Document	Document Title
US09106098B2	Fuel cell system with grid independent operation and DC microgrid capability A fuel cell system includes grid independent operation with DC microgrid capability. This fuel cell system has a capability of operation with and without the grid, and with DC micro-grid capability.
US09106096B2	Power transmission apparatus, power transmission device, power reception device, and power transmission method A power transmission apparatus includes a power transmission device having a power transmission amount detecting unit that transmits power and detects a power transmission amount, a power transmission device communication unit that communicates with a power reception device, and a power transmission device controller that calculates power transmission efficiency from the power transmission amount and a power reception amount and stops transmitting power if it is determined that a relationship between the power transmission amount and the power transmission efficiency lies out of an operable region, and the power reception device having a power reception amount detecting unit that receives power from the power transmission device and detects the power reception amount, a power reception device communication unit that communicates with the power transmission device, and a power reception device controller that transmits the power reception amount to the power transmission device via the power reception device communication unit.
US09106093B2	Contactless power transmission structure of laser distance measuring device A contactless power transmission structure of a laser distance measuring device, comprising: a first circuit board, disposed on a rotation disk on an upper portion of a main axis, and on said first circuit board is provided with a laser light tube and a lens; a second circuit board disposed at an end of said main axis; a third circuit board, fixed on a bottom seat and is not rotatable; two signal receivers and two signal transmitters, to transmit signals to said laser light tube and said lens, and receive signals sent from said laser light tube and said lens; a motor, located on a side of said main axis, is connected to said main axis through a conveyer belt to make it rotate, and that brings said rotation disk to rotate; and a power structure, connected electrically and supplies power to said first, second, and third circuit board.
US09106085B2	Combined transformer, and non-contact battery charging device using the same A non-contact battery charging device is for charging a touch pen using a combined transformer. The combined transformer includes a primary winding wound around a tubular insulating spool secured in a receptacle of a pen stand and allowing insertion of the touch pen, and a second primary wound around a magnetic core coaxially secured in the touch pen. A section of the magnetic core is coaxially located in the spool when the touch pen is inserted into the receptacle and extends through the spool. A charger having the magnetic core and the secondary winding is operable to supply a charging voltage to a rechargeable battery in the touch pen based on an input voltage across the primary winding.
US09106084B2	Electrical charger for charging electronic device A charger for charging an electronic device includes a main body, a latching mechanism, and a number of connecting pins. The main body defines a receiving groove for receiving a part of the electronic device. An opening is defined in a bottom wall of the receiving groove. A receiving slot is defined in one of two opposite major sidewalls of the receiving groove. The latching mechanism is pivotally connected to the main body. The latching mechanism includes an abutting portion received in the opening, and a fastening portion extending upwardly from the abutting portion. A post protrudes from a top face of the abutting portion. The connecting pins are disposed at the fastening portion. The electronic device includes a number of connecting pins for electrically contacting the connecting pins of the charger, and an external protrusion for abutting against the post of the charger.
US09106077B2	Power control apparatus and power control method A power control apparatus includes: a control unit that controls discharged power of a first battery and discharged power of a second battery; and a power acquisition unit that acquires a total power to be supplied from the first and second batteries to a load device connected to the first and second batteries. The control unit: in a first period, changes the discharged power of the first battery according to a change in the acquired total power, and changes the discharged power of the second battery toward a first direction in which the discharged power of the second battery approximates the discharged power of the first battery; and, in a second period after the first period, changes the discharged power of the second battery according to the change in the acquired total power, and changes the discharged power of the first battery toward a second direction opposite the first direction.
US09106076B2	Differential protection in electrical power networks A method in a three-terminal differential protection includes measuring a terminal phase current (IT1(y), IT2(y), IT3(y)) at each terminal (T1, T2, T3) of a protected zone of the differential protection in each phase (L1, L2, L3) to be protected, and determining a bias current (Ib(y)) of the phase on the basis of the terminal phase currents (IT1(y), IT2(y), IT3(y)). The bias current determination includes subtracting phasor values of the terminal phase currents of two terminals from the phasor value of the terminal phase current of one terminal. The terminal phase current, which is a minuend in the phasor difference computation, is selected on the basis of the phase angles or amplitudes of the terminal phase currents.
US09106074B2	Multilevel power converter Aspects of the invention address a circumstance in multilevel power converter devices having a bidirectional switch connected to a middle point of a DC power supply assembly, whereby interruption of the device may cause break down of semiconductor switches due to overvoltage if the semiconductor switches are totally interrupted simultaneously. In some aspects, a shut down procedure of a multilevel power converter device having a bidirectional switch connected to the middle point of a DC power supply assembly, gates of semiconductor switches are interrupted one by one according to a predetermined sequence or a sequence corresponding to the conditions of voltage and current at that moment with a time interval, and finally the bidirectional switch connected to the middle point of a DC power supply assembly is interrupted. As a result, a transition from an operating state to a shut down state can be made with minimum voltage variation.
US09106072B2	Electrostatic discharge protection of amplifier cascode devices Exemplary embodiments are directed to providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection of a cascode device of an amplifier. In an exemplary embodiment, a transistor is configured to receive a bias voltage and at least one circuit element coupled to the transistor and configured to receive an input voltage via an input pad. Additionally at least one diode can be coupled to a drain of the first transistor and configured to limit a voltage potential at an internal node of the amplifier caused by the input pad.
US09106069B2	Cable retaining apparatus A cable retaining apparatus for holding high voltage cables is disclosed. The apparatus has a pair of cable retaining members that are hingedly connected to each other and engage around one or more cables. A clamping device connects the ends of the retaining members that are not hinged together thereby clamping the apparatus around the cables. The hinge that connects the retaining members together is adjustable to vary the position of the hinging axis allowing the apparatus to be used over a variety of sizes of cables.
US09106068B2	Quick-release cord grip A quick-release cord grip is described herein. The quick-release cord grip can include a damming device through which at least one conductor traverses, and a frame mechanically coupled to the damming device. The frame can include a first portion having a first receiving feature along a first inner surface, a first coupling feature, and a first fastening feature. The frame can also include a second portion having a second receiving feature along a second inner surface, a second coupling feature, and a second fastening feature. The first coupling feature and the second coupling feature can be movably coupled to each other. The first fastening feature and the second fastening feature can be detachably coupled to each other. The damming device can be disposed within the first receiving feature and the second receiving feature when the first fastening feature and the second fastening feature are mechanically coupled to each other.
US09106065B1	Metallic floor box with non-metallic riser with flange An in-floor electrical floor-box assembly includes a rectangular metallic housing and a non-metallic riser with integral flange assembly having a rectangular flange that mates with the rectangular housing and an integral cylindrical riser for providing access to the electrical components through a round cover and finish flange. A low-voltage divider assembly separates cables carrying different voltages within the riser to reduce interference between the cables and any one of a variety of sub-plates having different configurations for accommodating a variety of multi-service or single service electrical functionality can be incorporated with the box.
US09106063B2	Electric hardware mounting-bracket The present disclosure includes an electric-box-assembly mountable on a first wall of a double wall structure for use in conjunction with the second wall of the double wall structure, a method of mounting the electric-box-assembly and wiring of the same. The electric-box-assembly includes a mounting-bracket including one or more mounting units, wherein each of said mounting units comprises a mounting panel; and an electric box. The mounting panel is configured to be directly attached onto the inner side of the first wall of the double wall structure, adjacently thereto, the first wall being erected. The electric box is configured to be mounted onto the inner side of the first wall of the double wall structure before the second wall of the double wall structure is securely attached to the beam-infrastructure.
US09106059B2	Electric power distributor for connecting first and second multiphase aircraft generator power lines having single-phase cables A distributor for connecting at least a first multiphase line to at least a second multiphase line, comprising a plurality of contacting points, wherein each of the contacting points is arranged to electrically connect a phase of the first line to a corresponding phase of the second line, the plurality of contacting points being arranged approximately on a circular line.
US09106055B2	Gas filled hollow fiber laser Apparatus, systems, and methods using an optically pumped gas filled hollow fiber laser can be implemented in a variety of applications. In various embodiments, operation of an optically pumped gas filled hollow fiber laser is based on population inversion in the gas. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US09106040B2	Die assembly and crimping method In the invention, an upper die (18) includes an anti-extrusion projection (17) that projects toward a signal conductor (14) placed on an upper side of a terminal forming piece (12) loaded on a lower die (19) and a die inner wall surface (18a) that situated on either side of the anti-extrusion projection (17) and that folds the terminal forming piece (12). When the terminal forming piece (12) is crimped to the signal conductor (14) by means of the upper die (18) and the lower die (19), the anti-extrusion projection (17) presses the signal conductor (14) downward, and the die inner wall surfaces (18a) fold the terminal forming piece (12) such that both ends of the terminal forming piece (12) come close to the anti-extrusion projection (17).
US09106039B2	Process for producing a charge path When a hobby enthusiast has recharged the battery for a remote controlled vehicle, such as a scale facsimile automobile, boat, helicopter or airplane, the battery must be connected again to the vehicle drive system, to provide power. This operation is typically performed by connecting each lead of an electronic speed controller to each corresponding lead of the battery, through a removable barrel receptacle lead and a mating barrel plug lead respectively, attached to each corresponding lead. An improved connector lead is described herein that protects components that may be attached to either lead in a connection. The charge dissipates in a resistive member that is physically coupled to a conductive member to form at least in part a first lead. When an improved lead is connected to a mating lead, the connection initially provides a charge dissipation path through the resistive member, but subsequently provides a bypass, current carrying conductive path around the resistive member from one component to another. By making use of an improved connector, electrical components are protected, not only from hot-swap current, but also from electrostatic discharge in general.
US09106037B2	Socket having rotary plug structure The present invention relates to a socket having rotary plug structure which comprises a housing and a rotary plug exposed outside the housing. At least a first socket is coupled to the rotary plug thereby allowing an electric equipment to be inserted. The rotary plug includes a rotation part and a ground pin fastened in the rotation part. A fasten pin is formed in the rotation part, wherein the distanced defined from the center point of the ground pin to the center point of the fasten pin is 38.9 mm±10%. With the mentioned structure, the socket having rotary plug structure is enabled to be fastened onto a socket panel.
US09106034B2	Coaxial connector A coaxial connector for a mating device to be inserted therein, includes an insulating body having a sustaining portion, a static terminal having a first contact portion, and a movable terminal having a second contact portion for contacting the first contact portion. The sustaining portion and an object below have a gap therebetween. The static terminal and the movable terminal are fixed to the insulating body. An elastic arm is formed by extending from the second contact portion. The sustaining portion engages the elastic arm. When the mating device is inserted into the coaxial connector, the mating device presses the elastic arm downwards, the second contact portion moves downwards to be separated from the first contact portion, and the elastic arm drives the sustaining portion to move downwards together, such that the sustaining portion butts against the object below to prevent the movable terminal from moving downwards excessively.
US09106018B2	Half fitting prevention connector A half fitting prevention connector includes a cylindrical case, a connector body for supplying electric power that is slidably accommodated in a front half part of the cylindrical case, a lever rotatably attached to the cylindrical case, and a holder that has a lever receiving portion for receiving an end portion of the lever. The connector body is moved in the cylindrical case in accordance with a rotational operation of the lever. The holder is provided on a rotation locus of the lever. The end portion of the lever is received in the lever receiving portion of the holder in a state that the connector body is completely fitted with a mating connector by the rotational operation of the lever.
US09106016B1	Electrical connector According to an example embodiment, an electrical connector may include an electrical cord comprising a plurality of wires, and a plug connected to the electrical cord. The plug may include electrical contacts coupled to the plurality of electrical wires, and at least one latch. The at least one latch may be biased to extend away from the plug, an end surface of the at least one latch being within two tenths of a millimeter of an end surface of the plug opposite from the electrical cord.
US09106011B2	Electrical connection arrangement having a fastener abutting an uncoated portion of a sleeve A method for providing an electrical connection arrangement between a first member and a second member is provided, as is a corresponding arrangement. The first member is made of electrically conductive material provided with a coating layer, and the electrical connecting arrangement includes a fastening element, the method including providing the first member with a first hole, arranging a sleeve in the first hole of the first member, such that the first member becomes electrically connected with the sleeve, coating an area of the first member including the sleeve, inserting the fastening element into the sleeve and through the first member, and engaging the fastening element with the second member, such that the fastening element becomes abutted against an uncoated surface portion provided on the sleeve to electrically connect the sleeve with the fastening element, and such that the fastening element becomes electrically connected to the second member.
US09106010B2	Connector A connector includes a busbar, a housing and a cover. The busbar includes a first connection part extending in a first direction, a second connection part extending in a second direction opposite to the first direction at a position displaced from the first connection part in a direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a coupling part extending in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction and coupling the first connection part and the second connection part. The housing includes at least one accommodation groove accommodating the coupling part, and a slit through which one of the first connection part and the second connection part is inserted. The cover covers the accommodation groove.
US09105992B2	Connector and the method for assembling A connector used for connecting to substrates and including bases and a shaft is provided. The bases are disposed on the substrates individually and include terminals embedded the base. The shaft is pivoted to the bases and includes a first element, a second element stacking with the first element and conductive rings. The second element includes first and second conductive circuits. The first conductive circuits are connected to the second conductive circuit, and each first and each second conductive circuit has a first pad and a second pad on the second element. The conductive rings are sleeved to the shaft, and connected to the first pad and the second pad electrically and individually. When the shaft is rotatably assembled to the bases, the first pads and the second pads are contact with the terminals electrically via the conductive rings and the conductive rings are capable of contacting with the terminals.
US09105979B2	Metamaterial surfaces An apparatus to modify an incident free space electromagnetic wave includes a block of an artificially structured material having an adjustable spatial distribution of electromagnetic parameters (e.g., ∈, μ, η, σ, and n). A controller applies control signals to dynamically adjust the spatial distribution of electromagnetic parameters in the material to introduce a time-varying path delay d(t) in the modified electromagnetic wave relative to the incident electromagnetic wave.)
US09105976B2	Linear radio frequency identification antenna and method for manufacturing the same A linear radio frequency identification antenna is provided and includes an insulating material, a shielding material, and a conductive wire. The shielding material connects with the insulating material to form a closed body. The conductive wire is covered by the closed body such that the conductive wire, the insulating material, and the shielding material together form a linear-shaped body.
US09105964B2	Airborne satellite communications system A system is provided to establish and maintain a data path between a Local Area Network (LAN) that is mounted on a moving vehicle and a satellite. In combination, an antenna assembly, an Antenna Control Unit (ACU), an Inertial reference Unit (IRU), and a modem are mounted together on the moving vehicle, under the overall control of a services platform. Operationally, the IRU generates parametric values indicative of the spatial attitude and location of the moving vehicle. The ACU then uses the parametric values to aim the antenna in a direction toward the satellite. In this combination, the modem is connected with the antenna to transmit and receive data between the system and the satellite. Individually or collectively, operationally compatible components of the system (IRU, ACU, antenna and modem) can be appropriately substituted to thereby customize the system.
US09105957B2	Attenuator An attenuator includes: a first portion including a first insulating substrate and a resistor section formed on the first insulating substrate; and a second portion including a second insulating substrate and a terminal section, the second insulating substrate being separated from the first insulating substrate, and the terminal section being formed on the second insulating substrate to be connected to the resistor section.
US09105956B2	Laminated waveguide diplexer with shielded signal-coupling structure A laminated waveguide diplexer includes an upper conductive layer having a first slot and a second slot; a first line crossing over the first slot; a first shielding conductor disposed over the first line; a plurality of first conductive pillars connecting the upper conductive layer and the first shielding conductor; a second line crossing over the second slot; a second shielding conductor disposed over the second line; and a plurality of second conductive pillars connecting the upper conductive layer and the second shielding conductor.
US09105950B2	Battery system having an evaporative cooling member with a plate portion and a method for cooling the battery system A battery system and a method for cooling the battery system are provided. The system includes an evaporative cooling member, and a battery module having a housing, a battery cell, and a solid cooling fin. The housing holds the battery cell therein. The solid cooling fin has first and second panel portions. The first panel portion is disposed against the battery cell. The second panel portion extends through the housing and is disposed on the evaporative cooling member. The solid cooling fin conducts heat energy from the battery cell to the evaporative cooling member. The evaporative cooling member receives a gaseous-liquid refrigerant and transitions the gaseous-liquid refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant utilizing the heat energy received from the solid cooling fin.
US09105946B2	Battery resetting process for scaffold fuel electrode An electrochemical cell includes a fuel electrode configured to operate as an anode to oxidize a fuel when connected to a load. The cell also includes an oxidant electrode configured to operate as a cathode to reduce oxygen when connected to the load. The fuel electrode comprises a plurality of scaffolded electrode bodies. The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell system and method of resetting the electrochemical cell by applying a charge (i.e. voltage or current) to the cell to drive oxidation of the fuel, wherein the fuel electrode operates as an anode, and the second cell operates as a cathode, removing uneven distributions of fuel that may cause premature shorting of the electrode bodies to improve capacity, energy stored, and cell efficiency.
US09105945B2	Lithium-ion solid battery, and synthesis method and synthesis device thereof The present disclosure relates to a lithium-ion solid battery, and a synthesis method and a synthesis device thereof. The synthesis method comprises a synthesis step for a current collector, a synthesis step for a cathode, a synthesis step for a diaphragm and a synthesis step for an anodee, wherein at least one of the steps is accomplished through on-site spray synthesis, and the on-site spray synthesis comprises a process of spraying a molten lithium metal. In the aforesaid way, the manufacturing process flow of the lithium-ion solid battery can be simplified.
US09105943B2	Non-aqueous electrolyte lithium secondary battery A lithium secondary battery has an anode, a cathode, a separator between the anode and the cathode and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The non-aqueous electrolyte includes a lithium salt; and a non-linear carbonate-based mixed organic solvent in which (a) a cyclic carbonate compound, and (b) a propionate-based compound are mixed at a volume ratio (a:b) in the range from about 10:90 to about 70:30. The cathode has a capacity density in the range from about 3.5 to about 5.5 mAh/cm2 and a porosity in the range from about 18 to about 35%. This battery may be manufactured as a high-loading lithium secondary battery.
US09105942B2	Non-aqueous electrolyte solution and use thereof The present invention provides a non-aqueous electrolyte solution that can be used as an electrolyte solution of a non-aqueous secondary battery to improve the discharge rate performance of the battery. The non-aqueous electrolyte solution comprises a non-aqueous solvent and a BF3-cyclic ether complex. The BF3-cyclic ether complex content is greater than zero part by mass, but less than 1 part by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the total amount of other electrolyte solution components. Preferable examples of the BF3-cyclic ether complex include BF3-tetrahydropyran complex and BF3-dioxane complex.
US09105938B2	Application of force in electrochemical cells The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance. The application of force to the electrochemical cell has been found, in accordance with the invention, to reduce such behavior and to improve the cycling lifetime and/or performance of the cell.
US09105936B2	Fuel cell catalyst, method of preparing same, and membrane-electrode assembly for fuel cell and fuel cell system including same A fuel cell catalyst includes a platinum-iron (Pt—Fe) alloy having an ordered or disordered face-centered cubic structure or face-centered tetragonal structure. The face-centered cubic structure has a lattice constant ranging from about 3.820 Å to about 3.899 Å (or from about 3.862 Å to about 3.880 Å), and the face-centered tetragonal structure has a first lattice constant ranging from about 3.800 Å to about 3.880 Å (or from about 3.810 Å to about 3.870 Å) and a second lattice constant ranging from about 3.700 Å to about 3.810 Å (or from about 3.710 Å to about 3.800 Å). A membrane-electrode assembly can improve cell performance by including the above catalyst having the relatively high activity and selectivity for an oxidant reduction in at least one of an anode or a cathode, and can increase lifespan by inhibiting catalyst poisoning.
US09105933B2	Gas diffusion electrode, method of producing same, membrane electrode assembly comprising same and method of producing membrane electrode assembly comprising same A process for producing a gas diffusion electrode comprising the steps of: casting a porous electrically conductive web with a suspension of particles of an electrically conductive material in a solution of a first binder to provide a first layer which is an electrochemically active layer (AL); casting a suspension of particles of a hydrophobic material in a solution of a second binder on said first layer to provide a second layer; and subjecting said first and second layer to phase inversion thereby realizing porosity in both said first layer and said second layer, wherein said subjection of said second layer to phase inversion thereby realizes a water repellent layer; a gas diffusion electrode obtained therewith; the use of a gas diffusion electrode in an membrane electrode assembly; a membrane electrode assembly comprising the gas diffusion electrode; and a method of producing a membrane electrode assembly is realized, said membrane electrode assembly comprising a membrane sandwiched between two electrodes at least one of which is a gas diffusion electrode, wherein said method comprises the step of casting said membrane electrode assembly in a single pass.
US09105930B2	Electricity supply system and electricity supply element thereof An electricity supply system and electricity supply element thereof is provided. The electricity supply system is made of a plurality of electricity supply elements by stacking or rolling. Each electricity supply element includes a substrate, two current collector layers and two active material layers. The substrate has a plurality of holes and the current collector layers, the active material layers are disposed on two sides respectively. Therefore, the ion migration is permitted by the holes and the electricity is outputted by the current collector layers. Hence, by this new structure of the electricity supply element, the resistance is decreased.
US09105927B2	Method for preparing cathode active material of lithium battery A method for preparing a spinel type lithium manganese oxide cathode active material, includes providing a number of manganese dioxide hollow spheres and a lithium source powder, mixing the manganese dioxide hollow spheres and the lithium source powder in a liquid medium to achieve a mixture, drying the mixture to remove the liquid medium to achieve a precursor, and sintering the precursor at a sintering temperature of about 600° C. to about 800° C. for about 3 hours to about 10 hours, to achieve a number of spinel type lithium manganese oxide hollow spheres.
US09105923B2	Zinc anode alkaline electrochemical cells containing bismuth A negative electrode active material for a zinc anode alkaline electrochemical cell includes (i) particles, comprising bismuth, and (ii) powder, comprising zinc. The particles have an average particle size of at most 135 nm.
US09105921B2	Porous amorphous silicon—carbon nanotube composite based electrodes for battery applications Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for forming an energy storage device. More particularly, embodiments described herein relate to methods of forming electric batteries and electrochemical capacitors. In one embodiment a method of forming a high surface area electrode for use in an energy storage device is provided. The method comprises forming an amorphous silicon layer on a current collector having a conductive surface, immersing the amorphous silicon layer in an electrolytic solution to form a series of interconnected pores in the amorphous silicon layer, and forming carbon nanotubes within the series of interconnected pores of the amorphous silicon layer.
US09105913B2	Device and method for performing a biologically catalyzed electrochemical reaction A device includes a first electrode compartment, the anode compartment, and a second electrode compartment, the cathode compartment, with a quantity of an anode fluid including an electrochemically oxidizable substrate and optional further compounds in the anode compartment, a quantity of a cathode fluid including an electrochemically reducible substrate and optional further compounds in the cathode compartment, and further an anode at least partially in contact with the anode fluid in the anode compartment and a cathode at least partially in contact with the cathode fluid in the cathode compartment. In at least one embodiment, the anode and cathode are electrically connected and on the surface of the anode and the cathode a catalyst is present for respective catalysis of the electrochemical conversion of the electrochemically oxidizable substrate via an electrochemical oxidation reaction and for catalysis of the electrochemical conversion of the electrochemically reducible substrate via an electrochemical reduction reaction, the catalyst including electrochemically active micro-organisms on at least one of the anode or cathode.
US09105908B2	Components for battery cells with inorganic constituents of low thermal conductivity A lithium-ion battery cell is provided that includes at least one inorganic, multi-functional constituent that has a low thermal conductivity and is suitable for reducing or restricting thermal anomalies at least locally.
US09105901B2	Battery pack A battery pack includes at least one battery module having a plurality of battery cells that are aligned in the same direction, a heat dissipation member disposed in alignment with the battery module, and a heat conducting member connected to the heat dissipation member. The heat dissipation member has a plurality of heat dissipation fins and a heat dissipation pipe. The heat dissipation pipe is connected with the plurality of heat dissipation fins.
US09105900B2	Battery pack, electricity accumulation system, electronic instrument, electric vehicle, and electric power system Provided is a battery pack including: an exterior case formed with one or more hole sections; a battery cell in which a positive electrode terminal section is formed on one end surface thereof and a negative electrode terminal section is formed on the other end surface thereof; a battery holder having a plurality of battery cell receiving sections receiving the battery cell; and a metal plate joined to the battery holder and formed with a terminal contact section.
US09105899B2	Electronic device subassemblies An electronic device may include subassemblies such as battery structures, electromagnetic shielding structures, and button structures. The electromagnetic shielding structures may include a conductive fence and a flexible shielding layer that covers electronic components. The electromagnetic shielding structure may be formed with a recess that receives a protruding portion of a battery. The recess may be formed from a multi-level shielding structure that includes rigid and flexible portions. The button structures may be mounted to a ledge that is formed as an integral part of a device housing. An electronic device battery may be enclosed in a protective battery sleeve. The battery sleeve may include a center portion that encloses the battery and peripheral portions that are folded and coupled to the center portion by adhesive material interposed between opposing surfaces of the folded peripheral portions and the center portion of the battery sleeve.
US09105891B2	Fuel cell system and control method for fuel cell system A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell of a solid polymer type that generates power by using a hydrogen-containing gas as a fuel gas, a reformer that generates the fuel gas by reforming ammonia, and a supply amount ratio control unit that controls a supply amount ratio of oxygen and ammonia to be supplied the reformer.
US09105886B2	Large-area demineralizer for fuel cell A coolant demineralizer is disclosed for a fuel cell, which removes ions released from coolant for cooling a fuel cell stack to pipes. In particular the demineralizer reduces the occurrence of differential pressure due to an ion resin layer such that the coolant smoothly flows through the demineralizer, thereby maximizing the effect of filtering ions and, at the same time, the utilization of the ion resin. To this end, the demineralizer includes a housing having an inlet port, through which coolant is introduced to pass through an interior space of the housing, and an outlet port through which the coolant is discharged; and a filter member having a plate-shape such that the coolant introduced through the inlet port passes through the filter member in a direction perpendicular to the filter member.
US09105881B2	Energy storage element A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including: a container; an electrode assembly housed in the container; an electrode terminal provided at the container; and a current collector which electrically connects the electrode terminal and the electrode assembly, wherein the container includes a wall having (i) an outer surface with a protrusion part formed to be protrude outward and (ii) an inner surface with a recess part formed corresponding in position to the protrusion part when the protrusion parts is formed, and the current collector includes a base part connected to the electrode terminal in the recess part and an arm part which extends from the base part in the direction opposite to the protrusion direction of the protrusion part, and is connected to the electrode assembly.
US09105860B2	Organic light emitting diode A full color organic light emitting diode having high efficiency and high color purity while having low manufacturing costs due to simple manufacturing processes.
US09105854B2	Transferable transparent conductive oxide A method for fabricating a photovoltaic device includes forming an adhesion layer on a substrate, forming a material layer on the adhesion layer and applying release tape to the material layer. The substrate is removed at a weakest interface between the adhesion layer and the substrate by mechanically pulling the release tape to form a transfer substrate including the adhesion layer, the material layer and the release tape. The transfer substrate is transferred to a target substrate to contact the adhesion layer to the target substrate. The transfer substrate includes a material sensitive to formation processes of the transfer substrate such that exposure to the formation processes of the transfer substrate is avoided by the target substrate.
US09105845B2	Piezoelectric ceramic comprising an oxide and piezoelectric device A piezoelectric ceramic with environmental friendliness including a composition as the main component composed of a composite oxide free from lead (Pb) as a constituent element, and with excellent piezoelectric characteristics such as the relative dielectric constant, the electromechanical coupling factor, and the piezoelectric constant, and a piezoelectric device using the piezoelectric ceramic, are provided. A piezoelectric ceramic including a composition represented by the following general formula as the main component: (K1-x-y-w-vNaxLiyBawSrv)m(Nb1-z-uTaz-Zru)O3 (wherein, x, y, z, w, v, u and m in the formula satisfy the following conditions respectively: 0.4
US09105843B2	Multilevel mixed valence oxide (MVO) memory Various embodiments include a memory device and methods of forming the same. The memory device can include an electrode coupled to one or more memory elements, to store information. The electrode may comprise a number of metals, where a first one of the metals has a Gibbs free energy for oxide formation lower than the Gibbs free energy of oxidation of a second one of the metals.
US09105842B2	Method for manufacturing a carbon-based memory element and memory element A method for manufacturing a resistive memory element includes providing a storage layer comprising a resistance changeable material, said resistance changeable material comprising carbon; providing contact layers for contacting the storage layer, wherein the storage layer is disposed between a bottom contact layer and a top contact layer; and doping the resistance changeable material with a dopant material.
US09105841B2	Forming magnetic microelectromechanical inductive components A micro-electromechanical device and method of manufacture are disclosed. A sacrificial layer is formed on a silicon substrate. A metal layer is formed on a top surface of the sacrificial layer. Soft magnetic material is electrolessly deposited on the metal layer to manufacture the micro-electromechanical device. The sacrificial layer is removed to produce a metal beam separated from the silicon substrate by a space.
US09105833B2	Actuator and method for driving actuator An actuator is provided which can be driven with a simple configuration and by simple control. The actuator comprises a thin film made of a shear piezoelectric material, a first electrode formed on a first main surface of the thin film, and a second electrode formed on a second main surface of the thin film. A driving force is generated on at least one end edge of the thin film by applying a predetermined AC voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US09105830B2	Method and system for providing dual magnetic tunneling junctions using spin-orbit interaction-based switching and memories utilizing the dual magnetic tunneling junctions A magnetic memory is described. The magnetic memory includes dual magnetic junctions and spin-orbit interaction (SO) active layer(s). Each dual magnetic junction includes first and second reference layers, first and second nonmagnetic spacer layers and a free layer. The free layer is magnetic and between the nonmagnetic spacer layers. The nonmagnetic spacer layers are between the corresponding reference layers and the free layer. The SO active layer(s) are adjacent to the first reference layer of each dual magnetic junction. The SO active layer(s) exert a SO torque on the first reference layer due to a current passing through the SO active layer(s) substantially perpendicular to a direction between the SO active layer(s) and the first reference layer. The first reference layer has a magnetic moment changeable by at least the SO torque. The free layer is switchable using a spin transfer write current driven through the dual magnetic junction.
US09105829B2	Thermal management in electronic devices with yielding substrates In accordance with certain embodiments, heat-dissipating elements are integrated with semiconductor dies and substrates in order to facilitate heat dissipation therefrom during operation.
US09105822B2	Material for a molded resin for use in a semiconductor light-emitting device The present invention provides a material for a molded resin as a material for a semiconductor light-emitting device that can yield a highly durable (light resistance and heat resistance) molded resin and can also improve the LED output through an excellent reflectivity. The present invention also provides an easily moldable material for a molded resin for a semiconductor light-emitting device. The material for a molded resin for a semiconductor light-emitting device is a resin composition, comprising (A) a polyorganosiloxane, (B) a white pigment, and (C) a curing catalyst, wherein the white pigment (B) has the following characteristics (a) and (b): (a) an aspect ratio 1.2 or more and 4.0 or less, and (b) a primary particle diameter 0.1 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less.
US09105817B2	Molded chip fabrication method and apparatus A method and apparatus for coating a plurality of semiconductor devices that is particularly adapted to coating LEDs with a coating material containing conversion particles. One method according to the invention comprises providing a mold with a formation cavity. A plurality of semiconductor devices are mounted within the mold formation cavity and a curable coating material is injected or otherwise introduced into the mold to fill the mold formation cavity and at least partially cover the semiconductor devices. The coating material is cured so that the semiconductor devices are at least partially embedded in the cured coating material. The cured coating material with the embedded semiconductor devices is removed from the formation cavity. The semiconductor devices are separated so that each is at least partially covered by a layer of the cured coating material. One embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention for coating a plurality of semiconductor devices comprises a mold housing having a formation cavity arranged to hold semiconductor devices. The formation cavity is also arranged so that a curable coating material can be injected into and fills the formation cavity to at least partially covering the semiconductor devices.
US09105816B2	High-power white LEDs A light emitting apparatus has a first radiation source without a dome, a substantially transparent and light transmissive optic device devoid of scattering particles and phosphor, a lens, a down conversion material containing phosphor that is disposed on the planar top surface of the optic device between the lens and the radiation source, and a heat sink, upon which the radiation source is mounted, having a recess formed therein in which the radiation source, the optic device and the down conversion material are positioned, wherein an air space is defined between a boundary of the recess and the optic device.
US09105812B2	Diode for a printable composition An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary diode comprises: a light emitting or absorbing region having a diameter between about 20 and 30 microns and a height between 2.5 to 7 microns; a plurality of first terminals spaced apart and coupled to the light emitting region peripherally on a first side, each first terminal of the plurality of first terminals having a height between about 0.5 to 2 microns; and one second terminal coupled centrally to a mesa region of the light emitting region on the first side, the second terminal having a height between 1 to 8 microns.
