acquires information indicating a degree of deviation of the second frequency distribution from the first frequency distribution. A correction unit corrects the second frequency distribution based on the information indicating the degree of deviation acquired by the acquisition unit.
US09088748B2 System for providing electronic media and commands via remote control and docking station
Media rendering system including a remote control device and associated docking station. The remote control device interfaces with a remote server to stream media content for local and/or external playback. The remote control device may interface with a docking station to playback rendered media on one or more entertainment appliances. The portable device preferably has standard remote control capability in order to enable advanced features and functions for media playback.
US09088739B2 CMOS image sensor having a wide linear dynamic range
The disclosure relates to a process of controlling a pixel cell of an image sensor of the CMOS type, comprising the steps of: initializing a sense node and a read node of the pixel cell; partially transferring electrical charges accumulated at the sense node to the read node; completely evacuating electrical charges accumulated at the read node; partially transferring electrical charges accumulated at the sense node to the read node; measuring the electrical charges accumulated at the read node to obtain a pixel signal corresponding to a quantity of electrical charges accumulated during a short integration period; completely transferring electrical charges accumulated at the sense node to the read node, without a prior initialization of the read node, and measuring the electrical charges at the read node to obtain a pixel voltage corresponding thus to the sum of the electrical charges accumulated during the short and long integration periods.
US09088736B2 System and method for producing color shifting or gloss effect and recording medium with color shifting or gloss effect
A gloss effect image pattern is created on a recording medium having a first color by electronically creating a first electronic pattern ink, the first electronic pattern ink including a second color and including holes, the holes representing areas in the first electronic pattern ink wherein the second color is absent; electronically creating a second electronic pattern ink using the second color and including filled holes, the filled holes of the second electronic pattern ink representing areas in the second electronic pattern ink filled with a third color, the third color matching the first color of the recording medium; electronically creating an electronic image region; electronically painting, using the first electronic pattern ink, a background of the electronic image region; electronically painting, using the second electronic pattern ink, a foreground of the electronic image region; and rendering, using marking materials, the electronic image region on the recording medium such that the electronic image region is visible when a relative angle between an observer's viewing angle and an angle of illuminating the recording medium by an illumination source is a first angle, the electronic image region not having the predetermined portion of the holes painted with the third color being not visible when the relative angle between the observer's viewing angle and the angle of illuminating the recording medium by the illumination source is a second angle, the second angle being not equal to the first angle.
US09088723B2 Server, client terminal, and program
There is provided a server including a reception section which receives, from a client terminal, present position information showing a position of the client terminal, and direction information showing an orientation of the client terminal, a retrieval section which retrieves sensory data to which detection position information is added corresponding to a position in a vicinity of an axial line extending in a direction shown by the direction information from the position of the client terminal, and a transmission section which transmits the sensory data retrieved by the retrieval section to the client terminal.
US09088715B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method for image correction
Both tilt information included in an image and positional information are acquired in order to calculate a relative tilt angle between at least two images. Whether the tilt information can be used to estimate the tilt angle (whether the tilt information is fake information) is determined from a distribution characteristic in the image of the acquired positional information. The tilt angle is estimated from the tilt information determined to be able to be used. A tilt included in the acquired image is corrected using the estimation result, and the image having the correct orientation can be produced.
US09088714B2 Intelligent image blending for panoramic photography
This disclosure pertains to devices, methods, and computer readable media for performing positional sensor-assisted panoramic photography techniques in handheld personal electronic devices. Generalized steps that may be used to carry out the panoramic photography techniques described herein include, but are not necessarily limited to: 1.) acquiring image data from the electronic device's image sensor; 2.) performing “motion filtering” on the acquired image data, e.g., using information returned from positional sensors of the electronic device to inform the processing of the image data; 3.) performing image registration between adjacent captured images; 4.) performing geometric corrections on captured image data, e.g., due to perspective changes and/or camera rotation about a non-center of perspective (COP) camera point; and 5.) “stitching” the captured images together to create the panoramic scene, e.g., blending the image data in the overlap area between adjacent captured images. The resultant stitched panoramic image may be cropped before final storage.
US09088712B2 Method of providing reference image and image capturing device to which the method is applied
A method of providing a reference image and an image capturing device to which the method is applied. The method includes displaying a reference image and a captured image in first and second areas, respectively, on a single display screen; and displaying a first GUI including image capturing information on the reference image on one side of the first area and a second GUI including image capturing information on the captured image on one side of the second area. A user can easily and effectively capture an image by using the reference image.
US09088703B2 Window for preventing camera distortion in an electronic device
A window of an electronic device includes a shooting region at a position corresponding to a camera lens assembly. The window includes a front surface, a rear surface, and an inclined surface. The front surface includes the shooting region and is formed in a curved shape. An inclined surface is disposed to have a slope corresponding to a curvature of the front surface in at least a portion of the rear surface corresponding to the shooting region. Therefore, deterioration of image capture quality such as distortion by the camera lens assembly and internal reflection is effectively prevented by the inclined surface.
US09088698B2 Electronic device and method for controlling pan-tilt-zoom cameras
An electronic device receives an image of a monitored area captured a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera. When the electronic device rotates, rotation information of the electronic device relative to a previous position state of the electronic device is detected by an electronic gyroscope. The electronic device converts the rotation information of the electronic device into rotation information of a lens of the PTZ camera relative to a present position of the lens according to preset association, generates a first control command according to rotation information of the lens, and control the lens of the PTZ camera to move from the present position to a new position according to the first control command. The electronic device receives a new image of the monitored area that is captured by the lens of the PTZ camera at the new position.
US09088696B2 Method and terminal for transmitting information
The present invention discloses a method and a terminal for transmitting information. The method includes: determining shooting width information of a first system; determining an image adjustment parameter according to the shooting width information, where the image adjustment parameter is used to indicate the shooting width information in a form of spatial information; sending the image adjustment parameter to a second system, so that the second system adjusts a received or captured image according to the image adjustment parameter. According to the method and the terminal for transmitting information in embodiments of the present invention, an image adjustment parameter indicating shooting width information in a form of spatial information is sent to a second system, so that the second system can adjust an image according to the image adjustment parameter, thereby effectively obtaining and transmitting information used for image adjustment, improving user experience, and enhancing product competitiveness.
US09088694B2 Adjusting video layout
Disclosed is a system and method for automatic scaling by a media conferencing unit (MCU) which is responsible for mixing a video stream sent by participant's to a video conference and composing unique layouts and video streams sent back to each participant for viewing.
US09088691B2 Live teleporting system and apparatus
A telepresence system includes a projector for generating an image, a projection screen for reviewing the image generated by the projector and generating a reflected image and a foil for reviewing the reflected image generated by the projection screen. The foil generates and directs partially reflected image toward an audience, the partially reflected image being perceived by the audience as a virtual image or hologram located on a viewing stage. Additionally, the system incorporates a camera for filming an individual through the foil, the camera being located on a camera side of the foil and positioned adjacent to the viewing stage, the individual being located on an individual side of the foil and positioned on a filming stage.
US09088684B2 Image reading device
An image reading device including an illumination unit that has a light guide body guiding light of a light source that is facing one longitudinal end surface of the light guide body to an object to be read; and an image forming optical device that is parallel to the light guide body, has a lens array with an incidence surface in which lens surfaces are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the light guide body, and condenses reflected light from the object which is incident on the incidence surface, thereby forming an erect equal-magnification image on a sensor. The image reading device further includes a frame on which is disposed the image forming optical device. A second frame projects in a direction away from the first frame and connects to the first frame, or the frame connects to an H-shaped cross-section frame.
US09088677B2 Print apparatus for communicating with host machine and image read apparatus via communication interface
A communication connection is established with respect to a computer so as to operate as a single-function printer when a connection with the computer is detected in a state where a communication connection with a scanner is not established, and the communication connection is established with respect to the computer so as to operate as a multi-function printer when the connection with the computer is detected in a state where the communication connection with the scanner is established. When a connection with the scanner is detected in a state where the communication connection is established with respect to the computer as the single-function printer, then in a case where the user gives permission, a temporary restart takes place and the communication connection is reestablished as the multi-function printer, and in a case where the user does not give permission, the communication connection with the computer is maintained without alteration.
US09088673B2 Image registration
An image registration method to register a target image with a reference image is provided, including to determine a target set of features present in the target image, to determine a reference set of features present in the reference image, to generate respective signatures for each feature in the target and reference sets, to match features from the target set to corresponding features in the reference set using the signatures, to generate respective transformations to map pairs of features in the target set to corresponding pairs of features in the reference set, and determine a similarity transformation for the target image using a measure of the accuracy of the transformations.
US09088672B2 Devices, systems, and methods for sponsored tethered connectivity
Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which relate to establishing a sponsored tethered connectivity (STC) connection by tethering a special purpose connected device (SPCD) through a tethering mobile device having network access. The SPCD accesses an application server on the network and is authenticated before service to the SPCD begins. Once authenticated, the service provider is billed for the STC connection instead of a user of the tethering mobile device.
US09088666B2 Apparatus and method for controlling functions of mobile terminal
A portable terminal includes an apparatus for controlling an operation of a mobile terminal. More particularly, an apparatus and a method sets a menu to control a mobile terminal in a specific region of an image stored in advance. A relevant function is performed by selecting the specific region of the image in which the menu has been set in the mobile terminal, thereby performing the relevant function fast and conveniently without separately selecting a menu (entering a menu). The apparatus includes a controller. The controller selects a specific region from an output image, sets a menu for controlling a function of the mobile terminal at the specific region, and stores the image where the menu has been set.
US09088645B2 Intermediary device initiated caller identification
A method, system, and program for intermediary device initiated caller identification are provided. A trusted telephone network detects a call initiation connection from an origin device. The trusted telephone network then brokers a connection between the origin device and an external server enabled to perform a caller identity authentication service. A voice utterance for a caller is received at the external server from the origin device. The server authenticates a caller identity associated with the voice utterance and transfer the authenticated caller identity to the trusted telephone network. The trusted telephone network then specifies services available for the call according to a caller profile for the authenticated caller identity.
US09088629B2 Managing an electronic conference session
An electronic conference session is managed. The electronic conference session is hosted on a processing system for a plurality of users to participate in the conference session via a plurality of client devices. Performance of the processing system is monitored. Responsive to identifying a first indication that the performance of the processing system immanently will degrade below specified criteria, at least one process for hosting the electronic conference session is offloaded from the processing system to at least one of the client devices.
US09088628B2 Architectures for clearing and settlement services between internet telephony clearinghouses
A system for routing voice telephone calls over IP networks as opposed to traditional switched circuit networks. The voice communications during the telephone call are packaged as digital data and access the Internet through gateways. The system supports the linking of a source gateway in a first clearinghouse to a destination gateway in a second clearinghouse. The system further supports the selection of a destination gateway based on factors such as cost, speed of routing, and transmission quality of the voice data. The components of the system are arranged so as to minimize the number of signals sent between clearinghouses in identifying the optimal destination gateway.
US09088621B2 Providing a presence service in a communications system
A method in which, in response to receiving, in a first user terminal, presence status information on a second user terminal and a corresponding presence status information identifier, the presence status information and a related command element is displayed on the first user terminal. In response to recognizing an act performed by the user of the first user terminal, where the act includes the user entering a presence comment via the command element, the presence comment and the presence status information identifier are transmitted from the first user terminal to a network apparatus.
US09088614B2 User plane location services over session initiation protocol (SIP)
A method and mechanism to allow a location server to initiate a user plane location service (e.g., SUPL defined by OMA) procedure to a user plane enabled device via Instant Messaging, or alternatively, via an existing SIP session if a multimedia session is already established. The location request is signaled to the user plane enabled device via a SIP INFO message. The location request uses SIP messaging to overcome firewall and other network security issues. Location using SUPL over SIP may be provided about a caller making an E911 emergency call. An Instant Message may be sent to the user plane enabled device, e.g., a VoIP wireless phone.
US09088611B2 Systems and methods for client IP address insertion via TCP options
The present disclosure presents systems and methods for maintaining identification of network devices sending or traversing a network packet en route to an intermediary device deployed between a source and a destination network device. An intermediary may receive an acknowledgement packet comprising an option field identified by an option number for a transport layer connection established via the intermediary, comprising overlay network data that identifies IP addresses of the originating network device and host network devices intercepting and forwarding the network packet to the intermediary, and may determine the option number for the option field from which to obtain the overlay network data identifying IP addresses. The intermediary device may receive a second request of the client to access the server via the transport layer connection and insert IP addresses from the overlay network data into an application layer protocol header of the second request forwarded to the server.
US09088606B2 System and method for strategic anti-malware monitoring
The system and method described herein may leverage active network scanning and passive network monitoring to provide strategic anti-malware monitoring in a network. In particular, the system and method described herein may remotely connect to managed hosts in a network to compute hashes or other signatures associated with processes running thereon and suspicious files hosted thereon, wherein the hashes may communicated to a cloud database that aggregates all known virus or malware signatures that various anti-virus vendors have catalogued to detect malware infections without requiring the hosts to have a local or resident anti-virus agent. Furthermore, running processes and file system activity may be monitored in the network to further detect malware infections. Additionally, the network scanning and network monitoring may be used to detect hosts that may potentially be participating in an active botnet or hosting botnet content and audit anti-virus strategies deployed in the network.
US09088594B2 Providing to a parser and processors in a network processor access to an external coprocessor
A mechanism is provided for sharing a communication used by a parser (parser path) in a network adapter of a network processor for sending requests for a process to be executed by an external coprocessor. The parser path is shared by processors of the network processor (software path) to send requests to the external processor. The mechanism uses for the software path a request mailbox comprising a control address and a data field accessed by MMIO for sending two types of messages, one message type to read or write resources and one message type to trigger an external process in the coprocessor and a response mailbox for receiving response from the external coprocessor comprising a data field and a flag field. The other processors of the network poll the flag until set and get the coprocessor result in the data field.
US09088593B2 Method and system for protecting against computer viruses
A method for delivering an update to at least one user, including creating an electronic communication including an update and a unique signature identifying, the electronic communication as including the update and sending the electronic communication to the user.
US09088592B1 Network cache accelerator
A network host such as a caching device is disclosed that greatly increases the speed with which a server reads and writes data for clients. The host may include a specialized network interface that not only processes TCP but also parses received network file system headers, identifying those headers within the TCP data stream, separating them from any corresponding network file system data, and providing them separately from that data to the network file system of the host for processing as a batch, all without any interrupt to the host. Similarly, the network file system of the host may communicate directly with the network interface by writing network file system headers directly to a register of the network interface to transmit data.
US09088575B2 System and method for hand-offs in cloud environments
A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium for handling hand-offs in a cloud computing environment is provided. The method includes identifying, at a cloud governance module of a server device, a plurality of applications executing on a plurality of servers belonging to a plurality of cloud computing service providers. The method includes determining, based upon information in a policy module, to hand-off an execution of at least one identified application executing on a first cloud computing service provider platform to a second cloud computing service provider, determining whether the second cloud computing service provider satisfies one or more governance policies associated with the at least one identified application, and handing-off the execution of the at least one identified application to a second cloud computing provider platform based upon the second cloud computing provider being compliant with the one or more governance policies associated with the at least one identified application.
US09088573B2 Local server for synced online content management system
A client device can implement a client-side application for a server-side online content management system. The client-side application can communicate with the server-side online content management system to sync data stored locally on the client-side with data stored on the server-side. A local web server can be implemented on the client device to work in conjunction with the client-side application, such that the local web server can access the data stored locally. The client device can run a web browser that communicates with the local web server. A user of the client device can use the web browser to connect to the local web server to access the synced data stored locally on the client-side. Advantages of accessing the data stored locally using the web browser via the local web server include performance improvements, offline access to the data, and use of native client applications to interact with the data.
US09088566B2 Information processing system, information processing device, and relay server
An information processing system includes an information processing device, an image forming device, an authentication server performing authentication of a user and a relay server receiving an authentication request from the image forming device and establishing data communication with the authentication server. The information processing device attaches authentication information set in advance in a printer driver to the print job and sends to the image forming device, while sending user information indicating that the user is successfully authenticated in the authentication server to the relay server. The relay server identifies the user information received from the information processing device based on the authentication information included in the received the authentication request and establishes data communication with the authentication server based on the identified user information, thereby verifying if the user is a registered user and sending the response to the authentication request to the image forming device.
US09088565B2 Use of a public key key pair in the terminal for authentication and authorization of the telecommunication user with the network operator and business partners
A very efficient authentication and authorization check in n:m relationships is possible with a method for checking the entitlement of a user of a telecommunication terminal (1) to a service, whereby an access device (4) on a telecommunication network (3) obtains at least one certificate and a proof of identity (10) from the telecommunication terminal (1), whereupon NMT (5) together with a certification device (7) carries out a check of whether the certificate giving the identity is valid and has a positive status and whether particular authorization may be obtained from complementary certificates. Should the above be the case, a secret (for example a session key) is transmitted (15) to the access device (4) which is also sent (15, 16) to the telecommunication terminal (1, 2), encoded with at least the public key. The access device (4) is then activated with a policy corresponding to the rights of the telecommunication user.
US09088563B2 Using service request ticket for multi-factor authentication
In an environment wherein a front end system receives a service request, and a back end system responds to the request, a user of a target endpoint must be authenticated. A ticket ID is assigned to the service request, and responsive to an initiating action of the user, a virtual token is generated that has a specified relationship with the ticket ID. The virtual token is delivered to the user, and the user is prompted to present the token to a validating component associated with one of the front end or back end systems, wherein the validating component is configured to verify the token validity. If the token is found to be valid, the user is authenticated to access the specified target endpoint.
US09088560B1 Systems and methods for validating login attempts based on user location
A computer-implemented method for validating login attempts based on user location may include (1) detecting a login attempt by a user to log into a user account, where the login attempt originates from an atypical location, (2) determining that the atypical location is inconsistent with a pattern of past login locations for the user, (3) retrieving location information that indicates a current location of the user from at least one third-party Internet resource, (4) determining, based on the location information, that the atypical location of the login attempt matches the current location of the user, and (5) trusting that the login attempt legitimately originates from the user based at least in part on the atypical location matching the current location of the user. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09088557B2 Encryption key management program, data management system
An objective of the present invention is to ensure security of the file sharing function provided by cloud storages without significantly decreasing the convenience of cloud storages. The encryption key management program according to the present invention encrypts, using authentication information of a user, a group shared key shared in a user group and stores it as an encrypted group shared key. The encryption key management program, upon receiving a request from a user, sends the encrypted group shared key corresponding to the requesting user.
US09088554B1 System and method for data modeling
A system and method for receiving a plurality of values related to providing services on a network, determining at least one constraint value based on the plurality of values, performing a distribution analysis using the plurality of values and the at least one constraint value and outputting a result derived from the distribution analysis.
US09088553B1 Transmitting message prior to transmitting encapsulated packets to assist link partner in decapsulating packets
A network device includes a first circuit configured to generate a plurality of packets, and insert, in each of the plurality of packets, a different value for a count. A second circuit receives one or more of the plurality of packets. A third circuit generates a plurality of seeds. Each of the plurality of seeds is based on (i) a predetermined key, (ii) an address of the network device, and (iii) a predetermined value for the count. A fourth circuit encapsulates each of the plurality of packets using one of the plurality of seeds generated based on the value for the count in the respective one of the plurality of packets. A fifth circuit sends a message comprising (i) the address of the network device and (ii) the predetermined value for the count, and sends, subsequent to sending the message, the plurality of encapsulated packets.
US09088543B2 Coordinated network security management
A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computer system for implementing coordinated management of network security controls. The computer system determines a plurality of managed network devices affected by coordinated security policies in a network. The computer system converts the coordinated security policies to firewall rule configuration for each of the managed network devices affected. The computer system adds the firewall rule configuration to a set of firewall rules for the each of the managed network devices affected.
US09088542B2 Firewall traversal driven by proximity
Disclosed is a system and method enabling a mobile device to establish a communication channel with a device residing in the corporate network and in close physical proximity, without the requirement for a direct high speed network connection between the mobile and corporate devices. The system and method allow the mobile device tot maintain its existing network connection, with no special user/network credential access. The system and method enable an improved security control over the traffic that is transferred between the devices as these are filtered and controlled through a Firewall Traversal pairing server and not directly between devices.
US09088541B2 Systems and methods for dynamic network security control and configuration
A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes identifying, by a computer system, an asset associated with a logical zone; detecting a change in an attribute of the asset; and in response to detecting the change in the attribute of the asset, modifying, by the computer system, a configuration setting for a firewall. Among other things, the embodiments of the present disclosure can perform dynamically configure and control security features in response to changes in the computing environment, including asset attribute changes, security events, operational events, user input and environmental changes. Embodiments of the present disclosure thereby help to quickly maintain or change the security posture of a system and maintain the level of compliance with set of predefined security benchmarks or codified best practices.
US09088533B1 Email optimization for predicted recipient behavior: suggesting a time at which a user should send an email
Techniques are described herein for predicting one or more behaviors by an email recipient and, more specifically, to machine learning techniques for predicting one or more behaviors of an email recipient, changing one or more components in the email to increase the likelihood of a behavior, and determining and/or scheduling an optimal time to send the email. Some advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein may include, without limitation, the ability to predict the behavior of the email recipient and suggest the characteristics of an email which will increase the likelihood of a positive behavior, such as a reading or responding to the email, visiting a website, calling a sales representative, or opening an email attachment.
US09088528B2 Computer system and management method for the computer system and program
Even when a configuration in which instances of plural kinds of storage management software having equivalent functions are arranged to cooperatively manage a large-scale storage system is adopted, to prevent occurrence of a management inoperability and configuration information inconsistency and enable the same management operation and information reference as those performed when all management target objects are managed by a single instance. In the present invention, a representative management computer serving as a representative among management computers is determined. The representative management computer collects, from storage apparatuses and host computers, information concerning the management target objects and configuration summary information including a relation type among the objects and determines, on the basis of the configuration summary information, management target objects which each of the management computers should take charge of.
US09088524B2 Switch with network services packet processing
Virtual machine environments are provided in the switches that form a network, with the virtual machines executing network services previously performed by dedicated appliances. The virtual machines can be executed on a single multi-core processor in combination with normal switch functions or on dedicated services processor boards. Packet processors analyze incoming packets and add a services tag containing services entries to any packets. Each switch reviews the services tag and performs any network services resident on that switch. This allows services to be deployed at the optimal locations in the network. The network services may be deployed by use of drag and drop operations. A topology view is presented, along with network services that may be deployed. Services may be selected and dragged to a single switch or multiple switches. The management tool deploys the network services software, with virtual machines being instantiated on the switches as needed.
US09088510B2 Universal rate control mechanism with parameter adaptation for real-time communication applications
A “Universal Rate Control Mechanism with Parameter Adaptation” (URCMPA) improves real-time communication (RTC) sessions in terms of delay, loss, throughput, and PSNR. The URCMPA automatically learns network characteristics including bottleneck link capacity, inherent queuing delay, inherent packet loss rates, etc., during RTC sessions. The URCMPA uses this information to dynamically adapt rate control parameters in a utility maximization (UM) framework. The URCMPA operates reliable RTC sessions across a wide range and combination of networks near full throughput rates while maintaining low operating congestion levels (e.g., low queuing delay and low packet loss). Examples of networks applicable for use with the URCMPA include, but are not limited to, combinations of mobile broadband (e.g., 3G, 4G, etc.), WiMAX, Wi-Fi hotspots, etc., and physical networks based on cable, fiber, ADSL, etc. The URCMPA can also dynamically adapt operating congestion levels relative to competing TCP flows to maintain fair use of network resources.
US09088503B2 Multi-tenant information processing system, management server, and configuration management method
In a multi-tenant information processing system, when initially constructing a tenant, design items depending on the tenant are specified for each device constituting the tenant, and design values of the design items are calculated without overlapping with those of other tenants. In a tenant design item management table, the design items set for the devices and information indicating whether the design items depend on the tenant, are stored for each device. In a design algorithm management table, calculation formulae for making the design values to be different for each tenant are stored corresponding to the design items. A tenant design unit refers to the tenant design item management table, specifies the design items depending on the tenant among those corresponding to the devices constituting the tenant, calculates the design values of the design items according to the calculation formula, when initially constructing the tenant.
US09088502B2 Generating a loop-free routing topology using routing arcs
In one embodiment, a method comprises creating, in a computing network, a loop-free routing topology comprising a plurality of routing arcs for reaching a destination device, each routing arc comprising a first network device as a first end of the routing arc, a second network device as a second end of the routing arc, and at least a third network device configured for routing any network traffic along the routing arc toward the destination device via any one of the first or second ends of the routing arc; and causing the network traffic to be forwarded along at least one of the routing arcs to the destination device.
US09088501B2 Systems and methods for least connection load balancing by multi-core device
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for load balancing by a multi-core device intermediary between clients and services. The device may establish sub-slots in each slot of the device's packet engines. The number of sub-slots may correspond to the packet engine count. Each slot may track a different number of active connections allocated to a service. The device may assign a first and second service to each packet engine in a first slot corresponding to no active connections. These services may be assigned to different sub-slots in adjacent packet engines. The device may update, responsive to allocation of a first active connection to the first service, the first service from a sub-slot in the first slot of a first packet engine, to a corresponding sub-slot in a second slot. The second slot may correspond to one active connection allocated to the first service.
US09088498B2 Communication networks that provide a common transport domain for use by multiple service domains and methods and computer program products for using the same
A method of operating a communication network comprises receiving loopback addresses from a plurality of edge networks at a provider router of a core backbone network, the edge networks and the core backbone network being logically distinct from each other, advertising the loopback addresses to a transport route reflector element, propagating the advertisement of the loopback addresses to other provider routers of the core backbone network using a protocol for communicating between autonomous systems, and using the transport route reflector element to advertise at least one of the loopback addresses to a service route reflector element in one of the plurality of edge networks.
US09088493B2 Method and apparatus for time adaptation of online services to user behavior
An approach is provided for time adaption of online services. Timing information relating to usage by a user of one or more online services is retrieved. A pattern of consistent usage is determined from the timing information. Scheduling information is generated for transmission of a message based on the determined pattern.
US09088487B2 Server cluster monitoring
A master monitor spawns a local monitor in each node of a server cluster. Each local monitor, responsive to a database event, determines a metric of a performance-related variable. A maximum period between measurements may be imposed to reduce irrelevant results, as may a minimum period. The metric may be stored in a measurement file on the respective node and/or may be reported to the master monitor. The master monitor may make any reported metrics available to a user via a front end.
US09088478B2 Methods, systems, and computer readable media for inter-message processor status sharing
According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method of operating a Diameter signaling router (DSR) for routing Diameter messages. The method includes steps occurring at a DSR comprising a plurality of Diameter message processors, each configured to perform at least one Diameter function. The method also includes detecting, at a first of the plurality of Diameter message processors, a change in status relating to the at least one Diameter function. The method further includes communicating, by the first of the plurality of Diameter message processors and to a second of the plurality of Diameter message processors, an indication of the change in status.
US09088477B2 Distributed fabric management protocol
A distributed fabric system comprises a plurality of independent network elements interconnected by inter-switch links and assigned to a same group. Each network element includes a switching chip, a processor, and memory storing program code that is executed by the processor. The program code of each network element includes a device configuration (DC) stacking module and a switch discovery protocol (SDP) module. The SDP module of each network element, when executed, discovers each other network element in the group and elects one of the network elements as a master network element. The SDP module of the master network element, when executed, sends messages to the DC-stacking module of the master network element. Each sent message identifies one of the network elements in the group. The DC stacking module of the master network element, when executed, maintains a record of all network elements that are currently members in the group.
US09088474B2 Advanced processor with interfacing messaging network to a CPU
An advanced processor comprises a plurality of multithreaded processor cores each having a data cache and instruction cache. A data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores and configured to pass information among the processor cores. A messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores and a plurality of communication ports. In one aspect of an embodiment of the invention, the data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective data cache, and the messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective message station. Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide high bandwidth communications between computer systems and memory in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
US09088471B1 Quadrature combining and adjusting
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for performing quadrature combining and adjusting. One example circuit may include first through fourth mixing circuits. The first mixing circuit may multiply a radio frequency signal with a first local oscillating signal to generate a first frequency converted signal. The second mixing circuit may multiply a radio frequency (RF) signal with a second local oscillating signal, which may be about 90° out of phase with the first local oscillating signal, to generate a second frequency converted signal. The third and fourth mixing circuits may multiply the RF signal with the second and first signals, respectively, to generate third and fourth frequency converted signals, respectively. A first combining circuit may combine the first and third frequency converted signals, and a second combining circuit may combine the second and fourth frequency converted signals.