US09105811B2	Process for realizing a system for recovering heat, in particular based on the Seebeck's effect, and corresponding system An embodiment of a process for realizing a system for recovering heat is described, the process comprising the steps of: formation on a substrate of a plurality of L-shaped down metal structures; deposition of a dielectric layer on the substrate and the plurality of L-shaped down metal structures by using a screen printing approach; definition and opening in the dielectric layer of upper contacts and lower contacts of the L-shaped down metal structures; formation of a plurality of L-shaped up metal structures being connected to the plurality of L-shaped down metal structure in correspondence of the upper and lower contacts so as to form a plurality of serially connected thermocouples, each comprising at least one L-shaped down metal structure and at least one L-shaped up metal structure, being made of different metal materials and interconnected at a junction, the serially connected thermocouples thus realizing the system for recovering heat.
US09105808B2	Thermoelectric device A thermoelectric system includes a pair of substrates, a plurality of semiconductor elements, and first, second, and third terminals. The semiconductor elements are positioned between the opposing faces of the substrates, and the semiconductor elements include at least two groups of dissimilar semiconductor elements. The semiconductor elements are electrically coupled in series by conductor elements arranged so the two groups of dissimilar semiconductor elements are connected in an alternating pattern. The first, second and third terminals are connected to the conductor elements with the third terminal positioned between the first and second terminals. The electrically coupled semiconductor elements include first nodes and second nodes. The first and second nodes emit or absorb heat according to electric current flowing through the semiconductor elements, and impedance of the thermoelectric system is controlled by switching the switch.
US09105800B2	Method of forming deposited patterns on a surface A method for forming a coating of material on selected portions of a surface of a substrate having a plurality of cavities, each cavity having outer, peripheral sidewalls extending outwardly from the surface. The method includes: providing a structure having a release agent thereon; contacting top surface of the wafer with the release agent to transfer portions of the release agent to the top surface of the wafer while bottom portions of the cavities remain spaced from the release agent to produce an intermediate structure; the release agent disposed on the top surface of the wafer and with the bottom portions of the cavities void of the release agent; exposing the intermediate structure to the material to blanket coat the material on both the release agent and the bottom portions of the cavities; and selectively removing the release agent together with the coating material while leaving the coating material on the bottom portions of the cavities.
US09105787B2	Techniques for enhancing efficiency of photovoltaic devices using high-aspect-ratio nanostructures Photovoltaic devices and techniques for enhancing efficiency thereof are provided. In one aspect, a photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device comprises a photocell having a photoactive layer and a non-photoactive layer adjacent to the photoactive layer so as to form a heterojunction between the photoactive layer and the non-photoactive layer; and a plurality of high-aspect-ratio nanostructures on one or more surfaces of the photoactive layer. The plurality of high-aspect-ratio nanostructures are configured to act as a scattering media for incident light. The plurality of high-aspect-ratio nanostructures can also be configured to create an optical resonance effect in the incident light.
US09105785B2	Luminescent solar concentrator The present invention is directed to luminescent solar concentrators, processes for the production of the same and uses thereof. The luminescent solar concentrators comprise a composite substrate including two or more films containing luminescent compounds and wavelength-selective mirrors, which concentrators may be connected to photovoltaic cells.
US09105784B2	Solar module A solar module having improved photoelectric conversion efficiency is provided. The solar module (1) is provided with a bifacial light-receiving solar cell (10), a transparent member (15), a weather-resistant member (14), and a bonding layer (13). The bonding layer (13) includes at least two media (13b, 13c) having different refractive indices. Interfaces (22, 23) are formed by at least two media (13b, 13c) and are positioned in a region unoccupied by the solar cells (10). The interfaces (22, 23) are configured such that at least some of the light that is incident on the interfaces (22, 23) in a direction (z) perpendicular to the solar module (1) is guided to the back surface (10b) of the solar cells (10).
US09105765B2	Smart junction box for a photovoltaic system A method and apparatus for a smart junction box including: a first set of switches connected across input terminals adapted for connection to output terminals of a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules, a plurality of diodes connected across input terminals of each respective switch in the first set of switches, at least one reverse current detection device on at least one output terminal of the smart junction box, a second set of switches to selectively disconnect and short circuit output terminals of the smart junction box when a reverse current is detected, and wherein at least one switch of the second set of switches is located across the output terminals, a controller for controlling the first and second set of switches.
US09105752B2	High temperature transducer using SOI, silicon carbide or gallium nitride electronics There is disclosed a high temperature pressure sensing system which includes a SOI, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride Wheatstone bridge including piezoresistors. The bridge provides an output which is applied to an analog to digital converter also fabricated using SOI, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride materials. The output of the analog to digital converter is applied to microprocessor, which microprocessor processes the data or output of the bridge to produce a digital output indicative of bridge value. The microprocessor also receives an output from another analog to digital converter indicative of the temperature of the bridge as monitored by a span resistor coupled to the bridge. The microprocessor has a separate memory coupled thereto which is also fabricated from SOI, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride materials and which memory stores various data indicative of the microprocessor also enabling the microprocessor test and system test to be performed.
US09105751B2	Integrated semiconductor devices with single crystalline beam, methods of manufacture and design structure Bulk acoustic wave filters and/or bulk acoustic resonators integrated with CMOS devices, methods of manufacture and design structure are provided. The method includes forming a single crystalline beam from a silicon layer on an insulator. The method further includes providing a coating of insulator material over the single crystalline beam. The method further includes forming a via through the insulator material exposing a wafer underlying the insulator. The insulator material remains over the single crystalline beam. The method further includes providing a sacrificial material in the via and over the insulator material. The method further includes providing a lid on the sacrificial material. The method further includes venting, through the lid, the sacrificial material and a portion of the wafer under the single crystalline beam to form an upper cavity above the single crystalline beam and a lower cavity in the wafer, below the single crystalline beam.
US09105748B1	Integration of a non-volatile memory (NVM) cell and a logic transistor and method therefor A method of making a split gate non-volatile memory (NVM) using a substrate includes etching a recess into an isolation region of an NVM region of the substrate and depositing a conductive layer and a capping layer. A select gate and a control gate are formed in the NVM region, and a dummy gate is formed in a logic region of the substrate. A portion of the capping layer is removed and a salicide block bi-layer is deposited and patterned to form a first opening that exposes a contact portion of the conductive layer over the recess. A silicided region is formed on the contact portion. The substrate is planarized to expose the dummy gate, which is replaced with a metal gate. A second opening is etched through a first interlayer dielectric deposited over the substrate to the silicided region. Contact metal is deposited into the second opening.
US09105733B2	Thin film transistor array substrate and manufacturing method thereof A thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The TFT array substrate may include a gate line disposed on a substrate and including a gate line and a gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor layer pattern disposed on the gate electrode, a data line disposed on the oxide semiconductor layer pattern and including a source electrode and a drain electrode of a thin film transistor (TFT) together with the gate electrode, and a data line extending in a direction intersecting the gate line, and etch stop patterns disposed at an area where the TFT is formed between the source/drain electrodes and the oxide semiconductor layer pattern and at an area where the gate line and the data line overlap each other between the gate line and the data line.
US09105729B2	Display substrate A display substrate including a base substrate having a switching device, a first insulating layer over the base substrate having a contact hole partially exposing an electrode of the switching device, a first electrode over the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer over the first electrode, and a second electrode over the second insulating layer, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is coupled to the electrode of the switching device through the contact hole, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed in regions other than a peripheral region of the contact hole to prevent delamination and shorting of the pixel and common electrodes.
US09105725B2	Semiconductor-on-insulator device including stand-alone well implant to provide junction butting A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having a bulk substrate layer, an active semiconductor layer, and a buried insulator layer interposed between the bulk substrate layer and the active semiconductor layer. A first source/drain (S/D) region includes a first stand-alone butting implant having a first butting width. A second S/D region includes a second stand-alone butting implant having a second butting width. A gate well-region is interposed between the first and second S/D regions. The gate well-region has a gate width that is greater than the first and second butting widths.
US09105723B2	Multi-height FinFETs with coplanar topography A semiconductor structure is provided that has semiconductor fins having variable heights without any undue topography. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first semiconductor surface and a second semiconductor surface, wherein the first semiconductor surface is vertically offset and located above the second semiconductor surface. An oxide region is located directly on the first semiconductor surface and/or the second semiconductor surface. A first set of first semiconductor fins having a first height is located above the first semiconductor surface of the semiconductor substrate. A second set of second semiconductor fins having a second height is located above the second semiconductor surface, wherein the second height is different than the first height and wherein each first semiconductor fin and each second semiconductor fin have topmost surfaces which are coplanar with each other.
US09105720B2	Semiconductor device having metal gate and manufacturing method thereof A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having metal gate includes following steps. A substrate having at least a first semiconductor device formed thereon is provided. The first semiconductor device includes a first gate trench formed therein. Next, an n-typed work function metal layer is formed in the first gate trench. After forming the n-typed work function metal layer, a nitridation process is performed to form a first protecting layer on the n-typed work function metal layer. After forming the first protecting layer, an oxidation process is performed to the first protecting layer to form a second protecting layer on the n-typed work function metal layer. Then, a gap filling metal layer is formed to fill up the first gate trench.
US09105712B1	Double RESURF LDMOS with separately patterned P+ and N+ buried layers formed by shared mask A double-RESURF LDMOS fabrication method utilizes a shared mask to form separately patterned N+ buried layer (NBL) and P+ buried layer (PBL) regions. The mask includes two opening types (e.g., large and small), and the P-type and N-type implant materials are separately directed onto the mask at different implant angles, such that the N-type implant passes through both opening types to form a first pattered implant region in both a first region and a surrounding second region, and such that the P-type implant material passes only through the larger openings and forms a second pattered implant region only in the first substrate portion. An optional epitaxial layer is deposited over the substrate and annealed to form the separately patterned PBL and NBL in the epitaxial layer, where a portion of the PBL diffuses above the NBL and forms a P-surf region below the LDMOS's N-drift region.
US09105709B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same A semiconductor device according to the present embodiment includes a semiconductor substrate having a first n-type silicon carbide layer and a second n-type silicon carbide layer, a first p-type impurity region formed in the n-type silicon carbide layer, a first n-type impurity region of 4H-SiC structure formed in the n-type silicon carbide layer, a second n-type impurity region of 3C-SiC structure formed in the n-type silicon carbide layer having a depth shallower than the first n-type impurity region, a gate insulating film, a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film, and a metallic silicide layer formed above the first n-type impurity region and having a bottom portion and a side surface portion such that the second n-type impurity region is sandwiched between the first n-type impurity region and at least the side surface portion.
US09105706B2	Semiconductor device fabrication method capable of scribing chips with high yield A semiconductor device fabrication method includes preparing a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of chip areas formed with semiconductor elements and a scribe area having a dicing area in said scribe area for separating said plurality of chip areas, wherein in said scribe area a groove forming area is defined to surround each chip area at a position outside of the dicing area, disposing a multilayer wiring structure including dummy wirings above said semiconductor wafer, said multilayer wiring structure having interlayer insulating films and wiring layers alternately formed, forming a cover layer including a passivation layer, said cover layer covering said multilayer wiring structure, and forming a groove in each said groove forming area, said groove surrounding each of said plurality of chip areas and extending from a surface of said semiconductor wafer and at least through said passivation layer.
US09105705B2	Method and apparatus for plasma dicing a semi-conductor wafer The present invention provides a method for plasma dicing a substrate. The method comprising providing a process chamber having a wall; providing a plasma source adjacent to the wall of the process chamber; providing a work piece support within the process chamber; placing the substrate onto a support film on a frame to form a work piece work piece; loading the work piece onto the work piece support; providing a clamping electrode for electrostatically clamping the work piece to the work piece support; providing a mechanical partition between the plasma source and the work piece; generating a plasma through the plasma source; and etching the work piece through the generated plasma.
US09105701B2	Semiconductor devices having compact footprints Semiconductor devices and methods for making semiconductor devices are disclosed herein. A semiconductor device configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a substrate having a source/drain region, an interconnect, and first and second electrodes extending between first and second sides of the substrate. The first electrode includes a first contact pad and a via extending through the substrate that connects the first contact pad with the interconnect. The second electrode includes a second contact pad and a conductive feature in the substrate that connects the second contact pad with the interconnect.
US09105689B1	Bonded semiconductor structure with SiGeC layer as etch stop A semiconductor structure is formed with a first wafer (e.g. a handle wafer) and a second wafer (e.g. a bulk silicon wafer) bonded together. The second wafer includes an active layer, which in some embodiments is formed before the two wafers are bonded together. A substrate is removed from the second wafer on an opposite side of the active layer from the first wafer using a SiGeC layer as an etch stop. In some embodiments, the SiGeC layer is then removed; but in some other embodiments, it remains as a strain-inducing layer.
US09105688B2	Process for forming a crack in a material A process for forming a layer (26) of semiconductor material from a substrate (20), or donor substrate, made of the same semiconductor material is described, comprising: formation in said donor substrate of a high lithium concentration zone (22), with a concentration between 5×1018 atoms/cm3 and 5×1020 atoms/cm3, then a hydrogen implantation (24) in the donor substrate, in, or in the vicinity of, the high lithium concentration zone, application of a stiffener (19) with the donor substrate, application of a thermal budget to result in the detachment of the layer (34) defined by the implantation.
US09105684B2	Isolation structure, semiconductor device having the same, and method for fabricating the isolation structure An isolation structure of a semiconductor, a semiconductor device having the same, and a method for fabricating the isolation structure are provided. An isolation structure of a semiconductor device may include a trench formed in a substrate, an oxide layer formed on a bottom surface and an inner sidewall of the trench, a filler formed on the oxide layer to fill a part of inside of the trench, and a fourth oxide layer filling an upper portion of the filler of the trench to a height above an upper surface of the trench, an undercut structure being formed on a boundary area between the inner sidewall and the oxide layer.
US09105675B2	WH (wafer-holder) process A stacking apparatus that stacks chip assemblies each having a plurality of chips disposed continuously with circuit patterns and electrodes, includes: a plurality of stages each allowed to move arbitrarily, on which the chip assemblies are placed; a storage unit that stores an estimated extent of change in a position of an electrode at each chip, expected to occur as heat is applied to the chip assemblies placed on the plurality of stages during a stacking process; and a control unit that sets positions of the plurality of stages to be assumed relative to each other during the stacking process based upon the estimated extent of change in the position of the electrode at each chip provided from the storage unit and position information indicating positions of individual chips formed at the chip assemblies and controls at least one of the plurality of stages.
US09105669B2	MOS transistor on the basis of quantum interferance effect A new type of Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) transistor that works on the basis of the Quantum Interference Depression (QID) effect is disclosed. QID occurs inside an n-type semiconductor source-drain electrode of special geometry. Due to QID the Fermi level of said semiconductor increases locally inside the source drain electrode, thereby creating a localized potential energy barrier in the path of electrons moving from source to drain regions. The height of the barrier depends on the degree of QID. QID is in turn regulated by the gate voltage via the charge depletion and hence change in effective dimensions of the special geometry of the semiconductor electrode. A gate voltage modulated potential energy barrier and is thus formed whereby current in said MOS transistor is controlled.
US09105660B2	Fin-FET and method of forming the same A method of forming a Fin-FET is provided. A substrate is provided, then a mask layer is formed thereabove. A first trench is formed in the substrate and the mask layer. A semiconductor layer is formed in the first trench. Next, the mask layer is removed such that the semi-conductive layer becomes a fin structure embedded in the substrate and protruded above the substrate. Finally, a gate layer is formed on the fin structure.
US09105657B2	Methods for producing near zero channel length field drift LDMOS Adverse tradeoff between BVDSS and Rdson in LDMOS devices employing a drift space adjacent the drain, is avoided by providing a lightly doped region of a first conductivity type (CT) separating the first CT drift space from an opposite CT WELL region in which the first CT source is located, and a further region of the opposite CT (e.g., formed by an angled implant) extending through part of the WELL region under an edge of the gate located near a boundary of the WELL region into the lightly doped region, and a shallow still further region of the first CT Ohmically coupled to the source and ending near the gate edge whereby the effective channel length in the further region is reduced to near zero. Substantial improvement in BVDSS and/or Rdson can be obtained without degrading the other or significant adverse affect on other device properties.
US09105652B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device A resist layer (46a) including a thick film section (47a), which is relatively thick, at one side thereof, and a thin film section (47b), which is relatively thin, at the other side thereof is formed using a multiple-tone mask. A gate electrode (15a) is formed at a place where it will be provided on a semiconductor layer (12a) so as to be narrower than the resist layer (46a), by executing isotropic etching to a conductive film (44) formed in advance using the resist layer (46a) as a mask, in order to form overhang portions (48) on the resist layer (46a) at both sides of the gate electrode (15a). Then, the entire thin film section (47b) is removed, the thick film section (47a) is made thinner, and impurities are implanted into the semiconductor layer (12a) using the remaining resist layer (46a) and the gate electrode (15a) as masks.
US09105650B2	Lateral bipolar transistor and CMOS hybrid technology A method of forming a lateral bipolar transistor includes forming a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate having a bottom substrate layer, a buried oxide layer (BOX) on top of the substrate layer, and a silicon on insulator (SOI) layer on top of the BOX layer, forming a dummy gate and spacer on top of the silicon on insulator layer, doping the SOI layer with positive or negative ions, depositing an inter layer dielectric (ILD), using chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) to planarize the ILD, removing the dummy gate creating a gate trench which reveals the base of the dummy gate, doping the dummy gate base, depositing a layer of polysilicon on top of the SOI layer and into the gate trench, etching the layer of polysilicon so that it only covers the dummy gate base, and applying a self-aligned silicide process.
US09105645B2	Method for producing thin semiconductor components A semiconductor substrate (1) is provided with a structure (3) on an upper side (2), and an additional substrate (4) provided for handling the semiconductor substrate is likewise structured on an upper side (5). The structuring of the additional substrate takes place in at least partial correspondence with the structure of the semiconductor substrate. The structured upper sides of the semiconductor substrate and the additional substrate are positioned such that they face one another and are permanently connected to one another. Subsequently, the semiconductor substrate is thinned from the rear side (6), and the additional substrate is removed at least to such a degree that the structure of the semiconductor substrate is exposed to the extent required for the further use.
US09105636B2	Semiconductor constructions and methods of forming electrically conductive contacts Some embodiments include methods of forming electrically conductive contacts. An opening is formed through an insulative material to a conductive structure. A conductive plug is formed within a bottom region of the opening. A spacer is formed to line a lateral periphery of an upper region of the opening, and to leave an inner portion of an upper surface of the plug exposed. A conductive material is formed against the inner portion of the upper surface of the plug. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions having a conductive plug within an insulative stack and against a copper-containing material. A spacer is over an outer portion of an upper surface of the plug and not directly above an inner portion of the upper surface. A conductive material is over the inner portion of the upper surface of the plug and against an inner lateral surface of the spacer.
US09105634B2	Voids in interconnect structures and methods for forming the same A device includes a dielectric layer, a passive device including a portion in the dielectric layer, and a plurality of voids in the dielectric layer and encircling the passive device.
US09105614B2	Local interconnects compatible with replacement gate structures After forming replacement gate structures that are embedded in a planarized dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate, a contact-level dielectric layer is deposited over a planar surface of the planarized dielectric layer and the replacement gate structures. Substrate contact via holes are formed through the contact-level dielectric layer and the planarized dielectric layer, and metal semiconductor alloy portions are formed on exposed semiconductor materials. Gate contact via holes are subsequently formed through the contact-level dielectric layer. The substrate contact via holes and the gate contact via holes are simultaneously filled with a conductive material to form substrate contact structures and gate contact structures. The substrate contact structures and gate contact structures can be employed to provide local interconnect structures that provide electrical connections between two components that are laterally spaced on the semiconductor substrate.
US09105612B2	Microelectronic packages having cavities for receiving microelectronic elements Packaged microelectronic elements are provided which include a dielectric element, a cavity, a plurality of chip contacts and a plurality of package contacts, and microelectronic elements having a plurality of bond pads connected to the chip contacts.
US09105608B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same A miniaturized transistor having favorable electric characteristics is provided. The transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer which is in contact with a source electrode layer on one of side surfaces in a channel length direction and in contact with a drain electrode layer on the other of the side surfaces in the channel length direction. With this structure, an electric field between the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer is relaxed and a short-channel effect is suppressed. Further, a sidewall layer having conductivity is provided on a side surface of a gate electrode layer in the channel length direction, so that the sidewall layer having conductivity overlaps with the source electrode layer or the drain electrode layer with a gate insulating layer provided therebetween, which enables the transistor to substantially have an Lov region.
US09105592B2	Organic electronic light emitting device and method of fabricating the same An organic electronic light emitting device includes a substrate; a first gate electrode formed on a top surface of the substrate; a first insulating layer formed on the top surface of the substrate and covering the first gate electrode; an organic layer formed on a top surface of the first insulating layer and comprising at least two organic layers with different conductivity type; a second insulating layer formed on a top surface of the organic layer; a second gate electrode formed on a top surface of the second insulating layer; and a source electrode and a drain electrode formed between the first and second insulating layers, and the source and drain electrodes located on both sides of the organic layer respectively.
US09105586B2	Etching of silicon oxide film An etching method includes preparing a target object such that a first oxide film made of silicon oxide containing at least one of B and P is formed on a substrate, a second oxide film made of silicon oxide containing neither of B and P is formed on the first oxide film, and a contact portion is present below an interface between the first oxide film and the second oxide film. The etching method further includes etching the second oxide film and the first oxide film, thereby forming a hole reaching the contact portion, and etching the first oxide film by a dry process using a gas containing HF, thereby expanding a portion of the hole adjacent to an upper side of the contact portion and inside the first oxide film.
US09105584B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first line pattern comprising a first film above an underlying layer, depositing a second film on a sidewall and a top surface of the first line pattern of the first film, etching the second film to eliminate the second film on the top surface of the first line pattern of the first film and leave the second film on the sidewall of the first line pattern of the first film, and removing the first line pattern to form a second line pattern of the second film above the underlying layer. The depositing the second film, etching the second film, and removing the first line pattern are sequentially performed within the same plasma processing device.
US09105580B2	Semiconductor device including semiconductor construct installed on base plate, and manufacturing method of the same A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor construct including a semiconductor substrate and an external connection electrode provided to protrude on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, a base plate on which the semiconductor construct is installed, and a sealing layer stacked on the semiconductor substrate except for the external connection electrode and on the base plate including a side surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US09105575B2	Method for fabricating a semiconductor device A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: forming first lines having a hydrophobic surface extending parallel to each other in a direction between first insulation layers having a hydrophilic surface; self-aligning hydrophilic particles over the first insulation layers to expose portions of the first lines at predetermined intervals; forming a plurality of variable resistance elements over the exposed portions of the first lines; and removing the particles.
US09105574B2	Electronic device comprising a semiconductor memory unit Devices and methods based on disclosed technology include, among others, an electronic device capable of improving a signal transfer characteristic and a method for fabricating the same. Specifically, an electronic device in one implementation includes a plurality of buried gates formed in a substrate, open parts formed in the substrate on both sides of the buried gate, isolation layers each formed between a sidewall of the open part and a sidewall of the buried gate, source/drain regions formed in the substrate under the respective open parts, and contact plugs buried in the respective open parts.
US09105569B2	Method of etching MTJ using CO process chemistries A method for fabricating a magnetic film structure is provided. The method comprises forming a magnetic structure on a bottom electrode layer, the magnetic structure comprising at least one pinned bottom magnetic film layer having a fixed magnetic orientation; at least one top magnetic film layer whose magnetic orientation can be manipulated by a current; and a tunneling layer between the bottom magnetic film layer and the top magnetic film layer; forming a metallic hard mask atop the magnetic structure; patterning and etching the metallic hard mask to define exposed areas of the magnetic structure; selectively etching the exposed areas of the magnetic structure by a chemical etch process based on a CO etch chemistry to form discrete magnetic bits.
US09105568B2	Semiconductor device with integrated magnetic element provided with a barrier structure against metal contamination, and manufacturing A semiconductor device including: a semiconductor body having a first side and a second side opposite to one another; a first barrier element, which extends over the first side of the semiconductor body and is made of a first material configured to act as barrier against metal ions, for example chosen from among titanium, tantalum, titanium alloys or compounds, tantalum alloy; a magnetic element, which extends over the first barrier layer and is made of a second material having magnetic properties, for example a ferromagnetic material; a second barrier element, which extends over the magnetic layer and is made of a third material configured to act as barrier against metal ions, for example chosen from among titanium, tantalum, titanium alloys or compounds, tantalum alloys or compounds. The first and second barrier elements form a top encapsulating structure and a bottom encapsulating structure for the magnetic element.
US09105566B2	Monolithic integrated composite group III-V and group IV device According to one disclosed embodiment, a method for fabricating a monolithic integrated composite device comprises forming a group III-V semiconductor body over a group IV semiconductor substrate, forming a trench in the group III-V semiconductor body, and forming a group IV semiconductor body in the trench. The method also comprises fabricating at least one group IV semiconductor device in the group IV semiconductor body, and fabricating at least one group III-V semiconductor device in the group III-V semiconductor body. In one embodiment, the method further comprises planarizing an upper surface of the III-V semiconductor body and an upper surface of the group IV semiconductor body to render those respective upper surfaces substantially co-planar. In one embodiment, the method further comprises fabricating at least one passive device in a defective region of said group IV semiconductor body adjacent to a sidewall of the trench.
US09105549B2	Semiconductor sensor structures with reduced dislocation defect densities Non-silicon based semiconductor devices are integrated into silicon fabrication processes by using aspect-ratio-trapping materials. Non-silicon light-sensing devices in a least a portion of a crystalline material can output electrons generated by light absorption therein. Exemplary light-sensing devices can have relatively large micron dimensions. As an exemplary application, complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor photodetectors are formed on a silicon substrate by incorporating an aspect-ratio-trapping technique.
US09105537B2	Multi-junction photodiode in application of molecular detection and discrimination, and method for fabricating the same A multi-junction photodiode for molecular detection and discrimination and fabrication methods thereof. The multi junction photodiode includes a substrate having first conductive type dopants, an epitaxial layer having the first conductive type dopants, a deep well having second conductive type dopants, a first well having the first conductive type dopants, a second well having the second conductive type dopants, a third well having the first conductive type dopants, and a first doped region having the second conductive type dopants. The epitaxial layer is disposed on the substrate. The deep well is disposed in the epitaxial layer. The first well having three sides connected to the epitaxial layer is disposed in the deep well. The second well is disposed in the first well. The third well having three sides connected to the epitaxial layer is disposed in the second well. The first doped region is disposed in the third well.
US09105535B2	Copper feature design for warpage control of substrates An approach is provided in which a laminate substrate includes top layers, bottom layers, and a core layer. The top layers are positioned between the core layer and a top surface metallurgy (TSM) layer and include at least one top conductive layer. The bottom layers are positioned between the core layer and a bottom surface metallurgy (BSM) layer and include at least one bottom conductive layer that includes a material void pattern that is based upon the top conductive layer and reduces warpage of the laminate substrate.
US09105531B2	Semiconductor device A first photosensitive organic insulating film (PO1) formed in contact with a passivation film (PL) covers the entire circumference of a stepped portion (TRE) at a surface of the passivation film PL formed by a topmost conductive layer (TCL) and has an outer circumferential edge (ED1) positioned, along the entire circumference, on the outer circumferential side with respect to the stepped portion (TRE). This can prevent the first photosensitive organic insulating film (PO1) from peeling off the passivation film (PL).
US09105529B2	Thin-film transistor substrate and organic light-emitting display apparatus including thin-film transistor substrate A thin film transistor (TFT) substrate, an organic light-emitting display apparatus including the TFT substrate, and a method of manufacturing the TFT substrate that enable simple manufacturing processes and a decrease in the interference between a capacitor and other interconnections are disclosed. The TFT substrate may include a substrate, a TFT arranged on the substrate, the TFT including an active layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, a pixel electrode electrically connected to one of the source electrode and the drain electrode, and a capacitor including a lower capacitor electrode and an upper capacitor electrode, the lower capacitor electrode formed from the same material as the active layer and arranged on the same layer as the active layer, and the upper capacitor electrode formed from the same material as the pixel electrode.
US09105522B2	Quantum tunneling devices and circuits with lattice-mismatched semiconductor structures Structures include a tunneling device disposed over first and second lattice-mismatched semiconductor materials. Process embodiments include forming tunneling devices over lattice-mismatched materials.
US09105521B2	Display device having light emitting elements with red color filters A display device comprising TFT elements having satisfactory characteristics and being easy to assemble. In the display device, a pixel emitting red light comprises a red color filter. The red color filter forms a light shielding film for the TFT elements in a driver circuit portion or in a pixel portion.
US09105519B2	Substrate treatment apparatus, substrate treatment method, and non-transitory storage medium A substrate treatment apparatus configured such that substrates in a same lot are distributed by a delivery mechanism into a plurality of unit blocks, each unit block including a solution treatment module, an ultraviolet irradiation module, and a substrate carrying mechanism, the apparatus includes: an illuminance detection part that detects an illuminance of a light source of the ultraviolet irradiation module; and a control part that controls, when an illuminance detection value of the ultraviolet irradiation module in one unit block among the plurality of unit blocks becomes a set value or less, the delivery mechanism to stop delivery of a substrate to the one unit block and deliver subsequent substrates to another unit block, and the ultraviolet irradiation module to perform irradiation on substrates which have already been delivered to the one unit block with an irradiation time adjusted to a length according to the illuminance detection value.
US09105515B2	3D non-volatile memory device, memory system including the same, and method of manufacturing the same A three-dimensional 3D nonvolatile memory device includes vertical channel layers protruding from a substrate; interlayer insulating layers and conductive layer patterns alternately deposited along the vertical channel layers; a barrier metal pattern surrounding each of the conductive layer patterns; a charge blocking layer interposed between the vertical channel layers and the barrier metal patterns; and a diffusion barrier layer interposed between the barrier metal patterns and the charge blocking layer.
US09105511B2	Semiconductor device comprising oxide semiconductor An object is to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure. The semiconductor device includes a first wiring; a second wiring; a third wiring; a fourth wiring; a first transistor having a first gate electrode, a first source electrode, and a first drain electrode; and a second transistor having a second gate electrode, a second source electrode, and a second drain electrode. The first transistor is provided in a substrate including a semiconductor material. The second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer.
US09105502B2	Integrated circuit comprising on-chip resistors with plurality of first and second terminals coupled to the resistor body An integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. The IC includes a substrate with a resistor region and a resistor body disposed on the resistor region. A plurality of first resistor contact strips and a plurality of second resistor contact strips are disposed on the resistor body along a first direction. Two adjacent first and second resistor contact strips are separated by a respective one of contact strip spaces. The IC includes a plurality of first terminals and a plurality of second terminals. Each of the first terminals is coupled to a respective one of the first resistor contact strips while each of the second terminals is coupled to a respective one of the second resistor contact strips. A set of the first terminal and the second terminal forms first and second terminals of an on-chip resistor.
US09105491B2	Semiconductor structure and semiconductor device having the same The invention provides a semiconductor structure and a semiconductor device having such semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes: a substrate; a first well having a first conductivity type, which is provided on the substrate; a second well having a second conductivity type and contacting the first well at a boundary in between in a lateral direction; and a plurality of mitigation regions having the first conductivity type or the second conductivity type, provided in the first well and being close to the boundary in a lateral direction and penetrating the first well in a vertical direction.
US09105490B2	Contact structure of semiconductor device The invention relates to a contact structure of a semiconductor device. An exemplary structure for a contact structure for a semiconductor device comprises a substrate comprising a major surface and a trench below the major surface; a strained material filling the trench, wherein a lattice constant of the strained material is different from a lattice constant of the substrate; an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer having an opening over the strained material, wherein the opening comprises dielectric sidewalls and a strained material bottom; a dielectric layer coating the sidewalls and bottom of the opening, wherein the dielectric layer has a thickness ranging from 1 nm to 10 nm; and a metal layer filling a coated opening of the dielectric layer.
US09105476B2	Manufacturing method of semiconductor device To improve the manufacturing yield of semiconductor devices. Over a semiconductor wafer, a film to be processed is formed; over that film, an antireflection film is formed; and, over the antireflection film, a resist layer is formed. Then, the resist layer is subjected to liquid immersion exposure, and a development and rinsing process to form a resist pattern. After that, the antireflection film and the film to be processed are etched sequentially using the resist pattern as an etching mask. In the development process of the resist layer, the antireflection film is exposed from parts from which the resist layer has been removed by the development process. When performing a rinsing process after the development, the water repellent property of the surface of the antireflection film exposed from the resist layer is not lower than the water repellent property of the surface of the resist layer.
US09105474B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof A semiconductor device having favorable electric characteristics and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer formed over an insulating layer, a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer which overlap with part of the oxide semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer in contact with part of the oxide semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode layer over the gate insulating layer. In the transistor, a buffer layer having n-type conductivity is formed between the source electrode layer and the oxide semiconductor layer and between the drain electrode layer and the oxide semiconductor layer. Thus, parasitic resistance is reduced, resulting in improvement of on-state characteristics of the transistor.
US09105444B2	Electro-optical inspection apparatus and method with dust or particle collection function An electro-optical inspection apparatus is provided that is capable of preventing adhesion of dust or particles to the sample surface as much as possible. A stage (100) on which a sample (200) is placed is disposed inside a vacuum chamber (112) that can be evacuated to vacuum, and a dust collecting electrode (122) is disposed to surround a periphery of the sample (200). The dust collecting electrode (122) is applied with a voltage having the same polarity as a voltage applied to the sample (200) and an absolute value that is the same or larger than an absolute value of the voltage. Thus, because dust or particles such as particles adhere to the dust collecting electrode (122), adhesion of the dust or particles to the sample surface can be reduced. Instead of using the dust collecting electrode, it is possible to form a recess on a wall of the vacuum chamber containing the stage, or to dispose on the wall a metal plate having a mesh structure to which a predetermined voltage is applied. In addition, adhesion of dust or particles can be further reduced by disposing a gap control plate (124) having a through hole (124a) at the center above the sample (200) and the dust collecting electrode (122).
US09105436B2	Ion source having negatively biased extractor A method of generating ions in a radiation generator includes emitting electrons from an active cathode and on a trajectory away from the active cathode, at least some of the electrons as they travel interacting with an ionizable gas to produce ions. The method also includes setting a potential of at least one extractor downstream of the active cathode such that the ions are attracted toward the at least one extractor.
US09105432B2	Apparatus and method for generating digital value Provided is an apparatus for generating a digital value that may generate a random digital value, and guarantee time invariance of the generated digital value. The apparatus may include a digital value generator to generate a random digital value using semiconductor process variation, and a digital value freezing unit that may be connected to the digital value generator and fixed to one of a first state and a second state based on the generated digital value, to freeze the digital value.
US09105430B1	Low voltage reset for water cooled air conditioner A method and device for automatically resetting a water-cooled air conditioner system at least once during a 24 hour period. The device included a tamper resistant housing having a micro-controller electrically coupled to a 24 volt external power source. A normally closed relay is coupled to the micro-controller, the relay having an input and output receptacle for selectively coupling to a low voltage input power line of an air conditioner system. The micro-controller is programmed to randomly open the relay input and output receptacle at least once every 24 hour period to stop the operation of the air conditioning system for timed sequence of about 4 minutes for purposes of resetting the air conditioner system.
US09105423B2	Mounting panel structure for a rocker switch knob A mounting structure of a switch knob for a vehicle includes a panel 10 having an opening portion 11 and a switch knob 14 having a front surface 14a exposed through the opening portion 11. The panel 10 includes a pair of support portions 12 respectively extending upright on opposing edge portions of the opening portion 11 on the back surface 10b of the panel 10 in a direction perpendicular to the panel 10, and the switch knob 14 is pivotably supported by the support portions 12. Thus, there is provided a mounting structure of a switch knob for a vehicle, which is simple, with the number of components for mounting being reduced and in which a possibility of scratching a panel surface during the mounting operation can be reduced.
US09105419B2	Plunger mechanism for switch applications A plunger mechanism (100) is formed of a plunger (102) having a cylindrical body with a half-spherical tip (104). The plunger mechanism (100) is overmolded (108) such that half-spherical tip (104) is exposed. The plunger mechanism provides a drop-in component for a housing (404) having a rotary control (402) with one or more detents (408). The exposed half-spherical tip (104) makes contact with the detents (408) as a rotary control knob (406) is rotated thereby providing improved torque and tactility without the use of springs and without captivation issues.
US09105418B2	Rotary operation type switch A rotary operation type switch includes a holder, a rotary control, a shaft, a press-fitting portion, an outer wall part, and a stopper. The holder is provided in a state of immobility in the rotational direction. The rotary control rotates relatively with respect to the holder when a rotational force is imparted. The shaft transmits the rotational force imparted to the rotary control. The press-fitting portion is provided to The rotary control, and an end of the shaft is inserted into it. The outer wall part is provided along a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the rotary control. The stopper is provided to the holder, and comes into contact with the outer wall part and restricts the limit position of the rotation range when the rotary control and the shaft rotate relatively with respect to the holder.
US09105416B2	Push switch A rotor on which a moving contact is attached is received and rotatably held in a body, and a knob is received and held in the body side by side with the rotor and is movable. A plurality of first and second teeth are circumferentially staggered with each other on an outer perimeter surface of the rotor near one end and near the other end, respectively, in the direction of the axis of the rotor to project from the surface. An inclined surface is formed in each of the first and second teeth. A projecting part is formed on the knob to project toward the rotor. In response to a depression of the knob, the projecting part pushes the inclined surface of the second teeth to rotate the rotor and, in response to a return of the knob, pushes the inclined surface of the first teeth to rotate the rotor.
US09105404B2	Charge storage device and method of manufacturing it The present invention provides a charge storage device, comprising a pair of electrodes, each electrode being operable to store electric charge and having a respective capacitance CP, CN that is different to the other, with the ratio of the capacitances CP/CN being greater than 1. In exemplary embodiments, the charge storage device may be an asymmetrical supercapacitor, which is operable to provide an enhanced energy capacity by increasing the cell voltage through unequalising the electrode capacitance. Hence, by increasing the CP/CN ratio an improved power capability can be achieved over conventional devices, while offering a simple and low cost manufacturing strategy. The present invention has particular application with cameras, electric vehicles, elevators, renewable energy stores, fuel cells, batteries and many forms of electronic devices.
US09105397B2	Capacitor embedded between busbars, electric power device and electric power conversion device The present invention provides an inter-bus-bar built-in capacitor capable of reducing the size of a capacitor used in an inverter or the like or downsizing the capacitor, and provides power equipment as well as a power converting apparatus. The inter-bus-bar built-in capacitor is provided between a pair of opposing bus bars and includes a high-dielectric-constant material which has a relative dielectric constant of at least 50 when a voltage of 1,000 V is applied at a temperature of 25° C. Thus, it is possible to provide the inter-bus-bar built-in capacitor capable of reducing the size of a capacitor used in an inverter or the like or downsizing the capacitor and provide the power equipment as well as the power converting apparatus.
US09105380B2	Magnetic attachment system An improved magnetic attachment system involves a female component that is associated with a first object and a male component that is associated with a second object. The female component includes a hole and a first magnetic structure having a first plurality of magnetic source regions having a first polarity pattern. The male component includes a peg that can be inserted into the hole and a second magnetic structure having a second plurality of magnetic source regions having a second polarity pattern complementary to said first polarity pattern. The male and female component are configured such that when the peg is inserted into the hole the first and second magnetic structures face each other across an interface boundary enabling magnetic attachment of the first object to the second object, where while the peg remains inserted within the hole the male component can be rotated relative to the female component but translational movement of the male component relative to the female component is constrained.
US09105378B2	Graphene transparent electrode and method for manufacturing the same Disclosed herein are a method for manufacturing a graphene transparent electrode and a graphene transparent electrode manufactured by the method. The method includes: providing a graphene oxide solution: forming a metal thin film on a glass substrate; coating the graphene oxide solution on the metal thin film, followed by drying; primarily reducing the thus obtained graphene oxide by using a reducing agent, to obtain reduced graphene oxide; secondarily reducing the reduced graphene oxide by heat treatment under the inert atmosphere, to form a reduced layer; compressing a transparent film on the reduced layer; and etching the metal film by an etching solution. The method enables a graphene transparent electrode having economical feasibility and excellent electric conductivity to be manufactured.
US09105377B2	System and method for enhanced auto-negotiation for NGBASE-T A system and method for enhanced auto-negotiation for NGBASE-T. Link partners can be configured to exchange advanced NGBASE-T configuration information such as type, profile, capability and mode information of the PHY in one or more next page messages. Determined cabling parameters that are reflective of communication channel characteristics can be used in the auto-negotiation selection of a configuration for NGBASE-T operation.
US09105375B2	Cable assembly and method of manufacturing the same Outer-conductor-exposed portions are positioned in respective second body portions of a cable holder, and solder is supplied into solder pools provided in the respective second body portions, whereby outer conductors and ground contacts are connected to each other. Hence, even if the solder is in a molten state, a heated soldering bit does not touch the outer conductors. Therefore, the occurrence of any deformation or melting of insulators is suppressed. Furthermore, since there is no need to caulk any shield connection terminals in such a manner as to conform to the shapes of the outer conductors as in the known art, there is no chance of the insulators undergoing elastic deformation. Hence, the insulators are protected from any factors for thermal deformation and elastic deformation, and electric characteristics of differential signal transmission cables for individual finished products are thus stabilized. Consequently, the reliability of the cable assembly is improved.
US09105370B2	Conductive paste, and electronic device and solar cell including an electrode formed using the same A conductive paste includes a conductive powder, a metallic glass, and an organic vehicle. The metallic glass may be an alloy including a first element with an atomic radius that satisfies the following equation: (r1−rn)/(r1+rn/2)×100≧9% In the equation, r1 may be an atom radius of the first element, rn may be an atom radius of other elements included in the metallic glass, and n may be an integer ranging from 2 to 10.
US09105367B2	Dual elliptical reflector with a co-located foci for curing optical fibers A device for UV curing a coating or printed ink on a workpiece such as an optical fiber comprises dual elliptical reflectors arranged to have a co-located focus. The workpiece is centered at the co-located focus such that the dual elliptical reflectors are disposed on opposing sides of the workpiece. Two separate light sources are positioned at a second focus of each elliptical reflector, wherein light irradiated from the light sources is substantially concentrated onto the surface of the workpiece at the co-located focus.
US09105361B2	Fault tolerant control line configuration A fault tolerant control line configuration useful in a variety of solid state memories such as but not limited to a flash memory. In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus includes a plurality of memory cells, and a fault tolerant control line. The control line has an elongated first conductive path connected to each of the plurality of memory cells. An elongated second conductive path is disposed in a parallel, spaced apart relation to the first conductive path. A plurality of conductive support members are interposed between the first and second conductive paths to support the second conductive path above the first conductive path.
US09105358B2	Memory system having an encoding processing circuit for redundant encoding process In one embodiment, a memory system for writing redundant data output by an encoding processing circuit, comprises a memory, a encoding processing circuit, and a decoding circuit. The memory is electrically rewritable by using memory cells. The memory cells are capable of having two different resistance values corresponding to logical values of 1 or 0 respectively. The redundant data is read from and a predetermined logical value is written to the memory by flowing current in a same direction. The encoding processing circuit performs redundant encoding processing on target data and outputs redundant data. A number of bits having the predetermined logical value exceeds a number of bits having the logical value other than the predetermined logical value, for writing the redundant data to the memory. A decoding circuit reads data from the memory, and performs a decoding process on the data.
US09105351B2	Semiconductor memory device including amplifier circuit In a conventional DRAM, a decrease in the capacitance of a capacitor causes an error in reading data. A plurality of memory blocks MB is connected to one bit line BL_m. Each memory block MB includes a sub bit line SBL, a plurality of memory cells, and a precharge transistor. The drain of a transistor of the memory cell is connected one of the bit line BL_m and the sub bit line SBL, whereas a capacitor of the memory cell is connected to the other one of the bit line BL_m and the sub bit line SBL. The capacitance of the sub bit line SBL is sufficiently low; thus, a potential change due to electric charges of the capacitor of the memory cell can be amplified by an amplifier circuit AMP without an error and the amplified signal can be output to the bit line.
US09105347B2	Shift register and driving method thereof A shift register includes a signal input unit for receiving and providing an input signal, a signal output unit for controlling whether outputting a clock signal according to the input signal provided by the signal input unit, and a plurality of stable modules. Each of the stable modules is electrically coupled to an output terminal of the signal input unit, an output terminal of the signal output unit, and a default potential. Each of the stable modules receives a corresponding operation signal and is enabled in a duty of the corresponding operation signal, such that both the output terminal of the signal input unit and the output terminal of the signal output unit are electrically coupled to the default potential when the input signal is disabled. Before one of the stable modules is disabled, another of the stable modules has already been enabled.
US09105345B2	Ferroelectric memory device and method for manufacturing same The present invention relates to a ferroelectric memory device having a multilevel polarization (MLP) state generated due to adjustment of a displacement current and to a method for manufacturing the ferroelectric memory device.
US09105341B2	Nonvolatile memory apparatus having magnetoresistive memory elements and method for driving the same A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a source line, a first bit line disposed over the source line, a second bit line disposed under the source line, a first memory cell between the source line and the first bit line, and a second memory cell between the source line and the second bit line.
US09105339B2	Methods of driving a memory Methods of driving a memory include erasing a plurality of memory cells of a memory device, testing whether the memory cells have been erased, and programming the memory cells without erasing the memory cells again if more than a predetermined percentage of the memory cells, but less than all of the memory cells, were successfully erased.
US09105316B2	Integrated circuit package with multiple dies and a multiplexed communications interface A package includes a first die and a second die. An interface connects the first die and the second die. At least one of the first and second dies includes a memory. The interface is configured to transport both control signals and memory transactions. A multiplexing circuit multiplexes the control signals and the memory transactions onto the interface such that connections of the interface are shared by the control signals and the memory transactions.
US09105313B2	Memory device A memory cell includes a first transistor controlling writing of the first date by being in an on state, and holding of the first data by being in an off state, a second transistor in which a potential of one of a source and a drain is a potential of the second data and a potential of a gate is a potential of the first data, and a third transistor which has a conductivity type opposite to that of the second transistor, which has one of a source and a drain electrically connected to the other of the source and the drain of the second transistor, and in which a potential of a gate is a potential of the first data.
US09105309B2	Electronic device with detachable electronic module An electronic device includes an electronic module, a tray, and a carrier. The tray includes a bottom plate and two elastic members located at two opposite sides of the accommodation space. The electronic module is located between the two elastic members. Each elastic arm of each elastic member has a pushed portion and a blocking portion extending to the accommodation space. The tray moves together with the electronic module, between a first position and a second position. When the tray is located at the first position together with the electronic module, each blocking portion is at least partially located in each corresponding first positioning hole of the electronic module. With the tray moves, together with the electronic module, from the first position to the second position, each stopper presses against each corresponding pushed portion, thereby enabling the corresponding blocking portion to detach from the corresponding first positioning hole.
US09105308B2	System and method for disk sector failure prediction A system and method for predicting the likelihood of failure of the individual sectors of a magnetic storage disk based upon the monitoring of adjacent sector performance in responding to access requests. The prediction for a specific target sector's fidelity can be made through the gathering of sector performance data that occurs during normal read/write actions to the adjacent sectors, without a recent access request necessarily being made to the target sector. Scrubbing of the sectors can also be directed based upon the needed sector access data for target sector fidelity prediction.
US09105306B2	Identifying objects in images using object identity probabilities based on interframe distances The invention makes it possible to determine whether or not objects appearing in various temporal positions in an input video are identical to each other. Identity between a plurality of objects detected from an input video is determined by using an object identity probability determined based on an interframe distance, the interframe distance being a distance between frames from which the respective objects are detected.
US09105300B2	Metadata time marking information for indicating a section of an audio object The application relates to a method for encoding time marking information within audio data. According to the method, time marking information is encoded as audio metadata within the audio data. The time marking information indicates at least one section of an audio object encoded in the audio data. E.g. the time marking information may specify a start position and an end position of the section or only a start position. The at least one section may be a characteristic part of the audio object, which allows instant recognition by listening. The time marking information encoded in the audio data enables instantaneous browsing to a certain section of the audio object. The application further relates to a method for decoding the time marking information encoded in the audio data.
US09105297B2	Information recording device and data recovery method An information recording device includes a recording medium with a plurality of data tracks and a controller that stores management information regarding data recorded in a group of adjacent data tracks, the recorded data including first data recorded in a first data track that is partially overwritten by second data subsequently recorded in a second data track that is adjacent to the first data track. The controller recovers management data of the recorded data based on whether or not a sector in the first data track that is adjacent to a sector in the second data track can be read by offset read processing when the sector in the second data track cannot be read by normal read processing.
US09105296B2	Electronic apparatus A slide cover is curved such that a central portion thereof in a front and rear direction is positioned higher than a front edge and a rear edge thereof. A disk accommodation section in which an optical disk is to be disposed is covered with the slide cover which is positioned at a closed position. A rotational driving portion configured to be fitted in a center hole of the optical disk to rotate the optical disk is provided on the disk accommodation section. With this electronic apparatus, the cost can be reduced, and an installation operation of an optical disk by a user can be facilitated.
US09105295B2	Pattern tone reversal A method for patterning a substrate is disclosed. Depressions are patterned into a resist layer over a substrate. A mask layer is deposited over the resist layer at least partially filling the depressions. The mask layer is etched to expose a top surface of the resist layer and leaving at least a portion of the mask layer in the depressions of the resist layer, wherein the mask layer over said top surface of the resist layer is etched at a faster rate than said mask layer in the depressions of the resist layer. Exposed portions of the resist layer are removed to expose portions of the substrate. Exposed portions of the substrate are etched.
US09105293B2	Glass substrate for a magnetic disk, magnetic disk and method of manufacturing a magnetic disk A glass substrate for a magnetic disk, wherein, in regions with respect to two places arbitrarily selected on a surface of the glass substrate on its central portion side relative to its outer peripheral end, a surface shape with a shape wavelength in a band of 60 to 500 μm is extracted from surface shapes in each of the regions and, assuming that a root mean square roughness Rq of the surface shape is given as a microwaviness Rq, the difference between the microwavinesses Rq of the regions is 0.02 nm or less or the difference between standard deviations of the microwavinesses Rq of the regions is 0.04 nm or less.
US09105287B2	Method of forming a PMR writer device with multi-level tapered write pole A method of fabricating a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head with a multi-level tapered write pole which creates an efficient channeling of magnetic flux to the pole tip. A tapered bottom yoke is first formed in an etched substrate and a write pole is formed on the tapered bottom yoke. The write pole comprises a main pole with a tapered tip. A tapered top yoke is then formed on the write pole and symmetrically positioned relative to the bottom yoke. The edge of each yoke is recessed from the ABS of the tapered tip, giving the write pole a stepped profile. The tapered tip can be two sloped surfaces that are symmetric about a mid-plane of the main pole or a single sloped edge on the leading side or the trailing side of the pole.
US09105286B2	Method using epitaxial transfer to integrate HAMR photonic integrated circuit (PIC) into recording head wafer Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method for forming a HAMR device having a photonic integrated circuit that includes an optical detector, an optical emitter, and an optical element distinct from the optical detector and the optical emitter, where the elements of the photonic integrated circuit are aligned with a near field transducer. The method includes forming one or more layers on a substrate, bonding the layers to a partially fabricated recording head, removing the substrate using epitaxial lift-off, and forming the optical elements on the partially fabricated recording head.
US09105285B2	Waveguide having a metal alignment mark A waveguide structure includes a metal layer of a predetermined size on a substrate, a lower clad layer on the structure completely covering the metal layer, a core layer of a predetermined size on the lower clad layer at the location corresponding to the metal layer, and an upper clad layer thereon completely covering the core layer.
US09105279B2	Microwave assisted magnetic recording and magnetic storage device Disclosed is a technique of providing a large-capacity magnetic storage device at high device manufacturing yield while keeping the reliability, the magnetic storage device enabling recording on a perpendicular magnetic recording medium having distribution of characteristics in the circumferential direction as well at high track density of 500 kTPI or more that would be expected from the average characteristics of the medium. A recording condition from is selected for each sector from a parameter table that stores a set of at least two types of recording conditions by a microwave assisted magnetic recording head including a magnetic recording pole and a high-frequency magnetic field oscillator in the magnetic storage device, and information is recorded for each sector based on the condition.
US09105273B1	Electron-activated photon emission material and use thereof Electron-activated photon emission materials are disclosed. A first electron source emits a first electron having a first predetermined energy at a first nanoparticle of a photon emission material that includes a first layer of a plurality of nanoparticles. A first photonic response of the receipt of the first electron by the first nanoparticle is determined. The first photonic response is interpreted as a first numeric value.
US09105271B2	Complex-transform channel coding with extended-band frequency coding An audio encoder receives multi-channel audio data comprising a group of plural source channels and performs channel extension coding, which comprises encoding a combined channel for the group and determining plural parameters for representing individual source channels of the group as modified versions of the encoded combined channel. The encoder also performs frequency extension coding. The frequency extension coding can comprise, for example, partitioning frequency bands in the multi-channel audio data into a baseband group and an extended band group, and coding audio coefficients in the extended band group based on audio coefficients in the baseband group. The encoder also can perform other kinds of transforms. An audio decoder performs corresponding decoding and/or additional processing tasks, such as a forward complex transform.
US09105269B2	Method, apparatus, and system for automatically monitoring for voice input based on context In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes detecting a current context associated with a mobile computing device and determining, based on the current context, whether to switch the mobile computing device from a current mode of operation to a second mode of operation during which the mobile computing device monitors ambient sounds for voice input that indicates a request to perform an operation. The method can further include, in response to determining whether to switch to the second mode of operation, activating one or more microphones and a speech analysis subsystem associated with the mobile computing device so that the mobile computing device receives a stream of audio data. The method can also include providing output on the mobile computing device that is responsive to voice input that is detected in the stream of audio data and that indicates a request to perform an operation.
US09105268B2	Method and apparatus for predicting intent in IVR using natural language queries An IVR system is disclosed in which customer experience is enhanced by improving the accuracy and intent prediction capabilities of an interactive voice response system. Customers are allowed to make a natural language queries to specify their intent, while the accuracy of traditional IVR systems is maintained by using key features in language along with the customer's past transactions, CRM attributes, and customer segment attributes to identify customer intent.
US09105264B2	Coding apparatus and decoding apparatus A coding apparatus which suppresses an extreme increase in a bit rate, includes: a downmixing and coding unit (301) that downmixes audio signals that have been provided, to reduce the number of channels to be fewer than the number of the provided audio signals, and to code the downmix signals; an object parameter extracting unit (304) that extracts parameters indicating correlation between the audio signals; and a multiplexing circuit (309) that multiplexes the extracted parameters with the generated downmix coded signals. The object parameter extracting unit (304) includes: an object classifying unit (305) that classifies each of the provided audio signals into a predetermined one of types based on audio characteristics; and an object parameter extracting circuit (308) that extracts parameters using a temporal granularity and a frequency granularity each of which is determined for a corresponding one of the types.
US09105259B2	Music information display control method and music information display control apparatus A music information display control apparatus includes one or more processors configured to display, on a display device, a musical note sequence image in which a musical note iconic image of each musical note is disposed in a musical score area where a time axis is set. The display controller disposes an operation iconic image which accepts an instruction from a user in a vicinity of the musical note iconic image, and changes a display length or a display position of the musical note iconic image in a direction of the time axis according to an instruction to move the operation iconic image.
US09105257B2	Magnetic guitar slide holder The present invention is a slide holder for use with a guitar having a headstock and a plurality of strings to support a slide. The slide holder comprises a housing comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second cavities extending inward from the top surface. The slide holder further comprises a first magnet disposed in the first cavity and a second magnet disposed in the second cavity. The slide holder can be placed upon the headstock and under the strings of the guitar to magnetically secure the slide to the strings thereby providing a support for the slide when not used.
US09105256B2	Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device and a driving method thereof for displaying an image, in which the polarity of a voltage applied to the liquid crystal element is inverted in a first frame period and a second frame period which are sequential. The voltage applied to the liquid crystal element is compensated in the case where images of the first frame period and the second frame period are judged as a still image as a result of comparison of the image of the first frame period with the image of the second frame period and the absolute value of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal element in the first frame period is different from that of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal element in the second frame period.
US09105249B2	Energy conservation in a controller using dynamic frequency selection Systems and methods of adjusting a frequency of a graphics controller may include a logic to determine a metric associated with an input/output (I/O) queue. The metric may be used to determine whether an I/O limited condition exists. The I/O limited condition may be associated with a graphics controller. There may be a logic to cause a frequency of the graphics controller to be decreased when the I/O limited condition exists, and a logic to cause the frequency of the graphics controller to be increased when the I/O limited condition does not exist. The I/O limited condition may exist when a magnitude of the metric is equal to or greater than a first threshold. The I/O limited condition may not exist when the magnitude of the metric is equal to or less than a second threshold.
US09105244B2	Panel control apparatus and operating method thereof A panel control apparatus and an operating method thereof are provided, and which includes a scalar and a timing controller. The scalar transmits a present display data for composing a display frame, and determines whether to generate a refresh request signal according to a state of the display frame. The timing controller includes a memory, an over driving unit and a panel self refresh unit. When the refresh request signal is not generated, the over driving unit converts the present display data into an over driving display data according to a previous compression data from the memory. When the refresh request signal is generated, the panel self refresh unit compresses the present display data into a refresh display data, and stores the refresh display data into the memory.
US09105230B2	Organic light emitting diode display and method of driving the same An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the OLED display includes a panel including pixels which are configured to control an amount of current that flows from a first power source to a second power source to generate an image of predetermined brightness. The display may also include at least one first power source line formed on a top of the panel and at least one second power source line positioned on a bottom of the panel to face the first power source line. The display may further include a first switch configured to alternately supply the first power source to the first power source line and the second power source line.
US09105222B2	Display control apparatus and display control method A display control apparatus determines if an application manager has attribute information compatible with attribute information of a selected application program, and controls the application manager which is determined to have the attribute information compatible with the attribute information of the application program to execute display processing of the application program.
US09105199B2	Device for simulating an alternator, method of controlling such a device and simulation system comprising such a device A device (10) for simulating an alternator is connected to an alternator control circuit (20) and supplies a voltage on an electrical network (30). This device comprises: a circuit for receiving an excitation current (Iexc) generated by the control circuit (20); a switch (15) able to apply voltage to the network (30) and controlled on the basis of the excitation current (Iexc). A method of controlling such a device and a simulation system comprising such a device also are described.
US09105198B2	Visual and tactile display The present invention relates to a device, system and apparatus for a visual and tactile display and in particular, to a tactile and visual display device system capable of displaying both alphanumeric and Braille characters in a manner suitable for individuals that are visually impaired, blind or having normal range vision.
US09105185B2	Managing traffic flow A method for tracking and routing traffic to avoid congestion via a plurality of user devices including providing a traffic reservation user interface for receiving a plurality of path selections from the plurality of user devices; responsive to predicting a traffic congestion from the plurality of user devices taking into account real-time and predicted conditions, presenting a first set of users with a first set of route selection recommendations via the user interface; and responsive to receiving a plurality of actual routing selections from the first set of users from the user interface, adjusting the traffic prediction, and presenting a second set of users with a second set of route selection recommendations via the user interface to reduce expected traffic congestion.
US09105172B2	Drowsiness-estimating device and drowsiness-estimating method A drowsiness-estimating device capable of improving the precision of drowsiness estimation by eliminating the effect of individual differences. In the device, a recurrence required time-calculating part (103) calculates the recurrence required time, which is the time needed, after a detection time when an action is detected, for a drowsiness estimation parameter value acquired after the detection time to return to the value of the drowsiness estimation parameter acquired before the detection time. A drowsiness-estimating part (104) estimates the level of drowsiness of the drowsiness-estimation subject on the basis of the calculated recurrence required time. To be specific, the drowsiness-estimating part (104) maintains a drowsiness level-estimating table in which each of multiple time ranges is correlated with a possible drowsiness level, and specifies a possible drowsiness level that corresponds to the time range, among the multiple time ranges, with which the recurrence required time is associated.
US09105167B2	Merchandise security system including retractable alarming power cord A merchandise security system for an electronic item of merchandise is provided. In one example, the merchandise security system includes a continuous alarming power cord comprising at least one electrical conductor. The alarming power cord has a first end adapted to be electrically connected to the electronic item of merchandise and a second end. The merchandise security system also includes a reel for receiving the second end of the alarming power cord and adapted for storing at least a portion of the alarming power cord thereon. In addition, the merchandise security system includes monitoring circuitry in electrical communication with the alarming power cord and configured to detect an interruption in an electrical signal provided to the alarming power cord.
US09105158B2	Electronic video poker games A video poker machine configured to allow a player to play a card game includes at least one display device, at least one input device, and at least one computer configured to display at least a first hand and a second hand of at least five cards all face up, each hand including the same five cards. A player is provided an option to play a hand by selecting none, one or more than one of the face up cards from the first hand and the second hand and any additional hands as cards to be held. Each of the cards not selected to be held are discarded from each hand and replaced with a face up card. The player is provided a pre-established amount based on the amount of a wager made on the hand if the resulting cards of the hand comprise a predetermined poker hand ranking.
US09105156B2	Gaming device method and apparatus employing modified payouts The invention includes a system and method for a gaming device to determine when to offer a player an opportunity to play using a “jackpot only” pay table. The player may choose to accept the gaming device's offer to switch from using a conventional pay table to using a pay table that only pays top payout amounts. Play with a jackpot only pay table may only require a small wager amount as compared to play with a conventional pay table. Play with a jackpot only pay table may be automated to generate outcomes quickly to allow a player to relatively inexpensively avoid spending time playing a gaming device perceived to be in a “cold period.”
US09105154B2	Gift exchange and trading game This game is a method performed by a processor for playing this item exchange game at a party or other gathering, for the purpose of enhancing the enjoyment and interaction of the participants while exchanging gifts or trading items. The game is played with virtual Turn Cards, Trader Cards, and Block Cards. The computer establishes the order of play to be displayed on the turn cards, and the trader cards instruct a player to select an unclaimed item, which concludes the turn. The trader card may instruct the player to take a turn card or claimed item from a Targeted Player. The Targeted Player may give up the turn card or claimed item, or may request a block card with instructions to prevent the player from taking the Targeted Player's turn card or claimed item. A turn is completed when a player selects an unclaimed item. The game ends when no unclaimed items remain.
US09105152B2	Game transaction module interface to single port printer A gaming device includes a game module for presenting instances of a game title and a game transaction module for interfacing with a system controller of a game entertainment center. The gaming device further includes a printer for printing various items such as tickets, coupons, vouchers, and other promotional material. The gaming device further includes a printer manager for arbitrating print job conflicts.
US09105151B2	Multigame selection A gaming system comprises a gaming server, a plurality of gaming machines, and a communications system connecting each of the plurality of gaming machines to the gaming server. The gaming machines each have a display, player controls, a player tracking device, and a game processor which displays sequential game images of a game being played. Each game processor plays a game initiated by the player, where the game is one of a plurality of games available on the gaming machine and selectable by the player. Each gaming machine includes game selection means which displays a selection of games available on the machine for the player to play. The games offered for selection are ordered according to a ranking determined as a function of the player's past history of playing games and a history of games played by other players.
US09105144B2	Multiple-sided vending machine A vending machine has a housing with a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A first dispensing slot is located at the first side of the housing, and a second dispensing slot is located at the second side of the housing. A central product storage stores product to be dispensed from the vending machine. A product delivery system selectively delivers product from said product storage to the first dispensing slot and said second dispensing slot.
US09105143B1	Persistent authentication Techniques for supporting a mobile financial service that enables a customers to enroll the customer's mobile phone number and register accounts are disclosed. A persistent authentication request is received from a customer, and the customer is authenticated based on authentication information provided by the customer. The customer enters a device identification of the communication device so that the device identification is registered and linked to the customer's profile. When the customer requests non-actionable information (e.g., account balance and transaction history information) by calling a customer service center with a registered communication device, the calling identification is provided to the customer service center by the incoming call. The customer service determines whether the calling identification corresponds to a registered number. If so, the customer service center provides the requested non-actionable information to the communication device without further authentication.
US09105142B2	Random access and random load dispensing unit The present invention provides a random access and random load dispensing unit including a housing, at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis, a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis, a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms, and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins.
US09105140B2	Coin hopper Coins in a storing chamber are stirred and dropped into through holes by the rotation of a sorting board, become a surface contact state on a coin holding plate, and are held in coin holding space. The coin in the coin holding space is rotated together with the rotation of the sorting board. At a specified phase, the coin is pushed out to a circumferential-direction passage, which is continued to the coin holding space and extending in the circumferential direction of the sorting board, by a pusher, which moves to the coin holding space. The coin is pushed against a coin receiver, which is arranged to be adjacent to the sorting board, by a pusher constituting an end part of the circumferential-direction passage. In this state, pushing is switched to that by a rotating pushing piece, and the coin is finally fed out by the pushing piece.
US09105128B2	Adaptive image acquisition and processing with image analysis feedback Described are systems, methods, computer programs, and user interfaces for image location, acquisition, analysis, and data correlation that uses human-in-the-loop processing, Human Intelligence Tasks (HIT), and/or or automated image processing. Results obtained using image analysis are correlated to non-spatial information useful for commerce and trade. For example, images of regions of interest of the earth are used to count items (e.g., cars in a store parking lot to predict store revenues), detect events (e.g., unloading of a container ship, or evaluating the completion of a construction project), or quantify items (e.g., the water level in a reservoir, the area of a farming plot).
US09105123B2	Non-linear projections of 3-D medical imaging data The present invention improves projection displays of volume data. Using the Minimum Intensity Projection (MinIP), fluid filled regions or other regions of hyporeflective tissue are displayed. By limiting the projection to partial volumes within the volume, differences in the scattering intensity within specific regions are isolated. In this way, hyperreflectivity of weakly scattering tissue can be assessed.