US09088469B2 Multi-mode orthogonal frequency division multiplexing receiver for highly-spectrally-efficient communications
A receiver may comprise a sequence estimation circuit and operate in at least two modes. In a first mode, the sequence estimation circuit may process OFDM symbols received on a first number of data-carrying subcarriers to recover a number of mapped symbols per OFDM symbol that is greater than the first number. In a second mode, the sequence estimation circuit may process OFDM symbols received on a second number of data-carrying subcarriers to recover a number of mapped symbols per OFDM symbol that is equal to the second number. The second number may be equal to or different from the first number. While the receiver operates in the first mode, the sequence estimation circuit may be operable to generate candidate vectors and process the candidate vectors using a controlled ISCI model to generate reconstructed physical subcarrier values.
US09088468B2 Double conversion dual-carrier radio frequency receiver
In a dual-carrier, double-conversion Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) receiver a frequency synthesizer generates a first local oscillator signal for the first down-conversions stage of the receiver. A frequency divider is used to derive a second local oscillator signal from the first local oscillator signal, thus eliminating the need for a separate frequency synthesizer for the second down-conversion stage. A controller determines the frequency of the first local oscillator signal and a divisor M to align subcarrier grids for said first and second baseband signals with DC.
US09088454B2 Vehicle network node module
A vehicle network node module includes device buffers, a network buffer, a switch circuit, and a processing module. The device buffers temporarily store outgoing device packets from, and temporarily store incoming device packets for, vehicle devices in accordance with a locally managed prioritization scheme. The network buffer receives incoming network packets from, and outputs the outgoing network packets to, a vehicle network fabric in accordance with a global vehicle network protocol. The network buffer also temporarily stores the incoming network packets and the outgoing network packets in accordance with the locally managed prioritization scheme. The switching circuit selectively couples the network buffer to individual ones of the device buffers in accordance with the locally managed prioritization scheme. The processing module interprets the outgoing device packets and the incoming network packets to determine types of packets and determines the locally managed prioritization scheme based on the types of packets.
US09088449B1 Adaptive switched-capacitor equalizer
An adaptive switched-capacitor equalizer includes a first variable capacitor that is switchably connected between an input voltage and an output voltage, and a second variable capacitor that is switchably connected between the input voltage and the output voltage. The equalizer operates in a sequence of three phases, in a first phase of which the first variable is reset; in a second phase of which the first variable capacitor and the second variable capacitor are electrically connected in parallel between the input voltage and the output voltage; in a third phase of which calibration is performed according to the input voltages received in sequence.
US09088429B2 Method for operating, monitoring and/or configuring an automation system of a technical plant
A method for operating, monitoring and/or configuring an automation system of a technical plant from a remote device may include a control software ensuring that the software processes of an operating and monitoring software and/or a configuration software relevant for a communication via a public network are terminated. After setting up a secure communication link from the device to the automation system via the public network, an endpoint of the communication link in the remote device is assigned a network address and the software processes of the operating and monitoring software and/or configuration software relevant for a communication via the public network are started. The data packets sent by the operating and monitoring software and/or configuration software for operating, monitoring and/or configuring the automation system are diverted to the network address by the control software.
US09088420B2 System and method for improved geothentication based on a hash function
A system and methods for time and/or location authentication are presented. A hash value is received from a client device and a hash value receiving time of the received hash value is stored. A data block is received after receiving the hash value is received, the received data block comprising alleged transmission signal data. A computed hash value of the received data block is computed, and an estimated transmission signal client receiving time by the client is calculated based on the alleged transmission signal data. A timely possession of the received data block by the client device is authenticated based on a comparison of the computed hash value to the received hash value and a comparison of the hash value receiving time to the estimated transmission signal client receiving time.
US09088416B2 Method for securely associating data with HTTP and HTTPS sessions
A computing system, method and product comprising a server, a mobile device comprising a client interconnected with the server via a data network, the client identified by a credential which is unavailable to the client and an intermediate node interconnected to the client and the server via the data network wherein the credential is available to the intermediate node. Upon reception of a service request from the client at a first server address the server redirects the client to transmit the service request to a second server address via the intermediate node together with a token, wherein the intermediate node appends a credential identifying the client to the redirected service request and the token and relays the redirected service request, the token and the credential to the second server address.
US09088414B2 Asynchronous identity establishment through a web-based application
A determination is made as to whether a user has been logged off from the web-based application accessed through a web browser on a computer. If it is determined that the user has been logged off from the web-based application, then a new user interface is provided through the web browser. The new user interface may enable the user to enter user credentials. The user credentials are received through the new user interface. A request to validate the user based on the user credentials is transmitted. Upon transmitting the request to validate the user, an instruction to remove the new user interface is received when the user is validated. Upon receiving the instruction, a display of the web-based application is transformed by removing the new user interface.
US09088412B2 Data retransmission method and user equipment
Embodiments of the present invention provide a data retransmission method and user equipment, where the method includes: if a network indicates switching from a dual stream transmission mode to a single stream transmission mode, stopping data transmission of one data stream and clearing data in an HARQ process of the stopped data stream; or if a network indicates switching from a single stream transmission mode to a dual stream transmission mode, transmitting retransmission data in an HARQ process of the original data stream without changing the HARQ process number, and transmitting new data in the HARQ process of a new data stream; or using the retransmission data of the original data stream as new data to transmit in the HARQ process of either the original data stream or new data stream.
US09088408B2 Key agreement using a key derivation key
Methods, systems, and computer programs for performing key agreement operations in a communication system are described. In some aspects, a wireless network operator accesses a secret key associated with a mobile device. A key derivation function (KDF) is evaluated based on the secret key to produce a key derivation key, and the KDF is evaluated based on the key derivation key to produce an output value. A session key and a challenge value are obtained based on the output value. In some aspects, the mobile device receives the challenge value and accesses a secret key. A KDF is evaluated based on the secret key to produce a key derivation key, and the KDF is evaluated based on the key derivation key to produce an output value. A response value and a session key are obtained based on the output value. The response value is transmitted to the wireless network operator.
US09088401B2 Method for decoding digital data and data managing device
A method for encoding or decoding digital data, a data dissemination device and a data managing device are provided. The method for encoding digital data includes the following steps. A digital data is received. A sign data is encoded into the digital data through a linear combination operation to obtain an encoded digital data, wherein the size of the digital data is not changed after the encoding process. The encoded digital data is disseminated.
US09088397B2 Carrier type for time division communication
Certain embodiments relate to wireless communication systems, such as long term evolution advanced (LTE-A), which may be part of third generation partnership project (3GPP) LTE release 12 (Rel-12). More specifically, certain embodiments may provide an arrangement related to new carrier type for time division long term evolution (TD-LTE), which may also be related to Enhanced Interference Management and Traffic Adaptation. According to certain embodiments, a method can include determining that a split configuration is to be followed, in which at least one system information block configured uplink subframe is reconfigured as a new carrier type downlink subframe, whereas at least one other system information block configured subframe is as indicated by system information block configuration. The method can also include applying the determined split configuration to communications with an access point.
US09088387B2 Chain encoding and decoding of high speed signals
A method of recovering a value of a symbol received through an optical communications system. A multi-bit estimate of the symbol is subdivided into a first part and a second part, each part including at least one respective bit of the estimate. A most likely value of the first part is detected. The most likely value of the first part is processed using a Forward Error Correction (FEC) decoder to generate a corrected first part value, which is used to detect a most likely value of the second part. The most likely value of the second part is then processed by the FEC decoder to generate a corrected second part, which is combined with the corrected first part to recover the value of the symbol.
US09088386B2 Regulation of service in restricted telecommunication service area
Telecommunication service is regulated in a confined area in which telecommunication is restricted. Regulation includes control of wireless resources and access thereto, and monitoring wireless activity and locating sources thereof within the confined area. Regulation can be accomplished through networked femtocell access points and distributed antenna systems. Control of wireless resources is accomplished through selective jamming within the confined area; selective jamming can be updated based on performance metrics of telecommunication service. Configurable lists that authorize mobile device(s) to consume wireless service within the confined area control access to wireless resources. Access can be granted, or denied statically or dynamically. Monitoring of wireless activity within the confined area includes tracking and recordation of signaling or traffic activity. The monitoring of signaling activity can enable location of a source of wireless activity, while monitoring of traffic can lead to identification of a user thereof.
US09088383B2 Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, optical frequency division multiplex transmission system, and optical signal communication method
A transmitting apparatus is used in an electrical frequency division multiplex transmission system including nodes that are on an optical transmission path and that respectively frequency-multiplex a sub-carrier of a unique frequency and a carrier wave to transmit information to a receiving apparatus on the optical transmission path. The transmitting apparatus is disposed in each node and includes a determining unit that receives an input of information concerning unused sub-carriers of a transmission signal in the optical transmission path and determines transmission of the information to the receiving apparatus using an unused sub-carrier; an electrical frequency division multiplex transmission unit that using a frequency of the unused sub-carrier determined by the determining unit, modulates the input information to be transmitted to the receiving apparatus; and a coupling unit that adds to the transmission signal in the optical transmission path, a modulated modulation signal.
US09088382B2 Optical line terminal of passive optical network, and method for controlling upstream band using the same
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method capable of adjusting an upstream band for a corresponding ONU by detecting a quantity of bands occupied by a packet, not an effective user packet, among upstream transmission bands for each target object of allocation of each band in the OLT to examine whether a queue report is normal, and detecting an ONU, which transmits an abnormal queue report, according to the examination. An OLT of a PON according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a frame monitoring unit configured to monitor upstream frame data received for each T-CONT; an error detection unit configured to determine whether a queue report error is generated for each T-CONT according to a result of the monitoring; and a band allocation controller configured to allocate an upstream band for an ONU, in which the queue report error is generated, separately from a normal ONU.
US09088381B2 Ultra-wide bandwidth system and method for in-premises wireless networking
An IS-OFDM system for ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communications that suppresses narrow-band interference, comprising an in-premises base station (IBS) is described. The IBS further comprises an IS-OFDM transceiver for communicating with a plurality of in-premises terminals (ITs) without creating interference outside an in-premises perimeter. Further, a method for operating an IS-OFDM system for ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communications that suppresses narrow-band interference and provides local area networking services, in-premises distribution of broadcast cable channels and in-premises wireless access and routing to external networks is described, without creating interference outside an in-premises perimeter.
US09088380B2 Optical transport network generic non-client specific protection systems and methods
Systems and methods for generic non-client specific 1+1 protection are described supporting a uni-directional protection scheme for client interfaces on Optical Transport Network (OTN) networking equipment, regardless of the client protocol and without hardware which can participate in those client protocols. This generic non-client specific 1+1 protection can be implemented in an OTN node, an OTN switching device, or via an OTN method. Faults on client signals are escalated to, and processed at, the ODU path layer instead of the client protocol layer, providing a normalized mechanism for client signal protection.
US09088377B2 Methods and systems for calibrating a network switch
A network switch includes first and second clock-and-data-recovery (CDR) circuits, a cross-bar switch electrically coupling the first and second CDR circuits, and a test pattern generation circuit electrically coupled to the first CDR circuit. The test pattern generation circuit is configured to generate a test pattern and transmit the test pattern from the first CDR circuit to the second CDR circuit via the cross-bar switch. The network switch also includes a test pattern checking circuit electrically coupled to the second CDR circuit and configured to verify the test pattern received at the second CDR circuit.
US09088376B2 Method and system for synchronization
The invention relates to a method and a system for transferring timing messages in a digital data transfer system. In a solution according to the invention a timing message is transferred (101, 102, 103) within control data carried in a protocol data unit. The timing message is dependent on a transmission moment of the protocol data unit from a network element of the digital data transfer system. The control data is a synchronization status message (Ethernet-SSM) carried in an Ethernet-frame. Therefore, the number of such protocol data units that are dedicated only for timing purposes can be reduced.
US09088370B2 Coherent optical receiver, apparatus and method for detecting inter-channel skew in coherent optical receiver
In a coherent optical receiver, sufficient demodulation becomes impossible and consequently receiving performance deteriorates if an inter-channel skew arises, therefore, a coherent optical receiver according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes a local light source, a 90° hybrid circuit, an optoelectronic converter, an analog to digital converter, and a digital signal processing unit; wherein the 90° hybrid circuit makes multiplexed signal light interfere with local light from the local light source, and outputs a plurality of optical signals separated into a plurality of signal components; the optoelectronic converter detects the optical signals and outputs detected electrical signals; the analog to digital converter quantizes the detected electrical signals and outputs quantized signals; the digital signal processing unit includes a skew compensation unit for compensating a difference in propagation delay between the plurality of signal components, and an FFT operation unit for performing a fast Fourier transform process on the quantized signals; and wherein the difference in propagation delay is calculated on the basis of a plurality of peak values with a central focus on one peak value in the results of performing the fast Fourier transform process.
US09088364B1 Optical transmission system and multi-core optical fiber
An optical transmission system includes an optical transmitting unit, a multi-core optical fiber, an optical multiplexing unit, an optical demultiplexing unit, and an optical receiving unit. The optical transmitting unit outputs optical signals having a plurality of wavelengths included in an operation wavelength band. The multi-core optical fiber is connected to the optical transmitting unit and has a plurality of core portions. The optical multiplexing unit multiplexes the optical signals to the core portions. The optical demultiplexing unit demultiplexes the optical signals transmitted through the multi-core optical fiber. The optical receiving unit receives the optical signals demultiplexed by the optical demultiplexing unit, and the optical signals having different wavelengths from each other are input to different core portions from each other.
US09088359B2 Multi-wavelength visible light communications systems and methods
A system for transmitting data using light includes a plurality of light sources configured to transmit light at non-overlapping wavelengths, processing electronics, and a diffuser configured to diffuse the transmission of light. The processing electronics assign the plurality of light sources to a plurality of channels, accept a data stream, allocate the data stream to the channels, and modulate a transmission of the light using the allocated data stream, where the allocated data used to modulate a first light source of the plurality of light sources is separate from the allocated data used to modulate a second light source of the plurality of light sources.
US09088357B2 Imaging system for passive alignment of engines
Methods and systems for facilitating alignment of optical systems and optoelectronic systems are disclosed here. The methods and systems include passively detecting images, determining relative positions of components and aligning components. An imaging component can detect images and determine relative positions and repositioning instructions.
US09088350B2 System and method for selecting parameters for compressing coefficients for nodescale vectoring
In general, the present invention relates to methods and systems for optimizing the precoder coefficient compression parameters for reducing the storage and other demands on a vectored DSL system. Embodiments of the invention can be implemented in conjunction with various existing coefficient compression techniques such as quantization of coefficients and decimation in frequencies. According to certain aspects, the compression parameters (e.g. Golomb modulus and quantization level) are selected for each of a plurality of macrobands so as to optimize the overall data rate of the system for any given channel condition. According to further aspects, the compression parameters are computed to ensure that the compressed coefficients for all macrobands do not exceed the available memory allocated for storing the coefficient data.
US09088349B2 System and method for transmitting and detecting spread spectrum signals
This document discusses, among other things, a system and method of detecting wideband signals of bandwidth X within a communications system having a coherency time constant of T. A synchronization signal is generated as a function of a chirp signal that sweeps a portion of bandwidth X. The synchronization signal is transmitted and received as a wideband signal at a receiver. The receiver detects the synchronization signal within the wideband signal received at the receiver by generating a detection signal, correlating the received wideband signal with the detection signal and indicating when the synchronization signal is detected within the wideband signal. The detection signal is a complex conjugate of the synchronization signal.
US09088342B2 Method and apparatus for input cable length indication for SDI signals
A technique for indicating an input cable length includes measuring within a cable equalizer circuit a differential voltage that varies approximately linearly in proportion to cable length. The measured voltage is translated into a cable length measurement corresponding to the connected input cable. The translated input cable length measurements can be provided on a graphical user interface (GUI) in the form of a graphical representation and/or numerical value.
US09088340B2 Wireless communication apparatus
A wireless communication apparatus includes: attenuators provided in wireless devices for attenuating an input level of a reception signal; a monitoring unit for monitoring communication states of the wireless devices; and a control unit that performs control to determine whether or not the input level of the reception signal of the wireless device to be controlled out of the wireless devices will be excessive because of a wireless communication to be performed by the second wireless device other than the wireless device to be controlled, based on the communication states of the wireless devices monitored by the monitoring unit and to attenuate the input level of the reception signal by operating the attenuator of the wireless device when determination is made that the input level of the reception signal will be excessive.
US09088337B2 Methods and apparatuses for interference coordination in a telecommunications system
The embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses (600, 700) for coordinating interference in a telecommunications LTE based system. According to exemplary embodiments, an apparatus acting as a macro radio base station (eNB) (600) is configured to decide on what radio resources to schedule to its UEs and further decide on what resources to leave unutilized. Information on the decided resources is further transmitted in an interference coordinate signalling message, to at least one relay node (RN) (700) via at least one layer (1) control channel. The interference coordination signalling message will assist the RN (700) to make its own scheduling decision based on the information in the signalling message.
US09088332B2 Mitigation of interference from a mobile relay node to heterogeneous networks
Devices, systems and methods for mitigating the interference introduced by mobile relay nodes in a heterogeneous network are described. The techniques described apply fractional frequency reuse and power controlled beamforming to mitigate such interference.
US09088330B2 Distributed local oscillator generation and synchronization
Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for locally generating and synchronizing oscillation signals in a phased array system are presented. Multiple sub-array modules are used for collectively transmitting any number of beams on carrier frequencies, wherein each of the sub-array modules includes a transmit antenna, an oscillator configured to generate an oscillation signal, and a control element configured to phase lock the oscillation signal with other oscillation signals used in the system. The control element determines a phase difference measure that represents an average difference in phase between the oscillation signal and other oscillation signals used in the system, generates an average error signal, wherein the average error signal represents the phase difference measure, obtains information regarding oscillator trim signals applied with respect to the other oscillation signals generated in the system, and adjusts a frequency of the oscillation signal using the generated local oscillator trim signal.
US09088320B2 Transmitter with pre-distortion module, a method thereof
Aspects of the disclosure provide a transmitter that includes a pre-distortion module and a phase controller. The pre-distortion module is configured to receive a first digital value and generate a first pre-distorted digital value based on the first digital value and a corresponding angle. The first digital value is a combination of an in-phase component and a quadrature component of a signal for transmission. The phase controller is configured to control an amplifier to drive a current according to the first pre-distorted digital value and phase information in relation to the first digital value during a first phase range of a carrier signal determined at least partially based on the angle.
US09088298B2 Mixed mode time interleaved digital-to-analog converter for radio-frequency applications
Disclosed are systems, devices and methods related to mixed mode time interleaved digital-to-analog converters (DACs). In some embodiments, such DACs can be utilized for radio-frequency (RF) applications. In some embodiments, a DAC for RF applications can include a first circuit configured to receive a digital signal and perform a first operation to yield an increased bandwidth of the DAC. The DAC can further include a second circuit configured to perform a second operation on the digital signal to yield an analog signal representative of the digital signal. The second circuit can be further configured to reduce or remove an image within the increased bandwidth.
US09088292B1 Clocking scheme for reconfigurable wideband analog-to-digital converter
A clocking scheme for a reconfigurable wideband analog-to-digital converter (ADC) including a plurality of Delay Locked Loops (DLLs) arranged in parallel. Each DLL is responsive to an input clock signal and configured to selectively generate a plurality of output clock signals for controlling the operation of the ADC.
US09088289B2 System and method for increasing a voltage range associated with a voltage controlled oscillator
A system and method are provided for increasing a voltage range associated with a voltage controlled oscillator. A voltage-to-current converter is provided. Additionally, a current controlled oscillator is provided that is in communication with the voltage-to-current converter. Further, at least one circuit component is provided that is in communication with the voltage-to-current converter for increasing a voltage range with which the apparatus operates as a voltage controlled oscillator.
US09088287B2 Divided clock generation device and divided clock generation method
A clock generation device includes a flip-flop, a clock division unit, and a clock comparator. The flip-flop generates a chip selection signal synchronized with an internal clock signal. The clock division unit generates second divided clock signals based on a first divided clock signal. The clock comparator selects ones of the second divided clock signals based on the chip selection signal. The clock division unit divides the internal clock signal based on the first divided clock signal and the selected one of the second divided clock signals.
US09088285B2 Dynamic divider having interlocking circuit
A high-speed and low power divider includes a ring of four dynamic latches, an interlocking circuit, and four output inverters. Each latch has a first dynamic node M and a second dynamic node N. The interlocking circuit is coupled to the M nodes. Based on one or more of the M node signals received, the interlocking circuit selectively controls the logic values on one or more of the M modes such that over time, as the divider is clocked, only one of the signals on the N nodes is low at a given time. The output inverters generate inverted versions of the N node signals that are output from the divider as low phase noise 25% duty cycle output signals I, IB, Q and QB. In one specific example, each latch has eight transistors and no more than eight transistors. The divider recovers quickly and automatically from erroneous state disturbances.
US09088276B2 Pre-emphasis control circuit for adjusting the magnitude of a signal over a period according to a fraction of a bit-time
A pre-emphasis circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment, a pre-emphasis circuit includes a first signal path configured to receive a first signal and a second signal path configured to receive the first signal. The second signal path includes a re-timing circuit configured to delay the first signal by a pre-determined amount to produce a second signal. The pre-emphasis circuit also includes a summing circuit coupled to receive the first signal from the first signal path and the second signal from the second signal path. The summing circuit is configured to add the second signal to the first signal to produce a third signal, wherein the third signal is logically equivalent to the first signal. The third signal has a first magnitude for a first portion of a bit-time of the first signal, and a second magnitude for a second portion of the bit-time of the first signal.
US09088274B1 Voltage clamping circuit
A voltage clamping circuit that is implemented using low voltage devices provides a way to discharge an input/output pin to ground during overvoltage conditions and to avoid any interaction between the input/output pin and the input/output supply during clamping action. The voltage clamping circuit is also self-protected. A voltage detection circuit detects an overvoltage condition and in response generates a signal that turns on a PMOS, which in turn provides a clamping current path between the input/output pin and ground.
US09088272B1 Frequency shift-keying reader circuit
A frequency shift-keying reader circuit includes a band-pass filter, a low noise amplifier, a first balun, an injection-lock divide-by-2 frequency divider, a sub-harmonic mixer and a low-pass filter. The band-pass filter performs a filtering procedure to a radio frequency signal, wherein the filtered radio-frequency signal is received by the low noise amplifier to provide an injection signal, and the injection signal is received by the first balun to generate a first differential signal and a second differential signal. The injection signal is received by the injection-lock divide-by-2 frequency divider to provide a first oscillation signal and a second oscillation signal, wherein the first differential signal, the second differential signal, the first oscillation signal and the second oscillation signal are received by the sub-harmonic mixer for performing a mixing procedure and thereafter generating an output signal, the low-pass filter performs a filtering procedure to the output signal.
US09088270B2 Capacitive load drive circuit, fluid ejection device and medical device
Operation of a digital power amplifier for power amplification of a modulated signal is stopped in a period in which a voltage value of a drive signal applied to a capacitive load is constant, to thereby suppress power loss. The power amplification is stopped either when half a period of time when the modulated signal in a first voltage state maintains the first voltage state elapses or when half a period of time when the modulated signal in a second voltage state which is lower in voltage than the first voltage state maintains the second voltage state elapses. Accordingly, when electric current does not flow in a inductor of a low pass filter, it is possible to stop the power amplification. Thus, it is possible to prevent generation of voltage fluctuation in the drive signal due to an electromotive force caused by a self-induction phenomenon of the inductor.
US09088258B2 RF power amplifier with linearity control
A linear amplifier circuit includes a multi-stage power amplifier that can amplify an input signal to produce an output signal, and a gain feedback control circuit coupled with the output and the input of the multi-stage power amplifier. An adjacent-channel leakage feedback control circuit can detect the output signal at the output of the multi-stage power amplifier and reduce adjacent-channel leakage in the output signal over an output power range based on the detected output signal.
US09088257B2 Device and method for controlling power amplifier
A device for controlling operation of a power amplifier includes a detector, a reference signal generator and a controller. The detector is configured to detect a voltage level of an output signal of the power amplifier with respect to a predetermined boost threshold and to generate a corresponding detection signal and a reference signal. The controller is configured to provide a supply voltage to an output transistor of the power amplifier based on a comparison of the detection signal and the reference signal, the supply voltage being a no boost voltage, which is substantially the same as a supply voltage, when the comparison indicates that the voltage level is within the predetermined boost threshold, and the supply voltage being one of multiple boost voltages when the detection signal indicates that the voltage level is beyond the predetermined boost threshold. The controller generates the boost voltages by boosting the supply voltage.
US09088252B2 Fixed voltage generating circuit
A fixed voltage generating circuit includes a current mirror, a differential pair, and a resistor coupled to the current mirror. A node of the resistor is coupled to a voltage source. The differential pair includes two resistors coupled to the voltage source to enable the differential pair outputting a stable output voltage.
US09088245B2 Demodulation circuit and RFID tag including the demodulation circuit
An object is to provide a demodulation circuit having a sufficient demodulation ability. Another object is to provide an RFID tag which uses a demodulation circuit having a sufficient demodulation ability. A material which enables a reverse current to be small enough, for example, an oxide semiconductor material, which is a wide bandgap semiconductor, is used in part of a transistor included in a demodulation circuit. By using the semiconductor material which enables a reverse current of a transistor to be small enough, a sufficient demodulation ability can be secured even when an electromagnetic wave having a high amplitude is received.
US09088244B2 Frequency converter
A frequency converter includes: a plurality of mixers each including a magnetoresistance effect device including a fixed magnetic layer, a free magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic spacer layer sandwiched between the fixed magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer, when receiving a first high-frequency signal and a local second high-frequency signal, the magnetoresistance effect device multiplying the first high-frequency signal and the local second high-frequency signal by a magnetoresistance effect to generate a multiplication signal, and a magnetic field applying unit that applies a magnetic field to the free magnetic layer. A plurality of multiplication signals generated when the first high-frequency signal and the local second high-frequency signals that differ from one mixer to another are input to the mixers, are added together and are output.
US09088243B2 Magnetic field feedback based spintronic oscillator
The embodiments herein relate to a magnetic field feedback based spintronic microwave oscillator driven by DC current. The microwave oscillator works based on a magnetic tunnel junction structure connected to a feedback waveguide. Any fluctuation in the magnetization direction of free magnetization layer of MTJ drives an oscillating current through the feedback waveguide which in turn exerts an oscillating magnetic field on the free layer and amplifies the magnetization fluctuations. If the DC current passing through the MTJ is more than a critical value, continuous processing states of the magnetization are possible. The critical current is independent of the thickness and magnetization of the free layer. A MTJ can be driven into spontaneous oscillations with DC current and magnetic field feedback circuit and can act as a spintronic microwave oscillator.
US09088236B2 Method for controlling a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor at steady-state, electronic device for implementing said method and motor assembly comprising said electronic device
A method, which is efficient and cost-effective to implement, for controlling, at steady-state, a synchronous electric motor comprising a permanent magnet rotor and a stator provided with windings connected to an electrical grid by means of a switch controlled by a processing unit, said method comprising the following steps: periodically switching on said switch by means of a PWM output of said processing unit; continuously verifying the shift with respect to an ideal operating condition of the motor; and modifying the switched on period of the switch in feedback to approach said ideal operating condition of the motor.
US09088227B2 Motor controller, image processing apparatus including the motor controller, and motor control method
A motor controller, operatively connected to a motor having an output shaft, includes a rotary detector to detect a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the output shaft of the motor to generate an actual rotary signal, a drive controller to generate a control signal based on the actual rotary signal and a target rotary signal indicating a target rotary direction and a target rotary amount, and a driver to supply a driving power to the motor based on the control signal. When the motor is in a hold state, the control signal is reversed periodically for a predetermined reverse time period T2 per a predetermined one reverse cycle T1. When the control signal is not reversed for a certain lock detection time period Tr that is longer than the revere cycle T1 of the control signal, supply of the driving power to the motor is blocked.
US09088223B2 Power factor correction circuit with input voltage estimation and driving method thereof
A power factor correction circuit includes an inductor, a power switch, and a power factor correction controller. The power factor correction controller receives information on an inductor voltage to control a switching operation of the power switch. The power factor controller estimates an input voltage according to the duty ratio of the power switch.