US09105122B2	Image processing apparatus and image processing method In an image processing performing local tone correction on an image, tone correction on an object (face) area can be suppressed from becoming nonuniform. The apparatus is provided with an acquisition unit (102) that acquires coordinate information on an object area, a division unit (103) that divides the inputted image into a plurality of divided areas, a first decision unit (105) that decides atone correction coefficient for each of the divided areas, a second decision unit (106) that decides a tone correction coefficient for the object area based on coordinate information on the object area and the tone correction coefficients for the plurality of divided areas, and an image processing unit (107) that performs tone correction processing on the object area by applying thereto the tone correction coefficient decided by the second decision unit in a uniform manner without depending on coordinates thereof.
US09105121B2	Image editing with user interface controls overlaid on image A non-transitory machine readable medium that has a computer program for adjusting color values of an image represented in a color space. The image includes several pixels. Each pixel includes a set of color values. The computer program receives a selection of a location on the image. The computer program determines a type of content that is associated with the selected location on the image. From several different image editing operations, the computer program selects a set of image editing operations based on the determined type of content. The computer program displays a set of user interface controls that is associated with the selected set of image editing operations.
US09105116B2	System and method employing variable size binding elements in virtual rendering of a print production piece A system and method for a pre-print, three-dimensional virtual rendering of a print piece are disclosed. A plurality of modular/pipelined architectural layers are managed, operated, and organized by a controller. A product definition is provided to a job ticket adaptation layer where it is transformed into a physical model. The physical model is then transformed into a display model via the product model layer. The display model is transformed into a scene that can be displayed on a graphical user interface as a three dimensional virtual rendering by a rendering layer, where the rendering includes one or more binding elements to satisfy the product definition. The binding elements may include 3D binding models as well as 2D textures on 3D surfaces to simulate 3D models.
US09105112B2	Power management for image scaling circuitry Techniques are disclosed relating to power management within an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, a display buffer receives image data through a data transfer interconnect. A data transfer interconnect is powered down based on the received image data being greater than a threshold amount of data. The display buffer transmits at least a portion of the image data to one or more outputs, and in response to the transmitting, the data transfer interconnect is powered up. In some embodiments, the display buffer includes a plurality of line buffers, each configured to store a respective image source line. In such an embodiment, a display pipe configured to render images to be displayed includes the display buffer, and the powering down is performed in response to the received image data including two or more image source lines.
US09105109B2	Method for superpixel life cycle management A method and an apparatus for life cycle management for superpixels associated to frames of a sequence of frames are described. An area occupied by a superpixel in a frame of the sequence of frames is monitored. In case the area of the superpixel becomes smaller than a specified first value, the superpixel is terminated in the later frame. In case the area of the superpixel becomes larger than a specified second value, the superpixel is split in the later frame.
US09105107B2	Apparatus and method for image processing Apparatus and method for correcting a tone of a panoramic image. An image processing apparatus may acquire, from an overlapping region of a left image and a right image, ghost information based on an optimal threshold and a cost map in which a similarity between the left image and the right image is reflected, may generate a tone correction map based on a global tone correction function generated using the ghost information in the overlapping region, and based on a local tone correction level generated using local information of an optimal seam, and may correct the left image and the right image using a final tone correction map generated by applying, to the tone correction map, a weighting based on the left image and a weighting based on the right image.
US09105106B2	Two-dimensional super resolution scaling For scaling an input image into an output image, the method comprises, for a point of the output sampling grid which is not in the input sampling grid: calculating a plurality of interpolated pixel values by applying respective interpolators; determining respective loss values associated with the interpolated pixel values; and providing a pixel value of the output image using at least one of the interpolated pixel values selected by minimizing the loss value. The set of interpolators includes two-dimensional interpolators In of the form (I) for values of a parameter n such that \|n\|≧1 and two-dimensional interpolators I′m of the form (II) for values of a parameter m such that \|m\|≧1, where x and y are spatial indices identifying the point of the output sampling grid, j and k are integer spatial indices identifying points of the input sampling grid, f and g are one-dimensional interpolation functions, at least one of f and g having a support]−p; p[ with p>1, and I(j, k) is the value of the pixel at coordinates (j, k) in the input grid.
US09105103B2	Systems and methods of tracking object movements in three-dimensional space The technology disclosed relates to tracking movement of a real world object in three-dimensional (3D) space. In particular, it relates to mapping, to image planes of a camera, projections of observation points on a curved volumetric model of the real world object. The projections are used to calculate a retraction of the observation points at different times during which the real world object has moved. The retraction is then used to determine translational and rotational movement of the real world object between the different times.
US09105091B2	Watermark detection using a propagation map A method for detecting and selecting watermarking in video coding is provided that comprises accessing a list of possible watermarks; generating propagation maps of modifications to the video that would be caused by applying the respective watermarks; generating a detection region responsive to each respective propagation map that includes blocks within the propagation map that collectively rank highest with respect to a selected detection criteria compared to each other region within the propagation map; selecting a threshold metric for evaluating detection regions; and removing watermarks from the list responsive to a comparison of their detection regions with the threshold metric.
US09105084B2	Hazard detection for asset management An approach that detects locations of hazardous conditions within an infrastructure is provided. This approach uses satellite imagery, GIS data, automatic image processing, and predictive modeling to determine the location of the hazards automatically, thus optimizing infrastructure management. Specifically, a hazard detection tool provides this capability. The hazard detection tool comprises a detection component configured to: receive visual media containing asset location data about a set of physical assets, and hazard location data about potential hazards within a vicinity of each of the set of physical assets. The detection component further receives graphical information system (GIS) data containing asset location data about each of the set of physical assets. The hazard detection tool further comprises an analysis component configured to: analyze the visual media to determine if a hazardous condition exists for each of the set of physical assets; and apply the GIS data to the visual media to determine a location of hazardous conditions within the infrastructure.
US09105073B2	Method and system of producing an interactive version of a plan or the like A method of producing an interactive plan of a location from an optical image of a plan of the same location, wherein the location includes a plurality of features of different types such as cabins and corridors, the method comprising the steps of applying a complex geometry and character recognition (COGCR) process to the optical image to determine a plurality of functional data representative of the plurality of features of different types; converting the plurality of functional data into a plurality of object models; combining the object models to construct the interactive plan for display to an end user.
US09105063B2	Systems and methods for providing a benefit product with periodic guaranteed minimum income The invention provides systems, and methods of using the systems, implementing a benefit product with a guaranteed minimum income, wherein payment into the benefit product securing the guaranteed minimum income. The system comprises an income recordkeeper interfacing with a plurality of savings recordkeepers, the income recordkeeper including (1) an income recordkeeper interface portion that inputs attributes to the benefit product funded by payments from a plan associated with the benefit product; and (2) an income recordkeeper record keeping system that implements the benefit product, the income recordkeeper record keeping system being in communication with the income recordkeeper interface portion, the income recordkeeper record keeping system: (a) monitoring transactions to the benefit product; and (b) determining, based on the transactions, a guaranteed minimum income associated with participation in the benefit product.
US09105062B2	Transaction effects A method comprising creating and storing, in computer memory, a financial graph having nodes and edges, wherein the nodes include first nodes representing assets and second nodes representing any one or more of accounts in which one or more of the assets are held, individuals who own one or more of the assets, or legal entities who own one or more of the assets; obtaining, from an asset custodian data source, asset transaction data associated with one or more of the assets represented by the first nodes of the financial graph; transforming the asset transaction data into one or more stored transaction objects, wherein each transaction object is associated with a plurality of transaction effect objects; wherein each of the plurality of transaction effect objects is associated with a particular edge in the financial graph and represents one of a credit to an account type associated with the particular edge and a debit from an account type associated with the particular edge.
US09105060B2	System and method for collecting and accessing product information in a database A database system is disclosed. The database system includes a matching module configured to query a database for users which have data matching an interest of another user and to selectively grant to one or more of the users access to data of the other user based at least in part on a result of the query and on an access control list.
US09105059B2	Electronic commerce system utilizing custom merchant calculations A customer interacts with merchants to identify items to purchase, and the merchants provide virtual shopping carts identifying the items to a broker. The cart requests that the broker utilize custom merchant calculations for the transaction, such as for determining shipping costs. The customer interacts with the broker to identify customer information, such as a shipping address, and to purchase the items. The broker sends the customer information to the merchant and requests that the merchant perform the custom calculations. If the merchant provides a valid response to the request, the broker uses the merchant calculations to calculate the total price for the transaction. If the merchant provides an invalid response, the broker utilizes backup calculations specified in the cart to calculate the price.
US09105051B2	Car location Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure builds on integrating existing technology with new devices, methods, and systems to provide a complete vehicle ecosystem.
US09105047B1	System, method, and computer program for providing content to a user utilizing a mood of the user A system, method, and computer program product are provided for providing content to a user utilizing a mood of the user. In use, data associated with a mood of a user is identified. Additionally, the mood of the user is determined, based on the data. Further, content is provided to the user, utilizing the mood of the user.
US09105041B2	Systems and methods for take-out order analytics Systems and methods for take-out order management and analysis. In an embodiment, for each of a plurality of restaurants, an interactive menu associated with the restaurant is provided to a plurality of users, a plurality of orders are received from the plurality of users, and the plurality of orders are sent to the restaurant. Order information related to the plurality of orders and the plurality of users is stored in at least one database, and analyzed.
US09105039B2	System and method for providing mobile alerts to members of a social network Systems and methods are presented for providing mobile alerts to members of a social network upon the occurrence of certain trigger events related to the social network, including member-trigger events, venue-trigger events, and other-trigger events. A member may select and edit their own mobile-alert settings that determine which events are trigger events. The member may enable or disable all their mobile alerts using a single action, such as toggling a digital button on their phone screen. A data processor receives indication of, or determines occurrence of, a trigger event. The data processor then determines whether to communicate a mobile alert to the member based on the member's mobile-alert settings. The alert may be communicated to the member's mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, using a variety of convenient means, such as a text message or Push Notification.
US09105038B2	Methods, systems, devices and computer program products for presenting information related to celebrities The life history of a person or entity can be presented in a graphical representation of a highway. Life events may be represented by simple data strings, or by files such as photographs, dissertations, job offers, and love-letters, among others. For ease in viewing, the information representing the life history is categorized according to type (medical, educational, photographic, etc.) and placed in lanes corresponding to the type of information. The information is also organized by date, being placed between miles corresponding to temporal periods, for instance, years. Other graphical arrangements of stored information are also included.
US09105032B2	Systems and methods to provide advertisements for real time communications Systems and methods to provide advertisements based on the content of documents in which the advertisements are presented. One embodiment includes: a web server to receive a request for an advertisement in reference to a document provided to a user by a content provider; a backend server to identify the advertisement based on relevancy of the advertisement to the content of the document and to associate a communication reference with the advertisement and the content provider, the web server to provide the advertisement and the reference for inclusion in the document; and a telecommunication server coupled to a session border controller and the backend server to receive a connection request via the reference, to determine contact information of the advertiser and identify the content provider based on the reference, and to establish the connection between the user and the advertiser using the determined contact information.
US09105017B2	Customer reprint of a physical receipt from an electronic receipt A method is disclosed for reprinting a paper copy of a receipt at a physical store location and based off of an electronic receipt. The electronic receipt may be viewed on a mobile electronic device with electronic receipts software thereon. A customer may pair their mobile electronic device with a POS terminal in a store location. Information may be sent to a server or computer system to request that a receipt be reprinted. The server may then process the request and transmit receipt information to the POS terminal where a paper copy of the receipt is printed for the customer.
US09105011B2	Prepopulating application forms using real-time video analysis of identified objects Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and apparatuses for populating documents based on identification of objects in an augmented reality environment. The method includes capturing a video stream using a mobile computing device; determining, using a computing device processor, the object; identifying a document associated with the object; populating at least a portion of the document; and submitting the document. The method may also include presenting indicators associated with the user, the identified document, or a financial transaction associated with the document. The method may also include providing recommendations or suggestions to the user related to alternative offers associated with the document. Systems and computer program products for populating forms using video analysis of identified objects are also provided.
US09105002B2	System and method for providing information to a recipient of a physical mail object A system and method is provided for transmitting information over a wide area network, such as the Internet, in response to receiving at least a portion of mail data. In one embodiment of the present invention, information is stored in a memory. Mail data is then affixed to a mail object. The mail object is then manually delivered to a recipient. The mail data is then provided to a reception device. The reception device then uses the mail data to retrieve the information from a mail device in communication with the memory. In a preferred embodiment, the mail data includes data corresponding to the recipient of the mail object, and the information includes data that identifies the recipient of the mail object and data that corresponds to a content of the mail object.
US09104998B2	Integrated production loss managment Current monitoring systems often provide the operating condition of a specific component and do not consider the impact of a specific failure upon an entire system or a business. Nor do the current systems provide an avenue for the business to predict the loss, as well as its impact, and make an educated decision of mitigating the loss based upon economic, environmental, and health and safety considerations. Methods and systems are provided for predicting loss events, impacts of loss events, and providing potential corrective measures to reduce or eliminate the occurrence or impact of the loss events. One aspect relates to the use of system-wide information to predict variables that are directly linked to business impact, such as production loss. Extraneous and transactional data are also utilized according to other aspects of the invention.
US09104995B1	Subject and audience oriented instant collaborative development Techniques to facilitate software development are disclosed. In various embodiments, an indication is received that a software development project event has occurred. One or more rules are applied to determine one of more of a notification to be sent in response to the event, a recipient to receive the notification, and a communication channel to be used to send the communication. The notification is generated and sent to the recipient via the communication channel.
US09104992B2	Business application publication A data marketplace infrastructure provides a crowd sourcing solution to development, discovery and publication of decision applications. Applications can be submitted from a user to a data warehouse in association with a data feed. One or more discovery properties are determined with regard to each application. The applications are made available to other client systems in association with the data feed. A relevant data feed and a relevant application can be identified based on satisfaction of a discovery request by the one or more determined discovery properties of the application. The application can be selected and downloaded to the user for evaluation and customization. The customized application can then be submitted to the data warehouse for publication with the other applications associated with the data feed.
US09104991B2	Predictive retirement toolset A system assesses one or more applications for retirement. The system includes a processing device configured for receiving attribute data corresponding to one or more of a plurality of applications. The processing device is further configured for determining one or more of the plurality of applications to assess for retirement, translating at least some of the received attribute data into two or more translated values based at least in part on one or more predetermined values, and summing two or more of the translated values, thereby resulting in one or more combined values. The processing device is further configured for calculating one or more cumulative values based at least in part on the one or more combined values and converting the one or more cumulative values, thereby resulting in one or more probability values each indicating the probability of retirement of one of the one or more applications.
US09104978B2	System and method for parameter evaluation The described implementations relate to machine learning. One implementation provides a technique involving logging data that includes outcomes and values of first and second parameters that are associated with the outcomes. The technique can also include determining an equation that includes a first coefficient for the first parameter and a second coefficient for the second parameter, normalizing the first coefficient based on the values of the first parameter, and normalizing the second coefficient based on the values of the second parameter. The first parameter and the second parameter can be ranked in order of contribution to the outcomes based on the normalized first and second coefficients.
US09104975B2	Memristor apparatus A memristor apparatus comprising a plurality of meta-stable switching elements.
US09104971B1	Automated end-to-end sales process of storage appliances of storage systems using predictive modeling Techniques for generating end-to-end sales leads based on storage capacity forecast using predictive modeling are described herein. According to one embodiment, diagnostic data is received from a data collector that periodically collects the diagnostic data from a storage system having one or more storage units to store data objects. A capacity forecaster coupled to the data collector forecasts a full capacity date using predictive modeling based on the diagnostic data, where the full capacity date estimates a date in which the one or more storage units reach a full storage capacity. A context generator coupled to the capacity forecaster generates a context having information identifying the one or more storage units of the storage system and an operator operating the storage system, wherein the context is used to communicate with the operator for acquiring an additional storage unit to increase storage capacity prior to the full capacity date.
US09104969B1	Utilizing semantic analysis to determine how to process measurements of affective response Disclosed herein are Systems, methods, and computer program products for utilizing semantic analysis to set a processing level of a processor processing measurements of affective response. A semantic analyzer receives a segment of content, analyzes it utilizing semantic analysis, and outputs an indication regarding whether a value related to a predicted emotional response to the segment reaches a threshold. Based on the indication, a controller selects a processing level, from among at least first and second processing levels, for a processor to process the measurements. The processor is configured to utilize significantly fewer computation cycles to process data operating at the first processing level, compared to the number of computation cycles it utilizes to process data operating at the second processing level.
US09104968B2	Identifying categorized misplacement The present disclosure provides methods and devices for identifying category misplacement. In one embodiment, an example device obtains a word frequency of each respective word in a product title under a current category, calculates an overall word frequency of the product title under the current category based on the word frequency of each respective word under the current category, and compares the overall word frequency of the product title with a threshold of the current category to determine an existence of category misplacement. The techniques can accurately identify category misplacement and reduce the probability of missing identifying category misplacement. The techniques also require less system resources and improve calculation efficiency.
US09104965B2	Vehicle with computing means for monitoring and predicting traffic participant objects An anticipatory monitoring and prediction system can include methods for generating effective, accurate predictions of other traffic objects in the vicinity of an ego-car. The invention proposes to combine approximate probability distributions (ADPs) of agent states with Attractor Functions (AFs) for generating distributed probabilistic representations of the potential future states of the observed traffic objects. AFs are selected based on both the current road context, in which the ego-car is situated, and the current states of all participating objects. The generated predictions can be used to filter incoming sensory information for better object state estimations, rate the nature of the behavior of other traffic objects by comparing generated predictions with actual perceived sensor information, or infer accident likelihoods by comparing the predicted state distributions of objects and the ego-car. Warning and information signals or control commands can be issued in a driving assistance system.
US09104963B2	Self organizing maps for visualizing an objective space A method of visualizing a plurality of designs which comply with a plurality of objectives. The method comprises acquiring a plurality of designs each represented by sequential multivariate data indicative of a compliance with a plurality of objectives, generating an objective anchored based self-organizing map (SOM) having a plurality of objective anchors and maps the plurality of designs in an objective space, and outputting the objective anchored based SOM. Each objective anchor is associated with one of the plurality of objectives, each the design is visualized in the objective anchored based SOM by an indicator which the distance thereof from each the objective anchors is indicative of a compliance thereof with a respective the associated objective in relation to other of the plurality of objectives.
US09104958B2	Printing apparatus In order for skew relative to the transport direction to be detected in a sheet which is transported to a recording unit, a carriage is initially moved in a scanning direction to a first position and the sheet is transported in this state. Then, when the front edge of the sheet in the transport direction is detected by a second sensor, the carriage is moved in a direction so that the second sensor is no longer able to locate the front edge to a second position, which is separated from the first position by a regulating movement distance. Furthermore, the sheet is transported to where the second sensor locates the front edge of the sheet in the transport direction at the second position and skew in the sheet is detected based on this transport distance and the regulating movement distance.
US09104955B2	Sonotrode with cutting mechanism During mounting to an inlay substrate, at least one end portion (including end) of an antenna wire is positioned directly over a terminal of the chip module for subsequent connecting thereto. A sonotrode is disclosed with a cutter above the capillary for cutting or nicking the wire. Insulation may be removed from a portion of the wire. The antenna may comprise two separate stubs, each having an end portion (including end) positioned over a terminal of the chip module. Additional techniques for mounting the antenna wire are disclosed.
US09104952B2	Electromagnetic radiation decoupler An electromagnetic radiation decoupler for decoupling radiation in the wavelength range λmin to λmax. The decoupler has a first conductor layer in contact with a dielectric layer which comprises at least one area of absence and the thickness of the decoupler is less than λmin/4n, where n is the refractive index of the dielectric. The dielectric layer may be sandwiched between two conductor layers, one of which has the structure described above. The invention is also directed to methods of using and various articles comprising such a decoupler.
US09104946B2	Systems and methods for comparing images Systems and methods for scoring similarity count a number of matching visual words between a query image and a candidate image, generate an image similarity score for the query image and the candidate image based at least in part on the number of matching visual words, and generate a normalized image similarity score based at least in part on the image similarity score and one or more of a complexity of the query image and a complexity of the candidate image.
US09104945B2	Method and apparatus for specific image detection Detecting a specific image applicable at a website includes detecting an existence of a frame of the specific image. The specific image applicable at the website is obtained. An edge characteristic value of each pixel of the image is calculated. A pixel whose edge characteristic value is a local maximum value is found along a slope direction of each pixel. When the edge characteristic value of the found pixel is larger than a preset characteristic value threshold, a preset color is used to fill the pixel. The specific image is scanned. An amount of pixels whose color is the preset color at each scanning line of the specific image is counted. When the amount of such pixels at a scanning line is larger than a preset number threshold, a line where the scanning line locates is determined as an edge line of the frame.
US09104944B2	Object recognition method, descriptor generating method for object recognition, and descriptor for object recognition An object recognition method, a descriptor generating method for object recognition, and a descriptor for object recognition capable of extracting feature points using the position relationship and color information relationship between points in a group that are sampled from an image of an object, and capable of recognizing the object using the feature points, the object recognition method including extracting feature components of a point cloud using the position information and the color information of the points that compose the point cloud of the three-dimensional (3D) image of an object, generating a descriptor configured to recognize the object using the extracted feature components; and performing the object recognition based on the descriptor.
US09104928B2	Method and apparatus for generating a synchronization signal in a scanning system A scanning system includes a synchronizing arrangement including a light guide and a photosensor. The light guide directs a light beam to a photosensor, wherein light is deflected by one or more moving elements in the scanning system into a scanning region. The light guide has a light entry region, a reflecting region for reflecting light entering the light entry region and one or more light exit faces, so that light entering the light guide through the light entry region is at least partly reflected in the reflecting region and exits through one of the exit faces. The shape and the properties of the light guide are such that for two pencils of light rays, a first pencil of light rays is spaced from the second pencil and is non-overlapping with said second pencil of light rays.
US09104927B2	Using a RFID paging infrastructure The “RFID Paging Infrastructure” uses RFID technology to provide a low-cost localized message paging system. When a stationary RFID transceiver detects a programmable RFID tag, the transceiver reads an identifier from the RFID tag. The RFID transceiver causes a computer to determine whether a message stored in a database is intended for the RFID tag, and in response to determining that a message is intended for the RFID tag, the RFID transceiver transmits the message to the RFID tag. The message is saved in a memory on the programmable RFID tag. The message in the memory on the RFID tag can be read with a hand-held display device or the RFID tag can be coupled with an integrated display device.
US09104918B2	Method and system for detecting sea-surface oil A behavioral recognition system may include both a computer vision engine and a machine learning engine configured to observe and learn patterns of behavior in video data. Certain embodiments may be configured to detect and evaluate the presence of sea-surface oil on the water surrounding an offshore oil platform. The computer vision engine may be configured to segment image data into detected patches or blobs of surface oil (foreground) present in the field of view of an infrared camera (or cameras). A machine learning engine may evaluate the detected patches of surface oil to learn to distinguish between sea-surface oil incident to the operation of an offshore platform and the appearance of surface oil that should be investigated by platform personnel.
US09104916B2	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.
US09104908B1	Building systems for adaptive tracking of facial features across individuals and groups Computer implemented methods for generating a non-transient record of feature locations and/or facial expression parameters characterizing a person's face. A video sequence of a specified individual person is received and a feature locator update model is applied to the video sequence. The feature locator update model is derived by defining a set of training images, generating a set of facial feature displacements for each training image with associated image sample vectors, and training a regularized linear regression which maps from image sample vectors to displacement vectors, wherein the regularization includes a spatial smoothness term within the shape-free sample space. A feature location and/or a facial expression parameter is then extracted, based on the feature update model, characterizing the location, and/or the expression, of a selected set of features of the face of the specified individual person that correspond to an adaptive set of feature locations.
US09104903B2	Microscopy visualization A method is described for correlating microscopy images from a number of modalities in a sub diffraction resolution environment. The method may include receiving a number of datasets that may represent microscopy captures from a number of different modalities. The microscopy captures may contain feature markers that may be used to register a number of data points contained in a dataset with data points from another dataset. Upon registering the data points of the datasets, a combined dataset may be produced and a visual image of the combined dataset may be provided.
US09104900B2	Ridge pattern recording system Disclose a system for recording ridge patterns comprising a light source, a component which determines the position of a scanning surface, an optical system, a multi-element image sensor, an electronic memory and a processing device, wherein the output electronic image from the system is linked by means of merging in the processing device to at least two intermediate images which are linked to the optical image from the scanning surface.
US09104892B2	Social sharing of multilayered document A method for sharing multilayered electronic content among users of a social network within a digital education platform is provided. In one embodiment, the digital education platform allows a user to create user-generated content associated with a multilayered document and share the content with other users in an education social network. The user can specify which users to share the user-generated content and assign an access right to each of those users that may access the user-generated content. When the digital education platform receives a request to access the user-generated content from a certain user, an access right associated with that user for the user-generated content is determined and access is granted according to the access right.
US09104887B2	Systems, methods, and computer program products for interfacing multiple service provider trusted service managers and secure elements System, methods, and computer program products are provided for interfacing between one of a plurality of service provider (SP) trusted service managers (TSM) and one of a plurality of secure elements (SE). A first request including a mobile subscription identifier (MSI) is received from an SP TSM over a communications network. At least one memory is queried for SE data including an SE identifier corresponding to the MSI. The SE data is transmitted to the SP TSM over the communications network. A second request based on the SE data is received from the SP TSM over the communications network. A third request, based on the second request, is transmitted, over a mobile network, to an SE corresponding to the SE data. The mobile network is selected from multiple mobile networks, and is determined based on the SE data queried from the memory.
US09104885B1	Providing access to application data Disclosed are various embodiments for providing access to application data stored by multiple applications across multiple devices of a user. A request to store application data is obtained by a data storage service from an application associated with a user. The application is executed in a client computing device, and the request specifies a security credential and is obtained by way of a network. The application data is stored by the data storage service in response to the request to store. The data storage service may be configured to store data for multiple applications associated with the user, and each of the applications may be associated with a different security credential.
US09104882B2	Reconfigurable access network encryption architecture An access platform or other network elements can include multiple line cards configured to encrypt data. The platform and/or each of the line cards may receive encryption management data that conforms to a predefined encryption management data interface. The encryption management data received by a particular line card may be generated by a conditional access system device and converted to conform to the encryption management data interface by an encryption manager. Line cards may alternatively be configured for connection to separate encryption hardware components. Line cards may include a block of field programmable gate arrays or other type of programmable hardware that can be configured to execute an encryption module.
US09104879B1	System and method for detecting security exposures of VOIP devices Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting security exposures of Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) devices. One of the methods includes obtaining data identifying a source Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with a communication device that has been provisioned with configuration files for VOIP services; determining that a VOIP phone configuration interface is exposed over an untrusted network at the source IP address; and determining that the communication device associated with the source IP address has a security exposure based at least in part on determining that the VOIP phone configuration interface is exposed over the untrusted network at the source IP address.
US09104877B1	Detecting penetration attempts using log-sensitive fuzzing Techniques and systems are provided for detecting penetration attempts with fuzzing techniques utilizing historical log data of target system. The techniques may, for example, include comparing logs captured in response to fuzzed inputs with large numbers of historical logs and then modifying how the inputs are fuzzed based on how the fuzzed inputs resulting in a high similarity score were fuzzed. In some implementations, historical logs and captured logs with high similarity scores may cause an alarm condition to be triggered to alert a human operator.
US09104873B1	Systems and methods for determining whether graphics processing units are executing potentially malicious processes A computer-implemented method for determining whether GPUs are executing potentially malicious processes may include (1) identifying at least one GPU associated with a computing device, (2) analyzing the behavior of the GPU associated with the computing device, (3) determining that the analyzed behavior of the GPU indicates that the GPU is executing at least one potentially malicious process, and then (4) performing at least one security action on the GPU in response to determining that the analyzed behavior indicates that the GPU is executing the potentially malicious process. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09104869B2	Systems and methods for defeating malware with polymorphic software Systems and methods for defeating malware with polymorphic software are described. The system generates randomized relocatable image information by randomizing a plurality of function information that is included in relocatable image information. The plurality of function information includes a first function information. The first function information includes a first location that is used to enter the first function information. The randomizing further includes updating instruction information in the randomized relocatable image information. Updating the instruction information further includes updating relative address information utilized to enter the first function via the first location based on a new location of the first function in the randomized relocatable image information. The system further applies a base address to the randomized relocatable image information to generate randomized executable image information, loads the randomized executable image information into the memory, and executes the randomized executable image information.
US09104865B2	Threat condition management Methods, products, apparatuses, and systems may manage a threat condition. A plurality of triggers may be identified over a period of time. Each of the triggers may be associated with a threat risk value. An accumulation value may be determined based on an aggregation of each threat risk value over the period of time. A set of progressive threshold values associated with a set of progressive threat conditions may be defined. A threat condition from the set of threat conditions may be established for the device based on the accumulation value. The threat condition may be managed, for example by defining an operational mode for the device, in response to the threat condition.
US09104861B1	Virtual security appliance Security from malicious attack is provided for a user environment running in a virtualized environment by a virtual security appliance (VSA) running outside of the user environment, but on the same computer system as the user environment. For example, a VSA running in a virtual machine can provide security for a user environment running in a second virtual machine. The separation of the VSA from the user environment enhances the robustness of the VSA against malicious attacks seeking to disable/bypass the protections of the VSA, while avoiding the costs and complexities of a physical security appliance.
US09104860B2	Systems, methods and media for managing process image hijacks Disclosed is a method of checking the authenticity of an executable process including at least one section. The method includes, when an initial thread of the executable process is created in a suspended state, mapping from storage a copy of the executable process into a spare memory area, where it will not be executed. The method also includes comparing a header of a first section of the executable process with a header of a first section of the copy. The method further includes terminating the executable process when the header of the first section of the executable process and the header of the first section of the copy are not identical.
US09104856B2	System and method for computer authentication with user modification of an image using a shared secret Computers can be authenticated using a shared secret. During an authentication process, a server transmits an image to a client. A mobile device captures and analyzes the image. If the image contains the shared secret known only to the authentic server and the authentic mobile communication device, the mobile device can authenticate the server. The secret in the image can be readily analyzed. A single image may contain multiple shared secrets. Once the server has been authenticated, the user must modify the image in accordance with a shared modification secret to thereby authentic the user. The modified image is transmitted back to the authenticated server. If the image was properly modified, the user is authenticated.
US09104855B2	Dynamic secure login authentication A system for performing a secured transaction using a network including a server in communication with the network is provided. The server has a processor and a memory to store private account information from registered users and store commands that when executed by the processor cause the server to perform a method including: providing a login configuration to a user, including a matrix of dynamic symbols; determining an expected password for the user based on a trace pattern from the user and the symbols in the matrix; receiving a password from the user; and determining whether the password matches the expected password. A non-transitory machine-readable medium including a plurality of machine-readable instructions which when executed by one or more processors of a server controlled by a service provider are adapted to cause the server to perform a method as above is also provided.
US09104849B2	Network application security utilizing network-provided identities A network security system that correlates security-related events to individual users, as identified by a user identifier and an identity provider. The user identifier may be associated in one or more implicit or explicit social networks.
US09104848B2	Cross-platform authentication from within a rich client An un-authenticated user attempts to access a protected resource at a Web- or cloud-based application from within a rich client. The client has an associated local HTTP server. Upon being refused access, a browser-based login dialog is opened automatically within an embedded browser panel. After receipt of the user's login credential in the panel, the browser passes the credential server application. If the user is authenticated, the browser-based dialog receives a cookie establishing that the user is authenticated for a session. The browser then automatically makes a request to the HTTP server, passing the cookie. Upon receipt of the request at the rich client HTTP server, the rich client saves the cookie in an associated data store, shuts down the login dialog, and re-issues the original request to the server, this time passing the cookie. The rich client, having provided the cookie, is then permitted to access the resource.
US09104838B2	Client token storage for cross-site request forgery protection Systems and methods can secure against cross-site request forgery using client-side token storage. A client browser can initiate an action associated with a first web service and generate a token. The token may be stored in client-side storage at the computing device. An indicator of the action may also be stored within the client-side storage. A return link, associated with a passed copy of the token, may be generated. The client may perform the redirect and return to the first web service according to the return link. The passed copy of the token can be extracted from the return link. The indicator of the action and the stored token may be loaded from the client storage. The passed copy of the token and the stored token may be compared. The action according to the indicator of the action may be performed in response to the comparison matching.
US09104837B1	Exposing subset of host file systems to restricted virtual machines based on upon performing user-initiated actions against host files Approaches for securing resources of a virtual machine. An application executes on a host operating system. A user instructs the application to display a file. In response, a host module executing on the host operating system instructs a guest module, executing within a virtual machine, to render the file within the virtual machine. The application displays the file using screen data which was created within the virtual machine and defines a rendered representation of the file. The user is prevented from accessing any resource of the virtual machine unrelated to the file. The virtual machine may consult policy data to determine how to perform certain user-initiated actions within the virtual machine. Examples of the file include image, a document, an email, and a web page.
US09104821B2	Universal serial bus host to host communications In some embodiments a detector detects a host or device coupled via a link. A port negotiates with a port of the detected host or device and determines whether to operate as a host and/or as a device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09104819B2	Multi-master bus architecture for system-on-chip A system on chip and associated method facilitates transfer of data between two or more master blocks through a bus on chip. The system creates a direct path for data transferring from a master port of a bus to another master port of the same bus. The bus includes a plurality of signals used to transfer data, address or control information between two or several blocks on chip. The behavior of bus connector block is controlled according to the destination of data coming from a master port. The system includes a master-connector-slave arrangement that enables the direct data communication between two or several master blocks, without taking any slave blocks as the data buffer. A bus connector block is configured to manage bus arbitrating and address decoding, and particularly to create the direct data path between master blocks.