US09088221B2 High-voltage power supply module and power supply system
A high-voltage power supply module includes a front-end power converting circuit, a first back-end circuit, a second back-end circuit, a ground terminal and a controlling unit. The front-end power converting circuit receives an input voltage and converts the input voltage into a bus voltage. The first back-end circuit receives the bus voltage and outputs a first voltage. The second back-end circuit receives the bus voltage and outputs a second voltage. The first back-end circuit and the second back-end circuit are connected with a connecting terminal. The ground terminal is connected with the connecting terminal. In response to the first voltage and the second voltage, a first control signal and a second control signal are respectively issued from the controlling unit to the first back-end circuit and the second back-end circuit, thereby adjusting the magnitudes of the first voltage and the second voltage.
US09088220B2 Combined low power isolated power supply with isolated data transfer
An apparatus for generating an isolated power supply voltage and an isolated data signal includes a first pulse generation circuit configured to generate a first pulse signal and a second pulse generation circuit configured to generate a second pulse signal based on an input pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. A transformer circuit including a transformer is coupled to the first pulse generation circuit and to the second pulse generation circuit. The transformer is configured to generate an output pulse signal based on the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal. An isolated power supply circuit is coupled to the transformer circuit and is configured to generate an isolated power supply voltage based on the output pulse signal. A latch circuit is coupled to the transformer circuit and is configured to generate an isolated PWM signal based on the output pulse signal.
US09088218B2 Systems and methods for current control of power conversion systems
System and method for regulating an output current of a power conversion system. An example system controller for regulating an output current of a power conversion system includes a driving component, a demagnetization detector, a current-regulation component, and a signal processing component. The driving component is configured to output a drive signal to a switch in order to affect a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversion system. The demagnetization detector is configured to receive a feedback signal associated with an output voltage of the power conversion system and generate a detection signal based on at least information associated with the feedback signal. The current-regulation component is configured to receive the drive signal, the detection signal and a current-sensing signal and output a current-regulation signal based on at least information associated with the drive signal, the detection signal, and the current sensing signal.
US09088215B2 Power converter package structure and method
An embodiment power converter package comprises a semiconductor die, an output inductor, a plurality of input capacitors and output capacitors. The semiconductor die, the output inductor and the plurality of capacitors are mounted on a lead frame and connected one to another through various pads on the lead frame. The semiconductor die comprises a high side switch, a low side switch and a driver. The power converter package is electrically coupled to an external pulse width modulation controller through a variety of input and output pads.
US09088207B2 Long pulse droop compensator
One example embodiment may include a power supply system. The power supply system may include a main capacitor and a boost converter. The main capacitor is used to generate an electrical pulse. The boost converter is configured to be coupled to the main capacitor. Additionally, the boost converter includes a compensator supply including an energy storage capacitor that can store electrical energy. The boost converter also includes and a compensator inductor that receives the electrical energy from the compensator supply and is configured to supply electrical energy to the main capacitor when the main capacitor is generating the electrical pulse.
US09088203B2 Current balance for a multi-phase electric power converter and method for operating the same
A power converter includes a plurality of semiconductor switching devices coupled in a parallel configuration and positioned proximate each other in an interlaced configuration with respect to a plurality of electrical phases. The interlaced configuration facilitates inducing an electric current flow through each semiconductor switching device of the plurality of semiconductor switching devices that cancels at least a portion of current imbalances between at least a portion of the plurality of semiconductor switching devices.
US09088190B2 Electrical machines and electrical machine rotors
Electrical machine rotors and electrical machines are disclosed. The electrical machine rotors may include a shaft, a pair of permanent magnets arranged to form a magnetic pole on the rotor, a pole iron, and a pair of opposed inter-pole irons. The pole iron may retain the pair of magnets against the inter-pole irons and relative to the shaft. The electrical machine rotors may be assembled into electrical machines that include the rotor and a stator that includes a stator iron and at least one coil. In some examples, the shaft may be hollow, nonmagnetic, fiber-reinforced, and/or fabricated at least partially from a composite material.
US09088189B2 Lamination stack for an electrical machine rotor and associated method of making
An electrical machine permanent magnet rotor (and associated method of making) includes a plurality of disc-shaped laminations arranged in a stacked configuration. Each of the laminations has a plurality of magnetic material slots circumferentially spaced around a peripheral portion thereof. A first set of the slots on each lamination has a material bridge between a radial end of the slot and an outer circumferential edge of the lamination. A second set of the slots on each lamination have a radial end that extends to the outer circumferential edge of the lamination and is void of the material bridge.
US09088185B2 Electromechanical actuator, electromechanical-actuator power disconnection method, and electromechanical-actuator power disconnection apparatus
An electromechanical actuator is provided with a power disconnection mechanism including a case portion, inner shaft portion, supporting portions, and connecting members. The case portion is fixed to an electric motor. The inner shaft portion within the case portion is fixed to a screw portion. The supporting portions are installed so as to support a load parallel to the axial direction between the case portion and the inner shaft portion, inserted into the inner shaft portion, and slidable along axial grooves and circumferential grooves with respect to the case portion. The connecting members break connection between the case portion and the inner shaft portion and disconnect transmission of power when torque of a prescribed amount or larger acts.
US09088183B2 Cooled motor for a paper shredder
A paper shredder motor cooling assembly having a paper shredder motor coupled to a fan shaft, an enclosure surrounding the paper shredder motor and having selected input and selected output vents to control airflow to the paper shredder motor, a fan coupled to the fan shaft, communicating with the selected input vents or the selected output vents; when the paper shredder motor is operating, the rotor shaft turns the fan to generate a differential air pressure between the selected input vents and the selected output vents, removing heat from the motor. A duty cycle of greater than 15 minutes is obtained. The fan can be coupled to the motor by speed increasing gearing, attached to the cutter blade assembly, such that the fan turns faster than the motor. The fan also can be attached to the motor shaft. An input fan and an output fan can be used.
US09088178B2 Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources
A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.
US09088162B2 Hierarchical battery management system
A hierarchical battery-management system mainly comprises a monitoring and equalizing module, an intermediary module, and a decision and communication module. The monitoring and equalizing module electrically couples with the battery cells, the intermediary modules electrically couple with the monitoring and equalizing module and the decision and communication module. The decision and communication module electrically couples with a power system or an electronic/electrical apparatus, and a hierarchical management structure constructed by the intermediary module to screen data and to transmit meaningful cell data to meet real time managing requirements of the large battery set.
US09088156B2 Electric switch
An electric switch is disclosed, in particular an electric circuit breaker. In at least one example embodiment, the switch includes a measuring channel for measuring an electric measured variable and is switched off when the result of a measurement reaches or exceeds a limit value. To test the mode of operation of the measuring channel, the electric measured variable is switched to a reference channel and a reference signal source is switched to the measuring channel and the reference result obtained via the measuring channel is compared with a reference setpoint. The switch is also tripped if, to test the mode of operation of the measuring channel, the electric measured variable is switched to the reference channel and the result obtained via the reference channel reaches or exceeds the limit value.
US09088155B2 Surge protection device
There is provided a surge protection device that includes (a) an input and an output, (b) a short-circuit-proof primary current path and a secondary current path between the input and the output, and (c) a fuse in a short-circuit-proof fuse box. The short-circuit-proof fuse box is arranged in the secondary current path, and (i) on one side of the secondary current path is contacted with the primary current path in a short-circuit-proof manner based on the primary current path, and (ii) on the other side of the secondary current path is contacted in a substantially short-circuit-proof manner based on the fuse. A help system for signalling and/or supply of devices for improving ignition behavior is arranged in the secondary current path, and the short-circuit-proof fuse box is also contacted to a short-circuit-proof discharge path so that a current can be guided by the help system current path.
US09088148B2 Protection circuit for central processing unit
A protection circuit for a central processing unit (CPU) includes a power circuit, two comparators, a number of resistors, a thermistor, and an electronic switch. A non-inverting input terminal of the comparator is coupled to a first power terminal. An inverting input terminal of the comparator is connected to ground through the thermistor. An output terminal of the comparator is coupled to the electronic switch. When an operation temperature of the CPU exceeds a predefined temperature, the comparator enables the electronic switch to be turned on, to reduce an operation frequency of the CPU.
US09088146B2 Modular holding device for mounting parts located inside an aircraft fuselage
A holding device for a mounting part installed inside an aircraft fuselage includes an anchor plate configured to attach the holding device to a support rail of the aircraft fuselage and including at least one engagement section. The holding device further includes a holder module separably connected to the anchor plate and configured to fix the mounting part to the aircraft fuselage and having a hook section configured to positively engage the at least one engagement section so as to fasten the holder module to the anchor plate, and at least two clamping blocks disposed on the holder module.
US09088137B2 Spark plug
The plug comprises a nut, a coupling extending from the nut and adapted to receive an ignition wire and an insulator extending from the nut and away from the coupling. A positive electrode extends through the insulator. An externally-threaded tubular portion extends from the nut in surrounding relation to the insulator and terminating, short of the insulator end, in a cap that is disposed in spaced relation to the insulator. The cap defines a void having: a central portion into which the positive electrode extends; an annular channel surrounding the central portion; and a plurality of lobes, each positioned with respect to the central portion as the planet gears are positioned with respect to the sun gear in a planetary gear. The cap has a central surface that is axially spaced from the insulator and a convex surface that surrounds and extends to the central surface.
US09088134B2 Method and apparatus including improved vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers
VCSELs and methods having improved characteristics. In some embodiments, these include a semiconductor substrate; a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) on the substrate; a first electrical contact formed on the VCSEL; a second electrical contact formed on the substrate, wherein the VCSEL includes: a first resonating cavity having first and second mirrors, at least one of which partially transmits light incident on that mirror, wherein the first second mirrors are electrically conductive. A first layer is between the first mirror and the second mirror and has a first aperture that restricts the path of current flow. A second layer is between the first layer and the second mirror and also restricts the electrical current path. A multiple-quantum-well (MQW) structure is between the first mirror and the second mirror, wherein the first and second apertures act together to define a path geometry of the current through the MQW structure.
US09088133B2 Two-dimensional photonic crystal surface emitting laser
Provided is a two-dimensional photonic crystal surface emitting laser having an active layer for generating light of a predetermined wavelength range by an injection of electric current and a two-dimensional photonic crystal layer provided on one side of the active layer, the layer having a plate-shaped base member in which modified refractive index areas whose refractive index differs from that of the base member are arranged.
US09088121B2 Package module, package terminal and manufacturing method thereof
A package terminal is provided, which comprising: a base; an end portion with a first section; and a bent portion having a C-shape bend with a gradual change section, wherein the bent portion includes a first end and a second end, the first end is connected to the end portion, the second end is connected to the base, the bent portion includes a second section, and an area of the second section is smaller than an area of the first section.
US09088120B2 Serviceable electrical connection and method
An electrical connection includes an electrically conductive first contact member, an electrically conductive second contact member, an interface, and an attachment. The first contact member includes a first contact surface for passing current. The second contact member includes a second contact surface for passing current that directly contacts the first contact surface. The interface includes one of a cold weld and a fused section that physically joins the first contact member and the second contact member, and that forms a primary conductive path between the first contact member and the second contact member. The interface is formed by ultrasonic vibration of the first contact surface relative to the second contact surface. The attachment is separate from the interface and mechanically joins the first contact member and the second contact member. A method for forming the electrical method is also provided.
US09088108B2 Electrical connector having a pair of metallic shells
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a plurality of terminals (2), a metal plate (3), a first metallic shell (4) and a second metallic shell (5). The first metallic shell has a pair of side walls (43). The second metallic shell includes a pair of side boards (52). Each side wall has a first portion (4301), a second portion (4302), an elastic fin (431) extending from the first portion and a first angle relative to the second portion. Each side board defines a window (521) and the elastic fin protrudes into the window and resists against a contour of the window at a plurality of resisting points (4321) for prohibiting a relative movement of the first metallic shell, with respect to the second metallic shell. Each elastic fin is located in a vertical plane and the degree of the first angle is between 0 and 90°.
US09088105B2 Slip-out preventing connector
In the connector housing 10, a side wall opening 10W is formed which is continuous to an upper half of an opposite side wall 10S2 from the rear surface opening 10R. A tapered protrusion 10M is provided to stand upward from a lower side opening end face 10W1 of the side wall opening 10W. In the terminal 20, a tapered engaging recessed part 20M is formed in a part opposed to the tapered protrusion 10M. In one side wall 10S1 of the connector housing 10, a tapered hole 10K is formed. In the terminal 20, a tapered protrusion 20K is formed which enters the tapered hole 10K. Thus, the terminal 20 slides in a transverse direction by a sliding operation of the tapers so that the terminal 20 is held in the connector housing 10.
US09088104B2 Lock device
A lock device includes a lock member moved between a lock position, at which the lock member restricts removal of a locking subject from a power port, and an unlock position, at which the lock member permits removal of the locking subject from the power port. A transmission member is moved between a first position, at which the transmission member fixes the lock member at the lock position, and a second position, at which the transmission member permits movement of the lock member to the unlock position. A auxiliary unlocking mechanism includes a movable forcible unlocking member, which manually moves the transmission member to the second position, and a holding unit, which holds the forcible unlocking member while permitting such movement. The auxiliary unlocking mechanism may be used should there be failure of the main unlocking mechanism.
US09088098B2 Terminal connecting system
An electronic device is provided comprising a connection interface including a connection portion; and a fastening portion comprising a plate that is configured to: (i) be substantially flush with a surface of the electronic device when the connection interface and a connector are not mated, and (ii) extend or recede from the surface of the electronic device when the connection interface and the connector are mated.
US09088095B2 Connector and mating connector
A connector is fixable to an object such as a circuit board. The connector comprises a shell. The shell has a body portion and a fixing portion for fixing the body portion to the circuit board. The body portion is provided with an engagement piece. The fixing portion has a flange and an opening. The flange is configured to be screwed to and pressed against the circuit board. The opening is engaged with the engagement piece so as to press the engagement piece toward the circuit board when the flange is pressed against the circuit board.
US09088088B1 Portable apparatus having electrical power receptacles and device charging ports
A portable apparatus that provides electrical power receptacles and device charging ports. The portable apparatus has a base member and a plurality of post members connected to the base member. Each post member has an electrical power receptacle that provides electrical power and an electrical power device having a device charging port that provides a voltage suitable for charging and powering devices such as cell phones, cameras, iPads, Ipods and similar devices. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical power device includes an additional electrical power receptacle. Each post member has an interior region and electrical wiring located with the interior region which provides electrical power to the electrical power receptacles and the electrical power device. The portable apparatus also has a top member connected to the post members and an intermediate support member that is attached to the post members and located between the top member and the base member.
US09088083B2 Contacts for use with an electronic device
A contact includes a contact body including a tip, a spring beam opposite the tip and a shoulder between the tip and the spring beam. A plunger is movable with respect to the contact body and has the plunger having a tip and a shoulder. A biasing member is contained by the shoulders. The biasing member imparts a biasing force on the shoulder of the plunger. The biasing member is compressed as the plunger moves relative to the contact body. The spring beam engages the plunger between the tip and the shoulder of the plunger and is spring biased against the plunger to electrically couple the contact body and the plunger. An electrical path is defined from the tip of the plunger to the spring beam and to the tip of the contact body. The electrical path is routed outside of the biasing member.
US09088075B2 Method and system for configuring a leaky wave antenna utilizing micro-electro mechanical systems
Methods and systems for configuring a leaky wave antenna (LWA) utilizing micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) are disclosed and may include configuring a resonant frequency of one or more LWAs in a wireless device utilizing MEMS actuation. RF signals may be communicated using the LWAs. The LWAs may be integrated in metal layers in a chip, an integrated circuit package, and/or a printed circuit board in the wireless device. The LWAs may include microstrip waveguides where a cavity height of the LWAs may be dependent on a spacing between conductive lines in the microstrip waveguides. The LWAs may be configured to transmit the wireless signals at a desired angle. The integrated circuit package may be affixed to a printed circuit board and an integrated circuit may be flip-chip-bonded to the integrated circuit package. An air gap may be integrated adjacent to one or more of the metal layers for the MEMS actuation.
US09088074B2 Hollow core coaxial cables and methods of making the same
Disclosed and claimed herein is a hollow core coaxial cable, having a dielectric capillary with an inside wall and an outside wall, an inner conductive layer on the inside wall of the hollow core coaxial cable and an outer conductive layer on the outside wall of the hollow core coaxial cable, the conductive layers may be patterned. Further disclosed is a method of making the hollow core coaxial cable. Further disclosed are holey fiber coaxial cables, having a holey fiber capillary having an inside wall and an outside wall, an inner conductive layer on the inside wall of the hollow core coaxial cable and an outer conductive layer on the outside wall of the hollow core coaxial cable, the conductive layers may be patterned.
US09088073B2 High isolation single lambda antenna for dual communication systems
An antenna system includes an antenna element having two antenna feeds and a shared connection to a ground plane. A first antenna portion has a first resonant frequency length of at least one first wavelength formed from a first feed together with the shared ground connection. A second antenna portion has a second resonant frequency length formed from a second feed together with the shared ground connection. First and second slots are respectively positioned between the shared ground connection and the respective first and second feeds such that the slots create inductances. At least a portion of the ground plane is located directly beneath at least a portion of the first and second slots. The first and second slot inductances together with the ground plane capacitances form one or more filter components to isolate the first and second resonant frequencies in the antenna element.
US09088069B2 Wireless communication apparatus
A wireless communication apparatus that includes a first antenna section having a first power feed point; a second antenna section having a second power feed point; a first electrically conductive plate extending between the first antenna section and the second antenna section; a second electrically conductive plate disposed substantially in parallel with the first electrically conductive plate and extending between the first antenna section and the second antenna section; and a short-circuiting member that electrically short-circuits the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate to each other such that a slit is formed by a part of a periphery of the first electrically conductive plate and a part of a periphery of the second electrically conductive plate.
US09088067B2 Communication device and tunable antenna element therein
A communication device includes a ground element and an antenna element. The antenna element includes a first radiation element, a second radiation element, and a control circuit. One end of the first radiation element is coupled to a signal source, and another end of the first radiation element is an open end. The second radiation element includes at least a first portion and a second portion. A first end of the first portion is a shorted end coupled to the ground element, and a fourth end of the second portion is an open end. The second radiation element surrounds the open end of the first radiation element. The control circuit is coupled between a second end of the first portion and a third end of the second portion of the second radiation element. The control circuit provides at least two different impedances.
US09088058B2 Waveguide interface with a launch transducer and a circular interface plate
A waveguide interface and a method of manufacturing is disclosed. The interface includes a support block that has a printed circuit board. A communication device is coupled to the circuit board. A launch transducer is positioned adjacent to and coupled to the communication device. The launch transducer includes one or more transmission lines in a first portion and at least one antenna element in a second portion. The antenna element radiates millimeter wave frequency signals. An interface plate coupled to the support block has a rectangular slot having predetermined dimensions. A waveguide component is coupled to the interface plate and has a waveguide opening. The first portion of the launch transducer is positioned within the slot such that the slot prevents energy from the transmission line from emitting toward the circuit board or the waveguide opening but allows energy to pass from the antenna element into the waveguide opening.
US09088049B2 Bifunctional hollandite Ag2Mn8O16 catalyst for lithium-air batteries
A lithium air battery cell includes an anode having lithium, a cathode having a Ag2Mn8O16 catalyst, and an electrolyte comprising a lithium salt. A cathode for a lithium air battery cell and a lithium air battery with a cathode including buckypaper and a Ag2Mn8O16 catalyst are also disclosed.
US09088048B2 Silicon whisker and carbon nanofiber composite anode
A carbon nanofiber can have a surface and include at least one crystalline whisker extending from the surface of the carbon nanofiber. A battery anode composition can be formed from a plurality of carbon nanofibers each including a plurality of crystalline whiskers.
US09088037B2 Electrode material for lithium electrochemical cells
An electrochemically active material is disclosed in which the particles of electrochemically active material have a zeta potential of less than 25 mV in absolute value (−25 mV to 0 mV; 0 mV to 25 mV) as measured in the medium (water and/or organic solvent) in which the particles are dispersed.
US09088036B2 Rechargeable lithium battery
A rechargeable lithium battery is provided that includes a negative electrode including a negative active material, a positive electrode including a positive active material, and an electrolyte. The electrolyte includes a lithium salt and a non-aqueous organic solvent including from about 1 to about 20 volume % of a cyclic carbonate and from about 80 to about 99 volume % of a linear carbonate. The positive electrode has an active mass density of about 3.7 g/cc or greater. The rechargeable lithium battery shows improved cycle-life and storage characteristics at high temperatures, and good high rate characteristics.
US09088028B2 Battery pack, holster, and extendible processing and interface platform for mobile devices
Embodiments of this disclosure relate to battery packs and/or holsters and, more particular, to an external battery pack and/or holster for mobile electronic devices.
US09088024B2 Secondary battery
A secondary battery including an electrode assembly; a collecting plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly; a case accommodating the electrode assembly and the collecting plate; a cap plate coupled with the case; an electrode terminal electrically connected to the collecting plate, the electrode terminal extending through the cap plate; and an insulation cover member covering regions of the electrode terminal and the collecting plate, the regions of the electrode terminal and the collecting plate being between the cap plate and the electrode assembly.
US09088017B2 Gas reclaiming system and method
A gas reclaiming system is disclosed. The gas reclaiming system includes a getter device adapted to receive mixed gases and separate the mixed gases into at least one gas of interest and constituent gases. A recirculation loop is disposed in fluid communication with the getter device and adapted to receive the at least one gas of interest from the getter device. A gas reclaiming method is also disclosed.
US09088011B2 Bipolar plate for a fuel cell and fuel cell stack
A bipolar plate which can be produced particularly economically for a fuel cell, with which a high degree of efficiency is guaranteed over a long service life. The bipolar plate has a core layer consisting of a steel material, the surfaces of said core layer, which are associated with the respective electrolyte carriers of the fuel cell, having a corrosion protection layer, protecting the core layer against corrosion. The corrosion protection layers consist of a metal material and extend on both sides over the whole surface of the core layer. At the same time the corrosion protection layers are in turn coated over the whole surface with an electrically conductive functional coating, which is essentially entirely impermeable for the metal ions emerging from the core layer and/or the corrosion protection layers. The invention likewise relates to at least one fuel cell comprising a bipolar plate according to the invention.
US09087995B2 Fullerene-doped nanostructures and methods therefor
Nanostructures are doped to set conductivity characteristics. In accordance with various example embodiments, nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes are doped with a halogenated fullerene type of dopant material. In some implementations, the dopant material is deposited from solution or by vapor deposition, and used to dope the nanotubes to increase the thermal and/or electrical conductivity of the nanotubes.
US09087992B2 Shaft-hub connection
A shaft-hub connection having a hub seat (2), which is provided by the shaft (1), and a hub of a component (5), which is received by the hub seat (2), wherein the hub seat (2) and the hub of the component (5) implement a polygonal connection. In order to provide a shaft-hub connection which is optimized in particular in regard to the force introduction into the shaft, it is proposed by the invention that the hub seat (2) has at least one radial projection (9, 10) in the longitudinal direction (11) of the shaft (1).
US09087984B2 Semicondcutor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a pinned layer having a magnetic direction permanently set to a first direction, a tunnel insulating layer arranged on the pinned layer, a free layer arranged on the tunnel insulating layer and having a changeable magnetic direction, and a magnetic induction layer formed to surround the pinned layer and have a magnetic direction permanently set to a second direction different from the first direction.
US09087983B2 Self-aligned process for fabricating voltage-gated MRAM
A STT-MRAM comprises apparatus and a method of manufacturing a spin-torque magnetoresistive memory and a plurality of a three-terminal magnetoresistive memory element having a voltage-gated recording. A bit line is coupled to the memory element through an upper electrode provided on the top surface of a reference layer, a select CMOS is coupled to the recording layer of the memory element through a middle second electrode and a VIA and a digital line is coupled to a voltage gate which is insulated from the recording layer by a dielectric layer and is used to adjust the switching write current. The fabrication includes formation of bottom digital line, formation of memory cell & VIA connection, formation of top bit line. Dual photolithography patterning and hard mask etch are used to form a small memory pillar. Ion implantation is used to convert a buried dielectric VIA into an electrical conducting path between middle memory cell and underneath CMOS device.
US09087981B2 Methods of forming a magnetic tunnel junction device
Embodiments of the present disclosure are a method of forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device and methods of forming a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device. An embodiment is a method of forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device, the method comprising forming an MTJ layer over a bottom electrode, forming a top electrode layer over the MTJ layer, and selectively etching the top electrode layer to form a top electrode over the MTJ layer. The method further comprises patterning an upper portion of the MTJ layer with an ion beam etch (IBE) process.
US09087972B2 Flat panel display device and method of manufacturing the same
A flat panel display device and method of manufacturing the display device. The display device comprises a first substrate and a connection pad located along a side of the first substrate. A second substrate overlaps with the first substrate, wherein the second substrate does not overlap with an exposed portion of the first substrate. A first contact pad electrically couples the second substrate and the first substrate. A first distance from the side of the first substrate to a boundary between the exposed portion of the first substrate and the second substrate is greater than a second distance from the side of the first substrate to the first contact pad. The display device may be, for example, a touch capable display device that uses the first contact pad to transfer touch sensing signals from the second substrate to the first substrate.
US09087971B2 Light-emitting device having dielectric reflector and method of manufacturing the same
A light-emitting device includes a first conductive semiconductor layer formed on a substrate, a mask layer formed on the first conductive semiconductor layer and having a plurality of holes, a plurality of vertical light-emitting structures vertically grown on the first conductive semiconductor layer through the plurality of holes, a current diffusion layer surrounding the plurality of vertical light-emitting structures on the first conductive semiconductor layer, and a dielectric reflector filling a space between the plurality of vertical light-emitting structures on the current diffusion layer.
US09087964B2 Light-emitting device
Occurrence of a crosstalk phenomenon is suppressed in a light-emitting device including a tandem element. A light-emitting device includes a first lower electrode and a second lower electrode over an insulating layer; a partition which is formed over the insulating layer and positioned between the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode; a projecting object formed over the partition; a first light-emitting unit over each of the first lower electrode, the partition, the projecting object, and the second lower electrode; an intermediate layer over the first light-emitting unit; a second light-emitting unit over the intermediate layer; and an upper electrode over the second light-emitting unit. A recess is formed by a side surface of the projecting object and a side surface of the partition.
US09087962B2 Thermoelectric conversion module
To improve the mass productivity of thermoelectric conversion modules. A thermoelectric conversion module 1 is equipped with a pair of substrates 11 and 12, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 2, each having one end portion electrically connected to a first electrode 3 which is arranged on the substrate 11 and the other end portion electrically connected to a second electrode 4 which is arranged on the substrate 12, and a connection section 5 which electrically connects the first electrode 3 electrically connected to the thermoelectric conversion element 2 to the second electrode 4 electrically connected to an adjacent one of the thermoelectric conversion elements 2. The connection section 5 is separate from at least one of the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4.
US09087957B2 Method for producing an emitter structure and emitter structures resulting therefrom
A method for forming an emitter structure on a substrate and emitter structures resulting therefrom is disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes forming, on the substrate, a first layer comprising semiconductor material. The method also includes texturing a surface of the first layer, thereby forming a first emitter region from the first layer, wherein the first emitter region has a first textured surface. The method also includes forming a second emitter region at the first textured surface, the second emitter region having a second textured surface.
US09087955B1 Humidity control and method for thin film photovoltaic materials
A method for processing a thin film photovoltaic module. The method includes providing a plurality of substrates, each of the substrates having a first electrode layer and an overlying absorber layer composed of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)or copper indium selenide (CIS) material. The absorber material comprises a plurality of sodium bearing species. The method maintains the plurality of substrates in a controlled environment after formation of at least the absorber layer through one or more processes up to a lamination process. The controlled environment has a relative humidity of less than 10% and a temperature ranging from about 10 degrees Celsius to about 40 degrees Celsius. The method subjects the plurality of substrates to a liquid comprising water at a temperature from about 10 degrees Celsius to about 80 degrees Celsius to process the plurality of substrates after formation of the absorber layer. The plurality of substrates having the absorber layer is subjected to an environment having a relative humidity of greater than about 10% to a time period of less then four hours.
US09087954B2 Method for producing the pentanary compound semiconductor CZTSSe, and thin-film solar cell
A method for producing a compound semiconductor composed of pentanary kesterite/stannite of the type Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 is described. The method has the following steps: producing at least one precursor layer stack consisting of a first precursor layer and a second precursor layer; thermally treating the at least one precursor layer stack in a process chamber; and feeding at least one process gas into the process chamber during the thermal treatment of the at least one precursor layer stack. Furthermore, a thin-film solar cell with an absorber consisting of the pentanary compound semiconductor Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 on a body is described.