US09104810B2	Creating a test case A method for creating as test case for a client can include identifying an object in the client using a parser module. A list of potential test case tasks for testing the client can be populated from the parser module into a test case task window. A test case flow can be built by placing a desired task from the list of potential test case tasks in a test case development window. The method can continue by assigning the object to the desired task in the test case development window. The test case can be generated from the test case flow.
US09104801B2	Analyzing concurrent debugging sessions Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for analyzing concurrent debugging sessions are provided. Embodiments include a first debugger initiating a conditional breakpoint in a first debug session of a first application. The conditional breakpoint stops execution of the first application based on a condition of a value of a variable of a second application. Embodiments also include the first debugger requesting and receiving the value of the variable from a second debugger. Embodiments also include the first debugger evaluating the condition of the conditional breakpoint based on the received value of the variable.
US09104800B2	Distributed debugging of an application in a distributed computing environment Methods, apparatuses, and computer program product for distributed debugging of an application in a distributed computing environment are provided. Embodiments include a first debug module on a first host receiving a set breakpoint message from a management debug module of a management system. In response to receiving the set breakpoint message, the first debug module sets a breakpoint for executing a first service on the first host, for the application. Upon hitting the breakpoint while executing the first service for the application, the first debug module sends a breakpoint condition of the first service to the management debug module. In response to receiving the breakpoint condition, the management debug module sends to a second debug module of a second host, an instruction to pause execution of the second service of the second host.
US09104792B2	Modular refrigeration unit health monitoring A modular refrigeration unit (MRU) health monitor includes a log data input configured to receive log data from an MRU, the log data comprising a plurality of datapoints, each of the plurality of datapoints comprising a position of a control valve of the MRU and a corresponding time; and MRU health monitoring logic configured to determine a plurality of MRU parameters from log data received on the log data input; determine a plurality of MRU health flags based on the MRU parameters; add the plurality of MRU health flags to determine an MRU health score; determine whether the MRU health score is higher than a replacement threshold; and indicate replacement of the MRU in the event the MRU health score is higher than the replacement threshold.
US09104791B2	Systems and methods for editing a model of a physical system for a simulation Systems and methods for simulating a medical procedure are disclosed. For example, one described system for simulating a medical procedure includes a physics module configured to model at least one physical property of a user-defined organic object associated with a patient; a display module configured to cause a display of the user-defined organic object; a script module configured to execute a user-defined medical procedure script; a simulation module in communication with the physics module, the display module, and the script module, the simulation module configured to execute a simulation of the medical procedure based at least in part on the user-defined model of the organic object and the user-defined medical procedure script.
US09104781B2	Obtaining metadata set by imperative statement Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to imperative attribution. In aspects, metadata of a managed runtime environment may be set by imperative statements included in code of a program executing in the managed runtime environment. A metadata consumer may request the metadata. A metadata identifier of the metadata requested may be provided implicitly or explicitly. A parameter that indicates how to obtain the metadata may also be provided. In response, the metadata may be obtained and provided. The metadata may be computed at parse time, run time, or another time and may be computed based on state available to a managed runtime environment at the time the metadata is computed.
US09104776B2	Efficient identity mapping with self-correction for cascaded server systems A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and apparatus for identity mapping with self-correction for cascaded server systems is provided. A request to perform a business transaction is received. Responsive to performing a first server process of the business transaction, the servers necessary to perform the business transaction are identified, forming a set of identified servers. A user identity is retrieved for each server in the set of identified servers, wherein the user identity for each server in the set of identified servers is linked to a user registry of a server, forming a set of linked user identities. A data structure comprising the set of linked user identities is created. A user identity for a next server in the set of identified servers is retrieved from the data structure. In addition, the data structure is forwarded to a next server in the set of identified servers.
US09104763B2	System, method, circuit and associated software for locating and/or uploading data objects The present invention includes methods, circuits, systems and corresponding executable code for locating and managing data files/objects such as image files, audio files, etc. According to some embodiments of the present invention, there may be provided a Dynamic Search and Linking Module (DSLM), which DSLM may be functionally associated with an Uploader (an application or module adapted to upload files) of an application or of an operating system. The DSLM may provide an Uploader with search engine querying (e.g. web searching) and search engine result (e.g results of a web search) linking functionality.
US09104760B2	Panoptic visualization document database management A system includes a database management system engine, data manipulation subsystem and layout engine. The management system engine is configured to manage a database having stored therein a panoptic visualization document collection of document components each of which has associated metadata providing information about the respective document component, with the document components and metadata being stored in respective records of the database. The data manipulation subsystem includes a query language engine configured to receive a request for the respective records of document components and associated metadata, and the management system engine is configured to retrieve the requested, respective records from the database. The layout engine is configured to generate a layout of panoptically-arranged visual representations of the document components. And the query language engine is configured to communicate the layout and retrieved, respective records of the associated metadata.
US09104758B2	Methods, systems, and products for searching social networks Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for searching social networks. A device is encountered that sends a query. The query comprises a search packet. A content search is performed according to a query parameter described by the search packet. The content search is then repeatedly performed according to a duration parameter described by the search packet.
US09104757B2	Interactive search monitoring in a virtual machine environment A method and system for providing up-to-date monitoring results in a virtual machine environment are described. In one embodiment, a control server executes a query pertaining to one or more objects in a virtual machine system, and provides a result of the query to a client for presentation to a user in a graphical user interface (GUI). The control server then periodically re-executes the query to obtain up-to-date information for the objects in the virtual machine system. Upon each re-execution of the query, the control server compares a new result of the query with a previous result of the query to determine whether the up-to-date information for the objects in the virtual machine system has changed. If so, the control server provides the new result of the query to the client. If not, the control server refrains from providing the new result of the query to the client.
US09104755B2	Ontology enhancement method and system An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides an ontology enhancement method. Firstly, at least an input information request is received. Then, based on an ontology, each input information request is expanded to produce at least an expanded information request of each corresponding input information request. Based on a searching model, according to each expanded information request, a file collection is searched to obtain searching results of each corresponding expanded information request. Then, according to each searching result, a plurality of candidate knowledge concepts of each corresponding searching result are extracted. Next, the candidate knowledge concepts of each searching result are selectively added into the ontology.
US09104751B2	Supplemental search results having social connection endorsement data on a SERP Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for presenting supplemental search results having indications that identified documents have been endorsed by the user and/or social network connections of the user are provided. A search query is received and it is determined that the user's social networking data is available. Documents that have been endorsed by the user and/or social network connections of the user are searched to identify those that satisfy the input search query. The satisfying documents are assigned a relevance score to determine whether each satisfying document is relevant enough to be shown and to determine placement of the document on the SERP relative to standard search results. Upon rendering of the SERP, a supplemental search result identifying documents that were endorsed by the user and/or social network connections of the user is presented, as is an indication about which social network connection(s) of the user endorsed the document.
US09104740B2	Enhanced attribute synchronization in a content management system Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system, and article of manufacture for enhanced attribute synchronization in a content management system (CMS). One-way synchronization rules associated with objects stored in the CMS may be applied to synchronize both the substantive content and/or metadata included in a particular data object (e.g., an XML document) with attributes maintained by the CMS. The one-way synchronization rules may synchronize information stored in the data object with information stored in the CMS attributes. Alternatively, the one-way synchronization rule may synchronize information stored in the CMS attributes with information stored in the data object.
US09104739B2	Capturing and restoring database session state Techniques are described herein for capturing and restoring database session state. Production database server components save the session state of each of a plurality of database sessions. The components store workload units that are processed in these sessions. The components store updated session states in response to certain events. Thus, the components may capture multiple session states, pertaining to various different points in time, for each session. The captured session states and the captured workload are moved to a test database server. A user selects, from among the time points represented by the session states, a point in time at which the user would like workload replay to begin. Sessions are re-created on the test database server. Session states of these sessions are set to reflect the session states as they existed at the user-selected time point. Workload units are replayed in the sessions relative to the test database server.
US09104738B2	Leveraging collaborative cloud services to build and share apps The present invention includes systems and methods for retrieving information via a flexible and consistent targeted search model that employs interactive multi-prefix, multi-tier and dynamic menu information retrieval techniques (including predictive text techniques to facilitate the generation of targeted ads) that provide context-specific functionality tailored to particular information channels, as well as to records within or across such channels, and other known state information. Users are presented with a consistent search interface among multiple tiers across and within a large domain of information sources, and need not learn different or special search syntax. A thin-client server-controlled architecture enables users of resource-constrained mobile communications devices to locate targeted information more quickly by entering fewer keystrokes and performing fewer query iterations and web page refreshes, which in turn reduces required network bandwidth. Applications are built by leveraging existing collaborative cloud services that enable the maintenance and sharing of user content.
US09104736B2	Matching tools for use in attribute-based performance systems Systems and methods consistent with the invention relate to matching user attributes. In one exemplary implementation, the system and methods may store predetermined general attribute descriptors reflecting attributes of users generally, receive personal attribute descriptors selected from the predetermined general attribute descriptors as corresponding to attributes of a first user and a second user, receive a rating associated with each received personal attribute descriptor, compare at least one personal attribute descriptor associated with the first user with at least one personal attribute descriptor associated with the second user to determine a descriptor match, and calculate a match score based on the determined descriptor match and the received ratings. In addition, first and second display points may be displayed and may be separated by a one-dimensional display distance that is a function of the calculated match score.
US09104728B2	Query language to traverse a path in a graph A query language used to traverse a path in a graph-based model is provided. The system comprises a parsing module to parse a query comprising query phrases. The respective query phrases composed of an object-type identifier and a filter where the object-type identifier corresponds to respective repositories and the filter is used to identify at least a portion of the objects associated with the object-type in the respective repositories. A planning module identifies the respective repositories corresponding to the object-type identifier within each of the one or more query phrases and generates an execution plan describing data to be retrieved according to the respective repositories and results of a preceding query phrase within the query. A translation module translates the respective query phrases into respective translated queries that are readable by the respective repositories and including the filter. An execution module implements the execution plan using the translated queries.
US09104727B2	Search apparatus and method for controlling search apparatus A method for controlling a search apparatus that searches a plurality of data each having an attribute value for each attribute item according to a search condition defined by the attribute value, the method includes detecting a change of the attribute value of one or more data of the plurality of data, changing the search condition including the changed attribute value according to the detected change of the attribute value, and performing a search according to the changed search condition.
US09104724B2	Dynamic bridging of application and data servers Described herein is a technology to facilitate dynamic bridging of an application server and a data server. In accordance with one aspect, a query script based on source code of an application is generated at the application server. The query script may include at least one placeholder that represents a dynamic term in the source code of the application. The query script may be processed by replacing the placeholder with a static term generated based on one or more values received during execution of the application. The query script is then executed to manage data at a data server.
US09104715B2	Shared data collections A data sharing mechanism may allow programs to share access to data collections. The mechanisms that implement the sharing may allow programs written in any language to read and write a shared collection. The mechanisms may make the shared nature of the collection relatively transparent to the program and to the programmer, by allowing a program to operate on the data more or less as if it were purely local data. The sharing of collections may be managed by a shared object runtime on each machine on which a collection is used, and by a shared object server. The shared object server maintains the true state of the collection, and deterministically resolves collections when programs operate on the same collection without knowledge of each other's operations. The mechanisms by which collections are shared may be implemented so as to be agnostic as to the kind of data in the collection.
US09104708B2	Managing activities over time in an activity graph Systems and processes for managing a data warehouse using an activity graph are disclosed. One example process may include selectively tracking new versions of an entity based on a tracking type, removing entities based on data retention rules, removing entities based on data decay rules, and summarizing decayed data.
US09104701B1	Determining similarity using human generated data Subjective user-generated data can be utilized to determine visually similar items. Various item descriptors can be determined for a pair of items, which can provide an objective measure of visual aspects of those items, such as how similar those items are in color, style, material, or texture. The ways in which users interact with data for those items, either explicitly or implicitly through user behavior, can provide a level of perceived visual similarity on behalf of these users. The perceived, subjective visual similarity data from the users can be used to adjust a weighting of the various item descriptor factors for a pair of items, or otherwise adjust a visual similarity score, such that items selected as being visually similar more accurately reflect the subjective opinions of the users.
US09104700B1	Method and system for searching for information on a network in response to an image query sent by a user from a mobile communications device Present invention relates to a method and system for automatic searching for information on a network in response to an image query sent by a user. The image query includes an image that is captured by using a mobile communications device with a camera. The image is processed to detect the text present in it. The detected text is then recognized using an OCR. Subsequently, the text is searched for matches in the corresponding domain database, selected from the various domain databases present in the network. Thereafter, selected matches and additional related information is sent to the user.
US09104695B1	Geotagging structured data A mapping system comprising processes for creating and displaying structured geotagged data using interactive digital geographic imagery is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mapping system comprises processes and logic for creating a geo tag for structured data. A user creates a geo tag for a property of an object by selecting a geographic location on an interactive digital map and selecting the property of the object from a dialog presented to the user in response to selecting the geographic location. In this way, the user can more quickly and easily create structured geotagged data than can be accomplished using typical approaches requiring the user to manually enter geographic coordinates to associate a geographic location with structured data.
US09104685B2	Method, device and storage medium for cleaning up file systems Examples of the present disclosure may provide a method, device and storage medium for clearing up a file system. A volume may be opened and locked according to a clearing-up instruction. The clearing-up instruction may indicate the volume which is to be cleared up. Garbage information on a disk corresponding to the volume may be cleared up. The volume may be unlocked after the garbage information is cleared up. The device may include a locking module, a clearing-up module and an unlocking module. With the example of the present disclosure, when the clearing-up instruction is received, the garbage information on the disk corresponding to the volume may be cleared up. Therefore, the privacy of the user remained in the file system may be thoroughly cleared up, the leakage of the privacy of the user may be avoided and the security of the file system may be enhanced.
US09104672B2	Virtual security zones for data processing environments A method, apparatus, and computer program product for providing security and network isolation for service instances comprising data processing resources provided as a service by a provider of data processing resources. Individual service instances may be associated as members of one or more security zones. The security zones comprise security policies that define access of each service instance that is a member of a security zone.
US09104670B2	Customized search or acquisition of digital media assets Improved techniques for using usage data are disclosed. The usage data can pertain to a user of an electronic device. The usage data can be monitored and recorded on the electronic device. The improved techniques are particularly useful when the electronic device is a mobile electronic device. In one embodiment, the usage data can be used to enhance searching of digital assets, such as digital media assets, resident at a local or remote repository. In another embodiment, the usage data can be used to determine content to be resident locally on the electronic device. In still another embodiment, the usage data can be used to present (e.g., display) information on the electronic device.
US09104668B2	Migrating artifacts between service-oriented architecture repositories A method of migrating artifacts between service-oriented architecture repositories is provided herein. The method includes receiving a request to export an artifact from a first repository. The artifact comprises metadata associated with a service-oriented architecture. Additionally, the method includes retrieving data from one or more aggregated relationships of the artifact. The method also includes packaging the retrieved data into a data store comprising the selected data.
US09104667B2	Social media event detection and content-based retrieval Techniques for detecting an event via social media content. A method includes obtaining multiple images from at least one social media source, extracting at least one visual semantic concept from the multiple images, differentiating an event semantic concept signal from a background semantic concept signal to detect an event in the multiple images, and retrieving one or more images associated with the event semantic concept signal for presentation as a visual description of the detected event.
US09104656B2	Using lexical analysis and parsing in genome research Provided are techniques for locating one or more genome patterns. One or more lexical annotators that each identifies a sequence of nucleotides are created. One or more parsing rule annotators are created using at least one of (1) one or more of the lexical annotators, (2) one or more dictionary entries, and (3) one or more previously-defined parsing rule annotators. The one or more parsing rule annotators are used to discover the one or more genome patterns comprising a combination of the lexical annotators and the parsing rule annotators.
US09104654B2	Method and device for efficient trace analysis A data storage device includes a memory and a controller coupled to the non-volatile memory. The controller is coupled to a communication interface that is configured to enable communication with a host device. The controller is configured to send a signal via a first connection of the communication interface and to send a corresponding clock signal via a second connection of the communication interface. The signal is compliant with a communication protocol that specifies that the first connection of the communication interface carries the signal while the second connection of the communication interface carries the clock signal. The first connection is testable to measure the signal to generate data indicating transitions of the signal. The data excludes measurements of the clock signal. The data is analyzable to detect an indication defined by the communication protocol and to determine an estimated bit sequence of the signal.
US09104652B2	Deleting a document from a document group based on time conditions A document management apparatus includes a generating unit, a setting unit, a determining unit, and a deleting unit. The generating unit generates a new document from a base document. The setting unit sets the new document as a document which belongs to a document group to which the base document belongs. The determining unit determines whether or not a document group to which a selected document belongs includes a document which was generated or last viewed less than a reference time period ago. The deleting unit deletes the selected document if the document group does not include a document which was generated or last viewed less than the reference time period ago, and does not delete the selected document if the document group includes a document which was generated or last viewed less than the reference time period ago.
US09104651B1	Techniques for distributing tests and test suites across a network Reliably testing distributed systems in which multiple components interact, including: provisioning resources by a test leader, directing components to perform actions required by test suites, and reporting results. Provisioning resources might be batched in advance, and might overlap resources for multiple test suites. Provisioning and directing might occur on an as-needed basis, might be performed concurrently, and might be reordered for relatively better performance. Directing actions might occur on command by test leaders, might occur by synchronization of resources, or might occur by resources requesting permission to proceed. Resources might act only upon direction by test leaders, or might act on their own initiative when synchronized. Results might be reported to the test leader for comparison, maintained in a database for access by the test leader, or compared by resources on their own initiative in response to instructions from the test leader.
US09104639B2	Distributed mesh-based memory and computing architecture Methods, systems, and devices for distributed computing are provided. Clusters of nodes are provided, each node have a communication link to a primary I/O switch as well as to two other nodes, thereby providing redundant alternative communication paths between different components of the system. Primary and redundant I/O switching modules may provide further redundancy for high availability and high reliability applications, such as applications that may be subjected to the environment as would be found in space, including radiation effects. Nodes in a cluster may provide data storage, processing, and/or input/output functions, as well as one or more alternate communications paths between system components. Multiple clusters of nodes may be coupled together to provide enhanced performance and/or reliability.
US09104628B2	Array object concurrency in STM A software transactional memory system is provided that creates an array of transactional locks for each array object that is accessed by transactions. The system divides the array object into non-overlapping portions and associates each portion with a different transactional lock. The system acquires transactional locks for transactions that access corresponding portions of the array object. By doing so, different portions of the array object can be accessed by different transactions concurrently. The system may use a shared shadow or undo copy for accesses to the array object.
US09104627B2	Reusing snapshots in a network data management protocol backup operation Mechanisms, in a data processing system, are provided for performing a data management operation. These mechanisms identify one or more defined groups of data elements that are a target of the data management operation. One or more previously generated snapshot files associated with the one or more defined groups are identified and a determination is made as to whether at least one previously generated snapshot file of the one or more previously generated snapshot files associated with the one or more defined groups is able to be reused when performing the data management operation. The data management operation is performed based on the determination of whether at least one previously generated snapshot file of the one or more previously generated snapshot files associated with the one or more defined groups is able to be reused when performing the data management operation.
US09104615B2	Processor for processing digital data with pipelined butterfly operator for the execution of an FFT/IFFT and telecommunication device A processor for processing digital data includes at least one butterfly operator for execution of a fast Fourier transform computation, the butterfly operator having a pipeline architecture for synchronized receiving and processing of input data according to a clock signal. This pipeline architecture includes a plurality of elements including addition, subtraction, and multiplication hardware modules and links for synchronized transmission of data between the modules. At least one element of this pipeline architecture is configurable by at least one programmable parameter, between a first configuration wherein the butterfly operator performs the fast Fourier transform computation and a second configuration wherein the butterfly operator performs a metric computation of an implementation of a channel decoding algorithm.
US09104612B2	System stability prediction using prolonged burst detection of time series data Embodiments of the invention relate to a system comprising a processor, a burst detection module executing on the processor, and a resource monitor. The burst detection module is configured to receive a set of resource usages samples measuring an availability of a resource, calculate an absolute moving average (AMA) of the set of resource usage samples, calculate a mean dispersion of the set of resource usage samples, and determine that the set of resource usage samples comprises an aberrant sample by comparing the AMA to the mean dispersion. The resource monitor is configured to execute a recovery procedure in response to the determination that the set of resource usage samples comprise the aberrant sample.
US09104607B2	Simulation engine for use in disaster recovery virtualization An approach is provided for determining disaster recovery capacity. A simulation hypervisor receives streaming metric data, which represents the current production workload of a primary site, from the primary site. The metric data is combined with production data of the backup site by the simulation hypervisor to simulate a recovery event. Using data from the simulating, disaster recovery planning can be performed.
US09104605B1	System and method of selectively caching information based on the interarrival time of requests for the same information A system and method is provided wherein, in one aspect, a currently-requested item of information is stored in a cache based on whether it has been previously requested and, if so, the time of the previous request. If the item has not been previously requested, it may not be stored in the cache. If the subject item has been previously requested, it may or may not be cached based on a comparison of durations, namely (1) the duration of time between the current request and the previous request for the subject item and (2) for each other item in the cache, the duration of time between the current request and the previous request for the other item. If the duration associated with the subject item is less than the duration of another item in the cache, the subject item may be stored in the cache.
US09104604B2	Preventing unrecoverable errors during a disk regeneration in a disk array Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and system for reducing a probability of generating an unrecoverable error on a disk array during a disk rebuild. In a step, an exemplary embodiment identifies a disk to be replaced in the disk array, the disk array including a spare disk. In another step, an exemplary embodiment locates a region in the disk array that incurs a high number of reads and writes during a period prior to replacing the disk in the disk array. In another step, an exemplary embodiment scrubs data in a region in the disk array that has incurred a high number of accesses. In another step, an exemplary embodiment replaces the disk identified to be replaced with the spare disk in the disk array. In another step, an exemplary embodiment rebuilds data on the replaced disk on the spare disk in the disk array.
US09104598B2	Systems and methods for medium error reporting and handling in storage devices Systems and methods are provided that may be used to identify and report multiple information units (e.g., logical blocks) having medium errors within a given composite information structure (e.g., physical block) of a storage device (e.g., such as a hard drive) whenever any single information unit having an error within the same composite information structure is accessed.
US09104596B2	Memory system According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a memory unit including a first subunit and a second subunit, a code encoding unit configured to calculate first redundant data based on first write data and second redundant data based on second write data, and a control unit configured to cause the first write data and the first redundant data to be written in the first subunit and the second write data and the second redundant data to be written in the second subunit. The control unit is configured to control the code encoding unit to start calculation of the second redundant data after all of the writing steps for writing the first write data and the first redundant data have been carried out.
US09104583B2	On demand allocation of cache buffer slots Dynamic allocation of cache buffer slots includes receiving a request to perform an operation that requires a storage buffer slot, the storage buffer slot residing in a level of storage. The dynamic allocation of cache buffer slots also includes determining availability of the storage buffer slot for the cache index as specified by the request. Upon determining the storage buffer slot is not available, the dynamic allocation of cache buffer slots includes evicting data stored in the storage buffer slot, and reserving the storage buffer slot for data associated with the request.
US09104581B2	eDRAM refresh in a high performance cache architecture A memory refresh requestor, a memory request interpreter, a cache memory, and a cache controller on a single chip. The cache controller configured to receive a memory access request, the memory access request for a memory address range in the cache memory, detect that the cache memory located at the memory address range is available, and send the memory access request to the memory request interpreter when the memory address range is available. The memory request interpreter configured to receive the memory access request from the cache controller, determine if the memory access request is a request to refresh a contents of the memory address range, and refresh data in the memory address range when the memory access request is a request to refresh memory.
US09104580B1	Cache memory for hybrid disk drives A method for data storage in a data storage system, which includes a main storage device and a non-volatile memory, includes assessing quality levels of respective memory blocks of the non-volatile memory. One or more of the memory blocks whose assessed quality levels are lower than a predefined quality threshold are identified. The identified memory blocks are assigned to serve as read cache memory. Data is read from the main storage device via the read cache memory, including the assigned memory blocks.
US09104574B2	System and method for software application remediation Disclosed is a method and system for software remediation. A data storage device may store one or more sets of related software application image blocks, wherein a set of image blocks is associated with a software application and is generated by parsing components of the software application, such that said image blocks include at least a partial image of a file associated with the application, and at least one of: (1) registry keys and values associated with the application, and (2) operating system objects associated with the application. A communication module may exchange characterization data relating to image blocks with a client computer. A customized check module may be provided for providing the client computer with a set of one or more customized checks, and designate an image block as anomalous based on the result of a check. A remediation module may be provided for repairing the anomalous image block.
US09104573B1	Providing relevant diagnostic information using ontology rules Embodiments of methods, systems, and storage medium associated with providing diagnostic information are disclosed herein. In one instance, the method may include applying a pattern to a log line included in a log file accessible by the computing device, to determine whether there is a match between the log line and the pattern. The pattern may be one of a plurality of patterns included in a collection of previously accumulated diagnostic information including one or more relationship descriptions between the pattern and other ones of the plurality of patterns. The method may further include generating and storing one or more additional relationship descriptions in response to determination of a match for the pattern. The additional relationship descriptions may indicate connections between the matched pattern and at least some other patterns included in the diagnostic information. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09104565B2	Fault tracing system and method for remote maintenance Provided is a fault tracing system and method for remote maintenance. The fault tracing method includes detecting faults by receiving error events or fault diagnosis request messages, generating transactions for the detected faults, tracing the faults according to the transactions, and notifying a client terminal or user of the fault diagnosis results. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately trace a fault even in a home/building network environment complicatedly consisting of various resources.
US09104545B2	Thick and thin data volume management Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include configuring one or more storage devices as a plurality of physical storage units, each of the physical storage units having a storage granularity, and configuring, on the one or more storage devices, a thin provisioned storage pool having a physical number of the physical storage units and a logical number of logical storage units, the physical number being less than the logical number. Upon receiving a request to create a thick data volume having a requested number of the physical storage units, an available number of the physical storage units that are available in the thin provisioned pool can be identified. Upon determining that the requested number is less than the available number, the requested number of the physical storage units can be allocated, from the thin provisioned storage pool, to the thick data volume.
US09104541B2	Obtaining a signed certificate for a dispersed storage network A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module generating a certificate signing request (CSR) that includes a certificate and a certificate extension, wherein the certificate includes information regarding a requesting device and wherein the certificate extension includes information regarding an accessible dispersed storage network (DSN) address range for the requesting device. The method continues with the DS processing module outputting the CSR to a certificate authority of a DSN and receiving a signed certificate from the certificate authority, wherein the signed certificate includes a certification signature of the certificate authority authenticating the certificate and the certificate extension. The method continues with the DS processing module storing the signed certificate for use when generating a DSN access request, wherein the DSN access request is requesting access to dispersed storage error encoded data in the DSN at an address within the accessible DSN address range.
US09104539B2	Memory system in which extended function can easily be set According to one embodiment, a memory system, such as a SDIO card, includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, a control section, a memory, an extended function section, and an extension register. The extended function section is controlled by the control section. A first command reads data from the extension register in units of given data lengths. A second command writes data to the extension register in units of given data lengths. A extension register includes a first area, and second area different from the first area, information configured to specify a type of the extended function and controllable driver, and address information indicating a place to which the extended function is assigned, the place being on the extension register, are recorded in the first area, and the second area includes the extended function.
US09104538B2	Assessment of electronic sensor data to remotely identify a motor vehicle and monitor driver behavior A computing device is connected to a motor vehicle's diagnostic port or communication port to acquire vehicle sensor data, for example from various pressure, temperature, oxygen, fuel and other sensors typically installed on a motor vehicle for other reasons. Acquired sensor data is wirelessly transmitted to a remote server where the acquired sensor data can be compared to a database of stored sensor data to identify the motor vehicle. Additional functionality is described that leverages uploaded sensor data. Sensor data may be uploaded to the server in near-real time, and/or buffered locally and uploaded by periodic or episodic, push or pull communication protocols.
US09104536B2	Method for sampling monitoring data of construction equipment A method of sampling monitoring data of construction equipment according to the present disclosure includes: setting a sampling cycle of the monitoring data of the construction equipment when the construction equipment enters into an operation; sampling the monitoring data of the construction equipment according to the sampling cycle when a sampling start is input; and storing the sampled data and transmitting consecutive sampling data to a remote management server when a total sampling time elapses.
US09104535B1	Traffic based driving analysis A driving analysis server may be configured to receive vehicle operation data from vehicle sensors and telematics devices of a first vehicle, and may use the data to identify a potentially high-risk or unsafe driving behavior by the first vehicle. The driving analysis server also may retrieve corresponding vehicle operation data from one or more other vehicles, and may compare the potentially high-risk or unsafe driving behavior of the first vehicle to corresponding driving behaviors in the other vehicles. A driver score for the first vehicle may be calculated or adjusted based on the comparison of the driving behavior in the first vehicle to the corresponding driving behaviors in the other vehicles.
US09104517B2	System for downloading and executing a virtual application A virtual process manager for use with a client application. Both the virtual process manager and the client application are installed on a client computing device. The client application is configured to receive a user command to execute a virtual application at least partially implemented by a virtualized application file stored on a remote computing device. In response to the user command, the client application commands to the virtual process manager to execute the virtualized application file. Without additional user input, the virtual process manager downloads the virtualized application file from the remote computing device and executes the virtual application at least partially implemented by the downloaded virtualized application file on the client computing device. The client application may comprise a conventional web browser or operating system shell process.
US09104512B2	Fencing data transfers in a parallel active messaging interface of a parallel computer Fencing data transfers in a parallel active messaging interface (‘PAMI’) of a parallel computer, the PAMI including data communications endpoints, each endpoint comprising a specification of data communications parameters for a thread of execution on a compute node, including specifications of a client, a context, and a task, the compute nodes coupled for data communications through the PAMI and through data communications resources including a deterministic data communications network, including initiating execution through the PAMI of an ordered sequence of active SEND instructions for SEND data transfers between two endpoints, effecting deterministic SEND data transfers; and executing through the PAMI, with no FENCE accounting for SEND data transfers, an active FENCE instruction, the FENCE instruction completing execution only after completion of all SEND instructions initiated prior to execution of the FENCE instruction for SEND data transfers between the two endpoints.
US09104510B1	Multi-function floating point unit Arithmetic units and methods for floating point processing are provided. In exemplary embodiments, data paths to and from multiple multipliers and adders are flexibly combined through crossbars and alignment units to allow a wide range of mathematical operations, including affine and SIMD operations. The micro-architecture for a high-performance flexible vector floating point arithmetic unit is provided, which can perform a single-cycle throughput complex multiply-and-accumulate operation, as well as a Fast Fourier Transform (radix-2 decimation-in-time) Butterfly operation.
US09104498B2	Maximizing server utilization within a datacenter A method of maximizing server utilization within a datacenter comprising collocating a number of workloads to a subset of a number of physical servers within a datacenter, adjusting access to resources by critical and non-critical workloads, isolating a number of critical workloads that share resources to the subset of resource instances, and controlling resource utilization of the collocated workloads. A system for collocating workloads in a datacenter, the system comprising a number of servers communicatively coupled to each other and a collocation module that receives information from each server and decides whether to leave a workload running on one of any of the servers on that server, or migrate a workload running on one of the number of servers to another server.
US09104497B2	Method and system for work load balancing Method, system, and programs for balancing work load in a distributed system. A plurality of resource units in the distributed system are ranked based a plurality of multi-dimensional load metrics determined from each of the plurality of resource units. The plurality of resource units are divided into a plurality of resource unit groups based on the ranking of the plurality of resource units. At least one pair of resource unit groups is formed. Each of the at least one pair of resource unit groups is assigned with a probability of load balancing action. For each pair of resource unit groups, a load balancing action is determined based on the assigned probability of load balancing action.
US09104491B2	Batch scheduler management of speculative and non-speculative tasks based on conditions of tasks and compute resources A request from a client to perform a task is received. The client has a predetermined limit of compute resources. The task is dispatched from a batch scheduler to a compute node as a non-speculative task if a quantity of compute resources is available at the compute node to process the task, and the quantity of compute resources in addition to a total quantity of compute resources being utilized by the client is less than or equal to the predetermined limit, such that the non-speculative task is processed without being preempted by an additional task requested by an additional client. The task is dispatched, from the batch scheduler to the compute node, as a speculative task if the quantity of compute resources is available to process the task, and the quantity of compute resources in addition to the total quantity of compute resources is greater than the predetermined limit.
US09104490B2	Methods, systems and apparatuses for processor selection in multi-processor systems Methods, systems and apparatuses for processor selection in multi-processor systems are disclosed. An example method includes, for each of a plurality of processors, retrieving a list of interrupt instances for a plurality of interrupt types; calculating an interrupt instance count value for each of the plurality of interrupt types; multiplying a corresponding weighting factor by the interrupt instance count value for each one of the plurality of interrupt types to generate a plurality of weighted interrupt values; calculating an overall weighted vector value based on the sum of the plurality of weighted interrupt values; and designating one of the plurality of processors as a selected processor based on the lowest overall weighted vector value.
US09104489B2	Dynamic run time allocation of distributed jobs with application specific metrics A job optimizer dynamically changes the allocation of processing units on a multi-nodal computer system. A distributed application is organized as a set of connected processing units. The arrangement of the processing units is dynamically changed at run time to optimize system resources and interprocess communication. A collector collects application specific metrics determined by application plug-ins. A job optimizer analyzes the collected metrics and determines how to dynamically arrange the processing units within the jobs. The job optimizer may determine to combine multiple processing units into a job on a single node when there is an overutilization of an interprocess communication between processing units. Alternatively, the job optimizer may determine to split a job's processing units into multiple jobs on different nodes where one or more of the processing units are over utilizing the resources on the node.
US09104481B2	Resource allocation based on revalidation and invalidation rates Embodiments of the invention relate to visiting, by a computing device comprising a processor, each guest of a plurality of guests, obtaining, by the computing device, a list of invalidation counts and revalidation counts associated with resources based on the visiting each guest, and calculating, by the computing device, a target size for invalidating resources for each guest based on the list of invalidation counts and revalidation counts.
US09104479B2	Apparatus and method for rounding a floating-point value to an integral floating-point value Processing circuitry is provided to perform an operation FRINT for rounding a floating-point value to an integral floating-point value. Control circuitry controls the processing circuitry to perform the FRINT operation in response to an FRINT instruction. The processing circuitry includes shifting circuitry for generating a rounding value by shifting a base value, adding circuitry for adding the rounding value to the significand of the floating-point value to generate a sum value, mask generating circuitry for generating a mask for clearing fractional-valued bits of the sum value, and masking circuitry for applying the mask to the sum value to generate the integral floating-point value.
US09104477B2	Scheduling in MapReduce-like systems for fast completion time A method and system for scheduling tasks is provided. A plurality of lower bound completion times is determined, using one or more computer processors and memory, for each of a plurality of jobs, each of the plurality of jobs including a respective subset plurality of tasks. A task schedule is determined for each of the plurality of processors based on the lower bound completion times.
US09104476B2	Opportunistic multitasking of VOIP applications Services for a personal electronic device are provided through which a form of background processing or multitasking is supported. The disclosed services permit user applications to take advantage of background processing without significant negative consequences to a user's experience of the foreground process or the personal electronic device's power resources. To effect the disclosed multitasking, one or more of a number of operational restrictions may be enforced. By way of example, inactive network applications (e.g., VOIP applications) may be placed in a suspended state until a message is received targeting the application (e.g., an incoming phone call or a heartbeat needed message). The user application may be placed into the background state to respond to the message and then returned to the non-active state (e.g., if the message was a heartbeat needed) message or to the foreground state if appropriate (e.g., the user elects to answer the incoming call).
US09104470B2	Task processor A task processor includes a CPU, a save circuit, and a task control circuit. A task control circuit is provided with a task selection circuit and state storage units associated with respective tasks. When executing a predetermined system call instruction, the CPU notifies the task control circuit accordingly. When informed of the execution of a system call instruction, the task control circuit selects a task to be subsequently executed in accordance with an output from the selection circuit. When an interrupt circuit receives a high-speed interrupt request signal, the task switching circuit controls the state transition of a task by executing an interrupt handling instruction designated by the interrupt circuit.
US09104468B2	Terminal apparatus and method of controlling terminal apparatus with multi-tasking features A terminal apparatus, and associated method, stores in memory a plurality of application programs. A controller executes the plurality of application programs in a multi-tasking arrangement. When one of the application programs is replaced in the foreground with another application program, an image of the former application program while in an active state is stored in memory. That image is then used as part of a graphical user interface to provide an indication to a user of the other applications that are presently running, and the state of execution of the other application programs when last operating in the foreground.
US09104457B2	Virtual machine-to-image affinity on a physical server Systems and articles of manufacture for improving virtual machine-to-image affinity on a physical server include identifying physical machines in a network as candidate source physical machines, wherein each candidate source physical machine stores a first virtual machine image and a set of additional virtual machine images, identifying physical machines in the network as candidate target physical machines, wherein each candidate target physical machine stores one of the additional virtual machine images, and selecting a virtual machine image from the set of additional virtual machine images and selecting a physical machine from the candidate target physical machines such that migrating the selected virtual machine image from a candidate source physical machine to the selected target physical machine results in a maximized image affinity per virtual machine in comparison to each image migration scenarios for the set of additional virtual machine images.
US09104455B2	Virtual machine-to-image affinity on a physical server Techniques for improving virtual machine-to-image affinity on a physical server. A method includes identifying physical machines in a network as candidate source physical machines, wherein each candidate source physical machine stores a first virtual machine image and a set of additional virtual machine images, identifying physical machines in the network as candidate target physical machines, wherein each candidate target physical machine stores one of the additional virtual machine images, and selecting a virtual machine image from the set of additional virtual machine images and selecting a physical machine from the candidate target physical machines such that migrating the selected virtual machine image from a candidate source physical machine to the selected target physical machine results in a maximized image affinity per virtual machine in comparison to each image migration scenarios for the set of additional virtual machine images.
US09104454B2	Virtual image overloading for solution deployment An instantiable virtual machine part definition and part configuration metadata of an instantiable virtual machine capable of deployment as at least a portion of a service solution is received from a master overloaded virtual image. A determination is made as to whether to configure the instantiable virtual machine to reuse, using virtual image sharing, at least one portion of the master overloaded virtual image during deployment of the instantiable virtual machine within a service solution. A minimal executable virtual machine part core of the instantiable virtual machine that reuses, using the virtual image sharing, the at least one portion of the master overloaded virtual image during execution is identified. A minimal executable virtual machine part instantiable from the identified minimal executable virtual machine part core as the instantiable virtual machine is configured to utilize, using the virtual image sharing, a shared resource within the master overloaded virtual image during execution.
US09104439B2	Providing context-aware input data External constraints with respect to at least one input field of at least one application are generated. Context-aware input data is provided to at least one input field of a currently used application, based on the external constraints.
US09104436B1	Compile directives for memory management An address validation/relocation storage class provides a mechanism for application software to selectively control the virtual memory addresses used by the compiler generated machine code. Applications can use the address validation/relocation storage class to validate memory addresses and/or relocate data between memory tiers. A persistent memory storage class provides a mechanism for application software to selectively persist static data.
US09104434B2	Property accesses in dynamically typed programming languages A code generator may emit a direct access code for accessing a property of an object under conditions which promote type safety in a dynamically typed programming language. The direct access code accesses a value of the property using a hard-coded offset into the object's memory region. In some cases, the direct access code accesses the value after a single type check that guards a sequence of property accesses, including at least one prior sequence member. In some cases, type check code compares an object's type to a designated guard type of an equivalent type cache. An object type may be checked for property-specific access equivalence with types in the equivalent type cache by using a property equivalence record which is associated with the equivalent type cache. When types are not access-equivalent with regard to a property, type safety is preserved by emitting nondirect access code for accessing the property.
US09104426B2	Processor architecture for processing variable length instruction words A LIW processor comprises multiple execution units. The multiple execution units of the processor are divided into groups, and an input instruction word can contain instructions for one execution unit in each of the groups. The processor is optimized for use in signal processing operations, in that the multiple execution units of the processor are divided into groups which do not place significant restrictions on the desirable uses of the processor, because it has been determined that, in signal processing applications, it is not usually necessary for certain execution units to operate simultaneously. These execution units can therefore be grouped together, in such a way that only one of them can operate at a particular time, without significantly impacting on the operation of the device. An array is formed from multiple interconnected processors of this type.
US09104425B2	Apparatus and method for handling exception events Processing circuitry 4 has a plurality of exception states EL0-EL3 for handling exception events, the exception states including a base level exception state EL0 and at least one further level exception state EL1-EL3. Each exception state has a corresponding stack pointer indicating the location within the memory of a corresponding stack data store 35. When the processing circuitry is in the base level exception state EL0, stack pointer selection circuitry 40 selects the base level stack pointer as a current stack pointer indicating a current stack data store for use by the processing circuitry 4. When the processing circuitry 4 is a further exception state, the stack pointer selection circuitry 40 selects either the base level stack pointer or the further level stack pointer corresponding to the current further level exception state as a current stack pointer.
US09104421B2	Training, power-gating, and dynamic frequency changing of a memory controller A method for managing a memory controller comprising selecting a low-power state from a plurality of low-power states. The method further comprises transitioning to the low-power and entering the low-power state when the transition is complete, provided a wake-event has not been received. An apparatus comprises a controller configured to select a power state for transition, a state-machine configured to execute steps for transitions between power states of a memory controller connected by a bus to a memory, a storage configured to store at least one context, and a context engine configured to stream, at the direction of the state-machine engine, the at least one context to the memory controller. Streaming comprises communicating N portions of context data as a stream to N registers in the memory controller. A context comprises a plurality of calibrations corresponding to a state selected for transition.
US09104404B2	System and method for supporting a deferred reference to an object in an objected-oriented programming language environment A system and method can support a deferred reference in an object-oriented programming language environment. The object-oriented programming language environment can include an interface that can provide a deferred reference to an object that will be available at a future time. Furthermore, after receiving a request from a caller to get the object based on the deferred reference, the interface can return the object to the caller when the object is available or can indicate to the caller when the object is not currently available and/or when the object will never become available.
US09104401B2	Flash memory apparatus with serial interface and reset method thereof A flash memory apparatus with serial interface is disclosed. The flash memory apparatus includes a command receiver, a command decoder and a core circuit. The command receiver sequentially receives a plurality of command data through the data input pin and the clock pin. The command decoder receives a command sequence formed by the command data, and compares the command sequence with a reference sequence to generate a reset signal. The core circuit receives the reset signal to activate a reset operation according to the reset signal.
US09104397B2	Computer and data saving method It is provided a computer comprising a nonvolatile memory for storing data, a control processor for controlling the saving of data into the nonvolatile memory, and a battery for supplying power to the computer in case of a failure of an external power supply, wherein the control processor checks a charge amount stored in the battery, calculates an amount of data which can be saved in the nonvolatile memory by the battery in case of a failure of the external power supply based on the checked charge amount, and saves data excluding the amount of data that can be saved, out of data which should be saved into the nonvolatile memory, into the nonvolatile memory in advance.
US09104396B2	Electronic apparatus, charging control device, and charging control method According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus performs a communication with a portable device detachably attached to a port of the apparatus. The apparatus supplies bus power to the portable device through the port. The apparatus includes a notification module configured to execute an operation of notifying the portable device whether the port is a first type port configured to supply a first charging current or a second type port configured to supply a second charging current higher than the first charging current. The apparatus controls, when a remaining level of a battery of the apparatus is lower than a threshold, an operation of the notification module such that the portable device recognizes the port as the first type port.
US09104388B2	Heat dissipating module and computer using same A heat dissipating module includes a heat sink and an aerofoil deflector above the heat sink. The heat sink has an upper surface corresponding to the camber of the deflector, to increase the speed and efficiency of a cooling airflow passing therethrough, the airflow generated by a fan.
US09104377B2	Retractor cord assemblies for carried articles A low-profile retractable cord system in which a line is attached to a pair of retractor mechanisms located in the sides of an article to be carried (such as a briefcase, a purse, a handbag, suitcase, tote, bag, knapsack, sports bag, gym bag, etc.). The line is high-tensile braided line threaded out through eyelets which are offset inwardly and downwardly from the upper corners of the article to be carried. This way, the line and shoulder pad attached thereto lie flat along the carried article. Various retractor mechanisms are shown, including an opposed pair of coil-spring-biased reels, opposed independent pulley mechanisms, or a common pulley mechanism. An alternate embodiment employs a single retractor mechanism and line for a single loop-handle is also shown.
US09104376B2	Method of controlling output of screen of flexible display and portable terminal supporting the same A terminal supporting control of an output of a screen of a flexible display is provided. The terminal includes a flexible display configured such that at least a portion of the flexible display is deflected or folded, a sensor unit for collecting a sensor signal for detecting a location where the flexible display is deflected or folded, and a controller for controlling to determine a specific area of a functional screen or at least one functional screen from among a plurality of functional screens which are output before the flexible display is deflected or folded as a content viewing area when an input event is received, and for outputting the determined content viewing area in a specific display area of the folded flexible display.
US09104374B2	Electronic device An electronic device including a first body, an input module and a functional element is provided. The input module is movably disposed on the first body and adapted to be moved between a first position and a second position. The functional element is disposed on the input module. When the input module is located at the first position, the functional element is concealed in the first body. When the input module is located at the second position, the functional element is exposed outside the first body.
US09104372B2	Multiple footprint stand for a tablet computer In a tablet computer stand for supporting a computer shaped as a tablet on a support surface, at least first and second footprints joined at an angle are provided. At a front end of the first footprint, a receiving surface is provided receiving an end of the tablet to support the tablet on the stand. The footprints are dimensioned and positioned relative to the tablet end receiving surface such that the stand with the tablet thereon is stable when either the first or the second footprint is resting on said support surface.
US09104371B2	Integrated visual notification system in an accessory device The described embodiments relate generally to an accessory device for a tablet device. The accessory device takes the form of a flexible screen protector that can be disposed over a display portion of the tablet device. Because the flexible screen protector covers the display of the tablet there is no visual way for the tablet to provide notifications to the user while the screen protector overlays it. By providing a data and power connection between the tablet and the accessory device, the processor of the tablet device can command illumination elements disposed in the accessory device to be illuminated in any of a number of illumination states. Each of the illumination states can be associated with an operating state of the tablet device thereby allowing the tablet device to visually communicate operating state information while the display is covered.
US09104369B1	Portable bathroom cabinet system The present invention features a novel portable bathroom cabinet system for providing storage close to a toilet for personal hygiene products, accessories, cleaning supplies, and refuse. The cabinet system has a first cavity for storing toilet cleaning and maintenance supplies that has a drip tray, a toilet brush with a folding handle, and a plunger with a folding handle. The cabinet system also has a second cavity for storing rolls of toilet tissue. The cabinet system further has a third cavity with a drawer for storing personal hygiene products and accessories. The third cavity further has one or more plastic shopping bag securing projections sized to engage a handle opening on a top of a standard plastic shopping bag for storing debris in the standard plastic shopping bag.
US09104367B2	Multimedia interaction system and related computer program product capable of avoiding unexpected interaction behavior A multimedia interaction system is disclosed, including: a plurality of member electronic devices; a plurality of displays respectively arranged on the member electronic devices; and a location detection circuit configured to operably detect respective member electronic device's spatial location and orientation dynamically and to transmit detection results to at least one of the member electronic devices. When an user instructs a source electronic device of the member electronic devices to transmit a target image object toward a target direct, the source electronic device transmits a target command corresponding to the target image object to a candidate electronic device of the member electronic devices to perform corresponding multimedia interaction operations only if a relative position between the candidate electronic and the target direct satisfies a predetermined condition.
US09104366B2	Separation of screen usage for complex language input Methods and devices including providing a device having at least a primary screen and a secondary screen; receiving a first input, where the first input includes a language input on the primary screen; processing the first input to estimate a character based on the first input; displaying the estimated character(s); and displaying a selection, where the selection includes a chosen character selected from the estimated character(s).
US09104364B2	Generation and distribution of steered time interval pulse to a plurality of hardware components of the computing system An indication of time that indicates at least one of the current day and the current time is received. It is determined that a raw interval pulse transmitted by a first oscillator should be adjusted based, at least partly, on the indication of time. In response to determining that the raw interval pulse should be adjusted, a steered time interval pulse is generated based, at least partly, on the raw time interval pulse and the indication of time. The steered time interval pulse is distributed to a plurality of hardware components.
US09104363B2	Determining a high contrast display setting on a client device to process a web document Described herein are processes and devices that determine a high contrast setting on a client. Some embodiments include creating an object in a web document, assigning a pre-determined color value to the object, associating the object to the web document, and generating a computed color display value for the object in response to the object being associated with the web document. Some embodiments are further directed to comparing the pre-determined color value to the computed color display value and generating a result based on the comparing of the pre-determined color value to the computed color display value, which result indicates whether the system is set to the high contrast setting. Some embodiments are further directed to storing the result in a variable; and sending the variable to a server to process additional web documents, using the variable, before the additional web documents are loaded onto the client device.
US09104362B2	Image forming apparatus, control method, and control program An image forming apparatus includes a determination unit and a receiving unit. The determination unit determines whether information on use of tab sheets is included in a printing job received from an information processing apparatus. The receiving unit receives selection of either an arbitrary page or all pages as a range of a confirmation page for a printed material obtained according to the printing job from among pages included in the printing job, in a case where information on use of tab sheets is not included in the printing job, and receives selection of not an arbitrary page but all pages as a range of a confirmation page for a printed material according to the printing job from among pages included in the printing job, in a case where information on use of tab sheets is included in the printing job.
US09104354B2	Information processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium setting filter information for permitting communication with another information processing apparatus When a rotation instruction is issued to replace MFP A by MFP B to be used, a management application of the MFP A obtains and stores network information of the MFP B, and exchanges setting value data of the MFP A with that of the MFP B. Further, if the network information of the MFP A is included in the exchanged setting value data, the management application of the MFP A changes the exchanged setting value data using the stored network information of the MFP B.
US09104347B2	Systems, methods, and apparatus to print messages from an electronic mailbox In one implementation, a print service system selects a message from a plurality of messages at an electronic mailbox and generates a print job associated with the message from the plurality of messages. The electronic mailbox is associated with an account of a print service system. The print service system provides the print job to a printer associated with the account.
US09104341B2	Virtual OTP pre-programming Aspects of virtual one-time programmable (OTP) memory pre-programming are described. A device may include a logical sink destination, an OTP memory map, a virtual memory map, and a comparator. The OTP memory map may store one or more OTP logical values, and the virtual memory map may store one or more default virtual logical values. Generally, the virtual memory map may be predefined for various representative OTP scenarios including test and customer-specific values. Certain portions or outputs of the logical values stored in the OTP memory map and the virtual memory map may be compared by the comparator, and the logical result of the comparison may be output to the logical sink destination. In certain aspects, the portions or outputs of OTP and virtual memory maps that are compared may be determined based on various factors such as strap option settings, temperatures, voltages, or register values of the device.
US09104339B1	Support track aligned partitions inside virtual machines In response to a request received from a guest alignment module, host alignment module determines a target starting location in a virtual hard disk to which the beginning of a guest partition of a virtual machine is written. Host alignment module translates a guest partition's virtual hard disk address into a physical hard disk address and determines whether the physical hard disk address is track aligned with disk tracks of the physical hard disk. If the physical hard disk address is not track aligned, host alignment module determines a new track aligned physical hard disk address as the target starting location. If the physical hard disk address is track aligned, the same physical hard disk address is used as the target starting location. The target starting location is returned to the guest alignment module as a new virtual hard disk address.
US09104331B2	System and method for incremental virtual machine backup using storage system functionality Techniques for virtual machine incremental backup are described herein. According to one embodiment, a request for an incremental backing up a virtual machine (VM) is received at a storage system, the request identifying a requested VM disk image associated with a consistent state of the VM. The storage system determines a difference between the requested VM disk image and a previous VM disk image representing a previous VM backup. The changes between the requested VM disk image and a previous VM disk image are then transmitted to a target backup storage system.
US09104328B2	Storage apparatus and method for controlling storage apparatus Upon receipt of an I/O request instructing storage of data in a storage device 106 from a host apparatus, a storage apparatus 100 selects a de-duplication process method to be applied to the received data, based on at least any of influence on processing performance of the storage apparatus 100 to be performed by execution of a first de-duplication process method (inline method) in which the de-duplication process is performed on the data immediately after the receipt of the I/O request, influence on the processing performance of the storage apparatus 100 to be performed by execution of a second de-duplication process method (post-process method) in which the de-duplication process is performed on the data at later timing, and the size of a temporary storage device 106b to be required for the processing of the data by the second de-duplication process method.
US09104320B2	Data integrity protection in storage volumes A plurality of logical volumes are stored at a plurality of sites. A command to execute an operation on a logical volume is received. A determination is made as to whether a rule associated with the logical volume permits execution of the operation on the logical volume. In response to determining that the rule associated with the logical volume permits execution of the operation on the logical volume, the operation is executed on the logical volume.
US09104318B2	Apparatus, method and program product for determining the data recall order To provide a technique for optimizing the processing order of recall requests in which the average latency time of a host apparatus is minimized. A storage manager accepts a request of the host apparatus for the recalling data from a tape library, and stores the request in a queue table. In response to storage of the request, the storage manager calculates the latency time for each request in all the conceivable execution orders for all the requests stored in the queue table. The storage manager determines the execution order which minimizes the total calculated latency time for all the requests including the active request, and rearranges the requests in the queue table.
US09104317B2	Computer system and method of controlling I/O with respect to storage apparatus An aspect of this invention is a computer system, including: a storage apparatus for allocating real storage areas of a plurality of tiers of a tiered real storage area pool to a volume, and migrating and relocating data within the volume between the plurality of tiers; and a host apparatus that accesses the volume provided by the storage apparatus. The host apparatus is configured to refer to tier information including information on a corresponding one of the plurality of tiers to which an access destination address within the volume belongs to identify the corresponding one of the plurality of tiers to which the access destination address belongs and refer to settings predetermined for the plurality of tiers to perform I/O control for the access destination address based on settings of the identified corresponding one of the plurality of tiers.
US09104311B2	Slate computer with tactile home keys Fingertip-sized discrete areas are provided on a slate computer and have different tactile characteristics than the remainder of the surface on which they are disposed. The discrete areas are arranged to mimic home keys of a keyboard and each discrete area corresponds to a respective home key. In this way, a user is given tactile feedback of when fingers are properly placed in the home position, with home key finger placement triggering the presentation of a full keyboard on screen. Other embodiments do not use tactilely distinct keys, with simultaneous placement of two or more fingers on the computer triggering display of the virtual keyboard.
US09104309B2	Pattern swapping method and multi-touch device thereof Patterns displayed on a touch screen are swapped in response to occurrence or movements of touch points on the touch screen. Therefore, when a user of the multi-touch device including the touch screen intends to swap patterns displayed on the touch screen, he or she is merely required to give a few simultaneous touches corresponding to the patterns on the touch screen or to simply move the patterns on the touch screen using simultaneous touches.
US09104308B2	Multi-touch finger registration and its applications Described herein are finger registration systems and methods for use with a multi-touch device that can facilitate in place execution of commands or operations, thereby reducing focus switching and minimizing hand movement. The finger registration methods are simple and robust, using only contact points on the touch-based device, without requiring additional hardware. Direct mapping of operations to gestures involving individual fingers or combination of fingers (e.g., finger chords), provides a new and rich set of direct manipulation without focus switching for selecting commands/operations.
US09104305B2	Controlling a cursor on a touch screen In one embodiment, a method for controlling a cursor on a touch screen includes, in response to having entered a pointing mode, displaying the cursor on the touch screen; in response to a touch on the touch screen, calculating a movement velocity of a touch point of the touch; and controlling the movement of the cursor according to the movement velocity of the touch point; wherein at any moment in the pointing mode, an input area of the touch point is any area within the touch screen.
US09104294B2	Linked widgets Systems, methods, computer-readable mediums, user interfaces and other implementations are disclosed for manually or automatically linking widgets. The automatic linking of widgets includes detecting a trigger event associated with a first widget, and providing access to a second widget in response to the trigger event. The trigger event can be the downloading, previewing, installation, launching, updating, operating or any other interaction with one or more widgets. The trigger event can also be the exercise of a function or feature of a widget. In some implementations, a communication path or channel is established between widgets for sharing information. In other implementations, linked widgets are provided access to shared information. A widget link manager can be used to manually establish links between widgets and to designate shared information, restrictions, etc.
US09104293B1	User interface points of interest approaches for mapping applications Various embodiments provide a graphical element displayed through a mapping application that visually represents at least one point of interest (POI) data point on a map for a location. In one example, a single multi-dimensional graphical element can identify a location and identity of multiple POIs associated with the same geocode or physical location on a map, such as a multi-tenant building. In this example, each surface of the graphical element may represent a different POI. In another example, a multi-dimensional graphical element can identify a location and information for a single POI. In this example, each surface can represent different information, such as a surface for customer reviews, a surface for store hours, address, or contact information, a surface for a restaurant's menu, a surface for promotions, and the like.
US09104287B2	System and method for data collection interface creation and data collection administration A method for collecting data for statistical modeling purposes can include the step of selecting at least one user interface type from a plurality of previously defined user interface types. Parameters of the selected interface type can be defined for a particular data collection instance. Target participant data can be inputted. A data collection interface based upon the selected interface type and defined parameters can be deployed. Messages can be automatically conveyed to data providers selected in accordance with the target participant data. The data providers can be permitted to access the deployed data collection interface. Data provided by the data providers can be automatically stored and used for statistical modeling purposes related to the data collection instance.
US09104285B2	Haptic device with indirect haptic feedback A haptic device provides an indirect haptic device, having a substrate having a touch surface, a position sensor and a friction modulator associated with the substrate, a control device connected to the position sensor and the friction modulator, wherein a coefficient of friction on the touch surface is modulated in response to a sensed position of relative to the touch surface and/or a derivative thereof.
US09104275B2	Mobile terminal to display an object on a perceived 3D space A method may include displaying at least one first object on a perceived 3D space having at least a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer has a 3D level of a first depth and the second layer has a 3D level of a second depth, and wherein the at least one first object is arranged on the first layer. The method may also include receiving a user input for selecting one of the at least one first object while displaying the at least one first object, arranging at least one second object on the second layer when the 3D level of the second layer changes to the first depth, and displaying the at least one second object, wherein each of the at least one second object corresponds to a sub-menu of a menu corresponding to the selected first object.
US09104266B2	Signal processing circuit and signal processing system of touch screen The present invention discloses a signal processing circuit and a signal processing system for processing an input signal provided from a touch screen in response to a driving signal.
US09104265B2	Touch device and operating method thereof A touch device and an operating method thereof are provided. The operating method includes the following steps. A plurality of data baseline values of the touch panel is calibrated and set during an initialization of a touch panel. A plurality of touch data is obtained after scanning the touch panel. A plurality of touch values corresponding to the touch panel is calculated according to the data baseline values and the touch data. A touch point is detected according to the touch values. When the touch data is complied with a re-calibration requirement, the data baseline values are re-calibrated and reset.
US09104263B2	Touch panel and a control method thereof A touch panel control method applied to a touch panel including at least one antenna and a touch sensing structure having a plurality of touch sensing elements is provided. In the touch panel control method, a scan signal is transmitted to at least one of the plurality of touch sensing elements, and a sensing signal sensed by at least one of the plurality of touch sensing elements is received. Whether the at least one antenna starts operating is detected by a control sensor, and if so, operation of a first plurality of touch sensing elements of the plurality of touch sensing elements is stopped, wherein each of the first plurality of touch sensing elements overlaps the at least one antenna.
US09104255B2	Mobile device using E-paper display panel and method for controlling the same A mobile device using an e-paper display panel and a method for controlling the same are disclosed, in which the mobile device is switched to a standby mode and a lock mode. The mobile device includes an e-paper display unit configured to display contents; an input signal receiving unit configured to detect an input signal and transmit the detected input signal to a processor; and the processor configured to control the e-paper display unit and the input signal receiving unit, wherein the processor is further configured to switch the mobile device to a first standby mode if a lack of a touch input signal is detected for a predetermined time, wherein the first standby mode is a mode displaying a first image on the e-paper display unit and disabling detecting of a touch input signal for the displayed first image.
US09104251B1	Full-bridge tip driver for active stylus A method and apparatus to increase a transmit (TX) signal generated by an active stylus without increasing the power consumption of the active stylus. In one aspect, the active stylus increases the amplitude of the TX signal. In another aspect, the active stylus increases the TX signal by providing the capacitance of a body of a user to the stylus.
US09104249B2	Electronic system with pointing device and method thereof The present invention discloses an electronic system and a pointing device thereof. The pointing device includes an image sensor and a processor. The image sensor sequentially generates a first image frame and a second image frame, wherein the first image frame has two images related to a sensed target, and the second image frame has one image related to the sensed target. The processor determines one image position representing the sensed target using the first image frame, and subsequently determines one image displacement using the first image frame and the second image frame.
US09104245B2	Operation input device An operation input device (1) includes a directional key (10) and coils (71a-74a). The directional key (10) is accommodated within a case (60) when a slide part (120) is slid in a closing direction to be in a closed state, is displaced to a position protruding from an opening part (61) of the case (60) when the slide part (120) slides in an opening direction to be in an open state, and is displaced inward from the opening part (61) when an operation input is applied while the slide part (120) is in the open state. The coils (71a-74a) detect the position of the directional key (10) in a non-tactile manner and output a signal according to the amount of displacement of the directional key (10). The signal output from the coils is used to determine whether the slide part (120) is in the open or closed state.
US09104231B2	Mood-actuated device This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing a mood-actuated device. In various embodiments, mood information corresponding to a current mood of a user is received. An emotional state of the user is determined based on the mood information, and a mood-actuated device is controlled to react based on the emotional state of the user. In some embodiments, the mood-actuated device includes a flexible material that is configured to react by changing to a shape based on the emotional state of the user.
US09104230B2	Storage system, controller module and method of controlling storage system A storage-system includes a storage-device, a first-device that controls to transfer data to-and-fro the storage-device and a second-device redundant from the first-device, wherein the first-device includes a processing-device that processes a command related to input-and-output of data stored in the storage-device, a storage-unit that stores, in a correlated manner, the number of commands issued collectively during download of firmware for controlling the processing-device and response delay-time representing time in which a response has been delayed due to the download in a correlated manner, and a control-unit which retrieves the number of issuable commands corresponding to acceptable response-delay-time of the command during download and restricts issue of the command for which an issue request has been newly made if the number of commands being issued is equal to or greater than the retrieved number of issuable commands during the download, when a download request is made.
US09104228B2	Active control method of accelerator pedal effort An active control method of accelerator pedal effort is configured such that, when a driver changes lanes while driving a vehicle having a pedal effort controllable accelerator, the method can actively control the accelerator pedal effort so as to reduce the pedal effort, and when the driver turns corners while driving the vehicle, the method can actively control the accelerator pedal effort so as to increase the pedal effort.
US09104224B2	Analog compensator circuit to compensate for cable loss Apparatus, systems and methods for correcting data received from a power cable is presented. A method receives communication data from a near end of a cable that has near and far ends. The data is compared using hysteresis to a high threshold and/or a low threshold. The data is reset to produce corrected data by resetting the data to either a high value or a low value based on the comparing. For example, when the corrected data is high, the data is reset to a low value when the communication data crosses the low threshold and when the corrected data is low, the data is reset to a high value when the communication data crosses the high threshold. The corrected data can provide a power supply data needed so that it can more accurately provide a power through the cable to the far end of the cable.
US09104222B2	Low dropout voltage regulator with a floating voltage reference An embodiment of a voltage regulator includes a pass device, a feedback circuit, and an operational amplifier (opamp). A first current conducting terminal of the opamp is coupled to an input voltage node, and a second current conducting terminal of the opamp is coupled to a regulated voltage node. The feedback circuit is coupled between the regulated voltage node and the feedback node, and the feedback circuit is a floating voltage reference configured to produce a feedback signal. The opamp has an input coupled to a feedback node, and an output coupled to a control terminal of the pass device. The opamp provides a signal to the control terminal based on the feedback signal from the feedback node. The control signal causes a current through the pass device to vary to maintain a voltage at the regulated voltage node at a target regulated voltage.
US09104220B2	Regulator and voltage generator A regulator includes an input voltage adjusting unit configured to adjust a pumping voltage in response to a control signal varied depending on a target voltage and output the adjusted pumping voltage and a regulation unit configured to output the target voltage by regulating the adjusted pumping voltage. The regulator may reduce current consumption by adjusting the pumping voltage inputted according to the target voltage.
US09104215B2	Driving device A driving device comprises a first transistor (B13), a second transistor (B14), and a resistance element. The first transistor (B13) has one terminal receiving a pulsed current and a control terminal connected to the one terminal. The second transistor (B14) has one terminal connected to at least one load, the other terminal connected to a reference potential together with the other terminal of the first transistor (B13), and a control terminal connected to the control terminal of the first transistor (B13). The resistance element is connected between the control terminal of the first transistor (B13) and the other terminal of the first transistor (B13).
US09104213B2	Integrated circuit with multi-functional parameter setting and multi-functional parameter setting method thereof An integrated circuit with multi-functional parameter setting and a multi-functional parameter setting method thereof are provided. The multi-functional parameter setting method includes the following steps: providing the integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit includes a multi-functional pin and a switch unit, wherein the multi-functional pin is coupled to an external setting unit, and the switch unit includes an operational amplifier; sensing a programmable reference voltage of the external setting unit through one operation of the switch unit and executing a first function setting according to the programmable reference voltage; and sensing a programmable reference current related to the external setting unit through another operation of the switch unit and executing a second function setting according to the programmable reference current, wherein a value of the programmable reference current is related to the programmable reference voltage.