US09087949B2 Solar cell module and solar power generation apparatus
A solar cell module includes a plurality of electric power generation units. Each of the plurality of electric power generation units includes a solar cell element and a light guide unit having a first surface and a second surface positioned opposite to the first surface and configured to guide light toward the solar cell element between the first surface and the second surface. The plurality of the light guide units included in the plurality of electric power generation units include a first light guide unit having a first fluorescent material that emits first light upon receipt of light incident from the first surface, and also includes at least one light guide unit of a second light guide unit having a second fluorescent material that emits second light having a different wavelength from the first light upon receipt of light incident from the first surface and a third light guide unit in which a shape of the second surface is designed so that part of light incident from the first surface is reflected from the second surface and travels in a direction non-parallel to that before reflection.
US09087948B1 Manufacturing method of multi-junction PV modules
A photovoltaic device is provided which includes a plurality of junction layers. Each junction layer includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells electrically connected to one another. At least one of the junction layers is at least in part optically transmissive. The junction layers are arranged in a stack on top of each other.
US09087945B2 Nanowires, nanowire junctions, and methods of making the same
Disclosed is a nanostructure including a first set of nanowires formed from filling a plurality of voids of a template. The nanostructure also includes a second set of nanowires formed from filling a plurality of spaces created when the template is removed, such that the second set of nanowires encases the first set of nanowires. Several methods are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a nanostructure including nanowires is disclosed. The method may include forming a first set of nanowires in a template, removing a first portion of the template, thereby creating spaces between the first set of nanowires, forming a second set of nanowires in the spaces between the first set of nanowires, and removing a second portion of the template.
US09087944B1 Nanoplasmonic cavities for photovoltaic applications
Nanoplasmonic cavities for photovoltaic applications include at least one transparent conductive substrate. A first plasmonic electrically conductive nanostructure layer is associated with the transparent conductive substrate. At least one photoabsorber layer is associated with the first plasmonic electrically conductive nanostructure layer. At least one electron transfer layer is associated with the photoabsorber layer. A second plasmonic electrically conductive nanostructure layer is associated with the electron transfer layer.
US09087941B2 Selective self-aligned plating of heterojunction solar cells
A method for forming contacts on a photovoltaic device includes forming a heterojunction cell including a substrate, a passivation layer and a doped layer and forming a transparent conductor on the cell. A patterned barrier layer is formed on the transparent conductor and has openings therein wherein the transparent conductor is exposed through the openings in the barrier layer. A conductive contact is grown through the openings in the patterned barrier layer by a selective plating process.
US09087934B2 Solar cell and method for manufacturing the same
A solar cell and a method for manufacturing the same are discussed. The solar cell includes a substrate of a first conductive type, an emitter region of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type positioned at the substrate, a first electrode which is positioned on the substrate and is connected to the emitter region, at least one second electrode which is positioned on the substrate and is connected to the substrate, and an aluminum oxide layer positioned on a front surface and a back surface of the substrate excluding areas of the substrate on which the first electrode and the at least one second electrode are formed.
US09087931B2 Peeling apparatus and manufacturing apparatus of semiconductor device
To eliminate electric discharge when an element formation layer including a semiconductor element is peeled from a substrate used for manufacturing the semiconductor element, a substrate over which an element formation layer and a peeling layer are formed and a film are made to go through a gap between pressurization rollers. The film is attached to the element formation layer between the pressurization rollers, bent along a curved surface of the pressurization roller on a side of the pressurization rollers, and collected. Peeling is generated between the element formation layer and the peeling layer and the element formation layer is transferred to the film. Liquid is sequentially supplied by a nozzle to a gap between the element formation layer and the peeling layer, which is generated by peeling, so that electric charge generated on surfaces of the element formation layer and the peeling layer is diffused by the liquid.
US09087930B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming insulating layer disposed over the semiconductor die for stress relief
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die and conductive layer formed over a surface of the semiconductor die. A first channel can be formed in the semiconductor die. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die. A second channel can be formed in the encapsulant. A first insulating layer is formed over the semiconductor die and first conductive layer and into the first channel. The first insulating layer extends into the second channel. The first insulating layer has characteristics of tensile strength greater than 150 MPa, elongation between 35-150%, and thickness of 2-30 micrometers. A second insulating layer can be formed over the semiconductor die prior to forming the first insulating layer. An interconnect structure is formed over the semiconductor die and encapsulant. The interconnect structure is electrically connected to the first conductive layer. The first insulating layer provides stress relief during formation of the interconnect structure.
US09087929B2 Variable capacitance device
A variable capacitance device includes a fixed substrate, a movable portion, driving electrodes, an RF capacitance electrode and an insulating film. The movable portion faces the fixed substrate and can change a gap between the movable portion and the fixed substrate. The driving electrodes are formed on the fixed substrate so as to face the movable portion. The RF capacitance electrode is formed on the fixed substrate so as to face the movable portion and be spaced apart from the driving electrodes. The insulating film is formed between the movable portion and the driving electrodes. The level of a voltage applied to the driving electrodes and the level of a voltage applied to the movable portion are periodically switched and the level of a voltage applied to the RF capacitance electrode and the level of a voltage applied to the movable portion are always the same.
US09087918B2 Structure and method for metal gate stack oxygen concentration control using an oxygen diffusion barrier layer and a sacrificial oxygen gettering layer
A process is disclosed of forming metal replacement gates for NMOS and PMOS transistors with oxygen in the PMOS metal gates and metal atom enrichment in the NMOS gates such that the PMOS gates have effective work functions above 4.85 eV and the NMOS gates have effective work functions below 4.25 eV. Metal work function layers in both the NMOS and PMOS gates are oxidized to increase their effective work functions to the desired PMOS range. An oxygen diffusion blocking layer is formed over the PMOS gate and an oxygen getter is formed over the NMOS gates. A getter anneal extracts the oxygen from the NMOS work function layers and adds metal atom enrichment to the NMOS work function layers, reducing their effective work functions to the desired NMOS range. Processes and materials for the metal work function layers, the oxidation process and oxygen gettering are disclosed.
US09087914B2 Wafer processing method
A wafer is divided into a plurality of individual devices along a plurality of crossing division lines formed on the front side of the wafer. The wafer has a substrate, a functional layer formed on the front side of the substrate, and an SiO2 film formed on the front side of the functional layer. The individual devices are formed from the functional layer and partitioned by the division lines. The functional layer is removed by applying a laser beam to the wafer along each division line to thereby remove the functional layer along each division line. The laser beam has an absorption wavelength to the SiO2 film with high absorptivity due to the stretching vibration of an O—H bond or a C—H bond remaining in the SiO2 film. The wafer is then divided into the individual devices.
US09087901B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of gates formed on a surface of a substrate, a plurality of sidewalls formed on side surfaces of the gates, a Sigma-shaped recess formed in the substrate between adjacent gates, a SiGe seed layer formed on an inner surface of the Sigma-shaped recess, boron-doped bulk SiGe formed on a surface of the SiGe seed layer, with the boron-doped bulk SiGe filling the Sigma-shaped recess, and a boron-doped SiGe regeneration layer formed in a first recess beneath the surface of the substrate. The first recess is formed by etching a portion of the SiGe seed layer and the boron-doped bulk SiGe in the Sigma-shaped recess, and the boron-doped SiGe regeneration layer has a higher concentration of boron than the SiGe seed layer or the boron-doped bulk SiGe.
US09087897B1 Semiconductor structures with pair(s) of vertical field effect transistors, each pair having a shared source/drain region and methods of forming the structures
Disclosed are semiconductor structures and methods of forming the structures. The structures each comprise a pair of vertical FETs. Specifically, a U-shaped semiconductor body has a horizontal section and two vertical sections. The horizontal section comprises a shared source/drain region for first and second vertical FETs. Each vertical section comprises a channel region and a source/drain region above the channel region for a corresponding one the vertical FETs. In one semiconductor structure, each vertical section has a gate wrapped around the channel region. In another semiconductor structure, each vertical section has a front gate positioned adjacent to the inner vertical surface at the channel region and a back gate positioned adjacent to the outer vertical surface at the channel region. In any case, a contact, which is electrically isolated from the gates, extends vertically to the shared source/drain region in the horizontal section. Optionally, metal strap(s) electrically connect the pair of vertical FETs to adjacent pair(s).
US09087885B2 Method of fabricating semiconductor devices having through-silicon via (TSV) structures
Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the method includes forming at least one unit device in a substrate and on a front side of the substrate, forming a through-silicon via (TSV) structure apart from the at least one unit device to substantially vertically penetrate the substrate, the TSV structure having a back end including a concave portion, forming an internal circuit on the front side of the substrate and a front end of the TSV structure to be electrically connected to the at least one unit device and the front end of the TSV structure, forming a front side bump on the front side of the substrate to be electrically connected to the front end of the TSV structure, forming a redistribution layer on a back side of the substrate to be electrically connected to the back end of the TSV structure, and forming a back side bump to be electrically connected to the redistribution layer.
US09087878B2 Device with through-silicon via (TSV) and method of forming the same
A method includes forming an opening extending from a top surface of a silicon substrate into the silicon substrate to a predetermined depth. The method further includes forming an insulation structure on the silicon substrate along the sidewalls and the bottom of the opening and forming a conductive layer on the insulation structure to fill the opening. A first interface between the insulation structure and the silicon substrate has an interface roughness with a peak-to-valley height less than 5 nm, and a second interface between the insulation structure and the conductive layer has an interface roughness with a peak-to-valley height less than 5 nm.
US09087876B2 Titanium oxynitride hard mask for lithographic patterning
A vertical stack including a dielectric hard mask layer and a titanium nitride layer is formed over an interconnect-level dielectric material layer such as an organosilicate glass layer. The titanium nitride layer may be partially or fully converted into a titanium oxynitride layer, which is subsequently patterned with a first pattern. Alternately, the titanium nitride layer, with or without a titanium oxynitride layer thereupon, may be patterned with a line pattern, and physically exposed surface portions of the titanium nitride layer may be converted into titanium oxynitride. Titanium oxynitride provides etch resistance during transfer of a combined first and second pattern, but can be readily removed by a wet etch without causing surface damages to copper surfaces. A chamfer may be formed in the interconnect-level dielectric material layer by an anisotropic etch that employs any remnant portion of titanium nitride as an etch mask.
US09087875B2 Pattern formation method for manufacturing semiconductor device using phase-separating self-assembling material
According to one embodiment, a pattern formation method includes forming a first mask layer including a first and a second concave pattern on a first surface of a substrate. The method can include providing a protection film in the first concave pattern. The method can include providing a self-assembling material in the second concave pattern. The method can include forming a first and a second phase in the second concave pattern by phase-separating the self-assembling material. The method can include removing the protection film together with the first phase to form a second mask layer having the first concave pattern and a third concave pattern. The third concave pattern is provided in the second concave pattern, and has an opening width narrower than an opening width of the second concave pattern. The method can include processing the substrate using the second mask layer as a mask.
US09087870B2 Integrated circuits including FINFET devices with shallow trench isolation that includes a thermal oxide layer and methods for making the same
Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes etching an enhanced high-aspect-ratio process (eHARP) oxide fill that is disposed in an STI trench between two adjacent fins to form a recessed eHARP oxide fill. The two adjacent fins extend from a bulk semiconductor substrate. A silicon layer is formed overlying the recessed eHARP oxide fill. The silicon layer is converted to a thermal oxide layer to further fill the STI trench with oxide material.
US09087852B2 Method for manufacturing silicon-based electronics with disabling feature
Silicon-based circuitry is dissolved or otherwise disabled in a controlled manner by reactive materials provided beneath the insulating layer on which the circuitry is formed. Heat and/or light induced acid generating materials are provided for corroding one or more circuitry components. Additionally and/or alternatively, gas-producing materials are deposited in compartments beneath the insulating layer. The gas-producing materials cause pressure to rise within the compartments, damaging the chip. Chemical reactions within the chip may be facilitated by heating elements and/or light generating elements embedded within the chip and actuated by triggering circuits.
US09087851B2 Silicon-based electronics with disabling feature
Silicon-based circuitry is dissolved or otherwise disabled in a controlled manner by reactive materials provided beneath the insulating layer on which the circuitry is formed. Heat and/or light induced acid generating materials are provided for corroding one or more circuitry components. Additionally and/or alternatively, gas-producing materials are deposited in compartments beneath the insulating layer. The gas-producing materials cause pressure to rise within the compartments, damaging the chip. Chemical reactions within the chip may be facilitated by heating elements and/or light generating elements embedded within the chip and actuated by triggering circuits.
US09087842B2 Semiconductor device including fuse structure
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a fuse area and a device area; a fuse structure in an insulating layer of the fuse area, and a wire structure in the insulating layer of the device area. The fuse structure includes a fuse via, a fuse line electrically connected to a top end of the fuse via pattern and extending in a direction. The wire structure includes a wire via, a wire line electrically connected to a top end of the wire via and extending in the first direction. A width in the first direction of the fuse via is smaller than a width in the first direction of the wire via.
US09087833B2 Power semiconductor devices
A power semiconductor device may comprise: a lower structure; a solder layer on the lower structure; a semiconductor structure on the solder layer; a contact layer on the semiconductor structure; a pad layer on the contact layer; and/or a wire between the pad layer and the lower structure. The solder layer may be electrically connected to a first electrode of the semiconductor structure.
US09087832B2 Warpage reduction and adhesion improvement of semiconductor die package
Various embodiments of mechanisms for forming a die package and a package on package (PoP) structure using one or more compressive dielectric layers to reduce warpage are provided. The compressive dielectric layer(s) is part of a redistribution structure of the die package and its compressive stress reduces or eliminates bowing of the die package. In addition, the one or more compressive dielectric layers improve the adhesion between redistribution structure and the materials surrounding the semiconductor die. As a result, the yield and reliability of the die package and PoP structure using the die package are improved.
US09087827B2 Mixed wire semiconductor lead frame package
One embodiment includes an encapsulated semiconductor package having a lead frame with die pad surrounded by a plurality of first and second leadfingers. A semiconductor chip including chip contact pads on its upper active surface is attached to the die pad. A plurality of first bond wires, incoluding a first electrically conductive material, extend between the chip contact pads and the plurality of first leadfingers. A plurality of second bond wires, including a second electrically conductive material, extend between a chip contact pad and a second leadfinger. The semiconductor package further includes a plurality of electrically conducting means attached to the second leadfingers.
US09087824B2 Use of dielectric slots for reducing via resistance in dual damascene process
An integrated circuit may include dual damascene interconnects formed using a via-first dual damascene process or a trench-first dual damascene process. The via-first process may be a partial-via-first process or a full-via-first process. A trench mask for a wide interconnect line which is at least twice as wide as a dual damascene via in the wide interconnect line may have a dielectric slot adjacent to the dual damascene via. The dual damascene via is laterally separated from the dielectric slot by no more than half a width of the dual damascene via.
US09087822B2 Semiconductor device
To provide a semiconductor device having a high efficiency of arranging a TSV, there is provided a semiconductor device which is stacked with a semiconductor chip, and in which the semiconductor chips contiguous each other are electrically connected by plural TSVs, the semiconductor chip includes a core circuit and plural IO circuits arranged at a surrounding thereof, the TSV is arranged in the core circuit, and a pitch of arranging the TSVs is an integer-fold of a cell pitch of a library configuring the core circuit.
US09087813B2 Control gate
A method for forming a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate prepared with a second gate structure. An inter-gate dielectric is formed on the substrate and over the second gate. A first gate is also formed. The first gate is adjacent to and separated from the second gate by the inter-gate dielectric. The substrate is patterned to form a split gate structure with the first and second adjacent gates. The split gate structure is provided with an e-field equalizer adjacent to the first gate. The e-field equalizer improves uniformity of e-field across the first gate during operation.
US09087808B2 Fabricating polysilicon MOS devices and passive ESD devices
A semiconductor fabrication is described, wherein a MOS device and a MEMS device is fabricated simultaneously in the BEOL process. A silicon layer is deposited and etched to form a silicon film for a MOS device and a lower silicon sacrificial film for a MEMS device. A conductive layer is deposited atop the silicon layer and etched to form a metal gate and a first upper electrode. A dielectric layer is deposited atop the conductive layer and vias are formed in the dielectric layer. Another conductive layer is deposited atop the dielectric layer and etched to form a second upper electrode and three metal electrodes for the MOS device. Another silicon layer is deposited atop the other conductive layer and etched to form an upper silicon sacrificial film for the MEMS device. The upper and lower silicon sacrificial films are then removed via venting holes.
US09087805B2 Semiconductor test and monitoring structure to detect boundaries of safe effective modulus
A method of testing an integrated circuit (IC) chip and a related test structure are disclosed. A test structure includes a monitor chain proximate to at least one solder bump pad, the monitor chain including at least one metal via stack, each metal via stack extending from a lower metal layer in the IC chip to an upper metal layer in the IC chip, such that the monitor chain forms a continuous circuit proximate to the at least one solder bump pad, and where each metal via stack is positioned substantially under the solder bump. A method for testing to detect boundaries of safe effective modulus includes performing a stress test on an IC chip containing the test structure joined to a semiconductor package.
US09087800B2 Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diodes display (OLEDD) includes means for implementing a capacitive touch position sensing panel and it (the OLEDD) is comprised of: a lower substrate; a driving element formed on the lower substrate; a first electrode connected to the driving element; an organic emission layer formed on the first electrode; a second electrode formed on the organic emission layer; a resistance lowering wire formed within the same layer as the first electrode and connected to the second electrode; an upper substrate disposed on the second electrode; and a plurality of Rx wires formed on the upper substrate and separated from each other, wherein the material of the second electrode is used to form a plurality of Tx wires separated from each other where the Tx and Rx wires define the capacitive touch position sensing panel.
US09087795B2 Interconnection structure
An electrical interconnect for connecting an IC chip to a PCB, the electrical interconnect comprising a plurality of connection elements for connection to the PCB attached to a first surface of the electrical interconnect, wherein the amount of thermal and/or mechanical stress that each solder element connection can take before failing is improved.
US09087794B2 Manufacturing method of molded package
In a manufacturing method of a molded package, a lead frame including an island portion and a support portion is prepared. A circuit chip is mounted on the island portion, and the sensor chip is arranged such that a first end section having an electric connecting portion is adjacent to the circuit chip and a second end section having a sensing portion is supported by the support portion. The circuit chip and the electric connecting portion of the first end section is electrically connected through a connection member. The circuit chip, the island portion, the connection member and the first end section are sealed with a resin while maintaining the support state. After the sealing, the support portion is cut from the lead frame and separated from the second end section.
US09087780B2 Semiconductor package and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor package is provided, including: a carrier; at least an interposer disposed on the carrier; an encapsulant formed on the carrier for encapsulating the interposer while exposing a top side of the interposer; a semiconductor element disposed on the top side of the interposer; and an adhesive formed between the interposer and the semiconductor element. By encapsulating the interposer with the encapsulant, warpage of the interposer is avoided and a planar surface is provided for the semiconductor element to be disposed thereon, thereby improving the reliability of electrical connection between the interposer and the semiconductor element.
US09087776B2 Nitride-based semiconductor device and method of manufacturing nitride-based semiconductor device
In a nitride-based semiconductor device, an undoped gallium nitride (GaN) layer is formed on an aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) layer, and a silicon carbon nitride (SixC1-xN) functional layer is formed on the undoped GaN layer.
US09087772B2 Device and method for forming sharp extension region with controllable junction depth and lateral overlap
A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a gate stack on a monocrystalline substrate. A surface of the substrate adjacent to the gate stack and below a portion of the gate stack is amorphorized. The surface is etched to selectively remove a thickness of amorphorized portions to form undercuts below the gate stack. A layer is epitaxially grown in the thickness and the undercuts to form an extension region for the semiconductor device. Devices are also provided.
US09087770B2 Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of first interconnects extending in a first direction, a plurality of second interconnects extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a memory element provided between the first interconnect and the second interconnect at a portion where the first interconnect crosses the second interconnect. The memory element includes a variable resistance film and a stress generating film stacked with the variable resistance film to apply stress to the variable resistance film in a surface direction.
US09087768B2 Nitride based heterojunction semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A nitride based heterojunction semiconductor device includes a gallium nitride (GaN) layer disposed on a substrate, an aluminum (Al)-doped GaN layer disposed on the GaN layer, a Schottky electrode disposed in a first area on the Al-doped GaN layer, an AlGaN layer disposed in a second area on the Al-doped GaN layer, and an ohmic electrode disposed on the AlGaN layer. The first area is different from the second area.
US09087764B2 Adhesive wafer bonding with controlled thickness variation
A method and structure for forming an array of micro devices is disclosed. An array of micro devices is formed over an array of stabilization posts included in a stabilization layer. The stabilization layer is bonded to a spacer side of a carrier substrate. The spacer side of the carrier substrate includes raised spacers extending from a spacer-side surface of the carrier substrate.
US09087761B2 Solid-state imaging device including an on-chip lens with two inorganic films thereon
A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels formed on a semiconductor substrate and include a photoelectric conversion unit; a color filter on the pixels; an on-chip microlens made of an organic film on the color filter, corresponding to each of the pixels; a first inorganic film formed on a surface of the on-chip microlens and having a higher refraction index than the on-chip microlens; and a second inorganic film formed on a surface of the first inorganic film and having a lower refraction index than the on-chip microlens and the first inorganic film, in which at least the second inorganic film includes a non-lens area at an interface of an adjacent second inorganic film.
US09087750B2 Touch screen substrate, method of manufacturing the same, and display panel including the touch screen substrate
A touch screen substrate includes a base substrate, a first switching element and a first sensing element which senses infrared light. The first switching element includes a first switching gate electrode, a first active pattern disposed on the first switching gate electrode, a first switching source electrode disposed on the first active pattern and a first switching drain electrode disposed apart from the first switching source electrode. The first sensing element includes a first sensing drain electrode connected to the first switching source electrode, a first sensing source electrode disposed apart from the first sensing drain electrode, a second active pattern disposed below the first sensing drain electrode and the first sensing source electrode and including a first amorphous layer, a doped amorphous layer and a second amorphous layer, and a first sensing gate electrode disposed on the first sensing drain electrode and the first sensing source electrode.
US09087746B2 Thin film transistor, method for manufacturing same, display device, and method for manufacturing same
A thin film transistor includes: an insulating layer; a gate electrode provided on the insulating layer; a gate insulating film provided on the gate electrode; a semiconductor layer provided on the gate insulating film, the semiconductor layer being formed of oxide; source and drain electrodes provided on the semiconductor layer; and a channel protecting layer provided between the source and drain electrodes and the semiconductor layer. The source electrode is opposed to one end of the gate electrode. The drain electrode is opposed to another end of the gate electrode. The another end is opposite to the one end. The drain electrode is apart from the source electrode. The channel protecting layer covers at least a part of a side face of a part of the semiconductor layer. The part of the semiconductor layer is not covered with the source and drain electrodes above the gate electrode.
US09087740B2 Fabrication of lithographic image fields using a proximity stitch metrology
A method of determining stitching errors in multiple lithographically exposed fields on a semiconductor layer during a semiconductor manufacturing process is provided. The method may include receiving a predetermined design distance corresponding to a plurality of petals associated with the multiple lithographically exposed fields and identifying a blossom within a single field-of-view (FOV) of a metrology tool, where the blossom is formed by a non-overlapping abutment of corners corresponding to the multiple lithographically exposed fields. The blossom may include the plurality of petals associated with the multiple lithographically exposed fields. Petal position errors may then be calculated based on both a coordinate position for each of the plurality of petals within the blossom and the predetermined design distance, whereby the calculated petal position errors are indicative of stitching errors for the multiple lithographically exposed fields.
US09087739B2 Pattern improvement in multiprocess patterning
Improved fidelity to an integrated circuit pattern design in a semiconductor structure ultimately produced is achieved by modeling material removal and deposition processes in regard to materials, reactant, feature size, feature density, process parameters and the like as well as the effects of such parameters on etch and material deposition bias due to microloading and RIE lag (including inverse RIE lag) and using the models to work backward through the intended manufacturing method steps, including hard mask pattern decomposition, to morphologically develop feature patterns for use in most or all process steps which will result in the desired feature sizes and shapes at the completion of the overall process. Modeling of processes may be simplified through use of process assist features to locally adjust rates of material deposition and removal.
US09087737B2 Methods of forming charge storage structures including etching diffused regions to form recesses
Methods are disclosed that include selectively etching diffused regions to form recesses in semiconductor material, and forming charge storage structures in the recesses. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US09087732B1 Wafer-level package device having solder bump assemblies that include an inner pillar structure
Wafer-level package (semiconductor) devices are described that have a pillar structure that extends at least partially into a solder bump to mitigate thermal stresses to the solder bump. In implementations, the wafer-level package device may comprise an integrated circuit chip having a surface and a solder bump disposed over the surface. The wafer-level package device may also include a pillar structure disposed over the surface that extends at least partially into the solder bump.
US09087725B2 FinFETs with different fin height and EPI height setting
An integrated circuit structure includes a first semiconductor strip, first isolation regions on opposite sides of the first semiconductor strip, and a first epitaxy strip overlapping the first semiconductor strip. A top portion of the first epitaxy strip is over a first top surface of the first isolation regions. The structure further includes a second semiconductor strip, wherein the first and the second semiconductor strips are formed of the same semiconductor material. Second isolation regions are on opposite sides of the second semiconductor strip. A second epitaxy strip overlaps the second semiconductor strip. A top portion of the second epitaxy strip is over a second top surface of the second isolation regions. The first epitaxy strip and the second epitaxy strip are formed of different semiconductor materials. A bottom surface of the first epitaxy strip is lower than a bottom surface of the second epitaxy strip.
US09087724B2 Method and structure for finFET CMOS
According to an embodiment, the invention provides an nFET/pFET pair of finFETs formed on a gate stack. At least one fin extends into a source drain region of each of the FET pair and a carbon doped silicon (Si:C) layer is formed on each such fin. Another aspect of the invention is a process flow to enable dual in-situ doped epitaxy to fill the nFET and pFET source drain with different epi materials while avoiding a ridge in the hard cap on the gate between the pair of finFETS. The gate spacer in both of the pair can be the same thickness. The extension region of both of the pair of finFETs can be activated by a single anneal.
US09087723B2 Field effect transistor and method of fabricating the same
Provided are field effect transistors and methods of fabricating the same. The transistor may include a substrate with an active pattern, the active pattern having a top surface and two sidewalls, a gate electrode proximal to the top surface and the sidewalls of the active pattern and crossing the active pattern, a gate spacer covering a sidewall of the gate electrode, a gate dielectric pattern at a bottom surface of the gate electrode, a source electrode on the active pattern at one side of the gate electrode, a drain electrode on the active pattern at another side of the gate electrode, and silicide patterns on surfaces of the source and drain electrodes, respectively. The gate dielectric pattern includes at least one high-k layer and the gate spacer has a dielectric constant that is smaller than that of the gate dielectric pattern.
US09087717B2 Tunnel field-effect transistors with a gate-swing broken-gap heterostructure
Device structures, fabrication methods, and design structures for tunnel field-effect transistors. A drain comprised of a first semiconductor material having a first band gap and a source comprised of a second semiconductor material having a second band gap are formed. A tunnel barrier is formed between the source and the drain. The second semiconductor material exhibits a broken-gap energy band alignment with the first semiconductor material. The tunnel barrier is comprised of a third semiconductor material with a third band gap larger than the first band gap and larger than the second band gap. The third band gap is configured to bend under an external bias to assist in aligning a first energy band of the first semiconductor material with a second energy band of the second semiconductor material.
US09087714B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit apparatus
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a substrate of a first conductivity type, and a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor both formed in the substrate. The first MOS transistor includes first drain and first source regions as first active regions of a second conductivity type; a second active region of the first conductivity type; a first gate electrode disposed between the first drain and source regions; and a first substrate electrode connected to the second active region. The second MOS transistor includes a second drain region and a second source region which are formed between the first source region and the second active region, such that the first source region is proximate to the second drain region. The first substrate electrode is electrically separated from the first drain and source electrodes, and the second MOS transistor is connected between the first substrate electrode and the first source electrode.
US09087713B2 Semiconductor device with shared region
A semiconductor device having a JFET and diode, includes a substrate, a second well region, and a second doped region that are of a first conductivity type. The JFET also includes a first well region, a first doped region, and a shared region that are of the second conductivity type. The second well region is disposed in the substrate adjacent to the first well region. A source of the JFET includes the first doped region disposed in the first well region. An anode of the diode includes the second doped region disposed in the second well region. Both a drain of the JFET and a cathode of the diode include the shared region disposed in the first well region. A diode current flows along a first lateral axis of the device while a JFET current flows along a second lateral axis of the device.
US09087712B2 Semiconductor device
The present invention provides a semiconductor device capable of selecting a desired circuit (step-down circuit (or step-up/step-down circuit) and step-up circuit) on the user side at low cost. A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a diode element and a switching element (IGBT). An anode terminal of the diode element and one main electrode terminal of the switching element are adjacently arranged at a predetermined distance from each other. In addition, a cathode terminal of the diode element and the other main electrode terminal of the switching element are adjacently arranged at another predetermined distance from each other.
US09087711B2 Pattern structure and method of forming the same
A pattern structure for a semiconductor device includes a plurality of first patterns, each of the first patterns extending in a first direction in the shape of a line, neighboring first patterns being spaced apart from each other by a gap distance, the plurality of first patterns including a plurality of trenches in parallel with the line shapes, respective trenches being between neighboring first patterns, the plurality of trenches including long trenches and short trenches alternately arranged in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and at least a second pattern, the second pattern being coplanar with the first pattern, end portions of the first patterns being connected to the second pattern.
US09087710B2 Semiconductor device with stacked semiconductor chips
A semiconductor device includes first to third semiconductor chips. The second semiconductor chip is stacked over the first semiconductor chip. The third semiconductor chip is stacked over the second semiconductor chip. The second semiconductor chip shields the first semiconductor chip from noises generated by the third semiconductor chip. The second semiconductor chip shields the third semiconductor chip from noises generated by the first semiconductor chip.
US09087708B2 IC with floating buried layer ring for isolation of embedded islands
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a substrate having a p-type semiconductor surface. A first nwell includes an area surrounding a first plurality of semiconductor devices formed in the semiconductor surface having a first n-buried layer (NBL) thereunder. A vertical diode formed in the semiconductor surface surrounds the first nwell including a pwell on top of a floating NBL ring. A second nwell formed in the semiconductor surface includes an area surrounding the floating NBL ring and surrounds a second plurality of semiconductor devices having a second NBL thereunder.
US09087683B2 Electrostatic spray ionization method
In an electrostatic spray ionization method for spraying a liquid layer from an insulating plate 2, the plate is arranged between two electrodes 1, 4. A constant high voltage power supply 3 is provided and an electric circuit is used to charge and discharge locally a surface of the liquid layer 7 on the insulating plate 2 by applying the power supply between the electrodes 1, 4.
US09087679B2 Uniformity tuning capable ESC grounding kit for RF PVD chamber
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a grounding kit for a semiconductor processing chamber, and a semiconductor processing chamber having a grounding kit. More specifically, embodiments described herein relate to a grounding kit which creates an asymmetric grounding path selected to significantly reduce the asymmetries caused by an off center RF power delivery.
US09087676B2 Plasma processing method and plasma processing apparatus
A plasma processing method includes forming a silicon oxide film on a surface of a member provided within a chamber with plasma of a silicon-containing gas without oxygen while controlling a temperature of the member to be lower than a temperature of another member; performing a plasma process on a target object loaded into the chamber with plasma of a processing gas after the silicon oxide film is formed on the surface of the member; and removing the silicon oxide film from the surface of the member with plasma of a fluorine-containing gas after the target object on which the plasma process is performed is unloaded to an outside of the chamber.
US09087675B2 Emitter, gas field ion source, and ion beam device
Provided is an ion source emitter that does not cause significant extraction voltage changes even when an apex portion of the emitter is repeatedly regenerated. The emitter has a shape of a triangular pyramid with the single atom at the apex. An apex portion of the emitter is substantially shaped like a hexagon when viewed from the apex side.
US09087669B2 Display device having improved properties
An image display device having improved properties, comprising an image display panel, heat dispersion material positioned proximate to the image display panel, an open frame positioned proximate to the heat dispersion material opposite the image display panel, and a plurality of electronic components engaging the open frame, the image display device exhibits a support factor of less than about 375 mm-W/m° K.
US09087667B2 Method for fabricating field emission cathode structure
A method for fabricating the field emission cathode structure includes following steps. A first carbon nanotube structure is provided. The first carbon nanotube structure is suspended. A voltage is applied to heat the first carbon nanotube structure to form a temperature gradient. A number of second carbon nanotubes are grown on a surface of the first carbon nanotube structure to form a second carbon nanotube structure.
US09087663B2 Keypad apparatus for use with electronic devices and related methods
A keypad apparatus and related methods are disclosed herein. An example keypad apparatus includes an electrical switch and a carrier composed of a plastic resin. The carrier has conductive traces printed thereon to couple the electrical switch to a circuit board via interference.
US09087656B1 Power supply system with power factor correction and efficient low power operation
A method and apparatus for efficiently converting power from an AC line is disclosed. The power converter supplies power to the load, performing power factor correction at nominal and high loads, i.e. above a predetermined output power threshold, and operating in an on-demand burst mode synchronized to the AC line at low loads, i.e. below a predetermined output power threshold. The duration of an operating interval during which power conversion takes place may be reduced and varied at low loads as a function of the output power demands to increase overall conversion efficiency. The operating interval may be centered about a peak in the input voltage waveshape for operating intervals that are less than a full rectification period. For operating intervals that are less than a full rectification period a modified power factor correction may be used, in which the input current waveshape approximates the input voltage waveshape during the operating interval.
US09087649B2 Very low inductance distributed capacitive filter assembly
A capacitive filter assembly and method including a housing having a power terminal connection for receiving electrical power. A plurality of capacitors in an electrically parallel configuration coupled to one or more side walls of the housing. The plurality of capacitors electrically communicating with a plurality of respective printed wiring boards (PWB) coupled to the capacitors inside the housing, and the plurality of capacitors being positioned between the power terminal connection in the housing and respective housing ground connections in the housing. A plurality of support structures coupled to the plurality of capacitors, respectively, the plurality of support structures being configured to mate with the respective printed wiring boards, the support structures being mounted in the housing such that the capacitors are coupled to the housing using their respective support structures.
US09087648B2 Asymmetric high voltage capacitor
An improved multi-layered ceramic capacitor, and method of making the multi-layered ceramic capacitor, is described. The capacitor has an active area comprising first layers and second layers in alternating parallel arrangement with dielectric there between. The first layer comprises a first active electrode and a first floating electrode in a common plane and the second layer comprises a second active electrode and a second floating electrode in a second common plane. At least one shield layer is adjacent to an outermost first layer of the first layers wherein the shield layer has a first projection and the first layers have a second projection wherein the first projection and the second projection are different.
US09087646B2 Multilayered ceramic capacitor, mounting structure of circuit board having thereon multilayered ceramic capacitor, packing unit for multilayered ceramic capacitor
There is provided a multilayered ceramic capacitor, including: a ceramic body; an active layer including a plurality of first and second internal electrodes; an upper cover layer; a lower cover layer formed below the active layer, the lower cover layer being thicker than the upper cover layer; first and second external electrodes; at least one pair of first and second internal electrodes repeatedly formed inside the lower cover layer, wherein, when A is defined as 1/2 of an overall thickness of the ceramic body, B is defined as a thickness of the lower cover layer, C is defined as 1/2 of an overall thickness of the active layer, and D is defined as a thickness of the upper cover layer, a ratio of deviation between a center of the active layer and a center of the ceramic body, (B+C)/A, satisfies 1.063≦(B+C)/A≦1.745.
US09087645B2 Solid state energy storage devices
Described in this patent application are devices for energy storage and methods of making and using such devices. In various embodiments, blocking layers are provided between dielectric material and the electrodes of an energy storage device. The block layers are characterized by higher dielectric constant than the dielectric material. There are other embodiments as well.
US09087639B2 Multilayer ceramic electronic component and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a multilayer ceramic electronic component, including: a ceramic body; and internal electrodes formed inside the ceramic body and having a plurality of non-electrode regions, wherein, on a cross-section taken in length and thickness directions of the ceramic body, when a thickness of the internal electrode is denoted by Te, a continuity of the internal electrode is denoted by C, an area of the internal electrode is denoted by Ae, an area of the plurality of non-electrode regions is denoted by Ao, and a maximum diameter of the non-electrode region having the maximum diameter among the plurality of non-electrode regions is denoted by Pmax, 0.1 μm≦Te≦0.5 μm, 1.1%≦Ao/Ae≦3.2%, Pmax≦120 nm, and 95%≦C≦99.5% are satisfied.
US09087632B2 Cable magnet ring
A cable magnet ring of adjustable length and able to include anti-EMI magnets of different strengths includes a bracket and a number of pairs of magnetic blocks. The bracket includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member detachably mounted to the first connecting member. The magnetic blocks are detachably received in the first and second connecting members. The first connecting member is movable relative to the second connecting member, to adjust a length of the bracket. Through holes for receiving a cable are defined in the shape of each pair of magnetic blocks, in the first connecting member, and in the second connecting member.
US09087630B2 Cable barrier layer with shielding segments
A cable that has a cable core that includes at least one conductor that is surrounded by insulation. A barrier layer substantially surrounds the conductor's insulation. The barrier layer may include a plurality of shielding segments. Each of the shielding segments extends substantially around a circumference of the barrier layer. The shielding segments may be spaced from one other to form a discontinuous shield around the conductor.
US09087628B2 Carbon black-containing polyamide masterbatch composition and functional nylon fabric with filaments made therefrom
A carbon black-containing polyamide masterbatch composition is provided. The carbon black-containing polyamide masterbatch composition includes a polyamide compounded with an admixture of carbon black and a water-soluble polyamide. The water-soluble polyamide is a copolymer of caprolactam, ethylene glycol bis(2-aminoethyl)ether or ethylene glycol bis(3-aminopropyl)ether, and 5-sulfoisophthalic acid monosodium salt.
US09087627B2 Intermediate transfer member and method of manufacture
There is described an intermediate transfer member that include a layer of a polyimide polymer, carbon black and an alcohol phosphate. The alcohol phosphate has the structure: where R is an alkyl having from about 2 to about 36 carbon atoms. A method of manufacturing the intermediate transfer member is provided.
US09087626B2 Measuring moisture in a CNT based fluid or paste
The present disclosure relates to pastes and methods of making a moisture determination of the paste during manufacture; optionally, the pastes comprise carbon nanotubes. The instant invention provides a simple and repeatable measurement protocol to determine the moisture or water content in paste comprising a non-aqueous solvent and a solid component, optionally, carbon nanotubes, CNT, and subsequently provide a method to monitor and control moisture level during electrode preparation and battery manufacturing.
US09087624B2 Dielectric composition
Disclosed herein is a dielectric composition including: a dielectric ceramic represented by the following equation: X2Y2Ti4O12 (wherein X is Li, or Na, and Y is Nd, Sm or Bi); and any one additive selected from BaZ2Ti4O12 (wherein Z is Nd, Sm or Bi), (Ti0.55Zn0.15A0.3)O2 (wherein A is Ta or V), CaTiO3, and TiO2.
US09087621B2 Magnetic grain boundary engineered ferrite core materials
A composite material can include a grain component and a nanostructured grain boundary component. The nanostructured grain boundary component can be insulating and magnetic, so as to provide greater continuity of magnetization of the composite material. The grain component can have an average grain size of about 0.5-50 micrometers. The grain boundary component can have an average grain size of about 1-100 nanometers. The nanostructured magnetic grain boundary material has a magnetic flux density of at least about 250 mT. The grain component can comprise MnZn ferrite particles. The nanostructured grain boundary component can comprise NiZn ferrite nanoparticles. Core components and systems thereof can be manufactured from the composite material.
US09087615B2 Memory margin management
A method for testing and correcting a memory system is described. The method includes selecting a target memory unit of the memory system having a timing margin in response to a trigger to start a timing margin measurement. The stored data in the target memory unit is moved to a spare memory unit. The memory system performs reads and writes of user data from the spare memory unit while measuring the target memory unit. The timing margins of the target memory unit are measured. The reliability of the measured timing margins of the target memory unit based on a timing margin profile is determined.
US09087612B2 DRAM error detection, evaluation, and correction
Errors on a dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) having an error correcting decoder (“ECC”) can be detected by the ECC when reading a row of the DRAM. The ECC includes error correcting code logic. If errors are detected that cannot be corrected by the ECC logic, test control logic determines weak cell information for the row, evaluates the errors using the weak cell information, and may correct the errors. The weak cell information may include weak cell locations and failure values.
US09087607B2 Implementing sense amplifier for sensing local write driver with bootstrap write assist for SRAM arrays
A method and circuit for implementing sense amplifiers for sensing local write driver with bootstrap write assist for Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) arrays, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The circuit includes a sense amplifier used in both read and write operations with a write assist boost circuitry. The sense amplifier captures and amplifies write data at a selected SRAM cell column and drives the write data onto local bit lines. The write assist boost circuitry temporarily supplies an increased device voltage differential to the SRAM cell during write operations to significantly increase SRAM cell write ability.
US09087602B2 Volatile memory device capable of relieving disturbances of adjacent memory cells and refresh method thereof
Provided is a refresh method of a volatile memory device. The method includes: detecting a number of disturbances that affect a second memory area as the number of accesses to a first memory area is increased; outputting an alert signal from the volatile memory device to an outside of the volatile memory device when the detected number of disturbances reach a reference value; and performing a refresh operation on the second memory area in response to the alert signal.
US09087596B2 Gate driving circuit on array applied to charge sharing pixel
The disclosure provides a gate driving circuit on array applied to a display panel with charge sharing pixel structure. In particular, the gate driving circuit is adapted to receive multi-phase clock signal and includes a plurality of shift registers. Each shift register includes a driving circuit including a first driving transistor and a second driving transistor, a pull-down unit and at least one pull-up unit, so that is capable of generating mutually non-overlapped main gate driving signal and sub gate driving signal. Furthermore, the advantage of the disclosure is to provide a gate driving circuit with simplified circuit structure and circuit layout.
US09087585B2 TCAM with efficient range search capability
An embodiment of the invention includes a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) that has input search data bits, TCAM words and range search input data bits. Each TCAM word is operable to store a match pattern and provide a match output. The match output indicates a match when the match pattern of the TCAM word matches the TCAM input search data bits. The range search input data bits are separated into groups. Each group has a bit width N where N is the number of range search input data bits. For the match pattern in each group, there is a Boolean function that uses the N range of search input data bits. (2N)/2 TCAM bits are provided for each TCAM word. 2N internal TCAM search lines are operable to search the (2N)/2 TCAM bits. Decoder logic is associated with each group that decodes the N range search input data bits.
US09087581B2 Cross point variable resistance nonvolatile memory device and method of writing thereby
A cross point variable nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell array including: first memory cells (e.g., part of a memory cell array) having a common word line; and second memory cells (e.g., another part of the memory cell array or a compensation cell unit). When a predetermined memory cell among the first memory cells is written to by changing the predetermined memory cell to a first resistance state, a word line write circuit supplies a first voltage or a first current to a selected word line, a first bit line write circuit supplies a third voltage or a third current to one bit line of the first memory cells, and a second bit line write circuit supplies the third voltage or the third current to A bit line or lines of the second memory cells.
US09087567B2 Method and apparatus for amplifier offset calibration
According to at least one example embodiment, a method and corresponding system for calibrating an amplifier offset include applying an input value to both input leads of an amplifier. The amplifier includes one or more digital-to-analog converters (DACs) used to calibrate an offset of the amplifier. A digital value, provided as input to the DAC, is updated over a number of iterations, by a control logic coupled to the amplifier, based on an output of the amplifier. A final value of the digital value being updated, e.g., associated with the last iteration, is employed as input to the DAC of the one or more DACs in the amplifier for calibrating the offset of the amplifier during a data reception phase.
US09087566B2 Semiconductor memory devices including a discharge circuit
Semiconductor memory devices are provided. Each of the semiconductor memory devices may include first and second memory cells. The first memory cell may be connected to a bit line and a complementary bit line. Moreover, each of the semiconductor memory devices may include a discharge circuit connected to the first memory cell via the bit line and the complementary bit line. The discharge circuit may be configured to discharge the first memory cell during a read or write operation of the second memory cell.
US09087535B2 Spin transport sensor
The implementations disclosed herein provide for a spin transport sensor including a synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF) adjacent a shield element. The SAF extends to an air-bearing surface (ABS) and provides a current path from a current source to an ABS-region of a spin conductor layer. Spin current diffuses from the spin conductor layer to an adjacent free layer, which generates a measurable electrical voltage in a free layer of the spin transport sensor. The SAF serves as both a magnetic shield and a spin injector to the spin conductor layer.
US09087534B1 Method and system for providing a read transducer having soft and hard magnetic bias structures
A method and system provide a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic transducer includes a first shield, a read sensor, at least one soft magnetic bias structure and at least one hard bias structure. The read sensor includes a sensor layer that has at least one edge in the track width direction along the ABS. The soft magnetic bias structure(s) are adjacent to the edge(s) of the sensor layer. The soft magnetic bias structure has a first permeability. The soft bias structure(s) are between the read sensor and the hard bias structure(s). The hard bias structure(s) are adjacent to a portion of the soft bias structure(s) and have a second permeability. The first permeability is at least ten multiplied by the second permeability.
US09087532B2 Magnetic head, magnetic head assembly, and magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus
According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a spin torque oscillator formed between a main magnetic pole and auxiliary magnetic pole. The spin torque oscillator includes a transmission-type spin transfer layer, first interlayer, oscillation layer, second interlayer, and reflection-type spin transfer layer. The transmission-type spin transfer layer includes a first perpendicular magnetization film and first interface magnetic layer. The first interface magnetic layer contains at least one element selected from Fe, Co, and Ni, and at least one element selected from Cr, V, Mn, Ti, and Sc. The reflection-type spin transfer layer includes a second perpendicular magnetization film.
US09087529B2 Manufacturing method of magnet head able to reduce electrode film for plating
Method for manufacturing a magnetic head includes providing a stopper layer on an upper surface of a main magnetic pole layer applying a magnetic flux to a recording medium via a first insulation layer, providing a second insulation layer on the upper surface of the first insulation layer to cover at least an entire surface of the stopper layer, covering an upper surface portion of the second insulation layer with a mask layer, forming a height difference portion by removing at least a first insulation layer portion not covered by the mask layer by etching to at least partially remove at least a stopper layer portion in a film thickness direction, and subsequently by removing the mask layer, forming a electrode film in the height difference portion, and forming a plating film, which is a magnetic shield for the main magnetic pole layer, on an upper surface of the electrode.
US09087521B2 Systems and methods for improving audio conferencing services
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for improving audio conferencing services. One aspect relates to processing audio content of a conference. A first audio signal is received from a first conference participant, and a start and an end of a first utterance by the first conference participant are detected from the first audio signal. A second audio signal is received from a second conference participant, and a start and an end of a second utterance by the second conference participant is detected from the second audio signal. The second conference participant is provided with at least a portion of the first utterance, wherein at least one of start time, start point, and duration is determined based at least in part on the start, end, or both, of the second utterance.
US09087520B1 Altering audio based on non-speech commands
Techniques for altering audio being output by an audio-controlled device, or another device, to enable more accurate automatic speech recognition (ASR) by the audio-controlled device. For instance, an audio-controlled device may output audio within an environment using a speaker of the device. While outputting the audio, a microphone of the device may capture sound within the environment and may generate an audio signal based on the captured sound. The device may then analyze the audio signal to identify a predefined non-speech command issued by a user within the environment. In response to identifying the predefined non-speech command, the device may somehow alter the output of the audio for the purpose of reducing the amount of noise within subsequently captured sound.
US09087515B2 Determining navigation destination target in a situation of repeated speech recognition errors
A speech recognition apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus converts a speech signal into a digitalized speech data, and performs speech recognition based on the speech data. The apparatus makes a comparison between the speech data inputted the last time and the speech data inputted the time before the last time in response to a user's indication that the speech recognition results in erroneous recognition multiple times in a row. When the speech data inputted the last time is determined to substantially match the speech data inputted the time before the last time, the apparatus outputs a guidance prompting the user to utter an input target by calling it by another name.
US09087509B2 Method of simultaneously transforming a plurality of voice signals input to a communications system
A method of simultaneously transforming at least two input voice signals xi of a communications system (30), each input voice signal xi being received at a specific reception frequency Fi and corresponding to the voice of a remote party communicating with a user of the communications system (30). During an initialization stage, a transformation Ti is allocated to at least one reception frequency Fi of the input voice signals xi, and during a utilization stage, transformations Ti are applied simultaneously to the input voice signals xi as a function of the reception frequencies Fi, modifying at least one characteristic of each of the input voice signals xi. Thus, the voice of each remote party in communication with the user of the communications system (30) is modified artificially by a transformation Ti, thereby making it easier for the user to perceive and discriminate between simultaneous voices from the remote parties.
US09087508B1 Presenting representative content portions during content navigation
Systems and methods are provided for causing aural and/or visual presentation of representative content in response to a request to progress or navigate through audio content at a scan rate exceeding a threshold playback rate. In some embodiments, a current position marker in the audio content may be repeatedly updated based on the scan rate. For each updated position of the current position marker, one or more characteristic words associated with the content near the current position marker may be determined. A continuous presentation of the determined characteristic words may be generated and presented aurally and/or visually in order to provide an indication as to the subject matter of the content at the current position.
US09087499B2 Liquid-contact activated musical instrument
Devices, systems, and methods that make music in response to be contacted by a stream of liquid are disclosed. A music making device may include a sensor to detect when a stream of liquid is substantially in contact with the sensor. The sensor may produce an indicator signal at or around the time the liquid substantially contacts the sensor. A circuit may generate an electrical pulse in response to detecting the indicator signal. The electrical pulse may be coupled to a speaker which converts the electrical pulse into sound.
US09087498B2 Tom holder
A tom holder has a holder body, a pivoting member supported pivotally with respect to the holder body, and a rod, which projects from the pivoting member with the tom fixed to the rod. The tom holder has a pair of openings located at opposed positions. The tom holder is configured to be usable in either a first mode, in which the rod projects from the first opening, and a second mode, in which the rod projects from the second opening.
US09087496B2 Hybrid drum
A hybrid drum as described combines the characteristics of both acoustic and electronic percussion apparatus enabling a musician to have a single instrument and have either acoustic or electronic output. A hybrid drum includes a multilayer drum head with a built-in FSR sensor such that the FSR drum head replaces the drum head of the acoustic drum and can be used to perform acoustically and or electronically. The FSR sensor is built into a double layer, double-head acoustic drum head, wherein one layer of the double head system has the FSR element printed on it, while the other layer of the double layer head has the inter-digiting conductive fingers printed on it and facing the FSR element. A conductive tail extends from one of the drum head layers and is operably connected to an electronic module secured to the drum shell.
US09087495B2 Valve system for brass instruments
A valve system for brass instruments comprising mechanically actuated rotary valves rotatably mounted in valve sleeves, and tube sockets for tubes which conduct the air flow in and out and for valve tube loops. The valve system has a milled valve block, in which a bore is arranged which runs through the valve system rectilinearly and with a constant cross section through the valve sleeves, into which bore bores open which run approximately at right angles to said bore and have the same cross section as the valve tube loops. The bores are connected to one another during valve actuation by way of the rotatable valve cylinders and bores arranged therein. The bores run approximately rectilinearly through the valve cylinder and correspond in terms of their cross section to the further bores, and the valve sleeves likewise are milled directly into the valve block.
US09087480B2 Scan lines driver and organic light emmiting display device using the same
In a scan lines driver that is used for driving scan lines of an organic light emitting diodes (OLED) display, a large voltage drop can develop between the gate or source of one of its transistors and the corresponding drain during a scan signal outputting period. This large voltage drop can excessively stress the one transistor. However, in accordance with the present disclosure, a voltage drop dissipating, second transistor is provided in series with the first transistor for absorbing part of the large voltage drop and thus reducing the stress that is applied to the first transistor.
US09087467B2 Display control device and display control method
A display control device acquires the size of a picture added in advance to picture data and an optimum viewing distance corresponding to the picture. The display control device calculates a viewing distance, in which the relationship between the size of the picture and the optimum viewing distance is equal to the relationship between the display size and the viewing distance, as a recommended viewing distance based on the size of the picture, the optimum viewing distance, and the display size of the picture. Then, the display control device notifies the calculated recommended viewing distance to a user.
US09087464B2 Decorative light display
A decorative light display used with a decorative string of lights comprises an inner and an outer flexible circular-shaped substructure, the flexible substructures including a pair of interlocking notches allowing the substructures to be assembled together to form a generally spherically shaped framework; the substructures having inner and outer circumferences, wherein the notches are formed on the inner circumference of the outer flexible substructure and the outer circumference of the inner flexible substructure; further comprising a sinusoidal wave shape formed on the outer circumferences of the flexible substructures for securing the decorative string of lights in contact therewith.
US09087463B2 Backlight module and display device with two-sided light emitting structure
A backlight module includes a flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board includes a conductive layer and an insulating layer covering the conductive layer. The backlight module further includes a plurality of light emitting diodes respectively disposed on two sides of the flexible circuit board and electrically connected to the conductive layer of the flexible circuit board for emitting light towards the two sides of the flexible circuit board.
US09087454B2 Interactive training method and system for developing peak user performance
The present invention provides a computerized interactive training method and system for receiving a user data including physical user data, medical history data and athletic goal data for the user. The method and system further includes determining a baseline data set for the user and generating a training routine for the user based on the baseline data set and the user data, including selecting a plurality of exercises for the user directed towards the athletic goal data. The method and system further includes determining a network of related users electronically networked via a networking interface, transmitting the training routine to the user and notifying the related users of the training routine. The method and system provides for receiving training feedback data from the user, including exercise-specific information and sharing the training feedback data with fellow community users.
US09087437B2 Apparatus for providing amusement
Certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments are taught which include a game comprising, a digital processor, digital storage coupled to the digital processor for storing instructions, a display coupled to the digital processor displaying a first plurality of indicia arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns such that there are a plurality of paylines through a contiguous plurality of indicia, a user interface coupled to the digital processor to select a subset of the first plurality of indicia taken along at least one column and to initiate a display of a second plurality of indicia which includes the selected subset of the first plurality of indicia on the display, and an award dispenser providing an award which is at least as large as the largest award associated with the plurality of paylines.
US09087427B2 Conducting fuel dispensing transactions
Fuel dispensing transactions may be accomplished by a variety of systems and techniques. A fuel dispensing device may include a payment module, a data entry device, and a customer display. The payment module may receive a first communication from a point of sale device requesting an encrypted response and receive a second communication from the point of sale device requesting an unencrypted response. The module may match the first communication to a first corresponding library entry, match the second communication to a second corresponding library entry, determine a user response based on one of the first corresponding library entry or the second corresponding library entry, where the user response defines one of the encrypted response based on the first corresponding library entry or the unencrypted response based on the second corresponding library entry, and use the corresponding library entry to generate a visual customer display requesting the user response.
US09087424B2 Method and device for checking the degree of soiling of bank notes
The invention relates to a method and device for checking the degree of soiling of bank notes. To this end, the bank notes are conveyed along a transport path and illuminated by at least one light source with visible light of the blue spectral range. The light reflected and/or emitted by the bank notes, and/or the light having penetrated the bank notes due to transmission, is detected by means of at least one sensor and evaluated.
US09087422B2 Method of operating an election ballot printing system
A method includes receiving a voter list which includes a key identifier, and receiving a plurality of different types of ballot images. A control program, which operates a computer, is used to form a side file which associates the ballot images with the voter list, wherein the control program selects a ballot image, in response to the key identifier, which corresponds to a selected voter of the voter list. A print job, which includes the selected ballot image, is formed. The print job is printed to form an unused ballot.
US09087421B2 Diagnosis apparatus which supports fault reproduction, and method of outputting fault reproduction data
A trouble diagnosis apparatus which supports reproduction of trouble according to a trouble code provided from an electronic control unit of the vehicle. The apparatus comprises means for extracting, for at least one of the trouble codes, characteristics unique to the trouble code with respect to respective driving parameters, means for extracting, from said driving data associated with a plurality of trouble codes, global characteristics associated with a plurality of said trouble codes with respect to each one of said driving parameters, and for said at least one of the trouble codes, means, based on similarity between the characteristics unique to the trouble code and said global characteristics, for setting the portion of the characteristics unique to the trouble code that have low similarity as the driving data for reproducing the trouble corresponding to the trouble code.