US09104212B2	Power supply apparatus and method, and user equipment Embodiments of the present invention provide a power supply apparatus and method, and a user equipment. In the embodiments of the present invention, charging protection for the battery electric core and a bypass function for the voltage boost circuit can be implemented through control that is performed on the switch device by the logic control circuit, so that additional impedance can be reduced and working efficiency can be improved.
US09104209B2	Autonomous valve assembly for the regulation, depressurization and pressurization of pneumatic equipment An autonomous valve assembly for the regulation, depressurization and elevation of the pressure in pneumatic equipment that presents a valve body 22 and an air regulator body 4 with a compressed air intake 54 connected to a source of compressed air, whereby the body 4 presents two pressure regulators 45, 46 that regulate the pressure at a desired level and communicate it to an air diverter plunger 6 with reciprocating movement to cyclically divert the compressed air to a pressurization plunger assembly 9A, 5, 9B that has a reciprocating movement within a pressure casing 20A, 20B, wherein said air pressure regulators 45, 46 are adjusted to regulate the passage of air to a first pressure and a second pressure.
US09104206B2	Self-steering vehicle A self-controlling vehicle, designed for the autonomous movement in an area, is disclosed. The self-controlling vehicle includes driving means for movement and navigation means, wherein the navigation means are designed for the position determination along a closed path surrounding an operating space of the area. The navigation means are designed for creating successive path sectional data, the path sectional data for route sections of the path has assigned orientation information, in particular angle information, and the navigation means are assigned with autocorrelation means, which are designed such that they determine from a sequence of path sectional data corresponding to a movement along the path by determining auto correlation data whether and/or that the vehicle has driven completely along the surrounding path and/or a sequence of route sections already driven is driven again.
US09104194B2	Processing information acquisition system in processing machine supplying processing point with energy or material A processing information acquisition system in a processing machine which feeds a processing point energy or material, the processing information acquisition system provided with a position information acquisition unit which acquires position information of a feed unit of energy or material, a feed rate control unit which receives a feed condition command of energy or material, converts the feed condition command to a control command which controls a feed of energy or material, and uses the converted control command to control a feed rate of energy or material from the feed unit, a feed rate estimation unit which acquires the control command from the feed rate control unit and calculates an estimated feed rate of energy or material which is fed to a processing point based on the control command, and an output unit which outputs the position information which the position information acquisition unit acquired and the estimated feed rate which the feed rate estimation unit calculated when the feed unit is located at a position corresponding to the position information.
US09104179B2	Winding mass The invention relates to a winding mass (10) for a watch movement, comprising a geometric rotation axis (100), a peripheral portion (10) and a connecting portion (13) between the peripheral portion (10) and the rotation axis (100), the density and the mass of the peripheral portion being greater than those of the connecting portion. The connecting portion (13) is moved by means of bird feather-like portions (20).
US09104178B2	Method for making a spring for a timepiece The invention relates to a method for making a spring for a timepiece that comprises at least one monobloc ribbon of metal glass including at least one curvature. The method is characterized in that said method comprises the step of shaping by means of plastic-deformation said monobloc ribbon in order to obtain at least a portion of said curvature.
US09104169B2	Electrophotographic image forming apparatus An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided including a body including an opening, a photoreceptor cartridge attached to, or detached from, the body through the opening and including a mounting portion, a development cartridge attached to, or detached from, the mounting portion through the opening when the photoreceptor cartridge is mounted in the body, and a cover opening or closing the opening and fixing the development cartridge to the mounting portion by pressurizing the development cartridge while the opening is closed.
US09104167B2	Protection device, image forming apparatus and method, and non-transitory computer readable medium A protection device includes a pair of electrodes and an output unit. In the pair of electrodes, one electrode, connected to a connection line that connects a load and a power supply that supplies voltage to the load, performs discharge toward the other electrode in response to application, to one electrode, of an abnormal voltage greater than or equal to a pre-set voltage exceeding a steady-state voltage output by the power supply in a steady state. The output unit detects discharge current that flows in the other electrode and outputs the detected discharge current as a control signal.
US09104164B2	Medium carrying device, image forming device, and medium carrying method A medium carrying device includes: first and second carrying part that carry a medium to a second position via a first position; a slack detection unit positioned between the first and second carrying part and detecting slack in the medium; a medium carrying detection part that detects a carrying state of the medium; an input part that receives a recovery instruction when an abnormality is detected in the carrying state of the medium by the medium carrying detection part; a controller that stops the carrying of the medium by the first and second carrying parts when the abnormality is detected in the carrying state of the medium by the medium carrying detection part and that resumes the carrying of the medium by the first and second carrying parts according to a detection result by the slack detection part when the input part receives the recovery instruction.
US09104162B2	Conveyor system and image forming apparatus including same A conveyor system includes a first conveyor belt entrained about a separation roller and a support roller disposed upstream from the separation roller, a second conveyor belt entrained about a first roller disposed at an uppermost stream in a transport direction of a sheet-type medium and a second roller disposed downstream therefrom, a belt alignment device to tilt a rotary shaft of the separation roller to restrict a range of belt mistracking of the first conveyor belt in a width direction thereof within a predetermined range, and a restriction member to restrict an amount of inclination of the rotary shaft such that a hypothetical extended plane, which is a hypothetical extension of the outer circumferential surface of the first conveyor belt between the separation roller and the support roller to a downstream side in the transport direction, does not contact a rotational center axis of the first roller.
US09104158B2	Image formation apparatus An image formation apparatus includes an image carrier on which a developer image is to be formed, an image transfer device configured to transfer the developer image formed on the image carrier to a medium at an image transfer position, a controller configured to control drive of the image carrier and the image transfer device, a first medium feeder configured to feed the medium to the image transfer position along a medium conveyance path extending from the first medium feeder to the image transfer position, and a medium detector provided between the first medium feeder and the image transfer position in the medium conveyance path. The controller is configured to control the drive of the image carrier on the basis of a medium-detection result by the medium detector.
US09104149B2	Fixing device having secured member with radius of curvature at insertion end and image forming apparatus having the same A fixing device includes a belt, a secured member, a support roller, a heating unit, and a pressure roller that is driven to rotate and has an elastic surface layer deformed when pressing the belt against the secured member so as to form a fixing portion. A recording medium that holds an unfixed image passes through the fixing portion. The secured member has a contact portion and an insertion portion having first and second curved surfaces respectively curved toward first and second sides opposite to each other. Conditions t(1/r1+1/r2)≦0.130 and r1
US09104147B2	Image forming apparatus with controlled fixing temperature, control method and storage medium An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of this invention controls a fixing temperature when a fixing device of a printer engine fixes an image on a recording material. More specifically, the image forming apparatus sets the fixing temperature to a value lower than that in a normal mode when printing an image in a power saving mode, and decides an amount of applied toner with which the fixing device can fix the image on the recording material at the set fixing temperature. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus generates print data corresponding to the decided amount of applied toner from input image data, and prints the image on the recording material based on the generated print data.
US09104145B2	Fixing device having a sliding sheet of cross-linked PTFE A fixing device includes a heating member that heats a toner image on a recording medium and includes a rotatable belt member, a heat source, a pressing member, a sliding sheet, and a pressure-applying member. The pressing member presses the belt member against the pressure-applying member. A surface of the pressing member that opposes the belt member includes a flat portion or a recessed portion having a radius of curvature of approximately 100 mm or more. The sliding sheet is disposed between the belt member and the pressing member and includes a sliding layer containing cross-linked polytetrafluoroethylene, the content of which in resin contained in the layer is approximately 25 mass % or more and approximately 75 mass % or less. The pressure-applying member presses the recording medium against the belt member and rotates to transport the recording medium while nipping it between itself and the belt member.
US09104144B2	Image forming apparatus having fixing device with differential pressure at outlet and inlet A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body that heats toner while rotating and fixes the toner on a recording medium, a pressurizing rotary body that sandwiches and pressurizes the toner and the recording medium by the fixing rotary body, and a supporting part that supports the fixing rotary body from the inside so that a peak pressure on an outlet side of the recording medium becomes equal to or lower than a peak pressure on an inlet side, in a contact part where the fixing rotary body and the pressurizing rotary body come into contact with each other.
US09104140B2	Systems, methods and apparatuses for authorized use and refill of a printer cartridge The systems, methods and apparatuses described herein provide a chip for a cartridge with dispensable material may be provided. In one aspect, the chip may comprise a non-volatile memory for storing a number tracking amount of dispensable material in the cartridge, a circuit with permanently and irreversibly changeable state and circuit components configured to receive and process a first message, and receive a second message. The first message may comprise a first command and an operation input value for a print job at the cartridge, and to process the first message may comprise decreasing the amount of dispensable material. The second message may comprise a second command to increase the amount of dispensable material. The circuit components may be further configured to ignore the second command if the circuit has permanently and irreversibly changed its state to prevent responding to requests to increase the number tracking amount of dispensable material.
US09104130B2	Image forming apparatus with control of charging voltage of photosensitive member An image forming apparatus including: photosensitive members; charging devices to which a common charging power source applies a charging voltage to charge the photosensitive members; an exposure device configured to expose the photosensitive members; developing devices to form developer images on the photosensitive members; a transfer device to transfer the developer images onto a transfer medium; and a control portion configured to set a lower limit value of the charging voltage for each photosensitive member, apply the charging voltage having a magnitude not less than any lower limit value from the charging power source to the charging devices, control the output of the laser power for each photosensitive member individually, and set, based on the image density of the developer image transferred onto the transfer medium earlier, the lower limit value for a photosensitive member on which a developer image to be transferred onto the transfer medium later is formed.
US09104124B2	Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support. The electrophotographic photosensitive member has a surface layer containing a polyarylate resin and acicular inorganic fillers. The acicular inorganic fillers are basic and have a number-average aspect ratio of 5 to 50 and a Mohs hardness of 2 to 6.
US09104120B2	Structured illumination for contrast enhancement in overlay metrology Contrast enhancement in a metrology tool may include generating a beam of illumination, directing a portion of the generated beam onto a surface of a spatial light modulator (SLM), directing at least a portion of the generated beam incident on the surface of the SLM through an aperture of an aperture stop and onto one or more target structures of one or more samples, and generating a selected illumination pupil function of the illumination transmitted through the aperture utilizing the SLM in order to establish a contrast level of one or more field images of the one or more target structures above a selected contrast threshold, and performing one or more metrology measurements on the one or more target structures utilizing the selected illumination pupil function.
US09104118B2	Exposure device and method for producing structure In order to exposure interference fringes to photoresist and form a desired irregular pattern, it is necessary to know the cycle of the interference fringes in advance. In order to confirm the cycle of the interference fringes beforehand, conventional techniques include observing the formed irregular pattern with the use of a microscope or measuring a diffraction angle of incident light and repeating processes of exposure, development, and observation (measurement) while slightly changing incident angles of light fluxes for the formation of the interference fringes until a desired cycle is confirmed. These operations take considerable amount of time. The fact that it takes considerable amount of time to confirm the interference fringes has not been considered in the conventional techniques. Observation of a moire generated by a standard sample containing a fluorescent sample that can be repeatedly used and adjustment of the cycle of interference fringes reduce time for the adjustment.
US09104109B2	Method and system for improving critical dimension uniformity using shaped beam lithography A method for forming a pattern on a surface using charged particle beam lithography is disclosed, where the shots in an ordered set of input shots are modified within a subfield to reduce either a thermal variation or a maximum temperature of the surface during exposure by the charged particle beam writer. A method for fracturing or mask data processing is also disclosed, where an ordered set of shots is generated which will expose at least one subfield of a surface using a shaped beam charged particle beam writer, and where a temperature or a thermal variation generated on the surface during the exposure of one subfield is calculated. Additionally, a method for forming a pattern on a surface with an ordered set of shots using charged particle beam lithography is disclosed, in which a blanking period following a shot is lengthened to reduce the maximum temperature of the surface.
US09104106B2	Negative photoresist composition and patterning method for device The present invention relates to a negative photoresist composition and a patterning method for device in which a photoresist pattern having a high sensitivity with a good reverse taper profile can be formed not only to realize an effective patterning of various thin films but also to facilitate removal of the photoresist pattern after the patterning. The photoresist composition comprises an alkali-soluble binder resin; a halogen-containing first photo-acid generator; a triazine-based second photo-acid generator; a cross-linking agent having an alkoxy structure; and a solvent.
US09104094B2	Illumination system including first and second lens arrays wherein some lenses in the second array include a first and a second lens element In at least one embodiment of the disclosure, an illumination system includes a light source that emits an illumination light flux. A first lens array has a plurality of first small lenses arranged therein. The first small lenses divide the illumination light flux emitted from the light source into a plurality of segmental light fluxes. A second lens array has a plurality of second small lenses arranged therein. The second small lenses have a one-to-one correspondence with the first small lenses and are configured to receive the segmental light fluxes exiting from the first small lenses. At least some of the second small lenses each include a plurality of lens elements disposed in a surface direction that is the same as the second small lenses. A superimposing lens superimposes on an illuminated area the segmental light fluxes exiting from the plurality of second small lenses.
US09104089B2	Electronic device An electronic device includes a lens assembly, a lens focusing rod, a power switch and a lens protective cover. When the lens protective cover is located in the first position, the lens assembly is shielded by the lens protective cover, the power switch is turned off, and the lens protective cover is separated from the lens focusing rod. When the lens protective cover is located in the second position, the power switch is turned on, and the lens protective cover is contacted with the lens focusing rod. When the lens protective cover is moved between the second position and the third position, the power switch is turned on, and the lens assembly is driven by the lens protective cover through the lens focusing rod for focusing operation.
US09104079B2	Display device and terminal device To provide a plural-viewpoint display device having an image separating optical element such as a lenticular lens or a parallax barrier, which is capable of arranging thin film transistors and wirings while achieving substantially trapezoid apertures and high numerical aperture, and to provide a driving method thereof, a terminal device, and a display panel. A neighboring pixel pair arranged with a gate line interposed therebetween is connected to the gate line placed between the pixels, each of the pixels configuring the neighboring pixel pair is connected to the data line different from each other, and each of the neighboring pixel pairs neighboring to each other in an extending direction of the gate lines is connected to the gate line different from each other.
US09104078B2	Display device Provided is a display device, in which: a center position of a row-wise width of a black matrix located between a red pixel and a green pixel is displaced toward a red pixel side from the center position of a row-wise line width of a data line overlapping with the black matrix in a plan view; and the center position of the row-wise width of the black matrix located between the green pixel and a blue pixel is displaced toward a blue pixel side from the center position of the row-wise line width of the data line overlapping with the black matrix in a plan view.
US09104074B2	Liquid crystal display panel A liquid crystal display panel divided into a first and a second regions respectively having a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in array is provided. Each sub-pixel has a first display area providing a first main alignment vector, a second display area providing a second main alignment vector, and a compensation display area. A direction of the first main alignment vector is opposite to that of the second main alignment vector. When the liquid crystal display panel states in the narrow viewing angle display mode, driving voltages of the first display areas in the first region are substantially greater than driving voltages of the second display areas in the first region, driving voltages of the first display areas in the second region are smaller than driving voltages of the second display areas in the second region, and all the compensation display areas in the first and the second regions are enabled.
US09104071B2	Liquid crystal display device In the step of curing a resin for bonding a TFT substrate and a counter substrate each having an alignment film that has been optically aligned by using UV-light, damage to the alignment film due to the UV-light can be prevented without using a light shielding mask. A UV-light absorption layer is formed between each black matrix on the counter substrate. The TFT and the counter substrates are sealed at their periphery by a resin that is cured by UV-light radiated from the counter substrate side. Since the absorption layer has a high absorbability to UV-light at a wavelength of 300 nm or less that degrades the alignment film, damage to the alignment film due to the UV-light for curing the resin can be prevented. Thus, provision of a light shielding mask for shielding the UV-light for the display region can be saved.
US09104068B2	Backlight module and LCD device comprising backlight module The invention provides a backlight module and an LCD device including the backlight module. The backlight module includes an LGP, a lightbar optically coupled with the LGP, and an outer frame. The lightbar is arranged on the outer frame from the inner side of the backlight module. In the invention, because the lightbar is arranged on the outer frame of the backlight module, the lightbar can directly exchange heat with the outside air via the outer frame to dissipate heat; because the lightbar is directly arranged on the outer frame, the heat conduction path is shortened to a great extent. Thus, the heat emitted by the lightbar can be dissipated via the outer frame in time; the inside temperature of the backlight module is reduced, the stability and the service life of the components in the backlight module are increased, and the phenomenon that the stability of the LCD panel is affected by overhigh temperature is avoided.
US09104064B2	Light source device, illuminating device, backlight device, liquid crystal display device and display device Concave marks indicative of an orientation of a circuit board are formed on the circuit board, convex indices to be engaged with the marks are formed in a position in which the circuit is to be attached. An operator confirms the orientation of the circuit board easily and accurately by visually recognizing the marks and touching the marks with a finger. Moreover, the operator positions the circuit board by engaging the marks with the indices.
US09104052B2	Liquid crystal display device Discussed is an LCD device. The LCD device includes a guide panel, a side cover, a flexible film, and an adhesive member. The guide panel includes a side wall and a support part formed to surround a lower edge of a liquid crystal panel, and supports the liquid crystal panel. The side cover is formed to surround a side surface of the liquid crystal panel and a side surface of the guide panel, and a hole is formed at a portion of the liquid crystal panel having a certain height. The flexible film is disposed between the support part of the guide panel and the liquid crystal panel. The adhesive member adheres a bottom of the liquid crystal panel to the flexible film.
US09104051B2	Back frame and backlight system The present invention provides a back frame of flat panel display device and a backlight system. The back frame includes primary assembling pieces, secondary assembling pieces, and a bracing piece for fixing a circuit board. The primary assembling pieces are connected through joining and use different thermally conductive materials. Further, a circuit board is mountable and position adjustable through a bracing piece. The present invention also provides a backlight system. The back frame and the backlight system of the present invention have a back frame of simple structure, reduce the expenditure of a back frame mold, facilitate heat dissipation, facility fixing of circuit board, and save the material used for back frame so as to lower down the manufacturing cost of flat panel display device.
US09104049B2	Display device with a base material made of plastic A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate which sandwiches a liquid crystal between itself and the first substrate, wherein the first substrate has thin film transistors and a wiring connection portion in which are formed terminals connected to the thin film transistors, a wiring substrate connected to the terminals is disposed in the wiring connection portion, the second substrate is a plastic substrate, and has an adhesive layer and an inorganic insulating layer formed on top of the adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer covers the wiring connection portion and one portion of the wiring substrate.
US09104047B2	Electro-optical phase shifter having a low absorption coefficient A semiconductor electro-optical phase shifter may include a central zone configured to be placed in an optical waveguide and doped at a first conductivity type, a first lateral zone adjacent a first face of the central region and doped at a second conductivity type, and a second lateral zone adjacent a second face of the central zone and doped at the second conductivity type.
US09104044B1	Adjustable in-situ device to stabilize and maintain positioning of eyewear on a user Devices for eyewear and eyeglasses providing in situ adjustability to stabilize and maintain positioning of the eyewear and/or eyeglasses on a user are disclosed. The devices are further suitable for use in conjunction with a retainer strap and/or integrated with a retainer strap. The devices are further suitable for integration into the manufacture of eyewear and/or eyeglasses. Embodiments of the device and methods of employing the same are set forth.
US09104041B2	Optical system determination according to advanced criteria A method implemented by computer means for calculating by optimization an optical system for example an ophthalmic lens according to at least one criterion among the following list consisting of: ocular deviation, object visual angular field in central vision, image visual angular field in central vision, pupil field ray deviation, object visual angular field in peripheral vision, image visual angular field in peripheral vision, prismatic deviation in peripheral vision, magnification in peripheral vision, lens volume, magnification of the eyes, temple shift, or a variation of preceding criteria.
US09104036B2	Collimating optical device and system There is provided a light-guide, compact collimating optical device, including a light-guide having a light-waves entrance surface, a light-waves exit surface and a plurality of external surfaces, a light-waves reflecting surface carried by the light-guide at one of the external surfaces, two retardation plates carried by light-guides on a portion of the external surfaces, a light-waves polarizing beamsplitter disposed at an angle to one of the light-waves entrance or exit surfaces, and a light-waves collimating component covering a portion of one of the retardation plates. A system including the optical device and a substrate, is also provided.
US09104007B2	Storage assembly for fibre-optic cables A channelling assembly for guiding cable on a cable management tray is formed by a ducted member having an inlet end and an outlet end so as to form open channels into which cable can be laid through the open top of each channel. A retaining member is associated with each channel. Each retaining member is engaged with the tops of a neighboring pair of partitions so as to close the top of the channel formed between the partitions. A resiliently deformable region is formed on each retaining member, which extends down into the channel upon engaging the retraining member with the partitions so as to compress cables located in the channel between the resiliently deformable member and the bottom of the channel, and thus securely retain the cables in place.
US09104003B1	Embedded optical interconnect devices for optical data pipes and methods of use thereof In one instance, an optical interconnection is embedded in a structure. The optical interconnection embedded in the structure enables interfacing electrical subsystems and sharing electrical signals across the structure by converting electrical signals into optical and vice a versa by means of the optical data pipe technology. The system of these teachings enables methods for decreasing the weight and size of the system, for decreasing sensitivity to electromagnetic interference and for obtaining data from the interior of a system.
US09103996B2	Optical fiber connector with handling member An optical fiber connector according to the present disclosure includes an outer housing, an inner housing and a handling member. The outer housing has an accommodation room defined by a first wall, a second wall, a third wall and a fourth wall, wherein the first wall faces the third wall and connects with the second and fourth walls. A hook is formed at each of the second and fourth walls. The inner housing protrudes outwardly from the accommodation room of the outer housing. The handling member has a pair of grip hooks that are configured to hook on to the hooks at the second and fourth walls, respectively.
US09103992B1	Flexible bandwidth wavelength selective switch A method and an apparatus for switching a beam from a first port to a second port in an optical switch are described. Switching is performed by a single-axis beam steering element and one or more actuatable beam diffraction devices. Each beam diffraction device is actuatable between diffracting and non-diffracting states. Each beam diffraction device is configured to deflect the optical beam when in the diffracting state such that at least part of the optical beam is diffracted outside a detection area of a column of I/O ports. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US09103990B2	Optical fiber coupler having male port and female port An optical fiber coupler includes a male port and a female port. The male port includes a main body, the male transmission lens and the male receiving lens positioned on the main body, and a male optical wave guide assembly. The male base board includes at least one male optical wave guide. Each male optical wave guide includes a male first alignment portion and a male second alignment portion. The male first alignment portion is optically coupled with one male receiving lens; and a male second alignment portion has a greater width than that of the male first alignment portion. The structure of the female port is similar to the male port.
US09103986B2	Multi frequency filter arrays for low cost spectrometers Optical filters, optical sensor arrays and methods for assembling the same and systems incorporating the same are disclosed. An optical filter may include a first stack, a second stack and a spacer layer. The first stack may include alternating layers of a first material having a first refractive index and a second material having a second refractive index that differs from the first refractive index. The second stack may include alternating layers of the first material and the second material. The spacer layer may be positioned between the first stack and the second stack to form a stacked assembly. The spacer layer may include a patterned layer including the first material and the second material. At least a portion of the patterned layer may include a pattern composed of the first material.
US09103983B2	Optical element with mechanical alignment and method of making same A product and process for fabricating an optical element from a capillary ferrule includes fusing the optical element onto an optical fiber. The optical element starts with a capillary ferrule that is sculpted on one end to form an optical property such as a flat window, ball lens, angled endface or other sculpted shape. The ferrule is fused onto an optical fiber that has been inserted into the ID of the capillary ferrule. As a result, the ferrule serves as a mechanical aligner for the optical element to fiber fusion process.
US09103982B2	Organic electroluminescent display and method for fabricating the same An organic electroluminescent display (OELD) device at least includes a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly has a first substrate and an organic electroluminescent unit formed on the first substrate. The second assembly, assembled with the first assembly, includes a second substrate, a color filter layer and a patterned light-shielding layer. The color filter layer is disposed on the second substrate and has plural colored regions with different colors. The patterned light-shielding layer is disposed on the color filter layer and between the colored regions. A part of the patterned light-shielding layer contacts the first assembly to maintain a cell gap between the first assembly and the second assembly.
US09103961B2	Systems and methods for optical transmission using supermodes In some embodiments, coupled multi-core fiber is used for optical transmission. The coupled multi-core fiber includes multiple cores each supporting a spatial mode. The cores are positioned close enough to cause coupling between their modes that generates supermodes, that are used to transmit data.
US09103956B2	Light emitting device with optical redundancy An optically redundant light emitting device includes a light transmitting film comprising an array of coupling lightguides extending from a light emitting area defined within the light transmitting film. Each coupling lightguide is bent to form a stacked array of coupling lightguides. A first group of light sources comprising at least one light source is positioned to emit light into the stacked array of coupling lightguides, and a second group of light sources comprising at least one light source is positioned to emit light into the stacked array of coupling lightguides. A first optical path of the light emitted from the first group of light sources overlaps with a second optical path of the light from the second group of light sources in each coupling lightguide.
US09103952B2	Lens barrel, image-capturing device, and method for controlling lens barrel Provided is a lens barrel in which tilt adjustment can be made depending on the position of a lens unit in the optical axis direction. This lens barrel is characterized by comprising: at least three guide bars provided so as to extend along the optical axis direction; drive means that respectively drive said at least three guide bars in the optical axis direction; a lens frame holding unit that holds an image-capturing lens, the lens frame holding unit being attached to at least three guide bars and being driven in the optical axis direction by said at least three guide bars; and a control unit that controls said at least three linear actuators so as to adjust the respective drive amounts in the optical axis direction of said at least three guide bars and to tilt the lens frame holding unit from a direction orthogonal to the optical axis.
US09103947B2	Three-point focus spacer and wishbone retention A system includes a light detector, optics, a telescope camera mount, a plurality of spacers, and a retainer. The optics are configured to focus light on the light detector. The telescope camera mount is configured to at least partially support the optics. The plurality of spacers are positioned between the optics and the light detector. A retainer is coupled to the plurality of spacers.
US09103946B2	Wind parameter indication Wind parameter indication device and method for providing an indication of wind speed and wind direction. The device is deployed along an aerial trajectory toward a ground surface, such as after being ejected from an aircraft in flight. The device includes an anemometer, an altimeter, a compass, a processor and a transmitter. The anemometer obtains local wind speed and local wind direction measurements along the trajectory. The altimeter obtains altitude measurements along the trajectory. The compass obtains direction measurements along the trajectory. The device may further include an accelerometer, for obtaining acceleration measurements along the trajectory. The processor determines a wind speed value and a wind direction value associated with a predetermined altitude of the device. The transmitter transmits the determined wind speed value and wind direction value to a remotely located receiver. The device may further include a stabilizing decelerator to stabilize and decelerate the device along the trajectory.
US09103944B2	System and method for sonic wave measurements using an acoustic beam source A method and system for investigating structure near a borehole are described herein. The method includes generating an acoustic beam by an acoustic source; directing at one or more azimuthal angles the acoustic beam towards a selected location in a vicinity of a borehole; receiving at one or more receivers an acoustic signal, the acoustic signal originating from a reflection or a refraction of the acoustic wave by a material at the selected location; and analyzing the received acoustic signal to characterize features of the material around the borehole.
US09103943B2	Acquisition and processing of multi-source broadband marine seismic data A method and a system of acquiring and processing multi-source broadband marine seismic data in such a way that at least a part of said acquired data is partially or fully de-ghosted on the receiver side and then partially or fully re-assembled to a pre-stack dataset. At least one non-uniformly horizontal streamer is towed and at least two seismic sources emit seismic signals at spaced apart positions. Further presented is a method of processing marine seismic data by using the thus resulting notch diversity in these two (or more) seismic records to de-ghost the dataset, gathering two or more recorded seismic signals having substantially the same source-sensor offset and substantially the same common mid-point at different sensor depths, the sensor depths at least different enough to enable identification of seismic signals originating from ghosting. The gather is de-ghosted, thus obtaining seismic data with significantly broader bandwidth.
US09103937B2	Systems and methods for holographic navigation The systems and methods described herein relate to systems and methods for synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) or radar including high-frequency holographic navigation.
US09103932B2	Method, apparatus, and system for examining optically a sample carried in a plurality of wells An apparatus and method are disclosed for examining optically a sample carried in a plurality of wells. A holder is adapted to receive and hold in place a sample carrier. A plurality of excitation means selectively introduce excitation towards a spatially limited portion of a sample carrier held in place by said holder. Detecting means receive and detect emission radiation coupled out from a light output window of a sample carrier held in place by said holder. Said detecting means is common to said excitation means and is configured to receive emission radiation from a plurality of different spatially limited portions of a sample carrier held in place by said holder.
US09103918B2	Enhanced radar range resolution A synthetic aperture radar imaging method that combines each radar return pulse with a sinusoid to reduce the radar return pulses to a baseband frequency and deskew each radar return pulse. It includes determining a maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) of residual motion parameters for a dominant scatterer on the ground relative to the airborne radar and correcting for errors in inertial navigation system measurements based on the MLE residual motion parameters. It includes convolving each radar return pulse with its corresponding radar transmission pulse to generate a range compressed image for each radar return pulse and generating a sub-band range profile image for each radar return pulse and its corresponding radar transmission pulse based on the corresponding range compressed image that has been corrected for residual motion. Performing bandwidth extrapolation on each sub-band and subsequently combining the three bands to produce an enhanced resolution image without grating lobes.
US09103917B2	Method and system for determining location within a building based on historical location information A mobile device may be operable to receive historical location trail information of a building. A location of the mobile device within the building may be determined by placing, moving or snapping a reference location of the mobile device onto a trail according to the received historical location trail information. The historical location trail information may be acquired from a location server. The historical location trail information stored in the location server may be generated using a plurality of location samples that are provided by one or more other mobile devices that have been within the building. The historical location trail information may also be acquired from an indoor map of the building that is used by the mobile device for navigation within the building. The determined location of the mobile device may then be utilized by the mobile device to navigate within the building for location-based services.
US09103915B2	Reference oscillator management for wireless devices having position determination functionality A method and device for managing a reference oscillator within a wireless device is presented. The method includes selecting reference oscillator parameters associated with the lowest reference oscillator error, where the selection is based upon reference oscillator parameters derived using different technologies within a wireless device, acquiring a satellite based upon the selected reference parameters, determining the quality of the satellite-based position fix, and updating the reference oscillator parameters based upon the quality of the satellite-based position fix. The wireless device includes a wireless communications system, a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver, a reference oscillator connected to the wireless communications system and SPS receiver, and a mobile controller connected to the reference oscillator, SPS, and wireless communications system, and a memory connected to the mobile controller, where the memory stores a reference oscillator parameter table and instructions causing the mobile controller to execute the aforementioned method.
US09103910B2	Using orthogonal space projections to generate a constant false alarm rate control parameter An adaptive parameter for adjusting a threshold in a sensor system that provides a constant false alarm rate is disclosed. A projection space generator performs projection operations to create a matched projection space and first and second mismatched projection spaces such that each mismatched projection space is orthogonal or nearly orthogonal to the matched projection space. A mitigator engine receives the matched and first mismatched projection spaces and generates a covariance matrix from the first mismatched projection space and an image space from the covariance matrix and the matched projection space. A second mismatched projection space that is mismatched to both the matched and first mismatched projection spaces is provided to a clutter characterization engine that generates samples from the second mismatched projection space and the covariance matrix. The adaptive parameter is generated from the samples and is used as an input to a threshold adjuster in a target detector.
US09103896B2	Method and device for establishing excitation parameters for MR imaging A method and a device for establishing excitation parameters, in particular for establishing an excitation profile, for MR imaging, are proposed. Elements of a k-space covariance matrix are determined for signal noise in k-space data which is captured using a plurality of receive channels in the context of data captured at an examination object. Elements of at least one image space covariance matrix are mathematically determined for a plurality of voxels of the examination object as a function of the k-space covariance matrix. The excitation parameters are established as a function of the determined elements of the at least one image space covariance matrix.
US09103893B2	Voltage monitor semiconductor device, battery pack, and electronic device employing battery pack A voltage monitor semiconductor device to monitor voltages of multiple rechargeable devices to output a detection result signal to indicate overcharge, over-discharge, or excess-current, the voltage monitor semiconductor device including multiple voltage input terminals, corresponding to the multiple rechargeable devices, to monitor the voltages of the corresponding rechargeable devices as monitor voltages; and a test signal generation circuit to generate a first test signal that inverts when at least one of the monitor voltages falls below a predetermined first threshold voltage that is not used normally as an abnormal state.
US09103891B2	Voltage monitoring circuit, test method therefor, and voltage monitoring system A voltage monitoring circuit includes a plurality of voltage input terminals which input a voltage across each of a plurality of series-coupled battery cells, a selection circuit which, by selecting two of the voltage input terminals, selects a voltage across one of the battery cells, an A/D converter which converts the voltage across the battery cell into a digital value, a control unit which sends the digital value to an external controller, a ground wiring which is coupled to a ground terminal for inputting a ground level voltage for the voltage monitoring circuit, the ground terminal being among the voltage input terminals, and through which the voltage monitoring circuit is supplied with the ground level voltage, a terminal which is supplied with a lowest fixed potential, and a switch circuit which is coupled between the first terminal and the ground wiring.