US09087420B2 System and method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining, and repairing a vehicle
A method for diagnosing and maintaining a vehicle at a repair shop includes connecting a first vehicle inspection device to a first work station and selecting a mobile VCI which is provided a detection software component situated on a central repair shop server and a central diagnostic device; connecting the VCI to the vehicle; establishing a communication between the VCI and the diagnostic device; storing vehicle identification data in the VCI via the diagnostic device; performing a first set of vehicle inspections using the first vehicle inspection device and/or the VCI; disconnecting the first vehicle inspection device from the vehicle; connecting a second vehicle inspection device to the vehicle; reading out the identification data from the VCI into the second vehicle inspection device at a second work station via the diagnostic device; and performing a second set of vehicle inspections using the second vehicle inspection device and/or the VCI.
US09087414B2 Paper roll holder and ticket bezel for a ticket printer
The present invention discloses a spindle assembly for a ticket printer which permits the paper roll to be changed without removing the spindle assembly from the ticket printer. The spindle assembly consists of two arms mounted on the printer, on the upper portion of each respective arm is mounted a backing plate from which a spindle protrudes. The spindle may be retracted for loading paper by rotating a spindle actuator which is elevated by two ramps mounted thereon. The elevation of the actuator, which is connected to the spindle, retracts the spindle from the backing plate. An anti-theft ticket bezel is also disclosed, which has teeth incorporated into the ceiling within the opening of the bezel, so that if a ticket is pulled from outside the teeth tear the ticket or cuts it into strips, rendering the ticket useless.
US09087410B2 Rendering graphics data using visibility information
In some examples, aspects of this disclosure relate to a method for rendering an image. For example, the method includes generating visibility information indicating visible primitives of the image. The method also includes rendering the image using a binning configuration, wherein the binning configuration is based on the visibility information.
US09087409B2 Techniques for reducing memory access bandwidth in a graphics processing system based on destination alpha values
This disclosure describes techniques for reducing memory access bandwidth in a graphics processing system based on destination alpha values. The techniques may include retrieving a destination alpha value from a bin buffer, the destination alpha value being generated in response to processing a first pixel associated with a first primitive. The techniques may further include determining, based on the destination alpha value, whether to perform an action that causes one or more texture values for a second pixel to not be retrieved from a texture buffer. In some examples, the action may include discarding the second pixel from a pixel processing pipeline prior to the second pixel arriving at a texture mapping stage of the pixel processing pipeline. The second pixel may be associated with a second primitive different than the first primitive.
US09087407B2 Method of displaying readable information on a digital display
A method, a program, by which an animated expression of three-dimensional information space is created bringing forth a reading architecture on digital screens in which the presented readable information appears three-dimensionally and dynamically to the reader's field of vision.
US09087406B2 Automated stereoscopic computer-animation techniques for determining scaled stereo parameters
Techniques for determining scaled-parallax constraints used for the placement of a pair of stereoscopic cameras within a computer-generated scene. A set of bounded-parallax constraints including a near-parallax value and a far-parallax value is also obtained along with a lower-bound value and upper-bound value for a range of focal lengths. Scaled near-parallax and scaled far-parallax values are calculated, the calculation depending on the whether the focal length is greater than, less than, or within the range of focal lengths.
US09087405B2 Depth map generation using bokeh detection
In one aspect, one or more computing devices receive a set of image frames. Each image frame includes pixels. The computing devices align image frames in order to identify flows of the pixels in the set of image frames. Regions of bokeh effect are identified in each image frame by measuring the sizes of areas of expansion across image frames using a set of assumptions and the identified flows. The computing devices adjust the alignment of the set of image frames based at least in part on the identified regions of bokeh effect. For each image frame, the computing devices generates an index map of focus values for each of the pixels that image frame using the improved alignment. A depth map is generated by the computing devices based at least in part on the index maps.
US09087399B2 Systems and methods of managing virtual world avatars
Systems and methods of virtual world interaction, operation, implementation, instantiation, creation, and other functions related to virtual worlds (note that where the term “virtual world” is used herein, it is to be understood as referring to virtual world systems, virtual environments reflecting real, simulated, fantasy, or other structures, and includes information systems that utilize interaction within a 3D environment). Various embodiments facilitate interoperation between and within virtual worlds, and may provide consistent structures for operating virtual worlds. The disclosed embodiments may further enable individuals to build new virtual worlds within a framework, and allow third party users to better interact with those worlds.
US09087393B2 Network display support in an integrated circuit
In an embodiment, a system includes hardware optimized for communication to a network display. The hardware may include a display pipe unit that is configured to composite one or more static images and one or more frames from video sequences to form frames for display by a network display. The display pipe unit may include a writeback unit configured to write the composite frames back to memory, from which the frames can be optionally encoded using video encoder hardware and packetized for transmission over a network to a network display. In an embodiment, the display pipe unit may be configured to issue interrupts to the video encoder during generation of a frame, to overlap encoding and frame generation.
US09087385B2 Method for improving images captured underwater
A method for image processing, the method executed at least in part by a computer system, acquires a digital image as a collection of image pixels and calculates from a plurality of the image pixels, at least one statistical measurement. The at least one calculated statistical measurement is associated with a predetermined modification function setting according to a best-fit function that has been calculated from a database of sample images. A processed image is formed by adjusting the acquired collection of image pixels according to the associated predetermined modification function setting and the processed image is displayed.
US09087383B2 Method for dynamic background reduction
A method is provided for reducing a background in a raster image as generated from capturing a hardcopy original. The background indicates a deviation between a lightness value of a subset of pixels in the raster image and a maximum lightness value of raster image input values, contrasting with dark information in the image. Two areas around the target pixel are defined, one area being substantially smaller than the other. An average of a lightness value of the pixels in each of the two areas are combined to obtain a background parameter, indicating a locally varying background in the raster image. A target pixel lightness value is scaled using the background parameter and the maximum lightness value.
US09087378B2 Scale changing detection and scaling ratio determination by using motion information
This invention discloses a method for object tracking, including determination of an area scaling ratio of the object in a video image sequence. In one embodiment, a centroid of the object is determined. One or more directed straight lines are selected, each passing through the centroid, extending from an end of the object's boundary to an opposite end thereof, and having a direction that is upward. A length scaling ratio for each directed straight line is determined by: determining a motion vector for each selected pixel on the line; computing a scalar component of the motion vector projected onto the line; estimating a change of the line's length according to the scalar components obtained for all pixels; and determining the length scaling ratio according to the change of the line's length. The area scaling ratio is computed based on the length scaling ratios for all directed straight lines.
US09087377B2 Video watermarking method resistant to temporal desynchronization attacks
A video watermarking method resistant to temporal desynchronization attacks, of the type that comprises a watermark embedding, an attack stage and a watermark detection stage wherein during the watermarking embedding stage, the same watermark is hidden in a number of frames given by the mutual information between them; a temporal redundancy control is modified to hide a watermark in each possible I-frame; and during the watermark detection stage, the watermark extractor takes all the frames watermarked with the same key to extract its characteristics.
US09087375B2 Image processing device, image processing method, and program
An image processing device includes: a horizontal parallax detecting unit that compares a standard pixel constituting a standard image with a first reference pixel located at the same height position as the standard pixel and a second reference pixel located at a height position different from the first reference pixel out of pixels constituting the reference image in the standard image and the reference image in which the same subject is drawn at horizontal positions different from each other and that detects a horizontal parallax of the standard pixel on the basis of the comparison result.
US09087369B2 Apparatus for being used for detecting a property of an object
The invention relates to an apparatus for being used for detecting a property of an object. An ultrasound signal providing unit (2) provides an ultrasound signal, which is indicative of a property of the object (9) at one or several depths within the object (9) and which depends on time, and a periodicity value determination unit (5) determines a periodicity value being indicative of a degree of temporal periodicity of the ultrasound signal for a constant depth. The temporal periodicity of the ultrasound signal at the respective constant depth, i.e. the periodicity value, depends on the property of the object at this depth and can therefore be used for detecting a property of the object.
US09087360B2 Method and system for displaying a cursor on a trading screen
A method, system, and computer program products are provided for updating the location of a cursor in a display window on a trading screen when certain events occurs. In a preferred embodiment, as market conditions change, the market information may be rearranged on a screen. To reduce the chances of missing a market opportunity by sending orders or managing them, the cursor moves in association with the market information such that the cursor appears fixed to the market information until a user moves the pointer device.
US09087358B1 Method and system for purchasing products or services appearing in playing media without interrupting viewing
Computer-implemented methods for simultaneously viewing a playing multimedia and shopping for a product currently appearing in it comprising: providing, by a computer, an interface for playing the multimedia; providing, by the computer, an interface for selecting the product appearing in the playing multimedia to place the product into a shopping cart without stopping or pausing the playing multimedia, provided that the product is not visually distinguished as selectable, the shopping cart appearing temporarily when the product is added without disturbing the playing multimedia, the selection of the product visually indicated by a graphic icon moving into the shopping cart; providing, by the computer, an interface for accessing the shopping cart at the end of the viewing period; and providing, by the computer, an interface for purchasing, renting, or saving the product or accessing information of the product in the shopping cart at the end of the viewing period.
US09087357B2 System for normalizing, codifying and categorizing color-based product and data based on a universal digital color language
A system for normalizing, codifying and categorizing divergent color systems into a universal color language. A server connected to a communications network receives, processes, codifies and categorizes divergent color data from a merchant system. A middleware engine of the server receives a data feed comprising a plurality of color swatches or images from the merchant system, and normalizes the data feed into a common format. A server processor extracts image data comprising a plurality of product images from the normalized data feed, identifies and converts at least one dominant product color in each product image to a digital value based on color component intensity values, and assigns a hexadecimal code of the universal color language to each product image that is closest to the digital value of each product image. A product categorization engine categorizes each product image into one of a plurality of product categories.
US09087352B2 Objects in a virtual computing infrastructure
An action is performed on an object in a cloud computing environment having a plurality of computing nodes. A policy path is determined from at least one permission within a policy of a customer. A first delegation path is determined from within the determined policy path. The first delegation path is directed to at least one object permission for the object upon which the action is to be performed. An authorized user is assigned from a second delegation path from within the determined policy path. The second delegation path is directed to at least one user permission for the action to be performed.
US09087350B2 Method for click-stream analysis using web directory reverse categorization
In embodiments disclosed, information on a click stream associated with a user and meta tags commonly used by search engines can be used to profile a user. The click stream may comprise network addresses and timestamps and may be the only source of user information used for the profile. The meta tags may contain metadata that correspond to the network addresses in the click stream, including network address categorization for these network addresses. The profile obtained for the user may be an existing profile that represents a person or a theoretical individual having attributes similar to or most closely match the user. Based at least in part on the profile, information regarding an item may be provided to the user or the item may be offered to the user. In some embodiments, the information may be filtered before being displayed to the user.
US09087349B2 Information communication method
An information communication method that enables communication between various devices includes: transmitting position information indicating a position of a terminal device; obtaining one or more sets of identification information of respective one or more devices and one or more sets of service information respectively associated with the one or more sets of identification information, and holding the one or more sets of identification information and the one or more sets of service information; setting an exposure time of an image sensor; obtaining a bright line image including a plurality of bright lines; obtaining identification information of a subject, by demodulating data specified by a pattern of the plurality of bright lines included in the obtained bright line image; and selecting service information associated with the identification information of the subject from the held one or more sets of service information, and presenting the service information to a user.
US09087337B2 Displaying vertical content on small display devices
Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer-implemented method that includes receiving content items, including text to be displayed on a user's mobile browser. The method also includes determining whether the mobile browser supports floating text columns. The method also includes determining whether at least some of the text should be displayed vertically on the mobile browser, including determining if non-Latin characters are included in the text if the mobile device supports floating text columns. The method also includes rotating text characters of at least some of the text to display vertically in a floating text column, if the text should be displayed vertically.
US09087329B2 Systems and methods for barcode-based gift card exchange
Various of the disclosed embodiments consider systems and methods for the sender of a printed or electronic greeting card to attach one or more virtual or electronic gift cards to that printed or electronic greeting card, so that the recipient of the greeting card can subsequently retrieve and redeem the attached gift cards electronically. Thus, some of the disclosed embodiments provide a system for automating the giving and receiving of electronic gift cards via the medium of the greeting card itself.
US09087318B1 Visually readable electronic label
A visually readable electronic label is disclosed. The system comprises a radio frequency identity (RFID) component that is operable to store data, an antenna coupled to the radio frequency identity component that is operable for deriving electrical power from an incident radio frequency field, where the derived electrical power is the sole electrical power available to the electronic label and a display coupled to the radio frequency identity component that is operable to present a visual indication of the data when commanded by the radio frequency identity component and when electrical power derived from an incident radio frequency field is available.
US09087313B1 Systems and methods for monitoring location of a vehicle or freight carried by a vehicle
Obtaining and providing location of at least one of a vehicle or freight includes receiving a request for information regarding the location of the vehicle or the freight, the vehicle or the freight being correlated to a communications device, transmitting a request for location information of the vehicle or the freight to a location information provider, receiving an indication of consent to transmission of location information of the vehicle or the freight, receiving the location information of the vehicle or the freight correlated to the communications device from the location information provider, and transmitting the location of the vehicle or the freight.
US09087306B2 Computer-implemented systems and methods for time series exploration
Systems and methods are provided for analyzing unstructured time stamped data of a physical process in order to generate structured hierarchical data for a hierarchical time series analysis application. A plurality of time series analysis functions are selected from a functions repository. Distributions of time stamped unstructured data are analyzed to identify a plurality of potential hierarchical structures for the unstructured data with respect to the selected time series analysis functions. Different recommendations for the potential hierarchical structures for each of the selected time series analysis functions are provided, where the selected time series analysis functions affect what types of recommendations are to be provided, and the unstructured data is structured into a hierarchical structure according to one or more of the recommended hierarchical structures, where the structured hierarchical data is provided to an application for analysis using one or more of the selected time series analysis functions.
US09087292B2 Image processing apparatus, control method, and computer program for detecting a failure and showing a handling procedure for eliminating the failure
An image processing apparatus detects a failure that has occurred, and determines whether or not the location at which the failure has been detected is in an accessory device attached to the body of an image processing apparatus. When the location at which the failure has been detected is in an accessory device, the image processing apparatus receives video data that shows a handling procedure for eliminating the failure that has occurred in the accessory device from a video distribution server and stores the data in a storage unit, and reproduces and displays the video data on a screen. Then, when the image processing apparatus detects that the above described failure has been eliminated, it erases the video data displayed on the above described screen from the storage unit.
US09087283B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device which stores data, and in which refresh operation is not needed, is described. The semiconductor device comprises at least a transistor and a capacitor. A first electrode of the capacitor is connected to a reference voltage terminal and a second electrode of the capacitor is connected to one of a source and a drain of the transistor. The semiconductor device is configured to put, when necessary, the other of the source and the drain of the transistor to the same potential as the one of the source and the drain, so that charge accumulated in the capacitor, which is connected to the one of the source and the drain of the transistor, does not leak through the transistor.
US09087281B2 Dual-frequency RFID tag with isolated inputs
An Integrated Circuit (IC) for an RFID tag includes two electrically isolated antenna ports for connecting to two antennas, with each antenna port configured to operate at a different frequency range and/or with a different communications protocol. In some embodiments a rectifier coupled to one of the antenna ports is operable to extract energy from an electromagnetic field in a first frequency range, and a demodulator coupled to the other antenna port is operable to demodulate symbols according to an RFID protocol in a second frequency range. In some embodiments the frequency ranges are disjoint, intersecting, or one is a proper subset of the other. In some embodiments each port is coupled to its own rectifier and/or its own modulator and/or its own demodulator. In some embodiments an RFID tag includes the IC and two antennas, each operable in one of the two frequency ranges.
US09087280B2 Wireless processor, wireless memory, information system, and semiconductor device
The invention provides a processor obtained by forming a high functional integrated circuit using a polycrystalline semiconductor over a substrate which is sensitive to heat, such as a plastic substrate or a plastic film substrate. Moreover, the invention provides a wireless processor, a wireless memory, and an information processing system thereof which transmit and receive power or signals wirelessly. According to the invention, an information processing system includes an element forming region including a transistor which has at least a channel forming region formed of a semiconductor film separated into islands with a thickness of 10 to 200 nm, and an antenna. The transistor is fixed on a flexible substrate. The wireless processor in which a high functional integrated circuit including the element forming region is formed and the semiconductor device transmit and receive data through the antenna.
US09087277B2 Apparatus and method for dynamic multi-dimensional codes with time and visual recognition information
A dynamic multi-dimensional code generation and recognition apparatus in which time information and visual recognition information are combined, and a method thereof are provided. According to the present invention, a dynamic multi-dimensional code or a time-variant code including visual recognition information which is associated with source information and changed over time is provided. Accordingly, users may easily ascertain existence of the multi-dimensional code and intended contents of the source information.
US09087274B2 Color information processing method, color information processing apparatus, and color information processing system
A color information processing method includes: inputting reference data including color information about each pixel or each pixel group of a reference medium and evaluation target data including color information about each pixel or each pixel group of an evaluation medium by an input means; performing an image matching process of image matching the input reference data and evaluation target data; setting a specific area which is a unit of evaluation and includes a plurality of pixels to each data item subjected to the image matching process; and comparing the color information items about each pixel or each pixel group in the reference data and the evaluation target data in the set specific area to calculate a color difference and performing an averaging process to calculate an average evaluation result for the specific area by a calculation means.
US09087272B2 Optical match character classification
Machines, systems and methods for enhanced optical character recognition are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises identifying a sample character in a textual context to be optically recognized; comparing the sample character with a template character, wherein the sample character is scaled into a first grid and the template character is scaled into a second grid; identifying one or more pixels in the sample character within the first grid and one or more pixels in the template character in the second grid, wherein the one or more pixels are identified as belonging to a foreground category in the textual content, a foreground pixel having at least N gradients corresponding to edges of the foreground pixel that are juxtaposed to a neighbor pixel, wherein a contour foreground pixel has at least one gradient that is neighbored by a background pixel in the textual context.
US09087259B2 Organ-specific enhancement filter for robust segmentation of medical images
An imager (10) and a reconstruction processor (12) generate an intensity image (14). A region containing a target volume is identified (20) and limited (24). A classifier (30) operates on the voxels in the limited volume with an enhancement filter to generate an enhanced image, such as an image whose voxel values represent a probability that each voxel is in the target volume. A segmentation processor (40) segments the enhanced image to identify the surface of the target volume to generate a segmented image which is displayed on a monitor (52) or used in a radiation therapy planning system (54).
US09087256B2 Dynamic image processing method and system for processing vehicular image
A dynamic image processing method includes: providing a plurality of first images; synthesizing the first images to generate a second image; selecting a plurality of calibration points on the second image; performing a geometric transformation upon the first images; performing the geometric transformation upon the calibration points to generate a plurality of transformed calibration points; and generating at least one image characteristic boundary according to the transformed calibration points.
US09087254B2 Method of searching public information for sales leads
A system and method of identifying UCC Financing Statements by productive asset type, which is useful in identifying prospects for companies that are involved in the distribution, sales, and financing of productive assets. The present invention allows the user of the invention to search UCC financing statements by brand and/or type of equipment that is used as collateral. Using a lead generation technique that involves analyzing and correlating collateral information to UCC financing statements, the statements can be identified and categorized by collateral type. By processing electronic collateral information, as well as an OCR process that converts text contained in images into searchable text. There is also a direct data entry method of gathering collateral information. This collateral information is then used in an innovative relational database. Also, the proposed invention categorizes UCC financing statements by collateral type using a method of querying specific equipment type keywords, such as equipment names and brand names. Also, the proposed invention merges UCC addendums and amendments allowing the user to view the most current UCC financing information without looking at multiple filings.
US09087252B2 Grayscale incremental information object
Systems and methods for generating a grayscale incremental information object (IIO) are provided. A method includes analyzing a grayscale IIO to determine a first code, wherein the grayscale IIO comprises a plurality of tiles, and the intensity of a tile corresponds to the number of data bits written to the tile. The product is confirmed from the first code, and, if the product is confirmed a new code comprising a bitstream is generated. The bitstream is overwritten on the grayscale IIO. The grayscale IIO is the same size after writing of the bitstream.
US09087251B2 Data reader with multiple modes of operation
Data reading systems and methods for operating data readers such as optical code readers and RFID readers. Certain preferred embodiments are directed to data readers having improved operation features for switching between various operation modes such as, for example, switching between handheld/portable mode and fixed mode using an on board inertial sensor such as an accelerometer or gyroscopic device capable of sensing various movements, motions, and/or orientations.
US09087249B2 Devices and methods employing dual target auto exposure
The method includes automatically adjusting a first control parameter in a device for capturing a first plurality of images, automatically adjusting a second control parameter in the device for capturing a second plurality of images such that automatic adjustment of the first control parameter is interspersed with, separate from, and obtained generally concurrently with the automatic adjustment of the second control parameter. The adjustment of the first control parameter being determined differently compared to adjustment of the second control parameter. The method may include attempting to decode a decodable indicia utilizing one or more images of the first and second plurality of images.
US09087246B1 RFID-to-bluetooth selective adapter
A RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter which includes a customized RFID transponder with an on/off switch, a RFID sensor coil, and a Bluetooth module with an EEPROM memory is disclosed. The RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter can be attached to a RFID doorlock to operate in both RFID mode and Bluetooth modes without interference therebetween, so as to use by RFID tags or smartphones, respectively. The RFID reader equipped device can be a RFID smart doorlock; a door is configured with the RFID smart doorlock and the RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter is mounted thereon, and the door can be opened and closed using the APP by the authorized user in real-time with or without internet connection. The RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter functions as a bridge between the RFID reader equipped device and smartphone operating under Bluetooth smart. In addition, the RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter possesses several security upgrade options.
US09087240B2 Object information derived from object images
Search terms are derived automatically from images captured by a camera equipped cell phone, PDA, or other image capturing device, submitted to a search engine to obtain information of interest, and at least a portion of the resulting information is transmitted back locally to, or nearby, the device that captured the image.
US09087238B2 Device and method for iris recognition using a plurality of iris images having different iris sizes
The present invention relates to an iris recognition device and method capable of improving iris recognition accuracy. To enhance iris recognition accuracy in consideration of variation in pupil size and iris region due to changes in intensity of lighting, the iris recognition device and method are configured to obtain multiple iris images having different iris sizes by capturing iris images of a person to be enrolled with a camera while adjusting brightness of lighting so that the iris size of the person to be enrolled varies from a maximum size to a minimum size, store the obtained iris images and associated iris size information for enrollment in a database interworking with the iris recognition device, and select enrolled iris images having an iris size most similar to that of an iris image captured by the camera for identification among many enrolled iris images for similarity measurement.
US09087237B2 Information processing apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium
In an information processing apparatus, an object recognition process is performed on each image of a multi-viewpoint image group based on focal length information and information about objects. Objects are specified in each image. A target object is determined based on relationship information indicating a relationship between the objects. An image that contains the determined target object is generated.
US09087234B2 Monitoring fitness using a mobile device
Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment, friends used and the like. Workout information may be shared to social messaging and networking outlets. Workout information shared may include map information including images of maps, interactive maps, links to maps, route information and the like and/or combinations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, an application may be configured to execute within a context of a social networking system to facilitate athletic activity data transfer and generation of workout entries in the social networking site.
US09087231B2 Object determination device
A plurality of block pairs are set by setting two of the rectangular blocks contained in one template as one block pair. A score showing a degree to which a part of an object is included in the template is held based on a relation of a relative level between block luminance values in each of the block pairs set in the template. These processes are carried out for all templates. Based on a sum of the scores of all the templates, and whether the object is included in the image is determined.
US09087229B2 System for background subtraction with 3D camera
A system for background image subtraction includes a computing device coupled with a 3D video camera, a processor of the device programmed to receive a video feed from the camera containing images of one or more subject that include depth information. The processor, for an image: segments pixels and corresponding depth information into three different regions including foreground (FG), background (BG), and unclear (UC); categorizes UC pixels as FG or BG using a function that considers the color and background history (BGH) information associated with the UC pixels and the color and BGH information associated with pixels near the UC pixels; examines the pixels marked as FG and applies temporal and spatial filters to smooth boundaries of the FG regions; constructs a new image by overlaying the FG regions on top of a new background; displays a video feed of the new image in a display device; and continually maintains the BGH.
US09087225B2 Integraded package authentication system and method thereof
The present invention related to an integrated object/package authentication system. The invention further relates to a method of identification of and object/package and sequenced authentication of the same based on combination of assigned identification feature and the generated random identification feature (identifiers). The present invention provides method and system where in the combination of assigned identification feature and a randomly generated identifier provides a secured sequenced identification and authentication process to obviate problems associated with reading, calibration and manufacture of random tag/information that are to be disposed on the package/object specifically for creating a signature based on special aspects of the at least two identification information. An identification feature comprises an electrically-insulating host material having pores, wherein at least some of the pores contain a substantially electrically-conducting material which is codeable to encode identification information for identifying the unit dose package.
US09087214B2 Methods and systems for protection of identity
The present invention relates to a method to the creation and management of a secondary identification to avoid identify theft. Identity theft may occur over the internet, the purchase of goods and services by credit, and many other forms not yet known. The present invention creates a secondary identification for a person by creating one or more of the following secondary identifications which include a secondary email address, a secondary postal address, a secondary phone number, and any other identifying secondary information. The present invention describes methods and systems to create a secondary identification. Further, the present invention may be used to create a credit card containing the requestor's secondary identification.
US09087210B2 Techniques for secure storage hijacking protection
A hijack-protected, secure storage device requires proof that the user has actual physical access to the device before protected commands are executed. Examples of protected commands include attempts to change storage device security credentials of the device, erasure of protected portions of the device, and attempts to format, sanitize, and trim the device. Various techniques for proving the actual physical possession include manipulating a magnet to control a magnetic reed switch located within the device, operating a momentary switch located within the device, altering light reaching a light sensor located within the device (such as by opening or shutting a laptop cover to change ambient light reaching the sensor), and manipulating a radio-transmitting device (such as a cell phone) near the storage device for detection of the manipulation by a compatible radio receiver located within the device.
US09087204B2 Airport security check system and method therefor
A decryption system for decrypting user identification information encrypted on a storage device associated with a user identity document is disclosed. The system comprises: a server configured to collect user identity document data from the user and to construct a token including the user identity document data encoded in a machine readable form; a key construction unit communicatively coupled to a reader configured to read the data from the token and configured to read the data encoded on the storage device. The key construction unit uses the user identity document data read from the token to construct a key which enables the identity document reader to decrypt the user identification information stored on the storage device.
US09087196B2 Secure application attestation using dynamic measurement kernels
Methods and apparatus to provide secure application attestation using dynamic measurement kernels are described. In some embodiments, secure application attestation is provided by using dynamic measurement kernels. In various embodiments, P-MAPS (Processor-Measured Application Protection Service), Secure Enclaves (SE), and/or combinations thereof may be used to provide dynamic measurement kernels to support secure application attestation. Other embodiments are also described.
US09087195B2 Systems and methods for detecting obfuscated malware
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for efficient and reliable analysis, optimization and detection of obfuscated malware. One disclosed example method for malware detection includes loading an executable software code on a computer system and disassembling the software code into an assembly language or other low-level programming language. The method then proceeds to simplifying complex assembly instructions and constructing a data flow model of the simplified software code. The dependencies and interrelations of code elements of the data flow model are analyzed to identify obfuscated software codes therein. The identified obfuscated codes are then optimized. Based on the results of optimization, determination is made whether the software code is malicious and/or whether further antimalware analysis of the optimized software code is necessary.
US09087189B1 Network access control for cloud services
A cloud service access and information gateway receives, from a user device, a request to access a cloud service. The cloud service access and information gateway compares a security status of the user device to a network access control policy for the cloud service. If the security status satisfies a condition of the network access control policy, the cloud service access and information gateway grants the user device access to the cloud service. If the security status does not satisfy the condition of the network access control policy, the cloud service access and information gateway requests an update to the security status of the user device to satisfy the condition.
US09087188B2 Providing authenticated anti-virus agents a direct access to scan memory
A computer platform may support anti-virus agents that may be provided access to directly scan the memory. The computer platform may comprise a platform control hub, which may comprise a manageability engine and a virtualizer engine, wherein the manageability engine may allow the anti-virus agents to be downloaded to a platform hardware space that is isolated from an operating system. The manageability engine may authenticate the anti-virus agents and provide an access for the anti-virus agents to directly scan a memory or a storage device coupled to the platform hardware.
US09087183B2 Method and system of securing accounts
A method and system of securing account is provided. When a client computer requests access to an account accessible via a server, the server determines a MAC address associated with the client computer and compares it to a MAC address associated with the account. If the MAC address of the client computer is not the same as the MAC address associated with the account, the server initially denies access to the client computer, but may allow access after verification of the client computer by the user associated with the account.
US09087177B2 Method, computer and program for making out seat layout
The present invention has the objective of providing a method for reducing trouble in creating a seating layout by a method other than with templates. The computer 1 accepts a designating operation on position coordinates forming a base point in the prescribed display area from a user, accepts a designating operation of a direction of generating the seating symbol data from position coordinates as the base point in the prescribed display area, determines a position for displaying the seating symbol data in the prescribed display area, based on the base point and the direction, generates seating symbol data comprising position data representing the position determined, adds to the combination of the seating symbol data composing the seating layout data, and stores thereof in the memory 120, and displays the seating symbol data in the display unit 150 based on position data included in the generated seating symbol data.
US09087176B1 Statistical overlay error prediction for feed forward and feedback correction of overlay errors, root cause analysis and process control
A method to collect data and train, validate and deploy statistical models to predict overlay errors using patterned wafer geometry data and other relevant information includes selecting a training wafer set, measuring at multiple lithography steps and calculating geometry differences, applying a plurality of predictive models to the training wafer geometry differences and comparing predicted overlay to the measured overlay on the training wafer set. The most accurate predictive model is identified and the results fed-forward to the lithography scanner tool which can correct for these effects and reduce overlay errors during the wafer scan-and-expose processes.
US09087173B2 Determining proximity effect parameters for non-rectangular semiconductor structures
The present disclosure relates to a curve-fitting procedure for determining proximity effect device parameters in semiconductor fabrication. Methods presented herein are adapted to determine the impact of narrow width related edge effects on device characteristics by comparing two-dimensional (2D) and/or three-dimensional (3D) device simulations. Methods presented herein are adapted to determine the accuracy of conventional extraction methods utilizing non-rectangular gate device simulation.
US09087161B1 Asymmetrical scaling multiple GPU graphics system for implementing cooperative graphics instruction execution
An asymmetrically scaling multiple GPU graphics system wherein the multiple GPUs are asymmetric, meaning that their rendering capabilities and/or rendering power is not equal. The asymmetric scaling multiple GPU graphics system includes a plurality of GPUs configured to execute graphics instructions from a computer system. A GPU output multiplexer and a controller unit are coupled to the GPUs. The controller unit is configured to control the GPUs and the output multiplexer such that the GPUs cooperatively execute the graphics instructions from the computer system.
US09087159B2 Sports electronic training system with sport ball, and applications thereof
A sports electronic training system with sport ball, and applications thereof, are disclosed. In an embodiment, the system comprises at least one monitor and an electronic processing device for receiving data from the at least one monitor and providing feedback to an individual based on the received data. The monitor can be a motion monitor that measures an individual's performance such as, for example, speed, pace and distance for a runner. Other monitors might include a heart rate monitor, a temperature monitor, an altimeter, et cetera. In an embodiment, a sport ball that includes a motion monitor for monitoring motion of the sport ball stores an identification value received when a shoe that includes a motion monitor contacts the sport ball. The stored identification value serves as a record of the contact.
US09087151B2 Program analysis support device
A program analysis support device that can freely combine program analysis conditions and can realize desired program analysis. An analysis condition setting part inputs a program analysis condition in a form of a conditional equation (analysis command, an analysis subject, and analysis condition) having an inherent equation number. A POU list extraction processing executing part executes an analysis command that reads a program to generate a collection of POUs serving as analysis subjects constituting the program, and a variable use list extraction processing executing part executes an analysis command that extracts a cross-reference of a variable to extract a cross-reference of a variable to the POU collection serving as the analysis subject. Both the parts further extract a cross-reference of a variable to another POU collection. An AND processing part further performs processing of a logical product of the cross-references of both the variables and outputs a result thereof to an analysis result display part.
US09087148B2 Automated role adjustment in a computer system
An embodiment of the invention is associated with a system having a role for controlling user access, the role comprising users, permissions, and a set of rules. The embodiment records each of a succession of access events in an access log, each event comprising an instance of the system being accessed by a user. The embodiment further analyzes recorded access events in the access log at selected time intervals, to detect a condition or violation of rules of the set of rules. Responsive to detecting a condition or violation, the embodiment selectively determines whether any change to the users or permissions of a specified role is needed. Each needed change is then implemented.
US09087147B1 Systems and methods for determining blood flow characteristics using flow ratio
Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient which may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of an anatomical structure of a patient; create a model representing at least a portion of the anatomical structure; create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic within the anatomical structure; determine a first blood flow rate at at least one point of interest in the model; modify the model; determine a second blood flow rate at a point in the modified model corresponding to the at least one point of interest in the model; and determine a fractional flow reserve value as a ratio of the second blood flow rate to the first blood flow rate.
US09087139B2 Query evaluation using ancestor information
Provided are techniques for processing a query. A query is received, wherein the query is formed by one or more paths, and wherein each path includes one or more steps. A hierarchical document including one or more document nodes is received. While processing the query and traversing the hierarchical document, one or more extraction entries are constructed, wherein each extraction entry includes a step instance match candidate identifying a document node and a step instance ancestor path for the document node, and one or more tuples are constructed using the one or more extraction entries by associating the step instance match candidate from one of the one or more extraction entries with the step instance match candidate from at least one of the one or more other extraction entries.
US09087137B2 Detection of custom parameters in a request URL
Identifying at least one custom parameter in a request uniform resource locator (URL). At least a first portion of source code of a Web application that typically consumes the custom parameter provided in the request URL can be identified. The Web application can be instrumented at the first portion of the source code. The Web application can receive the request URL and the Web application can be executed with the instrumented source code. At least one run-time value consumed by the second portion of the source code can be identified, and the run-time value can be compared to the request URL to determine whether the run-time value intersects with the request URL. Responsive to determining that the run-time value intersects with the request URL, the run-time value can be identified as the custom parameter. A custom parameter rule can be generated based on the comparison.
US09087130B2 Generating snippets for prominent users for information retrieval queries
Implementations include receiving trigger query data, the trigger query data identifying one or more trigger queries and one or more sets of authoritative users, each set of authoritative users being associated with a respective trigger query, providing a plurality of trigger query and authoritative user pairs, each trigger query and authoritative user pair identifying a trigger query and an authoritative user from a set of authoritative users associated with the trigger query, for each trigger query and authoritative user pair: generating a snippet based on user data, the user data being associated with the authoritative user in one or more computer-implemented services, each snippet being specific to the trigger query and specific to the authoritative user, and storing one or more snippets in computer-readable memory, each snippet being associated with the trigger query and the authoritative user for which the snippet was generated.
US09087128B1 System, method and computer program product for creating mobile custom views with filtering for tenants of an on-demand database service
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for creating mobile custom views with filtering for tenants of an on-demand database service. These mechanisms and methods for creating mobile custom views with filtering for tenants of an on-demand database service can enable embodiments to allow tenants to create and push instructions for generating user-defined views to mobile devices, etc. The ability of embodiments to provide such feature may allow tenants to efficiently and effectively create interfaces for mobile devices.
US09087126B2 System and method for enhanced video selection using an on-screen remote
A system and method for presenting video asset information to a viewer to assist the view in selecting a video asset for viewing is described. The video assets can be available from a plurality of different video asset sources, such as VOD (video on demand), PVR (personal video recorders) and broadcast (including over the air, cable, and satellite). Images from the video assets are displayed in a uniform manner, along with information about the video assets. The information includes data in a metadata category. The view can select one of the video assets for viewing, but also can navigate using metadata categories such as genre, actors, director etc. Moreover, the system and method includes an on-screen remote control that can be utilized in conjunction with a physical input device for navigation and viewing one or more video assets. This allows a much easier and natural navigating and selection process for viewers.
US09087125B2 Robust video retrieval utilizing video data
Techniques for determining if two video signals match by extracting features from a first and second video signal, and cross-correlating the features thereby providing a cross-correlation score at each of a number of time lags, and finally determining the similarity score based on both the cross-correlation scores.
US09087115B1 Mirror resynchnronization of fixed page length tables for better repair time to high availability in databases
In a mirrored database system, mirror resynchronization of fixed length pages is optimized for quick repair and high availability by identifying those lost page changes that must be made for resynchronization and ignoring other duplicate changes. Essential pages are identified using log sequence numbers (LSNs) to locate the most current version of a changed page, and other lower valued LSNs of less current versions of that page are eliminated as having changes that are duplicated in the current version of the page. Page changes since the last database checkpoint before losing mirror synchronization and the current LSN of the transaction log are identified as possibly necessary changes to be made.
US09087112B1 Consistency across snapshot shipping and continuous replication
In one aspect, a method includes performing replication of a first volume using a snapshot shipping mode, performing replication of a second volume using a continuous replication mode and generating a consistent point in time for the first and second volumes to enable retrieval of replicated data from the first and second volumes at the consistent point in time.
US09087109B2 User interface methods and systems for selecting and presenting content based on user relationships
A user-interface method of selecting and presenting a collection of content items based on user navigation and selection actions associated with the content is provided. The method includes associating a relevance weight on a per user basis with content items to indicate a relative measure of likelihood that the user desires the content item. The method includes receiving a user's navigation and selections actions for identifying desired content items, and in response, adjusting the associated relevance weight of the selected content item and group of content items containing the selected item. The method includes, in response to subsequent user input, selecting and presenting a subset of content items and content groups to the user ordered by the adjusted associated relevance weights assigned to the content items and content groups.
US09087108B2 Determination of category information using multiple stages
Providing category information includes: receiving a plurality of search key word sets that were previously input by a plurality of users; obtaining category information corresponding to the plurality of search key word sets; segmenting each of the plurality of search key word sets into search key word units; combining the search key word units into a plurality of search key word unit groups that correspond to a plurality of stages; based at least in part on the category information, determining category information that specifically corresponds to the plurality of search key word unit groups; and based at least in part on category information, establishing a plurality of search key word tables corresponding to the plurality of stages.
US09087103B2 Enhancing online querying service using client memorization
Provided are techniques for transmitting a first query from a query agent in a client computing device to an answering agent in a server computing device; receiving, at the query agent from the answering agent, a first response to the first query; saving the first query in conjunction with the first response in a computer readable storage medium; intercepting, by a query service agent, a second query from the query agent to the answering agent; correlating the second query to the first query; and transmitting to the query agent from the query service agent the first response in response to the second query.
US09087102B2 Adaptive query processing infrastructure
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for improving the processing of database queries. Some embodiments include detecting an overly long running query execution plan, stopping execution of the plan, and utilizing the query optimizer to select an alternate plan for execution. Embodiments may utilize system timers which are set with a time limit for the first selected plan, with instructions to re-optimize and initiate selection of an alternate plan when the timer times out. Risky constructs may be located in the first plan and removed from future consideration for executing the query. In some embodiments, the additional overhead for non-problem queries consists of little more than creating and sending a message or setting a timer when starting query execution, and canceling a timer upon successful query processing completion. A secondary thread may be created responsive to detecting a long running query, to supervise selecting an alternate execution plan.
US09087101B2 Document management techniques to account for user-specific patterns in document metadata
Document management techniques to account for user-specific patterns in document metadata are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for facilitating document retrieval may comprise: assigning a first entitlement to a first user for accessing a first plurality of documents; identifying patterns in the first user's creation or modification of metadata related to the first plurality of documents; recording the identified patterns associated with the first user; receiving a document query from a second user who has been assigned a second entitlement to access a second plurality of documents; determining, based on the second entitlement, an access right of the second user with respect to the first plurality of documents; and modifying the document query based on the access right of the second user and the identified patterns, such that the document query returns relevant documents from the first plurality of documents despite the second user's ignorance of the identified patterns.
US09087094B2 Processing records in dynamic ranges
A scalable analysis system is described herein that performs common data analysis operations such as distinct counts and data grouping in a more scalable and efficient manner. The system allows distinct counts and data grouping to be applied to large datasets with predictable growth in the cost of the operation. The system dynamically partitions data based on the actual data distribution, which provides both scalability and uncompromised performance. The system sets a budget of available memory or other resources to use for the operation. As the operation progresses, the system determines whether the budget of memory is nearing exhaustion. Upon detecting that the memory used is near the limit, the system dynamically partitions the data. If the system still detects memory pressure, then the system partitions again, until a partition level is identified that fits within the memory budget.
US09087092B2 Logging updates to monitored data sets in a storage
Providing a computer program product, system, and method for logging updates to monitored data sets in a storage. A request is received to monitor changes to a monitored data set comprising one of the data sets in the storage. A determination is made of tracks in the storage in which the data set is stored. The determined tracks are indicated in monitored tracks. Updates to the storage are received and a determination is made as to whether the updates are for the monitored tracks. The updates are logged in response to determining that updates are for the monitored tracks. A determination is made of new tracks added to the monitored data set and the determined new tracks are indicated in the monitored tracks.
US09087091B2 Determination of differences in hierarchical data
A system includes determination of a first tree comprising a first hierarchy of nodes and a second tree comprising a second hierarchy of nodes, determination of first subtrees of the first tree which are identical to first subtrees of the second tree, generation of a first mapping between nodes of the first subtrees of the first tree and nodes of the first subtrees of the second tree, generation of a first feature vector for each of second subtrees of the first tree, insertion of the first feature vectors into an index structure, generation of a second feature vector for each of second subtrees of the second tree, and generation of a second mapping between nodes of second subtrees of the first tree and nodes of the second subtrees of the second tree based on the second feature vectors and the index structure.
US09087083B2 Processing control in a streaming application
A method, system, and computer program product for processing a stream of tuples are disclosed. The method, system, and computer program product may include receiving a stream of tuples to be processed by a plurality of processing elements. Each tuple may have an associated processing history. The stream of tuples may be segmented into a plurality of partitions, each representing a subset of the stream of tuples. The method, system, and computer program product may include estimating the contribution each partition will have on a particular processing result and processing a partition if it substantially contributes to the particular processing result.
US09087075B1 Storing files in a parallel computing system using list-based index to identify replica files
Improved techniques are provided for storing files in a parallel computing system using a list-based index to identify file replicas. A file and at least one replica of the file are stored in one or more storage nodes of the parallel computing system. An index for the file comprises at least one list comprising a pointer to a storage location of the file and a storage location of the at least one replica of the file. The file comprises one or more of a complete file and one or more sub-files. The index may also comprise a checksum value for one or more of the file and the replica(s) of the file. The checksum value can be evaluated to validate the file and/or the file replica(s). A query can be processed using the list.
US09087072B2 File cloning and de-cloning in a data storage system
A file cloning mechanism allows for quickly creating copies (clones) of files within a filesystem, such as when a user makes a copy of a file. In exemplary embodiments, a clone of a source object is at least initially represented by a structure containing references to various elements of the source object (e.g., indirect onodes, direct onodes, and data blocks). Both read-only and mutable clones can be created. The source file and the clone initially share such elements and continue to share unmodified elements as changes are made to the source file or mutable clone. None of the user data blocks or the metadata blocks describing the data stream (i.e., the indirect/direct onodes) associated with the source file need to be copied at the time the clone is created. At appropriate times, cloned files may be “de-cloned.”
US09087065B2 Managing an alias host and domain names on a DNS server
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of managing aliases on a server, including deleting unused aliases, while minimizing required administrator interaction. The server may include expirable alias records, containing an expiration value and an inactivity timer. An alias manager component may process the expirable records. If the alias manager component determines a particular record has expired, the alias manager component may delete that record.
US09087063B2 Systems and methods for host image transfer
Methods and systems for transferring a host image of a first machine to a second machine, such as during disaster recovery or migration, are disclosed. In one example, a first profile of a first machine of a first type, such as a first client machine, is compared to a second profile of a second machine, such as a recovery machine or a second client machine of a second type different from the first type, to which the host image is to be transferred, by a first processing device. The first and second profiles each comprise at least one property of the first type of first machine and the second type of second machine, respectively. At least one property of a host image of the first machine is conformed to at least one corresponding property of the second machine. The conformed host image is provided to the second machine, via a network. The second machine is configured with at least one conformed property of the host image by a second processing device of the second machine.
US09087059B2 User interface for presenting search results for multiple regions of a visual query
A visual query such as a photograph, screen shot, scanned image, or video frame is submitted to a visual query search system from a client system. The search system processes the visual query by sending it to a plurality of parallel search systems, each implementing a distinct visual query search process. A plurality of results is received from the parallel search systems. Utilizing the search results, an interactive results document is created and sent to the client system. The interactive results document has at least one visual identifier for a sub-portion of the visual query with a selectable link to at least one search result for that sub-portion. The visual identifier may be a bounding box around the respective sub-portion, or a semi-transparent label over the respective sub-portion. Optionally, the bounding box or label is color coded by type of result.
US09087047B2 Text proofreading apparatus and text proofreading method using post-proofreading sentence with highest degree of similarity
A Japanese proofreading apparatus has a correction history corpus, a proofreading candidate generation unit, a proofreading availability determination unit, and an automatic proofreading unit. The correction history corpus stores negative sentences as post-proofreading sentences and positive example sentences as post-proofreading sentences, in association with each other. The proofreading candidate generation unit acquires the post-proofreading sentences corresponding to the pre-proofreading sentences from the correction history corpus, according to characteristics of a proofreading target sentence. The proofreading availability determination unit selects, from the post-proofreading sentences acquired by the proofreading candidate generation unit, post-proofreading sentences with degrees of similarity between the proofreading target sentence and the post-proofreading sentences equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value, as proofreading candidates. The automatic proofreading unit proofreads the proofreading target sentence, using, out of the post-proofreading sentences selected by the proofreading availability determination unit, a post-proofreading sentence with the highest degree of similarity.
US09087044B2 Establishing “is a” relationships for a taxonomy
Disclosed are methods for returning to a user an answer to the question “what is .” Concepts and classes to which the concepts belong are determined from a corpus, such as taxonomy. The concepts are mapped to categories according to the structure of the taxonomy. Homonyms for words are collected and scored according to likeliness of use. Concept vectors are assembled for the identified concepts based on articles in the corpus and social media usage. Words are evaluated for generic-ness and a generic score is associated therewith. In responding to a query, the generic-ness of the terms of the query is evaluated and additional context solicited if the terms are generic. Candidate homonym concepts for a string in the query are selected according to context vectors for the homonym concepts. One or more homonym concepts are selected and the one or more categories corresponding to these concepts are returned.
US09087042B2 Testing device, testing method, and computer-readable recording medium having testing program stored therein
The processor allows an apparatus to repeat the to-be-tested processing plural times and perform the disconnecting operation, that disconnects a device from the apparatus by the switch or the connecting operation that connects the device to the apparatus by the switch, at different timings during the to-be-tested processing whenever the to-be-tested processing is repeated in the apparatus. By doing this, it is possible to shorten the time required to test the to-be-tested processing.
US09087041B2 Enterprise test system platform and associated method for interoperable test data management, test development, test libraries and test workflow management and automation
This Invention provides a system-level framework for an enterprise-level test environment. The environment provides test development, automation, and execution processes for product validation and verification, and allows the interoperability of test cases, data, equipment information, and results across various enterprise platforms. The system, with its processes and methods, provides various mechanisms for managing test configurations, developing test plans, managing test data, and developing test reports from one or more test-stations and/or from one or more test equipment(s) for one or more Device(s) Under Test (DUT). These mechanisms include, but are not limited to, functions such as data management and sharing, test library reusability, test station management, test configuration management, test execution, test report development, and data mapping/plotting. The system can be customized to support scalable enterprise requirements. The development of the standardized data handling and communication processes and methods allows inter-system communication and interoperability of test information across various platforms.
US09087032B1 Aggregation of highlights
Highlights from a community of users highlighting portions of an electronic digital work may produce aggregated highlights. Users may have access to public and purchase versions of the aggregated highlights. Reconciliation of highlights across multiple versions of the same digital work may also take place, with the reconciled highlights incorporated into the aggregated highlights.
US09087030B2 Handling excessive input characters in a field
Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter include a computer-implemented method for processing text received in a first input filed. The method can include detecting the first input field configured to receive text, wherein the input field has a character limit defining a maximum number of characters that can be entered into the first input field. The method can also include receiving a first set of characters in the first input field, wherein a count of the first set of characters does not exceed the character limit. The method can also include receiving a second set of characters in the first input field. The method can also include detecting that a count of the second set of characters and the first set of characters exceeds the character limit, and presenting a second input field, wherein the second input field includes at least the second set of characters.
US09087024B1 Narration of network content
A process is directed to the generation, maintenance, and provision of narrations for requested network content. A client computing device transmits a narration of a network resource, such as a web page, to a network computing provider. The narration can be separated into portions, each portion corresponding to a portion of the network resource. A second client computing device can request the network resource and the narration. The network computing provider can determine whether there has been any change in the requested network resource since the narration was received, and can modify the narration provided to the second client computing device accordingly. The second client computing device can playback appropriate portions of the narration while still being capable of regular interaction with the requested network resource.
US09087023B2 Intra-realm AAA fallback mechanism
There is provided an intra-realm AAA (authentication, authorization and accounting) fallback mechanism, wherein the single global realm may be divided in one or more sub-realms. The thus presented mechanism exemplarily comprises detecting a failure of an authentication server serving at least one authentication client within a first sub-realm of a single-realm authentication system, and routing authentication messages of the at least one authentication client to a fallback authentication server within a second sub-realm of the single-realm authentication system, wherein routing may exemplarily comprise sub-realm based source routing.
US09087010B2 Data selection for movement from a source to a target
In one aspect of the present description, in connection with storing a first deduplicated data object in a primary storage pool, described operations include determining the duration of time that the first data object has resided in the primary storage pool, and comparing the determined duration of time to a predetermined time interval. In addition, described operations include, after the determined duration of time meets or exceeds the predetermined time interval, determining if the first data object has an extent referenced by another data object, and determining whether to move the first data object from the primary storage pool to a secondary storage pool as a function of whether the first data object has an extent referenced by another data object after the determined duration of time meets or exceeds the predetermined time interval. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application.
US09087003B2 Vector NCO and twiddle factor generator
A method and apparatus may be used to generate complex exponentials for either frequency domain or time domain applications by programming input parameter values into a complex exponential vector generator (260) having a frequency generator stage (281) and a vector phase accumulator stage (282) arranged with a vector element multiplier stage (283) to generate complex exponential phase index values (α0, α1, . . . αv−1) that are processed by a complex exponential generator stage (284) to output a plurality of complex exponential values (e.g., ej2πα0, ej2πα1, . . . ej2παv−1) that may be rearranged by a permutation unit (286) for use by vector data path.
US09086997B2 Memory uncorrectable error handling technique for reducing the impact of noise
Techniques for handling uncorrectable errors occurring during memory accesses reduce the likelihood of mis-correction of errors due to the presence of noise. When an uncorrectable memory error is detected in response to an access to a memory device, a memory controller managing the interface to the memory halts issuing of access requests to the memory device until a predetermined time period has elapsed. In-flight memory requests are marked for retry, and responses to pending request are flushed. A calibration command may be issued after the predetermined time period has elapsed. After the predetermined time period has elapsed and any calibration performed, the requests marked for retry are issued to the memory device.
US09086994B2 Verification of dispersed storage network access control information
A method for securely publishing an access control list begins with a DS managing unit generating an authentic and time-stamped access control list from the access control list, wherein the access control list provides a list of authorized accesses to the DSN. The method continues with the DS managing unit sending the authentic and time-stamped access control list to a publisher unit. The method continues with the publishing unit sending the authentic and time-stamped access control list to a plurality of DS units.
US09086987B2 Detection of conflicts between transactions and page shootdowns
There is provided a system and a computer program product for detecting a conflict between a transaction and a TLB (Translation Lookaside Buffer) shootdown in a transactional memory in which a TLB shootdown operation message is received by a processor to invalidate at least one entry in a TLB of the processor corresponding to at least one page. The processor tracks pages touched by the transaction. The processor determines whether the received TLB shootdown operation message is associated with one of the touched pages. The processor aborts the transaction in response to determining that the received TLB shootdown operation message is associated with one of the touched pages.
US09086977B2 Cache memory with dynamic lockstep support
Cache storage may be partitioned in a manner that dedicates a first portion of the cache to lockstep mode execution, while providing a second (or remaining) portion for non-lockstep execution mode(s). For example, in embodiments that employ cache storage organized as a set associative cache, partition may be achieved by reserving a subset of the ways in the cache for use when operating in lockstep mode. Some or all of the remaining ways are available for use when operating in non-lockstep execution mode(s). In some embodiments, a subset of the cache sets, rather than cache ways, may be reserved in a like manner, though for concreteness, much of the description that follows emphasizes way-partitioned embodiments.
US09086973B2 System and method for a cache in a multi-core processor
The invention relates to a multi-core processor system, in particular a single-package multi-core processor system, comprising at least two processor cores, preferably at least four processor cores, each of said at least two cores, preferably at least four processor cores, having a local LEVEL-1 cache, a tree communication structure combining the multiple LEVEL-1 caches, the tree having at least one node, preferably at least three nodes for a four processor core multi-core processor, and TAG information is associated to data managed within the tree, usable in the treatment of the data.
US09086970B2 Diagnosing entities associated with software components
In one embodiment, a system includes a recording module adapted for recording event history information for one or more events associated with an entity, an evaluating module adapted for evaluating the event history information for each of the one or more events associated with the entity against a symptom rule, wherein the symptom rule defines a validity state of a diagnosis, an issuing module adapted for issuing a subscription to one or more subscribers, wherein the subscription enables the one or more subscribers to receive diagnosis information, and an indicating module adapted for indicating the validity state of the diagnosis to the subscriber, wherein the recording module and the evaluating module are independent such that the issuing module and the event history information are substantially decoupled. Other systems and computer program products are also described, according to various embodiments.
US09086969B2 Establishing a useful debugging state for multithreaded computer program
A facility for supporting the analysis of a multithreaded program is described. For each of a number of threads of the multithreaded program, the facility identifies a semantically meaningful point in the execution of the thread. The facility interrupts the execution of each thread at the point identified for the thread.
US09086964B2 Updating user device content data using a dispersed storage network
A method for updating content data for user devices begins where a processing module encodes updated content to produce sets of encoded updated content data slices. The method continues with the processing module storing the sets of encoded updated content data slices in storage units and updating an entry in a directory. The method continues with the processing module receiving, from a user device, a read request for the content data and accessing the updated entry. The method continues with the user device receiving a decode threshold number of encoded data slices for each set of encoded updated content data slices and encoded unaltered content data slices. The method continues with the user device decoding each decode threshold number of encoded data slices and the encoded unaltered content data slices to recover the updated content data.
US09086952B2 Memory management and method for allocation using free-list
A method of managing a memory of an apparatus includes maintaining a plurality of lists of identifiers that each has an associated size value, wherein each identifier identifies a corresponding region of the memory that had been allocated for a process but that is currently not required by any of the one or more processes. When a process requests allocation of a region of the memory: one of the lists is identified that has an associated size value suitable for the allocation request; and if that list is not empty, a region of the memory is identified to the process by one of the identifiers that identifier is removed from that list, and, otherwise, a region of the memory is allocated with a size of the identified associated size value and the allocated region of the memory is identified the process.
US09086945B2 System and method to correlate errors to a specific downstream device in a PCIe switching network
A Peripheral Component Interconnect-Express (PCIe) port includes a PCIe link, a pending transaction counter, and an error status register. The PCIe port operates to issue a transaction on the PCIe link, determine that an endpoint device has become uncoupled from the PCIe link after issuing the first transaction, determine that a value stored in the pending transaction counter is not equal to zero in response to determining that the endpoint device has become uncoupled, and set an error bit in the error status register in response to determining that the first value is not equal to zero.
US09086942B2 Software discovery by an installer controller
A method for performing software discovery by an installer controller is provided and may include detecting, at a computer, an attempt by a software installer to execute on the computer, wherein during execution, the software installer modifies software on the computer. A Software Asset Management (SAM) computer server may be queried for an approval status corresponding to a software package provided by the software installer. The installer controller executes the software installer upon receiving on the returned approval status; aggregates a result from the execution of the software installer based on the software installer modifying the software on the computer; and updates a discovery software signature on the computer when the returned approval status is marked as known.
US09086929B2 Dynamic allocation of a workload across a plurality of clouds
A method of allocating cloud resources. A user interface can be presented to a user. The user interface can be configured to receive a user selection of a change of context for at least one of a plurality of workloads allocated to at least one cloud. Responsive to receiving the user selection of the change of context for the workload, via a processor, a service level agreement applicable to the workload can be dynamically changed from a first service level agreement to a second service level agreement, while the workload remains in an available state.