US09103881B2	Operating scan path generators and compactors sequentially and capturing simultaneously A Scan-BIST architecture is adapted into a low power Scan-BIST architecture. A generator 102, compactor 106, and controller 110 remain the same as in the known art. The changes between the known art Scan-BIST architecture and the low power Scan-BIST architecture involve modification of the known scan path into scan path 502, to insert scan paths A 506, B 508 and C 510, and the insertion of an adaptor circuit 504 in the control path 114 between controller 110 and scan path 502.
US09103880B2	On-chip probe circuit for detecting faults in an FPGA An integrated programmable logic circuit having a read/write probe includes a plurality of programmable logic circuits having internal circuit nodes and a plurality of flip flops, each having an asynchronous data input line, an asynchronous load line, and a data output connected to an internal circuit node, a probe-data line, an address circuit for selecting one of the internal circuit nodes, a read-probe enable line for selectively coupling the selected one of the internal circuit nodes to the probe-data line, a data input path to the asynchronous data input line of each flip flop, a write-probe data input path to the asynchronous data input line of each flip flop, a write-probe enable line, and selection circuitry, responsive to the address circuit and the write-probe enable line, to couple one of the data input path and the write-probe data input path to the asynchronous data input of a selected flip flop.
US09103875B2	Probe-able voltage contrast test structures Test structures and method for detecting defects using the same. A probe-able voltage contrast (VC) comb test structure that includes first, second and third probe pads, a comb-like structure including grounded tines, floating tines between the grounded tines, switching devices coupled with an end portion of each floating tine, and connecting the floating tines to the second probe pad, and the third probe pad being a control pad which controls the switching devices. A probe-able VC serpentine test structure that includes first, second, third and fourth probe pads, a comb-like structure including grounded tines, floating tines between the grounded tines and each floating tine connected together between the second and third probe pads, switching devices connected to an end portion of each floating tine and connecting the floating tines to the second and third probe pads, and the fourth probe pad being a control pad which controls the switching devices.
US09103871B2	High throughput quantum efficiency combinatorial characterization tool and method for combinatorial solar test substrates Simultaneous measurement of an internal quantum efficiency and an external quantum efficiency of a solar cell using an emitter that emits light; a three-way beam splitter that splits the light into solar cell light and reference light, wherein the solar cell light strikes the solar cell; a reference detector that detects the reference light; a reflectance detector that detects reflectance light, wherein the reflectance light comprises a portion of the solar cell light reflected off the solar cell; a source meter operatively coupled to the solar cell; a multiplexer operatively coupled to the solar cell, the reference detector, and the reflectance detector; and a computing device that simultaneously computes the internal quantum efficiency and the external quantum efficiency of the solar cell.
US09103868B2	Vertical hall sensors Embodiments relate to vertical Hall sensors for use with spinning current techniques. In an embodiment, a symmetric arrangement of two vertical Hall devices is used, in which all sense terminals of the Hall devices are used in all clock phases. Such a configuration can achieve better offset error suppression as compared with conventional solutions.
US09103864B2	Non-intrusive cable fault detection and methods In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a cable fault detection device is described. The device includes a conformal monopole structure and a ground plane structure. The ground plane structure is configured to be generally parallel to the cable longitudinal axis.
US09103857B2	Gradiometer for determining the electrical conductivity of a medium contained in a containment A gradiometer for determining electrical conductivity of a medium contained in a containment, comprising: at least a first electrical coil, a second electrical coil and a third electrical coil, wherein the first coil is embodied as a transmitting coil, wherein the second and third coil are embodied as receiving coils; and a holding apparatus. The first, second and third coils are wound on the holding apparatus. The holding apparatus is arranged through a containment opening in a containment wall in such a manner that the first coil is positioned centrally with respect to the containment wall. The second and third coils are arranged mirror symmetrically to the first coil and are inductively coupled with the first coil.
US09103849B2	Impact indicator A device and technique for impact detection includes a tube having a first fluid and a second fluid disposed therein, wherein a viscosity of the second fluid is greater than a viscosity of the first fluid, and wherein, responsive to a predetermined level of impact received by the impact indicator, at least a portion of the first fluid mixes into the second fluid to create a change in color of the second fluid to provide a visual indication of the received impact.
US09103845B2	System and method for reducing offset variation in multifunction sensor devices Systems and methods are provided for improved multifunction sensing. In these embodiments a multifunction sensing device (100) includes a microelectromechanical (MEMS) gyroscope (110) and at least a second sensor (112). The MEMS gyroscope (110) is configured to generate a first clock signal, and the second sensor includes a second clock signal. The multifunction sensing device further includes a reset mechanism (114), the reset mechanism (114) configured to generate a reset signal to set the relative periodic phase alignment of the second clock signal to the first clock signal. Consistently setting the relative periodic phase alignment of the clocks for the other sensor devices (112) to the clock of the MEMS gyroscope (110) can improve the performance of the devices by reducing the probability that varying output offsets will occur in the multiple sensing devices.
US09103838B2	Apparatus and methods for separating and analyzing components in fluids Provided are methods and devices for separating particulate analytes or aggregates of analytes from a fluid, after the separation medium of the device is saturated with the fluid. The endpoint indicating completion of the separation is determined by saturation; therefore, no precise metering of the fluid sample is necessary. The separated analyte of interest can be detected, quantitated or its migration measured in the separation medium. The measured property of the analyte can then be correlated with a parameter of interest. In some embodiments, the device can be marked to directly read the value of the parameter of interest. In one embodiment, the fluid is blood and the device includes a volumetric capillary reservoir for collecting the blood, a separation paper or indicator strip, and graduations for correlating the migration of red blood cells with hematocrit or hemoglobin concentration. The interface of red blood cells and plasma creates a readable marking that corresponds to percent hematocrit and can be read from the graduations.
US09103831B2	Orally administered bacteria as vehicles for systemic delivery of agents The current invention relates to the use of a bacterial species in the preparation of a composition adapted for oral administration for the delivery of an agent to a site in the body. The site in the body may be an organ or a tumour site. The bacterial species is a food grade, non-pathogenic, gram-positive bacteria capable of anaerobic growth.
US09103827B2	Sequence-specific extraction and analysis of DNA-bound proteins An automated protein preparation technology that may use magnetic microparticles to isolate proteins in their native state from specific genomic loci of interest via the chromatin to which they are bound is described. After extraction, the targeted proteins may be purified for downstream analysis by quantitative mass spectrometry or ELISA. The identification of DNA-bound proteins, histones and their post-translational modification is of high scientific and pharmaceutical importance due to the role of DNA-binding proteins in the cauzation and development of human disease; in particular, cancer.
US09103824B2	Biosensor system for actuating magnetic particles The application discloses a biosensor system (1) comprising: a biosensor cartridge (30), a first biosensor magnet assembly (10) for generating a magnetic field in the biosensor cartridge comprising two magnetic subunits (20a, 20b) each having a core (22a, 22b) with a top surface (24) separated by a gap (25), and wherein the sensor surface comprised by the biosensor cartridge is arranged above the top surfaces of the cores, wherein the two subunits are adapted to generate a magnetic field between the first subunit and the second subunit with magnetic field lines essentially in parallel to the sensor surface to exert forces at magnetic particles in the cartridge. By employing the system for controlling the movement of magnetic particles in immunoassays, more reliable test results are achieved.
US09103820B2	Method for screening toxin neutralizing peptide, STX2 inhibiting peptide and verotoxin neutralizing agent A screening method directed towards; (1) specifying a receptor binding site by introduction of mutation, and (2) specifying a binding site-specific peptide motif on the basis of an amino acid selection ratio by contrast between a peptide motif bound to a wild-type subunit and a peptide motif bound to a mutant functionally deficient in the binding site according to a peptide library method. A peptide which inhibits a toxin whose receptor binding portion has a subunit structure is screened. Accordingly, an STX2 inhibitor in which an STX2 inhibiting peptide is incorporated in a molecular nuclear structure portion having three molecules of lysine (Lys) peptide-linked thereto and which is easy to synthesize and can inhibit verotoxin is provided.
US09103819B2	Peripheral zone tumor cells, methods for their preparation and use The present invention relates to a tumor cell of the peripheral zone of a tumor and methods of providing such a tumor cell. Further provided is a method for identifying a molecular marker diagnostic for an infiltrative cancer, an antibody, which specifically binds to such molecular marker, a method for identifying a therapeutic compound effective against a metastatic/infiltrative cancer disease and the use of a tumor cell according to the invention.
US09103813B2	Processes and systems for characterizing and blending refinery feedstocks Refinery feedstocks can be characterized based on any of: dissociation of acids in the crude, breakup of naphthenic acid molecular associations, and/or dissociation of sulfur compounds in the feedstocks. The characterization is performed as a function of temperature via any of electrical resistivity measurement, vibrational spectroscopic analysis, voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and combinations thereof. The method can be practiced in any of refinery, terminal, and laboratories. It can be used in conjunction with models and hardware to optimize the usage of refinery feedstocks in the blending and valuation of the feedstocks. In one embodiment, the characterization of refinery feedstocks is via the use of EIS.
US09103808B2	Bellows type dispensing tip, bellows type dispensing apparatus and method of bellows type dispensing processing There is provided a bellows type dispensing tip, a bellows type dispensing apparatus, and a method of bellows type dispensing processing that performs highly precise dispensing processing despite having a simple structure. The apparatus comprises; two or more bellows type dispensing tips having; an accommodating section that is capable of accommodating a liquid or gas in the interior thereof surrounded by a wall face, and that has a deformable deforming wall face in a portion of the wall face, and an opening section communicated with the accommodating section, through which the liquid to be suctioned/discharged can flow in and flow out due to expansion and contraction of the interior caused by deformation of the deforming wall face; and a dispensing head that supports one or two or more of the bellows type dispensing tips, and that performs suction/discharge of the liquid into or from the bellows type dispensing tip, by deforming the deforming wall face of the bellows type dispensing tip.
US09103806B2	Robotic system with autonomously operable tools Method and apparatus for performing a liquid handling process involves the use of a robotic device that manipulates a plurality of separate tools. A first tool may be removably engaged with the robotic device, which manipulates and control the first tool to perform at least one liquid handling task or operation with respect to at least one liquid sample. The first tool may then be positioned at a first location on a support, and disengaged from the robotic device. Thereafter, the first tool may perform at least one liquid handling task or operation while on the support and separated from the robotic device.
US09103799B2	Method for monitoring glass melting furnace, method for controlling introduction of raw material, and device for controlling introduction of raw material Method for monitoring molten state of a glass batch charged into a melting bath of a glass melting furnace, and a method and control device for controlling an amount of a glass batch to be so charged. Regions to be measured are set in regions corresponding to particular partial regions on an image obtained by capturing an image of a liquid surface of the bath to be monitored using a camera. The occupying ratio of an area occupied by image portions representing unmolten glass batches in each region, and a distribution state of the batches in the partial region is recognized from the measured value of the occupying ratios so as to determine whether the molten state quality of the batch is favorable. When the determined quality is not favorable, the amounts thereof to be charged by batch chargers are controlled so that appropriate distribution states can be obtained.
US09103788B2	Detection of bacterial contamination in a sample Methods for detecting one or more target bacteria in a test sample are provided. It is shown herein that photosensitizers combined with intense light exposure reduce fluorescing background due to non-bacterial particles. This permits detection of subsequently labeled target bacterial cells (e.g., using a fluorescently labeled antibody) against a largely black background. In particular examples, the methods include incubating the test sample in a growth medium that permits growth of bacteria present in the sample, contacting the sample with a photo-sensitizer; exposing the sample to light under conditions sufficient for the photo-sensitizer to photobleach contaminating non-bacterial particulates present in the sample. The bacteria can then be substantially separated from the sample, thereby generating an isolated bacterial sample. The method can also include contacting the isolated bacterial sample with a binding agent specific for the one or more target bacteria, and detecting the one or more target bacteria.
US09103787B2	Optically accessible microfluidic diagnostic device A microfluidic diagnostic device (1, 50) comprising a substrate (4); a compatible layer (6) formed on a first face (4a) of the substrate (4); a structural layer (8), formed on top of the compatible layer (6); a channel (10), formed in the structural layer (8) and limited underneath by the compatible layer (6), optically accessible by a first luminous radiation having a first wavelength (λe); and a cover layer (18) made of a material transparent to the first wavelength (λe), arranged on top of the structural layer (8) and sealing the channel (10) at the top, wherein the compatible layer (6) has a thickness equal to approximately a quarter of the first wavelength (λe) divided by the refraction index of the compatible layer (6), or equal to an odd multiple of a quarter of the first wavelength (λe) divided by the refraction index of the compatible layer (6).
US09103782B2	Automatic isothermal titration microcalorimeter apparatus and method of use Automated isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system comprising a micro calorimeter with a sample cell and a reference cell, the sample cell is accessible via a sample cell stem and the reference cell is accessible via a reference cell stem. The system further comprises an automatic pipette assembly comprising a syringe with a titration needle arranged to be inserted into the sample cell for supplying titrant, the pipette assembly comprises an activator for driving a plunger in the syringe, a pipette translation unit supporting the pipette assembly and being arranged to place pipette in position for titration, washing and filling operations, a wash station for the titrant needle, and a cell preparation unit arranged to perform operations for replacing the sample liquid in the sample cell when the pipette is placed in another position than the position for titration.
US09103777B2	Modular analyte measurement system with extendable strip port A modular analyte measurement system having a removable strip port module. In one embodiment, the analyte measurement system includes: an analyte meter; a removable strip port module; and a connector linking the removable strip port module to the analyte meter. The analyte meter includes: a meter housing; a receptacle formed in the meter housing; a processing circuit disposed within the housing; and an input interface within the receptacle and electrically coupled to the processing circuit. The removable strip port module includes: a module housing sized to at least partially fit within the receptacle of the analyte meter; an analyte test strip port disposed within the module housing to receive an analyte test strip via an aperture formed in the module housing; and an output interface coupled to the analyte test strip port. The connector links the output interface with the input interface.
US09103775B2	Nano-electronic sensors for chemical and biological analytes, including capacitance and bio-membrane devices Embodiments of nanoelectronic sensors are described, including sensors for detecting analytes inorganic gases, organic vapors, biomolecules, viruses and the like. A number of embodiments of capacitive sensors having alternative architectures are described. Particular examples include integrated cell membranes and membrane-like structures in nanoelectronic sensors.
US09103773B2	Capacitive element sensor and method for manufacturing same The present disclosure relates to a capacitive element sensor and to a method for manufacturing same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a change in total capacitance brought about by the electrical charge of biomolecules attached to an electrode and to a sensor for measuring the change.
US09103763B2	System and method for detection of foreign substances A sensing unit is presented for use in identifying at least one foreign substance in a region of interest. The sensing unit comprises at least one measurement unit, which comprises one or more sensor elements each configured and operable to be responsive to at least one foreign substance in the vicinity thereof. Each sensor element is mounted in its own compartment having an inlet and an outlet thus defining an environmental region in the vicinity of the sensor element separated from the surroundings of the compartment.
US09103756B2	All-in-one sample preparation device and method Sample preparation device that allows for a complete bind, wash, elute, buffer-exchange and concentration process to be carried out without sample transfer between multiple devices. The device includes a reservoir, a column for holding chromatography media, a holder region for holding a filtration device, and an outlet. The filtration device plugs into the holder region of the centrifugal device, and the assembly can be placed in an optional holder. The assembly, with or without the optional holder, can be placed in a conventional centrifuge tube for centrifugation. The entire bind, wash, elute, buffer exchange and concentration steps can be carried out with the apparatus without any pipette transfers (and the associated sample losses. The sample preparation device also can be used for binding and washing steps, in which case the filtration device is not needed, and for buffer exchange and concentration steps, in which case the media is not needed.
US09103755B2	Sample holder and method for fragmenting sample material Method and apparatus for holding and/or treating a sample material. A sample may be positioned in a vessel and a crushing force may be applied to the sample material while in the vessel, e.g., by a plunger that is part of a cap to pulverize the sample at cryogenic temperatures. The sample holder may include an acoustic window arranged to admit acoustic energy into the vessel for acoustic treatment of the sample. A flexible film may be used at a portion of the vessel, e.g., at the acoustic window, to cooperate with a plunger for crushing a sample.
US09103753B2	TEM-lamella, process for its manufacture, and apparatus for executing the process A process for manufacturing a TEM-lamella includes mounting (51) a plate shaped substrate having a thickness in a support, manufacturing (53) a first, strip-shaped recess on a first side of the substrate under a first angle to the support by means of a particle beam, and manufacturing (55) a second strip-shaped recess on a second side of the substrate under a second angle to the support by means of a particle beam, such that the first and the second strip-shaped recess mutually form an acute or right angle, and between them form an overlap region of lesser thickness. The lamella has a thicker rim region and a thinner central region, with a first strip-shaped, recess on a first side of the lamella and a second strip-shaped recess on a second side of the lamella, wherein the first and the second strip-shaped recess mutually form an acute or right angle, and between them form an overlap region having a thickness of below 100 nm. An apparatus for executing the process or manufacturing the lamella includes a lamella support pivotable about a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis inclined, to the vertical direction, a device for rotating about the longitudinal axis, and stop means for limiting a tilt of the lamella support about the transverse axis.
US09103743B2	Computer-assisted and/or enabled systems, methods, techniques, services and user interfaces for conducting motor vehicle and other inspections A computer-assisted inspection system including an integrated software suite provides vehicle inspection services for various clients. Features include automatic grading, flat car part picking, easy to use, ability to run in an environment where the inspector has no constant connectivity to the network (no guaranteed access to the internet, full data replication, intermittent connectivity, synch back up), inspectors can be geographically separated (e.g., all over the country), and the system is installable over the internet to provide efficient installation to far-flung install sites.
US09103738B2	Capacitive pressure sensor with intrinsic temperature compensation Pressure sensors and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a probe body and a capacitive sensor disposed at a distal end of the probe body. The capacitive sensor produces a sensing capacitance. The pressure sensor also includes a shunt capacitance. In the described pressure sensor, a change in the sensing capacitance due to dimensional changes associated with a temperature change is offset by a corresponding change in the shunt capacitance.
US09103729B1	Method and apparatus for determining curie temperature distribution of a sample of magnetic material Determining a Curie temperature (Tc) distribution of a sample comprising magnetic material involves subjecting the sample to an electromagnetic field, heating the sample over a range of temperatures, generating a signal representative of a parameter of the sample that changes as a function of changing sample temperature while the sample is subjected to the electromagnetic field, and determining the Tc distribution of the sample using the generated signal and a multiplicity of predetermined parameters of the sample.
US09103728B2	System and method of a personal enhancing color selection A personal enhancing color selection system and method, in which a selected reflective material, preferably in the form of a fabric or woven drape, is placed near the face or skin surface of a subject person. The selected reflective material has a metallic sheen when reflecting an ambient light source. The selected reflective fabric material is either a silver-hued material, a copper-hued material, or a gold-hued material. The incident light from the ambient light source imparts a reflected light onto the skin surface, with the copper material imparting a copper toned reflected light, the silver-hued material imparting silver toned reflected light, and the gold material imparting a gold toned reflected light. A visual determination of an aesthetically appealing augmentation to the skin surface is made, to recommend haircoloring, clothing colors and makeup selections that will likewise produce a positively enhanced appearance of the subject person of the color analysis.
US09103726B2	Stimulated raman scattering detection apparatus The stimulated Raman scattering detection apparatus includes first and second light pulse generators (1, 2) respectively generating first and second light pulses with first and second pulse periods, an optical system combining the first and second light pulses and focusing the combined light pulses onto a sample, and a detector (10) detecting the second light pulses intensity-modulated by stimulated Raman scattering generated by focusing of the combined light pulses onto the sample. The second light pulse generator divides each raw light pulse emitted with the second pulse period into two light pulses, delays one of the two light pulse with respect to the other thereof and combines the one light pulse divided from one raw light pulse and delayed, with the other light pulse divided from another raw light pulse emitted after the one raw light pulse, to generate the second light pulse.
US09103721B2	High speed microscope with spectral resolution A system and method of high-speed microscopy using a two-photon microscope with spectral resolution. The microscope is operable to provide two- to five-dimensional fluorescence images of samples, including two or three spatial dimensions, a spectral dimension (for fluorescence emission), and a temporal dimension (on a scale of less than approximately one second). Two-dimensional (spatial) images with a complete wavelength spectrum are generated from a single scan of a sample. The microscope may include one of a multi-beam point scanning microscope, a single beam line scanning microscope, and a multi-beam line scanning microscope. The line scans may be formed using one or more of curved mirrors and lenses. The multiple beams may be formed using one of a grating, an array of lenses, and a beam splitter.
US09103720B2	Methods for assaying polymers using an integrated computational element Various molecular characteristics of a polymer may be determined using an integrated computational element to assay the polymer. Methods for assaying a polymer can comprise optically interacting electromagnetic radiation with a polymer and an integrated computational element; and determining a molecular characteristic of the polymer, using the integrated computational element. The molecular characteristic of the polymer may be used to determine a bulk characteristic of a fluid phase in which the polymer may be disposed.
US09103714B2	System and methods for explosives detection using SWIR A system and method for detecting explosives and explosive residues. A region of interest is surveyed using a video capture device to thereby identify a target area wherein the target area comprises an unknown material. The target area is interrogated using SWIR spectroscopic methods to form a SWIR hyperspectral image of the target area. The SWIR hyperspectral image is analyzed to thereby identify the unknown material.
US09103713B2	All-optical hydrophone insensitive to temperature and to static pressure The invention consists of an optical hydrophone, an optical fiber element forming a laser cavity, housed in a mechanical structure which comprises an open cylindrical rigid body, defining the cavity enclosing a fluid and in which the optical fiber element is housed, and closed at its ends by two end caps which keep the optical fiber element permanently under tension, in a longitudinal rectilinear position inside the cavity. The end caps are configured in such a way that when the exterior pressure varies, they undergo a deformation giving rise to a variation in the length of the optical fiber element and that when the temperature varies, they undergo a deformation giving rise to a variation in the length of the optical fiber element which compensates for that induced on this element by the temperature variation. The mechanical structure furthermore exhibits one or more orifices allowing equilibration of the static pressures.
US09103707B2	Method and systems for estimating a fuel level of a liquid natural gas storage container Various methods and systems are provided for modifying a fuel volume of a fuel container based on fuel consumption. In one embodiment, a method comprises storing an initial fuel volume measurement for a fuel container of a first rail vehicle and modifying the initial fuel volume measurement based on fuel consumption of an engine of a second rail vehicle to determine a modified fuel volume.
US09103706B2	Flow measurement structure and flow measurement device The disclosed flow measurement structure used in a flow measurement device is provided with a conduit through which gas to be measured flows, and a diverter which diverts gas flowing through the conduit and conducts the diverted gas to a detection element for measuring the flow amount of said gas. An inlet of the diverter is provided in the periphery of the conduit. The conduit is provided with an inclined section which, provided upstream of the inlet, guides the gas towards the center of the conduit.
US09103702B2	Fastening device for fastening an assembly in an opening of a wall of a vehicle A fastening device for fastening an assembly in an opening of a wall of a vehicle includes a supporting element to be placed on the vehicle wall and a retaining element having at least one retaining wing that fastens the device in the vehicle wall opening. The retaining element is rotatable relative to the supporting element between fastened and unfastened positions. For a tool-free mounting and fastening, the retaining element further includes a graspable rotating wing that has a grasping surface which is inclined at an angle in the direction of rotation, whereby the manual grasping force applied by the installer exerts a force component in a rotational direction to rotate the retaining element, and a force component in an axial direction to press the fastening device against the vehicle wall. Preferably the wing includes a wing wall and reinforcing webs.
US09103701B2	Assembly for connecting a measuring instrument to a container containing the medium to be measured The invention relates to an assembly, in particular for measuring a process variable, which consists of a measuring instrument having a process connection and a housing, which is partially rotationally symmetrical at least in the region of the process connection, and of an adapter having a through-hole, which extends in the axial direction, and a sealing web in the through-hole. The measuring instrument and the adapter are connected to each other in a releasable and sealed manner via two sealing surfaces. According to the invention, at least one of the sealing surfaces then has a coating composed of parylene. The invention furthermore relates to an assembly for the releasable and sealed connection of two medium-carrying parts, in particular pipelines.
US09103699B2	Encoder and apparatus using the same The encoder includes a scale having a first periodic pattern and a second periodic pattern, a sensor relatively movable with the scale. The sensor outputs in a first detection state a first periodic signal changing with a change period corresponding to the first periodic pattern and outputs in a second detection state a second periodic signal changing with a longer change period corresponding to the second periodic pattern than that of the first periodic signal. A processor calculates a position in a relative movement direction of the scale and sensor by using both the first and second periodic signals. The processor takes in the second periodic signal, the first periodic signal and the second periodic signal in this order at mutually different times, calculates phases of the second, first and second periodic signals at a specific time and calculates the position at the specific time by using the calculated phases.
US09103690B2	Automatic travel time and routing determinations in a wireless network Aspects relate to automatically providing updated route and predicted travel time to allow a user to travel a shortest route between a first point and a second point. A route can be planned based on a multitude of route segments, wherein historical data related to speed is known for each of the route segments. Further, the historical data is categorized based on temporal aspects, such as time of day, day of week, as well as other aspects, such as known events that can have an influence on the speed at which each route segment can be traveled. As the user moves along the route, the planned route, as well as an anticipated travel time, are almost continually updated to provide the most up-to-date and accurate data.
US09103687B1	Locating fuel options and services Systems and methods may provide for generating and using information about fuel options along a predetermined route. An optimized fuel location server may use information related to the fuel efficiency in a given vehicle and information related to the amount of fuel currently present in a fuel tank associated with the vehicle to determine where along the predetermined route fuel will be required. The optimized fuel location server may also determine where the vehicle should stop for fuel to navigate the route in the lowest cost way possible. The optimized fuel location server may further consider user preferences, such as preferred fuel providers, in determining which fuel option should be used. Finally, the optimized fuel location server may be configured to send notifications (e.g., real-time, etc.) to a user device when the user device is within the vicinity of one or more fuel options.
US09103679B2	Navigation system with display control mechanism and method of operation thereof A method of operation of a navigation system includes: determining a frame of a map based on a current travel-direction for tracking a movement of a first device; generating a directional-tile from the frame based on the current travel-direction; and transferring the directional-tile for displaying a navigation map on a second device using the directional-tile from the first device.
US09103678B2	Attachment device and total station An attachment device 46 is for attaching and removing a distance measuring instrument 3 to and from an angle measuring instrument, and the attachment device comprises a base unit 61 where the distance measuring instrument is fixed, a fixing unit 55 for fixing the base unit on the angle measuring instrument, and an optical member 52 for deflecting a distance measuring light from the distance measuring instrument so as to concur with a sighting optical axis of the angle measuring instrument.
US09103670B1	Method and apparatus for hysteresis reduction in displacement sensors A method and apparatus are provided for improving the performance of displacement sensors, including absolute displacement sensors, such as inclinometers and accelerometers, and relative displacement sensors such as linear relative position transducers, by reducing or eliminating hysteresis. During use, independent, controlled and limited displacement is induced between the sensing unit and housing or base of such sensors.
US09103668B2	Laser generated measuring device The present invention relates to a laser-based measuring device which can be used to measure geometrical sizes and lines of a plane from a distance away. The device comprises a hand-held or mountable housing unit containing a laser projector, two pivotally fixed mirrors moveable by a first and second motor respectively, and at least one range finder, wherein the laser generates a visible line whose width is determined by the on time of the laser the angle of reflection of the first mirror and the rotational speed of the second mirror. The range finder(s) project the laser beam through a marked lens which then illuminate a ruled line or grid upon the planar surface to be measured.
US09103665B2	Apparatus and method for three dimensional inspection of wafer saw marks An apparatus (1) and a method for the three dimensional inspection of saw marks (2) on at least one surface (3) of a wafer (4) are disclosed. At least one camera (6) is required to capture an image of the entire surface (3) of the wafer (4). At least one line projector (8) provides a light bundle (5), centered about a central beam axis (9). The line projector (8) is arranged such that the central beam axis (9) is at an acute angle (α) with regard to the plane (P) of the wafer (4). A line shifter (12) is positioned in the light bundle (5) between each line projector (8) and the surface (3) of the wafer (4). A frame grabber (14) and an image processor (16) are used to synchronize and coordinate the image capture and the position of the pattern (20) of lines (22) on the front side (3F) and/or the back side (3B) of the wafer (4).
US09103660B2	Device and method for detecting presence of an object The present invention relates to a method (60) and device (2, 40, 50) for detecting presence of an object (52) by means of influencing propagation of light (16) arriving to a detector (14). The device (2, 40, 50) for detecting presence of the object (52) at the device (2, 40, 50) comprises a light source (4), a first redirecting structure (6), a second redirecting structure (10), and a light detector device (14). The light source (4) is adapted to emit light (16) towards the first redirecting structure (6), which is adapted to redirect light (16) from the light source (4) towards the second redirecting structure (10), which is adapted to return light (16) from the first redirecting structure (6) back towards the first redirecting structure (6), which is adapted to redirect light (16) from the second redirecting structure (10) towards the light detector device (14). The device (2, 40, 50) has a sensing zone (18) formed by light (16) propagating between the first redirecting structure (6) and the second redirecting structure (10).
US09103659B1	Method and system for junction depth identification for ultra shallow junctions Provided is a method for identifying material junctions and doping characteristics in semiconductor and other materials by illuminating the material and measuring voltage. A correlation between penetration depth of light and wavelength of light is established for a material. Photons are applied to materials such as semiconductor materials to induce charge. The photons are applied by exposing the material to light having a range of wavelengths. The induced charge results in a measurable voltage. The voltage is measured and the voltage measurements used to determine a junction depth and charge concentration of a material using the correlation between penetration depth of light and wavelength of light.
US09103656B2	Method for cleaning skid of surface roughness tester A method for cleaning a skid of a surface roughness tester including the skid provided with a skid aperture in a vertical direction, and a stylus disposed in the skid aperture of the skid and capable of moving in the vertical direction, wherein the surface roughness tester measures surface roughness of an object by moving the skid along a surface of the object. The method includes removing a foreign substance existing in a gap between the skid aperture and the stylus after measuring the surface roughness of the object.
US09103646B2	Active fuel management systems and methods for vehicles with a manual transmission A system for a vehicle includes an active fuel management (AFM) module, an expected engine speed determination module, and a disabling module. The AFM module selectively cuts off fuel to at least one cylinder of an engine and maintains valves of the at least one cylinder in closed positions. The expected engine speed determination module determines an expected engine speed based on a position of a shift lever of a manual transmission measured using a position sensor module. The disabling module selectively disables the AFM module based on the expected engine speed.
US09103640B2	Method for the simultaneous dispersion of projectiles A gun firing method whereby multiple projectiles segments that are contained in a cartridge case are fired simultaneously to create a pattern on the target to increase the hit probability of the dispersion. Some of the multiple projectile segments are side by side within the cartridge case and have ends that are approximately 90 degrees to the central longitudinal axis of the cartridge. This causes the projectile segments to rotate around their for and aft axis upon leaving the gun barrel, improves their accuracy, and effectively provides the projectile segments with a higher ballistic coefficient and a higher sectional density, to strike the target at a higher velocity and with greater retained energy to efficiently penetrate the target.
US09103623B2	Cartridge gas energized gun for arrows, darts and the like A cartridge gas energized arrow gun has upper and lower receivers, with a cartridge receiving member having a cartridge chamber and a bolt locking receptacle secured to the upper receiver. An arrow supporting barrel is secured to the upper receiver and defines a chamber within which an arrow is located. Cartridge gas from a blank ammunition cartridge within the cartridge chamber is employed to propel the arrow from the barrel. A manually operated bolt and bolt carrier assembly is moveable within the upper receiver for blank cartridge handling during loading, firing, extraction and ejection of blank cartridges.
US09103621B1	Quiver connection system A coupling system including a mounting plate for anchoring to a substrate and a pair of clasp elements for anchoring to an object to be coupled to the mounting plate. The mounting plate carries a longitudinal slot disposed at its distal end and a transverse slot disposed at its proximal end. Each clasp element is structured to define a groove shaped, dimensioned, and disposable to effect a press-fit registration with a respective slot. One clasp element is structured to form a press-fit installation into the transverse slot when the other resilient element is installed in press-fit registration in the longitudinal slot. Sometimes, the mounting system may include a deflection-limiting structure operable to resist wobble of a coupled object with respect to the substrate.
US09103620B2	Squirting toy A squirting toy including a housing. The housing includes a chamber having an interior wall, a first end that defines a hole, a second end, and a bushing disposed at the second end, the bushing having an outer surface that defines an opening and a flange formed around the opening. A piston is slidably engaged with the interior wall of the chamber and connected to a shaft. The shaft extends from the second end of the housing through the opening and includes a handle external to the housing. A soft non-water-absorbing shell is disposed over a portion of the housing. A packaging label is held by the flange and extends around the handle of the squirting toy to thereby prevent the housing from falling away from the handle when the squirting toy is hung vertically for display.

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