US09086926B2 Operation of a data processing network having a plurality of geographically spaced-apart data centers
A method and a device are disclosed for operating a data processing network which includes a plurality of geographically spaced-apart data centers and a large number of client computers, data being transmittable between each of the client computers and at least to one of the data centers, wherein one or more virtual servers is operateable in each of the data centers. According to at least one embodiment, access data is collected including information on geographical location of the client, geographical location of the virtual servers and the degree of utilization of the virtual servers. The access data collected is analyzed and, using the result of analysis, a migration plan, which is improved with respect to the mean latency, is created for the deployment of the virtual servers among the data centers. The virtual servers are migrated between the data centers in accordance with the migration plan.
US09086925B2 Methods of processing core selection for applications on manycore processors
A runtime method is disclosed that dynamically sets up core containers and thread-to-core affinity for processes running on manycore coprocessors. The method is completely transparent to user applications and incurs low runtime overhead. The method is implemented within a user-space middleware that also performs scheduling and resource management for both offload and native applications using the manycore coprocessors.
US09086923B2 Autonomic workflow management in dynamically federated, hybrid cloud infrastructures
An autonomic workflow framework may include a federated cloud that includes a plurality of clouds, where each cloud in the federated cloud includes one or more nodes. An autonomic workflow framework may include a workflow manager configured to receive a workflow. The workflow may include a plurality of stages, and the workflow may be associated with a user objective. An autonomic workflow framework may include an autonomic scheduler in communication with the workflow manager. The autonomic scheduler may be configured to provision one or more of the one or more nodes to process the stages to achieve the user objective.
US09086922B2 Opportunistically scheduling and adjusting time slices
Computerized methods, computer systems, and computer-readable media for governing how virtual processors are scheduled to particular logical processors are provided. A scheduler is employed to balance a load imposed by virtual machines, each having a plurality of virtual processors, across various logical processors (comprising a physical machine) that are running threads in parallel. The threads are issued by the virtual processors and often cause spin waits that inefficiently consume capacity of the logical processors that are executing the threads. Upon detecting a spin-wait state of the logical processor(s), the scheduler will opportunistically grant time-slice extensions to virtual processors that are running a critical section of code, thus, mitigating performance loss on the front end. Also, the scheduler will mitigate performance loss on the back end by opportunistically de-scheduling then rescheduling a virtual machine in a spin-wait state to render the logical processor(s) available for other work in the interim.
US09086921B2 Dynamic database memory management according to swap rates
Memory of a database management system (DBMS) that is running in a virtual or physical machine is managed using techniques that that reduce the effect of memory swaps on the performance of the physical or virtual machine. One such technique includes the steps of determining a swap rate while the database application is in an executing state, and decreasing the size of memory space available to the database application if the swap rate is above a threshold.
US09086918B2 Unified resource manager providing a single point of control
An integrated hybrid system is provided. The hybrid system includes compute components of different types and architectures that are integrated and managed by a single point of control to provide federation and the presentation of the compute components as a single logical computing platform.
US09086904B2 Live migration of virtual machine during direct access to storage over SR IOV adapter
A method is provided to migrate a virtual machine from a source computing machine to a destination computing machine comprising: suspending transmission of requests from a request queue disposed in source computing machine memory associated with the VM from the request queue to a VF; while suspending the transmission of requests, determining when no more outstanding responses to prior requests remain to be received; in response to a determination that no more outstanding responses to prior requests remain to be received, transferring state information that is indicative of locations of requests inserted to the request queue from the VF to a PF and from the PF to a memory region associated with a virtualization intermediary of the source computing machine. After transferring the state information to source computing machine memory associated with a virtualization intermediary, resuming transmission of requests from locations of the request queue indicated by the state information to the PF; and transmitting the requests from the PF to the physical storage.
US09086903B2 Managing virtual hard disk snapshots
A method, system or computer usable program product for managing virtual disk snapshots including utilizing a processor to create multiple disk containers containing multiple snapshots on a host machine persistent memory, and combining the multiple snapshots on a guest operating system to produce a final snapshot utilized by the guest OS as a virtual disk.
US09086901B2 Migration of applications from physical machines to virtual machines
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for migrating applications from a physical machine to virtualization technology, such as virtual machines. In one aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method. The method may include receiving, from an agent, information representative of at least one of an application or an operating system at a processor. An image may be created based on the received information. The image may provide a virtual machine including an application. The created image may be provided to a storage device. A virtualization manager may access the storage device and load the created image to implement a virtual machine including the application. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US09086898B2 Testing a configuration change
An approach is provided for testing a change (i.e., configuration change) in a configuration of a computing environment. First configurable attributes of a user identifier (ID) of a user are determined. The user ID was received from an administrative user having an administrative user ID providing the administrative user with an authority of an administrator in the computing environment. A temporary simulation user ID (TSID) having second configurable attributes is generated so that the values of respective first and second configurable attributes are identical. The configuration change is associated with the TSID and with no other user ID. Based on the configuration change being associated with the TSID and with no other user ID, a simulation with the change in the configuration applied in the computing environment is performed. The user ID and administrative user ID are unaffected by the configuration change.
US09086889B2 Reducing pipeline restart penalty
Techniques are disclosed relating to reducing the latency of restarting a pipeline in a processor that implements scouting. In one embodiment, the processor may reduce pipeline restart latency using two instruction fetch units that are configured to fetch and re-fetch instructions in parallel with one another. In some embodiments, the processor may reduce pipeline restart latency by initiating re-fetching instructions in response to determining that a commit operation is to be attempted with respect to one or more deferred instructions. In other embodiments, the processor may reduce pipeline restart latency by initiating re-fetching instructions in response to receiving an indication that a request for a set of data has been received by a cache, where the indication is sent by the cache before determining whether the data is present in the cache or not.
US09086885B2 Reducing merge conflicts in a development environment
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and program product to reduce merge conflicts in an integrated development environment. The present invention includes a computer that receives computer code that includes a plurality of line edits authored by a plurality of developers and development activity information associated with the computer code describing the nature of the plurality of line edits. The computer displays in real-time the computer code in a manner that includes distinguishing the plurality of line edits based the development activity information. Furthermore, the computer dictates an editing activity of the computer code based on the development activity information. Furthermore, the present invention executes within an integrated development environment.
US09086874B2 Above motherboard interposer with quarter wavelength electrical paths
A computing device has a circuit substrate having a socket, a main processor inserted into the socket, an interposer substrate inserted between the socket and the main processor, the circuit substrate, the socket and the interposer substrate being electrically connected, and peripheral circuit modules residing on the interposer substrate, wherein each peripheral circuit module has an electrical path having a path length to the main processor less than one-quarter of a wavelength of signals that will travel the electrical path.
US09086868B2 Hub device and system using the same
The hub device includes a USB hub IC; a voltage converter that converts a source voltage supplied to the Hub device into a source voltage to be supplied to the USB device/devices connected to the plurality of downstream ports, and, in a case that the USB device/devices is/or in an abnormal condition, outputs a signal notifying the abnormal condition; and a plurality of switch units that interrupts a source voltage to the USB device/devices, and outputs an overcurrent detection signal when overcurrent flows into the USB device/devices, wherein the USB hub IC includes a plurality of overcurrent detection terminals into which the overcurrent detection signal from the plurality of switch units is input, and a signal notifying the abnormal condition causes the plurality of overcurrent detection terminals of the USB hub IC to be in an overcurrent detection condition.
US09086857B2 Fastening device for expansion card
A fastening device for an expansion card includes a first rack, a second rack opposite to the first rack, and a fastener. The first rack defines a first opening. A supporting plate extends from the first rack toward the second rack. A position tab extends up from the supporting plate. The fastener engages with the first rack and comprises a resilient arm. The supporting plate supports a bottom surface of a first end of the expansion card. The position tab is received in a mounting hole defined in the first end of the expansion card. The resilient arm is deformed and extends through the first opening, and is blocked by the first rack and abuts a top surface of the first end of the expansion card. A second end of the expansion card is fastened to the second rack.
US09086856B2 Server having carrier and power module
A carrier for installation in a receiving space of a chassis includes a carrier body having a bottom wall and two sidewalls that cooperatively define a carrying space. The bottom wall has two opposite short sides respectively defining front and rear sides of the carrier body. A front shell is connected to the front side of the carrier body, and includes a front cover plate and two connecting walls extending into the carrying space and respectively and adjustably connected to the sidewalls in an overlapping manner to adjust a distance between the front cover plate and the rear side of the carrier body, so that the length of the carrier corresponds to the depth of the receiving space of the chassis.
US09086854B2 Hinge assembly and electronic device using the same
A hinge assembly used for connecting between an arm and a display of an electronic device is provided. The display has a back surface. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge and a second hinge. The first hinge is pivoted between the display and the arm, such that the display is rotated relative to the arm. The second hinge is assembled to the first hinge. The second hinge has at least one positioning surface leaning against the back surface of the display. An electronic device using the hinge assembly is also provided.
US09086853B2 Connecting mechanism and related electronic device
A connecting mechanism of adjusting an angle of a first module relative to a second module of an electronic device is disclosed in the present invention. The connecting mechanism includes a hinge assembly disposed on the second module, a rod disposed on the hinge assembly and pivoting to the first module, a torsional spring disposed between the rod and the hinge assembly, and a damper assembly disposed on the rod and sheathed by the torsional spring. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge installed inside the second module, and a second hinge slidably disposed on the first hinge. The torsional spring drives the rod to rotate relative to the second hinge from a first position to a second position, so that the first module can stand on the second module. The damper assembly can be for absorbing a vibration generated from the rod.
US09086852B2 Fastening techniques for electronic devices
A computing device including fastening features. The computing device may include an upper shell comprising an upper boss protruding from the upper shell, the upper boss defining a cavity. The computing device may include a lower shell comprising a lower boss protruding from the lower shell. The computing device may include a threaded insert including an insert portion received at the cavity of the upper boss. The threaded insert may include a flange portion wider than the insert portion, and a lateral movement reduction feature. The computing device may include a fastener received through the lower boss and through the threaded insert to fasten the upper shell and lower shell to each other.
US09086849B2 Electronic equipment
An electronic equipment includes a display device, an input device, a first connecting rod, and a second connecting rod. Two ends of the first connecting rod are respectively pivotable on sides of the display device and the input device, and two ends of the second connecting rod are respectively pivotable on the opposite sides of the display device and the input device. When the electronic equipment is in a tablet mode, the display device covers the input device, and the display device and the input device are located between the first and the second connecting rods.
US09086848B2 Electronic device having a hinge unit
A laptop personal computer (PC) is disclosed. The laptop PC includes a hinge unit that turns around a vertical axis and rotates around a horizontal axis, and the hinge unit connects a main body chassis to a display chassis. The hinge unit includes an inside, through which cables connecting a main body and a display pass. A path is provided, along which the cables are installed, and the path includes a part that is parallel to the vertical axis and is apart from the vertical axis and having a part overlapping with the horizontal axis towards the vertical axis. The cover is provided at the display chassis for covering the cables overlapping with the horizontal axis. This can eliminate the necessity of a cover for the cables on the side of the hinge unit, thus making the laptop PC thinner.
US09086843B2 Audio controller
Described herein is a multi-host computing system (100) having multiple host processors running different operating systems. In one implementation, a method of playing audio streams received from a plurality of hosts of a multi-host computing system (100), the method comprising receiving a second audio stream from a second host, and changing audio stream parameters associated with the second audio stream from second host to match the corresponding parameter values associated with a first audio stream received from a first host to generate an updated second audio stream. The method further comprises mixing the updated second audio stream with the first audio stream to generate a combined audio stream, and playing the combined audio stream using at least one audio codec (104) of the multi-host computing system (100).
US09086834B2 Controlling configurable peak performance limits of a processor
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor having a plurality of cores each to execute instructions, a non-volatile storage to store maximum peak operating frequency values each a function of a given number of active cores, a configuration storage to store frequency limits each corresponding to one of the maximum peak operating frequency values or a configurable clip frequency value less than the maximum peak operating frequency value. In turn, a power controller is configured to limit operating frequency of the cores to a corresponding frequency limit obtained from the configuration storage. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09086827B2 Job processing apparatus, job processing method for job processing apparatus, and storage medium
A job processing order for reducing waiting time of individual users is displayed in a case where a plurality of users requesting jobs is recognized at the same time. A control method for controlling a job processing apparatus includes holding jobs in a holding unit, imaging a plurality of users, detecting face information of the plurality of imaged users, recognizing the plurality of users based on the detected face information, searching the holding unit for jobs of the plurality of recognized users, determining, based on processing time of the searched jobs, an order of executing the searched jobs, and displaying information indicating the users corresponding to the ordered jobs, based on the determined order of executing the jobs.
US09086821B2 Method and system for execution of applications in conjunction with raid
Systems and methods are disclosed which allow various applications which may utilize a RAID system (or other types of applications) to be executed on the same set of computing devices which implement that RAID system. More particularly, in certain embodiments a virtualization layer may be executed on a data bank. A set of desired application programs may be executed using this virtualization layer, where the context for each instance of the applications executing on the virtualization layer may be stored in a volume kept utilizing the RAID system.
US09086818B2 Source-target relations mapping
A data preservation function is provided which, in one embodiment, includes indicating by a map, usage of a particular map extent range by a relationship between a source extent range of storage locations on a source storage device containing data to be preserved in the source extent range, and a target extent range mapped to the map particular extent range. In another aspect, in response to receipt of a data preservation command, a data preservation operation is performed including determining whether a map indicates availability of a map extent range mapped to the identified target extent range. Upon determining that a particular map indicates availability of a map extent range mapped to the identified target extent range, a relationship between the identified source extent range and the identified target extent range is established. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application.
US09086812B2 Storage device, control method for same and system management program
A storage device has plural data disks including a primary data area and a backup data area. Performance and reliability are secured while conserving power. A system management means includes a disk rotational state detection means, a disk rotational state control means for rotating or stopping a data disk, and a data placement control means for accessing the data disk to move the data. The data placement control means, if the data disk of the primary or backup side has been stopped at writing time, spins up and accesses thereof, and if the data disk of the primary or backup side has been stopped at reading time, prioritizes the side that is being rotated and accesses thereto, and if the data disk of the primary and backup side have both been stopped at reading time, spins up and accesses the side that has been stopped for the longer time.
US09086798B2 Associating information on a whiteboard with a user
Techniques for associating strokes information generated at an interactive whiteboard system with a user identifier. The user identifier may, for example, be an image of a user who generated the strokes information. The associating may be performed based upon time stamps associated with the strokes information and the image. Information may be stored indicative of the association between the strokes information and the user identifier.
US09086796B2 Fine-tuning an operation based on tapping
A mobile device enables the performance of an operation, which can be performed with only coarse granularity using a touchscreen, to be performed with finer granularity in response to detection of stimulus via mechanisms other than the touchscreen. For example, the mobile device can use its sensors (e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope, etc.) to detect a tapping motion against a non-touchscreen surface of that mobile device. In response to detecting such physical interaction, the mobile device can perform the operation with a level of precision that cannot be achieved when the performance of the operation is attempted via interaction with the touchscreen. The level of granularity of performance can vary with the interaction's force. For example, a tap performed with lesser force can cause a displayed object to move one pixel, while a tap performed with greater force can cause that displayed object to move five pixels.
US09086793B2 Methods and systems for assessing security risks
A user interface facilitates assessing security risks for linear corridors. The interface includes a navigation window presenting geospatial data for an area associated with a corridor. The interface also includes a navigation tool having a corridor indicator that provides a diagrammatic linear representation of the linear corridor, indicia along the corridor indicator that represent critical assets, and a corridor window superimposed on the corridor indicator that slides linearly along the corridor indicator. The portion of the corridor displayed in the interface corresponds to a location of the corridor window on the corridor indicator. The interface also includes an attributes area presenting information associated with the area presented in the navigation window. At least one of the navigation window and the attributes area is configured to present risk assessment information associated with the linear corridor.
US09086792B2 Display control apparatus and control method thereof
A display control apparatus includes a detection unit for detecting a touch operation on a display unit, a storing unit for temporarily storing data of a plurality of images, and a display control unit for performing, in response to the detection unit detecting a touch operation including a movement with a touch kept on the display unit, a scrolling process for scrolling an image displayed on the display unit to display another image temporarily stored in the storing unit, and performing, in response to the detection unit detecting a touch operation including a movement for a predetermined distance or longer with a touch kept on the display unit, an updating process for updating the data of the plurality of images temporarily stored in the storing unit with data of another plurality of images to display the images included in the other plurality of images on the display unit.
US09086787B2 Mobile terminal and control method thereof
TA mobile terminal is provided that is capable of controlling content displayed on a display device thereof. The mobile terminal may include a transparent display including a first surface and a second surface that overlap each other and that display content and sense a touch input, a memory that stores at least one application including a plurality of control functions for controlling the content, and a controller that may implement the application in response to a first touch input received at the first surface, and that may perform at least one of the plurality of control functions based on a second touch input received at the second surface when the application is carried out.
US09086777B2 Smart Display
A smart display allows a user to build custom layouts of user interface blocks on the smart display independent of the software on the computer creating the user interface. A customization mechanism in the smart display allows a user to select portions of a user interface and move them to different positions on the display. The customization mechanism creates custom layout metadata that defines a screen offset for portions of a user interface moved by the user. The smart display monitors the incoming display data and re-assigns pixel rendering data to the new location in the moved user interface blocks as the data coming from the computer application changes.
US09086765B2 Interdigitated randomized electrode pattern to increase the area of a touchpad having a limited number of controller IC drive pins
Increasing the effective size of a touchpad while using a single controller IC, wherein a pseudo random pattern is used such that when a certain order of electrical signals is applied to the electrodes, the local electrical fields cancel or are very large in a first region while the electrical fields in a second region create a desired electrical field pattern, wherein when a finger makes contact in the second region a certain electrical signal is expected, wherein when a finger makes contact in the first region the electrical signal is unexpected, and wherein the difference between the electrical signals from the first region and the second region can be distinguished and thus the region in which the finger made contact can be determined.
US09086759B2 Input control assignment
Various techniques may be employed for assigning user inputs such as a touch on a touchscreen to various input controls such as buttons or other features provided on a touchscreen. One example input assignment technique is a nearest neighbor technique, whereby a touch may, for example, be assigned to an input control that is positioned closest to the touch location. Another example input assignment technique is an angle and distance technique, whereby a touch may, for example, be assigned to an input control based on an angle and a distance of the touch relative to a prior touch.
US09086752B2 Touch sensor
A touch sensor and an organic light-emitting display including the sensor are disclosed. In one embodiment, the touch sensor includes i) a substrate, ii) a sensing unit formed on or over the substrate and containing hydrogen ions, iii) a touch sensor active layer formed on or above the sensing unit and iv) a touch sensor source electrode and a touch sensor drain electrode that are electrically connected to the touch sensor active layer. The touch sensor further includes a protective layer covering the touch sensor source electrode and the touch sensor drain electrode, and an opposite electrode formed on the protective layer, wherein at least part of the opposite electrode is formed substantially directly above the touch sensor active layer.
US09086746B1 Stylus based profile management
A stylus can be used with a computing device and send an identifier to the computing device. The computing device can send the identifier of the stylus to a server and the server can provide the user's profile information to the computing device. The user can interact with the computing device using the stylus and any changes made to the profile can be sent back to and stored by the server. When the user uses the stylus with a second computing device the updated profile information can be sent to the second computing device.
US09086743B2 Inner-sensor based pointing device
An inner-sensor based pointing device is presented. The pointing device includes a central housing having an aperture and a sleeve disposed surrounding a portion of the central housing, the sleeves rotatable about the portion of the central housing and slidable along a generally horizontal axis about the portion of the central housing. The pointing device further includes a sensor disposed in the central housing and aligned with the aperture, the sleeve positioned surrounding the sensor, wherein the sensor is capable of detecting rotational movement of the sleeve relative to the central housing and wherein the sensor is capable of detecting axial movement of the sleeve relative to the central housing. Additionally, the pointing device has a circuit in communication with the sensor, the circuit disposed within the central housing, the circuit capable of transmitting data to a computer regarding the movement of the sleeve.
US09086736B2 Multiple predictions in a reduced keyboard disambiguating system
A computer receives user entry of a sequence of keypresses, representing an intended series of letters collectively spelling-out some or all of a desired textual object. Resolution of the intended series of letters and the desired textual object is ambiguous, however, because some or all of the key presses individually represent multiple letters. The computer interprets the keypresses utilizing concurrent, competing strategies, including one-keypress-per-letter and multi-tap interpretations. The computer displays a combined output of proposed interpretations and completions from both strategies.
US09086721B2 Allocating resources to threads based on speculation metric
Methods, reservation stations and processors for allocating resources to a plurality of threads based on the extent to which the instructions associated with each of the threads are speculative. The method comprises receiving a speculation metric for each thread at a reservation station. Each speculation metric represents the extent to which the instructions associated with a particular thread are speculative. The more speculative an instruction, the more likely the instruction has been incorrectly predicted by a branch predictor. The reservation station then allocates functional unit resources (e.g. pipelines) to the threads based on the speculation metrics and selects a number of instructions from one or more of the threads based on the allocation. The selected instructions are then issued to the functional unit resources.
US09086713B2 Internal voltage generation circuits
An internal voltage generation circuit utilizing dual comparison signal generators and dual drivers to drive the internal voltage to a selected level. The second driver is responsive to a control signal derived from both of the comparison signal generators. The internal voltage generation circuit overcomes a problem with prior art circuits that may not permit the internal voltage to be driven to the selected level over a range of power supply voltages.
US09086711B2 Single-ended high voltage input-capable comparator circuit
A single-ended comparator is disclosed herein. The comparator may be implemented with low-voltage semiconductor devices that are capable of operating with high-voltage signals at an input. The single-ended comparator may be integrated in a larger circuit to receive and detect information provided on the input at voltage levels higher than the levels supported by the rest of the circuit, and transfer the information in the received signal for use by the rest of the circuit.
US09086709B2 Apparatus and methods for variable capacitor arrays
Apparatus and methods for variable capacitor arrays are provided herein. In certain configurations, an apparatus includes a variable capacitor array and a bias voltage generation circuit. The variable capacitor array includes a plurality of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) variable capacitor cells, which include one or more pairs of MOS capacitors implemented in anti-parallel and/or anti-series configurations. In certain implementations, the MOS variable capacitor cells are electrically connected in parallel with one another between a radio frequency (RF) input and an RF output of the variable capacitor array. The bias voltage generation circuit generates bias voltages for biasing the MOS capacitors of the MOS variable capacitor cells.
US09086708B2 High slew rate switching regulator circuits and methods
Embodiments of the disclosure include high slew rate switching regulator circuits and methods. In one embodiment, switching regulators are coupled to an output node. A first switching regulator may drive the output node. A second switching regulator may drive the output node through a capacitor. Control circuitry may include feedback inputs to maintain a first voltage on the output of the first switching regulator on one terminal of the capacitor and further to maintain a second voltage on the output of the second switching regulator on the other terminal of the capacitor.
US09086707B2 System and method for modulating a duty cycle of a switching mode power supply
Disclosed are methods, devices, and systems to digitally control a duty cycle of a switching mode power supply. In one embodiment, a method comprises calculating a base duty cycle using a power management unit of a high-speed processing unit, calculating a dynamic offset duty cycle using the power management unit to apply a transfer function to a sampled feedback voltage signal, and adding the base duty cycle to the dynamic offset duty cycle to obtain a duty cycle of the switching mode power supply. A system comprises a switching mode power supply, a power management unit, a voltage sensor, and an analog to digital converter all embedded within a high-speed processing unit, and a pulse-width modulator coupled between the switching mode power supply and the high-speed processing unit to modulate the duty cycle of the switching mode power supply.
US09086706B2 Low supply voltage bandgap reference circuit and method
A circuit and method for a bandgap voltage reference operating at 1 volt or below is disclosed, wherein the operational amplifier (A1) drives resistors (R2, R3) only so that both the flicker noise contribution and the process sensitivity due to the conventional metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices used as a current mirror within the proportional-to-absolute-temperature (PTAT) loop are eliminated. Two symmetric resistive divider pairs formed by (R1A/R1B, R2A/R2B) are inserted to scale down both the base-emitter voltages (VEB1, VEB2) of bipolar transistors (Q1, Q2) and the PTAT current (IPTAT) so that an output reference voltage (VREF) becomes scalable. Proper bias currents through transistors (M3, M4), which are used to bias (Q1, Q2) and (R1A/R1B, R2A/R2B) respectively, are produced by an additional V-I converter (319) using VREF itself, resulting in a final process, voltage and temperature (PVT) insensitive output reference voltage.
US09086705B2 Charge recovery in power converter driver stages
A power converter includes a first transistor operable to source current to a load when switched on, a second transistor operable to freewheel inductor current or sink current from the load when switched on, and a driver circuit. The driver circuit is operable to switch the first transistor on and the second transistor off during a first period, switch the first transistor off and the second transistor on during a third period after the first period, and connect a gate of the first transistor to a gate of the second transistor during a second period between the first and third periods when the gates of both transistors are floating.
US09086699B2 Agricultural tractor control system and method
An agricultural tractor (10) control system comprising an electronic control unit (ECU) (16) is provided in addition to a method of controlling a tractor (10). The ECU (16) is arranged to receive in real time signals from a plurality of sensors (40, 42) associated with operating functions of the tractor. The ECU (16) is also arranged to output control signals to a plurality of controlled operating components. Macroinstructions, or macros, are inputted to the ECU (16) by a user by direct definition or Internet download for example. Each macro comprises a condition and a command. The condition includes a trigger value and a corresponding input variable sensed by a respective sensor (40, 42, 50). The command involves the transmission of one of said output control signals to control an operating component in a predetermined manner. The ECU (16) is operable to run said macro during which the command is executed in response to the condition being met.
US09086693B2 Safety brake device for moving machine elements
A safety brake device for moving machine elements to prevent injury to the extremities of the operator of a machine if the distance of said operator from the moving machine element is less than a defined safety area. The device is characterized by an arrangement for detecting the operator position, in order to permit operation of the machine only if the operator remains within the defined working area, an arrangement for detecting the position of the extremities of the operator within a predefined safety zone, which enables the required work activities to be performed, and a brake device, by means of which the moving machine element can be immediately stopped if the extremities of the operator go beyond the safety area.
US09086685B2 Stepping motor control circuit, movement, and analogue electronic timepiece
A control circuit selects a drive pulse group corresponding to the detected voltage of a power cell from among plural drive pulse groups each including plural types of main drive pulses, and selects a drive pulse according to the detected condition of rotation of a stepping motor from among main drive pulses included in the selected drive pulse group or a correction drive pulse having larger energy than the main drive pulses. When the control circuit selects a main drive pulse initially by selecting the drive pulse group, the control circuit selects the main drive pulse having the largest energy in the selected drive pulse group. A drive pulse group selection circuit drives the stepping motor by the main drive pulse in the drive pulse group selected by the control circuit or the correction drive pulse via a main drive pulse output circuit and a correction drive pulse output circuit.
US09086682B2 Digital hologram image reproducing device and synchronization control method thereof
A digital hologram image reproducing device includes a light modulator reproducing a hologram interference fringe image, a first panel driving circuit which scans a first display panel and writes data of the hologram interference fringe image to the first display panel, a first timing controller controlling an operation timing of the first panel driving circuit, a second panel driving circuit which scans a second display panel and writes data of the hologram interference fringe image to the second display panel, a second timing controller controlling an operation timing of the second panel driving circuit, and a panel synchronization circuit which simultaneously transfers a polarity control signal received from one of the first and second timing controllers to the first and second panel driving circuits.
US09086680B2 Image forming apparatus with cooling air channels arranged in an internal space of the image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a chassis, an image forming section, a fan, a circuit board, and a first cooling air channel. The chassis includes a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface. The image forming section is arranged in an internal space formed between the first surface and the second surface of the chassis and performs an image forming process on a sheet. The fan is arranged between the first surface and the image forming section and is rotationally driven to cause an airflow to flow into the internal space. The circuit board is vertically arranged between the second surface and the image forming section. The first cooling air channel is arranged in the internal space and sends the airflow toward the circuit board.
US09086679B2 Image forming apparatus including consumable unit and method of controlling power supply thereof
An image forming apparatus includes a consumable unit with a built-in memory, a power supply unit to provide power to drive the memory, and a control unit to control the power supply unit to provide power to the memory and to access the memory, when an event that needs to access the memory happens, and to control the power supply unit to cut off the power to the memory, when a process with respect to the memory is finished.